~Slice of Life~

A/N: Here it is, the final chapter! (At least for the competition). As always, I do not own anything from the world of Harry Potter that you recognise.

I hope this isn't too mushy, and yes, you will recognise the ending from some other one shots of mine- I just think its sweet #sorrynotsorry. I do hope that you enjoy this and that it isn't too OOC or unflowy (that's not a word, right?). From this point on, I will be reviewing each chapter and editing, as well as getting onto my beta so that I can submit ASAP. This will also mean an update for the 'Meeting the Parents' chapter and maybe re-titling some of the chapters (which must also contain the chapter prompts as per the competition).

Thank you to everyone who has read this, Icicle really is one of my favourite pairings! If there are any parts of their lives you would like to read about (from this point on doesn't have to be fluffy) feel free to PM and I'll see what I can do. Love always, Tigress x

Narcissa sighed, replacing the book she was reading with a pile of letters. She had tried many times to get started on the novel but found that she could not enjoy a single word knowing that Lucius was busy working away at his desk.

It was one of Lucius' rare days off, free from any working obligations and yet there he was, back straight and brow furrowed as he pored over some documents. What on earth could possibly demand his attention so much? He should've been by her side, offering to take her out to lunch or to stroll around their gardens. Yet it seemed ever since they had returned from the Quidditch World Cup, he had been too distracted to care.

Shaking her head, Narcissa rifled through each envelope. There was the usual letter from Gabrielle Goyle begging her to attend one of her small soirees, a flier advertising discounts on renewing her subscription to The Daily Prophet, a call card from Azkaban directing her to make an appointment for visiting inmate #12693, another letter from Thelma Bulstrode begging her not to attend Gabrielle's party because she had not been invited herself, and a small creamy envelope sent from Hogwarts.

Narcissa pushed away the other drivel and smiled as she picked up this last envelope. Picking up the ornately carved envelope knife from the silver platter on the table beside her, she quickly sliced open the top. Immediately, she recognised the tall, sloped emerald writing that appeared on the piece of parchment inside, and her smile grew as she greedily devoured its contents. If her husband was too busy for her, at least her son wasn't.

It appeared that Draco was doing well in his first weeks back at the castle, already receiving high marks on the homework he produced. Draco was also pleased that, as his father had hinted, he would be joined by students from Durmstrang soon and would be able to watch the Triwizard Tournament take place. Narcissa could tell though from his words that he was slightly disappointed at not being able to take part himself, and though she knew the minimum age of participants was to increase, was relieved all the same that her son would be safe for the year.

Draco's letter only became more amusing as it continued. As more information had been revealed to the students of the year's events – many of which Narcissa conveniently forgot to mention – Draco's initial calmness soon turned into horror. If only she could see her darling boy's face right now, she would be sure that she would not be able to contain her laughter.

"What are you smiling about?" Lucius grumbled from across the room, his quill still moving rapidly across the page.

Narcissa hadn't realised how wide her smile had gotten, but allowed it to remain on her face all the same. "Nothing, I'm just reading a letter from Draco. It seems that his fourth year isn't as pleasant as he had hoped."

"Why? What's he done this time?"

The smile finally faded from her face as she shot Lucius a furtive glare. Ever since Draco had been involved in that accident with the frightful beast last year, Lucius had cringed every time they received a letter from the school. He always suspected that Draco had done something that would need his father's quick spin on things, as well as a few galleon donations on some occasions. Really, Lucius ought to have more faith in his son.

Nevertheless, she decided to indulge Lucius with some of her son's worries, if only it meant that he was finally talking to her.

"He hasn't done anything. Draco has just found out that Hogwarts will also be hosting a Yule Ball this year and has realised that it will mean extra lessons in ballroom dancing. Of course, we have made sure he knows all he needs to over the years but he isn't quite fond of spending hours in the arms of some of his housemates' arms."

"It'll do him good. When I was his age, I jumped at the chance to show everyone exactly how it should be done," Lucius muttered.

"Yes, I know."

"So who doesn't he want to partner? Surely old Severus won't try to demonstrate?" the smallest hint of a smirk appeared on Lucius' face as he looked up briefly. It did not last long, however, as before Narcissa could even reply, he returned back to his work.

"I believe the Parkinson girl has been dropping hints to Draco about being with him on the night."

"Oh… well… she is Pureblood though, isn't she? It can't be that bad."

"I'm sure she is a lovely dancer," Narcissa conceded with her own smirk, knowing another letter would probably soon come. This time it would be from Rachelle Parkinson, inviting herself and Pansy over for tea during the break. She would have to warn Draco and Lucius if and when it did arrive.

Lucius did not reply as his quill continued scratching across the parchment before him. Narcissa watched him for a minute, hoping he had would soon take a break and they could have an actual conversation. However, Lucius only moved from his position to take an envelope from his right, scrawl an address on it, pause to scratch his left forearm absentmindedly, and begin writing on a fresh piece of parchment.

Another sigh escaped Narcissa's lips as she looked back to the letter. Lucius did have a point – the Yule Ball was something Draco should enjoy. She could remember attending the Yule Ball in her sixth year and how excited she was to attend.

Narcissa would give anything to go back to the magical atmosphere of that night. She remembered enjoying the air of sophistication attending a ball – her first ball not shut in a room whilst her parents danced away – brought with it. Everyone had been dressed up in beautiful, full length gowns as the men competed with each other in new dress robes. Narcissa had chosen a powder blue robe set, embossed with tiny specks of silver and diamond across the bust. For the first time, she had worn her hair up as her mother did – golden locks piled atop her head in soft curls. Narcissa could even smell the perfume she had worn – a delicate combination of rose water and vanilla – and could hear the tinkling of goblets echoing across the Great Hall over the din of excited chatter of girls eyeing off potential dance partners.

Looking around the large library where she now sat, Narcissa could barely keep the disappointment off her face. If only she could go back for one night, even for an hour, and find herself young and pretty as she was twirled across a marbled floor.

Even if she could, she supposed it wasn't the same now anyway. The music of Draco's generation was loud and uncouth; definitely not the inspired, soothing tones of artists like NAME SOME. Both hairstyles and dress robes were becoming more daring too. Although Draco didn't know the real reason behind his obtaining new dress robes, assuming he had grown out of his others, Narcissa had had a hard time convincing him to get an appropriate style when they last visited Diagon Alley. Her son had wanted robes in bottle green like every other male his age was getting, and it had taken some negotiation to get him to select a more demure, emerald green set. No, she sighed once more, nothing was the same now, and it never would be.

Narcissa heard the slight scraping of a chair and looked up to see Lucius standing. His face was still furrowed slightly as he began to vanish away some of the paperwork. Then, stretching his arms above his head, he tucked in his leather chair and walked towards her.

"Are you having a lunchbreak now? I thought you were too busy to stop?" Narcissa asked, not really caring to keep out the _ bored? Annoyed? Tone in her voice.

"I am – I still need to take care of quite a few things," Lucius came to stand before Narcissa, a smirk plastered on his face, "but I can't concentrate right now with someone sighing so often."

Narcissa felt the heat rise to her cheeks. She resisted the temptation to snap back that she would not be sighing so much if he had taken the time to spend with her, as he usually did, whilst also resisting the urge to feel embarrassed at being caught.

Lucius extended his hand to her, motioning for her to take it. She did so hesitantly, not sure if she should get her hopes up that maybe they would go to lunch after all. Lucius pulled her up, bringing her to her feet and guiding her to the center of the floor.

"Lucius, what are you-"

Lucius took out his wand, pressing a finger to his lips as he did so. Pointing his wand at the silent gramophone sitting upon a nearby shelf, he levitated the needle and set it upon the large black disk. Music began to play as the machine was brought to life; soft, classical, melodies that a person could find themselves floating upon.

"Shhh... If I can't work, we may as well enjoy ourselves," Lucius smiled softly, wrapping a hand around Narcissa's waist and drawing her closer. "Besides, you are not the only one missing those days."

Narcissa pulled herself closer, encircling her own arms around Lucius as he gently spun them around and around. His silver eyes were sparkling as he looked into her blue eyes; Narcissa was sure he could see the mist that had formed within them. She felt any disappointment she had felt thawing, left with only desire for her perfect husband.

Lucius smirked at her, "Draco doesn't know what he's missing," before leaning in and capturing her mouth with a deep kiss.

Narcissa responded with enthusiasm, knowing that the moment could not last forever, even if she desperately wished it would.