Lola Knight: Thank you so much for your encouraging review. I must admit I am also very fond of the thought of Sirius and Narcissa having a past. I can tell you will probably appreciate this chapter...

Shawna D: Thank you for your kind words. I agree that it's unlikely that Sirius and his brothers were having a close friendship. However, I think that sibling rivalry must have played a dominating role in their relationship.

A/N: I would like to warn those who might consider the incest theme in this story offensive to think twice before reading this chapter.

Chapter 5 – Unexpected reconciliation

"Narcissa, come on! At least look at me! You can't just shut me out!" In annoyance, Bellatrix tried to grab her sister's shoulder to turn her around, but Narcissa kept pushing her tear-stained face into the pillow.

"For Merlin's sake, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to get you a cup of tea? Do you want something to eat? Should I ask the infirmary to make you a sleeping potion? Just talk to me!"

Bellatrix was at her wits' end. What was one supposed to do with a sister who was in complete hysteria? She had never seen the usually quiet and controlled Narcissa in such a state before. Bellatrix was not the right person to deal with her. She silently cursed Andromeda for having run off, leaving Narcissa in her hands.

Bellatrix had initially pitied her sister, but now she was starting to feel weary as well as a bit irritated. This was not how a Black was supposed to handle a difficult moment. A Black would grit her teeth together and hold her head high, no matter what. But of course, Narcissa's grief was somewhat understandable. Yesterday she had been in heaven, now she was in hell.

"I am telling you, he is not worth crying for!" she said in exasperation. "You need to get rid of this illusion you are under. Face it; he has nothing but a pretty face to offer. You deserve better."

That was pretty much what Lucius had told her when they quietly walked back from Hogsmeade. "I really feel for your poor sister," he had said with a frown on his face. "She is such a sweet, lovely girl. She deserves better than a life with that mongrel. I think you should talk to her about it."

Bellatrix had sighed. "I don't think it will be very easy. She has always adored him."

"You are her oldest sister. As long as you are staying at Hogwarts, you are the head of the family," he had answered, looking sharply at her. "She is your responsibility, isn't she? And I am sure you don't want to see her get hurt. Talk to your parents about it. They must reconsider this betrothal."

"It's not about Sirius," said Bellatrix hesitatingly. "They have always wanted one of their daughters to be the mistress of Grimmauld Place."

"Well, they should consider the good of their children first and foremost. A traitor is a traitor, no matter how you look at it. Talk to them."

Bellatrix had told him she would and that had earned her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'll keep in touch," he had told her, before flying off on his broom. She had sighed in disappointment. Who knew how long he would wait before getting into contact with her this time?

She pushed the thoughts of Lucius away from her mind and went back to comforting Narcissa. But no matter what she did, she wasn't able to establish any contact with the desolate girl. She was getting desperate. "Cissy... For Merlin's sake... This is so stupid... Come on..."

That was when the door was suddenly opened. Bellatrix stood up from the bedside and became as stiff as a fork when she saw Sirius standing in the doorway, looking extremely uncomfortable and bothered.

Bellatrix had to close her fists hard not to rip his throat off. "What are you doing here?" she snapped. "Get out of this room or I will do something that will make the cruciatus curse seem like a hug!"

"Nothing would please me more," he muttered. "But I am afraid I can't."

"What? What are you...?"

Bellatrix silenced abruptly. Sirius was pushed over the threshold and into the room. Andromeda stepped out from behind him, looking grim. "Do what you are here to do," she ordered him.

Bellatrix crossed her arms over her chest. "What is this? If you think we will accept..."

"He is not here to talk to you, Bellatrix," said Andromeda shortly.

Bellatrix glanced at Narcissa on the bed. She had slowly sat up and tried to wipe the tears off from her face. "If you imagine that my sister will listen to..."

"I think that is her decision," said Sirius coldly.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to protest again, but Andromeda grabbed her sister's arm and pulled her with her out through the door. "This is not meant for our ears," she said firmly and closed the door behind them, leaving Sirius and Narcissa alone.

"What do you think you are doing?" Bellatrix spat in fury, tearing away from her sister. "Why on earth did you bring that bastard to our room?"

"He had to apologize, didn't he?"

"Apologize?" snorted Bellatrix. "Like that could change anything. The best would be if he kept as far away from her as possible. This will only make things worse."

Andromeda cringed. "Well, maybe that's true, but I still felt that he had to make up to Narcissa for what happened yesterday."

"Oh, that's brilliant, Andromeda. How could he ever make up for being a traitor? Besides, you know as well as I do that he has never cared three straws about Narcissa. He is running after Gryffindor girls all the time, so why give her any illusions?"

Andromeda blushed and bit her lip. Bellatrix's eyes narrowed. "You are playing matchmaker, aren't you? It was you who made him to take her to Hogsmeade in the first place, wasn't it?"

Her sister squirmed uncomfortably. "I didn't suggest it," she defended herself. "I just told Sirius that since they are betrothed and all... Well, that they should make the best of the situation. Isn't that right?"

"No, it's not right," said Bellatrix brutally. "Narcissa thinks she will be happy with him, but he will only shame her and make her miserable. He won't ever feel the same way about her and it's cruel to let her imagine things that don't exist. If they do marry, it will end in a disaster."

Andromeda was reluctant to admit that her sister was right, but you could tell from her face that she was feeling guilty. "Yes, maybe you are right, but still..." She didn't know how to finish the sentence.

Bellatrix watched her closely. "Honestly, I don't understand why mother and father didn't try to marry you off to him instead. You have always gotten along so well, haven't you?"

"I don't think our aunt and uncle would have accepted that," said Andromeda, cringing. "They know too much about my nature to want me as their daughter-in-law. They probably thought that Narcissa would have a much better influence on him. You know how much they want him to become a well-mannered and respectable head of house Black."

Bellatrix pursed her mouth. "Yes, then Narcissa would be a more suitable choice," she admitted. "But it doesn't change the fact that she is about a million times too good for him."

"Maybe she is," Andromeda said quietly. "But she loves him. What can we do about that?"

Bellatrix sighed and shrugged. "Nothing, I suppose."

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Narcissa had sat up on her bed. Her tears had dried and her eyes were cold. The look on her face was completely flat. She had not said a word. She wasn't going to help him to do whatever it was he had come to her room for and nor was she going to show weakness in front of him.

He had been standing by the door seemingly forever without speaking. It seemed like he didn't know what to say or where to start. He was looking uncomfortable and squirmed slightly. She had to admit that she somewhat relished in seeing him like that. After what he had put her through, he deserved some unease.

Still, when he raised his head and watched her with his sad, dark eyes, she felt like her heart would stop beating inside her chest. She felt like forgetting all about her anger and disappointment and reach out her hands to him. To think that a single look could have such power over her... It was unbelievable and yet she knew that there was nothing she could do about it.

"I am not good at this," he finally said sheepishly.

No, indeed you aren't, she thought, but she said nothing in reply.

"Narcissa, I..." he started hesitatingly, but his voice died. He pulled a deep breath and seemed to gain some courage. He slowly approached her and settled down on the bedside next to her. She quietly moved aside to make room for him. His hair was tousled, his eyes were gloomy. He looked pale, wan... and absolutely adorable.

"I am really sorry about what happened yesterday," he said sincerely. "I acted like a complete ass to you. I know how much you were looking forward to our visit to Hogsmeade. I really didn't mean to spoil everything."

He glanced unsurely at her, but she didn't answer. He sighed and continued quietly: "About Regulus... You know we disagree about a lot of things. And he was probably keen on making an impression on Malfoy too. I should have known better than getting into one of those arguments. I was there to be with you, not to squabble with my brother. I guess you must think I behaved badly to him..."

Narcissa shook her head. "Do you think I care about Regulus?" she asked him harshly.

He frowned. "I don't know," he said honestly. "I know you and Andromeda aren't like Bellatrix, but you are still in Slytherin... I don't think you can really understand what it feels like to hear your own brother talking like that about people who are your friends. Perhaps you think I should just keep quiet and play along..."

Sirius lowered his head and strays of long, black hair fell down his forehead. "But I can't do that," he said quietly but firmly. "I can't just sit by and let them spill out their ignorant hate. Even though I know Regulus is too weak to actually do something. I have to speak up. If I don't then I will truly be a traitor."

He watched her seriously, with a hint of guilt. "I am sorry, but I can't be something I am not. It doesn't matter if we marry or if we don't. I couldn't change the way I feel, even if it means you and everyone else will hate me..."

"Oh, Sirius!" Narcissa had heard all that she could stand. She stared at him, unsure if she was going to laugh or cry. He frowned in confusion at the look on her face. "Do you really have such a low opinion of me? Do you think I care who your friends are? Do you think that will make me hate you? Don't you understand anything?"

Sirius looked astonished, but he didn't have a chance to reply. Suddenly, Narcissa had forgotten that she was shy and reserved and supposed to wait for him to take the first step. She reached out and did what she had longed to do for so many years.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. The taste and scent of him made her head spin and sent shudders down her back. His body stiffened in surprise and she could sense that his grey eyes were wide opened with shock. For a long time, he was frozen, but he made no attempt to push her away.

Then she could feel his mouth opening under hers. His long arms went around her form, awkwardly at first, then tighter, pulling her close to his chest. She relished in the expression of possession, drank it in. He was warm, strong, safe... and in some strange way, he was really hers.

Narcissa buried her hands in his long, black hair, allowing her fingers to run through the loose strays. She closed her eyes. Countless times, she had been dreaming of this moment, hoping for it, praying for it. And then when it really happened, it was better than she had ever imagined.

"Narcissa...," he whispered throatily, his mouth against hers.

His breath was getting fiercer and his hands were getting harder as he stroked her back. Narcissa didn't care. In that moment, she felt that whatever he would want from her, she would give it to him. Nothing else mattered except the fact that he was there and that he was in her arms.

"Don't tell me to stay out of it, Andromeda! I don't care what is going on here but... Oh dear Merlin!"

Suddenly Bellatrix was standing in the doorway with a look of utter shock on her face. Andromeda was right behind her and she was looking only a little less stunned. Narcissa groaned silently. Sirius reluctantly let her go. His face was flushed with embarrassment and he struggled to control his fierce breathing.

"What is going on here?" Bellatrix demanded. "What are you two doing?"

What we are doing? Isn't that rather obvious? Narcissa felt like laughing. She didn't even care to be embarrassed that her sisters had caught them.

Sirius got up from the bed. His cheeks were fiercely red as he tried to rearrange his robes. "I... I guess I should go. I'll see you... later." He nodded quickly at Narcissa and almost tripped over his own feet as he ran out of the room.

Bellatrix looked like her world had been turned upside down. She glanced suspiciously at her youngest sister. "Narcissa, tell me honestly what happened," she ordered. Her eyes narrowed. "Was that scum trying to force himself on you? If so, I will personally use the most painful castration spell I can find..."

"Bellatrix. Calm down." Andromeda glanced carefully at her younger sister. "Are you all right?"

Narcissa smiled as she stood from the bed. "Of course I am all right. Actually, I have never felt better."

Bellatrix and Andromeda stared after her as she went into the bathroom, smiling dreamingly. Her mood swings were getting confusing. Yesterday, she had been in heaven, this morning, she had been in hell and now, she was suddenly back in heaven.

"Would you mind telling me what is going on here?" Bellatrix snapped at Andromeda. "One moment, the bastard is breaking her heart and the next she is snogging him on her bed. And she was hardly even dressed for Merlin's sake!"

Andromeda shrugged in puzzlement. "I know no more than you do. I guess one thing led to another and..." She shrugged again.

Bellatrix glared at her. "Well, let's hope that's the way it is," she said coldly. "Because if he thinks that he can play with my sister's heart, he is wrong."