The Angel and the Animal [Open to ALL!]

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

We (Lynn and I) are planning for this to be a BIG thread! So please join in with however you want. I know the first bit is long and boring but it’s important to set the scene….so please join in with however you like…because it’s going to get dark and awesome!

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Dan sat wistfully in his silent office, the sounds of the distant snores from the old headmasters seemed to have faded away as Dan steadily zoned out of reality. The half finished letter on the desk before him was slowly getting ruined drip by drip as the jet black ink feel from the tip of his quill which remained poised above the parchment.

If you were to follow the glazed over glare of his light blue eyes it would seem that something on the far wall had distracted him from his important work. However in truth the most height paid muggle super model could have been dancing around naked in front of him and Professor Hubbles would not have even noticed. It was not as if his mind was more pleasantly engaged thinking about his family or his friends. It was simply one of the those moments when Dan was thinking of nothing and no one in particular…his life was that dull!

It was only the quiet click of the office door closing and a timid cough from his wide that awoke him from his trance.

“Are you alright sweetheart?” Dia’s soft voice oozed with concern as her forehead creased as she moved closer to her motionless husband.

“Hmm.” It was neither a statement nor a question, but the sound of a man being woken up from a deep thought…or at least as deep a thought that passes through the mind of Dan Hubbles.

Slowly Dan turned his head and looked up on the fair faced, blonde haired beauty that was his wife, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he finally put his quill back into the ink pot. “Just thinking.” He muttered, as his eyes followed the lazy path of Dia as she made her way across the flag stone flooring of the office towards his desk.

“Don’t think too hard.” Dia lightly teased as she perched on the end of the desk, crossing her legs and fixing that dark blue gaze upon Dan. “What are you thinking about Mr Hubbles?”

Her delicate hand reached out and carefully moved the ever growing blonde hair out of his eyes. Since becoming headmaster the strain had started to show. Dan’s once short and spiky hair was now long and shaggy, his once stubble covered chin was now a thick beard that if dyed white would perfectly resemble that of Father Christmas and his once shining eyes were tainted by the large, dark bags under them.

“I…I can’t remember, clearly it was nothing important.”

He shot Dia an attempt of his winning smile and Dan knew it had failed when the looks of concern had not been wiped clean from her face. However, despite the pinch in her brow there seemed to be a gleam in her eyes and with a little hop she jumped from her sear on the table and pulled her husband out of his chair.
“Come on, we both need a night away from this.” She pointed to the open books and rolls of parchment that litter the large oak desk. “Go and shower, have a shave and we shall go and hit the town.”
“Like we used too?” Dan smirked has he pulled Dia close too him, wrapping his arms tightly around her waist.
“Just like we used too. Before we became all old and boring.”

Like the well oiled machine they were they both moved in closer and shared a passionate kiss that spoke a million words of love, thanks and gratitude to have one another.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia waited patiently for her husband to appear from their bedroom, the thought of going out was not the most appealing but for Dan she would do anything. Her mind wondered to past days spent together, either their adventures in Egypt or lazy days in bed they all held those same happy memories, the memories that would last with her till the day she died.

“Well what do you think?” The sound of Dan’s voice made Dia look around and see the proud man standing in front of her. His hair short and spiky, his beard trimmed and perfect and his light blue eyes shinning with anticipation of the night ahead. That was the man she fell in love with, that was the man who she knew would protect her…that was her Dan. Catching her breath that had been taken away from her Dia watched as her husband approached, giving a small twirl to show off his tight fitting trousers and perfectly crisp white shirt.

“You look as handsome as the day we met.”
“You mean drunk and tired?”

Dia kissed Dan lightly on his cheek before taking hold of his hand and gently leading him out of the office and down the long corridors of Hogwarts. As they headed down to the small village of Hogsmeade the couple talked about everything but nothing at all. Their legs seemed to be carrying them and before they knew it they were standing outside the familiar door of the Hogshead.

As they pushed open the door the smells and sounds of the pub filled their senses, the roaring of laughter from drunken wizards that sat in the corner and the mixed smell of alcohol and pipe smoke clung to the air and every item of clothing. Warren slid their drinks over, a beer for Dan and a pumpkin juice for Dia and the couple took up a nice snug little table by the window all ready for a nice evening of just the two of them.

“Cheers.” Dia raised her glass.
“Cheers.” Dan replied clinking his glass against Dias.

What they didn’t know was their quiet evening was not going to turn out that way…..

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Finally, the end of another long day at Queen's Apparel had come to an end, and Ash couldn't be more grateful. He loved Jen, and he loved running the shop for her while she was away, but there were only so many silly, giggling, airheaded teenage witches he could take. And he had reached his quota for the day several hours ago! Honestly, couldn't they tell he was gay? He shuddered as he remembered one seventh year blatantly flirting with him. Merlin that was awkward.

After flipping the sign to 'CLOSED' and turning out some of the lights on his way out, he stepped out, locked up shop and headed down the streets. He had intended to go back up to the castle, and find Tyler, but then for some reason, decided to make a stop at the Hogshead. Which was surprising as his bar of choice was usually The Three Broomsticks. Hogshead tended to be too dark and depressing for him. Yet, here he was just wandering on in.

Ordering a butterbeer from the bar, he took it over to a small table at the back of the room. He sat down, and dropped his head into his hands, trying to rub away the oncoming headache. Taking a few sips of his drink, he sighed and looked around the dimly lit establishment. From what he could see, it was as crowded as ever. Then, he saw, to his surpise, a familiar couple, sitting just a couple tables away. "Dan! Dia!" he called cheerfully, raising his hand in a wave.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie's least favorite word in all the world right now was "date". And it just so happened that Ellie had agreed on going on one. Ellie wasn't sure that she had a choice however. With Harrison Greg, you usually didn't. It was Ellie's own fault for sulking around. The sweet guy that he was, he had noticed, and offer, well demanded, to take Ellie out to make her feel better. Little did he know that she was moping about due to the fact that Ellie had recently been stood up on a date with what she was sure was a ghost from a picture only to find herself in bed with her Headmaster, waking up to have a rather stern and awkward talk with his younger sister. That would bring the happiest Hufflepuff down.

However, Ellie had just nodded in the whirlwind of events and now found herself running around frantically getting ready for yet another date. She just hoped this one ended up with her in bed with the person she was asked out by. Did she really think that, she thought? "Tramp." Ellie called herself as she flung a mismatched shoe over her head.

Ellie looked in the mirror before she left. She groaned and asked herself why she tried so hard. She ran down the halls, and to Hogsmeade. Every step of the way, she had to talk herself out of going back. As she saw the light of the windows of the Hogshead, she knew that she had come this far, she couldn't back out now. She took a deep breathe and stepped inside out of the cold. Ellie stripped off her jacket and placed it over her forearm. he looked around for Harrison face. She knew it would make her feel better, even though she was shaking from nervousness. She didn't see it, just like that night. He heart sank, but it dropped to the floor when she saw another face. Dan Hubbles and, Oh God, and Dia.

"Harrison..." Ellie muttered under her breathe. "Get here now or I will kill myself." she said as she tried to avoid the Hubbles' gaze.

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace had moved back into her little flat above her restaurant for a little more than a week now. She'd heard from both Dan and Girty while in the hospital about the open position as Flying Professor so she gratefully accepted it. After all, those who could not do, taught. That's what Jac's mother said as comfort anyway. Jac had winked at her and smiled playfully at Grace, pulling a funny face behind her mother's back. That cheered Grace up marvelously but it would never heal her enough so she could actually play again.

Never mind, Grace had taken the post and moved back to Hogsmeade. Trouble was she could not stop thinking about all she had built up since leaving Hogwarts and how she lost it all in that last game. Grace locked up the restaurant and sighed, "I need a drink." She looked down the main street of Hogwarts and saw two familiar faces amongst the crowd: Daniel and Dia Hubbles. Grace had had a meeting with Dan when she'd arrived but not spent quality time with any Hubbles in a while. So Grace began to limp off towards the Hogshead.

Just before she got to door of the pub, it opened and she caught a voice calling the couples names. She smiled quietly to herself and pushed the door open, the familiar sounds and smells of the Hogshead flooding over her. She quietly went to the bar and got a firewhiskey and moved behind Dan. "Fancy meeting you two in a place like this," she chortled. She then noticed Ashton standing there too and smiled at him in acknowledgment.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

The pub was filled with so many familiar smells, sounds and faces that Dia felt instantly comfortable in her surroundings. Although she would always say she would only have eyes for her husband they did wonder around the pub slightly picking up the faces of old school friends and students. Clearly tonight was a popular night to be going out and Dia thought that maybe a quiet drink with Dan could easily turn into a nice reunion and that thought did not disturb her, in fact a small warm feeling spread throughout her.

“It would be the perfect opportunity.” She muttered to herself and her had idly rubbed her stomach. A small, soft smile spread across her face and without even letting Dan know what she was planning she raised her hand up in to the air and called over to two people in particular.

“Aston, Gracie come join us.” She gave both the ex-pupils a wide smile and taking out her wand and giving it a small flick she summoned two chairs over to join them around the table. As Dia waited for these two to take their places she noticed another one of their students (although a little bit younger) standing by the bar looking a little lost, Ellie Rook. She had almost been a favourite among Dan and out of kindness to her husband Dia decided to extend the invitation to her as well.

“Miss Rook…Ellie. Would you care to join us too?”

Dia shot the girl her sweetest of smiles before turning around on her chair to focus upon the people present at her table. Grace was already by them and as ever she was smiling and laughing. "It's wonderful to see you again Grace. How are you feeling." Dia gave her old student and family friend a warm hug.

[Harrison Greg]

Harrison would have loved to take credit saying how it was some master stroke plan of his to finally get on a date with Ellie Rook, however if he had to be brutally honest or even force fed Veritaserum he would admit that it just seemed right at the time. Ellie was visibly low, something was bugging her and the proud Gryffindor hated to see a frown appear on her pretty face so he asked her out for a drink and much to his surprise she accepted him. As a result he was now rushing around the Gryffindor common room trying in vane to find something decent to wear! After trying on many different pairs of jeans, trousers and even his dress robes Harri decided that smart casual would be his best option so threw on his cleanest pair of black jeans and a tight fighting green t-shirt.

Harrison ran down the cobbled street of Hogsmeade more out of necessity rather then being in a hurry as in an attempt to look ‘cool’ he had not worn a jacket (his mother would not be pleased) and the cold winter air forced his skin to pimple and his cheeks to turn a rather rosy red. This changed as soon as the heat from the pub hit him as he opened the door to the Hogshead. Looking around he tried to find the familiar face of Ellie and there she was, standing next to the bar looking a little bit awkward. In fact he was just about to open his mouth to call her name when someone beat him to it.

‘Miss Rook…Ellie. Would you care to join us?’

Harrison quickly looked around to see who had proposed this question and saw a small table being surrounded by people, the main people being the Headmaster and his wife. A wide grin filled the Gryffindor’s face as he walked over towards the stunning Hufflepuff in a green dress.

“You look beautiful Ellie.” Harrison said quietly, seemingly afraid that if he spoke to loud she would run away like a startled dear. “Come on, why don’t we join those guys? It will be good fun and make this less like a date which I know we both don’t really want.”

What a complete and utter lie! It was the one thing Harrison had been looking forward to for days yet he still could not bring himself to drop his tough man appearance even to Ellie.

“We will be over in a moment!” He shouted at the table of adults feeling like he was doing the right thing for Ellie as he knew how Professor Hubbles was one of her favourites.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash smiled at Dia, but shook his head. "No thanks, I just thought I'd say hi. I'm too lazy to get up!" he quipped with a laugh. Then, he noticed more students and a professor coming in, all of which he knew of course. The professor in fact, Grace Marks, was an old classmate of his. "Hey Grace!" he called out cheerfully, waving to her as well. The two students, Ellie Rook and Harrison Greg, he knew as well, and waved to them too.

Glad that he was close enough to their table so that he didn't have to shout, he leaned over and spoke. "Hey Dan, I haven't seen Girty around in a while. How is she? You don't have her locked up somewhere, do you?" he teased. "Cause if that's the case, I think they shoulda locked you up instead!" he said with a mischievous smirk.

Deciding he needed another drink, he stood and headed back toward the bar, but not before giving Dan a clap on the shoulder. And of course he couldn't resist the urge to take another jab at him. "By the way, think you may need to re-stock on the hair color. Grays are showin' up again. Oh, and don't forget the wrinkle-cream either." he quickly darted off before the Headmaster could take a swipe at him.

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie headed toward the bar. It was crowded over there and she hoped she would stay hidden. She mentally made a note of the time and decided that if Harrison was not there within ten minutes, she would get the hell out of dodge.

Ellie wouldn't have to wait that long for her plan to fail. Ellie looked up at the sound of her name. Dia was smiling back at her, asking her to join the group of familiar faces. Ellie just stood, as though someone had immobilized her body. Ellie could not utter a reply, when Harrison's eyes caught her. She breathed in a sigh of relief. Harrison was telling her how beautiful she was, but Ellie didn't hear a word, so just spontaneously hugged him. It was what she had been needing all week, just someone to hold her for a minute.

When they broke away, Ellie stepped back awkwardly. "Sorry," She said with a smile. "Good to see you?"

Ellie didn't move as Harrison suggested that they move toward the group. Ellie had avoided looking at Dan, but she was sure he was just as horrified as she. "I don't know Harrison." Ellie said, thinking quick on her feet. "I was hoping to spend some time with you. After all you asked out on this date." Ellie said, trying to smile as she said, even though she felt like a horrible person inside. She glanced over at the table of former Hogwarts students sitting with current Hogwarts professor. Ellie bite her lip, she felt like she was fighting a losing battle. She looked back at Harrison, and smiled. She really did like Harrison, and for some reason, Ellie didn't want to pretend to be someone she wasn't with him. So in stead of pushing hte issue, she took his hand in hers. "But if you want to go over, we can."

[Girty Hubbles]

Girty stood outside the gargoyle, she rocked backwards and forwards from her heel to her toes as she waited for the staircase to appear. Finally after what felt like a century Girty sprinted up the stairs and barged into her brother’s office only to find the room completely empty, it was only the snores from the old Professor’s on the walls that broke the silence. Her look of complete confusion must have been apparent as a few of the headmasters started to mutter under there breath and it was only one in particular that bothered to respond. He was one of the more famous wizards that ever graced this earth and here Girty was over 100 years after his death having a conversation with a painting of him!

“They have gone down to the pub Miss Hubbles.”
“Oh…which one?”
“Hogshead if my old ears serve me right and they tend to.”
“Brilliant! Thank you Albus!”

With a wide grin Girty charged out of the room just as quickly as she entered and as a result she did not hear the call of the old Professor reminding her to take a coat. In hind sight a coat would have been a good idea but Girty was hurrying so quickly that she knew it would not matter for long, all that mattered was she got to her brother and sister-in-law as soon as possible.

Bursting through yet another door Girty’s brown eyes quickly surveyed the room and much to her delight she could see and hear that gathering of people around a small little table. In the middle of it all she saw Dan and Dia; the later was giving a hug to a very familiar blonde haired girl who Girty would deal with later while Dan seemed to be in a light hearted conversation with a black haired boy.

“Locked up? You wouldn’t be talking about me now would you Ashy boy?” With a laugh Girty wrapped an arm around the old Ravenclaw’s shoulders and gave it an affectionate squeeze. “Oi that’s my brother!” Girty teased as Ash let of a string of playful insults at Dan. “I think for that Ash you need to buy us all a round of drinks!”

Girty did not wait till she got a response from Ashton before moving around onto her next target, her best friend Grace Marks. The thought of Grace being in the area again was brilliant news for Girty, the two of them had always been so close, there for each other when they went through their toughest of moments and to have her back was the best thing ever! However the wide smile that filled Girty’s face faded ever so slightly as she saw a particular person standing at the bar. Ellie…oh lord, this was not awkward at all, how was she going to keep Dan and her apart all night? Was she now giving the game away acting all weird?

“Grace! How are you settling in?”

The question was a bit out there, it might have been asked already but Girty needed something to distract her from the fact that she was now starting to sweat due to nerves. Where was Ash with that drink?

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace began to feel much better about life as she joined the Hubbles at their table, by Dia's side, and took a few sips of her firewhiskey. Things had been hard recently but here, among the hubbub of a familiar pub and in familiar and comfortable (basically) family, Grace could relax and forget for a while. She then began to wonder where her other favourite Hubbles was; it had been a long time since she had seen Girty.

Turning back to Dia, Grace lifted a shoulder listlessly. "Well, I've ... I mean, you know ..." Grace was one who always knew how she felt and she knew how to express that. Today however, even in the last few weeks, she was without words. It was not that she was a particularly chatty little Hufflepuff, she just always knew what to say. Grace drained her tumbler of whiskey, coughed, and placed her empty tumbler on the table in front of her.

"I'm learning to adjust." She leg twinged and she winced, giving it a squeeze. "Still hurts," she added just as the one she had been thinking of arrived with quippy comments, as she always had. This brought a smile to the young woman's face. "Hiya," Grace responded to Girty. She extended her arms in request for a hug as she didn't want to stand. In response to Girty's question, Grace picked up her empty glass and showed it to her long time friend. "That's how it's going." Grace thought about the comment for a moment, realised how little sense it made and frowned at Girty in apology.

Grace glanced over her shoulder to who she had heard Dia call: Ellie. She also noted the look that Girt had given her. After knowing Girty for as long as she had, Grace was good at picking up on things. Grace knew the Hufflepuff a little as she was a few years her junior. Grace also noticed the look on the young Hufflepuff's face, she looked worried, a look she recognised from her days of watching her ex-boyfriend before they broke up.

Stop it! Grace told herself. "Where are those drinks, Ash?" Grace chirped, attempting a chuckle. "Anyway, how go things with you, Girt?"

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash just laughed as he came back with his drink, "Do I look like I'm made of money?" he quipped. "Besides, I don't know what anyone wants and I'm not about to carry a whole bunch of drinks around."

Setting his drink down, he gave Girty an affectionate squeeze. "You need to quit being such a stranger and drop by sometime. That goes for you too, Grace!" he said teasingly to the other girl.

Deciding that he may as well join the little party, he sat down in one of the chairs Dia had summoned. "So, how is life treating you two?" he asked Dan and Dia.

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny had to roll her eyes at her brothers because as usual they were being highly annoying. If it hadn't been for the fact that they needed a place to stay while they were in town Ginny would have told them both to sod off, but mum had asked her and she was usually hard pressed to say no to her mom so here they were annoying her to no end. After another long pause Fred looked at her and said "Pull my finger sis" and to this Ginny simply rolled her eyes. That was it, the last straw, she needed to get away from them. "No Fred I don't think I feel like pulling any fingers right now. As a matter of fact I have some things I need to take care of anyway so I think I'll head down to the shop and do what needs to be done. The fridge is fully stocked so help yourselves and please please please try not to blow anything up while I'm gone". They looked at her as if stunned by her words but then they burst out laughing.

Ginny was to used to this to care much so she simply got up and walked out of the flat. She had no idea where she wanted to go or what she wanted to do all she knew was that being cooped up with her brothers was the last thing she needed, as the saying went been there done that. It was a sign of how much she loved her mother that she allowed those two jokers to stay there, as much as she loved the two of them they were a lot to take even on ones best day.

The fresh air outside was doing her pretty good though her head started to clear and she seemed to become less and less annoyed as time wore on. Then she spotted the pub, a drink seemed like a great thing right about now perhaps some gin or something. Opening the door she hadn't expected the sight that met her eyes, it was like some sort of Hogwarts reunion or something, a whole bunch of people she recognized seemed to be hanging around together. Not sure if she wanted to be alone or around people she went straight up to the bar the barkeep looked right at her winked then walked over asking what she wanted. "Gin please she said as he kept staring at her as if mesmerized. Feeling sort of awkward Ginny simply smiled as he walked away to get her drink.

Forgetting for a moment about the group of people she knew Ginny turned around and caught sight of Grace Marks someone she knew. Unable to ignore the lot Ginny timidly smiled and waved.

[Prof Grace Marks]

When Ashton came back to the table, spinning some story about not being made of money, Grace sighed heavily and pushed herself up onto her feet. She tried to hide the pain from showing up on her face so she quickly turned and limped towards the bar. It was not like Grace to get annoyed over something as trivial as getting a round of drinks however small, trivial things seemed to be rubbing her up the wrong way these days.

"The usual, Girt?" Grace called over her shoulder as it was only the two of them without drinks. She did not wait for Girty's response as she knew what the answer would be.

As she walked towards the bar a certain red-head caught her eye. The young woman gave Grace a wave and a small smile. Grace weaved through the bustling pub and towards Ginny, trying to hide her limp. "Ginny!" Grace greeted her friend and gave her a hug. Grace's annoyance from moments before had gone and she was smiling again.

Leaning one arm on the bar, Grace tucked stray hair behind her ear with her free hand and put it on her hip. "You are looking very well, Ginny," Grace said with a smile. "How are you?"

[Ginny Weasley]

Ginny wondered if all of them had met there at the pub as in some pre-planned meeting or had they simply met there as in they all seemed to show up at the same place at the same time. Perhaps she should be a little more social and walk over there and see what's up, but then again Ginny had sort of come out to simply be alone her brothers had been driving her crazy. Ginny wanted alone time some peace and quiet, though come to think of it quiet wasn't something she was going to get from being there at the pub, as it was people were talking loudly, there was a lot of raucous laughter, so quiet wasn't really going to happen.

Before Ginny could completely make up her mind she noticed Grace Marks coming up to bar of course the two women knew each other so it wasn't an odd thing for Grace to say hello to Ginny. An easy smile appeared on the red heads lips as she looked at the pretty blonde walking toward her Ginny didn't even notice her trying to hide her limp. "Hey there Grace, looking good. I'm okay trying to run away from home for a few hours I'm afraid, I've got my brothers staying with me and they were driving me nuts." Ginny laughed at her own remarks but stopped abruptly when her drink arrived. She grabbed it up and took one long sip from it letting the alcohol hit her system giving her that nice warm feeling in the pit of her belly.

"Long time no see, what's going on with you? Is that a Hogwarts meeting going on over there" she said inclining her head toward the group at the other end of the pub.