Narcissa smiled to herself as she stood beside the large double doors that led into the Entrance Hall of Hogwarts. Today was her first date with someone and she could not help but wonder what it would be like.
As expected of a proper pureblood heiress, she had put herself up very nicely. A dark blue wizarding dress reached below her knees and she had worn an expensive cream coat to stave off the chill of the approaching winter of Northern Scotland. Even if it was not snowing yet, the cold was palpable. She had let her blonde hair flow down her back in intricate waves but she did put a small cream woollen cap on her head that complimented her coat quite nicely.
The biggest sense of refreshment was that she no longer had to put up with someone who was more pretentious and snobbish than anyone she had ever met, not to mention disgusting. Lucius Malfoy liked to believe he was this sophisticated heir of a pureblood house but the truth couldn't be any different.
She was happy that she was going out with someone who would genuinely appreciate both her and her beauty and not only consider her a pretty arm candy to show off to his associates.
As if knowing she was thinking about him, the man of her desires walked down the stairs toward her and she gave him a blinding smile. Without caring about who might be watching or what they might say, she beamingly wrapped her arms around his and pushed herself flush against his side, grinning up at him.
Harry was only a bit surprised at her exuberant greeting, which was saying a lot considering they were in plain view of most of the Hogwarts populace that was also on its way to Hogsmeade. As expected, hushed whispers broke out amongst the students as they glanced or pointed at them.
He ignored it all and smiled at the blonde he was infatuated with, taking her hands and dropping a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"You look lovely," he complimented.
Narcissa preened, happy that he looked as elated to see her as she was.
"And you as well, very lovely," she teased, taking in the soft rose patterns running over the front of his black jacket. Harry noticed and chuckled.
"Should we get going then?" He asked. Narcissa's response was to nod.
Together, they walked out of the Entrance Hall toward the numerous carriages that would be taking them to the village. Harry made sure to roll his eyes when his Gryffindor friends raised a mocking toast or swooned dramatically as he walked with her. However, it was the sight of Bellatrix that made him do a double take.
She was standing by herself near one of the carriages with a soft smile etched on her face. What surprised him though was the look of utter happiness on her face as she looked at them. She looked utterly content with her gray eyes twinkling much like Dumbledore's.
'She truly loves her sister, doesn't she?' He thought to himself, smiling. Catching her eyes, he nodded at her.
Bellatrix simply grinned and walked away. Her sister was in good hands.
-Break-
Lucius Malfoy seethed to himself as he stared at the blonde bitch clinging on to that bastard Peverell like a cheap whore from one of those brothels in Knockturn. He had been in an exceptionally foul mood ever since he had received that accursed letter from his father and for good reason.
A scolding would have been preferred to the cold disappointment his letter carried.
Lucius had never disappointed his father, always striving to live up to his expectations. He believed he had always presented himself befitting his station as the proud heir of the Malfoys and for his father to express his disappointment in him hurt more than he wanted to admit.
Adding to that was the humiliation he had been subjected to by both Peverell and that bitch. The entire school had noticed Narcissa sitting with him for meals and as expected, the rumors had run wild. It all worked just the way he had expected, only for it all to vanish in a puff of smoke with poison added to it as now he was subjected to curious and dare he say sneering stares from those lowlives who had nothing better to do with their lives than to gossip about what happened with their betters.
Peverell had dared to take his property from him, and for that, he would suffer. If his property got a bit… damaged in the process, then it was not that much of a loss either. He had no interest in her anymore anyway. She was nothing more than an object of his vengeance and possibly a tool to exact that vengeance on Peverell as well.
"Let's go," Rudolphus snarled. He had not missed the look that bastard Peverell had exchanged with Bellatrix either. The bastard sure was greedy. First, he went after Lucius' bitch and now he had the audacity to try and charm the other twin as well. He was livid at the fact that the lowlife had dared to try and steal something that belonged to Lucius, but for him to have his eye on his bitch as well… No. That won't do. Lucius might have gotten a bit late with this revenge of his and lost his bitch as a result, but he had no intention of letting it go far in the first place.
It was better to just get it done with, as he always did whenever he found himself in bed with an ugly whore.
He walked alongside Lucius, and the rest of their group followed suit. They had a plan in place. It would end today.
"That asshole has stepped too far," he hissed as they climbed into a carriage with Lucius, his brother, Yaxley, Rookwood, and Macnair. His cold eyes regarded Lucius who was still gritting his teeth in rage.
"He has to die," the blonde stated succinctly. "And I'll make sure it happens today."
"You truly think this madness will work then?" Yaxley asked searchingly.
Lucius turned to glare at the young man who stared back evenly.
"No matter what his family name is or how good of a student he might be, he is nothing in front of them," he replied. "A Hogwarts student having the ability to escape some of the best those dogs have to offer? Give me a break."
And that was the plan they had come up with.
They would have contracted Greyback himself but he was not in the country. Thus, they had to resort to several others who although not as elite as Greyback and his pack were more than enough to take care of this little pest they had troubling them.
Peverell had to die. Simply being turned was also not good enough.
"What about Black?" Yaxley asked again. "You know the Blacks won't rest easy if something happens to her."
Lucius sneered.
"Those mutts can have her if they want," he hissed hatefully. "And what happens between them and those Blacks is none of our concern. They're filthy beasts anyway. Disposable once they've served their purpose."
Everyone stared at Lucius and his hateful visage.
-Break-
"This one is private enough," Narcissa smiled as she led him over to a table away from the windows. Harry chuckled and let her drag him over.
The Three Broomsticks was quite crowded so expecting absolute privacy was a fool's endeavor anyway. This was the best they were going to get.
As expected, they got several intrusive looks from the usual Hogwarts crowd and even a few patrons who easily recognized Narcissa. No one said anything outright or approached them though – something they were grateful about. Yet, the looks did feel a bit unnerving.
"I guess I should've arranged for a picnic somewhere," Harry muttered.
"Oh shut it," Narcissa chuckled. "A Hogsmeade visit is incomplete without a nice little visit to this pub."
"And Honeydukes as well. Why, I remember someone stuffing their moleskin pouch with as many varieties of goods as possible," he teased. Narcissa gave him a firm kick under the table for his cheek, making him wince.
"Serves you well," she muttered.
Their date had gone splendidly in Harry's opinion. They had secured an entire carriage for themselves and Narcissa had wasted no time as she cuddled up to him. She was one clingy woman, he had discovered.
The day had also been entirely uneventful if he didn't count the usual stares they got. Hogsmeade might be an exciting getaway from the monotonous life at Hogwarts but it was by no means an exciting place in its own right. A few stores scattered about the village and that was it. At least there was quite a scenery to go for it, he assumed. They had put it all on hold though, instead spending the first segment of their date around the town, frequenting whichever shop caught their fancy.
Narcissa had been particularly keen to visit Honeydukes, and that was their first destination. Harry could have never guessed how much she would buy, and it was a lot. More than he had expected, that was for sure.
Stocking up on their stationery from Scrivenshaft's was followed by a quick visit to the Quality Quidditch Supplies' little outlet where Harry got his new broom sorted out properly. It was no Nimbus or even a Firebolt but it was the best he could get in this time.
It did give him an idea though. Although he did not lack money, he could go ahead and launch a broom company. He knew there was a lot of money in the industry and he did have intimate knowledge of flying broomsticks. He decided to think up on it at a later date. For now, he wanted to enjoy the day with the lovely girl who had her arms wrapped around his.
She looked the happiest he had ever seen her, and that didn't fail to make him feel elated, both for her and for himself. He was happy to save her from the hell that a marriage with Lucius would have surely been. However, his little selfish interest in her – one that wanted her to be his – was all but realized. The talk with Arcturus would indeed be jarring but he was sure they could get it sorted out.
They had only given Zonko's a cursory glance, having already spotted the Prewett twins inside the store. Harry was sure they would be causing even more mayhem in the coming weeks and he was particularly looking forward to what they did to their dear esteemed Defense professor this time. Knowing them, it was sure to be a banger.
They did encounter Bellatrix when they were passing Gladrags. She was happily trying out a few items on display and yet again, Harry was slightly taken aback at how carefree she seemed. Looking at her, no one could have been able to tell that she would probably one day grow up to be a murdering maniac who would terrify witches and wizards across Britain.
Harry knew she was not the same person, and the more he learned about her, the more he realized that she was not even remotely the same person. Sure, she did have a mean streak about her but he had discovered that she was a very genuine person at heart. She was also a lot more outspoken and straightforward with whatever she wanted to say, as evident by the little stunt she had pulled with him that one morning.
He must have been thinking about it too hard as he jerked slightly when Narcissa took his hand on the table. The blonde pulled her hand back in surprise.
"Merlin you scared me!" She chuckled as she calmed herself down.
"Sorry," Harry replied sheepishly. "Was just thinking about something."
Narcissa nodded and looked around. She smiled when she spotted Madam Rosemerta coming over.
"Hogsmeade weekends are both an opportunity and a headache," she smiled. "Now, you two lovebirds, what can I get you?"
"Can I get a butterbeer, please?" Narcissa smiled.
"Make that two," Harry added. Rosemerta nodded and smiling, she walked away. Harry made sure not to let his eyes stray away for even a second, both while she had been facing them and when she was walking away. He knew she was a stunning woman and probably every Hogwarts lad's wet dream. However, he had no intention of slipping today. That was a sure-shot way of sabotaging his date with this lovely witch.
Their order arrived in no time.
"Here you go, a butterbeer each," Rosemerta said as she set their glasses on the table. "Will there be anything else?"
"We'll tell you should we need anything," Narcissa replied smoothly as Harry set their respective glasses in front of them.
The buxom blonde nodded and walked away. The moment she did, Narcissa put up a privacy ward around them.
"Well, I must say you've shown much restraint than I'd expected," she remarked mirthfully.
"Hmm? What about?" Harry asked curiously. Narcissa merely gave him a look as if saying 'I really need tell you?' before she gestured toward Rosemerta who was being ogled by most of the male contingent.
Harry looked over and immediately looked away.
"Well, I have something much pleasant to look at right here," he replied smoothly.
"Something, is it?" Narcissa asked pointedly, an eyebrow raised.
"Someone, I mean," Harry corrected hastily.
The blonde stared at him calculatingly for a moment before she let out a giggle.
"Relax, Harry. I'm just fucking with you," she chortled. Harry's eyes widened.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing," Harry shook his head. "Just… it's different to see you like this."
"Like what?"
"This open and carefree, I guess. Also with no filter, I guess."
"Oh," Narcissa chuckled. "Well, one of my quirks, I think."
"Quite a contrast to the prim and proper daughter of the Blacks, don't you think?" Harry chuckled.
Narcissa giggled.
They drank, eyeing each other mirthfully. Narcissa put the glass on the table and rubbed her fingers over his. Smiling, Harry turned his hand over and let her intertwine their fingers.
"I've had a great time so far, Harry," Narcissa said, smiling. "I've never been on a date before so all I had to go on was what I'd heard. I must say, this has been that and more."
"We've not done anything much yet though," Harry replied.
"Doesn't matter," she shook her head, smiling. "The company's been very pleasing, if I'm honest."
"Well, I try," Harry said snobbishly, making her pinch his palm.
"No need to get a big head. It just means you got to up your game the next time we go out," she replied.
"So there will be a next time, eh?" He teased.
Narcissa simply gave him a deadpan look.
"Harry," she said. "I'm thinking of marrying you and here you are, teasing me about a second date? Seriously?"
Harry smiled at her lovingly as he caressed her palm with his thumb.
"I always thought I would have a political marriage," she began. "I'd long given up on finding something special. The family situation didn't help matters either. I will admit though that I held out some hope that something might develop between us when I got to know you for the first time."
Harry smiled and let her continue.
"I'd felt a spark, I guess. It might sound cliché but it was attraction at first sight and I could not help but wonder. Even when you revealed that you were a half-blood, I remained hopeful that something might happen. However, Father's letter made it all impossible, at least for the little while until you took care of it all," she chuckled.
"I just couldn't let you go away like that," he replied truthfully.
"You must think I'm such a silly person to just let it all go so easily," she said self-depreciatingly. "I know we never talked about it all but I guess we both knew about each other's feelings. Tell me honestly, how disappointed were you with me when you got to know I wasn't doing anything and was simply going ahead with what Father told me to do?"
Harry sighed.
"It did feel slightly disappointing, I won't lie," he admitted, making her bite her lip softly. He lifted her chin when she looked down.
"Sorry I couldn't be more daring," she whispered.
Harry shook his head with a small smile.
"I never held you guilty at all though," he said. "Believe it or not, I knew how much pressure you were in. We were mere acquaintances, Cissa. It would be very foolish of me to expect you to choose me over your family, especially considering the stakes here. Truthfully, the fact that you were ready to cast your happiness aside for the sake of your family made me admire you even more."
Narcissa remained silent as she drank her butterbeer to distract herself.
"Anyways, is there any need to think about all this?" he asked. "We're here, together, and once things get sorted out with your grandfather we can finally start preparing for what's up ahead for us."
Narcissa chuckled and nodded.
"I'm not getting married until we're well settled into our respective careers though, so keep that in mind, mister," she wiggled a finger at him. Harry chuckled and nodded.
"Completely understandable and I have no issues with it. I'm not like those snobs who feel so insecure that they don't let their wives realize their dreams. You have full right to do whatever you feel like doing and you better believe that you'll have my full support," he replied.
"Good to know," she smiled. What he had just said meant more than he could even realize.
-Break-
Once they were done downstairs, they got up and approached Rosemerta who was tending to the counter.
"Ah, yes. He is already upstairs. Come, I'll show you," she told them.
Narcissa exchanged a look with Harry who nodded. They linked arms and followed behind the woman who led them upstairs where the private rooms were situated.
"Here you are," she said. "Call me should you need anything else."
Harry nodded. The woman walked away.
"Alright then. Let's get this over with," he said to Narcissa who smiled. He knocked on the door and entered, arm in arm with the daughter of the man he was supposed to meet.
Cygnus Black looked the same as he did when they'd first met. Unassuming and respectful as he stood to greet him.
"Lord Peverell, an honor to meet you again," the man greeted.
Harry nodded politely and helped Narcissa into her seat before the two men took their seats as well.
Cygnus looked at his daughter and the young lord she was sitting with. He had not failed to notice how happy his daughter looked and he asked himself once again what he had been thinking when he had decided to agree to a betrothal between her and Lucius Malfoy.
Not for the first time, he felt unsurmountable guilt at having subjected his daughter to so much pressure that she got ready to put her happiness aside just for the sake of him.
"Father," Narcissa smiled. Cygnus felt a lump in his throat and he coughed to bring his emotions under control.
"Narcissa," he nodded solemnly. "First of all, please forgive me for everything I put you through. You never deserved any of it."
"Father…" Narcissa whispered.
"Even though unknowingly, I heaped my problems on you and forced you to do something you never wanted. Believe me, Narcissa, I never intended to do something like that to you and I truly apologize for it."
"Father," Narcissa sighed. "You don't have to apologize. I understand why you had to do it."
"It doesn't mean what I put you through was right."
"No it doesn't," Harry replied in Narcissa's stead, earning their attention. "Apologies for speaking out of place, Mr. Black, but you are indeed correct that you unknowingly put Narcissa through it. However, it's all in the past. Believe me, your reasons are perfectly understandable, even though I do not agree with them. Perhaps it is because I have a more liberal outlook toward life, but I'd like to tell you something if I may."
Surprised, Cygnus Black nodded. Harry smiled sadly.
"I believe the day purebloods stopped seeing their children as tools to further their standing, it would usher in a new era which all witches and wizards would be grateful for. Your intentions might have been pure, which I believe they were, but in the end, your true goal was to regain the prestige your branch of the family lost because your daughter followed her heart over what her family chose for her. Now, I don't want to tell you how you should treat her but perhaps one instance should serve as a lesson that we should not repeat the same mistakes."
Cygnus Black's first reaction was one of agitation but he resisted, instead choosing to run the young lord's words around in his mind and he found, to his utter shame, that he had indeed done what he had just been accused of. One look at his daughter's face told him just how wrong he had been.
"Father," Narcissa smiled gently. "I know you have realized everything by now. Please believe me, I hold no ill will or grudge toward you. Circumstances forced us to act a certain way. Can we do what Harry said? Take it as a lesson and move on so we never repeat these mistakes again?"
Cygnus Black released a deep breath and gave his daughter a rueful smile.
"I believe we can," he replied.
Looking over at Lord Peverell, he asked, "I believe we have a few things to talk about, my lord."
Harry nodded, straightening himself in his seat. He felt Narcissa take his hand under the table and he squeezed reassuringly.
"I shall be blunt, Mr. Black," Harry said in the best lordly voice he could muster. "Your daughter and I love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together. I intend to have a formal meeting with Lord Black upon his return to Britain regarding a possible betrothal between the houses of Peverell and Black. Now, as I recall from the letter I received from you, you have no problem with a match between Narcissa and I."
Cygnus nodded.
"It would indeed be an honor to have my daughter become the lady of House Peverell one day. And as I told you, the Blacks might not be pureblood supremacists as a whole but we do put a lot of value in the notion of purity of blood. I do not mean this as an offense, but with you being a half-blood, it would take a lot to get Lord Black to agree. This would be an unprecedented step indeed."
"Your eldest married a muggleborn. I don't believe it is as unprecedented as you are making it out to be," Harry replied promptly in a firm voice.
Cygnus pursed his lips.
"And she was banished from the family for it."
"Change has to begin somewhere," Harry retorted. Sighing, he gazed at the man. "I do not mean any quarrel, but this notion of blood purity is something I don't agree with. There have been so many theories regarding how practicing blood purity diminishes magical ability instead of improving it."
"None are proven theories, Lord Peverell."
Because they've not been allowed to be proven or even accepted," Harry sighed. "My house's reputation is well-known, Mr. Black. Believe me when I say that the Peverells have more than enough proof to establish how detrimental continued inbreeding can be to both the magical folk and the muggles alike. I agree that marrying into other pureblood families is a much better option than marrying cousins, but for how long? The number of pureblood families is limited. You are bound to run out of safe options sooner or later."
"Harry," Narcissa squeezed his hand. "I think this is a discussion better had with Lord Black."
Harry glanced at her and sighed.
"Forgive me, Mr. Black. I seemed to have lost myself into the topic."
Cygnus Black nodded.
"No apologies needed, my lord. I truly wish you would be able to reach an agreement with Lord Black. I can see my daughter is truly happy with you and the last thing I want is for her happiness to be taken away," the man intoned solemnly.
Narcissa's eyes softened and she stood up. She crossed around the table and hugged her father warmly. Cygnus Black was slightly surprised at the outward show of affection but he took his daughter in his arms and returned her hug.
He nodded when she pulled away, smiling as they took their seats once again.
Nothing more needed to be discussed at this time between them. Although he did take the time to get to know more about the young man who could very well one day be his son-in-law.
-Break-
"Your father sure was emotional," Harry remarked as they walked on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. It was evening by the time they had left The Three Broomsticks after bidding farewell to Cygnus Black. The sky was overcast but they knew it was approaching sunset. Most of the students had already returned to the castle and they were among the few remaining.
Narcissa swatted him playfully on the chest in response.
"He's been under a lot of pressure lately. It's understandable."
"Never said it wasn't," he chuckled as he looked around. They were by the forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. The Shrieking Shack was far into the ridge to their right as they came to a stop, gazing at it.
"They're saying it's haunted," Narcissa began. "Apparently people can hear someone shrieking sometimes at night. Can you believe it? We have ghosts roaming about freely and they're claiming some rundown shack is haunted."
Harry chuckled to himself. Remus sure liked to create a ruckus during his time of the month. He flicked his wrist, summoning his wand in his grasp, and held it aloft. A swish and Narcissa saw a silvery blur shoot out of it and vanish as soon as it appeared.
"That was a weird Lumos spell," she chuckled.
Harry smirked.
"That wasn't a Lumos," he replied.
Before Narcissa could say anything, the forest behind them lit up in crimson as dozens of stunners collided with several figures hiding in the dark foliage. They immediately turned around and Harry was impressed with how quickly Narcissa got into a combat stance.
"Werewolves," she whispered in shock as she saw what looked like a large contingent of aurors firing stunners relentlessly at the backs of the creatures. A few emerged from the foliage and lunged toward them.
"Shields, Cissa. No need to engage," Harry instructed.
Narcissa was already moving. A translucent golden shield materialized in front of both her and Harry as she held it aloft, watching in satisfaction as the transformed creatures collided with it. Meanwhile, Harry conjured a large cage around them before casting an unbreakable charm over it.
It didn't take long for them to subdue the creatures that escaped the auror force and as they looked over, they saw the aurors had also successfully subdued their lot.
There were six in total. They had taken care of two while the aurors had dealt with four.
"Lord Peverell," a man who looked to be in his early fifties grunted as he came over. "I don't know how you got this information, but the DMLE has you to thank for alerting us. Pain in the ass, this lot's been."
"Happy to help, Auror Moody. Glad to see you and your force was so quick to respond."
"You did tell us to be on standby and wait for your Patronus," the auror grunted. "Seriously though, lad. You did us a big one here."
Harry nodded and watched as the aurors got to work. The werewolves were transported trapped inside the cages to presumably the DMLE cells. All the while, Narcissa stared at the spectacle around them in surprise.
"You two will have to come to the ministry for the paperwork and all. Eleven in the morning will do."
"Understood. By your leave then," Harry replied as he took Narcissa's hand and walked away.
Alastor Moody stared at their retreating figures before he shook his head and apparated away. He had a feeling that things would be getting interesting soon enough.
-Break-
"What the hell was that?" Narcissa hissed as she and Harry climbed into an empty carriage. The carriage began moving and she looked up at him from her place beside him.
Harry had an arm wrapped around her as he held her close.
"Nothing much. Just a little pest control," Harry replied with a dark tone to his voice.
"Harry?" Narcissa asked pointedly.
Harry looked into her gray orbs and sighed.
"Lucius Malfoy did not like how you ended it all and are now with me. According to him, I stole his property and deserved to pay for it with my life."
"What!?" Narcissa hissed.
"No need to worry your pretty head over it," Harry chuckled darkly. "Malfoy played his hand out of his reach. I promise you he and his asshole friends will pay for it soon enough."
"They better," Narcissa replied firmly. "Or they might find themselves at the wrong end of my wand."
"Oh?" Harry asked in amusement as he pulled her in his lap, making her look at him in surprise. "I never knew you had a dark side too, Miss Black."
Narcissa shivered as she felt him caress her waist and nuzzle her face. She pulled back and regarded him heatedly.
"There's a lot about me you don't know about yet, my lord Peverell," she replied in a whisper.
"Is that so?" Harry asked, leaning closer. "I can't wait to find it all then."
Narcissa groaned into the kiss and returned it with equal passion. The battle was a very short one but it didn't fail to fill them with adrenaline and they clutched each other eagerly as they snogged.
Their breaths mixed and their tongues rolled about passionately as their lips caressed each other.
Narcissa pulled away after a few moments, looking at him with swollen lips and dark eyes.
"How did you even know about it all though?"
Harry took in her puffed lips and smeared lipstick. She looked hotter than she'd ever looked before. He could not help but smirk.
"That, my dear, is a secret I'll tell you soon about."
Narcissa moaned as he planted his lips on hers once again.
TBC.
Check out the link on my profile for more of my work.