sorry y'all my step daughter had a baby and i became a grandparent! then family drama ensued smh... whatever lol g-ma at 30! gah i feel old. okay so this was written just after my grandfather died so its title chapter is a dedication. enjoy folks!

Chapter 16: Dedicated to my Hot Rod Grandpa

Harry felt one hand on his shoulder an another around his hand that clung to the bottle. He whimpered as Ron pulled away the bottle of Fire Whiskey that was now half empty. He could hear Hermione whisper to Mrs. Weasley about something not being very serious and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"What would you know, your happily married to this saint." Harry snapped at Hermione referring to Ron.

Ron held up a hand at Hermione to stop her from lashing back. Harry suddenly felt the consequences of his actions. His mind started to cloud and he could feel a sharp pain in his stomach.

"Harry, what's wrong?" asked Ron. Harry laughed.

"First Ronald I'm severely buzzed when I'd like to be really fucking drunk. And second." he said before taking a deep breath and letting out an even deeper sigh. "Second, I'm going to die a miserable old bachelor with a cat!"

"Speaking of Filch" chimed in Hermione. 'Maybe if I change the subject and get his mind off things, he won't be tempted to finish that bottle.' she thought to herself. "A letter came for you. It's from Hogwarts."

Ron looked at Hermione for a moment 'What is she up to' he thought before turning his attention back to Harry. "I don't want it." snorted Harry. "Not unless it's a job offer to become the new Caretaker. Which I know it's not. A galleon say's that it's asking me to be the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. And I really don't feel up to taking a job like that right now. Therefore, I don't want that letter."

"I'll take that bet." said Ron. Everyone looked at him wide eyed. Hermione smacked him upside the head for even thinking about betting. "OW! what?!" asked Ron. "Come on it's not like I don't have the galleon to lose and it will get him to open the letter!" Harry thought about it for a second. Suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to prove Ron Wrong he smiled." Alright Ron, you're on." The two shook hands on the bet as Mrs. Weasley handed Harry his letter. Out loud Harry read...

"Dear Mr. Harry J. Potter,

I Headmistress McGonagall, regret to inform you that your house elf, Kreacher, has passed. He died in his sleep last night. As to his wishes, we have beheaded the dear and placed him on the wall at number twelve Grimmauld Place next to his mother and other ancestors. My condolences once again.

Yours truly,
Professor Minerva McGonagall
Headmistress of Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"

Harry started laughing as he reached in to his pocket and pulled out a galleon and handed it to Ron. Harry's mind slipped back to Ginny as he reached for the bottle of Fire Whiskey. His laughing seemed to grow colder as he did this. Hermione was the first to notice and she nudged Ron in the ribs. Ron grabbed ahold of the bottle first and looked at Harry shaking his head slightly. "No mate." stated Ron. "Not until you tell me what's going on. But even then, I'm not promising I'm going to give it back."

"Fine" said Harry "I'll just grab another bottle."

"No" said Ron rather forcefully "You are going to tell us what's going on."

"Why does anything have to be wrong for a man to drink?" asked Harry.

"Harry I'm your best mate. You sir don't chug whole bottles of Fire Whiskey for no particular reason." stated Ron.

"Fine" sighed Harry. "It's Ginny."

"What about her?" asked Ron "When I left it looked like she really took to heart what I said."

"Well, Ginny Has a.." he began but stopped abruptly as Ginny walked into the room. 'She looks stunning' he thought to himself.

Ginny had put on a blue denim mini skirt that showed off her flawless legs and a black fitted top that hugged her every curve. "Well I'm off." announced Ginny as she walked out the door.

Harry stared at the door where she had just been when he heard a male voice say, "Hey beautiful." He jumped out of the seat and lunged for the door tripping over the throw rug on the floor and his feet. But by the time he reached the exit the couple had already apparated out of site.

Harry slid down the frame of the door and stared out at the lawn.

"Ginny." continued Harry. "Has a boyfriend." Harry heard a few Gasps and a sigh.

Ron looked at Harry and felt his pain. He grabbed the bottle of Fire whiskey off the counter and walked over to his best friend. Harry looked up at Ron as he offered him the bottle. Harry muttered 'thanks' to Ron when he accepted the bottle. Ron sighed again and walked out of the kitchen into the dining room to set the table for dinner, ignoring the stares of disbelief he was receiving from his mother and wife.