I'm going to start a new fanfic, since the other ones are almost done... Sorry to everyone! This one should be as good, though. I will be taking a break from love stories, though... unfortunately! But I'll just say that there's a start of another story at the end of this one, but I'm not confirming it'll actually become one. Thanks for reading!

A Blonde Of Fury

Narcissa's miserable childhood journey to love and teenage beginnings, through the pain and suffering of death, loss, and fear, all in a self-told tale of endless emotions.

Chapter 1
---------------

I twisted my fingers in my long blonde hair, while the other hand supported a butterfly of beautiful emerald wings, my favorite color. I was eleven years old, and I looked eleven years old, a very nice unhealthy eleven years old. I looked around and took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh scent of flowers. I was in my own secret garden, the one I had discovered shortly after it had grown, following my mother's departure, which I didn't remember clearly. It was now the only color in the area where I lived, a great big stone manor in a forest of tall, dark trees. It was like magic, at least I knew it was magic, because I had known forever that it was real. Here I was, eleven, ready for school. But I didn't go to magic school. Why? I don't know. My father just prefered that I stayed home.

This garden was the only place I could go to get away from life, and indeed I went quite often. Anyway, only my brother seemed to notice my disappearances, my brother Theo. He was thirteen, and never went to magic school either. He told me such amazing things about Hogwarts! Unicorns, spells, dragons, Quidditch... It sounded so wonderful. But I didn't think I'd ever go. I was going to have to learn magic by myself, with Theo's help!

Footsteps in the garden. The wet grass squeaking against the shoes. The flapping wings on the birds getting out of the way... Someone was coming. I hurried to the opening of the garden, which was circled by trees. The entrance was like an arch, and I hid between two trees in a small space I hade cleared up purposely a while ago. The footsteps got closer, but they were light and slow, as if someone was looking around, taking their time to explore. Then it couldn't be my father. I tried to get closer to the entrance, but I wasn't careful enough. I stepped on a fallen branch I hadn't removed, causing a loud 'crack' to echoe through the forest trees. I froze, stopped breathing.
'Cissy?' said a voice.
I frowned, relaxing my muscles and slowly walking out of my hiding spot. I made the lightest jump when I saw that it was Theo.
'Narcissa! I've been looking for you all over the place.. Matter of fact, I often do... So this is where you go?' he said, looking around.
I gave a timid smile and nodded, even though he wasn't looking at me. He continued to stare around as he walked in the garden.
'I'd never been this far...' he said. 'Cissy, this place is amazing!'

I pulled the grass out of the ground, half-counting them as I went. Theo sat in front of me, staring at me pointlessly.
'You know, this is where they burried Gorr Ashterunn...' he said suddenly. '...apparently.'
I dropped my grass and looked at him curiously.
'Who?'
'Gorr Ashterunn! You don't know who he is?'
'No. Who is he?'
'He was a Dark Wizard. Followed the path of the Dark Arts, became a great Dark Wizard, a really long time ago.
'No one ever knew where he studied. Killed his parents when he started to get powerful, they were his first victims. No one knows where his sister is...'
'He had a sister?' I asked.
'Yeah! They say she looked just like you... beautiful face, long blonde hair... She was mad, apparently. She got locked up but disappeared, surprisingly at the exact same time as a magical stone. It made you immortal...'
'Immortal?'
'Yeah, you could live forever with that one... Anyway, Ashterunn himself had made it. We don't know much about their family. Apparently he locked her up instead of killing her, she was going crazy or something, and then she disappeared with the stone. But it's just a legend, he probably isn't burried here...' said Theo, looking around and throwing a rock between me and him.
I thought about it for a while.
'Do you think- Do you think he really is? Do you think she's still alive? Maybe he was burried here!' I said excitedly. 'Maybe that's why there's a garden...'
Theo stared at me weirdly then looked in the same direction as I was looking.
'I don't know...' he said.

* * *

Well, that was short, but they'll start getting a little longer as I go! Please post feedback, I love reading comments. You can do so by clicking here.

Chapter 2
---------------

It was later that week, a late night of fog. Theo and I sat at the table with my father, eating the usual type of dinner, soup with pumpkin juice and bread. I only stirred my soup with my spoon, staring at the brownish-greenish pea soup swirl in the bowl. I did not dare speak, nor did my brother, afraid of saying or doing something wrong. My father ate slowly, apparently focusing on something on the wall that we could not see.

'How was your day?' my father suddenly asked coldly.
I looked at him, surprised, but at Theo's look I knew better. I looked back at my soup, hiding.
'Er... Good' I said.

He nodded and kept silent for a while, making things even more awkward. Theo was constantly looking up then back at his soup. He looked nervous, concerned. I wondered what he was thinking about...

It was later that night, when the sky was dark and starry and the lights were out. All except one, which was mine. I just so happened to be staring outside my small window when a figure came closer and bigger in the sky. I frowned, getting up and walking towards the window. Suddenly I opened it, realizing it was an owl coming straight at me. I moved out of the way, and in a blow of the wind it crashed in my room, landing rather roughly onto the carpet. I rushed to the door and opened it just enough to see in the hall. There was no one awake, no sound but the owl weeping on the ground. I closed the door.
The owl was a beautiful snow owl, struggling against the weight of the letter. I got down on my knees and freed it, taking the letter and setting the owl on my dresser. I opened the letter. Who could have sent me this? I didn’t know that many people… I read it to myself in a whisper.
‘Dear Narcissa,
Mother says to stay away from father. Be very careful.
Love,
Bella. ’
I frowned at the folded parchment. The writing was neat and beautiful. ‘This letter can’t be for me’ I thought. But it did say my name on it… But- I had no sister. Who was Bella? Why was she warning me? I sighed, tossing away the parchment, set the owl free and lied down in bed, staring at the ceiling. In seconds I fell asleep, forgetting all my worries and doubts.

It was the next morning, shortly after breakfast. The doorbell rang. I waited, listened. But my father didn't answer. Like everyday, he expected us to answer. I ran downstairs, skipping a few steps, and slid on the floor towards the door. I stood in front of it, looking up at the giant doors. I reached for the doorknob, turned it and pulled.
'Oh, hello, Rosa!' I said joyfully, looking up at my teacher.
She was my teacher, I was homeschooled. She was a very pretty girl, short but so nice. Her curly dirty-blonde hair was mostly tied up in the back of her head, letting a few curls fall to her shoulders.
'Hey, Cissy, she said, using my brother's nickname for me. 'You're sure peppy today!'
And yet she seemed as peppy as I was, beaming happily at every word she pronounced. She walked through the hall, carrying the heavy bags I hadn't offered to help with. I carried one other, following her into the kitchen. She sighed loudly as she settled on at the table, placing her bags on it.
'So what are we learning today?' I asked, forcing myself to have a happy tone.
I wasn't as joyful as when I caught the sight of her. As soon as I thought of learning my mood came down a bit. I didn't want to learn- 'muggle things'- like Theo said. I wanted to learn magic. But I kept it inside of me. Rose didn't know about magic. She thought we were rich muggles, living in the forest in a way that seemed impossible. But she only cared about our education, nothing else.

At last lunch came, after a long hour of learning math. I sat at the table, comfortably, speaking to Theo. Father wasn't there, he assumed Rosa would take care of us.
'So what have you been learning today?' he ask, dabbing at his food with his fork.
'Oh, nothing much' I said, shrugging. 'Just math, we have to catch up.'
'Yeah. Too bad she wasn't there last week, an owl came at my window at the time that we would of been speaking about animals.'
'Cool' I said.
I nearly told him that an owl ha dcome to my window the previous day too, delivering a non-sense letter from my 'sister' Bella. But I didn't. He probably would of taken it too seriously, or not seriously at all. But I wouldn't of told him now anyway, he would of been thinking about it during his classes and wouldn't of been able to focus on learning. Anyway, Theo had started talking seconds after my hesitation.
'I think it's her birthday next time she comes' he said.
'Really? Next week?' I asked, curiously.
'Yeah! She told me when I told her it was yours in not too long either. I think we should do some surprise for her!' Theo said enthousiastically.
I beamed at the idea.
'Like what?' I asked. 'Dad won't let us do anything big, fun is pretty much forbidden in this manor' I added, my excitement faltering.
Theo nodded and looked at his food, continuing to do the same dabbing action with his fork. I looked at him, frowning, and somehow started imitating him.

Chapter 3
---------------

It was a few days and nights later, a full moon. Theo and I sat on the porch, staring at the stars in the dark sky, illuminated by the stars.
'You know what werewolves are, right?' he said.
'Of course!' I shrieked, turning to him. 'You told me all about them!'
Theo laughed. He now remembered that day that he had told me all about them, and the night that followed it, when I had to creep out of my room and sneak into his because I was so scared.
'What about them?' I asked, looking at the starry sky again.
'Some people down by the village say there's a we-'
'What?'
'You sure you want to know?' he said, looking at me with his eyebrows raised.
I smiled. Of course I wanted to know, curious like I was! If I was scared later on, I'd just, as usual, sneak into Theo's room for comforting!
I nodded.
'Alright. Some villagers say that every full moon you can hear a distant howling. They say it's the werewolf, Greyback, descendant of the worst werewolves...'
I felt a shiver go through my body, but the next moment it was gone, my confidence overpowering.
'What else do you know?' I said, knowing that there was moer to tell.
'Well' he started. His eyes seemed to flicker in hesitation for a moment, but his body relaxed and he became strong and calm again. 'Alright. They say, I'm not sure if it's true, but they say there was a man, Mr. Greyback, who had a family and all. But when he was in Albania with them... a werewolf bit him. Even though hurt and weak, he protected his son. His wife... his wife was killed.'
His eyes looked down, sparkling for a moment, but he continued, grabbing my hand.
'They say he became mad after the incident. Crazy, angry, uncontrolable... The next full moon he transformed into a werewolf. He bit his son.'
'He what?'
'He bit his son' Theo repeated. 'But he became so wild by grief and regret that he was found dead days later, in a forest. No one knows how he died. And his son- his son became just as angry, but not wild. Just angry, angry and evil. The child werewolf- oh my goodness- apparently so scary for such a young boy!'
His voice was trembling. I could tell he was a little bit sad, afraid of his own tale. It had never happened before.
'So... young Greyback's out there somewhere?' I asked.
'Oh, yes' Theo said. 'Some say it's rubbish, but I know it's not! I'm sure he'll become the worst werewolf alive! Apparently he already killed someone who tried to find him...'
'Really?'
Theo nodded.
'His name is Fenrir Greyback. He's a bit older than me, I think, only a little bit-'
A loud crack echoed accross the yard. It must of been about midnight. Theo got to his feet, but gestured me not to say anything or make a noise.
'Father' he said quietly.
He pulled me quickly inside the house as we heard footsteps approaching. We ran upstairs, occasionnally skipping steps, and into our bedrooms, separating worldessly.
About a minute later we heard the door slam violently. We quietly, like minds connected silently, crept out of our rooms and hurried against the wall of the stairs, hiding. We gave each other a look of non-understanding and confusing, worry. I peered around the corner. My father was storming through the entrance, growling angrily under his breath. He had a look of disgust and anger on his face, spitting every word he muttered. I jumped as he pushed aside a vase, causing it to crash and shatter onto the floor in a ear-spliting noise, and I almost fell down the stairs, but Theo's hand held me back. My father came to a halt at once, leaning against the kitchen counter, mopping the sweat of his forehead with a dry cloth. He paused for a second, then violently threw the cloth on the floor, stomping back on his path, towards us.
Theo pulled my shirt and pushed me into my bedroom before him, and he closed the door quietly after us as footsteps became clearer in the upstairs hall. We squished ourselves against my bed, not making a sound.
A few moments later I felt Theo shuffling around next to me, apparently digging under my bed, but I did not look at him, too focused my thoughts. But seconds later he spoke.
'Cissy, what is this?' he asked, frowning.
I looked at him. His eyes scrolled down a scrunched parchement he had foudn on the floor. I realised what it was.
'Nothing!' I said, taking it.
But he looked at me, still frowning, confused. He had already read it, I could not keep it from him now. He got up and walked towards the door.
'I'll be right back' he said, exiting my room.
'Theo, wait- where are you going?' I said as loudly as I could without being heard, but he had already left.
I sighed and let myself fall on my back, onto my bed. He had found the letter. I had done the right thing not telling him, I thought, and now he was going to speak to father, I knew it, it was what he would of done no matter what. Now all I could do was wait-
I loud bang. It sounded like a boy colliding against a wall-
'What do you want?' roared my father, who was still angry. I guessed that he had only pinned my brother against the door.
I couldn't clearly hear Theo's answer, because it was too far, but I was sure that he had found an acceptable excuse. I heard him fall back onto the floor, released by my father, who was now pacing around the room.

I could still hear distant voices, especially my father's loud grunting. After a few moments of mostly silence, not including my brother's attempts to speak, I heard him clearly.
'How could you' he said.
I jumped. It took a while for my father to say something to this:
'How could I... How could I WHAT?' he said loudly, as I heard his footsteps speeding towards Theo.
He didn't say anything. I could imagine him looking at his feet, losing courage. But he couldn't. Not now.
I jumped happily and the sound of his voice.
'My mother-' he said, and I heard father push something aside angrily at the sound of her name. 'You- you never said-'
A silence. I clapped my hands to my mouth, not for a particular reason, out of fear. And I waited. Anxiously, I waited. Not a sound. I assumed my father was staring at Theo, or else avoiding his contact, but I knew my brother was looking at him in the eyes.
BANG
I fell to the floor, sitting down and letting my arms fall to it. I weeped silently, and started to cry. Moaning, I stared at the closed door and didn't react. I only sat there not doing anything. There had been only one last sound, the one of a painful cry.

The bang of a shutting door and angry footsteps down the stairs. I looked up, surprised to find other people around me, and got to my feet. I opened the door by inches, peered out and saw no one. Theo must still have been in the library. I slowly walked out of my bedroom and creeped accross the hall. I opened the creeking door of the library and peered around. It was all the same, where I hadn't been for so long. It was where I went before my mother had left, before I had discovered the magic garden. The shelves were stacked with books and covered in a thick coat of dust, and through a small window a ray of dawn sunlight illuminated the room, revealing the dust floating in the choking air. I looked around, looking for Theo.

And I saw him. Down on the floor, lying on his side, clutching his right arm. I gasped and fell down on my knees, next to him.
'Oh, Theo' I said. 'Theo...'
Tears trickled down my cheeks as I ran my fingers over his chest and onto his face, holding it. He opened his eyes, sparkling with tears.
'Why didn't you call me?' I whispered, shaking my head.
He blinked slowly and looked at me.
'I'm sorry' he said in a rough whisper.
'I- It's alright, Theo' I said, nodding. 'Er- I'll, er... We have to, er... take you to the village' I added, looking around nervously. I could tell his arm was broken. 'Yes! We'll take you to the village- Come on' I said, pulling him up with all my weakness.
He slowly let his arm go and put the other one around mine, letting out a low grunt of pain. From the corner of my eye I saw him wince, but I didn't stop and led him as fast as possible towards my bedroom. When we got there I let him rest on my bed, wiping my face from the sweat and tears. I smiled unexplicably.
'Theo- I'm your little sister. I can't take care of you, you have to take care of me!' I said, shaking my head.
He looked down, and back up at me.
'No, Cissy. We have to take care of eachother.'
I frowned, opening my mouth to say something, changing my mind, and changing it back again a second later.
'I- Alright than' I said, raising my chin. 'Climb out the window.'
'What?'
'Climb out the window!' I repeated, pointing at it.
'But I can't' Theo said, showing me his injured arm.
'Yes you can' I said simply. Just go, I know you can. I'll be in front of you, I'll go after you. I'll watch you to make sure you're safe. You said we had to take care of eachother' I added, shrugging.
He smiled and got up, wincing a little but otherwise fine. He was strong, Theo. He was. I walked him to my window and I opened it, the curtains flying through the light wind. The sun had risen, but only shortly ago, since it was still low in the medium-lit sky. Theo knew there was a ladder on my wall, which I had put there shortly after my discovery of the garden, to go out without being noticed. He took a deep breath, looked at me, and headed down the ladder. Slowly, we made our way towards the village, without a word.

---------------

I finished another chapter! That was one long post... lol. I had loads of minutes this time. I know it may seem like an 'endish' chapter, but that's because I was watching the end of a movie (haha), so there's definitely way more to come. You can read my others, too! lol Well, please post feedback, I'd love some right now! Post here , please!

Chapter 4
---------------

Finally we arrived at the village. It was freezing outside; I hadn't thought of this before leaving the house. Theo just needed to be helped, he couldn't stick around all is life with a broken arm! I wasn't even sure if father knew he was injured. But I don't think tonight would of been the night to care about that, either. And if he knew we had gone? I feared thinking of it, thinking what would our consequences be at our return. But he was our father- it would of been normal for him to panic... but him?
'Cissy' Theo suddenly said.
'Yeah?'
'We're here.'
I looked ahead. we were at the border of the village, the main square, which was usually packed with people. I wondered-
'Theo!' I suddenly said, frightened.
'What?' he said, wincing when he moved his arm.
'What if- What if everyone's gone because of Greyback?'
He lifted his head, as if someone had just called his name, and opened his eyes wide. I thought I saw a hint of fear in them.
'Don't- don't worry. I told you- It's just a legend-'
But a loud, scary howl interrupting him, freezing me on the spot. I gasped, but covered my hands with my mouth. Theo grabbed my sleeve and pulled.
'Quick!' he yelled, pulling me along into a run.
We ran as fast as we could along the main road. Theo was now only grunting from the pain of his arm, unable to think of anything else but the howling of, perhaps... the werewolf.
We weren't the only ones who had heard it. Doors and windows were slamming shut all around us. It seemed the villagers were used to this. But they mmight as well of been-
'Come, come quick!' suddenly called a deep, manly voice.
We stopped and looked ahead. A man was holding his door open and gesturing to us to go inside. We hurried and obeyed. There was another loud wolf howl.
We settled down in two red armchairs. The man was already mending Theo's arm, with a potion. I looked at him, amazed. But the stranger's voice surprised me once again.
'Rosa!' he said, apparently calling someone downstairs.
I lifted my head and looked at the wooden staircase. Illuminated only by the fire, a beautiful woman stood at the top of the steps, her curly brown hair falling to her shoulders. She was wearing a robe, carrying a candle in her hand. She seemed to have just woken up. I gasped excitedly, and Theo imitated me as he turned around.

'I think you might be pleased I found these two' he murmured.
I couldn't stop myself. I got up and ran towards her, hugging her tightly. She hugged me back, shocked.
'Rosa!' said Theo, trying to get up.
But the man stopped him, smiled and told him his arm needed to rest. Theo sighed and looked at our teacher.
'Oh!' she said, rushing to him and kissing him on the head. 'You two were out alone?' she asked, worried. 'On this night?'
I looked at Theo, and he understood that it was time for him to explain everything.
So he started explaining that he had found my letter (which I would rather not of heard him say, but Rosa deserved to know) and that he had gotten angry at father and decided to go ask him what happened to our mother. Rosa was shaking her head sadly, apparently regretting not knowing what was happening in our family. Then my brother explained that father had gotten even angrier, and had screamed at Theo. Then he had pointed his wand (Rosa's eyes widened) at an object and it had exploded, and my brother had fallen, not seeing anything, and hurt his arm. At the end of the story Rosa was crying silently, and the man with her looked sorry.
'I- I'm so sorry- I didn't know...' she said, shaking her head.
'What?' I asked, frowning.
'I didn't know what was happening-' she repeated.
'No!' I said, getting up. 'You- You're a witch!'
Theo lifted his head quickly, as if he had just realized something. I continued looking at Rosa.
'And all this time- I thought you didn't know-' My voice was shaking with shock.
But Rosa shook her head, and the man next to her looked at her in apprehension.
'Rosa isn't a witch' he said. 'I'm a wizard- she's a squib.'
Theo gasped, the man nodded, and Rosa looked at us sadly. But I looked at my brother, confused. He understood.
'A squib' he said. 'is someone who was born in a wizard family but has no magical powers.'
I looked at Rosa, not knowing what to say. She smiled and nodded.
'But you two are more important right now- This is horrible. Someone needs to be notified about this-'
I closed my eyes and said no.
The two villagers looked at me in shock.
'But-'
'Not now. Please' I added, looking at Theo, who agreed.
Rosa looked shocked.
'I- Alright then' she said, shrugging. She smiled. 'By the way, this is my brother Jordan.'

--------------

That was a short chapter, so sorry! But don't worry, I'll be adding more as soon as I can. Please please please post feedback!

Chapter 5
---------------

It had been about a week since Theo's little... incident. I'm quite glad we didn't meet Greyback, I'm now convinced he's real! Rosa had kept us in her little wooden house until morning, when it was safe. We had breakfast there and she brought us home. When we got inside father was sitting in the kitchen, and he stood up as soon as he saw us, his chair falling over. He seemed shocked to see us and relieved at the same time. But he seemed to go all angry again just a moment later... He went up to Rosa and told her' he told her that her services would no longer be necessary (at least not for the moment). I wanted to say something to stop him, change his mind, but Theo held me back. So now we've lost Rosa. I hope she comes back'

She looked shock, but nodded sadly, waved at us and left. We watched her walk away, and I think I started crying, but I can't remember much that happened before' before father spoke to us. He seemed to be avoiding to look at us in the eyes; he looked disturbed as he spoke. He said- that now Theo and I can't leave the house. Never. No chance. But that's not what I have a biggerproblem with; I can sneak out to the secret garden anyway, I'm sure he won't notice at all. Matter of fact, that's the problem. He spent the entire week shut up in his room, not talking to anyone. But I think I've heard him creep downstairs a few times, probably to get food. All the doors are locked (he doesn't know about my window), no chance we could of gotten out that way. It actually happened a few times that when we got out we'd hear him grunt in his room or he'd even ask us where we're going. I'm pretty sure he doesn't bother listen to our answer most of the time... This is really sad. Shut up in my house for who knows how long. Very, very sad.

It was Sunday, a beautiful sunny Sunday. I kept my eyes closed for a moment, enjoying the last moment I had of my sleep. I had had a dream- a really good one. I was in my garden, sitting in snow. And beautiful snowy birds were signing around me. I was laughing at them, with them, enjoying myself. Then I had opened my palm, and out came a butterfly. And again- a ladybug. One last time I did it, and sparkles flew out, into the air, swirling aroud me, but soon they turned into dark, tiny monsters circling me, and everything was going black- There was nothing particularly enjoyable about this dream, but it was good and I knew- I knew it meant something.

I quickly opened my eyes and burst out of my bed, pulling my robe on and sliding my feet into my slippers. And I took a deep breath, looked out the window. I had been right. A thick layer of snow was covering the ground, just like in my dream. I hadn't even seen Autumn go by. The trees were suddenly naked, like their leaves had fallen in one night. But they hadn't. I just hadn't been paying attention to the seasons, to the weather. And this mean- this meant my birthday had passed. I was twelve. Twelve. I smiled, waited a second, to savor this delightful moment, and ran to my brother's bedroom; but he wasn't there. I frowned, disappointed, the grunting of my father echoing through the hall from his room. I hurried downstairs, and there he was. Theo was sitting at the dining room table, eating all we had for breakfast- Some bread, water and an odd type of butter Rosa had given us when she was teaching. (But it was really good!)
'It's snowing' he said, pointing outside.
I laughed.
'Noticed.'
His arm had been mended by Jordan, Rosa's brother. It had been numb for the next few days, but now it was back to normal. Theo seemed to be enjoying this- he was using it for everything.

Only half an hour later we were in my room, staring out the window, sipping out badly-made hot chocolate. I had cleared my throat loudly and asked my father, through his door, if we could make hot chocolate. After quite a long speechless moment, he muttered some bearly audible answer, but I made it out as 'sure'. So we had a little bit of fun and decided to (try) to make ourselves hot chocolates. They turned out pretty delicious, actually. It had a little touch of... happiness in it. Just one hint of joy.

So now we were staring outside enviously, longing to go jump in the snow as we did every year, or used to. I looked at the clean white, sparkling snow and looked at Theo, raising my eyebrows. He looked back, frowned sarcastically.
'What?' he said, grinning.
I smiled back.
'Oh, nothing... You know. It's really nice- Our first day of winter!' I said, shrugging and gesturing towards the window. I opened it.
Theo laughed, shaking his head, and looked outside.
'You know, Cissy... we can't always get what we want. You'll have to learn that life isn't all about breaking rules' he said, staring at the sky.
I got up, leaving my hot chocolate on the windowsill.
'But that's all we can do!' I said, dropping my arms to my side hopelessly. 'This is the only way we'll actually get to have a life!'
Theo looked at me sadly, and outside again. I sighed.
'Theo- Please. Just this once-'
'Just this once? We're always breaking rules, disobeying, Narcissa! I think we ought to-'
'To what?' I said, crossing my arms. 'To take a break? Alright, sure then! We'll take a break and sit in my room, admire the first beautiful day of winter, and wait months, maybe years, till Dad lets us out?'
Theo put his face in his hands. But right at that moment, the sound of a slamming door bouced off the walls of the house. There was no mistaking that sound. Theo looked up, seemed to think for a while, and stood up. To my surprise, he put one leg out the window, and on the ladder. I grinned widely, and for some reason tried to cover it.
He tilted his head towards the outside to gesture me to follow him out. I laughed and approached the window. He went completely out the window, and after a few moments his head emerged from it.
'Happy birthday, Cissy' he said.

-------------

Another chapter! Sorry to say my story is almost done. I just really want to get on with another one, a really good, sort of 'official' one. Longer, too. Please, please please post feedback! I'm begging for some! lol

Chapter 6
---------------

We had been playing outside in the snow for about an hour, and father hadn't been back yet. But he usually left for the whole day when he left, (which had become rare now) whatever he was doing. So we just played along and enjoyed our time of rule-breaking while we could!

We were just starting a snow ball fight. I picked up some snow and looked at Theo. He seemed to be busy, his back turned to me. I opened my palm, and had it only been a second that a perfect snowball was in my hand.
It was round and beautiful, my first try of the day. Usually my snowballs were abnormally deformed or gigantic or small, but this one- my best. I hadn't even tried to shape it, though… I gasped and let it fall. But I shrieked as it floated in the air for a moment, just hanging there. I clasped my hands to my mouth; it fell right onto the ground. Theo turned around, alerted by my shouts.
'Theo- Oh, Theo! I wish you could have seen-' I said, beaming and still staring at my open hands. 'I did magic!'
Theo grinned widely and started walking towards me.
'I hadn't done magic in so long!' I said happily.
'Great! But I don't think it's going to change anything…' he added sadly.
I nodded. I wouldn't be going to Hogwarts. I'd have to learn on my own.

I looked around; we were in my secret garden, and it was covered in snow. But it suddenly occured to me that the flowers were still popping out, colorful, from the ground. I frowned. There were no flowers in the winter, usually. I was going to call Theo when I saw him...
'Hey Theo-'
I turned around. He was hurrying up the ladder to my room. I frowned and followed as fast as I could, although not knowing why.
We finally reached my window; Theo pulled me back in and snapped it shut, but only after pushing the ladder of the wall. It landed in the snow with a distant thud. I looked at him, my eyes wide open.
'What was that all about?' I asked, confused.
'We can't go anymore anway, and I think it'd be best father didn't see it' Theo answered, looking outside.
'Father?'
'We nearly got caught, Cissy. I don't think we should sneak out anymore' he said, shaking his head.
I gasped. He was right. I could hear father running upstairs, angrier than ever, it seemed. I peeked out a hole that I had made in my door out of boredom; he stormed right past me, so fast, that I had to flatten myself against the wall, just as a natural reflex.
I think he knew where we were, because he shouted accross the hall:
'I want no one, absolutely no one, outside this house!' he said. 'Or Cissy room, while you're at it! No one answers the door!'
I felt my heart sink to the floor. He had called me Cissy. I could not speak.
'Reckon he knows?' said Theo, but I didn't answer.
He looked through the hole, which revealed itself quite useful. Then he paced around for a while, thinking, and looked outside.
'I don't think so' he replied to himself. 'Think he might be expecting someone?' he asked.
I was going to answer, my strength gaining back in me, but Theo distracted me. He gasped and pointed out the window, seemingly absorbed by something.
'Look- brooms!' he said excitedly.
I frowned and tried to see outside too, although not moving from where I stood, near the door. I indeed saw a few brooms, with dark cloaked figures getting off them. But soon enough Theo turned around. He looked at me severely, his excitement all gone. The happiness disappeared from his eyes, his grin faded away.
'Cissy- It's the Ministry of Magic.'

-------------

Oh, another chapter. I hope you thought it was interesting... Alright! Yes, it was short, but that was SO needed, for the suspense! Come on, I hope you understand! lol Well, anyways. Post feedback for this chapter (and everything if it's your first time), please!

Chapter 7
---------------

I was bewildered. Theo didn't give me time to answer, he grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him, down the stairs and we hid next to the door, where they couldn't see us. The Ministry of Magic... Theo had told me about it. But why were they here? I heard a door slam violently upstairs and my father swearing loudly.
'Theo-' I said pleadingly.
But he silenced me with his hand and listened closely. At last I heard footsteps, and people talking.
'But you know, Doris, we must be careful-'
'I know he has children, Mr. Dawson' said a rather squeaky female voice. 'You've told me a million times- I think they're old enough to-'
'To understand? This is a very delicate situation!' said the first voice, which belonged to a man.
At last a very deep and serious-sounding voice shouted.
'Silence!' he said.
The doorbell rang. Theo gasped, although I was not sure whether it was in excitement or fear.
'Theo!' I hissed once again.
This time he turned around.
'What?'
I pointed towards the stairs, where stood my father, looking at the same time angry and worried.

Theo answered the door in a rush. The first man spoke. He was short and balding, and was in emerald green robes and carrying a suitcase.
'Yes, hello there!' he said seriously, though smiling. He cleared his throat. 'I am Head of the Departement for-'
'Oh, all right, there, Dawson!' cut the other man, who was rather big, pink-faced and serious-looking. 'I'm Arnold Barn from the Ministry of Magic-' he continued, rather nervously.
'Oh, I sure darn know where you're from!' suddenly growled my father.
He hurried down the stairs and kept walking, finally stopping when he was an inch apart from the man Barn. He looked scarily threatning.
'I- Yes, well that does it then-' said Arnold, clearing his throat, trying to look convincing and hiding his quivering voice.
The small, mousy witch spoke next.
'We... have been informed by the villagers...' she said, hesitating a bit. 'that your children-'
'Leave my children out of this!' growled my father.
Dawson replied quickly and loudly.
'Yes- precisely... This is about your children, sir! They don't seem to be leading a very pleasant life these days...' and seeing the look on my father's face, he quickly handed him a long piece of parchment. 'It says here- oh, just go on and read it...'
My father started reading it out loud right away, looking quite furious.
'With permission from the Minister of Magic, we have sent three of our employees from the Ministry to deal with an important family situation- Who said we're a family- there's people who don't live here anymore! The villagers around this manor have been noticing very few family activity, sighting of the children, and these children's very teacher explained the situation to us. We have made a further- Ah, I ain't reading this!' said my father, throwing the paper to the ground angrily.
I picked it up, not listening to my father argue with the Ministry employees. I felt Theo looking over my shoulder. I straightened the paper and started reading it in a whisper.
'With permission from the Minister of Magic, we have sent three of our emplyees from the Ministry to deal with an important family situation. The villagers around this manor have been noticing very few family activity, sighting of the children, and these children's very teacher explained the situation to us. We have made a further investigation and discovered, under very discrete and confidential measures, that Mr Cygnus Black has been gambling illegally with a fortune that was stolen (illegally also) from a grave in his backyard!'
I gasped.
'Theo, you were right! Gorr Ashterunn... that man... his fortune is burried with him! In my garden! Father knew...'
I felt a sudden wave of anger rise inside me. Gambling illegally. Without thinking, I turned around and shouted:
'How could you!'
Father looked at me, surprised, but soon anger flooded his face.
'See!' he spat at Mr. Barn. 'See what you've done! You've disturbed our prefectly fine life!'
'Perfectly fine life?' It was Theo. 'What do you mean? I could be at Hogwarts right now, with friends, a real home, having fun-'
'THAT'S ENOUGH!' bellowed my father.
I was nervous, scared, worried. I had no idea what was to happen now.
'We-' started the little witch, trembling in nervousy. 'will be taking your children with us-'
Father yelled. It was not words, and I doubted it was supposed to be. He just screamed, and then took out his wand, pointing it at the witch that had spoken. But I was distracted when I heard a 'crack', and noticed that Dawson was gone.
'Stupefy!' suddenly cried my dad.
I looked around. There was a jet of red light, and the witch was on the ground, not moving.
But she was not- she couldn't be...
Arnold Barn was pale, gulping and shaking. His hand twitched under his cloak, but he had to quickly jump forward to avoid my father's spells.
Next thing I knew Dawson was standing next to me again, but so were about five other men. He had gone to get backup at the Ministry. How had he done it so quickly?
Father was now gone and so were the other men, shooting jets of spells in every direction in the living room and in the kitchen. Several objects had been knocked down or destroyed. I nudged Theo in the ribs.
'I think- I think they're going to fight.' I said.
Theo nodded, and I saw his eyes wattering. The Ministry had interfered with our situation- they were going to take us away. But now they were fighting. What if-
I could hear shouting in the kitchen, and I heard bangs and saw colored lights, occasionnal figures swooping down and disappearing almost instantly. I could not believe what was happening. And yet Theo and I were standing there, watching nothing, barely listening, trying to escape reality, but it was there, it was real.
'Cissy' Theo suddenly said. 'Cissy- I love you alot- I don't want anything to happen-'
I nodded and smiled feebly.
'I'm going to go see what's happening, try to calm it down.'
I opened my eyes wide and shook my head, grabbing his arm tightly.
'No. No! Theo, you can't!' I cried. 'You know it's not safe! You can't do magic, you haven't got a- a wand... You'll die, in there, you will!' I said, frightened.
He shook his head in disbelief and looked at me, grabbing my shoulders and slightly shaking me.
'Listen. The least I can do is try. I can't stand just standing here, watching this. I'm older' he added, seeing me try to speak, like reading my mind.
I started crying, unable to hold it. I would never be able to lose him, he was the only one I had...
But as I lifted my head he was gone, running into the room with his hand over his head.

BOOM!
I couldn't look or listen to what had just happened, all I heard was a man shouting, probably Mr. Barn. I was thrown into the air, only hit lightly by the impact, and fell among the dust, on something rather smooth. I felt around me, rubbing my eyes and coughing, sweeping the dust of my shirt, and felt something right under me. It was a person- and soon I realized it was the wheezy witch, who had remained there unconscious the whole time. I got up, still coughing from the dust, which covered every inch of what I could see. And I gasped, seeing what the effects had been.
As I had guessed, there had been an explosion. The wall that separated the entrance hall and the kitchen and living room had been blown apart, leaving only two men standing among the room, holding my unconscious father under the arms.

---------------

Awesome. Leave feedback! Hehe.

Chapter 8
------------

I gasped and tried to move, but the man Dawson waved his wand and I suddenly froze there, unable to move any part of my body. I was stuck there. I knew he had used magic on me.
'You, Ms, Black, stay there!' said Mr. Barn, gesturing to me.
'Obviously' I thought, unable to speak.
'Your father' he continued. 'Is under arrest-'
I gaped at him. My father. Arrested. Gone. To the wizards jail. I wanted to complain... to ask-
'You stay here!' Dawson barked, as if reading my mind. 'We're taking Mr Cygnus Black, here... to Azkaban, where' he said, louder, as if he were expecting the magic to stop anytime now. 'You know why, miss- you read the letter. Just stay here, alright? We'll be back anytime. I just need to Apparate... Accio!'
To mys surprise, the witch that had been lying unconscious under me zoomed away and landed next to him. He grabbed her limp arm tightly, and with a crack he was gone. As soon as he left I felt the charm he had placed upon me break; I fell to the ground, covering my face with my hands. I stayed there for a few moments at least, unsure what to do next. And then- and then I remembered. My brother- Theo.
I leapt up to my feet and pushed aside the bigger debris. I scrambled amongst the mess, making my way through the piles of ston, wood and shattered objects. They were equally covered in dust as I was, lying there, broken. I looked around, but no sign of Theo. Where was he? How was he?
'Theo!' I cried. 'THEO!'
No answer. I shook my head as I realized he was hurt and unable to speak to me; he needed me to care for him. I ran for it- I ran as fast as I could, around the kitchen and into the living room. But still no sign of him. He must of been very weak, if he wouldn't answer me. I promised to myself I would take care of him as soon as I found him, doing whatever I could.
I called his name again and again, crying, shouting, screaming... I ran around the room, sobbing for him, shaking uncontrollably. But he was nowhere. Where had he gone? Had the men taken him away? Was he hiding from me, from the world? Or had he simply fled? I fell on my knees and starting feeling the ground, tossing away pieces of wood and glass and stone, cutting myself as I pushed aside or threw the debris behind me.
And then, just one moment later, right when I was about to give up and go back to wait for the Ministry people- I saw it. White, bloodless, cold and frail... A hand. Protruding from under a thick coat of dust and a large wooden board that had fallen from the wall, was a hand, lying there, not moving. It was next to the window of the living room, illuminated by the small ray of sunlight that was penetrating the room from the closed but badly ripped curtains. I hurried towards it, gasping for breath, falling and tripping all over the place, but having only one goal. It was Theo- Theo's hand... I dived forward and grabbed it tightly. It was lifeless, frozen. I threw aside some stones and shattered vases, sobbing loudly, and with all my strength I pushed on the wooden board. It fell sideways with a loud thud, revealing indeed Theo's pale and broken body.
'Theo!' I cried out. 'Theo!'
I placed my hands on his shoulders, shaking him, although knowing it would have no effect. I fell down, crying, where Theo lay dead upon the floor.


* * *

The entrance door wrenched open. Several men and women came bursting into the house, wands at the ready. I could hear them from where I was, although it was more of a distant buzzing noise…
'You go there, Helda! Dawson, you can look upstairs-'
'There will be no need for that, I think, Barny' said a woman with a deep, serious voice.
I heard whispers and the sound of several people rushing in my direction. I held on to Theo even tighter, tears still flowing from my eyes. A hand with long, sharp nails closed upon my shoulder, and I felt several bracelets dangling from the witch's arm.
'Darling, come... You have to come with us...'
I merely shook my head, unable to speak.
'Miss Black...'
I shook my head again, more curtly this time, pushing away all the hands that we reaching towards me. But as I opened my eyes and saw someone grabbing Theo's waist, I threw them aside furiously and shouted, without letting my brother go:
'I SAID- I PROMISED I'D TAKE CARE OF HIM! I HAVE TO-'
'NO!' shouted Dawson. I understood that he was speaking to me. 'Miss, don't be silly- Your brother... He is gone, you see? G- Gone-'
'Listen! You have to come with us!' said the wheezy witch that I recognized as the one that had been unconscious earlier. 'We will bring you to the Ministry, and then to the Leaky Cauldron, where someone is anxiously waiting-'
'I will NOT go to the stupid Ministry of Magic!' I bellowed.
'Alright, then... We'll skip the Ministry for today, but please, ma'am-'
But ignored her completely, too shocked.
'My brother! My brother- Theo... Dead...'
And I collapsed again, sobbing heavily, shaking violently. I didn't protest this time when someone grabbed both my arms, but I did not move as they pulled me away. I suddenly realized what they were doing, and dived sideways to avoid being taken away from Theo. 'Theo... my brother, my only friend...'
'Miss Narcissa!' shouted Dawson; he sounded impatient. 'You will come immediately with us and- and...'
'LEAVE US ALONE' I shrieked as they took Theo away. 'LEAVE HIM ALONE, LEAVE HIM ALONE! I HAVE TO... I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM, LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU STUPID WIZARDS-'
'STOP!' screamed a very large looking man at the back of the group. His face was red from the simple order; the men did not know who exactly he was talking to, me or them. But it looked to be both.
'The girl' he said. 'Let her go, but she can't escape... Her brother' he added, whispering, but I still heard him. 'To the Ministry, we need to... you know what I mean. I'm going to have to stupefy her-'
'NO!' I bellowed (I did not even know what stupefy meant, but it did not sound good.) 'DON'T- KILL ME INSTEAD! I WANT THEO... I need Theo...'
But I didn't get the chance or time to say anything more. I heard the man say something that sounded much like 'stupefy!', and then everything went black.

-----------

Interesting chaptah, eh? I liked it, personally. It was... emotional? Well, I hope you liked it! Let me know! Leave feedback!

Chapter 9
---------------

Voices were buzzing around me, but I didn't dare open my eyes. Where was I? I didn't know. I rolled over, trying to feel what I was on. It seemed to be a bed... But was it? Was I dead? Like Theo, had I joined him? Had I left this horribly unfair world?
But the truth suddenly hit me hard in the chest, as if I had been punched. I gasped for breath and started to cry silently, unable to hold myself. I didn't care if people were watching me. Theo was gone, gone forever. Theo, my brother, my sweet brother, the only family left to me, my only friend... I would never see him again, never run away with him again, perhaps even never see my secret garden again... My father was gone. My own dad, in the wizards' jail, locked up for stealing money. I sobbed heavily, burrying my face into my pillows. What was I going to do now? Was I dead? But if I wasn't, then where was I, what would I do, with no one to live with, nowhere to go... But as I heard footsteps come up stairs I wiped my eyes and tried as hard as I could not to cry. My eyelids suddenly flew open. Looking around, I saw I was in a room, definitely on a bed, at least. It was an elegant, well-kept room that had walls and furniture made of dark polished wood, with a large mirror over a dresser. I looked straight at it, seeing myself for the first time in what seemed like ages.
I was still Narcissa, still twelve years old and alive, yet I looked exactly like I should of after what had happened; my hair was dirty and messy, my face was covered in dust and smoke, and I definitely looked like someone had juts carried me here and left me to sleep... or die, I would have prefered.
I suddenly realized that the people going up the stairs were not coming to my room, wherever I was. I got up slowly, and tried to make myself look a little bit better. But as I opened the door, I saw someone facing me, a tall, dark-haired woman with cleaning tools. She seemed to have been about to knock on the door. She looked down at me in surprise, but after a moment she seemed to decide I was a little bit too filthy to go anywhere. She pulled out what I recognized instantly to have been a wand, waved it at me and said:
'Scourgify.'
I did not know what this meant or was supposed to do, but I found out not much longer. I felt a swooping sensation travel over my body, and just a second later I was all clean. Only my hair was still messy. I pulled my fingers through it, hoping the woman would make some more magic and groom it, but she had simply smiled satisfactorily and walked into my room to clean up. I rubbed my eyes and yawned, looking around. I was in a hallway, very similar to my room, that ended with a staircase that led downstairs. I slowly peered downstairs. I seemed to be in a restaurant or inn of some sort. There was a bar with a toothless man at the counter, several tables and plenty of flying cutlery and chairs, swooping accross the room swiftly. I couldn't help but gasp at this amazing sight. Never had I seen magic this closely! But it seemed completely casual to the people sitting in the bar. There was a man sipping coffee and reading the newspaper, an older woman with grey flyaway fair and a pointy hat, and finally I tall blonde woman (who reminded me of myself) and a younger girl with long dark, curly hair who was probably her daughter. I took a deep breath and slowly stepped downstairs. The one man looked up at me for a moment, but went back to reading his newspaper. I finally reached the bottom of the stairs. I had no idea what to do, but the barman noticed me and nodded towards me after looking at the two girls.
They both turned around and got to their feet. The older woman was tall, thin and blonde, and I found she even looked a little bit like me! She seemed very familiar, but I couldn't see from where. The girl beside her, though, looked completely different. She had dark curly hair that fell to her waist, and she wasn't bad looking, but not as beautiful as the woman next to her. But I saw it in her immediately, who she looked like. She had the looks of my father.
'Narcissa!' said the woman, hurrying towards me with her arms open. It took me a while to understand... I gasped in shock and jumped in her arms.
'Mother!' I said excitedly, wanting to cry even more with shock.
It was my mother. She was there, standing in front of me, so many years later.
'You're twelve, honey!' she said. I could tell she was pleased to see me too; her eyes were watery. 'Oh, I've missed you so much...'
I stood in front of her, smiling. I couldn't believe it. But the girl next to her, I couldn't tell who she was or why she looked so happy. But I found out the instant later. She approached me, holding out her hand.
'I'm Bellatrix.' she said. 'Your sister,' she added with a smile.
I gasped in surprise, unable to hold the impolite greeting words from escaping my lips.
'My sister? You- You're- Bella...'
She nodded, pleased to be understood. But I didn't understand. Since when- I had never known I had a sister... I was in awe to see my mother again, but somewhere some part of me was demolished, had fallen apart... And yet I knew I wasn't disappointed.
'I told you to stay away from father' suddenly said Bellatrix, sighing sadly.
My mum smiled too, although hers was even more miserable and painful. After all these years, she had only met me because her husband had died and betrayed the secret of a tomb in our backyard, only for money...
'There- There is a funeral tomorrow' added my mother, speaking again. She looked worried and still relieved to hear those words, as if a ceremony would calm her down, relieve her from all the weight of the previous events. But I completely understood. Even I felt I needed to go to a funeral, like I would never be in peace without something to completely leave my own brother to rest in peace. 'We'll be living all together in the Manor.' she said.
I was surprised. The manor, where I had lived not so long ago, quite miserably though, with the other half of my family... I did also feel I needed to go there, too. Something inside my head was telling me that following my mother and sister would take me where I needed to go, on the way to a happier and peaceful life.

------------

Nope, it ain't done! Well, now you know what happened to Bella and, um... Lemme check what her name was- Druella... I just realized I forgot to give birth to Andromeda in my story... my bad. Woopsies, too late now! Aghk. Well, final chapter coming, PLUS! an epilogue! WHOA! I know. Well, leave feedback, please please please! A Christmas present!

A Blonde Of Fury - Final Chapter

Alrighty, guys, last chapstick! I know this wasn't one of my best fics, but I hope you enjoyed reading it and you'll read my other ones too! Either way, I had fun writing it all the same. I think this is an interesting ending, well- fine, I mean... but I'm gonna tell you- it's your Christmas present! Well, I hope you have a nice Christmas everyone and thanks loads for reading and reviewing my fic(s), please leave your final feedback for A Blonde Of Fury here!

Chapter 10
-------------

I stepped out of the house through the old glass doors, which had been repaired by magic, taking a deep breath and inhaling the fresh scent of flowers. I looked around nervously, curling my hair with a finger. The backyard had grown into a beautiful flowery garden in no time at all, thanks to my mother's magical skills, making it rather better-looking than it had been before. But something in me couldn't help me from thinking of my father. I had not been to see him yet, but again it did not feel ready to. We had visits to Azkaban, but for now it was once a month. It would be my mother and I, and perhaps Bellatrix too if she wanted. Speaking of her, we had started to get along rather well. She looked completely different than I did, and at first I though we had completely different personalities too, but it seemed like I was becoming more and more like her... Anyway, I was glad to be with her now, glad to have someone to talk to, aside from my mother... But I would never forget Theo. I was incredibly sad and broken to be here at his funeral, the truth of his death rubbed in my face, yet I needed to pay him this respect for having always been the most wonderful brother ever, for making me happy all the time and teaching me things that I would never have learned if it weren't for him. Maybe he was just meant to leave, maybe he had only come into this miserable world to fix things, to be the light in my life. I was only starting to get over him, but now, being at the funeral, I felt it would take longer.
The garden was completely transformed. Not only colorful yet sad flowers were there, but many many white chairs were lined up in rows, facing a podium behind which was a grave dug into the earth. My eyes filled with tears, but blinking quickly I continued to look around, though my vision was now blurry. Most guests were here, some sitting down already and others talking in groups and saying hello. I felt a confusing wave of loathing swoop in me as I watched them laughing, talking and smiling. Did they care, that Theo was gone? Did they understand? Obviously not! How could they stand there happily, chattering away with their friends, while they were at the funeral of a loved one- a loved one who was now dead? Did they actually feel something- had they come because they cared, or simply because they had been invited? I wiped my eyes, shaking my head, and started to walk. I felt a few heads turning as I walked down the aisle to the front row where my mother and Bella were waiting. But I did not look at them, determined to make it visible that I was mourning the terrible loss of a very loved one, the only person I ever had. I simply looked at my feet determinedly as they walked me to my chair, but as soon as my mother's kind arms reached me I collapsed in tears onto her shoulder; she stroked my hair gently and I felt some of her own tears run down my long, blonde curls, the ones that had been through so much, those that had been stroked at other times by myself, out of fear or thrill, or by Theo and Rosa, in comfort... The formerly gentle blonde hair that formerly gave off a sensation of kindness was now cold and dead, full of hatred and fury towards the world.

About fifteen minutes later, a short, wheezy old wizard in dark navy-blue robes came walking up the aisle, surprising the many people who hadn't noticed him. The complete crowd fell silent, aware that the ceremony was about to begin. I wiped my face with my sleeve and turned from my mother; Bella straightened in her chair and looked blankly at the front, where the small man was now standing, clearing his throat.
'We are here' he finally started, with a used voice that had probably said this quite a bit of times. 'to pay respect to the son of Cygnus and Druella Black, whom we lost very recently in a terrible accident.'
I wasn't sure whether he would say how he had died or not, but it didn't matter to me. My vision was blurred with tears and my thoughts seemed all fuzzy. At the sound of her name, my mother had shifted in her seat and gave an accidental small hiccough that sounded much more like a cry; I gripped her arm tightly and continued to look straight ahead, unfocused. By the time I caught up with what the man was saying I noticed he had started a speech about my brother.
'Theo Black was a charming young man, much too young to leave us at this time. His amazing capability to comfort others, instruct them or get things out of them was astounding to many people, such a great little boy, according to his teacher...'
I looked around, and saw Rosa two rows behind ours, crying into a cloth, Jordan's arm around her shoulders. I felt an urge to imitate her or console her, but seeing it wasn't possible at the moment I blinked rapidly, glancing up at the beautiful blue sky. The man was still talking.
'...intelligence impressed everyone around him, as he was so great at figuring out things and inventing stories, and as mentioned before- instructing others.' I felt uncomfortable at these words, thinking of all the things that Theo had taught me... 'Theo did not deserve such a horrible and mysterious, sudden death. What he deserved was to live much longer, much happier, to have a better life than he did in this very manor barely a week ago. And so let's remember the good memories we all have of Theo Black, and cherish them forever in respect of the loss of such a brilliant man.'
My mom started crying loudly in her hands, and after watching her for a moment Bellatrix put her arms around her. I leaned sideways, letting my head fall onto her shoulder gently. Some people were starting to mutter around us, and I heard 'sad', 'boy', 'Theo', 'brilliant' quite a few times, trying to forget it myself...
A while later two men approached the crowd. People turned around to follow them down the aisle as they carried a large box made of dark wood, which with a sudden chill I realized to be Theo's coffin. I didn't bother gulp away my tears this time, letting them flow quickly down my cheeks. The thought of Theo's dead body being meters away from me digusted me but scared me at the same time. I was just realizing how I hadn't seen him for a few days (which seemed like forever to me), and that I had been missing him more than anything, when I noticed that they were putting the coffin in the grave. With a quiet sob I turned around and straightened up in my chair, trying too hard to keep a black face as I watched them deposit my brother's coffin several feet below the earth. It was done, over. Theo was gone, forever, I would never see his bright, happy face smiling at me ever again- With a loud cry, muffled by the sound of people getting up and sobbing, blowing loudly into their handkerchiefs- I fell into my mother's arms and we stood there, crying together at the loss of not only a wonderful loved family member, but also at the loss of what seemed like all happiness and joy in the world.

La Fin

* * *

Epilogue

Narcissa Black, twelve years old and healthier then she had ever been, walked slowly in the packed, stone walled and floored halls, looking at the ground darkly, even if it was one of the best days of her life. Next to her, her sister Bellatrix was walking casually, waving to some people as they passed by, their robes tangling together as the flew behind the students wearing them. Bellatrix was leading Narcissa around, showing her the place, being her sister's first time. Narcissa looked up and around at the grounds, people of different ages chattering away all around them, laughing and hugging. Narcissa had lost the desire to laugh or be happy at all months ago, and it didn't seem to be coming back to her that quickly. She absently patted her new silver and emerald Slytherin badge, starting to lower her head. But as she was doing so, a flash of white caught her eye. She looked at the source of this distraction, and saw it was a young boy about maybe a year older than her, tall and handsome, his shoulder length white-blonde hair falling swiftly behind his head. Something flipped in Narcissa's stomach, and her insides lurched uncontrollably. For a moment she felt as if she were about to fall on the ground, inexplicably, but she just froze on the spot. Bella didn't notice- she was talking to her friends. Cissy blinked rapidly, wiping her eyes and trying to keep them off the boy, but she didn't seem to be able to.
'Hey, Lucius!' someone called loudly, waving at him.
Narcissa smiled widely, feeling lighter and happier then ever, as if suddenly all joy had come back to the world.