An Account of Falling Stars

Chapter 25: Narcissa

I lay curled up on the cold, damp granite of the water fountain in the centre of the hedge maze. The water that spurted out of the fountain leaving splatters along my body that I duly ignored. A small, red puddle gathered on the concrete ground mere the tip of my gown slipped off the ledge.

I wasn't upset about the ball being ruined, nor about the interrupted conversation that I'd been having with Lucius Malfoy, or even about my imposing arranged marriage. I didn't know why sadness gripped my chest so tightly but it did, and it wouldn't let up. Now that I was on my own, it was safe to cry and scream and rant about how unfair my life was, but that wouldn't do any good, so instead I stared blankly at the wall of leaves in front of me, and the wall of leaves stared back.

To pass the time, I thought of things that were proper for me to think of, ball gowns and gentlemen and galas. I quickly grew bored. My limited imagination couldn't stretch the dullness that my life would become into something interesting. I would marry Lucius Malfoy. He wasn't dreadful, he was handsome and rich and seemed kind enough. I would pop out a few babies, probably as many as possible so that I would have multiple options for an heir. And I would grow into an old socialite, parading my wealth around society and gushing over my husband's success. That was my fate. And I'd always known it. So I didn't understand why that gnawing sting of emptiness still clutched and twisted at my insides until they were burning from an imaginary pain. Meeting Lucius Malfoy should have been a relief, instead it was a reality check.

Something cold and stiff rested on my shoulder and I froze until the touch turned gentle and comforting. I rolled over and my eyes softened when they met my eldest sister's inky ones.

"Narcissa." She said stiffly, her fingers curled in on itself and her palm lifted from my shoulder. I smiled automatically, my instinct to soothe her until she was comfortable.

"Are you alright Bellatrix?" I asked carefully, as I pushed myself into a sitting position so we were side by side, our shoulders nudging each.

"I'm fine, yes." She snapped. I didn't flinch, I was used to bearing her anger, so instead of getting upset, I glanced away from her for a moment, giving her a minute to get her emotions in check, to carefully stick her mask back together. To allow her to openly feel for just a little longer. It was a small gesture, one that I knew went unnoticed by everyone, but I did it all the same.

"I'm fine." she said again, after a few seconds of silence, other than the sound of water bubbling and churning in the fountain. I looked back at her and smiled gently then took her hand in my palms and drew her hand into my lap that was still damp from the red shower.

"Sirius Black is a menace to the family. There is a difference between a rebellious streak and putting the family's reputation in jeopardy." She hissed, staring angrily at nothing.

I thought about that. Sirius had most definitely orchestrated this prank. I suspected that he didn't act alone and that his friends were involved. And then my mind flickered over to Regulus, jaw set, darting through the crowd, pulling the fire alarm and swiftly exiting the building. It was quite funny. Or it would've been if it had happened to somebody else. To a different family.

I thought of how terrifying my father could be when he was truly angry and was glad that I'd gotten out before I could witness again.

"I think it was quite funny, Bellatrix. Of course he shouldn't have done it. And of course he'll be punished for as long as father lives. But it was still funny. Tonight has been... dreadful."

"Oh don't you start Narcissa! You're lucky. At least Lucius is bearable to look at."

"Yes but I don't think that it's a good reason to marry someone, because they're bearable to look at." I say, trying to control my temper, I didn't want to think of why that comment made me so mad, I knew though, of course I knew.