Enchanted By The Thought

EIGHT: He Can't Fight Alone

The darkness called her name but she turned her back.

When the halls filled with students, signaling the end of first hour, Beth stood and gathered her books. Her thoughts were filled with many unnecessary facts and she scurried toward her classroom. Walking towards her with the crowd, Beth spotted Kat. Beth lifted a hand to wave and Kat grinned widely when she saw Beth. Right before Kat entered the class, she came to Beth's side and they both walked in. "So Leo Stevens saw Draco snogging a Gryffindor girl earlier." Kat immediately told her friend and Beth almost tripped in surprise.

Beth's stomach plummeted in jealousy and she gripped her books tightly, trying to keep her face neutral. "Are you sure? Last year he said he'd spotted Roman and Lexi snogging also but we all knew he was lying." She answered, proud that her voice didn't waver.

Kat rolled her eyes at Beth's poor attempt of an excuse and she grabbed her arm, tugging Beth towards the middle row desk. Beth sat down slowly, wary. "The thing is, Parkinson said Malfoy has been acting funny lately, real sneaky and stuff. So I'm thinking it might be true and that whoever the girl is, she knows that she'd get shunned if people figured out she was messing with Malfoy. So she's being secretive too. You know who my guess is?" Kat leaned toward Beth and the latter resisted the urge to lean away. Her palms were growing damp as her nerves went into overdrive. Kat knew. Kat knew. Kat knew.

Beth forced her mouth to work. "Who?" She asked, chewing her lip. Kat smiled slightly and looked around, leaning in even more closer. Beth was sure her friend could now hear her heart racing. She could imagine Kat hissing her name. She could see her house, her only family, shunning her. She could see Harry cutting her off, turning away from her in disgust. Panic washed over Beth as she felt her throat close up as her heart rose up her throat and gripped the edge of her desk, forcing herself to stay calm.

"Ginny." Kat stated confidently and Beth almost burst into tears of laughter. Her heart slowly settled back into her stomach and she offered a small smile. Kat scrutinized her friend's reaction, her eyes calculating. "So?" She demanded. "Don't you think so? I mean, come on. She's always sneaking off and always looks guilty."

For other reasons. But Beth didn't tell her that. "Ginny and Malfoy? No way." She answered, shaking her head. "I can't see those two together." Actually, the thought of Malfoy with Ginny made Beth's vision pulse red with jealousy.

The golden trio walked in at that moment and Beth straightened up, watching Harry. She was instantly filled with strong and heavy confusion; her twin's confusion. She wondered... A loud bang startled Beth out of yer thoughts and she felt Kat flinch beside her. "I didn't tell you to open your books!" A cold voice snarled.

A thud echoed through the room and Beth saw Hermione turn pink, ducking her head. Sighing, Beth could already tell this was going to be a long class.

~

Leaving the room, a groan escaped Beth's lips. They already had an essay due tomorrow! Snape could go shove his lessons up his- "Whatcha got next?" Kat's voice interrupted Beth's rude thoughts and she pulled her paper out of her pocket, looking down.

"Er... I have break with Harry and Ron," Beth tell Kat, frowning. Right. That would be a great time to ask if Malfoy had apologized. Beth desperately wanted to know if that was why Harry had felt so lost earlier.

Kat shrugged, looking disappointed. "I have to go to Arithmancy then." She pointed her finger at the little scribble as she showed Beth her paper. Scanning through her list, Beth realized they only had two classes together. Ugh. Did the school want her shadowing Harry the rest of her life?

Beth smiled, hiding her disappointment. "Too bad, I guess." She sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'll walk you to your next class?" Beth offered, raising a shoulder in a shrug. Kat nodded, looking just as crestfallen as Beth felt.