Oct. 13: Hard To Pretend: Alice

[Frank Longbottom]

▶︎ Here I go again
Fallin' in love with my best friend...

"...all said, I'm just glad to not be at the drinks table this year. That look in his eye? Kings isn't going to let up there for a second, not risking a repeat of last year's mess - which I respect, of course," Frank rapidly acquiesced, "but give me set up and take down duties any day, over that. You alright with your assignment?" He sent a curious grin Alice's way, hoping she was, and ready to ask their Head Students to change both of their assignments if needed, if she wasn't. The lunchtime meeting to start planning the masquerade had gone well, all things considered. A little drama here and there over the theme, and the smallest details, from those looking to pick fights - but they'd all only been working together for just over a month now, so he couldn't have expected much better. Various egos were still evidently bruised - Violet being passed over for Head Girl was one of the many things still irking the Slytherin representatives - but he was glad to have a new mix of prefects, and that both Remus and Lily with them now. The younger pair from Gryffindor had already run off to the greenhouses, something Frank admittedly envied as he and Alice trekked down to Transfiguration, but he knew they'd continue their brainstorm in the common room later on.

It was good to have a new event to occupy his thoughts with something other than classes and Quidditch; their first match was in days, and their Captain had been just shy of furious that Frank couldn't join in to strategize over lunch with the rest of the team. Seeing as they'd already spent their pre-breakfast hours flying together like usual for their Monday practice, and the rest of the time in classes, he wasn't sure what exactly anyone would have to bring to the table. But he understood first match jitters, and Quidditch superstition, as much as the next bloke, and had promised to get all caught up tonight.

Whether it was debating using live bats at the masquerade or which Beater tactic would be most effective against Slytherin this weekend, Frank was ready to add his two Sickles. But what he hadn't yet figured out how to talk about was the pull he felt towards the witch walking at his side. His roommates weren't making it any easier, having caught on to how he gravitated towards her in and out of class, and how easy it was to get him flushed whenever they said her name. They'd warned him to move things along, a great girl like Alice Fortescue wouldn't be single forever. And they were right, of course - she was a catch, and he couldn't be the only one who knew it. But Frank did have to wonder if she'd be interested enough in someone else to say yes if they asked. If she was, that'd be news to him - but they were right, they were right...

[Alice Longbottom]

A laugh tumbled out as she walked with Frank, as she remembered the fiasco that had been the drinks table last year. It had been their first year as prefects and someone had managed to spike the punch on her watch. Chaos had followed, as it usually did. Kingsley would be keeping a watchful eye on the table - but if he wanted to avoid a repeat he’d need to keep an eye on Remus. Alice loved that Lily and Remus had joined them as prefects this year, but Remus was not the person you wanted to underestimate. He was just as clever and sneaky as his friends were. “Oh I’m thrilled! Although I’m sure Violet will find a way to argue with me about the decorations, at least I will have Lily on my side. I hope she will get over the sting of not being Head Girl before the masquerade,” she said as she paused on the staircase as it moved.

Alice could hear Mary’s voice in her head, telling her to stop talking about decorations and get to asking Frank to go with her to the dance. While she was in Gryffindor, Alice hadn’t found her bravery for that conversation yet. Because she loved this, the time they got to spend together during prefect meetings and rounds. It was easy to talk to Frank, and she didn’t want to ruin something good by bringing up her feelings. She knew if Frank wasn’t interested he would let her down kindly, but it would still sting to think he didn’t like her the way that she liked him. She had promised her sister that she would tell Frank this month, and the days were passing quickly. But now wasn’t the time, not when they were headed to class. There was a quidditch match in a few days, which meant a victory party would be happening in their common room. Because there was no way Slytherin was going to win the upcoming match. The party would be the perfect opportunity.

“Have you thought about asking someone to the dance? Not having to man the drinks table means we might actually get to enjoy the masquerade,” she asked casually. If he had someone in mind, at least she would know not to tell him of her big emotional feelings towards him. And if he didn’t? Well then perhaps there was hope after all. Either way, she would have information to report back to Mary, and they would brainstorm from there. Showing up at the match with a banner they had put together for Frank was a start, but she wanted a yes or no answer from him by the end of the upcoming party.

[Frank Longbottom]

"Seeing everyone enjoying themselves with something she helped make happen, it just might be what she needs to let it go." He hoped. Frank could understand the disappointment, Violet had hardly kept her ambitions a secret. But he did hope that she would stop feeling the need to argue for argument's sake, and see that holding onto that negativity wouldn't do any good. She was good at the job, and could do so much more by working with their new Heads instead of against... "Hope so, anyway. Glad Lily's with you, too," he agreed, abruptly steadying himself with a hold of the railing at her side as their staircase decided to shift. "Do you think you'll need any help? I'm not much of a designer, but I could try to help keep the peace." And how are you going to have time for another committee?

The sixth year's heart leapt into his throat at his companion's question, and he hoped his surprise didn't show too plainly on his face. She was right - they hadn't drawn the short straws this year, they were free to roam during the masquerade instead of dancing in place at the drinks table. You should've been thinking ahead! In - in specifics! For as much time he'd found himself daydreaming about Alice, one would have thought an opportunity like the masquerade they were helping to plan together would have come up as one not to miss. This was what he got for avoiding all conversation with his mates on the subject of girls, as he was left scrambling as the staircase thudded into place.

"You know, I - er - the match and the party this week have been more on my mind," he said hastily, most assuredly not dodging the question that had his palm slipping on the railing. Would Frank be asking someone to the dance? If he could get over the fear of shaking up their friendship with the risk of her saying no - yes. Would she say yes? Hopefully. Would he figure out a costume in time? Not if he didn't get a move on. But he wasn't too big of a fool to miss the opportunity to dance with her at the ball, was he? As fun as their House's parties were, Alice deserved the romance that the masquerade provided. It would be good timing, too, as he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep his mouth shut. It would be better to know one way or the other, right? And they could still be friends, even if she didn't feel the same? "Are you coming on Saturday? If you weren't planning on it, any chance I can convince you?" He dropped his voice in secrecy to continue, for surely there were Quidditch spies all around, as they moved onwards. "I've been playing better at the practices you've visited, than the others. You're getting to be my good luck, Alice - you'll come, won't you?"

[Alice Longbottom]

Would Violet let it go? They could all hope, and prefect meetings had been painfully awkward the last two months back at school. Alice didn’t particularly like Violet or the people she associated with, but did think that she would have made a good Head Girl if given the chance. Perhaps having more input on the decorations would be good for her, and while Alice didn’t want to listen to the Slytherin drone on about real or fake bats, it might give them all a break from her anger. “Between Lily and myself, I think we can talk Violet out of concerning decorations with just enough tact that she still thinks she made a decision,” Alice laughed, brushing her hair out of her face. “And I appreciate the offer, but when are you going to have time? Don’t want you overworking yourself.”

Perhaps she did have some ulterior motive in asking Frank about whether or not he had a date for the dance. Because if he did, she would save herself some embarrassment because Mary had all but talked her into potentially sharing her feelings with Frank. And if he hadn’t, well it would be a good opportunity for another conversation with Mary about how exactly she should mention that she was falling in love with him starting to have feelings. His answer was a valid one, and Alice didn’t want to read too much into it. He hadn’t said he’d asked someone, just that he hadn’t thought about it. Which meant he hadn’t thought about asking her, and Alice was frustrated at herself for that. Wanting to express her feelings for Frank, and actually doing it were two separate ideas in her head for now.

Until he spoke again, and Alice thought she might blurt out much she fancied him, face turning red as she blushed at his words. She was his good luck? Mary was going to eat that up when they talked about this later. “Consider me convinced. I’ll be there,” she said with a smile up to him. She was enjoying watching the practices, and was learning more about Quidditch than she ever thought she would care to. But understanding the game mattered to her more now, wanting to cheer Frank the team on properly. “I’m looking forward to the party this week, I’m sure it’s going to be a good one. After you beat Slytherin the team always celebrates just a little harder than the other houses,” she teased, knowing full well that any slight against Slytherin usually gave a Gryffindor reason to celebrate. “You should ask someone to the dance though, you know. Maybe at the party?”

[Frank Longbottom]

Alice was right - between her and Lily, there was enough masterful charm, tact, and finesse to convince just about anybody of anything. Certainly there was more than enough to work on their fellow prefect. He smiled at the thought and gave her a nod, but as she continued, Frank had to bite back the smile that wanted to stretch. Didn't she know? Was he foolish to think that she knew? It was altogether too soon to wax poetic about the mountains he'd move for her if she needed him - he hadn't even attempted asking her out yet - but Frank hoped that she knew. He'd fashioned a rather busy schedule for himself, it was true, but even if it took convincing McGonagall of his desperate need of a timeturner, he would find a way. She was sweet to consider him, not wanting him to be overworked, but... "I'll be there when you need me - standing offer, alright? Let me worry about finding the time," he assured.

Frank sidestepped her line of questioning, his words coming out on their own as his mind whirled, and was grateful that she seemed to accept them. She really was bringing his best out of him, on the pitch and off, and she deserved to know. He watched the color rise in her cheeks, his own excitement blooming, as she preemptively declared their victory. He'd do everything he could to prove her right, and was about to declare as much when she gently redirected them to the masquerade.

"Yeah - yes, I should. I will." The lad chuckled, his companion keen to know he was intending to take a date, even going so far as to suggest when to ask... Was she simply being a good friend who didn't want him to miss out on the annual rite of passage? As much as his nerves urged him to believe that - Frank did believe he was catching onto something. Something she was hinting at. And in it dawning on him, his grin couldn't possibly get any wider, heart pounding with renewed vigor, making him want to start their dance now. "We deserve to make the most of the nights like the others do, we're making them happen! And I've got a - I've got a feeling we'll really make this one count." Alice was giving him everything here, wasn't she? Through her smile and rosy blush, she was giving him a bit of a push, as he sometimes needed, to realize that she was right there in front of him, seeing him how he saw her. If this went the way he hoped, as a romantic - albeit one who occasionally needed a boost of confidence - he'd enjoy planning a proper surprise for her next time.

But the Gryffindor was feeling more confident by the minute, and bounded off of the stairs as they connected unevenly with the landing. With a bright grin up at her, Frank reached out a hand to help her the rest of the way. Not that Alice needed it - they could go toe-to-toe on the dueling field, he knew she could manage the stairs just fine. But he always enjoyed an opportunity to extend his more gentlemanly habits, those instilled at school and refined with time, to a girl he had feelings for - and was growing tired of resisting the impulse with her. "Consider me convinced. The party it is - I'll find you, straightaway." As soon as the words came out, however, a flash of worry quirked his brows. Just because he hadn't heard anything, didn't mean she was still free, and maybe he'd badly misinterpreted her because he was so blindly hoping... "Have you any plans yet? For the masquerade?"

[Alice Longbottom]

Allowing Violet to be in charge of something would hopefully be enough to ease some of her anger about not being Head Girl, but Alice felt they still had a few more months of her bitterness in store for them at the weekly prefect meetings. Thankfully she wasn’t on the receiving end of most of Violet’s anger, but Alice figured eventually she would get over Gibbon getting the position over her. Or at least she hoped so. Frank’s offer was sweet of him, but she didn’t want him overdoing it. At the same time, it would mean she got to spend more time with him, and that was something that Alice wanted. “Okay, standing offer then. I’ll take you up on that sometime, especially if Violet gets particularly ornery.” Alice felt for Rufus and Charlotte, the two of them often on Violet's warpath.

Was it because she wanted Frank to ask her to the masquerade that she’d brought it up? She did want him to ask her, but she didn’t want to be too forward and potentially ruin their friendship with her feelings. But they had only been growing since their talk last month where he had quoted a line from one of her favorite books. And the amount of time they’d spent together since then had her hopeful there was something more between them. He seemed nervous about asking someone, even if he was agreeing with her plan to ask someone at the party. What she wanted to say to him was to just ask him to the dance herself, as her sister would suggest. But Mary wasn’t here to give her the nudge, and Alice shot Frank a smile as he confirmed he would ask someone. “We do deserve to make the best of that night, it’s our second to last masquerade. Kingsley will be on top of everything, we can count on that.” Their Head Boy was excellent at his job and would keep the party running smoothly, Alice was sure of that.

The stairs finally stopped moving, and Alice beamed as Frank offered her a hand. He was always a gentlemen, and Alice felt that was part of why she was so enamored with him. It’s not that the other boys she had dated weren’t sweet and charming, but they didn’t have the air of a gentleman that Frank had. She took his hand as she climbed the last few steps, wanting to hold on but afraid it might give away too much of her feelings. But she felt a blush rise on her cheeks as he said he would find her at the party first, and perhaps she was reading too much into it. “Oh no, no plans yet. I sort of assumed I’d get stuck on the drinks or snack table.”

[Frank Longbottom]

Alice smiled down at him, taking his offered hand without hesitation to descend the final steps. Her hand was small and warm and strong within his, and the temptation to thread their fingers and continue on to McGonagall's class like it was the most natural thing in the world? Strong, and made stronger still by the sudden rosyness in her cheeks. From his touch or his tip-toeing, Frank wasn't sure - but the sixth year clocked it all the same, and reluctantly let go after a few steps. It was confirmed - neither had a plan for the masquerade, he would ask someone at the victory party, she would be there, he'd find her as soon as he arrived. Frank just needed his luck to stretch for a few days, for no one else to swoop in...

Or you could just ask her.

    Now.

Or anytime before the match.

"There's still space on your dance card, then?" he asked, adopting a rather more posh affect as he sent a sideways grin Alice's way. The relics of an old fashioned courting system had all but been forgotten by Frank, even though they'd been taught all about them during his primary years, but they'd unexpectedly reappeared on the page recently. While the year was off to a busy start for both of them, he was carving out time to read. For her. The dogeared paperback copy of Pride & Prejudice he had on loan from Mary was kept safe on his nightstand, save for the evenings he brought it to the common room to make progress on. And if it so happened that those evenings coincided with the ones that Alice could be found in the common room too, well, those were happy coincidences, weren't they? She just lit up when she saw it in his hands, eager to talk about it even when they had other things going on, and the time together was well worth pushing his turning-in time back.

"I'm nearly finished, by-the-by, with Chapter 56 - I have to know, is Lady Catherine ever going to stay in her own lane?" The insufferable "well-bred" woman could easily go toe-to-toe with any of his extended family members; at times, it felt as though she had been plucked out of his time and dropped into the pages, for all she had to do was learn to be irked by those not following the social rules and class structure of the muggles instead of wizard-kind, nose in the air all the same. If the rumors were true, all was not yet over for Darcy and Elizabeth, despite his utter failure of a proposal. And if the gentleman could come back from that, surely there was hope still for himself, even as he put his foot in his mouth more often than not.

[Alice Longbottom]

Alice would go over these moments later, maybe by the fire with Mary, And they would dissect what everything meant, in their mission to determine if it was possible for Alice to confess her feelings. It was possible, Alice knew, but the fear of rejection and the potential to muck up their friendship was keeping her from pursuing Frank, even if in this moment she wanted to just spill her feelings all over the place. Perhaps, though, it wasn’t the best of times when they were on the way to class. But that didn’t stop her heart from leaping every time they made eye contact, or when her hand was in his. The feeling didn’t last more than a few steps before he released her hand, and felt disappointment creeping into her mind. This not knowing was driving Alice mad, because Frank was amazing and Alice just wanted to tell him how wonderful he was. How he never failed to make her smile, that she looked forward to the parts of their days they got to spend together.

He inquired about her dance card, which made a grin spread across her face. He had diligently been reading Pride and Prejudice and Alice had been greatly enjoying discussing the details of the book with him. “I’ll always save a spot for you on my dance card,” she told him, unable to stop smiling. He had this effect on her, always making her grin and laugh. Sometimes it felt like they were flirting - at least she was - and this tidbit of their conversation was no exception. Mary was sure that Frank would confess his feelings or make a move, because her dear sister was certainly convinced that he had to have feelings for Alice. In this moment, Alice hoped that Mary was right. That this could be something more, if maybe she’d just speak up and tell him.

He pulled her attention away from her thoughts with his comments on the most recent chapter he was reading, and she had to laugh at his question. “Where would the fun be in minding her own business? One of my favorite parts is coming up for you, don’t worry I won’t spoil it, but I think you’ll like it.” Darcy and Elizabeth’s engagement always made her heart flutter, she loved the two of them together, although Jane and Bingley were a very close second. “Do you think you’ll read more Jane Austen? I’m fond of Emma, I find it quite amusing.”

[Frank Longbottom]

She's going to say yes!

Frank could hardly believe the sudden certainty of the notion, but there it was. Their fellows could be rather...brazen, obvious, confident, in their demonstrations of interest. And perhaps this was his and Alice's way - if he was reading her correctly, as he desperately hoped he was. For what else could she mean by her line of inquiry, and her promise to always have a space for him on her dance card? He wasted no time in returning her smile, a new spring in his step as the stretch of hall led to classroom doors. Now, he just needed to keep his nerve through the match and to the party, and then...if all went well, he'd have a date to the masquerade, and his earnest feelings plain rather than merely hinted at. 

He heaved a sigh as he committed to putting up with the insufferable character for the sake of the laughing witch beside him, although the play was shortly up. Frank grinned, intrigued at the mention of Alice's favorite moment being just pages away, but found himself chuckling at her next.

"I could be convinced," he began playfully, before correcting himself, "you could convince me, I've no doubt. After we try one of my choosing?" While Frank still had two years of school to complete before he was done, Maury had begun sending at least one book recommendation - which he swore could be found within Hogwarts's library, and if not, then surely on the shelf of the right professor - in each letter that went between Derbyshire and the highlands. They were hints, he persisted, each part of a puzzle to a long-promised post-graduation trip for the pair of them. Frank was midway through the first - gaining more questions than answers about water-plants of the Mediterranean - and the second? The second dove into water-plants of African lakes. The world was wide, and he'd seen so very little of it - not that the lad was complaining, there was much to learn and enjoy from revisiting the same spots over the seasons, to experiencing the whole universe of growth and change even in the woods behind his family home - and perhaps his father was keen for them to explore the whole of it. Or, at least, what they could experience via submersibles and Bubble-Head charms? 

Well now, one of those wouldn't exactly be of your choosing, would it?

And for him, what was special about their current read, with no disrespect to Ms. Austen - was the company it allowed him to keep, and the experience of reading the book alongside Alice, who loved it so. Shouldn't she have the opportunity to experience something of that nature, with a true favorite of his?

"I've not been gripped by most novels, to tell the truth," Frank admitted, "but I promise not to bore you with a biography. Or a textbook. There's a - there's a poet I rather enjoy, if you would humor me? My copy of his selected works is as well-loved as Mary's Pride & Prejudice. Nothing can replace experiencing something for yourself, of course, but he's got a way of transporting you. There's a rather lovely one about this time of year - the sun's at just the right level of set to make - what is it - the rivers we're eying burn to gold as they run - "

"Longbottom! There you are. He wasn't giving you trouble, was he, Alice?"

He tore his eyes from hers - Merlin's beard, were you staring? - with a start, to see his roommate waving them on from the open door to McGonagall's room. Frank had to laugh, hand whipping to the back of his neck as it warmed red-hot, and called back, "Go on and save us seats, would you, Jordan?"