Disclaimer: Please see Chapter 1 and 2 for all disclaimers.

Many thanks to…

Wyall Jared… "Gobsmacked." What an utterly fabulous word. Maybe I'll have the chance to sneak that into my dialogue somewhere!

Mercury Gray… Yes, something is definitely rotten in the state of Denmark.

Evenstar Elanor… Yippee, I surprised you! Yes, Dumbledore is a man of action; he's just not a man of RASH action.

Chapter 17: Solace in a Bottle

"Thank you, Madame Rosmerta," said Tonks. "When did she get here?"

"Around dinner time," said Rosmerta.

"She's been here for four hours," murmured Tonks. This wasn't going to be pretty.

"I couldn't bear to throw her out. Poor child's been through so much today with that awful scene at the Quidditch field and all. But she's starting to spoil for a fight and is going to start some trouble soon…," said the tavern owner. Tonks was actually somewhat surprised that Serena hadn't started any trouble.

"What are ye looking at?" barked a sullen voice tucked away in a booth as a patron gawked on his way out. The man hurried past Rosmerta.

"Oh dear," said Tonks. "How much has she had to drink?"

"More than half of my best bottle of FireWhiskey."

"That's a bloody enormous bottle! And she's still standing?"

"Well," said Rosmerta, "I don't mean to stereotype, but she is Irish…"

But Tonks wasn't listening any more. She walked over to Serena's table and slid into the chair across from her friend and watched her put the shot glass down again.

"Nice hair. I like the color," said Serena referring to Tonk's now electric blue, spiked hairstyle.

"Thanks…"

"Ar mhaith leat deoch?" asked Serena. Tonks looked at her blankly, not understanding the Gaelic.

"That means 'would you like a drink?'" clarified Serena.

"No, I'm quite fine."

"You're missing out… Rosmerta carries excellent FireWhiskey."

"How much have you had?"

"Let's see…" Serena picked up the bottle and squinted at it. "I still distinctly remember getting married, being blissfully happy for a week, and then watching this morning as my husband was falsely accused and dragged away – practically in chains – to Azkaban. I would have to say, then, that I have not had NEARLY enough to drink." She filled her shot glass again and tossed it back. She grimaced as the liquor burned the back of her throat.

"Serena, you're drunk," said Tonks as kindly as she could.

"Ah," said Serena leaning forward and squinting at Tonks. "But how drunk is another matter! Back home, I would say I'm wavering between ar deargmhisce – or very drunk – and my goal of caoch olta – which is 'blind drunk.'"

"Why don't you let me walk you home?"

"I don't want to go home. Empty house. Empty bed." Serena's eyes started to fill up with tears. "No. It will be too lonely. I don't think I can bear it."

"I'll stay with you," said Tonks.

"No." Serena set her jaw.

Tonks tried a different tact. "Rosmerta's always been nice to you, hasn't she?"

"Yes…"

"Well, she's worried about you. She's worried some bloke will come in here and make a comment, and you'll lose your temper."

"I would never… well, aye, I probably would."

"So, let's go back to your cottage. You can sleep on the couch and I'll sleep in your guest room. That way you won't be alone." And I can be there to help you nurse your hangover in the morning.

Serena's jaw was set in a hard, stubborn line. Tonks didn't object as she took one more shot of the whiskey and thought about what her friend had said. Rosmerta offered a small smile when Serena looked over at her. Heaving a long sigh, Serena put the shot glass upside down on the table.

"Aye, perhaps we should go, Tonks."

The walk back to the cottage was slow, given Serena's inebriated state. Tonks knew she could have gotten them there much faster, but figured the long walk and the fresh air would help clear Serena's head a little bit. Once they were back, Serena sat down heavily on the sofa and sighed. Tonks went into the kitchen, poured an enormous glass of water, and brought it back to her.

"Drink it," the Auror said. "All of it."

Serena took a long deep drink and put the glass on the table.

"We'll do everything we can to get him out of Azkaban," said Tonks. "You know that, right?"

Serena's voice was soft. "I know. I just… I just…" Her hands started to tremble and she looked at Tonks. "I am so scared, Tonks. I could lose him forever and I just found him!"

With that, the last of Serena's self-control crumbled to dust and she started to sob. Tonks put her arms around her friend and let her cry. Her cropped blue locks rested against Serena's black hair. Sobs racked Serena until she was nearly gasping, and tears ran down Tonk's cheeks as well. An hour later, an exhausted and still thoroughly drunk Serena was asleep on the sofa. Tonks pulled a blanket up until it covered her shoulders and then settled herself into the soft chair across from her friend.

Bloody hell, thought Tonks. The Ministry is going to want to make an example of Severus. It may not be possible to save him, even if he is innocent…

Okay, I had two songs that gave me some inspiration for this chapter… "I jumped head-first into a bottle. I was looking for a friend. Came up just short of nothing. I didn't find the truth; I only found an end." (Bon Jovi) And, "I stopped by a bar at 3 AM to seek solace in a bottle or possibly a friend. I woke up with a headache like my head against the wall, twice as cloudy as I'd been the night before when I went in seeking clarity." (Indigo Girls)

Well, that's it for this chapter. What did you think? Please read/review!