Lucius taps his foot anxious against the ground, fidgeting in his dark suit. He felt rightly stuffed tonight in his restrictive robes. Usually, he was a fan of the formal dress and how it added to his image, but he was restless tonight, still concerned that the event from the Winter Ball had affected Narcissa enough to shake her from her usual charms. Tonight demanded for everything to go perfect, and he could only hope that it would.
He wished Narcissa would arrive quickly, feeling that his anxiety would fade once he had her in his arms again. He missed her presence, too. Perhaps Hogwarts had spoiled him, but he was used to having Narcissa by his side and had grown too familiar with her touch. The past months, she had always been there to place a soothing hand on his arm or brush a hair back from his face when he grew irritated or anxious. He wished for that comforting touch.
The Malfoy ballroom was filled with the pureblood elite, all wearing their finest and decked in jewels. They were shining things, spinning around the ballroom to the light music playing. The entire manor was decorated in shades of gold and red for the holiday season and the ceiling had been enchanted to flutter down snow that dissipated before it hit the ground. The Malfoy wealth was on display and it was a grand site.
Lucius makes his way through the crowd, making polite conversation to select Ministry men and their wives. His interest in those conversations, however, fades away the moment he catches a glimpse of Narcissa and Bellatrix entering the ballroom. He grins, making his way to them.
Narcissa's face brightens the moment her eyes fall on Lucius's face. She gives her shawl to one of the attending house elves and then makes her way down the stairs to Lucius. Bellatrix disappears the moment Narcissa reaches Lucius, believing her job to be done. Lucius holds out his hand for Narcissa, who gratefully takes it, touching his face gently and kissing his cheek. "I've missed you, my darling," Narcissa says softly. She had a soft blue eyeshadow dusted across her eye lids, matching the soft blue of her dress. It made her look soft and gentle, and yet somehow ethereal.
"You look perfect," he tells her, smiling at her. "Absolutely perfect, Cissa."
"Good," she says with a knowing smile. "I want to make a good first impression."
"Come, then, my star. They're eager to meet you." He offers his arm for her and she slips her delicate hand around it, letting herself be led into the crowd. She had such a diplomatic smile on her face, nodding respectfully as they pass through the pureblood elite. She looked like such a charming little thing, and the perfect match next to him. He makes his way through the crowds, taking her straight to where his father and mother are hosting. He makes eye contact with his father, nodding to him to step away from their guests.
Abraxas Malfoy, takes his wife's arm, nodding to the couple they were talking to and excusing themselves. Abraxas and Demelza Malfoy were a domineering pair to an outsider with his mother's tall stature and his father's domineering face, but Lucius was happy to note that Narcissa was far from cowed by their presence, her smile only growing.
"Mother, Father, I'd like to introduce you to Narcissa Black." Lucius presents Narcissa to them, guiding her forward with a proud smile. "My girlfriend." Narcissa dips into an elegant, restrained bow, keeping her head low and meek. She was like a swan, dipping her head under the water, but keeping her body graceful and noble.
"I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet you," Narcissa says, looking up at the Malfoy heads with respect and grace. "I've been looking forward to it for quite some time."
"As have we, my darling," Demelza says in her brisk manner. "Lucius is not normally one for gossip, but he has done nothing but speak of you since he returned home. I'm afraid the boy is quite taken with you."
Narcissa turns her head to Lucius, giving him a sharp smile before nodding to Demelza. "I'm afraid my mother would complain about much the same from me. I've been rather enchanted with him. I must confess, as short as this break has been and as much as I've enjoyed my time with my family, I've missed spending my afternoons with Lucius."
Lucius slips his hand into hers, bringing it to his mouth and giving it a quick kiss before letting their conjoined hands settle between them. Demelza smiles at the action, but his father's face remains stoic and unreadable.
"Come join us at our table, child," Demelza says, taking her husband's arm. "I'd like to learn more about the girl who has captured my son's heart."
Lucius places his hand on the small of Narcissa's back, guiding her to his family's table. He pulls out a chair for her, tucking it beneath her. He takes the seat beside her, sitting across from his mother. He keeps his focus, however, on Narcissa, taking her hand again below the table and squeezing it gently.
"Your home is beautiful," Narcissa says with an easy smile. Her thumb strokes his hand softly as she speaks with his parents. "Especially under the splendor of the holidays. The work you've gone through for this ball is stunning. I think you've dazzled even the most discerning of guests. Lucius has told me that this is his favorite time of year, and I see now why. It's truly spectacular."
"Why, thank you, child," Demelza smiles. "We've always had a love for the holidays. It reminds us that family should always be central." She reaches over and takes her husband's hand. Abraxas responds with the barest hint of a smile.
Narcissa, however, is taken by the statement, her smiling glowing.
"Tell me how the two of you came to be so close," Demelza prompts.
Lucius stiffens at the question, remembering that they meant under less than chaste circumstances, especially on his part. Narcissa, however, seems unphased by the question. "Truly, I've admired Lucius from afar for years. He was too impressive of a quidditch player for me not to take notice. And I've always admired his leadership within the Slytherin house as well. Lucius has a tendency to stand out. Unfortunately, it took him a bit longer to notice me. I blame myself, however. I've always been a shy thing." She sends a quick, dazzling smile to Lucius. "But we met one afternoon when I had been swimming in the lake. Lucius still teases that he thought I was one of lake's mermaids." She lets out a twinkling of a laugh, purposefully excluding the fact that she had been entirely naked on the day and that he had been holding her clothing hostage.
A quick smirk crosses his face, but he softens it to a smile.
"Lucius invited me to Hogsmeade after that," Narcissa says, turning slightly to Lucius to invite him in the conversation. "I almost didn't go, which would have been a great mistake. I was too worried about some rumors I had heard about Lucius. Luckily, I trusted my instincts and I was pleasantly surprised by how charming and respectful Lucius was. I was quite smitten."
"Not as smitten as I was," Lucius interrupts with a grin. "I asked her for a second date that very night."
Narcissa laughs and nods. "We went stargazing and talked until curfew," she says.
Lucius lets go over her hand to rest his hand on her thigh, slowly sliding up her dress, remembering that night with a hint of a smile. Once he's pulled up the dress far enough, he slides his hand under the fabric, tracing her bare skin. Narcissa stops his hand, squeezing it and giving Lucius a warning look.
"Well, that sounds like a wonderfully charming courtship," Demelza says, smiling at the two.
Narcissa lets Lucius keep his hand on her bare thigh, but keeps him from moving it any further up her leg. "If I may speak candidly to you, Madame Malfoy, I am incredibly grateful to have Lucius in my life. I cannot express to you the ways that my life has changed since he has come into my life, but it's infinitely better. He makes me better. I adore him. More than that, I truly love your son." She looks back to Lucius, the adoration sparkling in her eyes as she looks to him. Lucius smiles in return, leaning in and kissing her gently. He's pleased to see a hint of a blush on her cheek. Oh, she was such a perfect thing, down to that little blush. She knew exactly what to say to endear herself to his parents and he could already see his mother taking a liking to her.
"Oh, Lucius," Demelza says. "She's a peach, she is." She shakes her head with a warm smile. "And such a beauty, too. I don't have the heart for an interrogation, I adore her. You've done well, Lucius. She's wonderful."
Narcissa beams and laughs softly, shaking her head. "Oh, no! But I've prepared for an interrogation, I promise! You can't let all my hard work go to waste. I was looking forward to ingratiating myself to you with my knowledge of horses."
"You ride, do you?" Demelza asks with a piqued interest and her eager smile that crossed her face whenever someone mentioned horses.
"Whenever I get the chance," Narcissa nods, a matching eager look on her face. "And Lucius tells me you have the most stunning stables, that it puts even your Manor to shame. Truly, I couldn't help but adore the two of you before meeting you based only on the stories Lucius has told me. He has filled my head with the most romantic stories of how you two came together."
"Oh, it took Demelza years to come around to me," Abraxas says, breaking his silence. "Truly, I don't know to this day if she loves me or just her stables."
Narcissa laughs softly, shaking her head.
"Mm, just don't make me choose between you and the stables and you'll never have to be disappointed," Demelza says with a playful smile at her husband. She turns back to Narcissa. "You'll have to come riding with me this summer, my dear. I'm afraid my son took after my husband and took no interest in horses. Bores, the both of them."
"I'd be delighted to ride with you," Narcissa says with a joyous smile. "That sounds wonderful."
"Alright, alright," Abraxas grumbles. "Enough pleasantries. I must speak with the young lady."
Narcissa looks to him expectantly, her posture tense.
"Come on a walk with me, Narcissa," Abraxas says, standing. "I'd like to speak to you away from my son."
Narcissa nods and stands up, carefully fixing her dress before hurrying after the Malfoy patriarch. Lucius looks after her with a smile, settling back in his chair.
Demelza leans in once they're gone, fixing Lucius's hair. "She's quite beautiful, isn't she?"
"The most beautiful girl in the world," he says with assurance, looking to his mother. "I have your approval, then, mum? I want to marry that girl."
"You are certain, aren't you? You're still young, Lucius. I wouldn't want you to make promises to this girl and then change your mind in a year or so."
"I'm certain, mum. She's it for me."
A smile crosses his mother's face and she traces Lucius's face fondly. "You have my approval, darling. So long as she's able to win over your father. But I have faith in her. She's a charming little thing."
"She really does love riding, mum," Lucius smiles. "She never stops talking about her horses when we're together. You should have seen her face light up when I told you about your stables."
"It'd be wonderful to have a girl around the Manor," Demelza says. "And such a pretty one at that. Oh, you two would make such beautiful children."
"Mother," Lucius says sharply, shooing her hand away from his hair.
Demelza laughs softly, shaking her head. "She's a fine girl, Lucius. I'm sure she'll make a lovely wife."
Lucius nods with a smile, looking at where Narcissa is exiting the ballroom with his father. Yes, he agreed silently. She'd be a perfect wife.