Platform 9 ¾ was packed with wizards and witches preparing for a new academic year. The Black sisters, the Lestrange brothers, Lucius, and Evan had just bid their parents farewell and boarded the Hogwarts Express. The hall was crowded, and it seemed most of the compartments were unavailable. "Here's one," said Rodolphus. "We can all fit in here if a few people are willing to either sit on the floor or in someone's lap."
Narcissa noticed Andromeda glance down the hallway and then back toward the group. "You all can sit together. I'm going to sit with some of my other mates."
"Other mates? You have other mates, Dromeda?" asked Bellatrix.
Andromeda ignored Bellatrix as she meandered down the hall, and soon, she was unable to be seen. Narcissa went into the compartment and took one of the window seats. Rodolphus sat across from her in the other window seat, and Bellatrix took a seat next to him, promptly lying down with her head in his lap. Lucius climbed in and sat down next to Narcissa, with Rabastan and Evan seated on the floor in between Rodolphus and Narcissa and Lucius and Bellatrix, respectively. "Get comfortable; it's a long ride to Hogwarts," said Evan.
"I'd appreciate it more if you weren't sitting on my foot," commented Lucius.
"You can always lay your head in your girlfriend's lap," said Bellatrix, smiling contently as Rodolphus stroked her coarse, black hair. Lucius ignored Bellatrix's comment.
As the train sped northward, the group of mates had gotten around to discussing the upcoming year, though Narcissa tuned out most of the conversation as she watched the scenery go by out the window. Rodolphus was reading the latest issue of The Daily Prophet, and he was thoroughly engrossed in one of the articles. "What do any of you know about this Voldemort bloke?"
"Mother and Father have discussed him a little. I heard he was turned down for a teaching position at Hogwarts," said Bellatrix.
"Of course he was. That Mudblood lover would never let Voldemort anywhere near a school as 'progressive and accepting' as Hogwarts," said Rabastan, using air quotes for emphasis.
"It would be better than the Defense Against the Dark Arts rubbish they teach us," said Evan. "This whole world is leaning pro-Muggle more and more every day, and it's disgusting."
"The purity of the Wizarding race is being threated, that's for sure," said Bellatrix.
"My father has to work for that Mudblood who's currently Minister of Magic," muttered Lucius. "Keeps saying he'll take care of it, but he hasn't yet."
"Pure-bloods really need to start standing up to these people," said Bellatrix, sitting up and shaking her head in revulsion.
Rodolphus folded the newspaper and shoved it into his bag. "How about we do it?"
Bellatrix snickered, along with Rabastan. "Like a group of teenagers could make that much of an impact," said Rabastan. "And how would you propose we do this endeavor?"
"We start a club or organization."
"Like Dumbledore would let us start an exclusive club like that," sneered Bellatrix.
"Not if he doesn't know about it." Rodolphus smiled mischievously.
"What do you think, Cissy?" asked Lucius.
"What?" asked Narcissa, turning her attention toward the group.
"What do you think about starting a secret club that advocates the importance of preserving the purity of the Wizarding race?" asked Bellatrix. "Haven't you been listening?"
"Yes," Narcissa lied. "I…I guess it's a good idea. Where would it meet?"
"Probably the Slytherin common room," said Evan. "Most people who'd support the cause are in Slytherin anyway."
"We could probably get Xavier Nott, Atticus Crabbe, and Philip Avery to join too," said Bellatrix. "How about you, Cissy? Would you join?"
This organization sounded like it would be promoting an admirable cause, but Narcissa wasn't sure she wanted to juggle school, a courtship or semi-courtship or whatever she and Lucius were currently in at the moment, and a secret club right now. "Not right now, Bella. I have more important things in my life."
"What's more important than preserving the purity of the Wizarding race?" asked Bellatrix in astonishment.
"Finishing my education. Nurturing my relationship with Lucius. Preparing for my post Hogwarts life."
"Of course, the boy wins."
"Bella, that's not true."
Lucius cleared his throat to gain the sisters' attention. "If Cissy doesn't want to join, she shouldn't be forced to do so."
Bellatrix huffed. "Fine." Narcissa smiled and gently squeezed Lucius's wrist in support. "You're still joining, Lucy?"
"Don't call me Lucy," said Lucius. "But yes, I intend to do so."
"Good," said Bellatrix.
She gave Rodolphus a sloppy kiss until Narcissa said, "Bella, for Merlin's sake, would you please quit snogging Rod everywhere? I don't care if he's your future husband."
Bellatrix pulled back perturbed and said, "Come on, Cissy. We're almost at school." Narcissa stood.
"Where are you ladies going?" asked Rodolphus.
"To find a compartment to change into our uniforms. We don't particularly want to do it in front of you blokes," said Bellatrix. The two sisters found the compartment where Victoria was, and the three witches changed before disembarking the train.
They took the carriages to the castle and entered the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony and Opening Feast. Bellatrix sat with Rod and Rabastan, while Lucius came up behind Narcissa and scanned the Hall for his mates. "There's Evan with Atticus, Xavier, and Philip. I'm going to go see if they'd like to join."
"Okay," said Narcissa quietly.
Lucius squeezed her hand and went toward the Slytherin table. Victoria came up behind Narcissa and said, "So, future Mrs. Malfoy, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"Word has gotten around that you are officially courting Lucius Malfoy."
"Merlin, word travels fast. We're courting, yes, but we have the option to decide not to wed. If that becomes the case, Mother and Father will arrange a marriage for me."
Victoria snickered. "I bet you one-hundred Galleons that your 'arranged' marriage would still be to Lucius. You set yourself up for it, Cissy. Don't be surprised if that is still the way it goes."
The girls sat down at the Slytherin table, and a few moments later, Andromeda joined them. "Where the Merlin have you been, Dromeda?" asked Narcissa.
"I told you: with my mates."
"We share mates," said Narcissa. "Bella and I lost you on the train, and we haven't seen you since. And your tie is crooked."
Andromeda glanced down and quickly adjusted her green and silver tie. "You're not going to sit with Lucius?"
"We're courting; we're not glued together at the hip," quipped Narcissa. "There will be other meals, free periods, and breaks between classes where we can spend time together."
"Right," said Andromeda, gazing across the room over toward the Hufflepuff table. Narcissa was unsure why her sister was doing so, as the Black family despised both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. They tolerated Ravenclaw, but only when necessary. Narcissa glanced down to where Lucius was sitting, and while he briefly glanced over in her direction and smiled at her, he was happily discussing something with his mates; Narcissa assumed it was that Lord Voldemort support group or whatever that Rodolphus and Bellatrix had been discussing on the train.
After dinner, the students went to their respective dorms, the Slytherin Prefects prattling on about important information the first year students would need to know. When they entered the common room, most of the students went to bed, though a few stayed up. Evidently, Bella and Rod took the opportunity to snog in the corner of the room, while Lucius and Narcissa sat down by the fireplace. "So, what did Xavier, Atticus, and Philip say about that group you were thinking about forming?"
"They said they'd join," Lucius said and shrugged.
"What would it be called?"
"I don't know yet," admitted Lucius. "Probably a code name so Dumbledore won't get suspicious. Preserving Wizard Purity is too obvious."
"Agreed," Narcissa said and nodded.
"I'm sure Bella and Rod will take the lead since they're older. If they ever finish snogging." Lucius and Narcissa observed the pair, Bella and Rod unaware that they weren't alone. "If they don't shag before their wedding night, I'll be surprised."
"Then if they get caught, they'll have to face the wrath of either Dumbledore or Mother and Father." Narcissa stood and said, "I'm going to bed. The first day of school is always stressful." She gently kissed Lucius and said, "Good night, Lucy."
"We have really got to find another nickname for you to use."
"Blondie? Little Malfoy? Malfoy Junior? Super Slytherin?"
"Would you lovebirds please shut up? We're trying to snog in peace over here," Bellatrix shouted from across the room.
Lucius and Narcissa both grinned at her and kissed again just to bug them before Narcissa went up to the second year girls' dormitory for the night.