Summary: Narcissa Black is from a good Pureblood family. She is smart, witty and knows what her parents expect of her. She is also the girlfriend of Lucius Malfoy, a boy from the richest pureblood family in the world. What happens when her parents decide that she will marry James Potter instead?
Rating: M
A/N: So this plot-bunny worked into my head the other day and I couldn't get it out. I haven't been able to get it out. So, here it is! For the purposes of this story I've edited the ages, birthdates and such a bit. For the purposes of this story they go as following:
Narcissa Black: Born: June 10, 1954
Lucius Malfoy: Born: April 15, 1954
James Potter: Born: March 27, 1954
Sirius Black: Born: November 3, 1954
Andromeda Black: Born: August 5, 1952
Bellatrix Black/Lestrange: Born: May 5, 1951
Lilly Evans: Born: January 30, 1958
Read and Review, let me know what you think!
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Chapter 1: Hogwarts: 1969
Another year at Hogwarts started as usual. The first years were sorted into their houses, classes began, talk of Quidditch quickly became popular amongst the students. Life settled back in just as normal after the summer break. Narcissa Black had been most anxious to get back to school so she could see Lucius Malfoy again.
They'd started dating at the end of their second year. And now, going into their fifth year they were both excited to see how it would go. Lucius had all intensions of getting his father to draw up a marriage contract for Narcissa's hand by the end of this year. They were both proper pureblood's. They would be contracted to be married, a contract arranged by their parents, and they would wait to be together intimately until their wedding night.
Though, the intimacy was proving to be a problem. Lucius was a fifteen year old boy and Narcissa was quite a beautiful young girl that had been growing into a beautiful woman over the years.
The two of them were practically inseparable. They ate their meals together, took most of the same classes, sat in the common room together and went to their Hogsmeade weekend trips together. Both were from elite pureblood families, both held their heads up and seemed cold and calculating towards everyone else. Though the ones that saw them alone in the common room could see the small smiles they'd share together, the gentle warm looks towards one another. They weren't much for public displays of affection. The most they'd do in public is Lucius would put an arm around her shoulders almost possessively, or hold her hand.
They'd been pretty close friends since childhood and it started to develop through the years. Now they were both fifteen and seemingly pretty mature for their age.
It was the end of November and the weather had gotten much colder. Snow was threatening to fall over the castle and the corridors were much chillier with the wind. As always Lucius waited for Narcissa in the common room, waiting for her to come down before they'd walk to breakfast.
Upon seeing her, he gave her a small smile. Taking her hand and twining his fingers with hers, bringing her hand up to kiss the back of it lightly. They shared kisses, heated moments where his hands wandered her feminine curves, moments she was pressed so close to him that his entire body was aware of her. While he wanted to be with her more and more as time went on, he wouldn't. They were both raised with the idea that they should wait until their wedding night, both expecting it to be with one another. While they were young they already knew their lives might be decided rather quickly.
"Good morning Cissy." Lucius said softly.
And she smiled back. "Good morning Lucius. Ready for breakfast? I'm starving."
"Very ready." he said.
Holding onto her hand, they both began to walk out of the portrait hole of the Slytherin common room and walking up towards the Great Hall for breakfast.
They both took a seat at the Slytherin table together, letting one anothers' hands go in order to fill their plates quietly. It was just like any other breakfast, a few of their friends joined them as time trickled on, chit-chatting about classes and homework assignments.
"Did you get the potions homework done Narcissa?" Rabastan Lestrange asked as he chewed on a piece of toast.
Glancing at him and nodding. "Yes I did Rabastan. You should try getting your work done before hexing a couple of first years." she replied coolly, taking a bite of her food.
"Oh come on Cissa-" he began.
Though Lucius shot Rabastan a look. "Lestrange, do not pester Cissy. It's your own fault you aren't as capable a potionist as my Narcissa."
Rabastan rolled his eyes. "Yeah you say that because she helps you with your work."
"The key word there 'Stan, is helps. She does not give me her work to copy." Lucius replied.
Each of them looked up as owls began to swoop in to their perspective recipients. An owl swooped down to give Lucius his copy of the Daily Prophet, and another owl came down with him dropping a note for Narcissa down in front of her.
Reaching to pick up the note, she knew it was from her parents. Gently petting her family owl and smiling to him. "Thank you Hermes." she said before she began to open the note. She recognized the swooping writing of her mother:
Dearest Narcissa,
As you know your father has been looking to ensure your future and arrange a proper marriage for you. Your sister Bellatrix has already refused to enter in a proper arranged marriage and thus it falls to you and Andromeda to marry and continue the family name. I am writing to you to tell you that your father has arranged a marriage contract for you. He has already met with the boy's father and they have agreed.
As of today you are engaged to James Fleamont Potter. He is in the same year at Hogwarts and you will be married a month after your graduation.
James Potter will make a good husband, Narcissa. He is from a good and proper pureblood family and he will be able to provide well for you and your future children. I hope you are as happy with this match as your father and I are.
Love,
Druella
Reading her mothers words, Narcissa's face went pale. Sitting up a bit straighter, she lowered the letter and glanced towards the Gryffindor table. She knew who James Potter was, she just didn't know him. He was in Gryffindor for Merlin's sake!
As her eyes met James Potter she could see the look of shock on his face that mirrored her own. Apparently he hadn't known of this either and he was looking straight at her with the same shocked feelings. She stared at him for a few moments, almost evaluating him. Never before had she payed attention to the boy, her heart had belonged to Lucius for years. She'd had the biggest crush on Lucius before they'd gotten together.
James Potter wasn't a bad looking boy. He wore glasses that hid hazel eyes she was sure wouldn't look too bad. It was his mass of messy jet black hair on top of his head. He could be handsome she supposed, if he were a Slytherin. How could her parents do this to her? Engage her to this...this boy. Disgust swirled in the pit of her stomach at the thought of having to be with him in a romantic capacity, losing her virginity to such a man.
She was so deep in thought evaluating James that she did not notice Lucius had been attempting to get her attention. She held the letter in her hand, rolling it up as not to let anyone see and abruptly stood up from the table, causing her classmates to look up at her worriedly.
"Cissy?" Lucius asked, moving to brush his fingers over her hand.
Tears welled in her eyes at the feel of his skin on hers. "Stop." she said. She wanted to be with Lucius more than anything in the world. But, she was not like her sister Bellatrix to deny a direct instruction from her parents. Her parents said she was to marry James Potter...than she would, no matter how disgusted he made her.
Without saying another word she held onto the letter and moved away from the table, starting to walk out of the dining hall. For the first time since they returned to Hogwarts Narcissa left the Great Hall without being on Lucius's arm which shocked half of Slytherin House, but shocked Lucius the most out of all of them.
Lucius sat stunned at his girlfriends response, staring after her as she walked out of the Great Hall. He hadn't seen the letter and wondered what was wrong. When he moved to stand up to go after her though he did notice someone rising from the Gryffindor table and practically running after Narcissa. Jealousy beat through his blood, his eyes narrowing as he watched the boy.
"'Stan. Who is that?"
Rabastan looked up, glancing over at the boy from Gryffindor, thinking for a moment. "Oh, thats James Potter. He's the Gryffindor team Seeker."
There was no way Potter was going after Narcissa, at least he didn't think so. Merely nodding at Rabastan before he walked out of the Great Hall, following after James and Narcissa.
Out in the hall Narcissa had began walking back to the dorms, but she was stopped by a hand taking ahold of hers. Her whole body froze as she felt the unfamiliar touch against her skin. Shooting her eyes back, her blue eyes meeting with hazel ones hidden behind glasses. Her eyes narrowed and she yanked her hand back, turning fully to look at James Potter.
"Don't touch me." she insisted.
A blush spread over his cheeks as he nodded. "Oh I-I'm sorry. I just...I got a letter too. I didn't..have anything to do with this you know. Hell I don't even know you."
Slowly she crossed her arms across her chest, assessing him closer now that he stood mere inches from her. He wasn't all together bad looking. But he was not Lucius.
"I wouldn't want to know you." she said back in a cold voice.
Nervously clearing his throat, James nodded a bit. "You're mad. I get it." he said, sighing a bit. "Lets...lets try to make this okay, please? We might not enter into this willingly but...we have two years to get used to this. To get to know each other." he said.
Though this wasn't what James wanted either. He didn't have a girlfriend, nor did he particularly fancy any girl in the school yet. So, why couldn't that girl he fancied become Narcissa Black?
"You're wrong, Potter. I have two years to figure a way out of this." she insisted, gripping her arms a bit. "For Merlins sake you're not even a Slytherin! How are you a proper pureblood?"
"Well, my family hasn't married any muggles. That would be how."
"I should hope not." Narcissa scoffed, shaking her head. "Muggles shouldn't even be allowed in this school." she declared. She wasn't shy about her anti-Muggle viewpoint. In fact there had been a whole movement coming up of purebloods wanting to purify the wizarding world. There was even a Dark Lord, though nobody spoke his name. It was only a faint whisper in the wind now, but she felt like the movement could gain motion.
James didn't seem to share that viewpoint though. He looked at her for a moment and shook his head. "Muggles aren't that terrible..." he started. Though he seemed to think about it and just shook his head. "Lets not talk politics, hm? Please Narcissa, give me a shot. We shouldn't turn this down without trying it first. Our parents obviously think that we'll be good together."
He didn't feel as passionate with the anti-Muggle movement that Narcissa seemed to.
Thinking for a minute, Narcissa sighed and nodded. "Alright fine. I'll give it a shot. But I will not pretend I do not care about Lucius Malfoy. He is my boyfriend. Or...was my boyfriend..." she said, looking down and crossing her arms tightly across her chest.
Lucius was her boyfriend. And apparently he wouldn't be anymore and that hurt deep inside her, made her feel a pain in her chest. She loved Lucius and she did not love James. Could she possibly learn to love James Potter and forget Lucius Malfoy? She wasn't exactly sure.
"Hey," James said, interrupting her thinking. "Let me walk you to class, okay?" he asked, knowing it was getting time for classes to start.
Nodding slightly, Narcissa looked back up to him. "Sure. I have to go back to the dorms though, get my bag...you're in my first class, right? Potions?" she asked. She'd never payed attention to the Gryffindor's in their classes.
"Well, yeah. We have a lot of classes together. We have Potions, Divination, History of Magic and Defense Against the Dark Arts together." he said, offering his hand to her. "I can walk you down to the Slytherin dorms and wait outside if you want." he offered with a slight smile.
Regarding him for a moment, Narcissa let out a sigh and slowly moved to take his hand. "Fine. I am giving you a shot after all." she said.
As they began walking towards the Slytherin dorms, Lucius gripped his hand into a tight fist, having witnessed the entire interaction. Gritting his teeth, glaring after them and quickly moving to walk after the two. He'd heard most of what they said and could deduce what had happened. So that letter had been about Potter marrying his Narcissa. That simply wouldn't do. He was a Malfoy, he got what he wanted.
Quickly walking after them, he stayed back enough. Seeing Narcissa leave Potter a bit away from the entrance, not wanting to give their dormitory password to a Gryffindor. Once Narcissa was through the portrait hole Lucius walked up, pushing past Potter, letting his shoulder slam into the other boy, not even stopping to apologize. Instead he shot the coldest look he could muster towards James before he walked into the Slytherin common room.
He wouldn't let this happen. He'd nip this in the bud immediately. Standing just by the steps up to the girls dormitory waiting for her to come down.
And when he saw her he quickly took ahold of her arm, surprising her and making her let out a squeak of surprise. Pushing her back against one of the corner walls, resting one hand on the wall next to her head and leaning up close to her. Claiming her lips almost harshly, planting a deep kiss on her lips.
At first she wasn't sure what to do, feeling Lucius so close to her body. It made her shudder. Of course she was affected by him, she loved him. But this kiss was different than ones they'd shared before. Lucius Malfoy had a reputation of being fierce, cold and unfeeling. Though when she was with him he was warm and sweet. She loved his sweet kisses, the way his lips would massage the skin down a side of her neck while his hands gently explored her body tentatively.
But this kiss was one of possession, as though he were trying to show her that she belonged only to him, as though he were trying to possess her through their connection.
She let out a small sigh against his lips as her eyes closed and her bag dropped, deciding to allow it and relish in the feeling. As she accepted it and her head tilted to one side Lucius deepened it, letting his tongue explore her mouth as his chest pressed up against her, holding her pinned to the wall. Letting her arm go, his other hand rest on the other side of the cold dungeon wall by her head.
The kiss took her breath away. And by the time he leaned back she was panting slightly, drawing in deep breaths as her eyes opened and looked up to meet his. She could see anger there, and she could tell why some people feared him.
"Lucius-" she started.
But, he stopped her. "No. I heard. You belong to me, Cissa. You will marry me. Not bloody James Potter. I won't allow it. I'll kill the blood-traitor before I allow that. I will break whatever part of his body touches yours. I will break every bone in his hand for daring to hold my girl's hand." he stated darkly.
And she could tell he was serious, which scared her a little bit.
"My parents arranged a marriage contract. There isn't anything you can do. We have to stop this. I don't want to, I love you Lucius. But...but I cannot keep being with you if my parents say I must marry James Potter. I have to learn to at least like him if I want my marriage to work."
"Your marriage will work. Because you'll be married to me. I'll write my father tonight and he'll fix this."
She gave him a small sad smile before shaking her head. "Your father cannot break a contract." she said, looking down more at his chest. "Besides, you'll be betrothed soon I'm sure and then I'll have to get used to watching you with another girl."
"I don't want anyone else."
"Nor do I!" she insisted, looking up at him, tears clouding her eyes. "All I want is you! This is hard enough, please do not make it harder."
"I cannot give up. I cannot give you up. Don't ask me to." he said, leaning his forehead against hers and closing his eyes halfway. "I do not deserve you. But...Narcissa Black...you are the one person who really knows me."
Gently she rest her hands on either side of his neck, shaking her head. "I have to ask you to. Because I cannot fall for you more if I'm made to marry someone else. This hurts enough now and we've only been together a short time. Imagine the heartbreak if we stayed together and in our seventh year I had to say goodbye then. How could I live with that? No. I'm doing the right thing here."
"You're not." he insisted, leaning to kiss her again slowly.
But this time she leaned back, shaking her head. "I can't!" she said, turning her head away and biting her bottom lip. "Let me be. Please." she said, glancing towards the portrait hole to stop herself from looking up at him. "My...my fiancé is waiting for me." she added in attempt to make him let her go.
It didn't immediately work. Lucius shook his head, leaning and kissing her temple slowly. "Go pretend with your...fiancé. He cannot make you feel the way I can and you know it." he said, leaning and brushing his lips against her ear slowly. "You know where my bed is if you miss me." he whispered in a low voice, nipping at her earlobe before he pushed to stand up straight, letting her go.
His lips and words made her tremble, goosebumps moving along her skin. She'd been in his bed once, but nothing happened other than soft kisses. And how she wanted to go there again.
"I won't." she said thickly before she picked up her bag and moved towards the portrait hole, trying to gather her wits about her. One of the hardest things she'd ever had to do was walk away from Lucius Malfoy right then. But she would not be a disgrace on her family. She always knew that one day she would have to marry, and that marriage might not be one that she wanted. And she had always promised herself that she wouldn't argue or put up a fight, that she would enter into her arranged marriage gracefully.
As she exited the portrait hole she saw James standing right where she had left him waiting. As he begun to speak Narcissa just took his hand and went off down the hallway with him.
"Don't ask." she stated, knowing the question on the tip of his tongue was most likely to be whether she was alright. And, truth was, she wasn't sure what the answer to that question would be.
Was she alright? Could she do this? James Potter wasn't the worst looking boy in the world, in fact many called him quite handsome. Well, many that weren't in Slytherin of course.
She had to do this, there was no question about it. She didn't have a choice. And so, she walked to Potions with him, hand in hand. His hand felt awkward in her own, almost like it was too big for hers. Whenever she held Lucius's hand it felt like a perfect fit, as though they were made to hold each others hands.
Could that be because she chose Lucius and not James? Could she have been imagining how perfect they seemed to fit together? It is possible...quite possible. Maybe it was just silly teenage emotions. She was sure if she'd told her mother that she'd be told such a thing.
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Most of the day had been a bore. She'd sat with James in potions, accompanied by plenty of odd looks from their classmates. Her own cousin Sirius Black shot them the most peculiar of looks since he was one of James's best friends. Obviously only three people in the school knew of their upcoming engagement, though she was sure it would leak to the whole school before the day was out. After all, a Slytherin and a Gryffindor do not usually sit together in any form. Sure, Gryffindor's had friends in other houses such as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, but never in Slytherin.
She could feel eyes on her through her morning classes and it made her feel self conscious. And when lunch came she hardly knew what to do with herself so she'd just skipped lunch in favor of sitting alone in the library away from prying eyes.
Though, dinner was a different story. Having skipped lunch her stomach was growling in protest, demanding food. She simply had to go to dinner. And as she entered the Great Hall for dinner, her eyes scanned around, not quite sure what to do.
Seeing her usual group of friends sitting together, her first instinct was to go to them. The only problem with that plan was that Lucius sat with them as usual. Her eyes closed halfway in a sad look as she took in the sight of her now ex-boyfriend. When his eyes raised to meet hers she blushed and looked away. She couldn't possibly sit with them.
So, taking in a deep breath, Narcissa found her older sister Andromeda sitting with a group of older girls. Walking over to them, she took a seat next to her sister who looked a bit shocked.
"Hi Cissy. Whats the matter? You and Malfoy have a fight?" Andromeda asked. It was no secret that she and Lucius weren't the best of friends. Really, Andromeda hated Lucius. She simply couldn't see what her sister saw in the boy with the cold eyes.
"Nothing like that 'Dromeda." she answered, starting to fill her plate with the food on the table, trying to act nonchalant about it all.
"No no, something is up. You always sit with Malfoy." Andromeda said, thinking. "In fact, I've heard rumors you know. Rumors that you've been sitting with James Potter, Gryffindor's Seeker? Whats up Cissy? You can tell me you know."
"James and I are engaged to be married," she stated very matter-of-factly. "I simply thought it were better that I be seen sitting with my fiancé during classes rather than my...my ex boyfriend."
While Narcissa feigned indifference at the statement, Andromeda knew her sister better than that.
"You're lying." Andromeda stated, turning more of her attention onto her little sister. "And I don't believe it. Mum and Dad really engaged you to James Potter?"
"Yes, they did." Narcissa said, taking a bite from her food and chewing it slowly before she finished. "I received the letter this afternoon."
As much as Andromeda did not like Malfoy, she knew that her sister loved the boy. "Oh Cissy! How your heart must be breaking..." she said, a look of sadness crossing her eyes. "You could talk to mum and dad, couldn't you? Tell them that you don't want to marry James?"
"It won't do any good. You know Dad, once he gets these thoughts in his head there is no changing his mind." she said with a sigh. "Besides, dad is surely just looking out for my best interest. And...and I'd suppose the Potters are a good family, pureblooded.."
"Purity of blood has nothing to do with it!" Andromeda exclaimed, staring at her sister as though she were some type of alien creature. "I am not Malfoy's biggest fan I'll tell you that. But I've seen the way you look at him Cissy. You cannot let mum and dad take that from you. You have to fight for it."
Glancing up at her sister, Narcissa shook her head. "Is that what you intend to do? Stand up to mum and dad?"
"B-Beg your pardon?"
"About that mudblood Tonks boy. Ted Tonks? I saw you two snogging with him in the hallway between classes. Everyone knows that you are off disgracing the honorable Black name Andromeda."
Andromeda's face paled at her sisters words and she let out a sigh. "What do you want me to say Cissy? Fine, I'll say it. I'm in love okay? And I intend to marry Ted whether or not mum and dad like it."
"But you're already betrothed!" Narcissa said in a scandaled gasp.
"I know. But I'm not going to be stupid enough to marry the man Cissa." she said, turning more in her seat to look at her sister. "Look. I might not like Malfoy, but you do and you love him. You cannot let mum and dad tear you apart. Marrying for love is much better than marrying for contract. After all, look at Bellatrix's marriage! She doesn't love Rodolphus and see how unhappy her marriage is. You know mum and dad made her marry him to preserve the family honor after they caught them in bed together."
Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Bella doesn't love anyone 'Dromeda. You know that."
"Of course. But still. Any arranged marriage is like that."
"Mum and dad were arranged. They learned to love each other."
"But you shouldn't have to learn to love anyone! I love our parents dearly, but they deserved a chance to find happiness outside of a contract." Andromeda said, sitting up and shaking her head. "Just...look, Cissa, what you should do is still be with Lucius. Play act for mum and dad. When you graduate run away with Lucius and live your life how you want to live it."
"Thats just the thing. That isn't how I want to live it. In secrets and lies, lying to mum and dad, hurting a perfectly nice boy like James in the process..." she said with a sigh, looking down at her plate. "Look, I'm giving James a shot, okay? I promised him I would. Just a shot to try and make this work. If it doesn't...well...well I'll still marry him because I am a good daughter and thats what mum and dad want me to do. I shall not disrespect the Black name by eloping."
But the idea did seem exciting, eloping in the middle of the night with Lucius Malfoy, fleeing their parents. But no, she wouldn't do that. She couldn't. She'd get married with her parents consent even if it wasn't to the man she loved.
"Suit yourself, Cissy," Andromeda sighed, shaking her head. "You're dooming yourself to a loveless marriage."
"Not...not necessarily. I could love James Potter I suppose."
"Not when your heart belongs to another." Andromeda replied in almost a sing-song voice that made Narcissa shoot a glare at her.
Shaking her head, Narcissa finished eating her food before she moved to stand up, looking at her sister. "Be that as it may, I am being the girl I want to be. I will not hurt our parents, and I will not dishonor our family..."
"For Merlin's sake! It wouldn't be dishonor, Malfoy is a pureblood after all. A very rich one at that. Approach mum and dad at least, tell them how you feel. Perhaps father will listen to you. It's not like I can approach them about Ted, he's a muggleborn-"
"Mudblood."
"-Don't call him that." Andromeda said, shooting a look to her sister. "Anyway, I cannot approach them about wanting to be with Ted. They'd never understand. Malfoy is a different subject all together. You could approach them, feel them out. You are fathers angel, Cissy, he'll do anything for you."
Thinking for a moment, Narcissa sighed and shook her head. "I..I don't know I have to think, okay? Besides, I have until the Christmas holidays to make up my mind whether or not I want to approach mum and dad, or even want to say to them. Until then I am going to try and make this work with James."
"Whatever you wish, dear little sister. But you are wasting your time." she replied. Glancing along the table, smiling a bit. "Besides, I don't think Malfoy will let you attempt to get close to James. Why, Cissy, if I didn't know better I'd say he looks rather jealous over there."
Glancing down the table, Narcissa saw what Andromeda meant. Indeed Lucius sat with their regular group of friends as they chit-chatted amongst themselves. Though Lucius wasn't taking part in the discussion. Instead he had a murderous glare on his face, and following his eyesight she could tell he was directing it right at the back of James Potters head. If looks could kill James would be dead on the spot.
Sighing softly, Narcissa nodded. "Well...he certainly does look...upset." she murmured, watching the man she loved.
"Upset? He looks down right bloodthirsty. That Malfoy boy will kill Potter if he has his way, I'm sure of it." Andromeda insisted, shifting back to turn back to her meal in front of her.
"But he won't. He better not." she insisted before shaking her head. "I should be going." she said, turning to start walking out of the Great Hall to head back to the Slytherin common room. She still had homework to do, and she intended on getting some work done tonight. She never did enjoy putting it off until the last moment like some other students did.
Reaching the common room with no problem, she'd gone to get her books and settled down in one of her favorite seats by the fire, with her books spread out on a small table. Curling up in the chair, sliding her shoes off to rest on the floor as her legs curled underneath her, balancing a book and some parchment on the arm of the chair.
It was rather comfortable with the fire roaring to warm up the usually cold dungeons. Perhaps she could get her mind off of her love life and get some work done, lose herself in her work.
And it worked for a while. She sat in the nearly quiet common room. Many Slytherin were still in the Great Hall eating dinner, only a few remained in the common room, chatting amongst themselves pretty quietly. Narcissa quietly worked on her assignments as she heard the portrait hole open and some Slytherin come waltzing in from dinner. It was the noise that drew her attention and she glanced up in time to see Lucius walk in along with Rabastan.
She had to divert her eyes, making herself look back down at the parchment she had been writing her Transfiguration essay on. She needed to focus, her education was important to her even if she wouldn't be much more than a housewife. While she was destined to be a housewife she wanted to be a well educated one. She was working hard to prepare for her OWLs later this year, determined to get mostly O's and E's in each subject. The more O's she'd gotten the better.
A boy could not distract her from her education. Not to mention a boy that she would not be allowed to marry.
Lucius had noticed her in the chair by the fireplace and stopped in his tracks, sighing as he stared at her for a moment. He wanted to go over and say something to her, be with her the way they used to. They used to study together, compare notes from the classes they had together. But now she was with Potter.
Gripping his hands into fists, remembering earlier when Narcissa took a seat next to Potter instead of himself in Potions class. It had infuriated him to see his girl with someone else, and it still did.
"Look mate, you gotta get over it." Rabastan said, looking up at his friend. Lucius had only told his closest friend about Narcissa and James's engagement. "She's doing what she thinks is right. You can let it eat you up. Find another girl."
"There is no other girl Stan." he said as he moved to drop down into a seat across the room from Narcissa. "Cissa is the girl."
"I know thats how it seems..." Rabastan answered as he sat next to his friend. "But you gotta look at it from her perspective. She loves you too. Now she just has to spend time with Potter. She deserves a chance to see if it'll work between the two. You know how things like this work, we don't get to choose all the time. Our parents do."
"Its not fair!" Lucius nearly roared, sighing as he leaned his head back against the chair, closing his eyes.
All Rabastan could do was give his friend a sad smile. "Life, my friend, is not fair. Look, let her figure things out okay? Don't go rushing or pressuring her. Who knows maybe she'll come back to you in the end."
"Maybe..." Lucius said slowly, his eyes looking up at the ceiling.
"Until then why don't you get yourself a rebound girl? You could try Penelope Zabini out for size." he suggested, glancing towards the woman in question. "I hear she's not too picky."
But the thought disgusted him. How could he think of taking another girl? "I don't know Stan..."
"Just...think about it, okay?"
"Yeah I guess." he replied, glancing over towards Penelope. He supposed she wasn't an altogether bad looking girl, but she wasn't perfect like his Narcissa. And quickly he began comparing the two. Narcissa was more petite whereas Penelope was taller. Narcissa's skin looked softer, paler. She also had a prettier smile, a better figure. Penelope was taller, and he did like how small Narcissa was, how he could hold her perfectly underneath his arm.
He needed to stop thinking about it or he'd never be able to ask another girl out. "Fine." Lucius decided.
Moving to stand up, he walked straight over to Penelope and looked down at her. "Penelope. Would you like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?" he asked
Upon his question Penelope looked up with a smile and nodded quickly, feeling it an honor to be asked out by none other than Lucius Malfoy. Every girl thought he was taken, that he'd never be on the market due to Narcissa Black. But here he was asking her to Hogsmeade.
"Yes! I'd love to!" she replied quickly.
"Good. I'll meet you here before we go." he said before he turned to start walking away.
Just about everyone in the common room had been looking, hearing him ask Penelope out. Whispers moved quickly amogst the students, questions like "Why did Lucius ask Penelope out?" "You don't think him and Narcissa are done for?" "Well I did see her with another guy, a Gryffindor for Merlin's sake." "So Lucius is on the market?"
The whispers did not escape Narcissa's notice. Hearing what was going on she glanced up to Penelope who was bragging happily with her friends. Her eyes drifted to Lucius who had taken his seat back with Rabastan, almost pleading with her eyes for him to deny it.
But he just looked right back in the cold stare he'd give so many people. It was then that Narcissa knew it was true. She swallowed a choked sob as she closed her books. She had no right to get upset, she did dump him after all. But she couldn't help it. And he had to ask Penelope of all people. The whore would drop her knickers for any boy that wanted between her legs.
Refusing to cry in front of people, Narcissa packed up and feigned to her friends that she was tired. Taking her books up to her dorm, she shut herself in and moved to sit on the bed.
She needed to get used to seeing him with other girls. It was bound to happen. She just didn't think so soon.
It felt like her chest was enclosing upon her heart, crushing it as she moved to curl up on her bed, not bothering to even change into her night clothes. All she wanted to do was curl up there and never leave. And she blamed her parents for this. How could they decide she'd marry James Potter?
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Over in Gryffindor Tower James Potter laid on his bed as well. He'd gone to bed early as to skirt any questions from his friends. He knew Sirius at least would want to know why he was being so close to his cousin. And what would he tell them? That his parents had decided thats who he'd marry?
Never once had he thought his parents would pick a bride for him. Though, it made sense in a way. A lot of pureblood families did. And with the rising talk of this Lord Voldemort fellow and the pureblood uprising he could see his parents being afraid for his safety. They'd want him to marry a pureblooded girl like Narcissa Black. Ties to the Black family would make it so nobody could deny his blood status.
He would be safe. But he wondered if his parents knew that he would probably get involved in the movement to stop the pureblood talk. He didn't dislike muggles, he thought some of them were right brilliant witches and wizards, they had just as much right in the wizarding world as they did.
It was clear that Narcissa felt different.
Though, today hadn't been a total loss. He found himself enjoying Narcissa's company. They talked mostly about classes, favorite lessons and he'd found she was a very intelligent young woman. Some girls, he knew, were all beauty and no brains. Whereas Narcissa had both. He liked that.
Letting out a sigh, he closed his eyes. Yeah, he would like courting her a lot more than he thought he would. Perhaps she could be the girl for him. Perhaps they really could get married and have a family together. The idea wasn't too terrible as it had been at first, before he'd started to get to know her a little.
"Prongs!" the voice came from the door of the dormitory and when James looked over he saw his friend Sirius. Smiling a bit to greet his friend he leaned up on his elbows.
"Hey Padfoot."
Sirius walked over to James's bed, plopping to sit down by his feet and looking up at him. "So, you've been hanging out with my cousin all day. And you seem a bit distracted. Care to tell me why Prongs?" he asked. He wasn't blind, he'd seen the two of them together in classes, seen the way James had ran after Narcissa from the Great Hall. And he was curious.
"No, I don't." James replied, laying back on his bed and looking up at the ceiling, attempting to return to his thoughts.
"You know," Sirius started, kicking his legs back and forth as they dangled from the side of the bed. "Narcissa is good looking and all. I'll admit that. We were always close growing up. But I'll tell you this, my cousin loves Lucius Malfoy and if you think of getting with her than I'm here to tell you thats a bad idea. She'll pick him over you mate."
James shook his head, rolling his eyes as he pushed his elbows to sit up on them again, glancing down at one of his best friends. "Thats not it. Not exactly..." he said, letting out a sigh. "Well, the whole school is bound to know sooner or later..." he murmured, almost seeming to try and convince himself. "Narcissa and I are engaged. Our parents drew up a marriage contract between the two of us. Upon our graduation in two years we'll be married. I know she loves Lucius, I'm no fool. But what else am I to do but give it a go? We both agreed to try this, so we do not upset our parents."
At his words Sirius sat stunned, looking at his best friend in shock.
"Blimey James. Narcissa? Your parents picked Narcissa for you?"
"Yeah. I suppose they're worried about all this pureblood and half-blood nonsense going around. Thinks a marriage with the Black family would be the best bet. Hey, I was weirded out by the idea at first. Its still...strange. But after talking to Narcissa and starting to get to know her...it might not be that bad."
But Sirius regarded him oddly, shaking his head. "I don't know James. You'll end up liking her, maybe even loving her, and she'll break your heart. I just know it. Like I said, she's liked Lucius Malfoy for years. You don't get it. They were friends for such a long time you know. Ever since I remember we've been going to those pureblood functions. Balls, dances, dinners, outings. We've known the Malfoy family for so long. Now, I never got along with Lucius, but Narcissa on the other hand...they were friends. She started crushing on him about the time we came to Hogwarts. She'll choose him over you and I don't want to see that happen."
Sighing a bit, James shifted to sit up indian style, looking at his friend. "I'll be alright Padfoot. Don't worry about me okay? I didn't say I loved the girl. I just said we're trying it out. We both agreed. And if she'd still choose Malfoy over me in the end...well, I think I'd be alright with that. Your cousin is very nice once you get past the cold exterior. And I don't think I've fully gotten past it yet. I think there is still some work to be done getting past her walls. But if I'm right than I won't mind spending my life with her. I can just hope she'll feel the same."
"I don't know..." Sirius started, looking at him skeptically. "My cousin has had her heart set on marrying Malfoy for years..."
"Then why haven't they become engaged?"
"Well, its customary for pureblood's to become engaged when they're fifteen turning sixteen. So I suspect Malfoy would have asked his father sometime this year."
"Yeah well he's too late isn't he? How do we even know that he was going to propose? We don't." James stated, shaking his head. "Padfoot I don't want to argue about this. Narcissa and I have made up our minds. We're going to try it. If it doesn't work so be it. But we deserve the right to try."
"No one is denying that. I'm just warning you. My cousin is an amazing girl, and no doubt she'll make an equally amazing wife when the time comes. But she's very much like other high societies. They look down on muggles and half-bloods. See themselves as better. Yeah she isn't as bad as my mother for example, but she was raised that way."
Thinking for a moment, James looked up at him. "Doesn't her sister date that guy from Hufflepuff? Ted Tonks?"
"Yeah. Andromeda. She's determined to marry that kid last I heard. I mean, good for her, but she'll probably be cut completely off if she does. I myself don't care, if she's happy than good for her."
"They do that? Cut their own family members off?"
"Oh yeah." Sirius said with a nod. "My mother has this family tree on the wall in our house. She burns them off when they're cut off. And their names become like curse words in our family."
James just didn't understand. How could someone cut their own sister off? Their daughter? Niece? Nephew? If he had a daughter that wanted to marry a muggle-born...well, he'd make sure the lad was good enough for his little girl {which, when the time came, he knew nobody could be good enough for any daughter of his}, and then celebrate the wedding. He'd look forward to seeing his daughter and son-in-law on holidays, weekends. Perhaps grandchildren.
But that wasn't how many pureblood families saw things.
"No offense..." James began, looking up at Sirius. "Your family is messed up."
Sirius didn't take offense, he only laughed out hard and nodded. "You're telling me! I have to live there! Why, I'm surprised mummy dearest hasn't blasted me off the stupid tree for being a Gryffindor."
"She wouldn't?" James asked, shocked.
"Oh trust me, she would. Thats what kind of people the Blacks are, Prongs. Not nice, purity of blood to the core. Cross them? You're as good as dead in their books. In fact, when people talk about anyone thats been blown off the tree..its like they're dead or something since they 'shamed' the family oh so much."
"I just don't get that. If I had kids I'd never abandon or disown them. I'd die before I let anything take a kid of mine away." he said with a shake of his head. "But look, thats not the point okay? Can't you...can't you at least be happy for me? Or try?"
Taking in a deep breath, Sirius nodded and moved to pat his friend on the shoulder. "Alright then. I'm happy for you. Good luck. Just...don't hurt my cousin, okay? I'd hate to have to kick your ass Prongs."
"In your dreams Padfoot." James said with a grin.
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A/N: Alright! So I know the idea is a little unconventional, but hey I'm an unconventional kind of girl. Let me know what you think! Like it? Want to see more? I might start working on the next chapter regardless on if I have any reviews because sometimes you just need to write for yourself. This is a story I haven't been able to get out of my head since it popped in there.