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It's as good as it's going to get loves.

-Val

Fifth Year Part III: Confrontations and Resolutions

The Slytherin common room during evening hours was much quieter than usual. Narcissa stayed close to Fatima and Severus, cramming some more facts into their weary heads for O.W.L's that was to come. Lucius sat close to them in an easy chair with his nose in the newest issue of the Daily Prophet, but his eyes weren't moving and he hadn't turned the page for nearly twenty minutes. Narcissa knew he was thinking of his mum, he always was.

Rabastan cracked his knuckles as he read more from his Ancient Runes textbook and casually looking over the top of the book to glance at Fatima up and down and then glanced back at his book again. Narcissa knew he wasn't reading, he had been on the same page since they started. Fatima exhaled through his nostrils and sighed. She closed her book and placed her head on top of the cover and said.

"Can we take a break Severus?"

Severus had been quizzing Narcissa on Defense Against the Dark Arts spells for nearly an hour and hadn't looked up from the notecards since he made them nearly a quarter of an hour ago. His dark eyes glanced to Fatima and back to the notecards.

"Do you want to pass with flying colors on History of Magic, or do you want to never work at St. Mungos?" he asked.

"Oh, a tiny break won't be the death of us." Fatima said. "I have a song stuck in my head and I can't get it out."

"Which song?" Narcissa laughed as she cracked her neck, turning away from the cards. Severus sighed and placed the cards back on the table and opened the new book he picked up from the library.

"You know, Lady Cauldron's song, Bad Love Potion?" Fatima asked.

"Mother says that song is dirty. Apparently it's all about Lady's affairs. Mother doesn't like it when-"

"Blah blah." Fatima said, getting up from her spot on the table. She cleared her throat starting to sing the song in a mediocre voice and off key voice. "All I want is your love, you and me could have the joys from above. Ohhhhh!" She sang as she held Narcissa's hands, picking her up from the ground and spinning her around.

Rabastan sighed and said through a chuckle "You simply cannot get over that song. You haven't stopped singing it."

"It's stuck in my head. Now dance with me twinkle toes. You pureblood boys know how to dance right?" Fatima replied sashaying toward him with a lewd grin on her face. "Come on, Rab." she said pulling his hands and forcing him to dance with her. At first Rabastan was as stiff as a wooden board, but he loosened in the pretty girls arms. "Take the lead." She urged. He did as she said, spinning her around and dipping her. Fatima started humming the rest. "What about you?" Fatima asked looking at Lucius as she swayed. He had been repressing a grin the entire time.

"Cissa is looking pretty lonely."

Narcissa shot her a look and shook her head, but Fatima smiled back at her dancing with Rabastan. "No, he's busy." Narcissa muttered.

"Nonsense, unless you want Severus to cut in, before you even have a chance. He's going to seduce her with his suave moves and whisk her away. Get a move on." Fatima asked, nodding her head toward Severus. His pale cheeks turned a bright red.

"No." Lucius replied. "He looks pretty content over there." Lucius threw the paper to the side, jumped up and almost forcefully took Narcissa's hands and started dancing to the music buzzing within Fatima's head.

Narcissa let her feet become heavy and her arms dangle. "You don't have to." she said, trying to encourage him not to do anything against his will.

"Don't be foolish." Lucius replied, through a smile. "You're my intended."

"That doesn't mean you want to dance with me."

"That doesn't mean I don't either. It can work both ways." Lucius said with his arrogant sneer on his face.

"You're one confusing man." Narcissa said, shaking her head.

"You're not an easy read either." Lucius said. Narcissa glanced over her shoulder to see Fatima trying to pull Severus to his feet to dance, but he refused. Narcissa shook her head and turned back to Lucius running her fingertips down his bicep to his forearm. He looked so handsome with his sleeves rolled up to reveal his strong arms that held her hand and her waist. His long hair was tied back with a silk ribbon and his silver eyes stared into her blue eyes. She smiled up at him as he touched her cheek and his other hand that was once on her waist slowly trailed down to her bottom. She sighed and placed the hand back on her waist.

"Lucius." She said.

"Sorry, I couldn't resists." He smiled. "You're beautiful." He said. She tried to repress her cheeks from turning slightly pink, but when she saw his smile widened and felt him touch her hot cheek she was glad she couldn't. He kissed her gently on the lips with his hand cupped on her cheek. She smiled through the kiss at the sound of Rabastan whistling at them. It would've been a romantic moment if she hadn't heard someone yell at the top of their lungs.

"I HATE THIS SONG!"

Fatima suddenly stopped humming and their attention turned to the direction of the voice. Benjamin stood past the threshold of the door, his hair was lifeless, and greasy and the messy strands fell over his dark circled eyes. His skin was eerie and deathly pale.

"Benjamin!" Fatima exclaimed her hands clasped together. "Where have you been?"

"Shut up!" he snapped. "I haven't slept in almost a week, and there's a persistent ringing in my goddamn ears! I can't fucking stand it!" he cursed, his eyes turned to Severus. The younger boy had his hand covering his mouth to keep himself from laughing outloud. "What the hell are you laughing about grease ball?" he exclaimed. Severus looked up with a blank look in his eyes, when Benjamin grabbed him by his robes and held the boy so close to his face, Severus's nose was practically against Benjamin's. "I asked you a question you hooked nose son of a-"

"Get off of him you daft little twit!" Narcissa yelled. Her heart and stomach pounded against her skin when Benjamin's eyes went to her. He glared at her, shoved Severus back on the ground and his fist started to curl. Slowly his face turned into a twisted grin.

"You foolish little girl," Benjamin laughed maniacally. "How much did you cry when you told Lucius I've been farther than he was?"

Narcissa clasped her chest stunned, looking at Lucius, then back at Benjamin. "You… have… enough… nerve!" Narcissa stutter, her fist shaking, and her teeth clenched. She stomped toward him and stabbed his chest her with a well-polished index finger with every syllable she spoke.

"Lucius Malfoy is ten times the man you could ever hope to be! You're one to talk when you've been with every Slytherin girl who has given you the time of day! You don't deserve to breathe the same air as us! You-you," Narcissa could barely think of a mean enough word for him. She gave him the glare that only Lucius had been familiar with. "You are nothing, but an evil little bastard that needs his sorry little arse crucio'd a few times or more till you don't have a bad bone left in your feeble body! Lucius will get farther WITHOUT drugging a girl you sorry-"

"Piss off, bitch." Benjamin said coolly.

"Oh no." Rabastan said, looking a mixture of nervous and mesmerized by the scene. "Oh no."

Lucius pulled out his wand in retaliation quickly, but before he could react he heard a loud crack and a thud on the floor. Narcissa didn't realize her fist collided with Benjamin's mouth until she had jumped on top of Benjamin, punching him harder and harder with every blow. Benjamin could barely keep up with her blows as he tried to fight back. Lucius shuddered at the memories of their constant fighting during their earlier years and her fist still hurt him as if she punched him yesterday.

The other common room stood around as she punched him and slammed his head on the floor. He struggled to push him off of her or at least stop the fury that had been boiling up within her for so long. He managed to shove her off of him.

"Do something!" Rabastan snapped at Lucius, bringing his attention away from the scene. Lucius shot a stunning spell flat into Benjamin's chest. The boy flew back nearly landing on Severus. Benjamin's face was covered in red welts and his face was horribly bruised and inflamed. Lucius grabbed him by the neck of his robes and stood him up on his feet.

"Fatima, help me take him to the headmasters office, since you're his family." Lucius hissed.

"Of course." Fatima replied, looking at Severus to make sure he was alright before leaving. Narcissa thought she saw her wink at him slightly, but her fury was too overwhelming for her to focus on such details. All eyes were on Narcissa, but she barely even noticed. She was shaking and her eyes were wider than seemed capable of and they were fixed upon Benjamin.

"Get off of me!" Benjamin snapped at Lucius, fighting against the grip on his robes. His voice now sounded as if he had a heavy lateral lisp. "Look at me Fatima! I'm a monster aren't I?"

"No," Fatima lied. "You look er- great, you look better when people can see your eyebrows and there's no blood on your face."

"When I see that dumb tom again, I'll kill her. She's may be your best friend, but she will feel my wrath- OUCH!"

"Sorry." Lucius said in an exaggerated tone after he accidentally shoving him into a nearby wall.

"Nice one, Cissa." Rabastan said, touching her arm soothingly to calm her down. Narcissa jumped at his touch, but forced her nerves to settle. She couldn't stop thinking about how insane he had acted just recently. Benjamin wouldn't act in such a way. Instead of the screaming, cursing and vile antics that would put him on the same pedestal with Bellatrix, he usually had a calm demeanor. Narcissa knew something wasn't right. He had been acting strange for a couple of months, but while she was immersed in her studies something could've happen. But what could've transpired that would bring out the worse in him. She knew what was going to happen the minute he got to the hospital wing. She'd surely have detention or worse be suspended from Hogwarts grounds when there was much to be studied for. He would get off practically scot-free because she was the first to hit him. They wouldn't know about the horrible violation against her that was committed earlier that year because of her fear. She couldn't fail her O.W.L's, lose teacher creditability and possibly the trust and faith in her parents over him. She wouldn't let it happen.

"What are you going to do now?" Rabastan asked. Narcissa looked down at her bruised knuckles with a strong sense of pride. The adrenaline rush she had received was still pumping through her veins and spreading throughout her entire body. She looked up from her red fingers and grinned. She had the courage within her, she had warrior blood somewhere perhaps from her ancestors. She was strong and now she knew what she must do.

"I'm going to the Headmasters office." She said storming out the common room and past the rest of the students.

"THIS IS OUTRAGEROUS!" Bryce Marstellar screamed at the top of his lungs and banging his fist on Dumbledore's desk so hard, his candy dish rattled and shook. The elder Marstellar looked a lot like the Benjamin and Fatima. Much like dark looks ran in the Black Family, blonde hair and pointed features of the Malfoys and alcoholism through the Lestranges, the Marstellars were known for their round faces, dark hair, olive skin and very light green eyes.

Cygnus stood by his daughter with an arm wrapped around her and a stern look upon his face. He hadn't let her go since the minute he arrived. The elder Marstellar however had been raging since he received the urgent owl. He could barely stand still and resorted to pacing up and down the office, with his face beet red and the veins in his neck and forehead bulging. Dumbledore's twinkling eyes went in between the two Marstellars as if he were in a similtaneous staring competition with father and son. Benjamin glared hard at the Headmaster with his arms folded to his chest.

"SHE MUST'VE MADE THAT UP! MY SON WOULD DO NO SUCH THING! HE WOULDN'T!"

"Mr. Marstellar," Dumbledore said in a calm, yet somehow cheery voice. He seemed to be unmoved by either Marstellar and removed from the situation. Narcissa found his cheerfulness to be irritating, but did her best to hide her frustration."Why would Miss. Black have a reason to lie?"

"She has some sort of grudge against my son!" Bryce said. Narcissa opened her mouth to say something, but Cygnus squeezed her shoulder and shook her head. "I DIDN'T RAISE MY SON TO BE- WHATEVER YOU'RE ACCUSING HIM OF BEING! HE WOULDN'T, WOULD YOU, SON!" Benjamin didn't respond of any kind, but even if he did Marsellar wasn't paying attention to his son, but instead focused Dumbledore.

Dumbledore raised his hand to Marstellar. "Mr. Marstellar," he said again. "May I speak?" he asked, then continued before Bryce could speak. "Your son has shown some behavior lately that would be deemed disturbing."

"SUCH AS-"

"There's no need to yell Mr. Marstellar." Dumbledore said softly. "We can be civil despite these matters."

"Such as?" Marstellar said again through gritted teeth and a strained voice.

"Well, recently the younger Mr. Marstellar was seen causing a lot of trouble in his Charms class. I was told by Professor Flitwick he challenged a 1st year Hufflepuff student to a duel for no reason what so ever."

"Rubbish! Absolute rubbish! I refuse to believe that!" Bryce Marstellar spat, flying his arms around. He paced around the office, breathing heavily through his nostrils. Narcissa was astounded that his fury didn't cause him to throw a chair across the room.

"Do you think so, Mr. Marstellar?" Dumbledore asked. "Miss. Black has also told me that the younger Marstellar would taunt her into keeping her afraid of speaking to me. She believed he would curse her or slander her good name if she didn't comply with his demands. She didn't even tell her Father."

"Dumbledore," Mr. Marstellar said, addressing the headmaster, but keeping his eye on Narcissa. "Have you ever considered the possibility that she caused him to do this? Perhaps she gallivanted in front of him and gave him the wrong impression-"

"I beg your pardon!" Cygnus exclaimed. The raise in his normally low voice made Narcissa jump. "Let me be the first to say you will not accuse my daughter of such a thing! My daughter does not gallivant around as you claimed and she has never given any man the wrong impression in her life! Perhaps your son was not taught the proper way for a pureblood boy of his wealth and stature should treat the fairer sex."

"How dare you! I've taught my child proper etiquette all of his lies, the fault lies with you!"

"You have no right to accuse my child of anything! She's a victim whichever way your sick mind decides to spin it!"

"Mr. Black and Mr. Marstellar," Dumbledore said sternly, raising both of his hands. The two men turned around instinctively and stood at attention as if they were school children again. "The only way this can be solved is through proper investigation. Now I haven't talked to the boy yet and there is always the Pensieve that might be of service-"

"She could corrupt the memory!" Mr. Marstellar said, pointing a finger at Narcissa. "It's possible! I've heard of plenty who have corrupted memories in the Pensieve-"

"She has a name." Cygnus said, turning around to face Marstellar yet again. "Her name is Narcissa Black. You may call her Miss. Black or Miss. Narcissa, anything else I will deem offensive. I will not have my child be made out to be less than what she is."

"Why you-"

"For verification Mr. Marstellar," Dumbledore said calmly. "To corrupt a memory would require a witch or wizard to be powerful enough and know the proper way to do so. No fifth year could do such a thing. Even for a seventh year it would be particularly difficult." Dumbledore paused for a moment as if to reassure both men were listening. He continued. "We'll take both memories and compare the two to each other, if they are identical, we will discuss this further, if not we will need to investigate, but first I'd like to talk to the younger Marstellar."

"Of course." Mr. Marstellar said and motioned Benjamin aggressively toward the headmaster. "Tell them the truth, son." He said stressing every syllable possible.

Benjamin looked at his father through narrow eyes and turned back slowly towards Dumbledore. He dragged his feet slowly toward his desk, like he was taking in every single part of the man and memorizing every feature. A glare remained on his face, while Dumbledor simply smiled back at the young man. Benjamin's glare sharpened out of what Narcissa assumed to be irritation. Dumbledore was neither intimidated, threatened or even phased by the young man. The headmaster instead twiddled his thumbs and waited for him. "Hello, Mr. Marstellar." he said when the boy was close enough to his office desk.

"Headmaster." He said leaning on the desk, the bruises on his face and neck still hadn't gone away, leaving Narcissa the reminders of her victory. She grinned at the thought of hitting him over and over again. Though fury had only been quenched at the surface of the matter, it still felt damn good to remind herself hitting him again and again over and over. Narcissa looked up at her father to see him staring down at her with a concerned look on his features and behind Cygnus, was Bryce Marstellar who looked just as disturbed. Narcissa quickly wiped the smirk from her face and stared forward at Benjamin.

"Is there anything you'd like to say to this matter?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes."

"Feel free to tell us then."

"I cannot lie, Headmaster." He said. "She tricked me into it."

"What! That's a lie!" Narcissa responded, but Dumbledore held out his hand for her to be silenced.

"She had been leading me on for years," Benjamin confessed, but his tone was as icy and cold as his eyes. "Perhaps since third year. You know I was thinking she was flirting in 2nd year, but she took the cake in third year. Then she was dating Malfy, so I figured I had no chance, but no, she kept giving me eyes."

Narcissa couldn't understand why he wasn't defending himself. Why he hadn't even bother to call her a liar or at least act sorry for his crime. She would've been outraged to hear such an accusation made against her, but she was fascinated by his honesty. She wanted to know what he was going to say next to dig himself into a deeper grave.

"So, one day I baked her some cookies with a few- how would you say, extra ingredients." He stopped when he heard Cygnus curse under his breath. Narcissa only heard her father curse once before in his life, but never anything like the words she thought he uttered. She briefly heard 'you son of a bi-', but she couldn't be sure. Benjamin looked into Cygnus's eyes and grinned back at him and turned his back to him and said. " I think I'm getting a little ahead of myself here, before that she had been flirting and flirting what does she do? She rejects me so of course I was mad. Mad, I wasn't even mad I was enraged. After all the attention I blessed her with she ignored me again and again and again-" His voice reached new heights and his teeth gritted hard together the more he confessed to his crime.

"Son-" Mr. Marstellar said desperately, his mouth hanging open.

"Father, let me finish." Benjamin said shooting his a glare that could've made hells fires cool. "I was enraged enough to want to hurt her. She was one of the few that rejected my advances, so yes I did try to drug her. Hence where the cookies came from." He said grinning. "But she got away from me. Her purity is still in tact last time I checked, so no harm done right? I would like to think so. It wasn't my fault, maybe she shouldn't have eaten the snacks-"

"Shut up!" Narcissa snapped, but both Dumbledore and Cygnus raised shook their heads at her.

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Mr. Marstellar." Dumbledore said. His eyes still had a twinkle to it, but his tone was stern. "Mr. Marstellar you have your proof right there." He said turning to Bryce Marstellar who looked dumbfounded. Marstellar's mouth still unhinged, took to pacing across the floor of Dumbledore's office.

"I don't understand, son." He said after nearly a minute or two of silence. Benjamin looked at him and shrugged his shoulders at him. "Truth hurts, doesn't it Bryce?" Mr. Marstellar's mouth shut and his fist balled. He charged at his son, but stood still, folding his arms and shaking with anger.

"What do we do with him?" Cygnus asked. "I want this boy expelled immediately!"

"Mr. Black," Dumbledore said. "It seems like Mr. Marstellar's problem cannot be solved with a simple expulsion."

"What do you suggest headmaster?" Cygnus asked, stepping closer to Dumbledore's desk. The elder man smiled warmly at him and said in a light voice that was irritatingly irrelevant to the situation. "The boy seems to be suffering from something the untrained mind cannot full grasp. Mr. Marstellar," The elder Marstellar turned to Dumbledore a defeated look upon his features. "I would recommend the third floor of St. Mungos to him straight away, but not only that I must agree with Mr. Black, his course of actions deserves an immediate expulsion-"

"Expulsion?" Mr. Marstellar exclaimed. He turned to Benjamin who looked removed from the situation and back to Dumbledore. "Headmaster, no he's sick I admit that. I don't know where I went wrong or if someone has poisoned him, but Headmaster I beg you, do not expel the poor boy."

"He poses a threat to not only Miss. Black, but also other fellow students. I think it would be a fair solution to this problem."

"She could be lying!"

"She is not lying!" Cygnus's voice boomed so loud it caused Narcissa to jump yet again. "My daughter doesn't have a lying bone in her body. It's your son that caused this distress upon her."

"My son wouldn't-"

"He has admitted it to me Mr. Marstellar. We could always use the Pensieve or Veritaserum if you wish, although I see no use in wasting good potion for a crime that the boy has already admitted to." Narcissa could see from the corner of her eye she could see Benjamin nodding and grinning to everyone around the room. Another short burst of rage boiled inside of her and she desperately wanted another go at disfiguring Benjamin for life.

Mr. Marstellar sighed and placed his fingertips to the bridge of his nose. "Please, Headmaster. Please. My son, he's sick. He's my only son, please sir. I beg you."

"An assault on a woman is a serious crime." The Headmaster said his voice growing lower, and his twinkling eyes peered over his half-moon glasses. "Hogwarts cannot allow someone like this to roam our halls. It can easily happen to any other girl. Miss. Black's bravery to confront her attacker should be commended and not ignored."

"Are you going to call the Aurors?" Mr. Marstellar asked, his words dripping with sadness and worry. "Please sir, I will give her and her family as many galleons if they'd like to keep quiet about this." Narcissa and Cygnus turned to Bryce stunned by his insensitive offer. "My son does not deserve to rot in Azkaban for something like this."

Dumbledore looked to Cygnus and then to Narcissa. He folded his thin hands into one another and said. "Bringing the Aurors here would cause a panic. I don't think that will be necessary."

"Why not?" Cygnus asked. "He made a crime against my daughter, an immoral crime at that. He caused my daughter such distress over the last few months and you're worried about a panic at Hogwarts? To hell with that, I want this boy locked away forever!"

Mr. Marstellar turned to Cygnus. "Mr. Black," he said in a weary voice. "Please."

"No." Cygnus said. "If your daughters were in my daughters place you'd demand the boys head on a platter and you would raise hell against for for even suggesting such an offer of money in exchange for my daughters silence and cooperation. No, Narcissa has been silenced for too long!"

"Yes, but I'm asking you not as just a man. As a father, please do not lock up my son."

"I cannot go upon your request." Cygnus said, his arm wrapped firmly around Narcissa. "You had your wish for silence when your son assaulted my daughter. You had your silence, but you shall not hush my daughter no more!"

The more the two fathers spoke, the more nervous Narcissa became. She had wanted Benjamin to suffer as much as her father did, but the thought of going through a trial and having to face the Daily Prophet, Witch Weekly, The Quibbler and of course the dreaded Wizengamot was far too much to bear. To have to relive that painful memory over and over would drive her further into a deeper depression and would be above all embarrassing. Everyone would know and would want more answers on how she coped? How long had she known Benjamin and did he show signs of this before. The Blacks would have a mark upon their name along with the Marstellars and her intended Lucius would receive his fair share of probing questions. It would be humiliating and it would sure stain all their names until it passed, but who knew how long that would be? She could hear her mother complaining even from the Headmasters office. She couldn't do it. She wouldn't do it.

"No, Father." Narcissa said quietly. Cygnus's eyes widened and he turned Narcissa to face him. He bent down so he could look her into her eyes, his hands were placed on each shoulder.

"Pixie, what are you talking about?"

"I would have to go on trial in front of the Wizengamot and tell the story over and over. I don't want to relieve it. I just want all of this to pass and go away"

"Pixie, I think you're making a mistake."

Narcissa had made up her mind. Benjamin's worse punishment was dealing with his Father. That was an everlasting punishment. Besides he'd only be put in Azkaban a year or two. Surely not long enough to truly pay for his crime.

"Father, trust me. I don't want to go through with it anymore. It maybe foolish-"

"And it is." He said.

"-But I think this is best. I don't want to deal with this anymore. Please, Father. I just want to live my life please."

"I'll take him to Bavaria." Mr. Marstellar said with a nod. "I'll keep him with his grandfather and grandmother. You'll never see him again. I promise you."

Cygnus gave Bryce Marstellar and untrusting glare and turned back toward Narcissa. His hand touched her cheek and he sighed. Narcissa knew he wouldn't force her as much as it killed him. He simply couldn't do that to her. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"I am." Narcissa said. "Please Father. I want this to be over."

Cygnus sighed and nodded. "Then I respect your wishes." he said. He turned to face Dumbledore. His facial expression hadn't changed from the weary look he always wore upon his features. "Headmaster, my daughter has decided against bringing the law in here. Mr. Marstellar?"

Both of the Marstellar's looked up, but Cygnus looked at Benjamin. He walked a few paces toward him, but Benjamin didn't dare look away. The other boy looked into the eye of his victims father and smirked at his grief.

"Every minute of your freedom," Cygnus spoke. "Is a gift from my daughter. If your fate were in my hands, I would make you rot in Azkaban for the rest of your miserable life. However you owe your life to my daughter who has forgiveness and wisdom beyond her and my years put together."

"Thank you, Pixie." Benjamin said spitefully, grinning at her.

"Get him out of here." Narcissa uttered in a dark tone. Dumbledore cleared his throat and nodded toward the elder Marstellar.

"Mr. Marstellar," he said. "Your things will be sent to your home. I suggest you and your father get you to St. Mungo's immediately and I ask that you never walk on Hogwarts grounds or the consequences will be severe."

Bryce Marstellar shook his head and turned to Narcissa. "Thank you." He said, the older mans eyes were watering with tears, but Narcissa couldn't feel any empathy towards the father as much as she tried.

Narcissa didn't say anything, but turned away from all of them. Bryce Marstellar grabbed Benjamin by the collar of his shirt so hard, Narcissa heard the sound of fabric ripping in two. She didn't dare look, but she heard the elder Marstellar cursing and screaming at Benjamin and heard a loud blow ring through the hallways and Benjamin cursing in pain. As the door closed Dumbledore popped a peppermint candy in his mouth from the candy dish he kept on his desk. She couldn't understand how he could eat candy in such a serious situation.

"Miss. Black?" he said as he sucked on the candy. "May I speak with you alone for a moment?"

Cygnus nodded and left the room slowly hoping to catch an ear shot of Dumbledore and Narcissa's conversation, but the headmaster waited patiently for Cygnus to leave. When he heard the door shut behind him he turned his glance to Narcissa.

"I commend you on your bravery." He said with a nod. "Peppermint?"

"Sorry?" Narcissa asked

"Would you like a peppermint?"

'Old bloke.'

"No thank you." Narcissa answered.

"I only wonder how you managed to make Benjamin Marstellar admit to his his crime."

"What?" Narcissa frowned. "I did no such thing. Whatever he did, he did all by himself"

Dumbledore's blue eyes looked at her like he was surveying her soul. "I can understand why. Hate Potion is a complicated one to make. It takes practice and a large amount of time and dedication. I only wonder how you manage to do such a thing."

"Hate Potion? But I didn't!"

"Are you sure?" Dumbledore asked. "I've seen cases like that before, but from the looks of it, it's been over a period of weeks or longer."

"I assure you, Headmaster I wouldn't do such a thing!" she said, walking towards the Headmaster. He looked up at her and nodded his head. He placed both hands on either side of her arms. Without warning she felt a sudden jolt in her mind, like it was slowly being penetrated. Legilimency was at hand, but Narcissa wasn't sure if she should try to block it or even if she could. Before she could make up her mind, the feeling left her body as quickly as it came.

"I'm sorry this happened to you Miss. Black." He said letting go of her arms.

"So, I'm not in trouble?"

Dumbledore chuckled to himself and took another peppermint from the candy dished and placed it in his mouth. "Of course not." He said with a smile on his face.

"Oh." Narcissa said relieved. "Well, thank you. I-I guess."

"Of course. I believe your Father wishes to speak with you before you two depart. I would go to him if I were you."

"Yes, okay. Well thank you Headmaster again."

"Good luck on your O.W.L's Miss. Black."

Narcissa nodded and quickly left the Headmaster's office asking more questions, than she had at the start. Who would poison Benjamin just for sake of getting a confession out of him? Who would poison him with Hate Potion? Who would be skilled enough to make Hate Potion? She was down the stairs and saw her Father waiting patiently for her, with his arms folded behind his back. She felt her eyes well up at tears at the hurt and weary look on his face. She rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He gripped her tightly in his arms and soothed her hair.

"I'm sorry Daddy." She cried.

"It's not your fault, Pixie." Cygnus said softly into her hair. "I don't blame you at all."

"I'm sorry."

"Ssssh."

"But I am." Narcissa sniffled. "I am sorry. I almost ruined everything."

"Look at me." Cygnus said, pulling her away from him. She looked up at him. Her bottom lip trembled as more tears slid down her cheek. He looked older and older every time she saw him. His characteristic black hair that ran in his family, had more grays around the temple and widows peak. In his dark brown eyes she could see a few tears slid from his red rimmed eyes and down his cheek.

"Listen to me," he said. "Do not ever blame yourself. I don't care who it is. You've done nothing wrong and I won't allow my child to walk around with guilt on her shoulders because of someone else's actions. It wasn't your fault. Please don't blame yourself, Pixie. It'll hurt me even more."

"Okay, Daddy." Narcissa said nodding her head.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Cygnus asked, dropping to one knee so he could be at eye level with her. "I never would've let Druella know, all you had to do was tell me someone was hurting you. I would've gladly gone to Azkaban if it meant keeping you safe. I would go to Azkaban if someone had hurt any of my daughters, even Andromeda." Narcissa looked up at him shocked, but he nodded. "Yes, I would. No matter what she has done I would defend her till my dying breath. You are all my children and my love doesn't stop with one mistake." He kissed her head and placed a hand on her cheek. "We're going to move past this, you're going to do wonderful on your O.W.L's and soon this will be a distant memory. He's gone forever out of your life." He smiled weakly at her. "If you need anything or just want to talk, owl me, it doesn't matter the time. I'm a light sleeper, I'll welcome them. If you need me, I'm here, doesn't matter. I'll come here every day if I have to. I love you my little Pixie. I always have. From the minute you were conceived and even more the day you came into this world and wrapped your tiny fist around my finger I love you and wanted to protect you. You were so beautiful too. The most beautiful baby I've ever seen. Don't tell Bella that," he said holding her hands. They both let out a chuckle and he continued "And you were smart too. You started talking and walking so early I thought you were a genius. Don't let him destroy you. If he destroys your spirit, that'll destroy me. You saved my life, you know? All three of you are one of the few beings in my life that keep me going. I love you, Pixie."

"I love you too Daddy." She said wrapping her arms around his neck.

"You only have to take your O.W.L's and you can come home."

"Daddy?"

"Hmm?"

"When I get home, can I have some pancakes?" Narcissa asked.

"Of course you can." He said through a laugh and wrapped her in one more hug.

Narcissa threw her book on the common room floor and fell on the leather couch face first and closed her eyes. Narcissa let out a sigh of relief that at least two O.W.L exams were through, but she was hit with the dread of several more exams were left. Fatima sighed and threw her book bag onto the floor and laid herself on the chair. Her limbs were sprawled out carelessly on the chair and threw her head back.

"Ugh, Transfiguration," Fatima sighed. "Why, why Professor McGonagall?"

"I just want to cry." Narcissa sighed. "This is only day two."

Fatima let out a loud groan and closed her eyes. She threw her arms up in the air and cried. "To hell with it all!" she screamed. "I'm going to sleep."

"I'm struggling with Muggle Studies." Narcissa complained, into the leather couch. "What the hell is a telephone?"

"Something you used to talk into to talk to other filthy muggles, how the hell should I know?" Fatima said. "What's wrong with an owl?"

"I guess they prefer something quicker."

"That doesn't always mean better." Fatima said. "I don't know why I have to know this or why I would even care. Who would even care to begin with? I'm not going into the muggle world, nor am I going to work in the muggle department at the Ministry. It's classless."

"Mhm." Narcissa agreed. Fatima let out a frustrated groan and threw her hands into the air.

"I want to go to bed." She moaned.

"I thought Rabastan said he wanted to-"

"Who cares? I'm exhausted."

Narcissa turned on her side and blew several strands of blonde hair from her face and said; "Fatima?"

"Hmm?"

"You remember what happen to Benjamin right?" Fatima opened one eye and Narcissa could've kicked herself. Of course she knew what happened to Benjamin. Between her ranting and Mrs. Geneva Marstellar (Fatima's mother) owls she was sure to know what happened, but Fatima didn't say a word. Instead she listened intently. "Well, Dumbledore suggested that Hate Potion was involved to push Benjamin for a confession or cause him to behave like a psychopath." That got her attention. She stood up straight and leaned forward and her stare didn't leave Narcissa like she was trying to pin point where her friend was going with this. Narcissa laid her back against the couch and stretched.

"And?" Fatima inquired. "Did he say who he suspects?"

Narcissa frowned and thought back to the conversation. It had been a few days after all and everything happened so fast she wasn't sure if Dumbledore had even suspected anyone.

"No." she said.

Fatima let out a sigh and nodded. "Well, that's good."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Oh-" Fatima stopped herself and looked around the room frantically. "Uhm, did you hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"I think Rabastan got let out of his class early. I could've sworn he came in." Narcissa frowned. Seventh years didn't get released from the N.E.W.T's till another half of an hour, unless they were smart enough to fly through it without so much as single second thought. Rabastan was the more studious brother, but he wasn't a brilliant student.

"No, I doubt it." Narcissa said. Her smile turned up playfully and Fatima looked at her with her eyebrow raised. She had a feeling Fatima knew something, even if she wasn't directly involved. She wouldn't have suspected her if her friends actions weren't giving herself away.

"What?" she asked.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Narcissa said.

"No." Fatima said with a nervous chuckle. "Psh, no." she said trying to add more of a laugh to it, but Narcissa's smile grew wider.

"Mhm." Narcissa said with a smile. "You know absolutely nothing?"

"Nope." Fatima said blinking at her.

"Are you one hundred percent sure?"

"Yes!" she snapped. "What am I under arrest or something? I'm not under questioning! I didn't do anything wrong!"

"Sorry." Narcissa said, but not burying the smile on her face. Fatima leaned back in her chair, but stared up at the ceiling, while Narcissa returned to lying on the couch. She wasn't sure how long she had been laying there, but it was long enough for her to fall into a sleep. Soon enough, Severus and Regulus walked into the common room.

"Books out." Severus said simply as he placed his worn book bag on the floor pulled the table in between both girls.

"Sev," Fatima said, she was already half asleep, by that time and she could barely keep her eyes open. "Please we're exhausted."

"I know, but it's not over yet. You have Herbology to study for, so books out, parchment papers on the tables and quills moving. It's Narcissa's weakest subjects and you're still a little shifty on variations of gillyweed identifications. So, let's get to work."

"Severus-" Narcissa opened her mouth to complain.

"The quicker we get through this, the quicker Fatima can get to Rabastan and you can go to sleep."

Both girls groaned and opened their book bags to begin working. Regulus laughed at them and Narcissa's head peaked up from opening her book.

"Laugh while you can Reg, because one day you'll be as frantic as we are." She said throwing the dreadful Herbology book onto the floor and sliding herself with it.

For the last time Lucius, Fatima, Severus and Sirius met at the empty classroom, with their spirits high and a sense of accomplishment and victory lay in the air. Lucius paid Rodolphus to buy him a bottle of fire whiskey for the occasion of their victory and just in time the owl was sent with the firewhiskey wrapped in a brown paper bag that read "Mrs. Naughty's Pumpkin Juice". It was a cautionary measure to ensure that there wouldn't be any adult interception. Lucius poured each one of his cohorts a little bit of whiskey, just to get a small taste of their celebration.

Narcissa followed behind them quietly. She had been trying to catch up with Lucius for a few hours after Rabastan asked her to drop off a letter to him. When she had located him he was quickly leaving with Fatima and Severus. It was unusual for all of them to spend time together without her or at least inviting her to come along. Her suspicions had risen when she saw from the torch light Sirius, whistling with his hands in the pocket of his robes as he walked into the same room as her friends walked into. She grinned and slowly made her way close enough so she could peak into the classroom without them knowing.

The cohorts held their glasses in front of each other, barely touching the other glasses of the people next to them. All of them looked equally as happy as the next. Sirius looked more excited about the firewhiskey, rather than the victory. He stared into the glass and grinned. Fatima and Lucius were casual about the alcohol, while Severus looked at it with a mixture of curiosity and disgust.

"I can't believe we did it!" Lucius said with a grin on his pointed face.

"Is it really that hard to believe?" Fatima said. "There was an update from Mother. Benny had been in St. Mungos for a few weeks to get the potion out of his system. He might have to stay there a little bit longer, and then it's off to Germany with him!"

They all cheered and clinked glasses. Sirius made a move to drink, but Fatima shook her head at him and held her hand out in between the glass and his mouth. The Gryffindor pumped his fist into the air.

"We sent Benny boy to the madhouse!" Sirius jeered. "I am a genius!"

"Genius, it was my potions." Severus replied so quietly, Narcissa had to strain to hear him.

Sirius glared at him. "Snivelus, it's rude to talk when others are talking. For your information I devised the amazing plan-"

"No I did. You had the initial start, but it was my planning mostly." Lucius corrected.

"Ssssh!" Sirius hushed, placing the finger of his other hand to his lips. "Well, I single handedly delivered the drugged potions-"

"That was me." Fatima said.

"Be quiet the men are talking." Sirius snapped at her. "Right Lucius?" Lucius rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Arrogance is unbecoming for you, Black."

"So is Snivelus's greasy hair, but no one is complaining about that."

Severus glared at Sirius and clenched his glass so tight Narcissa thought it would break in his grip. "Well, come to think of it," Lucius replied. "You didn't do much of anything, Sirius."

"True." Fatima said. Sirius shot her a look.

"Thank you Judas!"

"Well it's true." Fatima said. "I mean you really didn't do anything."

"I got the hair from you!"

"Yes," Lucius nodded. "And you messed that one up." Sirius opened his mouth to say something.

"I kept the secret!" Sirius rationalized after a moment. "So hooray for me! Cheers!" He said quickly, clinking glasses with all of them and downing his fire whiskey. The rest of them did the same. (Except Severus who more or less sipped it). Narcissa had all the proof she needed. She walked further into the room and clapped her hands until all their attention was turned to her.

"My, my, my." Narcissa said in a sing song voice. "It was you all along. I knew it."

"Yep." Sirius said. He looked at the evil eyes the Slytherins were giving him. "I guess it's time to confess. It was those three." He said pointing at them. "I tried to tell them not to, but they wouldn't listen-"

"You all are so sweet to make Benny daft out of revenge." Narcissa said, walking past Sirius and hugged Fatima and kissed her on the cheek. She flicked the tip of Severus's nose lightly, shocking the younger man and kissed him on the cheek. His pale cheeks turned a slight shade of pink as he touched the place where she kissed, a smile curling on his face. Lucius glared out of jealously and Severus quickly let the smile on his face disappear. Narcissa wrapped her arms around Lucius and pulled him into a deep kiss.

"Thank you." She said into his ear. He smiled at her and placed his hands delicately on his waist.

"And where's my hug?" Sirius asked with his arms wide. "Come on, I had to hang about with Snivelus if that's not love, I don't know what is."

"But he dragged you into this, didn't he?" Narcissa asked. Her arms still wrapped around Lucius's neck.

"No. I lied." Sirius said with an innocent smile on his face.

Narcissa laughed and shook her head. She let go off Lucius, hugged Sirius and kissed his forehead. He let out a groan and wiped his head with the palm of his hand. Narcissa ruffled up his hair and laid in Lucius arms.

"Oh," she said, reaching into the pocket of her robes and handing Lucius the letter. "This came in for you. I said I would hand deliver it."

"Thanks." Lucius replied his voice had the light tone she once remembered. He took the letter that read 'Abraxas Malfoy' on the front. He sighed and walked off from the group to take his time to open the letter.

"Now that we passed out O.W.L's," Fatima said holding up the bottle of fire whiskey from the nearby table. "Let's say we get a little tipsy."

"Alright!" Sirius exclaimed happily.

"Not you Sirius." Narcissa said with a smirk on her face. She relished in the moment she could say what she had been told by Andromeda and Bellatrix. It felt good to finally say it. "It's past your bedtime, but Severus is mature enough, he can get tipsy with us." Narcissa laughed. Severus shook his head, but Fatima wrapped an arm around him.

"Oh come on. We won't tell anyone-"

The sound of glass shattering was heard in Lucius's direction and the room became still and silent, one could hear a pin drop. Lucius's back was turned from the group as he stared into the parchment paper. Narcissa walked toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Lucius? What's wrong?"