I think this is probably the quickest I have ever updated this story :) Narcissa!muse demanded her say and this chapter practically wrote itself.
Narcissa Black was a woman on a mission, several missions in fact, but the major one was to oust Miss Weasley from Lord Potter-Black's side. The young witch had proven already by her public actions that she was not fit to be placed at the side of the Lord of her Birth House. The public shame she would bring on the Potter and Black families through her ignorance of the traditions of their culture and by her astoundingly poor manners would be astronomical. Narcissa was not prepared for such a thing to happen, not when it would reflect badly not just on the Head of House, but the other members of the family as well. She had worked hard to gain her position as one of the Matriarchs of their society and had worked even harder to keep her position despite her divorce, she was not prepared to allow a Weasley to undo all her hard work. Not just that, but Weasley's behaviour could also affect Draco and his prospects, she wasn't allow the little girl to ruin any of her sons' chances at anything.
With those thoughts in mind she had arrived at the Ministry Ballroom with a set plan of action in mind, abandoning Markus almost as soon as they arrived she made her way into the room and located several of the other Matriarchs. Once they were grouped together and having exchanged the standard pleasantries they began to discuss the most recent happenings, and catching up on what each other had been doing. Narcissa had managed to steer the conversation masterfully round to Miss Weasley's unacceptable actions during the last ball without appearing to be malicious at all. She had simply mentioned how she had taken on the task of teaching all the female children over the age of five at the orphanage etiquette as it would be completely unacceptable to allow the children to have to stumble through society as their parents were no longer able to guide them. The other Matriarchs had agreed with her thoughts on the matter and praised her on the actions she had taken, devoting her time to the British orphans when she was now living in France. Someone else in the group had brought up the consequences of children being raised without proper etiquette training or manners and that was how Miss Weasley's deplorable behaviour came up as a topic of conversation.
Speculation about her behaviour and actions at this ball was high, and the Matriarchs were all in agreement that the girl had a lot to learn and her behaviour would need to be corrected and apologies made for her actions before they would even think to accept her into society. Madame Longbottom then made the comparison between the Weasley girl who had been raised in their society and the muggleborn Granger who had only entered the wizarding world after the age of eleven. Granger had in her later years come to learn and respect the traditions of the wizarding world, and had always had knowledge of some of the etiquette of their society. Her manners had always been mostly impeccable, Severus had always complained about her frantic hand waving to get attention in class, and she had been almost completely accepted into society when she began to practice their traditions, she would be fully accepted once she became part of one of the families of society.
Many believed that would be when she bonded, there were despite what some would believe quite a few different Heirs vying to be the one to gain her hand, however if Narcissa was reading the situation right, or rather her outfit, she was already part of two of the families. Lord Potter-Black was a bit of a mystery to many, but it was obvious to all how much he valued his friendship with Granger, but from what Narcissa could see it was much more than that. Granger was wearing a silver dress, one of the Potter colours, but she also had two rings on her fingers, one of which Narcissa recognised immediately, an identical one adorned one of her own fingers, and she had one of the Black families most coveted jewels around her neck. Hermione Granger was now Hermione Potter-Black, most likely through a sibling bonding or an adoption ritual into the families. She wasn't sure how, but she did know that the other woman was now family and she nodded to her and smiled in acknowledgement of the fact when the other woman looked up from her conversation with Lord Longbottom.
Like the other Matriarchs Narcissa was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lord Potter-Black and Miss Weasley, although none of them allowed the anticipation to show on their face, but they were all surreptitiously watching the entrance for their arrival. When they did appear Narcissa made sure that none of the horror at the Weasley girls outfit choice showed on her face, looking around the other Matriarchs she could see a similar stone faced look that appeared on her face looking back at her from nearly all the other women. The Matriarchs were all aware of Lord Potter-Black's increased awareness of and compliance with the traditions of the wizarding world and knew that he would have announced any impending bonding as was the respectful thing to do. It meant that no-one unintentionally intruded upon a relationship of a committed nature by attempting to send a courting request or anything similar.
The fact that no such announcement had been made, but Miss Weasley was wearing Potter colours whilst accompanying Lord Potter-Black was a deplorable thing and made her look to be a gold digging witch who was seeking to trap a Lord. Narcissa moved forward, leaving the group of Matriarchs with a polite excusal and making her way straight for the Lord of her Birth House intending to help show the rest of society that Miss Weasley had ideas above her station and get her Lords approval for her own future bonding.
After greeting her Lord and securing his approval to speak on a family matter despite the venue she took her leave of him to collect both Lucius and Markus for their discussion. Catching the look that the female Potter-Black threw in her direction she inclined her head and smiled, indicating that it was acceptable that she join them for their conversation. She smiled as the young woman joined her brother and continued on her way to extract Lucius and Markus from the groups they were conversing in.
When they returned to the area of the ballroom that her Lord had moved to it was to the sound of Miss Weasley complaining that they were just standing about waiting on a Malfoy when she wanted to mingle with respectable people. Narcissa didn't allow the smile she wanted to smile to show on her face, but if she had it would have put a shark to shame, instead a small polite smile crossed her lips. Lucius and Markus' faces were impassive behind her, both having no doubt heard Miss Weasley's words as well.
Narcissa smiled towards her Lord before addressing the Weasley before making any introductions. "Miss Weasley, if you could please excuse us, but this is a family matter, we shouldn't be too long, perhaps you could go and make the acquaintance of some of those you are longing to meet."
Narcissa knew that Weasley would get a frosty reaction from many of the people in the ballroom, especially on her own. The people who were anyone in society wouldn't give her the time of day without Lord Potter-Black with her. She also knew that she would have upset her by asking her to leave, knowing that she felt she was important enough to be at her Lord's side, regardless of what the conversation was about. As Narcissa had predicted the girl had the audacity to try and complain and whine to be allowed to stay for the conversation, and then tried to insist that Hermione go with her then.
Narcissa put an end to that very quickly, with a warm smile in the direction of the muggleborn so that she knew her frosty tone was not aimed at her. "Miss Weasley, this is a family discussion and as such you have no right to stay. Heiress Potter-Black may stay if she wishes, and I would ask that she does as I wish to make the acquaintance of my new cousin."
Narcissa enjoyed the spluttering of the Weasley chit before she finally stomped off and she could feel the eyes of many of the other attendees of the ball on them. She knew that they had heard her words, and many of them, the young unbounded males in particular, were looking at her cousin in a new light, and she knew without doubt that there would be at least a few more males who would also by trying to gain her hand within the next couple of weeks. She would love to see their faces when they realised that they would have to go up against Lord Potter-Black for his approval on the match.
Once Weasley had stormed off Narcissa looked to Markus who nodded and raised a silencing ward around their group, stopping the rest of the attendees from hearing their conversation. While she didn't mind the others in the ballroom listening to her attempting to teach the youngest Weasley some manners, she didn't want them to be listening in on family business.
"Lord Potter-Black, Heiress Potter-Black, I would like to formally introduce you to my ex-husband and father of my child Lord Lucius Malfoy, and to my fiancé Lord Markus Evreux of France." Narcissa did the introductions and waited while some small talk and pleasant conversation was made before getting to the heart of the matter.
"Lord Malfoy has been acting on my behalf in the contract negotiations with Lord Evreux for my hand, however now that you have accepted your Lordships my Lord you will need to give your approval of the contract before we can proceed." Narcissa explained. "I was wondering if it would be acceptable to you to meet for a family brunch tomorrow in order to go through the contract and get to know one another better."
"I am sure it will be acceptable to Lord Malfoy for you to arrive at Malfoy Manor for 11am." Narcissa stated, looking towards Lucius, who did nothing but nod his acceptance. She knew that he would agree with her, he knew it was safer to do so, but he would also get to spend more time with Potter-Black.
Both Lord Potter-Black and his Heiress agreed to brunch and they moved onto other topics, removing the silencing ward, but continuing to converse until dinner was announced. Narcissa watched as an impassive mask settled on Lord Potter-Black's face as Miss Weasley appeared at his side again. Thankfully for him it was a Ministry Ball and not a Pureblood one, at least this meal would only consist of three courses and he would also have his sister sat with him to carry a conversation.
Watching as the youngest Weasley fumbled her way through choosing her meal and then getting the utensils wrong Narcissa smiled inwardly, her work was done for the evening, Weasley would do enough damage on her own. Narcissa intended to enjoy her meal, the company of her fiancé and the show that the young Weasley was putting on. She would continue the work to remove the Weasley tomorrow when she had her Lord at Lucius' manor, a few well placed words would help with her Lord's doubts about the girl that were already forming.