Narcissa Black

status: closed

location: hogwarts

@ncrcissy-black​

formal events had never been persephone selwyn’s thing. sure, she’d been to many growing up. it was a requirement nearly every pureblood wix was accustomed to, but it didn’t mean she had to enjoy it. of course, her mother had picked out her dress for the evening. a crimson fitted gown with a rather daring slit. she knew it was the older witch’s desperate attempt at hoping her daughter would garner the attention of an available pureblood suitor. and as the brunette made her entrance into the familiar halls of hogwarts, she felt several sets of eyes burning holes into the back of her. 

without wasting anytime the hit witch made a beeline for the bar. she ordered herself a cocktail and marked her territory by sitting at one of the few empty tables left, glaring at whoever even tried to come closer than ten feet. her features only softened at the sight of her younger friend. “tell me, narcissa. how come i don’t see you out on the dance floor” 

Narcissa was stuck at the event and would have to stick around until the last guest had left. It was exhausting but something she was accustomed too. She was just thankful that she was able to pick out her own dresses, settling on a light pink dress with flowers. Something almost childish but designed in a way that suited the blonde. Truthfully she had Nico to thank as he’d actually designed the dress for her and was probably the only reason why she was allowed to have a say in what she wore. Still she would like to think that she had at least a little influence in it. 

“You say that now, but it can happen unexpectedly, even if you don’t expect or want it, nothing wrong with wanting to be romanced a little.” Evan couldn’t help but smile softly at Narcissa, not at all surprised by her response. “But if you insist, I’ll do my best to redirect all the attention.”

“Such a shame, there’s far more to introduce to your palate. It’s never too late. Bellini is a mix of champagne and peach puree, so adds a nice sweetness that compliments the champagne. Much better than mimosas in my opinion.” Evan explained, hoping the mention of champagne would relax Narcissa as the brunet reached out for her shot. “I’m not sure who your mother would murder first; you or me, but you certainly don’t have to worry about me telling her.” 

Narcissa bit back a bitter comment. It might seem a little ridiculous how turned off to romance she was at her age but she honestly felt like she’d experienced enough. The last time she’d allowed herself to actually like someone it completely ruined her. Now she just wanted to lay low and not get hurt. She couldn’t help but to wonder what Evan thought of her reaction, and about how much she’d changed since she was a teenager in Hogwarts who used to thrive in gaining attention. Even now she still had a habit of purposely charming people to get her way if she found it suitable. Old habits were hard to get rid of. 

He found it comforting to know that someone wanted to be near him, hold him and be his friend. He found it comforting that someone saw him for who he was and not for what he put out into the world. He never thought he would find that sense of comfort but here he was, next to his best friend. The only person who was allowed to read his still unfinished book was Narcissa so he nodded. “Yeah sure. Just come to my place whenever you have the time” he then chuckled and rolled his eyes. “The main character is inspired by you”

She was slightly surprised at his offer, half expecting him to get shy and tell her no. His instant compliance to her wish made her happy though. “Considering I don’t have a real job, I have plenty of time.” Narcissa laughed. When he told her that the character was inspired by her, her face flushed. She hadn’t actually expected that. “I was kidding!” She nudged him, hoping that he was also joking. There was nothing special about her, certainly nothing that could even inspire a character. Now the thought of reading the book made her a little nervous. 

@musegotme 

When he felt the other hug him, he felt a small smile form on his lips as he hugged her back. Hugs or touch in general was something he didn’t give out all that often. Narcissa was different however, he had established that in his mind. She never made him feel like a weirdo, she seemed to understand him when the rest of the world didn’t. This was a genuine friendship which was exactly what he needed. “I am sorry. I have been trying to finish my book” he apologized.

Narcissa wasn’t a very physically affectionate person- anymore. Particularly not with people outside of her family and even that was limited to her siblings. Severus was an exception, the boy being the closest thing she had to a brother at this point. After the hug was over she moved to sit down next to him, staying close enough that they brushed each other. “You should let me read it- I am very curious as to how it’s coming along. I hope that you’ve taken my suggestion and made me the main character?” She smirked, mostly just teasing him. 

It was a long shot, but he wasn’t labeled a traitor for following the rules of the land, so surely him sneaking off to muggle villages shouldn’t have come as a surprise. “Oh come on, you can’t say you’ve never been just a teensy bit curious as to how the other half lives?” He teased, gently nudging her with a challenging expression. Still, he knew it was wild to even think to suggest something as out there to Narcissa. “You’d love the art museums, you know? Van Gogh is incredible,” he added, shifting in his seat and looking at her in utter disbelief. “You know your secrets are safe with me, but muggles and muggleborns aren’t bad either, no one can help what they’re born as.” Sirius pointed out, nodding, “I am, even if I deliver pizzas for a living, but hey, people have to eat, you know? It also helps that I’ve upgraded from a bike to a motorbike recently, much more efficient.” He shook his head, “I would’ve never been able to do it if I didn’t have someone pushing and encouraging me along the way, if I thought I was alone, I don’t think I would’ve done more than pull the occasional prank.” Heck, if it weren’t for the people in his life now, Sirius was sure he’d be dead.

It would be a lie to say that the art museums didn’t interest her. All of her paintings were normal muggle ones, moving portraits were much more difficult and she would have to study under someone to truly master the art of giving a portrait it’s own personality. Something she believed herself incapable of doing. Narcissa had low opinions of herself in the first place, which included to her opinions about her artwork. “If it’s just an art museum- then I would be willing to accompany you sometime.” She said stiffly, “Only to there though.” Wording it as if he was pushing her to go, or like she didn’t really want to when it was actually the opposite. She was itching to go right at that moment but she couldn’t seem too eager. “Deliver pizza? I always thought you would end up a fashion designer or something.” 

persephone caught a glimpse of the ticket, and immediately her jaw dropped open. “bloody hell, narcissa! you shagging someone on the team, eh?” with an innocent elbow jab she giggled, “come on, let’s go.” she grabbed her acquaintance by the hand and began pulling the other witch through the stands. they weaved in and out of the crowds of people until the brunette found the seats that practically had narcissa’s name written on them. “i think if i get on my tip toes i can shoulder tap that guy on the opposing team.”

Narcissa nearly choked at the comment. “Absolutely not!” She responded a little wide-eyed, though she knew it had been meant as a joke. It was mostly untrue, she wasn’t currently shagging anyone on the team. Though she had hooked up with one or two of the players in the past but that was ancient history as far as she was concerned. Anyway she hadn’t acquired the tickets through those connections. As Persephone dragged her along, the blonde simply followed. “Do you think we’re too close?” She asked a little worried. 

To say James was surprised to see the middle Black child making her way towards him was something of an understatement to say the least. But if there was one thing his parents had drilled into him it was how to at least hear people out, no matter how tempting it was to do otherwise. “Black,” he nodded in greeting, curiosity bubbling away at him at what she might want. “Need something?”

Now that she was standing in front of him, all Narcissa wanted to do was run away. What was she supposed to say? What was he expecting of her? “Yes! Or well no...” She was stuttering. The blonde took a deep breath, trying to compose herself. Perhaps she could just walk away. Or maybe she should just say something rude and then he would leave. That wasn’t what she wanted though, she was fairly positive of that much. “I realize it’s fairly late but I wanted to give you my condolences about your parents.” 

He didn’t have many friends when he was a student at Hogwarts. The only memories he had were bad ones. Some of them kept him awake at night which meant that he would sit up either reading or trying to get over the writers block. But Narcissa was someone he considered close, almost family. Seeing her again made his shoulders ease up and a small, shy smile form on his lips. “Have you been alright?”

Narcissa didn’t mind going on quiet walks by herself, it was a way to try and clear her mind. Plus it helped to give her inspiration for her next painting. “Severus.” She smiled gently, turning at the sound of his voice. Quickly she made her way over to him. Kneeling down to his level, she all but threw herself on top of him in order to give him a hug. “How can you call yourself my best friend when I haven’t seen you in weeks.” 

“Of course I did, always good to have a wingman with me and who knows, maybe you’ll even find yourself getting swept off your feet for the night?” Evan couldn’t help but tease, wiggling their brows at Narcissa. “Even if it’s just for a dance.” They added, just to be safe. The last thing Evan wanted to do was push their cousin into something too far out of their comfort zone.

“Let’s give her a bellini to wash it all down with instead, hm?” Evan told the bartender, smiling over at Narcissa. “If there’s one thing I know like the back of my hand, it’s my alcohol, kind of comes with being a bartender.”

She gave her cousin a look, partially in disgust at the thought of someone ‘sweeping her off her feet’. It definitely would not happen though she would help Evan find someone if that’s what they really wanted. “I’ll dance and be your wing-woman but I definitely won’t be getting swept of my feet.” Narcissa told them with a small smile, rolling her eyes. 

Sirius lifted a brow, taken aback by Narcissa’s outburst. Sure, it was normal for him, Bellatrix too at times, but Narcissa? She’d always seemed so put together, so sure of herself or at least, she had from the outside looking in. Had circumstances been different, Sirius would’ve gone as far as to say he admired that about her, but he was never able to wrap his finger around siding with the devils. “Okay,” he finally caved with a heavy sigh, nodding at her. “I’m sorry, I hadn’t meant to upset you by asking, I just hoped you would know something.” Sirius admitted, expression softening, “You’re not useless Narcissa, if there’s anyone that gets the desire of wanting to live, it’s me and you should live, travel the world, maybe even and I know this is wild of me to even suggest, but maybe consider leaving your wand behind and exploring a muggle village, not here in London, but there’s some STUNNING ones in Spain that I think you’d love, and honestly? It’s such a change of place to live like a muggle, even if just for a day, life is so much simpler when you don’t have to worry about magic.” He admitted, unable to help but smile at a memory. “I remember the first time I tried it, I’d done it on accident, I was thirteen and I wanted to sneak out to see Remus, because Walburga would never approve of her son hanging out with a Gryffindor, let alone one a half-blood at that, as you can imagine. It was bad enough that he was one, but to mingle with them? Anyway, we ended up wandering the streets, eventually finding a rooftop and behaving like complete idiots until morning, but for those hours I was without a wand, I felt like a different person…like I was free and not trapped or suffocating. It was great.” 

She let out a shaky breathe, focusing on calming herself down. Narcissa almost couldn’t believe the fact that she had lost her composure so easily with him. That she had allowed him to see her lose her composure. Then again, she wasn’t as good at hiding it as everyone thought. At least not in recent years. Which was exactly why she had moved into her own place, to give herself space to feel relaxed and hopefully regain control over her emotions. Perhaps it was doing the opposite, though she couldn’t imagine moving back in with her parents. Or rather, parent at the moment. 

@pcndorica​