Chapter Four:
Narcissa entered Potions the next day and took her seat next to Lucius. She turned her back on him and sighed heavily.
Damn Professor Connoly! Making us keep the same seats all year!
Narcissa waited for Lucius to make some remark about her appearance, but none came. He simply started working on the day's potion. Taking his lead, Narcissa sliced daisy roots and allowed her mind to wander. It wandered right in his direction.
Could Rose be serious? Maybe she's just feeling sorry for him? But why would she? And was he really nice to her? It's hard to imagine him being nice at all…
Narcissa absentmindedly tossed her daisy roots into the cauldron without noticing Lucius' horrified expression. The potion started to hiss menacingly. Lucius grabbed Narcissa around the waist and threw her to the ground just before the cauldron exploded. Narcissa stared up at him, he was lying on top of her, protecting her from the goop that now covered their side of the dungeon.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly.
"Yes, thank you." Narcissa whispered, "you've got some on your arm." she pointed to where the acid green potion had burnt through his robes and was now starting on his skin.
"It's nothing," he muttered as he took her hand and helped her up.
"Don't be stupid." Narcissa said as she brushed of her robes. "Professor, Lucius needs to go to the Infirmary."
"Very well Miss Black. You take him."
Narcissa nodded and Lucius followed her out of the dungeon. She glanced up at him frequently, but remained silent. When they finally emerged from the dank atmosphere of the dungeons, Lucius took her by the arm and turned her to face him.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he stared at her.
"Y-yes, I'm fine. Thank You, I don't know what I did wrong…"
"Daisy roots. You added them before the eye of newt. I couldn't stop you." Lucius said.
"I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking about…" Narcissa stopped.
"About what?" he prompted.
"Something Rose told me last night."
"Oh." Lucius said as they entered the hospital wing.
Narcissa waited while Madam Pomfrey mended his wounds. Lucius was sitting on a bed when she came around the curtain. He had a thick orange paste on his forearm. He had taken off his robes and was wearing black shoes and a white dress shirt. The sleeve of his injured arm was rolled up to his elbow.
"Stings like hell" he said, indicating the orange paste.
"I'm sorry, I should have payed more attention."
"It's alright, I'm just glad you're not hurt." Lucius muttered.
Madam Pomfrey came bustling back in and made a fuss over his arm. Lucius rolled his eyes and Narcissa had to stifle a giggle. The Mediwitch bandaged his arm and dismissed him.
"Come back first thing tomorrow morning to get those changed." she called after him.
"Yeah, right." Lucius mumbled when they left.
"Oh, you'll go back." Narcissa said, "It's my fault you're hurt in the first place."
"Dinner's started." he said to change the subject.
Narcissa and Lucius entered the Great Hall and took their seats at opposite ends of the table. Rose started to say something, but Narcissa shot her a warning look. She ate quickly and retreated to her dormitory for another long bubble bath.
What a day! Thank God tomorrow's the weekend!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Narcissa went down to the common room the next morning to find it empty. She sat down on the couch and started to write a letter to her parents. A few minutes later the couch shifted beneath her. She looked up and her eyes met Lucius'.
"Where is everyone?" she asked.
"Hogsmeade weekend." he said, "you slept late, but you can still make it."
"Nah, the novelty's kind of worn off." Narcissa said, then sh enoticed he wasn't in his robes. She looked at his right forearm and saw the sleeve of his shirt rolled up.
"You haven't been to Pomfrey." She scolded.
"and I won't be going." he said firmly.
"At least let me clean you up, it's the least I can do." Narcissa said.
If he wouldn't have saved my life I wouldn't feel so damn guilty.
Lucius sighed and stuck out his forearm. Narcissa gently removed his bandages and cleaned them with her wand. She then pulled his arm onto her lap and examined the burn.
"I think it's gotten better." She said, "wait here."
Narcissa darted up to her dormitory and got a jar of the same thick orange paste out of the first aid kit Rose kept under her bed. Her friend wanted to be a Mediwitch and had taught Narcissa everything she knew. Narcissa re-entered the common room and sat back down. Lucius eyed the jar warily. He winced as she quickly applied the paste.
"You have to leave it be for a few minutes before I can put the bandages back on." Narcissa said.
"At least you're not as bad as Pomfrey." Lucius muttered, "It's horrible having that dumpy woman lording over you…"
Narcissa giggled at his annoyed tone and the indignant look on his face. He looked at her in surprise, then he smiled.
He smiles! Wow, honest human emotion.
"What was it you were thinking about when you added those blasted roots?" he asked.
Damn, curiosity, another bloody human emotion. Ok, Cissa…lie. Just flat out lie.
"Cissa?" Rose called from the door to the common room.
Saved by the Rose.
"I was waiting for you, you going into Hogsmeade?"
"Um…no, you go ahead." Narcissa mumbled.
Rose caught Lucius' eye and gave him an encouraging smile. She left the common room without another word. Lucius glanced at Narcissa. He couldn't see her face, only her soft blonde curls.
"I would have figured you'd jump at the chance to escape me." he said.
"Maybe I don't find you as horrible as I used to." Narcissa mumbled, color rising in her cheeks.
"Good."
"Do you still want to know what I was thinking?" Narcissa blurted.
"Yes."
"Rose told me something about you."
"Uh-oh" Lucius muttered.
"No, It's good!" Narcissa smiled, "She said you stopped our parents from forcing me to marry you."
"Yes, I did." Lucius sighed, "I didn't want you to be miserable with me."
"I don't think I would have been miserable." Narcissa muttered, "not after I go tot know you."
"So, now that you know me better…" Lucius said hopefully, "Would you go out with me sometime?"
"I--Yes, I would." Narcissa said nervously.
"You would?" Lucius asked, disbelief covering his face.
"Yes." Narcissa giggled "But when?"
"Now." Lucius answered, "Follow me."