A/N: Slight warning that this chapter contains heavy alcohol consumption, drinking and drunk people being drunk and a little stupid. All in good nature, but it still exists. I had fun writing this.

Chapter 46

Seamus dumped the large cask of Firewhisky on the bench of Ron and Hermione's kitchen. Hermione eyed it with a deep look of contempt.

"Nice place you've got here," Seamus commented, looking around. "Quite big, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Ron said cheerfully, grinning at his friend. "It's great here."

"It's also our home," Hermione said in a very dignified manner, her arms folded across her chest. "That means…" she eyed the Firewhisky again. "Oh, God, Ron, please don't do anything stupid or break anything."

"Oh, relax," Ron told her. "We aren't going to get blindingly drunk or anything like that. It's just…"

Hermione raised an eyebrow and Ron retracted his words. "We're not going to get blindingly drunk here. Promise." He offered a smile to her, something that usually had her melting just a little. Though, apparently the idea of a bunch of young men getting plastered over exorbitant amounts of Firewhisky in her house did nothing for her mood.

"You won't even be here," Ron continued, though he suspected he probably should just stop talking lest she decide to tell him she'd changed her mind about him having his mates over. "What are you doing, anyway? Something not as fun?"

"Oh, I gave Ginny a list of all the things that people usually do at these kinds of things," Hermione said, and Ron noticed the sudden change in her voice. It was always the voice she took when she knew he wasn't going to like something and was pleased of that fact.

"And?" Ron prompted. "What did she choose?" Knowing Ginny, Ron suspected she would have picked all of the things Ron would hate the most.

Hermione smirked. "Oh, just a few things. You know, a nude portrait session, a —"

"A what?" Ron gawked at her, and her smirk grew. She was enjoying this.

"Exactly as it sounds, Ron. They usually get very attractive, very well-built men for the job, too." Her eyes darted to the Firewhisky again. "But you'll probably be too drunk to even worry about what I'm doing."

Ron stared at her for a moment, his mouth still slightly open. He then shook his head and said, "You're mean. Go on then, what else?"

"Oh, I think Ginny liked the idea of a stripper, too."

Ron's mouth fell open again.

She smiled. She was enjoying his sudden discomfort. He'd been under the impression that they were going out for a nice, fancy dinner or something along those lines. He'd not really thought about what else they'd get up to. And he didn't think Hermione would be into any of those things she'd mentioned, anyway.

"Now that sounds like a night out," Seamus mused with an appreciative nod. "What were Harry and your brother thinking with just lots of drinking?"

"I thought that was what…" Ron looked to Hermione, a small amount of discomfort creeping over him. Was she really doing those things? Was she really going to be spending her time staring at attractive naked men and giggling with the others over it a week before their wedding?

He'd heard of such things in the Muggle world, but he'd never considered it something that Hermione would pick. It seemed stupid, anyway. And pointless. She was marrying Ron after all, wasn't she? What did she need to look at other men for?

For a moment, Hermione's hard look remained. But she then seemed to take pity on his uncomfortable state, for she dropped her arms to her side and said, "Relax, Ron. There's no strippers involved."

"But the naked man painting?" Ron asked.

"Ginny thought it would be fun." She shrugged.

"Does Harry know about this?" Ron asked, wondering if they both protested, the girls would change their minds. He just didn't like the idea of his fiance being introduced to better looking, better built men than himself. It did nothing for his confidence.

"Harry thought it was hilarious when I told him."

Ron scowled. He'd have to have words with Harry. Some best man he was, encouraging such behaviour.

"Well, don't any of you go getting too friendly with him," he said after a moment.

"It's his job, Ron. A professional."

Ron snorted. "Some job."

"Well, if you'd rather, we can all paint you?" Hermione offered and Ron flushed. "Me, Ginny, Luna…"

Ron chose to say no more on the topic, instead choosing to direct his attention back to Seamus, who was chortling at the exchange. Ron quickly asked him how everything was going.

Ron and Harry made a point of trying to catch up with some of their old school friends every few weeks, but those weeks had turned into months, then whenever they could find the time as they were all consumed by their jobs and personal lives.

"Healing is busy," Seamus said. "But rewarding. I'm working in the easily treatable maladies unit at the moment — you know, non-damaging spells gone wrong, accidental magic for children… that kind of thing. You wouldn't believe the types of things kids can do when they have no control of their magic. It's crazy. We had an eighteen month old baby the other day. That surprised us. No one — not even the longtime Healers — had seen someone so young perform accidental magic before."

"Merlin, that's young," Ron said. "Victoire is almost three and just started a bit before Christmas."

Seamus wasn't given the chance to reply due to the arrival of Harry, George and Ginny, who'd come via the Floo. George was carrying even more drinks, which had Hermione tutting at them all.

"Cheer up, Hermione," George said, placing his drinks next to Seamus' Firewhisky. "We'll take good care of your fiance, don't you worry about that. You'll have him in one piece by the wedding."

"It's not Ron I'm worried about," Hermione replied curtly. "It's this house."

"Nothing a bit of magic won't fix if something goes wrong," George assured her.

"That's not the point."

George shrugged in a dismissive manner, and Ron shot Hermione an apologetic look. Despite looking forward to this night with his friends, he understood her hesitation. Especially as more and more poured into their kitchen carrying bottles and bottles of drinks.

As Dean placed another large bottle of Firewhisky on the bench, Ginny stepped forward and placed a hand on Hermione. "Maybe we should go before you faint from shock?" she said. "We're going to have more fun than these guys, anyway. We'll at least remember everything tomorrow."

"You mean your naked men?" Ron asked.

"Oh, grow up, Ron!" Ginny said. "It's just a bit of fun."

Now that Neville and Percy had arrived — Percy looking extremely displeased by the already rowdy group of people he was supposed to be spending the evening with — Hermione turned to Ron with a pleading expression.

"Please be sensible," she begged. "Please don't drink all of that. You'll kill yourselves."

"It'll be fine," Ron assured her, placing a kiss on her forehead. "You go and… paint your pictures, and we'll be alright here. Love you."

Hermione didn't seem to believe a word he said, so she turned to Harry, giving him the same pleading expression.

"I'll keep an eye on them all," Harry assured her with a nod and a smile.

"Thank you," she said as Ginny led her away. Ron heard the faint pop of Disapparition from the hallway.

The moment they were gone, Seamus grabbed the Firewhisky from the bench and opened it.

"Here's to Ron!" he said loudly over everyone. "Where next week, he'll be a married man."

Ron grinned. He knew he was going to have a great night tonight. He hadn't had so many of his friends in one place since his school days.

…

The music blared loudly all around them. There were flashing lights, lots of drunk people and everyone was really close to one another.

It had been Dean's idea to come here. A club in Muggle London. A place he apparently ventured into every so often with some of his Muggle friends. However, he had only lasted all of five minutes before disappearing with some bloke he'd just met, leaving everyone else to fend for themselves.

"I'm gonna kill him," Seamus said, peering over the heads of everyone. "Takes us here, and then takes off when he's the only one who knows this place — the only damn Muggleborn out of the lot of us."

"Who cares?" George shouted over the music. "This place is awesome, and those Muggle drinks are quite alright once you grow accustomed to them." And he made his way to the dance floor to join some other dancers.

Ron smiled. He couldn't help it. He'd not really expected such an eventful night, but it had turned out really enjoyable.

They'd spent no longer than half an hour at his place before heading to Hogsmeade, choosing the Hogs Head as their point to start at. The Three Broomsticks was too tame, Seamus had surmised, and that was not the place for a night like this.

Everyone — including Ron — had agreed, so they'd headed there.

Then they had all Disapparated to London (how they'd done that in one piece, Ron wasn't sure), and this was where they'd stayed ever since, surrounded by drunk, partying Muggles. It was perfect. No one could tell them apart from other Muggles, for they were all too drunk to notice.

Seamus stopped searching for Dean and threw an arm across Ron's shoulders. "Nervous?" he yelled.

"No," Ron shouted back.

"I mean about getting married?"

"No," Ron said again. It was the truth. He was excited more than anything. And relieved that it was only a week away.

"You're weird then," Seamus said, and he laughed at what he seemed to think was a joke. "I'd be nervous."

"Aren't you married?" Ron asked him, amused.

Seamus paused for a moment, the ridiculous amount of alcohol he'd consumed clearly affecting his brain function. After a moment, he grinned and said, "Yeah. Which is why I think you're weird for being so calm about it all."

"Maybe it's the drinking," Ron said. "Maybe tomorrow it'll hit me."

"That's it!" Seamus said cheerfully. "It's just the drinks." He tightened his hold around Ron and drew him closer. Ron could smell the Firewhisky on his breath. "And being the only married person here —"

"Harry and Percy are married," Ron said.

Seamus paused again for a moment. "Well, being the only one with you right now, I'll offer you some advice."

"Which is?" Ron asked with a smile.

Another long pause from Seamus, his face squinting as he tried to think about what he was going to tell Ron. The pause was longer this time, though.

"Can't remember?" Ron asked.

Seamus shook his head.

"It's good, though, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's good," Seamus said. "Especially when you know you're not going to want anyone else… ever. The war made us all grow to be old, sentimental men, didn't it?"

Ron laughed at that, and maybe it was the alcohol coursing through him that was causing his laughter, because he couldn't recall a single other time where he'd laughed at someone mentioning the war.

"I don't ever want anyone else," Ron said. "Hermione's incredible, and I love her so damn much. Does that make me an old man?"

"But a good, old man," Seamus said with a serious nod.

Ron grinned and then shook Seamus off of him. He found Harry sitting on a chair beside Percy. Percy had refused more than three drinks, which had all been at Ron's place or the Hog's Head, claiming he wasn't going to act like the animals everyone else was. Harry… well, Ron couldn't remember a time he'd actually ever seen Harry drink too much. He'd always been sober.

"One day," Ron said, feeling for a stool to sit on and almost missing it. "One day, I'll get you drunk. I bet you're fun."

Harry laughed. "Maybe," he said. "But it's far more enjoyable watching the rest of you make idiots of yourselves."

Ron almost slipped from the stool again, much to the amusement of Harry and the disgust of Percy.

"Fun night, isn't it?" Ron asked once he'd regathered himself.

"You call this fun?" Percy asked. "I would say all of you are going to wake up tomorrow with horrible hangovers and you won't be calling it fun."

"It's just one night, Perce," Ron said. "A good night. Besides, the girls are spending their time staring at naked men."

Percy flushed a deep red at that. "Yes. Audrey did say that. She was a little put off, almost wasn't going to go…"

"Of course she would be," Ron said. "Two peas in a pod, Percy, you and Audrey. Can't wait to meet your children. They'll be a delight."

Percy flushed again and directed his attention over to where George was still dancing with a whole bunch of strangers. Men and women alike, he didn't seem to care.

Ron and Harry followed his gaze.

"I've not seen George have this much fun since…"

"Since we won a Quidditch game," Harry finished.

"Yeah," Ron said.

"He's had it rough," Percy conceded. "No one knew Fred like he did…"

They watched George for a few more moments until a loud shout from somewhere behind Ron had him distracted.

It was Seamus.

"There you are!" he was saying to Dean, who'd just returned. Dean was looking extremely disheveled and the man trailing slightly behind was looking the same. "You just left us here, no idea what to do…"

Dean, who didn't appear to be at all remorseful about his temporary abandonment, shook his head and said something that Ron couldn't hear.

Ron looked back at Harry and Percy.

"You're having fun?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, mate," Ron said. "The most fun I've had in a long time. Ever, even."

"Don't let Hermione hear you saying that," Harry mock-accused.

"I bet she's having the time of her life," Ron said.

"I bet she is," Harry muttered with a wry smile. Ron glared at him for a moment but was unable to maintain it. He smiled.

"Just… try not to drink too much more, yeah?" Harry said. "I heard Seamus telling Neville he wanted to move on not so long ago. Seamus is out for a real good time, I think."

Ron shrugged. "I'm happy to go wherever, do whatever. I don't do this… ever."

"For good reason," Percy huffed.

"You can go home," Ron said. "But we are going on."

Percy huffed again but said nothing more. Nor did he make an attempt to leave.

Ron shared a look with Harry. Percy was more tolerable these days in some ways, but in others, he was still the brother who had no sense of humour.

…

The light was blinding.

Ron covered his eyes, groaning as it pierced into his retinas. Was someone shining a wandlight right into him?

Something moved beneath him. It was bumpy — hard in places. It was skin. Hairy skin.

Legs, he determined. He was lying on someone's legs. A man's.

"Gerroff me," the owner of the legs groaned, and they lifted them in a means to shake Ron off. Unable to open his eyes due to the blinding light still shining directly at him, Ron rolled off and hit the hard ground.

The voice belonged to George. Ron could determine that much. Apparently he'd fallen asleep on his brother's legs… somewhere.

He had no idea where he was, nor did he have any recollection of falling asleep at all. The last thing he could remember was leaving that Muggle pub with everyone and roaming the streets of London in a very disorderly manner.

Then… nothing.

"Morning!"

Ron groaned, along with George. Other indistinguishable moans joined in. Ron squeezed his already closed eyes tighter and covered his ears.

"Too early," George complained.

"It's nearing midday, actually," Harry said. Yes, it was Harry. He sounded far too bright and cheerful.

Ron finally found the will to open his eyes, but immediately regretted it when he discovered the light that wouldn't go out was coming through a window.

He knew this room. It was one in Grimmauld Place.

Somehow, they were in Grimmauld Place, the house that Harry no longer lived in but still owned after having struggled to sell it to a legitimate buyer.

That part of the night suddenly came back to Ron. After stumbling around the city for some amount of time, they'd made their way to this place, and it was George who had broken through the enchantments, much to Harry's annoyance, revealing it to everyone else there.

Not that it was anyone Harry wished to keep it hidden from.

They had stumbled their way in, heading upstairs into a bedroom and… they must have fallen asleep. The other bodies in the room must have been Seamus and Neville, because Ron was pretty sure Percy had gone home after leaving the club, and Dean had once again taken off with that bloke he seemed to fancy.

"Feeling alright?" Harry asked.

Ron looked up from where he was laying on the wooden floor. Harry looked amused, but offered a cool glass of water nonetheless. Ron accepted it graciously, forcing himself to sit up.

"You all look so pathetic," Harry laughed.

"Was a good night," Seamus mumbled, also forcing himself up. He seemed alright, but poor Neville beside him, who had probably never been drunk in his life, looked like death itself.

"Great night," George said. His back was leaning up against the wall, his eyes still shut. "Did I do anything dumb?"

"Plenty," Harry said. "But I won't embarrass you by reliving it."

"I remember nothing," Neville moaned.

"You're quite the dancer, eh, Nev?" Harry said.

Neville flushed a deep red and everyone with their eyes opened, laughed.

Something then occurred to Ron, and horror struck him. "Oh, Merlin, Hermione —"

"Is aware of your stupidity," Harry said. "And is just glad no one trashed the house. Don't worry about her. She's fine. She called you all idiots, but she's still going to marry you."

Ron felt a sense of relief at Harry's words, mixed in with a sudden nausea. Just how much had he drunk last night? Enough to pass out cold on George, he knew, but so many other parts of the night were blank.

He drank the rest of the water and got to his feet slowly, groaning the whole way up.

His head spun the moment he was on his feet.

Harry chuckled.

"Don't laugh," Ron accused, rubbing his eyes to get rid of the spots that had appeared. "I have a killer headache. And I feel like I'm going to be sick…"

"George already was," Harry said. "On the stairs on the way up. You know where the bathroom is if you need it."

Ron nodded, and still rubbing his eyes, he put one foot in front of the other — slowly and wobbling — until he reached the hall.

The bathroom was two rooms down, and he pushed the door open, immediately collapsing onto the cool tiles. They brought relief from his pounding headache.

His stomach churned, but he had no urge to bring anything up, so he just sat there.

From what he could remember, it had been a good night, but he was now paying for the aftermath of having so much fun with his friends. At least he wasn't the only one feeling it.

When his brain could compute, he did think of Hermione, wondering if she'd be waiting at home to murder him, or if she'd sympathise and offer him comfort. He strongly doubted the latter, and it made him not want to go home just yet.

Not that he thought he could even if he wanted to. He wouldn't dare Apparate in such a condition — he'd probably Splinch off an arm — but he had no idea whether the Floo was still connected considering he'd not had any purpose to come back here since Harry had moved out.

By the time he left the bathroom, Harry had managed to rouse George, and he, Neville and Seamus were standing in the bedroom looking very sorry for themselves.

Ron couldn't help but smile despite himself. "Thanks for last night, guys."

"Our ple-pleasure," George said, covering his mouth. "Got… to have one last night of f-fun before you're signed o-off for life."

They all trudged slowly to the door and down the multiple flights of stairs (apparently they'd thought climbing as high as possible would be fun, not anticipating the pain it would cause them in the morning) and into the basement kitchen. There was the bare minimum of furniture still around, most of it having been cleared out or sold.

Harry had attempted making some kind of food for them.

"You take care of us, mate," Ron said gratefully, "but I don't think I can eat."

"The smell makes me want to vomit," Seamus said.

"It's a sandwich," Harry told him.

"It smells strong, whatever's in it."

Ron sat down in a chair just as the fireplace in the kitchen sprung into green flames. Ginny stepped out, followed a moment later by Hermione.

"Oh, you're all up," Ginny said. "Nice to see. Harry tells me you had a fun night."

"Was great," they all replied with very little enthusiasm.

"You all look dreadful," Hermione said. Then, as an afterthought, added, "serves you right."

Ron looked up to her and offered a smile, but he felt like it was more of a grimace. To his surprise, she was looking at him rather affectionately.

"How was your night?" he asked her.

"It was really good," Hermione said.

"And your naked man?" Ron asked.

"Really nice body," Ginny said, and Harry raised a questioning eyebrow at her. She shrugged. "Only the truth."

"Ha," Ron said. "Glad you had fun." He didn't have the energy to be bothered by it.

"I've come to take you home, Ron," Hermione said with a smile.

"I thought you'd come here to murder me."

"Why? Because we've been together for almost four years and this is the first time you've gotten yourself in such a bad way in that whole time?"

"I've been out drinking before!" Ron said, not sure why he was arguing. Something to do with pride, he thought. He didn't want her to think he was weak.

"You haven't wrecked yourself like this before." She offered her hand to him and he stood up, accepting it.

"How sweet," George said. "Is this an act, Hermione? You'll kill him once you're home?"

Ron turned to Hermione. "Is it?"

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, just come home, would you? I'm not mad."

Ron let her lead him towards the fireplace where she tossed in some Floo powder. It flared green and she encouraged him into it.

Ron reluctantly stepped in, George's words ringing through his mind. Or was it an echo?

But he Floo'd home, stepping out a moment later. Hermione followed, still smiling.

"You're not sympathising with me, are you?" he asked her. "I mean, if you were, I'd —"

"No, but I still love you anyway," she said.

He smiled, relaxing. "I love you, too. Ten days, Hermione. Ten days, and I can call you my wife."

"Nine days now," she said.

"Even better."

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked.

"Yeah," Ron said, rubbing between his eyes. "Just feeling a bit sorry for myself. I'll be fine…" He moved to kiss her, but she pulled away.

"Not while your breath smells like that," she said.

He smiled, reasoning with himself that she'd come a long way since he'd known her. Once upon a time, she would have disapproved of most drinking. Now, even she had let herself go a few times.

Though, not being able to kiss her for the rest of the day — because that was how long it was going to take to get the taste of the alcohol out of his mouth — was going to be a challenge.

"I'm going to have a shower then," he said, and he left the living room for the stairs.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This one was fun to write!