Narcissa Black put her hands on her hips and glared. Her glare was nasty. Those on the receiving end would usually do anything to rectify themselves, and maybe be rewarded with her beautiful smile. Yes, Narcissa certainly knew how to work her charms to get what she wanted. Anybody could see she was beautiful. She was tall, and slim, but with curves were they should be and long, tonned legs then went on for miles. She was pale, but not deathly so, with a golden overtone to her skin. Her hair was long and fell gently to her waist; the angelic locks were eternally soft and golden blonde. She had high cheekbones, and a regal nose. Her lips were plump and lucious, and extremely expressionate whenever her mood shifted. As beautiful as the rest of her was, nothing could compare to those bright blue eyes, so big and manipulative, lined by thick blonde lashes and thin, well kept blonde eyebrows.

The recipient of her glare cowered slightly. "Very sorry, Miss Black. I'll – I'll go check in the back if we have anything similar."

"I'm not sure that I even want to look at anything else in this store, after my direct instructions were so neglected." She sniffed affectedly. They had forgotten to keep her hold on a certain necklace, and it was gone.

"I'm sure we can make some deal, and lower the price…"

Her eyes flashed. "What are you insinuating? I can pay full price for whatever I want. Now go and bring out all your best diamond necklaces! I don't have all day."

She drummed her fingers on the counter while the attendant practically ran into the storeroom. Normally she wasn't this rude, but her day was awful so far. Awful. And she had been looking forward to that diamond necklace, and now she wouldn't have it. But she did feel a bit bad about scaring the ppor attendant like that. That was something Bella would do, not her.

He was back as quick as he could. Well, something had come out of her meanness. He was carrying several boxes in the trademark emerald colour and set them down on the glass counter. "As I recall, Miss Black, you were looking for something to wear to the Christmas ball? And you wished it to be quite large?" He opened the boxes and showed them to her. They were all quite magnificent. But as soon as Narcissa saw the third necklace, she knew it had to be hers. It was a chain of diamonds, a thin chain, and it was adorned with a big snpwflake pendant. The snowflake was covered in diamonds, and in the middle there was a particularly large one. It sat right above her chest, and Narcissa was more then pleased with its looks. She turned those blue eyes of hers onto the salesman, and then began to haggle. Once the price was suitably lowered (money or not, she was a Slytherin and knew when to take advantage of a situation), and the box was wrapped up with a bow and placed carefully in Narcissa's black purse, she left the store with an icy smile and emerged into the quiet sidestreet in Hosmede.

There was a lot more to Hogsmede then what the main street offered. The little village had another main street, this one full of luxiourius clothing and jewelry stores, that were hidden in cozy little cottages. These stores weren't the ordinary kind – you had to be on a list to enter any of one them, and not too many people were on the lists. Narcissa was doing her shopping by herself. She wasn't too sure which of her friends would be permitted in which stores, and she didn't want to be made foolish by some airhead comment that could easily pop out of any of their mouths. The only person she felt comfortable taking shopping with her was Jasmine LeBlanc. Jasmine was a french girl, a descendant from the Bourbon family, who had retreated into the magical world many years ago. The only reason she didn't attend Beauxbatons was because in her third year she had been expelled after one too many suspensions. She was quite the devil when anyone pissed her off, although she now knew how to control that.

But Jasmine was on a date this Hogsmede outing, with a certain Ravenclaw Head Boy.

"Think of all the possibilities, Cissy. We could do whatever we wanted after curfew… with the head boy under my wing, we can get away with all kinds of mischief." Her dark eyes had glittered. There was no question that her and Narcissa were the two most beautiful girls in the school. They were both built the same, although Jasmine was a little shorter and curvier, but the rest was different. Jasmine was dark, almost black hair that had delicate curls in it that alwas bounced when she tossed her head. Her skin was also quite pale, and she had a little snub nose and a few cute freckles grazing it. Her eyes were a strange, almost honey colour, flecked with gold and a glint of mischief. The two Slytherin witches got away with everything they did – and they did a lot. Sneaking into Hogsmede whenever they felt like it, not wearing their school robes to dinner, sneaking into the restricted section to find books, pranking those damn annoying Gryffindors… and neither of them had ever gotten a detention the past year and a half, since they had become friends.

Narcissa paused thoughfully on the street. It was still early, and she had blatently turned down every date proposition just so she could shop her little heart out. After a few seconds hesitation, she pulled her cloak tighter around her and hurried off to her favorite store on the street, Tander's.

Tander's wasn't the same as the rest of the stores, which shone of prestige and class and were all neat and chic and designed to look that way. Tander's was a vintage shop, and it was curiously set up. There were books, there were clothes, there were odd ornaments. It was like an expensive junk store, only nothing in there was junk. The store occupied both floors of the little cottage, and it was alwas dark in there, the heavy curtains drawn and the only light coming from the long, tapered candled that hung on the walls.

She softly pressed the bell outside the plain blue door and waited for it to open. It did, but just a crack, and soft hiss asked, "Your name…"

"Narcissa Black." She announced plainly, and the the door quickly opened wide to receive her.

"Ah, Miss Black, how may I help you today?" the witch who owned the sotre appeared out of nowhere as Narcissa removed her cloak and handed it to the waiting house elf. "We just received in some beautiful new scarves, right in the back corner. As well, some magnificent books that would be a fine collection to your library."

"I'm not looking for anything in particular, thank you, Lady Turblat."

Lady Turnblat was a earie-looking person. Something about her was just – creepy. She was pretty, but her age and her experiences had worn it down, and now she was rather plain. When her husband had died, she had retreated to her place of birth, Hogsmede, and opened the succesful store.

Narcissa wandered into the depths of the store. She could spend hours in here, looking for treasures. And she knew she would never be disturbed.

Nearly an hour later, she heard the chime of the front door ring again, but she didn't look to see who it was. She looked at the small pile of things beside her that she had decided to buy. There was a pair of delicate, elbow-length lace gloves, a silver hairband entwined with an emerald vine, and an old book with a cover of blue silk which looked promising. She was engrossed in a collection of corsets from the 18th century that were lying in a trunk and didn't hear the quiet footsteps that approached her.

"Well, well, well, Narcissa Black. Shouldn't you be on a date somewhere, not in a dusty little shop full of odd things?"

She twirled around and came face to face with Lucious Malfoy. He infuriated her, because no matter what she did he never seemed to fall for her charms. And he was constantly pointing out that every boy she dated she was only using, and that it was not out of any sincere feeling.

"I like to shop." She said icily. "Preferably alone, so, if you don't mind…"

He smirked. "Sorry, Miss Black, but you will not be getting away from me that easily."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm not trying to escape your clutches, Mr. Malfoy. I could easily do that."

"Really? Could you? I was under the assumption that the only way you know how to get out of a situation is by fluttering those eyelashes of yours."

"Actually, I much prefer to curse my way out of anybody's clutches, but as I am not an attention-seeking prat like youself, I would rather keep my true abilities hidden and use my charm as far as it takes me." She said it cooly, but inside she was boiling with rage. How dare he acuse her of being as air-headed as the rest of her assosiates. She knew she wasn't. Hell, he knew she wasn't.

All he was really trying to do was get under her skin, and he was succeeding at that.

A smirk curled on his face. "As much as I enjoy, ah, debating with you, I actually apporached you because of a dilema I thought you could help me out with. You see, I am trying to find something for my mother, for christmas. I'm sorry to say she's not too thrilled with me at the moment – something about how I accidentaly smashed all her vases – so I need to find her something quite perfect."

Narcissa hesitated for a moment. It was a tempting offer, she loved helping people pick out gifts. Of course, she could just look at him coldly and refuse, which was sure to anger him, but she just couldn't seem to bring herself to do that. "Alright, I'll help you. I'd suggest jewelry, if she is mad at you."

"Aren't you going to ask why I smashed all her precious vases?"

"No, I wasn't planning on it." She led the way over the the corner of the store dedicated to jewelry. She could feel the eyes of the owner on the two of them, standing in the shadows, but she did not come forward to help, strangely enough. "Do you know anything about your mother's taste in jewery?" she questioned.

He paused. "Well, I know she likes it. And I know that she loves extravagat pieces to match with her simple clothing."

She nodded. "Alright, lets look." They both imersed themselves in looking through the drawers. The jewelry wasn't neatly organized, but there was several tall dressers with hundreds of little drawers filled with old, elegant jewelry.

"I think one of these three she would admire most." He placed a bracelet, a ring, and a necklace on the counter. The bracelet was like a coiling snake, made of silver, with diamonds and emeralds on the face of the snake. It was an extremely Slytherin piece of jewelry.

"It belonged to a witch named Harietta." She read from the label. "She killed herself because somebody stole her matching snake necklace."

Lucious snorted. "Women." He said snarkily. "They get upset over the littlest things."

Narcissa accidentaly dug her heel into his food as she reached over to grab the bracelet from him. When he yelped, she shrugged and gave him her most innocent, wide-eyed look. "I think your mother would love this bracelet, and it would suit her Slytherin side. Besides, it has emeralds and diamonds." Which obviously made anything acceptable.

He gave her a charming grin. "Thank you for your help, and I think you are quite right, she will love this."

Something else caught Narcissa's eye, in the glass display case beneath them. It was a ring, a beautiful flower ring. The flower was made of silver, and covered with saphires. It twinkled beautifully. Narcissa didn't even want to contemplate the cost – she had already bought a diamond necklace today. She sighed, but turned away from it.

"If that is all, Malfoy, I'll be on my way. I'm supposed to meet Jasmine in fifteen minutes."

Lady Turnblat appeared out of the shadows. "Will you be purchasing anything today, Miss Black?"

She handed over the galleons for the book, hair piece, and gloves, and a last glance at the ring, she bid both Malfoy and Lady Turnblat a pleasant day, and quickly set off for the Three Broomsticks.

The following day was the first day of break. Narcissa tapped her foot impatiently as she waited outside a carriage for two fifth-year boys to bring down her and Jasmine's luggage. Jasmine was dreamily staring around her, no doubt excited to go home to France, and the warmth. She was always complaining about the chilliness in the winter, and snow she hated more then anything else.

"Will you be visiting me again around New Years?" Jasmine asked.

"Of course, how could I miss the ball?" she smirked. She protkey'd to Paris every year for the New Year's ball, and spent a few days with her best friend, shopping in the streets of paris, muggle and wizard. The designer muggle clothing that could be found was something else. Something a little… magic.

Panting, two of their classmates finally managed to haul the heavy trunks over to the carriage. Naricssa's was covered in pale green silk, and had the Black family crest engraved in silver thread on the front.

"Thank you so much." Narcissa smiled angelicly at the boys. "Have a Merry Christmas!" she waved at them and the two girls stepped into smelly carriage.

"I'm so excited to be back at my chateau!" Jasmine took off her pale blue leather gloves. "My comfortable bed, all my clothing…" she sighed happily. "And no more ghastly english food!"

Narcissa laughed. "Enough of those dainty french tastes, Jasmine. The food a Hogwarts is quite delicious, although of course my manner has a better assortment." She sniffed delicatly. When the bumpy carriage ride was over and they were settled in the train, they both immediately changed into richer and more elegant robes, and were soon joined by assortment of Slytherins. Malfoy was there, with his new girlfriend du jour, Celeste Parkinson. She was an annoying brat in Narcissa's eyes, but since she regularly saw her, especially at all the holiday balls, dinner parties, and charity events, she did her best to be nice to the girl. Not friendly… just nice. The Blacks were above the Parkinsons.

"You better all be coming to my party night after next." Malfoy said coolly to the compartment. Every year, he had a party without their parents and without the stuffy rules. The party was always a drunken display of debauchary – last year, somebody had accidentally set fire to a part of the forest beside the Malfoy mannor, and everyone always slept at the mannor in the many, many rooms… or passed out on various floors, although it depended on individual. "We added some new parts to our manor. A heated swimming pool, and also an ice rink. It looks like you're missing out again, Jasmine." He smirked at her. He'd always had a sort of grudge against Jasmine, although they were both tight-lipped about it. It was normal. They were Slytherins, and they didn't divuldge unneccesary information.

"I'm sure you're little party is nothing to special, after all I have better things to do." She replied snidely. "Now shut up and go play with your own friends."

Malfoy rolled his eyes. "You know, Jasmine, I was about to leave, but now I might say just to piss you off."

"How sweet, you'd rather spend time in here because of me instead of your girlfriend."

Narcissa cocked her eyebrow at Malfoy. I wouldn't tempt her. She mouthed at him. He gave her a slight nod, and turned to bid his girlfriend goodbye. Jasmine, already bored with the conversation, was looking for her next place of amusement and her eyes fell on the copy of Witch Weekly beside Celeste.

"Celeste, would you be a dear and lend me your magazine?" she said in her sweetest voice. Celeste begrudgingly handed over the magazine. None of Malfoy's girlfriends ever liked Jasmine, because of the obvious sexual tension between her and Malfoy. "Thanks, sweetie." She told her brightly, and immersed herself in it. Malfoy and two of his friends let themsleves out, and the chatter in the compartment quickly returned to gossip.

Narcissa sighed, and leaned her head against the window, her eyes watching the rough scottish landscape ran beside the Hogwarts Express. She'd half-hoped this year would be different. Maybe her classes would be a little more interesting. Maybe there would be someone who she could talk to about more then clothes, parties, and how to get boys to do stuff for you. Not that she didn't love all those things…

She just didn't want her whole life to be about them.

She must have nodded off against the windows, because she she woke up they were flying past neat little towns and the sky was dark. They must be close to london. Narcissa fixed her pearly white robes with silver trim, brushed out her hair a little, and applied a bit more pearly pink lipstick. There was careful blush against her cheeks, her eyelids were dusted with a little bit of sparkly pink eyeshadow, and her long eyelashes were lengthened with eyeliner on her lid and mascara.

The train was slowing down. They were entering London; it would be no more then fifteen minutes longer, until they would be at platform nine and thee quarters. Narcissa was looking forward to see her mother and father. They loved dotting on her. Her sister Bellatrix, who was in her seventh year, didn't have such a good relatioship with them because she was rebellious and slightly twisted in nature. But she was better then Narcissa's oldest sister, a Ravenclaw who had graduated four years ago. Andromeda agreed with none of the Black family traditions and morals. None at all.

The train began to slow down even more, and Narcissa wrapped herself in the white cloack that was trimmed with white fur. She pulled her newly aquired lace gloves on her hands and they joined the students in the corridors, all anxious to get off the train and begin the holiday season.

Narcissa spotted a sixth-year Ravenclaw she knew by sight. "Excuse me." She smiled at him and fluttered her eyelashes delicatly. "I was just wondering if you could do me a big favour… my trunk? I'm afraid it's a bit to heavy for me, and I don't want to set a bad example for the younger kids by using magic… we are on holiday now. Could you carry it down to platform for me?"

"Oh, yes, of course." He replied, a dazed look on his face and he glanced her up and down. Narcissa smirked. Boys were so easy.

"It's right there," she pointed at her green trunk and he hastened to get it for her.

"You'll be the first one off the train." He assured.

"Thank you, thank you very much, Mr. – "

"Collins." He held out his hand. She looked at it cautiously before she gingerly shook it, but the smile didn't leave her face. "You're Narcissa Black."

She sighed, and the train finally arrived to a screetching halt. The doors opened, and voices from parents and students descended onto the platform amidst the steam coming from the train.

"Yes, yes I am." She replied, and gracefully stepped down and off the train.