"You're sister ran off with a Muggle?"
"Who would have thought that something like this would happen to the Blacks."
"Have you been with your sister recently? I don't want you to touch me after you've been in contact with a filthy Muggle!"
"So, does this mean you're into Muggle-borns, too?"
"Narcissa, please tell me you aren't going to be dragging in any dirt from your sister's house when you come over in the spring."
"Hey, Black, are you going to start smooching the Hufflepuffs now? Haha!"
Narcissa walked the corridors alone, preferring the comfort of silence rather than the obnoxious taunts of the other Slytherins. She could have brushed off the rumors; but there, on page seven of the Daily Prophet, was the photo of the day, printed proof that the rumors were indeed fact. She was grateful that Catarina had understood when she said she wanted to just be alone; it was harder to remain calm and collected when more people were around.
Something wet struck her cheek. She whirled around, blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. And then she saw them, sauntering up to her from the adjoining hallway: Sirius Black and James Potter, identical malicious grins on their faces, eyes lit mischievously as they stalked their latest victim. Lupin and Pettigrew remained in the background, as usual, the former leaning against the wall as the fatter boy lingered eagerly just behind her cousin and the black-haired boy.
"What's up, cousin?" Sirius called out haughtily. "You know, you missed a really good party the other week. There was music, and dancing – oh, and really good food. Oh, and of course, lot's of pretty girls. Ain't that right, Prongs?"
"Oh yeah," James gave a cocky grin as he sauntered past Sirius, circling around the older blonde girl, who was snapping her head left and right to keep her eyes upon them. "Lot's of pretty girls. Two of them couldn't keep their hands off of you." Sirius barked out a laugh, and the two boys stepped closer to their catch.
"What are you talking about?" Cissy snapped, shuffling back a step. "You could not have possibly gone to a party, school had only just begun!"
"My dear cousin, we did not say it was here at Hogwarts, did we?"
"Where did it take place, then?" demanded Cissy, raising her chin defiantly as the boys exchanged mocking glances.
"Between the Burvju Hills – wonderful place, wonderful time."
Narcissa frowned at James's words.
"How in Merlin's name did you ever manage to make it off the school grounds to arrive at the Burvju Hills?"
The boys grinned wider. James inched closer.
"You know, it's actually quite brilliant how we did it – takes a lot of initiative, cleverness, and talent."
"Are you trying to impress me, Potter?" Cissy spat. "Or do you enjoy stroking your own ego?"
"Ah, don't be so nasty, Cissy-"
"Don't call me that!"
"-otherwise I might change my mind about letting you in on our little secret."
"Hang on," Sirius interrupted, frowning slightly. "If we tell her, wouldn't that make three people we share the secret with?"
"Oh, bummer. Yeah, you're right, Padfoot, that would make three." James shook his head in mock sadness and sighed loudly. "Well, you know what they say about sharing secrets. Looks like I'm going to have to kill you afterward." His hand twitched towards his pocket. But before his fingers could brush by his wand, Narcissa whipped hers out with a snarl.
"Oy!" Sirius yelled, and now both boys had their wands drawn, pointing directly at Cissy. Her eyes flicked back and forth, watching warily for any hint of movement.
"You really did miss an awesome party." James told her, eyes fixed on her wand. "We really missed you."
"You should have come along." Sirius's grin was still plastered to his smug face. "No, hang out, I just remembered." He stared into her cool blue eyes from where he stood, carefully accentuating each of his next words. "You weren't invited."
Cissy snapped. In a flash, she had slashed her wand, sending Sirius crashing into the far wall with a yelp. James lifted his wand to defend his friend, but Cissy was older, faster, stronger, fueled by hatred and anger. There was a roaring in her ears and sickening clench in her abdomen. Hot tears burned her eyes but she blinked them away furiously as suddenly it was four against one. A red glare grazed her elbow and she hissed from the pain and the fresh wave of anger that washed through her. She doubled her efforts to ward off her attackers.
She barely noticed the crowd of students that had gathered around them, or the voice that was screaming "Stop! I'm a Prefect, stop!" All her frustration, all her anger, all her humiliation and loneliness and feelings of abandonment poured out from the tiny bottle to which she had contained them, overwhelming her as she twirled and jabbed at her hated cousin and his friends.
Then suddenly, a pair of strong arms gripped her arms, and her wand was wrenched from her hands. Sirius, James, Pettigrew, and Lupin met the same fate; James and Sirius were arguing with Professor Kord, no doubt stringing together a pack of excuses to try and worm their ways out.
"That is enough of this type of behavior from you lot!" Came the voice at her ear. "The rest of you, unless you would like to suffer the same consequences as these miserable five, I suggest you scatter immediately! Professor Kord, take Mister Black, Mister Potter, Mister Lupin, and Mister Pettigrew up to Professor McGonagall – she'll know what to do with them. As for you, Miss Black," Narcissa was spun around to face Madam Sporta, the Quidditch instructor. "It's off to Professor Slughorn for you – and spare me any of your pathetic excuses!"
Cissy marched off after Madam Sporta, glaring at her back. She was not going to give any excuses; she was tired of excuses. She just wanted to scream, to rage, to hit something – or someone.
She knew where Sirius and James had sneaked off to on September 16. She knew that they had received the invitation, the one she had not gotten. For 22 days she had made excuses for her. But now she didn't.
She hated Andromeda. She hated Andromeda for not calling; she hated Andromeda for not inviting her to the wedding; she hated Andromeda for making Father and Mother angry; she hated Andromeda for liking Sirius more; she hated Andromeda for making her life miserable.
But above all, she hated Andromeda for being selfish and running off with that Mudblood.
**edited**