Roleplaying as Nate Smirnow from Koldovstoretz
@Katherine Labrouder

It was the last day before Nate went back to America and while he was happy to see his little sister, mother and father again, at the same time he just wanted to be alone. There was far too much going back and forth in his head the last few months and while it had all sort of sorted itself out, it still felt exhausting. His mind was now only on the fights that are waiting for him during the holidays and while he hadn't lost a fight until today, he was sitting in the Leaky Cauldron with a few bruises on his arms and a busted lip. Nate, his older brother and a few other guys had practised a few training fights and although Nate looked like that, he had won the fight, he had still made mistakes that hadn't happened to him in years and shouldn't have.

Nate wasn't hurt by the honour, because in the end he had won the fight, but now the insecurity was getting to him. He knew the fights were coming up at the fight club and no way was he going to make the same pathetic mistakes in front of his father. It was embarrassing enough for him to sit under the Christmas tree with his family tomorrow with these injuries and unwrap presents. He didn't know how his brother had managed to persuade him to travel back to London for one day, fight with the boys here, and then travel to his family the next morning for Christmas. Neither could he understand how he had managed to persuade his mother to allow them to go, but Nate already had a hunch that their father was involved.

Still, he had to get his head straight. He just needed to come down, to be distracted and so here he sat in the crowded, stuffy room. The laughter, the loud voices and chairs moving back and forth filled the crowded room. It took a few minutes before Nate got used to the volume and started to switch off. He ordered himself a butterbeer and made himself as comfortable as he could, hoping that his brother and the boys would not show up here as promised.

As he sipped his butterbeer, his gaze wandered around the room. Every table was occupied and he was lucky to get a small table in the corner. The next person or group that would come through the door had a really bad chance of getting in, but that wasn't Nate's problem. He finished the glass and ordered another, leaning back in his chair with one leg bent on the empty chair next to him. Leisurely he watched the people, drank from his glass and enjoyed the time alone.

Interacting with: Nate Smirnow @Haley Rose

Christmas is the one time in the year that Katherine despises. It could be because of all the happy faces and laughter and family bonding that's everywhere. Was it that a part of her was jealous? Maybe. But it had been a year since the last Christmas event, something she would never forget.

Christmas was to happen tomorrow and she’d have to go back home. Back to her heartless family, How wonderful she thought. She needed some peace of mind before going home tomorrow, somewhere where her thoughts would be faded by the constant useless chatter of people.

She headed to the infamous leaky cauldron, as soon as she had entered Kath scanned the place. As she thought the place was full of noisy chatter and laughter, How annoying she thought to herself but at the same time it was just what she needed. One thing she had noticed was that the place was packed full.

She let out a soft sigh and ran her fingers through her wavy hair, she started to look around for any empty seat. She searched till she found one but the problem was the table was occupied by some guy. He had curly black hair that fell to his forehead, he also looked broad. But what caught Kath's attention was his busted lip and few bruises.

Was he some kid that got picked on? She didn't think so since he was quite broad, maybe a criminal of some sort. He could also have anger issues, he seemed like the type of guy who would. Katherine had scanned him but didn't show it. She decided to approach him keeping a confident but not cocky posture.

she had decided to act polite just for the sake of it, she wasn't in the mood for a fight. She stood in front of the black-haired guy, She had softened her features a bit to not intimidate him. She looked at him with her icy eyes and spoke”Hey uh do you mind if I join you since the place is full and you have the only seat available”,

Up close Katherine could see his features more clearly, He looked as if he got beaten up roughly. Kath couldn't care less though as long as she can take the seat, it wasn't any of her business either. She’d hate to admit it but the random guy in front of her was quite handsome or maybe he was a bit of her type.She wouldn't show that she was studying the guy but simply waiting for his answer.

Roleplaying as Nate Smirnow from Koldovstoretz
@Katherine Labrouder

Nate was lost in his thoughts, by now almost back to the bottom of his second glass. He was on the lookout for the waitress when the door opened again and caught his attention. There would now come in the next people, who would leave the crowded room again with empty hands. But the boy did not care, just as he was about to take his eyes off the door again, he caught sight of the girl who had entered the room. His intention to order a new Butterbeer was forgotten in this moment. His ice-blue eyes scanned the girl from top to bottom, presumably she went to Hogwarts, but he had never met her even on his visits.

He held his gaze and took another sip from his glass, which reminded him of what he was actually doing. But he put that further behind, for the girl did not turn and leave again, but paced in his direction. Maybe friends of hers were already here. He looked around but could not find a table where a seat was still free. The girl had a completely different goal, which Nate realized only a few seconds before she stood in front of him. He was sitting at a small table, the only one that still had two free chairs. One was occupied by his leg and the other faced him, untouched. He looked into her grey-blueish eyes and nodded. "Sure." His expression remained expressionless and even though he really wanted his peace, he didn't want to be rude after she asked him politely. He glanced at the chair across from him "Take a seat if you want."

He just drank his last sip from the glass and licked his lips, noticing the chapped area. It reminded him that he probably didn't look particularly friendly or harmless, and he tried to suppress a smirk. He didn't even want to know what the girl thought of him, but he couldn't care less. He had learned that it didn't affect him what people thought about him who didn't even know him. He caught sight of the waitress, who had noticed his empty glass. He nodded to her and turned to the girl, who by now had sat down in the empty chair across from him. "Do you want a Butterbeer? Or something else to drink?" depending on her answer, he would order her a drink as well.

After the order was brought to their table, he raised the glass and held it out to her. "Cheers!" He would wait until she toasted him and if she didn't, he would shrug and take a sip. His gaze no longer wandered around the room, but had lingered on her. It was hard not to continue looking into her eyes, they captivated the boy and his jaw tightened as he forced himself to look away. But he couldn't lie, she was beautiful to look at, nothing in this room could match that, so he finally looked back at her. "I'm Nate, by the way. I'm guessing you're at Hogwarts?" He tried to look kind of nice, but his bruises and chapped lips probably didn't make it easy for him to not look like a criminal,

Interacting with: Nate Smirnow @Haley Rose

Katherine was glad he had agreed politely for her to occupy the chair across from him, she wouldn't have had the mood and patience if he was rude. She went and sat on the empty chair, she then noticed the third chair was occupied by his legs. Maybe he also had a leg injury, Katherine was a bit curious as to what got the guy beat up like that.

But it was none of her business, she sat on the chair across him either way. Whether he’d be a criminal or one to be picked on, she was too late to decide not to interact with him. plus it wasn't like there were a million empty seats.” thank you, the place is packed full today”,

She took a glance around the place. Kath was a bit lost in her thoughts, making her face go stoic, worrying about what will happen at her home tomorrow. What heart-aching pain will her father make her go through this time? up until the stranger opposite her broke her train of thought.

” Oh ill take a butterbeer”, she gave off a soft smirk her eyes showing that she was thankful. Katherine very rarely smiles, you’d be really lucky to see her bust a huge smile. She only smiles when she really means to do so, otherwise, you’d get her infamous smirks.

As soon as the drinks were set on the table, he raised his glass to toast her and she toasted him back ” cheers”, she spoke whilst keeping eye contact. Kath took a small sip of her drink and then set it on her table. She took another glance around the room, she was trying not to look at the handsome stranger in front of her for long, so he doesn't think that she could be some creep.

She stopped looking when she felt a gaze upon her, she looked back at him. Kath was a bit amused by the fact that Nate had scanned her. She let out a soft chuckle ” I am Katherine and yes I am from Hogwarts, Im guessing your not.”, Her attention was now fully on him, Curiosity showing in her icy sharp eyes With a devilish smirk.

” I doubt you’re from beaux batons or durmstrang either. So where could you be from Nate”, she had more of a flirtatious smirk now, observing him. Katherine thought even with his bruises and chapped lips he was quite handsome, yes it did make him look like a criminal but something was strangely alluring about him. making this sitting more interesting than it was.

Roleplaying as Nate Smirnow from Koldovstoretz
@Katherine Labrouder

Nate couldn't help it and a short laugh more in the form of a snort left his mouth and a half smirk formed on his lips. It was hard to take his eyes off the devilish smile of the beauty in front of him but he tried not to let it show. "You're guessing right." he replied to the girl, who introduced herself as Katherine. "I'm curious, why not beaux batons or durmstrang?" he asked her with a raised eyebrow and just the same devilish smile she had put on herself. "Well, I guess I've never seen a beaux batons walking around with bruises let alone a busted lip." If he were honest, he probably wouldn't trust a student of beaux batons to fight with physical strength. If they did, they probably wouldn't own up to their injuries and would probably use magic to get rid of it. That was something Nate would never do. He was to blame for those injuries himself and he would bear them until they went away on their own.

Katherine had now drawn him into his full attention, he took his leg off the chair, sat up a bit and lay forward with his upper body, both arms on the table and in the middle of his hands his butterbeer. His black curls fell on his forehead and with his ice blue eyes he flashed at her. "Tell me what makes you think that? Or do you think I'm more of a criminal?" He knew she had noticed his injuries, how could she not? He was curious how she would answer, but he would make no secret of it. He took another sip and with his half smirk he finally answered her "Koldovstoretz"

His eyes were pinned on her, eager to see her reaction and not wanting to miss it. He wanted to know if she had any biases, if any opinions could be read. He wanted to read her, he wanted to know more about her. She had aroused his interest. Not only because she was pretty, also her devilish smile, her flirty art and something he could not name. Maybe it was also the fact that she talked to him even though he looked like him. Probably it was just all of it together. As he continued to sip his butterbeer, he didn't take his eyes off the beauty across from him. Quite frankly, he didn't try to hide it at all. His eyebrows furrowed and he decided to ask her another question. "So Katherine, what does a Hogwarts student do on Christmas or the day before, I don't know how you celebrate it here, alone in a crowded and stuffy room drinking a Butterbeer?"

His eyes continued to study the girl, was she going to make a face? Would her mood deteriorate, maybe she was in trouble? Was it trouble that Nate could solve? He would. Wait, what? Nate barely knew her after all, and for some reason he already felt the small need to protect her. He didn't know if he should trust his feelings, was he just being fooled? Or did something inside him already know she was worth it? Nate didn't know, but maybe he would find out today. Maybe she would allow him to get to know her and not leave the room a stranger. Or maybe they would walk out the door together at the end of the day and never think of each other again and remain strangers.

Interacting with: Nate Smirnow @Haley Rose

Katherine let out a soft chuckle at his comment about beaux batons. She noticed he'd given her his attention and fixed his posture, Now that he was closer it was hard for Kath to resist looking at his handsome features. He too had such alluring blue eyes, She noticed how curious he was about her guesses.

She too had leaned forward and placed both arms on the table, She’d fold both arms on the table but raise one and rest her chin on her hand. She thought at least he was aware that he does look like a criminal with those bruises and busted lip. Maybe he was she still doesn’t know ” Maybe more of a criminal for sure”, she had a devilish smirk on with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

She enjoyed the little tease she gave him and observed how he’d react, she continued” You’re not from beaux batons because your vibe doesn’t really give it, and usually they have quite soft features more pretty in a feminine way, you don’t have that”, she paused while continuing to read any reaction he does.

” Although you might give off durmstrang a bit, still I don’t think it suits you and I don’t think they’d be kind enough to let a stranger occupy a seat of their’s. I don’t think they’d be kind to any strangers at first”, She saw how curious he was about her answer. Kath had heard his response, she doesn’t think she had met anyone from there yet.

He was her first, she had curiosity in her eyes” Koldovstoretz? I think I’ve heard it before it’s in Russia correct? I Have to say I haven’t met anyone from there yet. You’re my first”, She gave off a flirtatious smirk something about Nate got her more curious to get to know him.

Other than he was from a new school, the way he respond’s to her and his reaction’s makes it all the more enjoyable for Katherine. She noticed how his eyes didn’t move from her, So apparently we are on the same page she thought. Plus it wasn’t like she could resist how handsome he is or his beautiful eyes.

Although Nate’s next question caught Katherine by surprise, but she didn’t show it. How can she respond to a question like that? Does she tell him that her parent’s find celebration’s or any source of joy a weakness? That they find all emotions useless thats’ why they are stoic, they raised her to be like that. Actually, they want her to be like that till now, that’s why she doesn’t smile much, she doesn’t smile at all.

Does she tell him that her parents are heartless and cold? Or rather that she doesn’t get gifts in Christmas nor the warm Christmas spirit or the family bonding? That she came here to fade her thought’s into people’s useless chatter before she has to meet them tomorrow. Or that she has never felt the classic family love?

A million thoughts ran over Kath at what to respond to Nate, to the point were Kath had a stoic face on and her eyes turned ice cold.To her it felt like she was stuck for a long time thinking over her response, but in reality, it took a second. Where she blinked and looked down at her hand’s specifically on her family ring then back up at Nate.

” How does a Hogwarts student celebrate Christmas or the day before? That’s a good question but im not really sure. I think you might have asked the wrong person the question”, she paused and let out a chuckle and had softened her features and placed a soft smirk.

” I think they spend It with their families you know under the Christmas tree’s giving each other gifts and full of laughter, warmth and happiness”, something she never experienced or will ever experience, so she doesn’t know much.” But for me, I’m here to distract my thought’s by peoples chatter, clear my head in a way. My family doesn’t celebrate it, so this is the closest thing I have to a Christmas celebration”,

That was why she was here in the first place. She returned back to her original mood she had with nate before the question. She watched him with her soft icy eyes, she went back to her flirty smirk” What about you Mr Criminal, Whats a guy like you doing here before Christmas eve, all alone, in a crowded and stuffy room drinking butterbeer?”,

She still had on a flirty smirk but her eyes full of curiosity and warmth this time. Something about him really made Katherine want to get to know him.Yes he did look like a criminal but Katherine didnt mind that, Instead it made Katherine want to understand him more. His personality attracted Kath in a way, and his look’s was just a plus. She doesnt think she could get tired looking at his ice blue eyes and It seemed like it would be a long night.

Roleplaying as Nate Smirnow from Koldovstoretz
@Katherine Labrouder

It amused the Russian boy how Katherine became a kind of mirror image of him. A mirror image without injuries, with similar blue eyes only much more beautiful than he would ever feel himself. But the movements were the same and he liked this little unspoken game the two of them seemed to be playing. He smiled playfully as she called him more of a criminal and his eyes narrowed as he looked at her insistently. "Didn't your mother teach you that it's better to stay away from criminals?" He raised his eyebrow, leaned forward and added quietly, "I'm glad she didn't." And with those words, he leaned back in his chair for a moment, adjusting himself to Katherine's flirty manner.

Her answer made him sit up again and he was interested to see how she had analysed him and explained her hypotheses. He thought about it for a moment and nodded at her statements about beaux batons. Durmstrang he could judge poorly and guessed she was probably right. "Russia, yes." He confirmed her guess and grinned when she told him that he was the first person she had met from that school. "I am honoured to be the first student from Koldovstoretz you meet. Although I'm not sure my school would choose me as a figurehead." He ran his hands through his curly hair. His veins on the back of his hand were pronounced all over his arm, but disappeared under his sleeve at the wrist. The curls fell back onto his forehead and his gaze fell back on Katherine as he took another sip from the glass, which was almost empty again.

It was a split second, but he could see exactly the change in her expression. He would have loved to look into her pretty little head to understand what was going on in her mind. What was the trigger for her behaviour? With furrowed brows he studied her face, his eyes moving from left to right, up and down, hoping to discover something that would answer the questions in his mind. But for the moment, the boy was none the wiser. "Your family doesn't celebrate Christmas? You're the first person I've met who does." He gave her a gentle smile to show her that there was nothing wrong with that. Besides, he feared it had something to do with her Changed Expression and he didn't want to make it worse already. He himself celebrated Christmas with his family every year. Especially for his little sister it was a joyful experience every year and he would do anything to see her shining eyes and hearty laughter under the Christmas tree every year.

But even the Christmas spirit didn't last long among the Smirnov men. Since Nate went to school in Russia, he spent as much of his free time as possible at the fightclub. He missed the weekly training sessions there incredibly. This year, for the second time, the Christmas competition was taking place, in which Nate and his brother would also participate. But not only the youth would participate, also the adults and for the first time in ages Nate would see his father in the ring again. But that only reminded him that he was actually here to distract himself. A commonality he shared with the blue eyes that had so captivated him.

Mister Criminal - he repeated softly in his mind, unable to suppress a smile. He wouldn't say it out loud, but those words coming out of her mouth were like music to him. It pleased him to see that the mood wasn't ruined and she had put on her flirty smile again, which it seemed he couldn't get enough of himself. "Well, a guy like me, like yourself, wanted to distract himself a bit." He took the last sip of his butterbeer, "Speaking of which, would you like another?" Depending on how she answered, he would order another for the two of them or just for himself.

"My brother had managed to talk me into coming here for a day so we could train with some other guys. And now I just needed to clear my head a bit before we travel back to America tomorrow to spend Christmas with the family. And since I won't have any rest for the next few days, I wanted to take this moment for myself." He shrugged his shoulders. He didn't want Katherine to think she had ruined his quiet moment in any way, so he put on that devilish smile the two of them had been sharing all along and leaned forward slightly on the table again. "Couldn't have known the evening would take such a positive surprise."

Interacting with: Nate Smirnow @Haley Rose

Kath watched his playful smile and comment, she let out a soft chuckle and got closer as she leaned forward” Or maybe it's just that I don’t want to stay away from them”, She had mischief all over her icy eyes as she looked at Nate and a devilish smirk on. She had laid back a bit, two can play this flirty game she thought.

She got her guess correct about the location of the wizard school, the name practically was Russian. ” It's fine I'm glad I got you as a figurehead, I don't think I’d want anyone else to do it if I’m being honest”, She’d keep eye contact with him to read how he responds. If anyone knows how to play this game, it would be Katherine; she enjoys playing it.

Katherine gave a soft smirk and a small chuckle, was it really ok and normal that her family didn’t celebrate? It wasn't a normal reason that they didn't celebrate Christmas, A part of her craved that family warmth yet how can she crave something she never tried.?It was weird, she looked down at her palms and a small hurt glinted in her eyes.

But she looked back up at Nate as if it was all normal again as if nothing happened. She played with her family ring for a minute till she stopped. She was used to it by now, so she shouldn’t feel any sadness. Nate also came here for a distraction, what a wonderful way for the day before Christmas eve she thought.

” No thanks I’m still halfway through mine”, she took another sip of her drink, then licked her lips softly. She was curious about what type of training he had ” Oh if you don’t mind me asking what kind of training?”, she was focused and listening to Nate. She was very interested in knowing more about him, she felt great knowing he just didn’t have good looks but an interesting story behind those ice-blue eyes.

” Neither did I, I guess it was a really good turn of events”, she let off a flirty smirk ” Do take care of yourself though after the training, tend to yourself properly. I wouldn’t want you to get injured badly. I also wouldn't want to get that handsome face too battered up after training”, With the flirting aside, she really did mean it when she told him to take care of himself.

she wouldn't want him to get hurt badly and to also tend to his wounds, But where has this sudden care come from? probably due to the Christmas spirit or that he was kind to her. she gave off a devilish smirk again, she paused and leaned forward and added” Not that I would mind your face, either way, you’d still be a sight for sore eyes Mister Criminal”, she continued softly.

She looked at his blue eyes keeping eye contact trying to read his response while giving him a flirty smirk then laid back a bit.” Since apparently, I have a thing for being interested in criminals now”, she gave a playful smirk and mischief written all over her eyes.

Roleplaying as Nate Smirnow from Koldovstoretz
@Katherine Labrouder

There was no end to the unspoken game between the two and Katherine was a good player. Nate raised an eyebrow again "I see, so you like the danger? The risk? Or just into the bad guys?" he laughed and leaned back in his chair again. It seemed there would be no winner in this little game today. When she said she was glad he was the figurehead he looked intently at her face. He wanted to see if she was lying, but he knew her too little for that insight. He tilted his head a little and smiled with a shrug, "Well I guess I'll just have to take your word for that."

Nate now got his third butterbeer and he thanked the waitress. It was hard to take his eyes off Katherine for that, but he did it out of politeness. However, his eyes quickly snapped back to his object of desire, whose turn it was to ask questions. "What kind of training?" He laughed a little, thinking it had been obvious. "I think I'm going to have to disappoint you. I'm not actually a criminal. Not yet." He winked at her, "My injuries are from boxing." He let his head crack slowly to the left and then to the right, trying to lose the tension. The memory of his mistakes made him nervous again.

His blue eyes lit up again as Katherine also said it was a good turn of events. "Indeed." He smiled at her, unable to get enough of her smirk. "I'm going to miss that smile of yours." He flirted back before a hearty laugh came from his chest. "I really appreciate it, but my face has looked worse than that." He pointed his finger at his lip and bruises. "But more reassuringly, my opponent always looked worse than me afterwards." Nate wouldn't hide it; he was proud not to have lost any of his fights yet. Admittedly, though, it was getting harder as he got older.

He didn't know if she really meant it. Could it be that the two of them already felt protective of each other? He appreciated her words, though. No one had ever told him to look after himself before, his mother did but he didn't count it as she is his mother. "My dear, you can't get out of it now. I know you already care about my pretty face." He couldn't help but smile broadly and bite his lips, "But for you, I'll make the effort to take care of my face as best I can." He added and took a large sip from his glass.

"Now that you're interested, you should come to one of my fights sometime." Those words were spoken so quickly that he hadn't even thought about it. The idea of Katherine standing in the crowd just there to see and cheer him on made his pulse quicken. He wanted to experience that feeling, but at the same time he immediately became nervous that he might lose the fight and embarrass himself. Then that was it for their games. Still, the idea of seeing her beautiful figure among all the bawling men and boys was glorious.

Interacting with: Nate Smirnow @Haley Rose

Katherine chuckled at his question. She thought maybe it was the thrill that comes with it.” I enjoy the risk and danger that comes with it, the rush that it gives my heart”, she watched his reaction. It felt that he had the same flirty way as Katherine.

Which made it more interesting and enjoyable for Kath. She noticed he had a charming smile every time he spoke and a warm laugh to him, Maybe also an addiction to butterbeer. She also noticed that he's always got his eyes on Katherine he hasn't moved them away much from her. Who knew this evening could turn like this?

She listened to him mention he was training in boxing. Usually, that wouldn’t be so obvious to her. She doesn't see it much in Hogwarts, She thought maybe quidditch because it usually would get a bit rough. She let out a soft chuckle about his comment about not being a criminal yet, She also noticed when he mentioned boxing as if he got nervous of sorts.

Maybe it was best not to dig too deep into that topic, she doesn't want him to change his mood.” Oh, I apologise for not catching on to that earlier, I don't see boxing much in Hogwarts, My first thought would have been quidditch that's got you injured”, She watched his blue eyes get a light back in them after the boxing topic.

Her guess was right that the topic seemed like a sensitive point where she should tread carefully before asking anything. He had a charming smile that suited him Kath thought, it was addictive to look at. She let out a soft laugh with a flirty smirk on ” Not as much as ill miss yours”, Her storm-coloured eyes had lit up to his flirty comment.

She chuckled at Nate’s confidence, was it mere empty confidence just to impress her? Or can he back it up She watched as her flirting boosted his confidence, she gave her casual devilish smirk and raised an eyebrow ” Getting cocky now are we “, she gave him a tease and chuckled.


She drank the last sips of her butter beer and set the empty glass on the table and licked her lips. She heard his offer to watch one of his games, and she thought of it. It would be a ticket to see if his confidence was just bare words or not. Kath hates empty confidence for one, She planned to tease Nate a bit on his offer, to see if his offer was one he made out of rush or one because he actually wanted her.” When is your next one? I'm guessing it'll be in America correct?”, she was interested to see nates response. From that, she can see his intentions toward his offer.