[The Goblin Hole] One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (open)

“I’m sure she’s a very nice girl mum, but you have to stop trying to set me up… Look who knows if I will ever get married, I don’t know a lot of women to begin with and I sure as hell don’t think they’re going to tolerate the love affair I have with my job. Yes I love you too…” Shaking his head as he canceled the floo connection, he simply grabbed a cigarette from the crumpled pack on his dresser I love her to bits but her constant attempts at trying to set me up are going to kill me… must be her attempt to make up for the past I suppose but it’s still annoying. Puffing away like a madman, the smoke seemed to surround him like a fog of impending shame; he was heading for a guy’s night out with a buddy of his, and if the last time was anything to go by, it was going to be painful the next day but oh so worth it “At least were not going to Nyx this time… That was just embarrassing for me.”

Greggy-boy may have the chops to go to a nightclub and enjoy himself, but Jonathon had stood out like a sore thumb; he couldn’t dance to save his life, he despised vapid conversation and couldn’t hear people half the time over the din of the music “Not tonight though, tonight we head somewhere more my style…” Taking one last look in the mirror before grabbing his oilskin jacket, he simply disappeared with a light popping sound.

Reappearing right outside his destination, he glanced at his watch “Still about twenty minutes before Gregoire shows, I might as well test out the ‘wine list’ before then.” Striding into the Goblin Hole, the smell of grease, liquor, and shame assailed his nostrils I’m home, if I were highly emotional, I might cry about it later. Screwing another cigarette in between his lips as he sauntered up to the bar, he didn’t bother with English as he placed his order in Gobbledegook “I’m going to need a serious amount of wings and enough of that dark beer of yours to drown a man for starters, if I need anything else I’ll grab the waitress.” Ignoring the look of surprise on Folglum’s face as he paid with a fistful of knuts and sickles that he had saved from the weekend previous Ahh bar shrapnel he simply headed off towards the jukebox to feed the beast.

Selecting about ten songs at random, a quick appraisal was all it took as he chose a table along the far side and sat with his back protected by the smoke stained wall Old habits die hard I suppose. As the first pitcher arrived, he simply leaned back with a contented smile on his face; he had food, beer and a friend coming to share it, life was good. 

School was back up and the stress of classes and her son being a fifth year was getting to her. Olivia Welks was beginning to feel her age. She did have her son around the age of nineteen which was pretty young so it was not super horrible. It was yet another year at the school though and she was less stressed this time. Last year was the most recent year after the muggle-born issues. This year was going to be even calmer than the last. They weeded many professors out and some stood another year with her... not many though. It was a blessing to be one of the professors that was a common one. She loved her job. She loved the children. Olivia really loved working with the animals and teaching the students how to care for them. Working for the ministry was not so bad. This woman had my experiences working with the ministry that made her not really want to go back. The werewolf division was her favorite but the dragons were majestic. If she ever lost her job at Hogwarts the ministry would be the only resort she would do.

The decision to go to the bar was not planned. She needed a place to relax from a stressful week and The Goblin Hole was a good place to escape. Not many of the professors went there so she would be able to avoid the people she saw most of the week. Many of the professors focused around the stores in Hogsmeade. Diagon Alley was still her home. Olivia still had her apartment nearby a quidditch shop here. She would have to go to the apartment to pick up a few things while she was in the area, but the bar was the first place she would be going to visit. Olivia wore very comfortable clothes today. Muggle blue jeans resided upon her legs and a white fitted button up shirt with a red sweater and gray scarf was upon her top half. Olivia's dragon hide boots were her lucky pair. They were well loved and used almost every day. This was a pair that she acquired when she just started in the ministry and were the most comfortable shoes she owned. This woman did not feel the need to look dressed up if she was just going to the pub for a few drinks by herself. Another change since last year was Olivia's red hair. She was trying a new color just to change her appearance a little bit. Olivia's hair was now a golden blonde color. It was still recent and Olivia was not sure if she was going to keep it but the nice thing is most of the cosmetics were now done magically so it was easier to try new things out. She did not have to use muggle bleach or other processes on her hair.

As she entered the pub she took a look around, just double checking if other professors would be here. Thankfully there were none. This was the time to be alone. The music on the jukebox was not her personal choice, but someone was over at the box picking something out. Hopefully the man chooses something that was better. Olivia went over to the bar and ordered a dark ale. She was not sure if she wanted to stay at the bar or go find a table. Olivia was pretty clumsy, so maybe staying at the bar would be a good idea. The music would needed changed though, in her opinion. As she went over the jukebox Olivia walked by the table of the man who put the music on originally. As soon as she walked by the table she stumbled and her drink split unto the ground. "Oh-bloody hell. Just my luck." As she looked up at the man she raised an eyebrow. "You have any napkins?" Olivia was a mom and used to cleaning up messes after her son. She would have to clean up her own mess and obviously order a new drink for herself. She had the worst luck and the worst balance.

Having just sat down to a pint and his wings from hell, he glanced towards Olivia as she asked for a napkin "Sure, but unless you got some on you I wouldn't worry too much about it..." Glancing at her for a moment as he put his cigarette in the ashtray to the right, it was as if he was trying to place her from somewhere "Not to make it sound like a horrible pick up line, but don't I...." Rubbing a hand across his bearded face, a look of recognition seemed to pass over his features "Olivia, is that you?"

Reminding himself that she may not recall his face after all his travails, he commented with barely hidden excitement"It's Jon, Jon Grimwise." Sitting upright in his seat, a smile threatened to peek out as he motioned towards an empty chair "I haven't seen you since I graduated, how you been?" Listening as the music cut in, he simply shouted something in Gobledegook as he motioned towards her empty glass Hmm she might be here with someone... Better not queer her pitch if she's on a date or something "If your waiting for someone I understand but if not, your more then welcome to join me; just enjoying a few creature comforts on my night off." Motioning towards the wings and pitcher of beer that was already half way to the bottom, he pushed out a chair with his foot "Besides I already ordered you a refill...."

Olivia's job was to worry. This woman was a worrywart about everything. It was hard to put those focuses somewhere else when you have so much in your mind going on. This was one reason why she was going out tonight. Grey was socializing more with other students and less with her. Her son was growing up. There was days she wished he could be a little four year old that was spoiled by mommy. He would not like that though. He loved trying to make friends. The man's comment about a horrible pick up line made her chuckle slightly. He sounded familiar, but she was to busy looking at the ground trying to pick up the mess of the beer. When he said her name she looked up. So he actually did know her. He looked extremely familiar. Olivia was not really sure where. Her memory was horrible. She normally forgot the names and would not even try to say their name until they introduced themselves again or that place she knew them from would come back to her mind.

"Oh! Jon! I remember you!" She actually did remember him. He was in her house at Hogwarts, Hufflepuff. He was a couple years ahead of her. It was like two or three years older. At least someone remembered her from school. Most people probably knew her as the girl who broke her broke or a bone once a week. Or maybe the girl who dated the werewolf. Not many people knew he was a werewolf then, but those things get out when your older. "I've been pretty good. Just been working at a lot. This is my night off away from the kids." Oh, Great.... He might think they are all my kids. "Uh-- I'm a professor at Hogwarts, so night away from those kids." Olivia corrected herself. Her heavy Irish accent coming through a little more when she was flustered. Jon spoke something in Goblin talk. That was pretty much amazing in her opinion. That was a language she would never be able to speak. She listened to him and smiled gently. "I'm by myself, and you did not have to order me one... I could have done it myself." She was pretty independent, but that was sweet of him.

She took a seat the seat that he pushed out with his foot and taken a seat. Olivia smiled gently at him, then spoke. "How have you been?" He looked good. He was not mauled or look like the war was hard on him. Yet, it was not hard on most wizards. Olivia only had to deal with it for a little while before hiding. Thankfully they did not even attempt to track her after taking her wand. She was now stuck with a wand from her grandmother that she still did not know how to control on most days. Her wand was broken and disposed of after it was taken from her. They always accused her of stealing it from her squib mother. That was not true though, but they thought she did. Olivia was so glad those dark times were over.

Waving off her comment about not having to order her a drink, he just smiled " It's no bother Olivia; better I do it now then have you wait for the waitress to show, she can be a bit... Intimidating until you get to know her." Motioning towards the aforementioned server, he simply blew Rossa a kiss, which was returned with a rather rude gesture on her part "As for me, I'm doing pretty well actually, just opened up my shop in Diagon and customer flow has been pretty steady despite the whole 'I don't sell pygmy puff's' stance that I swear by." Taking up the cigarette to his right, he ensured that the smoke avoided her as he blew a great plume of it up towards the ceiling "So look at you, a big time professor at Hogwarts...."

Suddenly furrowing his brow in pain, his free hand moved to the center of his forehead "I sense... I sense..." A faint smirk seemed to peak out; if she remembered anything about him, it would be that he had utterly despised Divination in all it's forms "I sense that you are the Professor for Care of Magical Creatures..." Chuckling slightly, he quaffed back his beer with a look of satisfaction on his features "Either that or I remembered that it was one of your favorite subjects in school."

Absently tapping his hand in tandem with the music that he had selected off the jukebox, he seemed slightly shocked by her admission of flying solo tonight "You're here by yourself? That's a bit hard to believe, but weirder things have happened I suppose." Whether that was a compliment or simply a statement seemed  to be open to interpretation as he poured himself a refill from the pitcher at his elbow "I would have thought that you professor types had secret binge parties just to relieve stress." Smirking slightly as his teasing coincided with her drink being placed down at the table, he turned slightly serious for a moment "How are the kids handling returning to school? Must be tough for them I suppose with all that's happened?"

"I know my fair share of intimidating, but if you insist." She smiled at him. Olivia listened as he spoke about his shop. He was in the animal businesss too. That was pretty amazing. Olivia did not socialize with many other animal enthusiasts. Most of the people she spoke to were fellow professors or people that knew her when Deveres and her were still a couple. Greg was one. When he asked like he was reading her, she couldn't help to let out a larger laugh. As she remembered him he did not like Divination, he was a Care of Magical Creatures person like her. "It was my favorite subject, along with Herbology... and yes I am the Care of Magical Creatures professor there. I love it to death. I worked for the ministry for a little while, but it was a little to much. Not really good when you are tracking werewolves some days and paper work the other." That job was more stressful than working at Hogwarts.

Olivia nodded at his next question. "What, you can't imagine me being alone? I am usually always a lone wolf." Olivia had a few friends in Hogwarts time. She was on the quidditch team but hung around more of the other houses. A few friends must have followed her since she left the school time. Even when she was living in Diagon Alley her friends were very few. She normally hung around the tattoo parlor or a few people that graduated when she did. Work was keeping her away from a social life recently. She cared more about the students and animals than her fellow colleagues. She cracked up. Only once did she drink with another professor. It was fire-whiskey and Olivia ended up dancing around the Forbidden Forest with him. It was a thrilling night. "We normally do not do that but I am completely up to getting drunk tonight." She chuckled at him... he was funny. She missed actually socializing. Maybe she should take advice from her son and make some new friends.

The next question he asked, Olivia took a drink of her beer before she opened her mouth. "It was rough for many. I know many of them are getting back to the old days. My son is opening up to people a little more. He was sent to his father's while... I... well just so he can be safe." She was not sure if Jon knew she was a muggleborn. Not many people did when she was in Hogwarts because her grandmother was a pureblood. Her lineage was very confusing. Olivia usually never explained it to anybody. "Things are a lot better though for everybody." She smiled at her and took another drink of her drink. Olivia noticed him tapping his hand to the music and a smile formed. "I was about to change the music you picked out. This song is good though, I approve." This one was not a bad song at all. The one before it she wasn't too fond of.

Despite his faults, and there were many of them, he was always an avid conversationalist and an even better listener "I think that once they get a sense of closure about the whole ordeal, that alot of them will be able to move forward; war is not something on simply gets over like a common cold..." His eyes shadowed for a moment as he almost seemed to say something else, before his demeanor brightened " Your up for getting drunk tonight... Are you sure your a professor? Only reason I ask is that I have no desire to be caught between a Bacchae and her drink of choice." Holding his hands up in mock supplication, he only smiled "Although I suppose there is a marked difference between a Professor wanting to let her hair down and a wild woman of Dionysus... Well maybe a little difference."

Pouring himself another beer, he looked woefully at his pitcher and then pleadingly towards Rossa which earned him a sour look "She always does that, but she's good at whats he does that's for sure..." Nearly slapping his forehead he continued "I should have told you that a friend of mine is supposed to be joining me and while old Greggy-boy shouldn't have an issue with a beautiful woman gracing us with her presence, I don't want you to feel awkward Olivia." Watching as two pitchers of beer were nearly slammed down upon the scarred, yet sturdy, table he helped himself to a refill "Like I said, shes good at what she does... So." Clearing his throat, as if embarrassed, he decided to put it all out there "I feel compelled to warn you that we were planning to get drunk,  eat food, and unabashedly hit on women like there was no tomorrow; at least that's how it always turns out with that cocky Frenchmen with me... I can't promise were going to be on our best behavior."

"I completely agree with you. Many of them lost people close to them during the battle so it is still hard." Olivia was glad nothing happened to Grey. He is her pride and joy. If anything happened to her son she would not be able to live. They both went through a lot but she raised him by herself and he was the only thing that stuck around her. Olivia's father died a few years ago and Grey is basically a clone of her father. He reminds her of her father every day she sees him. He looks just like him and still has that intelligent, cautious, and friendly personality like her father. Grey's luck was he did not lose his mother during the war like many people lost their family members. Olivia would die for her son if she had to make the choice. No questions asked. When he made the comment about the Greek god of wine, she chuckled and replied. "I am a wild woman, but not of Dionysus. I would work more for Artemis if any Greek god or goddess." She smiled gently at him. Artemis was the goddess of the hunt and wilderness. That would actually be the goddess that fit her most if she was any of them or even part of the Greek heritage. At least she knew a little of it. Her father was a scholar and insisted she did learn about many different cultures. It did help with her travels for the ministry as well.

It was rare someone called her beautiful. Most of the time she was covered in some sort of dirt or animal hair. This woman did not care what she looked like half the time. If her boot had dung or any sort of mud just meant that she was hardworking and doing her job correctly. Olivia cared more about the animals opinion of her than other people. He was a sweet guy. Yet, Olivia was more drawn to the name Greggy. Did he know the same Greg as she knew? "It won't be awkward at all if its the Greg I think it is." She smirked at him. Olivia could not help to chuckle when he mentioned his plans of the night. Actually sounds like fun, other than hitting on woman... that was not really her idea of a fun night. He mentioned the cocky Frenchman and officially knew that this was the Greg she thought he was. "If its Gregoire Cartier, I am not worried at all about the behavior. I know stories of the man..." She chuckled gently. "He actually is a friend of mine too."

Gregoire and Deveres were best friends. Greg probably thought Olivia married her old sweetheart because they disappeared for a while... but things just ended between the two and both of them did not want to bring it up to their friends. Olivia did see Greg a little while ago. He was getting drunk as usual. It would be very nice to see the Frenchman again. She missed him dearly. It was going to be a fun night if she had two men she knew giving her company. "Eating, getting drunk sounds good. You two can hit on the women. I'll just sit and enjoy the food and beer and just be amused as you two try to hit on women." She teased him slightly.

"So you know him? That makes things easier; the last time we went out, he ended up pouring me into bed sometime after four in the morning." Chuckling slightly he continued "He's a good man to have with you, especially when your not the most sociable of people." Reaching for the pitcher once more, he filled his glass before motioning for her to do the same if she wished "I very rarely have the opportunity to go out so when I do, I try to surround myself with like minded people; it just makes things easier when you don't have to watch what you say, I tend to offend people who have delicate sensibilities."

Reaching for his pack of Lucky Strikes, he immediately indulged. As the warm smoke traveled down towards his lungs, he seemed to almost sprawl in his chair "I honestly don't know whats keeping him, he's probably still trying to get his hair just right." Offering her a wry grin, he glanced at the time "Either that or he got a last minute appointment... He seems in high demand these days." Content in blowing smoke rings for several moments as the music seemed to wash over him, he finally broke from his reverie and motioned towards their lackluster waitress "A bottle of fire whiskey Rossa my gem." Now turning his attention towards Olivia, he just seemed to smirk "Drunk you say? Then lets see how far down the rabbit hole your willing to go." Pouring just as soon as the hard liquor arrived, he simply raised it to his lips "To the dulling of our senses Olivia, and the lowering of inhibitions..."  Downing the shot with nary an indication that there was even any alcohol in the glass, he simply motioned towards his companion "Your turn."

"He was best friends with my son's father. He is a good man." Greg probably thought that she got married. Many people thought she did, but she was still the unmarried cat lady. She loved her son and she loved her animals. The men in her life usually did not work out or just disappeared. Grey was the only thing in her life that she could count on or even really remotely could trust to be there for her til she died. She loved her son more than anything. She did spoil him to much. If he knew his mother was drinking right now he probably would give her a lecture of how that turns out, but he was a lot more responsible than she was when she was a kid. Her father did a good job raising him. "Well you will not offend me at all, good sir." Olivia smiled softly at him. She had thick skin. Personally she did not really care much about what people thought of her. She was through a lot and everybody had their own opinions about other people. If she changed for every single person in the world then she would not be true to herself. Olivia really loved being herself and was not going to change.

As he mentioned appointments she smiled brightly. She had one of his original tattoos on her shoulder blade. It was something she never really let anybody see. A tattoo shown her life as a wild woman. She was still a sort of wild one but not as much as her younger days. Those days she would roam the Forbidden Forest bare foot or work with dragons while avoiding perverted older man. Olivia always loved having fun back in those days and always attempted a new adventure. She needed a newer adventure.  When he ordered a fire whiskey she couldn't help to chuckle. "Last time I had that it was a very interesting night." As said your turn, she took a deep breath. Well it was time to join in some fun. Olivia filled the glass as much as he did and copied him. The liquid was warm and made her cough slightly. She looked at him and chuckled. "Sorry." Olivia continued picking up her beer and filling that glass and drinking some of the beer to calm her warmth.

As she looked up at Jonathon she spoke up, "So you have your own shop in Diagon Alley? Is it involving animals?" She raised an eyebrow at him. She was wondering if he was going to have her do another shot. She was not sure how many of those she would be able to take with her small frame but she was up for a challenge. Hopefully she would be able to get home fine. She knew Greg should know where she lived. It was the same apartment that she has been living in for years. Well, that is if Greg ever showed up.

“Like I would run a shop that had to do with anything other than animals.” Rolling his eyes with a playful smirk on his face, he continued “Mostly exotic species, none endangered of course, with a few mainstays such as owls and the like for amateurs; I take my charges safety into account before sending them to their new homes, I couldn’t sleep right if I didn’t.” Reaching for the bottle, he quickly refilled his own glass and then placed it down beside his elbow If she wants more, she can help herself; I’m not going to turn into one of those guys who tries to get women drunk just to have a chance… Makes me feel dirty for some reason. Shaking his head ever so slightly, he just continued to sprawl in his chair like one of the great cats he had worked with during his sabbatical “I don’t get many students in there for familiars and the like, but I do alright for what it is.”

Lighting another cigarette nearly as soon as the first had been put out, he seemed to offer an apologetic expression “Nasty habit I picked up working with the Goblins; it was either that or develop a serious gambling addiction… I think I made the right choice given the company I was keeping at the time.” Sipping from his glass, he fell silent for a moment “So a son huh?” Looking a tad embarrassed at the way it sounded, he immediately followed up with “He started school yet or is he still in nappies?” Making a face he ruefully chuckled “Hated changing my brother when he was still running around in them… When he could be arsed to not run around in his birthday suit that is.” Motioning towards the bottle on his right, he just raised an eyebrow “Another?”

"I am always looking for exotic animals for my class. The students seem to be more interested in those rather than kneazles or pygmy puffs." She chuckled gently. Those creatures were not a bother for her. She was tempted to hold a first year class involving pygmy puffs and see what those little ickles would think of the cuddly little fluffers. At least he was responsible with the store and made sure the animals were going to good homes. Olivia always worried about creatures. She would hate to send a creature home with a student and found out it died because they did not listen to how she taught to take care of it or if they just neglected the animal. He spoke about how not many students did not go in there and she nodded. Olivia still had her old owl from when she was a student. She needed to replace him. He usually got lost sending her owls and always made mistakes. It might be time to retire him and get a younger owl and pet. She always was interested in a firecrab as a pet, but they could be dangerous.  When he apologized about the smoking, she smiled. "Habits are habits. Sometimes you can not help it... I know I still get a nervous twitch, and still probably the most clumsy person in the world... obviously." The mess she made earlier was picked up already. Olivia felt bad. Hopefully they didn't mind cleaning.

As he continued about her son and mentioned nappies, she couldn't help to chuckle out loud. "He just started his fifth year. Makes me feel old." He wished Grey was still a baby. It was easier when there was not girls involved or thinking of what kind of future he wanted. "Grey was pretty easy when he was kid. My father took care of him most of the time though-- I was working in the ministry a lot and his father... well we did not last longer than two years together with him." Olivia was glad she was able to take Grey. He was her life, other than being a professor. It was hard to not be around him. When she had to leave him with Deveres for a year it made her feel empty. It was amazing to be around him all the time, even though he hated her being around. As he motioned to the bottle, she nodded. As she filled her glass she spoke up to him. "No kids for you? You have a wife?" It was so weird asking him, but it was a good question. Olivia took a drink of the fire whiskey and felt the burning sensation once more. She did not cough though. Olivia then proceeded to grab her beer to chase a little of the burning sensation and looked back at Jonathon. At least he was good company. She did not socialize much with him in school. He was cute, but Olivia always was around the same people. Now Olivia was more focused on work... she should get out more though.

Sometimes tattoos were cut and dry, straight lines that took shape and turned out just how Gregoire imagined. And sometimes they were like the one he was currently working on. Even though he had been tattooing now for the better part of a decade he still struggled sometimes, naturally. He had been arched over the lower back of a particularly beautiful women for nearly four hours now, trying to get the flowers to be perfect. She didn't seem to mind the pain, actually she may of fallen asleep at one point, so Gregoire took his time. This customer had been coming to his shop for months now, working on the same rather large tattoo and tonight's session was the completion. It made Gregoire nervous. After it was finally finished he let out a big sigh of relief, it had turned out alright. He had thought that the shading was a little messed up at one point, but he made it work out and it looked perfect. Showing her in the mirror, giving her a friendly hug, and then cleaning up his station he had no idea what the time was. He was supposed to meet Jon at least an hour ago and now he was crazy late. It was unlike Gregoire to rush a customer out of his shop, he was a very patient man, but he hated letting people down. He didn't want Jon to think he forgot, and besides they were going to the Goblin Hole tonight which was Gregoire's favorite bar in all of London.

After the female had left out the front door he locked it behind her, grabbed his red hat from the top of the counter, and hurried out the back door and into the dark alley behind his shop. Rushing down the block he made his way to the other end of Diagon Alley, where the hole in the wall bar was located. He could smell the grease as soon as he got within two shops from it, and it made the French man's stomach rumble. If he knew Jon as well as he thought he did, he'd have a plate of hot wings waiting for him when he arrived. Pushing open the door and ignoring the somewhat embarrassing picture of him trashed on the wall of the entry way he entered the bar and looked around. When he found his friend he was pleasantly surprised to see he was sitting with a women. From where he was standing he could only see the back of her head, but it was clear she was a female and Jon seemed interested in what she was saying. Stepping over to the two of them he put on a friendly, charming smile, and let his French accent really shine through, women here seemed to love that when they got drunk. "Bonjour--" he said, really laying it on thick until he realized who was sitting with his friend Jon, "Olivia!?" He said brightly as the smile on his face grew. "I did not expect to see you here!"

He was excited that she was at the bar and that he could spend the evening with not only one friend, but two now. He gave her one more friendly smile before turning to Jon, "Sorry I'm late, got caught up doing a tattoo." Gregoire cracked his knuckles as his said it, his hands were a bit sore from holding his gun for so long. Reaching across the table and snatching up a hot wing he took a bite from it before dragging a chair from the next table over to join them. The tall man had to sit a bit further back from the table because he didn't want to accidentally kick anyone, especially once he got as drunk as he was planning to. "So what are we drinking?" He said, taking another bite and then licking the hot sauce off his chin.