a f t e r hours (Toby)

[pridgeon]

Perri appeared down the street from her cute little home, Apparating with a pop. After flexing her fingers, she set Harlow down on the ground. Turning into her cat self, Harlow and she began to run towards the house. Being an Animagus was an absolute bonus, for she got to her house that much faster. She reached her doorstep and returned to her human form, dusting off her short jean skirt. She took out her wand and began undoing the locked spells keeping her house safe. Before she was finished however, someone tapped her on the shoulder. Perri merely looked over her shoulder, still waving her wand, to greet...

[hprules]

"Hey there," said Toby, grinning at the cute bartender he had met at the Leaky Cauldron a few nights ago when he was playing poker with the guys from the team. He remembered that her apron had said "Perri" on the front, and he figured that was a nickname for something, he just didn't know what. Toby had just come from Quidditch practice, but had freshened up a bit. He was wearing muggle clothes consisting of slim-fitting jeans and a black button-down shirt that he had rolled the sleeves up past his elbows. On his feet he wore classic red high-tops. Toby had some stubble on his face, as he had neglected to shave.

[pridgeon]

Perri grinned as she twirled her wand around her fingers, then stowing it away in her tall brown boots. She opened up the door and stepped aside. "Hey yourself. Welcome to Perenelle Van Alen Estates." she replied with a flirty air. Inside her heart was beating feverishly. Her idol, her Quidditch crush, inside her house. It was a dream come true. When Toby stepped over the threshold, Perri followed, flipping on the lights and closing the door behind her. "What brings you here on this fine evening?"

[hprules]

"I was just hoping to talk to that cute bartender from the Leaky Cauldron," said Toby, smiling softly. He wasn't sure whether or not to remove his shoes, but he supposed that they weren't dirty so he would not track anything in. Toby took in Perri's appearance now that he wasn't under the influence of alcohol, her beauty in itself was intoxicating. Her tanned skin, dark hair, and pale eyes.

[pridgeon]

Perri grinned, placing her hands on her hips. "Well, guess your luck in finding her is better than your luck and poker." she laughed. She hooked her arm around his and gestured to the vast living room. "Welcome. Does the handsome athlete need a drink from said cute bartender?" she asked. "Alcoholic and not." she added with a kind smile.

[hprules]

"Some water would be fantastic," said Toby. As a general rule, he didn't drink on weeknights, alcohol was reserved for Saturday nights and special occasions. Showing up to practice hungover was never fun, especially since he had to fly. It made it hard to intercept a quaffle when it looked as if there were six of them. No, it was easier to deal with a hangover on Sunday, when he could spend most of the day sleeping it off.

[pridgeon]

"Of course." Perri replied. She led Toby into her own personal bar. She dipped into the silver fridge and grabbed a bottle of water, sliding it across the counter to him. She then lifted herself onto the counter. Perri was especially sure to be extra careful with her skirt. A flash of a bright pink lace wouldn't be attractive at this point.

[hprules]

Toby twisted off the cap and then took a long sip of water. It was nice to quench his thirst with something that wasn't going to mess with his head. At least for now, but by Saturday he would be ready for a couple rounds of alcohol with his friends from the team. Just hopefully they wouldn't be doing it over poker yet again. "So, is it just you here?" asked Toby, curious about Perri, he hoped that she was single, as she was very attractive.

[pridgeon]

Perri nodded. "Been on my own since leaving Hogwarts. Starting living here a year or two after that." She replied with a grin. She enjoyed her freedom. Plus, it was emminent that Toby wanted to know. Anything that boy was interested in, she'd be happy to obligue. Hell, she'd even ride a broom. The prospect was terrifying in itself, but she'd do it to impress him. She do just about anything to impress a guy like Toby. He wasn't a lowly scum that normally hit on her. Toby was pure.

[hprules]

Toby nodded and then took another long sip of water. "It's a nice place," said Toby, judging from what he had seen so far. It was better put together than his own house, but that was probably because he was rarely home long enough to clean it. Or it might have to do with the fact that Perri was a woman, from his experience they kept their living spaces much cleaner than his.

[pridgeon]

"Thank you." Perri replied with a grin. She prided herself in her home, as well as her establishment. The place paid well, but it had sentimental value as well. Since hre father was the previous owner, the place was a second home. Perri was quiet for a bit longer before she grinned. "What about you? You live by your lonesome?" she asked curiously, crossing one leg over the other. Her black boot-heels clicked against the marble supports of the counter.

[hprules]

"Yeah, for now." said Toby after swallowing a mouthful of water. He placed the now half-empty bottle on the sleek bar counter. "I've got a house over at Cauldron Cove, it's nothing special, but it's a place to sleep." Toby added. This place actually looked like a home, not just some mess where Toby spent most his time there wallowing in a strong hangover.

[pridgeon]

Perri laughed. "Well, you big Quidditch stars can't afford to clean up every which way." she teased, pushing his shoulder a little. "I could always come and clean for you. I'm a multi-purpose woman you know." She added with a grin. Her eyes traveled towards the far wall. Some of the pictures on the wall were still, muggle photos. They were decorative pieces, of flowers and fruit. All were black and white. It was definitely a fresh change from the moving magical photos.

[hprules]

"Kind of you to offer," said Toby with one of his signature grins, the ones that made the ladies swoon. "But I'm a big boy, I can take care of my own messes. Well, sort of." Truth be told, the reason his house was such a mess was because he was far too lazy to take care of anything. Which was why his only pet was an owl, Lucy pretty much took care of herself. He just left the window open at night so she could come and go as she so pleased.

[pridgeon]

"On what terms? The fact that you pick out your own clothes doesn't make you a big boy, love." Perri replied with a teasing laugh. She looked down at his face, studying his features. He was exceedingly handsome. Every proportion was lined up perfectly in her mind. Even the stubble was attractive. As long as it didn't grow into a beard or moustache, she was fine with stubble. She grinned, leaning behind the counter to grab herself a bottle of water.