A Fine Line

It had been a week since the hallway incident, and Alice couldn't look at Frank Longbottom without bursting into giggles and blushing like a maniac. Lily had laughed when Alice told her what had happened, and after a few murder plans involving icicles, ice cream and toilet paper, the girls had sworn never to speak of it again.

Currently, Alice was sucking on a Sugar Quill in the library, attempting to begin a five-page Potions essay on the properties and uses of Bogsroot. Her first three paragraphs explained the purposes, but now that she had to explain the uses, she found herself at a loss for words.

Lily was sitting across from her, her nose so far into the book she was reading that Alice was convinced it would come to life and swallow her in any given moment. Every once in awhile, she felt compelled to look over and make sure her friend hadn't been eaten alive by her killer book, and she was relieved every time Lily snapped, "Work on your essay already."

Alice closed her copy of Advanced Potions: the Seventh Year's Edition and rubbed her eyes. Essays were not her strong point. A test, she could do. A 'fill-in-the-blanks' paper, she could do. Essays required vast knowledge of the topic and the English language, and while Alice was extremely fond of her native tongue, commas, periods and other various forms of punctuation were not things of which she was overly fond. After shoving her parchment into her bag and managing to get it up on the table, she folded her arms and lay her head down.

"You're procrastinating."

"I don't care," Alice replied, rubbing the back of her neck gingerly. "It's Friday, Lily. Let's go do something that has nothing to do with Potions."

"We have a Transfiguration essay due Tuesday. You could always start that if you really want." Alice didn't have to look up to know Lily's eyes hadn't strayed from the paragraph she was reading. "And then there's a Defense essay due Wednesday, and a Charms paper due next Friday. Goodness, so many things to do are not related to Potions. Aren't you ecstatic?"

Alice lifted her head, not surprised to find Lily still absorbed in her book. "I meant something that has nothing to do with schoolwork. You know, something fun?"

Lily slowly closed her book and placed it on the table before folding her hands. "What do you suggest we do?"

Alice shrugged, pulling her legs up and sitting with her back against the chair back. "I don't know; what does Miss Evans feel like doing tonight?"

"Miss Evans wants to finish this book tonight," Lily informed her, placing her hand affectionately on the book's cover. Alice felt disgusted; her best friend was picking a book over her company. "Miss Evans has been looking forward to finishing this particular book all week, but Miss Evans' friend, Miss McCoy, refuses to let her finish it."

"Well maybe Miss McCoy knows that Miss Evans' book fetish is unnatural and unhealthy and is therefore doing Miss Evans a favor by separating her from her addiction."

Lily narrowed her eyes. "I do not have a 'fetish'."

Alice smiled inwardly. Oh how she loved a good row every once in a while. "Lies," she hissed, leaning forward. "All lies."

Lily took the book and gently placed it in her overstuffed bag, earning an eye roll from Alice. "Well, Miss Evans and her lies are going to go to their Head Dorms to continue reading. If Miss McCoy would like to apologize for accusing Miss Evans of lying, that is where she shall be. Good day, and do not darken my doorway until you are ready to apologize for your insolence."

Alice smiled as Lily walked out of the Library, knowing full well that she would be seeing Lily tonight in the Gryffindor common room. Alice began packing her things, but just before she picked them up, she heard a muffled thump a few bookcases away.

She walked cautiously to the source of the noise, wand in hand. Despite Hogwarts being one of the safest places on Earth, Alice found herself afraid of the mysterious thumps that occurred every once in awhile. She raised her wand, ready to stun whoever was on the other side of the bookcase, but when she rounded it, she began laughing.

James Potter was on the floor, chin in his hands, looking up at her. His glasses were askew, but he didn't seem to care. His hair was covered in dust, and the pair of legs that was tangled up with his belonged to none other than his accomplice, Sirius Black. Sirius was flat on his back, a book draped over his face. She could hear the muffled swearing coming from underneath the book, but no words were distinct until he removed the book and coughed a bit. "Oh, hallo, Alice!"

She extended her hand to James, who took it and managed to get up. He brushed himself off before helping Sirius, and after both were on their feet and dusted off, he turned back to Alice. "We couldn't help overhearing that you and Miss Evans don't have plans for tonight."

"Now, Potter," Alice warned, pocketing her wand and crossing her arms. "Do you need me to define 'slowly' for you again?"

James shook his head. "You see, Mr. Black and I have found ourselves without entertainment tonight as well, due to our dear friends, Lupin and Pettigrew, having lives outside of our little group. Well, Lupin is indisposed and Pettigrew insists he has to do this assignment or fail out of Arithmancy, so we are without plans as well. Is there any way you could convince Miss Evans that perhaps since none of us have plans, we could be without plans together?" He batted his eyelashes and attempted a sincere smile.

Alice shook her head. "While your argument is persuading, I think not. Just stick to the plan, Potter. I promise it will work."

His face fell, and she was suddenly reminded of a little boy who had been told he couldn't eat the sugar straight out of the bowl. She felt as though she should pat his shoulder or something, but she didn't.

"I hope you're right," he said sadly, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Tomorrow, the Three Broomsticks, three o'clock?"

She nodded. "Don't be late." She flashed them a smile and walked back to her bag. After hitching it up over her shoulder and securing the straps, she walked back to them. "And you might want to do something sweet beforehand, to get her a little riled up. Send her a flower by owl tomorrow with a note that just says 'From James'; that way, when you see her, she'll be a bit hot under the collar and she'll be the one to initiate the conversation."

"Yes ma'am."

Alice bid them goodbye and trudged out the library, her overstuffed bag in tow. One more book would probably cause the bag to explode, but as she attempted to stuff one more quill in the side pocket, she stopped paying attention to the stairs and after a terrifying creak, she found her foot stuck in the trick stair.

She struggled a bit, terrified to find herself getting more and more stuck by the minute. Heaving her bag over her shoulder and to the step above, she placed both hands on that stair and tried to push herself up. Nothing happened. She let out a frustrated groan and shook her leg, becoming more and more frustrated as nothing happened. She hit the step repeatedly, her temper rising.

"Here, let me help."

She looked up, surprised to see Frank Longbottom kneeling on the stair above her. He took her forearms and pulled, being extra cautious as her leg began to slide out of the hole. He put her hand on the railing, still holding her other forearm, and she pulled herself up with his help, and she was finally freed.

"Thank you," she told him, watching as the step repaired itself. She was sitting on the step above it, and after all traces of the hole were gone, she grabbed her bag. "Thank you," she repeated, grabbing the rail and pulling herself up.

He stood as well and moved to the side of the stairs to let her pass. Unbeknownst to Alice, her skirt had hiked up in the back, revealing her pink knickers, and now that Frank was behind her, he had a perfect view.

He looked down and to both sides, clearly embarrassed. His face turned bright pink, along with his neck and ears, and he scratched at the back of his neck nervously. They reached the landing, and when Alice turned around, she was surprised at how red in the face he was. "Are you all right?" she asked slowly, her mind trying to find reasons for him to look so flustered. I'm pretty sure I didn't do anything to embarrass him...

"Oh, yeah," he replied, tugging on his collar a bit. "Just a little warm. I'll see you in class tomorrow, McCoy."

"Professor, tomorrow is Saturday."

Frank's face turned a violent shade of pink, and he began sputtering something about Monday. He turned quickly and walked away, Alice looking after him. She'd never seen anybody get so flustered over the trick step before.

She began walking to her common room, and as she neared the portrait of the Fat Lady, she heard footsteps and Sirius' voice from behind her. "McCoy, I'm loving your knickers. The color suits you perfectly."

---

Alice took a bite of her toast, refusing to even glance at the staff table. This was the second time in two weeks that her contact with Longbottom ended in embarrassment. He was her professor and he'd seen her knickers, for Merlin's sake!

Today she had been sure to wear a long skirt, and there was no way she could ever look at him again.

The post was let in, and when she saw James Potter's big black owl come closer, she momentarily forgot about her knickers incident. The owl dropped a single red rose on Lily's lap, and after nearly choking on her toast, Lily picked up the flower and read the note out loud.

"To Lily, From James. Potter, that is." Lily's cheeks flushed, and Alice could practically feel the anger radiating off her friend. "Potter sent me a flower?" Lily asked incredulously, holding the note between her index, thumb and middle fingers. The rose seemed to stand at attention, and that was when Alice realized it was enchanted. Both girls watched as the petals lighted to a creamy pink. "Potter sent me this?" she howled again, staring at the rose like it was going to eat her.

"I guess, if the note says so," Alice replied simply, taking a bite of her eggs and sausage. "You have to admit this is an improvement from the horribly written love poems."

Lily held the flower at arm's length, watching as it changed again to white. "What if it sprays water or something worse? What if it sprays me with a love potion and makes me fall hopelessly in love with Potter? You would kill me if something like that happened, right? You wouldn't let me make a complete idiot of myself? Right?"

"Lily, calm down. Nothing's happened."

Lily placed the rose behind her plate before covering it with a napkin. "Alice, swear to me if I ever fall under a love potion and therefore become obsessed with James Potter, swear to me you will kill me." She widened her eyes pathetically and clutched at the sleeve of Alice's sweater.

Alice grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "Woman, compose yourself. It is just a flower. An enchanted flower, but just a flower nonetheless. Maybe he's maturing."

Lily scoffed. "Potter? Mature? Kill me now."

Alice tried to reason with her. "People can change, Lily. It isn't completely unheard of or unrealistic."

"People like Potter don't change," Lily huffed, crossing her arms.

Alice knew it was pointless to continue arguing with her, so she changed the subject. "Are you ready to go to Hogsmeade?" she asked, standing up and straightening her skirt.

Lily rose, picking up the napkin-covered flower and holding it an arm's length away. "Yes, let's go."

---

Alice checked her watch. Three o'clock on the nose, and James, Sirius, Remus and Peter had just walked through the door. She looked over at Lily, who hadn't noticed yet, before making eye contact with James. She nodded, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear and looking down at the table.

"Hallo all."

Lily's head snapped up so fast, Alice thought her neck might break. "Potter," Lily spat, leaning forward in her chair and scowling. "What in Merlin's name are you doing here?"

He shrugged and pointed at a table. "Just grabbing a bit of grub with the boys."

"So stalking me is just a plus?" she muttered darkly, moving the salt shaker back and forth in front of her. She looked up at him, her scowl deepening. Alice watched, hoping she wouldn't jump out of her chair and rip out his vocal chords.

He gave her a friendly smile. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, Evans. I won't even look at you the entire time I'm here." He nodded to both of them. "Good day ladies."

Lily's mouth fell as he walked away. She stood, grabbed the collar of Alice's shirt and jerked her up. "We're leaving," she announced.

Alice followed Lily out of the pub, but before they reached the door, she flashed the thumbs up sign to James. Lily slammed the door so hard Alice was positive the building would collapse. "What in Merlin's name was that about?" Lily howled, gesturing violently towards the door. For a moment Alice fretted Lily had seen the thumbs-up sign, but as she continued, Alice's fears were put to rest. "I don't know what he's playing at, but there's no way I'm ever going to- to--" Lily grabbed her hair and let out a frustrated half sigh, half scream.

Alice didn't like seeing her friend so upset, and for a fleeting moment, she thought about calling it off. If he upsets Lily this much, it's never going to work. "Lily, I--" but she was cut off.

"He's acting normal. And while it's slightly refreshing, it's scaring me. What's gotten into him?"

Alice looked down at her feet, feeling guilty. "I don't know..." She took her friend's arm and patted her shoulder. "Why don't we go back to the bookstore? I know you love it in there."

---

James watched as Lily pulled Alice out of the pub. His stomach dropped, but when he saw Alice give him the thumbs-up sign, he grinned. Good ol' Alice.

"You've really gotten to her. More than usual, I mean," Remus remarked, picking at his thumbnail. He was trying to stop chewing his nails, but the longer he went without biting them, the more the urge began to consume him.

"Just bite it already. We all know you want to," Sirius snapped. He smiled when Remus looked from him to his nail, before looking back at Sirius. "Go ahead Moony. It's practically calling you name."

Peter leaned forward, watching as Remus hesitantly brought the nail to his mouth before lowering it. Peter groaned, and Sirius looked over at him. "Ten Sickles, buddy," Sirius told him, holding out his hand.

"You bet on me?" Remus asked incredulously.

"Can we focus on the bigger issue here?" James asked. "I just upset Lily Evans to the point of explosion without her hexing my face off. I do believe this to be cause for celebration."

"If you're buying, I'm up to celebrating," Sirius told him, lining up the ten sickles he had just earned in front of him.

Remus reached across the table and took five, ignoring the protests from his friend. "As subject of this bet, I do believe I am entitled to at least half the profit. Probably more, being as you bet on my willpower, and I take extreme offense to that." He nabbed another sickle. "We are even now."

James ordered four Butterbeers and leaned back in the booth. "Boys, you are looking at the future Mr. Lily Evans."

"Prongs, do you know what being Mr. Lily Evans would be like? 'James, be serious. James, you're having too much fun. James, I have a pole shoved up my arse.' Do you really picture the rest of your life like that?" Sirius asked, attempting to balance his wand on the tip of his nose. "Think of the fun you'll be missing while you're at home, listening to her complain about how the bookstore doesn't have the latest copy of Advanced Transfiguration- The Bajillionth Edition."

Remus rolled his eyes. "No, it would be the ten bajillionth edition. I already bought the bajillionth edition last week. Despite his less than...convincing... argument, I think Sirius may have stumbled upon the beginning of a good point. Being with Lily would be a lot different than being around us, especially if you want it to work. Are you sure you're up to it?"

James nodded confidently and raised his glass. "To my future with Miss Evans. May I live long enough to have one."

---

The Gryffindor common room was crowded, but that wasn't unusual on a Saturday night. Alice was curled up in the far corner of the room in her favorite squishy armchair. She had traded in her Hogsmeade attire for a pink dressing gown and a pair of Lily's yellow pajama bottoms, and despite the noise, she found herself drowsy.

Lily had already gone back to the Head Dorms, claiming she had a headache and needed some sleep. Alice knew perfectly well that wasn't the case; for Lily had bought a Potions book back in Hogsmeade and was trying her best not to let Alice see it. Alice was pretending to be sympathetic, walking Lily to her dorm so she could steal her favorite pair of pajamas before running out giggling madly. The giggling part never happened, but she was currently donning the pajamas, so it was all good.

Someone sat on her, and after opening her eyes, she was terrified to see Sirius's face an inch from hers. She tried to push him off, which only made him laugh harder, so she stopped and hit his arm as hard as she could. "You're suffocating me!"

He hopped into the seat across from her, and as she readjusted herself, he spoke. "I'm not so sure about this thing with Evans."

"Why?" she asked. "You were the one who suggested it in the first place."

He looked at her like she had just grown two heads. "I don't want to get his hopes up if there's no chance for him. He's really excited about this, and if it doesn't happen, I'm not sure he can just bounce back like he usually does."

"He's really gotten under her skin this time."

"But does that mean he has a chance?"

The stared at each other. He arched his eyebrow; she frowned. He arched the other eyebrow, she narrowed her eyes. It was a battle of wills, and the minute he blinked, she practically fell out of her chair. "This is ridiculous."

He stood. "I like you, McCoy," he told her, extending his had as some sort of a peace symbol. Alice hesitantly took it. "But I really like your pink knickers." He howled as her other hand made contact with his right ear. "I was just being truthful!"

"The truth will get you hurt."

---

Alice rolled on her stomach, feeling extremely lazy. Sunday mornings were her favorite type of mornings because there was no rush, no hustle or bustle, and no reason for her to get out of bed until early afternoon. She flipped her pillow over, loving the cold feeling of linen on her cheek as she lay her head back down.

Now that she was semi-awake and conscious, she let her mind wander. Potions essay... due Tuesday. Transfiguration essay... due Wednesday. Don't forget to read up on defensive spells for Frank... A mental image of her Defense professor flitted through her mind and she smiled. Good old Frank. Not only had he seen her delusional and incoherent, he'd seen her knickers.

Just thinking about it made her want to crawl under her bed and die.

Never again was she going to wear a skirt while within a hundred meters of Frank Longbottom. No way in hell.

She rolled off her bed and onto the floor, careful not to hit her head on anything. She pulled her favorite jumper out of the bag under her bed and tossed it on her bed before rising and rooting around in her trunk. She never bothered cleaning it out, so when she opened it, a few papers from her fifth year fell out.

She gathered them up, putting them at the foot of her bed while she looked for a skirt to wear. She settled on a maroon one, and after tossing it on her jumper, she grabbed the papers and stuffed them into her trunk. She was about to close the lid when she saw Mrs. Frank Longbottom written in the corner of one of the papers, surrounded by little red hearts. She lifted the paper out of the trunk and looked over it.

There had to be at least a thousand more, and with every one she read, the more disgusted at herself she became. After crumpling the paper, she flew down the stairs. Maneuvering around the couches and armchairs, she tossed the paper into the dying fire. She grabbed the poker and stirred the ashes, feeling pleased with herself as the edge of the parchment caught fire. After she was confident that the paper and its contents would be destroyed, she ran back up the stairs to change.

---

Remus Lupin watched curiously as Alice tossed a wad of paper into the fireplace and stirred the embers. He and Peter were sitting on the opposite side of the room, and he was sure Alice had no clue they were there. Peter nudged his arm as Alice ran back up to the girls' dormitories before pointing at the fireplace. "Let's see what it was."

Both boys stood, and Remus watched as Peter fished the paper out of the fireplace. He stepped on it a few times before picking it up and unfolding it. His eyes scanned it, and he held it in front of Remus. "Looks like someone has a thing for the professor," Remus remarked, taking the paper from Peter.

He was about to toss it back into the fire, but Peter grabbed his hand. "We have to show Sirius."

"She obviously wanted this destroyed."

"So?" Peter took it and began walking towards the boys' dormitories. "It isn't like Sirius is going to say anything." Peter laughed as he began to go up the stairs.

Remus shook his head. "I've got a bad feeling about this."