Alice leaned into Nic as he played with her hair, and kissed her hands and her face. She tried to get control of her breathing to calm herself, and had the double benefit of breathing deeply and inhaling the smell of Nic. He was so strong and solid to lean against, so warm and protective. What Whitney had said, didnt matter; nothing mattered now except Nic holding her. Alice would not ask Nic to tell her anything about any of the girls he had known before her. It might be nice to pretend that he had not existed before she found him, like some wonderful gift of Hogwarts itself, waiting especially for her in the corridor, playing his guitar. But even that fantasy would be blighted by the memory of Caelin, and the horrible fight in the hall outside the Library.

But just as the hallway, with its evil memories would be forever part of her life, so would that first wonderful time together in the Library itself be a constant reminder of what had changed forever in her life. For Alice knew as surely as she knew her face in the mirror, whatever might befall, and whatever had occurred before their meeting, and all the subsequent doubts, longings and upsets, all the wonderful moments of indescribable joy and heart-wrenching fear that had been the whole of their newborn love, Nic was and would be a part of her forever. She could no more excise him from her mind and heart than she could physically remove that heart, which only now was again beginning to recover something like its natural rhythm. No, no matter what Whitney might say, whatever the salacious details might be, no matter what wise councils her good friends in Ravenclaw tower might give her, her heart, her life and everything she might be was now and irrevocably bound to this protective arm, this broad chest, these soft lips, this quiet, unassuming, loving boy.

"Alice is an alright girl. Just dont mess this up.

Whitneys words came to her through her own musings and pulled Alice back to the present, and the embarrassing surroundings of the tea shop. Yes, her tea, she must order her tea, drink it as quickly as possible and fly with Nic to some quiet spot, to reward him as best she could for his steadiness, his calm and his protecting love.

Thank you, little sister.

Alice was not too clear what Nic was thanking his sister for, but in thinking back realized that Whitneys words were indeed some sign of approval of her, and more important an injunction to her brother to, well, to look after Alice. That was surprising. Alice quickly looked toward Whitney and said softly, Thank you Whitney. Ill see he doesnt. She was unable to measure Whitneys response, however, as Nic was whispering to her.

Im desperate to get you alone. Take your tea to go?

Nothing could have better matched Alices desires than Nics request. Of course, it had never occurred to Alice to take her tea away with her. Tea was to her by its very nature a drink for leisurely, seated consumption. But she was more than willing to change the habits of a lifetime under these circumstances. Had she not this very moment been thinking on the very real complete changes that Nic had brought to her life? This was an easy alteration to welcome.

Alone? She replied softly. Oh, yes, please, Nic. She gave his arm a quick squeeze, and said, Would you, could you just go get me a cup, please? White, no sugar. I think I rather need to go wash my face. Standing up quickly, she pulled a handful of Knuts and Sickles from her pocket and thrust them into Nics unexpecting hand. She wrapped his fingers around the coins as she turned to Whitney and said with a weak smile, Excuse me, I just need to powder my nose, as the expression is. Ill only be a moment, Darling, she finished, kissing Nic lightly. She turned and walked quickly to the little door leading back into the quiet rear of the building. With any luck by the time she returned, Whitney would have said her goodbyes to her brother, and then Nic and Alice, with tea in hand, could find a quiet corner, somewhere anywhere to be alone.