Chapter Two

Chapter Two

Pomona stared at her ceiling for a moment as she lay on her bed horizontally, then shuffled back to hang her head over the side. Somehow, it made her feel a bit better, looking at the world, and her friends, this way. It also created a buffer from Rolanda's shoves.

Standing in the doorway, Minerva cast a sympathetic look at Pomona, then exchanged glances with Rolanda and Poppy. Poppy simply shrugged, but Rolanda had a glint in her eye. Minerva's lips thinned a bit, and she gave a subtle shake of her head. Ignoring her, Rolanda slapped a huge grin on her face.

"Oh, come on now, Pomona! You did give it a go. I know what you need to comfort you at a time like this. Come on, up you get!" Rolanda exclaimed, reaching over and grasping one of Pomona's arms and gesturing for Poppy to grab the other. Together, they lifted Pomona up off the bed, and once she was up, her eyes landed on Minerva's face which sported a wry smile. "You need for me to buy you a round at the Leaky Cauldron," Rolanda informed, putting her arm around Pomona's shoulders. Pomona halted their forward progress to stare at her friend in open mouthed astonishment.

"But what about Singles Awareness Day at the Three Broomsticks?" Pomona asked incredulously.

Rolanda paused mid-drag of Pomona, then put a finger to one side of her mouth. "Oh, yes! So glad you reminded me!" Looking pointedly at Pomona, one side of Rolanda's lips quirked up in a half-grin. She then stabbed a finger at Pomona's chest and told her, "You need me to buy you a round at the Three Broomsticks!"

Shaking her head, Minerva covered her face with her hand while Poppy just rolled her eyes and made a face.

"But, Ro, I don't think I want to go. I just want to stay here and lick my wounds in peace. Can't you let me do that? I don't want to drag you all down with me. I think I will just dim the lights and enjoy the silence," Pomona moaned, her heart lurching again. She knew what Ro had in mind, and while it appealed to her, she didn't want the pain she knew would come in the morning. No matter how long she forgot her pain tonight, it would always return in the morning.

"I heard Madam Rosmerta has a new bartender, and he is wonderful to look at," Poppy chimed in, looking hopeful.

"Hmm, that is true. Rosmerta was telling me about him just the other day. Distant relative of hers she is helping out for a bit. She was hoping some of the locals would take to him since he is expecting to settle in Hogsmeade," Minerva added, placing a hand under her chin in thought.

"Reeeeaaally," Rolanda crooned. "Well, that clenches it for me! We are going, and you are going with us. We have to do our witchly duty and make Rosmerta's er... relative...new bartender...feel welcome, especially since he will be living nearby. And seeing how you need a drink, how can it be wrong? We can save two wizards with one bezoar." Rolanda had a calculating grin on her face. "You get a drink, and we meet a man all at the same time. Perfect!"

Pomona rolled her eyes. She knew trying to reason with Rolanda when something involved a man was like talking to an empty cauldron. So, now she had little choice but to comply with the Flight Instructor's wishes. "All right, just let me get my robe," Pomona groaned. Minerva, Poppy, and Rolanda shared a knowing smile when Pomona turned her back.

The four witches ambled to the castle gates with Pomona casting mournful glances at the Astronomy tower. She wondered if Filius was up there right now wooing Celeste. Her stomach turned over at the thought, and she decided she was glad she had agreed to get that drink. She had little else to look forward to. She would never meet another wizard she desired more than Filius, and if they couldn't be together, she didn't want anyone else.

She sighed. Maybe things would look a little better in the morning. Maybe, Celeste would fall from the Astronomy tower when she was trying to seduce Filius and thereby leave him to Pomona to take care of. But that was wishful thinking.

Pomona pursed her lips. Such thoughts did not usually enter her mind. What is wrong with me? She sincerely hoped she could get past this, because she did value Filius' friendship. If she couldn't have his love, she definitely wanted his friendship. It would simply have to be enough.

Before she knew it, Pomona found they had reached the castle gates. They all Apparated at the same time, arriving with four subtle pops at Madam Rosmerta's establishment in Hogsmeade.

Inside, a row of shrunken heads hung from the rafters above the door, and several tables were already full. On the walls, a hodgepodge of various items such as fishing nets, fishing poles, lighted lanterns, old tin signs, and several framed Egyptian writings hung. In the center of the Three Broomsticks was a polished mahogany bar with collected beer steins lining the shelves above it all the way around. Below, the glassware gleamed in the fading light cast through the windows by the dying sun.

As the four witches made their way to some empty stools at the bar, the shrunken heads over the door greeted them. One even exclaimed over Pomona's distant face. "Why the withered look, deary?" the shrunken head queried in a tinny voice.

Pomona looked up in exasperation. Are my feelings that readable to everyone? "Wha-what? Sorry, I was just... lost in thought for a moment. I am doing well, thanks," Pomona explained, trying not to sound annoyed to the row of heads and hurried to catch up with Rolanda.

They all saddled up at the bar on the end away from the door. Madam Rosmerta, a buxom, curly-headed, dirty blonde with a snappy attitude leaned toward the staff members from Hogwarts with a smile. "Hellooo girls! It's right nice to see ya in my pub on this fine Singles Awareness Day! My cousin and I are glad ye'r here. Aren't ya, Taurean?"

Rosmerta gestured with her head toward the opposite end of the bar, causing all eyes to focus their attention on the figure wiping down the bar top to a glossy shine. "This is Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey, Rolanda Hooch, and Pomona Sprout," Rosmerta informed, pointing them out individually when Taurean looked up. Each nodded in turn.

A very distinctive looking man stood at the other end of the bar. He wore a crisp white shirt rolled up at the sleeves which exposed his lean, sun-kissed arms. A white service apron rested on his trim hips with black trousers emerging from beneath. His fingers were long and tapered, just built for caressing the ivory keys of a piano, and he moved with the subtle grace of a jaguar as the muscles played under his shirt with every move he made. His blond hair was short and cropped above the ear, and his nose was aquiline and broad. Taurean's lips were full and curved easily into a smile, bringing out a slight dimple that played mischievously on his cheek. This sultry smile, paired with his build, promised of heated nights to the woman who captured his heart and captivated his mind.

"Oh, yes, we are... so very glad to have you here, ladies," Taurean told them, his rich baritone giving off a slight accent. Laying his polishing cloth on the sink, he strode over to the women and smiled.

"Girls, meet my cousin, Taurean Diggle," Rosmerta introduced, resting against the bar as Taurean nodded. "Oi! Hey, Taurean, do that thing you do," Rosmerta prompted, pointing at him.

Nodding once, Taurean turned toward them. His face turned serious as his blue eyes skimmed the faces of the witches he had just been introduced to. Pomona, Rolanda, Minerva, and Poppy all tilted their heads, frowning for a moment as Taurean examined each of them in turn.

Nearest to him was Minerva. Dressed in a tartan under robe, her raven tresses were pulled back into a French twist without a single hair out of place. Her green eyes studied him meticulously as his eyes slid down to her hands then back up again. "Let me see... Minerva McGonagall: Scottish decent, Transfiguration mistress, Animagus... possibly a cat," he informed, causing Minerva's brows to go up as he moved to stand in front of Poppy.

The cool-eyed blonde admiring him had a face that looked both serious and kind. Her hands were soft, the nails neatly trimmed, and her robes of soft blue brought out her eyes. Cocking his head to the side, he said, "Poppy... or better yet, I should say Madam Pomfrey, healer." Poppy's jaw dropped.

Quirking an eyebrow, Taurean then looked over at Rolanda. Her spiky brown hair framed a round face as her yellow eyes studied him, and her body suggested fine tone beneath her purple and white robes. "Hmm," he said rubbing his chin. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then his eyes lit. "Flight Instructor and Quidditch referee." He gave her a half grin as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Last, his gaze landed on Pomona. His lips curved in a smile as he looked at her heart-shaped face and light brown eyes. Her chestnut hair was a mass of haphazard curls piled on her head which softened her features. His eyes slid down, studying her supple curves hugged by yellow robes with a brown over-robe and rested on her hands for a moment. "Pomona Sprout," he said softly, then seemed to shake himself just a little. "Herbology professor," he said as his gaze traveled back to her face slowly, causing her to blush.

Rolanda looked at him pointedly, but directed her question to Rosmerta, "Taurean, did you say? I must say, it is very nice to meet you." Rolanda hopped down off her stool and made her way to sit nearer to him. She plopped down in the empty seat on the other side of Minerva, and Pomona moved over a chair to sit next to Poppy as it seemed Rolanda had vacated her seat for more rewarding territory.

Looking at Taurean, Poppy asked, "How... how did you do that?"

"Well," he began. "It is simple deduction, madam." He smiled in a knowing way, then looked over at Rosmerta when she gently shoved his arm.

"Right, deduction," Rosmerta chimed in, disbelieving. "That is what he tells me, but I am sure it has more to do with his burgeoning profession. That is why he is here, girls. My cousin has been studying to become a Curse-Breaker." She smiled with pride at him.

Giving her a short nod, he looked back at them. "I simply use the information I am given, then pair it with what I observe... and what I know," he added, looking over at Rolanda.

"Take Professor McGonagall, for instance. Her under robe is tartan. And given her last name, I believed she was Scottish. I know she works at Hogwarts. Also, her hands are long and elegant, built for caressing a wand so I figured she would be the Charms or Transfiguration professor. But then I noticed her eyes. They remind me of a cat, and it makes sense that if she is an Animagus, she is more likely to teach Transfiguration than Charms," he explained.

"Oh!" Poppy exclaimed. "How did you know about me?"

His dimple stood out when he smiled at her. "You, Madam Pomfrey, have a serious but kind face. All your movements as you came in tonight were graceful but pointed. These are two very distinct features I often see in healers. The school needs someone to run its hospital wing; therefore, I concluded you are in charge of that wing."

"You are good," she told him, out of breath.

Nudging the air with her nose, Rolanda tugged lightly on his sleeve, and he looked at her. "And me? I can imagine I was a bit more difficult," she told him, giving him a cocky grin.

"Ah, yes. Madam Hooch. You did at first, but then I remembered your face. You were the youngest female to join Puddlemere United a few years ago. All your movements contain a bit of flair, and I can tell you are rather well-toned beneath those robes of yours," he said as she raised one eyebrow.

"And what about Pomona?" Poppy asked, nodding at her friend.

Taurean's glance traveled from Poppy over to Pomona where she sat with her chin in her hand. Taking two steps, he stood in front of her. His eyes seemed to warm as he looked at her. "Professor Sprout," he said, the sound of her name on his lips pulling her from her dismal thoughts of her aching heart.

"Yes?"

"You have a healthy glow to your skin as I have seen on those who have spent many hours outside, and there is a slight callous on her right hand. My family runs a plant nursery in Portugal." He picked up her hand tenderly, turning it over. "I can imagine these hands carefully tending even the most fragile plant," he finished, looking up at Pomona and holding her hand in his for a moment. Coloring, Pomona tugged her hand from his and looked away.

Rubbing his hands on his trouser legs, Taurean clapped them together and rubbed. "So... what can I get for you lovely ladies this evening? Any red drinks are on special, and firewhiskey shots are 2 for 1 in honor of the holiday. We," he began as he looked over at his cousin, "have deemed them a spirit to light your heart on fire." He flashed a grin at Rolanda but his eyes remained on Pomona who looked down shyly. Minerva and Poppy exchanged glances between the trio.

Rolanda sat staring audaciously at Taurean with her chin on her hand. As he announced the specials, she perked up and wove her hand in a circle. "Well, I'm buying the first round. Firewhiskey for the lot, two shots each," she finished with a smile and wink to the man behind the bar.

Taurean nodded. "Very good choice, madam!" he exclaimed and Levitated shot glasses before each witch. With a flourish of his wand, a bottle of Ogden's Old Firewhisky floated over and filled each glass. Once their glasses were full, Taurean left the bar to wait on a witch and wizard who had taken a table on the far side.

Rolanda picked up her first shot and motioned for the girls to follow suit. Minerva and Poppy smiled in turn, raising their glasses. Pomona, her heart still lurching from earlier, tried to smile but it ended up as almost a grimace. However, she raised her glass as the others did, and Rolanda declared rather loudly, "To Singles Awareness Day!"

"Hear, hear," exclaimed Poppy and Minerva while giving their shots a gentle nudge in the air then throwing the whiskey back.

"Hear," Pomona stated half-heartedly but also nudged the air and downed the shot at once. The liquor burned a slow trail to her stomach, bringing tears to her eyes. Oddly enough, she hadn't cried over her unreturned feelings yet. But the alcohol seemed to numb the pain in her heart a little, encouraging her to knock the other shot back without waiting to see if anyone else wanted to make a toast. As she downed her other shot, she caught Minerva out of the corner of her eye when she finished her second shot as well. Poppy, however, had only finished half of her first shot before she broke into a fit of coughing.

Minerva quickly put her other empty shot glass down and thumped Poppy on the back in an attempt to help her recover. Rolanda spun around on the bar stool with her second shot in hand and followed Taurean's progress as he wiped down two empty tables and took an order from a third. When her gaze rested on this table, one brow went up. The man seated gave Taurean his order and gestured toward the four witches sitting at the bar.

His hair was dark and fell just above his shoulders. Even sitting down one could tell he was over six feet tall. His dark robes were fitted and displayed a firm physique underneath. He had a square jaw and pointed nose completing a serious face. His dark eyes drifted to Rolanda's, and he nodded in recognition with a slight twitch of his lips. Taurean nodded in affirmation of his order and turned in time to catch who the dark man had been staring at, his mouth quirking up on one side in a grin.

Hopping down from her bar stool again, Rolanda moved back to the other side of Pomona, giving Poppy a thump on the back when she walked by as side assistance to Minerva. With a wicked looking grin on her face, she hopped back up on the stool and leaned on Pomona's shoulder.

"You know... I think he has a soft spot for you." She nodded toward Taurean, and Pomona looked over her shoulder to see who Rolanda was talking about.

"Who? Professor Dearborn?" Pomona asked, looking a bit skeptical.

Rolanda frowned and shook her head. "No no no... Taurean."

Pomona blushed and shrugged. "Perhaps... but, Ro, I don't want anyone else. You know how I feel..."

"And you said yourself that he only feels friendship towards you. Really, Pomona! It's been a year. The man is a Ravenclaw, for Merlin's sake! If he was going to ask you out he'd have done it by now. Live a little. Get a tattoo. Find another man. There are other men out there you know. Very fine wizards, who live in Hogsmeade and have a body like a god, and I am sure they can warm your bed just as good as Fil...OW! What was that for?" Rolanda griped, rubbing her arm and glaring at Pomona who had given her a shove.

"That is not making me feel better, Ro. I don't want anyone else! I..." Pomona faltered as tears came to her eyes. She couldn't figure out what was wrong with her. She didn't shove people when they said things she didn't like. But when Rolanda had made her suggestion, Pomona felt the pain of her broken heart once more. She didn't want Rolanda reminding her of her failings with Filius, and she couldn't think of any other way to make her stop.

Rolanda's face softened into a smile. "There, there, Mona. It's alright, love. What you need is another drink." Rolanda turned back around and called Taurean over.

Taurean set two more shots of firewhiskey in front of Rolanda. "Compliments of the gentleman at table seven," he said, giving a knowing smile which eased as he noticed tears glimmering in Pomona's eyes. "And what can I do for you?" he asked seriously, his gaze still resting on Pomona then reluctantly wandering to Rolanda.

"My friend here adores cherries, but I can't think of any delicious cocktails that taste like them yet have a kick. Do you have any suggestions?" Rolanda asked, batting her eyelashes.

A slow smile lit his face, and Taurean responded, "As a matter of fact, I do. I'll be right back." Turning on his heel, he went to his work station.

"And I need to go say thank you," Rolanda stated, picking up the two shots and sliding off the bar stool.

Pomona followed her gaze, gasping when she saw who it was. "Ro! Professor Dearborn?"

Giving a smug grin, Rolanda saluted Pomona with both of her shots, then turned and sauntered over to Professor Dearborn's table. Swiveling back around, Pomona shook her head and watched as Minerva downed another two shots with relish and gave a sideways grin at Rolanda's target while she watched the Flight Instructor make her way across the room. Poppy had finally gotten over her coughing fit and had managed to finish her first shot. She was now nursing her second shot in teeny, tiny sips, grimacing after each one.

Pomona leaned over toward Poppy and nudged her arm. "So, what do you think about that?" she asked the school's matron in almost a whisper. Poppy put down her glass and looked at Pomona. She wavered a little but managed to stay on the stool while she spun around, then put her arm around Pomona.

Poppy's eyebrows went up when they landed on who Rolanda had wandered over to. "Well, I'll be! That Ro! I jus' hope he likes the love 'em and leave 'em type. He is gonna have his hands full with our Ro," she slurred slightly, then giggled, raising a hand to cover her mouth.

Pomona rolled her eyes. Someone can't hold her liquor, she thought. Minerva turned around to join them in their observations of Madam Hooch in action. They watched as she strolled over and sat down next to Professor Dearborn, then leaned in for some private conversation. He whispered something to her, and she threw back her head, giving a lighthearted laugh. Bending forward, Rolanda said something which caused him to smile and nod. Then, they raised their glasses, saluted, and tossed the amber liquid down their throats.

At that moment, while Minerva and Poppy still watched Rolanda, Taurean returned with a large frosted glass. It contained a deeply red, frozen concoction with a twist of lemon and a cherry garnish. Turning back toward the bar, Pomona's eyes lit as he placed it in front of her. It looked delicious, and she licked her lips in anticipation.

"For a woman who is as beautiful as one, we have a Japanese cherry blossom margarita," Taurean announced low and almost seductively.

Reaching out, Pomona picked up the glass gingerly. Taurean watched as she raised it to her lips slowly and took an appreciative sip. A smile graced his face when he heard her groan a little. "This is utterly delightful," she told him, puckering her lips and enjoying the tang from the combination of cherry and lemon.

At that moment, Minerva and Poppy turned back around, and Poppy picked up her shot glass again. She took a longer sip this time and erupted in coughing once more, though not as bad as before. Clearing her throat, she eyed Pomona's cocktail and asked, "What is that? It looks r'freshing," she slurred.

Minerva grimaced. Pomona saw that face and knew what she was thinking. Minerva didn't like cocktails. She insisted they were too sweet and didn't have enough kick, like whiskey. Minerva was a witch who could hold her drink. She often complained that nothing was better than Scottish whiskey, but firewhiskey was a close second and would do when occasion called for it. Taurean looked at Minerva and set her up with another two shots at her nod.

Glancing down at her drink, Pomona raised it to her lips and took a longer sip, closing her eyes as the flavor swirled in her mouth and danced on her taste buds. It was wonderful. She wondered vaguely if she could figure out how to make it. She would definitely try. Lifting it again, she drank until half of it was gone, and a slow gentle burn slid to her stomach as the ice melted, and the alcohol activated. She decided she was feeling a little better, then turned her head, and the room wavered a bit. Dimly, Pomona remembered she hadn't eaten anything since her encounter with Filius earlier that morning. She shrugged and continued to enjoy her drink. That just meant it would take less time to forget the pain and longing she felt every time she saw him and knew her feelings would never be returned.

This last thought caused her to lift her glass again, and before she knew it, the entire drink was gone. Taurean came back over to her, and his brows rose. Giving a low whistle, he told her, "I feel I need to warn you, the drink you have enjoyed in such a short time does have a delayed kick, Professor Sprout..." His words trailed off as he studied her intently.

"P-Pomona. Please call me Pomona." Pomona interpreted his hesitation, coloring again. Her blush only deepened when his face lit up in a charming smile.

"Pomona," he said softly, the dimple standing out in his cheek once more.

"May I have another?" Pomona asked boldly, bolstered by the kick in the drink.

Taurean seemed to hesitate, but went back to his station to get her another. When he returned, Poppy and Minerva were watching Rolanda again as she worked her charm on the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. They all watched as she strolled around his chair, and his dark eyes followed her. Suddenly, she plopped down in his lap, took his head in her hands and pulled him in for a heated kiss. Poppy began to giggle uncontrollably, and Minerva caught her just before she fell from her bar stool.

Rolling her eyes, Minerva leaned over in Pomona's direction. "I believe it is time for me to assist Madam Pomfrey back to her quarters, as usual. You'll make sure Ro gets back to the castle won't you, dear?" she questioned Pomona, who stared a bit, then focused.

"Yes. I am going to have another, then it will probably be time for me to get back too. We do have classes tomorrow, and I have Gryffindor and Slytherin first thing," Pomona told her with a grimace. "Did you get enough?"

Minerva smiled impishly. "Oh, I think I've had enough. And you have been my friend long enough to know what it does to me. I think I can wait until I get Poppy back to her room, but I do hope that Albus is prepared. He said he was going to rest while I was out. Somehow, I think he knew what I would have in mind when I returned." Minerva shared a knowing grin with Pomona who blushed again and caught Poppy as she swayed towards her. Their eyes traveled to Rolanda who was back to sitting across from the DADA professor and leaning in suggestively.

Pomona sighed. Together with Minerva, she helped Poppy down off her chair. Poppy sniggered again, then ended with a little snort. This caused Minerva to chuckle while Pomona gave a small smile. Some things never changed, and it was comforting. "All right, you two be careful. Ro and I will probably be along shortly."

"We will. Come on, Poppy, time to go home and get a little nap in," Minerva told her friend, and Poppy leaned over to give Pomona a generous hug. Together, they strode over to Rolanda, Minerva holding Poppy up with her arm around her to keep the usually put together school matron from swaggering too much.

Pomona watched as they stopped at table seven and hugged Rolanda goodbye. Ro nodded at something Minerva said, and Pomona figured it was what she always said: Be careful, and I'll see you in the morning. The girls turned to Professor Dearborn as he stood to wish them a good night, then wandered to the door and out. Minerva threw up a hand in farewell to Madam Rosmerta who had piped up a hearty goodbye to the duo.

After Minerva and Poppy's departure, the noise lowered to a gentle murmur among the rest of the patrons. There was a rowdy table in the back, but they were far enough away that the noise wasn't too bad. Pomona let out a breath. Across the room, Rolanda was working the charisma that seemed to pour from her. Pomona sometimes wished she had that. If she did, maybe she wouldn't be sitting at a bar on Valentine's Day, drinking cocktails all alone. Maybe if she had more allure, Filius would be on her arm, and she wouldn't feel terrible about him only wanting her friendship, and not her. Just her.

Swinging back around, Pomona noticed another drink sitting there. Reaching for it, she drank it quickly. Even fast, it tasted good. But at the moment, she didn't want to focus on the taste, she just wanted oblivion. Something...anything...to numb the pain she felt every time her heart beat. Resting her elbow on the bar, she put her chin in her hand and played with the lemon twist on the glass. Out of the corner of her eye she caught movement and noticed Taurean making his way back over to her.

"Your friends left?" he queried, and Pomona just nodded. He continued to stand near her, and a tender smile crossed his face. "I was wondering..."

Pomona looked up at him dejectedly. "Yes?"

"What's your sign?" he asked thoughtfully. His eyes searched hers, and she frowned a moment in confusion.

"Sign? Oh!" she exclaimed as it dawned on her what he meant. She reddened and laughed nervously, waving her hand in the air. "I'm afraid I don't know. I've never paid much attention to such things." Pomona was astounded. Here was a very handsome wizard trying to gain her favor, but he wasn't the one she wanted. She acknowledged that he was attractive, but her heart belonged to Filius.

"I-I'm very flattered. Really, I am. But..." she staggered with her explanation, and her face went a little sad. Quickly, she heartened herself and met his eyes.

His eyes stared intently into hers. Reaching out, he caressed her hand with his own in a gesture of comfort. "It is all right, do not worry. I see your struggle. We can be friends, no?"

Pomona smiled genuinely for the first time that night. Hesitantly, she nodded. Looking down, she noted her empty glass and looked back at him. "Could I have one more, please?" she requested and was rewarded with a smile and a nod from Taurean as he waved his wand and another drink appeared before her. Smiling her thanks, Pomona brought the drink to her lips, then turned to monitor Rolanda's progress while Taurean answered a call from the other end of the bar.

When she spun on the stool, the room swayed, and her body began to tingle. Pomona smiled to herself. It was a lovely feeling. Abruptly, her thoughts turned fuzzy, and her head lightened. As she watched Rolanda with Dearborn, she began to feel jealous. At times she wished she could be like Ro. She frowned, then sighed again. It was not her, to love 'em and leave 'em like that. Pomona's heart only belonged to one man, a man who couldn't see her as a woman. Sometimes it felt like he still viewed her as his student, and that just wouldn't do. Her thoughts were swirling round and round in her head.

Suddenly, an idea hit her. What was it Ro had said? Maybe if she couldn't be like Ro, she could take her advice and live a little. Maybe that would make Filius notice she was no longer a child, but a woman. A woman with needs; a woman who could give him anything he could desire. What was it she had seen on the other side of the street when they arrived? Her lips formed an O as she remembered hazily, and a wicked smile came to her face. She would show him how much he meant to her.

Tipsy, she climbed down from the bar stool. Rolanda was too busy paying attention to her latest conquest to see Pomona as she quietly made her way out of the Three Broomsticks, staggering slightly. At that precise moment, two wizards at the table in the back jumped up and began throwing hexes at each other.

Rosmerta and Taurean instantly moved in to break up the fight. Rolanda and Professor Dearborn, who had been kissing again, broke apart when the argument escalated. Soon, several wizards were involved, and both Rolanda and the Professor moved in to help. It took a while to sort everything out, and Taurean had to physically remove the two wizards from the pub. By the time everything was handled, it was closing time.

It was then that Rolanda realized Pomona was missing. "Have you seen Pomona," she asked Taurean, and he shook his head, his face showing immediate concern.

"Perhaps she is in the bathroom?" Taurean asked.

Striding to the witch's room and back again, Rolanda shook her head. "She isn't there," she informed, worry etching her features as she rejoined the others by the bar.

"Do you think she went back to the castle?" Professor Dearborn asked.

Ro shook her head. "She wouldn't have done without telling me first," she told him, her voice growing thick with concern.

"Ya go on 'en help 'er find Pomona, Taurean. I'll take care of the pub and send for you if she comes back. All right, love?" Rosmerta coaxed.

Nodding, Taurean looked at Madam Hooch and Professor Dearborn. Moving to the door, they went out into the chilly night. Across the way, a figure staggered into the door jamb of a lighted building. Above it, a sign read: Clyde Wilde's Wizarding Tattoos. Rolanda immediately recognized Pomona and ran over to her, Taurean and Professor Dearborn close on her heels.

"Pomona love, are you all right?" she asked, gently trying to lift Pomona to her feet.

Grimacing, Pomona took Rolanda's hand from her shoulder. Her eyes were unfocused, and she had the hiccups as she looked up at the Flight Instructor and gave her a wobbly smile. "Now he will know. Now he will accept me...," she began in a whisper.

Rolanda frowned. "What in Merlin's name are you babbling on about, Pomona? You aren't making much sense. Here, what is wrong with your shoulder?" Rolanda asked, moving Pomona's robes aside. "What the..." Rolanda's words broke off as she revealed a heart tattoo on Pomona's shoulder with a banner gently waving across it. Inscribed were the words: Love is the Music of Our Hearts. Rolanda snorted, then looked up at Taurean. He nodded and helped Pomona to her feet.

When Pomona swung in an arc on her feet, Taurean put his arm up to steady her. "Thanks," she said breathlessly.

Looking from Pomona to Taurean, a grin crossed Rolanda's face. "Well, I see you are in capable hands, Mona! Would you mind helping her back to the castle, Taurean?" Rolanda asked with a scheming look in her eye.

Taurean smiled down at Pomona who seemed a little out of sorts, then looked back at Rolanda. "No, not at all. Anything to help the lovely ladies of Hogwarts."

"Good! Pomona, love?"

Pomona looked back at Rolanda when she heard her name. She was vaguely aware of what was happening around her, but she smiled when she felt Rolanda envelop her in a hug. "The Professor and I are going to Apparate, but it might not be a good idea for you. Taurean is going to help you back to the castle, all right?" Absentmindedly, Pomona nodded and leaned back against Taurean.

With two sharp pops, Rolanda and Professor Dearborn were gone, and Pomona found herself alone with Taurean as he propped her up. Giggling, and bolstered by the alcohol running through her veins, Pomona looked up at Taurean. Normally, she would be appalled that Rolanda had left her alone with a man she hardly knew. But he is Rosmerta's cousin. And he wants to be friends. And what else do friends do but help you home when you drink yourself into a delightful, tingling, stupor, she thought, which caused her to giggle more.

"Okay, let's get you home, cherry blossom," he told her sweetly.

Leaning against him heavily, Pomona let Taurean guide her through Hogsmeade and up the path to Hogwarts. For the time being, granted a reprieve from the pain in her heart.

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A/N: I just wanted to say a big "Thank You!" to OSUSprinks for collaborating with me on this story. You are an awesome lady!