Author's Note: Hey everyone! Sorry for taking a ridiculously long time to update, life's been hectic. Anyways, this chapter might be sort of confusing, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask!

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Lucius recovered quickly and returned her small smile with one of his own, more guarded smile. There was a storm raging silently in his eyes, so why did Narcissa not seem to notice?

When he spoke his voice was insistent, "You can continue to learn outside of Hogwarts; for instance, in one of ourmany libraries in the Manor. All Malfoy libraries are extensively stocked, of course."

The exaggerated use of the word "our" was not something missed by Narcissa and she fought to keep the rising feeling of vile off her pretty features.

"I suppose that is true," She smiled brightly up at him. "May I ask you something in return?" She feigned hesitation, trying to look nervous as to throw him off her trial.

"Of course," He smiled amusedly, confusion in his eyes, with something else, something indistinguishable.

It's now or never. I sure hope he buys this! Narcissa prayed to Merlin, and any other gods who would listen.

She cast her eyes downward, taking her bottom lip in between her teeth and shifting slightly in her seat. She heard his breath stop in what she assumed was confusion and spoke before he could ask her what was wrong.

"Will you at all miss me Lucius?" Her voice was light and silken, something she had perfected over the years. It sounded angelic, simply heavenly. All was going according to plan. And then it hit her. It really hit her; the realization had finally penetrated her mind and seeped into her very heavily guarded heart. She was going back. Back to Hogwarts, her safe haven, her refuge, her home, for the last time. She would be forced to come home after all was said and done, marry a man she did not love, share his bed, bare his children, and live an empty, loveless life.

She did not hear Lucius get up, or even move, but he was suddenly seated right beside her. She felt his smooth hand gently cup her face, his other hand on her arm, supporting her.

"Move so every day." He answered faintly with a measure of firmness in his voice.

He was determined to make this work. She was determined to make sure it failed. What a pair.

"Narcissa" He began questioningly when she steadily refused to meet his gaze. "Why are you upset?" His voice was concerned, but she wasn't fooled. And now she would do it. Complete the first step of her final plan. It would take all of her self control to pull it out. But what choice had she now? She was desperate, and this plan…Well…it was…awful. And mean, horribly so, and spiteful, and…just so perfect. She wouldn't shake it off calmly and accept her fate. She would fight. Always fight. Till her breath falls unwillingly from her tortured lips, she would fight; because to her, there is no such thing as fate, only acceptance. And Narcissa knew she would never willingly give herself over to this silvery impassive demon. He would never love her, and she would never surrender.

This is it; the point of no return. Narcissa silently let out a breath she had been holding and spoke. Setting everything that should never have been disturbed into a motion that couldn't be stopped.

"You don't love me," She stated in a broken voice, "Why would you want to marry someone you don't love? Do you hate me that much? That you would capture my heart and hold yours so far from me?" She looked on the verge of tears, her large watery ice blue eyes gazing desperately at Lucius as though she had just spilled the entire contents of her little heart; playing her part more perfectly than she had had any right to expect.

But at that moment fate was not on her side.

A man appeared, oblivious to the couples' tense state, "Your wine, sir." The waiter continued. He reached for Narcissa's glass and she shot him a look of pure, unaltered loathing.

He froze, seemingly dazed, but not, apparently, frightened. "Is the Miss old enough to drink an alcoholic beverage?" He asked, thoroughly confused, and mistaking her glare.

Too bold a question.

Narcissa's eyes narrowed dangerously and she could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks. She became increasingly aware of Lucius' quick and careful eyes on her face and she softened her gaze, letting her embarrassment take her over. She hung her head, letting her hair shield her face from the men.

Lucius spoke with deadly steal piercing his silken voice, unmistakable rage, "Leave. Now."

His grey eyes had taken on the appearance of a raging torrent, frighteningly intense and overwhelmingly beautiful. His jaw had tightened in a supreme not to voice his extreme displeasure. Narcissa noted all this as she peered at him through her curtain of golden locks.

After all, it would be horrid for his reputation of he were out with a mere child. Narcissa reasoned, knowing he didn't care about how the snub had affected her. Narcissa was a strong young woman, most had no idea just how strong, but that didn't mean she was above getting humiliated sometimes too. Lucius turned his attention swiftly back to her, a silent firing still raging in those cloudy eyes. He was calculating her. She knew it.

"Narcissa-"

"Will you take me home please?" Narcissa whispered delicately in her most fragile voice, keeping her eyes trained on her hands resting on her lap.

She had never felt smaller than she did now. Not when she had been told she was to marry Lucius, even though her heart, as well as his, were absent. Not when she had been at Hogwarts and was unable to make friends, because they had been hand-picked for her. Not when she realized that no guy would ever pay her attention, because she had already been spoken for. Not when every dance at Hogwarts had come, and she had sat in her dorm alone, because Lucius had always asked someone else, and she was not permitted to go. Not when her whole summer had been arranged from start to finish for everyday, and every occasion. Not when she had lost her favorite sister, who had abandon her, and their family, for the love of her life. Not when she had to endure hours upon hours of lectures to ensure she never did the same thing. Not when she cried herself to sleep on her birthday because she was now old enough to become the next Malfoy bride. Not when Lucius' vile mother told her to gain weight and find some spells to hide her true looks. Not even when she had received a secret picture from her dearest sister, of her first born child, a child born of love, an emotion she would never get to live, an innocent and beautiful child she would never know.

Narcissa just wanted love. And now she would never know it. A small, strangled voice whispered desperately in her mind, maybe Lucius could grow to love me. But it was pushed aside as another, stronger voice spoke, yeah, because it's totally possible for him to love someone other than himself. Not! Wake up you immature pansy.

"Of course," Lucius replied suddenly, breaking her from her thoughts. He stood gracefully, reaching to pull back her chair. She rose as gracefully as she could while trying to retain what little pride she had been able to salvage.

He reached for her arm softly but she pretended not to notice and starting walking, passed the lobby and doors and onto the open sidewalk, she was unaware that her slight form was shaking gently, but Lucius wasn't.

Je appeared at her side quickly, then stepped in front of her, effectively blocking her way and causing her to, regretfully, look up.

They stood there, facing each other for a few moments, saying nothing. His gaze seemingly seeing through her, he stepped forward gracefully. When suddenly, he reached out, wrapped his strong arms around her slim form, and pulled her solidly against his firm chest. Narcissa was stunned, and she couldn't help it, she snapped a little. Her resolve wavered, not enough to change her plans, but enough to make her feel a strong sense of guilt.

The tear drops began to slide down her cheeks. Almost shyly, she wrapped her arms around his strong, steady torso. Her heart ached. She wanted this to be real; she wanted him to love her, for nothing else then simply her being herself. She wanted to love him…

His voice came unexpectedly in her ear, "I'm so sorry your feelings were hurt," He sounded so genuinely concerned! Oh how I wish I could believe he was. She thought solemnly.

He pulled back slightly and she noticed it had started to drizzle, placing small rain drops on his cheeks, resembling the tears she refused to let him see her shed.

"Lucius-" Narcissa started, not wanting to talk anymore about such things. But he interjected,

"I love the way that sounds," He smiled uncharacteristically. She noticed he was much more handsome when he smiled, younger too, more like an angel of light rather than darkness. His eyes also brighten. How charming. She mused. Then realizing what she had thought, she mentally shook herself. Don't get distracted! She reminded herself.

He leaned in. She froze.

But he wasn't headed for her lips, he softly pressed his hot lips to the base of her throat and she felt her knees go weak. Stay strong! It doesn't mean anything. But it was a rather difficult task when he began laying a trail of perfectly soft, hot kisses along her shoulder and neck. She felt herself quiver slightly and knew he felt it too. She felt his hot breath by her ear,

"I can't believe you don't know," Was all he said. He placed one last kiss at the edge of her jaw and began to pull away. Narcissa acted quickly, without thinking, without knowing whether or not she even really want to. All she knew for sure was at that moment she needed it to be real, needed the comfort, the protection, at that moment, she needed him.

So, before he leaned any further away, Narcissa sprung forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and placing her soft lips firmly on his.

He didn't take long to react; wrapping one arm strongly around her waist, the other looping gently into her long hair. She complied, tangling her delicate hands into his gloriously soft, pale blond hair.