Chapter One

"Cissy! Narcissa! Where are my robes? They were here, I know they were! Where did you put them? What did you do with them?" All this as said very loud and very fast by Bellatrix Black.

"Um...I don't know?" Came Narcissa Black's small, guilty voice from the next room.

"Oh yes you do!" Bella came storming into her little sister's bedroom. Today was Bella's first day of school at Hogwarts, and she couldn't find her new school robes anywhere. They'd been folded neatly on her chair, but now were quite unaccountably missing. No cocky house-elf would dare such a stunt as to touch them; most were terrified of the unpredictable, wild daughter. There was only one person in the world who would so risk themselves.

Bella threw open Narcissa's door. "You better give them..." Bella gasped. "Narcissa!" She let out a hair-raising screech at the mess before her. Little Narcissa, too young for a set of her own, appeared to have taken her sister's robe, and a pair of scissors to 'tailor' them. The cuffs had been hacked away to reveal her skinny white wrists, and the ragged new hem brushed the tops of her feet. The remaining black fabric lay in strips around the pink room. Andromeda, the eldest Black sister, who was entering her fourth year at Hogwarts, calmly walked in.

"Really Bella. Scream a little louder, why don't you; I think there were some Muggles in Sweden who didn't hear you." Bella gaped at her.

"Andromeda! Look what she did to my robes!" Andromeda rolled her eyes.

"Calm down. It's not life threatening." She tuned to her scowling, jealous ten year old sister. "Cissa," Her tone became a persuasive coo. "Can't you give Bella her robes back? She really needs them."

"No! I don't want Bella to go to Hogwarts! I want to go!" Narcissa fumed. Andromeda smiled patiently.

"Cissy-baby," she said in the same patronizing voice, "You'll have your turn next year. But right now, Bella needs…" Andromeda's lecture was cut short by their mother's entrance. "Mother!" She exclaimed.

"Mum!" Bellatrix was on the verge of exploding.

"Mum-mmy!" Narcissa's voice had been reduced to a wheedling whine.

"Hello girls." Druella Black smiled softly. There was a split second silence before…

"Mother I tried to..."

"...And just look at what she did!"

"...But I want go to...to Hogwarts too! It's not fair Bella and Ann get to go-"

Mrs. Black closed her eyes.

"That's quite enough girls. Narcissa, take your sisters robes off, and give them to Mipsy. She'll have them fixed." Narcissa obeyed her calm, commanding mother; sulkily though. "Thank you for trying to help, Andromeda, I appreciate it. Bellatrix, if I ever hear you yell like that ever again..." Bella quickly interrupted.

"So sorry Mum! But she..." Mrs. Black cut her daughter off with a sharp look.

"I don't to want hear it. You are far too old to be throwing fits; I'd be ashamed if you were to ever act in such a way in public. Your sister will be justly punished for her behavior, I assure you. Not that it's any concern of yours.

Ah good. Your robes are fixed. Now go change into them; I suppose to prevent further mishap you ought to put then on now. I'll be waiting. And Narcissa," Mrs. Black added as she walked out of the room, "You may come to the platform too if you wish. Just get dressed, and do stay out of your sister's closet."

Narcissa dressed carefully. Choosing plain black robes, it was quite possible that someone might mistake her as a student.

"Mum I can't wait! It'll be so exciting! I'll meet so many people, and I just know that everyone will prefer me to An. She is rather dull, and not even in Slytherin! I'll be in Slytherin, don't worry. I won't disappoint you and father." She announced with pride, speaking what she wouldn't dare if Andromeda were in earshot. Mrs. Black smiled wearily.

"Your sister has many friends darling, and I'm sure you will too. Come along everyone, we'll be apparating… I can't stand the thought of dealing with Muggles this early in the morning."

With a crack, the four of them appeared at Platform 9 and ¾. With a peck on the cheek of her mother and baby sister, Andromeda was off, But Bellatrix hung back, uncharacteristically uncertain. Druella turned to her."Go along dear, find some students your age. Of good breeding, mind. Now Narcissa and I...Where is she? Oh no..." But Narcissa was no where to be found.

In fact, Narcissa wasn't even thinking of her mother or sisters. She was quite distracted by something else, something that even took her mind off Hogwarts for a moment. Who is he? She wondered. He was just standing there, watching impatiently as two blonde adults argued before him, a man and a woman he guessed to be his parents. The man disapparated, and the woman turned back to the boy. He didn't look disturbed by the scene; merely bored.

"Lucius, I'm going to miss you!" The woman managed tearfully, regarding her child with something that resembled adoration. She leaned in to kiss him, but he stepped back to avoid it.

"Mother, don't." He gave her a disgusted look. Then, much to her astonishment, the boy called Lucius turned his head and looked directly at her, as if he'd been able to feel her eyes on him. Narcissa gasped quietly and ducked back, irrationally not wishing to be spotted. But she had seen a strange flash of recognition in his eyes, though they'd never met. She wasn't really surprised when he approached, but something about sudden nearness unnerved her. She wasn't usually so shy.

"Are you going to Hogwarts too?" He asked, the corner of his mouth quirking up, his tone sarcastic. Narcissa decided to lie.

"Yes," she replied boldly. "I'm going into my first year." Lucius frowned.

"Oh?" He reached out suddenly, and turned her head from one side to the other, before released her.

"You're lying. That's a nasty habit. Tell the truth." Narcissa's jaw dropped. How did he know?

"You're...You're right." She stammered. "I'm only ten. I'll be starting Hogwarts next year. But how-?" Lucius laughed softly.

"There are some other things I know too. You're name is Narcissa Black. You're very jealous of you're older sisters who are going to Hogwarts this year, and who are, by the way, looking for you as we speak." However, this didn't seem nearly as impressive.

"Narcissa! Where...Look Mum! There's the little brat!" Bella came rushing toward her little sister.

"Lucius," Narcissa said quickly, before Bella or her mother could catch her and scold her, "May I owl you this year?" It would be do wonderful to have friends at Hogwarts before even Bellatrix did! THen she paused, realizing what she'd just asked. Owl him, was she ridiculous? She scarcely knew him! She was about to apologize and wish him –this near-stranger! - a nice life, but Lucius surprised her.

"You needn't have asked." With that, he turned and strolled to the train. Narcissa sighed in relief. There! Prove to Bellatrix that she wasn't an irritating oddball!

Suddenly, Bellatrix grasped Narcissa's shoulder, whirled her around, and slapped her hard across the face.

"How dare you run off like that! You almost made me miss the train! I hope you die of loneliness and boredom at home, all alone you little..." Narcissa didn't get to find out what though, because at that moment Mrs. Black appeared.

"Bellatrix! That is enough! I will handle this. Get on the train. Goodbye." With out another word she turned to her youngest daughter. "We are going home. Now." She grabbed Narcissa's arm and marched her off the platform.

"I am extremely disappointed in both of you. I'll not be so crass as to shout, nor send Bellatrix a howler, but both of you behaved like uncivilized little Muggle girls. Now go to your room."

Mrs. Black didn't talk to her daughter for a week after that, which was the worst kind of punishment for a ten year old girl. Bella's harsh words at the train station kept coming back to her. She spent most of the time writing to Lucius. Or at least, trying to write to Lucius. It was much harder than it sounded.

Dear Lucius,

No, no, 'dear' sounded too intimate. He was practically a stranger, for goodness sake!

To Lucius,

No, who said 'to'?

Lucius,

Too plain.

Dear Lucius,

She supposed that would work.

Dear Lucius,

How are you? I'm miserable

No, she couldn't tell him that!

Dear Lucius,

How are you? I'm fine, though it's rather dull here. Are you enjoying Hogwarts? I know I would be. How was the Sorting? Bella says it's horribly painful, but I think she's lying. Is she? I don't think I'd care, so long as I ended up in Slytherin, and not somewhere horrible like Hufflepuff.

But what if he was in Hufflepuff? Oh well; if so, she never be speaking to him again anyway if so.

What classes are you taking? Do you play Quidditch? Are you on the house team?

Probably enough questions. She quickly finished it off.

I look forward to you reply.

Love,

Love? Was she mad? No, not love!

Sincerely,

Narcissa Black

There. Perfect. She tied the letter to her owl's leg, sent her off, and watched her delicate form disappear into the night. With that, she blew out her candle and fell fast asleep.

Once her mother started talking again, Narcissa began to enjoy her time spent at home. She could read up about Hogwarts, go shopping in Diagon Alley, and, best of all, she had mother all to herself! Papa rarely came home from work, but she saw him as much as possible.

Only one tiny, nagging thing made her less happy. Lucius still hadn't written back. He's busy, Narcissa told herself. But she new in her heart that that wasn't the case. Surely not enough so to just jot a quick note? He said he'd write… But why wouldn't he? On her eleventh birthday, December 19, she finally found out.

Narcissa came down to eat breakfast, and her mother greeted her warmly. "Happy Birthday, dear." Mrs. Black said, smiling. "I have two presents for you. And of course, your Hogwarts letter came. That's over there. Now," She held out a small wrapped package, and a stack of letters. There had to be at least ten! She looked at the top one. It was from...

"Lucius!" The second one..."Lucius again!" The third..."Mum, are these all from Lucius?" Mrs. Black smiled.

"I was rather surprised to see them, and decided to wait until your birthday to give them to you. I find it proper that, now that you're eleven, you can exchange letters with young gentlemen of your age…" She stopped when she saw that Narcissa's eyes were full of tears.

"Now...now he'll think I hate him. That I've been ignoring him. Since I didn't get a response from my first letter...Oh Mum! How could you! He'll never want to talk to me ever again!" Narcissa's tears spilled down her cheeks, but Mrs. Black just laughed softly.

"Dear, do you really think I'd do that? I wrote to him and explained the whole situation. He chose to keep writing anyway. Lucky girl." But Narcissa didn't hear any more. She had dashed up to her room to read the letters. Eagerly, she tore open the first letter. It read:

Dear Narcissa,

I'm doing very well, thanks. How are you? Still bored? Pity. I'd enjoy the peace of being an only child, but instead, I have a horrid sister.

Now, to answer all your questions. I am in Slytherin, and I too would be disgusted to be in Hufflepuff. Or any other house for that matter. I suppose you could say Hogwarts is the most magical place on earth, and I mean that in a literal sense, of course. Figuratively, not as much. Now, being sorted is supposed to be a secret and surprise (and I'm sure you've heard that many times), but I'm sure telling you wouldn't hurt. All they do is put some old hat on your head (I think Dumbledore said that it had been Godric Gryffindor's, but who cares anyway?) and the hat calls out what house you're in. Simple.

My classes are: Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, Herbology, Arithmancy, Astrology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and History of Magic. My favorite is Defense Against the Dark Arts. And Quidditch. I, of course, am on the Slytherin house team, as keeper. When I can get my own broom next year, I hope to be Seeker. Spectacular sport, really. Well, Narcissa, that should efficiently answer all your questions.

Lucius Malfoy

The second she finished, she tore open the next. Then the next. Lucius wrote to her, even though he knew she couldn't write back. No messages of great consequence, but he'd written perhaps twice a month. They all just systematically listed the events of the day, but she still found them fascinating. After she finished reading his last letter, Narcissa sat down and began writing furiously. An hour later, Narcissa joyously clutched three roles of parchment in her ink smudged hands, every inch, front and back, covered in miniscule writing. "Diaphanous!" Her owl fluttered in, and Narcissa used her best hair ribbon to tie the letters to the owl's leg. "Hurry," She whispered. Narcissa composed herself and headed down stairs to talk to her mother. She found her in the library, but before Narcissa could say anything, Mrs. Black stood up and smiled. She spoke only four words:

"Your father is home." Narcissa dashed into her father's study like a six year old.

"Papa! Papa!" Cygnus Black smiled at his youngest child.

"Hello, Narcissa." He smiled at his wife who followed, in a much calmer manner. "Hello, Ella." He kissed his wife, then daughter.

"Cygnus, I think it's time." Druella said softly. Cygnus reached into his pocket and held out the small package Mrs. Black had shown Narcissa earlier. Narcissa had completely forgotten it in her rush to reply to Lucius. Reaching forward eagerly, Narcissa opened the parcel and gasped. In her hands was the most ornate, beautiful, spectacular necklace Narcissa had ever seen. It was a pale blue fire opal pendant; marquise-cut diamonds leafed out, framing it. Circular sapphires gave the impression of miniscule flowers.

"Ohh..." She was at a loss for words.

"To wear on your wedding day, darling. I know that it's a bit early but..."

"Mama, Papa, oh thank you, thank you!" After embracing them both, she hurried off to her room to put it away, and when she came down stairs to bid her parents good night, she heard them speaking in hushed voices.

"Sooner better than later..."

"Still so young..."

"But a Malfoy..."

"Let's wait just a bit longer before making a decision Cygnus, please? I don't like the idea of it."

Narcissa stepped into the room.

"Mama? Papa? Good night." They turned to her, looking rather guilty.

"Good night dear."

"Good Morning, Miss. Young miss Black must wake up, mistress wishes to take her youngest daughter to Diagon Alley, miss." Narcissa was out of bed and ready to go in minutes. As she was heading out her bedroom door, she noticed a letter and a large parcel that hadn't been there before. Had Lucius written back already? Narcissa saw Diaphanous, sleeping peacefully on her perch, and knew he had. Eagerly, she tore open the letter. His letter said that the package was:

"...A little something I thought you might like. Happy Birthday." Narcissa opened the gift in a nonchalant way, matching Lucius' tone in the letter, and gave a tiny cry of surprise. Soft, green, flowing velvet cascaded to the floor. In her hands, Narcissa held the most magnificent cloak she had ever seen. It was lined with satin on the inside, and had an intricate gold clasp at the throat. A little something? How rich were these Malfoys? This must have cost at least six hundred galleons! With shaking fingers, Narcissa clasped the cloak on. It fit perfectly. She was admiring herself when...

"Narcissa? Are you up?" Narcissa dashed out the door.

"Mum! Mum! Look what Lucius sent me! Look! She spun around so her mother could admire the cloak. Mrs. Black smiled approvingly.

"Very nice. Now go up stairs and change; we can go early school shopping!" Narcissa grinned.

Narcissa and her mother strolled around Diagon Alley, chatting happily. "Mum! Can I get a gold cauldron?" or, "I want an invisibility cloak. Can I have one?" The answer was always no, but Narcissa asked anyway. What she didn't realize that her mother really had a reason to go shopping, and it wasn't for school things. It took almost a half hour, but Narcissa finally brought up the subject of Lucius. "I think there's something special about him Mum." Mrs. Black jumped at the opportunity to discuss this.

"What ever do you mean, dear?" Narcissa tilted her head from side to side, considering the question.

"Well... He's got really good grammar," Mrs. Black's smile faltered slightly.

"And, oh Mum, he's just so mature and polite, but still friendly, you know? He's the Slytherin keeper, and he wants to be seeker next year, I'm sure he will be. He's got the kind of charm that makes you know he's going to be so romantic one day, and oh, in his last letter he said..." Mrs. Black happily listened to her daughter babble on about the details. Her mind wandered elsewhere.

A Black hadn't married a Malfoy in quite a few generations. Sixteen, to be exact. Plus, the Malfoys and the Blacks were two of the oldest, and wealthiest, wizarding families in all of Great Britain. A perfect match. Brilliant. Now to keep this childish adoration up for the next six years without doing anything too drastic.