A/N: This is actually a plot that's been bouncing in my head for awhile. It actually spawned one of my drabble series, 'The War'. So, my computer crashed awhile ago and I lost the little I had written for this plot bunny. I do feel a plot fleshed out that I'll be trying to explore with this, so this'll be a bit different from my other series. Updates will probably be chaotic and length will likely vary. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
"How have you been lately, Harry?" Katie Bell asked before tipping back her firewhiskey. Harry had to appreciate that she didn't say it in the way most others did, either overly concerned or wanting something from him.
"You want the truth or the polite response?" He replied only half joking. He finished the last of his second drink and the bartender had it replaced before Harry could even open his mouth to ask. Apparently there are advantages to his current fame and good favor with the wizarding public.
"On the house, Mr. Potter. Least I can do." The bartender said before going to serve another patron.
"Free firewhiskey, nice. And just give me whatever response you want, I plan to get completely pissed anyway. Have at me, Potter, dish out that imfamous temper of yours." Katie said, her slurring giving away that she's probably already well on her way to getting pissed.
"I've mostly been feeling tired, of everything. It seems like there's nothing left for me now." He took a large gulp of his drink, enjoying the burn that made it's way down his throat. At it was something to feel.
"What? Now that You-Know-Who is dead you've got nothing left in life? Bullshit, Potter. Find some other goal in life besides dark lord killing. Merlin."
"And what about you? I'm not the only one getting drunk alone in a bar." Harry replied testily.
"I knew you still had some of that nasty temper! And somebody I know is always here, a lot people are looking for answers in a bottle these days. Today, you're my drinking buddy." Katie replied with a large drunken smile. She finished off her drink with a gulp and a yell, "To drinking buddies!" A few of the other patrons cheered and toasted to that.
"To drinking buddies." Harry said, lifting his glass in Katie's direction.