Bethany sat in the Slytherin common room reading a book when Severus approached her.
"You are reading the about the art of potion making?" Severus asked.
Bethany looked up to him and nodded, "Yes, I'm not doing so well now that I've passed the O.W.L. on it. McGonagall is disappointed."
"Disappointed?" Severus took her making conversation as a cue to sit.
"Yes," Bethany shook her head, "Do you know why I came to Slytherin Severus? Why the hat placed me here?"
When he did not respond she went on, "It said because I was determined beyond anything; that with the combination of being a pure blood established me in the elitist house. I don't think myself an elitist, though I am bound to do everything I choose well, and that includes study."
Severus nodded, "I admire that, determination." He shrugged. "Perhaps that is because I am a determined Slytherin too."
"Then you understand my diligence in class work?"
"Yes," Severus nodded. "If you're having trouble in potions I can help, I'm well versed in potion making."
Bethany smiled, "I think I could use some extra help since reading these things over in solitude doesn't make any sense to me. I can't brain the potions out."
"Meet me in the potions room after class on Monday," Severus said.
"I'll be there," Bethany nodded. "Thank you."
Severus responded only with a nod then disappeared in the boys' dormitory.
Bethany went to picking up her books when Narcissa and Bellatrix appeared in the doorway.
"Beth you missed the best performance of Sissy's life," Bellatrix said.
"Don't flatter me Bell," Narcissa smiled, her prim face turning rosy.
I don't remember what they said because I tuned them out from that point on, they tended to go too far when torturing others and I didn't care to be any part of that. I often took pity on the less fortunate. That stuff I told Severus about being anti elitist was true, I am a Slytherin yes…I will admit it, take the title because it is what I am, but I take it grudgingly. If I could have chosen my house on merit it would have been Ravenclaw, if it had been for the boys it would have been Gryffindor.
"Where are you going?" Bellatrix asked Bethany as Narcissa finished her story.
"To put my books away, then I'm going to the kitchen because I skipped dinner," Bethany told her.
"Okay," Bellatrix smiled. "Hey Beth, I think I've figured some stuff that we can do while Sissy spends her time with Luscious."
Bethany just snickered as Narcissa gave Bellatrix a good pop on the shoulder.
"See you girls later."
I guess I should be honored that I'm accepted into a group of seventh years when I'm still a sixth year, but I feel like I sealed my fate behind a barred door with a key in viewing distance but not touching.
Bethany slipped out of the Slytherin common room with no intention on going to the kitchen. She headed across the castle to the astronomy tower, a place she often lingered in when she was not interested in being disturbed. She was surprised to find the tower not empty this night.
"Oh, Lily," Bethany said, "I'm sorry I didn't think anyone would be here. I'll go and let you study."
"No, you don't have to go. I'm not studying," Lily said looking up to Bethany. Her green eyes were impossible and her red hair danced on the light breeze. "I can go if you've come to study."
"I haven't," Bethany said. "I come here to think."
"Well it seems we have something in common then," Lily smiled.
"Yes, but we have a lot not in common too."
Lily frowned, "That's not the way to look on things, let's stick with that which is in common."
Bethany smiled, "Sounds good. I hate potions."
"So do I," Lily laughed.
"Why are you up here tonight?" Bethany asked.
The wind and chill was making both girl's eyes water. Lily folded her arms over her chest, "James. Since we've started going out I've lost all my friends, he's kept all his and I have no one to talk to. He scared me tonight though."
"Scared you? How?" Bethany asked taking a seat up on the castle wall.
"It may sound silly."
"Nothing's silly Lily."
"He mentioned getting married." Lily sighed. "It's the second time since we've been dating that he's brought the idea up."
"You don't want to marry James?" Bethany cocked her head.
"It's not that Beth, it's that I think I do." Lily bit her lip, "And that's what scares me."
I can't believe she shared something as important as marriage with me when I'm a rival. There's no escaping it, and other people are too afraid to say it plain but I will Gryffindors and Slytherins are generally enemies. Anyway, I think Lily and I are friends now, I don't know why but I trust her…it may very well be because she trusted me with something very personal tonight. And if I know her from the few words we've shared she'll be a Potter before she knows it. Lily loves James, maybe more than she wants to admit. I'm jealous, I want to love and be loved like that. I just hope I'm lucky enough to find him.
Hermione sighed hopefully, she knew that feeling, she supposed, as any girl at her age knew that feeling. Hermione thought she could love someone very close to her, but it was a matter of him loving her back. She went back to the journal.
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