DollFace080: Yeah, I feel sorry for them myself too, but I can't help myself ;) Here's the graduation chapter…

Darklady5289: Thank you! I hope you like the next chapter.

Padfootzluvr: I am going to download Mr. Brightside right now, because I don't know it, but El Tango de Roxanne…that does touch a bit of a nerve, I think.

Lacatamar: I wanted to keep the prejudice-thing an issue, you know: "All Slytherins are evildoers." Although I'm having a pretty hard time not starting to believe in it myself after reading HBP… So about the name. I read it in a book once, that was sort of a remake of the fairytale of the seven brothers that are turned into swans by the evil stepmother and their sister cannot speak for seven years and has to weave shirts for them. I only know the title in Dutch and I'm not even sure of it, but anyway the sister – Sorcha – and the man she falls in love with, have two children and one of them is called Niamh. I really liked the name, so it just stuck with me, I guess.

Katy: It's an Irish name. I looked it up once and it's the name of the daughter of the sea god in Irish mythology. It's pronounced: Neev, rhymes with believe. Thanks for the compliment, by the way. It's a great thing to hear…read, I mean. Enjoy!

Hpandfriendsruletheworld: yup, pretty sad, isn't it? Don't know how it's going to turn out…o wait, yes I do… :D Here's the next chapter!

MsPadfootVerona: (squeals in fear and hides under desk) LOL… I'm almost too scared to continue writing what I had in mind…almost… Anyway, I meant broken up with Sirius and tied to Evan! My sincerest apologies to you and your forearms :D Enjoy!

Padfootzluvr: I just downloaded the song and you're right, that is weird! Very appropriate. I really like the song, by the way.


Graduation

Once again I needed to look my best to cover up the fact that something was wrong with me. Like I had done before the Christmas ball, I eyed myself in the mirror. I looked different. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it was there. Disgusted with myself I turned away, before the mirror could tell me its opinion. Subconsciously I had fisted my hands again. I relaxed my fingers and smoothened the night blue silk of my gown. The emeralds in my ring twinkled in the soft light. I quickly averted my eyes.

I left my dorm and waited for Deirdre in the empty common room. Most students had already returned home for the summer holidays, except the ones with brothers or sisters in their seventh year. Deirdre's OWLs had gone quite well, or that's what she thought at least. She would receive her grades somewhere during the summer.

Late as usual, Deirdre rushed out of her dorm, grinning at me. "I'm so excited. I still can't believe you're actually marrying Evan Rosier. He's the most handsome of all the men in our circle. And so well-connected. You're a lucky girl," she sighed.

"Yeah, I am," I muttered miserably.

Deirdre frowned. "Something wrong?"

My head shot up. "No," I said quickly, "just nervous, I suppose." I chided myself mentally for letting my composure slip. "Let's go the Hall."

Our parents, brother, and Evan were already waiting for us. Evan offered me his arm. Together we walked into the Hall, which looked considerably different from normal. Numerous small tables were scattered around the Hall, already set for dinner. People walked to and fro between the tables, talking to friends and congratulating students.

We were quite late, but my father managed to find a table next to a friend of his: Helios Malfoy. His son, Devon, had graduated too. Devon's sister Alexia, who had been in Slytherin in Rowan's year, was also there. She cast curious glances at Evan and me. I noticed a lot of people did. It reminded me to paste my smile back on my face. Looking as happy as I could I sat next to my fiancé.

When most people were seated, Dumbledore rose and welcomed us. As usual he kept his speech short and promised he would continue after dinner. Menus appeared on our tables and while we were deciding what we would have, my mother looked around distastefully. "I can't believe they let Muggles in the castle. I told you last year, Bran, how appalling I find it. As if Muggle-borns are not bad enough. I wish somebody would do something about it."

Rowan raised a sardonic eyebrow. "Things are being done about it, Mother," he grinned and exchanged a meaningful look with Evan, who grinned back. My mother chuckled.

I hid my horrified face in my cup and tried to calm my pounding heart. It wasn't difficult to grasp the meaning of my brother's comment. So, I'd been right about my suspicions about my brother. But Evan too? I was getting sucked into this faster than I had realised. Suddenly I feared I was marrying a man that I had misjudged terribly. Merlin, had I said yes to a Death Eater?

Our food appeared immediately after we had ordered it. I poked aimlessly at my venison with my fork. The few bites I took lay heavy on my stomach, cold and greasy. Every now and then I carefully looked around the Hall, trying to find Sirius and dreading it at the same time. I couldn't see him, however.

Deirdre dragged me into a conversation about my wedding. I smiled and nodded and giggled on cue. I had no idea what she was talking about. My mother narrowed her eyes at me and I decided to put more effort into my conversations.

"Evan," Deirdre continued. "When are you two getting married?"

"I've always loved summer weddings," my mother commented. "There's no point in waiting, really." I averted my eyes to escape her cold stare.

Evan smiled at his future sister-in-law and said, "I suppose we'll simply have to do it somewhere during the summer, so you can be your sister's bridesmaid."

Deirdre laughed. "As long as you don't make me wear a horrible dress, Niamh."

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought we should go with pink. That would match your hair perfectly."

Deirdre choked on her drink. "Don't you dare," she threatened, brushing a bright red curl from her face. The men burst out laughing. My mother cast an approving glance at me, which made my smile falter immediately.

I spent the rest of dinner smiling and nodding again. After dessert all plates vanished from the tables and Dumbledore got up again. "After such an excellent feast I wish to ask all our graduates to come forward and take their place on the stage." Dumbledore clapped his hands and a huge stage appeared on the left side of the Hall. "Then we can proceed."

I got up and walked to the stage, meeting Lana and Narcissa on the way. I had a difficult time swallowing the anger I felt at seeing her. Lana, noticing my strained face, quickly stepped between us and chatted away with Narcissa. She didn't remember anything whatsoever and had recovered from the effects of the Memory Charm. She acted like her normal self again. I should remember to do the same.

Thankfully I was nowhere near Sirius on the stage. I completely missed Dumbledore's speech trying to locate him in the group of graduates. Lana nudged me in the side and I looked in front of me again.

Dumbledore continued, "When your name is called, please step forward to receive your certificates." Dumbledore began calling out names. I jolted up straight when I heard Sirius's name right after Narcissa's. He sauntered to Dumbledore, his usual charming smile tensed, and accepted his certificates.

"Niamh Carden," Dumbledore called out. I gasped. Lana pushed me forwards. I stared right in front of me when I passed Sirius on his way back. He clenched his jaw and threw me a loathing look when he stalked past me.

Dumbledore handed me the documents and I cast a wide smile to the audience, before turning back. Back on my place next to Lana my hands started to shake and I bit my lip.

"Gareth Donovan," I heard Dumbledore say in the distance. Lana gave a little squeak. Finally, after what seemed hours, every graduate had their papers and after a loud applause and cheers everybody walked back to their families. My father kissed me on the cheeks, as did my mother. Deirdre and Rowan hugged me and stepped aside.

Evan pulled me close and whispered, "Congratulations." He kissed me full on the mouth. Somewhere in the distance a cup fell clattering to the floor.

"Before we turn to our annual graduation ball," Dumbledore said, "I believe there is a special announcement to be made by one of our old students, to brighten up this festive day even more. Evan…."

Evan grinned and took my hand. He walked us to where Dumbledore stood. Evan turned towards the people in the Hall. "I am very happy and very lucky to announce my engagement. I would like to introduce you to Niamh Carden, my future wife."

There was a round of applause. Loud whistles came from the tables where Slytherins were seated. I smiled blindly, careful to avoid the look of shock and horror on Sirius's face, but unable to do so. He rose half from his chair, gripping the edge of the table, and looked more than ready to punch someone in the face. I had a feeling it would either be Evan or me.

Remus stepped in and pushed Sirius back in his seat with an uncommon use of force. He kept his hand on his friend's shoulder, but looked at me with an unreadable expression on his face. My smile was quickly turning into a grimace and I looked away from him.

"Kiss, kiss!" Devon, Gareth, and many more Slytherins began to chant. Evan grinned widely at them and cupped my face with his hands. I braced myself and kissed him back when his lips touched mine, sliding a hand around his neck for a better effect. The Slytherins cheered.

Evan broke the kiss and stood up straight again. I only dared to glance at Sirius, who now had both Remus and James's hands on his shoulders and Peter had moved in front of him to hide him from view, and seemed to be talking to him, making urgent gestures with his hands.

"Ah, such youth," Dumbledore sighed and continued, "Well now, if you would all please rise, we can begin our ball."

There was a loud scraping of seats being moved across the stone floor when Evan and I walked back. Dumbledore clapped his hands again and the tables disappeared, to be replaced by a large dance floor and seats along the wall. Several musical instruments appeared on the stage.

Dumbledore made one final comment. "Besides the Hobgoblins there will be an entirely new group performing tonight. I have the honour to introduce you to the Weird Sisters."

The younger people began to shout their approval loudly, while the older generations merely looked around in amusement at such enthusiasm.

I danced many times with Evan. He seemed eager to show me off. I felt like a fly in an Acromantula-web and I had cut off the only escape route that I had: Sirius. I bit back the immense pity I suddenly felt for myself and gave myself a mental slap. I had put myself in this situation and now I would have to live with that.

I finally had a moment of rest when Evan danced with Deirdre. Lana marched towards me and sat next to me. "I need to talk to you. Outside."

"What?"

"Now, Niamh. Come on." Lana grabbed my hand rather forcefully and pulled me to my feet. We walked out of the Great Hall.

I wrenched my hand out of her grip. "Lana, what is this all about?"

Lana gave me an angry look. "You love him," she hissed. "Don't you deny it."

"I won't," I said and looked to the floor.

"And he's crazy about you. He left the Hall right after you announced your engagement. He looked horrible!"

"I know," I said, flinching slightly because it hurt almost physically.

"Then what is going on? Why are you not fighting? Damn it, Niamh, I've never seen you this downcast, this docile!"

I lifted my eyes to my best friend. "It'll take some time to adjust. It was rather unexpected, you know."

Lana made a dismissive gesture. "Dragon dung! And a lot of it! You knew this was going to happen sooner or later. You asked me to support you, but I'm sorry, I can't. Not when this new you is the consequence. You love Sirius. Why did you give him up so easily?"

"Easy!" I shouted, anger flaring up instantly. "You think this was easy for me?"

"Then what the hell is going on?" Lana shouted back.

I clenched my fists. "Narcissa found out," I hissed through my teeth. "She told my mother, who gave me a choice. I would have to marry Evan or she would tell my father about Sirius."

"So? Let her!" Lana said, still very angry.

"So?" I repeated, shaking my head. "I think you're forgetting what family I come from. Sirius is a blood traitor. My father would kill him and consider me a traitor to his blood. You have no idea how deep he and my brother are involved in the Death Eater group. I would not only be a traitor to my family, but one to the pure-blood community. My father would have no difficulty handing me over to You-Know-Who."

Lana's jaw dropped. "He would never do that," she sputtered in shock, "nor your mother."

"That's the thing, Lana. They would."

Lana sagged a little. "What did you tell Sirius?"

I cringed. "That it was over. That it was nothing more than a couple of shags. That I would never want to be seen in public with a blood traitor."

Lana grimaced. "And now what?"

Now nothing," I shrugged. "I've made a decision. Sirius doesn't want anything to do with me and I'm engaged. End of story." I bit my lip to hold back the sob in my throat.


I stared out of the window without seeing the lusciously green meadows that surrounded our manor. Two months ago my engagement had been announced in all papers, right after I had left Hogwarts. I'd been at a party or soirée almost every night since.

Evan's family were delighted about me. His sister Amelia was recently married to Seth Zabini and she initiated me in the 'Order of Wives and Fiancées'. I snorted disdainfully. They made it seem like marriage was the highest accomplishable thing for a respectable witch. Most of the time I just wanted to scream and run away from them. All I did was smile.

Fortunately Evan wasn't around much. Neither was Rowan. I no longer had any doubt as to what they were doing, as I could read about it in the papers the next morning. One murder after another. Several Hogwarts students from my year were killed with their families. Mary Peterson, Zarah Williams, Simon Johnson…

My face contorted when I thought of Remus Lupin. He had obviously been in love with Zarah, Lily Evans's best friend. It was not unlikely that my brother or my fiancé had finished her. I turned from the window, almost gagging with nausea. My eyes fell on my wedding dress. Only three weeks left. I choked when a terrifying sense of finality clutched my throat. Only three weeks until I married directly into the Death Eater circle. Merlin, I had been such a fool. Blinking the tears away quickly, I turned to my door to answer the knock.

Deirdre bustled inside. "Lana is downstairs to see you. Stop locking yourself in here whenever Evan isn't around. You do have your own life, you know."

I nearly burst into a fit of hysteria. Laughing almost maniacally because of the irony I walked past her, leaving my sister highly confused.

I wiped the tears from my eyes while I walked down the stairs. "Niamh, darling, we're going out shopping," Lana announced, kissing my cheeks. She looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

I giggled. "My sister. She says I have my own life." I giggled again.

"Right," Lana muttered. "You definitely need to get out."

"Let me freshen up first," I said.

"Maybe that's a good idea," Lana said, looking me up and down and definitely not liking what she saw. Half an hour later we Apparated to Diagon Alley.

It was just what I needed. Lana told me all about Gareth, with whom she was still together – to everybody's shock. We had dinner in London and went to her home afterwards.

"Where are your parents?" I asked.

"They're taking a mini-break. I have the house all to myself." She smiled in a very unsettling manner.

"Er... are you okay?" I asked bewildered.

"Just marvellous," she chirruped. At that moment the doorbell rang. "Could you get the door, love?" Lana said and Disapparated.

My eyebrows almost reached my hairline. "What the…" I muttered. The doorbell rang again, more urgently this time. Shaking my head and cursing Lana's idiotic behaviour I walked to the front door and opened it.

Completely shocked I took two steps back. I was staring in the face of a livid Sirius Black.