Great Expectations
By A Sort of Wing

Disclaimer: Boo, I don't own HP. You know it, I know it, let's move on.

A small synopsis of our story:
Narcissa Black is a lady of the wizarding world revered because of her beauty, her fortune, and her high social status. Perfection at all times does not scratch the surface of the amount of family pride and self prestige that this young lady carries almost effortlessly. When she meets Lucius Malfoy, perhaps the only heir to a wizarding family that could ever challenge hers, she is curious to see if his interest is true, or merely an act.
After being left by her sister, Bellatrix, Lucius decides it is in their best interest if he escorts young Narcissa back to her estate. Unfortunately, all of the fireplaces in Diagon Alley were in the process of being cleaned, leaving Narcissa on Lucius' arm to apparate. Is Lucius merely playing the part his parents have taught him in the presence of a young lady of social importance? Or, is there really something else causing his chase?

Chapter Three: Ballroom Whispers.

Narcissa mounted the train to Hogwarts at precisely 10:50AM. She had been escorted, again, by her sister, Bellatrix as it was obviously below their level to be walking about anywhere near a muggle trap like the train station. Narcissa did not take it personally. She had become sadly comfortable with the idea of escorting herself to most places. It was one of those truths best left accepted.

She strode down the corridor of the train slowly, clutching a small, white silk drawstring pouch. She knew too well how rowdy the younger, ignorant children became on the train and was not keen to the idea of being trampled. Even when she showed up early, there was a chance of fatality due to excited 11 year old. Every once and a while she would peer into a carriage to see who else was on this early, but found no one of importance.

Finally, upon reaching the last car of the train, her eyes rested upon a few familiar faces. It was, among almost everything else related, a fact that the last car of the Hogwarts Express was reserved for the pure blood members of Slytherin house. Only a few were there – a boy her age named Dolohov, a much younger boy sitting by the window with greasy black hair that came to his ears and a large nose, and another girl a few years younger than her, Violet Parkinson.

"Miss Narcissa," Said Violet sugarly, her smile only skin deep, showing less than perfect teeth. "Congratulations on getting Head Girl."
"Why, thank you Miss Violet." She said, sitting next to her. 'Next' was being that she sat next to the window while Narcissa sat inches away from the compartment door. She placed her delicate pouch on her lap while she waited for the train to depart. For some reason, she did not feel like chatting this morning. Her mind was elsewhere – far above any conversation these minor figures could hold.

What had happened that day with Lucius?
She glanced down at her pouch and mouthed his name to herself again – she now being able to call him that freely. It was a suave name, and rolled off her tongue nicely. She was not aware, however, that a pair of eyes were watching her.

"Miss Narcissa," Chimed Violet again, causing Narcissa to come out of her daydream, "My mother had said she spotted you and Mr. Lucius Malfoy walking out of Flourish and Blotts the other afternoon."

Narcissa smiled pleasantly, but gritted her teeth on the inside. She should have known – if gossip were a national sport, the Parkinson family would have gold metals all around. She said nothing, but Violet did not get the hint to drop it.
"It left me very wondering. Are you and Mr. Malfoy courting each other?" Her tone was mixed with cautiousness and curiosity. She seemed to inch forward in her seat, while the others in the car peered over, suddenly interested in the question, too.

Narcissa paused and ran her finger over her pouch. What was it any of these losers business if she had had a meeting with Lucius Malfoy? More specifically... was Violet so inclined because maybe she liked him? At that thought, If she said no, it would be almost as worse as if she were to say,
"Yes."

Violet blinked,
"You are?"
"Yes, in fact." She replied, her sense of self security taking place of sanity. "You mother might have told you that we apparated out of Diagon Alley together?" She asked, looking at Violet – her face not slightly pale. She quirked an eyebrow, amused. "Obviously not."

She glanced around the carriage, daring any one to ask any more questions. The Dolohov boy only smirked slightly before looking out the window. The little grease ball boy did not even seem to take notice that anything had happened. She looked back down to her lap as no more questions proceeded and smirked to herself. Inside, however, she felt slightly nervous. How was she going to explain this?

The term started peacefully. For the first two weeks, Narcissa was approached by practically every Slytherin student with complements about her new achievement of Head girl - Instructed by their parents, obviously. In response to each of these she would smile pleasingly, say her thanks, and then walk off to avoid further inquiry.

She did not think much on her lack of socializing. Usually, she would spend most of her time with her sister, Bellatrix. But since she graduated two years ago, she found herself distanced from everyone else in school. It wasn't a question of money, or family. It was because no one, she felt, really liked her. Maybe it was just paranoia, but every time someone came up to her to speak to her, she felt that it was only in hopes to heighten their social standings in some way. Not because they wanted to speak to her, not because they wanted to get to know her. Always for self provision.

Except maybe... Lucius.

December had come earlier than Narcissa than expected. She looked forward to Christmas break even more than she had looked forward to finally leaving Hogwarts. Finally, to not be pestered by her family and to spend time with her sister – practically the only person she felt dear for.

On December 15th, five days before she left for Christmas break, her owl swooped in and landed gracefully inches away from the plate of sausages. It was an ivory, sleek bird – with a letter attached to its leg.

Narcissa's eyebrow's raised. A letter, so close to Christmas? She knew her family wouldn't have bothered to write anything because they were going to see her in less than a week. The owl stuck out its leg, annoyed she hadn't removed the bothersome letter yet. Narcissa took it, fed the owl a bit of toast in gratitude and watched it as it take off with the other retreating owls into the snowy morning sky.

She looked at the front of the envelope. "Miss Narcissa Black" was etched there in slanted, pointy, elegant letters. Narcissa's mind traced them rapidly to only one person. She tore into the letter almost frantically – she hadn't heard from Lucius in months and almost feared he forgot about her. This letter sent new hope into her.

When she finally got the letter and faced its writing, she felt a weird, warm sensation come over her. It made her eyes shut, her head beginning to swim with a smell… Suddenly, she recognized it. Lucius had worn this scent the day in August in Flourish and Blotts. She suddenly lost all respect for her surroundings and focused on the letter, her cheeks reddening.

As she began to read, her head, once swimming with his scent, flooded over with his voice. She glanced around to see if anyone else could hear it – but no one else paid her any more attention than they were paying their breakfasts. It seemed the voice and the smell were only recognizable to her. She made a mental note as to ask Lucius how he ever thought of such clever magic.

"My Dear Miss Narcissa," She listened, the voice as cool and smooth as she had remembered.

"I hope my letter finds you well. Things are very pleasant in terms of myself. I do apologize for not getting in contact with you since we last met. I have been quite busy with plans too secret to write in letters. Do not worry, however. I have not forgotten you.
I have received word that you have been planning to come and visit your family during the Christmas holidays. Since I have not seen you since the beginning of your term, I would like nothing more than to invite you and your family to my families holiday festivities. I have already sent an invitation to your mother and father, who have accepted it graciously.

Please know that I look forward to seeing you again very much.
Yours,
L. Malfoy."

Narcissa glanced up, silently. A Christmas party?
What am I going to wear? When is it? Should I reply to his message?

She stood, automatically, clutching the letter. With the lost of all appetite, she strode out of the Great Hall quickly, intending to send a letter to Bellatrix, immediately.

But, of course, she was under the watch of the ever vigilant eyes of Violet Parkinson. Who not only watched as Narcissa received her letter but studied her expressions, knowing immediately who it was from. Jealousy became personified in that moment in one, Violet Parkinson.

Authors Note:
Sorry this one is so short. I ended up having to cut this chapter from one huge chapter into two smaller ones. In any case, I plan to update as soon as I can. ) Yay!