[Hogshead] the nerve calming sensation

[Dante Nikolas]

So. Here Dante was heading out of another disastrous care of the magical creatures lesson which involved a rather large winged bird. Like usual, Dante was picked on and made to touch the fearsome creature. He was literally shaking in his shoes, his heart was hammering that fast it felt as though it would stop at any given moment. Still, he persevered, afterall he didn’t want to fail any of his lessons. As soon as he was told he could move he more or less ran from the classroom and headed right down to Hogsmeade.

Now, Dante was a large drinker, but he usually reserved himself this luxury for parties. His nerves were shaken, however, and so a good dose of fire whisky was in order. Of course, if caught drinking he would probably be given one hell of a telling off but all he cared about was calming his nerves. Like he cared if some stuck-up-their-own-ass professor decided to bust him. Though, if it was Hubbles, he’d probably join Dante and tell him he was a true man or something.

Sitting alone at a table gave him time to think, but thinking made him think of birds, which of course did absolutely nothing for his nerves. Those creatures do not need to fly! Seriously, why do they even exist what’s the point in them? Apart from pooping on your head what do birds do? He could handle chickens and hens because they don’t go airborne… but anything airborne gives him the creeps. Within twenty minutes he was downing his third whisky and finally his nerves seemed to become a little steadier, or maybe that was just the drink making him think that.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

The door to the Hogshead gave a creak as Ashton Laurent pushed it open. The young raven-haired wizard made his way to the bar and ordered a firewhiskey. He'd been under alot of stress lately trying to get the new shop started, and felt a break of some sorts was well deserved.

As Ash sat there, just staring off into space his thoughts turned to several things. Nick. The madness enveloping the castle. Laney disappearing. Oddly enough, that last one had hardly any effect on him. He and Laney really weren't that close anymore. Hadn't been for a while now. And call him cold or whatever, but he honestly didn't feel like playing babysitter. What Laney did with her life, was no business of his.

Ash took a sip of whiskey and allowed his thoughts to turn to mundane things. Suddenly, the person next to him caught his eye. Ash wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was the fact that the boy looked similar to himself. Dark fringe (like his), snakebite piercing (like his), dark eyes (not like his). He had a feeling the boy was also a Ravenclaw. Just intuition you could call it.

Ash sat there for a few moments studying the boy, who looked to be at least three years younger than himself. Finally, Ash turned away and stared off into space once more. Then, he heard a voice coming from the other boy's general direction...

[Dante Nikolas]

Dante could feel the guys eyes on him, though he kept his eyes firmly attatched to the bar, not wanting to draw more attention to himself than what was strictly necessary. He sipped his firewhisky gingerly until only the dregs remained at the bottom of the glass, he swirled them absent mindedly, trying not to feel the boys stare, though it felt like a million little tiny pins were jamming into his skin.

Finally, the sensation stopped, but his nerves from his lesson was still pretty much in tatters. Dante chanced a look to the boy next to him, certainly he looked an awful lot like Dante, yet something made Dante feel as though the boy was in a mood. He didnt know why, maybe something about the way he was sat? Or the way he just stared off into space... or maybe due to the fact he had blatantly been staring at Dante without saying so much as a hello. Rude. Dante thought to himself. "Uh... you alright?" Dante wasnt one to sit in silence if someone was in speaking distance to him. And by the looks of things, maybe this guy needed some serious cheering up.

Another drink was slammed infront of Dante, making the young boy jump somewhat. The empty glass was pulled from his hands and put on the bar behind the server. Dante let out a sigh, honestly didnt people know not to frighten him after a traumatic day like this? Still, bringing the glass to his lips once more, he chugged back a swig before placing the now half full glass back down infront of him. Turning to the boy again, Dante attempted a smile, "Sorry, but have I seen you before?" He asked as politely as he could muster, "You look awfully familiar to me..." Smiling, he held out his hand, "Im Dante, nice to meetcha!"

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash turned with a smile to face the boy. Poor kid looks nervous he thought. "Oh I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff." He was about to turn away, when a barrage of words caught him. Ash smiled once more as the boy finished speaking. "No, I don't think we have. I graduated almost three years ago." He laughed at the boys next words, "I was going to say the same thing to you!"

Still smiling, Ash took the other boys hand and shook it as the boy introduced himself as Dante. "I'm Ashton Laurent. Mostly everyone calls me Ash though." then as an afterthought, "Well, everyone except my boyfriend. He insists on calling me Ashton half the time. Strange man.. drives me batty half the time." he finished jokinly.

"You're in Ravenclaw, right?" Ash asked the other boy. He would feel sooo stupid if he was wrong...

[Dante Nikolas]

Dante gave a lopsided smile to the boy. Well, guy... whatever. Dante was clearly younger than he was and was so obviously the boy in this conversation. He didnt ask what stuff the lad was thinking about, it was absolutely none of Dante's business. Maybe Dante should have shut up then, as the boy turned his head which made Dante think he had no interest whatsoever of talking to him, which of course made Dante feel incredibly small. Though, as Dante went to look away after asking such a silly question, the boy replied. Three years ago? Would have made Dante twelve... Still, he may have seen him around the school, right?

"Oh, I'd have been in the second year then." Dante told him with a smile and turned to finish his drink. Dante was quite well when it came to handling alcoholic drinks, he had had plenty of practise in the past, looking at the boys near empty glass Dante said. "Do you want another?" Though Dante didnt know this guy from adam, he still had manners, and his mother always told him to offer drinks to people, it was a good way to get to know them. "We may have seen each other around in school once or twice. Who knows? Its not as big a place as people think."

"I've definatly heard... wait!" Dante half yelled, "Arent you Laney's brother?" Of course, Dante had spoken to Laney and she had mentioned Ash before. "You love it though, by the sounds of it." Dante laughed. Must be nice, having somebody else there for you. Rose and Alice had done a runner to god only knew where, his two best friends up and left him without a word! How rude.

"Yeah, I'm in Ravenclaw." He smiled, "How'd you know?"

[Blayre Osbourne]

"Oh my God! I need a drink!"

Blayre proclaimed loudly as she stepped into the pub, a gust of spring air following after her only to be dampened by the pub's atmosphere once the door shut behind her. Ah yes, her favorite place to be. Somewhere with lots of alcohol and an endless collection of guys looking for one night stands. Blayre was here to have fun with a capital 'F'.

Searching the pub for any familiar faces, she spotted Ashton, her best friend, sitting next to a rather attractive guy. She raised an eyebrow and studied the face of the stranger for a minute. He looked a little young, perhaps too young... Nah. What was age to Blayre but a number? It just proclaimed how many years you had been on the earth, nothing important. Ha! Blayre had just talked herself into another reason to flirt. Great.

'Ashton!" she called out in a sing song voice. She pranced her way to her buddy, placing herself directly between the boys. The bartender was already serving her the usual. A shot of everything... Yeah, she went a little overboard sometimes. She downed three within minutes, listening in to the conversation. Once she had a few in her, she turned to the boy with a mischievous grin, deciding it was better for her to introduce herself.

"Sorry, didn't mean to be rude. I'm Blayre," she said sweetly.


gay... sorry

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

"Oh my God! I need a drink!"

Ash turned, that sounded like... Sure enough, his best friend Blayre called his name and came waltzing up. Ash started to greet her and introduce Dante. Blayre of course, had already situated herself between the two boys and had taken care of introductions herself. Ash smiled at the blond girl next to him. "Hey Blayre-Bear" he said with a laugh. "What's up?"

Waiting for the introductions to be done. He merely drummed his fingers on the bar, declining another drink. He wanted to talk with his friend before getting completely wasted.

Realising that he had yet to answer Dante, the young man leaned around Blayre so he could see Dante. "Yeah, I am Laney's brother. And it really is amazing. The man may drive me crazy, but I'm sure the feeling's mutual!" he quipped. He was talking about Nick of course. He smiled again, "As for you being in Ravenclaw, I could just tell."

Speaking of Nick... Ash turned his attention back to Bear. "What's Nick up to anyway? Being a workaholic as usual?"

[Dante Nikolas]

Suddenly the little group was growing at an alarming rate. First it started off as just him, then Ash, and now some girl he didnt know -- but would happily say was rather cute. As she situated herself right in between Dante and Ash, Dante looked back down to his beer when he realised she knew Ash. He didnt want to intrude afterall. Dante wasnt shy, but he wasnt one to interrupt anybody either, and it was clear to him that Ash and this girl were close friends so instead he just sat there and listened.

Ash refused another drink, but Dante didnt. As another beer was planted infront of him he smiled up at the owner -- who blatently knew Dante was underage but obviously didnt care -- and continued to drink his drink. It wasnt until she said something, that was obviously meant for him, did he look back up. She was smiling sweetly at him, he returned the smile and simply nodded. "You werent being rude, I get that you wanted to talk to your friend." Who Dante thought was alright, "I'm Dante." He smiled, it wasnt a name you came across often these days and Dante was proud to have a funny name.

He saw Ash lean forward, which was Dante's cue to lean forward too. He smiled when he confirmed he was Laney's brother, if he was her brother he couldnt be half bad. Dante liked Laney, she had gotten him out of more than a few tight spots. Not to mention she made him do his homework, which he wouldnt do without a push. "Love is... uh... well love I guess?" Truth be told Dante had never been in love so he didnt actually know what it was like. He'd been with more than a few girls but he had never loved any of them. "Dont tell me! I have Ravenclaw face!" He laughed and turned his attention back to his drink when Ash began to speak to Blayre again.

Dante felt like he didnt want to intrude and so moved his stool a little bit further down the bar, to give Blayre a bit more room too, rather than be squashed between the two boys. He kept looking sidelong to the two of them, it reminded him of the friends he used to have. Lord, how he missed them. Still, he was young and he could make friends easily enough. He felt a tug on his arm, turning around he looked at a rather drunkern young witch. "Dance with me!" She commanded, "Wh-what!? D-dance?" He looked slightly afraid as he was pulled off the stool he was sitting on. "B-but I dont want to dance!" Though, there was nothing he could do as he was dragged to the floor, her grip was tight on him as she forced his arms around her waist and her arms around his neck. Oh man, this is embarrassing. He thought to himself as he looked anywhere but at the girl he was now dancing with.

[Blayre Osbourne]

The nerve of him. Like Ash didn't already know Blayre's intentions. He was supposed to be her best friend and yet he had no clue as to why she would come into a pub like this. Funny. She took her fourth shot, raised it in the air then downed it quickly, making a face as the liquid when down. "Drinking. What else?" She said with a smirk before grabbing another shot. She'd wait a few minutes to drink this one, at least until her esophagus stopped burning from the last one.

Blayre laughed at Dante, "Cute name. Different. Much like mine," she responded with an amused smile. You didn't really come across too many girls with the name Blayre, though she was sure Dante was a little more rare than her own. Blayre concentrated on his lips for a minute. She probably should've been looking at his eyes but his smile was just as interesting as his name. Maybe it was just the alcohol taking effect already.

It took a bit for Blayre to realize Ash had asked her something. She turned her head slightly, her eyes still on Dante's lips for some unknown reason. Finally she looked at Ash and gave a shrug. "Who knows. I haven't been by the club yet. Came straight from home. Knowing Nick though, he probably is working, or he's with Nora. Who knows."

Blayre noticed that Dante had moved over a bit so she situated herself so she had some elbow room now. Blayre still had the shot glass in her hand when a young witch came over to dance with Dante and accidently bumped into Blayre as she dragged him out. It was plain as day that Dante didn't want to dance but the grip the young witch held on him wasn't one he could escape easily. At first Blayre laughed at the duo but then felt the urge to rescue him.

"Ash, give me a minute. There's a damsel in distress," she explained motioning to Dante with a nod of her head. She passed her shot over to Ash, either to drink himself or to save for her, then headed to where Dante was. She had to come up with a plan quickly, she just hoped Dante wouldn't mind her intrusion on his space. She gave the young witch a tap on the shoulder, "Excuse me, but you're dancing with my date. Mind if I have him back?" If that didn't work, she'd send her gay friend after her. The thought made her smirk.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Ash rolled his eyes. Honestly, did the girl think he was an idiot or something? "I know that Bear. I meant, how is your day going?" Another drink was offered, and he accepted. If he was planning on getting wasted, he might as well start actually drinking.

He laughed at Dante. Not a mean laugh of course. "Yeah, you have the Ravenclaw look. Or has Bear here would say 'Emoclaw'. Don't know where she possibly got that from." he shot his best friend a suspiciously innocent look. He laughed again at Dante's comment about love. "Yeah, that pretty much sums it up."

Suddenly, some random chick appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Dante, demanding a dance. Poor Dante. Still, Ash couldn't help but snicker a little. It was funny. To him. Then again, he wasn't the one being dragged like a rag-doll across the floor.

The ex-Ravenclaw laughed and nodded when Bear mentioned she was going to go help 'the damsel in distress'. He saw her tap the girl's shoulder and somehow even though he couldn't hear the words, he knew exactly what his best friend said. Exactly.

"Excuse me, but you're dancing with my date. Mind if I have him back?"

Ash shook his head. He would bet his money (and he had alot! hello? little rich boy) that those were Blayre's exact words. It was border-line freaky how well he knew the girl...

[Dante Nikolas]

He didnt like making people feel squashed, so acting like a gentleman he moved over for her to have more room, which he noticed she instantly took advantage of and let her elbows take up some of that precious room. "Emoclaw?" He laughed, he hadnt heard that one before. "Couldnt be cause every guy in Ravenclaw looks a little emo now could it?" Dante joked. Or at least, Dante did. "I've never been in love so I dont know what it's like... sounds like trouble though, if you ask me."

Though, when he was dragged to dance, he wished he wouldnt have moved over, maybe that gave her the signal to drag him up on the dance floor, a place Dante didnt really want to be and certainly wasnt drunk enough to enjoy himself up here either. She had her arms around his neck, and he had his around her waist. He could feel himself reddening in the face, especially since he wasnt as tall as she was and the dress she was wearing didnt leave much to the imagination. He tried to look anwhere but at her, he didnt want his eyes to wander and so instead as he danced, rather awkwardly, he took notice of one of the pictures on the wall and acted as though he was very interested in said picture. Though, as his eyes found the picture, he could quite clearly see a smirk on the pictures face, which of course, made him avert his eyes. Of course, he had nowhere else to look, so trying his damn hardest, he looked at the girls, well womans, face.

She was quite pretty. Long black sleek hair, blue eyes and soft looking skin. Yet, her eyes were glassy due to her intoxication and she was becoming quite clumsy, stepping on his feet more than once. This, is becoming annoying. He thought to himself as he looked for a way to escape, but as though reading his mind, the woman slid her arms from around his neck to his own waist and pulled him closer to her, he let out a little yelp, obviously not expecting this, and really not enjoying it all that much either.

She stopped dancing and turned around, Dante noticed Blayre was stood there and told her that Dante was Blayre's date and she would like him back now. ... What? Was this some joke Dante wasnt in on? "Of course!" The woman chimed happily, "He's all yours." With that the woman walked off and Dante breathed a sigh of relief. At least he was free for now. "Thanks Blayre, that woman has a grip that would put a werewolf to shame." He smiled as he stood on the dancefloor, people dancing around the two of them and more than once bumping into them. We could have a serious injury if we stay here. Somebody else bumped into him and he found himself stood quite close to the blonde haired girl who rescused him, giving a small smile, Dante said; "Do you wanna dance?" Without really waiting for an answer, Dante took Blayres hands and put her arms around his neck, then slid his around her waist. He felt more comfy dancing with someone if he had the choice. Like with Blayre, he didnt have to but he was doing.

[Blayre Osbourne]

Blayre laughed in response to Dante's thanks, "No problem. I live to serve," she said with a small curtsy, though in the process she was shoved closer to Dante, finding herself mere inches from him. She found her breathing coming out a bit shaky and could feel the blood warm up her cheeks. Then Dante asked her a question, wait what? Dance? Was he serious? Without an answer she found herself practically wrapped around him. It was oddly sweet and she found herself smiling at him like an idiot.

Blayre honestly didn't mind dancing, she just usually danced by herself and found herself actually liking having a partner. Blayre looked back to where Ash was and gave him a satisfied grin. After the initial shock, Blayre started to become comfortable with Dante. It wasn't that he made her uncomfortable, it was mostly the fact that even though the two were so close together as it was, the crowd around them seemed to push them closer, or maybe Blayre was imagining that. Either way, her face still seemed warm to her and she hoped the younger boy didn't notice.

Blayre tried to look past Dante, hoping that would ease the tension, yet her eyes seemed to catch his then she found herself studying his features, she even tried to figure out how he got his hair to stay like that. Ok, what was wrong with her? She found herself staring at their feet and almost had the urge to pull away from him and go back to Ashton to hide her embarrassment but that wasn't the way Blayre was. She cleared her throat when the song started coming to an end, "I could use a drink. How bout you?" She asked quickly. She didn't want him to think she was trying to get away from him, because she wasn't, she just wasn't used to blushing so much around a guy. Infact, she couldn't remember the last time she had.