An Account of Falling Stars

Chapter 9: Narcissa

It had only been two weeks but with the boys at school the house felt empty. I didn't interact with Sirius much, only during family dinner and music lessons. He was annoying and loud and chaotic but he brought some entertainment that I was starved for and for that, I didn't despise him. Regulus and I on the other hand, had become close. Perhaps it was how much we had in common; we were both the youngest of our siblings, we both had to perfect all the time and we were both extremely tired of it, not that we'd do anything to change our situations.

At first we just played our instruments together, not speaking, just communicating through our music. Then , one day without even thinking about it we began to talk. He told me about his life in London, and what it was like to be home-schooled and his almost non-existent relationship with his brother. In return I told him what it was like to go to Hallows Academy, how close I still was with my sisters even though it felt like our relationships were starting to get strained as we grew older. I quite liked Regulus. He was calm and patient and so similar to me that I couldn't help but take him under my wing.

Now that he would be at school all the time, I wondered how often I would see him. I shrugged it off and tried to think of something to do.

For a few hours I played my harp, trying to distract myself. From what, I wasn't sure. But I had noticed my parents acting strange, focusing more on my appearance, my old governess, Ida had been rehired and she was to make sure that my sewing, cooking and other womanly skills were still up to par, I hadn't been taught by her since I was 14. It was very strange. It wasn't just me though, my parents had been focusing a lot on Andromeda as well, trying to tame her, grooming her to be ready to be a wife. As soon as the thought slipped into my mind, my mood darkened. Of course that's what it was. They'd found us husbands. My stomach churned. My fingers stopped caressing the strings of my harp and started attacking them. My eyes stung with tears that just wouldn't fall and my whole body heaved with the effort it took to breathe. Childhood was over. Not that I had much of one but it was still something. Silent sobs racked my chest and I threw my head back as my fingers picked up the pace. The music filled the room. It was less music and more sound. Angry waves crashing against a cliff, a baby screaming, an earthquake, a breaking heart.

I didn't realise I was screaming until I felt cold, thin arms around my back and a gentle hand covering my mouth. I turned and met my sister's warm brown eyes and the cry died in my throat. I collapsed back into my chest and she hugged me tighter, rocking me gently like she did when we were children. Once I was finally calmer, she shifted a little so that she could look at my face, "what is it Cissy?" Andromeda asked softly. I looked back at her, her soft features and kind eyes, the very best of us. "Did you know?" I murmured, rubbing my dry eyes a little. I felt her steady breathing stutter briefly and I knew that she did. "Why didn't you tell me?" I say a little too harshly, I felt my sister flinch beneath me and I stroked her arm in apology. My skin was pale, paper white like most of the family. Andromeda was naturally more tanned, it made her shine glow brighter than the rest of us. "Andy?'' I persisted, still determined to know why she hadn't said anything. Not only was it a small breach of trust, it was wildly unlike her. I looked up at her and her brown wavy hair fell onto my forehead. I was mortified to see her eyes glistening. "I wasn't one hundred percent sure," She said finally, "But I guessed. I don't know, I supposed that if I didn't say it, it wouldn't be true." She mumbled, hanging her head.

"Well that's just foolish Andy, you should have said something, I- I knew this would happen eventually but... Not now." I huffed.

"Don't reprimand me Cis, i'm still the older sister despite my err"

"Cowardice?" I offered. She dug her fingers into my ribs and I squealed rather unattractively. "Not what I was going to say!" She laughed half-heartedly.