"I do hope the Malfoys and the Lestranges like it," said Druella as she put the finishing touches on the table settings.
"My dear, this is not the first time we have had the Lestranges or the Malfoys over for events," said Cygnus.
"I know, but it is the first time since Bellatrix and Rodolphus began their courtship. It is also the first time the Lestrange boys and Lucius Malfoy have joined their parents. You also mentioned that Abraxas and Eleanor would like to discuss something with us."
"Druella," Cygnus took her hands in his, "the Lestranges will be family soon, and depending on how things go in the next few years, so could the Malfoys. I know you; you will do just fine. Think of it in the same manner you do when you host Walburga and Orion."
Druella sighed. "You're right." She kissed him.
The couple heard a knock at the door, and Cygnus said, "Looks like they're here."
"Girls, come down and say hello to our guests," Druella called up the stairs.
Cygnus opened the door, and the Lestranges were on the other side. "Charles, Cécile, enter. Hello Rodolphus, Rabastan."
"Hello, Mr. Black," said Rabastan as he entered past him.
Bellatrix shuffled down the stairs. "Hi, Rod," she greeted her future husband.
"Good evening, Bellatrix," he responded.
Andromeda descended the stairs and greeted the Lestranges before going into the dining room.
"Well, Glitter, Tuffy, and Daisy have hors d'oeuvres prepared. They should be finished with the main course soon," said Cygnus, gesturing toward the dining room. Charles and Cécile nodded as they joined their sons.
"Where is Narcissa?" asked Druella. "Cissy?" she called up the stairs.
"I'm not ready yet."
The Malfoys walked up onto the front porch, and Cygnus said, "Narcissa Gwyneth Black, come downstairs now."
Narcissa came out of her bed chamber and joined her parents in the living room. The Malfoys weren't wearing dress robes, but they were wearing elegant apparel for dinner. Lucius was wearing dark blue robes, and his blond hair was slicked back. He smiled and nodded at her, and her knees almost buckled underneath her. While he was as handsome as he always was, Narcissa could sense that he was nervous about something.
After everyone sat down for dinner, Cécile said, "So, I heard Bellatrix decided against taking a N.E.W.T. level Defense Against the Dark Arts course."
"I only got an A on my O.W.L., so I couldn't," admitted Bellatrix.
"Probably for the best. They don't teach much of use, not as long as Dumbledore is Headmaster," said Cécile.
Narcissa tuned out the conversation and looked across the table at Lucius, who was sitting in between Abraxas and Rabastan. Considering that children were supposed to be seen and not heard, his silence didn't surprise her. But his nervous movements did, since he was usually so confident. It was one of the things that she found alluring about him.
After dinner, the Lestranges Apparated home, but the Malfoys stayed behind. "Cygnus, Druella, we have something we'd like to discuss with you," said Abraxas.
The Blacks nodded and joined the Malfoys in the sitting room, while the Black sisters and Lucius stayed in the dining room. "What do you think they're discussing?" asked Bellatrix.
"If they wanted us to know, they would have invited us to join the conversation," said Andromeda.
After what seemed like forever, Abraxas came into the dining room and said, "Lucius, Narcissa, would you please join us in the sitting room? We have something we'd like to discuss with you both."
Narcissa glanced over at her sisters; Andromeda looked worried, while Bellatrix was smirking and chuckling to herself. Narcissa followed Lucius into the sitting room. Narcissa sat down in between her parents, while Lucius sat down in between his. Cygnus was the first to speak. "Lucius, I understand there is something you'd like to ask me."
"Yes, Mr. Black, sir," said Lucius nervously. "Well, Narcissa and I have been developing a friendship at school, and she is a lovely young woman. She's very kind-hearted, we share similar values, and I enjoy being around her." Lucius took a deep breath. "Sir, I'd like to ask for your permission to court Narcissa."
Narcissa was surprised by Lucius's admission. Out of all of the things he could have been nervous about, she had never expected him to ask her father permission to court her, especially since they were still so young. Cygnus said, "Well, Lucius, I appreciate you approaching me and being honest with your intentions. You are a very polite young man."
"Father," asked Narcissa, "does this mean Lucius is proposing to me?"
Cygnus chuckled and shook his head. "No, Cissy. Lucius is asking to enter into a courtship with you. If all goes well, it could lead to marriage, but he is not asking me for your hand quite yet."
Narcissa was sure she breathed a visible sigh of relief. She knew about her obligations to marry a pure-blood wizard one day, but she couldn't imagine committing to a marriage as a second year student. "What would a courtship involve?"
"Well, we would invite the Malfoys over to functions more, and they would do the same. Holiday dinners, fundraising galas, or other events where you and Lucius could get to talk and learn more about each other. Like how we invite the Lestranges to events so Bella and Rodolphus can learn more about each other," said Druella.
"You would also commit to courting just each other, and not beginning a courtship with anyone else without discussing the termination of your courtship with us first," said Abraxas.
"You and Lucius would attempt to determine if you are compatible for marriage, though you both might not start to think about marriage until a little bit further into the future," said Cygnus.
"If one or both of you determine you are not compatible for marriage, then we can always arrange a marriage for you," said Eleanor. Druella, Cygnus, and Abraxas nodded in agreement.
Narcissa looked over at Lucius. The idea of getting to spend more time with him thrilled her, even if that time would largely be in group settings. But at the same time, the thought gave her anxiety. She was only twelve, and Lucius had already extended the first step toward pursing a possible marriage. She certainly wanted to marry for love as best as she could, unlike Bella and Rod, whose relationship was built on lust at best and duty at worst. Narcissa's heart was pounding inside her chest, and she could feel her pulse in her ears. Her palms were sweating, and her throat was tightening. "Cissy," she heard.
"Yes, Father?"
"If you're not ready yet, you need to say so one way or another."
Narcissa turned her attention back to her suitor. Lucius undoubtedly made her feel comfortable, even when discussing the future. Granted, that had only been once or twice, but the conversations had come up naturally. And he was a good friend to her. Maybe that friendship could develop into love, or at least mutual affection. There was only one way to find out. "Okay," Narcissa whispered softly.
Lucius's smile widened in a shocked expression, like he had been expecting her to say no. "Then it's settled," said Abraxas. He stood and motioned for his wife and son to follow suit. "Thank you for hosting dinner, Cygnus, Druella." He shook both of their hands.
"The pleasure is ours," said Cygnus.
As the adults exchanged their goodbyes, Narcissa walked over to Lucius and said, "I'm guessing the next time we'll see each other is when we leave for school on 1 September?"
Lucius nodded. "I suppose so."
"Well, have a good night." Narcissa leaned up and kissed him, and this kiss lasted a few moments longer than their past ones had until they were abruptly pulled apart.
"Narcissa, just because you and Lucius have entered into a courtship does not mean you have permission to begin snogging everywhere," said Druella sternly.
"Yes, Mother," sighed Narcissa, a little upset given the fact that she didn't even bleed yet, and Bella and Rod had already done more than their fair share of snogging unbeknown to Cygnus and Druella.
"Anyway, sorry for Cissy's behavior," said Cygnus. "We will see you at the station on 1 September."
"Likewise," said Abraxas before he Apparated his family home.