The Scars We Leave Behind

Chapter 9: Since You Still Had Messy Pigtails and Ink Staining Your Fingers

Three weeks later, after a very rejuvenating holiday, Samantha was in Hogsmead. She was taking deep breaths as she opened the door to a very familiar dilapidated old INN. She was more nervous now than she was when she first walked into the Daily Prophet and was introduced to Cuffe as his successor.

"It's a good thing I stocked up on White Rat Whiskey." Aberforth, the owner of the Hogshead jokingly grumbled as Samantha walked into the Hogshead inn. He opened his arms and embraced her in a hug. Duke flew off of her shoulder and landed on the bar top. "I have the distinct pleasure to serve the Editor-In-Chief of the Daily Prophet in my humble establishment? What a day this is!"

The two tables with a few unlucky patrons looked up at the greeting with tilted heads. Aberforth wasn't exactly known as a friendly bloke.

"I'm just Samantha today, so cool off the Editor-In-Chief stuff." Samantha requested nervously.

Aberforth lead her to the bar where he noticed the small dragon on the bar top. "What in the ruddy blazes is that?"

Samantha picked Duke off of the counter and put him onto her shoulder. "A dragon. His name is Duke."

"Just keep it off of the tables." Aberforth grunted as he poured her a rust colored drink and a small shot. "You look awful nice tonight Samantha. Then again I've rarely seen you since you looked like you hadn't slept in weeks."

"That's because I wasn't sleeping." Samantha revealed. 

She took off her cloak and began fixing her hair. Ginny had brought little James over to her apartment and had picked out an outfit for her to wear. It was a far cry from her average black clothing. It was a maroon blouse with a high neckline and a long floral skirt her mother had designed. She liked the Gryffindor colors and Ginny let her hold James as she'd looked through her closet.

 Samantha had spent plenty of time with everyone she knew. Her family was of course who she'd spent every dinner with, but she'd seen her old friends more, in the last three weeks than she had in six years. 

She'd met little Rebel who was the spitting image of her father with big beautiful brown eyes.  

She'd seen Hermione under the guise of legal discussions, but instead their talks consisted of the muggle romance novels they'd read in the last few years. 

An ice cream date with Luna quickly turned into a lunch with Luna and Rolf Scammander who just, happened, to be at the same place. Samantha had written to him that she was having lunch with Luna and if he'd like to drop in, he'd be welcome. 

It had been an absolutely lovely three weeks and she was ready to finally go on this date. 

"Thanks for the drink Ab." Samantha chuckled and put down a few galleons.

"Haven't seen you in years." Aberforth commented as he began cleaning the bar. "What could possibly bring you in now after all of these years? Dressed all nice and looking nervous."

Samantha shifting nervously and looking around the bar, "I have a date."

He asked raising an eyebrow and flung a white towel over his shoulder. "Bout bloody time."

"I've been a bit busy." Samantha tried to excuse herself.

"For six bloody years?"

"Been counting?" Samantha asked sipping on her drink. "Aberforth, I was really hoping for a bit more cynicism on your part."

"What can I say? I am a hopeless romantic." He said with the driest tone, but a smirk quickly followed.

Samantha had no response, just shook her head and threw her drink back.