It's the same conclusion Lucius has come to, really. At one time, Andromeda Black might have been the pureblood witch he was most likely to propose to - they were nearly the same age, in the same House, and had liked each other well enough. But that had been before; it certainly wasn't occurring now. Equally, it's never been likely that he'd marry Bellatrix. He likes her, of course, but she's a woman who would almost always have the upper hand with him, and that's hardly how he wants to go on in a marriage.

He supposes he's considered Narcissa, he thinks, as much as he's considered the other options. Increasingly, there aren't really that many, especially since he's taken on the Dark Mark. Poppy Parkinson is suitable, but rather annoying. Still, he could deal with it. Phoebe Greengrass is acceptable as well.

"I didn't," he says, tilting his head a bit at Bella. "It may yet come up, but I decided I didn't wish to know whether I was behind schedule or not." His family certainly believes so, after all. Not just his father, but the more distant cousins who look to him to continue the Malfoy tradition of excellence. The same cousins who thought he was falling down on that job, so to speak, after beginning so well.

"Perhaps I should ask him if you ever marry Dolph," he says instead of dwelling on his irritating relations. "It's still the most popular question I get asked at those parties he's good at avoiding."