The Blacks held a Christmas ball every year to show themselves off the aristocrats of the Wizarding World. And every year, Druella Black would drag her three daughters out and force them to perform.
The Malfoys would also be in attendance every year; Abraxas Malfoy would describe it as tedious but to turn down an invitation from the Blacks simply wasn't done.
So one year, when he'd finally had enough of the sneers from the older pureblood families and enough of the poor vintage wine, Abraxas decided Lucius should go instead.
"You're fresh out of Hogwarts son," he said that evening, smoothing down Lucius' jacket, "Its about time people knew who you were." It was said in a tone that allowed no room for arguments so Lucius didn't make one. He stayed quiet.
Tedious was, however, an understatement. Half the guests wouldn't give him the time of day and the other half saw him as a potential suitor. Lucius spent most of the evening trying to escape the advances of women clutching their pearls and exclaiming that Lucius simply had to meet their darling daughter. He'd just sagged against a wall, thinking about calling it a night and going home for a Firewhiskey when he heard it.
The most beautiful voice he'd ever heard.
Firewhiskey forgotten, he whipped his head around frantically searching and there in front of the fireplace, one of the Black sisters was singing.
"O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining"
It was the youngest, Lucius realised with a jolt, Narcissa.
He'd seen her before of course, they'd been in the same Hogwarts house. But she'd looked so fragile, so delicate, he hadn't dared go near her for fear she would break.
How wrong he'd been.
She was singing a Muggle carol in a pureblood home without so much of a flinch. There was a muttering around those near her, but how could anyone comment? How could anyone question a voice so pure?
"A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices"
The notes of the song washed over Lucius and he watched, entranced. The song ended and Narcissa gave a neat little curtsey to those watching, beaming as she did. It looked as though she was glowing, drawing all the light from the room into her and Lucius found his feet moving involuntarily, he had to speak with her, to know her.
But she was suddenly gone, yanked away by her mother.
"What do you think you are doing?" Lucius could imagine Druella screeching just from that whisper, "How dare you sing a Muggle carol? How dare you shame your family like this? This is our most important opportunity of the year!"
Each question was punctuated with a hiss from the Black matriarch and Lucius watched, enraged, expecting to have to go and save this beautiful flower of a girl from her own flesh and blood.
But instead of crumpling Narcissa nodded and turned around. She caught Lucius' and winked before melting into the crowd.
"Fall on your knees, oh hear the Angel's voices"
Lucius clenched his fists and he felt a fire deep to his core, "I'll love you" he vowed, staring at the blonde beauty in front of you "I'll love you deeply and make you feel so loved that no on will dare come near you again. You'll be safe."