✧LOVE, I'VE ALREADY CAUGHT MY SNITCH✧

◊━━━━━✥━━━━━◊

***

Rhea was actually thankful that they had come a bit later than normal, as the crowd had time to settle in the stands and it was quite easy to make their way to the private booth.

She had stayed beside her husband and tightly wrapped around his arm, which caused Alphard to ease her worries ever so often. Her fear of crowds had still not subsided, though he had made it a point to make sure she was alright ever so often.

Rabastan, however, was taken back to see that Alphard had splurged so much in having a private section and a booth. It meant they were open to seats, in addition to having a bar and an attendant.
It was exclusive to a certain group of people.

And he had for sure thought that his own father was on that level of exclusivity, as he's been boasting about since the dawn of time. But he was starting to become much more aware.

Especially when someone had asked if he wanted a snack or meal.

Rhea had taken a seat with her cloak wrapped over the chair and she leaned in in anticipation. "Are you excited, Rhea?" Regulus asked, as he had taken to sit in front of her.
"I can't wait, I've always wanted to see them in person—Closest I've been is the Quidditch magazine." She explained, and she so easily formed a conversation with the young lad, geeking out that even he was stoked to see the Harpies' seeker.

Rabastan had listened in for a moment and turned around, not realizing what was happening. "She's been raging on about this for ages," Sirius said with a grin and Rabastan chuckled. "Rhea's always loved watching Quidditch games."

"That why she was never invited to go?" That had caused the Lestrange son to recoil, what on earth was Sirius saying. "Rhea's been to plenty of games." He said with a frown, and he had scoffed.

"I don't mean Hogwarts games, I meant this."
"Yeah, we've been to plenty."
"You've gone, Rhea was never invited." They had been at a standstill and Sirius scoffed.

"Are you that self-centered that you've never realized whether or not your sister was there with you or not? Fuck sakes Rabastan, she's your sister."
"I know damn well she's my sister, she's been to Quidditch games before. I swear it!" The two had continued to spit back and forth to one another, and before Regulus could tell them to quit it, Rabastan had cold-heartedly turned to Rhea and asked--

"Rhee, could tell this dumbarse that you've been to Quidditch games before?" Both Alphard and Rhea had been speaking in whispers, and what started out as a smile to her brother had suddenly trickled into a frown.

And what was worse was that Rabastan had caused a glare from his brother-in-law, souley from his question alone. "I...Raba, I haven't been to one before." She answered, rather saddened that he's never noticed or cared to wonder where his sister was at different times.

"Of course you have! We've been to—"

"Rabastan, I haven't. You and Rolf were always invited to go, it's why father was so quick to try and take my ticket. He didn't want or care for me to be invited."
"That's not tr—" Alphard had interrupted the conversation to ease Rhea's shaking hands. It wasn't exactly an argument, but it wasn't a fun conversation either.

"I think Rhea is perfectly coherent enough to know whether or not she has been to a game, Rabastan. And from previous experience, you seem to be a bit faulty in knowing what is going on in your sister's life." It had caused Rhea's mouth to part as she could see the absolute anger radiating from her husband now, but even then she pulled her hands away.

It was one point to mention father, but Dolohov as well?

He turned to comfort Rhea only to find that she had gotten up from her seat and tugged to Regulus to get a few drinks and snacks. Leaving the three by their lonesome.

"Did you have to bring up Dolohov?" Sirius questioned with furred brows, well damn—Alphard didn't think he would ever have to witness Sirius being defensive against him over Rhea either.

"It's true, isn't it? Or are we just privy to being side characters in your life, Rabastan?" Alright, perhaps Sirius wasn't aware that the two were holding a grudge against the other.

"I can't possibly be the only sane one between us three, get your shite together. The both of you, Merlin sake. Have you lost your minds? You've got a shit father, 'bas, sorry you're just now seeing it. And uncle, you need to stop bringing up her ex. She wasn't with him because she wanted to be." It had earned him a glare, but he hadn't rightly deserved it considering he was right.

He was right and both knew it.

"Shite." He grumbled, realizing that he was much angrier than he recalled. Which would certainly pose reckoning in the future. "I...I didn't know, I honestly just assumed that she was there."

"Assumed wrong, mate. Why do you think she's been so excited for today?" Rabastan would recall that Rhea would be excited about fairy anything when it came to leaving the manor.

Course that had changed instantly once Dolohov came into the picture, but was once again reinstated as Alphard became her savior. Who had purchased these tickets in the same reasoning as before, because he wanted Rhea to experience life outside of her parent's ruling.

Before either could say anything, Rhea had returned with Regulus with a few bags of popcorn to pass out between them. Those around her had remained silent as though they needed to be careful before she burst into tears.

She wanted to stop acting so childish, especially when she was considered an adult right beside Alphard. So she ate her popcorn quietly, only to feel the gaze of her husband.

And a mistake on her part, she offered up her popcorn with a smile.

"Rhea I—"

"Sorry? I figured." She said and picked up another kernel to pop it in her mouth. In looking back to the field before her, there was really no chance of speaking with her. Not when her face had morphed into something of clear happiness and content.

Seeing her favorite players take the field and dominating the pitch was exactly the type of distraction she wanted.

The crowd had erupted in applause and booed whenever their desired team had made an error or fell behind, so when Alphard had managed to stand behind his wife and wrap his arms around her at the edge of their box, partially because he felt guilty for being so heartless and triggered, but also because he had a feeling if someone didn't hold her back she would go straight over the edge and into the field itself.

"Oh, that was a beautiful throw..." She had to herself, smiling so brightly that Alphard could only smile once more. He couldn't believe that his little wife was nearly shaking with anticipation—He had thought that she was simply excited at her brother's match, but this newfound love had her shaking.

"If I didn't know better, you'd try and lend a hand."

"Only I could, not sure my hand coordination is up to par with these gals." She said with a winning grin, sure this wasn't Alphard's first team of choice. But he had certainly been wrong in terms of assuming that an all witches team would be any less skilled than their opponents.

They were ever so talented, and it made sense considering how highly Rhea idolized them.

"You are skilled with a wand and with a brush. You'll be flying with ease once you have a bit of practice." He said with full conviction in his voice, but Rhea didn't want to show her weakness in how worried she was to disappoint either her husband or the lads.

It was one thing to watch—But to actually go about something so active was starting to wain thin.

After the hours of cheering and rooting, the Harpies had made a brilliant come back and Rhea couldn't be happier. The tipsy act of drinking a bit too much butterbeer with her popcorn had been the joke between the five of them, especially when Alphard still had a surprise up his sleeve.

Which meant following the attendee off down towards the lower levels of the stands, only to be brought to the grounds itself. Rhea had never felt so small in her life, gazing upon the audience that was still voicing their thoughts on the game.

Drunkenly or not.

"I'd say this field is much better than Hogwarts has..." Rabastan could only nod to Alphard's crude joke. Of course, a professional Quidditch team would have a beautifully crafted field.

"Rhea...Is that Rebecca Tensen?" Rhea had instantly stilled as she turned up to Alphard for a moment only to see there were indeed still players on the field.

Her lips parted, realizing that there was a reason in coming down to the field itself, and damnit, she instantly shook like a leaf. "Alfie, I can't—"

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind, love. Come now, there's no need to be shy." He encouraged, but Rhea hadn't left his side, and thus he had begun to walk off towards the small group of Harpies only for them to smile up to the couple.

"Mr.Black! It's honor to meet you, to meet you both." Rebecca said with the kindest smile known to man, and Rhea nearly curled over to see that her idol was just as kind as she thought she was.

"The honor is ours, Ms. Tenson. My wife is an enormous fan, just a bit shy, unfortunately." Rhea had pinched him as she blushed with a smile off towards Tenson. "I-it was a brilliant game." She whispered and Recebeca smiled regardless.

"Always have it out for those Harries, feels good to beat their arses, excuse my language."
"I've listened to as many games as I can, haven't let them get the better of you for five years or so now—S-sorry, I've adored the team since I was younger."
"Oh, really Mrs.Black it's great to hear! Would you like to meet the rest of the team?" Her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree as she followed after Tenson into the group of gals.

Alphard had only stood at attention with a proud smile on his face, only to be nudged by his nephew. "Smooth, how'd you manage to do that?"

"Wasn't as hard as you assume, the owner of the pitch is an acquaintance who'd like to be more. Don't you recall when your father boasts about my scotch tasting party?" Sirius had grinned at the idea of being old enough in the coming days to join the ranks and enjoy the finer side of being a pureblood royal.

In being on the field, Sirius caught sight of his brother and Rabastan speaking to one of Harries and both the Uncle and Nephew had turned to speak with them as well.

Rhea had been very transparent that she would have adored playing Quidditch if she had the opportunity and thus she earned the attention of all of the gals on the team, giving her loads of tips and demonstrations that she wished she had a notebook to write down all the things they had been saying for the past hour.

By the time she had left them, she was in smiles and giggles in having been invited to future celebrations and such—Which Rhea couldn't bloody wait!

Upon returning back to her husband he looked passive, meaning that he was exhausted after such a long day. And then her mind had gone back to what they'd accomplished before they left the manor, so that certainly had left him nearly a peaceful slumber.

"Back so soon?" He said with a rising grin, but she had held up a signed practice jersey to show her family. "Isn't it neat?... It would be silly to frame it, right?" She questioned and Alphard had humored her in asking for a favor in the morning, and by the time the group had returned back to the Black manor...The entire party had been well beat, not even wanting to even think of eating.

"You're more than welcome to stay here Raba, I can have an elf prepare a room." He had thought about it for a moment but ended up denying the offer.
"Nah, better head back before mother or father have my head for being late. Thank you for this, it was a grand time...Hopefully we could—we could do this again?"

"Count on it." She said, kissing his cheek and following him to the floo to see him off, only she had returned to the three Black lads taking widely about the game.

"Alright, alright—It's time for bed, off to it." Either Regulus or Sirius had groaned in ending the night too early, but she shook her head.
"Fine, fine. Just go to bed at a decent time, the elves usually head off at ten. Get something to eat if you're feeling hungry."

"Yes, auntie Rhea," Sirius said with a snarky tone and she simply tugged at his ear before reaching off towards Alphard's side. "Goodnight you two!" The eldest called out as they neared the staircase and Alphard huffed, utterly annoyed.

"Come now Alfie, he's teasing."

"Boy's going to get it one of these days, sticking his nose to where he doesn't belong."

"Yes, I suppose this morning wasn't all that fun on my end. But we're both tired, nothing is happening tonight." Now that caught Alphard's attention as he turned. "Nothing you say? Are you sure of this?" She grinned widely but nodded.

"You've been silent, and the only time you're like this is when it's a long day in your study and want an early night. Thank you, for everything of today's adventure." Of course Alphard could only bask in the kiss as he leaned down and tempted the idea.

"Sleep now, play later."

"Playing? Oh, what is my seeker after this time."

"Love, I've already caught my snitch." She said with a wink and hurried off into their closet to get undressed.
But damn him for catching her off guard as she had hardly taken off her jumper, though the idea of Rhea being bare so close had awakened him nearly instantly.

"It feels like my birthday..." She whispered and that caused him to nibble at the base of her neck, teasing her with a soft blow to her reddening skin.
"Your birthday will be just as grand as mine, just wait, my little goddess...And as for right this moment, you've awakened the part of me that craves your entire attention and affection." He whispered, his breath tickling her skin that she nearly gasp at the wicked thoughts looming in her mind.

"A-and what if I said I was too tired?" It had been a long day, a bit stressful, and Rhea would surely not have a voice in the morning with how loud she had been rooting for her team.

"Then I would count my losses in the shower, but I have a feeling that you're not too tired to—" And she silenced him with another kiss, wrapping her hands to secure him just around the next. Tomorrow was another fun day of excitement, but for now, they were both living in the moment.

◇──◇────◇────◇──◇

Date Posted: 12-28-2021

Time: 12:27

Words: 2681

QUESTIONS (Because I'm bored)

What is your favorite Harry Potter couple?
Can either be canon or not!

If you can change one death in the series, who would you save?

What is your favorite book/movie from the series?

--

What is something you would like me to add to this story (Canon or not)?

Love to hear your thoughts!!