Narcissa can't remember a time where she wasn't careful about how she presented.

Not out of vanity — though it was certainly present as she was the fairest of her siblings.
Rather, out of fear at what the Heir and his wife would say.

She had always been a girl, and her parents and her society always recognized her as such.
Some had not been so lucky, but she was and she would be grateful for that.

But those who were alike as the Heir and his wife in their opinions would take offence of Narcissa's magic feeling differently about her body's form.

Mother explained it to her in these terms when Narcissa was still very young: magic and family magic reached out to Narcissa's core and made her a woman. But her body, formed early and well before Magics reached out to her, was not what one could expect of a woman.
That's fine, after all a lot of women have different bodies.
But Narcissa needed to be aware of that. Aware of what could happen to her should the Heir discover her different body.

And so, Narcissa learned to always be properly covered up. How to put enough make-up to look pretty, but not enough for it to be really noticeable. How to twist and braid her hair in coiffures that made her look fair, noticeable as a girl.

It worked, for the most part. Nobody outside of her close family noticed a thing was possibly amiss. Oh, of course Walburga had her qualms about her, but she looked innocent enough that she didn't suspect the truth.

(Narcissa quite expected that if truth had come to light, Walburga would have killed her, and damn the consequences).

This was how Narcissa learned to perceive the world and how to let herself be perceived.

Mother had explained things a bit more when she received her Hogwarts letter. It could be summed up as such: Narcissa, while being a part of the Black family and such inheriting a part of the Family Magics, wasn't Heir to it. However, she was Heir to the Oak family, inherited through her mother as the line became extinct a few decades ago.
The Oak family, being noticeably a matrilineal line, had been waiting for a new heir that was worthy of their Family Magics, which is what happened with Narcissa. Her core, being deemed worthy of the Family Magics, made her Heir and in doing so molded it to be in line with the rule of Inheritance. As far as magic was concerned Narcissa was a woman.
Her body, however, was already formed and it made it difficult to be changed, as the Family Magic still thought her body to be protected against all encroachment. Including attempts to change it.

Narcissa had always wondered why the Family Magics had not chosen either Andromeda or Bellatrix, but Mother told her that they both were Heir to other old extinct lines. Which neatly explained Bellatrix changing gender expressions, or Andromeda's rather fierce and protective attitude, and absolute loyalty to others she had just met, which were not Black Family traits.

Not that it really mattered anyway. The only thing that mattered was that she would be able to give her daughter a name of her own — but Narcissa would always be a Black. No matter what.
She could feel the wildness that flew through the Family Magics in her, heavy and light at the same time, with a heady sense of family.

The Blacks were an old family, and their Family Magic protected everyone, not only the main family or the Heir only as it happened in other family — goodness knew that the Crabbes had to start from scratch after the old Main Family got terminated in the War of the Roses.
Not that they were the only ones. The statute of secrecy was instated for that express reason, to stop Magical Lines from dying out in petty muggle wars.

Or so her parents said. Narcissa hadn't a clue what that war had been about, only that it must have been horrible because most of the Magical Lines died out in those years.
She was however proud to have been part of the only Great Family to have survived it.

She was taught many things, mainly in magical history and politics, and went with her mother to the many events she was invited to. Druella Rosier was not someone you refused access to.

It was, however, announced to her before she left for Hogwarts that she would meet her betrothed there. Which left her in a bit of a conundrum as she didn't even know she had a betrothed.

Fortunately, she didn't panic as much as she thought she would over the announcement if only because she, Andromeda and Bellatrix managed to get in a nasty fight with supporters of the Dark Idiot as Bellatrix called them — well needless to say that Bellatrix was far too successful in riling them up.

Fortunately for them, the three Black siblings were the best at dueling, no matter that Narcissa technically wasn't even supposed to know any magic.

(Bellatrix winked at their baby sister: "You're a Black, and we can't have you lesser than the other First years, hmm? Go fetch Andromeda's wand and start practicing.")

Narcissa was feeling very smug, looking at the three sluggish-looking Fifth Years that thought she'd make an acceptable target while her elder siblings were otherwise occupied.
Let no one say that Narcissa didn't feel like educating people; although, she was a Black through and through and her education was more of the painful and embarrassing kind.

Non-lethal, however, as people couldn't learn from their mistakes if they were dead, according to Mother.
Father had coughed a bit about Necromancy, but had been silenced fast by Mother's glare, which meant that Necromancy was a Forbidden subject, and one Narcissa had to research by herself.

(The fact that once she did do so, she didn't sleep for a week unless Andy or Trix were there notwithstanding, it went rather well)

Narcissa glanced at Bellatrix and Andromeda, but both were done and very smug about their accomplishments.
She could already foresee bragging rights being claimed.

"Right!" said Bellatrix, clasping a hand over Narcissa's shoulder. "We're going to one of the compartment before a prefect makes a round and finds us savouring our well-deserved victory."

Andromeda only gave a sweet smile at both her siblings before searching through the downed idiots' pockets. Narcissa's quirked an eyebrow at her sister, but only got an even sweeter smile in answer.
Well then.

Leaving Andromeda to her plotting, she followed Bellatrix to a somewhat cleared compartiment, only occupied by Bellatrix' best friend, Heir Flint.
(his full name was escaping Narcissa at the moment, to be honest.)

He went to his feet the moment he saw the Black siblings entering, bowing low to them, before asking dryly to Bellatrix if he had to worry about being asked for an alibi.
He got in answer a quirky smile from Bellatrix, and the dismissive wave of a hand.

"Don't worry, baby — Andromeda is taking care of this, and I honestly wouldn't ask her what she's doing. She's just as bad as a shark when she gets like that."

She then sat Narcissa on the bench, and patted her cheek.

"Also, as an aside absolutely not related to what just happened, my sister is awesome at magic and will probably be able to help Andromeda beat your ass into shape."

The Flint Heir raised an eyebrow at that but only snorted quietly, before saying, "To be expected, Trickster, she's a Black. You're all insane, but you're also insanely competent and scarily Slytherin, it shouldn't surprise anyone."

"As it damn right shouldn't."

There wasn't a surprise when Narcissa ended up in Slytherin — she was a Black, and the proud sister of two Slytherins, and the daughter of two others.
She was much more snake than anything else, and she had the fastest sorting she ever heard of.

At least in her year the people had manners, and she couldn't say as much of the Fifth year that had been glaring at her all Feast.
A true Slytherin knew that laying low and still in the grass got you your prey faster, but evidently it's no measure of cunning that brought them into Slytherin. Nor ambition, if they wanted so much to lay down at the feet of someone who thought he had power instead of seizing it for themselves.

Waste of breathe, those were.

She only flicked them a glance before ignoring them. She was good enough to not get ambushed, and to hold out until Bellatrix or Andromeda came for her, she wouldn't worry about those louts.

Not even if the way her neck was feeling full of needles made her feel uneasy.

Still, in her year at least she wouldn't have to fight to maintain peak order, which was good. She was a Black, she had never thought she'd be anything but the best in her year, and those with her acknowledged it.
Except for the Rosier boy, who thought that sharing blood with her Mother made him an equal to a Black.

He'd learn. And so would those upstart boot-lickers still glaring at her.
She was the quiet snake in the grass. Lying still until her prey was near her and then no mercy was offered.

They'd rue the day they thought to be better than her.

Narcissa could see a Second year standing at the edge of her vision but didn't move to greet them — Andromeda and Bellatrix were both glaring at that one, and would get their motives out without her having to work for it.
Networking was far more important than some Second year trying to speak to her. If she needed to know them, she'd already know them.

She started to talk with Vivianne Parkinson, of their timetables and some gossips Narcissa heard while walking down to breakfast — and really, it was more about possible talks of alliance.
Vivianne was explaining to her about that new French family that had fled Grindelwald's war on the continent to find refuge in Britain when they were interrupted by Andromeda's light cough.

"My apologies sister, but this young man requested an introduction, and a moment alone with a chaperone. I decided to volunteer, as Bellatrix didn't have the time."

Narcissa's gaze fell on the retreating back of her elder sibling, who was in an animated discussion with Heir Flint, before nodding at Andromeda.

"Of course sister. I'll make myself available as soon as I have taken my leave from Lady Parkinson."

A few murmured words to Vivianne, and the amused wink she gave her, and she walked to the Great Hall's corridors, towards her sister and the Second year that had managed to gain audience from her elder siblings.

Narcissa had a foreboding feeling, but tried to ignore it.

She bowed her head slightly to the Second year, analyzing his poise — definitely a Noble family, though foreign if his hair and facial features were any indication — and answering bow. A deeper one, as expected as one not from House Black, but not as deep as most.

She could feel her eyebrows crinkle lightly and sent an inquiring glance to her sister.

"Sister, would you mind introducing us?"

Andromeda gave her a sweet smile, as if delecting herself from something.

"Of course sister. This young man is Heir Lucius of House Malfoy from France's court. He asked me to introduce me to you and chaperone his meeting with you. Heir Malfoy, as requested, this is my sister Lady Narcissa of House Black. I'll now let you talk in peace, and walk a few footsteps behind you."

She curtsied to the two of them, before doing as she said. Narcissa followed her with her eyes, worried, but before she could ask anything, she was presented an arm.
Or, to be more exact, Heir Malfoy presented his arm to her in order to escort her.

"My Lady, if you'll permit me, I'll escort you to your classroom. You have Transfiguration this morning, if I'm not mistaken?"

Narcissa took both the offered arm and the conversation starter.

"That is very kind of you, Heir Malfoy. I am deeply grateful for your company this morning, on my way to Transfiguration. May I inquire after your reasons for seeking my company?"

Lucius gave her a smile, a nervous one but it looked sweet enough that Narcissa felt like overlooking the failing mask of the older Slytherin.

"You may, indeed. I… I do not know if you were informed of your betrothal, my Lady?"

Narcissa felt like a bucket of cold water had somehow found its way through her robes. Nobody should know of that. No one. How… How did he know?

"I— that is, yes I was informed of my betrothal Heir Malfoy. I was not however told the name of my betrothed. Would— would you be so kind as to tell me their name?"

Heir Malfoy turned a rather fetching shade of red, all over his cheeks and ears, and started stammering, before catching himself, taking a deep breathe and starting to talk again.

"I… that is. I am. I am your betrothed my Lady."

Narcissa let the arm fall from hers, and turned round eyes to Heir Malfoy, feeling both shocked and angry.

"You are?"

He nodded, still blushing but meeting her eyes squarely.

"I am. And you have my… my deepest apologies for not contacting you earlier — I received an owl from my Lord father just this morning, telling me that I was betrothed and the name of my betrothed… yours."

He looked truly remorseful, and it made her heart twinge, but fury was stronger than whatever feelings of pity he could invoke in her.

"If you were truly sorry, you would have contacted me before the contract obligated you to do so. You would have written down your request to meet me rather than pressuring my siblings in allowing you to meet me. You should have known better."

On these words, she turned her heels and stalked to the Transfiguration classroom, fury practically coming off her in waves.

Behind her, a still Lucius Malfoy and a heavily smirking Andromeda stood.

Of course, Narcissa didn't feel good about snapping at Heir Malfoy – if anything, the longer she thought about it, the more ashamed she felt. The all-compassing anger she felt was not actually related to Heir Malfoy's actions; but rather, it was directed to her parents and Lord Malfoy for not informing her.
For letting her believe she'd be able to find her own way in the world without their meddling.

Oh, not that she wasn't angry at Heir Malfoy for good reasons: pressuring her siblings into letting them meet without starting the courtship via letters as was expected was an inexcusable faux-pas. But most of her anger wasn't at Heir Malfoy.
Mother had warned her that the Oak family temperament would come out at the worst moment, and it readily appeared that it was so.

Oaks were known for their fiery temper, and for their love of their own freedom, and their dedication to make happen their dreams. In that, at least, Narcissa acknowledged that she was similar to them.

And of all the time for this to come out! Well, at least her betrothed would be aware of her temperament, and she wouldn't have to hide it from him under layers of social graces and courtesies.

Not that it was a secret now: even if it had been in the beginning, this was Hogwarts, and nothing was meant to be kept quiet, which meant that most of the castle was by now aware of her summary disposal of her betrothed (which she felt very ashamed about), and bestowed her the title of Slytherin Ice Queen, which was the only thing Narcissa felt good about from this incident.

The fact that both her parents sent her letters, apparently aware of what happened, and not to scold her, only to say that she was well within her rights to have snapped so at the young man.

Though Mother had included that she should be less wroth at him, considering that he was French, and as so was brought up with French courtly manners which departed in various points from the English court manners.

Narcissa would never admit to it, but she did scour her elder siblings' books to find out the truth of it, which made her only feel more ashamed.
Not ashamed enough to go and excuse herself to Heir Malfoy, she was a Black, and no matter what, Black bowed to no one.

Not even their betrothed.

Only a week after the incident, and a week spent by Narcissa wallowing in guilt on the inside, and a pretentious Horned owl presented itself to her one morning, an elegant letter attached to its leg.
Having some idea of who sent the gorgeous owl, she thanked it by letting it eat her bacon, and opened the letter with trembling fingers.

What she saw inside made her heart flutter.

Heir Malfoy was apologizing for his lapse in manners: while, indeed, French courtly manners were not the same as English', he should have been better and greeted her as was expected, with more respect to her culture.
In his letter, he also added the hope that she would forgive him, and that she would be amenable to correspond with him on various matters: Heir Malfoy wanted to know her.

'I only hope that we may be able to work together in order to make our union a successful and peaceful one. I would rather be with a friend than with an enemy in my life.'

Bringing up her eyes, she met Heir Malfoy's curious and kind eyes, and nodded slightly to him, quirking a small and genuine smile.
The answering grin she got was far too cute, and she blushed faintly before turning and bringing Lady Parkinson and Heir Nott into the latest gossip.

Years passed, and with them thousands of letters, from Narcissa and from Lucius.
(she was still giddy to be able to call him that. Her mother would have her head for such inappropriate language with her betrothed, but to hell with that! She would be living her life with a dear friend, and would name him as such)

Learning about each other, and from each other had been an experience that Narcissa didn't regret — and neither did Lucius if his request in one of his latest letter to continue their correspondence once he had graduated was any indication.

Narcissa made it to Prefect as a Fifth year — as to be expected, she was not only a good student but also an excellent mentor and did assist Andromeda in her duties as a Prefect two years ago when she got named at the post.
Bellatrix, for their part, had gone with Heir Flint (and Narcissa couldn't for the life of her remember his name, and it would be horribly rude to ask him at this point) on a road-trip across Europe, most specifically Greece and its ruins.

Bellatrix had hope to rediscover clues about the old Minoans, the people of Santorini, and their civilization, but mostly was excited to meet Gorgons and Sphinx.

Narcissa couldn't even pretend to understand what her sibling was doing most of the time.

"'Cissa! The letters from school arrived!"

She lifted her head from Lucius' last letter at Andromeda shout. Before answering, she took the time to fold and stow the letter with the others she had kept from the years before.
Running down the stairs got her only an eye-roll from Andromeda, as apparently both their parents were absent.

(They had been discreet about the issue, but Narcissa had the sinking feeling it was about the Heir's son.)

(Little Sirius was a joy and a riot, and rumor had it that Arcturus was looking to bypass Orion entirely and to name Sirius Heir Black.)

She lifted an eyebrow at Andromeda, and taking her letter before her sister could open it in front of her eyes.
(which was how Narcissa had learned that she was named Fifth year Prefect.)

Weighting the letter, she was surprised to feel it heavier than usual, just as heavy as… as when she received the Prefect letter.
Decided to clear it up before anxious thoughts could make themselves known, she ripped open the thick envelope and ended with a badge and the usual letter of announcement.

Disbelieving she turned to Andromeda only to be met by a gleeful shout:

"I knew it! My baby sister made Head Girl in her Sixth year, I'm so proud!"

And the warm glow Narcissa felt only grew.
Yes, she was happy, and glad for it.

Narcissa was a young woman on the mission, on the night of the Sorting. First of all, Family matters meant that she had to keep an eagle's eye on Heir Black — well Sirius that is — and make sure he wasn't bothered by other Purebloods that might want to climb the social ladder by buttering up the new Heir.
But there were also her duties of being both a Prefect and Head Girl, and that meant keeping a careful eye on the First Year in her house and what enmity or alliances they would fell in.

At her side, Vivianne was having a field day discussing pureblood gossip with the now-cowed Rosier, and Narcissa also kept an ear out for any interesting bit she might want to know.

Sirius being sorted in Gryffindor wasn't surprising, no matter what others may say. Blacks were cunning, yes, but the Heir had a special brand of recklessness and foolhardiness that made it much more easier to see him as a Gryffindor, no matter how cunning he might be.
And standing up to his mother, which Narcissa knew he did on a regular basis, took great courage.

She only applauded as was expected of her, and winked easily at Sirius who looked at her so very lost — and maybe, maybe he didn't consider this a possibility? No matter, she'd support him through this, they were Family.

Narcissa also kept a careful eye on the other two girls that were talking with Sirius — both looked spooked by the Sorting Hat, so she'd go on a wild guess and assume they were either Muggleborn or Muggle-raised.
She applauded politely when Evans, Lily got sorted in Gryffindor, inwardly glad Sirius would have a chance at having a friend in the Lion's den, and couldn't help but be surprised when Snape, Ruslana ended in Slytherin, sitting next to Heir Crabbe.

She couldn't help but feel bad for the young Snape, and didn't know exactly why— oh. Well. She shoot a look at the young girl to warn Andromeda about potential problems in that dorm.
All the while, she took great pain in hiding her distress and keep her composure through the Feast, not looking again at the girl for fear of feeling it again.

That girl had only half of her Family Magics.