It's been forever for this story, but I figured I would update at least what I had, and I only had to write a couple paragraphs to make it work for a chapter. It's short, and there's only one chapter left and if I were to do an Epilogue. There isn't much/any Cissa-Lu in this chapter, but... I think it's alright. Tell me what you think in a review! Also, I noticed a lot of mistakes/errors in previous chapters... I may eventually get around to fixing them... Thanks Ellie!
"We need a society wedding" Rita told Peony sadly as the two sixth years sat on their beds. "If that other Black girl hadn't broken things off, we'd have a Parkinson-Black wedding to attend."
"Well, now, if things go the way I think they will, Pembrook will fall neatly into my hands," answered Peony with a small calculating smile. "Besides, the Black-Malfoy wedding will be much grander, the wedding of the century they say. Apparently Anastasia and Druella have been planning since third year!"
"I'd love to be invited" sighed Rita.
"Fat chance of that," interrupted Theia coming out of the bathroom into the dorm room the four girls shared. "As if a nosey little insect like you might get invited to the golden couple's wedding!"
"Even if you snub us, the Malfoy and Black families cannot. At least we'd get a holiday, just think, an evening of romances," sighed Peony, oblivious to the fact that her friend wouldn't be invited.
"Someday these two will marry," muttered Rita. "Two lines will be united, possibly to form the snobbiest, palest children to walk the planet."
"And with some luck their marriage may result in fancy dances," sighed Peony, entirely missing the point.
By the time that Lucius was ready to graduate and leave for his world tour, society was abuzz. After all, his return would coincide with the engagement ball, and mere months after-the wedding. He could tell the parents were anxious to get the wedding over and done with after what had happened over Christmas when Andromeda broke off her engagement with Pembroke Parkinson to run off and have a child with the mudblooded Hufflepuff. In fact, He had stumbled upon a visiting Mr. Black and his father discussing the delicate issue over Easter Break.
"What if Narcissa doesn't go for the merger?" Mr. Black had asked, taking a swig of Firewhiskey. "Andr…. My non-daughter shocked us entirely, but surely Cissa wouldn't disgrace our families as such. She always had a good head on her shoulders. Besides, Parkinson is a pompous bastard anyways. Prince's daughters can fight over him, now. I think he'd be better off choosing Violet. I'm glad I don't have him for my in-law. Not that I'd rather have a muggle…. I would just rather have no one, because as you know… Andr… doesn't exist. I have only TWO daughters now."
"Urge her!" replied an unworried Abraxas. "Besides, it's not as if you couldn't just imperio her if you had to. It's always a last resort." Mr. Black looked utterly shocked, but merely took a gulp of firewhiskey.
Lucious slunk off before the two men noticed him.
"For as long as I remember, we've been told we'd someday wed,"said Narcissa playing listlessly with her long blond hair as Theia used her wand to curl he own hair that had darkened considerably since childhood from golden to a russet. "But, I don't know if I can do it. I mean, I don't think I could do what Andi did either…"
"Cissa, Lucius is a nice enough guy. Hyperion and he are great friends, so he must be great. I'm sure you can grow to love him," said Theia confidently. "Besides, you'll have enough money, you won't even have to worry about love." Narcissa frowned and secretly wondered about her dear friend. Sometimes... she was just a bit too self absorbed and couldn't see other's problems.
"But… everyone doesn't fall in love with the boy their parent arranges for them like you have. Lucius hates me for impeding on his freedom. I'm sure he'll be just tickled to return home next week for the Engagement Ball."
"Well with the way Hyperion has been pestering him to come home early, he can't be having too great a time. I'm so excited to see Hyperion!"
"Yeah, well your every June until September wasn't as terrible as mine. With all their pushing and annoying hints. I've gotten bruises with their fingerprints."
"It's the Malfoy family! It doesn't get any better! Even Hyperion's bloodline isn't… then again you are of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. It's the best match in ages! You two will be the crowning glory of society, and with that beautiful blond hair. Sometimes… I wish for a blond daughter, so I can put her in all the clothes I wanted to wear once my hair darkened up when I turned fourteen."
"Hmm, well if she looks like a Malfoy, perhaps something could be arranged between our children. Must keep the line of Malfoy most Pure and Pale!" Narcissa joked.
"Well with Hyperion's hair such a dark color, and the fact mine refused to stay blond-even with spells, it's doubtful. Besides, we both know you would never arrange a marriage for any child of yours after what you and your sisters suffered." Narcissa nodded in agreement and the two girls flounced out of the room.
The graduates and their families poured out of the castle into the sunshine so that eager parents could take pictures, and the wonderful summer weather could be enjoyed on Hogwarts grounds a final afternoon. Theia's auburn curls flew out behind her as she rushed into the arms of Hyperion Greengrass who hefted her in the air and spun her around happily. Cissa couldn't help but smile at the couple who was so in love.
"I've miss-miss-missed you!" exclaimed Theia kissing every inch of her boyfriend's face.
"Missed you too, love," said Hyperion as she finished her assault. "You still smell better than Amortentia."
"You flatter me," laughed Theia. "You of course remember Narcissa Black," she said remembering her manners. If nothing, Theia was a proper pureblooded lady.
"Cissy!" laughed Hyperion turning to see his old friend. And his eyes nearly popped out of his head, because Narcissa Black had somehow become even more beautiful in the past year. He would think the girl was part veela if she didn't have one of the most famous well known bloodlines in England.
"Hyperion! So good to see you! I trust you had a wonderful time on your grand tour with Lucius?" And while Hyperion still thought Theia was a goddess who hung the sun and the stars, he was sure that Narcissa Black was moon, beautiful and mysterious and apart. Lucius wasn't going to know what hit him. Too bad the prick had skipped out on the graduation.
"We had a wonderful time. And we learned a lot too! You should see some of the things we collected in our travels. You will surely be impressed with the new things for Malfoy Manor."
"I'm sure, Lucius always has had impeccable taste," Narcissa replied, a bit annoyed to be speaking of him. He had never had a taste for her, and that more than anything that had ever happened between them hurt.
"You're just a pale, inferior imitation of a Black daughter. Why my parents didn't choose one of the pretty one's I'll never know, but I'm stuck with you-and you can learn to stay out of my way. I can do much better I am sure," he had said to her in a particularly cruel moment when she had caught him sneaking out of a broom closet with that bitchy roommate of hers Peony Prince. Violet Prince was so sweet, but her sister just had to be the same year as Cissa and a Slytherin. She planned on never forgiving Lucius.
"Lu said to pass on his regrets, but he won't be able to make it to your graduation this afternoon and he'll see you at the engagement ball next week. He had a bit too much fun last night," said Hyperion explaining away Lu's absence. Narcissa silently seethed, but was secretly also glad that he wouldn't be present to ruin her day. She hadn't worked hard enough to be salutatorian for him to spoil the moment with a hurtful comment.
"Hungover?" she said with a shake of her head as Hyperion looked guilty. "He's so immature." She huffed before flouncing off and leaving Hyperion and Theia to their little reunion.
So please review! I know it was short. I will try to finish this fic by the end of the summer, but who knows when I'll get around to it. I am really focused on the Undomestic Witch and Can You Keep A Secret! They are both some of my funnier peices, and if you like my writing, you might check them out. One's an Astoria Draco and the other is Bill Fleur. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Ellie