The more I think it over, the more I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people" - Vincent Van Gogh

Summer was fading fast and the chill of winter was on the horizon. The leaves on the whomping willow had turned from a vibrant green to bright shades of red and orange. As October came so did the violent weather and everyday there would be a down pour. It was like the heavens had opened up and rain fell hard and fast through the thick, grey clouds, emptying their loads upon the earth. The water lashed at the ground, showing the sheer ferocity of nature, never easing in it's power and cleansing the world.

Alice sighed as she made her way to her next class, all the while regretting how she had not taken full advantage of that precious moment alone with Frank.

Since that one time in the common room whenever Alice was with him there would always be a third person whether it was Lily, James, Jane, Remus or Sirius. Don't get me wrong I love having so many great friends but… Alice frowned. "I just want to be alone with him" she whined as she walked on. It felt strange to Alice not to see Jane in any of her classes or in the great hall for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Unfortunately Jane had caught some kind of bug and had been bed bound for four days.

"Think your popular now?" someone sneered. Alice whipped around to see Severus emerge from the shadows and she felt her hands ball into fists for she was so sick of him skulking around.

Alice clapped her hand over her mouth, in mock horror. "Ouch that hurt but have you ever thought that maybe your jealous…" Snape just scoffed as he advanced into her personal space, towering over her.

Her eyes darted right and then left but there was no one around. "…You know because I'm friends with Lily" Alice stated as he circled her threateningly, like a lion does a deer.

"I pride myself on my observational skills," Alice informed, glaring at the Slytherin. "Do you want to know what I've found out about you?" Yet she didn't wait for Severus to answer. " You've never wanted Lily and yourself to just be friends. Have you?"

Alice tried not to notice how his eyes turned into slits

"You love her," Alice continued, looking smug. "I've seen the way you look at her."

"You better shut your mouth before I force it shut," he warned.

Sure it wasn't a very smart idea to goad the Slytherin but Alice knew it was better to act confident rather than come across slightly scared. "What's the matter Snape you can dish it out but you can't take it." Okay this is suicidal…after all he is friends with death eaters.

Snape's lips curled back in a snarl but Alice stood her ground. "What… do you expect sympathy Snape? Can you blame Lily for liking James better than you? After all you called her…"

Severus swung around savagely and yelled. "I said SHUT UP." Suddenly he drew out his wand, pointing it straight at her chest and Alice could feel her heart seize. His wand hand shook violently and his knuckles were chalk white. All Alice could do was stand there, paralyzed as her knees had locked.

All of a sudden a fist collided with Snape's face and Alice screamed - She could recognise that figure anywhere.

"Frank!" Alice cried as he and Snape tumbled to the ground. They were soon just a mess of flailing limbs.

"You little Snake!" Frank yelled as he punched Severus square in the jaw. Alice watched on helplessly as the two of them continued to wrestle each other. She pleaded for them to stop when Snape's knee slammed into Frank's ribs.

Out of nowhere a large crowd of spectators had materialized around the three of them. The students all cheered for the fight to continue.

Severus stretched out his hand, fumbling around for his wand. Yet Frank reacted quickly, kicking it further out of his reach and it slid across the marble. In that moment James and Sirius appeared at Alice's side, looking completely dumb struck. "Do something," she demanded.

They immediately rushed forward and grabbed Frank's shoulders, hauling him off Snape.

The pair tried to restrain him. "I'll kill you if you ever do that again," Frank roared, struggling against their hold.

Alice stepped in front of Frank, resting her hands against his chest. "Please Frank calm down. Its fine."

Severus stumbled to his feet, rubbing away the blood from the cut on his lower lip.

"What is the meaning of this?" Professor McGonagall screeched as she pushed her way through the crowd, quickly followed by Lily and Remus.

"Severus threatened Alice with his wand," Frank spat as he pushed forward, trying to get a hold of Snape. Everyone gasped in shock and even James and Sirius's grip on their friend weakened at the revelation.

Professor McGonagall acted swiftly. "Now now there is nothing to see here," she told the students firmly and soon enough the crowd had dispersed, scuttling towards their next class.

Lily moved to comfort Alice. "Mr Snape, Mr Longbottom detention for a week," Professor McGonagall informed.

Severus glared at Alice "What about her? She provoked me."

Frank rushed towards the Slytherin but was held back once again. "Why you little-"

The deputy headmistress held up her hand. "Nothing excuses your behaviour Mr Snape but Miss Taylor you shall join Mr Longbottom in detention." She turned on her heel but not before she faced Frank and Severus. "Now get yourselves to the hospital wing."

For a brief second cold, charcoal black eyes met furious, green ones. Severus scowled as Lily glared at him and defiantly he stomped away.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked Frank as she touched his hand, softly.

She flinched as Frank inhaled sharply. "I think I've broken some fingers," he groaned.

Remus laughed which caused creases to appear around his mouth. "Maybe that's because this Is the first time you've ever punched someone."

Alice lightly pushed Frank down the hallway. "Come on we should go and see Madame Pomfrey, right now." The two of them disappeared soon after and James, Remus and Sirius were about to follow.

Lily grabbed the backs of all three robes with difficulty ."And where do you think you guys are going?" she asked them as they turned around to face her.

James pointed to the stairs "We are going to…"

Lily shook her head at her boyfriend. "No. No your going to stay right here"

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Alice and Frank entered the empty hospital wing and the usual clinical smell greeted them. A row of neatly- made, basic beds with white linen sheets lined both walls -Each bed was separated by a green curtain. The infirmary was dark and all you could see through the large arched windows was the rain thrashing against the glass.

Madame Pomfrey was not amused in the slightest when Frank told her how he obtained his injury. She ushered him onto a bed before disappearing into a smaller separate room which had numerous shelves, all stacked with potions.

Frank sat on the edge of the bed and Alice dragged a nearby by chair closer to him. Every time he moved slightly he would wince and so would she. His pain was her pain. The matron came back in and hurriedly emptied the content of a little blue vial into a goblet. Frank downed the harsh tasting liquid and Instantly he felt his bones mend.

Frank moved his hand. "OWW!" he cried as he looked at the nurse, accusingly.

Poppy raised her eyebrows. "Well I've fixed your hand Mr Longbottom but that doesn't mean you won't experience pain." She then felt his ribs. "Nothings broken here but you do have bruises. I would prefer it if you stayed here over night."

Frank just nodded, resigning himself to the fact that he would have to spend a night alone in the hospital wing.

Madame Pomfrey retreated into her office and left the two Gryffindor's alone.

"Frank you didn't have to hurt yourself on my account," Alice said, placing her hand on his knee without realizing it.

Anger once again flared in the depths of Frank's eyes. "I did! Severus is so pathetic trying to hurt a girl."

Alice felt a burning sensation in her heart at the memory of how Frank had defended her. "So…this is the only time you've ever been in a fight?"

Frank nodded quickly. "Yes…yes of course."

Alice grinned. "Well I'm glad," she stated but then her forehead creased . "So why did you decide to now?"

"Alice…" Frank started but when he met her hazel brown eyes he stopped. His intense gaze made her blush and she found herself leaning forward. "Alice the reason I hit him was because I…"

"Frankie!" James yelled as he waltzed into the room. In an instant Alice leapt away from Frank, her entire face flushing.

Sirius had joined James and they both now stood on the other side of Frank's bed "Hi Alice."

Frank looked at her, trying to get her attention but she focused her gaze on the double doors. Remus and Lily now appeared. The head girl's arms were crossed as she walked towards them.

Alice stood up and hurriedly smoothed down her skirt. "Em…well…," she struggled, pointing to the entrance. "I better go."

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

Visiting hours had ended and Lily, James, Remus and Sirius were shooed out of the hospital wing, immediately.

Once out of sight Lily slapped the back of James's head before moving to Sirius and doing the same.

"What was that for?" they whined together.

Remus shook his head, laughing outright.

Lily threw her hands in the air. "You only had to do ONE thing which was stay and wait."

"We did," James replied, wounded, "We waited 15 minutes."

"Well that obviously wasn't long enough was it?" she retorted before raking her fingers through her hair. "There won't be an opportunity like this again…" Sirius fell into silent thought as she began to ramble. "You know Alice is either with her friends or Jane or one of us so she'll never be alone with Frank and she is shy and…"

However James, Sirius and Remus were now exchanging knowing looks.

"Lily, honey calm down," James soothed, "There's a Hogsmeade visit this weekend." He watched his girlfriend as she contemplated this fact.

"Even with Jane ill Alice will still have her other friends ," Lily commented, "We have to make sure that she is by herself."

Three boys grinned as they walked on. "Leave that to us."