miss nothing.miss everything; scarlett

[Bryce Nichols Tudor]

The Hog’s Head… why not? One thing Bryce Tudor did not mind or criticize was liquor. It wasn’t as if he was an alcoholic, liquor didn’t get in the way of his daily life, he just found it to be a glorious thing when taken in measure. And right now, he was willing to measure. Bryce sat at the bar, on this Sunday night. It wasn’t too late, around 11:30 and he was only on his second glass of wine. The potion’s professor was seated at the far right, the Hog’s Head being mildly crowded for being a small room, a rare occasion? Most were making shady deals, Bryce wasn’t in for the occasion, he merely wanted a drink and a drink he had.

The crimson liquid was brought to his red stained lips, parting very slightly to allow an alluring taste of wine press his taste buds. Bryce was feeling rather good tonight, he had the usual tightly closed lips, the slight scowl, but that was his expression when he was in a good mood. Appealing, no? The professor wore all black; underneath the black robes would be business casual attire, a white shirt and tie peaking out just enough. What business he had to attend to that didn’t have to do with Hogwarts was exactly just his business.

But in his robe pockets were hidden little treasures. He was the potions professor after all, Bryce could handle himself with a wand but using a potion as a personal little bomb was oh so much more exciting. Especially for bartering. The male’s back was straight, turning slightly to look behind him at the adults sitting and the crowd of shady characters. Bryce was more or less interested in being alone 90% of the time. But apparently, this was the rare occasion where he felt the 10% need to socialize. Just as he thought of such an idea, his eyes seemed to lock with another’s.

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[Scarlett Viceroy]

Scarlett Viceroy had always run into a funny situation with many people who met her in her life. With her height, her old soul and unique mix of personality and maturity from life experiences often led people to believe that she was much older than she actually was...

It was not uncommon for people outside of Hogwarts to mistake her for at the very least, a university student. It was a mistake like this that had both it's benefits and it's draw backs. Tonight, however, wanting to find a place where she could escape the giddy giggles of girls in her dorm and find an escape from having to witness the typical nightly escapades of the boys out for a wild night at the Three Broomsticks...

Boys her age, for the most part were too much to deal with for Scarlett. If they were the overly promiscuous letches as if the moon was full every night. There were the super heroics of the supermen hoping to show off just how much they can lift or how fast they can run or how big their muscles are. It was just all too much! Some of the other girls, the "pretty" girls love that sort of thing but for Scarlett, it made her wish she truly was older. Sometimes she could wait to grow up...

Tonight was one of those nights. She had had quite enough of the dorm's drama and as she had made her way through Hogsmeade, one glance through the windows of Broomsticks she made a bee line as far away from there as possible...

Hog's Head! Well, not exactly the ideal spot to enjoy interesting conversation but she was sure to not run into too many of the usual types that she was hoping to avoid. Scarlett wasn't in the market for love, well she was always in awe of love and hoped one day it could find her again but she certainly wasn't trying to find it. Most of the time, in fact, if young men were interested in her she either didn't notice their advances or she ignored it. She wasn't one of the "pretty girls", why be interested in her?...

Well tonight it was not what she was going to worry about! As she entered the tiny pub the pungent aroma of liquor quickly wofted past her nostrils. Scarlett pushed the door open with a quick burst of air that toyed with her silky paisley skirt. Stepping inside her suede boots narrowly escaping what she could only hope was some spilled porridge or soup, at least she prayed to Merlin!...

As she took a quick glance around the packed pub she truly started to second guess her choice of destination. Sure, it was the perfect spot to take advantage of her gift of people not knowing her true age, but from what she could see and smell there didn't really seem to be anything here worth the time...

The shady men in the corner, huddled over a pile of papers seemed to be doing business of a seedy nature. There was the woman sitting amongst a group of strangely dressed men...she didn't want to think about that one any further. Scarlett was about to turn and leave when her eyes met across the room with a set of the darkest eyes she'd ever seen...

Although they were dark, almost black from what she could tell they intrigued her! She took a second, a moment and weighed her options of the situation. She had already made it inside and as she took in the form that the eyes belonged to, her boots seemed to want to shuffle in the direction of the bar and not the door...

Scarlett pulled her dark mini denim coat tightly over her form fitting tank tops and carefully made her way casually through the throng of inebriated wizards til she came about to the bar, stopping near the pair of eyes that drew her from across the room...

The eyes were windows to the soul and Scarlett's own were often always open, even when she tried to force them shut. These eyes, however, were dark and hard to read right away, but there was something there...a window left slightly ajar that Scarlett found interesting...

Taking in what came along with the eyes certainly, to the surprise of Scarlett herself helped her choice of remaining in at the pub. The young man had quite the striking face. It was smooth yet chiseled in a refined way but still there was softness to it all. He didn't look like the average run of the mill Hogwarts boy, especially with his almost olive complection...at least from what she could tell in what lighting there was in the dingy dive...

Scarlett couldn't help but get this strange feeling that started deep inside as she brushed the hair from her face with a soft, gentle smile. "Hi..." her sweet tone danced from her lips. As her brain took the charge on giving her mouth the orders of what to say, Scarlett continued to wonder about this boy. He looked to be about her age, yet she couldn't place him from any classes and certainly he most likely was not a Gryffindor. Perhaps he was a new student this year? A transfered wizard from Durmstrang perhaps? Well at any rate, as her eyes focused on his lips she noticed the very crimson color and took note of his drink...

Perhaps he too had the same problem of age and representation of it and so she continued with more sweet tones as she noticed a free seat next to him. "Hi there...excuse me, but is this seat taken?" she asked sweetly. At that instant she crinkled her nose up slightly at the thought of how that reminded her of a more than cheesy pick up line a muggle boy would use on an unsuspecting female prey in a situation similar to this one...

No, that was not the case of this present situation. At least not in Scarlett's eyes. For her she had, yes, been intrigued by the young man's glance her way but she was here to escape that kind of thing. Boys making advances at girls. Girls gushing on boys. She wanted to escape all that sugary goo and just find some peace and perhaps an interesting conversation about anything other than clothes, boys, make up and boys!...

As she stood there with a soft half smile on her face politely waiting to take a seat, Scarlett's left hand anxiously twisted and twirled the delicate silver chains and strands of beads that hung low around her neck. Her finger tips twisted one or two of them playfully out of what she hoped was not nerves. Why should she be nervous? She only asked if the seat was taken...but as she swallowed a bit harder than usual she couldn't help but notice the more she was thinking about what this young man looked like and she was beginning to hope more and more that the seat next to him was free...

It was just then, before she assumed the young man was about to respond that she felt the room swirl. Loud noises and the stench of liquor filled her senses as a couple of young wizards pushed her as they stumbled and she felt her boots twist up with each other as she quickly stumbled forward towards the handsome young man.

[Bryce Nichols Tudor]

The swirl of the conversations coming from around the young (but not too young) male swirled in his mind, his fingers came upon his glass, stroking gingerly. Leave it to Bryce, to treat a glass of wine as a feline, a pet, a nature of love to be treated with care. That is until he finishes it, then his focus will be set on something else, if he is not distracted first.

The stoic professor who was never one for conversation scanned the room once more. No, he was not looking for anyone, he was merely curious. Though Bryce couldn’t quite call himself a fly on the wall, he was noticed. He had an air about him, not to be mistaken with arrogance, but when he walked into a room he did not go unnoticed to say the least.

However, an interesting detail came to his dark eyes as he scanned the room the second time. There was an addition to the Hog’s Head tonight. In fact, this was an addition he had never noticed before. The first quality he had caught of the individual was the fiery red head making her way through the small bustle… Hair more crimson than his lips tonight. Interesting. She had a glow about her, this wasn’t a dark soul of the Hog’s Head, but surely she must know where she was or at least intended to be there. He did not find any hint of a juvenile in this woman.

The next thing that immediately struck Bryce Tudor was her height, not a short girl at all. She was tall, she had curves, and her hair bore a brilliant scarlet tone. Bryce turned his head back to the focus of his drink, thinking this little matter over. An attractive young woman in the likes of the Hog’s Head, he wouldn’t mistake her innocent appearance for actual innocence. Call him imaginative but this female could be the most cunning of her kind. After all, men were weak and this was a fresh face.

Professor Tudor hadn’t but a few seconds to think this singular girl over before a sweet and soft tone had spoken. Hi… he heard, turning his head to acknowledge the voice casually, to make sure it was directed toward him. But how could it not be? In a dark pub at this time of night, surely many wouldn’t be sweetly greeting others they knew with such a standing.

As the female presence was closer toward him, he could see her facial characteristics with more dept. Her skin was the smoothest of ivory, a dash of freckles and those eyes… He suddenly felt as though he was staring into a family’s old and cherished emerald jewels. If this girl had not an ounce of Irish in her, than he would give up teaching and announce his hatred of Potions, as if that would happen.

His back was straight as a board yet he appeared quite relaxed this evening. He looked upon the female gingerly, until she spoke once more. He didn’t find it necessary to say hello back, it wasn’t a rude gesture, it was merely that they didn’t know each other and were in a pub. One doesn’t usually come up to another and say hello without implying that they had something more to say, so he would wait and let her say it, which she did.

”Hi there...excuse me, but is this seat taken?” Her sweet tone rang out as his fingers gripped the body of the wine glass and took a small swig. He wasn’t thinking it over, or maybe he was? It was however she took it. But what remained was when his lips parted for the crimson liquid to touch his taste buds once more. His tongue darted out slightly to cross his lips, his free hand motioned to the free chair she had been asking about.

“Not at all… Please.” he motioned once more for her to sit down, a bit of company wouldn’t hurt tonight, he was curious anyways, curious why a striking redheaded woman with such a sweet tone would come into the Hog’s Head. “Bit of a rough night?” his dark eyes came upon her as she stumbled forward, turning to invite her into a conversation as a small smirk of a grimace appeared in the corner of his lips.

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[Scarlett Viceroy]

Scarlett hadn't planned to seek out company on her visit to Hog's Head, but of the current company at hand she would soon learn it was the cream of the crop...

After asking politely if the seat next to the dark eye'd young man was taken, which was an innocent inquiry. Scarlett was far from a flirt! She had no clue as to how to do it and if a boy thought she was, well it was news to her...most of the time...

She couldn't help but focus her attention back and forth between his intense dark eyes and his now ruby red lips. Both, some how to her now seemed rather beautiful. She felt a soft burn across her cheeks as she thought about that for a moment as the young man's free hand motioned to the chair next to him...

"Not at all...Please." she heard him call back in response. She hadn't had much time to wonder what his voice would sound like, but she liked the tone, it was a very interesting one. It had an air of maturity to it, without sounding old and tired. For such a young looking boy, she wondered amusedly if he got mistaken for his father on the telephone...

Scarlett smiled softly to the young man's invitation and just as she was gathering herself to take her seat a rowdy bunch pushed through her path, pushing her forward towards the young man and the bar. "Oh! I'm sorry." she gasped softly placing her hand on his arm momentarily to steady herself...

"Bit of a rough night?" he replied in response to the commotion and Scarlett's nose crinkled up softly as she glared back at the man who had done the offense. He was staring at her mumbling to himself as he and a few mates stood by the door huddled together. Scarlett wasn't sure what it was but a chill ran through her spine but it was quickly warmed as she turned her attention back to the dark eyes...

"I suppose a bit rough for some more than others." she stated with a tinge of sarcasm and one final glare at the man in the corner, revealing a bit more of that fiery spark that wasn't confined to just her hair. "I'm sorry I hope you didn't spill your drink or anything like that." she apologized sincerely with an air of slight embarrassment...

Scarlett of course took note to his drink of choice, it looked rather much like wine and well she then knew that he must be a 7th year. A 7th year she had never truly seen before in her time at Hogwarts. As she sat with a fair amount of good posture, more than normal she couldn't help but notice the young man's expression. She sat there in her seat, her maturing womanly body curved in all the right places softly. She noticed his mouth again, it was an interesting turn of the lips, a look she wasn't sure if she could read or not. That fact only intrigued her more...

Although Hog's Head was a bar, Scarlett's intentions had not been to drink she had come for the hopes of interesting atmosphere. However, not wanting to stick out more than she already did, she knew a drink order was at least needed...

"I take it that you are enjoying your...wine?" she asked with just slight hesitation. It surely looked like wine, from what she remembered of family dinners in France. "Is it something you would recommend?" she asked sweetly with a curious nature. He certainly had to be a 7th year drinking wine. Or perhaps he was a recent graduate of Hogwarts, no, she would remember a face like that...

Scarlett brushed a few strands of her crimson hair back behind her ear and smiled as the bar maid came over to the pair. She paused for a moment and wondered if she should order or perhaps the young man would take that pressure from her and give her the benefit of his suggestion. Her Emerald eyes grew brighter in the dank bar as she thought for a moment but studied the young man's eyes and lips a bit more.

[Bryce Nichols Tudor]

The taste of wine was bitter and sweet at the same time. As the red liquid touched upon his tongue he felt the taste buds swirl together in a delicacy. Oh wine was a sneaky trick of a drink. If one were to drink a few glasses sitting down for quite some time, be careful when you stand. Wine could sneak up on a man or woman in a matter of a few minutes and hours. Bryce knew this was one of the least appetizing places to get drunk off of wine or any liquor for that matter. Another horrible location to be in would naturally be Knockturn Alley, the Hog’s Head was a little better though. At least if you become blasted and made it out to the better lit areas, someone may take pity on you in front of The Three Broomsticks.

Bryce wouldn’t dare to drink such a quantity in front of this female however. He was still very curious of the fiery individual. He couldn’t help but be mildly surprised at her attractive being. Being the old fashioned gentleman he usually was, Bryce wouldn’t let his eyes wander over her body, yet they casually glanced about when they could. He had already gotten a mind for her frame anyways when he spotted her across the pub.

Dark eyes had been watching the young woman until she was pushed forward by a small group of rowdy men. His face turned into a slight scowl, with a taste of a glare to it as his eyebrows pulled forward toward his eyes. The scowl was not directed toward the unknown female but toward the small group. Rude idiotic men; that is what they were! His face went back to usual as he felt her hand on his arm, using him to aid her in steadying herself. The professor’s eyes looked up to hers as he gave his head a singular shake, dismissing her apology.

He had however noticed the glare the redhead gave to the one responsible, hm. She may be just as fiery as her hair color. He’d have to wait and see. Bryce had his glass of wine far enough from arms length that it hadn’t been disturbed when she had been rudely bumped. “No, it’s quite alright. If I had known the pub tonight would be filled with the vermin of village, I may have decided against choosing this as my destination for a drink.” Bryce’s deep voice spoke loud, not obnoxiously loud or loud enough to try and cause a scene, but it was clear he was no afraid of anyone over hearing, especially those who had bumped the woman.

Bryce relaxed his eyes from the feminine presence, not wanting to be one to stare too much as he took his wine glass in hand, moving the contents within swirl in a circular rotation. However the conversation turned to his wine as kept his gaze on the crimson liquid. “Very much so. I’d like to think of wine as a dessert of the liquors, something to aid in relaxation. You are free to try yourself.” He turned as he held the glass to her, to have a sip of his own. Now he was curious, would she take a sip of wine from the stranger’s glass? Though it wasn’t a deadly situation, nothing had been done to it as she had clearly been watching him the entire time.

“You’re not much of a drinker, are you Ms…?” Bryce was very much so curious of her name, if she wouldn’t lie about that (his suspicions were there solely because of the Hog’s Head) but also if it would fit her face and personality. He has met some who didn’t fit their names. An interesting girl, indeed.

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[Scarlett Viceroy]

Scarlett felt rather embarrassed with her present company. The rather graceful red head had stumbled into the dark eyed young man with help from some of the seedier of patrons of the pub. The young man with his striking features and deep voice nodded it of politely...

“No, it’s quite alright. If I had known the pub tonight would be filled with the vermin of village, I may have decided against choosing this as my destination for a drink.” he explained to her with an air of confident disdain he wasn't afraid to share with anyone who over heard. Scarlett knew what he was doing, the volume of his voice loud enough but yet still quiet enough, it was a perfect combination for implied disdain of ignorance, she couldn't help but let a tiny gleaming smirk crack her lips as she looked down at the bar as he spoke...

She closed her eyes for just a moment and then quickly turned her attention back to him when he spoke of the vermin and choosing not to have come to the pub. She had started to think the same thing, but now that she was sitting here with someone, who clearly was from a higher rank on the chain of life she felt a little more at ease...

"Well I for one am rather glad vermin weren't enough to scare you off. Right now, I'm not too sure I could handle all this alone." she softly giggled not wanting to seem uncapable of taking care of herself but more just glad for the quality of the young man's company..."..but I would manage I suppose."...

As she said that in a tone and volume similar to the young man's, Scarlett couldn't help but feel a burning sensation on the back of her neck. As if someone or something was burning right into her skin. She stole a quick glance over her shoulder and again noticed the huddle of men by the door and one in particular who seemed to have his attentions on the crimson haired young lass...

Shaking it off quickly Scarlett turned her attentions very happily back to the young man next to her and asked about his drink. She took a soft sigh of relief when she knew it had been wine and for someone so young she was rather curious as to how he became or seemed to be such a connoisseur of liquor. He spoke so eloquently that Scarlett couldn't help but get a little lost in the warm feeling his voice carried through her senses as he spoke and explained his liking of wine...

“Very much so. I’d like to think of wine as a dessert of the liquors, something to aid in relaxation. You are free to try yourself.” he offered with a nod to his outreached glass. A dessert of liquors? Sure would be quite the dessert, compared to Triple Berry Banana cake and chocolate pudding in the Kitchens of the Castle she thought and then noticed his offer...

"Oh, that's very kind of you..." her voice was soft and light. Her eyes took in the young man and carefully inspected the glass while wearing a welcoming smile hoping to mask her inspection of it all. Taking a drink from a stranger's glass in a place like the Hog's Head? Scarlett surely was a bit out of her league with the majority of the patrons this night, however, this young man, there was something that put him far from the average drinker there. There were lots of things that put him far and away from the rest of the people around her but still, Scarlett might sometimes have her head in the clouds but she wasn't often too foolish in situations that could be questionable...

She didn't want to make it seem as if she was indirectly accusing him of dark intentions with his offer but it was, at least for now not the right thing to do. She held out her slender hand, a rather large bauble ring sparkled and her fingers almost brushed against his as she looked from the glass back to his lips and back to his eyes...

"It's very sweet of you to offer...but perhaps I should order my own. I would hate to deprive you of your apparently delicious dessert." she softly giggled licking her own pink lips in direction of his very crimson lips. It was hopefully her way of not bringing offense by not taking his offer and yet not making her seem out of place in the pub...

Almost as if he had known her refusal the young man next asked, “You’re not much of a drinker, are you Ms…?” His voice trailed with an inquisitive tone and she softly smiled. If she said her first name she would sound like a character from that Muggle game Clue so she opted for last name first...

"Viceroy...Scarlett Viceroy." she mused with a girlish grin, bringer her hand up to toy with one peacock earring that somehow shimmered in the dim light. "But no, I don't think I have quite the drinking resume as some here..." she softly teased, "...Mr....", her voice trailed off softly. In fact she her drinking resume was all but blank. She'd never really had liquor before, at least not beyond a sip of a taste at family dinners...

Now as she sat, turned slightly more in the direction of the dark eyes, Scarlett couldn't help but smile. Her green eyes seemed to sparkle with the anticipation of learning this strangers name. This was more than the kind of atmosphere she was hoping to find that night.

[Bryce Nichols Tudor]

The young professor wouldn’t allow his mood to spoil completely. If he wanted to start an argument with some losers in the likes of the Hog’s Head, he could very well. There was confidence in this man, so much that he believed he could take the small group of men. Now mind you, he wasn’t playing on physical stature, he was going with magical capabilities. Little did they know, underneath his robes was quite a few vials that could come in handy if a dispute were to arise.

Bryce decided to channel his attention onto the red headed woman; of course if the rowdy group hadn’t just accidentally bumped into her and decided to actually start something, his attention would be drawn away once more. Ah, that was the joy of trying to find the most scummy and dark location in the village of Hogsmeade.

His dark eyes glanced back at the female’s innocent face (if it was truly innocent, perhaps he would find out tonight). ” "Well I for one am rather glad vermin weren't enough to scare you off. Right now, I'm not too sure I could handle all this alone." A small smirk cracked in the stained red lips that belonged to Bryce, he took note of her giggle. The small smirk was his subtle mutual amusement in the matter to share with her. “Oh yes, it will have to take a lot more than the vermin of this pub to scare one such as myself off.”

His tongue darted against his bottom lip, very subtly, once more. It was that lingering taste of wine but he wasn’t a guzzler, just a casual sip every once in a while. As she turned her head he kept his straight. There was no need to watch her every move like a hawk anyways, Bryce was very laid back and relaxed when matters arose around him that didn’t personally involve him.

As the professor offered her a bit of wine, he waited with a secret eagerness to her reaction. There was really only two ways this could go, she took a sip or she didn’t. There was also that third reaction which may be a rise of emotion in the young woman, perhaps she suspected him of dirty mischief?

He watched her slender hand move, almost brushing his as his eyes met the green emeralds once more that night. "It's very sweet of you to offer...but perhaps I should order my own. I would hate to deprive you of your apparently delicious dessert.” Bryce’s smirk appeared once more, it was a bit of a kinder smirk, his white teeth shone past his lips a bit at her giggle. The response she had given him was one he approved of. She denied the offer but used a trick of the words to do so; it was good to see politeness still strive in someone. “My dessert and I thank you then.” He replied wittily, taking a sip from the glass with the smirk still in place.

After Bryce voiced his opinion of her possible dislike of liquors, he awaited her name. Would it be something terribly common, an Elizabeth or Mary? Mary was far too old however; he never liked that name much anyways. "Viceroy...Scarlett Viceroy." Scarlett. That fit perfectly now. He absentmindedly wondered if she had been born with that fiery red hair, the reason behind her name. Or perhaps the name Scarlett had been preplanned and a struck of coincidence as well as luck hit as she happened to have red hair. It was an interesting thought. “Your name fits you well, for more than just the obvious reasons, I assure you.” She seemed like she could be a spitfire, the glares from earlier had proved a bit and he was sure she may be tired from those pointing out the irony of her hair and name.

Scarlett had made a soft teasing, trailing off as he had done the same to inquire about her name; though now it was his turn. “Bryce Tudor, please, just Bryce though.” He opened to her, he would be called Professor Tudor enough in no time, a woman in the Hog’s Head was more than open to call him by his first name.

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[Scarlett Viceroy]

Scarlett sat there and watched the young man as he listened to her and as he replied. She couldn't help but be drawn into the darkness of his eyes, so dark and yet they seemed to sparkle or glow. His crimson lips, however, were another distraction all together...

As she explained her glee in his company she watched his lips smirk. That seemed to be his thing, she noticed even in this very short time. Smirks were interesting to say the least. They could be hard to read, the meaning behind them...each one meaning very different things. So far, they had all felt pleasant enough...

“Oh yes, it will have to take a lot more than the vermin of this pub to scare one such as myself off.” he gleamed with that smirk, his tongue brushing over his lips. He had an air of confidence about himself, it wasn't overly confident which Scarlett couldn't stand but it was just enough to let someone aware that he was capable enough to handle himself. She liked that...

When it came to the offer of his wine, Scarlett had hoped that she found a way around the matter without offense, and from his reply she took a breath of relief feeling there were no touchy feelings or bruised egos to have taken offense...

“My dessert and I thank you then.” was his witty reply which made the smile on Scarlett's face grow brighter as he took another sip and but continued to wear that signature smirk. It was a very charming bit of humor that tickled her senses. It was cute, and more and more she was finding this young man's smirk cute as well...

As she sat there and watched him take a sip she smiled softly as he coyly asked for her name. If it had been any one of the other men in the pub that night, she for certain would not have given them her real name, in fact she probably wouldn't have even talked to them this long...

She watched carefully as it seemed he was thinking over her name. Analyzing it perhaps? She wondered for a moment what he was thinking, but it wasn't too long before he let her know on his own. “Your name fits you well, for more than just the obvious reasons, I assure you.”...

Ah there it was, in a less than obvious way. Her name was Scarlett and she had red hair! It was something she'd heard all her life but the fact that he choose to say it in such a way, well it impressed her in a small way. Scarlett ran her fingers through her crimson hair delicately and smiled. "Ah-ha, I guess there are the obvious reasons." she softly scoffed with a wave of lightheartedness. She wondered what his thoughts were on the less than obvious reasons, but she quickly placed her hand back on her thigh and accepted the small compliment...

"Thank you though, that's very nice of you to say. Most just go with the obvious, so part of me is intrigued as to the less than ways." she couldn't hide her curiosity too much that time but she smiled sweetly, a bit more teeth showing this time and had asked him in a similar almost playful fashion for his name...

While he may have examined and tried to deduce the type of name that belonged to her, Scarlett didn't even know where to begin with the dark eyes that sat before her. His name, she felt might be something as striking as his eyes and personality, thus far...

“Bryce Tudor, please, just Bryce though.” he introduced, opening himself up a bit more to her. She smiled her eyes seemed to gleam more now that she had a name to go with that face. It was a very interesting name. Bryce Tudor...it felt both youthful and sweet yet was anchored by something that felt very stoic and strong. She liked it very much...

"Well just Bryce then, it's very nice to meet you." her tone was genuine and her smile warm as her sparkling eyes crinkled up just slightly as she extended her hand out to him in an official greeting of sorts. She wasn't sure why or how he came to Hogwarts or to the Pub but she was growing more and more glad that she was meeting these dark eyes for the very first time.

[Bryce Nichols Tudor]

Bryce was never one to smile… A smile was a smile, a physical expression of happiness or joy. It wasn’t that he didn’t experience happiness or joy, he just portrayed it in another manner. Many “uptight” or “aged” men did so as well, nothing new on his part.

As the wine had been politely refused, the smile on Scarlett’s face perked once more. He casually studied the way her lips curved, the color and how they appeared… very soft. Her last name he contemplated for a moment as his eyes went from her lips to her freckles, idly making sure he didn’t know anyone in her family or associated with her family name. Not that that would have been a bad thing, it was more or less a precaution.

His arm rested on the counter of the bar, but he made sure to be cautious. The Hog’s Head wasn’t exactly the cleanest of all places, its reputation really did speak for itself. "Thank you though, that's very nice of you to say. Most just go with the obvious, so part of me is intrigued as to the less than ways." He turned his body as she was now seated, so he could look at her easily, his expression was a teasing amusement.

“But pointing out those that aren’t obvious wouldn’t be any fun… Now would it?” his teasing continued, a kinder sort of smirk coming upon his features at her last comment. “The pleasure is mine, let me assure you.” Bryce took her hand that she held out, making a daring move to brush his lips over the top of her hand rather than going the traditional route of kissing her hand or the friendly path of shaking hands. As his lips lingered on her skin he looked at her, a muse in his eyes, “And here I assumed no one attractive went within the Hog’s Head.”

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[Scarlett Viceroy]

Scarlett was relieved to say the least that the whole drink issue was hopefully behind them and with no casualties. She watched coyly as their eyes played cat and mouse a bit back and forth after that, until he turned his body more in the direction of hers. He felt so close now, opened to her and for some reason she really liked that feeling...

She studied him secretly, as she felt his expression change to a more teased amusement as he in turn watched her from a much better vantage point now. The conversation was just beginning and while it was light and airy there felt some deeper temptations growing. It wasn't something Scarlett was used to, she hadn't really focused on boys for a very long time but now, well she was starting to think she was ready for a crash course...

“But pointing out those that aren’t obvious wouldn’t be any fun… Now would it?” his teasing he teased, it was sexy in a way if Scarlett even really knew what could be sexy. Surely she wasn't sexy! He was talking again about her hair and her name. While he presented himself very strong and solid, she was starting to see he had a playful side, even if it was only brought out by the wine...

Her eyes gleamed as a kinder smirk spilled across his ruby lips at her comment of it being a pleasure to meet him. She was glad that he perhaps felt the same, her curious nature soon put to rest as he agreed tenfold. “The pleasure is mine, let me assure you.” A true gentleman, why couldn't more boys their ages be like this...

What happened next, well it was like a scene out of one of the books Scarlett day dreamed over. She didn't know how to react as she held out her hand in what she thought would be a welcoming handshake but turned into something so much more. It started with his voice, the deep rich maturity that danced through her senses mixed with the touch of his hand against hers. There was definitely a spark, it popped like a burst of fire through her hand...

He brushed his lips over the top of her ivory hand and Scarlett could only sit there, her emerald green eyes wide, sparkling as her breathing all but stopped and she felt her cheeks slowly burning up...

The soft, flutter of his lips against her skin felt like nothing she'd felt before. There was a fire brewing deep down and this was only feeding that fire more and more. Her own pink lips parted softly as she stared down at his lips against her hand, and then she met those eyes...

She prayed to Merlin that her face was not as red as her hair as he spoke again, his lips lingering on her skin as her toes twisted in side her boots and she swallowed rather hard, her breathing rapidly increasing inside of her...

Those dark eyes spoke volumes as his handsome voice lingers into her ears. "And here I assumed no one attractive went within the Hog's Head." his dark eyes sparkled like black diamonds as she blushed and held her hand there for a moment waiting for it's unwanted release...

"Oh...oh my...", she did not want to flounder now, not in a moment so epic that she' d only read about. It was like the greetings of a fair maiden and a white knight come to rescue her. In her head she was all but screaming, questioning his words. He thought she was attractive?! She wasn't what guys were interested in...was she?...

"Bryce..." her voice was hushed, almost a coo as she ran her fingers through her hair looking down at the bar for a moment and then placing her hands in her lap delicately. "Me...thank you..." she all but whispered it, she didn't know what to do. Her brain scanned through epic love novels for something to help and then she spoke again, her blush twisting in her cheeks as her eyes glimmered...

"I don't know what to say....but you are here, so you must know the falsehood of your statement already." her eyes looked away for a moment of refuge from his intense eyes. His presence next to her growing more and more powerful by the minute. She hoped that it came out like she had heard it in her head. She wasn't very good at this sort of thing, but right now she really really wanted to be...

After a moment she looked back, "What does bring you here? The new term doesn't start for a few more days...I don't think I've seen you around before..." her voice trailed off softly, either way if he was still in Hogwarts or even a university student he would still be involved with the upcoming term, it was a safe way to try and learn more about him without giving anything or at least too much away.

[Bryce Nichols Tudor]

In the short moments of Bryce holding her hand, he could feel how smooth her skin was. Soft ivory skin, so different from his pale olive tone. The actions of Bryce, how he brushed his lips over her hand slowly had obviously been an action that wasn’t directed toward just friendship. Yet her reactions could have gone either way. Scarlett could very well assume he had perverted intentions for the night. After all this was a pub and it wasn’t as if Hogsmeade village had clubs of the sort. If one was looking for a night time partner, you would have to scale the pubs.

The young professor was not like that though. He had never gone in search of anyone for romantic reasons or physical pleasure. A few women had come into his life enough to satisfy him but the lack of “depth” he exhibited over relationships and companionship lacked; the downfall of most of his past relations.

His dark eyes looked upon her green hues, they had become a bit wider, no doubt for the fact that his lips were coming upon her skin. Well for that matter, he assumed she hadn’t mind. Though he had been wary of a hand to come upon his cheek at any moment. Bryce Tudor appeared arrogant when it came to intelligence, but that was only because intelligence was the most important aspect in his life. Though when it came to women, he was a bit more bashful… Well, sort of. Didn’t show, did it?

His lips upturned as he watched her, her hushed voice as she spoke his name and gave thanks. If their faces hadn’t been so close then he probably wouldn’t have heard her speak.

"I don't know what to say....but you are here, so you must know the falsehood of your statement already." His upturn of lips shone a few white teeth, oh she was a quick one, now wasn’t she? Anyone who knew him well enough (which would be only a select few) would know that this was a close smile for Bryce. His lips drew back from her hand slowly, as to not linger too long. He sat normally once more, back straight, though he still held her hand. This thumb crossed over the top of her ivory skin for a few seconds, where his lips had once been before he politely let go.

” What does bring you here? The new term doesn't start for a few more days...I don't think I've seen you around before..." She must know he was a new professor, he assumed. She may be a Hogsmeade local then; he knew most of the villagers knew which professors taught at the school. Bryce had also been notified he wasn’t the only new professor this term, he had been teaching potion’s at private, much smaller, locations. “I thought I might stay in Hogsmeade before the term does start. I’m transferring to Hogwarts so I’m sure I’m the fresh face of the village. Was your little outing on a whim?” Her question was given back to her in a boomerang effect.

Bryce took the glass of wine once more to his lips, moistening them more or less. “Now you certainly cannot be in a pub without something to drink, even if you usually don’t fancy liquor. I know something you might take to.” Bryce motioned for the bartender.

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[Scarlett Viceroy]

The touch of his lips against her skin had sent Scarlett's mind spinning for a moment. She had not expected anything of that sort to happen, but she wouldn't deny the fact that it was well, a very very nice surprise indeed...

Bryce, the young dark eyed stranger certainly wasn't like any of the boy's she'd come to know her six years at Hogwarts. Given the reputation of such an establishment as Hog's Head, Scarlett knew under normal circumstances that perhaps she should be a bit concerned with his intentions. There was something though that told her that wasn't so with him. The hopeless romantic in her soul, didn't find his gestures as perversion but instead it reflected an almost lost and forgotten romanticism and charm of the days of chivalry and epic loves...

Yes, as she sat there and watched his dark eyes and felt his lips brush across her soft skin, she didn't feel like a lady of ill repute but instead, that of a lady perhaps meeting her knight...

She fought valiantly to try and hide the growing crimson of her face as her heart started to skip a beat. After a few moments, Bryce pulled his lips slowly from her hand only to replace it with his own hand. It was almost an equal trade. His hand felt strong but had a warm gentleness as he stroked his thumb over her hand. She looked down at the two hands, their individual tones made a lovely mix and his touch warmed her body...

As he stroked her skin with his thumb, she succumbed to the delicately beautiful smile that lit up her face. She couldn't remember the last time she smiled so much against her own accord. It was an amazing feeling, she hoped it could last...

After a few more moments he finally released her hand and she kept the smile upon her lips even though she wished they could have sat there just holding hands. There was something there, she felt it and she wondered if he felt it too. She hadn't had feelings like this for an incredibly long time...

The conversation finally found its footing again as she had asked what brought him to the pub and brought attention to the fact that she hadn't seen him before. It was true she didn't always notice a lot of people, because as hard as it was to ignore her sometimes, people didn't always pay her attention...

“I thought I might stay in Hogsmeade before the term does start. I’m transferring to Hogwarts so I’m sure I’m the fresh face of the village..." he paused momentarily after explaining his presence...

Transfering! Scarlett's eye's grew even brighter, somehow sparkling in the dim light as if they danced in sun light. Bryce was a new transfer to Hogwarts!! That meant he must be a sixth or seventh year and that meant that Scarlett would hopefully get to see much more of this young man that she found incredibly intriguing. She watched as an almost toothy grin spilled out over his lips. It brightened his face, and Scarlett liked to see him almost smile...

"Was your little outing on a whim?” he inquired as they locked eyes once more. Scarlett was lost in her thoughts for a moment or two. How this outing had become something so much more than she had ever expected. Searching for an escape from the childish ways of Hogwarts just for a moment to feel something much more real, to discover something deeper and here now she sat inches from the most interesting and handsome stranger she'd ever met...

She never could have planned this, if she could she probably would have done it a long time ago. "A whim?" she repeated part of his question softly as if she were thinking aloud. "I guess you could say that," her lips cracked as her little pearls of teeth said hello once more. "I just wanted to get away from things for a bit, find a spot I might just blend into the background and watch life for awhile." she explained as she stared straight ahead, not really looking at anyone or anything...

Her hand fell from her lap as she was over taken by her memories and thoughts for a moment. It was nice to not be alone now, even though that's what she had been searching for at the start. This chance meeting had certainly changed things and she finally turned back to Bryce when his voice stole her from her heavy mind...

“Now you certainly cannot be in a pub without something to drink, even if you usually don’t fancy liquor. I know something you might take to.” he offered his expertise. He was truly a gentlemen that they write famous novels of. Scarlett smiled demurely with a soft nod of the head...

She didn't know what to say, she knew she wasn't old enough to drink but he seemed totally unconcerned by the issue of age and drink. He must be a seventh year, she hoped that being a sixth year wouldn't be a bother but she wasn't ready to break that news now, not yet. She didn't drink, well she couldn't...she wasn't of age, but I guess she wasn't of age to be in the pub to begin with. It wasn't as if she'd come there with bad intentions, this was becoming a bit of a sticky situation...

She struggled with her current status of events and took a deep breath as she pushed her hair behind her ear again and smiled, a bit more hesitantly than before. "Oh...well, I'd be honored and grateful to partake in your expertise." she softly gushed with an underlying tone of nerves. What was she going to do now? She watched as Bryce waved for the barmaid and she swallowed a bit hard...

Looking away for a moment she noticed that man in the corner still watching her and a chill spread throughout her body, a cold and menacing chill. She turned back quickly to the warmth of Bryce and his ruby lips and hoped to get lost in his conversation once more...

"A transfer..." she recalled to the earlier topic of conversation. "I guess that means we will be..." she couldn't finish her thoughts as the barmaid entered their tiny world for two and interrupted with an inquiry for a drink. Scarlett sat there wondering what Bryce would order, her nerves starting to knot in her stomach as she tried to muster a sweet smile, hoping to avoid an untimely demise of what had becoming an evening she was surely not going to forget.