...To Ease The Pain [Open]

[ARIANA MORGAN]

Ariana was sat at the back of The Three Broomsticks in the shadows, silently staring into nothingness. She had so far downed one bottle of Firewhiskey which she had stolen from a very drunk wizard whom was stumbling out of the door around the back in the alley ways. It was practically full so she supposed she was just running on luck today, albeit the feeling of sadness and loneliness trudging about in her body. She often found that she could drink away her problems, no matter how many people said that you should face them and get them away. She knew that he problems were much greater than those of other peoples. Ariana had no one to turn to in times like these, Michael didn't understand because he was a full vampire and didn't have any feelings that matched hers. Her friends weren't the type of friends to help her in situations like these, and she definitely did not want the professors getting involved.

When she realized the bottle was now empty, Ariana got up and walked over to the bar. She felt her head go light from getting up a little too fast, but she brushed it away as she called on another bottle routing around in her pockets for some coins. If anyone caught her now...she had no idea what she would do to them. 

[Deleted]

Lionel, away for a day from his post at St Mungos, was wandering through the snowy picturesque landscape that was Hogsmeade. He glanced up towards the castle. Its lights glimmered warmly in the glow of the sleepy little town. The Three Broomsticks was not far from him. He would be meeting Yu in a few days. However, he wanted to make his arrival as inconspicuous as possible. Tavernier was from an old French family that had been exiled to England after plotting conspiracy in the French Ministry of Magic. However, his shamed past did not detract from his brilliance. He took on a healer’s position because he was an exceptional student. He had a certain knack for difficult spells and potions. Perhaps a greater speciality of his was poison. Oh, it had been said that poison was a women’s weapon – Lionel disagreed. There was a certain art to poison making that did not suffer the tasteless brutality that other means of murder had. Lionel pushed through the door, and wiped his slush covered boots off on the entrance map. Lionel detested traipsing mud into any establishment. It was simply rude. He loosened his black cloak. This, however, was not a classy enough establishment to take his cloak. He sighed; slightly exasperated that he was made to wait in such classless conditions. His eyes rounded on the small pub. It was getting late so many of the occupants were inebriated or leaving. His eyes moved to the bar and fixed on a young woman… no, perhaps not even that… she must have been in adolescence. However, she had chosen an alcoholic beverage to ease her way through the passing if the night and was now digging for change to get another mind numbing beverage. Lionel walked up to the bar and placed a sickle in front of the young lady. “I am more than sure that will cover your next drink of choice,” he said silkily to her. “Barman, water please… make it two – one for the lady please.” Turning to her, his face empty of any warmth, he said, “So, what brings you here to drown your sorrows? Surely life at the castle is not that bad... or is it life at home?”

[ARIANA MORGAN]

//Sorry for not replying sooner!

Ariana looked down at the sickle as soon as it was placed in her sight in front of her. She slowly turned her head to look at the man who had just arrived next to her as he spoke. She nodded her head in thanks to the man, but she was a little taken aback by the questions he asked. Nevertheless, she saw no reason not to answer him.
"Tst! You have no idea." Ariana truthfully felt like spilling everything to this man that had just arrived. She supposed it was just the alcohol talking, but she was sure he wouldn't mind.
"And believe me, if i even attempted to explain...i would have to kill you." Ariana said with a sly smile before taking a mouthful of the firewhiskey that had just arrived.

[Deleted]

The girl was certainly an interesting character. He would even venture to say that she was typical of a teenager. His smile was laced with coldness. Oh, how dramatic.  He greatly doubted that she would be able to kill him. But, he was ready to entertain her in that regard. A drunken teenager at a pub. The school should be keeping better watch on its students. They could never know who was lurking around ready to gain the alliance of the students. Lionel was sure a contact inside of Hogwarts would be ... useful. A professor would be more helpful but a student would not be expected. Perhaps this girl would be of use to him after all. He smiled patiently at her words. Oh, teenagers. He had little patience for drama. "So, why don't you tell me anyway? I am sure I will be able to defend myself against you," he said, his smile just as sly.

[ARIANA MORGAN]

"We'll see." Ariana muttered under her breath, not caring if he heard her or not. So far, she did not suspect that he knew what she was, and she hoped to keep it that way. If this guy, who had turned up in the pub and paid for her drinks wanted to listen to her problems in life, then she would do so without a fuss. Though she was sure that she wouldn't even get close to the end without it getting a little messy.

"I can see it on you that you don't really want to listen to a teenager whining about all of their problems in life." Ariana turned to face the man properly this time. This guy was good at hiding what he was truly thinking, but she was better. The impatience lingered behind his mask, but it was still there; displayed only to those who had seen it before (like herself though she had rather not want to express her feelings on that matter). "So tell me. What is it that you really want?"