Chapter Six: Act II, Scene I: Hyperbole
A/N: Alright so, some of this you may recognise from Decadence, but is Beth's perspective on certain events. Also, while Beth and Regulus have broken up, we haven't seen the last of them ;) This chapter, however, Beth has an unexpected admirer.
One of the worst aspects of your boyfriend dumping you, Beth surmised, was that everyone wanted to hear about what had happened. People she didn't even speak to crawled out of the woodwork to offer their sympathies that she and Regulus hadn't worked out. It made the train trip to Hogwarts unbearable, so by the time Beth shut herself in a compartment with Lorna and Phoenix, she was already in a foul mood. She tried to rectify this with Hamlet.
"Did your uniform shrink over the summer?" Lorna drawled, making Beth peer over the top of her book before realising that her friend was speaking to Phoenix.
"Pardon?" Phoenix turned to glance at her friend. It was true that her skirt was on the short side, but Beth was surprised that Lorna had commented at all. She licked her lips and turned the page of her book.
"You look like you're about to pop the buttons of your shirt," Lorna continued, "And your skirt looks like if you bend over, someone could see...well, everything."
Beth rolled her eyes as Phoenix murmured a spell to turn the window into a mirror, examining her reflection as if really hoping that she would find a flaw. Though she couldn't blame Phoenix for Regulus breaking up with her, Regulus's words meant that Beth wasn't feeling too kind toward her best friend. Why did Phoenix get everything, and she ended up with everything? Regulus had made all of the sacrifices, and now he'd sacrificed Beth.
"Are you quite done checking yourself out?" Beth couldn't keep the bitterness out of her tone, closing her book and putting it on the seat beside her.
"She's trying to see if I'm telling the truth." Lorna was almost defensive, and her exchanging a look with Phoenix only served to make Beth even more pissed off.
"Oh, I think it's deliberate. Phoenix knows that it would get her some more attention."
Phoenix's grey eyes glittered with anger, a nerve twitching in her cheek. Her gaze, and her anger, were fixated solely on Beth. After the mess that the holidays had been, after realising that Phoenix had been part of the reason Regulus had broken up with her, Beth found that she didn't really care. If Phoenix was going to be pissed off at her, it only gave Beth more reason to let her own rage out.
"Lorna, get out."
Their friend made to object, before seeing Phoenix's expression and leaving the compartment. As she left, Phoenix advanced on Beth with her hands on her hips.
"Spit it out, Beth."
"What am I meant to be saying? Don't act as though you don't know. You're all Evan Rosier talks about, and the other Slytherin boys…"
"I don't give a shit about Evan Rosier's fucking schoolboy crush!" Phoenix snapped, throwing up her arms. "You're being a bitch because Regulus dumped you. Stop taking it out on me, okay? I had nothing to do with it."
Oh, if only you knew. "You know, I really don't get it. You're dating a half-blood whose mother is a Muggle, for Merlin's sake, and still you're somehow appealing despite verging on blood traitor territory."
Phoenix glared at her. "Be very careful what you say next, Beth."
"Or you'll hex me?" Beth wasn't afraid of Phoenix, and she wasn't afraid of these idle threats. She clenched her jaw and stared up at her, daring her to actually do something instead of just talking about it.
"Don't be ridiculous. Besides, I haven't done anything to make any of those morons remotely interested in me."
"Oh, get a grip." Beth pushed herself to her feet, hands clenching into fists by her side. All of her ire and hurt poured out in the form of barbed words, looking to dig deep beneath Phoenix's skin, perfect like the rest of her. "Remember who you're talking to. I'm the one who knows all your little secrets, your hook-ups. You didn't complain at the end of fourth year when Alexander had his tongue down your throat and his hands all over you. You didn't complain when Evan offered to go down at you when we were all drunk in the kitchen at Lucius and Narcissa's engagement party."
Phoenix scowled, but something dark brewed in her grey eyes. "If that's all you got out of what I told you, then fuck you, Beth."
"What more is there to get?" Beth sneered, folding her arms over her chest. "You've always been a bit of a slut, leading some of those guys on, so don't go acting like a prude just because you've got a Gryffindor boyfriend now."
"It's not my fault you aren't good enough for them, Beth." Phoenix's words were just as hurtful as Beth's, and she stalked out of the compartment without a backward glance. As Beth's maelstrom of fury calmed, she pressed her face into her hands and wondered what she'd done. She was not normally so cruel. She didn't normally speak her mind so openly. Yet everything had built up to breaking point within Beth, and Phoenix had been the unfortunate recipient.
With either of the Black twins speaking much to her, the first few weeks of Hogwarts were a colourless blur. Beth threw herself into studying, hoping that her focus on schoolwork would fill the void left behind by Regulus breaking up with her and Phoenix's harsh words on the train. Not that she could judge, since she knew she had been even more horrible. Nonetheless, she hated that Regulus was avoiding her and Phoenix iced her out.
Fortunately, the Halloween party gave Beth a reason to drink more heavily than usual. Her costume was some famous witch queen who ruled France during the 1700s. Maybe she should have paid more attention in History of Magic, but she supposed she didn't look half-bad in the pastel colours with her hair bundled atop her head. She lacked the regal bearing any queen would have had, but she'd have to do without that.
Phoenix and Lorna were talking over the other side of the common room. Beth could have approached them, but she didn't have an apology ready on her lips, and so she doubted she would be welcome.
"Beth!" Mariam Shafiq was waving her over, dressed in a wig with fake blood all over the old-fashioned doublet she was wearing. Beth paused when she noticed that Claudia was with her, but crossed over nonetheless. Mariam examined her closely, nodding in approval. "You look good."
"Thanks, so do you." Beth's cheeks flushed with heat at Mariam's sly grin. Claudia simply arched an eyebrow, and Beth bitterly wondered whether she intended to chase after Regulus now that he was single again. Fortunately, she made no comment about his break-up with Beth.
"I'm the Bloody Baron." Mariam tipped her a wink, which elicited a surprised laugh from Beth.
"Do you think he'd appreciate the costume or be offended by it?"
Mariam sipped at her drink, something that glowed a luminescent blue. "I'll just tell him that I'm his biggest fan."
Beth liked Mariam, she decided. There was something bold and refreshing about her. She didn't give a shit about what the rest of Slytherin thought of how, and how some of the boys jeered at her for her preference for girls. With her dark eyes framed by thick eyelashes and silver glitter, she was mesmerising. Across the common room, Regulus was talking with his friends by the hearth, a drink similar to Mariam's in his hand.
"I'm going to see if Alexander has his flask." Claudia glanced between Mariam and Beth, resting a hand on her best friend's arm and murmuring something in her ear. Whatever it was, Mariam just rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah."
The knot in Beth's stomach eased somewhat as Claudia departed. It was obvious that the other girl didn't much like her, though the feeling was mutual.
"So. You and Regulus."
Beth grimaced. She didn't really want to discuss this, but she also didn't want to shut Mariam down. Merlin, she really was a pushover. She helped herself to the blue drink when Mariam offered it, before handing it back.
"Yeah…"
"I mean..." Mariam swilled her drink thoughtfully, eyes sparkling with mischief. "I think, after New Year's, I was just a little surprised."
"Oh, umm." Beth picked at one of the laces on her dress. "I like boys and girls."
"You're so cute," Mariam laughed, stopping immediately when Beth cringed, "Sorry. I'm not trying to be condescending. You're just self-conscious."
"I guess so." She was right, and Beth didn't really know what to say. She'd just been dumped by her boyfriend, her best friend didn't want to talk to her, and she was a mess of emotions she was still trying to figure out. It didn't help that Mariam was so calm and collected, absolutely unflappable about who she was and what she wanted. She wasn't exactly pretty, but she was striking, a strong nose and angular features complementing her brown skin and eyes so dark they were like coal.
"Why don't we go and get some air?" Mariam suggested, and Beth exhaled deeply and nodded in agreement. She was beginning to feel claustrophobic at the party, especially watching Claudia approach Regulus's group. Linking her arm through Mariam's, she let the other girl lead her from the common room.
It was cooler outside, the night air washing over Beth's face and easing her racing heartbeat. It was telling that she felt more alive out here than inside. Maybe Regulus had been right to break up with her. She wasn't popular, and she didn't fit in with that crowd. When she thought of them, she yearned for the sort of confidence they all exuded. Phoenix, beautiful and bubbly. Regulus, mysterious but charming. Merlin's beard, even Mitchell and Evan had a dangerous sort of charisma about them.
Beth wasn't cool. Beth was awkward and constantly too deep inside her own mind, too worried about what other people thought of her. Mariam lit up a cigarette, taking a puff before handing it to Beth. She took a drag, blowing out smoke and examining the other girl's sharp profile in the moonlight. When she handed the cigarette back, her fingers brushed against Mariam's for a moment longer than they needed to.
"I just thought…" Beth's words were soft, and she didn't know why Mariam, of all people, was the one she was bearing her soul to. "I thought it was real, you know? Regulus and I weren't together for very long, but I honestly thought we would be. Which is stupid since we're like, sixteen."
"Guys suck." Mariam shrugged her shoulders, reaching up to tug off her powdered wig. "I'm glad that I don't like them at all."
Beth smiled a little. "Girls only, huh?"
"Thank Merlin, yes." Mariam smirked, dropping the cigarette to the ground and putting it out under her heeled boot. "I sort of suspected the same of you, since you look at Phoenix like…"
"Like what?" Beth frowned, heart hammering in her chest. Had her crush on Phoenix really been that obvious?
"I get it. She's pretty." Mariam stepped closer, so that there were only a few inches between them. "But she's not my type."
"Oh." Beth stared up into those dark eyes, watching the way they glittered. "What is your type?"
Mariam laughed huskily. "Apparently, cute blondes who don't seem to realise how cool they actually are."
Beth inhaled sharply and stepped back. She liked Mariam, despite the fact that they had only really interacted in passing and during social events. It didn't stop the fact that her heart was aching because of Regulus dumping her.
Her stomach twisted into knots, nervous butterflies erupting within her. Mariam was amazing, but the last thing Beth wanted was to use her as a rebound. She had loved Regulus, and—damn him—she still loved Regulus. If she made out with Mariam now, she'd hate herself for it, because she knew it would be to ease her own pain.
"Sorry." Mariam grimaced, raking her fingers through her slicked-back dark hair. "I've been told I can come on a bit strong. Too much?"
"No, I just…" Beth groaned, letting her head fall back. "The timing sucks. I wish I could just forget Regulus and all of it, but I can't. I'm sorry, I don't want you to think that I'm messing you around or anything like that."
"It's okay." Mariam didn't appear perturbed. "Why don't we head back inside?"
Beth nodded. She relished the moments they'd had alone, but felt she'd recharged her social battery enough for interaction. As they re-entered the common room, Mitchell Avery approached with a smug smile across his lips.
"Beth." His eyes raked over her in a way that made her skin crawl. "You look hot."
"Thank you," Beth responded flatly, hoping her disinterested tone would make him go away. Instead he stepped closer, the scent of firewhiskey on his breath making her cringe. Nonetheless, she stood her ground.
"Shame, what happened with you and Regulus. But then, I guess he got what he wanted."
Beth's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
Mitchell laughed. "Come on, Beth. Everyone knows you two had sex right before he broke up with you. Seems like that's all he wanted."
"Why don't you back off." Mariam pushed Mitchell in the chest, making him take a stumbling step backwards as she placed herself between him and Beth. "Stay away from her, you creep."
"So defensive." Mitchell sneered. "What, have you got the hots for her now? Are we running out of lesbians at Hogwarts?"
"Just go away, please," Beth said, pinching the bridge of her nose. The last thing she wanted was for a fight to erupt between Mariam and Mitchell.
"Okay." Mitchell nodded, brown eyes sparkling. "Just be careful, Beth. You don't want to get a reputation."
He sauntered off, leaving Beth with an uneasy feeling deep in the pit of her stomach. Was Mitchell going to stir some kind of rumours about her and Mariam? What were people already saying about her and Regulus? Beth had thought the break-up would be the last of it, but unfortunately it seemed that whispers circulating about her and Regulus were far from done.
Slowly but steadily, Beth started to patch up her damaged relationships. Phoenix was relatively easy, both of them deciding that their argument on the train was water under the bridge as she accompanied her best friend to Hogsmeade after the first Quidditch match of the season. Regulus was more difficult. They'd been friends before but there was something strained between them now, and it saddened her.
Beth excused herself from the victory celebration at Hogsmeade early to head back up to the castle, tossing and turning in bed before deciding to read some Shakespeare. She had just decided to try and sleep, eyes itching with weariness, when she heard someone creep in through the dark. She saw the lit end of a wand and rubbed her eyes as she examined the silhouetted figure.
"Phoenix? You're back so late."
"I'm fine." Phoenix's tone indicated that she certainly wasn't fine. Beth eased herself out of bed and walked over to her, catching her arm and making Phoenix face her. Her eyes widened as she examined her best friend. There was blood all over her face, and her lip was puffy. It looked like she'd been hit in the face.
"Merlin's beard. Your lip…"
A crooked smile graced Phoenix's face. "That bad?"
"There's blood all over your shirt, too." Beth gently rubbed Phoenix's arms as tears gathered in her friend's grey eyes. Who had been stupid enough to hurt Phoenix, and why? "Nix, what happened? Who did this to you?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Phoenix's voice cracked. "Please, can we not talk about it?"
Beth released her and crossed back over to her bed, throwing on her dressing gown and then heading back over to Phoenix. She might not be able to do anything about whatever the incident had been, but she could at least attempt to fix the damage that had been done.
"Right. We're going to make a potion up to fix that lip, or at least a salve."
"Where are we going to get the things for that?" Phoenix asked, nose wrinkling in confusion.
"The Potions supply cupboard, of course." Beth grinned. "Slughorn's always forgetting he leaves it unlocked."
They headed from the dormitory and slipped through the dark corridors. Beth's mind was racing as she struggled to think of what might have occurred. Hurting Phoenix would incur the wrath of not only Regulus, but Sirius as well. Could Evan have done something, pissed that Phoenix kept rejecting him and was now dating Remus? Surely he wasn't that stupid.
Nudging the door open to the supply cupboard, Beth used her wand as a light as she gathered some ingredients, making Phoenix sit down on a crate. How many times had she helped Thomas with bruises and cuts from his reckless endeavours, typically Quidditch?
"Won't we be in trouble if we're caught?" Phoenix asked.
"Ah, but I'm here with my Prefect friend." Beth started putting together a salve. "I'm sure we can think of something to get ourselves out of trouble. I know a quick fix salve. Mum uses it on Thomas all the time, he's always getting bloody injured. While I'm making it, you're going to tell me what happened."
Phoenix sucked in a deep breath. "I saw Alexander harassing a Hufflepuff girl. Younger than us. I told him to leave her alone, but he wouldn't. I hexed him and he fell down to the ground, but he was angry about it, so he punched me in the face."
"What?" Beth's fingers froze over the salve prep. "Didn't any of the others do anything about it?"
"Evan sat with me afterwards," Phoenix murmured.
"So Evan decided he'd try and comfort you, but didn't actually step in?" Beth scoffed, grinding the mortar and pestle. She was overcome with indignation, pissed that none of the guys had done anything but watch as Alexander hit Phoenix. "How typical. He clearly still wants to try and get in your pants?"
"Which is absurd," Phoenix sighed, "He knows I'm with Remus, they all do. He can take his protective saviour bullshit and shove it up his ass."
"Alexander is worse." A shiver raced down Beth's spine. "I don't know what's gotten into him lately. He's become even more cruel than he was before."
"He's an asshole," Phoenix said, nodding in fervent agreement.
Was it because they were Death Eaters now, and thought they could get away with whatever they liked because of it? Beth was alarmed that he'd gone so far as to hurt Phoenix. It made her feel even more unsafe, realising that not even she and her friends were safe around them.
"He's a fucking wanker." Beth gently applied the salve to Phoenix's lip.
"Who's a wanker?"
The boy's voice made Beth spin around, pointing her wand at the intruder. It was Sirius, holding up his hands to shield his eyes from the sudden light as he inspected the pair of them. What was he doing wandering the castle at this time of night? When Sirius noticed Phoenix and the blood on her clothes, his expression darkened.
"What happened?"
Beth didn't think hiding the truth was in their best interest. "Alexander Wilkes punched Phoenix."
"Beth!" Phoenix chided.
Sirius's grey eyes lit up with the sort of hot anger that Beth hadn't seen in him. She found herself viciously pleased that he was furious about this, too. Phoenix was the most popular girl in their year. The boys adored her, and the girls all envied her. Yet that popularity hadn't stopped one of her twin's friends from physically assaulting her. Beth wondered where the boundaries were, if they even existed to Death Eaters anymore.
"He fucking did what?"
"I hexed him first," Phoenix mumbled, as if a hex that had tripped Alexander was the same as him decking her in the face.
"Phoenix, I don't give a shit. He should never have laid hands on you."
Beth couldn't help but nod vehemently in agreement. She had known that Phoenix's brothers would be mad about what had happened, and she secretly hoped that Sirius would give Alexander the beating that he deserved.
"Please don't do anything stupid," Phoenix pleaded.
Sirius's smile was wicked. "That's like asking me not to breathe, Nix."
"Come on, Phoenix. Let's go back to the dorm." Beth took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. She might be quiet, she might be shy, but she would be damned if she was going to let these stupid boys hurt Phoenix and go unpunished. Sirius just might be the one who delivered the punishment.
Hogwarts was not safe. Not for the Muggleborn students who were tormented by the Slytherin gang, and apparently not even for the most prestigious pure-blood students in the school. If they thought they could attack Phoenix and get away with it, what was to stop them doing the same to someone else?
