This is set in chapter three of Power, Wealth and Social Status, where Narcissa and Lucius have their first dinner together since their betrothal.
x-x
Narcissa was too nervous to care that she had just made a fool out of herself in front of Bellatrix. Of course, she didn't know for definite who this mystery man was, but she had a very good idea. She had seen Bellatrix and the Dark Lord entering the house from the gardens together and that had been the last time she had seen either of them for the rest of the night. In the classroom at school she was useless even though she studied hard, but she was not completely stupid.
Anyway, it didn't matter how she did at school. Her mother had drilled her and her two sisters constantly as they grew up that they were one day going to be housewives and mothers and that was the most important thing to think about. The only problem was, she was the only one out of the three who seemed to believe that. Bellatrix was ambitious and very clever, not to mention the beauty of the family, and Andromeda was bright too, but Narcissa had noticed recently that she seemed to be heading the same was as their cousin Sirius – That being the wrong way. She seemed to hate the House of Black and had made friends with several members of Gryffindor house.
Narcissa shuddered. The very idea of being disloyal to her heritage made her feel uncomfortable. She was proud of her blood status and would do anything to protect it, all though not as much perhaps as what Bellatrix would do. Her sister had made her thoughts on the matter clear at the age of thirteen when she had joined in a conversation that their father and Mr Malfoy had been having over the dinner table on the number of mudbloods now attending Hogwarts. She had commented that filthy mudbloods should be rounded up and killed, which had her sent to bed instantly by their mother. Narcissa remembered seeing the impressed expressions on both her father and Abraxas Malfoy's faces and then the look they both exchanged. She didn't understand that look then, but she did now. They had both been thinking of the Dark Lord.
As a child, Abraxas Malfoy had always terrified her. He was so tall, dressed in only the best money could buy clothing. And then there were those icy eyes, so frigid and cold and all seeing. He was at the house to see Cygnus often, even more so since his wife had died. Narcissa couldn't really remember her, except for her absolute beauty and that they shared the same blonde hair.
Abraxas had always liked Bellatrix best. It was clear. She was the only one that he spoke to. Narcissa was sure that he wanted his son to marry Bellatrix, but their father seemed to have a different plan for his eldest, as he constantly changed his mind about who she was to marry. Cygnus didn't wish to offend his influential friend Abraxas and so he gave him Narcissa, second best. She didn't mind that, Lucius was only two years older than she was and all of the men Bellatrix had been betrothed to were much older. Narcissa knew that would suit Bellatrix well, as she was so clever and so hardened to everything; she didn't care who she upset and criticism simply bounced off of her which made her seem so much older. Of course there was the other issue : Bellatrix hated Luicus. She complained of his arrogance often, she found his long hair irritating. What she found most annoying was that he was one of the few people to match her academically.
Narcissa's heart almost stopped beating as she thought of Lucius, and realised why she was sitting in the parlour alone in this fancy dress anyway. They were betrothed over the previous Christmas holidays, well over a year ago now, which no one had made a particularly big deal out of. She hadn't even seen Lucius over the festive period. On going back to school, she expected him to make himself known to her, to try to get to know her at least a little bit before their wedding when she left school. She remembered the first time she saw him after their betrothal, in the Slytherin common room. He was in his uniform, his top two buttons of his shirt undone and his tie loosened. She had smiled a little to herself, feeling physically attracted to a man for the first time in her life and then realising that he was her future.
Lucius had been surrounded by his male friends, as normal. There were always a couple of girls hanging around with them, normally desperate, giggling girls, the sort Bellatrix despised outwardly. He must have felt her gaze on him, because he looked straight at her very suddenly making eye contact. Then he coldly looked her up and down, before turning back to his friends. And that was it. Throughout the rest of the year and the entire next year, she occasionally saw him looking at her, but he never approached her, even at the rare moments he was not with his friends. Narcissa could only imagine what her mother would say if she were the one to approach him.
The years went on and they didn't speak once. Narcissa tried not to care. She knew her life was going to be difficult if this continued throughout their marriage, but it was surely too soon to think about it. She tried to confide in Andromeda on the matter but Andromeda seemed to hate the Black's so much that the only response she got was "Don't marry him, then". That wasn't enough for Narcissa, who fully understood her duty. She stopped speaking to Andromeda about it.
She found that as time wore on, she grew increasingly more attracted to him. At night, she would lay in bed, staring at the canopy above her. She couldn't get the image of Lucius out of her head. All she wanted was for him to smile at her and say hello, but his expression remained cold. She wasn't sure how she could marry a man that didn't love her.
Narcissa jumped as she heard voices outside of the door but rose to her feet calmly as her parents entered the room.
"Lucius is here, Narcissa," Cygnus told her.
"Don't forget that the rest of your life hangs off tonight," Druella added severely. "And do not forget where your loyalties are!"
Narcissa nodded. "Yes, mother," she responded softly. Druella looked pleased.
As she left the room, she noticed Bellatrix smiling in a way that suggested she didn't mean the smile, and Lucius glaring daggers at her. "I was just saying, sister, it will be odd with no Lucius at school this year," Bellatrix said smoothly.
Narcissa couldn't help the cool laugh that left her lips. She couldn't wait to have two more years at school without Lucius's daunting presence. "I'm sure it will," she said, looking to Lucius. His expression was blank and cold once more, as it normally was when he looked at her. She swallowed her nerves as she looked back to her parents. "Goodbye, Mother, Father," she said coolly, drawing herself up and taking Lucius offered arm as they left the house.
"We will be dining at the Valerian this evening, Miss Black," Lucius said coldly after a moment. Narcissa nodded, but did not respond. She was expecting it to be somewhere ridiculously expensive and pretentious. "Are you happy for me to apparate us there or would you prefer a portkey?" he continued.
"Apparation is satisfactory, Mr Malfoy," Narcissa responded coldly. Two can play this game, she thought to herself.
Silently, he turned to face her, holding her hand. Her stomach lurched as she looked closely at him for the first time, he was so attractive, she could hardly believe her luck. A split second later, they were outside of the restaurant.
Narcissa was pleased that they were seated against the wall in a secluded little table. This was the first time they had ever been so close to each other without any body else there in get in the way. Narcissa was ecstatic, but most certainly was not going to show it to this icy, handsome man.
She suddenly realised that the waitress had brought them a bottle of white wine to share. Surely he knew she was only sixteen and wasn't legally allowed to drink? And that she hadn't had a drink before? He didn't seem to be paying that any attention as he poured her what looked like a very large glass. She didn't dare touch it.
They sat in silence as they surveyed the menu. Narcissa could hardly read the words in front of her, she was so nervous and also trying to hide that fact. The waitress returned to take their orders and Narcissa still hadn't decided. In a moment of blind panic, she ordered the things she saw first, hoping and praying that Lucius hadn't noticed her hesitation.
Then they sat in silence for a while longer. Lucius had already drunk most of his wine, Narcissa hadn't touched hers.
"Is the wine not to your liking, Miss Black?" Lucius asked her.
"I am sure it is delicious, Mr Malfoy," Narcissa responded, looking him firmly in the eye.
Then he was smirking. She was certain he was on to her, although he didn't mention it again.
"Have you had a pleasant summer, Mr Malfoy?" Narcissa asked a moment later.
Lucius smiled and Narcissa was unsure why. "It has been satisfactory, Miss Black," he responded, using her previous word. "I have been working with my father." Out of the corner of her eye, Narcissa could see something dark green on his skin, poking out slightly from the sleeve of his robe. It looked like a tattoo. He must have noticed her gaze as he removed the arm from the table and pulled the sleeve down.
They looked at each other for a second, before Lucius went back to his wine, finishing the glass and pouring himself another. "And yours, Miss Black?"
Narcissa wondered what he was asking her for a moment, before realised he was echoing her question to him. "I've been studying... O.W.L's next year..."
She was relieved when their food arrived, meaning they didn't have to try and talk any more. The fact neither of them had ordered starters meant that they could leave sooner. It was delicious, and so was the wine once she had plucked up enough courage to try it. Every so often, she would feel Lucius's gaze on her. She was dying to know what he thought of her. Unfortunately they had cleared their plates faster than Narcissa had anticipated. Even more unfortunate – Lucius had requested the desert menu. Was he just being polite, or did he actually want to stay longer with her?
"You enjoy the company of your sister Bellatrix?" Lucius asked after a moment.
"I..." The question through her off balance slightly. Why on earth was he asking her that. "Bellatrix does not enjoy the company of her younger sisters during term time."
"I see." Lucius was swirling his wine around the glass. When the waitress returned, he ordered the chocolate soufflé. Narcissa hastily ordered a crème brulee for herself. "You did not answer my question."
Narcissa felt very surprised at his comment and did her best not to let it show on her face. "Bellatrix can be... difficult."
Lucius laughed coldly, in a similar way he did when he was with his friends in the common room. "I think I shall take that as a no, Miss Black."
Merlin, he was gorgeous when he laughed.
Silence fell upon them once more, but Lucius looked very relaxed.
"Miss Black, I am in no rush for our wedding to proceed."
Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Indeed, I was under the impression the happy event would take place after I leave Hogwarts, Mr Malfoy."
Lucius nodded. "And I see no rush for it to happen when you have left Hogwarts. A couple more years perhaps."
Narcissa was shocked. What was he saying? "I'm afraid my parents would not agree to that." Dismissively, Lucius shrugged. "And I am quite sure your father would not consent to that either."
He was staring at her, quite surprised, just as their deserts arrived. Narcissa instantly lifted her spoon and began to eat, but Lucius didn't move for a few minutes. Then he leant forward, picked up his spoon and tucked in too, his eyes still not leaving Narcissa's.
"Is there some sort of problem, Mr Malfoy?" Narcissa asked, when they were finished, feeling her voice sort of running away from her and saying whatever it wanted to.
"Problem?" Lucius asked coolly, seeming sort of amused.
"If our marriage is this repugnant to you..."
"Repugnant?" Lucius repeated, interrupting her. "Why would you think that?"
Narcissa was half outraged that he had interrupted her. "You have hardly looked at me for the last year and a half, at school I was invisible to you. This meal is probably arranged because your father, or mine, has asked you to. If it was your way, we would not have seen each other again until our wedding day, I am sure!"
Lucius sat back in his chair, staring in shock at her outburst. "They said you were too young for me to take to dinner before. Besides, a marriage is not on my list of priorities at present," he told her coldly, rearranging his face to it's usually blankness again.
"Nor is it on mine, especially to someone like yourself, but we must accept it will happen, with or without our liking it," Narcissa informed him acidly.
"Whatever do you mean, someone like myself?" Lucius asked her coldly, and she knew he meant it now.
"Whatever it is my sister says of you," Narcissa hissed back.
Lucius sighed, abruptly pulling something from his robes and placing it on the table. He tapped it with his wand, and Narcissa realised it was for the restaurant to take as payment. Clearly he came here often if he had an account. "I shall take you home, Miss Black," he said, a moment later, apparently calm again.
"Thank you, Mr Malfoy," Narcissa replied, wondering if her outburst was going to get reported back to the parents, and whether their marriage would still take place. She pushed that thought from her mind, knowing their parents would simply not care if they disliked each other, as long as there was a Malfoy heir soon enough.
Lucius held her hand once they were outside, but this time he didn't look at her. They were back outside of Narcissa's house, which was dark and still now. "Thank you for dinner, Mr Malfoy," Narcissa said, moving away from him.
"Miss Black," Lucius called, bringing her attention back to him. He walked two strides, standing close to her once more. "My apologies if I made you feel uncomfortable when we were at school together."
Narcissa stared at him in shock.
"Our marriage is not... Repugnant... To me." He looked very uncomfortable and Narcissa felt bad for him. "I avoided you at school as I thought it would be overwhelming for you, as it is for me. I see it would not have been, I was wrong. I was told that I should have dinner with you now you are sixteen, and now my only regret is that I could not ask you sooner. You act beyond your years."
He stepped away from her and Narcissa suddenly realised she was shivering. "I should go inside," she whispered. "I hope..." But what did she hope for? Another awkward dinner? Whilst she lived with her parents, there would be no chance for them to speak informally to each other. The only way she would be free of their rigid ways was to be married, and then she would be married to a man she didn't know. "Goodnight, Mr Malfoy," she settled on.
Without daring to look at him again, she stepped into the house and shut the door behind her, still violently shivering. There was a sound above her which made her jump as she crept up the staircase to her bedroom. Probably Bellatrix prowling around, she thought as she opened the door to her room. Hastily, she ripped off her dress and shoes and put on her nightdress and then slid into her lovely warm bed, drawing the duvet around herself.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Narcissa smiled up at the ceiling as she laid in bed. I could love him, she told herself. But how did he feel? His signals were so mixed, it was unbearable. She considered his final words to her, and decided that was the real Lucius Malfoy. He wasn't this cold and aloof man he made himself out to be, there was much more. That made her happy.
She fell asleep smiling.
x-x
Lucius apparated into the bar in Knockturn Alley, his mind reeling. His bride to be wasn't the spineless airhead he thought she would be, and that was a disturbing thought. He had been fully prepared to wait another five years before marrying her, so that he could have a good time for a while longer, like the summer just past. He'd spent every night in this very pub, surrounded by his new friends and the Dark Lord, sleeping with every girl who he liked the look of. And then, once they were married, he had planned to quickly get her pregnant, just the once if he could get away with it and if they had a boy, and then find a nice mistress to occupy him.
Now that plan was wasted. Narcissa Black was not going to put up with that. She knew what she was owed, probably had her awful mother to thank for that. What made matters worse, for the first time in his life he didn't want a mistress when he could have this woman. His future wife.
He ordered a strong drink and then moved towards the back of the pub where he knew he was being awaited. He saw his company right in the corner of the room, and headed over.
"My Lord," he said quietly, bowing his head slightly.
The man looked up at him, the blue eyes so penetrating that Lucius always cringed every time he saw it. "Ah, Lucius, sit."
Lucius did as he was told, pleased that they were alone together so they could discuss recent happenings. Most importantly, he wanted to know what was going on with Bellatrix.
"You are pleased with your betrothed?" Voldemort asked him coolly.
Lucius was sure he already knew. That was the Dark Lord's power, his intimidating presence and his all-seeing gaze. "I think so, my Lord."
"You think?" Voldemort was smirking as he sipped on his wine.
"She is not as I expected her to be... She's... Feisty." Lucius was surprised he had used that word to describe Narcissa. Six months ago, he would not have even considered using that word to describe her.
Voldemort laughed. "Must be a family trait."
Lucius took a large gulp of his whiskey. "May I ask what Bellatrix Black was doing at your house, my Lord?"
Voldemort contemplatively took a sip of wine, swirling it around for a few moments before replying. "She's very talented. I need more of that."
Lucius raised his eyebrows. "She's also very beautiful."
Voldemort smiled widely. "Now, now, Lucius, that is your Narcissa's sister you are talking about."
"My Lord, you must know my feelings for Bellatrix."
"I know hers of you, I am sure you mirror them," Voldemort replied coolly. "Very well, Lucius. It appears that we both have the same problem."
"My Lord?" Lucius asked, slightly confused at what Voldemort meant. There was no way that the Dark Lord could have the same problem as him.
"Feisty women... How to tame them when they hold such power over us..." Voldemort was swirling his drink again. Lucius was used to him drifting off into deep thought at any moment and kept his eyes on his drink, though he was wondering if the Dark Lord was saying what he thought he was saying.
"I do not believe anyone could hold power over you, my Lord," Lucius murmured, definitely not wanting anyone else to hear this conversation.
Voldemort's gaze snapped to Lucius suddenly. "And I would have said the same for you, Lucius Malfoy."
Lucius sat back in his seat, completely shocked at what Voldemort had said to him. Did Narcissa have power over him? Already?
"Yes, she does," Voldemort whispered. Lucius jumped, as he always did when Voldemort answered the questions he was thinking.
"And Bellatrix?" Lucius asked softly, knowing he was on thin ice here.
"Perhaps," Voldemort responded, a smile tugging on his lips. "But then I have asked her to marry me."
Lucius gasped, his guard completely down. "My Lord..." He could not believe that the Dark Lord had asked someone to marry him, let alone the sister of his future wife. Then he realised what this meant. She was going to be unbearable.
Voldemort laughed again. "Careful, Lucius."
Lucius bowed his head, knowing he would have to be careful around the Dark Lord now. His mind wandered back to Narcissa briefly. He decided he would invite her out for dinner once more before she returned to school.
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