Confessions

From the moment I saw you...

Narcissa hated these things. Stuffy old halls filled with stuffy old people and their stuffy music. Not to mention conversations that could bore one to sobs. Endless repetition of small talk, the same questions asked over and over and over until they became a low meaningless drone that filled her ears, circling around her brain and making her sleepy. She didn't even listen, just smiled politely, nodded at the correct intervals, and learnt to recite her answers with something vaguely akin to enthusiasm.

The worst part however, was her mother's incessant attempts to play match-maker and find her a husband, even if she was only just eighteen. Frankly, it was insulting that she had so little faith in her abilities to find one for herself, but there was more too it than that. The idea of ending up in an loveless arranged marriage, doomed to forever turn a blind eye to her ageing husband's affairs and hang off of his arm at formal events such as this one as some sort of maudlin trophy, did not fill her with joy. It was something she had seen too much of growing up and she was determined not to share the same fait as so many of her mother's friends.

She scanned the hall as she stood beside her mother, suddenly extremely jealous of Bella who, as a married woman, was no longer obliged to attend such events as she was out of their mother's bony grasp. All the usual suspects had turned out in their dated and dusty finery. Dress robes had been removed from the moth balls and old jewellery that scarcely saw the light of day had been cleaned and polished so that it's owner might pretend for an evening that they were happy in their cushy lives as they entered old age, alone and without a single true friend between them.  There was one intriguing new addition however. Narcissa's cool blue eyes settled on the tall blonde not far from her, taking in his angular features and sleek long hair. It was lighter even than her own, and tied back with a neat black ribbon. His light grey eyes settled on her for a moment and a smug little smirk twitched at the corner of his mouth. She averted her gaze, maintaining her impassive expression despite the little smirk attempting to pull her own lips into a smile. When she glanced back the boy had gone, and she felt her heart sink somewhat. Though when she thought about it it was unsurprising. He probably had far better things to be doing than steeling glances at some random girl at his ball.

"Is my little party boring you?" Narcissa jumped as the soft whisper tickled the back of her neck. She looked around to see a small smirk and twinkling grey eyes looking down at her. Lucius Malfoy looked very smug indeed at the no doubt flushed look on her face.

"No... not at all..." she said, her cheeks burning as her heart leapt into her mouth. He couldn't help but chuckle.

"You're a terrible liar," he said. "It's Miss Black isn't it?" he asked, still standing behind her, her mother and the other old crones cackling away, having not noticed him yet.

"Yes," Narcissa nodded. "Mr Malfoy I presume?" she asked, schooling her face into it's usual bored expression as she peered up at him. He merely smirked.

"I think I had better relieve you from your boredom Miss Black. It is my responsibility as host after all to keep my guests entertained," he smirked. "Would you care to dance with me?" Narcissa peered up at him, inclining her head politely, the hint of a curling smile now tugging at her own pink lips.

"If you must," she shrugged, though her heart seemed to be beating hard against her ribs. He took her arm and led her out onto the dance floor, leading her seamlessly into a slow smooth waltz. She had to admit she was impressed, and looking up into his cool grey eyes didn't particularly help. They were fixed on her, unmoving, with a slight smug twinkle to them, as though he knew exactly how her heart was fluttering in her chest. 

"These things are always such a bore," Lucius drawled, his eyes removing themselves from hers for a split second to flitter around the room of stuffy dusty old witches and wizards. 

"Then why hold one?" Narcissa asked, raising a brow. 

"Well one must be seen to hold up family traditions mustn't they?" he said, looking back down at her. "My family has held a ball at the end of summer for longer than I can remember. Just because dear old Daddy is dead doesn't mean the tradition may cease to exist." Narcissa had to admit the callousness with which he spoke of his recently deceased father was a little surprising but then, she had heard bitter rumours about the man's indifference to his child since the death of his wife. She could hardly blame him. 

"I suppose not" she said, looking back up at him to find that his eyes were once against on hers.  "This one though, isn't as bad as some of the others" she said with a slight smirk. His grey eyes seemed to glitter in amusement and he bent to kiss her hand as the music stopped. "Well then, I certainly am very, very, glad I could improve your evening Miss Black." Before she had time to respond Narcissa found herself being called away by her mother and aunt and she gave him a small smile, dipping a shallow curtsey. 

"You most certainly have Mr Malfoy, you most certainly have."