My Time

Chapter 46

"Hello? Is anyone in there? Hello?" sharp rapping on the door interrupted the stillness of the room. "Hello? Can you hear me? Do you need some help?" making no attempt to enter the room as of yet.

"Dear Merlin, the drama," Tom said dryly, rubbing his temples as he flicked his wand out, and immediately the glass, glass and ceramic shards and wood and plates anything that was repairable by magic.

Hayden sighed, turning, he walked swiftly towards the door, lowering the wards and yanking the door open. He stared at the wizard, impassive features, arching a brow when he remained silent. "Yes?" if he had glanced into the room, he would have noticed the food and drink disappeared and the pungent smell of the alcohol was gone. It didn't take long at all for the scene of the altercation to disappear as if it had never happened.

The nosy busybody actually poked his head into the room, wand held loosely in his hand. Then Hayden noticed the Auror badge poking half way out of his robe. "Off duty Auror?" he questioned, stepping back, not liking someone being too close to his person. Fortunately, everything looked perfectly normal with a few flicks of a wand. "Is there something that requires your presence here? I'm afraid you've interrupted a meeting of ours."

"Did you not hear anyone?" the Auror asked suspiciously, walking in further, looking around, his stomach twisting and churning at the sight of Heir Black and Riddle. The wizard he'd been talking to was Lord Peverell, if the newspapers were to be believed.

"The room was encased in silencing spells, was there something for us to hear?" Tom asked, looking curiously innocent as you please.

Hayden inched his head to the side, smirking wryly, he was very good at what he did. It made Hayden frown, was it honestly how Tom was before the Horcrux distorted his view? He'd seen so many different views of Tom Riddle…the only one he could say was free of influence was young twelve-year-old Tom (if he was even twelve at the time of his visit) desperate to connect but to have his nose rubbed in it like an impudent puppy.

"Did the train cause a little dislodgement?" Orion questioned, taking his watch out and pointedly looking at the time on his pocket watch. There was a train that passed right by the Leaky Cauldron, not the best place for it but the Leaky Cauldron had actually been there first.

"All clear?" another voice sounded from outside.

"Everything is all clear, Auror Longbottom…how are things on your end?" the Aurors outside commanded.

Hayden startled, Longbottom? Neville's grandparents? Great-grandparents? Well, he guessed it was a family occupation then. Since he knew Frank Longbottom had been an Auror, and it's where he'd met his wife, Alice who worked alongside him. He stared intently at the wizard, who grew increasingly uncomfortable under Hayden's intense gaze.

"Clear, my apologies, enjoy the rest of your day, gentlemen," the Auror Longbottom said, inclining his head in respect, Orion was an heir, Peverell could be a Lord he had no idea about Riddle's entitlements so it was best to be safe and use gentlemen.

"Idiots," Tom stated, lip curling in disgust, "If they'd even just cast one spell, they would have known it originated here."

Hayden rubbed his temples, "They're only as good as their training is, logic isn't something a lot of magical people seem to have. Unfortunately, it doesn't get any better either." Grimacing a little, Sirius had been put in Azkaban without a trial, and none of the Aurors had wondered. Just assumed he was guilty because he was at the scene. If they'd done any investigating, they would have known something wasn't right.

"Do you wish to return home?" Orion asked Hayden, noticing his tension.

Hayden shook his head, wand out and reapplying the spells, "No, thank you. Plus, it's a good job they're thick as hell, otherwise you would have been arrested for killing Hepzibah Smith."

"You mentioned her before," Orion murmured, frowning in contemplation. "The House-elf, are you telling me you used the Imperius Curse on a House-elf to kill its mistress?" not sure whether he was impressed or not.

"Merlin, no, he implanted the memory in the old House-elf and made her think she was the culprit, Tom killed her himself." Hayden said, eyeing Tom with a look that suggested Hayden was deciding on whether to kill him or not.

Tom sat down, a little cautious but not exactly out to kill unlike how he'd have reacted with his soul in pieces. "How on earth do you know about that? I would never reveal such incriminating information." Of this he had no doubt, the horcruxes had made him significantly more paranoid. He wasn't even going to go into details about the other consequences of such spells. "Let me guess, Dumbledore?" but the confusion remained, how had Dumbledore found out?

"You do know he's been collection memories of you, don't you?" Hayden informed Tom, as Orion tugged Hayden towards the seats.

Tom straightened imperiously, "What is that supposed to mean?" more than a little alarmed.

Even Orion looked rather disgusted with the information. Collecting memories? Of a minor? Tom wasn't a minor now but 'a collection of memories' sounded pretty bloody damning. He was grateful that he knew it wasn't…on the more disgusting side, but being obsessed with someone to that degree was quite frankly something Hayden should be taking to the Aurors. "To what end?" speaking to Hayden as though Tom hadn't opened his mouth first.

Hayden looked away, swallowing, "I don't know," he said honestly, "I don't know what his end game is…I…don't know." Repeating his words as if he could make himself see what there was to see. It was the Merlin damned truth, for once he just didn't know. Just when you think you know it all, life throwed you a curveball and upended everything he thought he knew. Especially now that he knew Dumbledore was responsible for the whole Horcrux mess. Which meant he was ultimately behind the death of Myrtle, Smith and a few others, may they rest in peace.

"What do you know?" Tom asked with a sneer in his voice, still reeling over what he'd been informed.

"That he spent years collect…" Hayden paled, "The Gaunts…I…didn't think anything of it."

Orion frowned, "How do you mean?"

"Dumbledore's been obsessed with the Deathly Hallows nearly his entire life," Hayden explained, shaking his head at his own idiocy.

"That children's tale?" Tom asked dryly. This was what it was all about? Some stupid tale of the 'three brothers' in that blasted book he'd read back in first year in the common room.

Hayden huffed out a disbelieving laugh, "You wore it under his nose for a few years." He couldn't help but wonder if that meant Dumbledore knew what it was or if he was completely ignorant of what it actually was. Nobody who was looking for a stone would look for a ring.

"The ring," Orion breathed out, incredulously. It was the only thing he could say he'd ever seen Tom Riddle wearing openly. It had been a disgusting gaudy thing that no proud pureblood would wear.

"Yup," Hayden said with a pop, smirking at the astonished look on Orion's face at being right. "It was right under his nose the entire time."

Tom pursed his lips, "I don't quite follow," gritting his teeth, feeling entirely left out and in the dark, not something he liked at all. It was usually the other way around.

"You are descendant from one of the Peverell brothers, from which the 'tale of the three brothers' was based on." Hayden said quietly, "I'm descendant from another, and the Potters the last." Mind reeling since the reality was there should have only been two branches left. Now due to his presence here, it was a little messed up. The only comfort he had was the fact that he really was descendant from the Peverell line.

Orion inclined his head a little, observing Hayden through hooded eyes, realizing Hayden had no intentions of telling him everything. It settled something in him to know that there were some things going to be kept from Tom. Having him know everything could be very dangerous indeed, Horcruxes or not. "You believe he's after all three items and has been all this time?"

"I think it might have become a bonus, but not the goal," Hayden guessed, leaning forward, his legs touching Orion's in silent comfort. "I mean think about it…he got everything he could have possibly wanted openly opposing Grindelwald when it had been their plans he was seeing through."

The sound that left Tom's mouth was bordering on comical.

"The position of the head of the ICW, a seat in the Wizengamot, culminating in becoming chief warlock, supreme Mugwump, Order of Merlin first class…his name on chocolate frog cards…what the hell else could he want? He could easily become the Minister of magic…why create another Dark Lord? What was it all? To keep power? To be known as the most powerful wizard in the world?" Hayden asked, almost bewildered with the questions going through his own mind.

"Unless, he was merely an experiment." Orion said thoughtfully, "What if he was attempting to see if one could be created without further thrall of more?"

"But doesn't he know Nicolas Flamel yet?" Hayden asked.

"Yes," Tom was quick to answer that, "He worked with him on a project involving dragon…" still reeling over that Grindelwald revelation.

"Dragon blood, yeah, that was pretty much one of the last things he did in the academic sphere." Hayden recalled, nodding his head. "He spent all his time focused on the ICW and the Wizengamot…I know Hogwarts education suffered for it, I mean bloody hell, the number of classes, the grades are significantly harder than I'm used to even Defence and I was a prodigy in that class." He wasn't being modest; he was good at Defence. "The only difference here is that the Patronus Charm wasn't on the list."

"You can perform the Patronus Charm?" Tom asked, enviously.

Hayden flicked his gaze towards Tom, smirking when he saw the envy, some things would never change. "I can." He confirmed, seeing the way Tom's chin jutted he knew what was about to leave his mouth.

"Prove it." He disliked anyone doing anything before he could, and Hayden Peverell was younger than him.

Hayden sighed dramatically, shaking his head, "What are you, four?" he grumbled, before flicking out his wand and moving it in a circular motion, "Expecto Patronum!" and the blinding white light tore through the room, the familiar form of Prongs leaped majestically from his wand.

Only it wasn't just Prongs, no, adorned Prongs antlers were three birds, crows, a dark grey so they contrasted with the pure brilliant white of Prongs.

Orion's breathing hitched, as the glow burned down a little. He realized this Patronus was partly him, Hayden saw him as a protector and it made his heart leap and his stomach squirm.

Tom snorted, clearly realizing the same thing as Orion. Everyone knew the Black coat of arms, the Black's…how shall he put it? Like to show off. Adorned their crest was three crows identical to what was perched atop the stag.

"Well, that's new." Hayden murmured, watching the stag make rounds around the room before beginning to lose its glow and disappear. "Very, very new…"

"Back to the subject at hand…" Orion said, watching the Patronus disappear with a sense of elation. "What does Flamel…the Philosopher stone." Realization dawning, of course, how foolish of him to realize after asking.

Hayden nodded, "Yeah, he had that…"

"But you can still die even consuming that," Tom refuted, greedy tendances coming to the fore, "With Horcruxes you'd literally return to your youth and merge with the other soul piece allowing all memories to return to you." Gritting his teeth, loathing that Dumbledore had managed to get one over him.

It made him feel twelve-years-old again, and watching all his trinkets being set alight.

Made him feel useless, uncapable and Tom loathed to feel that way.

"Closest you could get to the fountain of youth," Hayden mused, seeing the look on Orion's face he was quick to explain. "The de-aging potion, the Muggles came up with a tale about it, called it the fountain of youth, well, come to that, of all our tales…" the de-aging potion was much like the aging potion and only lasted a few minutes.

Only Tom understood that one, with the knowing look on his face.

"We could guess until we were blue in the face, we're never really going to know his motivations," Hayden said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "He's already in a position of immense power and we're going to have to be careful about how we tear it down."

Utter delight lit up Tom's features, "Now this I can get behind." He declared.

Hayden gave him a dark look, "Good to see not everything I remember from you is gone." That look right there had been on Tom's face the day he cast the Cruciatus Curse on him. His stomach clenched in worry, a fear that he was unleashing a bigger monster on the world than the insane pale imitation that he remembered.

"It should be," Tom declared, he couldn't see anything of himself in the memories Hayden had shown him. Horrifying as they were, everything he remembered should be gone, he was not that…that disfigured monstrosity. He never would be, he was already mentally trying to figure out a spell, rune or charm that would prevent such an occurrence happening again.

"There's already something for that," Orion told Tom, "It's called a Lordship or Heirship ring. Gringotts could create one for you, and imbue all the spells."

"For a price," Hayden said dryly, grateful for Orion's strength and distraction.

Orion's lips twitched, "For a price," he agreed. It was likely something Tom couldn't afford.

"Negotiate, create a new Lordship and heirship set of rings for the Gaunt family, in return you'll see about a trade to the return of the sword once belonging to Godric Gryffindor." Hayden told Tom, like he was in sync with Orion's thoughts, and who knows…perhaps they were given the closeness they shared and the memories only they knew of a future that would not come to pass.

Orion's breathing hitched, "Godric Gryffindor's sword?" there had been goblin wars started because of that sword.

"Only technically, it doesn't really belong to him, the Goblin's crafted it for him for him to use for the duration of his lifetime. Upon his death it was meant to be returned to the goblins, they don't like wizards having their personally crafted weaponry." Hayden said wryly, "They'll do almost anything you want."

"There has to be a catch," Tom said narrowing his gaze.

"There is," Hayden smirked deviously, like the cat that got the milk.

Orion watched him with desire and fondness, the look on his face was…awe inducing. "Which is?" curious to know himself.

"If you try to betray me, you won't see me coming, and I won't be giving you the respect of a duel." Tom hissed out, "It will be when you least expect it."

"Oh, is that what it is? Respect?" Hayden asked dryly, "You with your condescending attitude?" although if truth be told, he would expect a frontal assault from Tom, not when 'he least expected it' to be fair. His mind going back to those he actually fought on his own…was that Tom's 'respect' everyone had their own handle of things he guessed.

The look on Tom's face had Orion barking out an unexpected burst of laughter. He couldn't help it; you'd have thought the wizard had just been stunned. "Do you not remember?"

Tom swallowed, a flash of vulnerability flickering through his eyes, "The memories are a little scattered. I've got most in order, but some still need put into place…I do not like the thought that I have lost actual memories."

"You haven't they're all there, it will just take more time for them to slot into place." Hayden reassured him; despite the fact he had no clue. The look on Tom's face indicated he knew Hayden was talking out of his backside as well. "Fine, screw it, see if I care… it's better than losing yourself altogether!" honestly, last time he tried to make Tom feel better.

Orion relaxed into place, as he realized something. He'd never have anything to fear from those two. They were way too headstrong, stubborn and honestly? Their talk just reminded him of himself and Lucretia. An amused smirk spreading across his face as he observed them. Oh, it was going to be amusing, they were always going to be competitive.

"Just one question, why encourage me to get the Gaunt Lordship instead of the Slytherin Lordship?" Tom asked, suspicion rearing its ugly head.

"You've committed patricide, not to forget Parricide as well." Hayden told him grimly. "The Slytherin family line wouldn't accept you. It would rather kill you than accept you as the head of the family."

"And not because of his blood status?" Orion murmured genuinely surprised.

"Salazar Slytherin's mother was a Naga with Muggle parents, the line started out 'not pure' so to speak." Hayden rolled his eyes.

"Let me guess, you were accepted as Lord Slytherin?" tone resigned and eyes indignant.

Hayden snorted, "Hell no, killing family in the Slytherin line is a big no-no." and like it or not, whether he'd aimed his wand or not, he had caused the death of another descendant.

"Wait, I didn't kill anyone on the Slytherin side," Tom pointed out grimy, "So surely I shouldn't be penalised."

"It's true, you didn't end Slytherin blood, unfortunately it goes off intent," Hayden told him, "Plus, everyone knows the Gaunts are descendant from Salazar Slytherin. They've never shut up about it."

The thing about the old families, you had to be accepted as Lord of the family to take the name and allow your children to do so. It's why the Smith family did not go by Hufflepuff, which they would do in a nanosecond if they could. The estates were worth more than any other in the magical world. It came with a long list of reequipments, and unfortunately, the demands were too much for the usual wizard or witch. Not that he knew what stipulations were on any of the others, he hadn't even gotten through ten of the stipulations on the Slytherin line before he knew he could never accept it.

To accept it and attempt to put on the ring and demand acceptance would result in death. Gringotts had to give you a contract of no liability for them.

"Tom Marvolo Gaunt has a nice ring to it." Hayden added.

"Why did the ring not protect me to begin with?" Tom demanded to know, embittered by life and how he constantly ended up screwed over.

"You never had the Heirship or Lordship ring." Orion said sharply, before Tom could say anything else. "They are distinguishable by having the family crest emblazoned across them. They are the finest of craftmanship, nothing like the gaudy ring you were wearing."

Hayden laughed, waving Orion's enquiring and inquisitive glance, just vividly recalling the gaudy hair thing that Orion had gotten him in an awful attempt at courting. Then again, they hadn't known each other all that well. Orion couldn't have known that money wouldn't sway him, not when he'd grown up believing that's how you got someone on your side. Foolish wizard, all he needed was him, not his fortune.

"The ring was crafted and imbued with great power by the Peverell brothers themselves." Hayden informed Tom with delight. "That ring holds one of the most powerful items in the world. The resurrection stone."

Tom made a face, go figure it would be something he held no interest in, instead of a shroud of Invisibility or the most powerful wand in existence.

"Make that your face all you want, out of all three items, Dumbledore desired that one above all others. Although that might be because he already had the wand to be fair." Hayden conceded wryly.

Now that made Tom's lips twitch, the feeling of superiority and smugness encompassing him. To have something Dumbledore could only dream of owning? You're damn right it made him feel extraordinary smug. The sheer thought of waving it in Dumbledore's face for the rest of his life? The faces he imagined the old man making?

"We need to make plans but it's not a priority at…" Hayden begun.

"No, it's not a priority, this is," Orion raised the letter that Hayden had received from Dumbledore. "You really need to get a lawyer to get this sorted." He warned Hayden, otherwise it could get a whole lot worse. Luckily their betrothal was set in stone, nothing not even the highest of their courts – the Wizengamot – could do such a thing. All they could do was penalise Hayden for 'going back on his word'.

"It can wait another day," Hayden said with a soft smile, "I'm pretty sure Antonin is going to be rather busy still."

Tom narrowed his eyes "Antonin Dolohov?"

Hayden turned, "Oh yes, he's sworn to protect my family and I in turn promised the same." Fealty wasn't something given to easily it was earned, through dedication, hard work and loyalty.

Tom huffed, entirely disgruntled by the news, he would have very much liked the wizard within his ranks. Slumping back, wincing as a migraine hit him with the force of a speeding truck. He was surprised it hadn't made an appearance when the Patronus had been cast. The light had been blinding beyond anything he'd endured for the past few days.

"Tom, go see a mind healer, they can't reveal anything to anyone, they swear oaths and vows not to." Hayden said, naturally noticing Tom's actions. Even something as subtle as rubbing his temples with his elbow on his knee in a look that was meant to showcase boredom. "Morfin Gaunt is alive right...could he stop Tom from becoming Lord Gaunt?"

Orion glanced at Hayden, while he knew a lot of information, clearly family law wasn't one of them. "No, he's been lawfully detained for murder, he's been sentenced for their deaths with that of a life sentence. He doesn't expect to see the outside world again. I'm going to assume that this isn't the case?" he wasn't sure how to feel about it in all honesty, where did Morfin differ from Sirius? They were both innocent of the crimes they'd been incarcerated for.

Hayden nodded curtly, bitterness crawling up his throat, he couldn't really blame Tom wholly either. He had no clue whether he would have done the things he did if not for being compelled into making a damn Horcrux and then suffering the need to go on creating more and thus continuing the spiral of paranoia, dread and fear.

There was no doubt he'd have had to defend himself from Morfin though. That pureblood mania would have had Morfin going for Tom's throat. The news that his sister had a kid with a Muggle…couldn't have been borne well.

Death would be preferable than a lifetime of imprisonment in Azkaban. He knew, he knew he couldn't help everyone. That some things were just too far out of his reach, too risky and well, he wasn't going to risk what he wanted out of life for anyone or anything. Especially not Morfin Gaunt who would see him dead because of his blood status, or well, what used to be his blood status.

Tom barely reacted, he had no regrets, although to be fair Morfin had been a last-minute decision. He'd gone to the mansion, to tell them, and they'd known, they'd denied their relation to him when the orphanage came calling and pretended like he didn't exist. Well, he'd made sure to take care of their existence.

"What the fuck…" Hayden swore, his hand tightening viciously on Orion's arm, not just any arm his wand arm. "Incoming!" and then the wards were violently torn down, and the door smashed open, Hayden automatically covered Orion with his body, with reflexes that Orion could only wish he had. A shield charm coming around the three of them, causing the spells they had fired at them incessantly to fire back.

"ENOUGH!" Orion shot up dislodging Hayden, seething in fury. "Cease this display before I have your wands and badges before the end of the night! I am Heir Orion Black!" using his name and threats in order to get them to stop.

Hayden glanced behind him, and scoffed a little but not really surprised to find that Tom had slid out.

The Aurors ceased their incessant attacks but were no less vigilant.

"How dare you attack us without identifying yourselves! You will be hearing from our lawyer!" Orion continued almost violent with his speech, glaring at them all, mercury eyes boring into them showing he wasn't to be trifled with and that he was very serious indeed. "You'll be lucky to work in the Ministry as cleaners!"

"My apologies, Heir Black, stay back, we will use force, if necessary," the head Auror warned the Black heir. The leery look in his face showcased that it wasn't exactly true, he knew his job was in danger of being removed from him quite forcefully because Black was right. They had attacked without identifying themselves. There was nothing for it, he would just need to continue on and hope that the Ministry didn't force them to stand down or be fired.

Hayden made a noise, "So they're here for me." Slightly surprised, okay, shockingly surprised, he hadn't been here long enough to have pissed anyone off yet…except Tom, naturally.

"Hayden Peverell you're under arrest put the wand on the floor. You have a right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have a right to ask for a lawyer before we ask you any questions. You have a right to a lawyer during questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you if you wish." The Auror said as he affixed the magical dampening cuffs to Hayden who had lowered his wand to the floor. Once Hayden was secured, he continued, "Do you understand these rights I have just read to you? With these rights in mind do you wish to speak to me?

"Don't say anything, I'll get a lawyer right away." Orion declared, too shocked at what had just occurred to ask what the charges were. Five highly trained Aurors just bursting in? Not even identifying themselves and attacking without question or provocation?

Hayden nodded remaining silent as he was forced through the Leaky Cauldron.

He kept his head held high; he'd done nothing wrong after all. He just wished it meant anything, because the justice system in wizardkind was sorely lacking in that word, justice.

A/N – there we go! I hope you're still enjoying it! 😊 I'm having so much fun writing it! So, what do you guys think has happened? Has Tom betrayed them? Has Dumbledore made a move? The Aurors who think he's…up to something? 😉 or maybe even the disgraced and disowned Pollux Black 😉 so many enemies' so little time! R&R please and let me know what you think is happening 😉 hahaha I'd love to see everyone's guesses xx