Potions, Dungeons, and Firewhiskey Part 29
Title: Potions, Dungeons, and Firewhiskey
Fandoms: All My Children/Harry Potter
Pairing: Frankie/Bianca
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Um...do you really think I could possibly own any of this?
Spoilers: Nothing really for either All My Children or Harry Potter. Just know the generalities of the Harry Potter World and that Bianca's kinda gay.
Summary: Two Houses Both Alike in Dignity...
Bianca groggily blinked her eyes open. Her vision was blurry, and she slowly raised a hand to wipe it away. As the room came into focus, the first thing she noticed was she was not in the Gryffindor dormitory in her comfy four poster bed. There was no snoring or rustling of bed sheets as her fellow housemates slept. It was really quiet.
Where was she?
Looking around, she saw the rows of standard white bed spreads. The walls were bare stone with large windows and the floors squeaky clean. The infirmary. She was in the infirmary. Why was she there?
Then it all came back.
Hogsmeade. Meeting up with Frankie, enjoying the day, the oncoming storm.
The battle.
Bianca’s eyes widened and she gasped.
Frankie was missing! She had to find her. She could still be out there.
Sitting up, her heart in her throat, she heard a quiet murmuring. Glancing to her side, Bianca was met with the sight of a rumpled shock of blonde hair. Merlin, it was Frankie!
Bianca felt the fear in her leave as she gazed at her girlfriend. The Slytherin was bent over in a really uncomfortable looking chair. Her arm was tossed on the edge of the bed, and her head nestled in the crook of her elbow. Her eyes were closed as she softly slept. Bianca bit her lip as she saw the gold and silver chain stretched out from the lean neck and the locket lovingly cradled in an unfurled palm, the heart open.
Frankie must have been looking at it when she fell asleep.
Bianca breathed a sigh of relief. Frankie was ok. She was there. She wasn’t hurt. Oh, thank goodness she wasn’t hurt. But, why was she there? What had happened? The brunette reached out and brushed her hand over the messy hair. Merlin, she loved this girl.
Frankie stirred at the touch. She rubbed at her eyes and blinked them open. As her senses came to her, her entire body froze. Cautiously, she turned her head, “Bianca?”
“Hey cutie.” Bianca whispered in the quiet air. It felt so good to see that face.
“Thank god.” Frankie pushed up and pressed her lips to Bianca’s in a desperate kiss.
Bianca kissed her back, frowning as she felt something wet fall on her cheek. “Frankie?” She pulled away from the kiss and stared at the other girl. Tears glistened in hazel orbs and lips quivered. Bianca traced the path the lone tear had taken on the smooth face with the pad of her thumb, “Don’t cry.” Frankie was crying. Frankie wasn’t supposed to cry.
“Don’t…” Frankie’s incredulous voice trailed off. She turned away from the touch and abruptly stood up. “Are you…are you crazy?”
Bianca was confused, “What?”
Frankie harshly swiped at her eyes and glared at her, “You are so stupid.”
“Stop.” Frankie’s tone was rough and scratchy. All Bianca wanted to do at that moment was hug her. She wanted to hold her and never let go.
“You,” Frankie took a deep breath, her composure wavering, “are an idiot. Why would you do that? Do you have a death wish?”
“No, I don’t.”
Frankie growled, “You’re just a fool, then.”
A fool? “Stop calling me names.” She sat up fully and braced her back against the headboard.
Frankie shook her head, “I cannot imagine what you were thinking. I told you to stay out of the open.”
“I had to find you! You were missing.”
“I told you to not go back.”
“I wasn’t going to leave you behind.” Bianca folded her arms firmly. “I love you.”
Frankie opened her mouth but quickly shut it. She took a moment, pursing her lips to hold in the bubbling emotion. “You got yourself stunned.”
That was what hit her, “I needed to find you.”
Frankie stared at her, her lips pressed together so tightly they were white. She took a few awkward steps, nothing like the steady confident movements she normally took. She attempted to take a measured breath, but her chest trembled with the effort.
“Honey,”
“You should have kept going.” Frankie’s words shook. “You…you’re an idiot. Running around…leaving yourself open…acting like some dumb hero…trying to be brave when all you’re doing is…”
Bianca felt her heart clench at the way Frankie struggled to talk. “Frankie, come here.”
“You are completely mental.” Frankie ignored her. She fought to stay strong, to not give in to the feelings raging inside.
“Frankie,” Bianca ordered, “come here.”
Frankie bit her shivering bottom lip. Bianca stared into her stormy eyes, promising her that it was ok. She held in the gasp at the swirling vortex of green and brown. There was so much emotion erupting in the colors. So much fear and love. The brunette patted the spot next to her and held out her hand. She could see Frankie was barely holding on.
Frankie couldn’t stop her heart from telling her hand to take the offered comfort.
Bianca smiled encouragingly as Frankie took her hand, and she tugged the girl down beside her. She carefully wrapped her arms around the taut body. Frankie’s face buried in the crook of her neck, and she brushed her mouth over her ear, “I love you.”
“I love you.” Frankie whimpered wetly into her skin.
Bianca held her as Frankie quietly allowed herself to give in to all that had been bottled up inside. Bianca rubbed her back and kissed her temple, silently receiving her own comfort from the shaking body. She closed her eyes as Frankie pressed her forehead against her cheek, the toned arms tightening around her.
“You’ll be ok.” Frankie sniffed. “Only a stunning spell…easy recovery.”
Bianca bit her lip at the choked words. It was so like Frankie to have so much going on inside and to try not to show it. This time, though, it wasn’t working. “Are you ok?”
Frankie silently nodded.
Bianca turned her head and rested her lips against Frankie’s forehead. She held them there, breathing in the scent of fresh air that always clung to the blonde’s hair and skin. She had been so scared she’d never be able to do this again. How must Frankie have felt? She felt her stomach clench at the thought.
The squeak of shoes broke through the tender moment, and a voice spoke loudly, “Good, you’re awake.”
Bianca looked up at the new arrival as Frankie hastily pulled back and wiped at her face. She watched as Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, marched up to them. The old woman sent a stern look to Frankie, “You again. You are not supposed to be here.”
“I could disturb all the other patients.” Frankie shot back. All the other beds were empty.
Pomfrey stopped at Bianca’s bedside, “I told you before you must let Ms. Montgomery rest.”
“She rested. Back off.” Frankie snapped sullenly.
Bianca could see the tension between the two was thick. Frankie wasn’t even trying to hold back. Pomfrey clicked her tongue and moved around to Bianca’s side of the bed, “This is the hospital wing, not the common room.”
Frankie’s gaze was as hard as rock. Bianca’s hand darted out and covered her mouth before she could say something that would get her in trouble. She sent Frankie a warning glance and tilted her head toward the nurse, “I’d like it if Frankie could stay with me for a while.”
“A while? That girl has not left this wing since you came here. Each time I have her sent away she sneaks back in.” Pomfrey grumped.
She had? Bianca felt her heart skip a beat. Frankie never left her side.
Pomfrey fluffed Bianca’s pillow as the door at the end of the long room opened again. Bianca looked over to see a tall woman with a strict face and a tall man with a long white beard and twinkling eyes behind half-moon spectacles enter. It was Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore.
“Ah Poppy, I see our patient has decided to rejoin us.” Dumbledore’s cheerful words rang out. He walked up to them along with McGonagall and offered the teens a delighted grin.
“Professor.” Bianca greeted. The Headmaster and her Head of House…uh oh.
“Ms. Montgomery, it is good to see you awake and well.” McGonagall nodded.
“Thank you.” Bianca replied. It felt weird being in a hospital bed with Frankie at her side and those two in front of her. Then, it hit her. She was with Frankie in public. They weren’t hiding.
“And Ms. Stone, a pleasure as always.” He winked at Frankie.
“Albus, I cannot have students visiting at all hours of the day and night.” Pomfrey spoke.
“We might do something scandalous like sit in a chair.” Frankie muttered.
McGonagall’s serious gaze ticked to the girl. Bianca nudged Frankie and grasped her hand. She grinned inside as Frankie held on tightly.
Dumbledore chuckled and peered over his spectacles, “I do believe Ms. Stone’s presence has been most helpful to Ms. Montgomery’s speedy recovery, but I also believe she is missing a rather important quiz in her Care of Magical Creatures course.”
Bianca nudged Frankie again, “You’re skipping class?” Frankie liked Care of Magical Creatures. It allowed her to be outside.
Frankie frowned.
“Perhaps, after she finishes her classes for the day, Ms. Stone would be permitted to come back. By that time Ms. Montgomery should be well enough to return to the dormitories, and it might be wise for her to have a companion go with her. In case there are any lingering effects, of course.” Dumbledore said merrily.
“Of course.” Pomfrey nodded.
“Splendid.” He clapped his hands together. “Now Ms. Stone, if you walk fast enough, you might be able to get to the lawn in time for the quiz. You know unicorns are not that easy to catch.”
Frankie reluctantly slid off the bed. Her hand still resided in Bianca’s.
“Excellent. Oh, and Ms. Stone. Before I forget, wonderful job with quidditch this year. I was quite impressed with your match against Gryffindor.”
McGonagall’s mouth tightened at the reminder. She was quite a fan of the sport and her house’s team.
The corner of Frankie’s mouth ticked up, “Thank you, sir.” She glanced at Bianca, “I’ll be back later.” It was a guarantee. She’d more than likely find her way back long before classes were dismissed.
“I’ll see you soon.” She stared straight into Frankie’s eyes, “I love you.” She didn’t care that two professors, including the headmaster, and the nurse were there. She didn’t care they were supposed to be a secret. She was not letting Frankie leave without saying it. Not after experiencing the fear of possibly losing her.
Frankie swallowed thickly, “Love you, too.”
They looked at each other for a minute, silently assuring themselves and each other that they were ok. Bianca gave Frankie’s hand a light squeeze and released it, patting the back of it as she pulled her own into her lap. Frankie flashed a very tiny crooked grin. Then, she spun on her heels and left, only looking back a few times before she walked through the door.
“Poppy, may Minerva and I have a moment with our patient?” Albus asked, not commenting on the private exchange he’d just witnessed.
Pomfrey seemed to think about it before relenting, “She still needs to rest. Stunning spells are not something to be taken lightly.” This was said more to Bianca than anyone else.
“Of course,” Dumbledore grinned. Once the nurse was gone he faced Bianca. He sat in the chair vacated by Frankie as McGonagall stepped beside it, “Ms. Montgomery, I am happy to see you are well.”
“Thank you,” she hesitated a moment before asking, “Professor, what happened?”
“You were hit in the back with a stunning spell.”
“No, before that. The attack.” Bianca clarified. Wow, her parents were not going to like to hear that. Did she have to tell them? Her mom was going to throw a fit.
McGonagall looked sharply at Dumbledore, “Albus,”
Dumbledore waved a hand, “She deserves to know, just as everyone does. Better to hear it here than from the hallway.” He grinned, “The hallway gossip is not the most reliable source I’ve been told.”
No it wasn’t. “Know what?” What did she deserve to know? Was it about Frankie?
“Ms. Montgomery, do you remember what happened? What you saw?”
“Sure,” like she could forget. “There was the storm and the white skull masks. They were attacking people. I remember seeing something in the sky, too. Like a skull with a snake.”
“Yes, does any of that sound familiar?”
“No.” should it?
McGonagall snorted as Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles, “It seems History of Magic is not a course many of our students pay attention in.”
“History of Magic?”
Dumbledore leaned closer, “Ms. Montgomery, what you witnessed was an attack by a group that calls themselves Death Eaters.”
“Death Eaters?” Ok that did sound familiar.
McGonagall tensed as Dumbledore continued, “Yes, they were a rather notorious bunch years ago.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bar of chocolate. Without pausing he broke off a piece and handed it to her, “Chocolate? It’s very good. I believe this one is from Belgium.”
Bianca took the candy and bit into it. She felt her tense muscles relax when the sweetness landed on her tongue.
“The Death Eaters were a terrible group of dark witches and wizards. They performed very dark magic and essentially terrorized the wizarding world.”
Bianca took another bite, the chocolate helping to keep her calm at the explanation, “Why did they do that?”
“Their leader was a very troubled wizard. Troubled but powerful. He gained followers for his vision of a different wizarding world - a different world entirely.”
“What happened?” This all sounded so familiar - like something she had heard in class or as a child.
“Those who opposed his vision fought back. He was killed and his followers disbanded. Some went to Azkaban, others into hiding.”
“But now they’re back.” Bianca finished for him.
“So it seems.” Dumbledore took a piece of chocolate and popped it in his mouth. “There have been whisperings around the country about a potential resurgence, a new leader who wishes to see the Death Eaters regain power. There have been incidences in the paper. Abductions, break-ins, and the sort. For unknown reasons, the Daily Prophet has pushed these stories to the back pages of the paper, though. Or, they reported that all the incidences were unrelated, which is simply untrue.”
“The Minister’s doing, no doubt.” McGonagall muttered under her breath, but Bianca still heard her.
“The Minister?” Frankie read the newspaper everyday. She must have seen the stories.
McGonagall refused to speak further on it, and Dumbledore just ate another bite of candy. Bianca breathed in, “What about Hogsmeade? Why were they there?”
“It was a planned gathering, we’ve been told. They were there to recruit witches and wizards to their cause as well as show their strength.”
“But why attack? Wouldn’t it hurt their chances to get people to join?” It didn’t make any sense. What did these people want? Why did they attack her and Frankie?
“Not if they showed how powerful they truly are. Fear is a very strong motivator.” Dumbledore put the chocolate away. “Fear can make people do many things.”
Like run back into the fray of battle, “I saw someone get hurt. The girl from Honeyduke’s.” Was she ok?
“Yes, Ms. Little. She is currently at St. Mungo’s. I’ve been told she will be fine.”
Bianca chewed on her lip, trying to processes everything, “Professor, you said they wanted to change things. What did they want to change?”
Dumbledore and McGonagall shared a look.
Bianca felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, “What? I want to know.”
“Ms. Montgomery, the Death Eaters believe there is only one kind of witch or wizard.” He paused before continuing, “They believe only pureblooded wizards and witches are meant to perform magic.”
“What?” Pureblood. Fear filled her heart. She hated that word.
“The Death Eaters use fear to gain their followers. They prey on the weak, thuggish, and power hungry to join their ranks.” He frowned. “I suspect this is only the beginning.”
“What do they want with purebloods?” Bianca griped the sheets of the bed.
Dumbledore spoke solemnly, “The Death Eaters wish to see only those of pure wizard blood be allowed to use magic. They are very much against anyone else who they see as inferior and dirty.”
Inferior. Dirty. Bianca gulped as it all became clear, “They want to get rid of muggle-borns.” It felt like the earth slipped out of underneath her.
“And muggles and half-bloods.” Dumbledore sent her an understanding look, “Those injured at Hogsmeade, besides you, were all muggle-borns, half-bloods, or known to associate frequently with muggles.”
Oh, Merlin.
Frankie was a muggle-born.
****
Dumbledore and McGonagall departed soon after, leaving Bianca alone with her thoughts. Madam Pomfrey popped in a few times, fussing over her patient and supplying more chocolate to the student. Bianca barely acknowledged her, feebly offering a simple smile in thanks. She couldn’t do much more than that. Not with this new information. Not after hearing what Dumbledore had said.
Death Eaters. That’s what he had called them. Death Eaters. She felt her spine tingle at the horrific image those words produced. Grim white skulls and terrifying black robes. They wanted to get rid of muggle-borns. They wanted to get rid of Frankie.
Bianca felt like the air had been knocked out of her by the revelation, and she never quite got it back. She silently searched for air, her eyes stinging and her head whirling like a cyclone. How could someone want that? It was insane. Yeah, there were wizard who looked down upon muggle-borns. They were just dumb elitists. It didn’t mean you got rid of them. Frankie…Frankie was a witch. She was a really good one. She did just as well as everyone else in class, and she could out fly the whole school. How could someone want to see her gone? Gone…there was another way to say that. Her chest hitched as it tried to slink into her brain, but she quickly pushed back. She couldn’t think that. She wouldn’t. Not that word. Not when it came to Frankie.
Frankie, who had been forced to deal with Novak and his stupid friends. She wanted to protect her from them, from anyone who taunted or insulted her. This was different, though. This wasn’t just taunting. All she wanted to do was be happy with Frankie. She wanted Frankie to be happy. Not walking around with people who hated her just because of who her parents were. It wasn’t like Frankie could pick who gave birth to her. All she could do was live her life and become someone amazing, and she was doing that.
Bianca swore to herself she wouldn’t let anyone or anything harm Frankie. Not the girl she loved. No way.
How must Frankie feel about this? What was going through her head? She didn’t mention it when she was there, but she had to have heard something by now. And she always read the paper each morning. But, instead of talking about how she was a target of some group, she went on about Bianca. The whole time she was in the infirmary, she had talked about Bianca.
The brunette shook her head and chewed on her lip. Frankie was going to be ok. That was all that mattered. She was going to be a super amazing quidditch star, and she would become the head of the sports department for the ministry. Bianca was going to be there for her. Her chin shivered as she recalled Frankie’s simple yet vulnerable plea. The quiet sentence that was spoken when Bianca was going to go after Novak for hassling Frankie. Be there for her. She would. Whatever Frankie needed her to be, she would be.
Feeling the air shift, Bianca glanced up. Frankie stood in the middle of the room. Her arms hung limply at her sides and her face was as blank as the walls around them. It only took a second for Bianca to see past the façade. She saw the slight tremble at the corner of beautiful lips. There was a tightening around the eyes and in the shoulders, as if she was fighting to hold back. Those eyes, they were filled to the brim with love and worry, worry for Bianca.
Bianca gazed at her, imparting her thoughts with a single look.
Frankie pursed her lips and shuffled up to the bed. Silently, she held her hand out. Bianca took it, basking in the familiar warmth enveloping her palm. She slid to her feet.
“Warden said you can leave.” Frankie muttered.
Bianca nodded. Hands joined, they both wordlessly left the infirmary. Bianca’s mind sped from idea to idea, question to question, emotion to emotion. All about Frankie and what had happened, what would happen.
She wasn’t surprised when she found herself across from the tapestry of the dancing trolls. The minute they entered the Room of Requirement, Bianca felt a sense of home seep into her bones. They were ok there. This was their place.
No sound was made as they stepped up to the sofa and sat down. They curled up together, both staring vacantly into the empty fireplace. Bianca sighed as she felt a kiss brush the side of her face. She snuggled further into Frankie and pressed her mouth to her temple.
There were so many thoughts.
With the touch of a pair of lips and the embrace of a pair of arms, they all disappeared.
All that was left was them. Bianca and Frankie. Frankie and Bianca.
Bianca surmised that was all that really mattered anyhow.
Fandoms: All My Children/Harry Potter
Pairing: Frankie/Bianca
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Um...do you really think I could possibly own any of this?
Spoilers: Nothing really for either All My Children or Harry Potter. Just know the generalities of the Harry Potter World and that Bianca's kinda gay.
Summary: Two Houses Both Alike in Dignity...
Bianca groggily blinked her eyes open. Her vision was blurry, and she slowly raised a hand to wipe it away. As the room came into focus, the first thing she noticed was she was not in the Gryffindor dormitory in her comfy four poster bed. There was no snoring or rustling of bed sheets as her fellow housemates slept. It was really quiet.
Where was she?
Looking around, she saw the rows of standard white bed spreads. The walls were bare stone with large windows and the floors squeaky clean. The infirmary. She was in the infirmary. Why was she there?
Then it all came back.
Hogsmeade. Meeting up with Frankie, enjoying the day, the oncoming storm.
The battle.
Bianca’s eyes widened and she gasped.
Frankie was missing! She had to find her. She could still be out there.
Sitting up, her heart in her throat, she heard a quiet murmuring. Glancing to her side, Bianca was met with the sight of a rumpled shock of blonde hair. Merlin, it was Frankie!
Bianca felt the fear in her leave as she gazed at her girlfriend. The Slytherin was bent over in a really uncomfortable looking chair. Her arm was tossed on the edge of the bed, and her head nestled in the crook of her elbow. Her eyes were closed as she softly slept. Bianca bit her lip as she saw the gold and silver chain stretched out from the lean neck and the locket lovingly cradled in an unfurled palm, the heart open.
Frankie must have been looking at it when she fell asleep.
Bianca breathed a sigh of relief. Frankie was ok. She was there. She wasn’t hurt. Oh, thank goodness she wasn’t hurt. But, why was she there? What had happened? The brunette reached out and brushed her hand over the messy hair. Merlin, she loved this girl.
Frankie stirred at the touch. She rubbed at her eyes and blinked them open. As her senses came to her, her entire body froze. Cautiously, she turned her head, “Bianca?”
“Hey cutie.” Bianca whispered in the quiet air. It felt so good to see that face.
“Thank god.” Frankie pushed up and pressed her lips to Bianca’s in a desperate kiss.
Bianca kissed her back, frowning as she felt something wet fall on her cheek. “Frankie?” She pulled away from the kiss and stared at the other girl. Tears glistened in hazel orbs and lips quivered. Bianca traced the path the lone tear had taken on the smooth face with the pad of her thumb, “Don’t cry.” Frankie was crying. Frankie wasn’t supposed to cry.
“Don’t…” Frankie’s incredulous voice trailed off. She turned away from the touch and abruptly stood up. “Are you…are you crazy?”
Bianca was confused, “What?”
Frankie harshly swiped at her eyes and glared at her, “You are so stupid.”
“Stop.” Frankie’s tone was rough and scratchy. All Bianca wanted to do at that moment was hug her. She wanted to hold her and never let go.
“You,” Frankie took a deep breath, her composure wavering, “are an idiot. Why would you do that? Do you have a death wish?”
“No, I don’t.”
Frankie growled, “You’re just a fool, then.”
A fool? “Stop calling me names.” She sat up fully and braced her back against the headboard.
Frankie shook her head, “I cannot imagine what you were thinking. I told you to stay out of the open.”
“I had to find you! You were missing.”
“I told you to not go back.”
“I wasn’t going to leave you behind.” Bianca folded her arms firmly. “I love you.”
Frankie opened her mouth but quickly shut it. She took a moment, pursing her lips to hold in the bubbling emotion. “You got yourself stunned.”
That was what hit her, “I needed to find you.”
Frankie stared at her, her lips pressed together so tightly they were white. She took a few awkward steps, nothing like the steady confident movements she normally took. She attempted to take a measured breath, but her chest trembled with the effort.
“Honey,”
“You should have kept going.” Frankie’s words shook. “You…you’re an idiot. Running around…leaving yourself open…acting like some dumb hero…trying to be brave when all you’re doing is…”
Bianca felt her heart clench at the way Frankie struggled to talk. “Frankie, come here.”
“You are completely mental.” Frankie ignored her. She fought to stay strong, to not give in to the feelings raging inside.
“Frankie,” Bianca ordered, “come here.”
Frankie bit her shivering bottom lip. Bianca stared into her stormy eyes, promising her that it was ok. She held in the gasp at the swirling vortex of green and brown. There was so much emotion erupting in the colors. So much fear and love. The brunette patted the spot next to her and held out her hand. She could see Frankie was barely holding on.
Frankie couldn’t stop her heart from telling her hand to take the offered comfort.
Bianca smiled encouragingly as Frankie took her hand, and she tugged the girl down beside her. She carefully wrapped her arms around the taut body. Frankie’s face buried in the crook of her neck, and she brushed her mouth over her ear, “I love you.”
“I love you.” Frankie whimpered wetly into her skin.
Bianca held her as Frankie quietly allowed herself to give in to all that had been bottled up inside. Bianca rubbed her back and kissed her temple, silently receiving her own comfort from the shaking body. She closed her eyes as Frankie pressed her forehead against her cheek, the toned arms tightening around her.
“You’ll be ok.” Frankie sniffed. “Only a stunning spell…easy recovery.”
Bianca bit her lip at the choked words. It was so like Frankie to have so much going on inside and to try not to show it. This time, though, it wasn’t working. “Are you ok?”
Frankie silently nodded.
Bianca turned her head and rested her lips against Frankie’s forehead. She held them there, breathing in the scent of fresh air that always clung to the blonde’s hair and skin. She had been so scared she’d never be able to do this again. How must Frankie have felt? She felt her stomach clench at the thought.
The squeak of shoes broke through the tender moment, and a voice spoke loudly, “Good, you’re awake.”
Bianca looked up at the new arrival as Frankie hastily pulled back and wiped at her face. She watched as Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, marched up to them. The old woman sent a stern look to Frankie, “You again. You are not supposed to be here.”
“I could disturb all the other patients.” Frankie shot back. All the other beds were empty.
Pomfrey stopped at Bianca’s bedside, “I told you before you must let Ms. Montgomery rest.”
“She rested. Back off.” Frankie snapped sullenly.
Bianca could see the tension between the two was thick. Frankie wasn’t even trying to hold back. Pomfrey clicked her tongue and moved around to Bianca’s side of the bed, “This is the hospital wing, not the common room.”
Frankie’s gaze was as hard as rock. Bianca’s hand darted out and covered her mouth before she could say something that would get her in trouble. She sent Frankie a warning glance and tilted her head toward the nurse, “I’d like it if Frankie could stay with me for a while.”
“A while? That girl has not left this wing since you came here. Each time I have her sent away she sneaks back in.” Pomfrey grumped.
She had? Bianca felt her heart skip a beat. Frankie never left her side.
Pomfrey fluffed Bianca’s pillow as the door at the end of the long room opened again. Bianca looked over to see a tall woman with a strict face and a tall man with a long white beard and twinkling eyes behind half-moon spectacles enter. It was Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore.
“Ah Poppy, I see our patient has decided to rejoin us.” Dumbledore’s cheerful words rang out. He walked up to them along with McGonagall and offered the teens a delighted grin.
“Professor.” Bianca greeted. The Headmaster and her Head of House…uh oh.
“Ms. Montgomery, it is good to see you awake and well.” McGonagall nodded.
“Thank you.” Bianca replied. It felt weird being in a hospital bed with Frankie at her side and those two in front of her. Then, it hit her. She was with Frankie in public. They weren’t hiding.
“And Ms. Stone, a pleasure as always.” He winked at Frankie.
“Albus, I cannot have students visiting at all hours of the day and night.” Pomfrey spoke.
“We might do something scandalous like sit in a chair.” Frankie muttered.
McGonagall’s serious gaze ticked to the girl. Bianca nudged Frankie and grasped her hand. She grinned inside as Frankie held on tightly.
Dumbledore chuckled and peered over his spectacles, “I do believe Ms. Stone’s presence has been most helpful to Ms. Montgomery’s speedy recovery, but I also believe she is missing a rather important quiz in her Care of Magical Creatures course.”
Bianca nudged Frankie again, “You’re skipping class?” Frankie liked Care of Magical Creatures. It allowed her to be outside.
Frankie frowned.
“Perhaps, after she finishes her classes for the day, Ms. Stone would be permitted to come back. By that time Ms. Montgomery should be well enough to return to the dormitories, and it might be wise for her to have a companion go with her. In case there are any lingering effects, of course.” Dumbledore said merrily.
“Of course.” Pomfrey nodded.
“Splendid.” He clapped his hands together. “Now Ms. Stone, if you walk fast enough, you might be able to get to the lawn in time for the quiz. You know unicorns are not that easy to catch.”
Frankie reluctantly slid off the bed. Her hand still resided in Bianca’s.
“Excellent. Oh, and Ms. Stone. Before I forget, wonderful job with quidditch this year. I was quite impressed with your match against Gryffindor.”
McGonagall’s mouth tightened at the reminder. She was quite a fan of the sport and her house’s team.
The corner of Frankie’s mouth ticked up, “Thank you, sir.” She glanced at Bianca, “I’ll be back later.” It was a guarantee. She’d more than likely find her way back long before classes were dismissed.
“I’ll see you soon.” She stared straight into Frankie’s eyes, “I love you.” She didn’t care that two professors, including the headmaster, and the nurse were there. She didn’t care they were supposed to be a secret. She was not letting Frankie leave without saying it. Not after experiencing the fear of possibly losing her.
Frankie swallowed thickly, “Love you, too.”
They looked at each other for a minute, silently assuring themselves and each other that they were ok. Bianca gave Frankie’s hand a light squeeze and released it, patting the back of it as she pulled her own into her lap. Frankie flashed a very tiny crooked grin. Then, she spun on her heels and left, only looking back a few times before she walked through the door.
“Poppy, may Minerva and I have a moment with our patient?” Albus asked, not commenting on the private exchange he’d just witnessed.
Pomfrey seemed to think about it before relenting, “She still needs to rest. Stunning spells are not something to be taken lightly.” This was said more to Bianca than anyone else.
“Of course,” Dumbledore grinned. Once the nurse was gone he faced Bianca. He sat in the chair vacated by Frankie as McGonagall stepped beside it, “Ms. Montgomery, I am happy to see you are well.”
“Thank you,” she hesitated a moment before asking, “Professor, what happened?”
“You were hit in the back with a stunning spell.”
“No, before that. The attack.” Bianca clarified. Wow, her parents were not going to like to hear that. Did she have to tell them? Her mom was going to throw a fit.
McGonagall looked sharply at Dumbledore, “Albus,”
Dumbledore waved a hand, “She deserves to know, just as everyone does. Better to hear it here than from the hallway.” He grinned, “The hallway gossip is not the most reliable source I’ve been told.”
No it wasn’t. “Know what?” What did she deserve to know? Was it about Frankie?
“Ms. Montgomery, do you remember what happened? What you saw?”
“Sure,” like she could forget. “There was the storm and the white skull masks. They were attacking people. I remember seeing something in the sky, too. Like a skull with a snake.”
“Yes, does any of that sound familiar?”
“No.” should it?
McGonagall snorted as Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles, “It seems History of Magic is not a course many of our students pay attention in.”
“History of Magic?”
Dumbledore leaned closer, “Ms. Montgomery, what you witnessed was an attack by a group that calls themselves Death Eaters.”
“Death Eaters?” Ok that did sound familiar.
McGonagall tensed as Dumbledore continued, “Yes, they were a rather notorious bunch years ago.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bar of chocolate. Without pausing he broke off a piece and handed it to her, “Chocolate? It’s very good. I believe this one is from Belgium.”
Bianca took the candy and bit into it. She felt her tense muscles relax when the sweetness landed on her tongue.
“The Death Eaters were a terrible group of dark witches and wizards. They performed very dark magic and essentially terrorized the wizarding world.”
Bianca took another bite, the chocolate helping to keep her calm at the explanation, “Why did they do that?”
“Their leader was a very troubled wizard. Troubled but powerful. He gained followers for his vision of a different wizarding world - a different world entirely.”
“What happened?” This all sounded so familiar - like something she had heard in class or as a child.
“Those who opposed his vision fought back. He was killed and his followers disbanded. Some went to Azkaban, others into hiding.”
“But now they’re back.” Bianca finished for him.
“So it seems.” Dumbledore took a piece of chocolate and popped it in his mouth. “There have been whisperings around the country about a potential resurgence, a new leader who wishes to see the Death Eaters regain power. There have been incidences in the paper. Abductions, break-ins, and the sort. For unknown reasons, the Daily Prophet has pushed these stories to the back pages of the paper, though. Or, they reported that all the incidences were unrelated, which is simply untrue.”
“The Minister’s doing, no doubt.” McGonagall muttered under her breath, but Bianca still heard her.
“The Minister?” Frankie read the newspaper everyday. She must have seen the stories.
McGonagall refused to speak further on it, and Dumbledore just ate another bite of candy. Bianca breathed in, “What about Hogsmeade? Why were they there?”
“It was a planned gathering, we’ve been told. They were there to recruit witches and wizards to their cause as well as show their strength.”
“But why attack? Wouldn’t it hurt their chances to get people to join?” It didn’t make any sense. What did these people want? Why did they attack her and Frankie?
“Not if they showed how powerful they truly are. Fear is a very strong motivator.” Dumbledore put the chocolate away. “Fear can make people do many things.”
Like run back into the fray of battle, “I saw someone get hurt. The girl from Honeyduke’s.” Was she ok?
“Yes, Ms. Little. She is currently at St. Mungo’s. I’ve been told she will be fine.”
Bianca chewed on her lip, trying to processes everything, “Professor, you said they wanted to change things. What did they want to change?”
Dumbledore and McGonagall shared a look.
Bianca felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, “What? I want to know.”
“Ms. Montgomery, the Death Eaters believe there is only one kind of witch or wizard.” He paused before continuing, “They believe only pureblooded wizards and witches are meant to perform magic.”
“What?” Pureblood. Fear filled her heart. She hated that word.
“The Death Eaters use fear to gain their followers. They prey on the weak, thuggish, and power hungry to join their ranks.” He frowned. “I suspect this is only the beginning.”
“What do they want with purebloods?” Bianca griped the sheets of the bed.
Dumbledore spoke solemnly, “The Death Eaters wish to see only those of pure wizard blood be allowed to use magic. They are very much against anyone else who they see as inferior and dirty.”
Inferior. Dirty. Bianca gulped as it all became clear, “They want to get rid of muggle-borns.” It felt like the earth slipped out of underneath her.
“And muggles and half-bloods.” Dumbledore sent her an understanding look, “Those injured at Hogsmeade, besides you, were all muggle-borns, half-bloods, or known to associate frequently with muggles.”
Oh, Merlin.
Frankie was a muggle-born.
****
Dumbledore and McGonagall departed soon after, leaving Bianca alone with her thoughts. Madam Pomfrey popped in a few times, fussing over her patient and supplying more chocolate to the student. Bianca barely acknowledged her, feebly offering a simple smile in thanks. She couldn’t do much more than that. Not with this new information. Not after hearing what Dumbledore had said.
Death Eaters. That’s what he had called them. Death Eaters. She felt her spine tingle at the horrific image those words produced. Grim white skulls and terrifying black robes. They wanted to get rid of muggle-borns. They wanted to get rid of Frankie.
Bianca felt like the air had been knocked out of her by the revelation, and she never quite got it back. She silently searched for air, her eyes stinging and her head whirling like a cyclone. How could someone want that? It was insane. Yeah, there were wizard who looked down upon muggle-borns. They were just dumb elitists. It didn’t mean you got rid of them. Frankie…Frankie was a witch. She was a really good one. She did just as well as everyone else in class, and she could out fly the whole school. How could someone want to see her gone? Gone…there was another way to say that. Her chest hitched as it tried to slink into her brain, but she quickly pushed back. She couldn’t think that. She wouldn’t. Not that word. Not when it came to Frankie.
Frankie, who had been forced to deal with Novak and his stupid friends. She wanted to protect her from them, from anyone who taunted or insulted her. This was different, though. This wasn’t just taunting. All she wanted to do was be happy with Frankie. She wanted Frankie to be happy. Not walking around with people who hated her just because of who her parents were. It wasn’t like Frankie could pick who gave birth to her. All she could do was live her life and become someone amazing, and she was doing that.
Bianca swore to herself she wouldn’t let anyone or anything harm Frankie. Not the girl she loved. No way.
How must Frankie feel about this? What was going through her head? She didn’t mention it when she was there, but she had to have heard something by now. And she always read the paper each morning. But, instead of talking about how she was a target of some group, she went on about Bianca. The whole time she was in the infirmary, she had talked about Bianca.
The brunette shook her head and chewed on her lip. Frankie was going to be ok. That was all that mattered. She was going to be a super amazing quidditch star, and she would become the head of the sports department for the ministry. Bianca was going to be there for her. Her chin shivered as she recalled Frankie’s simple yet vulnerable plea. The quiet sentence that was spoken when Bianca was going to go after Novak for hassling Frankie. Be there for her. She would. Whatever Frankie needed her to be, she would be.
Feeling the air shift, Bianca glanced up. Frankie stood in the middle of the room. Her arms hung limply at her sides and her face was as blank as the walls around them. It only took a second for Bianca to see past the façade. She saw the slight tremble at the corner of beautiful lips. There was a tightening around the eyes and in the shoulders, as if she was fighting to hold back. Those eyes, they were filled to the brim with love and worry, worry for Bianca.
Bianca gazed at her, imparting her thoughts with a single look.
Frankie pursed her lips and shuffled up to the bed. Silently, she held her hand out. Bianca took it, basking in the familiar warmth enveloping her palm. She slid to her feet.
“Warden said you can leave.” Frankie muttered.
Bianca nodded. Hands joined, they both wordlessly left the infirmary. Bianca’s mind sped from idea to idea, question to question, emotion to emotion. All about Frankie and what had happened, what would happen.
She wasn’t surprised when she found herself across from the tapestry of the dancing trolls. The minute they entered the Room of Requirement, Bianca felt a sense of home seep into her bones. They were ok there. This was their place.
No sound was made as they stepped up to the sofa and sat down. They curled up together, both staring vacantly into the empty fireplace. Bianca sighed as she felt a kiss brush the side of her face. She snuggled further into Frankie and pressed her mouth to her temple.
There were so many thoughts.
With the touch of a pair of lips and the embrace of a pair of arms, they all disappeared.
All that was left was them. Bianca and Frankie. Frankie and Bianca.
Bianca surmised that was all that really mattered anyhow.