Chapter 10 Won't You Be My Valentine?
Who have they got, Hagrid?"
"Professor Griggs, sir."
"No!" Marcia Griggs shouted. "It can't be! How could this happen? Why didn't you stop them, you filthy half-breed?!" She strode toward the door ready to hurt him.
"Miss Griggs, please get a hold of yourself!" Professor McGonagall stated exasperatedly.
Griggs turned on Beth. "This is all your fault, you know. They're looking for you. If it weren't for you my mum would still be here!"
The headmaster interrupted her. "Miss Griggs, how do you know that the Death Eaters are looking for Miss Spenser?"
She glared at Beth and didn't look at Professor Dumbledore. "I overheard them that day in Hogsmeade before they apparated away." She turned from the 6th year Gryffindor and went to be by herself in another corner of the office.
"Well, Hagrid come with me. We, along with the other teachers, will search the castle and grounds. Miss Griggs, we will find your mother. Professor McGonagall, if you could stay with the children. They will sleep here for the night." He conjured some sleeping bags for the students. "I will lock the door behind me."
Dumbledore's office was rather small but large enough for the 10 to spread out on the bags. The 3 Gryffindors wound up lying next to one another with Beth in the middle. Remus was already in a supine position and most likely asleep. Beth and Dia sat on their bags not able to sleep.
"Nice going, cousin."
Beth ignored her attempts to start a fight. "So do you like the Keeper of Secrets necklace I gave to you? I didn't know if you would want a gift from me so I just left it with the rest of your Christmas presents."
"It's interesting."
"Well you must be enjoying it, right, since I can tell the necklace is under your robes?"
Dia's hand flew to her chest where the pendant lay. She finally looked over at her cousin, "Couldn't let me have something all to my own, could you?" She had spotted the same piece of jewelry around Beth's neck.
"I thought they could be something we could share. Look, I'm sorry I yelled at you before. I didn't mean to yell. But everything I said was true. They may have pushed you aside as far as family goes, but they also inhibited my becoming a witch. I think that's just as bad."
"You can't compare two things such as those."
"You're right, you can't, but they are equally terrible things to do to someone as far as I'm concerned. So since we're in the same boat drifting out to sea, we might as well stick together right? Become a team to man the boat and get through all the rough waters of the world?" Beth watched her cousin as Dia considered her and what she was saying. The wheels in her head seemed to be turning as if she actually might be mulling things over and ready to agree with the older Gryffindor.
"I might take things into account as I sleep." And with that said, Dia turned herself away from Beth and went to sleep on the comfortable bag.
Beth blew out a puff of air toward her imaginary bangs in frustration. Well, she didn't say no way this time. I just have to keep trying.
**
The students were allowed to leave the headmaster's office the next day. Dumbledore and the professors had searched everywhere for the Care of Magical Creatures teacher but came up empty. Remus and Beth were on their way out of the headmaster's office when Professor Dumbledore stopped Beth.
"Miss Spenser did you find anything useful in your vault at Gringotts? Professor McGonagall mentioned you found something there."
"Yes, sir, I found a family photo album with pictures of my grandparents and parents. It was a nice find considering everything that's happened."
"Hmm, indeed. There was nothing else of interest to you?" Dumbledore gazed at her over his half-moon spectacles.
Beth felt horrible for lying. Maybe I should just tell him about it. "Well there was this one other book that I found, but it seems rather personal. I'll have a look at it as soon as I can and then I'll let you know." She gave him a smile before turning to leave with Remus.
**
As anyone might have guessed when one is in mourning they seldom make an appearance for everyone else to see. And that's how it was with Marcia Griggs. She seldom came down for meal times and rarely said anything beyond single-word utterances during the rest of the break. Dia didn't talk to her cousin either though Beth had expected that. She kept her distance to allow Dia more time to think about what she had offered her. The 6th year Gryffindor didn't have much time to worry about her cousin anyway. Remus kept her busy learning as many 4th year spells and charms as possible so that she could be ready to review with the others when they returned and also start with 5th year magic.
The snow was falling heavily and the wind blowing hard, when the rest of the school arrived at Hogwarts from holiday on Sunday evening. Professor Dumbledore made known to everyone the tragedy that had befallen the school while they were away during the return feast. He also announced that Care of Magical Creatures classes would be cancelled until another suitable teacher could be found.
Later on in the Gryffindor common room, Remus explained to the others his account of what happened that night that Professor Griggs disappeared, while Beth remained quiet looking at her family photo album.
"Beth, you're awfully quiet tonight," Alice began, "is there something bothering you?"
"No, just thinking. I have a lot on my mind right now."
"Care to share?" asked Dorcas.
Beth felt like snapping at them all to leave her alone, but then she remembered what Dumbledore had told her. It is unwise to keep secrets from friends, Miss Spenser.
She sighed. "I feel like it's my fault because the Death Eaters captured Professor Griggs."
"Well she wasn't a very nice teacher to begin with," Sirius attempted to cheer her up in his own odd way.
"Don't listen to Sirius," said Alice quickly, "he doesn't know what he's talking about. Just because she wasn't always very nice to us, she was a good professor, and no one deserves that fate."
"I agree," Lily replied, "and it's certainly not your fault. If they were looking for you, they didn't need to take her."
"There's nothing you could have done, Beth. Don't worry about it. Professor Dumbledore will find her and bring her back." Morwenna reassured her as best as she could but they all knew that that was something they couldn't promise no matter how powerful a wizard the headmaster was.
Peter had gotten up and was looking over Beth's shoulder. "What's that you've got with you?"
"Just something I found in my grandparents' vault. It's a family photo album. I'm not sure, but I think that it updates itself. For instance, see this page?" They all leaned in to look at the album. "It's different from all the rest. There's no name or photo, and only the year is given for date of birth. Also, the address is the same as this woman on the opposite page. What do you think that means?"
"It's a bit obvious, isn't it?" responded Sirius, a bit too arrogantly, as if they should all know what these signs meant. "Haven't any of you, besides Beth and Lily, seen a wizard family album before?" They shook their heads. "It means that this woman here," he pointed to the young 21-year-old, "is pregnant with a baby, but it's not known whether it's a boy or girl."
Beth was amazed at her friend's knowledge of the wizarding world. It seemed like there was still so much to learn, things that Sirius took for granted because he had known about them all 16 years of his life. "Well that makes sense."
"I'm impressed, Sirius Black. You actually do know more than you let on," Alice quipped.
"I know. Hey wait a minute! Of course I know a lot of things, some of it valuable and some useless. I can't let everyone in on the secret that I am an intelligent person. They'd all want a piece of me then, wouldn't they?" He smirked.
Everyone rolled her their eyes, except for James who also seemed to be lost in thought. "Knut for your thoughts, James." Remus addressed him.
"What? Oh, I was just thinking about…" He looked over at Beth. "Nevermind, I wasn't thinking about anything in particular. Perhaps the Marauders should retire to consider ideas for our next prank? With the start of the New Year, we've got to have something planned as soon as possible. Sirius, make sure you bring that parchment." The boys all rose and made their way upstairs.
The girls followed them with their eyes until they were gone. "Wonder what they're up to this time," thought Dorcas aloud.
Morwenna brought their attention back to the photo album. "Look, Beth, this woman is barely older than we are. I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you went to live with her."
"And her address is right here in front of us. You should owl her now," Alice added with a smile of encouragement.
Beth hurried to her room to fetch Surprise and extra parchment to write the letter. Lily hardly noticed as she still watched the door to the boys' dormitories. James was deep in thought. It couldn't have been about nothing. She looked over at Beth. Perhaps he didn't want to say with Beth around. Maybe he was thinking about what happened to Professor Griggs? It certainly is strange that the Death Eaters would take a professor hostage. Dumbledore won't give in to any requests they may make. What would Voldemort do with her? Actually I don't want to know the answer to that one. Perhaps the girls and I can drag whatever James was thinking out of him if Beth isn't around. I'd like to hear his theories on the whole occurrence. Did I just say what I think I said? I'm really losing my mind…going barking mad, I am. Really why would I want to collaborate with James "I'm so good at everything" Potter?
**
The next day at breakfast the girls and Marauders were deep in conversation over what to teach Beth next and what should wait for another month, when Remus looked up to find Beth making her way down the Gryffindor table toward her cousin, Dia.
"What the bloody hell is she doing? Does she have a death wish?" He made a move to follow her.
James pulled him back down. "She can't do anything to her in the midst of all the other students. Let's watch and see what happens, mate."
All 7 Gryffindors watched as Beth tapped her cousin on the shoulder to get her attention. The 5th year turned around her face changing from a smile to an annoyed frown. Beth began to say something that the others couldn't make out because they were at the other end of the table.
"Alright let's go in for the hex. She's looking at Beth like she's going to hurt her." Sirius jumped up wand at the ready.
"Sit down, mate." James again came to the rescue. "Getting in trouble for a prank is okay, but you don't want to get a detention just because of her, do you? It doesn't seem worth it to me."
The girls and the rest of the Marauders stopped what they were doing. Remus was mildly amused at James' finally subtle attempts to win Lily Evans over. Everyone else sat gaping at him. After their initial shock, the girls smirked, amused as Remus and happy that James was finally shaping up to be a mature young adult that their friend could have an interest in some day soon. Lily herself was surprised but also a bit suspicious of the messy-haired boy's actions. Why is he doing this all of a sudden?
When Beth returned from her conversation with her cousin, she was met by a bunch of stares. "What was that all about?" inquired Dorcas.
"I was just asking if…Oh, please don't be offended Dorcas." She sat down next to Remus to finish her breakfast. "You've been helping me loads with magical creatures, but Dia seems to have a natural ability with them, and I thought she'd be able to help me a bit more."
"Why would you want to do that?" Sirius interrupted, "Especially now that you don't have that class."
"Doesn't Dia hate you?" Alice put things bluntly.
"Hate me?" She blushed. "Erm, no, not the last time I checked."
They all looked at her not believing that she was lying to them again. "But hasn't she been threatening you?" asked Peter dumbly.
Sirius kicked him in the shins. "Ow!" Peter gritted his teeth and rubbed his leg underneath his robes.
Beth laughed nervously. "Threatening me? Why would…?" She stopped as if listening to a sudden sound she had heard. Dumbledore was poking around in her mind again. It is unwise to keep secrets from friends, Miss Spenser. "Okay maybe a little." And she told them of all the times that Dia had secretly harassed her. "But everything is all right now."
"Everything is all right now?" James echoed incredulous to what he was hearing. "She nearly killed you last term. How can things be okay?"
"Well while everyone was gone for the holiday, we talked a bit."
"When? You were with me practically the whole time," Remus interrupted. Everyone else exchanged glances.
Beth did her best not to look at Remus directly. "It was when I was trying to visit you in the hospital wing at night even though you told me not to." The boys exchanged significant glances that time.
Beth didn't say anything more because frankly she didn't want to get into it while everyone was there listening. She hoped he wouldn't be too angry with her. Remus didn't answer but looked thoughtful, so Beth continued with what she had been saying before. "Anyway, I believe I've given Dia plenty to think about over the holiday. I think she's finally coming around where I'm concerned. We are family after all, and family sticks together," she resolved.
"What are we, chop suey?" Sirius always had a way with words.
"You're family to me too. It's just she's the only connection to my grandparents that I know. She'd know more about them than I would where the wizarding world is concerned."
"You know how she feels about your grandparents, Beth," said Lily, "You'd be treading on dangerous waters if you mentioned them to Dia."
"I know," she replied uncertainly, "and that's why I won't be saying anything for a while. I need to build more trust."
"I don't think that you should be left alone with her, Beth. Remember what happened the last time?" Remus winced remembering all the details of what happened the day that his friends had brought her in to the hospital wing and the few days that followed.
"I remember, although still not very clearly. But I took everything that's happened into consideration, and Dia agreed to tutor me right in the common room where at least some of you can be sitting nearby?"
Everyone grinned at her. "Of course, Beth." Remus put his arm around her. "You finally understand that it's not good to be too trusting of other people."
"I trust you, should I not?"
The werewolf thought of Beth's unexpected visit to the hospital wing and what she must have thought when she got there. He resolved to tell her about his condition soon. "No, you can trust me. Can I trust you?"
"Always." As the Gryffindors finished up their breakfast, the owls made their arrival. No one was terribly excited about the post until they saw that Beth had a letter dropped in her hand. "Look, it's from my cousin, Rosalie. She's written me back from Italy already."
"Well, open it Beth. What does it say?" Morwenna asked eager to know.
Dearest Elizabeth,
I am sorry to hear about the passing of my dear Great Uncle Damon and Great Aunt Eva as well as my cousins, your parents. I am glad that you have found the photo album and have decided to owl me. It is true that I am pregnant, and Giovanni and I will be happy parents of a baby boy in another six months. You are always welcome to owl me whenever you wish. I am in need of much company, and I would be delighted if you accepted my invitation to visit us in Aosta, Italy during your holidays off from school. Owl me when you get this letter and let me know if you will be joining us in the summer.
Your loving cousin,
Rosalie
"Wow, now you have somewhere new that you've never visited before," Lily began.
"And you have new people to meet as well," added Alice.
"Yeah that's all well and good, but I thought Beth was going to stay with us this summer. Now you've gone and made plans without us!" Sirius pouted.
Beth just laughed at him. "Okay Sirius, you've convinced me. I'll write Rosalie and ask if you all can visit me in Italy once I've settled in."
"How did you know that's what he wanted? I knew that immediately because I've known him since we were 11, but you've only known him for," James counted on his fingers, "four months! I think you've been spending entirely too much time with him."
Everyone laughed this time. "Not any more time than I've been spending with you, James," giggled Beth. "I guess I've just gotten very adept at reading between the lines where my friends are concerned."
"Ah yes but the trick is being adept at reading between the lines where your enemies are concerned." They all went quiet. Severus Snape had glided up behind them while they were in conversation.
"My enemies, Severus?" She turned around and looked at him questioningly.
"Yes, the Death Eaters and You-know-who."
Sirius and James stood up with their wands out. "Are you threatening, Beth, Snape? Because we all know that you're a Death Eater."
"I am not, Black, and even if I were I certainly wouldn't admit it to you in front of everyone in the Great Hall."
"Guys please, not now. You're all my friends, can't you all just along?" Beth was met with a resounding "no."
"I came here, Elizabeth, to remind you that we will be beginning some more difficult 6th year potions so be sure to bring the extra book I let you borrow. See you later this evening." And with that said he left as quickly as he came.
"You're already on 6th year potions?" asked Peter in awe.
"Well, yes, I like the subject, so I'm a quick learner. And Severus is a good teacher. He says that he's going to let Professor Dumbledore know that I'll soon be ready to join the Potions classes with him."
"With him and us. We all need the class with the career paths we've chosen." Dorcas drank the last of her pumpkin juice.
"You all maybe because you're going to be Aurors. I'm taking it because I'm not sure what I want to do yet. Maybe something with photography or history."
"Speak for yourself, Morwenna. I'm going into something with Charms. I've got Potions because I thought it might be useful for whatever job I do end up with."
"What are Aurors?" asked Beth curious.
"The best students in Hogwarts, that's who." Sirius puffed his chest proudly and put his arms around James and Remus.
"Merlin help the witch or wizard who gets stuck training you two." Lily pointed indicating James and Sirius.
"Hey I think we'll turn out to be alright Aurors once we've had a bit of training." James shot back.
"What are Aurors?" repeated Beth.
"They're well-trained witches and wizards who keep order and fight evil," replied Dorcas, answering Beth's question.
"I can't wait to kick Voldemort's arse right out from underneath him!" exclaimed Sirius as he punched the bench beneath him.
"Sirius, I don't think you should…" Beth began, but the bell to indicate that they had 5 minutes to get to class rang, interrupting her thoughts.
The Gryffindors made their way to classes, while Beth trooped back to the Gryffindor common room to begin her studies and get ready for her various lessons that week.
**
A mildly cold and snow-filled January swept into a frigidly cold and blizzard-filled February. It was lucky that Care of Magical Creatures classes were cancelled so most students didn't have to go outside except for Herbology lessons in the greenhouses.
Beth's time with Dia in the common room was well-spent as she learned all kinds of things from her cousin that even Dorcas didn't seem to know. And her friends were right there to watch in case anything went wrong. But as time passed, Beth seemed more and more confident that Dia was beginning to like her despite the façade that she put up.
It was right before Valentine's Day when Beth decided to be brave enough to ask her cousin about her grandparents.
"Where have you learned all of these things about magical creatures? You had to have learned long before you were at Hogwarts. Did my grandparents teach you?"
Dia formed that familiar sneer that made her look like a Slytherin. "What makes you think that I want to talk about them?"
"Come on, Dia. You're the only one who knows about my grandparents as far as the wizarding world is concerned."
"They weren't very nice people," replied Dia shortly.
"They weren't? They always seemed nice when I visited them."
"That's because you didn't live with them. They showered you with gifts when you came which wasn't very often. They were always telling me what to do. They were always mean to me just because I didn't really belong in their family."
"They were mean or they were firm because they were the ones raising you and not your real parents and grandparents?" She had struck a nerve.
Dia narrowed her eyes and scowled. "They did teach me, now let's stop the side conversation and get back to what we're supposed to be here for."
Beth decided to push her luck just a little bit further. "Alright, but you can talk about how you feel with me. I know you're still hurting because your family left you on my grandparents' doorstep when you were a baby."
Dia ignored her. "The dragons that live in…" Beth listened attentively to her cousin and all that she had to say. It was almost like learning from her grandparents, and that was something that she took comfort in, despite her own disgruntled feelings toward them.
**
February 14th came upon them quickly. Beth had already sent Remus a heart-o-gram and wondered if she should have gotten him something else. All 8 Gryffindors plus Severus were in Potions when the cupids that were passing the grams around came into the classroom. Beth had joined them at the beginning of the month, but much to the James and Sirius' shock and dismay, she had chosen to partner with Severus, claiming that it was because he was her tutor.
"Hey Moony," whispered Sirius, "I think your girl is being stolen away from you. It looks like she has quite the crush on Snivellus."
"Be quiet, Padfoot," Remus gritted through his teeth. However, he looked up to see that Beth was talking animatedly to the Slytherin, and it appeared that he had grams from someone, most likely one from her. The cupid had delivered several to Beth herself, one from him although he hadn't had enough nerve to sign it with his own name. He had wanted to tell her how he felt since the Christmas holidays, but there was never the right moment. Coward. Okay, I'll tell her tonight that it was me who sent the anonymous gram and then how I feel about her.
Remus was busy in his own thoughts, and it took Sirius poking him in the arm to realize that he had several grams on his table. There were from Lily, Morwenna, Dorcas, and Alice, but the bottom one was from Beth.
Remus,
Thank you for being there for me whenever I have needed it. You truly are wonderful, and I hope to call you my friend always. Maybe even my best friend.
XOXOXO,
Beth
What does this mean? thought Remus. Is she trying to say what I'm hoping she's saying? Or am I reading too much into the note? XOXOXO? Does that mean she wants to hug and kiss me in the friendly way or in a more than friendly way? Why am I worrying about this? What will be is what will be.
Remus put the grams away in his bag and returned back to the potion that he and Sirius were trying to make.
"I received two anonymous grams in class today." Remus heard Beth say after lessons in the Gryffindor common room.
"Two? Really?" bubbled Alice with excitement.
Beth blushed. "Yes, but I can't tell who they're from." Remus sighed quietly to himself. Maybe she doesn't feel the same if she can't figure out that one is from me. Wait, who sent the other one?
"Let me see," Sirius grabbed the grams out of her hands. "Ooo, this one here says:
Dearest Elizabeth,
I have watched you quietly. You are the most beautiful girl that I have ever had the chance to meet. I do not know if you feel as I do, but I will have to take my chances. Meet me in the Astronomy tower tonight at sunset.
Your secret admirer
"Wow, sounds promising, Beth. Are you going to meet him?" Sirius grinned.
"Well, I don't know. I wish I knew who it was. Surprises like that can be rather unpleasant. If only I was sure that it would be," Remus could have sworn that she had glanced quickly in his direction, "someone that I…trust."
Remus was bubbling inside. Yes! Now I know she has to like me. I don't know who this gram is from but I'm going to take advantage of it and be there before this secret admirer. Sunset did it say? That's right after dinner. I'll have to sneak off without being noticed.
James seemed to be echoing Remus' thoughts. "It said sunset? That's right after dinner. You'll have to go soon after we return to the common room."
"Are you 4 up to something? You seem to be pushing pretty hard to make sure that Beth goes to the Astronomy tower at sunset. This isn't part of a prank is it?" Lily frowned at them.
And instantly Remus knew that James and Sirius and probably Peter had sent Beth the gram because they knew that he wouldn't have the courage to write something like that. It's for me. I'll have to remember to thank them later.
"Us, pull a prank on Beth? We would never do something that horrible to her. She's like our sister."
"Yes, and siblings pull pranks on each other all the time," said Dorcas unconvinced of their innocence.
"We promise we're not up to anything," James insisted.
"Yeah we only sent one to Snape, and we sent him somewhere else entirely." Peter cut in. Sirius stepped on his foot to keep him from saying anything else to get them incriminated.
"James, Sirius, you really shouldn't have done that. Now I'll have to go and meet him just to apologize for your behavior." Beth took the grams back from Sirius.
"No! I think you really should go and see this person at the Astronomy tower. Think of how disappointed he'll be if you don't meet him, especially if it's someone you do trust." It's a must that she goes so I can meet her there.
Beth smiled at Remus. "Alright, I'll go and meet this mystery man."
**
Right after dinner, Remus had managed to sneak away from the other Gryffindors. It helped that Sirius and James had made quite a commotion on their way back to the common room so that the girls wouldn't notice. He sat in the Astronomy tower waiting for the sun to set and Beth's arrival. Okay what should I say to her? Should I tell her I love her? That might scare her away. But it's the truth. I've always liked Beth from the moment I laid eyes on her, but I wasn't sure at first about loving her. After I almost lost her, I knew that I was definitely in love with her. Can someone really fall in love so fast with someone else?
Remus was interrupted from his thoughts when he heard some movement on the stairs leading to the tower. Beth appeared around the corner, still holding the gram that the other boys had given her as well as his own.
"Hi," she greeted him shyly.
"Hi, you seemed surprised to see me."
"Yeah, well no not really. I sort of had a feeling I might find you up here." Beth held the grams up to the light as if that would help detect the senders of the notes. "So which one is yours and which one is from James and Sirius?"
Not going to let her know that it was them. She might be disappointed. "Both, both of them are from me. It was just to keep you from guessing."
"Now do you really think I'm that stupid? I know they sent the one that brought me up here. Ever since Christmas I feel like I have an extra sense about people. Besides, I like this one much better." She waved his gram in the air. "Won't you be my valentine, Remus Lupin?"
Remus smiled at her. "Of course, Elizabeth Spenser, now won't you come with me? You wouldn't want to miss this sunset, would you?" He led her to the balcony outside of the tower.
"Wow." The sky was alight with many different shades of blue, yellow, orange, red, and purple. The clouds billowed with white and gray moved slowly across the sky. As Beth and Remus looked up in the sky closer to the castle, they saw that some of the stars had already appeared.
"It's so beautiful. I've never seen anything like this. Sure I've seen sunsets before, but nothing compares to a sunset at Hogwarts."
Remus moved closer to Beth. "It is an amazing site though I've found that it's not as beautiful as some things are," he gazed straight at her.
She looked over at him and startled not realizing he was so close, but she caught what he was getting at and blushed. She attempted to recover her voice. "I know that you think so already. You've told me three times over." Remus looked at her questioningly. "Once now and twice in the grams."
He grinned at her and considered what he would say next. This is as good a time as any I suppose. "Beth, there's something I need to tell you." Remus took her hands in his. "I've wanted to say this for a long time. I think that I..." He stopped when he noticed a shadow moving across the grounds.
"What is it, Remus? What do you have to tell me?"
"Come, let's go back into the tower. The sun has set now anyway, and it's getting cold." He pulled her into the Astronomy tower, closed the door, and locked it with a spell.
Beth sat down on the floor of the classroom. "Is something wrong, Remus? You look a little nervous."
He joined her as soon as he was finished. "No, it's nothing. I just saw someone unfamiliar on the grounds, and I thought we might be safer inside."
"Oh alright, what was it that you need to tell me then?"
Okay, now what, now that I've totally ruined the moment? Maybe I should try a different approach. I feel like I might never get a chance if I don't do it right now.
Remus took Beth's head in his hands, caressing her cheek. She seemed to know what he was about to do. She put her arms around his neck and began to close her eyes. Remus read this as a sign to continue. He leaned in to kiss her. He could feel her warm breath on his face, he was so close. A few more centimeters and he could touch her lips for the first time with his.