✧HAVE MERCY ON THE MESSENGER✧

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Upon getting her vision back in order, Corin had taken into the glorious building that stood before her, and the Elf had dutifully stayed planted at her side—Holding her hand.

"Alphard?"
"Ja, Meister Alphard." Alright, short and sweet—That was simple to understand, and so she took the first leading steps into the building and stood planted in front of the desk.

Yet more German sprouted before her.

"Uh, can you speak English...I'm sorry?"
"Ja, how can I help you today?" His accent was very thick, but she smiled regardless. "I need to see Alphard Black, I hear he's in today?" Perhaps it wasn't the best way to demand entry, but the man had scoffed and waved her off.

"Mister Black is very busy, and very married."
"I understand that, I'm actually friends with his wife—Who needs him right now, so could you please—" The aggravation had gotten to her that she had simply tugged on the elf and continued to the double doors.

"Madam! Madam!"
"Oh hush, just tell me where Alphard's office is, it's an emergency." She hurried, but it was a rather fruitless effort considering there was an endless amount of doors and they were all closed—Though thankfully, had a listing of names about them.

Figures it would be the largest office at the end of the hall, who was she trying to fool? "Alphard! You need to—" She shouted, but the room had been empty all but the remainder of smoke that hadn't yet escaped through the open window.

The man from the front counter had come to stand at the doorway, completely out of breath. "Mister Black is in a meeting, madam, it will be over—"
"This is an emergency, what don't you understand?"
"There are no emergencies allowed." That had been the last straw as she came forward the man and gripped him by the scruff of his shirt. "I swear to Merlin, if Rhea dies and it's because we couldn't get a lawful decision from her husband, I will personally make sure it's known that you were holding me up." She hissed, emphasizing her points before letting him go.

Yet thankfully, there had been only one meeting room on this floor, and this had been the final moment.

"Here it goes..." Corin whispered, readying her poor and aching heart—Why couldn't this be easy?

Upon the door swinging open, there had been dozens if not fifty men in this room, all around the table and others presenting at the board at the front of the room.

Corin could feel her cheeks turn red, yet her eyes dutifully scanned the crowd. "Alphard..." She whispered, hurrying past them all, only to be manhandled by another wizard who intercepted her.

"Let go of me! I need to speak with Alphard!"
"And? Lots have to speak with Mister Black, damnit Finn, how did you let this witch in?!" The German had picked up once more, but Corin managed to slide her way up and around the brute of a man before standing right before Alphard.

"You need to come home."
"Co—Goodness, what are you doing here?"
"You need to come home." She couldn't manage any other words besides that, the little elf she came in with hadn't caught up with her since his study, and after being chased and manhandled—Not to mention so many looking at her, she could feel the weight of the world erupt now.

"There was an attack—Rhea's—"
"What?!"
"We've been trying to reach you since last night, you need to come home, please...Orion said he'll finish up whatever is here, but you need to come home." Instantly, Alphard had risen to his feet, shouted a few dozen lines of German phrases that Corin had blocked out and waited until she was in the hall.

One of which, is where Finn was standing still as a statue. "When a woman claims that my wife is hurt, you let her bloody go, is that understood?!"
"Sir, she said there was an emergency, not what kind, I swear—"
"Does she need to give you the specifics in order to meet with me, if it concerns my wife then it's something I need to hear!" Corin had fallen into step with Alphard as he tried his best to pack the dozens of papers before pausing.

"Get the papers I left in the room, finish packing here and send it to my manor in Britain."

"Yes sir!" Corin, who was still numb as could be after the trials it took to get here had blown things out of proportion. "I'm sorry, I could have said it better, Alfie."
"No, you know I don't like sugar-coating things. How is she?"
"I haven't spoken with Orion in the last twenty minutes, I had a bit of trouble finding you because your elves are all German." It hadn't been much longer until they stepped into the fireplace together, though they hadn't returned to the German manor, but the Ministry itself.

"When did you arrive?"
"Half hour ago, it's alright—I have a tonic in my bag, I'll be fine." Corin said, keeping up with Alphard was half of it's own battle. Though the way he flawlessly waved down an employee and gestured up his passbook, Corin had followed through with the same.

"It will take an hour to prepare the—"
"I don't have an hour. What I need is the next available portkey to Britain!" From what Corin could gather with the back and forth argument was that there was nothing available at the current moment and one needed to be crafted.

So Corin had taken a look dutifully around the room, wondering if there were any patron's that would be willing to give up their portkey in exchange for a few coins and the next one that would leave in an hour or so.

The difficulty in this, is that she needed to find someone and soon.

The first couple, had seemingly ignored her—Not wanting anything to do with her, and since Alphard's secretary had given her somewhat of the same look, she assumed that she wasn't dressed posh enough to lend out many coins for this.

The next patron in line was rather in differed about the entire thing and declined the offer, much like the next two. Even now, she could see across the room that Alphard was doing his best to keep his witts about him while also mending whatever connections he could use in this moment.

"Hallo, Madam?" The voice startled her, but she looked to her side to see a woman and a child in her arms—As well as one holding dutifully to their mum's coat. "Uh—H-hi?" Corin responded, cursing herself silly for reacting in such a way.

"I hear you want to go to Britain, ja?"
"Yes, you see my friend is ill and her husband was working this afternoon here—But the next porkety is in...It's over an hour, and he needs to be with her." The woman, who looked as though she was tired as could be had nodded and held out her passes.

"What—"
"It is no worry, I would want my husband at my side." Her accent hadn't given Corin any clues as to what the woman might be referring to her the grand scheme of things. Perhaps the stranger was simply kind, or she was assuming that a child was being born when Corin had used the term ill.

"Oh—Thank you, thank you!" Corin cheered, rushing into her bag and taking out a handful of coins. "I'm not sure if these work, but I promise you can have the next portkey that they're trying to give us. We'll pay for it!"
The woman was stunned, perhaps Corin had given far too many Galleons for such an offer, but right now, there was only one thing left to do. "I'm going to speak to that gentlemen over there, we'll get your ticket sorted. Come." And thus, the woman followed, still numbed by the mere idea that she had been blessed in such a way.

The issue is, Corin had come in the nick of time, as she couldn't imagine what Orion or Rhea would have thought if they heard Alphard was doing time in the German Ministry's holding cells.

"I have a solution!" Corin shouted, as there had been a number of employees now added to the mix, and she gestured to the woman with her two children.

"She's gifted us her ticket, I want her on the next available porkety that you were trying to give us. I'll pay for it right now." The head manager was seemingly stunned, but followed Corin to the nearest check-out counter for the transaction to be complete, and for it to be given to the stranger and her children.

Alphard, who was still miles away in his own head had come forward towards the woman, tears threatening to come out. The notes of appreciation were well deserved, and Corin had nearly gasped when the woman tried to return the coins Corin offered up.

But Alphard refused and curled her hand around them, signifying that they were well and hers. "Mister Black, you and your party are next up."
"No thanks to you both, I'll be writing your superiors about this—Absolute disgrace." He hissed, and Corin ducked away as even she felt the need to flinch at his tone.

And she wasn't even his target!

The next few moments were a passing blur, but thankfully Alphard had found some ground to take Corin's arm and lead her the rest of the way through the British Ministry—And thank the heavens that they took the offered fireplaces, as she couldn't even begin to stomach apprenting right now.

Not since Rhea was splinched.

"ORION!" The way the manor shook was nothing in comparison to what Orion had teased Corin about, no—This was Master Alphard Black at his fullest.

"Shite, keep your voice down, Rhea was just able to fall asleep." It startled the man as he turned his attention off towards Maverick, who was more or less running on coffee more than actual sleep.

"What's happened?"
"Well, I cannot say for certain how it happened, but I can explain the after portion...Cory can fill in the rest. Come, Orion is getting things ready to take over for you in Germany." Alphard had dutifully followed after the Healer, but didn't take the offered seat down—Eager to get to Rhea.

"It happened so fast, Alfie—The Death Eaters had stormed Diagon Alley when we were in the Ice Cream shop...Rhea—She—Merlin, she tried to defend us. I..." It escaped Alphard's notice that Corin was present during a Death Eater attack, a public one.

"I think she got hit in the side and the chest...Orion was busy trying to bring down the wards that were put up to stop Apparaneting from happening...But when we came back here, Rhea got splinched." The way that Alphard had crumbled down and buckled was something that Corin couldn't believe was happening.

She inhaled quickly and came forward, the infliction of guilt cascading on her. "I'm so sorry Alphard, I'm sorry." She cried, taking hold of his arm—Anything she could possibly get a hold of him as Maverick lowered him to the couch.

"Rhea is in stable condition, but there isn't much more I can do here." The Healer claimed, leaving Alphard's eyes to search the Healer's for any sort of suggestion or directive, but none came.

As they knew it was a bigger decision than most would think.

"I need a private room—If word gets out that my wife was attacked, things will not vote well for either side." Maverick nodded and took a look at his watch. "I gave her a dose just a few minutes ago, she'll be drowsy and unconscious for a little while longer—Long enough for me to find that private room." Alfie nodded eagerly, watching Mav move forward and head towards the fireplace and leave the estate.

And Orion find it due time to make his appearance known, and gods be damned, Alphard looked better after a night out slugging whiskey than he did now.

"You fucking coward!" He roared, and Orion simply held his hands up high and kept his face still. "I deserve it and more, but Rhea and I spoke on what to handle—We needed to leave, Alphard, more harm would've come if we didn't."
"She wouldn't have gotten splinched!"
"That was a necessary fall, but right now you need to worry more about your brother and what he might do if he's called to stand in for you! I need to head to Germany and you need to handle both settlements here. Can you do that?" The hallway had turned quiet, frighteningly so, but there was no point in it—In any of it, if Alphard could not share his success with someone he loves.

"I will be taking a leave of absents until—"
"Alphard—! Think of the—"

"I am thinking about Rhea! My wife, my best friend, and the future mother of my children! How would she feel if I left her to fend for herself? In a hospital bed day in and out while I'm in the office pushing papers and directing orders! This is exactly why I wanted Cygnus to step up, and he failed to do so. If he wants to push me out of my place, he can go right ahead—The second I return, he'll be off the tapestry with his slimy wife, and you can bet your arse I will not hesitate for Walburga to follow." He roared his declaration, causing Corin to flinch and she could have sworn that the elf dusting in the corner had done the same.

"Alfie—" Orion whispered, but it was much too late as he went forward up the steps and quickly make his way into their shared room. No, this is not how it was meant to go...He had made plans, that he would sneak inside when he arrived, and depending if his little wife needed to work the next morning would dictate his action.

But in moments like that, they didn't care—Not when it'd been more than a week since they'd seen one another.

When Alphard pushed the door open, he had the urge to knock, but was brutally reminded that there would be no response. Not when Rhea was sprawled out in the center of the bed, the remains of her dress just by his feet.

It was fortunate that he caught sight of it before he took to her side, bending down to his knees and taking hold of her arm. Pressing his desperate lips to her skin.

Which was cold, ever so cold.

Trying to relay what happened, he heard that she dueled brilliantly—Which he wasn't too surprised of, given that he caught her and Bella that one afternoon before their wedding—But what good did it do when it was against Death Eaters?

Alphard took a long inhale and tried to rally his thoughts, he never thought Rhea would end in a crossfire like this. Hadn't she suffered enough?

This was meant to be a relaxing time spent off, and from what he could recall, they had gone to the Opera followed by a small detour home to get Ice Cream. Something so innocent and yet, nothing was innocent about the way the bruises lined her skin, or the splinch wound.

He only hoped that it wasn't as painful, not with the tonics that Maverick must have given her throughout the night—Merlin, if he hadn't gotten even a whisper that this was a threat, he would've moved the entire meeting to Britain.

Alphard would have rather housed the better half of the businessmen he was hiring instead of this. Anything—Anything but this.

"Rhea, little goddess, I'm so sorry I wasn't here..." He croaked, the tears finally coming to reach the limit as he sobbed, his lips falling short through his shaking limbs.

Ones he couldn't get a grip with.

"Whatever it is, we'll get through it—Won't we? We'll get through it. In sickness and in health. You will get better, you have such an amazing career ahead of you. This isn't the end, damn whatever god there is...Threatening to take you from me so early, please...You need to be okay." His voice was wavering between a plead and a demand, but even with the tears starting to streak down his face, he had been all but tempted to hunt down those bastards himself.

But he had thought of one better.

"What about the babes we talked about? However many you want, one—Two, hell, I'll adore five if that's what you want. Just please...Please don't leave me." It was a terrible feat for Alphard to realize at that very moment that he wasn't just afraid for Rhea, but he was afraid of being alone.

Afraid of being given such a precious gift to cherish, but her being stripped too soon had been the ultimate tease.

His tears were now coating the likes of her wrist, and upon the knock, Alphard truly wanted to ignore it, to dismiss whatever wanted to come in.

But he needed to, in order for Rhea to get better—To pull through whatever's happened.

Upon getting his strength together, he didn't care that his eyes were likely red—What would Orion dare to say? Instead, it was Maverick who nodded and moved to step inside. Whatever the bloke was saying was muffled, making it much easier that Orion was in the room to defuse the woulds than rathers.

"The private room is getting prepared now, it's perfectly discreet and it's the utmost care. As Rhea would say, a pointless choice for the hospital...But I suppose in this case it's—"
"You know how the Lestranges felt about taking her when it was their fault. The standards are different when it comes to people in power." Orion explained, and Maverick sighed.

"I healed Rhea then, too. I had the fortunate privilege of discussing with her father basic medicine that a five-year-old lad could understand half-awake. We'll need to prepare to move her...Are there any undergarments to put her in?" Orion dutifully left the room with Maverick, as Alphard had taken to searching her trunk and dug out one of her favorite options.

It wasn't suggestive, well—Anything could be, when it came to his little wife. But here, she would be in much more comfort. Yet dressing her was an honest mistake, as he came into contact with how the damage had pertained to her skin.

Whatever happened in the next few minutes was much too rushed, and before long, Corin was hooked to holding his arm as they were settled into the waiting room of this glorious suit.

It was explained in not so many words that this is where families like theirs would come to deliver their heirs, but the bitter practice of home births were much more popular.

Though he could see the appeal, or would, if he could return to his wife's side.

Maverick explained that they were evaluating her, and given that he was by her side most of the previous night, Mav was inside with them—Which was most likely the only reason Alphard was only pacing.

Otherwise, he wasn't sure what he would be doing in the meantime.

Minutes passed, but if you asked him, it'd been hours. Perhaps even a day, and by the status of his hair unrolling out of its usual firm tie, Corin knew that things were only getting worse.

"Alfie, please, these are trained professionals...You heard Maverick, the board knows you're here and they'll take good care of her. Besides, Rhea is one of them, it's common curtsey." That hadn't occurred to him that the Healers inside would take into consideration that Rhea was a Healer in the hospital as well, and it seemed to have put some sort of pause his never-ending debacle long enough for the crowd to come forward from the room.

"Which one of you is Mister Black?" The Head Healer questioned, and Orion had dutifully taken a step back as he wasn't the male they were looking for. "I am, Alphard is fine...How is my wife?" The urgency was clear, and the Healer cleared his throat before gesturing toward the clipboard in hand.

"After a brief description from Healer Maverick, she will still be under heavy surveillance—Though that's until she wakes up. Your wife will be given hourly sedative tonics. I promise she cannot feel a thing, nor will she when she gains consciousness. We will try our best to keep her remaining comfortable."
"What's happened?"
"A curse, a rather nasty one at that. We've gotten a few samples to try and delude it, but best thing we've got is time. There is no rush in this, Mr—Alphard. If she does not walk up in the next few hours, then we will reevaluate our position...You can go in and see her now, she may wake for a few moments at a time." The nod was eager, and he rushed forward into the room, not caring about the lavish decor or furniture mucking up the place to fill the room.

No, he cared more about his wife than the silk sheets they'd draped over her.

On first glance, she did look much better in terms of color. Not holding the paleness since the last time he saw in Grimmuald Place on the stretcher.

"What's...What's the policy for me to stay?"
"You're her husband, you get priory for everything that happens in this room," Maverick confirmed, but with that, he motioned for a piece of parchment in his hands. One that Alphard took hold of and frowned.

"What is this?"
"Rhea put you down as her emergency contact, she has work tomorrow evening...I can push it off if you don't want to fill it out now, but it's better to get this out of the way." With a quick rub of his eyes, Alphard sat down in the chair beside Rhea and scanned it.

It was a leave of absents, and he was very familiar with what that meant. "Will she still have a position when she wakes up?"
"Of course! Even if she's unwell for the next month or takes her just as long to heal, she will have a job waiting for her." He confirmed, and Alphard took to signing things off—Though the off-duty Healer claimed that since he was the floor's Head Healer, she would have nothing to worry about.

"Corin said she was splinched?" He asked, a sniffle causing him to fault from his usual demeanor, and Maverick had only laid his hand to rest against Alphard's shoulder. "It's wrapped and on its way to healing, I cannot say if it will scar or not, but Rhea is young—She's managed to overcome much worse than this." The husband was left to agree, and with a few parting words, Maverick was set to join his own floor for a shift.

Though he promised to return throughout the night when he gets a break or a chance, though Alphard remained hopeful that Rhea would wake up soon.

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Date Posted: 03/19/23

Time: 2:19

Words: 3817