My Time

Chapter 8

Hayden stared at the massive gathering, understanding the need for the castle now. He had no idea the Black family was so large, well, he'd known there were a lot of them, but not to this extent. It made something inside of him clench in pain. He'd always wanted a big family, he'd been so, so envious of Ron and his family since he met them. Ron took them for granted, which made him bite his tongue so many times to stop himself from saying something he'd definitely not regret but didn't want to cause problems between him and his best mate.

Orion managed to regain his composure, but the merriment continued to surge through him. He was beginning to realize that when Hayden said that he would likely say something to upset people in public gatherings, he wasn't being disingenuous. Not that his family seemed all that upset about it, it was nothing but the truth, the Black's stood out, there was no mistaking any of them.

"Let me introduce you to everyone," Orion declared,

Hayden met his eyes for a brief second, grey eyes – that looked more like mercury, grey always was a rather dull colour, and it was definitely the wrong description for them. Sirius' had been a little murky, bluer than mercury actually but he was always in ill health, and had been through some serious trauma enduring the Dementors for over a decade. It's not something he would allow this time around. "So long as you don't expect me to remember them all," he said calculating just how many of them were there.

Merlin's balls, the table was full of Black's and their spouses and kids. There were twenty-four people sat around the table, some half out of their seats. Nobody seemed surprised that Orion had brought company, although there had been a few wary glances to the bottom of the table, where unbeknown to Hayden some of the less fit for society Black's were.

Orion laughed, proud of his family, even if it was going to be bothersome having to be the Head of the family. "It's not that difficult,"

Hayden snorted quietly, as the family began to move making room for both of them. A House-elf, that was dressed in a black outfit with the Black insignia on it began to add plates without a fuss as Orion prodded him in the direction, handing off the ice cream to the House-elf.

Orion could see the awkwardness exuding from Hayden, clearly, he was a little overwhelmed with such a large gathering. Being home-schooled probably didn't help him be more comfortable in a large setting.

"This is my Aunt Dorea and Uncle Charlus," Orion said, approaching the couple. Dorea wasn't really his aunt, but when her parents died, she'd been still very young and had been raised alongside his father, his aunt and his uncle. Her brother and sister were older and ready to be married, so Dorea was the only one he actually referred to as aunt.

"Good to meet you," Charlus said, grinning widely, eyes sparkling with mirth. Still tickled by Hayden's earlier comment. He could see that some of the Black's weren't impressed, mostly the older generation.

"Well met," Hayden said, shaking his hand, relaxing a little.

"How did you and Orion meet?" Dorea asked, unaware of their meeting, only Orion's parents and grandparents were aware.

Hayden gratefully sat down, the urge to run was strong. He was so out of his depth here that it wasn't funny. These people were pureblood fanatics, he was going to screw everything up in one way or another. He just knew it. He hadn't been raised as a pureblood. Even the cutlery placement made Hayden want to puke. He so badly wanted to make a good impression on them, for something that was entirely useless. Orion was betrothed to marry Walburga for Merlin's sake. He wanted to hate Mort for telling him that for all intents and purposes he and Orion would be a perfect match.

"For me? He was at the hospital making the patients nights," Hayden said with a fond smile. "I think that's an absolutely lovely tradition."

Walburga snorted derisively before covering it up with a cough.

"For you?" Charlus asked perplexed, as he retook his seat, his hand automatically reaching out for Dorea's and giving her some comfort. She was still feeling rather vulnerable.

"The wards around Grimmauld Place went off," Sirius explained, everyone remained silent, showcasing the respect the family had for him. "Considering it's currently an unused property, I sent Orion to investigate."

"I was under the impression on the current Lord held the warding of properties?" Hayden enquired; it was tradition to pass on the Lordship when the current generation was finished with his higher education. Things didn't work different in the Black family, at least regarding the passing of the Lordship.

"That would be me," Arcturus declared, his voice was very deep, "Lord Arcturus Black, its good to meet a friend of Orion's," his penetrating gaze would have been terrifying if Hayden hadn't faced death himself on numerous occasions.

"Well met," Hayden inclined his head, staring at the wizard without an ounce of fear. The fact Hayden met his gaze without any apprehension or fear had Arcturus eyes gleam with respect.

"Why were you at Grimmauld Place? That property was only bought a few months back, isn't that right Arcturus?" Dorea questioned, confused.

"I did," he replied, as a wedding gift for Orion and Walburga when they eventually marry. The market due to the war was cheap, he had bought various properties, when the value went back up, they could be sold for a substantial profit.

"I was returning to Britain to take my exams independently at the Ministry and visit Gringotts." Hayden explained, "I was attacked coming out of my home…by someone I trusted with my life…so needless to say I have no idea how I ended up there."

"What age are you?" Hesper asked, staring at the young man, not taken his exams yet? She sincerely hoped he meant NEWTS not OWLS, he was definitely over the age of fifteen.

"That's my grandmother Hesper Black," Orion said quietly, deciding to introduce them as they spoke, instead of overwhelming him with everyone's name all at once.

"Eighteen," Hayden informed them, lips twitching at the disapproval written across their features. He could feel them judging him nine ways to Sunday.

"You didn't attend school?" Charis asked aghast, the rest of the family looked stunned. It wasn't as if one had to pay to attend school, Ilvermorny and Hogwarts were both public schools. One didn't need to pay to attend, well no more than their school items, such a uniform and books and such.

Orion was listening intently, his desire to know everything about Hayden stopped him from preventing his family from interrogating him. "Charis Crouch, my second cousin once removed, she's married to Casper Crouch seated next to her and their son and two daughters. Cetus, Carina and Cepheus."

"No, I didn't," Hayden replied, "I learned everything I needed from tutors growing up."

"And your parents were alright with that?" Pollux asked, barely masking his derision.

Orion winced, but said nothing in defence, knowing Hayden could speak for himself. He certainly hadn't pulled any punches when talking to him, and Orion actually loved that, even if part of him had been offended in the beginning. "That is my Uncle Pollux, father of my cousins Walburga, Alphard and Cygnus," Cygnus was just seven-years-old.

"Hard to know what they'd think," Hayden replied dryly, "They were murdered when I was a baby."

"They were wizards, weren't they?" Pollux asked, imperiously.

Hayden was beginning to realize where Walburga got her attitude from.

"Pollux," Arcturus warned with thinly veiled annoyance. Regardless of what and who he was, he was a guest in their home. Orion didn't just bring anyone home, not to meet the entire family for the last Yule celebration. He couldn't imagine how difficult it was growing up without parents, without family.

"Father's right to ask," Walburga declared haughtily.

"That is Walburga, Pollux's eldest and only daughter." Orion explained, the only downside to celebrating family gatherings. Her voice alone could give him a headache.

"Lady Walburga," she corrected him, entirely smug about it. Her father hated the fact Arcturus had become Lord of the family, he felt better suited to the role.

"You're already married?" Hayden asked innocently enough, the girl barely looked a day over fourteen maybe fifteen-years-old. "I mean you look to still be in your second year at Hogwarts. It is Hogwarts, right?" he turned to Orion only to find him facing away but he nodded in agreement, shoulders lurching up and down for a few seconds.

Orion turned away from his family and successfully muffled his amusement. The look on Hesper's face indicated that Orion wasn't as subtle as he wished to be and Charlus was just watching the show with eagerness.

"I'm fifteen-years-old!" she shrieked angrily, face going red in humiliation.

"Oh," Hayden said eyes wide, there was nothing to suggest he was being disingenuous at all. "I see."

There was a momentarily distraction as the food appeared. "Seared Porkbelly with pomegranate glaze and market greens. Enjoy. Do you suffer from any allergies Lord Peverell?" Sirius asked causing gasps throughout the entire room, as they realized who they had been interacting with.

Hayden grinned, he liked Sirius, "None that I'm aware of," inclining his head in thanks. The food smelled absolutely delicious; the kids had them cut up into bite sized pieces. It was disconcerting just how quiet they were.

"Peverell?" Charlus displaying an even greater interest, a distant cousin? Or uncle? He wondered, "Which line?" everyone knew that there were three lines. "It's not Ignotus is it?" which would mean they were directly related…he didn't like to think his family had such a huge secret. Like another brother out there somewhere…or rather half-brother perhaps.

Hayden watched Orion closely and unobtrusively, copying him before his attention was diverted to Charlus. "I'm direct descent from the eldest son, Antioch Peverell."

Charlus felt more at ease knowing that, "There hasn't been one for as far back as I can recall. In fact, I had no idea the eldest son actually had a child, but I do know that three generations after the Peverell brothers they all had females, and the names ultimately changed."

"That's right, Patricia Peverell became Patricia Potter and started the Potter line. Isabella Peverell became Isabella Slytherin, which then became the Gaunt family and then Riddle…out of all families the Potter line seems to be doing well." Hayden said with a twisted smile, "This is delicious you'll have to thank the House-elves for me."

The silence when he spoke about that was very, very heavy indeed. Hayden muffled his amusement, by eating another piece of glazed porkbelly, it truly was amazing.

"You just love winding everyone up, don't you?" Orion said wryly, Merlin, he hadn't had this much fun since his first day at Hogwarts.

"Are you kidding? It's hilarious!" Hayden said with a cheeky grin.

Sirius coughed, hiding his amusement, the kid wasn't half a hoot. He liked winding them up and watching them go. It was a good way to get a real and genuine reaction from people. Not a lot of people actually realized this, and Merlin, he hadn't seen Orion this mellow in such a long, long time. This friendship in the making would help Orion in the long run.

Hesper stood, refilling her and Sirius, Dorea and Charlus' wine glasses. "Orion? Lord Peverell? Would you care for some wine?" the glasses were still empty; they hadn't chosen any refreshments on the table yet. "It's a very good year, goes very well with the meal, a light and crisp flavour, not too sweet."

"Fill it right up," Orion murmured holding out his goblet he had a feeling he'd need it.

"Lord Peverell?" she then asked after filling up Orion's goblet.

"I'd love some, thank you," Hayden said, "And please call me Hayden, all of you, I'd rather not be called Lord Peverell all evening, I'm not one for standing on ceremony unless the occasion calls for it." he was a guest here after all. It didn't feel right that they had to call him Lord Peverell, although, it's just the way the world was until they received permission.

"Have you known about your inheritance long?" Sirius asked as Hayden settled back down, the food disappearing as soon as the last plate was emptied. The boy was a child when his parents died, a baby even, he wouldn't be surprised if he hadn't known.

"I didn't know until I was eleven-years-old, even then, I believed that I had only a single vault to my name. Through no fault of Gringotts, I'm sure they believed I knew about the importance of whom I was. That went on books and everything I needed for my education." Hayden explained sipping on the wine, and it was delicious, Hesper was correct.

"Gringotts doesn't educate wizards, they expect them to know," agreed Lycoris, "So if you didn't know they definitely wouldn't tell you, not until you were seventeen, and naturally took over the line, unused vaults tend to bother Gringotts a lot, it's stagnant money."

"My aunt Lycoris, she's unmarried," Orion whispered to Harry, keeping him in the loop of whom was whom. "Her betrothed died when he was seven-years-old." And there was never more than one betrothal put out for a wizard and witch, even in the face of one of their deaths.

"Yes, let's just say Gringotts and I will never get along, but I don't blame them for their distaste of wizards. I'd like to see how we'd fair if the roles were reversed and wizards were told we weren't allowed wands. And how quick a rebellion we'd mount."

"They don't deserve wands," Pollux said, but his derisive tone and haughtiness was well hidden having found out exactly who Orion had brought with them. He knew better than to antagonise a Lord. "They're lucky they're allowed jobs. If I were in charge they certainly wouldn't have."

"Then we must thank the goddess that you aren't in charge," Hayden replied immediately, "The last thing we need at the moment is another war on our hands. Given the last two we've just endured, while I understand you don't care much for the cost of the Muggle lives, magical's most certainly have lost their lives. Especially during the first world war, if they lived in the Muggle world, they will have been drafted in and probably died due to their inability to understand the Muggle world." living there didn't equate to understanding or even acknowledging Muggles.

"We should have followed MACUSA's example, Rapports Law should be enacted here as well." Herbert declared, agreeing with Pollux.

"Herbert Burke, he's married to my cousin, Belvina and their two sons and daughter, Crux, Hercules and Lyra." Orion said, curious to hear Hayden's reaction to that. They were all testing him just as Hayden was testing them right back.

Hayden leaned back, "Have you done your research on that law?" he asked Herbert, arching a brow, "I do mean that in all honesty, it sounds good, brilliant even, it would have been amazing not to have ended up in the Muggle world after my parents died. It has it's downsides, significant ones as a matter of fact."

"What is there to research? We shouldn't interact with Muggles; we're risking mass exposure every time one of us marries one of them." Herbert declared passionately. Most of the Blacks were nodding, but this didn't surprise Hayden the slightest, he knew what they were like.

The second course came through, "Asparagus soup, with picked ramps chive flowers and basil oil." Once again Sirius informed them of what was being served, considering they were his House-elves and he lived full time at Black castle, it was his duty as host.

"There's always a risk of exposure," Hayden agreed, a thoughtful look on his face, he wasn't going to deride their belief's it wasn't right and it wasn't his place. Instead, he was going to get them his own beliefs on the matter. "Children notably that can't contain their accidental magic, usually in the presence of other children, luckily they wouldn't be believed. That aside, have you noticed the scientific journals depicting Rapports Law and its projections? There has been a rapid decline in America's magical population. It's at it's lowest since MACUSA was founded, not just through people leaving for other countries where they'll find acceptance…but squibs and well...not finding a significant other in the population they have. It's projected to get worse, they think by 1970... even Britain will overtake them in terms of magical population. Sooner or later I believe MACUSA will abolish Rapports Law for fear of their community disappearing entirely."

"We are significantly smaller, is it truly that much a concern?" Orion asked, staring in surprise.

"If we don't learn to diversify, yes," Hayden nodded thoughtfully, "It's a true concern."

"I assume you grew up in America then? I can't even detect an accent." Cassiopeia wondered, wiping her cloth napkin over her mouth. Grew up didn't mean born after all.

"My second cousin, Cassiopeia, unmarried," Orion told Hayden.

"I didn't grow up in America, no," Hayden explained, "I grew up in Britain." Not explaining why, he knew so much, he couldn't very well tell them he was from the future, they wouldn't believe him the slightest. Even magic wasn't capable of bringing someone decades into the past for Merlin's sake. "My likes in regards to certain subjects are diverse. They don't mesh well, but I like what I like." Giving her a smile, she was beautiful like the rest of the Black's. A lot like Narcissa actually. Considering she was their…aunt? Ugh, he couldn't keep track he wasn't even going to attempt it.

"With Muggles? I assume that means you weren't raised as a pureblood manner or betrothed?" Arcturus asked, there was no judgement or disapproval, a child couldn't help where they ended up after all. What mattered was how he had turned out despite the turns his life had taken.

"You are a pureblood, aren't you?" Herbert questioned, wincing a little as Arcturus cleared his throat a little loudly. Heard amongst the cutlery clicking gently against the fine delicate china.

"Everything I know I learned on my own," Hayden informed them, which was true enough, after leaving Hogwarts and finding out who he was, yeah, everything he'd learned had been self-taught. "I'm mostly only behind on the laws and regulations, but Orion has offered to help."

Arcturus' eyes gleamed with pride, "You're certainly doing well coming from such a mundane background." Not meaning it as an insult at all, but unfortunately, it could be seen that way.

Hayden's lips twitched, "I'll take that as a compliment," he said dryly, green eyes gleaming, head cocked to the side, as if examining Arcturus for weakness.

"As well you should," Arcturus declared, but nearly everyone missed the little shift in his seat that he gave with Hayden's gaze.

Orion's brows couldn't have gotten any higher, watching the subtly byplay between his father and Hayden. Merlin's balls, had his father actually felt uncomfortable under Hayden's gaze? Grasping his goblet, he drank more than necessary wondering what his father was seeing.

"Are the children always so…still not to mention quiet?" Hayden whispered quietly to Orion; their whispered conversation not being heard over the general Hubbard of so many small conversations at the table. Even while the adults spoke, the children mostly just continued mechanically eating their dinner.

Orion smiled, genuinely fond of all his young relatives, "Just wait until after dinner," his smile becoming a grin, "Once in the sitting room, they're loud and boisterous, they're bored out of their minds right now, adult conversation is tediously mind-numbing boring for them." Recalling his own time sitting there wishing for the meal to end so he could go play. One of the rules though, they weren't allowed to leave their seats, and the children ate with their parents.

Humming his understanding, "Is that everyone in your family?" there were over thirty people there if you include all the children.

"Everyone that's alive, yes," Orion murmured quietly, the dead family members were all portraits in the Black family gallery in the castle's left wing.

Hayden stared at Orion, knowing he was lying through his teeth. Then again, what age would he have been when Marius was disowned, somewhere around 1926 or something? If they even waited until the lack of Hogwarts letter when he was eleven. Yeah, probably too young to remember him much. To these people Marius was no longer family, he had been disowned. The rest of his siblings definitely remembered him.

Still, that was supposed to be a Black family secret, he shouldn't know about it. Grimacing a little, "Do they have portraits?"

"Of course," Orion murmured, although the popularity of such a thing was becoming less over the years. Whether it was the lack of requests, or people not wishing to put their magic into a portrait nobody knew. "If you want I can show you this evening?"

"I'd love that," Hayden said "Nothing beats getting talked down to by family," a subtle smirk spreading across his features causing Orion to nearly choke and sputter. Laughing softly, Hayden finished his goblet of wine, the buzz of the alcohol loosening him up a little, but never enough to lose control. Hayden couldn't bear to allow it, so much of his life had already been beyond his control.

"Or embarrassing tales," Orion confessed, refilling their goblets, his grandparents, Aunt Dorea and Uncle Charlus as well.

"Oh, I can just imagine!" Hayden laughed, turning slightly when he heard Charlus speak.

"How sure are you that you aren't Betrothed? Your parents may have set one up for you before they…passed?" Charlus pointed out, wincing a little at how it actually sounded coming out of his mouth.

Despite his own betrothed status, Orion felt a vicious snarl of possessiveness roll through him. regardless of whether he was betrothed he would be getting offers left, right and centre from everyone. It's primarily why betroths were made in the first place, until it became about joining two families together…or one in his case. His stomach lurching at the reminder of all he'd learned today…had it been less than twelve hours? He would need to tell his parents and grandparents what he'd found out.

Later, after Yule, and with everything bound together neatly with irrefutable proof.

"If they had I wouldn't have been able to become Lord Peverell until we were married," Hayden pointed out the obvious. "Unless, of course, they did, but my betrothal didn't survive it would make the contract null and void." It was a statement of fact, not a question.

"Which you know," Dorea playfully wacked her husband on the head, "Honestly, going senile already husband mine?"

Hayden laughed, "We just like to ignore things that we don't want to think about."

"It's just very rare that someone of your calibre to not have been betrothed, that is all." Charlus told them.

"You have no idea," Hayden murmured under his breath, Orion the only one to hear him and understand what he meant. Hayden wasn't only Lord Peverell but he was a carrier, which gave him a lot of wiggle room where betrothals are concerned. "Were you Betrothed?"

"It's normally only the first born's that are Betrothed, some families do set up contracts for all their children though." Charlus confessed, "My parents weren't one of those families, my brother Fleamont was betrothed, if our parents were alive right now, I'd imagine they'd have begun to freak out."

Dorea's smile became fixed, her fingernails digging into Charlus' hand.

Charlus winced, before blurting out, "What about your mothers' side of the family?" in a bid to change the subject. Instead Dorea's claws just seem to sink further into his wrist in displeasure. One of these days he was going to smell her nails short and filed down if she didn't stop that. He'd had cats nailed in his skin, it hurt less.

"Tanner, Frey, Gold, unfortunately, I don't know anything about those families but I do know that none of the direct lines have survived." Hayden confessed, "Once I've settled down, I think I'll get a family tapestry started to, then maybe dig into their names and find out what happened." it's the least he could do, they were his family now. He was no longer Harry James Potter…he no longer had the Potter blood rushing through his veins.

"Good respectable names," declared the seventy-two-year-old, Sirius, as he finished his food. "Gold is a cousin line from the Goldstein branch, that remained in America. They must have looked abroad for betrothal matches, which isn't rare, but normally families seeing their daughters wed, like to have them nearby, not forced to live abroad from all they knew."

"The Tanner family were from Switzerland," Hesper said frowning in confusion, "In my opinion blood should stay in the family. Lest it be weakened down."

"Here, here," came the agreement of many of the members of the Black family. The food appeared and Sirius automatically informed everyone what it was. "Linguine Alla Carbonara with Pancetta, Pecorino cheese eggs and black pepper."

"What is your belief on blood purity?" Arcturus questioned Hayden, genuinely curious.

Hayden glanced at Orion, who subtly shook his head, telling him he was best not to do it. For once, Hayden actually took someone else's suggestion to heart, "I'll tell you what, one day, I'll get into a debate with you about it, see who wins," he gently teases Orion's father, it wasn't going to be something easy to swallow. The entire family believed keeping close family blood made you stronger.

Unfortunately, facts were more important than outdated beliefs.

"A debate means you definitely think your views differ from mine." Arcturus said, grey eyes gleaming, "I shall look forward to correcting that belief."

"To the victor goes the spoils," Hayden clinked glasses with Arcturus, both of them looking forward to it.

Orion slowly relaxed, breathing out in relief, he'd been so sure it would turn sour. He honestly didn't want to the last meal of Yule to end on such a sour note. He was pleased with the way he'd handled that. "I think perhaps you're wrong, you'll do well in the political arena."

"That I did because I'm actually enjoying myself…and for you," Hayden shrugged, "Other people opinions aren't normally important to me. I told the truth without stating anything outright. I guess knowing that one day the news will get out makes it easier to bite my tongue." He'd learned to stop catering to everyone's whim. Took a very harsh lessons but he'd gotten there in the end. He would have done anything for his friends, though, and the Weasley's. except Ginny, just thinking about her had him having to fight his magic into submission. The last thing he needed was his magic to flare up, it would keep everyone on edge he knew how his magic felt.

"What about your belief on magic itself? Dark or light. It's a question my brother favours," Charlus said, biting his food, cocking his head to the side, swallowing before asking, "What would your reply be?"

"Interesting," Hayden murmured thoughtfully, he hadn't expected it to be a big thing yet, but apparently it was. "I'd say it's nonsense." Watching Hesper refill his goblet with a smirk, well aware of what they were attempting. Trying to get him drunk and pliable enough to answer any questions without reservations…or at least he believed so, but considering the others were being plied with alcohol as well, it was looking unlikely.

Charlus laughed, "You and Mont are not going to get along, he believes that dark means evil." Shaking his head, "It's ludicrous I know."

"Mont doesn't happen to be ages with Albus Dumbledore does he?" he whispered to Orion curiously.

"They attended school together, yes, and his name is Fleamont, he loathes his brother calling him that." Orion nodded; he'd heard enough tales. Giving Hayden a look that clearly said he was trying to unveil the puzzle that Hayden was. "Charlus was a very late, very surprise child twenty-five years ago for the sadly departed former Lord and Lady Potter."

Hayden nodded silently, aware that Fleamont and Charlus were the only remaining Potter's left right now. The family tree that had appeared indicated as much a sad compassionate smile on is face.

"The Wizengamot is dividing into fractions, neutral, dark and of course, light," Orion told him, a thoughtful look on his face, "It's dividing ranks and what's more concerning is the fact they're deciding upon bills by who puts them through."

Hayden's green eyes sparkled with annoyance, "It's like they cannot think for themselves. Someone once said to me that logic wasn't a wizard's strong suit, and I am beginning to believe it."

"They may well be right," Orion conceded, "It seems to have happened almost overnight." His fascination with Hayden deepening each piece of conversation they had and little clues into what he thought.

"Oh, no, it won't have been, there's something much larger at play," Hayden said thoughtfully, leaning back, swirling his goblet about a bit, "What you need is someone…charming, wicked smart and with the ability to have people agreeing with them without conscious thought. Do people get checked regularly for any tampering? Both via potions or spells within the Wizen and Wizengamot?"

"You think someone is tricking the wizengamot?" Dorea asked startled, "That's impossible, most of them are Lord's, they wear the Lordship rings which protect them from such things."

"Most, not all," Hayden agreed, "And where the majority flock, others gather." Shrugging his shoulders, "I'm probably wrong, of course, but I am the overly cautious sort. It's utterly unbelievable how easy it is to take someone's place, to coerce them, to dupe them, to spell them…and regardless of the family they have…never seem to cotton on."

"I'd like to protest that, but it's true, how many times has the Imperius curse been used without anyone the wiser? Parents, siblings, co-workers, bosses. Not to mention all the other spells," Charlus confessed seriously, "It's a good job Gringotts is so heavy handed about it, and makes sure that each signature, entrance and withdraw is voluntary." If anyone took over someone, it wouldn't be for access to their accounts that's for certain, and Lord's couldn't be compelled so there was that.

"Here's to that," Hayden said in complete agreement, "I dislike Gringotts but I can't deny that my money is at least moderately safe there." Moderately his ass, Voldemort had broken in and he had as well, it was all too easy for Merlin's sake.

"Why do you hate Gringotts? The laws are there for a reason as unfair as they can seem?" Dorea asked, a sympathetic look on her face, she had a good idea on why he disliked them. Hayden probably hadn't been able to take any his money out until he was legally an adult. Well, except for what was in his trust vault, and that amount always varied.

"I have my reasons," Hayden replied, grimacing, and none he could tell her, they'd all happened in his own time. He was still determined to get that dragon out of there.

"Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake, with candied orange, roasted nut powder, orange sauce and whipped cream." Sirius declared, as the dessert appeared, "And ice cream of your own choosing." The ice cream Orion had bought earlier at Fortescue's lay in the middle with scoops.

"Merlin, I'm not going to be able to move at this rate," Hayden groaned around the mouthful of cake in his mouth. He knew it was rude, but Merlin, the cake was absolutely to die for. "This is amazing, I'll definitely need to see about getting the recipe."

"All House-elves know how to cook," Arcturus declared, "Should you wish for them to be taught, send them here, they're already training Orion's House-elf for its duties." It would take a few years yet, the Elfling was still young, and not yet strong enough to bind itself to a wizard, especially not of his son's calibre.

"The Peverell estate doesn't have any House-elves, they've all passed on." Hayden informed him seriously, "Which isn't a surprise, the magic in the estate mustn't have been enough to sustain them." Something else he had learned when leaving Hogwarts. Dobby would have died within a few years, unbound as he was, with a wizard magic they live extraordinary long lives, outliving their Masters and Mistresses by decades if they stay bound to the family or any family. Hermione had been doing them a rather fatal disservice, it was little wonder they had taken to avoiding the tower.

"Considering how long it's been, it's hardly a surprise, I doubt the wards on the properties are holding very well." Sirius said, "If the estate has any properties left of course, but I think if the Peverell estate had been sold on, it would have been spoken about quite zealously."

"It's true, they'll have been searching everywhere for hidden nooks and passageways," Orion said, his enthusiasm hidden. The childish part of him that he always suppressed coming to the fore, just imagining all the fun to be had investigating for hidden rooms and such.

Hayden hummed, "That does sound like fun," He agreed, "How about it? After I've heard back from Gringotts obviously…I have no idea the conditions they're in. Although, truth be told, they should have finished by now." Glancing around for the time, he needed to get himself a pocket watch or something.

"If you asked them to start this morning, depending on the size of the property…average size, two hours per property," Orion deduced causing Hayden to blanch a little.

"Well, I guess I won't hear from them until tomorrow…depending on how many they drafted in to do it." Hayden conceded, scooping up his last piece of cake. Although, he hoped they weren't actually going around every single property in the world. Given the fact he hadn't stipulated…he had a feeling that's exactly what they were going to do.

"Do you still want to see the portrait gallery?" Orion asked, as soon as pots of coffee and tea replaced dinner. It was a que for the children who all asked very politely if they could be excused, and when they were, they were quick to scramble away happily.

"I'd love to," Hayden agreed immediately.

Charlus snorted, "No you won't," he said wryly, "They're a randy lot, lose whatever decorum they had when they were alive."

Hayden laughed at that, "Sounds like fun," a wicked grin on his face. Nothing could be worse than Walburga Black's portrait surely.

"You'll see," Charlus said, pouring him and his wife a cup of coffee and passing it over.

"I guess so," Hayden said, standing ready to follow Orion, a little bit tipsy, he was going to find it difficult Apparating back to the Leaky Cauldron…perhaps they'd let him use their Floo.

"No, they're not! Puddlemere United is the best!" Cygnus was arguing with Hercules. "What's your favourite Quidditch team?" the boy perked up staring at Hayden.

"Run along, Cygnus!" Pollux declared, urging his youngest son along.

"Montrose Magpies," Hayden said with a wink.

"They're not the best! Father always says to go for the best team!" Cygnus stressed out.

"Then shouldn't you like the Falmouth Falcons?" Hayden teased, "It looks like they're set to win for England."

"No, they won't, their Seeker isn't good," Cygnus argued with a pout.

Hayden laughed, "Then we'll have to wait and see then, won't we?"

"You'll see! Puddlemere United will win!" Cygnus declared with that resolute face only a child could get away with.

Hayden nodded, "With you cheering them on, I can't see why not?"

Cygnus clearly didn't know what to do with Hayden's agreement so stood there staring up at him in awe. Slightly abashed the seven-year-old took off to find his friends.

"So…gallery?" Hayden said, turning back to Orion only to find him watching him with an inscrutable look on his face.

"Yes…" before he could continue Orion's grandfather called out to them.

"Orion, Hayden, a moment if you please," the elder wizard said, elderly he might be, but he still had a strong gait on him as he approached. "Shall we make up a guest room for you tonight, Lord Peverell? It is of no inconvenience, with that much drink, it's hardly ideal to go Apparating or using the Floo." All the adults had been drinking so none of them could Apparate him or see him safely through the Floo, not for a few hours until the coffee sobered them up.

Hayden blinked 100% taken aback by the offer, he hadn't expected that at all. He knew they were only being kind because they thought he was a fellow Pureblood. If they thought for a second, he was a half-blood or Muggle-born he wouldn't have found himself welcome the slightest. "I would be very grateful," he murmured, after a few seconds, "Especially since I can't Apparate and risk getting caught again, I've not taken my licence yet."

"Then it's settled, Orion will be sure to show you to the guest bedroom." Sirius declared, patting his grandson's arm before ambling away.

"I think…I think I should be the one to reveal everything," Hayden said, turning to face Orion. "Don't risk your families ire for anything…it's not worth it." he confessed, "Family…family is everything." Merlin help him, but he liked them.

A/N – I've changed the ages of some of the Black's around, made Walburga younger than Orion for one despite the fact she's meant to be two or four years older than him and I've also made Orion older by two years as well, he's only meant to be sixteen…while it would be awesome to have Orion still at school so that Walburga and he don't have to get married so soon I'd rather write Hayden and Orion becoming closer which wouldn't happen if Orion still had two years to go at school so yep changed quite a few of their ages while the others have retained their original ages thanks for the suggestions on the questions! I had some already written but they definitely helped fill in the gaps! Can you believe this is genuinely how big the Black family used to be? I've already got an idea on why those that were 'disowned' are actually still in the family so if that's one of you questions…you'll get answers soon! OH! I've also joined two branches of the Black family together, made Pollux and Arcturus brothers instead of cousins 😊 R&R please!