What Are You Doing In a Place Like This [Ellie]

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

It was a very rare occurrence now that Headmaster Dan Hubbles could leave the castle and go down and visit the local pub for a well earned beverage. Considering it used to be his local haunt Dan felt a longing to be down on the bar stool among the different types of Witches and Wizards that came to visit the small village of Hogsmeade. Of course Dan had planned to have a nice evening in with the wife (like the good husband he is), but things took a rather ugly turn and before the cork could be magically pulled from the bottle of red wine communication between the couple had broken down.

“You always do this!”
“No I don’t!”
“Yes you do…look you are getting all defensive right now!”
“Well I am only all defensive like this because you made me defensive!”

That come back by Dan made the couple stop yelling for a second and a frown creased both of their foreheads as they tried to work out what he was saying and how he had come to that conclusion. Alas it seemed that neither of them could and as a result Dia gave a shake of the head sending her blond curls bouncing over her shoulders as she turned and walked into the bedroom leaving Dan standing in the office.

So that is how Dan Hubbles ended up sitting on the ever so familiar bar stool among the locals that frequent the local pub, a cold pint glass in his hand and an ever so ruffled look about him. His hair was even messier then normal from the amount of times he had run his hand through it, the top buttons of his light blue, untucked shirt flicked open with his silver tie hanging loosely around his neck. Slowly raising the pint glass to his lips Dan let the cider slowly trickle over them, allowing it to pool in mouth before swallowing. He needed something to take his mind off everything!

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie excitedly ran around her room, her bathrobe flowing back as she ran. She had pulled almost every piece of clothing she owned out of their drawers and strewn them across the room. She threw them up in the airs as she looked through them for the tenth time. "No, no, no.... oh no, no, god no." Ellie said, thinking that she would never ever find anything suitable. She was acting like a small child again, but this was exciting.

Ellie had been walking down in Hogsmeade and had seen a familiar face. The red hair stood up in the funny way it always had, and his thin body stood relaxed in the middle of the street. Ellie stopped dead in her tracks as she saw him. The people bustled around her, blocking her view from time to time, but unlike her dreams, he always reappeared right where he was standing. Ellie had run up to him and he had opened his arms to her. The second she was being held it was like a drug was being pushed through her veins. She couldn't stop smiling as she looked into his eyes. He let her go and looked around. His eyes narrowed, he stepped back. Ellie's smiled faded. He turned to leave but before he did, he flashed her a great big smile and told her to me him at the Three Broomsticks that night at 8. Their first real date. Then he turned and ran a couple steps before Ellie lost her Dan in the crowd.

Ellie couldn't find anything suitable to wear. She wanted to impress him, make him see how much he could really love her. It was like the drug was still running through her veins. Ellie ran down to the only person she knew that could help her, Fay. With in a half hour, Ellie was back in her room, the perfect outfit neatly laid on her bed. She was just finishing up her hair, making each wave perfect as it feel long past her shoulders, the very front pinned to the side. Her make up was clean, but a little dark for her. The deep blues and blacks rounded her eyes with a light shimmer bringing out the beautiful stormy blue. Her lips and cheeks were touched with a bit of pale pink. As she slipped into her dress, Ellie felt pretty. She slipped on her heels, that she had also borrowed from Fay and grabbed her clutch. She looked into the mirror and smiled. Dan would have to love her.

She had time, it was not 7 o'clock yet, so Ellie walked slowly to Hogsmeade, making sure her show stayed clean and her dress without a wrinkle. She smiled as she saw the Three Broomsticks just a head of her She paused before opening the door, a roar of people on a Friday night came from the windows and door. Ellie opened the door and the noise got louder. She smiled the bartender who eyed her curiously, but then accepted it and turned to his customers. Ellie got a table in the back, shrouded in darkness. She thought the usually secretive Dan would love this spot. Ellie looked at the clock on the 7:45. She folded her hands and waited. She waited, and waited. The bartender came over once to ask her if she wanted a drink. She shook her head and gave him a sweet smile.

It was as if Ellie was coming down from a high. Her hands started to shake as it got later and later. Her eyes burned as she held in her tears. At the 10 o'clock chimes, Ellie got up and gathered her bag. She walked from the table towards the door. The sounds of her heels echoed on the floor, but she couldn't hear it over the still busy bar. Ellie walked passed the taken stools, until one man in his druken stupor got up and bumped into her. He had mumbles something that sounded like sorry, and Ellie nodded to him. She stopped and turned toward the empty seat and then glanced at the door. She sighed and quickly scooted into the seat, she looked up at the bartender who came to her. "Something strong." She said sounded defeated. He poured her some whiskey and moved on. Ellie put the small glass to her lips and drank the firewater, letting it slide down her throat with a pleasing sting.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

When Dan thought back on that night he would always wonder why he is always so surprised when he bumps into people he knew down at the pub, particularly on a Friday night when those hard working souls just want to blow off some steam. So maybe in hind sight Dan should not have been so surprised to hear a familiar voice next to him? At the time Dan was swilling the remains of his beer around the glass, watching how the foam and golden liquid blurred into one as the writing at the bottom of the glass occasionally made a sneaky peek into the view. But at the sound of the girls voice Dan raised his head and with a quizzical brow he turned to look at the head girl of Hogwarts take a rather large swig, of what Dan would have guessed to be whisky or scotch.

His gaze then dropt down to the outfit she was wearing, he gray-blue eyes scanned over every aspect of her being, how the blue dress hugged her curves, the silver key necklace that hung around her neck and even the red lipstick that had now left an imprint on her glass. In fact has this been a few years ago Dan no doubt would have made a move on the girl, but of course he was married and she…Ellie, was a pupil at the school.

“You sound fed up Ellie?” Running his hand through his thick hair Dan spun on his bar stool and looked over at his fellow Hufflepuff and offered her a small smile. “And I think I know why.” The chirpiness in Dan’s voice was clear, considering barley a minute ago he was thoroughly blue just the sight of his favourite pupil made the man feels better. “Nice hair, make up to perfection, fancy dress…you have been stood up.”

He gave a light chuckle finding the situation slightly amusing, he had been the person to stand people up hundreds of times and he also had been the one to be stood up too on the odd occasion. He knew the humiliation, the black hole of despair that forms in your stomach and that knocking doubt in the back of your mind where all you could think is ‘Am I really that bad?’ So in hind sight Dan was trying to make Ellie feel better…but you just need to ask Dia and she would tell you that he was simply not very good at that sort of thing.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie had never actually drank any form of alcohol before. The Head Girl never felt the need to indulge in the drink. However, now, in a sour and embarrassed mood, Ellie completely understood the concept of alcohol and was thinking the gods for it as she place the glass down on the bar. She crossed her legs and starred her her hands that were wrapped around the glass and not wrapped around the hand of another.

Ellie felt a little strange sitting at the bar. It seemed that everyone around her was laughing and having a good time, mostly people who were older then her. She thought that maybe she should pay and get out of Hogsmeade and go curl up in her bed fetal position until she fell asleep, heels still on. Her mind changed as she took another decent swing out of the glass. Ellie made a face but it went down smoother then it could have.

With the mention of her name from the person next her, Ellie sat up a bit, startled. She looked over to see the face she had wanted to see all night. She smiled, sitting up straight, starring at him. Then Ellie's eyes adjusted and realized that the face was older, although still handsome. The real Dan was sitting next to her. What were the chances.

Ellie blushed as he complemented her, and blushed more when he basically called her out on why she was there. "Good guess." Ellie said, her mouth finding it hard to smile. She was about to go off and tell him how he had actually stood her up, but Ellie didn't think she would make any sense and the fact that she was holding a half drunk drink probably would have made her seem like a lighter weight then she actually was.

Ellie sighed. "Its ok though. Maybe it was all just wishful thinking. Getting my hopes up, you know." Ellie said, taking a small sip of the drink. She found it was a lot easier to go slow with it, even though it wasn't really ok. She could feel her heart being tugged in fifteen different ways. She just wished she could be done with it. "So," Ellie said, trying to change the subject, thinking it was a good idea to get the attention of her own situation considering Ellie was talking to the one person she couldn't explain it to. "Why are you drowning you sorrows?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan felt sad when he heard that Ellie had been stood up, it was a shame for one so young to have to suffer the agony of being stood up. But life must continue and Ellie seemed to be taking it okay, or maybe that was the glass of whisky she held in her hand helping her out a little bit, nothing like a strong, stiff drink to steady the nerves and the running high emotions. Dan was one who knew all about that!

“Who says I am drowning my sorrows?” Dan chuckled as he raised his empty glass into the air to give the hint to the bar man that he wanted a refill. “It’s a Friday night and I fancied a drink down the pub.” His last statement came across a little bit defence, almost as if he was protecting something, heck he was but Ellie did not need to know that. If there was one thing that Dia had passed onto Dan it was that students did not need to know about the troubles of their Professors, but then Ellie was like a sister to Dan and he would mumble and complain about it to Girty...

Snapping out of his little self made dilemma Dan thanked the bar-man for the fresh pint and turned back to Ellie with a small grin tugging at the side of his mouth, he would not have been able to tell that she was still at school, over his years as her professor he had seen her grow from a school girl with a crush to a beautiful women. Now that made him feel old, everything did at the moment so much so he was counting down the days till retirement. (The sad fact was he had another 37 years to go!) A lot had changed over the years and he had a feeling deep down inside that things were going to get much, much worse.

“Well you can stay and have a couple of drinks with me Miss Rook.” Dan teased as he took a gentle sip from his pint glass. “We can tell tales of joy and laughter and then support one another back to the castle and hopefully end up in the right bed.” He shot her a cheeky wink forgetting that she was a student...the head girl at the school...his school. Oh Merlin, this was just getting a little bit too complicated for the poor man’s tired and alcohol fuelled brain.

[Ellie Rook]

"I'm just saying..." Ellie said, feeling happier and happier by the minute. "You were all excited today about a quiet night at home with your wife, and here I find you." It had been half the reason Ellie had ventured out. It was always awkward when you met someone from the school you know, like a professor, but to run into the real Dan Hubbles while sitting at a table in the dark with the young Dan Hubbles was just too much for Ellie. She has figured that the Headmaster would have a new glass of wine and go to bed early with his wife, perhaps start on the mini-Hubbles.

Ellie blushed at her thoughts. Mini-Hubbles. Oh dear. "But I guess you should know what you're doing here." Ellie continued, recognizing that it was obvious Dan was getting a little defensive about the subject. The Hufflepuff decided that the topic should probably fade into something more, appropriate.

Ellie took the last sip of the drink she had, and let the fire go down her throat. She couldn't believe she had actually finished the glass. She blamed it on her anger and the nervousness that she, a student, was sitting and drinking next to her headmaster. Ellie thought back to when she first started to get to know the Headmaster. She had been a fifth year, very young in comparison to now. She was absolutely love struck by the Charms Professor. As their relationship had developed, Ellie had also developed into a woman, strong and bold, and realistic. Her silly school girl crush developed as well into a loving sibling like bond. However, Ellie still felt tingles of her little crush, especially at times like this.

Ellie's face grew rather red. Perhaps it was the alcohol that was running through her, but she couldn't help but think that the Headmaster had just suggested something. She giggled at the wink, and smiled. "I have to admit, it is lonely in the Head Girl's quarters. After six years of dealing with other girls, you would think I would be happy to be alone, with my own bathroom at that." Ellie said, trying to make the Headmaster's comment sound innocent. The bartender was in front of her and asked her if she would like another. She turned to glance at Dan. "I'm really bad at this, I don't think I should be drinking straight whiskey all night. Order something for me?" She said softly so the bartender wouldn't think her too young to be sitting in front of him, when Ellie had been legal in the wizarding world for more than a month.

"Things have sure quieted down at the school." Ellie said, waiting for her drink, trying to make small talk. It was a feeble attempt, but it was something. "I mean, I haven't been in the hospital wing yet this year, and I haven't had to save your ass...I mean butt." Ellie grinned, remember who she was talking too, even though they were sitting in a bar, drinks in hand.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Ah crap, why could Dan not shut his mouth every once in a while? Why did he always have to tell Ellie everything like the sister and best friend he saw her as? Clearly she knew his secret, and in truth he had been excited about spending the evening with Dia, he had a whole romantic evening planned and as normal he had to act like a total dickhead and mess everything up, he was truly lucky Dia loved him, he knew he would never be able to find another women who would be able to put up with him in such a way.

A look of realisation swept over the headmasters face that he could not hide anything from Ellie and this was soon followed by a slight reddening of the cheeks and his eyes sheepishly dropping to the bar where they sat as he thought about how he even tried to lie to Ellie. He was about to stutter out some form of apology to her when the Hufflepuff seemed to have picked up that the conversation was turning a bit sour and wisely she moved the conversation on…that was a trait Dan needed to learn.

The banter between the two of them was enjoyable and before long Dan found himself being swept away with it all. The alcohol was flowing and so was the conversation was zooming along with Ellie giving back as much as she got. “Well maybe we shall have to make sure you don’t end the night alone then huh?” Dan gave her a cheeky wink, he was not sure why he did that or even said that, the trouble he could get them both into…but he was getting a little bit hot under the collar as images passed through his mind as his imagination kicked into overdrive. As a result he was quiet thankful for the distraction Ellie proved when she asked him to order her a drink. With a small nervous cough to remove a rump in his throat that did not exist Dan nervously rubbed the back on his neck while trying to think of a drink for Ellie to have.

“The lady will have a Swedish Short Snout.” Dan handed over a couple of coins to the bar tender and looked over at Ellie with a lopsided smile. “It’s the best cocktail they do here; they put the tiniest drop of a love potion in it. Does nothing to you…well nothing the alcohol won’t do anyway, but makes it taste like your favourite thing in the world.”
Of course there had been occasions where new bartenders had got the ratio of drink to potion wrong with disastrous consequences…but that would not happen now surely?

But once again the conversation moved on and Dan slowly moved his bar stool closer to Ellie so that he could hear her properly. There legs were touching and ever so often when reaching for their drinks their hands would brush by one another. “Yeah it is quiet, let’s hope it stays that way.” Dan chuckled as he sipped his pint. “But that’s good for you; you need to focus this year. Made up your mind what you want to do after you leave this insane asylum…I mean school.”

[Ellie Rook]

Luckily the topic change had put Hubbles into a better state of mind. Ellie had almost forgotten about her "date", and was now enjoying herself. She had never sat before the real Hubbles in a setting like this, and as much as she found it rather odd, it was something that she would say she enjoyed. Even with the age difference, (which didn't even seem that large considering Hubbles was like a really tall kid himself) Ellie felt very comfortable sitting and talking with the Former Hufflepuff.

Ellie blushed beat red. "Professor, I don't know what you have planned, but the last time I didn't sleep alone it was because a drunk house elf climbed into my bed..." She said, again trying to make the comment sound innocent. Her mind wondered what exactly the Headmaster meant, and she knew that she knew, she was just trying to avoid really knowing. She tried to push the thoughts out of her mind, but she could help but blush, as she nervously tugged at her dress and crossed her legs.

Thank god Ellie had something to again move away from the conversation. Her request for Hubbles to order her a drink was perfect, and proved something to again get their minds off the topic at hand. Ellie grinned as the barman went to do his job. "Thanks," she said with a smile to Hubbles. She listened as he explained the drink she would soon be consuming. She leaned in to hear him better. "Sounds really good actually."

The drink was delivered to her, and rightly so, it was a bright pink concoction of some sort. Ellie could smell the sweet scent already. "I'm not going to fall in love with the first bloke I set eyes on am I?" Ellie jested as she gently picked up the glass and raised it to her lips. "Just in case I'll keep my eyes on you for safe betting." She grinned, keeping her eyes on Hubbles just as she said she would, taking a sip of the drink. Just like Hubbles had described, the drink was delicious. Ellie didn't feel the burn of the whiskey, instead she felt a slight tingle which could help but make her smile. Ellie could put her finger on what the flavor of the drink was, but it was like pineapple, egg rolls, and marshmallow pies all at once.

She put the glass down, not realizing that she was still gazing at the Headmaster. Someone slammed a glass down on the counter to her right and she finally avert her eyes, her cheeks again pink. "Well, I think we're safe, for now." she said with a smile and the conversation continued.

Ellie could now feel Hubbles leg ever so lightly touching her. As they continued to talk she found it rather hard to pay attention to the conversation. Between sips of her drink, she put her glass down, liking the passing touch of their hands when they found their mouths dry again. "I agree." Ellie said. "Though a little adventure may not be so bad." She said with a grin, thinking back on their past adventures together. They had always been able to get out of the thick just in time and Ellie believed they would always be able to.

Ellie set her drink down again at the question. She sighed. "I think I am going to purposefully fail all my NEWTs so I don't have to decide." She said with a smile. She sighed again and looked at the Headmaster. "In all seriousness, I have no clue." She said, feeling the urge for her drink again.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

A childish giggle escaped the headmaster’s lips as he heard Ellie’s story about the drunken house elf climbing into her bed. “I’ve had that.” He continued to laugh as he tried to calm himself down in time to drink his pint. However he did finally manage to stop his shoulders from shaking and the giggles from escaping and with a small cough to clear his throat he clapped his eyes upon the beautiful Hufflepuff once more and could not help but smile at her. He watched every movement that she made, the nervous tugging of her dress, the crossing of her legs…all signs Dan had seen before, however he hoped this time he would not end up with a drink being thrown over him.

Even after the drink had been delivered Dan could not help but keep his eyes glued on the brown haired girl. So many thoughts where passing through the headmasters mind, so many of them were wrong considering the circumstances...but then since when has Dan Hubbles ever done anything that was not morally wrong in one way or another. It was just who he was and over the years he had discovered that people either loved him for it or they loathed him. However it seemed that Dan did not need to worry about Ellie disliking him because as she took her first sip of the drink she clapped her eyes upon him. Dan said nothing during this period of time, instead he locked his eyes upon the Hufflepuff’s aqua ones and a small smile spread across the man’s face.

It was not until the sound of another glass being smashed down upon a distant table did Dan awake from his little dream world and then almost, as if it had escaped from his dream Ellie’s soft voice reached his ears and muttered about not being in love [i[yet[/i]. “No one is ever safe around me Miss Rook.” Dan teased, the slight flirt in him was coming out and he knew that when it came to Ellie she would accept it and maybe even give it back…well at least that is what Dan was hoping. Their legs where pressed against one another, their hands would brush past one another and it would spark a form of electricity between them that spark of lust that ran through Dan like an electric shock.

Snatching his hand away to nervously run it through his hair Dan quickly licked his lips and looked around the rest of the pub trying to get the images that where running through his dirty mind. “Yeah, a little adventure would be fun.” He finally summoned the courage to look around at Ellie and flash Ellie another smile. “I will have to pencil you into my diary…its pink and fluffy.” Dan could not help but carry on chuckling to himself as Ellie answered his next question about the possibility of a job in the future. It was a hard question, heck when he was her age he did not know what he wanted to do in life and in the end he ended up travelling the world rather then tied down.

“I know how you feel Ellie.” His voice was truly sympathetic and he meant every word of what he had to say. “You should not feel pressured when picking a job. You should do what you want, what makes you happy.” Despite is earlier reaction to the touching of each others hands freaking him out before Dan reached out and carefully wrapped his hand around hers, giving it a comforting squeeze. “What I was planning on doing was based on my favourite subject at school, why not just start from there? Or you can just do what I did and run away from all of your problems…heck I will fun away with you.”
[/font]

[Ellie Rook]

"You're right" Ellie conceded. "My heart hasn't been safe around you since fifth year." She blushed thinking she just let loose a small secret, that really wasn't a secret as everyone knew. She felt their legs touch, the warmth of his pant against her skin. She smiled, "I myself am pretty dangerous. I've been known to bite." Ellie said, then realizing the other meaning to what she said she looked wide eyed as the Headmaster. "I mean, not bite as in, you shouldn't bite th... I mean bite...uhh." Ellie laughed at her own situation. If alcohol did one thing good for Ellie it made it ten times easier for her to laugh at herself.

Ellie chuckled. "I can perfectly see you cuddled up in bed, pouring your heart out to a pink fluffy diary." She positioned her hand on the counter as if she was holding a quill. "Dear Diary, Today for breakfast I had some toast and marmalade, and then i went for a walk and picked in the nicest flower." Ellie laughed and grasped her drink, feeling the cold liquid through the glass. She smiled.

Ellie listened to the advice Dan had to give her. She knew that not only did it come from his heart, but it was usually sound advice. She ran her fingers up and down the half empty glass infront of her, feeling the cold liquid through the glass numbing her fingers. She liked the sensation it gave her. "Run away?" Ellie said out loud and thought about the idea. It sounded perfect. Ellie had already been almost everywhere in the world, but she had never been on her own. Maybe she did need to just up and leave and see where she could take herself. Dan would be the perfect person to leave with, he wasn't so much of a grown-up to Ellie, he was more of an equal. "Please, can we, ohh it sounds perfect." Ellie said, scooting to the edge of her seat getting excited. "We could go and walk the great wall or just leave out in the middle of the ocean on a boat or even just get away from here, to anywhere."

In reality, Ellie knew that this was all impossible, but for one night, she just wanted to believe in something that seemed perfect and wonderful and didn't have nasty old reality pounding on the door telling her to come back to earth. Just for one night, Ellie could fly anywhere and do anything and the future didn't seem so scary. She was in love with the future and she was in love with the idea of running away. She was excited and joyous, all things a young woman should be. It was pure happiness.

In her excitement Ellie hadn't even realized she had placed her hand gently on Dan's thigh.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan did not know if it was a joke or a badly veiled truth but when he looked into Ellie's eyes there did not seem to be filled with the normal teasing glint, in fact there was a slight blush creeping across her cheeks turning them a very light pink. Had a secret just slipped out? This slight slip up seemed to have affected the poor Hufflepuff as the very next sentence she tried to stutter out made no sense and despite himself Dan could not help but laugh at her. "Geez Ellie, I think the alcohol is going straight to your head. You can tell you don't do this often." He gave her a cheeky little wink as Dan continued to slip into his old ways where alcohol helped fuel lust and drunken romances. In fact, the more Dan tried to think about it, the less he could think of a reason why he should not be with Ellie. Clearly the thought of his wife or the 12 year age difference meant nothing to him!

The two continued to talk while sipping drinks, the laughter between them was genuine almost as much as the feelings that where bubbling up inside of him. However after their light hearted conversation took a more serious turn and a small joke which Dan had made seemed to turn into something more serious and had taken his idea to heart.She moved closer to him and although Dan did not disapprove of this too much, he liked the feeling of Ellie touching his leg, the warmth of their bodies getting ever so closer it...well gave him tingly feelings.

"They all seem like very nice images Ellie." Dan grinned, suddenly feeling a lot more grown up then he normally did, and he did not like it. The problem was he could not shake the feeling of being a thirty something talking down to a small child who was trying to convince him to let him buy the most expensive broom in the shop. It was only when Dan felt the light touch of Ellie's hand on his thigh did all rationality and previous fears flew out the window and with a wide grin Dan leaped off the bar stool, downed the rest of his pint and held out his hand to Ellie.

"Where do you want to go?" He asked unable to stop himself from smiling. "Anywhere you want. Want to walk along the Great Wall? Lets do that! Lets enjoy being young and alive, after all I am the headmaster of Hogwarts, I know a few tricks." Pulling Ellie along with him he led her out the pub and into the bitter cold of the Hogsmeade night air. He did not look for anywhere secluded, and so under the street lamps Dan wrapped his arms tightly around Elli, pulling her body close up to his and slowly lowering his head his whispered in the girls ear three words.

"Hold on tight."

With a blinding flash they were gone, gone into the night sky, whisked away to the place of Ellie's dreams.

[Ellie Rook]

"Often?" Ellie laughed. "How about never. I'm not really the type to sit in the bar by herself. Or I wasn't the type, maybe I am and I just never knew it." Ellie reasoned, though we all know the reasoning that happens while under the influence is rather too well thought out. "Either way, I've never exactly been in this situation." She realized their closeness. "Any part of this situation." She said quietly.

The excitement of travel and getting a way from it all swelled up inside Ellie and burst out through her excitement. Ellie knew it was completely unrealistic. Imagine, run off into the unknown. Ellie used to travel extensively with her parents, never living in the same place for more than a month or two. By the age of eleven she had gotten sick of traveling, never being able to call a place "home". Then Hogwarts came along, nice and steady, safe, and became her home. But now after 7 years, Ellie was beginning to itch to get out. The only problem was she didn't know how, or to where, or to what. It was just to scary to go through with it.

But now the option was open to her. Hubbles got up, the smile on his face exciting Ellie more. "What? No we can't." Ellie said resisting his tug at first. Though her head was telling her how silly it was, her body got up and followed after him. Ellie followed him out side. She looked up at him. "A few tricks up your sleeve?" Ellie said with a smile. In that moment, Hubble drew her close to him, she could feel his warmth which was inviting in the cold air. She took his advice and wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling her face into his shirt. They were in the middle of the street, Ellie was sure someone would see them, but she didn't care.

She picture the place she wanted to be the most, she saw it in her mind. She felt the earth move beneath her feet and she held her Professor tighter. The night grew darker and soon she felt ground beneath her feet once again. It was soft, and as Ellie let go her heels sank in the sand. She grabbed Dan's arm to keep her from going down. She looked around them. It was dark out, night was much more advanced here. The soft breeze took her hair. It was warm and had a sweet scent of clean flowers and salt. She could hear the crash of waves and the breeze on water. Above her was a giant night sky. The stars so bright Ellie thought she could reach up and grab them all in her hand. She looked at Dan and smiled. "This is my favorite place in the world."

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

It would be a lie to say that Dan had not pulled this stunt before, of course the location of the transportation changed every time. Apperating was never Dan’s strong point and even without alcohol he always felt a little bit travel sick, but with…well lets just say it took a while for the world to stop spinning. Breathing in deeply he tried to stop the bile from rising up in his throat and it was at this moment when he noticed the salty sea smell. Slowly his senses began to kick in and he could feel the cool sea breeze, his eyes pulled into focus and the beauty of the glittering stars above them truly hit the man. For a moment he was taken aback and almost as if he was on a date with his wife Dan looked down at Ellie with a look of pure love and devotion he swore it would have melted the hearts of even his enemies…but of course Dan thought that all the time.

It seemed that this place meant something to Ellie as the look on her face and as she smiled at him Dan lost that final shred of memory that Ellie was a student…his student…years younger then him. It was now just a normal date in his eyes, an opportunity to have a bit of fun and a roll around in the sand!

“I am glad you like it here.” Dan murmured as he looked around trying to find some sort of sign of where the hell they where. It did not seem to ring any bells, but then at moments like this, drink had always been involved and his memory was never amazing after a couple of beers. It was clear that the confusion was clear on the man’s face as after giving up looking for a ‘you are here’ sign Dan simply opted for the easier option and was about to ask Ellie when something caught his attention…fire! Nothing got a Hubbles attention like a good old fire!

Quickly grabbing Ellie’s hand Dan pulled her along as he lightly jogged along the golden sand towards the small little camp fire that burnt bright in the darkness. Coming to a halt by the fiery glow Dan turned his attention back to his date and as he looked down upon the young beauty his breath was taken from him. It was like a picture from a movie, the orange of the fire light up Ellie’s soft features that would make super models crave for it in photo shoots. Her brown hair danced in the breeze in such away that it hypnotised him, Dan’s hand reached forwards and their soft strand entwined their way around his fingers. Pulling Ellie closer he could feel her chest heaving up against his own, the slight jog had taken it out of him…or was it this moment; his heart was racing like mad. The moment was too perfect, the urge was taking him over…he had to do…just had too…he had to kiss Ellie.

So, bending down Dan gently pressed his lips against Ellie’s.



Please excuse the lameness of this post. My brain is dead and tired...sorry.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie did not notice that Dan was still spinning from the journey. The moment the sand had touched her feet Ellie had been grounded by the giant sky above her. Ellie could not imagine the stars being any brighter then they were right now. She felt as though she was floating up to join them as they passed by soft on her face. The world was turning, mostly from the drinks, but it was a good spinning as she was warmed by the stars.

Ellie soared back to earth as she finally heard the voice of the man who had taken her here. Ellie bent down and slipped off her heels, finally feeling the sand in between her toes. She had missed that feeling. But a new feeling was burning in her at the moment. "I love it here." Ellie said smiling at Dan meeting his eyes. He broke the gaze as he looked around. Ellie looked out in the direction of the ocean. She couldn't see it, but she could hear the constant waves crashing on the sand and she could smell the salty air that only the ocean could produce.

Ellie was squinting with hopes of seeing the white wash of the waves, but before she could focus her eyes in the dark, she felt her hand being gently pulled by Dan who had started to jog toward something. Ellie laughed as she followed after him, leaving her shoes laying in the sand. She then spotted what they were heading for. The fire was dancing like a lighthouse on a dark night in the middle of the beach. Ellie smiled as they drew closer to the warm blaze. She was slightly out of breath from running. She felt Dan's hand in hers as they reached the fire. She looked into it as it flickered. The glow was warm on her face and on her bare arms. She looked at Dan her eyes showing the same flicker of the fire. He reached up and curled her hair in his fingers. His hand brushed her cheek and she smiled. He pulled her in closer, and she could feel his short breath.

While Dan so close, Ellie's breath become shorter. It was caught in her lungs and wouldn't come out. She looked up at him, completely scared at what was happening. She could feel her body lean in toward Dan, conflicting with the fear her head was screaming at her to pay attention to. It was all too much, and yet as Dan drew his head in, Ellie found herself raising her chin anticipating the kiss. Their lips touched and Ellie felt like she was going to melt. She kissed him back, not well, as Ellie was not exactly skilled in kissing, but she knew he wouldn't care.

This is when Ellie's head gave her a kick. Their lips parted and Ellie looked up at Dan, still in his arms. She broke free and stepped toward the fire.

"I used to come here everyday when I lived here." She turned back to Dan and smiled. "Just up over those dunes is a little apartment complex, not exactly fancy, but it was home for almost two years." Ellie reminisced and she pointed out into the dark. She bent over and picked up a handful of sand and looked at it. "I remember I used to just sit in the sand and let it fall through my fingers. I could sit there for hours just playing in the sand."

Ellie turned back to Dan and took his hand in hers. She turned it over and poured the sand into it, letting it fall between his fingers. She smiled at him. "Simple, isn't it?"

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

This would be one of the moments that changed Dan Hubbles life, in the future he would look back at this moment and realise that this was the point when everything started to change, when sub coming to his desires would change everything, however right here and now as they stood on the golden sands with the sea crashing on the shore Ellie and Dan stood kissing. Despite the romantic setting it was not the most perfect of kisses, but Ellie was not as experienced as Dan (considering the amount of women he had kissed) but as far as first kisses go it was not a bad one.

As soon as their lips parted however Dan could not help but feel like he had been punched in the stomach as the guilt and magnitude of the situation really did kick in. Taking a deep breath of the salty sea air Dan tried to pull himself together and act more like the adult he was supposed to be. Of course this was never going to happen and he was more then thankful that Ellie seemed to have snapped sharply back to reality and had pulled away and had began talking once more about her past and this, her favourite place.

Dan tried to listen to what she had to say, he nodded his head along anyway and gave the occasional ‘uhu’ when he thought it was needed however his head was spinning as he realised what he had just done. However as soon as Ellie took hold of his hand once again all these fears and worries seemed to vanish and like a love struck teenager Dan could not help but smile and ignore that little voice in his head that was screaming at him.

‘Wrong, wrong, wrong! This is so WRONG!’

“It really is simple.” He muttered back as he watched the small grains of sand slip through the gaps in his fingers. They has all but slipped away apart from the odd grain of sand that had got lodged up against his wedding ring. He stood there for a moment, watching the fire light glint off the golden band and then just before a full minute had passed Dan slipped the ring off his finger letting the final grains of sand fall back to the floor and then, instead of sliding the ring back onto his finger he simple put it into his pocket.

“So, what is there to do around here then?” Dan joked, looking around as if expecting to see neon lights flashing as a signal of a nightclub on the shore. However he saw nothing but darkness and silence. He guessed that is why Ellie enjoyed it so much, the idea of it being so remote, away from it all, away from the stress of life, work and marriage. Away from students, teachers, reporters and ministry members who liked to ask him stupid questions.

When had Dan Hubbles got so boring?

Letting out a HUGE sigh Dan collapsed onto the sand, the back of his head hitting the ground which as a result caused a small dust cloud to rise up around him. Opening his eyes he looked up at the night sky, finding it hard to believe that the stars where the same here as they would have been in Scotland back at Hogwarts. ’Dia would love this’ he thought to himself and just this mere thought caused a stab of guilt to overcome him.