(𝟏 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫)
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝, 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟑- 𝟏𝟐 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞.
"My father and mother left months ago, claimed they grew tired of living here." Orion spoke as he led her down the long hallways of Grimmauld Place.
The long hallways once again felt suffocating as they entered the study of the ground floor.
Upon entering the study, the room revealed itself to be a testament to the family's wealth and lineage. Dark mahogany shelves lined the walls, bearing the weight of countless tomes filled with magical knowledge and dark arts.
The study's centerpiece was a grand oak desk, ornately carved with intricate patterns. The dim light filtering through heavy curtains played upon the polished surface. A large family tree tapestry adorned one wall, showcasing the interconnected branches of the Black family, tracing their lineage through generations.
Dust particles danced in the sunlight that managed to pierce through the heavy drapes, giving the room an ethereal quality as if frozen in time.
He called upon Kreacher as Walburga was admiring the family tree.
The sound of Kreacher's apparition echoed through the study, and the aged house-elf appeared with a bow. His gaunt frame and drooping ears bore the weight of decades of servitude.
"You called, Master Orion," Kreacher rasped, his eyes glinting with a mix of weariness and begrudging loyalty.
Orion gestured towards Walburga. "Prepare a light lunch for my lady, and ensure our belongings are brought up to the master bedroom."
Kreacher nodded. "As you wish, Master Orion." With a crack, he vanished, leaving the couple alone in the dimly lit study.
Orion took a moment to survey the room, the heavy tapestries depicting the Black family history, and the ornate furniture that seemed to carry the weight of countless secrets.
"Sit down, Walburga," Orion gestured towards a plush armchair. "How are you feeling? Is your side hurting at all?"
Walburga eased herself into the plush armchair, the slight pain from her side a constant reminder of the battle. She looked at Orion, her gaze meeting his. "Physically, I'm on the mending side. Emotionally, I'm navigating through a labyrinth of revelations."
They hadn't spoken since the healer had given them the news of her wounds back at the hospital.
☆ ★ ☆
(𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐲)
𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟑𝐫𝐝, 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟑 - 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥
"I can walk on my own Orion," Walbuga gave him a look of annoyance as the man wouldn't allow her to get up from the bed.
She had been discharged from the wizarding hospital that morning.
"Fine, go ahead and fall - see if I'll help you up." He chuckled, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes.
She couldn't help but smile at his expression.
With a bit of a smirk, Walburga attempted to rise from the bed, testing the strength in her limbs. Orion watched her with a mix of concern and pride. As she stood on her own, he offered his arm, more for reassurance than necessity, and with a sigh she wrapped hers around his.
The same healer who had been there for her when she awoke returned with a caddy full of potions.
"Mrs. Black, these are the potions you'll need for the next week. Ensure you take them as prescribed," The healer advised, arranging the vials neatly on the bedside table.
Walburga nodded in acknowledgment, reaching out to take the potions.
The healer simply stood there as if afraid to say what she had to say next.
Orion noticing the odd behavior spoke up, "What is it?"
The healer hesitated for a moment before speaking, her expression grave. "Mrs. Black, the magical injuries you sustained were severe, I know that you will one day have to bear a child, given pureblood customs. However, I truly stress the importance that - the wound has had on your - your womb."
Walburga's features tightened at the mention of bearing a child, "What are you saying?"
"I am simply warning you that with the amount of scaring that has been left on your uterus, it is incredibly important that you, take precautions when carrying a child." The healer finished with a sad smile.
Walburga nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, but the reality of potential complications in having a child still sent a ripple of fear through her. Orion thanked the healer and led his wife out of the door.
As they began to walk out of the hospital he finally looked over to her, "I suppose this is a great time to tell you that we are moving to Grimmauld Place." Sarcasm dripped from every word he said.
Walburga, still grappling with the weight of the healer's words, turned to look at Orion.
His announcement caught her off guard, momentarily diverting her thoughts from the medical concerns. "Grimmauld Place?" she questioned, uncertainty in her voice.
Orion nodded, his expression serious yet determined."Unfortunately, the cottage was beyond damage, but I went back and got what I could that belonged to us. Though our plan to not move into Grimmauld Place until we had a child has been ruined."
Orion's words hung in the air, carrying the weight of shattered plans and unforeseen challenges.
☆ ★ ☆
(𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭)
He watched as she sat across from him before he lit a cigarette. His cigarette emitted a subtle wisp of smoke as he took a contemplative drag.
"I can't pretend to understand everything you're going through, Walburga," he admitted, exhaling slowly. "But I'm here. If you want to talk about it, I'm here."
She couldn't help but roll her eyes as she placed a small pillow on her lap. "Here? For how long exactly? How long will you be here before you go back to Eleanor?"
Orion's expression remained composed, his eyes meeting hers with a calm determination. "I'm here for as long as you need me, Walburga. Eleanor understands the situation, and I've made it clear that my priority right now is you and our well-being."
Walburga arched an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in her gaze. "Oh, I suppose I should thank Eleanor for allowing my husband to spend time with me."
Orion's expression tightened, sensing the sarcasm in Walburga's words. "This is not about Eleanor 'allowing' anything. She understands the situation, and I'm doing what I can to fulfill my responsibilities to both of you."
Walburga leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Responsibilities, obligations, commitments—those seem to be your favorite words. What about desires, choices, or personal fulfillment?"
Orion sighed, running a hand through his hair. "What do you want from me Walburga? I am trying to be here for you- let me be here for you."
Walburga's gaze remained intense, her frustration palpable. "I want more than fleeting moments of your attention."
A silence filled the study as smoke enveloped the air.
"Where were you that night?" She knew exactly where he was - she simply wanted to hear him say it.
Orion met her gaze, the weight of guilt in his eyes. "You know where I was,"
"Say it. Where were you?"
Orion sighed, the admission heavy on his conscience. "I was with Eleanor," he confessed, his voice low and filled with regret. The truth hung in the air, a palpable tension settling between them.
Walburga's eyes remained on him, her jaw clenched.
The reality of his choice stung, and the wounds of betrayal cut deep.
"With her," she repeated, bitterness tainting the words. "While I fought for my life, you were with her."
He nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the painful truth. "I won't make excuses, Walburga. I should have been there for you."
Walburga, grappling with the harsh reality of her husband's absence during a moment of dire need, felt a surge of emotions – anger, hurt, and a profound sense of betrayal.
"I needed you, Orion. You took a vow to be there and you weren't," she said, her voice was filled with disappointment.
She stood up from the plush armchair ignoring the pain on her side, her posture tense, and tears welled in her eyes.
Orion, watching her, felt a pang of remorse, standing up he began to walk towards her.
She wanted to yell, to scream at him as his hands wrapped around her figure pulling her close to him.
With his hands around her waist, she felt him squeeze gently. "I am here," he whispered, his voice carrying a mix of regret and sincerity.
The tension in the room seemed to momentarily subside as they stood entwined, caught between the echoes of the past and the uncertain path that lay ahead.
☆ ★ ☆
The couple had retired to their now shared bedroom by nightfall. Dinner had been consumed in silence, interrupted only by Kreacher's inquiry to Walburga if she needed anything.
The heaviness in the air lingered, an unspoken tension residing between the two.
Leaving their shared powder room she grabbed her wand to dry her wet hair. She looked over to see him. The dim light of the bedroom cast shadows on his face, emphasizing the lines of weariness etched across his features.
He glanced over in her direction before speaking, "I got you a new nightgown."
Pointing to a beige silk nightgown laid out on the bed. The fabric seemed to shimmer in the soft light of the room. It was different to the one she had, but she grabbed it.
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded appreciatively. "Thank you," she replied, her voice a mixture of gratitude and a lingering touch of tension.
As she grabbed the fabric, she moved to leave the room and change in their closet before his voice stopped her, "Where are you going?"
She turned to face him, the tension in the room palpable. "I'm going to change."
He raised an eyebrow before replying, "You can change here; there's no need for you to hide from your husband."
The invitation felt like a precarious bridge, tempting yet fraught with uncertainty.
Walburga hesitated for a moment, her gaze meeting his. Letting her robe fall to the floor she stood her body bare for the first time in front of him.
Orion's eyes traced the contours of her figure, and for a moment, it seemed as if the weight of the world outside their bedroom had lifted.
She could feel his eyes stay on the scars that littered her body before settling on the biggest one. His eyes traced the path of the largest scar, the one Macduff had left on her side. It drew his attention from her abdomen, curving near her inner left thigh.
Quickly, she pulled the new nightgown over her head, letting the fabric cascade down her body. The soft material clung gently to her form, offering a stark contrast to the battle scars beneath.
His eyes remained on her as he stood from his place on the bed and walked up to her. Gently he placed his hands on her waist before staring into her eyes, "You don't need to hide from me,"
She could feel his fingers begin to trace the scar above the fabric before his hands lowered bunching up the fabric.
"W-what are you doing?" She asked completely off kilter, she wasn't used to feeling as lustful as she felt at that moment with anyone but Abraxas.
She could feel his cold fingers begin to trace the scar tissue, they remained on her inner thigh as he looked into her eyes.
"I am going to spend this night with my wife if she'll have me."
After a moment of silence, she nodded, a subtle acknowledgment of his presence.
Moving her onto the bed, he was careful with her as he leaned down to place love marks on her neck.
That was the first night they spent together as husband and wife.
☆ ★ ☆