RP: Celebration of life

[pb_rosmerta]

Characters: Madam Rosmerta, others?
Location: The Three Broomsticks
Date: September 1, 1999
Status/Warning: Open
Summary: Rosie has a celebration in her parents honor
Completion: In progress

Comments

[pb_neville]

Moving was hard work. Especially when it was on top of other work. He'd finally negotiated the flat, gotten the keys, and was able to start bringing his stuff to his new home.

Shame Lavender was so busy. He'd have liked to at least say hi. Half his belongings were still at Gran's, in boxes waiting to be brought over. The other half, the plant half, were all taking up every inch of window and counter space he could manage. Gran'd been great about giving him furniture from the attic (he was pretty sure it had been his parents, or at least some of it), so he just needed to get everything in, and he was out. Independent. Man about the town. Just the thought made him smile as he sat at the bar, grabbing dinner on the run as he'd no time to shop for groceries yet.

[pb_rosmerta]

Rosie was dancing around to the music play when she noticed Neville walk in. "Hello Mr. Longbottom." she said with a wicked smile. "Long time no see."

[pb_neville]

Neville gave Rosmerta a bashful smile. "Hi, Madam Rosmerta. How're you doing?"

He wanted the special, and a pint, but when he glanced around, he saw Rhys on the other side of the room with another bloke, talking and laughing. He jerked his head back to focus just on her, smile a bit strained.

[pb_rosmerta]

"Good, considering the day." she said, noticing him glancing around. When he suddenly turned back, she was slightly confused until she looked across the room and it all made sense.

"So you want something to eat?" she asked, leaning towards him. "He's not nearly as flirty with him as he was with you."

[pb_neville]

"Yeah? What day's that?" Neville saw the place all done up, but he didn't know the deal. He figured it was a celebration of something, but wasn't sure what, since the war anniversary was past. Must be personal to Rosmerta.

"Yeah, can I get the special and a pint?" He froze when she seemed to know and reference Rhys, all blood draining from his face. "I. What? I don't know what you're talking about." He stuttered.

[pb_rosmerta]

"Me parents died 26 years ago today." she said with a shrug. "The music and special are my way of honoring them." She gave Neville another shrug and a smile.

"You got it, sweetie," she said, pour him a pint as she spoke. Smiling, "Of course not. Be back with your food."

She jigged her way into the kitchen to the beat of the music. Humming along she filled up a bowl and a basket of soda bread, wondering if or more likely when the bloke that has Neville so nervous would notice the young wizard at the bar.

Still skipping, she brought the meal and placed it in front of him. "How's adult life treating you?"

[pb_neville]

"Oh." Neville was at a loss for a moment, then said decisively, "Then I'll drink my pint in their honor."

He relaxed a bit when she accepted his denial, though he doubted it was the last he was going to be hearing from her on the matter. He sipped his pint, absently rubbing the foam off his upper lip, and he turned halfway around, to watch the room at large, though he was careful not to look at Rhys. He honestly didn't know what the hell had happened that night, to make him kiss another bloke. He wasn't gay. Was he? He shook the thought free and smiled at Rosie when she brought his food back.

"Smells fantastic." He said with a grin, taking a spoon and stirring it before taking a bite. "Mmm. Oh, its going fantastic. Just moved into my own place. Sort of. Halfway moved, but I've got keys and all. Nearly a proper gentleman out of it all. Job's brilliant, life's just good. How's business, now that school's back?"

[pb_rosmerta]

"Think I'll join you in that." Pouring herself a shot of whiskey, she clicked glasses with Neville. "Sláinte!"

She took notice of the excitement in his voice about being on his own for the first time. "You were always a gentleman; you're now a gentleman with his own flat." she teased with a wiggle of her eyebrows. "Still booming as you can see. Just waiting to hear from the Headmistress about Hogsmeade weekends. Always have to have extra cases on butterbeer those days."

[pb_neville]

"Sláinte!" He echoes obediently, taking a deep drink.

"Well, now I can see what it's like, being a proper grownup with no one to answer to but myself. Gran's great, but not exactly in the line of letting me make my own decisions and stuff, yeah? I get to decide what to eat, when to eat, when to clean, when to have company, all that stuff!" He flung an arm wide, accidentally hitting someone. He turned to apologize and it was Rhys. Freezing, Neville stared as Rhys gave him a smile, then turned to Rosie.

"Can I get two Firewhiskeys, neat? Think this might be my lucky night." He gave her an engaging smile, treating Neville with friendly indifference. Which just went to show you, give someone what they want, and they'd drop you as soon as they got it.

Neville wasn't hurt. He refused to be. Not like there was any sort of understanding or anything there. He gave Rosie a bright brittle smile. "Yeah, bet they're already looking forward to Hogsmeade visits."

[pb_rosmerta]

Rosie kept her smile in place, biting her tongue to keep from chuckling at Neville for hitting the bloke that came in and asked about Neville last time he had been in. "Sure thing, sweetie." she said, pouring the two shots. "Just let me know if I need to prepare a room or anything." she said with a wink.

"I'm sure they are too. First time it happened, I about panicked. Ran out of butterbeer and food. At the time, it was just me and this other witch, who quit that very night. Said, 'I'm not getting paid enough to deal with those brats!' and walked out." Rosie said in a high pinched voice. "It was crazy, we weren't prepared for that kind of business, but after that." she waved her finger at him. "We never ran out of anything ever again. I over stocked the place for the next two months, just to be safe."

[pb_neville]

Neville went beet red at the insinuation that Rhys would be staying the night with the bloke. He wasn't sure if it was because the idea was a bit shocking (though after the year of hell, nothing should shock him anymore), or because he was jealous. No, not jealous. Just concerned because Rhys seemed a good bloke, and he didn't want to see anything bad happen to him. He exhaled hard when Rhys walked away with the drinks. He was not going to watch him go.

Neville listened, eating his dinner and taking in Rosie's story of bygone years. "That must have been mad. Can't imagine what that would have been like. Least you didn't have the firsties to deal with. But still, mad."

"Has it changed much, students and business, since you started?" He asked curiously.

[pb_rosmerta]

Noticing the redness in Neville's face, she felt a little guilty. Perhaps, I shouldn't have said that. She liked all her customers, Maybe not all. Draco Malfoy., so seeing him upset, made her frown a little. Determinded to cheer him up, she smiled and nodded.

"You're telling me. I was barely out of school meself. Finished that June, Mum and Da died in September, first Hogsmeade weekend was in October. I was in way over me head.

"It has and it hasn't. I always know there's at least one or two that are going to try and order the hard stuff. First year it happened half a dozen times before Dumbledore helped me cast a proper age line." she said with small chuckle. "But the students change. One year it will be all about getting along with everyone; the next it will be all about House rivalry. Couldn't serve a table unless you were from this House, or not from that House." she rolled her eyes. "I'm from Beauxbatons, so I never really had to worry."

[pb_neville]

Neville had never thought about what it was like for Rosmerta, being so young and parents dying. "It must have been hard, managing all that. Didn't you have any help, or was it just the one who quit?" He hoped she had better help now, especially with the clash of sentiments towards blood purity, and involvement in the Death Eaters. He'd not blame someone involved by association, but direct action was still unconscionable.

He finished his meal with a sigh of contentment, covering a burp. "Fantastic as always. Though if I can scrounge some kitchen stuffs, you might be seeing less of me. Least for a meal. I definitely prefer your pints over anyone else's." He said with a smile.

He heard a laugh, then a whistle, and turned without thought, to see Rhys passionately kissing the bloke he apparently was on a date with. Their actions garnered them a fair bit of attention, and A few more whistles were had before they broke apart, grinning.

"Rosie, care to crank up the music?" Rhys called, tugging the bloke to his feet. "I fee like a dance."

[pb_rosmerta]

"It was at first, but I got some new staff and cut back on things until I had enough workers and I've been doing steady, strong business ever since."

Lifting her head, she watched as the two young man make out for an audience. The band gave her a look letting her know that they had a good one lined up. Giving them a nod, she turned to Neville. "I feel like dancing too. Wanna join me?"

[pb_neville]

"Brilliant." He gave a toast. "To Madam Rosmerta, long may she be in business." He finished his pint with a thump to the bar.

He gave her a wide-eyed look, partially terrified of dancing, and partially afraid to watch Rhys, but he nodded, standing to offer his hand to her as she made their way to the floor. "Erm, I'm not the best dancer, so sorry if I step on your feet." He very studiously didn't look at Rhys, missing the fact that Rhys was looking at him.

[pb_rosmerta]

Laughing, she took his hand and let him lead her to the dance floor. Swaying her hips to the lively beat of the band, she gave Neville a reassuring smile.

"That's all right. I'm an excellent dancer." she took one of his hands and placed it around her waist as she stepped close to him, their bodies touching as she continued to sway her hips to the music. "Just follow my lead."