My Time

Chapter 15

"Why am I not surprised to see that you're still awake?" Sirius scolded his son without any real anger. As he stood outside of Arcturus' office. His firstborn child, a boy who had hated him for sending Marius off without letting him say so much as a goodbye. He'd thought it was for the best, he'd even had to stop his children sending out Owls to Marius, and he couldn't help but wonder now…had he made the biggest mistake in his life? Should he have kept him in the magical world? Well, there was no point to dwelling on it, he knew, it wouldn't change anything. Yet he couldn't help but dwell on it, wondering what his son looked like, whether he had a family. "Have you found anything new?" stepping in, and levitating a chair close to his son and sat down. He might be old but he could still keep up.

Arcturus looked up, tired and haggard, staring blankly at his father for a brief moment before his words penetrated, "I'm not looking into that," he said, shaking his head, he really didn't care about that in this particular moment. "I'm trying to save myself from my wife, before she decides to kill me." He muttered lowly, but Sirius still heard him and laughed. The Black men loved their women fierce and dedicated, one that wouldn't be afraid of them, but did their duty, at least in public.

Sirius winced, realizing exactly what his son was reading before he caught a glimpse of it. "I wrote this, and our lawyer went over that with a fine-toothed comb afterwards." In other words, there was definitely not a way out of it. Short of Walburga being unable to have children, but that had already been answered in a medical she had just shortly when they were contemplating the idea of marrying the two. There would have been no reason to go further than an idea if Walburga hadn't had the ability to bear children.

Arcturus' head snapped up so quickly that Sirius grimaced inwardly at the sound of the bones creaking, grey eyes bore into his fathers, "Then you better find one," he declared, shoving a copy of the Betrothal/marriage contract over to his father almost seething.

"You forget that you were just as eager as the rest of us," Sirius' tone took on a dark defensive edge, he would not allow his son to speak to him that way. Act like he had no part in what happened, or making sure the contract was unbreakable. "Do not take that tone with me." Smacking his fist against the table abruptly. Arcturus might be Lord Black but Sirius was still his father, and could still take him over his knee should he feel the need! He forced himself to calm down a little, they were all under an immense amount of strain, he didn't want to say something he'd end up regret saying.

Arcturus flinched, inhaling sharply, "I'm sorry, father, you're right, I am a much to blame." He agreed with self-disgust, he had been all for this union, bringing the two branches of the Black family together. His brother had been the more excited, especially since he had been rather envious that he didn't become Lord Black, never mind that Pollux wasn't older than him. The Black family went to the eldest male, and luckily the direct line still continued on in his son Orion. There had been a brief time of struggle, fear and worries that Lucretia might be their only child.

Don't get him wrong, he loved his daughter fiercely, but she couldn't take on the Black family mantel. It was for Male heirs only, it had been decreed as such, a long time ago. It had never been changed, and would only ever be changed if there was a generation of Black children born without a single male heir. It would only be until any male children came of age, then the boy would take over the estate.

"We've come this far, it's not like it can go to hell in a single generation," Sirius suggested, swallowing thickly and giving a little inward shudder at the images he'd been shown tonight. The pleasant buzz of the alcohol had long since worn off, it was the dead of the night, and he had barely refrained from tossing and turning and wakening his wife.

"Didn't you hear Hayden? I could have grandchildren and great-grandchildren with the Black gifts," Arcturus said, his tone referential. Merlin, help him, but he believed the young man, he believed him wholly and completely. "That will all be lost if I let this come to pass…" gesturing towards the paperwork he'd spent all night reading over and over again, as he pathetically looked for a way for his son to get out of it. "The Black family gifts…" he said in awe, he'd read all the family journals, to think of them returning…and having family grow more powerful? It was a heady, heady thought indeed.

Sirius glanced down at the paperwork, a thoughtful frown on his face, something he only did amongst family if he could help it. "Then it might require waiting a generation before we can do anything about it." he said sincerely, "We can look at this all night, and get nowhere, our lawyers do not mess around, you know this." and he was a savant when it came to contracts, he went to law school, he'd never practiced, his father had passed away just after he received his diploma. Then he had a family to look after and support, and children to have to keep the Black family legacy going proud and strong.

Arcturus shook his head, "I have a feeling it's not going to be that simple, father," he confessed, unable to shake off the image of his wife's face as she slammed their bedroom door in his face. His belongings were already being popped into the spare bedroom – that he'd spent quite a significant amount of time in – that he'd used the last time his wife had been furious. If he couldn't fix this situation…he wasn't just going to lose his wife, but he had a feeling his son too.

"What are you talking about? They'll marry, they'll have kids, and then pass on the mantel! It's a contracted obligation!" Sirius cried out exasperatedly. "There's no need to make a bigger deal of this than it already is, we know the dangers now, we will ensure we don't marry quite so close to our own family from now on." giving a firm nod as if his words made it simple and true.

"Did you not see my sons face tonight?" Arcturus asked, his hand brushing down his face, in both tiredness and a deep-seated shame. In more ways than one, something was still eluding him though, he just couldn't quite figure out.

"What do you mean?" Sirius asked, staring at his son puzzled.

"I…can't put a name to it," Arcturus said dryly, shifting a little as he stretched out barely containing the yawn. He was very tired, very stressed out. "It's just a feeling I have." that caused shivers to course down his spine, it was nothing good. Perhaps he was recalling the look on his son's face when he found out about the betrothal contract. Perhaps it was remembering how enthusiastic Orion had been about the project tonight. Maybe it was the look on his face when Hayden spoke about the Black family gift. It was just a whole slew of things he'd noticed when he wasn't looking at the pictures of those awfully affected children.

"Then set it aside, speak to your son in the morning, deal with it instead of avoiding the issue," Sirius declared strongly, "You'll be surprised, I have no doubt Orion understands his duties."

"And if Walburga doesn't change?" Arcturus demanded, staring at his father challengingly. He hadn't spent all that much time with his Niece outside of family gatherings. Not because he didn't like her, but he didn't have the time to spit himself in a dozen different ways. Running the estate, spending time with his wife, daughter and son, dealing with any 'family emergences' that come up. He didn't much get to spend any free time on his hobbies, which he'd given up a long time ago. Maybe after Orion took over, he could get back to those hobbies after he was back from the around the world cruise, he and his wife intended on taking the second he handed over the reins.

Some would say it was a stupid move to make, that asking the successor to carry the weight alone was barbaric and idiotic. The reality was, they learned everything they needed to before the current Lord stepped down. Orion was ready to take on the role right now, but until he married in a few years, he would continue to catering to the estate and allow Orion a few more years of doing as he pleased. It's certainly more than he got, although, he'd never blame his father for that, no, it was just the way things were. Pollux had no idea how truly lucky he was, everyone assumed being Lord of the estate was the best thing ever. It was a lot of work, and a lot of difficult decisions were made. It's not as if he spent more money than anyone else got, if anything he spent less knowing the finances.

"I don't know," Sirius confessed, a look of utter bewilderment and caution in his voice and face. He honestly wasn't sure what to do about Walburga and her actions as well as reactions as of late. He couldn't believe any witch of the Black family would act that way, they were taught better. "Perhaps letting her see how lucky she is might do her the world of good."

"St. Mungo's isn't a know all cure all," Arcturus pointed out, "It didn't work for Pollux or myself." visiting the hospital and seeing everyone didn't automatically undo a decade or two of being utterly spoiled. They hadn't cared one whit about those stuck in St. Mungo's, why should they? They'd been blessed with perfect health – or so they believed at that age – and it wasn't as if they had to pay for it, unlike them. The Black's had a private healer and paid him for his time if any of them needed him. Maybe it was the year it was done? Maybe it was the children he met the second time around? Maybe it was seeing his wife interact with them…maybe he'd just finished growing up? Who knew? Whatever it was, he was grateful for it.

Pollux had never seen what he did, his wife Irma probably didn't help matters either. Irma had been very spoiled, the Crabbe's had influence and money to spare. She was the twin of Lord Isaac Crabbe and had been treated very well, and been allowed to pick her own husband something that was not done. It regretfully didn't allow her to live a long life, she'd died at the age of thirty, after giving birth to her youngest son, Cygnus.

"That's what I'm afraid of," Sirius confessed, a haunted look on his face, just imagining what things might be like with Walburga at the helm. They had made the contract very fair indeed, towards Walburga, giving her power she definitely wouldn't get elsewhere in a different marriage. She would almost be equal to Orion in the marriage, they were Black's they deserved the best after all. Orion wouldn't be able to reel her in. It was a sticky wicket; he'd been just blindly hoping that Walburga would calm down with age. There was truly no other alternative to be had.

Arcturus stood, shuffling towards his cabinet, he opened the door and brought it a bottle and two crystal glasses. Yawning tiredly, he reclaimed his seat. Pouring more than just a generous allowance into both glasses, he levitated one over closer to his father. "Here's to keeping the family together." He murmured, clinking classes with his father, praying that they did.

"Here, here," Sirius stated, swallowing the drink down in one go. Sighing at the feel of the burn going down his throat, anxiety burning through him like wild fire. As much as he had blustered through the conversation, it didn't take away the fears he was feeling right now. When Arcturus got those feelings, they meant something, he'd noticed even if his son hadn't.

"You should go and get some rest, father," Arcturus told his father, pursing his lips, before sipping some of his whiskey down, rubbing at his temples tiredly. "I've no doubt mother will have you up at the crack of dawn." All of them up as a matter of fact, especially since they technically had a guest staying with them.

Sirius chuffed, nodding in emphatic agreement, Hesper would indeed have them all up and sitting around that breakfast table as if nothing was wrong. The young man was far from stupid, he'd probably already sensed the undercurrent of tension thrumming through the family and had politely tried to disengage and give them time to themselves, as a family, as a unit. However, they were all too well aware that Hayden did not have somewhere to stay, and the Leaky Cauldron was not a suitable place for a Lord. It was inconceivable that he'd stay in such squalor. Especially with the funds he had to have, he did presumably have control of the entire Peverell fortune for Merlin's sake, unless, naturally, there was nothing left to spend, then it might explain it.

In fact, such a situation wouldn't surprise him the least.

Standing up, Sirius placed his hand on his sons' shoulder, "Go to bed, this is a fruitless endeavour."

"I will," Arcturus blatantly lied through his teeth.

In fact, he remained in his office, falling asleep at four am, wondering if he'd live to see next year once his wife's anger was truly unleashed. He couldn't give up, or in, Merlin, help him if he did, he'd never be able to sleep in his own bed, never be close to his own wife…and Morgana only knew how his son would react to this.

Barely three hours later, loud thumping and knocking on his office door woke him. Nobody attempted to come in, so his whole family was aware of the fact his wife was pissed at him. Wonderful, just wonderful, he thought standing up, flicking his wand they not only straightened like they'd been ironed but changed colour so that it did not look like he was wearing the same clothes. He did find a spare comb in his desk drawer to brush his hair, and tie it up.

It would just have to do.

It was far from the first – or last – time that Hayden woke up in an unfamiliar bedroom, as he was once again, a guest of the Black family. It seemed as if they had something deeply against the Leaky Cauldron. Or maybe it was just him, did they want something from him or were they just content to stay on the Peverell's 'good side' or something? Everything he'd heard…and he was going to stop that train of thought. He was getting tired of thinking that way, hell, Sirius was the only one that knew them and he had been very prejudice.

"Good morning," Hayden said gracefully when he entered the dining room, after a quick shower and his usual morning routine and with his own supplies this time too. He didn't have much, he hadn't bought much, but he had enough to do him until he settled down.

"Good morning," came the replies, "I do not believe you've met my daughter? Lucretia Black?" Arcturus gestured towards his daughter, who was sitting next to Harry and her grandfather.

"Good to meet you," Hayden said grinning at her, she was the aunt of Molly, Gideon, Fabian as well as Sirius and Regulus. She didn't have any children. He wondered if it was out of her own choice or if she was unable to have children of her own. Shaking her hand as if he would anyone else, biting his tongue at the looks on their faces, oops. Somewhere, somehow, he'd screwed up just there.

Lucretia did look rather amused as she watched him with a curious look on her face.

"What time is your first appointment?" Orion asked Hayden, well aware of his very heavy schedule, smoothing over the faux pas. It had never been more apparent that Hayden had been raised in the Muggle world until now. At least he seemed aware of his blunder, he would inform him later.

"That's in…half an hour," Hayden explained, as they began to pass the food around, starting with Melania and Arcturus.

"Appointment? Are you searching for a property?" Sirius asked, being a nosy old codger, as an elder, he got away with much more than someone much younger asking such nosey questions.

"No," Hayden shook his head, wiping his mouth with his napkin before elaborating further, "I've got meetings all day with Muggle-borns, I need all the evidence I can get for the book I plan on publishing regarding inbreeding and where Muggle-borns come from."

"And what do you think will happen when they find out they have magical relatives out there?" Hesper asked, slightly disapproving.

Hayden cocked his head to the side, it seems having a chance to sleep on it, they've got something else to disapprove off, "Who knows? It will be fascinating to see what they do. Whether they become conceded as pureblood wizards…or if they denounce their long-lost relatives out of spite."

"Or remain untied to our world, with a fortune for the taking." Hesper pointed out, "Taking out money and converting it into that paper bill the Muggles use."

"Actually, they're getting more for the galleons right now, only an idiot would convert their galleons to pounds." Hayden said wryly, "There's just been a war in the Muggle world, and financially it's hit them a lot worse than us."

"And you entirely missed my point," Hesper said in exasperation.

"No, not really, I can't imagine too many lines have went entirely defunct, maybe seven at a push?" he suggested, and Melania and Arcturus nodded their agreement, that was roughly about right, if there were more, it was way before they grew more civilised. "There might be a good nest egg for them, but trying to tell someone how to spend their money is impetuous of you. For all it's worth, it's just sitting in a vault stagnant that's if the Ministry doesn't already have it."

Hesper gasped, staring at Hayden in shock, she had never been spoken to in such a way before. The worst of it was he wasn't being deliberately rude, he was just giving her the truth as he saw it, and she did not like it one bit.

"How many are you going to indulge?" Arcturus asked, shuddering a little at the thought of being surrounded by Mudbloods all day…ah, but were they Mudbloods? He was about to find out, he definitely intended on dropping in on them to see for himself. His curiosity was almost overwhelming. He didn't know whether he wanted the boy to be right or not, especially given that the explanation was so logical as to possibly be the only real explanation.

"I'll be working rituals for twelve hours," Hayden informed him, "Then again tomorrow, I need as many as I can get to prove my hypothesis." Although, could it be considered a hypothesis when it was the real deal? Perhaps here it would be considered a hypothesis.

"I must confess I am curious," Melania said, picking up her coffee cup, ignoring her husband's existence entirely.

"Yes, I'd like to see the results myself," Sirius agreed fully, "I don't suppose you'd mind if I drop by this afternoon?" they had a family meeting this morning that was urgently required. His daughter-in-law had demanded one the moment they woke up, naturally they weren't going to have it in front of the young ones. Nor with a guest in the house, they should be finished well before lunch.

"You mean you want to be in the same room with a Muggle-born?" Hayden teased him, causing Sirius to laugh despite himself. "I don't mind, I'll be having lunch at one o'clock in the Leaky Cauldron."

"That isn't a very good option long term," Melania said, brow furrowing, she wanted to see Orion and Hayden interact more. She felt as if she was missing something obvious, but what she did know was that Orion had grown very attached to him in a short space of time. It wasn't like Orion at all, it took years for people to get close to him with the exception of family. "How many more days have you paid for the room?"

"Originally? Three days, I didn't expect all my properties to be uninhabitable." Hayden confessed wryly, "There's no properties in the magical world going…not even rent. The Muggle world has a shortage of houses and they're building prefabs for their people." Not to forget a shortage of bloody food and everything. He'd really rather not announce himself in any form in the Muggle world.

"What about the properties you grew up in?" Sirius asked, perplexed, "Surely they would do until you get yourself sorted out?"

"They weren't mine, and the property my parents bought and lived and died in…was destroyed." Hayden told them, telling the truth just decades before it was meant to pass. Godric Hollow had been bought by James Potter two days before they moved in and went under the Fidelius Charm. Then, well, they did live and die there. Godric's Hollow was ripped to shreds when the killing curse backfired. The roof and walls on the second floor of the two storied cottage, were rotted to the core. Not even magic or the goblins could have fixed it by the time he was seventeen. Nobody had even thought to attempt to amend the state of the property. He closed his eyes recalling the damn writing people had put outside on the wall. It was sick, funny thing? He doubted a single pureblood would have done anything like that. They probably would have thought same as him that it was rude and disgusting. "Not that it looks out of place now…the war definitely made it look commonplace."

"You may stay in our guest bedroom for as long as you need to get yourself settled." Melania insisted, "It's just a suggestion, I can't force you, but as a mother, I'd feel much better knowing where you are." She said causing Hayden's eyes to widen in surprise, it made her heart hurt, the poor thing, so used to looking after himself, that it was a surprise when someone actually cared.

Hayden squirmed in his seat, uncomfortably feeling like he'd somehow manipulated her by commenting on his dead parents. They were reminding him of the Weasley family. It was something he could have heard Molly saying, to think he used to think the Weasley's were unique. Then again, he had never really met any other family, not even Hermione's. Perhaps it was a mother thing, "Maybe…" he muttered deeply uncomfortable, "I er…have to go, thank you so much for having me." Glancing at Orion wondering if he was coming or staying.

"I'll be by as soon as possible," Orion said before Hayden could open his mouth to ask. Slightly apologetic, but family always came first, and his mother had called a family meeting. One he must attend.

Hayden nodded, "That's fine, you know where to find me, once again, thank you for having me," he told them, giving a nod before any of them could stand, even Orion, Hayden took off, opening the front door and Apparating from there. Sighing softly, things hadn't had gotten tense in there a few times, he'd be lucky if Hesper and Sirius even speak to him again…but he couldn't and absolutely refused to change who he was…for anyone…for any family. He wasn't that desperate little boy anymore, he'd have a family, one that accepted him fully. Not one where he had to change to fit in.

The moment that Hayden Peverell was gone, Orion watched his family's expressions change rapidly. The facades they'd had on when company was present crumbling to dust.

"Well, can the betrothal be cancelled?" Melania demanded to know, staring them all down with a look that promised retribution on them all if she did not hear the answer she wanted to hear. It wasn't as if they'd be 'insulting' another family or risking a feud. Which was the only good thing she could think of this if she was honest.

Arcturus cringed, "I can't find any loopholes," he told his wife with a grimace, stiff and wary as he watched her face darkening. He'd learned never to piss her off, especially about the kids, she was a very protective witch when it came to them. If she had an animagus form – or an interest in learning – he'd bet she was a dragon of some sort. He didn't care how rare it was to have a magical animagus, he'd bet she would be.

Orion felt his heart sink into the pit of his stomach, as his father spoke, understanding all too well what he meant. It couldn't be, they always left an out clause, to protect themselves. Always.

"You. Can't. Find. Loopholes?" Melania asked, leaning over the table, staring straight at her husband, her face a blank mask, "You? You created a contract that we cannot get out of?" eyes flashing with true anger. They couldn't just not marry the pair; magic would come down hard upon them and make them all pay for their transgressions of messing with Lady magic. She did not forgive or forget those who thought they could hide from her.

"I stayed up all night looking it over, dozens of times, there's no way out of it," Arcturus confessed.

"Then you better pray to Hecate that you find one!" Melania said, her tone quiet and frosty and as close to shouting as she had been when the contract had initially been made.

"Calm down, Melania, there's no need for the theatricality." Sirius admonished his daughter-in-law.

Arcturus winced, shaking his head belatedly, trying to stop his father from landing him further in dog house.

"Theatricality?" she asked icily, "I haven't given you theatricality yet," oh, she was just furious beyond belief.

"One more generation cannot do that much damage!" Sirius told her in what he thought was soothing tones. Giving her reassurance that she sought. "Their children can marry as far away from our bloodline as they like! If all this turns out to be true. I'm sure Orion and Walburga can work it out between them. There's no point to worrying about banished spilled milk!"

"And if they're squibs?!" she demanded wanting nothing more than to throw her hands up in the air in utter exasperation. She'd read everything Orion and Hayden had collected, and it was not good. They were already having squibs, what if Walburga and Orion had children that had not a drop of magic in them? A child like that wouldn't be able to take on the Black Lordship mantel.

"That's hardly likely," Hesper fully agreeing with her husband. "We've been doing this for centuries and we've yet to have two squibs in a single generation."

"You're presuming they'll have more than one child! You know the difficulties your children have faced having children of their own!" Melania got out through clenched teeth. "Or that they even want more than one child!" not everyone wanted to be a parent, although, usually they didn't get married if that was the case. With certain exceptions.

Lucretia flinched, feeling as if it was a dig at her, but she knew it wasn't. She was all but barren, and she was extremely lucky that despite her faults he still wanted her. Ignatius said he didn't care about children, that he loved her, that his brother can have children and continue the Prewitt line.

Orion gripped her hand tightly in his, silently reassuring his big sister that he was here for her. Lucretia was four-years older than Orion. They had always been quite close despite their different in genders, and the fact that despite being second born, Orion would take over the estate all because Lucretia was a girl. There was no jealousy or spite between them, Orion would do anything for her.

"Of course, they will! Admittedly Walburga is a bit rough around the edges but with some additional training she will be perfect!" Sirius declared, part of him was buying his own lies. He had to believe it, for Walburga would be marrying Orion come hell or highwater. Neither would risk the wrath of Lady magic themselves, or the loss of their magic.

"Enough!" Orion declared before his mother, grandfather and grandmother could begin arguing the fact again. "If I have no choice, then I will marry Wally." His heart felt like something or someone was gripping it tightly, squeezing it to the point that he felt as if he was having a heart attack.

"See!" Sirius declared triumphantly, proud of Orion, standing once more, "Our Orion knows his duty."

"But there will never be a child from that union." Orion declared, staring them down, ignoring Lucretia's gasp of shock at what she was hearing. "You'll just have to hope that Alphard or Cygnus can take over the duties of Lord Black." For the first time in history, the Black family will be led by a side branch not the direct main line. They were next in line if he did not receive the Lordship.

Sirius slumped back onto the seat, blinking owlishly at his grandchild as if seeing him properly for the first time. His ears were buzzing, he could scarcely believe what he'd just heard coming out of Orion's mouth. It had to be an empty threat, surely? Orion knew just how important it was to continue the family name. They had impressed as such upon him since he was old enough to understand what was involved in having a child. Ten years old, before they were off to boarding school, to Hogwarts to prevent any…accidents. The look on his face, though, it did not bode well at all.

Melania swallowed thickly, realizing just how serious her son was, who had preached the family line until now. He had been accepting of his fate, even if it meant marrying his cousin to keep the line 'pure' even if he didn't love her that way. It was the family way and thus Orion had accepted it. Was it genuinely the news that caused Orion to say these things…or did he have another reason for suddenly not wanting to marry Wally? Another reason being a person? Someone who had just entered his life?

Arcturus wanted to shrink into his seat, at the same time he sat straighter, instinct couldn't be beaten. He felt like his insides were shrivelling up just hearing his son deny himself the Lordship. Generations upon generations of his forefathers had continued the long and proud line, the direct bloodline of the Black family ancestors dating back to the dark ages. Yet Orion wanted to end it…for what? Because his children might be squibs? The likelihood wasn't extremely big, he didn't understand what was causing this shift in his son. No, that's not exactly what Orion said, he said he wouldn't have children, which meant there would be no heir to pass it on to. Which meant it would go to any of Alphard or Cygnus' male heirs.

"Darling, you should watch what you say," Melania cautioned Orion, if this was just a phase, she didn't want him to lose his Lordship over it.

"I do mean it," Orion declared seriously, "Now excuse me," he added, before untangling his hand from his sister, turning on his heel he left his home – Black Hall – behind suddenly unable to stand being in the same room as everyone who had contemned him to a loveless, sexless and childless existence. Who all thought for the love of Merlin, that he'd just do what was expected of him without due cause, concern or care.

Well, he couldn't help but bitterly wonder how they felt now.

"He's your son!" Sirius complained, when actual fact, he had always been Orion's strongest supporter and always would be. Truth was, they were all reeling over Orion's ultimatum, Sirius and Arcturus were actually sweating over it, knowing as well as they did, just how ironclad the Merlindamned contract actually was.

Melania didn't even bother to feign politeness in front of his parents, she just stalked out of their home. Arcturus nodded dumbly, not at all surprised by his wife's actions. She'd always been protective of people she cared about, it's what had drawn him to her in the first place, he'd loved her for years…long before she'd grown to love him for sure.

A/n - There we go! Oh this story truly is slow going but when are my stories not these days? I like them to be rather realistic :) which sometimes causes them to take forever and a day :D so will they manage to get the contract nullified? how close will Orion get to having to marry Walburga before/if it is? Will Harry end up sharing a life with Orion despite him being married to Walburga? so many options...well, it can't hurt making her bad in this since she's really nice in Lord Of Time :P haha and of course...there's the ultimate upcoming scenes of Tom Riddle will he be too power thirsty and mad to listen to Harry's advice? Or will he listen and thrive with the 'seer' advice he gains from Harry? and are Palantir's solely something of J.R.R Tolkien? if so ooops! I thought that's what they were called 'seer balls' that is and no offence but Palantir sounds much better than that :D I don't want Hayden to be the one to 'predictably' to come along and say this and that and be the one that finds out how to cancel the contract sooooo who else could we use? hmm R&R please and I'm sorry you had to wait so long for an update! xx Take care and stay safe guys