Narcissa felt happy in that moment, she felt as though they were getting to know each other better which was going to be one of her mail goals for the next several months. She had not considered herself fortunate up until this point because she had been mourning the loss of Andromeda, disliking being sold off like a brood mare and bemoaning the fact that she was being deprived of having a âfirst loveâ. Andromeda had absconded with hers, Bella had one and Narcissa, well, she had Lucius now. She didnât love him but she did feel some affinity towards him that had been increased by their recent discussion.
âI saw a performance of Swan Lake when I was very young and I fell in love with it. I have always wanted to see Romeo and Juliet, a love story and beautiful from what I have heard.â It was a soft, almost gentle hint as to exactly which performance she would like to see. He had told her that he would take her and she could think of nothing to do with him that she would enjoy more apart from, potentially, the obvious. She was well aware that they would do a great many things together and she took another sip of her champagne, trying to stop her mind from leading her down the ribbon of thought that led to the prospect of her consummating her marriage with this man. She did wonder if she would enjoy it. Bella told her it was the singular most pleasurable thing that a woman could do with her body.
Lucius noted the hint and noted it, making a mental note to keep his eyes and ears open for any upcoming performances of Romeo and Juliet. Of course, sheâd want to see a love story, heâd think nothing less of her. Narcissa was young, not much younger than Lucius, only a few years, but still young. He was sure she had hopes of love and romance in her own life, that which had been dashed just by the family she was born in, but Lucius could appeal to that. He knew if he gave her little snippets of love and affection, Narcissa would surely fall under his spell and be the wife he had been promised; quiet, docile and obedient.
The night went on and the two remained in close company. He indulged her in conversation, playing up his charm, daring to touch her lightly on the arm at times, slowly making his way under her skin. Lucius also went on to show her off, to engage in conversation with well-to-do men and introduce them to his wife. They all smiled and complimented her before jesting that Lucius was a lucky man. It felt as though it were the same conversation on repeat. But Lucius played his part, fake smile and fake charm all easily believed.
When it all finally drew to a close, Lucius handed her back over to her parents, bidding goodbye with a kiss on her hand.
Much to his disappointment, there were no showings of Romeo and Juliet until well after their next planned meet up. He wouldâve liked to woo her, to whisk her away on a weekend where she was meant to be studying for her exams. Instead he wrote her letters, telling her to focus, that despite the fact she wouldnât use it, her intelligence was something their children would inherit. There was more behind those words, implying that he didnât want to marry someone completely airheaded.
Somehow, the two survived those weeks and soon, Narcissa was graduating from Hogwarts. He sat in the crowd with her family and his own, watching her receive her graduation certificate. He clapped and smiled, acting all the supportive husband, there for the wizarding world to see.