Entry tags:

97, alphard, ignatius prewett, ignatius/alphard, weasley_esque

Check Mate
Title: Check Mate
Rating: R
Pairing/Characters: Alphard Black and Ignatius Prewett
Summary: Alphard is just out of Hogwarts and meets his cousin Lucretia’s fiance, Ignatius Prewett, who teaches him a few things about chess – and other matters.
Prompt: 28) How the chess set came into the family (it was from one of the grandfathers) for the Obscure Character Challenge at Weasley_Esque
Word Count: ~3,300
Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction set in the Harry Potter universe – all recognizable characters and settings are the property of J. K. Rowling and her associates. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is made from this work. Please observe your local laws with regards to the age-limit and content of this work.
Author's Note: I hope that the Black Family Tree, which I used as reference, contains a few typos – otherwise, shame on you, JK, and your blatant use of chan. According to the tree, Pollux was thirteen when he sired Walburga.

Thanks to my beta, iamisaac

***

Alphard was curious about the guest his family was hosting that summer. The Blacks normally had visitors throughout the year, but invitations for this honor were sent to the best families in Europe. Never before had any of the coveted black envelopes with the Toujours Pur coat of arms been sent to a Prewett.

***

Pollux had owled his son right before school was let out to inform him that his cousin Lucretia, daughter of Pollux's cousin Arcturus, had decided to marry Ignatius Prewett. The family was lukewarm to the idea: on the one hand, the Prewetts were an old pureblood family, but, on the other, they were not necessarily among the best. For starters, they weren't wealthy. And there had been some cases of mixed marriage among the brood.

Arcturus and Pollux had done some serious investigation, though, and had ascertained that young Ignatius, if nor rich, at least descended from the Prewett branch that had kept purity of blood as a priority. So he had been accepted, although a little reluctantly, as a potential husband to Lucretia, and he was to be welcome into the family at their wedding in September.

But, in the meantime, Arcturus asked a special favor of his cousin Pollux: it would behoove young Ignatius Prewett to have a preview of what it was like to be part of the House of Black – either by blood or by ties of matrimony. There were certain things that, albeit accepted by the lesser noble families, were certainly not done in the better circles. Rather than having Ignatius learn painstakingly after the marriage, Arcturus asked that Lucretia's fiance be subtly tutored by the future head of the Black family, Alphard.

Pollux agreed immediately. As he told his cousin, it would be a good way to observe the Prewett boy and, at the same time, Alphard would be able to practice what would be required of him in the future.

What he didn't tell Arcturus, though, was that he was also worried about his son; he hoped it was only a phase Alphard was going through, and there was no need to alarm the rest of the family. Alphard had always been the perfect Black, aware of his status in society and his responsibilities. He had gone to Hogwarts a proud eleven year-old and had promptly been sorted into Slytherin, as expected. He brought home good grades and was never in trouble.

Pollux had noticed, though, that Alphard had changed slightly throughout the years. He was not as vehement in the damnation of Muggles and Mudbloods as the other members of the family. Pollux also knew that he had friends in other Houses; although they all were purebloods, some of them had revolutionary ideas that didn't appeal to Pollux at all. When he confronted Alphard with that, his son told him simply that he had to know how the others thought, the better to refute their ideas and change their minds whenever necessary.

It seemed logical, but Pollux wasn't sure it was the whole truth. Alphard was, more than anything, a perfect Slytherin, with a mind that was, at the same time, sharp and devious. Pollux himself was like that and though he accepted what his son said at face value, he decided to keep an eye on him.

He didn't think, in any event, that Alphard would go as far as marrying someone of a lesser blood status, but, in any event, he prodded his son often about the girls he was seeing. Alphard at first had seemed evasive, which worried Pollux even more, but then had finally admitted to his father that he didn't fancy any of the girls at school, Slytherin or not.

Polux started, then, to look for a suitable bride for Alphard. His other cousin, also called Arcturus, had three girls. Callidora was ten years older than Alphard and married, and her sister Charis was engaged. It left only Cedrella, who was only six years older than Alphard. She would have done nicely, but word was she was a bit of a rebel herself. Maybe it would not be a good idea to get her too close to Alphard.

When Pollux insinuated to Alphard that he should start thinking about marriage once he finished school, the young man avoided his father's eyes and told him he had time for that. He'd rather learn how to be a perfect head of the House of Black before he made any commitments.

The Black men never had The Talk with their sons: a little book was discreetly handed to them when they turned eighteen, seventeen being considered the legal age to perform magical acts, but not to engage in sex. Inside there were careful descriptions of what happened between a man and a woman in the privacy of their quarters and, tucked neatly in the middle, the address of a house in Knockturn Alley whose owners had been responsible for the initiation of most pureblood boys. Alphard had received the book on his birthday in May, and Pollux hoped that he would put it to good use when he came home after school was let out.

He thought that young Prewett, not being of the same social class, could be of value in that situation, too. He was probably much more versed in the ways of the world than Alphard. Pollux was hoping that the two young men would strike a friendship and maybe they could visit the house together. Ignatius would probably welcome the opportunity to have some release before his wedding. Pollux was sure that Lucretia, as a good Black, was still a virgin. He remembered being in great need of the favors of the ladies at that house before his marriage to the equally virgin Irma Crabbe.

So it was convenient for all parties to have young Prewett at the house on Grimmauld Place for the remainder of the summer.

***

Alphard had barely finished instructing the elf on how he wanted his unpacking done when he was called downstairs. It seemed that their summer guest had just arrived.

He remembered Ignatius Prewett from school: he was a stocky boy, in his fifth year when Alphard started. He was a Ravenclaw, and eleven year-old Alphard would never have noticed the other boy were not for two things: firstly, Ignatius was a Quidditch star and it was impossible, even for Alphard who detested Quidditch, to ignore all the attention that Prewett got in school. More important, though, was the fact that Ignatius was also ace at chess. It was a game of strategy that had always eluded Alphard. He was a clever boy and top in his class, and he understood the rudiments of chess well, but he could never master the nuances of the strategies that made you a winner. He started observing Ignatius during the chess tournaments, but he could never pinpoint exactly what made the other boy so good at it.

Despite this sort of connection, Alphard never talked to Ignatius. After Ignatius left school, Alphard joined the chess group, too, and was an average player. But then, at that time, there was no-one as good as Ignatius any more.

And now Ignatius was extending his right hand to him, a wide grin on his freckled face. Alphard, at eighteen, towered over Ignatius; he imagined that even Lucretia would be taller than her soon-to-be husband. It was not that Ignatius was very short – he was at best average height for a man, maybe a little shorter – but the Blacks were all very tall. But Ignatius looked good. He was compact, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of the robes he was wearing for the trip. It was obvious that he had kept exercising after leaving school.

And, after a few minutes of conversation, Prewett confirmed that: he was the Keeper for the Chudley Cannons. Alphard shot a quick glance to his father and saw the pursing of the lips. It was the type of career that his family frowned upon, but, looking at Ignatius standing in front of him, Alphard could understand exactly why Lucretia was marrying the man.

He was very attractive.

Alphard had suspected for a while that he was attracted to his own sex, but he had never done anything to prove it to himself. It was definitely another one of those things that Blacks never did – being a homosexual would be a sure way of having one's name blasted from the family tree. Of course there must have been so-called shirt-lifters in the family: he strongly suspected that his uncle Marius had been blasted for being bent, rather than for being a Squib, which had never been proved. He might not have been a powerful wizard, but he had attended Hogwarts, so he possessed some magic, at least. Alphard had heard a few whispered comments about Marius's "perversion," and, as he became older and was confused about his own sexuality, he put two and two together. And there was also old cousin Lycoris, who was always leering at Alphard and had only stopped inviting him to sit on his lap after Alphard coldly reminded him that, at thirteen, he was too old for that.

He didn't know what he would do about his leanings. Probably nothing: he would eventually find a suitable woman, marry her and do to her the things described in that disgusting book his father had sent him that year. Then, after she had a few heirs, he could...

He didn't know what he could do. Probably keep on doing what he was already, masturbate thinking about broad shoulders and genitalia just like his. Or do nothing. One thing was for sure: after those babies were produced, he was done with the teachings of the book.

Pollux's voice, asking Alphard to escort Ignatius to the guest bedroom, interrupted Alphard's train of thought. He motioned for Ignatius to go up the staircase, while he, a few steps behind, took a good look at the other man's buttocks.

They looked firm and Alphard would be able to fantasize about them that night.

***

Through the next days they developed a casual relationship: Ignatius was subtly shown how to hold the silverware and not to start eating before the hostess. Liquor was to be taken in moderation and, when the men retired to the library, off-color jokes weren't allowed, even in male-only company.

He seemed to be a fast and eager learner, although he often mentioned that the new manners would be completely inappropriate in the Quidditch field. Alphard had to concede that, but he suggested that maybe he should keep two different personae, one for each side of his life.

For the first time in his life, Alphard was actually considering watching a Quidditch match, just to be able to admire Ignatius's buttocks.

They were to be family, but weren't friends. Ignatius was more effusive, but Alphard always kept him at bay, treating him with good manners, but keeping a certain distance. He tried to pass this off as being aristocratically aloof, but he knew, deep inside, that he couldn't be too friendly with Ignatius, or he would run the risk of unmasking his feelings for the man.

Alphard was in lust with his cousin's fiance.

***

One day they were in the library, Alphard droning on about the rarity of several tomes, when Ignatius, who couldn't even pretend to be interested, spotted an old chess set. His eyes lit up.

"Alphard, can we use this? I love playing chess."

"I know. I remember from school," Alphard answered, putting back an old genealogy tome and walking to the table. "But I don't think we can use this one. My father's playing, see?" The pieces were standing in the middle of the battlefield. "And only he has the power to make the pieces move. I will, too, once I am the head of the family."

"But if only one person can move, who can they play against?"

Alphard chuckled. "No, he must start the game, and then two people can play. He's probably playing against Cousin Arcturus. Their games last for a while."

Ignatius looked very disappointed and Alphard, for some reason he didn't know, felt bad about it. "But there are some other sets in the house. Probably in the attic. I can have the elf bring one of them down, if you want to play."

The smile on Ignatius's face brought a strange stirring to Alphard's groin. He knew he would lose the matches badly, but he didn't mind.

***

After they started playing, they became more comfortable with each other; Ignatius liked having the ability to teach Alphard something, and now they were friendly enough that he would even poke fun at Alphard's aristocratic accent and manners.

They were playing in Alphard's bedroom one evening, when Pollux came in, looking very uncomfortable. Two sets of eyes, grey and blue, watched him curiously.

"Gentlemen," he started, with a strained tone, "I have something for you."

"Yes, Mr. Black," Ignatius answered quickly. It was obvious that he, unlike Alphard, couldn't contain his curiosity.

"It's an...an appointment at..." He looked at his son. "At the house I...Well, I enclosed the address in the book I sent to you. I understand you haven't made use of it yet, and I thought that you and Ignatius could...visit it together." With those words, he turned and left quickly.

"Which house is this, Alphard? And why does he want us to go there?"

Taking a deep breath, Alphard answered, "It's the brothel on Knockturn Alley."

"Oh, The House of Magical Pleasures?"

"You know it?"

"Of course. Who doesn't? Where else do we get what our fiances won't give to us? Where do you-" He stopped in midsentence. "You haven't...yet?"

That was mortifying, and Alphard cursed his father mentally. "I haven't had time. I learnt about it in May and you arrived here only a few hours after I did."

"So let's go together! We'll be family soon, and this will create a bond between us." He stood up.

"Where're you going?" Alphard asked, agitated.

"Knockturn Alley, where else? Come on, Alphard, let's divest you of this virginity of yours."

***

It was the worst experience of Alphard's life. Try as she might, the pretty witch he chose couldn't make him have an erection. She fondled him, told him dirty little secrets and, finally, after her mouth on his cock failed to produce the desired effect, asked him, in a sultry voice, "Would you prefer a good-looking wizard, darling?"

Alphard grabbed his clothes and, half-dressed, ran through the house, stopping only when he'd put some distance between him and the House of Magical Pleasures. He leaned against the wall, heaving, embarrassed beyond belief - now he had an erection, after the witch mentioned the good-looking wizard. He had to go home to take care of that, before Ignatius saw-

"Alphard! There you are."

Things could not get more embarrassing for Alphard. He watched Ignatius walking toward him quickly. "What happened, Alphard? She told me."

Yes, things could be even worse. "She did?" Alphard asked in a small voice.

"Yes. I think you should have this checked by a Healer, Alphard. You're young and it's not normal for someone our age to be imp-" He looked down at Alphard's pants – in his rush he had left his robes open – and Alphard's erection was very visible. "But you got it! That's great. Maybe it was just nerves. Let's go back."

"NO!" Alphard shouted, trying to close the robes. "I don't want to. I...I can't."

"Of course you can. You'll love it. Let's go." Ignatius started pulling Alphard back to the house, but Alphard didn't move.

"I can't, Ignatius." At that moment, Alphard didn't care if Ignatius found out about his secret or not. The only thing he couldn't do was to go through that humiliation again. He put his hand on Ignatius's arm and looked him in the eye. "You go back and have fun. I'll see you at home."

Surprisingly, Ignatius covered Alphard's hand with his own. "You said you can't. Is this because of what I think it is?"

With a rueful smile, Alphard shrugged. "I don't know what you're thinking, Ignatius. But you're probably right."

"Would you...with me?"

Alphard let out a loud gasp. "Ignatius! You can't. You're...marrying my cousin. You...you don't have such perversions."

He was surprised to see Ignatius laugh loud. "Number one, it's not a perversion. It's very good. Number two, your cousin doesn't have to know. And three, to make you more comfortable, I have done it with men and women and like both. I actually prefer men, to tell you the truth. You're a very good-looking man and I would like to be your first. Also, because of the interruption over there, I haven't...you know?"

Alphard didn't consider the proposal for more than a few seconds. Yes, Lucretia didn't have to know. And he wanted it. He tied up his robes and, nodding briefly, he took Ignatius's hand and together they Apparated to the door of Grimmauld Place.

***

Inside his bedroom, Ignatius deep inside him, Alphard wondered why he had waited so long for this. His hips were bucking against Ignatius uncontrollably, his back was arched in a way he thought humanly impossible and, when Ignatius, increasing his rhythm, fisted his cock, Alphard came messily, with a strangled cry.

Then he stood still. His mind, no longer numbed by desire, was clear as day, and he thought about what he had just done. In plain words, he had just been royally fucked by his cousin's fiance and, instead of being thoroughly ashamed by it, he only wanted to do it again. But he was worried about what Ignatius would do now. It was obvious that he had done that before and that he had enjoyed it, but what now?

Ignatius was sitting, his cock still inside Alphard, breathing heavily. Then, with the softest "plop", he slid out of Alphard and lay right on top of him, kissing him on the mouth. "Did you like it?" he asked, breaking the kiss.

Alphard nodded, pulling Ignatius down for another kiss, his lower belly grinding against Ignatius.

"And you already want more? I'm glad there's nothing wrong with you, Alphard," Ignatius joked. "Give me a few minutes and we can do it again. Actually, we can do it as often as you like. Tell you what," he said, pinching Alphard's nipples and eliciting a sharp gasp from his cousin-to-be, "we'll tell your father that we are having a private chess tournament, so we can be here in your room all the time. Would you like that?"

Life was good, Alphard thought, wrapping his legs around Ignatius's waist.

***

"Check mate."

"Not fair, Alphard. You're distracting me. I can't concentrate when you're naked with this beautiful cock of yours hard for me." Ignatius rolled over the chess board to kiss Alphard and tumble him on the bed.

"You're naked, too, and your cock is also hard for me," Alphard managed to say, between kisses.

Ignatius didn't answer, and Alphard didn't want him to, either. It was the day before Ignatius's wedding, and they wanted to make the best of it. Alphard understood that Ignatius had to marry Lucretia, but he also knew that Ignatius loved him, not her. It didn't matter that his cousin would be Mrs. Prewett; he would never be able to. Ignatius would fuck her as long as it took to produce heirs. It was a duty that had to be fulfilled, but for true lovemaking, he would look for Alphard.

Alphard had been asked to stand as best man for Ignatius, an honor he promptly accepted. He and Ignatius had agreed that, standing almost side by side, they would be saying their secret vows to each other.

As a wedding present, Alphard gave his lover the old chess set, a piece of which was wedged between the two of them, as they made love in the afternoon.

It was a nice memento, for all appearances a proof of acceptance of Ignatius into the House of Black. But for Alphard and Ignatius, the true meaning was of something that had brought them together, first as friends and then as lovers.

And it was something Ignatius could pass down to his family; he was sure that future generations of Black-Prewetts would make good use of it. As long as they didn't know what the pieces had witnessed.