Great Expectations
By A Sort of Wing

Disclaimer: Boo, I don't own HP. You know it, I know it, let's move on.

Chapter One: Toujours Pur.
...

It is common knowledge that the surname, "Black" is a synonym for "nobility."

Amongst the hustle and bustle of commerce within the narrow streets of Diagon Alley, it is hard to picture a form of grace. For that is what one Narcissa Black represented - grace. If the very idea of ladylike perfection had any other form, it would be only Aphrodite herself.

Narcissa walked that day, arm-in-arm, with her older sister, Bellatrix. Although their last name was the same, one could no sooner picture two dissimilar figures. Bellatrix sported sleek, ebony, waist length hair. It contrasted her very pale, porcelain like completion and gave shape to her accomplished girlish figure. Narcissa on the other hand wore her ivory hair slightly up that day in relaxed ringlets, a tiny white rose garnishing the style. Their temperaments were night and day - Bellatrix was somewhat of a loose cannon and did not fear showing it, while Narcissa was poised and controlled even at the worst moments. And although they did have dissimilar ways through and through - one thing remained the same. Respect for a person of the "Black" family was upheld at all times - and everyone of the wizarding world understood that fact.

They came up to Flourish and Blotts with a purpose; Narcissa was to begin her seventh year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and needed the corresponding school books. Bellatrix, along with keeping her sister company, was also to meet her current obsession, Mr. Rodolphus Lastrange. The Lastranges were another one of the wizarding kinds most upheld and pure families. It was not unusual for families of this sort to come together and eventually marry – in fact, it was almost expected.

They pushed the door open and heard its usual bell welcome, Ding-Ding! Bellatrix's eyebrows furrowed. She never liked that silly sound, as if anyone could notice someone coming in anyhow.

"Bella, I think I'll head off to find my books now, if you please." She said, unwrapping her arm from the other girls.
Bellatrix caught her eye and nodded, slightly smiling, "Yes, fine. I'll come find you if I see Rodolphus."
"Yes, Okay." Said Narcissa, waving smally before turning toward the staircase that lead to the second floor - where all the advanced books were kept.

She walked up them slowly, as she was in no hurry. Her hands filled with clumps of her green and silver day dress, pulling it off of the ground so she would not trip or get the bottom dirty. As her heel hit the fifth stair, she heard a crashing from below. She glanced over the railing to see a boy with disgusting, unkempt hair and rounded glasses try and reconcile a nearby redheaded girl for running into a random stack of books, which now littered the floor.

Narcissa watched as the boy bent down to help the girl pick up the books and place them back in their pile. They were both blushing profusely and giggling over themselves, the phrases "Evans," "Sorry," and "Potter," being used over and over again.

She knew of them – Gryffindors, around her age. She squinted distastefully at the pair of them and their frivolity. To show off in a public place like that? She felt embarrassed for them.
The sight was like a train wreck. Every time a book was placed back where it had originally been, the girl would smile and say, "Thank you," and the boy would shake his head and run a hand through his disheveled locks. One should look away, but there is an invisible need to want to watch the rest. As a lady, however, Narcissa knew how to resist such temptations – no matter how entertaining.

Just as Narcissa turned her head to resume her climb to where her spell books waited, she heard a cool voice ring from the top of the stairs.

"Disgraceful, isn't it?" it said, with a clear tone of masculinity.
Anyone's first reaction would be to sharply turn their head in the voice's general direction. However, being the lady she was brought up to be, Narcissa made herself turn her head slowly as to not mess her hair.

Her eyes came to meet a pair steely, silverfish blue others, belonging to a young man with equally as blonde hair as herself. It was average length, slicked back slightly and pointed in the back. His hands were in the pockets of his light tan trousers as he gazed at her, a small grin rising onto his lips.

Narcissa only smiled at him, with a sweet slyness.
"I've seen those two before, when I was at Hogwarts last year." He said, glancing down at the boy, who was now preoccupied with a book about Quidditch, although it was obvious he was sneaking glances at the nearby Red at the other bookshelf.
"That boy," He said, his lips pursing slightly, "Is a pathetic example of a pure blooded family."

Narcissa's eyebrows rose slightly, as she too looked at the boy. She had known that the Potters were a pure blooded family. Although they were not poor, no amount of money could replace the lack of class that distinguished the Black family from the Potter Family. That, too, was a fact.

"And her," He continued, his eyes came across to where the girl was standing, searching among the shelves for some mysterious book.
"Muggle born," He said, the tone of his voice going from displeased from the boy, to disgust with the girl, "I think that speaks for itself."

The boy turned his gaze back to the beauty in front of him. He had recognized her immediately when she first came in with Bellatrix – She was the youngest, and most striking of the Black sisters.

"Forgive me," Cooed her voice, breaking the man from his thoughts. His eyes softened greatly as he peered into her own cerulean blues.
"Yes?"
"I seem to recall seeing you at the wizarding functions my family and I go to."

She played her voice up very sweet for him, her hands coming together in front of her, a silver band with a small, sparkling emerald adorning her right hand's ring finger. She was no innocent girl – she knew who this boy was very well over and visa versa. To make a good impression, a sweet impression now, was key.

"Yes," He said, extending his hand to help her finish her climb, as there were only a few steps left. She took it and smiled, not too much as to spread out her face, but daintily. Thankfully. With her right hand with his, her left hand still holding up a bunch of her dress, she ascended the last few steps and came to be on the same level as he.

Being at a closer distance to him, she realized how built he was compared to some of the scrawny, greasy idiots she had seen during her six years at Hogwarts. (Most from her own house.) She stood about two feet away from him and the top of her head came to about his nose, she guessed. It was a most peculiar moment.

"I do remember seeing you quite often.." He smiled.
"Allow me to introduce myself formally," He bowed his head, keeping his eyes locked onto hers. "So there is no confusion in the future." Grin.

Narcissa followed his head as it bowed down and kissed her hand, which was still in his from the stair incident. He was suave, maybe. Or overly formal. But whatever it was, Narcissa was only fifty percent sure it was real and not just a show he had to put on for family grace.

"I am Lucius Malfoy. It is most pleasant to meet you, Miss..?" He asked, straightening up again. The tone was one Narcissia could not read. It seemed genuine – like he really did want to know her name from her, even though he has known it, probably, for years.

"Narcissa Black, Mr. Malfoy." She said, giving him the smallest, but most elegant curtsy. "It was very nice of you to help me up the stairs. Thank you."
"It was no trouble," He said, "And besides. What kind of gentleman would I have been if you were to have tripped from being distracted by those fools?"

Narcissia did not reply. He was very sweet, this actor. Her cheeks turned a very pale pink as she kept eye contact with him. He still had her hand. Did he know it? He was still grinning at her, and for a brief moment, she could have sworn to see the smallest rouge in his che-

"Cissy!" Hissed Bellatrix from the bottom of the stairs, near the exit.
Both Narcissa and Lucius jumped from the sudden interruption, their hands separating almost immediately and retreating to where its twin was.

"Yes, Bella?" Said Narcissa, turning away from the flustered boy Malfoy, who finally composed himself by flattening the front of his shirt with his hands.
"I have found Rodolphus. We're going over to grab something sweet." She said, giggling, as the boy came to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her hungrily.
"I trust you'll find your way home – you're a big girl now!" She said, being lead out the door by him. The same tinkle that had let the sisters in, Ding Ding, was now jingling, mockingly, at the one left behind.

There was a very uncomfortable pause between the two adolescents. The store seemed silent, even thought there were a great number of people chatting and things going on all around them. Narcissa cleared her voice and turned to face Malfoy, who was quick on the uptake and looked at her, pleasantly.

"It seems you have been left to fend for yourself, Miss Black." He said with a slightly playful tone.
Narcissa nodded slightly, grinning a little his way.
"I have. But, as soon as I find my spell books I plan on going straight home as to avoid any.." She paused, his eyebrows lifting a little, curiously, "Deviants."

She ran her hands against her abdomen lightly as to remove any creases, Malfoys eyes trailing them. All alone, huh?
"Let me make sure you get home safely!" He said, just as Narcissa made to move around him.
"Pardon?" She blinked, inches away from him now, her heart beating a little faster than before.

He cleared his throat.
"it would be most unlike a gentleman to leave a lady to her own accord in such a busy place like this." He said, almost like a textbook. Narcissa was not impressed, but continued to listen.
"If anything were to happen to you," He said, giving her his best concerned look without coming off as pathetic, "I would be most unhappy with myself."

Narcissa had to fight not to roll her eyes at his persistence. What was wrong with her? Most women would be beside themselves to have the attentions of Lucius Malfoy – the single heir to the Malfoy estate and a wonderful specimen of a young man. But yet, Narcissa could not get past the formality of everything – she did not enjoy the idea that Lucius might have only talked to her out of obligation.

She put her thoughts out of her head immediately. This was only a, "hello, how are you?" conversation. And, on top of everything, she had an image to uphold.
"Of course, Mr. Malfoy." She said, the same sweet, coy smile playing with the two of them. "I would be grateful to have you along with me."
Besides, if they were seen walking down the street together, it could do wonders to each of their reputations.

"In the meantime," she said, brushing past him cooly as she was originally going to do three minutes ago,
"Maybe you can help me find my school books?"

Author's Note:
Bwahah! I have returned. Well, we all know what is coming – the release of the last Harry Potter books is upon us all! Ahh!! I am excited, but mostly sad that the HP series might be coming to an end. Needless to say, I am hawked up on HP. (I go 'splody!!)
In any case, this fic is going to (obviously) be about Lucius and Narcissa in their earlier days. I don't really know how far into their lives its going to go. But hey. I'm winging it. All I know is that they are awesommmee. XD

P.S. It is my nature to do sweet stories. I know as well as the next person that no one on this side of the fence is considered, "Sweet" so I will do my best to keep things in character for the most part

P.S.S. Before I get loads of emails, yes, I know there is a famous book called, "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens. I am also confidant that there are loads of other works, including mine, named the same thing. shrug