Narcissa paced her bedroom floor as she went over her speech for the umpteenth time. She was so focused on the words she barely heard someone knock and enter the room. "Cissy?"
Narcissa startled and turned to face the source of the noise. "Mother."
"The ceremony starts at noon. You need to begin getting ready so we can take the Floo Network over to Hogwarts and you can queue up while we all find our seats."
"All right." Druella closed the door. Narcissa looked over to her bed where the green gown with silver trim was placed, the matching green cap and accompanying silver tassel lying next to it. A gold cord signifying her Head Girl status would complete the look; Prefects wore gold stoles while the Head Boy and Head Girl had gold cords to differentiate between the two or simultaneously represent both honors. She pulled on the gown, put on the cap, and placed the tassel onto the mortarboard. Narcissa gazed at her reflection, and she could hardly believe her graduation from Hogwarts had arrived.
The soon-to-be alumna heard soft crying, and she turned to find Glitter. "Glitter, what's wrong?" Narcissa asked, crouching down in front of the house-elf.
"MMMMistress Cissy wwwwill be lllleaving me ssssoon," Glitter sobbed. "She'll be lllliving with Mmmmaster Lucius. IIII will mmmmiss Mistress Cissy."
"Oh, Glitter," Narcissa sat down on her bed, "I promise Master Lucius and I will come visit."
"Ccccannn I ccccome live wwwwith you?"
"No, Glitter. The Malfoys already have a house-elf who's served them for years. Besides, Mother and Father need you here. And I'm sure Tuffy and Daisy would miss you."
"That is true."
While Narcissa was raised to believe house-elves were worth nothing more in society than as servants, she was about to hug Glitter when Druella came into the room. "Narcissa, we have to go. And Glitter: get back to dusting!"
"Y-yes, Mistress." Glitter bowed and left the room.
Narcissa followed her mother to the sitting room, and Narcissa, Druella, and Cygnus Flooed to Hogwarts. They stepped out of the hearth into the entrance hall where the graduates were lining up in alphabetical order. "You better go find your place in the queue. Good luck," said Cygnus.
Cygnus and Druella went to the Quidditch pitch while Narcissa found her place in the procession line. Victoria came up to her, clad in the same graduation attire, and said, "Merlin, I can't believe we're graduating today. And at this time next month, you'll be a married woman."
"I know," Narcissa commented. "You'll probably be a married witch soon too."
"If Atticus would get on with proposing."
"Wizards and witches, please queue up; the ceremony is about to begin," announced McGonagall.
Victoria rushed to take her place, and the graduates were led outside. The sun shined brightly as they processed onto the field. Narcissa glanced around the pitch until she found her family sitting with the Slytherins. Cygnus and Druella were sitting together with Bellatrix next to Druella; Rodolphus was next to his wife, Atticus Crabbe sat next to Rod, and Lucius sat in between Atticus and William Greengrass. Narcissa figured Rodolphus and Atticus were serving as buffers since Merlin knew Bellatrix and Lucius didn't get on well. Even though it was the end of June, Bella, Rod, Atticus, and Lucius wore long sleeves to cover their Dark Marks; while they were all proud to serve the Dark Lord, it wasn't worth causing an uproar during commencement exercises. Narcissa took her place in the front row of chairs, and after the professors had taken their places, Dumbledore motioned for everyone to take their seats. "Good afternoon, families, mates, students, faculty, staff, ghosts, and the graduating Class of 1973. Over the past seven years, I have had both the honor and the privilege of watching you grow from apprehensive first years into confident wizards and witches. So, without further ado, I am honored to announce your salutatorian."
Dumbledore introduced the salutatorian, a Gryffindor witch named Samantha Stockton who played Seeker for the Quidditch team and was a Prefect along with Adam Winthrop, and the brunette witch gave her speech before Dumbledore walked back to the podium. "Thank you, Ms. Stockton. And now: your valedictorian. This young witch obtained some of the highest N.E.W.T. scores in the class and also served as your Head Girl this past year. It is my great honor to introduce the Class of 1973's valedictorian, Ms. Narcissa Black."
The Slytherins cheered, the other three Houses clapped politely in between some groans, and Narcissa's family gave raucous applause as she made her way to the stage. She shook Dumbledore's hand politely and stepped up to the podium. Her heart was racing and her stomach was twisting, but when she looked up into the stands and saw Lucius smile and nod at her, she became calm. "Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. Welcome, families, mates, fellow students, professors, staff members, ghosts, and especially the Class of 1973. Seven years ago, we all boarded the Hogwarts Express for the first time, were sorted into our Houses, and received our course schedules. We had no idea what life would bring us. But now, here we are at graduation day. We've been through exams, O.W.L.s, N.E.W.T.s, Quidditch matches, holidays, and numerous other adventures, and we're all better witches and wizards because of them. As I stand here in front of you all, I know everyone will succeed in life if we remember what we learnt during our time at Hogwarts. In regard to my own education, I have several people who have helped me get to this point today. Professor Slughorn, you served as the Head of Slytherin House for me and have been a wonderful mentor in both Potions classes as well as life in general. I will always be proud to be a Slytherin. Professor Dumbledore, it has been a tremendous honor to serve as Head Girl this year, and I would like to thank you for choosing me to serve Hogwarts in this position." Narcissa looked up into the stands, and both Lucius and Bellatrix wrinkled their noses. Narcissa did her best not to chuckle at their revulsion, but she almost threw up in her mouth a little as she attempted to look like she gave a hoot about Dumbledore. "My mother and father always held me to high standards and pushed me to do my best. My sister, Bellatrix, has made my life interesting to say the least. And lastly: my wonderful fiancé. Lucius, I feel that fate brought us together on the Hogwarts Express that September morning in 1966. You've always been one of my best mates. You've encouraged me and supported me every step of the way throughout my seven years. Merlin knows how you're going to deal with me the rest of your life." Everyone chuckled. "But I know that no matter what obstacles we face in the future, you'll always be there for me." Lucius smiled at his girl with pride. "And I know that our Hogwarts roots will allow each and every one of us to face life's challenges. Congratulations and best of luck to the Class of 1973. Thank you."
The crowd applauded as Narcissa took her seat again. "Thank you, Ms. Black," said Dumbledore. "At this time, I would like to announce the students who achieved the highest N.E.W.T. in each subject." Dumbledore read the list of students in alphabetical order by subject. "Astronomy: Narcissa Black of Slytherin…Potions: Narcissa Black of Slytherin…Transfiguration: Narcissa Black of Slytherin." Dumbledore also congratulated the House Prefects and the Head Boy and Head Girl. "And congratulations to Head Boy, Adam Winthrop of Gryffindor, and Head Girl, Narcissa Black of Slytherin. Now, for the moment you've all been waiting for: when I call your name, please walk across the stage from your left side to receive your diplomas." One-by-one, each graduate processed across the stage to receive his or her diploma. Narcissa's heart leaped when she was next. "Narcissa Gwyneth Black, Slytherin, Head Girl," Dumbledore called.
Narcissa climbed the steps and walked toward McGonagall; Sprout, Flitwick, and Slughorn, who were all seated on stage as the House Heads, smiled at her, and Slughorn gave her a wink. Time seemed to stop as she approached the Deputy Headmistress; Narcissa's family clapped enthusiastically. As Narcissa shook McGonagall's hand and took her diploma, McGonagall said, "Congratulations, Ms. Black."
"Thank you," said Narcissa. She returned to her seat, and after all of the graduates had received their diplomas, Dumbledore had them move their tassels and face their families. "Ladies and gentlemen, wizards and witches: I present to you Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry's graduating Class of 1973."
After the ceremony, families and friends gathered for photographs. As Narcissa was taking pictures with her family and Lucius, she noticed Severus approaching them, as she had managed to obtain an extra ticket for him. "Wait a minute—I want to speak with Severus," said Narcissa. She had discussed the notion with Lucius, and she had put her foot down with her mother and father when they had protested. Bellatrix would most certainly object, but Narcissa was the bride-to-be, so whatever she wanted, she got. "Severus," she called.
"Congratulations, Narcissa," said Severus.
"Thank you," she said. "Lucius and I have talked, and we want to give this to you." She pulled a green envelope out of her handbag she had retrieved after the ceremony.
Severus took it in confusion and ripped open the envelope. As he read the overly ordained invitation, his eyes widened. "You're inviting me to the wedding?"
"Indeed," Narcissa confirmed. "You're allowed one guest. I'm assuming it will be one of your parents?"
"My mum," said Severus. "I don't want to go with my father."
"All right. I'll let Lucius know," said Narcissa.
She walked back over to her relatives, and Bellatrix asked, "Why were you talking to Severus?"
"I was giving him his invitation."
"You invited that poor, nerdy half-blood to the wedding?"
"He's our friend, Bella, and Lucius is a good mentor to him. He deserves to see his mentor get married, and it's a big milestone for me and Lucius, so we want Severus there."
"I cannot believe Mother and Father approved it."
"They didn't, but it's my wedding, and both Lucius and I want Severus to attend."
"You're lucky I want to see you happy, because this is a disgrace to the family."
The Black Estate gardens were abuzz with celebration. Green and silver balloons and streamers hung from the trees, a banner with the greeting Congratulations, Narcissa adorned the back of the Manor, and the house-elves prepared an elaborate spread of appetizers, finger foods, desserts, and drinks. While Narcissa thrived on being the center of attention, she needed a moment away from all of the congratulatory remarks. She snuck off to a secluded portion of the gardens, the one where she and her sisters would play tea party or dolls as they were growing up. It was far out of the way of the other attendees, so she was surprised to hear someone come up behind her. "May I?"
She turned to find Lucius, and she nodded and motioned for him to take a seat next to her on the blanket. He sat down and took her hand. "I gave Severus his invitation. He accepted. He said he'll have his mum accompany him."
"Good," Lucius said. The engaged pair stayed silent before Lucius said, "Just think, in three weeks, we'll officially be husband and wife?"
"I can't believe the wedding is so close," said Narcissa. "But I must admit the name 'Narcissa Black' is getting a little stale."
"Narcissa Malfoy has a better ring to it."
She squeezed his hand and asked, "It does, doesn't it?"