A/N: After much turmoil I've made a few executive decisions on this story…and we'll start seeing a lot more interaction with Hermione to execute these line end decisions I've made. I've been roughing around the ending of this story and essentially Beth for some time now. I thought I knew what was going to happen at the end of this story when I started it, but now I'm not so sure. I wasn't so sure, I should say, I clarified it with myself and my advisor of this grand adventure today and I've come to a hard, real and concrete decision about what has or hasn't become of the present day Beth. Anyway, I also wanted to say that I'm sorry if anyone is disappointed because there is no real action going on, there probably won't be because this story was meant to extrapolate on the characters and allow me to play with them…which I have done immensely and enjoyed it too. Anyway, this part of the story triggers what the summary says this story is about…and Hermione starts to wonder…
I got my strength to deal with the political games of Lucius, Sissy, and Sev from the new light shed on the lying man I've endeared myself to. He lied, he did come to Hogsmeade. I didn't even want to see him after that charade, I still don't…I'm too frustrated at the moment. At first I was surprised, after it sank in anger came over me. Okay, maybe a little hurt, but definitely madness. I'm mad at me too for somehow being dumb enough to let it slip in front of Sirius, but from his actions and words to Peter I get the distinct impression that he won't be disclosing that information to anyone. However, if I know Sirius I'll have to live with his playful taunts about it. Taunts I'm not sure I can handle right now.
Bethany turned and darted back around the building and into the tea shop. She presented the group with a slick smile as she proceeded to sit.
"Are you well?" Narcissa asked properly.
"Positively." Bethany smiled. "Couldn't be better. Please," she raised her tea cup to Lucius, "tell me how your family is faring."
Lucius tipped his head and nodded, placing his cup down. "Not well, you know about all the new Muggle Protection laws going into effect December first."
Bethany looked concerned as she nodded. "I do. What a mess the Ministry is these days."
"Agreed." Lucius smiled.
Bethany sipped her tea and chatted up the disgraces of wizard kind, the troubles at the government levels for wizards, and how the weather was in France. She pretended to have a good time and Lucius seemed impressed, and, in turn, Narcissa glowed at Bethany's performance.
"See you later." Bethany waved them off and turned back to Severus once they'd gone.
I could see it on his face, Sev thought I was quite the Slytherin Princess I tried to deny. He wouldn't understand, he couldn't understand. I didn't bother trying to explain.
"Well," Bethany said. "Now that you know all about my family and their ins and outs tell me about yours."
"I don't talk about them." Severus said.
"You're a pure blood. Surely they own land, or a small farming community, or something equally as fascinating." Bethany wasn't trying to sound snippy, but her words betrayed her and she sounded quite nasty.
"No." Severus shook his head.
"I see." Bethany tossed a galleon on the table. "Let's get out of here."
Severus picked up the gold and handed it to her. He said nothing as he paid the check and swept out of Madam Puddifoot's. Bethany followed. It wasn't until they had walked the length of Hogsmeade and back again that Bethany realized they'd said nothing, and it was a shout coming from the Shrieking Shack that made her realize they'd been silent for so long. It was in this moment that she realized they were behind Madam Puddifoot's as well. Bethany looked up to the building. She raised her chin and did her best not to look frightened.
"It scares you." Severus said.
"What?" Bethany snapped.
"You're afraid of it."
Bethany looked over to Severus and snorted, "I am not."
Severus shook his head and spoke forcefully, with the most conviction she'd heard from him. "Something's happened. You aren't yourself."
"I most certainly am."
"But you're not. You're different."
Bethany's eyes scanned him for a brief moment before she had to bite her lip to keep from crying. Severus watched her, almost fearful that she might burst into tears. Finally, she stomped her foot and turned away from him.
Bumbling idiot…I couldn't help it.
Bethany's tears fell like rain, "I hate it! I hate him! I hate her! I hate my parents, I hate my life and I hate all my friends! Satisfied?" She spun on him, "I hate tradition, I hate ritual. I hate Pure Bloods. I hate Mudbloods. I hate! I hate! I hate! I hate this place. I just want to be a Muggle with a normal life."
Severus, stood, and Bethany drew back. She turned away from him again, folded her arms over her chest and cried uncontrollably. She was making noise, but nothing sensible.
"Bethany." Severus reached out a shaking hand to her. When she didn't move he placed it on her shoulder.
"I swear, if you mention this to anyone…that I cried…" Bethany trailed off as the tears racked her.
"It's between you and me." Severus said. His hand was still perched on her shoulder. He had never been one for knowing how to handle upset people. He didn't know how to comfort Bethany now, but he felt better reaching out to her. In an instant Bethany had swung back around and clung to Severus, sobbing in his robes. Severus, taken aback, slowly wrapped his arms around her and held her lightly as she continued to cry.
Idiot…idiot…idiot. I took Sev for granted, he could see right through me. He knew I wasn't really that girl in Madam Puddifoot's playing like I was actually interested in what Pure Blood was marrying what half-blood or Mudblood. Like I cared what new law the Ministry had passed or even what my parents were pushing to get done. Severus used Lucius for those political ties, he might like him, but they were just convenient for one another. There was a time that I cared where my fortunes lie, but not now.
Hermione woke the next morning the journal laying across her chest still in her clothes. She jumped out of bed and changed quickly, she tugged a brush through her hair and grabbed her books shoveling them in her bag.
She ran out of the dormitory, through the common room and across the castle toward the Great Hall. "Why didn't Ginny wake me?" She asked herself as she bolted around a corner slamming into someone.
Books flew everywhere, and two bodies sprawled out on the ground.
Hermione shook her head and glanced at the person she'd nearly run over. It was a young man Hermione had never seen before. He was a handsome dark skinned man, wearing black robes and a smile. He offered his hand to help her up, "I'm so sorry."
"It was my fault."
He bent and collected her books first and handed them to her, "I should have been paying attention to where I was going."
She accepted them from him and smiled shyly as he collected up his four books.
He chuckled softly and gave her a sideways grin, "Forgive me, I'm looking for Professor Dumbledore. This place is huge and I'm having difficulty navigating." He shook his head, tucked a shoulder length black hair behind his ear and stroked his close clipped goatee, "Again I'm sorry for my rudeness, I'm Sal."
Hermione blushed. "Hermione."
Sal cocked an eyebrow at her, his lopsided grin remaining. "Can you point me toward wherever it might be that Dumbledore is?"
Hermione pondered it for a moment and when she opened her mouth to speak Dumbledore's friendly voice echoed in the hall first. "Pleasant day isn't it?"
Both Hermione and Sal turned to Dumbledore.
"It is." Sal looked over his shoulder, out the window onto the snow covered grounds.
"Hermione, if you don't hurry you'll miss breakfast." Dumbledore told her happily.
Hermione nodded and dashed off past the two in the hall with no words, but her mind was turning and she couldn't seem to get the image of the Headmaster's young friend out of her thoughts.