Chapter 18: Ursa in Trouble & "Noble Phoenix"

                                    

                                          
     When they get out of sight of people, Narcissa grabs Ursa's arm and drags her into their room. Narcissa pushes her into an armchair and puts a Silencing Charm on the room in case someone starts yelling. Both Lucius and Narcissa stand in front of her with their arms crossed.
                          
     "How dare you speak such nonsense?" Lucius says. 
                          
     "It is not nonsense." Ursa says. "I am tired of being told that my problems are not valid or I should not be complaining because we are rich and perfect."
                          
     "Rita Skeeter is staying in Hogsmeade too!" Narcissa says. "What if someone tells her what you said?" 
                          
     "She's more interested in Potter and his love life. Well the one she made up for him. As if Potter would date that know-it-all Mudblood. At least date someone with decent blood if you are going to date a know-it-all. Wait never mind that would be me."
                          
     "Ursa!"
                          
     "Right sorry."
                          
     "You cannot say these kind of things." Lucius says. "Our reputation has already taken a hit from what Skeeter has dug up on you. Which yes you have excuses for but other people do not know that."
                          
     "What kind of problems do you have anyways?" Narcissa asks. 
                          
     "My grades in Divinations and Charms could use some work." Ursa says. "Pressure to preserve our reputation in both behavior and grades. Resisting the urge to hex Draco. Struggling to make the right sort of friends. Not having much time for anything but studying. Being the new student when everyone else has known each other for three years already. Potter being an ass and insulting us. Did I mention resisting the urge to hex Draco? Not sleeping because of nightmares. Do you want more problems?" 
                          
     Narcissa sighs. "Why did you not tell us Cub?"
                          
     "What could you do to help? Other than tell Draco to knock it off. I did not see the point of telling you if you could not do anything about it. I did not want to bother you. I do not want to force friendships. I want to get good grades and do better than Draco and Granger which mean studying takes up most of my time. I'm antsy from not being able to train."
                          
     "How about you talk to Severus about the nightmares? As much as I dislike you and Draco taking potions, you need to sleep."
                          
     "Honestly the nightmares are why Draco and I often ended up in one bed during the summer. We cannot do that here. The first night I was homesick and we ended up sleeping on the couch and gross rumors started for a bit."
                          
     "You do not need to worry about getting the best grades Ursa." Lucius says. "Just one of the top five is enough, at least for this year while you are getting used to the school. Have you looked into a tutor?"
                          
     "I have a Charms tutor but it's hard to get one for Divinations since a lot of people just fake the homework." Ursa replies. 
                          
     "As for Potter, just ignore him."
                          
     "It is hard to ignore him. You know I am protective of our family and I think he knows that."
                          
     Lucius pulls a normal chair over and sits in front of Ursa. "You need to tell us these things Ursa. You know we will do whatever we can to help you."
                          
     "I know. I'm just not used to having someone who will help me." Ursa looks at her lap. "I also did not want to bother you."
                          
     "What do you mean Cub?" Narcissa asks. 
                          
     "Beatrice told me to stop bothering her with my complaints and problems."
                          
     "You could never bother us."