My Time

Chapter 24

Hayden slid into the living room; Melania was checking of Alphard who looked like he was unconscious. Cygnus was semi-aware and crying to high heavens, inconsolable for something he didn't know, didn't understand. Which didn't make it any different to normal, children couldn't really understand why they were crying themselves, understand their own emotions and reactions to them.

Wadding over towards the eight-year-old, he made himself deliberately smaller, and said, "Hey, hey, hey, you're okay, can I get a hug?" he wouldn't want a stranger hugging him he didn't think, not when he was upset. Or at least, he didn't like to imagine so if he had a normal upbringing and wasn't touch starved to the point of touch revulsion.

Cygnus' breathing hitched, his crying stopped, as he owlishly stared at Hayden. "Do you feel sad too?" rubbing at his chest almost manically.

Hayden nodded sombrely, "Yes," he felt very sad for them, for the fact they were losing their father. The boys and Walburga were now wards of the Black family, Pollux no longer had his last name, he was homeless, penniless, and he was pretty sure magicless...or soon to be at any rate. The Black's were not to be messed with, for sure.

Cygnus shuffled closer, before awkwardly wrapping his arms around Hayden. Normally he wouldn't touch strangers, or people he didn't know well, but he had seen Hayden at Yule…Yule was for family everyone said…so that made Hayden family too.

Hayden smiled, if Arcturus waited more than tonight to have these children back in the Black family…he was going to go apeshit at him. Despite who their father was, they didn't deserve this. No child should pay for the sins of their father, and he knew intimately how it felt. Severus Snape might have sacrificed his life for him, for his mother's sake…but it didn't mean the wizard had liked him…or even tolerated him. In fact, it had been a step away from abuse, but that was no surprise, since that was all Severus had known. His mum had been the only kindness in Severus' bleak and twisted life.

Remaining crouched, disregarding his own comfort, he rubbed soothingly up and down Cygnus' back. His gaze intermitted, glancing over at Melania and Alphard. She left the room for a few moments, leaving Alphard on his own before returning to him. Regardless of their father, it was clear Melania cared very much for them.

"Those damnable books should never leave a thing like this out!" Melania angrily vented, pressing her hands against Alphard's face, the eleven-year-old was still showing no signs of wakening up. What sort of damage had they done by disowning Pollux? What if they had lost their magic? What if the backlash and hurt them more than they knew?

"They'll be fine, it won't affect their magic…" Hayden reassured her, only to want to take it back. He had no idea if they would be affected. He knew that the ones Walburga had disowned from the Black family tree had been just fine, magically powerful. Although he had no idea what ages they had children at or if they even had any when Walburga had acted. He wished he'd paid more attention to Orion's journal.

Orion watched from the doorway, besotted with Hayden, quite frankly it was a surprise there weren't hearts in his eyes. The thought of having a family with him surged and soared to new heights. Walburga…Walburga wouldn't have made a good mother. She had no time for any of the youngsters, not even her own brothers actually but he'd gone through something similar. It was just being a teenager, and likely the only girl, he was pretty sure Lucretia could understand.

Hayden tightened his grip on Cygnus, as a stranger made his way into the room, completely flustered as if he had been running marathons. The green robes with a wand and a crest with a bone crossed gave his occupation away, he was a healer. Relaxing minutely, he watched him work, wondering why they were using a St. Mungo's healer instead of their own…unless he was it? Glancing up, his gaze softened entirely, little Cygnus was asleep on his shoulder.

"Are they going to be, okay?" Cetus asked, worry glimmering in his eyes, he'd had the courage and determination to interrupt the family meeting. Which they were probably cautioned against repeatedly growing up, well, hopefully they were told 'unless in the event of an emergency' so that the young boy didn't think he was in trouble.

"Yes," was the short and clipped reply from Melania, she didn't even look at Cetus as she spoke.

Hayden frowned, Cetus' little face had fallen, clearly even more worried, he couldn't help but add, "They're going to be fine; the healer will have them back to normal," Hayden reassured him, ruffling his hair with a small smile, he didn't need to ask who his parents were. He was half Black and half Crouch for sure, he was a lovely balance between them, and he had a cute smile. He noticed that all the children were sitting solemnly on the couch, very well behaved, a bit too well behaved but different times and all.

Orion cocked his head to the side, he didn't promise them, he realized, then again, he hadn't heard Hayden promise anything he couldn't swear to.

And, Hayden realized, not all children ended up respectful, thinking of Walburga. "Has anyone checked on Walburga?" he questioned, glancing at the doorway to try and find someone to check on the witch. Melania was keeping an eye on the healer and Alphard; he had a sleeping Cygnus, and he had no clue where Lord Black's office is.

Orion adopted a caught in the headlights look, oh, dear, he hadn't thought of her at all.

"She's not quite so affected," Arcturus declared as he entered the room, giving Hayden a look, before his gaze softened upon his wife. A sigh left his lips, knowing with just that single look, that his wife would desire to take the boys in. Truthfully, he couldn't proclaim himself surprised. Lucretia was getting married soon and would move in with her new husband. Orion was…out more often than he was here these days. Empty nest syndrome, at least the boys wouldn't feel quite so detached having their entire lives shaken up.

They would never see their father again.

"Both of them need a calming draught and they are in need of some rest," the healer proclaimed, never once meeting their eyes. His gaze firmly on everyone's knee caps, "They are magically drained." He did not dream of asking what had been going on before he was called. He knew his place, and knew he was very easily replaced. Sliding his wand away, having confirmed that both boys were suffering from the same malady.

Hayden sighed, grateful that they truly were going to be okay, "Thank you," he said, hoisting the youngster further up his chest, he was getting rather heavy. He was too old really, to be held this way, "I'm going to put him on your bed," he told Orion as he moved, shuffling passed Orion and Arcturus as well.

All of them were blank faced, only Melania came close to showing any sort of feelings. Hayden didn't feel the utter shock on the healer's face as he moved away. Quite stunned really, to not only being thanked – the money the pureblood's felt was enough thanks – never mind the real and very genuine relief on his face. The Black's wouldn't associate with Mudbloods or Muggle Borns so surely, he was a pureblood? If so, what sort of Pureblood reacted an acted in that manner? Especially one so close to the Blacks, after all they didn't just let anyone near their young children.

"Orion…" Arcturus warned, having a feeling that his son would fight him all the way if he attempted to separate them. He had his suspicions about the boy. Although, he wasn't quite sure they merged with reality but there we are.

Orion's grey eyes flickered up to his fathers, obstinately, before he exited the room without a single word. He was not going to give up Hayden for anything, not even his father. He didn't care what Hayden said, or did, he would not give up the one thing that's made him happy…made him see how unhappy he actually was.

By the time Orion had made it to his bedroom, he found that Hayden was tucking the eight-year-old into his bed. There was a look on his face, one of wonder and such longing. It was clear that Hayden wanted to be a parent, how long had he known he was a carrier? Orion froze, he wasn't meant to know Hayden was a carrier, what if he assumed the only reason, he'd been interested in him was because of his ability?

Unfortunately, the intimate moment was interrupted.

"Your father wants you both back down the stairs in the meeting, immediately," Melania said, brushing her hand over her son's hair which was extra messy. "Are you hungry?" Hayden wasn't the only one who had noticed the weight falling off her son's already thin frame. Alphard floating behind her, he was much too heavy to carry these days, especially by her of all people. Her husband might have been able to easily do it but not her.

"No, not really," Orion shook his head, absently righting his hair, or as much as it could be righted. He pursed his lips, just thinking on his father. "My father might single you out soon." He informed Hayden as they made their way back downstairs, it was clear Hayden was reluctant to leave Cygnus but understood he was at someone else's home and had to adhere to their wishes. "He's very protective of me, don't take what he might say to goad you to heart." Knowing that's exactly what would happen, Hayden remembered everything and held grudges. After all, hadn't he said that 'His trust once lost was lost forever?' so yes, he was hoping his father didn't go too far.

"You're very lucky," Hayden said softly, nudging Orion lightly, sighing, what he wouldn't have done to have been raised by his parents. Of course, he knew that reality very often differed from imagination, but he wouldn't have minded. Anything would have been better than the Dursley's…which were they even an apple in their parents' eyes yet? No, he still had a long while to go before they sparked into existence.

Orion just gave Hayden an inscrutable look, Hayden's history wasn't entirely known to him. He didn't talk about it much, in fact, every bit of information he got it was like pulling teeth. Then again, he couldn't even begin to imagine what he'd been through. It was clear that Hayden had been put through hell over and over again.

"I didn't think your father would disown Pollux so soon," Hayden confessed quietly, pensively, as they traversed the lobby making their way to the kitchen.

"I did," Orion said, "My father has always said don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today," and it was something he truly lived by. It was absolutely no surprise when he began to remove him from the family, even the tapestry behind them in the kitchen had changed. Alphard, Cygnus and Walburga had disappeared too, but they'd reappear soon enough. What his Uncle…no, what Pollux had done was unforgivable.

"It's good advice," Hayden agreed, how often had he put things off and put things off until they hadn't been done at all…he'd put off telling Ginny they were through for weeks while he made up his mind. If he had done it earlier, what happened to him might not have happened. He pondered on whether that reality was continuing on as his changed, he didn't like to think so, since he loved all the Weasley's and they all loved Ginny.

"Are you coming?" Orion called out, the kitchen door open, staring at Hayden expectantly.

Hayden shook off his ludicrous thoughts, the sound of the children playing in the living room met his ears before the kitchen door shut behind them. He blinked, and swallowed thickly, all of the Black's were staring at him in varying degrees of worry, fear, suspicion – on what he didn't know – or caution. Not that they were obvious about it, no, not at all, but Hayden had learned Legillimency and Occlumency.

The only exceptions were Orion and Lucretia, she just seemed in complete awe of him. He should probably leave…he couldn't stay here and face this. His stomach dropping, he took a single step back before Orion grasped a hold of his wrist tightly.

Orion glared at them all, warning them non-verbally to get their asses into gear. He was not going to let Hayden be scared away. They'd come too far now to go back, at least he liked to think so. He didn't want anyone else, just Hayden.

"Lord Peverell," Arcturus called out, turning to face the young man.

Hayden stiffened, eyeing the wizard cautiously, 'Lord Peverell' did not sound good, they hadn't called him that since he gave them permission to use his first name. "Yes?" tension coiling within him. Just waiting on being asked to leave immediately.

"I must ask you to take an Unbreakable Vow that you will never mention what has happened here today while you were in this house." Arcturus demanded; he was much too disapproving of what they did for him to be comfortable with him leaving and not expecting a knock at the door later.

"Or what?" Hayden asked bluntly, staring at the wizard without an ounce of fear or challenging. Bigger and badder assholes had threatened him. He wasn't afraid of Arcturus, not at all, he hadn't even been afraid of Voldemort really. What could he be scared of? Death? It would have been a relief and that had been Dumbledore's entire point when he sent him to live with the Dursley's.

"I'm afraid I'm not really asking, I'm telling you," Arcturus said coolly.

Orion inhaled sharply, fingers brushing against Hayden's arm in caution, hoping against hope that it would get him to stop. He had never heard anyone talk to his father that way. Then again, he wasn't the first person to talk to his father like that today, Pollux had beaten him to the punch.

"You don't want to find out," Arcturus stated, he was being honest, he would do whatever it took to keep his family safe. To prevent a major scandal that could very well near enough ruin them if told. There was also the Ministry to worry about as well. Veritaserum itself was highly regulated, sure, he'd be lucky to get one month's sentencing if he couldn't bribe his way out of it.

Lucretia was staring at her father as if he was mad, Hayden had spoken to Death like they were old friends. Complained, whined, with that magic saturating the very air around him. Did her father actually think he was going to be intimidated by him? Especially after seeing their reactions to Death actually being in their home? He wasn't thinking clearly at all.

Hayden arched a brow, exuding boredom to the ninth degree. He was taking the threat seriously, he did have his finger on his wand, ready to drop it into his hand within a second.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake!" Dorea cried out in exasperation. "Enough the pair of you,"

"Dorea," Charlus warned her cautiously, she'd always been the most fearless of witches that he knew.

"Father, what has gotten into you today?" bewildered, he knew it couldn't be the fact he'd seen 'death' or Hayden's abilities. If anything, that should be causing a great deal of awe and respect, family gifts had always been considered important. "How dare you threaten…" Orion was about to explode when Hayden intervened, absolutely furious like he'd never been at his father. Considering that he'd been raging when he learnt about the contract it was saying a lot. That protectiveness rearing its head even against his own family. Hayden was his.

Hayden deflated a bit, gripping Orion tightly, "The fact his brother betrayed him is finally sinking in," he said softly, sympathetically, recalling how he felt over Dumbledore's betrayal. It had never healed, not even to this day. He was finally out of the denial stage. "The wound will never really heal; you'll learn to trust again but not with the same zeal." Had Arcturus ever had to deal with any sort of betrayal before he learned what happened with his brother and lawyer?

Arcturus who had yet to look away from the teenager, finally did, guilt, shame and agreement glimmering in his grey eyes so much like Orion's, so much like the rest of the Blacks. Was he imagining the disapproval in Hayden's eyes earlier? No, there were a few times he'd looked at him that way today. His hands curled into fists, he had nowhere to put his frustrations.

He glanced at his unconscious brother – someone must have stunned him presumably after getting too mouthy – he was angry enough to desire to mount a physical violence against his brother. He almost didn't know how to react to that, this bubbling frustration.

"I'll do an oath," Hayden compromised. "Then I'll leave you to your family meeting." He had no place here despite Orion's wishes. They were all scared of him now, and that hurt, he'd gotten so invested in becoming family. Why was it that people always ended up fearing him? Hating him? Swallowing thickly, was he just never meant to have a family?

Arcturus inhaled sharply, hands outstretched and pressed against the table. Staring at him, he leaned over, seeing the look on Orion's face he too compromised. Only to a certain degree. "You may stay, under one condition." It sounded more like a warning than a compromise.

"And that is?" Hayden queried, showing no visible reaction to Arcturus' words, barely reacting when Melania stepped in, giving a small smile and a nod before anyone could say anything. Silently letting everyone know that Alphard and Cygnus were going to be just fine. It was a relief to Hayden, he wondered…if Andromeda, Narcissa and Bellatrix would even be born now…or was the contract already created? Did Cygnus fall in love on his own?

"Tell me, in all honesty, barriers down…what you meant by 'you made me a promise?'," Arcturus asked blankly, gaze never wavering from Hayden's. "Is the 'promise' any better than what Pollux and I did to my son?"

Charlus, Herbert, Callidora and Dorea inhaled sharply, the sheer shock of the audacity leaving them breathless with incredulity. That was unconscionable, to ask someone to lower the defences on their minds, to make themselves vulnerable.

Quite frankly, the rest of the Black family may well have been invisible for all the attention they were paid. If not for their eyes moving around, one may have mistaken them as petrified as well. They were all still standing around instead of sitting and calmly having a family meeting like normal. They were too overwhelmed by all they'd learned to even realize they were hungry, thirsty.

Hayden flinched visibly at that, jaw clenching, sickened by what he'd just heard. "Is that why you've been glaring at me?" part of him relieved that it was such a misunderstanding…that things could be righted. Another part of him was infuriated with the aspersions being cast upon his character. He wasn't the one going around conspiring with lawyers, lawyers his brother – if he had one – in hopes of gaining a fortune. Scoffing, and making no effort to conceal it.

Orion narrowed his gaze displeased by what he was hearing, he hadn't seen his father glaring at Hayden. It was little wonder Hayden had tried to leave. Admitted a lot was happening, to say this would be a family meeting they wouldn't be forgetting in a hurry was putting it mildly. Still, he needed to keep a better eye on his surroundings if he was missing such intricacies. Then again…he'd never been so cautious before, certainly not in his own home. A place where he was able to relax and let go.

Truthfully as of late, there was only one place he could do that nowadays, and that was with Hayden. Regardless of where they were, whether it's in a tent, at the Leaky cauldron or the library.

"You have insulted me in every possible way, and you cannot possibly have anything more to accuse me of." Hayden said blankly, he couldn't allow people to insult him like that. It would set a very dangerous precedent for the future. "You want to know what it meant? I, Lord Hayden Peverell so swear to tell the truth, so mote it be," magic flared, if anyone noticed that it wasn't 'the whole truth' that was said, well, they didn't say anything.

"Hayden, you don't have…" Dorea started, genuinely concerned about the young man. He hadn't been raised in a pureblood household, maybe he didn't even realize just how insulting Arcturus had been?

Hayden turned and smiled at her, genuine and heartfelt, "I know, I want to," a glance at Orion, because Orion was worth it, was worth anything Arcturus could throw at him. If he tried to get into his mind? He'd be in for one hell of a surprise, Severus Snape and Voldemort – and Dumbledore he suspected – would be the only ones to ever have read his mind.

"If you're sure," Charlus said, giving Arcturus a look that suggested he felt like he'd never met the wizard before.

"I still think we should reconvene later once tempers have eased," Hesper said cautiously. The last thing they needed was a feud with the Peverell family. Arcturus had already pushed way too harshly; any other Lord would have taken umbrage already. People were going to talk, about Pollux, depending on what her son decided to do. Antagonising Peverell was not a good idea, the boy was furious.

"Agreed," Sirius stated, glancing shrewdly at his son, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't listen.

"Brother…" Regulus cautioned, "Please…" against the Peverell name? fortune? They might be just as old…but they wouldn't stand a chance. They'd have more than half the population flocking to him, to renew old alliances and hoping to get a piece of his fortune.

Unfortunately, Arcturus wasn't listening, he was so afraid, not that he would admit to that. He was responsible for over a dozen family members, he had in the past almost lost his wife to please his family (and himself) by betrothing his son to Walburga without her or his son's input. These past weeks had been so difficult, not just because of the stress he'd been under to change something that seemed unbreakable. Part of him still thought he was dreaming. Yes, there was also the fact he was finally facing what his brother had done, and that he had disowned him. Merlin, how could he ever trust anyone again? And Peverell say what he did? What if his son had just gone from one difficult situation to the next? What was Hayden's end game? The Black fortune? The name? Their connections? He had to protect his son, he couldn't let his family down again, couldn't see the look on his wife's face as more bad news surrounded them.

Hayden licked his lips, "I might have always had my gifts, my abilities since been born a Peverell, but I didn't know how to use them. The first time I met Death…" inhaling sharply, feeling very vulnerable with his mental shields down, he was grateful nonetheless that Arcturus wasn't attempting to read his mind. "I had very nearly died and felt very angry, depressed even. All I wanted was a family. I was promised that there was someone out there for me…someone compatible magically." Ignoring the hushed gasps, and determinedly not looking over at Orion.

"As compatible as you may be, Orion, you are the only one capable of continuing the main line of the Black family," Hesper rasped out, family first, always.

"That's not true," Orion declared stepping up beside Hayden, they looked more of a couple than ever. "He's a carrier."

A/n – I'm sorry I said I wouldn't end it until the family meeting is over – my Facebook group – but I go and end it here, regretfully I didn't have anywhere near enough time (uninterrupted) to get more written than I have. There was no way the chapter would have finished the meeting anyway…will Hayden leave abruptly after that? Will Orion be in big trouble with Hayden 😉 Or will he and Orion stay firm to weather the storm? And technically Harry never lied during his statement 😉 I totally love making wee loopholes like that *Smirks* 😊 so much fun! Will Arcturus remove Pollux' magic and throw him out or will he just be thrown out and left to fend for himself? or will Arcturus kill his brother for the crimes he'd committed against family? Will Hayden at least get Orion to see how hypocritical they all are? Family first, and Marius was family…or will he slowly get around them all…so none of you want Hayden to play daddy 😉 hehe I guess I should put off any pitter patter of any little feet Harry's future then…😉 Read and Review please!

I had a lot of trouble with this chapter…I kept putting off them questioning Pollux because I had no idea what questions I'd want Arcturus to ask him…not to forget that they'd be asking Walburga too! So, if you can think of any feel free! :)