The Three Broomsticks looked just as Tracey remembered it. School had always been a comforting time for her and coming here had been a big part of that. She'd hated going home for holidays, despite loving the Park so much. Maeve Davis wasn't the nurturing kind and Tracey hadn't been kidding when she'd told Draco that she considered her friends more dear than family. Hogsmeade weekends had been time to be with them without the constrains of school and teachers.

When Mrs. Dearborn had asked her about Halloween, Tracey had immediately grown excited and full of ideas. Now, it was only a matter of getting the proper people on board with her plans. Thankfully, the new proprietor of the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmede had agreed to meet with her that afternoon. If he thought the plan was good, Tracey was sure that the others in the village would.

Tracey opened the heavy wood door and the smell of the room took her back at least five years. She couldn't help but smile as she looked along the familiar bar for someone who she hoped at least looked authoritative. She had no idea what Brody MacDougal looked like.

"Oh for fuck's sake... just get it done!" Brody shouted as he came out from the back. He stopped when he saw the woman standing there. "Can I help ya, miss?"

"Tracey Davis. I'm looking for Brody MacDougal? I was supposed to meet him here this afternoon." Tracey felt awkward and out of place with the way he stared at her. His hair was brushing his forehead as it fell into his eyes and he made it very hard for her to look him in the eye.

"Yer lookin' at him, lass."

Tracey could hardly keep the blush from her face. This was no Madame Rosmerta, but she could suddenly relate to why all the boys at school had easily become enamoured with the woman. Girls at Hogwarts must be keeping this place open if he was the new owner. Trying to keep a hold on her professionalism, she managed to clear her throat and think of unappealing things like bat droppings or kittens and said, "It was about the Halloween Festival. Is now still a good time to talk to you about it?"

Brody scowled a bit. "All right then."

He walked her over to one of the cleaner tables and pulled a chair out for her. He might be the size of an ogre, but his Nana had taught him manners. Brody sprawled in the seat across from her.

"Talk then."

She smiled. She hadn't had to deal with many men as rough as this one before, but as soon as he pulled out the chair for her she knew things were going to be grand between them.

"Mr. MacDougal, as you probably already know, the village of Hogsmeade has decided to throw a part this Halloween and they have asked me to plan the whole thing. A few ideas were discussed and I'd was hoping that you would consent to having the Three Broomsticks serve as an epicentre for the event. Costume contests, drinking games, dancing and food." Tracey had planned the party well, but it really was quite important to find a location that most party-goers would feel comfortable to be the home base for the night's activities.

"This what Fiona Dearborn was in here blatherin' bout? I already told her I would help. Aye, Broomsticks can have folks in it. No' a problem. Anythin' else?"

Constraining her urge to giggle, it wasn't something proper young ladies did in public according to her mother, Tracey nodded. "I suppose I can send my assistant to get the pub ready then, before the big night. You wouldn't happen to want to be a judge would you? No... I imagine you will have better things to do that night. And you'd not feel comfortable being the Master of Ceremonies then, I'd wager. Any ideas, staff perhaps that might like a bit of the limelight? I'm purely a behind the scenes kind of girl, and I don't expect Mrs. Dearborn is one that will insist on representation from the village."

"Fiona wanted m'sister to play her violin. I havena hired any others as of yet. I think Mr. Dearborn would make a fine MC though. Might give the man a bit of a chance to be in control of somethin' for once. Have Madam Puddifoot do yer judgin'. She's plenty full of opinions. All I want to do tha' night is serve drinks and bust up brawls, ya kin?"

Tracey smiled at that and nodded. "Well, thank you then, Mr. MacDougal. I'd be happy to have the party based here with satellite parties throughout the village. I do hope there aren't any fights, I'd like it to be an event the village chooses to continue annually, though I'm sure that you'd be on top of them as soon as one broke out." She grinned at him as she stood and outstretched her hand. She wasn't sure he'd take it, but it was the polite thing to do, and besides, despite the surly demeanor and scruffy exterior, he was positively irresistible.

Brody snorted. "I willna be on top of any brawl bustin'. M'sister will. She's a mean wee thin', but few men can out-match her."

"Good day to ya, Miss Davis," he said before taking her offered hand and pulling it up to kiss the back of it. "Dinna forget to stop by again for thin's not business."

Brody gave her a roguish smirk before heading back behind the bar.

Tracey knew she'd turned a fine shade of red. Pity, really, as she used to be so good at hiding her embarrassment. She pulled a loose hair back behind her ear and nodded toward him shyly as she walked out of the pub. She really needed to make more excuses to come up to Scotland. Especially since she was fairly sure that Theo was going to tell her what a great 'friend' she was tomorrow night. With those thoughts draining her good mood, she sighed and Apparated home.



(Summary: Tracey heads to Scotland to meet up with a hot barkeep about some party...)