#reflint

Irene’s frustrations with the latest meetings of the Redeemers were still pestering her in the weeks later. It worried her that half of the members weren’t serious. It was concerning that Martin didn’t see fit in putting a leash on his son. If it were up to Irene, she would have dropped those who weren’t serious months ago. Wade Avery would have been the first to go. She had no qualms about eliminating any information that he could leak to others. Callum Blackwood was a thorn in her side and it was quite clear that no matter his discretions that his father would protect him. The failure at the Ministry was disgraceful and it was because she was working with literal children. Gone were the days when there were members that she could trust. The only person she trusted was Cassius and still - she kept him at arms length. 

The blonde was standing in her study, looking over the latest plans when she heard the Floo network ring that someone was coming through. She wasn’t expecting anyone, but Cassius always came around when she least expected it. Picking up her scotch from the desk, the blonde waited in her office with her back turned, knowing that he’d come to her. Just like a moth to a flame. 

The words that left Charlie’s lips had been a low blow. They stung. Harriet had barely had time to process them before she slapped him in response. She didn’t give him a chance to respond before she left the compartment, slamming the door behind her. The brunette needed her space. She left her cloak behind, which in hindsight, was probably a bad idea. However, she wasn’t going to go back and face Charlie now; she was too stubborn. Harriet paced the length of the corridor, her palms clenching into fists at her side as she attempted to work off the anger that she felt towards her boyfriend. However, she stopped in her tracks when she crossed the path of Roderick Flint and suddenly she wished that she would have grabbed her cloak. 

Harriet’s hand slid down over her the very obvious bump on her abdomen and she met Roderick’s gaze, at a loss for words. 

Irene liked to play games. Roderick had been on the opposite side of her games for years. At first, it had started innocent - verbal spars here and there. Tests to see where his loyalties laid. To see if he was worth her time. Things had progressed as time had gone on. Until their encounter during the last meeting, she’d kept her distance for the past couple of weeks. She’d kept him in the dark, but that had passed and now - she was back to her old ways. The man she had originally invited to her house for dinner had bored her to tears. If he thought their night was going any farther, he was mistaken. However, she made him wait (for nothing) as she took the time to send an owl to Roderick stating she required his presence. Irene changed into her evening robe, pulled her hair above her shoulders, and waited. 

The moment she heard her floo activate, Irene loosened her ‘date’s’ tie and unbuttoned a few buttons on his shirt, before pushing him out of her study that they’d been standing in. It was clear that he was leaving, especially after the threat she’d whispered into his ear. However, unknowing to him, he’d pass Roderick on his way out. Irene grinned at the mere thought and settled herself against the sofa in her study as she waited for Roderick. 

Pureblooded festivities were not a new world to Irene. She’d been attending different events since she was a child. Her father had trained her in every aspect of being a pureblood. She knew how to correctly hold a tea cup, how to curtsy, and how to dance properly. She knew the correct silverware to use. Irene attended some sort of function at least once a week, if not more. She had a busy schedule. Octavia and Roman’s engagement party was no different than these functions. She knew the behavior that would be expected. The dress. The dinner went swimmingly and without much fanfare. Irene kept her steak knife out of Roderick’s hand that kept wandering and she tried her best to behave. However, it was difficult when there were so many comments on the tip of her tongue in regards to Wade’s date. 

When they retired to Roderick’s study afterwards, Irene wiped the fake smile off of her face and silenced the room around them. She had been promised information and Roderick was a fool if he thought he’d be getting out of giving it to her. “I played nice,” she drawled softly, her eyes on Roderick as she leaned against his desk. “Now tell me what I want to know.” 

It had been weeks since her encounter with Percy Weasley and Irene had been distracted with other things, but she hadn’t forgotten her plans for the Minister. Getting his schedule from Percy had been child’s play. It was like taking candy from a baby. However, she’d placed her plans on the back burner when attending the engagement dinner with Roderick. The information that he told her took precedence. They had to do something about Wade’s poor choice in a girlfriend. They had to figure out what they would do about Harriet. Find out if she truly was with child. Then wedding came and went, along with the poisoning. Finally, Irene could focus on the Minister and her plans for him. 

The blonde sat in her office and contemplated her options. Blackwood running for Minister against Shacklebolt was throwing a wrench into her plans. It would be good for the Redeemers, but it was Irene who wanted control. She wanted to be rid of Blackwood and his stupid excuse for a child altogether. Irene scribbled down a couple of notes on a piece of parchment, charming it so that she’d be the only one who could read the note. She looked up in annoyance when she was interrupted - it fading slightly when she saw whom it was. “I hope you have good reason to be interrupting me right now. What is it?” 

After the engagement dinner and the nightcap that followed, Irene kept her distance to clear her mind. It had taken almost a decade for them to finally cross the proverbial line. She’d weighed the options for months before she’d finally gave in to what she had felt for years. Irene didn’t regret what had happened between them. However, she also couldn’t allow it let anything between them change in any manner. It wouldn’t happen again. At least, that was what she’d been telling herself all week. It had been easier to believe when she wasn’t in his presence. Easier when he wasn’t around. She’d agreed at the engagement dinner to be his date to the wedding and she knew better than to back out at the last moment. 

She kept her distance mostly during the wedding. Roderick was part of the wedding party. She kept her distance afterwards when they put their 'Susan’ plan in motion. Irene merely watched him from across the room, communicating without saying anything. Their usual. 

When she finally found him alone much later, Irene slipped into the seat next to Roderick, a glass of champagne in her hand. “You’re pouting,” she noted. “What is it?” 

location: diagon alley !! 

When the healer had informed her of the symptoms that she’d start experiencing over the coming weeks, Harriet had severely underestimated what she was told. While she’d once been an expert at keeping her emotions in tact, she was now quite literally a mess. When Charlie had shown up at her door to break up, she couldn’t stop her tears like she usually could. Almost everything put her into a fit of tears. That wasn’t the worst part. No. The worst part was the ever present morning sickness that loomed over her head just to remind her of what she’d done. 

Harriet apparated to Diagon Alley with the main intention of heading to the apothecary to grab a couple of ingredients to brew a potion that would hopefully settle her stomach for 5 seconds. There was no way she could get away with buying an already brewed potion. She’d be questioned. If she was seen with it, she’d be done for. She cursed at her child under her breath as her stomach did another flip. The brunette cursed again when she caught the gaze of Roderick Flint, knowing she wouldn’t be able to get out of an interaction. Instead, she forced a charming smile and attempted to push through the interaction. “Mr. Flint. A pleasure,” she murmured, softly.