Lorelei Wentworth đŚ Alice Longbottom (harmonize) wrote in dunhavenic, @ 2019-03-17 15:22:00 |
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Entry tags: | !log, * jeanne, * terri, c: foster wentworth, c: lorelei wentworth |
WHO: Lorelei Waters → Alice Fortescue & Foster Wentworth → Frank Longbottom
SUMMARY: Frank and Alice are partnered together for a practice interrogation.
WARNINGS: Snogging, some friendly groping. Yanno, like friends do. đ
BINGO: She's Not My Girlfriend
Alice Fortescue was halfway through her first year of Auror training. The days were long and exhausting, and she often had energy left for little more than apparating home and collapsing into her bed at the end of the day. Sometimes she remembered to eat. (If nothing else, at least the Ministry's tea selection was rather good.) But there were two (and a half) more years to go, and the last thing she was going to do was complain. A bit of exhaustion in exchange for one of the most prestigious jobs in the wizarding world- and the chance to catch dark wizards- was a small price to pay. Given the stringent requirements of (and thus small number of acceptance into) the Auror program, the training classes were often grouped together across the various years. Second years trained with firsts, thirds with seconds, et cetera. They wanted you to be able to work together in difficult circumstances, under stress, and in otherwise unpredictable scenarios. The divisions that Hogwarts had seemingly so prided itself on were no longer relevant here. Today's training scenario pitted Alice against second year trainee Frank Longbottom. They had worked together before, a time or two, and he had- Alice thought- all the makings of a potentially great Auror. She tried to learn a little something from her partners in every scenario she was put through, no matter how odd it seemed at the time. And today's, well, it was definitely odd. Frank was to be working on some of his interrogation skills, and Alice was tasked to play his target. She was more or less given free license to lead him down whatever line of questioning might be worthwhile, so long as she presented some kind of challenge to him. So, she went with the obvious. Her robes had been forgone in favor of a short skirt and heels, her hair artfully mussed up and her shirt cut low to show off her cleavage. All in the name of distraction, of course. -- Frank had grown up knowing that this was the path he would walk when he was older. He had a brief encounter with a rather suave Auror as a child and had idolized the idea of being one ever since. He had known what he needed to do to become an Auror and had dedicated himself to the subjects of study in which he would need to excel from the beginning of his education. It had paid off. He had been among the top picks in his round of applicants when he had thrown his name in for consideration, and now he was in his second year of training. He always enjoyed getting to play through scenarios with his fellow Aurors. Some of them were better actors than others, but they needed to perfect the art of deception as much as true wizards that they were after. No one wanted to be the reason that they or their partner got hurt because of some silly mistake. The interrogation scenarios at least were rather low risk. He was aware that an instructor would be monitoring his interrogation techniques, and sometimes being straightforward wasn't the best avenue of action. He had been told that his partner for the scenario was Alice Fortescue and that he needed to extract the location of her wanted associate from her. It sounded doable, even if she was a talented first year trainee. He had the faked file in his hands when he entered the room where she was seated, and for a moment, he pulled up short. He wasn't rattled, precisely, but he was a little shocked. She was showing a lot of skin, and it wasâŚreally fucking unfair, if he were honest. She was beautiful and he wasn't blind. He determinedly did not let his gaze wander, and met her eyes with a small smile, âCausing trouble again, Alice? You really should pick better friends.â It was a joke, of course, but in this made up scenario...she presumably hadn't made the same choices in life. -- As part of the scenario, Alice had been given some information that she was tasked to keep away from Frank. Nominally, it was a simple task- but she'd been on both sides of these scenarios before, and neither part was easy. Still, she would play her part to the fullest. She noticed when he stopped in his tracks, however briefly, and Alice couldn't help the little grin that tugged at her lips. Playing coy, she tugged her fingers through her hair. "I don't know what you're talking about," she insisted. "My friends are all on the up-and-up, thank you." -- As Frank watched her tug her hand through her hair, an action when simultaneously drew attention to her mussed up hair and her breasts, and there was a strong part of him that wanted to toss the whole scenario aside just to flirt with her in earnest. That wasnât the point. She was putting on a role. Just because he could vividly tell what was on her up-and-up (dear Merlin, she was gorgeous,) it didnât mean he wanted to fail this task. Heâd always thought she was pretty, and he quite liked her, but this was...new. Tempting. He needed to focus on his task. âThey might be on the up-and-up of individuals weâd most like to have a chat with,â Frank remarked with a grin. If she was going to play this game, he could at least have fun with it. Instead of taking a seat in the open chair, Frank rounded the table and sat on the surface closer to her, dropping his file on the table with a small smack, âYou and I both know that Walker is going to throw you under the bus if he gets the chance, but if you cooperate with the department, I can promise you protection and lesser charges.â She had something to be guilty of in this scenario, certainly, and sometimes all it took was a bit of pressure and a silver lining. He doubted it would be that easy, but it was a place to start. -- "If you wanted to have a chat with them, how come I'm the one here?" Still, she did jump a bit in her seat as his case file hit the table in front of her. Scenario or not, the thick folder was obviously meant to intimidate with its unknown contents. Looking up at Frank now as he perched on the edge of the table, Alice batted her eyelashes. "You'd really protect l'il ol' me? Gosh, what an offer!" But then she gave a sharp laugh and sat back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest. "I haven't seen Walker in months." -- âBecause you didnât hide yourself very well and youâre a known associate who can be charged with obstruction of justice and aiding a wanted wizard,â Frankâs response was almost nonchalant. He didnât let her ire - fake or not - ruffle him. The theory here was that she wasnât technically under arrest, but obviously she was supposedly wrapped up in some suspect activity. The difficult part about these mock investigations really was that they were lying through the whole thing. That made it slightly more difficult to tell the real information from the fake...or what was supposed to be real. Even still, he took in the sight of her. Deflective answers. Defensive body language. She definitely did have something to hide, âYou know, somehow I donât believe you. Maybe itâs because I have a witness that says you were with Walker just a few days ago.â That at least, was in his packet of supposed facts. âI know that you know where Walker is hiding out, and I believe heâs in one of the safe houses in this file,â Frank didnât want to lay all of his cards on the table, of course, but sometimes it was necessary to do a little give and take to get what you wanted. -- He was good. Of course, it was his job to be good. But still⌠Alice stood, waking a bit further away from Frank, the click of her heels on the floor. She wasn't pacing so much as⌠thinking and walking. Finally, she stopped, leaning back against the wall to face him, eying him up and down, slowly. "Alright, fine. I saw him four days ago. He gave me a thousand galleons and told me to meet him in Ipswich next week." Walking straight toward Frank now, deliberately, Alice reached out and traced her fingers down his jawline. "But that's all I know. Honest." -- He noted everything from the cadence of her walk to the set of her shoulders and the expression on her face when she turned around to eye him slowly. There seemed to be parts of what she said that were truth, but if this was the location she was handing over, it meant he could rule it out. It was not the confession of a trustworthy witness, and she wasnât really taking the deal. If she had been, her behavior would have been different. He would expect questions, and more hesitancy to give over the location. Even as she ran her fingers along his jaw, so close now that he could smell her soap, he tried not to shiver. She was talented at this, âI believe you,â he lied with a grin, pretending to be as gullible as ever, âI just thought he would have gone to Surrey. Rumor is thatâs where the coin flow leaks.â Another possible location, though not precisely the right one for the cash. Her reaction, he thought, should give him a more definitive answer about where he was actually going...Surrey or to the actual coin. -- Her fingers lingered, dropping down to rest at his collarbone as she listened to his words. "You really ought to check your sources better," Alice offered, finally. "You can't believe everything you hear." There was no coin in Surrey, but she didn't say as much aloud. She was thinking it, yes, but she put this aside and decided to try distraction again. In one easy movement, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to Frank's. It was a demanding, almost desperate sort of kiss. Not at all sweet or romantic as a first kiss ought to have been. But she wasn't planning on kissing him again. This was just part of the act. Red sparks flew up in her periphery, and a buzzer sounded. "That's enough, Longbottom," their instructor seemed none too pleased. "You've failed the scenario." -- There it was. As she spoke, he focused on her. He might have seemed distracted by some, but he wasnât just gazing into her eyes out of interest in the color. Her pupils dilated, just slightly. They both knew that the money wasnât really in Surrey, and Walker would go to the money. She hadnât paid any mind to Surrey at all. He was pleased with deductions, though surprised a moment later when she leaned forward and kissed him. He should have pushed her away, of course. It was a demanding, needy sort of kiss and despite himself...he gave into it, kissing her back, his hands falling to her waist. It wasnât until he saw that flash of red and the buzzer sounded that he pulled away...very reluctantly, âI respectfully disagree. I definitely havenât failed.â He grinned then at Alice, though he hadnât removed his hands from her waist yet, âThank you for your cooperation.â -- She hadn't expected him to kiss her back. She definitely hadn't expected him to reach for her, to hold her by the waist. And to⌠not mind that he did. Alice firmly brushed those thoughts aside. The act was over. "My what?" she asked, looking back to Frank, unsure what he'd meant. If he'd failed the scenario, why would he be thanking her? "Please. Enlighten us all." The instructor's voice was deadpan, and they added, "And please stop groping your girlfriend while you do so." -- âOh, sheâs not my girlfriend, and I think my hands are in a relatively respectful place, all things considered,â he pointed out, it wasnât as though he had grabbed her arse or anything. Though, he did remove his hands from her at the reminder, though he didnât stand from his perch on the table just yet. âShe lied. Walker is in the safe house in Cambridge. My recommendation, then, would be that our dear Alice is charged with obstruction of an Aurorâs investigation, and to take a team to Walkerâs hide out in Cambridge, but to expect he wouldnât go down without a fight because thatâs where the money really is.â Frank paused a heartbeat and then offered, âIs there anything else I need to add, or are you satisfied that I did not, in fact, fail the interrogation?â -- Even with his hands away from her, Alice didn't move. She was too curious. As Frank gave his explanation, she found herself smiling, impressed despite the fact that he'd so clearly bested her. Their instructor didn't seem quite so pleased. Or maybe they just hadn't wanted Frank to be right. "Very well," came the curt reply. "You may go." -- Pleased with the outcome, Frank hopped down from the table with a small smirk on his lips. This brought him closer to her again, but he tried not to pay that any mind. StillâŚeven if it was only in those few moments, he now knew that she was a good kisser and he couldn't get it out of his mind. Tousled as she was, her lips were now the faintest kiss-pink. Frank reached over and snagged the file from the table. He'd never even had to open it. As they exited the training room, he looked over at her, âGood job today. You're a lot better at the acting than a lot of our fellow trainees,â he offered, though there was a part of him that found he was hoping not all of it was acting. JustâŚthe last few moments of it. Most trainees got more used to the scenarios by their second year, but she was doing good for her first. -- "Not quite good enough," Alice amended, shaking her head- though she didn't seem overly upset, even as she corrected his point. She hadn't been good enough to best him, after all. "I mean, maybe it's good that I'm a terrible liar, all things considered- even if that was my job back there, however briefly." Acting, lying, the line was fairly blurry. "Though, really, even if you hadn't sorted out the information, they should have passed you on the scenario just for resisting all of this," she gestured to herself with another little laugh. -- âI wouldn't call you a terrible liar. I've just gotten good at picking out the truth and the lie. It was really just a few small things that tipped me off,â Frank pointed out with a grin, âBesides, I was the one under review back there. I needed to pass, but it won't look bad on you. I think they kind of like knowing we wouldn't make good criminals.â When she gestured to herself, Frank couldn't help it. He took the invitation to let his gaze wander over her, if only for a moment. He tried, at least, to not linger disrespectfully, âIt was a good technique, and quite difficult to ignore, if I'm being honest.â The words were a touch playful, but he meant every one, âThis kiss wasâŚunexpected.â --- She was pleased, at least, that she hadn't been entirely transparent in her half of the scenario. He'd still gotten through her, of course, but if she'd made it at least somewhat challenging, Alice could be content with that. This time. "That's fair," she replied. "Propensity toward criminal behavior would have discounted either one of us from the program fairly easily, I'm sure." Though she'd more or less invited his gaze, Alice still raised an eyebrow as Frank looked over her. It wasn't uncomfortable, really, just⌠an interesting sort of shift. But it was over in a moment. "It wasn't part of my original plan," she admitted, shaking her head even as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. It wasn't as if she went into all of those scenarios aiming to snog her partner. "But thanks in advance for not filing a harassment report. I owe you one." -- Frank had kept himself out of trouble over the years, always careful of the decisions that he made because he never wanted his character called into question. Being an Auror had been his goal for far too long to jeopardize it for something stupid and momentary, âWe're among the elite. That's for certain.â It wasn't arrogant, really. It was just the truth. He had to bite his tongue to not offer that she could make up what she owed with another kiss, or perhaps joining him for a round of drinks at the pub. It probably wasn't appropriate. They were working together. Mixing work and pleasure didn't often work out for either party involved, âI guess you just couldn't resist all of this.â He smirked, echoing her previous sentiment as he gestured to himself, âI'm not out to get anyone in trouble, though. No harm done.â Actually, he'd rather enjoyed it. -- Even if it had been arrogant, Alice couldn't disagree with the sentiment. They were an elite group of people- and would be even more so once they finished this training program. Not everyone made it through, after all. When he gestured to himself, Alice paused in her steps, this time not even pretending not to look him over. She gave an appreciative nod, her face a mixture of concentration and- eventually- approval. "Yeah, you're not half bad." -- He was determined to become a full fledged Auror. Frank wouldn't accept any less from himself, especially not after working so hard to get as far as he had. He was excelling in most trials that were thrown his way. Even when the instructors weren't particularly pleased with him, like today, he rarely failed a task that was set to him. He smiled a little when she looked him over as he had done to her at the similar invitation, âNot half bad is more than half good. I'll take it.â Frank gave a small wink her direction, âI'm going to get some tea. Do you want some, or do you have more to finish up?â This was the last training on his roster for the day, but he knew that sometimes in first year they had a lot piled on them at once. -- He winked. He winked. It was such an obviously arrogant thing, and yet⌠Alice still smiled in return. Merlin, what was wrong with her? There was always more to be done, it seemed. (Her year of NEWTs preparation held nothing in comparison to the DMLE's training regimine.) And yet, the invitation to sit and enjoy a cup of tea was hard to deny. Even if it was just fifteen minutes to put aside everything else- and in not-half-bad-looking company, too- what was the harm in it? "Tea sounds good, actually. Thank you." -- When she agreed to tea, Frank thought for a moment about the selection in the break room there at the Ministry. They did have a nice variety of tea, but not exactly what he wanted, and he hadnât brought anything today to go along with it. Instead, he offered his hand and suggested, âDiagon?â It wasnât until she agreed, and put her hand in his that he disapparated them both to the bustling streets of Diagon. While he knew that the ice cream shop her grandfather owned was along this same stretch of road, Frank had brought them in front of a little tea shop that was as well known for their scones as their beverages. âHere we are,â he opened the door and let Alice enter first, taking a step in after her a moment later. It was a charming little shop with a variety of tea pots on display around the room, perched on the wall via shelves that werenât quite straight, but none of the pots ever seemed to fall. The tables were small and sturdy, though none of the chairs that surrounded them matched a single other, âHullo, Frank.â The girl behind the counter was - as usual - flushed a delicate shade of pink and seemed to almost be perched on her toes in anticipation of having customers, though there were several tables with patrons sipping tea. âHi. Iâll have the English Breakfast with a spot of milk and an almond maple scone,â he smiled and looked to Alice, âGet whatever youâd like. Itâs on me.â -- Though she hadn't been expecting that his invitation would mean leaving the Ministry, Alice found that she didn't mind the idea, and her hand slipped easily into Frank's. They arrived outside the shop- she'd only walked past it before- and Alice now stepped inside. Her eyes almost immediately landed on the girl standing behind the counter, especially after she greeted Frank by name. But then Alice recognized her- a Ravenclaw from her own year. Hannah? No, Shannon. "Earl Grey, milk and sugar. And a raspberry scone with preserves and clotted cream, too. Thank you." This latter was added to Frank. She hadn't expected him to pay for her. -- âIâll actually add some clotted cream for mine, too. That sounds good,â Frank shrugged a little, not needing the thanks, though he wasnât going to deny it outright, âYouâre welcome. Itâs really the least I can do after today.â He hadnât really thought about the fact that she hadnât gotten a chance to change before they left the Ministry, but she hadnât otherwise seemed to mind. It wasnât like she was indecent, even if the girl behind the counter - he could never remember her name - was looking at Alice strangely. She stepped away to make their tea, and Frank produced a few coins to cover the cost of the treat, âSo is training still everything you hoped it would be?â -- Since she hadn't known they (or she) would be leaving the Ministry, Alice hadn't changed from her short skirt and cleavage-enhancing shirt, but it wasn't the end of the world, really. She didn't feel any less confident than she would have in her normal robes. "And more," Alice replied, laughing just a bit and shaking her head. "I mean, it felt like- as soon as we declared our intentions to go for the program- our professors spent a decent amount of time trying to talk us all out of it. All part of the plan, I'm sure. Weeding out the weak." And it had worked, for a few of her classmates- they'd rethought those plans before the program even started. "Any advice you can give a wee firstie?" -- He grinned, âYouâre probably not wrong about that. I told McGonagall when I was twelve, and you would have thought Iâd told her I was trying to grow a third arm. In the end of it, though, she ended up being really supportive.â He still didnât know if it was because she originally thought he couldnât do it, or if it had been because he was so young and scrawny at the time she couldnât have imagined it. He wouldnât have called her a wee firstie...in that outfit, nothing about her seemed to fit that description, but he still advised, âDonât let Moody intimidate you, which I donât really think is an issue. Trust your partner, even in scenarios like today,â Frank knew it sounded counter-intuitive, but he elaborated, âI knew that you were going to give it your all to present a challenge to me. Donât be afraid to fight for your wins, either. They assumed that I was playing into your hand because thatâs what I wanted you to think. If you know youâre not in the wrong, always prove your point. It doesnât always work like it did today, but the instructors are still learning how we handle situations, too. They donât always predict our behaviors correctly either.â As he finished his thought, the girl came back with two cups of tea and plated scones with the requested additions. Frank raised a brow, noting that her hair seemed different...ruffled a bit more like Aliceâs, actually. If he wasnât mistaken, it also looked as though perhaps sheâd...re-adjusted her blouse. Did she have a bit of a frisk while she was getting their tea? Frank picked up the small tray, though purposefully picked a table where neither of them would have their backs to the door, but they had a clear view of the exit, âIs this all right?â -- She glanced over to him, considering for a moment. "I'm not sure I can imagine you as a twelve year old." Even if, ostensibly, she could have known him at the time- she'd have been an actual first year, then- but that Alice had been too enraptured with the newness of Hogwarts to recognize the Gryffindors a year older than her. But she listened to his words, attentive and curious. "So far it's been easy to trust my partners. But I suppose that's good, really." After all, these were- or were going to be- her coworkers for the foreseeable future. "You tricked them and me both. But I shouldn't have played such an obvious card. Next time I'll keep my robes on." She was... mostly kidding. Following Frank over to the table, Alice sat down and took another look around the cafe. She appreciated that he'd chosen a place where they had a good view of their surroundings. "It's perfect," she confirmed. Taking her tea- already prepared with the requested milk and sugar- Alice held the teacup in both hands for a moment, just enjoying the familiar aromas. Looking back across to Frank, she added- casually as ever- "Shannon over there thinks we've been shagging." -- âI was adorable and persistent,â Frank supplied, though he had actually been a somewhat awkward looking pre-teen. He had grown into his own height, shed a little weight when his metabolism kicked in, and grown up to be far more handsome than most had predicted when he was younger. Heâd never lacked confidence, though. He had gone toe to toe with many of his professors which had then prepared him for being an Auror. âWeâve all got the same goals, and thankfully most of us are of a decent sort,â Frank clashed with a few of their peers, but that was really just inevitable. No one was always going to get along with every person they came into contact with, âJust keep your goals in mind and ask questions whenever you need to. Youâre doing great, and youâll keep picking it up fast, I think.â Frank smirked a little when she said she was going to keep her robes on for the next time they were paired, âIt was a generous effort at a distraction. You almost had me at the beginning.â He settled into his chair - blue and wing-backed - to enjoy his tea, but nearly spit a sip of it out when Alice told him that the shop girl thought theyâd been shagging. He managed to swallow the sip of tea, though it wasnât as refreshing as it was meant to be. Taking a glance back over at the girl in question who was eyeing them casually every moment or two while she wiped down the counter, Frank raised a brow to Alice, âHow do you figure? Because youâre a little ruffled? So is she, and she wasnât when she went to get our tea. She may very well have had a bit of a snog in the back for all we know.â -- His compliments were unnecessary and perhaps a bit unexpected, but Alice didn't turn them away. She'd asked for his opinion, after all, and she had no reason to think he'd just be flattering her. That would have only been a disservice to the department, in the end. Her own chair was decently plushed and an odd shade of mauve. Alice didn't mind the mismatched decor, though. It gave the place character. "She was moon-eyed as soon as she spotted you," Alice started ticking off the observations she'd made. "And when she noticed me, she looked as if she might have liked to Impedimenta me right back out the door." She grinned over the edge of her teacup as she took a sip. "That's self-ruffled hair," Alice added, confidently. "If someone else's got their hands in your hair, they're pushing it back from your temples." Setting her cup down, she stood slightly from her chair and leaned over the small tea table to demonstrate this on Frank, lacing her fingers into his hair on either side. But just for a moment. Sitting back down, Alice continued, "Hers is all swept to one side," she did the same now to her own hair, dragging her fingers up at the center and down one side. With a bit of fluffing up underneath, too, for good measure. "It's a different look. She's trying to impress you. Or lure you away. Either way. You, me," she gestured between the two of them as she picked up her cup again, "totally shagging." -- Alice claimed that Shannon - thatâs what sheâd called her anyway - fancied him, and he blinked a bit stupidly. He was a fantastic Auror in the making. He really was. When it came to women actually being interested in him, though, he was about as oblivious as they came. Heâd had a girlfriend for a while at Hogwarts and sheâd had to practically shout that she fancied him before heâd noticed. He had honestly just thought she was...very friendly. It hadnât worked out in the end, but Frank was no longer sad about that turn of events. As Alice continued her explanation, even leaning in to push her hands into his hair, mussing it up a little, pulling just the slightest bit before she sat back down and her hands shifted away, Frank gave her his undivided attention. It was unfair, really, how alluring she could be without even trying for it. He could feel himself slipping, his heart tugging a little in her direction, and that was a dangerous sort of feeling. âIf weâre shagging,â which they werenât, even if Shannon assumed that they were, âisnât it pretty rude of her to attempt to entice me away in the first place?â He thought for a moment, and realized...when he had seen Shannon in such a state, heâd more or less just glanced over her and his focus had never lingered. When heâd seen Alice in that interrogation room, heâd nearly lost all composure for a moment and she was still distracting him, even if heâd held it together long enough to pass his scenario. That spoke a few truths that he wasnât certain he wanted to acknowledge, âBesides, her intentions failed. Iâm not impressed with her. I am impressed by your deductions, though. I didnât see it before, but...I would say youâre right.â -- "Maybe so, but that hardly makes it uncommon. If a girl really wants something- especially a not-half-bad sort of bloke," as she'd called him earlier, anyway, "she's not likely to let another girl stand in her way. There's no code to such things. It's survival of the fittest. Or... ruffled-est, as the case may be." Setting her cup down again on its saucer, Alice took her knife and cut the prepared scone in half. She took a careful bite, not wanting to drop any of the clotted cream away- that was the best part, after all. "Thank you, thank you," she gave a mock sort of bow, flourishing her free hand. "Parlor trick investigations, really, but I'm glad I pass Longbottom muster." -- âEven if she believes another girl to be shagging said not-half-bad guy?â Frank raised a brow at this. It wasn't to say that some guys wouldn't try the same, but he had enough respect for other people that he wasn't going to intentionally try to get in the way of a couple who was already attached in some way, âI still think you've got her beat on ruffles, too, as the case may be.â Frank took her lead and cut into his scone. It was crunchy and a little gooey from a maple brown sugar blend, sweet and rich. He shook his head softly and added, âWhen I'm on the job, I can read people like a book. When it comes to my personal life, though, I seem to forget to utilize those skills. Maybe I just need to start paying closer attention.â He chanced a glance up to the counter where Shannon was now polishing a tea cup and glancing at them with a soured sort of look. He couldn't believe he hadn't seen it before, âI legitimately just thought she was always being friendly for the sake of the job.â -- "Especially if she believes another girl to be shagging said not-half-bad guy," Alice amended his question. "It's a cutthroat world out there. No mercy for the indolent." There were lines to be drawn between how one acted at work and otherwise, of course, and Alice understood that. Still, some Aurors liked to deny that such a delineation existed at all. In one quick movement, Alice smacked her hand down on the small table- making the little saucers and dishes rattle- and she stared back at Frank intensely. When she spoke, it was an approximation of Moody's voice- or at least his timber and intensity. "No! There is no personal life, Longbottom. You are an Auror, every hour, every minute! Constant vigilance!" But she couldn't keep up the act, and Alice collapsed back against her chair in a girlish fit of giggles, covering her blushing cheeks with her hands. -- Frank was, quite honestly, thinking about what it might be like if they actually were shagging like Shannon presumably thought that they were. After all, Alice was beautiful and witty, and she could match him. Their chat was enlightening. He apparently had all the wrong information before. To his credit, Frank didnât jump when she slammed her hand down on the table even if it did shock him a little. His eyes widened, but the moment that she spoke - a feminine mockery of one of their instructors - Frankâs lips twitched in a smile. He burst out laughing the moment that she did, a small snort of amusement accompanying his laughs. He could imagine Moody doing the very same as she had, and honestly, even if it was a joke, it was a bit right. He probably did need to start paying a bit more attention in his personal life if he hoped to be a fully trained Auror in a year and a half, âMerlinâs beard, Alice.â The curse was appreciative and chuckled, though it took him a few moments still to compose himself. Somehow, the outburst and her consequential giggling paired with that damnable blush made her even more attractive, and he wasnât sure how she accomplished it. âIâll pay you five galleons to do that in front of Moody,â he offered with a smirk, leaning forward a little at the table. Someone cleared their throat and he looked up to see that Shannon had rounded the counter. She was still looking particularly ruffled, her hands squeezed at her hips, âI know you come here all the time, Frank, but this is supposed to be a place for quiet conversation. The other customers expect this to be a relaxing environment.â He couldnât help it. Frank raised a brow, but he reached his hand out across the table towards Alice, âDid you hear that, love?â The sentiment flowed off his tongue probably too easily, but he hoped she would catch on, âWeâre disturbing the other folk. Do you think we can behave ourselves?â -- The joke had been a risk of sorts, but it had paid off. Even if Frank didn't join her in outright giggles, his curse was appreciative enough. Alice had leaned forward as Frank did, but returned her counter offer, "Make it ten." For all their talk and observations of Shannon, Alice hadn't actually thought that the other girl would interrupt them tableside. (She seemed much more the pining from afar type.) But Alice looked up, undaunted, and then caught Frank's hand as it was extended in her direction. "You know how I feel about behaving, Frank, much less being quiet." The latter was added with a very obvious wink in his direction. Then, a weary sigh. "I'll try." -- Happy that she played along with his ruse, Frank squeezed her hand gently, âYou can be as loud as you want later. Promise.â He smirked a little in her direction, very obviously looking her over...for the benefit of the act, of course. âSee, there we go. Weâll try,â he echoed, trying to sound reasonable as he looked back up to the other girl. Even though he liked to get tea here, it was just a convenient spot. He didnât have to come back, and he certainly didnât have to indulge this other girlâs apparent crush on him. Frank wasnât a cruel person by any means, but neither did he like the idea of her getting jealous or huffy about him being with another girl when he had no attachment to her whatsoever. He owed her nothing, and he definitely wasnât going to lead her on. She gave one last disapproving glance between the two of them and turned on her heel to go back behind the counter. Frank leaned back a little in his chair and picked up his tea to sip, âWell, that seemed to go over well.â -- Alice gave a little grin at Frank's agreement, leaning toward him again as his eyes wandered. Even if it was just an act, she didn't mind the lingering look. What was the harm in enjoying someone else (acting at) finding you attractive? Their hands pulled apart as Shannon left and Frank leaned back in his chair. Alice re-occupied herself by raising her teacup once more. "And a good thing, too. If she'd glared any harder, I'd have been forced to snog you, just to get her to leave us alone." The logic there wasn't entirely sound, but Alice acted as casually confident as ever. -- For a moment, Frank found himself wishing that Shannon had glared just a little bit harder. Then, at least, theyâd have gotten a snog out of the eyes of their instructor. He really shouldnât want that in the first place, but the first kiss hadnât really felt like enough even if he hadnât expected it at all. âWell, it wouldnât be the first time,â Frank pointed out with a smile, though her reasons before had been different. Even back at the Ministry...it hadnât been necessary. He still couldnât regret that it had happened, even if it was leading him down a dangerous path of thinking, âIf youâd snogged me, she might have actually thrown us out.â -- Alice gave a little laugh- though nothing like the overwhelming giggles of moments before. This sound was more easily concealed behind her teacup, at least. Still, she held a hand up, palm out toward Frank. "I'll not be responsible from cutting a proper Englishman off from his favorite tea source. That's got to be something close to treason, anyway, I'm sure." -- âIt is good tea,â he agreed, though if he were permanently banned from the shop, it would probably be the scones that he missed the most. He had to have at least two cups of tea a day, but he didn't always come to this shop, âI'm sure I would survive the ban, but this place is awfully convenient.â He ate another decadent bite of his scone and sipped his tea. Even with events that had transpired, he didn't regret bringing her here. They had gotten some amusement out of it anyway, âI would just task you with finding me a new place as recompense.â |