writing-alphard:
Alphard wanted so horribly to shut his mind off, but Juno continued pulling him back. Maybe it wasn’t fair to leave her to her own accord against Walburga and Irma, but shutting down was his coping mechanism (as bad as it was). It was better to not feel anything than to feel too much.
The young wizard focused on Juno’s voice instead of is mother’s huff. He reached over and offered her a smile, turning beet red at yet another mention of sex at the dinner table. “Oh, all the time, my love.”
Cygnus, sensing his the tension in his older brother, did his best to change the subject before something bad happened. “Well I just hope that Dru and I have the same luck you two are having.” Of course, Druella and Cygnus were truly a match made in heaven. They started dating on their own in his fifth year and Cygnus planned on proposing on her birthday over the summer.
Cygnus kept his eyes on Alphard, ocassionally looking over at Juno or Walburga. He knew that usually the older brother was the protector, but Cygnus took over that role for Alphard after the incident (at least that’s what he called it in his head). His father did what he thought was best for his son at the time, but later realized the mistake he made when it was already too late. Granted, there were always standards to uphold in the pureblood community, especially when it came to the Black family. Orion truly believed that he was doing what was best for not only his son, but the family name. Now he wished he hadn’t let Irma win that argument.
Alphard glanced over at his brother. “You and Dru are perfect for each other… you’ll definitely have the best luck.” More luck having kids than Alpard and Juno, that was for sure.
In that moment, the house elves brought out dinner, a plethora of meats and sides. The house elves really outdid themselves. Alphard was sure to thank them before they left, causing Walburga to roll her eyes. “Suzie makes the best chicken,” he explained to Juno in a quiet whisper. He wished that his parents would let him have Suzie, she was his favorite. “Her last owner was from the Caribbean somewhere and it’s just… so good.”
The small house elf giggled at Alphard’s praise. “Thank you… Always so kind, Master Alphard is.”
Juno smiles awkwardly at the elf before she curtsies and returns to her work. Juno listens politely to conversation and minds her manners for the rest of the meal.
“Dru sounds lovely.” She offers, before going into her own thoughts for a moment. Hadn’t she left this behind? Droll dinner conversations and family members who couldn’t stand you?
She sighs softly to herself, remembers that good food and someone else’s wine were comforts that she hadn’t had in quite some time. There’s a lull in the conversation she’s barely been following, and Juno uses it to share a shred of grace.
“Thank you for the lovely dinner, Mrs. Black.”














