February 2, 2004

The door to the pub crashed opened, but Harry didn't bother to glance over his shoulder to see who it was. He stared down at the swallow of fire whiskey in his glass and grimaced. A shot of icy wind ran over him and he shuddered.

"Close the damn door, would you?" he shouted, and threw the shot back. The liquor burned his throat all the way down but Harry took comfort in the feeling. It would bring a numbness that made the world easier to exist in. He slammed his glass down and made eye contact with the bar keep, indicating that he wanted another. The old man began pouring him another tumbler full of whiskey but shook his head while doing so. The other pub patrons either hurried their meals along to avoid the spectacle or lingered. Who wouldn't want to witness the Harry Potter getting pissed in public?

"That'll be it for Potter," a voice announced from behind Harry. The keep nodded to the man and Harry glared over his shoulder at the intruder. Ron Weasley clapped a hand down on Harry's shoulder and dug his fingers in. Harry winced as Ron sent pain shooting from the pressure point and ripped himself out of his friend's grasp.

"That'll not be it for Potter," Harry slurred. "Take a seat, Ron. Haven't seen you in a while. Keep, a shot for my friend!"

Ron shook his head at the old man and grabbed Harry's upper arm. "Let's go, mate. You're making a scene."

Harry turned his look to Ron and rolled his eyes. "What're the chances of you letting me stay here?"

"Not in your favor. Let's go, Harry."

Harry muttered to himself and pushed up off of his bar stool. He threw a few sickles on to the bar top and ripped his arm from Ron's grip once more. The two men exited the bar and Ron began steering Harry towards his and Hermione's place.

"Let me guess," Harry said, beginning to stumble. Ron reached out to steady him but Harry sneered. "I've got it. Let's see... We have our good Miss Granger to thank for this intervention tonight?"

Ron's look darkened and he shot Harry a glare. "She's worried about you. We're all worried about you. And believe me, I don't fancy dragging your arse out of pubs every week either. You're embarrassing yourself."

"Well I didn't bloody ask for your help," Harry spat. He turned on his heel and began heading towards his flat - he though. Harry stopped dead and looked around. All of the buildings suddenly looked identical and he had no idea which way Ron had led him. Ron leaned against the closest building and watched his best friend stumble about, trying to gain a bearing on his where about. After a minute or so, Ron couldn't take how pathetic Harry looked. And to be honest, he was starting to get angry.

"C'mon, mate. Hermione's waiting up for us. Let's get going," he reached for Harry but Harry shoved him away.

"Piss off! I swear I will curse you and leave you here to freeze!" Harry screamed at Ron, pulling his wand out and pointing it squarely at Ron's chest. Ron stared at Harry in disbelief.

"Have you gone mad?!" Ron shouted. He pulled his own wand out and pointed it at Harry. In all of their years together, in all of the madness that they had survived together, Ron had never seen that insanity in Harry's eyes. Harry looked as though he'd sooner throw the Cruciatis curse at Ron than follow him home.

"You're out of line," Ron said through gritted teeth. "Lower your wand, Potter."

Harry barked out a laugh. "I'm out of line?! A man can't get a damn drink without having the Order descend upon him!" Harry laughed darkly and thrust his wand toward Ron once more. "Never," Harry sneered.

Ron murmured, "Expelliarmus," and rolled his eyes as Harry's widened in shock. Harry's wand went flying as if an invisible hand snatched it from him. Ron reached up and simply caught Harry's wand as it flew towards his head. Harry growled and Ron leveled his gaze towards his friend.

"Give my wand back, Ron," Harry demanded.

"You threatened me… You've lost it, mate. You need help," Ron turned on his heel and began to walk towards his house. At this point, he didn't care whether Harry followed him.

"Give me my damn wand!" Harry screamed. Ron shook his head and continued his trek home. The snow was beginning to lie on the street and his breath came out in short, white puffs of air.

Ron was thrown to the ground and skidded a few feet, his trajectory stopped as he crashed into a couple of bins outside of the building. Harry glowered over him, panting slightly.

Harry had just… thrown him to the ground? Ron blinked up at Harry, all of his emotions eclipsed by disbelief for a single moment. And then rage over took him. He jumped to his feet and grabbed Harry by his collar, backing him up until Harry was slammed into the wall of another building in the square. The force knocked Harry's glasses from his face and Ron heard a crunch beneath this foot. He didn't care. All he could focus on was the drunk in front of him who had caused trauma and rifts in his family during the past year.

"I am sick of your shit," Ron spat into Harry's face. "I don't know who the hell you think you are. I don't know you anymore." He tightened his grip on Harry's collar and moved inches from his face. "You've messed up everything!"

Harry pushed back against Ron, freeing himself. "You don't know anything!" he screamed. He and Ron stared at each other for a long moment, both men panting. Harry tore his gaze from his best friend's face and searched the ground wildly for his glasses. He heard a sickening crush as the last of his frames were destroyed and he snapped.

Harry launched himself at Ron and the two fell to the ground. Ron maneuvered himself so that he was on top of Harry and raised a fist. Harry glared up at him. "Do it," Harry growled. Ron snapped and let his fist drop, connecting to Harry's jaw with as much force as he could muster. Ron lifted his arm to drop another punch when someone grabbed him and ripped him off Harry.

George stood above Ron, and Ron watched as Hermione ran up to Harry and dropped to her knees over him. She reached to touch is face but he slapped her hand away.

"What in the bloody hell is wrong with you two?" George asked. He looked between Ron and Harry. "Hermione heard the two of you screaming at one another and came to the Burrow for help."

Harry shot Ron a glare as he wiped at the blood trickling from his lip. Hermione noticed the shattered glasses in the snow and stood. She slowly made her way to them and murmured, "Reparo." The glasses rebuilt themselves and she offered them to Harry. As Harry sat up, Ron and Hermione looked at each other. She simply looked sad. Ron, however, couldn't let go of his pulsating anger.

George seemed to realize that no one was going to answer any of his questions so he hooked a hand under Ron's shoulder and hoisted him up.

"Come on, brother. Let's go," he said quietly. Ron turned to Hermione, who shook her head.

"I'll see Harry home," she said quietly. Ron stared at her for a moment before nodding his head. He approached her slowly, and took her hand.

"If you need anything," he murmured. She smiled sadly and nodded. He handed her Harry's wand. "Right then," Ron said, backing up. "I'll see you at home, Hermione." Hermione watched her fiancé retreat with George before looking down at Harry. He was still sitting on the ground, his head in his hands. She sighed and approached him, offering her hand.

"Let's go, Harry." Harry looked up at her.

"I'm messed up, Hermione," he said. His voice cracked. She nodded sadly.

"I know." Harry grabbed her hand and stood. Hermione patted her hand on Harry's arm and the two began walking to his home.