Chapter Text
The Malfoy Manor stood tall beneath a pale sky, its pale stone walls gleaming softly like polished ivory, edged with gardens too precise to be natural and too beautiful to be anything but deliberate.
Inside, everything was prepared.
Everything was always prepared.
“Dobby, the silver tray is crooked” Elizabeth Malfoy said lightly, though her tone carried expectation.
A small pop echoed.
“Dobby is fixing, Mistress! Dobby is fixing!”
The house-elf scrambled, adjusting the tray with trembling fingers.
From behind him, another voice whispered—
“It was already straight” muttered Timmy, peeking from behind a velvet curtain.
“It was not straight!” hissed Itzy, flicking Timmy’s ear.
Across the room, Blakey, Winky, Mitty, and Meovy watched with varying levels of concern and curiosity.
Elizabeth sighed softly, though there was fondness in it.
“Settle yourselves. Our guests will arrive shortly.”
Upstairs, in a room far too grand for a seven-year-old boy
Lucius Malfoy stood before a mirror.
Still. Composed.
Trying very hard to remain composed.
His platinum hair fell neatly to his shoulders. His grey eyes were sharp, observant. Far too thoughtful for someone his age.
But right now—
“Do I look strange?” he asked.
There was a small pop.
“Master Lucius looks perfect” said Mitty, bowing deeply.
Lucius narrowed his eyes slightly.
“I did not ask if I look perfect. I asked if I look strange.”
Mitty blinked. “...Master Lucius looks perfectly not strange?”
Lucius exhaled slowly. That would have to do.
He turned back to the mirror.
His mother’s words echoed quietly in his mind—
“Her name is Narcissa Black. She is a very nice girl.”
“You should be kind to her, Lucius.”
He adjusted his sleeve. “I am always kind.” he murmured.
A pause. Then... “Mostly.”
Outside, the sound of arrival echoed.
Carriage wheels. Soft footsteps.
A door opening.
In the grand entrance hall, Abraxas Malfoy stood tall, composed, his silver-tipped cane resting lightly in his hand.
Beside him, Elizabeth Malfoy smiled warmly.
The doors opened.
Cygnus Black entered first, dark and dignified, followed by Druella Black very graceful, radiant.
And between them...
A very small figure in pink.
Narcissa Black stepped into Malfoy Manor for the very first time. Her dress was soft pink, layered delicately with lace. A ribbon sat perfectly at her waist, and her blonde hair fell straight against her shoulders, shining faintly in the light.
Her blue eyes... wide, curious, a little nervous, looked everywhere at once.
“Mama...” she whispered softly, tugging Druella’s sleeve. “It’s so big!”
Druella smiled gently. “It is, darling.”
From behind them a small *pop*
“Welcome, Mistress Black! Welcome!” chirped Winky, appearing suddenly.
Narcissa gasped softly, and immediately hid behind her mother.
Lucius, watching from the staircase above—
Noticed. Everything.
He noticed the way she held onto her mother’s dress, the way her eyes peeked out shyly, the way her voice sounded soft... and small... and—
“... pink.” he muttered under his breath.
He did not know why that was the word. But it was.
“Lucius” Elizabeth called gently.
He straightened instantly. Then began descending the staircase with careful steps, posture perfect, expression composed.
Until he reached the bottom. And saw her properly.
Narcissa looked up.
Their eyes met.
Lucius forgot—
Completely—
What he was supposed to do.
She was... Very small. Very soft-looking.
Very... Pretty.
In a way that made his thoughts feel suddenly… disorganized.
Narcissa blinked at him.
He was tall. Not very tall, but taller than her. His hair was very light. His eyes were very... sharp.
He looked like someone who knew things. She liked that.
There was a pause. A long one.
Lucius opened his mouth... Closed it. Opened it again... Closed it again.
“Lucius” Elizabeth prompted gently.
Before he could say anything, Narcissa stepped forward.
And in a small, careful voice, she said “...Hello.”
Lucius froze. Then, very slightly, “... Hello” he replied.
Another pause.
Then Narcissa tilted her head just a little. Studying him. Thinking very hard...
“...Loochus” she said.
Silence.
Behind them, Timmy snorted. Itzy elbowed him violently.
Lucius blinked. “...What?”
Narcissa smiled a little. Proud. “I said hello, Loochus.”
Lucius stared at her.
Processing. Struggling.
“... No” he said, very seriously. “It is Lucius.”
Narcissa blinked. “Loo... chus?”
Lucius inhaled. Slowly. “...Lu-ci-us.”
“... Looshoos?”
Behind them, Dobby made a small choking noise. Winky covered her mouth.
Lucius closed his eyes.
Just briefly. Then opened them again.
“... Narcissa” he said, with quiet dignity, “You will practice pronouncing my name properly next time.”
There was a beat.
Narcissa nodded very seriously.
“... Okay, Loochus.”
Lucius... Did not respond.
Because if he did, he might say something undignified.
But inside, something strange happened.
He thought She is very... cute.
And he did not like that word. But he also did not disagree with it.
Druella and Elizabeth exchanged a look. Soft. Knowing. Pleased.
“They will get along.” Druella murmured.
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes” she said gently. “I believe they already are.”
The receiving room of Malfoy Manor was bright with filtered sunlight, soft gold pouring through tall windows and settling over polished surfaces and delicate porcelain.
Everything was arranged. Everything was elegant. Everything was—
“... too quiet.” Narcissa whispered.
She sat beside her mother, her small hands folded neatly in her lap, though her fingers fidgeted slightly against the fabric of her pink dress.
Across from her, Lucius sat beside his mother.
Very still. Very composed. Very aware.
Elizabeth Malfoy lifted her teacup gracefully.
“Druella, it has been far too long.” she said warmly.
Druella smiled, equally poised. “I was thinking the same. You have not changed at all.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “You are far too kind.”
The adults spoke with ease. Old friends, familiar rhythm...
Hogwarts memories, shared acquaintances, subtle mentions of names that drifted over the children’s heads.
“... Horace Slughorn still writes to Abraxas” Elizabeth said lightly.
Druella smiled. “Of course he does. He always favored his... connections.”
A quiet laugh between them.
But the children were not listening.
Lucius was looking at Narcissa.
Narcissa was trying very hard not to look at Lucius. She peeked. Then quickly looked away. Peeked again. Then tucked her chin slightly into her shoulder.
Lucius noticed. Of course he noticed. He noticed everything.
“... Why are you looking at me?” he asked suddenly.
Narcissa startled. “I... I wasn’t!”
Lucius tilted his head slightly. “You were.”
“Uhmm... Only a little, Loochus” she admitted, very softly.
Lucius considered that. “...Why?”
Narcissa hesitated. Then, in a small voice “... Your hair is very shiny.”
There was a pause.
Lucius blinked. “... It is?” he asked.
Narcissa nodded aggressively cute. “Mhm.” She leaned forward just a tiny bit, squinting like she was examining something very important. “It looks like... like silver, Loochus.”
Lucius straightened slightly. “It is platinum blonde.”
“Oh” Narcissa said. Not fully understanding what platinum is, but she don't wanna look dumb infront of Lucius.
Then, after a beat “... It is still shiny.”
Lucius, did not argue. “... Your dress is very pink.” he said instead.
Narcissa’s entire face lit up. “It’s new!” Her voice lifted, suddenly excited, all shyness forgotten. “Mama bought it for me for today! I have lots of pink dresses but this one is my newest one.”
Lucius listened carefully. Absorbing everything. “... You like pink.” he said.
“I love pink very much, Loochus” Narcissa corrected softly, but with conviction.
Lucius nodded once. Important information. Very important. “... I see.”
Another pause. But this one, was not awkward.
Narcissa glanced down at the table. At the small plate beside her. Then back at him.
“Loochus, do you like sweets?” she asked suddenly.
Lucius blinked. “... Yes.”
Narcissa leaned closer. A little conspiratorial. “Me too! I like chocolates the most.”
Lucius leaned in slightly too. “...I prefer structured desserts.” he said seriously.
Narcissa blinked. “What is that?”
Lucius paused. Thinking. “...Things that are arranged properly.” he decided.
Narcissa stared at him. Then nodded very seriously. “Okay.”
Behind them, Timmy whispered to Itzy “I do not know what Master Lucius means.”
“Neither does Master Lucius.” Itzy whispered back.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Druella watched. And both of them... Were smiling.
“They are speaking.” Druella murmured softly.
Elizabeth’s eyes softened. “Yes” she said. “And not arguing. That is already a success.”
In this room... Something else was forming. Something quieter. Something softer.
“What is your favorite drink?” Lucius asked suddenly.
Narcissa answered immediately. “Apple juice!”
Lucius nodded. “... Not pumpkin juice?”
Narcissa made a small face. “... No.”
Lucius leaned back slightly. “... I understand.”
He did not elaborate. But the way he said it, made Narcissa giggle.
And that... That sound... Lucius stilled.
He had heard laughter before. Of course he had. But this one... Was light. Soft. Like something small and bright.
He decided... He liked that sound. Very much.
“Lucius” Elizabeth said gently.
He looked up immediately. “Yes, Mother.”
Elizabeth gestured lightly. “Why don’t you show Narcissa your room?”
There was a pause.
Narcissa’s eyes widened slightly.
Lucius blinked once. “... My room?” he repeated.
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes. I believe Narcissa would enjoy seeing your books.”
Druella added softly “And your toys.”
Lucius straightened. “... Of course.”
He stood first. Then turned, and looked at Narcissa. “...Come.” he said.
Narcissa hesitated, just a little. Then she stood too. Carefully smoothing her pink dress. She looked at him.
Then—Very shyly—She reached for his sleeve. Just the edge of it. Barely holding.
Lucius froze.
Looked down. At her hand. Small. Soft. Holding onto him like... Like she trusted him.
Something warm. Very warm... Settled quietly in his chest.
“Yes” he said softly “Stay close.”
Behind them, Dobby sniffled loudly. “Master Lucius is taking care of Miss!”
“Do not cry” Itzy whispered harshly. “You will ruin the moment.”
They stepped into the hallway together. And immediately, three house-elves appeared at once.
POP.
POP.
POP.
“Master Lucius! Should Dobby guide the way?”
“Timmy can guide better!”
“No, Itzy will guide!”
Narcissa gasped, and clutched Lucius’ sleeve tighter.
Lucius frowned slightly. “You are alarming her.”
All three elves froze.
“Sorry, Master. ” they said in unison.
Narcissa peeked out slowly. “... They’re small.”
Lucius nodded. “Yes. They are house-elves.”
Narcissa tilted her head. “Do they bite?”
Timmy looked deeply offended. “Timmy does NOT bite!”
Narcissa squeaked and hid behind Lucius. Lucius immediately stepped slightly in front of her. “No. He will not bite” Lucius said calmly. “If he does, I will dismiss him.”
Timmy gasped. “I will NEVER bite!”
Narcissa peeked again. “Okay.”
Lucius nodded once. Satisfied. “Come” he said again.
And this time, when she held onto him, he did not freeze.
He simply... Let her.