My Time

Chapter 60

Orion and Hayden ignored everyone, the stares from people manning desks, working hard, or those idling around and gossiping. The idling became more obvious after a quick trip in the lift to get to the right floor. The idling people were doing was merely for the doors of the room to open, accepting them to the room the Wizengamot used for their sessions. The whispering was definitely tuned out, Orion because he didn't want to curse or hex idiots so early in the morning, Hayden because he was so used to it that it automatically became background noise.

"It's unfortunate that there wasn't enough time to go for a coffee, it's actually not bad here," Hayden commented idly, which was true enough, you'd expect them to get the cheapest they could get. "Do they serve it inside?"

"No, cold beverages only. You did manage to read the book I gave you on the Wizengamot?" Orion questioned, as his gaze zeroed in on the door beginning to open. People automatically piled in, not that there were too many people actually waiting for the doors to open. He noticed those who had attacked him were refusing to meet his gaze. Fearful that he might not only enact retribution, but worse still, reveal all to their parents, or the Lord of their families. They were aware they were no way special, and that any acting out could see them removed from heirship claim or worse disowned and disinherited. He thought rather sourly that maybe he should speak to the Lords, it would serve them right. To see them squirm would make his year, he was sure.

"Which one? You've given me dozens." Hayden commented dryly, amusement lacing his tone, watching the others scurry away from them, like rats fleeing a burning ship. He didn't understand why, Orion was in no way intimidating, he was handsome though.

Orion clicked his tongue, shaking his head, amused, "While many are on the law, there were only two specifically geared towards the Wizengamot and how it works." Orion explained for Hayden, although, he suspected regardless of knowing how things worked…Hayden was going to do his own thing anyway. "I'll point them out when we return, but if you're unsure about anything, just ask."

Hayden grunted, showing his restlessness. He was no Hermione, but he knew he had to figure all this out. He'd been reading what he could after the war, since he realized that as a Potter, he was a Lord. Had been a Lord really, since the night his parents died technically. None of which Orion had given him yet, which made him really groan in frustration. Things had changed drastically in the decades since so obviously it would be different. He should have thought about it really. "I've read as much as I could, if I read any more I swear my brain would have leaked from my eyes."

Orion gave his partner a befuddled look, really? His brain would have leaked from his eyes? Where on earth did, he get his statements from? It sounded ludicrous, truly it did. Automatically allowing Hayden to go first, to enter the room the Wizengamot was using. As the bearer, Hayden was automatically slotted into the 'female' role, although they don't get as much flack as witches did. Although, Orion would find hilarity in their attempts to make Hayden adopt to such a position. Nobody could force Hayden to do anything he didn't want to.

"I thought only the Lord's were supposed to be here?" Hayden commented, blinking in befuddlement, when he saw the room itself properly for the first time. He wasn't sure what he'd been expecting. If he was honest, he was expecting something like a court room, minus the chair with the ominously shaking shackles. Instead, the entire room divided into sections, with benches raising higher, six benches on each side. In the middle of the room, a red rug spanned the entire length, with tables with runes affixed on top he noticed. "Definitely not what I was expecting." Did it change depending on what they were doing?

Orion chuffed, "You didn't even get a third through the book, did you?" amused, truthfully, he wasn't angry, or annoyed. Not that he would have a right to be angry or annoyed Hayden's life was his own. Hayden was trying so hard to play catch up by decades. Of course, it was going to take more than six months for him to do so. Orion himself had been educated since he was eight, to be prepared for this, Hayden had been shoved in the deep end after leaving the safety of Hogwarts and left to drown. He was determined though; he'd give his partner that. It's what he loved about him; he gave it his all. Whether it was in love or education, or his dreams and inspirations.

That and he could accomplish the impossible, not that Hayden realized this obviously.

Hayden was doing far too much though, if he didn't get himself into a routine and regular sleep, he was going to end up run down. He needed to make that clear to Hayden, especially if they were to add a wedding on top of it all. It would be a good way to get him to actually manage himself if he indicated to put the wedding off since there was too much going on. Hayden's schedule was diabolically hectic. It made him realize he couldn't complain about his own.

"No?" Hayden murmured, queryingly glancing up.

"I know," Orion said wryly, "There are a few pictures, admittedly in black and white, in the book, explaining how the 'benches' work so to speak. Only the Lord's can vote, but the heirs are there to learn. Usually they come with their Lord or Lady or Dowager, parents or godparents or magical guardians."

"They're not necessarily their parents?" Hayden questioned, eyes zooming around the room, trying to put family names to faces, which by the way he actually pegged a few.

"Oh, no, and not all Lord's or Lady's cede control to their children, or grandchildren or even grandchildren. Some wait for the 'heir' some assume they'll be 'heir' and others have zero interest in being the heir." Orion murmured quietly, "Those that want it, bear watching, but luckily, they cannot get it through ill intentions, the magic within this room would prove near fatal for them."

"I'm assuming it has nothing to do with actually killing just…you know," Hayden murmured inclining his head to the side. "Killing your father for the position for example?"

"Patricide, yes," Orion agreed, "You'll need to wait through there, you'll need to be introduced." Orion showed him one of the side entrances that was so rarely used.

"And the Peverell seat?" Hayden asked, feeling rather excited. "Aren't you sitting with me?" confused rather than worried or anxious, he had said if he had any questions to ask him.

"Until you're introduced I'll be sitting with my father," Orion explained, "You'll need to be on your own for the magic of the Peverell seat to accept you. I cannot be there for that part, once the magic is settled, I can join you." If they'd been married already, it would have been different. No doubt Orion would have a lot of questions, recalling just earlier in the office.

"I understand," Hayden nodded, the urge to demonstrate just whom Orion belonged to by kissing him was strong. An urge that surprised Hayden, was it because he was feeling jealous? Because he wanted to? He had never considered himself a jealous person before. No, it wasn't jealous, it was desire, Hayden realized, as he watched his partner, he was experiencing all these new things. Things he hadn't felt for Ginny like at all, in any measure. In fact, he could say in all honesty he'd never felt these sorts of emotions ever and he prayed they never ceased. "I'll see you soon." He added, squeezing Orion's hand before brazenly, kissing him, on the side of the mouth.

"You are a terror," Orion murmured, watching Hayden's eyes gleam with wicked delight. He knew the reactions he'd get for everything he was doing, yet he delighted in doing it anyway. "Go on, before I have to spend the entire time listening to my father." Letting go, he watched Hayden smirk before he moved away, stalking powerfully and confidently towards the adjacent room. Hell, he'd likely have to listen to him anyway, regardless of their previous talk on the subject.

"Well, if nobody knew before, they know now." Antonin commented coming up to stand beside him, "You're completely besotted." Watching the closed door with amusement, he was lucky, very much so, not many actually got to marry for love, especially not heirs of the family. Their duty never ended, from the moment they were alive, it was duty always, it dictated their entire lives.

Perhaps it would be the same for them if Hayden's parents hadn't been killed when he was a baby. Antonin thought, it was odd, seeing two heirs, to Lords marrying, especially first borns. It just wasn't done, Orion had been set to marry the first born child (Walburga) of a prominent family. They would have expected him to marry another female if the betrothal with Walburga fell through. Which again, they didn't expect to happen. Orion had seemed resigned to it, just like everyone else who was going the same thing.

"Good, then perhaps Hayden will cease getting betrothal contracts send to him," Orion said dryly, "He does get rather vexed when he receives them."

"Vexed? That's what you call it?" Antonin snorted, shaking his head, he could imagine Hayden's reaction.

Orion's lips pulled into a smirk, "Believe me, you don't want to see him truly pissed off," sagely giving Antonin advice, "He's terrifying when he unleashes his full power. He makes Riddle look like child's play."

Antonin blinked, a thoughtful look on his face before he nodded, "I believe it." He had experienced Hayden's powers, and likely not the full scope of it. "Come on, they're beginning to get impatient." Nudging him, gesturing towards everyone, who was already sat, and watching the scene curiously. Although, when Orion glanced sharply at the groups, they all feigned inattention, except of course, his father, who was sitting with his lips pursed, but not too annoyed thankfully. Orion was serious when he said he didn't want to have to put up with his fathers' annoyance at their public displays of affection.

Orion and Antonin begun to move towards their 'parties' and their parents. Orion noticed that Antonin's father was much improved, the last time he'd seen him he'd been a shadow of his former self. They bid each other farewell, inclining their heads before sitting down.

"You do like to make life difficult for me, don't you?" Arcturus asked his son.

"No, I just want to live mine." Orion said in rejoinder but with respect, he loved his father and would never speak to him disrespectfully. Especially not in public, if he had legitimate grievances with his father, he wouldn't air them in public, that would be a step too far. "As far away from Walburga as possible." Which if the contract was seen through – and it will – then they couldn't put further distance between them if they tried.

Arcturus turned forward, he was proud of Orion, more so than he ever revealed, Lucretia too. Given the contract his brother had tried – some might say successfully – to trap them in…he often wondered what would have come of the family. He would never know, he knew, but in the dead of the night he often had nightmares about what that future looked like. He owed Hayden more than he could ever repay for that single instance, never mind making his boy happy. Extatically happy, more so than he'd ever been. He'd never seen him smile that way, not since he was…what six-year-old? Downright genuine happiness. Being an heir took its toll, but he'd soon learn that it was his approach that did it, as he observed the way Hayden and Orion ran their household, but that was quite a while yet.

Hayden slid into the side room, a curious look on his face, as his eyes roved around taking everything in. Then blinked rapidly in succession, staring at the wizard, genuinely surprised to see him there. "Tom?" almost wanting to poke him to see if he was really there. He knew he was, his perception and reality had never been in doubt, ever.

"Good morning," Tom replied smoothly, genuinely surprised as Hayden, to find the wizard here.

"What…what are you doing here?" he asked, moving further into the room.

"Taking your advice," Tom answered, it had taken a while but he was finally mentally sound. He'd gone to a mind healer who was an expert in Occlumens and Legilmens, with an ironclad non-disclosure agreement that acted something of an Unbreakable Vow. They'd helped guide him into not only realigning his mental shields, tidying up his memories, and repairing the damage he'd wrought on his mind.

"What advice?" Hayden asked, eyes wide, what advice had he given him? He tried to think about all the times they'd spoken since being here, which really was only three or four times. It was nothing in the grand scheme of things, but what had he forced upon the world? What advice had he given him? He was half about to panic really over what his possible suggestions had wrought upon the world.

"I am Lord Tom Marvolo Gaunt," Tom replied, with that very familiar condescending smug look adorned his face. "You owe them Gryffindors sword." He added, as he showed his hand, adorned his finger, was a coat of arms, which Hayden presumed to be the Gaunt crest. Hayden wasn't familiar with all the family crests to know them by sight.

"Oh, please let me go first, please, please, please," Hayden said, almost vibrating in excitement. "I want to see the look on his face."

Tom arched a brow at the pleasing before smirking at the reason for it. "Well, I do owe you." He conceded, allowing him this one concession.

"Brilliant!" Hayden said, rubbing his hands together, this was going to be amazing.

"I assume you read the newspaper this morning?" Tom replied, swaggering to the bench and sat down.

"No, I've not read it this morning, we left at the crack of dawn, why?" Hayden queried, a frown marring his features.

"The main article was about Dumbledore; he's been sworn in as a member of the Wizen last night." Tom explained in distaste, crossing his arms in petulant annoyance. "It won't be long before he's chief warlock of whatever damnable political party he takes control of."

Hayden cocked his head before righting it, practically silently agreeing with him. Nothing about this honestly surprised him, Dumbledore was going to need careful dismantling of, a little bit at a time. He would do it; they would do it; he was not going to allow Dumbledore to have the power he had in the past. "Hmm, that's all?" suspecting there was more to it than that, it was sort of a given Dumbledore would be brought into it.

"They've got him down as a potential candidate for the recently opened seat within the International Confederation of wizards." Tom sneered; his disgust evident on every pore of his handsome features. "A decision will be made by the Yule session, but we both know how it will go, don't we?"

"So soon?" Hayden murmured, slightly disturbed, he knew Dumbledore gained all this, but he'd never imagined it all was practically shoved at him in rapid succession. "We'll make sure its different." Grim and determined, eyes flashing dangerously, if it was the last thing he did he would make sure of it.

"We'll see," Tom declared, not as confident as Hayden that they could succeed, Dumbledore had been a continuous thorn in his side for eight years now nearly. "You need to be the closest to the door, the one closest to the door gets called out first." The seats glowed, and the speaker called out the name of the person being brought into the chambers. When he wasn't with his mind healer his nose was buried in books to ensure everything went according to plan.

"Swearing in to join us today…please help me in welcoming in Lord Hayden Ignotus Haidar Peverell," the speaker of the room called out, and it was as if he was in this very room as well. Hayden having heard it despite the door being closed, well, was. As at that very moment, the door slid open.

"Did they really need to use my full name?" Hayden muttered in exasperation, "It could be worse. It could be Dumbledore's." he added as he slid through the door, the last thing he heard from Tom was his laugh.

Hayden moved towards the speaker his head held high, ignoring the stares, the whispers and his own nerves.

"Stand here and recite the oath," the speaker said, gesturing for Hayden to come to him, "Place your hand on the book." One of the oldest books (they used to be a scrolls until they were bound safely) that had been safeguarded by all possible means magically possible. It was carefully repaired when it required it.

A card next to the book emblazoned with the words of the oath, to ensure there were no nervous mistakes or wilful ones perhaps. Hayden set his hand carefully upon the book. The magic positively thrummed within it; it was…magnificent. He could feel the magic in it, he knew instinctively (don't ask him how) who's magic it was.

"I swear by Almighty Goddess Hecate that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Lady Magic, her heirs and successors, and the Ministers according to law. So, mote it be." Hayden immersed his magic within the collection already attached to the book. For swearing in thousands if not millions of wizards over the years, he was naturally unaware the magic he was feeling were only the ones who'd been true to their oaths.

Hayden wondered if the words changed over the course of the decades. Wondered when it was made into something shameful. He wondered why Lady Magic continued to honour them with magic when they dismissed her so harshly and easily. It was completely baffling, especially now he knew she was real, just like death was. He felt magic flare within the room, and Hayden honed in on it like a honing missile.

The Peverell bench, lit up like a beacon as they all waited, this was the final test, where any and all doubt would be removed. For if Hayden Peverell wasn't a direct descendant of the Peverell line, the magic would react violently to the insult. Every Lord, every heir, every Lady there held their breathe while Hayden ambled towards his seat without fear or hesitation.

Orion watched everyone with a singular eyeroll at the lot of them, honestly, as if anyone could fool Gringotts blood inheritance tests. Then again, perhaps most assumed the Peverell family didn't have money anymore, having been gone so long. That would be their first mistake, presumptions were such annoying things.

"At least remain until everyone has been sworn in," Arcturus quietly complained to his son, pressing his shoulder to prevent his son from getting up.

Orion pegged immediately, "Everyone?" zeroing in on his father, "Who else is being sworn in?" befuddled, could it be Antonin? Was his father stepping down? Had he taken a turn for the worst despite the phoenix tears?

"One Tom Marvolo Gaunt, I do wish you'd told me you attended school with Marvolo's grandchild." Arcturus replied, a hint of reprimand in his voice. "It's good to know that the line will continue." The Gaunt family was almost as old as the Blacks. Couldn't quite nail their family down as far back as the Black's but not far off it. It had caught him and many of the others who had attended with Marvolo and his brother Maclin. They'd known about Morfin, and that he was in prison, but nothing about Morfin having a son. "A bastard child will be a difficult stain to remove, Gaunt or not." They knew Morfin was not married.

"Not Morfin Gaunt," Orion immediately refuted, "Marvolo had two children, Morfin and Merope, Tom is a child of Merope Gaunt."

Arcturus frowned, his brow wrinkling, not just like they had the tradition of naming their children after stars and such. The Gaunts named their children with 'M' names, always have done, always would do. "Are you sure?" disheartened to hear that. He couldn't have claimed to be best of friends, but he'd known the Gaunt well enough to be on first name basis back in the day, due to his fathers friendship with them and ultimately his as well until he withdrew from society.

"Definitely sure," Orion replied, giving no further information. Tom or Voldemort as he had taken to calling himself, had clearly changed his name. What information he intended to give out wasn't known to him. He wasn't afraid of him, but what he could still become if given a push. The horror he'd wreaked upon the magical world wouldn't be forgotten, not by Hayden, or himself.

Arcturus' face was once more blank, but he determined to look up the family or speak to this Tom. Was he much like Hayden? Raised away from family? Surely his mother would have wanted him to continue the family tradition? Or was his birth name something beginning with M and forgotten perhaps when he was adopted? Was he given an alternative name? There was so much that was unknown, Merlin he couldn't believe Marvolo had a daughter! That shack they'd moved into wasn't comfortable for two let alone three! He made a small thoughtful sound. He'd look forward to his son and this Gaunt reuniting the ties that bind the Black and Gaunt family.

Orion watched everyone's reaction with amusement, honestly, it's like they forgot the Lordship rings couldn't be fooled. Gringotts blood inheritance couldn't be fooled. Honestly, the lot of them were rather dim-witted, he thought, with consternation.

"Swearing in to join us today…please help me in welcoming in Lord Thomas Marvolo Gaunt." The speaker spoke softly yet firmly.

Orion blinked, stunned, the last thing he expected was for him to keep his name. It wasn't a secret in Slytherin that he detested his name. He'd gone far enough to refer to himself as Voldemort. So why change it to Thomas? Although, to be fair it was a saint name, and a lot of wizards were given saints names. St. Thomas or Didymus was a missionary from Galilee, the Roman empire. Perhaps that was the way he was going? Or was it a mistake by the speaker and it was meant to be Tom? Orion glanced at Hayden and found that he was just as stunned as him.

"Oh, would you look at Dumbledore's face," Orion said, almost wanting to cackle like his aunt Carina, but it was very untoward to do as such.

Arcturus' gaze immediately followed Orion's, seeking out Dumbledore's face. Orion was quite correct on that front, the wizard looked stunned, wary, and almost fearful. Interesting, he couldn't quite recall such a look being on Dumbledore's face before. Especially considering you couldn't get a read on Dumbledore most times, unless he was amused. That damnable twinkle in his eye.

Naturally everyone else just clapped politely and gossiped.

"The Gaunt family? I thought Morfin was the last one?"

"Thomas Marvolo Gaunt? Not the Gaunt family surely?"

"Impossible,"

"Lies! The family is gone!"

"What like the Peverell family line?" came the sarcastic immediate retort.

Laughter followed that rejoinder.

Tom stalked out of the room, head held high, a smug and superior look on his face. Which really, went well at home amongst the wizards here who all believed themselves above the rabble. Believed they were better than all others just by being born into such an aristocratic, noble and influential family. Haughty, sure in the knowledge that he was better than everyone there but intelligent enough to know never to state as such.

"Stand here and recite the oath," the speaker said, gesturing for him, but there was no need, Tom was stood next to him confidently. Clearly, he was familiar with the proceedings having read about it. "Place your hand here on the book."

Tom set his hand carefully upon the book. Without a single pause or wobble, Tom recited the words, "I swear by Almighty Goddess Hecate that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Lady Magic, her heirs and successors, and the Ministers according to law. So, mote it be." His gaze travelling to Hayden and inclining his head, lips twitching in amusement.

"I'll return soon, father," Orion told his father, waiting for his nod before he stood and made his way over to the Peverell section. He wondered what party Hayden would ultimately join. "Welcome to the Wizen,"

"Do you ever get the urge to finish that with gamot?" Hayden grinned, as his partner sat down.

Orion laughed softly, "Sometimes," watching Hayden's grin become a smile, he was breath-taking in his splendour.

That smile became a little more vindictive and gleeful, "Did you see that look on his face?" Watching as Tom moved to his seat, which was one bench below him. "Thomas?" he said cocking his head, truly curious to know what Tom had been thinking. Was it the Horcrux madness that had made him react to the mild annoyance he felt as his name.

Orion chuckled, "I did," eyeing Tom curiously himself, honestly, it was the last thing he'd ever expected.

"I can hardly use Voldemort Gaunt now, can I?" Tom said dryly.

Hayden burst out laughing, it swiftly became chuckles as he shook his head in amusement. "No, definitely not, flight of death Gaunt just doesn't have that ring…although since you're no longer Tom Marvolo Riddle that nickname doesn't ring anymore does it 'I am Lord Voldemort'."

"I was rather proud of that anagram," Tom complained quietly, almost pouting, almost. It was a really close call; it had been quite brilliant in his defence!

Hayden just smirked ruefully, noticing everyone gawping at both him and Tom, well, the pureblood version of gawping. It was slight lowering of their jaw, the subtle widening of their eyes, and utter befuddlement and puzzled expression on their faces. He did ponder on their expressions, but not for long, he honestly didn't care about them, their thoughts or belief's. He'd gone so long with the whispers, gossips and the staggeringly insulting belief they owed the right of his life and what he chose to do. "You should be, it is impressive given it's two in one." Flight of death and his fear of it, as well as it being his entire name in an anagram.

A/n – Didn't get as much written today my poor mum has really bad tonsillitis got soaking set three times today (both jackets soaked through) walking dogs shopping and picking up prescriptions ugh I'd prefer snow over pouring rain (Its not stopped all day) to be honest I'm surprised I got as much done as I did! and mothers day has such rotten timing especially this year...a week after buying my brother it's mothers day here in the UK sucks let me tell you especially since I could barely pay my rent but the good thing is I did, life, am I right? *sigh* soooo what do you think? should Tom have taken on a different name? I honestly couldn't decide so I just put Thomas down, since it IS a saints name and he already has a different one in The Contract although I love the name I gave him in the contract R&R please!