✧THE IN-BETWEEN✧

◊━━━━━✥━━━━━◊

***

Rhea hadn't been this stressed since her impending NEWT exams, when both Narcissa and Orion had written to her about Alphard's party—She panicked.

Apparently, it was customary for the significant other to plan their loved one's party, which made sense, but she wished she had much more of a time frame to work with. Not only was she given a budget, and an already friendly face to work with in terms of party services.

But Narcissa had been a blessing, she knew her uncle well and shared what usually happened at these types of events.

However, what Narcissa had failed to encounter, was just how well Rhea had already adapted. Not only in record of what Alphard favors, but what would pertain to the rest of the guests.

Lori was just as excited to see this masterpiece, the only issue that failed Rhea was undoubtedly the gift she wanted to present to Alphard. It was going to be their first birthday celebration as a couple, and with not much time to work, Rhea scrambled around to find the perfect gift.

With her being so focused on such a task, and the pleasant guard of Narcissa making sure that she was in eyesight at all times. The group had managed to work in the shadows in protecting her.

It angered Alphard to the high heavens that he wasn't allowed to stomp his foot down on Radolphous' mighty throne, but the Slytherins had outweighed him.

He needed to be very careful, these were strong accusations that needed more evidence than just hearsay.

If all went well, Rodolphous would be the one to confront him, as he had been the one to hear—He also needed to be the one to make things right with his sister.

He still felt terribly guilty for his actions and what he said to her.

It wasn't his finest moment.

"Let's take a break—Dobby, fresh kettle of tea with some biscuits."
"Cissy, we don't have time for a break. Merlin, why did you trust me with this...This is—"
"You are doing wonderful darling, I cannot wait to see Alphard's face when he sees everything you've created for him." Rhea groaned, but in addition to that, a knock on the door caught the women's attention.

"Ah, uncle, are you here to give away our secrets?" Narcissa questioned, and at the mention of an Uncle, Rhea had instantly sat up...Only to register him as Orion and not her beloved.

"Hello to you too Rhea, I take it planning is going well if there are secrets to be had." He deemed, taking a seat near Rhea as he looked over the itinerary.

"You know, sister, my birthday is coming in a few short months that—"
"Orion, I'm at my witts end already. Ask me another day." She said with her hands over her eyes, leaving Narcissa to pour out the kettle of tea to her guests.

"I understand the creativity of a Ravenclaw now, he'll love it all, Rhea."
"It still needs to run smoothly and I need to finish his gift." She reminded, and the woman had just waved her hand at the thought.

"Gift?... Rhea, Alphard doesn't like gifts—"
"What?!" She shrieked, and Narcissa had made a distasteful face towards her uncle.

"I'm sure anything Rhea gives him will be alright, don't worry about it now." The poor girl was so tired that she hadn't even caught either of them giving each other the look.

Confirmation that it was meant to happen tonight, of all nights.

"Why don't we stay the night here Rhea? We have to meet the arrangements tomorrow bright and early. And it'll give you time to focus." That sounded rather delightful, to stay out of the house for the night.

Here of all places?

"Is that alright?" Orion fought the urge to roll his eyes.
"Rhea, in a matter of weeks this will turn into your manor. I'll be having to ask you if it's alright. Let me go tell your father that you're staying here and send an elf with a few things, get some rest." He said, tapping her arm in a rather friendly and soothing way.

Narcissa had forced a nap on the young witch while speaking to the others, it wasn't until Bella had come strutting in with the necessary potion for tonight.

"Did you get it?" Bella ushered, and her sister simply held up a decent bit of Rhea's hair. It hadn't been difficult as Cissy had placed the blame on wanting to see a few different hairstyles.

Even if Rhea knew what she wanted to do, she humored her in-law and decided it was relaxing to have someone play with her hair as gently as she did.

It almost lulled her to sleep at one point.

"Just remember, not to kill him—You and Rodolphous need to speak with his father before anything can happen." Narcissa attempt to remind her sister, but it was difficult to truly know if the witch caught it all—Especially when she had a habit of going off course due to her impulsivity.

It's what made her so valued and dangerous.

"How is our little Auntie?" The coming relationship of Rhea marrying their uncle had caused Bellatrix to label her properly, though it was strange in Cissy's mind. She hadn't gotten so used to calling her a sister in so quick a time, so what changed?

"Stop that teasing, Alphard is already livid as is. We can't afford for a slip up."
"Oh please, I would like to see the old man grow—" The clearing of one's throat had caused either sister to still, and the playful title of Alphard's head had caught his niece's triumph smirk.

"My dear, dear Bella...The only bit of sanity I have left is because of your little Auntie. If I hear one word of you harassing her or anything in the realm of teasing, I will not hesitate. Do I make myself clear?" Narcissa's head had fallen down instantly, a sign of submission but also in agreement to it all.

Alphard's eyes flickered between the two sisters. "Bellatrix...?"
"Yes Uncle, I won't bother Auntie Rhea. Not until—"
"Not until anything, her innocence is refreshing and if I hear that it's been tampered with then you're equally as guilty." He deemed, but thrilling giggling had spooked her sister outright.

But Alphard knew that his firm voice had gone across.

"I think you would enjoy a bit of naughtiness from Rhea, wouldn't you...Uncle?"
"Get going, Bella. And hold that sharp tongue of yours, it'll get you in trouble one of these days." He said with a pointed finger, however when he followed her cackle out—He took into the difference of the room.

"What has my little fiancee been up to?" He questioned, he hadn't been able to see her in a good while. With work taking him out and away, but he held a small box in his hand of Chocolate frogs.

He hadn't forgotten.

"Rhea won't be happy with another gift, Uncle." Cissy reminded, and he let out a small huff.
"How is she?"
"Grand, stressed. I've been keeping her busy, we're both staying here tonight and Orion's already spoken told her he was going to speak with her father. Course Bella needs to act accordingly for this to truly work." She said, her eyes trailing the path to where her sister had exited out from.

"You'll be surprised, she's put a lot of work into this."

"That's not what I wanted to happen, you know this."

"Ah, but with you out of the country with my needing to distract her. This was the easiest to bare and mind. And if it's any consideration, Uncle. Rhea is in the works of designing her wedding gown." That had made it all worth it, getting the poly juice potion and sitting through countless meetings all away from his little goddess finally amounted to something positive.

"She's spoken to a seamstress already? Isn't it early?"
"I think we've all underestimated her abilities, she's designing it herself." Now that had caused him a bit of clarity to it all, he would adore anything she wore—But one that was self-drawn out, he couldn't wait.

"Do me a favor, Narcissa...Keep all the sketches that she draws, even the ones that don't make it."
"Why?"
"I want to see how my soon-to-be wife thinks." He said with a slight wink before offering up the small gift for her to pass on.

Today was not the day to see her, tomorrow would be.

While the two downstairs continued to speak on other matters of concern, Rhea hadn't taken the offered nap. Instead, she had traded her tea for some coffee and decided to finish her gift for Alphard.

It was pretty pathetic if she thought long enough on it, this was a man who had everything and if he didn't—He had the funds for it. So she had to dive deep into her creative soul and craft something that would surprise him.

"...Rhea? Can I come in?" Narcissa had caught her red-handed, literally, red paint was dried onto the better part of her hands as she perked her lips.
"I tried! But this won't get in finished in time if I—What's that?" She questioned and Narcissa smirked.

"Your very smitten fiancee has gotten you a gift, I don't think he's gotten the message." She said with a slight grin, Rhea had instantly risen to her feet and hurried over the balcony to see him still in the foyer reading a document.

"Alphard Black! I told you no gifts when it's your birthday!" She shouted, and the way that his shoulders had hunched for being scolded had caused him to curse.

And while that caused a gasp, she surprised him with a giggle.

"I didn't make any promises that I can recall." He slyly reminded and she huffed, leaning her arms onto the balcony's edge. "Must I make you promise the next time?" The time apart had made her want to run into his arms, and he could tell.

Considering he was itching to do the same.

"Promises promises...I've liked what you've done with the—"
"Don't look! You'll spoil it!" He hadn't heard her that rushed and panicked—Well he had, but nothing as trivial as this. So he humored her with placing his hand over his eyes.

"And when can I take my hand off?"
"Tomorrow." Her voice sounded closer and she smirked to herself as she caught his head changing in directions.

Being mindful of the paint, she had hooked her arm into his and leaned forward to kiss him gently. He hardly needed a moment to respond, and it always gave her heart to sporadically beat when there was no hesitation in sight.

Though this was a bit more careless considering he was without sight. And deep down, Rhea had found herself liking it.

"Unfair."
"I won't have the surprise ruined. My hard work in putting a surprise in order that isn't finished is quite unfair." She deemed, and he peeked a single eye open to see that she was not fooling around. "Yes well, Narcissa tells me you aren't getting much sleep."
"No. I think it's because you're out of the country...It's fine. I brought my whiskey with me." She earned herself a chuckle from the mention of a former gift, but with the day coming to an end he too needed some rest.

He was equally as tired from working so much.

With a parting kiss goodbye, he had managed to feel much more uplifted. And Rhea was fighting off the knowing smirks from her new friend, granted she's already heard Bella call her Auntie Rhea—So it could be miles worse than what it is.

Narcissa sat across from Rhea now, in the method of keeping her company in a free foyer. She was rather taken back by Rhea's dedication to making everything perfect, though it was to be expected at this point for a Ravenclaw.

"Uncle wanted me to talk to you...about a few things." Narcissa segwayed after a moment of a break in conversation, Rhea always managed to turn her head first before her eyes locked on their attention to something else. "A few things? Is he hoping I'll run away?"

"No—No nothing of the sort, he just wants to make sure you understand what happens when someone...Someone with a title gets married."
"And he knew my mother wouldn't be the one to inform me...Alright, what have I done wrong?"
"Nothing of the sort, you're actually doing very well—You have a natural ability to socialize and form a conversation to your own will. That's a very handy tool to have." Rhea swallowed harshly, she hadn't known she was doing that at all.

She didn't want to be seen as devious or anything of the sort.

"So there are some things I need to improve on I'm assuming?" Narcissa nodded her head, the smile she offered was gentle and rather warm.

But Rhea's cheeks burned, realizing that maybe Alphard was too kind for his own good if he was making Narcissa speak to her.

"You'll need to grow into the title, being Madam Black or Mrs.Black comes with a bit of stigma. Especially considering Alphard has been labled a forever bachelor, people are curious."
"You mean they're suspicious of what I've done?" Narcissa noted that she needed to be careful in the near future as Rhea could read in between the lines without much of a hint in the mix.

"Yes. Some believe you're with child, my aunt for example. Or—"
"I haven't—I'd never—" She was eased with a gentle hand and a slight chuckle.
"I wouldn't have any issue with you not being pure on your wedding night, it's quite hilarious seeing my Uncle keep it together. I've heard he was spontaneous in his youth."
"So you mean Sirius now?" Rhea carted and Narcissa bit her lip, though neither could hold back their laughter.

"Yes, well, they are uncle and nephew. But that's nothing to worry about now, he's been a hermit." Rhea frowned, why was it that everyone had made such a comment as that.
"He's not a hermit, he enjoys different things in life and didn't care for that type of thing."
"Until you."
"Until me, though I think he wants company too. Which I don't mind at all, I feel like I'd become a hermit if it wasn't an obligation to leave the manor." As the two continued to chat, Narcissa couldn't see anything wrong with the young Ravenclaw before her.

Really, she believed that her aunt was just starting to make dramatics to be heard. Going so far as to stalking Rhea's Hogwarts records, only to find that they were absolutely perfect.
Not one missed class or a marked sick day.

Rhea was eerily perfect, but Narcissa knew deep down that her parents ignored the lights out of her. Even she had heard about Rabastan's accomplishments but Rhea was still unknown among the crowd.

"...There is one last thing, but it wasn't mentioned by Alphard himself." Rhea didn't want it to bother her, but her mother was completely and utterly useless. Especially now, and by the look of Cissy's face.

Rhea knew what was upon her.

"Is this regarding sex?" She questioned, and it blinded the witch across from her. Leaving her to turn her attention back to her task at hand.
"I'm not entirely clueless, and I've heard a few Ravenclaws speak about it and all. Especially the spells that amplify it and protect us from unwanted things. But otherwise I am lost."

"It sounds like you know the basis, that's a very good place to start." She calmly admitted and Rhea bit her lip.
"It's alright to enjoy it, when the time comes it will all make sense. I promise you that. I was fairly worried as well, considering I asked Bella for advice, and she—" Rhea laughed, it was a beautiful one that filled the room.

She couldn't picture Bella being as sweet as her younger sister for matters such as this.
"I suppose she would exaggerate it entirely, I'm thankful she didn't get back to me first. No, but I did read a few novels that had featured a very inclusive scene or two. Nothing worth—" Cissy knew that to battle a Ravenclaw she would need to get smart about this, leaving her to uncover a book.

"I find that when I'm bored myself, I take to reading this. Take it as a wedding gift."
"A-and what is this?" She questioned, though she took the newly issued copy and scanned the first few lines and Rhea gasped.

"Cissy, this—this—Is this that errotic thing that Alfie meant?! Oh goodness, it's—"
"Addicting to say the least, it's about exploration darling. Nevermind the ceremonial purpose of it all." Rhea didn't understand it was meant to be fun or even described as addicting.

Course, from her time as a prefect and head girl, she knew that some students found it enjoyable to ditch class and take the broom closet or an empty classroom available to do the do.

So there was definitely some truth behind those words.

"I thought—" Rhea started, her face turning into a pout. "I thought it wasn't meant to be fun."

"That's a tactic our parents use in order for us to stay pure, but I knew my Lucius was going to be the one. So I did, but there is nothing wrong with waiting for a wedding night. Nor am I saying you need to offer yourself up at any point. I just don't want you to be worried about those matters. Especially not with my teddy bear of an uncle." Rhea swallowed her thought, she shouldn't dive into the fact that Alphard had bet a kiss elsewhere.

Then following that, Rhea had that intense dream the night before New Year's eve. She couldn't understand the matters of what would be accomplished other than pleasure.

Yes, pleasure was a good description of it.

"...It's pleasurable."
"Yes. Yes, it is. And what follows is even more enjoyable." Rhea had turned up to Narcissa with a clouded look, not understanding the context and Cissy simply squealed.

"Children!"

◇──◇────◇────◇──◇

Date Posted: 10/08/2021

Time: 12:44

Words: 3036