Sept. 12: Auror Training Center: Open To Aurors & Trainees

[Frank Longbottom]

▶︎ They know my name because I told it to them
But they don't know where, and they don't know when
It's coming...

"Nice one, lovely. Something's ringing," Frank proclaimed, louder than he knew, as the embers of their latest blasted training dummy fell to the floor. "Is it just me?" He snapped beside his ringing ear and let out a laugh of defeat before sweeping an arm across his sweaty brow, chuckling as he looked over to his partner in all things. He and Alice had been part of the program for just a few months, but with how immersed in this life that they'd become - coupled with the littlest sleep and most exhilarating, pressure-filled and -fueled days he'd ever experienced - the lad was running on little more than adrenaline. But that didn't stop him from wanting to stay after hours and take advantage of the training center as much as possible. All the book smarts in the world wouldn't keep them alive in the field, not without practice, and having space to stay in shape, strength train, take on an endless stream of targets, and practice close combat was vital.

And if he was being honest, Frank needed as much repetition here as he could get. Not so much because he couldn't remember the spells, or because he missed Quidditch and wanted to keep his training gear in rotation, or because he worried about keeping his muscle memory fresh - but before they knew it, they would be out in the world taking on their enemies face-to-face. Enemies who shared his blood and bled like him, but who wouldn't hesitate to take a "blood traitor" out of the game. While he'd come a long ways from the days in school where he'd shuddered to use real spells against his classmates, Frank worried that - without taking time time here, day after day - he could freeze up out there. And he couldn't afford to hesitate, not for a moment. He had too much left to do in this life, after all, and cutting all of their plans short by his failure to act was not an option.

"Bones!" Frank called out with a grin, waving their fellow trainee over. While they'd been separated a year, he'd been glad to see her again when they'd joined up - prefect rounds had always been entertaining with the Hufflepuff, and a friendly face was harder to come by at the Ministry than he'd thought. Ringing slightly abated, he pitched his voice low, mostly joking. "Trade you a pint for tips on passing the first trimester practical?"

[Amelia Bones]

Amelia’s life was spent mostly inside of the Ministry building these days. Aside from her spending several hours each day participating in the auror training academy, she was also interning as a clerk for the Magical Law Enforcement office which kept her here longer than most. It was an excellent combination, as far as her secondary education went. Reviewing and filing MLE reports was a big help in her understanding of the penal codes. Observing the bullpen gave her an idea of the dynamics of working in a high-pressure office. Plus, she was making excellent connections with the MLE officers, and she had seen how some of the Aurors used that to their advantage in some of the more complicated cases. Having two full-time jobs wasn’t right for everyone, but Amelia was invested and enjoyed it most days, though it did leave very little time for an actual social life.

There was a loud explosion sound that drew her attention as she passed the training room, and Amelia poked her head in, not expecting to see anyone here this late in the day. “Hey, Longbottom,” she replied in greeting. She knew the pair from school, despite having been a year ahead and in a different house than them, and was excited when she found out they would be joining her in the training program. “Doesn’t look like Alice is going to have any trouble passing. Is this your handiwork, Fortescue?” She nodded in the direction of the smoldering training dummy while grinning approvingly at Alice. Frank was right to be concerned about passing, not because he was rubbish – from what she’d seen he was actually rather brilliant with practicals, but because the training program itself had such a low pass rate. Even with her brother supporting her and giving her guidance (begrudgingly accepted most of the time, but rarely with a word of admitted appreciation) Amelia worried that she wasn’t going to make it to the end successfully. But she wasn’t about to admit her apprehensions aloud. “But yeah, if you’re willing to get me drunk, I’d be dead chuffed to spill a few tricks you might find useful.”

Tagged: Frank Longbottom Alice Longbottom

[Deleted]

Moody was a silent observer. The new lot of trainees were, if anything, adaptable and accountable but still moreso green than he'd like. Alastor was a legitimate force of... something to reckon with...(folks had different ways to describe 'Mad Moody' (that nickname wasn't often said to him though)) within the second floor department of the Ministry. He wasn't no Dumbledore a man who carried himself as defined, confident, and sane Moody was exactly opposite Dumbledore charm still they shared the same goals in the grand scheme of things.

The Longbottoms though, skilled and young oddly smart. Still Moody felt the young man a bit soft, train after hours all these young ones did they wouldn't know pressure until a dark wizard or witch is putting pressure on them.

Pushing off his perch on the wall thumbs resting in the pockets of his black vest Aurora badge had a shine to it as he surveyed the others but when he spoke he was talking to the Longbottoms and Bones, "One thing I suggest Mr. Longbottom is making it to practicals with your hearing, getting your head blown off won't sport well for your score," he grinned two perfectly bright blue eyes darting toward Frank, "not tha' tha's happened before," during his time maybe...suddenly Moody was trying to remember.

[Alice Longbottom]

The training dummy fell to the ground, and sparks were still coming from it as it landed. Alice grinned over at her boyfriend, laughing perhaps just a little too loud at his declaration. Her ears were also ringing, but she felt that was just a sign of a successful spell. It was late, and most of their peers had left for the evening. But those with them in the accelerated training program tended to stick around, taking the evenings for getting in as much practice as possible. In less than a year they would be in the field, and who knew how soon they’d be sent on a mission for the Order. Right now that was mostly research, but between the training for the Auror program and finding out information for the Order, sleep wasn’t something they were getting a lot of. She knew her sister and parents worried about her, but if she had to give up a few hours of sleep so she could get in the extra practice, she would do it.

Besides, she wasn’t alone in this. She had Frank, and living with him in the guest house on the Longbottom property had been absolutely wonderful. Alice had her concerns, of course, living close to Augusta and Maury. More so about Augusta, because Alice hadn’t clicked with her the same way she and Maury had. But Frank’s parents weren’t the type to pop by without any notice, and her own parents had come around to the idea of her living with Frank before she was married. After all, while it hadn’t been a topic of conversation between her and Frank, she already knew that she would say yes if he ever asked her to marry him. He was her better half, for now, and for always. And she had her friends within work, like one Amelia Bones who happened to pass by.

She grinned as their friend came over, laughing as she looked back to the training dummy on the ground, “My handiwork indeed, but really though, it helps to have such an encouraging partner,” she said with a smile towards Frank, before giving a grin when Amelia suggested getting drunk and trading tips. “Oh absolutely, should we head to the Leaky? I think we could at least take one night off.” There were other places they could go, but plenty that would turn them away for being the “wrong sort”. The conversation had a guest join them, however, and Alice had to stifle a laugh as Alastor Moody joined them. She looked up to the man a great deal, he’d seen some real action. Some found him to be peculiar, but she thought it was part of his charm. “Don’t worry sir, Frank is pretty good at ducking,” she said, before looking between Frank and Amelia. It would seem too rude to not extend the invitation to their superior for drinks, especially when he would have stories to tell. But would it be weird? “Would you like to join us for drinks, sir?”

[Frank Longbottom]

The proper blast from Alice's spellwork was a marvel, and although the ringing in his ears would be temporary, Frank knew he'd forever be proud to have her at his side. And never better protected than when she was, at that. He did rather love how much sheer power was packed into the brilliant witch who barely grazed his shoulder, and how buoyed she became at her successes, and how she brightened even more when she looked his way. She was an extraordinary woman, and despite the challenges of their days and the heaviness of the world, she was thriving here. Frank couldn't imagine going through this without her - although, to be fair, it was difficult for the lovestruck bloke to clearly think of any kind of life that didn't involve waking up next to her every day - and they were luckier yet to not only have found each other to lean on. He gave an affirming nod at Amelia's take on the situation she'd almost walked past, bursting into another beaming grin at her recognition of Alice, and at her taking him up on the exchange. This was all a careful balance, Frank was finding, and while he half wanted to keep going here until he got too foggy to aim straight, he'd heard enough horror stories about trainees and Wideye Potions gone wrong to know when to call it, for his own sake.

He threaded his fingers with Alice's as she spoke, preparing to head out and glad to have her just as onboard with the turn of the evening - and of her acknowledgement of his encouragement, the darling. The young trio was stalled, however, as another made his presence known. Frank turned at the sound, a gruff voice that was becoming familiar, to find Alastor Moody. Granting him advice. While his ears went beet red at the attention and assessment, Frank took the words to heart, brows turning up in concern as he trailed off. "Rightly so, er - thanks, sir," Frank said uncertainly after a few beats of waiting for the story to continue. And he really shouldn't have looked over at Alice, for seeing her struggling to hold in a laugh made it that much harder to contain one of his own when she spoke. He gave a squeeze to her hand as he swallowed his mirth as well as he could before quipping, with a knowing nod to the other wizard, "One of my more practiced skills, really. Sure it's the same for you."

After fifth year's growth spurt, during which his forehead had become intimately acquainted with one doorframe too many, unfortunately often in the presence of the fellow Gryffindor prefect he was trying to get to know, he'd grown better at gauging his own height against the allowed space. And he hoped that, one day, he and the Auror would see eye-to-eye in more ways than one. Can't think of a better way to bond with the man than jesting about our height? Really, Frank? Thankfully, his girlfriend had a better idea, and had shortly invited their intimidating superior to come along with them. If nothing else, it was a kind gesture, and one he should have anticipated she'd extend - never one to leave someone out, his Alice. And who knew? Maybe some time out of the center would do him some kind of good too. Merlin knew that he'd have a few trainees at rapt attention, even as they blew off steam. "Absolutely - first round's on me, what do you say?"

[Amelia Bones]

Amy wasn’t the sort to go around actively berating happy couples for their codependency, but Alice was making those same googly eyes at Frank that she had seen all too often in those muggle movies Pheebs would often take her to. Romantic comedies about wide-eyed women and awkward men who chased after them should have been a work of fiction, but here Frank and Alice were bringing the characters to life and Amelia wanted to be both in awe and laugh at the same time. She could see the benefits of having a supportive partner, but who wanted to be tied down at their age. Well, depending on who held the ropes...

“The Leaky sound perfect,” she managed before their threesome was halted by Alastor Moody. Now if he wanted to tie me down...

Alice and Frank, shockingly, extended an invitation for the Auror to join them at the Leaky Cauldron and Amelia’s panties jaw nearly dropped to the floor. “We’d love to hear you give Longbottom some more pointers, sir. He does need so many,” she said, obviously teasing.

Tagged: Frank Longbottom Alice Longbottom @alastor