Wizarding Betrothal

Chapter 8: Enter Benjamin

"So then, the next thing we see is my brother flying down the staircase being chased by about a dozen bars of soap that keep bouncing off his head! Dinah refused to call off the soap until she finished her hour-long bubble bath. By the time she did, Zeb had two black eyes, and a fat lip! He looked exactly like a pouting racoon!"

A group of fifth year Gryffindors dug into dessert one evening, about two weeks into the new term, and listened to Benjamin Summers tell embarrassing stories on his little brother, Zebulun, one of the newest Gryffindor students.

"Wasn't your mum mad?" Laura wondered.

"Nah, they're always going at it," he said. "When he bellyached, she just said 'Maybe now you'll learn not to hide dungbombs in your sister's drawer. She obviously doesn't like it very much.' He wasn't real happy, but he deserved it; Zeb was a royal little pest all summer."

"He was just excited about finally coming to Hogwarts," explained Josiah. "That, and he's abnormally hyper."

"Mum was more excited than he was. I think she was glad to finally get him out of her hair for a few months."

"I wonder what kind of a charm Dinah used to make the soap follow him around like that," Lily said. "Imagine the possibilities."

Laura giggled. "Yeah, we could charm lumps of frog spawn to follow Marissa Downey to class!"

"It would definitely improve her hairstyle!"

"Ooh! Speaking of Marissa Downey," Marianne piped up, "in Potions today, me and Julia 'overheard' her talking with the clones about how Regulus Black spent the whole last week of summer in St. Mungo's."

"Someone finally figured out that he's a disease who needs to be eradicated?" Josiah asked, eliciting several appreciative chuckles.

"She said somebody beat him up really bad; it took the healers ages to sort out all of the hexes on him. He wouldn't talk about it to her, but Marissa thinks it was his older brother. Apparently they don't get along."

Lily looked at Laura sitting next to her, eyes wide, and thinking the exact same thing. Did Regulus landing in the hospital have anything to do with the 'little chat' Sirius and James had planned? She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. While Lily had no compassion for Regulus, she was shocked to think that they would have been so violent with him. They had both been to see her a couple of times after the trip to Diagon Alley, but neither had mentioned it at all.

"Marissa and Regulus started going out over the summer, you know," Laura added. She was such a sucker for gossip.

"Yeah, I saw them making out in the corridor yesterday," Benjamin cringed. "I think I'm scarred for life."

"Come on, Benji," Laura said. "You don't find Marissa incredibly sexy?"

"Sure, if 'sexy' is the same as 'vomit-inducing'," Josiah answered.

"Why do so many guys fancy her, anyway?" asked Marianne. "She's such a slut."

"That's why they like her," said Josiah through a mouthful of pie.

"That's not a very good reason to fancy someone," Lily complained.

"It's not?" Benjamin faked astonishment. "Are you saying girls don't go for the guys that are the easiest snogs?"

Lily just rolled her eyes while Benjamin laughed.

"Then tell me, dear Lily, what is it that pretty little witches are looking for in a wizard these days?" Benjamin leaned into her shoulder and grinned, his blue eyes rather close to hers.

"Money, Benjamin," Lily said. "Lots and lots of money. There's nothing hotter than a man with cauldrons full of gold."

"Really?" Benjamin was staring in shock. She couldn't believe he fell for that!

"Sure! Girls get turned on big time when a guy whips out a gigantic bag of galleons. It's so sexy." When Laura burst into a fit of giggles, Lily couldn't hold her straight face any longer.

"Are you having me on?" He was finally catching up.

"You're a smart boy." Lily tapped his nose and winked. "You figure it out!"

Benjamin smiled at Lily until he saw her standing up to leave. "Where are you going?" Where did he think she was going?

"Gryffindor Tower."

"Oh, right." It looked like he was suddenly thinking the same thing. "See you later then."

Lily nodded and followed Laura out of the Great Hall.

The fall term was already moving in full swing; teachers were stressing out the students with speeches about their upcoming OWLS, and students were stressing out the teachers with summer break withdrawals. In the midst of all the normal chaos, and as quickly as they could manage sufficient privacy, Lily had filled Laura in on every tiny detail of her rather unusual summer. Having Laura around for unrestricted spontaneous discussion about James was incredibly helpful for Lily, and she took full advantage of every opportunity to chat.

"Sirius and James?" Lily said. They had to be the reason for Regulus' stay in the hospital.

"Without a doubt."

"How can you be so sure?" Plodding up the marble staircase and out of the Entrance Hall, Lily debated the issue at hand. "Neither of them ever mentioned it, and I saw them both during the last week before school. Wouldn't they have brought it up?"

"Not if they're trying to keep it under the rug. Didn't you see how ticked-off they were when they found out he'd been harassing you?" Laura reminded her. "Of course it was them!"

She was probably right. They fell silent as they turned down a corridor where some fourth year girls were walking. Lily felt a bit in awe of the idea that James and Sirius would go to so much trouble on her behalf. They really were pretty cool.

"Josiah Mitchell or Marvin Branstone?" Laura asked as they pushed through a tapestry.

"Marvin." Lily searched her brain for a pair to offer in return.

Lily couldn't quite remember when she and Laura had begun to play the game; it was at least a year back. The main thing was that it was entirely top secret and confidential to the point of death. One of the girls would name two guys, and the other had to pick, very quickly, which of those two she would rather kiss. Sometimes the choices were both so undesirable that neither guy would ever be considered in a million years, but that was the nature of the game - one had to be picked, no matter how horrible. It was a peculiar little way for the friends to mess with one another's minds.

Lily had one: "Bobby Quirke or Nate Wimple?"

"Nate."

Raising her eyebrows, Lily caught Laura's eye. A Slytherin over a Ravenclaw?

"Bobby's a horrible kisser," Laura explained. Lily had forgotten that Laura and Bobby had dated for about a month during the previous school year.

Lily laughed, and shook her head. "I can't keep track of your ex-boyfriends."

"You want a list or something?"

"Nah, it'd be too huge to fit in my book bag!" Ducking a swing of Laura's own book bag, Lily squealed and sprinted up the last corridor with Laura hot on her tail.

"You're a little bugger!" Laura said as she caught up. "You know that?"

"And proud of it!"

When they approached Gryffindor Tower, the Fat Lady's portrait swung open and Dinah Summers stepped elegantly out into the hall. Dinah had always been a bit of an idol for Lily; she was lovely, poised, kind, intelligent, funny, well loved by everyone worth knowing - the perfect Head Girl. She also happened to be Benjamin's older sister.

"Hi, Dinah!" Lily straightened up and smiled.

"Hey, ladies! You haven't seen a couple of wild first year boys running through this way, have you?"

"No, but we just came through the shepherd's tapestry shortcut," Lily held the portrait open as Laura climbed through. "First years don't usually know that way."

"Okay. Well, thanks anyway." Dinah waved and floated down the corridor. "See you later, then!"

"She's probably after Zeb," Laura suggested. "I think he's already setting out to break detention records."

"He's got a good start, unless Dinah murders him!"

Students were filling up the common room, and Lily and Laura parked themselves at a table with a studious fellow roommate. The girl's curly blond hair was spread out across the table as she bent over her homework, scribbling furiously.

"Hi, Julia," Lily prodded, and the girl looked up.

"Hey! I didn't see you two come in."

Laura started pulling out her books. "You're going to miss dinner if you don't hurry down. You only have a few more minutes."

"Marianne said she'd bring me something back. I really had to work on this Arithmancy assignment. I can't believe how much work they're giving us already!"

Lily shook her head. "I can't believe how many classes you take! I think I'd die if I took so much!"

"Whatever little Miss. Perfect Marks." Laura was mocking her! How dare she!

"Hey, now!" defended Lily. "I wouldn't be able to keep up my marks if I had too many classes like Julia does, or too many boyfriends like you do!"

"How many times do I have to tell you? I don't have too many boyfriends. I only have one at a time!"

Lily just laughed and set out her homework; Laura was the most boy-crazy girl she had ever known.

And speaking of crazy boys ...a large figure landed in the chair across from Lily.

"Are you going out with Benji Summers?"

"Go away, Matt." Matt-the-rat had been bugging Lily ever since they returned to school. He'd begged her forgiveness, asked her out, pestered her friends, followed her around - and all in just two weeks! Lily was getting sick of it.

"Just answer the question."

"Can't you take a hint, Matt? Leave me alone!" Lily refused to look at him.

"Can't you just tell me? Are you going out with Benji or not?"

"No. I'm not going out with him. Will you leave now?" Trying to fake like she was doing her homework, Lily fiddled with her quill.

"Do you fancy him?" What was Matt's problem anyway?

"I don't see how that's any of your business." Matt was grating on her last nerve. "And I'm not answering any more of your stupid questions," Lily added as an afterthought.

The table rattled with a loud 'thump' and Lily looked up. Matt's forehead was on the table, his arms hanging down in his lap, and he wore an air of utter defeat. "Please, Lily. How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?"

"It doesn't matter how many times you say it, Matt. It's still over."

"It's because of him, isn't it?"

"Who?"

"Benji," Matt answered in mild exasperation.

"No." Lily shook her head. "It's because of you, Matt. For once, it's all about you."

As he sat up, she saw there was a red spot on his skin where his head had hit the table. It was almost pitiful. Almost.

"I'm really sorry," he whispered.

"I know."

"You do?"

"Yes, she does," Laura cut in. "So will you leave already?"

Matt didn't appreciate the interruption. "You stay out of this!"

"You stay away from Lily," she answered. "Haven't you done enough?"

Lily closed her unread book with a slap. She'd had enough. "I'm going upstairs." And she did just that. The girls' dormitory was the one place where she could entirely avoid crazy boys like Matt. She needed a break.

Pitching her book-bag over her trunk, Lily fell onto her bed with a groan.

"You left your ink." Laura entered behind her, and tossed the inkbottle onto Lily's pile.

"Thanks."

Laura put some of her things away and checked her appearance in the mirror. "Matt's such a creep."

"He's not a creep," Lily said. A small part of her felt sorry for Matt; they both hurt.

Laura looked at Lily like she'd just sprouted antennae, and Lily smirked adding, "He's a super creep." Nice save.

"Amen, sister!"

Giggling, Lily rolled over and watched Laura get situated to start her homework on the floor. She was sort of confused after the conversation downstairs.

"So what's up with Matt getting all freaky about Benji?"

"He's just jealous," said Laura. She smoothed her black hair, and loosened her tie.

"But why?" Lily pressed. "It's not like there's anything going on between me and Benji."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure."

Laura looked up from her book. "Does Benji know that?"

"What are you getting at, Laura?" Why wouldn't he know that? Lily propped herself up on her elbows as she prepared for an interrogation.

"You've just been flirting with him a lot is all."

"I have not! We're just friends."

"Maybe you are just friends with Benji, but he isn't just friends with you."

"What are you talking about?" Although she could suddenly see it coming, Lily didn't want to admit it - and Laura knew it, too.

"Look Lily, I know you like to be totally oblivious and everything, but you have to pay attention sometimes. Benji has fancied you big time for over a year."

"He has not!"

"Yes he has! Everyone knows it except you." Everyone?

"Why didn't he say anything to me?"

Laura cocked an eyebrow at Lily. That was a stupid question.

"Okay, okay! But why didn't you tell me sooner - best friend?" Lily glared at Laura; best friends were supposed to point it out when boys like you.

"Because he didn't want you to know."

"So why are you telling me now?"

"Because if you don't watch yourself, you're going to hurt him."

"I would never hurt Benji." Now Lily was really feeling indignant. Benjamin had been a friend for over four years; she would never want to hurt him.

"You aren't exactly available, Lily, and you're been running around flirting with him ever since we got back. You're probably just feeling a bit rebound-ish after Matt, but that's no excuse for treating Benji like that. You're going to get his hopes all up and then crush him." How could Laura accuse her like that? Lily hadn't tried to flirt with him.

"I haven't been flirting with him!"

"Okay, then. You've been 'extra friendly' to him. You just keep on like you've been and you'll be having to figure out what to do when he asks you out. You'll have to turn him down, you know. You promised James."

"Why did James have to ask me not to date anyway?"

"It's kind of obvious, Lily."

"Then tell me, if you're so smart."

"James is a sharp guy," Laura said. "He knows that guys at Hogwarts, like Benji, who see you every day, have an advantage over him. He's afraid that some prince charming is going to come along and steal your heart while he can't hang around scaring them off. You promising not to go out with anybody else is almost the same as agreeing to go out with him."

"I'm not going out with James!"

"You may not actually be snogging him, but you agreed not to date or kiss any other guys - at his request, mind you. Sounds like a long distance boyfriend to me."

"It is not!"

"Try explaining that to Benji, Lily."

Lily had to think about that for a moment; James would sound like a boyfriend to Benjamin too. "James tricked me!"

"And you fell for it."

Sighing dramatically, Lily rolled over and hung her head off the edge of the bed.

"If it's the same as going out," she reasoned, while her upside-down face turned red, "then I can break up with him."

"No you can't." Laura wore a satisfied smirk. "Everyone knows that 'going out' has an inferred condition attached that if one of you changes your mind, you can call it off without notice. What you and James have is a promise that you won't go out with anybody or kiss anybody. You wouldn't be breaking up with him; you would be breaking a promise to him. Big difference."

Lily wasn't so sure about that; she'd have to chew on it for a while. One thing was for certain though: "I'm so stupid! Why did I let James talk me into it?"

"You were feeling vulnerable that night. Either that, or it's because he's so cute."

"You go out with him then."

"I totally would," Laura said, "but he's engaged. I wouldn't want to see him cheat on you."

"What a great friend."

"I try."

Marianne popped her head into the room with a sparkly grin. "Lily, Benji is downstairs asking for you."

Lily sat up and turned towards the door. "Tell him I'll be down in a minute."

She couldn't even escape crazy boys in the dormitory. They were all crazy. Every one of them. And they were making her crazy, too. Crazy Lily hiding upstairs. That sounded like a bad late-night movie. She felt like hunkering down in bed with one of those corny flicks and a big bag of popcorn. That would be cool.

Lily straightened her robes and started for the stairs. What else could she do? Benjamin was waiting.