It'll look like you

The Black Isle

It had been a spur of the moment decision. And one that had cost her more galleons than she really wanted to think about. But she knew that it hadn’t even left a scratch in the vaults. Narcissa wouldn’t notice. And she didn’t think that her sister would care what she was spending trivial amounts of money on. There was no reason to think that it was going to matter to anyone, and he would like it. That was all that she had really cared about. The boys were too little to appreciate it, but she thought that Rabastan would love it, and that was what she cared about.

Dropping down on the couch with Emmaline, she curled her feet under her and let her head rest on the other witch’s shoulder. She had told her earlier what she had done, and after the outburst about how much that had cost, and a gentle reminder that the younger witch really needed to stop worrying about money to begin with, they had agreed that they would tell him together. It was his gift, after all. And while Andromeda had paid for it, it was from them both.

Emmaline had been worried about topping this gift every year for the rest of their lives, but Andromeda thought that they would figure something out. This was coming early anyway. They could come up with something else for the sixteenth. It wouldn’t be terribly difficult. They could get him some framed pictures or something. Something much more traditional than this was. But this was something that she had wanted, and Dr. van der Hoosan had offered her a decent enough price. She had wanted a Division A team, if she was going to do this. And she had wanted Puddlemere even more specifically after they had been the first to sign a muggleborn.

Andromeda thought that they needed their name on anything that could be seen in a positive light, and she wasn’t about to let that opportunity pass without at least attempting to make it happen.

Footsteps came from behind them, and she turned over Em’s shoulder to see him coming into the room. “Thought maybe you got lost between their rooms and here.” Only the master bedroom was on this side of the house, but she didn’t think that that was really a problem. Zoë’s room was ready. The boys were already in theirs. And Andromeda thought that this was going to be perfect. “Come here. We have a present for you…”

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Rabastan Ashmedai Lestrange + @emmaline • 420 • andromeda's outfit - barefoot

Rabastan had enjoyed his day. Thursdays were a touch bittersweet now on the off weeks, with the custody arrangements between Rodolphus and Andromeda. He had spent most of his day yesterday at Lestrange Castle. It was difficult to leave the little ones, but they were adjusting to the new schedule. They were resilient children. Lilith really did seem to be invested in their well-being. Rabastan could not tell if it was because the girl cared about the children or cared about not disappointing or angering Rodolphus. He could not imagine spending much time with the boys and not losing your heart to them. So, he expected that even if it was the latter now, that soon the former would also be true.

He made the best of the day as he could. He'd set an appointment with Adaline to get an hour of Andromeda's time this morning. The visit to the Ministry had been most enjoyable. He hoped that it had left a smile on his love's face as it had surely done for him. The Foundation was buzzing with activity, even more so now that the ICW had researchers in the labs. He hoped they would have a breakthrough soon. He was ready for some progress.

But truly his thoughts were less on work today--and more on the fact that he would be meeting Zoë tomorrow. He was more nervous about the impression he would make on her than the one he had made on Emmaline's brothers. Avery and Rhodes mattered, of course, but not in the same way as a child living under this roof mattered. He'd check on her room at least three times since he had been home--every time summoning Ori or Eri to add a little something more. Hopefully the young witch would like it. 

He was heading back to the ladies of the house, with another question about Zoë’s favorites when Andromeda poked a bit of fun at him. Rabastan grinned and shook his head. "I just want her room to be perfect!" He insisted. And he did--he really, really did. He answered her summons happily, though, dropping down in between the pair of them. His eyes were bright and excited at the notion of a present. Grown man that he was, he still got excited about little things like a small child. Arms immediately went to behind the women. He always urged them close. His skin was eternally hungry for warmth and contact...a side effect of his time in Azkaban than potions and therapy had not seemed to effect. 

"What is this present you speak of? And what is it for?" He really did not have any idea why either of the women would be getting him presents. He was supposed to be getting them presents. That was a regular responsibility of the man. And he tried--He had sent a gorgeous terrarium containing a Lily of the Valley to Emmaline for her office at Dubhe only this very week. Andromeda was due a gift. He needed to think on what would please her. 

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Emmaline knew that Rabastan was worried about Zoë joining them tomorrow, but she thought it was going to be okay. Her daughter was a resilient little thing, and as much as the older girls hadn’t exactly taken it perfectly, they had accepted it. Mallory seemed to believe that she deserved to be happy, and Hallie had agreed to help work in both Avery and her uncle G. Avery was going to be a hard sell, but it was one that she thought they could make. Her nineteen year old didn’t live here, he had gotten his own flat when he had started school and she didn’t mind that.

They were all independent, and grown. And she was proud of them. Zoë wasn't quite grown yet, but she was going to pick her up tomorrow, and bring her here while the other two were at work. She wanted a chance to talk to her, before she met them. Well, before she met Rabastan. Andromeda she knew. She had known her for her entire life. But it was Rabastan that would be new, and it was Rabastan that was going to be the one standing in a position that made her a little wary.

She knew that he would never cross that line. That he wasn’t going to try and be her father. But at the same time, she needed the stability of a home with more than one parent. And while normal houses had two, this one had three. Two mothers, and a father. And still, she knew that they wouldn’t be. Zoë had been hit the hardest by losing her father. And it was going to be a testament to their strength as mother and daughter, how well they came through this.

When Andromeda put her head on her shoulder, Emmaline kissed the top of the other woman’s wild curls before she too looked over the back of the couch towards where Rab had appeared. “It’s going to be fine. I’m sure it is already perfect.” He had been fussing over it since he had gotten home after all. Shifting so that he could sit down between them, she mimicked Andromeda and curled her legs under her as she turned into his side. “Do we need a reason to buy you presents?” Exorbitantly expensive presents… Blacks and their vaults…

She didn’t think that she was going to get used to that any time soon. But she knew that they both wanted her to. She was supposed to be relaxing. She was supposed to be easing into this new life. And a new life, a new start, meant that there were going to be things that she wasn’t used to. The amount of money Andromeda considered trivial, was one of them. Billions of galleons, and she hadn’t even batted an eye. Emmaline was still a little in shock.

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Rabastan looked unconvinced by Emmaline's assertion. He looked that way because he was not convinced at all. It needed to be perfect. It needed to make a good impression. There were going to be quite a lot of changes for Zoë. This was a new house--in a new place--and he was a new person. While the child had always been around Andromeda, he was a stranger. And now they were supposed to transition from strangers to family. He could not replace what she had lost, but he hoped that he could still show her that he was someone she could count on. He didn't know exactly what that would look like, but he hoped the way he cared for her mother would be enough to gain him a bit of acceptance with the girl. 

He blew a breath out threw his nose. "I don't know. I couldn't get the first editions of those books you said she liked here in time. I wanted them to just be on the bookshelf." He wasn't sure when he would be able to give the girl the gifts now--because he did not want it to seem like he was trying to bribe her into liking him. That had not been his intention. He had just wanted her to be surrounded by things that she liked. 

The wizard grazed his fingers idly over the curve of both women's necks. He was always initiating little bits of affection like this. He wanted them to always feel treasured--because they were. They were extraordinary women and he was incredibly lucky to have them in his life. A sheepish sort of laugh passed his lips and he rolled his eyes. "I suppose not," he accepted. It would take some adjustment for him to get used to receiving gifts, but they were all making adjustments in this new life together. This truly was not an unpleasant thing to adjust to, either. 

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The tension that Rabastan seemed to radiate thinking about Zoë coming home made Andromeda smile. Not at his discomfort, but at the fact that he truly cared so much. He wanted everything to be perfect, and she knew that he would never accept that it was. But that was just how it was going to have to be. They were all going to have to accept new things. The right things. The things that were going to make them all a family. Because that was most certainly what this was.

This was a family. Their family. And while she wished that the boys were here, every day that they were gone, she knew that the custody arrangement had worked out well enough. She had gotten everything that she wanted out of him when it came to the boys, and she was grateful for that. She was grateful that he hadn’t fought her. That he was going to let her have this. But she was wary. He had let her have so much.

The only thing left that she wanted was his signature. She needed him to sign those papers. But he had promised. And she didn’t think that he was going to be awful about it too much longer. Long enough, surely. He would make her wait long enough. But she would get her divorce, and then she could really let herself call this her family.

“Save them. Put them in her new room when the new house is done.” They has found plans that they liked, and they were still spread out on the dining room table. The little tweaks and changes marked in three very easily discernible hands. “It will be a special touch then just as much as it would be tomorrow.” And no one could say no to new presents when they were setting up the new house.

Andromeda could admit that she was excited for that. But not quite as excited as she was about this. “Well, it’s kind of a Father’s Day present. But it’s a little early.” There was no sense in keeping it a secret until then though. Not when he was likely to be the most hands on one of the three of them anyway. “Because it’s actually quite large.” Her fingers trailed up and down his thigh as she spoke, and she was smirking across his chest at Emmaline. “We thought you, and the boys, someday, and maybe even Mallory, would be impressed.”

Calling for Faye, she thanked the elf when she handed her the navy box tied with golden ribbons. Setting it on his lap she nodded. “Open it.” The Puddlemere United jersey had been custom made, Lestrange printed on the back in golden letters. Number 19. Because this was their year. The year everything changed.

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Andromeda and Emmaline both seemed to have the opinion that he was going overboard with nitpicking every little thing. And he probably was. He really couldn't help it. It was just part of who he was. He had that second son need to please. He had that ache for validation and praise. He had a deep need for affirmation. Of course, he could go without it...and he could face adversity and challenge. He could and would put in work to achieve the difficult goals. 

But he wanted his atta boys when he could get them... and he really-really-really wanted to make a good impression tomorrow. 

His face brightened as a smile overtook it at Andromeda's suggestion. "That is a brilliant idea!" He agreed. He had not even thought of that. But really, it would be a really nice opportunity--and something to make the new-new house special. "I will do just that," he confirmed, surety and pleasure in his voice at the notion. Yes--that would work out well. 

Rabastan was really excited for the new home that they were going to build. The island was lovely--and this house was very comfortable... but he had not given any input on it. Nor had Emmaline. Andromeda had made the purchase all on her own. The house they were building was going to be done together. They each had made their contributions and suggestions. It was going to be a home for them crafted to suit the family's needs and he was very excited for it. 

He arched his brow up at the mention of Father's Day. His heart swelled at that thought. He was getting a gift for Father's Day. Her words made little sense though without context of what the present was. Large? Something he, the boys and Mallory could enjoy?  He furrowed his brow in confusion as Meda summoned Faye. If it was something that the elf could bring to them, it couldn't be that large. Could it? 

The box placed on his lap wasn't particularly sizable. It wasn't small, but it certainly wasn't huge either--and it was relatively lightweight. He shifted his arms from behind the women to take hold of the gift. It looked rather like a garment box--but instead of trying to guess what might be inside, he just set to opening it. "Okay," he pulled the word out long over his tongue as he tugged at the ribbon. The coloring of the box and silk did not clue him on anything. But inside the box was a custom Puddlemere jersey. 

He offered a grin to each of the women in turn. "It's very nice," he said, lifting the jersey out of the box to show his surname and the number 19 clearly out in front of him. "I am not sure I'm in any shape to be playing for United, though," he joked. Even if he hadn't been without his magic, the wizard was a bit up in years to be a professional athlete. Rabastan had not realized that it wasn't just the jersey, but the team that Andromeda had purchased. 

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Emmaline didn’t know what actually buying a quidditch team entailed. But she thought that it was quite a bit more than a one-day purchase. Unless, of course, you happened to be Andromeda Lestrange. It hadn’t escaped her notice since she had moved into this house, that Andromeda did not wait for things. She simply acquired them. And where she had come up with the idea to buy him a quidditch team, Emmaline didn’t really know.

Breakfast on Sunday, maybe? They had been talking about Mallory’s job, and he had said something about going with her eldest daughter to a match. But actually, just buying a team was a little different than buying season tickets or something. The likelihood of Rabastan actually realizing what it was that they were giving him was slim to none. They had talked about Father’s Day, and decided they were going to get him something, but Emmaline had been thinking something along the lines of a model airplane. Or some golf clubs. Something boring, and Dad-like.

Andromeda had apparently thought bigger. A lot bigger. “I think we should let her get a pet, too. I know we already have so many around here, but it’s an island, and I was thinking maybe a horse, or something? We have the space… And I will give up one of my greenhouses in the new plans for a stable.” She thought that she would like that, and if Rab gave it to her, she might just decide it was okay to like him.

Em knew that she loved Bec’s horses, and Emmaline herself had always loved to ride. Chuckling she shook her head as he quipped about not exactly being fit to play. “I think you’re a little old to play anyway, Dear…” There were older players coming out of retirement to fill the rosters this season with the Epidemic still holding them all in their clutches, but she didn’t think that Rabastan quite qualified. “And I did not decide to start sleeping with another quidditch player.”

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The quidditch team was as much for the family as it was for Rabastan alone, but Andromeda didn’t really know all that much about it. She had taken Draco with her the last time that she had been to a match. When England had been playing Scotland last summer. It had seemed pertinent that she be in attendance, but with really very limited quidditch knowledge, she hadn’t understood half of what was happening, and she hadn’t wanted to bother Draco by asking too many questions.

She thought that Rab could teach her though. And he would have more patience with her knowing that they could be a part of every practice, and match, and that they could take the children, and let them wander the pitch. Puddlemere was based in Dorset, after all, and she thought that that was really quite convenient. There had been all of the reasons that she had wanted that particular team, and now she had it.

They had it.

“I don’t know…” She leaned back enough to look at him, “I think you might be able to pull it off. Not sure if we want to share you with all of the other groupies though.” Did they still have groupies? Was that a word that people that weren’t over half a century old used? Andromeda had no clue and given that everyone currently in this house was over fifty, she didn’t really have anyone to ask. She could ask Zoë, tomorrow. “What do groupies wear?”

Her gaze drifted down her own loose dress, and across to Emmaline’s, well, Rabastan’s t-shirt that was hanging off of the other witch. “I’m not sure that we could qualify as groupies…” There was a playful lit to her voice as she sat back far enough that she could curl her legs the other way and put them across his. Her feet landing in Emmaline’s lap.

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The younger witch chuckled when Andromeda assessed Rab’s physique and decided that they were going to be groupies. She thought that she could at least play along. Long enough to try and get him to realize what they had actually gotten him. Because she didn’t think that he had realized that he now owned the team. And that was just slightly more substantial than playing, or not playing, depending on who you were asking. “I don’t think we’re exactly the groupie type…” Her thumb rubbed up the bottom of Meda’s foot as she spoke.

Two brilliant surgeons. One that was running the largest mixed magical and muggle medical center in Dublin, and the other running five countries that operated as one nation. Through one of the largest crises that they had seen in generations. It wasn’t war, by any means, but at least in war you had an enemy to fight. They didn’t have an enemy to fight. They were fighting an illness. A disease. And it was one that they still didn’t know enough about.

No, they were definitely not the groupie type. There was something else about them though. Something that made them special. Tied them to him. And she thought that the affection in his eyes was pretty clear to everyone. Even G had seen it. And she hoped that Zoë would pick up on it tomorrow too. He was never going to be Travis, and Emmaline knew that she was always going to love the man. But this new life was something different. Something more. “But I could get behind being the owner’s type…”

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Rabastan considered Emmaline's suggestion. He, of course, was on board with more animals. He had brought another half dozen goats only the day before--a doe and five kids. They were adorable creatures...and would do much to keep the island's grasses in check. He would set Eri to the task of collecting milk and making cheese. It would be delicious. 

While he was absolutely in support of setting up stables and getting a couple horses, he did not want Emmaline to give up a greenhouse to achieve this. He voiced that straight away: "You don't  need to give up a greenhouse for us to set up stables on the island. They don't need to be that close to the house. We can take out another of the small cottages--I'd say the one to the north is surrounded by the best grazing land. That way we have all the greenhouses, there are stables--and those stables are far enough away from the main house we don't have to worry about the little ones getting too close to a horse and ending up getting a nasty kick." He wasn't sure if that could actually kill a small child, but it certainly would not be good for them. Andromeda had expressed opposition to cows (not that he had even suggested them), because the children were still small, but he thought this balance could work.

He feigned outrage at being called too old to be a professional athlete. "Are you implying I'm not fit? I'm wounded, Em," he gestured to his tattoo covered muscular torso, "Are you not appreciating all this?" She made a vague reference to her late husband--and not sleeping with other quidditch players, which earned another comment from him. "I guess I can't really complain about that since I'm not one." He folded the jersey and laid it back in the box---setting the whole thing down on the coffee table in front of them.

The women set into a cute playful banter about being groupies. He thought they were just so freaking cute. He honestly would have been happy to just listen to them talk forever. If every day could just be him tucked in between them, with them chattering about literally any topic at all, he would be the happiest and luckiest man alive. "You are both definitely hot enough to be groupies. Those legs would make any witch jealous." He ran a hand down Andromeda's leg, but his eyes were on Emmaline's, even as she had them tucked up on the couch. The compliment was clearly meant for both women--and they both deserved it. 

But he could not disagree with Em--she and Meda were not really the type of women he could ever see as groupies. They were like goddesses. He was day dreaming about them a little bit as Emmaline spoke about the type she could be. He looked from one to the other. "The owner type?" He asked, "Did you buy me PU?" His voice was incredulous and filled with surprised. A quidditch team definitely qualified as a really bloody big gift. Reallly, really big.

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