Chapter Seven: Act II, Scene II: Festivity

A/N: Heavy on the foreshadowing this chapter, but don't worry, there's some Beth x Regulus interaction!

Beth Fawley didn't always come home for Christmas, however this year Thomas had insisted. It was his first year working at the Ministry, and she had to admit that she'd missed her older brother's presence at Hogwarts. The Slytherin Quidditch team wasn't the same without him, either. When Thomas wrote a letter pleading with Beth, she had admitted defeat and agreed, bracing herself for Jessica's coolness toward her.

Beth was so deep in thought about the Christmas break that she almost cannoned into Regulus on her way back to her compartment with a small stash of sweets. She took a step back, immediately flustered.

"Oh. Sorry."

"Beth, wait." Regulus caught her arm as she made to move past him. His grey eyes were full of something like regret as he inspected. "I know things have been weird since we broke up. I haven't made it easier, and I'm sorry. But I really do want us to be friends."

"Friends," Beth murmured, wishing she could shrink in on herself, "Right."

He made it sound so easy, as if he hadn't utterly broken her heart. She'd noticed Claudia flirting with him, though Regulus hadn't appeared to reciprocate. Had he been honest when he said that he still loved her and he was doing it for her? Or was it an excuse? Could there have been a grain of truth in Mitchell's malicious words?

"Beth, I just…"

"You what?" The words were sharper than she'd intended, but she'd spent so much time considering other people's feelings to the extent that she'd ignored her own. "You know, if you just wanted to shag me, you didn't need to put the effort into a relationship."

"What?" Regulus reeled as though she'd struck him, releasing her arm. "Beth, that's not what I wanted. I cared about you. I still do. I still love you, Beth."

"Stop." She choked the word out, tears welling in her eyes. She didn't care if it was true, it hurt to hear it. There was a lump in her throat despite her best efforts to swallow it down. "That's not fair, Regulus."

"I'm being honest with you." Regulus folded his arms over his chest. "I thought that was what you wanted."

"I wanted you." Her voice broke on the words, like waves crashing over the rocks. "But you made a decision, and I have to respect that."

Regulus's eyes examined her like he was trying to read what was written in her devastated expression, as though it wasn't obvious how she felt. She bit down on her lips and took a deep breath, trying to prevent herself from crying. It had been a few months now, she should really be over this. But she wasn't, and what carved a deep ache within her was realising, from the pain in Regulus's stormy grey eyes, that he wasn't either.

"I won't be your downfall, Beth." His voice was soft but firm. "I just wish that we could still be friends despite that."

"Maybe." Beth's voice was hardly above a whisper. She didn't think she could ever hate Regulus Black, and that was part of the problem. Life had been so much easier when she'd thought he was oblivious to her.

"Maybe?" Regulus repeated, looking crestfallen.

"I think we can see how things go." Beth raised her chin to look him in the eye. "After the Christmas holiday, I mean."

"Sure." Regulus beamed, and the smile that adorned his lips coaxed an answering one from Beth. It seemed like it would be easy to be his friend, but she knew the whole time she would ache for more. Maybe the Christmas break and the new year would mean a fresh start for the both of them.

"Will you wipe your boots, please?" Jessica Fawley scowled at her daughter as Beth traipsed into the house. She flapped her hands until her daughter returned to the fireplace and wiped her boots on the mat in front of the hearth. Neither of her children had their mother's appearance, favouring Richard's blonde hair and blue eyes. Once Beth had wiped her boots, Jessica smiled tightly.

"That's much better."

"Hi, Mum." Beth sighed heavily, mentally preparing herself for a week of scolding from Jessica. Her mother's favouritism of Thomas was blindingly obvious. He received constant praise, his slip-ups overlooked. Beth, on the other hand, was never good enough in Jessica's eyes. At least Richard treated both of his children equally.

"Now, we're expecting the Rosiers two days after Christmas for dinner." Jessica clicked through to the kitchen in her four-inch heels, which she insisted on wearing through the house.

"Ew, why?" Beth wrinkled her nose. Evan was alright, but that didn't mean she wanted to see him outside of Hogwarts or social occasions.

"Don't be rude, Beth," Jessica snapped, waving her wand so that a selection of fruits, yoghurts and nuts appeared on the kitchen bench, "Your father has business to discuss with Malcolm, some Wizengamot matters, I expect. You and Thomas can spend some time with Evan."

"Evan doesn't even speak to me," Beth muttered under her breath. Thomas would put up with their guest with jovial grace, but Beth would have preferred to hole up in her room reading a book. What were she and Evan meant to discuss, the fact that they both thought Phoenix was pretty? Yeah, because that would go well.

"Beth!" Thomas's voice boomed throughout the kitchen as he strode over to her. Her irritation over the Rosiers morphed into joy at seeing her older brother, and she flung his arms around his neck as he picked her up and spun her around. She hadn't realised just how much she missed her big brother until he wasn't around. By all accounts, Thomas was doing spectacularly at the Ministry, a rising star. Like she'd expected anything different.

"I was telling your sister about the Rosiers visiting." Jessica leaned against the kitchen bench. "She didn't seem too pleased."

"Relax, Mum." Thomas rolled his eyes, before he took Beth's hand and led her upstairs. She traipsed after her brother, wondering why he'd brought her away so abruptly. They walked into Thomas's room, spotlessly tidy as usual. "So. I heard that you and Regulus broke up."

"You knew what he was, didn't you?" Beth planted her hands on her hips as Thomas flopped onto his bed.

"That he's a Death Eater? Yeah, I did. I'm glad things were cut off before he had the chance to seriously ruin your life."

Beth debated telling Thomas that she loved Regulus, but she thought he'd laugh it off. In his mind, the two years he had on her may as well have been two decades. He tried to act incredibly sage and wise, so Beth didn't think saying she loved her boyfriend of a few months would sit well with him. Instead she just nodded slowly.

"I guess you're right." She quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, how's working at the Ministry?"

"Boring." Thomas groaned as he stretched out across the bed. "Maybe when I get promoted it'll be rewarding, but at the moment I'm their errand boy."

"I mean, you are only nineteen," Beth reminded him. She didn't think she would be doing too much when she got into the Ministry, which was her aim when she finished at Hogwarts. The idea of marrying young and having children caused her stomach to coil unpleasantly. She didn't want that to be her future.

Thomas worked in the Department of International Magical Cooperation. With any luck, he might be able to help her get a position, though Beth hoped she could get there on her own merit. Richard and Jessica might not like it, but it wasn't about them. If Regulus insisted he didn't want to be a part of Beth's future, it meant she was free to decide exactly what she wanted to do.

Beth could always predict how dinners with other pure-blood families were bound to go. They would have a meal, some alcohol, and then the men would retire to the study for cigars and the women would sit by the hearth with a brandy and gossip about whatever had been in the Daily Prophet lately. That was precisely how things eventuated during dinner with the Rosier family, leaving Thomas and Beth at the table with Evan.

Beth didn't know how to talk to Evan, mainly because she knew nothing about him aside from the fact that he was a Death Eater and he had a huge crush on Phoenix. Oh, and he played on the Slytherin Quidditch team. The last point was one for discussion with Thomas, and she tuned out as the pair started to discuss manoeuvres.

"Thomas!" Richard opened the study door and beckoned. "We've got some Ministry business to discuss with you. Malcolm thinks he may have an opportunity."

"Excellent." Thomas sprang to his feet with a grin, and Beth took another sip of her port at realising she was going to be left alone at the table with Evan. Her brother saluted and headed over to the study. When the thick door closed, Beth turned her fluted glass around in her fingers.

"It's a shame you and Regulus broke up." Evan poured himself some more port, too. "You two were a cute couple."

"It's fine." Beth wanted to appear unflappable, cool and collected. She wasn't about to be some kind of emotional wreck in front of Evan Rosier.

"Regulus still speaks highly of you." Evan leaned back in his chair, taking a sip of his port. Beth wasn't attracted to him in the slightest, but he was handsome, all sharp cheekbones and piercing blue eyes. So why, then, was he obsessed with a girl who didn't want him? Someone like Evan wouldn't have trouble with the ladies.

"I'm sorry to say Phoenix doesn't speak highly of you." Beth took another sip of port. "Especially after the incident with Alexander."

"Ah." Evan grimaced. "That was...unfortunate."

"Unfortunate?" Beth asked disbelievingly, her voice rising in anger. "Phoenix was a mess. She came to me with blood all over her, and her lip was swollen for days even with the salve I put on it. That's how you're going to win her over? Let your mates smack her around and then step in like some kind of hero afterwards?"

Evan's jaw clenched, eyes gleaming with annoyance. "I don't expect you to understand, Beth."

"I think I understand plenty." Beth crossed one leg over the other. "Your interest in her is physical. Sexual. It's shallow."

"So what, the Lupin boy is a better option?" Evan made a disgusted noise. "His mother is a Muggle. She would be wasted on him."

"Merlin, that's really all you think about." Beth pushed herself to her feet, placing her palms down on the table and leaning forward. "Phoenix isn't just some trophy you can put up on your shelf. She's a person and whether you and I like him or not, Lupin treats her with respect."

Evan was quiet for a few moments, and Beth wondered if maybe he was contemplating what she'd said. She suddenly felt self-conscious, realising she typically wasn't so blunt with the Slytherin boys, especially with someone she knew was a Death Eater. She'd seen what Alexander had done, so what was Evan capable of?

"I think I'm in love with her," he said softly.

Beth let out a surprised laugh, and once she started, she couldn't stop. Evan's brow furrowed in confusion, as though he didn't know what she found so amusing. Beth wanted to believe he was joking, but he was dead serious. Evan believed that his feelings for Phoenix, which Beth knew for a fact made up a lust-fuelled obsession, were love.

"I cannot believe you just said that." Beth shook her head, exhaling deeply.

"How is that funny?" Evan demanded, eyes narrowing.

Beth pinched the bridge of her nose. "You're in love with the idea of her. You don't know her well enough to be in love with her."

Evan raked his fingers through his blonde hair. "I've known Phoenix since we were kids."

"Phoenix isn't going to be some obedient little housewife." Beth scoffed at the very idea. Phoenix was outgoing and bubbly, not the sort of girl who would be intimidated or controlled by anyone. "She isn't going to sit around the house having friends over for afternoon tea, and popping out babies."

Evan lapsed into a stony silence, and Beth could tell he wasn't happy about what she'd said. Maybe he didn't like the truth, but if he was somehow expecting that Phoenix was going to dump Lupin just to be with him, he was very much mistaken.

The Fawleys were invited to New Year's Eve at Grimmauld Place. Beth was nervous and excited to see the Black twins, however she was sorely disappointed. Regulus was nowhere in sight, and something about Phoenix was...off. Beth didn't quite know how to describe it. She looked absolutely stunning, but her expression was grim, and she looked constantly on the verge of tears. She was distracted, barely speaking with Beth before mingling with the other guests.

"What's up with her?" Thomas asked, appearing by Beth's elbow with two glasses of champagne.

"Don't know." Beth swiped one of the glasses from him. She'd decided to wear a strapless black dress, a rare occurrence for a girl who much preferred skirts.

"Maybe it's the whole husband thing." Thomas shrugged and took a sip of his champagne, but his words caused an icy sensation to travel through Beth that had nothing to do with the frigid winter weather.

"What do you mean? What husband thing?"

"Oh." Thomas grimaced, as if realising that he wasn't meant to tell her. When Beth fixed him with a stern look, he caved. "Mum talked to me about it. She said that Walburga's looking to get Phoenix betrothed. I told her that I wasn't interested in getting married, so cross me off the list."

"That's ridiculous." Beth shook her head fervently, refusing to believe it was true. "Phoenix is in a relationship with Lupin."

"Beth, come on." Thomas sighed heavily. "You really think that was ever going to last? He's not what her parents would approve of in a match, at all."

"I need to find Phoenix," Beth murmured, her fingers trembling around her glass. This had to be something that Orion and Walburga intended for after she finished Hogwarts. Phoenix was sixteen, there was no way they'd make a match for her so young...would they? Her best friend had been distracted all night, unusually withdrawn. Had something happened?

The sound of a girl crying made Beth's steps quicken as she headed to the downstairs powder room. The door was ajar and she stopped still when she saw what was happening. Evan had his arms around Phoenix, and she was crying into his shirt. He was rubbing her back in circles, chin resting on top of her head. Beth pressed a hand over her mouth, unsure what was going on. What she had seen was far more intimate than Phoenix usually was with Evan.

Spinning on her heel, Beth headed back to the hubbub of noise and activity, her mind whirling. Phoenix and Evan? Her best friend was with Lupin, she loved him. Fortunately, there was plenty of champagne to use as a distraction. Nonetheless, the insinuation that Phoenix might be betrothed played on her mind, disturbing her for reasons she couldn't fathom.

As the guests started to file out, Beth found herself sitting on the back porch with Thomas and some of the other Slytherin group in the early hours of the morning. She hadn't seen Phoenix or Evan since, which only further rattled her. Thomas kept asking if she was alright, to which Beth would nod and take another sip of champagne.

"Anyone seen Evan?" Isaac Mulciber glanced around.

"Maybe he and Phoenix are upstairs." Mitchell's smile was wicked, and he emitted an imitation of a high-pitched moan that got him an elbow in the ribs from Lorna.

"Don't be disgusting," she chastised, flipping her hair back with a knowing smile, "Evan and his parents left an hour ago."

Mitchell raised an eyebrow. "So then where's Phoenix?"

"I don't know." Lorna shrugged nonchalantly. "She's been moody all night. She probably just went to her room."

"Hmm." Mitchell focused on lighting his cigarette instead, exhaling smoke into the cool night air. Beth watched it stream upwards to the stars, thinking she'd probably had a few more champagnes than was wise. She felt all warm and fuzzy. It was a pleasant sort of sensation, but she wondered if she would pay for it in the morning.

Isaac and Lorna headed off into the garden, probably to snog. Thomas was deep in conversation with some other young men who'd been in his year, gesturing wildly with a cigar in his hand. When Beth glanced back at Mitchell, she realised he was staring at her, his lips quirking into a strange smile.

"What's going on with you and Mariam?"

"Nothing. We're just friends."

Mitchell scoffed. "Rubbish. She's into you, I can tell."

"I think you're imagining things." Beth tugged her cardigan tighter around her slim frame, suddenly feeling just how cold it was outside.

"Why wouldn't she like you?" Mitchell sidled closer to her. "You're cute."

"Thanks, I guess." Beth edged away from him, catching Thomas's eye. He seemed to realise that she was uncomfortable and crossed over, offering a hand to help her up.

"Come on. We should get home."

Grateful for her brother's intuition, Beth took his hand and let him pull her to her feet. She said a quick 'goodbye' and felt the warmth of the hearth wash over her the moment she stepped inside. Thomas was examining her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, making Beth squirm under his scrutiny.

"Something going on that I should know about?"

"With Mitchell?" Beth pulled a face and shook her head. "Gross. He hits on all the girls. He's just a bit of a sleaze."

"Yeah, okay." Thomas's jaw was tight and he didn't look impressed. "Just...be careful."

"He's just flirting, it's nothing." Beth was a bit annoyed that he wouldn't just brush off the matter. Mitchell had flirted with Phoenix in the past, and probably Lorna and Claudia too. The only one who he didn't try it on with was Mariam, fully aware she wasn't into guys at all. It didn't mean anything, and she suspected that Thomas was just going into protective big brother mode.

Mitchell wasn't what rattled Beth. It was the memory of Phoenix and Evan in the powder room, the way he'd been holding her as she cried. Was it true that she was getting betrothed? Was it going to be Evan? She supposed until Phoenix wanted to talk about it, she wouldn't know.