OK so someone (Steph :P lol) asked me why Narcissa reminded the three mauraders what they had done after the last charms in OWLS. now - JKRowling mentioned the maurders closing in on snape after the defence against the dark arts exam, but they did this too, for a different reason. enough explanation; read on!
Narcissa could not
concentrate on this class - for several reasons in paticular. One was
Dumbledore was teaching the lesson for that day, and although
Dumbledore and herself were on friendly terms, he had restricted her
from sitting with her friends. "No, Narcissa, sit with Mr.Malfoy
today." She opened her mouth to object but Dumbledore gave her a
slight eyebrow raise which silenced any form of argument, so picking
up her bag glumly, she went to sit next to Lucius, who looked rather
smug. "Hello, dearest," he smirked, raising an eyebrow at
her appricieatevely. She rolled her eyes and turned away from him.
She saw Sirius mouthing "HA-HA" at her, so she stuck her
tongue out and crossed her eyes.
"Quite an alluring look,
Miss Black," Dumbledore commented as he surveyed the class, "but
not right now, if you mind." She smiled apologetically at him
and began to listen as he discussed, with some hestiance, the use of
the unforgivable curses. Narcissa listened and was interested, but
not as interested as her sister or friends. Bellatrix was scribbling
notes down excitedly. Dumbledore coughed slightly. "Bellatrix, I
have not asked you to take any notes regarding the three
unforgiveable curses, am I correct?"
"Yes, sir - but I'm
really interested in them." Bellatrix replied, a scowl disorting
her relatively pretty face. Dumbledore inclined his head at her
words, and considered her for a few moments over his half moon
spectacles. "I take it you are passionate about the dark arts,
Bellatrix?"
"But, of course professor - the dark arts is
one of the most fasincating subjects around!"
"I see, I see,"
he murmured to nobody in paticular. He allowed Bellatrix to resume
taking notes at top speed, mildly fasincated at the girl, whilst he
told evil yet great stories, about wizards and witches whom had been
attacked by one of the unforgiveable curses. Near the end of the
class, Dumbledore's last few words were rather grave. "And any
of you who desire joining the dark side," he glanced at
Bellatrix and Regulus mainly, "it is not an enjoyable
task."
"You speak as if you served for him, Professor,"
Bellatrix sneered, looking put out that he had tried to critisice
Voldemort. Dumbledore did not berate the dark haired witch for not
only contridicting the matter but insulting him, he merely smiled.
"I
was at Hogwarts when he was." He told them simply, "I
taught him for one of his classes." The class looked eager to
know more, but at that prescice moment, the bell rung, and Dumbledore
silently signalled them to all leave. Narcissa immediatley went over
to join James, Sirius and Lupin, when Dumbledore interuppted any
formation of conversation. "Mr Potter, Black, Lupin and Miss
Black - Mr Pettigrew will be returning tomorrow morning. I am sure
you will be happy with his return." And with a smile, he left
the class without another word.
"Yeah right!" snorted
Sirius incredulously, "lets hope Wormy gets food poisoning
again." James and Narcissa laughed, and even Remus couldn't help
smiling. It was lunchtime now, so of they all headed to the Great
Hall.
Narcissa didn't feel
paticularly hungry, but she brushed that aside when she saw the
delicious looking food waiting for her. She sat down at the
Gryffindor table once more; she was acusstomed to it now. Remus sat
next to her, his arm briefly brushing against hers. She selected a
sandwich and pressed it to her lips, and was suprised at how
delicious it was. She hadn't appriceated food for a long time. Remus
watched her with amusement. "You need to eat more, Narcissa,"
he pretended to be cross with her, but he couldn't stop his eyes
shining. "Give me a chance and I will," she replied,
finishing off her sandwich.
Five minutes had barely passed when
Bellatrix wandered into the great hall, made her way distastefully
towards the Gryffindor table, and whispered to her sister to come
outside. Something had happened, clearly. Motioning she'd be right
back to her friends, Narcissa stood up and left the great hall with
Bellatrix. "What's wrong?"
"What isn't?"
Bellatrix replied passionatley, her eyes gleaming. "The Dark
Lord is sending for recruitments."
"Meaning?"
Narcissa replied dully, an eyebrow raised.
"Meaning,"
Bellatrix smirked, adding extra emphasis, "That he wants more
followers. So, Reg, Rod, Lucius, Crabbe, Snape, Goyle and I will be
going to sign up tonight. We're skipping dinner to go meet him in
Hogsmeade - it's all sorted." She finished in a flourish,
looking bright and happy. "Isn't that fantastic?" Narcissa
looked appalled.
"No! Why on earth is Severus signing up - he
can't be a death eater - and nor can you or Lucius."
"I
thought you didn't care about Lucius," Bellatrix grinned
maliciously, her eyes glittering.
"As a friend I do,"
Narcissa corrected her sister, "and I most defintley do not want
Sev or you to sign up. I can't bare it. What will mother and father
say about it?"
"Who cares?" Bellatrix said in a
singsong voice, skittering awa, leaving Narcissa stare at an empty
space.
A few moments later she pulled herself together and re-entered the great hall, and went to sit down again. She selected a sandwich but did not bother eating it. "So, what did your stupid sister say?" James asked loudly through a mouthful of sandwiches, causing a few people to stare at him.
"Just that she's going to sign up for Voldemort's army tonight - with Severus, Crabbe, Goyle, Lucius, Rodolphus and your brother, Sirius." Narcissa replied mechnically, terror seizing her. What the hell where they playing at? She cracked her knuckles, feeling sick to her stomach.
"Doesn't suprise me,"
Sirius replied loftily, "Reg was always desperate to get in good
books with Voldemort, so, you know. Not suprised about Crabbe or
Goyle either," he added, selecting a few chocolate frogs that
appeared out of no were, "They're so stupid they probably won't
realise what they're comitting themselves to. As for Snivellus,
Voldemort won't keep him for long unless Snivellus invests in some
Shampoo that actually works. And, Lucius, I wouldn't really be
suprised either, but I don't think being a death eater would suit
him," Sirius swallowed the remaining chocolate frog, "and
your sister has always been eccentric, hasn't she?"
Narcissa
nodded, still worried. "Doesn't it bother you about Reg,
Sirius?"
"Nope," Sirius replied darkly, "It'll
please mum and dad to no end how their little Regulus is turning
out!" He scoffed, shoving more food in his mouth as if in
agitation. "I second what Sirius said," Added James
helpfully, looking sympathetic towards Narcissa. Remus placed a hand
on her arm making her jump slightly, but then relax. His hand was
suprisingly warm and soothed her. She looked enquiringly at him.
"Well, maybe Voldemort won't be interested in them, Narcissa,"
he reassured, "chin up." She smiled at him, and restricted
the urge to wrap her arms around his neck for a hug.
And now ... and now to wait.
