Escape!

[Carly]

Hm you chose.

[escape_x]

I'll use Jacob.
He's more developed.
-nod-
I can start if you wish.

[Carly]

Please.
I'm not saying your not busy.
*Laughs*
But I am at the minute, unless you want to wait a few minutes then I cna start.

[escape_x]

[It'll be no problem : D]

It had been almost exactly three years from today that started the rest of forever for Jacob Valentine. Three years ago, he was taking his last, first step into the school in which himself and both his brother and his sister had attended. He remembered it perfectly. The noise level was high, footsteps were echoing off the stone walls, and first years were trembling. The aroma of the food sitting in front of them after the sorting was mouth-watering, and afterward the feel of the soft beds in the Slytherin dungeons were quite possibly the best feeling in the world..

Jacob Valentine, a twenty year old graduated Hogwarts student, was ripped from his thoughts as his stomach started growling and a twinge of pain shot through his back from the lumpy mattress he had been sleeping on. For the two years he had been here, in this little ramshackle house at the outskirts of Hogsmeade, he had never had a meal as good as when he was at Hogwarts. Except when he visited home twice a year, which in his opinion, was not nearly enough.

He quickly shook some jet black hair out of his eyes and looked over at his younger brother, who was curled up on the couch, fast asleep. Jacob smiled a bit and recovered the shaking Andrew with the blanket he apparently had kicked off in his sleep. The poor kid wasn’t yet adjusted to living in this rundown place. It was too hot during the summer and too cold anytime else. Fortunately for the two, Charlotte would soon be graduating and they could leave this place. Charlotte was his youngest sibling, and she was in her last year at Hogwarts. He hated not being there to watch her, to protect her. Even though she didn’t much need protection. She had proved early on in her life she could fight for herself. Thus, she pretended that she needed need her brothers. But everyone, even those who didn’t know her, knew that wasn’t so. Her whole life revolved around those two. He smiled at the thought.

Jacob’s smiled quickly turned into a frown as he pressed the palm his hand against the cold glass window that allowed him to view some of the town, and some of the school. A sudden longing to revisit the castle rushed over him. He couldn’t though. He had a job to do. Jacob threw his head back, taking the last drink of the practically cold coffee in his cracked mug, set it on the counter and pulled on a thick robe and stepped out the door. A sharp wind hit him, making his deep brown eyes water. He uttered a vulgar word under his breath, and blinking rapidly to clear his eyes. He then ducked his head against the cold weather that had come all too early this year, and started for the Three Broomsticks.; his current place of employment.

He walked for ten minuets or so, but it seemed like an eternity. Lately it always seemed to take forever to reach his destination. Sighing, he reached his glove clad hand out and pushed open the door, the little bell tinkling happily. Jacob’s right eye twitched as it usually did upon hearing that sound. The Hogs Head would of been a more appropriate place for him to work, but they were full. So he’d been working here for two years. Strangely, he’d never tried again for the Hogs Head. Perhaps he’d grown to accustomed to Madam Rosmerta’s kind ways and free fire whiskeys on cold days. Although he didn’t deserve the wonderful treatment all the time, he still enjoyed it. But what person wouldn’t?

“Good morning Jacob!”

The woman’s sing-song voice hit his ears from behind the counter. He smiled half-heartedly, raising his hand in acknowledgment. Jacob stepped behind the counter and removed his warm robe and gloves, hanging them up on the stand. He glanced at the counter and a grin broke out on his face. Something that didn‘t happen often.. A freshly brewed fire whiskey sat on the top of the marble counter, calling his name. Too bad it wasn’t something stronger.. Okay.. He’ll admit it. He was an alcoholic.

“Thanks. Rosmerta.”

He grabbed the warm glass mug and chugged it, loving the burning feeling as it went down. It had always warmed him up and help him forget his morning woes. It was defiantly a good kick start to ones morning.

“Not a problem, honey.”

The women laughed and handed him his apron, having just put on hers. The start of another horrible day, dealing with nasty little teenagers and rude adults would begin. He sighed, taking the apron and threw it over his head, leaning against the counter, trying to mentally prepare himself for the day ahead. Work was never tough, don’t get him wrong. It’s just.. his nature didn’t really allow him to like people. Unless they were his family, or members of some dark cult. He didn’t particularly like that, but it was his whole life. There wasn’t going to any changing any time soon. A life full of purebred bitterness and hatred had ruled him, and shaped him into what he was today. A bitter, over protective smoker that had a drinking problem and longed for the essentials he had been spoiled with as a child. But he was an adult now, and things were in need of a change.

He sighed and rubbed his eyes, shaking his head, hoping that the fire whiskey would kick in soon and numb his senses. He felt his back be pat gently by the women as he put his head in his hands, yawning.

[Carly]

(Sorry it's no way near as long)

Willow Fells made her way down to Hogsmeade, it wasn't exactly nice outside and it wasn't early but today was the Hogsmeade trip, she, Grace, Jason and his 'Vampire Clan' planned on causing hell for the whole of Hogsmeade. After all they always did. It was what Willow liked, she wasn't really nasty but she was never afraid to get into trouble, nothing fased her, the girl was roofless. Willow ran her hand through her hair and pulled her coat tigther around her. First it was too the Three Broomsticks and then The Hogs Head and then well the rest of the shops. She entered shaking snow on the floor making it slippery. She smirked and put her coat over the back of her chair sitting down. She was in a black and white tutu, black leggings and a black t-shirt with a white skull and crossbone on it.

She smriked as Grace raised an eye brow at her sister. So she was cold, so they weren't the kind of clothes you wear in the freezing weather and so she'd probably get ill. She didn't care and that was just Willow all over. Stuck up,rich,popular,fearless and carefree. She guessed it ran in the family. Grace was pretty much the same and so was Jason, however Star, Jason's twin, her older sister was an oddball in the family. She's was the quiet caring type. The others with Willow soon crowded around her. She smirked as the boys practically fought to get the best spots. Jason rolled his eyes at his sister. How sad off her. Willow looked around and stated loudly "I'm thristy." All at once the boys rushed to their feet to try and get her and Grace a drink first. Life...was good.

[escape_x]

Jacob Valentine sat there in the utter silence for what seemed like hours, but in reality it was only a few moments. His body was slowly becoming tingly and numb as the fire whiskey did to an individual. If only he could of had a few more of those, he'd be happy. Work might be a bit impossible, but it'd be funny. To everyone but Rosmerta. He snorted, debating whether or not it was worth losing his job over when a grin broke out across his face. Today was the Hogwarts visit; normally that wasn't good. It meant serving obnoxious brats butter beer and crumpets. But he'd get to see his sister. He almost smiled, but the little bell above the door made his eye twitch and broke his happy thought. Any trace of smile there had been on his face quickly disappeared as the trail of teenagers filed in, stomping snow all over the place, making the floor slick. "Damn kids." He growled, standing up.

The girl with hardly any clothing on of course caught his attention, but he quickly looked away. He busied himself by grabbing a handful of mugs, laying them all out on the table, ready to fill them all with the yellow, warm substance every Hogwarts student came in here for. A scoff escaped his lips quietly when he heard one of the girls exclaim she was thirsty, and naturally a large group of boys rushed to the counter. Jacob quickly drew all the mugs back, staring at the crowd that had suddenly appeared around the counter. He had an over whemling urge to yell at them; to tell her to get her own drink. But she reminded him to much of his sister, so all he did was stare at the group of boys in front of him, his eyebrows arched. "Can I help you?"

[Carly]

"Two fire whiskey's please." One boy asked instantly. Pushing money into the man's hand. Willow looked over "Smart." She muttered to her sister smirking. The boy knew what drink would keep her happy and get him in her good books. The question was...is he good enough to get surved? Obviously he was under age but if he got surved well then he was useful to her. Willow rubbed her arms feeling the chill slightly but it wasn't as bad now that they were in doors. Jason burst out into laughter as one of the boys at the counter that had come with there group fell over a stool rushing over to the bar. Willow just looked at him smpathetically. How sad they were to fall for a pretty face.

Hey, she wasn't complaining it meant she got her own way. She could tell her brother was begining to get annoyed, surely he would blow his lid soon and then a argument would brake out. Jason was a lot stronger than her but there was no way that she would back down, even to her borther. They'd had one serious fight before Willow came off worse obviously...untill she got a hold of her wand. Of course the two never spoke of that anymore. Willow's eyes drifted to the man behind the counter. He was familiar to her...She thought for a while and suddenly remembered he used to attend the school. She didn't know his name but she knew he was not that much older than her, he was cute too. Suddenly she realised she was staring and pulled her eyes away from him.

[escape_x]

Jacob drew the mugs further away, a dark scowl forming across his brow. Having money shoved into his hand and asking for a drink they knew they couldn't get was ridiculous. He dropped the money on the counter and pushed it back toward the boy, his brown eyes locking onto the others gaze. "Sorry buddy. You're a little young for that." A smirk crossed his face and he stepped back, putting the mugs back into the cabinets. If they, by chance, ordered a butter beer, he'd take the effort to pull them out again. But this crowd seemed like they were a persistent group of school boy brats. He folded his arms across his chest, a smirk flashing across his face when he had heard a quiet 'oof' of a boy landing on a stool. Ah; these were sounds he liked to hear in the morning. He yawned quietly and looked around, searching for the girls who had just come in here. He studied the back of their heads for a moment before returning his gaze to the hooligans at the counter.

Clearing his throat quietly, he grabbed the mop and arched his right eyebrow. "You can have a coffee, a hot chocolate, or a butterbeer. If you're not going to order one of those three, or food, then I suggest you go sit down." He spoke in the most polite tones he could manage. He'd really calmed down a lot these days. If he had still been in school, you could of guaranteed the boy that shoved money in his hand would of been ripped off his feet. He was very violent once. Now he was just..mildly violent? He shook his head and tightened his grip on the mop, waiting for them to either return to their seats or place an order before he went and soaked up the mess they intentionally left in front of the door.

[Carly]

The boy went to apoligise to Willow and she pushed him away. "If you want something done, you got to do it yourself." She walked over to the counter and jumped up onto it. "Hey." She said smiling sweetly at the boy. "I know you, you went Hogwarts. My house I believe." She batted her eye lashes and played with a piece of her hair. Willow wasn't used to being told no, she always got her own way and most people were smart enough to let her have it. If they didn't they just faced a bitch fit and the ending of their social life as they knew it. Willow was used to having people fear her for this but people also feared her for her artic fox animagous and her abilty to read minds and feeling peoples emotions.

Right now Willow was calm relaxed and she sensed the man infront of her was pretty pissed off at the minute. At her side she could feel Jason about to snap and start a fight with her any second. He hated to see his sister flirt, right now the only thing that would push him over board was if this guy made the mistake to flirt back. Jason stood up and walked by his sisters side waiting quietly trying to calm himself. Willow smiled again at the man not waiting for the man's reply "Can I get a Fire Whiskey please?"

[escape_x]

Jacob watched the boy wonder back over and he chuckled quietly to himself, walking around the front of the counter. He quickly mopped up the mess of melted snow, not even bothering to do it with his wand. This is what he did get paid for after all. Quietly, he leaned the mop up against the wall where it had been and Jacob resumed to leaning against the column, his strong thin arms folded across his chest. He smirked the girl started over, climbing up onto the counter. She batted her eyes and twirled her hair; typical girl things. The same thing thing his sister did. "Yes ma'am." He responded to her comment about the house; this little bombshell had to be in Slytherin. There was no doubt about it. He watched her bat her eyes some more, a smirk glued on his face. It was tempting, but he wouldn't give in that easily.

Jacob looked from the girl to the boy that was by her side; you could almost see him vibrating with anger. He had half a mind to ask the guy what his problem was, but he didn't exactly want to start a fight here. Not now. It was far too early for that. He yawned, switching his gaze back to the girl, still smirking. If that boy hadn't of been there, you could of bet he would of flirted back. But, as he said before, too early for a fight. "Sorry Princess. You're too young." He resisted the urge to wink; so instead he just stood there with his arms folded and that stupid, cute little smirk he wore so proudly. "How about.. a butterbeer instead?" He laughed quietly and glanced back into the room where Rosmerta was humming quietly, walking up and down the room. Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the two in front of him, then waved his fingers in a sort of 'be gone' fashion. There'd be no fire whiskeys for them today.

[Carly]

Willow pouted "I am old enough, I just forgot my ID." She bit her lip lightly begining to feel like she wasn't going to get her own way. Jason grabbed Willow by the arm and pulled her off the counter. "Enough Will, you make me sick." Willow wipped her wand out and held it too his throat. "Let go of me right now." Jason dropped her too the floor and walked out followed by his usual crew. Willow rolled her eyes "Hot head." she muttered She turned to the man behind the bar again "I guess I'll just go to the Hogs Head. They know me there anyway. My uncle owns the place."

The stood with Grace and the others at her heels. She pulled a £50 note out and gave it to the man. "Thanks anyways." She winked at him and and headed to the door. Half expecting him to call her back with her drink. She ran her hand through her hair and wondered out 'forgetting' her coat. She pulled a bobble of her wrist and tied her hair up. Willow locked her arm around her sister and the two wondered out the door giggling.

[escape_x]

"Likely story." Jacob laughed at the girls pout and shook his head slowly. She was cute, but it wasn't happening for her. Maybe if they had been alone. No. It was a definite. If they had been alone, she would of gotten her fire whiskey. He resumed his place on the wood stool, leaning his elbows against the counter. He watched the scuffle with little interest; he knew right from the start there would of been no action with that one. Just an exchange of cold words and it'd be done. No one ever fought anymore. He sighed and ran a hand through his soft black hair, nodding as she mentioned something about the Hogshead. "Figures. Thank you for coming, please consider coming back again." He hurried through the little speech he had to give every time a customer talked to him.

He smirked at the money and arched his eyebrows. "You're quite welcome." He almost called her back. Jacob was.. well a bit deprived of physical attention to say in the least. He'd just make a mental note to go down to the school more often. He smirked and shook his head, patting the box of cigarettes waiting for him on his break. A nasty habit, but one that he hadn't been able to break since his fifth year at Hogwarts. He started tapping his foot on the floor quickly. Now it was back to being dead silent in here, aside from the crinkling of a newspaper as an old man, a regular, read the Daily Prophet. Nothing. He sighed dramatically, laying himself across the counter.

[Carly]

Willow sighed entering the Hogs Head. Her uncle welcomed her and handed her a Fire Whiskey without question. Good old uncle Al, he never cared about her just money. Thats what he got every time he gave her what she wanted. Willow smiled at the glass fondly and downed it kicking her feet up on the table. Everyone began messing around and soon they would be off to cause mayhem for the Hogsmead comminuty. Willow for some reason seemd discontected. The man had bothered her. She almost had what he wanted and she could of swore the guy would have played along. Guys always played along, ALWAYS.

Now though, this guys well, he didn't actually play along. It was new to her, strange, alien. It was like she was loosing her touch. She hoped he would notice her coat and play along. He seemed like he could have been fun. And well, the coat was the last hope of her fun. She bit her nails thoughtfully at the idea of her loosing her touch. Her eyes locked on to the door. Why was she so bothered? It was just one guy and he was probably gay anyway...but it did bother her. She couldn't get over being knocked back. Even Rosmerta gave her Fire Whiskeys just because she was that GOOD at what she did.

[escape_x]

Jacob continued to lay on the counter until Rosmerta snapped a towel at his backside and muttered something about drooling and unsanitary conditions. Jacob snorted and pushed himself up, checking for drool. He hadn't been asleep, no. But fire whiskey does tend to make one numb. The bell under the door started jingling happily and he grumbled. Now the students were piling in. He was serving butter beers left and right, sometimes a sandwich. For an hour, he did that. Laid down countless butter beers, collected tips, and served food. Then it was his break time. With a sigh of relief, he took off his apron and glanced at Rosmerta who was just putting hers on. "Have fun." He mumbled, pulling a cigarette out of the box in his pocket. Heading towards the door, a stray jacket caught his eye. A familiar looking one. He stared at it until he remembered where he had seen it. Sighing, he shook his head and snatched it up, walking out the door.

He lit his cigarette, pulled on his think robes, and started down the path to the Hogs Head, puffing along on his nicotine stick the whole way. He threw the butt of it on the ground and stomped it out right before entering the dingy little pub. He coughed quietly, pushing the door open. The sounds of mayhem reached his ears. Well, they must of got their fire whiskeys here. Rolling his eyes, he held the jacket loosely at his side, searching for the girl. Then he found her, his little smirk returned to his face. Walking over to the table where she sat, he thumped the jacket down on the table in front of her. "I think you forgot this."

[Carly]

Willow looked up and couldn't help but smirk brightly "Thanks, you know I always forget that thing." She rolled her eyes at the jacket. "I'll be right back." She paused and added "Want a drink?" Once more she didn't wait for his reply. She stood and pushed the drooling boys aside and headed to the bar. She smiled at her uncle. Without waiting he simply said "Another Fire Whiskey princess?" Willow smiled "Two please Uncle Al." The man was sort with greasy black hair, your typical sleez bag. Willow smiled taking the two bottles she walked back over and pushed one into the mans hands.

Willow took her seat once more and looked at him thoughtfully. "You never told me your name?" She smiled and sipped her drink running her finger along the rim thoughtfully. What was this now...her third,four drink? If she didn't quit soon there was going to be a good chance she wouldn't get back to the school tonight. Ha like she cared. The idea of not going back to school seemed interesting before, she may have always broken the rules but she had never done that before. Snapping out of her day dream she downed the rest of her bottle and began to feel a little tippsy.