Open to 1-2 ACAB (pref. UC/MC) gentleman who would not be attending the COB!

Everyone knows what I look like
Not even one of them knows me
Yeah, I just want to drink tequila with my friends
I'm so defeated I just want this shit to end
— Everybody Hates Me, The Chainsmokers
Ever since she'd been admitted to the hospital and her story (and now her father's, apparently) had been published on the front pages of The Daily Prophet, Bella had known better than to show her face in society. "Society" was the key word, as she'd wandered about incognito — sporting a dress that looked like it belonged to a working class woman rather than a well-bred debutante, along with a matching cloak and bonnet that masked any features that were notably Bella-ish.

She'd made an attempt to visit the house of one of her Hogwarts friends before being (figuratively) slapped in the face with a reminder that it was the evening of Hogwarts' Annual Coming Out Ball. Had it really been an entire year since she'd debuted and danced in the Great Hall? A year since she'd met Mr. Gladstone? A year since she'd begun her adult life?

Apparently so, and that came with a reminder that she'd managed to do nothing other than mess it up. She'd grouchily left Wellingtonshire and headed towards the only logical place in Hogsmeade: the Three Broomsticks. There was likely no one there who would know her, and no one who was sober enough at this hour to engage her in any meaningful conversation.

And that was good, because she'd decided she needed a drink.

She'd found her way into the establishment without much trouble, and quickly found a seat near the end of the bar that was unoccupied — at that moment, at least.

By the time her drink had arrived, the pub grew louder with boisterous laughter as a few gentleman (and she thought a lady or two, but she couldn't see through the crowd) entered and unfortunately found their seats right beside her. Awkwardly, Bella lowered her head in order to avoid being identified until someone beside her made a point to nudge her arm. She offered them a half-glance, enough to acknowledge them but not enough to look directly at them.

"Mmm?" she hummed in response despite knowing they'd likely not hear her.

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