Chapter Nine

A/N: I've changed the name for the story, because I thought of it in town the other day. I chose it because Narcissa's looks are often described as angelic, but she's nowhere near perfect!

Narcissa's life was practically perfect. The Silver Serpents work was a resounding success in the previous year, she was the star player in the Quidditch Cup, managing to score the goal that won the House Cup for the Slytherin, and she had finally got the man that she loved! It was brilliant!

The only spanner in the works at the beginning of their relationship was Lucius' well-known reputation. Everyone at Hogwarts knew that Lucius would pursue a particular girl that took his fancy for days, even weeks, until they submitted and kissed him. Then he dropped them like a Flagrante-cursed Galleon.

Bellatrix had told her numerous times that this time would be no different and for a while, Narcissa had believed her. A month went by, then two, then three and Narcissa began to believe that maybe this time was different. Now, six months later, even Bellatrix had to admit that Lucius truly cared about her baby sister.

The sixth year had eased up a bit on the pressure that had been posed by the OWLs in fifth year, but still with the imminent pressure of the NEWTs in seventh, giving a happy medium to the students and making Narcissa feel a bit more at ease, though her workload had increased dramatically.

She had been informed at the beginning of the year that she had achieved sufficient OWL grades to carry on with all of her subject if she elected to, which she did, meaning that she had been taking Charms, Transfiguration, Ancient Runes, Astronomy, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, Arithmancy, History of Magic and her Apparation lessons from November. She didn't regret the choice, but she was constantly very tired and what with the Silver Serpents, Quidditch and her Prefect duties, Narcissa was sleeping at every opportunity, especially as such things were few and far between for her. Lucius had heard of this and had consequently written to her, telling her to talk to Professor Slughorn and ask him to lessen her classes. Narcissa had refused, telling Lucius that she didn't want to be purely 'the little wifey with no opinion whose sole ability is to look pretty on her husband's arm'. She wanted proof of her abilities and intelligences and her NEWTs were the only way she could possibly achieve that.

The end of the year rolled around sooner than Narcissa had thought it would, and the Malfoy family's Summertime Ball was fast approaching, the final of the events in which each seventeen-year-old girl of the Silver Serpent families would be presented to sociaty. That night would be Narcissa's presentation, as the others had already been presented at their own family's event, whereas it had been agreed for the Malfoys' to host Narcissa's, under the circumstances. As it was to take place a mere week after the end of term, Narcissa had trusted her mother to co-ordinate an appropriate attire for her.

The day had dawned bright and sunny and as evening fell, it was time to dress for the evening. Narcissa entered her bedroom to find a dress bag hanging on the door of her wardrobe, with two boxes beneath it. She took a deep breath, unzipped the bag and gasped. The bag contained an astaundingly beautiful dress. It was made of emerald coloured silk, with a sweetheart neckline trimmed with silver diamonds, the same diamonds encrusting the ribbon that tied at the back of the dress, the tail sloping over the green tulle skirt. Opening the boxes, Narcissa found a pair of matching peep-toes in one, and a beautiful necklace and earring set in the other.

'I should trust my mother's taste more often.' thought Narcissa, once she was fully dressed in her finery. She decended the staircase, where she found her mother, father, sister and brother-in-law waiting, along with her cousins, Evan and Amorette. Bellatrix was dressed in red silk, her dress clinging to her figure and revealing rather too much cleavage to be considered 'appropriate', but Bellatrix never cared too much for the rules. Druella was dressed in green as well, but in a rather modest velvet dress which covered everything but her face, neck and hands. Nineteen-year-old Amorette was dressed in a rather understated violet dress, wishing not to draw attention to herself. The men didn't seem to mind either way, they were all wearing tuxedos and Narcissa couldn't help noticing that Evan actually looked rather handsome in his. They all gasped upon the sight of the young woman descending the staircase.

"Oh, Narcissa! You look so beautiful!" cried Druella, tears filling her sapphire eyes.

"Yeah, Ciss, you do!"

"Oh, Cissy, you look absolutely beautiful!"

"Come along, darling, we have to go." urged Cygnus.

It didn't take them long to arrive at the ornate Malfoy Manor. The family went inside, except for Narcissa, of course, signalling for her to be announced and inducted into the Pureblood Social Circle.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" boomed Abraxas Malfoy, Lucius' father, bringing everyone's attention to him. "Allow me to present, Miss Narcissa Cassiopeia Black!"

Everyone turned to the stairwell of the ballroom, where Narcissa had appeared. Gasps and 'ah!' sounds filled the room as she decended, reaching the bottom to be offered an arm by Lucius. She walked into the centre of the room with him, while the other guests formed a large circle around them and they began to waltz.

The dancing continued for a lengthy amount of time, then it finally calmed down. Lucius took Narcissa's hand once more and led her after him, this time going into a side parlour. Lucius gestured for Narcissa to sit down, which she did as gracefully as ever, and sat next to her. He took her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes.

"Narcissa, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. If I'm hurt, one touch from you and the pain ebbs away. You are so special to me, and I never, ever want to let you go." He got down onto bended knee, triggering tears to spill over from her eyes, her hand automatically rising to her mouth as she smiled.

"Narcissa Cassiopeia Black, will you do me the honour...of becoming my wife?"

"Yes...yes, I will, yes, yes!" she cried, throwing her arms around him and drawing him in for a long, passionate kiss. When they broke apart, Lucius was holding a small silver ring with a single heart cut emerald. He slid it onto her finger and kissed her again.

"I love you, Lucius."

"I love you, too, Narcissa."

A/N: Short and very sweet. I just wanted to get this up before I left. Please, please, please review, or Bellatrix will curse you!