Narcissa Black was sitting alone on that crisp evening. She watched the leaves fall from the Oak tree above her with mild interest, the only sounds that could be heard was her breathing, and the lapping of gentle water from the lake. Pulling up her sleeve, she inspected her arm. Flawless skin. No brand, no mark, nothing. It was a small piece of dignity that kept her going; she would not work for Voldemort no matter what. Never would she lower her standards to become a death eater. More and more people were dying, and it was tearing her up inside. After her argument with Remus earlier on, she had kept her distance from the marauders, even though James, Sirius and Peter had no problem with her, she deemed it sensible not to intrude. A constant war was going on in her head. Half of her wanted to kiss him and forgive him, assuring him there was nothing between Sirius and herself. And although in most perspective that was true, a small part of her spoke against this.

You'd be lying to yourself, Narcissa. Something in her brain was speaking to her, surveying her with curiousity. Did you ever even love Remus, Narcissa? No, you did not. You only wanted him to get closer to Sirius... The voice was cold and intruding; her mind flickered with images that were not hers. Why not be honest towards Remus - you don't even love him.

Yes, I do love Remus.

Such lies Narcissa, such LIES ...
Leave me alone!
Lies... Lies... Lies...


Tears ran down her face, and a triumphant laugh in her mind told her, whoever it was, had succeeded in torturing her. Whoever it was left abruptly. Closing her eyes, she tried to sleep, tried to block anything and everything out ...

She must of dozed off for a while, because when her eyes opened she was faced by a misty air, the night sky now dark. It was not full moon, but that was hardly any reassurance. A wet, cold nose pushed against cheek. She started, only to see a big, black dog sitting next to her, it's head to one side, watching her. She blinked; and saw it was now Sirius sitting next to her.
"I forgot you were an Animagus," she said quietly, pushing her blonde hair back of her face.
He smiled. "Where've you been? You dissapeared, dear cousin."
"Argument with-"
"Ah, that explains things then." He leant back against the tree, his hair flopping over his face. He was so ... handsome. Carelessly handsome. "He's been pretty depressed ever since you both walked off together. What happened; if you don't mind me asking? James tried to ask but Moony got pretty angry with him and went off to the Library. Wormy tried too, but Moony actually pointed his wand at him and threatened him to keep away. I decided not to ask - what would of been the point?" He paused, watching her rub her tearstained face with her hand. "Did he make you cry, Narcissa?" His tone changed.
She nodded, then shook her head. He looked imploringly at her, as if urging her to speak. "Yes and noSomething, or someone, entered my mind, told me things, manipulated my thoughts and loaded images into my mind that were so horrible. They looked futuristic, nothing similiar to what we're used to now. Sirius, Remus thinks..."
Narcissa paused. Should she ruin a friendship with Sirius, and a relationship with Remus?

Sirius saw her hestitate, and he placed a hand on hers. "This isn't going to change anything between us all, dear cousin." As his hand covered hers she instantly felt warmer, inside and out. "He thinks ... he thinks ... I love you."
For a moment, his expression did not change, and she feared the worst. But then his face broke out into a smile. "Well - I love you, Narcissa."
"Sirius - he means love love."
"I know."
"What? Did you hear me-"
Sirius sighed. "Narcissa, I have been blessed with magnificent hearing, but in answer to your question, yes, I did hear you, and yes, I do love you."
She was silenced. Her attention was half-caught by the murmur of the lake and the sound of the low wind swirling around them. He leant forward to kiss her, and the moment she kissed him she regretted it, but he was so warm, tender, loving ... his lips brushed against hers for more when-

"NARCISSAAAA! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"

Sirius was shaking her. He had somehow intruded hospitality by enterting the Slytherin common room, were Narcissa was on the couch, asleep. "Whaa- oh!" she blushed, realising it had all been a dream, just a terrible, misleading dream.
"It's Quidditch, you doze! Slytherin VS Gryffindor; and WE will obviously win." He pulled her up smugly. "I think you'd better talk to Remus, though ..." she saw he was in Quidditch outfit; his red cape flowing gently. "You don't-"
"Play Quidditch? Heh - I'm Keeper for this match. Should be fun. Well - what are you waiting for - lets go!"
She stood, yawning, catching her reflection in the mirror by the bookcase. She looked rather tired, her blonde hair slightly messy. Sirius had left, and was waiting outside the portrait, when the words from last night happened again.

You'd be lying to yourself, Narcissa. Something in her brain was speaking to her, surveying her with curiousity. Did you ever even love Remus, Narcissa? No, you did not. You only wanted him to get closer to Sirius... The voice was cold and intruding; her mind flickered with images that were not hers. Why not be honest towards Remus - you don't even love him.

Yes, I do love Remus.

Such lies Narcissa, such LIES ...
Leave me alone!
Lies... Lies... Lies...

She shook her head, and brushing herself down, went to join Sirius.