Chapter Eight
Brrriing! Narcissa woke up to the shrill buzz of her alarm clock. She rubbed her eyes. Could it really be morning already? She was sure she had only fallen asleep moments ago. Ari, who was apparently both an early bird and night owl, was awake and dressed, gossiping happily with, or rather, to Nalini, who looked like she wished she was still in bed. Katoka was braiding her long, thick, sepia coloured hair, as she did each morning. Abella Lilith was reading a new novel; she seemed to have a different one every day. Kaatje was still asleep. Ari paused her continuous chatter long enough to grin and bid Narcissa good-morning, then started talking again. So go my mornings for the next seven years. Thought Narcissa, not at all bothered by that fact. Narcissa liked routine. She liked calm. And most of all, Narcissa liked anything constant. Fortunately, these girls were as reliable as clockwork, ever moving, but never changing. The first month of school had been getting settled and getting on the right track. Already, Narcissa was a strait A student, and all the professors adored her. Hogwarts was all she had ever dreamed it would be, and much, much more. She had friends outside her family. She had newfound responsibility. She had purpose. Most importantly, she had found her true personality. Yes, she and Lucius were friends again, though Narcissa was sure that she would never totally trust him. There was something about him that made Narcissa always want to be around him. Maybe it was the way he made her feel beautiful, but any could have told her that she was. It could be how he always made a point to sit by her at meals, and had a mug of hot chocolate (no coffee, ever) waiting for her each morning. But Narcissa was sure the reason must be that he always wanted her around. Her presence, for any length of time, never seemed to bother him. Either he truly liked her, or Lucius was the best actor in the history of wizardry. She also liked spending time with his friends as well, especially Severus. He appeared to be liked by very few people outside their group of friends, and Narcissa couldn't figure out why. He was opinionated and funny when the six or so friends spent time together, but the moment that he left the Slytherin common room, he stopped smiling, stopped laughing, and seemed to open himself up to ridicule and torment. Especially from that James Potter. Narcissa's wretched cousin picked the worst friends. The four of those boys just wouldn't leave them alone. Actually, they wouldn't leave Severus alone. Lucius was stronger and taller than all the other second years, most of the third years, and even some of the fourth years. Narcissa, on the other hand, was the smallest Slytherin, and one of the smallest students in whole school. She had seen the way people looked at her when she walked and sat next to Lucius, but all their looking had paid off. She had been seen with him enough so that she was never picked on, tiny as she was, for anyone who saw her enough to find a reason to bother her would know that hey would have to answer to Lucius. She felt protected around him, but not safe. At least, never one hundred percent safe. For as much as she could ever like Lucius, there was always the tiny nagging fear, the fear that would take years to totally fade. Severus didn't like being in a group in public, and was seen as an easy target. He was too proud to stay with Lucius and Narcissa, making him seem like a friendless loner. Narcissa finish getting dressed for the day, grabbed her books, quill, and bag, and trudged down the stair. As usual, Lucius was awake already, waiting with her hot chocolate, drinking his own black coffee.
"Good morning, Cissa." Lucius sat up, making space for Narcissa to sit. She smiled and lowered herself onto the couch next to him.
"Good morning, yourself." She quietly sipped her hot chocolate, waiting for Lucius to break the peaceful silence. As usual, he did.
"So, how did you sleep?"
"Fine, how 'bout you?" Lucius shook his head.
"Awful. Heard you first year girls having big party. Couldn't believe you didn't invite me. Didn't sleep a wink." Narcissa raised her eye brows.
"That the best you've got?" Every morning, Lucius claimed that he didn't sleep at all, and she and her friends were usually to blame. It was their way of breaking the ice, which seemed to form every time they were apart. Lucius laughed.
"Yep. That's all I've got. I'm running out of ideas here."
"You could just tell the truth."
"I could, but where's the fun in that?"
"Who said it had to be fun?"
"No-one, but saying that I was kept awake by a loud party is much more interesting than just saying 'fine'."
"I suppose, but-"
"Are you two at it again?" Severus was coming down the stairs of the first year boy's dormitory, his bag full of books slung over his shoulder. He came down each morning to find them in some sort of mock argument or another, and either joined in or broke up their 'fighting'. Today, he took Lucius' side.
"Didn't you hear them last night having a party, Severus?" Severus nodded.
"Sure did. Had the whole house up, you girls did. Unbelievable, you six little girls, making so much noise. I'll bet the headmaster heard you. They'll be no more parties after this, I wager." At that moment, Ari appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"What, you didn't like our little celebration? But we all had so much fun. We should have one every night. What say you, Cissy?"
"And what, may I ask, were you celebrating?" Lucius asked lightly. Ari gave him a cold glare. She still hadn't forgiven him.
"Not that it's any of you business. Oh! Good morning Britt!" A bleary eyed Britt had come down from the fifth year boy's dormitory, and Ari had completely forgotten her anger at Lucius, for the moment. Britt's head shot up in surprise.
"Oh. 'Morning Ari." He mumbled. She strode confidently over to his side, and started talking again. Narcissa saw the jealous glances Ari was getting. It was no secret how annoyed the older girls were with Ari. Britt was definitely one of the most handsome students at Hogwarts, but in a very different way than Lucius. Britt had ruffled auburn hair that often fell in his honey coloured eyes, tanned skin, a kind smile, and dimples. He was very muscular, from years of playing Quiddich. He could make any girl from any house stop and stare with just one smile. And he paid attention to Ari. A first year! True, Ari could probably pass as thirteen, but the point was, she wasn't. She was eleven. Out in the 'real world', four years wouldn't make such a difference. Four years difference at Hogwarts would not be tolerated, especially with Britt being as popular as he was. Sure enough, three of four fifth year girls got up and also walked over to Britt, and formed a tight circle around him, completely pushing Ari out. Fortunately, Ari decided not to start a fight. She came and sat next to Narcissa.
"It's not fair." She grumbled. Narcissa sighed.
"What's not fair, Ari?" Ari crossed her arms and pouted.
"It's not fair that those bitches think that I shouldn't spend time with Britt. If I was in fifth, or even fourth year, Britt wouldn't hesitate to ask me out. He said so." Narcissa looked at her skeptically.
"He said that?"
"Well, no. Not exactly. But he implied it! And any way, that's not the point. The point is, I've got as much right as they do to spend time with him, or even go out with him! I'm gonna go over there and give them a piece of my mind!" Ari made to get up again, but Narcissa pulled her back down.
"Forget it Ari. Let's just go down to breakfast." As they headed up to the Great Hall, Narcissa tuned out of Ari's chatter, and felt her mind start to drift.
Ari just can't settle for normal, can she? What first year in their right mind goes after a fifth year? Ari is one strange girl. Narcissa laughed quietly to herself. Wouldn't it be hilarious if they ended up together? And does she ever stop talking?
By the time they reached the Great Hall, Narcissa had decided that no, she didn't. Shortly after they began eating, Lucius came and sat ext to Narcissa, closely followed by Crabbe and Goyle. Severus appeared a few minutes later. As Narcissa glanced mildly around the Great Hall, and spotted her brat cousin Sirius at the Gryffindor table. His friends were talking to him, but he clearly wasn't paying them any mind. She followed his gaze, and saw that he was watching a girl who sat at the Ravenclaw table, laughing and tossing her glossy brunette hair over her shoulder. Narcissa looked closer, an realized that it was the same girl he had watched with that same love-sick expression during sorting! Padma, she was pretty sure her name was. Oh, Sirius would never live this down; she'd make sure of that! Sure enough, when breakfast was finished, Narcissa marched right up to Sirius, grinning smugly.
"I saw you looking at that Ravenclaw girl, Sirius. Someone got a crush?" She smile sweetly and tilted her head to one side, waiting for a response.
"Get lost Cissa. I've got to get to class." He tried to push past her, but she simply turned to follow him.
"You forget that we both have Arithmancy first. I guess you're stuck with me, so you may as well answer me." She pestered her blushing cousin until the bell rung, announcing the start of class. The entire period, she flicked crumpled bits of parchment at him that said things like 'So?' and 'Well?'. By the end of class, Sirius was more than embarrassed: He was thoroughly pissed off. When class was over, he turned to her, a dangerous scowl on his face.
"You know what, Narcissa? If I ever get a chance, I will, rest assured, I will screw up you love life." Narcissa only laughed.
"Sirius Black, you do, and I'll have my sister kill you." She turned and left, smiling with the knowledge that Sirius the Bella with a passion. It wasn't because of one particular thing, it was because at every Christmas (Which was the only time all extended Black family got together), Bella, being a year older, got all the attention. She had learned more, so every thing Sirius could do was a year old. Bella had just done it last year, and no-one cared. If Sirius had been born just a year earlier, they could have been close competition, but Narcissa and Sirius always fell in Bella's shadow. She didn't care. He did. As Narcissa settled into her seat in the dungeons for potions, she heard a loud crash in the hallway outside. Narcissa sighed. That can only be Ari, she thought, exasperated. Sure enough…
"Ooops! Erm… ah, sorry! Professor, I'm so sorry I'm late!" Ari yelled as she burst through the doors. She wasn't late, and everyone stopped their pre-class chatter to stop and stare. A loud gasp went through the class at the sight of her. Narcissa even heard one girl scream. Ari's robes were torn in multiple places, and the tips of her hair were singed and smoking. Her right eye was blacked, her left arm cut, and she was limping. But the most un-nerving thing was her smile. She had a big, triumphant grin on her face, and Narcissa had the feeling that Ari had just one something awful. When she plopped down next to Narcissa, she just kept smirking.
"What happened?" She tried to sound concerned, but couldn't keep the note of accusation out of her voice.
"I taught those bitches a lesson!" She said cheerful. Narcissa just stared.
"You taught them or they taught you? You look awful." Ari laughed. It was a cold, humourless sound, and it gave Narcissa chills.
"I look bad? Ha! You should see them! I wonder how long it'll take to find them… Oh, and Cissy, you'll never guess what Britt said! He said-"
"Ari! I don't care what he said! What did you do?" Ari waved this aside.
"Nothing, nothing, 's not important. But Britt said that that I shouldn't have-"
"He was right!" Narcissa leapt up. "What did you do? Did you seriously hurt them? Are you going to be expelled? Because if they look worse than you, you in a lot of trouble!" By now, others were staring. Narcissa never yelled, especially not at her best friend.
"Oh forget it Cissy. You know what you problem is? You can't-"
"Settle down everyone, settle down." Professor Slughorn entered the classroom. "What's the problem- Merlin's beard! Ari, what happened to you?" Ari smiled sweetly.
"Absolutely nothing, professor. I just tripped when I was coming down here; you know how dark it is on those steps." Slughorn frowned uncertainly.
"Are you sure, Ari? I could send you up to the hospital wing; Madame Pomfrey will have you fixed right up." Ari shook her head vigorously.
"No, no, not at all, professor! That won't be necessary, I'm fine, really." Slughorn nodded with resignation, and began the class.
When the bell rung, dismissing them to their next class, Ari scampered up behind Narcissa, and tugged on a lock of her long blonde hair. In response, Narcissa turned around and yanked Ari's black hair hard enough to pull her head to one side. She did this not out of playfulness, as Ari had, but because she was annoyed that Ari had been fighting. Again. Ari fought with some frequency, but never got caught.
"Ouch! Cissy, what was that for? Wait, never mind I know, I know. But just hear me out on this one, Cissy. Please?" She stuck out her bottom lip, and made a pathetic, pitiful face. Narcissa sighed, defeated.
"Oh, alright Ari. But you better have a more plausible excuse this time. 'They made a strange face at me,' and 'they were in my way,' are not good excuses. And Madame Pomfrey will not believe you if you tell her you fell down the steps again! If you don't have a good excuse-"
"Is the fact that they said that I was an underage slut and that they would curse my family if I didn't stay away from Britt a good enough excuse for you, Narcissa?" Ari pushed her hair out of her eyes and glared at Narcissa, who had the courtesy to look chagrined.
"Did they really say that, Ari?" She asked quietly.
"You're damn right they did! Do you think I'd make that up? Ari shouted angrily. "I was well within my rights to hex the shit out of them, Okay?" People were turning and staring. Narcissa wanted to slink away and hide in a broom closet.
"Your right, Ari," She muttered.
"Cissa, if you don't-" She stopped mid-sentence. "Wait, did you just say I was right?" Narcissa nodded. Ari dropped her books and flung her arms around Narcissa's neck. "Oh, Cissy, you're the best friend I ever had! Thank you for understanding! C'mon, let's get to Herbology!" She grabbed Narcissa's arm and proceeded to half drag Narcissa to class. Narcissa shook her head. Ari's got some emotional issues. One second she screaming at me, the next, she's hugging me! Crazy.
(A/N: In the next chapter: Find out what Britt said, watch as Lucius realizes how Narcissa will affect his life, see something big and maybe bad! happen to Ari, and well… you'll see!)
