goodnight & go. [tag; hal]

must you make me laugh so much?
it's bad enough we get along so well.

Oh gosh, she was positively ravenous.

She had no idea where to begin. She was being blasted from all angles with different smells and her stomach gave a loud and rather rude grumble in response. Ruari hadn't been to Hogsmeade in a while, she didn't really have any reason to. Since the war ended, she'd been a bit hesitant to return. The small village held many a pleasant memory and she was determined not to let things taint them.

She'd come here to meet up with her younger cousin, Ciara. The Hufflepuff was adorable and though considerably younger, she was convinced she was the smartest Regan. It didn't take long for her to realise she'd made a mistake. Hogwarts students visited Hogsmeade at weekends. It was Thursday, today. She was such a moron. Really. She had no idea how or why she thought it was Saturday. It could be because she didn't own a calendar. Or a watch. Ruari didn't really believe in the concept of time, she found it too restraining.

Oh well!

Ruari wafted down the old worn cobbled streets like she was floating on air, the heels of her boots falling into the cracks but she didn't seem to notice. Her long blonde hair fell in loose waves, cascading over her shoulders, a bright yellow fedora hat pride of place on the crown of her head. She'd really gotten into hats lately. It was summer, after all. Summer, for Ruari, called for bright, clashing colours. Fun accessories and a relaxed, carefree sense of style.

The tall blonde stuck out like a sore thumb, a beacon of colour as she made her way down the main street. Like a bloodhound, the dressmaker followed her nose, taking a left as she followed the delicious smell. A bakery! Fabulous.

It was a little after eleven o'clock and the village wasn't overly busy, there were just a few people meandering down the street, doing their early morning shopping. It seemed unusual, she'd only really visited when the place was swarming with students. Reaching the bakery, her mouth was watering, even before she'd stepped foot inside and she was being torn in a million different directions. Did she want cake or cookies? Biscuit or brownie? Hot chocolate or coffee? Oh, she couldn't handle the pressure.

The place was beautiful. Spotless, shiny and bright, warm and inviting and she stood still, her rain cloud grey eyes wide as she took in the different items. She chewed on a full, dusky pink lower lip. Truthfully? She wanted it all. Everything. "Hi," she said brightly to the girl behind the counter. "Could I have…" trailing off, she tried to think. "Three chocolate chip cookies, two slices of red velvet cake, four lemon bars, a raspberry tart, two brownies with walnuts, a mud pie with gummy worms, a caramel macchiato and a hedgehog, please." The girl gawped at her enormous order but Ruari's smile didn't falter, it just grew wider as she took a step back and reached into her satchel for her purse.

Totally engrossed in her task of finding money (her bag was filled with all sorts of junk), she turned and looked up, just catching sight of someone that sent her spiralling back to when she was sixteen years old. She stared, her slim eyebrows furrowing together in confusion. No. Surely not. Unable to curb her curiosity, she stepped forward and approached him from behind. She extended a long index finger and tapped him softly on the shoulder. "Hal?" She asked, sounding unsure. It had to be him. He looked too familiar, she couldn't have made a mistake. She'd never forget a face like that.

Carefully, she stepped around him. "Hal!" Ruari called, eyes wide and with a smile to match. She laughed, high and melodious, surprise clear on her face. It had been, what? Seven? Eight years since she'd seen him last? Without waiting and with a waft of patchouli, she threw her arms around his neck.

Although it was still early in the morning and shops were just beginning to open their doors, there was a decent amount of people moving about in haste, running errands and traveling from store to store. The lack of raucous school children made the village the quietest Hal had ever encountered it, giving it a more tranquil air. He felt neither confined or ill, which was the effect visits to Hogsmeade tended to have on him. However, while he relished the unusual peacefulness, the man did wish that Freya could be there somehow, even if it meant suffering through crowds of students. Writing and reading letters grew tedious fast, and the time to do so was slim. Seeing his family in person, spending time with them, was much better than exchanging words on paper. But though it was disappointing not being able to see his youngest sibling, especially when she seemed within reach, he was happy enough to be visiting the eldest.

Ignoring the closed sign in the centre of it, Hal pushed open the door of Geri's bakery and took in the familiar scents of brewing coffee and pastries. He caught sight of his brother immediately, offering him a half-smile before taking a seat. As Geri worked his magic, Hal tried to keep up conversation, throwing in a few things about work and asking for any news on the family that he might not have been updated on. The sound of Sorley zooming around in the background put a grin on his face, and he gave a short wave to his Uncle Lyall, who was chasing after the five year old. Everything was nice, though he expected nothing less, and even when the time came for Geri to open up the store, Hal found himself lingering there, not wanting to leave just yet.

With all of the employees being there and providing the customers with all of their attention, there was not much for Hal to do. When he could, he tried to lend a hand to relieve the workers of some of their stress. Mostly, he simply stood in the centre of the store and observed a lot of what was going on around him while clinging to a styrofoam cup that was filled to the brim with bitter black coffee. Unlike many others, the former Slytherin liked the sharp taste, and it wasn't long before his cup was empty and removed from his hands by one of his cousins. He turned to say something, missing a familiar face bound through the door in the process.

Hal was in the middle of a sentence when a tap on the shoulder and an oddly familiar voice stole his attention. Before he had time to face the person, they'd made their way in front of him, and in that moment, Hal Trickett was grateful for his innate ability to keep his composure. Ruari Regan? A part of him wanted to convince himself that it couldn't be her, but it was completely undeniable. She hadn't changed in the slightest.

Memories of their time in school came rushing at the Trickett like a bull to a matador. Their first encounter, the first time they'd held hands, their first date... it was laughably sappy how they all were so fresh in his mind at that moment. It moved on from the formation of their relationship to the unraveling of it, and he found himself growing less amused as each thought threw itself at him with a force that left him breathless. He wondered, briefly, if she'd ever felt a twinge of regret at not fighting harder for their relationship like he had. Shocked with himself, he tossed that aside, but his mind continued to pull up memories of those days.

Despite the storm of emotions and questions on the inside, Hal's demeanor and exterior did nothing to show that he was fighting an inner battle. For the most part, the man remained calm and composed, only losing his cool slightly when she threw her arms around his neck. He'd stiffened for a short second, unsure of what the appropriate response was. He supposed wrapping his arms around her waist was acceptable, and probably expected, but with their history and lack of conversing with or even seeing each other in the last six or seven years, it wasn't an automatic reaction. Before the situation had time to become awkward, and hopefully before she took his sudden rigidity as a negative sign, he relaxed a bit and placed one arm around her waist, pulling her closer into what he hoped was the friendliest of embraces.

Just a little less quickly, he released her and took a few short steps back, allowing his eyes to look her over quickly. "Ruari." A ghost of a smile appeared on his lips as his pale blue eyes found her bright ones. "You haven't changed at all. How are you?" The man placed a hand on her arm gently, glancing at her for a second to ensure that the contact hadn't made her uncomfortable, and lead her over to a table for two.

He doubted she knew or realized it, but she was unnerving. He tried to keep his face devoid of any expression that could hint at this, but he was fearful that his actions might betray him. He was falling into old habits. Much like old times, he was being careful with her and cautious around her.

After he pulled out a chair for her, he put a good amount of distance between them. He wanted to be casual, but Ruari wasn't Max or Liv. She was an old... friend, but not one he'd put the effort in to keep up with. Outwardly, she was the same, but he didn't know if her interests had changed since they'd last spoken. In a way, she was a stranger to him. Hal almost frowned at the thought.

There was a chance it wasn't even him. The same sort of thing had happened before. She had a good memory but she was kind of ditzy and the amount of strangers she'd hugged after mistaking them for people she knew was just astonishing. Just the other week, she'd jumped on a poor man who she thought was her older brother, Clooney. Turned out, the man she'd glomped thought he was being mugged and nearly punched her. She'd apologised profusely but she was sure this man was Hal. There was just something about him, something about the way he held himself that made it damn near impossible for it not to be him.

Ruari was very free with her emotions. She wore her heart on her sleeve. She was a terrible liar, she was very emotional, she always had been and she wondered if he'd been okay with that back in school. She hadn't meant to hug hum, she just…felt compelled to. He was an old friend. Sort of. She wasn't sure any more but she assumed everyone to be her friend unless she was told otherwise.

The tall blonde didn't seem to care that the hug wasn't reciprocated, she just kept clinging on, squeezing affectionately. She was genuinely shocked but equally as happy to see him. She'd always been happy to see him. He felt the same but he'd bulked up a bit and she didn't know why that surprised her so much. As she felt one of his arms wind around  her waist, she tightened her grip around his neck, squeezing him affectionately as she closed her eyes. He was always an exceptional hugger, no doubts about it.

"Hi," she replied with a dazzling smile as he said her name, her smile widening to a grin. She was a naturally happy person and this nice surprise was just the icing on an already acceptably lovely morning. He seemed…a bit stiff, she noted. Rather than voicing anything, she tilted her head and surveyed him curiously. She didn't think that the fact that she'd pretty much accosted him might have made him uncomfortable.

Ruari laughed, high and melodious, her rain cloud grey eyes twinkling playfully. "I thought it was you," she said gently, her cheeks flushing pink softly. "Sorry about that," she stated with an embarrassed smile, flipping a lithe hand through the air nonchalantly, trying to encapsulate the hug she'd forced upon him. "No," she cooed, smiling again, her eyes never leaving his face. She was fine with Hal's touch, she was a very physical person. "But you have," Ruari replied, her smile still firmly in place as her big eyes scanned him again. "You're so tall," she finally concluded with a laugh. Ruari was a tall girl, Hal must be topping six feet tall now, at least.

"Good," she pressed on without skipping a beat. "I'm really good," she breathed, arms flat by her sides, her body positioning open and inviting. She blinked as Hal moved and she took it as an invitation and she quickly followed, offering him a bright smile as he pulled out a chair for her. How sweet of him, he was always so kind like that. Once seated, Ruari peeled out of her bright blue blazer, draping it over the back of her chair to reveal her shockingly bright sleeveless summer dress. It was rude to wear hats in doors her grandfather had said. Reaching up, she removed her yellow fedora and dropped it to the floor, her waves looking ruffled and unkempt, much like her personality but she smiled regardless.

She leant in with interest across the table, effectively ruining the effort Hal had put in to keep his distance from her. "How are you?" Ruari asked kindly, honestly interested to know how his life was shaping up. Did he have kids? Was he married? Just  before she could ask, the girl behind the counter caught her attention. "Oh sorry," she said quickly, jumping to her feet as she'd packed up her massive order for her. "Do you want a tea or a coffee?" The tall blonde asked as she wandered back to the counter. Of course he did. Even if Hal didn't, she was going to get him one regardless.

"Hi," she said with a grin, leaning over a little to grab the two big bags the girl had given her. Oof. They were heavy. Just how much cake had she ordered anyway? It was enough to twenty people. "Could I just grab another coffee, too, please?" She asked, rummaging through her purse to deposit the money into her hand. Her purse was full of all kinds of crap; various bits of paper with obscure notes on it, a single earring (she had no idea where the other one had gone), slips of fabric and a dog biscuit. Odd.

"Thank you so much," she said with a bright smile, shifting her bags to take the cup and wander back to Hal. She placed the cup in front of him and sat down, discarding her bags completely so she could focus on him. "No milk, no sugar, right?" Ruari asked, biting her lip. She vaguely remembered he was one of the few people who drank it like that. Maybe he didn't any more. Maybe he liked herbal tea now, who knew. She certainly didn't. Too many years had passed now. After he'd broken up with her, she'd taken it to mean that he no longer wanted to see her or be friends with her. As far as she was concerned, she was doing the correct thing by disappearing.

"This place is so great," she gushed, her pretty face alight with childlike innocence as she stirred her drink quickly, pursing her lips to blow on it to try and cool it a little before taking a small sip. "How is everyone?" Ruari asked, meaning his family. Her family was almost as big as hers. She didn't know the Tricketts too well but she did hope there were no major incidents, what with recent events. "This coffee is bloody super," she remarked, nodding eagerly as she took another sip, completely oblivious to whatever he might be feeling.

His demeanor might have said otherwise, but Hal still had not recovered from the shock of running into his ex-girlfriend. Seeing her there, in the flesh, after all these years was strange and surreal. The wizarding world wasn't all that large, yet they had never seen each other after school - at least not that he could remember. He'd tried his hardest to avoid her in his seventh year and it seemed to have followed him after school, even when he'd finally grown indifferent towards the situation. Even though it was clear that she was indeed Ruari, he still found it all hard to believe, and it was frustrating how confused he was now.

"You don't have to apologise," he told her, noting the sudden redness of her cheeks. She had noticed his moment of panic, he realized, and Hal cursed himself silently for slipping up. Instinctively, he pulled her into another hug, this time wrapping both arms around her waist, and let her go again after a few short seconds. "I wasn't mad." He tried to put on a more pleasant smile to assure her of this. "Surprised," he said with a nod of the head.

His eyebrows raised when she mentioned that he'd changed and, unable to see much difference between his current self and his sixteen year old self, he was curious as to what she would say. Aside from his intensity and stronger work ethic, Hal possessed many of the same traits now as he'd had then. A chuckle left his lips when she revealed the change to be physical. He supposed he had bulked up in the last few years, grown taller, gotten some stubble... but he considered himself to be the same person, if only more mature and focused.

As bubbly as she was, he didn't doubt that she was 'really good' one bit. Hal smiled; she really was the same Ruari. "That's good to hear." He truly was glad to know that she was doing well. Their relationship had ended years ago, but every so often his mind would wander to her, and he'd catch himself wondering where she was, what she was doing, if she was okay. It was ingratiating to finally have an answer of sorts.

Before he could respond to her, they were interrupted, and he shook his head as if to say 'Don't worry about it' as she apologised and excused herself. He glanced over at the counter, not surprised to see the whole menu being packed. For someone so small and in shape, Ruari had a large appetite; it was one of the things Hal had liked about her, actually. She didn't hold back in an effort to be dainty and cute, she just ate to her heart's content. He grinned at her appreciatively when she'd asked if he wanted anything, but as appealing as another cup of coffee sounded, Hal didn't want her to feel like she had to spend her money on him, and gave a shake of his head. Unsurprisingly, she'd returned to the table with an extra drink.

"Correct," he said, clearly impressed that she hadn't forgotten how he liked his coffee. He slid the cup closer to himself and brought it to his lips, ignoring the burn of the scalding liquid on his lips and tongue. Perfect. "Thanks, but you do know I'll have to repay you for this." It was a statement, not a question, and even if she refused, he'd find a way to keep his word. The corners of his mouth quirked. "Don't try to talk me out of it because it won't work."

"I'm sure Geri would be thrilled to hear you say that." Hal held out his hand and gestured to the space around them. "This is his bakery - his pride and joy." His older brother had done good for himself, Hal had to admit. His opinion was biased, but the former Slytherin believed that Crust and Crumbs was the best place to grab a pastry and unwind. It brought in a modest crowd most days, so it was never completely quiet, but the atmosphere was nice and relaxing. He barely ventured to Hogsmeade, as he preferred to spend the majority of his time in his apartment, but whenever he did find the time to get out, like today, he never failed to stop at the bakery.

Ruari continued to speak and drink her coffee and he kept his eyes trained on her, taking the time to really examine her features and mannerisms, and trying to listen to her at the same time. She was still pretty, beautiful even, and Hal could easily remember when this had first caught his attention.

As with Maddox and Liv, it was difficult to see Ruari and not be constantly reminded of his years in school. But, of course, things were different with her. He wasn't reminded of study sessions in the library and parties in the common room when he looked at her. Rather, he remembered closeness in secluded areas of this same village. She was the first girl he'd ever taken an interest in, his first girlfriend, and he'd been absolutely smitten. He hadn't taken their breakup well - even though, being the one to initiate it, it was his own fault - but that had never changed the fact that she held a special place in his heart.

"Everyone's good, for the most part," he informed her. The tips of his fingers were touching the side of his coffee, and eventually wrapped them around the cup before taking another slow sip. Ingrid was on his mind now. While she certainly was not a wreck, and seemed quite put together the last time he'd seen her, something seemed off lately, and Hal knew his sister too well to be misreading her. His crave for privacy and respect of his sister's own kept him from prying however, and he figured that when she was ready, she'd talk to him.

Redirecting his attention to Ru, he put that thought aside. "It is," he agreed, drinking more of his own. He cracked a small smile at her enthusiasm, then continued the conversation. "What about your family? Are they all right?" He knew little of her family other than the fact it was even larger than his, but he wanted to return the courtesy.

Suddenly he spoke again, unintentionally voicing his thoughts, "We should have stayed in contact with each other." Though it had slipped out, Hal showed no signs of regret. He meant what he'd said and was curious to see how she'd respond. Maybe she agreed, maybe she didn't particularly care. He felt like he cared a little too much - more than what was normal for someone who hadn't seen the person they supposedly cared for in years. It was frustrating.

"Oh!"

Ruari squeaked as Hal pulled her forward again and she hadn't expect the second embrace. Her pale grey eyes were wide as she slid a little on the floor, her feet playing catch up before she found herself pleasantly pressed up against his shirt front. She laughed again, wrapping her arms around his upper arms briefly. "A double hug," she remarked as she cracked a sunny grin. She was teasing him and he probably knew it. "Lucky me," she chuckled before she tilted her head again curiously. Surprised, he said. "One of my many redeeming qualities," she joked again, her cheeks forming the trademark Regan dimple. Looking back (it was easy to do so now) she must have been too much for him to handle.

It tickled her pink to see Hal so grown up. He'd always been smart and focused but to see him so tall, so broad, it was unreasonably bizarre to her. It just was. He was no longer a boy in a Slytherin tie, he was a fully-fledged man. Without saying anything, he eyes sparkled as she grinned at him. What she found so funny was the fact he had a beard now. He was so handsome. Her fingers twitched at her sides, itching to reach out and touch his stubble. How inappropriate would that be?

She gave a sigh of relief. Ruari wasn't really a stickler for details but she was one of the few people who genuinely did remember little details. Just the little things like the way he always pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose or the fact he used to get mad at her for not being even remotely competitive as he was. Hal felt comfortable, he always had.

With another smile, she gently shrugged. "No one else I know drinks black coffee," she remarked. Ruari was very much a tea person. Her cupboards at home were burgeoning underneath the weight of the various packets of tea that had been haphazardly stuffed in there. "Oh don't be so silly," she scoffed, flapping her hands at him as he said he needed to repay her. It was just a coffee, after all. Ruari rolled her eyes with a chuckle, her slender shoulders slumping in defeat. She wasn't stupid, she knew he'd do just that. "Oh fine," she tutted with a shake of her head. Her could buy her a tea later or something. "Still stubborn," she remarked, hiding her smile behind the rim of her cup as she took another sip.

"You're kidding?" Ruari asked, her pretty face lighting up as she looked around eagerly and totally impressed with what she saw. "That's so exciting!" She gushed. Her family were in business but it was mainly bars and restaurants, nothing as fun and awesome as this. "Pass on my good wishes," she was quick to say. She'd never met Geri but she was sure he was just as lovely as his brother was. "Business must be really good," she remarked, only then noticing the moving clouds on the ceiling and she smiled appreciatively. She could stare at those all day.

The silence that fell over them was comfortable. Seeing him again, she did wonder how he'd been. She didn't often think of school, she didn't really like it but her happiest memories involved snow fights and cuddles with him. She was reminiscing. Ruari had never questioned why Hal has broken up with him, she put it down to him growing bored with her which was understandable. That didn't mean it hurt any less, even if she'd sort of seen it coming. They'd been spending less and less time together towards the end of their schooling and it was her fault. When she forget the day she was meant to meet up with him, it must have been the straw that broke the camel's back.

For the most part? Ruari blinked but sensed he didn't want to say anything else and so, she nodded gently. She felt like he wasn't being entirely truthful but he was a stranger now, it was his prerogative. She grinned when he asked of her family and she rolled her eyes with a cheery chuckle. The Regan clan was thirty or so maniacs who exploded when they came together. "Mental as usual," she said fondly as she smiled, looking down at her cup. Much like Hal, her family meant the world to her.

"Lots of weddings and lots of babies lately," she said, looking up to meet his eyes again swiftly. Reaching up, she scratched the back of her neck, running a hand back through her messy hair. "Guess who plays the babysitter?" Ruari commented with a grin. She didn't mind at all. Most of the time, she insisted she look after any stray child. "I'm seeing some of them for dinner back in Cork. That's why I bought all the cakes. I can't cook for shit," she said with a broad smile. Her smile soon faltered because that wasn't the truth. "Actually that's a lie," she said with a frown. "I'm actually going to go home, sit in my underwear on my sofa and eat the entire lot," she confessed with an embarrassed smile.

Ruari sighed softly, her full pink lips down turning to form a frown as her slender eyebrows furrowed to crease her smooth forehead. He was right, though. Without thinking, she extended a warm hand and placed it on top of his around his coffee cup and squeezed gently. "I know," she said gently. "And I'm sorry. For everything. I moved back to Ireland and forgot to tell you." Had he tried to contact her? Nah. Surely not. She suddenly realised she had an awful lot to make up for. She rubbed his hand gently, offering him an apologetic smile.

Ruari let Hal's hand go so she could open her satchel and rummage through it quickly and a few seconds later, she extracted a  small pale blue card which she held out to him. It was made out of recycled paper (of course) and on it was her name, the name of her clothing shop and full address. "Here's my card," she went on to say before she burst out laughing. "I never thought I'd here myself say that," she said with another grin. It sounded so…grown up. Yuck. "Now there's no reason for us to go seven years without seeing each other again."