Narcissa follows along behind Abraxas Malfoy, keeping her feet steady and her head high. The man had been unusually silent during their conversation, letting his wife do the majority of the talking. Narcissa was certain she had won over Lucius's mother, but she knew that the real challenge lay in gaining this stern man's approval. She follows as he leads her out from the ballroom and into a large, ornate study. His own study, she was sure.

"Well," Abraxas says, turning to Narcissa and looking her over with a discerning eye. "My son is quite taken with you, that much is certain."

Narcissa nods, looking back at the man unphased by his stare. "He's a good man, your son. I care for him dearly."

Abraxas nods and waves his hand, as if this is completely contrary to the point. "He is still young."

Taking her time, Narcissa looks around the study before turning back to Abraxas. "I know an emotional appeal will do little to asway you to my favor, Mr. Malfoy," she says, "so I hope you'll appreciate it if I speak a bit more bluntly to you."

Abraxas raises an eyebrow, surprised, but nods.

"You know my father, and with that I am sure you are able to decipher a good repore of my reputation. My father has raised me according to the finest pureblood traditions and has distilled in me the knowledge of my duty in this world. I am well raised, Mr. Malfoy. Of good stock. My mother has trained me on how to manage a household, how to support a husband. I am well bred, sir, and the purity of both my blood and my reputation are untainted. I know these are qualities that you and your wife are looking for when it comes to choosing a spouse for your son. As for other points in my favor, sir, there are the matters of my name and bearing. The Black name, I'm sure you are aware, has a long and proud history of housing some of the most distinguished wizards and witches to have ever lived. There are few finer names in pureblood society. Even the great Malfoy name is new and fresh compared to the legacy of my house. And with the great tradition of my name comes the indelicate nature of my family's finances. My father has no sons, you'll note. Just me and my two sisters. A match between our houses will result favorably for you with the addition of my inheritance."

Abraxas's eyebrow remains raised throughout Narcissa's speech. "I must say, I am unused to discussing finances with a young girl."

Narcissa nods knowingly. "It is a matter between you and my father, providing I gain your approval tonight. I wish only to demonstrate to you that I have a complete understanding of my place and duty in this world, Mr. Malfoy, and I will bring nothing but benefits to your son."

"And does he bring you benefits as well, Narcissa?"

"Before my relationship with Lucius, I was perfectly aligned to allow my parents to arrange my marriage," Narcissa confesses as a means of answering his question. "I have always been in favor of the older traditions and would have followed along that path had I not met your son. I looked on him favorably beforehand, of course. Lucius has an arsenal of attractive qualities that make him a singular pillar against other candidates, but I trusted my parent's discernment. I am sure that my parents would have made a suitable arrangement for me had I continued down that course, but Lucius and I found ourselves in a place where we formed a relationship and I...I fell in love with him. Deeply so. I could no longer leave it to my parents to arrange my match, because I know that there is no one more suited for me, nor I for him, than Lucius. To answer your question, though, yes, he would bring me benefits as well. I'm a spoiled girl, and I know Lucius can provide for me the lifestyle I am accustomed to. I know I will not have to struggle or worry about the cost of my living. I will be surrounded by wealth and live amongst the social class I admire. I know my prestige, too, will only be added by taking on the name of Malfoy. But I think the two of us compliment each other. We're of a similar temperament, him and I, although I think we do well to bring each other out of our shortcomings. And we love each other, Mr. Malfoy. That's a dedication that will serve us well in a union together. We benefit each other and we build each other up wonderfully. We're a good match, a near perfect match."

Abraxas has a thoughtful look on his face, stroking his trimmed beard. "You're more clever than you first appear," he tells Narcissa decidedly.

Narcissa nods, waiting for him to say more.

The older man takes a long moment, weighing certain things in his mind. "Well," Abraxas says, turning to Narcissa with a nod. "I think you may have sold me with your argument. I can see nothing but advantages in your pairing with my son."

A smile crosses Narcissa's face, filling her features.

"I shall have to speak to your father, of course. It would be unwise to think of this as a definite thing before it's time."

Narcissa nods. "I understand, but I must confess that I am pleased by your approval."

"I'm pleased that my son has the good sense to attract a girl like you, Narcissa. He's been unhappy for quite some time, but his demeanor has changed, I think, since you have come into his life. You will stand by my son in all his doings? In his struggles and shortcomings?"

"Yes," Narcissa breathes out assuredly.

"You'll bear him an heir and tend to his family?"

"Yes," Narcissa repeats with equal confidence.

"You'll manage his household, uphold the legacy of the Malfoy family name, and remain an upstanding nature of our class and breed?"

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy," Narcissa responds. "I will do all this and more."

"Then I suppose all that remains is one final question. Will you love him, Narcissa? As much as you do right now, for the length of your life with him?"

"That one is easiest of all," Narcissa says, the smile on her face bright. "Yes, Mr. Malfoy. With all my heart."

A smile breaks across his face and he nods. "You have my permission and my blessing, then, Narcissa. You will be a welcome member to our household."

Narcissa lets out a bright laugh and throws her arms around Abraxas, surprising the old man. She kisses his cheek happily.

Abraxas shakes his head but the smile remains. "Come, let's get you back to my son. I'm sure he is missing you."

"Thank you, Mr. Malfoy," Narcissa says but she goes eagerly back with Abraxas to the table.

When Lucius sees the two of them returning, he stiffens, clearly nervous. His usual smirking smile was absent from his face and he looked uncharacteristically nervous. Narcissa considers letting him stew in his discomfort for a moment, but decides quickly against it, beaming at him with a reassuring smile. She goes to sit besides Lucius, kissing his cheek before sitting down.

"You've chosen a shrewd woman," Abraxas says, his face stoic once more, though Narcissa can see the crinkle in his eyes. "And as I've told the young lady, the two of you have my permission to continue. Though I'm beginning to suspect that she outmatches you, Lucius."

Narcissa laughs softly, shaking her head.

"You're right, Father," Lucius says with a smirk, his cockiness returning easily to his features. "I have your permission, though? Your approval?"

"You do," he nods. "Though I suggest you act quickly before this girl comes to her senses."

"Of course, Father," Lucius nods with a seriousness, taking Narcissa's hand and squeezing it. Narcissa leans her head against his shoulder, smiling to herself.

"Oh, go dance you two," Demelza says with a laugh. "Enjoy your youth. Enjoy the night. Go dance."

Narcissa laughs and stands, pulling Lucius up with her. "It was lovely to meet both of you," she says. "Truly. But I have been dying to dance with Lucius again."

"Go dance," Demelza excuses, shooing them away. "Go on, my darling. It's quite alright."

Smiling, Narcissa pulls Lucius out to the dance floor.

Lucius wraps his arms around her, leaning down and kissing her. "You did wonderful, my darling."

Narcissa smiles proudly. "I passed your little tests?"

"With flying colors," Lucius promises. "My parents are captivated by you, that's clear. I don't think I've ever seen my mum take to someone so quickly."

"I'm sure they're just happy that you've finally decided to get serious about someone," Narcissa says, pressing in closer to him and wrapping her arms loosely around his neck so that she can move with him to the music. "Lucius… Your father is right, though. You should act quickly and go to my father. I spoke with my mother this week. Her and my father have received bids for my betrothal. Mama says you have until summer to go to my father properly or they will consider a more serious offer."

Lucius leans in and kisses her. "You won't need to worry about that," he promises her. "I'll have my father speak to yours immediately. The sooner our betrothal is common knowledge, the sooner everyone will know that you're mine."

Narcissa kisses him again gently, reaching up and tracing his face. "I love you."

"I love you, too," he says, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Let me show you Malfoy Manor."

"Oh, Lucius. I want to dance. You barely danced with me at the Winter Ball."

"We have all night to dance," he promises her. "We can always come back. I'll make the musicians stay until morning if that'll please you. But, this'll be your home someday. Let me show it to you." He tugs on her arm enticingly.

Narcissa contemplates this. "You've got salacious thoughts going through your mind right now, Lucius Malfoy. I won't stand for it. Not when I've only just got your parents' approval."

"They won't mind," Lucius promises her, catching her jaw with his lips and kissing it. "They won't even notice. They've got an important guest coming tonight. He'll take up all their attention."

"The Dark Lord?"

Lucius mumbles an affirmation.

"Trixy would want me to stick around to meet him. She was downright hostile about it on the trip over here tonight."

"Then let me introduce you first, then we'll slip away," Lucius compromises. He had a dark hungry look in his eyes that made a twist of eagerness work down Narcissa's back. Lucius seemed somehow more virile here in his home and his smile was tinged with desire for her. It had only been a few days since they were entwined at Hogwarts, but seeing that lascivious look in his eyes made Narcissa suddenly desperate for him.

"Hmm." Narcissa plays with a lock of his hair. "Dance with me until he arrives and then we can slip away after you introduce me. Does that satiate you?"

"Perfect," he says, kissing her again. "Tell me what you said to my father to win him over so fully."

Narcissa laughs, resting her head against Lucius's chest as they dance. "And give away my secrets?"

"Yes."

Smiling, Narcissa shakes her head. "I only told him the truth, Luce. What makes us compatible, what I have to offer you, what I expect from our relationship."

"And what makes us so compatible?"

"Mm, I think it's the perfect way you fit inside me."

Lucius splutters, a smile cracking across his face. "And is that what you told my father, beautiful girl?"

"No," Narcissa says, sighing dramatically. "I don't think he'd quite understand."

Lucius laughs and nestles her. "You're making it hard to wait, Cissa. I want to pull you aside right now and show you just how perfectly we fit."

"You're going to have to wait," Narcissa scolds. "I want to dance, Lucius. Dance with me."

Smiling, Lucius pulls her in even closer, moving her gracefully. "Alright, little star. You've earned it." He spins her out before pulling her back in, sliding his arms back around her waist.

Narcissa settles her head against his chest once more. She could make out the faint throbbing of his heart underneath his dress robes. She felt good here in his arms. Solid and happy and wonderful. She felt accepted, too, by Lucius and by his parents. Even the ornate Manor had a twinge of welcoming to it for her. All her anxieties and fears faded from her mind as she let herself be overwhelmed by the sheer joy of homecoming.