[narigreenergrass]

when: february 10th, 1980 where: DMLE who: @franklongbooty​

Alice had been nursing both her tea and a headache for the last hour as she made her way through a mountain of paperwork, stuck behind a desk as more developments continue to roll in. She supposed the biggest perk of this job ended up just being the fact that she was able to work so closely with Frank. That even on days like today, as they heard more and more instances of muggles killing magical creatures, and violence continuing to escalate, they both understood what it meant.

She popped her head up, searching for the sign of Frank’s hair in an adjoining office space. “Frank?” She called out, most people ignoring her completely, too focused on their own tasks to bother.

[franklongbooty]

Frank was head down, working hard on a case. His desk duty had ended, yet still he found himself at it a lot of time. Perks of being a rookie, he supposed. Concentrating as he was, his senses were still attuned to those around him. Which is why his head popped up almost the moment he heard Alice call his name. “Yeah?”

[franklongbooty]

bettyhuxley​:

“It surely feels like I’ve already reached that level of duty but I reckon they’d shove us down in the basement if that ever actually happened don’t you?” She asked curiously, filling her mug with sugar and cream. “And not like the exciting part of the basement, the boring records part of the basement.”

.

Frank was confident enough, self-assured enough, big-ego’d enough, to know that fate would never befall him. But it was amusing, at least, and passing the time stuck here, to entertain that. “We could be down there our whole careers and still never finish sorting it.” He held up his tea, now it was finished brewing. “We should get back, before our desks wander off.”

~~~ fin ~~~

[franklongbooty]

fabiansacharmer​:

“How’s that?” Fabian asked, head cocked to the side as he settled in for the story.

~ fin ~

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

Alice considered this for a moment, tapping a finger on Frank’s arm in concentration. She already knew the real answer. That whatever ended up happening, she just wanted them to be on the same page. To be a family, no matter the name that followed Alice along. “Sounds to me like we’ll need to do a pros and cons list. Which will have to wait until after the party, unless you want to do it all in the spilled drink I’m most definitely stepping in.”

.

A softer, more gentle smile, settled on Frank’s face in place of the amused one that had been in place before, and he ducked his head, pressing a small kiss to Alice’s lips. “Later,” he glanced down, letting one arm drop but leaving the other snug around Alice. “Let’s go find the food table.” Whatever conclusion this liquor fueled conversation came to, they’d come to it together.

~~~ fin ~~~

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

“Shafiq is a better name,” Alice said wisely. Did this sort of ridiculous conversation really need to be said? Probably not, but she was drunk, and happy, and warm. “I think you should take my name.”

.

“It is a better name,” he certainly didn’t disagree, but yet he felt a strong connection to his, even given how silly it was. Perhaps one of the only connections he’d be able to keep with his father. But given the drinks, and the warmth, he felt amusement instead. “Maybe we swap?” Really, he would probably give Alice whatever she wanted.

[franklongbooty]

bandagedbailey​:

“Someone already out there overshadowing you so you used to it? Lucky for you, we won’t have to find out as I won’t be switching tracts to be an Auror. But at least you know I won’t end up murdered either with instincts like these.”

,

“You’re on it with the jokes tonight, Bailey.” Self confidence, or arrogance, that came from working himself so hard left Frank feeling comfortable in his place among his fellow early graduates, even given his current desk status. “Ah yes, just the peace of mind I needed.” He heard the sound of a door closing, Alice walking towards them. “Bailey was just telling me how good of an Auror she’d be.”

~~~ fin ~~~

[franklongbooty]

bettyhuxley​:

When: 05/01/1981 Where: Ministry; Auror Break Room; I hope there’s donuts. Who: Betty Huxley & Frank Longbottom

“I honestly think I preferred being a waitress to desk duty,” Betty said to Frank over a cup of coffee.

.

“How long does someone have to be stuck on desk duty to become useless?” He asked. Surely he was bound to be allowed off soon -- both he and his former professors knew he was too good to be stuck there forever, but he was going stir crazy all the same.

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

“Would I like it as much if it wasn’t yours? Probably not.” She was smiling happy despite all of her reservations of coming earlier. That was life, wasn’t it? Finding happiness even in moments of fear and discomfort. Dealing with pain and suffering, while soldering on to better things. Alice didn’t want to be stuck.

,

“It is a bit of a ridiculous name, so I wouldn’t blame you.” One he’d always took in his stride and worn with confidence.

[franklongbooty]

bandagedbailey​:

“No, I’m pretty happy to just heal up all the nasty injuries acquired on the job,” said Bailey. “Besides, I’m too good looking to be taken seriously as an Auror. People would just think I was mucking about. Never get anything done. Besides, wouldn’t want me to overshadow you, would you?”” 

.

Frank let out a genuine bout of laughter. “Oh yeah, that’d be my biggest concern.”

[franklongbooty]

bandagedbailey​:

“Or maybe my instincts for an Auror are innate and I would have made a fantastic addition to Magical Law Enforcement. Shame I decided to go with Healing.”

.

“Maybe so. Ever thought of a career change? I hear they’re in need of more staff.” The jib was light, but there, good natured (for the most part) agains the department, and for friends ears only.

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

“Well, Frank Longbottom. I love you, and I even love your last name, too.” The alcohol had started to muddle with Alice’s normally very clear brain. She wrapped her arms around Frank’s midsection, pulling herself in closer. Where she felt safest. “And I can’t wait to spend a million more years with you.”

.

Frank raised a brow, amused despite the fact he liked hearing it, arms going around her. “Do you like the name, or the fact it’s mine?” He asked, even though he felt he knew the answer. It wasn’t the best of names, after all, although he’d be more than happy to hear it on the end of Alice’s one day. “I like the sound of that.” After all, Frank thought out everything -- a life with Alice had definitely been thought out too. He ducked his head, pressing his lips to the top of hers. “A million years.” Fruity drinks certainly were more dangerous than a nursed beer.

[franklongbooty]

bandagedbailey​:

“Well, as an Auror, if someone is loitering round and you ask them what they’re up to and they say they’re just waiting, are you going to believe them or are you going to keep thinking they look suspicious?”

.

“I think you’re spending too much time around Aurors.”

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

“Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?” She wasn’t sure why the words were bubbling up to the surface. Whether it was the alcohol or the atmosphere or the season. Only that Alice felt so immensely grateful that all those years ago she had gotten something right when she had first met Frank Longbottom and his collection of jumpers.

.

Frank’s smile softened, warmed. “I won’t say no to hearing you say it again.”

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

“Someone runs into us and calls us a name that isn’t our own.” They were fairly well-known at this rate, but with a few drinks in people, they were bound to be called by something else.

.

“Two if someone runs into us and doesn’t even notice.”

[franklongbooty]

bandagedbailey​:

“Not looking at you like anything,” said Bailey as she shook her head. “You’re more than welcome to stand wherever you’d like and for as long as you’d like.” He knew what he was doing there, anyway. He and Alice were never far apart. “Just may not want to look so suspicious yourself as other women go inside the toilet. Makes it look like you’re… up to something, you know.” 

.

“I’m not looking suspicious. I’m just waiting.”

[franklongbooty]

shafiqalice​:

“I think you’ve got a winner there with Drinking Bingo. Suppose we should probably make a list of things we expect to happen.” Alice held up a finger. “First one is, the biggest party foul of all. Someone spills a drink.”

.

“Someone falls.” He glanced around, then back to Alice, and tilted his drink towards her. “Bad dancing.”

[franklongbooty]

dohnjawlish​:

“But not a risk you seek out,” John said, shaking his head. “You needn’t be reckless.” It felt odd, giving what sounded like pragmatic advice to Frank, when it was usually the other way around.

.

“I’m not being reckless.” He knew a lot of people would agree with John. Alice, for one. But Frank was over being stuck at that desk. “I feel useless, stuck at this desk. It’s been what --” his eyes moved to the calendar that hung near their desks. “Five weeks?”