✧THE BADGER MEETING THE SNAKE✧

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Rhea had made the biggest mistake regarding Orion knowing when she would be attending the Eve's Garden interviews. So when she returned home, greeted both Alphard and Orion—It didn't surprise her that Orion had made the excuse to take an imaginary cigar break to visit her in her own study.

She could nearly feel the eagerness in each step.

"What part of discretion do you now understand? Merlin, I barely have my cloak off." She muttered, and instantly the fellow had aided her and smiled, dutifully ready to hear what she had found out.

And so she remained silent. Just to irritate him.

"Well?!" He ushered, nearly ready to exploit with anticipation.

"My day was fine, thank you for asking."

"Rhea—"

"Oh alright, I believe I found you a witch. But it's a little concerning and I'm not sure how I exactly feel about all this." Orion's shoulders slumped, and so he took the seat across from her desk with a slight pout.

"Such a child—No, that isn't what I meant, Orion. I meant that I am not sure if the organization is all that truthful."

"What do you mean?"
"I met with a witch that I recall from my time at Hogwarts, she was only a few grades above me but I recall speaking to her from time to time. Even healed her after a wicked Quidditch accident in the infirmary. She had such a bright future and then it all fell apart, she's in mountains of debt, and well—I am not sure I like the idea of her fighting for her education this way." Rhea had begrudgingly passed over the file about the witch in question.

And Orion had smiled down at the picture. Her face was so soft, and damnit she was beyond gorgeous. "You said she was only a few years older than yourself?"

"Twenty-two. Perhaps even nearly twenty-three if math serves me correctly. But she admitted to having tired bartending and other choices, I think she has lost her—"

"I want her."

"You aren't listening to me, are you?... Course not, just thinking about you damn co—"

"I know how these organizations work, Rhea. Witches don't walk in there wanting the job. In some instances, perhaps. But most need a well-paying job, and Eve's garden provides them protection if nothing else, security. Besides, I wasn't planning on sharing my witch with anyone else. Owl Madam Roswell, I want her exclusively." Rhea began to rub the space in between her brows as she closed her eyes.

Trying to soothe the headache.

"Did you see she's a Hufflepuff?"

"I am seeing a lot more than just her Hogwarts House, Rhea. Did you look at this pamphlet? Merlin, who the hell is Ariana?" And that had caused Rhea to rip the other packet out of her brother's grasp.

"I didn't just go searching for you, Orion. Quit it." It had taken Orion only a moment to figure out just what she had meant, and he held a cutting smile. "Oh? Is this for the triad you are wanting Alphard to be a part of?" His teasing had cost him a confession that he had found out within the mere hour of her speaking with Alphard about it.

And merlin, she couldn't even believe what she was hearing.

"I'd never cart you for your sexual fantasies, Rhea."

"I am not having this conversation with you, bloody traitor." Orion held back the smile playing on his lips, but he knew that she would call him out on it.

"Cannot fault me for this, Rhea. I am my brother's ear the same way I am yours. But interestingly enough, if you did want another wizard to join your triad. I have been given the blessing by your husband." Rhea had no longer felt the blush on her cheeks, instead, she had felt fury.

"Is that what you're getting at? That you've gotten my husband's approval that it changes my answer?" Orion shook and gestured to Corin's profile. "No, that is your choice. I am just an open option now."

Rhea sucked in a steady breath and waved her wand off towards her given record player in the corner. This was not what she wanted to hear prior to visiting the Eve Garden.

"For the sake of my sanity, we are not talking about this. Corin is your friend now, yes?"

"Hm, and I'll be needing the exclusivity deal. And given that you've said she is needing more funds to attend her school—What is she studying?" Rhea perked her lips and frowned.

"I am not exactly sure, but I do know she excelled in Herbology. There is a multitude of directions with that. Perhaps she will be testing the capability of each ingredient in a potion? That does sound interesting." Orion blinked in pure and utter confusion, but nodded as though he knew exactly what she was talking about.

"You want to pay for her tuition?"

"Tuition, a nice flat...The works. Can you put that together for me?" Rhea had started out as a sigh before she began to laugh. "You didn't even meet the witch yet."

"I trust your judgment. And perhaps I need a Hufflepuff, besides—I would like to act as a knight in shining armor as well. Just like Alphard was for you." That held another point for Rhea to dock, wondering just how much her husband gossips with Orion.

"I have to ask, Orion. Are you looking for sex, companionshi—"

"As I said, all of it. I wish for her to have her own flat in order to have her own space. Seeing that you flourish in yours. I cannot imagine how much her schooling is stressing her, she doesn't need that in addition to scraping up the funds. Perhaps we both need a bit of comfort." Rhea smiled and nodded, thinking back to her times spent speaking with Corin.

"You know it's interesting, you never mentioned your ideal blood status when describing a witch." Rhea dwelled, and Orion narrowed his gaze. "I take it they are all pureblooded, yes?"

"That was the organization's doing, not me. But if Corin was a half-blood, would it have made much of a difference?" Orion began wondering that himself, but he shook his head.

No, he would act as a gentleman towards Corin if it's the last thing he would bloody do.

"Once you and Corin are at ease with one another, perhaps we can take a vacation together. Spain? When it's warmer?" Rhea dwelled, and Orion hummed at the thought. Clearly, the hot sand beaches weren't on his mind, but alas, Rhea had proceeded to kick out her brother-in-law—But not without charming and enchanting the file given to him of Corin.

The last thing either of them needed was to get caught.

Granted, by the time dinner had rolled around, Rhea was already well seated at the table as Alphard was just appearing in the corner. "Ah, love...I had thought you were still in your study." He chuckled, kissing her cheek before setting himself down beside her.

"How was your afternoon? I take it was much more resourceful than mine. I always forget just how stressful Novemebers can be." Rhea smirked and nodded.

"Quiet resourceful, and informative, to say the least." With another swirl of her spoon around her bowl, her eyes flickered off towards her husband. "So you told Orion he can join our triad?"

It was a bit of a tease, but also comeuppance on both of the brothers for their general way of 'thinking how a witch works,' and so she sat back and watched as all the horrors had crossed over Alphard's face.

"Do you think he's free next week?" She wondered, purely playful. But the way her husband looked so crescent fallen that she blinked towards him. "See, now I wonder why you gave him the okay when you yourself aren't okay with it."
"I-it's best to keep it within the family."

"Is that what Cygnus told you?" She questioned, and Alphard could hardly lie any further. "Whether or not you believe me when I say this, and whatever type of Black motto this holds true to. Even if it is in the family, I still consider it as adultery." Rhea continued, taking the moment to ready another sip on her spoon.

"I apologize, I needed my brother's opinion on it. And his whiskey." Rhea nodded along, continuing her phase of being disappointed. "I'll be thinking twice before I tell you about any more fantasies of mine."

"Little Goddesss, no—Please. I hadn't meant it as any harm, I'm an old bastard. I needed a reminder of what it was like to be young again, he's the one who suggested the potion we took for your birthday." So that was Orion's idea instead of Alphard's?

"Perhaps if I had more married friends I would understand."

"You do have quite a few married friends, Lucretia, Narcissa, Andy—"

"All of them related to you and not at all wanting to hear about our bedroom activities I am up to with their Uncle or brother." Rhea had thought for a moment, perhaps she could even consider Corin a friend if all ends well.

"I suppose you're right, I'll keep my tongue-tied from now on. Shall I move into the guest room for tonight?" She perked her lips and shook her head. "No, I'm not angry."

"But you're disappointed. Which I can understand, this is my fault, love. Let me apologize tonight, thoroughly." A brow rose, but her eyes moving to follow his, though it had beed delayed as she wondered just what he had in store for her.

"Oh? And what could that possibly be?"

"You're favorites, this between your thighs." He said, gesturing to his beard and she chuckled.
"Hm..." And the night had ended just as Alphard had promised, with Rhea humming along with his face just where he promised.

In the following days, however, Rhea had spent her time away from the business—As it had turned into an awful waiting game to hear the costs, the potential losses and gains. It was an awful time to sit and wait, so she put herself to good use and visited the Scamander Creature Sanctuary and meeting with the young Mr.Scamander—Randal.

He was a rather sweet lad, or Rhea should reinstate, a gentleman.

What Rhea was trying to orchestrate is a meeting with Orion and Corin. And damnit, she didn't realize just how difficult it would be in Orion's time.

Not to mention including Corin's busy timeframe, apparently, it was more of availability by the witch and not for this—Meaning that she spent a better part of the mornings and working hours purchasing a luxurious flat and setting it up with the Ministry to have it connect to the floo system.

Hoping that Corin would fancy the network straight to her University.

In addition to all this, she was lying to her husband. And it no longer considered to be a white lie. Not when she managed to put aside funds, pay off the Eve Garden costs, and start the better portion of Corin's tuition plan.

After discussing the better part of the plan with Madam Roswell and Orion. It had been decided that Corin had the option of dropping all communications if she didn't feel comfortable or compatible.

All her offered gifts would be hers to keep, the flat would remain hers for the rest of the year as well as the following semester paid for. And that was only if she wanted to end it with Orion herself.

But Rhea had a small inkling that she wouldn't. Not after owling the kind witch, no, she was having a good feeling about this.

And even, just for a moment, Rhea had pretended that the flat she had purchased was hers. Just fiddling around with a few things here and there, wondering if the witch needed anything else—But that could be figured out later.

What Rhea needed was to ease Corin's nerves, as she never had any sort of experience or prior knowledge about being exclusive.

From the whispers Rhea had gathered, no one had ever been deemed as exclusive. Or the customers were more so with swapping and trading than forming relationships.

But Rhea knew Orion, the man was looking for something beyond a fling. So here she was now, hurrying towards the door after hearing the given knock. "Coming!" She called out, and soon enough, she was greeted with a rather welcoming smile from Corin Simmons.

"Good Afternoon, Madam."

"Please, stop with the formalities Corin. Come in, come in. Make yourself at home!" As it was soon to be yours.

Mrs.Black had taken to watching Corin take a gentle gaze around the room, smiling even wider. Leaving Rhea to nearly sigh in relief, this side project was certainly much more stressful than she first realized when signing up.

"You have a wonderful flat, Mad—Mrs.Black."

"I would rather you call me Rhea, please. This is hardly as professional or in need of formalities. Besides, I wanted to talk more about what's being planned. And I've already spoken with Madam Roswell, she's signed it off. All we need now is your agreement before things can begin." Corin was in between a frown and confusion, but Rhea eased her way into explaining the better part of formed agreement.

"I...I move out of the Eve estate? To here?" Rhea nodded. "Yes, I am helping my friend at the current moment as he's busy with a few things. But he's seen me flourish in my own study and art room that he thought it was best you receive the same. He's quite a generous bloke, isn't he?" Corin could only nod as she turned her gaze, now really taking in the flat as is.

"You will be given a proper allowance, since you are no longer under Eve's roof. It makes sense, you'll need basic necessities and such. That can be discussed at a later time, but as for the flat and such. That is all paid for. Including your tuition."

"What?!" Rhea had only smiled, feeling as though she was at the giving end of presenting a scholarship. But this was certainly a different type, regardless.

After discussing the finer details, the conversation switched to aspirations, likes, and dislikes. And Corin felt more at ease with speaking with Rhea off Eve Garden grounds.

"I am hoping that by the end of this arrangement that you will no longer find the need to be employed by Eve's Garden. But I am guessing it isn't as easy as I'm thinking of, yes?"

"N-not exactly. It's a hefty fine if I don't follow through with my contract and pay a portion of the fees. But since I'm not dorming or using their services, it's a bit less. I really appreciate the exclusivity."

"I don't think my friend is all that up to the idea of sharing with anyone. Even if you are strangers now, I have a feeling that you and he will make quite the pair. And again, I could be wrong. I value education, Corin. Both myself and my husband. I've seen your goal, and I raise you on simply giving the fellow I'm about to introduce you to, a chance." Corin was already given a prep talk from Madam Roswell that Mrs.Black's friend could be an elder or ugly.

But there were potions, and the clear eagerness of both Rhea and the amount riding on this offer had caused Corin to fall silent.

"It—It sounds too good to be true."

"I know it is rather difficult to understand without going too much into detail, but I've been caught at the wall before. And sometimes all we need is a helping hand that'll pull us back to our feet." The mere idea had caused Corin to falter the well-established character that Madam Roswell had beaten into her for the past few months.

The Hufflepuff didn't have to speak aloud about her thoughts on the matter, and Rhea nodded in pure cut understanding once again. "I would like to offer, in addition to all this, my husband and I are in the midst of filling in our library. You have my permission to use it for reference as well. I—Well, I hope you are considering this more than just what we are offering here, even though it's all you have in front as proof, at the moment. But I have the rather imaginary dream of being able to go on vacation, all four of us." Corin was rather startled, she didn't want to voice out the possible, in the off chance that she was misreading the terms.

But did Mrs.Black want to form a friendship?

It's what it sounded like, considering she sounded much more interested in Corin's life than other customers were. Merlin, half the time they hardly knew her name before or after the night had ended.

"And who can I thank for all this?"

"Ah, my friend—It's best to get the formalities out of the way. I highly doubt he'll have you calling him that. But let him stutter and grow embarrassed. He hasn't had much contact with his witch, as I'm sure Madam Roswell has informed you?"
"Y-yes. Just a bit. That his wife hadn't bothered after their sons?" Rhea nodded reiterating that that was nearly a decade and a half ago. And even Corin had felt awful in that regard, not knowing how a loving touch would feel.

And right on cue, there had been a rather-quant knock at the door that caused Rhea to rise to her feet. "I'll be back in a moment, I just want to speak with him for a moment and then we'll finish our tea together. I don't think you want to be left alone just yet. And we won't be speaking of the contract or Eve as of yet. Just a normal conversation for today." That had caused a stir in Corin's emotions.

Perhaps she would only have to wine and dine the bloke here, and enjoy her seclusion the other nights of the week. Wouldn't that be brilliant?

Rhea had left Corin to her own thoughts as she taken to the door, only to find Orion dressed a bit nicer than normal. "Curious, brother. What might you be here for?" She questioned, and the nerves had shined through instantly as he ran a hand through his hair.
"I cannot stomach your teases, Rhea. How are things?"

"Acting as though we have given her a holy grail. But you know my promise, nothing eccentric happening tonight. Or talking of contract details." Orion could see the logic in that before smiling.

"Did she like the flat? I do think it is a rather lovely choice."

"Hufflepuffs have a tendency not being able to hide their emotions, she's over the moon. And I do not say that lightly. Especially the exclusion bit, that was the better of all the choices. Or the beginning steps of getting her the hell out of Eve's Garden."

Rhea had placed a firm hand on her brother's shoulders and lead him into the main living area of the flat. Only for Corin to rise up to her feet once more, and while her eyes had stayed on Rhea's for a few beats. They flickered off towards Orion and the rest of him.

It had been a while since he had been the focal point of a witch's attention, and Rhea smirked towards her brother.

"Corin, I would like you to meet my brother, Orion Black. Orion, this is Corin Simmons." The two were at the mercy of the tension building between them. And Rhea had read the room with ease, clearly, there was a form of attraction between the two.

Leaving Rhea to smile with pride for having been able to make the first introductions.

Corin, having found the will to unlock her knees had curtsied. "Mr.Black, it's a pleasure meeting you this afternoon." Orion had nearly been transported back to how polite Rhea had been at the beginning of their friendship and chuckled.

"There is no need to call me Mr.Black here, Corin. I rather you call me Orion." He claimed, leaving Rhea's side and reaching for Corin's hand, bringing it to his lips with a settling kiss—Even nuzzling the better of his thumb movements to soothe her nerves.

"O-Orion, like the hunter?"

"Exactly that." Rhea had decided to return back to her seat, and the two newly met Slytherin and Hufflepuff had joined her in the moments following their name swap.

And just as Rhea had explained, she lead through the conversation. Making sure both sides participated, but evidently—She was waiting for either side to say the code word.

Neither had, as of yet, and she was worried that perhaps this arrangement was going to fall in the seams. However, just as she was about to ask the next set of questions, Corin had smiled and spoke—Ticking off her needed code word that claimed that she was set for the evening.

Orion had followed within the next few minutes or so, but he was still rather shy when it came to looking towards Corin and speaking with her. He hadn't needed to flirt or pertain to the idea of being interested in another person since his time at Hogwarts.

Unless of course, Rhea counted.

"Damnit, look at the time. Well, I hope you two are well off to entertain yourself. Corin, look for my owl. Orion, I'll see you tomorrow at the office?" He rose to his feet and escorted Rhea out of the flat, though the two spoke in hushed voices, Corin was hopeful that she had made an impression on Orion Black.

The Orion Black!

When Orion had returned, his eyes took to the flat once again and smiled softly. She supposed that he would be visiting just as much, if not more than her own friends.

"I apologies for all this, Rhea has a tendency to not cut any corners and make things absolutely perfect for the person asking for her help."

"Not in need of an apology at all, she sounds like a wonderful friend to have." Orion had chuckled as he returned to his seat, but Corin noticed that he had faced her more than the last time.

"Hm, well, in technicality she is my sister. She's married to my brother."

"I suppose it's my turn to apologize, I don't know much about your family. But that makes the most sense, better at keeping your name private than saying you're her brother." Orion nodded, but then frowned as he turned to where Rhea had been sitting.

"I am not much for a conversationalist when it comes to beautiful young witches like yourself, please bear with me."

"Young?... Rhea is young, I'm nearing my thirties quicker than I would've liked." That caused him to blink and Corin to frown. "Alright, mid-twenties. But there was so much I wanted to accomplish that I feel like I've fallen behind. And here I am complaining to you when you've handed everything to me on a silver platter." He hummed with another smile.

"Take it from me, Rhea, myself, and her husband have much more money than we can use in a hundred lifetimes. Even when she starts a family of her own. We are more than capable of providing you with funds, which is what I am trying to get at. And I'm sure Rhea has boasted how much she adores academics." Corin felt the worries start to ease from her mind, and perhaps even her body as she scooted just a bit closer to the edge of her loveseat towards Orion.

"Then let's talk as if we've been lifelong friends..." Corin instigated with a pure smile that Orion had returned within the moment.

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Date Posted: 07/08/22

Time:  1:14

Words: 3981

Perhaps all Orion needs is a kind and loving Hufflepuff to get him out of his shell.