Enchanted By The Thought

TWELVE: Friends Can Become Enemies

She didn't know who would leave or stay. So she pushed them all away.

The group headed into Three Broomsticks, desperate for warmth. The Golden Trio went to grab a table while Beth and Maggie go to get butterbeers. The pub was alive with other students and some adults. Beth knew that most of the shopkeepers made their money from their students and imagined herself living in a wizard village, surrounded by her kind. It would be a dream for her children to grow up around other wizard children. When the drinks were handed to them, Beth paid with her money before the two returned to the others. There was an empty space where Kat normally sat and Beth felt as though something had changed among the their own little trio. She wasn't sure that she liked it. Hermione was discussing something in a low whisper but when Beth sat down, she stopped talking and gratefully accepted the drink. Beth's suspicion spiked but she sensed no turmoil in her brother so she assumed that they weren't discussing something that involved danger.

The group talked quietly amongst themselves, discussing what classes they already hated. Beth's mind was straying to Kat, whose absence was as plain and obvious as a frog with snakes. Harry and his two friends didn't seem to notice but Beth knew Maggie felt as awkward as her. Their group was incomplete with Kat with them. Her eyes closed and she wondered where her friend was at the the moment. Was she cuddled up with Zabini, listening to his friends trash-talk the other houses? Was she having fun? Beth felt jealous; how easily her friend had been accepted into the group because of her blood status. Maggie and Beth never had that chance because Maggie came from muggle-born parents and Beth's last name was enough of an answer.

Beth sipped at her drink, staring out the window. Maggie was just as quiet, her eyes downcast. She wondered what her friend was thinking about but didn't want to ask. Was she overreacting about Kat? Kat had the right to expand her social circle but... Beth's judgement was clouded with jealousy. "So, I was wondering if we could throw a back-to-school party?" Ron asked the rest of them, not meeting Hermione's piercing gaze.

"We're prefects!" Hermione scolded, looking very much like a mother hen. Beth almost spit her drink out at the thought. Maggie looked at her in concern and she smiled, wiping her mouth.

Ron looked at the rest of the group for help but they stayed silent, avoiding his gaze. He sighed loudly and crossed his arms. "Oh come on, it'd be fun. What happened to breaking the rules? Don't you like being a rule breaker?" His eyes were gleaming and Hermione opened her mouth before closing it. She pressed her lips together in thought and Beth raised her eyes in surprise. If Hermione was going to be okay with throwing a party, then she would do cartwheels.

Harry looked equally surprised and Beth could feel his curiosity burning. "On one condition." Hermione spoke up and everyone looked at her. She seemed to shrink under the many stares but she looked directly at Ron, who looked ready to kiss her. "We have teachers there as well. It's not that I think we need them but what if something happens? I'd feel more comfortable if teachers knew there was a party. We can talk to Professor McGonagall so she knows."

"Whatever you need, Hermione. Just as long as we have the party." Ron answered earnestly and Hermione smiled at him. But then Lavender Brown came into the store and her smile was wiped off her face. Beth knew how the girl felt about Lavender; the girl who seemed to take an interest in Ron.

"We should get going." Beth interjected quickly, standing up. The mood had sunk into something unforgiving and Beth wasn't sure if she liked it. Everyone seemed to be changing and she didn't like it. Because with change comes new things.

Harry nodded in agreement and everyone began to stand, bundling up. Maggie was awfully quiet and Beth was curious about why she seemed upset. She decided that later she'd ask. Beth looked over her shoulder as she followed her brother and their friends out the door. Draco was sitting with his friends, Kat amongst them. Blaise had his arm around her and she was laughing at something that Parkinson was saying. A pretty brunette was hanging onto Draco's arm, watching the others curiously. Draco was stirring his butterbeer with his finger, his brow creased with worry at his unknown thoughts. Beth felt jealousy ignite within her at the girl but she left, not glancing back. Draco may have ended the battle between them but that did not mean they were best friends. After all, Gryffindors and Slytherins hated each other.