Chapter Nine: Act II, Scene IV: Resurgence
A/N: The rating for this fic has been upped to M, this chapter has sexual content and coming up are some pretty heavy themes. If you're a Beth x Regulus fan then there's definitely something for you here ;)
Slytherin triumphed over Gryffindor in the final Quidditch match of the year and it was cause for a massive celebration by the Black Lake. For the seventh-years, it was also a last hurrah, their final party before they would be saying goodbye to Hogwarts for good. Beth had done a few shots with Lorna and Phoenix before they'd headed down, buzzing pleasantly as she moved through the throng of students.
Phoenix was, rightfully so, basking in the attention that the Slytherin team was garnering. There was a polite smile on her lips, and Evan's arm wrapped possessively around her waist. Beth noticed that only Regulus wasn't surrounded by admirers, standing by himself over by the edge of the lake with a drink in his hand. She walked over to stand beside him, and for a few moments, there was only the peace of the lake lapping against the shore.
"You were great today."
"Thanks." Regulus glanced at her, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I'm letting the rest of the team get all the attention. Not my sort of scene."
"I know." Beth took the drink from Regulus's hand and had a sip before handing it back. She noticed that his gaze was still fixed on her, making her flush and feel self-conscious. "What?"
"Nothing. You just look really good tonight." Regulus reached out and took Beth's hand, and she slipped her fingers through his, wondering what exactly was happening between them. Fortunately, everyone else at the party seemed distracted. Phoenix and Evan were making out and his hands were all over her. Beth couldn't help but grimace.
"Where is this going, Reg?" Beth asked, unable to help but feel wary. This was the boy who'd broken her heart, who kept claiming that he still loved her despite that. Did she want Regulus? Did she want Mariam? She wasn't entirely certain, and her own indecisiveness frustrated.
"I did something fucked up over the Christmas holidays." Regulus swallowed hard, his hand tightening in Beth's. "And now someone I love has to live with it. I don't know if it was the wrong choice or not, but I hurt someone."
Beth thought back to Christmas, to Phoenix crying in the powder room with Evan's arms around her, to Phoenix's solemn attitude when she'd broken things off with Remus. A chill raced up her spine despite the warmth of impending summer and she searched Regulus's face for answers.
"What did you do?"
"I told my parents something about Remus." When Regulus glanced at her, his grey eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "Something they would never forgive or forget. The result was that they had Phoenix break things off with him, otherwise they would have him hurt."
Beth's breath hitched. "Regulus…"
"I didn't know what they'd do." Regulus's voice cracked. "I didn't think they were going to make her get married. I didn't know it would be like this. But they don't want another Sirius, so they pushed her to pick a husband or they'd pick for her."
Beth knew that Phoenix and Evan's wedding was mere weeks away now, and had often wondered why it was such a hurried affair. Now it seemed she had her answer. Orion and Walburga hadn't wanted another stain on their family, and so they'd pushed their teenage daughter into a union she'd wanted no part in. A union that, according to Regulus, he had been at least partially responsible for.
"It wasn't your fault."
"I don't need you to make excuses for me." Regulus shook his head fervently. "I just...I drove my twin sister to unhappiness and it's made me realise that I don't deserve it myself. I was happiest when I was with you, and I didn't even deserve that."
Beth took his face in her hands, examining his handsome features and the way his grey eyes brewed with misery. She didn't know what possessed her to do it, but she pressed her lips to his. Regulus kissed back desperately, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her tight against him. It was like a moment frozen in time, a moment where they were allowed happiness.
"Tell me to stop," Regulus begged breathlessly, drawing back to trace a finger down her cheek.
"I can't," Beth whispered. He was a mess and maybe she was too, but there was no denying the truth: they still loved each other. No matter what had happened, it was like they couldn't stay away from each other.
Regulus took her hand and led her off, and Beth couldn't help the thrill of exhilaration that raced through her. They headed back up to the castle in darkness and silence, before Regulus tugged open the broom cupboard on the first floor near the entrance to the Slytherin dungeon. She kicked the door closed behind them and he kissed her again, the ferocity of it almost making her stumble over her own feet.
Beth shouldn't be kissing Regulus. He was her ex, for fuck's sake. It was like a rush of something exciting, a similar sort of feeling she'd had when she'd kissed Mariam. She wound her fingers in his hair and they kissed with desperation, like they feared they'd never touch each other again. As he pressed her back against the frosted window, Beth knew she should put a stop to this, and yet she didn't want to.
Regulus's lips descended to her neck, and Beth gripped his sleeves and held him close against her. Was this love? Was this lust? Was it something in between? She tilted her head back and gasped as he left a hickey. His fingers worked at the buttons of her shirt, and she impatiently shrugged it off, wanting to give him access to all of her.
Beth pressed her lips fiercely to Regulus's and reached down to unzip his pants. She didn't need something tender and sweet. She just needed him, in whatever capacity she could get him. Regulus's hands skimmed up her body, roaming over her breasts and making her arch up against him.
"I want you," Regulus muttered against her skin, "I want you so bad."
"Then have me." Beth slid her undies down her legs and kicked them off, sitting up on a stack of crates situated just beneath the window.
Regulus positioned himself between her legs, pushing his cock into her and making her choke out a gasp and rest her hands on his shoulders. His breath came out in a hiss as he buried his face in her shoulder and after a moment, he started to rock his hips. One of Beth's hands flew back against the window to brace herself, the other reaching up to wind in Regulus's dark hair as she tilted her head back.
Beth hooked her legs around his waist, tugging him closer against her as he continued to roll his hips, making her moan softly. Regulus's hands rested on her hips, lips pressing kisses up and down her neck as she writhed in pleasure. His rhythm was hard and fast and it was everything she needed. Beth bucked against him, fingers desperately searching every inch of his skin.
Regulus groaned low in his throat as he thrust, the noise only serving to make the heat rise within Beth. His fingers slipped down to circle her clit, sending a white-hot bolt of pleasure through her that made her gasp sharply. A slow smirk spread across Regulus's lips as he kept moving his finger, maintaining his pace with each roll of his hips.
"Reg…" Beth choked out, gripping the sleeve of his shirt as she felt the familiar coil building within her, a rising euphoria within her. "Regulus, I'm going to…"
"It's okay, Beth." Regulus laughed breathlessly, grey eyes burning into hers. The snap of his hips and the circle of his fingers was enough to drive her over the edge, and she cried out in pleasure as her orgasm hit her. Her body convulsed and she bit down on her lip.
Regulus's breathing grew more ragged, and after a few loud moans accompanied by quick thrusts, he shuddered against her. For a few moments there was a peaceful quiet, Beth's fingers drifting across his dark hair. She wasn't the sort of girl who shagged boys in broom cupboards...except apparently she was.
Regulus drew back and tugged up his pants, and Beth busied herself fixing her clothes and attempting to steady her racing heart. It was just sex, and she knew that. There was nothing else that could happen between her and Regulus. She had to play it cool. Tucking her hair behind her ears, Beth slid off the crates.
"That was...something else."
Regulus took her face in his hands and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. It was far too intimate for the whole 'just friends' thing they had going on, and Beth had the feeling that shagging in a broom cupboard meant that they'd complicated things between them. Desperation clawed its way up in her and she gripped Regulus's wrists.
"You deserve happiness. If that's not with me, that's okay, but you don't have to keep punishing yourself for Sirius and Phoenix and…"
"Beth." Regulus's voice was calm with a pleading undercurrent. "Maybe I do, but you deserve better than me."
"Bullshit." Beth brushed him off, unable to disguise her immense disappointment. What had she thought would happen? That she and Regulus would shag, and then he'd suddenly want a relationship with her again? Merlin's beard, what an idiotic thought.
"Look, I need to sort my shit out, and I know that." Regulus raked his hands through his hair. "I don't want to lead you on. I don't want to promise anything. But I do still love you, Beth. Even if it doesn't always seem that way."
"I kissed Mariam." The words were out of Beth's mouth before she could stop herself, though her voice shook. "I still love you too, and you know that. But if all we are is secret hook-ups in the broom cupboard...I don't want that."
Regulus sighed deeply. "Let's just get through Phoenix and Evan's wedding. Then, I promise, we can try and see if we can build something again."
The idea made a smile grace Beth's lips. She knew she was probably being too hopeful, but she just didn't want Regulus to hate himself and think he didn't deserve anything good in his life. She did think, however, that they were going to need to drink a lot of champagne to handle the extravagance that would be Phoenix and Evan's wedding.
The heat of summer had certainly settled over Britain on the day of Phoenix and Evan's wedding. Beth hadn't been to a wedding in several years, and certainly not the wedding of someone in her year. The bridal party consisted solely of family, which was absolutely fine by her. At the reception, Beth realised just how many people were in attendance. There would probably be a notice about the damn thing in the Daily Prophet, considering how much Rita Skeeter loved her gossip.
Phoenix looked absolutely stunning, but Beth was less focused on how beautiful her best friend was and more on how frightened she looked. They were still just kids. They hadn't even finished Hogwarts. Phoenix was barely seventeen, and Evan was hardly older. While everyone was commenting on how pretty the bride was and what a wonderful wedding ceremony it had been, Beth couldn't help but be reminded of just how young they were.
Beth barely exchanged a handful of words with her best friend, as Phoenix had so many guests to mingle with. She did notice Regulus approach Phoenix and take the champagne glass from her hand. The young bride's face darkened and the twins exchanged tense words. Judging by the body language between the pair, the conversation only grew more unpleasant, before Phoenix punched Regulus in the face.
Beth raced across the hall as fast as her platform heels would allow. Evan seized a firm hold of Phoenix's arm and practically dragged her outside onto the balcony. Heaving a sigh, Beth examined Regulus, noting that blood was splattered all over his shirt. Beth withdrew her wand and tapped it gently against his nose.
"Episkey."
"Thanks," Regulus muttered, raking his fingers through his hair, "Sorry. I didn't think there was going to be a spectacle like that."
"What happened?" Beth asked, nabbing two more champagne glasses and handing one to Regulus. He drained it in a few quick gulps before setting it down on one of the tables.
"Phoenix and I got into an argument."
"Yes, I could tell," Beth said coolly, folding her arms over her chest. "I mean, what was it about?"
"I was unkind." Regulus's jaw clenched. "She said some hurtful things, but so did I."
"I didn't know the girl could throw a punch like that." Rodolphus Lestrange sauntered across the room with his younger brother Rabastan in tow. Beth had never gotten a good vibe from the brothers, who had finished school before she started. Apparently, Rabastan had been a contender for Phoenix's husband, despite the eight-year age gap.
Regulus's head jerked in a stiff nod. "Rodolphus. Rabastan."
"What she needs is a good shag." Rodolphus took a swig of his drink. "I'm certain Evan can just fuck her into submission. Some good sex is sure to shut her up."
Rabastan scoffed. "Oh, yes, because I'm sure that works for Bellatrix."
"What did you just say?" It was only when all three of the young men looked at her that Beth realised the low, infuriated words had come from her. A dark rage coiled within her at Rodolphus's crude words, and apparently she'd been foolish enough to voice it.
"Who's this?" Rabastan examined her disdainfully. "Wait, you're Thomas Fawley's sister, aren't you?"
"My name is Beth." Regulus caught her arm, but she shrugged him off, turning her attention back on Rodolphus. "You're being extremely vulgar, you know."
"Does it offend you?" Rodolphus rolled his eyes. "I forget how delicate some of you women can be."
"Beth, come on." Regulus drew her away before she could comment further, much to her chagrin. The door to the balcony opened and Evan stormed inside, a scowl across his face. Outside, Narcissa was comforting a crying Phoenix. Beth was devastated for her friend, wishing this day had been something she'd wanted.
"The way they talk about her…"
"Rodolphus and Rabastan are dangerous. Very dangerous." Regulus shook his head slowly, grey eyes troubled. "Please, don't piss them off."
Evan approached with a swagger in his step and a glass of champagne in his hand. He raked his free hand through his blonde hair, exhaling deeply as he reached Regulus and Beth. Personally, Beth thought he was lucky that it hadn't been him Phoenix had punched.
"She's really not in a good mood."
"Can you blame her?" Beth was slow to anger, but when she was pissed it was a serious matter. "The Lestrange brothers are objectifying her, and I'm pretty sure I heard Isaac and Alexander making bets on how long it'll take for you to get her pregnant. No one here gives a shit about her. They just care about their nice little pure-blood wedding."
Evan stared at her like she'd just suggested they jump off the Big Ben. Hurt flashed across Regulus's face, and she realised that she'd just implied he didn't care about his twin sister. Beth sighed and bit down on her lip.
"I'm sorry. I just...I don't think it's unfair for her to be upset right now."
"I think I've got something that can cheer us all up." Evan's eyes darted between them, and a smile curved his lips. "I bought a bunch of tickets to the Quidditch World Cup. Best seats, you know. I thought it might be fun for us, after Phoenix and I return from the honeymoon and settle in."
"I knew there was a reason I put up with you." Regulus grinned and clapped Evan on the shoulder. Beth shouldn't have been surprised that he was so excited. He did love Quidditch, after all. She didn't think she had been to the Quidditch World Cup since she'd been a child.
"What about you, Beth?" Evan asked, startling her a little. She had thought this was their usual boys' club outing. The idea that she was included in something, and by Evan no less, was a shock to her. She examined him closely, trying to discern if he was pulling her leg.
"I'm invited too?"
"Of course," he drawled, as though she always was. It was true that she had been invited to more social events in the past few years than before. She didn't know if she would consider Regulus's group as her friends, but they were more than just the acquaintances she'd passed them off as before fifth year.
"Yeah." Beth nodded, slowly at first but then more fervently. "Hell yeah."
"That's the spirit," Evan grinned at her response, before exclaiming and throwing up his arms up at Isaac and Alexander's arrival, "And there's the spirits."
"Damn straight." Alexander offered his flask, and Evan took a deep gulp.
As excited as Beth was for this new social opportunity, she couldn't help but watch Phoenix as the dark-haired girl glided back inside the hall with her head held high. Evan might not mind the marriage, but to Phoenix, it was a cage. Seeing how miserable matrimony made her best friend, the weight of society's expectations weighing heavy on the shoulders of a seventeen-year-old girl, made Beth certain of one thing: marriage was not for her. Not now, and not ever.