FRANK LONGBOTTOM.
It was jarring - being united as a family again, after the time they had spent apart. It hadn’t been more than a few days, he knew, but with everything that had happened, it felt much longer. The image of the three of them cuddled together on their bed almost felt like it had no place in their current state - but he also knew it was the only place that he felt truly whole. His mind wandered to the Potters, who would never feel whole again. How do they return home, after something like this? How do James and Lily arrive at their house that feels quiet, cold, and broken and continue on? Do they always listen for soft baby cries from an unused room, do they keep the crib and toys that no longer serve a purpose, do they have the strength to look at each other in the eyes? The questions, and the answers too dark for him to consider, weigh heavily on Frank.
The only thing that pulled him out was his wife’s hurried voice - his anchor, always and forever. He knows that Alice loves him. Knows it to the very core of him. Yet there’s still some warmth that rises within him when she repeated his statement, his vow to her. It allowed him to turn his attention from her back to their little boy, whose chubby fingers grasped as his as he sat upright. He wanted to vow so much more than love to Neville - protection, happiness, future. He had failed. He had failed as an Auror, failed as an Order member, as a friend. Now he was failing as a father, unable to protect Neville from everything around them.
Frank listened as she ushered out an apology - knowing without a doubt that she had meant it, and hoping that he would be able to truly forgive it. “I know,” he said with a nod, licking his lips that had gone dry. He wanted to tell her that it was okay, that it hadn’t hurt him, that her voice hadn’t echoed thoughts already in his head. But he didn’t want to lie to her. “I forgive you,” because he had, mostly, and he knew that he would. “I’m sorry that I -” his words get caught in his throat - sorry that he wasn’t a better partner, better husband, better father. But he focused on her words, focused on the little boy squirming in his lap and his wife in his hold. “You’re right. That’s what’s important.”
They were safe. For now. And now that Neville was back in their care, with his parents, the place he was supposed to be the safest - Frank couldn’t calm his thoughts. Though he missed his son incredibly the few days he was away and still thought about him every second, he had felt less worried about his safety. “It’s going to get bad again,” he said, rubbing his hand softly on Neville’s back. It wasn’t meant to scare her, or to act is if he knew anything - he said it because this was war, because it was always coming. The question he knew he needed to ask sat in his throat, clawing through his pride and fear and own desires. “Are we what’s best for him right now?”
Impossible. That's what these past few days had been - these past few weeks. And yet here they were, cuddled together, somehow whole after weeks of being broken. It wasn't just Neville that brought them together, either. No, their love was deep. It was strong, and steadfast. They were just children when it began, but now here they were, over a decade later. Frank and Alice were a family together, they were eachother's home. Neville wasn't the glue to that, but an incredible addition. He was the light of it all, her own heart. Her greated regret was doubting this beautiful thing they all had together. It was more than most ever got within a lifetime - she would be an idiot to test its strength again.
She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Part of her expected him not to forgive her, part of her knew she didn't deserve it. But he was kind and caring and selfless. Of course he would forgive her. And even more, something about his lack of excuses and sweet nothings comforted her more. She didn't need him to tell her that she did nothing wrong, or that her actions were warranted in some way. They both know that she had and they weren't. Telling her otherwise wouldn't have done either of them favors. This was their relationship - blunt honesty, no lies or placations. "Thank you."
Alice was pressed flush against her husband with his arm around her shoulder, but still it didn't seem like enough. In a somewhat petulant attempt to get closer, she threw a leg across his knees, tangling herself into him and their son. She was going to cry all over against looking at him and Neville. They were safe, for now. All their mistakes and missteps, all their failures, and they were still lucky enough to come home to each other. They failed the Potter and that was something Alice could never forgive herself for. But she refused to fail her husband again. They would stay whole like this, forever.
Neville cooed and giggled - it was enough to bring a smile back to her face. "What is it my sweet boy?" She said quietly, tickling his tummy enough to make that wonderful laugh continue. But Frank's blunt words pulled her out of this trance, that perhaps they could be happy again and pretend that they were safe inside this room. Her brow furrowed, but her eyes didn't leave their son. She cupped Neville's cheek gently. "What do you mean? Of...of course we are. We're his parents. We just need to be together. Always. We shouldn't be separated again." Alice was shaking her head, tears threatening to come back. He was right. Neville was in danger with them. But... "We shouldn't be separated again," she repeated, fingers curling into Frank's shirt. "We can protect him...right?"














