Thanks for the reviews guys, keeps me wanting to write! Hope this chapter goes okay; it's pretty off-the-cuff so fingers crossed. Reviews and comments are always appreciated. Characters copyrighted to J.K. Rowling
.:Chapter 4:.
"Is it true?" squealed Saffron Parkinson. "You and Evan?!"
Narcissa wondered how on earth someone as unpopular as Saffron Parkinson would have known that she was going out with Evan Rosier. Perhaps her older brother Basil had something to do with it, he was in the same year as Evan after all.
"Yeah, me and Evan," replied Narcissa primly.
"At first I thought it was you and Lucius," mused Saffron, "but I guess not!"
Narcissa felt a sting pierce her heart at the mere mention of his name, but nevertheless gave Saffron a wan smile and looked back up at the blackboard where Professor Eltanin had written up the lesson's experiment. They were to make a rather complex poison which if went wrong could potentially blow one's cauldron up and the cauldron's owner if they weren't careful. Narcissa pulled on her pair of dragon hide gloves and set about neatly cutting up the three salamander tails that were crucial for the poison to work. However, her mind was not on the fiery salamander limbs that lay in front of her, but something else... something far more personal.
"You're so lucky, Narcissa," sighed Saffron, who's salamander tails were cut into various sized chunks whilst oozing a murky orange stain on to the work surface. "Evan's such a catch."
"Thanks," replied Narcissa, measuring out the right quantity of dragon's blood and gently pouring it into her cauldron.
"Oh for Merlin's sake, Rookwood!" exclaimed Professor Eltanin.
Narcissa turned around to see Professor Eltanin glowering over a petrified looking Augustus Rookwood whose robes were quite literally melting away. Somehow he had managed to knock the salamander tails all over himself and everyone knew that salamander's were literally fire... obviously everyone except Rookwood.
"I-I'm s-sorry Professor," stuttered Rookwood, desperately trying to shake off his robes.
"Stand still boy!" raged their Potions master. "Restinguo!"
A torrent of water poured out the end of Professor Eltanin's wand, drenching Rookwood's robes and extinguishing the salamander's fiery damage.
"I hate taking points from my own house but this carelessness cannot go unpunished," shouted Eltanin. "Ten points from Slytherin and detention with me tonight in my office."
Narcissa rolled her eyes, angry at Rookwood for losing Slytherin points. He was one of the reasons why they were always losing the House Cup to Gryffindor. Out of the corner of her eye she could see the third year Gryffindors sniggering and giggling at the sight of Rookwood, sniffing and shivering in his waterlogged robes. He was a black smudge on the name of Slytherin and it made her burn up with anger inside.
"Is there something wrong, Miss Black?" inquired Professor Eltanin amiably, noticing her glare. "Your potion is looking exceptional."
"Nothing's wrong, sir," replied Narcissa politely. "Only the noise the Gryffindors are making is affecting my concentration a little."
"Well, we'll see about that," he smirked dangerously. "Fifteen points from Gryffindor for their inability to concentrate on their own work!"
The Gryffindors fell silent instantly and Narcissa shot them an innocently contented look as she stirred her poison three times anti-clockwise. Saffron smirked at their thunderstruck faces as she carelessly poured in her dragon's blood. Her cauldron soon enough began to emit a rather nasty smelling purple smoke which wafted its way around the classroom causing everyone, including their Professor screw up their noses.
"Right, that will be enough for today," said Professor Eltanin, his fingers clamped tightly around the end of his nose. "Homework will be to write up this experiment in its entirety plus two metres of parchment on the effects and symptoms that five Grade B poisons have on the human body."
A communal groan rose up from the pupils except for Narcissa; this was the type of homework she enjoyed.
"Please leave a sample of your poison on the front," shouted Professor Eltanin. "Next lesson we will be testing these poisons out, so woe betide any of you who have failed to follow the experiment requirements."
Narcissa poured some of the crimson potion into a vial and placed it on her Professor's desk; she knew she would get an 'Outstanding' for this experiment.
"Miss Black, would you stay behind for a moment please?" asked Eltanin curtly. "There is something I need to discuss with you."
Narcissa felt her stomach lurch, but managed a weak smile as she complied with her Potion master's wishes. There was no way she, Narcissa Black, could be in any sort of trouble... well, any trouble that she couldn't charm her way out of.
Evan slumped himself down on one of the dragon hide couches that seemingly littered the Slytherin common room. His forehead was still beaded with sweat even after showering; the evening's Quidditch practice was intense to say the least, Lucius was like a demon unleashed. Three hours straight practice with no respite; at this rate they would be too tired to face the fresh Hufflepuff team in two days time. Sighing, he put his hands behind his head and allowed his amber eyes to close. The heat from the fire lulled him into a slumber and helped to relax his aching muscles.
"Sleeping on the job, Rosier?" whispered a soft voice.
A pair of hands clamped themselves over his eyes and strands of soft hair fell across his face, accompanied by an enticing scent. A slight smile crossed Evan's face.
"Who's that then?" he replied, his smile broadening.
"Guess who?" came the brash reply.
Evan's smile widened showing off two rows of dazzlingly white teeth. He knew that voice, everyone did, although he was secretly hoping it was someone else's.
"Ha-ha, Bella, it's only you," smirked Evan removing her hands from his face.
"What do you mean 'only you'?" she teased playfully.
"Well, what brings you my way, Black?" replied Evan casually.
"I was wondering if you had seen Lucius around anywhere," drawled Bellatrix.
"Haven't seen him or Rodolphus for that matter since Quidditch practice," replied Evan earnestly, stretching out his arms. "What business you got with Lucy?"
Bellatrix tapped her nose and winked at him.
"The secret kind! Nosey!" replied Bellatrix, flouncing off towards the Common Room exit.
"Oh, Bella?" asked Evan, sitting up and turning around. "You seen Narcissa anywhere?"
Bellatrix's face darkened at the mention of her sister's name. The events from yesterday remained fresh in Bellatrix's mind; she still hadn't forgiven her sister for what she had said and she probably wouldn't for a long time.
"No," replied Bellatrix honestly. "I haven't seen her today."
"Oh," came the dejected response. "No worries then."
Bellatrix gave him a sly smile and continued on her way out, leaving Evan on his own in the darkening Common Room. A wave of anxiety swept over him as he wondered where Narcissa could be. She couldn't be in detention, that girl never got in detention. There was something else though... something in the back of his mind kept coming back to that one name over and over again. No way. There was no way she would do that to him, right?
"No way," he muttered attempting to convince himself out loud.
"No way what?" came a cool reply.
Turning around he saw the petite form of Narcissa Black standing in the doorway of the Common Room. Her golden hair lay behind her shoulders, her book bag slung casually over her shoulder. Even in the dark, her indigo eyes remained illuminated defying the lack of light.
"Oh nothing," smiled Evan, watching her as she walked towards the couch he was sitting on. "How are you?"
"Good," replied Narcissa casually, slumping down on the couch next to him. "You?"
"I'm knackered," sighed Evan honestly. "Lucius is working us into the ground."
"No different from usual then," smiled Narcissa, determined to keep her composure when on the subject of the Quidditch captain.
"I just don't understand why he's working us so hard," began Evan, running a hand through his dark hair, allowing it to rest on the crown of his head. "It's not as if we're playing Gryffindor."
"Still, Hufflepuff have a new seeker, do they not?" said Narcissa, tucking her hair behind her ears.
"I guess so but it's so not like Lucius to be this...," but something made him pause; the graceful movements of her slender fingers and the gold strands that fell between them, "...impassioned."
Narcissa looked up to meet his amber eyes with her own indigo ones and held them for the briefest of moments. The way he was looking at her unnerved Narcissa, he seemed to be studying her every movement. Smiling, she felt her eyes break away from his gaze to look at her hands which now lay motionless in her lap. She could still feel his eyes on her as his hand moved up to brush back a few remaining troublesome gold tendrils behind her ears. She could feel his fingertips gently brushing across her cheek and over the tip of her ear. They lingered there and then ran along her jawline, gently turning her face towards his once more.
"Evan, I..." she began, her voice barely a whisper.
She watched as he leant in, his face coming ever so close to her own. She could see the firelight dancing in his eyes, highlighting the flecks of gold that lay embedded in them. Slowly, she closed her eyes and prayed that this wasn't real... no matter how much she wanted to hurt him, she just didn't know if she was ready to go through with this. Luckily for Narcissa, tonight was not the night...
"Hope I'm not interrupting anything," drawled an all too familiar voice.
Narcissa felt her eyes snap open and saw the robed figure of Lucius Malfoy leaning against the entrance to the Common Room, his arms folded across his chest.
"As a matter of fact, Malfoy, you were," retorted Evan smiling.
"My sincerest apologies," replied Lucius sarcastically.
"Rosier, you cad!" exclaimed another voice that seemed to come from the darkness of the entrance behind Lucius.
Rodolphus Lestrange came strolling in, eying both Narcissa and Evan with a mischievous grin on his face. Playfully he leaned over the back of the couch and mussed up Evan's hair whilst giving Narcissa a sly wink.
"Ah, leave off Lestrange," replied Evan, giving Rodolphus a friendly push.
"Who'd have thought, you and Miss 'Ice Queen' Black?" smirked Rodolphus, refusing to let the subject drop.
Narcissa merely sat and watched as Evan and Rodolphus exchanged witty comebacks with each other. However, out of the corner of her eye she could see Lucius' impenetrable gaze fixed on her; his eyes running over every part of her body. Before, it would have made her smile, but now all she had to do was think of the cruel things her sister had told her and that smile would quickly become a frown.
"Oh, Malfoy," cut in Evan. "Bellatrix wants a word with you."
"Bella?" replied Rodolphus, a frown creasing his brow. "What for?"
"Beats me," shrugged Evan, his eyes shifting between Lucius and Rodolphus, grimacing as an unspoken tension filled the air.
"Probably prefect stuff," sighed Lucius. "Don't worry yourself, Lestrange."
"Who said I was worried?" joked Rodolphus, a hint of self-doubt hanging on his words.
"Who, indeed?" replied Lucius, a smile of self-assurance gracing his lips. "Miss Black, Professor Eltanin requests your attendance in his office if it's convenient?"
"Of course," smiled Narcissa coolly, however, something made her wonder why Professor Eltanin would want to see her so soon after their conversation earlier that afternoon.
Picking up her book bag, she got up from the couch and began to make her way towards the corridor; however, she was stopped when she felt Evan's hand take hold of hers.
"I'll see you when you get back?" asked Evan quietly, his eyes darting from Narcissa to Lucius, a nervous smile pulling uncomfortably at his lips.
Narcissa smiled sweetly and gave him a slight nod. Satisfied with her reply, Evan let go of her hand and watched as she headed towards the corridor, her eyes looking nowhere else but straight in front of her.
Narcissa could hear his footsteps behind her as she walked down the long, torch-lit corridor to her Head of House's office. She had already seen Professor Eltanin today about Advanced Potions lessons, there was no need for him to see her again, especially at this hour. Perhaps this was one of Lucius' plans in order to get her to talk again...
"Professor Eltanin doesn't really want to see me, does he?" asked Narcissa confidently and coldly.
"No," replied Lucius. "He doesn't."
Narcissa stopped in her tracks and turned around to face him. The truths she had learnt about him had hardened her resolve, she was no longer worried about putting on her false airs and graces.
"Why exactly am I here?" she sighed, dropping her bag to the floor in exasperation.
"Why do you think?" retorted Lucius, his steel-grey eyes fixed on her face.
"I don't know," admitted Narcissa sarcastically. "Enlighten me."
Lucius smiled at her comeback and took a few steps towards her. He watched as she stood her ground, her delicate hands balled into determined fists at her sides.
"You and Bellatrix, yesterday," replied Lucius casually. "Enlightened enough?"
"What about us?" shot back Narcissa, her eyes flashing momentarily with a flicker of anger.
"Bellatrix had a wand pointed at your throat," sighed Lucius. "I want to know the reason why."
"Then why don't you ask my sister?" answered Narcissa shortly. "I don't see why you need concern me with this."
"You Blacks and your damn pride," whispered Lucius softly, rolling his eyes. "Very well, if you refuse to answer that question, then answer me another."
Narcissa didn't grace him with a response, instead she stood waiting silently for his next question. She felt anger's clutches claw into her at the thought of his sheer audacity at asking her to talk about all these unnecessary subjects, especially under such false pretences.
"What are you doing with the likes of Rosier?" questioned Lucius dangerously.
"I don't know what you're talking about," replied Narcissa obstinately.
"Don't lie to me," sighed Lucius, taking a few more steps towards Narcissa's stationary position.
"Why does it matter to you anyway?" retorted Narcissa, her face growing pale as she saw how close he was to her.
"I don't need a reason for it to matter," replied Lucius calmly. "I just want to know why."
Narcissa knew the reason why, but she was hardly going to tell Lucius that the only reason she was going out with Evan was to get back at him. Maybe if she was with Evan he would notice her, perhaps care about her. Narcissa scoffed inside at her weakness, at her need to be cared for and noticed; it was completely unbecoming of a Black. She would never show him her weakness, never. Then it hit her... the answer to his question was oh-so simple.
"Because…" began Narcissa quietly, adding a false naivety to her voice. "Because I love him."
"Love him? Rosier?" sneered Lucius, his lips forming a grim obstinate line.
"That's what I said," concluded Narcissa, stooping down to pick up her book bag. "Now if you don't mind."
Defiantly, she lifted up her head and started the long walk back down the darkening corridor, until she felt the familiar grip of a strong hand on her wrist.
"You don't honestly expect me to believe that you love Rosier, do you?" snarled Lucius. "What kind of fool do you take me for?"
Narcissa felt Lucius sharply pulling her towards him until they were merely inches apart; the only thing that came between them was the grip he still held on her wrist. She felt her stomach squirming and her heart racing as she brought her determined eyes up to glare at his equally resolute ones.
"Let me go," retorted Narcissa, unable to control the rapid intake of breath that followed her sentence. "I have nothing else to say to you."
Lucius felt her pulse quickening in her wrist, whether through fear or desire he didn't know. There was no way someone like Narcissa could possibly 'love' someone like Evan Rosier; her lies about love were easy to see through. Indeed, it seemed as if something, or someone, had set her against him; she was different from the cool, reserved girl he took to Hogsmeade yesterday. Her icy exterior was tinged with fire, both burning and freezing those who came near her. However, there was something about this fire that somewhat enticed Lucius; the way her rosebud lips were pouted in stubborn insolence and her eyes, the icy cerulean melting away into scorching cobalt. He could see the beginnings of cracks forming in her apparently impenetrable defences.
"Now if you're done with your interrogation..." began Narcissa, attempting to regain her cool exterior.
"But I'm not," interrupted Lucius serenely. "There is only one way for me to find out if you truly love Rosier."
"Oh, really and what's th-,"
Her sentence was cut short as Lucius swiftly pressed his tender lips against her own. Her eyes widened in shock and disbelief, as she felt the kiss intensify; a thousand thoughts raced through her mind as she felt herself reciprocating the kiss she had dreamed of since she first laid eyes on him. However, somewhere in the depths of her psyche she could feel herself screaming; this wasn't what she had planned at all. He was winning and she was letting him; the more that passion burned into their kiss, the more she felt herself quickly succumbing to his will.
Woo! The end of another chapter; so does Lucius finally get his prize hassle-free? Or does Narcissa have other tricks up her sleeve? Find out in the next episode of 'Back to Black,' which I hope to update soonish. Sorry if there is a delay – University is a time consumer! As always constructive criticism and feedback are appreciated! ;;