The Gryffindor common room didn't look as bright and cheerful as it did when they left it earlier that day. The red and gold color scheme seemed to be muted somehow. The blazing fire was dimmer and less warm. The chairs didn't look as comfortingly inviting.

And the sparkle in Frankie's eye was gone.

The moment they entered the common room, Frankie released Bianca's hand and slinked away. She now stood near the fireplace, unseeing eyes staring blankly into the flickering flames. Her mouth was set in a straight line, and her arms were crossed over her chest. She hadn't said a word since they left the classroom. She didn't look at Bianca, either.

Bianca released a breath and chewed on her bottom lip. Who knew it could hurt so much to see someone like this? Her chest ached like someone hit her in the heart. It was painful. What was worse was the fact that Frankie had to be in more pain than her, so much more. And that thought just made her own pain worse.

They'd been confronted by Frankie's worst fear. It was unexpected and mystifying. Bianca had no idea about this. She would have thought it was something like losing the quidditch cup or not making captain. Not this. Sadly enough, however, when she really thought about it, it made sense. Frankie always got tense when her blood status was brought up. The one thing that could make the girl lose it was exactly the things the boggart was shouting at her. All those times Frankie said she was good enough, that she belonged in her house, they all came spinning into Bianca's mind like a whirlwind.

Frankie was afraid of being sent away. But, that was ridiculous because she was a witch. She could perform magic. Just because she came from a muggle background didn't mean she was any less of a magical being than Bianca herself.

But did she truly know that?

Inhaling deeply, Bianca steeled herself for whatever reaction she might get. She approached Frankie from behind, the crackling of the fire the only sound in the room. When she got within arms reach of Frankie, she grasped the blonde's body and pulled her back against her chest. She wrapped her arms around her and held on tight. It was good she did, because Frankie jerked at the sudden embrace.

"Let go of me." Frankie growled, fighting at the arms encasing her.

"No," Bianca shook her head. She wasn't letting go. Not until Frankie understood.

Frankie grappled at her forearms, "Are you deaf?"

"I said no, Frankie. I'm not letting go of you."

"I wasn't giving you a choice," Frankie pushed harder against the hold.

"Neither was I." Bianca began to walk backwards, pulling Frankie along.

Frankie planted her heels and wiggled her body, "You crazy stupid troll, I said to let me go!" she pushed with all her might at the last word. She broke away from Bianca, causing the brunette to stumble back a few steps. Frankie spun around to face Bianca, "Stay away from me!"

Bianca stared at her, breathing heavily, "No, Frankie."

Frankie pointed a shaky finger at her, "Are you too dumb to comprehend what you're being told? Don't touch me."

Bianca sighed. The words should hurt. Frankie was hurling insults like they were strangers not girlfriends. But, the sentences lacked any venom they might have held before. Frankie was trying desperately to show an angry disgusted face, but she couldn't. Her chin was still quivering as much as her finger, and her eyes were quietly begging for Bianca to not listen to her. Frankie was saying all the right words, but her body was betraying her.

"Frankie, we have to talk about what just happened."

"Back off." Frankie shook her head. "We're not talking about anything, sniveling little Gryffindor."

Bianca took a step forward, "Stop it."

Frankie glared as best she could, "You can take your pathetic little attempt at heroics to someone else."

"Don't talk to me like that." Bianca took another step.

"Like what?" Frankie's sneer was devoid of malice, "Like the dimwitted Gryffindor you are? You can't understand simple instructions?"

"You don't mean that." Bianca took the final step, "It's ok. You don't have to be afraid."

Frankie looked as if she had been slapped. "I'm not afraid!" she roared.

Bianca watched as Frankie stormed around her, "Frankie,"

"I'm not…" Frankie's voice cracked and she swallowed thickly, "I'm not afraid."

"It's ok." Bianca repeated. She gazed at the blonde. The moment Frankie's hazel orbs glanced up at her, their eyes locked. Bianca put all of her emotion, every ounce of feeling she had for the girl, into that stare. Everything she was sending was being shown back. It was hidden behind cloudy walls, but it was there, shimmering brighter than the sun outside.

Bianca didn't know she was moving until she was wrapped around Frankie again, the blonde's face tucked against her shoulder. She felt a few half-hearted shoves before quivering hands clasped her waist, Frankie giving in to the hug. She held on as the blonde took a few deep breaths, composing herself. She pressed a quick kiss on the top of Frankie's head and wondered what she should say. For a second, she wished her mom or Jack were there. They always knew the right thing to say to comfort someone. They weren't there, though. She was. But, if she really thought about it, she wouldn't want it any other way.

Frankie pulled back, and Bianca let her go a few inches, still keeping her confined within her embrace. Frankie sniffed and swallowed, keeping her eyes downcast. It took some time before she uttered, "That was,"

"intense." Bianca finished for her.

Frankie shrugged, "Bad idea to hide in the DADA classroom."

Bianca nodded, "We should probably go somewhere else next time."

Frankie didn't respond. She just stared down at the small patch of floor in between their feet.

Bianca slid one hand up to capture a loose strand of hair and guided it back behind Frankie's ear. Her fingertip slipped down the shell of the ear and across a tense jaw before coming to rest on the base of Frankie's neck. She twisted the chain of the necklace around, the light glinting off the silver and gold. "Will you tell me about it?"

Frankie rolled her eyes, "Tell you? Didn't the boggart yell it enough?"

"Stop," she gently tugged at the chain. "It's ok to admit that you were scared."

"Whatever," Frankie removed her hands from Bianca's waist.

Bianca, however, wouldn't let her leave her arms, "Do I have to give you another speech about how you can trust me and that I care about you more than anything? Because I will. I'll keep saying it forever if I have to."

Frankie peered up at her from the corner of her eye, "What a hero."

"Frankie," Bianca sighed.

The blonde ducked away from Bianca and walked a few steps away.

Bianca bit her lip, "If I ask you a question, will you answer it?"

Frankie didn't say anything.

Bianca plunged in anyway, "Is this because of Slytherin?"

Frankie groaned, "Slytherin is my house, Bianca."

"I know that."

"Everyone needs to stop blaming Slytherin for everything. I'm a Slytherin. I was sorted there, not Gryffindor."

"Yeah, Frankie. You were." Bianca crossed her arms, "You were sorted into a house that every single person knows supports blood purity above all else. For Merlin's sake, the founder wanted to only admit pureblood students into Hogwarts."

"I belong there!" Frankie spoke firmly

"No, Frankie!" Bianca shouted, "You belong at Hogwarts. You belong in the wizarding world. That's where you belong, and I want to know if you're afraid of being sent away from here because of them."

Frankie glared and exhaled harshly.

Bianca continued, moving toward Frankie as she spoke, "The boggart was telling you to leave. He kept talking about blood purity and not belonging. The only reason I can think of is because of Slytherin. You live in a house that hates who you are, Frankie."

"Shut up!" Frankie growled fiercely. "Stop blaming them. Slytherin is my house, Bianca. Mine. I thought you got that."

"I did until I learned your biggest fear is being caused by them."

Frankie marched through the last foot separating her from Bianca, "I belong in Slytherin. I have always belonged there."

Bianca stared at her in confusion, "How can you defend them? I've heard them call you mudblood, Frankie. I've seen them threaten to hex you because of your background. Clearly, that's not a good thing."

Frankie lowered her voice, "Slytherin is the only place I've ever belonged."

Bianca nearly rocked back on her heels at that. What?

Frankie gazed at Bianca with clear eyes. Eyes that conveyed her message, "Everything I want Slytherin can help me get. I need them to become what I'm meant to become."

"No, you don't." Bianca refused to believe that. "You can do whatever you want because it's you, Frankie. Not because of your house."

Frankie smirked cynically, "You don't really believe that."

"Yes, I do." Bianca grasped Frankie's hand.

"You think I can play quidditch without them? And after that?"

"Frankie,"

"I'm going to play quidditch professionally. After that, I'm going to become Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports for the Ministry. I can do that with Slytherin's help." Frankie explained her goals. "I will do that."

Bianca was stunned for a moment at this information. Frankie wanted to work for the Ministry? Of course she did. She couldn't play quidditch forever. It made sense she'd go for that department. And Head? Bianca knew she could do it. "You're good enough to do all that, Frankie. You're going to make captain next year for quidditch."

Frankie shook her hand, interrupting Bianca, "Think about it. Have you ever heard of a muggle-born becoming the Head of a Ministry department?"

No, she hadn't. The Head of Jack's department was a pureblood. So was the Minister.

Seeing the recognition in Bianca, Frankie nodded, "I'm going to do it, and Slytherin is my way in…my chance."

Bianca paused as an idea struck her. She was a pureblood. Being a pureblood, she never really had to think about issues involving muggle-borns. She never had to deal with it. Her family always taught her, however, that someone's blood status didn't matter. A muggle-born could be just as powerful and smart as a pureblood. But, there were others who didn't agree. Many purebloods saw themselves as superior to muggle-borns and half-bloods. In fact, many saw someone who wasn't pureblooded as being of a lower class, inferior. While half-bloods and muggle-borns did work for the ministry, they never gained high office. She'd even heard her stepfather once talking with her uncle about how a man in his department was passed up for promotion because he was seen as lacking proper wizarding pride. The man supposedly was dating a muggle and was interested in muggle things. She didn't know anything really about quidditch, but she had a feeling the professional players were mainly purebloods as well.

Of course, with the differences in class came the differences in finances. Most, if not all, pureblooded families had some form of wealth. There were a few who were middle class, but the rest were very fortunate. With muggle-borns unable to move up very far in either the social or working sectors, they were limited in both money and influence. And Frankie, she had to buy a broomstick used. A lot of her clothing was worn and faded like it was old. She couldn't even go home for break because she didn't have one. Bianca knew Gary Chancellor's family was very rich. All of the Slytherins came from money and power. Frankie didn't. With her pedigree, Frankie never would achieve that status, either. Not normally. She would be looked down upon, much like how that boy Novak treated her. The purebloods wouldn't let her into their social circles and would certainly balk at the idea of mingling with a muggle-born ministry department leader or quidditch professional.

"How can," Bianca stopped as another thought struck her. Pureblood. Her friends thought Frankie was a pureblood. One time, when they were gathered together, her friends mentioned how Frankie was a pureblood like the rest of the Slytherins. She gazed at Frankie with new eyes, "You want people to think you're a pureblood."

Frankie lifted her shoulders, "People assume things."

Bianca frowned, "You're pretending to be something you're not so you can be accepted into Slytherin?" Slytherin pureblood families would be opposed to lowering themselves to a muggle-born's level, but they wouldn't be against affiliating with another pureblood.

"I'm not pretending." Frankie corrected. "You think my house doesn't know what I am? I act how I want to act. You know that."

"This is…" Bianca trailed off. This didn't make any sense. Frankie was strong. Sure, she could get defensive and had a tendency to be guarded or furtive with others, but she was who she was. She wasn't pushed around by people.

Frankie lightly grabbed her arms, "There's nothing wrong with wanting to make something of myself. I am going to become someone, Bianca. That's what I want."

"And me?" Bianca felt a lump form in her throat. "You said I could stop you from making captain." Captain was part of Frankie's master plan it seemed.

"I also said I want you." Frankie stopped her. She gave the brunette a gentle shake, "I'm not…choosing quidditch over you or captain or anything." Frankie glanced down for a second. When she looked back at Bianca, there was a shine in her gaze and her voice was thick, "You know…how I feel about you. When I make captain, when I make a pro team, all of that, I…I want you there with me." She took a breath, "I want to be with you."

Bianca felt her voice leave her at the vulnerably honest declaration. It felt like the world came crashing down around her and built itself back up all at the same time. Frankie wanted her there? She…she wanted to share that with her, too?

Frankie gave a tiny lopsided grin, "Candy and charms, right?"

Bianca nodded and threw herself into Frankie. She hugged her, burrowing her nose against the crook of her neck.

Frankie hugged her back, "Slytherin will help me, Bianca. But…I…I need you, too."

Bianca pulled back, still keeping Frankie in her arms, "Being muggle-born,"

"Some care more than others." Frankie answered her unspoken question. "Some see what I can do, what I will do."

"Like Gary."

Frankie nodded, "Like Gary. He can get me into the pro league, and his family works high up in the ministry. They'll help me."

Bianca frowned, "But, the boggart."

Frankie froze. Then, she slowly curved her palms around Bianca's face, "You called me a coward once."

Bianca remembered. It was when Frankie wouldn't own up to her feelings.

Frankie's thumbs smoothed over fine cheekbones. There was a faraway look in her eye, "I'm not afraid of Slytherin. They have nothing to do with it. They can't make me do anything I don't want to." Her throat bobbed, "It's never been them."

Bianca clasped Frankie's wrists, "Can you tell me?"

Frankie grinned ruefully, "I skipped class third year when we learned about boggarts."

Bianca thought back to that time. The professor introduced the class to the concept then presented them with an actual boggart. Each student had to face the boggart and perform the spell to banish it. Hers turned into a giant shark. "You didn't want them to see your fear."

"Why reveal your deepest fear to anyone?"

The silver charm bracelet scratched lightly against Frankie's skin, "Because it might be something they want to know. It might be something they can help you with."

Frankie tilted her head in acknowledgement of what Bianca was saying. She guided Bianca's head so her mouth pressed against a marble hued ear, "You're the only one who knows." She pulled back lowered her eyes, not looking at Bianca. It took a few minutes, but she finally spoke "I can't go back."

"Go back?" Where?

Frankie shrugged, "I never belonged there. I've only ever belonged here – in this world. I have a chance here." Her voice dropped to barely a whisper, "If I went back there…to that life…I can't." She still had nightmares that they made a mistake sending her the letter inviting her to Hogwarts.

"You're afraid of having to leave the wizarding world."

Frankie didn't reply, but Bianca knew it was true. It was hard to understand. This world was the only one she'd ever known. What could Frankie's life have been like before she came to Hogwarts? Before she learned she was a witch? Bianca couldn't comprehend anything terrible happening to Frankie. What could be so bad that Frankie's biggest fear was having to go back there? She did know one thing, though. Frankie's fear was never coming true. "You don't have to be afraid of that happening. It's never going to happen."

Frankie peeked up at her.

Bianca removed Frankie's hands from her face and gave each one a kiss, "I wouldn't let it."

"I don't need a hero."

"You're not getting one. You're getting me." Bianca joined their hands and swung them at their sides, "There's no way you're going anywhere without me."

Frankie snorted but there was delight flickering on her face, "Presumptuous."

"But in a sexy cute way." Bianca winked.

Frankie laughed and it sounded like music to Bianca's ears. She knew it hadn't been easy for the blonde to willingly admit her fear, especially after having someone else see it. To hear that she was the only one who knew was humbling. Merlin, the things this girl made her feel.

Without warning, Frankie bounced up and gave a quick kiss to Bianca's lips. It was a welcome surprise, and Bianca smiled as Frankie dropped away. The smile turned curious, though, as Frankie looked at her. All playfulness was gone. Bianca felt the air change and swirl around them. As if in slow motion, Frankie leaned back in, tenderly catching Bianca's mouth in a slow kiss. Bianca closed her eyes and responded to the touch. She felt it deep inside, the long kiss making her belly clench and her chest swell. A hand pushed into her hair and cradled the back of her head, pulling her in even deeper still.

Bianca didn't know how, but they ended up on the floor. Their lips fused together, moving as one. They laid on their sides, pressed together and legs intertwined. She felt Frankie tremble as her fingers danced up the side of her neck and scraped against the spot right behind her ear.

These kisses felt like so much. Bianca could sense it everywhere. The feelings living in both girls were showing themselves fully in each caring caress. It was overwhelming, yet she never wanted it to end.

When they finally broke apart, the sun having set long ago without their knowledge, Frankie was completely serious, "This…us…it's important to me. I would never choose anything over you."

Bianca stroked her cheek and smiled, "I know." She had no doubt about that. Looking at Frankie, she had no doubts at all about this girl. "Our relationship is important to me, too. The most important thing. You're all I care about."

Frankie nodded, "I'm beginning to get that through my thick skull."

Bianca chuckled, "You better."

Drawing Bianca into another kiss, Frankie murmured, "I'm sorry for what I called you earlier."

"You mean when you called me a troll."

"Among other things, though that one's actually applicable."

Bianca flicked Frankie's shoulder, "I thought we agreed to stop using that name."

"The same time you agreed to stop using sweetie and cutie."

Bianca giggled, "I would never agree to that. I think we should have them painted on your broom."

"The shiny letters might distract Gryffindor's seeker and I'll be called a dirty player again."

"I do what I can to help my seeker win." Bianca tap danced her fingertips along the length of Frankie's arm.

A loud grumble sounded, and Frankie raised an eyebrow at Bianca's blush, "Dinner's almost over. You should eat before your troll side appears."

Bianca's hand halted Frankie from moving, "Can we just stay here for a little longer." She didn't want to leave this.

Frankie looked at her. Then, she nodded, "I'd like that."

Bianca grinned and cuddled into Frankie, both girls wrapping their arms around each other. Bianca let out a contented sigh and basked in the feel. It might have started out terribly, but it turned out to be a good thing that boggart appeared. She learned about Frankie, and she had a feeling Frankie learned about her. There was an understanding between them. It was intangible, but she knew it was there. Something had changed between them. Lying there on the floor in the Gryffindor common room, staring lazily up at the ceiling as Frankie pressed a chaste kiss against her temple, Bianca knew.

This was exactly where she wanted to be. She wanted this forever, and she was certain Frankie did too. No matter fear or society or anything. This was right.

She felt closer than ever to Frankie.

"Frankie?"

"Hmmm?"

"I really like you." Bianca confessed.

Frankie nuzzled Bianca's ear, "I really like you, too."

Bianca smiled endearingly, "Charms and candy."

"Right." Frankie locked their arms and hands together.

Bianca tickled the inside of Frankie's hand, "You belong here, Frankie. No matter what anyone says or that pessimistic mind of yours thinks. You're never going to lose that."

Frankie kissed the tip of her ear, "I belong to you." A silent thanks was hidden in the sentence.

Bianca angled her head so she could press a kiss to Frankie's cheek, "It's about time you figured out we belong together. You must be thinking about flying too much."

Frankie grinned crookedly, "Not as much lately. Something else has been preoccupying me."

"What may that be?" Bianca pretended to not know.

Frankie paused for effect, "Filch and that box of fireworks hidden under my bed."

Bianca gasped playfully and rolled her eyes, "Do you think he's still out there?"

"Chasing after that box?" Frankie dipped her chin, "He won't catch it till morning."

"Just in time for you to set up a new prank."

"Precisely."

Bianca nestled her head next to Frankie's, "Frankie?"

"Yeah?"

"That team you want to play for…the…Mon…Montr…" what was that name?

"The Montrose Magpies?" Frankie supplied.

"Yes, are they near the ocean?"

Frankie squinted at the strange question, "Why?"

"Sharks."

At Frankie's look, Bianca burst out laughing.

"Mental." Frankie's lips ticked up further.

Bianca's laughter died down. She freed one of her hands and ran the edges of her knuckles down Frankie's jaw, "Can I ask you something else?"

Frankie blinked languidly, "Have I ever been able to stop you from getting what you want?"

"No, but that's because you always wanted it too, even if you didn't always say it." Her thumb tickled the underside of Frankie's chin.

"What's the point in saying something you already know?"

"There are some things that are nice to hear." Like how Frankie felt about her.

Frankie snuggled against her, "There are." She tightened her arms, "Ask me."

Bianca remembered the tough eleven year old she first met at the train station on the way to Hogwarts, "Will you tell me about where you came from…someday."

Frankie didn't answer. A small chill grew in Bianca's belly at the silence.

"Someday." Frankie quietly rumbled.

Bianca released the breath she didn't even know she was holding. Someday. She liked that. She was looking forward to someday so much.

As if reading her mind, Frankie added, "Soon."

"Soon." Bianca breathed out. She liked that even more.

Frankie stole a quick kiss.

Bianca liked that best.