ORDER ONLY: Private Message to Frank Longbottom

[alt_alice]

I got a letter today from Neville.

Oh, Frank.

He's heartbroken about not making it into that damned program, because he had his hopes pinned on training to become an Auror. Like us. So he could be of use to us.

And that sweet girl, Hannah, she's all wrapped up in it too. Because he feels like he's let all of us down. I thought

Well, I suspected

I thought that she might be something special to him, and he's said as much, and I can only imagine how awful it must have been for him to mourn her.

He told us why he crashed his broom. He'd found out that they were to face a boggart, and his greatest fear is seeing us captured. And he didn't want to risk the trouble he'd get us all in if they saw it.

And you can just tell how sad he is, how much he wants to make us proud, and how awful he feels about letting us down, and all I want to do is wrap him in my arms and tell him everything will be okay and that I love him so much and I wish you were here and I might be just a bit drunk right now and I just can't stop crying.

Come back to me.

Soon.

Soon as you can.

Comments

[alt_frank]

I wish I was there right now.

I will be just as soon as I can.



you could come here, if you wanted, you know.

I mean it's not like they can't guess that you're a part of all this.

if you need to.

[alt_alice]

I would splinch myself and the last think I want is for everyone to see me falling to pieces least of all severus snape.

I may change my mind on that, though.

After all, fingers can be grown back, can't they?

And who cares if Severus sees me all splotchy and missing fingers and if you make Kingsley stay up all night on watch so you can take care of me because I'm the world's worst mum there ever was and can't manage to hold it together while my husband is doing sensitive important things and I need you so badly right now it hurts.

[alt_frank]

usually it's your job to hold me together.

he loves us, al.

he wants to help us more than anything.

that's why he's sad, that's why he's writing us to tell us how he feels. because he cares about us, and loves us, and knows that we'll love him right back.

this is what it means to be a real family. and that's what we are. we weren't that way three years ago, but we are now, and I'm glad he wrote us.

[alt_alice]

When did you start making so much common sense?

You're right. Of course you're right. It just knocked the wind right out of me to read.

I want him here. With us. Away from that awful programme and doubt and worry and needing to keep everything secret. He's strong, he's brave, but you've seen what it's done to Arthur and Minerva, and he's still a boy, and I don't want him to have to be that brave and strong. He shouldn't have to be. We shouldn't have put him in that position.

Oh, Merlin.

[alt_frank]

longbottoms are made out of pretty strong stuff. pendletons too.

he's growing up, love. he's becoming a man. a damn fine one, too, from the looks of it.

[alt_alice]

Just like his father.

did you agree with what Severus said? about the prophecy?

[alt_frank]

yes. for now.

at least it makes sense.

it's hard to tell whether it isn't just me wanting it to be that way, though.

[alt_alice]

I know how you mean.

Have you talked to Kingsley about repeating last summer?

I think

He really needs it, Frank.

As do I.

he mentioned that training you worked on together, and how much it meant to him, and how happy he was that he'd been scoring so well on defence because that was something that he'd done with you, and you can tell how much he wants you to be proud of him, and if he can't go to that silly brain-washing camp that I never wanted him to be a part of anyways we can show him the best damn camp he ever had.

and teach him some tricks his classmates won't be learning.

[alt_frank]

I'll talk to him about it.

it'd be good for all of us, I think.

[alt_alice]

Yes. It would be. Very much so.

[alt_alice]

and now I'm all weepy again.

bugger.

I'll wake up kevin.

[alt_frank]

I'll be back before you know it.

this thing can't keep on forever. kingsley and me have been talking about taking them to sherwood, letting them spend some time there under probation. merlin knows whether that'll amount to anything, but I'm not staying in this tent forever.

it's starting to smell like feet.

[alt_alice]

I'm sure.

A few cleaning charms wouldn't kill you, you know.

[alt_frank]

you never know.

drop your guard for a moment around this lot, and bam, right between the eyes.

just kidding.

[alt_alice]

I'd bet you are.

You know perfectly well how to cast Scourgify, last I've checked.

[alt_frank]

I think it'd be easier just to chuck it after we're done with it.

or burn it.

[alt_frank]

you still want to come over?

[alt_alice]

To a place that smells like feet?

I have standards, you know.

I'll be fine. Besides. I'd have to wake up Jacinda and get her to take Kevin into the nursery, and it's too much of a bother.

[alt_frank]

it's not too much of a bother.

you need to, you come right up.

[alt_alice]

All right.

Not tonight. I'll be fine tonight.

But if this business keeps up much longer, I will have to come up there, feet or no feet.

[alt_frank]

okay.

one way or the other, I'll see you soon.

promise.

you get some good sleep. you'll feel better tomorrow.

[alt_alice]

I feel better already.

Thanks to you. Darling man.

[alt_alice]

I love you, you know. I love you so much it is ridiculous.

[alt_frank]

I love you back.

I don't say it near as often as I should. but I do.

more than anything.

[alt_alice]

I know.

[alt_frank]

night, al.

[alt_alice]

Night.