I drew you
Summer rain paint.
That is how I recognized you.
I remember you.
A child's gaze, a brother's heart,
Lightness of paints and colors.
I was so glad to you
You're just not ready.
"What does all of this mean?" the angry voice of the Fat Lady guarding the entrance to the Gryffindor common room made Narcissa shrink and jump to the side.
She begged Belinda's invisibility cloak for half an hour. An hour passed, and she still did not use it for its intended purpose. At first, the girl for about forty minutes convinced herself that she just needed to talk to Sirius. That it is not scary at all - you just need to track him down and give a sign that she is here. All would be fine, but Sirius, it seems, never appeared alone. The whole time he was accompanied by a crowd of these damn Gryffindors, which did not allow Narcissa to approach him in the open. But now she has an invisibility cloak, and you can safely go in search of Sirius. The raincoat is not scary. Not scary? Ha! For those forty minutes she had been convincing herself that for the past school month she had just imagined Sirius's dislike.
The past month has been a nightmare that began as soon as the train arrived at the Hogwarts platform. She literally felt the whisperings and looks with her skin. Of course, not every academic year began with such a high-profile event. The beautiful Narcissa became inaccessible to other gentlemen, she had a legal chosen one. And what a! Handsome and rich Lucius Malfoy! Everyone was bursting to hear the story of their unrestrained passion: two young hearts suddenly realized that they could not live a day without each other and, almost in defiance of their parents, rushed into their love, like into a pool. A beautiful story. Maybe the first and second year of Hufflepuff would have believed in her, but the rest of the students - not a dime. It was too difficult to imagine the haughty, capricious and smiling Narcissa Black capable of ardent feelings. As for Lucius Malfoy, it seemed incredible at all. Children who grew up in magical families, of course, knew about the traditions of concluding purebred marriages, but these traditions were not honored in all homes. Many have already forgotten about them. As for the Muggle-born children ... They had no idea about such rituals at all. Thus, the news of the sudden engagement became a sensation.
There was one person who could understand Narcissa as she thought. But the man left the train, accompanied by James Potter and Lily Evans, and did not even look back at Narcissa, even though they caught up on the platform. Lucius disappeared somewhere, Marisa disappeared into the crowd of freshmen, and the newly-made betrothed was left alone. She walked slowly towards the horseless four-seater carriages. Narcissa deliberately walked slowly so that all the carriages would leave, and she could safely get into the last one. The number of places usually coincided with the number of students. But what if today she will manage to be alone at least on the way to school? After all, miracles do happen. Probably…
Bad luck. Belinda McNeyer caught up with her and began to bother her, indignant that quite by chance, from Samantha Meliflua, she learned the amazing news of the engagement. Belinda fired questions with the speed of a rapid-fire crossbow: How could their romance be hidden? Did they make a dress for Narcissa, and if not, is it possible to participate in choosing a style? Who is invited? Will there be many free guys among the invitees? And finally, is it true that the abnormal Sirius Black pounced on Lucius right on the train, and he was also supported by almost the entire carriage of the Gryffindors, and Lucius knocked them all out? "
Listening to all this nonsense, Narcissa desperately hoped that a week or two would pass and everyone would forget. There is a more interesting topic.
A month has passed, and the hype has not subsided. Narcissa didn't understand why. Perhaps this was due to Lucius's condition: everyone should see that we are happy and happy. He always stayed close to her in public, although from the pitiful glances that some girls threw at her, Narcissa understood that the newly-made groom continues to change girlfriends like gloves. Narcissa didn't care. She wasn't even irritated by the pity in their looks - she didn't care. She ceased to feel anything, to understand anything. The only thing that still aroused emotions was Sirius's behavior.
Over the past month, he has never spoken to her. Narcissa could understand the first offense. But not a month! If they had fought before, Sirius always took the first step, and Narcissa just waited. Sometimes she could show off for a couple of days without forgiving him. Wait for him to follow, fill her with a heap of notes. Like any teenager, for all his outward aplomb, he was insecure. The moment came when he was ready to retreat before the thought: he would not forgive. Narcissa always subtly felt this moment and, throwing another gentleman to the mercy of fate, rushed to the blue-eyed dream. He was not angry. He was never angry with her.
And this time Narcissa waited ... a week, two. Not a single letter, not a single glance in her direction. She didn't understand. Doesn't he want to hear her explanation? She's not to blame! She is now much worse than all of them put together. Lucius disappears with his mistresses - they have not even said a few words this month, Sirius is always in the crowd of friends, seemingly (incredibly!) Even cheerful. And she has no one. There is not even anyone to simply share your misfortune with without exposing your family in an unattractive light.
Three weeks later, Narcissa realized that if he scribbled a line, she would rush to him like lightning. What kind of show off! Not before.
And yesterday, sitting on potions, traditionally with Gryffindor, she made sure that she would not write or call. Everything was clear and intuitive.
Gryffindor was in the back row, Slytherin in the first. From her freshman year on Potions, Narcissa took her place next to Severus Snape. Then everyone mocked the skinny eleven-year-old boy. Most of all Potter. Young Narcissa, glaring at Sirius, sat down with Snape, which she never regretted. If he was not doing well in other subjects, then he shone in Potions. During her five years of training, Narcissa became better at potions than any of her classmates. She watched Snape's work and studied, diligently asking questions again. They have always worked in pairs. Snape was terribly unsociable, but next to Narcissa he seemed to be transformed. She knew almost everything about him and never succumbed to the temptation to tell someone his sad story: a talented orphan out of this world. This is not to say that they were close friends. It's just ... Narcissa had a wide social circle, Snape only had her. She, from birth a kind girl, was pleased to feel indispensable next to Severus and rejoice at how Snape came to life before our eyes, carried away by their conversations.
The eleven-year-old Narcissa did not take into account one thing: how their friendly relations would reflect on Severus himself. The fact that she was in the first lesson, trying to stop the ridicule of the Gryffindors, did not increase the rating of Severus Snape according to Sirius Black. Quite the opposite. Over time, Narcissa noticed that Snape suffered every time she and Sirius quarreled. And over and over again the attacks became less and less harmless. When asked to stop this, Sirius remained silent. Narcissa tried to perceive the silence as repetitive, but it happened over and over again.
It was the same yesterday.
Narcissa came to class a little later than usual. The teacher was not yet there, but almost everyone was already sitting in their places. Looking back at the sound of the door being opened, Sirius smiled oddly. Narcissa wanted to take this as a good sign and smile back, but he quickly turned to Potter. The girl went to her place. Snape was reading something, hunched over his desk as usual. Suddenly, a flash of light darted towards him from the Gryffindors' direction. The spell. A minute later, the whole class saw which one. It was not passed in school, but Sirius has always been a conscientious student, one of the best.
As soon as the flash touched the unsuspecting Snape, all of his clothes became transparent. There was a burst of laughter in the classroom, and someone screamed. Snape jumped up in panic, causing only another fit of laughing hysteria. He turned his back against the wall, hiding behind a textbook, and looked haunted at the hated company. Narcissus was hurt by this look, although it was not intended for her. She felt guilty. Well, that would have punished her! Although Sirius would rather hang himself than allow twenty pairs of eyes to contemplate naked Narcissa. The girl turned in anger and met blue eyes that burned with grim satisfaction. She opened her mouth to say whatever she thinks. She may regret her words later, but now ...
"Are you crazy?!" ahead of her screaming Lily Evans.
Evans jumped up from her seat next to Lupine. He, too, got up and looked at Potter and Black with condemnation. I looked, but did nothing, although I was the headman, although I was right.
"Idiots!" Lily screamed angrily, and Sirius and James stopped laughing. Gradually, the fun faded away.
"Thank!" Narcissa told Lily for some reason. What did she thank the Gryffindor for? For anyone else standing up for poor Snape? For not having to stop the disgrace herself, pushing Sirius further away with harsh words? Lily helped her.
"Than standing with a pillar, I would remove the spell from him. It will not work by itself. Oh, yes, you are only special in potions," with these words Lily whispered something, and Snape, convulsively clutching the textbook on transfiguration, was again dressed.
Lily sat down in her seat, Lupine, staring at the floor, too. The door to the classroom flung open and Professor Zemus entered.
"Five points from Slytherin, Miss Black. The lesson started five minutes ago, and you haven't reached your place yet."
Walking past Snape, still leaning against the wall, book in hand, the professor said:
"Five more points, Mr. Snape, the Transfiguration textbook will continue to be read outside this classroom. Take your seats."
The lesson began.
Leaving the audience after the potions, Narcissa made up her mind. It should stop. Throughout the lecture, she pondered a way to get to Sirius. The ugly scene with Snape threw in an answer. Lily Evans. Narcissa knew Lily was going to be exacted from Flitwick today. You just need to come to the office after lunch and convince her to arrange a meeting with Sirius. She is also a girl, she will understand. Narcissa Black rarely heard rejection at sixteen. When she really wanted something, it was impossible to stop her.
After dinner, the girl went straight to Flitwick's office and saw Lily walking towards her.
"Evans!" Narcissa called out to her.
Lily stopped outside the office door and waited for the Slytherin.
"What do you want?"
"I need to speak to Sirius." maybe it was worth adding begging notes? Come on, that's fine. This is already an achievement. Narcissa didn't know how to ask.
Lily looked closely into the gray eyes of the Slytherin. What did she see there? Perhaps an unspoken plea, the fear that she would refuse Narcissa, but in response, she did not take her eyes off the Gryffindor and hoped: eyes the color of Hope were green, soft. Not! I decided correctly! Lily will not refuse. A cruel person does not have such clear eyes. Now she will frown, think and ... Narcissa was already praising herself for her insight when Lily did an unexpected thing: she burst out laughing.
"Black, are you crazy? Why did you decide that I will help you ?!"
"You helped today with Potions…" Narcissa said in dumbfoundedness.
"They also say Slytherins are smart! I will disappoint you: I helped Snape!"
"Snape?" Narcissa's head rattled.
"Exactly. Not all Gryffindors are annoyed by him. I, for example, feel sorry for him," Lily, already serious, said thoughtfully and suddenly added: "But you are not. I am not interested in the reasons why you are getting married, but I will do everything to make you not a mile close to Sirius. Okay? You've been his curse for sixteen years. Enough. "
"It's up to Sirius to decide," Narcissa, shaken by an outburst of rage, didn't know how to react. They didn't get along with Evans, but that never happened. "Why are you doing this? You have Potter."
"I'm not going to report to you. You are a fool if you decided that Sirius will run after you. He, if you want to know, does not remember you at all."
"You're lying!"
"I remember, endlessly, and she stands and scoffs."
"Well, so check it yourself! Go look for him! He's in our living room. Go talk to him."
Lily turned her back to Narcissa.
"Oh yes!" as if remembering something, she said. "Only a Gryffindor can get in there. No luck."
"Reptile!" Narcissa shouted at the slammed door of Flitwick's office. Naturally, she did not know the password for the living room.
"Well, Evans, now you're going to dance."
Narcissa reached into the pocket of her robe for her wand.
"Ten points from Slytherin" echoed down the empty hallway.
The girl turned sharply. Frida Zabini was approaching her. Her eyes of the hated, recently, green color shone unkindly.
"The position of the future Mrs. Malfoy does not give you the right to yell the entire corridor and use your wand outside of class," Ravenclaw's voice was strained.
"But it gives a lot of other advantages," Narcissa could not resist and, turning sharply, headed in the direction from which she came, leaving Frida Zabini clenching her fists in rage.
Why did she blur it out? After all, in fact, she even felt sorry for Frida. Judging by the number of girls, Lucius did not keep in touch with her. Narcissa was indifferent to him, but Frida was clearly suffering.
"Merlin, who am I turning into?" sighed Narcissa.
But it was all yesterday. And today, armed with an invisibility cloak, she had been hanging around the Fat Lady's portrait for an hour already - Sirius did not appear. It was Saturday and most of the students headed to Hogsmeath. But he didn't come out — she would have known. Everything went worse than ever, and then the mantle slipped off, and the Fat Lady was bursting all over the corridor.
Adjusting her robes, Narcissa shuddered. She had not yet seen who was opening the portrait from the other side, but she already felt - he! My heart sank into my heels, and ... immediately sank with disappointment.
Sirius was not alone, he was walking with some girl. Narcissa did not know her. She, in general, did not particularly get accustomed to the Gryffindors and now reproached herself for it. Suddenly this smart and radiant young lady is just his acquaintance. Then why, like a leech, clings to his sleeve? Warm robes ... Are they going to Hogsmeath together? Without Potter? Without Evans? Alone?
"He, if you want to know, doesn't remember you at all," Lily Evans' ringing voice echoed in her head. "Go! .. Check it out ... he's in our living room."
Narcissa couldn't get through that door. And this girl could. She spent all her free time there. Together with Sirius ...
Thinking of nothing better, Narcissa took out her wand and pointed it at the nasty girl's bag. The bag burst, the girl screamed and rushed to pick up the dropped contents from the stone floor. Sirius shook his head. For a moment, Narcissa thought he saw her. But this is impossible, however, maybe he just felt it. Smiling, the guy began to help his companion.
This made Narcissa even worse. She turned abruptly and, not caring about the noise she made, rushed towards the Slytherin dungeons. I wanted to cry, scream ... break something. Maybe then it will become easier?
If she hadn't run away so quickly, she would have noticed that her desire to destroy half of Hogwarts is shared by at least one more person. The dark-haired guy stared blankly at the endless lipsticks, combs, powder compacts and other nonsense scattered on the stone slabs. He clutched a hairpin he had picked up from the floor. It was her! She was here. If he had come out alone ... It might have been different. And now he would not listen to Emily Crystal's busy chatter. Bastard! The clip broke into pieces in a white fist. Sirius shuddered, realizing that he wanted to break something more substantial.
"Nonsense! I didn't like her anyway," Emily said cheerfully. "Are you hurt?"
Sirius stared blankly at the cut in his palm.
"I don't like you," he thought angrily.
And the blonde girl, running into the living room, sank down exhausted on the rug by the fireplace.
Indifferent fire, eternal fire. He didn't care about petty disagreements between stupid people. He had all the time in the universe at his disposal.