Enchanted By The Thought

THIRTY TWO: FIXING BROKEN HEARTS

when i'm with you, i feel safe from the world

Beth sat with George and Fred, both who were on the ground and she was on their bed, flat on her back. She was tossing one of their pranks into the air, catching it easily. They were discussing their recent business trend and she was listening to them, happy to be apart of something normal. All Ginny wanted to talk about was Harry and if he was reciprocating her feelings. All Harry wanted to do was question her about how much she knew about Malfoy. All George and Fred wanted to do was talking about pranks. So here she was, hanging with the twins. "Oi, LizzyLiz, want to go to Diagon Alley? We should check on the shop. Fred thinks that James can't take care of the shop in our absence." George asked, leaning over her.

She caught the toy and met his gaze, nodding. "We were only supposed to be gone for a day, not three." Fred pointed out, standing up as Beth sat up. "I don't think he'd be able to take care of rush hours."

"Yes but we sent an owl explaining why and we hired another person to help, remember? Jimmy Overturne or something of the sort." George replied, raising an eyebrow.

Beth rolled her eyes and grabbed them both by their shirts, yanking them towards the door. "Enough of the bickering, let's just go check on your shop, yeah?" She answered, releasing them once they were out the door.

Fred rubbed the back of his neck, grinning sheepishly. "Yeah, you're right LizzyLiz. Deepest apologies." He mumbled and she lightly smacked his shoulder, smirking.

Once George told their mum where they were going, they decided to just Apparate, both of them hanging onto Beth. She closed her eyes and felt her stomach twist strangely and then they were in the shop. Immediately, both of the twins rushed out of the room and left her alone. She looked around, seeing pictures hanging on the walls. She grew aware of the low hum of George speaking and an unfamiliar voice answering. Curious, she wandered out of the hall and peered down the stairs, were George was standing over a man who resembled a lizard. His hands were twisting nervously and he was staring at the ground. But from the way George was standing and talking, nobody was in trouble. "So, Jimmy, there's been no pick-pocketing? Nothing has gone missing without the money?"

"No sir, everything is accounted for. James put a security spell on the door so if anybody tried walking out with an unpaid for item, it would make an awful screeching sound." The man answered, looking over at Beth. Shock displayed on his face and he froze. "M-m-ms. Potter?" He stuttered.

George turned his head to look at her and she gave a small wave, walking down the rest of the stairs. Fred came around the corner, talking animatedly to someone. Her head turned and she saw Seamus the same time he saw her. "Moose!" She cried and flung herself at him, her arms wrapping around his neck.

His arms were around her waist as he pulled her closer, chuckling. "What a pleasant surprise, Beth." He answered and she leaned back, grinning widely.

"What're you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be visiting family in Ireland?" She asked, nudging his shoulder. His eyes were full of happiness as he gazed at her and she remembered that she had to be careful around him; she didn't want to lead him on in any way.

Seamus shrugged, looking guilty. "Well, Mam wanted us to go the Muggle way instead of Apparating and using the Floo network like my Auntie had planned. But Dad get motion sickness and so we had to cancel out the wizarding travel. And then the family decided they didn't want to have a get together so we stayed for the break instead. We went over to Dean's but that was it. Dad and Mam decided to let me out of the house so now I am here." He gestured around them and she smiled, giggling.

"Well, I'm sorry that you couldn't visit your family. I know how happy they make you." She answered, glancing over her shoulder. George was watching them, an undecipherable expression in his eyes. "Malfoy sent me an expensive gift." She added quietly and Seamus's eyes widened.

"That fucking bastard! I just saw him with Astoria Greengrass and he was practically sucking her face off." Seamus whispered and although she hadn't thought much of it, his words were a blow to her gut. She closed her eyes, sighing quietly. A little part of her had gotten their hopes up but as always, she was at a loss.

~

The Weasley's were gathered around her and she was standing off to the side, looking up at George. In Malfoy's absence, her old crush on the twin came back in full force and she'd promised to think about a relationship with him. He understood that she wasn't fully over Malfoy but as he'd said, I can help you get over him, as your friend of course.

Her argument for deciding to try to move on was the fact that Malfoy seemed so intent on moving on from her. Besides, it was definitely unhealthy for her to be pining after him when he'd rudely kicked her to the curb.

Beth watched as the fireplaces blurred passed her; she caught a glimpse of an office before leaping forward. Her feet hit Professor McGonagall's carpet and she staggered, catching her balance. "Ms. Potter," Her professor said, not looking up from writing on her parchment.

"Hello professor!" Beth replied warmly before grabbing her trunk and exiting the room. She was eager to see her friends because she missed them dearly. She heard the faint thud of someone else appearing from the fire but she was set on finding her friends. She heard a faint shout and turned her head, seeing Kat waving to her. Zabini was beside her, his eyes on Kat. The raw emotion in them took her breath away and she was instantly jealous because suddenly, she knew. Despite the fact that he was an arrogant asshole, Zabini really loved Kat. Were they an item? Kat had never really claimed Zabini as her boyfriend.

"Beth, come here!" Kat called and gestured her over. Zabini's eyes lifted from Kat and they landed on Beth. The warmth vanished from his gaze and he curled his lip in distaste. Yup, she was still disliked by him. "Blaise, I want you to at least attempt to be nice to Beth, you hear me?" Kat threatened him and his hands raised in the air.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." He mumbled and stuffed his hands in his pockets, looking away from her. She wanted to stick her tongue out at him but refrained from doing so; no reason to give him another excuse to torment her.

Kat smiled widely at Beth. "So? Did you like your present-" her voice died in her throat as she noticed something over Beth's shoulder. She'd grown used to that look and without thinking, she spun around. Her eyes landed on Malfoy and she felt goosebumps erupt on her arms. "Blaise?" Kat whispered but he was already stepping around Beth, walking towards the blonde haired boy. "Come on Beth, let's go find the rest of our gang." Kat pleaded but Beth was frozen to the spot, unable to take her eyes off of Draco.

He looked pale and shaken up; not like her Draco, the one with a smirk on his face. This Draco looked gaunt and hollow. His eyes lifted and met hers; everything just slowed. She wanted to be in his arms again, wanted to distract him from whatever was on his mind. But just as quickly as the thoughts came, she slammed the door shut on them, remembering her promise to George. How could she move on with George if she kept padding after Malfoy? She shook her head and instead of Kat having to guide her away, Beth took Kat's arm and lead her away. "I really liked your present, Kat. I hated the ending thought, it was just a huge twist."