Fatal Flower

Fatal Flower.

It seemed like yesterday that they had been speaking secret alphabets over a pot of tea in Gibbula's attic bedroom. Now they were discussing Gibbula's latest conquest over a bottle of white wine. Harry Angler was his name. He was a year ahead of them at Hogwarts, the most charming boy in Slytherin House and even though Gibbula complained about him telling all his friends about their night together, Narcissa would have traded places with her best friend in a heartbeat.

To Narcissa, Gibbula had it all. Sure, she was a bit chubby, but at least she had breasts and boys swarmed around her like flies. Everything from her short, black hair to her coquettish smile, seemed perfect.

"I wish I was more like you. Look at me! No wonder no one wants me!"

"Oh, Cissa. Your time will come."

Narcissa hated it when people told her that. What the hell was it supposed to mean anyway? Why should she have to wait? Why couldn't she be busty and beautiful now? What if she would never look like Gibbula? Her heart sank and she emptied her goblet of wine in one gulp.

"I have to go, Gibby. Mother wants me to have dinner with that Muggle of hers."

"I know how you feel. I hate my step dad too," Gibbula said as she walked Narcissa over to the fireplace downstairs.

"At least your stepfather is a wizard.

Narcissa threw a hand full of floo powder in the fireplace and waved goodbye to her friend.

The next minute she stepped into her own living room.

"Cissa, is that you? Get washed up for dinner, Saul's making us grilled salmon."

"I'm a vegetarian, mother. I don't eat meat or fish!" Narcissa said in an irritated tone of voice.

She rushed upstairs to her bedroom and slammed the door. She wouldn't eat that Muggle's salmon. In fact, maybe she shouldn't eat at all. If she couldn't be as beautiful as Gibbula, at least she could be thinner. She walked over to her mirror and gazed at her reflection. As she touched her stomach, she felt something soft and furry rub against her leg.

"It's all right, Pantera. We'll be back at Hogwarts soon."

The black cat purred deeply as Narcissa picked her up. There was a sudden knock and the door to her room swung open.

"Cissa, I expect you to behave tonight. I honestly don't know what's wrong with you these days."

"I'm fifteen, mother. I'm supposed to act this way," Narcissa sneered.

She was lying though. Narcissa actually did hate her mother. Ever since she married that stupid Muggle, whom Narcissa hated even more. It was a dark, glutinous feeling in Narcissa's heart, full of loathing and disgust. Her real father was a proud pureblooded wizard and Narcissa had worshipped him ever since his death all those years ago.

Narcissa sat down at the long wooden dinner table in silence. Saul, her stepfather, looked over at the dark cat. It wasn't completely black, when the sun shone on it's fur, you could see the circular markings that were scattered over it's body. The cat answered his stares with a deep guttural growl.

"That beast is not normal, I tell you," Saul said.

"You're the one that's not normal in this household," Narcissa replied as she picked up the salmon from her plate and passed it down to her beloved cat.

"Narcissa! Go to your room!" her mother thundered, "I'm so sorry Saul, I don't know what's wrong with her."

Narcissa didn't wait to hear her stepfathers reply. She was happy to be sent to her room, once again she had managed to avoid a meal. Her stomach growled as she entered her little sanctuary. To her, that was a good feeling. It made her feel like she had control over at least one thing in her miserable life. She undressed and got into her bed, which was nothing more than a mattress on the floor. When she first started Hogwarts, she had asked her mother to take the bed frame out of her room. It would be a constant reminder that her real home was at school. She closed her eyes and relaxed. Her hands moved down to her chest. There was nothing there but two hard, painful discs. She touched them to relieve the constant ache they gave out. Then she started to imagine what it would be like if a boy touched her and a deep sadness came over her. Who would want to touch her? She was fifteen and still looked like a stick insect.

Four days had gone by. Four days of homework and of constant thoughts of food. She had set certain times for herself at which she could eat something and had stuck to them as if her life depended on it. Such power she felt every time she declined a cookie or sandwich she'd been offered. It was such a rush. She put a blanket in her backpack and headed for the fireplace.

"Where are you going, young lady?" her mother asked.

"OUT!!" Narcissa yelled as she quickly threw some powder into the fireplace and took off.

She stepped out of the Umbellicalis' fireplace and greeted her friend.

"Happy birthday, Gibby!"

Gibbula hugged her and planted a big kiss on Narcissa's lips. Merlin, her lips were soft!

"Thanks Cissa. Ready to go to the park?"

Narcissa smiled and pulled out a rectangular package from her backpack.

"Open your gift first!" she said.

Gibbula opened the package and stared at it with uncertainty.

"Thanks Cissa...I've always wanted my very own copy of the Necronomicon."

Ignoring the rather frightened look on her friend's face, Narcissa said:

"You're welcome. Knew you would like it!"

They both darted off down to the front door. Outside a group of their fellow Slytherin, mostly boys, was waiting. They would all walk over to the park together after getting some supplies at the local store. Narcissa was sent in to break the law, as usual.

"Oh, come on, Cissa. You look the oldest in this group by far," they encouraged.

Minutes later she stepped out of the store, gloating, holding two crates of Goblin brew beer, several bottles of wine and an assortment of snacks. She also pulled out a plastic bag containing some green plant. A roar of cheers exploded from the small group of teenagers. They divided the load and walked over to the park.

When they arrived at the park, they spread out the blankets they brought and settled down in the hot sun. Narcissa started rolling some of the green plant into rice paper and everyone helped themselves to drinks and snacks. Soon they were smoking Narcissa's rollies and having a fantastic time. Narcissa felt the fatigue she felt in between her set eating times though and she fell asleep in the sun. When she woke up again she saw Gibbula snogging some boy. Her eyes moved over the grass clearing. Oh, Merlin! Was she still dreaming? Harry Angler, surrounded by a group of girls and a guy with long blonde dreadlocks had just arrived and settled several yards away from her group. She motioned to Gibbula that she was going over to him, but Gibbula was too distracted to notice.

Narcissa's heart pounded as she walked over. She had brought several bottles of Goblin brew and the plastic bag filled with dried green plant.

"Hi guys! Here for Gibbula's birthday?" she asked.

"Hardly," Harry chuckled, "but please, sit down."

Narcissa felt high, not eating and alcohol were a dangerous mix. She felt warm and happy though. They all looked over at Gibbula, who was still snogging that boy

"Look at her! I'm so jealous. I wish I could have half the boys she gets with." Narcissa said.

The blonde guy with dreadlocks turned to look at her and said:

"Don't worry. In five years she'll still be shagging stupid guys and you will have found yourself a nice husband."

Narcissa felt anger boiling up in her. What the hell was that comment supposed to mean? Why couldn't she be shagging stupid guys? Why couldn't she be shagging this gorgeous guy with dreads? A flaming glow came over her eyes.

"I'm sorry, I don't think we've met before. Who are you?" she said in a slightly irritated tone of voice.

"Forgive me for not introducing myself properly. I'm Lucius Malfoy," he replied as he extended his hand to her.