Light spread across the old-fangled wooden floorboards as the door opened, lighting up the room for the newlywed couple who entered. The tall man and his bride sauntered in, almost death-like, to match the deadly silence. He set down her trunks and led her through the gothic looking mansion to a large room filled with mostly books and large, elegant green armchairs. Looking his new wife up and down, Lucius smiled and mentally deemed her to fit quite acceptably with his house. He had known Narcissa since his time at Hogwarts but had never really taken much interest in her. This had been an arranged marriage, proposed by Narcissa's mother, Druella. He had, of course, accepted as Narcissa was a pure-blood, a trait very important for the wife of Lucius Malfoy to possess.

Narcissa looked up at him nervously and looked into his steely, grey eyes, waiting for a response. He noted possible weakness and decided to end the silence.

"I'll summon my house elf to show you to your room, you can unpack now or later, whichever you prefer. He is young and not very experienced, but he should by now know his way around the building, so if he shows you any cheek, do not be afraid to punish him." His wife waited patiently as the young house elf appeared, bowing humbly to his new mistress and looking up to Lucius in fear as he waited for his commands. "What have I told you about punctuality? I called you about five minutes ago! What sort of impression is that going to give of me, if my house elf doesn't even obey me properly and with respect,you filthy little creature!" Dobby, the house elf cowered and clasped his hands together, falling to his knees.

"Dobby is sorry Master! Dobby was performing the task Master set for Dobby Earlier. Dobby will do whatever Master says in future!" He begged for forgiveness as Lucius attempted to remain calm. He wiped his forehead and brushed his long, platinum blond hair behind his ears before he spoke,

"Dobby, this is my wife, Narcissa," He held his arm out pointedly at her and continued very slowly, as if the house elf was an infant who couldn't follow instructions very well. "Show her to her rooms. She will be staying on the north wing. Take her trunks for her. I expect her room is ready as I asked?" He paused and raised an eyebrow at Dobby, who nodded eagerly, very much hoping that this would show him as kind and he would recieve approval from his new mistress. He took a few moments to balance all her trunks, as there were many, but eventually he balanced them well emough that he could walk with them. He toddled towards the door, turning back momentarily to ensure Narcissa was following.

As she walked down the many long corridors, she gazed upon the many portraits hung upon the walls. Many of the people in them shared Lucius' fair hair and grey eyes. All of them were pale and all dressed extravagantly, holding a certain poise which unnerved Narcissa, feeling there were a thousand pairs of eyes watching her, judging her every move. She had known Lucius Malfoy had come from a long line of Malfoys who were considered a very respectable family in the wizarding world. Without paying attention to the route being taken, she had reached her room, she presumed as Dobby layed down her belongings at the end of a large bed. He bowed again and left hastily. Looking around, she decided Mr Lucius Malfoy did not know his wife very well. If he had known her better, he would not have dressed the room in silver and green draperies, with a large emerald chaise in one corner of the room. Yes, she had been in Slytherin, and while she looked proudly upon this fact, she had thought that when she left Hogwarts her days of silver and green decor everywhere would be over. She picked up a small red trunk, carrying it over to the chaise. She sat and rummaged in the trunk for a few moments until she found what she was looking for. She took from the case a pretty brown box, the edges covered in embroidery. She fingered the edge of the box, opening it slowly and inhaling the musty smell it brought. As her eyes opened she began to look at the contents of the box, first she looked at an old photograph of three young girls. The smallest of the three was Narcissa herself, smiling broadly into the camera, carefree. Sat either side of her were her sisters. To her left was her oldest sister, Bellatrix, smirking through her dark curls. Her eyes then hovered to the other side of the picture. Sitting sweetly, with her hair in plaits was Narcissa's other sister, Andromeda. She frowned sadly as she looked back at how happy they were when they were young. Andromeda had been disowned from the Black family after she married a muggle. Andromeda had been close to her sisters before she married and Narcissa hated to admit that she missed her. She put the photograph back and took out a crumpled piece of paper, folded neatly. As she unfolded it, Narcissa felt a twang of regret as she realised it was almost ten years since she had spoken to her sister. She looked down at the curled, red handwriting and read the letter for at least the ten millionth time.

Cissy,

I know I haven't written since I left, and you haven't either, so if you don't reply I'll understand.

I miss you, Cissy, you and Bella. Hell, I even miss Mum and Dad too. I love you all and I hope you can forgive

me. I'm sorry but I love Ted and I know that if you got to know him, you would too.

I'm sorry I hurt you. I'm sorry I hurt Bella and I'm sorry that I hurt mum and dad,

but I'm not going to apologise for marrying Ted. I'm glad I married him because I love him and we are happy.

If I'd stayed, Mum would've arranged a marriage and I would've hated it.

I know you all probably hate me and when you see it's from me, you'll probably burn it, but I love you, I do.

Me and Ted are trying for a baby. I want you to be godmother, if you will. I'll understand if you dont want to.

I've never been good at writing letters. Especially not spilling my emotions, but I just needed to let you know

that I still love you all and I'm ready to accept Mum and Dad's apology when they're grown up enough to give one.

Andromeda.

P.S- Do you remember when we went on holiday to dover, and we made necklaces out of seashells?

I've put in my necklace and a photo of us then. We were happy, weren't we? I love you Cissy.

She moved her hand up to her neck as she refolded the paper and returned it to the box. She felt the necklace that she had worn whenever she felt nervous or she needed somebody close to her. She felt the seashells and smiled at the memories it brought back. She sighed and looked down at the box she had hidden for years, for fear of it being found. She moved slowly and slid it beneath her bed, so that it was not visible but so that she could still reach it. Narcissa got up, flattened out her black dress and decided she would finish unpacking in the morning. It had been a long day. She changed into her nightclothes and slipped into the large bed, falling instantly into a comfortable sleep.