My Time

Chapter 4

Orion stalked over to the only healer in the ward, annoyance thrumming through him. His stalk poised and unhurried, and the Healer turned to give him a grateful nod, the Black's donated so much that nobody willingly wanted to antagonise the wizard even if they didn't like him. Fortunately, they found Heir Orion Black rather pleasant to deal with even if somewhat distant. He blatantly wanted to be elsewhere, but Yule was just winding down, no doubt he was missing the last few days of his entire family being around him to be here.

"If I find Heir Peverell's medical records still on display in ten minutes, I will go directly to the administrator and ensure everyone who had passed this room finds themselves out of a job." Orion declared seriously; he took grave offence to them displaying – even accidentally – someone's private medical file. "Then I shall let it be known to the general public, and you'll find yourself short of patients and donations."

That was until he opened his mouth that is, but he didn't find himself angry, he found himself embarrassed at his own failure. He'd been working double time and he was exhausted; it didn't excuse the much up. Heir Black was quite correct, if someone else had noticed and hadn't been as kind to mention it, he could very well have lost his job or been asked to take a holiday. By ask it was really a demand. "Of course, I apologise and thank you for informing me, Heir Black," he said, "Excuse me," with that the healer swiftly made his way directly back to the room Peverell had been put in.

Orion followed at a more sedate pace, happy with the results. He'd made the healer appropriately terrified, and hopefully such an incident won't happen again. He clearly didn't notice all the gazes watching him, with admiring gazes, all wishing they had the sort of pull to land such a handsome wizard.

"I just want to thank you again," one of the young Medi-witches said, following him into the room. "You've made so many children happy tonight." She said in wonder, standing in front of him, preventing him from moving until he replied.

Orion held in his exasperation; he had been thanked a million times tonight. All of it empty attempts to talk to him, with only a few really meaning it. He gazed passed the Medi-witch and noticed Peverell was listening, his head cocked to the side observing him. Green eyes gleaming lively with amusement, at least someone was amused he thought wryly. Although, listening to other people's conversations, rude.

"I'm glad," Orion replied, his tone bland and uninterested, all he'd done was give children a few trinkets and some food. The food would be scoffed and the trinkets discarded within minutes. He didn't particularly see the point, but unfortunately, it was expected of him by his parents.

"You're doing an amazing thing," the Medi-witch continued, "Do you have any more wards to do? I can come with you?" all but batting her eyelashes at Orion. He was gorgeous who could blame her for her attempts to spend more time with him?

"Meredith, don't you have your rounds to complete?" Healer Smethwick barked, as he strode down the hallway, clearly annoyed by everyone hanging around the ward instead of doing their duties. "Heir Black, is your betrothed not with you?" the healer was old enough to know that the soon-to-be-wives were usually pulled into the job as well.

Meredith flushed floridly red, before slinking away not before giving Orion one last look of longing.

Hayden arched a brow, so he was already betrothed to Walburga, poor sod. If she was anything like the portrait of her, the banshee that she was, he would constantly be bleeding from his ears. He had no idea how betrothals work though, he had so much research to do to fit in here. Things were so vastly different – which surprised him – he hadn't expected much difference in the magical world.

"She is feeling under the weather," Orion informed him, lying through his teeth without a single tell giving him away. She'd thrown a snit when she was informed it was only proper, she go. So much so that his parents had given in trying to convince her. They were under the impression she'd wise up and do the right thing. "She apologies for not being able to come." Another lie.

Hayden smothered his amusement, now he knew that surely had to be a lie. He doubted Walburga Black had apologised a day in her life, the horrid witch that she was. Poor Sirius, Poor Regulus, heck, Poor Orion, having to put up with that harpy. Still, it seemed that he was destined to watch from afar as the one meant for him married another. Perhaps friendship would be the only closeness he'd get. If he got anywhere near Orion, who he knew was extremely cautious, he'd been the one to ward Grimmauld Place to hell and back according to Sirius.

He certainly didn't scream of a paranoid Wizard, maybe the Black madness was in him too. To a certain extent. Frowning in contemplation, maybe it truly had a grip on all of them, even now.

"I'm sorry to hear that, I hope the Lady Walburga gets well soon," the healer promptly replied, "Now excuse me, I have my rounds to oversee." With that he was off, satisfied that everyone was doing their job and not hounding Black every minute he was here and not slacking off. He wouldn't have that happening, especially not with a skeleton crew on right now.

Orion didn't correct his assumption that Walburga was a Lady. It was inevitable, they would marry and she would be Lady Walburga. He also wanted to be pissed at the familiarity he used, but if he recalled correctly, the healer was good friends with his parents and aunts and uncles.

"You look as glad to be here as I am," Hayden spoke, an amused lilt to his voice. "You, unlike me, can leave any time."

Orion's gaze returned to Peverell, he was an odd creature, they weren't even acquaintances and he was not using their titles. That wasn't done, he couldn't help but wonder if he had been raised in the Muggle world, or elsewhere. He found himself oddly enough, wishing to get to know him better. "It's nothing but a waste of my time," Orion declared, "The food will be eaten and the toys discarded within a few hours clogging up St. Mungo's store room." Which was where the toys were stored.

Hayden blinked, a frown marring his features, "You really believe that, don't you?" He said softly, a look that Orion couldn't decipher in his gaze. It made him feel like squirming like an errant child.

"Why deny the truth?" Orion replied, barely refraining from shrugging his shoulders, that was how comfortable he felt in his presence which was freaking him out.

An idea struck Hayden, it's too bad he didn't have his Invisibility cloak. Then again…would the cloak belong to him anymore? It had been in the Potter family for generations…he would miss it, sorely miss it. He had literally just finished that thought when a very, very familiar bundle magically appeared in his lap. His fingers brushed through it, awe thrumming through him, it was like being welcomed home.

Orion's eyes widened comically at the show of power. There was no wand anywhere to be seen, yet he'd summoned something to him without any difficulty whatsoever. The manner in which it was summoned was also highly unusual, when you summon something, you're literally summoning it to yourself. It did not just appear out of thin air, Runes perhaps? Recalling charm sounded more likely actually. "Is that an invisibility cloak?" they were quite rare, perhaps ten of them in the world, all belonging to various families, the Moody family is said to have two, actually. The Potters' have one, evidently the Peverell's did as well.

"Yeah, you've got a few more wards to visit…right?" eyeing the bag he had with him, which still by the look of the bulging had a few items let inside. They might just be left overs though, so he wasn't certain.

"One, yes," Orion informed him, giving him a curious look, wondering what he was up to. He was certainly turning out to be more entertaining than the entire evening had been thus far. At least it wasn't a total loss.

Sliding out of bed, Hayden tested out his balance. "Come on, let me show you what you've done for them," he said, grinning widely, showing off his rows of perfectly white teeth. "Duck under."

"That will not fit both of us under there," Orion said, eyeing the material, which glimmered almost imperceptibly with magic. Why was he even contemplating this he wondered?

"Of course, it will," Hayden replied, swinging it over both their bodies. True to Hayden's word, the invisibility cloak did fit them entirely, their feet were tucked under it. Completely obscuring them from view.

Hayden grasped Orion's wrist and begun tugging him forward, ignoring the stiffness he could feel encompassing Orion whole. He did not like strangers touching him, usually because they were feeling him up like he was a piece of meat on display or a House-elf to be bought.

"I can walk," Orion whispered in annoyance, despite the rather exciting childish amusement coursing through him. It was…thrilling really, the anonymity and the excitement he felt just doing something different.

"You can talk normally, there's a silencing spell up," Hayden said in his normal volume, as he urged him into the next ward.

"I've already done in here…" Orion informed him, expecting the wizard to turn around, moving to do so himself. The wizard only shoved him on, and an indignant sound left his lips that made the wizard laugh at him. "Shh, look, listen." He said as he squeezed them into a cubical that had three children inside of it, all of them in hospital wear, so evidently there as patients, and probably supposed to be sleeping.

"What did you get?" she whispered gleefully, clutching her own stuffed unicorn closely as if it was the best gift she'd ever gotten.

Orion paused, watching the scene in front of him.

"I got a Thestral," she said, showing of the black leather and fur teddy, before hugging it closely. "Mummy was crying," she whispered sadly. "I tried to give it to her to make her feel better but she said it was mine."

"I got my favourite! A Hippogriff!" showing off her own gift, "It's so pretty! Just like Mr. Black! He had the prettiest eyes."

"Why would she be crying?" Orion asked, utterly baffled.

Hayden looked at the only other teddy the child had on her bed, it was very washed out and well cared for. Then at the clothes neatly set in the cabinet, faded but well-loved all the same. Then glanced at the other beds. "Look around you, Orion, the clothes, the one other toy she has here…I don't think her family has much. It's Yule and there are no new gifts, not like her friends, who have quite a few gifts on their own beds. You've quite literally made that little girl's year, with just a single gift. It won't be discarded believe you me, that girl will love that gift for years to come."

Orion glanced at the other three beds, and found that Hayden was quite correct. They had new gifts on their beds presumably from their parents. Toys, books, colouring books and some clothes. The same couldn't be said for this one. He observed the little girl, watching her intently, the protective way she clutched her new toy even from her new friends.

Watching them talk about maybe getting to go outside tomorrow, wondering if they would get some snow. How delicious the gingerbread was, how they wished their parents could make it the same to have some more. The healer came in and disrupted their fun, and despite their complaints and pleading, the healer succeeded in getting them to their beds for the night.

The girl snuggled in with her two teddies', "Thank you, Mr. Black," she whispered, and Orion froze, wondering if she knew he was there. Instead, all that happened was she closed her eyes and fell sleep with a wide content smile on her face.

He'd been in a rush to get out of the ward, to get it all done that he hadn't really waited for a single thank you. Instead, he'd rushed out in the initial excitement of the children getting their gifts, he hadn't taken the time to really appreciate the look on their faces. The healers and Medi-witches had seen them, perhaps that's why he'd been given the continued praise that had so annoyed him.

This time when Peverell guided him out of the room, he didn't stiffen or protest. He allowed it, mind still entirely on the scenes he'd just observed. Stopping and starting, as they avoided the healers and anyone coming and going.

They snuck into the third last ward, freezing when they heard a voice before relaxing. The invisibility cloak kept them from detection, as they leaned against the wall and observed.

"Charlie! Charlie are you awake?"

"I am now, what is it Morgan?" Charlie asked, opening his bleary eye to see his new friend. The potions he was on left him nigh on exhausted, so he was often sleeping it off. Morgan had been in for two days now, the rest of his new friends had already been released. He still had another week left before he could go home.

"Do you want to play chess?" the twelve-year-old asked, excitement exuding out of him in droves.

"Since when did you have a chess set here?" Charlie murmured already half asleep again.

"We got Yule gifts," Morgan said thrumming with energy. "Mr Black came by hours ago with them." Exaggerating time as children so often do.

"We?" Charlie was certainly much more aware and awake again.

"Yeah, isn't it awesome?" Morgan grinned, "Chess?" he asked again, "Please, please, please, please!"

"We won't get to play a full game, the Medi-witches will be by again soon," Charlie warned him, huffing quietly, before agreeing, "Come on then!"

"Aren't you going to open yours?" Morgan asked, bounding onto Charlie's bed, and the travel chess set was quickly set up.

"Pass it up then," Charlie agreed, as Morgan made the first move on the chess set. "Thanks," accepting the gift, he ripped he paper and looked inside. The thirteen-year-old smiled touching the contents reverentially.

"What did you get?" Morgan asked nosily, almost delving head first into the box to find out for himself.

"Art supplies, paper, paints, one canvas, colouring pencils, and a creature colouring book," Charlie said, it was almost as if it had been specially made for him. Then again, the healers had been giving them out…maybe they had known who'd be best for what. A small smile on his face, it would help him immensely, he got bored so easily.

"You missed the best bit!" Morgan said, refraining from jumping up and down, "It's your turn, we had gingerbread! Maybe the healers left some for you?"

Orion glanced at Morgan in disbelief, he actually enjoyed the gingerbread more than the gift? Considering how hyped up he was to play a game…he found that near impossible to believe.

Charlie shook his head, "I wouldn't be allowed it," he confessed, he was on a strict diet with this potion regime. With care he put the box containing his art supplies on top of his cabinet, making sure he didn't spill the cup of water.

"Come on," Hayden said, after a few more minutes of watching the boys play a game of chess. Once they were in the hallway, he removed the cloak, keeping it close. "Never underestimate how your actions are perceived by others…a little act of kindness can go a long way. Who knows, that little random act of kindness may result in them doing the same when they're older."

Orion said nothing as he followed Hayden, once again wondering why he was doing so. Surely, there was nothing more to be said or learnt? The children were all sleeping, they shouldn't be disturbing them. Never mind the fact hat Hayden should be resting himself, he was a patient after all. He had no shoes on, no cloak, and it was rather draughty.

"Happy Yule!" Hayden said, taking the bag from Orion's fingers, nosing around in it, finding a small tag that declared what ages the toys were suitable for. "Did you all enjoy your gingerbread?"

The three teens nodded, looking amused, watching Hayden tip toe outrageously across the room.

Orion arched a brow, staring in what he hoped was a judgemental disgust, leaning against the wall observing. Secretly though he was slightly amused, he was acting extremely childish. At least the teenagers were getting a laugh out of it he supposed. "I didn't get any," Hayden grumbled, throwing Orion a look as if he was to blame for that particular thing.

"Yule gifts, My Lords, from the wonderful Heir Orion Black," Hayden teased, as he levitated the three over to them. Hayden noticed one was less enthusiastic than the others and sat by him.

Orion straightened up, almost puffing out in pride, and why shouldn't he? He was very proud of his title and last name. It was one of the oldest wizarding families, and would continue to be.

"Missing your parents?" he asked softly, it would more than likely be something bothering them all, they just felt too old to admit it. His bubbly persona he'd just had on moments ago fading away to solemnness.

The boy glanced at the other two boys before shaking his head emphatically.

Hayden smiled, "My names Hayden, what's yours?" watching him clutch the gift close but not yet open it unlike the two other boys who were already digging into their Mego, which was just the magical world's term for Lego Harry realized.

"George," the boy told him.

"It's nice to meet you George," Hayden said, watching as the boy finally opened his gift. A magically operated drone, it felt familiar, like he'd seen one before…Ron's, he remembered seeing a really old one there. The more magic that went into it, the longer it flew. The awe on his face made Hayden smile a genuine sweet smile. The boy barely looked a day over eight.

"You too," he said shyly.

"Does your parents work a lot?" Harry asked, not many actually worked during Yule. It was such an important part of the magical world's life, that they worked only if they had to. Shops closed sooner and others closed entirely for days. "First day back after Yule?"

"It's only me and mum," George confessed, "Dad died when a bomb dropped at home."

Hayden inhaled, of course, how bloody stupid of him. Had the war not just ended? So not only had the child lost his home, his possessions but his father. "I'm sorry little one," Hayden murmured sadly, "You lived in the Muggle world?"

George nodded, "The spells dad put up weren't enough..."

"Do you and your mum have somewhere to stay?" Hayden enquired, absently taking the crumbled-up paper and putting it in the wastebasket to his side.

George nodded enthusiastically, "I've got my own room! Mum calls them prefabs, and we've got our own vegetable garden, we all help! And I stay at my friends for sleepovers in tents in the back gardens!"

Hayden smiled, he recalled the name prefabs, the older generation used to say that word frequently. Referring to buildings that had been built after the war, they were like bungalows, small, compact, and built with the rubble from the blasts. Not all of them were that way, but he guessed from the way the child spoke that it was most definitely that way for him. "I guess she has to work a lot now, huh?"

"I miss her, she works two jobs to make ends meet," sounding like he was parroting her now. "So that I can go to Hogwarts when it's time."

"Life sucks sometimes," Hayden said with sympathy, "But it will get better," once he started Hogwarts, she wouldn't need to find someone to babysit him, and she'd be able to get a full-time job instead of two part time jobs he reckoned.

"Thank you for this!" he said after a few moments of silence.

"Too bad you can't use it at home," Hayden teased, "You'll have to wait until you're in Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade to use it or Hogwarts."

George pouted.

"But it wasn't a gift from me, little one, I can't take the credit," Hayden said, glancing over at Orion, blinking at the intense look on Orion's face.

"Thank you, Mr. Black!" he said, clutching his toy tightly as if fearing it would be taken from him.

"You're welcome," the wizard in question answered, his voice softer than Hayden had heard it all night.

"You're still here?" the three students and Hayden all jumped at the sound of the Healers voice. "Heir Black…" she suddenly trailed off, looking much like the rabbit stuck in the headlight.

"Uh-oh," George murmured.

"Uh-oh is right," Hayden agreed with a rueful grin. "It was nice to meet you, George, get well soon!" patting the youngster on the shoulder.

"Sleep well boys," he told the other two, who had been immersed in their Mego until moments ago, and were now feigning sleep, trying to get out of trouble, with the lump of Mego under their covers, clearly visible.

The contrite Healer watched Hayden and Orion leave the room.

"Would you join me for a coffee in the cafeteria, Heir Peverell?" Orion asked, glancing at Hayden.

"Lord, Lord Peverell," Hayden said startling Orion, "But you can call me Hayden, it's the least I can do, after all you did help me." He didn't say 'saved his life' because he hadn't although, Orion wasn't to know that. "I don't have any money with me though, I'd have to pay you back another day."

Orion waved off that particular concern, it was a coffee, not a house.

The cafeteria was still open, and didn't have many patrons. Those that were there through, watched Orion with avarice. It wasn't as if Orion Black was singularly the only good-looking wizard in the magical world. So, he didn't get it. Although, admittedly a lot of them looked like the back ends of animals…or the front.

There was Abraxas Malfoy, Tom Riddle, and there was another one of his group who had been really good looking as well. He honestly, couldn't say for the life of him who it was. Definitely one that didn't have children in his year, or at all actually. Rosier or Mulciber, it definitely wasn't Nott.

Hayden was brought out of his thoughts when a cup was placed in front of him along with a few muffins and a variety of biscuits, all with their wrappers still on them. "Thank you," he replied, stirring in some sugar, he really hadn't thought coming back in time through…yet he couldn't regret it. The green flash of light…how many times was he going to be bloody killed with that particular spell it was like he was cursed. He couldn't believe Ginny had killed him.

"You're welcome," Orion said, observing the wizard with naked curiosity.

"Go ahead and ask," Hayden said in amusement, he could see him dying to ask him questions.

"Your family is magical right? From the Peverell line?" Orion asked.

"Yes," Hayden nodded firmly, assuming he'd figured as much from his looks.

"Did your father take on your mothers name when they married?" assuming that there hadn't been a male Peverell until now.

"No, my father was Ignotus Jameson Peverell," Harry told him, sipping from the cup, grimacing a little, he'd had better coffee while on the run for a year. He added more sugar and milk in an attempt to make it better. "He was the first male descendant the family had in generations."

"You sound British, but you definitely didn't attend Hogwarts," Orion said, observing the wizard closely, "I would have definitely remembered."

"Now you're just fishing," Hayden said dryly, "But you happen to be correct, I was born in Britain, I didn't attend Hogwarts, I was home schooled."

Orion nodded slowly, "Mother worried something might happen?" he had sensed the sympathy for the child earlier and that sort of loss…echoed. Plus, he had said was, his father was Ignotus Jameson Peverell, which meant he was deceased.

"My parents died at the same time, in the same attack." Hayden informed him, "It was a good guess though. How about you? Your family?"

Orion gracefully let him change the subject, despite his curiosity. "I'm the senior male-line descendant of the House of Black." His pride evident, "The only son of Arcturus and Melania Black. Grandson of Sirius and Hesper Black, my sister Lucretia Black is betrothed to Ignatius Prewitt. I'd be here forever if I were to mention my cousins." He added wryly.

"What's it like? Having such a big family?" Hayden asked wistfully, a grimace of pain on his face just thinking of the Weasley family. They had been his family, but other than for a few weeks during the summer holidays he hadn't actually spent a whole lot of time with the family all together.

"Burdensome," Orion told him bluntly, "My father is teaching me the ins and outs of the entire estate. I'm going to be responsible for everyone, when my father passes the Lordship onto me, it's me that everyone will bother for money…I had no idea how often the family bothered my father for money, despite the generous allowance they get." Saying way more than he intended to, snapping his jaw shut, he had nobody to vent to, and it just so happened Peverell had caught him with his guard down.

"You're betrothed, aren't you?" Hayden said, "It means your burdens will be halved." Jealous of Walburga, and he'd only just met Orion…for all he knew Orion was straight.

Orion's mouth curled in distaste for half a second, just a second before it righted itself. "Yes, I somehow doubt my cousin cares much for running the estate." Just spending from it.

Hayden choked on the coffee he had just sipped, wheezing a little dramatically, just for the hell of it, "Cousin? You're…marrying…your cousin?" aghast on full display.

Orion arched a brow, suddenly going cold, "Problem?" he bit out.

"Uh…Toujours pure, always pure, I had no idea it meant marrying within the family…" wiping up the spilled coffee, "If that's what you've been doing, I'm surprised there's a Black family still to be entirely honest." Leading the conversation in a way that he wanted to.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Orion asked indignantly, shoulders straight, grey eyes boring into green.

"There are dangers to inbreeding, including the reduction of genetic diversity." Hayden explained, "Reduced biological fitness. It can cause physical abnormalities, reduced or non-existent magical cores, madness."

Orion stood refusing to hear any more of the lies. He wasn't sure what this wizard was hoping to accomplish but he refused to hear of it. He stalked off without a single further word to Lord Peverell.

As he stalked down the halls, the word madness played like a loop in his head. It couldn't be, it was a mere coincidence, that was all. Peverell couldn't know such a closely guarded family secret, was it a guess? Or was there something to his words?

The thought was absolutely terrifying.

Oh my gosh, this definitely wasn't what I had in mind...but can't have EVERYTHING be smooth sailing for them, and they're always going to butt heads together I think...which will make the attraction more palpable I'm going to enjoy writing it that's for sure! So, will Orion do some digging himself and find out the truth or will Hayden be the one to send 'evidence' to the wizard and force him to face facts? All the while the attraction simmers under the surface? Just how long will it take before Harry selfishly decides to have Orion for himself? even now despite himself he's plotting and planning to ensure that the Black family isn't destroyed...R&R