Last night's detention was the best I had ever had. I was alone with Sirius for four hours and I never once thought about Lucius well except for laughing at the memory of his face when Sirius attacked him.
The whole night consisted of snogging and talking. I told him that I didn't want to sleep with him just yet and he respected my wishes. I wasn't used to having a boyfriend, if you could even call him that. We had been friends since first year and as easy it was around him, there was still a bit of awkwardness about me snogging him senseless. I had dreamt about it since forever and now that it was actually happening, it just felt unreal.
I kept replaying the events of yesterday while I was supposed to be studying for a test in potions, but was failing miserably. While trying to stop thinking about last night I felt a light tap on my shoulder and a girl clearing her throat, "May I have a word?" I turned around and saw Narcissa Black standing before me.
"Um, I am kind of studying," I paused to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Narcissa wouldn't be caught dead with me; her asking to talk to me was completely unheard of. "May I ask what you are doing here?"
She rocked back and forth uneasily, "I need to speak with you about your," she bit her lip, "engagement. I know you have not been faithful," she whispered
I shut my book loudly and tried to not to look offended. I brushed passed her, but quickly whispered in her ear, "Meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest near the Black Lake two hours after curfew. Come alone." I added and hurried out of the library.
…
I didn't say much to anyone the rest of the day, which wasn't hard because everyone was studying for the big test in Potions. Even the Marauders were studying, which was almost as rare as Narcissa speaking to me. Almost.
I sat under my favorite tree reading a muggle novel, waiting for Narcissa to come. As much as I would have liked to focus on what I was reading, I couldn't stop thinking about what Narcissa knew. I am very one track minded if you didn't know.
"Sorry I am late," I jumped when I heard her voice. "My roommates took a while to fall asleep."
"Scare the shit out of me why don't you?" I said dramatically. I could tell that she rolled her eyes even in the dark.
"Will you stop with the dramatics? I have to speak with you." I gestured for her to sit across from me, where I had a small fire burning.
There was a long pause and we finally spoke, "Did you?" "Do you?" we said simultaneously.
"You first," we said in perfect unison. I took a deep breath, "You first."
"No, you first." Narcissa said.
"Fine," I sighed. "What did you mean in the library? You said something about knowing that I was not faithful." I eased in.
"I know what happened with Regulus."
"He told you? That little-"
"He didn't tell me, I saw." She interrupted me. I immediately felt bad for jumping to conclusions. Regulus had never done anything to hurt me deliberately.
"What do you mean 'you saw'?" I raised an eyebrow.
She froze, "I- uh- um- I was going to the kitchens and uh…" She was terrible at lying.
"You were following me, weren't you?"
"No!" she tried to defend herself. I rolled my eyes, I really didn't care if she was following me, but I did want to know why.
"Why were you following me?" I nudged, not wanting her to get mad and go tell Lucius. I had a feeling she hadn't told him yet.
"I told you I wasn't following you," she crossed her arms. I did not believe her one bit and my face apparently showed it. "Fine, I was following you, but I am not a stalker." She insisted. "I was following you because I wanted to figure you out. I had hoped that you would cheat on Lucius, which brings me to why I asked you here."
I studied her and she shifted uncomfortably. This was one of the weirdest situations I had ever been in (besides when the Marauders played a prank on Slughorn and he was dressed in only a coconut bra and skimpy grass skirt, but that is for another time).
After some not-so-awkward silence Narcissa spoke again, "I know you do not want to marry Lucius and I know you want to find a way out of the engagement. If you are willing to listen, I have a proposition for you." I nodded to signal her to go on, "Help me get Lucius."
I sat there stunned for a second. She wanted me to help her woo Lucius? This definitely beat the Slughorn thing. "So let me get this straight, you want me to help you win the affections of Lucius Malfoy? In doing so, I will be released from the engagement and free to date and someday marry whomever I want? Count me in!" I smiled brightly.
She looked surprised, "Just like that? You don't even want to hear my plan to blackmail you?"
I laughed a bit, "No, I am good. In all honesty I am completely thankful to you, even if your intentions aren't to help me, but yourself."
She looked satisfied, I know I was, "Well then, we'll meet near the Hufflepuff common room at 10:00. None of my friends would dare go there and I don't think yours would either."
I shrugged in agreement, "Wait, before you go," I waited for a second contemplating how to word what I was about to say and not sound like a total idiot. "You know how to dance, right? I mean you learned to ballroom dance like all the other pure-bloods?"
She raised an eyebrow and nodded, "Well, I was never very good at it and I hated my teacher. I had terrible balance but ever since doing yoga I am not as clumsy as I once was. Any who, if I remember correctly you were rather amazing at it and since that big pure-blood ball is coming up soon, I was wondering if you would teach me?" I asked hopefully.
She smirked and if I wasn't asking her for help I would have smacked it right off of her face, "Sure, as long as I am able to bring someone along to help, because I refuse to dance with you."
I snorted and rolled my eyes, "Yes, because I want to cha cha with you."
"Well if you really want to make an impression, I am going to have to teach you how to act, for instance, no snorting."
"Oh whatever, you can analyze me tomorrow, but right now I have to go. Tata!" I called over my shoulder, mocking her idea of 'high class'.
…
After a restful sleep I opened my eyes and looked at my clock lazily. "Holy fuck!" I screamed getting many unhappy groans from my sleeping roommates. "Get up, GET UP!" I said jumping out of my bed and pushing Alice and Lily out of their beds,
"Ow, Merlin Katie!" Lily exclaimed rubbing her sore arse.
"It's seven thirty!" I yelled with even more urgency. That seemed to wake them up. Soon we were running around the room yelling at each other and trying to find the appropriate clothes. Marlene and fought for the bathroom (literally) and I won. Luckily for her and the rest of my roommates I took a shower in less than five minutes.
I resorted to drying my hair with my wand, even though I was against it entirely. I don't know why exactly I insisted on drying my hair manually, but I did. It's not that I didn't look good when I did because I did, I just felt a sense of pride when I dried my hair myself.
"We aren't going to make it!" Arianna panicked.
"Oh yes we are," I said.
"HOW?" they all yelled in unison. Arianna didn't have a skirt on, Lily only had a skimpy tank top and skirt on, Marlene had two different socks on and had her shirt on backwards, and Alice was the only one who has successfully gotten a shirt and skirt on. I on the other hand didn't have a shirt on and the only clean skirt I had was my shortest one (just my luck).
"Grab what you need and run. We will just have to change while we run. We are women! We can multi-task, even if that means showing our naked arses to Hogwarts." They looked at me with flabbergasted crazy and confused expressions, but soon grabbed the remainder of what they had to put on and we ran.
"MOVE!" Arianna yelled to a few fourth years, who were blocking the stairs and we practically knocked them down. One girl looked like she was about to scream but instead widened her eyes in shock, which caused Lily and I to laugh.
We burst through the portrait hole like animals and ran towards Charms. I had now gotten my socks and shoes on and I was working on my shirt, which was turning out to be difficult. As we rounded a corner Alice and Marlene collided with a bunch of six and seventh year Slytherins, who kept cursing us and told us to put on some clothes, "We're trying!" Arianna yelled back.
We zoomed into the room breathless and semi-clothed. James mouth hit the floor when he saw Lily and I am pretty sure Peter had a heart attack (well actually he just fainted). I had buttoned partially buttoned my shirt, and by partially buttoned I mean the middle two buttons.
"Do you girls care to explain why you are dressed like that?" Professor Hill asked, raising her eyebrows.
"We slept in, Professor." Alice said meekly.
Professor Hill just smiled, "Ah, that takes me back to my time at Hogwarts. When did you wake up?" she asked chuckling slightly.
"7:30," I said.
Her eyes widened, "Merlin's beard! I am surprised you got to class on time! Sit down ladies, I won't take points of this time, but don't let it happen again." We nodded quickly and sat down in our seats, I continued to button my shirt.
As I was taking notes, writing appeared on my paper which was not mine.
(Katie, Sirius, James, Lily)
How come your shirt was barely buttoned and you I could practically see your arse?
Not now, Sirius. I am trying to take notes.
You didn't answer my question.
We over slept and we didn't have time to change properly. Are you happy now?
Why did you where that mini skirt? Not that I am complaining.
None of your damn business, so leave me alone!
Hey, what's with the cussing? And why were you dressed like that?
Not you too, James.
What? I just wanted to know.
We got up late, pardon me for not being a guy and able to throw on whatever I want and look good! Girls can't get away without showering .
You guys are supposed to be paying attention!
Hey, Evens, I was wondering if you wanted to go out with me?
"NO!" Lily shouted.
"Miss Evens, what is wrong?" Professor Hill asked with concern.
"Nothing professor," Lily mumbled as she glared at James.
Hey, what was that about?
Nothing, please just go back to taking notes.
Are you okay?
I'm fine, Sirius. I will talk to you at lunch, but right now I really do have to take notes.
I took his hand that was under the table and squeezed it. He squeezed it back and smiled at me. I winked at him and began to write furiously, trying to catch up on what I had just missed.
…
"Now are you going to tell me what's up?" Sirius asked, sitting in the chair next to me. I wasn't hungry and I had a free period after lunch, so I decided to go to the library and study.
"Oh right, sorry. I totally forgot, but I am sorry to say you came to find me for nothing, I was honestly just a bit shaken this morning." He didn't look like he believed me, "I swear. Anyways, I had a great time last night."
He smiled lustfully, "We could have round two tonight." He wiggled his eyebrows. I never understood how people could do that.
I would have said yes immediately, but I remembered I was meeting Narcissa, "Trust me, I really wish I could, but I am kind of doing something tonight." He looked disappointed, "I am free right now."
"Broom closet near the dungeons?" he suggested, immediately happy.
"A broom closet? Have some class will you? How about the rose gardens? No one ever goes there and it's beautiful this time of year." I put my stuff in my bag and I started to walk out.
Sirius ran to catch up with me, "I have to actually come up with something romantic? What am I getting myself into?" he sighed dramatically.
"Well if you would rather have someone else, I could go find McLaggen. Oh look there he is now. Oh McLa-" Sirius put a hand over my mouth. I had won.
"I was just saying this is new for me. Usually all I have to do is flash my award-winning smile and girls would beg me to take them anytime anywhere." I rolled my eyes at his lack of experience of actually working to keep a girl.
"Come on, if we are not going to make out I at least want to sun tan." I walked ahead of him, but turned around for a second, "Will you help me with the lotion?" his eyes widened and ran after me. He looked like a dog in a muggle thing called cartoons which has a big juicy steak dangling in front of it.
…
I lay in the middle of a blanket in a gold bikini and basking in the sun. I felt like I was laying on the beach in Greece again. I wasn't kidding about sun bathing. It was relaxing and felt amazing. "So what is so doing important that you couldn't hang out with me tonight?" Sirius asked.
Instead of snogging until our lips were numb, we decided just to relax but I knew he wanted more, "If I could tell you I would, but you are just going to have to trust me on this one." I knew he hated his cousins and since I was meeting Narcissa, I didn't want him to take it the wrong way.
"You are not seeing Lucius, are you?" he asked cautiously.
I sighed and turned on my side to face him, "No, I am not going to meet Lucius. I will tell you if I am going to meet him, I promise." I leaned over to kiss him gently, but I found myself on top of him kissing him passionately in a matter of seconds.
I pulled back with a smirk, "Do you trust me now?"
"I could use a bit more convincing," he kissed me again and turned me over so that he was on top of me. I shivered with pleasure under his touch. He grinned cockily at me in return, "So you'd rather me be on top, huh?"
I pecked him on the lips, "I don't care if you are on top or bottom, just as long as it's you."
He smiled with warm eyes. He was finally convinced. As he leaned down to kiss me again, the bell rang and I sprung up, "Come on, I have Arithmancy next!" With a wave of my wand I had my school clothes on and my bag on my shoulder.
Sirius groaned in frustration, "Can't we just stay here forever?" he laid back with his hands behind his head.
I rolled my eyes, "Trust me, I would love to, but if we miss another class Lily and Remus will kill us." I held out my hand so that I could help him up. Instead of pulling him up, he pulled me down.
I sighed in frustration, but I couldn't help smiling, "You are such a prat sometimes, you know that?"
He flashed his 'award-winning smile' and stood up, "You love me though." He helped me to my feet.
"Debatable," I shrugged and took off towards the castle.
…
I leaned against the wall tapping my foot waiting for Narcissa. She was supposed to be here twenty minutes ago. I sighed and started to walk back to the common room, "Where are you going?" I heard someone whisper.
"Took you long enough," I smirked at Narcissa. "You don't have to whisper by the way."
She stepped out of the shadows, looking as regal as ever. I had to envy her poise and class. My clumsiness had not disappeared over the summer, unfortunately. "Where is the friend you said you were going to bring? It better not be Avery. If it is, you can forget this whole thing, right here, right now."
She pursed her lips, "He should be here soon. And no, it is not Avery." As if on cue I heard footsteps and soft humming from down the hall where Narcissa had come from.
"You have got to be kidding me." I said as Regulus Black appeared.
"What? Would you have preferred someone else?" Regulus smirked. Regulus and Sirius were so alike they even smirked the same way.
"You do realize you couldn't make this anymore awkward for me, right?" I crossed my arms.
"I didn't want to involve anyone else. Since Regulus already knew about you and Sirius, I figured he would be our best bet." Narcissa replied.
I paused for a moment then shrugged, "Whatever, where are we going to dance? Not that I don't love the hallway."
Narcissa narrowed her eyes at me, "If you would stop being so rude, maybe we could actually accomplish something."
I opened my mouth to retort but closed it figuring it wasn't worth it. Narcissa, turned on her heel and hurried down the hall. Regulus quickly followed so I did the same.
We walked incessantly and I was about to say something, when I ran into Regulus, "Watch it will you?" he snarled.
I blushed a bit, "Sorry."
His attitude changed slightly. It wasn't as harsh as it was a second ago. "It's okay."
"Where are we?" I asked staring at a wall.
Narcissa put a finger to her lips and started to pace the floor. After a minute or two, a door started to from in the wall. My eyes widened in shock, "The Room of Requirement, how did you find it?" I asked incredulously.
"Gryffindors aren't the only ones who know stuff." Regulus scoffed.
I stuck out my tongue at him and a twinge of amusement twinkled in his grey eyes.
"If you two are done acting like children, the room is ready." Narcissa spat.
I gasped as I walked into the room. It was magnificent. There was a wide open ball room with an antique chandelier hanging in the middle of the ceiling. A mega-phone was on the side of the room already playing a slow classical tune.
"Okay, since Regulus is here we might as well start with dancing." Narcissa said, putting her cloak on a coach.
"Sure," we said in unison. I felt my face get a bit hot. Even though he was a fifth year, he was still gorgeous. Don't get me wrong, I had no feelings for Regulus that weren't completely platonic. But there was no denying the boy was fine.
"Now Regulus, put your hand on her waist and Katie, put your hand on his shoulder." We did as we were told and clasped our hands together. Narcissa circled us and critiqued everything about out form.
Once we finally had the 'perfect' form we began to waltz. I kept repeating the beat over and over in my head, 1 2 3, 1 2 3, 1 2 3. I stepped on Reg's feet more than I can count. He didn't yell at me, but I could tell he didn't like it.
We had spent two hours working on one dance and I still hadn't gotten it right. I screamed in frustration and collapsed on the comfy coach, "It's hopeless! I can't dance!" I exclaimed.
Narcissa looked at me sympathetically, which made me feel even worse. "Hey, you have good posture now we need to work on foot work."
"Don't worry about it. The Ball isn't for a month in a half. If we meet a few nights a week, you will be dancing like a professional in no time." Reg nodded encouragingly. It was so weird having them being nice to me.
I gave them a sheepish smile, "Thanks. Well it is late and we have school tomorrow. Tell me when you want to meet again. Oh and Narcissa… we will make plans on how to get Lucius next time. See you guys in class." I smiled and waved as I left.
This was definitely weird, but I wasn't complaining. Things were starting to look up. Hopefully they would stay that way. Highly doubtful, though.
Bonjour! I am sooo sorry for not updating sooner! I have been super busy with school and friends and after school stuff. I hope you are all still there:) I want to have your imput on this story, so I want to know what you want to happen at the ball. The Ball chapter won't be for a little bit, but I want to know now so that I can start getting ideas and if you have really good quotes you want me to put in there I will try my best. PLEASE review, they make me smile:)
XOXO Miranda
