✧HOLDAYS ARE ON THE WAY✧

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Orion had felt massively guilty for putting Rhea and Alphard at odds, but from Corin's clarification. It seems that she had bettered the situation as well as aced her last exam. One that Orion thought was due for a celebration and thus, brought her to a rather elite restaurant in the wizarding world.
One that Corin didn't even know existed nor held the proper attire.

But that was all she had heard of the matter as she was making the strides to distance for past week and a half. Which was proving to be difficult considering they were working together both in the business and making the preparations for both Christmas parties.

Rhea had felt a shiver run down her spine at the thought of not only visiting Grimmuald Manor for Christmas, but her parent's as well.

However she managed to favor a public outing instead was starting to drive her up the walls, but Alphard had promised for a steady rest of the Winter and Spring. Meaning it sounded as though he was plotting for something, and here she was—Scraping together the last bit of paint and inspiration to build upon the given pieces she had planned since she had to think about his gift.

Granted, it was expected. But Alphard's excitement over getting a peek or a hint every now and then kept him eager. Which allowed Rhea to continue with the ease that Alphard would like it.

She reminded kindly that he promised to frame and hang every piece of her work on his walls, but damnit, she had the best idea last minute. But thankfully she had found the means to manage.

And by the means she, it meant she found an artist willing to sculpture something very specific. Leaving her to tell him in advance that she was getting something custom done, and he was left even more desperate for a hint.

"Come now, Atlas. We're just a week away! Perhaps I'll give you a hint after the festivities. Did you want to come with me to pick up the lads?" She questioned, though he settled the matter with a pout.

"I'm stuck here for another few hours, love. Go enjoy it with the lads. You're headed to Diagon Alley first, aren't you?" She nodded, thinking that she could pick up a treat for her Newphews and brother.

Given that her parents were only coming back from France now and Walburga was nearly on strike in managing the party because Lori put Rhea's word over hers. Making it both hilarious and technically accurate.

"Her husband doesn't pay my bills, yours does. So your voices dictates hers." And Rhea had laughed for nearly the rest of the week, even Corin had found humor in it as well.

"Did you want anything in Diagon alley?"
"No, but I'm curious if there's a surprise waiting for me when we're alone tonight?"
"Not that I'm aware of, besides, the lads are staying with us. Remember?" Clearly, he hadn't, and Rhea had turned back over to stand behind her husband and work out the kinks in his shoulder, trying to gain his attention while also showing a bit of affection.

"You need to take it easy, Alphard. We're nearing the end of the year, we should be celebrating. Not plotting...What is it that's gotten you so worked up anyhow?" He didn't want to make mention of her own Christmas gift, as it's been readily the influence for the rest of the year.

Mainly his own doing, as he wanted to take it easy and plan for as little of traveling as possible so Rhea wouldn't divide her time between dutiful wife and student.

"Perhaps we'll find some time for ourselves."

"And you'll be showing me what Corin has been teaching you?" Orion had walked in at the worst possible time in hearing that his witch was teaching Rhea how to be sexual and promiscuous.

"Alphard, are you ready for the meeting?" He intervened, and Rhea's attention peeked up to meet Orion's gaze. "Merlin, I'm holding you from a meeting. Get going...I'll get the lads." Rhea had made quick work with her cloak and pure before hurrying out of the room.

"Rhe—"

"Orion." She greeted, but then passed by him to hurry to the train station in time for the Express to roll in. But that had left her brother rather crestfallen, staring after the space she had passed him before frowning at his brother.

"You had that coming."

"And you could have much easier on her, cause god forbid she does something kind for me."
"So you're keeping tallies? Should we cash in mine?" He tilted him and Orion gritted his teeth.

"I think those tallies are all nulled after I took a beating from my wife after the whole pre and post-engagement to Rhea, isn't that right?" The power struggle between the two was going back and forth, and clearly, the years without his elder brother here was starting to become apparent that Orion was not used to the second mantle of the world.

"Merlin, Orion. Can we simply call it truths? I nearly have a migraine thinking about the damned events happening at your manor for Christmas. Let alone my in-laws." The two had sighed, but not in sync. The tension was soon drifting as Orion had made the first instance and came forward to sit in front of Alphard.

"But now I understand the excitement, the rush...Corin is a blessing in disguise." The shine that soon sparked in his brother's eyes was overwhelming. "Goodness, was I like this with Rhea?... I should be apologizing."

"Instead you can tell me how you introduced Rhea to shag. Is that what they call it?" Alphard sucked in a breath and shook his head. "I'd reframe from labeling it 'shagging', Rhea gets rightly cross with me if I even suggest the idea of it. Perhaps I've underestimated your fondness for Corin."

"She's adorably sweet. Whatever Rhea had felt in her dream was correct. I needed my little badger."

"Oi, and you stole my term of endearments. Damnit, brother. Try to remain original!" The two were left laughing at one another. "I can promise you, I didn't think we would be here in a million years. Perhaps Rhea was correct in plotting a vacation. Though we'll mask it for a work trip. Otherwise, Walburga might have the urge."

"Yes, please. I would like Corin to never have the pleasure of meeting Walburga if I can allow it. No offense, she is your sister."

"She is. But we'll talk about the divorce at another time. As I recall, we do have a meeting." The two smirked to one another, and Alphard had clapped onto Orion's shoulder in a playful tone to it.

Leaving in a much better light than before.

Rhea, on the other hand, was waiting patiently at the platform with a brilliant smile on her face. The box of baked goods already sent off to the manor. This was the second Winter Holiday where she wasn't returning home for the measly break between now and after New Years.

Curiously enough, she hadn't heard Sirius petition to stay at Hogwarts like she knew he had in the past. But perhaps that was because his Uncle was now settled here in London, just as she had entered the family as well.

Rhea was scribbling down into her small notepad on things she wanted to accomplish as she heard the oncoming whistle to alert the families that they wouldn't be waiting much longer.

And within the next ten minutes, the crowd of students rushed through to find their parents. But Rhea remained watchful towards the marauder's compartment and caught sight of both Lupin and Potter.

"Oi! Who're you lookin' for?" Rhea had been abruptly startled as she withheld her scream.

"Little arse, I have the urge to strangle you." She hissed, coming forward to pull him into a hug. Smiling towards the wonderful leather jacket, one that was very muggle. "Though I'm sure your mother might when she sees this, good grief, Sirius. This just skyrocketed my nerves even more." She hurried out, only to be tackled by Regulus in a smilier manor than Sirius.

"Auntie Rhea! It's so good to see you!" It warmed her heart as she wrapped her arms around the young lad, who was nearly as tall as her now that she took into account that she couldn't bend down to kiss his forehead any longer.

"You just saw me a few weeks ago, love. Surely that isn't too long?" She cooed down to him, gushing as he tried to get away from her pinching fingers.

"Sister, let him have some dignity to spare," Rabastan called out, a kinder smile than she would've guessed. Considering he's hardly responded to her owls.

And if so, it wasn't timely at all. Usually, they were in a combination of the previous two. But granted, he was probably putting his dingily before answering his own sister's post.

"Well then, little mister, can you spare some for me?" She smirked, and he dragged his feet towards her. Did manage a small kiss to the cheek, "Hopefully mum and father aren't being too difficult?"

"Alphard has it handled more or less. Though I don't doubt things won't blow up before the New Year." She mumbled, even if she paired it with a smile. There was something wrong.

"Rhea? Is everything alright?" Regulus asked, and with the three curious students, she needed to get her bearings together.

How the hell was she meant to keep a straight face when she was the one who had hired 'help' from Eve's Garden to entertain their father? "I'll tell you when you're older." She bopped his nose before grabbing hold of her brother's owl cage and directing their group to the nearest flow. She remained the last one from youngest to eldest, before she too stumbled through the given charred stone place.

"Merlin, I need to tell the elves to clear that up...I'm sorry." She spoke, but Rabastan's eyes flickered between Sirius and Regulus. "You're—You're not pregnant, are you?" Rhea perked her lips and flattened her dress, her expression turning rather stern at a moment's notice.

"Have I gained weight? Is that what you're asking?"

"Nono! I meant the whole something being wrong to directing it to telling us when we're older." Rabastan hurried, and she rolled her eyes. "It's nothing you need to worry yourselves over, and no, I'm not pregnant yet. Perhaps in the next year, hopefully. Then you'll be an uncle, and you two will have another cousin." She smiled, leading them into the better part of her estate.

Rhea had shared that Alphard and Orion would be coming later on, but they would be enjoying some lunch and just their own company.

Though both Regulus and Sirius had voiced their excitement in seeing the newly built Library. And of course Rhea had given them the grand tour.

"Merlin have mercy, it's nearly like Hogwarts!" Regulus cheered, his eyes scanning the massive titles while Rabastan had taken a glance into the priceless artifacts that were protected by spells and the glass frames.

"Alphard is surely a big collector. These are dating back to the fourteen hundreds." Rabastan stated, and Rhea hummed a tune as she came forward. A book settled in her grasp as she took a look at what parchment he was looking at in particular.

"He had them all locked away. Personally, I think he forgot he had them from previous auctions, though he won't admit to that so easily. Thought it would be a wonderful addition to the library—Fill in the space, so it isn't all books." Her laughter was light and flowed beautifully, but it was Sirius and Regulus who had ventured further towards something that they were very familiar with.

The Black family tree.

"Aren't you both bored with this tapestry yet?" Rhea called out from the doorway with her brother just behind her. But Sirius nicked his head towards Rhea's face just beside Alphard's.

"Reg wanted to find names for a cousin. We have a bet going on." Rhea sighed up towards the ceiling. "Let's just keep this to ourselves then, yes? And we'll see when the time comes, not a moment before." Regulus seemed rather excited about not being the youngest anymore, but Rhea was still unnerved by the looks her brother was giving her.

As if he didn't believe her when she said she wasn't pregnant.

After the library was well toured, Rhea had returned back to the dining room, where snacks and board games were laid out at the ready. And Rabastan was rather pleased to have this bit of fun before returning home to his parents.

Yet Clarissa had found a free moment in her busy schedule and thus, Betty had introduced the arrival of Madam Lestrange much easier than any of them had expected.

And Rabastan hadn't been able to hide his frown from his sister's attention following the Elf's words. So she shot him a smile and rose to her feet.

"Rabastan, dear...How is everything?" It was rightly strange, considering that Rhea hadn't truly spoken to her mother properly since the team up of her friends threw their words of wisdom onto her in a rather passive-aggressive tone.

Meaning she left without being dismissed, or that's the way Alphard phrased it at the very least.

"School is going well. Glad to be back for Holiday." He offered, and it earned him an embarrassing smooch on the top of his head as Rhea flickered between the two.

Usually, this would bother her, their mother disregarding Rhea's well-being to absolutely nothing and put Rabastan and Rodolphous above all else.

But thankfully, Alphard was teaching her the ins and outs of all her parent's faults, so she wasn't as moved by this. Instead, she was still ticked about the invitation to tea that turned into a gaggle of her friends coming to invade on personal matters.

"Rhea, I hope you are taking care of things here." And that is when she felt the ultimate regret in saying that she could pick Rabastan.

"Of course, we're just enjoying a few board games and snacking a bit." Regulus had smiled so brightly, something that Clarissa had caught and frowned in confusion—Not understanding what she's missed between the four of them.

"Rather old for board games...." She dwelled, and Sirius had caught the way that Rhea had curled her fist just under the table. But even he could see that her mother was baiting her.

"Perhaps I should ask Alphard for some cigars and break out a card game for the next time then. Sure they can handle it." Regulus was no longer smiling, as there was a vast difference between the way Rhea spoke to them than to her mother.

The tone was flat and nearly dead.

"There is no need to be brass now, Rhea. They are in Hogwarts—"

"I think I can entertain my brother and nephews just fine, mother. As if you knew anything about it." Sirius sucked in a breath and made a face-off towards Rabastan, who stood up at attention on his own behalf. He had wanted to stay the night and have a bit of fun, but for the sake of saving an argument from sparking, he had stated that he was prepared to head home, and both he and Clarissa had gone ahead to collect his trunk and things before returning to the Lestrange Manor.

Rhea had leaned back into her chair and started to rub the better part of her temple. And upon opening her eyes she caught both the lads looking at her.

"Let's restart the board since we've lost a player." She claimed, and Sirius had done just that, not caring that he lost his progress. "I take it things are well with your mother?" He offered, and she laughed.

"Alphard is going to kill me before the holiday ends, that's for sure...But things are grand, couldn't you tell?" She teased, and he laughed. While Regulus' shoulders fell further.

"What happened?" He mumbled, and Rhea had only responded by refilling his with hot coco and waved it off. "She's being petty that I left during a tea party between her and her friends. Mind you, the owl stated it was just myself and her. Not the rest of her friends." Sirius couldn't hold himself back, and he howled to the ceiling.

"You left?"
"Of course I left. They have no business telling me how to live in my relationship with my husband. Take notes, lads. Because I have a feeling you might be hearing this from your own wives who are battling your mother or theirs." Sirius had offered Rhea the dice to go ahead first, and so she did.

"I really doubt I'm getting married, Rhee."

"Let's not be so brash, Sirius. Perhaps you'll find someone who sparks as much joy as Alphard does for me." The sound of laughter had echoed its way through the halls and Rhea cursed in having her husband hear her about her gossiping about him.

"See, I told you they were well enough on their own!" He called out with Orion just a step behind, and thus, Rhea had risen to her feet and managed the given steps her husband.

"I swear, make a big deal about this, and we're at separate ends of the bed tonight." Her kissed her plainly before raising a brow to Orion. "Careful. They're feisty." He warned, and Orion knew exactly what he had meant.

"Thank you for picking up the lads, Rhea...I hope you two behaved well enough for your Aunt?" They nodded rather quickly as the adults came closer towards the board games.

"Ah, pulled out the classics for them? Mind if we restart?" Orion teased, and it shocked the young Black brothers to see such a difference between Rhea's mother's reaction to playing them to their own father.

Following the few rounds and a hearty dinner, the boys were rather content in staying the night while Orion was left to 'travel' just to get in the final words in before settling for the season.

Or that is what they had told Sirius and Regulus, at the very least. As Rhea knew that they weren't old enough to share the understanding just yet.

Not to mention Sirius would get the wrong idea about marriage and woman, something that Rhea had strongly advocated against.

So off Orion had gone, while Rhea had taken Regulus to get sorted in his own room. Just for the night, while Sirius remained with his Uncle.

"And how are your friends doing?... Rhea calls them the Marauders whenever we refer to the four of you."

"Er—Well, that's what we call ourselves to be frank. Pissess off McGonagal too." Alphard couldn't help but chuckle as he poured himself a tall glass of firewhiskey and spoke about the following plans the next few days.

"Wait...You're headed to the Lestrange manor for Christmas?"

"Course, they're technically my in-laws, if you can believe that. Rather strange if one considers Bella to be a sister-in-law...But we're reframed from thinking that far. Surely you won't miss us too much."
"No, not that—Well yeah, it's always nice having you and Rhee around. But think something is brewing up with her and her mother."
"Why do you say that?"
"When Mrs.Lestrange came over to pick up Rabastan, was sure it was going to end in a fight. Gave Rhea shite for having board games for us to play—Implying that she doesn't know how to keep us entertained."

"Ha! As if Clarissa knew what to do with three children for the entirety of their lives." Sirius had repeated Rhea's words, and it only continued Alphard's laughter. Concerning his wife, as she peeked her head in.

"Regulus is heading to bed, and I think I'm heading off as well. Goodnight Siri...Love, don't drink too much tonight. We'll have plenty during the Holidays." She cooed, eyeing him in warning that they were saving for the real festivities.

"Love, come join us. I've got your favorite bottle of wine right here." She rolled her eyes and denied his offered, claiming that she was tired and had a lot of planning to get done tomorrow before the actual party was set in place.

Yet all Sirius could wonder is if he was ever going to find a witch like his Uncle had, one that he would stare after with such longing—Even when he has all of her.

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Date Posted: 07/31/22

Time: 10:27

Words: 3441