Lucius stroked his prestigious badge with a prideful smile as he took his seat at the Slytherin table.
Suddenly, his attention was diverted by a black-haired boy who whispered in his ear, "Where have you been?" The boy questioned, and Lucius couldn't resist leaning to catch a glimpse of the Gryffindor table.
"Patrols," he responded as he began to start piling his plate with food.
His gaze strayed toward the Gryffindor table, where the four boys began to cause a ruckus.
"Pathetic," he muttered under his breath, with a smirk on his face.
As if on cue, the other boy chimed in. "Is that your cousin sitting next to him?" he asked.
Lucius's expression turned sour, and he glared at Sirius Black. "Yes," he murmured through gritted teeth.
The boy continued with his questions, "Why would your cousin end up in Gryffindor of all places?"
Lucius simply shrugged. "He is a blood traitor," he said with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Since the dinner with Gwendolyn Donoghue, Lucius had kept a close eye on the four as he took note that she spent plenty of time with. While he didn't appreciate the fact that she had won their verbal spar, he did enjoy the fact that she was intelligent enough to pick up on what he had been suggesting.
He needed to come up with a plan if he wanted to convince the Donoghue Heiress to align her family with the pureblood families. Especially since he had heard from his Aunt Walburga that Sirius had failed to complete the task he had been given.
How would he go about it though?
Nobody really knew anything about the girl. Her Father kept her locked away so nobody even knew her gender until she was called for the Sorting House Ceremony. He was at a clear disadvantage. His only option was to get close to her friends but that meant interacting with half bloods and mud bloods. Which was beneath him.
"Good morning Lucius," Narcissa kisses his cheek before taking her seat beside him.
Beautiful as always, her uniform was worn perfectly without a single crease or wrinkle in it. Her stark white hair pulled up into an intricate bun.
"Good morning Cissa," he took her hand in his, kissed the back of it before letting go of it so she could eat breakfast. "Beautiful as always."
She flushed.
Mulciber gagged, "can't you flirt somewhere else?"
Lucius rolled his eyes at his friend's antics, "you could always go away."
"I was here first," he leaned over and stole his muffin off his plate. "What is your plan for the Donoghue?"
"Are you discussing Miss Donoghue?" Narcissa blinked towards the two Slytherins who nodded yes.
"I have nothing to go on to get a way in," the white haired man sighed.
"Could always ask Jack, her other cousin." Mulciber gestures to the second year who sat a ways down from them. "He might give you something."
"I already tried that," he sighed. "He refused to give anything up, claiming that it was her choice."
Narcissa quietly ate her breakfast, as she listened to Lucius and Mulciber go over ideas on how to grow closer to the Donoghue heiress. Just like every witch and wizard, she knew close to nothing about the young girl and just like them, she was curious to know her.
As though fate was playing a part, the girl they were discussing walked into the Great Hall in her pristine uniform.
Narcissa couldn't help but admire the girl's effortless poise as she made her way to her house table. She followed her with her eyes, taking a long sip of her gillyweed water, pondering on how she could help Lucius get closer to the elusive Miss Donoghue.
"She just walked in," she picked up her goblet of gillyweed water, taking a long and slow sip as her eyes followed the younger girl to her house table.
Being at Hogwarts limited her ability to search into the Donoghue clan, Narcissa knew she had to find a way to gather information about Miss Donoghue. Perhaps she could owl her eldest sister Bellatrix, who had connections all over the wizarding world. But she would have to wait until she returned from Russia. In the meantime, she had to come up with a plan.
This was important to Lucius, and in turn, important to Narcissa. She was determined to help him in any way she could.
"For now, the best plan is to just stand back and watch." Lucius stated, his eyes never leaving the Heiress who began to read one of her many textbooks as she ate pancakes.
Severus sat a few feet away from the three elder students, he didn't mean to eavesdrop but when he heard his friend's name mentioned. He couldn't help but listen in on what they were saying about his friend.
"Those gryffindors are so damn annoying," Mulciber grounded out, his gaze cutting towards the four boys who ran into the Great Hall, laughing and overall just being loud. "Fifty galleons that the sickly one will keel over by the end of the semester."
Lucius chuckled, "you're on."
The air was thick with malice as the two teenagers sneered at the scrawny boy. "That filthy little mudblood is like a pet," Mulciber pointed towards the pudgy one that followed the other three.
"Ever since they appointed the new Headmaster they have allowed nothing but filth inside this once Great and Proud school." Lucius's disdainful tone was unmistakable as he spoke of Hogwarts' newest headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. "If anything, they should have hired him as the Dark Arts Professor when he applied for it."
Severus, who was new to the wizarding world, was curious about this Voldemort character that Lucius spoke so highly of.
"Who is the Dark Lord?"
Severus hadn't meant to ask it aloud. He was fearful of what they would do to him for having been caught eavesdropping on their conversation. Even if they weren't being quiet about it all that much.
The two boys turned to him with a look of disdain, shock, and hesitation. Lucius's voice dropped to a hushed reverence as he spoke of the Dark Lord.
"He's the greatest Dark Wizard there ever was," he said, his eyes shining with admiration. "And he's only getting stronger. My parents were friends with him back in school, and they're devoted followers of his."
Before he could ask anymore questions, he watched as they suddenly shared looks. Narcissa, dabbed her mouth and with the help of Lucius stood before they all left the Great Hall.
Odd.
Severus quickly finished his breakfast, enjoying each morsel as he knew that once he was home again. He wouldn't have much, if anything to eat at all.
"OI!" James called out as they walked over, "slow down otherwise you'll choke."
He bit his tongue to stop from saying anything.
"Are you deaf? James here was speaking to you mate." Sirius chimes in this time
"POTTER!"
The four boys turned to Lily, her eyes wide with anger as she stomped towards them. Her books were completely abandoned once she made it to them.
James whistled low, "hello Evans."
She ignored the lot, and turned to Severus, "are you okay Sev?"
"Look at Snivelly with his girlfriend!" Sirius's voice rang out as they now caught the attention of everyone in the Great Hall
Chancing a glance towards his house mates, he saw them whispering, pointing and judging him from where they sat. Severus, already pissed from the sniggering of the Slytherins, turned even redder. "Shut your mouth, Black!" he growled.
"Ooh," James laughed. "Snivellus Snape is so frightening."
Sirius grinned, "my dearest apologies, Sev," he said, pointedly using the nickname Lily used for him, "we will leave you with your girlfriend." The four boys all started to gather their things and leave the Great Hall
Severus saw red for the first time. He jumped from the bench and ran full speed towards Sirius's turned back.
"Oh!" Lily cried out, "Sevvy— don't!"
The desperate tone in her voice caught James' attention, causing him to turn just in time to warn Sirius. "Oi!" Sirius!" James shouted.
Sirius turned around.
Severus jumped on top of Sirius, effectively pinning him down for the briefest of seconds. This caused all their peers to rush towards them, surrounding them in a circle, chanting "fight" over and over. Many students were already placing bets on who was to win. Their cries overpower Lily's pleas for both boys to stop.
Remus, weak from last night's full moon, looked apologetic towards the redhead. Peter stood beside him, a mix of worry and excitement as it was evident from a girl standing next to him, observing the impending fight.
Professor McGonagall rushed over, pushing past students to get to the center. Taking hold of both boys by their ears, she shoved them apart and stood between them in an attempt to stop them from having another go at one another.
"Enough of this! Fifty points will be deducted from both your houses! And detention for both of you!" she shouted, her authoritative voice resonating through the hall. Grasping them by their robes, she turned and led them out of the Great Hall.
The students dispersed, leaving Lily to gather her books alongside Severus's. James shot Remus a disapproving glance as he was pushed towards the girl.
"He'll be alright," James reassured, avoiding eye contact and instead focusing on a spot beside her head. "See you in class later."
The three boys exited the Great Hall, leaving Lily in a state of astonishment.
Severus let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration evident.
Detention with the notorious Sirius Black.
He couldn't wrap his head around how he had lost control and resorted to violence against that infuriating Gryffindor.
As he made his way down the corridor towards his next class, Potions with the esteemed Professor Slughorn, Severus couldn't help but feel a sense of relief. He had been informed by none other than Headmaster Dumbledore himself that Lily had graciously brought his books to their shared class.
With a quiet determination, Severus approached his unofficial designated seat next to the fiery-haired girl who was already engrossed in brewing the day's potion. It was none other than the Herbicide Potion, a concoction notorious for its deadly effect on plants.
"Lily, wait!" Severus called out, his determination unwavering as he pushed through the crowd, undeterred by the mocking laughter of his classmates. He finally caught up to her, gently grasping her elbow to bring her to a halt.
Unbeknownst to anyone else, Severus harbored a profound attachment to Lily. It wasn't an unhealthy obsession, but rather an intense connection that he couldn't deny.
"What do you want, Severus?" Lily asked, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
Severus winced at the sound of his full name rolling off her tongue. It always made him feel vulnerable, exposed.
"Can I talk to you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Lily clenched her jaw, contemplating his request. "Here? Now?" she questioned, unsure about the appropriateness of their current surroundings.
Without hesitation, Severus took her hand in his, guiding her away from prying eyes. He led her to a nearby classroom, knowing it would provide the solitude they needed. As they ventured further down the corridor, they discovered a flight of steps leading to a secluded spot. Severus motioned for Lily to sit beside him, assuring her that they wouldn't be disturbed.
Curiosity piqued within Lily as she glanced around the dimly lit space. It exuded an aura of mystery, with a slight dampness in the air that sent a shiver down her spine. Yet, she was willing to endure anything to have a moment alone with Severus.
She gazed up at him, her eyes filled with anticipation. "What did you want to talk about?" she inquired, her voice brimming with genuine interest.
"I don't need you to fight my battles for me," he started, choosing his words carefully. "My house isn't like yours."
Severus hadn't planned on revealing what his house truly thought of individuals like Lily. How they looked down upon his friendship with the young witch.
"You're right," she sighed. Her shoulders fell, "I wasn't really thinking, and I should have taken your feelings into consideration."
"Forgive me?" He extended his hand towards her.
Lily grinned, "I'll always forgive you."
Gathering their things, they left the dungeons and began to make their way towards the Green. Lily started talking about a girl in her house that she had grown close to. Her name was Marlene McKinnon.
Severus frowned, "She's a mudblood," he said.
"A what?" Lily looked confused.
Severus hesitated. "It... it means she's half-blood."
"Well so are you," Lily laughed.
Severus scowled. "I may be half-blood, but I'm the Half-Blood Prince," he explained, "And that's an important distinction. Besides, I disowned my father ages ago."
"Well, you are still a half-blood. You can't change what you are just by coming up with fancy titles and wishing your father away," Lily said sternly.
"Besides, what does it matter what sort of blood you are?"
Severus didn't want to delve into the whole pure-blood/half-blood/muggle-born discussion with Lily, mainly because he didn't want to explain to her that his family, who only barely tolerated him now, would completely disown him if they knew the things he felt about her - a muggle-born.
Blood traitor, they would call him. He looked into Lily's eyes and knew that one day he would have to tell her about it all, if he planned to be with her for the rest of his life as he did, but that day did not have to be today.
"You're right," he said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say anything nasty about your friend."
"Thank you," she replied
Narcissa's smile radiated as she sat on the Green, donning elegant attire in shades of black and silver. Lucius, Mulciber, and Antonin Dolohov playfully roughhoused nearby, their antics providing a moment of respite. Their return to the Castle followed a delightful visit to Hogsmeade.
Excitement coursed through Narcissa as she received a package from her mother. Inside lay her meticulously chosen winter collection, a vital ensemble for the upcoming winter balls. These grand occasions were not just mere gatherings; they were opportunities for her pictures to be taken and showcased to the entire wizarding community.
As the youngest sister of the esteemed Black family, Narcissa was accustomed to being in the spotlight. However, since she started dating Lucius Malfoy, the heir and prince of the Pureblood families, the scrutiny upon her intensified. Every action, word, and outfit choice faced relentless examination.
Narcissa understood the weight of her reputation and the importance of upholding it. She embraced the challenge with grace and determination.
As she cast a quick glance to the side, her eyes caught a glimpse of strikingly white hair in her peripheral vision. Curiosity piqued, she silently pivoted her head to fully observe the scene unfolding before her. The Heiress was engaged in conversation with Pandora Rosier, a fellow pureblood, their animated discussion accompanied by the flipping of pages in their open books. Seated on a cozy blanket, the two girls exchanged smiles, their faces radiating genuine joy in each other's company.
It had been an excruciatingly long week since Lucius and Mulciber last discussed their secret strategy involving the young and influential Donoghue. The stakes were high, especially considering the imminent events that were about to unfold.
Narcissa's gaze shifted towards Lucius, her beloved and adored boyfriend. Despite having been childhood friends, she couldn't help but feel amazed that he had chosen her to be his girlfriend. It puzzled her, considering he had other options like her elder sisters Bellatrix and Andromeda, or even the captivating Greengrass sisters, Genevieve and Florence. These girls possessed their own allure, being tall, slender, with blonde locks, mesmerizing blue eyes, and flawless smiles. They could be veela.
To deny her jealousy towards her sisters and the Greengrass girls would be a lie. They were all naturally beautiful, charismatic, and intelligent. It seemed effortless for them, whereas Narcissa was always acutely aware of every interaction, constantly striving to stay at the top of their class, and spending hours meticulously deciding what to wear and how to apply her makeup.
The constant pressure was exhausting.
Jealousy consumed her.
She even envied Gwendolyn, the Donoghue Heiress, who lived a life detached from the wizarding world. She had the freedom to pursue happiness and do as she pleased, regardless of the opinions of pureblood families. For instance, Narcissa recalled an interaction with her younger cousin, considered a "blood traitor" by their kin. It didn't matter what it meant to the pureblood families; she was able to follow her heart and its whims.
Closing her eyes, she used Occlumency to stuff down her jealousy that she felt along with the helplessness and insecurity.
"Snap!" The sound abruptly shattered her daydreams, causing her to snap back to reality. Her sister stood before her, donning a mischievous grin and peering down at her.
"Dromeda," she greeted warmly, her smile radiating affection. "I had no idea you were here. Where have you been?"
A blush tinted her cheeks as she confessed, "Hogsmeade."
Narcissa's expression soured, concern etching her features. "Drom, you know how risky that is. You shouldn't have gone—"
A frown twisted Andromeda's face as she interrupted, determination in her voice. "I know exactly what I'm doing."
Her blonde sister clenched her jaw, her tone laced with worry. "What you're doing will only lead to you being ostracized, just like our rebellious cousin, Sirius. He is muggleborn," she whispered, her eyes darting around cautiously. "If our parents find out, you'll be cast out too."
Andromeda bit her cheek, the anguish evident. "We're just friends."
They locked eyes in a tense silence, Narcissa eventually turning her attention back to the girl they had been observing earlier. She motioned with her hand, breaking the silence.
"Lucius has mentioned inviting her to the Malfoy Winter Solstice Ball during our break," she revealed.
"What are your thoughts?"
"I support whatever he decides," came the response, though uncertainty lingered in her voice. Did she truly mean it?
Andromeda nodded curtly, her words laced with disappointment. "I see."
Both sisters fixed their gaze on the girls before them, a charged silence enveloping them. Finally, Andromeda broke it.
"Have you written to Bella?"
"I believe she's still in Russia," Narcissa replied, her tone tinged with uncertainty.
Andromeda watched as her youngest sister gazed at Lucius with adoration. Disappointed and concerned, she turned her back and walked towards the castle.