It's hard to remain civil when you expect one thing and get the opposite.

One year later

Dear Stranger,

Time's up. I am sure that you are fully aware of the ball being held at the Ministry tonight. Be there and look for the girl with the white dress. I will be sitting at the piano, playing your favorite song, our song. I will be waiting for you.

Forever yours,

Cissa

Now, I will come back to you, dear reader. Have you missed me? Of course you did. This is the part when The Great and All Powerful Lucius Malfoy begins to panic. This year had been a year of pure bliss. I had my Narcissa back and that made life wonderful. I didn't want to lose that…I couldn't lose that, not again.

I paced about my office, holding tight to my letter. Having sent word to Severus, I was trying to decide how exactly to handle the situation. Luckily, Severus arrived before I started pulling my hair out.

"Severus! Thank merlin, you're here!" I pawed at his sleeve, practically begging him to sit down. "You have to help me! Something terrible has happened…I don't know what to do…my year's up…She…She…Oh, God she wants to…Oh, shit…Lots of shit, Severus, lots of shit."

He raised a skeptical eye-brow. "Lucius, have you been drinking?"

"No!" I said a bit too defensively.

His eye-brows rose higher.

"Well…Yes but that…That's not the point!"

"Well, then get to it. I grow weary of your babbling."

I gulped. "Cissa wants to meet me…"

"Well, I don't see why that is a problem. She's forgiven you."

"She doesn't know it's me…"

Severus paused. "What?"

"I…I wrote her letters…And she's in love with me…But she doesn't know it's me…"

He sighed and stood, pouring himself a generous amount of brandy. Downing the glass, he spoke. "Lots of shit was an understatement, Lucius…" He set down the glass and took the bottle back to his seat. Taking a sip he looked back to me, "Well, you can't back out now. You promised." Suddenly, he began to chuckle.

My eyes narrowed. "What's so funny?" I growled.

"What is it with you? Always making promises you can't keep."

I didn't know it then, but he had just pointed out one of my biggest character flaws.

I took a deep breath. "Okay…I'll do it…but if tonight goes all wrong, I'm blaming you."

He rolled his eyes. " I look forward to it." As he made his way towards the door, he turned to me once more. This time his face was grave and serious. "Lucius…I know this will be hard for you, but don't do anything stupid."

Again, another character flaw brought to light.

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I couldn't stop my hands from shaking. I was terrified. What if she rejected me? This was my last chance, my very last chance. I reached for the door knob but retracted my hand. I couldn't do it.

I slowly began to walk away until Severus' voice popped into my head. "What is it with you? Always making promises you can't keep."

"No." I whispered. I would keep my promise, I could give myself that at least.

I pushed the doors opened, revealing a grand ball room. I began to scan the crowds, listening for her honey sweet voice. I saw a flash of white and a beautiful chord sound from in front of me. That was when I heard her. Our song.

"Hold me close and hold me fast

This magic spell you cast

This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs

And though I close my eyes

I see la vie en rose

When you press me to your heart

I'm in a world apart

A world where roses bloom

And when you speak

Angels sing from above

And everyday words seem to turn into love songs

So give your heart and soul to me

And life will always be la vie en rose."

She was so beautiful, siting there at the piano, her honey tones ringing across the ballroom, making their way into my heart.

In that moment I knew things were going to work themselves out. We were meant to be together. Maybe they wouldn't work tonight but someday she would be mine and I would be hers and everything would be as it should. In that moment I was comforted and ready to face her.

I don't even remember walking towards her, I couldn't feel the floor on my feet. It was like I was floating. Finally I had reached my destination. I tapped her on her shoulder.

I heard her breath catch as she turned around to face me.

"Stra-Lucius?" Her eyes became dark and clouded, I felt my stomach sink.

"Hello." I said. My voice was surprisingly clam, I even managed a smile.

"As much as I would love to talk to you, Master Malfoy, I am waiting for someone."

I blinked. She didn't make the connection. She doesn't believe it's me.

I sat on the piano bench next to her, playing it cool, and putting on my Malfoy face.

"But who is this someone, Narcissa?" I plucked the rose from her hair.

"No one of your concern, put that back if you please." She scolded lightly, I had not yet broke her resolve. She was too much of a lady to lose her temper, but she was quite sharp of tongue.

"Ahhh, a man I see. Do tell me about him." I leaned back. I knew I was being an ass…But it's what I do best. Again, another character flaw.

She smirked. "Let's just say he is not the type of man you would associate with. He is the best of men."

"What are you implying, Miss. Black?"

"I am implying, Master Malfoy that you are the worst of men."

I felt my lip curl. "Ahhhh, but you see, I am here and he is not. Let that be a judge of character for this "Perfect Man"."

She paused. "I must ask you to leave, please."

"I'm afraid I must deny your request. I must meet this man, maybe he can teach me."

She sniffed. "I think not. Please go."

"So stubborn, Narcissa. Honestly, I'm worried your man might be disappointed."

"Please leave."

"Have a heart Narcissa, I just got here."

She turned to face me. "Do not speak of what you do not know. You know nothing of hearts, Lucius Malfoy, nothing but the art of breaking them. I will ask you once more to leave me in peace."

I felt my temper rise. "When did you become so cold , Narcissa?"

She stood and faced me. "Do not speak to me of cold. You, Lucius Malfoy are nothing more than a suit and a pocket book, both easy to forget and easy to replace."

Her words stung and I felt my resolve break. Clearing my throat, I stood as well. "That's my cue…Well, goodnight."

I saw her eyes soften but I did not look back.

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I sulked in my office, for Merlin only knows how long. It was late and I decided to go home. But as I walked through the hall, I came across the old piano room.

"One more time…" I whispered.

To my surprise, there was a little note already on the piano. I felt my heart both break and mend as I read.

Dear Stranger,

Why didn't you come? I have had the most terrible night…I was waiting for you, expecting to see someone I love and trust but met the enemy instead. However, I was cruel, and I'm never cruel. No matter what he has done, that man did not deserve what I said to him. Do you ever have those moments? Those moments when you say exactly what you want to say at exactly the moment you want to say it? I do. Though it may seem like a gift, it is actually a curse. I feel horrible now, for this man was once a great friend. I wish I could see you. I wish I could see the other man too. Did you simply forget about me? You don't seem like the kind of person who would do that.

Please explain,

Narcissa

-Sorry for taking so long! Been busy! I hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday!

Special thanks to these rockin' Rudolph's, ModernHippie999, MarinaNM, ANNNNNND (another upgrade XD) NimbusCentaur! It really does mean a lot to me!

Thanks to those who just read the story as well!

TTFN Broskis!-