"I honestly don't remember turning around. it was the weirdest thing," Arya said. Even thinking about it made her thoughts hazy. Like Abernathy had said, perhaps Truitt had placed some charms about it to keep nosy students, or worse, from taking refuge inside. "yes, this is the place," she told her, smiling at one of the boys outside who had given her a once over while inhaling the grey smoke of his cigarette. As she backed into the door to open it, her eyes gleamed with an invitation for him to join her at the bar.
Inside, the lights were dim and the wooden furniture smelled of maple and more faintly of alcohol than anything else. slightly intoxicated laughter rippled the air, and she took a seat on a stool next to Tessa. The man behind the bar made eye contact with her - "Arya. good to see you. everyone staying safe up in the castle?" he asked, waving his wand at various items behind the counter to clean glasses, procure more firewhiskey, and wipe off parts of the lower level of the counter.
"Let's not talk about that, Felix." she smiled. "In a minute, one of the boys outside is going to come inside and..." - The boy she'd smiled at had slid into the stool next to her and looked at Felix, the bartender, holding up three fingers, suggesting he needed three beers. the boy turned to her and said, "Buy you a drink?" Arya smiled at him, then at Tessa, who looked mildly impressed.
Before long, the pair had enough alcohol in their systems to keep them warm without the help of their coats, but Arya agreed with Tessa that the longer they stayed out, the more difficult it would be to return to the castle unseen, and then return to their respective dormitories without being caught after dark and drunk. She gave the boy, who had said his name was Vincent, a hug and a kiss on the cheek before waving bye as she made her way out the door.
The sun had already well made its way under the snowcapped horizon, no longer looming above the Hogwarts castle in the distance, and the moon shined bright enough for them to walk. It was extremely cold now that night had fallen - they walked quickly, laughing all the while, doing their best not to slip at their inebriated pace. Arya was no stranger to bacchanalia, but still had to be careful. She'd have to invent a spell to cure drunkness instantly. They approached the tunnel entrance, and she moved the snow that was covering the small door with her wand and they entered. After making their way back to the castle, they exited the painting they'd entered through.
They turned, heading for some of the stairs that were less accessible and certainly not the main staircase. "tessa," she asked, "what floor is my dormitory on???" she was joking, drunk, and laughed at her own silly humor, when she heard, "Hey! Who's there?"
Tessa shushed her, and they pressed against a wall, and Professor Truitt rounded the corner, wand light raised, "What are you doing out of bed this late? And..." he sniffed, "you smell like alcohol." He seemed surpised. "I mean, i took you two as ladies." He shook his head, to clear the lapse of authority, "Hey. I have to turn you into the headmaster." Arya opened her mouth to protest, but Truitt silenced her with a cold look. "I don't want you guys to get in trouble, but it's my job, you know?"
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