Chapter Two: Act I, Scene II: Sexpot

Omg, thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the first chapter! I was just going to be casual about Beth and her fic but then I thought, why not let it consume my soul? Anyways, hope you enjoy this update and some more insight into Beth's character. I can't guarantee updates as consistent as Decadence, but I'll do my best to be fairly regular.

Quidditch tryouts were awfully dull, Beth surmised as she and Lorna took their place in the stands. Phoenix was on the field in a Slytherin sweater, bouncing on the balls of her feet, determination contorting her expression. Beth rested her Transfiguration textbook across her knees, earning a raised eyebrow from Lorna.

"Surely you're not going to study?" She shook her head in apparent disgust. "Come on, Beth. There are so many fit boys on the pitch. Regulus is going to be trying for Seeker again, and I know you wouldn't want to miss that."

Beth's cheeks flared with heat as she recalled her conversation with Regulus in the corridor. She hadn't told Lorna and Phoenix about it, especially since it had abruptly ended when she'd mentioned Sirius. The boys were acting like gits as usual, jostling each other and laughing on the pitch. They might be fit, but Beth also thought they were kind of stupid.

"There are more important things in life than watching boys, Lorna," she said primly.

"Come off it." Lorna whisked the Transfiguration textbook away from her, ignoring her protests and attempts to grab it back. "Even if you're not here to watch the boys, you should at least watch Phoenix."

She was right about that, at least. Several of the boys tried out for Chaser first, but when Phoenix was up she flew almost flawlessly. Just something else she was good at. Mitchell and Isaac made their way up to the stands, making Lorna sit up straighter as they approached. Their breath misted out in front of them, a slight chill to the September air.

"She's kind of a sexpot, don't you think?" Mitchell asked, eyes raking over Phoenix's body as she landed back on the pitch and tossed Regulus's broom back to him.

"You shouldn't objectify her." Beth frowned. Lorna would have preened over such a comment, but she found it a bit distasteful. There had been no mention of Phoenix's obvious talent during her audition for the team, just a comment about the way she looked. She wondered if that was all that mattered to someone like Mitchell.

Mitchell scoffed. "Jealous, Beth?"

Was she jealous? She didn't think she was, though she was a little uncertain. Beth didn't want to be looked at the way some of the boys leered at Phoenix, though she thought it would be nice not to be invisible. As if sensing an argument about to erupt, Lorna dumped the Transfiguration textbook back in Beth's lap, giving her an opportunity to distract herself. However, before she could even open the book, Regulus traipsed up the stands and her will to concentrate fled.

"What are you lot prattling on about?" Regulus sat down beside Beth, and she tried to ignore the fact that there were plenty of other spots in the stands he could have chosen. "I think Talkalot was impressed with you, Mitch."

"Of course she was." A smug smile spread across Mitchell's lips, and he tipped the girls a wink. "I'm brilliant."

"She was impressed with Phoenix, too," Regulus added, making the smile freeze on Mitchell's face. He might think Phoenix was attractive, but the moment she had the opportunity to one-up him, he'd be calling her a bitch. Beth had seen such behaviour among the boys before, and not just Slytherin boys.

When the team was announced, Beth was relieved that both Mitchell and Phoenix had made the team. Her best friend deserved a spot as Chaser, but she also didn't want to listen to Mitchell's bitter commentary on why Phoenix had been chosen over him. As they headed back to the common room, the delight of the chosen players infectious among them, Beth heard a mention of getting out Alexander's firewhiskey.

"We're doing an awful lot of drinking, don't you think?" She asked of Lorna.

Her friend shrugged. "Who cares? Live a little, Beth. We're celebrating."

Beth cast around for her brother. She'd heard Thomas announced as the team's Keeper, which he would be utterly thrilled about. She noticed him chatting to his mates, but he grinned as he noticed his younger sister. He never acted embarrassed or like he was too cool for her, flinging an arm around her shoulders as he approached.

"What a team!" He crowed.

"Do you think Phoenix is a sexpot, Thomas?" Beth asked her brother. As a seventh-year, he certainly had a more relevant opinion than the other boys.

Thomas arched an eyebrow, apparently amused by the question.

"I think she's fifteen, Beth. She's a good-looking girl, but you're just kids."

Beth brushed him off, suddenly annoyed. She hated the way he acted like she was a small child when there were only two years between them. It was a slight relief to hear him say he wasn't necessarily attracted to Phoenix, though. Beth felt an odd surge of protectiveness whenever she heard the sort of comments that the boys would make.

As they headed into the common room, Alexander promised to be down with firewhiskey by sunset. The three girls scurried gleefully into their dormitory, with Phoenix scouring through her clothes for something new to wear, her brow furrowing in thought. She always had such nice clothes, or maybe she just styled them effortlessly.

Beth examined her reflection in the mirror as Lorna and Phoenix sorted through skirts. What did it take, she wondered, to be considered a sexpot? She was probably too slim, lacking the tits that Phoenix had sprouted over the summer or the ass that Lorna had. Her eyes were too big, her nose too turned-up, her face too round. Beth surmised that she would never be like Phoenix. She would never be beautiful, or sexy, or adored by the Slytherin boys. She didn't know if that bothered her or not.

Something hit her in the face, and she spluttered as she realised that one of the other girls had decked a shirt at her. When she glanced over at them, there were mischievous smiles on both of their faces.

"Going to passionately snog Regulus?" Lorna asked deviously, making Phoenix pull a face of mock disgust.

"That's my twin you're talking about."

"I'm not snogging anyone," Beth said defensively, turning over the shirt in her hands. It was sparkly and an icy blue-grey that would match her eyes. Perhaps the girls were right and she needed to relax more. Beth couldn't help being so tightly wound up, but alcohol helped her relax. Alcohol brought her out of her shell. She wasn't a heavy drinker, but a shot or two wasn't out of the question.

Changing into the shirt she'd acquired, Beth applied a coat of the crimson lipstick she typically wore to parties and events and prepared to put up with the ridiculous antics of the boys. When they descended the stairs, Alexander was already taking a deep swig from the bottle and Mitchell grinned as he noted their arrival.

"Looking good, Beth!"

She flushed and tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. It wasn't his approval she sought, but she had to admit it was nice to be told that, even if she knew the sort of shit that typically came out of his mouth. She bit back the smile that threatened to tug at the corners of her lips. She wasn't going to act like a fool around Mitchell Avery, of all people.

Beth considered Mitchell objectively. He was attractive, with his curling chestnut brown hair and dark eyes. If he wasn't such a git, perhaps she might have had a crush on him. Though it really didn't seem that Mitchell was Beth's type, considering the other people she'd had crushes on.

"Ah, our fearless Seeker!" Phoenix exclaimed as Regulus strode into the common room. "We're relying on you to hold the whole team together and win the game for us."

She was like the sun, Beth surmised as she watched Phoenix laugh and twirl through the common room. What did that make Beth? A distant planet in orbit, not close enough to share the warmth and light that burned bright through Phoenix. When Alexander approached with a grin and the bottle of firewhiskey, Beth allowed him to pour her a shot. She downed it quickly, and he laughed at her grimace.

As the others fooled around, Beth sank into one of the couches, fingers traversing the green velvet. She had always been more of an observer than her friends, content to watch the world whirl by. Regulus flopped down beside her, black hair falling across his eyes and making Beth flush as she realised she was staring at him.

"You're doing it again."

She frowned. "Doing what?"

"Removing yourself from the party."

Beth shook her head. "I'm here, aren't I? Congratulations on making Seeker again, by the way."

Regulus waved a dismissive hand. Across the room, Phoenix was giggling at something Evan had said, which prompted a self-satisfied smirk to spread across the blonde boy's face. Beth refrained from rolling her eyes, but Regulus seemed to notice it too because he threw her a knowing look.

"Reckon he'll proposition her again?"

Beth vaguely recalled a story about how Evan had made a move on Phoenix, only to be knocked back. Did she care about any of them, Beth wondered, or did she just dangle her affection over them like a treat to be earned?

"Depends how many shots he has."

There were a few moments of peaceful quiet between Regulus and Beth as they watched the shenanigans of their friends. Isaac and Lorna looked like they were moments away from snogging passionately.

"Mitchell's going to have a party at his for New Year's." Regulus spoke up, jolting Beth from her reverie. "It's usually a big affair, you know how he is. Did...d'you wanna come?"

Beth flooded with warmth at the fact that he'd invited her, but she immediately felt self-conscious. She wriggled around on the couch, deliriously thrilled that Regulus had asked her along. Maybe she was overthinking it. Maybe he was just being kind, and she was being a fool.

"Um, is that okay? Wouldn't I need Mitchell to ask me himself?"

"You're our friend, Beth." Regulus's expression was serious now, studying her as though he hadn't quite figured her out. "Why wouldn't he want you to come?"

Their friend. Of course she was just their friend. Though Beth struggled to disguise her disappointment at the words, she hoisted a smile across her features and nodded.

"Sure. I'll come along."

She tried to sound casual, like she wasn't extremely excited or enthusiastic about the event, though her heart was hammering in her chest. Regulus's face broke into a wide smile at her response, and she could almost pretend for a moment that he was happy she was attending, that her presence mattered to him.

Boys, Beth thought, were infinitely less complicated when she didn't have a crush on them.

Winter came in a whirlwind of snow and the sort of icy cold that made Beth consistently shrug her cloak tighter around herself. In truth, she was counting down time until the New Year's party. She wanted the opportunity to impress Regulus, though she wasn't entirely certain how. Quoting Muggle literature was hardly going to win him over. In the end, she firmly told herself she didn't need a boy's admiration to boost her confidence.

Lorna was adamant on coming to the party, though Phoenix was being unusually evasive about whether she would attend. Beth arrived an hour late to the Averys' estate, not wanting to be the first person to arrive. She needn't have worried, for once she stepped out of the fireplace with the emerald embers flickering around her, the party already seemed in full swing.

Even Thomas had mentioned the sort of revels that Mitchell had. Apparently he was notorious for throwing a wild party. Though her brother wasn't in attendance tonight, Beth supposed that it was for the best. Thomas had a one-week internship at the Ministry over the Christmas break, designed to help him form some connections and potentially gain employment there after he graduated. As such, he was taking it very seriously, and a New Year's party was not on the cards for him.

Beth smoothed down the front of her pale blue button-down shirt. It was amusing to her that she borrowed clothes from both Phoenix and Lorna from time to time, but they had such different tastes in fashion. Beth was probably the most crisp of the three of them, a girl who enjoyed her button-down shirts paired with pencil skirts or slacks. She'd applied two coats of mascara and winged eyeliner, as if dolling herself up would detract from her modest fashion sense.

"Beth!" Mitchell's jovial tone and the mischievous glimmer in his eyes told her that he'd already had a few drinks. As he swooped in and pulled her into a tight embrace, she could certainly smell something strong on his breath. "You look stunning."

Beth arched an eyebrow, lips twisting into a grin. "A sexpot?"

Mitchell roared with laughter as if she'd told some kind of hilarious joke, and she didn't know whether to be amused or offended. In the dining hall, she could see Lorna waving to her, hoop earrings glittering.

"I think more like...secretary, but you'd shag her."

Warmth flooded through Beth. "Uh...thanks."

"Beth!" Lorna's shout spared her from further embarrassment, and she gratefully slipped past Mitchell to join her friend. She cast around for Phoenix's familiar head of silky black hair, but the other girl was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Nix?"

"She's not coming." Lorna scoffed, shaking her head. "Can you believe that?"

It wasn't like Phoenix to miss a party, especially not something like New Year's. However, Beth had noticed how close her friend had become to Lupin, and wondered if Phoenix had snuck off to see him instead. She chose to say nothing of that, instead accepting a glass of Veuve Clicquot. She tried to keep it casual, but some of the tension left her body when she noticed Regulus over by the hearth. He noticed her and nodded in acknowledgement, before returning to his conversation.

The other two Slytherin girls in their year, Claudia Travers and Mariam Shafiq, were in their own little corner. Beth wouldn't say they were exactly friends of hers, though she certainly conversed with them more than Phoenix.

If there was something to be said about Phoenix at parties, it was that she always had a way of making people feel welcome. Beth was often the first to step outside and get some air, and Phoenix would typically check in on her. Without Phoenix there, Beth felt adrift, like she didn't have an anchor tying her to where she needed to be. Shaking off the unpleasant feeling, she took a sip of her expensive champagne as Lorna went over to try and get Isaac's attention.

"Slow down on the champagne." Regulus's smooth voice almost made Beth choke on the small sip she'd taken.

Nice going, Beth. Real classy.

"Regulus." She made a point of not mentioning Sirius or Phoenix, because his older brother pissed him off and she didn't know if the reason for Phoenix's absence was a point of tension between the twins. "It's nice to see you. How have your holidays been?"

"Quiet." He shrugged his shoulders, before gesturing to the back door. "Did you want to go outside? I'm dying for a smoke."

Beth knew it would be absolutely freezing, but she nodded vehemently at the opportunity to spend some solo time with Regulus. Gripping her champagne glass tightly, she followed him out into the frigid night air. Regulus brought a cigarette and flicked the lighter on. If they were allowed to do magic outside of school, she imagined he'd have used his wand. He took a drag and offered it to Beth, who took a puff and did her best not to cough.

The door flew open again, bringing a brief bubble of laughter. A few of the sixth-year boys, Mitchell included, scurried past with frantic whispers. Beth's brow furrowed in confusion, but Regulus grinned and shook his head as if he knew something she didn't. She watched as he leaned against the porch railing.

She noted that Mariam and Claudia were across the other side of the porch, whispering to each other and glancing over at Regulus and Beth every now and again. Claudia's expression was cold as ice, while Mariam appeared more concerned than anything else. Beth wondered what was going on with them.

"You alright?" Regulus asked, and she realised she had been silent since they'd come outside.

Beth nodded, taking another sip of her champagne. "Yeah. I guess you already know how I feel about parties."

"I'm the same," Regulus admitted, surprising Beth. Though it was true he stepped away for a smoke, he seemed more than content to socialise with his fellow Slytherins.

"Really?"

He chuckled. "Don't sound so shocked. Sirius and Phoenix were always the social creatures in my family. I don't mind a good party, but I've always preferred more quiet gatherings."

Beth hadn't heard him say Sirius's name in some time, and there was no bitterness in his tone. The two brothers were not on good terms, but perhaps Beth had overestimated the tension between them. Either that, or Regulus had just gotten comfortable enough to talk about his older brother again.

"Regulus!" It was Claudia, her high-pitched voice grating on Beth's nerves and frustrating her to no end. Just when things were going alright with Regulus, of course they were interrupted. There was something sinister shimmering in the girl's eyes as she crossed over. Mariam followed with her arms folded over her chest.

"Claudia. Mariam."

"I'm so glad you made the Quidditch team again." Claudia beamed up at Regulus. She had a brunette pixie cut, her height of barely over five foot adding to her waifish appearance. Beth tried not to be too annoyed that Claudia hadn't said a word to her, but it was a little difficult when she was right there.

"Claude, we should get ready for the fireworks," Mariam said pointedly.

"Fireworks?" Beth repeated, confused.

"Oh, didn't you know?" It was the first time Claudia had addressed Beth, and there was no denying the cattiness in her tone as she flashed the other girl a victorious smile. "Mitchell told me when we arrived. They're setting off some Zonko's fireworks at midnight."

"Right." Beth's tone was flat, and Claudia swivelled to turn her back on Beth and continue talking animatedly to Regulus. She noticed that Mitchell and the other boys were out on the extensive lawn setting something up and descended the wooden steps of the porch to check out what they were doing.

"Beth, wait." It was, astonishingly, Mariam. The dark-skinned girl approached and drew a flask out of the pocket of her coat. "Rum?"

"Uh, alright." Beth thought this was incredibly weird, since she and Mariam had barely exchanged a few words in the years they'd both been at Hogwarts. Mariam had seemed uncomfortable with Claudia barging in and striking up conversation with Regulus, so maybe she wasn't the only one who was put out.

Mariam handed over the flask, and Beth took a deep gulp, making the other girl emit a throaty laugh.

"Easy there."

"Didn't realise that Claudia and Regulus were such good friends," Beth said coolly, which was something she most certainly would not have said if she hadn't already had a glass of champagne that made her feel pleasantly fuzzy.

Mariam rolled her eyes. "Claudia has a bit of a thing for him. Besides, she's determined he's going to be her New Year's kiss."

"Her...what?" Beth stammered, caught off-guard.

A sharp snap and a burst of colour seized her attention, making her spin around and stare up at the night sky as multi-coloured fireworks glittered above them. By the uproar that was occurring inside, they'd hit midnight. Beth took a deep breath and turned to glance at the porch. Regulus barely even knew Claudia. He wasn't about to go snogging her.

Except Beth's heart sank when she noticed Claudia had her arms around Regulus's neck and they were passionately engaged in a New Year's kiss. Beth's stomach plummeted, and when Mariam handed her the flask, she took an even deeper swig, as if that could drown out the image of Regulus locking lips with Claudia Travers.

"Happy New Year, Beth." Mariam stepped forward and pressed kiss to Beth's lips. It was fairly chaste, nothing like the makeout session that seemed to be happening on the porch, but there was a roguish glint in Mariam's dark eyes as she stepped back, tipping Beth a knowing wink.

Mariam headed back up to the porch before Beth knew exactly what had happened, but then Mitchell and Isaac were there, hooting and clapping their hands.

"Did you and Mariam Shafiq just kiss?!"

"You're being ridiculous." Beth rolled her eyes at their guffaws. "There was no one else around for either of our New Year's kisses, what does it matter if it was each other?"

"Mariam's well into girls," Isaac said with undisguised glee, "She and Irene Donovan from Hufflepuff dated for a few months last year. Didn't you know?"

Oh. Oh.

Maybe Beth's crush on Phoenix, maybe the way she looked at other girls, hadn't gone unnoticed after all.