There was a clatter of noise around Rose Weasley and she frowned towards the two boys dashing about the attic, dust was rising from the vibrating wooden floorboards and the cardboard box in front of her seemed to jump from the movement as well. She sighed in annoyance, of course they were running around again. She wished they had inheranted her tolerance for sitting still. "Will you sit down for even a second". Scorpius glared in response before sticking his tongue out at the red haired girl, his hand clung to the denim jacket of the younger red head, Hugo. The boys continued to tumble and fight for a few moments before Hugo eventually screeched in displeasure.

"Get off me! Sis tell him to leave me alone!"Hugo called collapsing against the floorboards with his arms folded over each other. His red hair bounded in front of his eyes, almost hiding his face from them.

"Behave, both of you" Rose called in a voice that mimicked her mothers. Her face turned softer as she looked at her little brother, his bottom lip had started to quiver slightly and she knew she'd have to step in. "Scorpius please, I haven't finished looking through these boxes" She gestured around her, she was surrounded by dusty boxes, some of where were opened already.

'What is so interesting about these dusty old boxes anyway? It's just my grandma and grandpa's stuff' Scorpius looked towards Rose with an eyebrow raised on his pointed face.

"I find it interesting, even if you don't. The secrets and knowledge we might find" her eyes gleamed as she spoke, she really did not understand her friends reluctance to get involed in her search. "Why don't you take Hugo and get some snacks from your grandma? I'll finish this box and join you, I promise" She clasped her fingers together as if to beg.
"Come on, you big baby" Scorpius called to Hugo, flicking the boys red hair as he moved past him. Hugo followed Scorpius obediently, his lip still quivering slight.

"Finally" Rose smiled as they disappeared, dust starting to settle in their wake. She turned her attempt back to the box, shifting through the many boxes of jewellery. As pretty as much of the gold and silver pieces were they did not interest her much. Her fingers fell upon leather and she smiled. "Another book!" Her voice echoed around the attic. She pulled it free from the other items and inspected it. The book was coated in dust and when she started to wipe it away the deep red cover was revealed as well as carefully written silver letters.

The Diary of Narcissa Black.
Private.
Rose's eyes lit up. A diary? She wondered who this Narcissa Black could be, no name rang a bell in her mind. Was it a friend of Scorpius's family? Someone who had died? The idea of being the only living person to know the secrest kept in this diary pleased Rose greatly and she carefully inspected the latch. It looked like it once had a padlock on but they was nothing preventing it from being opened now.

-x-

My name is Narcissa Black and this is my diary.

I attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and have been sorted into Slytherin, the purebloods house, my mother is proud of this and comments on it frequently, although it has been a few years since I was sorted. I think I am writing this because I need an outlet, some way of organising my thoughts...

Recently I've been feeling lonesome, most of the girls have stopped talking to me since Lucius asked me out. Those that do talk to me merely wish to speak of him, I know that they all value his attention but I'm less certain of its positiveness. He is of good blood, my family would be proud to hear if I was to date him, but I am unsure. I barely know him, but he seems arrogant and so certain of himself. He has taken my silence on the matter as merely me being playful or something, like it was always a guaranteed yes. I asked my sister, Bella, about what she thought but she is far to absorbed in some kind of organisation thing, she doesn't make sense when she talks about it but I am glad she is engaging in something. She does however thing that marrying him would be a fantastic thing, strong ties for the future. Andromeda however seems rather preoccupied with her studies and seems in a daze half the time, although she did confess that she held no trust for Lucius, that he was pompous and would lead me to no good, I asked her to elaborate on this but to no such fortune. I dare not ask mother, I am most certain she would do anything to ensure I married Lucius, and I am not sure I wish for that to happen, is Andromeda right in her observations? I think maybe she is but I cannot be sure. I have no reason to doubt him as he is the head of Slytherin and everybody seems to adore him and his presence, people seem to bow around him instinctively and many of the girls swoon at every word he utters. I have even considered asking one of his friends, but they all seem very boisterous and part of his circle. I doubt they would accept my concerns as anything but nonsense. Well… They is one boy who hangs around him he does not seem so enamoured with his personality. Maybe it is worth asking them? He is a slim boy, black hair. Quiet. It could be worth getting his opinion, I would have to get close enough to him for him to consider the question appropriate of course. I have plans to go look for him tonight, before curfew. My first guess is the library. I hope all goes well.

Narcissa.

-x-

Rose stopped reading, the darkness was starting to give her a headache and frown lines had etched themselves into her forehead. Also she had no knowledge of Narcissa or Bella or Andromeda or Lucius however the name Severus rang a bell, after all it was her cousin middle name. She recalled tales she had heard of a bitter potions teacher who had made her parents life difficult, an old pale faced bat who turned out to be noble in the end, and died for the war. Rose puzzled over the elegantly written words, her eyes burning with curiosity at this secret story she had found. With hesitation Rose shoved the book into her bag, taking care to cover it with other books before closing the cardboard box and pushing it out of her way. A path was easily cleared and she started to traipse her way out of the attic. The rest of the house was familiar to her, the old Malfoy manor in which her friend lived. The corridors had once been decorated with paintings and movement but Scorpius's father had torn them down before she had ever visited. The grand stairs led down to the entrance and she turned towards the kitchens, knowing she would find her brother and friend there.
"Anything interesting?" Scorpius queried as she appeared, his grey eyes filled with curiosity.

"More jewellery and books, nothing you'd care for" She decided to keep the diary to herself, a temporary secret until she had unlocked more of its secrets. Hugo held out his half eaten cookie to her in glee and she smiled, stroking his hair.