Author's notes: Thanks to the wonderful IMissPadfoot (user ID1133633) for beta'ing for me.
Additionally, if you're a WWE fan and enjoy my stories, please R&R the new wrestling fic I've co-written with Disco Inferno (link to which is in my profile)
Additional thanks to Hannah Loves Lupin, Indeffinate, insomniastalker and Disco Inferno1 for you wonderful reviews. I really appreciate the support, and I'm glad y'all are enjoying the story.
Chapter Ten: A changer of scenery
As Morrigan and Draco's lips met, and the kiss deepened, Morrigan felt herself swoon. All the blood rushed to her head, and she felt as though her senses had gone numb with desire. All her senses that was, apart from the fervent hunger building within her soul.
All too quickly though, this kiss ended, and Draco pulled away. His eyes expressing a mixture longing, but also hesitation.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, his usually pale face now deep red. "I...we...I shouldn't have done that," he added, stumbling off the bed, staggering backwards and almost tripping over his robes as he hastily backed out of the room.
Morrigan let out a growl of frustration, feeling too tired and confused to go running after him. Instead, she flopped back down on her bed, realized her pillow was still half way across the room from where she'd thrown it, lazily summoned it back to herself, and then buried her head under it.
After her grandmother's death, inheriting the house and her issues with her family, the kiss and subsequent confusion was the last thing Morrigan needed right now. However, that didn't stop her enjoying it and wishing it had continued for longer.
Still not wanting to think about the kiss though, unless to remember the ardent sweetness of it, Morrigan decided she needed some time out to clear her head.
Thinking a night away from the Leaky Cauldron might do her good, the raven-haired witch decided to ask Tom if there were any other wizarding villages she might visit.
"There's always Hogsmeade," The barman suggested, and when Morrigan looked at him blankly, he elaborated. "You know the wizarding village where Hogwarts is located?"
"Tom, you're forgetting I'm not from around here," she reminded. "How far is it? Because I can't really Apparate there if I've never visited there before."
"Well, it's up in Scotland, isn't it?" returned Tom, even though it wasn't really a question. "Though, you don't need to be worrying about Apparating. Since the war ended, and things have been more peaceful, Madam Rosmerta – that's the landlady of the pub in the village – and I got permission to connect our fireplaces to the Floo network. Seems a lot of folk want a quick passage way between Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade, being as they're the two biggest gathering places of wizards in Britain."
Tom continued to prattle on about the changes in the wizarding world since the war ended, and Morrigan had to politely remind him she wanted to go to Hogsmeade.
"Oh, begging your pardon, Missy," he apologized. "I'm assuming you know how to use Floo powder?"
Morrigan nodded, and Tom handed her a small pouch containing the silvery powder. "Well, all you need to do now is step into the fire place, and say 'The Three Broomsticks'."
"Thanks, Tom," replied Morrigan. "I'll be back before you close up tonight."
With that, she took a pinch of Floo powder, sprinkled it into the fireplace until the flames turned emerald green, stepped in and then said aloud 'The Three Broomsticks'.
Tucking her elbows in, Morrigan felt herself being transported very quickly. Other random grates went rushing past, but all too quickly to be perceived clearly. No sooner had the spinning motion began, however, when it suddenly stopped again, and Morrigan found herself standing in an unknown fireplace.
Looking around and into the room, she beheld a large inn, decorated in smooth wooden panels. Seating booths adorned the walls, small tables surrounded by chairs covered the floor, and a large mirror backed bar faced her.
Stepping out into what she assumed was the Three Broomsticks; Morrigan came face to face with a buxom woman, who had blonde curly hair trailing around her shoulders.
The blonde woman smiled kindly at Morrigan and then spoke, "Hello dear, I'm Rosmerta. Just arrived from the Leaky Cauldron, have you?"
"Yes, I have," she replied, dusting herself off. "And I'd love a drink, please."
"Of course, Miss, follow me to the bar and I'll take your order," replied Rosmerta warmly.
Morrigan followed Madam Rosmerta to the bar, and took an available stool next to it, then ordered a butterbeer.
Even though a chilly wind was blowing outside, and frost was forming in the highland air, the inside of the pub was cozy and snug. The butterbeer filled Morrigan with heat, and she felt herself relax as she took in her surroundings.
Because Hogsmeade was an entire wizarding village, in close proximity to Hogwarts - and not just a high street like Diagon Alley - the Three Broomsticks was a lot more busy than the Leaky Cauldron.
More than half the pub was filled with patrons, most of whom Morrigan assumed to be inhabitants of the village, although it was obvious from the accents of a few people that they weren't all local.
Over in the corner near the window sat a stern looking witch, who was wearing tartan robes and had her hair pulled into a tight bun.
As Morrigan finished her butterbeer, she felt a chill and turned towards the main door to see the cause of it. Into the pub had just walked a wizard who was so tall he filled the door way and had to stoop to fit through.
He had a grizzly, unkempt brown beard, and beetle like eyes just distinguishable behind all the hair.
As he entered, the statuesque wizard raised a large dustbin lid sized hand and said in a booming voice, "'Ello Rosmerta, usual please."
"Coming up, Hagrid," replied Rosmerta, and then began filling a huge tankard with what looked like ale.
Hagrid crossed the room, and reached the bar in one long stride. Turning to Morrigan, he gestured towards the stool next to her and asked in the same loud voice, "'Xcuse me, Miss? This seat taken?"
"No, go ahead," she replied, shuffling across a little to give him space.
Rosmerta presented Hagrid with his over-large tankard, and then turned to Morrigan, "Can I get you another drink, Miss?"
"Yes please," she replied with a smile, feeling warm and relaxed in the pub.
"Yeh not from roun' here are yeh? I can tell by yeh accent, an' I didn't recognize you from 'Ogwarts," asked Hagrid, looking at Morrigan slightly suspiciously.
"No, I'm not. I'm... well, I was visiting family in London, now I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do," she replied with a small shrug.
"That's a shame. Ain't yeh got no other family yeh can go to?" he continued pressing.
"They're all going home to Italy tomorrow, and I don't know if I'd be welcome to go with them, that is even if I wanted to," replied Morrigan, feeling uncomfortable at being asked so many questions.
"Italy yeh say? Fancy that. I've never been to Italy meself, but I passed that way a few years back," mused Hagrid more to himself.
Just then, the stern looking witch by the window looked up from where she'd been reading the newspaper, and spotted Hagrid.
"Hagrid," she called with a broad Scottish accent. "I didn't see you there; would you like to join me?"
"Certainly, Professor McGonagall," he replied loud enough for the whole pub to hear, and then he turned to Morrigan. "I hope yeh work things out with yer family."
"Thanks," she replied meekly, before returning back to her drink.
Morrigan reminded in the Three Broomsticks for the rest of the evening, drinking slowly and ordering a large, filling dinner.
The atmosphere was pleasant and relaxed, and Morrigan found herself happy just to sit and watch the various patrons, and not have to worry about her own life for one night.
At closing time, Morrigan flooed back to the Leaky Cauldron, where Tom handed her a folded piece of parchment before she headed up to her bedroom.
When Morrigan was alone in her room, she read the note that said simply 'I'm sorry.' She recognized the writing as Draco's, and vowed to speak to him the following day.
Then, exhausted from being out and about for half the afternoon, Morrigan collapsed into bed and fell soundly asleep.