Screw the Ministry Cause it Can't Screw Back
By: Reirei no miko: Reirei_no_miko@hotmail.com
Warnings: This chapter: PG-13 swearing and adult situations Whole Story: R for angst, rape, torture and psychological manipulation
Chapter 6- Fuck Friends Who Just Don't Get It
It had been quite the day. Lily, Cassidy and Ethel had cornered her just before lunch to ask about the pants and their comfort. They had all agreed that she was brave for doing it and that Black had learned his lesson about harassing girls over the weekend when no one had spoken to him.
But now it was fairly late in the evening and she and Severus had just come from a last minute cram session for a pop quiz they'd be having in Potions tomorrow. Lucius had just been heading their way when she'd taken her leave, they hadn't spoken since the Quidditch party and Narcissa heard from other Slytherins that she was on his black list, so she was avoiding him as valiantly as possible.
Now at the portrait of the Pink Lady she said a polite hello and gave the password, 'Flutterby'. The common room was fairly full but she spotted Lily and her friends seated with the 5th year boys surrounding the fire. She was waved over and made her way over to the group. Remus stared at her a moment longer than usual and she gave him a smile which he returned softly before ducking his head, honey-brown bangs covering his eyes in a shaggy fringe. Black gave her a thin lipped nod and James regarded her warily before quirking his lips up in a half smile and turning back to his book. Peter wouldn't meet her eyes.
"We're writing that Potions paper, are you done?" Lily chirped, pulling her down between herself and Ethel who smiled at her brightly.
"No, and don't bother- Jigger's won't be picking it up."
Everyone lifted their eyes, "He's the Slytherin Head of House and was a Slytherin in his youth, he understands the prejudice against them, he's awfully bitter about it, so he gives his house notice about test questions and what papers he will and won't be picking up."
"You're not a Slytherin." Pointed out Black rudely, he ran a hand through his hair briskly waiting for her answer.
"I've been accepted as an honorary Slytherin though, and I'm in their common room often enough to count as one, so I get let in on things like the quiz tomorrow."
"Quiz, tomorrow?" Lily squeaked.
Narcissa put a dainty hand over her mouth, "oops, did I say that we were having a quiz in potions on chapter six out loud? Did I also accidentally mention that we'll have to brew a sleeping potion without use of notes and that the written bonus question is going to pertain to page number 854 of Jiggers text book? How silly of me to let that slip."
Peter snorted with laughter and Remus let out a low chortle. Lily clapped her hands in amusement, covering them over her smiling mouth.
"No wonder the Slytherin do so well in Potions." Black groused.
"And so badly in Herbology, Astronomy, Ancient Ruins, Flying and Divination, the teachers are just as prejudice against them as the students. If the Slytherins didn't do so well in Potions and other houses so poorly, they wouldn't only be bigoted against for being 'evil' but for being stupid as well!"
Lily shot Black a look that Narcissa caught but let slide because the retort on Sirius' lips died instantly. Peter was watching her with intense curiosity at the moment and she turned to him raising an eyebrow. His face flushed but he kept eye-contact until his flush disappeared. He glanced to Sirius who was busy looking up page 854 in 'Magical Drafts and Potions' for their bonus question answer. Seeing this Peter turned back and gave a small smile. "You can ah..... do charms right? Really well?"
She shrugged, she was fairly good at them. Nodding she took the text Peter handed her and saw the underlined charm she guessed he was trying to learn. "Ah, Sonorus." She said, "That's the charm we used during the Quidditch match."
She studiously ignored Black and Potters' glares and Lily's choked giggle. Peter shrugged off another blush and said "I need to pull up my charms homework and Flitwick said he'd bring it up ten percent if I could master this charm, I just can't get it to work."
Narcissa nodded, "Instead of the 'swish and flick' wand wave Flitwick teaches, try pointing and then tapping it in mid air."
Peter nodded, "But who...?"
Lily turned around glancing for some good fun and motioned towards a group of sixth year girls giggling together in a corner, they were glancing at their group every so often and Lily got a huge grin. "Those are the biggest gossips in school- try it out Peter!"
Smiling the blond boy nodded and as everyone raised their eyes from what they were doing they turned their attention to the girls. "Sonorus." A point and tap of wand later, voices were echoing through the common room.
"Well, Black is sex on wheels, but his friends are just so odd. James would be cute, he just needs to lose the glasses and tame his hair, Peter is a little lard bucket, he should watch what he eats and Lupin could not only use a haircut but really needs some new clothes, I hear he's as poor as a church mouse!" the girls burst into giggles. They suddenly realized the entire common room was staring at them, blushed, and promptly ran from the room.
Peter lowered his wand, stunned and covered himself self-consciously with his arms as James fingered his hair and Remus shifted quietly.
"I can't believe them! Insulting their own house!" Black snarled, despite the 'sex on wheels' comment.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day Narcissa and her dorm mates were up getting ready for school. She sat in front of the mirror deciding which shade to dye it from the dull brown it had been the past couple of days.
"I still can't believe what those girls said last night!" Cassidy said, pulling a brush through her hair.
Lily was tying ribbons at the end of her several braids thoughtfully. "I don't think James needs to tame his hair- it's very rugged and romantic!"
Ethel sighed, pulling on her knee high socks, "Peter's not a lard bucket." She stated, fixing her skirt, "they were horrible to say so."
Narcissa, deciding on a black tinted red shade sighed melodramatically, with a flick of her wrist she brought the strands to a shaggy, in her face, tousled, beatles cut and stated, "so ask the boys to the Yule Ball and prove them wrong."
Lily giggled, "Ask boys to the Yule Ball? That's so....so......"
"Revolutionary? Out of the ordinary? Different?" Narcissa stood, and began tying her neck tie pointedly. Save for her prominent breasts which were outlined drastically in her uniform which was not meant for figures she looked like a boy, her hair cut the way it was. "Come on, let the school know I've rubbed off on you a little! Ask the guys, after that bash to their ego, their not going to be asking anyone anytime soon!"
Lily sighed, "I've been dropping hints to James for -years- now, he just doesn't get it!"
"I'd rather like to go with Peter...." Ethel mused, slipping on her shoes.
"I guess that leaves Remus!" Cassidy said, pulling on her blazer. The other girls nodded and together trooped out the door and down the stairs to where their Gryffindor fifth year counterparts were waiting for them.
"Let's go!" Lily chirped grabbing James' arm and pulling him through the portrait hole as he protest to being dragged around weakly.
It was certainly new for Narcissa, walking with -them-. Through school she'd always felt a detached resentment for this gang, the 'popular' crowd so to speak. She'd been known as an outcast, looked down upon even, but now, being accepted by them was something she'd never conceived as a possible reality.
But Lily was making her laugh, Remus was warm beside her, and even Black wasn't being a complete git. James was tripping Black and Black was punching Remus and Peter had started a running commentary like during Quidditch and it was like having friends like her- outgoing, loud and spontaneous. It was new. She liked it.
She saw Severus striding towards them, a grim hitch in his step and the group came to a halt as they came face to face. "Sev?"
He gave a disgusted twist of his nose, "Malfoy is headed this way, I suggest you turn around and bolt it you don't want to-"
"Severus! Thank you so much for finding her." All blue eyed, thin faced, pink lipped and blond Lucius came walking towards them. Narcissa took an involuntary step backwards but Severus came to stand behind her to keep her from running away. Face to face Lucius took her hand and right there in the hallway, he kissed it. Dry and light but oh so disgusting she gave him a wry smile and tried to pull her hand back. He held fast and got to one knee where he conjured up a single red rose out of thin air and held it out for her.
"My dearest, most fair Narcissa Silvermoon, I would be most honored if you would do me the eternal joy of accompanying my to the upcoming Yule Ball." He gave her a genuine smile but deep in his eyes she saw that this was a game and she was the prize, she'd been marked as prey and Lucius wouldn't quite till he'd won.
"My apologies Mister Malfoy but I'm afraid that I'm going with someone already." She grit.
A slender (obviously plucked) eyebrow rose, "And who may that be?" he stood, drawing himself to his full dangerous height.
Narcissa felt a rush of wind beside her and from the corner of her eye say Remus Lupin standing there looking petrified.
"You?" asked Malfoy, sneering down at Remus who had turned to snarl at Lily. "And who are you to take Narcissa to the Yule Ball?" the blond took a step forward, wand drawn menacingly.
Severus' fingers tightened around her shoulders as he kept her from jumping the pureblood. "Perhaps Lucius you should simply accept facts the way they are and not traumatize the ladies present? And you've yet to ask for a dance, it's not like their married."
Lucius shot a silent death threat at Severus before returning to his charming, smiling self, "Narcissa are you sure you wouldn't rather go with me?"
"My......I'm always true to my word Lucius- I'm sorry." She was watching Remus who looked pale out of the corner of her eye.
The Slytherin sighed and held out the rose all the same, "fine, but you absolutely must save me a dance, then. You will won't you Narcissa?"
She accepted the rose and nodded. He mirrored her and turned on his heel to walk away. She felt that she was trembling and glanced down at rose in her hand. "I'm a piece of meat, Severus. I don't want to play his bloody games."
"Then don't," he said, then he turned to Remus, "but you'd better as hell go together or we're all *dead*."
The rose in Narcissas' hand burst into flame. She watched it burn slowly.
"You'll need to replace that, it's a favor you know- you'll be expected to bring it to the Ball."
"I hate him."
"It could be worse, you could be betrothed."
A dry laugh bounced off the wall nearest them, "His parents wouldn't let him marry a muggle-loving bitch like me." The burnt flower before her was suddenly crushed in vehemence, ashes falling to the floor like gray snow.
"How very melodramatic of you, Narcissa."
Cassidy cleared her throat, "Say Sirius, do you have a date for the Yule Ball?"
"No why?"
"Neither do I, come with me?"
Narcissa turned to her red-headed friend who smiled and winked at her. *Respect* surrounded her, Severus gave her shoulder one last squeeze in farewell and walked away. She lifted her eyes to Remus nervously, he was watching her with the solemnity of a funeral director. The look made her stomach butterflies burst to life and she looked away quickly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He was pacing, a soft, peach hand raking his hair every two seconds, warm, herbal-tea eyes darting frantically around in desperation, nervous teeth scratching at a dry lower lip while a lightning quick tongue flitted across the upper half. "I can't just -ask- her, do you know what I am?"
James was watching the display sympathetically, under Lilys' acceptation the year before to a date in Hogsmead he'd been in much the same condition- he still was now, but she'd asked him to the Yule Ball and for that he'd been grateful, it sure took a load off of his shoulders.
Peter smiled sadly, hugging his pillow as his eyes followed their friends' pacing back and forth and back and forth......
"I could hurt her!"
Sirius scoffed, he sat on a chair either leg on one side of the back which came to his chest where his arms were folded. "If anything happens Rem, no one's going to miss her."
Remus rounded on him viciously, "Siri, would you stop it?! Narcissa may be my one chance at finding someone who'll se past what I am!"
"Remmy," Sirius chided, "You can do better."
A low growl resounded through the room, "Name one girl in this school that would accept me, knowing what I am and what I'm capable of!"
"Lily."
James started to protest, one hand in the air to stop a retort but Remus threw him a look as if to say 'she's yours- keep her and stay out of this' and turned back to Padfoot, "no offense but James can keep her- I really can't see a gently reared girl like her willingly date a monster. You all remember how you reacted? You thought that big bad Remus was going to come eat you in your sleep like the monster he is!"
"And Narcissa is better then Lily because she *is* a monster?" Sirius shot out.
"Sirius! Just because you don't like her-"
"Remus, -why her-?"
"WHY NOT?"
Sirius stood up, kicking the chair aside, he stalked over to his shorter friend so they were nose to nose, "She's a bloody Slytherin Moony! Years of Shit doesn't just disappear when you close your eyes! She's a traitor!"
"I like her!"
"I just don't get why it has to be her! There are hundreds of pretty, available girls in this school, Moony- I just don't get what you see in her!"
"You're right Sirius, you don't see, not a damned thing! I'm sixteen years old and I've never kissed a girl in my life! I've been too damned scared of hurting her, or myself in the process! Too damned scared of her finding out, after she's my mate and running away in fear! And then I get to listen to you three and your snog sessions, dates and late night rendez-vous while I sit on my arse living with the knowledge that NO ONE with EVER see me anything less then a MONSTER!"
Sirius stood in shock, pain filled with betrayal and anger filled his friends face, "Moony......I......."
James walked up and put a hand on Remus' shoulder, "why did you never say anything?"
He shrugged, rolling the hand off him, "What did you want me to say? Oh pity the Werewolf? I figured I'd just find any girl who'd have me, pray she didn't run off and hope you guys would support us......but Narcissa'll have me just as I am and I want her so *why* can't you just accept that?"
Sirius sighed, his face melting into anxiousness, "You really think she's just going to shrug it off and accept it?"
"I'm willing to try, Siri."
"And if she rejects you?" James asked quietly still standing behind him, giving strength with his presence.
"At least I tried."
"So try with someone else! Moony! I want to see you happy, don't get me wrong, but she's just not good for you!"
Remus raised his eyes from the floor to his best friends' gray gaze, "I think that's for me to decide, Sirius."
"As your friends we're suppose to help you make the right decisions......."
"As my friends you're supposed to accept my choice of female companion and get off my back!"
Sirius clenched his fists, "What do you see in her?"
Remus turned away running a hand through his hair again. He crossed and uncrossed his arms, it was obvious he had no intention of answering.
"You know, after everything we've done for you, become animagi, stay with you on the nights of the full moon, hide your secret- you're choosing some girl over all of that?"
Remus reared, eyes blazing with a passion they'd never seen before, eyes glowing a yellow they only saw once a month, "Your just obsessed with the idea of having a tame Werewolf aren't you, Sirius? I'm asking her to the Yule Ball, this isn't a matter of choosing sides, winning or losing, it's a matter the heart! I like her Sirius, if the Ball goes well we may just date and to HELL with what you care! You're fine with Lily and James and you couldn't care less about Peter and Ethel but Remus wants to date the -one girl- who's had the guts to do what you never did- leave home! And now I have to suffer for that? Go bark up a tree Sirius and when you're bloody well ready to accept what I'm choosing to do with my love life come back and see me!" Remus whirled on his heel and nearly ripped the door from his hinges as he tore it open.
Sirius, not about to let his pride go bruised without having the last comment strode after him, glad everyone was at dinner so they didn't make a scene.
Remus was halfway down the stairs when Black made it to the stone banister that overlooked the common room.
The portrait swung open just as Remus, still seething, reached the last step which faced the opening head on.
James and Peter stood silently beside Black at the rail as Narcissa Silvermoon and Severus Snape climbed into the red room.
Remus approached them, collecting himself slowly. He stopped just before reaching them and ran his hand through his hair once more, his left foot lifting to hitch around the ankle of his right. "Uh, Narcissa?" he murmured. She lifted an eyebrow at him, giving a small smile.
James could *see* Remus blush even though his back was to the three Marauders.
"WouldyougototheYuleBallwithme?" came out in a heave of air and everyone stood still- the silence was pregnant as Narcissa lifted her eyes to Severus, trailed them up to the three boys who stood like phantoms watching the scene and back to Remus who had forgotten to breath.
"Sure."
A/N: damn she's the luckiest girl in the world isn't she? Yay! Yule Ball next chapter, be there or be high like Aranna and Justin!
By: Reirei no miko: Reirei_no_miko@hotmail.com
Warnings: This chapter: PG-13 swearing and adult situations Whole Story: R for angst, rape, torture and psychological manipulation
Chapter 6- Fuck Friends Who Just Don't Get It
It had been quite the day. Lily, Cassidy and Ethel had cornered her just before lunch to ask about the pants and their comfort. They had all agreed that she was brave for doing it and that Black had learned his lesson about harassing girls over the weekend when no one had spoken to him.
But now it was fairly late in the evening and she and Severus had just come from a last minute cram session for a pop quiz they'd be having in Potions tomorrow. Lucius had just been heading their way when she'd taken her leave, they hadn't spoken since the Quidditch party and Narcissa heard from other Slytherins that she was on his black list, so she was avoiding him as valiantly as possible.
Now at the portrait of the Pink Lady she said a polite hello and gave the password, 'Flutterby'. The common room was fairly full but she spotted Lily and her friends seated with the 5th year boys surrounding the fire. She was waved over and made her way over to the group. Remus stared at her a moment longer than usual and she gave him a smile which he returned softly before ducking his head, honey-brown bangs covering his eyes in a shaggy fringe. Black gave her a thin lipped nod and James regarded her warily before quirking his lips up in a half smile and turning back to his book. Peter wouldn't meet her eyes.
"We're writing that Potions paper, are you done?" Lily chirped, pulling her down between herself and Ethel who smiled at her brightly.
"No, and don't bother- Jigger's won't be picking it up."
Everyone lifted their eyes, "He's the Slytherin Head of House and was a Slytherin in his youth, he understands the prejudice against them, he's awfully bitter about it, so he gives his house notice about test questions and what papers he will and won't be picking up."
"You're not a Slytherin." Pointed out Black rudely, he ran a hand through his hair briskly waiting for her answer.
"I've been accepted as an honorary Slytherin though, and I'm in their common room often enough to count as one, so I get let in on things like the quiz tomorrow."
"Quiz, tomorrow?" Lily squeaked.
Narcissa put a dainty hand over her mouth, "oops, did I say that we were having a quiz in potions on chapter six out loud? Did I also accidentally mention that we'll have to brew a sleeping potion without use of notes and that the written bonus question is going to pertain to page number 854 of Jiggers text book? How silly of me to let that slip."
Peter snorted with laughter and Remus let out a low chortle. Lily clapped her hands in amusement, covering them over her smiling mouth.
"No wonder the Slytherin do so well in Potions." Black groused.
"And so badly in Herbology, Astronomy, Ancient Ruins, Flying and Divination, the teachers are just as prejudice against them as the students. If the Slytherins didn't do so well in Potions and other houses so poorly, they wouldn't only be bigoted against for being 'evil' but for being stupid as well!"
Lily shot Black a look that Narcissa caught but let slide because the retort on Sirius' lips died instantly. Peter was watching her with intense curiosity at the moment and she turned to him raising an eyebrow. His face flushed but he kept eye-contact until his flush disappeared. He glanced to Sirius who was busy looking up page 854 in 'Magical Drafts and Potions' for their bonus question answer. Seeing this Peter turned back and gave a small smile. "You can ah..... do charms right? Really well?"
She shrugged, she was fairly good at them. Nodding she took the text Peter handed her and saw the underlined charm she guessed he was trying to learn. "Ah, Sonorus." She said, "That's the charm we used during the Quidditch match."
She studiously ignored Black and Potters' glares and Lily's choked giggle. Peter shrugged off another blush and said "I need to pull up my charms homework and Flitwick said he'd bring it up ten percent if I could master this charm, I just can't get it to work."
Narcissa nodded, "Instead of the 'swish and flick' wand wave Flitwick teaches, try pointing and then tapping it in mid air."
Peter nodded, "But who...?"
Lily turned around glancing for some good fun and motioned towards a group of sixth year girls giggling together in a corner, they were glancing at their group every so often and Lily got a huge grin. "Those are the biggest gossips in school- try it out Peter!"
Smiling the blond boy nodded and as everyone raised their eyes from what they were doing they turned their attention to the girls. "Sonorus." A point and tap of wand later, voices were echoing through the common room.
"Well, Black is sex on wheels, but his friends are just so odd. James would be cute, he just needs to lose the glasses and tame his hair, Peter is a little lard bucket, he should watch what he eats and Lupin could not only use a haircut but really needs some new clothes, I hear he's as poor as a church mouse!" the girls burst into giggles. They suddenly realized the entire common room was staring at them, blushed, and promptly ran from the room.
Peter lowered his wand, stunned and covered himself self-consciously with his arms as James fingered his hair and Remus shifted quietly.
"I can't believe them! Insulting their own house!" Black snarled, despite the 'sex on wheels' comment.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow at him.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next day Narcissa and her dorm mates were up getting ready for school. She sat in front of the mirror deciding which shade to dye it from the dull brown it had been the past couple of days.
"I still can't believe what those girls said last night!" Cassidy said, pulling a brush through her hair.
Lily was tying ribbons at the end of her several braids thoughtfully. "I don't think James needs to tame his hair- it's very rugged and romantic!"
Ethel sighed, pulling on her knee high socks, "Peter's not a lard bucket." She stated, fixing her skirt, "they were horrible to say so."
Narcissa, deciding on a black tinted red shade sighed melodramatically, with a flick of her wrist she brought the strands to a shaggy, in her face, tousled, beatles cut and stated, "so ask the boys to the Yule Ball and prove them wrong."
Lily giggled, "Ask boys to the Yule Ball? That's so....so......"
"Revolutionary? Out of the ordinary? Different?" Narcissa stood, and began tying her neck tie pointedly. Save for her prominent breasts which were outlined drastically in her uniform which was not meant for figures she looked like a boy, her hair cut the way it was. "Come on, let the school know I've rubbed off on you a little! Ask the guys, after that bash to their ego, their not going to be asking anyone anytime soon!"
Lily sighed, "I've been dropping hints to James for -years- now, he just doesn't get it!"
"I'd rather like to go with Peter...." Ethel mused, slipping on her shoes.
"I guess that leaves Remus!" Cassidy said, pulling on her blazer. The other girls nodded and together trooped out the door and down the stairs to where their Gryffindor fifth year counterparts were waiting for them.
"Let's go!" Lily chirped grabbing James' arm and pulling him through the portrait hole as he protest to being dragged around weakly.
It was certainly new for Narcissa, walking with -them-. Through school she'd always felt a detached resentment for this gang, the 'popular' crowd so to speak. She'd been known as an outcast, looked down upon even, but now, being accepted by them was something she'd never conceived as a possible reality.
But Lily was making her laugh, Remus was warm beside her, and even Black wasn't being a complete git. James was tripping Black and Black was punching Remus and Peter had started a running commentary like during Quidditch and it was like having friends like her- outgoing, loud and spontaneous. It was new. She liked it.
She saw Severus striding towards them, a grim hitch in his step and the group came to a halt as they came face to face. "Sev?"
He gave a disgusted twist of his nose, "Malfoy is headed this way, I suggest you turn around and bolt it you don't want to-"
"Severus! Thank you so much for finding her." All blue eyed, thin faced, pink lipped and blond Lucius came walking towards them. Narcissa took an involuntary step backwards but Severus came to stand behind her to keep her from running away. Face to face Lucius took her hand and right there in the hallway, he kissed it. Dry and light but oh so disgusting she gave him a wry smile and tried to pull her hand back. He held fast and got to one knee where he conjured up a single red rose out of thin air and held it out for her.
"My dearest, most fair Narcissa Silvermoon, I would be most honored if you would do me the eternal joy of accompanying my to the upcoming Yule Ball." He gave her a genuine smile but deep in his eyes she saw that this was a game and she was the prize, she'd been marked as prey and Lucius wouldn't quite till he'd won.
"My apologies Mister Malfoy but I'm afraid that I'm going with someone already." She grit.
A slender (obviously plucked) eyebrow rose, "And who may that be?" he stood, drawing himself to his full dangerous height.
Narcissa felt a rush of wind beside her and from the corner of her eye say Remus Lupin standing there looking petrified.
"You?" asked Malfoy, sneering down at Remus who had turned to snarl at Lily. "And who are you to take Narcissa to the Yule Ball?" the blond took a step forward, wand drawn menacingly.
Severus' fingers tightened around her shoulders as he kept her from jumping the pureblood. "Perhaps Lucius you should simply accept facts the way they are and not traumatize the ladies present? And you've yet to ask for a dance, it's not like their married."
Lucius shot a silent death threat at Severus before returning to his charming, smiling self, "Narcissa are you sure you wouldn't rather go with me?"
"My......I'm always true to my word Lucius- I'm sorry." She was watching Remus who looked pale out of the corner of her eye.
The Slytherin sighed and held out the rose all the same, "fine, but you absolutely must save me a dance, then. You will won't you Narcissa?"
She accepted the rose and nodded. He mirrored her and turned on his heel to walk away. She felt that she was trembling and glanced down at rose in her hand. "I'm a piece of meat, Severus. I don't want to play his bloody games."
"Then don't," he said, then he turned to Remus, "but you'd better as hell go together or we're all *dead*."
The rose in Narcissas' hand burst into flame. She watched it burn slowly.
"You'll need to replace that, it's a favor you know- you'll be expected to bring it to the Ball."
"I hate him."
"It could be worse, you could be betrothed."
A dry laugh bounced off the wall nearest them, "His parents wouldn't let him marry a muggle-loving bitch like me." The burnt flower before her was suddenly crushed in vehemence, ashes falling to the floor like gray snow.
"How very melodramatic of you, Narcissa."
Cassidy cleared her throat, "Say Sirius, do you have a date for the Yule Ball?"
"No why?"
"Neither do I, come with me?"
Narcissa turned to her red-headed friend who smiled and winked at her. *Respect* surrounded her, Severus gave her shoulder one last squeeze in farewell and walked away. She lifted her eyes to Remus nervously, he was watching her with the solemnity of a funeral director. The look made her stomach butterflies burst to life and she looked away quickly.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
He was pacing, a soft, peach hand raking his hair every two seconds, warm, herbal-tea eyes darting frantically around in desperation, nervous teeth scratching at a dry lower lip while a lightning quick tongue flitted across the upper half. "I can't just -ask- her, do you know what I am?"
James was watching the display sympathetically, under Lilys' acceptation the year before to a date in Hogsmead he'd been in much the same condition- he still was now, but she'd asked him to the Yule Ball and for that he'd been grateful, it sure took a load off of his shoulders.
Peter smiled sadly, hugging his pillow as his eyes followed their friends' pacing back and forth and back and forth......
"I could hurt her!"
Sirius scoffed, he sat on a chair either leg on one side of the back which came to his chest where his arms were folded. "If anything happens Rem, no one's going to miss her."
Remus rounded on him viciously, "Siri, would you stop it?! Narcissa may be my one chance at finding someone who'll se past what I am!"
"Remmy," Sirius chided, "You can do better."
A low growl resounded through the room, "Name one girl in this school that would accept me, knowing what I am and what I'm capable of!"
"Lily."
James started to protest, one hand in the air to stop a retort but Remus threw him a look as if to say 'she's yours- keep her and stay out of this' and turned back to Padfoot, "no offense but James can keep her- I really can't see a gently reared girl like her willingly date a monster. You all remember how you reacted? You thought that big bad Remus was going to come eat you in your sleep like the monster he is!"
"And Narcissa is better then Lily because she *is* a monster?" Sirius shot out.
"Sirius! Just because you don't like her-"
"Remus, -why her-?"
"WHY NOT?"
Sirius stood up, kicking the chair aside, he stalked over to his shorter friend so they were nose to nose, "She's a bloody Slytherin Moony! Years of Shit doesn't just disappear when you close your eyes! She's a traitor!"
"I like her!"
"I just don't get why it has to be her! There are hundreds of pretty, available girls in this school, Moony- I just don't get what you see in her!"
"You're right Sirius, you don't see, not a damned thing! I'm sixteen years old and I've never kissed a girl in my life! I've been too damned scared of hurting her, or myself in the process! Too damned scared of her finding out, after she's my mate and running away in fear! And then I get to listen to you three and your snog sessions, dates and late night rendez-vous while I sit on my arse living with the knowledge that NO ONE with EVER see me anything less then a MONSTER!"
Sirius stood in shock, pain filled with betrayal and anger filled his friends face, "Moony......I......."
James walked up and put a hand on Remus' shoulder, "why did you never say anything?"
He shrugged, rolling the hand off him, "What did you want me to say? Oh pity the Werewolf? I figured I'd just find any girl who'd have me, pray she didn't run off and hope you guys would support us......but Narcissa'll have me just as I am and I want her so *why* can't you just accept that?"
Sirius sighed, his face melting into anxiousness, "You really think she's just going to shrug it off and accept it?"
"I'm willing to try, Siri."
"And if she rejects you?" James asked quietly still standing behind him, giving strength with his presence.
"At least I tried."
"So try with someone else! Moony! I want to see you happy, don't get me wrong, but she's just not good for you!"
Remus raised his eyes from the floor to his best friends' gray gaze, "I think that's for me to decide, Sirius."
"As your friends we're suppose to help you make the right decisions......."
"As my friends you're supposed to accept my choice of female companion and get off my back!"
Sirius clenched his fists, "What do you see in her?"
Remus turned away running a hand through his hair again. He crossed and uncrossed his arms, it was obvious he had no intention of answering.
"You know, after everything we've done for you, become animagi, stay with you on the nights of the full moon, hide your secret- you're choosing some girl over all of that?"
Remus reared, eyes blazing with a passion they'd never seen before, eyes glowing a yellow they only saw once a month, "Your just obsessed with the idea of having a tame Werewolf aren't you, Sirius? I'm asking her to the Yule Ball, this isn't a matter of choosing sides, winning or losing, it's a matter the heart! I like her Sirius, if the Ball goes well we may just date and to HELL with what you care! You're fine with Lily and James and you couldn't care less about Peter and Ethel but Remus wants to date the -one girl- who's had the guts to do what you never did- leave home! And now I have to suffer for that? Go bark up a tree Sirius and when you're bloody well ready to accept what I'm choosing to do with my love life come back and see me!" Remus whirled on his heel and nearly ripped the door from his hinges as he tore it open.
Sirius, not about to let his pride go bruised without having the last comment strode after him, glad everyone was at dinner so they didn't make a scene.
Remus was halfway down the stairs when Black made it to the stone banister that overlooked the common room.
The portrait swung open just as Remus, still seething, reached the last step which faced the opening head on.
James and Peter stood silently beside Black at the rail as Narcissa Silvermoon and Severus Snape climbed into the red room.
Remus approached them, collecting himself slowly. He stopped just before reaching them and ran his hand through his hair once more, his left foot lifting to hitch around the ankle of his right. "Uh, Narcissa?" he murmured. She lifted an eyebrow at him, giving a small smile.
James could *see* Remus blush even though his back was to the three Marauders.
"WouldyougototheYuleBallwithme?" came out in a heave of air and everyone stood still- the silence was pregnant as Narcissa lifted her eyes to Severus, trailed them up to the three boys who stood like phantoms watching the scene and back to Remus who had forgotten to breath.
"Sure."
A/N: damn she's the luckiest girl in the world isn't she? Yay! Yule Ball next chapter, be there or be high like Aranna and Justin!