Christmas came and went and Beth was pampered beyond belief. She came away from the holiday with a silver bracelet, a necklace, a pixie, a ring and a unicorn. Yes, a unicorn. Sitting in front of the fire of the common room, Joe had slipped the tiny creature into Beth's lap. Devoid of any horn, with a golden shimmery coat, the little baby unicorn had pranced around and licked Beth's chin. Tom swore explosively in surprise.
"What should I call her?" she managed to blurt out, through her shock. Joe shrugged.
"That's up to you. She's yours now."
Beth spent most of the day thinking. Finally, she smiled at Joe. "What about Thalia?"
"Nice. Where's that from?"
"Greek goddess of rejoicing."
Tom smirked. "I think it suits her. Two goddesses among us." He winked at Beth.
"Oh, shh!" Beth blushed. "And don't smirk."
Joe smiled as he watched her. When Tom slipped away to get some food, Beth turned to him.
"You and Leecie together yet?"
He smiled. Beth pulled a hurt face. "And you never told me!?"
"I was waiting to tell you today."
"Oh, fine, fine…" she shook her head, looking away. "Don't tell me straight away, fine… I don't care."
He laughed. "Sure Beth, whatever."
Beth sat back on the sofa. She loved the common room, it being one of her favourite haunts. It pushed away all the horrible thoughts in her mind… especially about Tom and Marcus. She hummed gently, tapping her nail on the hard cover of a book resting in her lap.
"Oh, what a night…" she sang. There was a burst of laughter behind her.
"Not that song!" Marcus scoffed. Beth smiled. "Don't knock it or I'll kick your ass."
He grinned. "I wouldn't say no to that…"
"Aww, you're so cute… don't say it-!"
"I try!"
"Marcus!" she groaned, pretending to writhe in pain. She leapt to her feet, suddenly filled with reckless energy and waved her wand. Music filled the common room and she laughed.
"Come on, dance with me!"
He reached out and grabbed her hands then swung her against him, his hands slipping around her waist. She smiled up at him. "So much for not a good dancer."
"Alright, but it's not me stepping on your feet, if you're wondering."
"Then what is it?"
"… I have no idea." He shrugged and Beth laughed, elated. He twirled her under his arm and then she stepped up close to him and rested her head, tucked beneath his chin. She could hardly feel his fingers through her hair. The music finished and they looked at each other for a moment to two then both sat down, Beth somewhat more delicately than Marcus' throwing-oneself-into-chair approach. She yawned.
"I'm going to bed." She stood and watched him for a moment or two then leant over and kissed him lightly on the forehead. "You're the best friend I've ever had. Don't you dare change."
She turned and walked up the stairs, not hearing his murmured reply behind her.
"You're the best friend I could ever have, too…"