"When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams." Dr Seuss
"I really have no I idea what to say now?" Alice confessed, blushing furiously.
Frank just chuckled and squeezed her hand. "You don't have to say anything."
They walked on, their fingers intertwined and in contented silence. Although Alice soon became restless, she bit her lip. "I do want you to finish what you were about to say in the hospital wing though," she managed to utter.
It was Frank's turn to blush and with his free hand he scratched the back of his head. "Erm…it's kind of embarrassing."
Alice squeezed his hand this time, willing him to continue. Once they had cleared the trees and no longer in the shelter of the canopy of leaves they could feel the slow trickle of rain, falling from the sky. She could just see the three broomsticks but suddenly Frank stopped and pulled her to face him.
He looked down at Alice,her hair specked with little water droplets, a shy smile gracing her lips and he felt his mouth go dry. "I…was going to say that the reason I hit Snape was…" Alice felt her limbs go weak. "…I couldn't stand the idea of anyone…" His stomach clentched. "…hurting you..." Frank stopped and for a long moment he just stared at anything but her.
"I've felt really…protective over you for a long time now," he managed to finish. Alice felt like her heart was going to explode and all she could do was stare at him with a loving expression . After a minute Frank was able to look at Alice again and instinctively she stood on tip toe, placing a chaste kiss on his lips.
A chorus of cat calls caused Alice to jump back, startled but Frank just caught her and hugged her to his chest. They both turned to see James and the rest of the gang grinning wildly at the couple from a far.
James, Sirius and Remus all clapped Frank on the back whilst Lily offered Alice a smile. Yet like magnets Alice soon found herself standing beside Frank as the entire group made their way back to the Inn.
"Your hands are freezing," Frank commented, as he looked at her pink hands. Without thinking he weaved his fingers through hers and shoved his and her hand into his coat pocket. Alice wrapped her free hand around his arm and her mouth was hurting for her lips were stretched into a permanent smile.
All six of them entered the three broomsticks and took their seats at a large round table and butterbeers were ordered immediately.
Frank snuck his arm around Alice's waist and she leaned into his side, resting her head on his shoulder. She tore her eyes away from Frank to see Lily and James kissing and Remus was just smiling at her, the tiredness she had seen before had faded slightly. The tankards appeared In no time and everyone took a hold of one and held them in a circle.
"To our meddling," Sirius sang.
James, Lily and Remus laughed in approval as they hit their tankards together but the new couple just stared at them with confused expressions.
