After the Ceremony

[Alice Prewett]

Alice looked at him straight on. "Thank you Rystain."

She cared about Rystain but only as an old childhood friend who she had drifted apart from. "And you know I am not like you or my family. I'm not ambitious for power or wealth or whatever it is you want."

Alice knew very well what he wanted, he hadn't changed. Sure he was charming, suave and beautiful. But he craved power even though maybe not the kind of power that most wanted. They just weren't suited to each other no matter what their parents thought. Her family thought that he was a good match for her. But regardless, she still considered him a friend in some strange way and was glad he'd waited after to thank her.

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain raised an eyebrow, it was true.. he did crave those things. He already had wealth, but he craved power. He wanted to be the man to pull the strings. He wasn't interested in glory or fame though. But he also knew that Alice would never be happy him. He had hoped she might one day be able to accept him and maybe even one day love him but as the years passed he had known it would never happen. They were just too different despite coming from the right side of the tracks. She had become more like her cousin Andromeda and less like Narcissa.

It was a shame too, Alice was pretty but she was just too... nice. Too good and too much not like what he enjoyed in a woman. They had made a pact the summer before coming to Hogwarts though and that was his way out. And now that he'd seen the way she was acting with that Longbottom guy he could finally extract himself from his obligations to marry Alice when they were out of school, and time was running short now.

"Alice we really need to talk.. do you remember that night when we were children and you asked me to make you a promise about well.. how different we were?"

[Alice Prewett]

Alice nodded slowly, she'd wanted to get out of having to marry him then, he had not want to be tied down he'd said when he agreed. And the funny thing was that she had not been hurt by it. She didn't want to marry him and had made no surprise of her request, it was arranged and she felt a sense of duty to her father but... well that didn't mean she wanted it... she wanted to fall in love with someone and be with the perfect guy for her. Not just a guy who came from a good family that her parents had picked out for his blood status.

And over the years they had always known they weren't romantically compatible. Sure he was charming and polished and gentle... but she wanted someone who adored her, loved only her and someone she could share her dreams with.. someone down to earth, honest, courageous and... well.. she thought for a moment. She wanted someone like Frank Longbottom. She had never even told Frank that she was betrothed, because she had promised Rystain she wouldn't tell any one. He had wanted to keep it a secret and although she didn't like to hide things, she wasn't exactly excited about the prospect so she had agreed.

But why was he bringing all this up now? "Of course I remember.. why?"

[Rystain Quandry]

"Well... I've been thinking. And you were right.. we shouldn't marry each other. Our time is running out, it's our last year at school and you're never going to be happy with me, Alice. You and I both know I am not the type to be faithful to you, and you aren't the type to be happy to sit on my arm." He could be honest with her, he always had been honest with her. He had no reason not to be and she knew him better than anyone regardless of how different they had become.

It was an odd feeling he had for Alice. They were never really seen together in school, barely anyone even knew they had ever been friends. But they did know each other and were friends. And in a way he loved her, be he did like he would a sister not a future wife. He cared that she was happy almost as much as he cared about his own interests. He would have done anything for her including marry her if she'd never found someone else. But now that she had... well.. now he could let her be happy and he could be too.

"Alice.. I saw how you were acting with Longbottom tonight. I think half the school did, you know." He watched her blush and realized she had obviously thought no one would notice, but he had. He always noticed her, but in a protective way. And he thought that Longbottom made her happy and that worked perfectly for him too. "I want you to be happy and I think it's time I held up my end of our pact... you're obliviously head of heals in love with the guy. I'm releasing you from our vows, you don't have to marry me anymore. And.. well I've got other plans anyways."

[Alice Prewett]

Alice blushed when he mentioned Frank, it was true she had thought she was being sneaky but apparently had failed at hiding her feelings for Frank. But love? yes, she knew she loved him. Had probably always loved him since they'd met her first year and become best friends. Alice couldn't think of being with anyone but Frank. However it was the day she'd caught Sam talking with him and overheard something they said that she had run off crying thinking her heart had been broken. A heart that she had not known was already in love with Frank. It was then that she knew she loved Frank but he had been avoiding her and.... well now he wasn't anymore but he still had never told her his feelings.

She looked at Rystain then, considering his words. He was right, tonight she had been happy for the first time in a long time. Because of Frank... regardless of the championship when she'd been named. It was her time with Frank that had been most memorable for her. And finally, Rystain was letting her out of her family's betrothal vows. He was doing what he said he would always do... let her go if she found someone she loved. How he had known, she wasn't sure exactly but she had a feeling he knew her better than she knew herself sometimes. He really was a good guy on the inside, and she wasn't talking about his friendly charm either.

"I ..I don't know what to say... " Alice had a tear roll down her cheek before she jumped up happily into his arms and kissed his cheek. "Oh thank you Rystain.. you don't know what this means to me... you've made me so happy..." And he had.. he'd made her happy because now she could be with Frank and finally tell him how she felt knowing she could be more than a friend to the guy she'd fallen in love with. She felt Rystain kiss her back on the corner of her temple and she laughed. The weight of the world was off her shoulders...

She was the Gryffindor champion, Rystain had cared enough to let her go, and now she could be with Frank openly. She was thrilled.. life was good at that moment and she threw her head back happily laughing as Rystain swung her around. She kissed his cheek again happily. "Thank you"

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank realized that Alice left after the ceremony, but he was talking to a few people and didn't want to be rude about it. He was sure that he would catch up with her, seeing as he had something extremely important to tell her. Tonight, he was going to tell her that he loved her. He had all the courage he needed.

Once he excused himself from the group of students, Frank headed away from the Great Hall in order to find Alice. He let his feet guide him as to where Alice was. A smile spread across his face. Tonight was going to be a wonderful night!

However, everything went spiraling down. Frank paused.

"I ..I don't know what to say... Alice kissed Rystain's cheek. Frank felt his world start it's demise.

Oh thank you Rystain.. you don't know what this means to me... you've made me so happy Frank clinched his fists together. She had even hugged him! So, Alice was just toying with his emotions while she was in love with Rystain? Frank's world had just exploded in front of his eyes. She even kissed Rystain's cheek, again!

Frank's courage just went down the drain, and he felt like he wanted to cry. He never cried. His chest hurt, he did know that. It felt as if his heart was ripped out and stepped on. "Alice," Frank managed to choke out. He stared at her wided eyed and his vision was starting to become blurry. All he could do was shake his head and start heading in the other direction. He didn't want to be near her now. She had toyed with him. How could he talk or face to her now?

[Alice Prewett]

Alice heard her name.. heard Frank's voice and looked over.. her arms falling from Rystain's neck as if in slow motion. Her smile fell instantly as she saw Franks wide eyes and it suddenly hit her with a force so hard that she knew what he'd seen, but what had he heard... oh light what had she... Then he shook his head as if in denial or anger she wasn't sure which and turned on his heel in the opposite direction from where she stood.

And in an instant she ran after him, leaving Rystain standing there alone. She didn't care though.. all she wanted was to go to Frank to tell him that he had misunderstood... that she loved him and only him... she raced after him...

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank heard Alice's footsteps behind him, but didn't bother to stop walking. Instead, he sped his walking up. He didn't want to hear it from her. She would try to make up excuses about what happened, and he wasn't ready to hear them. Frank swallowed the lump in his throat and his fists were still clenched.

It hurt him not to turn around, but he couldn't. He couldn't cry in front her. He had to get away from her as quick as he could.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam left shortly after Alice not needing to stick around but wanting to practice some more for the tournament. She thought about talking to Frank and thanking him for his help, and now she wondered if she would have to find a new Charms tutor. She would also need a few tutors in other things if she was going to succeed, and she *was* going to succeed.

She came out to see Alice's arms aroun Rystain and Frank not all that far away and she was slightly surprised, halfway bemused on the inside but a part of her was sad...she honestly thought Alice cared for Frank, after all why did the girl hate her if it wasn't for Frank and her recently spending so much time together. It didn't make sense. Still looking at the devestation on Frank's face she could tell that he hadn't been expecting Alice to fall into another guy's arms either. What was going on...?

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain had only just noticed Frank when Alice had kissed him. Oh this was not going to be good, he thought.. for Alice or himself. He let her go immediately, and watched as she ran after Frank. Rystain wanted to go with her and explain to Frank, but it wasn't his place to interfere. And he didn't know that Alice hadn't already told Frank about himself. He sighed. He hoped things worked out, and if they didn't he'd have something to say about it later. Rystain wanted Alice happy and if Frank made her happy than he was going to make sure he did what he could. But for now he knew it wasn't his place to say anything. So he turned and walked out of the hall, towards the common rooms to look for Lyra. After all, she had made him an offer he couldn't refuse.

[Samantha Montgomery]

No one seemed to notice she had been there, or if they had everyone had left her to her own thoughts which was usually never a good thing. She smelled drama and her primal instincts were to exploit it to her own advantage, but she exerted self control and continued to stare after the threesome that had just departed, bemused, surprised, and a little sad.

[Rafe Colby]

Rafe had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for Samantha. He wanted to get her alone, and as soon as the other students had gone, he spotted his opportunity. He emerged from the corner and slipped up behind her without a sound. "Congratulations," he said in a low voice, his mouth just inches from her ear. "I can't wait to see you in the competition..."

[Alice Prewett]

Alice saw him speed up, he obviously didn't want to talk to her and she couldn't blame him after what he'd just seen but she had to let him know...

Let him know what.. that she'd lied to him all these years by never telling him about her arranged marriage with Rystain. That she loved Frank? As if he would believe her now.. she slowed down. She had a mind to use a freezing spell on him so that she could talk to him and explain things, but she knew that would only make matters worse. She wanted to cry, she wanted to hit something, she wanted to bang her head until oblivian came.

And then there was Andi who had just ... what had her heart ripped out too by a man? Was that what love was? Already Alice had felt heartache more than once from Frank this year.. between his avoiding her and then tutoring Sam or whatever he'd really been doing with her. Oh Frank! why do you always have to run from me? Maybe she was cursed, as much as Andi was in love. Mabye both women were better off without men, without loving someone. Because quite frankly her heart hurt right now, that he didn't trust her. But then.. what did she have to give him anyways.. a story that she'd not told him everything about Rystain..? She slowed down even further...

Oh Frank... I love you... why can't you love me too.. her thought trailed off as she stopped realizing that he'd turned a corner and was gone. There was no way she'd catch up to him now. Oh light she wanted to .... cry. All she could do was sink to the floor in the middle of the hall... and cry. She was almost angry with him, for not giving her a chance to explain... for not loving her like she did him... she even irrationally was angry at him for what Ted had done to Andi... for turning his back on her and not looking back.

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha shivered lightly, "Rafe..." she whispered as he came up behind her, " What are you doing here?" nothing in her manner gave away her unease or annoyance. She knew the best way to deal with him was to not get riled, he would either enjoy it or be angry that she didn't want him near.

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank stopped as he rounded the corner. He didn't hear her footsteps anymore. He couldn't make it to the common room he had to stop. Frank had to punch something. He preferred to punch that Slytherin guy, but the nearest thing to him was the wall. Frank punched the wall as hard as he could and let out an agravated sigh. Part of him wanted to yell loudly, but he settled with punching the wall. Frank punched the wall until his knuckles started to hurt.

He slid down the wall and put his head in his hands. Frank allowed the tears fall. His heart had been shattered by the only girl he ever cared about. She was someone else's, and she never did tell him. Why did she have to lead him on like that, only to be tore down? Frank loved her, yes. He couldn't stop loving her even if she did break his heart. Now, he knew that she didn't love him in the way that he loved her. Why did everything have to go wrong? Just as he thought he was finally going to have a chance to tell her. Frank wanted her to try and stop him as he had walked away from her, but she didn't, and that made the tears flow more. He half noticed that two of his knuckles were bleeding on each hand, but he didn't care. That was the least of his worries.

Frank stayed sunk against the wall with his head in his hands. He didn't care who came by and saw him like this. A few moments ago, he lost all his cares when he lost Alice.

[Alice Prewett]

Alice slowly got up, tears flowing down her eyes. She need to get out of here, she needed to think to find a way to make things right. Somehow. But she was angry and hurt and knowing that he had not given her a chance to explain.. she didn't know how to do it. How to fix things. She'd gone from being the happiest day to the worst day in one fell swoop. And she hurt, he must not love her after all. If he had he would have waited to hear her explination... wouldn't he?

She slowly, quietly walked the rest of the way down the hall and turned the corner...

[Rafe Colby]

Rafe just smiled. "I missed you," he said simply. "It really was cruel of you to just slip out in the middle of the night like that and move to another school. I had a hell of a time tracking you down. But you know I told you I couldn't let you go, and I meant it."

He spun her around to face him, a smug grin on his face. "So, Slytherin champion, huh? Really... quite an honor. And you already seem to be quite popular with the boys. Lucky I'm here to fend them off for you now."

[Samantha Montgomery]

It had been him watching her all this time, Merlin. She was okay though, yes she was fine she knew how to deal with Rafe. She nodded at him, " Now let me go Rafe..." she said trying to weasel her way out of his arms.

She needed to think she needed someone else there she didn't want to be alone with him. " I came here because I needed some space."

[Frank Longbottom]

Frank remained sunk against the wall. His knees were bent and his arms were across his knees with his forehead resting on his arms. Tears were still trickling down his face, but he stayed still. He didn't even hear the footsteps that were nearby. Frank didn't care anymore. That had went out the window with his heart.

He thought himself crazy for falling for his best friend, although he had loved her for awhile. He wasn't good enough for her, at least in his view, and Rystain should be able to give her everything she needs and more. If she was happy with him, like she said that he made her happy, then Frank understood. He wanted her happy and if Rystain made her that way, the so be it. He wasn't going to come in between that.

[Alice Prewett]

As she turned the corner she saw him... she hadn't expected to find him here with the speed he'd been running away but there he was sitting against a wall with his arms on his knees and his head down. She didn't quite know what to say, but she had to try.. she loved him didn't he know that? didn't he trust her? ...but she knew she'd never told him that and she had held something back from him...

"Frank..." It was spoken as a hoarse whisper, she hadn't bothered to wipe away her own tears. "...it's not what it looked like Frank. You have to believe me." she barely managed to choke the words out since her throat was closing up with emotion.