A.N. — For National Beer Day, I really only had two options to choose from amongst publicans (since I already did Aberforth). I chose the old guy. Sorry, Madam Rosmerta; I have plans for you later.
97. Tom the barkeep
It was a popular, fun, argument amongst the regulars at the Leaky Cauldron: which had come first, Tom or the pub itself?
Tom looked like he'd been standing sentinel behind the bar since before the turn of the (last) century. The building was so grubby and dark that its supposed establishment in the 1500s could easily be believed. But when one was deep into their cups, such facts meant little. What was important was the affable bald man who was always there to serve up more alcohol, yet was deaf enough to not notice all the good-natured banter about him.