Disclaimer: As in chapter one.
Days blurred together for Narcissa throughout the summer as she spent her time lounging around Black Manor. Her efforts at Hogwarts did not go unnoticed, she received the most divine diamond pendant and matching earrings set she had ever seen. She was overly excited, although saddened she would have to wait until mid August before she could wear them in public, the Annual Black Ball had been scheduled for August 11th. This was a very important ball for Narcissa, as it would also be her debutante ball, she would finally be introduced to Pure Blood society as an eligible wife for one very lucky Pure Blood man.
A little over 2 weeks after she arrived home, she had risen for breakfast, sauntered down to the dining room where her mother and father were already there deep in discussion. Their voices drifted into the hallway, "He would be an admirable match for her." "Yes I must agree with you there, and you say his father has spoken with you?" She stepped into the door way and they both fell silent. Their facial expressions showed one of fear they had been caught doing something they shouldn't have, then they both visibly relaxed and showed warm smiles towards their youngest daughter. Druella spoke first, "Good morning dear, come, join us for breakfast. We shall go to Paris today and buy you a new dress for the ball." Narcissa could not hide her excitement, her face lit up light a Christmas Tree as she took her place at the dining table where a house elf poured her tea and piled her plate with fresh fruits.
Druella and Narcissa had a magnificent day shopping, they apparated to France not long after breakfast and had both acquired exquisite gowns by lunch time. Narcissa's dress was exceptional, it definitely was not a simple dress but it was oh so elegant. White of course, a symbol of the purity of her body and blood, silk strapless, floor length and more revealing than anything else she had been allowed to wear before she was of age. It was tight, corset like, but smooth from her chest to her hips, dipping slightly at the front to give shape and show off her perfect 'C' cup cleavage. From her hips down, the material gathered at her left hip with diamonds, then fell down and showed the soft curves of her thighs at the front but floated out and straight to the floor from the back. It looked like milk flowing over her petite form, just perfection. She also acquired a matching pair of gloves that covered her elbows. She also picked a simple pair of white heels to wear under the dress just to give her extra height.
Days rolled on, slowly, according to Narcissa. She was so pre-occupied with her thoughts on the ball that she had forgotten about the conversation between her parents she had overheard one morning, completely oblivious to the subject of their discussion. Cygnus and Druella had not mentioned it again, they did not wish to raise their daughter's hopes if it turned into nothing, but they were quietly hopeful it would be successful. Narcissa spent a great deal of time reading, novels mostly, either in the parlour or out on the grounds, she also often found herself wondering down to the stables to visit the horses she had not seen whilst at school. She had several of her own, an old mare they only used to breed from, she was one of Narcissa's favourites because she had been her first horse, a big hunter stallion which she would ride on fox hunts, a few young fillies and colts that weren't old enough to be ridden yet, but her favourite, by far, was a three year old bay filly she had watched being born. The fillies mother was Narcissa's old mare and her father was a superb stallion from Germany. The mare had waited until Narcissa had come home for the Easter holidays before she had the foal, it was an extraordinary sight to behold in the early hours of that spring morning, watching her trying to stand and learn to walk mere minutes after being born. A beautiful, tall bay filly, perfect conformation with a simple star on her head, her nose fit into one of Narcissa's palms. She immediately became attached to the newborn and named her Adhara. She was a smart, inquisitive, talented little thing, she would much rather come to Narcissa when she was around than stay with her mother.
As Narcissa walked into the stable aisle, Adhara was the first to greet her, whickering to her with her graceful head over her stable door. She couldn't help but smile and go to her first, summoning treats to give her as she stroked her head. She could stay with the horses for hours, in the stables or watching mares and their foals graze the paddocks of the expansive Manor grounds, it had a calming effect on her, one of contentment. She looked out towards the horizon, the sun was starting to set and one of the elves had arrived to feed the horses, she would ride tomorrow, she thought to herself as a smile graced her lips.
It had arrived, finally, August 11th, the manor was bustling with activity, cleaning and decorating the extensive entrance hall, ball room, dining room and all the studies on the first floor. Elves everywhere and Druella directing the lot. Narcissa cringed to think she would have to do as her mother eventually be herself once she married, hold fabulous dinner parties and be the perfect hostess, she shuddered.
She moved off to her room just after lunch to start getting ready. Guests would start arriving at 5pm and her grand entrance was to be at 5.30pm with dinner scheduled for 6pm. She showered, washed her hair, moisturised then put on her undergarments. It had come to 4pm sooner than she had realised, she applied her make-up, accentuating her dazzling blue eyes and with a flick of her wand her striking blonde hair was dry and placed neatly in curls on her head with a fringe sweeping lightly across her forehead. She put on her dress, jewellery, gloves and heels, turned around in front of her mirror to see that everything was in place then sat back down in front of her vanity and waited. She started to hear commotion below her room and knew guests had arrived. At 5.20pm there was a knock on her door, she turned towards the sound to see her mother gracefully enter her room smiling at her then announce, "Come my dear, its time." Narcissa stood and moved towards her mother. She was so nervous, to be introduced to all those people, she put on a confident front but she was actually scared. All eyes would be on her.
The pair moved silently along the second floor landing towards the staircase, they could see the guests standing in the entrance hall below, chatting amongst themselves. The majority were adults, the rest were people Narcissa had been to school with whom she had never liked but they turned up because they were talked about if they didn't. She spotted her sister standing at the foot of the staircase in a black dress with her husband, both already with half empty wine glasses in hand. They reached the top of the stair case and Narcissa stopped and waited for her mother to descend the stairs alone. Druella tapped Cygnus on the shoulder, who was near Bellatrix, and turned to glance up to the second floor for conformation she was ready, then turned back to the room and announced, "Can I have your attention everyone." Silence swept the room and all eyes fell on Cygnus.
"I wish to introduce to you all, my youngest daughter, Narcissa Black." He turned to look up the stairs and every set of eyes in the room followed suit. Narcissa mentally calmed herself, graciously laid a hand upon the handrail and began her decent. She held her back straight, her chin high and tried very hard not to make eye contact with anyone. Her face looked composed but a look into her eyes would reveal her true feelings. She made it to the first floor and a wave of relief washed over her, thank Merlin that was over, if she now could get through dinner, the rest of the night would be a breeze. All eyes were still trained in her direction. A certain blonde haired man thought she looked just magnificent, he hadn't even realised his mouth was gaping open, luckily for him, no-one saw, but he still couldn't take his eyes off her, until she reached the first floor and he lost her in the crowd. But he made a goal then and there, he would talk to her that night.
Narcissa was making small talk with her sister when the doors to the dining room opened and it was time for guests to take their seats at the table. Druella and Cygnus took their places side by side in the centre of the table, Narcissa moved to Druella's left and Bellatrix and Rodolphus on Cygnus' right. Before Narcissa had a chance to breathe after sitting, Thorfinn Rowle had taken it upon himself to sit on Narcissa's left. She had to visibly restrain herself from rolling her eyes at the thought, she did not wish to spend her whole meal time talking to this idiot. He turned to her almost immediately and began with, "Good evening Narcissa, you look beautiful tonight." She had to stop herself from shaking her head and replied, "Master Rowle, pleasure to see you, although I must insist you refer to me as Miss Black. I do not believe we are on first name terms." With the most composed expression she could muster at this twits advances. He didn't waste time and answered, "But we should be on first name terms." As a smirk spread across his face, oh Merlin, she thought to herself. Narcissa did not hear the approaching footsteps over the chatting of people in the room. A deep and demanding voice full of authority rose through the room, "Excuse me Rowle, if you don't mind, I wish to have a word with Miss Black before the entrees are served." For the seconds before Rowle realised who had spoken, he looked as if he was going to tell them where to go jump, but as the two men made eye contact, Rowle's face softened and a look of submission fell over it. "Certainly Malfoy, come and find me when you are finished." He then rose from his seat and hurried away. Lucius Malfoy swiftly took the now vacant seat and turned to Narcissa, "Miss Black, what a pleasure to see you."
"Like wise Mr Malfoy." She held out her hand, which he took and brushed a light kiss over her knuckles. "I must thank you for saving me from Mr Rowle, I thought I was going to have to spend my whole meal talking to him."
"Any time, I often find his company boring and unbecoming. Not the company you should have over dinner on a night like tonight." During this time, Druella had opened her ears to the conversation to her left when she had heard the young gentleman's name. Splendid, she thought to herself, just splendid.
Entrees appeared in front of the pair as they continued to talk. "I take it, Miss Black, you are pleased to finally have finished your schooling?" Narcissa picked up a knife and fork and began to move the food around her plate. "Oh yes, very much so. But what about you Mr Malfoy, what have you filled you time with since you graduated?"
"Ministry work, I was given an internship at the Ministry but was given my own office not a month after starting, I'm very talented you see." A look of amusement filled his eyes.
"Oh I see. Not very modest are we?" A smile presented on her face. That was Lucius Malfoy's attempt at a joke. He was actually very talented, on a broomstick and in study but everyone knew he got the office in the Ministry because he was a Malfoy.
They chatted amicably over the next two courses. Everyone sitting at the table had noticed by now, including a sulking Rowle, who had taken a seat further down the table. He knew when it was time to back off, Lucius Malfoy had made his intentions clear to everyone, except Narcissa. People began to move from the table back to the entrance hall and through to the ball room. Lucius put down his fork, rose from the table and turned back to Narcissa holding out his hand. "Miss Black, would you accompany me to the ball room for a dance?" Narcissa was somewhat, on high alert, keeping her composure and trying not to say anything embarrassing, but smoothly replied, "Certainly." She took his hand and rose from the table. Malfoy swiftly moved her hand down to the crook of his bent elbow and the pair strolled from the room. All remaining eyes in the room, fixed to the couples back, and what a fine couple they were.
Narcissa couldn't believe her luck, she didn't even have to try for his attention. She had only spoken to one other eligible, briefly, and she had been swept away by Lucius Malfoy. She had heard the rumours of his narcissism but at that moment, she didn't care, she was on her way, out of the dining room, hand in arm to have a dance with Lucius Malfoy. The music started as they stepped into the room, the crowd parted for them as they made their way to the centre of the room where he turned to face her and took her waist with one arm, pulling her close, and his other hand met hers in the middle. Their bodies were closer than what was proper for Pure Bloods in public, but the tingling sensation that ran up her spine from the close proximity was overwhelming. They started to dance, moving in tune. He was a wonderful dancer and so was she. Although he was half a foot taller, they glided around the room, only looking at each other. Lucius knew it was rude to stare but he couldn't help himself, she was perfection, the Queen he wanted to rule the wizarding world with. They danced on, Narcissa was not even sure for how long, he kept a firm grip on her waist as to stop his hand wondering, as it had done with many girls before, all striving for his attention. But Narcissa Black was no girl, Merlin no, he would wait, if he played his cards right, she would be his for eternity.
The music stopped and so did the impressive pair, before Lucius let her go, he pulled Narcissa close so his mouth was level with her ear and whispered, "Thank you Miss Black, I have had a wonderful time. But if you'll excuse me, I have some... business, to attend to before I leave this evening. I hope to see you again soon." Then stepped away, kissed her hand again, letting the hand and eye contact linger, and walked off, in the direction of Cygnus' study, where the majority of men had congregated to discuss politics.
Narcissa was dumb struck, she couldn't even think straight, this feeling she had was overwhelming and she didn't quite understand it. She quietly moved off to the edge of the room and out onto a balcony for fresh air to try to calm her nerves. She was joined, a few seconds later, by Bellatrix, who had been watching her like a hawk. "Lucius Malfoy hey," the somewhat psychotic dark haired witch started.
"You had better watch yourself Cissy, he has a bad temper, very used to getting what he wants."
"Do not worry about me Bella. I can handle Mr Malfoy or any other man that comes in my direction."
"Oh can you now? Poor, naive, little Cissy, don't stress that pretty little head, it was only a word of warning." Bellatrix vanished back into the ball room. Narcissa did not care what her sister said, she knew she had never liked Lucius because he was better than her at everything. But she let that slip from her mind and instead, let it fill with wild thoughts about her evening. She stood on the balcony, leaning against the railing, smiling to herself, her mind reeling with possibilities.
AN: I realised after I posted the first chapter it probably wasn't as entertaining as it should have been but I needed a place to start. I have this whole story line reeling through my head and the first thousand words wasn't some of it. Anyway, I moved this chapter along, I had to do the time jump otherwise we would not have got to the ball, which was the scene I wanted to write. I also drew Narcissa's dress and explained it how I drew it to the best of my ability. Please review =)
