My Time

Chapter 21

It had been an entire month now since Isaac Burke had gone 'missing' but that had been amended to 'dead' after the will reading times had gone out. Which automatically happened – if you had a will created – if you arranged it with Gringotts. Which most purebloods did, it was their fortune after all.

The Ministry did not change someone's status to 'dead' even when Gringotts did. So, legally on a wizarding level he was still considered dead. Gringotts had its own laws and regulations. That the Ministry itself couldn't intervene with.

"You know, for the first time in my life, I'm actually dreading the holidays," Orion confessed, as he helped Hayden move boxes around.

"What do you normally do?" Hayden enquired, fingers brushing over the ancient tables. Sanded down and painted over? Or were they honestly only fit for banishment? His eyes roamed over the entire area, it was an inn, pub downstairs, with bedrooms upstairs. The structure was decent, not sure how much of it should be kept…it was so dank and ugh, disgusting really, but it's been untouched for so long. It was no surprise. "I mean I doubt very much you actually celebrate Easter." Which was most definitely not a pagan holiday.

Orion glanced up, pausing in his task, staring at Hayden, "You've never celebrated any sort of religion, have you?" which he already suspected but had never really brought it up.

"The people who raised me weren't religious, the information I know from various religions, Jewish, Christian and of course, Pagan." Hayden confirmed, sighing softly, stretching out the aches in his back. Just another hour before they were done with his building. And the workmen could begin on this place, the estate was massive. He was going to be interviewing estate managers so that he wasn't having to do everything on his own.

"Jewish?" Orion queried, "What do you want with all this?" gesturing to all the chairs that had been piled up.

"Banish them, they're rotten, first time someone sat on them they'd snap in half." Hayden said with a laugh, "And what I know of Jewish religion is the Passover, which really is Easter to the Christians, but tell me, do children really celebrate this pagan holiday? I mean it's a bit young to be learning about sex."

Orion inhaled at the most inopportune time, causing dust to be inhaled into his mouth. Coughing and sputtering, he glared at Hayden through watery eyes. One of these days he was going to kill him, he swore he was doing it on purpose.

"Ishtar, the mother goddess, worshiped by Akkadians, Babylonians, Pagans, also supposedly why Sunday became a sacred day and the origin of Virgin worship. I always find it ironic that Christians are worshipping a naked goddess with wings and bird claws…Ishtar symbolised eggs and rabbits…same for Easter." Jesus Christ didn't even die in Easter either, it was during Passover. This all stemmed from ancient spring festival and those trying to convert everyone to Christianity needed something to celebrate that day, mocking all that was holy to the pagans while pretending to make it 'easier' for them.

Orion's upper lip curled in distaste, just thinking of the Muggles. "We'll likely attend the festival or host one of our own…I don't know what my father intends to do. We'll definitely attend one…even if we aren't in the mood appearances must be kept." His tone bitter, it hadn't let up a bit since the whole situation had gone down over a month ago. Watching as the tables were banished as well. All that was left was the original bar island top, and two boxes, the bar island looked brand new. The runes helped with that, although, he was curious as to why only the bar island top was done…did the Peverell's charge for their rune work? Well, why not? They had an estate to tend to, upkeep wasn't free after all.

The two boxes were filled with alcohol, closed stuff that was preserved set into one. Open disgusting ones in the other box, which was promptly banished the smell was awful.

"Except if you're Walburga then?" Hayden said dryly, recalling that Orion had made his excuses for her while visiting the children at the hospital. Stretching out, picking up the box and setting it at the doorway, to pick up on the way out.

"With exceptions," Orion agreed, "But Wally isn't really Lady Black, yet, the spotlight isn't on her as so much. Not as much as it's been on me since I entered Hogwarts. The moment my father took over as Lord, I became the heir, it's all I've ever known and we're put through a lot…everyone sees us as spoiled, silver spoon in mouth, never worried about anything…and I hate that preconceived notion."

Hayden nodded slowly, slightly ashamed, he had thought that of purebloods himself when he was young. More along the lines of Draco Malfoy being spoiled and rotten to the core. He hadn't allowed himself to see that he'd been in a very similar situation to him. Fighting a war, they didn't think would ever end. Doing what needed to be done in order to survive somehow.

Their 'pureblood' masks were…very well created, he'd say that for them.

"Does Pollux know?" Hayden asked, as both of them went upstairs, which was rather wobbly, something else that needed fixing. Opening the door to the first room they could see, to find an empty cupboard.

"No," Orion informed him, as he opened the next door to find beds, oil lamps and a cupboard. "Looks like they were all emptied out." Checking the cupboard and finding it empty of anything, but it was falling apart. Glancing upwards, there was another two levels. "You really should get someone in to do this, it's demeaning for a Lord to clean up."

"And heir?" Hayden teased him, nudging him as he tested out the banister before deciding not to risk it by leaning against it. Wiping his brow, he stared down with a thoughtful frown, seeing the wisdom in his words. "How on earth do you go about gaining a qualified House-elf?" glancing sideways at Orion, he knew how they bound themselves to wizards but he had no idea how to acquire one.

"We always use our own," Orion answered, and before he could elaborate Hayden was talking again.

"You mean you breed them?" Hayden asked with a grimace, yeah, that made him shudder, just like finding out Hagrid was a half giant, and he had a giantess mother with normal wizarding father at that.

"No, it's their own prerogative, but they have to remain with my family," Orion said in quiet contemplativeness. "It's in the original contract by the two original house-elves my family took on we respect all legally binding contracts." A sour note to his voice. there wasn't something about the Black family he didn't know, he was the heir after all.

"Black by name or Black by blood?" Hayden queried but reckoning he knew the answer. After all, Kreacher had been able to disobey Sirius and obey Bellatrix, the House-elves were smart, smarter than any wizard or witch gave them credit for.

"For us its all the same, family is family," Orion said quietly, his heart giving a little jerk recalling all the memories he had of his Uncle Pollux. "You know…my Uncle Pollux was…different to me out of everyone else while I was growing up. He used to sneak me treats, take me places my parents wouldn't and read me anything I wanted. It's where my love of reading came from…I have memories of my Uncle Marius reading to me…they're very vague and I often wonder if I'm imagining it. My uncle Pollux was very close to my Uncle Marius…he became depressed after that for years afterwards…I just don't understand why." That's probably what hurt the most.

"I know the 'why' is important…but Orion…the why's are just excuses they won't allow you to really understand why he did it. There are just some things in life that are unquantifiable. This is one such instance, there isn't going to be a good enough reason for it to hurt less." Hayden whispered quietly, so much for this helping take his mind off it.

Orion exhaled softly, shaking his head, "I know, I just…I can't understand why he would do this. We're his family, and I would never do something like that to family."

"Unfortunately, not everyone feels the same. There's always a bad apple in the family. Or a few bad apples I should say." Hayden said, trying to smile but it came out more of a grimace. Thinking of both Pollux and Walburga, but he doubted the family had really considered her having anything to do with it. Hell, even he didn't know if she had anything to do with it.

Merlin only knows what happens behind closed doors.

"Figured as much," Orion said, "Are we continuing?" desperate to change the subject, it hurt his heart to think about Pollux – that wizard would never again be referred to as uncle by him – anymore. The red-hot rage had faded, now it hurt so much, all the memories felt polluted. It wouldn't be the first time he'd broken down and cried bitterly over the loss. Of family, of a certain naivety, he had never expected this of his family after all.

Hayden glanced up, groaning dramatically, "No, I'm done." most of this could be done with magic, but it didn't make it any less painful. He had carried way too much and shifted something in his back. It hadn't fully recovered yet; he'd just gotten so used to doing everything himself. It's the way it had always been from a young age. All the chores he'd had to do growing up. It was time to put himself first, his health, his wellbeing. He had the money to delegate, so that's what he was going to do. "An estate manager, what goes into it?"

Orion began to walk, taking care on the wooden floors, which weren't exactly safe. They looked like one wrong move away from caving in entirely. "Depends on the size of the estate and what duties you decide to give them. right now, overseeing major home renovations, maintaining household security, hiring and directing household staff, overseeing the household budgets, and keeping you up to date."

"Which can either be a wizard or a House-elf, I'm guessing?" Harry asked, as they made their way through the hallway.

"An estate manager is always human; you can have a House-elf estate manager to manage the House-elves themselves." Orion corrected him. "You can't have a house-elf greeting and ordering everyone that comes here whether it's for a job or not." most wizards wouldn't conceive listening to a House-elf let alone following their orders.

Hayden narrowed his eyes, "They'd learn," he muttered petulantly.

Orion closed his eyes as he shut the Peverell Inn doors, an inaudible groan leaving his thin lips, "Please, tell me you're not going to consider it." honestly, Hayden must be the most exasperating person of all wizardkind. "It's a very bad idea."

"The looks on their faces will make my day," Hayden said, "But I don't know, a House-elf would make things easier, but considering how big this place is…it's going to be massive."

"My father will know who to talk to in regards to getting the best house-elves that suit your purpose." Orion told him, "My mother will be able to put you in touch with the best of wizardkind."

"You mean purebloods," Hayden said dryly, rolling his eyes, as they begun to walk down the road.

"They're going to be the only ones really fit to be able to manage the estate." Orion pointed out seriously, "It's not for the faint hearted, and it's not for someone who doesn't know what they're doing. One thing going wrong can lead to a whole rune domino effect. Which can lead to projects setback months, and schedules ruined. Trust me, it needs someone who knows what they're doing otherwise they'd just end up having a nervous breakdown trying to get everything right."

"Anyone that knows that stuff…don't they have their own estates to run?" Hayden asked dryly, well, he hadn't gotten everything he wanted done. It could take weeks to find someone to do the job he needed.

"The girls are taught a variation just in case they marry heirs themselves, who will one day be Lord and them Lady." Orion explained, as they made for Hayden's tend. "It's good practice."

"Trying to get me to let Lucretia take this on?" Hayden teased, bumping into Orion grinning widely.

"Hardly." Orion replied, "It's not like she'd have the time, although I am glad that the preparation stage is over with." the entire house had been filled with wedding things for the past month. Five months left, and everything had been picked, well, most things, just last-minute additions to be added. "There wouldn't be anyone better."

"I've got no doubt." The Black's will have taught her well, which did surprise him, that they hadn't pushed for her to marry a Lord, not the second born. "Is she actually happy with her match or just accepting of it?" Hayden queried, turning the corner, the tent now within view. He hadn't really spent too much time with Lucretia as he'd like, she seemed pretty kick ass, but she was a Black there was never going to be any doubt. Unfortunately, she was often away with her fiancé or with her mother planning the wedding with her soon to be mother and father-in-law.

"She really likes him," Orion said thoughtfully, climbing over a fallen tree, taking the most direct route to the tent which meant climbing over a few trees. "She was worried at first…because, well, because of a few things."

"Because she can't have children?" Hayden said quietly, tone sombre.

Orion's eyes widened, almost stumbling over the tree, staring at the wizard in surprise. "What?" his voice breathless, as he stared in stunned disbelief, how the bloody hell did he seem to know everything?

"Is she entirely barren or has she just been told it's unlikely she'll ever have children?" Hayden asked with sympathy. He couldn't imagine that, wanting children more than anything else and not having them. A lot of the Black females had been born that way, due to the inbreeding, it's why only one or two children have family from the Black side. For instance, Hesper had six children, four boys and two girls, and only two of those six had families. Dorea and Lycoris, only Dorea was married and hadn't had a successful pregnancy, Lycoris was barren. He didn't even want to get started on the wizards. He knew little Cygnus had a family, but Alphard did not, nor did Lucretia, different branches of the Black family, he knew, but it was difficult trying to keep up with them all.

Orion huffed before shaking his head, "When healers tell you that it's unlikely, you'd have a child, then it's a death sentence." He said subdued. "Not just because they will not marry as well as the parents would like, but because you might as well have been stamped as barren. It's so difficult for most witches to have children, it takes years and years for them to have children, decades even sometimes. To say it's unlikely? The healers can't fix any of the problems."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Hayden murmured, opening the tent door he and Orion entered. He made a mental note – to add to his never-ending list – to look up healing spells and potions, to see what they had available in this time. "Does she actually want children?"

"Yes, she does," Orion said swallowing thickly, pain showing on his face, even through his stoic pureblood masks. "Luce was maybe, fourteen…I was ten, I uh, walked by her bedroom and she was devastated, her room was destroyed, she was in the middle of it all sobbing, my mother was just standing to the side, letting her destroy her room. I didn't really understand at the time why. Sometimes just being able to vent was the best thing, I went in and hugged her but it made her cry even worse."

"Fourteen?" Hayden said in surprise as he moved over to the desk in the corner. He was trying to keep it tidy as possible. The deed to the building for the publishing place was bought, although, he was kind of regretting it. He could have used one here, on the estate, but that would have taken even longer. A whole fortnight of property hunting it had taken to find the right place. There was still a lot that needed doing before the results were published. Considering everything that was going on in the Black family, it was probably a good thing really. Shuffling stuff around until he got to the scrolls.

"Yes, it's the normal tests a witch goes through after puberty," Orion told him, flushing a little, it was his sister they were talking about after all. "If there's a marriage contract, then the in-laws are allowed copies of it, to ensure that they are getting a bride who can carry on the family name." his distaste evident. The Prewitt's had done that to Luce, but luckily, he wasn't the heir so it had been up to him, and he'd continued the betrothal. He really liked Ignatius for that fact alone.

"So, unless a miracle happens, you're not going to be Uncle Orion," Hayden sighed, "I'm sorry." He'd do what he could though, to help them. Unfortunately, he had so much to do, and nobody he could ask, like Hermione who probably knew what potions had been invented and when. He knew the ingredients for all potions in his own time, that's what being taught by Severus Snape taught you. The dates they were invented? Not something he could recall at ease or at all.

Orion tensed, the unwelcome reminder of the contract hanging above his head like Damocles sword. One whole month, and they hadn't figured out anything that would help them. Disowning Pollux and Walburga wouldn't help, Orion would still have to marry Walburga, and Pollux would still gain the Black lordship when they marry. The contract his father had signed was unlike anything they'd ever seen and very legal. They'd had an independent lawyer look at it, and confirmed their suspicions it was legal. Also, had the goblins at Gringotts look it over. They just repeated what they constantly liked saying, always read over things before you sign them. whether Lord Arcturus Black signed it under the mistaken impression or not, it changed nothing, he'd still signed it, still agreed to it.

He'd made a mistake trusting his lawyer, and not making the vow and oaths he took…more specific.

It's not something Arcturus would do again.

"Are you hungry?" Orion asked, blatantly changing the subject. Forcing himself not to think on Walburga or Pollux.

"I should be asking you that," Hayden said, grimacing, he was constantly forgetting to go shopping though. What he was buying was easy to cook and Orion looked so offended every time. It never failed to amuse him, the look of offence on Orion's face.

"Let's head to mine for a proper meal," Orion suggested, but it was more like an order. He was getting used to Hayden so unpredictably denying him when he 'ordered' him around. He wasn't shy about letting him know its why it's happening either. "Bring the scrolls with you, we can do some reading while we're there." Maybe even stay for dinner with a little luck. Truth was, he'd barely spent any time at home these days.

"Well, it would be nice to have some real warmth," Hayden confessed, warming charms were good and all, but not the same. "And something decent to eat."

Orion gaped, "Just decent?" the food they made was decadent compared to the food Hayden was trying to force upon him. It tasted like cardboard! Except the food Hayden actually made himself, to be far, the fresh food was delicious but the prepacked stuff he used? It was just downright awful. It was why he declined each and every time Hayden asked him if he wanted anything. He was welcome to that cardboard masquerading as food. If he didn't know it was impossible, he would have assumed it was food transfigured from cardboard.

"There's nothing wrong with the food, you're just extremely picky," Hayden admonished Orion with a wry smirk. Plucking up the scrolls carefully and began to put them into a box. It was risky enough having summoned them, anything that might help them deal with breaking a marriage contract. Hundreds upon hundreds of scrolls shot out. He reckoned they were only through eighty scrolls in a month. Upside? They library was beginning to look as if it was in some sort of order.

"Hardly, I'd rather prefer to be able to swallow my food, or taste it come to that." Orion said feigned indignance, helping him fill the box up. He inwardly smiled, that many meant he was definitely going to be staying at his home for the rest of the evening, maybe even staying over.

Hayden smiled glancing at Orion from under his lashes, grey eyes met green, and softened considerably. Merlin, he wanted Hayden more than he'd ever wanted anything in his life. He prayed to the gods and goddesses that they'd take pity on him and give him this one thing he wanted. He realized he'd give up anything…everything…including his name and money to have him.

He'd give up everything for him.

The realization stunned him to the very core of him.

Orion didn't even realize he was shifting closer, until Hayden jerked away, standing up and putting distance between them. More distance than there ever had since they met.

Hayden swallowed thickly, seeing the hurt flash through those grey eyes before they shuttered entirely. His blank mask already masking his emotions. "It's not fair, Orion…if you go through with the marriage…it's me that will remember our time together whereas you'll just…not care. Part of me wants to cherish every minute we have together…but a larger part still…doesn't want to be hurt…" the saying it's better to love and lost than never loved at all didn't understand the pain of loss, they couldn't possibly otherwise they'd never have said that quote.

Orion felt the hurt fade a little, "I am not going to marry Wally," he vowed vehemently, hadn't he made himself clear already? Was that why he wasn't allowing himself get too close? "Haven't I been clear in that regard?" yes, they were still looking for a way to get out of it so that he retained his heirship, to keep the family together and not let Pollux win.

"Orion…" Hayden shook his head, "Come on, we both know you'll do it in the end if it comes down to it, in fact, I'd prefer that for you." Orion had never gone a day without his magic, he wouldn't survive without it. His body would go into systematic shock, and he'd die. A Muggle-born, or Muggle raised like him, would survive, it wouldn't be quite the shock.

That had been an added shock, the consequences of denying a contract were severe. After all, it wasn't just Orion who would pay, it would be everyone who had signed that contract and Walburga too. Hesper, Sirius, Arcturus, Orion and Walburga would all lose their magic at the least, the worst punishment magic could seek? Their Death.

When the goblins had told them, Orion had needed a calming draught to stop himself from destroying the goblin's office, the fear causing his magic to lash out. It had caused Sirius to have a mini heart attack, and he was now confined to bed at the castle. Arcturus had been…inconsolable since.

"Don't say that," Orion stated, shuddering at the thought of becoming a puppet without any thoughts.

"Orion, it's better than watching you die," Hayden said softly, closing his eyes as he walked purposefully into Orion's chest. closing his eyes and gripping him tightly, he'd seen too many people die in his life. It would be agony knowing Orion would never be his, he could leave, maybe he'd be lucky enough to find someone who he cared for half way as much as he cared for Orion.

"I wouldn't necessarily die," Orion pointed out grimly, taking advantage of the opportunity, and wrapping his arms around Hayden. Closing his own eyes and inhaling slowly in the crook of Hayden's neck. "It's only a possibility, the goblins had to give us all the facts." He didn't even believe the words coming out of his mouth he just wanted to reassure Hayden. Given the way his luck was running, that's exactly what would happen.

"Promise me you'll go through with it though; I'd rather lose you to her than attend your funeral." Hayden urged; his voice muffled in Orion's stuffy pureblood clothes.

"I can't," Orion declared solemnly, a tear valiantly trying to eek its way out of his eye, but he batted it away before it could fully form. "I don't make promises I cannot keep…" he trailed off, and it was true, it was something he lived by, he couldn't promise something he wouldn't keep.

Hayden gave a wet laugh, nodding resignedly, as he pulled away most reluctantly. "Two years, two years to find a way," but could he do this for two years and then let Orion go?

No, he wouldn't be able to. He'd rather join Orion in death.

"We will," Orion declared, it didn't bear thinking otherwise. "We have to." he wasn't marrying Walburga and he most definitely wasn't having children with her. If he didn't want children so much, he would have sterilised himself and made himself unsuitable for the contract hoping to destroy it. Then again would that be considered trying to circumvent it? Would the contract punish them for that? He wanted to have Hayden back in his arms, but he knew the moment had passed.

Hayden's stomach grumbling hungrily broke the remaining tension, the teen laughed, "Come on then, let's go,"

"You don't have to worry, my parents will probably be too busy and have lunch in their office," Orion reassured him, as they straightened up and left the tent. So far, nobody had succeeded in taking a picture of Hayden for the society pages, after all a Peverell Lord was big news, not for the lack of trying, Hayden seemed to know when he was being followed, it was rather scary actually. "We haven't really sat down for lunch this month…we try to have dinner together even if it is…quiet." He settled on a word to describe family dinners as of late.

It turned out Orion was quite right, his parents apologised and welcomed Hayden, but ultimately didn't make it to lunch. Which Hayden found to be delicious, it was practically a dinner, not a mere lunch. How purebloods didn't end up fat given all the food they eat, and courses during those meals, he would never know.

The Dursley's only needed to eat three meals and look at them.

Afterwards the two boys immersed themselves in the scrolls in Orion's bedroom. Both of them spread eagle on Orion's double bed, utterly fascinated by the work done by the Peverell's.

"This stuff should be published," Orion said in amazement, "Well, most of it." some of it was way too dark to be published, at least as far as he reckoned.

"I'm surprised to hear that coming from you," Hayden said with a laugh, "Too bad it's got nothing we need in any of them." he grumbled, as he turned back to read about the runes, which was fascinating even if it ended abruptly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Orion queried, glancing at Hayden, only for his bedroom door to open as his father entered his room. "Is everything alright, father?" he wasn't normally disturbed, usually he sent a House-elf.

Arcturus frowned at their closeness, mostly due to their age, if they had been younger, he wouldn't have blinked an eye. "Family meeting in half an hour." Grey eyes filled with dread; it would be the first time he'd seen Pollux since he found out the truth. At least he had the entire family as a buffer to stop him doing something he surely wouldn't regret.

Orion was quick to sit up properly, "Yes, father," he agreed, "Have you found…" trailing off but seeing the look on his fathers' face, it was answer enough. No, nothing had been found, he was just going to reveal everything to the entire family…hoping that they would be able to come up with something to help them. "I'll be there."

Arcturus opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he either couldn't find the words or decided against it. He gave both of them a sharp nod, before he vacated the room.

"Hmm, this seems to be some sort of ritual to call a higher power?" Orion scoffed, rolling his eyes. "What a load of codswallop."

"You don't believe in the gods?" Hayden enquired, setting his finished one aside, interested in the one Orion had. Putting the document between them in order to read it.

"Do you?" Orion asked, his tone impassive.

"Yes," Hayden replied immediately, "I believe." How could he not? When he had seen death himself? Been thrown back into the past by Mort?

"I…did not expect that," Orion confessed, "This ritual will do nothing, summon nobody."

"Actually, it would summon the goddess of magic, Lady magic, if I'm reading it right and I actually don't think I am. Because this symbol, here, it's the Peverell crest." Hayden confessed, cocking his head to the side, perplexed.

"It might just mean only your family can perform the summoning…" Orion said thoughtfully, "Your gifts, they're very unique I wouldn't be surprised."

"Too bad no god would give a shit about our mortal problems," Hayden grumbled. If they didn't come down to deal with Grindelwald or Voldemort…the chances of them doing anything to help a family dispute? Ludicrous really.

Still, death owed him, he said he and Orion would work well together…and he'd had nothing but pain and heartache since he came back. It was worse than when he was with Ginny…then again, he hadn't loved her the way he loved Orion.

He loved Orion.

"Invocamus antiquorum virtutibus conjuro te conjuro te iam per multa diripuerunt…it's a summoning chant…maybe you're right, the chant would be complete by putting the name of whom you want to talk to…this is probably all theatricality, then again given all we've read…it's expected." Hayden grinned recalling the information he had cleaned from his family, from the Peverell's these past weeks.

Orion smothered his own amusement, it was true, especially Antioch Peverell. Born to privilege and died in a bloody shabby inn on his travels, all for a wand which he boasted to the most powerful. Somewhere along the way, he'd had a child that he'd either kept secret or not known about. "They were full of themselves," he agreed.

"Like someone else we can name," Hayden said green eyes gleaming merrily. With a full belly, warm and content in a way he couldn't be in the future…honestly, he felt rather tired. "Oh, Tom finally got in touch, he'll be back tomorrow."

"Lovely," Orion said, with enough sarcasm to fill a Quidditch stadium. As if they didn't have enough to do without him having to explain Tom Riddle to Hayden. Was it a coincidence that he mentioned Tom after saying the Peverell's were full of themselves? Because there was no doubt Tom was.

Hayden laughed, as he set that parchment aside, unaware of the fact his 'summoning' had in fact worked, as it always worked with those with the Peverell gifts. "I suppose so."

Orion just hoped Hayden wasn't disappointed with the family he had left, at least if Tom wasn't amendable to the idea of Hayden…he'd at least have Charlus and Dorea and maybe Fleamont. Hayden was desperate for family of his own. Speaking of family…he best head down.

"Will you stay here?" Orion asked Hayden. "I shouldn't be longer than an hour," shouldn't be…but this wasn't exactly a normal family meeting now, was it?

Hayden frowned, feeling uncomfortable, "Um, I guess?"

"Is there anything I can get you before I go?" Orion asked more out of habit and politeness than anything else. Also, he had to admit, to impress. "Something to drink?"

"You mean ask a House-elf to do it," Hayden teased, "I think they might end up having a h…stroke if you actually made a coffee or tea never mind successfully."

"Har, har, har," Orion said dryly, "Would you like one?" rather enjoying the view of Hayden spread across his head, relaxed and sleepy.

Hayden shook his head, muffling a yawn, "No, thank you," the stress of the past month was getting the better of him. When he wasn't busy with other unavoidable tasks, he was reading everything he could get his hands on…anything that might prove useful in helping Orion get out of the contract without consequences.

"Alright, I'll be back soon," Orion said quietly, realizing that Hayden was falling asleep. He grinned to himself, there was nowhere he'd rather Harry be right now.

With that Orion crept out of his room, taking great pains to be as silent as possible. Leaving the door open, his sister grinned at him as she looped his arm into hers, "I'm going to guess there's someone special about this one?" if that was the case, she'd need to spend time with him. Get to know him better.

"Yes," Orion didn't even bother to deny it, the women in this family put men to shame with their observation. Plus, they were close enough that Hayden might hear them and he didn't want to hurt him with a denial.

"Then he better be worth it!" Lucretia declared, squeezing her arm around his.

"He is," Orion declared as they reached the kitchen, everyone was already there, his grandmother, Hesper was helping Sirius into a seat, with Melania and Arcturus fussing over him. ignoring the other side of the room as if Pollux didn't exist, honestly, they were not being subtle at all.

Orion had just sat down along with Lucretia when thumping and screaming was heard. Hayden! Orion stood, but before he could do more than take one step in any direction, Hayden was magically flung into the room as if actually summoned by a summoning charm…but that wasn't easily done…and nobody had summoned him.

"Father?" Orion demanded of his father, assuming he was responsible, rushing over to Hayden, who was dazed, disorientated and wide eyed.

"It most definitely wasn't me," Arcturus defended himself, his wife standing with him just as confused and worried, wands out ready to defend themselves.

"Death," Hayden said, staring at the figure instinctively knowing who he was, even if he wasn't in the visage, he'd last seen him in. scrambling to sit before the figure the tall looming presence absolutely terrifying sight to behold.

He barely heard the squeaks of sheer fright leaving the Black family members as they too saw the figure in front of them.

A/n – what did you think? I hope you continue to enjoy the story and thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews and taking part in the polls whether through here or on my Facebook Group😊 so will Death be a terrifying Spector? Or is he just putting it on to scare the Blacks? Would you like to see Lady Magic appear as well? Or is this a Death only scene? And so, you'd all love to see Harry really powerful in this? will it be a guarded Black secret or will it be something everyone knows? 😊 Oh would you like to see a flashback of that scene at Gringotts added? I'd add it into this chapter and on Facebook if its something you want! OR are you just happy with the information that's been provided about it? R&R please!