Butterbeer (Azzurra)

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Zelphar walked into the Three Broomsticks, alone for once. Typically he was with friends, as he was rather popular among the Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws. Not so much with the Slytherins, but one of his good friends, Emily Weasley, was a Slytherin. Zelphar sat at the bar and ordered himself a butterbeer, feeling quite awkward without company. But at least he had brought something to busy himself with. An essay for Herbology that was due the following Monday. He hadn't even started it yet. Zelphar set to work with a pen, not paying attention to the fact that the door had opened.

[violethorses]

Azzurra came into the pub, feeling quite alone. These days she was usually with Alec or hanging out with some friends. Except for her best friend Zelphar, whom she hadn't seen in a while. Azzurra was quite happy to see him sitting at the bar already. She came up and sat next to him, ordering a butterbeer as well. "Hey stranger," she said with a grin.

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Zelphar looked up from his essay, then grinned at his best friend, Azzurra. "If it isn't the mighty witch of Az herself," Zelphar said with a wink. That was his nickname for her, though not many around Hogwarts seemed to get the reference to The Wizard of Oz, he was raised by muggles, after all. "I thought you came with Alec," commented Zelphar, then took a sip of butterbeer.

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Azzurra laughed at Zelphar's reference to the Wizard of Oz. It seemed she was the only one who got it, so now it was sort of their inside joke. But at Zelphar's comment about Alec, Azzurra could only roll her eyes. "We're not joined at the hip, you know," she replied picking up her butterbeer and taking a sip.

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"I know that," Zelphar said, now rolling his eyes slightly. "I just figured you'd want to go with him." True, there was something about seeing Az with Alec that made him grit his teeth He felt protective over her, and he had the sinking feeling that Alec was out for something other than Azzurra's company.

[violethorses]

Azzurra shrugged, taking a sip of her butterbeer. Zelphar acted so weird when they talked about Alec, she didn't quite know what to make of it. "He was busy today, so I thought I would come here by myself," she replied. "Do you think I should've dragged him away from whatever he was doing?"

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"Of course not," Zelphar said with a meager chuckle, then put the cap on his pen. He allowed himself a sip of butterbeer, he then placed it back on the counter gingerly, as not to make too much noise. "You do anything interesting lately?" asked Zelphar, folding up his essay, grateful for a reason to procrastinate.

[violethorses]

Azzurra shrugged at this, taking another sip of butterbeer, letting the warmness fill her up. It tasted very good. "No not really," she replied with a slight sigh. All she had been doing lately was homework and kissing Alec. And Azzurra had a feeling Zelphar wouldn't like to know about the last part. "How about you?" she asked.

[squiggle]

"Trying to refrain from re-killing Professor Binns." Zelphar said with a bit of a sarcastic smile. History of Magic was the only subject taught by a ghost, he made it particularly boring. He had been teaching since his human days, back before the first generation of Order of the Phoenix were in school.

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Azzurra burst out laughing at this; Zelphar was one of the few people who could easily make her laugh. When she had finished laughing she grinned at him. "Yes, I think we'd all like to do that sometimes," she said, her smile still there. Professor Binns was very boring.

[squiggle]

"He should look into retirement," Zelphar said with a slight smirk and allowed himself a quick sip of butterbeer. "He's been at Hogwarts since when? 1750?" Azzurra's laugh was beautiful, well, everything about her was. Perhaps that might have been why he didn't like her with Alec. Zelphar wanted to hit himself, but refrained. This was a bit too complicated for his liking.

[violethorses]

Azzurra laughed again, which prevented her from taking another sip of her butterbeer. It was clear to see why she was best friends with Zelphar, he made her laugh. Not to mention he was kind. Azzurra had thought about asking him out last year, but figured he would've asked her if he was interested. But now Azzurra had a different boyfriend. She was happy. "No, I think it was 1751," she replied, putting on a very serious face.

[squiggle]

"Oh," said Zelphar, putting particular emphasis on the word. "My bad," He smirked slightly, then took a sip of butterbeer. Right then, it was like old times between them. It was great just spending time with Azzurra, but he still couldn't help that feeling in the pit of his stomach, the one that was telling him to tear Alec's head off.

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Azzurra found herself laughing yet again, her serious face gone, as it had been fake in the first place. When she had finished her laughter, she took a sip of butterbeer, letting it warm her up a bit. Then she was serious again. "So, I want to know what you think of Alec," she said, changing the subject completely. "The truth, because you don't seem too happy with it."

[squiggle]

"Erm," said Zelphar, he didn't really want to talk about Alec. He didn't want to say anything that might make Azzurra angry. But there really wasn't any way around it. "No, I'm not," Zelphar began, figuring that lying to Azzurra would be futile, she always seemed to know when he did. "Alec's the kind of guy that wants a little bit more than conversation," Pause. Hopefully she'd get the hint. "And then backs out when things get too serious," Zelphar continued. "Watch yourself around him, I don't want you getting hurt."