(T.Broomsticks) Christmas cheer

[Simon Ellison]

Taking a large swig of his drink Simon tried to avoid the temptation to look over at Girty. He tried to focus on the conversation the people around him were having but it was no use, he had to look. Glancing upwards he looked at the Hufflepuff across the room only for her to turn away straight away. Clenching his jaw Simon looked back at the rosy faced wizard that was sitting in front of him and joined in with his rather crude Christmas rhyme. But even as the rest of the table started to laugh Simon looked back over at the bat where Girty was sitting with two other people.

“I am just going too…”
“We know. You have been eyeing her up all night.”

With that the wizard sitting next to him pushed him out of his seat laughing even more and it thankfully drowned out the sound of the other rude remarks flying towards him. Looking over his shoulder back at the table, Simon grinned at them all before making his way over towards Girty. Once he was only a few feet away he leaned on the bar and grinned at her.

“You told me you did not have any friends Miss Hubbles. I hope it was not a guilt trip for me to buy you more drinks.”

Simon was tempted to offer to buy everyone else a drink, but he noticed that the all seemed to have full glasses and the main problem was he did not have any money to buy it with. So instead he leaned on the bar grinning at Girty before turning his attention to the other females present. The older one he had no clue who she was, but the younger look familiar.

[Jac Shaw]

Jac was a little lost in the conversation so merely kept her mouth shut, drinking her butterbeer, and watching to two talk at each other. She was just about done with her drink when she spotted a man sitting a few tables away glancing at their table. She looked back to the Astronomy teacher, waiting for her reply to Girty's flippant retort but the man she had spotted eyeing them was making his way over.

Jac's mouth was hidden behind the rim of her tankard when the young man began chatting with Girty. Jac lowered her tankard and smiled at Girty. She wanted to burst into laughter in the light of their earlier conversation about meeting special people but she didn't think that Girty had someone like that. Her hair flashed a brilliant pink when the laugh she was keeping in escaped through her nose in a snort.

“Excuse me,” Jac said, rubbing her nose to try and cover up her snort to make it look like she had sneezed. She giggled in her hand and pushed her empty glass forward. She couldn’t believe Girty actually knew boys, it was such a funny thought to Jac. Smiling sweetly at Girty and trying to look innocent, Jac folded her arms on the table and said, “so, Girt, aren’t you going to introduce us to your friend?”

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty looked up from her drink at the sound of Simon voice. A smile spread across her face, and she could feel the eyes of both Professor Owen and Jac upon her and all she could do was laugh (That might have been the added feature of the alcohol but she did not care about anything else at this exact point in time.)
“Excuse me Mr Ellison you have never brought me a drink in the whole time I have known you. I fact if my memory serves me right the other week you were moaning about not having any money…”

Girty broke off and looked at Jac, who seemed to be finding this whole meting rather amusing and with her pink hair, (which Girty thought suited her) a smile across her face asking where Girty’s manors were. And she had a very good point; she had neglected introducing him to her friends over staring at him with wonder.

“Sorry, erm… which way round should I do this? Jac, Professor this is Simon Ellison, Simon is a lazy unemployed wizard who spends his days doing nothing. Simon this is Jac Biggerstall and Professor Dia Owen. Jac is my fellow champion in the tournament while Professor Owen is dating my brother.”

Taking a swig of her drink Girty gave a small laugh feeling rather impressed at how the introduction had gone. Although she knew Simon would take offence from calling him ‘unemployed’.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia should have seen such a response coming for she knew the ferocity of the love that was in the Hubbles family and that coming between that was dangerous. Yet she had and was suffering for it now. She smiled at Girty, trying to find the words to say sorry but her words escaped her. When a young gentleman approached their table, Dia sighed in relief at the reprieve.

Taking a long sip of her wine, Dia tried to clear her mind though putting alcohol in her system was not the best idea for a clear mind. When she was introduced, Dia smiled up at Simon, though Girty's manner of introducing her seemed mocking and hurtful. She said nothing of it though, not wanting to cause a fuss about something as trivial as that. "Nice to meet you, Simon," Dia smile, nodded her head.

Dia looked around the pub once more. By this time, Dan was late and Dia had a funny feeling. Her brow creased when she turned back to her table. It wasn't like him to be late for her, though if he was she would understand. She knew that things could get out of hand and it was not to be held against him but she was worrying about him. She couldn't help herself. "Where is he?" she whispered to herself, looking over her shoulder once more.

[Jac Shaw]

"Hiya, Simon," Jac said enthusiastically, holding out her hand for him to shake. She noticed the Prof wasn't the happiest chappy around and was fine with that, she could be happy for them both. She couldn't understand what was getting the teacher down, besides marking but she wasn't doing any of that now so why should she be blue? Jac wondered.

Jac made eye contact with Girty and smiled, her pink fringe falling in her eyes to Jac's great distraction. After shaking his hand, Jac grabbed a chair from the table next to her and pulled it to them, spinning it around and putting it between Girty and the Prof. "Have a seat," Jac insisted with a cheeky smile to Girty. Leaning forward, Jac asked, still smiling, "how'd you two meet?" This was going to be a good evening. "Nothing too naughty I hope." Jac winked at Girty and her gaze past between the two.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty put her drink on the table and looked over at Simon but her gaze could not help put pass over to Professor Owen. She kept looking to the door, clearly hoping Dan would walk in at any moment and for that Girty felt pity for her. She knew what it was like to sit waiting for someone, you think that by watching and keep turning around they would turn up. Girty tried to find something to say, anything that might be helpful, but then she got the impression that Dia was not all too impressed with the way Girty had been acting towards her. Maybe in this instance honesty was not the best policy.

Jac being Jac however seemed to be oblivious to it all, although cleverly put the chair in-between the two of them…or maybe so it was Simon could sit by Girty while she could lean over and whisper in the Hufflepuff ear.
And with a small laugh Girty wondered what was going through her friends mind and how dull it would sound to give the truthful answer.

“We were both sitting at the bar. Dan was telling us the famous story of him in the Amazon being chased by one of the local tribes and we both started laughing at the same point that was not meant to be funny. Dan sent us to the naughty table for interrupting him and we just got talking. So no…nothing too naughty...apart from laughing at my Dan’s tales.”

[Simon Ellison]

Simon gave a small chuckle at the way Girty had introduced him and gave a small bow once she had finished before listening closely to the names of who he was in the presence of. But as Girty threw in their added bits of information Simon looked over at Dia and grinned, he was about to say something when a hand was thrust towards him by Jac. At his mere gesture his grin grew wider and he happily took hold of the Gryffindors hand and have in an enthusiastic shake.

“By chance you would not be related to Trisha Biggerstall? She was a few years above me when I was at school, I used to have a small crush on her during my 4th year but I guess that was just the wonders mysteries of older students.”

At that comment Simon gave Girty a small glance only to then realise that Jac had now pulled him over a chair. She was doing a grand job in paying host to this small table, so with yet another bow to his head Simon thanked the girl and walked around, sitting next to Girty and Dia.
The other two girls seemed to be in heated conversation about something that Girty seemed to be finding amusing so he took this time to talk to the older witch sitting at the table.

“Miss Owen can I say it is an honour to finally met you. I have heard so much, it is nice to put a face to the stories. Danny-boy never seems to stop talking about you and I can tell you this for free, for once he has not glorified his tales, you are, and please forgive me for my bluntness, very beautiful.”

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

(ooc: Hope you don't mind me barging in Wrong smile That one ;D)

Addis needed a drink, a stiff one at that. The cold had quickly set in and he wanted to feel warm for once after running through the forest on another errand for the Rogues. The Ministry's grip was growing slowly tighter, yet he and his other Rogues were somehow getting the job done.

He had forgotten to change his appearance back to Octavious and in such a way, he had draped a scarf around his neck, hiding his lower face from view. Not feeling social, Addis walked into the pub and walked to the bar, receiving a firewhisky from the bartender. He smiled and paid for it, turning and seeing the place was filling but a table and chair remained empty in the back of the room. He stole a quick glance amongst the nights patrons and his eyes fell upon two of his colleagues, each from his two separate lives. His fellow Professor and Rogue seemed to be chatting merrily with one another, yet it was one of the two students that caught his eye next, Girty. He looked away as quickly as he looked, walking off in a manner that hid intentions.

Sitting down and leaning back into the chair, he pulled down the scarf and ran his hand over the stubble he had allowed to grow, though his hair was still neat. He took a deep sip from the firewhisky and felt the soothing liquid move down his throat and with a sigh he relaxed. He closed his eyes and contemplated what he would do in his next class.

He overheard many conversations, yet drowned them out, though his hand moved slowly towards his wand for safekeeping. His eyes opened and he looked about in a relaxed way, seeing all those in the pub. He smiled as he looked at Girty, though the thought of why she was here with a Rogue rose within him. He noticed the awkward looks and the tension and surmised what was happening, with a laugh he took another sip of his firewhisky and enjoyed the warmth of the pub.

[rileybabe]

Andie finished dealing with the rude customer and walked back over to her friends. "Well, that's over with, thank Merlin!" she said with an exasperated sigh as she straighened her work clothes and fixed her ponytail. Then she spotted two men who had apparently joined while she had been dealing with the customer. "Oh, good evening gentlemen. How are you today?" she asked, taking her place behind the counter once more.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

leigh said:

(ooc: Hope you don't mind me barging in Wrong smile That one ;D)


He had forgotten to change his appearance back to Octavious and in such a way,

((Kristine, if you know of anything about what I have done with Addis, then you'll realise that this sentence means he isn't Prof Everritt at the moment! He's himself as he was running an errand for the Rogues! He just forgot to change himself back.)

[Jac Shaw]

Jac snapped her fingers and frowned. "That's just too bad," she chirped, "naughty always makes for an interesting story." Jac had a serious scowl on her face for all of a second before she cracked under the pressure and burst into laughter, loud and hearty. Jac put a hand on Girty's shoulder and squeezed it encouragingly. "I'm just messing with you, Girt," Jac chuckled, "don't look so serious. It's nearly Christmas. I get to see me family again, be happy or at least fake it so you don't bring me down."

Jac had noticed some tension around the table and couldn't stand it. Luckily someone, namely Simon, brought her to a happy topic that took her mind off whatever it was she was feeling. She did a little double take and smiled widely at Simon. "You knew Trisha?" Jac chirped with much surprise. A tray came passed Jac's head and Jac scooped another butterbeer off of it. Taking a sip, Jac smiled back at Simon. "Isn't that interesting. No surprise you havin' a crush on her, nearly all the guys I chat to bout her or Lon all had crushes on em. Must be the genes." Jac laughed again, sitting back in her seat, and took another sip of her butterbeer.

"It's a small world though, ain't it?" Jac mused. "I'm sure Prof Hubbles actually taught my two terrible sisters. And I'm sure Ed too, though that might be pushing it a little as I've no idea how old Prof Hubbles is." Jac threw her head back and laughed heartily again, finding the funny way things turned out to be most amusing.

It was as though Ed knew he was being talked about. He pushed the door to The Three Broomsticks open and was flooded with warmth and light.
'Come on, Kel,' Ed enthused and pulled Kelly in front of him.
'But you know she doesn't-' Kelly began to protest but Ed cut her off.
'I don't know anything of the sort. Now we're late as it is.' He smiled gently at Kelly and pushed her into the inn. 'Come on, it'll be just fine.'
Kelly nodded and took a few unsteady breaths, trying to calm herself. She never got the impression that Jac liked her much and it made her nervous because she knew how solid Ed and Jac's relationship was. Ed took Kelly's coat from her and the sound of joyful laughter met their eyes.
'Jac,' both said together, Ed with enthusiasm, Kelly with a little dread.

Looking around, Ed spotted Jac, sitting with some other people. Taking Kelly's hand, Ed pulled her to him and planted a kiss on her hand. They made their way to where Jac was and heard Jac's screech in seeing him before they had even gotten to her table. The scrap of a chair echoed through the noisy room as Jac jumped up, pushing her chair back and ran over to them. She jumped into Ed's arms and he swung her around.

'Finally,' Jac said once her feet were on the ground again. Ed was tall and Jac had to look up to him.
'Sorry we're late, Jac,' Kelly said hesitantly, 'it's my fault.'
Jac's eyes moved slowly to the blond beauty on Ed's arm, her smile faltering a little. 'Hello, Kelly,' she said. Looking back to Ed, she smiled wider, 'come meet the gang.'

Jac dragged Ed by the hand to the table and smiled at Girty first. 'Girt, this is my brother, Edward. Ed, this is Girty Hubbles, Simon and Professor Owen.' Ed gave his little sister a stern look that reminded Jac so much of their father and Jac added, 'and that's Kelly.'

Ed smiled at all the people at the table. 'Pleasure to meet all of you,' Ed said. 'Especially, you, Girty.' Ed held out his hand and smiled. 'Jac's always writing about you.'
Kelly hovered at Ed's elbow, not sure if she should do the same or just stand there. She smiled sheepishly around but her eyes landed on the gentleman Jac introduced as Simon. 'Aren't you that scrawny kid that chased after Allona, Trish and me when we were in fifth year?' She smiled kindly at him, her blue eyes glinting with memories.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Having a distraction was relieving for Dia. She could then worry about where Dan was in peace. Gazing over her shoulder, Dia frowned at the door. A happy couple had just come in but not Dan, not her Daniel. Where is he? she wondered, taking a worried sip from her wine. She was getting very worried about him and she had a strange feeling something was wrong. But her thoughts were interrupted.

"Hmm," Dia mumbled, turning to Simon who had been the one to address her while Girty and Jac laughed together. She didn't have much of an opportunity to dwell on what the two girls were talking as she was shocked at what Simon was saying. "I beg your pardon? An hon ..." She took a deep breath and began to chuckle lightly. "Oh, I see." Her throat went dry and she wasn't certain what to say. She had heard from Girty all too often that she was all that Dan spoke of and he had told her himself but she had thought it had been an exaggeration.

Not wanting to be rude, Dia smiled and flushed bright red. "Um, I ..." she closed her mouth and breathed out. "Thank you." She would have said that she didn't hear it often but Dan told her she was beautiful, amongst other things, all the time. I suppose it's nice to hear it from someone who isn't biased, she thought as she smiled at Simon. "But I hope the stories aren't all bad or in the least bit embarrassing on my account." She laughed but it was a little uncomfortable. She didn't like the fact that others knew things about her when she wasn't sure what it was.

Suddenly there was a scrap of a chair and someone shrieked. Dia whirled around and saw Jac in the arms of the young man she had seen come in. She turned back to Girty and leant forward. "Do you know who that is?" Dia asked. Jac answered her question though when she introduced the tall man as being her brother. "Oh, lovely to meet both of you," Dia said smiling but when Kelly spoke Dia’s eye fell on Simon with a mixture of amusement and questioning. "Did you really?" she asked with a little giggle.

[Simon Ellison]

Simon grinned childishly at Dia as her cheeks turned pink and the only words she could muster was ‘Thank You’. He had clearly caught her off guard with his small confession, it is not everyday one of the first things you say to stranger is that they are beautiful. But Simon felt like it surely would be fine, after all Dia is Girty’s brother’s Misses and that makes them practically family.
Simon was going to continue to let the compliments rolling off his tongue when he heard Jac mention Trisha, so naturally his attention changed to the Gryffindor trying to stop himself from smiling like a cat who had got the cream.

“Oh no I only had eyes for Trish. I know they are identical but Allona had that…well…you are her sister so I will not say anything.”

He shot her a small wink and leaned back in his chair, looking over at Girty for a split second before hearing a voice, a voice he had not heard in a while. Turning his head around he saw her, and his eyes grew wide. It was Kelly.
The colour drained from his face and he sunk lower into his chair almost hoping that if he was smooth about it he could drop off his chair and crawl to safety back over to where his other mates were sitting, but it was too late. Jac had introduced him and straight away Kelly’s blue eyes fell upon him and then something even more shocking happened, she spoke.

“No I never chased. Just admired from a safe distance, I was never stupid enough to join the hoards of people chasing after you three. I cherished my life that much, those guys got rather competitive.”

Simon pushed himself up in his chair deciding that he best try and look respectable for Kelly, although as he did he could feel the glare he was getting from Girty.

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty continued to giggle with Jac as they always did when she noticed that Simon was talking to Professor Owen and a small smile spread across her face for a brief moment. It just confirmed her belief that the man that was sitting in front of her was one of the nicest she had met, he had known the Professor for minutes and was already talking to her, although as soon as he ears picked up what he said he smile faded. Professor Owen was not going to take Simon away from her like she had done with Dan.
Biting her tongue from stopping herself from saying something Girty looked around to try and see where Jac had run off to, only to see her greet someone who she guessed was her brother and his fiancé.

Fighting away the anger Girty looked around and beamed at the new arrivals, waving at them merrily and saying hello in a rather sin-song way. Ed seemed very nice, particularly because he started talking he her first out of everyone else and it had seemed that Jac had been mentioning her in a few of her letters.

“I hope it is nothing good as otherwise I would hate to disappoint, I am not as marvellous as I seem.”

Girty chuckled lightly to herself and took another swig of her drink while trying to avoid the conversation that was now happening around her. It seemed that Simon had liked Kelly as well as Trish and of course not forgetting him pronouncing to the professor that she was beautiful. Maybe her estimation of how kind he was had been wrong and after the past few months she was so sure of his character, now she was not as sure.

[Jac Shaw]

Ed laughed and pulled two chairs around the table. He held the chair out for Kelly next to Dia before taking a seat between his fiancé and his sister. Smiling at Girty, Ed shook his head. 'Not at all,' Ed said. 'Nothing too good that once such as yourself can't live up to it. Any friend of good ol' Jackal’s is bound to have nerves of steal and a stomach to match.' Ed chortled and nudged Jac with his elbow.

Jac laughed and turned to Girty but her smile fell suddenly. "Girty?" she said, reaching out and taking her hand, "what's the matter?" Jac looked around and saw Dia, Kelly and Simon of all people involved in a conversation. Jac purposefully avoided looking at Kelly but kept her eyes focused on Girty, concern glistening in her now dark eyes.

Kelly smiled up at him as Ed pushed in her chair. Ed was always sweet that way. Turning back to Dia Kelly smiled sweetly. 'Don't believe a thing he says,' Kelly said gently in her sweet sing song voice, 'he might not have been one of them chasing us but he was ever a step behind. Lon always joked that we should ask him to carry our books and bags for us so we wouldn't have to but I never thought he'd be able to face us if we called him out.' Her blue eyes flickered to Simon and he smiled. 'But it's good to see you again, Simon.'