Enchanted By The Thought

TWENTY: EXPOSED

Stop looking for happiness in the same place you lost it

Beth's feet made no noise as she slipped out of her common room to meet Draco. At dinner, she'd gotten his note asking for them to talk. She was also hoping that it would be a tutoring session; they were helping her grade. But she also knew that he'd want to talk about other stuff. She needed to ask him about Katie; her brother's accusations against Draco made her doubtful; she hated it but it was true. After all, Draco seemed so focused on something, probably the task her brother had mentioned once. But whenever the trio sat gossiping about Draco, she tended to leave. No reason for her brother to grow suspicious of her as well.

She stood in the corridor that Draco said he'd meet her in and looked back and forth. She hoped Mrs. Norris didn't spot her; she couldn't afford to get in trouble. Footsteps echoed and she pressed her back against the wall, her eyes narrowed slightly. Draco came around the corner, his hands stuffed into his pockets. When he saw her, he relaxed. "Beth." He called and she stepped out of the shadows, a small smile upon her face.

"The one and only." She answered and they hugged, Beth's body relaxing at his touch. She knew that he was her drug and she definitely didn't want to stop. "You wanted to see me?" She asked, stepping back. He gestured for her to walk and she followed him closely.

"I didn't really need to, I just wanted to. I've missed you and I'm sorry that I've been busy with... stuff." Draco muttered.

Beth knew that she should stay far away from him but she couldn't. She'd grown used to not fighting with him. And no matter what she told herself, she knew that if it were a choice between George and Draco, she'd choose the Slytherin. Or maybe she just convinced herself that she needed him and so that's what she believed. Either way, Draco was here now and George wasn't. "It's okay." She answered automatically and frowned. Whenever she was around Draco, it seemed that she was constantly making sure he was happy or okay. Even if it wasn't.

Their gazes met and everything else fell away. She knew, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stay away. Beth had allowed herself to get caught in his web but she didn't mind. She liked being where she was and she liked the way he looked at her, made her feel. Whatever she had wanted to talk about faded from her mind and she felt his hands snaking around her waist, tugging her closer to him. Her head tilted back in anticipation.

Their lips touched in a brief kiss. Sparks ignited between them and she pulled him closer to her, her body flush against his. He pushed Beth against the wall, one hand against it as he leaned down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and Draco tangled his hands in her hair as they kissed. Beth's stomach was flipping and she felt that same frustration build in the pit of her stomach. Draco's hips grinded against hers and she gasped against his lips, feeling his smirk. His hand traveled down south and her mind shut down. "Uh- Draco. I-" she stuttered and felt her face heat with embarrassment.

Draco's hand paused and he met her gaze. "You're a-" he began and she quickly put her finger against his lips, shaking her head. She didn't want to admit it out loud and she certainly didn't want him saying it out loud.

Beth turned her face away from his, looking down at the ground. He was so much more experienced than her, it kind of scared her. When it came to sex, she was completely innocent. She knew that Kat and Colin had tangoed before and she knew that Maggie had already lost her v card to someone she refused to name; Beth was the only one who was still untouched. And it embarrassed her. "Hey, Beth, no rush." Draco murmured and ran his thumb over her bottom lip, drawing her eyes back to his. They were sincere and honest. "I can wait. And I'm not even pressuring you. I don't want you to feel pressured."

She felt a smile pull at her lips at his words and she sighed. "I know. I don't think I'm ready for anything serious or stuff like that. In general." She admitted and Draco laughed before growing somber.

"Beth, even if you and I became more than friends, nobody could know. And I mean it's that because I want to hide-" He began and she felt her heart twist painfully.

"No no. I get it. You're a Slytherin. I'm a Gryffindor. You have a reputation to uphold and I have a brother to keep." Beth answered sharply, her eyes pricking with tears. Why did he have such a hold over her emotions? It seemed like every single part of her was gravitated towards Draco. 

Draco cupped Beth's face, staring into her eyes. "It's not like that." He told her quietly, using his thumb to wipe away the few tears that had fallen from her eyes. "Oh Beth, I'm not ashamed of you or us. I would gladly show you off to the rest of the world but I can't. Not right now. I have my own issues that I don't want you tainted with. Maybe when I sort out my own problems with my shit family, I'll gladly announce it to everyone. We can publish it in the Daily Prophet." 

Despite her anger at his refusal, she couldn't help but giggle. "So... you're saying that you like me as more than a friend?" She teased and Draco let out a low growl, gripping her chin tightly as he pressed his lips to hers. She responded eagerly; this time it was her hips that grinded against his. He groaned into her mouth.

"Careful Beth. My self-control is slipping." He whispered and she bit her lip, remembering why she'd agreed to come in the first place. Katie.

"Draco, everyone was talking about Katie." She began and felt him stiffen. She averted her gaze, too afraid to talk to his face. "They're saying that someone cursed a necklace..."

Draco pulled away from her, leaving her alone as the cold hit her. He frowned, looking slightly panicked. "Are you accusing me?" He hissed, the warmth gone from his gaze.

"No." Beth quickly denied, grabbing his hands; she'd gotten addicted to his touch. "I'm just wondering if it had anything to do with your friends. You know, pulling a sick prank or something." She looked up at him and she watched as the ice melted. But his reaction had confirmed her doubts; he had something to do with what had happened to Katie. But she brushed it off her mind; she didn't want to get obsessed with his mistakes like her twin was.

Draco's left sleeve was near Beth's hands and she had one more thing to confirm for herself. Quick as a striking snake, she pulled his sleeve up to expose the skin.