A/N: Not mine. None of it.

The Début of Narcissa Black - 1970

Part One

It was the holidays before Narcissa Black's fifth year, and her parents had decided it was time she was tied down. They'd heard little rumours that her best friend, Lucius Malfoy, was quite possibly more than that. They were just pleased that the two of them were finding their way to each other on their own.

Wizarding society was always exclaiming how much of a beautiful couple they would be, yet they weren't aware of just how close they were to becoming a couple. This was the one reason the début was now, and not in December, or at the end of the next school year.

Narcissa had been watching people arrive for a hour now, even though her sisters had been yelling at her to get away from the window every time she ventured near it. Narcissa just wanted to see everyone arrive. She could remember her sisters' débuts like it were yesterday, and she was extremely excited that it was finally her turn.

The only thing putting a dampener on her spirits was the fact that Lucius wasn't here yet. He had to come. She couldn't make her début if her best friend wasn't there to see it.

Andie had just finished putting the finishing touches on Narcissa's hair, when Bella (who had been standing at the window) turned away, and grinned at her little sister.

"He's here."

Narcissa almost broke her neck rushing to the window. Bella had the curtains ready to pull shut should Lucius happen to look up. And look up he did. Bella snapped those curtains shut so fast, Lucius only got the smallest glimpse of Narcissa.

"Bella," whined Narcissa, "I didn't even see Lucius."

"He's here, and he saw you, even though he's not supposed to."

"We're not getting married Bella. Honestly. He doesn't even have anything to do with this debutante thing."

"Oh please, Narcissa. Where do you think I first decided on Rodolphus? That's right, my début. Not all of us can have a gorgeous, rich, charming best friend who just happens to be totally in love with us."

"Lucius isn't charming," Narcissa retorted, rolling her eyes at her sister.

"But he is in love with you, isn't he?" Bella taunted, with a huge grin.

Narcissa didn't reply, though the beetroot colour of her cheeks told Bella everything she needed to know.

"Bell, we need to get dressed," Andromeda said, breaking the silence that had settled over the group.

Bella nodded, managing to give Narcissa one more mischievous look, before disappearing. Andie just smiled at her sister, before leaving as well.

Narcissa barely had a moment alone, before she had a knock at the door.

"Come in!" she called out, wondering who was coming in now.

Her father stepped into the room.

"Hello dear," Cygnus greeted his daughter, kissing her cheek, "you look beautiful."

"Thank you, daddy," Narcissa replied.

"I have something for you."

Cygnus pulled a large jewellery case out of his pocket, handing it to Narcissa.

"I noticed that you didn't have any very nice jewellery of your own. So I thought I might change that."

Narcissa opened the box, to find a very extravagant emerald and diamond necklace. The whole necklace was diamonds, with a huge emerald set in the centre of it. Narcissa didn't even want to think of how much it would have cost her father.

"Thank you, daddy. It's so beautiful."

Cygnus gently took off the jewellery that Narcissa had on, placing it on the duchess, before taking the new necklace out of its box, and fastening it around his daughter's neck.

"So, are you ready to be proclaimed a lady?"

Narcissa nodded, taking her father's arm. He escorted her out the door onto the landing. Narcissa had been getting ready in that particular room because it was directly opposite the stairs.

There wasn't a person in the room that didn't think that Narcissa looked absolutely gorgeous. Her dress was floor length, strapless, and full of embroidery. It had a slight train on it, and even though her heels were quite high, they still didn't prevent her dress from sitting firmly on the ground.

As she descended the staircase, holding onto her father's arm for dear life, she surveyed the crowd. Everyone she knew that was a respectable member of society was here. Of course, basically everyone she knew was a respectable member of society, so it was no problem.

"Presenting Miss Narcissa Black," came a voice from somewhere near the top of the landing. Narcissa would have looked back to see who it was, but she was quite petrified of falling over and making a fool of herself. She'd never worn such high shoes before, but she figured she was going to have to get used to them. She was going to be wearing them a lot from now on.

Narcissa was escorted to her seat by her father, who returned to seat on the opposite side of the table once Narcissa was settled. Her table was filled with her family. There were her parents, seated directly opposite her. Her sisters sat on either side of her. Her cousins Sirius and Regulus and her grandfather sat between Andromeda and her father. Her aunt and uncle sat between Bellatrix and her mother.

Narcissa could see Lucius if she moved slightly towards Bella, so for much of the night, she was having little chats to Bella, just so she could see how Lucius was doing. She was bored enough as it is, but she wasn't surrounded by old people, as Lucius was.

Once dinner had finished, the dancing began. Her father immediately dragged her out onto the dance floor, and was putting her dancing lessons to good use, when Lucius finally gave up on being polite to the old people, and went to dance with his best friend.

"Excuse me Mr Black, may I cut in?" he asked, quite politely.

Narcissa couldn't help but giggle. She was always amused by Lucius being polite. It just didn't seem to suit him, just as charming didn't suit him. To everyone else, all they could say was how polite, how charming, how desirable he was. Narcissa didn't see any of that. All Narcissa could see was Lucius.

Of course she was attracted to him, but she didn't think she was attracted to him the way other people were. They were in love with the idea of him, she was in love with the reality.

'Hello Miss Black," Lucius greeted Narcissa, once her father had relinquished dancing privileges.

"Hello Mr Malfoy," Narcissa replied, giving him a small smile. He spun her around the dance floor like a natural, which of course, he was. Malfoys were perfect at everything they did, mainly because they practiced until they were perfect.

"I must say, you look beautiful," Lucius said, taking the opportunity to pull on one of her curls. "The curls look really good. You should leave them in more often" Not many people knew that Narcissa had naturally curly hair.

"Thanks. Can you do me a favour? Can you save me if anyone decides they want to be cheeky and dance with me for ages?"

Lucius grinned at Narcissa.

"You're so cute sometimes. I will. If it's not amusing. If it is, then I may just let you suffer for my own enjoyment."

"You're so naughty, Lucius Malfoy."

Narcissa shook her head, before resting it on his shoulder.

"I know, but that's why you love me."

"No, that's why you got invited to this thing. So you could keep me entertained."

"And, am I succeeding?"

"Absolutely."