The train halted and I could hear scuttling and bustling from the congested corridors of the train. We waited awhile, packing away the spare books that were just recently flung out across the compartment. I was the last to leave the almost-comforting plush of the seat. Our luggage was already in the castle as we made sure we were accounted for. We were escorted into the carriages and prepared for a long ride from Hogsmeade to Hogwarts. Fearing I would go mad by all of this silence, I decided to shatter the silence.
"Why can't we just apparate to the Hogwarts gates? We always have to take a half hour ride by boat or carriage. It just doesn't make sense to me," I stated, hoping I would spark a conversation. To my dismay, everyone looked at me with doleful expressions.
"What?" I shrieked in frustration. They exchanged dismal glances before turning away from my baffled expression.
"We didn't think you would want to talk after what happened with Andromeda on the train," Bella started hesitantly.
"And why wouldn't I? " I demanded vehemently, causing a few passing curious glances from surrounding carriages.
"I just thought," she tried before I cut her off.
"Well, you thought wrong, Bella. I'm perfectly fine," I reassured softly, never breaking eye contact.
"You didn't sound fine on the train," she retorted, concern filling the depths of her dark eyes.
"Well I am now, so can we all just forget that that ever happened?" I asked demandingly.
"We can but no one else will," Rodolphus murmured.
The rest of the carriage ride was spent talking about Christmas vacation, seeing as no one wanted to talk on the train. When we finally arrived at the wrought-iron gates, I was positively starving for an actual conversation and food.
We took our seats at the Slytherin table, our green serpentine flag-like banners billowing above our table. I was seated next to Bella and Evan. Across from myself and Bella was Rodolphus and Malfoy. Chatter filled the air, mostly coming from the surrounding tables, seeing as Slytherins weren't very talkative and kept to themselves.
It continued like this for about an hour and a half, inane chatter between bites, when the headmaster gave his usual speech on how the prefects were in charge and The Forbidden Forest was off limits. No one was actually paying attention, instead, they focused themselves on talking about the seemingly small spat between Andromeda and me. I could feel their constant stares burning into my back. I would have to remind myself to check and see if they left welt marks once I got back to the dormitories.
Once his speech was over, the headmaster and the remaining teachers departed, intending for the students to follow after. Bella, being a prefect, rounded up all of the first years, excluding me, and walked them to the dungeons. I chose, instead, to walk with our group, ignoring envious glares from the first years and even some second and third years.
We walked silently for some time before the silence was broken. Rodolphus stopped and I walked straight into his towering silhouetted figure. It took me only seconds to realize why he had stopped. James Potter and his friends were standing in front of the dungeon we should have been going through by now. They were laughing at Bella's death glare and circled around the frightened first years, surveying them with discontent before he stopped in front of Bella.
"Well, boys, what do we have here?" Potter said with a smirk, causing me to roll my eyes. Gryffindors really shouldn't smirk, they're terrible at it.
"Potter, Lupin, Pettigrew," Bella growled ,"go away before I feel the need to blow you back to Gryffindor Tower."
"Calm down, Black. There's no need to get mean," he replied with a stupid grin.
"Well then, move!" she shrieked, her eyes gleaming menacingly.
"Not until we see what kind of first years we have, here," he said circling the first years once again.
"Leave them alone, Potter," she said moving to stand in front of the first years.
"It seems that we're missing someone," he said, eyeing me from behind Rodolphus. Bella followed his gaze and once again her temper started firing up, only considerably faster this time around.
"Don't take a step near her, Potter!" she screeched, not trying to control her temper.
"It's fine, Bella. I can look after myself," I said, attempting to comfort her as I stepped aside from the crowd to stand beside Bella. He smiled at me, his friends following suit.
"Don't look at me like that," I spat, making him grin even wider.
He turned to Bella once again, "You must be proud ,Black, she certainly is your sister. Pity, she looks like she could be nice like Andromeda."
"I would rather be Bellatrix than Andromeda," I retorted, making Bella swell with pride.
"And why is that, little one?" he asked in a false baby voice, intentionally irritating me.
I glared at him, obviously startling the chubby one behind him because he made a rat-like squealing noise and cowered behind Potter.
"One, don't ever call me that again, and two, Bella isn't a blood traitor. Blood traitors are just as bad as mud bloods,but you would know that, wouldn't you, Potter?" I replied, still flashing my own death glare.
Not to my surprise, he just flashed a boyish grin and laughed. By this time, Bella was on the verge of hexing someone to Ravenclaw Tower. Seeing the oncoming danger, Rodolphus, Malfoy, and Evan took out their wands and directed them at Potter in one swift movement. I smiled to myself at the thought of them blasting Potter down the corridor.
Before I knew what was happening, flashes of green, red, and gold were whizzing past my face. I stepped a little forward to try and get a better view of the fight ,but I felt a tug at the back of my head and was dragged in front of Potter, probably used as a shield. All of the curses stopped as everyone was staring at me struggling to get away from Potter.
Everyone had a murderous expression on their face, excluding the first years who were cowering on the side of the dungeon's wall.
"Potter, give me my little sister," Bella said slowly, shaking with anger.
"I will as soon as you apologize," he said defiantly. At this statement, Rodolphus grabbed her around the waist as she attempted to pound Potter's face with her fists. B y the look on his friends' faces, I could tell Potter was about to go into a laughing fit.
"Calm down, Black, I haven't done anything to her- yet," he said smoothly, still holding his firm grip on my waist.
I'd had enough for tonight. I strategically squirmed myself out of his grip, then turned to look at his face. To my shock, he had a smirk on his face.
"See, your sister doesn't mind me holding her," he told Bella with the same smirk on his face before he turned to Evan and Malfoy, "eh, Malfoy."
This time it was Malfoy's turn to attempt to pound Potter's face, only to be held back by Evan, Rodolphus, and Bella.
I turned back to Potter and sneered up at him. I did the one thing I could do that would make him fully understand how I felt towards him. With Malfoy now under control and everyone's eyes on us again, I smiled and took his face into my dainty hands. Without saying anything, I balled up my fists and slugged him right on his nose.
He looked at me as blood was now pouring down face, gob smacked. I strutted back over to Bella, who was now bursting into a full fit of laughter, with the only thing holding her up was Rodolphus, who was laughing uncontrollably but still standing. I turned back to Potter, who was being tended to by the chubby one ,and the tall, lanky one was just staring at me with his mouth agape slightly.
"I don't recommend putting your hands on me, Potter," I said once some of the laughter subsided.
While everyone was still either laughing or forced to listen to them laugh, no one heard the click clack of worn down heels running towards us.
"What in Merlin's name is going on down here?" McGonagall shrieked.
I looked to Bella ,but she already had a plan in her mind, "Umm, Professor McGonagall, I don't think this situation should be talked about in front of the first years, except Narcissa, it's mostly about her."
McGonagall looked at us for some time before asking Evan to bring the first years to the Slytherin common room. As the first years stepped through the wall, McGonagall signaled for us to follow her pace back to her office. As soon as we came to a stop in front of a classroom with a slightly smaller room near the back of the room.
"Potter, Lupin, Pettigrew, stay out here while I talk to Lestrange, Malfoy, and Miss Black and her sister," she said pointedly referring to the benches across the room. They trudged back across the room as we warily stepped into her office.
"Now, what was the cause of this, Miss Black?" she asked while adjusting her pointed hat to sit atop her head without the worry of tipping. Bella and I exchanged humorous glances.
"Which one," we asked simultaneously, causing Rodolphus and Malfoy to smirk as a smile etched its way onto McGonagall's mouth.
"Either one of you would be just fine," she replied slightly amused.
Bella took it upon herself to, once again, save us from an impending gap of silence.
"Well, Professor McGonagall, I was walking the first years back to the common room when Potter and his lot decided to stand in front of the doorway to the Slytherin dungeons. I told him to move and that he was in my way, and we had a disagreement. Somewhere along this path, he brutally snatched my sister from us and refused to return her to us. I think my younger sister would like to explain the rest of the story, seeing as it involved her," Bella stated.
"Miss Black," she asked while turning to me.
"Well, Potter and his friends were mercilessly laughing at my disheveled state from being taken from my sister's presence. To be quite frank, I punched Potter in his nose," I replied emotionless.
She stared at me for what seemed like hours before releasing us to wait on the benches. We didn't say anything, we just laughed at the look on Potter's face when I'd hit him. Before we knew it, McGonagall came back out with Potter and his lackeys, who didn't seem to look quite happy.
"Ok, you are all free to go back to your common rooms, now," she said before turning back and said, "Potter, don't forget that you and your friends have detention for a month starting tomorrow at eight o'clock." Potter simply nodded in response to assure that he had heard her.
As soon as we were out of ear-shot, Bella and Rodolphus were already starting to make plans for revenge. Malfoy and I just walked along and listening to what they had to say, nodding our heads in agreement. It got quiet as we neared the Slytherin dungeons.
"Cissy, Rodolphus and I have to keep patrolling the castle. Malfoy, make sure Cissy gets back untouched," she demanded while turning back around with Rodolphus.
"Of course," he replied, turning back to the Slytherin dungeons.
We walked in silence, the only noise was the rain pounding against the surrounding windows. There was a monstrous storm brewing tonight. I never had liked thunderstorms. Rain was alright ,but I could not deal with thunder or lightening.
The rain started pounding harder and harder against the window as we slowly strolled along. I could sense the lightening and thunder growing nearer. As it struck almost right beside the window, I quickened my pace, which didn't go unnoticed by Malfoy.
"I take it you don't exactly favor thunderstorms; I don't either. If you're alone, the thunder barges its way into your thoughts and primly reminds you that you're alone," he said, breaking then silence.
"I've never liked thunderstorms, although Bella always was the bravest one," I explained softly.
He was about to reply when a thick bolt of lightening shot passed the window, causing me to gasp and jump slightly. Malfoy looked at me uncertainly.
"Why do people call you Cissa?" he asked suddenly.
"It's my nickname," I told him, "but Bella and Andy call me Cissy."
He thought on this for a while longer, "and why do you have blonde hair while Bellatrix and Andromeda are deep brunettes?" he asked curiously.
"There used to be blondes in the Black family. It skipped four generations, which is why I'm blonde," I answered hesitantly.
We came to the Slytherin dungeon and walked through the wall. I went to sit by the fire with Evan and Malfoy sat across the room, reading a Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook.
"Hey, Cissa," Evan greeted, "so what happened?"
"We explained what happened and Potter and his goons got detention for a month," I told him, unconsciously yawning. Evan looked satisfied with what I'd said.
I was making my way across the common room when Malfoy caught my glance.
"What?" I asked calmly, shrieking on the inside.
"I didn't say anything, Cissa," he replied smoothly.
I glowered at him, not even trying to hide my aggravation ,"I didn't give you permission to call me Cissa," I corrected him.
He smirked, grabbed his book, and nonchalantly sauntered up the stairs to the second year dorms.
"Goodnight, Cissa", he called as he closed the dormitory doors.
"Goodnight, Malfoy", I replied mockingly.
I received a few unsure glances. All of a sudden, it hit me how exceedingly tired I was. I grabbed my bag and bid my goodnights and sleep wells to Evan and the rest of the elite. I needed a good night's sleep or someone would have to take me to St. Mungo's on a count of madness.
I found my four-poster bed and flopped down unceremoniously on the duvet. I fell asleep briskly, falling into a desperately needed sleep. I had the same dream I'd had the before we prepared for Hogwarts.
Bella, Andy, and I were in the Black Manor's backyard swinging on an old-fashioned rope swing. We
were laughing about something Andy had said. Mother and Father were slowly swinging on the porch
swing in the gazebo, intently watching us, smiling. Sirius and Regulus were flying on their brooms
above us playing one-on-one quidditch"CISSY! WAKE UP!", Bella wailed into my ear.
I sat straight up, colliding heads with Bella.
"Bloody hell, Bella!" I screeched in pain ,"What?"
"It's time to get up," she replied, surveying me with amusement, healing the newly sprouted red bump on her head ,"unless you want to miss your classes."
I got up like a cat arising from a long night's sleep and stumbled to the showers. After taking a cool shower, I walked over to my dresser and dressed in a black skirt, a white long-sleeved shirt with an emerald colored cardigan over it, black tights, and a pair of forest green stilettos.
After dressing, I walked over to my vanity and put on the serpent necklace Bella and Andy bought me, a pair of emerald studs, and finished my hair and make-up.
I walked down to the common room where Aaron was waiting. Once again, we were the last to leave to go to breakfast.
"Hey, Aaron," I said in a cheery voice.
"Hey, Cissa, oversleep again?" he asked questioningly, but he already knew the answer.
"Unfortunately, but at least I had a good dream" I replied.
Without any more distractions, we walked arm in arm to breakfast, and I was right, we were the very last ones to enter breakfast. Everything was in full swing when we walked to Slytherin table. Bella and Rodolphus were still plotting to destroy the Gryffindors, Malfoy was talking with some other Slytherin about an assignment in Slughorn's class, and Evan was silently picking at some toast and sipping pumpkin juice.
Before sitting down, I spared a glance at the Gryffindor table and saw that Potter, now with a bandage on his nose, and most other Gryffindors were glaring at me. I flashed them a proud Slytherin smile and waved at Potter. He simply turned around and finished eating his breakfast, mumbling curses under his breath.
I sat next to Bella and Malfoy while Aaron sat next to his older brother, Evan, and Rodolphus. I wasn't that hungry but managed to peck on some waffles. I listened as Bella suggested that we corner the Gryffindors and turn them into the rats they are and let them scamper back to class still in rodent form or something or other, I wasn't really paying attention.
We left for class and came across the people we hate the most, Potter, Lupin, and Pettigrew. Some Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs stopped to watch.
"Nice bandages, Potter," Evan spat mockingly. Some passing Ravenclaws snickered as they passed. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors glared as the Ravenclaws passed, but that's the way it has always been, according to Bella. The Hufflepuffs preferred the Gryffindors and the Ravenclaws preferred the Slytherins and vice versa.
"Oh, shut it, Rosier," Pettigrew chimed in from behind Potter and Lupin.
"What are you going to do to stop him, Pettigrew?" I asked in an amused tone as he gave another rodent-like squeal and hid even farther behind towering Lupin.
"She speaks, too? I thought she was here to merely be Bellatrix's pet," he started.
" I think you very well know that she's not here to be a pet from last night, Potter," Malfoy retorted, "Although, if you need help remembering, you could always find a mirror and look at those bandages you're wearing because of her."
He scowled and stalked off, his friends following suit. The Hufflepuffs were unsure of whether they stay and defend the Gryffindors or quickly walk away, eventually deciding to quickly walk away.
Any remaining students scurried away before we could say anything else. We departed, all in pairs of two, as we walked to class.
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A/N:
This chapter was harder to write than the other chapters for some reason, probably because of all the dialogue, but it's my favorite chapter so far!