Blair found herself in quite an interesting place, indeed. She wasn't usually one to frequent anywhere in Knockturn Alley, but she had taken a wrong turn somewhere and picked this pub, as it was the least scary-looking to her. She took a seat gingerly at the bar and looked at the bartender. "I'll, uh, have a Butterbeer, please," she said. She didn't really want to have anything too strong, especially in a new place. The bartender gave her a funny look that made her stomach clench a little bit and brought her a slightly dirty mug after a few moments behind the bar. "Thank you very much." Blair handed him a few coins and sipped on her drink, smiling as it warmed her from the inside out and made her relax and clear her head.

The day was warm and perfect for getting things done. Teagan had just finished a job in the states, attending to a rather old piece of furniture that had been spelled to think it was the bloody queen of England. The dresser was a lovely piece of cherry wood, with detailed scroll work that could certainly rival any of the royal possessions, but the high pitched, nagging voice completely ruined the appeal. The owners had thought it was some sort of dark magic, as they hadn't been able to shut it up, but in reality, all the thing needed was a bit of respect and some high end polish to be adequately assuaged. It wasn't as thrilling as some of her other jobs, but it paid well enough.

With that task done, she wondered how much time she'd have now to do things on the side like this. Roaming the streets of Diagon Alley, passing the time, she thought back on the letter she'd received a month ago.

"Dear Ms. Finn,

We regret to inform you that your former professor, Mr. Hammond, has passed. He has left a substantial need in our staff, and we were greatly hoping that you would consider filling said need."

The rest was tedious and nothing noteworthy. She'd accepted it, of course. But whether that was out of a respect for her old mentor, or a true want to teach, she didn't quite know. If anything, she could give it a year and see how that went.

Having stopped off at Madam Malkin's and the bookshop, she decided to grab a pint. Normally she would have went back to the Leaky Cauldron, where she'd Floo'd in, but she turned into Knockturn Alley instead. Yes, it was a bit dodgy, and a lot less clean, but it wasn't all bad. She'd had many a meeting with potential clients over the years here, as they wished not to have their business out in the open. Cursed hierlooms weren't what they considered 'good press'.

She turned into the Serpent, waving at the bartender familiarly. "Hey, Bruce. Is Joan working today?" Grabbing a seat at the bar, she nodded at the man's gesture, saying she'd have her usual.

"Nah, the dame's been out with a nasty case of something or other. It's just me and Kris on today." He set her firewhiskey down on the bar and wandered off to help some other newcomers.

Looking around, she noticed a girl near the end of the row of stools, looking rather out of place. Teagan caught her eye and raised her glass to the girl in greeting. "I take it this isn't your usual place," she said softly. The bar wasn't too busy, and they were only a few chairs away from each other.

Blair was almost startled at being addressed, but regained her composure quickly. She answered after taking another sip of Butterbeer. "Not at all... I'm usually in the Leaky Cauldron, but I got lost and ended up here." She offered the woman a weak smile and took another gulp, finishing her glass and asking the bartender for another one. "My name is Blair, by the way. Blair Castellano." Blair smiled at the bartender and paid for the second Butterbeer before taking a swig and smiling. She was glad she had stuck with something simple and light today.

Teagan nodded in understanding, taking another drink of the Firewhiskey. It burned something fierce, but she loved it. It was the perfect trick for long winter nights in countries that barely saw the sun. As much as she would miss some of those times, she was looking forward to a winter this year where she wouldn't have to fear frostbite.

"It's really not so bad here, so long as you don't let them mess with you." The witch's smile was easy, but she was speaking honestly. She may still be rather young, but she'd been around enough to not scare easily. And most of the shadier people around here kept to themselves, not wanting others to get into their business. It worked for them, and it worked for her.

"Nice to meet you, Blair. I'm Teagan." She never bothered with last names. The people who needed to know it usually did. For everyone else...well, how many Teagan's were out there?

As Bruce returned, she ordered something warm and savory off the menu. They didn't have a wide variety, since it was mostly a bar, but what they did have was always surprisingly good. Looking the girl over, she wondered how old she was, and if she would soon be seeing her in classes. But she knew from her own time at the Academy, she couldn't really talk about it with strangers. Either way, it wouldn't matter.

"Do you work around here?" she asked.

"I'll keep that in mind," Blair said in reference to not letting people mess with her. She took another sip of Butterbeer as the next question was directed at her, swallowing before she opened her mouth to speak. "I work in a small bookshop called Riker's in Hogsmeade, actually. I just stopped by Flourish and Blotts and got lost..." She swirled her drink around, temporarily losing herself in thought. "What about you? You seem a lot more familiar with this place." Blair finished off her Butterbeer and asked the bartender for a water this time, taking a huge gulp when it was placed in front of her.

Teagan's brow furrowed as she tried to think back on her time at Hogsmeade. She'd spent enough time there when she was a student, though she didn't remember any one book store specifically. She knew Tomes and Scrolls had a home store there, having branched out a bit recently. Either way, it explained the unfamiliarity Blair showed with her surroundings. The patrons here could be a bit...startling, if one wasn't accustomed.

Her food came out then, the meat and potatoes special they had going then. Rich and savory, it went well with her Firewhiskey. Rolling up the sleeves on her flannel button up, she tucked into her meal. She was a few bites in when Blair asked her the same in return. She should have expected it, really.

Swallowing her bite, she decided a half truth would do. "I'm a Cursebreaker. Freelance. On occasion I do work for Gringotts, or the odd company here or there. But it's mostly contract work." Or at least that's what she did. With the new teaching job, she wasn't sure how much time she'd have to spend on those extra jobs.

"A job like that gets you used to places like this. People like that," she pointed towards the other end of the bar. An older man was slumped a bit onto the bar top, his hand still clasped around his beer mug. His face was gruff, and well weathered, but Teagan knew him. Benny was a retired wandmaker. He hadn't been the greatest, by far, but he'd gotten by. With the death of his wife last year, he'd turn to drinking, and spending time in bars.

"You learn to get to know people," she smiled before continuing to eat.