Narcissa gathers her things and prepares to leave the astronomy tower at the end of class. She was deep in thought, still rattled from her conversation with Andromeda and notices too late that she's alone in the room with Walden.
"Cissa…" Walden says and Narcissa looks up with a panic, a rush of fear and adrenaline pulsing through her body. "Wait, wait," he says and Narcissa shoves her things into her bag, getting ready to bolt. "Please, Cissa wait. I'm here to apologize."
"You've already tried that one, McNair," she says sharply, standing to hurry to the door.
"Cissa, please," Walden says, grabbing her arm to stop her.
"Don't you touch me," she nearly screams, her voice going shrill. "Don't you dare touch me."
"Promise me that you'll hear me out, that's all I ask, Cissa. Please promise me."
"Let me go, McNair," Narcissa hisses. "Lucius'll tear your arm off for touching me. Hell, I'll do it myself if you continue to test your luck."
"I'm only asking for five minutes for you to hear me out," he says. "You don't have to believe me or forgive me, just hear me out. Okay, Cissa? Just five minutes. Let me apologize." He lets go of her arm in a show of good faith.
Narcissa looks at him suspiciously and backs away to a different table. "Five minutes," she says, feeling a little moved by the pathetic look in his eye. "But that's all, Walden. You never talk to me again afterwards. And if you ever touch me again… I swear to god I'll.. tear your arm off and use it as a fan." She knew her threat wasn't nearly as terrifying as if her sister had said it, but she still hoped it would be convincing.
He nods. "Whatever you want, Cissa. I promise."
Narcissa folds her arms and looks him over. "Well. Get on with it. You only have five minutes."
Walden sighs and goes to stand before her, dropping to his knees and clasping his hands together in a pleading motion. "Narcissa Black, I beg your forgiveness for what I've done. I am a worm under your foot and I deserve to be crushed. If I could lay my life down for you to take, I would, if only it'd mean you'd forgive me before I died."
Narcissa blinks in shock, not expecting such a strong apology.
"What I did was unforgivable," Walden continues. "I know that. I was just… so in love with you, Narcissa. So moved by your beauty and your charm. When we talked on the train to school, I was smitten. I've never felt such a strong connection with someone before. Truly, it was as if I had been noticed by a mythological goddess. I wanted nothing more but to spend forever with you, dazzled by your light. And then… Lucius arrived. And I had to leave your company with only a taste of what seemed like perfection. So I overreacted. I went through lengths to try and win you to me instead of him. I took it too far… I… I'm so sorry, Cissa. Please realize that. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just hoped that if Lucius would stop being so protective, we could finally have a chance together. And the only way he would stop being so protective would be if he believed you didn't love him anymore. I didn't think… I just wanted a chance to show you how much I care, Cissa. Truly, I would rather live a slave under your eye than to spend the rest of my life knowing that you hate me."
"I don't… I don't hate you," Narcissa says, softening. She knew she was weak for flattery, but he did seem to be genuine. She tries her best, however, to remain firm. "But you did drug me, Walden. You drugged me. And even before that, you wouldn't listen to me. I'm dating Lucius, and I love him. Why couldn't you just accept being my friend?"
"Because I'd always want more than that," he says, bowing his head. "My feelings for you are just too strong. I'd always be jealous of Lucius, always want you by my side. And Cissa, I can't be sorry for that. I know you felt it, too. This draw, this attraction." He stands slowly and Narcissa shrinks under the weight of his eyes. He takes her hand and Naricssa doesn't fight it. He lifts it to his lips and kisses the tips of her fingers. "It wasn't all the potion, was it, Cissa?" he asks, softly. "There was more there, too, wasn't there? If we didn't have all these obstacles in our way… You'd be free to love me back."
"I can't," Narcissa whispers. "Walden…"
"Tell me the truth," Walden whispers, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Do you have feelings for me?"
"Walden… You can't ask me that," Narcissa says, finding that her voice is hesitant.
"I am asking you, Cissa," he says softly, caressing her face with two of his fingers. "Because I think you need to hear yourself say it."
"I love Lucius," Narcissa says, feeling tears find their way to her eyes. "Truly, Walden I do. I love him. I can't… You can't.. Please, Walden. I love him. You can't do this."
"Answer me, Cissa," he urges her quietly, getting dangerously close. "Be honest with yourself."
Her eyes drop to his lips and he cups her face, tilting her chin up to her. "Walden…" she whispers as he lips close the gap, pressing between hers, interlocking. She finds herself parting her lips to invite him in even deeper, feeling the hotness of his breath on her skin and shivers running down her spine. He runs a hand along her side and she is swept away in his touch, feeling her stomach turn with pleasure. They break for the briefest moment for air but it's enough for her to regain since. Walden closes in to resume where their lips left off, but Narcissa pulls herself away.
"Stop," she begs, the tears spilling over. "Stop it, Walden. Why are you so cruel?" She shivers as she cries, turning away from him.
"Cissa," Walden says, taking a step towards her.
"I love Lucius," she says, not turning towards him. "I love him. Stop this. Stop kissing me and flirting with me and touching me… Stop making it so difficult to think. To breathe. I don't want to be this girl, falling over any boy who will say sweet things to me. You want my forgiveness? You have it. But the second half of this deal still stands, Walden. I don't want you to touch me or talk to me again. I can't."
Walden is quiet for a long moment. Finally, he nods. "If that's what you want, Cissa."
"It is."
"Then I leave you alone." He gathers his things and leaves the astronomy tower. Once he's gone, Narcissa sinks to her knees and cries into them, feeling a rush of emotions, and not all of them guilt.