TheBoondocksRox: You read that? Very cool. I'm really glad to hear you liked it. That one is a bit different from my others, and not just because of the ending. With this story, Frankie does want to protect Bianca, but she is a tad stubborn - as you pointed out. Hmm, a very astute question you raise...
Bianca peeked over the top of the very heavy textbook that was openly perched on the edge of the table and which covered her entire face from view. She bit her lip at the sight of her girlfriend. The tiny flutter in her belly that always happened whenever she glanced at the blonde appeared right on schedule, and she smiled at the sensation. Frankie was looking especially adorable that day. While Bianca had a special appreciation for the crooked tie ensemble, it was nice to kick back and be in non-uniform clothing. Frankie always looked sexy. That was pretty much a given. Come on, with that perpetually wind swept hair and those deep hazel eyes, it was a wonder no one else had trouble paying attention in class or the corridors when she marched on by. Of course, there were those few girls she saw Frankie talking to more than once throughout the year, but they didn't seem to have the inability to not stare at the seeker.
Those girls didn't get to kiss Frankie, though.
Might be a connection.
Bianca's smile grew. Yes, her girlfriend was sexy and cute. In normal clothing, though, she looked – dare she say – even sexier and cuter. Frankie's blue jeans and forest green shirt were well worn and rumpled looking. The look of concentration on her face as she skimmed over her textbook made her heart skip. As Frankie turned to the next page, Bianca's gaze zeroed in on the strong hands. They were small yet could do so much. Bianca gulped and blinked as her cheeks turned red. Those hands felt really good. They hadn't gone much farther than simple caresses and a few touches underneath shirts, but that didn't mean they wouldn't when the time was right and they were both ready. Bianca had not forgotten that time over break when they consumed the bottle of firewhiskey down in the dungeons. The first time Frankie's hands had slipped under her shirt and cupped her breasts.
"While I am certain I am much more interesting than Herbology, I believe it was you who was panicking about OWLs."
Bianca, startled, jumped in her seat and nearly snapped the book shut in her face. She went to respond, but paused at the bluish purple bags under Frankie's eyes. They were bigger. They'd been growing over the past few weeks. Weeks, had it really been that long since everything took place? Since Hogsmeade, the infirmary, and the school learning of their relationship? Bianca shook her head. It seemed like only yesterday Frankie had offered her hand in Potions. The attack at Hogsmeade had caused a quiet uproar of rumor and gossip in the school halls, but it had nothing on what came after. The news that a Gryffindor and Slytherin, and two girls at that, were openly dating had been the biggest thing to happen since, well, since anything the students could ever remember. Bianca huffed quietly. What was wrong with people? So what if she and Frankie were dating. It wasn't that crazy. But, no one else seemed to agree with her. Everywhere Bianca went there were whispers and stares. She swore one first year had tried to take her picture like she was famous or something. It was almost a surprise that they weren't headlining the Daily Prophet. There were muttered insults and blatant glares around every corner.
Bianca felt her chest hitch as Frankie blinked rapidly, her eyelids threatening to droop. She knew whatever was happening to her couldn't be as bad as what Frankie was going through. It was obvious Frankie was losing sleep. Why she had to stay in the Slytherin dormitories – it was crazy. Everyone knew how the Slytherins viewed the muggle-born. They made no attempt at hiding their displeasure at her presence. In Potions, they continually glared at her like she was some disgusting little bug. To think, those were the same people cheering her on at the quidditch match.
But, Frankie needed to sleep. Before this all happened, Bianca had wondered when her girl had time to sleep between quidditch, classes, and them meeting up. Frankie never showed signs of fatigue, though. Now, more than once she looked like she was going to pass out in class. With Novak and his sheep residing in the same place as her, Frankie probably had to sleep with one eye open. Novak wouldn't hesitate to hex her with her back turned or her eyes closed. Such a coward. If only Frankie could move into the Gryffindor dorms. Bianca snorted. Like that would ever happen. It there was one thing about Frankie, it was that she viewed herself as a Slytherin. She'd never leave her house. They'd had enough conversations about their respective houses for Bianca to know that.
A hand clasped the top of her book and pulled it down. Frankie's arched eyebrow appeared, "Utterly speechless at my mere presence or has your troll side stolen all your wit?"
She must have gotten lost in her thoughts and not answered. Shaking her head clear, she made a face, "Haha. I thought us Gryffindors didn't have wit."
"Exceptions occur."
"Oh? Like how exceptionally cute you look today – cutie."
Frankie rolled her eyes and leaned back into her chair. "Not that again."
Bianca teasingly batted her eyelashes and put down the book, "Adorable, sweet, sexy, lovely..."
Frankie surged forward and pressed her lips to Bianca's, effectively shutting her up. She pulled back after a moment, but only a hairsbreadth away.
Bianca inhaled shakily and gazed into the bottomless softness of green and brown swirls. She curved her hands around Frankie's cheeks, the inherent smoothness of the skin a delicate treat under her palms. It was only supposed to be a short chaste kiss. Bianca knew that. Frankie knew that. Didn't mean it had to stay that way. There was no way it would. Not when Bianca felt the rush of fire in her veins and the burst of all consuming tingling euphoria at the quick touch. Not when she looked into that tender reflection of emotion bottled up in eddies of hazel.
She gently guided Frankie back to her. The blonde went willingly, and their mouths met in a loving embrace. Bianca sighed at the drawn out kiss. Her eyes had slid closed the second Frankie drew near, and she saw flashes of light sparkle in the darkness. Warm hands tangled in her dark brunette locks, and she felt the tips massage the back of her scalp. Over and over their lips met, fusing together for infinity before breaking apart, only to merge together again.
Bianca's hands slipped down to curl around a lean neck. A throaty whimper rumbled against her mouth as the pad of her thumb brushed at the tender spot right behind Frankie's ear. Lips slanted harder against her own, and she welcomed it eagerly. She pushed forward meeting each kiss fervently. A gasp escaped her as a roughened finger trailed across her face. Frankie's thumb followed, caressing the length of her cheekbone as if she was committing the feature to memory.
The kisses came quicker and harder. The roar of flames in her blood took over. Bianca needed to feel those lips against her own. She wanted to feel that velvety tongue dance with hers. Frankie must have felt the same, because she leaned farther across the edge of the table that separated them. She angled her body around the unwanted corner, and Bianca's hand flew to her shoulder as the other girl nearly tumbled out of her chair.
Growling, Frankie dropped her hand from Bianca's hair and grappled at the table. She blindly flailed at the furniture, her mouth still connected to Bianca's.
CRASH!
Bianca pulled back in shock at the loud noise. Panting heavily and cheeks flushed, she and Frankie gazed at each other for a second before turning their eyes to the ground. In her haste, Frankie had smacked Bianca's satchel off the table. It now laid open on the floor, the contents scattered all around them. Papers, quills, and all assortments of candy wrappers, friendly notes, and other supplies littered the clean floor. Bianca looked back at Frankie, "You knocked my bag over."
Frankie deadpanned, "Oops."
Bianca shook her head and chuckled, "Good job, and you call me the troll."
"Your trollish tendencies have rubbed off on me. Couldn't be controlled." Frankie drawled. She hooked her hand around the back of Bianca's neck.
"I wonder how they're rubbing off on you?" Bianca smiled into another kiss.
"The eternal question." Frankie nipped at a plump bottom lip.
Bianca inhaled sharply, "Maybe I should stop kissing you."
Frankie responded with a swipe of her tongue, "Presumptuous."
"That it's by kissing?"
"That I'd let you stop."
Bianca grinned widely at that. Frankie pecked her cheek before brushing a kiss to the shell of her ear. Bianca turned her head, offering more to hungrily teasing lips. She tangled her fingers in the necklace chain as Frankie nibbled at her earlobe. Sighing, her eyes scanned the fallen contents of her bag.
A folded sheet of parchment paper caught her gaze.
"Frankie!" How could she have forgotten?
"Hmm?" Frankie sucked on the pliant lobe.
Bianca pushed at her shoulders, "Wait," What was wrong with her? Choosing studying over this? Merlin!
Frankie released the reddened ear and tilted back. She shot Bianca a curious look, but Bianca didn't see it. She was too busy standing up and rushing to the neatly folded piece of parchment. How could she have forgotten? She'd just gotten it that morning, and she'd been waiting forever it seemed like to get it. Well, she'd been waiting ever since she sent her letter to Jack and her mom a couple days ago. Still, it was a long time to wait! When she saw Opal swoop in during breakfast that morning, she had literally jumped out of her seat. Babe had spilled her glass of orange juice on herself in surprise.
Clutching the parchment to her chest, Bianca twirled around to see an amused Frankie watching her. Frankie's orbs twinkled with charm and merriment at what her girlfriend was doing. Just wait till she heard the news.
Bianca bounced up to her and fell back into her chair. The corner of Frankie's mouth twitched, "Something important?"
Bianca nodded and unfolded the paper, "Very important." Like she would interrupt their make-out session for anything else.
Frankie peered at the parchment, "I'm more interesting than Herbology, but less than a piece of paper. Humbling."
Bianca rolled her eyes "You? Humble?" Frankie was amazing but she had a very healthy ego.
Frankie gave a tiny shrug and nodded, "Well?"
Bianca pushed a strand of hair away from her face and situated herself better in the chair. Fully facing Frankie, she beamed, "You know summer is coming soon. Classes will be over, and we'll be going home."
Frankie listened silently.
"I'm not sure what it is you do for summer or where you go." If Frankie didn't have a home to go to during Christmas, where did she have to go when Hogwarts was out of session? That was one of the many things she wondered about when it came to her girl. "I really hope one day you'll tell me. But, anyway, for the summer, we're not going to be here." The parchment crinkled in her grip, "We're not going to be together. I'm really going to miss you. A lot. And, I don't think I can actually go for that long without seeing you. I don't think either of us can. I know I don't want to."
She took a breath. Frankie remained quiet, but there was a glimmer of something in her orbs.
"I want to see you over the summer." Bianca continued. "I love you. So," she offered Frankie a hopeful smile, "would you like to visit me during the summer?"
Frankie didn't say anything. Her face had gone completely blank.
"You can stay however long you want. I asked my mom and stepdad already. They'd love for you to come visit us." Bianca grew excited, "There's so much we could do. You can meet them, which would be fantastic. I promise to not subject you to my mom's cooking. But, we could go out to shows and stuff. Maybe you could even teach me some of those awesome quidditch moves of yours. Jack has a spare broom at the house. Not the one where you try to crash into the ground. You know how I feel about that move. Or, we could go into the city."
As Bianca went on, Frankie's gaze became more and more closed off.
"We could even just lay around the house all day. Just us. No assignments or anything to worry about. What do you think? Would you like to stay with me over the summer?"
Bianca stopped talking and looked at Frankie. The blonde was like a stone statue unmoving and unemotional. Bianca felt the pit of her stomach drop. Oh no. Merlin – that look. She flashed back to before Christmas break. When she had found out Frankie didn't go home, didn't have a home. This was the same look Frankie had on her face before she actually started opening up. "Frankie?"
Frankie seemed to hesitate in answering.
"It'll be great." Bianca tried. She pulled out her big guns, "Jack works for the ministry. He said he can even get us tickets to the Quidditch World Cup this summer. We could go together. The World Cup!" Frankie loved quidditch and loved her. She couldn't say...
"No."
Bianca felt like someone punched her in the gut. Air flew out of her lungs in a whoosh. No? What? She squished the parchment between her suddenly quivering fingers, "Why not?"
Frankie kept her gaze forward but her eyes averted a fraction, just enough to not look into Bianca's, "I'm not going to visit you."
She fought for air. "That's not what I asked. I asked why not." she tilted her head in an attempt to catch Frankie's eye.
Frankie didn't answer. She didn't say anything.
She might not be speaking words, but her body was doing all the talking for her. At least to Bianca it was. She could sense that Frankie was about to do that thing where she got up and paced away from her. Well, not this time. She was more than happy to let Frankie do what she wanted, but not when she knew deep down they both wanted this. Frankie had to want this. So, she quickly scooted her chair closer to Frankie's, effectively blocking her in between the table and chairs. The flicker in Frankie's eyes told her she noticed the position change.
"Holding me hostage?"
"No, wanting to talk to you."
Frankie snorted.
"Frankie," Bianca careful cupped her hand around Frankie's chin, "I need you to look at me and tell me why you won't come see me."
Frankie reluctantly allowed her hazels to connect with searching browns.
Bianca bit her lip at what she saw. If there was one thing she'd learned over their relationship, it was how to look past the steel wall and see within Frankie. It'd gotten easier over time because Frankie was more and more unable to hide away from her. Just like now. With their eyes locked, Frankie couldn't keep her emotions at bay forever.
"Is it because of where you stay over the summer?" Maybe Frankie couldn't get free to see her. "I could go to you. I'll visit you instead."
Frankie shook her head.
"I don't care where you stay, Frankie. I'll visit you anywhere. Merlin, I'd go to Azkaban Prison to see you." Not that Frankie would ever wind up there. Some of her housemates might. Like Novak – the jerk.
"That has nothing to do with it."
"Then why?" Bianca brushed her thumb underneath Frankie's bottom lip, "Why did you say no?"
"I meant it." Frankie spoke woodenly.
Bianca exhaled softly and pushed down on the frustration and hurt, "Honey,"
That did it. That simple term of endearment and puppy-like eyes caused Frankie's mouth to open, "Have you even thought about this?"
Bianca watched the girl's mouth snap shut as she realized she'd spoken. Bianca blinked at the words. Thought about it? Of course she had. "You know I have." She even asked her mom and Jack to make sure it was ok. With OWLs and summer coming so fast, it was unimaginable that she wouldn't be thinking about it. "Don't even go there." Frankie was going to go into her little rant about how Gryffindors didn't plan ahead or whatever. What Frankie had to do was stop plotting and thinking so much.
Frankie pursed her lips, "You cannot see me this summer."
"Why? Because I haven't supposedly thought about it? Come on, Frankie."
Frankie's voice lowered, "Things are different now, Bianca."
"Not different enough that we can't see each other." Their relationship was well known now. It'd actually be easier for them to see each other.
Frankie's smirk was full of repressed anguish, "A wizard or witch who willingly associates freely with a muggle-born and turns their back on their heritage is worse, to many, than a muggle-born is."
The Death Eaters. "I don't care about them or what they think."
"You should."
"So, you're not going to visit me because of what happened at Hogsmeade? I thought we were past being scared about this." Frankie held her hand in the hallway now. They were done hiding. "You can't let being muggle-born control your life forever." Who knew that chip on her shoulder would manifest into this?
"I'm not. The people running around in white masks killing muggle-borns are doing it for me."
Bianca slid her hand down to cover Frankie's, "You'll be safe with us. Nothing will happen to you when you're home." Had the Death Eaters crossed her mind? Always. Would Frankie being at home with her make her feel a lot better than with Frankie somewhere out there alone? Definitely.
"I can take care of myself." there was a spark in her gaze at the word home.
"I know that, but you don't have to anymore. You're not alone." this was familiar.
Frankie leaned forward, "Stop worrying about me and worry about yourself."
Never going to happen. She'd always worry about Frankie.
"I wasn't the one who got hurt at Hogsmeade." Frankie added. No, she was the one who had to see her girlfriend lying unmoving on the cold ground.
Bianca squeezed the hand underneath her own, "I'm ok."
"Blood traitors are hated as much as muggle-borns. Many view them as worse because they choose to dirty themselves with inferiority." Frankie's voice dropped even lower, "It's idiotic to bring a muggle-born into a pureblood home at this time. You think you're protecting me but you're only harming yourself."
Bianca pressed her forehead to Frankie's, "This isn't about protecting or hurting. Would I feel better knowing you're safe with me? Yes. But, this is about wanting to see my girlfriend over the summer." She curled her palm along Frankie's jaw, "I love you and you love me. Visiting when school is out is part of the deal. We'd probably be a whole lot safer together than apart. Besides," she smiled, "I know you can't say no to the Quidditch World Cup."
"It would be foolish to attack at Hogwarts. Not outside these walls. You'll be known as the lover of a mudblood."
Bianca stopped her, "First, never call yourself that, ever." Frankie wasn't a mudblood. "Second, if I'm such a target, then it doesn't matter if you're not there. So, you might as well stay with me. I've told you I'm scared about what these people will try to do to you. We agreed that wouldn't stop us from being together."
Frankie grew quiet.
Bianca slowly angled her head and kissed her. Frankie instantly responded to the touch, and their mouths slid together. "We're being brave together, remember?"
"Bianca,"
"Stop being so pessimistic. Just admit you want the same thing I do, because we both know you will eventually."
"Presumptuous."
"Be with me."
Bianca kissed her again.
Frankie broke away, "You already asked your parents?"
Bianca nodded and kissed her chin "They said yes. They can't wait to meet you. They are really excited."
"As excited if they knew what I am to you?"
Bianca pulled back, "You mean my girlfriend?"
Frankie gave an almost imperceptible shrug, "They don't know...my feelings for you."
Not officially but with the way Frankie's name was mentioned multiple times in every single letter Bianca sent, she was pretty sure they had some idea about how important Frankie was to her. "Whether I told them now or at home, they would still want to meet you. They care about you, Frankie. They ask about you all the time in their letters."
"They ask about your friend."
"You're saying you want me to tell them about you before you come over? About us?" If that's what it took she'd write the letter right now. "I'm sure they'd still say yes."
Frankie released a breath.
"What is it?" Bianca traced the outline of an expressive eyebrow.
"A Slytherin lying about who I am to...be...with you. Someone who comes from a Gryffindor family." Frankie chose her words carefully.
Oh. "No, they won't think that."
"The same Slytherin who, I am sure, many of your neighbors have spoken of."
"They don't listen to that." Her neighbors had children who went to Hogwarts. Frankie Stone was a name everyone knew, and it usually was involved with some baseless insulting rumor that painted her as some evil snake. "You know they like you. I think Jack's already planning on backyard quidditch matches with his new favorite seeker." If she wasn't so busy trying to get Frankie to agree to visit her, Bianca would have melted into a puddle of goo. Frankie was absolutely failing at not showing how much she cared about what Bianca's family thought of her. She was actually nervous. So cute! "They already think you're amazing for helping me pass Potions."
Frankie mulled over her response before replying, "A class which you have an OWL in."
"You don't care about OWLs." and she wasn't changing the subject.
"You do."
Bianca watched Frankie reach for a textbook, "Will you visit?"
Frankie grasped the heavy book, "It's useless to say no to a stalker."
Bianca's eyes widened and her smile exploded, "Is that a yes?"
Frankie casually flipped the book open, "Quidditch World Cup?"
"I'll even brave the rowdy quidditch crowds to watch with you."
"Such a hero." she smoothed out the page.
Bianca was literally jumping in her seat, "I'll see you this summer?"
"Did you ever have any doubt?" Frankie began to skim the first paragraph. "Since you've thought this all out."
Bianca gleefully hopped out of her chair and flung her arms around Frankie, "You do get broody sometimes, Ms. Gloomy."
"I don't brood." Frankie hugged her back, "I want to visit you."
"I love you." Bianca joyfully brushed her lips over Frankie's ear.
Frankie's voice took on a roughened timbre, "Thank your parents for inviting me."
Bianca pressed her mouth to Frankie's ear, "They're going to love you as much as I do."
Bianca strolled through the busy hallway with her friends the following Monday. Lunch had been a light affair. They'd sat at the Gryffindor table exchanging stories and banter over cottage pie. Bianca chuckled along with Erin as she teased Dani about the fourth year who had set his sights on her. Everyone was nearing exhaustion with studying for OWLs, so any form of entertainment was welcomed. In between classes, she'd met with Frankie a few times. The blonde popped up to walk with her to class, looking a bit better after the long naps Bianca made her take over the weekend. Not that Frankie complained at getting to lie in the brunette's arms. They held hands, and Bianca felt like she was floating. She'd even looked down at her feet a few times to be sure they were on the floor. Frankie was going to visit her that summer! There were a few murmured insults as they walked together, but if Frankie was going to agree to visit, she didn't care. The only thing she cared about was how empty her hand felt when she wasn't walking with Frankie. They had to take the same classes next year. They could plan their schedules after Frankie arrived at her house. That was a nice idea.
All in all, it was turning out to be a wonderful day.
Until the group turned the corner.
Up ahead Bianca saw Frankie walking toward them with Gary. The two were caught up in some conversation, more than likely quidditch. Gary was gesturing with his hands, forming some play out of thin air while Frankie nodded along.
"Great, it's the snakes." Simone growled as she swiftly passed by the foursome with her boyfriend.
The girls glanced at her with matching frowns. Simone shot Frankie a grimace as she walked by, but the Slytherins didn't see her, too caught up in their conversation.
Bianca, after gifting Simone with a very unhappy glare, waited for Frankie to look up so they could do that smile sharing thing that made her heart soar. Frankie did look up. And their eyes did meet. But, before Frankie could form that half-smile of hers, a group of five darted between them. The group shot identical sneers at Frankie as they walked by.
They were Slytherins.
Frankie looked over at the passing group, her soft eyes turning blank. The self-imposed leader of the gang, a girl with dark black hair and even darker black eyes, looked fully at Frankie with pure disgust, "Filthy wretched mudblood."
Frankie stopped walking.
Bianca felt her eyes widen. What did she say?
"Why don't you go back to the gutter where you belong, muggle?"one called out.
"Disgusting." grimaced another.
"Who'd you steal the wand from, mudblood?" someone glared. "Muggles can't do magic."
"Dumbledore must have lost his mind letting the likes of you in here."
Frankie turned around, her hand going for her hidden wand, but Gary grabbed her shoulders, stopping her from following the now chortling students. He whispered something in her ear and pulled her back, physically forcing her to keep moving.
"Ok, I might not be a huge fan of Stone, but even I think that was bad." Dani spoke up.
Babe and Erin nodded in agreement. Looked like the Slytherins weren't hiding their animosity for the muggle-born at all. They'd seen the incident in Potions, but this was brutal. The entire hallway had seen the exchange.
Bianca's jaw clenched. Merlin, she hated ignorant Slytherins. Squaring her shoulders, Bianca marched forward. Frankie might not be going after those jerks, especially with Gary pushing her away, but that didn't mean Bianca wasn't going to. No one talked to her girl that way. With her friends trailing behind her, she stalked up to the snickering girl who uttered that awful name.
It wasn't her fault that at the very same moment she reached the girl, the Slytherin started to cough. A funny look crossed the black haired girl's face and it began to turn a strange shade of green. Then, ever so slowly, a slug slunk out from between her lips. Then another, and another, and another.
"Ew!" one of her friends called out and stepped back from the slug spewing degenerate.
The girl tried to run away, but with so many sticky slimy slugs dropping from her mouth, all she could do was bend over and let them fall. Laughter filled the hall as students walked by and saw the girl.
One of her friends looked over to see Bianca, "You!"
Babe, Erin, and Dani stepped up beside Bianca as the angry girl flailed for her wand. A few more Gryffindors drifted closer. They might not agree with her choice in companions, but no Slytherin would point a wand at one of theirs.
The girl was smart enough to not take her wand out.
Bianca turned with a satisfied look to see Frankie and Gary watching the interaction. Gary had an intrigued glint in his eye, but otherwise remained stoic. Frankie, however, was looking straight at Bianca. The look was clear as day – what are you doing?
Bianca returned her gaze – she attacked you.
Frankie bent her head a fraction – I can handle it.
So can I – Bianca jutted out her chin. She would take on anyone for Frankie.
Frankie shook her head – mental.
I'm not going to let her do that to someone I love – Bianca pursed her lips. If she knew where the entrance to the Slytherin dormitories was and the password to get in, she'd have confronted the whole house. Of course, Frankie probably wouldn't have liked that.
You're making yourself a target – Frankie glared.
You already said I'm a target - Bianca raised a challenging eyebrow.
They had a mini stare off.
Then, a tiny grin passed over Frankie and her eyes twinkled. Bianca recognized that look too. Frankie appreciated what she'd done, and she was impressed. Bianca shrugged. What could she say? She spent a lot of time with the prankster of Hogwarts. When Frankie turned to continue walking, she sent Bianca a wink. Bianca smiled to herself. She might not have always gotten to stand up for Frankie like she wanted to, but this time she did the right thing. It wasn't the whole get in her face approach Bianca wanted to do, but it worked. Maybe Frankie had something with this subtle strategy stuff she kept going on about. Especially when Professor McGonagall showed up to assist the slug spewing girl and had no reason to punish anyone since no one saw who cast the spell. It felt really good to stand up for her girl, even if it was like this. Maybe that bully would think twice about insulting Frankie next time.
However, why was Gary not letting Frankie defend herself? And why did Frankie listen?