Disclaimer: You know how this goes. J.K. Rowling owns the Harry Potter characters not me ( I'm not that creative). Only the characters you do not recognize from the HP crew belong to me.
Note: I'm almost finished, but I must warn you some of you will not like the ending, or what you think is the ending.
Chapter 23: Problems
Scarlet spent the first part of the break to herself, only making an appearance for no more than five minutes at a time. She came in almost every night at some strange hour, stumbling drunk, ranting and raving while Lupin helped her up the stairs to her room.
Scarlet had come downstairs, a few days before Christmas, she was dressed to kill, in a black tank top, leather jacket, low rise jeans, and black boots. She retrieved a set of keys and now jingled them on her way out of the dinning hall.
"Where are you going?" Molly's words were no more than a whisper.
"Out." Scarlet never even turned around just continued walking.
"Well, can you at least try and be back at a reasonable hour?" Molly's voice was a little louder and firm.
"I don't make promises I can't keep."
"You should really see someone about your problem. We're all worried about you, Scarlet."
"What problem?" She stopped with her back still to the group.
"Your drinking problem. I'm beginning to worry that you're becoming an alcoholic."
"I am not an alcoholic!" Fury filled Scarlet's eyes. "I'm merely a social drinker."
"You're an alcoholic."
"I am not!" She clutched her fists trying to contain her anger. "Just because I drink, a lot does not mean I'm an alcoholic!" Her voice rose in anger. "Have you ever thought maybe I have a good reason for needing a stiff drink every once in a while? Surely you've needed one before."
"Yes, there has been times, but I never did." Molly took the seat beside Arthur.
"If you could only see a glimpse of the pain and torment ti have seen then maybe you'd understand why I prefer to stay drunk."
"Scarlet, we have all seen tragedy, just like you." Molly's voice was calmer now, but still firm.
"No, you haven't. The only person in this room that has a right to compare themselves to me, would be, Harry. So, don't sit there and say you have seen tragedy, because you haven't."
"All we wanted was for you to spend one evening with us."
"Fine!" Scarlet threw her keys on the counter, and them preceded to rummage through on of the cabinets. The clanking of bottles together was the only sound through the silence. She took the seat at the head of the table, and propped her feet upon it. Slowly she opened the bottle and took a long drink. "If I can't go how then I'll just stay in and drink," she muttered under her breath.
"Take your feet off the table," Molly scolded at Scarlet.
"Why?"
"For on you shouldn't have you feet on the table and for two the rest of us are trying to eat."
"Dammit Molly, it's my house and I'll do what I damn well please." Scarlet took another drink from the bottle,
"I don't care take you feet off the table."
It went on like this for about another hour, Molly picking at all of Scarlet's faults. Finally when Scarlet could no longer hold her temper, she stormed out of the room, muttering not so pleasant curses under her breath.
Lupin rose from his seat to follow her. "Give her a break Molly. She's had a tough life," his voice was full of concern.
"It still gives her no reason to act the way she does."
"Have you ever thought maybe she has good reason? You don't know her the way I do. She's been through a lot. I'm surprised she's lasted this long. I know I wouldn't have."
"She should just watch what she does in front of the children."
"That may be so, but right now I'm not going to argue with you. I'm going upstairs and I'm going to check on my friend," he said just before he left. Nothing else was said for the rest on the evening.
Note: I hope that I did not offend anyone in this chapter, but if I did, I am extremely sorry and offer a full apology. Thanks for the reviews, and even though I never put anyone's name in here I still read them I'm just not good with names. The girl that said Scarlet was unprofessional for punching Snape (I can't remember what your name is, but I'm sure you know who you are.) I agree with you it was a little unprofessional of her, but I promise I am going to tell you way she hates Snape so much. I think it's in chapter 25 or 26 that I let everyone else know why she hates him, but none the less I like how you were honest, thank you. And you are right, Harry is jealous. Keep reading and reviewing. P.S. Anyone out there who lives in London, could you help me please? I know this is going to sound stupid, but I really need to know for the story that I'm working on now (Beyond the Flames). Could you please tell me some of the holidays that you celebrate, I know that they're different in every country and I was just wondering what they were? So, if anyone would care to help me, it would be really helpful. Thanks.
Much Love!
