FRANK LONGBOTTOM

( cismale | he/him | grant gustin ) —— isn’t that Frank Longbottom yeah that is them, sitting there at the Ravenclaw table with those other seventh years. when sybill looks into that crystal ball of hers, reading glasses that had a certain charm, eager to slip into a pair of sneakers and go sprinting, a smile that could light up the room, expectations that were a bit too much of a burden for one boy to carry, perfection was everything, kindness that is often overlooked, a heart that raced at the first sign of genuine honesty. anyway i’ve heard they’re pretty charismatic, self-sufficient and calculative. apparently they’re for the light and pureblood but i’m sure that’s not related. 

           edgar  just  shook  his  head  slowly  as  he  chuckled.  he  could  tell  frank  was  a  bit  nervous,  he  had  been  so  his  first  few  months  post  hogwarts,  too.  it  was  the  mix  of  adrenaline  and  just  wanting  to  please  everyone  you  met  —  that’s  what  edgar  would  blame  it  all  on.  ❛  it’s  great,  but  i  won’t  lie  to  you.  it’s  definitely  a  tough  job  both  physically  and  mentally,  but  i  believe  you  have  the  guts  a  proper  auror  needs.  you  can  be  as  strong  or  as  intelligent  as  you  want,  but  if  you  don’t  have  the  guts  ?  that’s  number  one.  ❜  he  nodded  as  he  pressed  his  lips  together  to  gauge  frank’s  reactions.  ❛  you’ll  survive  by  not  letting  anyone  see  you  falter,  even  if  you  do.  don’t  let  them  see  you  hurt  or  give  anyone  a  reason  to  find  a  weakness.  it’s  easier  than  it  sounds,  trust  me.  ❜

           ❛  he’s  incredibly  intense,  ❜  he  half-sighed,  half-laughed.  —  but  he  then  thought  that  everyone  knew  that.  of  course  he  had  to  be  intense  and  serious,  it  came  with  the  job.  ❛  —  but  that  doesn’t  mean  he  doesn’t  care  about  the  people  in  the  positions.  he’s  good  at  his  job  because  he  does.  he  wants  what’s  best.  when  i  took  my  year  off,  he  brought  me  back  on  slowly  and  will  have  me  helping  to  mentor  his  god-daughter  come  fall  to  ease  back  into  things.  if  you  aren’t  ready,  he  won’t  force  it  upon  you,  if  that  makes  sense.  ❜  

this was exactly why he had wanted to meet edgar -- the list of what was important tended to differ depending on who he spoke too, his father had always insisted it was a sharp mind, but with edgar it was having guts -- his own mind wondered if it was instinct that would get him through this job with his life and sanity intact. “did you think you had it when you started?” frank was no coward, but it was hard to judge one’s self. “or you’ll be a walking target” he muttered in agreement -- keeping people at a distance wasn’t something that was difficult for him, but holding his composure to the same degree was no easy feet. “how were you brave enough to start a family?” words slipping from his lips before he could change his mind. he knew edgar was a family man -- he had done his research, but choosing this life -- choosing alice was a risk enough, he couldn’t imagine a child -- a family in the mix of it all. 

     ❛     𝑓𝑎𝑖𝑟  𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ,   ❜       barty  answers  him ,    leaving  it  at   that .    planted  seeds  only  need  to  be  watered   every  so  often   and  all .      he  still  keeps  his  expression  politely   jovial   until  frank   continues   on  the  topic  of  ellie   —   and  there  might  be  a   second   he  gains  stiffness  in  it  there .   ellie’s  still  a   far  cry   from  anything  he's   expected ,    but  it's  almost   unnerving   to  register   truth  in  what  he   —   they   —   present  to  the  world  and  what's  felt  and  overheard  behind   closed   doors .    the   suprise   of  it  is  nothing  short  of  what  enthralled  him  to  begin  with ,    and  he  stifles  it  down  on   that   front .    there's  nothing  to   hide ,    even  if  it’s  an   alien   state .         ❛    i  suppose  so .   ❜       he  replies ,   losing  the   tense   expression  in  a  shrug ,   turning  with  another   smile .       ❛     are  you  sharing  a  flat  with  alice ,   then ?   ❜

his demeanour didn’t go unnoticed and if frank was even the slightest bit petty, he would be thriving on his discomfort, and as much as he wanted to look rather pleased, nothing he said nor felt would change the fact that the man in front of him was alice’s brother. if he was any bit thrown off by his question and merlin knew he was -- he dare not show it, “isn’t that a question for your sister?” feigning surprise as he raised a brow. 

“Well, I definitely fit that criteria.” She considered him carefully, taking her time to think about which colours he would suit. “Something jewel toned, I think. Rich blues or reds maybe. You’d look good in them. And they look formal too.”

“i’ve got a closet full of blue --” he admitted rather embarrassed -- he took ravenclaw pride rather seriously. that and navy simply worked for him, “jewelled tones?” wary, but the idea of emerald or even a dark burgundy wasn’t terrible. “see anything that might work?” his eyes scanning the nearby racks. 

        another   laugh   burst   forth   from   her   as   she   blew   a   kiss   his   way   .      ❝      so   that’s   a   plan   then   ?      if   you’re   so      confident   .      i’d   almost   say   it’s   a   date   but   we’re   skipping   that   part   of   things   ,      aren’t   we   ?      ❞

           ❝      well   ,      you   tell   me   something   in   return   then   frank   ,      hmm   ?      how   much   do   i   dazzle   you   ?      in   any   case   :      why   not   both   ?      i’ve   won   against   my   uncle   before   ,     and   you   know   what   happens   in   duelling   club      ❞      it   was   easy   to   laugh   as   she   watched   her   handiwork   take   affect   .

           ❝      why   do   you   think   i   picked   it   ?      ❞      he’d   spent   the   entire   duel   thus   far   on   the   defensive   ;      reacting   ,      not   acting   .      it   didn’t   take   a   duelling   genius   to   guess   that   frank   would   hit   back   with   the   same   trick   she’d   just   pulled   .      she’d   taken   advantage   of   the   few   moments   he’d   spent   babbling   ,      far   less   time   than   alice   had   hoped   ,      but   she’d   put   some   distance   between   them   now   .      thing’s   getting   almost   like   the   way   she   preferred   to   duel   there   was   a   cockiness   that   came   to   her   now   that   was   about   to   bite   her   .      ankle   catching   in   a   rabbit   burrow   on   the   grass   ,      the   arc   she   fell   in   after   tripping   brought   her   right   into   the   path   of   locomotor   mortis   .      knees   locking   together   all   of   a   sudden   as   she   fell   face   first   .      tongue-tying   curse   soaring   past   her   head   .

hand snatching the kiss - pretend or not, he wouldn’t deny her, as he made a point of bringing it over his heart, tapping it before he wiggled his brows -- his own laughter mingling with hers. “miss. crouch -- i can’t speak for you, but watching you attempt to knock me on to my arse is very much a date” sly smile etched at his lips as he gave her a small shrug, “we’ve never been traditional”

“can’t really put it into words, love” frank wouldn’t consider himself soft-spoken, but when it came to the woman before him -- she tended to have him riddled up helpless more often than none, “have you? i want to hear all about it -- what could you have possibly done to disarm the legendary moody --” he didn’t bother to hide how impressed he was. he had a feeling but all she did was a confirm what he already knew -- alice crouch could easily take him if he wasn’t careful. it wasn’t a question of victory, no -- it was how long he could hold on. 

“then don’t talk to me like that.” he half snapped, keeping his voice low and his anger at bay. “i don’t have the option to walk away, frank, not anymore and if you want to throw in my face that you get to then fine but at least understand the difference between you and i now.” he scoffed “then just ask me, instead of — instead of making accusations or speaking to me like i’m an idiot. we respect one another too much to do that shit.” he sighed, he was tired. “fine, you’re sorry.” he acknowledged. “i wouldn’t need to be defensive if you didn’t sound so accusatory.” but that line of talk would only send them in circles. “but don’t make me feel like i need to be on the defense, and i won’t be.” he added. “i know we need to talk about it, all of it and i’m fine with that but if you come from a place of suspicion it just won’t work.” he nodded, he wanted a drink. “i know that, i was there. how many times do i have to mention that i stayed until she was found, that i made sure it was a friend of hers. head boy or not, it was the right thing to do for mary, if not for myself. because in the end frank, my conscience is intact.” he had to make that a point. “i’m everyone’s punching bag so excuse me for wanting to dial down the amount of fists aimed at me.”

it wasn’t difficult to tell that frank was getting angry, it was rare but it was recognizable. “don’t do that, don’t invalidate my feelings just because you don’t like them.” he wasn’t being dramatic, he was being honest and angry and that mattered. “i’m allowed to be angry, and defensive.” he shook his head, this wasn’t fair, nothing was anymore but he expected more from frank. but he had to remember frank was just as scared as he was, they couldn’t treat one another like enemies or strangers. they were best friends and they had to remember to be gentle with one another. 

fingers rubbing his temples as if that would rub the irritation away, but it just wasn’t simple - he wasn’t looking for a fight, and in that moment he wondered if he would have been better off just shoving it down, but it wasn’t so simple. “i wasn’t trying to throw it in your face - a heads up would have been nice” he finished, “i’d rather hear it from you than her, i hope you can understand why i was thrown off --” as he brought his hands down and looked out the window, he wasn’t going to push further. they had a difference of opinion and there would be no good out of another fight -- the last thing he needed was to be the reason why rabastan isolated himself. “everyone’s punching bag?” he repeated, brows furrow for a second, “did al say something?” frown toying at his lips, she hadn’t mentioned knowing -- “ or was it vance?” 

         edgar  was  beyond  thrilled  when  he  first  received  the  owl  from  frank  asking  to  meet.  knowing  the  wee  boy  who  almost  landed  in  pomfrey’s  care,  or  worse,  due  to  the  moving  staircases  was  now  a  graduate  of  his  own,  it  definitely  made  him  feel  old.  what  was  even  better  was  the  fact  that  the  same  boy  was  planning  to  be  an  auror  himself.  ❛  well  good  thing  because  i  think  you’re  too  tall  for  me  to  save  you  again,  ❜  he  chuckled  as  he  gave  frank  a  hearty  smack  on  the  back.  ❛  any  time  ❜  his  hand  grabbed  the  closest  chair  to  him  to  sit  so  the  two  could  have  a  proper  chat.  ❛  anything  specific  you  wanted  to  meet  about  ?  ❜  

laughter spilled through -- “dad’s genes finally kicked in” he chuckled, he was a wee thing the first few years, wondering where did things go wrong, all it took was the summer before third and growth spurt had truly kicked in. “there’s a lot on my mind --” he admitted, sitting himself down, “training will start soon and i’m ecstatic, but i wanted to know a bit more about the department -- how things have been for you so far and how you survived your first year --” his lips were more fast, trying its best to keep up with his mind. 

           ❝      you   know   what   it   does   sound   ?      inevitable      ❞      she   teased   back   as   his   next   gained   him   a   slightly   sharper   jab   to   the   ribs   that   he   might   otherwise   have   gotten   .      ❝      you   obviously   haven’t   seen   me   with   milène’s   three   ,     i’m   great   as   an   aunt   …      but   i   couldn’t   ever   see   myself   as   a   mother   .      don’t   think   i   could   stand   being   called   maman     ❞      that   word   held   too   much   weight   for   her   still   ,      too   much   pain   .      ❝      that   whole   thing   ,     i’ve   just   no   example   of   how   to   do   it   well     ❞

           ❝      he   was   just   bad   then   ,      i   wasn’t   even   in   goals      ❞

“fuck --” the facade slipping as she got him right in the ribs, a groan soon followed by a grimace, “you’re a bit of a hellion, you know that?” he managed. shaking his head - the smile that was starting to form slipped away, “ellie--” he started, wondering what he would even say -- his parents were overwhelming at times, but he never doubted their unconditional love for him. “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, yeah?” he tried, “you can change what that word means to you -- if you don’t want them, there’s nothing wrong with that. just don’t let anyone take that from you” 

“i really didn’t want to believe you thought i was stupid, but clearly you do.” he was so disappointed in the way this conversation had turned, disappointed in frank’s behavior and reaction to the very first thing bas had felt compelled to make a bad choice over. “you do realize things will only get worse from here, that i’ll be forced into dangerous situations with no good choices, that people will get hurt and i won’t be able to stop that from happening or to limit my involvement. you can’t become a self righteous prick every single time or act like i don’t know that what i’m doing or what i’ve done isn’t okay. and honestly you need to tell me right now if you’re capable of that because if not i’ll find another flat and you can stay in your happy bubble and not have to deal with me and my life choices.” he’d done this FOR his friends, for THEIR cause and he wouldn’t be constantly shamed about what he’d have to do to keep them all safe. he wouldn’t be able to handle that, he’d fall apart. “not that it matters, but mary needs to take some personal responsibility for what happened, but no, let’s just dump the shame on me.” he threw up his hands. “you aren’t listening, i didn’t plan it frank, i didn’t purposely go after her. i was helping her when it started and then she lost it on me out of nowhere. i won’t keep defending myself, it’s done and it’s about time you and alice let me put it in the past.” he spat, furious now but trying so hard not be angry with his best friend. but this showed a severe lack of trust between them and it was heartbreaking for bas to find out now, when frank had had the opportunity to back out weeks ago and he’d chosen not to, he’d chosen rabastan —- but now? he sounded like a stranger. 

“she went to emme too, and if you don’t think she purposely targeted my friends in order to hurt me than you’re being naive, letting yourself be blinded by her victim mentality. i’m sure she tried to guilt and shame you too, right? and you let her do it, because deep down you are ashamed of me.” he was calm now, too tired to be angry anymore.

“i don’t think you’re stupid” incredulous to say the least, as he shook his head frustrated, “i understand that this was nothing in the grand scheme of things, the year was nearly over and that girl is angry at the world, i would have simply walked away, i just wanted to understand what happened there --” he fought the urge to roll his eyes, it was ridiculous. what he was saying was ridiculous and it wasn’t because his feelings weren’t valid -- no, frank was loyal to him and that wasn’t going away. “rab --” he started, hand running over his face as he took a breath, he wasn’t going to react, that wouldn’t get anywhere with him - he knew that. “if that sounded accusatory -- i’m sorry” genuine as he was exasperated, “but i need to be able to ask you these things, without you getting defensive and we need to be able to have a conversation without you thinking i’m judging every action you take - i need to check in, i need to be able to understand your reasoning, if this is going to work -- i need to know it all. you shouldn’t have to keep it pent up and i shouldn’t be assuming what’s going on” finally allowing himself to roll his eyes, “you don’t think i know that? tristan found her - the headboy knew, she came to me to make a point, i’m bringing this up now rather than earlier because i wanted to understand. i won’t deny, i’m sympathetic to her because that girl is going through a world of pain and i know it’s not something you were the cause of, she just doesn’t know what to do with it -- you’re as good of a punching bag as i am”

he was offended by that advice, but he forced himself to hide it, to bury it. frank had no ill will but still bas wasn’t stupid. he pressed his lips into a thing line, wrinkles forming on his forehead as he suppressed his old friend, anger. “why would i go anywhere near her now?” he said anyway, unable to help himself. “i know, i made sure one of her friends found her. a detail she obviously didn’t share because how would she know. but yeah, i hung around to be sure she was safe frank. i’m not —- callous.” and he should never have felt like he had to say so either. 

“life happens, rab -- all i’m saying is if you see her on the street, turn around and walk the other way” he sighed, things could have gone terribly for him - if she had gone to dumbledore, she could have filed a complaint, action could have been taken and maybe it was the fear talking but it was careless. “going after a girl who had already been attacked the year prior -- how is that not callous?” 

“edgar bones?” a wide smile at his lips as he set his sights on the auror, “long time no see” the last he remembered the man, frank was a wee first year that was dangling off the stair case, having tripped over his own laces, edgar had saved him from a rather embarrassing death. “my laces are tied this time --” he chuckled, wondering if he even remembered saving his life. “thanks for agreeing to meet me, mate --” 

      tristan  had  agreed  to  join  frank  in  his  search  for  dress  robes ,  citing  that  it  would  probably  more  productive  to  look  through  some  too  after  a  quick  look  into  his  wardrobe .  he  had  gotten  too  comfortable  with  the  same  colors  and  styles ,  finding  the  consistency  more  comfortable  ,  but  now  he’s   looking  at   his  reflection  in  the  standing  mirror  with  a  twisted  look .  “ well  shit  ,  i  imagine  you  look  better  than  i  do  .”  he’d  gone  for  a  more  slim  cut  ,  not  really  liking  how  it  made  him  look  more  lanky  than  necessary .  “ maybe  i’ll  just  stick  with  what  i  know ,”             

    he  finally  turns  around  ,  catching  only  an  obstructed  reflection  in  the  mirror  of  frank  and  the  male  had  been  right .  “ i  think  you  look  bloody  handsome  in  that ,”  a  cheeky  smile  pulling  on  his  lips  as  tristan  saunters  towards  frank .  “ if  crouch  doesn’t  fawn  over  you  all  night ,  then  i  might  will .”   

he couldn’t help but chuckle, “you do not look bad at all --” he promised, “just need a bit of a wider fit, i tried something like that a little while ago and i felt like i was back in sixth year” nose wrinkling with how lanky they had been. “try this on --” shrugging off the jacket and tossing it at the boy, before looking about in fear, “malkins didn’t see that, did she?” he muttered sheepishly before stepping down. 

he was still laughing, mirth overflowing for the short period of time it lasted. “did you want me to give it another go then? really rough you up?” he took a step closer to frank, teasing of course. he muttered under his breath at that news, wondering what mary had said exactly and why she had bothered to go to frank at all. “she told you what she thinks happened, frank.” not the truth, she didn’t know the truth. “how do i feel, about mary? i feel like shit, i feel like i kicked her when she was down, a girl that was hurting and i made it worse. how would you feel?” he didn’t mean it aggressively, but he was at a loss to express himself properly.

“agreed, i’m almost excited for boring.”

“you can try --” he mused, grinning wildly -- he wasn’t mad enough to think that it was would be easy, rabastan certainly had a reputation when it came to his fists, and yet frank wasn’t entirely hopeless. “you don’t think i know that? she was upset -- rightfully so, but i’m not a fool to think it was exactly how she thought it was”. he was relieved and he didn’t bother to hide it, “good” he huffed, “you’re absolutely right - it was awful, the day you stop feeling that remorse is the day that i will worry, do not cross paths with that one is all i will say. she’s been through enough -- you should know, tristan found her”

           she   should’ve   known   frank   would   see   through   any   semblance   of   composure   she   tried   to   keep   on   her   face   .      and   she   should’ve   known   that   the   second   he   spoke   a   word   to   her   the   dam   would   break   and   it   would   all   come   pouring   out   ,      tears   springing   to   her   eyes   and   streaming   down   her   face   .      ❝     this   is   all   hopeless   ,      isn’t   it   ?      he’s   going   to   kill   himself   doing   what   that   man   asked   of   him   and   all   for   what   ?      ❞

“al --” brows furrowing with worry as he drew her close at the sight of her tears, thumbs quickly brushing away the evidence as he turned them, sheltering them away from watchful eyes, no one needed to see his brave girl cry -- he could barely stand the sight of it. his own resolve was breaking as she finally uttered what had shaken her to her core, “come on -- lets get out of here” he murmured, taking her hand in his and leading them quickly out of the tower. polite smile stuck at his lips as moved past the party goers, heading up the tower. 

           ❛  you’re  looking  positively  bloody  strapping,  i’d  say,  young  frank.  ❜  arthur  played  along,  messing  with  frank  who  looked  as  fancy  as  ever.  he  couldn’t  imagine  wearing  something  as  nice  as  what  frank  was  adorning,  but  he  would  admit  he  looked  rather  dashing.  ❛  you  look  like  one  of  those  spies  i’ve  read  about  in  muggle  comics  —  that’s  meant  as  a  compliment,  in  case  you  weren’t  sure.  ❜  godric,  was  he  thankful  his  job  at  the  ministry  or  anything  much  else  didn’t  require  a  dress  code  of  anything  more  than  maybe  a  vest  and  some  trousers.  ❛  new  suit  for  the  summer  i’d  presume  ?  ❜  

Hilde had come into Madam Malkin’s for similar reasons to Frank; the upcoming wedding and her parents’ garden party namely. She hadn’t expected to run into Alice’s boyfriend (or was that still complicated?), but that was only an unexpected upside.

“I think you’re asking the wrong Crouch sister, no?” Hilde liked Frank. He was nice enough and, more importantly, Alice liked him and he made her happy. Even if that seemed to cause her older sister to have existential crises, because Godric knew their role models for ‘romance and commitment’ wasn’t a steady one. “See, I like more colour. But timeless is probably the wiser decision.”

“soft? i’ll show you soft” he pulled frank into a headlock but not too tight, loose enough for the other to get out of with some ease before he simply let him go, after mussing his hair of course. “teach you to call me soft.” he joked the whole time. but then things took a turn and bas sighed, closing his eyes for a long moment. “what is there to talk about?”

“well, something domestic then to look forward to.” though he’d dread it all the same, he wasn’t keen on getting bit by a gnome or anything. but the girls might enjoy a nice garden free of the little buggers so he’d do it for them. he had to laugh when frank used the same sentiment he had been thinking. “well we’ll both be bored then, but maybe boring will be nice.”

“you prat --” frank groaned as he felt the pressure of the headlock, his elbow not so gently grazed the boy’s ribs, anything to catch him by surprise, “you eased up softie -- barely did any damage” he mused, but as he stretched out and got comfortable in his seat, he couldn’t help but admit that he had still caught him by surprise. yes, frank trusted the man before him with his life - but it could have been a complete stranger, would he have seen it coming? the soft moment served as a reminder that perhaps his hand to hand combat needed a bit of work. “macdonald came to me - she told me what happened” he muttered, he was reeking of regret and frank wasn’t one to kick a man when he was down, “how do you feel?” he questioned carefully, frank didn’t know what he was hoping to hear, but he wanted to know what was going on in that mind of his --