As soon as Narcissa arrived at the party she made a beeline to where Bellatrix was standing with their group of friends. Charles was more than happy to tag along as he generally disliked socialising with witches and wizards who hadn't been in Slytherin, Narcissa had no such qualms, however being a pure-blood was a pre-requisite for her attention. She neglected to return a wave to Molly Weasley, her second or third cousin, she never could quite remember, before being greeted by Theodora, who was anxious to know what Narcissa thought of her party.
The Notts were an old pureblooded family, however their funds were fairly limited, and her class was more akin to the Parkinsons than the Blacks, however the children had been wise in choosing their friends, her elder brother was in a close knit group with Lucius Malfoy, Rodolphus and Augustus Rockwood. When Theodora had informed her mother, at the end of their first year, that she was best friends with Narcissa Black her mother had been delighted as it allowed her to significantly raise her social standing.
Narcissa was distracted from her thoughts by a flash of Blond hair from the other side of the room, Lucius Malfoy had just arrived. He was wearing simple, yet elegant black dress robes, and a delighted looking Violet Parkinson was gracing his arm, much to Narcissa's distaste. With a sigh she turned back to Charles, who was heatedly discussing Quidditch results with her soon-to-be brother-in law. Narcissa drifted on the edge of their conversation, Quidditch had never really interested her that much, she had been to all the games at Hogwarts naturally, but that had been about house pride and supporting other Slytherins, however now that her school days were over she had no intention of following the sport.
"Lucius! There you are!" Rodolphus called over the crowd, causing Lucius to escort Violet over to the group. Bellatrix turned her nose up at the newly arrived witch, Narcissa decided that the simplest option was just to deny her existence, and as usual all the other girls followed the suit of the Black sisters.
"We were wondering when you'd arrive" he continued.
"Well I'm here now" he countered smoothly, "Miss Black you look ravishing. I have half a mind to steal you away from your fiancée."
"I'd like to see you try" Rodolphus muttered quietly, as Bellatrix laughed at the compliment. She looked gorgeous that night in a simple black dress that their mother had spent half an hour trying to persuade her not to wear as she was under the impression that it made Bella look like she was going to a funeral.
"Malfoy, stop trying to cause trouble" she scolded with a twinkle in her eye, Bellatrix and Lucius had a history of teasing and gentle flirtation, that had over the years led to nothing, Bellatrix was fiercely loyal to Rodolphus and at any rate the Malfoy heir had far too much respect for Bellatrix to add her to his list of conquests.
Violet, not liking to lack for attention suddenly announced in a huff that she was off to powder her nose disappeared in the direction of the bathroom.
"Charles" Narcissa cooed as she watched Violet trounce off "I'm awfully thirsty, could you be a dear and get me a drink?"
"Of course" he pecked her on the cheek and headed in the direction of the bar.
Seeing Narcissa left standing alone, Lucius immediately strolled over to stand by her side, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but she seemed a little out of sorts, a little on edge, not that you could really tell from her facial expression, it was as ever the proud mask that all Blacks wore.
"Good evening Miss Narcissa" he kissed her hand formally.
"Is there really need for such formalities, given the circumstances Mr Malfoy?" Ah, he thought, that was it.
"It would seem odd if we were suddenly on first name terms in public Narcissa" he said softly, she nodded in agreement "I take it your parents have seen fit to inform you of our arrangement then?"
"Yes, they did" she said coolly, and she hadn't appreciated being kept in the dark about it.
"As you are probably aware I have no desire to settle down, as it were, for another year or so."
Narcissa shrugged the comment off, "The feeling is mutual. However" she added suddenly, seeing the re appearance of Violet Parkinson, "I assume I have sole rights to that lovely Malfoy engagement ring."
"I beg your pardon but I don't quite catch your meaning."
"If the Malfoy ring is put on another finger, even if you don't intend to go through with the engagement, it won't be adorning my hand. Do you catch my meaning now?"
"Crystal clear." He suddenly eyed up Charles, standing in line at the punch bowl "I assume that arrangement works both ways?"
"Naturally" she smiled, "I just don't want to look like a second-best consolation prize" she told him proudly turning to look behind her, where Charles was still standing by the bar.
"Believe me, you were first choice." It wasn't strictly true, when the Senior Mr Malfoy and Mr Black were arranging the match Lucius' father had originally intended Lucius and Bellatrix to be wed, however Mrs Malfoy had intervened saying that their temperaments were not at all suited to one another, Mr Black had been quick to offer Andromeda, as the middle child, as an alternative, however Mrs Malfoy had suggested Narcissa. She had always had a soft spot for the youngest of the Black daughters, Narcissa being the prettiest, had always been paraded with pride at her mother's tea parties, while the other two girls remained upstairs. To this day Mrs Malfoy and Narcissa were still close friends, with Lucius' Mother looking on Narcissa as almost a daughter of her own, and Narcissa looking on Mrs Malfoy as a much beloved aunt.
As Violet approached them Lucius smoothly changed the topic of conversation. "My mother sends you her love Miss Narcissa."
"Thank you very much Mr Malfoy, you will send her mine back in return?"
"Of course" he nodded.
"I wasn't aware Narcissa was an acquaintance of your mother's Lucius." Violet flaunted, emphasising his name to demonstrate the fact she was on first name terms with the Malfoy heir, much to the youngest Black's amusement.
"Yes" Lucius confirmed, "My mother and Narcissa have been close for years, I think that she may even prefer you to me" he laughed smoothly and Narcissa joined in. She had spent much time at Malfoy Manor being mothered and coddled by Mrs Malfoy.
"I would love to meet her some time" the jealousy in Violet's face made Narcissa want to giggle.
"You should" Narcissa agreed with a sly smile, "I'm sure she would love to meet you, don't you think so Mr Malfoy?" she raised her eyebrow questioningly, smirking slightly before walking off. It wasn't that Narcissa liked to cause trouble, that was normally Bellatrix's forte, however Narcissa wanted to let him know and her message was perfectly clear: she could cause trouble if she wanted to.
The next day Narcissa went down to breakfast to find that two owls had arrived for her before she had gotten up. The first was in fine cream stationary embossed with roses addressed in an elegant hand that Narcissa immediately recognised; a soft smile came to her face as she opened the letter and read its contents.
My dearest Narcissa,
I have heard that your parents have seen fit to inform you about the match that is to occur between yourself and my son. May I be the first one to welcome you to our family, as you are aware I have looked upon you almost as a daughter of my own for many years, and this is mainly due to the fact that I knew that one day this would actually be the case, and I am looking forward to the day when you become a real part of my family.
I am writing to invite you to come and stay with me next week at Malfoy Manor, as my husband is going abroad on business for some time, and now that Lucius spends most of his time at the town house it gets rather lonely here on my own.
I do hope that your mother can spare you for the time!
Yours always
Belinda Malfoy xx
Narcissa looked up from her letter to her mother, who was thinly spreading butter over a slice of toast while scolding a yawning Bellatrix for staying out all night with Rodolphus.
"And you can do anything you like once you're married young lady and it's only a matter of months, but for now, while you're living in this house you will act with a sense of decorum."
Bellatrix was pointedly ignoring her mother, while she poured herself and Narcissa another cup of tea, deciding to intervene before her mother really launched into a tirade, Narcissa drew the attention to herself.
"Mrs Malfoy would like me to go and stay with her next week, if you can spare me."
All of Bellatrix's misdemeanours were forgotten in her joy of the news from the youngest.
"Well of course I can spare you! Going to stay with the Malfoys" she continued jabbering on, half to herself, while Bella rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"Just Belinda, mother" Narcissa pointed out, before her mother got too excited "Lucius and Mr Malfoy wont be there."
"Well I'm sure Lucius will be popping in, and I do think it's nice that you and he are on first name terms now dear."
"Well I can't call him Mr Malfoy forever, we are getting married" Narcissa completely adored her mother, however she could be tiresome, and this was one of those particular occasions.
Her mother continued on as if Narcissa hadn't even opened her mouth "Well I'm sure that young Mr Malfoy will come and visit his mother at some point, I hear he is quite devoted to her."
"Yes" Bellatrix agreed sarcastically, "He's a right little mummy's boy!"
"Bella do be quiet" Mrs Black started scolding her eldest "Lucius Malfoy is to be your brother-in-law at some point in the not-so-distant future and if you cant say anything nice I suggest you keep your mouth firmly shut."
While Mrs Black launched off into one of her tirades aimed at Bellatrix, which all of her daughters had learned to tune out by the age of eleven Narcissa turned her attention to the other letter that had arrived. It was also written in familiar handwriting, though the script was nowhere near as elegant as Mrs Malfoy's. Attached within the envelope was a small white rose, which had been shrunk to fit inside the letter.
As she read the contents with interest she sighed to herself. "Oh dear" seeing the concerned look on her mother's and sister's face she elaborated "I do think that Charles is planning to propose" she told them slumping in her chair dejectedly.