Hogwarts
Narcissa black had managed to keep her head down for the fifth year in a row.
She saw the girl from the train, Alice constantly. She was in half her classes and was always where she was, Narcissa couldn’t figure out why Alice had remained in her head, from one interaction five years ago.
Alice was bright and bubbly and everything Narcissa was not.
She wanted to be her friend. She wanted to know her. How to be her. But she refrained knowing her family would punish her severely if they caught wind of a mere conversation. So Narcissa kept her head down.
~
“Cissa!” Clara shouted in her ear. “Merlin, it’s eight in the morning” Narcissa replied, annoyed at her friend. “Sorry but mgonnagql is looking at you and you’re not paying attention”. “Who is, transfiguration is as interesting as cleaning floors”. Clara laughed.
Narcissa had many ‘friends’ in Hogwarts, although none were in her choosing. She had friends for appearances, not pleasure. Clara nott and Alecto Carrow came from family’s that would make hers proud. So she stuck to them.
Alice was in Narcissas transfiguration class and she will never admit that she was the reason she had not been listening.
No, she would never admit it to herself or anyone else.
~
Narcissa kept her head down until it is forced up.
It’s February when she first slips up.
She’s alone after class, walking to the library. She has to keep outstanding grades to escape punishment from the noble house of black.
Thinking about what assignments she had yet to hand in she forgets to look where she’s walking. In moments she’s on the ground.
Alice fortescue is next to her on the floor and immediately looks sheepish. “I’m so sorry black I didn’t mean to-“. Narcissa stands up and brushes herself off, already leaving.
She is held back. “Wait Narcissa-“. “What do you want from me?” Narcissa asks with no warmth in her words. “Um so uh, I was wondering you’re like really good at potions and I’m not but I’m good at transfiguration and maybe we can help each other?”. Narcissa answers Alice’s foolish ramblings with a single and restounding “No”.
“But-“. Narcissa walks away afraid that even this small altercation could lead to her father having a punishment.
Narcissa cannot be seen with a half-blood or a griffindoor.
~
There can be no more mistakes from the most ancient and noble house of black.
Not after andromeda, her own sister, left her. Left her and her family. Her duty, to marry some mudblood boy from school.
Andromeda had been disowned and it was a sure-way to have a wand at your throat at the mention of her name.
Narcissa would not be like her sister.
~
Narcissa can’t stop thinking about Alice.
She can’t stop thinking about her crashing into her. Her soft face. Her bright voice. Her offer which had been declined.
Narcissa knew that she could not get involved. But oh how she longed to.
~
It’s march and Narcissa is in hogsmead. She spots a familiar brown haired girl and turns the other way.
Her friends have left to hang out with their brothers and boyfriends. Stupid school kids. Narcissa knew she’ll have a husband waiting for her the moment she is out of the safety that is hogwarts.
She is alone walking near alleys and less populated shops. Willing to find something worthwhile.
Maybe her wish is answered when she hears a shout “Narcissa!”. She walks faster and ignores it. “Narcissa wait!”.
She stops. And maybe her whole life starts.
Alice is behind her and out of breath. “What do you want from me.” “No no nothing I don’t want anything except maybe why can’t you talk to me?” Alice seems genuine and far too naive.
“I can’t be here. I can’t be seen with you, goodbye.”
“No Narcissa wait we can go somewhere else” Alice frantically tries to find a solution. “But why do you want to speak to me?” Narcissa is genuine in her question, she doesn’t find herself worth conversation.
“Honestly I think you’re really smart and beautiful and I just want to be your friend. I know that your family is shit and so are your friends. I want you to know that you’re not like them. You’re not Narcissa. I see you smile at first years and you’re nice to Sirius. Sirius, he’s my friend and he says you’re not so shit. I everyone deserves someone to talk to, so maybe for you that could be me?”.
Alice is out of breath after her question. Narcissa looks around and finds the place they have made it to deserted.
“I can’t be your friend Alice”.