Disclaimer: I own nothing from Harry Potter, all credit to JKR for that, I just borrow her characters from time to time and play with them.

This is the first chapter of a new story, it's a bit longer than I expected, but I hope you enjoy please leave reviews. Nx

The curtains closed after one final encore, below her Narcissa Malfoy could see people beginning to file out of their seats. Narcissa wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and exited her box. As she entered the hallway, she saw an elderly woman exiting the box beside her. The other woman's eyes mt Narcissa's gaze and Narcissa waited as the elderly woman approached her. When the woman came to stand in front of her, Narcissa smiled and said, "Good evening Lady Banbury".

The older woman smiled and clucked her tongue, "Oh, my dear Narcissa please, I have known you since you were a small child, you have always called me Aunt Sybil, I'm so old now that I hardly see a reason to change the habits of a lifetime." The woman reached out to Narcissa embracing her and kissing each cheek.

Narcissa Malfoy smiled shyly, it had been so long since she had been welcomed anywhere, she replied "Of course Aunt Sybil, it' been so long though I thought it better to be overly formal than familiar".

"Don't be silly even with the length of time that's passed, I hardly find any reason to stand on ceremony since Richard died. Although, Narcissa I do believe you owe me an explanation,"

Narcissa furrowed her brow in confusion, "I'm sorry?"

"Well dear a Black hasn't applied for a private box since your Uncle Alphard died almost 30 years ago. You know I'm on the committee and when I heard of a Narcissa Malfoy applying for the recently vacated stall, attempting to avoid the waiting list due to a longstanding family connection with the theatre, I had to investigate. Narcissa isn't a terribly common name you know."

Narcissa smiled at the mention of her Great Uncle Alphard, although he was something of a black-sheep within the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black (something which in retrospect wasn't necessarily a bad thing), her usually strict father had allowed him to take her and her sisters to the theatre, even though it was a muggle theatre. The Blacks like many wealthy purebloods had managed to cultivate wealth and power throughout the centuries because of their friendships with muggle power brokers such as politicians, and the aristocracy. Narcissa's husband's family had been quite prominent in the English court up until the early 1900's, receiving muggle titles and honours in fact, several Malfoy squibs had married into prominent English aristocratic families. Her own family however, preferred the kind of discretion that could be afforded in places like private members clubs, or theatre boxes.

By the time Narcissa was a small child the need for such relationships was dwindling – and with the Dark Lord's steady rise to power they were becoming increasingly dangerous. However, Uncle Alphard loved the theatre passionately, a love he imparted to his youngest niece. Narcissa had met the Countess of Banbury whilst accompanying her Uncle on such an outing. Narcissa remembered being awed and intimidated by the kind and elegant muggle woman who was wearing a bedazzling tiara as she complimented Narcissa's dress and manners. As someone whose parents had only spoken of muggles with disdain, describing them as dirty and uncivilised, Narcissa was not prepared for the woman who according to her uncle was a close friend of the muggle Queen. Her Uncle had also explained that the Earls of Banbury were close friends of the Blacks and they had shared neighbouring boxes for almost two centuries.

Narcissa sighed at the fond memories of her childhood before her life became one disaster after another, she looked towards Lady Banbury who was staring at her curious, clearly expecting some sort of explanation. Narcissa considered her words carefully before saying, "I needed an escape, my husband was recently arrested and sent to prison. Most people of our acquaintance were either involved and sent to prison also or deeply impacted by the things my husband and his associates did, and as such no longer welcome my company. My son has had to take over my husband's estate and business holdings, he's only just eighteen, I have spent so much time trying to support him that I needed something for myself. I was at a total loss that when I saw the Black family box here had become vacant, I thought it would give me an outlet whilst my son is completing his final year of schooling."

Sybil nodded, she had read a brief snippet about Narcissa's husband when she was doing her research, there wasn't much to go on but she had managed to work out his family had an estate quite near her own in Wiltshire, he was a Viscount or something, although no one in the family had seemed to use the title for many years being too preoccupied with their business activities.

"I understand your concern for your son, my own granddaughter is about the same age and her parents have been missing for almost a year, although no doubt you have heard of my son's disappearance in the papers. Unfortunately, a missing Earl is rather too tempting for the tabloid press to pass up on,"

At this Narcissa nodded, she hadn't of course had the faintest idea that the new Lord Banbury was missing, but as pointed out the man's disappearance would have been in the news often over the past 12 months and Narcissa could hardly admit to what she had really been doing during that time. "That must be incredibly difficult for yourself and your granddaughter, how is she coping?"

"About as well as can be expected, she has been staying in Banbury House in London, and visits me occasionally at Standlynch. She's about the same age as your son and away at school also completing her final year, so that keeps her busy and distracted I suppose."

Narcissa nodded sympathetically, "Well, Aunt Sybil please let me know if I can be of any assistance,"

At this the older lady brightened up, "I say if you don't already have plans for Christmas why don't you join us? Perhaps my granddaughter and your son could study together, I only have a distant cousin of Richard's, his wife and sister coming. All are far too old to keep her entertained for long, someone her own age might help her come out of herself a bit"

Narcissa, unable to come up with an excuse quick enough, found herself saying "Aunt Sybil that would be lovely I haven't been to Standlynch Park since I was a child, although it' the wrong time of year, I remember the gardens were especially beautiful"

"Well then Narcissa, it's settled, my granddaughter arrives on the 20th and is staying until New Year's Day. Why don't you and your son come along on the 23rd, stay for Christmas and then you can leave with the others on the 27th, or stay for New years as well if you'd like?" The older woman waited for a moment, and taking Narcissa's stunned silence for agreement, gave her another hug goodbye, "I'll see you soon Narcissa"

"You too Aunt Sybil" Narcissa waited for the other lady to get into the lift and then proceeded down the stairs out the door and into a quiet alley, before drawing her wand. A small pop and she vanished into thin air.