"I can't believe it's your birthday tomorrow!" Babe happily exclaimed as she spooned a dollop of mashed potatoes onto her plate.

Bianca nodded with a smile. She peeked a glance over at the Slytherin table. Frankie was scooping up a bite of shepherds pie while listening to Rich prattle on about something. Her smile widened as those cute hazel eyes looked over at her.

"You lucked out with it being on a Saturday." Dani pointed. She swallowed a gulp of pumpkin juice, "Mine was on a Monday and Snape gave us a quiz." She shuddered at the memory.

"All day party." Erin gleefully said.

"And all night." Simone added with a wink. "No classes Sunday either."

"Professor McGonagall won't like it if we're partying all night." Babe replied.

Simone rolled her eyes, "McGonagall won't care. Besides, she probably won't even know it's happening."

Erin rubbed her hands together, "This is going to be so much fun."

"Are you excited, Bianca?" Babe asked her friend.

Bianca nodded when she heard her name. Her friend's joy was great. She knew they could throw an awesome party. They'd done it every year since her first year at Hogwarts. But, at that exact moment, she was more focused on Frankie. The blonde was casually eating her dinner and for all the world looked like any one of the Slytherins seated at the long wooden table. She smirked or chuckled softly at each joke one of the people around her made. She listened attentively as Gary, Rich, or one of the other quidditch players gathered nearby rattled off an idea about the team. She even gave a cursory nod of acknowledgement when someone walked by.

She also kept sharing amused looks with Bianca.

Frankie would lock eyes with Bianca, and it was like they were talking. The two of them having a conversation all their own without prying eyes or ears. With the simple raise of an eyebrow, Frankie asked her what her friend's were twittering on about. Bianca could hear the question in her mind, Frankie's voice partly intrigued and partly bemused. Bianca would lift up the corner of her mouth in response. It was a silent teasing. Using one out of Frankie's own playbook - they were solving world hunger. Frankie's rolling eyes caused a giggle.

They continued on that way all through the meal. Stolen glances resulted in voiceless conversation. In between, they turned back to their own respective friends and houses. Bianca, to the planning for her party. Frankie, most likely to something involving quidditch or classes. By the end of the meal, Simone had taken the lead on the party details. She was, after all, the most social out of all of them. She had a boyfriend for Merlin's sake! So, according to her, the party would start at around dinner time and go on throughout the night until they were all too tired to move Sunday morning. The entire house would take part in it. Erin and Dani were already regulated to get different Gryffindors to help with the decorating and finding food and drink. It was going to be a bash for the ages. Years later, Gryffindors would still be talking about the birthday party thrown for Bianca Montgomery. Well, if Simone had her way, that's how it would be. Bianca didn't really care if she had a large party or not. She'd already gotten her present from her mother and Jack along with a very loving letter wishing her a happy sixteenth. After that, there was really only one more person she wanted to hear Happy Birthday from.

It was the small seeker currently leaving the Great Hall.

Waking up early Saturday morning, Bianca bolted out of bed. The sun had only risen a few hours ago, and it being a Saturday, no student in their right mind was awake. No one should be up before noon on a day with no classes. Especially when it was said student's birthday. But, there she was. Awake and dressed before any other Gryffindor even so much as rolled over. Snores and tiny hiccups gave a beat to her movements. She tossed on a pair of shoes to the gentle hum of Dani's breathing. She grabbed her present from her family to the sounds of Babe's roaring sniffling. She crept out of the dorm just as Simone rolled over and burrowed further under the blankets.

With the stealth of a sneaky spy, Bianca tiptoed down to the common room. She slunk past two boys who had fallen asleep in the middle of a chess game and through the entrance hole behind the painting of the fat lady. Once she was outside of the common room, a sense of freedom enveloped her. With a giant grin she dashed down the hall. The one good thing about Gryffindor Tower was the base was on the seventh floor – the same floor as the Room of Requirement. Or, as Bianca referred to it, their room. It was hers and Frankie's. Their place.

Their place, where she knew Frankie would be. Frankie never said anything. Heck, she barely even mentioned the upcoming celebratory day during the many meetings the two had. If Bianca happened to casually bring it up when they were talking, Frankie just looked at her with a tiny half-smile and unreadable eyes.

She knew when Bianca's birthday was. She had to. Bianca dropped enough hints that if she somehow never knew before, she was crazy to not know now. Right? Of course she did. If Bianca didn't know better, and she actually did, she'd think Frankie had a plan up her sleeve. Her girlfriend have a secret plan? Only all the time. A small bubble of anticipation formed in the brunette's belly and never left. Frankie made Christmas amazing. She made New Years the best Bianca ever had. The kiss under the stars…come on. How sweet was that? Frankie was so sweet. Well, she was sometimes sweet. Make no mistake, Bianca knew Frankie had a devilish streak a mile wide. It was actually something the Gryffindor adored. No one made Bianca laugh more than Frankie. With her sneaky pranks against Filch and the glimmer of mischief in those gorgeous hazels, Bianca couldn't wait to see what happened next. The fact that Frankie could go from that to snuggling under a blanket and roasting marshmallows made her even that much more amazing.

All of this and more was why Bianca was racing across the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle early Saturday morning on her birthday instead of sleeping in till her party. Because she wanted to see Frankie.

Spotting the tapestry showing the dancing trolls, Bianca quickly paced in front of the massive stone wall. After the third time, she spun to watch as a door magically appeared. With energy no one should posses that early, Bianca pulled open the door and ran inside. Skidding to a halt in the middle of the cozy space, she wildly looked around. Nothing had changed. There were no decorations. No wrapped packages or cake.

No Frankie.

Bianca exhaled. Ok, she wasn't expecting anything like what her friends were doing. She wasn't. But, it would be a lie to say she wasn't expecting something. A balloon. A dancing troll doll. Something. It didn't even look like Frankie had been there. Did she beat Frankie there? Wait, was Frankie even coming? Frankie was going to be there, wasn't she? Of course she was. Bianca was sure of it. She was also sure there would be at least one streamer, though. Which, there wasn't. The fire wasn't even going. She couldn't blame Frankie. They never discussed it. Never said anything about meeting or doing anything. She assumed. She was being presumptuous again. Frankie would have a field day with that. She was probably still asleep, resting after another grueling double practice. Or, she was in the Great Hall eating breakfast and reading the paper. Somewhere that wasn't there. Wasn't with her.

Bianca couldn't stop her head from falling a tiny bit. She couldn't stop the frown from spreading or the saddened air expelling softly from her lungs.

"Missing something?"

Bianca's breath caught in her throat at the gentle voice whispering from behind her. She slowly turned on her heel to see Frankie a foot away. The smug smirk flickered, a tender grin fighting its way through. "Frankie," Bianca exhaled. She was there!

Frankie bit the inside of her bottom lip to hold in the grin, "Here." She pulled out her wand and gave a flick of the wrist. Instantly, the room became dimmer and burning candles popped up all around the room. They floated up toward the ceiling. There must have been forty or fifty of them. With another flick, the stack of logs in the cold fireplace became encased in fire. Tiny silver sparks danced on the tips of the flames. They popped into golden glitter. Finally, a strong swish and flick had a radio that Bianca didn't see earlier jump to life. Music filtered through the speakers. It was one of the Weird Sisters' newest songs from their latest album.

"Better." Frankie nodded. She looked at Bianca, "Something was missing."

Bianca stared at all the newest addition. The candles, the fire, the music. Frankie did have a plan. She spun around in a circle, taking it all in. When she stopped, she was facing Frankie. The blonde stood still. She waited calmly for a response. Well, she looked calm. Deep in those eyes, though, Bianca could see a twinge of impatience. A twinge of need. She wanted to know if Bianca was happy. Happy? That didn't even describe it. That didn't describe the warmth in her heart or the pricking at the corner of her eye. That didn't come close to expressing the consuming emotion churning in her stomach or the way her mind melted.

"Frankie," Bianca whispered. She barely noticed as she flung herself into the blonde, wrapping her arms tightly around the strong body. What she did notice was the softness of the shirt she buried her nose into near the crook of Frankie's neck. She noticed the way her girl smelled like fresh air and affection. Bianca squeezed her closer and dug her hands into the black fabric of the shirt.

"Hey." Frankie greeted quietly. She returned the embrace heartily.

Bianca pressed an open mouthed kiss to the side of her neck. Her mind was muddled more than the swamp rumored to lie at the heart of the forbidden forest. She felt like crying and laughing at the same time. She was overwhelmed and she didn't know why.

Frankie ran a hand through her brown tresses. The loving touch soothed her, and Bianca felt the air return to her ever so slowly. With each stroke, Bianca felt her mind clear and the jelly in her limbs recede.

"Bianca," Frankie spoke.

"Hmmm?" she nuzzled the tip of her nose against the highly sensitive patch of skin just behind Frankie's ear. She smiled at the shiver it caused.

"What is in your hand?"

"Why?" Bianca trailed the tip of her nose down a sleek jaw.

"It's forming a very painful bruise on my back." Frankie answered.

"Oh!" Bianca immediately dropped her arms. She'd forgotten she was holding her gift from Jack and Erica. "It's my present from my mom and stepdad." She lifted it between them.

"A camera?" Frankie looked at it.

"Yes!" Bianca pointed the lens at Frankie, "Smile."

"What?" Flash.

Bianca giggled, "Nice, Frankie. The confused look is so you."

Frankie blinked, "I think you blinded me."

Bianca peered through the sight, "Come on, Stone. Give me sexy."

Frankie's eyebrow ticked up, "Don't I always?"

"Pose."

Frankie held a hand up to block her face, "Why?"

"We need pictures." Bianca tried to tilt the camera so she could see around the obstacle.

"For what? Your voodoo doll collection?" Frankie turned her shoulder.

Her what? "No, Ms. Grumpy." Bianca reached out a hand and stuck her fingers under the neckline of Frankie's black shirt. She twisted them around the gold and silver chain, pulling the necklace out of its hiding place, "For your locket."

Frankie peered down at the locket. Then, quicker than lightning, Frankie snatched the camera from Bianca's grasp.

"What are you doing?" Bianca gasped.

Frankie smirked and held up the camera, "You said I need pictures."

Bianca blinked as the flash went off and tiny blue spots blurred her vision, "So you take my camera?"

Frankie shrugged nonchalantly, but there was an undercurrent of thinly veiled affection in her voice, "I want a picture of you."

Bianca, the blue spots gone, stared at Frankie. The blonde ducked her head from the endeared gaze and studied the camera instead. Bianca melted a little right then.

Clearing her throat, Frankie motioned toward the table, "I brought some juice and a few snacks. Since you don't get up this early, you might not know about breakfast. It's a meal they serve before lunch."

Bianca shook her head, "Smart-aleck."

"It's not polite to call people names. Don't you Gryffindors have any manners?"

"Yeah Frankie, it's a Gryffindor thing. That must be why you keep calling me troll." Bianca followed the blonde to the table.

Frankie set the camera down and picked up her bag that was stashed under the table, "I'm acknowledging your ancestry."

Bianca felt her mouth water as the food was revealed, "And I'm acknowledging your charming qualities. Cutie."

Frankie slid a bottle over to her, "I thought I was sexy."

"You're both." Bianca grabbed the bottle and opened it.

Frankie opened her own bottle, "Like you."

Bianca felt her cheeks burn at that. She watched Frankie fiddle with her bottle cap. "Bianca?"

"Yes?"

Frankie grinned at her, "Happy Birthday."

Bianca was two seconds away from having Frankie take her to the infirmary. She was pretty sure any second she was going to turn completely into a puddle of goo that only the school nurse could help. Yep, she was going to be the big melted mass formerly known as Bianca Montgomery. No arms, no legs, just glop.

Why? Well, when your girlfriend was as adorable as Frankie, it's a given. Bianca had to physically stop herself from awing out loud more than once. The word wanted to burst out like turrets. Frankie gave her aw turrets. Maybe Pomfrey had something for that. A potion, perhaps. Anytime Bianca went to see Frankie, she could take this potion and she wouldn't feel like cooing at her girlfriend. Yeah, right. Like that would ever not happen. Her not want to coo? Come on.

Frankie, for her part, wasn't helping. She didn't even know she was doing anything. In fact, she was trying to do the exact opposite. Frankie was trying so hard to be aloof. She was trying to act like it wasn't that big of a deal. She threw out her infamous whatever and shrugged. She acted like making countless candles light up and float above their heads was an everyday occurrence.

It was so adorable.

It was adorable because she was failing so miserably at it. Everything gave her away. The way her eyes couldn't look away from Bianca for more than a few seconds. The way the timbre of her voice was just that much gentler than usual. The way her soft eyes drank Bianca in like she was water in the desert. How did Bianca ever think that Frankie wasn't interested in her?

Totally adorable.

"Don't move." Bianca ordered.

Frankie, eyes closed, was laid out on the couch. One arm was tucked behind her head as a makeshift pillow and the other rested comfortably over her torso. "What gave my plan away?"

Bianca lifted the camera, "The smirk."

"Another picture?"

Bianca aimed the lens, "We need more."

"You do know the locket is the made for one picture."

Bianca snapped a photo, "We need a lot to choose from so we get the best one."

"The best one?"

"Yep." She took another picture.

Frankie opened her eyes, "The one of me sitting at the table wasn't the best?"

Bianca shook her head.

Frankie sat up, "Or the one of me throwing away the empty juice bottles?"

Nope.

Frankie swung her feet to the floor, "Maybe the one of me the near the fire?"

The glow from the fire had illuminated Frankie's face beautifully.

"Perhaps the one of me walking." She stood up.

She was just teasing her now. "Fine, I get it." Bianca sighed. "I'm taking a lot of pictures."

"You took more than twenty in a ten minute span of time." Frankie drawled.

That was a fun ten minutes. Frankie had been so blinded she accidently ran into the back of the sofa. "I know. But, I want pictures." She ran her thumb over the button, "I don't have any of you, and this is my first birthday we're together for."

Frankie strolled forward, "You want the perfect picture."

Bianca waved the camera, "Sort of obvious, isn't it?"

Frankie pressed her lips together. Bianca watched as a look of concentration overtook her. The little dip between her eyebrows formed, and she seemed to be studying the camera. Then, she lightly grasped the wrist holding the camera and hoisted it up and out so the arm was stretched full length and the camera was eye level. Bianca shot her a curious look as she stepped into her.

"Ready?" Frankie asked with a sly smirk.

For what? "Sure."

Frankie pushed up and met Bianca's lips in a kiss.

Bianca's finger slammed down on the button as she kissed her back. The flash went off and the moment was captured.

Frankie dropped back down to the balls of her feet, "There's your picture."

She actually thought of that? Awww, "That is so cute."

Frankie shrugged and rolled her eyes, "Whatever." The hint of a bashful streak of pink emerged on her cheeks.

Bianca beamed, "That is defiantly going in the locket."

Frankie stepped back, "Ok." She tried to look cool, but the silly grin playing on her mouth ended that.

Bianca leaned down and brushed a quick kiss to her lips, "I'm still taking lots of photos."

Frankie's sigh of frustration contrasted sharply with the charming smile, "Mental."

Bianca took a lot more pictures. She wondered for a brief moment about the warranty on this thing, because she was certain no one had taken this many pictures with a camera in one day. She wanted to get everything, though. The way the candles looked. The tiny silver and gold sparks in the fireplace.

Frankie.

Frankie was taking pictures, too. She pretended to be against the whole photo thing, but she kept stealing the camera from Bianca and lining up shots right and left.

After both girls were sufficiently blinded by the flashes, Frankie hovered near the table where her bag lay. She gestured for Bianca to come over, "I got something for you."

"You did?" Bianca rushed up to her, "You didn't have to."

"Does Gryffindor need an etiquette class? It's bad manners to not give the birthday girl a gift." Frankie joked and reached into her bag. She pulled out a square package wrapped in old newspapers.

Bianca took it gratefully, "Thank you." What was it?

"Thanking me before you see what it is? Presumptuous."

Bianca began to unwrap it, "Not when I know I'm going to like it."

"You know what it is?"

Bianca glanced up, "I know it's from you."

Frankie turned bright red at that, "Whatever." She crossed her arms, "Sap."

Yeah, she was the sappy one. Bianca tore off the last bit of paper and was presented with the words Honeydukes Sweetshop emblazoned on the box. "Candy!" Honeydukes was the candy store in Hogsmeade and one of Bianca's most favorite places to visit on school trips. They had every kind of sweet imaginable. "How did you get this?" There hadn't been a trip to Hogsmeade since before break.

Frankie grinned enigmatically, "Magic."

Bianca chuckled, "This is great. Thank you." She quickly kissed Frankie's cheek before opening the box. Inside were a few thick square pieces of fudge. "Fudge!" She could already taste the sweet chocolate.

Frankie unfolded her arms, "No charms, but I'm not a pro player, yet. You only get candy."

Candy and Charms. "That's ok." It was more than ok. She knew Frankie was still recovering from Christmas. She didn't know all about Frankie's financial disposition, but she knew enough to understand that the bracelet on her wrist set the girl back quite a bit. "This is more than enough." The fact that she remembered what candy and charms meant to her was worth more than any piece of silver or gold.

Frankie suddenly whipped out her wand, "Orchideous." A bouquet of flowers flourished out of the tip of her wand. She plucked them out and handed them to Bianca, "Flowers and chocolate, what bleeding heart Gryffindors love."

Bianca brought the flowers to her nose and inhaled the precious scent, "Thank you, Frankie." She did love them.

"It's nothing." Frankie played it off.

It was everything, "These are beautiful."

Frankie waved her wand, "They need water," a once empty juice bottle transformed into a glass vase. Frankie muttered and a spout of water shot out of her wand and filled the vase.

Bianca placed the flowers in the vase, "McGonagall must love you." The professor taught transfiguration and would have enjoyed Frankie's ease with the spells.

Frankie repocketed her wand and sent Bianca a look. The brunette felt it in her veins. "Not my Gryffindor."

Bianca turned back to the fudge. Her throat tightened at the gaze, "Fudge is my favorite thing to get at Honeydukes."

"I'm glad." Frankie dropped her stare. A sort of earnestness tinged her murmur, "I wasn't sure."

Bianca plucked out a piece, "Share with me?"

"Are you going to jinx me if I don't?"

Bianca broke off a morsel, "No, but I will do this." She tossed the piece into her mouth. Once the decadent candy touched her tongue, a delicious moan rumbled in her throat.

Frankie pursed her lips and twirled Bianca into her arms, "Effective."

"Thank you." Bianca broke off another piece. She held it up to Frankie's lips. Frankie wrapped her mouth around the chocolate, her lips sliding over the thumb and finger holding it.

It was delectable, "Delicious."

Bianca pressed the pad of her thumb against Frankie's lower lip, "You got a little chocolate…there."

Frankie swallowed and gulped at the touch. Her eyes fluttered closed as Bianca replaced her thumb with her lips.

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"Come on."

Frankie shook her head.

Bianca threaded a hand through her hair, "Why not?"

"I am not singing Happy Birthday."

She pulled Frankie back further against her chest. "I think it would sound very sexy."

Bianca was stretched out on the couch, her back against the arm. Frankie sat between her legs, curled up against her chest. Her head rested on the pad of Bianca's shoulder, and Bianca's hands curved over her belly.

"Everything I do is sexy."

Touché, "Come on. All the Gryffindors sing it."

Figured, "I'm not a Gryffindor."

No, she wasn't. "A little tune."

"Have them sing it. Try not to be overtaken by their lack of sexiness."

Bianca drummed her fingers, "They will later."

Frankie ran her palm smoothly over Bianca's thigh and knee, "You sound thrilled."

She really wasn't. It meant leaving Frankie. "They throw me a party every year in the common room. Simone's in charge this year of all the festivities."

"Should be spectacular." Frankie deadpanned.

Bianca kissed her ear, "I wish you could be there. The whole house shows up. There's games and food."

"You'll have fun."

She would. She had fun every year, "I'd rather be here."

Frankie's hand stilled on her knee, "You should go."

"I will, but it doesn't start till dinner time, and I can be a few hours late."

"Be on time."

Bianca traced tiny circles in the cotton with her fingertip, "I want to be with you at least till curfew."

"You have to be there." Frankie paused, "You spend a lot of time with me."

Duh. "I want to."

"Maybe you should spend more time there."

Bianca's finger stopped, "More time there?" What was Frankie saying? "You want me to spend more time in Gryffindor Tower?"

Frankie's voice was measured, "You come here all the time."

What? "You think I'm spending too much time here? Too much time with you? In our place?"

Frankie didn't respond.

Bianca angled her body so she could see Frankie's face, "Where is this coming from?"

Frankie stared straight ahead, "You disappear for hours on end everyday. It's suspicious."

No. It couldn't be. "You think I'm going to get us caught? Is that what this is about?" The mere mention hurt. "I'm not going to get us caught, Frankie." Was that what Frankie was thinking? She had been so sure Frankie was past that. For one, they couldn't be found there. And two, Frankie was so worried about being found out she wanted to limit their time together?

Frankie clasped her hand, "I am not afraid of that."

"Then, what?"

"Your friends notice when you're gone, Bianca."

"Not like that."

Frankie grinned humorlessly, "You have self-appointed saviors."

"Simone isn't a problem anymore."

"She is for you."

Bianca was totally confused.

"Bianca, I just…don't want you getting hassled because you're gone all the time." Frankie admitted. Considering how those losers reacted to the letter they found awhile back, they would certainly confront Bianca.

Oh. "I'm not being hassled." Frankie was worried about her. She wasn't worried about being caught.

"Not yet." Frankie looked at her. "They notice."

"I don't care." Bianca locked eyes with her. "I can handle them."

"I never questioned that."

"But, I shouldn't have to." was what Frankie was really saying.

Frankie gave an imperceptible shrug.

Bianca rested her forehead against Frankie's, "I want to be here with you. You want to be here with me. That's all that matters. My friends might wonder where I go and ask me, but that's it." She cupped Frankie's cheek, "What about your friends?"

Frankie snorted, "I don't hang out with white knights and caped crusaders."

Bianca blinked, "Your muggle references are so cute." She pinched her cheek.

"Shut up."

"Frankie."

"Yeah?"

"I wouldn't give this up for anything."

A touch quieter, "Neither would I."

Bianca snuck out of the Room of Requirement. The hallway was empty. Frankie was waiting inside to give her a few minutes and the rest of the castle was either at dinner or in Gryffindor Tower.

Walking along, Bianca thought back over the day. It had been really really good. It was one of the best, if not the best, birthdays she'd ever had. It was all because of Frankie. She got her fudge! And, she apologized for not getting her charms for her bracelet. How thoughtful. Not to mention the decorations and the picture taking. The memory she was clinging to right then, though, occurred just before she left. Before the two got up and prepared to be separated again. The two of them laid on the couch, Frankie in Bianca's arms. The brunette stared up at the ceiling, watching the pretty candles float about lazily. The fire crackled and sparked, bathing them in warmth and light. The radio played a slow jazzy number by Celestina Warbeck.

It was perfect. It was like they were the only two people in the whole world. Frankie fit perfectly in her arms. The feel of that strong yet soft body, the firm yet gentle hands linked with her own. Bianca never wanted to leave. If she had to stay that way for eternity, she wouldn't mind at all.

Bianca's feet came to a crashing halt.

It hit her like a fire breathing dragon. She thought about Frankie nonstop. Look at her. She wasn't even five hundred feet from their room and less than a minute since she kissed the girl goodbye, and all her thoughts were about Frankie. All she wanted to do was go back and take Frankie into her arms. Her body itched to turn around. She dreamed about kissing those winsome lips nearly every night. Heck, her parents even knew about Frankie! Well, they didn't know about her exactly. They knew she was important to Bianca. Important? She wasn't just important. She was…she was her girlfriend. She made her heart go crazy whenever they were near each other. They didn't even have to touch. And that grin! That crooked little grin Frankie got whenever she was happy made her turn to mush. Yes, mush. Big pile of melted goop called Bianca. It didn't matter that Frankie was a Slytherin or a muggle-born or even a girl. Bianca didn't care because Frankie made her laugh. With one glance from those soft eyes, Bianca felt so much deep inside. She felt safe and cared for. She felt…whole. Like she'd been secretly searching for something and she'd finally found it. It wasn't like Frankie was perfect. Far from it. She could be cold and cynical. She was overly cocky at times. She nearly had an all out duel with her friends and housemates. And their first kiss was fueled by firewhiskey behind a store in Hogsmeade, after which Frankie pretended like it never meant anything for a long time. She could be so frustrating.

There was so much more to her, though. Those things didn't really matter. Because, she was also sweet and funny. She took Bianca flying because it was her favorite thing to do. She shared her dreams and plans for the future. A future Bianca could see herself being a part of. Charms and candy. Frankie really cared about her. She really did, a lot.

Oh Merlin.

Bianca's fingers hooked around the silver quill charm.

"I love her."

A grin.

"I'm in love with Frankie."