A Proper Match - Narcissa Black (Malfoy) | Madame Puddifoots

[Narcissa Malfoy]

Lucius' gray eyes lit with mirth, and while she didn't know exactly what she'd said that he found so amusing, Narcissa was glad to see him warming to her regardless. He even went so far as to agree that their parents should have come to this conclusion sooner! She nodded in quick assent to his suggestion, knowing that Father would do what needed to be done to ensure that more time was spent with the Malfoy family. Their match was perfect and important, and he was not a fool who would put it in jeopardy! The usually sure-footed Slytherin found herself slipping as conversation continued, and if not for Lucius, she would have found herself uncommonly embarrassed.

For the girl felt her careful mask fall as Lucius gently took her hand, keeping his voice low for the sake of privacy and discretion. For perhaps the first time in public, she didn’t force herself to put it back on. He had noticed her fumble and instead of glossing over it, he was showing a kindness to her that was so rarely given within their circle that Narcissa was caught supremely off guard. Beyond that - these weren’t empty assurances. Lucius knew Annie. They’d been classmates throughout Hogwarts, prefects and Heads together. He knew her, and he was positive that she would be all right. When all she had heard of since Annie’s departure was what an insane mistake she’d made, and how she was going to ruin herself and the family if they weren’t careful, and in visiting Aunt Walburga’s she’d found her sister’s features and name scorched out of recognition on the wall, by her aunt and sister’s hands…

She despised Andromeda for betraying their family.

It was wrong of her to let herself grow close to that mudblood, when she knew she’d have to choose him or them.

It was a pain beyond reckoning that she’d chosen him.

Denouncing her was the most difficult thing Narcissa had ever done. But as angry as she was with the woman she could no longer call sister, she was nearly as angry with herself. Because Andromeda had confided in her, told her that she was in love - and she hadn’t taken it seriously. She’d kept her promise of silence when she should have told Bellatrix, or Mother and Father, for Annie’s own good. But she hadn’t. She’d trusted that either she would be able to bring Annie to her senses, or that Annie would get herself there before calamity struck.

She’d been wrong.

She despised Andromeda.

But deep within her, hidden, was a girl who wanted her sister back. Who missed her more than words could say. Who hoped that her Annie would return. Who was wounded and hardly healing and tired of putting on a brave face and pretending she didn’t care. Who had needed to hear what Lucius promised. Narcissa gripped his hand back, finding an anchoring steadiness in his eyes as she met them. This was a man one could hold on to when the storm blew in, she was sure of it now more than ever. "I’m not supposed to care about such things anymore, but - " I’m no unfeeling monster. " - thank you. Sincerely. The last months have been terribly trying for me, but my family...it's as if they moved on overnight. I admit I was so relieved that your family didn't judge us all by what she did." At least, not enough to stop us.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Admittedly how little he actually cared about blood loyalty was a risk he wasn’t willing to take, not with the mark that was so fresh on his arm. While no Malfoy had ever married a muggle, he had family members married to half-bloods. Because at a certain point, what was happening in their world was inbreeding, and there was nothing good that would come for that. While the Malfoy and Black families were related, it was distantly so. Enough to where nothing too terrible could possibly come from this arrangement with Narcissa. But to survive in their world, he had to be someone he wasn’t. The words spoken from his mouth about blood traitors were words parroted from his own father, the man responsible for the death of a Minister for Magic. It was what was expected of him, just as publicly denouncing her sister was something expected of Narcissa.

In their world, Andromeda had done the unthinkable. He had heard plenty from Bellatrix, the woman very loudly discussing her sister’s betrayal to anyone who would listen. He had never had siblings and did find over the years he was jealous of those who had someone to talk to. He wouldn’t consider himself close with either of his parents, and his roommates had been the closest thing to a sibling he’d ever had. There was no way for him to truly understand the betrayal the girl across from him must have been feeling. Because Andromeda’s betrayal had worked out in his favor, given him a chance to be with someone who might actually understand him.

He forced himself to not react, the anger from his parents at finding out what Andromeda had done still clear in his mind. Talking his father down had been simple enough, once Abraxas Malfoy had calmed enough to listen to his son. “I’ve heard enough from Bellatrix to know exactly how she feels,” he muttered to Narcissa, before he gave her a smile. “But your eldest sister is a bit...fanatical at times, isn’t she? I can only imagine how blindsided you must have been to find Andromeda gone. From what I remember, you two were close. Wounds like that can’t heal overnight.” He flicked his long hair over his shoulder, giving her hand another squeeze before he returned to his tea. "I apologize for bringing down the mood, hardly the proper conversation for a first date."

[Narcissa Malfoy]

Lucius's mention of Bella caused her to blanche briefly, hoping that her sister had shown some restraint when speaking to the man of her affections anout their lost lamb. Bella was taking Annie's desertion with difficulty, but with the smile he showed her, and his follow-up, Lucius was showing to be so understanding. She felt herself smiling back, impossibly, and nodded at his recollections. It was simply wonderful to open up to someone and receive this affirmation back; that she was entitled to her distress and lingering conflict, that she would heal in time…Narcissa returned the squeeze of his hand, soft within hers, and took up her tea at the release.

For as dreadful as the summer had been, for as bleak about her loss as she still felt, Narcissa took comfort in the presence of the man across the table, and allowed herself a few quiet moments to admire him. For he was an admirable man, a proper catch; a beauty and wit that paralleled her own, coupled with honor and sense…all that's left is for us to fall in love. The girl was already well on her way, as he'd been noticed by her for what felt like so long, and with his assurances, it felt as though he was on the path with her. The happiness they would have together was what she deserved after suffering this familial trial, and she was more than ready for it.

"On the contrary, I think it's perfectly appropriate," Narcissa spoke up, smiling in honest reassurance at him over her teacup. "If anything is to work between us, we need to be able to discuss even the most painful of topics together. I couldn't very well hide my feelings on this matter from you, not if we're to be partners one day. I want us to be able to trust each other, above all else. Don't you agree?" She set her clear blue eyes to his, watching his reaction intently. While she knew that many in their position married for power or duty over love, and that she could be seen by a suitor as a future trophy, that was not the future Narcissa aimed to build for herself. When she married, it would be to someone who loved and respected her. When she married, it would be to someone who knew her worth and let her life compliment his instead of being an accessory to him.

She was determined for Lucius Malfoy to be that man.

But did he feel the same? Was he looking for an equal, or only sometime to provide an heir? You're more of a man than that, aren't you? As enamoured as she was with him, Narcissa had to remind herself to do her due diligence, lest she mistakenly fall into something suited for someone lesser, in all respects, than herself.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Anyone who knew Bellatrix knew exactly what type of person she was. He’d seen her take action against people that had done her wrong during school, and he could only imagine the type of things she got up to in her free time now that she had been serving the Dark Lord for so long. She and her husband were a strange pair, perfect for each other in so many ways. Yet the infidelities in their relationship were also no secret, and he’d noticed that in the recent months Alecto Carrow had been in the older woman’s shadow. The Carrow’s, like the Lestrange’s, were their own breed of crazy. It was a blessing that his parents had never considered Alecto over Andromeda or Narcissa. He had tried, originally, to convince them of an arrangement with Violet Fudge - but even though Violet had ended things due to Avery’s infidelity, their betrothal was never officially called off.

Right now though, he was happy that other arrangements had fallen through. Narcissa was beautiful and had he known of her love of horses prior he might have never considered anyone else. It was a hobby of his that his father considered to be “soft” and not something a man should be interested in. His father hadn’t ridden a horse ever, it had been his mother who had introduced Lucius to it. The amount of care and dedication that went into horses, showed that one could be dedicated to all aspects of their life. It was only the nagging voice of his father in his mind that kept him from focusing on the topic. There would be a time and a place for an in-depth discussion on the hobby, hopefully away from anything prying ears.

While Narcissa was presenting the proper face one should when a family member chooses to do what Andromeda did, Lucius had to imagine that it was difficult. She was facing the gossip of Hogwarts about what had happened on her own, with no sister still here to help shoulder that burden. While he had been betrothed to Andromeda, it had been a silent arrangement between families. No one was looking at the Malfoy’s like they’d committed one of the worst sins. Hopefully their date today would give the halls of the castle something else to gossip about when it came to Narcissa Black. “I do agree,” he said with a smile, taking a sip of his tea before he continued, “If we are to be a proper match, we must be able to discuss even the most difficult of topics together. To speak freely, I want someone to be my partner as you have said, someone equal to me. I do hope, Narcissa, that you are the person I meant to share my life with.”

He could flatter her all day, and he would of course, but admittedly Lucius did not know Narcissa very well. He’d only ever been to Black Manor for parties hosted there, and at those events, he had usually spent time with Andromeda and their other classmates, not Narcissa. “Tell me, you must have some lofty ambitions for after you finish your schooling. A career woman, like your eldest sister perhaps? I see her often at the Ministry, she seems to be enjoying work at the Portkey office.”

[Narcissa Malfoy]

He was saying everything she had longed to hear, and Narcissa hated that she couldn't get Andy's advice. Andy knew him far better than she did, however much Narcissa felt like she already knew the man across the table, and would be able to tell her if he was simply trying to win her over or if he was truly being earnest. She could ask Bellatrix, and she would reach out, but neither seemed particularly fond enough of the other to give an unbiased opinion. To think that only a few short months ago, the greatest tragedy to ever befall her involved her hair and a pack of jealous Gryffindors, and now she was on a date with the man of her dreams wondering if he was too good to be true? And unable to confide in her lost sister?

It's just you here to best represent the family. You would have had to start doing things on your own now regardless of...her.

Mother and Father are finally letting you have this. They didn't go wrong with Rodolphus and Bellatrix - they wouldn't do this if they didn't believe in Lucius.

Could he be her protector? Her confidant? The someone to build her adult life with?

The girl was taken aback by his words, truly, not having expected him to be so upfront on their first date. But perhaps she was questioning him because of the undeniable excitement she had in hearing what he had to say. And the way Lucius spoke made it seem like he did believe in destiny, didn't it? They truly could be as meant to be as she had so hoped - and was the only person potentially in the way of this her?

Absolutely not.

"You should always speak freely with me, Lucius," Narcissa said, returning his smile and finding his eye. "We may not know each other as well as we would like, but I feel...an understanding here between us regardless. It is a comfort - you are a comfort to me, and I could not choose anyone better to have at my side." What would it take to prove that she was the one for him? This was not simply a first date, it was an assessment of a future spouse, and she could not let herself forget that it went both ways. But Lucius wanted an equal. A wife with ambition fit the bill, and she couldn't contain her joy at seeing that she would be supported in her ventures outside of their shared life. She had heard too many horror stories from cousins and older friends, of stifling lives and husbands who were even worse. But not Lucius, that wasn't Lucius. 

"Oh! Darling, I do not intend to work for anyone outside of my family," she laughed, taking the moment to refill their teacups. "Why would I let others profit from my talents? To continue speaking freely - I enjoy helping my father with our accounts, and I've envisioned managing my shared future estate as well, staff and all. A house does not simply keep itself in line, as you well know. And I have been fascinated by the idea of running a family business," she went on, blue eyes bright. Does your family value me enough to allow me in? "Well - I suppose I would start by assisting in some manner, of course, but I want to be purposeful, have an active role. Not so much that it detracts from family life, for my priority would remain my husband and children - " Do you want children, Lucius? More than just to have an heir? " - but enough for me to find a balance outside of the home."

She smirked and took a sip of her tea, eyes on her date's, only hoping that she had not gone too far and frightened him off with her plans. But they were already committed to honesty, were they not? And Lucius deserved to know that she would not find contentment in a dull life, no more than he could. "You have had time to think about your life as a husband and father, I presume? These are changes to your life that you would welcome?"

[Lucius Malfoy]

While he would never admit it out loud, Lucius knew he was a lot of bark and no bite. He was too soft, he had emotions that made him weak. That was what his father had always told him. But having a good bark was important, and Lucius knew how to smooth talk and schmooze all day long if needed. But that, he was discovering, wasn’t needed here. He was not some fool that Narcissa was being paired to, as Andy had felt. Narcisssa wanted to be here with him, to get to know him as a person and not just as someone with a lot of money. That was different from many of the other girls that had been considered by his parents. And while he’d never given it much thought, the idea of marrying for love instead of status did seem appealing.

He wasn’t entirely sure what he had expected of this date, but to be able to speak freely and truly show a side of him he kept shoved down wasn’t on his mind when this had all first started. He had assumed it would be small talk, and getting to know each other. And yet they were discussing what they wanted from their future, and how hurt she had been when her sister left, and he felt a connection to her that he’d never felt with anyone else before. “I would agree, there is an understanding that I’ve never felt with anyone else. Perhaps this sounds cheesy, but I do feel as if this was meant to happen,” he answered earnestly.

A bemused smile crossed his face as Narcissa began telling him about her desire to work within the family, and his mind immediately went to that of the Malfoy apothecary. His father had slowly been passing off more duties to him over the years, but now that he had graduated the work there kept him busy. And it wasn’t that he hated the work, there were parts he did enjoy. He liked finding the best ingredient suppliers and working to make potions for sale. But the numbers, the keeping track of accounts? Those were things he did not enjoy. “Our apothecary could benefit from a mind as sharp as yours, I have no doubts about that. Being involved in a family business is far more fulfilling than working for someone else,” he said, as a thought crossed his mind about Andromeda and her work. Would it be improper to bring it up?

“I want a wife who is strong-willed, speaks her mind freely, and has ambition to help my family’s business grow, perhaps even helping to break ground on a secondary location. As for children, I welcome that change into my life, at least two I would think, as I hear siblings are wonderful to have, he said, taking a sip of his tea, “And since we are talking about siblings, I feel that I should tell you that I’ve seen Andy recently. She’s working at Mungos, training to be a mediwitch.”

[Narcissa Malfoy]

"Who knew you were such a romantic at heart?" Narcissa smiled, a thrilling chill running through her at his words. She had dared to dream of this, to reach for this, and here he was! Not knowing that he had been waiting for her too! Her eyes flicked to Lucius's in excitement, a glittering blue and a secretive grin, as she confided, "I've always told myself that I would settle for nothing less than that. A love that was meant to be. Nothing would make me happier than finding that with you." She had had much debate with herself and her closest companions in the last week on the how's of a first kiss that felt imminent, and she had come to no firm conclusions. But now, how she itched for the table and finery between them to disappear! She could hardly throw herself at him, she could not be too obvious - she was a lady representing her family in a precarious moment. But how were they to know if this was a meeting of the minds or truly one of the hearts as well if they did not try?

The last thing she wanted was for this first meeting to falsely go well. If her aim was to simply charm an eligible wizard, she could let her father show her around, she could put on whatever persona was required of her, until someone gave her a ring. But Narcissa wanted more - she wanted someone who knew her, and wanted her. She had opinions and aspirations and non-negotiables, and it was better for the two of them to know now if they were compatible in these important elements too, not just that they would be, unarguably, the most striking pair. And Lucius, he smiled. He smiled as she spoke of her desires. It wasn't one of pity, or thinking she was a silly girl for wanting what she wanted - she had gotten him thinking, and hopefully had surprised him in a manner he enjoyed. It was with relief and joy that she beamed at his reply, and as Lucius continued, Narcissa had to remind herself that it was rude to stare.

He had ambition, and he wanted a true partner. He wanted a family. He wanted his children to experience what he had not. She was eager to jump in, as delicate as it was to speak of siblings at this time, when he continued. The words died in her throat and she cleared them with a dignified cough, taking a moment to compose herself. Her hands were busy, adjusting the hair over her shoulders, the lay of her dress, until contenting themselves with breaking the last of her scone into tiny, obliterated pieces as she spoke.

"You've seen her?" He could provide a rare and unbiased insight into her sister's new life, something she had not foreseen when anticipating this day. And he was open to sharing, he saw that she needed - something, even if she herself didn't quite know what it was. "Is she - does she seem well? That work suits her. Is she with him?" Cheek growing pink, she wished she could take the blurted question back, or at least delivered it less sharply. Lucius didn't deserve to bear the brunt of her feelings, he had already done so much. "Forgive me, I shouldn't - she wouldn't want me to know."