Title: Wise Advice
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Benjy Fenwick, Alice Longbottom
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 437
Summary: Alice gives Benjy some much needed advice.
Notes:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: February Event: Singletons' Problems - 6. When your friends tell you that you are being too 'picky'
Year Long Scavenger Hunt: B5. (character) Alice Longbottom
Benjy Fenwick ignored Alice and Marlene. "Go away," he muttered.
Alice rolled her eyes. "There are plenty of nice guys that want to take you out, but you say no to all of them. I would like to know what is wrong with Caradoc Dearborn."
"You're way too picky," Marlene added.
"I'm not picky; I just know what I want, so I refuse to settle," Benjy argued, his cheeks turning red in his defensiveness.
Alice shot him a look.
"What?" he asked.
Alice looked at Marlene. "Um, Mar, didn't you have something that you had to do?"
Marlene raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Is that your subtle way of telling me to get lost?"
"Yes," Alice promptly answered.
Marlene shrugged and after shooting Benjy a pitying look, she left the two of them.
Alice turned back to her best friend. "I asked Marlene to leave because I know something that no one else knows."
Benjy did his best to avoid her gaze. He knew what she knew because he was the one who told her his biggest secret. "Alice, don't."
Alice looked at him with sympathy in her gaze. "Ben, I get it. I know you're in love with Remus. And considering the way he looks, and his intelligence and kindness, if I wasn't completely head over heels in love with Frank, I might have had a small crush on Remus myself. So, trust me, you're feelings make complete sense to me," she paused to take a deep breath, "but, no matter what you feel for Remus, he feels the same way about Sirius. And I don't see that changing any time soon."
Benjy nodded. "I know. What you've just told me I told myself more than once. I can't force myself to go on a date with guy I have no interest in whatsoever, though. Marlene might think it's because I'm picky, but you know it's because my heart has already been stolen by someone else."
Alice rested a hand on his shoulder. "I do know, but if you ever want to get over Remus, the best thing you can do is to go on dates. It doesn't necessarily have to lead to true love, but at least you can check out all of your options."
"It's hard," Benjy softly admitted.
Alice rested her head on his shoulder. "No one ever said love was easy, and if they did, they were filthy liars."
Benjy let out a surprised chuckle. "Thanks, Ali."
"Promise me that you'll at least consider accepting one of the many offers you receive to have companionship at Hogsmeade."
"I'll think about it," he agreed.
