[Hogsmeade] Old School Reasons

[Girty Hubbles]

Today was going to be a happy day! That was the first thought that crossed Girty’s mind as her hazel eyes flashed open and she stared up at the ceiling. It was simple really, the more she sat moping around about no longer being with Alex or Dan being an arse the darker and deeper the pit of depression got. The June sunshine was pouring in thought the small windows in the dormitory and it inspired the young Hubbles to get dressed in her summer clothing and make her way to the realms of Hogsmeade. Of course for Girty the term summer clothing meant three quarter length trousers and a bright orange t-shirt and of course no shoes! To be happy Girty needed to feel the part and the bright colours and free feet made her feel that way and so armed with her sunglasses (which Dan always said made her look like a blue bottle fly) Girty made her way out of the castle and across the castle grounds with a small spring in her step.

As it would be expected on a Saturday afternoon (yes Girty had a very long lie in) and on a beautiful day with the purest blue skies the residents of the castle and small village were making the most of the rare beautiful weather. As she made her way through the crowded streets Girty could not help it but laugh as she heard snippets of people’s conversations.
“…this will be our summer…”
“…what frogs legs he said…”
“…then I pushed her to the ground…”
“…what is she laughing at?”

Her mood was stable and after browsing the window of Honeydukes Girty nipped inside and brought herself a bag of liquorish wands and so with a small brown paper bag in hand Miss Hubbles hit the sun drenched cobbled high street once again! It was a beautiful day, it was warm but there was that pleasant breeze that made it bearable to be outside and wit a wide grin Girty slipped through a crowd of Ravenclaw’s only for her eyes to fall upon someone who would make the day even better for the Hufflepuff!

“Mrs Shaw! I demand you stop where you are!”

[Jac Shaw]

Jac had been spending more and more time in this little village. There were several reasons for this, the main one obviously to make life easier for Jack. She didn’t mind the constant travel up and down, she actually liked getting out of London as much as she could. People were always saying that London is one of the number one cities in the world to live, to those people Jac would either punch in the face or ask if they’d actually ever lived anywhere else (it all depended on how much work she’d had and subsequently her mood). Yes, the city was wonderful but getting away from it just proved to her that that wasn’t the place for her.

So, once again, the young auror in training was in Hogsmeade, today simply wondering the streets before her scheduled date with Jackson. She was wearing one of her favourite sundresses, white with large red cherry blossoms connected with black branches, and a simple pair of bright red pumps. She enjoyed the warm weather and was taking full advantage of it. Her hair was reflecting this jovial mood, with its bright orange-red colouring and slight kink, making it curl on the ends. She had let it grow a bit too so the curls hung loosely down her back as she wondered the streets of Hogsmeade.

Window shopping, Jac cupped her hands around her eyes and peaked into one of the store. It had many many glorious quidditch supplies inside but she knew better then to go in. She’d buy simply everything and that would not be wise. Pulling herself away, Jac forced herself to move on to the next store. It wasn’t half as exciting as Haynes Quidditch Supplies but it still captivated her for a little bit. And soon she moved onto the next and the next and the next. There was a large gaggle of Ravenclaws ahead of her so Jac diverted around them, coming back only to find more people crowding around. Weaving her way through the crowd, Jac smiled at everyone, apologising to the tall woman with the fuchsia hat she bumped into, and finally she was through.

Suddenly she hear her name being called. Sometimes she had to really concentrate to recognise that someone calling ‘Mrs Shaw’ was for her and not Jackson’s mother as she was used to. But today she was on the ball, obviously the warm sunshine and the being out of the busy city were doing wonders for her. She recognised the voice too, she’d never miss it in a crowd. Turning on her heal, Jac searched for the bearer of the voice and finally saw her. Her pale face broke into a broad grin as she saw the Hufflepuff coming towards her. Jac ran to her, jumping her and flinging her arms around Girty’s neck.

“It’s so good to see you, Girt,” Jac said warmly in her friend’s ear and then she let her go, once again standing on her own feet. “You look positively springy!” Jac chortled, brushing her hand up and down Girty’s arm affectionately. “How’ve you been? It seems ages since I’ve seen you.” Jac cocked her head to the one side, thinking about when the last time was and then she remembered. Her wedding. Gosh! It did feel like a long time ago and yet only like yesterday.

[Girty Hubbles]

With a wide grin Girty stood still, planting her bare feet on the warm cobbled stones, her hands on her hips as if she was some sort of super hero. All she needed now was a red flowing cape and her underpants on the outside…although it would have been fun to do that she was sure Jac would have preferred a more low key meeting. But then even as that thought crossed her small little mind a wide smile filled the face of Jac and she broke into a run towards her.

“Whoa Jac!” Girty laughed as her friend literally threw herself at her, as the red haired girl threw her arms around her neck Girty found her arms automatically wrapping them around Jac, embracing her tightly. The Hufflepuff then gently put Jac back on her feet and continued to laugh as Jac stroked the side of her arm. “Hey, careful there Jac, you’re with a Hubbles, people might get ideas.”

It was a light playful jab t her older brother’s antics, heck arguably even her own in all honesty. They were after all famous for their romantic attachments and Girty would have hated for any shadows to be cast over their marriage already…although saying that if it was Jackson Girty have been caught with their might have been more reason! But that was neither here nor there all that mattered was the sun was shinning and the two old friends were standing face to face.

“Yeah I…” She reminded herself that today was going to be a good day so there would be no dragging anyone into pits of depression, especially not the newly wed. “…for once Jac I am good.” Her tone of voice was convincing and it would be hard to question the wide grin that was fixed upon Miss Hubbles face. “How are you? Ooo how was the honeymoon?” The later of the questions was sung, admittedly a little off key but to Girty it seemed to fit. Today was such a beautiful day it just seemed to fit, such as the little skip she had done as she linked arms with the trainee Auror. “Liquorish wand?”

[Jac Shaw]

If there was one thing that would make Jac happy it was to see her friends happy and these days, she knew, Girty wasn't all that happy. But standing where they were, in the sun, none of what Jackson had told his young bride seemed to bother her; obviously the sunshine was doing wonders for her too. She even made a joke and Jac had to laugh.

“Oh, please, Girt, since when have we cared what others thought?” Jac dragged the word 'others' out, rolling her eyes. These two had gone through much in their many years of friendship and Jac couldn't remember a time where these 'others' mattered. It was all silly really and they both knew it. Jac simply laughed.

Her first thought about Girty looking happy for once was confirmed! Jac gave a sharp nod of her head, her smile still plastered to her face. A happy Girty was a fun Girty and a fun Girty was just what the healer ordered, so to speak. “That's good to hear,” Jac chimed, “I'm very well, thanks. Oh! The honeymoon was wonderful! We had soo much fun – don't mind if I do.” Jac pinned Girty's linked arm close to her body, sure not to loose her friend in the growing crowd - clearly the two friends weren't the only ones to spy the glorious weather – and took the liquorish wand that was offered.

Jac started to drag Girty along and soon they were just walking, in no direction in particular, just walking. “And what's new with you?” Jac asked. “It's been at least a month since I've seen you. All I can report is that becoming an auror is harder work than I'd ever thought possible and did you know they're wanting to kick Biggs' out of office?” This last bit was said as an after thought, high pitched in her surprise with her eyebrows raised high as she looked at her Hufflepuff friend.

[Girty Hubbles]

Friends till the end, that is what they had said once upon a time. Back in the days when the skies were always blue, it snowed every Christmas and your biggest concern was whose card you would get in your next Chocolate Frog packet. When you knew the real world was this big scary place but it was none of your concern yet, you had five years before having to worry about jobs, bills and serious relationships. And as the real world grew closer and closer Jac and Girty always stuck together but then life pushed them off in different directions and as always (or at least in Girty’s mind) she was the one who was left behind as she watched her best friends get covered in glory and achieve happiness.

So it was no surprise really that as Girty grinned on listening to Jac talk about her honeymoon a bitter taste lingered in the Hufflepuff’s mouth, although she would later claim that was the after taste of the liquorish wand. “That’s fantastic Jac!” Girty chimed out, as a girlish giggle escaped at the thought of Jac and Jack having fun. She was a Hubbles after all so it was no surprise that Girty’s mind wondered over to that conclusion. With a small sideways glance down to her friends stomach almost to make sure no suspicious bumps were appearing Girty’s gaze and attention was quickly brought back to the face of Mrs Shaw as the ‘how are things going’ question was thrown right back at her.

Unsurprisingly this was not really a response Girty could rattle off that would make her friend happy; in fact the only one she could think of would get a server frown from Jac and most likely a slap. But thankfully, although she might not have known it, the Gryffindor had given Girty a lifeline and so avoiding the originally question Girty jumped straight into the deep end of a topic that had been on the lips of most drunks that conversed in the local establishments.

“Biggs is not the only one.” Girty stated matter of factley. “They are just sniffing around for a reason to give Dan the chop. Apparently all the crap up the castle is his fault; honestly Dan would not know how to cast Dark Magic even if he used a spell book designed for three year olds.” With a small huff Girty pulled another liquorish wand out of the brown paper bag. “It’s the blame game and I think this is one no one will win.” She bite off the end of her wand and chewed on it thoughtfully as they continued to weave their way through the crowds. “Don’t you just love politics….ooo what’s this?”

As always something shiny can easily distract Girty and as the September sun shone down from the sky it seemed to catch something over by an old looking wooden fence. With a bemused smile Girty lead Jac over to wear the light was coming from.

(and me being the kind sod I am….you can pick whatever the shiny thing is )