Chapter Two: Continued

"Scorpius what is it? What is the plan?" I asked, trying to conceal the tremor in my voice.

He bit his lip and stared at his feet. Finally he said quickly, "You need to accept Bellatrix and her offer to work with her. You still have the trace on you, as soon as you use magic with her we can find her. A thousand things could go wrong and I told them that it was a bad idea and that you wouldn't want to do it but it was the only thing we could think of and if you don't want to do it i completely understand and we could find some other wa-"

"I'll do it," I cut him off.

"What?" He looked astonished.

"My life now that I am visible, is great. But if I close my eyes or try to sleep she comes pops up, her and the things she has done. I am tired all the time and I always wake screaming. I'm sick of it, Scorp. I won't be able to live my life while she is still out here. If I can help at all than I will." My voice grew quieter, my eyes moister. I was a tired fourteen year old girl. when you add the teenage girl emotions to no sleep ever to the idea of having to face your nightmare again in real life, you get a crying Bethany Stone.

And that's what I did, I sat and sobbed quietly. My head between my knees and my hand hugging my legs, I let the tears fall. "I'm sick of being afraid Scorpius. I need to do it..I need to.."

I felt his arms go around me, "Okay..It's okay.." he murmured.

Finally I calmed down enough to talk, "I.. I need to get some sleep. Bad day, hoping for a better day tomorrow."

"Okay.." he released his grip on me. "Get a good few hours of sleep, okay? I can't promise tomorrow will be that great a day."

I nodded and stood, "If anyone saw and asks, I came out for air after a bad dream."

He raised one eyebrow, "And how true is that?"

As I began to walk away I answered, "True enough for it to not count as a full lie, and all the girls in the dormitory will back it up."

I made it back to bed and slept. Well, meaning I closed my eyes and seemingly the next second I was being shaken awake by Rose. "Come on Bethany, we're going to miss breakfast."

Groaning I rolled out of bed. After changing and waking up, I followed Rose down to breakfast where I ate in silence, my eyes barely open. "Bethany, are you listening? We're going to be late for Divination, let's go!"

Then I was being dragged up to Divination with the rest of our class. The day went through slowly, but I was excited when James came up and told me that because his star seeker graduated I was a shoe-in for it and that try-outs would be at the end of the month. I saw Scorpius a few times but we never mentioned what happened the night before.

"How's Beth doing?" Scorpius asked me during dinner when he slid into a seat next to mine at the table.

"You came to our table just so you could ask me how my little sister was doing?"

"What? Am I not allowed to inquire about the health of your family?" He gave me an innocent look.

"You are allowed, but you never wondered before so I want to know what your alternate motive is." I turned so I could see him better.

"Okay, you caught me." He held up his hands in defeat. "I need to show you something."

"OH do you?" I felt someone nudging me on my other side, I looked . Rose winked at me and gave me a thumbs up. I rolled my eyes at her.

"Why yes I do, the fate of all man kind could be dependant on this." He was still smiling broadly at me.

"Well in that case, I guess I'll have to go." Accepting his hand he led me down hall where I saw a door that I never knew existed.

"Close your eyes," he ordered.

Sighing I did as I was told. He led me through the door way. "Welcome to the Room of Requirements. And happy two day late birthday.."

Opening my eyes I saw the room was decorated with streamers and banners and a table filled with various foods and a big birthday cake in the center reading "Happy Fourteenth Invisible Girl!" There was also a smaller table set for two that had to mugs of Hot Chocolate by the plates.

I whirled on Scorpius then hugged him tightly, "You, Scorpius Orion Malfoy, are the most amazing best friend I could ask for."

"Don't I know it?" He responded egotistically.

"Don't push it.."

"Okay, now come on time to eat!" He pulled me to the table and filled my plate with many foods and his with more ("Because I need more to keep my ego fed").

"This is amazing Scorpius...despite the two days late part, it's perfect." I smiled at him across the table.

His face fell, "Despite the two day late part? Would you have preferred if I just appeared at your house in the middle of your family celebration?"

Considering this, I shrugged, "Considering my parents were crying almost the whole time...yes."

He sat in a broody silence until he noticed my smirk and we started laughing.

Once we finished eating he asked, "So, are you ready for presents? Well...more like present. And it doesn't matter if you are or not because I already have it out."

He handed me a small rectangular box wrapped in silver paper with a golden bow on top.

"Scorpius, you didn't have to get me a gift..I mean, this was enough.." I gestured around the whole room in general.

"Well you see, don't go thinking that I did much for this room, this room did it its self, all I had to do was bring you to it, so I really did have to get you this."

Shaking my head I opened the box. Inside was a hear shaped locket, beautiful with a violet-blue gem embedded in the heart. I opened it, inside was a picture of myself and Scorpius, taken over the summer at my house. He had his arm slung around my shoulder and was smirking his smirk with a mischievous gleam in his eyes while I was nearly doubled over laughing. Of course it was magical so I could see myself elbowing him and him just smirking more while saying something that made me laugh.

I gasped, "Scorpius! This is...this is wonderful! It's perfect. It's simply perfect."

Scorpius, who seemed to be very relieved at my reaction, asked cockily, "Glad I did it now?"

"Yes..yes I am." He came around and helped me put the locket on.

Then I turned and faced him. My heart thumping I told him, "I have something for you too."

He looked confused and before I could lose my nerve I kissed him.

Right then and there. I shocked myself and I sure as heck shocked him. But I was more shocked when I realized he was kissing me back.

We pulled apart slightly breathless. "Wow.." we both said at once.

"This will...complicate things.." I said, slightly disoriented.

"I don't think so, it just made my life a whole lot better." He kissed me again.

I smiled at him, "Best birthday party ever."

***

That night I returned to the common room in a delighted daze. I arrived to discover that Rose had waited up for me. "Soooo?????" Was the first thing she asked when I entered through the portrait.

" 'soooo' what?" I responded trying to conceal my smile and failing,

"My word! He kissed you, didn't he? You two totaly kissed!"

"Well...I kind of kissed him, but he kissed back and it amazing..." I let my smile show through.

"EEEP! I knew it! You two are so cute together! And O My Word that locket. Did he give you that?" She stared at the locket that now swung on my neck.

"Yes" I smiled even wider still, I would never get out of that daze, or so I thought.

"Bethany! This is great! You two are going to be the 'it couple'!"

"Good night Rose, enjoy your fantasies." flopping on my bed and closing the curtains I just let myself take in the wonders of this amazing day.

"Maybe this year wont be so bad after all," I whispered into the night.