The next day came faster then anyone could believe, and no one was prepared for it. Narcissa got up earlier than usual to avoid her sister. She showered and dressed in complete silence and then headed down to the common room, which was empty at this time. Narcissa found herself all alone with her thoughts. She sat on the couch thinking about what Bellatrix had said the night before. What had made her sister have such a change of heart? Were they finally growing apart as their parents said they would?

"Narcissa?" A voice called from behind.

Narcissa turned her head and saw Lucius standing at the top of the stairs that lead to the boys' dormitory. He was in his Saturday attire, which included a simple black dress shirt and a pair of gray trousers. Narcissa turned her head back around upon feeling his eyes on her. His gaze was so intimidating.

"What are you doing up this early?" Lucius asked as he came down the stairs to join her.

"I just decided I wanted to be on time for a class for once." Narcissa replied. Lucius smiled knowing fully well that wasn't the reason. But what was it then? What would drive Narcissa from her bed so early? He wanted to know so desperately but he thought if he asked her something so personal so soon it would drive her off.

"Why the change of heart?" Lucius asked trying to keep a conversation going. Narcissa just shrugged her shoulders.

"Did you sleep well?" She asked trying to throw the questioning away from herself, but not really caring how his night was. Lucius was shocked at her question but nonetheless answered with a smile.

"To be honest, I had trouble sleeping."

"Oh?" Narcissa replied neutrally.

"I couldn't stop thinking of you." Narcissa didn't reply, but she didn't do her usual gagging sound that she did when Lucius made these comments. Instead she just looked straight ahead with glazed over eyes. All she could think about was her sisters words the previous night; 'Nothing better is going to come along!' could that really be true? Was her sister right and Narcissa would have to end up marrying for money?

"Lucius…" She began awkwardly. Lucius was so shocked now at her sudden transformation. Narcissa wasn't being completely cruel to him anymore. Had he changed her mind last night? "… I just…" Narcissa leaned in closer to him; she glanced down at his lips then back up to his eyes. Lucius' heart pounded in his chest so hard he thought it would leap out of his throat and onto the leather couch. Narcissa raised a porcelain hand to Lucius' face and pulled herself closer. Just as their lips were inches apart Narcissa began having flashing thoughts.

She didn't want to like Lucius! Narcissa couldn't see herself falling in love with him; she didn't want to let herself fall for him. All the thoughts in her mind screamed that he just wanted her like a piece of meat and that when he was done with her he'd toss her away. That was what she had grown to know. All boys in her opinion did things like that, they were all dogs and that was all she ever knew.

Narcissa pulled back from Lucius and turned away. Lucius' face with twisted with confusion.

"I'm sorry." Narcissa said as she stood up. "I should go to breakfast before the crowds…" and with that she left Lucius sitting on the couch all by himself.

Lucius just sat in a vacant stare for what seemed like hours. He didn't know why Narcissa would lead him on for a moment then toss him aside. He had really thought she had changed her mind about him. And maybe she had? Maybe she was fighting her feelings? But why? He was somewhat of a good guy, was he not? Sure he was trying to win her over for a bet, but he really did care for her so that shouldn't even matter.

At this point in contemplation, Yaxley had just entered the common room and flopped onto the couch next to Lucius. His smile was immense until he saw the look that resided on Lucius' face.

"Why so glum, chum?" He asked patting Lucius roughly on the back. "Not that Black girl again?"

"Yeah." Lucius replied without revealing his complete feelings.

"Man, I heard that Rodolphus is really getting somewhere. Bellatrix is admitting all his advances!"

"Yaxley, is this supposed to make me feel better?" Lucius snapped angrily.

"Well, I just thought it might inspire you to not give up. Just a little motivation, you know?" Yaxley shrugged.

"You aren't exactly the pep squad." Lucius bit. "I'm going to breakfast… see you in class." Yaxley shrugged his shoulders and then stretched out on the couch into a catnap.

Narcissa never went to eat breakfast. Instead she thought she would go for a stroll around the castle. Surely some walking time would help her clear her head. Narcissa wasn't sure of what she wanted anymore, her head was all messed up from what had just happened in the common room. She could have sworn she wanted to kiss Lucius for a moment. Thank god her better judgment came in at the last second. Who knows what could have happened. Now she found herself just walking and thinking about it.

The halls were empty as everyone was now at breakfast and Narcissa could hear her footsteps against the cold stone floors. It was slightly chilly in the castle but it was refreshing for her mind to get that cool air. All she could think about was being free. Why was it that girls felt they needed a man? This was the sixties! Muggle women everywhere were becoming more independent, and here at this wizarding school, women were still at the same level they always have been. Sure there were the great witches who stood out boldly in the history books, but the modern everyday witch? She would be like all the muggle housewives save for the magical powers.

Narcissa refused to conform herself to a life like that.

In her mind men were only after one thing from her. She would never let them have it. No, she was an independent woman with her own thoughts and actions and she would not become someone's object. Ever since she came to Hogwarts, even as an eleven-year-old girl, boys made advances on her. Mind you, when she was eleven she didn't really understand, but she caught on fast. Any boys that talked to her were scum.

At this point of contemplation, Narcissa heard familiar voices and stopped in her tracks. It sounded like her sister Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Narcissa inched forward to the corner and peeked her face around it. There she saw her sister with her back against the wall and Rodolphus casually leaning over her with his hand keeping him stable. Narcissa dry heaved and turned away from them. Yes, they were just talking, but still.

"Bella, You truly are the prettiest woman in this school." Rodolphus commented as he ran her black curls through his fingers. "I'm surprised you actually allow me to converse with you." Bellatrix smiled up at him as if she were trying to look sweet, but it just looked cruel.

"Why wouldn't I?" She asked with fake innocence. "You are the only guy in this school who I approve of. The only guy I feel I can trust." With that she pushed herself off the wall slightly to make herself closer to him. Narcissa could tell Rodolphus had fallen for this act without a doubt. His face looked over heated and his breathing became slightly faster. He leaned in slowly and kissed Bellatrix gently on the lips.

Narcissa turned away in disgust. How could her sister turn into such a disgusting person? Money is not all that's important. Narcissa began storming down the hallway the way she came when she was caught.

"Cissa." Bellatrix stood at the corner where Narcissa had just been. She was now by herself and had a completely somber look about her.

"You no longer have permission to use that nickname." Narcissa spat to her as she faced her sister boldly.

"I know you saw what just happened. I'm not a fool, but I'm not stupid either."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Narcissa asked.

"Rodolphus is a man of money and class, the exact man our father would have us go after… seeing as you are only in your sixth year, you haven't received a letter yet. But I have." Bellatrix looked at her sister, but her expression remained unchanged.

"What letter?" Narcissa was confused; she had no idea what her sister was talking about.

"We have been raised the way our father wanted us raised." Bellatrix explained. "Now, just when we think we are able to make our own choices and decisions, he feels he needs to continue raising us properly. Just the other day he sent me this letter." She pulled a bit of parchment from her pocket and tossed it to Narcissa who caught it easily. Narcissa looked down at the letter with hesitation. "Go ahead, read it."

Narcissa unfolded the paper that had obviously been worn and crinkled from being re-read so many times in a short time. She began reading out loud as to prove she was actually reading it properly. "Dearest Bellatrix… Your mother and I have decided that now you are a woman. You are just about done with your schooling and are now ready to start your adult life. As your parents, we have strict instructions for you to follow before you go off. You must marry a man of wealth and power. We have taken the liberty to pick a man of such qualities for you. Rodolphus Lestrange. He is the perfect candidate for you and his blood is as pure as our own. Do not let us down… sincerely… mum and dad." Narcissa looked back to her sister who now had a twinge of sadness.

"Just when I had it all planned that I was going to be the most powerful witch of our time…" Bellatrix started. "Our parents have to chain me down to a man."

Narcissa forgot any hard feelings she had for her sister and quickly closed the space between them. She enveloped Bellatrix in a comforting hug to show she was there for her. She now understood why her sister had acted the way she had previously and forgave her at once.

"You still can be the most powerful witch of our time." Narcissa whispered into her older sister's curls. "You just have to be strong, don't let him control you. Man or not you will always be your own woman." Bellatrix smiled as she pulled out of Narcissa's embrace. It was a thankful smile that rarely graced her pale face, but it was lovely and meaningful nonetheless.

"Thanks, Cissa."

"Maybe after supper we can sit in your room and play some records?" Narcissa smiled and wrapped an arm around Bellatrix's shoulder. The two girls then walked down to the great hall for breakfast.

'Come on, come on, come on, touch me babe! Don't you know, that I am not afraid? What was that promise that you made…'

Narcissa stepped away from her record player that spun the latest album of the Doors. She sat down on her sister's bed just across from her sister. They were both wearing very short shorts and tank tops with their hair piled up on their heads held there by clips. Bellatrix leaned over the side of her bed to grab two bottles of nail polish from her bedside table.

"Which polish do you want, black or black?" Narcissa smiled and grabbed the nail polish from her sister's hand.

"It was a tough decision but I think black is acceptable." The two girls laughed and began polishing each other's toenails.

"You know Cissa, this will probably be one of the last times we get to do something like this." Bellatrix stated evenly.

"That's not true." Narcissa frowned. "There will still be moments like this in the future. Nothing can part sisters."

Bellatrix smiled silently. The record played onto its next song allowing the girls to slip away into the music.

"We should just run away." Narcissa said randomly.

"Are you nuts?" Bellatrix replied. "Dad would kill us."

"Not if he couldn't find us!"

"That is the most stupid thing you've said in your life. Now, finish my left foot."

Narcissa ignored her sister's wiggling toes and stood on the bed. "Why is wanting to be free such a stupid idea?"

"Because you thought of it." Bellatrix laughed and through her pillow at Narcissa who then fell backwards off the bed. Narcissa rubbed the back of her sore head and laughed.

"Alright, so it was a stupid idea." She picked herself up off the floor and leaned on the side of the bed. "But at least it made me feel liberated for a second." Bellatrix nodded.

"We all have to carry our burdens, Cissa."

A knock at the door diverted the two girls from their talk. Bellatrix didn't bother to reply to the knock, she just leaned back in her bed and tried to ignore it. Unfortunately the knock was persistent and would not cease.

"What?" Bellatrix yelled angrily at the door.

"Some guy is at the base of the stairs looking for your sister." The voice of a girl called through the door. "He gave me money to get her." Bellatrix rolled her eyes.

"Well, Cissa, Lucius awaits." Bellatrix said with a wave of her hand. Narcissa scrunched her nose.

"You don't think I'm going to go down there, do you?" Narcissa said as she pulled herself onto the bed. She looked at the wall distantly as she remembered the events from the morning. Bellatrix looked at her curiously.

"Did something weird happen between you two recently?" She inquired.

"No!" Narcissa got up off the bed. "If you want me to see him that bad, then fine! I will, but I just didn't want to!" Bellatrix smirked as her sister left her dorm slamming the door behind her.

Narcissa stomped down the stairs leading to the common room. There she saw Lucius standing at the bottom of the stairs biting into an apple. He glanced up at her and gave her the once over before giving her a charming smile.

"I didn't mean to disturb you-"

"Well you did." Narcissa interrupted. "I'm busy goodnight." Lucius stepped up the stairs quickly and grabbed her arm before she continued any further up the stairs. "What do you want?" Narcissa growled.

"I just wanted to talk to you… to see you." Lucius replied taking her hand more gently in his own and caressing it with his thumb.

"You've seen me and we talked, goodnight."

"Wait! Narcissa just wait." Lucius said in an almost frustrated voice. "Will you come for a walk with me? There is something I must show you." Narcissa looked down at him thoughtfully before making her choice.

"Alright…" She said quietly. "But let me at least get changed." Lucius smiled.

Heyyyy, yeah. Long time since I've updated… sorry guys, I'm just so busy. But here is something to quench your thirst. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.