Well hello lovelies, I would like to say that I am ecstatic! Last chapter hit, and the went over 75 whole reviews! How exciting is that? Very me, maybe not so much for you... Regardless I would like to say an especially earnest and grateful thanks to every single reviewer especially those who reviewed chapter 34: One wonderful guest reviewer, NymphadoracallmeTonks, MzMalfoy (who's fic 'Malfoy: unknown' is definitely worth a read and someone thing that I must finish soon), and special thanks to a brand new reviewer of Chapter 1 Sweeney B who's new work looks great for anyone has read the Night Trilogy. Oh, and they also got me to update quicker, they said upload soon and I'd just finished writing it so I apoologise for unfiltered type Os.

So how amazing are you lot? The correct answer is 'Utterly, Pheonlynx. You are unworthy of our praise but we bestow it anyway with the greatest benevolence.'

My, that is a lot of author's note. I only console myself with the fact most people skip it and won't hear such drivel - but I did have to say thank you, in case anyone does read this nonsense :)

I think you guys have caught on to my shameful secret by now. I am not J K Rowling... guess that cat is out of it's bag. All credit goes to the wonderful J K for our beloved Harry and his world.

Chapter 35

The next morning was Monday and Narcissa's slumber had been blessedly dreamless. Still, when Floss came to wake her in time for breakfast, Narcissa felt she could have slept for another week. She felt physically drained from her violent weeping, and emotionally worn from the cause of her tears. Worst of all she felt cowardly, and Black's aren't cowards.

Narcissa had an insistent desire to stay hidden in her dorm. She did not want to go down to the Great Hall and be around everyone at breakfast. She didn't want to do her duty, maintain her dignity and pretend that nothing had happened. And she certainly did not want to see Andromeda… or Malfoy for that matter.

Bloody cur. She snarled to herself, hastily throwing the books she'd need for the day into her dark leather satchel. She tossed in the considerable weight of her thick charms book in and heard a splintering crunch that made her wince. The crystal phials, a Christmas present. Narcissa groaned, the burden of irritation adding to her emotional load. She didn't even have Potions until Wednesday. It was all going wrong that morning.

Sighing she emptied the bag and aimed her wand at the perilously delicate shards. With a flick of her wrist the phials were as good as new, but the act reminded her that she wouldn't have known the useful spell but for her 'darling' sister Andromeda teaching her it earlier in the year. Narcissa didn't want to be reasonable. She wanted to stay angry and betrayed. It was a lot easier than facing up to the reality of what had happened and why she was upset.

But she knew she had to find Andromeda. They had to talk, preferably before lessons so Narcissa had a chance of taking in anything her professors said. After all, Blacks stick together. And with that thought she swung her bag over her shoulder, and stiffened her lip for the day ahead.

…

"So wait, she didn't want to dance with him? Could've fooled me". Marius commented, his voice full of outraged distrust. They were in 'Sailor's', holding a muttered conversation while supposedly refereeing the game of chess between Amy and Helena. Amy could never quite get which moves were legal or not fixed in her brain, so to give her a sporting chance it was necessary to have a 'Ref' on call. Carlotta and Thomas were missing from the party, she'd wanted to send a letter to her parents, and as the nights were decidedly drawing in, Tom had offered to join her in the trip to the Owlery.

"Yes. She's had a bit to drink. Listen, we didn't have any of that punch but by all accounts it was… pungent to say the least. I don't know what Professor Slughorn was thinking, serving that in school but anyway. The fact is she was a little tipsy and upset over some tiff with her Ravenclaw friends – who for obvious reasons weren't there. It could have been any third year she'd ended up dancing the night away with."

"So she says." Was his breathed reply.

Narcissa paused a moment then answered quickly, resolutely. "So she says and so I believe. She's never shown any interest in him before and it didn't mean anything to her-"

"That makes it worse!" Marius exclaimed before glancing down at the girls sat on the hearth rug. Helena, who was waiting her turn cast him a curious glance but quickly looked back at the board to check Amy's progress. Marius flushed a little, and lowered his voice again as he continued. "She hurt you – don't deny it Narcissa, I was there – and for no good reason. It's like you said, that it didn't matter to her, but it did mean something to you. She was careless and she's your sister! She should care… no matter what the situation; she should anticipate what could hurt you."

Narcissa giggled. Marius was so full of outrage, indignation written all over his face. He wore such an incredulous look and he was so tense as he whispered the words that she could not help but let out some of the tension of the last few days in a little chuckle.

She tried to control her voice as she replied "I'm sorry Marius… your just… and no one can just, just… stop doing what they want… because I might not like it!" Her pauses were punctuated with little hiccups of in a second Marius's face had changed to mock anger and his hazel eyes glinted brighter with amusement and shone with mischievous intent.

"Laugh at me will you? Giggle at your friend? At the great Marius? I will show you Madame Black!" In one swift move he had seized her ankle from where it rested on a cushion and was skilfully tickling the soul of her dainty foot. Narcissa was instantly helpless, squirming and gasping, and laughing earnestly despite herself.

Marius had to contort himself again and again to doge he kicking leg and flailing other limbs, fighting his own laughter to declare: "ha! Now you see the wrath that you incurred! Let it be known that one does not simply – ooft!" One of Narcissa shins had connected with his belly, knocking the air out of him, but he clung fast to her ankle, relentlessly moved his fingers over her sensitive skin and valiantly continued his speech. "Does not simply laugh at me!"

He finished his speech a little short of breath, but not so much as Narcissa. Even as he released her foot and tried to gently lay it down, before she defensively snatched both feet up and close to her, she was too breathless to speak. She couldn't summon enough air to say a word, and whenever she thought she might have, only hysterical giggles escaped. Marius smiled down at her slightly dishevelled from and fondly pulled up one of her escaping socks before she could flinch away.

It had been too long since he'd seen her laugh, and the chance to relax her into her smiling, carefree self – for just a little while – was too much to resist. He hated to see her sad. But she wasn't facing up to what had happened last night. Marius was far from convinced by Andromeda's explanation as Narcissa recounted it, but for now it was best to let Cissy find the peace she could. And he would find his own peace by ignoring the obvious question that was casting a long, deep, shadow over his cheerful outlook – why was she still so bothered about that blonde rat?