A pattering of feet nearby had Tom whipping around. Beth looked up. Joe and Tom were standing face to face, glaring at each other. Joe didn't look away.

"Beth. Potion." He held the small bottle out to her and she frowned.

"What?"

"I've been watching."

"Oh, lovely," Beth groaned. She reached out and took the bottle, her hand trembling. "Where'd you get it?"

"Nicked it."

He turned and looked at her. If she had had any more strength left, Beth would have gone into a tirade of reproaching about stealing. However, this time, she let it pass. Taking the bottle with its foul-looking green liquid, she screwed up her face and downed the lot. She looked up in time to see Joe point to Tom, his eyes still fixed on her.

"Don't move."

Beth turned to see Tom standing two steps away from his original position. "And why not?"

"Because I said." Beth knew how Joe's comment would sting Tom's pride. But she didn't look at her brother as he added, "And if you do, you'll regret it."

"Oh? How?"

"I'll summon Fudge."

The colour in Tom's face drained away and he coughed, struggling to remain calm. "That's a bit drastic, isn't it?"

"Come near my sister again and I'll break your legs, then send you back to Azkaban where I'm sure the dementors will be all over you, like the girls here at this school."

"Shut up, the pair of you," Beth sighed. She waved her wand and both boys froze. "Ah, that's better. Now, listen to me. This fighting has to stop. Tom, I'm more powerful than you, I think I proved that today. Your little stunt back in the common room took my by surprise, but it showed me just how much stronger than you I could be. So do me a favour," she waved her wand again and the boys relaxed, still staring at her but moving their arms slowly to smooth the blood circulation, and Beth smiled at Tom. "Don't forget who I am."

Tom's eyes widened as he recognised what she had just said. Don't forget who I am… Alicia in the forest, ages ago, 'don't forget who I am'… he himself had said the same words. Beth's smile widened and she curtseyed.

"I'll leave you two to it. I have some things I need to deal with, slightly more important than you, Tom."

She almost skipped up to the castle.

Marcus stopped her in the Great Hall.

"I told you not to duel him."

"And I told you not to tell me what I can and can't do. You're my boyfriend, Marc, not my father."

He looked at her and bit his lip. His eyes were dark with worry. Beth smiled reassuringly and patted his cheek. "I'm ok. Really. If anything, it's Tom who you need to worry about." She grinned. "I kicked his ass."

Marcus looked away. "I can't help but worry about you, you're so little!" He tweaked a curl of hair and, when Beth opened her mouth to argue, he interrupted her. "And don't say you aren't, because you know damn well you are. I was so worried when you were sick."

"You and me, both."

"Leecie and Joe have broken up again."

"What?!"

If he had hoped to slip that in unnoticed, the way he had said it so quietly, not looking at her, and just sliding it in to the conversation, he was sadly disappointed. "What happened?"

"Tom."

"Oh, not again! Did Ali and Tom kiss? Again?"

"No, damn, I hope not. If he's been anywhere near my sister I'll gut the fu-."

"Then what?"

"No trust."

Beth nodded. It was understandable. No wonder Ali had seemed so depressed this past week. This time, Beth wasn't going to help. She slipped her hand in Marcus' and gently tugged it. "Come on, let's go somewhere. We need to talk."

She led him up through the castle, eventually stopping in a deserted classroom, lit with a golden light from the setting sun. Beth had watched with amusement as with every step Marc's face had become more and more apprehensive. The poor boy worried way too much. She stopped and turned to face him.

"Exams next week."

"I know."

"They decide the rest of our life. In a way."

"I know."

"Pretty nerve racking…"

"Beth, if you brought me up here to discuss the pros and cons of examinations then I'd rather be somewhere else. Not that I don't like spending time with you, of course," he finished quickly. Beth laughed and she felt his hand relax. She grabbed both of his hands in hers and looked up at him, her eyes shining.

"What if I told you my life was already decided?"

He stared at her. "Tell me you're not pregnant."

"Marcus! No, I'm not pregnant!"

"Ok. Now, are you?"

"What?"

"Pregnant."

"I just answered that!"

"Well you could have just said you weren't because I told you to tell me you weren't but that still doesn't meant you aren't, although I really don't see how you could be, unless-."

Beth grabbed him around the neck, pulled him down, and planted her lips on his. He shut up. Eventually she pulled away with a laugh, he had finally relaxed. Almost.

"Cheater."

"Hey, I couldn't shut you up any other way. And no, I am not pregnant. Read this."

She pulled a screwed up letter from her pocket. It had obviously been crushed in there for a few days and, by the look of it, read and reread. Marcus read through it, his mouth open, looked up at Beth, then read it again.

"Wow."

"You're telling me!" Beth giggled.

"Are you going to accept?"

"You think I should?"

"Hell yes, if it's what you want to do!"

"It's what I want to do."

He whooped, picked her up and hugged her. No wonder Tom couldn't beat her, she thought. No one can bring me down now.

"You've been what?!"

"I've been accepted into the National Witches and Wizards Teaching College. Depending on my exam results, of course."

Joe, Jessi and Leecie stood stunned. Beth frowned. "Was it something I said?"

Jessi laughed and leapt forward, giving Beth a hard hug. "Well done!" Leecie grinned and gave her the thumbs up sign. Joe just stared.

"Alright!" Jessi cried. "Our Bethy's going to be a teacher!"

"I wouldn't go that far," Beth reprimanded gently. "I haven't done my exams yet."

Leecie shrugged. "We already know you'll do fine. Just warn me which school you'll be teaching at. I don't want you teaching my kids any funny business…"

"You'll have already taught them."

"Fair point."

"Joe?" Jessi asked. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

The grin on Beth's face faltered for a moment as she looked at her younger brother. He wasn't smiling. "What can I say? It looks like she's already decided…"

"How about congratulations…" Jess nudged gently.

"Congrats, Beth," he mumbled. "So this means you'll be leaving?"

Everyone turned to look at Beth. She bit her lip. "I'll be back for holidays and things. It's only three years…"

"Only," Joe scoffed. Marcus looked away. Beth couldn't think what to say. Leecie shrugged and hitched her smile back again.

"Well, at least there won't be as much nagging around here anymore…" her smile faded slightly. "Or as much good advice."

"Or as many hugs," Jessi added.

Marcus shook his head. "Come on. This is the chance of a lifetime, and besides, I don't know about you lot but I need a break from this little runt-." He broke of as Beth flew at him, poking him roughly in the ribs. In a cloud of hair and robes, the others plummeted towards a laughing tangle of Beth and Marcus, and helped to deck the evil boy.