"It seems as if your first meeting with Lucius went well," Andromeda remarked to Narcissa as she helped her younger sister to get out of her dress (as there were many buttons that needed to be undone on the back). "Father was impressed, and Mother was definitely pleased. And we both know how hard it is to please Mother. Cissy, what's wrong? You don't look happy."

"Oh, Dromeda, I don't think I'm going to be happy with Lucius," Narcissa cried. "I know that's not supposed to matter, and I know I shouldn't be complaining-"

"You have every right to express your unhappiness," Andromeda interrupted. "It isn't fair that you're being told who you're supposed to marry. You should be able to marry whoever you want."

"Don't, Dromeda," Narcissa responded fearfully. "Don't go there. What if Father, Mother, or Bella hears you talking like that? You're supposed to be proud of your future husband because he's a respectable Pureblood like yourself. Forget what I just said. I wasn't thinking straight. It doesn't matter if I'm happy with Lucius. He's a respectable Pureblood, and I should be honoured that I'm arranged to be married to someone who is as noble and as properly bred as he is."

"Stop with that nonsense, Cissy," Andromeda returned. "You need to start having a mind of your own for once instead of just repeating what everyone else tells you to believe."

Narcissa looked at her bedroom door nervously, as if she expected her parents or Bellatrix to come busting in at any moment to lecture Andromeda on her "rebellious" talk.

"There, that's the last one," Andromeda said, referring to the buttons on Narcissa's dress.

With all the buttons now undone, Narcissa was finally able to take off her dress. She then handed it to Andromeda, so that her older sister could put it neatly in her closet.

Narcissa could not help but admire how perfectly Andromeda hung up her dress.

"You are a true lady, Dromeda," Narcissa remarked as she put on her nightdress. "Bella just throws her dresses into the closet."

"Much to Mother's chagrin," Andromeda could not help but grin. "Now, tell me more about Lucius. Tell me what you honestly think about him. You know I won't tell anyone else what you say."

"I know," Narcissa responded, "and I truly appreciate that."

Narcissa then paused for a brief moment before saying, "Well, Lucius obviously didn't want to be here tonight, and he most definitely didn't want to talk with me."

"You have to remember that he is an only child," Andromeda replied. "He's probably not used to talking with other children his age."

"I didn't think of that," Narcissa said. "I guess I'm so use to having sisters that I can't imagine not having one. Lucius must be lonely. It's just him and his father, and having a father is just not the same as having a sibling."

"So, what were you and Lucius doing for the entire time?" Andromeda pressed. "You both looked like you were having quite the lively conversation."

"Oh, we talked about our family trees," Narcissa answered. "Lucius could tell that it was important that I made a good impression in order to please Mother, so he pretended to be interested in me."

"Purebloods have always been masters at pretending," Andromeda commented with a clear sneer in her voice.

"But it was still nice of Lucius to go to so much effort on my behalf," Narcissa insisted, "especially considering that tonight was the first time he had ever met me. At least it seems like he will treat me well."

"Of course he will, when he's not ignoring you," Andromeda replied sarcastically.

"I'm already used to that type of behavior from Father and Mother," Narcissa returned in a somewhat sharp voice. "Why should Lucius be any different?"

Andromeda just shook her head sadly at her younger sister before bidding her a goodnight.

"What were you and that girl talking about that was so fascinating?" Abraxas asked his son in a soft but deadly tone of voice. "I thought I had made it clear to you that you weren't to get attached to her."

"I was just putting on a show so that her mother would be pleased," Lucius answered with some nervousness. "You need not worry, Father. I feel nothing for the girl."

Now that they had no immediate plans to go out anytime soon, Lucius knew that his father would not hesitate to strike him if he got "too much out of line."

Lucius did not know why he had put so much effort into pleasing the girl's mother. He just knew that he didn't like the consequences when he failed to please his father.

"Then what were you two talking about?" Abraxas pressed, the hint of a threat still in his voice.

"Our family trees," Lucius answered. "It is important that we know our heritage in order to prove our superiority."

Abraxas nodded his head approvingly.

"So, do you think the girl will be a proper, respectable Pureblood wife?" he then asked.

"I saw no reason why she shouldn't be," Lucius replied.

"Did you make it clear to her that you're only looking for a wife and not for a friend or a companion?" Abraxas asked with a clear sneer in his voice.

"I did."

"And how did she respond to that?"

"She accepted it with perfect grace and dignity."

"Good," Abraxas said. He then frowned. "Her parents want us to come over again soon. Apparently, you made an exceptional impression on them."

"I thought that was what I was supposed to do," Lucius drawled sarcastically.

Lucius knew from previous experiences of him being snarky towards his father to expect the slap, but the force of Abraxas's hand on his cheek was still enough to nearly knock him out of his chair.

Abraxas Malfoy was most definitely old, but he also was most definitely not frail.

Lucius rubbed at his cheek, but he didn't say anything. He knew that his father was capable of doing a lot worse if pressed.

"It wouldn't look proper if we refused their invitation," Abraxas then said in a normal tone of voice. "The Blacks, after all, are an important, influential Pureblood family, at least for the moment."

"What do you want me to do when we see them next?" Lucius asked casually but politely.

"Continue to charm Cygnus and his wife," Abraxas replied, "but don't go so overboard with the girl again. As much of a fool as her mother is, she still should have enough proper breeding to realize and accept that you're only seeking an heir and nothing else from her daughter. And if she can't accept that, there are always more respectable Pureblood girls and families out there."

Lucius just nodded his head.

"Now go to bed," Abraxas ordered. "The Dark Lord has informed me that he will be over for dinner tomorrow, and I want you to be fully rested and alert."

"Yes, Father," Lucius said respectfully before getting up and leaving the room.