This Journey With You

Hung Over It

        With a coffee in his hand an a dull throb at his temple, Fred finally saw his shop coming into view. The sky had a dark, stormy glow that he gave thanks for so that his eyes didn't ache, though that wasn't much comfort as the noise from the lunch time crowds bustling the side walks of Diagon Alley grated his ears.

        It was late enough that the wizard knew there was no escaping the chew out his twin would give him later. At this point the only thing Fred was hoping to accomplish was slip into their office without being seen. The last thing he needed was for George to catch wind of his hangover before he could take a potion for it.

        As the store came more into view, Fred smirked weakly at the amount of people he could see through the entrance. He held his coffee close to his chest and entered the shop, praying his brother wouldn't see him in the sea of people. Fred grimaced as what seemed like a thousand voices pierced his ears. His free hand clapped against his ear and he squeezed his eyes shut, wishing away the thrashing pulse in his head as the waves of conversation grew louder.

        Ducking between bodies, Fred did his best to blend in with his surroundings whilst fighting off the noise. He began concentrating on the counter and pushed the pain to the back of his mind. Doing so took almost all of his focus, and when he was several steps away, a large man with massive shoulders smashed into Fred's arm.

        A flash of pain and shock shot through his spine as steaming coffee splashed his chest.

        "Sorry," uttered the customer, stumbling apologetically around the seething ginger.

        " S'fine," Fred said through gritted teeth, looking down at the stain on his robes.

       With a loud exhale he finally got around the counter.

        "Oh, good day Mr. Weasley!" The greeting came from a blonde cashier who smiled widely at him.

        "Hullo," mumbled Fred as he pushed past her towards the store room.

        "You all right Mr. Weasley?" She asked, her eyebrows knitting together in concern.

         "Yeah, Natalia, I'm fine thanks," he replied, waving his hand dismissively. "Just under the weather."

        "I'll say," called a cool voice.

        Fred closed his eyes and took a deep breath before turning his head to the speaker at the other end of the counter.

        "Ella," he greeted stiffly, a smiled forced on his face.

        His sister-in-law finished bagging the products for the customer and handed it off before she returned her steely gaze to him. "Have a good morning?" She asked dryly.

        Oh boy. "No, I didn't. Sorry I'm late, Ells."

        She let out a disapproving tut. "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to. Hello!" Ella smiled sincerely at the next customer in the queue. "Find everything you were looking for?"

        "Yes I did." The elderly man wheezed, slowly placing the merchandise on the counter.

        While she waited for the man, she quickly hissed at Fred, "George is up on the second floor at the moment. You better fix yourself up before he comes down.."

        Fred didn't bother replying. Through the hangover, Fred knew he should have some small remorse for showing up late and disheveled, but he was too irritated by the hangover and the way his robes clung uncomfortably to his skin where the coffee had spilt.