Based on characters created by J. K. Rowling
The Duel
Ron Weasley had spent the day in the muggle bar Stone Walls getting shit faced and mumbling to himself. He was becoming a sloppy drunk these days. But at the muggle bar, no one knew him and the words "Golden Trio" had no meaning whatsoever.
He felt betrayed. Never mind that he was not the perfect husband; he had cheated on her since they were married, but it was she, Hermione, the love of his life, who had strayed with his sworn enemy. How could she?
The image of her with that despicable Draco Malfoy churned over and over in his head until he couldn't stand it any longer. He knew what he had to do.
"A duel," he said over his glass of straight gin. The bar flies around the bar jumped and opened their eyes, but settled down and went back to their alcohol induced stupor. The woman at the end of the bar gave his a drunken smile that she must have thought was a come on and sexy. Even now that he was sopping drunk, she was still not attractive enough to tempt him. Although the old sailor sitting next to her would have probably fought over her.
The bartender poured him another glass of gin. "I'm going to duel him," Ron told him.
"Okay, buddy," he said bored. "You do that."
Ron slammed his fists on the counter, determined. He drained the glass and threw down some muggle money that he hoped was enough. The way the bartender grinned at him he figured he paid too much. Again. He pushed himself off the stool and stood up. Finding the door was another problem, but he managed finally.
He stepped out into the fading sunlight and walked the twelve blocks to the entrance of Diagon Alley, ducking into the side entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. He hoped no one would recognize him. He made sure his red hair was concealed under a hat as walked toward the Diagon Alley entrance.
Unfortunately Ron's sister Ginny was waiting for him once he passed through the portal. She had her arms folded across her chest and gave him a sad look.
"Ginny!" Ron said, weaving. "How's my baby sister?"
"Where've you been Ron, Mum's been frantic. Are you all right?"
"Never better," he slurred. Then he burst into tears. "She's gone, Ginny, she's left me for that bastard, Draco Malfoy."
"No Ron," Ginny said. "Hermione's dead. Remember? She died in the fire at the Ministry."
Ron shook his head trying to concentrate. "No, Malfoy made that up because he took her away. She's okay. She's alive, she just ran away. I'll find him," he said pointing his finger in the air, making a point. "He has her."
"Ron," Ginny said, wiping a tear from her eyes, "we need to go home now."
"I'm going to duel him; she'll come back, you'll see." Ron wiped his nose on his sleeve and weaved back and forth. "You'll see."