My Time

Chapter 30

Orion startled awake at the sound of birds at the crack of dawn, grimacing in pain, how on earth did Hayden sleep like this? Like seriously, he ached in places he wasn't sure he could name. It was also cold in here despite the spells to keep the wind and rain out and off. It couldn't perform miracles; he did understand now why Hayden had covered them over with at least six different blankets late into the night as the fire dimmed. Last night…may well just be the most enjoyable night he'd had in a long time. All they had done was talk, for hours and hours, but it had been intimate and exciting. He hadn't realized getting to know someone this way could be.

Of course, all his complaints disappeared, at seeing Hayden, instead a small nearly indistinguishable smile crossed his face. The ingrained notion never to show emotions, getting the better of him even now. In the privacy of a tent, where they were possibly the most secure, even compared to Gringotts. The Peverell wards were probably impenetrable.

He allowed the smile to stretch out on his face, as he hid it in the blankets. He looked so peaceful asleep there like that, adorable really. He didn't think Hayden would appreciate that compliment, but Orion wished he had a picture to take a keepsake of this very moment. He would have kept it with him for always. A wistful look on his face, if this morning would be like this forever…he'd die a very happy man. He lay his head back down, and just watched Hayden with adoration, noticing the way he wrinkled his nose in his sleep.

Orion jerked awake bewildered; he couldn't recall falling back asleep. Hand swiping the blankets half covering his face away. Shifting just slightly, he stretched out, all long arms and legs, groaning in appreciation when he felt the relief and satisfaction as his body quit the little ache of sitting in the same position for a long period of time.

"Tempus!" Orion cast, his hand moving without Orion needing to consciously think about them. He was so used to casting the spell, he performed it every evening at Hogwarts for seven years, and then when he wanted the time at home. The muscle memory was well ingrained. He glanced at the numbers flashing red and froze, barely breathing when he felt the tip of a wand digging into his ribcage. "Ouch," if Hayden wasn't careful the wand was going to snap the amount of force, he was exerting to press that to his ribs.

That had Hayden wakening up, quickly, green eyes going wide in shock. It did not take guilt long at all to become plastered across his face. "I'm so sorry," guiltily looking away, the wand already withdrawn and back in Hayden's holster.

Orion glanced at the holster, a frown marring his perfectly sculptured features. That hand had been rock steady, no hesitation, to have done that in his sleep? His grey eyes bore into green; he just knew there was something he was missing. A facet of Hayden he didn't know yet, "What happened to you?" his tone low and filled with a sympathetic and empathetic hurt for him.

Hayden's eyes shifted, a sure sign of deceit or avoidance. Hayden sighed softly, touching the spot where he'd dug his wand so painfully into Orion's ribcage. A far away look on his face as he contemplated what to say, what to do. Fiddling with the fine material that was his shirt.

Hayden didn't want to spend the rest of his life lying to Orion. There was no real way to…smooth over the lies, polishing them up doesn't make them any less a lie. The thought of lying to Orion for days, weeks, years turned his stomach, made acid and bile crawl up his throat and leave a disgusting taste in his mouth.

Glancing up at Orion, he realized he couldn't wait until they were married. It wouldn't be fair to trap Orion if he didn't want to be with him anymore. He'd never wish that on anyone, never mind someone he loved. His stomach sank, nobody from the dark sect had liked him, not just because of what happened when Voldemort died, but because of his beliefs. He'd believed it, believed the rhetoric's he'd been spoon-fed for years. Never once wonder if they were right.

Not until the war was over…and so, so much had been lost.

"Hayden?" Orion questioned, sitting up straighter, the blankets pooling in his lap as he stared in concern. "What is it?" he was beginning to realize he was right, something really, really bad had happened to Hayden in the past. More so than the wizard had alluded to for definite.

"You're right, something…more than one something happened to me," Hayden confessed, his tone quiet and soft. A look on his face suggested he couldn't believe he was actually saying it. "It's not going to be easily spoken about. I'll need a vow of secrecy." Which wasn't quite like an unbreakable vow, but it would literally prevent the person from speaking about whatever fell under the 'secrecy' vow.

Orion's face was suddenly stricken with panic, worry and disappointment, "Do you trust me so little?" then a little voice in his mind wondered if it was deserved. He had told his entire family private information that Hayden didn't even knew he knew. He hadn't been told himself, it wasn't fair what he'd done. Was he going to pay for it though? For the desire to make the person he was beginning to love so much…as desirable as possible to his family? So, they liked him? Would accept him and welcome him into the family before they said or did anything they might regret?

Hayden reached out, grateful when Orion made no efforts to pull away. Hayden gripped his wrist, to the point it might have started to hurt. "This has nothing to do with trust, believe me, Orion, I promise," he pleaded with the wizard to understand, to believe him. "But it's information that I cannot allow to get out, the secrecy vow protects you from blurting it out if anyone questions you under Veritaserum. If…if I were greedy, I'd wait until we were married, but I won't do that to you." when he married Orion, he would automatically become a Black by marriage and slot under the secrecy vow the family has. It prevented anyone from revealing private information that the head of the family had specifically demanded be kept secret.

Orion eyed Hayden curiously, "And how likely is it that someone would give me Veritaserum to find out your secrets?" had he seen something? Or was it just some precaution he felt the need to take. He didn't know much about the Peverell gifts and it felt…rude to ask. At least for now, perhaps Hayden was right, perhaps they were still getting to know one another. There was no shame in that, he realized, he wanted to know everything about Hayden.

"You know the answer to that," Hayden commented, eyes shadowed, a haunted gleam in them that being here was just beginning to heal. Being with Orion was beginning to heal. There were always going to be people curious about his lineage. The Peverell name had disappeared for so long, their abilities could only be guessed at. Some actually suspected the true nature of their abilities. Dumbledore was highly likely one of them.

Especially when he catches a glimpse of the Elder wand, which would happen sooner or later. Hayden was going to find nothing but amusement out of it, and everyone knew the Elder wand, the most powerful wand in the world, belonged to the eldest Peverell brother. Oh, seeing him humiliated and 'proven' wrong was going to be liberating. That's if he'd actually risk revealing what the wand actually was. Considering he had fliers out for its return…it was highly likely he'd go all the way.

"Then we draw up an agreement on what is covered under the secrecy vow," Orion agreed, his curiosity far outweighing his caution. Not too curious to make sure that he wasn't getting into something he didn't have full understanding of. Including anything that would be discussed, and they would be sticking to the script. Secrecy vows were very fickle.

He had no idea just what he was getting into.

Hayden relaxed, nodding in agreement, content, "We can do that."

"If we get it done now, we could…" before Orion could finish, Hayden was already shaking his head.

"No, this isn't going to be something covered easily in ten minutes, or even half an hour…and you're going to need time to come to grips with it." Hayden confessed quietly, glancing at the closed opening of the tent. "We're best to do it…maybe after we go see Tom?" he suggested, he had nothing else to do that day, and no meetings that would interrupt them. The men working on the estate, were working in the Manor itself or two miles down, they were systematically going through each building, just as he demanded.

Orion processed the words that had just come out of Hayden's mouth. Just how much information needed to be revealed that two hours wouldn't cover it? An hour and half if they included breakfast with it. His stomach grumbled loudly, as he thought about it. "How about we discuss it over breakfast? A real breakfast?" giving Hayden a pointed but hopeful look.

Just thinking of a real breakfast had Hayden's own stomach rumbling out its agreement. "I don't have the items we'd need for a secrecy agreement anyway." Agreeing to a proper breakfast, if he kept this up, he was going to be utterly spoiled. He'd never thought anything could compare to Hogwarts food…how young he'd been he thought wryly. He was one hundred percent a wizarding family did, especially the Black family.

"So, you'll come?" Orion asked, perking up, pleased, Hayden oftentimes said no, he liked to be unpredictable like that. Honestly, as rich as he was…he'd never bet on what Hayden would do or say.

"Yes, I'll come," Hayden said smiling, but it was tinged with sadness, he'll spend what time he could get with Orion. For he honestly could not predict Orion's reaction to what was to come. Maybe if he just didn't let it slip that he was a half-blood? It was one thing knowing the harm marrying purebloods were doing…but another entirely to marry someone beneath him. In the Black family (at least before the wake-up call) he had been beneath Orion and definitely not worth his notice. He'd said himself; his name didn't matter. Why would it when the Black's far more well known, the Peverell had been defunct for so long.

Hayden would be surprised by the reality being vastly different from what he envisions.

"Thank Merlin for that, let's go!" Orion said with an almost cheerful chirp, well, it was for Orion anyway.

Hayden smiled despite himself, "Give me five minutes to shower," shaking his head, it was polite of Orion to have not mentioning it actually. He wasn't the worst he'd ever stank – being out in the Dursley's all summer every day doing chores he'd smelt worse he knew – but still he did smell of body odour.

Orion blinked slowly, "Yes, perhaps that is best." agreeing with Hayden, his nose twitching just a little as if vividly reminded of the smell. "You may bathe at mine? My bathroom is at your disposal." After lying like this, he probably needed a long soak, not a rushed shower with mediocre running – warm but not hot – water. These tents weren't meant for long term use, they were camping trips for mere days, and mostly for those that couldn't afford to go abroad.

"Your family wouldn't mind?" Hayden asked, force of habit, he knew the Blacks probably didn't mind. Arcturus had all but pleaded him to take pity on Orion. To reforge the bonds that he feared had been broken. Hayden liked to think that Arcturus liked him for his own value and merits too.

Orion arched a brow, "Why would they? We have three bathrooms and a toilet for guests' downstairs." Beyond baffled as to why Hayden felt the need to ask such a question.

Hayden smiled a bit, of course, different generation, he'd heard people complaining about how different things were. Usually, the elderly neighbours to the left of the Dursley's, how you used to know your neighbours, how you could leave your door unlocked, how you could borrow things and know they'd be returned and various things like that. Perhaps they had been right, perhaps things had been different in those days.

Although, if he and Orion (He'd have a heart attack Hayden knew) went out into Muggle London say, the Muggles would be in for a shock, the gay community were still very much hidden in this time. Luckily, as backwards as the Magical would could be, it wasn't when it came to homosexuality. Gay couples didn't even garner a second look from most wizards and witches. He said most because the Muggle-borns would never have seen the like growing up.

"Remember a change of clothes, although you may borrow mine if you like," Orion informed him, "But they will be rather loose on you." Hayden was much too thin, while Orion was too, Hayden was much worse, he didn't eat like he was meant to. Their clothes were tailored to fit, so it wasn't often you saw someone wearing other persons clothes, unless they'd been altered to fit perhaps a younger brother or cousin.

Hayden made a thoughtful sound, before shrugging, and backtracking. Grabbing one of the bags he'd bought, he began to put a change of clothes into it. He didn't bother with anything like books or anything of entertainment value. They would be returning here to talk after he dealt with Tom.

Then he would see whether things would work out for him and Orion.

He was a pessimist at heart, nobody had helped him out of the kindness of their heart. He would constantly doubt the same of Death. Death didn't feel, but did it mean that it wouldn't do what it wanted…and screw him in the mean time? He didn't know so he didn't content himself with the information Death gave him.

He would fight for family, tooth and nail, but with and for someone who would stick with him too.

Didn't mean he wasn't anxious as hell though.

He glanced at the drawer that housed his old clothes, the ones that he hadn't worn since he was in St. Mungo's three months ago. Just over three months ago, it was the beginning of March. He'd been in the hospital during Yule or rather the tail end of it anyway. He stared at the transfigured clothes, that was him, who he was, he was changing. Was he changing to fit in? or was it inevitable? After all he wasn't a kid anymore. He didn't feel like he had to be embarrassed about buying himself stuff now because the family he held most dear wasn't here. He didn't need to feel guilty about spending money when they were so badly off, they couldn't afford to buy his best friend clothes. He'd have offered them money, but there was no way they'd take charity.

He liked the clothes he wore now, liked that he had his own clothes. He felt comfortable, happy, and he didn't feel like a damn pauper. Straightening his spine, he looped the bag over his shoulder, no, he couldn't think on them. He'd see them again someday, he knew his Hermione and Ron would understand, they knew everything he'd been through. They'd have been the first ones to push him to accept this. To save the world. To do everything he could to prevent a war.

'I promise, I'll do just that' Hayden through to himself, and finally, finally letting them go. They would always be his best friends, but he had to learn to live without them. To learn to live in this new world…and he'd do it, hopefully with Orion beside him. However, he did have to let them go.

Then Hayden turned, that last dreg he'd kept of Harry Potter trickled into nothingness. "Let's go." He said, and with that Hayden and Orion made for home.

Unfortunately, Hayden wasn't going to quite be able to grab that bath he'd long for all day.

Hayden and Orion made their way out of Peverell estate, before Apparating away on the spot the second they stood beyond the wards. The very place where he had stood and had his conversation with Orion. They appeared close to the Black home, Orion's childhood home. Part of Hayden still thought of the Black townhouse as the 'Black home' but he'd get better.

"Mother? Father? Are you up?" Orion called out, noticing his parents absent from the living area. Which is where they sat informally, when they weren't hosting, which was he grew became less and less often. He noticed signs that his parents were surely up, and they'd never slept in a day in his life.

"The Kitchen!"

"What now?" Orion murmured; he knew his mothers voice was filled with an underlying tension. He prayed that nothing had happened.

One look at their face as Orion and Hayden stepped through into the kitchen was answer enough. Orion and Hayden glanced at each other in shared cautious curiosity. "What's going on?" he asked them, breakfast spread laying forgotten on the table, even coffees discarded half drank. They were clearly cold, no steam rising from the cups.

"I'm afraid that private information about you has reached the press," Arcturus said, pity on his face, "Be assured that nobody in my family revealed it. Were you discussing your private details for the world to hear?"

"What?" Hayden asked, staring at Lord Black seeking clarification.

Arcturus unfolded the newspaper and spread it for the wizard to see. There decorated on the front page of the newspaper was a picture of him and Orion. Hayden's face flushed, wondering why they weren't asking about the picture. It was showing a very intimate moment between him and Orion, and he couldn't help but cringe a little reading everything.

"How dare they?" Orion ground out furiously, grey eyes gleaming with vengeance, they would rue the day they decided to tangle with the Black's and Peverell's. "The sheer audacity!" it was unfathomable really, he was beyond words, spitting mad.

"I am…sorry," Hayden said, staring at the newspaper, more resigned for himself, he was used to the press pursuing him. He had hoped that it wouldn't happen here, but he was a fool to think otherwise. The only good thing about this was the fact they'd mostly left the Blacks alone; it had been aimed at him. Why was it always him the press like to hunt down and annoy? Did he have something on his forehead?

"What on earth are you apologising for?" Arcturus stated, utterly bewildered, his tone of voice a little higher than usual. Did the boy actually consider himself to blame for what happened? Yes, he'd been silly to reveal private information in a public place, but that by no means, makes what the newspaper did any better. "You've done no wrong."

"Do you have a lawyer?" Melania asked, watching Hayden closely.

Hayden swallowed thickly, his adam's apple disappearing for a moment, before he mutely shook his head. "No," he replied, he didn't have a lawyer on retainer. It wasn't as if he expected stuff like this to happen here, he was a nobody. Or so he thought.

"Then we suggest you get one, as soon as possible," Melania declared softly, "Come sit down." She told Hayden, before speaking to her son, "Pacing will not make the situation disappear."

"They've basically alluded to you cutting the contract with Walburga because he's a carrier! It not only negatively affects Hayden but it affects Walburga too." Orion said still seething, honestly, all that was missing was the steam coming out of his ears. "I promised her that she wouldn't bear the affects of what her father has done. Or see them ostracized from society."

Hayden winced, as he sat, not disobeying Lady Black, "That was probably a little premature." People were the cruellest when they saw a chance of tearing someone down. Especially if they'd gone about life thinking they were superior. Whether they were or not…yeah, the others would probably rip her to pieces. She was a very unpleasant witch, but just because that's what he saw though…doesn't mean that's how she was all her life.

"How about heir Dolohov? If I'm not much mistaken, he's proven himself to be an excellent lawyer?" Arcturus, he knew all this because he'd been on the hunt for a new lawyer, one he could trust. His last one had cost him the trust he had in his family, his brother and cost the idiot his life.

Hayden stiffened, heir Dolohov? One of Voldemort's original Death Eaters? The very, very, very underestimated wizard, with more powers than nearly everyone else in the dark sect? He was a lawyer before he ended up in Azkaban? Why wasn't he surprised? He had seen what he had tried to do to Hermione, he was absolutely terrifying. Right up there with Fenrir Greyback and you know…Voldemort. Or was Lord Dolohov the original? The one he'd battled in his time was definitely the one that went to school with him…

A light touch had Hayden breaking away from his thoughts, he pressed his hand into Orion's on his arm and squeezed gently, grateful for the support. Orion then proceeded to fill his plate to the brim of every single food on offer for breakfast, regardless of his subdued and quiet protests.

"You need to eat," Orion declared, and it was true, Hayden was much too skinny. "Do you need a stomach soother or calming draught?" both would work well in calming Hayden down and allowing him to enjoy breakfast without worrying about the damn newspaper article. He eyed it with a gimlet glare, it was a surprise it didn't go up in flames. He was furious, he couldn't believe some upstart had taken their picture and gone and written an article about them.

Well, the imbecilic fool wouldn't have a job when they were through.

"I shall get an appointment from Heir Dolohov as soon as possible," Melania stated as she poured everyone a fresh cuppa.

"Hayden and I already have an appointment in an hour," Orion replied, the whole meeting in the Shack thing didn't sit well with him at all. "It's something we unavoidably cannot miss." Smiling in thanks as his mother handed him two cups.

Hayden grinned, a little bit more in character, "Yeah, it's true, he could do with a bit of humble pie though…I could cancel."

Orion choked on the coffee, "No, we're going," he could imagine just how pissed Tom would get if they screwed him about. "You did say you wanted to meet him." he pointed out, the sooner this was over the better he'd feel about it. It was either going to go good or badly.

"We will get them to retract the article, sue them for every Knut we can," Arcturus declared, closing the newspaper. "It will probably end up a lengthily court battle, at least once, unless they know what's good for them and retract it and give over the money as an apology."

"The defamation of character alone…a Peverell? They'll be lucky if they have a Knut to bring out another article." Melania scoffed, very un-lady-like but she didn't care at all. They had mentioned her family in this article, and she was furious. "Just another newspaper going bust in a long line of them." lips pursed.

Hayden watched them dazed, as they continued to discuss the sheer audacity of the reporter, who they were going to make sure never worked in the magical world again. The newspaper, how dare they mention their family? They were going to regret it, and the allusions they'd made on Orion's and Hayden's character. Attacking a Lord and daring not to use their title? The horror! Diabolical and disgusting!

Hayden's eyes were going back and forth like a ping pong, heart feeling a little tight. Swallowing thickly, feeling very emotional. Nobody had done that for him in his time, they'd just let it happen, and it wasn't just because the Dursley's were Muggles. Dumbledore had been his magical guardian; he could have stopped it. Could have stopped a lot of things actually, but he was trying to get passed all that. He was beginning to realize he never would.

"Hayden?" Orion whispered quietly, "Are you alright?" he'd just been staring at his parents with an inscrutable look on his face. Orion wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but he reckoned it was heartbreak.

"Never take it for granted," Hayden said, his voice a little hoarse, picking up the cup he drank from the cup of coffee and sighed softly. Inhaling softly, he went back to eating, he'd get emotional later…Merlin's beard he hoped he wasn't alone.

He couldn't do it alone. He wasn't strong enough anymore.

Orion leaned against Hayden, arm touching arm, offering silent support. Once they finished breakfast, while Orion's parents were still discussing the 'case' this lawyer was going to take on. Never mind the fact he should be earning the money instead of Arcturus and Melania giving it to him. They read through the newspaper three times in the time it took them to finish breakfast.

"Is this the action you want to take?" Arcturus asked as Melania left the dining room with a quiet 'excuse me' and she was gone. "With the press, vultures that they are, the only thing that deters them is loss of revenue. Bad press and of course, loss of their job entirely." Eyes darkening to the point that they look almost black.

"I…uh, I'll take your word for it, I've never…" Hayden paused, wondering how to word it so it was the truth. "I never thought to retaliate, I would think it would make them worse."

"No, not retaliating will leave them thinking they can do whatever they like, walk all over you in an unbecoming manner. Especially as a Lord, I do not believe the paper has realized quite yet that you are Lord Peverell." A smug smirk appeared on Arcturus' face, making him look rather intimidating. Which Arcturus believed to be the most insulting thing of all, besmirching a Lord? Oh, yes, they wouldn't know which way was up by the time they were done.

Hayden made a soft sound; caught between agreement and the realization he was actually dealing with the Black family. They carried a reputation for a reason. Hayden felt sorry for the reporter…for half a second before he shrugged his shoulders. He brought everything that was going to happen on himself.

"Well, Heir Dolohov will be available later this evening, directly after dinner, I've reassured him you'll be here. You may stay over, in fact, I'd prefer it just until this nasty business is over." Melania asked, laying it on a little thick, but her concern was genuine and she noticed Hayden responded to that. It was no wonder, poor thing had lost his parents so young.

Hayden nodded, it sounded good, but Hayden had no idea what awaited him when he returned to the tent. It was however, going to have him reminiscing on how things come in a full circle. On one occasion entering the magical world as an eleven-year-old and the second? As a fully fledged adult wizard.

"What his name?" Hayden asked Orion, already having his suspicions but seeking confirmation.

"Antonin? He's always known what he wanted to do, he left Hogwarts at fifteen, still took his NEWTS but also passed the exams. He's the youngest lawyer the magical world has ever seen on record." Orion explained, giving him a penetrating look. "I have a funny feeling you already knew this." prodding for information.

"I suspected his name, nothing else." and that was the truth, it's not like his wanted poster had listed his previous occupation. The Ministry wouldn't have wanted any association with him, and wouldn't have put it anyway even if they did. "Does he have any siblings?" it wasn't usual for heirs to have a job, not one that wasn't working full time at the Ministry.

Orion shook his head, "No, unfortunately the late lamented Lady Dolohov died giving birth to Antonin. She was very beautiful; Lord Dolohov hasn't been the same since. She was struck with a curse while out shopping for baby things. She used up all her magic in keeping it away from the baby, the curse was…of unknown origin."

Hayden looked sad, "Did they ever find out who did it?"

"No, but if rumour is to be believed, Lord Dolohov has hired Private Investigators to look into the matter every year in hopes of him being found." Orion explained.

"Him?" Hayden asked, brows furrowing. "Bit presumptuous,"

Orion inclined his head knowing that was the truth. He had relatives that he would definitely not want to get on the bad side of. The presumption that it was a wizard was a stupid one. For it was just as likely to be a witch, they all had magic.

"Where exactly are you, boys going?" Melania asked, watching both of them with hearts in her eyes. Oh, she couldn't be happier for her boy, he was already breaking down those barriers he'd begun putting up when he began his education on being Lord Black.

"Hogwarts," both answered, she arched her thin brow as she observed the pair. Allowing them to think they had her fooled. Honestly, those boys, did they think she was born yesterday? Still, Orion was smart enough not to get them caught, and whatever mischief was probably not too bad.

"Will you be back in time for lunch, dears?" Melania then asked, buttering a piece of toast with marmalade. "Just so I know whether to inform the House-elves or not."

Orion glanced at Hayden, prompting him, he was the one with the plans.

Hayden stemmed his nerves, "I think we'll be back for dinner." He just hoped so anyway. He honestly didn't know how Orion was going to react to the revelations.

"Speaking of leaving, we must depart now if we're to be on time," Orion said, glancing at the time.

Hayden nodded, much more awake and alert with some really, really good bloody coffee and a full stomach. It was time to see how he would be perceived by Voldemort. Then again…he already knew the answer to that one, didn't he?

Then again, this Tom hadn't mutilated his soul quite so much, had he?

Hayden and Orion said their goodbye's before finding a good Apparation spot. Hogsmeade was beautiful, it truly was. Nothing would ever beat in the winter, with the snow clinging to every branch, rooftop and uneven paving. There was just something so beautiful about the snow. The cold and being able to go to the pub and grab a butterbeer after.

A wistful sigh left his lips, as they made their way to the Shrieking Shack, which Hayden glared at a bit, honestly, was there nothing he'd been told about the world not a lie? Then again, it was just all rumours wasn't it, and he hadn't exactly asked why it was called the shrieking shack.

"Hmm, you don't half know your way around," Orion deduced, but it wasn't suspicion in his voice it was amusement. Like he was enjoying prying every single one of Hayden's secrets from him.

"Yeah, I do," Hayden said, glancing back, smirking wryly, the Slytherin in him coming out, "And you'll know yourself soon enough." he'd forgotten his bag at the Blacks, and neither of them had started on the secrecy contract, damn it. Turning the corner, they began to walk straight ahead towards the shrieking shack.

Grinning in wicked delight remembering tormenting Draco that day…oh, to be young and naïve again. The Shrieking Shack wasn't as weathered, it hadn't yet borne the damage that would come with keeping a werewolf contained during the full moon. You wouldn't think it sturdy; it was so creaky and looked as if a strong wind could blow it over.

Hayden had just finished that thought, as he opened the Shrieking Shack door only to be dazzled by bright spells being bombarded at him before he could even think to raise his wand.

With it being so early, none of the residents of Hogsmeade noticed the Shrieking Shack's new position…primarily debris on the floor. Dust raised seven foot in the air, clouding everyone and everything, only small coughs indicated that anyone was even there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! (WOOHOOOO!)