✧I'LL BE IVORY, WHILE YOU PLAY BLACK✧

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The days following Rhea's birthday had been utterly blissful, but it was difficult with the distance between each missive between her and Atlas.

Orion, on the other hand, was having difficulty keeping himself silent. So every time he caught sight of Alphard's owl coming or going, he smirked to himself but didn't say a word. Walburga simply assumed they were discussing business ventures, while Rhea was owling her friends.

For the two who were so used to having the house to themselves during this time of year, having Rhea as a guest was rather exciting between them. That and because she held a rather interesting sort of story behind her, not wanting to marry Dolohov had caused Walburga at a crossroads.

Both she and Narcissa were looking tirelessly to see if there was any way to convince Clarissa and Radolphous to change their minds on this matter.

_____

Little Goddess,

You make it so difficult to have to be this far away, I've never considered missing out on meetings to remain in Britain. It's not a wonder why you don't recall my name or me in general, I've been away from it all for a long time.
If not longer.

It brings me great joy that you favor the bracelet, I know it's inappropriate to gift something of this sort but I'm done being proper. I want to embrace these emotions, I want to be able to see you when I want.

To kiss you when I want.

But for now, entertaining the thought in the near future will get me through these tireless meetings.

I hope you're enjoying the Black family, Walburga can be a bit overbearing at times—And Orion is well, a bastard in his own right. But I've heard great things already from Orion, and they both enjoy your company. Don't feel as though you're putting them out, between the both of us, I believe they miss their children more than they want to admit.

-Atlas

_____

Rhea had pulled the parchment to her chest, it was the first one of the day—Usually, they could manage up to three. As she didn't want to be unfair to Benny.

Of course, Alphard relished in her kindness, saying that he would only have him deliver it to the German Ministry— Isn't that grand? To be in another country.

Rhea had asked a whole lot of question about Germany, she hardly ventured out of the country herself. And if she did, it was only to the Lestrange manor off in France. However, she limited herself, as she had to remember he was there not for leisure—But for work.

The young Ravenclaw had taken full advantage of the library in the Black family manor, and Orion couldn't help but see the parallels between both her and Alphard.

He too spent most of his free time in this room.

"Good Afternoon Mr.Black." She said with a smile, and he shook his head.
"It's Orion, Rhea. We've talked about this." She perked her lips and docked a bookmark into the page before closing it. "But that's not proper."
"You're a guest here, I cannot expect you to continue being formal with me. Besides, my sons are very fond of you." Rhea eyed the door for a moment before flickering her attention back up.

"My wife won't deem it improper, she's said you can call her—" She shook her head and Orion sighed. Perhaps the next time would be a better chance.

As for right now, he had given her a wide smirk.

"I don't suppose you'd fancy a game of chess?" Now that earned him her attention outright.
His eyes danced in amusement as he went along over to the chess set—One that could date back generations, the very one he and Alphard had learned how to play on.

"Surely your busy to—"
"Nonsense, your father neglects you as is."
"My father doesn't neglect me." She stood up straighter. And Orion had stopped his movement in setting up the pieces.

"Not in the way you might see it, but it's a dishonor in my eyes. So please, join me for a game or two." Now the battle of what was kind danced through her head.

Was she suppose to him win?

She had placed the book down onto the couch and sat across from him with a growing smile. "It's a Black family tradition to take the black color on the board, otherwise I would've let you choose."
"No worries, I would've taken the ivory anyhow." She claimed, and Orion had chuckled along.

But his smile hadn't remained for long, not when it was clear that Rhea was not playing to the extent of a Ravenclaw would. "Rhea, my dear, I have a feeling you can play much better than this." Her eyes peeked up, and it was undoubtedly true.

She had managed about four ways in her head to win.

"That's not very—"
"And what do you think my niece would say if she found out you were letting me win this game?" Rhea bit her lip and leaned back from the game's table.

"I was putting someone else before me...Again."
"Correct, now play how you would normally play." There was still a bit of hesitation, it was clear to see when it clouded her blue hues. But once her hand picked up the piece, she couldn't put it down without losing her turn. And thus she had knocked over Orion's piece and took it.

"Checkmate." She spoke, holding out her hand and Orion laughed once more as he shared his enthusiasm and shook it. "How long have you been waiting to do that?"

"Well...It's been a while since anyone's wanted to play chess with me, I was hoping that if it ended a tie you would be much more inclined to play again." The hope in her eyes had damned him to sigh again, what did Radolphous and Clarissa do to this poor young witch?

"When is the last time you played a game with your father?" Rhea's lips parted as she took the moment to think, there wasn't a clear memory in her head until it popped up.

And she hoped it would've stayed buried.

"Father said I didn't have any business winning in chess. That men wouldn't find it very attractive."
"Nonsense, I'm sure your Atlas would be ecstatic to find this out." It was strange to hear his name in a conversation and she shied away.

"I'm sure he would, but at the moment I've only had a dance with him and a good amount of owls."
"Only a good amount?"
"He's in Germany, he should be focusing on his work." She informed and he bobbed his head.

"Between the both of us, Rhea, I have never seen him this taken back from his work. He's a man of many things, but there aren't many distractions that make it's way into his head."
"So you know him?"
"Of course, hasn't he shared that bit?" She shook her head, but he knew that already.

"No, he hasn't shared much. He's very shy, isn't he?" Orion had held himself back. Alphard Black was anything but shy, but then in the case of fancying Rhea—He hadn't met this side of his brother before.

So he couldn't say for certain that this 'shyness' was how he was around Rhea.

"No, but there's always a difference between the ones we're friends with to those we fancy...Isn't that right?" Rhea's smile had turned into a bit of laughter.

"You're right. You should've seen his face when I asked him for a kiss." Orion couldn't hold himself back this time as he leaned back further in his chair and shook his head in damnation.

"I can picture that Rhea, thank you. I'll be sure to mention that to him the next—"
"Merlin...And I thought telling Sirius was bad."
"Oh? And what has my son said about all this?"
"He's been very helpful, he was going to tell you what happened the first time if I hadn't told him not to. I wonder how that would've turned out if..." Rhea's thoughts had gone amiss as an Owl had screeched off into the room, and her attention had been caught elsewhere.

Another smile was earned as she cooed towards Benny, but then handed over one of the parcel's off towards Orion. "I'm assuming that you two are in business together?"
"Something of the sort. I'll share if you'll do the same." She snorted and shook her head.

"If I didn't know any better, Orion, I'd say you wanted a daughter." His eyes had abandoned his brother's words, and he grinned. Had it truly only taken a game to cause this bird to open up?

"At one point in my life, I wish I did. But I am happy with my sons, even if one is a Gryffindor." Her expression had faltered and continued to do so, it felt wrong to enjoy his company when he hardly gave Sirius the time of day.

"That's what fathers says—About my being in Ravenclaw."
"Yes. But a Ravenclaw is a much suitable house. Besides, I believe Atlas is also a bird." Her head fell into her hands as she silently laughed along.

"Yes, he is. And I think it's utterly hilarious." She cheered, but with that all being said and done. The two had taken the moment to draft a returning parcel to Atlas for Benny to take.

Though the sweet little suck-up hadn't left without a treat and a few scratches from Rhea.

"Even his owl is fond of you, good lord...He's in trouble."
"How come?"
"My dear, he's infatuated with you. And when a powerful man like Alp—Like Atlas adores you, you will know about it." Rhea blinked.

More powerful than the Blacks?

Rhea didn't mean to think about this statement, but he was thinking about it more and more as the days had continued pass. Had she been so out of tune of pureblooded hierarchy?

In asking Sirius, even he was stumped. She described him perfectly in her mind, but then he suggested that perhaps Atlas was from another country in general.

Was he from a powerful German family? It would make sense if he was so rooted elsewhere.

_____

My Goddess,

There had been an awful storm this past night, and it had me wondering if you were afraid of such things. I don't know, perhaps it's a bit stereotypical of me to continue to assume things of this nature.

That witches are scared of thunderstorms.

But forgive me, as the real reason I thought of it, was because I was hoping that you were afraid of storms.

I was hoping that one day it will be me you turn to whenever you're feeling scared. That whenever you feel insecure or you need a shoulder to lean on, you'll seek for me in the crowd.

I want my eyes to be your solace, I want my embrace to be your shelter. And I want my kiss to be your security.

I could be your safe place. I could wrap my arms around you and protect you from the harsh realities we face. I could fight away the blowing winds that knock you off your feet, and I wouldn't hesitate to help you turn right side up.

-Atlas

_____

She swooned, and her flushed face had remained there for the majority of the day. Even the parcel from her parent's return hadn't been that much of a downfall.

Not when Christmas was just a few weeks away, their traveling had lasted long enough. Personally, she thought the lack of appearance to their child's birthday would be a negative example.

And Walburga agreed as well.

Granted, Walburga had been out enjoying her own 'girls night' and that meant Rhea had enjoyed the evening with Orion. The two had a wonderful time, and he had mentioned this to both her and Alphard.

Rhea was much more mature for her age.

And between her return to society, or to her parent's manor for the better, Orion had undoubtedly managed to aid Alphard from where he was in Britain.

While also explaining what needed to be done in terms of making himself available to start a courtship with Rhea. But in hindsight, he didn't need a courtship. For starters, he was much too old to wait, right beside the fact that he knew from the start that Rhea will become his future wife.

If she accepted him.

When he admitted it all that long ago, Orion had realized just how serious his brother was about Rhea. Ultimately making him favor her—In an almost sister sort of way.

"Rhea? Could I speak to you for a moment?" Orion called out, and Rhea had peaked up from her book—Though in a very Ravenclaw way of turning her head in his direction as she forced her eyes up and away.

And there Atlas stood right beside him.

"You git! You didn't tell me you were coming back anytime soon!" She said, hurrying over towards him with a swift hug and a polite kiss to the cheek.

"And here I thought you were excited to speak with me," Orion said with a slight twitch to his lip. But Alphard had swatted at his brother and opened his arms willingly to catch his beloved.

His beloved...He had come to the conclusion of that in the last few weeks.

"Of course I am, but I haven't seen Atlas in weeks." She said with kind smile, and the master of the home had offered them both a drink. Which she couldn't possibly deny a glass of wine!

Not when Atlas was looking handsome as ever, did he always wear such put-together robes?

Orion had lead the way to one of the many rooms Rhea had hardly ventured into, course it smelled like cigar smoke so she assumed this was where he conducted most of his own gathering of friends.

It was strange to be invited here, usually her father would claim this spot—Wouldn't he? Or Rolf?

"What have I missed in the oh so glorious of parties?" Alphard questioned as he took the polite seat just a gap away from Rhea. "Nothing of interest at least, my parents are coming this week or the next." 

"Hmm, I wouldn't put it past Radolphous to miss the Holiday. Though then again, I didn't think he would miss his own daughter's birthday either." Orion rolled his eyes, he'd heard it a few times this past month already.

"Yes, but it worked out for the better didn't it? You had a wonderful evening with the young witch beside you—As I've heard you shared a kiss or two?" Rhea's blush had confirmed her retelling of the night and Alphard chuckled.

"What else have you told him, my dear?"
"Nothing more I swear! He's just pulling my leg again." She bustled, taking a hefty sip of her wine before shaking her head. "Honest!" It astounded how alive she sounded with just a few simple weeks without her parent's constant strain of being perfect and womanly.

Had they appeared now just out of the blue, she would no doubt be carted considering she was in the presence of two men. Though Orion was her guardian at the current moment, it still wasn't ideal for Alphard to be so very close—But they couldn't help it.

He felt like he was drawn to her, even as he tried to retell a story his body seemed to be motion to lean towards her than his own brother. And no matter the smirk on his brother's face, he couldn't help it at all.

He adored her attention and affection, and when Orion had not so suddenly left the room, Alphard took the moment to take her in fully.

Rhea had been wearing a lounge dress, and her hair tied within a rather delicate braid down her right side. This was her at her most calm.

"You look beautiful this evening, have I said that already?"
"No, and you certainly don't need to all the time. I've been reading most of the day."
"What better way to spend it?" She couldn't agree more.

"Well it isn't over, and I'm rather glad you've come to visit...I think Orion might be tired of losing to me at chess."
"He's not much of a player, no, I was the best in my year at Hogwarts. I take it you'd like a real challenge." The devious tint in her eyes had glistened, he had awakened a challenge in her.

"I would love to."
"Ah, but how about we make it much more interesting." He tested, and she tilted his head. Unsure of what he meant by that statement. "If I win...Hmm, I can't rightly think of anything." Rhea perked her lips as she took a glance at the door.

Orion could be coming back at any moment.

"If I win, I want a New Years' kiss..." She instated, but hadn't dared look in Atlas' direction. But it was safe to say he was gobsmacked considering how silent he was.

With a gentle peer over, she had caught sight of his gaping lips—Though they were turning into a smile nonetheless. "Alright...And if I win, I get a goodnight kiss tonight."
"Mines a bit more risky, isn't it?"
"Perhaps. Shall I wager more?" What could that possibly do?

Rhea nodded her head in allowance.

"One goodnight kiss, and a kiss elsewhere." Considering he had been her first kiss he had widely assumed that she hadn't dared to think of anywhere else on the body.

And he assumed correctly, but he was more than happy to oblige his own fantasies this evening and create some for hers.

Rhea had held out her hand and the two came to agreement, just mere moments to find Orion returning with another bottle of imported fire whiskey.

"Ah, Orion. You're just in time, Rhea has made a bet with me." This startled the bloke outright as he frowned. "That's not very gentlemen-like Atlas." Rhea snickered into her hand, and with the flushed tints to her cheek—It caused the master of the house to sigh.

"She's drunk."
"No, I'm quite tipsy though...I'd still like to play!" She said with a range of excitement, and the two wizards shrugged—It didn't look like there was any denying her at this point in time.

Alphard had fetched board games and swirled the board around, Blacks facing him and whites towards her. She hadn't found any mind to the color as of late, it was her color of choice anyhow. And good thing, as Alphard Black could never not play without this color.

He offered his hands up for her to start the first move, and it surprised him. Then the second, and the third...And by the gods above, Alphard had bitten his fist in pure aggravation.

He wanted that kiss. He wanted to taste the curve of her neck and hear what pleasure sounded like from this beautiful witch but clearly, he was unmatched.

Orion was highly invested in the game as well, giving at the side standpoint he had his elbows connected to his knees—Much like Alphard was at the current moment.

While sweet Rhea had sat in the chair that was much too large for her and smelled highly of men's cologne and cigars. Her smile hadn't faltered. Both Orion and Atlas played many games with one another as their strategy was much the same—But different at the same time.

"Checkmate." She claimed, but the wizard couldn't be all that peeved. Not when her smile had been parted with another tilt of her head. Yet the moment was still ruined when Orion's hands had clapped together, his laugher brought him close to tears.

Especially considering his brother's mouth was once again left wide open at the reveal.

His beloved played a strategic game and he couldn't feel all that awful, he was the one to underestimate her after all.

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you...What were the stakes?" Orion had offered in the midst of their silence, and Rhea simply smiled as she wasn't going to divulge in it.

Making Alphard remain silent as well.

Orion had shook his head, finding the humor in it all. Granted, it was nearly close to a women's curfew and he knew Walburga would return home at the dot.

"Well, I can be sure you'll keep Rhea company this evening...I have a few things I need to get handled before the morning's meeting. Unless of course I need to stay?" With the last few weeks of her staying here, Orion couldn't help but feel protective of her.

So with her confirmation, he had taken his leave, and Rhea had taken the small side glance to look off to Atlas.

While Alphard was chuckling to himself, wondering how long his brother had managed to plan this out.

"Would you like to play another game?" Rhea squealed in her seat as she set up the board once again by hand. "Where did you learn to play this well?"
"We kept a record of who was the reigning champion in the Ravenclaw common room. I retired my crown at the end of the year, funny enough my predecessor hadn't won our last game—But it doesn't matter now I suppose, since I graduated and all."
"I don't believe I recall that at all. When were first crowned?" Her brows knitted together as she tried to think of which year she had first claimed it.

But then a sad memory had commenced.

"It was my first year." She said in a slight mumble that she tried to hide away with. Truth be told, she had been so excited to tell her brother Rolf about having beaten 7th years in chess, but he simply ignored her and basically laughed at the fact that it was a rather dumb ritual—That if she were in Slytherin...

That mentality continued to haunt her outright.

"First year, well I'll be—I think I'll need to pick up a game or two. I'm rusty." Atlas claimed, lightening the mood but also saving his own honor of having lost the previous.

"Are you keeping the same bet?" Her question had certainly managed for him to stop from thinking further on what upset her just a moment ago. His nod came further and his fantasy of giving her a proper goodnight kiss.

"What are you interested in?"
"I have my kiss for New Years, I'm alright."
"No, that's not how we're playing this, love."
"But I don't want anything."
"Nothing at all?...How about a surprise?" Her curiosity of it all had caused another burst of energy.

"Mrs.Black is going with her friends in the next few days, would you come over again...Is you can?"
"I'll be here tomorrow morning with Orion, how about I take you out for lunch?"
"Take me out to lunch? What if—"
"Two Ravenclaws having a bite to eat, nothing more than that." His voice was slightly firm in the sense that he wanted her to relax.

And that she did.

She had offered up the first move of the game, considering he had offered what could be considered a date for her side of the bet. But Rhea was secretly hoping that he would win.

Though she was not going to lose her title that easily.

Atlas wasn't nearly as predictable as Orion, less careless moves than the other. Granted he had bested her a few times, but she continued to come out victorious.

"I best study up before our next game."
"Hmm, you're much more challenging than my other opponents." She beckoned, and that caught his interests. "Your father isn't much for chess."
"Orion said the same, and if I played by my father's rules—You would be winning your second bet by now." She informed, and it angered him to hear that Radolphous would even remotely suggest that Rhea silence herself further.

Had he honestly told her to let a man win a game of chess? Merlin how backwards is the Lestrange family?!

"It's getting late...I should probably get to bed." She issued, closing well into ten o'clock now that she caught the clock off in the corner of the room.

He had taken ahold of his pocket watch and almost fumbled, of course she was pushing to go to bed. His sister would undoubtedly be home soon!

"Merlin, my goddess, let me walk you back to—" Rhea had interrupted him with a soft kiss to his lips. In pulling away his laughter had prepared her for his lips to meet back down and continue what she had started.

Had she planned all this?

For a man who's had a fair share of women in the past, how could he possibly be getting so worked up over a kiss? His own breath had groaned against her and she giggled in relief. This had been her test to see how he'd act if she were the one to enact a kiss.

It left her entirely pleased to know that he was affected just as much as she was.

As they pulled away, Atlas' forehead had leaned down to press against hers. The two were breathless and attempted to calm their beating hearts, though their soul was awakening bit by bit.

"There's your goodnight kiss. What did you mean by a kiss elsewhere?" She whispered and he shook his head. "I didn't win, love."

"No matter, I'm curious. And leaving a Ravenclaw curious is like torture. Isn't that what you said?" Her question had left him in an odd position.

While he hadn't been let down by his ability to win, it had left his mind since Rhea had won—But alas, he was surveying his options.

She continued to remain in his arms, absolutely thriving in the scent of his cologne. Her attempt to imprint it into her mind was working wonderfully.

If only Walburga's arrival wasn't looming closer.

"What I meant when I said I'd kiss you elsewhere, I meant...Here." He felt up the likes of her neck with the back of his knuckles, and that caught her by surprise and confusion. She recalled in the many books she's read that it was a euphoric feeling, so she nodded.

Again, curiosity getting the better of her.

"Rhea..."
"It's alright Atlas, I want you to." Whatever Orion had told him, he had been treating her as though she would break. But if only they would understand that she wanted to mask Dolohov's touch with one that she adores.

He'd return back to her lips for a moment, acting on something familiar to her as he started to lower his approach from the side of his lips then straight down to the crook of her neck—An nearly instantly a gasping breath had been caught right beside his ear.

It was giving him such a thrill, holding her in his grasp and giving his attention and admiration to the sweet spot he had found instantly. For Rhea it did more than just tickle—It had awoken her and her attraction to him.

No matter how much Antonio tried, she never felt good in his sexual acts. While Atlas simply used his lips at her neck and collar bone, but the best was yet to come.

Just not this night.

When Alphard had retreated back, Rhea had let out a rather saddened huff. He chuckled when he realized how much she enjoyed such an act, and he'd find a way to continue this newfound addiction.

"I will gladly make time to do that again, tomorrow, love...Be prepared to hide them though. I don't doubt Walburga will be furious to see them." Rhea's hand had instantly gone straight towards her neck, the tender spot that Alphard had focused on did feel a bit raw.

He'd given her a hickey!

"I wish you would've won..." She mumbled, her lips slightly swollen but her overall aura beautifully pleased. "As do I, but now we can enjoy a New Year's kiss...Until tomorrow, little goddess." He spoke, kissing her forehead and letting her go.

She had to put her feet forward in getting her to walk up the stairs, Rhea didn't want to be the one to walk away. But it was getting late and she would get her best reading at this time of night in her own secluded room.

As the young Lestrange daughter had followed up the stairs, she had caught Kreacher on the opposite side. "Young Mistress going to bed? Would Sweet young Mistress like some tea?"
"That would be lovely Kreacher, finish your first task though." He mumbled his affirmative before Rhea hurried along inside her room to get ready for bed.

Alphard on the other hand had taken one last look at the chessboard, he had never tried much in a game of chess—Apparently he never had an honest game to challenge him.

He was more than bewitched.

He was sure of it.

"Alphard...? Ah, did you get through the paperwork with Orion?" Walburga's voice had caught him out of his trans as he turned to cover the table from his sister. "Not nearly through half, I will be here tomorrow as well."

She nodded, offered a goodnight, and continued off to bed without much of another word.

Alphard didn't know what his sister would do if she had caught both him and Rhea snogging, but he had successfully hidden the wine glass from her line of sight...

The eldest Black heir had a feeling that it would not be as pleasant as Orion claimed it would be...If Walburga had caught them in the act.

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Date Posted: 08-30-2021

Time: 11:05

Words: 4914