Of Parties and Punch

Of Parties and Punch

Sirius Black was upstairs in his bedroom, reluctantly getting dressed for the annual Christmas celebration at the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. He was scowling at his reflection, mostly because he was ready to go but didn't want to leave the sanctuary of his bedroom. The parties his family threw were always exhausting; he hated being in the same room with one of "those kind of people," much less entire families. With a sigh of defeat and a final straightening of his shirt, he turned around and left the room.

---

Lucius Malfoy was not nervous. Malfoys were never nervous. He looked amazing, as always, and he was a perfect, charming gentleman. The Blacks would love him.

He Apparated to the London tavern where Narcissa and he had decided to meet. Less than a moment later, his fiancée joined him.

"Darling, hello. You look beautiful tonight. Happy Christmas."

"Thank you, Lucius. You look amazing, as well. Let's go, shall we?"

"Let's," he answered, taking her arm. Together, the walked the half-mile to the Black mansion in polite, formal silence.

---

"Aunt and Uncle, this is Lucius Malfoy, my fiancée. Lucius, Mr. and Mrs. Black."

Lucius shook Mr. Black's hand and kissed Mrs. Black's, smiling and murmuring a quiet hello before leaving the doorway with Narcissa.

"Do you want something to drink, darling?" he asked, looking over her pretty blonde head, scanning the crowd.

"That would be lovely," she replied, distracted. "I'm going to say hello to my sisters. You don't mind?"

"No, just don't wander far. I'll be back soon." Without waiting for her to answer, he walked off to find the punch bowl.

---

Sirius had already made his rounds, greeting cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends. His cheeks were sore from forcing so many smiles, and he felt drained from the effort of not fleeing to his room. His parents, though they appeared busy, would surely notice. If they did, it was highly likely he would spend the rest of the winter holidays locked up in his room with no meals.

He wandered around the edges of the party, looking for anyone he knew and did not completely hate. So far, he hadn't had any luck. He was starting in the direction of the punch when he heard a disdainfully snarled"Black."

Sirius turned, rolling his eyes as he said, "A bit stupid, isn't that, Malfoy? It's my parents' party, practically half the guests are Blacks. Wouldn't want them to think you're going around snarling at them, would you?"

"You're older, but no less obnoxious, I see. Black." It was true, but also obvious that Black was very different from the twelve year old kid Lucius had last seen at Hogwarts. While the teenager no doubt still thought he was amusing when played stupid pranks with his friends, he had grown up, physically, anyway. He had grown into his father's good looks and carried himself with more haughtiness, more pride. He was the sort of boy that would always be the center of attention, perhaps everywhere except for in this house. Though he would never admit it to anyone, Lucius had noticed him as soon as he entered the room.

"And I could say the same for you. Aren't you a bit too old to be picking fights with schoolboys?"

"Picking a fight? I was just saying hello."

"In your own special Malfoy way, I see."

"Of course."

"So, you and Narcissa are getting married. I almost feel bad for you, but not quite. When's the wedding?"

"Perhaps we've already sent out the invitations, and you just didn't get one."

"As if I'd come, anyway. Mum and Dad would've told me, if only to rub it in my face. They don't like me much, you see."

"Why am I not surprised? You're not very likeable, if you hadn't noticed."

"You've been out of Hogwarts too long, Malfoy. Everyone loves me."

"I knew that school was losing quality. Honestly."

"Aren't you clever. Well, Malfoy, it's been a pleasure talking to you, really. But I've got to go. It's my house, my party, you know. Have fun." He turned, but Lucius caught his wrist, perhaps more tightly that necessary.

"Maybe I've decided I like you, after all, Black. Come with me."

Sirius' eyes narrowed, suspicious, but he didn't say anything. Neither did he protest when Lucius all but dragged him out of the room, leading him into one of the house's many dark halls.

"Maybe I've decided I like you quite a lot."

"Like me how?" Sirius shot back. "How'd you decide that?"

"Don't play stupid; it's so unattractive. I like you because I think you're - how shall I say it? - pretty. And you think you're so clever. I think you're arrogant, but endearingly so. And neither one of us was having fun at the party, were we?"

"Fun?" Sirius asked, catching his breath as Lucius pushed him up against the wall. "I was having loads. Just because you can't -"

- amuse yourself at a party without fucking someone, he was going to say, but found his words unavailable as Lucius kissed him, fiercely enough so that his head hit the wall behind him. He could feel every vertebra against the stone, every part of Lucius' body on his. Since the party had been horrible, and he was bored, and if Narcissa knew she'd never forgive him, Sirius kissed him back.