Chapter Four:

Narcissa avoided people throughout the afternoon. Bellatrix rushed up to her, grinning and talking forever on the topic of Rodolphus.

Finally, Bellatrix noticed something was wrong. With her narrowed brown eyes, she studied Narcissa's blank and sad expression. "Alright, Cissa. What happened? Did something bad happen at Hogsmeade?"

"No," Narcissa whispered slowly.

Bellatrix frowned. "Cissa. What happened?"

Tears touched her eyes. "Bella, I think I'm in love with Lucius."

Bellatrix sighed, sadly. She punched the closest tree with anger. "Narcissa, I told you not to fall in love with him. He'll break your heart!"

Narcissa nodded. "Yeah. He came in and started snogging that Ravenclaw girl at the Hogs Head." Her voice broke at the end and threatened sobs. "I thought...I thought he cared about me." She punished herself mentally for being so weak.

"Cissa, everyone thought for a moment he cared about you. He always talked to you when he reached the room and he did nice things for you. For once, he didn't seem careless."

"I let him conquer me," she whispered tearfully. "I failed. I failed."

"No you didn't!" Bellatrix exclaimed. "If he doesn't know how you feel about him, you can continue to brush him off."

Narcissa paused to think about this. She wiped a tear off her cheek. "You're right."

Bellatrix nodded.

"Bella...Are you in love with Rodolphus?" asked Narcissa.

"I have never been in love, Cissa. I don't know...the feelings I have for Rod...I don't know. Maybe it's love. Maybe it's lust." Bellatrix stood up to leave. She brushed the hair out of Narcissa's face. "Cissa, don't get hurt by him. Being in love can be a mistake."

"Andromeda's happy."

Bella shrugged. "Droma is always happy. This particular boy must be good at snogging."

"You don't know who it is?" Cissa asked.

Shaking her head, Bellatrix muttered, "Just watch. She'll be the first to get married."

Narcissa didn't know if to laugh. Bellatrix walked away. She sat there by herself, finally lying down against the grass, staring at the cloudy gray sky. The grass rustled, and she removed her gaze from the sky to the person walking up to her.

"Hello, Narcissa," said Lucius Malfoy's hot and seductive voice.

Narcissa fought the want to fall in love with him right then. Her voice tight with anger, she said through clenched teeth, "Malfoy."

He smirked arrogantly. "You seem angry, Black."

"That doesn't even began to cut it, Malfoy." She sat up and brushed grass off her robes.

He sat down next to her, his deep blue eyes glaring into her sky blue ones. "You're jealous," he growled.

"No, I am not. Jealousy is too unbecoming for an obedient and intelligent daughter of Cygnus and Druella Black." Narcissa brushed away her feelings and emotions - this was not the place to think about them. She cleared her mind the best she could.

Lucius chuckled. "Oh, Narcissa Black."

She scowled perfectly at him back. "Oh, Lucius Malfoy," she mimicked.

"Anyway," Lucius said, turning a little red when she responded such. "I was just going to tell you about Quidditch practice after dinner today. We have a quick practice because of the game tomorrow."

"I'm sure that is all you wanted to talk about. Trying to make me jealous, Malfoy?" she asked coldly.

He touched her cheek, his blazing eyes bearing into hers. "You'd better believe it." He kissed her forehead, then stood up to walk away.

Just as he started to walk away, Narcissa said, "Lucius?"

He paused, looked back at her.

"Maybe it worked."

Lucius looked surprised. He didn't say anything, but his colorless face started to turn pink. He gave her a brief nod, looking too shocked to say a word, and walked away.

Narcissa stayed there for a few moments, then stood and walked into the castle. She went up to the owlery to send a letter to her mother.

"Cissa." Sirius Black.

"Sirius!" Narcissa hugged him happily - she couldn't help it.

"Hey, cousin." He looked pained. "So...?"

Narcissa frowned and sighed sadly. "Sirius...you're my favorite cousin. I regret that...that we have to treat each other this way."

"Me too, Cissa," said Sirius. For once, the player did not have a smile crossing his face. "I suppose we'll play you tomorrow in Quidditch."

Narcissa chuckled. "Yeah, I suppose." She sent her letter with a large brown eagle owl.

Just as she started walking away, Sirius said, "Wait, Cissa."

Narcissa turned to Sirius. His friends were coming up the stairs to talk with him.

"Don't get hurt by Malfoy. For once, he seems to care. Still, please don't get hurt. I won't be around to make sure you're alright," Sirius looked away.

"Thanks, Sirius," she whispered, turning and nearly crashing into James Potter and Remus Lupin.

Neither addressed her, but sent curt nods. Narcissa nodded to both of them, then rushed down the stairs.

Andromeda was the first to find her at dinner. "Is everything alright?"

Narcissa nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. He came and talked to me. He's trying to make me jealous, the idiotic prat!" she snapped, frustrated.

Droma snorted. "I'm not surprised."

"How's...uh, Teddy?"

Then she glared. "Really? Teddy?" Rolling her eyes, Andromeda replied, "Fine. I don't know. I haven't talked to him since earlier, but we're going to be visiting later today."

"That reminds me!" Narcissa jumped up. "Quidditch practice!"