Alice growled at him playfully. "See, I always thought you...," Alice trailed off before she got herself in trouble. As they talked, the feeling of stale air around them evaporated and she laughed like she hadn't laughed in months and her heart soared. "They've got some good eyes on them," she assured, not at all referring to herself. "It is so hard for me to believe that Abbi is just one year below me. She's always felt so much younger." She handed him her cup, assuming he was meaning to take it. "Yep!" At his next words she frowned; she didn't want to go. "Thanks Freddie." Alice said warmly.
Alice couldn't believe how wonderful it was to talk to him all the way back to the castle, even if it meant she would have to leave him. She smiled warmly at him. "Thanks Freddie, I'll be fine from here. I have my wand." She patted her pocket and shivered against the wind. Without thinking, Alice leaned over and kissed his cheek. "See you soon," she said, turning just in time to keep him from seeing the constriction and flush on her face and Alice headed back into the castle as quickly as possible.