Chapter 6
Orion was nervous. He had not been truly nervous for anything in a long while. His magic was getting excited with him, giving him even more nerves. He had his dinner with Hadrian tonight. He was dressed in one of his finest robes, a very dark grey silk with the Black crest, with black dress pants and dragon skin boots.
"Well, well, well, getting all spiffed up Orion? What could be the occasion?" a voice asked behind him. He could recognize that low drawing voice anywhere.
He turning around to see his second cousin and ex-brother in law, Alphard Black, leaning against the door frame smirking at him. Wearing muggle clothes, the shirt saying 'Wicked Wizards' on the front, with a picture that looked vaguely like Dumbledore with a beard that long.
"Alphard," he nodded to him before turning back to his watch box to select a watch. "What are you doing here?"
"Weeell," he said drawing out the word. "I was going to drag you out drinking with me, but seems you already have plans?" he asked again wanting to know where his ex-brother in law was going.
Orion grabbed the expensive, ornate, silver watch that his parents had gotten him when he turned seventeen and strapped in on his wrist before answering. "I sent out a Courting Request," he said bluntly, walking past Alphard to get his shoes.
Alphard's jaw dropped and his sputtered at him. "A-A-What? A Courting Request?!" he asked stunned at what Orion had done. "I expected you to be here in this dusty old house, trying to drink away your woes. Then I find you going to meet someone that you sent a Courting Request to?"
He paused as Orion tied his shoes, thinking for a second, then he grinned at him. "I'm happy for you, getting over my banshee of a sister and already trying to snatch your sons a stepfather, I full heartedly approve."
Orion looked over his shoulder alarmed, "How did you know-?"
Alphard cut him off, "That you are bisexual? Mostly gay now because Walaburga ruined women for you? A whiiile." He plopped down on the couch and made himself comfortable, then said "I've known you for a while, I know you pretty well."
Orion blinked before shaking his head and finishing tying his shoes. Alphard was always the wild card of the Black family, never knowing if he was going to do something completely outrageous and inappropriate, or be completely polite and respectful. Or be incredibly intuitive, or be so remarkable thick you want to whack him repeatedly over the head. That's how the Black madness affected him.
"So who is the lucky lad that caught your attention?" he asked, wanting to know who had caught his cousins attention. And go snooping and make sure this guy was good enough for his second cousin/ex-brother in law.
Orion patted his shoulder and smiled at him and said "Not telling. Now, how do I look?"
Alphard looked him over and said "Smashing, but why can't you tell me?"
He shrugged and replied "Because I don't wish to, however, I may tell you later if this goes well. Goodbye, wish me luck!" He then walked out of the room with an indignant sound coming from the room.
He then Flooed to the restaurant with a call of the restaurant's name and a flash of green fire.
Hadrian was very nervous. His magic was still overjoyed from when he had accepted Orion's request and he had been in a perky and cheerful mood all week. Several of the students had commented on it, as had Minerva, Slughorn and Poppy, who he was becoming close friend with. He had shown them the white ribbon wrapped around his wrist with a happy smile. They had tried to figure out who had sent the Courting Request, but Harry had sealed his lips, at least for now.
He had also had to give Sirius a detention after stumbling along him trying to hang a Slytherin, whos had had his hair turned pink, from the ceiling. He had known his father and his friend were bullies, but seriously? Some of the things he had seen James Potter do over the past two months had him mildly ashamed of his father.
He shook his head a little bit in an attempt to shake out his nerves and winced. Class that day was tiring, he had second years and some of them were fooling around with the hex he had just taught them. It ended up with the student getting multiple bruises and him getting a solid bump on the head.
He then walked over to the mirror to get one more check on his appearance, then Flooed to the restaurant with a call of the restaurant's name and a flash of green fire.
When Hadrian saw Orion as he stepped into the private room Orion had reserved for dinner, his eyes widen as he stared at Orion. He was wearing a dark grey robe with a white undershirt that fit like a glove and showed off his broad chest and muscled arms. The robe was simple and flared at the bottom, but the buttons were on the right side coming down from the middle of his shoulder. He wore some very light gray trousers to match and dragon hide boots that were the same shade of grey as his robe. He looked like something out of a fairy tale, with the strong imposing presence, but a softness to his intense grey and purple flecked eyes. A personality of steel but with the gentleness to balance it.
Orion drew a breath quickly as he watched Hadrian walked into the room. He was wearing a forest green robes that was high collared and decorated with elaborate golden buttons down the middle and embroidery along to collar, sleeves and bottom of it. There was also the Peverell crest embroidered on his left breast. The back bottom of the of the robe was cut and open, moving when he walked but the top was fitting around his body. It matched well with his pale skin tone and he lithe body. He also wore a black undershirt under his robe. His trousers were black dragon hide that hugged his thighs and he was wearing matching glossy black dress shoes.
He seems to become more stunning each time he saw him, Orion thought while looking at his glowing green eyes and raven and dark red streaked hair that framed his face.
He stood up and walked over to the other wizard to greet him as he walked in the door.
"Hadrian," he said as he gently grabbed his hand and kissed it softly, warming flooding to Hadrian's cheeks as he did so. "I thank you for accepting my request. I had feared I was reading your signals wrong and I would get a denial back, but I found it hard to keep myself away." He looked back up into Hadrian's eyes and smiled at him, showing his joy that his had accepted through his eyes and smile.
"Oh no, you were reading them right." He said looking at Orion smiling before he let his eyes wander. "This place is beautiful, I love the constellations." The room was decorated with slowly moving floating glass orbs, the carpets a mix of black and spots of bright color that resembled space, and darkened wooden tables carved to perfection with matching chairs. The walls were a dark navy blue with the windows opened and the cool air circulating the room freely.
"Oh, yes," Orion remarked looking around as he led Hadrian over to his seat, pulled out his chair, then sitting down in his seat. "The man who start the restaurant was my great uncle, and our family has had a fascination for the stars."
"So who owns it now, if you don't mind me asking?" Hadrian asked setting into the chair.
Orion sighed, but was smiling slightly as he answered. "The Black family, and because of that my parents will likely know that I sent out a Courting Request by the end of the night, the people here are good friends with my parents and love to gossip. Also my cousin Alphard came to surprise me before I left, he'll probably go and tattle on me."
Hadrian chuckled and a waiter came in quickly and dropped off menus that they would only have to tap the item with their wand to order it. They quickly ordered, Hadrian asking for suggestions, but eventually settled on the Ratatouille flavored with garlic and olive oil. Orion ordered the La Daube Niçoise with half of a baguette.
"So Lord and Lady Black don't know you sent out a Courting Request?" Hadrian asked with a slight wince. He didn't want to be hidden like some dirty little secret.
Orion shook his head. "No, only because if I did, they would protest just because my ex-wife has died recently and they feel I need to 'get over her death before moving on to another relationship'." he said. "Which is completely not true," he added on hastily as Hadrian's expression froze and he started to look guilty. "I hated her and I only married her because I was forced by my grandfather because he was Lord Black at that time. The only reason I look for someone else during my marriage was because I hate the idea of cheating."
Hadrian relaxed and smiled at him. "Good, me as well. Do you have a good relationship with your parents?"
Orion smiled and said "Yes, but I don't visit as often as a should. My grandfather died a while ago, thank Merlin. I visit my sister a lot though, she's married to Ignatius Prewett."
"That's good, I wish I had a sister, I've always wanted a big family. My godfather was basically the only family I had. I have friends and acquaintances all around the world though."
The night continued on, conversation flowing easily between the two. Hadrian complaining about the class that day with the second years slightly, Orion complaining about his old marriage a little. And when midnight grew closer they had finished their meal and they decide to talk a walk through the gardens. The flowers were beautiful, some glowing, some large, some normal looking. But they all fit the theme of each 'room' of flowers that they entered. They eventually reached the exit, which was right next to this huge holly tree that was bursting with magically energy and life.
"I find myself not wanting to leave after enjoying your company much, my house and cousin that is most likely to be there, sounds like a very poor substitute." Orion said slowing down to a stop in front of the Floo.
Hadian sighed, "Same here, my chambers at Hogwarts will probably be cold when I get back."
They both knew they were stalling leaving, but they couldn't help it. He had enjoyed dinner that night immensely. Orion, having more fun and being more happy than during his marriage, and Hadrian loving the connection and conversations that flowed freely between them.
"Well I believe that I should getting back, it is getting late." Orion said.
Hadrian nodded and said "Yes, I have papers to grade in the morning, and detentions to hand out by the dozens."
Orion cluckled, leaning slightly closer and grinned at him. "Of course, can't make the students get too comfortable."
"Never." Hadrian said before laughing.
Orion stared at him, at his sparkling green eyes filled with amusement and glittering with the lights reflections. His hair that framed his face and made his look like this ethereal being. His lips that were stretched into a wide, beautiful smile. He suddenly felt the desperate need to kiss him.
He leaned in and asked softly "May I kiss you?"
Hadrian's lips parted slightly, and eyes wided, and stared into his grey and purple flecked eyes. He nodded, throat suddenly dry and not cooperating. And suddenly Orion's lips were on his.
It was wonderful, Orion's mouth was so warm, the caress of his lips softer than he could have imagined. Orion tasted tentatively with his tongue, and Hadrian opened her mouth with a low, embarrassing, moan.
Hadrian had went slightly red when he moan lowly, it wasn't proper to do so in public, but he didn't really care right not. All his could think about was Orion's lips on his, the taste of brandy on his lips, and the sense of safety that he got when Orion's arm wrapped around him. Normally he hated physical contact but now he could only love it.
When Orion had tentatively put his hand on Hadrian back to embrace him he was happy that Hadrian quickly embraced back. Hadrian tasted of the strawberries he had earlier, the slightly strawberry tasting lips making him go mad with want. He kissed with slightly more ferocity, determined to kiss him breathless.
When they pulled away they were both panting, arms wrapped around each other and staring into each other's eyes.
Orion was the first to pull away. He grabbed Hadrian hand and kissed it gently. "I will take my leave before I start to do anything rash. Good night Hadrian." Orion said to him.
Hadrian took it graciously, with cheeks still flushed red and lips slightly swollen. He then nodded and smiled widely at Orion.
They both Flooed back after that. Hadrian stripping out of his fancy clothes and falling into bed the moment he got to his room with a happy smile on his face. Orion finding a very nosy cousin in his kitchen, waiting to interrogate him. But, clearly seeing he was tired, led him up to bed.
I am sooooo sorry that this was a lot later then my usual updates! I had already written those before hand and just posted them really fast, and then there was like two weeks of radio silence. I'll try and update faster but it will probably be a lot more like this pace.