Saturday, February 4th, was Narcissa's 17th birthday. It was the first that she could remember not feeling out of place, or alone. She woke up that Saturday feeling refreshed and excited. It was a week past the last full moon; Remus would be there. It was turning out to be a perfect birthday.

She had a trunk full of fancy clothes to wear, but nothing seemed suitable for her first grown-up birthday. Her designer dresses all looked little-girlish, a shame, an imitation of adulthood. Narcissa ran her hands over the apple-green organdy dress she had worn to Bellatrix's wedding last summer. When she had worn it then, she had felt so grown-up, so beautiful. Now it looked like something a child had worn.

Besides, the need to hide behind the cloak of her beauty had faded. She pulled on an every-day outfit, a white sweater and pale blue plaid pleated skirt, and smiled at herself as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. "I don't care how beautiful I am now or how unattractive I become as I grow old," she said to herself quietly. If Remus didn't care – she most definitely wouldn't.

She didn't bother putting on any makeup – she brushed her long blonde hair loose, instead of putting it into its classic updo, which she always wore in front of Lucius, to make herself look older. She inspected herself in the mirror. Although she was finally of age, Narcissa Black finally looked like a happy young woman, instead of a morose little child. She smiled once more, and bounced towards the door of the dungeon.

The sky above the Great Hall was robin's egg blue and dotted with the fluffiest of white clouds when she entered. Her eyes darted over the Gryffindor table and met Remus' gaze. His own face lit up when he saw her enter. James, Sirius, Lily, and Peter all smiled and waved hello. Narcissa felt joy bubbling up inside her, as if she was a bottle of champagne that someone had shaken up by mistake. She waved back at them, her smile almost splitting her face.

Students were forbidden from sitting at other House tables during the school year, so Narcissa had no choice but to go skipping over to the Slytherin table. She had taken good care not to let any of her happiness or her feelings for Remus become too apparent, and she felt there had been no slip-ups. Not that anyone would notice, anyway, she thought ruefully, as she took her place at the Slytherin table, a few seats down from Severus Snape, she noticed.

Ever since she had been to the Shrieking Shack, Narcissa had kept her distance from Severus. She knew that somehow he had discovered Remus' secret, but she didn't know how, nor did she want to. Remus had not told her, and she had learned her lesson about letting him have his secrets. Severus had not approached her since she had returned from the hospital wing. She was no longer wearing her werewolf pendant, which she hoped he would notice, in case he was currying tales to Lucius.

Lucius –

Narcissa had received an owl from him, a few days after the New Year:

My darling Narcissa –

I bring you sad tidings this day. My beloved father was stricken with dragon pox while we were touring Italy, and we returned home so he could be treated. Alas, he did lot linger long, and passed away on New Year's Eve. May his spirit be at peace.

I know that you are busy with school work and I shall not ask you to return home for the funeral. Trouble yourself not for my sake; I will have Mother by my side and will be content. However, I will summon you to the manor sometime after your birthday in February, so please be on your guard for my call.

Much love and affection.

Always yours,

Lucius.

Narcissa had not thought much of the letter when it came. She was happy that she did not have to go to the funeral. She was wary of the upcoming "summons" that Lucius spoke of – but at the same time, she put it out of her mind. Just because Lucius summoned her, she did not have to go see him. She could ignore the summons. She could put off seeing him until summertime came – and then, she would run away with Remus.

Narcissa blushed pink. It was more or less common knowledge between the two of them that when Remus left Hogwarts, he would be taking Narcissa with him. But there was no formal recognition of their affection, nothing to tie them. Once or twice, Narcissa wondered if Remus would ever ask. But, she amended, they had only been seeing each other for a month or so – a shorter time than Lily and James, who of course were not engaged yet either – although it wasn't for lack of trying on James' part.

Someone touched Narcissa's shoulder, and she looked up. Remus was passing by on his way out of the hall, apparently not even looking in her direction. But as he passed, he forced a folded piece of paper into her hand and wrapped her fingers around it, before he vanished into the crowd of students who had already finished breakfast.

Keeping her hands under the table, Narcissa unfolded the letter and read it:

Meet us in Hogsmeade after breakfast if you want to see your birthday presents. R.L.


There was only one place in Hogsmeade that the six of them could meet and know for sure they were hidden from public view. Narcissa pulled her cloak on and hurried out of the castle and into the village, across the frozen fields, through the fences. By the time the Shrieking Shack was in view, she was practically flying with excitement.

She knocked on the door, completely out of breath.

"Who is it?" a nasally voice called quietly through the door.

"It's Narcissa, Peter," she replied, slightly exasperated.

The door opened, and Peter's pale, pointed face poked out, a disgruntled expression evident, "How did you know it was me?" he asked petulantly.

"Let her in, Wormtail, you lug," Sirius shouted, pushing him aside. "Come in, Cissa, we've been waiting all morning for this!"

"For what?" she asked laughingly, stepping inside the dark hallway, "To show me into this old – "

But then her voice trailed off, and she could do nothing but gasp, mouth agape.

James, Sirius, Lily, and Peter were all watching her, smiling as widely as she had at breakfast. The interior of the Shrieking Shack had been – transformed. There was no other word for it. Someone – probably Lily - had strung little fairy lights all over the walls, so the room glowed from within. Sitting on a broken kitchen table, which was covered with a piece of brightly-colored cloth, was a pile of wrapped birthday gifts. But there was no sign of Remus.

"Where is – where?" Narcissa could hardly speak.

"Well, I call that gratitude!" James teased, "We go through all this trouble to set up for your birthday – and all you can ask is where your boyfriend is!"

"He'll be along in a minute," Lily said, "Open your presents first!"

Narcissa didn't need to be asked twice. There was a study book of Transfiguration exercises from Peter, who hardly knew Narcissa and seemed shy about giving it to her. James had bought her a pair of aquamarine earrings, and Lily had bought a beautiful ivory silk scarf, embroidered with pink and pale yellow roses. Sirius had bought her a vial of apple-scented perfume. Narcissa felt like she was bubbling up again.

"I've never had a birthday like this," she said, wrapping Lily's scarf around her neck. "I feel like an absolute princess."

"It's not over yet," came a voice behind her.

Narcissa turned. Remus was standing in the doorway with a mischievous grin on his face.

She jumped to her feet, ran to embrace him, but was stopped as he held up his hand.

"Before you hug me," he said, still grinning, "I want to make sure I deserve it."

He pulled a small package from his pocket and handed it to her.

With trembling fingers, Narcissa undid the ribbon and opened the lid.

Inside was a tiny, sparkling diamond ring.

"Will you marry me, Narcissa?" Remus asked softly.

Narcissa looked up at him, eyes shining with tears, and threw her arms around him. Remus laughed softly and hugged her tightly.

"So it's a yes!" Lily exclaimed, clapping her hands together with undisguised joy.

"Yes!" Narcissa managed, brushing away her tears, "Yes, yes, yes!" Remus took the box from her and slipped the ring onto her left finger.

Sirius clapped Remus on the shoulder, "Well done, mate!" he congratulated him, "Although I think you're both still a mite young – "

"Come off it, Padfoot," Remus grinned, "Give an old friend a break."

James nudged Lily, "See? SHE said yes!"

"You haven't officially asked me yet!" Lily protested, hands on hips.

James' face lit up, "Is that all it takes? Give me a second, I'll be right back!"

"You clown," Lily sighed, restraining him from running out the door, "You can't do it now. That wouldn't be romantic at all. And besides," she said, grinning slyly, "As I said before, I'm too young yet."

James clapped his hand to his head, "Women! Always changing their minds!"

"Bad luck, Prongs," Peter nudged him.

"You'll see, Lily," James warned her, "Someday I'll just give up. And then what will you do?"

"Move on, I expect," she replied, "So, you two," she turned to Narcissa and Remus, still smiling at each other, "pry yourselves apart for a moment and tell me when the wedding is."

"Oh, that's not going to happen for awhile," Remus said, "We've got to get settled first. We have – arrangements to make."

"More like engagements to break," Narcissa broke in, smiling in spite of herself.

"You haven't told Lucius yet?" Peter asked, "He's going to be furious."

Narcissa tossed her head willfully, "I know he is. But I don't care. I'm going to write him a letter and send it to him. That way I won't have to go home again and deal with him."

"What if he comes after you?" Peter asked.

"Come off it, Wormtail," Sirius scoffed, "He's not the Prince of Darkness."

"Besides," Remus cut in, "She won't be alone. She has me."

Sirius pretended to vomit into a corner, "You two are too sappy for words."

"I know," James said, "Come on, Lily. Let's – go for a walk."

"All right," she replied cautiously, "But if I see your hand go suspiciously into your pocket, I'm leaving!"

"Let's go check out Zonko's, Peter," Sirius drawled, draping his arm over their remaining friend, "We bachelor types have to stick together." Over his shoulder he called, "Stay out of trouble, you two!"

As the door shut behind Sirius and Peter, Remus looked down at Narcissa, eyes a question.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" he asked, "I know I put you on the spot a bit there, doing it in front of those guys – "

Narcissa put her fingers to his lips to silence him.

"It's exactly what I want," she replied, "This has been the best birthday of my life. And it's all due to you."

She kissed him on the lips, and Remus bent into it, eagerly catching her mouth with his as they shared a long embrace. When they pulled apart, Narcissa sighed, "It seems forever until you graduate."

"I know," Remus replied, "But it's only four more months. And then we'll never be apart again. Right?"

"Of course," Narcissa said, snuggling into him and admiring her ring out of the corner of her eye, "Never, ever again."