Back to Blacks (Cissa)

By now, her evening walks around the castle grounds had become habit. Nobody ever tried to engage Narcissa after dinner, because she wouldn't be anywhere easily found. Her destinations always changed, as did her walking paces. It was as if the young woman was actively trying to avoid something, or someone. The truth of the matter was Cissa just found it increasingly annoying to be around any particular group of people. Everyone had an opinion, and everyone seemed to believe the world wanted to hear their opinion at the loudest possible level their voice could reach. Those conversations became dreadfully boring, and Cissa had never participated before, why join in now?

Instead, the young Slytherin girl had taken to her evening walks, setting out on new adventures every night. Sometimes she wandered into the Forbidden Forest, just to chance her luck. Other times, she found herself out by the quidditch pitch or near the gardens. Tonight, however, was one of her favorite places to just sit, relax, and think. She had managed one of the rougher paths leading out the Lake, every so often tripping on a rock or exposed root. Still, the way the setting sun sparkled off the Black Lake made the occasional stubbed toe completely worth the journey.

Anyone who knew her would avidly agree, Narcissa Black was not an outdoorsy person. They would tell you she didn't like to sweat, nor hard work of any kind. Cissa was spoiled and used to having things handed to her and done for her. Sadly, these were the people who considered themselves to be some of her closest friends. They would believe every word they spoke, but they would be wrong. Cissa actually enjoyed the outdoors. Care of Magical Creatures was one of her favorite classes, and she certainly wasn't afraid to get a little dirty. Just because the girl had a taste for the finer things in life didn't mean she couldn't also enjoy working in the dirt. Still, people would think what they wanted, as they always would.

As she neared the water's edge, Cissa froze in her tracks. Just a ways ahead, there was the outline of another person, standing what she assumed was silently. She hadn't expected anyone else to be out by the lake, not so late, anyways. Taking another step closer, she knew the person had heard her shoes on the path. Cissa approached slowly until the person came into view, and she had to squint against the setting sun to get a full view of him. When she did, she chuckled slightly and crossed her arms over her middle. "Well, if it isn't Jacen Frost. Head Boy, Quidditch Captain. Future Minister of Magic, and all around playboy. What brings you all the way out here?"

Cissa smirked at her once soon to be brother in-law. It really was a shame he and Andromeda didn't work out. They would have not only been a handsome looking couple, but Jacen was a sort of decent guy. Bellatrix liked him solely because of his good name and money, that was all Bellatrix cared about anyways. She was trying to rebuild the House of Black from the hole their father had sunk it into. Narcissa, however, had her own reasons for enjoying the lad in front of her. Truth be told, Jacen really was a complete package. There was his name and his money, but then he somehow managed to balance both academia and intellect with athleticism and fun. That was how Cissa had always remembered him, even after things between he and Andromeda went up in smoke. Jacen was fun. Like she used to be.

Turning her head towards the lake and let her eyes drift along with the rippling water. Apparently, this was the spot for most students needing to clear their heads. A fact that had caused Cissa to develop other paths on her nightly walks. A small smile crept across her face as memories of better times (and better parties) crept into her mind. There was a time, sadly not too long ago, that Cissa had been one of the most socialized people around Hogwarts. She had a role as life of the party, and usually didn't disappoint. It seemed her old fun-loving ways had died out when her father was killed. Yes, his death had shaken her at first. It had completely turned her world upside down, but it was learning the truth afterwards that still haunted her. His treatment of her sisters, his callous nature and philandering ways, not to mention the hypocrisy with which he led his life. The man had brainwashed Cissa and kept her from the truth so that he could remain golden in her eyes. After all, she was his favorite. What made the youngest Black sister the most irate, however, was that she had naively fallen into a simple man's plot, and she had so willingly played the part of a spoiled, bratty princess.

These were new days at Hogwarts, however. Narcissa Black was a changed young woman, and people were beginning to talk. Her oddly quiet nature, her mingling socially with halfbloods and mudbloods, even her avoidance of social settings was noticeable. Cissa was simply trying to find herself again, or for the first time--she honestly didn't know which. She had never been her own person. Well, that wasn't entirely true. She and Jacen had had fun a few times, albeit they were in a much larger group, living it up as only they could. At least some things would never change: Narcissa still loved pushing the limits and breaking rules.

She was pulled from her thoughts by that silky voice of his and she blinked a few times as the question registered in her head. "Me?" She asked, pondering the best answer she could possibly give to him without sounding like a mental case. "You see, the giant squid is infatuated with me, and seeing as he's my only prospect in the dating world recently, I thought I'd give it a go." She had stuck her thumb out and gestures to the dark lake, a smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth and giving her a lopsided grin. Maybe she could be playful after all? "What do you think? Too ambitious? I could do better?"

Surprisingly, Jacen's words didn't really surprise her all that much. It was as obvious as a hippogriff in the middle of King's Cross Station that there was some sort of attraction between the two students. Cissa had been warned many times by Bellatrix to watch herself when the betrothal had still been in place. She was an incorrigible flirt, the youngest Black sister, and not even a betrothal to one of her sisters would stop her when she used her talents. Cissa acted on impulse, and if she saw something remotely enticing, she would advance without a second thought.

Cissa turned towards Jacen and smiled a pure, uninhibited smile. It was something she hadn't done in a very long time, and it felt oh so good! She wasn't sure what it was about Jacen that made her fun half rear it's head. Yes, he was accomplished, he came from a good family, had money, confidence and intelligence (something sorely lacking with many of the pureblood Slytherin males), but there was something more vain to her attractions. Jacen was simply handsome--a very fine specimen of a man, and Cissa wasn't ashamed to admit it was this feature that drew her in. His almost perfectly symmetrical face, chiseled features, beautifully sculpted muscles...if she were the swooning type, he would be the man she swooned in front of. Instead, she used her own feminine wiles to cause intrigue.

"Competition?" Cissa let out a laugh and leaned her back against the trunk of a tree near the lake, crossing her arms over her middle, "You assume that I find you kind of interesting? That seems a very big assumption for a man to go toe-to-toe with a giant squid over." She gave him a coy look, winking quickly as her smile widened. All the key openings were there, but in this circumstance, Cissa wasn't going to make a first move. She would play the game until they either both got too bored, or Jacen made an advance. Either way, she would have an entertaining evening. "I think you underestimate the squid. He may be old, but that just means he has experience. Experience can go a long way when trying to impress a girl, you know."