A House Divided to a House United

The House of Anubis

A/N: Yes, I own HOA. Additionally, I have visited Pluto, speak animal languages, and invented the air conditioner. Oh darn- you caught me….I don't own HOA.

"Crack the code yet?" Nina asked as she sat next to Fabian who was immersed in a Hieroglyphic Book.

He smiled, shaking his head. "No, not even close. I have spent all my free time looking in this book and I am beginning to think there may not be any answers here." He explained as Nina nodded understandingly. She herself had spent the last few nights up late with Amber, reviewing the recordings and searching her entire room from top to bottom for another clue like the one Amber found hidden behind the faded purple wallpaper.

"We've got time," she said sighing as Fabian set aside the book in frustration.

"So," said Fabian thoughtfully looking at Nina, "I know virtually nothing about you. We've spent practically the entire time I've known you working on this treasure hunt. How about we talk about something besides the House of Anubis and its secrets?"

"What can I say? I'm just a girl of mysteries," she replied with a playful laugh and cleverly turned it back to Fabian, "How about you? Amber told me that you play guitar. Is there any chance that I can hear you play?"

"Maybe"

"Now what kind of answer is that?" she said cocking her head.

Fabian had been falling hard for Nina since the moment he met her. Ever since he ran into her crying on that first day he felt the need to protect her. At first he just wanted to make up for the rudeness of Patricia and the rest of the House. But after her bravery in the attic and her successful initiation, he realized that she was the sweetest and most honest girl he had ever met. It could be that she was American and just different, but the more he thought about her- the more he figured that that wasn't the case. He was beginning to look forward to the treasure hunt not only because he found it interesting but because he loved that Nina was so interested. Her enthusiasm and good company were what got him through the day. His life began at midnight- when they would search for clues in the attic each night. The only flaw in this beautiful relationship was that he couldn't ask her out. He believed firmly in 'not-ruining-friendship' but when he met Nina that changed. Unfortunately, when he finally got the nerve to ask her out- she said something that confused him, "You and I? Dating? Ridiculous." If she didn't want to date- he figured he would just admire her from afar. At least he could spend lots of time with her and could sit next to her in every class… so he really didn't have to admire her from that far away.

"Nina, you haven't told me anything about yourself, like what your favorite color is or what's your favorite flower is?" he asked amiably.

"Can you really get to know someone just by knowing their favorite things?" she asked throwing Fabian aback. He was always used to being the smartest- now he was actually feeling challenged by her.

"Somewhat." He said nodding.

"Gold and don't have one."

"You don't have a favorite flower?" Fabian asked incredulously.

"Did I just hear someone say flowers?" said Amber making her usual dramatic entrance, plunging right into the conversation, "I LOVE flowers. They are my FAVORITE. I like roses best, they remind me of love." She rambled on as the rest of the House started filing in.

"Alfie! Give me my French book back!" said Patricia snatching the book from him and smacking him on his head with it.

"Ow!" yelled Alfie in complaint. But quickly forgetting his old game, he began sneaking up behind Mick to cause some more trouble.

In the yelling and hubbub that came with the entrance of everyone, Nina and Fabian quietly slipped away their clues and Nina hid her locket beneath her blouse.

That night; Nina, Fabian, and Amber snuck back up into the attic to look for more clues. It was Fabian's idea to go through everything to make sure they weren't missing a crucial piece of evidence. It would take some time but it would certainly help to know as much as possible.

Amber was chattering away as usual, growing from a whisper into a loud talk until Fabian and Nina would routinely shush her. But after a full forty five minutes, she talked at fewer intervals and began to grow disgruntled.

"I am missing out on my beauty sleep. Just let me know when you find something interesting. Promise?"

Amber did this every night. After Nina and Fabian made their promises to fill her in tomorrow, Amber quietly left- grabbing her red high heels and necklace of garlic that she still insisted on bringing to each meeting.

Nina and Fabian both methodically worked until suddenly Nina gasped. "What is this?" She was in the corner and kneeling down by the floor boards. Fabian rushed over and kneeled down next to her. There wasn't much room, but by the light of his 'torch' he was able to make it out.

"Great. More hieroglyphics," he said good-naturedly rolling his eyes.

It was at time like this, when they were scrunched together in the corner that Nina almost forgot about the discovery and found herself thinking about kissing Fabian. He was never 'cross' (as they say in England) and was always watching her back. He was everything a guy should be. And as most Americans, she was completely in love with British accents. His accent always made her almost unconsciously smile. He was the sweetest guy she had ever met and she wished that she was dating him. When he confronted her about Amber's rumor of them dating, she was so embarrassed. He didn't look angry, but she felt bad. So, she had quickly covered it up by laughing nervously at the fact that they would ever date, but she hoped more than anything that she would be wrong.

The next morning at breakfast, Nina and Fabian were still rejoicing at the new clue that they discovered. Nina had told Amber about it last night, but unfortunately- she was not a morning person so would not share in their quiet conversation of speculation.

As Jerome watched Nina and Fabian quietly talk and giggle together at the other end of the table, he decided he fancied Nina. The reason? Jerome was the kind of person who would want exactly what he couldn't have.

He heard Fabian talking about Nina to Mick the other evening and it inspired him to pursue her.

***Flashback***

"So Fabian, spending lots of time with the new girl Nina eh? Fancy her?" asked Mick casually wiggling his eyebrows up and down as he lay upside-down on his bead eating marshmallows.

"Bug off mate." Replied Fabian as he strummed his guitar.

"Defensive. Wow. You like her a lot," said Mick nodding.

"I do NOT!"

"Right, I'm sure there is no good reason to like her anyway"

Now, Fabian who had never fancied anyone before was not used to this kind of trap. But Mick, not book smart, yet experienced- was able to trick him with this question.

"NO REASON TO LIKE HER?" he yelled to her defense. "She's gorgeous, smart, and sweet! She has pretty eyes and is nice to everyone- even Patricia who is still being a witch to her."

"So you like her." Mick smiled.

Fabian sighed.

*** End Flashback***

Jerome began to see Nina as a conquest and wanted her. Not just because she was a challenge, but because Mr. Goody Fabian way always interfering in his perfectly laid out plans. This would be the perfect opportunity to stick it to him.

So when Nina sat on the couch after breakfast. Jerome followed her. She opened her book to get some reading before classes started in a half hour and to wait for Fabian who was getting his things together from upstairs. It was now their unspoken tradition to walk to and from classes together. He even offered to carry her books if she had too many to fit in her bag and had to carry them. She loved England.

Jerome sat next to her. Uncomfortably close. She quietly tried to scoot over but she was already at the end of the couch.

"Jerome?"

"Mmm?" He replied, as if he didn't notice.

"What gives?" she asked in confusion. She was the only person on that side of the room and Jerome for some reason found it necessary to crowd next to her, "Wait! You're not trying to slip a snake into my bag? Or some other ridiculous prank?" she asked cautiously checking her bag.

"No no no. We just haven't properly talked since you came to Anubis," he replied casually slinging an arm around her shoulders in a possessive way.

She stood up, "What's the catch?" she asked suspiciously. She had seen clear enough how Jerome operates and knew he must be up to no good.

"Do you want to hang out tonight?" He asked fearlessly.

"Huh?" She began thinking rapidly. She couldn't tell him 'no,' that wasn't a good way of making friends and she didn't want him as an enemy. Plus she would be doing homework tonight anyway and it would make no sense to tell him no and then sit there and do homework. When Fabian walked into the room, she had an answer.

"Well, thanks Jerome, but Fabian and I already have plans to work on our project tonight," she prayed that Fabian would not question her.

"Alright then. Until we meet again," he said in a way that would have been creepy except for the fact that he grabbed her hand and kissed it. And he left the room.

"Wow. He really fancies you," Fabian whispered in awe.

Nina was looking at her hand with a confused expression, "Is that normal? For England? And why would he like me?" she asked rhetorically, and continued before Fabian could reply to that, "I sorry I just didn't want to be with him alone so I kinda said that we were busy tonight. I'm sorry,"

"That's great Nina," agreed Fabian, "If you don't want to be alone with him, make plans anytime" he said scuffing his heel trying not to look at her.

Fabian was so sweet, Nina put a hand on his shoulder and said her sincerest thank yous.