✧PROMISES IN HOGSMEAD✧

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Rhea's research hadn't ceased, and every time Alphard had caught her reading, he'd give her a look. And Rhea only returned it to confirm whether or not she was, yet this time she turned over her current read, and it was clearly a book based on herbology.

Meaning she was taking a break, or plotting.

"Well, we certainly aren't doing anything extreme in my brother's home! Merlin Alphard, you're worse than I am!" She laughed, and Alphard was at his wits end.

Even worse is that his brother was teasing him none stop over the updates. And as of yet, there was nothing—He kept up his spouseful duties in keeping their pleasure between the both of them.

Though moments following, he wondered just how his little wife would respond with another witch in the room.

One that would help her close to release, to feel the pleasure from another touch.

It was harmless, really. Alphard knew that his wife was devoted to him. Loves him dearly, and he wasn't worried on that front. So why was this starting to eat at him?

Was he not enough?
Was he losing his touch?

Rhea, on the other hand, had never felt more at bliss. It turned into a beautiful distraction from not having their manor back for another few days, worries about the fragments of her friend group, and Sterling—Which she still didn't know how the Niffler family was doing locked away without her friendly visits.

But damn it all, if her husband woke her up the third morning in a row with suggestive touches—Lingering and thoroughly satisfying, leaving her relaxed and well sated.

Only for Alphard to feel high at attention and desperate for an answer.

"You know what, I don't regret asking you what a triad is...That's why you're doing all this, right?" She huffed, breathing just as heavily as her husband beside her.

Given that they have an hour or so to head to the office.

"You're too smart for your own good, little goddess."

"Hm. But now you're stressed. Come now, Alphard, I'm new to all this. Of course, I want answers."

"Have I not given you enough pleasure?"

"Every time. It's not you...It was more of me asking if you've done something in the sort and...If you expected that of—"

"Absolutely not!"

"And it was just my curiosity. I had questions, but I don't think it's for us." He sighed in relief, literally. But then started to laugh at the idea of his anxieties coming from the mere thought of another person in the bedroom.

"I think we're just right where we are."

"I think you like teasing me with your interests."

"Well then, sir, what is something that you want to do that we haven't done yet?" It was a dangerous suggestion for sure, and Alphard's grin had started to blossom thus far.

"You are going to regret asking that, love...But remind me when our library is finished, yes?" She nodded with a smile, eager to have this type of surprise. Something to look forward to.

Among the fruitful weekend, and in addition to Alphard being unbelievably angry. Rhea had asked if Orion could be invited to their weekend to Hogsmead.

Perhaps Alphard was, again, being fueled with pettiness towards his sister, he decided to make the means of renting an entire summer home in the likes of Hogsmead.

Rhea had caught one of the passing messages and realized that it was a sweet elder couple who usually rented in the warmer months, and it was clear that they were rather surprised by their business.

Though it was easily excusable since they followed up with the explanation of visiting their family in Hogwarts. Which made things much easier, and in addition to it all, Rhea had asked if her traveling partners would want to take the Hogwarts Express.

"What's the point? It adds another two hours until we arrive." Orion offered, his own trunk resting beside his desk, and Rhea had only smiled. Realizing that perhaps it was just her own comfort to take the train back and forth.

"Wouldn't it be neat? I haven't been since I graduate, and I can assume it's the same answer for you and Alphard. Besides, we could both use a bit of relaxation before tomorrow's game." Orion wasn't entirely convinced, not until she promised to pack a few card games for them to use in their downtime.

For once, Orion was rather excited for a weekend away—Especially when they told Walburga that they were all headed to Germany and then Spain. Which is where they were headed following the getaway.

"Once we return, our manor will be all finished."

"But then we're neck-deep with—"

"With celebrating your birthday, you're right!" He cheekily reminded, and Rhea groaned into the air.
"Merlin, Alphard. Can't we just stay in? It feels tainted already." Now that had caused her husband to frown, completely ignoring the fact that Orion had strolled in with his own trunk behind him.

"Clocked out, let's go before something else happens, and we have to cancel." He had been heavily ignored as Alphard kept his eyes on his wife. "That is just another reason to celebrate, love. Better yet, no one with any blood connection to the Rookwood will get a whiff of the festivities. Isn't that right, Orion?" The wizard nodded with another smile toward Rhea.

"All is well with your husband, and soon your manor will be back up to code. And as he said, there will be no fowl plays at your birthday. Not even Walburga can ruin that night." The sly comment paired with a matching grin had Rhea suspect one thing and one thing only.

"Did you uninvited your sister to the party?"
"Party? Which party?" Alphard teased, and Rhea groaned up again and went ahead to pick up her purse and trunk. "You lads are going to drive me nuts this weekend, aren't you?" She teased, and off the three went to board the Hogwarts express.

And for someone who was readily unsure of the idea, Orion made himself rather comfortable with ease—Given that they were all prefects, it made sense that they found themselves in the designated cart. Even if it cost the regular patron a few extra coins.

Not only did Rhea supply them with a few snacks from her purse, but also one of many activities she sought to entertain them with. And thus started a rather unfriendly round of cards working in Rhea's favor. She set the night of not coming to the card table with ease.

"Your counting the cards...That's what!"

"I've been playing religiously ever since my first year. Come now, Alphard. Did you ever tell Orion about the Ravenclaw card games?" Now that hadn't been discussed between the brothers and Rhea grinned.

"Rhea, are you counting cards?" Alphard asked once more and Rhea pouted her lips. "No, I have a different method. I'll tone it down."

"That isn't what I meant love, we're just being sore losers." He claimed while downing another glass of his fire whiskey and Orion shook his head.

"You play cards in the Ravenclaw towers?" Rhea eagerly nodded. "Course! It's behind the wall so the younger years don't interrupt, but I was invited after earning the diadem from playing chess. Usually, it's poker games, but there were a few other types. Had my first taste of firewhiskey there." She said with a small laugh, and both lads were interested in how Rhea's career at Hogwarts actually went.

So she spoke about her dozen of infirmary horror stories involving Quidditch. And she would get the best seats with Madam Pomfry for this very reason.

And while Orion was supportive of Alphard making the strides and pulls to get Rhea back into the Saint Mungos program, this had settled any doubt in his mind. Rhea was certainly well informed, and her kind nature was certainly a bedside comfort.

Not to mention that she always seemed to have a question for Maverick.

Upon arriving at Hogsmead station, the two gentlemen were almost startled by how eerily familiar it felt to walk off the train and look down at the town.

It was a strange sort of comfort, seven years of one's life still held fond memories. And that is exactly what Rhea had wanted them to dwell in, especially if they were off to visit Sirius and Regulus.

"Are you lads hungry?" She asked, and they nearly instantly agreed. Clearly, they were still a little aggravated and mentally exhausted after trying to battle the likes of a card game with her.

So the plan had been made. They would make their way towards their rented manor to drop off their things before heading to the three broomsticks. Something that Orion hadn't had since, and Alphard would've said the same if it hadn't been for their visit last Spring.

Orion didn't want to overstep, and thus he had returned back to the manor and settled his things on his own. Still feeling just as foreign as it did in the Hogwarts castle. There were no personal elves or maids, and he was responsible for his own things.

And among the silence of the manor, his mind slowly started to drift at the idea of having enjoyed this small vacation with a witch—Not Walburga, no. But a witch that was interested in him for other reasons than his title and wealth.

He knew quite well why Alphard was hesitant in giving Rhea his name, but age had never been a negative factor. Rhea was right. He had children already, young lads nearly on their way to graduating from Hogwarts.

A small part of him played with the idea of starting a scandal, getting a divorce? He would be free to do whatever he so well desired and with whom.

Would he be happy then?
Would that give Walburga the consequence for being the way she had been? But after he turned to see his whiskey glass emptied for the second—No, it must've been his third. He decided that this was not what he could think of.

But of course, his thoughts continued to build and build. 'What ifs' had started to build one after another, and it ended with a new want—No. It wasn't exactly new, but Orion had always wanted a daughter.

He envied Cygnus for having three wonderful daughters to call his own, and damnit it all. Even Radolphous had a brilliant young girl.

Why couldn't he blessed in the same way?

He knew the answer, Walburga had made sure that fate had no choice but to supply them sons. But he wanted a child, another child. And perhaps that could be much more simple than finding an escorted relationship, wouldn't it?

It would be simple and easy to hide, and perhaps when he had the gull, he could offer marriage!

However his thoughts were soon interrupted as the laughter of Rhea and Alphard had filled in the entrance of the manor. And clearly, there was a few drunken smiles between them. "Orion, we've got you some sweets from Honeydukes!" She cheered, thrusting a bag full of goodies that he accepted.
Though his mind was still filtering through the possibilities that may or may not be fueled by the firewhiskey,

"I'm going to take a quick shower, love...I smell like a damn pub." She laughed as her husband leaned in for a small kiss in departure while Rhea had sat across from Orion. "I hope you didn't drink that bottle all by yourself."

"No, I spilled a bit."

"Just like your brother, Merlin. He spilled his drink, twice! After that I told him we should head back. Hopefully, he's made it in the shower alright." She said with a few chuckles and smiled back towards Orion.

"I...I was thinking. And I would like your opinion, your general opinion." Rhea had blinked for a moment and then offered a kind smile. "I take it you don't want Alphard to know?" He was quick to nod, and she hummed. Offering up her hand for him to continue.

"I'm not sure if it's because of the trip...But I started thinking about how grand it would be to have someone for me to enjoy it with. You and Alphard are showing me exactly what I'm missing in life. Someone who...Who will...Merlin, I don't know anymore." Rhea's smile held her confidentiality, and she nodded eagerly once more.

"To share accomplishments? It's not a crime, Orion. I actually made the first few owls notices and will be interviewing a few witches in the next few weeks. Perhaps if you give me a list of what you want in a witch it'll narrow down the possibilities and give me interview questions of some sort."

"You—You've already reached out?"
"To Eve's Garden? Yes. Clearly, you aren't used to a Ravenclaw's work ethic, no matter. Though I will have to say, I didn't mention your name in the description to—"

"Good." Was all he said and Rhea had to do a double-take in what he said, but she sighed in relief. "What else did you come to terms with?" She asked, going ahead to poor herself one of the newly purchased bottles of wine and offered one of the glass for Orion and another aside for Alphard when he returned.

"I want a child...A daughter." The bottle's pop had caused Rhea to jump as she hadn't realized just how much pressure she'd given the opener. But it was the gawk on her face that caused Orion to frown.

"What?"
"You—You want a daughter?"

"Is it so bizarre to want a daughter?" He asked, and Rhea had stumbled over her words as she hurried to pour out the given glasses of wine.
"N-no. It's just a surprise is all, not that you want more children...That's its own surprise. I'd always that fathers only want sons." He shook his head and politely thanked her for the fresh glass.

"I already have sons, as you said. A daughter would be...Would be wonderful. I always envied Cygnus for having three."

"Would it help in saying that you could come over and visit our children whenever you wish?"

"That's what prompted it. I wouldn't have minded if Regulus was a daughter, but of course, Walburga had taken charge with that as well." Rhea nodded, knowing full well that the potion she has tucked away into an extra guest bathroom is set to have a son.

"I'm not sure how much help I will be for the child portion, given that I'm sitting in my own waiting game until I'm twenty-one. But perhaps if we find the right witch from the organization and a fair bit of coin. That could be a nice arrangement." She offered, though her heart strangled at the idea of getting caught in these plans, and her eyes flickered to the door.

"Would Alphard be angry in hearing this?"

"Hardly doubt he'd have anything nice to say. Nor would he want me to divorce his sister—"
"Divorce?!" She hissed, and Orion frowned into his next sip. "I don't know if it's worth it to continue living this life. Not being free to really do what I wish."

"Orion...Is this really what you wish for? That'll start a war."

"No. It wouldn't. I highly doubt Walburga would get remarried, and I'm still young, given your wedding proved it. Though I'm not sure how the dating world is like these days." Rhea had sat in awe, trying to think of a better approach.

"Perhaps it would be better to start with the organization first?" Orion smiled at that and it allowed her more time to prepare herself for another reveal.

"You know, I'm worried that there might be issues between conception between Alphard and I...Given my history and the years between us. Alfie said we could adopt."

"Adopt? How does that work?"

"Adopt a child from elsewhere that doesn't have a set of parents that cannot afford to keep and raise them." She defined and bobbed her head. "There are practices that will change the child's DNA so they appear to be more related. Perhaps you could forge a few papers and make it a legit child as well, a distant niece or nephew from another branch of the family?" Now that had ticked Orion's curiosity, but then she shook her head.

"How do you plan to have a child when you're—These are future plans, Orion. We'll start at the bottom and continue our way from there, yes? I know you're eager, but we're still a bit away from finding a witch you're compatible with." He nodded, biting his thumb and so she decided to bide her time until Alphard returned.

Thus, a final game of cards had settled the night before the three settled for bed.

But Orion had groaned into his pillow once he heard the slight buckle of the floorboards and didn't hesitate to block the noise with a quick enchantment to the wall.

This is the mistake he made with going on holiday with this couple, who were still heavily in their honeymoon phase.

Perhaps Rhea was right, the child portion was much too to create. And if she had her way, she would already be with child this time next year. Which would be wonderful to be an uncle once more.

Wasn't that the life that Alphard had lived?
A forever deemed uncle?

Orion had finally closed his eyes, wondering what type of witch he would be paired with. But all his imagination could conjure is Rhea.

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Date Posted: 05/19/2022

Time: 11:43

Words: 2944