My Time

Chapter 35

"At least this one was a baby," Harry amended.

"Baby," Orion echoed, as if that made it all alright, "Let me guess, Hagrid?" mind reeling, a dragon at Hogwarts, no plural, as in more than one dragon. Judging by his words, there were going to be more of them, and adults at that. He felt like he was having an anxiety attack, he was going to accept the seat on the Board of Governors for Hogwarts. He was going to ensure through multiple platforms that nothing like this happened in reality. He refused to accept any such things happening at what was supposed to be the safest place in the magical world. It was coined such for a reason, so that children could learn magic in peace without fear of attack.

"It's well known he's always wanted a dragon," Hayden said fondly, "To work with them, I'm going to send him books that he'll need to pass in order to become a Dragon Handler when I have time."

"Yes," Orion agreed immediately, "Yes, that's perfect, send him to Romania to learn how to be a Dragon Handler I'm sure he'd love it." the further he was from Hogwarts the better.

"Why not the one in Wales?" Hayden asked in amusement, lips twitching, knowing why Orion had suggested Romania, he wasn't stupid. There was a reason the animal of Wales happened to be a dragon, because they've been sighted so often that despite being obliviated it remains stuck deep in their subconscious. Not just there but China too, medieval folklore. To remove what was known for so long, was impossible, magic remained in the forefront of the Muggle's imaginations. Believing it to be make-believe of course, at least most of them, others that did believe? Well, they never obtained proof but they were quite fine with that.

"They get dozens of applicants every year and every year they're turned down," Orion explained, gently placing his hands on Hayden's legs. His warmth and fidgeting a silent reassurance that Hayden wasn't a figment of his imagination. He was here, he was alive despite everything he'd gone through. Orion didn't even know the half of it. "The Wizards are all very powerful, very fast and protective of the Dragons under their care. They rarely lose anyone, although, they do take on apprentices if the person involved is family, as a favour." That aside, he'd ensure that Hagrid's applicant was declined, and also accepted in Romania. Their reach went far, and one large donation would ensure it. If he had his say…it would remain that way.

"Dozens? Is it a popular career choice?" Hayden questioned; interest clear as he wanted to hear more about the magical world, he was in. It made him realize he had been sheltered, he'd sheltered himself in Grimmauld Place and it left him with without much knowledge. Hell, he hadn't even known what the rest of his classmates had wanted to do. Some friend he was, but he couldn't help it if he'd tried to talk to them, they'd be more interested in The-Boy-Who-Lived. Or it's what he believed. Perhaps they hadn't cared about his status…he'd never know now.

Nobody would ever look at him like that again, and it was so exhilaratingly freeing.

"In the UK certainly, they even get the odd applicant from abroad," Orion enthusiastically regaling Hayden with information he knew simply by his uncle being the accountant. Noddfa'r Ddraig, which was just Welsh for Dragon Sanctuary, it's in Cardiff, which made restrictions together, to keep them safe since it was a capital city in Wales. "It's actually preferable to hire from abroad, they have a fuller and more rounded education than we do at Hogwarts. Even our Dark Arts education is substandard, Professor Mann loves to talk and lecture more than educate."

"How do you know so much?" Hayden asked impressed, a look of astonishment on his face. Charlie had been a Dragon Handler for years, and he didn't know anything other than it was for dragons and they used every part of a dead dragon to keep the place afloat. That was it, Orion had just told him more than he had ever known in a single bout. "Nepotism at it's finest." He added absently, but he had noticed that families ran their businesses with families and those they could trust who mostly married into the family. He liked to imagine if he had family, he liked he'd do the same. Although, it wasn't fair, Regulus may have worked very hard at college or university.

"Oh, my Uncle Regulus is he financial adviser/accountant for them, he gives them suggestion on how to make money to keep sanctuary open. From allowing wizards into the sanctuary like watching zoo, performing their own spells, and even a simple training exercises to keep the handlers in shape. Uncle Regulus has helped them more than triple their income and that is with more employees and raised a significant amount of money through raising awareness and encouraging donations while networking." Smug and filled with satisfaction, undeniably proud of his Uncle Regulus who put a lot of effort into it. Nobody had been surprised by his chosen career, he'd loved dragons growing up – and was still obsessed with them – and still had his miniature dragon collection, with photos and portraits and posters still in pristine condition. His flat – he wasn't married and had no children and had said he 'had no desire to be tied down' and a lifelong bachelor.

"You can actually visit the Dragon reserve?" Hayden queried in fascination. He'd never known that titbit of information, there was still so much he didn't know. Unless, it had ended in tragedy and they made it a law that nobody could visit, for even a brief time.

"You can, it's rather expensive, but the safety measures they have to take means it must be so in order for them to make a profit for it." Orion explained, making a mental note to take Harry one day, priority tickets, all stage passes, and his uncle would be able to get them for him. "Which they do make when it comes to the ingredients of Dragons, it's all responsibly sourced, but dragons don't die by the handful, if one dies it could be ten to twenty years before another passes. So, they cannot and do not rely on the ingredients to get by."

"Huh, how much would a Basilisk fetch?" Hayden asked innocently.

Orion narrowed his eyes, squinting suspiciously, "Considering how rare they are, its pure speculation, there are so many potions that require pieces of a Basilisk part that haven't been brewed in hundreds of years because of their scarcity. Millions, whoever had the rare ingredients could name their price." The idiot who had published about how a Basilisk comes into being did not help matters either, the fool.

Hayden nodded, mind reeling over that, and he'd just let it languish away in a hidden chamber? That actually hurt to think about, especially considering how badly off the Weasley's were. Despite him killing it, Ron had been there during that adventure, so some of it would have been able to be given to him. While they wouldn't accept charity, they would accept logic. However, he had to acknowledge they wouldn't have been able to get rid of one of the Horcruxes without it.

It didn't matter now, it was alive here, alone and lost, he could make money out of it's shed skin and venom if he could convince the creature to go with him. He could make a den for it, with the only stipulation that it never harms anyone. He'd never hurt for funds, but getting Peverell Castle and it's surrounding estate back up and running would be a costly endeavour and add to other things he intended to do.

It wasn't fiscally reasonable or responsible to do it with only a few investments (his books included) but to always add to it over the years.

He'd always wanted a family, and he wanted a big one, so he had to make sure to make enough money to give all his kids the best start in life. They would never be like him, never be afraid to spend money in case it runs out, they'd never know hardship or abuses, on that he swore on his very life.

"I dread to ask why," Orion confessed, cautiously, did he even want to know? Perhaps the Peverell's had preserved a selection?

Hayden waved it off, acting as if it was something inconsequential or just idle curiosity. Poor Orion relaxed believing that to be the case. "Um Troll has been explained, um, I became the youngest Seeker in a century!" genuinely pleased, mostly because it was his own talent. Something he had done on his own. "Professor McGonagall saw me flying during my first flying lesson and after that I was on the team." His smile dimming seeing Orion's face.

"Were they trying to kill you?" Orion asked, unimpressed, it hurt seeing Hayden so happy at his accomplishments. He wanted to be happy for him…but he just couldn't, he'd be reacting the same way if it had been his cousins, such a Cygnus.

"Well…yes, but not then," Harry corrected him, "I don't think McGonagall knew." Only Severus and Dumbledore, Severus late in the game. He often wondered if Severus had survived him being 'killed' so to speak with willingly allowing and encouraging it (by giving him the memories of Dumbledore's demands) even if Voldemort hadn't set Nagini on him. It was a sobering thought really.

Orion's jaw clenched together when he saw that Hayden was wholly serious. "Who was trying to kill you?" thinking, hoping it wasn't about to be a professor, or worse Dumbledore. It would explain the hatred, but he prayed nonetheless that someone like Dumbledore – Professor and Headmaster in future – would wish a child dead. The Potters were becoming predominately light thanks to Fleamont. There was no reason for Dumbledore to hate Hayden.

"That year? Only two people," Harry sniggered, finding it funny.

Orion was horrified, he was laughing over nearly being killed, "Did you not have anyone in your life that is decent? Ever?" how could the magical world ignore the blatant suffering a child had endured? Surely, surely, someone had noticed and taken him in. Harry wouldn't be so…happy, he settled on, without some good in his life.

"I guess I should tell you my origin story."

"Origin story? What are you a comic book hero?" and yes, the wizarding world had comics, ones that came out ever week, on a Sunday. At least the one he had been interested in; they were very fun to read for sure. "How did you end up with those Muggles? Why not Charles and Dorea?"

"You knew my parents died when I was young, it's true, they did," Harry revealed scooting closer, laying his legs over Orion's, delight in the ability to be close to him without fearing he'd lose him. "What I haven't told you was that nobody really knows what happened. Voldemort came to Godric's Hollow, after my parents' best friends betrayed them, Peter Pettigrew."

Orion startled at the names he was familiar with, both the area and name Pettigrew.

"They were under the Fidelius Charm, it was meant to be Sirius, everyone thought it was Sirius. My father and Sirius were…a bit too co-dependent. That co-dependency transferred to Remus Lupin later."

"Ah, I thought he was related to the Lupins, he bears a striking similarity to Lowell Lupin." Orion nodded, recalling the memory. Not one he wanted to remember, since his son had died going through the veil of death, something that was still not known after years upon years of studying.

"Lyall," Harry absently corrected, "And really?" amused by the thought of meeting him, before his gaze hardened. The only thing he knew about Lyall wasn't very good. Although, to be fair, at least the wizard had protected his son for what was left of his life. The guilt likely made him a changed man; he was eventually killed by Greyback's pack during the first war. He probably bitterly regretted his words for decades before he died, for his thoughtless callous words had caused Greyback to go for the one thing Lyall loved most. His son.

"Lyall, yes, I knew he'd named his son something similar, but I am referring to Lowell Lupin, Lyall's father." Orion informed Hayden.

Hayden made a small sound of understanding, that was new information. Then again, Remus had rarely spoken of his family. Hell, he hadn't spoken about his parents to him, never mind his family. Remus…tried, he really did, but Remus wasn't exactly open about himself never mind anything else. Likely thanks to a lifetime of keeping everything a secret.

Remus had held his secrets close to his chest, as he'd been taught by his father. He absently wondered if his dad or Sirius or even Tonks had known anything about him at the end of the day. "Lyall pissed off a werewolf you know, and his son, Remus barely five I think, was bitten in his bedroom. Remus was turned, and is the only werewolf recipient of Order of the Merlin, first class for his services during the war."

"Was he an Auror?" Orion asked, blinking in surprise, that just didn't sound right at all.

"Oh, no, the 'services' he perpetrated were secret, as part of a vigilante group." Harry explained, "Dumbledore starts up a group called The Order Of The Phoenix, starts recruiting children from Hogwarts. Bright and talented, he's a bit like Slughorn but for his precious Order. My parents would go on to be members, as would Sirius and Remus. Tonks too actually, the one with the Metamorphamagus abilities."

"And back to your parents," Orion stated, giving him a look, not so surprised by his sneaky ways, subtly trying to work around telling him. It was understanding he didn't want to talk about them, Orion couldn't imagine losing his own. However, if he'd been talking to anyone who wasn't him, wasn't a Slytherin, and was dim as a bag of rocks.

"Alright," Harry said quietly, his entire countenance changing, becoming completely blank.

Orion straightened up seeing it. It gave him goosebumps, hell, even during moments of danger Harry looked like he was having fun, but this look? Merlin, this look he was entire unaccustomed to. He wondered what it meant, and he watched Harry impossibly closer.

"They went under the Fidelius charm, in Godric's Hollow, they'd barely been under the charm for a week when the attack happened. It was Samhain, it was late at night, my father was down the stairs, he was felled first, his trust in his best friend so absolute that he didn't even have his wand. Something no Witch or Wizard went anywhere without, not really."

Orion gasped, more goosebumps crawling up his body, Merlin, he needed a drink. He didn't dare ask Harry for any, fearing he might not be able to discuss it again. He must have read about the attack, perhaps in the Auror's report? It's the only place that would have really been able to tell him about the attack.

"All my father could do was call out to my mum, to take me and run, that he'd hold him off," Harry continued. "Mere seconds after that, my father was gone, felled by Voldemort. Having defied him for the forth and final time."

Orion felt chilled to the bone, how on earth did Harry know what was said? Had Voldemort callously told Harry his parents last words? The urge to get up and end Riddle was once again so strong, so very strong. His heart ached for Hayden and all he'd been through but awe and inspiration was beginning to gently unfurl and unfold, gripping his heart tightly and digging its roots in deep so his heart couldn't be free of it.

"My mother wandless and cut off from any escape, could only stand in front of my crib," Harry said, eyes slightly glazed. "Voldemort always was a dramatic bastard, blasted the door open instead of you know just opening it. My twenty-one-year-old Muggle born mother faced Voldemort had on, refusing to stand aside when he ordered her to. Three times she pleaded for my life, for him to take her instead and three times Voldemort told her to step aside."

The look on Orion's face was both sympathetic, respectful but confused, but the emphasis Harry put on certain words. More specifically emphasising on his mother's Muggle born status. Was it aimed at him because he had loathed the Mudbloods…who weren't Mudbloods as he'd believed all his life. He knew this, he had done all the investigations independently and together with Hayden. He believed it was for a different reason he just couldn't think what reason it could be.

"Unbeknown to my mum, she had the affections of someone who mourned her for the rest of his life. Who agreed to take care of her son, despite the fact that son, was the son of his rival and tormentor. He didn't just agree, Orion, he swore an unbreakable Vow. Or it can be more accurately described he was manipulated into it, whilst grieving her death."

Orion inhaled sharply, to swear an unbreakable Vow was…very serious business. To have manipulated someone into creating one? Horrifying, absolutely heart-breaking.

"It was Sirius that almost killed Severus actually, he was just fifteen or sixteen years old. He goaded someone into going to the Shrieking Shack, which was a place Remus was escorted to the nights of the full moon. He goaded him knowing exactly what he was attempting to do, almost at the risk of his best friend." Harry added absently, "I'm not sure what he was thinking or if he even really had the chance to grow up."

Orion felt sick to his stomach, to send someone after a werewolf? Never mind that this boy was actually a friend of his, he risked two people that night. His friend would have been executed if he had succeeded, didn't Sirius know this? Then again, he didn't know anything…and it was highly unlikely he'd have ever had any real interactions with his children. He had been naught but a puppet for Walburga to control. He shuddered to think how his sons had been raised with such a manipulative shrew, like the old one he'd seen in the projection memory.

"I am sorry you lost your parents, but again, why weren't you left with Dorea and Charlus?" Orion asked, they were often out of the country. With no children – and Charlus not the Lord or heir – they were free to do as they pleased and they did. "They should have surely taken you in, in an instant."

"They didn't survive the war," Harry said with a broken bitter smile, "Even if they did…Dumbledore would never have let them get me."

Orion reeled back, "What do you mean? The headmaster of a school cannot surely have anything to do with your placement after your parent's murders." So utterly befuddled by everything he was learning.

Harry stood, moving towards the entrance of the tent, there he stood with a backdrop of purple. Somehow his stance looked utterly defeated and sad. Yet he was so very regal, proud and strong and Orion couldn't help but forget the conversation for a moment, just a brief moment to admire his soon-to-be betrothed. "You have no idea do you, the power Dumbledore is set to wield in the next decade. The supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, Order of Merlin first class recipient, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot…the Minister's will be nothing but figureheads, all seek Dumbledore's guidance like its gospel, all the while he's at Hogwarts manipulating every single mind to his rhetoric's. What it comes down to for generations is you're either with Dumbledore or you're a dirty rotten Snake, dark, and deserving of ridicule and being cursed. In my time, being in Slytherin was…the worst of houses. Nobody wanted to be there unless it had been ingrained that Slytherin was the best house…only to realize how badly they'd been lied to."

The disappointed yet resigned looks on their faces when Dumbledore stole the cup from them his first year flashed through his mind. He hadn't cared, too enamoured with Dumbledore, pleased with the win. It was only as an adult he looked back at what had been done to them and be horrified.

"And that leads him to being able to take you from your home and just take you wherever he wanted? People just let that happen?" aghast, just what kind of hold did Dumbledore have to hold sway over the government and every law enforcement?

"Yes, they did," Hayden revealed, turning back to face Orion who looked like he didn't believe a word coming out of Hayden's mouth incredulity setting in.

"Why the hell did he care so much? It's not as if he could control the estate." Orion asked bewildered. Referring of course, to the Potter estate, which Dumbledore surely wasn't any part of. James Potter wouldn't have made Dumbledore a headmaster of a damn school it's administrator! A pureblood…wouldn't be that foolish…would he? Then he recalled Harry saying generations of manipulated children and his heart sank.

"He did, he had control over my seats in the Wizengamot, I actually think he gained control of them illegally, or rather became my Magical Guardian illegally." Hayden corrected himself. "However illegally he'd done it, he was still my Magical Guardian."

"Please tell me that the Potters ensured that the estate couldn't be tampered with?" Orion said, well aware that it didn't matter now. Not really anyway, since he was back in time, and had gained control of the Peverell finances.

"He wasn't really interested in the money, just the seats, and making sure I had as miserable an upbringing as possible." Hayden snorted derisively, making his way back, tiredness setting in and he still had dinner to have with the Black's. Which would probably be pretty damn formal due to the fact they had guests. Even if it was only a lawyer.

"But why?" Orion asked, did Hayden even know the answer? It was one thing to abandon a child with Muggles, but to purposely want them harmed in such a grievous manner? Wasn't he better off making Harry revere him from the get go? So that he could continue using the seats after Harry came of age?

"So that I would sacrifice my life to end the war…the moment he took me from my home in Godric's Hollow, Orion, I was nothing but a sacrificial lamb going all too willingly to the slaughter." Harry said, "Remember how I told you about the Horcruxes?"

"What about them?" Orion's gaze was drawn and cautious, sickness crawling up his throat.

"He didn't leave me alive that night Orion, or rather didn't intent to," Harry said, "After he killed my mum, he turned his wand on me with every intention of killing me. He uttered the killing curse, but something happened the that he did not intend. The killing curse backfired, striking Voldemort reducing his body to dust, and Voldemort, who was immortal as long as one of his Horcruxes remained on this earth…his already shattered soul, splintered once more without the aid of a single ritual…it imbedded itself in the closest thing possible. Me."

Orion reeled back, a human Horcrux? Magical children were cherished! Loved! Adored! Nobody magical should willingly cast such a horrendous spell at a child, a baby. Yet he did not kill the Dark Lord? Let him live?

Hayden cringed at Orion's actions, glancing away from him, not surprised by the disgust. Unfortunately, he believed it was aimed at himself.

Orion stood up, stalked the length of the tent, over and over again, what Harry was telling him was incredibly horrendous. Why didn't Dumbledore seek help? Find a way to get that thing out of him? Why send him to his death? No wonder Hayden couldn't bear to look at him, and no wonder he was glaring daggers. He honestly wanted to kill Dumbledore himself, and he hadn't done a single thing to him personally, but he would hurt Hayden.

"You are…a rare treasure," Orion said, it was clear by Hayden's reaction that he hadn't expected those words. "I haven't heard everything…and I honestly do dread hearing it all. I will hear it all one day. I can tell you now that I would not have let either live. Knowing what I know? I want to kill both Voldemort and Dumbledore. Preventative is the best measure after all." grey eyes flaring brightly, he honestly would kill them if Hayden allowed him to do so to defend his honour. He wouldn't risk Harry by going against his wishes.

Orion Black was his father's son after all.

Arcturus had done what needed to be done to protect family quite recently.

"I'm not a treasure or anything," Hayden said awkwardly cheeks heating up, sure he was praised all the time, but Orion was praising him for the opposite. It was a lovely change and it left him feeling rather flustered. "Orion I wasn't trained; I was beaten down and tired. I wasn't strong, I'm not strong, even now I've got his damn voice in my head going on about second chances. I've never set out to kill anyone, except Sirius, but it was an understanding that was settled I didn't actually, you know, try to kill him."

Orion forgot his pureblood upbringing as he often did with Hayden, raised his arms in the air with a huff, giving up entirely. "Oh, is that all?" he muttered in sarcasm. Rubbing his eyes, "I need a drink." Or maybe a bottle or two.

"That's not to say I'm not directly responsible for someone dying," Hayden offered up, grimacing when those grey eyes peered at him through his fingers. "I just never set out to do it, I…guess you can say it was self-defence."

"Drink…I need a drink," Orion declared rubbing his temples, oh, he wanted to discuss this with his parents, get their suggestions and such. Unfortunately, he couldn't do that, promise or not, he would never reveal this, and if he did reveal it to his parents, it would be with Hayden's full permission and when he's a Lord so he could enforce it (without an Unbreakable Vow which were way too unpredictable) and make sure they couldn't discuss it with anyone else. The family magicks weren't to be trifled with, it would be more dangerous than any other kind of magic. "It's nearly time, lets go."

"You still want to…" Hayden murmured not even able to finish it before Orion's voice cut him off, rude as it may be Hayden needed it more than he realized.

"I do, I always will, regardless of what you tell me, trust me," Orion said, reaching out to grip Harry's hand softly, "I know you've been betrayed in the worst of ways…and I swear I'll come up with a way to prove to you that I won't do the same." Orion was awed that Hayden could trust at all, that he wasn't a distrustful hateful emotionally distant man. He was absolutely amazing, so he was, and he was in awe of him. Reaching over, his thumb brushed over his face before he leaned in for a single kiss. "You are amazing." He reiterated, and once again Harry flushed, he could encounter danger without blinking but a little compliment could trip him up.

Well, there was only one way to get someone out of that habit. By repeating it over and over again, and Orion found himself all too willing to do that. All the while convincing Hayden that Dumbledore needed to go…keeping a Horcrux in a child with plans to see him dead…he was more horrified now than he'd ever been at the marriage contract forced upon him.

He honestly hadn't expected that, but it was nonetheless true.

A/N – If you've asked any questions on FF regarding any story, don't be surprised if you don't receive a reply, since the email function isn't working. It's not just story alerts that are down, but reviews don't come through. Not even PM alerts come through, this has been happening quite frequently. If you want to ask any question, you're better off going to my Facebook group to ask, it's my pen name DebsTheSlytherinSnapeFanStories! 😊 just so you're aware I don't want anyone thinking or assuming I'm ignoring you or being ignorant. If it is about translations the answer will be no regretfully, I'm constantly fighting people to get them removed.

A/N 2 – I know It's boring hearing about Hayden's life but I really want to tell it, it's been a long time since I did…I think Lord Of Time (to Tom) was the last time I did it. Although, most of it was in pensive memories I think and they are not easy to write out 😊 Mostly though, I just want to write out Orion's reactions to everything he learns, so Hayden can gauge even if it's a little late on what's appropriate age wise and what isn't. It will be spread out though! As they get to know each other better and they are supposed to have busy lives so 😊 it will take time, hmm will Dolohov already joined Voldemort or will it have been later he joined? Since he didn't room with Riddle and he's not mentioned in the flashbacks etc… R&R please

I also want to add thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews they honestly mean a lot to me even the hearts 😉 you're all so wonderful xxx