077. What
"You've been spending a lot of time with Black, Marly." Frank said, raising an eyebrow and smirking at her. It was times like this that Marlene could see exactly why Alice was in love with Frank. He wasn't the type of man who exuded sex, nor did he have a mysterious look, but he was boyish, and kind, in a very charming sort of way, and he when he attempted to be sexy it added to the whole lot, making him shine. She liked it.
"I spend a lot of time with you." She countered impishly, grinning madly at him before returning back to her Arithmancy chart. It was a disgustingly difficult subject, but she enjoyed the numerology of it all, and with Frank, Hestia, and Emmeline in the class, it made it pretty enjoyable. "What's this mean?" She questioned, pointing to her final number that she'd come across for her translation.
"Means that he would be ill advised to eat bagels with lox." Frank said quickly, checking the number and the chart she'd scribbled in the margins of her parchment. "And yes, you do spend a lot of time with me. But then again, I'm not Sirius Black." She could feel his eyes on her, and almost see in her mind their clear, clear blue.
She continued scribbling on the parchment. "So, are you telling me, Mr. Longbottom, that because it is with Sirius Black that I spend so much time with, it is suspicious and thus worth an inquiry?" she asked of handedly, still writing.
Frank chuckled. "Yes, in less words of course, oh eloquent one."
"Don't mock me." She replied half heartedly. Placing her quill down resolutely, she looked at him. "And?" she drew the word out dramatically.
"And what?"
"I've been spending a lot of time with Sirius Black and…" Marlene prompted.
"…and I want to know why." He said. "I mean, I didn't even know you too associated." He added matter-of-factly.
"We don't." She shot back automatically, and she turned her head to keep him from seeing the blush that was creeping up her face. She was already defensive, and the tension in the room just got thicker as Frank picked up on it. She glanced at the door somewhat desparately, hoping that Alice would come in and whisk Frank away before he could ask anymore questions. He could come back when she was prepared, when she was ready. She wasn't ready now.
"So are you two friends?" Frank's voice was stony despite the question, and it made her look up at him.
"Not exactly." Was that her voice, croaking like that?
"Then what are you, Marlene?"
...
His lean, hard body was dramatically close to hers, and she was enjoying the intimacy that they had easily picked up. It wasn't heavy and stifling and overbearing like Gideon, but fun and dangerous and unabashedly sexy. He passed her the joint he'd moistened with his lips, and when she inhaled she could taste the remnants of alcohol on his breath.
"They're going to wonder what this is all about." It was a statement-question, and she sounded foolish and hopeful and naïve. He looked at her with a smirk and she tried her best to look cool. She was glad she wore eyeliner, it made her look older.
"Yeah."
"And what should I tell them?" Another question, inclinging sharply at the end to a point where she sounded half her age. She was disgusting herself.
He chuckled, took the join she passed back to him, took a toke and flicked it off of the balcony.
"Tell them the truth." He said over his shoulder before walking out of the door.
...
"…what are you, Marlene?"
Author's Note: Another one that I really like. Frank and Marlene are really close friends. So he would definately call her out on it. At first it was going to be Fabian (it could change, still) but I figured he'd be too accusatory an involved, as would Emmeline. So Frankie got the spot. The change in justification (italics) is important. If you're confused about that part, just ask ;-)