Disclaimer: I don't own the characters and I barely own the plot. It's all J.K.Rowling's.
Author's Note: Muchas gracias to my wonderful beta, Jackie. I've taken out, a, few, commas, to, please, you. Heh heh... I'm okay.I also changed that French guys name... it just didn't sound French enough. And a note to the general public; I realize the characters Bellatrix and Rodolphus may seem out of character right now, but this is simply my version of events; things will change later.
Cara: This story will generally be composed of short chapters, but there may be a few longer... I'm not sure, I write this on a whim. Enjoy!
A new day. One full of possibilities; Narcissa's mother would not be home. For one day there would be no possible betrothals, no new suitors, no prospective wedding gowns.
Narcissa awoke early in the morning; unusual for her, as she liked to avoid her mother as much as possible. But since she was gone, Narcissa decided to rise early and enjoy the day.
Rodolphus and Bellatrix came to visit midafternoon.
Rodolphus brought Narcissa a flower like he always did.
"One for every time you see me, " he would say, "For every time I visit and you are not yet married I will give you a flower. This way it is easy to count your victories."
Narcissa kept her flowers pressed in a large book. When dried, every detail was captured in the flower, each fold of each petal was preserved.
Narcissa served her guests tea in the garden.
"Why does mother insist that I marry?" Narcissa asked, to no one in particular.
"Every high class pureblood girl must marry." responded Bellatrix matter-of-factly.
Narcissa sighed and watched the clouds float lazily above.
"All the decent men have been snatched up. There's no one left for me. The only men that remain are fat old ones whose wives have died." Narcissa folded her arms and crossed her legs moodily, "Probably because they killed them."
"What about Aristide André Levesque?"
"He's French. Father won't let me marry someone French."
Bellatrix stared innocently at her sister over the rim of her teacup.
"What about… Lucius Malfoy?"
Narcissa's engaging blue eyes narrowed to slits and she stood.
"It's been nice seeing the two of you." she said through her teeth.
"Come of it, 'Cissy! You never have to look on the man again if you don't so desire."
"You're going to put ideas in mother's head! Once she hears that you think it's a good idea, she'll lap it up like a cat!"
"What do you mean by that?" Bellatrix was standing now too.
"Everyone knows you're her prized child! I'm too independent and Andromeda is a wreck! You're an obvious first choice, seeing as she has no sons to dote upon!"
Bellatrix's eyes flashed and she twitched as though she longed to grab for her wand, but she did not deny what Narcissa had said.
Suddenly Narcissa softened, her face relaxed and her eyes widened.
"All this over talk of marriage."
Bellatrix swallowed her anger and hugged her beloved little sister, taking in the scent of roses that lingered about her.
"I'll never marry." Narcissa murmured into Bellatrix's robes
"'Cissy, you'll be fine. Marriage isn't all that horrid." she smiled at her husband who had been patiently observing the whole scene
"I'll take that as some sort of compliment." he smiled back at her.
"See, Bella!" Narcissa exclaimed, "You two are so happy! You've taken the last good man there is for yourself!"
Bellatrix and Narcissa took their seats once more and finished off their tea.
When they were done Bellatrx and Rodolphus were shown to the door by a sorrowful Narcissa.
Before they left, however, Rodolphus handed Narcissa another flower.
"I have this for you."
"Why? You already gave me one."
"You may need two." he winked, "For moral support."
Narcissa hugged her brother-in-law,
"Thank you."
That evening, Narcissa placed the flower in her book to dry. She mournfully dressed for dinner, wishing she could remain preserved; her innocence, her beauty, her youth. Forever. Each detail laid out for eternity in a perfect grace.
Her mother was home.