Who wants a silver lining? (Narcissa)

[MOLLY PREWETT]

When it came to school work Molly had her methods down fairly well at this point…any essays first as they took the longest, then spell practice to break the boredom, then reading if boredom hadn’t take over by then despite the spells. It had taken her nearly three years to figure it out, but by her forth year she was found it easier to handle the plethora of assignments to the point where if given a quiet enough place for long enough things would be finished in time to play Rebekkah Djiin in their usual three rounds of wizard’s chess over tea and gossip in the common room if the other wasn’t off with another boyfriend this month. Why she kept playing the game she didn’t know, two wins out of who knows how many games and Molly questioned her sanity at hoping one day she’d actually beat anyone at it without luck and a few foul moves. Because of the makeup of their house, despite her nearly perfected system of working, quiet was not a typical occurrence as the Marauders were not the only boisterous ones.

Today Molly was stretched out on a bench; jacket draped over her legs to keep the chill of the wind off as she rolled up the last parchment and stuck it in her book bag. The gray sky and wind had made outside quieter than even the library as students were quick to move inside at the slightest threat of rain. Soon Molly would be inside with her warm tea and the threat of rain or any weather would be the last of her worries…as would the essay about animagus’ roles in wizarding battles of the past that was so far gone that even the ghosts knew of no one that old to help…or at least that was how it seemed to Molly.

Sitting up she pulled her jacket back up to her shoulder, flopping back against the back of the bench, red hair spilling over the wood carvings marring the dark oak as she craned her neck back to look up at the sky. The prospect of no more essays and books sounded nice. She enjoyed reading, but she wasn’t in love with it unless the story was something more fascinating than muggles or the side effects of a hair color changing potion…and soon she wouldn’t have to anymore. A tightness grew in her chest as she stared up at the sunless sky, brows furrowing as if the clouds had done something to offend her good nature.

“C’mon ol’ girl…gotta pass first before you even have to worry about that.” She grumbled to herself as she stretched, arms reaching past her head and the bench to the air behind her, fingers grasping at nothing as she took a deep breath, “Won’t let you win out!”

[NARCISSA BLACK]

It was Narcissa's experience that the cold and dampness of the autumn came much too quickly while at Hogwarts. With giving the intricacies of the Slytherin social life as well as the school syllabus the required attention, the blonde girl never really noticed how the seasons changed. But this year, Narcissa had made a promise to herself to spend some time in the sunshine, which she missed so much in the long winter months, while it still wasn't too late. It wouldn't be a mammoth task either, she could always do her homework outside, bring her books with her and take notes while streched out on the grass or one of the benches.

Today was one of those days. The blonde had brought a woolen blanket to put on the grass, since the cold of the night lingered in the ground at this time of the year and she didn't intend to get sick. Despite her intentions to read up on material for Potions class in anticipation of writing an essay, she had spent her afternoon with reading a book that was more... entertaining. It was one of her favourite hobbies to read quite embarassingly corny romance novels, which she had the common sense to hide from the public. If anyone would find out, she wouldn't hear the end of it. True to their reputations, Slytherins could be rather ruthless people, especially when it came to such things. It was already too much that her cousin Evan had found out one day by catching her in the act , but luckily, it ended in nothing more than some friendly banter. The experience did make her more careful though, and she had made very sure nobody was around when she took it out this time.

Rolling onto her back, with her little nose inside the book still, she sighed and cast it aside gently. A look at the sky and what clearly looked like rain clouds made her elegant brows knit together. Getting wet didn't exactly fit into her plans, so the Slytherin girl quickly threw her book inside her bag and folded the blanket, pressing it against her chest as she made her way back to the castle.

It wasn't her habit to mind her surroundings nor especially the people around her too much. Being who she was - Narcissa Black, a Slytherin girl of beauty, pure blood and high social position - she really didn't have to. People came to her if they wanted anything, and she didn't care much about those who didn't really dare say anything in her face. Yet her ears caught a voice that was more louder than just a whisper of gossiping lips and she turned to see a not unfamiliar redheaded girl on the bench just a couple of steps away from her.

Biting on her lower lip, the blonde girl hesitated if she should respond for a moment. Molly Prewett was a cousin of hers, even if not blood, her aunt had married into the Prewett family, which meant the two had spent quite some time together as they were children. But the Prewetts had fallen out of favour with the Blacks due to their differing views on certain topics, like the importance of blood purity and the status of Muggleborns, and Narcissa hadn't seen much of that side of the family since she had joined Hogwarts.

Finally, she decided to engage the other girl; it would have been very rude if she wouldn't, after all, and Molly hadn't done anything awful to her directly, after all. "Excuse me? Were you talking to me?" There was still the chill of pure politeness but not familiarity in Narcissa's melodious voice, as she stepped closer to the elder cousin, pressing her blanket closer to her chest as if to shield herself. Really, the Slytherin wasn't sure if this was the right thing, and she found her thoughts circling a person she had often consulted in a time of doubt. What would Bella do?

[MOLLY PREWETT]

Molly’s conversation with herself had happened under the thought that she was alone on the lawn, most people wiser and warmer inside. The voice behind her though made it very clear how very wrong she was.

"Excuse me? Were you talking to me?"

Every muscle tensed, she didn’t recognize the voice, but the tone didn’t feel as warm and friendly as someone trying to just poke fun from one friend to another. Drawing her arms back to her she sat up. Not it wasn’t a professor, maybe just another student like herself trying to study, a student she’d interrupted with shouting at the sky a challenge to herself. Clearing her throat Molly started to turn to look back, thinking quickly for some excuse that sounded less crazy than the truth. A trip to St. Mungo’s was not on the list of destinations that Molly wanted to consider for after her final year.

“Sorry about that having a bit of a feud between myself and my stud—“ She trailed off as she finally focused in on the person who had been talking to her, words coming to a halt now as she examined the other girl. She remembered the mop of blond hair and the delicate looking features from years ago of playing in yard during the summer holidays when families were less set against each other. Narcissa Black, the last Black she’d talked to alone had been Sirius as he was the only Black her brothers would let her talk to at school. Fond memories of childhood had become somewhat a mystery to her since coming to Hogwarts for the soul reason of the dark divide placed between their families and the physical one that their divisions of houses had brought. Now there they were, outside, no one else around to buffer or get in the way…

Molly realized she was quiet now, stopped mid-sentence, silence hanging between them as she cleared her throat. Turning on the bench she shifted until she was able to fully meet the other’s gaze, giving a tight smile, “I wasn’t talking to you Cissa….sorry for the confusion.” Stepping off the bench she shuffled around with her jacket, pulling it on properly, taking her time with the effort as she did with her words, “Didn’t see you over there. Just chatting with myself. You know how things go sometimes with too much in life and no one to talk to about it who won’t try to give you advice you don’t need right then…or maybe not.” That had sounded utterly stupid, total bullocks as she gave a small chuckle. What was there to say though in this situation?

Hey you, haven’t see you since your family decided they were too good for us. How’s life with Bella the Bellyache?

No, too confrontational, and Molly knew saying anything like that would just get her hexed no doubt. She sighed and picked up her bag, “It’s probably going to rain.” Genius statement as she inwardly cringed, but still holding her polite smile, “Might want to get inside soon unless you want to risk having to buy all new books. They may grow on trees but they aren’t that cheap.”

[NARCISSA BLACK]

When Narcissa had decided to address her distant cousin, it truly hadn't occurred to her that Molly might have not been meaning to talk to her. It seemed the most logical conclusion at the moment. The sky was covered with dark, looming clouds by now and its sight along with a rather chilling wind had chased most of the students back into the castle, so there was nobody around the bench when she heard the voice. Now though, as she stood a couple of feet away from the other girl and watched her prop herself up back into an upright position, she wasn't as sure about her assumption any more. The words finally came out of Molly's mouth served to finally dispel Narcissa's doubts about the girl's intentions and made the blonde wish she hadn't given into the demands of etiquette by approaching the elder girl.

Simply not talking to the distant family members her more immediate ones didn't approve of seemed to be the most appropriate solution to the young girl. She didn't understand the politics behind some of the choices to include or shun others entirely, to be honest.

There was the issue of blood purity that had to be followed and Narcissa knew that those family members who chose to disregard the strict rules of not sullying the bloodline were quickly to be disregarded and disowned. Yet it wasn't all just about marriage, as the more recent example of her cousin Sirius had shown. It was also about what views one displayed in public. Disobeying against the family values and rules was punishable with total exclusion And supporting the disowned ones also resulted in exclusion, like in the case of Alphard Black, who chose to support his nephew Sirius financially.

Really, Narcissa didn't intend on facing a similar fate. She loved her family and wouldn't have risked it for anything.

Lost in the thoughts of the complicated rules of "The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," the girl clad in a black robe with a green and silvery Slytherin house emblem on it didn't notice the awkward pause Molly had allowed to set in. When the other finally spoke again, Narcissa's blue eyes re-focused on the redheaded girl, her thoughts focusing on the situation at hand rather than theoretical thoughts as well. "I'm Narcissa," she corrected Molly when she was referred to by her childhood pet name "Cissa" quickly but firmly. It was a knee-jerk reaction nowadays, as she had decided she wanted to be treated as an adult a year ago and insisted on others using her full name instead of an abbreviation. Some distant family members and friends still hadn't registered her wish and she found herself having to correct them every now and then. The only exception from this was her elder sister Bellatrix, who was still allowed to refer to her as "Cissy".

The words that followed didn't make too much sense to Narcissa, especially since she had been torn out of a much different trail of thought. Furrowing her perfectly-shaped brows, she continued giving the elder girl a stern look and pressing the books and blanket closer to her chest, in a vain attempt to make herself somewhat more compact and thus less exposed to the cold wind. "Yes, it does appear so," her delicate features softened finally, her shoulders dropping somewhat, as Molly started talking about the weather. Truly, the blonde was grateful and somewhat relieved that the other had chose to digress into some small talk. Having been groomed and trained by her mother herself, exchanging pleasantries (even if they lacked substance) came naturally to Narcissa. It were the other, the heavy, the meaningful topics, ones that she didn't have a strong opinion of her own of yet, that she struggled with. "Most of the students have sought out shelter already. I was just making my way back to the castle myself. Are you coming?" she smiled somewhat sweetly at Molly. Surely walking the distance to the school together wouldn't get her into trouble. Of course she would make sure to say her goodbyes when they were back in the dry; after all, there were eyes everywhere in Hogwarts and she didn't want news of her associating with a questionable individual getting back to her sister.

[MOLLY PREWETT]

Ginger eyebrows furrowed a little at the correction, and at first Molly in her rambling and her initial surprise at seeing the younger Black child had thrown her off enough to make her wonder if she’d said something other than what she’d always called the girl. Never had she referred to her in place of any of the other Blacks, Narcissa’s appearance one that was unique compared to the immediate family. “Cissa” had always been the family name, but it slowly dawned on Molly as to what nature she’d offended…a small smile tugging at her lip as she gave a slow nod “Right…Narcissa.” The words stretched a little as Molly smiled, “Grown up name…can’t be going around with a nickname, can you? Fifth year and all, just a handful of years left.” She chuckled softly before going quiet quickly as one more familiar term was struck from her, perhaps a further example of the divide that had come to pass as she swung her bag a little.

Somewhere over the Forbidden Forest a small rumble of thunder rolled across the air, dull enough to know the storm was still a little ways off…tonight everyone would be crowded in the common’s room as winds and rains battered the castle walls. No mischief out and about…or at least outside. She blinked at Narcissa for a moment at her words, “Am I what? Oh!” The offer, or rather question of her coming along for the walk back to the castle caught her a bit as she looked around once to make sure it had been directed at her. The smile from Narcissa brought a more sincere smile to Molly’s face, giving a small shrug, “Well…yes, I was going to be going that way. Can’t let all this homework go to waste because I’m standing in the rain now can I?”

Getting together the last of her things the older girl nodding her head towards the castle before taking a few steps in the direction of it, glancing back to see if the other had really meant to walk with her or if this Black was simply stating that Molly should leave on her own. “So putting up with my company then for the walk? Sort of surprising given the…well…the you know…I thought you’re not allowed.” She started, tone light until the words left her mouth, gritting her teeth a little. What had possessed her to say what she had as she walked along the lawn, glancing over at Narcissa, fingers moving to push back her bangs from her face, ruffling her hair, “I mean… you sister might not approve would she?” Merlin’s beard, was that any better to ask? At this point even with the school in sight there was still a ways to go as Molly huffed kicking at a small pine cone, watching it roll across the ground.

“N-nevermind…doesn’t matter, just a walk…so, what brought you out here this late in the day?” She quickly tried to change the subject in hopes of getting herself out of the hole she was digging.