Alphard was exhausted before he even stepped foot in Black Manor. The idea of dinner with his family made him anxious and filled him with stress and dread. It had only been a few weeks since their wedding and Alphard was still trying to get a feel for what Juno was truly like. He didn’t want to act married in front of his family, but they flooed into the house and Alphard took Juno’s hand. He was a good little actor. It was like a switch flipped as soon as they entered Black Manor. His body language changed; he slumped a bit, his shoulders tense. His eyes darted around the familiar house.
The manor was large, but cold and drab. There was no life or personality in any aspect. While everything was immaculate and spotless, there was a depressing aura to it.
Small talk was had between his parents and Juno. His father was all smiles, welcoming her to the family while Irma seemed to simply tolerate her presence. While Pollux tried to include Alphard in on the conversation, Alphard remained quiet, merely nodding every now and again. Irma didn’t seem to even acknowledge her son’s presence. The tension was obvious, even if Pollux tried to dissipate it.
Soon enough, the entire family was there. The house elves brought out the salad and drinks. Cygnus sat on Alphard’s left side (while Juno was on Alphard’s right side), but would glance at Juno every now and again, taking her in and studying her. He needed to make sure that she was not hurting his older brother.
Alphard fidgeted at the table, pushing his salad around on his plate. Whenever someone would ask him anything, he’d shrug and look away. When things got tense, he would murmur under his breath.
“Stop that, Alphard,” his mother snapped at him. “I thought you were past that nonsense.”
Alphard wouldn’t even look at his mother. Was it his anxiety showing, or was it an act? Even Alphard wasn’t sure, as the line between the two blurred around his mother or Walburga. He immediately went silent and dropped his fork on his plate, staring at it.
“I’m sorry, dear,” Irma offered Juno with a fake smile. “Would you like some more wine?”
@junoselwyn
