"As we all know, the Black family is one of the most respected pureblood families in Britain. After my second daughter's questionable choices, our family has suffered disgrace," Cygnus Black said, his voice crisp and polished, betraying no hint of emotion.

"I concur entirely. It's rather unexpected to find someone of the esteemed lineage of the Black family entertaining such notions. The shame of it all, Cygnus," remarked Abraxas Malfoy, his voice devoid of any inflexion, each word carefully measured.

"It can only seem fitting for Narcissa to be married to in one of the 'Sacred 28'. The first young man I thought of was your son; Lucius," said Cygnus, causing Narcissa to interlock her fingers until they turned white. Adrenaline rushed through her veins and she despised it.

"Yes, of course, Lucius is one true gentleman. The Malfoy and the Black family ties could become very powerful. It may also rebuild the grace of the Black family that was once broken by your middle daughter. I presume that both of our children agree to this?" inquired Abraxas, this time his blond eyebrow arched high.

What am I supposed to do? I clearly am not happy with this union, but I have to agree or . . . She meekly glanced over at her mother, who was seated with pride and regal haughtiness. Druella tilted her ghostly white chin higher and narrowed her eyes, conveying a silent command. Narcissa knew what this meant,

"I- I suppose maybe..." she blurted out but she was swiftly cut off by Lucius,

"I agree. I do think it simply is an honour to have any relations with your family, Mr. Black," Lucius said in a drawling voice, with a glazed expression, and for a split second, glimpsed at Narcissa with those electric silver eyes, causing her heart to skip a beat.

He should really stop being so intimidating. She recalled the rumours of his strictness during their time at Hogwarts. Now he was to be her husband. Just the thought of it made her shift uncomfortably in her chair.

"Very well. The wedding will not be held immediately, which means you will have enough time to get to know each other better," Cygnus declared.

Narcissa slumped her shoulders down and felt her fingertips warm up again. A hint of a smile played over her thin lips. Thank Merlin the wedding won't be soon!

"Why don't you show Lucius around the manor? We recently installed a new fountain in the rose garden. Maybe he would like to see that," said Druella, beaming. But her eyes urged Narcissa to leave the guest room.

"Yes, Mother," said Narcissa. Her legs were still quite numb from all that anxiety and sitting and she swayed a little bit, she slowly walked to the door, hoping Lucius to not follow. After she felt no one behind her, she squeaked the giant doors shut and ambled away from them, triumphant. So, she was going to play hostess for Prince Lucius. She turned behind, but he was not there. She relaxed her chest a bit and a smirk tugged from the corners of her lips.

As she felt the cold marble handrail, a deep voice echoed through the staircase,

"Is this the way to the gardens," Narcissa felt her heart in her mouth, and she turned back. Lucius was standing at the bottom of the first riser.

"Yes, I just heard a creak, wanted to see where it came from. Sorry. Let's go shall we?" she said hurriedly climbing down inwardly cursing the man looking at her.

Lucius offered his arm, and with a reluctant glance, she took it. Flowy silk robes brushed against her fingers. The weight of his presence loomed over her and a shiver went down her spine. This was someone completely different from all she had heard of his past behaviour. Was he really being chivalrous or was it something more beneath the surface?

"I've heard that your family has admirably beautiful gardens," he started, as they slowly walked across the opulent halls of the manor.

"Yes, the gardens a truly a sight of beauty," she replied, her grip tightened around his arm. Lucius was the man she was destined to wed but she hardly knew him past his reputation. She tried to muster some enthusiasm, but her heart yearned for a connection she had yet to find.

As they strolled past the grandiose estate, adorned with ruby red roses, their eyes were met with a stunning marble fountain at the centre of the courtyard, streams upon streams of water shimmered against the autumn sun, sculptures that felt like they would cost a few thousand galleons just to lay eyes upon,

"Impressive isn't it?" Narcissa smiled, trying to gesture the centrepiece of the garden.

Lucius' silver gaze scanned the scene before him, his face not showing any amusement,

"Yes quite lovely," he said dryly, not showing any signs of genuine appreciation, "However, I must tell you, the Malfoy Manor has wonders that even surpass this splendor,"

Narcissa felt a pang of disappointment. A moment ago he was being such a gentleman, and now he had the audacity to speak about her property as if it were dust. The nerve of him!

She forced a polite smile, "Yes, I have heard about your gardens, I believe the Malfoy Manor is positively breathtaking," she hinted a bit of sarcasm,

As they kept looking at the fountain, she found herself drifting in her thoughts. She had hoped for someone who would make her smile, who would understand her, who would like her for who she was beyond her wealth and blood. The cascade of water reflected her azure eyes, filled with forced joy, sadness etched in them and hollow inside.

"Ahem, Black?" Lucius' voice snapped her back to reality,

"Sorry, Malfoy," she apologised,

"Well . . . as I was saying, it's time for me to leave. It is a custom for the Malfoy men to present their brides a gift on their first meeting after their wedding declaration. So," he dug his hand beneath his robes and held out a blue box.

Narcissa was shocked, she hadn't been expecting any presents from him, she carefully took it, her fingers brushed against the ribbon admiring the perfect bow-knot,

"Thank you Malfoy, you really didn't have to do this," she sounded grateful and genuine.

His dry face brightened just a little. Was that a faint smile she saw?

"It was nothing, really. Well, goodbye now," he said taking her right hand and brushing his lips against her knuckles. She froze. He bowed one last time and left her, all alone, in the gentle breeze mingled with the pleasant smell of roses, letting her mixed emotions slowly start processing in her brain.

The night fell soon, and Narcissa found herself back in her bedroom, recalling all the things from today and trying to understand each one carefully, her gaze then flickered to the blue box Lucius had given her. She reached for it and opened it. Her eyes widened at the beauty of a tiny shimmering pendant hanging from a silver chain. Each diamond perfectly cut and roared celestial beauty,

"It's the Draco constellation," she did not help but whisper to herself. She then traced a note at the bottom. She unfolded the parchment and beheld the neat curves of his handwriting,

Dear Narcissa,

The pendant signifies Dragon Ladon, the one who guarded goddess Hera's garden of Hesperdies. This is to remind you that I'll always protect you and keep you away from all harm,

Yours truly,

LM.

As she read it, she was silently smiling. This made her feel a bit better.

She held the pendant near to her heart and sighed out of sheer hope. Maybe her fate wasn't as cruel as she thought it was.