Hogwarts Morning Radio

Chapter 6: Snow

Chapter 6 - Snow

[] [] [] - Tyler

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

The four friends whooped from the Hogsmeade inn as the seconds ticked over into 2022, before the vast relief of energy exploded through the room. The group had a four year tradition of counting down New Years in this inn, Hog's Head, as they basically had the room to themselves, which in itself brought a few benefits. Laila and Tyler could relax from their personas, Anna could be as loud as she wished, and Lucas could smuggle in Firewhisky and get drunk. Every year they begged him to not, as he was always smashed the next day, and would get an instant detention if seen. Of course, they couldn't stop him leaving some in the room a week in advance, and "finding" it when they arrived.

"Have a glass!" the teen in question offered Tyler, a grin on his face. He did this every year, and he refused each year in equal measure. However this time his curiosity got the best of him, as he gingerly took the glass, examining it carefully between his fingers, before realising the room had gone quiet. He turned to the two girls across the room, who were barely containing giggles.

"WHAT'S WITH YOU?" he yelled both indignantly and amusingly at the pair of them, spluttering like mad, before Anna managed to speak. "It's you, drinking. We finally broke you. Laila and I drink at home, it's just you."

He recoiled, looking between his three friends. This was peer pressure, he knew it, and Lucas' knowing smile confirmed his being perfectly aware of what he was doing.

Well be damned if he was going to fall behind. He slugged the Firewhisky down, before he instantly realised the magnitude of his error, as his throat lit up with the drinks namesake. The liquid that made it down his body roasted him alive, as he spat the drink still in his mouth into the carpet, sending the girls into fits of laughter, as Tyler looked up at Lucas, aghast.

"How do you stomach that?" he asked incredulously, causing Lucas to join Laila and Anna in laughter, as he shook his head before wheezing out "It's an acquired taste."

As he recovered, still spluttering much to the rooms amusement, he lightly slapped Lucas across the shoulder for pulling that trick on him, causing Lucas to cool off his laugh, resorting to an amused smile. Despite their frequent rows, they were still firm friends, knowing their onscreen arguments didn't affect their personal relationship. Still, Tyler rolled his eyes, and turned to Anna "Go on then, since you're having so much fun." he called across the table, pointing at the next bottle of Lucas' booze. She shook her head, and said "No thanks, I'm driving."

He couldn't believe even his own girlfriend throwing him under the bus, accepting that he was going to be the butt of many jokes to come. Anna, seeing his defeated expression, reached across the table and ruffled his blonde hair, comforting him. Laila took one look at Lucas, and simply said "I'm not going near your hair if it's all the same to you."

The tables swiftly turned on him, Lucas chuckled, replying "Oh, to be so cruel my love!" in an over the top, Shakespearean voice, before working his way out of his seat and around the table, hindered by his sight and alcohol to the point of nearly falling over at one point, before ruffling Laila's raven hair, messing it all up from its natural order.

"What are you doing?" she cried in amused confusion as he backed away in mock confusion.

"What are you talking about? I don't see any difference!" Lucas grinned, knowing exactly what he'd done.

Laila, initially outraged, knew better than to indulge Lucas' games, which was notable. He himself nearly always walked right into the tricks he would pull, either on air or out of doors.