A/N: I don't own Harry Potter
This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Writing Club April
Scamander's Case:30-(plot point) an engagement
Lyric Alley: 8-(it's round and round)
Word Count: 1432
The sandman had barely made his rounds, putting the whole world to sleep, when Narcissa slipped out of her parents' manor. A quick survey of the grounds told her she was almost alone.
"You can come out now. No one's going to see you. I made sure if it," she called, sitting down on the stone wall that bordered the property. Most of it was too tall to even see over, but one small part, just big enough for her to sit on, had crumbled after years of neglect.
"Are you certain no one will see us?"
"Mother and Father are asleep, the servants have the night off. Who would see us, Lucius? I mean, and if they did finally discover the truth, would it be so awful?" she asked, watching as Lucius emerged from the shadows. She smiled at seeing him dressed in peasant garb. Even in a tunic and leggings, the way he carried himself gave away his stature.
"And have them discover that we've been alone, without a chaperon?" Lucius asked, a shocked expression his face. "Your governess would have my head."
"Only if she discovered you'd been taking liberties... which I wish you would," she flirted. Lucius smiled and leaned against the wall next to her.
"I would never besmirch your dignity in such a manner, not until I have properly courted you."
"And when exactly do you plan on doing that? Mother and Father are talking about marrying me off to the Lestrange clan. Merlin help me if that were to happen. The whole lot... not an ounce of decorum betwixt them," Narcissa sighed.
"You know I can't do that. I'm a prince, the prince. The heir to the throne, and you... well, we both know my father wouldn't approve. You're not a princess, and you don't come with an alliance to a rich country we can use and abuse."
"Hmm, true, but after I marry Lestrange, it would be the end of these nightly little tryst of ours will come to a halt and you'll only see me in the crowd as you marry some twat with shiny black hair and a fortune that rivals yours."
"Narcissa! Language!"
"Why should I worry about what I say? I mean, it's not like I'm in the Court, or anything I say actually matters. We both know it's true."
"What if... what if I did it, asked your father for your hand?"
"He'd be astounded at the prince asking for me, there must be a way we could arrange it. I mean, what if your father didn't know who I was until it was too late and we were married. We could just run away, elope?"
"You're a hopeless romantic, Narcissa, and you are brilliant. I have an idea. Just keep an eye on the town crier."
"Going to tell me ahead of time what this idea is?"
"Buy a pretty dress and a matching mask. You'll understand. Until then," Lucius kissed Narcissa's hand before disappearing back into the night.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
"Hear ye, hear ye! By order of King Abraxas, there will be a masked ball to celebrate Prince Lucius' eighteenth birthday!"
Narcissa could barely believe her ears. A masked ball? That was Lucius' brilliant idea? She sighed as her sisters, Bellatrix and Andromeda buzzed with excitement.
"We can go, can't we?" Bellatrix asked, looking to their parents.
"But of course, it would be a horrible insult to the royal family if we didn't attend."
"I shall have a black gown with a matching mask," Bellatrix announced. Andromeda sighed.
"I want a blue one, with golden stars," she stated. "What about you, Cissy?"
"She wants a dress so brilliant it takes all eyes away from her face," Bellatrix teased. Narcissa frowned, covering her nose with her hand. It wasn't as dainty as her sisters'. Her jawline was a little stronger than theirs. Bellatrix always had some comment about how Narcissa was the opposite of dainty.
"Green," she stated. "I want a green dress with a silver mask," she said, as if she hadn't already purchased these items the moment Lucius had advised her to.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
The night of the ball arrived with a misty night sky.
"Ohh, the mask looks lovely on you," Andromeda said as the three dressed for the ball. Narcissa smiled behind the mask. It only showed her eyes.
"Who knows, maybe you might even find someone to marry you," Bellatrix teased. Narcissa ignored her. She knew the whole point of tonight was for Lucius to pretend to fall in love with her. He was already in love with her, so that would be easy. He would convince his parents he didn't know who she was, and then there would be the reveal. She only hoped it didn't go wrong.
There was so much that could go wrong. Lucius could actually fall in love with one of the dozens of princesses that had arrived from other kingdoms. He could fall in love with someone else. Bellatrix could ruin the whole thing somehow...
Narcissa lingered in the doorway of the ballroom. All around her girls danced, gathered, gossiped. Each garbed elegantly and with masks. Some only covered their eyes, while others covered their whole faces, as Narcissa did.
"May I have this dance?"
Narcissa looked over and smiled. She'd recognize that mane of blond hair anywhere.
"But of course," she answered, allowing Lucius to sweep her out onto the floor. He twirled her and she smiled.
"Everything set up?" she asked.
"Yes, my father has agreed if I fall in love tonight, I shall marry the girl. Think of it as a birthday present. Also, I kind of threatened to disinherit the throne if I wasn't allowed some say in my wife."
Narcissa laughed. The song ended and she watched Lucius dance with a few other girls. She, herself, ended up with another dance partner.
"And who might you be?" he asked. She smiled a shy smile, the kind Andromeda was famous for.
"It's a masked ball, why spoil the surprise?" she asked. "Who are you?"
"A friend of Lucius'. That's all you need to know. I saw you dancing with him, how close you were to him, and I hate to tell you,but his heart already belongs to someone."
Narcissa felt her heart plummet. How could that be?
"Who?" she whispered, glad the mask hid her face.
"A girl of no real standing, but he cares about her deeply and I'm here to make sure they end up together."
"Severus!" Lucius announced, managing to escape from the dance floor a moment. "I see you found my Narcissa."
"Your... this is...?"
"Are you threatening her in my honor like you did that two?" Lucius asked, a smile playing on his face.
"Yes."
"Narcissa, this is my friend, Severus. We attended military school together and he is my most trusted adviser."
"Now, Severus, what do you think of my future bride?"
"She has not kicked me yet. She seems to care about you. I should go make sure no one else is causing trouble."
"Exactly. Now, the clock will chime in a minute, and that is when I am to announce my love for you. Are you ready?"
"I am, Lucius. Severus seems very protective over you."
"He can be a little strong sometimes, but, ahh, there goes the clock. This way," Lucius stated, pulling Narcissa to the middle of the room.
King Abraxas looked down at the room, at his son standing in the middle. He looked at the young lady next to him.
"Father, I have picked my choice."
"Very well, Lucius. Miss, would you please remove your mask so we can see your identity?"
Narcissa gently removed the silver mask, letting her platinum hair loose.
"I am Narcissa from the family Black," she announced. She could feel everyone staring at her.
"This is your final choice?" the king asked.
"She is, Father. I love Narcissa and she loves me. She shall make an excellent addition to the royal family."
"Then so be it. I welcome you, Narcissa Black."
"Thank you, your majesty," Narcissa said, falling into a proper curtsy. Lucius took her hand pulling her back to her feet. Hand in hand, they faced the congregation, the a roar of applause, and a very annoyed look from Bellatrix.
"That went as planned," Lucius whispered as the pair shared their first unmasked dance.
"It did. Now you'll have to speak to my father, not that he'd ever deny you."
"You certainly didn't," Lucius whispered, giving Narcissa a twirl.
"And I never will," she replied, smiling happily.