A Perfect Matcb
By Eamane-Shu
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 returned a wave to Molly Prewett, 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 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. I assume that
arrangement works both ways?”
“Of course” 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 acquaintances with your mother Lucius.” Violet flaunted the fact she was on
first name terms with the Malfoy heir in front of Narcissa, 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 so
hard that she quickly excused herself and found Bellatrix.
“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 Bellatrix, who was yawning loudly, 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
weeks, 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,
and I do think it’s nice that you and him 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.