✧DINNER WITH THE BLACK FAMILY✧

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Alphard Polux Black had two issues before him at the moment, one involved Evelyn—And this time, he didn't have Orion helping on the sidelines either. He hardly thought his words were all that helpful, but every receiving parcel had been with praise and that was enough for him to reserve the fact that Rhea didn't need to know...Yet.

Evelyn hadn't disclosed much, but he had the feeling it wasn't as dangerous as what Rhea had been through with Dolohov. And he cursed himself for letting it get that far with his beloved.

The last thing he would allow is for her friend to suffer the same fate, but speaking of fate—They had a family dinner that very night.

And it was his turn to host.

It made the utmost sense of course, with Sirius and Regulus now back at home and the summer bringing everyone away to travel. Alphard was just thankful that Rhea's brother and their nephews would give her someone to talk to that's around her age rather than bicker with Walburga.

And he knew straight away she did not want anything to do with Cygnus or Durella after their previous meeting. After sharing what had happened with Orion, even he was pissed beyond belief. And he had also forgotten the offer that Cygnus had given in full reigns of his wife.

But Orion declined.

"I know this isn't how I pictured our evening, love. But we can go over a few ideas for the library together to make up for it." Rhea had already woken up in a sour mood, especially when she had to stop the build-up of naughtiness this morning.

"Look it over in the bath?" Rhea instantly shook her head at the idea, at this point she had been rather run down already trying to get everything in order. "How about some chocolate frogs?"

"That sounds nice." She mumbled, biting her lip as she didn't know how to formulate her thoughts into a valid sentence.

"Alphard, they're going to ask about a bab—"

"And that is none of their concern. If anything, they should hope for no children considering that leaves less of our fortune for their generations. But Walburga can never any other point of view than her own." The mistrust of his own family had downgraded so far that she didn't want to have this dinner party at all, yet she sighed one more to get the last of her attire on.

"I'm sorry Rhea. You're meant to feel safe in my family and it's been a constant battle of watching your back."

"It's not your fault Alfie, you don't get to choose family."

"No, unfortunately not. But I did get the opportunity to choose you as my wife. And that makes up for the horrible sister that will no doubt make a fuss over everything. Please do not take it to heart." This had caused Rhea to pout.

"That's harder than you think, she was so kind to me before she knew we fancied each other. I don't understand how that could possibly change anything."

"You've taken her spot, love. She is older than our brother and his wife. But even at your age, you are higher ranked, it's all a reach for power. Though I'm still enraged for my brother to pull something of that sort." Rhea offered a smile, not wanting to get their nerves wracked up already.

On the flip side of it all, there were a few excited guests amongst the crowd that was heading off to the eldest Black manor. Sirius and Regulus, as they wanted a reason to leave their manor at the sight of first light, and Orion was right alongside with his sons in that frame.

Rodolphous, as he wanted to see his sister for the first time that wasn't a party setting—And Narcissa wanted to see what Rhea had conjured up since her last visit to the manor when it was in the first stages of a makeover.

It was the rest in attendance that Rhea didn't feel up to par with, though Bella's mood would shift back and forth. Honorable Death Eater or dutiful wife, there was hardly a between for that witch.

Whether it was a blessing or a curse to see that Orion and his family had been the first to arrive, Rhea didn't take the time to place it as either. Instead, she greeted them each as warmly as the other, including Walburga.

"And...How were your OWL exams?" Rhea questioned, and Sirius groaned at the mere mention. "Alright I suppose, now I get what you mean when you said NEWTS were awful." She smiled at her nephew and repeated her offer in helping them if they needed it.

"My sons are perfectly capable of doing their own work themselves without any of your help." Walburga spat, and Rhea turned her gaze off towards her announced sister-in-law and back to her husband.
"Charming, the last time you were gushing at the fact that I was helping your children and now you despise it," Rhea said, turning back towards the two lads and directing them off towards the other room where she had a few gifts lying in wait for them.

Though Alphard hadn't wasted a moment in between to pull his wife close to her embrace, perhaps her level of patience was thinner than he thought.

"How dare you speak to me like that in front of my—"

"Careful sister, must I remind you that Rhea is my wife?" The woman grumbled, but in the mix of this altercation, both the former Black sisters had appeared with their husbands. And Rhea couldn't help but bring her brother into a hug.

"Rhee, you're looking wonderful—This bloke better be taking care of you." He said under the caution of a whisper as he pulled away for any signs of distress. But was only met with a smile. "All is well, though Walburga is out to make me snap."

"Oh, I'm sure that'll be interesting to watch from my seat at the far end. Won't it?" Her laughter had continued on as she hugged both her nieces—though it was strange to see them after the damning confrontation in thinking he was owed something like herself.

"Auntie Rhea," Bella said with a grin, and of course it earned them a bit of laughter considering Rhea was the youngest of the four surrounding her.

To say she felt more comfortable with her brother and supposed nieces was an understatement, while she did enjoy Orion's company—Seeing Walburga by his side had always saddened her.

The entire family would be so much more well off if she was simply kinder and didn't have a stick up her—

"Rhea! This is brilliant!" She had turned over to see Regulus holding up a jersey and she waved off his record of needing to say any type of thanks.
"You had a good year, you deserve it. Though Alfie helped me the equipment." Upon this comment, Walburga had voiced her greeting to Cygnus and Rhea shivered.

Regulus was about to question it, but instead, Rhea had gone to move towards her husband—They haven't spoken directly since the incident, so she truly didn't know where Alphard was in terms of forgiving or forgetting.

But the way his jaw clicked into place, it hadn't been either.

"Sister, you're looking beautiful as always." Walburga had thought the comment was for her, but Rhea smiled at Cygnus' display of mentioning their relationship with one another.

Perhaps that is why Walburga was being so bitter, her brothers were respectful of another Mistress Black.

"It's lovely to see you both again." She spoke, but didn't greet them as warmly as the rest of her family. And Walburga tutted at the display of Rhea failing to be a proper hostess.

Thankfully, the Black had their own traditions when it came to holiday meals, and it was a blessing for Rhea to be shown on one of the only days it doesn't follow on a Christmas or New Years.

Granted, she didn't want to be in either Durella's or Walburga's domain either, so she could stomach her own manor for now.

It was a damn near blessing to know that she was sitting between Alphard and Orion, right across from Cygnus. And the light chatter had allowed her to switch off and on when she wanted to tune in the conversation or not.

Her husband had a supportive grip on her thigh for the majority of the first few appetizers, and Orion would nudge her every once in a while with a bit of playful banner. Yet Cygnus remained well aware he lost the well right in being all too familiar with Rhea after the display the following time.

Yet for Walburga, all was out of place.

She had fallen out of rank and it angered her to no end. Alphard would be at the head of the table regardless of the household among the Black families. Then on either side, it'd be Orion or Cygnus, followed by their wives.

To sit in Sirius' seat and be brought down the line only returned her to her own hatred of this entire idea. Any child would sit beside them and push the ranks further.

And it didn't take long for her thoughts to align with what Alphard had reminded Rhea about prior, that anything that he was in ownership of, would fall to rest on Rhea instead of their surrounding family members.

It had ruined her perfect order. There was no room for new additions unless it meant children. Though the main argument was that her husband bestowed upon her, is that now Alphard had the chance of children—And she had been nearly dismissed when she tried to get across the point of losing their investments that they have aligned with Alphard.

Orion held his ground, and she categorized it as Rhea brainwashing him and her sons. Though she would now have to investigate why on earth Cygnus and Durella were horrified by Rhea's every move.

Thankfully the sit-down dinner was finished, and Rhea had begun circulating between the young lads to those closest to her age. But it seemed Walburga was just waiting for Rhea's moment to be alone, and she nearly expected it considering she needed to use the loo eventually.

"Walburga."

"I don't know what you are up to, but you best believe I will come to the bottom of—"

"Up to something?... What could I possibly be up to?" To Rhea, the worst thing she had even conjured was the planning of running away. But then a thought popped up, that she is in contact with Andy.

And that was forbidden.

"Anything and everything."

"If you're that concerned, Alphard had a few guests over when we were in Germany and they had the courage of stealing a priceless Black family heirloom...It's back in its rightful place. You might hate me, Walburga, but I am truly not looking for trouble." Her elder eyes had narrowed down towards her.

"Whatever you've done to my brothers, I will get to the bottom of it."
"Oh, if you wanted to know what was wrong with Cygnus. You simply had to ask." Rhea said with a polite smile.
"He tried to bed me, and Alphard is not up for sharing his wife. Besides, I am loyal to my husband. So you can understand how I felt when I found Durella in our bed...It makes me wonder what type of family I've married into. So please, reframe from blaming me for it all the problems in the room." She finalized, and that had left the woman frazzled, she had left the main room for so long she needed to return.

Though in coming up to her husband she kissed his cheek. "Sorry love, Walburga was being a pain." And he turned back to the hall in question, though his sister didn't reappear.

"I take it you told?"

"She's out to get me, better I told than she blames me for it." He was going to tell his sister eventually, but with how obvious his brother and in-law were acting, it was bound to happen. She hummed and Orion chuckled.
"Did you hear that Cygnus? You're screwed once your sister gets a hold of you." His face had turned red in both embarrassment but Rhea had remained impassive, and Alphard had known exactly what that meant.

She was growing tired of the ordeal around her, but it pained him when he recognized that she was dulling herself with the company. That happened once among her friends.

Sirius had frowned at the sight of Rhea and Alphard, confused as to what their little whispers were about. Regulus had nudged him and Sirius huffed. "What do you suppose that's about?" He questioned and Reg had turned with a his own temptation. "I could go and find out, Rhea usually tells us things."

"No...I have a feeling that this isn't for our ears. Mother's probably made a fool of herself and you know how Rhea can get witty very quickly." Regulus' eyes had widened insight of both his Aunt and Mother going at it, so when the fire in Walburga's eyes had silently addressed everyone in the room.

Hell was surely about to break loose, or would have—Had Alphard not escorted his siblings off and away. Though Orion had caught Rhea before she truly gave into her tempter. "It's alright, he'll sort this through."

"Sort through it? Bloody sakes, it's an outrage is what it is. What if he hadn't been home? What if—"

"And there is no need to start play that game, relax. How about you speak with your nephews, I say—I'm almost jealous that they get to spend a few weeks on vacation here." She rose a brow in temptation, after dealing with one flirtatious family member, Rhea didn't want to deal with another.

"My apologies," Orion grumbled and Rhea sighed.

"It's alright, truly. Much less harmless than that oaf I had the pleasure of meeting." Rhea had meant every word, having a soft spot for Orion and his relationship with his wife. It wasn't exactly pity, but overall worry to his well-being.

She had the ability to make anyone snap.

"Proud of yourself then?... Making a mockery of this family so early on in your marriage." Rhea looked a Durella the same as she had throughout the entire evening.
"Is that so? Would you like to tell the rest of the room what happened?" As that hadn't been a thought in the Slytheirn's mind, Rhea had nodded.

"No? Good. I'd like to keep it this little circle as well. If anything, you should be embarrassed for that type of behavior. Making jabs at my age. I would've expected those around me who pretend to be so high and mighty that they act their own age." Rhea had been near seething, and Durella silently cursed under her breath as she strutted away. Only to be replaced by either of their daughters.

"Rhea...What's going on?" Orion had held up his hand and defused the sister's worries with ease. They couldn't say anything more against their Uncle's orders, but that didn't stop Narcissa from planning to write with her later on.

The only issue is that neither Rhea nor Orion could account for is Roldolphous. "Yes Rhea, what is going on?"

For a moment she had turned to tell him, but she had shaken her head at the last moment. "It's alright, it's all sorted." But Rolf had glared off into the direction of Durella, and alerted the witch tenfold.

She returned in full force.

"Your sister is a liar, a liar and a—"

"Actually, my sister hasn't said a thing. So she hasn't lied, most likely because she doesn't want to cause any issues. So I ask you this, Mrs.Black, what is it that's happened?" Everyone's eyes had turned to Durella in expectation of telling, so a cruel smile had turned onto the woman's face.

"Your sister tried to sleep with my husband." The room had turned silent for a beat.

Then another.

Then another.

Before the room had filled up with laughter, coming from a combination of Rodolphous, Sirius, and Regulus. And even Narcissa had let out a few snickers before turning to her mother as if she had spoken another language.

Clearly, she had expected more of an outrage than being laughed at—And once Rolf had finished he shook his head. "Oh, Mrs.Black, that was brilliant. It was almost as if you were telling the truth, but you know what does this tells me. You're out to get my sister...And that is going against me." He says with a cruel smirk, as it had been enough information for Rolf to go and scout out the others.

"How dare you call me a liar!" Druella called out, and Rhea sighed. "Surely you could take the same treatment that you're trying to give, couldn't you, sister?" Orion smiled down to his cousin's little wife and Bella had followed after her husband.

Leaving the room with the last few children of the generation. "Congratulations, now it's getting out of hand." Rhea dwelled, and Druella scowled.
"Sirius...Regulus, I hate to do this, but it's probably better if you leave the room." She said, and Sirius scoffed. But it was Regulus who had tugged at his sleeve. His younger brother's influence had followed their newly made aunt's instruction.

And Narcissa looked directly towards her mother now. "Mother, what's happened?"

"What's happened is that this bratty witch has been spreading lies and deceiving the lot of you!" It had been unheard of for Narcissa to speak out towards her mother, but this was an outrage to place blame on Rhea when she has hardly stepped foot into the family.

"And you're not defamation Rhea's person?... After suffering through Walburga's hatred for so long, you'd think that you would be on her side than my wife's." Narcissa had stared at Rhea until it became clear from Rhea's enclosed attitude and snippy comments that her mother had outed herself so easily.

That is an altered version of the truth.

"Rodolphous Lestrange, you stop this nonsense this instant!" Rhea had turned off towards the shielding sound of Walburga, and was taken back by seeing Cygnus rushing off towards her. The way she backed up well and afraid had Orion intercept them both.

"Mrs.Rhea Black, I must apologize for being such a pig of a man and whoring myself out to you." Having been shielded by the cover of Orion was a blessing, but it wasn't enough to take into consideration of how far he would go to apologize.

It hadn't stopped as he had gone down to his knees and attempted to kiss her shoe.

The terror was written all over her face, and once she caught the grin on Rolf's face. It became apparent as to what was happening. Cygnus was under the Imperious curse to perform this nonsense, whether it is by her brother or Bella.

It was pushing her migraine further and further.

Having the urge to kick Cygnus had been retained as she caught sight of his faded iris'. They were clouded as one would be under the curse.

"Rolf, stop this nonsense." She voiced, but between both him and Bella...They were having too much fun in their illegal tricks. "Rolf, I will not have this kind of activity in my manor." He had tried to ignore her and issued another order through the curse, but she whispered another swear and curled her fists.

"Rodolphous!" His shoulders hitched and he pulled back on his control over Cygnus, though it was a rather hilarious sight to see the bloke on his knees trying to scramble back to his feet.

In straightening his jacket and getting the taste of the ground from his lips, Rhea had held her head at the pounding sensation pushing against her skull.

As the truth had finally seen the light, Walburga was finally silent over the fact that Rhea had been the one wronged by the actions of another. But that still didn't hold her completely unaccountable in her mind.

Seeing the getting together in shambles, and it nearly being ten in the evening...Rhea sighed. "After all that excitement, I believe that's it for tonight's gathering. Narcissa, Bella, Rolf...Thank you for coming tonight. Orion, it's always a pleasure. And could you tell Sirius and Regulus I apologize for cutting the night short?" The man standing beside her had nodded, and Rhea had said a final goodnight and headed off towards Alphard to kiss his cheek.

"Rhea..." He whispered after her, but the damage was done. With the sheer look of defeat, Rhea shook her head before picking up the pace to their bedroom.

Though she was soon greeted by their shared Nephews who didn't hesitate to pull her into a much-needed hug. So while Alphard had felt warmed by the sight of her receiving some comfort, his expression turned downright coldhearted in a matter of turning his glance.

"It was Rhea who hadn't canceled today, as I had planned. But starting for you, Walburga, trying to target her for doing something wrong? Is it so bloody hard for you to comprehend that I love that witch? Is it?!" It wasn't only Rhea who was hurt, but having both of his siblings not caring for his feelings on the matter irked him.

And he needed to put his foot down.

"And if Radolphous wasn't so much of an arrogant arse, I would have thrown you to him myself! I want you all out of my manor and not to step foot in it again without an owl in warning." The boundaries had been placed and already were fought against.

And it was quite hilarious, that the very wizard who had caused the most issue of the night had come forward in reminder of them being a family.

"You are no brother of mine, Cygnus." He declared with a glare, sharing it with his sister. "...And you are nearly the same, Walburga. Now, get. Out." Orion had given his brother a nod with a firm grip on his shoulder before coming close to Walburga to share a few stern words that furthered her frown.

As those had trickled out, Rolf had claimed he would send an owl to check on Rhea himself. Which Alphard appreciated, but that didn't allow much room for a consult from another else.

And when the final guest had departed, Alphard looked to the dining room table in complete and utter disgust. Today had been a complete failure, it didn't provide any clarity between the 'offer'.

Walburga had stabbed Rhea with stubble jabs of being pregnant, getting pregnant, or failing at her commitment to the family.

Currently, he was debating whether or not to give his wife another minute by herself before joining her, and it was decided for him once he recalled the saddened look on her face.

How broken she already felt.

Taking the long strides upstairs to their side of the manor, he knocked lightly before peeking his head in. In situations like this, she would usually sit in the tub, but now she was curled up on his side of the bed, fully clothed and clutching his pillow tightly.

In coming forward he whispered a small greeting that was more than lost in her sobs before sitting just beside her. "Love, it's alright...They've all left." He said, rubbing her waist and sighing as she wrapped her hand around his.

Stopping his excessive touch.

He leaned forward to lock his chin onto her shoulder, remaining silent as he waited. Though Rhea was in her own world, she felt naive in thinking that marrying Alphard would push away all her worries in the world.

But she was reminded of how damned she was for thinking such a thing.

For all but a moment, Rhea had turned to face him and mumbled a question but he failed to hear her through her sniffles. "Sorry love, I didn't quite catch that."

"Hold me?"

"Oh love, you never have to ask...Would you like to get changed?" She nodded, but he hadn't wasted the opportunity to undress himself and offer up his dress shirt for her to enjoy. She didn't hide the small sniff she had given the fabric, humming in comfort to his signature cologne.

"Your brother will be owling to see how you're doing...But otherwise, Orion will be doing my work tomorrow. I have half the mind to take you to Spain so we can enjoy the beach." She nodded, and he kissed her cheek. Whether she lucid enough to accept the trip to Spain, Alphard didn't know.

What he did know, was that Rhea felt much more devious than one might think. And ultimately she turned the tides for everyone in the family and pushed Walburga into silence, all while giving Cygnus and his wife the chance to sweep it all under the rug.

But no, they sought to destroy her image, and well, that was fairly difficult to do since the entire room her better than that.

It might be hard for his little goddess, but there would be good coming soon. She just had to wait a while longer.

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Date Posted: 11/30/2021

Time: 10:20

Words: 4210