The Hogs Head Inn

[aberforth]

So you wandered off the beaten track. Maybe a block or so off High Street. You have come to a run down and obviously less than kept up building. Your eyes are drawn to a place just above the ancient door with its filthy window panes. This makes one consider if this establishment might in fact indeed be abandoned.

The worn-out wooden sign which hangs over the door, advertising with a "Wild Boar's severed head leaking blood onto the white cloth around it. The words Hog's Head Inn can still be made out but it takes a moment or two to figure what the letters are spelling out. The images of the disembodied head are still vibrant and that is what strikes to the viewer immediately.

This place obviously has been a fixture of Hogsmeade for hundreds of years perhaps even century's.

Why on earth would anyone take their chances and turn that old and heavily worn wrought iron handle? Why indeed but it is obvious from the wear and tear on the handle and the wooden door itself that this establishment has seen more than its share of visitors.

As your hand grips that cold handle and you feel the latch inside release itself from its protective captivity, a bell jingles with a somewhat deadened sound..

The bell which came in contact with a section of the wooden door with the heaviest amount of wear wiggles back and forth upon its scrolled but heavily rusted bracket. A crack in the bell dulls the sound that this bell might have produced had it been intact and without the obvious flaw. Alas the bell, like the establishment itself was far from perfect. But then again, no one seemed to even notice as you set your right foot upon the straw and sawdust strewn floorboards.

Floorboards, one would assume there must be floorboards beneath the thick blanket of debris. The smell of rank air, dead to the nostrils and the obvious aroma of some sort of animal. Farm animals to be exact.

And then you see one, then two.. There behind the long filthy wooden bar is the backside of a Goat.. Then the head of yet another of these quadrupeds is seen eating out of a wooden bowl. Chewing on what ever was once inside the vessel. The one of the goats stops but for a moment to let out a loud belch and then the foul sound of yet another escape of air but in a less than flattering manner.

The dark wooden walls of the tavern are nearly barren until you come to a massive stone fireplace. Above the fireplace is an equally massive taxidermy Wild Boars head. The fire withig the hearth is barely even showing as a few embers struggle to save life. Their glow a deep red and surrounded by white dust of a log long ago given up for heat.

A figure in a corner table shifts uncomfortably, ever so imperceptibly. Its features hidden by the hood that hangs low over its face. Be it Witch, Wizard or Creature is anyone's guess.

A worn-out wooden sign hangs over the door, advertising with a Wild Boar's severed head leaking blood onto the white cloth around it" and yet another visitor to Hogsmeade just walks on by taking no notice what so ever of the place.

[aberforth]

The long wooden bar with several rickety stools placed haphazardly before its heavey oaken frame. Standing sentinel with its wrought iron foot rest which had long ago become useless. The bracket ends which would have attached it to the bar had been ripped from its heavy oaken frame in a duel. A duel no one would remember or care to remember.

At the center of the bar was an assortment of filthy glasses and mugs of various sizes and conditions. Some had the Boars Head logo carved into the glass surface, others had advertisements for Wizarding Spirits, most of which had long since gone out of business and most of the glasses had been used and held by so many hands that the decor was nearly illegible.

A few very large steins stood on the bar top as well. These were obviously of Hagrid size and proportions. It would not be your everyday Witch or Wizard who would consume the amounts of brew that these vessels would or could contain.

A mighty blast of cool air causes dust to kick up from every surface in the tavern. Even the goats raised their heads from their feeding to look in the direction of the door which had just opened at the back of the room, far behind the bar itself and in the darkened depths of the room and below an upgoing staircase.

Spider webs strung by hairy 8 legged creatures from the underside of the staircase to the frame of the door. They wavered ever so gracefully in the breeze as little particles of dust and goat dander fell down onto the top of the bar and into those filthy pieces of bar-ware.

The first sign of life from the partially opened doorway was a gnarled hand which gripped the frame of the doorway itself.. The swollen knuckles showed signs of many years of hard work and Rheumatoid.

Then a foot appeared a the breach of the room to which the doorway stood. In but a moment an entire figure pulled itself into view, hauling in with it a very large burlap bag. The bag dragged on the ground behind the figure who was stooped over from the obvious weight of its contents.

A few muttered words escaped the figure, nothing fully audible, but it was clear from the tone that it was not something one would share in family company.

"Blasted filthy beasts", the figure emitted as it raised one of its well worn boot clad feet and placed it on an old rusted boot scrape that was nailed to the floor just inside the doorway.

The foot scraped off a combination of leaves, sawdust, straw and a thick brownish substance that one could conclude had originated at one of those gaseous goats that were bowl grazing at the end of the bar.

[nz101nz]

[Hello Duddahs, Hope you don't mind if I join this RP]

The weather had changed since the last time Hagrid was in Hogsmeade. It was a lot colder and it looked like it was the dead of winter. There weren't too many people out, and shops seemed to be closed. Undeterred by this, he continued on his way, taking a right into an alley just off Main Street. After walking out onto a less trafficked road, he began to make his way down it, looking for something in particular. As he glanced at the rows of seemingly abandoned building, he found it.

He approached the old, beaten up building, and stared at it; The Hog's Head Inn. "I see Aberfoth hasn't decided ter redecorate yet" He chuckled to himself, as he grabbed the old oak handle of the front door. Hagrid goes inside and quickly shuts the door, as he knew all to well that Aberfoth hated it when someone left the door open.

The interior had not changed in the 40 some-odd years that Hagrid had been coming here. It's dull, dark setting wasn't one of normality. Looking around Hagrid begins to wonder where Aberforth is.

Suddenly he hears a scrapping noise near the bar and speaks out. "Aberfoth?"

[rallem]

Rallem's shoulders slumped at hearing Hagrid's idea, "That really is a great idea Hagrid, the only problem is I just came back from there." The young Druid thought about his options and added, "It looks like I will have to invent a new spell." Rallem thought some more then added, "I just wish I had paid more attention to Charms at Druid College... I should be able to do this though, it just requires some old magic."

[Rom The House Elf]

He heard voices.

Coming around finally... barely opening his eyes, he shut them tight once again. He rolled over and moaned. An empty bottle of butterbeer rolls across the dirty dusty floor.

"Ugh... wizards," he said to himself.

He sits up and blinks his large bulbous eyeballs a few times, trying to get them to focus. He yawns with his mouth wide open and a cat like tongue curls upward in the process. He smacks his mouth a few times. Finally attempting to stand up, he wobbles to and fro, still a bit woozy from late night wanderings and celebrating. A celebration that was obviously too hardy. This time too many empty bottles of the boss' butterbeer stand lined across the top edge of the counter. He turns and quickly grabs hold of the counter he had been sleeping behind. Steadying his grip he slowly pulls himself up to peek just over the top to the customers on the other side.

"Hmm... Hagrid and some other bloke."

He reaches to scratch his backside as he ponders what to do... Should I look for boss or should I go back to sleep?

[aberforth]

The rear entrance door to the Hogs Head is suddenly blown open by a gust of wind. It slams into the wall adjacent to the bar. The clanging of some sort of bell filters into the Inn.

First one, then two and the four hairy goats stroll in over the door hearth and walk gingerly into the establishment. Chewing their hay, they all walk towards Rom who looks very perplexed behind the bar itself.

Aberforth walks in with his arms full of split logs for the fire. "It ain't fit for wizard nor beast out there" as Abe kicked the door closed.

The ancient wrought iron latch catches and the wind quickly dies down inside, having just mustered up a cloud of dust from the filthy floor.

Aberforth spots the house elf being surrounded by the small herd of goats.. "Go on, get on with it already. Ya got a habit of drinkin me outa house and home. Clean up ya lazy dud you."

He continues into the main parlor of the Inn and heads toward the fireplace which has a very lowly hissing fire inside.

"Dang if that lazy elf would not have just let it itself out." as Aberforth tosses a loose log on the white embers and a sudden roar of flame and heat come rushing into the near frigid room.

Still with the chill in the air, Aberforth picks up his head now that his load has been lightened and he notices The humongous form of Hagrid and his pal Rallem sitting at one of the rickety tables near the filthy paned windows.

"Yep, hows you Rallem, Hagrid? Bet that lazy help has not even gotten your order yet. I see your pretzel dish is empty as his head is..." With this, Aberforth lets out a small snicker and tosses the rest of the logs onto a small pile along side the fireplace.

So boys, what can I do for you this fine afternoon, and don/t be some smart arse and give me any roses and daisy back talk either.."

[nz101nz]

Hagrid turned Aberforth with a happy look on his face. "Aberfoth!"

"I wuz actually headin' up ter the castle, but they seemed ter have closed the road up, so I wuz stuck in Hogsmeade. I knew yer'd be around, so I popped in."

"How've yer been lately, Aberfoth? This place seems ter be gettin' busier and busier" He chuckled slightly at his own joke.

[aberforth]

Doing fine, juz fine Hagrid....

How have things been up at the castle? That brother of mine treating you well I imagine... Always out to put on his best face, he is.

Where did I put those nips now? Oh there they are... Dozy ole helper left the bag of em on the floor and those blasted goats looks like em got inta the lot...

Don't mine sharrin with em duz ya Hagrid, Rallem? These look like they weren/t licked or nuthing by em...

[nz101nz]

Actually, I haven't seen Albus fer weeks now. I don't even think he's at the school now. Probably out on Ministry work.

Hagrid took a look around the Inn and then took a Nip.

[aberforth]

"Well, sumthins got to be keepin him busy these dayz... You know even better than me that if he ever slowed down he would probably turn to dust.."

"Got us some special Elf Made Fire Scotch Whiskey yah know.... If ya wanna, I can crack open a bottle and see if thems Elves knows what theyz doin or not... Tell yah, I don trust no one who makes Fire Scotch Whiskey that won wear a kilt.."

[nz101nz]

Hagrid chuckled slightly at Aberforth "M'afriad I can't accept, Aberforth. Been tryin' ter stay healthy lately."

Hagrid glanced outside through a dusty window. Storm clouds had rolled in and it had begun to pour heavily. "Bloody weather's never good here. Hope yer don't mind me stickin' 'round here fer a bit?"

[aberforth]

"So'rite there Hagrid, been there meeself from time ta time."

Where is that Dozy House Elf that is supposed to keep these logs stocked up anyway? I'll tell ya, he is as much a bother some times as having a second head ya know what I mean?"

As Abe shuffles back toward the bar, a small figure is seen moving about in the shadows. Abe picks up a small log that he had intended to toss onto the hearth but instead hurls it at the moving shadow near the far wall, just in case a Rat had gotten in and was attempting to get into his stash of pretzels again.

[nz101nz]

Hagrid chuckled slightly at Abe's joke. "Good on ya, fer havin' an extra set of logs 'round. You never know what's goin' ter happen around here. As fer yer elf, I've always had a likin' towards him."

Hagrid took a seat in one of the armchairs, and heard it stress under his weight. He turned to Aberforth and motioned towards an opposite armchair. "Abe, yer look like yer've been runnin' around all day. Have a seat an' relax fer a bit."

[aberforth]

"Ya know wha Hagrid? Thinks ah will take ya up on your invite. Owning the place does sometimes haz its perks."

Aberforth moves to his left and grabs the back of an old rickety chair, twirls it in his hand as if it were a baton and he a Drum Major in a parade.

With a flick of his wand, the chair is now neatly placed along side the small square table that Hagrid seemed to sit almost completely around. The table looked so much like Doll furniture in front of his ever so bulking size.

"Yep, gonna have me a tall cold one, will I" with that a small pop and a frosted mug with butterscotch colored lidquid and a tall frothy foam overflowing down the sides appeared.

[nz101nz]

"There ya go, Abe. Yer looked like yer really needed the rest." Hagrid kept looking over to the dusty window. The sky was still dark, but it had an omnious feeling to it now. A wind had also started blowing.

"I dunno 'bout this weather. Looks ter me like somthin' more. I'm sure it's nothin' though. Ooo, almost fergot sumthin." Hagrid unbuckled his Oversized Moleskin Coat and began searching his pockets. "Hope yer don't mind a little spirng cleaning, Abe." Hagrid chuckled.

He began taking things out of his pockets; a pouch of money, an evening issue of the Daily Prophet, a brown owl that hooted softly and flew around the Inn, a pack of sausages ("A great buy if yer ever near the Hills of Bulgaria" he chuckeld). Finally, he found it; a brown package the size of a shoebox. "This was from yer brother. He just told me ter give it ter you."

Hagrid handed Aberforth the package.

[aberforth]

Aberforth reached out and took the package from Hagrid.

He put the package to the side of his head and shook it lightly to Hagrids obvious concern.

Not sure what was inside and as Aberforth was always a bit leary about receiving gifts from his brother Albus it just sat there for what seemed an eternity.

Aberforth took out his wand and passed it over the package twice. It rose slightly into the air above the table and as if tipped to sit on an ivisible axis the box tipped corners up and twirled slowly in the air.

Abe was clearly bringing great humor to himself. His interest in his own establishment momentarily vanished into the dust filled light of the pub.

[nz101nz]

Hagrid's mind had been fixed on the floating package, when he noticed movement outside. He quickly jolted his head and noticed a human figure moving in and out of the view of the window.

"There's sumone out there. They must be mad bein' out in this weather." Hagrid got up from his chair and walked over to the dusty window.

He saw about half a dozen figures in black cloaks and masks, pacing through the back alleys of Hogsmeade, going door to door. Hagrid knew they'd approach the Inn any minute.

"Aberforth, there's Death Eaters here. They look like they're looking fer something." Hagrid said in a slightly worried tone.

[aberforth]

Aberforth jumped up out of his chair. The box that he had been levitating dropped to the floor with a mighty thunk.... Abe looked over at Hagrid with a quizzical look upon his face. Unsure of what was in the box and why it had made such a loud sound for something so small.

"Hagrid, did Albus tell you what was in that box that you brought?'

A chill ran up Aberforths spine. Not a good feeling at all. The few stray hairs upon his head stood on end and a cold bluster of air shot through the Inn as the front door swung open wide and the Brass Door Bell swung wildly from side to side clanging away in a furious panic of rings.

[nz101nz]

Hagrid glanced over nervously at Aberforth. "I'm not sure. He didn't exactly, er, give it ter me. A man, heavilly cloaked and hooded, came ter me in Diagon Alley, an' gave me the box. Said it was from Albus and I needed ter give it ter you. Mind you, the lad looked a lot like Mundugnus Fle--"

Hagrid stopped mid sentence, as the front doors blew open, and four hooded figures stood mere feet from the front doors. He turned to Aberforth and yelled. "Get back ABE!"

Hagrid turned to the figures, who were approaching him, but the moment he did, the mysterious package had begun to move, and open on it's own. Out came a miniature rhino-like creature, with a distinct horn.

"A miniature Erumpent? How cute." Hagrid thought. A sudden realization came over him as he watched the little thing waddle over, in anger, to a chair and attempt to pierce it with it's horn.

Hagrid, turned in fear and ran purely on adrenaline, shaking the entire Inn. "It's gunna BLOW!"

A sudden explosion rocked the entire Inn and Hagrid was thrown into a side area of the Inn.

[aberforth]

Aberforth found himself being blown to the side of the bar by the force of the explosion.

His head hit hard, very hard indeed against the unpolished brass foot rail that ran across the base of the bar.

Without thinking twice or even regaining his composure, Abe grabbed at his wand, withdrew and just blasted in the direction of the front door of the Hogs Head.

Additional blast of light shot back and forth in the room and you could hear the quick shuffling of feet as the few patrons in the inn took to defending not only themselves but their favorite drinking hole.