Out for a drink

Evangeline walked into the pub hoping to get some fire whiskey and some quiet time. She looked around to find a secluded booth in which to sit and be alone for a little while, but then again she was hoping to have a little company. Evangeline found the perfect spot next to the fireplace in the back, she began walking to it but before that she ordered herself a fire whiskey. Finally she walked over to where the table was and sat down pulling out a book from her satchel, opening it up to her last saved page. She took a swig of her drink then began reading her book smiling softly to herself as she leaned back slightly.

The night was young, the sun dying on the horizon as the bleak weather front from the north swept in over the south-easterly areas of the country. The rain fell not an hour after the sky blackened with brooding and from the shop window Alistair watched as witches and wizards alike – young and old – ran for shelter from the rain. Even once the rain had subsided, Diagon Alley remained empty and after an hour or so of very few in the way of customers, Alistair decided to close up the shop. He was an hour early but he figured he might as well. But then, he had no other pressing matters so momentarily he was conflicted. But then he saw an advertisement for the Leaky Cauldron and upon seeing that he realised his destination. His tongue could already feel the burn of Fire Whisky and with one last look around the shop, making sure the profits for that day were secure and the like, Alistair locked up, lifted the wards and set off for the Leaky Cauldron.

When he entered the pub he could see it was already quite full. Ministry workers and the like were huddled around tables drowning their sorrows in the bottom of their glasses and weary shop owners were sat at the bar. There was one that stood out among them though Alistair did not pay her much mind: a young blonde that had retreated to the back of the room near the fireplace. Alistair didn’t concern himself with her and instead focused on flagging down the bartender for a drink which was proving to be much more difficult than he first thought. Finally though, he caught the bartender’s eye, ordered his Firewhisky and heaved himself up onto the bar stool where he intended to sit until his fatigue sent him back to the shop and upstairs into the flat and to bed.

Evangeline saw him walk in and caught a glimpse of him look her way then sat at the bar. She went back to her book when she heard a familiar voice, "Well hello again Miss Flaherty, it's lovely to see you back here. So when are we going to go on that date?" The man standing beside her had a mug in his hand and he looked obviously drunk.
"Well let's see, hmm how about never. I told you this once before i'm not interested in you and to leave me alone because there's no way i'll ever date you. Please leave me alone and go back to your drinking far away from me." She said all while not once looking up from her book.
"Now you listen hear Lady i ain't never done nothing bad to you so i demand some respect from you!" He growled snatching her book and snapping it closed.
"Give me back my book you brute." Evangeline said getting up from her table glaring at the man wanting to hit him in the jaw.

The Firewhisky was not quite as palatable as it was in Satan’s but it did the job well enough. Alistair felt the warmth attributed to alcohol entering his blood stream spread through his body and he relaxed a little on the bar stool, sliding his suit jacket off of his shoulders and undoing the shirt buttons at his wrists so as to roll up the sleeves. His fingers thumbed through his hair and he leaned heavily on the bar, smiling a little at the pretty little barmaid that was pulling pints of beer that was of a questionable colour. Alistair tipped his glass to her a little and her smile widened a little, nodding before flashing a wink at him. Alistair’s smile morphed into a small smirk and he sat up a little, catching the eye of the bartender as he did so. The bartender nodded behind him and Alistair turned, raising an eyebrow, to see a dispute between a woman and some shady looking guy Alistair didn’t honestly like the look of, despite the irony of the situation. He was the shadiest bloke in the pub!

“No one’s helpin’ ‘er you notice.” The bartender grunted. Alistair’s eyes flicked to him. “This ain’t no Pureblood pub, Alistair. We don’t protect our women ‘ere. They can look after themselves.” The bartender shook his head and shuffled away. It was only then that Alistair looked around the room, realising that the man was right. No one was getting up to help her. Alistair sighed heavily and slid off of the bar stool, pressing the sleeves of his shirt up a little higher as he weaved through the tables towards the woman. He eyed the people sat playing cards or drinking solemnly in their seats with obvious distaste.

Alistair’s hands landed heavily on the man’s shoulders and with a show of strength that was not obvious from his appearance, Alistair heaved the man away, shoving him roughly away from the girl, Alistair now the barrier between them. “Get your things,” He told the girl calmly. “We’re leaving.”

Evangeline looked at the man with wide eyes then simply nodded as she gathered up her satchel. She grabbed the book from the man who was harrassing her as she headed to the door of the pub. 'Why is this man helping me? I can take care of myself and i was just about to let that drunk brute have a piece of my mind. The one thing i really wanna know is why? No one has helped me get rid of him before, why start now?' Evangeline thought as she opened up the door to the pub.