Revised: Monday 21st June, 2010

Disclaimer: The Malfoy's are not mine, and neither are any other characters you recognize. Those you don't though, are mine.

Author note: this was my work for namowrite (I won!). I hope you like it.

A Question Of Love

Chapter 1: The Slytherin Honour Student

Narcissa Black woke up. Here she was on her last day of Hogwarts. She didn't quite believe it yet. The past year had gone so fast that she still felt as if she should be waiting to do her exams. But no. They were all done. There was only one thing left to do for her. And that was to graduate.

She was thoroughly looking forward to that.

All the family was going to be coming up to the castle. She had missed them awfully during that year. Whether she was a Black or not made no different to that fact she loved her mama, papa and sisters dearly.

Sisters.

If you asked anyone in her family as far as they were concerned now, she only had one sister and they would often say as well that was the way it had always been.

But she knew better. All of them knew better in fact. They just didn't like to admit it. And neither did she but secretly part of her longed for Andy to be there for her today. She missed the closeness she had had with her outcast sister. It seemezwas a difference between the closeness she had had with each of her sisters. And now the one with Andy was gone and she missed it.

That was only right she knew. After all they were completely different people, and of very different personalities. The way she had been able to talk to Andy, she wasn't ever going to be able to talk to Bella she was sure of it. But what she said to Bella she would have never dreamed of telling Andy.

Lifting herself out of bed, she looked around the old dorm room after she had pulled back the curtains that were about her.

The four girls about her were doing the same.

"You do realise?" Izzy asked them all from across the room. "This is the last time we are ever going to wake up together, the five of us?"

Elizabeth shook her head. "Thank you for that ray of sun shine this morning, Izzy, but I don't think that is the right way to put. Ladies – we are graduating!"

Instead of the stunned silence that had taken hold of the room, a great cheering from the five of them came over the dorm room as they got up and raced down to the shower. This was the biggest day of their Hogwarts career after all. And as ladies of Slytherin house, they were all going to look the part.

Every single one of the girls had sorted there uniform out the night before, eager not to have top rush about in the morning. But of course, the nature of teenage girls was that that was going to be inevitable no matter how prepared they thought they were.

Going in to the bath room, Narcissa quickly washed clean her hair, brush her teeth and making sure she was utterly ready for the day before going back to the dorm room and get dressed in to her uniform for the very last time.

She sat down at the communal dresser and looked at herself. She had a pale complexion and long blonde hair. Her blue eyes were sparkling extra intensely that morning. Not that she said any of this to herself. All of her friends and family knew she was modest to a fault.

She quickly made her face up tastefully. Her father did not approve her wearing makeup yet. She was still his little girl in his eyes and she wanted to keep it that way. Just for a little longer anyway.

But no longer was that going to be an option. As soon as a Slytherin's girl left Hogwarts the dangerous game of courtship begun, at least for the upper class families of society, who all wanted their daughters to be married off respectfully to good gentleman.

Cissy was part of one such family.

She didn't really have any objections she guessed, not truly. This was the way she had been brought up. To her it had always been a fact of life that she was going to have to be pretty and charming and witty and then marry where she was told too. It was certainly nothing new.

She put on a neck lace she had received from her mother for her sixtieth birthday and then she put onher uniform.

The shirt she had put on was crisp from the wash and her tie was immaculately tied under her jumper. She looked like a true Slytherin graduate. So proud and tall. She was about to change from a girl to a women.

She just hoped she had the grades to match.

When the five girls were ready, they went in to the common where as tradition order where the rest of the house were waiting for them. They were cheered and clapped as if were home coming kings and queens.

Slughorn was there too. His walrus moustache was puffing, and he was bursting with pride.

"This is quite simply one of the finest years to pass out of Hogwarts under me during my time as head of Slytherin house. Congratulations to you all!" he declared. "I do not think anything else need be said."

Every one cheered in agreement. They could hardly disagree and put a downer on the day.

But in truth, they had been a very successful house year group. They had a couple of star Quidditch players which were going to be difficult to replace, Izzy was a great potions mistress and they had beauties like Cissy. What more did they need?

Within ten minutes after the house had congratulated them again they headed up to the Great Hall for breakfast early. The rest of the school had it late so it was just the year group there united for one lasted time.

Narcissa felt hyped wand as glad to see the Slytherin banner flying above their table, side by side with its brother flags that the four founders set up above the tables in the hall. She was so proud of her house and she had been since the day she was sorted there. She would never had wanted to be anywhere else.

Times like them were when you really appreciated it she thought to herself. The feeling that you had been part of something. And she had been. But that part of her life was soon to end.

Perhaps it was because it was going to be her last one but Cissy wanted breakfast to last that day. She treasured the taste of the jam and butter toast. She drunk her warm sweet tea slowly. It was just the way she liked it.

No one seemed in much eagerness to get to the passing out ceremony, considering they were meant to be leaving Hogwarts for the last time in a mere few hours. And Narcissa knew why. Even if it was run by an incompetent fool, this castle had been a home. All of them had friends here now. This was a place of safety to them when everything got too rough. And they knew what they were meant to be doing and how they were meant to be when they were at Hogwarts. The security and the guide that this place gave them all was like nowhere else ever had, for any of them.

Finally the ten Slytherins looked at each other.

"Are we ready?" asked Chris. He was meant to go to Durmstrang but his mother had run away from his father when he had been ten and so he had got to go to Hogwarts. Then she had been upset when he had got in to Slytherin. She herself had been a Gryffindor and was sure her boy was going to follow in her footsteps but it turned out she had been wrong and she never forgave him for being of the Serpent's house.

Over the years, the ten classmates had learnt everything there was to know about one another and they had never turned their backs one each other. Even if they were not unified with the rest of the school they were unified together and that had always been enough for them.

"Now," said Dumbledore as he got up off his chair. Narcissa watched as the Gryffindors looked in awe of him. They were such fools, she thought to herself.

"I am so sorry to say that we are never going to eat in this room all of us together again. Every young lady or man in this room has been a credit to our school and whatever you do now I whole heartedly hope you will always remember the days you spent here at Hogwarts with us!" He said to them.

At last, thought Narcissa said to herself. On the last day he said something worth saying.

She knew she was always going to keep the Hogwarts days in her heart. She was going to miss it. This home where she was surrounded by those who cared for her and who she loved in return.

It turn, the four houses lined up in single file left the hall, Slytherin going second out on to the field by the lake, where chairs had been magically set up. Of course, there were a lot of families already there. Narcissa was so relieved to see hers was among them. They were, as ever, on time. Probably well before.

Her aunt, uncle, mama, papa, sister and brother in law had all come to see her graduate.

She smiled to them warmly and they beamed back at her. She was their darling girl, always had been.

She sat between Izzy and Elizabeth. The three of them had started together and they were going to leave together.

The three girls had always been friends as long as they could remember, on account of their mother's friendship when they had been at Hogwarts. The two of them were extra sisters to Narcissa.

But there still not Andy, thought Narcissa to herself.

She shook the thought of the eldest Black sister out of her head. After all, no one had made her run out on her family when they had needed her most.

Why on earth should Cissy miss her now?

The sun was shining. It was the most beautiful day for it. She was so glad to go in some ways. Yes, she was ready. It was the right time for her to graduate.

The heads of the houses all made speeches during the ceremony again as traditional demanded. Each of them praised their own house for their hard work, achievements and friendship within their house and if they had shown interhouse unity (which was not so for the Slytherin's).

Dumbledore who was wearing mid night blue robes and his half moon glass clapped for all the houses equally, beaming at them all, clearly pleased with the turn out.

Then it came to time to praise the honour students. They had no idea who they were going to be. Those who had done out standing on the NEWTS or who had given exceptional service to the school when they had been there got the honour student prize.

The Gryffindors honour student turned out to be Emily Longbottom who had done exceptional services to the school for their year. She had been a devoted students in potions and through it was now going to go on in to medicine to try and help curse diseases. Narcissa turned to see who she assumed was the girl's mother crying with pride.

The Ravenclaw honour student was Daniel Alan for his achievements in the field of charms. He was a smart git, she thought to herself. He had always been bit up himself though. She fully well knew that she was the pot calling the kettle black, but still. She had a reason to be. She was a Black. By the time it got to the Hufflepuff honour student she was not really listening, after all, what could they do that's was so great?

She occupied herself by looking about the grounds. She always had loved there beauty. It was even more beautiful than the day she had arrived. Or maybe because she was going to have to leave it she appreciated it more. She was really going to miss it. In the last few days she had taken a good few many long walks about the grounds in a way of saying good bye to them. But it was the right thing for her to move on from them now. She had a new chapter of her life to right. She kept telling herself that because it had to be the truth.

It was then that Izzy hit her arm.

"Ouch, what?" she asked in a whisper.

Everyone was clapping again. They were looking at her. Why were they looking at her?

"Cissy go on, go up!" she insisted.

Was she... but? No she couldn't be... But it was then it dawned on her she was the Slytherin honour student for that year. Her legs felt numb and heavy as she got up but as soon as she was up she resumed the grace she always carried herself with.

She didn't believe this. What on earth had she done that she was able to get honoured with the Slytherin honour student title.

She had needless to say not been expecting this.

Dumbledore had already read out what she had got it before she had been listening. She went up on to the stage with the others students. When she received her certificate she looked down at it, eager to know of her grand achievement.

"For exceptional progress in transfiguration, and for the best exam result from this subject that Hogwarts has ever seen in that subject."

"The best?" she whispered to herself.

"Well done." Said the Hufflepuff who was by her in the line up.

"Thank you."

"An honour student? Bloody hell, Cissy!" said Bella as the two sisters embraced. It felt so long since they had been together and it was at that moment that Andy really left her sisters head that day. No, she had Bella and that was what was important.

Narcissa had felt sick for Bella at times in the term when she had been down, they were so close. It was just knowing she was there to talk to was what she had missed. It was the security of that she had missed the most.

"I don't believe it either." she said to her in shock. The two girls were holding on to one another so tight, Cissy almost couldn't breathe.

"Oh my darling!" their father exclaimed as he came through to her. He had always been proud of her but she never remembered seeing him beam like this. His eyes were ablaze with joy because of her achievements.

"Papa," she said as she rushed out of Bella's arms and in to his embrace.

When she had been small she had really been his little girl in the sense it had been her he had seen excited when he had got in from work, she who had sat in his study while he was working and she who had thought he was a hero in his own right for the simple fact he was hers. Part of him longed to have those days back. She had been such an innocent, delicate little flower.

"I am so proud of you my girl – oh my girl. She has graduated, do you believe it my Bella?" he asked chuckling at his daughter's warmth.

"I don't think any of us can papa!" she smiled.

"No, maybe not. It is going to take some sinking in, isn't it? Come on, your mama wants to see you, my love," he said as he pulled both of his daughters close, one under each arm, kissing their foreheads.

Their father was the type of man that had always got in trouble with his wife for spoiling their girls, be it with presents or with his over flowing affection for them. But that day as the proud mother set eyes on her daughter there was nothing she could do but draw her in to a huge embrace of her own.

"My daughter, you don't know what it meant for us to see you up there today!" she said gently. Her affection was more restrained than there papa's but it was there none the less

"Thank you mama! I had no idea I was going to get it, it was such a shock." She said to her, taking hold of her mother's hand.

"Then it was a good one my Cissy!" she said to her.

The women who was usual so cool towards to her daughters had praised her. That was going to be enough to make her day.

"CISSY!" she heard a cry from behind her. It was of course Izzy and Elizabeth. They just like her had had no idea what she had achieved.

"I cannot believe you got it; we are so proud of you Cissy!" they said to her.

"Thank you so much," she said as they hugged.

"How did you pull it off?" asked Izzy.

"I have no idea." She mjshook her head.

It was then that Chris came over and congratulated her again on getting one of the highest honours any one could get on graduation.

He, of course, had no family there due to his mothers absents and his dad was away 'working'. He didn't seem to mind and assured the girls that he and his father were going to celebrate his graduation as soon as he returned from the business trip.

"Oh, have you seen Caroline's boyfriend?" he asked the girls.

"So they are actually together?" checked Izzy.

No one could blame her. For the past two years, all they had heard was Lucius this and Lucius that, so much so that they all thought she had been lying. Of course, they had known of Malfoy when he had been at school himself but none of them had paid that much attention to him. Yes, he had been a handsome upper year student who any girl would have loved to date but it was hardly becoming of any real young lady to flirt as Caroline had with him. It was no wondered he thought she was easy.

Any way when she had returned to Hogwarts for her sixth year she had bragged about the amazing summer she had had with Lucius. At first they nodded and listened with good attention and manners but as the months had gone on, so had she.

She spoke of him none stop, it as if she had verbal dire. And three out of the four girls she shared a dorm room confided in each other what they all felt at the time.

She had been lying about him. But as Narcissa looked over at Caroline she saw she must have been telling the truth. There was Lucius Malfoy, with Caroline. He had come to see her graduate. But what did he see in her? that was the real question. There was no bachelor in there world who was more sort after than him...

"Blimey, so she was telling the truth." Elizabeth muttered.

"It would seem so."

"Well, I can't believe it," Narcissa said to them.

"Neither can I."

Narcissa shook her head. What were they doing thinking about her and bitching on her day?

No, she wasn't going to think on Caroline…

"You are going to the ball later on aren't you, at Rutland Park?" checked Izzy.

"Of course I am, all my family are going to be there too!"

The end of year ball had been a tradition in Slytherin house held since the schools opening it seemed. Rutland Park had once belonged to a pure blood family but when the last one died out he left it to the head of house of Slytherin. Traditionally, it had been used as their home but as also a place for Slytherin gatherings past and present.

Slughorn had always used Rutland in the best way.

He used it as his personal retreat in the summer but when there was a ball or a function the house needed it for, he was always the first to offer his home. Many of his friends were more acquaintances through this but it had always been very useful meeting and gaining connections.

His balls were always of the best taste, with fine food and dancing. The society there was to the Slytherin mind most agreeable. One of the terms of its usage was that only purebloods could enter. And while he was hardly the firmest believer in pure blood supremacy, most of his guests were.

The Blacks and the Lestranges were among that elite group who did.

Narcissa had chosen a blue dress for the evening. It was her favourite colour as people said it always brought out the best in her eyes.

And from that night on the great game of courtly love for her begun. For Caroline, she thought to herself, it was going to be easy. She had found herself a good man. Now all she had to do was to hold him. However at times that was easier said than done.

She had every intention of holding her husband when she found him. She knew her father had been the most disloyal of husbands to her mama over the years. Her mother was the sort of women who stood for it as long as she could have the pretty dresses and her creature comforts. That was their understanding. She had her money and he had his mistress. The only other condition was that his mistress no had no illegitimate children.

In herself Cissy wasn't sure if this one had been complied too.

She wanted more than her father had given her mother. Yes, she knew she would marry where she was told. But if she was able to find a gentleman with in her first year of society who was of her liking then perhaps then she might try to influence her papa's decision.

"Oh my dear!" her mother said as she came down the great stair case of their home. "You look simply breathtaking." She said to her.

"Thank you mama. I must say I am a bit nervous. I have never been to a ball when I have been out in society!" she said with a hint of excitement.

"Oh we all feel like that on her first night out. Even your aunt and I did. But then I met your father." She said to her. "On that very first night. And my girl I know you don't always think have been happy with my lot." She said as if she had been reading her daughters mind. "But I have. I have always been very happy. Or at least I was until, your sister – well the loss of a child, goes hard on its mama. But still tonight is not about her. It is about you. And your star is going to shine so bright tonight my dear. Everyone in the room shall be captivated by you. The most handsome of the Black daughters, out in society at last!" she said to her proud.

"Mama…" Narcissa was taken aback by that. She, who had always put her down, found fault in praise and looked for the tiniest little mistake, had praised her so highly with such fondness in her voice. The fact she had spoke of Andy only proved that. So she hadn't forgotten. But the way she spoke of her as if she had died was so horrid. She felt a pity for her mother who clearly felt so let down by her eldest.

"You have done me proud. I knew I never told me – but you always have my girl. Now are we going to this ball or what? Your sister and her husband are here and your papa is ready too. All we await my darling…is you." she said gently.

"Mama, I know I am a woman and I am no longer a child...but will you hold me, just for a moment?" she asked.

The two women proceeded to share the warmest embrace Narcissa had ever been part of. Her mother was wearing the same perfume she always had been since her daughters were born and she was as soft and tender in that moment as any mother might be at that moment. After those five treasured minutes of affection, she pulled back. "Are you ready now my love?" she asked.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, mother. I am."

Bella was stunningly dressed as her sister, she was in a emerald pair of dress robes. Her husband was in black and they were as handsome and as intimidating as ever. But they were warm to their little sister as they always had been.

"How are you tonight little one?" asked Rod as he saw her face, using his pet name for her. She was walking down on her mother's arm.

"I am better than I have ever been in my life." She replied as she smiled to her mother and him.

"And we are ready to go to the party?" Mrs Black said to the family, as the five of them assembled and ready to go.

"We are wife." Said Narcissa's father. "Let us be off. "

Rutland was already buzzing by the time the Blacks got there. There were many families who had been invited who had not had a child pass out of Hogwarts that year, but that was the way it was. They had come for one of the highlights of summer. The ten families who had a graduate though were the most important that night of course, and because of her new title, Narcissa's were the most important.

Dinner was served at eight o'clock, the huge long table furnished by oak chairs with green seat covers, and all the people who sat along were talking of the achievements of the school year.

Every so often Narcissa felt a pair of eyes to her, but was unable to figure out where they were coming from. Even without seeing them though she felt as if these eyes might be erotic and intense, and she wanted them on her all the time. She felt strange. The sensation she got from these perhaps imaginary eyes felt like they were piercing her body.

And yet in an odd way she liked it.

The rich meats she ate that night reminded her, she had had nothing since she had had her breakfast that morning. It was delicious, the entire meal.

The pudding a light cheesecake. They could have nothing too heavy after all the dancing was going to begin soon. No one wanted it lying heavy on their stomach.

At last, as they all came to the end of there of Slughorn again stood up. What he had said in the common room that morning had seemed such a long time ago she though as she sat between Bella and Chris.

Feeling happy and relaxed now the gaze had left her. She had extremely good posture that evening. Her gown alone made sure of that and for the first time also she felt like a lady. She didn't feel like that little girl who had sat among the other graduating students that morning in her uniform.

"Well, here we are again my friends." he said as he began his speech. "This has perhaps been one of the most gifted years I have ever seen past out of Hogwarts. Of course there are a few exceptions but there is no denying that I take particular pride in this group, not only for their hard work and dedication, but for the sense of leadership they brought to their house. This goes particularly for our honour student, Miss Narcissa!" he cheered and every one raise their glasses to her. "The brother and sister hood this year group have found in one another is remarkable. As people, we Slytherins are not known for our affection and our understanding. We are known not for our support or for being there for one another in our times of trouble whether it be work related or personal. But never have I seen a more tightly knit group. And those friendships I believe will hold long in to the future. Never forget each other, and hold true. You are the one year group I don't mind letting go of, knowing you'll have one another. You will hold true to your beliefs, the right values and one another. So I beg you, our most noble lords and my gracious ladies to raise your glasses and get on your feet. To the graduating class: may they live long and happy lives."

It was not to long till Cissy was on the danced floor… as the honour student she was sourly seek out as a dance partner and while all the other girls got a chance to sit down every now and again she did not.

The first dance she had was with her papa. He after years of society balls, he was slowly beginning to drop out in to a well earned retirement but as he danced with his graceful young daughter he could have been as young as she was he was so fast on his feet.

Her second was Rod. He had been a brother to her ever since he had joined the family. He could be a harsh and crude man but mainly towards his friends and women, he was charming and attentive. He had affection for his wife. Much in the way that her father did for her mother. Was it enough? Narcissa again asked herself. He was not as graceful at dancing as her papa had been though, and she knew his wife always complained about his feet treading on hers.

Her next dance was with Chris. He was nervous on his first day in society too, only he had more power than she had. After all, it was the men who chose their wife.

He smiled as she danced in his arms so relaxed. Chris, was asides Rod and her papa, the only man she knew was not going to be looking at her as a piece of meat.

It was then as the dance ended that she was aware the eyes were watching her again. Only this time she saw them and who they belonged too.

Malfoy…Lucius Malfoy. And he was walking toward her.

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