Narcissa did not sleep that night. She tossed and turned, but it was all in vain. When she did finally sleep, it was a nightmare. Remus was mocking her as he had done by the lake, but it all seemed so much more real now. She could taste the air, feel the touch of his hair, re-feel the emotions of what she went through. The scene kept replaying as if to torture her, but she endured it. When she awoke, she looked somewhat refreshed. It was if she had battled her nightmare, and by doing so she had beaten Voldemort again. But only just. Glancing at the old fashioned clock on her dresser, she was informed it was eleven o'clock. Slightly suprised at her long sleep, she spoke into the now sunlit room. "Athena?" There was a loud crack, and the house elf appeared, bobbing her head from side to side as she greeted her mistress. "Mistress!" squeaked Athena, "What can I get you?"
Narcissa smiled, running a hand through her hair. "Some toast would be nice ..."
"French toast?"
"No, no, just toast."
But the elf had already dissapeared. Sighing slightly, she padded along to the bathroom, and showered quickly, washing her hair carefully. After a ten minute shower and hairwash, she wrapped a fluffy dressing gown around her and wrapped her hair in a turbun, before walking back into her bedroom. A tray had been set on her bed, complete with French toast and fresh orange juice - and, a letter? Dropping down onto the bed, she picked up the letter, and unsealed it carefully. It must be Sirius replying. And, so it was.

Dear Cissy,


Thanks for your quick response, I was actually wondering if you'd forget about me or not, I know how pureblood-obsessed you can become at times. She laughed at his pointed sarcasam, and leaning back against the wall, she resumed reading. I agree with you about Moony, it's upsetting. I'll try speak to him later. And, bloody hell, why the hell would Voldemort want you to join his rebellion? Isn't it painstakingly obvious you're a good pureblood? Wait - is there such a thing? Oh yeah, there is, cause I'm one too. Don't bother replying, as you'll be back later anyway, so there wouldn't be much point. We just sat through a rather boring Potions lesson, listening to Slughorn praise Malfoy because he'd finally made one good potion - I mean, who cares? Slimey git. Anyway - see you later.

Love you,
Sirius x x x

She smoothed the letter down and put it in her photo albumn for safe keeping. She undid her turbin, and pointed her wand at it, murmuring a spell that would dry it completely. All of a sudden, her wet dripping hair turned into thick, lushious, warm hair, curling at her chest as it usually did. Picking up some toast, she decided what she was going to do for the rest of the day. Just getting ready to go back to Hogwarts, she supposed. Bellatrix would be returning at 8 o'clock precisely, whereas Narcissa wished to return at 4 o'clock, so she could catch up with her friends after their last lesson. Grabbing some rolls of parchment, she began to finish a couple of essays, but that didn't take very long. She yawned - being at home was so boring! Her eyes began to droop, and she dropped her head on the desk, and fell asleep.
Narcissa awoke, and to her delight saw it was half past three. She got changed quickly into her uniform and robes, and stuffed a few possessions in her bag; most of them were at school, anyway. Running downstairs, she made her way to the modernised fireplace, and grabbed some floo power. "Hogwarts!" she said clearly, and within a nano second, had vanished admist emerald flames.
She arrived with a bump in the headmasters office, and was delighted to see Albus Dumbledore was sitting there, as if waiting. He inclined his head towards her in greeting but did not speak, so she returned the nod with a smile, before dusting herself down and heading out of his office. Descending the gargoyle, she looked around. People were leaving classrooms, talking and laughing together, looking relaxed. They must of finished the last lesson of the day. She walked past her empty Transfiguration classroom, when somebody threw their arms around her. "Cissy!"

It was Sirius. As he hugged her, there was just ... something about it that nobody could describe unless they themselves experienced it. It was the way his hands traced down her back and rested around her waist; the warmth of his body brushing against hers. She responded by brushing her lips against his smooth cheek in greeting, her hands running through his constantly messy hair. Although slightly too intimate for normal cousins, nobody appeared to care. They broke free. It was good Remus, James and Peter weren't around; suspicions would be running high. "Where are the others?" she asked, rubbing her cheek.

"Common room - I think." He turned to leave. "You coming?"
"What do you think?" she smiled, and accompanied him towards the picture of the fat lady. "After all - there's something I need to tell you."
He didn't meet her eyes, but continued walking. "And what would that be?"
"You'll find out soon enough," she replied wearily. He glanced at her with suprise, but there was not much he could do. They stood in front of the portrait of the fat lady, and Sirius muttered the password, before the door swung open in acceptance. Stepping through the hole, they found themselves in a somewhat empty common room. Narcissa sat by the fire on the couch, Sirius sat in the arm chair on her right. He surveyed her through glittering eyes, as if waiting for her to speak. But she couldn't. The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat so she passed it off as a cough. He continued to watch her thoughtfully. "I think," he said after a while, "they're running a little late. Perhaps they have a detention or something ... I really don't know." He grinned at her, and she smiled.
"Sirius," she whispered, suprised to find her voice suprisingly quiet, "there's something I have to tell you and only you; and this is different from what I'll be telling all of you later." He was listening intently now, as she had presumed he would. She gulped, and then swallowed. A pit of forbidding circled her stomach, but she brushed it aside. "I don't want this to change anything between us, but it probably will unintentionally ... but ... I love you."
He did not seem suprised; if anything the intensity of his gaze grew stronger. It caused her to blush, and her blonde hair fell over her face. He opened his mouth to reply, his cheeks darkening, "I lo-"

They were interuppted by the portait door swinging open, and in climbed Peter, James and Remus. They joined Sirius and Narcissa, looking bright and alert. "You're back early, Narcissa," teased James, "I bet you couldn't wait to be back in Hogwarts after all that guff you face at home."
She smiled at him, reminding herself that they didn't know Sirius was trying to reply to what she had admitted. Sirius was pale now; the crimson that had momentarily appeared on his cheeks had begun to fade.
"There's something I have to tell you all," she said quietly, and all eyes fixed upon hers, questioningly. "Well ..."
"Hurry up," yawned James, "I'm hungry."
She thwacked his arm. "Shut up, Prongs! But seriously. My parents summoned me home to bequest me with a wish of theirs."
"And what would that wish be?" winked Sirius. She rolled her eyes.
"My mother wants me to marry Lucius Malfoy as our profits are not sufficient enough for her liking; and they have alot of money."
This caused alot of fury between them.
"That's INSANE," shrieked James, and Narcissa was momentarily reminded of a girl.
"I don't get it," said Wormtail. "But it must be bad if James is acting like a girly-girl."
"They can't - Bellatrix is marrying Rodolphus and he is extremely rich; won't that do?" pondered Remus.

Sirius said nothing. His eyes merely burned.
"Apparently, Rodolphus Lestrange is not as "wealthly equipped" as Lucius Malfoy, the git." Narcissa sank back into the couch, worry penetraying her face. "I don't know what to do."