The next morning, Narcissa accompanied me whilst I went shopping for new clothes as all I had perished in that damn fire.

"You best let me pay for everything," Narcissa said threateningly as we entered what I instantly labelled as one of the most expensive shops in Hogsmeade. I gave her a glance and she threw one back, making us burst into laughter.

To me, Narcissa was a mix of a motherly figure and a friend. It was great, and ever since Lucius had made a change for the best, she'd been more cheerful than ever.

I wandered the shop as Narcissa left on her own to 'pick something out' for me. I didn't know what she meant by this, but I had a feeling that she wasn't going to show it to me. I lifted a cloak made of a velvety green material, instantly falling in love with it. It reminded me of my precious time spent at Hogwarts - and Hogwarts always reminded me of Severus.

I slung it over my arm. It was expensive and I didn't want to make Narcissa pay for it, so I was going to try it on and save up to buy it. I grabbed a few other simple things, like trousers, tops and skirts, before making my way out the back and concealing myself between a dodgy-looking curtain. I stripped myself down and put some of the clothes on.

I was wearing a black top with matching black trousers made from a tight material. They fit perfectly so I tried on the rest of the clothes, then finally shoved the cloak over the top.

The curtain swung open and I flinched, knocking myself into the mirror. My hand flung out in response as the mirror began to fall off of the wall. Using magic, I lifted it back into place.

"Narcissa!" I exclaimed as I went to push her out lightly. "I could've been getting dressed!"

"Please tell me you like that," she said. I cursed to myself as I realised that she was talking about the cloak.

"Um, yeah. You're not paying for it, though. I'm going to save up."

"No," Narcissa told me sternly, "Don't make me get Severus to come and buy it for you."

"What?" I asked in astonishment. That blackmailing woman. She smirked, pulled the cloak off of my shoulders gently then left with all of the clothes in hand. I sighed, but accepted it. I would just have to make it up to her somehow else.

I followed her out after collecting the rest of my things up - my shoes and bag. I met Narcissa in the main part of the shop where she handed me a bag full of clothes. On top was a pair of black shoes with the tiniest heel. I started, "Narcissa, you didn't-"

"But I did," she teased me as we stepped outside. "Fancy going for some lunch?"

I nodded vigorously. We'd skipped breakfast, and the absence of food in my stomach made me yearn to sit down and bite into something delicious. We headed to yet another expensive looking place, but this one was more casual. I placed myself at one of the tables and Narcissa winked at me, signalling that she was going to find something for me.

I looked longingly into the bag. Guilt filled me as I saw a price tag of one of the items, but I sucked it up. There was nothing I could do. I was barely nineteen, married to my best friend and ex-teacher. I would make it up to Narcissa. I promised myself that.

Narcissa came back carrying a tray filled with an assortment of beautifully made sandwiches. I felt my mouth overflow with drool and I sucked it back in with embarrassment, even if nobody could see. She sat herself down beside me as she carefully lowered the tray packed with food onto the table. Resisting from instantly digging in, I waited for her to take one first.

After she did, I politely took one from the very edge of the tray and began to eat it nimbly. I was always afraid of seeming rude or rash in front of Narcissa, as her and her family appeared to be extremely refined and well-mannered people. I knew this from the experience of being Draco's friend.

As Narcissa began to speak, I felt myself relax. She was undoubtedly speaking to me like an equal. "So," she started, then asked, "Is there anything you need?"

"What do you mean?" I questioned her, raising an eyebrow inquisitively as I looked up from my delicious sandwich for a brief moment. She gave me a look that told me I should've understood, but alas, I did not.

"You and Severus have been together for a while now, have you not?" She inquired, throwing me another of those looks. I sighed and nodded, starting to get the feel of where the topic was going. "I know Severus is a very talented wizard, but I was just wondering if you were in need of any muggle means of contra-"

"No!" I squealed, dropping my sandwich onto the table. I received a few disapproving glances as the result of my actions but I just gave them apologetic smiles. Narcissa laughed, and I knew my cheeks were flushing a bright shade of red. "Narcissa, I would not dream of doing such a thing in someone else's home, I assure you."

Narcissa smirked. "Ah, poor Severus. He's got the body of a young man now, you know. He'll be insatiable soon enough. Besides, I'm sure he's learned a few soundproof spells in his lifetime."

"And I suppose you have, too?" I laughed. To others, it may have seemed rude, but Narcissa and I were undeniably on a similar level in the fact that we were comfortable enough with each other to act like friends.

"That's a secret," Narcissa said with a sense of false bashfulness, allowing me to burst into laughter again. 

I realised the crime I had committed and saved my sandwich from sitting on the table that was no doubt riddled with dust and other tiny molecules that even the best eyes couldn't spot. I would have felt guilty if I had left the sandwich, so I devoured the last bite - or, at least, that was the excuse I gave for my actions. Narcissa shook her head at me in amusement.

The food disappeared gradually but quickly, but before I knew it, I was back in front of Malfoy Manor and greeting Severus.