My Time

Chapter 5

Orion could have groaned in exasperation when he returned home to Black Mansion to find not just his parents waiting for him. No, his grandparents were there, all of them drinking tea – no coffee for them at this time of night – in the lime green sitting room. Which he had to pass to go to his rooms, but he couldn't just pass without saying hello, it would be extremely rude. "How was your evening?" Melania asked, observing her son over the rim of her cup, her brow slightly furrowed as if she sensed his internal conflict.

"As boring as I predicted," Orion declared, at least he didn't need to put up with his sister or Walburga. They must already be asleep, small mercies he supposed. He just felt even more like shit when he noticed the disappointment on their faces.

"Or it was until I met someone," Orion told them, knowing he wasn't going to get out of this conversation, he sat down. Placing the bag at his feet, there were still a few gifts left. "Lord Hayden Peverell, he's the one we found on the doorstep."

Hesper gasped, "Oh my!"

"There's a male heir for the Peverell line at last?" Sirius queried, grey eyes gleaming with curiosity. One that just happened to owe them, well, this may go in their favour.

"His father was the first," Orion corrected, trying to push the last ten minute he'd spent with Hayden out of his mind. He didn't want to think of it.

"He looks to be a few years younger than you, Orion, poor boy," Arcturus declared, shaking his head, to lose your father so young was a travesty. Hopefully though, the young man knew how to run his estate or had someone who knew what they were doing to do so for him until he learned everything.

Orion bit back the words he wanted to use to describe Hayden at the moment. He was very angry with him, for his words, for his assumptions, for making him think of such things. Yet he couldn't help but think of the wizard who had helped him see the world through different eyes. Who had let him see just what kind of gift he'd been giving to those who needed it the most. He also saw the young man speaking to the child with empathy and kindness. Well, he was a carrier, he supposed, it would be instinctive wouldn't it? Which got him thinking of Walburga…perhaps not.

"How is his recovery going?" Melania asked, he'd been having a seizure the entire time when Orion managed to grasp a hold of him and carefully Apparated them both to St. Mungo's days ago. "There has been no permanent damage I hope?" fascinated that the Peverell family was still active after all this time. She'd thought – wrongly clearly – that the Potter's were the only descendants of the legendary Peverell legacy.

"He'll be out tomorrow," Orion nodded, before muttering, "He's going to be a thorn in my side, I can feel it." to himself.

"What was that, Lad?" Hesper asked, watching her grandson in fascination, he was never this lively, he was always so composed, to see him this way was…a rare treat indeed.

"Nothing grandmother," Orion said, giving her a polite smile.

"If you would prefer your father and I doing it for a little while longer, we can," Melania told her son, they'd just wanted him to see how lucky he was. That not everyone was as lucky as he, or them. She'd wanted to take him with them when he was younger, so he could see for himself but Arcturus had denied her. It was one of the rare times, Arcturus didn't want Orion becoming too soft, he was to be the Head of Black family one day. He had to be controlled, in the matter that he didn't feel sorry for everyone that crossed his path.

"No," Orion declared immediately, "I'd like to continue," much to the surprise of his parents and grandparents, who glanced at each other more bemused than anything else.

"That's fine, son," Arcturus agreed, "You seem rather distracted, is there anything the matter?" had tonight been that eye opening that his son was acting a little out of character? Perhaps it was, he recalled his first time too, it had been very a heart-warming experience.

"Nothing I want to discuss," Orion answered honestly, not denying he had something on his mind. His family knew him better than that, they would also leave him alone if he asked for him. "I'm rather tired, though, I'd like to retire for the night."

"Of course," Sirius said, "We're here if you change your mind, as the saying goes a problem shared is a problem halved."

Orion grimaced, which brought him directly to something Hayden had said in passing. About Walburga, well, not about her, but his 'betrothed' he knew his grandfather meant well but it just made things worse. "I will," he gave a nod, as he stood, "Goodnight," he murmured, before making his way out of the room before his family could finishing replying to him.

He made swift work of the stairs, remaining as silent as possible, so he didn't wake his relatives. Who were probably still drunk, he wished he'd joined them instead of going to St. Mungo's. No matter, there was just no point to dwelling on what couldn't be changed.

His rooms were on the second floor, he had the biggest suite, next to his grandparents and parents. His grandparents had the Master room, and his parents and the heir suite. His grandparents lived full time in the Black Mansion, he, his parents and sister lived in Black Hall, whereas the rest lived in other Black properties, he himself would be choosing a property from the Black holdings or a new property for when he was eventually married.

Sighing softly, he opened the door to his rooms, and began to gratefully undress. He had felt completely overdressed during his visit, but he'd had it drummed into him to always make a good impression.

Which he hadn't done with Lord Peverell, he had disgraced himself by walking out as if in a snit. Could there be any truth to what he's said? Sitting down in the lounge chair at the bottom of his bed in nothing but his boxer shorts. A frown on his face, that was reminiscent of the Muggle statue the thinker by Rodin.

He honestly wouldn't know where to start, how did one go about getting this information? His family surely wouldn't have continued the practice if they were aware of the consequences. Pursing his lips, perhaps he should apologise to Lord Peverell for his behaviour and ask where he had gotten his information? He could go to Draiocht Alley, they had a magnificent library, it was a shame they didn't have one in either Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.

If anywhere had the answers he sought, it would be there.

Sliding into his warm blue silk bedding, he sighed softy. What a bloody night, he'd expected it to be dull and uninspiring, doing it then getting home as soon as possible. Spend what was left of the holiday with the rest of the family before they returned home to Black Hall.

It had turned out to be anything but, groaning softly, if there was ever an awkward time to get a boner, it was now. Resolutely turning on his side, ignoring the rather persistent problem, why did he have to be gorgeous? And very, very, very available and a carrier. He'd known he was Bi since his early teens, finding beautiful in both forms, 'sowing his wild oats' while there with a good many wizards and witches (that weren't betrothed) never offering more than he could give. Which was just a single night, everyone knew he and Walburga would marry. His parents and aunt and uncle hadn't made a secret of it.

He wouldn't be able to offer Hayden Peverell anything, or anyone else for that matter. He'd never do anyone the discourtesy of becoming a 'mistress' so to speak. He was envious really, of those who married for love, like his Aunt Dorea. She had married Charlus Potter and you could see how much she loved her husband and how much Charlus adored her right back. He'd watched them all Yule.

Speak of the devil.

"Orion, are you alright?" Dorea asked, it wasn't normal for doors to be left open. The lights were still on too, very out of character.

Orion groaned, "No, I'm not," he grumbled, he was extremely unhappy. Not to forget slightly shocked he'd forgotten to close the door.

"Do you want to talk about it?" his aunt asked, peering around the door, a glass of warm milk in her hand. She rarely called upon the house-elves in the evening, preferring to make her tea or coffee or whatever to her own satisfaction.

Orion turned around to face his aunt, "Not really," he'd rather not humiliate himself if there was nothing to it. He sounded so sure of himself, as if he was quoting words from a book…maybe he was?

"Are you sure?" she asked, a small comforting smile on her face.

"Yeah, thanks though, Aunt Dorea," he murmured, he loved this time of year, getting to spend time with his full extended family.

"Alright, goodnight nephew," Dorea said quietly, shutting his door, a few moments later the lights were out. Dorea puttered back to her room, she shared with her husband feeling for Orion. It was clear to everyone that Orion and Walburga weren't a good match. It's too bad that she was the only girl born of her brother, Pollux and Irma, they had two other sons Alphard and Cygnus which had pleased them.

"You feeling alright?" Charlus asked, bringing his wife close the moment she slid into bed. She was feeling very vulnerable at the moment. She had just lost another child, miscarried. He wasn't sure how much more she could take, he wasn't the Potter heir, so it wasn't really anything he had to worry about, she either gave him children or she didn't. He loved her regardless of her abilities to give him a child. The family didn't know, she didn't want them knowing and he'd agreed with her even if he thought it was silly, she could do with the support…but it seemed being around family was actually helping regardless of whether they knew.

"Yes," she murmured, snuggling into him, enjoying his warmth.

Hayden finally gave up trying to get any semblance of sleep in the early hours of the morning. It wasn't Orion surprisingly that was keeping him awake, or the fact he was back in time. He'd always been very good at adjusting to his surroundings. There were too many people, healers and Medi-witches doing their rounds, they didn't even need to come into the room to wake him up. He was hypervigilant, constantly aware of his surroundings.

He just couldn't rest, didn't trust his surroundings as far as he could throw them. He knew how easy it was to get into St. Mungo's, to kill someone, and that was decades in the future! All it took was a bleeding plant, no way, was he relaxing his guard.

Folding up his Invisibility cloak, Hayden slid out of bed, he literally had nothing but the pyjamas the hospital had provided for him. Not even a pair of shoes, some first impression he was making. The pyjamas were easily transfigured into something half way decent.

"Breakfast rounds will be half an hour," the Medi-witch informed Hayden with a small comforting smile. Watching him with hawk eyes, as she did with everyone in the ward.

"I'm leaving," Hayden informed the Medi-witch, "I want to catch Gringotts before it gets busy. I have a lot of business to oversee before I can rest today." He said truthfully, he didn't even have anywhere to stay. "Can you tell me where my belongings are? There's nothing that I can see in the cabinet."

"Oh! Yes, of course, our apologies! We should have had it transferred when you were settled. I'm afraid we're a little understaffed with Yule." She said, eyes lighting up immediately, knowing what he was referring to. "Just a moment!" jumping up from her seat, she opened the door to her right and came out with a clear bag holding Hayden's belongings.

He saw the shrunk trunks next to his clothes and sighed in relief, thank Merlin for that. He didn't care about the dirty shredded clothes; it was the trunk which had his entire fortune in it. Not that he had to worry, since he would have the Peverell estate. He wondered if it meant that the Potters would find their own estate decreasing significantly.

He guessed he was about to find out.

To Gringotts it was.

"Thank you," Hayden said, inclining his head as he accepted the bag, staring thoughtfully before shrugging and opening it to grab his shoes from it. The Medi-witch was kind enough to clean them before he put them on. "Thank you for all your help." He added, St. Mungo's was much like the NHS of the Muggle world, you didn't have to pay for treatment. They did rely heavily on donations to expand or buy new equipment and invent new cures, therapies and medicinal potions.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait until the healer…" the Medi-witch asked, hovering nearby, in case Hayden suddenly collapsed. She'd been there when he was brought in, on duty. It had taken three healers to get him still, you didn't use magic on a patient having a seizure, especially when they didn't know what was causing it.

Hayden smiled, "I'm sure, thank you for the concern but I assure you, I feel much better today." He reassured the Medi-witch.

With his piece said, Hayden turned and made his way out of St. Mungo's. More than grateful to be out of the hospital, he had never been one for lying around in bed, even while sick. He'd had enough of that while he was at Hogwarts.

With a crack, Hayden apparated him to Gringotts.

Orion woke at the crack of dawn, after a long and restless night. With dreams he'd rather not recall, but regretfully did. He wasted no time at all in dressing, foregoing his usual proper attires for a more casual one. He had a feeling he would be spending most of his day in the library.

Grabbing his wand and his wallet he slid them into his wrist-holster and pocket respectively. There was work to be done, luckily, none of the family would be up yet, nobody got up this early. The library would be open by the time he Apparated away.

Opening and closing his door, he quietly made his way downstairs. Only to almost bump into his grandmother who had come out of the kitchen and making her way presumably to the yellow sitting room, where they had breakfast.

The room was perfect for the morning sun hitting it.

"Orion? What are you doing up so early?" Hesper asked, standing staring at her grandson, a house-elf stood nearby with two cups of coffee in its hands as it waited on the elderly Black.

"I'm going to the library, tell mother not to bother setting a plate for me," Orion informed his grandmother formally, "I am unsure of when I'll be back."

"It's the last day," Hesper said, quietly stunned, this was Orion's favourite time of the year.

"I know, I'll be back by dinner, I promise," Orion said, whether he found what he was looking for or not, he would be spending dinner with everyone. They were all heading home after dinner, back to their own places. "I have to go; I'll see you all this evening." With that Orion dashed around her, and out of the door, not waiting around to see if she had anything more to say.

"If there is nothing to this, I'll throttle him myself!" Orion muttered as he stalked towards the gates, "My one good deed comes back to bite me, I should have…" sighing exasperatedly, he would never leave a wizard to be harmed by whatever throes of spells he'd been trapped under even in his foulest of moods.

The moment he stepped out of the wards surrounding Black Mansion, he could feel it. It was almost like a buzzing at the back of your mind, brushing down your magic. He vowed that when he got his own place, that he would have ever ward Wizardkind knows on his home.

He apparated to the library, the atmosphere was different in Ireland. Everywhere was already open, the smell of bread, coffee and breakfast and the sound of jubilation even so early was heard. A great many tourists were out and about enjoying what was probably the last day of their holidays perhaps.

Jogging up the stairs, ignoring his stomach rumbling, he could eat later. If he attempted to take anything, even a packet of crisps into the library he'd be unable to enter. Food was strictly forbidden, as was drink.

The moment he stepped into the building; noise cut off from the street entirely. Silence, but it wasn't an oppressive one. The smell of ink, parchment, books and cleaning products was all that he could smell.

The library was as big as Gringotts, and just as deep the first time he'd stepped in here it was like a whole other world. he'd stopped coming when he reached his teenage years. Anything he needed – or so he told himself – he could find at Hogwarts.

The one-of-a-kind books were deep underground, with spells to stop more oxygen than was needed. The yellow scrolls preserved, copies on display with nobody so much as allowed to handle the fragile documents. Then there were the rare books and up top, a massive selection of books to choose from. Those books you could take with you, only three at a time, and they automatically were recalled in three weeks. Whether you were finished with them or not.

As he walked through, he noticed the carts becoming filled easily with books being recalled. Librarian assistants carting them off, ready to be put back on the selves again. Others leading people to find the books they want, nothing could be summoned or levitated here. Not even the librarians had that sort of power to get around the wards set here. Dozens upon dozens of ladders moving around with someone attached, as they looked for books.

Orion couldn't help but be at peace surrounded as he was, with books. He might be a Slytherin, but he appreciated knowledge and the power that came with it. He had begun his own library, his room was positively filled with books, both in the trunk and on the shelves. When he got his own place, he was going to fill the library with as many books as possible.

There was a wizard at the desk, flipping through a book marking something off, each time he grasped a hold of a book. Orion straightened his spine stalking forward, a moments hesitation hitting him, before panic set in, he didn't even know what the bloody hell he was looking for.

"Can I help you?" the wizard asked, gazing expectantly at Orion, younger than Orion was himself, and Orion found himself rather tongue tied. Not because he was afraid, or some such nonsense. No, he just didn't want anyone he'd risk being a gossip. Word could reach back about what he wanted…he'd need to phrase it very, very carefully.

"Well, bless my soul! Orion Black, I didn't think I'd ever see you again!"

Orion whirled around, a small fond smile appearing on his face momentarily, "Otto, I'm thinking the same, I can hardly believe you still work here." Giving a nod to the younger wizard he stepped closer to Otto feeling much more comfortable.

"Well let us have a look at you," Otto said, his sharp yellow eyes roaming over his broad frame. "You definitely grew up well, how can we help you today?"

Orion just grinned, "Gossipy old fart," he called him, "You just want all the gossip," tutting in feigned admonishment. Not surprisingly Otto didn't seem the slightest bit perturbed, to old to care about the game's youngsters like to play.

"Well, of course, keeps the family happy," Otto laughed, his voice slightly croaky as he did so. "So?" he didn't know which direction to go in until Orion gave him the specifics.

Orion glanced around briefly, clearing his throat, before whispering, "Genetic diversity or maybe biological fitness." Parroting the words Hayden had used.

Otto stared blankly at Orion, "I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific," utterly confused as to what Orion could possibly mean.

Orion gritted his teeth, before gathering his impeccable ironclad armour around him. "Information about inbreeding,"

"Ah," Otto murmured, nodding slowly before he stalked off north, expecting Orion to follow him, which he did. "It's not often anyone asks for the biology texts we have which are few. Especially not purebloods every now and again – a decade or two – someone attempts to get a book published regarding the dangers but no place would dare alienate themselves by accepting it." that and it was Muggle-borns with no name, no influence, with books they believed wouldn't sell.

Orion's heart sank, it sounded as though this was all a genuine…not just some half-baked belief Peverell had.

"Here you are, wait here while I gather everything, we have for you," Otto said quietly, as if he could sense Orion's unease and inner turmoil. It was a private room, usually reserved for students studying for the N.E.W.T's or O.W.L's independently or their Masteries. An extra bit of quiet, they perhaps couldn't achieve at home. And of course, naturally, less distractions too.

Orion retained his manners and said, "Thank you," as he slid inside. Once Otto was gone, Orion slumped onto the seat, it couldn't be could it? There couldn't a whole lot of evidence about this whole thing…just sitting there in books?

It took twenty minutes for Otto to return, he didn't just come back with a few books, no, he had copies of scrolls, papyrus bounds books, with a pair of white gloves, dozens of ordinary books.

"What the…" Orion muttered, bewildered, he hadn't expected all this. "Egyptian royal lines?" this had nothing to do with the subject he wanted.

"Read everything in order," Otto said, patting his shoulder, "It will help make sense of it all, trust me. From left to right, starting with this one in particular." Handing over the book, which thankfully, wasn't very thick, not a lot of them were actually. It would still take him a while.

"Alright," Orion agreed, giving the Egyptian books a wary look, he was not a dull man. He was rather intelligent, top five percentile in Hogwarts. He suspected he knew what kind of answers lay within these books.

Grey eyes dulling, he opened the book and began to read the horrors within.

Only once Hayden was at the top of the marble staircase leading to the opulent room that was the main entrance to the bank did Hayden pause. He hadn't gotten along with the goblins in his time, didn't know any of their names really, except for Griphook.

The dragon, the dragon was still there, still imprisoned. Had never seen daylight, having been born down there. All in the name of protecting people's bloody money when spells should be enough.

He'd get it out again and get it to safety, he just needed a plan. One that didn't entirely wreck Gringotts or worse expose a dragon to the entire Muggle world.

He also needed to make sure they never realize its him that did it.

Yes, definitely would take some considerable planning, he mused, as he walked towards a goblin teller.

As one every single one of the tellers froze, and their faces moved in sync until they were looking at him from all directions. Now that freaked Hayden the fuck out, what the hell? The black eyes glittering like wet coal, as they observed him move, never taking their eyes off him even for a second. They were like clones, and it was not normal at all.

Heart pounding outrageously, he stepped up to the teller closest to him, "I'd like to see about claiming my inheritance, and adding money to my vaults if you please." Thank Merlin he'd come so early, he thought. The last thing he needed was wizards and witches watching him warily. Which, no doubt, they would have done if they'd seen the way the goblins had reacted to him. "Privately."

"Follow me," the goblin finally spoke, jumping from its podium and scurrying across the room.

If Hayden didn't know any better…he'd say they knew who or maybe what he was. Hayden didn't delay, he easily followed the Goblins harried pace, able to keep up with. He would soon find out.

"Copperclaw will see you," the goblin told Hayden, opening the door and barking out in Gobbledegook before taking off again.

Arching a brow at the strangeness of it all, he stepped in and closed the door. With significantly more confidence than he felt, he eased himself down, staring at the goblin expectantly. Merlin, he wanted to ask what they knew.

"I think we can all say that you are the Peverell heir, it is…unmistakable." The goblin declared, "Their magic, your magic…is very similar." death touched so to speak, their gifts, necromancy primarily, has a distinctive taste.

"Yes," Hayden agreed, so his magic had changed too, that was interesting, he wondered if he was more powerful or less so…or if it was just the same as before but altered just like his features.

"Regardless, we will need a drop of your blood to confirm your claim, you are here to claim the Peverell Lordship are you not?" the goblin said, twisting a piece of parchment towards him, glowing with runes.

"Yes," Hayden confirmed, as he accepted the dagger from the goblins left hand, poking his thumb with the tip, he pressed the droplet of blood that came out onto the parchment, before pressing a tissue to it. He'd dispose of the tissue himself; he didn't trust anyone with his blood…not even the goblins.

Name: Hayden Ignotus Haidar Peverell

Status: Pureblood Orphan, Lord Peverell,

Mothers Name: Grace Peverell nee Frey +

Father's Name: Ignotus Jameson Peverell +

Parental Grandfather: James Peverell nee Gold +

Parental Grandmother: Elizabeth Peverell +

Maternal Grandfather: Franklin Frey +

Maternal Grandmother: Yasmin Frey nee Tanner +

And bit by bit, it continued, until the parchment was filled with details of his new life. There was no sign of Harry Potter, or the Master of Death…he was free of that burden.

He'd been cleansed of all things Harry Potter, right down to the lack of scar and his very blood.

He had family, distant family, but nonetheless, alive family.

On one cousin side he had…

Fleamont Potter| Euphemia Potter

Charlus Potter| Dorea Potter nee Black

On the other side he had…

Marvolo Gaunt+

Morfin Gaunt

Merope Riddle nee Gaunt+| Tom Riddle Senior+

Tom Marvolo Riddle

Of course, Morfin was still in Azkaban prison for a crime he didn't commit. Probably safest all around, the Gaunt madness was strong in them all, the only difference was, the outer package. Morfin looked as insane as he was, while Tom Riddle…well, he hid his insanity better…and it was not helped along by the Horcruxes.

Cousins, he was cousins with Voldemort…Merlin help him, he thought while suppressing an almost hysterical laugh. Then again, was it any different from being a Potter?

His goals were worth something though, he just needed people in his corner…and once he was cured…Hayden was going to be that person, one of them anyway.

He would keep Voldemort from doing down the path he'd already traversed and failed.

If not, well, if the madness gripped him too tightly, he'd end the threat before he'd become it.

A/n – So, will Hayden be claiming part of the Potter estate? It will be difficult for James to be all smarty if he doesn't have much in the way money lol! Along with the Invisibility cloak? Or will it just never be found? Will Hayden claim the wand? Being a sneaky git and disarming Dumbledore or will he just summon the wand and change the shape of it so nobody is the wiser? Would you like to see the Black family entirely – family centric I suppose you could call it – along with political…what career will Hayden have? just politics? I've made him a healer, a teacher, an Auror…my gosh there's really no new careers I can think of! Will Orion talk to Harry about it more before even broaching the subject with his family? Or will Orion wait until he's Lord before destroying the contract with Walburga? What secrets are the Black's hiding from society? R&R please!