Chapter 7 and I'm really getting into this story! There are literally hundreds of people reading it and not reviewing it though! So once again, a big thanks to the minority that are, you make my day :) Esp. the people reviewing each chapter, that's dedication for you lol.

Abigail Nighthew was not scared of anyone. Her father had taught her that from a young age. To be scared of someone was to let them control you. And no one controlled a Nighthew. No one.

Unless, apparently, your last name happened to be Malfoy. The blonde Slytherin made her stomach turn, there was just something about him that frightened her, and the events of last night made her think that wasn't an altogether irrational response. She waited anxiously outside Madame Pomfrey's office, twisting her hands nervously. Hearing footsteps, her heart rate picked up considerably and she relaxed as Snape and a red haired Gryffindor rounded the corner, presumably on their way to Charms - the class she was meant to be in at the moment, also.

Severus paused, as he spotted the petite brunette hovering in the corridor and put two and two together. As much as he disliked the arrogant Black boy he felt a grudging modicum of respect for his actions the previous night, even if Snape privately thought they were also stupid. "He is no better then?"

She shrugged, trying to appear casual and failing miserably. "I don't know…"

Snape sighed and reluctantly offered, "Well there's no use hanging around here waiting for him to show up, walk with us to Charms. The class should take your mind off things."

Abigail managed a weak smile but shook her head. "No thanks, I'm just gonna head back to the common room. If Professor Flitwick asks, I'm not feeling well and went for a lie down."

Opening his mouth to argue that he wasn't her messenger boy, he saw the look Lily was giving him and nodded after a brief hesitation. "See you at dinner then."

The two other students continued on their way to class. Abigail waited a few more minutes then trudged back down to the dungeons. Snapping the password moodily, she walked into the common room and stopped short at the familiar form sprawled lazily across the couch.

"Black!" she said, her relief and surprise showing clearly both on her face and in her voice. His eyes opened and he offered up a small smile.

"Pleased to see me, Nighthew?" he said. His dark hair was messy and his robes crumpled and creased, but he was the best thing she'd seen all day.

She offered a tentative smile back while blushing at showing her emotions towards him so clearly. "Just glad you're still alive, I thought you were still down in the hospital wing."

"Nah, got kicked out earlier this morning," he replied with a stretch. "Been told to expect a visit from Slughorn later though."

"Oh lucky you," Abigail said, finally sitting down in a chair next to him. "So… are you feeling okay?"

"Yeah yeah, I'm fine," Sirius answered dismissively, it was only his ego that was still injured now. "Not the first time I've had my arse kicked and I doubt it'll be the last. Just need to learn how to pick my fights better, that's all."

"Malfoy showed up at breakfast with a cut lip if that makes you feel any better," she offered, settling back into the comfortable armchair. "And one of his goons had a black eye. So you at least got two punches in…"

"That makes me feel so much better," he said dryly. "Though considering how stupid they are, it wouldn't surprise me if they'd just missed me and hit each other by accident."

Minutes passed in silence before Abigail said softly, "Thank you."

He looked at her curiously for a moment then shrugged. "Don't mention it." It had truly been a pleasure managing to land that punch on Malfoy's face, finally managing to wipe the sneer from it at long last, if only temporarily. "Can't be easy being in Slytherin having a Muggle mother."

"Bit of an understatement," she snorted. "99% of the people in our house have the same attitude as Malfoy, so it's not like he's an isolated case."

He scratched the back of his head and replied, slightly awkwardly, "Well... just so's you know... I'm in that other 1%."

Stormy grey eyes surveyed the bustling entryway into the Great Hall that evening as the Hogwarts students began filing in for dinner. Locking on their target, their owner marched forward and grabbed her blonde sister from a group of fourth year girls. Narcissa squealed in surprise as she was dragged away from her friends to a quiet corner. Andromeda glared down at her.

"Have you seen what Malfoy did to Sirius?" she demanded.

Narcissa scoffed and flipped her hair over her shoulder. "Lucius said he got what was coming to him. He said-"

"I couldn't care less what your precious Lucius said!" Andromeda hissed. "Sirius is family. He's a Black and no one touches a Black and gets away with it, Cissy!"

"Is that so." The besotted expression crossing her sister's face confirmed who Andromeda suspected was now standing behind her and she groaned inwardly.

"Go for dinner, Cissy," Andromeda said quietly. Seeing she was about to argue, she said firmly, "Now."

Narcissa cast another look at Lucius then stormed into the Hall. Andromeda finally turned to see Lucius, alone for once. His eyes drifted slowly and indiscreetly down her body then back up to stare into her eyes. The corners of his mouth twitched upwards into the signature Malfoy smirk.

"Was there something you wanted to say to me, Andromeda?" He said her name slowly as he took a step closer. She automatically took a step back and found herself pinned against the stone wall. Crossing her arms, she glared up at him, doing her best Bellatrix impression.

"Stay away from my family, Malfoy," she said through gritted teeth. "I mean it."

He chuckled. "I think Narcissa would have something to say about that... she seems to enjoy having me ... very close by."

She clenched her fists, having to stop herself from copying Sirius and lunging at him. "Stay away... or you'll regret it."

"No, Andromeda, I won't," he replied with an insincere smile. He took another step closer to her and leaned forwards to whisper in her ear. "I said this to your cousin, and I'll say it again to you... make sure your loyalties lie with the right people. We wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea about your views, now would we?" He stepped back and inclined his head. "Now I suggest you get some dinner." Without waiting for her reply, he stalked into the hall.

Okay, I know it looks from how I've written him so far that I hate Lucius... I actually love him ha ha, I just like writing him as the slippery bad guy rather than the misunderstood romantic family guy (esp. seeing as he's not actually a family guy at this point, just an arrogant teenager). Felt the need to clear that up! The next few chapters are gonna be centred more round the Gryffindors I think, as well as more appearances from Abigail.