As the Slytherin students sulked back to the castle from the Quidditch pitch, the majority of them were commiserating with each other about Slytherin's loss. Slytherin had a slim chance of winning the Quidditch Cup, as they were now in last place. As Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Rabastan, Evan, and Narcissa all made their way back to the Slytherin dorms, all of them minus Narcissa were mutually lamenting over Slytherin's Quidditch fate. "I can't believe he scored in his own goal. What a boneheaded move," said Rodolphus.
"Our Keeper should have stopped it, though," said Rabastan.
"He was already trying to tell him to turn around and fly the other way. What more did he need to do?" asked Evan.
"With Ethan Parkin as Gryffindor's Chaser, they'll win the Quidditch Cup for sure. We'll have to listen to those arrogant prats brag for weeks. And it'll be all Lucius Malfoy's fault," said Bellatrix.
"Don't you dare blame Lucius for this!" shouted Narcissa. "It was a mistake."
"A mistake that cost us the game and a chance at the Cup," said Bellatrix.
"Well, it wasn't only Lucius's fault. If the other Chasers had scored more, or if our Keeper had blocked more shots, it wouldn't have been so close. Besides, it's just Quidditch."
"Little Cissy protecting her new boyfriend. How adorable," mocked Rodolphus.
"He's not my boyfriend," said Narcissa.
"Not yet, anyway," said Bellatrix. "Give it a few years."
"He's not." Narcissa stormed off angrily, as Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan chanted, "Lucy and Cissy sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love. Then comes marriage. Then comes Cissy with the baby carriage."
Narcissa huffed angrily and made her way to the dungeons. The common room was packed. Whispers about Lucius's error were circulating, and Narcissa couldn't help but want to silence everyone. Finally, Narcissa found Lucius in the corner near the fireplace, head hung low, wringing his hands together. She walked over to him and sat down next to him, but didn't say anything. He didn't look at her or say anything for the longest time, but he finally uttered, "I'm surprised you want to sit next to me, considering the fact that I'm Public Enemy Number One in Slytherin right now."
"It was a mistake," said Narcissa.
"One that cost us a chance at the Quidditch Cup. I should have paid more attention to Atticus motioning to me to go the other way, but I was too busy trying to score another goal before Hufflepuff's Seeker got the Snitch."
"You have five more years to help Slytherin win a Quidditch Cup."
"If they let me back on the team again," admitted Lucius. Narcissa looked up and noticed the common room was nearly empty in the span of a few minutes. She assumed everyone had gone to the Great Hall for dinner. "What do you see in me, Cissy?"
"What?" asked Narcissa, turning her attention back to Lucius.
"I asked what you see in me. Everyone else is treating me as if I'm carrying a case of Dragon Pox."
Narcissa leaned closer to him. "I see a boy who made a mistake, but has so many good things about him. A boy who comes from an honorable family. A boy who has wealth and a pure line in which he should be proud. A boy with a bright future. A boy who shouldn't let what others think of him affect his life. And a boy who will be a wonderful husband and father if he treats his wife and children the way he treats me." Lucius looked up at Narcissa and smiled a little. "Did your father receive a letter from my father recently?"
"I believe so. He was…excited about it, to say the least."
"Are you betrothed to anyone?"
"No." Lucius shook his head. "Mother and Father want me to focus on my education before I even think about marriage or a family. They think the couples who marry right after finishing at Hogwarts are rubbish. Too much inappropriate snogging and not enough proper courting for such a lifelong commitment."
"I don't know what Bella or Dromeda will do, but I hope to wait a few years before marrying. If I marry young, I would hope to wait a few years before having children."
Lucius looked at the time. "We should be getting to dinner soon. But I'm afraid to face the other students. Slytherin will still be blaming me for the loss, and the other three Houses will be teasing me."
"You can sit with me. I'm not afraid to be seen with you."
"Are you sure, Cissy?"
"I'm positive, Lucy."
"You've never called me that before now."
"I'm sorry. If you hate it, I won't call you that name again."
"No, I don't hate it coming from you."
Lucius and Narcissa made their way to the Great Hall, and as Lucius had predicted, all eyes were on him. Some students were whispering, while others were loudly calling him names. Evan and a few of his other mates were giving him nasty looks. "You can sit with me," Narcissa whispered to him.
Lucius nodded and sat down next to her as Narcissa took her place next to Bellatrix. "Well, if it isn't Lucius the Loser," said Rodolphus.
"Back off, Rod," said Narcissa, giving him a menacing look, or as menacing as it could be for an eleven year old.
Rodolphus chucked and said, "My soon-to-be baby sister-in-law is defending Lucius the Loser."
"Enough, Rodolphus," scolded Andromeda. "I'm sure you've done things you regret."
"Not really," said Rodolphus.
"One of the reasons I can see myself putting up with you for the rest of my life: you live without regrets," said Bellatrix.
Rodolphus smiled at her and went back to his meal. Narcissa began to fill her plate, but noticed Lucius wasn't eating much. He glanced sideways at her, clearly uncomfortable with all of the stares. He had put his left hand in his lap, so Narcissa snaked her right hand underneath the table and scooted it closer to his. She slowly wrapped her fingers over his wrist and squeezed it gently. She expected Lucius to yank his hand away, so she was surprised when she felt his hand envelop hers, and then squeeze it back. Not that she minded it. It still felt as natural as it had during Slughorn's Christmas party. Narcissa couldn't help but already feel a pang of jealousy toward the witch lucky enough to become Mrs. Lucius Malfoy one day.