[OPEN] if it makes you happy

[Narcissa Black]

Oh, we’re so c-c-c-c-controversial. We are entirely smooth. We admit to the truth we are the best at what we do.

To say that Narcissa Black was frustrated that Sunday morning would be a major understatement. Not only was she lacking sleep and food in her system, but also, she was more than willing to strangle those dratted first years, that if they squealed "Oh Merlin, it moves!" one more time, she would march right up to their stupid dormitory and knock on their stupid door and hex them into a stupid oblivion. And yes she was aware that early in the morning she lacked her ample selection of adjectives. Those started to function until she had at least one cup of orange juice in her system. She didn’t care for whatever it was that kept “moving” but she swore that if she heard it one more time, she wouldn’t be held responsible for her actions. That was just tempting fate, dammit. So as to keep her record clean, she had stomped away from the commons before she could hear one more squeal.

It didn’t matter that they were fellow Housemates, no it didn’t. It was seven thirty in the bloody morning of a Sunday everyone was allowed to be merciless so early in the morning. Besides, she was lacking in her beauty sleep. Her summer had been everything but dandy, shooting snarling remarks to her father and trying to sweet-talk her mother at the same time. All in the name of going out. Seriously, weren’t her parents supposed to be trusting and caring and not at all the suspicious trolls she had been set up with? It had been more than a bit troublesome to keep the positive answers coming her way, but thanks to Andromeda’s everlasting woes, she had been able to set the spotlight in her middle sister’s direction. Having a deteriorating relationship you’re your father did have its advantages after all. And Andromeda hadn’t even seen it coming, the poor girl. Now, after a whole summer of sneaking into the Potions lab at the Manor late at night, Narcissa was ready to recover in every sense. She was tired of those detested bags under her eyes that refused to stay hidden under a Glamour for long and for them to completely disappear, there had to be sleep sometime. And those kids weren’t even capable of understanding a snarled threat…or they didn’t know who she was yet. But they would. As soon as her pretty head emerged from the marshes of sleepiness, she would start plotting the downfall of Hades’ spawn.

”Pricks,” she muttered irritably under her breath as the entrance to the Slytherin common room slid shut behind her, sealing thus, the fate of those inside. But what she needed right now, was a cup of ice cold orange juice. The sooner the better. It wouldn’t do to go prancing around the castle looking as undignified as she felt. And all the worse knowing that it was a possibility to run into one of your enemies. Something that happened all too often when your enemies consisted of half the school population. Although she needn’t worry. The worst of them were probably still snoring away in Gryffindor tower. The Marauders were certainly not known for their early rising. Anything else that fate decided to throw at her in the particularly unpleasant morning, she would deal with a swish of her wand and a muttered hex. Narcissa wasn’t in the mood to be crossed anymore. If she had stopped herself from throwing the Killing Curse earlier was simply because she knew it would immediately be traced to her. Those kids had to thank Merlin for small favours.

A cup of orange juice and two bagels later (both of which Narcissa ate with a dainty sneer of distaste), Narcissa was well on her way towards the library, planning to do some light research for her vengeance. A practical Itching Potion would do, and even though she had committed the procedure to memory a long time ago, she was lacking this certain ingredient, and was searching for an alternate substitute. One which, hopefully, could be found in the school grounds. So she directed her steps toward the back of the library, her index finger brushing against the spines of the tomes, looking for Practical Potions For The Practical, a small pleased smirk present in her red lips.

[/blockquote]

[dylena]

Sunday mornings were certainly not meant for finishing up homework. No, they were meant for sleeping in until well after the sun had risen. But when younger students who didn't have homework decided to take over the common room, it was difficult to concentrate on anything. And trying to do the homework on her bed had been a bad idea. So now, Dylena Durnen was up at an ungodly hour for a Sunday in the hopes that she could finish up her homework before noon. She'd decided to not even bother with the common room. In the library she stood less chance of being interrupted, and it would certainly be quiet and most likely empty so early in the morning.

So, she'd managed to stumble out of the tower relatively quietly. Only dropped everything once on her way down. She'd forgotten to jump over one of the vanishing steps and had gone toppling forward, her books flying out of her hands and down the rest of the stairs. She blamed it on the fact that it was too early to be awake. She made a little detour to the Great Hall to grab some toast and a glass of juice, which she had eaten just slow enough to avoid choking on it. When she finally made it to the library she found it to be as empty as she'd hoped. No one around, not that she could see anyways.

She dropped her load of books, parchment, and of course quills and ink, onto one of the tables. She plopped unceremoniously into the chair and pulled a partly finished essay towards her. Reading over what she'd gotten done the previous night, which wasn't much, Dylena decided that she'd much rather be curled up in her nice warm bed, than sitting in a hard chair in the library. Though it really was too late to go back to bed now, she was wide awake, so there was no sense in dwelling on it. With a small sigh she dipped her quill into her ink and started scribbling out the rest of the essay.

[Narcissa Black]

...and these are the words you wish you wrote down. This is the way you wish your voice sounds: handsome and smart.

With the book safely tucked under her arm and a confident smirk firmly in place, Narcissa started her way to the front of the library, drifting and occasionally stopping to thumb through a Potions volume that managed to catch her attention for a few seconds before she discarded it. Oh wasn't it always like that with her? It was amusing, the ironies of life. She had even managed to forget the reason as to why she was up so early, so immersed was she in the book and muttering replacements under her breath. Her long, blonde hair was now a bit disheveled as when she was thinking too much, Narcissa made it a habit to run her hand constantly through it. The silence that enveloped the library was out of Narcissa's senses, because when she read, she read. She didn't just skim the sentences and skip some words as most people did. Oh, how she hated when people didn't know how to appreciate a good book. It infuriated her to an extent. Well, it would if she ever lost her carefully controlled facade.

As far as she was concerned, the library was empty, so she didn't really notice the brunette girl who was seated in her place until she was facing an occupied seat. Blinking a couple of times, unable to register it since her mind was barely coming out of the Potion-muddled thoughts. "Uh, who are you?" Realizing how unlike herself she sounded (and immediately blaming it on the time), she cleared her throat and twisted her lips in a sneer. "You're in my seat, girl," she said icily. Now, that was more like her. As if to prove her point, Narcissa put the book besides the girl's parchment. Then, her sneer turned into a smirk. Who would be up so early working? It had to be a Ravenclaw, no doubt about it. But who was she? She knew most of the Ravenclaw girls. Or so she prided herself in, but she wouldn't be sure. Impatiently, she started tapping her long and crystal nails against the surface of the table, the clicking sound grating on her nerves. She hated it when people did that, but she hoped this was a way to break the girls' concentration.

No, she wasn't always like this. When people asked her that, Narcissa just brushed the question away with a sarcastic laugh and a wave of her hand, but in all honesty, she treated strangers like that because she could. And the things that Narcissa could do, she did in all liberty and at all costs. It didn't matter that it was on somebody else's expense, so long as she wasn't messed with. After all, her reputation hadn't been something that was easily gained. But it hadn't been something she'd been seeking to achieve either. It had just happened. Five years are enough time to have a solid history behind you. Besides, being Bellatrix's sister did have its advantages. Not that she'd ever doubted that, but still. And yes, she was still ignoring that voice at the back of her head that pointed out that Andromeda was also family, shouldn't she be proud of her too? Because by Merlin, she'd be dead before Andromeda did something that would make her, or the rest of the Black family, proud.

Tired of waiting for the response of the girl, Narcissa deftly plucked the parchment from the table and read the name on the top: Dylena Durnen. Blinking in surprise, Narcissa dropped the parchment nonchalantly, as if she hadn't even snatched it up to begin with. Well, now she could drop the bitch mode. After all, she knew Dylena, and didn't hold anything against the pretty Ravenclaw...yet. You never knew when Narcissa could change her opinion on another person. Even the smallest things offended the silver girl who had a pride that rivaled her Manor in size.

"Dylena," she said with a pleasant tone as her form of greeting, taking a seat across from the Ravenclaw, as if nothing had happened and she hadn't snapped at her just moments ago.

[/blockquote]

[bellbell]

The sun had risen by the time Bella woke up from her nice dream, but her blank expression was soon replaced with a look of horror when she realized that she hadn't finished her essay. She quickly dipped her quill in ink and began to scribble on her parchment, ignoring the messy spots of ink that covered her paper. She had come to the library only a few hours earlier since she couldn't work with all the distractions in the common room and also because her bed made her even more sleepy than she already was. Aunt Susan already didn't like her A in Transfiguration, and this essay certainly wasn't going to help.

The sound of a person talking destroyed her concentration. Bella scowled.The library had been quiet just a minute ago. The voice continued to talk. She gritted her teeth together, as she tried to concentrate on her essay. But concentrating was pointless as the voice just wouldn't shut up.

Angrily, Bella stood up and walked toward the loud voice that was disturbing her concentration,it was a Slytherin. No wonder. "Would you be quiet??!! I'm trying to finish this damn essay!" she snapped her calm purple eyes changing to an unstable green. She couldn't keep her poise as she continued to glare at the person. Slytherin or not, she didn't care. She had to finish her essay, and this Slytherin wouldn't stop her from doing so.

[Narcissa Black]

...oh, my tongue's the only muscle on my body that works harder than my heart

"Would you be quiet??!! I'm trying to finish this damn essay!"

Narcissa slowly, calmly, swivelled to the source of the noise, a small smirk blossoming in her lips as she spotted a girl, random indeed, who, apparently, had temperament issues. Ah yes, she could almost smell the naiveté of this one. She looked young, perhaps the same year as she was, not older. Definitely not older. And she was unaccompanied. Not smart. If your plans for the day included snapping for no particular reason and in general making enemies, you did not come alone. But then again, who could blame this poor, poor girl?

The smirk grew, and Narcissa's fingernails click clicked against the wood of the table, echoing loudly in the otherwise silent library. Oh, the scratch of quills didn't count. That was too constant for you to even start to register it. But the loud staccato of her nails, falling one by one repeatedly against the wood was bound to annoy someone. And the youngest Black sister was almost purring. "Girl," she said in what appeared to be an honest tone. "Your name?" Even though her tone couldn't be friendlier, there was something in her slate eyes that wasn't really promising towards frienship. "I'm not sure I've seen you around before" she said innocently.

No, contrary to ignorance, Narcissa wasn't openly agressive like her sister Bellatrix. As always, she stayed on the subtle side. On the "revenge is best served cold" side. Oh yes, it was almost a heart motto for her. And even though this girl hadn't done anything particularly wrong to her, it was a must she had to fix that small attitude problem of hers and stop interrupting others in mid-conversation.

[/blockquote]

[bellbell]

The bubbling anger subsided and replacing it was a strange, chilling calmness that made Bella flash a wicked smile at the smirking slytherin female. It was one thing when Bella was a hot-headed Gryffindor and another thing when she was the cold hearted Evangeline, because, for the moment, she was indeed the cold hearted Evangeline.

The pulsing of her power inside her woke Bella from her thoughts, as the current of power flowed strongly throughout her body. Bella smiled again, for her a wand wasn't a required object since it only helped in focusing her power and the need for a powerful House, such as the slytherin, wasn't much of a requirement as well. The desire was as strong as the magic that flowed intensely around her. Merge with Ella (her alter ego).

The girl, jusdging by the way she reacted and looked, was none other than the beautiful Narcissa Black. Cousin to the arrogant Regulus, whom, she might add, dated her cousin Alice, and also the cousin of the kind, and also weird, housemate Sirius. "How pitiful Narcissa, that you cannot even remember your cousins exgirlfriends cousin," replied Bella, her dark purple eyes glowing with intense malice "Bella Evangeline, 4th Year Gryffindor. Cousin to Alice Luna (5th Year, Slytherin) and sister to Edward Evangeline (4th Year Hufflepuff)"

[cheynesilverstone]

Cheyne seemed unable to sleep this Sunday morning. Constant thoughts of his N.E.W.T.S and passing them invaded his mind. He tried to shake it off, he deserved a break and a sleep in, but no matter how he tossed and turned, he didn't seem able to. Eventually he gave up on trying to go back to sleep. He threw back the blankets angrily, deciding to get up and do some more studying for his tests. He didn't pay much attention to his appearance, sweeping a hand through his mussed black hair before throwing on some clothes. He only had one thought, one worry, on his mind. And that was he must pass these tests.

He knew he should eat, or drink, something before he studied, but with the rate his stomach was churning, he didn't think he could possibly keep anything down. So instead he traipsed onto the library, wanting to try and lift this doom and gloom that seemed hovering over his head. He was hoping that since it was so early, at least the library would be absent of most of the people there. Which means that it would hopefully actually be quite quiet, and he could get some study in and not generally be distracted by the whispered voices of the masses, of pages ruffling, books slamming shut. And likely he wouldn't be distracted by socialising with any of his friends, or anyone he wanted to be friends with either.

As he entered the library however, he immediately saw he wasn't alone. He had been beaten to it. He didn't think that such a thing would be possible, particularly on sight that one of the girls was a Slytherin, but there you have it. He could understand the Ravenclaw being here, wasn't there main goal in life to succeed in class? There was even a Gryffindor in there funnily enough. Now he was adding himself to the mix. One person from each house. Nice. The Gryffindor and the Slytherin seemed to be exchanging "words". This did not surprise Cheyne in the least. House rivalries and all. Suddenly, Cheyne's social mode kicked in (as he feared it might) and he headed over to the three girls, all thoughts of studying exiting his mind.

"Girls, girls, girls," he tutted in a teasing manner, sitting on the other seat available back to front and leaning on the back of the chair with his arms folded. "Can't we just all get along?"

[Narcissa Black]

...wouldn't stop if I could. Oh, it hurts to be this good.

It looked like Narcissa was barely paying attention to what the girl was saying, but even though there was nothing but nonchalance in her expression, her ears caught every word the girl's lips were spilling. You always had to pay attention, even when you thought no one noticed. Because someone always did. They always did. One way or another, if you didn't pay attention, there were always consequences. She'd learned that firsthand, living with Bellatrix for such a long time. But all this shamble about exgirlfriends had her shaking her head mentally. Really, did they honestly expect her to keep track of every single living creature that her cousins deemed date-able? Oh, she had to know better than that. But how could she? First time ever they had crossed words. Actually, Narcissa was a little surprised that this Bella recognized her so...thoroughly.

"Pitiful?" she paused to let a smile spread over her once pursed lips, not one ounce of malice to be shown. No, not a good opening talk for this girl. Seriously, did she really expect her to keep track...? To even care? No. This was all wrong before it had even started. "I'd say more like, realistic. I'm not particularly fond of my cousins' personal lives, thank you very much, when you seem so well-informed. And since you're so well-versed on that subject, why not drop it? It's obvious your knowledge is superior than mine."

She was mocking her. But her tone did not suggest so. Nothing did. But it was just in her to do so. Just about when she was about to open her mouth to deliver another sentence, someone spoke up. Male voice. Unknown. And actually reprimanding them. Wasn't this turning just a tad bit strange? Narcissa slowly settled her gaze on the newcomer, and smiled tightly, her grey eyes now absolutely dark. "I'm not the one with issues," she commented easily, shooting Bella a discreet but incriminating glance out of the corner of her eye.

[ooc; I apologize for the delay in my response >.<]

[/blockquote]

[aceline20]

"I'd say more like, realistic. I'm not particularly fond of my cousins' personal lives, thank you very much, when you seem so well-informed. And since you're so well-versed on that subject, why not drop it? It's obvious your knowledge is superior than mine."
Aceline looked up and laughed slightly at the way the way Narcissa mocked the browned haired girl. Her and Narissa were anything but friends-actually Aceline doesnt think the've ever even met-but she was just another one of the notorious faces around Hogwarts. Aceline had just walked into the library and had just caught the end of the conversation, a smirk playing on her lips. Shure, Bella did nothing to her- Aceline just didnt like her.

Aceline had seen the girl from afar, the avoided each other for the most part. Bella was just another insignificant little being standing in her way. Life would be so much easier off without people like her With a flick of her platnium blonde hair, Aceline strolled over to the section where the books were catorgorized from A-to-G and selected a book on Defense Against The Dark Art's. Not that she needed any help in defending herself against dark magic. She needed to prepare herself for what cursed may someday be aimed at her

Aceline sat down a few chairs away from Narcissa and picked the book up, flicking to a random page. Her eyes reading. Her ears listening. You always had to listen. Besides- mabey Aceline would get some amusement from their little tiff.

[bellbell]

(Its fine, besides I'm more late in responding xDD)

Narcissa looked as though she were not paying attention, but Bella knew that there was more to that bored, pretty face than what the eye can see. The dark in her purple eyes lessened as both chilling calmness and blazing anger faded into nothingness. Somehow she could understand that Narcissa found it positively annoying for others to expect her to know about other peoples live even though the 'other people' were, in fact, her own family. But, to Bella, those things were not of her concern and in fact, she didn't care, "Drop the subject?" echoed Bella, smiling with lesser malice. "I'll do so gladly, but really Narcissa, you should try to be more informed. It really does help to know ever single detail of what happens in your family,"

That wasn't a lie. It was true. Knowing every single detail in your family was very much helpful. Bella couldn't help but think about the fact that Edward hadn't known about her and her parents and that she had never known that she had a brother or any other family for that matter. And because of that, she had been forced to live in the house of a unkind muggle and his family.

Bella turned, flicking her wand out of her pocket and whispering a quiet spell. A few seconds later, her bag and stack of papers floated towards the table and where she stood. Conversation with Narcissa Black or not, her essay had to be done. Turning back to where Narcissa was, and calmly sitting across from her, she began reading the few sentences she had wrote and waited for what she would say next.

The sound of another persons voice broke the suspenseful silence. A male voice. Bella looked up from her papers. Cheyne Silverstone. How simply wonderful, thought Bella sarcastically, looking back at her papers and letting out a soft laugh at Narcissa's comment. She could feel Narcissa's gaze on her. "Well, at least I'm not the one who needs to put a cork in it," she countered. Afterall, it was Narcissa who had disturbed the peace of the library with her loud voice. In the corner of her eye, Bella saw another figure besides Cheyne and Narcissa. Another smile spread across her face.

"Hello, Aceline, how is your eavesdropping going?" she asked, still looking at the papers in front of her. Aceline always would find amusement in other peoples heated conversations, so it wasn't much of a surprise to have seen her a few chairs away from where they sat.

[aceline20]

"Hello, Aceline, how is your eavesdropping going?" Aceline looked up from the book she was pretending to read and slammed it on the table. Her lips turned up in a sneer as she eyed Bella. Who the hell was she to speak as though Aceline was below her. Bella should be happy that Aceline was even second glancing her. In fact, if it wasnt for Narcissa Aceline probely wouldnt even care at all. Her eyes narrowed as she took a small breath and then she came up all smiles.

"Bonjour, Bella. It's quiet the pleasure to see you here." Acelines voice was sweet with just a hint of friendliness and curiousity. She picked the book up with the tips of her fingers, barely touching it and let it shut quietly. No need to get bent out of shape over Bella. Aceline smirked.

"Studying?" Aceline questioned, not really caring. "Or are you more so content with just bothering people who would rather have you....disapear?" Aceline smiled at the word, all of the niceness she previously displayed gone. Her voice was still dripping honey, but her eyes were now hard. She was never too fond of Bella and the outspoken way Bella adressed her wasnt exactly helping matters at all. Aceline's smile was mocking and her eyes full of critisism as she eyed Bella's hair, to her outfit, to the book she was reading. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. Turning away she greeting Narcissa with a small smile and nod and than turned to the boy who Bella had adressed just before she herself.

"Hello, I'm Aceline." She introduced, done with the conversation she had previously had with Bella. Bella wasnt worth her words and she was about to find out if this boy might be. The colors on his robes made her doubt it-but why not try him out? She might have fun.