It's Nice To Have A Friend

6) Ritual Burning

Alice's eyes fluttered open around six in the morning, realizing that she wasn't in her room at Mary and Hermione's, but in FP's bed, his arm loosely draped over her. It had been eight years since she had woken up like this, but it felt so natural, so right.

When she sat up, she took her shirt to get dressed again, the movement slowly waking up FP as well. He stirred in his sleep and groaned, before opening his eyes and seeing Alice sitting against the headboard, his hand falling on her thigh.

"Maybe I should head back before anyone sees me here and asks questions." Alice said quietly, knowing how complicated it could get if the others would meddle in this.

"Yeah, sounds like a plan." FP said, feeling pit in his stomach that he couldn't quite describe. He only wished she could stay a little longer, but she couldn't, he knew that.

He walked with her into the living room, having taken a shirt to wear as well. It was still so silent, with the whole town still asleep. Somehow, it made it feel like a dream.

"Last night was nice." Alice said softly, not sure what else to say. Nice was an understatement, but no other words could be spoken.

"At least we're not arguing anymore when we have sex." FP joked slightly, feeling like breaking the tension. Alice laughed. She was happy he wasn't mad.

"Solid solution, Jones." Alice smirked. Maybe they had found a way to be around each other, without fighting, without hurting one another.

"If you ever want to yell at me, you know where to find me." Alice gave him a knowing look, before returning back to her own apartment, a few steps away from his.

**

The five friends were eating dinner together, prepared by Mary and Hermione, talking about work, about high school memories, and the possible future. It was supposed to be a peaceful night, until there was a knock on the door.

Hermione hopped off her place and smoothly opened the door, until she saw who it was. Before saying anything, she wanted to throw the door in his face, but a foot stopped her.

"Don't fucking shut the door!" He grunted, being stronger than Hermione and managing to give it one big push, effectively getting himself inside the apartment.

"Alice. There you fucking are." Hal said furiously, looking directly at the girl with the brown curls, who had been chatting away with Mary ever so innocently.

"Fuck off, Hal. Before we kick you out." Fred got up immediately, knowing that Hermione needed help. He wasn't going to let him hurt any of his girls. Not Hermione, not Mary, not Alice.

"I'm not leaving without her." Hal said, making perfectly clear what he was here for.

"You owe me, Alice. You're going to be paying me back till your last breath." He spat, dangerously pointing his finger her way.

Alice usually knew what to say, but she was rendered speechless. Too in shock, too afraid of the consequences of her actions. She was frozen.

"Or, you can come back with me now and all is forgiven." Hal said, arching his eyebrow.

He knew that she was scared, and once again he had an idea perfectly crafted to use her fears to his own advantage.

"You think she's coming back with you?" FP had enough, he got up from his place to face Hal. There was no way Alice was going with him, not over his dead body.

"Did someone ask your opinion? Nobody cares about what you think, you're lowlife scum." Hal chuckled bitterly. He wouldn't take a Serpent seriously, he definitely wasn't going to start today.