✧WRANGLING IN THE LADS✧

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Rhea had bitten her lip and cursed at breaking the skin, but truthfully—She hadn't a clue as to how to respond to this parcel. She didn't recall ever signing something for McGonagal to owl her if Sirius misbehaved, but here she was.

Reading through the situation she huffed, clearly her time as Head Girl was coming back to haunt her. Espeaclly when Minerva's words of encouragement of being able to handle or get across to them better.

She was asked to come in at her earliest convince, and so she bucked up the courage.

Part of her felt like this was her own child getting reprimanded with how the letter was worded, but beyond that—McGonagal knew partially that there would be no point in sending it to Sirius' parents.

Their reprimanding would be worse off.

"My sweet goddess, have you come to save me?" Alphard called out, his windows wide open but she perked her lips in seeing the cigar in between his fingers. Making her remain closer to the door than he would have liked.

"Love, come now it's—"

"A bad habit, and trying to defend it just worsens it all." He had made a rather childish face with the way he hitched his nose. "I come with a bit of bad news I'm afraid..." She said, fiddling with the parchment as she moved forward.

Upon this movement, Alphard had gotten rid of the smoke and suffocated the butt end of his cigar into his ashtray. "What is it? What's wro—"

"Not with me, no...Sirius has gotten in trouble and McGonagal owled me. I think I should go and speak with him, this type of behavior isn't acceptable." She said, offering up the parchment for Alphard to read through and he nodded.

Kissing her temple and smiling. "You'll be able to pick up a few chocolate frogs as well."

"Oh no. I've decided no more cigars and no more chocolate frogs."

"You're serious about this, aren't you?" She nodded and shrugged her shoulders regardless. "I realize it's difficult to let go of something you enjoy, but it isn't healthy, Alphard. For your lungs or otherwise. So I will gladly give up something I like to join you." And it earned her a brisk kiss.

"At least I can say chocolate frogs don't take like ash, I'll be back in a bit...Do you want anything from Hogsmead while I'm there?" He denied wanting anything, but Rhea had thought it would be grand to come home with a keg of butterbeer.

And perhaps one for the summer as well if their Nephews were staying over, though now that was up in the air if she thought about it.

"Do you think it'll take long?" He asked and Rhea rolled her eyes. The Daily Prophet has made her husband a bit antsy about her being out and about—Even if her brother and sister were high ranked among those loyal to the Dark Lord.

"No, but I did want to check their bookstore...No more than an hour or two." Alphard felt himself battling in being overprotective to allowing her to do anything her heart contents.
"I promise, then we can enjoy some wine after dinner if you're free?" He absolutely hated how she worded it.

Asking if he was free, he should be free every chance she asked.

"Hopefully, love. I still have a few things to sort before we head off on Friday." She smiled regardless and kissed his cheek, saying she was going to get dressed and pack up her purse before heading off.

It was reviving to use her magic, she hardly did much with her knowledge now that she thought about it—She would need to read through her textbooks in a bit, the feeling of her wand in her hand felt stranger than it should.

Upon entering the Hogwarts grounds, the familiarity had hit her instantly, though for once in her life—She was excited to go home.

Now, home didn't mean lonely nights and boring evenings, having the freedom she had was wonderful. Even now with her plan of heading to the bookstore after this excited her, and not having to worry about staying in an allotted amount of coins made it all worthwhile.

Though for now, she had to keep a strict face on as she traveled to the headmaster's office—Course she wasn't the biggest fan of Dumbledore, she never outspoke. As her golden rule was to treat others the way you wanted to be treated, even if it didn't always work out.

Rhea greeted her former headmaster and a deputy headmistress with a polite smile, though walking through what the lads had done crossed her mind once more. It was clear things needed to change, once and for all with that.

Dumbledore had excused himself, entrusting McGonagal to manage well enough—And Rhea's head fell into her hands. "I swear, he's such a sweet boy. I think with the approach of the Holiday, it's starting to begin heavy that he won't have as much excitement, not that that's any excuse."
"It's why I owled you instead of his blasted mother, besides...You know how to speak to those boys." Rhea smiled at the compliment, and in that mere suggestion, it had become apparent that perhaps all of them needed a talking to.

And that is exactly what had happened, the four Mauarder's had been asked to the Headmaster's office. Yet their smirky grins had turned into either confusion or excitement upon seeing their former HeadGirl.

"Rhea?... What are you doing here?" She turned to the Headmistress and the woman just leaned in for a moment to whisper a few words of encouragement before leaving the floor to her.

"I'm here because you lads are acting foolish and Professor McGonagal would like me to have a word with you lot." It hadn't crossed their mind that this would go straight to their parents, though Sirius gulped nonetheless.

"Had it gone to your mother or father, Sirius, I doubt you would think it was still worth it...Would you?" He shook his head, and Rhea turned to his partner in crime. "James, do you really think this behavior is going to win you Evans?" That had caused the lad to flinch as well, and she turned to either Remus or Peter.

"And the two of you have just as much to do with this. There are no pointing fingers here, not today. It was all you four's fault and that will not fly in the real world. Get your act together." There had been a few mumbles of 'yes ma'am' but Rhea's attention was straight to her nephew.

"Your uncle and I are very disappointed, Sirius...We don't want to cancel our plans this summer—"
"No! You can't—"
"I don't nearly blow up the bloody school over a bloke I've had a spat with since the first year. If you want to act this way, fine. But I will not reward this type of behavior." Sirius' head had fallen in suit, and Rhea huffed. Hating that she upset him, but it was for his own good.

"Now then, what aren't you lot going to do anymore?" She questioned, and Peter had been the first in line. "N-not listen t-to James?" He squeaked out, and Rhea had to withhold her eye roll. Peter could never speak with her without stuttering.

"Not fall for their scheme and head to the library instead—Like I was planning to." Remus claimed, and it earned him a nod before her attention turned to Sirius. "Hold back the urge to prank Snivlus."

"Stop encouraging Pad's urge." It was the best they could do and Rhea nodded, and while she couldn't give them detention she could surely push it if she asked McGonagall.

"Now then, you lot have two more years. And in those last years, I do not want another owl like this. Do you understand?" They nodded with solum expression playing on their face, and she could nearly see a pout forming.

"Now come here and give me a hug, or else I'll take house points!" She had opened her arms and Sirius had been one of the first to come forward while the others had given more of a side hug.

Clearly they hadn't gotten over the sense of masculine pride, but it was hilarious regardless.

"Alright alright, get back to your studies—It'll be worth it, believe me." She said, shooing them away. Only for Sirius to remain back, his face etched with worry.

"Y-you're not going to tell my parents?"

"Not unless you give me a reason to. I don't want to be that person, Sirius, but that depends on your next actions. You're a better person than this, so be that person. And besides, Alphard's bought me a broom so I'll need the three of you to give me the proper confidence in flying on that damned thing." His face sparked instantly and he'd given her a sloppy kiss on the cheek.

"Now please, or else you'll be staying in your room upstairs while the rest of us have fun." She deemed, and he shouted his promises before rushing downstairs, the eagerness showcasing widely and she couldn't help but laugh.

"I appreciate those stern words, Mrs.Black. There aren't many people who can get through to him as easily as you can."
"I'll take the liberty of it being that I'm married to his favorite uncle, but otherwise I wasn't very lenient with them when I was a Prefect or Head Girl." The smile had enacted a thought in Rhea's head.

"I don't pretend that all is well in that manor of theirs, and I do hope that him not coming over those two weeks on Holiday will be enough to hold him over for the next few weeks...But could I ask for a favor, Professor?" And thus, Rhea had held the slip of parchment in her hand and a newly formulated plan to reward Sirius when the time comes.

However she prided herself to take her time in the bookshop, as there were a few titles she had always wanted to purchase—But the last time they arrived, Rhea didn't want to give Alphard another reason to hate her family for giving her the bare minimum of an allowance for the entire year.

She wanted to be as low maintenance as possible.

Even now she was starting to see it sink into her relationship with Alphard, using old furniture and such to not create such a fuss.

With a few good titles in hand, Rhea had decided to send a few of them home before taking the address to her benefit. It hadn't surprised her on the large estate, and she came forward to the esteem wooden door.

"You can do this, just say your name and what you're planning this summer...Then you can go home." She whispered just after knocking at door before her.

"Just a moment!" The voice had been just as chipper as Rhea would assume for James' mother, though the smile was just as bright. "Why hello dear, how can I help you?" Rhea swallowed, realizing that she was well out of her age group in seeing James' mother.

Realizing that Sirius hadn't been lying in saying that James was a late child in the Potter's relationship.

"Professor McGonagal actually gave me your address, I was trying to plan a day for the lads to spend together this holiday—I wanted to make sure that—"

"Oh of course! Come in, come in!" Rhea had been taken aback by how quickly the woman had pulled Rhea into the manor without a second thought. Which certainly caused a few red flags in Rhea's mind, she hadn't even given her name for goodness sakes!

"We should've done this ages ago, Winnie!" Rhea had stopped in her step for a moment and shook her head. "I'm not Winnie, though I believe that's Petter's mum if I'm not mistaken?... I'm actually here to ask if Sirius could spend the night with you? You see—"

"You're Mrs.Black?" Rhea had nodded before realizing just how ill-fitting it was. Especially when Mrs.Potter's face had turned into a friendly smile to an impending scowl.

"How dare you..." And the long list of profanities had come spewing out of the woman before here. And Rhea had struggled to even begin to form a thought. "I—I'm sorry, I'm not actually—"

Rhea couldn't process all the words that were coming out of Eurphia's mouth as she simply swallowed down the happiness she felt. Perhaps she should've said her first name?

"I'm not actually Sirius' mother, I'm his aunt..." She deemed, though that hardly did enough to settle down the mother dragon standing before her. "What?!"

"I'm married to Sirius' Uncle, he will be staying with us for two weeks during the Holiday. And I wanted to surprise him and bring here when the rest of the lads are sleeping over...Or something like that, I'm sorry for disturbing your afternoon, Mrs.Potter." Rhea hadn't bothered to hear a word of an apology from James' mother, her heart was no longer fairing a conversation.

"Mrs.Black—Wait!" Yet the desperate call had been followed by a wicked crackle of Rhea apperenting home, and she didn't hesitate to yank off the damned cloak around her neck. This damned symbol of the family she married into was hardly black and white, for goodness sakes—She never thought it would be this complicated to understand it all!

Upon entering the manor, however, she inhaled the scent of fresh bread that the elves must have been baking. "Good Mistress home?... Can Betty get mistress tea?" Rhea sighed in relief at the idea of a nice cup of tea against her lips and thus, she claimed to be in her study.

If she couldn't drown herself in some tea, then she would distract herself in the midst of her studies.

For a moment, she pretended that what she was doing was just as important as the things that Alphard was up to, and she couldn't wait to start working beside him...Though that would be a bit difficult, considering they could hardly speak without touching or flirting with one another.

She'd need to get used to that bit soon enough.

However two owls had reduced her mood even further, first it had been Seamstress Victoria—Offering her services for free and sending dress ideas to try and coax her back into doing business.

It was rather pitiful, to say the least, but Rhea would remain with Sarah regardless. These dresses were too posh and not in recognizing her age, which was the transition she was still trying to figure out. Not being under her mother's thumb anymore meant letting go of her childish garb and into Mistress Black. Wife to Alphard Black.

Was there any reason to respond? Disregarding seemed rather harsh, but so did being told she wasn't in the same category because she was wearing something causal?

In addition to this, she had received a rather long parcel from Mrs.Potter in apology for her harsh words. Sure they were directed to Walburga, and the woman was most likely winding up for a while on that front. But it was undoubtedly rude to not make sure beforehand, did she even look old enough to Sirius' mother?

She doubted it, even if—

"Rhea?... It's nearly seven, did you eat in Hogsmead?" Rhea's head popped up from her current assignment and shot a look at the clock. "Damnit, I'm sorry Alfie...I just wanted to finish this chapter and I lost track of time." She said with a rather saddened expression on her face. And he came forward and soothed her worried, leaving her only task to accept the loving embrace.

"How was your day, darling?" With a shake of her head, Rhea had snuggled closer into his chest. "Rather awful...Did you get your work done?"

"Yes, but we'll be leaving tomorrow after breakfast instead...Did Sirius give you attitude?"
No, a defense mother had given it. "It's alright, let's go eat something..." He hardly managed to get another thought in after seeing Rhea so quiet and off-put.

"I'll have a word with him, not to worry, Rhea. Orion doesn't tolerate this behavior and we're trying to—"
"It wasn't Sirius, he was actually very sweet and listened. Same goes for the rest of his mates, McGonagal probably thinks they're afraid of me considering she asked me to speak to all of them at once." She claimed, a rather faithful smile appearing as she gazed down to her plate.

"Then what has you so down? Please tell me, I'll cancel the meetings tomorrow and we'll—"
"You can't just cancel your work because I'm upset, Alphard. That's not productive, and it has nothing to do with you or anything that you've done...I thought—Well I wanted to do something nice for Sirius and it didn't work out as the way I would've hoped." Alphard had waited patiently for her to manage the words forming in her head, and she huffs impatiently at herself.

"I went to the Potter residence, thinking that perhaps one night Sirius could go and stay with his mates. Just for the night, I know I should've asked you first...And at first, she thought I was Mrs.Pettigrew, and I didn't realize how she would jump to conclusions after realizing I'm Mrs.Black..." Alphard's eyes widened, there was no need to hear the conversation between either witch to know what happened.

"Rhea, that was directed to my sister...You cannot take that to—"

"I've never seen someone have so much hate directed towards me, it was unbearable...I couldn't even stay to let her apologize! And now she's writing me saying how sorry she is!" Rhea's head had fallen into her hands.

Without a moment's hesitation, Alphard had instructed her to stand—And before she knew it, she had fallen into his embrace and he had taken to eating with one another so close. It warmed her heart to see how adapted he was in providing comfort. So she took to rewarding him by feeding him a few forkful of food.

"I'm sorry I forgot about dinner..."

"Not to worry, it's easy to get distracted most nights. I think the elves are so used to waiting for you to call on dinner." She giggled, though speaking of an elf, Rhea had caught Becker coming forward with a parcel in hand.

"Ah, thank you Becker...Hm, I take it you're dress is turning out well then?" Rhea blinked and took a look at the parcel in question, it hadn't been for Alphard as she had thought—And the instant reminder had caused her to groan out loud.

"I never did have an eye for fashion, really...I trust my tailor with my event getups. Or my beautiful wife who's found me a new style." He claimed, nuzzling into her neck and finishing it off with a kiss.

"Actually I have a bit of a problem with this one, she's not my seamstress."
"Pardon?" She hummed and opened it once more, she certainly could be persuasive but alas. Rhea was not following her schemes.

"What does this woman mean by 'misunderstanding'?" Rhea perked her lips and settled the contents back into the envelope. Only to bite her lip as the close proximity was starting to wonders to her mind.

"Just as she said, a misunderstanding. A rude one, but one nonetheless." He narrowed his eyes, taking in the sound of her voice and the way her heart spoke. Whatever happened did indeed hurt her in some regard.

And thus he remained silent, waiting for her to speak on the matter as well.

"I suppose...I didn't look my best when we went out to Diagon alley the other day. None of the seamstresses wanted to help me until they directed me to Sarah. But she's adorable, I rather liked her designs and she's perfect. But after picking out a few, the rude comes of not being 'elite' enough or couldn't afford—"

"Which establishment did you go to?"

"Alphard, come now. I'm ignoring it. They didn't know—"

"Which?" The voice he had pulled out had caused her to pout further, and she offered up the parcel for him to take a good long look at. "Rhea, I could buy these women out in a second. There's no need to humor the woma—"
"I haven't! I haven't responded and I was simply going to ignore it, but clearly she's persistent!" This caused her to cross her arms and glare at another dress sketch on the table.

"I wasn't wearing my cloak. I realized that after, everywhere else I went was almost afraid to even breathe in my direction...And now Mrs.Potter I just—I'm not sure I understand it anymore." Alphard's hand soothed the likes of his wife's back as she curled into his side.

She wasn't joking when she claimed to be having an awful day.

"Here is what we are going to do...We are going to owl Mrs.Potter and clear the air with that one and sort through Sirius' stay—Though I understand completely if you don't want to speak with her for a bit. That is up to you." She nodded, fiddling with his coat's button and looking up to him with tearful eyes.

"Then, I am going to owl that blasted seamstress and get that sorted. The only reason the family go into those stores is to provide money and publicity to the stores."
"That's not true, mother goes there quite often."
"Yes, but for at-home wear or small pieces. The real gowns and robes are personal. I was hoping Cissy can find you one but—"
"Oh, but you should see Sarah's work! It's brilliant and unique, not some tossed up remake that we've seen hundreds of times." Alphard sighed in relief that there was still some good that came out with it all.

And for a moment all of that had undermined the small spat she had with Evelyn, but Rhea was simply hoping that was more towards the fact that the stress of it all was putting a strain on their relationship.

But that was hardly half the problem.

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Date Posted: 11/15/2021

Time: 11:510

Words: 3672