Chapter 50
"This broom is fantastic mate. I can't believe my brother gave you that."
"Well what did he get you?"
"He took me to a strip club over Christmas."
Frank gaped not knowing if he should laugh or not. Instead he just shook his head. They had reached the portrait of the fat lady.
"Password."
"Aurora."
It sprung open and Frank stepped inside.
"SURPRISE"
He jumped backwards and landed on Joe's foot. What was happening? Nobody was revising. This was the first time all month that they had taken a night off. Around him there were balloons floating around. A huge banner had been hung reading 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANK'. In the corner there was a table filled to breaking point with food and butterbeer.
He couldn't help the grin that came to his face as around him people wished him a happy birthday. This had to be the best birthday he'd ever had, although one thing was missing. He couldn't help but look through the crowd.
"She's over there mate."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Joe laughed lightly as he moved over to talk to Jimmy and Colette who were nestled up in a corner together with Sara looking uncomfortable. Sometimes Frank found it funny looking at the year groups. His year had a very definite divide it was him and Joe then there was Jimmy, Colette and Sara. Then there were the John twins, Shane and Philip always together always happy it seemed. Their friends were mainly the Ravenclaws. Then the last of their year group Tabitha, Kerry and Ashley well they were the gossips, the girly girls who would only be seen with a boy if flirting.
That was why he loved hanging around with the year group below him because well they were all friends. Okay well not anymore but they had that capability to get on and Frank admired it.
"Hey Franko another year older then."
"Yep but not any wiser."
The John twins slapped hands before running their fingers through their black hair. They had already walked off before Frank could reply. It was a strange thing. He then felt a slap on his back and turned to see Sirius stood there.
"I see you got a Comet 360 then."
"Yeah."
"We're so going to hammer the Hufflepuffs."
"I hope so."
"No worry. Hey Teddy look at this."
Frank just shook his head as the older boy came over and looked at the broom in question.
"Wow where'd you get that from?"
"Anton sent it to me."
"Oh My Merlin do you know Anton Wild?"
Frank turned and saw Ashley, Tabitha and Kerry stood there eyes wide.
"Yeah I've met him."
"Oh Merlin did you hear that Tabby, Frank knows Anton."
"Frank do you think that maybe you could introduce us?"
Tabitha looked extremely excited and was bouncing happily on her toes. Frank couldn't understand why those three would be so excited after all he was just another Quidditch player.
Then he heard a pair of voices from behind him that brought a smile to his face.
"He's not introducing you; he's going to introduce us."
"Yeah right why would Anton Wild want to meet you two?"
"Because we're friends with Frank aren't we Mand."
"Yeah Gin. And Frank you have to let us met him I mean he's perfect isn't he Gin."
"Yeah his dark hair, his lush eyes. He's a real man."
Then the pair of them cracked up with laughter. The three older girls made a funny noise and turned flicking their hair over their shoulders before walking off. He looked back at the two laughing girls who didn't seem capable to stop.
"Are you two alright?"
They nodded as they wandered off still laughing. Frank shared a look with Sirius and Ted before running to put his broom away. He stopped at the bottom of the boys stairs looking around. Everyone had gone into groups and were happily talking and making noise. It was a relief after the last few weeks.
Then pushing his way through the crowd he came to a table where a girl was sat on her own looking out of the window.
"Sickle for your thoughts."
"They're worth much more than that."
He smiled taking a seat next to Alice. She turned to look at him; there was something there that sent shivers down his spine. Being so close to her he just wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her like he had once done so often.
"Oh Happy Birthday Frank."
"Thanks."
"I got you something."
"You didn't have to."
"It's not anything much."
He took a parcel from her and unwrapped it. It was a small photo album. When he opened it though he found a surprise there were pictures of him inside. There was one of him sat on his fathers lap, then one with his grandparents. Turning the page there was his mother and then he was there sat on his first broom.
"Wow where'd you get these?"
"Joe helped me."
He looked up at her and smiled gently. Looking back down he turned the page and saw himself at the age of eleven in his uniform stood in his living room for everyone to see. Then there were photos of him and Joe in school, and during the holidays. He laughed as he saw the one of himself sitting with Joe, Anton and Karl all with ice-cream dripping down their fronts. Very grown up.
As he continued there were photos of him flying with the Gryffindor team, sat with the gang and one or two of him and Alice sat together looking very cosy together. His heart gave a small pang but then he turned the page and burst out laughing.
"No way who took that photo?"
Alice looked down at it and laughed herself. It was him in the year before with antlers coming out of his head after Ginny had cursed him.
"I had a camera. I was suppose to take the photo of Remus so we could use it later to embarrass him but you took his drink."
"Yes I remember."
"Do you like it?"
He looked up and nodded gently.
"It's fantastic."
"Really? And look I left the last few blank so you can add some of your own if you want to."
"Thank you."
Without thinking he leaned in and gently kissed her. It was soft and gentle. His brain though suddenly kicked in and he pulled back. Alice blinked a couple of times looking at him, her eyes were wide.
"Sorry I didn't mean too, well not really and oh –"
"It's fine honestly."
He nodded as he looked around. Good one Frank almost ruined a perfect moment there. Yet he couldn't help but wonder if things were looking up for him and Alice.
