My Time

Chapter 45

"Good morning, Tom." Orion said.

"The same Tom? How old is he?" Hayden whispered to Orion, as they stared at Tom from behind the bar. They'd made use of the Floo network to get to the Leaky Cauldron. "He was still there!" meaning in his time, which Orion would definitely understand. He hadn't really processed everything when he was meant to stay at the Leaky Cauldron, or rather when he met the wizard. One could argue he was still processing everything.

"He surely looks younger, at least?" Orion suggested, as he flicked his wand, removing the soot that the Floo travel had gotten on their attires. He narrowed his gaze upon those who dared to stare at them like spectators at a show. He knew how self-conscious Hayden was, or at least how self-conscious he used to be. "It might be his son; the Leaky Cauldron has been in the same family for five generations."

"But I thought Tom was just the barman?" Hayden asked entirely befuddled.

Orion glanced at Hayden dubiously, until he realized he was seriously. "Tom isn't just the barman. He's the innkeeper as well as Landlord. Like his father before him. Unfortunately, Tom has never settled down or married, there's a rumour that he cannot have children and no witch will match with him. He's the last of the Shafiq family."

"Shafiq? Why does that sound familiar?" Hayden muttered, as he manoeuvred around the tables and other patrons.

"He's a member of the 'Sacred twenty-eight'," Orion informed him, with an epic eyeroll.

"Oh, that, why the eyeroll? You're on it." Hayden pointed out in amusement. "Ironically enough, the Potters aren't and I know they're purebloods."

Orion snorted derisively, "It's because the Potter name is a common Muggle surname. Also, Henry Potter took a pro-Muggle stance during his years at the Wizengamot."

Hayden froze, "Henry Potter?" that wasn't a name he was familiar with.

Orion silenced the area around both him and Hayden, "Your great-great grandfather." Orion told him. "Fleamont and Charlus' father, Lord Potter, who has already passed away."

Hayden swallowed thickly, "I see." More family he would regretfully never get to know. However, he did have Charlus and he really liked him, he would meet Fleamont at some point, if it was the last thing he ever did.

"Only a few families really care about the inclusion in the sacred twenty-eight. Which is the families that have been included." Orion admitted, "We…uh, I used to be one of them." It shamed him now, and it was still felt deeply within the rest of the Black family.

"I wouldn't worry about it," Hayden said bursting through the silencing bubble and making his way over to the bar. "We all know better now, at least it's now and not after it's too late." The Black name hadn't ended yet, and it wouldn't if he had any say about it. The Black name or the Peverell too. Plus, the Muggles used Black as a surname too! And likely just as popular.

He'd made a promise after all, and it was one he intended to keep.

"Can I help you young Lord's?" Tom asked, staring at them in expectation, noticing Black's attire, he was definitely on some sort of business.

Hayden elbowed Orion when he moved to speak, "Well, he's obviously talking to me," he protested when Orion glared at him. "I'm the only Lord here." Grinning impishly.

Orion huffed, "You'll only be saying that for so much longer." Pretending offence.

"Does your father plan to give you the Lordship and retire soon? I thought you'd have about three or four years?" Hayden said, shaking his head, "Um, is Tom Riddle here yet? I have a meeting with him?"

"Ah, Mr. Riddle is in conference room, number one, the doors open, you've been instructed just to go in." the wizard informed him. "Would you like anything brought up?"

"Menu seven," Orion stated, handing over the required amount of money without pause. He knew the menu off by heart, despite the fact he didn't visit to eat in the Leaky Cauldron. The food was alright, he'd had worse, St. Mungo's food was awful. "Oh, no, Lord Peverell already paid in advance for a room and food he didn't use." Handing the money back, with a reassuring smile.

"Very well," Orion pocketed the money. "How long until it's delivered?"

"Coming right up!" Tom said cheerfully, the hump in his back was barely discernible. He was young and full of life, and Hayden felt a twinge of sympathy for what he knew the wizard became later in life. Recalling the old haggard worn wizard that didn't survive the second war with Voldemort. With no family left it had gone to the Ministry and Neville had bought it, Hayden thought he said something about a gift for his girlfriend.

"Thank you," Hayden said giving the wizard a smile, genuinely happy for the help. Turning to Orion he said, "I do hope that menu has alcohol, right?"

Orion chuffed, "Yes," he murmured in agreement, "Not one I would like, unfortunately. However, it's the best that they've got."

"Good," Hayden said relieved, "I could greatly use the fortification." He honestly had no idea how this meeting was going to go. He'd never dealt with a fully functional Tom Riddle. The closest he could say he'd come to one, he deduced would be the diary version of him.

Orion hummed, "This way," he gestured towards the staircase that Hayden was already well familiar with. He had likely spent more time in the Leaky Cauldron than Orion had ever done in his life.

"Let's get this over with," Hayden said, stiffening his spine, ready to deal with Tom Riddle.

"Hmm, yes, lets," Orion replied, "I am going to get an earful from my father for being 'lazy' just you wait."

"Will you really?" Hayden asked, as they started up the stairs, glancing back to see Orion's reaction.

"He will, he takes these meetings seriously, and I should too." Orion told him, "The Wizengamot is the centre of the political world." And it was so important to make change.

"You do take them seriously," Hayden said, "I can see how passionate you are about it. Working yourself to the bone won't help anyone, plus, you haven't taken over from him yet. It would be questionable if you were the Lord and just deciding not to go repeatedly. However, you are not. I was serious though…I thought you would have about four years before your father handed the title and duties over to you."

"I won't take four years to be married," Orion informed him, gauging Hayden's reaction to that statement.

Hayden stopped, glancing back, "Well I should hope not." He wasn't waiting four years to marry Orion that was for damn certain.

Orion fully relaxed, there was absolutely no hesitation in his step or voice. Which meant when he actually proposed – and they began their engagement – he would say yes.

Hayden grasped Orion's arm, and pulled him to the side so the witch could pass by. Judging by the trays of food and drinks floating behind her, she worked there. She went into the conference room, so apparently the trays were for them.

Nothing happened, there was no spells, no screaming, nothing. Hayden and Orion glanced at each other before Hayden shrugged. They waited until the witch left the room, before stepping in themselves.

It took them a few seconds to locate Tom.

He was in the far back corner, sitting on a seat tense and alert. Hayden narrowed his eyes on the wizard, cautious and wary of his intentions but seeing them through nonetheless.

Orion's gaze flickered between Tom and the evidence bag (glowing with runes) on the table. Lips pursed, mercury eyes gleaming mercilessly, Tom had after all, harmed his betrothed.

"Thank you for coming," Tom said, his voice subdued, entirely far too pensive. "Although, I must confess myself surprised that you agreed to the meeting."

"What alarms you more? That I am unafraid and confident in my abilities to defend myself against you. Or that I am not scuttling like a cockroach to avoid your attention?" Hayden asked wryly, slightly amazed to see unsettled admiration crossing Tom's features.

"And if I had attempted something?" Tom asked, genuinely curious, would he use this second opportunity to kill? Or was he incapable of raising his wand to do more than just defend?

"I would kill you," Orion stated coldly, staring the wizard down, not even slightly afraid of him. He would do what Black fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers had done before him. Protect family at all cost. The only reason he was still alive was because of Hayden. He had wanted to hunt him down after finding out what this wizard had done.

Tom just stared back, unafraid, or rather confident in his ability to deal with the threat Orion Black posed to him. Although, ever the Slytherin, he had gotten that message without it verbally confirmed. The armour he was wearing…were battles robes. He was rather envious really, they were absolutely perfect, and not to mention expensive.

"We will end you." Hayden corrected Orion, both of them standing together, and they would stand against all and any enemy.

Now that most definitely had Tom a little worried. He'd gotten a little information about the Peverell family. What he'd got well understandably made him leery about going up against a member of the family. All his followers had a very healthy respect for a family that had ended long before some of theirs had come into being.

"What do you want?" Orion asked suspiciously, not trusting Tom the slightest. Only sitting when Hayden sat so casually down, unafraid of Tom, but that was no surprise really. Hayden never had been. How could he when he'd never had anything to live for.

Tom turned away, staring out the window, standing up, he made his way over. He knew if they'd wanted to kill him, they'd had a far better opportunity. "Thank you." Even surprising himself, with the fact he actually said the words. Sure, he'd said them in school to his professors. It was all part of the charm. He'd never meant it. This time, however, he did.

Hayden blinked, genuinely amazed by the words that had just come out of Tom's mouth. His jaw dropped, glancing at Orion, just to make sure he had heard correctly. "Are you feeling alright?" he asked Tom rather bluntly.

Orion closed his eyes and raised his head to the ceiling, no subtly whatsoever. Amusement stretched across his features, tugging at his lips. Peering open an eye, he gazed at Tom to gauge his reaction. Nothing was more amusing than actually getting Tom to show emotion. Outside of Slytherin common room he was suave and charming, inside the common room he was impassive.

"It took me a while to come around," Tom replied stoically. "Even longer still to feel centred. Even with my Occlumency barriers, everything was confusing for a while, I do detest emotions." Lip curling in disgust, now those he had been glad to be rid of.

He had woken up extremely disorientated. It took him over an hour to stagger from the Shack – which was technically within the boarder of Hogwarts grounds – to Hogsmeade in order to Apparate. It took him so long to organise his memories, and his emotions were still playing catch up if he was honest. However, he mostly controlled them, easy as it was, due to the fact he had controlled them his entire life. As if he would show weakness for anyone to pick it a part.

He could recall the adults watching over the children with amusement at their distress and anguish. When adoption day was over and nobody had expressed any interest in adopting them. It never got any easier, you learned to detach yourself. Even he had desperately desired parents as a young boy. The curse of intelligence, however, ensured you never really forgot that information. The horcruxes had helped, it almost felt like he'd been severed from humanity entirely it's best how Tom could describe it.

"Welcome to being human," Hayden stated shortly, not taking pity on the wizard the slightest. "Might help you stop being an utter fool of this time."

Tom unseen by Orion and Hayden licked his dry lips, "Were they real? The memories, I mean, were they authentic?" bigger question how could they be authentic? Seer abilities? Anxious to know more, those memories had been a kick to the teeth on a situation that felt like was stretching out forever.

"If that's not enough to scare you straight, I don't know what would." Hayden said dryly, "Getting your ass handed to you by a one-year-old? You never recovered from that, you kept coming at me in order to prove you were better. Time and time again, I eluded you until it was over for good." One, eleven, twelve, fourteen, fifteen and on and on it went.

Orion stared at Hayden with dark adoration. His ability to reduce people to seething rage with a few words was mesmerising. The fact he had the power to protect himself was even more satisfying. Oh, he was just out of this world so he was.

Tom startled, turning around, "You?" not a seer then… A time-traveller perhaps? His vastly intelligent mind working out things very fast.

"Yes, that was me." Hayden said amused, he could practically taste how much Orion detested how the conversation had turned. That single twitch relayed a lot of silent communication. He clearly didn't want anyone to know, and if someone else had to know, he likely wished it would be family.

"The idea of hurting a child is…unfathomable to me." Tom confessed, turning back to the rather bleak view. Inhaling sharply, "I've always wanted to help wizardkind, we shouldn't be left with filthy muggles." Spiting the word Muggles with grave distaste. He didn't want anyone to go through what he had. He should never have stayed in the Muggle world for longer than a day. That was just being generous so that they could retrieve him.

"I couldn't agree more." Hayden agreed fully, there were a lot of Tom's ambitions he actually agreed with. Glancing at Orion, who unfortunately, would never understand. Orion hadn't been abused like them, and it was a good thing, Hayden would never, ever wish abuse upon anyone.

"Do you know if you'd taken on the name Gaunt you would have had dozens of pureblood families offering you sanctuary?" Orion told Tom, partly to rub salt in the wound, part truthful. "Including my grandfather." His name would have been changed, and he wouldn't have been allowed to reveal his birth name to anyone else, and everyone would believe he was pureblood.

Hayden snorted, "Doubtful." His tone so quiet he was likely not heard by the two. The Black's wouldn't have given any child not pureblood the time of day. They'd have saved a child in need regardless of its blood status. However, he didn't think they'd have raised it, or him, in this scenario.

Tom stiffened, "What do you know about the Gaunts?" his stomach churning at the knowledge a family would have taken him in. That he wouldn't have had to venture into the Muggle world ever again. Never risk being killed by their bombs far away from his own kind. It's what made him desire immortality, he had so much he wanted to do. What if he died and couldn't do it because Dumbledore and Dippet refused to let him stay safe at Hogwarts? Exemptions should have been made for those with no other options open to them.

"Far more than you think," Hayden murmured, still surprised, giving Tom a shrug when those brown eyes met his. No longer blood red now that he was no longer disfigured by removing pieces of his own soul. Leaning forward, "Why are we here?" something had gotten Tom Riddle spooked.

"I am an avid reader, and yes, I was looking for means of obtaining immortality." Tom begun, "However, there are a few things I would never compromise in order to acquire it." There was a dark bite to his tone.

"Your magic," Orion deduced what he was referring to immediately. Hardly anyone was foolish enough to attempt anything that posed a danger to their magic. The idea was inconceivable to him, and likely to all others who have the gift. Given Tom's intelligence it was likely he felt exactly the same.

"I have always had staunch control over my magical abilities. I learned very quickly how to use it to my best advantage. I could use wandless magic whenever and however I pleased." Tom said smugly, "Unencumbered and unafraid of the consequences because I had no idea there were any to be had. As a child I had hoped there were others like me, but I couldn't be too sure. I was slightly foolish for not contemplating the idea that there was an entire government."

"Don't feel stupid," Hayden said, a light flush to his cheeks. "I was ignorant right up until I got my Hogwarts letter." Despite all the pieces of accidental magic he'd done, he'd never considered any of what Tom did. It was foolish, he knew, but he didn't have Tom Riddle's smarts, he was vastly intelligent which made what he did in future (and the horcruxes) all the more stupid.

Tom gave him a serious and completely judgemental look. Judging Hayden all nine ways to Sunday. How could anyone as powerful at Peverell be so obtuse to not realize what was happening to him?

Hayden just stared back, unrepentant, with a look that said 'try me'. Every time he'd done something he was beaten bloody. Made to feel at fault as if he'd done something unspeakably evil. Blamed for something Harry was sure was just a coincidence or something odd (which happened around him frequently.) happening. "Not everyone went around casting the Cruciatus curse and likely the killing curse before they were eleven."

Orion glanced at Hayden in surprise then at Tom that explained the smugness then. Still, he wondered how that was possible, even accidental magic got registered. Then Tom's words finally registered fully. "Are you saying you didn't willingly make those Horcruxes?" Orion asked dubiously. That couldn't be, could it?

Hayden straightened, becoming alarmed, goosebumps appearing all over his arms as he shivered. "Well?" Hayden demanded to know when Tom didn't answer quick enough for his liking.

"What part of I wouldn't have risked my magic don't you understand?" Tom said darkly, but his countenance was entirely calm. If one was watching over the scene, they would have assumed they were talking about the weather.

Hayden swallowed, a sinking feeling digging into his gut. Standing up, positively jumping when an owl pecked at the window, hooting. Shaking his head, he did NOT want to think on where his thoughts had gone. He opened the window, focusing on a task, trying to clear his mind. It wasn't possible, it just couldn't be. He was many things…but he couldn't have started this…what would be the point?

Orion had stood when Hayden did, wand held loosely in his hand. Protectiveness emoted from every pore in Orion's body.

Hayden ripped open the letter, trying to calm his racing heart and thoughts. Gosh, if he voiced his thoughts, he'd likely be called paranoid, well, if it was anyone other than Tom or Orion.

Then he saw the letter that had come, reading it quickly and "You've got to be fucking kidding me." He snarled, crumpling the letter, closing his eyes inhaling sharply, trying to keep his composure.

Orion watched the process, raising a brow in silent curiosity. He hadn't really seen that sort of reaction from Hayden yet. He could make an accurate deduction.

Hayden gritted his teeth before extracting the letter, walking over, "Look familiar?" he asked, bordering on sarcastic. Green eyes glimmering with suppressed violence.

Orion blinked staring down at the writing, and he did indeed recognize it. He'd seen this handwriting mostly criticizing his work for seven years. His transfiguration professor, the deputy headmaster of Hogwarts. Dumbledore, so he had been right.

"On behalf of Marchbanks…set a meeting at Hogwarts at our earliest convenience? Are they serious? Their earliest convenience?" Orion's gaze was hooded, teeth gritting after each question or statement. They were writing as if Hayden was a Muggle born, the lowest rung on the ladder. The sheer insult in that letter was enough to make him see red. The audacity was beyond the pale. He was worth a million of them, how dare they try and talk down to him like he was someone insignificant? "Brown and Patil law are about to find themselves in a whole world of trouble." Nobody spoke to Hayden like that and got away with it, how dare they? A lawyer should know better, especially one like Brown and Patil they weren't Lord and Lady's but they sure as hell were pureblood's and knew better.

"They're only doing as directed by their clients," Hayden said grudgingly, as always far too forgiving to be real.

Tom and Orion glanced at each other, eyes glittering darkly.

"Lovely, a Gryffindor," Tom said nose screwing up just a little.

"Stop defining everyone by a house at Hogwarts, Tom." Hayden stated, "Dumbledore was a damn Gryffindor, look at what he did. Where you end up as an eleven-year-old doesn't dictate your life."

Tom just observed Hayden coolly, but inwardly he was amused. "Quite an amusing attempt to change the subject. Not very subtle." Not someone he expected Orion to end up with. If there had ever been any alternative to Walburga that is. Which there wasn't the pair had been betrothed, until lately. Presumably that contract had been null and voided in order for Orion to create a far better (and more lucrative) match.

There was a part of Hayden that wanted to scream and rage. To deny what he knew already deep in his own heart. He didn't want to know, not really. Because it would be acknowledging the most horrific thing possible.

"Did you do the tests on it?" Orion asked, stepping away from Hayden and towards the bag. "Something is on it; the runes are glowing blue." Mostly to inform Hayden in case he didn't know.

"The results are in the bag," Tom stated, lips drawing into a line when Orion began to do his own diagnosis. Although, he couldn't claim he was surprised, he would have done the exact same thing. The Blacks were a paranoid bunch.

Hayden tensed, moving closer, watching Orion work diligently. He only knew three of them, the other five were completely unknown. They'd either found alternative and stronger spells or they'd just become obscure. Nothing would surprise Hayden; he hadn't been here long but he could already tell how much knowledge had been removed from the school's curriculum.

He knew because Orion had given him the books by year. The Owls…bloody hell, they were NEWT worthy in his time. With more classes available it was amazing he was genuinely amazed. It also meant he was going to be studying far longer than anticipated.

"Don't tell me…" Hayden sighed, "It's Dumbledore's magical signature?"

Tom glanced curiously at Hayden, wondering at his reaction.

Orion handed it over wordlessly, stepping aside. The last time Hayden had gotten really, really pissed the entire room's temperature had plummeted. Then, yep, just as he predicted, he cast a warming charm to ward off most of the chill.

Tom followed Orion's example, alarmed by the fact he was actually backing away from his own betrothed. He wasn't stupid enough to stay in the firing like thank you very much.

There were a few spells on the book, and while it had fancy names and diagnostics what it boiled down to was…

One of the strongest compulsions charms the magical world had to offer, cast by Albus Dumbledore, linked to Tom Riddle's magical signature.

Then a spell covering the book so nobody questioned why a sixteen-year-old kid wanted it.

"Easy," Orion warned, as the room shook, just moments before a train went by and shook it as well hiding what was happening from everyone for now. "If you lose control, it will be far more public than just the family."

Tom just watched utterly bewitched. "How often does he lose control?" and wasn't he older than him? "Bit old to be losing control, unless he had blocks on his magic."

"Not quite," Orion declared, he didn't trust Tom at all, and wasn't about to give away family secrets, even if technically Tom was family. He was from a cousin branch of the Peverell family. "Hayden, calm down, if you knock this place down nobody will be able to cross through into Diagon Alley."

"Really? That will get through to him?" Tom ventured dubiously, staring at Hayden with an eagerness that went against the words coming out of his mouth. "You're from the future, I'm sure you know so much information on Dumbledore to bring. Him. Down." He wanted to know everything, not just the bits of information he'd gifted him with. Although, he knew it wasn't meant to be considered a gift.

It was a warning. One Tom understood all too well.

Orion huffed as the shaking stopped, "Don't look so smug," he said crossing his arms, feeling more secure now that the shaking had stopped. There were large cracks in the window another few seconds and they would have been blown out.

The sound of alarm outside continued, as people called out to one another. What they presumed to be tables falling over in the rush to get out, glass breaking and screaming and panicking ensue. Tom rolled his eyes, sneering at the panic in their voices. A little bit of magic and they were running like rats off a sinking ship.

"Really? That's what calmed you?" Orion said dryly, only marginally hurt by the fact his presence wasn't enough to anchor his betrothed.

Hayden gritted his teeth, "Don't you realize what this means?" his eyes glittering with the wet tears building behind them. His chin wobbling, trying desperately to stop himself from acting further, only the thought of revenge and Orion helped anchor him.

Orion grimly nodded, yes, he knew, his shoulders sagging just so. Showing that Orion was affected by what they had learned, but as always was shouldering the burden impassively. Only miniscule tells told a story of Orion's burdens.

Hayden moved closer to Orion, closing his eyes and lay his weary head to rest upon his shoulder. A few tears trickled out, but in general he was just…tired, no, exhausted with dealing with Dumbledore or Voldemort. He just…wanted to live an unencumbered life was that so difficult to understand? He'd been fighting for so long, to get away from the Dursley's, every year at school, then after…he was so tired.

He just wanted peace and quiet.

He clenched the paperwork in his hand, the results of the tests.

Then in another burst of anger, the windows exploded out the table and chairs were overturned and a little singed. The food and drink spattered across the walls. Luckily though, Orion and Tom had been prepared. Everything that had happened, the wars, losing his parents…the people…why?

There we go! finally got a chapter out I have to apologise at least to those that don't already know (who aren't in my facebook group anyway) the heat made my extremely lazy I couldn't get any chapters out the heat was horrendous we're happy with 15 degree Celsius that's my sweet spot lol but getting double that? Sucks! I'm just glad I don't live in London and the other places that got 40 degree Celsius (we don't have air conditioning best we have is a fan) and by goodness we could barely breathe! That was the most shocking thing out of all of it, I honestly thought I was going to collapse! Seriously I'm not sure how you guys do it without dragging an oxygen tank behind you every time you step outside!

I am way too predictable for you guys, like seriously...way too predictable. I'm pretty sure at least two folks figured out one of the plots already before I wrote it out in the chapter (Unless you been hacking ;) I'm kidding btw) The plot being Dumbledore fully responsible for it, I've never gone down that road before so it was a fascinating prospect and I do have to give you new stuff otherwise you'll all get bored ;) so there we go! thanks guys and please read and review xxx