Cheers Darlin' [Harmony]

[Dorian Innes]

Saturday, 29 October 2005
5:30 pm

Dorian had anticipated a more cheerful mood this evening. The extended weekend, a rare luxury with three consecutive days off work seemed to be perfectly timed. Today marked Dorian's thirtieth birthday, and his favourite holiday, Halloween, awaited in just two days. But the shadow of his separation from Selah loomed heavily, casting a dark cloud over what should have been a joyous occasion.

For the first time in a decade, Dorian would not be celebrating his birthday with his wife. To add insult to injury, Halloween also happened to be his and Selah's eighth wedding anniversary. The weight of these two events bore down heavily on Dorian, and when he received an early morning owl bearing a sweet birthday message from Selah, it was almost more than he could bear. A part of him wished that she hadn't sent it, but deep down, Dorian knew that her silence would have been just as, if not more agonizing.

Despite his disheartened mood, his thirtieth birthday was a milestone that warranted a break from the confines of his cramped office at Hogwarts and a good night's sleep in a proper bed. Having checked into the Leaky Cauldron late the night before for a three-night stay, Dorian celebrated with copious amounts of Firewhisky, rang in his birthday at midnight, then staggered upstairs to pass out.

Apart from the owl's message this morning, Dorian's birthday had so far mainly revolved around nursing a substantial hangover. As the sun dipped lower in the sky and the clock neared five, Dorian finally mustered the energy to get out of bed. After a long, hot shower, he shaved and dressed in his typical jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. With the day's fatigue finally receding, Dorian threw on a cloak and set out to continue the previous night's activities.

Leaving the Leaky Cauldron, Dorian navigated the familiar route to the junction between Knockturn and Horizont Alley, a path etched into his routine over the years. Approaching the Curious Chimaera, his attention was drawn to the golden chimaera statue atop the signboard, currently at rest on its stomach as if engrossed in a book. Anticipating the imminent transformation, Dorian envisioned the creature rearing up to raise a wine glass in a welcoming gesture, a sight he had not seen in a long time due to his schedule.

Pushing open the door and stepping inside the Curious Chimaera, Dorian was greeted by the tantalizing aroma of freshly brewed coffee, a scent intermingling with the subtle undertones of the bar that would soon emerge. Having worked the night shift so often lately, Dorian was, at the very least, excited to experience his favourite establishment during the hours it actually functioned as a bar.

Behind the counter, Harmony, a skilled barista was still fulfilling her duties, though it seemed she was approaching the end of her shift. Through the years spent at the Chimaera, Dorian had developed a close relationship with Harmony. She was one of the few who were privy to the details of his separation from Selah—a revelation that had emerged from Dorian's drunken confessions rather than a deliberate choice to confide.

Taking a seat on a plush red barstool, Dorian offered a nod in greeting to Harmony but refrained from interrupting her work. His fingers deftly reached for an ashtray, and he lit a cigarette, silently making a pact with himself that it would be the only one for the night. Despite having successfully quit smoking a week earlier, the occasion of his birthday seemed to justify an exception.

[Harmony Gabriel]

It had been a busy day for Harmony. She had worked the tattoo parlor the night before, and after closing up shop, she made it just in time for her shift at Curious Chimaera. Lately, she had been working well into the night at her shop before coming to work the morning shifts at the coffee shop. She almost regretted her decision to do so, but once she was paid for the piece she made, it was all worth it. The tips at the Curious Chimaera weren't bad, either.

She threw her hair up into a ponytail before getting to it. After serving three of the patrons, she took in a deep breath and ran a hand over her face. The workday was finally coming to an end, but it was going to go well into the night. The one thing she had to look forward to was her day off after her shift. Another patron waved their hand at her, and she gathered herself before walking over to them and serving them. The shop had been busy all morning and into the afternoon.

It wasn't until a familiar face walked in that she smiled a genuine smile. Dorian took a seat at the bar and served the last drink before starting to clean up her workstation. She walked past him and offered him a wave. "Heya, how've you been?" She was well aware of the things going on in his life, at least of late. She was concerned about his well being and wanted to make sure he was alright. She would be off shift soon and might actually be able to sit with him. "I'm off in about thirty minutes, you want company?" She turned back to him before throwing the towel over her shoulder.

[Dorian Innes]

Dorian exhaled a slow stream of smoke, letting Harmony’s question hang between them. His first instinct was to turn her down; lately, he preferred to drink alone, and even with someone he trusted, company could feel like an obligation he wasn’t sure he had the energy for. But as he tapped ash into the tray, the thought of spending his birthday alone felt too much like self-pity. He hesitated, then finally said, quieter than usual, "Yeah. Sounds great."

The kitchen door swung open, and Daniel, the Curious Chimaera’s chef, stepped out, tying an apron around his waist as he began his opening routine for the bar hours ahead.

"What’ll it be?" Daniel asked, spotting Dorian sitting without a drink in front of him.

"Firewhisky."

Daniel smirked but didn’t hesitate, reaching for the bottle despite the fact that technically, the café was still open. "Starting early, are we?" he teased, pouring a generous measure into a short glass.

Dorian gave a short smile, lifting the glass in a small, wordless thanks before taking a sip. The familiar burn settled in his chest, chasing away the last remnants of his earlier hangover. He set the glass down, idly tapping his fingers against the wood of the bar as he picked up a discarded copy of the Daily Prophet. He skimmed the headlines, but nothing held his focus. His gaze drifted over the paper, watching as Harmony moved through her closing tasks. The café’s daytime patrons were thinning out, replaced by the familiar crowd that filled the Chimaera after dark. Soon, Harmony would be off, and he wouldn’t be alone.

Maybe he should leave.

Dorian swirled the whisky in his glass, taking another slow sip as he considered it.