My Time

Chapter 44

"Did we discuss Riddle?" Orion asked, turning to face Hayden, a grimace on his face. He was still waiting on the House-elf returning with the vials of hangover cure they needed. Honestly, the way his parents (family) drank you'd think they'd have the stuff lying around in wait for them. "I distinctly remember us talking about him."

Lucretia groaned, "Stop. Talking." She bit out, her temples throbbing in agony.

"Don't be pissed just because father wouldn't let Ignatius stayover," Orion petulantly muttered to his sister.

"Wasn't fair," Lucretia grumbled, taking a large gulp of her coffee, all the cream and sugar in the world couldn't help her mood right now. "Where the hell is that House-elf?" she grumbled as she added more sugar than was necessary.

"Life isn't fair," Orion muttered just loud enough for his sister and Hayden to hear.

"Where are your parents?" Hayden asked. It was rather early; he just couldn't see Lord and Lady Black sleeping in especially when there were guests present. Like it or not he was technically he was a guest in their home until he and Orion actually married.

"Father has an early Wizengamot meeting, then AGM with five different companies, then he'll be visiting Aunt Dorea, he won't be back until this evening, likely very late." Orion immediately told him, no question or doubt in his voice. The first thing he always did was check the calendar when he got up. Everything was written in there, even cake testing and visits with Ignatius for his sister.

"Mother is meeting with her acquaintances, all of them would say they were 'friends' with her," Lucretia rolled her eyes, very un-ladylike but she considered herself amongst family. "They get together to find new ways of raising money for various charities, today, I think it's for St. Mungo's."

"It is," Orion confirmed, "For their research and invention department. Potions." He added just for Hayden's benefit.

"Glad I'm not marrying a Lord," Lucretia declared, shuddering at the thought, "Sitting around making plans and only doing one or two of them. It's a waste of time and you're next." Giving Hayden a gleeful look, "Or are you? Since both of you are technically Lords…" trailing off thoughtfully. Lord's marrying another Lord was so rarely done that she wasn't aware of any protocol for it. Even carriers married below them, they never married another equal (in standing) so, yes, no etiquette was known how to deal with the situation.

"I'm certainly not," Hayden declared right away, "I mean I wouldn't mind raising money for charities, but sitting around discussing it? No, thank you, I can just imagine the gossip that goes on there." Sitting with tea and scones and all the judgemental and rude remarks they all sit on their thrones, worse still, taking money of normal folks and for the most part, refusing to part with their own money.

"It's not that bad," Lucretia grudgingly agreed, "I've been a time or two, when the House-elves were too sick to tend to us."

"Well, of course, it wouldn't be too bad for you guys, you got to see your friends, eat, run about like maniacs without your parents telling you off." Hayden said dryly, "Not many actually listen to adults, they're boring, unless of course, you have no choice." Or have no friends, which was two for two when it came to him.

Lucretia grinned, completely missing the underlying tension in Hayden. No surprise, since Hayden was better than even Orion at keeping his thoughts and feelings to himself. Normally, at any rate, but with Orion he felt pretty transparent. "You're quite right, some of those days were the best in my life."

"You conspired to make sure you got to meet up, didn't you?" Hayden asked, a sly smirk working onto his features, spreading a small measure of butter onto his toast. "I hope you didn't make the House-elves too sick."

"Ha! Half a butterbeer did the trick!" Lucretia smugly told him.

Orion's jaw dropped as he stared at his sister in blatant shock.

"And of course, they'd never think it specifically ask if they had drunk butterbeer so they got around the truth." Hayden conceded wryly.

"Why didn't you ever tell me?" his voice slightly higher than usual, he couldn't believe she'd kept that to herself all these years. How could he not know this information? Feeling rather betrayed by his oldest sister to who he looked up to.

"And give away all my secrets?" Lucretia said slyly, "No thank you, plus you were such a tattletale when you were young."

Hayden perked up, "Really now?" looking entirely too amused.

"I was not!" Orion denied, but his cheeks were a little red.

"Oh, hohoh!" Hayden said laughing a little, "Seriously?"

"He was a daddy's boy, through and through," Lucretia told Hayden her smile gentling into something a bit wistful. "He'd do anything for just one more minute of their attention. Another chapter to read, but our parents almost always refused, I'd sneak in after mother checked on me, by then I was too old for stories. I'd sneak in and read to him. Almost always one of the tales out of the Beedle the bard. They were Ori's favourite." Slipping up on the nickname she'd called him when they were young. Tia and Ori.

Orion huffed out a chuckle, "I remember that," still annoyed that his sister had called him a daddy's boy in front of his betrothed. It was so embarrassing, the things he put up with when it came to his sister he thought.

Hayden gave a small sympathetic smile; they spoke like it was the norm. Although, to them, it likely was. Wasn't this the generation of seen but not heard? Back in 1912 you'd see your parents for all of a few minutes and have done through a dozen nannies by the time you were old enough to look after yourself. Considering how backwards the wizarding world was…perhaps it was still done in his time.

It made him wonder if he would have seen his parents any more than Orion and Lucretia did. If they weren't on the run, of course, and having to do everything themselves. Unable to get jobs and provide a stable future for themselves and him.

"Is he alright? He's…"

Regardless, Hayden was determined that his children wouldn't be raised by House-elves. They wouldn't want for parental affection, wouldn't want for anything. He would stay at home, raise them, and he'd make sure Orion was there too, and at least once a year they'd go away on holiday and Orion would be there for them. He'd plan it a whole year in advance so they knew he wouldn't be there.

"Hayden?"

"Hey, you alright?" Lucretia asked, staring at him concerned.

Hayden blinked, "I'm fine, sorry," flushing a little in embarrassment, what a time to get lost in his thought. He'd always dreamed of a future, back then it had been a wife and kids, he hadn't known any other way. Then he learned of the magical world and those dreams had died, he hadn't expected to survive Voldemort. Then he hadn't expected to be killed by his ex-girlfriend either so. "Do you have a lot to do today?"

"Depends on whether you need me or not," Orion told him, "What is it?"

"I replied to the letter," Hayden told him, "I told him to meet me at the Leaky Cauldron." He wasn't trusting him in any manner again. At least not yet. He was still furious over the ambush, not for him but for the fact Orion had been targeted. It was a good thing Orion would be coming with him. For Orion was Hayden's anchor to his humanity. If anyone took Orion away from him…Merlin, help the world, not just the magical sector…for Hayden would lay siege to the world and tear it asunder. None would survive it. Hayden wouldn't be able to cope with another loss. Not after what he had already lost.

However, he refused to live his life with Voldemort hanging over his head. He had one chance to change for good (not good, good since Hayden was sure he wasn't either now) or he will kill him. He would keep his burgeoning family safe. That and he was honestly curious about what Tom could want.

Truthfully, he'd expected Tom to continue on the way he was doing and force his hand.

Naturally he had no idea the shock that awaited him.

"When?" Orion asked befuddled, when had Hayden had the time to reply to the letter? They barely left his sight.

"About an hour ago," Hayden murmured, swallowing the toast, "Not sure if um he'll get it in time." It depended entirely on where he was, and owls weren't exactly able to Apparate, as fast as they were.

"Right, you've got to go to your estate, what is the place you're working on called anyway?" Lucretia asked.

"I'm just calling it Peverell estate right now," Harry told her, a pop from the House-elf alerted them to his return. "Time will see whether I'm creative with names." A rueful grin on his face, he'd need help he reckoned.

"I'll come with you today," Orion decided, he wasn't going to let him go off and face Tom again. Especially if it was another ambush, he probably should have informed his parents. It would serve every one of those idiots right for attempting to ambush someone. They were Slytherin's they weren't meant to be cowards.

At the same time Lucretia exclaimed in delight, "Me first, Lynx!" she said, plucking the vial out of his hands.

Hayden smiled, as took two of the remaining three vials from Lynx. "Thank you," he told the House-elf before handing one to Orion. Purposely ignoring the looks on Lucretia and Orion's faces. He wasn't about to stop being polite to House-elves regardless of their disproval or thinking him weird.

The poor House-elf didn't look like it knew what to do with the thanks, with a clumsy bow he disappeared.

"You do know you don't have to thank them, right?" Lucretia couldn't help but tell him.

Green eyes met icy grey (mercury) somehow despite being near identical, they didn't feel how Orion's eyes made him feel. "I know." He told her with a small smile, before turning back to what food Lynx had made before being ordered to Hogsmeade Jiggers Apothecary. Apparently, they hadn't went into business with the Slug family (he wondered if it was Slughorn family and they just used 'Slug' as their brand). Jared Jiggers was actually a Potions Master, and brewed potions for a select clientele but his shop naturally only sold potion ingredients.

"You are…odd," Lucretia said, a peculiar look on her face.

"From your perspective, sure." Hayden grinned, "You're the weird ones to me."

Lucretia's jaw dropped.

"You create the definition of normal, you pass it on to your family, it's seared into our own mind we unconsciously mimic our families." Hayden said thoughtfully, drinking the orange juice, grimacing a little at the bitter taste and sour battling in his mouth.

"That's true, Lucretia mimics our mother a lot." Orion agreed, but that was only natural. Both Black's missed the point that Hayden had made, but that was okay, Hayden wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. He had time to teach them a little humility. They were good people, they were aware of the fact they were well off, but they didn't have that empathy, that deep rooted understanding and likely never would unless they lost their money. Which Hayden wouldn't let happen.

"You mimic your father and grandfather almost identical." Hayden added, "It doesn't help you look so alike I can barley tell you all apart." He grouched, "Like seriously, your father and his…brother? If it wasn't for the hair length I'd be lost, they look like twins." Far more than Pollux, who was on the shorter side.

"Uncle Regulus," Orion imputed, "You'll notice more differences the more you see them." He reassured Hayden.

"I am," Hayden reassured them, "Your aunt I think…is quite a rebel thought she's awesome and I can't wait to talk to her again." He'd seen her at the yule celebration. He had never seen a witch with short hair, closest had been Madam Bones.

Lucretia laughed, "She really is, she taught me a lot, even when my father would prefer to 'protect' me from the evil of the world. She made sure I knew how to defend myself, you know, first spell I ever learned was a non-verbal summoning and disarming charm."

"Seriously? Man, she's awesome!" Hayden said agog, "So, your aunt Carina?" squinting (as if he didn't have perfect eyesight in this body) at the Black family tree on the wall.

"She's my fathers aunt Carina," Orion shook his head, gesturing towards the darkened part of the family tree.

"Give up," Lucretia replied wryly, "Like seriously even we have a tough time with it."

"So, your grandfather's sister?" still trying to figure out the Black family three.

"Yes, but we grew up calling her aunt Carina," Orion said, his tone sorrowful, she was sorely missed by everyone.

"What happens when you cross over? Does she have others looking after her?" Lucretia bravely asked.

Hayden smiled, taking a hold of her hand gently, "When you pass on your soul isn't wrapped in its trappings of humanity and its problems. She's whole, unburdened and healthy, she's with the rest of the family waiting for you all. Unless you live too long and she's resurrected."

Lucretia smiled, a small peaceful one, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Knowing that her Aunt Carina was whole, happy and healthy meant a great deal. She couldn't wait to meet her as an adult…but she was in no rush. She had her life to live right now, anything less with Ignatius she would be most displeased.

"Why do you want to meet with Tom Riddle so much anyway? How do you know him?" Lucretia questioned, changing the subject entirely.

Orion glanced at Hayden, wondering how he'd answer that one.

"We're cousins, like a million times removed," Hayden laughed softly, "Just like the Potter's, Tom Riddle is from the Gaunt family." Not caring one iota whether Tom would be pissed off or not.

"Wait, the Gaunt family? The Gaunt, Gaunt family? Grandfather used to talk about them." Lucretia said excitedly, "He'd be really happy to hear the family line survived."

"Happy? Are you sure he used those particular words?" raising his brows sceptically.

Orion pursed his lips in amusement, the looks on Hayden's face were sometimes truly comical. Especially for someone who didn't show a whole lot of emotions, unless they were intense emotions.

"What do you mean? I mean sure his son was…weird but they weren't bad people." Lucretia pointed out. "He was only weird because he didn't speak anything other than Parseltongue."

"Oh, did you meet his sister as well?" Hayden asked with an expectant look on his face, shaking it after a few seconds.

"Wait, sister? I had no idea there was a sister…I just assumed Riddle was his adopted name or something." Lucretia said taken aback by the resigned look on Hayden's face.

"Strange, the memories I have of the Gaunts are entirely different but for your grandfather to hold them in even a miniscule bit of esteem…I must have it wrong or at least a prejudice view." Hayden said thoughtfully, "Marvolo Gaunt had two children, I think they were the only ones who went as far as you guys did when it came to trying to keep the family 'pure' or worse as a matter of fact."

Orion flinched a little, at the reminder of his wound be future.

"I only thought he had Morfin, grandfather will be surprised to hear this," Lucretia mused.

"You interacted with someone who lived in poverty and squalor?" unable to keep the surprise off his features despite his best wishes.

"The family wasn't always that badly off," Orion said in sympathy. "Marvolo wasn't the eldest child, he had an older brother. Maclin Gaunt or something or the other. Grandfather told us the tale quite often. Maclin was…to begin with a shoe in for the Lordship. He was smart, intelligent, worked very hard from the moment he turned fifteen."

Hayden's lips twitched, unsurprised to heard that 'good looking' wasn't added.

"Maclin had a son, a wife. All seemed well, happy, until he got himself deep into debt. His wife left him, and they perished in the awful Floo explosion just before they would have been homeless. He owed money to all his friends, acquaintances, even his own brother who had, had his son at that point, Morfin Gaunt."

Hayden closed his eyes, resigned, understanding the bitterness a little more.

"The remaining of the Gaunt assets except the few heirlooms Marvolo had, were sold off to repay his debts. Marvolo adored his elder brother, there was only two years between them. Maclin was protective of him; they had their own secret language even from their own wives on occasion depending on whom they married."

Hayden nodded so that Orion knew that he was paying attention.

"Marvolo's own property and savings were taken from him, with the exception of the two items the family had left. His wife committed suicide leaving him to raise his…apparently two children by himself. He withdrew from society, refused all invites and well, nobody got close enough to get through to Marvolo. He was angry and bitter, took it out on the wrong people and ended up in Azkaban a lot. Luckily not before Morfin was old enough to get through Hogwarts since they didn't have any other family. Everyone just thought it was the two of them." His surprise genuine.

"She didn't have enough magic to get into Hogwarts." Hayden confided.

"Wait, a squib gave birth to Tom Riddle? He's very powerful and appealing on the eye if you like the teacher pet kind." Lucretia commented.

Hayden choked, turning away from her, muffling his amusement into his shoulder. Of course, that's what the world saw, it's what he wanted them to see. A poor but brilliant orphan, only 'Dumbledore' saw through him. Which wasn't likely true, the purebloods weren't likely entirely fooled and his sycophants didn't count. "I guess you didn't spend much time around him then."

"None of us Blacks did," Orion informed him, "He was powerful, there was no denying that, but we are not followers." His tone taking on a bitter bite that surprised Lucretia.

Hayden made a small sound of acknowledgement, not surprised to hear that since none of the Black's had been in Tom Riddles gang then Knights up until Regulus A. Black who joined the Death Eaters. Encouraged by Walburga Black, Orion's encouragement was only an echo of Walburga's. Regulus hadn't stood a chance.

It was a surprise Sirius had.

"Speaking of following, I have to go soon," Hayden said, standing up, he was wearing a pair of Orion's pyjamas that fitted well. "If you're coming best be quick. Talk to you later!" he added to Lucretia.

"As long as you don't scare Ignatius again." Lucretia teased, "But I'll likely be at his tonight, his parents are going to be in." and judging by the look on her face they weren't as likely to give them leeway like the Blacks.

"Oh, please, that isn't doable." Orion teased, "He's terrifying."

Hayden adopted a very offended look, "I am not," sounding very much like Orion. With that he exited the kitchen, and made his way towards the guest bedroom. He had very little doubt another outfit would await him. The Black family truly didn't get rid of anything. He was grateful, although he did have his own clothing and books.

"You're really happy, aren't you?" Lucretia stood, staring at her brother. Like she hadn't already asked, but as always, it didn't hurt for the reaffirmation.

Orion smiled, it was a genuine bordering on suggestive, "I am," he confirmed, he'd never been happier in his life.

"I'm glad," she said, kissing him on the cheek before saying, "You're so worth it, Orion, don't ever let anyone make you feel lesser." She knew her brother inside and out, knew all his fears and worries, for much of their lives they only really had each other, or their cousins. They had friends but would never talk to them with the closeness of a sibling. Everyone thought just because they had money and good looks that they 'had it all' and couldn't be depressed or have second thoughts or feel even a little bit unworthy.

Everyone was susceptible to such doubt, even the Blacks.

Orion said sombrely in reply, "I won't." only his family and Hayden had that power now.

"Best be quick before he leaves without you!" Lucretia teased, giving him a shove towards the kitchen door.

Orion gave her a mock glare before he left the kitchen, heading upstairs to get dressed. Planning to wear the best, hmm, perhaps his battle robes would be best, not the cloak, that would draw too much attention. However, Tom Riddle would understand his subtle announcement all too well.

Hayden Peverell was his, that he was under the protection of the Black family. That an attack on him was an attack on them.

It was time the world knew it and not just as a newspaper article.

A/n – remember guys not to believe this version of the Black family tree, because it's very, very wrong and a few characters are even made up. Regulus and Lycoris are his brother and sister who didn't have children Pollux is from another branch of the Black family tree 😊 cousins I believe. I messed up without realizing it while I was doing my research into the Black family tree, don't ask me how because I honestly do not know.

I also added to the Gaunt family 😉 just too bad that it can't give Tom a good family lol but in the next chapter will be Harry, Orion and Tom's meeting, what will happen? And how do you want Tom to be now that the Horcrux is over? I've tried every way I can think of and none of them feel right so maybe having your insights into it might help inspire a take on Tom Riddle's character 😊 I think I wrote like 8000 words which were deleted (one take is on my Facebook group) trying to come up with a good chapter and failed at every turn R&R please