Backstory - Riches have never fascinated me, unless combined with the greatest charm or distinction.

[byrightsinhell]

The restaurant is elegant and simple, the kind lit by candles and without prices on the menu. It's a wizarding establishment, of course, a few streets away from the bustle of Diagon Alley. Lucius is quite pleased with himself as he selects his entrée. He hadn’t seen Narcissa Black on a regular basis since graduation, and when he had seen her in passing, there had generally been little time to study her. Now he had her to himself for the evening, and he was more and more certain he had made an excellent choice in pursuing her more seriously. The three years since he’d graduated had been kind to her; they’d certainly gotten a few discreet stares as he’d escorted her in. He’d given a lot of thought to what sort of woman he would settle down with, and Narcissa had so far done nothing but reinforce his initial thoughts on the matter.

She was, he admitted, a far cry from the girls he had been seeing. But then, what he looked for in a wife and what he looked for in a romantic partner were somewhat different. And it was time to settle down. For one thing, it would relieve him of middle aged witches throwing their daughters at him like a shotput. And, perhaps a bit morbidly, the thought has crossed his mind that if the Malfoy family is to have an heir, he may not have an infinite amount of time in which to father one. The three years since graduation have changed more people than Narcissa Black, whether he admits it or not. He has no doubt that, should the courtship go as planned, Narcissa will make a good mother and will run the manor with elegance. She’d never call herself mistress of it otherwise.

Those were all thoughts for another night. He intended to enjoy dinner, and to enjoy her company.

However, once the waiter has come for their order, he’s already planned his opening question. Taking a sip of his wine with a smile, he asks, “So. May I ask why your mother spent ten minutes reassuring me that you would warm up to me if I gave you a bit of time, before you came down this evening?” His lips quirk. “I believe she used the exact phrase ‘Let her get used to the idea.’”

Comments

[byrightsinhell]

With the dessert ordered, then, and on the way, he says, "You know, if it's odd for us, it's going to be even odder for the people who knew us at school." He sounds amused. "I'm actually quite looking forward to people attempting to take it graciously as a matter of course."

[vanities]

"Do you think anyone will ask you?" She doesn't imagine very many people will ask her about this change of heart - although she may be underestimating how effectively she'd forged her own reputation. If she weren't Narcissa Black then her assumption might very well stand.

[byrightsinhell]

"I'm not sure. Maybe not directly." He almost grins; it's really a nice smile, when he indulges it fully. "I suppose that question rests on whether my reputation for being calculating outweighs my reputation for bickering with you."

[vanities]

"I, at least, am quite charming when I'm of a mind to be." And how many of their arguments had been inspired by less than that 'I, at least'? Narcissa's smile has an edge of self-awareness and she mercifully refrains from pushing her luck - as tempting as it briefly is to incite him just to see if he can be pushed.

(Of course he can be pushed, but he's set out to woo her, hasn't he? He might not fall so easily with his eyes on that goal.)

[byrightsinhell]

The look he gives her is slightly arch; he hears what she's doing, and acknowledges it, but won't take the bait that easily. "I had no doubt you could be. Just as I'm sure you'll mention it if you see me straying too farm from the path of social grace."

[vanities]

"I promise faithfully to correct you if I see a need for it," she says, piously sweet.

[byrightsinhell]

"And I will do my best to make sure your promise doesn't prove too much of a hardship to you."

Many people find Lucius perfectly charming, Narcissa. Shocking but true.

[vanities]

"I would be delighted to help you," she protests - and then she laughs, conceding the moment.