long shift (cassie)

[riley allan mcalister]

"Riley, hate to break it to you, but I need you at home!"

Riley rolled his eyes, leaning against the payphone. "I know, Zoey, I know, but I have to keep working these long shifts so I can pay for everything,"

[/b] he said, hoping Zoey was blind enough not to hear the bitterness in his tone. This was getting to be a little ridiculous. He wanted nothing more than to be done with this awful marriage that was falling apart before him, but his wife needed him to provide for her. She needed him to survive, and he understood that. Riley was willing to make sacrifices for the woman who loved him.

"I guess you're right, Riley. I have to go now. Thanks for taking care of me, baby. I love you so much."

Riley felt his lips pull up in a small smile. "Love you too, Zoey,"[/color] he replied. The line went dead on his end, and he hung up the phone. Sighing softly and running a hand through his hair, he shook his head. This was getting a little ridiculous, but it's what had to be done. The bartending job was the only thing that was bringing in money, seeing as how Zoey had been unable to find a job. Ever since the miscarriage a few months before, Riley had been on his own, trying to provide for the two-person household. Taking care of Zoey's "needs" was making it more like he was living in a family of five, but he didn't mind working longer than the average employee. Work was entertaining.

He headed into the alleyway, turned on his heels, and Apparated into Hogsmeade. Making his way to the Three Broomsticks, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark pants. The days were getting cooler, and it was going to rain within the hour. Pushing open the door, he grinned as the owner greeted him with a hug. He was an old man who treated him like a second son.

"Good to see you, boy. You know what to do," he said, grinning from ear-to-ear before patting him on the back and disappearing into the back room. Riley hopped over the counter, taking a moment to tie his black Converse tight and adjust his white button-up shirt. It was going to be a long night, and he was looking forward to it.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

"We're heading back now...don't be long!"

Rolling her eyes playfully, Cassie waved her fingers at her friends before blowing them a kiss as they began to walk away, laughing at her. Watching them go for a moment Cassie stood there with her signature smile on her face, turning her face up towards the sky. It was getting somewhat cooler but she didn't mind, it was still warm enough in her mind. Cassie was the kind of girl who loved the cold, the rain though she did enjoy the sun, it made those earlier mornings much more magical. She was looking forward to the cooler seasons though, even if she did worry about how her Mother would afford clothes.

Though that's were magic came in most of the time, Cassie was brilliant at Transfiguration and often transfigured some of her summer attire into winter wear. It wasn't ideal but her Mother had no money, sure they got some good stuff from the charity shops, some great stuff actually but oh well, she had magic she could use to and she really didn't mind doing so. Cassie was a happy person, she didn't worry about money or anything like that, it wasn't important she just wanted to be happy and she was, she was very happy.

Turning on her heel she began to walk through Hogsmeade with a bounce in her step, her slightly wavy hair dancing over her shoulders, her bag swinging loosely at her side with each step. Honeydukes with that store in her sights she quickened her pace, glad she'd brought her beaded bag even if it didn't match her dress. The bag itself had an Undetectable Extension Charm performed on it, so she could stock up on some sweets for the draw in her room. Call it her treat for the month, unlike her friends she couldn't make weekly trips to Hogsmeade. Her pocket money wasn't as much as them and again she wasn't complaining, in fact half the reason she was lingering was she was hoping to ask about part time work in the sweet stall too.

Some 30 minutes later after stocking up her sweet supply she looked at the money she had left upon stepping back out on to the street and decided to go treat herself to a Butter beer in the Three Broomsticks. Crossing the street she moved into the pub, feeling slightly out of place due to her friends not being here but she took it all in her stride, smiling politely at the few people who looked at her. Moving over to the bar, she hopped up onto a stool, "Um...butterbeer please... she asked, smiling at the man behind the counter.

Outfit (Ignore the Model)

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[riley allan mcalister]

Riley had been working at the Three Broomsticks since his seventh year. It had been six whole years as a bartender, and he loved it. There was talk of him becoming the owner in the future, given his relationship with the old man who ran the business. While that was greatly appreciated it, he wasn't looking that far into the future. If the pub was handed to him, fine, but, for now, he was content just spending his time behind the counter. It was relaxing, and he had the opportunity to meet so many colorful people. As embarrassing as it was, he was good at bartending.

There was a certain calming aspect he got when he was working. Riley loved to work, and he worked hard for every bit of money that he earned. That was the way that he'd been raised, and it had gotten him by his whole life. Now that he had a wife to keep up with, it was even more imperative that he worked as hard and long as he could. Zoey was about as high maintenance as they came. She wanted everything she couldn't have. Riley had to work extra hard in order to buy her that engagement ring that she had wanted when he first proposed the idea of marriage. That was when the baby was still in the picture...

Riley wondered how different his life would be if the baby actually had been born back in July. The past two months had been nothing short of hell since the miscarriage had occurred. Part of him wondered if the baby would have kept his marriage from falling apart. It had worked for his parents when his sister was born. Would it had worked for his marriage too? Riley knew that he loved Zoey... he had to love her. She was his wife, and he wasn't about to kick her to the curb, knowing that she loved him more than anything...

Shaking his head and clearing his throat, Riley served out some drinks to a few people in front of the counter when the bell above the door sounded. He didn't really bother looking up. Whoever they were, they would either sit at one of the many tables, in which case someone else would grab them, or they would mosey on up to the counter. In that case, he'd deal with them when they approached. That's how things worked at the Three Broomsticks.

"Um... butterbeer please..."

Riley looked up and felt his throat tighten. He had always been a sucker for a pretty face but this girl was unlike anyone he'd ever seen. Her eyes seemed to see right through him. It took him a split second to recover, and he flushed deeply, clearing his throat. "Yea, of course, coming right up,"

[/color] he replied, turning his back to the stranger and reaching for a glass. His hand bumped the mug he was reaching for onto the floor, causing it to shatter. He jumped back, ramming the small of his back into one of the many taps. "Shit,"[/color] he muttered, feeling his face go hot. Why did she have to be beautiful? Pretty faces always revealed his clumsy streak.

He took a deep breath, calmly reaching for another mug and slowly filling it with butterbeer. Riley turned, smiling awkwardly at her, and slid the mug across the counter. "There you go. One butterbeer,"[/color] he stated lamely. Biting his lip, he turned, reaching for the broom so that he could clean up his mess.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

For a moment before reaching the bar Cassie half debated over whether or not she had the right idea about coming in. Surely it made sense to just cut out and head back to the castle. Then again she was thirsty and as much as she prefered muggle drinks a cold butterbeer would do. It was refreshing and something at least. Plus today was her treat day so why worry, with that in mind she shook her head laughing softly at herself before she took her position at the bar, smiling at the other customers who caught her eye before looking to the man behind the counter who had his head lowered and ordered her drink.

When he looked up she felt her own eyes widen for a fraction of a second, her chest tightened somewhat and her heart beat quickened. The reaction stunned her but still she didn't look away from the man behind the counter. She'd been into the pub a few times and had never seen him before, that being said she had usually been in the company of her friends and they mostly opted for tables, not sparing much mind to those who worked behind the counter. When he cleared his throat and confirmed her order she forced a small smile on to her face, looking down at her beaded bag laid out on the counter in front of her.

The physical reaction she'd felt upon seeing him, upon locking onto his eyes had stunned her. Truly it had been unlike anything she'd felt before, there was no denying he was handsome, incredibly so but still, the reaction had been new and surprising to say the least. Looking up at the sound of glass shattering she winced slightly before chuckling, noting it had been a glass he'd knocked over, then he banged into the tap and she laughed softly, unable to help doing so as she covered her mouth with her fingers. He was definitely the clumsy type....it was endearing almost and she found herself smiling lightly, returning his own slightly more awkward smile.

"Thank you..." she said as he placed her glass in front of her, at the same time she slipped her money across the counter towards him. Seeing him reach for the broom she pulled out her wand and flicked it, clearing the mess quickly before slipping her wand back into her smaller beaded bag. Looking at the gentleman behind the counter she shot him a sheepish smile, not sure whether he'd be offended or not with her resorting to magic to clear up the broken shards.

"Sorry, just seemed easier..." she said, pulling a face hating how she sounded. She wasn't lazy by any means and did most of the cleaning back home or stitching of her clothing in her dorm by hand, hating how some people used magic just to make things easier but with how clumsy this guy had just been the last thing she wanted to see was him cleaning up glass and getting himself hurt by a stray shard. Tucking her hair behind her ear again she smiled and looked around the bar before looking back at the gentleman, not wanting to be rude she held out her hand to him, "I'm Cassie." she told him by way of introducing herself, ignoring the way her heart seemed to thunder against her chest.

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[riley allan mcalister]

Riley was puzzled. This was unlike anything he'd felt before, and he couldn't put his finger on what it was. This girl was enchanting in a way he'd never seen before. He thought Zoey was lovely, but... this girl made his wife look incredibly plain. That thought made guilt rip through his gut. He was a married man, he couldn't think things like that. He loved his wife more than anything and was out working like crazy to help support her. It was a miracle his parents helped him out with things, otherwise Zoey would have left him by now.

Both of his parents were successful muggles, his father being a lawyer and his mother being a nurse. They were fairly well off, and helped any way they could, much to the dismay of his sister. It drove her crazy, knowing that she was a muggle while he got the magical gifts. She hadn't spoken to him in years because of it. Still, Riley was doing what he could. He was making plenty of money working at the pub, and his parents only helped when he needed a little extra to pay rent. All the money he made went mostly to Zoey and her needs.

The moment Riley's hand touched the broom, the girl had whipped out her wand. The glass cleaned itself up right before his eyes. He looked up at her, shooting her an awkward, grateful smile. He wasn't sure why he hadn't thought of that. Manual labor didn't bother him all that much, but he usually cleaned up tough messes with a flick of his wand. Something about this girl had his mind all boggled and cloudy.

"Sorry, just seemed easier..."

Riley nodded, placing the broom back up against the wall where he had gotten it. "No, you're right, definitely easier. Thanks,"

[/color] he replied, anxiously running a hand through his hair. This was getting to be a little ridiculous. Why was this total stranger having such a mystical effect on him? He was a married man, this was unacceptable. This girl was magical in so many different ways, and he tried his best to ignore the pounding of his heart against his rib cage and the tightness in his throat. Riley couldn't let her affect him, he just couldn't...

"I'm Cassie."

Riley looked down at her extended hand before trailing his gaze up her arm and back to her eyes. She had the most beautiful eyes... clearing his throat, he gently grasped her hand with his own and gave it a soft, albeit firm, shake. "A pleasure. I'm Riley,"[/color] he replied, smiling at her. The silence dragged out for a moment, and he found himself holding her hand - and her gaze - a little too long. Flushing deeply, he pulled his hand back, running it through his hair. He opened his mouth to say something, closing it after a moment of silence. "Uhm... excuse me,"[/color] he said, turning to go help other customers at the bar. Mentally, he was cursing himself. Why did he have to be so goddamn awkward...?[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

Cassie's tongue flicked out across her lips, her mouth feeling strangely dry all of a sudden. She shot him a smile when he thanked her and lightly shrugged her shoulders, though she knew her Mother would have scolded her. "Having magical powers is no excuse for laziness young lady" she'd say but she needn't have, Cassie was one of the good ones and usually only used magic where she needed it in regards to manual labor. Levitation mostly since she didn't have as much upper body strength as she would have liked due to her small size but it didn't phase her, it was what it was and she liked who she was.

Silently worrying down on her bottom lip she nursed the cold butter beer between her fingers, watching as he seemed awkward around her. Part of her wondered if he was only hovering around because she was here, introducing herself and chatting away to him. Maybe he didn't want to be stood here talking to her? Cassie had to wonder why that thought seemed to bother her so much, she hardly knew him it shouldn't really matter if he didn't want to talk to her right? Maybe she was overthinking things again...nasty habit.

When he gently grasped her hand in return though she smiled, unable to ignore the way her breath caught or her heart seemed to jump up into her throat. His touch was electric, that was the only way to describe it. When his fingers touched hers, when his hand clasped her own in greeting sparks fired up her arm and back down all the way down to her fingertips. All her nerve endings tingled in a way they hadn't before and for a moment she was stunned, her eyes locked with his, unable to do anything but nod her head when he introduced himself.

Riley

"It's nice to meet you then Riley." She liked that name. It suited him, it really did and when he pulled his hand from hers, she felt her cheeks flush a bright red, forcing her to look away from him. Looking down at the mug in her hands she lifted it to her lips and took the smallest of sips, sighing softly as the refreshing liquid rushed down her throat. When Riley went on to excuse himself she fought the frown and just nodded her head, shooting him a small smile as he turned his back to her and went away to serve and deal with other customers. "No problem," she said softly.

For a moment she watched him go before sighing deeply and looking back at her drink, taking another sip before peering into her bag. Seeing the toy she'd gotten for Oscar, her kitten she smiled, looking forward to giving it to the cute little kitty her Mother had bought her as a going back to school gift. Brushing her hair behind her ear she looked around the pub, her gaze finding it's way to Riley again before she had to force herself to look away again. He was probably much older than her anyway, last thing he'd want to do is talk to a kid, plus she needed to leave soon so she shouldn't let it bother her right?

[/size]

[riley allan mcalister]

Riley hurried about getting the other customers their drinks, stealing occasional glances over his shoulder at Cassie. She was exquisite, and it was driving him mad. Something about her was drawing him in. It was electric. Riley shook his head free of the thought, knowing full-well that he couldn't longingly glance over at the girl. He was married, it was incredibly improper. Even with his morals, though, it was becoming incredibly difficult to stop staring at the beauty before him. Damn that pretty face and kind heart, damn it to Hell. It was going to cost him dearly.

Cassie was the complete opposite of Zoey. Cassie was a pretty brunette with a pair of stunning blue eyes, while Zoey was a bleached blonde Barbie with muddy brown eyes. Cassie had smooth, even-colored skin while Zoey spent all her time at the tanning place getting her skin fried. Zoey was tall and curvy, Cassie was shorter and shaped less dramatically. Cassie seemed so much more graceful than his needy bride... Riley found himself staring at Cassie and he shook his head, redirecting his attention back to the customers at hand. This was getting to be exceptionally ridiculous.

He couldn't let this girl affect him in such strange ways. Cassie was a stranger, and Riley was a married man. The more he repeated it in his head, the more he found himself staring longingly at the lovely girl. It was wrong, so wrong, and he knew it. Zoey was his wife, someone he loved, and this girl was... what was she, exactly? Riley knew that he was being incredibly foolish, but this girl was unlike anything he'd ever seen before. She was so... unique. And the feelings bubbling up inside him were making him nauseous. This was wrong..

Riley made his way back over to Cassie, swallowing in an attempt to clear the lump that had formed deep in his throat. "How's the butterbeer?"

[/color] he asked, smiling at her. Those eyes were captivating him, and he didn't want to be sucked into her gaze, but his good manners were preventing him from looking anywhere but directly in her eyes. It was the proper way to go about things, and he was cursing himself in his head for it. The spell he was being put under by Cassie was so strange and foreign, but he was loving the feeling he was getting from it. For now, Riley was going to ignore the guilt piling up in the pit of his stomach. Getting to know her wouldn't hurt... right?[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

Cassie half smiled to herself, letting her chin come to rest on her hand as she stole another glance towards Riley. Sure he may be older than her but looking didn't hurt anyone did it, besides she couldn't really help herself and that in itself was quite scary. She really had to get a hold of herself, she didn't get like this over guys, never. Sure she'd had crushes and one or two boy-friends but that had been it and nothing she'd felt for them had even come close to the feelings coarsing through her now. At that she shook her head and looked away from Riley, a small frown on her face, she wasn't having feelings.

It was absurd, he was handsome that was probably all it was, again she had to stop over thinking. Still she chewed down on her bottom lip, a habit of hers, that and twirling her hair around her finger. Lifting her butterbeer to her lips she took another two sips and sighed softly, the taste was nice, she'd had better but it was still nice. Looking around her at the other customers she spotted a young couple in the year above her, Slytherins they were, snogging in the corner of the bar, oblivious to everything else around them, even the looks. Blushing, embarresed for them, Cassie laughed softly and looked away from them, refocusing on the bar and Riley as she saw him move.

"How's the butterbeer?"

He was back, acknowledging hre and talking to her and she found herself smiling up at him. Their eyes met again and for a moment she didn't reply but quickly gathering her wits she nodded her head, "It's good...thanks for asking." she replied with a nod of her head, looking down at her drink needing to break away from staring into his eyes. The longer she did the quicker her heart seemed to go, the darker her cheeks seemed to get and the more breathless she felt. Seriously what the heck was going on? Shaking her head she chuckled and looked back up at him.

"I'd kill for a triple chocolate milkshake but no one makes them like the shop back home." she told him lightly. Back home it was chocolate milkshake but so much more with cream, sprinkles etc added. Chewing down on her lip she took a breath and looked up at him forcing herself to stay calm and not act like some silly teenage girl with a crush. "How long have you worked here?" she asked him curiously, hating to think she'd been coming in here for the last three years and not seen him, though she had been known to be completely oblivious to thinkgs around her sometimes.

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[riley allan mcalister]

Riley couldn't tear himself away from this girl. Hopefully she wasn't planning on leaving soon, he wanted to get to know her a little better. He knew it was stupid, but there was something drawing him to Cassie. There wasn't anything he could do about it. He didn't have feelings for her, he'd only just met her. Besides, there was Zoey, the woman he loved. The things he was feeling weren't love or anything related to it, it couldn't be. Cassie was a stranger. It was simply her pretty face, her voice like a bell, her sweet disposition...

This was ridiculous. Riley wanted desperately to believe that the electricity building up in his veins was something he was imagining. It wasn't lust, it wasn't love, it was simply... curiosity. That had to be it. This girl was intriguing and his brain was sending these signals through him, telling him to get to know her. That had to be it. Even as he attempted to force himself to believe it, Riley knew it was going to be in vain. It was more than that. Shaking the thought from his head, he turned his full attention towards Cassie, who had faltered a bit as they made direct eye contact once more.

"It's good, thanks for asking. I'd kill for a triple chocolate milkshake but no one makes them like the shop back home."

Riley smiled, knowing the feeling. Butterbeer didn't really sit too well with him. He wasn't much of a Firewhiskey person, either, but the occasional alcoholic drink suited him just fine. He was more of a sweets person, his inner child coming through in that regard. A milkshake sounded just fine right about then. He decided right then and there that he liked Cassie's taste. He got an idea, and held a single finger up to her, smiling awkwardly as he begun to dig under the counter.

"How long have you worked here?"

The question caught him a bit off guard, and Riley peered over the counter to look at her. Cassie was busy chewing on her bottom lip in a fashion that was rather adorable, and something that he found himself smiling at. Clearing his throat, he straightened up to meet Cassie's gaze once more. "Six years. Been a long time, but I love this place too much to just leave. The owner... well, he's like my second father, and working here helps pay the bills,"

[/color] he replied, flushing a bit as he realized just how much he'd revealed about himself in that simple statement. Clearing his throat, he looked at Cassie. "Speaking of that milkshake, I've got the ingredients down here to make one. Not a typical request, but... mind if I take a crack at it? I can't guarantee it'll be as good as that shop back home you mentioned, but I'd like to think I can make a mean, triple chocolate milkshake,"[/color] he stated, chuckling a bit to himself.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

Now she'd mentioned the chocolate milkshake she felt her waning desire for the drink in front of her fade. Though since she'd used the last of her money she figured she'd drink it purely because she didn't like waste. Taking another sip she looked up at Riley in time to see him smile at her, if somewhat awkwardly and hold up a single finger, signalling her to wait a moment. Curious she smiled and waited, asking him in the process how long he had worked here, genuinley curious. It couldn't be long right otherwise she would have seen him before today.

As he peered at her over the counter she smiled in amusement, glad to see that when he smiled at her this time it was with more ease. When he straightened she kept her focus on him, really unable to do anything but that now they were talking. For the first time since she'd sat down she'd stopped thinking and decided instead to just enjoy whatever this was, after all she'd be leaving soon, over thinking would ruin whatever time she had left and she refused to allow that to happen. There was some kind of pull as well she couldn't and didn't want to think on right now.

"Wow six years, insane I haven't seen you before...but it's nice you know, how close you are to the owner, met him more than a few times and he's really sweet." she said, though it wasn't really if she was honest. Smiling at him she let her chin come to rest on the palm of her hand. Was it wrong she suddenly felt like telling him her own life story? Maybe, maybe not but she wasn't going to think. No. Chewing down on her lip a bright smile began to spread on her lips and she nodded, "Of course not go for it!" she said slightly way more excited than most would be over a chocolate milkshake.

There was no way a guy like this was single and she had to wonder if he had a girl-friend or was married. A glance at his hand proved he was in fact the latter of the two and she felt the crushing weight of disappointment wash over her but she continued to smile. What did it matter to her if he was married or not? They'd just met, he was just a guy and she was a silly girl from Hogwarts it felt like. "So what do you do when you're not working or whipping up chocolate milkshakes for strangers?" she asked, lightly teasing him, surprising even herself with how at ease she was beginning to feel with him, that couldn't be good right?

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[riley allan mcalister]

"Wow, six years, insane I haven't seen you before... but, it's nice to know how close you are to the owner, met him more than a few times and he's really sweet."

Riley nodded, leaning against the counter. "Yea, he is. I'm really lucky to have gotten the chance to work with him for as long as I have. And being here is a real pleasure too,"

[/color] he replied, smiling softly to himself. It really was nice, having someone to work under that was so kind and understanding. The old man really was like a second father to him, and it made him exceptionally happy to have him, to have this job, regardless of the fact that it caused him to be away from Zoey. He was sure that she would love to hear that the rumor was that Riley would be acquiring the pub after the old man retired...

Seeing Cassie's surprised look made him grin. She definitely hadn't been expecting that offer. Riley suddenly hoped that it hadn't been over-stepping anything, and that she would allow him to make it. He could feel eyes on him as he tried to impress this girl, and he hoped that he could make a good impression. It wasn't going to bode well for him if she turned down his offer.

"Of course not, go for it!"

Riley felt his smile widen and he quickly set to work making the milkshake. He'd only done it a few times before. Little kids typically ordered it, and it really only happened during the summer. Hopefully he could do it in such a way to impress Cassie. Suddenly, he was bent on learning more about this girl. Maybe becoming good friends with her would make these foreign feelings dissipate completely, making him completely guilt free. Riley looked up at Cassie, sneaking a few glances when it wasn't necessary that he be completely focused on making the milkshake. She really was stunning...

"So what do you do when you're not working or whipping up chocolate milkshakes for strangers?

Riley was a bit taken aback by the question. Free time wasn't really something he got a lot of. "Well..."[/color] he started, not sure how to continue. He would need to choose his words carefully, so as not to come off like a crazy workaholic with a desperate need to satisfy his wife's insatiable, material needs. "I take care of my wife, mostly. We've been married about a year now, and she's very... she likes to live a fancy life. So, I've got to keep up with her, that's for sure. But, most of the time, I'm here. Not much of an exciting life, I know,"[/color] he replied. He poured the milkshake into a glass, topping it off with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and a cherry before sticking a spoon and straw in it and sliding it over the counter to Cassie. "There you go. Let me know how it is in between telling me what you do besides come into pubs and drink triple chocolate milkshakes made by strangers,"[/color] Riley said, smiling softly at her. Hopefully the milkshake was to her liking...[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

Cassie fought the desire to dance on her seat, excited about getting a chocolate milkshake, she pushed her butterbeer to the side a little so it was out the way. There was a smile on her face as she watched Riley, that smile of his highly contagious that was for sure. She crossed her arms on the counter, leaning forward slightly chewing down on her lip as she watched him go to work on making the drink. Today was definitely a good day, she'd met someone knew, topped her sweet stash up and was now getting a very handsome stranger wanting to make her a milkshake. The only thing that would make this perfect was if there was whipped cream.

He seemed stunned by her question that wasn't hard to miss and he seemed to hesitate before replying to her question, "Well...I take care of my wife, mostly. We've been married about a year now, and she's very... she likes to live a fancy life. So, I've got to keep up with her, that's for sure. But, most of the time, I'm here. Not much of an exciting life, I know," he told her as he was finishing up the drink and she felt that huge wave of disappointment was over her again from his revelation. Of course she'd figured he was married and even if he wasn't, she was 16 wasn't like she had a chance, still she felt slightly bummed out by the clarification but managed to maintain her sunny disposition.

Though to be honest, she wasn't sure what to think about his wife or his marriage. He worked to maintain the fancy life his wife liked? Cassie had to wonder if that woman worked to but she doubted it, he hadn't said so. Still it had nothing to do with her so she just smiled, nodded her head and didn't comment. As long as he was happy that was all that mattered right?

"There you go. Let me know how it is in between telling me what you do besides come into pubs and drink triple chocolate milkshakes made by strangers,"

Her eyes lit up excitedly when she saw the whipped cream had been added to the top of the milkshake and she clapped her hands together as he moved it in front of her, pinching the straw between her fingers before picking up the cherry and putting it into her mouth. A sound of approval sounding from her before she opened her eyes, smiled and at him and shrugged, "Thats pretty much it..." she joked, smiling at him before taking a sip of the milkshake and it was good. Sticking her thumb in approval as she swallowed she laughed softly. "Now that is good! When I'm not at school there's not much to really do sadly, I like to dance, sing...baking when I'm at home..."

Brushing her hair from her face she took another sip of the drink, lifting the straw out to lick the whipped cream from it before putting it back in the drink, enjoying this a hell of a lot more than the butterbeer. "Oh and we can't forget my incredibly unhealthy addiction to these..." pulling her beaded bag to her she opened it and pulled out a much larger bag of sweets, laying it on the counter, offering the open back of sweets to Riley if he wanted some.

[/size]

[riley allan mcalister]

Riley realized just how sad his life must have seemed to Cassie. It really was a strange way to live, especially considering his age. At the age of twenty-three, he expected that he would still be going out on the weekends to hang out with friends, but instead he found himself working extra shifts in order to pay for the new shoes that Zoey wanted, or that pearl necklace she'd had her eye on for months. He, in no way, had imagined that he'd be asking his parents to help pay his rent. He didn't imagine he would have gotten a woman pregnant only to lose the baby.

That was the most heartbreaking factor in the whole thing. He'd gotten Zoey pregnant and done what any decent man would do; he asked her to marry him. They went to the courthouse and were married - after Zoey got the engagement ring that she had wanted - and they set to making things ready for their little child to come into the world. When they had lost the baby, Riley was much more devastated than Zoey seemed to be. His wife had cried for a while, but then fell back into her old habits.

Riley shook his head. He really shouldn't think about his wife in such a poor light. He had married her out of love... he just wondered if that love was dying since the baby had been lost... Turning his full attention on Cassie, he allowed himself to be sucked in by the enchanting qualities, both physical and personality related, that she possessed. It didn't take very long to begin catching little details in her appearance. The way her eyes sparkled when he passed her the milkshake, the little dimples in her cheeks when she smiled...

"That's pretty much it... Now that is good! When I'm not at school there's not much to really do sadly, I like to dance, sing... baking when I'm at home..."

Cassie's voice caused him to break himself from the trance she had over him. School? She was a Hogwarts student? She certainly didn't look it... but, now that Riley knew that sliver of information, he could certainly see the youthful glow about her. She was probably seventeen, maybe even sixteen. It didn't matter much, he was fawning over a schoolgirl. Still, age was but a number, and it didn't hurt to get to know her. She seemed incredibly mature for her age, being her friend wouldn't hurt anyone. He smiled when she told him that she liked the milkshake. That was a large boost to his ego...

"Oh and we can't forget my incredibly unhealthy addiction to these..."

Riley watched in slight amusement as she reached deep inside her small, beaded bag - no doubt equipped with an Undetectable Extension Charm - to pull out an incredibly large bag of assorted sweets. She placed it on the counter, wordlessly offering him a piece. Smiling, he peered into the bag before taking a hold of a sweet, gummy rope of taffy. "Well, I'm glad you like the milkshake. Your life sounds lovely, addiction to sweets aside. I don't blame you, personally. If one is to be addicted to something, it might as well be something as wonderful as candy. Also, thank you for this,"

[/color] he replied, grinning before taking a bite out of the taffy. This was turning out to be a wonderful shift indeed...[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]

[cassie marie bennett]

When she said she liked the milkshake, she was happy to see a smile break out onto his face. Obviously he appreicated the compliment and she found that made her happy. Offering him a sweet she smiled and took another sip of the milkshake, in turn using the straw as a make shift spoon for the whipped cream he'd topped it with. Again, licking the cream off the straw she looked back at Riley, put her straw back into her drink and smiled, nodding her head in the process. He was right in a way, her life was lovely at least to her, she was very happy with how things were going now despite the drama in the rest of the world she prefered to focus on all the positives in her life.

"...personally. If one is to be addicted to something, it might as well be something as wonderful as candy. Also, thank you for this,"

Laughing lightly she nodded her head in agreement, his grin incredibly infectious. "Interesting point...though when you go looking for a part time job in a sweet stall then it's time to start getting a little worried." she told him with a smile, having just come into the pub from applying for a job at the shop. Hopefully she'd be successful and find out sometime next week whether she got herself the job. Sweet addiction aside the money she earned would definitely come in handy, especially if she managed to safe the money she earned. Last thing she wanted was to finish school in 2 years and have no money to start her life, as much as she loved her Mum she didn't want to move back home when the rest of her friends were moving on.

Dipping her own hand into the bag she picked out one of the gummy rings and popped it into her mouth, all of her attention focused on Riley. Gone was the worry he was only talking to her because he had to, he seemed to want to talk to her and she sure as hell was enjoying getting to know him, though she was a little disappointed she'd not noticed him the last couple years. Again she stayed incredibly distracted when she was with her friends, kept her focus on them.

"So do you and your wife live here in Hogsmeade as well?" she asked him curiously, there was no doubt in her mind he went to Hogwarts....then again she was simply presuming because there was every chance he could have studied abroad. Boy that'd be exciting! Shaking her head she focused on him again, finding it silly how her mind continued to wonder, though even with it wondering it was still focused on Riley...which was a first. Taking a sip of her milkshake she fought the pout that threatened to appear...in no time she'd have to head back to the castle and right now she really didn't want to leave.

[/size]

[riley allan mcalister]

Riley couldn't take his eyes off this girl. Something about her just drew him in, like a moth to a flame. She really was captivating... was it so wrong to just look? They could become friends, nothing serious had to come out of this, and she was just so pretty... Riley knew it was a little wrong to be physically attracted to someone who was still in school, but age really was just a number. She was probably six or seven years younger than he was. After school, age didn't matter all that much, in his mind.

Of course, he had Zoey. It was wrong to try to compensate a girl's age when a married man is involved. He knew it was wrong, he knew he shouldn't have been thinking like that, but, at that moment, Riley really couldn't care. It wasn't as if he were going to act on the physical attraction. For now, becoming friends with Cassie seemed like a grand idea, one that he was planning on enacting.

"Interesting point... though when you go looking for a part time job in a sweet stall then it's time to start getting a little worried."

Riley raised an eyebrow at her. She'd applied at Honeyduke's? Well, that would make things very nice indeed. He wouldn't mind working near Cassie, especially since he so desperately wanted to see her again. If he couldn't act on the physical attraction, he at least wanted the girl in his life as a friend. Zoey didn't even have to know. It isn't like she would care much... "It's not so bad, everyone needs to earn a little money here and there. Honeyduke's is an excellent place to make that money, sweet addiction aside,"

[/color] he said, laughing a little.

"So do you and your wife live here in Hogsmeade as well?"

Riley felt his smile falter a bit. The question had caught him off-guard. Most people were very taken aback when they learned that he was married to a Muggle. It didn't bother him, being Muggleborn, but it tended to bother others. It just didn't seem natural, especially nowadays. Even though all sorts of laws promoting equality were being passed in the magical world, Muggles weren't seen as equals, and Riley doubted that would ever be the case.

"Well..."[/color] he began, trying to find the right words. "No, we don't. You see, my wife, Zoey... she isn't exactly... like us. She's... uhm..."[/color] he faltered, mentally cursing himself. It shouldn't be difficult to say, it wasn't like he hated Muggles. Still, he wasn't sure what type of witch Cassie was. He doubted that she was a Pureblood supremacist, but one could never be too careful... Sighing deeply, Riley looked awkwardly at Cassie. "Zoey's a Muggle,"[/color] he stated, flushing deeply.[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/size]