Chapter Thirty Nine:
The Countdown
The dance was almost halfway over and Jenny was not happy at all. She'd spent the evening with Alice and Frank, except when they were slow dancing. However, that was not the most painful part, sitting alone. It was watching him, watching Travis dance with ever girl in Hogwarts, it seemed, but not her. She longed to be the one he asked, be the one he holds in his arms, be the one he whispers sweet lyrics in her ear. Watching him dance with all those other girls made jealousy burn in her throat and painful rejection ache in her heart.
"Jenny?" said Alice, who came up to take a seat next to her. "Are you feeling okay, dear? You haven't danced once all night."
Jenny gave a small smile for the benefit of her friend and nodded. "I just haven't been up to dancing I guess." She felt the tears welling up in her eyes as she looked away.
I want to dance with Travis! she wanted to shout. But no, he's too busy, parading around the dance floor with the Hogwarts whores.
"Where's Frank?" Jenny asked in a unsteady voice, trying desperately to change the subject.
"He went to go get up some drinks, but I'm not worried about the right now. I'm worried about you."
"What's to worry about, Alice?" Jenny said, wiping at her eyes which were threatening to spill over with tears. "People suffer from heart break everyday."
Alice sighed. "So this is about Travis." It wasn't a question - it was a statement.
"Of course it is." Jenny said bitterly. "He holds my heart in his hands, therefore, he is the only one with heart-breaking privileges."
"Jenny, why don't you just tell him?"
"The same reason you don't tell Frank how you feel." Jenny said quietly, causing Alice to stiffen. "I don't want to ruin our friendship."
Alice shook her head and sighed. "It's not right that men should have such power over women's emotions."
"You're telling me."
"Come on, Alice. They're playing our song." said Frank, who was walking up with two cups of pumpkin juice, but handing them to Jenny."
"Are you going to be okay?" Alice asked quietly.
"I'm fine - you go dance with Frank." Jenny said. "Just don't tell Travis."
---
On the contrary, within the next few minutes, Travis was searching the Great Hall. Every second of the night, he had been tortured by Hogwarts finest brainless bimbos. When in reality all night he had been craving to hold Jenny in his arms, locked in a close passionate dance. When Alice told him that Jenny wasn't' feeling well and suggested that he go talk to her, he felt suddenly alarmed. Of course he would talk to her... as soon as he could find her.
Searching through the candle lit room crowded with people, he finally spotted her. She was standing in a corner, holding a small glass of juice, though her face was shadowed. He walked up behind her slowly and put a hand on her shoulder, only to feel it shaking.
"Jenny?" he said tentatively. She whirled around and what he saw broke his heart. She had been crying, trailing make up stains down her cheeks. She looked up at him in shock, wiping furiously at her face and pasting on a smile, but it was too late. He had seen it.
"Travis!" she exclaimed. "I didn't expect you."
"Are you all right?" he asked gently, moving aside a curled golden lock of hair from her crystal blue eyes.
"I'm fine," she insisted, though she knew he wouldn't believe her. "It looks like you're having fun out there, Travis."
"Dancing with those bimbos who are trying to nibble my ear off? Honestly, Jen. I doubt that-"
"Travis," she interrupted sternly. "Don't call me that, okay? There's only one person allowed to call me that, but he lost that privilege when he put popularity over friendship. So don't even bother acting like you care. Just go back to your bimbos and leave me in my misery." Then, with tears glistening in her eyes, she turned to leave.
"Excuse me?" Travis said, eyebrows narrowed as he grabbed her hand. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Just let me go, Travis." Jenny said in a shaky voice with eyes closed. "I don't want to ruin your night."
"Well it's a little late for that. After insulting me like that, you expect my night not to be ruined?" he pulled her back and her tears began to fall again.
"I'm sorry, Travis. I didn't mean to... I'm just upset and tired and... I'm sorry..." she cried.
"No. You're going to tell me exactly what you meant by that, because I'm personally offended. And while we're at it, you can answer a few other questions of mine." He pushed her gently back against the stone cold wall, glaring down at her intently. She wiped the tears and sighed. "Fine."
"Now, why are you crying?" he asked gently, wiping her tears as he held her face affectionately.
"Because I'm bloody jealous of all those girls you're dancing with. I want to be the one to dance with you." she said.
"Why did you insult me like that, saying I'd ever put anything above our friendship?" he asked painfully.
"Because I'm tired of being the third wheel, the back-up friend. It pissed me off all the time, and I just didn't want to be rejected anymore."
He was looking into her eyes intently as he asked his last question. "Why did you go out with Potter?" he asked evenly, leaning in closer to her tearful face.
"Because I wanted to make you jealous." she said simply, a tear streaking down her face as she reached up and tenderly touched his face.
"Well, you did a damn good job, making me believe you were shagging Potter!" he exclaimed.
"I didn't know what else to do! I didn't care about anything else!" Jenny was nearly shouting, but then she dropped her voice to that of a whisper. "I didn't care about Lily's friendship or ours, I just wanted you. I love you so much, Travis." she said tearfully. "I've always loved you, ever since I was playing your wife in your backyard. But I didn't want to ruin our friendship... like I just have. Please, Travis, just walk away and leave me to rot in my shame."
She tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let her go. Travis simply stared down at the broken-hearted girl in his arms. Then he finally dropped his hands and turned away. "Damnit." he muttered.
"What?" Jenny dared to ask. He turned instantly, taking hold of her chin and pulling her closer. "I wanted to be the first to say it." He watched her eyes, her dazzling blue eyes, as they clouded in confusion and anticipation. He wiped a tear from her cheek then he smiled.
"I love you too, Jenny. I've been fighting it for a long time but... you're just too irresistible." Then tilting her chin upwards, he kissed her.
Jenny cupped his face with both her hands, touching his smooth jaw as the kiss changed, quickly becoming a passionate, intoxicating exchange. This was the one thing Jenny had waited her whole life for. Though she still found it hard to believe that Travis, the one and only man that she had loved as a child and throughout her life, was now holding her, kissing her and loving her in return.
When he finally pulled back, he smiled at her and let out a long breath on her lips. "I told you."
"Told me what?" she whispered.
"That I would love to snog you in a dark corner."
She giggled. "You said you knew someone."
"Well, I think I know me pretty well."
"I know you pretty well too. But I never would have guessed that I'd be in your arms tonight."
"Bet you dreamed about it, didn't you?" he grinned arrogantly.
She closed her eyes and snuggled closer in his arms. "Every night."
"Mmm, see? I know you pretty well, too." Then he sighed regretfully. "I'm just sorry it took me so long to realize it."
Jenny nodded sleepily against his chest. "As long as you're mine now."
"Hey," he said suddenly. "Can I have my privilege back?"
She pulled back. "Huh?"
"Can I call you 'Jen' again?"
She grinned. "On one condition."
"Anything."
"Kiss me."
"Gladly."
He smiled before covering her lips with his own, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her to him, relishing her closeness, tasting her kiss.
"Mmm," he said, smacking loudly and licking his lips. "My Jen."
She slid her arms around his neck with a grin. "Your Jen." Then she placed a soft loving kiss on his lips once more before he pulled away.
"Come on, wife. I need to pull up a chair. We're going to be here for a while."
---
"I'd say that Travis did a great job in cheering Jenny up."
Alice turned in Franks arms to see Jenny and Travis in a dark corner. She was sitting on his lap and they were lost in each others kiss. Alice smiled.
"Well, it's good thing he's not seeing anyone at the moment." Alice smiled.
"You never know, by now, he might be." Frank chuckled.
"Things happen so fast at Hogwarts." Alice said, shaking her head.
"Yes, they do." Frank agreed, letting out a sigh and pulling her closer in his arms as they danced. Alice couldn't help the throbbing in her chest as she looked up at Frank lovingly, wondering if he had picked up on the pointed meaning of her words. Apparently not, as he just continued dancing. She let out an involuntary sigh, leaning her head on his chest, so she could more fully relish his closeness.
"You all right, Alice?" he asked gently, looking down at her.
"Of course." she said with a nod, forcing a smile.
"Why don't we go grab some drinks?" he offered, taking her hand and escorting her off the dance floor. She squeezed his hand affectionately, but he didn't seem to notice and she sighed again.
She didn't want to hold his hand - she wanted to throw herself in the warm confines of his arms, to kiss him senseless and never let go. But she knew that she couldn't, at risk of losing him completely. Still, she did leave subtle hints, that were never verbal, only small displays of physical affection. Like squeezing his hand, or hugging him warmly, or placing a hand on the flat of his chest and smiling up at him.
Then again, he in turn would always play with her hair, which she loved. He would always run his fingers down her spine and place his hand at the small of her back, which made breathing very difficult sometimes. He was always the first to take her hand to hold, often kissing it lovingly and staring into her eyes for a moment before speaking. It was things like this that made Alice wonder... and hope.
"Here you go." Frank said, handing her a glass of pumpkin juice. She took it, and though he downed his quickly, almost nervously, she simply stared at hers. Alice, when she was 'Nancy,' was one of the boldest girls at Hogwarts, throwing herself at every male in sight. But now, she had changed. Noy only did she not want to be that kind of girl anymore, she couldn't bring herself to do it, here and now, when the man she wanted the most was right in front of her. And it was strange; she felt a small courage gathering in her heart as she went to place her hand over his, maybe considering to tell him the truth...
"Nancy."
Both Alice and Frank turned to see Lucius, platinum blond hair slicked back and emerald green robes draping, a wicked smile covered his face. "My name is Alice," she corrected him, smirking at him in disgust.
"Come dear - we must dance now. I'll give you a reason to leave this sorry excuse for a wizard." he said, taking hold of her wrist and eyeing Frank loathingly. It was obvious to most that he was somehow drunk, and that put fear into her heart.
"Ow, you're hurting me!" she shrieked. "Let go!"
"Come now love, let's do the dance." he said, pulling her body close, making her drop her drink.
"Lucius!"
Everyone had turned to hear what all the ruckus was about, and just in time to see Frank walk up to Lucius, grab him by the collar of his robes and pull him away from Alice.
"If you dare to touch her again, I swear to-"
"Oh don't act so brave, Longbottom." Lucius cackled. "We all know that you'll go crying to you mum before doing anything heroic."
But before the gathering people could laugh, they were cheering. Frank had leveled Lucius right there and then. It turned into an all out brawl, both boys rolling on the floor and throwing vicious punches, and eventually both bleeding from one facial feature or another.
Just as McGonagall arrived on the scene of the fight, it was Frank who delivered the final blow, knocking Lucius out cold, just as James had done.
"Mr. Longbottom!" she exclaimed. "What on earth is going on here?"
"Nothing." Frank said, winking at Alice who stared at him in horror. "Just finishing up a conversation with Malfoy here." he said, softly kicking the limp body on the ground.
McGonagall shook her head. "Be that as it may, you know good and well that there is no fighting allowed. Detention for both of you and Mr. Malfoy, as soon as he wakes up. As it looks, though, both of you need a trip to the hospital wing."
The students cleared a path as McGonagall elevated Malfoy and walked out of the Great Hall. As the music and dancing resumed, and Frank followed McGonagall out the door, he searched the room for Alice, but she was no where to be found.
"Damn," he muttered. I scared her off. Now she thinks I'm some crazy lunatic who'll do anything to deck Malfoy.
"Frank!"
Oh, that melodious voice that belonged to Alice, saying his name like it was her own. He turned to see her rushing towards him, nearly tackling him in a hug.
"Oh my gosh, Frank! Are you okay?" she said, examining his facial wounds.
"I'm fine." he chuckled, wincing as she touched the delicate skin.
"Why did you do that?" she said sternly. "Not only did it get you in trouble, but you always seem to be picking a fight with Malfoy."
"Well, he always seems to be picking on you. And I simply cannot have that."
Alice smiled. "Then, thank you." She wound her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Frank pulled her close with his arms going around her tiny waist as she said, "You're a great friend."
Frank closed his eyes tightly at the unknown rejection she'd voiced to him. He pulled back only to place a bitter-sweet kiss on her cheek, then in her ear, he whispered, "I love you, Alice."
She suddenly pulled back and looked up at him in astonishment. "As... just a friend, right? I mean... we..." she continued to stutter, which made Frank smile as she placed a finger on her lips.
"No, Alice, I'm afraid not." he said smiling down at her sadly. "I love you so much more than a friend. I had never planned on telling you, but I guess I can't keep my bloody mouth shut." he chuckled again, wiping a drip of blood from his lip. "And seeing as how I need to now clean my wounds, I'll leave you here. If you don't want to see me anymore, I'll understand." Then he turned to leave.
"Frank." she said again, taking hold of his hand and pulling him back. He hadn't noticed the tears in her eyes before, but he wiped them away with his thumb, as they had began to streak her cheeks. He was about to ask why she was crying and yet smiling, but she pulled his face down to hers, kissing him soundly on the lips.
The surprise and shock Frank was feeling was quickly overcome with joy and happiness, excitement and love coursing through his veins. He wrapped his arms around her waist yet again, though this time, with no intention of letting go. He could taste his own blood and sweat in the kiss, but when they mingled with her tears, he had to pull back and look at her for an explanation.
"I love you too, Frank." she smiled up at him lovingly. "You really are my best friend. You made me a better person - you brought out Alice, and I love you so much for that."
Frank grinned, kissing her again, but more deeply than before, and it made Alice laugh.
"You don't have the strength for that right now. You need to get to the hospital wing." she tried to tell him between his persistent kisses.
"I will, just give me a few minutes." he chuckled, leaning down to kiss her again.
---
A/N: Sooooo....... whatcha think?
And guess what???
-long dramatic pause-
I'm not going to tell you anything!!!!
MUWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Until next chapter -cough-cough- I love you guys!
Review!!!!!!!!
-grin-
PS - I will be gone all weekend until Sunday night, and then, if I'm in a generous mood (and there's tons of reviews) I might put up the Grand Finale then! Adios all! -hugsandkisses-
