After sitting face to face with the ultimate murderer and master of betraylment, Narcissa felt quite uneasy. She confined herself to her superior bedroom, and sat on the midnight themed double bed, her fingers tracing the star-patterned quilt as she lost herself in thought. Why did he have to place seeds of doubt in her mind? She had no real desire to join "the dark side" as her sister called it; she wanted to be left alone and enjoy life the way it should be enjoyed. Lying back on the pillows, she had the sudden urge to sleep out the pain, yet she was not tired. At that moment, a brown owl she did not recognize sat on her windowsill, tapping the window panes with it's beak impatiently. Sitting up, she climbed off her bed and opened the window, letting a cold breeze in. The owl was now perched ontop of her dresser, ruffling it's feathers. The letter perched in it's beak dropped to the floor carelessly. She bent and picked it up, unsealed the envelope, and retrieved a short letter. She recongised Sirius's untidy scrawl immediatley, and a smile covered her face.

Dear Cissy, he had wrote,

I hope you're alright. Granted, you've only been gone a few hours but already things are becoming uncertain. Something is up with Remus, but when isn't? James has gone off somewere with Lily, and I've left Wormtail in the library, he was bugging me so I left him there - and decided to write to you. What's going on there? Strange for your parents to summon you home so quickly; we all await your return, dear cousin.

Love,

Sirius x x x

The letter in her hand crumpled, and even though he wasn't in the room she blushed. He'd put the word love. He'd also put three kisses. Voldemort had told her what Sirius regarded her with, but should she really believe someone as evil as himself? A selfish impulse struck her all of a sudden - when she saw Sirius next, she would be brutually honest with him about how they both felt about one another. Would he admit the feeling was mutual? Probably not. He was too much of a joker in most serious times. Grabbing a role of parchment on her desk, along with an inkpot and quill, she scribbled back furiously.

Dearest cousin,

I'm okay. Voldemort came and talked to me; he wants me to join his side. I really don't think the question he asked is going to recieve an affirmiative, do you? Remus is probably furious with me because I don't shower him with love as much as I should; I regret it. It's just - I don't think I can right now. I can't explain why. Good on you for abandoning Wormtail, shame it couldn't be permanent! Only kidding. I still am unaware as to what my parents want to discuss, but I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Write back,

Lots, of love,

Narcissa x x

Attatching her response to the owl, it nipped her affectionatley before flying out of the window. She sighed, and rummaged through her back, and retrieved the photo albumn James had given her for Christmas. Propping herself up against her sequined pillows, she began to flick through the photos. The first one was of all five of them, laughing together into the camera. She was in the middle of Remus and Sirius, and she hadn't really noticed it at the time, but in the photo, his arm went to slide around her waist, but decided against it, and at the precise moment the camera had flashed, he looked into the camera with a dazzling smile and gleaming blue eyes. Remus was looking tired (was full moon approaching? Her memory escaped her now.) James and Wormtail were pushing each other, just to be annoying, but both smiling. The next photograph was of her and James, and he was doing the peace sign above her head, and she was looking at him, laughing with amusement. She turned a page, and the photo of her and Remus kissing moved in animation before her eyes. A tear splashed onto the picture. She looked at the next photo. Her eyes became large; she had certainly not remembered this being taken. It was of Sirius and her, and he was talking to her, looking intently into her eyes. She slammed the albumn shoot and threw it down the bed. Why did she have to be reminded of it - again?

"Narcissa! Dinner!"
Her mothers shrill call could not go ignored, so dragging herself to her feet, she limped downstairs. Bellatrix was already eating some sort of stew, which looked disgusting. Narcissa took a seat by her sister, and took a slice of bread, dipping it into her stew, whilst gazing at her mother apphrensively. "So - what did you both do at school today?"
Her mothers tones were beyond caring; it was clear she had no real interest in what either of her daughters did. Bellatrix made an uncommital noise, and Narcissa merely said, "Watched the Quidditch match - Gryffindor versues Slytherin."
"Oh, good," replied her mother, not really listening. "Who won?"
"Gryffindor," said Narcissa with a smile. Her mother sighed.
"Narcissa, you and I have something to discuss." Her mothers tones became nicer now, almost sweet. Her smile was transfixed upon her blonde daughter, making her feel uneasy. "How's Lucius Malfoy these days?"
Narcissa shrugged.
"Well, there is no easy way to say this, dear." Her mother leant forward slightly, light radiating from the diamond necklace around her neck, "You're marrying him."
Narcissa choked. "I - what?"

Her mother nodded. "Yes ... arranged marriage would of been too common, but you will have to marry him."
"And why," Narcissa replied bitterly, "Would I do that?"
"Many, many reasons. Firstly, he is pureblood; so are you. It will keep up the tradition. Secondly, we are running out of money, and his wealth is delightful. Very rich, are the Malfoys. And, we need that money. Being broke does not suit us, Narcissa. I hope you understand the warning symbols of this situation."
Narcissa stood up and kicked her chair aside. "I will NOT marry scum like Lucius Malfoy; who cares if we are broke? Other families survive without the luxuries we live with. Why should it make any difference? Bellatrix is marrying Rodolphus WILLINGLY, and he is rich. So, that shall tide you over, should it not?"
Her mother shook her head. "Rodolphus Lestrange is not as rich as the Malfoys, dear."
Narcissa went to storm out of the room. "Well, you can forget me marrying Lucius, mother." And with that, she slammed the door, and ran upstairs to her bedroom, locking the door savagely. She threw herself onto her bed and began to cry. Marry Lucius? No, she wouldn't. She couldn't. She never would ,ever.