So, I probably won't be doing every single year at Hogwarts for Lucissa, and I'll more or less be focusing on important milestones in both their school years and courtship. That being said, this chapter takes place the summer before Narcissa's second year and Lucius's third year.

It was during one dinner over the summer when Narcissa heard Mother and Father discussing yet another function they would be attending. Usually, Narcissa dreaded such functions, as she was often watched by either Bellatrix or Auntie Walburga and Uncle Orion. She tuned out much of the conversation, as she was not supposed to speak unless spoken to first. But when her mother began to talk about the function, Narcissa couldn't help but quietly eavesdrop. "Eleanor says that the money raised will be donated to both Hogwarts and St. Mungo's," said Druella.

"Indeed two very important causes. Though, with Dumbledore as Headmaster, we'll have to observe what he is teaching the students, as well as counter-balance it at home," said Cygnus.

"Speaking of education, your O.W.L. results came in this morning." Druella glanced at Bellatrix and handed her an envelope.

Bellatrix sulked, but ripped open the results. "How did you do?" asked Andromeda.

"Os in Ancient Runes, Astronomy, Charms, Potions, and Transfiguration. Es in Herbology and History of Magic. A in Defense Against the Dark Arts. D in Muggle Studies," recited Bellatrix.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts, I understand; it's enough to get you through Hogwarts with the rubbish they teach there. I don't know why your father encouraged you to take Muggle Studies," said Druella.

"Know your enemy, my dear," said Cygnus.

Glitter approached the dinner table and bowed to everyone. "Glitter has mail for Mistress Cissy."

Narcissa took the envelope and nodded toward Glitter. "Thank you, Glitter." Glitter bowed at Narcissa, and she turned to go back to the kitchen.

Narcissa opened the envelope, and Bellatrix asked, "What does it say, Cissy?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Abraxas and Eleanor Malfoy cordially invite Ms. Narcissa Black to their biannual fundraising gala on the twenty-third of June in the year nineteen sixty-seven at Malfoy Manor in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. Kindly RSVP via owl by the tenth of June."

"You're lying," said Bellatrix.

Druella took the invitation from her daughter and said, "I did mention to Eleanor about your birthday being the twenty-third, as well as letting you and Lucius getting to know each other outside of school. She thought it was a lovely idea."

"As do I," said Cygnus.

"It would have been nice if Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy invited all three of us," sneered Bellatrix.

"Bella, I'm sure when the Lestranges host events, you'll be invited," said Druella. "But for now, Cissy will attend with us, while you and Dromeda stay with Auntie Walburga and Uncle Orion."

Later that night, as Narcissa was preparing for bed, she heard a knock on the door to her bed chamber. "Enter."

Druella walked into the room and sat down on Narcissa's bed across from where she was seated at the vanity. "You know this is a big step for you? Attending a function at Malfoy Manor with me and Father."

"I know, Mother," said Narcissa. "But I know that someday I will be a wife, and I will be required to host or attend the same type of events."

"At least you understand what is expected of you. Bella doesn't seem to understand yet." Druella stood and kissed Narcissa's forehead. "Good night, Cissy. Sleep well."

"Good night, Mother," answered Narcissa as she pulled off her robe and tucked herself into bed.

The day of the gala arrived, and Narcissa was smoothing out her sunshine yellow dress and touching up her makeup. Her blonde hair was curled and cascading down past her shoulders. Once she was ready, she descended the stairs and entered the sitting room, where Mother and Father were waiting for her. Bella and Dromeda had already Flooed to 12 Grimmauld Place, so it was just the three of them and the house-elves. "You look beautiful, Cissy."

"Do you think Lucius will like it, Mother?"

"Indeed. Whichever pure-blood wizard you marry will be marrying a wonderful woman I know that you are becoming," said Druella. Narcissa smiled, and Druella said, "Take my hand, Cissy. I can Apparate you to the Manor with me."

Narcissa did as instructed, and soon, she was standing outside the gates of Malfoy Manor. It was a luxurious residence, with green hedges and magnificent gardens; it was on the same scale as the Black Estate in terms of size. They wandered up the gravel pathway to the front door, and Cygnus used the brass doorknocker to signal their presence. Eleanor answered a few moments later. "Cygnus, Druella, pleasure to see you." She shook Cygnus's hand and double-kissed Druella on the cheeks.

"The pleasure is ours, Eleanor," said Druella.

Abraxas came by his wife's side and said, "Enter, please."

"Abraxas, Eleanor, I'd like to introduce you both to our daughter, Narcissa," said Cygnus.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Malfoy, Mrs. Malfoy." Narcissa gave a small curtsy.

"Pleased to meet you, Narcissa." Abraxas shook her hand. "Lucius has told us many good things about you."

"There are drinks and food in the dining room. Many of the other guests are in the ballroom," instructed Eleanor.

"Thank you, Eleanor," said Druella, and she ushered her family toward the ballroom. "I want you to watch Mrs. Malfoy carefully, Cissy. She'll be doing many of the same things you'll be doing for your husband one day."

"Yes, Mother," said Narcissa.

When the group of three entered the ballroom, Narcissa noticed several familiar faces. The Greengrasses, the Crabbes, the Goyles, and the Parkinsons were there, all gossiping and dancing. Narcissa finally noticed him amongst the other guests. He had grown a meter or two, and his hair was a bit longer, now shoulder-length. His dress robe colors were the same silver and green as they had been for the Christmas party. Narcissa smoothed out her hair and walked over to him. "Do you have dress robes in any other colors?"

Lucius looked down at his robes and back up at Narcissa. "One or two. But I like this color combination."

"As do I."

Lucius looked around the room and asked, "Did you want to join me in the garden? There is never much excitement here, but Mother and Father would kill me if I attempted to take you to my bed chamber."

Narcissa chuckled. "Sure."

Narcissa followed Lucius to the gardens. "Our family motto doesn't just apply to a proper pure-blood marriage. Father has always told me to save myself for my beloved."

"Mother has taught me the same thing," said Narcissa.

When they arrived at the garden, which spanned for kilometers and kilometers, it had different types of plants, trees, and flowers growing. There was a flowing fountain in the center, and a pristine white gazebo. In front of the fountain was a bench, which was where Lucius led Narcissa. "It's beautiful," said Narcissa as she gazed around the gardens.

"Mother and Father married here," said Lucius. He sat down on the bench, and Narcissa sat down next to him. "Mother told me today is your birthday."

Narcissa nodded in confirmation. "It is."

"Mother and I were in Diagon Alley to buy new school robes at Twilfitt and Tattings. She mentioned about you coming to the gala, and that it was being held on your birthday." He pulled a flat, square box out of his inner dress robe pocket. "Happy birthday, Cissa."

Narcissa opened the gift and found a bracelet with green and silver beads. "It's beautiful," she said. "And of course, Slytherin forever." Lucius put the bracelet on Narcissa's wrist and closed her hand in his. "How were you able to pay for it?"

"I took a little out of my personal trust. Ideally, it's for when I have a wife and family of my own, but I use it for other things on occasion."

"You didn't have to buy me a present."

"You deserved something for your birthday."

"Well, thank you. Mother and Father stopped making a major deal out of it after I turned five or so." Narcissa stroked Lucius's cheek gently, and she leaned in for a kiss, her finesse lips meeting his.

"You're the only woman in my life who actually initiates the kiss first," commented Lucius. "Mother always waits for Father."

"I apologize. I will wait for you to initiate first in the future."

"No, it's fine. I quite like that you're a girl who knows what she wants in life." Narcissa bit her lip, suppressing a huge smile. "What do you want in life, Cissa?"

Narcissa sighed as she composed her thoughts. "Well, it isn't one-hundred percent about what I want. But I want to marry a noble pure-blood wizard who treats me like a queen. A wizard I can be proud to call my husband. A wizard who embodies honor, nobility, sophistication, and class. A wizard who's well-respected, who's confident in his beliefs and values, and who loves his family more than anything."

"How about children?" asked Lucius.

"I'm sure whomever I marry, I'd have to give birth to a male heir to keep the family name. Thankfully, Sirius and Regulus can keep the Black family name alive, since Mother was never able to give Father a boy. They thought I was supposed to be a boy, and I would've been named Aries. Merlin, were they wrong." Lucius chuckled a little. "Of course, I'll love a son, but I'd also like a girl: a little witch of my own." Lucius nodded in satisfaction. "How about you?"

"Like you, I am to marry someday. A pure-blood witch, of course."

"Of course," Narcissa confirmed jokingly. "I would have left you right here if you had said you wanted to run off with a Mudblood."

"Oh Merlin, never." Lucius shuttered. "And I'd love to have a son to carry on the Malfoy name, but also to teach him Quidditch and the Dark Arts and other important Wizarding issues. But if I have a girl with my future wife, I'm sure I'll spoil her too."

Narcissa nodded, satisfied with his answer. "So what elective classes are you taking since you're entering third year?"

"Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, and Ancient Runes in addition to the core required courses. Father achieved an O in Ancient Runes. Mother's best O.W.L. was Herbology."

"Really?"

"Who do you think planted all of these plants, or at least most of them?"

"The house-elf I saw walk by earlier."

"Dobby? That stupid git wouldn't know a Mandrake from a Puffapod." The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky with orange tones. "We should probably get back inside soon. I'm sure you and your parents will be leaving."

Narcissa nodded. They stood, and he took her hand. He led her through the gardens, but stopped and leaned over in front of the daffodils. "Mother probably won't notice one flower missing," said Lucius as he plucked one from the ground.

He handed her the flower, and she smiled as she took it. "Lucius, isn't gifting me a daffodil a little cheesy given my name?"

"Hardly," said Lucius, taking her hand again.

He led her into the foyer, where Cygnus, Druella, Abraxas, and Eleanor were gathered. "I trust you both enjoyed your evening?" asked Abraxas.

"We did, Father," said Lucius.

"We best be going. I'm sure Cissy wants to be home, as do Bella and Dromeda," said Cygnus.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy. I'll see you at school, Lucius."

"Likewise, Narcissa," said Eleanor.

The Blacks Apparated home, and Cygnus contacted his sister to have Bellatrix and Andromeda Floo home. Once everyone was home, Bellatrix said to Narcissa, "You have to tell us how it went. Come to my room, and we'll talk." Bellatrix pulled Narcissa toward her bed chamber.

"May we use my or Dromeda's room?" asked Narcissa. "Your bed chamber isn't exactly welcoming to conversation."

"Fine," Bellatrix huffed. "We'll use Dromeda's room."

The sisters changed into their nightgowns and gathered in Andromeda's room. "How was it, Cissy?" asked Andromeda.

"It was nice," answered Narcissa. "He gifted me with this bracelet." She showed them the piece of jewelry. "And we kissed in his family's gardens. It was very romantic."

"Rod kisses me like he's a hound attacking his prey. I can't wait to see what he can do with the rest of me," said Bellatrix.

"Bella," scolded Andromeda.

"What?"

"Never mind." Andromeda shook her head.

"Just wait until you have your first kiss, Dromeda," said Narcissa.

"Mmhm." Andromeda forced a smile and nodded.

Druella knocked on the door and stuck her head into the room. "It's time for bed, girls."

"Yes, Mother," they all answered. Bellatrix and Narcissa stood to go to their own bed chambers for the night.

At Malfoy Manor, Abraxas and Eleanor were in the sitting room, sipping some tea, while Dobby cleaned the dining room and ballroom. They heard someone enter the room and clear his throat. "Lucius, what are you doing out of bed?" asked Abraxas.

"I cannot sleep," said Lucius. He entered the room and sat down in one of the armchairs. "Father, how did you ask Grandfather Avery for permission to court Mother?"

Both Abraxas and Eleanor were surprised by their son's question. "Well, Lucius, we were betrothed in childhood, so I never really had to ask for your grandfather's permission because it was pre-arranged. Why do you ask?"

"I want to ask Mr. Black for permission to court Narcissa."

Abraxas and Eleanor both hesitantly set their tea cups in their saucers, pondering on how to respond to Lucius's request. "Lucius, you realize that asking Cygnus Black for permission to court his daughter is the first step toward marriage, correct?"

"I know, Father."

"Dear, your father is saying that if you enter into a courtship with Narcissa Black, you would be attempting to determine if the both of you are combatable for marriage. Don't you want to continue with your friendship with her before considering a courtship? You'll only turn thirteen next month," said Eleanor.

"Where is it any different than you and Father being betrothed to each other in childhood?" asked Lucius. "I am to marry a pure-blood witch. Why not Narcissa Black? We enjoy each other's company. I would at least be marrying someone I like."

Lucius's parents sighed. "It's late, Lucius."

"Is that a no, Father?"

"It's not a no. It's a not right now. Not until we have more time to discuss the pursuit."

"You best be getting to bed."

"All right. Good night, Mother. Good night, Father."