A/N: Sorry this is late. Exams kicked me in the teeth. Thanks again to justforpractice for being awesome and working on this with me. Her story Meant to Be is in the same universe as the majority of my fics, and you should check it out.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Narcissa moved through the hallway alongside Lucius, their fingers intertwined. He'd gotten permission from his parents to take her on a tour of the grounds, and Narcissa was thrilled to be able to explore what would eventually become her home.

"I can't get over how wonderful they are," she said, gesturing back toward the ballroom, where they'd left Abraxas and Seraphina. I'm not sure what I was expecting, she thought, but this isn't it. She supposed she'd thought everyone's parents were more like her own, though she knew rationally that the notion was ridiculous. She looked to Lucius's face to find him smiling.

"They are…" Slowly, his smile fell away as his eyes swept over her face, and she supposed he'd followed her line of thought to the unspoken comparison. He gave her hand a gentle pull forward and guided her through a door on the right and into a small closet. Lucius leaned close to touch his lips to hers, and then he pulled back to speak. "I—Narcissa, I don't want you to ever have to question your worth because of your parents ever again. I don't want to return to school without you being my wife. I want to take you away from the hell hole you're forced to call home. How do you feel about having a ceremony before the ball?"

Narcissa's pulse had accelerated with each word, and she couldn't breathe. She wanted more than anything to marry Lucius—to be able to start their lives together and move away from every difficulty they'd faced and the home she'd wanted to leave for as long as she could remember. But could it really be that simple? Could they marry now simply because they wanted to be together?

"I would love that," she said. "Nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife as soon as you'll have me. But won't my family need to sign off on it?"

Lucius let out a sigh, and his shoulders fell slightly. Narcissa frowned. She hadn't meant to lessen his enthusiasm.

"Right," he said. "I didn't think that far ahead. Well, we could discuss possible options with my parents… I know they won't be opposed to it. You could quite possibly be emancipated from your parents. Normally, it takes moths to do so—I know because of Walden—but thankfully, my father has connections in the Ministry that make the process go a lot faster."

Narcissa nodded. She rested both of her hands on Lucius's cheeks and leaned close to meet his lips. "That sounds perfect. Absolutely perfect. I hope you know I mean it—I can't even describe how happy it makes me to think that we're going to be married."

Lucius's smile returned. "I can't wait to be Mr. Narcissa." He touched his lips to hers once again. "I love you."

"That's adorable," said Narcissa with a laugh, her thumbs caressing his cheeks. "I love you, and I can't wait to be Mrs. Lucius."

After bidding his parents goodnight, Narcissa snuck off to Lucius's room, awaiting him while he spoke with his father. When he joined her, she spent the night in his arms, and she enjoyed the chance to be with him too much to regret the small amount of sleep they received. In the morning, Abraxas agreed to take them both to the Ministry, and as the group made its way toward the lifts, Narcissa leaned close to speak quietly to Lucius.

"I still think you'll make a great Minister, one day," she said.

Lucius smiled and kissed her forehead. "I know you do," he said. "But I don't believe it's in the cards."

"Nonsense," said Abraxas. "Narcissa, you're absolutely right. I've always known he'd make a fine Minister." Narcissa and nodded in agreement, brightening a bit at the knowledge that he thought Lucius well-suited for the job.

"But Father… the other plans?"

"Doesn't mean you can't be both. In fact, one may benefit the other, one day."

Narcissa certainly knew what they were referring to by 'the other plans,' but she pushed the bitter thoughts of how she hated that Lucius was being subjected to a life of war from her mind and focused on the other portion of the conversation. "I'm glad you agree, Lord Malfoy," she said. She reached out to squeeze Lucius's hand, hoping to reassure him. She caught sight of the ribbon on his wrist and tried to hold back the smile that wanted to claim her lips. She found her mind returning to the previous night, which she knew would live on in her memory as the most memorable and wonderful of her life. When she looked to his face, though, Lucius's brows were furrowed. Apparently, Abraxas had noticed this, as well.

"Son, your face looks as though you're sucking on thousands of sour lemons. What's on your mind?"

"I thought you didn't believe I had what it took to be Minister?"

Abraxas shook his head firmly. "I never said that. I was merely challenging you. I wanted you to understand what it took to become something so grand. I believe you can do anything, my boy. And not just because you're a Malfoy."

Warmth washed over Narcissa at the idea that Abraxas had such faith in his son. Narcissa was firmly of the belief that Lucius was capable of absolutely anything, and she hoped he knew that. "You can," she said quietly, squeezing his hand with a smile.

Lucius nodded toward his father and then smiled at Narcissa. "Thank you, my rose," he breathed.

"You're welcome, love," Narcissa said quietly.

She followed the others into the lift, and when its door closed, the lift began moving, carrying them to Level One. When they arrived, Abraxas exited first and Lucius stepped out behind him, guiding Narcissa out of the lift and down a corridor that passed several administrative offices.

"If your sister works here, then her desk would be on this level, by the way," whispered Lucius in Narcissa's ear. She'd told him that Andromeda had mentioned obtaining a job at the Ministry in one of the letters she'd received before leaving Hogwarts, and she hadn't been able to ask as many follow-up questions on the matter as she'd hoped, as she was highly apprehensive about sending letters to Andromeda from home. "The Department of Mysteries is on Level Nine," Lucius continued, "but everyone's workplaces are on level one. My father's friend is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, which is on Level Two, and his office is actually on his level—he's the only department head with that luxury. These private offices here are for the Junior and Senior Undersecretaries for the Minister. Up ahead is where your sister's work space will be, along with several other Ministry workers who aren't department heads or undersecretaries. And the Minister's is the largest. Today we're heading there—she's the one that will help us get what we need. My father knows her along with the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and several other important Ministry officials."

Narcissa glanced around at the offices as they passed, listening to Lucius's explanation. She nodded and tried to imagine working somewhere like this. She found politics interesting but unappealing to partake in—she had enough of it to deal with in her daily life without adding it as a career. Lucius had a talent for leadership, though, and she fully hoped he would pursue it. She wouldn't mind participating insofar as being there to help and advise him.

"I can't wait to meet—" Narcissa broke off at the sight of two people she recognized exiting an office a little farther down the hallway. Andromeda and Ted emerged from a door on the left, and Andromeda closed it behind them. For a moment, Narcissa hoped her sister wouldn't notice her approaching. That hope lasted for only an instant, however, as Andromeda smiled at the sight of her sister and called out with a wave.

"Cissy! What brings you here? Oh—hello, Lucius. And Lord Malfoy." Andromeda's face fell slightly as her gaze lingered on Abraxas, and Narcissa hoped she was the only one who noticed the twist of her sister's lips that suggested her distaste for the titles of the society she'd left behind. She returned her sister's wave, but she had trouble finding the words to explain why they'd come.

"Nice to see you, Andi," she said instead. "Ted." She inclined her head to him as he and Andromeda paused in front of where she stood with Lucius and Abraxas. Narcissa felt Lucius's arm wrap around her waist and pull her closer, and she could feel the tension in his muscles.

"Miss Black," he said flatly.

"Narcissa... Lord Malfoy," Ted greeted them, eyeing Abraxas up and down. Narcissa tensed as Lucius and Ted refused to acknowledge one another. After their meeting at The Three Broomsticks, she'd hoped they'd gotten past this, and she wondered whether Abraxas's presence was responsible for this reversion. She glanced to Abraxas, who ignored Ted and smiled politely at Andromeda, though he said nothing to her.

Narcissa found herself wishing she could be literally anywhere else. She looked from one face to the next and realized she had no idea what to say to make this easier on anyone. "We're here to see the Minister," she attempted after several moments of strained silence, looking to her sister.

"Oh? About what?" asked Andromeda, her smile appearing less genuine now than it had when she'd first spoken.

Narcissa looked to Lucius, wondering how much she was supposed to say. He hesitated.

"If you'll excuse us," he said finally.

Ted took Andromeda by the arm and steered her away from the trio and down the hall toward the lifts.

"Lucius, do you know that Mudblood?" asked Abraxas as he resumed his course, Lucius and Narcissa trailing behind him.

"Father... Sir… I—"

Narcissa's cheeks burned, and she couldn't imagine how deeply she had to be blushing. "Only through my fault, sir," she told Abraxas as they walked. "Lucius accompanied me to Hogsmeade and had no idea that my sister's husband would be there." Of course I had no idea that Lucius would be there, either, she thought, but for the moment, that's irrelevant.

Abraxas turned his head toward Narcissa and nodded. "And you keep in contact with the blood traitor?" he asked.

Narcissa's stomach twisted at Abraxas's question, and her throat went dry as she attempted to think of an explanation for what she'd done. She exchanged glances with Lucius, who was watching her with wide, apologetic eyes. When he looked to his father, his expression shifted to one of greater composure.

"She doesn't," he said defensively. "Andromeda is the one to place in the hot seat, Father. Not Narcissa."

Narcissa felt the tension filling her body ease considerably, and she gave Lucius's hand an appreciative squeeze. "Thank you," she mouthed.

Abraxas raised his eyebrows and drew in a breath. "I'm proud of you for standing up for the woman you love. Good man. Though I don't want you socializing with anymore Mudbloods or blood traitors. Do you understand?"

Lucius blinked and nodded. "Yes, Father."

"Good. Now, are you ready to be emancipated, Miss Black?" Abraxas's inflection grew more positive as he turned his attention to Narcissa.

She couldn't entirely rid herself of the panic that had filled her at his reaction to her sister and Ted, but when he spoke to her, she tried hard to focus on the present. "Very ready, sir. Thank you for bringing me to do it. I owe you quite a lot for this."

"Wonderful," said Abraxas. "And nonsense, my dear. You're my son's fiancée—you're family, remember?"

Narcissa nodded. "I remember. Thank you."

"Come along, then."

Narcissa followed the two of them into the Minister's office, remaining as close to Lucius as she could as they walked.

"Abraxas," said the tall, dark-haired woman at the desk in an enthusiastic tone.

"Eugenia," said Abraxas evenly in response.

"And Lucius, nice to see you again."

"Pleasure seeing you, Minister," said Lucius.

"And who might you be, young lady?" asked the Minister.

"Narcissa Black, ma'am. I'm Lucius's fiancée." Narcissa inclined her head respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

The Minister smiled. "Eugenia Jenkins. It's very lovely to meet you, Miss Black." Jenkins turned her attention to Abraxas. "What can I do for you, Malfoy?" she asked.

"I've brought Miss Black along today because she wishes to be emancipated from her parents," said Abraxas.

"Ah, of course." Jenkins glanced to Narcissa with a knowing expression before returning her focus to Abraxas. "Normally, it takes weeks to get this done. But for one of my closet friends and benefactors, I don't mind putting in a fast order." She made her way over to a cabinet in the corner and sifted through one of the drawers, and after a few moments, she pulled out a stack of papers. When she returned to the desk and leaned against its front, she handed Narcissa the papers with a smile. "And anyone who is a friend of the Malfoys is a friend of mine, Miss Black. What you'll need to do is fill these out—you may do it here if you'd like, or you may take them home and have Abraxas return them to me—and once you do, I will personally see that it is taken care of. You can be emancipated by Christmastime, I'd say."

Narcissa gave Minister Jenkins an appreciative smile. She was fascinated by how easily Abraxas got what he'd come for, and the idea that she was joining a family with so much influence and so many connections was as appealing as it was overwhelming. She imagined how wonderful it would be to be able to eliminate deadlines and waiting periods with a word and having someone as powerful as the Minister for Magic be willing to bend and change the rules at her request. After spending so long without choices and being told her desires fell below those of everyone else in her household in priority, this change was more than welcome.

"Thank you, ma'am," she said. The idea that she would be free by Christmastime was more wonderful than she'd anticipated, and her stomach fluttered with excitement. She glanced to Lucius and then to Abraxas, trying hard to keep herself calm.

"I believe we'll take the papers home," said Abraxas, smiling. "Thank you, Eugenia. We'll owl them into you. How does that sound?"

Minister Jenkins nodded and smiled. "Certainly. Always a pleasure, Abraxas," she said politely.

"Of course," said Abraxas.

Lucius and Narcissa said their goodbyes in turn. Jenkins waved to them as they followed Abraxas out of the office, and she shut the door behind them. Narcissa followed Lucius and Abraxas back into the hall and let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding as she looked down at the papers. This is it, she thought. This is what I've been waiting for, and it's happening.

"A lesson for you, son: never give too much of yourself away," said Abraxas. "Take note of how I said we'd owl her papers in. You don't ever want to be a doormat. We're thankful for Eugenia's generosity and help, and sending it in shows her that we're very busy and have little time to be stopping by. If I didn't do that, everyone would be asking me for donations and such all the time. It's a system, my boy."

Narcissa watched Lucius's face as his father spoke, and she noticed when he gulped.

"Yes, sir," he said. He shifted his attention to Narcissa and squeezed her hand. "I'm so excited," he whispered to her. "Another step closer to being Mr. Narcissa."

She returned the squeeze of his hand and smiled at his words, and she leaned up to kiss his cheek quickly, trying to be discreet. "It's wonderful. I can't wait for everyone to know how much I love you."