✧CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY✧

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"Rhea, I see those flashcards in your clutch...Don't think I didn't see you studying." His wife, who had been all dolled up for his special day—One he was rather worried about—Had been caught red-handed.

"I was just taking a peek." He eyed her in suspicion, and it wasn't like her to not have an exam two weeks in a row. So he was looking for signs all this week, and if anything, perhaps it would give the perfect excuse to be sent home early.

"Rhea..." Alphard's voice had nearly caused her to groan into the air, but she withheld—Needing to keep her feet planted on the ground in demand.

"This is your night and I do not want school interfering."

"But your studies are much more important than some damned party."

"You mean the one I spent a good portion of my free time trying to plan? Lori too?... No, we are going to enjoy a lovely night out. Then we are going to have a long night in bed. Understand me?" That had been rather demanding, but his little goddess looked too delectable to not enjoy.

"Besides, the exam is on Wednesday."
"You don't have classes Wednesday, it's—It's your final exam?!" Rhea darted her eyes towards the door, hoping for a distraction.

"Not exactl—"

"Do not lie, Rhea. Not to me. Is this your final exam?"

"One of them....Yes."

"We're headed home at ten, not a minute later." Rhea had taken hold of his arm and started shaking her head quickly. "We can hardly enjoy the party and its activities with a time limit. It's only Friday night, Alfie. I have plenty of time. That's why I always studied after an exam. I wanted to be thorough and keep up." Now that certainly did make much more sense, though he didn't have much of an academic background to know her habits.

But he knew enough to guess that she played accordingly.

"If I ask Corin or Maverick, will they say the same?" Rhea perked her lips together and sighed.

"No, they'd probably think I'm crazed. But we haven't had much fun these past few weeks, have we? Everything that happened in between Christmas and New Year tainted the first few weeks." So he had the right to be suspicious, but he knew what she was getting at.

"I love you, Rhea. We do not have to spend every moment together."

"I know. But it feels like we're always preoccupied. Even now, we have to go socialize. That's why I thought against the potion you ordered for my birthday. I thought we could have a bath once we get home." She said with a sort of blush gracing her cheeks. And damnit, Alphard still managed to read her so easily.

"Are you going to pamper me when we get back?" He cooed, taking a hold of her waist and lowering his hand to squeeze her plump— "Alfie!"

"Hmm. Don't think I won't be taking Monday and Tuesday off to help you study."
"You're too good to me. Now then, let's go and enjoy tonight." She said with a widening grin. Even if Alphard was slightly nervous about attending tonight.

Celebrating Rhea's birthday was one instance, it was her twentieth after all. But here they would be another tick off towards his fiftieth. Now more than ever, was he feeling the age gap between him and his wife.

But how could he ever deny his wife? Not when she had spent her free time planning and perfecting this celebration, and Merlin—He was impressed!

Not only that, but the entirety of the guest list had taken to enjoying themselves. In addition to the fact that Rhea was doing a wonderful service for charities.

Perhaps Rhea's friendship with Corin had grounded her a bit, but all the money being gambled this evening would be placed into whichever type of charity the person had decided on the beginning of the night.

Whether it is for Saint Mungeos, education, studies, and all of that sort of thing. It made for the perfect segway to tell Rhea's parents about her returning to the classroom.

Which was the reason Rhea was starting to grow nervous in that regard.

"I haven't had this much fun in ages! Wonderful job, Rhea. You've outdone yourself from last year!" Orion, who was rather tipsy from the creative drink menu he was sampling earlier, had boasted a few times now.

"Merlin, how much money have you spent already?" She questioned, and Orion shrugged his shoulders as he took another sip. "All going to a good place, cannot get angry at a loss when that gives me the perfect excuse." Rhea rolled her eyes as she leaned into her husband's embrace.

He had hardly left her side this night, and she didn't know if he was at all aware of how touchy he was being. Not that Rhea had much of a problem with it, she would always just go with how things were.

"Did you say hello to Cory yet, Orion?"

"Cheeky. You know the rules, Rhee." Now that had told her that Orion had too much to sample of the bar, and eyed Alphard on said worry that Orion would bode well in switching to water.

Or anything non-alcoholic.

"Ah, Radolphous! Enjoying yourself, are we?" Orion cheered, and Rhea could only suck in a breath at the fact this was most likely the worst possible person to run into right now.

"Marvelous festivities tonight, certainly a surprise since last year was just as spectacular." He complimented, raising his glass in reply. And Rhea could only blush at the positive comment, as it caused her heart to sore.

Even if it was indirectly to her.

"That would be because of my lovely wife. I would've been just as happy with a night in." Rhea did her best not to flinch and instead focused on the thankful kiss Alphard had given her in an effort of thanks.

Even if she promised a bath at home, that was after Alpha had a look at the underthings she designed for this evening.

"Rhea? Is this true?"

"I planned his birthday last year, I needed to make it extra special after he planned my birthday." She said with an adoring smile up towards Alphard, who leaned down for another kiss, only this time on her lips.

"You both are making my drink turn sour."

"Sounds as if you've drank too much this evening, Orion." She said with a tease.

"Rhea, that is highly inappropriate to be speaking to Orion as if—"

"He's my brother." She defended, frowning as she wasn't at all prepared to be reprimanded. Goodness, she couldn't even imagine what her father would do if he found out.

"Evidently not, he's the second heir of the Black family."

"He hardly wanted me to call him Mr.Black when I stayed at Grimmuald's Place for the few weeks you were away in France..." Perhaps it spoke of how close Rhea was to either of the cousins, but Radolphous had turned to Orion with a bit of distaste.

What were these three up to?

"Are you still working in Alphard's business trade, Rhea?" Radolphous questioned, and Rhea wondered truly if her father cared or if he just wanted to stick himself into the mix. "Unfortunately not, we could use her help, couldn't we? Rhea has a way with numbers." Orion offered, and Rhea smiled once more at being credited for such a feat.

"What did she manage, tripled the budget?"
"In the first season alone, we're in need of new ideas, love. Whenever they come to you." Rhea had just grinned, trying to ignore her father's frown.

"Have you given up that path?... Your mother was just telling her friends that you've joined Alphard in his business." Rhea had opened her mouth, to speak, but in seeing how her mother had joined the conversation as well she had instead greeted her.

"Ah, Alphard—You'll have to send me your party planner. My friends are dying to have a celebration such as this one." Radolphous had turned to his wife and shook his head. "That'll be our daughter's doing, Clarissa."

"What?"
"Hm, and she's given up at Alphard's business venture." Well that wasn't a total lie, was it? Rhea held her tongue though. They were in public, and the last thing she needed was to be scrutinized by the entire pureblood community.

"I don't doubt Rhea would love to join us back in the office, but she has her own dreams to be had. Isn't that right, darling?" Darling, he hardly called her that. Only in front of her parents, as if he wanted to use every phrase in the book to antagonize them further.

Which she supported now, seeing as how they were putting words in her mouth.

"No? Rhea, you've told me you were busy the last few times I asked if you were free."

"I was. And I still am. I'm—" Rhea started, but Alphard had squeezed her hand and pulled his glass up. "A student once again, isn't it brilliant? I cannot believe she's managed to plan this and take part in her studies." Now that had taken her parents by surprise, if that, her mother even recoiled.

"Studies? What sort of studies?" Orion eyed either side, each couple holding themselves differently. He noted that Alphard and Rhea couldn't stop touching one another, while Radolphous and Clarissa had a good space apart.

"That is a grand question, Clarissa. Saint Mungeos has earned a Black in the ranks. And was given a head start on the internship program, most students are only picked after they completed their courses."

"Alfie, stop bragging." She attempted to hush him, and Alphard could only clink her glass with his. "This is your year, just sharing it with the family." Their gaze had lingered on one another, and Rhea truly wished she hadn't turned back to her parents.

She couldn't tell if they were enraged or confused—But it seemed to be a little bit of both.

"Saint Mungeos?!" Clarissa hissed, but Radolphous knew straight away what this meant. "Alphard, I don't condone this behavior with my daughter—"

"My wife. Let's get that clear first."

"My daughter, first and foremost. What in gods name are you doing? The both of you?!" His voice had certainly gotten the attention of a few onlookers, but they were much too intoxicated or distracted with the game in front of them to truly care for gossip.

Most knew better than to eavesdrop on a Black family discussion.

"Saint Mungeos is a wonderful opportunity and it was decided that Rhea would continue with the extended education," Alphard said, so simply at that. But those words meant a lot more to Rhea than anyone could ever realize.

"What the bloody hell do you think that will achieve?"
"A degree, father. I want to be a Healer." Rhea could've said something fowl, and she doubted that it would earn her this disgusted of a look from either of her parents.

Hell, she could've called them by their first names, and they wouldn't have this much of a reaction. And it pained her, more than just pained.

It broke her.

"I never would have told you about the letter if you would've done this, Alphard. This is completely unacceptable."
"How so? You hadn't even the courtesy of owling them in reply. They were more than accommodating than I give them credit for." There was no possible way to get out of this situation, not when both her mother and father were just learning about her daily activities.

Did they really expect her to go and twiddle her thumbs all day?

"The courtesy? Rhea has much better things to be doing than continuing a pointless dream. A healer, that is hardly a career for a witch of her standing."

"It is not about standing, Radolphous. It is what she wants to do, and has a calling for. She helped me in the business because I asked that of her and she wanted to join me. If she fancied that, she would've been more than welcome to stay. But we discussed it as husbands and wives do, and it's been decided." Clearly, Radolphous didn't think his daughter had such a high power in the Black manor.

But considering Walbruga was still in Germany, he had reason to believe that Rhea had done something.

Was it wrong that he was plotting even in the midst of an argument, giving him rather frustrated glares from everyone—Everyone but his daughter, who seemed to be clouded with disappointment?

"I didn't humor this idea back then and didn't expect it now, Alphard. Had you come to me I would've told you not to allow—"

"The problem here is that I am not allowing Rhea to do anything, if she wants to go somewhere, she can. If she wants to spend a million galleons, then so be it. The difference here is that I trust her, and know full well that she tells me out of courtesy and not duty. I'd say she's earned it after making nearly five million galleons within the first week of sales of the product she mentored. I always thought you a smart man, Radolphous. So answer me this, millions of galleons or lock my wife in her art room?" Whether Clarissa knew the outcome of her daughter's success was undetermined, but the number had never made it to the papers.

Not that it ever would.

"Of course any sane bastard would take the millions, but you said it yourself. Rhea doesn't want to—"

"What I want is to be a Healer, and if I find I don't like it, I won't continue it. It's just that simple. But if I don't try then what's the point? And I don't see you offering a position at your law firm for me." Now that had startled Radolphous Lestrange.

"What business does a witch have in court?" He rasped, and Alphard frowned.

"The same they have in a board room and in a factory giving orders." Clearly, her father had difficulty in a witch managing a position of power.

So wouldn't becoming a healer become elected as a witch's task?

Were they so against her working?

"Rhea, think of the image you are putting on Alphard. That he can't provide—"

"I think this entire room knows that Alphard can provide for me. It has nothing to do with providing. It's about doing something outside his business, something that's mine." Rhea had caught her mother struggling to keep her composure, or had until she smiled up to her husband then back at Rhea.

"Perhaps Rhea and I should get another glass of wine, won't you gentlemen excuse us?" Rhea had nearly laughed at the fact that her mother spoke as though she managed to defuse the tension. If anything, separating Rhea from Alphard only tugged at Black's sanity.

So as the birthday man had watched his wife walk towards one of the many stationed bars throughout the manor.

Yet Alphard hadn't nearly all sensed as he chuckled at seeing how much Radolphous character had fallen when both the witches left.

As that unleashed a different version of Alphard, one that Rhea and Clarissa weren't at all familiar with.

Not to mention that Alphard held a fine line of blackmail against the bastard, in addition to Clarissa—Who poisoned Rhea, whether it was accidental or not, it didn't matter.

"Rhea, how could possibly think this is a good idea?" Her mother hissed, completely pushing past the bar—And before Rhea knew it, she was inside the very study where she had first met Alphard.

"After setting me up with bastard of a man, you shouldn't really be discussing my choices."

"Rhea, you don't speak to me that—"

"Or what? Are you going to make me drop out of the program when I have the highest marks they've seen? That I'm already offered a job?"

"But you could do much better, much more than being a healer." Rhea had taken what her mother said for a moment and then turned to her. "Then tell me, what could I do?"

"Well, you've done with tutoring Rabastan and the rest of his mates, perhaps you could continue tutoring them—"

"Tutoring? Tutoring?! Is that all I can be?" After Alphard had spent the majority of their marriage trying to build up Rhea's confidence and self-worth, he would have felt undoubtedly proud of her for realizing she was more than just the average witch.

That her knowledge and aspirations could be built upon and achieved.

"Rhea, sweetheart, there isn't much witches of our title can do."

"And who has managed that rule?"

"It's the way things are! We don't go against what is placed before us."

"Considering I'd be dead if I followed the choice of a husband, thank goodness I can manage choices on my own. And how could you say that when father is actively following the teachings of a wizard who wants to change things?" Perhaps it was hypocritical for Rhea to use the Dark Lord as an example of pushing her point of view on her mother.

But how could her mother think so little of her that she didn't want to see that Rhea craved more than just the average amount?
That the seven years at Hogwarts wasn't enough.

"It's clear you've never asked for my NEWT scores, or knew about the Saint Mungos acceptance and scholarship letter. But Merlin mother, do you know me at all?" The expression on the elder woman's face had turned rather stern with all that Rhea had said, but what was it that Orion always said?

The truth sometimes hurts.

And Rhea couldn't imagine what on earth the men were getting at out in public, but her mother had been more reasonable to pull her into her. "You know, this is the room where Alphard and I met?... Right after Dolohov had told me some awful things about the Dark Lord, what he and Rolf were up to—And my stomach couldn't take it." Rhea eyed the bin in the corner with a smile before losing it at the sight of her mother once more.

"You couldn't care less, could you?"

"Rhea, that's not true—"

"You've never asked me about anything, never let me do the things I enjoyed. You or father...I see why you distanced yourself from your parents, but truly if you don't want me to do the same, you need to start supporting me." That word had hit Clarissa much harder than Rhea would've been aware of.

But on the other side of the conversation, Clarissa had been strucken—had she not been supportive.

"Now wait just a moment, I supported your marriage to Alphard."

"After you found out I was nearly beaten to death. After I reminded you and father how many times I tried to get out of the marriage contract...Why else did you think I never showed you the bruises? Given that I showed Rolf and he all but laughed at me. Mother, if it really came down to it, don't you think Alphard would have just taken me?" Now that was another matter at hand, wives being stolen or ruined before they were tied to one another.

"You never showed me the bruises or your cracked ribs."

"You hardly give a damn about me until it benefits you! And don't pretend that you haven't been put on a pedestal because I've married Alphard." Clarissa remained silent, considering that was the truth. If anything, the Lestrange family had benefited kindly from this arrangement.

Some were growing afraid of the combination of power, thinking that either Clarissa or Radolphous had an ear in with Alphard. But that wasn't the case, not at all.

"You cannot keep up with this, Rhea. And it certainly won't pass over with the rest of the Black family."

"Walburga is banished to Germany and Durella is close to the mix. But besides that, what will they say? They haven't lifted a damn finger all these years." Now that had irked the mother standing before her daughter.

"I haven't lifted a damn finger?"

"Oh please, mother, tell me what you've done since Hogwarts. Please, I'd love to hear it. And hosting tea parties and scheduling dinners do not count." She caught her mother in a bind, as now even the mother was searching through the decades to try and find something meaningful—Something worthwhile.

"I've given the Lestrange family three children."

"So why am I surprised that you're stuck with the same ideals? I want more than just having children, mother. And why not something of interest?" The question had once again caused Clarissa to remain silent, and the mother had soon puffed up her chest—Not used to being spoken like this, and most certainly from her daughter.

"You will stop this nonsense right now or else I will have to separate myself from you, Rhea. I won't be a part of this nonsense. Not me, not your father or Rodolphous or Rabastan." Rhea blinked, wondering if her mother was truly that cynical to not hear a word she had said.

"So nothings changed then. Brilliant! If that's how you're feeling then I hope you enjoyed your evening, but it's time that you leave the manor. Mrs.Lestrange."

"Wh—Rhea! I am your mother!"
"Evidently not." Rhea had spoken her final words of the conversation before walking back to the festivities, wondering if her mother and father would actually leave. But the settlement of not having either one of her parents in the mix anymore had felt as though had been lifted from her shoulders.

She knew, deep down, that they would never approve. But she felt the need to drive this further than what it is, and goodness, she never felt any more energetic to study in her entire life.

When returning to Orion's side, Corin had found it plausible to come over and say a quick greeting before Rhea went off with her friend. Leaving Alphard to stand beside his brother in hopes he has some intel from Rhea.

"Well, that went better than expected." The younger of the two laughed, and Alphard groaned at the idea that it most certainly did not go as intended.

"Did it? We don't know what the hell Clarissa said to Rhea."

"Nothing major if she's already out and smiling—And smiling she sure is. Would you be angry if I leave early?" Alphard chuckled, knowing full well that his brother would be getting lucky this night.

While Alphard hoped all would be alright with Rhea when they returned home—Yet he had no worries in that regard, not when she had managed a therapeutic bath that turned into so much more.

He would never make fun of Orion again if this is what Corin was teaching his little goddess?

Yet Rhea had a different method to it all, tire out Alphard so he could sleep peacefully while she hurries to the library the first chance she managed. No, the level of anger had finally overgrown the bottle and she huffed the entire walk to the library.

But once she was down there, the fireplace roaring to life—It was the first time since this morning that she had a moment to herself. Not worrying about making it memorable for Alphard.

She up against a fine line of birthdays throughout his life, but Rhea was set in thinking it was up to par with the one she organized last year—And they hadn't even been married yet!

Nevertheless, she had a score to settle. And she managed to set her station up in a similar manner to how she studied back in Hogwarts. Granted, the area was different and she didn't have class tomorrow or the next, but she certainly did have the right motivation.

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Date Posted: 11/28/22

Time:  10:27

Words: 4077

Author's Note:

I'm so sorry I haven't been posting as of late. I recently finished another story on my profile that's apart of a series. But do not worry, I haven't left Alphard and Rhea just yet. I adore them so much and they've helped me expand my writing (AKA working on my spicy scenes). While I have ideas in mind for them, it's getting out that's the challenging part.

I completely failed my goal for the month but I plan to get things rolling soon. 
But here is some more Black/Lestrange drama for you to enjoy, as if that will ever end anytime soon!