A Different Kind of Courage
Summary: A moment from Frank Longbottom's life. Or more specifically, the moment he…er "asks out" Alice Prewett. Kind of.
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Walking past the other 7th Gryffindors, I didn't even find it strange that Lily Evans was actually smiling at James Potter. The only things I noticed, the only things I COULD notice, were my sweaty palms and my heartbeat, hammering out a complicated rhythm against my chest. I hear her, Alice's, laugh, a light, tinkling laugh. What I imagine angels sound like.
Just do it, I though to myself, the worst thing she could do is say no.
My mind immediately conjured up images of her laughing in my face.
"Frank," her normally warm voice turned cold and merciless, "Why on earth would I go out with a bumbling oaf like you?"
I froze mid step, and started praying fervently that, if she did happen to reject me so cruelly, that I wouldn't cry. Merlin, I don't think I could stand it if she laughed at me!
I swallowed back my nerves. Again. And, once again, concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other. Suddenly, she was only 15 steps away, 10 steps, 4 steps away. She looked up from her Charms homework, her short dark hair falling into her captivating light brown eyes. I sighed internally. Did she know the affect she had on me? Doubtful. Very doubtful.
"Hullo, Frank," she smiled
"Huh-h-hey Alice," I stammered out, thinking about turning around and bolting for the sanctuary of my dormitory. Frank Longbottom, I thought to myself, Are you a Gryffindor or what? The girl of your dreams is sitting right there! Now ask her to Hogsmeade already!
While this little monologue was going on in my head, Alice watched me patiently with an amused half-smile on her face.
"Is there anything you need?" She asked kindly.
"Er, yes. I was just wondering if –perhaps—you m-might want to go, um, a-attend the next Hogsmeade weekend with, with me?" I braced myself for her refusal. My mind was swimming with the thoughts of her rejection, I didn't even notice her reply.
"Oh, y-yeah, that's fine I t-totally understand. We're p-probably better off as just friends anyway." I muttered faintly.
"What? No, Frank, I don't think you –"
"I have a bunch of P-potions homework to catch up on anyway."
"Frank, I want to go with –"
"I'm absolutely abysmal at Potions. You're lucky that Slughorn adores you, because he has it out for me or something. He can't even remember my name."
"Will you just listen to me –"
"I mean, really, how hard is it to remember the name Longbot –"
"FRANK!"
"Er, Yes Alice?" I said, surprised by her outburst.
"I would love to go to Hogsmeade with you, Frank Longbottom."
"A-are you serious?"
"No, I think he's sitting over there by Remus. Yes, I am completely serious; I have fancied you for ages. I'll meet you in the Entrance Hall at ten o' clock sharp, no exceptions!" she proclaimed somewhat exasperatley.
"Sounds great!" I practically squeaked, sounding far too feminine for my liking.
"Good, now will you help me with this Charms essay; I'm still a little fuzzy on how the Fidelius charm works," she grinned, her dimples showing up on her beautiful, round face.
This, I thought to myself, is what it feels like to be a Gryffindor.
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A/N---This is my first fanfiction . It was fun to write, and constructive criticism is very helpful (so are reviews)! I've always thought Frank/Alice was adorable.
~laughingcat123