The first week passed without anything eventful. Narcissa had gotten used to the castle and it's strange ways faster than most, mainly thanks to Andromeda's warnings of hidden walls and short-cuts and joking steps that shrank away when you stepped on them.
She found the work enjoyable, and was glad to say that she performed well in the majority of her classes. Her Charms Professor had marvelled at her quick and neat wandwork, saying it was the neatest she'd seen in a long, long time and that her control was magnificent for one so young.
She'd received similar comments from her Professor of Potions and Slytherin Head of House, Professor Slughorn. Also from her Transfiguration Professor who was positively delighted by her perfect stainless steel needle that she had produced in her second lesson. There were a few subjects that Narcissa herself didn't care for, however, one of them being Herbology, substantially due to the fact that she hated working in the grubby greenhouses and getting dirt under her fingernails whilst trying to avoid being attacked by various screaming and biting plants. She would have been quite interested in History of Magic also, if it wasn't for the teacher who taught it as he were almost dead.
There were some things that intrigued Narcissa about her Professors; one was that every single one seemed to have some reaction to her name when calling the register, for example Professor Slughorn had practically done a jig around the dungeon and her Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher appeared to have a minor nervous break down. This had amused Narcissa, for her Defence Against The Dark Arts lesson had taken place on Thursday afternoon and she was aware that Bellatrix had had the subject that very morning. She had an inkling that his extreme reaction had something to do with her eldest sibling.
Her worst lesson by far had been her Flying lesson. Narcissa had tried her hardest, but the broom seemed reluctant to go anywhere near her hand. When she had finally managed to mount it she had been so terrified that it had shook violently as she guided it forwards and she dismounted for fear of being thrown off. Rabastan and Lucius Malfoy, on the other hand, seemed to excel at Flying, and Narcissa had watched in slight envy as the raced each other round the Quidditch Pitch.
Narcissa spent her times in lessons with Rabastan and they had been quick to bond. He had a good sense of humour and Narcissa found herself giggling more than once behind her hands at his jokes. She had spoken to Lucius a few times, but generally found his company dull and he seemed even less interested in her, preferring to spend time surrounded by his "numb-skull" friends as Rabastan called them.
Out of lesson she spent even more time with Rabastan, although it was in the company of Bellatrix and Rodolphus and the rest of their friends. Lucius was part of this wider-circle also and seemed to hold a certain authority over some of the other Slytherins, some even in the years above him. This had not gone unnoticed by Narcissa.
'Rabastan.' Narcissa said, sometime during their second week when they were walking along the grounds, having just passed Lucius and two other Slytherin boys.
'Mm?'
'Have you noticed how popular Malfoy is already?' She frowned. 'I mean, he's not exactly the most interesting person, is he?'
Rabastan laughed, and shook his head. 'It's not that, Narcissa. It's his name, isn't it?'
'What do you mean?'
'He's a Malfoy. He's pure-blood, wealthy, comes from a very, very powerful family.' He stopped walking, and gazed over at Malfoy. Narcissa stopped and followed his gaze, Malfoy was talking, exaggerating points with his hands and the two Slytherin boys seemed captivated, and nodded vigorously. 'It's the same with you and me. More you though.' He added, with a smile.
'I never thought about it like that.' She said, as she brushed strands of white-blonde hair from her face. She had held it in place with a black hair-band that day, but the wind was proving to be a stronger force.
Rabastan flopped down on the grass, and held up a hand to shield his eyes from the sun as he looked up at her. 'Never heard your mother and father go off on one about pure-blood families?'
Narcissa lowered herself on the ground beside him, making sure her skirt was not riding up before sitting down properly. She crossed her legs at her ankles, and lent back on her palms. 'Yes. I have.' It was true, on many occasions she had heard her mother and father converse with each other about pure-blood lineage, and scold the thought of Muggle-borns or even half-bloods.
'That's basically it, I think, I mean… he's a bit of an arrogant git, so it can't be his personality.'
Narcissa laughed gently, but did not remove her eyes from Lucius.
'I suppose…' Rabastan paused. 'I suppose it's a bit different for us though, we're younger siblings, all eyes are on other people. Although, I have noticed a lot of eyes on you.'
Narcissa stopped staring at Malfoy and looked at Rabastan with her mouth open. 'What? Why? What have I done?'
The auburn haired boy chuckled, green eyes glinting mischievously. 'You haven't done anything.'
'Then why are people looking at me, Rabastan?' She asked, rather forcefully, she didn't really want to be hated by everyone else for some unknown reason within the first couple of weeks.
'I don't know, Narcissa.' He shrugged and looked away from her, a small sigh escaping his lips. Narcissa frowned at him, but was aware that he wasn't going to say anymore. She was slightly worried, but it was a comfort for her to know that she had Bellatrix looking out for her and from the things she had observed within the castle already Bellatrix was not someone who other people crossed easily.
They sat together in silence for a while, watching the sky and the other students who strolled the grounds until a great bell rang in the distance signalling lunch. They followed eagerly.
