A/N: So this is something that I've had saved to my computer for a while and decided to put it out there to see what you all think. This is something else that I haven't done with regards to Lucius and Narcissa so I hope you all like it. Please let me know your thoughts.

A note to say that I should be updating my other stories currently in writing within the next two weeks, my son is currently ill but the out of hours doctor has said he's on the mend :)

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to the amazing J.K!


June 1972

Dressed in robes made of the finest silk of silver and black, perfectly tailored to his height and body shape, Lucius Malfoy sat in the small study of Cygnus Black. He looked around at the aging mahogany desk and matching chairs, with the one that was frequently occupied by it's owner supported by a folded piece of parchment to stop if from wobbling. The walls were hung by wallpaper of Slytherin green, to show the visitors to this room that the Black family were proud of their Slytherin roots. A white tapestry hung loosely on the wall next to a large mahogany bookcase that bore the Black family crest and their famous motto: Toujours pur. Lucius laughed to himself after reading the motto, thinking that after the betrayal of Cygnus's middle daughter, the motto should be changed and Cygnus's nephew wasn't exactly a believer in the motto, having seen Sirius hang around with mudbloods since the boy was sorted into Gryffindor; the first Black to ever be sorted into a house other than Slytherin.

The door opened with a creak and Lucius watched as the aging Cygnus Black took his seat behind the desk. Lucius was beginning to wonder what he was doing here, after having received a letter from Cygnus asking for a meeting. A wrinkly looking house elf brought them both a glass of brandy and left before Cygnus could wallop the elf around the head after it had nearly tripped on the worn grey rug that covered the creaking floorboards.

"Mr Malfoy, I assume you are wondering why you are here?" Cygnus asked.

"I am intrigued if I may say so." Lucius replied, taking a swig of the brandy.

"Your father and I go way back, we even enjoy a close friendship with Horace Slughorn did you know?"

"I was aware that my father enjoyed Slughorn's company." Lucius said, placing his glass on the desk in front of him.

Cygnus nodded and took a mouthful of his own brandy before his eyes fell onto two portraits behind him. Lucius turned to look at the portraits, noting silently that they were of two separate young women, one with wild black hair and facial features of Cygnus; the other a slim blonde with startling blue eyes and long eyelashes, the image of Mrs Black, Cygnus's wife.

"My two girls. Bellatrix and Narcissa." Cygnus mused in fondness and pride.

"I never had many conversations with either of your daughters Sir." Lucius replied, turning back to face the old man.

"Bellatrix is married to Rodolphus Lestrange, Narcissa is going into her seventh year at Hogwarts come September."

"Mr Black, if you are here to ask me to court your youngest daughter I'm afraid that I must decline. I am already engaged to Penelope Selwyn-"

Cygnus chuckled, "No Mr Malfoy. Narcissa is being courted by Augustus Rookwood, he's training to be an unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries." he explained, "No, I have asked you here today to speak with you about a proposal."

Lucius raised an eyebrow, "A proposal?" he questioned.

Cygnus nodded, "You see Narcissa is a bright girl, she is doing well in all her subjects at school except for Defence Against the Dark Arts. Horace informed me that whilst she tried her best during sixth year, she is likely to get an Acceptable or lower whereas she is getting Exceeds Expectations in her other subjects." he said gravely.

"Pity." Lucius sneered slightly.

"Indeed. I want my daughter to excell in all her subjects, including Defence Against the Dark Arts. Horace also informed me of your Outstanding grade in your NEWT examination in the subject. I asked you here today, Mr Malfoy, to ask that you spend two days a week during the summer tutoring my daughter in the subject."

Lucius stared at the old man, surely he wasn't being asked to become a tutor? He was already working four days a week at the Ministry as an advisor to the Minister, did he really want to tutor a girl he barely knew? He didn't even recall seeing the youngest Black girl engage in conversation except to those closest to her, most of the time she had her nose in a history book.

"Say hypothetically that I agree to this, what would I get in return?" Lucius asked, having been taught by his father to never agree to a deal straight away, without knowing what was in it for you.

"I'm sure that you can think of something in the future that you may need my help with." Cygnus smiled.

Lucius tapped his fingers on his knee as he thought it over. The Blacks had already suffered enough embarassment over the years, having heard that Bellatrix had been forced into her marriage due to her fornication with Rodolpus Lestrange before they were even courting, then there was Sirius getting housed into Gryffindor over Slytherin and then Andromeda's marriage to a mudblood and running off as if it were some tragic love story. The last thing that Cygnus needed was a daughter failing one of her exams and he was determined to get something in return from the old man one day in the future. Besides, his father had also taught him that a favour done meant a favour owed.

"Very well Mr Black, when would you like us to start?" Lucius asked.

Cygnus smiled brightly, "You can start tomorrow. Come by in the morning, you can meet Narcissa and spend a little time together and arrange between the two of you when you can meet up for your tutoring sessions." he replied.

Lucius shook the old man's hand and left the study, leaving the Black's ancient looking manor house and apparating to his own grand estate. This was definitely going to be a long summer.