And so began their clandestine meetings in the Room of Requirement. Unlike their previous meeting spaces – not including the Dark Arts Classroom because that place was just bad – there was one very special quality to this one. True to Bianca's research, no one else could find them there. If they remembered to think of a place where only the two of them could go, then only the two of them could go there. It was perfect. When they were able to sneak away from friends for a few minutes, none of them could follow. Filch couldn't track them when he was on one of his expel Frankie Stone hunts. No prefect could see the hidden door or room. They didn't have to huddle in the dark and hold their breath as someone walked by. It was a safe haven far from ridiculing friends and blasted rumors. There was no Simone spouting off about Frankie Stone the vile Slytherin. There was no Novak growling about blood status. Best of all, there were no rules, written or unwritten, about a Gryffindor and Slytherin caring about each other.

They began to meet whenever they could. During lunch, between classes, before dinner, early morning, anytime the two of them could get away for a few minutes. Having their own place ensured no more changing locations that could potentially be discovered. Nope, it was worry free. It was just what Bianca needed and wished for that first time she discovered it.

The crackle of burning logs accompanied the tiny sparks that danced among the orange flames. Bluish tinges mixed with yellows and reds along the blackened pieces of wood. Small specks of ash fell onto the brick and stone underneath. It was like a miniature snow flurry. Sort of like the blizzard like conditions raging outside Hogwarts castle.

Bianca leaned back against the foot of the sofa and pulled the green blanket further up her waist. Her Potions textbook sat beside her as well as her quill, ink, and a few rolls of parchment paper. Snape had assigned a lengthy essay on some potion they were going to make during the next class. Or maybe they'd already made it. She didn't really know. Truthfully, she didn't really know anything about that class. Nothing new there, it wasn't exactly a secret she despised anything Potions related. What was a secret? The reason she didn't even know the difference between a confusing concoction and a confusing and befuddlement draught wasn't because she didn't want to learn the material. It had more to do with the fact that there were more…interesting things to look at and study during Potions than sneezwort and scurvy-grass. What? Why did they even have to learn that? They did basically the same thing. Look at their names! They made people confused.

Bianca sighed. She was a relatively good student. She got excellent marks in all her classes. Except Potions. It wasn't like she could even blame Snape's horrible teaching methods, though they still left a lot to be desired. How was she supposed to concentrate on a bubbling brew when Frankie was a few feet away? Like she could look at some silly cauldron while Frankie was standing there looking all sexy with her little smirk and straying eyes. Yes, straying eyes! Frankie was looking at her too! Those devilish hazel orbs would glance at her and make her heart do that fluttering thing. It was a surprise Babe hadn't mentioned anything yet. But, since Bianca became her partner after Babe's original one refused to work with the girl anymore – having your hair turned a different color on a failed potion will do that to you – it became more and more obvious that her friend, while extremely nice, wasn't the brightest child at Hogwarts. That was ok, though. As long as Babe focused on passing Potions and not where Bianca was gazing at, everything was fine.

Well, as fine as it could be when Bianca's grades were gradually plummeting in that class.

The brunette ran a hand through her long dark locks, releasing a strained breath. Just seeing Frankie in class made her mind instantly go to where she was at – the Room of Requirement. They'd been meeting there daily over the past few weeks. Sometimes multiple times a day. She knew her friends were wondering where she was sneaking off to all the time. Simone's looks were proof of that. But, Bianca didn't care. She felt comfortable in the room. Relaxed. She'd much rather hang out there than the common room.

And she could be there with Frankie, which was the best thing of all.

Snuggling under the blanket, Bianca shot a quick glance at the textbook. She really should get started on the essay. He didn't give them much time to finish it. Maybe she could ask Erin and Dani to work with her later on it. But, that meant spending time with them and not with Frankie. She did want to see them, but she could see them all the time. They had every single class together. Lost in thought, Bianca didn't hear the door open and close gently. She didn't hear the light footsteps.

What she did hear was the humored whisper in her ear, "Your excitement at my arrival is overwhelming."

Bianca jumped and her head spun to the side to see a smirking Frankie crouched down beside her, a messenger bag dangling from her fingertips. Bianca swallowed at how close the blonde was and couldn't help but let her eyes roam over the beautiful face, "I didn't hear you come in."

One corner of Frankie's mouth ticked up higher, making her smirk morph into a cute lopsided grin, "Not enough clomping for you?"

Bianca scooted closer to her, "Your slithering is hard to hear."

"Slithering – good one." Frankie playfully rolled her eyes. Her breath hitched, however, as Bianca pressed against her.

"A very good one." Bianca agreed seconds before her lips descended on the other girl's.

Frankie let out a whimper as Bianca captured her mouth with barely concealed passion. Smooth hands cupped her neck and an insistent tongue traced the soft curve of her bottom lip. The bag fell unceremoniously to the floor, and her fingers dove into flowing tresses, tangling in the fine hair and pulling Bianca even further against her.

Bianca melted into the smaller body. They broke apart and rejoined over and over, sucking in lungfuls of air in between the melding of their lips. Her chest felt so full that it could burst with feeling. Her heat pounded, but it was no match for the hazy desire converging on her mind.

Bianca's right hand slipped down to rest on the top of Frankie's shoulder. She gave a gentle push. Slowly, Frankie leaned backwards until her back touched the floor. Bianca followed her, neither willing to be away from the other, even if it was by a few inches. A low hum built in the back of her throat as Frankie tenderly massaged the back of her scalp, fingertips roughened by long broom rides and an even longer childhood somehow transforming into silky flesh.

The humming grew into a gasping "Oh" as the hands loosened from her hair and slid to her cheeks, her neck, and finally just above her breasts. Bianca pulled back until her lips barely brushed the ones beneath. Her eyes blinked open and she was met with rosy cheeks and glazed over hazel. "Frankie?"

"Y-Yeah?"

Bianca smiled, "How's that for excitement?"

Frankie gulped loudly and her gaze flickered between where her hands were at and hypnotizing swirls of brown. Bianca could see the Slytherin grasping for composure. "It's…better." Frankie finally got out. She reached up and tucked a strand of chocolate behind Bianca's ear and her eyes twinkled, "for a Gryffindor."

Bianca gaped and swatted at her shoulder, "Frankie!"

"Ow." Frankie laughed, "What?"

Bianca shook her head, "For a Gryffindor?"

Frankie shrugged and grazed the back of her knuckles over Bianca's flushed cheekbone, "Exactly."

Really? "Are you saying a Slytherin could do better?"

"How do you feel?"

Cheeky, but she was on to her game. Bianca bent down and touched her mouth to Frankie's ear, "Like this Gryffindor could make you do whatever I wanted."

Frankie's throat bobbed, but she didn't let the effect those words had appear on her face, "Is that so?"

"Yes, it is." Bianca nipped the tip of a burning ear, "Know why?"

"Enlighten me."

Bianca ducked a hand under Frankie's shirt and smiled at the way the muscles clenched as her palm rested on a firm stomach, "Because you're my Slytherin."

Frankie breathed in deeply, "Quite the ego you have there."

Bianca scratched her nails gently, "I've been spending a lot of time with you."

Frankie propped herself up on one elbow, and her other hand fell to cover the bump Bianca's hand created on her belly. She pushed up till her face was inches from Bianca's. The brunette could feel the blonde's eyes softly burrowing into her own. It was unobtrusive and subtle. Their gazes locked and it was like Frankie could see inside her. Like she could see everything Bianca was. And, gazing deep into the eddy of green and brown, past the flecks of gold, Bianca could see Frankie. She could see her. See what she was feeling. See who she was.

Time froze.

Those eyes were so full. There was so much within them that it made Bianca's head spin. So much emotion that Frankie kept hidden so well from others. So much emotion…and it was all directed at her.

Both closed the remaining distance at the same time.

Bianca dragged the blanket up off the floor and spread it out over her and Frankie's legs. She curled up snuggly against Frankie, the dying embers of the once great fire beautiful but not doing much to warm the room.

"Cold?" Frankie reached for the forgotten bag she'd brought with her.

"Not anymore." Bianca rested her head on Frankie's shoulder. She lazily played with the untied green and silver striped tie swung around Frankie's neck. Her own gold and maroon one was on the floor at their feet, the victim of a rather heated kissing session. It laid next to two sweater vests, one with the Gryffindor patch and the other a Slytherin logo.

Frankie pulled the bag up to her side, "Comfortable?"

Bianca chuckled at the dry tone, "Extremely. You're very cuddle-worthy."

"I'm what?" Frankie looked away from the bag for a second.

"You heard me." Bianca tugged at the white collar of Frankie's shirt. She didn't remember the top couple of buttons popping loose.

"It's not even a word." Frankie mumbled, rooting around in the bag.

Bianca grinned, "Stop grumbling. Your reputation as an evil heartless snake is still intact. I won't tell anyone how incredibly sweet you actually are."

"I'm not grumbling." Frankie muttered. She plucked out a wrapped sandwich and held it out to Bianca. "And there's nothing to tell."

Bianca took the offered food, "What's this?"

"You might not have noticed, though it's been held at the same time every day, that it's lunchtime." Frankie pulled out a bottle of juice.

She knew that. She told her friends she was going to the library to get started on the Potions essay. She just happened to go in the opposite direction and ended up at their room. "You brought food for me?" Yeah, there was nothing to tell, Frankie. Right.

Frankie pulled out her own sandwich, "Eat before your troll traits reemerge."

Bianca leaned up and pecked the underside of Frankie's jaw, "Thank you. It's very thoughtful."

"Whatever." Frankie took out the second bottle of juice and tossed the bag to the ground. "Don't want you attacking innocent students thinking they're food because you weren't fed."

Bianca unwrapped her sandwich, "I'd only try to eat you." Her fingers paused as she thought about what she'd just said. The silence, where before there had been crinkling plastic wrap, showed that Frankie also was lost in thought. Both girls glanced at each other than quickly looked back at their sandwiches. Bianca tore open the rest of the plastic and took a big bite of her food. It was ham with honey mustard and swiss cheese, "How was practice last night." They hadn't gone anywhere near doing anything like…that. Not yet, at least.

Frankie took a sip of her juice before diving in to her meal, "Fine. Long."

"Double practices will be like that." Bianca nodded.

Frankie chewed on a tear of roast beef, "Says the quidditch expert."

Bianca swiped at a fleck of mustard on the corner of Frankie's mouth, "Pardon me, Ms. Big Bad Quidditch Champion."

Frankie wiped at her mouth the moment Bianca's thumb left, "Mockery won't cover up the fact you don't know anything about the sport."

"I know about it." She'd been witness to enough backyard games to know something. "I know you're a seeker."

Frankie snorted, "Your powers of intellect amaze once again."

Bianca threw a crumb at Frankie, "I take it back. You're not sweet."

Frankie deflected the crumb, "How kind of you. Is that in the Gryffindor creed?"

Bianca ate the last bite of ham and cheese, "Right next to make-out with a Slytherin girl and help play pranks on the school caretaker."

Frankie smirked and took another sip of her beverage. Bianca twisted the cap off her own bottle and swallowed a few hearty gulps of the sweet pumpkin juice. She set the now empty wrapper and half consumed bottle on the floor at her feet, making sure the lid was screwed on tight in case it got knocked over, "Thank you for lunch, again."

Frankie shrugged lightly, "Doing my part to protect wizarding-kind. Maybe your Gryffindorness is rubbing off. I must be a hero who all the world will cherish and worship."

"Merlin forbid." Bianca mockingly gasped.

Frankie finished her food and most of her drink, setting both on the floor. Bent over, she paused at the sight of the textbook. She lifted it to her eyes and read the cover, "Potions?"

Bianca groaned, "Snape's stupid essay."

Frankie quirked a grin, "Are you planning on writing it or hoping Snape suddenly becomes ill and cannot attend class?"

Snape becoming ill actually sounded like a good idea, but she swiftly made that idea leave her mind. Too tempting. Frankie probably knew a few tricks up her sleeve about that. "I'm going to write it. I just haven't decided where to start yet."

"With the potion would probably be best."

"How inspiring." Bianca replied. "Did you get started, yet?"

Frankie held the book in her hands, "Wrote it last night."

Last night? How? She had practice then was with Bianca till midnight. "Do you sleep?"

Frankie looked at her like she was crazy, "Yes."

Ok. She didn't know when, but she must sleep sometime. Another mystery concerning one Frankie Stone.

Frankie gazed at the book cover, "You could begin by explaining the potion in detail." She tapped her thumb against the binding, "If you paid attention in class, you would know what it is."

Funny. "If you stopped looking like such a cutie with your wand twirling and doodling, I could." Bianca shot back.

"I don't doodle."

"You doodle."

Frankie looked at her. "No, I don't."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't," a breath, "crazy."

"Fine, what do you do?" Bianca stole Frankie's bottle of juice and took a sip, "Cutie."

Frankie blinked at the nickname, "I devise quidditch plays."

"Doodle."

"I thought you were too busy checking me out to know what I'm actually writing down."

Bianca opened her mouth to refute, but she couldn't exactly say she was wrong. She was checking her out, "I still say you doodle."

"Stubborn." Frankie muttered under her breath.

Bianca set the bottle down and leaned into Frankie, "You think my being stubborn is adorable."

Frankie looked at her tenderly, "Whatever."

She so did.

Frankie passed the book to Bianca, "You should get started. You might finish by next week."

"Clever. Very hilarious." Bianca took the book.

Frankie let her hand linger, "Since you're clearly having trouble…I could help you."

Bianca felt the pit of her stomach drop. Help? Frankie? Help her with schoolwork? "Thanks," everyone knew Frankie only passed Snape's class because she was the Slytherin seeker. Heck, she barely passed any class.

"but no." Frankie finished for her.

Oh Merlin, "Frankie I would really like to work with you. But, I'm not doing well in this class. I have to do well on this essay."

"I'd make you fail." Frankie spoke evenly. She retracted her hand.

"It's just," this was not going well, "I know about your marks, Frankie. Everyone does. It's ok that you don't do well. You don't have to care about marks to be a quidditch player. But, I do."

Frankie was quiet for a few moments. Then, "How do you know my marks?"

Bianca opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She knew Frankie's marks the same way every student did – through the hallway rumor mill. Frankie's knowing glance had her swallowing against the sudden spurt of shame. She'd never asked Frankie what her marks were. Not once.

"Presumptuous." Frankie intoned.

Bianca watched helplessly as Frankie stood up, "Wait."

Frankie moved toward the fire and squatted down before it. She picked up the metal poker and stuck it in the sunken embers, coaxing the fire back to life, "You'd rather have someone else help you. A pureblood, perhaps?"

"Stop." Bianca stood up.

"How can the muggle-born help? How could she possibly be passing a course on magic." Frankie spat.

Bianca stepped forward, "Stop that right now."

"I can help you, Bianca. I can do magic and I can certainly make a potion." There was that anger that lingered deep within, showing its ugly face whenever the topic of birthright was broached.

"I know you can." Bianca knelt behind her and wrapped her arms around the smaller frame. "Now, stop. You know I don't think about you like that at all. You know it. We're way past that."

Frankie carefully set the poker down, the flames sparked to life once again.

Bianca kissed the back of her head, "Why would you ever think that? Did someone say something? Novak? Someone else?" Frankie knew she didn't care about 'blood'. Frankie's legacy was just another thing for her to appreciate and care about. But for it to flare up so easily like this, something had to be wrong. Feeling the air around the girl in her arms, she knew it was true.

Frankie stared at the fire, "When will you learn?"

"Learn?" about the dumb people who tried to make Frankie feel inferior? She'd learned enough about them to know she despised them. Maybe she should send Simone after them.

Frankie peeked over her shoulder, "What you've heard about me. How much is true?"

None of it. People said Frankie was cruel, evil, someone to be wary off… "I'm sorry."

Frankie turned back to face the fire, "No big deal."

"Yes it is." Bianca pulled until Frankie faced her. She took a deep breath and did something she should have done a long time ago, "Frankie, what kind of marks do you get?"

Frankie answered evenly, "Better than most."

Her mind flashed to the time she discovered Frankie in the library. Frankie had been studying then. Well, until the librarian made her leave. But, Frankie was there, and she was helping her friends with the assignment. How could she have forgotten that? "How did you do on the last Potions exam?"

"One wrong."

The best in Gryffindor was four wrong, "My girlfriend's smart. Of course she is. She's amazing as a seeker, of course she's amazing in class." Bianca palmed Frankie's cheek, "I know you're smart. I…you always act like you don't care about classes, though."

"I act like I hate you."

Understanding dawned on Bianca, but why would Frankie pretend to hate classes?

Frankie tilted into the touch, "There are more important things than lectures."

No, her girl would rather be flying around chasing a fluttering snitch. There was a small inkling in the back of her mind telling her there was more to this story, but Bianca let it go for now. Instead, she dropped her hand to tangle with Frankie's, "Will you help me?"

Frankie looked at their joined hands.

"Please," Bianca ducked her head so she could look into her eyes. "I should have asked you this months ago. I'm sorry for not talking to you about it and listening to gossip. Blame it on me having a stupid Gryffindor moment."

Frankie returned her gaze. After a second, she pressed a chaste kiss to Bianca's lips. Pulling back, she stood up, leaving a tingling sensation on the brunette's winsome mouth.

Bianca followed her, and they walked to the table, grabbing the book, parchment, quill, and ink on the way. They sat down and for the rest of the lunch period Bianca scribbled out her essay, Frankie overlooking her facts and quietly offering tips every now and then.

Bianca received top marks when she got it back.

Frankie was promptly greeted with a mindboggling kiss the next time they met.