CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
dancing queen
THE SUN HAD barely reached the top of the castle, waiting to be hidden under a shroud of cloud when Betty was awoken earlier than she would have liked by singing at the foot of her bed. Her body knew what day it was before her mind could work it out as the days of the year reeled through her mind, flicking through like photographs until she landed on the date. It was January eighteenth. Her seventeenth birthday.
But, she could feel the sugar pop pink of sixteen already leaving her body as her finger tips tingled, her eyes blinked awake and the barely early morning sun made the room around her seem a hue of green. She sat up, rubbed her eyes and looked to see Aisling and the rest of her dormmates singing with cheer as a perfectly frosted yellow cupcake sat in the palm of Aisling's hand. The fire tipped candle flicked slightly with the commencement of the singing.
A smile found its way to Betty's face as she stared with adoration at the girls in front of her. Her hair tumbled down her back as she leaned forward and screwed her eyes shut, trying to think of only one thing to wish for. Once she had her wish, her eyes popped back open as she blew out the candle in one soft go. Everyone cheered as her dimples showed prominently.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed as she grabbed Aisling into a hug and pulled her down on the bed, effectively squishing the cupcake between them.
"Betty! The cake!" Betty could feel the frosting starting to seep through her nightdress and couldn't help but giggle.
"Screw the cake!" Aisling smiled into her shoulder as she heard the unadulterated happiness in Betty's voice. Their nails dug into each other as the symphonies of girlhood chorused around them. With hair everywhere and light laughter that evoked bluebirds, they felt it. The feeling that they'd mourn once they left the castle for the last time—sharing beds, painting nails and talking about crushes. Because they were just girls and it was wonderful. "I should probably shower now."
Aisling burst into laughter as she used a hand to prop herself over Betty. "You think?" Betty stuck out her tongue. "Get on!" Aisling properly stood up and swiped a little of the frosting stuck to her pajamas into her mouth. She hummed at the sweetness so early in the morning as she walked over to her trunk to get her uniform. It was a Wednesday and everyone was ready for the barely new week to be over already, not knowing the consequence of willing time to move so fast. "Next year is your golden birthday!"
Betty furrowed her eyebrows as she gathered her shower things that were neatly in her desk drawers as she turned to face Aisling. "Golden birthday?"
"Eighteen on the eighteenth!" A look of realization dawned on Betty's face as Aisling giggled. "Hopefully you'll have someone better than Forrester to spend it with."
"You know," Betty huffed, "you-know-who really took the fun out of crushes and such. Because I now can't refer to Kellan as he who shall not be named because then people will think I shagged a dark wizard, which I did not—"
"Forrester would like to think he was that powerful," Aisling interjected as stood in the middle of the room as the other girls milled around them.
"He really would. But the thing is that I now can't refer to him as that which is just so not fair!"
"You know who is really just ruining lives."
They both rolled their eyes, shook their heads and had to hold back laughter. Because that's what they had to do. As branches from their family trees snapped off, the children needed to laugh. Betty quickly moved into the bathroom before anyone could claim it as turned on the shower as hot water flowed out. She shrugged off her nightgown and let the warm water cascade down her body, making her hair slick and blurring her vision as it dripped down her eyelashes. After putting shampoo then conditioner in her hair and body wash all over, she stepped out, feeling fresh.
She slathered on moisturizer and swiped mascara onto her eyelashes. She stepped out in her bra and underwear as she let her hair dry, putting on her uniform with the rest of her dormmates. They moved in their comfortable routine that they'd had for six years until each one of them were prepped for the day. With bags slung over their shoulders, they all exited slowly—waiting for friends or rushing to lovers as the morning started with its yawns and usual buzz.
As Betty walked down the steps, tying her converse as she did, she was greeted with a few "happy birthday"'s as she exited the common room with Aisling. Walking up the steps and then through the corridors until they reached the Great Hall, they chatted, or rather Aisling told Betty about the plans for her birthday.
But, they both looked up as they heard her name shrieked to see Philippa bounding towards them—hair flying and robes billowing. Philippa brought her into a rib crushing hug before holding her out. "Happy birthday!"
Betty's smile reached her eyes as she looked at Philippa and she couldn't help but giggle. Linking both of her arms with her friends, they continued towards the Great Hall. "So, we're having a party for you in our common room. The seventh years have already agreed—"
"I can rob Potter's stash of liqueur since girls can get into the boys dorms and bring only the best red wine for you!"
Betty giggled as she shook her head. "Please don't. I think he'd have my head if you did!"
"It's your birthday!" Philippa scrunched her nose as she looked down at Betty with bright eyes. "He can't touch you."
"Unless you want him too," Aisling added in with a sly smile, only to choke on her own spit as Betty rammed her elbow into her side. "Fine, fine, sorry."
"Do not talk like that on my . . ." Betty's voice trailed off as she looked ahead of her. She wasn't breathless due to the crowd of people, but rather the sight on the ceiling of the Great Hall.
She unlinked her arms from Philippa and Aisling as she hurried forward, soaking in the perfected celestial expanse. The stars twinkled in the new sunlight as they flew around students, sprinkling stardust on their cheeks. Little bits of silver made their way into her hair as she couldn't tear her eyes away. This is surely what magic must have been—not the sort taught in their classes, but the magic that Hope would talk about in fairy books. This magic brought light and only light.
She reached up and her fingers graced Neptune, making the blue stardust fizzle a little and fall like glitter onto her. The childlike wonder filled her eyes as she tore them away, looking for him. Once she spotted his messy curly hair and glasses and rushed towards their group.
"James!" she exclaimed breathlessly, making him look away and at her. His breath halted as stardust sifted onto slightly, making her light up in an ethereal manner.
But, he blinked twice and looked at her properly, as he should have. "Yeah?" An eyebrow was raised as he looked at her expectantly.
"This is incredible," was all she could manage to get out.
"You think so?" A smile creeped onto his face. "I think Evans—"
"Betty!" a voice yelled from behind him as they both looked to see a cheerful Sirius. "Happy happy birthday you gorgeous human!" Betty grinned as her face was captured in her hands and his lips peppered her face with kisses. "You're officially a grown up magic user!" Sirius gasped and turned to Remus, who was watching, entertained, from behind him. "We better watch out. This little bitch can start to hex us—" Betty gasped and started to playfully hit Sirius, making him burst out into laughter. He could barely manage to get out: "—whenever she wants!"
"I hate you!" Her voice was tainted by her laughter as he started to tickle her, making her heave as struggle to get away from him. She slapped behind her and glared. "Back! Back!" Her cheeks were red and her hair was messy as her excruciating humanity enveloped her. They both burst into laughter, making her double over. "After that . . . I just might!"
She looked up to see the awaiting arms of her brother as she crash landed into him. The Lupin siblings collided as the universe swirled and whirled around them. "Happy birthday," Remus mumbled into her shoulder. She smiled against his as they just felt each other, hoping to feel the last of semblance of Hope as the first of their birthdays was celebrated without her. Betty leaned over and kissed Remus's cheek softly while whispering her love for him before looking up, breaking away from Remus and landing into Peter softly. Her smile reappeared as he squeezed her once before pulling away. "Happy birthday, Betty!"
She smiled at him before turning around to face James, also catching the eye of Sirius. "This really is beautiful, James. And I really appreciate you doing it for my—"
A half smile appeared on his face. "Yeah I really think Evans is going to love it." She stopped and looked at him as her stomach churned.
Of course. How could she have been so stupid? They were barely friends and he had obviously not even remembered that it was her birthday. Why would James Potter do something like this for her?
"Yeah, I think she will," Betty managed to get out as Sirius narrowed his eyes at her as he looked between them. Her face turned stoically happy and he could tell.
James nodded as he looked at her, not even noticing that Lily's vibrant red hair had bounded into the Great Hall. They looked at each other for much longer than they should have, at least in the presence of Remus, Peter and Sirius until both of their attentions were taken by Lily's red hair colliding with Betty's body.
"Happy birthday! Happy birthday! Happy birthday!" Lily squealed as Betty stumbled back before reciprocating the hug. Lily abruptly pulled back, taking in Betty's face. "Welcome to the club of seventeen!" Her stomach was more prominent if you were hugging her and knew about the glamour charms. But, she was lucky as her family had a history of smaller baby bumps. Betty unconsciously put her hand on Lily's stomach, making Lily scrunch her nose. "This is about you."
Betty rolled her eyes. "Rather it wasn't."
"Well, in just under two weeks, it'll be my birthday and then it'll be all about me. Deal?" Lily raised only an eyebrow as she stared at Betty.
"Deal." A teasing smile stretched onto Betty's face as her eyes flicked to behind her. "Your admirer awaits."
Lily groaned and rolled her eyes before turning around. "Did you wish her happy birthday?"
James looked between them as the gears in his head turned. "I made her this." He gestured his hand up to the moon and the stars. "Much better than a happy birthday, I'd like to think."
Lily was visibly taken aback as James celebrated inside. Her eyes went dark just as quickly. "No you didn't."
"How do you know that, Evans?" James raised an eyebrow. "Who's to say that Betty Lupin isn't the love of my life?"
Lily scoffed as she glared at James, but could only respond after a moment of silence. "Because she isn't."
"Missing the love, Lil?" James's smile was dangerous as he looked at her.
Her face went red as she cleared her throat. "Absolutely not. In fact, I'm relishing in the fact that you no longer care."
She turned back to Betty, blew her a quick kiss before storming off. Everyone was bewildered at the events that had just transpired, Betty most of all.
"Mate . . . what?" Peter asked as he looked at James with concerned eyes. "What the fuck did I just watch? Betty, what just happened?"
"James finally realized," Remus mused from behind all of them, making Peter jump in surprised. "James finally realized that she likes the fireworks and being the apple in his eye, even if she claims she doesn't. So, if someone that she also loves gets the limelight . . ."
"James?" Sirius asked as James could only stare at the ground in front of him, processing what had just happened.
Betty hugged herself as she did the same, feeling like people's eyes were on her. Feeling watched. Feeling perceived, but not in the way she wanted. Not in the way that lovers do, only in the way that flashing cameras do. She felt her stomach hollow out and her limbs become light as the panic filled her.
But a warm hand on her upper arm made her eyes snap up to meet dark brown hidden behind glasses. Everything happened all at once as the hollowness filled and she could only look at him, her fingers tingling and her head light. His eyes were on her, but she didn't seem to care about that.
"Sorry," he managed to get out. She nodded her head as she looked at him, wide eyed. He opened his mouth to say more, but she then their shooting stars collided as she pulled him into her body. His arms immediately wrapped around her torso and squeezed her, but not too tightly.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to him, making him shake his head.
"You don't have anything to be sorry—"
"It still sucks."
And in their small moment of understanding, they pulled away. The consequences of their actions were miles away as they could only look at each other.
"Happy birthday."
"Thanks."
She looked down at her watch and upon seeing the time, scrambled for her book bag. The boys could only watch her as she slung it over her shoulder and waved them all farewell. She sped over to the Hufflepuff table where her friends were waiting for her, their eyes having been on her for a while, loudly.
"There you are!" Philippa exclaimed as she spread jam over Betty's usual toast for her.
"Did you just hug James Potter?" Aisling screamed.
Betty stopped in her tracks as he eyes went wide. "So that actually happened."
"Yes, it did," Cece's new voice piped up, making Betty's eyes snap to her.
"Honestly, the last twenty minutes have felt like a fever dream." Betty plopped down next to Aisling, her back towards the boys, who were interrogating James quietly. She took a crunchy bite of her toast and chewed. "So I will not be held responsible for my actions within them."
"Bullshit!" Aisling exclaimed as she stared, open mouthed at Betty.
"It's her birthday," Philippa reasoned as Cece nodded.
"Happy birthday, by the way," Cece interjected with a wink.
Betty smiled as she swallowed. "The big one seven."
"You can use magic outside of school now!" Aisling squealed as she brought her into a hug. "That means we can apparate together now! And one of us can take Cece and the other can take Pippa!"
"She'd got a point," Philippa mumbled as she drank some coffee. "Our summer plans have just leveled up astronomically!"
"But our plans for you tonight are stupendous," Cece added in.
"Breathtaking," Philippa added.
"And positively mad!" Aisling exclaimed.
Betty set her head in her hand as she looked at each of their excited eyes before shrugging and blowing a piece of hair out of her face. "Oh what the hell."
They all cheered as Cece looked at the clock and started packing up her things. Betty grabbed an extra muffin as she followed her friends and the rest of Hogwarts out for their first period class.
Her day was filled with birthday wishes from seat mates and professors alike as she rotated through her classes, collecting homework assignments and good marks along the way and before she knew it, it was five minutes before the end of her last period.
The History of Magic lecture that she was stuck was grueling and made her regret taking the mandatory class and not skipping it like her more irresponsible classmates. But, she figured that she had another year left, so her skipping could be saved for then.
Her eyes followed the ancient clock as it ticked with the seconds and timed slowed to a near halt as Professor Binns drawled on about the Spanish Inquisition or the 1752 Goblin Rebellion, she really couldn't remember. But, the minute hand eventually made it to twelve as the sound of classes being let out breathed life into the still castle. Even though Professor Binns hadn't stopped talking, his students started packing up and waiting by the door to be let out. Upon noticing, he sighed, assigned the work for the night and let them all go rejoin their friends.
She burst out of the classroom to find Aisling waiting for her, looking suave. "Hey."
"I can't believe you left me in that bloody class!"
"What?!" Aisling exclaimed as she grinned. "I had to get cute for my hot date and now that you're here, we can party!"
Betty rolled her eyes, but smiled nonetheless as Aisling whisked her away to the Hufflepuff common room, where Philippa and Cece were waiting and chatting with a few Hufflepuffs in their year. Upon hearing them enter, they both left their conversations and bounded over to the girls.
"I'm so excited!" Philippa exclaimed. "I have this pink dress that I've been saving!"
"It's such a shame that your birthday is the only one that during the actual school year! The rest of us have ours on holiday!" Aisling exclaimed as they all walked towards Betty and Aisling's dorm.
"That just lets you have whole days of partying and no homework to worry about!" Betty exclaimed as she ran up the stairs. "It's not all that!"
"No arguing on Betty's birthday!" Cece shouted as the girls reached the top, only to find dresses and leather trousers flying as the sixth year Hufflepuff girls struggled to get ready for Betty's party. Because even if she was introverted, her brother's friends were not. And if Sirius Black and James Potter were at a party, then everyone was.
They all settled in as Aisling helped do everyone's mascara and Philippa helped one of Betty's dormmates, Alexa, braid her hair. Cece quietly put on her jeans and leather waistcoat in the corner as she chatted with one of their other dormmates, Uma, and Betty was pampered by everyone.
Philippa pulled on a bright pink tiered dress and yellow heeled boots that made her already tall frame much taller. Betty was zipping up Aisling's short blue halter jumpsuit as Alexa changed the record to Rumors, making them all scream as the first few notes of "Second Hand News" played out. "I've been obsessed with Stevie Nicks ever since this album came out! It's like the best album in the history of ever!" Aisling exclaimed, making Betty jump and the zipper to get stuck. Cursing, Betty struggled a little before she managed to wiggle it out of its caught position and zip the rest of the dress up and then patting Aisling's shoulder, indicating that she was finished.
Betty then pulled her tight green short sleeve dress over her body—as she only had her bra, underwear and a robe on. It was shorter than mid thigh and hugged her body nicely, accentuating her curves. In the process, her hair curlers that were loosely settled in her freshly straightened hair had become loose, so she sprayed one more round of hair spray on them before pulling them all out and brushing them through. Her hair loosely curled around the ends as her bangs became more prominent.
Quickly Aisling bombarded her with blush and eyeshadow used as eyeliner (making it more smokey), bringing out her natural features, but not overwhelming her face—just like Betty liked. She giggled as perfume was spritzed all around her and she applied her dark pink lipstick carefully to her lips.
Carefully, she zipped her brown suede knee high boots on, stared in the mirror at her final form and smiled. "I feel really pretty."
Philippa, who was the only one ready stood behind her and smiled as her eyes softened. "You look really pretty. You deserve it."
Betty's eyes welled up as she turned around and hugged Philippa tightly, careful not to smudge her makeup. The world slowed as they drank in each other and eventually pulled away at a shout from Aisling.
"You guys ready to go down? I hear music!" Her bright orange eyes were intricate as her eyes sparkled. Aisling grabbed Betty's hand and bounded down the stairs, followed by the rest of their friends.
The partygoers became louder until the door leading to the girl's dorms was flung open and the smell of alcohol and weed hit them. People cheered Betty as she passed them, wishing her a happy birthday and thanking her for an invite from Aisling or Philippa. She blushed, overwhelmed by the adoration as she made her way through the crowd.
She smiled brilliantly as Aisling handed her a cup of something that was sure to make her head spin. With her cup securely in one hand and she tilted her head back and shared a celebratory shot with Aisling, Cece and Philippa. Giddy, shared dancing around, taking Philippa and Aisling's hands into her own as Cece kissed Betty on the cheek and headed over to Remus, who was smoking and was sure to offer her some. All of their eyes trailed her as they squealed when Mary MacDonald seemed to follow her over, taking the blunt out of her hands and taking a puff before handing it back.
Taking periodic sips and dancing around with the people she loved, the world was just alright for Betty Lupin—forgetting the events of the morning and the past year. She couldn't tell how long she'd been dancing around, but before she knew it, Aisling was standing on the table and demanding silence.
The music was turned down and drunk and high teenagers all turned to face her rosy cheeks as she giggled at the attention. "Hello everyone!" A few people cheered, making her giggle more. "I want to thank everyone for coming because today is a very special day." A few people hollered. "It is my very best friend Betty Lupin's seventeenth birthday today!" Before she could finish, Betty was hoisted onto the table with her and loud cheering started. Betty blushed bright red at the attention as she turned and hugged Aisling.
"I'm seventeen!" she screeched as she raised her glass and jumped on the table. Cheering erupted once more in her honor as she looked out. The music was turned up as an Elton John song came on, making her scream and turn to Aisling. Sirius was smiling near the enchanted record player. She pulled Philippa onto the table as they danced together, Cece happily watching from afar. They all stumbled a little, but caught each other as they stomped to "Crocodile Rock".
She was sufficiently drunk by the time she stumbled down from the table and wandered around the party, greeting people and telling them fun facts about everything from obscure animals to muggle technology with her bubbly giggle. And she was on a roll too! She had told an equally drunk and equally fascinated Alice Fortescue about how phoenix's tails were just as long as a peacock's and was on her way to tell Remus a very important fact about alarm clocks when she smacked straight into someone's back. Stumbling back a little and holding her head, she slowly looked up to meet the apologetic face of James Potter.
Even though he had had his fair share of drinks, he knew his right from his left and that Betty Lupin could get in trouble if she hadn't run into someone like him. He steered her away from a group of boys eying her, sending them all dirty looks as he did. "James!" His heart stopped slightly at the joy in her eyes when she looked at him, but he figured it was from the alcohol. "I know that the stars in the Great Hall today weren't for me even though I thought they were." A goofy smile was on her face as James felt his heart clench.
"It's alright," he mumbled as he looked down, "you couldn't have known."
"Well, actually, you mentioned it when you were first doing it!"
"Right."
"I should probably go." She turned, in a daze with her smile, but immediately started to fall until James wrapped his arm around her.
"Yeah that's not a good idea," he mumbled as he heaved her up against him.
"Should've known you were shagging," a voice drawled in front of them, making James's eyes snap up to meet the drunk eyes of Kellan Forrester.
"A lot of nerve to show up to her fucking birthday party."
"I go where I want and get what I want."
"Except for Betty and the house cup, obviously."
Kellan's eyes darkened as Betty started to mumble. She looked up immediately and met his eyes. Blinking a few times, it took her a moment to recognize his dark eyes and messy hair. She looked at him curiously, tilting her head.
"Fucking told you. She's already crawling back to me." He looked down at her with a smile. "Hey love."
James looked at her desperately as she struggled away from his grip, trying to go towards Kellan. Eventually, her nails dug in so much that he yelped and let go of her waist. She stumbled slightly forward, looking at him still as he smiled victoriously.
"You know I always felt sorry for you," she mumbled, making both of their eyes snap to her.
"Love, you're confused," Kellan scoffed as he placed his hands on his hips.
"No, I'm really not," she said quietly as she observed him. He grew uncomfortable under her intense gaze. "I guess I can now admit it because I'm done with you. But I always felt sorry that you felt so inadequate that you had to define your self worth based on who you were shagging." James whistled as he looked down and shuffled his feet. "You got drunk on power, but didn't realize that your cup was never full and that at the end of the day, you'll be just as you are now—" she looked him over once "—drunk on lies and alone."
"Shit," James whispered behind her as she stumbled back a bit, still looking at him.
"That's all," she finished softly before walking away, her gait a bit more steady, but still uneven. James didn't even want to look at Kellan as his eyes followed Betty.
"Cheers." James gathered his bearings and went in search of Sirius, who was sure to help him come up with another idea to get Lily if he was drunk enough.
Kellan stood in the corner, alone. It was Betty Lupin's birthday party and everyone knew not to touch him. He watched as life happened around him as tears welled in his eyes. Betty was smiling brighter than she ever did with him.
And she was.