AN: This chapter is really squished with all the events happening in Hogwarts so a little caution there. Read and review xx

Chapter 5- Back to Hogwarts

"Cissy, I've been wanting to talk to you."
"Go ahead Bella, I'm listening." Narcissa said as she packed her clothes.
"It's nothing really." Narcissa looked up. Nothing always meant something with Bellatrix. It meant she was trying to be nice, trying to get others to do something she wanted. It meant a big something.
"What is it Bella?"
"I saw you yesterday with Lucius. How did you feel?" She asked.
"Bella, what do you mean how I felt?"
"How did you feel Cissy. It's a simple question." She snapped.
"I guess I felt happy. Maybe light?" Narcissa's eyes widened. "Wait. Bella, I know what you're thinking. I just met him."
"I don't care Cissy. Have you forgotten how much I hate him? Don't let a few sweet words and gestures get into your head."
"I won't Bella but I won't just hate him. He hasn't done anything to me."
"You don't know him Cissy. Don't act like you do." Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Go finish your packing. Train's leaving in two hours."

-

"Severus!" Narcissa leaned in to give her old friend a hug.
"Cissy." Severus greeted. The train hasn't moved yet, more students were coming in. In the 6 years of riding the Hogwarts Express, Narcissa Black rode first with her sisters for about two years and then when Bellatrix graduated, Andromeda stayed with her prefect friends from different houses so she sat with her Slytherin friends; Snape usually sat with his mudblood friend and other random people but after third year, he, too sat with Slytherins, that included Narcissa.

"How did you spend your summer Severus?"
Narcissa knew it wasn't a happy one. She arrived just in time to see Severus turned upside down by a couple of Gryffindors including her cousin. She was supposed to run in and disarm the blood traitors when Snape's mudblood friend defended Severus. Narcissa heard her call his friend mudblood and the next thing Narcissa knew, Severus was at his lowest of lows. He waited outside the Grffindor dormitories for Lily Evans to talk to him, to hear his apologies but she never accepted those. Cissy knew he was neighbors with Evans and how dull and miserable could his summer be if his only friend there, shunned him. Wrong question.
"Where's Rabastan?" she quickly asked again, hoping the first question won't be answered.
He didn't answer right away. "I don't know where he is, Cissy. My summer was just fine."
"Nice to hear." Severus looked outside the window. Parents were kissing their sons and daughters goodbye, wishing them luck. He never had that.
"Severus," Narcissa leaned in close. Severus looked at her. "If ever you need anything, just ask. I'll be happy to help you in anyway?"
"What do you mean, Cissy?"
"Lily. Lily Evans? I know you two were close friends and in light of everything that has happened, please remember, I'm still your friend."
He didn't say anything. The train was moving, the door of their compartment opened and other Slytherins sat that including Matilda, Nott, and Rabastan. Narcissa leaned back. Rabastan started a conversation on the ongoing number of muggle and mudblood deaths and everyone snickered, except Snape and Narcissa but nobody seemed to notice.

"Where are we anyway?" Narcissa suddenly said amidst all the conversations about muggles, death eaters, blood purity.
"Be there in awhile. I better change into my robes." Nott said. Severus stood up and went out, so did everybody else. Narcissa was the first one who got her robes, she locked the door to the compartment and changed while the boys went to the loo in the train. When Narcissa opened the door, she saw Matilda waiting patiently outside.
"Thanks Narcissa."
Narcissa smiled at her and left for the prefects carriage way on the other end of the train. She found Rabastan inside and sat next to him, Snape's friend, the mudblood was also there. She didnt act like she noticed her but the girl, Lily, seemed to notice her as Snape's Slytherin friend and regarded her with cauion.
The meeting seemed to take too long and when it was finally over, Narcissa couldn't wait to get to the Great Hall for the feast. After that, she would have to lead the way for the 1st years who would be sorted.

-

Weeks, months have passed at Hogwarts, dreadfully long ones. It seemed to be a whole school year already. Narcissa Black reached the common room to find only Snape there after her late rounds around the school. She slumped on the couch.

"What are you doing up so late, Severus?"
"Just reading this book. Have you done the potions assignment yet?"
"No," she stood upright. "I didn't know we had one. Do we?"
"Obviously. Why then would I be asking you?"
"What is it about? I haven't done it yet!" Narcissa exclaimed.
"We're making the draughts of living death tomorrow and we have to submit a report next Monday about the effects of felix felicis to a person who has dragonpox."
"That's it? That's still due next week and you've already done it?"
"It's a Hogsmeade weekend Narcissa,"
"I'm really really amazed at you Severus," she sat back down. They heard footsteps coming from the boy's dormitory. It was Evan. Evan Rosier.

"Cissy!" He gasped, quite astonished to see Narcissa.
"What are you here for Evan?"
"I wanted to catch up on my reading." He held out his book. He sat beside Snape.
"That's strange," Snape said. "Reading. This late." Snape assembled his materials, his books.
"I'm going up, good night."
"No, Severus. Wait!" but her friend already went up. Snape left, they were alone.
"Well, I'll leave you to your, er, reading Evan. I have to go up now. It's really getting late."
"Wait, Cissy," Narcissa turned around. "I've been wanting to talk to you."
"What should that be about?" She asked, but she perfectly knew what it was going to be about.
"Whatever I did last year, I'm terribly sorry and I don't think I understood why it's ended?"
Narcissa figured saying 'It ended because I got tired of your childishness, irresponsibility and trivialness' or 'It ended because I wanted it to' would be too harsh so she just went with, "It ended because it did, it was time, really. Sorry if you feel bad about it, Evan. I didn't know it bothered you that much." This didn't bother Narcissa though. From a spectator's point of view, Evan was a responsible and handsome quidditch captain, that's what Narcissa thought too. She wouldn't have guessed Evan Rosier to be a childish, jealous, simpering wimp who grabs at every chance to show off. Well, it would work for others but not Narcissa Black, that's why she broke it off.
"No, no it didn't." he said. "It doesn't. I was just. Just curious." he couldn't even look at Narcissa Black.
"Is there anything else on your mind?" She looked at her watch.
"No. Nothing. But it's just been so long. Don't you think it's time for, for, for another chance?"
"Evan, this is not some game. If you aren't aware this is called reality, and you have to accept things, not push everything, everyone for that matter to get your way." Her words slipped, she knew. But the boy deserved it. Narcissa remembered when she told Evan it was over. She was kind as possible and told him the real reason which is that she was tired of the situation they had. Evan liked attention and even with Narcissa around, he would often return back attention to the other girls around him, Narcissa left, of course, and he followed, determined to get what he wanted. Evan took things the way Narcissa expected a 7th year to, he agreed with Narcissa and promised to be friends, but as the days went on, he would often show Narcissa, show the world, he was snogging her friends determined to make her jealous. But she wasn't, and the entire Hogwarts knew that, he just made a fool of himself. It took awhile for Evan to answer but he eventually did, saying, "I know Cissy."
"It's Narcissa, Evan. You never call me Cissy and you shouldn't but why are you calling me that now?"
"I'm sorry."
"Don't dwell on these things. You're on your 7th year! What do you plan to do when you graduate? Think about those things. You know what Evan. Just stop it, forget anything even happened between us and I doubt there was since everyone knows it wasn't serious, never was and never will be."
"Okay," He looked around, hoping nobody heard that. "So, I guess it really is done?"
"I guess it is. Good night, Evan." Narcissa was already on the first step when she just had to back. Evan seemed to be petrified at the spot. "Evan," she called. "I'm really sorry, just find someone else. Have a new life!" Then she went up. It was pretty inconsiderate for her to do that but that was just her way of dealing with Evan Rosier and people like him, she was in a way, a bit like Bellatrix. She sighed, 'Why couldn't they be just like Lucius Malfoy?' She covered her mouth. Did she just say 'like Lucius Malfoy?'

-

The owls were dropping the packages, paper and magazine subscribes and letters. Narcissa didn't expect to receive anything since her parents just wrote to her the other day and she wasn't a subscriber of anything, not even the daily prophet or witch weekly. A large, brown owl came and delivered a letter to Snape. "Are you going?" He asked her after opening the letter. "To Slughorn's?"
"Yes." She answered, "who's asking?"
"Lucius."
"Lucius? Why would he ask me?"
"Do you think I would know Narcissa?" Snape said sarcastically. He wrote a quick reply and let the owl left.
"Can I read his letter to you, Severus?"
"This letter is private and it calls for a complex reply. In other words, no."
"Well, what is it about?" She wanted to know what they were owling about. Severus and Lucius owled as what friends are supposed to but their letters were getting more and more frequent and more and more secretive. If Snape was secretive about his letters before, he was more secretive of them now. He wouldn't even let Cissy touch the envelope.
"An organization Cissy. But you really won't be interested in it." Narcissa doubted that. She saw Bella's name written on the paper. Whatever it is, would surely interest her.

-

It was the day of Slughorn's Christmas Party. Narcissa wore a pretty white dress that matched her blue eyes and blond hair. She stood out, indeed, from the others. As expected, influential figures were among the guests of Slughorn's party. Slughorn introduced here and there and accepted acknowledgements of him from previous students.
"It's nothing!" he would say when they thank him. "It would make me happy to help my students succeed!"
Narcissa looked around. Since arriving there with Severus and Rabastan, the both of them seemed to have gone missing. She didn't know, either, if Lucius would really come, he just asked her if she would, not saying if he would do so himself. Without any companion and nothing to do, she went over to the refreshments stand. Despite having a refreshment stand, there were still students who waited on other students just to be able to come to the party. Pity, she told herself. Narcissa sipped the champagne, while the other guests would smile at her and try to talk to her. Even the guests outside school. The head of the department of magical law enforcement would have a little chat with Narcissa saying how nice it is to work with her father, while the editor-in-chief of the Prophet would ask her about the inside scoop in the Black lives. They flocked to Narcissa as if Narcissa had graduated and was already as successful as them. Being a Black, Narcissa learned, had its privileges and this was one of them. Unlike the other students, she didn't need Slughorn's connections, she already had them. From the corner of her eye, while talking to Avery, who was in Evan's year who reputably only got into the slug club because of his father, she saw her cousin looking at her. It was Sirius, she already saw his brother, Regulus, shorter than him by a few inches, a few minutes back on the other side of the room.

Sirius knew her cousin was prejudiced, that did not make him like her more. He was tolerant though, of her; They did play together when they were still children at the Black family estate and even if she was friends with Snivellus, Sirius still had some respect for her cousin. He heard and knew her distaste towards muggles and mudbloods but Andromeda let split that Cissy still talked to her even if she was removed from the family. That, was something extraordinary. And, if he had to choose between Bellatrix or Narcissa, she would pick the latter for the reason that he knew Cissy still had a heart even though it was slowly being frozen away. He grinned as she went over to him. "Cissy,"
"Good day, Sirius,"
"I suppose you're here with Snivellus again? As usual?"
"Yes, and who did you bring to the party?"
"No one, I brought myself. It's better than going with old Snivellus." He snickered.
"What is the matter with you? He's not doing anything to you so quit it."
"Cissy," his voice dropped to a low tone. "Old Snivelly, fine. Severus is doing dark stuff. Dark stuff I tell you, it's rumored that he's one of the people who wants to join the death eaters."
"The what? And what would he do there? Brew potions?" Narcissa answered sarcastically.
"Cissy. Don't tell me you haven't heard of death eaters or even this lord nobody mentions for that matter."
"I did Sirius, I do know this "lord voldemort" is turning out to be like Grindelwald. I know him but I'm afraid I don't know much about those death eaters. What I know is that they kill, like a bunch of snatchers really."
"They're worse, Cissy. They kill muggles, muggleborns, and bloodtraitors. And I know you're with the family on the idea of purebloods and blood purity but I know as much as you do that Andromeda is now considered a bloodtraitor. I wouldn't want her to be harmed."
"What are you trying to say Sirius?"
"If ever. If ever they ask you to join, and I'm sure they will try to get you to join them since you are a Black, don't. Make some excuse, just don't participate in that kind of wickedness."
"Did they try to recruit you, Sirius?"
"Not me, I'm in Gryffindor, with muggle-born friends, they consider me a bloodtraitor. I'm better of joining the Order."
"The Order? That, I've never heard of."
"And with good reason. You're in Slytherin, Cissy. You believe in those wrong, twisted beliefs." Narcissa rolled her eyes. "The order, the Order of the Phoenix is an organization Dumbledore started last year, all of the members, pureblood or not believe what this lord voldemort and his death eaters are doing is wrong. And I'm joining them so if you know about anyone who's one, tell me."
"And why should I tell you, Sirius? How do you know these things anyway?"
"You should. You don't need to ask me why because you know you should. And I know because I know, Andromeda also knows. Are you still writing to her anyway?"
"You know it's not allowed and expected from me!"
"That belief of blood purity? That belief, I tell you, will ruin the family."
"Sirius," Narcissa said.
"You better go. Your friend over there seems to be waiting for you."
"Who?" Sirius turned her around and went to his Gryffindor friends. Narcissa walked towards the friend Sirius was referring to.
"Lucius?"
"Hello Narcissa," There was something vaguely familiar about Narcissa Black. Though they were just acquaitances, Lucius found simply talking to her was already relaxing to him. In a short time they formally met, he already found himself doing strange things for her like actually going to Slughorn's Christmas party, fighting with Bellatrix and being ridiculed by the dark lord. Those were three big things. Nobody ever had that effect on him, it was like destiny, Malfoy believed.
"What are you doing here? I've never seen you go to this party ever since you left Hogwarts." She asked questioningly. She remembered what Bella said and yes he did know his way to a girl's heart.
"I guess you might say there was a change of wind." He replied. But how could she not fancy him. They stayed that way for quite a long time. Chatting about everything they could talk about and finding things to smile about. They were in a far corner where people mostly went for refreshments but few people did since there were already waiters, serving.
"It's so nice, isn't it?" Narcissa commented. "Having to stay here and talk without anyone interrupting. Without anyone lurking."
Lucius tilted his glass. "Indeed. But I think this won't last long."
"Why say that?" Narcissa asked.
"Here comes Slughorn with his trail of followers." Narcissa looked around.
"Mr. Malfoy!" Slughorn beamed.
"Professor," Lucius smiled.
"Why it's so nice to see you again! How are you doing? How's your father, good old Abraxas!"
"My father's doing well sir, as he is planning to retire sometime in the near future."
"Really? And when is that?" Slughorn inquired.
Lucius looked at Narcissa. "When I get married," Narcissa choked on her champagne.
"Excuse me professor," she coughed.
"That's alright, Ms. Black, so nice to see you here as well. Oh, I almost forgot, I haven't taken a picture with you two yet!" He called one of his photographers. By this time, most of the people already crowded around them. Astonished to see their professor has connections with the very elite, high profile Malfoy, one of wizarding world's most wanted bachelor.
"Picture, sir?" The boy asked. Slughorn nodded. He put his hand on Lucius' shoulder, the other on Narcissa's. It took an instant and Slughorn shooed the boy away. He faced Lucius.
"Well, Mr. Malfoy, I do expect an invite from your wedding!" He laughed. "And did you say to whom?"
The Daily Prophet editor went nearer, jumping at a chance for a story; so did others, anchors, writers and publishers. Narcissa looked at Lucius. He seemed to be perfectly calm, ahold of the situation. Everyone was waiting for him to speak.
"I didn't sir. But I do have someone in mind." Narcissa heard gasps and moans from the crowd, the students, even the guests. "That's jolly well then my boy!" Slughorn patted him on the back.
"Sir, you're needed over there!" One of the waiters interrupted.
"Nice seeing you Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Black, I'm needed elsewhere. Go enjoy the party!" Slughorn left, some of the guests who were crowding awhile ago still lurked around Narcissa and Lucius, listening in to their conversations.

"Narcissa," Lucius leaned in closer. They were inches apart from each other, standing, holding their glasses. "Are you aware we are being watched?"
"No?" Narcissa answered. She gave her empty glass while Lucius gave his barely empty glass to the waiter nearby.
"Come," Lucius held her hand, he pulled her outside the doors, outside the party. "No one would really think of following us here, it would be too bloody obvious if they do."
"So, what are we doing here?"
"I wasn't comfortable with all those people there, listening in. I thought you felt the same way?"
"I do." She answered, short of other things to say. Something was on her mind, who was Lucius referring to when he told Slughorn he knew in a way who he was marrying. Sirius' words awhile ago returned to her, she felt the urge to tell Lucius, to ask him what he thinks of it, if these death eaters bothered him the way it bothered others.
"Is, is something wrong?" Lucius asked. He wanted to touch her shoulder, reassure her, reassure himself but something kept him from doing so. "You seem to be distant,"
"Oh, maybe that's because I'm just tired. Just tired. There's a lot of things on my mind." She walked across the corridor, intending for Lucius to follow her. They went to an unused classroom in the same floor, Narcissa waited for Lucius to get in then she shut the door.
"I just want to sit here Lucius. And talk." she sat at an old seat.
"What do you want to talk about? We practically talked about everything possible." He laughed. He sat next to her, he felt it strange to be sitting in a chair in Hogwarts after so long.
"Still, a bucketload of things." she said. "For starters, tell me what it is really you and Severus are owling about, he's gotten too secretive about it."
"You know Severus," He easily answered back. "he's always secretive. He doesn't share others' businesses to the others who aren't involved."
"But I saw Bella's name there." Narcissa said. Lucius looked at her. "Once. And I think I also remember seeing the word cause too. It's all too... I don't know. When Severus got too secretive about it, I knew it was something else. I didn't give much thought to it, but I'm getting really bothered. He tells me it is an organization I wouldn't be interested in but why are you, him and Bella in it?" He didn't answer. "Is this connected to the death eaters?" She continued. "Are you one? Are Bella and Severus death eaters?" Lucius looked away. How could he lie if the truth could easily be revealed by the mark on his left arm. "Why say so, Narcissa?" He managed to say.
"The killings on muggles and mudbloods, It just keeps increasing since my third year, a different type of killing. And then some, including my father, kept on saying it was the work of this group of witches and wizards called the death eaters, and just last year, the Ministry finally believed Dumbledore and acknowledged that there were indeed death eaters under this lord voldemort, who people are now starting to call you-know-who. I just don't understand anything anymore, people seem to be lying to each other, killing just anyone.
"And seeing as I work in the ministry, graduated during the time these death eaters rose, I'm a death eater, Narcissa?" He questioned.
"You deny it?"
"I don't deny anything. I don't admit anything too." They were silent for awhile. The lovely time they had, quickly shattered. "Have you seen trouble? Death eaters?" He asked again after a few quiet minutes.
"No. Not really, but I see it on the papers. And I think this is serious, grindelwald all over again only this time, it's nearer than ever around us. Don't get me wrong but I truly believe in the idea of blood purity. I just do not want to be kept in the dark." She silently hoped he wouldn't say he or Bella or Severus were indeed death eaters. Though she agreed to this blood purity, it wasn't the right thing to do, especialy with Andromeda in danger. She looked at him. "Tell me, please, if there's something I should know, before others tell me."
'She doesn't really expect me to tell her, does she?' Lucius thought. But looking at her innocent blue eyes, it seemed like she was expecting to hear the truth.
"You wouldn't want to know, Narcissa. I'm not in the position to tell you." He reluctantly held her hand. "I'm sorry."
"If you're not in the position then who is? It's actually getting late, I better go." She stood up, and left. Left Lucius all alone in the empty room. 'What did she mean by me being in position?' He asked himself again. The night surrounded him with happy memories that quickly transformed to haunting questions that he couldn't answer. Lucius walked to the corridor. It was already empty, he only had two exits to choose from. Slughorn's fireplace or the main gate. People would ask, of course, what he was doing in the school so late seeing the other guests left an hour ago. He figured he would have a better chance of leaving quietly by Slughorn's fireplace. The door was locked. "Alohamora," Slughorn seemed to have went to Dumbledore to deliver some left-overs. Lucius cupped a handful of floo powder and said, "Malfoy Manor."