My Time

Chapter 52

The trio of wizards entered a small but intimate restaurant called the purple dragon. It had a purple dragon out on the front of the property, that practically glimmered. It was farther into Knockturn Alley than Hayden had gotten in his other life. Which really wasn't anything surprising, he'd gotten to see one little area before Hagrid was shepherding him back. All he'd heard about it, contracted what he was seeing. Either it got worse over the years…or he was lied to, neither would surprise Hayden the slightest if he was honest.

"How may I help you gentlemen?" a witch hostess asked, a small welcoming smile on her face. Her wand not at all unobtrusively, sat in a sheath on her thigh which was on display within the confines of the slit she had in her beautiful purple dress she had on. All the witches had the same dress, the wizards dressed in the same colours but in shirt and trousers.

"My usual table," Orion informed her, "Bring us your best Firewhisky." Already set to walk away without a please or thank you.

Hayden barely refrained from rolling his eyes. Sometimes he wanted to whack everyone upside the head. Seriously, it didn't hurt to add a please or thank you, regardless of one's station in life. Unfortunately, Orion was used to being catered to, waited on hand and foot.

"Can I see a menu, please?" Hayden asked of her, "I am absolutely starving." He added smiling at her, just because she was working to earn her money, didn't mean she was lesser than Orion or even himself.

Her smile stretched out as she gave a small but genuine laugh. "Of course, let me," she reached over to her station in two short strides and plucked three menus' out, "Follow me." With that she strode confidently towards Black's usual table, which always housed more than enough seats to sit everyone that he entertained. It comfortably housed six but could be stretched to fit more.

Hayden accepted the menu once he was sat down with a distracted thank you. Opening it up, he groaned in sheer annoyance at all the fanciness of it all. "Don't suppose it's too late to go to the Leaky Cauldron?" he grumbled.

Orion stared at Hayden indignantly, as if he'd suggest Orion eat live worms. "This restaurant comes very highly recommended," Hayden's betrothed stated, "If you're hungry, you should go for the steak, it's delicious and filling."

"For lunch? No thank you, do you do platters? Some sandwiches, crisps, nuts and perhaps cheeses?" Hayden asked the hostess, turning to face her.

"Not normally, no, but I can ask them to put something together for you. Roast beef salad sandwiches?" she suggested, knowing very well whom Hayden Peverell was, a Lord, she wished to keep her job thank you very much. It was lovely having such independence and her parents wholeheartedly approved of her job. Even if her mother only because she hoped her daughter would meet someone rich.

"That would be perfect, thank you, and I'll have a butterbeer," Hayden said relived, smiling in gratitude. Handing over the menu, which was far too much really it wasn't even lunch yet, not really. Yet they were offering steak meals? No wonder middle aged wizards were rather plump.

Antonin and Orion gave their own orders and menu's back.

"Merlin, the look on her face," Antonin chuffed, shaking his head in disbelief, "I can't believe you actually did that."

"Why is it so hard to believe?" Hayden asked, "I mean it's been done for far less things."

"Not for a long time now," Antonin said wryly, "Last one here is definitely the Malfoy-Weasley feud, due to breaking a betrothal after…ah-hem, sleeping with his intended."

Hayden blinked, "The Malfoy's had a girl?"

"Twins, the female was born first, then the boy," Antonin told them, smirking wryly, "My great-grandmother was there at the time, she was a healer. They put the boy born first on the birth certificate. The twins were very close, and he ensured that she got to marry whom she wished. Regretfully the Weasley's weren't as loyal." A grimace upon his face, not many associated with the Weasley's now.

"Interesting," Hayden said in genuine surprise, "Did she ever remarry?"

"She ended up moving to France, she had a daughter. Nobody knows this information, so don't spread it." Antonin warned, "Malfoy…completely ostracised the Weasley's, made their lives a living hell."

"Even now?" Hayden questioned, "I know that Septimus is married to Cedrella." And they were both welcome into the Black family, and before he came back, he'd assumed that Cedrella was disowned because he'd married Weasley and considered the family blood traitors and part of a blood feud. It was in the end, nothing to do with the Black family, but just one member, Walburga herself.

"Yes, the Malfoy's weren't too pleased by our acceptance of Septimus," Orion conceded, "They're however, not stupid enough to sever ties with us." The Malfoy's weren't noble or ancient houses, nor were they as rich and as well connected.

"They're still trying to build connections; they've only been here for what…six generations, seven?" Antonin glanced at Orion who nodded, "They don't have the riches we have."

"We?" Hayden echoed, "Um…didn't you come from Russia at some point?" an apologetic look upon his face, making it clear he wasn't insulting him, but genuinely curious. It's not as if he'd grown up with them all, so he didn't know everything and everyone.

Antonin far from insulted he laughed, shaking his head. Remaining quiet as a witch put a bottle of their best firewhisky onto the table and four tumblers, setting a butterbeer next to Hayden and Antonin. Antonin promptly put his firewhisky into the butterbeer. Giving his companions 'cheers' before drinking near half of it.

"You'd be right, but generations ago the Dolohov family only had two witches no son and heir. My great many times grandfather was a second son, a spare, and they arranged it so that they would marry." Antonin explained, putting the drink on the mat. "Her sister, my aunt many times removed was married to a disgusting piece of work. She'd begged her parents to help her…but they'd refused to intervene. Her sister intervened, or was in the process of planning to help her sister when she died. To this day it is still considered 'unknown causes' unfortunately."

Hayden leaned forward, drink forgotten, listening attentively. "They did nothing?" sickened to the core, shaking his head horrified. How could they have ignored their daughter's terror and let it happen?

"They didn't do a thing to help her," Antonin confirmed, "In the end they lost everything. My great-many times grandmother was supposed to stay in Russia, with her husband moving there. In the end Sofia refused to stay in the same country as them. The only time she wrote to her parents was once, a picture with a son, Alexander Ian Dolohov. It's as close to him as they ever got. They got a lot of letters afterward, but she refused all apologies and burnt their letters. The funny thing is they were loved, they'd grown up in a loving environment. She'd never been sure why they didn't help her, and that haunted her for the rest of her days."

"Portrait?" Hayden deduced it was too personalised for to have come from journals and such.

"Yes, she resides in Dolohov manor," Antonin agreed, his families had always worked. So, they always added to the coffers of the Dolohov estate, that didn't include the investments they added to over the years. Despite not being an ancient and noble name, they were as well off as the Black's. They'd created a tradition from marrying from abroad afterward. Except for him naturally, there weren't many carriers in either country unfortunately.

"It's unfathomable I know," Orion murmured, seeing that Hayden was reeling over what he'd just been told.

"It's disgusting," Hayden corrected him, "I'd have killed for a sister, a sibling, closest I'll ever get to a family is well…the Black family." Grinning at the thought, and he and Lucretia already get on so well.

Orion smiled, as he drank the firewhisky, it was just perfect. "And you will always be family." There would never be a doubt about it.

"I would have done too," Antonin agreed, stretching out, "Unfortunately, my father never remarried." Not that he reckoned he would have tolerated a step-mother. He'd had his father all to himself, if forced to share him with someone else? No, wouldn't have happened, not even with the hope of having a younger sibling.

"I can't believe it's been near enough six months since I've been here." Hayden confessed, drinking the rest of his butterbeer. "Time seems to have just flown in. To make matters worse I haven't even finished a single thing I've started yet. My exams, the Peverell estate, it doesn't help with the constant interruptions." Go figure though, that Dumbledore would find a way to make his new life as uncomfortable as possible.

"You've published your book, and are in the midst of a betrothal," Antonin pointed out, "Everyone knows how difficult it is taking care of an estate. It eats up at all your free time. That's if it's been taken care of properly but pulling an estate up by its bootstraps? I can't even begin to imagine when you find the time to sleep."

"Antonin's correct," Orion agreed, "We've had help, we've been coached on how to do it, you've been pushed into the deep end and expected to navigate seamlessly. Nobody can get everything they want done just by stating they want them done, we're magic but not that magical as to perpetuate a miracle."

"I suppose you're quite…" pausing when the same witch returned with their meals floating behind her, with a flick of her wand, they floated down in front of the wizards it was intended for. Then she set the platter in the middle, but closer to Hayden's empty plate than anyone else's. She tapped the firewhisky and their glasses were refilled. "More butterbeer, gentlemen?" she queried, hands looming over the glasses used for the butterbeer. Smiling when Hayden picked up the sandwich a sigh of relief, clearly, he really was hungry.

Hayden had his mouth full so raised his hand with two fingers raised, oh the roast beef salad sandwich was hitting the right spot. It was delicious, ugh, he hated getting up so early but it didn't look like it would change any time soon.

"I'll have one," Antonin declared, setting the glass of firewhisky aside to put into the butterbeer.

"Working?" Hayden asked after swallowing, Antonin wasn't exclusively his lawyer after all, no he likely had quite a few families on retainer by now.

"I will be later this afternoon," Antonin nodded, as the requested butterbeer made its appearance alone, two setting themselves next to Hayden and one next to Antonin. He tilted the spirit into the Butterbeer and swirled it absently around. "I'm just glad I had nothing scheduled the past few days." They knew why naturally but wouldn't be discussing it in public.

"You give them your best, but nothing says you need to give yourself for the job." Hayden stated, "And nobody should have to."

"Doesn't mean they don't," Antonin said wryly, "And end up regretting it, despite having a good childhood, my father often commented that he holds a lot of guilt for not being there more often."

"My father is the same," Orion agreed, only slightly distracted by the lack of Hayden's tactile nature rubbing off on him, literally as it may be. He wasn't distracted for long, he stood at attention calling out, "Grandfather…is everything alright?" worried about his grandmother, but if that had been the case, his parents would have come for him or sent the House-elf in the event of emergency.

The aforementioned wizard, made his way towards the table, Orion pulled it out so he may take a seat with ease next to him. "Everyone's fine, lad, although your father will likely be pacing a hole in the rug next to the fireplace." Giving his grandson a pointed look, but seemed wholly amused and delighted. He wasn't sure how often he'd paced so much when it came to his children, and he had more than just two. Was it a surprise when he had gone grey at thirty? Rascals the lot of them. "A celebration, it went well then?" unsurprised but very pleased all the same. Leaning over and helping himself to a glass of firewhisky.

"It did go well," Hayden said smiling, outside of Orion he liked Sirius the best, he was very much like the namesake Hayden had known. His Sirius had been very much like this one. The twinkle in his eye, the mischievousness, Sirius would have loved him. Unfortunately, in the original timeline he hadn't had a chance to meet them. They'd both died due to a slip up on Cara's part, and the healer's incompetence. He really should have had it in a sheath, and have been more cautious with it. Witches were lethal when they were fully functional but one who had no comprehension of right and wrong and had episodes? No, she really shouldn't have been able to get near a wand. He'd never say that to the healer though, her carer had been besotted with Cara and lax in his duties. He likely blamed himself as it was without him adding to it.

"Do tell?" Sirius asked, sipping the alcohol staring inquisitively at Hayden, delighting in getting out of the castle now and again. Especially now that it was fully repaired and the stink was finally gone. Some of the books still smelt of smoke but short of getting rid of them, there was nothing to be done. He was just grateful it wasn't all of them, just ones closest, and no smoke damage but that was purely due to the spells they had on the castle to safeguard it.

"It went perfectly in our favour, no doubt it will be in the newspaper, I spotted a journalist." Orion told his grandfather with pride.

"Antonin was able to get her all but confessing it was Dumbledore's doing." Hayden added with a rueful laugh, "I really should feel sorry for her." He admitted, he'd been that blind himself too, "Perhaps I did go too far." It was a statement of a fact, not a question.

Sirius stared between the trio completely baffled as to what he'd missed. The boy had a heart as pure as untouched snow, but he was a vindictive little thing when properly motivated. Which was good, otherwise Orion would need to be doubly careful when it came to his soon-to-be husband. "What happened?" scooping up some nuts and setting them on a napkin as he settled back down.

"She's a grown adult, with responsibilities, it was she, who decided to following Dumbledore, she was aware of all potential fallouts." Orion declared vehemently, refusing to let Hayden feel rotten for what he had done. "She made the serious error in judgement; she'll have to live with it."

Sirius cleared his throat, "What happened?" Orion leaned over and begun to explain what had happened to his grandfather while Antonin spoke.

"The reality is, blood feuds are so easily dealt with, but the families are too proud, too stubborn to yield." Antonin pointed out, "If the person who offended enough to see blood feuds enacted, the family can raise to its former status with an appropriate apology."

"So, the Weasley's?" Hayden asked, brow wrinkling in confusion.

"Could have easily been welcomed back into polite society has they disowned the perpetrator." Antonin confirmed, finishing off his last glass, he couldn't go to his next client drunk. Waving over a witch, he turned back without waiting to see if they would approach, they would if they knew what was good for them because he wasn't above complaining.

"So, if she's…" Hayden mused, it would make things easier for the family, he didn't get why the Weasley's don't just do that themselves instead of being ostracized by everyone in pureblood society. Even Diggory was overly formal to the Weasley's when they met, he liked Arthur, but kept his distance due to the feud. He remembered that, he'd just thought it was the pureblood way or the fact the Diggory's didn't know the Weasley's well until he found out they lived nearby. Along with the Lovegood clan of course. Yet none of the families were close to the Weasley's.

"If she is disowned then yes, the family standing will return to the norm." Sirius informed them grimly, "Her brother, the departed Graham Marshbanks, has a son, who I believe is a year away from becoming an adult, isn't that right, Orion? He was a year under you at Hogwarts?" he could easily disown her, otherwise they'd all suffer. Him and his younger siblings, but they were close to her, so who could rightfully say what he would do?

"Yes, grandfather, that's right," Orion stated, "He's a Hufflepuff and a decent bloke all things considered."

"High praise," Antonin answered, giving Orion a look that showed how impressed he was. The Marshbanks shouldn't even be on their radar, the fact that the former Lord Black knew who the family was and which year they were in was even more impressive.

"Graham Marshbanks saved my daughter, Lycoris, and received a very generous sum of money in thanks for his service." Sirius informed Antonin, well aware of what he was silently seeking. "It's what is likely enabling the children to have a rather comfortable life." if she hadn't squandered it herself of course. Which he'd hope Graham Marshbanks would safeguard appropriately if he suspected it could happen.

Hayden glanced at Orion in curiosity wanting to know more.

"Marshbanks was an Auror, he died in the line of duty, he left behind two children, a boy and girl, his wife died five years before him of complications due to childbirth, she and the stillborn boy didn't survive." Orion explained for Hayden, who he could see was deeply curious about everything he didn't know. He knew all the recent tales from the family, he'd grown up hearing everything.

"Ah," Hayden nodded in understanding, finally connecting the dots as to why the family would know the Marshbanks. "Would you like help getting everything done in the Alley?" assuming he had a few shops to get to.

"I might look decrepit but I'm not in need for care yet," Sirius said, eyes twinkling brightly, "I was merely picking up Lucretia's wedding gift." Far too fragile for an owl to bring to the castle in his opinion, so he'd commanded it be held until he picked it up.

Orion groaned, "Don't remind me." Shamefaced, he had yet to get her gift, only because he didn't know what to get her.

"You haven't bought her anything yet?" Hayden asked, turning to stare at Orion curiously, no condemnation. "Shall we get something today?"

"You have that meeting we can't delay too long," Orion glanced at the time.

"It shouldn't take too long, I'll just ask for the bare bones, they understand that I'm sometimes too busy, which I honestly think they like," Hayden said with a rueful grin, "I would too, who wants someone hovering over you as you work to make sure you're doing it to their exact standards?" and they were exceeding his expectations, he honestly loved the process they've made so far.

"You are going to add Ignatius to your project?" Orion asked, "Or was it just talk?" not sounding disapproving or approving either, but he did like the sound of his sister's husband working for himself. It would be more money for the family, more money for his sister. That way they wouldn't need to rely so heavily upon the Black family, Cedrella was already getting a significant amount so that they lived in comfort. No Black would ever live in poverty, unless of course, you were disowned, like his uncle. He hoped that when he died, he regretted every single thing he'd done just to be the Lord of the Black family, honestly it still hurt so much.

"Oh, he's joining the project, yeah, he'll probably spend years working around the estate with the rest of the workers if he accepts," Hayden agreed, "But there's no point in appointing him then having him go on holiday for his honeymoon, it just breeds jealousy, so when he's home I'll talk to him about it. Hopefully the guys on the project all get along. It's a lot to hope for I know, but as long as they do their job to the best of their abilities I'll make do."

Sirius nodded his approval; he truly was far more mature than his young number dictates. He was intelligent, mature, understanding but a little uncertain about his own confidence. He did what he needed to do, yes, but doubted himself, he had just done it mere moments ago regarding Marshbanks. Orion could be very impulsive if he was extremely angered. It took a lot to do that, naturally, since Orion had been taught from a young age not to react. Decorum had been drummed into him. Whereas Hayden did not have that decorum but was most assuredly the calmer of the two. This was his belief at the moment, but he would grow to know Hayden more and perhaps his thoughts would change. "Prewitt is an intelligent lad; he won't steer you wrong."

Hayden hummed, "I've not heard or seen any work ethic so I'll get back to you on that."

Orion cut off his snort, finding it amusing, "He's terrified of Hayden," Orion couldn't help but proclaim smugly.

"He is not," Hayden protested, but it was weak at best, he knew his betrothed was correct.

Sirius chuckled, standing up, "Be good boys, come and visit an old man now and again." Grimacing at the ache in his old bones, time to return home and take the potions.

"Call a House-elf it will be much better than attempting to walk out then Apparate and the thirty minutes' walk to the doors of the castle." Hayden fussed over Sirius, worry in his bright green eyes. Seeing the grimace that Sirius supported, he'd never done well with the thought of people he cared about being in pain. He'd spent so much of his life in at least some sort of pain in varying degrees so would rather not see it.

Sirius was just about to brush off Hayden's concern, determined to make it on his own without potions when he felt pain radiate up his spine. Perhaps just the once would be fine, it's not as if they were going to become lazy. He really should have taken his potions before he came out, but he'd felt just fine, and he didn't take them unless he needed them. "I think I might, just this once." He agreed, it was far better than embarrassing himself should the pain become too much. He knew it could occur; it had happened in the past.

"Shall we accompany you?" Orion asked, mildly alarmed to hear his grandfather cede to anyone, rising with him.

"Stay, I'll be fine," Sirius waved away his grandsons' concern, calling for his House-elf, who was the same age as him as a matter of fact. "Take me home." And with that both the House-elf and Sirius disappeared.

Orion stared at the space where his grandfather had disappeared troubled.

"Have you been invited to the wedding?" Hayden asked Antonin, changing the subject to give Orion time to recover. The urge to touch him, to reassure him was strong, but he had to be strong and stop himself. He didn't think he could take Orion jerking away from him like that again. It had hurt, more than it needed to. He knew, he knew he had to give allowances for the difference in times.

"I have, myself and my father, and I actually think he'll be able to come," Antonin said, very pleased, his father was changing back into the wizard he remembered in his childhood before his very eyes. Not just slowly either, it was a rapid thing, that he delighted in.

"Just make sure he goes to see a healer, or one visit him at least," Hayden said, he'd never allow anyone to take their parents for granted.

"Don't you worry about that, I'll make sure of it," Antonin decreed, "I will be." He was not going to let his father duck out of a meeting with a healer, he needed to know that he was truly healing and that he needed no further aid. He would never forgive himself if he didn't insist on it. Merlin only knows the damage his own uncle had done to his father. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme as of late, brothers trying to kill their older brother, leaving their niece or nephews without their parents or worse parent, the only one they had left.

Orion gave him a sympathetic look, a bone achingly familiar pain echoing in his eyes, he understood all too well how it felt to be betrayed by his uncle. However, that got him looking at the clock on the wall, only to realize the time.

"Your meeting," Orion prompted him, reminding him of his meeting with the workers.

Hayden glanced at the time on his pocket watch before grumbling, "Excuse me, can you put this in a to go bag please? And the check."

"The check is already taken care of," Orion told Hayden, they knew what vault to take the money from.

"Oh," Hayden murmured, watching as the food platter he'd ordered was wrapped up and boxed within a few seconds. "Thank you," he added, pulling out a few galleons before handing it over to her as a tip. She definitely could use it having to put up with assholes all day that couldn't summon a thank you. In the UK it wasn't part of the service to tip in the industry, only abroad. He'd heard his uncle going on about it like there was no tomorrow to complain about. Honestly, it was like it gravely offended him having to hand over more money other than the exact amount for the food. Personally, Hayden reckoned it was something to do with his inability to count. It was disingenuous really, he was good at numbers, too bad his son couldn't add to save himself.

Once again, Hayden was very careful not to touch Orion, as he picked up the to go box. "We'll see you later," they told Antonin who stood as well. Leaving behind the whiskey, the empty glasses and left the restaurant. "Hopefully before the wedding." He teased, he rather hoped to see Antonin's father, and see how much he resembled him.

"Of course, perhaps dinner? Write me the days where you're free and I'll set something up," Antonin declared, he should have already done it by now really.

"Count on it," Hayden agreed fully and enthusiastically, it would be their first meal outside of family for them as a couple. "Meet you there?" Hayden asked Orion, before popping away.

Orion followed, determined to voice his displeasure.

He wanted Hayden to touch him damn it.

A/n – I am hoping I haven't screwed up Antonin's past, I'm almost positive I haven't but when you've got more than one story going with him being a significant character then it can get a bit iffy lol I mean the ones I write about already have a history and a past unless I've created my own characters 😊 which isn't the case here so I always needlessly worry since between this and Be Selfish…Antonin has gone from being a background character – barely mentioned – to being a main character lol I like and hate that he has no history it means I can play around with it, but it also means I have to remember what story is what 😉 and yes I write a lot on my documents but not all 😊 I go overboard with my documents but even I end up in a jam now and again 😉

Yay! I actually managed to get this out in two days it's been ages since I've been able to do that LOL 😉 well here's hoping it continues eh! It would be nice to get back into the swing of things properly 😊 and Poor Orion! All worked up and he's only got himself to blame 😉 R&R please xx