An Unexpected Date [Private - Eshae]

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Nigel Ravenhearst smiled as he crossed the street to meet with the School Nurse. He had been bold enough to ask her out and the result was right in front of him, the face of beauty that most anyone wouldfight over for. The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor grinned at the woman standing before him before he flourished a bow and saying, "Love, you absolutely look gorgeous today!"

The man knew how to start and he sure wasn't going to treat this any differently from his other dates with other women. Even if this was more than accidental of sorts, it was still a date, and a date he himself asked for. Looking around, he could see that students were now looking at both of them. Nigel knew that the gossip mill would be extremely fruitful tonight and stories about this day would circulate the whole school by the end of the day. But, Nigel didn't mind. He didn't mind one bit. He was used to this ever since he first came to this school when he was still a young child. His foreign background seemed to strike a chord within the girl's dormitories and they hounded him for information about the sights in Switzerland. It only grew when he came back for his fifth year, which people say changed every girl's dream guy to be pictured as him.

Nigel only sighed before gesturing for the Three Broomsticks and holding up his hand to offer to hold the School Nurse's before saying, "Shall we get this date started then, Eshae?"

[ESHAE JOSANO]

The winters air nipped at her exposed skin as she greeted her colleague. Her coat was warm, it was thick and it was something no one under a certain age would ever entertain in wearing but she was a responsible woman. "You flatter me Nigel. We all know everyone shall be looking at you tonight, I am not the one with a certified fan club within the school." She said teasingly. The "We ♥ Professor Ravenhearst" club was having to reject new members they were so full. The number of times she had treated girls who had inured themselves trying to sneak into his classroom, and by extension his own personal chambers was incredibly entertaining. She had numerous girls suffering from 'Honest, sincere aching in the chest' which, unsurprisingly, only Nigel seemed able to cure. "But thank you, the compliment is not unwelcome." 

She clasped his offered hand gently, before taking hold of his forearm. A less intimate motion in her opinion, but it did give her a chance to keep the children satisfied. They would be heartbroken to know their dear, darling Professor was dating. Let alone, someone like her. However she nodded at his indication of letting their 'date' start. In the back of her mind she kept the idea of this simply being a night between colleagues, but there was a young woman somewhere deep inside her that was trembling with excitement. She understood how girls would get excited listening to his classes for hours at a time."I do not know how you can cope with their attention, Nigel. It must be frustrating." She said quietly, trying to keep her eyes away from the now glaring looks from some of the female students as they walked together. 

The Three Broomsticks was a popular choice amongst the residents of the sleepy town of Hogsmede. The conversation was good an lively, and unlike its counterpart the Hogs Head ... the building had an aura of cleanliness. It made the nurse in her very happy.

Letting go of Nigels arm and patting it softly, she looked around, searching for somewhere less rowdy ... probably somewhere where the drunken patrons were not stumbling over. "I shall get you a drink If you would find us a seat, sweetie. It is rather ... boisterous in here."

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Nigel smiled at the woman before grabbing her hand, succesfully stopping her from going and grabbing their drinks. He knew that it would be quite loud and lively in this establisshment during their date, so he took the initiative to talk to the Maitre d'. Of course, he was able to reserve a booth near a corner, away from the drunkards and hooligans that would inhabit this establishment at this time. Grinning, he said, "No need for that, Eshae. I took the liberty to reserve a spot for us!"

The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor looked around before motioning for a servant boy. The boy quickly bowed before escorting the both of them towards the booth he had prepared. It was the usual one, with a much cleaner table cloth and well placed cutleries. In the middle was a candelabra that seemed out of place in the establishment. Nigel grinned at the set-up before motioning for the boy to grab their drinks before offering his date to seat first.

[ESHAE JOSANO]

Suffice to say, Eshae was shocked. She had not expected such forethought; but of course she had not been out on a date in over 20 years, she wasn't exactly up to date on the whole prospect of courting. The last time she had been on a date the Wizarding World had just picked itself up off of the ground and began rebuilding after mourning the passing of hundreds of its heroes. She had only been in her early twenties, but the person she had chosen to go out with had played himself off as one of the survivors, playing it off as if he had been there at the fight and had 'killed hundreds' around him. However that had not played out for either of them, she found him boring and self absorbed and as she later found out he had been arrested for stealing the identity of someone who had died in the battle at Hogwarts grounds. "Oh ... uhm. Thank you." She stuttered, in embarrassment. She was so out of touch.

The booth itself seemed like someone had tried to make it look fancier than the actual establishment, and she could not blame them. All around them there were merry witches and wizards cheering with pint glasses in their hands and a smile in their heart. It was wonderful to see them enjoying themselves, but each time someone hit their head off something, or fell of a chair she winces at the thought of the possible damage they could be doing to their bodies; of the spells and charms she may need to use if her services were called upon in the middle of the date ..

"I honestly hadn't expected you to put so much effort into this, Nigel. I am pleasantly surprised." She said softly, removing her winter coat and laying it along her back so that when she sat down, it was very upright and proper. She gave a nod of thanks before waiting for her colleague to sit on the opposite side ... that was what happened wasn't it? "Do you visit here often?" She asked, not noticing the very overused small talk opener. She herself had only visited the Three Broomsticks a handful of times in her life and never in any sort of social gathering. She had on occasion had to call attention to an under age student sneaking drinks at the bar, but never to enjoy herself.

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Nigel smiled at the woman before sitting down. He had indeed tried his best to make do in terms of this date. The location wasn't his first choice but it was either this or the Hogshead, which he was sure that Eshae would have blanched at the thought. Grinning, Nigel adjusted his robes for tonight before saying, "No need for those kinds of openers, love. But, I'll oblige. Yes, I come here often, mostly yo drown away my sorrows that I can never find a woman so charming to take out."

The professor only mock sighed before looking back up into the eyes of the School Nurse before continuing dramatically, "But now, my prayers have been answered!"

Flirting was not uncommon to do for dates like these and Nigel was sure to make this a normal, if not a fantastic date that Eshae will always remember. Gathering his thoughts, he knew of their age difference and some of the barriers that it possesses. In truth, he was kind of surprised that she had responded to his offer to go out. But, for all intents and purposes, the School Nurse was beautiful and possessed a charm that most women do not. And for that, he was willing to go forward and see what may happen along the road. He was going to give this a chance, and maybe, just maybe, he might find his Miss Perfect.

[ESHAE JOSANO]

'Opener?' Eshae blinked slowly, not understanding what she had said wrong; but she would not pick up on the cliché no matter how obvious it may be. Of course, she waved off Nigels comment, "Never find a woman, and I'm a centaur." She said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. "You are the most sought after male at Hogwarts, from what I hear from the students. As far as I had heard, you were beating away women with a long stick." Eshae was not one to be complimented more than once in a social setting. It was unnerving and she wasn't entirely sure how she was meant to progress with the conversation. In her time, it was seldom that adults even went on dates, but when they did in her own social circle she was taught to never speak and to simply listen. Listen and agree. That was a woman's place. 

"I will admit, your venue choice is very appropriate." She nodded once and looked around, noting the number of people huddled in corners, sometimes she missed the less open and frank ways of her time. It would mean people were not too open about themselves and their personal business. Personal business was always a dangerous subject.

Masking herself, Eshae grinned widely and turned back to her 'date'. "I believe now is the 'getting to know you' element, am I correct? Tell me about yourself. If you have drowned your sorrows for so long, surely you have formulated the exact conversation in your head many times over."

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Nigel smirked evilly at the woman before commenting, "Long sticks? I am sure I haven't showed anybody my long stick in awhile, especially at Hogwarts!"

Innuendos were almost always the most fun to play with, especially in dates. The mere fact that a person, much less a guy, can be comfortable in talking about things likes these spoke volumes as to how confident the said guy is. Women have always told him tha he was the most comfortable person to be with, always open to any kinds of talk, especially any kind of subject. To Nigel, it was simply a matter of acceptance and understanding, if you can show the person you understand him or her, then anybody would flock towards you just to talk.

The professor thanked the server boy when he delivered their butterbeers before replying to the woman's statement with his signature smile in place, "Of course, of course. Let me reintroduce myself to you! My name is Nigel Ravenhearst. Some people say I am the epitome of man, but I say nay. I would describe myself as adventurous, which was one of the reasons why I worked at the ICW contingent. As well, I am very much interested in this woman who very much resembles the School Nurse at Hogwarts. How about you, fair lady?"

Nigel took a sip on his drink before waiting for the reply of his current interest. He glanced around to see that a few stragglers, mostly students, were now seemingly grabbing tables near theirs. Nigel only shook his head slightly from this. The gossip mill would definitely be fruitful tonight, but not if he can help it. He took ahold of his wand under the tabel, pointed it towards the growing crowd of older students before whispering, "Muffliato."

[ESHAE JOSANO]

Eshae was incredibly shocked at the language of the young professor. Of course he was in the prime of his youth and if what he had said was true, then she was not surprised he had spent many nights without companionship. When she was in her youth she would have never have dreamed of being spoken to in such a way. "You will watch your tongue, Professor. We may be colleagues, but that does not give you any means to talk like that. I sincerely hope this does not reflect in how you speak to your students." She kept looking at the students around her in a very frantic motion, she refused to have students influenced like that from their Professors.

She waited until the person bringing their drinks had passed, before looking back to Nigel over the top of her drink. She would give him credit, he was confident and that was something she was innately jealous of. The medi-witch was very nervous around new people, in her place of work she could make a fuss and brush it off as professional courtesy.

"Alright. As you know, my name is Eshae Josano. I studied for 19 years in St Mungos working with children before I took an internship at Hogwarts last year and was named Medi-Witch when Madame Pomfrey retired." She said softly. That was usually as far as her conversation went in regards to getting to know her. "There ... there isnt anything more to me im afraid. Rather beige when it comes to back story."

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Nigel nodded as he took in what the witch said. He knew to let the Nurse finish her stance before bringing up his own reply, which was not going to help since he felt very sarcastic at the moment. But he saw the woman look around and he knew what she was afraid of, s he immediately said, "Don't worry, Eshae, I put up a spell so noone apart from ourselves can hear what we say."

With that, Nigel leaned back into his seat before continuing, "Tell me more about yourself, Eshae. What do you like? Dislike?"

The professor smiled softly, already realizing that he should start first so he quickly continued, "I'll start! In terms of likes, I do have a taste for wines, as well as books pertaining to spells. I have also taken a liking to history books. Classical music has also been one of my favourites since before I came to Hogwarts. In terms of dislikes, I do abhor the Purist ways and vehemently try to stamp it out of my House. Lettuce, also, has been my number one enemy since I ;earned of its existence!"

[ESHAE JOSANO]

"You mistake me, Nigel. The students are on my mind, you are correct. But they are not the only reason I dislike you using that kind of talk with me. I have known you no where near long enough, or intimately enough for you to discuss things like that over a candle lit drink!" Eshae said in a low tone. "Whether you have silenced us or not, and I do not appreciate people to make presumptions about me from afar. If we have nothing to hide, then we have nothing to silence ... finite!" Giving Nigel a look that was quite obviously a warning, the older woman smoothed out the front of her robes before picking up her drink with both hands and taking another long sip. She was not one to down drinks, no matter how low their alcoholic content.

Taking a deep breath and calming herself down, she settled herself down and listened to Nigel's continuation of their conversation. She found it difficult to take him seriously. There was always too much of a joke with him. She would have expected someone from the ICW to be far more ... restrained?

"I detest the 'old ways'" She said in a low, almost hushed tone. "There has been too much, pain and too much ... violence because of it. There is only so much someone can see, both in the medical profession and outside of it before it drives you a bit crazy." She took another drink before continuing in a lighter tone. "I myself have perhaps taken out a little bit of my own justice on a couple of the more ... stubborn students. They may have had a little longer to recover than others. Let their mistakes sink in, if you will." She said it so low and into her drink, one might not even have heard it. "That goes for crass language. Anyone caught making rude remarks, or indeed ones of an intimate nature in my hospital wing is either thrown out or made to wait until all the others are dealt with." There was a slightly dark glint in her eyes which would assure anyone, she wasn't joking.


"As for likes, there isn't much that takes my fancy anymore. I am a sucker for Honeydukes and occasionally I take a break from my duties and go walk around the greenhouses or the courtyard. Apart from that, I don't think there is anything to me"

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Nigel could only nod before listening to the reply of the nurse. It seems she too has the animosity against the blood purist and she can be every bit scarier than him. Of course, he only docked points, assigned detentions, and usually berate the student when he heard comments that irked him. But, Eshae, she was a whole another level. He could only cringe at the thought of her descriptions and mentally berated himself that he should have just sent the student he caught to her.

Waving towards the boy, he immediately ordered a Shepherd's Pie. The boy nodded before looking towards Eshae. Nigel looked back towards his date for tonight before saying, "YOu should grab something to eat, Eshae. I ordered Shepherd's Pie for myself."

Nigel knew that he needed to move on with his topic, so that he could at least let the nurse settle down.

[ESHAE JOSANO]

Eshae nodded, silent. She turned toward the waiter and gave him a very gentle smile, he was rather young and she felt a stir of maternal instincts surface. "Just a small salad sweetie, and if you wouldn't mind ... a glass of lemon water." She waited for him to leave again before pushing the half mug of butterbeer away from her. She didn't drink often ... or at all. She didn't want to let it go to her head. "I can honestly say this is the first time in over 10 years I have had a meal at a pub. It is far nicer than I thought it would be; the staff here keep it well." She said, trying to make conversation again. She knew that her reaction could be seen as over the top, or uncalled for but she would not be changed. She was old enough to realise that if someone wanted to be her friend, they would take her however she was.

When the waiter came back with their meals, Eshae thanked him and happily took the glass of lemon water. "I forgot how small my weight is when it comes to holding alcohol." She said with a nod of her head toward the half full mug. "Water is far better for retaining my senses."

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Nigel smiled before slowly starting to dig into his pie. It was actually very nice, being here with a woman and trying to be normal for once. It took his mind away from all the nightmares he suffered during and after his restless sleep. Of course, he would mostly just drink a Dreamless Potion but sometimes it just doesn't work at all. It seems his dreams, moreso nightmares, were stronger than any Dreamless Potions.

The professor smiled towards the School Nurse before nursing his Butterbeer and exclaiming, "Don't worry, Eshae. I won't mind being the only person who would be drinking tonight. As long as you're comfortable."

He knew never to push anybody into doing things, unless of course that person wanted to be pushed. NIgel knew the boundaries and he was determined never to cross them. Looking at the beautiful woman sitting in front of him, he asked, "Tell me some of your exploits during your school years, Eshae!"

[ESHAE JOSANO]

"Truth is, I've never been a drinker. I can probably count on my hands how many drinks I've had in the past twenty years." She said lightly, taking a sip of her water and using the dressing which came along with her salad to drizzle of the top, lightly tossing the meal afterwards with her cutlery. It was light and it would be no where near filling enough; but her diet of hot chocolate and ... chocolate was not good for her. So she rarely ate a proper meal. "But if it looks like you're going to injure your liver I will be a medi-witch first and a colleague second." She warned, pointing very slightly with her fork. However she was glad their conversation was not following the same as it had done before.

Of course, then it went downhill. When asked what she had done during her exploits at school, Eshae felt her heart skip a beat and her hands lost their grip. "uh ... Uhm." she stammered, wide eyed. "My education was exemplary. I always did well in my studies and never found anything wrong with my tutors." She said quietly, looking at her plate of food and; even for it being such a small meal felt no longer hungry. "What about yourself?" She deflected, not looking up from her plate.

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Nigel smiled slightly, seeing the uncomfortable look that the woman seemed to have when he asked about her school life. He realized that maybe she had someone special taken away from her during those times and she didn't want to broach the subject. The professor took her hand and said lowly, "No need to broach something that you don't want to talk about. If it's uncomfortable, then you don't need to answer. But, always now that I am here for anything."

The professor then sat back before sipping his drink and continuing, "As for me, most would say that my school life was very good. Popular and part of the Quidditch team, I was usually in the middle of things. It was fun, but afterwards, it just doesn't really mean anything."

Nigel sighed. He still remembered training as an ICW Agent. His easy life at Hogwarts was uncomparable to the hardships he faced during his training. Hogwarts didn't prepare him for training, even more for the life after his training.

[ESHAE JOSANO]

"Less uncomfortable, and more a conversation not suited to the dinner table, sweetie. I shouldn't want to sour the conversation with my past. It isn't the most cheerful thing you'll ever hear." Eshae said in a low voice, carefully sipping her water before taking the lemon slice out of the water and biting into the segments. She did love a bite of lemon. It was tart enough to counteract the bitter of the salad and its dressing. "Plus, it was well before your time. I should think I was finished my education by the time you began yours!" She said with a shocked tone, putting the dates together and grimacing a little. She was alot older than Nigel, it was true. But she did not feel her age. Possibly the aspect of surrounding herself with children since her early twenties.

She nodded at Nigels own recounting of his time in school, it was the kind of life she had wanted to experience when the war broke out. Her parents were adamant that she attend Hogwarts out of solidarity to her history, but once the school was under the control of the Carrows, her parents were powerless to remove her from the torment. Eshae hated remembering her time at Hogwarts.

"That must have been lovely. Did you study all seven years at Hogwarts? I can assume from your Head of House position that you were one of those dastardly Slytherins. Always lurking where they think the Professors cannot see them. They never change." She said with a sigh, shaking her head. It was such a long time ago, another lifetime ago it was a distant memory. She did not remember much of her actually attending of class, or of her classmates, or her dormitory ... all she could remember were the Death Eaters. "Such stark contrast." She mumbled into her drink.

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Nigel smiled before before nodding his head at Eshae's description of him. Of course,he was one of those who used his cunning to try and outsmart the professors. Mostly, he had succeeded in cutting classes, roaming the halls after curfew, and a few broom cupbard snogs. But, truthfully, he was not proud of those. Now he was a professor, he had realized that the rules are there for a reason. And the reason was usually for the safety of each and everyone of the people residing in the castle.

Shaking his head softly, he looked towards the side to see his brother with a Gryffindor. The girl looked beautiful, if not dazzling. He grinned before pointing towards them and saying, "Look at that, Eshae. It seems my brother had the same thinking as me when he brought a beautiful woman with him to the Three Broomsticks. Like brother, like brother. Don't you agree, Eshae?"

He was quite proud of Alex, being the guy who was always in his shadow. He tried hard not to overshadow Alex, and try to teach him how to be his own person, but most of those have failed. But now, now he was stepping up. He had a girl, and possibly a new relationship going on. And he was happy for him.

[ESHAE JOSANO]

Eshae gave a small nod at the pointing out that her dates sibling had taken a similar thought to him about bringing his date to the pub. "I tend never to take notice in students love lives, it gets in the way if i'm constantly trying to keep up with why she hit her with a hex because she met up with him instead of him and he didn't act like she was the most important person alive ... It becomes incredibly tiring after a while If i am perfectly honest." Eshae disliked the idea of children wasting their times trying to find partners at such a young age; then again she had never dated anyone until she turned 23 ... and she wasn't any better at 44. Their ability to get over heartbreak however was spectacular. A month would pass and they would be on the arm of another. "Love as a child is a fickle thing. Don't you think they're a bit too ... immature to be courting? at their age?" She said sceptically.

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"It's called dating for a reason, Eshae. These teens go out and discover what kind of guys and or girls they like the best! Are they attracted to the adventurous types? The bad boy types? Or maybe the good kid type? This is the time that they learn these things, so let them enjoy. Us adults, however, we tend to take things more seriously. We date because we seem to like that person and want to get to know them better. In fact, isn't that what we are doing now?" Nigel grinned before sitting back and taking a drink in his Butterbeer.

Of course, he knew what he said was true. This was the age that he himself had started experimenting. Drinking, partying, and snogging. He discovered lots and most of them he still was knowledgeable until now. In fact, his teen years was the time he refined his personality into what he was now.

[ESHAE JOSANO]

"I suppose..." Eshae said, nibbling on her bottom lip as she looked at the young students. She would never have had the time to go out and date anyone at their age; she was too busy studying. Being pushed into the medical field, sitting through countless hours of Etiquette and Pureblood history. It had been exhausting. Being taught how to speak; how to act, how to listen, how to sit, how to stand, how to dance and to sing, how to dress, how to act the perfect hostess, how to flirt, how to deal with the public, how to be the perfect Pureblood lady. It was horrible. "I couldn't imagine having the time at their age to go out with anyone. I was far too busy, my parents saw to that." Her words were not completely bitter, but there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Then of course, I studied in medicine. There was never any time for more than an hour to myself at night before i collapsed onto my bed and waited for the next gruelling day." She chuckled lowly "There wasn't any time for fun, let alone dating. No. I can safely say this is possibly the third date I've ever been on. Not great for someone who is turning half a century in the near future."