Small note before we dive into the actual story. This is and will be in an alternate universe (AU) set in modern days, where Hogwarts was just the high school everyone attended and now they are finally ready for their next step in life, University life. In this story I will keep the magical elements to the minimum, instead focusing more on the characters and their journey through life, friendship and so on.
Hope you enjoy this wacky new story for that it is.
"Bloody Hell mate, keep it straight." Talbott snapped trying to regain his balance, peering from behind the heavy mattress at Andre's apologetic face. Rolling his eyes, he lifted it once more, fingers gripping the fabric tight as they continued hoisting luggage and essentials up the four flights of stairs leading to their apartment "Tell me again why I even let you chose the place?" rubbing his arms, he already felt the strain imposed on his muscles.
Frowning, Andre wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, mattress now dropped randomly on the floor instead of on his bed "Because I make a better impression than you and have an eye for beautiful things." Straightening his back, he kicked away some boxes, making a bee line to the small kitchen in order to drink some water "Plus this place is great. Not close to the actual University building, we have a bar downstairs, each a room." Grinning, he sighed seeing Talbott heading out the door "Damn man, take a chill pill."
By the time he finally arrived back from down stairs, Talbott already made one more extra trip, judging looks being directed at his friend "We have a lot to unpack. Move it." Pinching the bridge of his nose, he suddenly regretted having asked Talbott to be his roommate once he learned they would attend the same University.
"We can throw some major parties in our apartment." He yelled, leaning over the rail to catch Talbott's stare just as he made it down a flight of stairs "You need to loosen up, party a bit, get wild." The sound of a door opening on the third floor caused Andre to back out of sight, Talbott already swearing.
"Talbott?" a female voice sounded surprised to see the man in question in the same building. Peering over the rail once more, Andre was met with a wide pair of chocolate eyes "Hello Andre." Accompanied by a bright smile.
"Badeea!" Jumping over a few stairs, the three of them engaged in small talk, Talbott keeping his eyes out the window to ensure no one would touch their stuff.
Rolling his eyes to Andre, he spoke up eventually "Sorry, but we need to continue getting everything up in the apartment." Sunset colored gaze falling on Badeea's face afterwards.
"No problem, let's meet later at the bar. By then Penny should return as well, I'll text her." After a short head bob, both males agreed with the invitation. One telephone number exchange later and a couple more trips up and down the stairs, both Talbott and Andre started unpacking their belongings.
University should have been the time to reinvent themselves, focus on their future careers but also try new things. Andre had that down to the letter, new outfits aligned neatly in the dresser, however his roommate wanted to just put high school behind him, study and get a good job after.
Rubbing his forehead, he stared at Andre thorough the half opened door as music already blasted through the speakers, an open beer in one hand as he maneuvered through the ridiculous amount of luggage brought with him. Talbott wouldn't have agreed to him as a roommate once more, however having to pay for everything on his own wasn't something he was keen on doing. At least with splitting the costs he could continue to save up money.
Talbott entered the University with impeccable grades, thus landing him a scholarship. Andre on the other hand had a Quidditch sponsorship, as long as he had decent grades and still played sports, he would be in the clear. Talbott on the other hand had to maintain impeccable grades in order to keep receiving money. No wonder his roommate chose a three room apartment on the University campus, he could afford it.
Looking around, the place was indeed nice, a fresh paintjob done every summer of a new generation, furniture also replaced once damaged. The living room was the most spacious space, large windows providing enough light into the apartment. Both bedrooms were rather small, however still accommodated a bed, dresser and small desk, which in all fairness was more than enough. The kitchen and bathroom were tiny, however they would have to suffice for the four years they had to stay together.
Directing his attention to the incoming message, Talbott saw Badeea added them, Penny and an unknown number to a group chat, providing them all the hour for the meetup. Having learned she lived just below them, he figured it must have been her roommate. He had yet to decipher if Penny was actually living with her, but that was also a possibility he considered.
"Oi mate!" Andre yelled, appearing seconds later in the door frame, beer held out for Talbott to take "Come on, leave those, we have an entire weekend to arrange stuff."
Pressing the bottle to his lips, the cold liquid was welcomed break despite his inability to admit such a simple matter "I'd rather not trip against boxes all day. We have a couple of hours more until we meet up."
Andre's eyes went wide, phone appearing in his hand a moment later "Right, I need to get ready then." Blinking, Talbott watched as he stumbled against a suitcase as he searched for more clothes and toiletries.
"What man needs two hours to get ready?" he mumbled under his breath, hands reaching to unzip another suitcase as he set to his initial task.
Half an hour prior to the meeting, Talbott finally showered and changed, him and Andre soon heading to the bar downstairs.
Scanning the text message, Andre lifted his head to read the bar name "The Lounge, this is it. It's really close to us. Never would have expected a bar right in the building block, this is great." Pushing the door open, Talbott went in after him, hands tucked in deep pockets as he mumbled to himself more.
"You and I have different definitions of fun." Turning his nose away, he frowned smelling the amount of perfume his pretentious friend was wearing.
Taking in the scene, the bar was almost empty, apart from a couple of students, however the university year hasn't started yet. Andre beamed, knowing very well that once students started arriving, the establishment would be full to the brim, music and alcohol being the first thing attracting people.
He was already tapping his foot to the music hitting his eardrums, eyes taking in the wood panels on the walls providing the place a cozy feeling, several modern art work and quotes hung to the walls in thick black frames. To his right, tables and chairs were arranged for groups of six people, a stair case leading to a second floor which from what he could gather held the same design as down stairs. To the right, two tables were arranged just by the window, overlooking passing students and cars, his feet leading him to one of them.
Talbott took notice of the large pool table, fingers tips gently grazing the smooth polished rim, equipment all placed behind the bar to ensure students wouldn't touch them or worse, start a fight using one of the heavy balls or the cue. Lifting his eyes, he took in the menu. Rather simple, however for students, not much variety was needed.
"Hey mate, what can I get you?" the barman, Jimmy by the name on the tag, flashed him a charming smile which didn't falter despite Talbott's expressionless face. Two beers were ordered to the table, Talbott slitting opposite of Andre already demanding his cut for the beer.
Shortly, Penny also joined, Jimmy waving her in. Eager fingers gripped the bar as she chatted with the bartender, back turned to her friends as she ordered "Sorry, I can't stay more, I'm actually meeting with friends." As she pointed behind her, Jimmy rose his brows slightly, just nodding shortly, same smile not leaving his lips.
Badeea arrived just in time to chat up Penny as both of them made their way to the boys, enthusiasm evident as she took everyone in, a blonde beer glass raised so they could toast "Aren't we missing someone?" Talbott's voice drew the attention of the group, since his observation skills noticed a fifth member to the group, one that did not reply to the invitation.
As if on cue, sounds from outside alerted them, all turning to see a motorcycle rolling in the small parking lot. The woman riding on the back took off her helmet, running both hands through her hair before bending to apply a fresh coat of lipstick in the small mirror. Apparently satisfied with her look, she patted the driver on the shoulder before turning to walk inside the bar.
Eyes followed her, Badeea lips shaping in a sly smirk "She's here." All while Talbott sunk in his chair hoping no one would notice him anymore.
The woman in question barely glanced their way, waving slowly as she walked over to the bar, leaning in to speak with Jimmy who started on her order. Bright eyes locked in on the group, reflecting off the mirror panel behind the multiple liquor bottles, a pair of sunglasses being produced from between her breasts "I'll bring your order to the table."
"When it's all ready, I have a feeling they don't really like me being here." Her eyes moved slightly, glasses serving to conceal who she was actually looking at, as Andre leaned over the table to speak with Penny.
"Is that Scarlett Tempest?" a perfectly arched brow raised as he glanced over at the bar, smirk playing on his lips "Damn, that girl's got some style."
"Right, style is what you're looking at." Talbott snorted, ignoring the dirty look received "But yeah that's her, but in case any of you remember she ghosted us back in year six."
Badeea gently rose a hand trying to gather the group's attention, however Penny spoke ahead "Don't be like that, she's actually nice. At least from what I remember." Slapping a hand over her mouth, her blonde locks brushed the table as she dimmer her voice "But yes you are right. She began year six with a breakup and a new hair colour, been the talk of the school."
Lifting himself, Talbott set both forearms on the table "So? A girl of her caliber won't sit with us. She belongs with the rich kids in the fancy dorms."
"Talbott!" Badeea did little to hide her shock "She ghosted us for different reasons."
"Glad to see I am famous even after Hogwarts." Scarlett grinned, lifting her sunglasses to stare at the last person speaking. Shots hit the table, Jimmy grinning at them before returning back to the bar "However I don't give a shit ok? If you have questions ask." She especially looked over at the male audience "Now drink up fuckers, dinner's on me at nine."
All took a shot except for Talbott, who wrinkled his nose at the clear liquid in the glass "Don't do tequila, I'll stick with beer."
"There are a lot of things you don't do." Taking the first swing Scarlett tossed her head back, doing both shots in a row, a dry laugh leaving Talbott's throat.
"Screw you too." Scarlett smirked at his jab, leaning in, Talbott's back pressing against the soft cushions of the back rest.
"Now or later?" seeing the anger burning in his eyes, she turned to the girls, especially Badeea "You can tell me where my apartment is honey. Hope you like pasta fuckers." Stealing the beer bottle in front of Andre, his protest died as she took a swing, Scarlett strutting out of the bar after.
Badeea and Penny both slapped their foreheads, Andre also shaking his head "Great, we lost one of the best looking people in the group."
Penny's face dropped, anger bubbling in her gut "That's what you got from that? We are going to dinner at her place tonight. And you" she pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Talbott "are going to apologize. You were so rude."
A lethal glare turned towards Penny "No, she annoys the living Hell out of me."
Bringing a hand up to his face, Andre let out a purposely heavy sigh "Look, apparently this is the group and we need a figure like her to make an impression in our early days." Looking at his friends, he expected more than their dull faces "No, nothing? Fine, I will apologize for Talbott as well."
"I don't need this." Getting up, Talbott went to the bar to pay for the shot he didn't even drink. Jimmy giving him a funny look, shaking his head as he slid the money back to him.
"Already payed for mate." Following him storm out, he directed a questioning stare to the group, Penny cupping both hands to her chest mouthing a small I'm sorry "Right, good lively group here." Turning his attention to some cups that needed cleaning, the remaining three finished their drinks in awkward silence, Badeea refusing to talk about Scarlett and the reasons behind her breaking away for two years from the group.
"Well I don't intend to be a sideshow freak in University. Had enough of that back in high school." Penny almost kicked Andre under the table for that comment "I'm going to talk some sense to Talbott." Draining the beer against his lips, he finally took note of the dull stares provided by the girls "Wha'?"
Leaning in her seat, Penny tapped her nails against the table, pursing her lips slightly "We don't need to hang out, all of us, but it would be nice to have a group of friends here." Badeea nodded once, agreeing with the idea "Especially since we know each other already."
"Right, like the cool ones instead of the awkward kids who don't know anyone." Penny's scrutinizing gaze didn't falter despite the logic behind Andre's statement. She too had plans involving her popularity, however they didn't need to know that, at least she could shut up about it, unlike Andre.
"Let me handle Talbott." Badeea almost melted in the cushioned chair seeing the surprise on her friend's face "I think I can get him to calm down. This entire new setting must be scaring him, I can relate." Without even waiting for anyone's approval, she got up, gathered her purse and also left "But I also don't want to be the awkward kid anymore."
"I have so many questions." Andre shook his head one Badeea was out of sight "But yeah, tell me about this place. Did you arrive at the beginning of the week?"
It should have been a place to reinvent themselves, meet new people, however it appears life has a funny way of working out, bringing together an unlikely group of people who first of all need to attend a dinner and try not to snap at each other before managing to tackle life at University.