My Time

Chapter 9

"No," Orion declared strongly, his admiration for Hayden deepening. He'd only known him less than a day…a few hours and here he was already trying to protect him from potential blowback. To take this task entirely as his own, so that Orion's family didn't disown him for going against the grain so to speak. He'd like to think that they wouldn't disown him, it wasn't something that was often done, the only exception being born a squib. He was his father's only son, Arcturus would have to pass the mantle onto his nephews, Alphard or Cygnus. Not something he would do, he loved his nephews, but keeping the Black Lordship in the mainline was important. "As you say, family is important, and my family will have to accept and understand my project."

Hayden bit his lip, looking indecisive for a moment, "Are you sure?" the whole disownment stuff had begun after Walburga took on the mantle of Lady Black, before then, only Marius had been disowned. The shame of having a squib in the line forcing their actions. Walburga had gone to town on the rest of the Black family. All but cutting the family in half, not only did they lose the castle…but the family…this would have ultimately been the very last family gathering. For whatever reason…Orion had never fought Walburga on the subject, and he'd never written about it in his journal.

"Very," Orion declared passionately, very serious about this. He had made a promise to marry Walburga, to keep the family 'pure' as his family dictated and had been doing from generation to generation. Although, they'd never married cousins together in over seven decades. Serious he may have been, but unhappy about it. Walburga was too…vain, short tempered, her voice was entirely grating and she argued for the hell of it. Trying to dictate everyone years before she came Lady Black. Getting worse the older she got, but he'd grown up knowing he'd marry her.

Now thought…the thought filled Orion with horror and dread. He did not become Lord Black until he married, thus he would have to hope and pray that his father could be persuaded to end the betrothal contract deeming them 'unsuitable' to marry, which could be done by the head of the family.

Hayden nodded solemnly, "Alright," he agreed softly, respecting Orion's decision. He also prayed to the goddess that Orion's family did not disown him for his outspoken declarations – which is what they were really – as true as they would be, there would be those who refuse to contemplate it. Which meant, they needed irrefutable proof.

Which meant approaching those believed to be 'Muggle born' and beginning to delve into their ancestry.

"Come, we're almost there," Orion said, blatantly changing the subject, he'd rather not think on his family's possible reactions. He just had to retain the hope that they would not see him disowned for speaking the truth. Revealing when the Black castle had been built, and what had been added onto it over time. As well as talking about a general layout. It was a castle, it had dozens upon dozens of rooms, one could get lost in it.

Orion opened the doors, swinging them open, letting Hayden get his fill of the room.

Hayden gasped softly, gaping as he plodded into the room, his head didn't know which direction to go in. The room was very grand, open, opulent. He could imagine how it looked in the daylight, sun streaming in, reflecting little rainbow prisms of the chandelier. Rows upon rows of Blacks in ornate frames, some missing, some sleeping, others blatantly watching in curiosity. Each frame had its own plaque with a name, age and a list of their accomplishments. One he most definitely recognized, the only Black and Slytherin Headmaster to grace Hogwarts walls. One he had actually spoke to in his time. He was conversing rapidly with another Black, a female…a wife perhaps? "This place is beautiful," he murmured, awed beyond belief, "Do all of them have places somewhere else?"

Orion watched Hayden's reactions with a sense of satisfaction and pride in his family. Each reaction he gleaned from Hayden made Orion look at everything with fresh eyes. Despite having been in this room a million times over the years, he couldn't help but look and wonder what Hayden saw when he gazed around the room in awe. Wandering over to a particular portrait he said, "There's a few that have commemorations in other buildings, such as Phineas Nigellus Black, he was Headmaster at Hogwarts during his lifetime, but he hated it. His other portrait resides at Hogwarts, the Headmaster's office to advice the current Headmaster along with all other previous Headmaster's whom commissioned a portrait, or agreed to one." Hayden had been correct it was his wife.

"There are a few others as well, they have portraits in the Ministry of magic, three of them. One in the Department of international cooperation, one I believe is in the Department of Mysteries but he never talks about it, he cannot he's magically bound to secrecy," pointing them out, they were at the very top, the walkway and the ladder would be the only way to get to them properly. "And one in the Department of Law Enforcement."

"An Auror?" Hayden questioned, of course, a lot of these Blacks will have had actual jobs, ones that weren't tending to a massive estate like the Orion would be. The latest two generation hadn't had jobs, not even Andromeda, she had been a stay-at-home mother along with Narcissa. Draco well, he supposed he had the Malfoy estate to run, when he wasn't doing that, he was running his own potions business according to rumours. Tonks had been the only one to have a job of all the Black's. Even Sirius had lived off his Uncle Alphard's generosity and then his father's when that ran out. To be fair he had been on the run afterwards, it wasn't like he could get a job even if he wanted one.

"Yes, he worked his way up to becoming the Head of the Department of Law Enforcement," Orion said proudly, "It was during the difficult times where we were trying to become more civilised. He was one of the original Aurors, only three out of the team of Aurors that lived beyond their thirties."

Hayden hummed, his green eyes taking everything in, noticing a rather prevalent tend.

"What do you see when they look at them?" Orion couldn't help but ask, his own gaze following Hayden's. What did he see? Hayden's green eyes were gleaming.

"The ages," Hayden confessed quietly, not that the ages were actually needed. "The room was started to at the far-left top hand corner, right? Well, look, see, the age of their passing. Some I get dying young, especially if it was murder or accident…but every generation gets consecutively younger." Taking a step back to observe every single one of them.

Orion blinked, before his gaze roamed over the portraits, swallowing a little. Not the portraits themselves, they could have been made when they were young, but the ages they died…did make it irrefutable.

'176 years old' was the oldest a Black had died back in the day, but in the past few generations? That number dwindled down to '100 years old' then to '70 years old' now though? You were lucky they lived to celebrate their sixtieth birthday. His grandparents were the oldest living Black they'd had in…six generations he realized. Most of these Black's had simply died of old age illnesses.

"It's the other way around for Muggles, now, they used to die at that age but with medicine, nutrition and less dangerous past times they're living well into their nineties if they're very careful. Some may well live into their very early hundreds." Hayden commented, it was entirely the truth, but if he knew one thing, wizards loved feeling superior to muggles, their magic and longevity was just one of the many ways they felt superior.

Orion couldn't help but sneer at the mere mention of Muggles. They were barbaric creatures, he hated having to share the planet with them. They were a blight on the earth. Their very presence was insulting, and their beliefs should have been blighted from the world. The worst thing about the mere presence of muggles was the innate fear they all held. Of discovery, of being found out, part of him did believe they should have adopted Rapports Law too, but Hayden's and the scientific journals declaration of projections was alarming to say the least. Were Muggles truly that important to wizarding society to prevent them all from dying out? Despite the danger they posed to their very existence just by being in the know?

"You, boy, what's your name?" Phineas asked, staring down at the wizard beside Orion. A frustrated look on his face, as if something was just beyond conscious thought. He knew that face from somewhere, "Did you attend Hogwarts?" when the boy didn't answer quick enough for his liking.

"Hayden Peverell," the wizard told the Black Headmaster, inclining his head in greeting. "And no, Sir, I didn't attend Hogwarts."

Phineas puffed up a little at the show of respect, his family certainly didn't give him any respect. Honestly, the lot of them! Little rascals, the adults very rarely ventured in here unless they had questions about the Black grimoire, or forgotten magic and sometimes desiring advice about a situation they didn't know best how to deal with. "Peverell…yes, you do look like the Peverell brothers…you must be from a direct line." Peering at him more closely, satisfied his curiosity had been sated. They all looked similar, the brothers, despite difference in ages, almost like triplets as a matter of fact. It wasn't unusual for brothers to look so much alike. Although, there was only one who had been a portrait in old age.

"Antioch Peverell, yes," Hayden told him, the Peverell brothers had their own chocolate frog cards, and they had portraits but he wasn't sure any moved. He would look forward to finding out, perhaps there was something available in Peverell manor?

"I knew it," the Black Headmaster proclaimed. "Do you have the family gift?" eyes gleaming with voracity.

"What are the family gifts?" Orion couldn't help but ask, every single Black that was awake was following the conversation, none of them were talking amongst themselves. Their eyes were utterly fixated on Hayden, as if they were in awe of him just as much as he was.

"The ability to speak to animals, Animalis Magi-Speak it's called, sometimes Bestia-tongue but less frequently. We were renowned for our ability to create, our spellcasting, and the longevity of our spells, when we die, they don't disintegrate." Hayden told Orion quietly, "And of course…the most noted one of all…"

"Necromancy," Phineas declared smugly before Hayden could finish, "Has the gift returned?" eyes gleaming with desire, oh, what a gem Orion had befriended. Judging by the look on his face, he wasn't even aware.

"Spoilers," Hayden teased, a smug smirk pulling at the edges of his lips. Green eyes gleaming with merriment.

Phineas laughed, "Oh, you're good, if you'd attended Hogwarts, you would have been in my house for sure." Pride and satisfaction in his eyes, "You know, the Black library has quite a few books on Necromancy." He added slyly.

"He won't stop until he finds out for sure," Phineas' wife declared, shooting her husband a loving but exasperated look. He was like a dog with a bone, he'd want to find out everything he could about Hayden Peverell now.

Phineas just gave his wife an innocent 'who me?' look which hadn't worked when they first met, never mind now.

"You have a library here?" Hayden asked, perking up, "How big is it?"

"Quite large," Orion murmured, mind still reeling, did Hayden actually have those family magicks? Or was he just teasing Phineas? Their family hadn't had their gifts crop in for so long they considered them lost. The family always spoke about them, the Metamorphamagus and magick sight (the ability to see magic) abilities more than anything else.

"Why don't you show him, Orion?" Phineas shot his wife a baffled look, what on earth was she attempting? That was her I'm going to interfere and play cupid look and voice.

"Sure," Orion replied, "It's next door,"

"Are you alright? You seem distracted? If you need to be anywhere… spend time with your family I'll..." Hayden began, not wishing to keep Orion from anything he had to do or worse his family. It was a time for family, it was Yule after all.

Orion shook his head, "It's fine, I'm just thinking about the project," lying through his teeth, but it was a good excuse as any. He wasn't going to admit to Hayden he was utterly fascinated by him. "We need more proof and I'm just trying to think of how to do that."

"Muggle-borns," Hayden commented enthusiastically, "We need to convince a few Muggle-borns to do an ancestry test. You'll naturally need to find out who are the wizards and witches unless the test at Gringotts will single them out…will it?" curious, he hadn't done it in his other life, so he had no idea if Petunia would have been any different to everyone else on the family tree.

"I don't know, every birth is recorded in our tapestry, it's a beautiful piece of work…but we don't have Muggles in our family." Orion shrugged, "It's something we'll need to ask them because your idea is a good one."

Hayden felt something settle within him, pride and satisfaction thrumming through him. He wasn't used to his ideas being praised, Hermione, Merlin, he loved her, but she always bulldozed over everyone and everything's suggestions and determined her own would be best. She meant well, he knew that, and if she did go along with his ideas, she made sure she was heard. Dumbledore didn't count, nothing the old fool did counted. Not when he'd been leading him like a lamb to the slaughter.

"This is the library, it's set up differently from normal libraries," Orion said, opening the doors. "My younger cousins can't open many of them…not until they're older."

Hayden's lips twitched recalling the Black library set up. Yes, even that had been different and also did not like Muggle-borns the slightest. They'd even charmed the books to make it impossible for those with lesser blood to open them. Hermione had hated that; Ron had found it hilarious. His heart panged a little, he was going to miss them but only them. This was his fresh start, they'd understand…they would be egging him on to do whatever he wanted.

He listened as Orion explained how their library worked, while leading him over to the darkest section on offer. Which naturally included necromancy. He had no clue if he had any of the Peverell magicks if he was honest. He hadn't been here long enough to dig into himself.

"If you take one, it must be signed out, the magic in the book will hold you to returning it." Orion explained, leading him to the aforementioned book, which was filled with every single Black signature with very few others taking books out.

"Now that's a powerful piece of magic," Hayden proclaimed, his hand hovering over it, feeling the magic contained within the book. "That's almost Imperius level of complement, I'm impressed."

"Well, that answers one question, you definitely have the ability to sense or at the very least see magic." Phineas declared loudly, causing both of them to jump, at the suddenness of his voice. "Nobody can actually tell what magic is imbued within that book. They can feel it, especially as they sign their name, but not to the extent you can." His fascination with the boy bordered on unholy right now.

"You can take one to read if you wish?" Orion gestured towards the books, realizing Hayden hadn't chosen one.

"If you've not read anything on Necromancy, and have a desire to see if the gift has passed to you, I'd go with Stanley Yaxley's book, it gives a very in-depth look of the capabilities one has." Phineas told him, "It's basically a dummy's introduction into Necromancy." Smirking in amusement.

Hayden laughed, "I wasn't aware that the Yaxley's had any gift where it comes to Necromancy, and I can't recall seeing the name on my family tree."

"That's because Stanley Yaxley was able to sit down with one of the Peverell's and give a detailed interview regarding the gifts." Phineas told him, "One of the Yaxley's had it bound in book form, his great grandson I believe."

"Nobody would be stupid enough to give a detailed true description of their families gifts…" Hayden said narrowing his eyes suspiciously, "I wouldn't be surprised if it was full of lies or worse…just dumbed down so that the masses wouldn't fear Necromancy as much." Snorting wryly, shaking his head, there was no way they had revealed everything? Surely.

"It has been my thoughts regarding everything I've read." Phineas conceded, eyes gleaming with intelligence. "You'll have to tell me whether our thoughts are correct or not."

"Maybe," Hayden said giving Phineas a big shit eating grin.

"It's likely everything you'll need will be in either Peverell Manor or the vaults." Orion easily deduced, with the agreement of both Phineas and Hayden who nodded their heads. He wondered if Ignotus had continued to use Peverell Manor, he had only one son, after all. Big place to live in with only his wife and son. "Although, they won't be easily found, if the brothers were overly cautious…"

"Nah, it's more likely nobody except Peverell's can read them," Hayden commented, "The magic those brothers had at their disposal was…immense." To imbue their family magicks into objects that work centuries later? The stone, the cloak and of course, the wand. Yes, they might now be collectively known as the Master of Death objects, but it didn't make them any less objects that had been enchanted by the brothers themselves, who had been marked by death after tricking him.

Death himself probably respected them a great deal for that trickery. He certainly had bonded very closely with Ignotus, which had given him this second chance…to keep the Peverell/Potter branch alive. He had been the last of Ignotus' descendants…if he'd had a child in that time, his death would have been final.

Instead, he'd been given a second chance…and here he was living it.

He'd most definitely make the best of it.

"I think I'll get Muggle-borns help by putting an advert in the newspaper. Pay them for their time, and of course, the Ancestry test. I know we have our spells, but which would work better? Going to Gringotts or actually doing it ourselves?" Hayden questioned as he browsed the section on Necromancy. Choosing a book and absently – and presumptuously – sitting down on one of the very comfortable chairs.

"Well, Gringotts will know who's magical and who is not much faster than I," Orion pointed out, sitting himself down slightly bemused. Hayden was getting himself comfortable, deciding what to do while a guest in someone else's home. That was just not done, but there he was, doing exactly that. If he didn't already know he hadn't been raised as a pureblood, this would prove it. Not even friends he'd known his entire life showcased this sort of familiarity with him. "And the goblins don't care to reveal client's information…they'd frankly be mad to piss of the Black and Peverell Lords'."

"Very true, and I'd rather not take longer than I have to, especially with everything else I have to do." Hayden confessed, scratching his head absently. He had exams to take, Apparation licence to pass, an estate to get up and running and oversee, and two different projects he was now working on. It would eat up all his free time, but he was actually.

Orion didn't need or require an explanation, instead he summoned a book that he'd found half-way interesting the last time he was there but hadn't finished. They would talk as they read sometimes, but for the most part it was a comfortable companionable silence they shared. The sound of the children's gleeful shrieks as they played, heard even in the library.

They didn't notice as it got quieter, too lost in their reading and quiet conversation. The buzz of alcohol having long since faded, leaving them pleasantly lethargic.

"Boys? It's rather late, everyone has gone to sleep, I think you should as well," Dorea told them, as she made her way into the library properly. Sheer stubbornness stopped her jaw dropping at the look on Orion's face. He looked happy, excited, and just buoyant in a way she'd not seen him since he was a child and the weight of being Lord Black was put on his young shoulders. "Breakfast gets served at six o'clock in the morning tomorrow. A lot of the family has business or work to attend, its one last hurried hurrah before they leave usually at around six thirty to seven o'clock in the morning. Not everyone bothers to attend, or even can get up that early after drinking too much." A rueful grin on her face, that was putting it lightly.

"Yes, ma'am," Hayden said respectfully, exhaustion warring his words, it hadn't even been twenty-four hours since his body had been through a hellish ride. He didn't feel like he'd just had seizures, not that he'd know what it was like. The closest experience he came to seizing was the Cruciatus Curse, so what did he know?

"Has everyone else gone to bed?" Orion asked, glancing at the time, it was well past midnight. Merlin, he hadn't realized, time had gone by so quickly…and it was clear Hayden had pushed himself a little too much.

"Your parents and grandparents are still up, but they're retiring soon," Dorea said softly, "Go on, get some sleep, don't feel the need to get up, you've not long gotten out of hospital, there will be no ill will if you don't feel up to it."

"I'll take you to your rooms for this evening, the House-elves will have already cleaned the room for you." Orion said, standing up ready to escort Hayden to the guest bedrooms, which thankfully were no longer in a different wing from the rest of the family. Instead, their grandfather had begun putting a few 'guest bedrooms' on each floor, so that whomever had invited someone…didn't end up in an entirely different area of the house. "It's only a few doors down from mine." He had the third biggest room in the castle, his parents had the second and of course, grandparents had the Master bedroom.

"Are the rooms silenced?" Hayden asked as he padded after Orion.

Pausing the grey eyed wizard, gave Hayden an odd look, wondering why he needed such a thing. Of course, his mind drifted right to the gutter, but he had a feeling that definitely wasn't the case here at all.

"I have…rather loud nightmares," Hayden explained quietly, his brow furrowed, jaw clenched as he stared at the floor. "I'd really rather not end up wakening everyone up."

"I'm sorry." Orion replied, moving again, not wishing to make Hayden any more uncomfortable with his admission than he needed to be. "The rooms are not silenced, you'll need to put up a ward yourself, of course, my grandparents will know you've erected a silencing spell, they know all spells that get cast under their roof." It wasn't just them monitoring the guest bedrooms or anything like that.

"Thanks," his body relaxing as a big fuss wasn't raised, but Hayden would come to realise that most purebloods didn't fuss in other people's business. Ron and Hermione would have wanted to know what it was all about, but back then…his nightmares weren't just normal nightmares.

"This is you, I'm two doors down if you need anything," Orion pointed to his bedroom door, opening the door, he showed him the room tastefully done in soft blue tones, with dark furniture. He noticed a pair of his old pyjamas on the bed, they no longer fitted him after his latest growth spurt. They would fit Hayden, who was shorter than him, his chin would rest comfortably on Hayden's head if they were close. Of course, he was quite quick to wipe those thoughts from his mind, at least for now.

"Thanks," Hayden said, the bed looked oh, so inviting. Merlin, he was exhausted and he didn't think he'd spoken so much in a long time. He'd secluded himself in Grimmauld Place and only really spoke to Kreacher and his best friends when they had the time.

"You're welcome, good evening, I hope you have pleasant dreams," Orion stated, before closing the door and leaving Hayden to it.

Hayden groaned, slumping on the bed, with that voice? Of course, he'd have pleasant dreams. Merlin, he was so envious of Walburga Black, the bloody hag that she was. Grumbling to himself, he crawled into the bed and sighed softly, sleep creeping up on him quickly.

That was until a stray thought hit him like a tonne of bricks. Jerking upright, the fire, it had to happen sometime today or tomorrow. They were all leaving Dorea had said, and he knew the fire happened this year during Yule. This was one of the last times the family got together like this. In a few years…Walburga all but disowns half the black family, and alienates the rest.

The crazy 'aunt' must have been at dinner, what had he called her? Carina! Carina Black, definitely a Black by birth.

Fucking hell, how was he supposed to sleep? It was like sleeping with a ticking bomb in your bed. He knew just how deadly and dangerous Fiendfyre was, it completely destroys the manor, it gutted Orion and no doubt the rest of the Blacks. Kills Sirius and Hesper Black too, Sirius had refused to leave without his wife, and his wife had died of smoke inhalation.

Heart pounding, he swallowed staring up at the darkness of the ceiling. What the hell was he to do? It's not like Orion actually said when, where and what time it had all gone down. All he knew was the whom and the year, this year, for all that was left of it.

Wand, he needed his wand, and just like that, same as with the Invisibility cloak, the wand answered his call. His hand curled around the Elder wand, the family magic surging within him. He couldn't hear anything, determined to remain awake, and every vigilant. He would need to make the Elder wand different, obscure it or something…he didn't want Dumbledore reclaiming it.

Try as he may, Hayden didn't quite succeed in remaining awake all night. Tiredness eventually got the better of him hours later.

It was the chiming of a grandfather clock – which must have been silenced – chimed six times, that woke Hayden out of his very light sleep. Hypervigilance pouring off every single nerve in his body. He didn't feel like he'd slept at all, groaning softly, he threw the covers off him, it was the most comfortable bed he'd ever slept in, too bad he hadn't had a sleep to match its comfort.

Sliding out of bed, he put his wand – which he must have kept in his grip all night – into his pocket. He grinned savagely just imagining Dumbledore's panic when he realized it was gone. Oh, too bad he wasn't at Hogwarts, it would be epic.

Remaking the bed, Hayden padded out of the bedroom, and made a beeline for Orion's room. Knocking a few times, he waited, impatience began to get the better of him when he didn't get an answer. Knocking again, this time more loudly and incessantly.

The door yanked open, a pissed off Orion answering the door, the look smoothed over a little when he realized who it was, "Don't you ever sleep?"

Hayden grinned, "Not a morning person?" he asked innocently.

"No," he grunted, "What is it?"

"Rise and shine, I'm not facing any inquisition on my own," Hayden sniggered.

"New rule, you're not allowed to talk to me until I've had five coffees," Orion grumbled, grimacing at how cheerful and happy Hayden seemed. Ugh, how could he be so happy with so little sleep? Where was the hangover? The sore head? The sickness? The tiredness?

Hayden grinned, genuinely happy despite his lack of sleep. There was a whole new life waiting for him, it was up to him to grasp it. He had every intention of doing so. He was used to little sleep, both growing up and then at Hogwarts. "I'll meet you at the library?" he suggested, "I'm going to take that book out if its okay?" they had agreed to let him, but a little bit of insecurity bled through.

"Of course," Orion replied immediately, honing in on that insecurity, and smoothing it over. "I'll be by in a few moments, do you remember the way?"

"Yes," Hayden nodded, confirming he did.

"If you get lost, call for Crux," Orion told him, "He'll guide you in the right direction."

Hayden blinked, the name surprising him, "You name your house-elves after stars as well?" suddenly so very fond, there was no mistaken how pleased he was. He wondered how Kreacher got his name…since he most definitely was not a star was it? He didn't proclaim to know every single star, even with taking Astronomy at Hogwarts.

"We do," Orion nodded.

"Alright, I'll leave you to get dressed." Hayden said, giving him a wave as he made his way towards the direction of the library. A bounce in each step he took, Orion noticed, and shook his head, people shouldn't be this cheerful upon just wakening up.

Naturally knowing he was going to be spending more time with Hayden perked him up despite only five hours of sleep.

He had a spring in his own step, not that he noticed naturally, but he was uncommonly cheerful for so early in the morning.

Everyone in his family knew he loathed getting up early.

Orion Black liked his sleep.

He wasted no time in getting dressed, and if he happened to put on his best causal clothes? Well, it was purely a coincidence, it was all that was left of what he'd brought to the castle for the occasion.

As he made his way towards the library, his mind recalled the softness on Hayden's face when he spoke to his youngest cousin Cygnus. He hadn't been indulging him as a guest, he'd genuinely been happy to talk to him. When Hayden said he wanted family, apparently, he meant it. Perhaps not having family had made that longing prevalent. Still, to want a family so young, it was unusual, carriers as rare as they were, preferred to make a career before having children. The youngest carrier recorded in history to give birth had been twenty-four if he recalled correctly.

It was a bit hypocritical he knew, since witches were expected to have children straight away, or as soon as they could. Sometimes it took as much as near enough a decade for a child to be born from couples. Abraxas and his wife were still struggling to conceive an heir, and it had been six years since they married.

Carriers were male, and in a male dominated society, they had much more leeway, than witches.

"My father won't forget your challenge," Orion told Hayden as he leaned against the library door, he looked content in there, was it because of the lack of people or the books? "He's going to make sure you keep your word."

Hayden's brows wrinkled in confusion for a moment before he recalled his statement last night. "He won't have to wait long…I hope," they knew what they were looking for, so it made their project easy to finish. They needed it to be fool proof though, unquestionably right, so that nobody could refute or argue their facts. So, if it took them a little longer, then so be it.

Part of him wanted it done quickly so that maybe Orion and Walburga's marriage didn't happen. Although, there was no guarantee of anything happening between them. Hayden couldn't help but wonder…was he attaching himself to Orion because of Mort's words? Or was it because he genuinely liked his company? He would need to find out…it wasn't fair to imprint on Orion like that if he didn't genuinely like him.

One glance at him, and recalling their easy camaraderie he felt his heart lurch. He liked him, there was no doubting that, Mort might have played 'matchmaker' but it didn't falsify feelings. He wasn't imprinting out of expectations.

"Does Phineas often leave his portrait?" Hayden asked Orion, glancing at the empty frame in the library where Phineas had spoken to them.

Orion blinked, "I have no idea," he answered, he didn't spend a significant amount of time in the portrait gallery or the library to say. "Why?"

"No reason," Hayden said innocently enough, but his lips were twitching madly.

Orion arched a brow; he'd believe that when he saw it. An undeniable curiosity swarming him. Honestly, one moment he believed he'd make a good Gryffindor, next a Ravenclaw…but standing in front of him was definitely a Slytherin.

"So, coffee?" Hayden suggested. "Oh, do you have spare parchment, a quill and ink I could borrow? I'd like to get the announcement in the Evening Prophet."

"You can Floo call them, they'll take the message and get it put in the paper," Orion explained, as they left the library, making their way downstairs. "No need to write it down and Owl it there. Although, you do have to pay so you'll have to swing by or send the money at some point before three o'clock, they won't put it in without payment."

Hayden smacked his forehead, a 'duh' moment if there ever was one. He was too used to doing everything the Muggle way, he very rarely thought of using the Floo, mostly because the damn network didn't like him. That and he was very ungraceful on his feet when it came to using the Floo. "Well, that helps, I've got to get to the Ministry as well, Merlin, it's going to take weeks to get all my exams done."

"Try two months, and it will be months before they're scheduled." Orion corrected him absently, "Depending on which subjects you take, core ones will only take a month. They don't begin until May and last throughout June." He explained as they moved to avoid the mass of trunks at the staircase, clearly a lot of people were already leaving or already left.

"I thought the purpose of independently taking them…they'd run whenever someone wished to pass their exams?" Hayden frowned, perplexed as they entered a small dining room. It didn't make any sense.

"They do it twice a year," Orion continued to explain as they sat down, "May through June and of course, August through November, primarily for those re-sitting their exams if they're unhappy with their grade." Or have parents unhappy with their child's grades, or resitting them in order to get the grade they need for whatever career they wish to set their sights on.

"Ah, that's weird, still doesn't make sense to me, but I suppose if everyone wanted to take them at different times it would be chaos." Hayden conceded, "I suppose it gives me four months to study before I take them."

"Good morning," Sirius said, observing his grandson and their guest in amusement, both of them so lost in their conversation that they hadn't even greeted anyone.

"Good morning, grandfather," Orion greeted, without so much as a startle at his rudeness. All the while pouring himself a big cup of coffee, adding in a lot of milk so he could drink it right away. He meant it when he said five cups of coffee before he was anywhere near coherent enough to start a conversation. Well, usually, but for some reason he was wide awake and bushy tailed.

"Good morning," Hayden parroted, finally looking around, it was a smaller more intimate setting. A circular table instead of a long rectangular one, it only had nine seats opposed to the one that sat over thirty easy. Arcturus and Melania, Sirius and Hesper, him and Orion with two he hadn't been introduced to yesterday…he didn't think. He wasn't lying when he said all the Black's look alike…scarily alike. It made him recall the incident where he met Andromeda Tonks, she'd been Bellatrix's double, they could have been twins, he hadn't realized all the Black's were the same. He couldn't recall speaking to the wizard who was next to her though, diligently taking care of her. His entire focus seemed to be fixated on her. He wasn't a Black for sure.

"Is she your aunt…Lycoris?" Hayden asked Orion quietly, as he plated food onto his plate, he knew it wasn't he just wanted to know why they called her aunt when she wasn't and get a grip on where she fitted in on the family tree.

Orion glanced up, sympathy and sadness in his grey eyes, "No, she's my Aunt Carina, she's not technically my aunt, but that's what we all grow up calling her." his tone soft and quiet, "On her good days she's fun and happy, sitting next to her is Kellan, he's her round the clock carer." She couldn't be left alone even for a minute. The older she got the worse the incidents got. They were worried she could seriously hurt herself or someone else if they continued. They would not see to it that she was put in St. Mungo's. It wasn't a life they wanted for her.

"Carer? I wouldn't have guessed…he looks…well, smitten," Hayden said, gazing at them in sadness. To love someone who wouldn't love you back the way you love them had to hurt. "What's wrong with her?"

Orion pursed his lips, "Nobody knows, she's been this way since she was a child. It grew obvious as she aged, that there was something just not right. She has quite…strong outbursts, both physical and magical ones, she can't be left on her own." He could feel his father and grandfathers' gazes boring into his own, they did not like people being informed. He didn't know why he was trusting Hayden with this information. He really didn't, he did not trust easily, yet he couldn't help himself.

"Mentally handicapped," Hayden said quietly, "Anything can cause it, there's no avoiding it. Letting her have a life though, its wonderful, a lot of families just discard their loved ones without care of what becomes of them." Left to rot in sanatoriums, tortured to try and make them 'normal' that was Muggles of course, but St. Mungo's didn't give anyone a chance to live, they spent their days drugged out of their gourd on potions or asleep. Maybe let out into the gardens on good days to get some fresh air. He understood why nobody would wish to send their loved ones to St. Mungo's even now, with laws and regulations in place to protect them.

Sirius and Arcturus glanced at each other, very surprised by the acceptance. Those that knew were quite frankly, quick to let them know she would be in St. Mungo's and that keeping a carer on twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, was expensive, they'd save a lot of money just shutting her away in St. Mungo's but the Black's put family first above all else.

'If they can get rid of the squibs why not her' had been one of the questions aimed at their back. It had shredded his heart to hear that, but to keep Marius would have been foolish. He had no means of protecting himself from those who sought to hurt the Black family by any means necessary. Then not to forget being surrounded by magic all the time and unable to use it himself. They'd had millions transferred into Muggle money, made sure he was taken in by a fellow squib, he was doing well. He had more money than he'd ever need and had the means to get in touch should he want it. So far, they only heard updates from his 'adoptive' family, never directly from Marius.

This young man knew and cared about the value of family.

"You can use the Floo here if you wish to make a request of the Daily Prophet's announcement station." Orion informed him.

"Speaking of, has anything turned up for me?" Hayden enquired, "Gringotts should be getting back in touch with me regarding the state of my properties."

"Given how long it's been, I would be very surprised to hear that any of them are habitable. It might be more sustainable to knock them down and sell on the land." Sirius said thoughtfully, "Depending on location, the land might pay more than building a property on the land to rent would cost." It's not like Lord Peverell would live in them all, although he may well have a big enough family to fill them eventually.

"Something I'll be contemplating after I have a full diagnosis on all my properties." Hayden agreed, "I like the thought that the main Peverell estate survived, but I agree, it's likely some properties that were bought then are no doubt ramshackle by now."

"Should you wish for advice on the best course of action, I would be willing to lend a hand." Arcturus declared graciously, the youngster was doing really well on his own, he seemed to have a lot sorted out. He wanted to do well, that could be seen and heard. Unfortunately, he hadn't been raised knowing about his estate, and there were some things he needed to be taught. "Running an estate is no small or easy feat." He should know he'd done it for years; he was going to be grateful for the respite when he passed on those duties to his son and heir.

"That is very generous of you, Sir, thank you, if I do need advice, I shall seek your advice." Hayden replied, aware of how rare it was, that a Lord – who was as busy as Arcturus was no doubt – offering to help where he could. He wondered if it was his name that was making the Black's so welcoming or if it was just what purebloods did for one another when it came to children. Indeed, there was nothing more precious to the magical world's adult population than children. Even though, technically, he wasn't a child anymore.

Except when it came to Dumbledore, of course.

Arcturus nodded, pleased that Hayden had seen the offer for what it was.

"I suppose all this came as a shock to you?" Melania said softly, sympathy for Hayden's situation clouding her face. "A good shock of course, but still a surprise nonetheless."

"You've got that right," Hayden said wryly, he'd had a best friend who knew he was rich beyond his wildest dreams, and another best friend who probably figured it out within one or two years and neither of them had so much as mentioned it. He had been so utterly clueless to his own wealth, status and standing. Still was really, but he'd been trying, cramming sixty books worth of information into his mind wasn't easy. Especially something as dry as the laws and regulations of their world, which intertwined closely with the running of an estate. If they had mentioned it…he might not have been so shocked, ignorant or struggling to understand. "I'm lucky though, that I don't have anyone else to care for." his tone derisive, clearly, he wished he had someone in his family, in his corner.

Arcturus nodded solemnly, being the last of his line, it was a burden he wouldn't wish on anyone. It was one of the reasons he desired to help Hayden settle into this life as easily as possible. Easy didn't really come into it, not as untrained and ignorant Hayden was of their ways, but he was still quite young he would catch on if he was determined enough.

It was just unfortunate; Arcturus had realized that along with Orion before death had claimed them in Harry's timeline.

Something Hayden was determined to prevent, along with two wars if he could.

"Like in all things worth doing, you'll learn," Melania declared, "You might be a little behind your peers when it comes to this knowledge but with dedication you will soon be on top…"

"NO! NO! NO! NO!" Carina lashed out suddenly, her magic flaring out with her anxiety and frustration becoming too much for her. Her carer was too close to her, and he was propelled backwards the chair crashing down onto the marble flooring, blood pooling around his head at an alarming rate.

"Carina, dear, put that down," Sirius cautioned her, alarmed, the others were quick to stand when they noticed she had a hold of Kellan's wand.

"Ex-" before Arcturus could finish the incantation to safely get the wand from her before anything happened…cursed fire erupted from the borrowed wand, the force of her magic imbuing in a wand not suited to her caused it to come out wild and untamed. Seemingly unaware of the danger she was perpetrating, she giggled at the sight of it waving it too and fro.

There we go! Next chapter for you to enjoy! So, will the castle be destroyed? Or will it manage to be salvaged? Hmm I wonder what kind of career I should have Hayden have...he's an author and healer in Lord Of Time...what to make him in this one...he can have both a career and children... ;) heh painter? or just looking after his estate and making more money than he'd ever spend? Seems rather...meh really I suppose he could work on the Wizen/Wizengamot making changes to the world so his world doesn't happen but both of them doing that...do you think it would get boring? unless I make him something of a hobby that can be talked about...R&R please