Title: Qualifications for Marriage
Characters: Narcissa and Astoria
Pairings: Narcissa/Astoria, Astoria/Draco (pre/implied)
Rating: PG-13
Challenge(s): Calm. Also for my own Femmeslash Drabble Tag on the HPFC forum.
Word count: 200
Warning(s): Cross-gen

)O(

"If you are to be my son's bride," Narcissa said, eyeing Astoria rather sceptically, "there are things that you will need to be… good at."

"What sort of things, Madame?" Astoria asked politely. She kept her hands folded in her lap and her eyes demurely on the ground as she spoke, as a proper Pureblood girl was expected to do.

"Politics… are you well-educated?"

"Yes, Madame. Seven OWLs."

"And society matters… from the way you are sitting, I assume your parents have taught you etiquette?"

"Yes, Madame."

"And…" Narcissa's voice lowered slightly, and she moved close to Astoria, "and lovemaking…"

"Oh, Madame!" Astoria's cheeks flamed bright red and she looked up quickly. "I would not know my skill at that…"

"A virgin, then?"

"Y- yes, Madame." Astoria did not understand how Narcissa could sound so perfectly calm when discussing such a secret matter. She, Astoria, had never felt so ruffled or uncomfortable in her life.

"My son cannot be given an inexperienced woman."

Tears prickled the backs of Astoria's eyes, and she nodded, lowering her head. "I see."

"Oh, do not cry," Narcissa breathed, and Astoria felt the older woman move closer to her. "It is an easily rectified situation…"