Raspberries are in Season

With the windows thrown open and the smell of cooking in the air, Theodore Rookwood was in his element. The radio had been switched on and in between glancing at the breadcrumbs in the oven that had, by that point, been toasting for nearly two hours, Theodore was dancing around the kitchen, singing wildly out of tune to Joe Crocker while chopping up vegetables to go into the ratatouille that he was making to go with the lamb and whatever French thing the recipe said would be good. Theodore had been cooking – well, prepping – for long enough, having started with the dessert earlier in the afternoon after, having had lunch, he’d grown grumpy and eager to do something.

Dinner had started off with a bang and between making puff pastry, mucking it up and going to the supermarket to buy some more, it was a miracle that Theodore had managed to get his raspberry millefeuille together and while it wasn’t quite assembled yet, Theodore knew that a lot wouldn’t need to go in it to make sure that he and Hallie had a half decent dessert. Nearly a success. Nearly. Now, however, he was cutting up veg, making sure that the lamb was well seasoned and all of the rest of it, hoping against hope that it would come together in around twenty minutes like the recipe suggested. He didn’t believe it, mind you. Still, he held out hope.

The lamb went in. The veg was done. After blitzing the breadcrumbs into something interesting in the food processor and adding the herbs, Theodore took a cigarette and beer break. After lighting up and taking a swig of the said beer he went and sat out in the garden which, that morning, he’d looked after a little bit by mowing the grass and buying some new flowers for the borders. It was beginning to look as he’d wanted it now. Pretty damn perfect if he did say so himself and once he abandoned himself into his retro seaside deck chair he put the beer down and enjoyed his cigarette for this was the idyll, in the sunshine, in his own home, drinking, smoking, awaiting the return of his wife who was, by the way, pregnant. It couldn’t get better.

Well, no, it could. It could because he was going to be a father, properly. The nursery was furnished and while it didn’t have that natural, feminine touch, needing the dressings, the foundations were there and the walls were painted. A fit of excitement had seen Theodore more or less abduct Elijah to have him paint the nursery and following that, lunch with Athena saw him order things on the spur just because she commented that she needed to buy some new beds for the boys. Excess seemed to be Theodore’s penchant at the moment but he couldn’t help himself. He was going to be a father. That was the mind-boggling thing that he was so amazed by. He and Hallie were going to be parents. Hence, he believed he was well within his rights to spoil her.

Today had been a good day, a great day in fact. Hallie had woken early that morning for work feeling apprehensive of what the day presented to her. She'd felt a little nauseated, something she kept from Theodore as he'd no doubt over-worry, but managed to wash it away with a shower. Then... Work.

It was work that had made her nervous in the first place. Not something that usually occurred with Hallie for she loved her job, her job was all that she wanted to do and right now she was in a good place in her life. She was in a happy marriage, expecting and training for the job she'd always wanted to be. There was just one problem. She could have lost it all.

That day Hallie had an appointment with the new Deputy Minister, not a necessary appointment one that she'd staged to try and get more information about the new politician for the Order of The Phoenix. Jack Dyllan wanted to know as much about Gideon Pierce as Hallie could find, after all when in the history of politics has anything happened by coincidence? Gideon Pierce being promoted wasn't a coincidence.

Arriving at her meeting Hallie put on a smile, acting normal polite and was complimented. Complimented beyond anything that she could imagine. The man barely knew her yet he had looked over her file, answered all her questions and informed her that he was promoting her. Hallie Rookwood was no longer a trainee auror, she had become an auror, her life's ambition. The blonde didn't need to take her exams, she didn't have to complete her training Gideon had propelled straight to a qualified position. Hallie loved a compliment about her hair, her bravery but this had been the best compliment that she'd received. The witch wasn't too sure on how her husband would take the news for it mean't she'd be getting more actively involved, going on more dangerous missions whilst pregnant. Nonetheless she'd received full maternity leave and any support required from the Ministry but still, a pregnant auror wasn't the best situation one could find themselves. Although it did make things easier. By the time she would take her maternity leave (the day the baby dropped out of her) she'd have gotten to grips with the role as a qualified auror, plus, it really was more exciting as an auror compared to being a trainee.

Regardless of how much Gideon had pleased her there was a snag. When he'd left the office to fetch some paperwork Hallie did a little snooping, the task set out by the Order. It was risky, if Gideon returned and found the blonde rummaging through his desk drawers that would land Hallie in some serious trouble. Thankfully there wasn't much for Hallie to indulge herself in besides a document, a confidential document containing plans about the marriage law and Levski's research.


After staying at work a little later than usual Hallie found herself walking through her and Theodore's front door at quarter to six, a copy of the private documents stowed away in her bag. The documents needed forwarding to Jack, she couldn't keep them in the house in case Theodore came across them and the sooner they were in the hands of the Order member leader the better.

Not calling out a 'hello' or 'It's only me', Hallie quietly closed the door behind her, made her way across the hallway and locked the study room door behind her where the auror wrote a quick letter to Jack, attached the documents and sent Barney (her owl) with the letter to Jack Dyllan.

The aroma of lamb in the oven soon attracted Hallie to the kitchen. Theodore knew her well, she'd been graving it for the past few weeks - that and raspberries. Walking towards the oven door she opened it and allowed the succulent scent of- hold on. Hallie couldn't smell just lamb, there was another smell, a burning smell.

Narrowing her eyes she made her way to the back kitchen door and opened it to find, as she guessed, her husband having a cigarette.

'What have I told you about them!' Hallie said, walking towards him and pulling the cigarette from his mouth. 'You know you can't smoke them whilst I'm pregnant. Do I have to remind you that cigarette smoke lingers for forty minutes after you've finished smoking?' She had never really considered his smoking an issue, it was simply something that he had to do and originally Hallie hadn't cared for it kept him quiet. Although for the past few months of her pregnancy Hallie's hormones had kicked in, she'd been pleasant, charming and loving to her husband but when it came down to smoking it hit her like a brick wall. It seemed nothing in the world was worse than a cigarette.

'Although it's nice to see there's a piece of lamb in the oven.' Hallie added appreciatively and kissing her husband lightly on the cheek after putting out his cigarette. 'How was you're day?' Hallie asked, returning back into the kitchen but leaving the back door open to allow air in.

Just as Theodore closed his eyes and relaxed into the softness of the chair, he was woken once more with the loss of the cigarette from between his lips. He opened his eyes, blinking up blearily to find his wife who, before he knew what was going on, was lecturing him about the health implications of what was a nasty little habit that he, truly, did intend to shift. He smiled at her cheekily, wickedly, and brought the beer to his lips, taking a sip and clearing out his mouth before getting up out of the chair. Theodore loped after Hallie contentedly, pleased to find that she was home. He’d missed her, in that odd way that dogs tend to miss their owners. He caught up with her, curling an arm around her before pressing a sneaky kiss to the back of her neck. Then, Theodore released her and hopped off to check on the lamb.

“Good, good. Well, great really. I bought some flowers for out there, mowed the lawn and now dinner so it’s been pretty active. I even chucked in a few resumes in Diagon Alley just to, well… I dunno, just to see.” Theodore smiled somewhat sheepishly. He had discovered that he wanted some kind of cooking job but he half-wanted to do something on his own, make his own restaurant instead of painstakingly working up through the ranks from the poor sod that cleaned the floors to the potato peeler and so-on. But then, that was the Pureblood in him – the Rookwood part that still had the silver spoon and that didn’t want to work. He had no choice, though. It was all well and good buying flowers and being lavish but the money to foot that had to come from somewhere and in a few months’ time that wouldn’t be from his vault.

“What about you?” Theodore asked, reaching into the fridge to get out the raspberry sauce he’d left to cool. With that, out came the double cream and Theodore set it all down before inquiring: “D’you want something to drink, lovely?”

At least he'd done something today. Hallie wasn't too fussed if he didn't find a job, as much as it would help them financially, for it allowed Theodore to do work around the house and garden. Mowing the grass was productive but buying unnecessary plants? Not so much, but Hallie didn't like to complain for she'd rather Theodore find joy in planting shrubs and flowers than sat on the sofa drinking himself to death.

'Anywhere in particular?' She asked her husband interested to know where exactly he had handed his CV's. Really, given his NEWT grades and previous employment (wizengamot and Headmaster of Hogwarts) he shouldn't find it difficult to get work, or at least that is how Hallie saw it meaning maybe it was down to Theodore. He was the problem finding a job because he was too fussy on what job he wanted and being fired from Hogwarts and the Wizengamot isn't exactly going to out him in best late with the high flying careers, which mean't only one thing: lower paid work, employment for the 'working class', something that Theodore had never found himself in before.

'I got a promotion!' Hallie yelled, unable to contain her excitement about telling her husband her wonderful news. 'Sorry, carry on.' The auror added, trying to rub off her sudden outburst just as Theodore was about to speak.

Employment was not a difficult thing to come by within the Wizarding World. With the sheer volume of research magic going on constantly, there was always a place for an intrepid witch or wizard looking for a decent paycheque and something interesting to do. However, with a record like the one Theodore Rookwood had, it seemed to be an uphill battle – not one that many of his peers seemed able to empathise with. He didn’t have a glowing record and that was aside from employment. A handful of youthful indiscretions that had landed him in trouble with a few Ministerial law keepers made it difficult for him to join the Ministry – as though being so spectacularly removed from the Wizengamot by his father wasn’t murder enough for his reputation. He was as reluctant as he was embarrassed when it came to admitting the need for an income. He was a Rookwood, after all, and Rookwoods were meant to make money off of the sublime, the ridiculous and anyone they came across. Theodore had failed in that. All he had to show for his months of little involvement in a form of employment was his cousin-in-law’s escape from the manor and the ability to be there, present, when his sister was giving birth. That was it. And the money, you ask? Well, he was frittering that away like no tomorrow. Hence, of course, the CVs.

“Uh, a few places in Diagon Alley, I reckon. I mean, I’ve considered a few things but I’ve just put bits and pieces in wherever.” He swallowed another mouthful of beer and smiled glibly at her before looking at the lamb once more.

Theodore turned when Hallie spoke, delight spreading across his features. He closed the oven door, put down his beer and flew to her, picking her up and twirling her around briefly before setting her back down on her feet once more. He kissed her soundly, and squeezed her hands before disentangling himself from her. It was a wonderful thing. It was all she’d ever wanted – to be an Auror – and her fear had been in not being able to get it in light of the pregnancy. The best of both worlds was all Theodore had wanted for her and knowing she was able to have it was the best news he’d heard all week.

“Congratulations, sweetheart,” he murmured, reaching back for his beer once more. “Though, how’s it all going to work with the baby and such?”

It was love that Hallie felt when Theodore picked her up and congratulated her. Love. Not jealously that she would soon be the big earner in the household, not jealousy that she was quickly racing through the ranks and doing everything she had ever wanted. Love. Theodore loved her and he was proud and pleased for her, which made it a lot easier for Hallie to express her own happiness - evident in the blush of her cheeks and a cheeky smile that had spread across her face.

'Thank you.'

Walking towards the fridge Hallie opened the door, browsed for a moment, then extracted a carton of orange juice and began to pour herself half a glass before returning the carton.

'It wont affect anything, I'll still get the same maternity leave. If anything it's worked out better.' The blonde began, choosing the carton of apple juice and adding it to the orange she'd already poured creating a wonderfully weird combination Hallie had only come to appreciate with pregnancy.

'I'll have been working as a qualified auror for a longer time before maternity leave so I'll have found my footing better.' Hallie told Theodore walking across to the recycle basket and placing the empty apple juice carton.

Looking into Theodore's eyes Hallie raised the glass to her lips, took a sip and closed them peacefully before opening them.

'Today's been a good day, Theo.' If anything it was one of the best days of Hallie's adult life. She had been awarded a position of auror without having to sit exams, Gideon Pierce had noted that Brain Quinn only had wonderful things to say about her and she'd even gotten a lead on the deputy minister himself - the latter being something she couldn't share with Theodore.

It pained her that she couldn't talk to him about Order related work. He was the ultimate steady thing in her life, granted he hadn't always been, but since they 'renewed their vows' everything about their relationship had bloomed. Their wicked winter was over and they were finally happy... If only Hallie could tell Theodore. If only he was in the Order Of The Phoenix.

Placing the glass on the table Hallie went and wrapped her arms around her husband.

'Maybe you should join a club, a society of some sort?' She suggested, 'To give you more things to do in the day.' Hopefully he would like the idea, maybe love the idea. Theodore would be the perfect Order Member in her eyes. They could go on missions together, Theodore had all the time in the world to dedicate to them. It was perfect. Although there was just one teensy weensy flaw: Theodore was a death eater - not that Hallie knew that of course.

If it hadn’t been for good sense then perhaps at his wife’s words, Theodore would have smirked. He smothered the expression with a swig of beer, though, and tried to pass over them without lingering too long on the thoughts that had entered his head. A society was the last thing he needed given the fact that family dictated for him a position amongst the esteemed ranks of the Death Eaters. Of course, that hadn’t been the reason why he’d chosen to make his presence there known. He’d been after Henry at first but he’d always had half an eye on them anyway, in the wake of his cousin’s divorce and subsequent strained relations with her father-in-law giving him even more of a reason to express interest in the faction. He didn’t care for Muggles. Nevertheless, he wasn’t there to eradicate them. Merely to ensure the safety of his cousin and perhaps upset Henry’s fragile countenance more than good courtesy would prefer.

“A society, eh?” Theodore repeated, finally finding a voice for himself as he set his beer down. “What kind would you have in mind?”

There was a suspicion in him. There was something that told him that there was a little bit more to his Auror. Adrenaline junkie that she was, he expected there was an underlying antithesis to his own nightly goings on. They had always been at odds. From the beginning they sat at different sides of the table. Time and better communication had brought Theodore to the head of the table, a stone’s throw from Hallie’s side but differences kept him from being where he wanted to be. Commitments, fears and necessity kept him from being fully honest with his wife. It wasn’t a conversation that he wanted to have with her. He didn’t want to have to explain. He’d already had that conversation with Keiran. He didn’t need it with Hallie. He wanted the sunshine with Hallie. Not the thunder and lightning the Death Eaters brought with them everywhere they went.

“I’m glad you’ve had such a great time today,” Theodore told her honestly as he stepped to her, reaching for her hands and taking them in his larger ones. He leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead, and smiled a little before reaching up to curl a little lock of hair behind her ear. “And you deserve that promotion, sweetheart,” he added after a moment. “And we should celebrate too, at the weekend. We should go out for dinner somewhere extravagant and go dancing, maybe? I do believe my uncle is the unwilling host of one of the balls early this season so perhaps we could go and see him – I know he’d love a little bit of sensible company.”

Should she say it? Should she just come out, declare her allegiance to the Order of the Phoenix and ask him to join too? It's what she wanted, it'd be beneficial for both him and her. He'd have something to do besides housework, smoke cigarettes and drink bar and then Hallie would have a companion to talk things over with. It was the perfect recipe to a perfect relationship.

'Something where you can make a difference. A good difference.' Technically Hallie was supposed to say she was a member, or at least that's what she presumed in case word got out. It could ruin her reputation and role within the ministry. What if Gideon Pierce found out she was a member of the Order - especially after their meeting today. Would he take away her auror position? That wasn't the main thing though. Hallie was in a well placed position for the Order, her job in the ministry had already lead to them finding possible clues as to who was behind the marriage law.

'Perhaps we should join the Order of the Phoenix?' Hallie suggested looking at him in the eyes. There was an issue with this suggestion. For starters she was lying for she was a member, but it would allow her to be secretive about her allegiance yet show her intentions. Then what if he said yes? Would she come out and say. 'Good because I'm already a member.' Well, she'd perhaps have no choice.

The Order of the Phoenix. Inwardly, Theodore’s lip curled but his facial expression remained measured and neutral, the type of expression he leant to his father while trying to weigh his options, weigh what could possibly happen. Here it was a similar scenario. The words shot ice through Theodore’s veins and he was suddenly acutely aware of the swirling snake rising out of a dark skull etched into his skin. He swallowed back the mouthful of beer he’d been holding between his cheeks and he looked at Hallie carefully, the seconds ticking by. He felt his lips twitch, the cogs in his mind finally connecting to something palpable. Then, the words came – or, rather, word:

“Alright,” he acquiesced, his voice broad and strong, decisive. “Why not?”

Thus, the wheels were set in motion and Theodore could already envisage himself in black robes with greasy hair bent over a cauldron with his long nose jutting out. Absently he rubbed at the bridge of his nose and he wondered whether it was wise to take this on. He should have denied her, probably. His own allegiances were sworn. Yet, apparently here he stood, on the cusp of double agenthood – now fully of the opinion that his wife had gotten herself a faction and allies in the Order. He swallowed again, another mouthful of beer, and set it down, finding it empty now. He put his hands on the counter, studying his wife’s face. She was serious. Unfortunately so was he.

“What would it entail?” He inquired brightly, looking down at the oven briefly before lifting his gaze once more.

A smile gleamed across Hallie's face. Her husband wanted to join the Order of the Phoenix. It was perfect. They'd be able to talk about things related to the Order, Hallie wouldn't have to keep them bottled up - as she hated to keeping anything bottled up, go on missions together and have little children to go on to work for the Order. Hallie was happy.

Admittedly she'd thought for a moment he was going to decline, which wouldn't have been an issue, but for him to support the same views as her mean't a lot to Hallie. It mean't he wasn't a death eater like she suspected the other Rookwoods were, he wasn't mastered in the dark arts, he wasn't the kind of person who deemed it acceptable to kill on sight.

'Well.' Hallie paused. Perhaps she should start by telling him that she was already a member. 'I'm already part of the Order.' She told him brightly.

'The society was formed by Dumbledore back when You-Know-Who came to power, so they started off opposing the death eaters and hindering their rise to power. Now, well, we're still opposed the death eaters and come together during dark times I guess you could say?' Perhaps Hallie wasn't explaining this well although she was certain Theodore would have some idea about the order already, or at least he should have given their popularity in history.

'A lot of it is trying to find out information, trying to unravel problems and solve any that could harm society. We have quiet a lot going on at the moment, but, umm, I kind of can't say what that is seeing as you're not really a member yet.' Hallie told her husband before walking to the sink and washing the glass that she had drank her orange/apple juice from.

'You should come to the next meeting, there will no doubt be one pretty soon after today.' The auror wanted to tell her husband so badly about what she had discovered today, if only they'd have this conversation a month ago.