As the term kicked into full gear, Narcissa was thrown into the midst of several difficult courses. Charms was the course she struggled with the most, so she often got Andromeda's help with her homework.

The Friday before the first Quidditch match of the year—Gryffindor vs. Slytherin—Andromeda and Narcissa were in the library doing their homework together. Bellatrix was supposedly with Rodolphus and few of her other mates getting an early start on studying for their O.W.L.s, but the two younger Black sisters didn't believe her. "Are you going to the Quidditch match tomorrow, Dromeda?" asked Narcissa.

Andromeda looked up from her textbook and said, "Maybe, since everyone else will be there. But it would also be nice to get the library or the common room to myself for the most part."

"Wingardium Leviosa," Narcissa recited the incantation, only to have the feather hover briefly before falling. "Bloody hell."

"Here, Cissy, let me help you. It takes a while to properly flick your wrist." Andromeda showed Narcissa the motion and chanted, "Wingardium Leviosa." The feather floated into the air.

Narcissa tried again, but after several more unsuccessful attempts, she pushed her Charms textbook aside and said, "I give up. It's almost suppertime, anyway."

Andromeda nodded and gathered her belongings as well. As the two sisters walked to the Great Hall, Andromeda turned to Narcissa and asked, "Are you going to the Quidditch match tomorrow, Cissy? You haven't shown much interest in Quidditch. Usually, you play in the corner of the luxury box when Mother and Father take us to Quidditch matches." Narcissa blushed a little, and it suddenly hit Andromeda. "Blimey, someone has invited you, hasn't he?"

"How do you know it was a boy who invited me?"

"Cissy…"

"Okay, okay. Lucius Malfoy is one of the Chasers for Slytherin, and he invited me to come watch them beat Gryffindor." Andromeda raised an eyebrow. "He's really confident that we'll win tomorrow."

"Clearly."

"Please don't tell Bella that he invited me to the match. She mocks me enough as it is."

"I won't. But I can't promise you she won't find out on her own."

"Maybe she'll be too busy with Rodolphus."

"I'm sure Mother and Father already have someone in mind for me as well. I think Bella's just a little jealous watching you have a crush."

"Crush? I never said anything about a crush."

"Cissy, does your heart beat faster every time you're around Lucius?"

Narcissa looked down sheepishly. "A little."

"Do your hands sweat? Do you get a little tongue-tied? Do you smooth out your robes and fix your hair?"

Narcissa was certainly doing all of those things, but that wasn't what she cared about now. "Merlin, you have a crush too."

"What?" Andromeda chuckled nervously. "I do not have a crush on anyone."

"Is it Evan Rosier? Rabastan Lestrange? Atticus Crabbe?"

"Oh look, the Great Hall," said Andromeda.

Narcissa pouted a little when Andromeda diverted her attention away from the subject, but Narcissa let it go. She didn't want to end up acting like Bellatrix.

The morning of the match, Narcissa ate breakfast before going back to the Slytherin dorms, which proved to be a challenge since she was traveling against the flow of traffic. "Parseltongue," she uttered. She ran through the common room and up to her dorm room. It was seemingly empty, so Narcissa began to brush out her hair and apply some makeup. Unfortunately, she found that she wasn't alone. "Cissy?"

Narcissa whirled around and found Victoria standing behind her. "Vicky, I was just getting ready for the Quidditch match."

"It's a Quidditch match, Narcissa, not an event at the Ministry of Magic. We don't have to look like belles of the ball. Besides, your hair will probably get messed up when the players start flying through the air."

"Right," said Narcissa, slightly disappointed since Lucius was always complimenting her golden locks.

The girls entered the Quidditch pitch and found the Slytherin section. The stadium was already packed, so they had difficulty finding seats. As Narcissa looked around her, she found Bella sitting with Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Evan Rosier. She couldn't find Andromeda anywhere in the crowd.

"And here comes the Gryffindor team!" shouted the announcer. Most of the stadium was cheering, but Narcissa and Victoria booed along with the rest of the Slytherins.

"And their opponents for today: here comes the Slytherin team!" Narcissa cheered, gazing down toward the field where Lucius was walking with his fellow Chasers. He looked up toward the Slytherin section and smiled when he saw her. Narcissa waved a little, and he nodded in acknowledgement.

"Wizards and witches, mount your brooms." All of the players did as instructed. "Let the match begin!" Madam Hooch released the Quaffle, Snitch, and Bludgers, and the teams soared into the air. As Narcissa watched the match, she would cheer every time Slytherin scored, but Andromeda was correct: she wasn't a diehard Quidditch fan. Lucius was playing well, and he would occasionally fly over to the Slytherins and wink or smile at her. Narcissa looked over at Bella, and while Bella sighed and rolled her eyes, she didn't say anything.

Slytherin came out victorious, so the entire House was excitedly walking to dinner together, while the other three Houses were moaning and groaning in disappointment. When Narcissa saw the Slytherin team coming out of the locker room, she turned to Victoria and said, "You go ahead. I'll be there soon." Victoria nodded and caught up to a few of their classmates. Narcissa ran over to Lucius and said, "Congratulations. It was a great match."

Lucius smiled and said, "We have a good team this year. I feel this will be our year to win the Cup."

"Well, if you play like you all did today, then we will." A couple Gryffindors walked by: one was Chaser Ethan Parkin, and the other two were a red-headed boy holding the hand of a red-headed girl. Lucius sneered when he saw them. "What?"

"Ethan Parkin: this entire bloody school is talking about what a great Chaser he is. And the other two are Arthur Weasley and Molly Prewett."

"The blood traitor families Weasley and Prewett?" asked Narcissa.

"Indeed," responded Lucius. Narcissa knew Arthur Weasley's mother was a Black by birth, and she had been burned off the Black family tapestry. Narcissa had subsequently never met her. "From what I've heard, both of their families were thrilled when that Mudblood became Minister of Magic."

"That was a day of mourning in my house."

"Same as mine," said Lucius. As they walked to dinner, Lucius asked, "Narcissa, in a few weeks, Professor Slughorn is hosting a Christmas party for a special club he runs. He said we could bring a guest to the party. I was wondering if you wanted to go with me? It'll be right before we all go on holiday for Christmas."

"You don't want to go with one of your mates?"

"I could. But traditionally, you bring an opposite-sex mate. So, do you accept?"

"Lucius Malfoy, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Not necessarily," he said, though his face said otherwise. "Just a night of conversation, camaraderie, and better food than they often serve in the Great Hall."

They stopped in front of the castle, and Narcissa said, "Well, in that case, I would love to go to Professor Slughorn's party with you."

"Wonderful. I'll make sure to provide you with more details as soon as I obtain them."

Narcissa smiled, quickly kissed Lucius on the cheek, and walked away before he could say anything more.