"I have to go soon," said Narcissa after her sixth helping of Butterbeer, "Bellatrix will be wondering where I have got to; we leave together in half an hour or so." She was sitting opposite the flickering flames that were held back from spitting by a charm, the marble fireplace glowing as it reflected the happy yet somewhat tired faces in front of it. Above the fireplace was a thin yet tall mirror, in which, from time to time, someone from a portrait would enter to spy upon them for their own personal entertainment. Narcissa was sitting on the ruby coloured couch, her eyelids drooping. She had her head on Remus's lap and her feet over Sirius's, and if she were left to her own devices, she would not of wanted to get up. Sirius shifted his weight. "It'll be nice not to have a heavy lump such as yourself resting upon me for much longer."
"I regret it," she replied with a flicker of a smile, sitting up with considerable effort. The warm atmosphere was so inviting to stay and dwell upon, but she had to go. Pushing her blonde hair off her face and behind her shoulders, she stood up, and couldn't help but to catch herself looking in the mirror. She wasn't as skinny as she had been on her arrival at Hogwarts last september, she had filled out. Her blue eyes were now more vibrant, but by her expression that was worn when she had nothing to contribute, it was obvious secrets were hidden beneath the mask she wore. After regarding her reflection for a few more moments, she turned to consider her boyfriend, cousin and friends. "I better get going."
Remus stood, a tired yet weary expression crossing his face. He approached her: their lips met, just. It lasted less than a second, so it seemed. His lips brushed against hers but she did not respond. She was worried about the possibilities that faced her at home - what did her parents want? Was it because her grades had slipped? She somehow doubted that, but even so. James and Wormtail nodded at her before bidding farewell, too lazy to get to their feet. Sirius however, stood up.

"Take care. When will you be back?"
"Tomorrow evening, I would imagine."
Wormtail sloshed most of his Butterbeer down his front as his eyes closed, falling asleep. James supressed a laugh, and Sirius had an odd smile on his face. He glanced at Remus, who was sitting back down again, his own eyes closing with fatigue. "See ya, dear cousin."
"Right back at ya, Padfoot." Her own attempt at amusing sarcasam caused him to smile again. She left in a flourish, cheeks burning, her mind on fire. The voice of "the one they feared most" had echoed numbly through her brain through the celebration. She had tried to block it out but it kept coming back, worse each time. She half ran, half walked, to were Bellatrix was waiting. Her long dark hair was maddening, poofing out like a Peacock when it broadens it's feathers in elegance. Her dark eyes bored into Narcissa's calming blue ones, and she simpered slightly. A carriage awaited them that pulled itself, waiting patiently. They clambered aboard and it set off at a steady yet efficent pace, towards the boats.

Two hours and a short sleep later, they were in their own home. Bellatrix was acting odd, she kept rushing to the mirror in the large hallway to perfect her hair every five minutes, or to check on her make-up. Narcissa didn't think it was a good idea to dwell on her sisters actions, but it did feel good to be back - even if it was only momentarily. Acting on instinct, Narcissa wandered into the kitchen and poured herself a generous amount of Firewhisky, when a loud crack made her drop out of her skin, and drop the glass. It shattered into millions of pieces, the liquid from it spilling all over the floor.
"Sorry, miss!" whimpered an unlucky elf, cowering as if it expected to be hit in punishment. She smiled warmly at the elf - it had never been her intention to inflict pain on an animal, or elf. Pointing her wand at the glass, she murmured "Reparo,"and it shot back together, and landed on the work-top. Picking up some cleaning facilty that her mother swore by, she began to wipe up the liquid. She glanced up at the trembling elf, still smiling. "It's okay, Athena," she reassured, "but could you get me some more drink?"
"Yes, miss," squeaked the elf, it's giant tennis-ball like eyes glistening with tears. It rushed over to the fridge and returned a nano-second later with a bottle of Firewhisky, and poured her another generous measure.
"Thanks, Athena," replied Narcissa, sipping her drink in a relaxed manner. "How are you?"
"Okay, thank you miss," replied Athena, looking shabby and exhausted, "just tired."
Narcissa sighed, her parents were so cruel to their elves, and never did appriceate their methods towards their servants. "Athena," she begun, in a voice that defined authority and power, "As I am one of your mistresses, I order you to go have some sleep."
Athena's eyes glistened.
"Thank you, Mistress!" she whimpered, and with another loud crack, she was gone. Narcissa swilled the orange coloured liquid around in her glass, speculating upon why she and her sister had been summoned home at such an inappropiate time. Placing the empty glass on the work-top with a slight bang, she stood up and wandered into the hallway, deciding to go to her bedroom for a while to read. Narcissa was only half-way up the stairs when her sisters cries caused her to slow.
"We were not expecting you til later," she gushed, and Narcissa could imagine the doe-eyed expression on her sisters face, as she attempted to please whichever guest was visiting. She sat on the stairs, gazing through the slats that held the staircase up. Their vistor's face was not in view, and their voice could not be heard. Bellatrix continued to gush, banter and flatter their guest, running a hand through her hair as she attempted to emphasise the length she had gone to. At last, a noise was only just heard: someone kissing her sisters hand. Rolling her eyes, Narcissa stood up again, only to be stopped.
"I guess you would like to see her, now?" her sister asked, twirling a strand of dark hair around her finger, her eyelids batting. Whoever it was confirmed this question, and Bellatrix called to her sister. "Narcissa - somebody is here to see you."
Half-dithering whether or not to ignore her sister, Narcissa made her way down the staircase, and looked at her sister, an eyebrow raised. "Well?"
"Narcissa," said the voice she was used to, but not in person, "It's an honour to meet you, I daresay I hope the feeling is mutual?"

She froze. It was him.