Stopping in to say hello...

[gryffndean]

Date: Wednesday February 13
Time: about 4:45pm
Location: Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Hogsmeade
Rating: PG?
Characters Involved: Dean Thomas, Hannah Abbott, and Ron Weasley

Since his afternoons and evenings were now (forcibly) freer than what Dean was used to, he'd decided to take advantage of his newfound free time.  After leaving the office, he apparated

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[about_abbott]

With her shift just about over, Hannah was in the back finishing up her individual sales paperwork. She wasn't sure whether Ron would be able to break away and join her for a quick drink once she was finished. Still, they'd been having quite a time lately. They talked more often then ever and freely laughed with and at one another. Most of their laughing of course when one or the other of them got bored and decided to try one of the many jokes on the other at a time when they might not be thinking about being an open target.

So, for now, as she finished tallying her sales, she kept an eye out to ensure Ron wasn't on his way toward her. Luckily, she heard the bell on the door, cuing them that a customer had just entered. For now at least, Ron would have something else to keep him busy.

[yngstweasleybro]

Ron was looking over at Hannah, trying to catch her when she wasn't paying attention. He thought he'd try a paper airplane trick they used to use at school, just for a laugh. He had been having a great time with her at work. He was finding they had more and more in common; she had an easy nature about her that made talking with her pleasant. She never talked down to him, unlike other people he knew. She also didn't seem to argue much. It could be that they just didn't know each other that well but he had a feeling that was her nature; she didn't seem to have this burning need to be absolutely correct all of the time. He couldn't help it; he found himself comparing the girl he loved to the blond he worked with

[gryffndean]

Dean grinned at Ron, extending his own hand. It had been far, far too long since he'd seen his Gryffindor classmate, and had actually almost forgotten that he was the manager here.

"Ron! I know, it's been ages, mate," he said, shaking Ron's hand. "Been up to my ears in legal paperwork, most days. How have you been?" Dean's eyes glanced around for Hannah, but as he could not see her at the moment, flicked back towards Ron. "Busy keeping the students of Hogwarts well-stocked in the latest gags?"

[about_abbott]

Hannah hadn't a clue who had actually come into the shop. What she did know was that he was too preoccupied with whichever customer had walked in to note exactly what she was doing in the back of the store. She'd found a package of gummy spiders that worked a bit like chocolate frogs. Of course, had she known of Ron's deadly fear of spiders she'd have never chosen the packet, but it was a bit late now.

She knealt down and crawled herself to the opening of the door. She then tore the package open near Ron's feet sending the chewable critters scuttling off towards him. Then she leaned back against the wall just the other side of the door and waited to see what would ensue.

As she waited, she heard the voice of the customer and immediately recognized it as Dean's. Debating between giving herself away and waiting for the prank to come to pass she stood and slowly peeked around the corner.

[about_abbott]

Hannah felt a twinge of guilt as she headed back to pick up her cloak. She was grateful for Ron's nonchalant attitude about it and wasn't quite sure she could be so flippant if Hermione just up and showed her face in the shop.

"I'll see you tomorrow," she waved at Ron as she headed over to where Dean stood. Just a month ago she'd have been so giddy about this outing possibly even threading her own arm around Dean's. But for now, a simple walk and talk would suffice. She had so much she knew she needed to tell him while wanting him to open up with an explination and major apology first. "To the Three Broomsticks?"

[gryffndean]

"Sounds perfect," Dean replied as they stepped out into Hogsmeade. There were quite a lot of thoughts swirling in his head, and not all of them were really the best ideas for conversation topics. However, he knew beyond a doubt that he needed to start with an apology.

"Hannah, I-" Dean began, glancing over towards her as they walked. He had second thoughts, though- was this really something he wanted to chat over walking to the pub? No, better to wait until they were seated, and he could look at her.

"Just, thanks for coming. I know I've been a prat lately," he said, shaking his head.

[about_abbott]

Hannah fiddled with the fringes of her cloak as they walked toward the pub. She had no clue what they should talk about and was glad when Dean began to speak. Then he stopped whatever it was he was going to say. When he did she glanced from the road ahead over to his profile and waited to see what he would say instead.

You can say that again she thought though in reality she didn't know how to respond to his statement without either jumping at him or putting herself in a vulnerable position. "Thanks for the invite," was all she could muster.

[gryffndean]

Hannah seemed just as disinclined to conversation at this point as Dean was, so they walked the rest of the way to the Three Broomsticks in silence. He held the door open for her when they arrived, entering just behind her as they walked in and found an empty booth. The pub seemed to be filling up quickly, and Dean was happy they'd managed to grab seats when they did

[gryffndean]

Hannah's question was one Dean had asked himself dozens of times. After all, he had turned out to be a wizard, even if his sisters were not. However, he had other reasons to believe that his brother would not turn out to be magical, either

[about_abbott]

Hannah listened to Dean talk about his mother. She knew that talking about his Mum was probably a mixed blessing much as it was her. When Hannah talked about Jillian there was always a twinge of sadness that went along with the comfort of the memory. When he finished telling her what he knew about his father, she was shocked that he had opened up to her with something he hadn't told anyone before. Then he trailed off into his own thoughts and she wasn't sure what to say next so she settled on one noncommitted word.

"Maybe," she said turning her attention to her now empty glass and then to the window at the front of the pub. She noted the postition of the sun in the sky. "Have you noticed how late it's getting?"

[gryffndean]

It was reassuring, in a way, that Hannah didn't immediately shoot down his idea, or tell him it was foolish and silly. Her small answer did keep him lost in his thoughts, though, until she mentioned the time.

"Oh, yeah," he said, a note of sadness in his voice, as he hated that Hannah needed to go home so early, but he couldn't very well ask her to stand up her father on an evening they'd planned together.

Dean finished off his drink in a long swig, smiling a little and shrugging at Hannah.

"Guess we should get you home, then," he said, gesturing towards the door. "Can I walk you out?"

[about_abbott]

As she stood, Hannah took her cloak from where she'd untied it and allowed it to drape over the chair while they'd enjoyed this small amount of time together. "Of course you can," she said as she swung the cloak over her shoulders and tied it back. You could walk me anywhere she added in her mind.

When they reached the door of the Three Broomsticks she turned to look at Dean. "I'm really glad you came by today." Again, she was fiddling with the strings on her cloak. She knew this wasn't a date or anything. Still, the fact that he'd come looking for her made her wonder if he wanted to try and pick up where they had seemingly left off.