Hog The Head

The main street snaking through Hogsmeade was just about empty, save for a few scattered souls seeking shelther from the heavy rain passing through the Highlands that day. With the only other visible inhabitants being the odd store clerk busy pulling their display goods back inside, or applying some magic to protect them from the foul weather.
Already the temperature had some bite to it.. and it was still early, had the sun been visible it likely wouldn't have even reached zenith yet.
The few students in town all appeared wrapped in thick robes, raincoats or other warm clothing to ensure they were protected from the cold. With most hurriedly dashing in and out of shops to quickly finish their business - or down the main street so they could return to Hogwarts before the weather worsened.

There was an exception. A lone and hooded figure clad in the basic Slytherin robes jogged up the road leading in to the wizarding town, almost immediately taking a left after passing Creidwen's and making for the Hog's Head Tavern.
At a glance it was difficult to tell who it might be, slightly hunched from the cold, arms drawn inwards for a self-hug to shield and warm the chest. Wet robes clinging to a somewhat small but athletic frame. Their laboured breath was evident from under the droopy fabric of a soaked hood. Taking the form of small puffs of misty clouds - condensed air escaping as a result of the low temperature.

After reaching the tavern door, a pale hand reached out to fetch the handle - then pulled it open without hesitation, eager to be embraced by the warmth inside.

Despite it's reputation for being the seedier alternative compared to it's competitor, the Three Broomsticks - Hog's Head was still frequented by many students and Hogsmeade locals alike. Usually to peddle some under-the-table deal or get smashed without someone judging you for it. Today though? Empty, eerily so.
Jasper Trout, the innkeeper usually found serving up butterbeers or idly sweeping the dirty bar with an even dirtier cloth - seemed to be missing from his place underneath that drooling, severed hoghead. At least the little candlestubs scattered around the interior were lit. Offering a little bit of light and warmth.

A soft, feminine voice called from further back, out of sight. "Be right there!"

".. Did not think anyone would be coming here in this weath-.. Addie?" Heather rounded the doorway from the back room and stopped in her tracks, spotting the fellow student currently in the process of hanging up his soaked robes on the nearby coatrack. At least he'd put on a thick sweater underneath - but unfortunately that looked wet from rain too. Not to mention how the blonde, matted hair clung tight against cheeks which were normally somewhat pale, but now painfully red from exposure.
".. Silly boy, did you come all the way from Hogwarts in nothing but that?"

Uncharacteristically for him - Adrian didn't seem to be embarrassed over how she addressed him. Despite how exactly that kind of endearing talk might've made him turn in the door under different circumstances. ".. D-Did not expect that sudden rain. Or the c-cold." He muttered, trying to stop teeth from clattering.
The Witch-turned-barkeep fetched one of the clean pelts from behind the counter, then guided him to sit on one of the barstools before she wrapped it around the boy's shivering frame. A bit of silence followed as she returned to the back of the counter to prepare a drink while Addie focused on warming up.

He glanced to the grime-encrusted window. It was hard to see anything, but even without visibility you could definitely hear the rain smattering against the glass. ".. Thank you." He huffed out in a soft tone as Heather placed a mug of hot tea in front of him. She just waved it off as nothing and with a smile retreated back a step to let him drink in peace.

To busy herself she reached for one of the mugs, as well as a cloth - then got to work. Wiping the smudges clean was an oddly.. soothing experience. There was just something about fixing things, be it anything from a dirty glass or helping a downtrodden, soaked Housemate warm up a little. It felt gratifying.. and it certainly beat flinging unruly patrons around with a few timely placed Acendio's. Even if the latter could be entertaining depending on how annoying they were.

Adrian had slowly regained a bit of colour (not that he had much to begin with unless he was embarrassed over something), after a couple of sips from the herbal brew. Enough that he felt he could carry a conversation without stammering half the words away. ".. What's so funny?"
Heather's smile faded in to a surprised expression and she blinked over to him, not realizing she'd perhaps played out that Acendio fantasy a bit too vividly in her mind.. Maybe an Incendio slipped in too, no one would ever know. "Oh, nothing-.. What did you come to Hogsmeade for anyways, Addie?"

They talked casually for a while, mostly discussing Adrian's reason for the visit and how he'd recently come in to possession of a pouch of Galleons. Something which he hoped to spend on ingredients to shore up failing grades in Potion Class. Heather of course managed to convince him that he owed her at least one Galleon for the tea, something the male student begrudingly agreed to after a bit of playful teasing about how he'd probably still be freezing if it wasn't for her timely assistance. He slid it across the bar and Heather deftly plucked the coin between two fingers. With a grin the triumphant Witch proudly declared: "Ah-hah! Victory." Adrian first shook his head a little, feigning his annoyance over 'losing'. Though as he looked back he just offered a genuinely warm, thankful smile.
Heather for her part just waved it off like she had earlier.. and after another moment of happy silence, they both continued chatting. Whatever spark one might've gleaned right then brushed aside by the pair in favour of keeping it light-hearted.

Every so often another patron would stumble in, drink their fill and either head back home or pass out drunk in a corner. The latter type causing the stand-in Slytherin proprietress no small measure of irritation. Especially from the ones who snored, loudly. The two students might have.. completely accidentally and not on purpose.. levitated a container of water their way, which 'somehow' spilled over to stir the unwanted patrons awake, naturally they blamed the leaky roof before any altercation could spawn from it.

It was late, Adrian knew that much as he cast a glance out the window. He'd spent the whole day there, talking, helping.. pulling a few pranks. It was the perfect distraction to set his mind on things other than-.. "Whatcha' thinking about?" He blinked, turning back to find himself under the curious gaze of his hostess for the evening. Contemplating his words.. the boy finally replied in a reserved voice: ".. I think you should talk to Alice." He'd not managed to make Heather look puzzled before, so that was a first. She processed it for a moment before shooting back: ".. Alice? Why? Is it about coin? Because that last shipment-.." Adrian cut her off with a handgesture before she could guess further. "Noo, no. Nothing like that. I-.. I think you should talk, is all. Just a hunch."

Heather regarded him quietly for a moment, head tilted to the side. ".. Okay, weirdo." They both stared at one another in silence, then burst out in gentle laughs. After calming, Adrian threw another glance to the window. ".. It's pretty late." The students wordlessly agreed with that implication and proceeded to clean the last bits up so they could return to Hogwarts.

Heather threw a coat on, then watched as Adrian fussed over his stale and creased (although at least they were now dry) robes. She pulled his sleeve. "Walk me back?" With a gentle nod he replied, trying to pretend the blush on his cheeks was just from the most recently consumed butterbeer.

".. Mhm."