Introductory; No Event

[thelongroadback]

[Sitting on a bench on a street is a pale 19 year-old former Death Eater who happens to be blind drunk; he's even holding a brownbagged bottle in his hand, almost dropping it as he sits and stares at the cement with the intensity of a drunk teen trying to remember something

Comments

[scarredchosen]

[This is a very lolwhat face that Harry's giving, because he doesn't even know how to handle this kind of situation except he knows he should do something. So, he just goes to stand in front of Draco, hands shoved in his pockets.] Err-- Malfoy?

[thelongroadback]

[Oh, great, who was bothering -] ... [Have a brief look of incredulity followed by a classic Malfoy sneer.] Potter.

[scarredchosen]

[So friendly. Frowns, then tries to change it back to an honestly helpful look. Fail. Let's see, what was he even supposed to say in this situation? You don't look so hot-- How much of that bottle have you drunk? I'm surprised you still know the words to that song.] How long have you been sitting out here?

[thelongroadback]

Dunno. [His shoulders drop and he looks suddenly non-hostile as he fumbles with the bottle, shaking it a moment to listen to the less-than-half-full rattle before taking a swig.] How long have you been a prat? Want some? [Not that he's exactly handing the bottle over. You do-gooders are tricky, you might take it.]

[oni_pandemonium]

[Drunken oni lies down next to him].

Hi!

[thelongroadback]

[Here's a confused stare for you!]

...Hi. [Am I hallucinating again?]

[oni_pandemonium]

Watcha drinking?

[thelongroadback]

Firewhisky. [He sloshes the bottle's contents and holds it out.] Want some?

whoaaa, we match. 8O

[oldskoolhero]

Malfoy?

[ That whole stealth thing he's supposed to have going on really isn't Harry's strong point, not least when he notices a very familiar face snarkered on a nearby bench. Crossing the road, he hesitates to say anything at all, perfectly aware of how, in his own world, Draco's parents have been on a very long, pending trial for the past two years. Could it be the same reason for this man's drunken state?

He's an adult now. An adult. He really doesn't want to slap Malfoy awake, nope. ]

Oi, you alright?

holy crap we do!

[thelongroadback]

[He jumps at the sound of his name and looks away from the skyline towards the approaching figure. The question about his wellbeing makes him pause, then snicker, fingers tightening on the bottle.] Just bloody brilliant, thanks for asking!

\o\

[oldskoolhero]

You look six sheets to the wind.

[ Frowning, Harry rests a hand on a hip, scratching his head. ]

You're not suicidal, are you?

[thelongroadback]

That's because I've been drinking, Potter - great deduction powers. You're a regular House - Homes, Flats-for-rent, whatever that muggle detective's name is.

[He raises an eyebrow and takes a defiant swig of his drink.] Don't you think if I were, I wouldn't say anything? You have a habit of involving yourself when you think you need to save people, you know.

[encyclopedian]

That silver-blonde hair would always be impossible to miss, even if the blonde in question was so slumped over that his head was nearly ducked out of sight. It catches in the pale pooling of moonlight like a fading (dying) star.

The image of Draco Malfoy worn to such a deplorable -- pathetic -- state makes absolutely no sense to her. And, of course, where Hermione Granger is concerned, all illogical concepts must be remedied. Immediately.

She approaches the bench; it seems for a moment or two that she intends to say nothing at all, simply staring. The expression on her face is almost inscrutable, save for something like disappointment (maybe even compassion) in her eyes. But her voice is low, narrowly void of feeling.

"Is this really what you've been reduced to?"

[thelongroadback]

He barely looks up at the person who's standing there and that smarmy, know-it-all look is enough to tell him that he has a good idea of who this might be.

"Is what what I've been reduced to? Can't a man have a drink or two without somebody jumping on his back?" He almost wonders if he should just offer the bottle up to her - maybe it'd loosen her up? - but he figures it wouldn't end well.

[encyclopedian]

"A drink or two," she scoffs quietly. "Malfoy, you're sitting here, mumbling nonsense like a homeless nut, nursing a bottle out of a paper bag." Indignant hands settle on her hips, the first signs of emotion -- even if it's disgust -- finally beginning to show.

"Where is that infamous pride of yours, I wonder."

Hermione quells the vague, barely recognized instinct to do something; pull him up by the scruff of his neck, usher him off somewhere less public... kick him in his obnoxious blonde head. That last thought was terribly tempting, however. She can imagine the satisfaction of feeling her foot collide with his ear. These are childish urges, reminiscent of their school years, they don't belong here and now, after everything that's happened -- all they've been through -- but oh...

...She refrains. Only just.

[thelongroadback]

"Yes, a drink or two, and it's not nonsense. And I like how alcohol tastes when it's wrapped in paper!" That's a weak argument, but he doesn't seem to care, taking a swig. "Do you want some, or something else? Otherwise, I really don't need mudbloods cramping my style."

[rose_of_sideb]

[ Tsking slightly off to the side. ]

Even in a place like this, people must find a way to be so miserable...

[ Glancing over the blond with something of a pitying look. ]