Potions, Dungeons, and Firewhiskey Part 18
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 loved learning new things about Frankie. She really did. Anytime she learned something about the other girl was great. Also, getting to spend time with Frankie was fantastic. When the two were mixed together, Bianca was having the time of her life. So, when she asked Frankie a few days after Christmas why she woke up so early in the morning before class and what she did, she was delighted when Frankie offered to show her.
But, did it have to involve waking up so early?
Bianca rubbed at her tired eyes and yawned loudly. It was still dark outside, for Merlin’s sake. After stumbling through a hot shower, which did nothing to wake her up, she quickly got dressed and made her way down to the place Frankie told her to meet at. Once she arrived at the door, she noticed no one else was there. She hoped Frankie wasn’t playing around, because if this was a joke, the blonde was going to be force fed a couple boxes of peppermint toads. If Frankie thought chocolate frogs were bad, the toads jumped in your belly after you ate them.
Leaning against the stone wall near the door, Bianca yawned again. A slight shiver went through her as the wintery chill soaked from the cold rocks passed her clothes to the skin beneath. She was exhausted. Christmas may be over, but break was still going on until after the New Year. Which meant - more free time with Frankie. Much to Bianca’s joy, the two spent most of the days, and some nights, together. Frankie snuck into the Gryffindor common room a few times, utilizing her knowledge of the password and lack of any other Gryffindors. They had a lot of fun. They ate nearly all of the candy they’d received for Christmas and played a few games of exploding snap. They talked and snuggled before the fire. Bianca never wanted it to end.
And Christmas, that had been wonderful. The whole day was memory-worthy. The presents and feast. The singing suits of armor and bright cheerful decorations. The roasting marshmallows and being pressed up against Frankie. Bianca touched the quill charm dangling from her wrist, rubbing it between her thumb and forefinger. The bracelet hadn’t left her arm since that holiday morning. She saw Frankie wearing the necklace she bought for her every day, too.
“Are you actually sleeping standing up?” Frankie’s voice broke into her thoughts. “And with your eyes open as well. Must be how you get through potions and don’t get caught. Very tricky.”
Bianca blinked and glanced at a smirking Frankie, “I’m awake, and I don’t sleep through potions.” How could she with Snape seething about like a dragon?
Frankie ticked up a playful eyebrow, “True, it is impossible for you to sleep during that class. You’re too busy staring at me.”
Bianca rolled her eyes, “I believe it’s the other way around, cutie.”
“We’re back to that, are we?” Frankie shook her head, “And here I thought you were showing brain cells.”
“That’s right, I forgot,” she cleared her throat. “I believe it’s the other way around, sweetie.” Bianca shot back.
“Ha ha.” Frankie lifted her chin, “I do hope you’re wearing more than just that.”
Bianca looked down at her cloak, “Why?” She was wearing a sweater and blue jeans underneath, but that was it. Then, she returned her eyes to Frankie. Taking a moment to actually look at her, she saw the blonde was wearing her dark green Slytherin quidditch robes. At the neck she could see the collar of at least two shirts peeking out. In one hand she was holding a pair of black leather gloves. “Frankie?”
“We’re going outside.” Frankie tilted her head toward the door.
“You didn’t tell me that!” it was cold outside.
“Meeting at the door wasn’t clue enough? Oh, forgot you’re a Gryffindor for a second there.”
Bianca crossed her arms, “It’s really early, and I wasn’t exactly planning on going outside.”
“Do you want to stay here?”
“No,” she wanted to find out what Frankie did, “let’s go.”
“I don’t want you to freeze.” Frankie watched as Bianca walked to the door and grabbed the handle, “Your friends might attack me for turning you into an icicle.”
Bianca pulled the door open, a gust of air blowing into her face, prickling her skin, “Afraid of a few Gryffindors?”
“Afraid of them?” Frankie scoffed, “Hardly.”
Bianca took a tentative step outside, and nearly pulled her foot back in as she came into contact with snow, “Then, get your behind out here.”
“I’m waiting for you to decide if you can handle this.” Frankie stood behind her with a smirk.
“I can handle anything.” Bianca nearly jumped outside to prove her point. Another burst of frigid air whipped her hair into her face. She spat out a dark lock that caught in her mouth, “Now, come on and show me what’s so great that you have to be up this early.”
Frankie chuckled and followed, closing the door behind them. She moved up to Bianca’s side and the two started to walk away from the castle. The snow crunched under their shoes, and both slid a little when they came upon patches of slush. When she stepped on a rather large patch, Bianca instantly shot her hand out, griping Frankie’s to steady herself.
“Alright?” Frankie asked, pausing as the brunette got her bearings.
“Fine,” Bianca didn’t let go of her hand.
“Needed a reason to hold my hand?” Frankie began to walk again.
Bianca curled her fingers around Frankie’s, “Yes, it was all a rouse so I could hold your hand.”
“You become sneakier everyday.”
“I’ve been with you everyday.”
“Soon you’ll be smarter and more sophisticated, too.” Frankie grinned.
“Thank Merlin I have you.” Bianca sarcastically replied.
“Merlin? He had nothing to do with it.”
They reached the bottom of the hill. A large yard extended before them, and Frankie kept walking, leading Bianca along. After a minute, Bianca abruptly stopped. She tugged on Frankie’s hand, ignoring the confused look, “Wait.”
“What?” Frankie was perplexed, “Figure out I was right about the change in traits?”
Bianca shook her head. A tiny smile formed and she bent down, “I haven’t kissed you yet, today.”
“Oh,” Frankie gulped at the smoldering gaze, “that’s…a tragedy.”
“Yes, it is.” Bianca leaned in closer. “It really is.”
Their lips touched, and Bianca felt the butterflies in her belly explode into a frenzy.
Frankie broke the kiss first and blinked harshly, a dazed look on her face.
“Hi,” Bianca smiled at the flustered appearance.
“Hey,” Frankie cleared her throat. “We should hurry. It’s getting late.”
“Late?” the sun hadn’t even risen yet. Bianca could, in all actuality, barely see where they were going. She was trusting Frankie on this.
“Yes, late.” Frankie confirmed as she pulled Bianca along.
Bianca acquiesced and went with her. They walked in comfortable silence, their hands swinging gently between them. Bianca pulled her cloak tighter around her frame, feeling the chill dip into her bones. It wasn’t snowing, it was too cold to.
After about ten minutes, Bianca noticed shapes start to take form ahead of them in the dark. She squinted, trying to make out what they could be. Before she could get any ideas, Frankie veered off to the side. They walked for another minute. Then, they stopped. Bianca could see in the faded light beginning to peek tentatively over the horizon a shed. Glancing to her side, she saw another building and…were those stands?
Frankie let go of her hand and walked up to the shed. She pulled a key out of her pocket and undid the lock on the door. The door squeaked as she opened it.
“Frankie, are we at…” Bianca stared at the tall poles with hoops at the end.
“The quidditch pitch.” Frankie’s voice echoed from inside the shed. She reappeared a second later, a broomstick in her hand.
Bianca eyed the broomstick, “I’m not getting on that.”
Frankie closed the door, “You said you wanted to know what I do.”
Of course Frankie would go flying, “Doesn’t mean I want to get on that thing.”
Frankie walked up to her, “It’ll be fine.”
No, it wouldn’t. “I don’t like flying. You weren’t there first year when we had to for class. I couldn’t even get my broom to come off the ground.” The first thing a student had to do was magically command the broom to levitate from the ground into their hand. It took Bianca about twenty tries to get the broom to even shiver. Madam Hooch, the instructor, advised Bianca not to try out for quidditch. Good thing Bianca already wasn’t interested in the game.
Frankie smirked in remembrance, “Hooch hated me.”
“Why?” Bianca watched as Frankie held the broom out.
Frankie released the broom, and it floated between her and Bianca, “A witch on a flying broomstick…I had a few comments on that.” She waved at the broom, “Get on.”
“No way.” Bianca shook her head.
“Come on.”
“No, it’s cold and it’s early.” And she really didn’t want to make a fool of herself.
Frankie mounted the broom. She pulled on her gloves, “Be brave.”
“Don’t use my words against me.” Bianca waved a finger, “I don’t like flying.” Couldn’t they skip to breakfast?
Now gloved, Frankie grasped the handle with one hand and held the other out to Bianca, “Trust me, you’ll like it.”
Bianca stared at her.
Frankie sighed, “I won’t let you get hurt.”
“I know you love flying, Frankie. But, I don’t.”
“Maybe you’ll learn to love something you never thought you could.” Frankie’s eyes flashed with something Bianca couldn’t make out, but she still felt it deep inside.
Looking back and forth between Frankie’s outstretched hand and the broom, Bianca chewed on her bottom lip. It was cold; it was early; and it was an activity she did not enjoy. But, Frankie did and she was asking her to share it with her.
“Ok, you win.” Bianca put her palm in Frankie’s hand.
“I always do.” Frankie guided Bianca to sit behind her.
Bianca straddled the broom. The cushion charm wasn’t that comfortable, but she didn’t really care. All she cared about was not falling off.
Frankie glanced back at her, “Still breathing?”
“Just fly.”
Frankie turned to face front, “No problem.”
Frankie kicked off, and the broom soared upward. Bianca’s hands flew out and her arms wrapped around Frankie’s torso. She molded to Frankie’s back, hanging on for dear life. Her eyes slammed closed, and she silently begged to not die.
“Bianca,”
The brunette tightened her hold.
“Bianca,” Frankie grunted at the grip, “Open your eyes.”
Bianca buried her face into the green robes, “Is it over?”
Frankie laughed, “Just open your eyes.” She whispered under her breath, “And you called me the coward.”
“I’m not a coward.” Bianca slowly peeked one eye open. Then, the other. A small gasp escaped from her lips.
It was gorgeous.
The sun was beginning to rise, streams of gold, red, and pink lighting up the sky, mixing with the oncoming blue and fading black. The white clouds were lazy puffs in the mixture, dotting the sky like clots of cream. In the distance she could see Hogwarts Castle and the lake. Turning her head, she spotted the Forbidden Forest. The dense trees and foliage somehow looked less scary so high up. The castle gleamed in the colorful palate of the sun. The worn stone glistened with renewed life. The lake sparkled, and she could see tiny splashes from one of the various creatures who inhabited the unfrozen waters.
Bianca lifted her head from its perch on Frankie’s back to get a better look. The snow coated the ground like icing on a cake. It reminder her of the Christmas cake the school served at the holiday feast.
“Would this be a good time to say I told you so?” Frankie teased lightly with a pleased smile.
“Frankie, this is fantastic.” Bianca exhaled. She looked back at the sun. The giant ball rose inch by inch, bathing the land in its warmth and radiance. The shadows of the night slithered away when faced with its gaze.
Frankie remained quiet, letting her girlfriend soak in the views. She steered the broom in a wide circled around the pitch, going slow and allowing Bianca all the time she needed to take it all in.
Bianca nestled her chin on Frankie’s shoulder when they were midway through the third lap, “Thank you.”
Frankie shrugged softly, “You wanted to know.”
Bianca turned her head and brushed a kiss to her cheek, “I see why you wake up so early. This is beautiful.”
Frankie squinted into the sunlight, “I guess.”
Bianca lightly slapped her belly, “You guess?”
Frankie snickered, “Ouch. No troll actions on the broom.”
Bianca rolled her eyes, “I’ll show you a troll.”
“Will you?” Frankie guided the broom to face the Forbidden Forest. Bianca yelped as they accelerated forward, “Don’t take too long finding one.”
Bianca hit her belly harder, “Don’t even try.”
Frankie chortled and turned the broom away from the forest. They slowed down and leisurely flew the beginnings of a lap around the grounds. Frankie snuck a glance at Bianca whose eyes were riveted to the scenery, “Frozen yet?”
Now that she mentioned it, “Not yet.” Caught up, Bianca’d forgotten about the cold. However, a spurt of air flew by and she shivered. Seeking warmth, she sifted through the green robes and dug her hands underneath. Her fingers slipped under one shirt and rested on another one.
Flattening her palms against the shirt, Bianca could feel the taut muscles of Frankie’s abs flex as the Slytherin masterfully steered the broom. Body heat seeped into her hands, warming the skin. Being so close to touching the heated flesh, Bianca’s mind wandered back to the night she and Frankie went farther than they ever had before or since. Bianca blushed as she recalled the way Frankie’s hands felt on her chest. She bit her lip as the memory of coming into contact with Frankie’s bare breasts flashed in her brain.
“Dare I ask why you’re so red?”
Bianca shook those thoughts away as her blush deepened, “You could,” she tapped her fingers against Frankie’s stomach.
Frankie squirmed a little at the touch, “Your hands are cold.”
Bianca snorted, “You didn’t tell me to bring gloves.”
“Blame the Slytherin.”
“Not the Slytherin, you.”
“I am Slytherin.” Frankie replied.
Bianca nuzzled her nose into the side of Frankie’s neck, “I know. I hear about it all the time.”
“You’d rather hear about something else?”
Bianca hummed, “Tell me about all of this.”
“This?”
“The flying, the early morning, everything.” Bianca peered at Frankie’s face. She noticed the relaxed yet excited aura. Frankie was in her element.
Frankie pursed her lips as she decided on her words. “I love to fly. This early, there’s no one else around, same with breakfast. I’m not bothered by…others.”
Bianca frowned. Others…like the Slytherins who called her mudblood. Or…the other houses’ students who gossiped about her.
Frankie trained her eyes on the skies, “With flying, I can get extra practice in for quidditch.”
“I’m sure that helps with making captain.”
Frankie lifted a shoulder, “I don’t exactly broadcast my actions. I don’t need help, anyway. I’m going to make captain.”
“Yes, you are.” Bianca agreed.
Frankie angled her head, “So sure? You haven’t seen me play.”
“With how much everyone talks about your quidditch games, I don’t have to.”
Frankie rolled her eyes, “If by everyone you mean Gryffindors, they’re fools.”
“Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws.”
“Fools.” Frankie repeated.
Bianca took a breath, “Are they fools because they say you play dirty?” That was mainly what everyone said when they talked about Frankie. She was a dirty quidditch player. She was a terrible seeker who only won because she broke rules and performed nasty tricks.
Frankie’s jaw clenched, “I don’t play dirty.”
Bianca rubbed soothing circles on her stomach, “That’s what everyone says. They say the whole Slytherin team is dirty.” They play too rough and too wild. The Slytherins use brute force not brains to win. The only brains they show involved waiting for the referee to not be watching and hurting an opposing player.
Frankie inhaled, “They only say that because we beat them. If I was on Gryffindor, they wouldn’t say a word about how I play. They make those stupid remarks because they have no other way to explain how big of losers they actually are.” She looked at Bianca, “I play a clean game. Those sniveling nitwits would accept that if I played for them. I play for my house, so they hate me. Simple as that.”
That…actually made a little sense. “And the rest of the team?”
“My team plays better than them. Crying and whining won’t change that.”
“Crying?”
Frankie’s lips twitched, “Your seeker was a mumbling sniffling mess last year.”
Bianca drummed her fingers, “My seeker? So…you cried last year?” She giggled as Frankie’s eyes widened.
“Gryffindor’s seeker.” Frankie amended. “I’m your seeker?”
Was there a hint of satisfaction in that question? “My girlfriend, my seeker. You’re mine, Frankie Stone.”
“Quite the declaration.”
Bianca pressed a kiss to the top of her shoulder, “I’m yours, too. So, you can stop being jealous.”
“I’m not jealous!” Frankie rolled her eyes.
Bianca guffawed.
Frankie rolled her eyes again. “Dumb troll logic.”
Laughter dying down, Bianca somehow scooted closer to Frankie. Her breaths puffed against Frankie’s ear, and the blonde let go of the broom with one hand and covered the bump in her clothing made by Bianca’s hands with it. Running the tip of her nose against the shell of Frankie’s ear, Bianca smiled as the Slytherin trembled, “Tell me about these tricks you do.”
“Tricks?”
“Yes, those nasty tricks that make my housemates cry.”
Frankie patted the bump and returned her hand to her broom, “Hang on.”
“Wha…” Bianca’s voice trailed off the broomstick swerved sharply and hurtled toward the ground. She, very unladylike, screamed and molded her body around Frankie. The air whipped in her face, and her hair wildly flew around her head. It was…scarily exhilarating.
The broom lifted up and flew parallel to the ground. Frankie’s roguish smirk filled her joyful voice, “To be a seeker, you have to be able to both catch the snitch and make sure the other seeker doesn’t catch the snitch. Not a difficult task considering the other seekers.”
The broom picked up speed.
“You can pretend to see the snitch,” Frankie explained, “and go off in one direction to fool the other person into following you.”
The broom ascended rapidly.
“The one your drivel of a quidditch team seems to dislike the most is the Wronski Feint.”
The what? Bianca could feel the excitement in Frankie’s words. It would make her smile, except that would involve possible opening her mouth and if she did that she might yell again.
The broomstick suddenly stopped and hovered.
Then, without warning, it shot straight toward the ground. Bianca couldn’t close her eyes as the ground drew closer and closer. “Frankie,” her voice rose in pitch, “FRANKIE!”
About a foot from the ground, Bianca could almost taste the snow, the broom suddenly righted and darted in line with the earth.
“That is the Wronski Feint. Make them think you’ve seen the snitch and they’ll follow. Sometimes other seekers forget to pull up.” Frankie informed with a snicker.
Bianca opened and closed her mouth. She smacked Frankie hard in the stomach, causing the girl to release a grunt, “Don’t do that!”
Frankie chuckled, “You wanted to see my moves.”
“Crazy sly seeker.” Bianca grumbled. “You could have warned me.” But where would the fun be in that?
“Aww, was the little lion scared.” Frankie teased.
Bianca rested her forehead on Frankie’s back, inhaling deeply to calm her nerves. “You do that during games?”
“Sometimes.”
“You made the Hufflepuff seeker crash.” Bianca recalled. Her nerves finally calmed down, the automatic warning ringing in her head telling her she was in danger silent. However, she kept her head against Frankie’s back.
“Should have pulled up.” Frankie shrugged.
“You could get hurt doing that.” Frankie could have easily not been able to pull up either.
“I have complete control of my broom.” Frankie shook her head.
Bianca wiggled a hand free from its warm spot and cupped Frankie’s cheek. “I’m a little terrified what other borderline reckless moves you do.”
Frankie turned around, “Want me to show you?”
Bianca trailed her thumb over a strong cheekbone, “I want you to not hurt yourself to catch a flying gold ball.”
“I won’t get hurt.” Frankie leaned into the touch. “I play to win. Whatever that takes”
“I hope that applies to me.” The sureness and devotion Frankie possessed for the sport made her wish desperately in that moment that was how the blonde felt for her. Because, Bianca had a feeling that might be how she felt for Frankie.
“How couldn’t it?” It was applying more and more with each passing day.
Bianca kissed her. She quickly pulled away as the broom dipped dangerously. “Frankie!”
Frankie spun around and grabbed the broom with both hands, “Perhaps not the best activity while flying.”
“Perhaps.” Bianca chuckled.
The broom began to descend at a much slower pace, “Breakfast?”
Bianca’s mouth watered at the question, “Yes.”
They landed safely. Frankie hopped off first and helped Bianca off. The Gryffindor planted a kiss on her in thanks, which Frankie quickly escalated into a tiny make-out session. She couldn’t stop herself even if she wanted to.
“I hadn’t kissed you yet.” Frankie explained with a wink afterward.
Bianca laughed loudly as she followed Frankie to the broom shed, “So, what is that thing, anyway?”
“A broom.”
Bianca shot her a look.
Frankie grinned, “It’s a Cleansweep Eleven. It’s made of Spanish oak.” She ran her hand over the handle. “It can go from zero to seventy in about ten seconds.”
Bianca could hear the pride in Frankie’s voice as she explained the intricate details of the broom, pointing out certain features expertly. However, there was something niggling at the back of her mind. She’d never actually heard of the broom. Of course, she didn’t know much about broomsticks, but she did hear names mentioned by the Gryffindor players in the common room.
When Frankie took a short break from her showcase, Bianca asked, “Where did you get it?”
Frankie’s grin wobbled a bit, “Diagon Alley.”
Bianca smiled, “Quality Quidditch Supplies? My stepfather likes to go there whenever he’s forced to visit with my mom. The players on Gryffindor’s team talk a lot about that place. If I remember correctly…our seeker has a…” she wanted to get it right, eager that she could somewhat talk with Frankie about this.
“Nimbus 2001.” Frankie filled in for her.
“Yes,” Bianca snapped her fingers, “that one. Is that worse than yours?” With the way Frankie continued to win matches, she probably had the best broom on the market.
Frankie’s grin dropped a fraction, “The Nimbus series is…better.”
Bianca frowned. Last year she heard Frankie didn’t even break a sweat beating their seeker.
Frankie focused on her broom, “I got mine secondhand. It still works perfectly. Besides, I don’t need some fancy new broom. The Gryffindor seeker plays so badly his broom is the only thing keeping him on the pitch.”
Bianca bit her lip. Of course Frankie couldn’t afford a new broomstick. They were very expensive, and Frankie didn’t exactly have a lot to fall back on. “Oh.”
Frankie shrugged and went into the shed, depositing her broomstick in its holding place. When she came back out and locked the door, she turned around to find herself enveloped in a comforting embrace.
“Bianca?”
“You play well enough that you can win on a lesser broom. So, if you’re that good, you better get me something really nice from your earnings as a top quidditch pro. I like candy and charms for my bracelet.” Bianca pecked her jaw and pulled away.
Frankie looked at her, “Candy?”
Bianca grabbed her hand, “Lots of it. Now, hurry because I want breakfast.”
The edge of Frankie’s mouth ticked up, “I’d rather hear you compliment my quidditch skills.”
“Your arrogance doesn’t need anymore fuel.” Bianca tugged her along. “Remember, candy and charms for my bracelet.”
They both smiled at the thought of still being together that far into the future and Frankie fulfilling her dreams.