For the Hogwarts Forum
Writing Club, Showtime, "The Story of Tonight" (the Hog's Head)
Word Count: 344
"I'm surprised to see you've stepped away from the school," Aberforth notes.
Poppy offers him a tired smile. She looks dead on her feet. Of course, Aberforth can hardly blame her. Since the battle ended, he's had a nonstop stream of business in his pub. Tending to his patrons is easy enough. But Poppy has had her hands full, tending to the countless wounded over the past several hours.
"St. Mungo's sent Healers," she says with a yawn, standing on her tiptoes and pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "I'm a free woman for now."
Aberforth wraps his arms around her, holding her tightly for a moment. She's a tough woman, but he still can't shake the overwhelming relief that she's alive, that she's survived without a scratch on her. "Coffee?" he asks. It isn't something he keeps on hand often, but he will always make an exception for his beloved Poppy.
"I don't want to be awake anymore," she tells him, shuddering.
He can't imagine the things that she's seen. The people she's seen to have been her friends, students she's cared for, past and present. So many wounded, so many dead. If that had been his reality, he can imagine that he wouldn't want to be awake anymore either. "Firewhisky?" he offers.
"I have a sleeping potion," she assures him with a soft smile.
"Have you eaten?"
"You worry too much."
He shrugs. "And you didn't answer my question. I have it on good authority that you didn't take a break for hours. You need to eat."
"Abe-"
"If you don't take care of yourself, who's going to take care of those kids?"
Almost grudgingly, Poppy takes a seat at the bar, brows raising. "I guess I'm lucky to know you'll take care of me," she chuckles, resting her head on the bar, her eyes so heavy that Aberforth doubts she'll ever need a sleep potion.
He strokes her hair, smiling to himself. "If I'm lucky, I'll always be able to care for you."
And he really hopes that he will.