Chapter 4

Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121 AD - 180 AD), Meditations, 200 A.D.

Narcissa rummaged in her trunk, searching for Sirius' present. It was the 28th November; his 12th birthday. Adhara watched her in amusement. "Are you sure the present is in there?"

Narcissa ignored her, the upper part of her body hidden in the trunk. "Got it!" She pulled a package out.

"Well, then let's go to the Great Hall, I'm starving. It's already half past nine, we don't have much time left before breakfast is over!" Adhara moved out of the dormitory. Narcissa followed her and descended the steps into the common room. Andromeda was sitting on a sofa, scribbling something on a scroll of parchment. Since Slytherin's victory and Bella's conversation with her sister, Andy's behaviour towards Lucius had changed. Her sisters were avoiding him most of the time and forced her to stay away from him, too. Narcissa was incredibly curious what was wrong but she couldn't find out anything. Her sisters refused to tell her and she was too shy to ask Lucius. It wasn't her business anyway.

Andromeda looked up as Narcissa and Adhara passed the sofa she was sitting on. "You're late."

"I couldn't find Sirius' birthday present," explained Narcissa before leaving the common room.

Andromeda watched her sister and sighed sadly. She pitied Cissy for having to marry Lucius Malfoy but she was also wondering if her parents might have arranged a marriage for her and Bella, too. She wanted to marry because she was in love and not because of a contract. It was for the best that Narcissa didn't know of the arrangement or she'd be devastated. Before she'd learned about the contract, Andromeda had thought that her parents would couple Narcissa with Sirius; it wasn't unusual in Pureblood society to marry cousins. It would have been the better choice for Cissy as she was very close with Sirius and he cared for her. Malfoy regarded her as some kind of possession. Andromeda put her quill down. She couldn't concentrate on her Transfiguration homework.

Narcissa and Adhara entered the Great Hall. It was still surprisingly full. It was Sunday and many students had probably slept longer. Sirius and James were on their way out of the Great Hall and passing the Slytherins. Narcissa stormed towards her cousin and hugged him. "Happy birthday, Sirius!" She waited for Adhara to hug him as well before she handed him the present.

Sirius grinned as he opened the package, revealing a book about Quidditch.

"That's great, Cissy! Do you and Adhara want to go to the Quidditch-pitch to watch the training of the Gryffindor team?"

Narcissa smiled and Adhara nodded excitedly.

"I'll just fetch some biscuits. We haven't eaten anything. You can go ahead," said Narcissa. The boys nodded and left the hall.

Adhara and Narcissa turned around to the Slytherin table in order to grab something to eat that they could take to the Quidditch-pitch. Both girls didn't notice the glares of Antares and Lucius.

"You won't go to the pitch! I won't allow that you confederate with Gryffindors, Adhara," growled Antares.

"I think Antares is right. Pureblood girls like you shouldn't spend time with Bloodtraitors," added Lucius, his intense grey eyes focused on Narcissa.

Adhara's face turned red and her eyes narrowed. "You can't order me around. You're not my father, Antares!" Adhara stormed out of the hall, Narcissa directly behind her.

The next day both girls received letters from their parents, forbidding them to be seen with Gryffindors and people from other houses in public too often.

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Narcissa and Adhara had just boarded the Hogwarts Express and were looking for a vacant compartment. They were on their way home for the Christmas Holidays. Unfortunately, they were quite late. Adhara had forgotten her diary in their dormitory, so they had to run back to fetch it. All the compartments were occupied but then Narcissa spotted her sisters. She opened the compartment door and entered with Adhara at her side. The Lestrange brothers, Antares and the girl that Lucius had been kissing behind the tree a few months ago were the other occupants. Bellatrix was sitting next to the window, looking irritated. Rodolphus was at her side, trying to get her attention. Narcissa and Adhara sat down next to Andromeda who was reading the Daily Prophet. Adhara ignored her brother across from her like she had done the last few weeks. She was still angry with him for telling their parents. Narcissa wondered who had told her parents about her friendship with "Bloodtraitors" as her parents had put it, but she couldn't imagine who it might have been.

"I hope Lucius returns from his Prefect duties soon. I miss him already," stated Porpentia Parkinson in her high-pitched voice. Antares who sat at her side rolled his eyes. Narcissa didn't know much of the girl, only that she was in Bella's year and that she had a terrible girlish laughter. The girl had been Lucius' girlfriend since the beginning of the year but recently they had been arguing often.

"I can't wait to get to know Lucius' father, but I guess he'll like me," Porpentia continued proudly.

"I don't think Abraxas Malfoy will be interested to meet you, or do you think that Lucius is going to marry you?" Bella asked menacingly.

Porpentia pouted, wrinkling her nose. "Why not? He loves me."

Bella started to laugh, shaking her head. "Let me give you a good advice. You shouldn't give a man what he wants before there's a ring on your finger and he can't escape your clutches anymore, but I guess my advice comes too late for you. Lucius has already seen you without your knickers."

"How dare you! You're just jealous, perhaps you want to be the next Mrs. Malfoy yourself."

Narcissa watched the scene, trying to hold back her grin, while Adhara had given up and was giggling. Andromeda shook from laughter but was hiding behind her newspaper.

Bella threw her head back and laughed. "I'd rather chop my fingers off than become the wife of Lucius Malfoy!"

"I'm very grateful for that, Bella," came the known drawl from the compartment door.

Lucius stood casually in the doorframe. Porpentia jumped up and threw herself into his arms. "She insulted me!" Porpentia pointed at Bella. Lucius curled his lips in distaste because of Porpentia's public display of affection. He tried to remove himself from her tight embrace, getting tired of her being so clingy. The last few days, he had been trying to avoid her, as she was talking about marriage all the time when they were together.

"I simply told her the truth. Someone has to enlighten her about her situation. The idiotic girl believed that she was the next Mrs. Malfoy just because she spread her legs for you," explained Bella, grinning viciously. Narcissa and Adhara gasped, looking at Bella incredulously. Narcissa could only imagine how their mother would have reacted if she had heard Bella speak such foul words. Bella would have been placed under house arrest and they all would have had to endure a conversation about the proper conduct of a lady.

"Bella, can you please stop talking about such things," Andromeda murmured insistently, putting her newspaper down into her lap.

"Lucius, you should defend me!" Porpentia demanded.

Lucius removed himself from her embrace and dropped into the seat next to Antares. He wanted her to be silent and leave him alone for a few moments. He had told her that he wanted their relationship to end but apparently she was ignoring that he had broken up. He looked at Porpentia without emotion. "You've fulfilled your purpose. You're of no value for me." Maybe that way she would understand that he couldn't stand her anymore. Over the last few weeks with her, it had been increasingly difficult for him to stay polite. It was getting too serious between them. After only three months of relationship, she had already been talking about writing a letter to his father and he couldn't allow her to contact the man. If his father got a letter from Porpentia, Lucius would have to pay the price.

Porpentia paled, watching the blond wizard in shock, tears forming in her eyes. "What? B-but you said…"

"Leave or I'll remove you from the compartment myself," he said. He knew that he wasn't acting like a gentleman but he couldn't bring himself to care. Porpentia looked terribly hurt but she left the compartment and shut the door behind her.

Narcissa couldn't believe that Lucius had been so mean to the girl, though she didn't like her much. He could be so cruel and cold, he truly frightened her sometimes.

"You disgust me, Malfoy," spat Andromeda.

He smirked, keeping his emotionless mask in place. "That's not very nice."

"I hope a large rock falls on your head and kills you. That would spare many of us trouble," hissed Bella, glancing at Narcissa who was currently speaking with Adhara.

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The Hogwart's Express arrived at platform 9 ¾ and Narcissa followed her older sisters out of the train, their trunks floating behind them. Narcissa caught sight of her parents; they were talking with a tall blond wizard, Abraxas Malfoy. Narcissa forgot about her trunk and stormed towards her parents and jumped into the arms of her mother who kissed her gently on the forehead. After that Narcissa turned to her father who lifted her into his arms, giving her a warm smile. "It's good to have you back, angel."

Narcissa kissed his cheek, still in his arms. Bella and Andromeda arrived and were pulled into an embrace by Druella. Narcissa watched Lucius approach them, greeting his father only with a curt nod, no warm gestures whatsoever. His piercing grey eyes observed her for a moment and she thought she saw him sneer for a second because her father still held her in his arms. Narcissa pulled away from the embrace of her father and stood next to Bella who kept glaring at Lucius. He seemed completely unaffected by her behaviour.

Eventually, Abraxas nodded, his grey eyes wandering over Narcissa, making her uncomfortable, just like his son had done so many times before. "Until New Year's Eve, it'll be my and Lucius' pleasure to welcome you to Malfoy Manor." He and his son turned around, leaving the platform together. Narcissa shivered slightly. both Malfoy men gave her the creeps. She was just glad that she didn't have to see them often.

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Narcissa was sitting at her vanity while Bellatrix helped her pinning up her hair. It was the 31st of December and they had to get ready for the New Year's Eve Ball at Malfoy Manor. The Christmas time had passed much too fast. She had enjoyed spending time with her whole family. Of course she loved the presents as well.

Narcissa was wearing a pale pink dress with matching shoes and she thought that she looked quite okay but she was jealous of her sister Bellatrix who had already nice curves with her sixteen years while she still looked like a child. Sometimes she wished that she wasn't only eleven. Bella pinned the last strand of Narcissa's golden hair up and clapped her hands. "I'm done! We can set out for the ball."

Usually Bella despised such events. Narcissa was wondering why this time was different. She followed Bella down into the entrance hall where her parents were waiting with a sullen looking Andromeda. Narcissa gave her sister an encouraging smile, knowing that Andy hated dancing. Narcissa loved dancing but nobody ever asked her to dance at balls because she was only a child. Today wouldn't be different and her only dancing partner would be her father unless she could persuade Sirius to dance with her. A smile spread on her face when she entered the fireplace with her mother. A second later they stepped into the vestibule of Malfoy Manor. Narcissa knew that gawking was bad but she couldn't stop herself. She had never seen such a magnificent hall in all her life, though she had always thought that the vestibule in her home was impressive, but this was simply breath-taking. She let her eyes wander through the vast hall held in white marble. Everything was decorated with white orchids and a splendid chandelier hung in the middle of the ceiling. "Close your mouth, Narcissa," whispered her mother in a reprimanding tone before she extended her hand for Abraxas to kiss it. Narcissa and her sisters made a short curtsy in Mr. Malfoy's direction but he took the hand of each of them and kissed it. Narcissa blushed when Malfoy Sr. kissed her hand but she gave him a smile nevertheless, trying to hide her fear of him. Lucius strode towards them and greeted Druella with a kiss on the hand before he turned towards Narcissa and her sisters.

Bella glared at him. "Don't you dare kissing my hand, Lucius, or I swear you'll find your lips glued together for the rest of your life."

Lucius smirked and bowed mockingly in her direction before he indicated them with a gesture of his hand to follow him into the ballroom. While they moved into the ballroom, Lucius drawled lazily, "I pity the poor man who'll have the misfortune to marry you, Bella."

"At least, my husband will ask me to marry him and won't buy me with a contract!" snarled Bella.

"Now, now, Bella. We can't have it that you lose your composure, can we? We've to keep up appearances after all." There was something vicious in his tone.

Narcissa watched everything with a confused frown on her forehead, not understanding what they were talking about. Sirius who was standing with a bored expression near the dance floor caught Narcissa's attention and, forgetting her sister and Lucius, she ran into his direction. He spotted her and waved, his smile showing his relief to see a familiar face.

She gave him a wide smile in return.

"I'm so glad that you're here, Cissy. I think you're the only normal person in this pompous house!" Sirius voice was filled with disgust.

"What's so terrible about the rest of the people?" asked Narcissa curiously, having to shout into Sirius ear as the music had started to play.

"I feel like I'm in a snake pit. I'm certain that I'm the only one in this room who isn't in Slytherin…" He spat the last word.

"I'm also in Slytherin," reminded him Narcissa softly.

He looked at her a moment, sighing. "I forget that sometimes. You seem simply too nice for Slytherin."

"Adhara is also a Slytherin," added Narcissa.

"I know, I know but most of those people here are full of prejudices. They think they're better than the rest of the world, just because their blood is pure."

"Shhh…don't say that too loud or you'll get in trouble," whispered Narcissa insistently.

"I don't care. Someone should tell them that they're idiots!"

"But I care, Sirius. I don't want that our parents to forbid us to be friends just because you said such things," murmured Narcissa.

"But you don't believe in the rubbish about blood purity, do you, Cissy?" asked Sirius hopefully. Narcissa watched him uncertainly, shrugging. "I don't know. I've never thought about it…" It was the truth. She tried to avoid this topic as it caused already enough conflicts between Andy and Bella. It wasn't necessary that she got involved in the fight as well.

"Please dance with me, Sirius," she pleaded eventually.

Sirius grimaced as though he had bitten into a lemon. "Ohhh no, Cissy."

Narcissa grabbed his sleeve, tugging gently at it. "Please!" She made her best puppy-dog-face, the one that wrapped even Bella around her finger.

Sirius hung his head, nodding in capitulation. Narcissa squealed in delight and pulled him on the dance floor where they started to waltz.

After three dances, Sirius had finally managed to persuade Narcissa to have mercy with him. They walked into the garden of Malfoy Manor that was illuminated by floating torches. It was a beautiful sight. Sirius and Narcissa were striding together over a small path when they heard strange noises. Silently they approached a bench that was hidden behind bushes. Narcissa glimpsed at the bench and clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggle. Bellatrix and Rodolphus were sitting on the bench; Well, Bella was sitting on Rodolphus' lap, both enwrapped in each other, while their mouths seemed to be glued together.

"Bella is kissing Rodolphus! Bella is kissing Rodolphus!" shouted Sirius, making loud kissing noises.

Bella jumped from Rodolphus' lap, staring in shock at Narcissa and Sirius.

"Bella is snogging Rodolphus!" sang Sirius triumphantly, grinning widely, making still more kissing noises. "Shut up, Sirius!" growled Bella, approaching him threateningly but he ran away towards the house, screaming still louder. "Bella is snogging Rodolphus! Bella is snogging Rodolphus!" Bella began chasing him, shouting foul words all the while. Narcissa sat down beside Rodolphus who was laughing, shaking his head. "Your sister is truly crazy!"

"That's Bella," said Narcissa softly, smiling shyly at Rodolphus.

"Yes, that's Bella," he confirmed affectionately, smiling back. Narcissa was happy for her sister, wishing that someday she would find someone just like her sister had found in Rodolphus.