The day before Slughorn's Christmas party, members of the Slug Club and their dates were excitedly discussing the upcoming celebration. The Black sisters were sitting together at breakfast, but instead of the Slug Club party, they were in conversation with each other about their own Christmas celebrations. "Mother says we will be visiting Auntie Walburga and Uncle Orion's house," said Bellatrix. "She says that if we leave on the Hogwarts Express tomorrow night, we can have a few extra days to pack."

"Tomorrow night?" asked Narcissa.

"What's wrong with tomorrow night, Cissy?"

"I just thought we were leaving the twenty-first?"

"Why should it matter? It's not like we have plans tomorrow night," said Bellatrix. Narcissa opened and closed her mouth a few times. "Merlin, you have plans tomorrow night, don't you?"

"No, I mean…" Narcissa stuttered.

"The only event happening tomorrow night is Professor Slughorn's Christmas party for select students, and none of us were invited," said Andromeda. Narcissa looked down awkwardly, and Andromeda asked, "Wait, did Professor Slughorn invite you, Cissy?"

"No, it wasn't Professor Slughorn who invited me," said Narcissa softly.

"Then who was it?" asked Andromeda.

When Narcissa didn't answer, Bellatrix smiled and laughed a little menacingly. "My baby sister got asked out on her first date."

"He said it's not a date," Narcissa defended.

"Sure, Cissy," said Bellatrix sarcastically. "Did he formally ask you to the party?"

"Yes."

"Will he pick you up and escort you to Slughorn's office?"

"I believe so."

"If he holds your hand or kisses you or both, then it's a date."

Bellatrix went back to her breakfast, while Narcissa began to panic. "Oh no," she whispered to herself.

Since Bellatrix was often of little use in the romance department, Narcissa asked Andromeda for assistance in getting ready for the party. They were currently in the first year dorm room, with Andromeda sitting on Narcissa's bed, and Narcissa obsessively changing dresses multiple times. "How about this one, Dromeda?" Andromeda glanced up and found her younger sister wearing a shin-length, purple dress. "Maybe I should wear the green one, since I am a Slytherin, and it would match the Christmas theme…"

"Cissy, Lucius will think you look beautiful no matter what you wear," said Andromeda.

"But this isn't any old boy. It's Lucius Malfoy. Probably the second noblest Wizarding family after ours. Maybe even more noble than ours." Bellatrix opened the door and waltzed into the room. "Bloody hell, Bella. Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

"Yes, I've heard of it. But it's pointless, because you run the risk of not being let into the room." She jumped up onto Narcissa's bed next to Andromeda.

"Bella, doesn't Cissy look beautiful for the party?" asked Andromeda.

Bellatrix observed her youngest sister and said, "Yes, she's stunning. Lucius will be falling all over her. It's disgusting"

"Bella," scolded Andromeda.

"Well, she's freaking out over the bloke. She's eleven; what does she have to worry about?"

Andromeda shook her head in disgust at her older sister and said, "Come on, Cissy. I can fix your hair for you."

After Andromeda put Narcissa's hair in a french braid, with Bellatrix continuing to make a few sarcastic comments from the bed, Narcissa turned around and asked, "How do I look?"

"He's going to love it, Cissy. Bella?"

Bellatrix looked up. "Yeah, yeah. You look pretty."

"The party starts at seven. I hope he's ready," said Narcissa.

The three sisters descended the stairs to the common room, Bellatrix and Andromeda leading in front of Narcissa. When they reached the bottom, Bellatrix coughed loudly. They moved aside, and Narcissa entered the common room. Lucius was wearing dress robes with green and silver trim, clearly showing his allegiance to Slytherin. "Wow, you look beautiful."

Narcissa smiled and ran her hand through her hair, doing her best not to mess up the braid. "You also look dashing. Very posh."

"The party starts soon. We best be going," said Lucius.

Bellatrix walked over to Lucius and drew her wand. "If you do anything to hurt my baby sister, I will make sure you feel sorry for it. Maybe a subject for the Cruciatus Curse…"

"No," said Andromeda, lowering Bellatrix's wand. "But seriously, I wouldn't put it past her."

Lucius and Narcissa left the dorm, and they began the journey to Slughorn's office. "Bella is very protective of you."

"I know that isn't what you're thinking."

"Okay, she's mental."

"She has the same temper as my Auntie Walburga and my cousin Sirius. Mother and Father don't care for her behavior much. But she at least values the importance of preserving the purity of the Wizarding race."

Lucius didn't say anything more, and the pair walked to the party in comfortable silence. Narcissa felt Lucius take her hand, but she didn't pull it away. It felt natural, like they had been holding hands for years. They arrived at the party, where there were already other students drinking, eating, and socializing. "Lucius, m'boy." Slughorn came over and shook Lucius's free hand. "Narcissa Black, pleasure to see you this evening."

"Pleasure to see you, Professor."

"Well, there's Butterbeer, and there are treats and sweets for you all. Enjoy, m'boy, milady."

Lucius nodded and led Narcissa over to the drink table. He poured a glass of Butterbeer for her before he poured one for himself. "To a pleasant evening and to Slytherin."

Narcissa chuckled before she took a sip of her drink, the smooth creamy liquid sliding down her throat. She wiped the foam off of her lip with a napkin. "Lucius?" He looked over at her. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Do you consider tonight a date?"

Lucius sighed. "I was hoping you would consider it one. But if you don't want to, we shouldn't."

Narcissa looked down and ran her forefinger around the rim of her glass. "It's not that I'm ashamed of you or anything. I know Mother and Father would be thrilled to see me courting a boy like you. They think very highly of your mother and father. I'm just nervous. I always believed my courtship and marriage would be arranged like Mother and Father's was and like Bella's is. Mother and Father had to grow into their love for each other, and Bella shows no indication of loving Rodolphus; at least, not yet."

Lucius took a long sip of his Butterbeer, contemplating what Narcissa had confessed to him. "My mother and father had to grow into their love as well. They were betrothed in childhood."

"What family did your mother come from?"

"She was an Avery. Both of my parents were Slytherin, of course." Narcissa nodded in understanding. "Mrs. Black was from House Rosier, correct?"

Narcissa nodded. "Yes," she confirmed.

A slow song began, and Lucius set his drink down on the table and held out his hand. "May I request the honor of a dance?" Narcissa set her drink down next to his and took his hand. He led her out to the middle of the floor, wrapped his free hand around her waist, and the pair began to waltz in time with the music. "You're a good dancer, Narcissa."

"You're decent as well. But I've had years of practice. Mother and Father began teaching me how to waltz at age five."

"Five? You got a late start. I started learning at three."

"I do well enough. So does Dromeda. Bella has two left feet." Lucius smiled, and Narcissa bit her lip.

When students began leaving the party, Lucius said, "It's getting late. We best be getting back to the dorm."

Narcissa nodded. "My sisters and I are leaving for Christmas holiday tomorrow. We have to get up early to get to Hogsmeade Station on time."

"Me as well. Maybe we could sit together on the train ride home?"

"Merlin, no! We'd never hear the end of it from Bella. Besides, how could we explain that to our mothers and fathers when we're not officially courting?"

They stopped in front of the Slytherin dorms, and Lucius gave the password. When they entered the common room, they were greeted with Bellatrix's presence. "So how was your date?"

"Bloody hell." Lucius's free hand flew to his chest, and his other one let go of Narcissa's.

"Bella, why are you awake?"

"I tried to tell her to go to bed, but she wouldn't listen," said Andromeda. "Now, come on, Bella. We have a train ride early tomorrow morning." Bellatrix pouted, but followed Andromeda to the girls' dorms.

Narcissa turned to Lucius and said, "I apologize for my sister's behavior. I thought we'd be alone."

"Apology accepted," said Lucius. Narcissa looked at Lucius's lips, and Lucius asked, "What is it, Narcissa?"

"I just…I just don't know if this is appropriate."

"What?" Narcissa hesitated before she quickly pecked Lucius on the lips. She pulled back, and Lucius stuttered, "That was…"

"I'm so sorry. That was truly unladylike."

"No. Quite the opposite. That was…nice." He leaned down, and they let the kiss last a few seconds longer. "Good night, Narcissa."

Lucius started up the stairs, and Narcissa stopped him. "Lucius." He turned to face her. "Call me Cissy."

Lucius nodded. "Good night, Cissy." And with that, he disappeared into his room for the night.