state of me//BEN

The evenings were always really slow at Madam Puddifoot’s, so from time to time, Olivia would close up shop early. There hadn’t been a customer for about two hours and it was getting close to closing time anyway, so she went around the shop, turning off all the lights. She really felt like going out, but everyone was busy. Zelda was tied up with her research, Alex was grading papers and Nancy was studying. She was lucky to have family so close, both figuratively and literally. Still, though, everyone was so busy that they rarely got to spend any real time together.

So, she decided to just go out by herself. She had been stuck inside all week and she really needed a night out, even if she was the only one going out. Leaving one candle lit, she moved over to the back closet, unlocked it and retrieved her purse from inside. She slid the strap across her chest and left her little tea shop, but not before locking it with her wand. There were plenty of people wandering around Hogsmeade, so she had to wait a bit to jump into the stream of people wandering around the village.

Olivia stopped at the Three Broomsticks, but hesitated in going inside. The last time she was in there, a group of men simply would not leave her alone and she ended up just having to leave. She bit on her thumbnail as she thought about what to do. After all, she really would rather not relive the experience. Finally making a decision, she continued on, bypassing the small pub.

As she wandered further down the street, her eyes fell on the Hog’s Head. Olivia had never really stopped by in there because no one else ever wanted to give it a try. She’d heard bad things about the place, but she made a rule to at least try everything once…so she went inside. The place was packed, save for a few stools at the bar. “Good evening. Could I have a butterbeer, please?” she asked the bartender as she slid onto one of the empty stools.