Happy Birthday

It was Luke's birthday, and how he resented it. He wasn't a cynical man who found misery in any form of social event, but his birthday just reminded him of how another year had passed without anything changing. Worse, was that he was always dragged out by his few friends and forced to drink as much as humanly possible, in a pub packed with people celebrating the New Year. Perhaps Luke was wrong, maybe he was being cynical. Truthfully, he had experienced many good nights with friends, they just happened to never have fallen on the first of January.
He entered the Leaky Cauldron and was followed by his three companions, who were already tripping over one another and shouting due to their previous drinks. Luke was only slightly merry but the alcohol had yet to change his prediction for how the night would unfold. As expected, the pub was busy and he skimmed the faces closest to him absentmindedly. A glimmer of red caught his eye and his stomach jolted, wondering if it could be the girl who'd been stuck on his mind for days. However, his hope twisted to disappointment when it turned out to just be a woman wearing an autumn scarf. No matter how hard Luke tried, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about Evie. He had been certain his interest would fade, but had kept finding himself walking past the window of Flourish and Blotts in the hopes of catching a glimpse of her. It hadn't ever happened and he couldn't concoct any excuse as to why he'd need to go in. She'd think he was a stalker, and at this rate he would too.

"Come on boy, drinks!" His friend declared, clapping a large hand on his back and shoving Luke towards the bar. The bartender was busy serving, and even if he hadn't been Luke was nowhere near the front. "Maybe we should just go and find somewhere else," he suggested but the group of males roared in response. "Stop being such a girl and get a bloody drink!" Luke rolled his eyes but offered them a small smile. They were very different to him, but that was what he liked. They encouraged him, and called him out when he was isolating himself, Luke needed that. As his friends headed towards one end, squashed together like a box of liquorice sticks, Luke headed for the other. He kept his eyes firmly on the bar, attempting to find a gap amongst the sea of customers.

Eventually, one opened and he slipped into it, resting an elbow on the wooden top and leaning into it, waiting to be spotted. He had worked in a bar before, and found bartenders gave better service to those who didn't yell at them and wave their money in their air, demanding attention. His mind wandered and he began to listen to the buzz around him, flitting between conversations. A group talking about the price of alcohol, a man trying to convince a girl to go home with him, a witch moaning about her boss, and a clearly drunk man offering to buy someone a drink. Before Luke had time to move on to another conversation, the girls reply stopped him instantly. He knew that voice. Luke turned and glanced down the bar towards the pair, and was met with the back of a female with long red hair that was unmistakable to him. Evie. A smile pulled at his lips and his heart picked up tempo in his chest. She must be out with friends, as the bartender placed a few drinks in front of her. Luke couldn't interrupt, they'd only met once and Evie probably wouldn't even remember him.

He turned his attention to the man she was with, who had clearly had too many. He was older than her and Luke recognized the glimmer in his eye. He froze, staring at Evie and the stranger with a sudden suspicion that caused Luke to grip the edge of the bar. The drunk slurred something and lifted a hand to brush Evie's hair back. She twitched and shuffled backwards, but the man grabbed her shoulder, holding her in place. An animal growled in Luke's chest, a protective instinct that he thought only existed for those he was closest too. Forgetting that he wasn't Evie's friend and had no right to act like her bodyguard, Luke pushed through the crowd towards them. They bobbed out of sight, but he heard the man's following lewd statement, causing another roar to echo through him. What was he planning to do? He couldn't hex the man on the spot for no apparent reason.

Not having time to think, Luke arrived behind Evie, scowling at the drunk in disgust. As much as he wanted to, he knew he couldn't rip the man away from Evie without causing a scene. Instead, he attempted to keep his voice level and spoke through his teeth. "Evie, is everything all right?" He asked, moving around to her side. The drunk glanced at him, taking particular note of Luke's hands, which had balled into fists at some point and released her. "I've been looking for you everywhere," he continued, moving his attention to her. "Come on, I'll help you with the drinks." He grabbed one of the glasses and placed his hand on her back, staring at the drunk. Luke had never wanted to hit someone as badly as at that moment, but Evie would most likely resent him for it. Instead, he lead her away, palm still pressed to her spine. "I'm sorry if that was inappropriate," he murmured apologetically in her ear.

Evie didn't even flinch as he directed her away from the drunk, picking up the other drinks and weaving through the dozens of bodies. He didn't move his hand for a while, wondering how long he could get away with the contact before she began looking at him the way she'd looked at the drunk. When she thanked him he nodded stiffly, meeting her burning hazel eyes as she turned. Evie's focus was stolen by the drunk man and Luke followed her gaze. He was already absorbed with some other pretty girl, yet the new one appeared to have lower standards than Evie and had accepted his offer. Luke's jaw tightened, grateful he'd managed to get Evie away from him. She shouldn't be at the bar alone this late, anything could happen when the pub was busy and there was nobody to watch her. He sounded sexist, but Luke had no doubt of her competency, but sometimes it wasn't enough.

They were going slowly as Evie was constantly blocked by someone, and being her height seemed to make her suddenly invisible to others. It didn't bother Luke, the longer he could remain with her the better. He'd almost forgotten how attractive she was, how did people not notice her when she demanded attention without even realizing it? He glanced down at her attire, she looked lovely, although she had in the shop.

When she inquired as to what he was doing in the dingy pub he glanced over her shoulder at his friends. They had been served and were searching for him, but he had not been found yet. "I'm..." He hesitated, wondering whether he should confess to her or not. She may feel obliged to linger with him, and although her company was the only thing he wanted, it didn't seem fair. However, Luke didn't like to lie, especially when it was unnecessary, "It's my birthday." He shook his head and looked ahead to where they were going. A group of girls were huddled together, glasses empty, he assumed they were with Evie. "Are you here with your friends celebrating New Year?" It was a popular night to go out on, more so that New Year's Eve in many ways. As they neared the group he removed his hand, although thought one had already spotted him. Luke knew he'd have to separate from her soon, confirming that the rest of his night would be appalling. Nothing could be better than seeing her, and leaving Evie would be just as miserable as the last time.

Evie seemed much happier that it was his birthday than he was, and beamed up at him as they neared the table. He had been correct, the girls were her friends and he was glad he had released Evie as their eyes focused in on the pair. Luke felt as if he were being scrutinized for flaws, but didn't react to the many eyes stuck on him. Evie began handing out drinks and he noted that nobody thanked her, despite the fact she'd been the one to stand and wait in a hot bar whilst being hit on by a drunk. Not that they knew about him, and as a white lie slipped easily from Evie's lips, Luke wondered why she didn't tell them. Most girls would have returned to the table laughing and gossiping about the encounter, capturing their friends attention for as long as possible. Evie however, continued as if nothing had happened and took the final glass from Luke with only a brief glance at him. He found her perplexing, and added another item to the list of questions he wished he could ask her.

Luke hadn't paid the girls much notice, yet as one inquired about him directly he met her blue eyed stare. She didn't shift her focus, even as Evie introduced them to him. He gave a polite smile although didn't speak, already feeling as if he were overstaying his welcome. Veronica, the blonde who had yet to blink chirped at Evie as if Luke weren't able to speak for himself, "He's cute, Ev. Very cute. What on earth are you doing with Evie?" The compliment meant for him, was a slap in the face for her supposed friend and he noted how Evie barely reacted. Surely she should defend herself? Hell, he wanted to. If anything, Luke felt inferior to the redhead, plain and dull like a whisp of cloud in a grey sky. The wizard frowned as Evie mimed her apology, as if she had done something wrong.

Friends, it seemed an odd choice of word. They barely knew one another, and apart from his unusually strong attraction to Evie they hadn't connected in a way other than seller and customer. "How did you meet?" Another asked as Veronica's lips upturned into a smug smirk. "At Evie's work, she helped me buy a gift for my niece," Luke answered honestly. "I wouldn't say that makes you friends, not the kind of friends I have anyway..." Veronica spoke again, and although her statement sounded innocent there was always a sultry tinge to it that made him uncomfortable. Luke looked away from the blonde and back at Evie, hoping Veronica would take the hint that under no circumstances would he be interested.
"I'd better go," he said to Evie, glancing at his male friends who were pointing over at him in interest. If he wasn't fast, they'd head over and embarrass him. He hated to leave her already, and caught her eye once more, wanting to remember the lively colour. "I hope you enjoy yourself, but don't go to the bar alone again, all right?" He murmured, his concern for her escaping. Luke turned to the other women and nodded, "It was nice to meet you, have a good night." With that, he walked away, looking back a final time at Evie, resenting that he had to leave.

"Who was that girl you were with, the fit one?" His friend asked when he met them. "And her friends," the youngest of their group added. Luke shook his head, not wanting to discuss it. "Just somebody I met once, it doesn't matter." The men gave him suspicious looks and Luke smiled in the hopes of distracting them. "Whose going to buy me a beer?" He asked, and like magic, the men forgot all about Evie, it was just a shame Luke couldn't.

Luke listened to his friends talking yet only half of it seemed to register in his head. They were discussing Quidditch, a topic he didn't usually mind although his knowledge wasn't extensive. However, as they playfully mocked one another's favourite teams, debated wins and losses, and made predictions for upcoming games, Luke found himself tuning out completely. His neck was stiff from the physical effort it took to stop himself looking at Evie. Occasionally he'd allow himself a casual glance in her direction, only to find her gazing at her friends with the same look as Luke was giving his. A small smile crept onto his lips and he took another swig of his beer, finding that the unimportant fact cheered him up.

The others had almost finished their drinks yet he had half remaining. Luke peered at the honey coloured liquid yet had no urge to consume more of it. He could already feel the alcohol pumping through his veins, relaxing his muscles and causing him to lose some of his edge. He felt braver, and ideas about meeting Evie later that night continued to flit through his mind. Perhaps if they both remained in the pub he would eventually muster some courage to speak to her without needing a drunken idiot hitting on her to instigate it. However, the fact Evie was only drinking water dashed some of his hopes. To a sober woman, a drunk man was little more than a fool.

"Drink up mate, we're getting another lot in," Mitch, the loudest of his friends, insisted before pointing at his glass. "It's like you don't want to get smashed or something," he added, grinning like a schoolboy. Mitch was a large man, but couldn't take his alcohol and was always the first to pass out. Luke shook his head and snatched a look at Evie who was frowning, suddenly interested in whatever Veronica was saying. "If that isn't gone in the next minute, the next round is on you," Mitch declared, stacking the empty glasses in the centre of the table. "Fine by me but you'll have to wait," Luke joked lightly, swirling the liquid in its container. Mitch rolled his eyes and Luke took his opportunity to glance once more at Evie.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect, he caught her just as she slapped her palm onto the table and shot up, glaring at Veronica as words he couldn't distinguish flew from her mouth. Those around Evie went silent and her friends stared at her as if she were turning into a werewolf before their eyes. Luke didn't bother attempting to hide his intrigue as Evie stormed across the room towards the door. She caught his eye and Luke's frown deepened at the watery sheen to them. What could have possibly happened to make Evie react like that? "Someone's got her knickers in a twist," Mitch chuckled as Evie dashed out of the pub. "Now come on, drink." Luke glanced between his friends as the door swung shut with a click. He grabbed his pint and poured the rest of the beer down his throat in a few seconds before dropping it onto the table. Liquid courage, that was what he needed. Mitch burst into laughter, but Luke barely heard him as he stood up and grabbed his jacket from his chair. He pulled a handful of coins from his pocket and tossed them onto the wooden surface, "Have a good night," he said before following Evie out the door, ignoring the shouts behind him.

He checked up and down the street before his eyes settled on Evie's retreating form. Her hands were wrapped around her and her head was bowed, even from the distance it was obvious she was upset. Luke jogged to catch up, not wanting to startle her by yelling her name up the street. He slowed as he neared and caught his breath, "Evie, are you all right?" He asked her, falling into step and hoping that he wasn't stepping over the line.