It’s Everything You Ever Want

And it’s here right in front of you Frank Longbottom | 22 | Auror (in training) | One day husband to Alice Fortescue

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“My lips are sealed,” Molly said as she laughed. “They’re still talking about it. I think the last time they were that excited was when I told them I was having twins,” she said, a smile present on her face. “They were too excited to cause too much trouble, luckily.” She also only had her two oldest kids, which made things a little bit easier. “That’s what mother’s are for. Trying to get grandkids from their kids.”

"I don't remember anything too big breaking, so they must have been well entertained!" Frank laughed, looking over at Percy again, playing happily. "It's good they're so young, so they can't understand this war. I just hope they never have to relive it. You know that's one of Alice's concerns; she doesn't want to raise a family in it. I admire you, living your life despite what's going on. You truly are brave, Molly." He sighed and gave a heartfelt smile, not sure where that had come from. "But yes, it seems that's all my Mum has been worried about lately. Giving her a baby to spoil."

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“Oh yeah? Other things? A huge white wedding and a little baby in the future?” Dorcas grinned as well and raised an eyebrow at him. “Don’t worry while you two are off on your world-saving missions with the Auror Department, I’ll babysit.” She added with a smile before a light blush appeared on her cheeks. “Oh hush, I always end up in my own bed.” She said with a shake of her head. “And although saying that makes me sound like a complete loser with no love life…well it’s not far from the truth. Healer training is an all day, all night type of thing. I haven’t really had a minute to breath. Last night was the first time in a while I was really able to let loose, you know?” She said pushing her hair behind her ears before shrugging slightly. “But it is what it is… and it’ll all be worth it once I’m done training.” 

"Well, something like that, anyway." Frank chuckled sheepishly knowing most people knew of his and Alice's long engagement, "I'll hold you to that babysitting, that is, if we ever get to the first bit." He laughed again, though this time, he completely understood. It was lucky he and Alice were in the same work field or they'd never see each other. "I understand a busy life. Auror training feels non stop. I appreciate your hard work. I might need it one day. Or Alice." He never let himself think about her getting hurt on a mission, always assuming he'd be the one going out. "It'll be bitter sweet to finish training, won't it? We'll have accomplished something, yet, that's when the war will really feel real." He paused at that, not wanting to bring down the mood of reliving the party. "Anyway, you should pop over to the house soon. Alice has a new plant she's very proud of. It tried to eat my sock, so I stay away. But she'd love to see you more. We both would."

[labellestrange]

Puddlemere United’s Victory Party (1978)

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Bellatrix did not fail to see Frank’s momentary pause, his slight frown. The poison would be taking full effect soon. Careful not to reveal such a delicious surprise, Bellatrix offered Frank a small smile and several nods of false appreciation for his answers. “A Guinness? That’s a Muggle brew, isn’t it?” She asked, feigning light-hearted ignorance. Of course, she found it utterly repulsive that any self-respecting wizard would engage in such fraternization, but, then, what else could she expect from that fool Alice’s fiancé?

"It is indeed! Quite surprising, really," Frank paused again, the same feeling he had hitting him again, only stronger this time. It took a moment to recover, though he still felt very off. "Who'd have thought Muggles could make such a...delectable...brew..." His vision was tunneling fast and Frank felt moments away from vomiting. "Is...is it hot in here?" He began to panic, wondering what was wrong and needing to find Alice immediately. "What was...did you...?" He could no longer focus on Bellatrix, staggering and reaching about, his brain too slow to fully understand what was happening as he fell into an empty booth.

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“Oh, no, he just wants to give you a play-by-play of the match, I think. It’s what he did to me. And he tried to dump his drink all over me, but I avoided that.” She grinned, casting another glance up at Frank. If the world was like this all the time - just happy and light and with no greater worries than getting drinks dumped on you - then she would happily marry Frank tomorrow. But it wasn’t and she just couldn’t. Not yet. “I’m sure you made a wonderful impression on them too,” she said proudly. Frank had always been the most admirable person she knew, and she couldn’t picture anyone not enjoying his company, or thinking poorly of him. “I should have stayed with you a bit longer, and then we could have impressed them together.”

Frank’s brows rose, envy and excitement following. “James was there? Of course he was there, that lucky git.” He looked around in earnest, trying to locate his friend so he could have a proper “discussion” about the match. His head spun right back to Alice though, looking her over as if something had actually been spilt on her. “Clumsy git, more like. You’re alright? You’re sure?” He stepped back to examine her, though he grinned mischeviously. “I can help you check, you know. I hear the rooms aren’t too bad here.” He was teasing, mostly, as he loved to make Alice blush with such “improper” behavior. “Ah, thank you, Flower. I hope I did. If not, I’ll hear about it from Mum.” He pulled her to his side again, planting a kiss to her temple. “They’d have loved you. Next time, I’ll find you.”

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“It was cute,” Molly said as she laughed when Frank’s cheeks flushed. “Don’t worry about it, sweetie. If anyone’s going to hit on me, I’d rather it be someone I know.” Molly was glad that Frank at least had a fun time, which was very apparent that he was. “You and Alice would make amazing parents.”

"Oh, well, suppose that's true. Just don't tell Arthur then." Frank's cheeks still had a nice pink hue as he laughed again. "Did the boys have a good time? Didn't cause too much trouble for you?" Any time there was a Weasley around, there was always at least one other, though Frank loved the idea of brothers. “Oh, why thank you. I certainly hope we will. My mum keeps hounding me about that, saying she’ll be long dead before she gets a grandkid. Dramatic as every, my mum.”

[labellestrange]

Puddlemere United’s Victory Party (1978)

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Bellatrix raised her glass to Quidditch. “Chin-chin,” she said, knocking her own shot back with one gulp. She couldn’t believe how easy it had been to fool Frank; almost too easy. Was he just so drunk, or was he really so naive that he didn’t think that she would try anything that evening? Either way, she couldn’t wait to see the look of surprise and betrayal on his sweet little face when the poison started to kick in. “As much as I hate to say it, I have to agree,” she said, twisting her empty glass on the bar, keeping up conversation while she waited for the punch-line of her own private joke. “What is your favourite drink?”

Despite what most people thought, and that included Frank, Bellatrix really could be decent given the right circumstances. But then again, this was a party, so why would anyone want to be in a bad mood anyway? Frank certainly was enjoying himself, and though he always preferred Alice's company, he wasn't exactly miserable at the moment. "Well, I always fancied a nice pint of Guinness." He paused and frowned, his head getting light as his stomach did a sort of back flip. He hadn't drank that much yet, but it was probably nothing, and he shook off the feeling before continuing. "I try not get too deep into the firewhiskey, but it's also a good choice."

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Dorcas laughed and shrugged a little. “That’s all that matters isn’t it? The whole point of last night I think was to cut loose and have fun. Mission successful.” She grinned, “I’m just glad I woke up in my own bed in my own house.” She chuckled. "How has Alice been? And the two of you? How are you guys? I feel like I haven’t seen you both in forever!” 

"Yes, exactly! Mission successful." Frank laughed and nodded. "Oh and to celebrate! Puddlemere United's finest hour, and hopefully not their last!" Frank beamed, still proud of his team, and fairly certain all the fans would be talking about it until the next season started. "Oh well, that is an accomplishment. I'm glad I did, too, though I think Alice helped with that." His laugh was slightly more embarrassed on that one, but he continued on with a grin. "She's great. We're great. Just busy. Training is almost done, and Moody is really pushing us. But I'm ready to get out into the field already." Frank nodded as he talked, sighing. "And once we do become full-fledged Aurors, perhaps things will settle down and then, who knows. Maybe we'll have more time for friends. Or, other things." He raised a brow and shrugged, but still held a small grin. "And you? What's been keeping you occupied, when you're not in your own bed?" Frank winked and chuckled at his tease.

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“Of course I do, love,” Molly said as she laughed. She had only been teasing Frank and she remembered very clearly having a conversation with the man. She had grown to enjoy Frank’s presence. “From what I could tell, nothing too embarrassing,” she said teasingly. “Though, you did try and hit on me thinking I was Alice,” she said as she laughed again. “Too fast,” Molly responded to the comment about Percy. “You should see the twins. They won’t stop growing.”

“Well that sounds horribly embarrassing then!” Frank chuckled and shook his head, his checks flushing the smallest bit. “I apologize for that, and I’m sure Alice gave me a right boxing to the ears for it.” He didn’t think he had drank that much, but there was a bit of a haze to th night, too. He really must not have been that bad, though. “Merlin’s beard! I can only imagine! I hope Alice and I are as lucky as you and Arthur. Me being an only child and Alice having a a few siblings, we’d love to have a small handful.” Frank smiled wistfully as Percy still played, wishing it was sooner rather than later that they could finally start their family.

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“I know you’re not.” Alice melted into his side gladly, although her guilt didn’t abate in the slightest. It wasn’t fair to Frank, making him wait like this, and she knew why he felt they should get married. He had a good point, even. But she just couldn’t - marriage meant a family, and how could they bring children into the world now? She didn’t know how Molly did it, or any of the other women with children. Her inclination to rejoin the party had faded considerably, and she nodded at his question, resting her head on his shoulder. “Yes, that sounds lovely.”

It took a moment for her to answer, shaking away the gloom that had settled into her soul, but she finally turned her face to look at him with an answering smile for his grin. “Not many people, actually. You really only need to look out for James. You’re too sweet.” She stretched up on her toes to kiss his cheek quickly, both because she loved him so much and because she still felt guilty about their wedding. “Who have you talked to?”

“Look out for James?” Frank questioned, his brow raising with it, though he quite enjoyed the small kiss. Though he was older and not quite on the same level of prankster, Frank always enjoyed time spent with the infamous James Potter. “What ever for? Is he planning something? Or already sloshed?” His grin went more playful as he scanned the room to see if he could find his old House mate. “And I’ve not talked to many, really. Just Ministry types and friends of Father’s.” He added a small shrug, almost shyly. Frank always wanted to make a good impression for his family name when out, doing his best to rub elbows with those that would carry back to his parents.

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“Did we?” Dorcas said with a small shake of her head. “Oh Merlin, I honestly remember arriving, getting a couple drinks and then poof, it all goes blurry. I probably made a complete fool of myself…but at least I had fun right?” She laughed as she pushed her hair behind her ears. 

"You know," Frank started with a shy, almost embarrassed grin, "That sounds an awful lot like what I was going to say. Though, I hope Alice stopped me from being a completely fool." He laughed with Dorcas, shaking his head. "But I image she'd let me be a fool. So maybe she hasn't been exaggerating after all. But regardless, yes, I think it's safe to say we had fun!"

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Molly mirrored Frank’s raised brow and big grin. “Are you trying to reassure me or reassure yourself?” she asked teasingly. Molly looked at Frank thoughtfully when he said Alice probably exaggerated. “I’ve heard that one before,” she said, still teasingly, having heard it from Arthur.

"Perhaps both." Frank's brows relaxed as he laughed with a small shrug. "Do you remember us talking then?" His brow was back up and he tapped his chin, thinking. "No, I'm serious. What could I have possibly done?" He grinned innocently, though he really had no clue what all he did that night. He absently picked up one of the many toys laying about, waving it about to try to get Percy's attention, but he was much too engrossed with the toys in front of him to pay Frank any mind. “Anyway, this one’s getting big fast.”

[labellestrange]

Puddlemere United’s Victory Party (1978)

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“Let me get the brave man something to wash it down,” Bellatrix said in a mocking voice. “Call it a reward for your daring.” The bartender had moved to the other end of the bar to serve the people down there, so Bellatrix got up and went to him, shoving the others aside to get his attention. She ordered 2 shots of Firewhiskey. When the bartender put them down in front of her, she discreetly reached into the folds of her gown and withdrew the small vial of dried daffodil petals that she kept there, just in case of an impromptu espionage mission. After first making sure that Frank couldn’t see her–and that no one else was paying attention–Bellatrix dropped one of the petals in the drink and dissolved it with a quick spell. Then, tucking the vial away again, she made her way back to Frank, the familiar thrill of bad behaviour making it almost impossible for her to control the expectant, savage grin that pulled at the corners of her mouth.

"Oh, why thank you!" Being offered not one, but two drinks by this woman should have been a red flag in itself, but Frank was willing to let things slide in the spirit of the party. They've had their run ins in the past, but they were adults now, and what was the harm in a few drinks with old school mates? Well, perhaps not mates but all the same, Frank couldn't turn down a free shot. Or two. He remained in happy ignorance as Bellatrix stepped away, grinning around at the others enjoying themselves. He really should find Alice soon and he hated to be apart from her for too long, but for now, he was quite content to see what the night held. When she returned, his grin was still just as big, though his eyes kept a level of mischief. "Cheers then, to ah, quidditch?" He knocked it back, this shot tasting much better than the first. "Aye, I definitely prefer firewhiskey over, well whatever that other concoction was!" He chuckled as he placed the glass upside down on the bar.

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“No, no. I was at the Puddlemere United party. We saw each other. We even talked, right?” Frank raised a brow with a big grin, trying to think back to that night. “And rest assured, whatever Alice said I did, it was probably an exaggeration.”

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“I’m sure it wouldn’t take much convincing. Your mother coming, on the other hand …” Alice let her voice trail off, her laughter joining Frank’s, though hers cut off a bit sooner. Mention of the wedding always raised her stress levels - it wasn’t Frank’s fault, and it wasn’t cold feet. It was her own fault for not taking any time to think about the consequences of saying yes so quickly; now she was stuck trying to put him off while they were in the middle of a war. “It could be,” she said evasively, glancing around to avoid his eyes. “Well, I suppose we can make a better attempt at it then, even though I’d far rather keep you all to myself.”

She nodded, satisfied with his word - and that fact that she’d given him very good incentive to keep his wits about him tonight. She turned to face him again, her expression light once more. Without the question of a wedding date hanging over her head, it was far easier to enjoy his company. A soft laugh escaped her again at his antics but she didn’t protest. “It’s a good thing you do, since you get so much of it.”

“Hey. It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.” He gave her a reassuring squeeze to his side with a soft smile. Maybe he shouldn’t tease as much as he did. Frank knew it was a difficult time, and he knew Alice would always be by his side. But he still held true to his belief that the war was a perfect time to get married. People needed the happiness and the show of commitment. But he was patient and he’d wait as long as Alice needed. “Just a few more minutes to ourselves, yeah?”

“Who have got talked to so far, so I can collaborate my story if I run into them too?” His grin turned more playful, his eyes scanning the room to see who to seek out once they did decide to mingle again. “You know I wouldn’t have it any other way, Flower.”

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“Oh, I’m sure they’ll manage it,” Alice said confidently. She didn’t really know enough about Quidditch to say that, of course, but it was a very nice thought. Her face turned a little pink at the kiss - she usually limited things like that when they were in public, just to be polite. It wasn’t a problem though. “It is nice, isn’t it? We should try to be more social, shouldn’t we?” Her preference most evenings was to spend as much time with Frank as possible - a selfish instinct, but considering they had to think of his family and hers, it made sense that she wanted to keep him to herself.

Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly at him, but she had confidence in him. He’d look after himself. Hopefully. The night was young. “I was only looking out for you. So long as you don’t drink too much.” She glanced at him from under her lashes, lowering her voice as she added, “I have plans for when we’re home. Oh, I’m going to stick with you for a bit longer but there’s no need to get me a drink. I’d rather enjoy your company.”

“I do hope so. Maybe I can convince Dad to get us season tickets. Mum might even enjoy herself.” Frank chuckled, knowing full well his mother wouldn’t go to a game unless dragged. “Or maybe it could be a wedding gift?” He had to casually ask at least once every couple weeks, hoping one day Alice would finally pick a date. It had almost become a game, and Frank wasn’t sure what he’d do when Alice finally agreed, for all intent and purposes, a second time. “But yes, being social would probably be the expected thing.” He grinned down at her, his eyes crinkling to make his good mood.

“I promise I won’t. Only a couple of pints.” He leaned over and put his empty glass on a nearby table, his back straightening at her promise. “Oh. Well. In that case.” Alice didn’t need to say more; her look said it all, and Frank could feel his neck heat up. “I would love it if you stayed with me. As it so happens, I rather enjoy your company.” He leaned down, but didn’t kiss her, instead touching his nose to hers with another goofy grin.

[labellestrange]

Puddlemere United’s Victory Party (1978)

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Bellatrix frowned as Frank took the shot from her and knocked it back in one gulp. She ought to have known that a Gryffindor wouldn’t be half as fun to try this on as a Hufflepuff or a fellow Slytherin, that he would just take it. But then again… that kind of blind ‘bravery’ could provide Bellatrix with just the opportunity she wanted to cause a little trouble. “Was it really so bad after all?”

Despite how hard Frank tried, he still made a small face, though it tasted significantly worse than he was hoping he let on. “I’ve had worse, though that definitely makes my top five of ‘things I’d rather not put in my mouth again.” As an after thought, and with no chaser, he shivered a little, licking his lips to try to rid his mouth of the taste as he set the shot glass down on the bar.

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Alice laughed, glancing up at him as he spoke. She loved Frank so much. “You know I wish we could have too, love. Next time we’ll make it.” It hadn’t worked out this time, due to a variety of factors, but she hated that Frank had missed the game. They went to plenty of them though, so even if they missed the final match, they’d seen enough over the season this year.

“I’m quite enjoying myself. It’s a lovely party. Boisterous.” So far she hadn’t really had a chance to talk to any of her friends, which was a shame, but she’d be able to find them later. “I missed you though, and wanted to check in. It’s just as well. Let me have drink.” She reached for his drink and finished it off, then handed the empty glass back, grinning at him. “Thank you, love.”

“Aye. Next time. Let’s just hope our boys can make it to the finals again when the time comes.” Frank had be a bit disappointed that the one game he truly wanted to see, they weren’t able to attend. But it was just a game, and there were bigger things at stake these days than the outcome of a quiddtch match. His normal smile returned and he gave Alice another kiss to her head for good measure.

“Ah. Brilliant. It is nice catching up with old friends. And there has certainly been plenty of activity.” He gave her a look to indicate he hadn’t partaken in any of it, keeping himself out of trouble. So far, anyway. He grinned brighter when Alice said she missed him, but it was short lived, however, when she took his drink. “Well that’s just as well. I needed a fresh one anyhow.” Frank teased with at small sigh. “Should I get you one my dearest, or are off to leave me to my own devices again so soon?”