My Time

Chapter 40

Hayden was quietly but firmly roused from his sleep by the Black House-elf. He wasn't given any sort of timeline, so he made his way to the bathroom. Thinking about taking a shower while he could, the tent facilities were alright, but nothing like this. Not just in terms of bathing facilities but even the bed was better naturally. His bare feet padding loudly when it went from carpet to tile as he entered the bathroom. Still sleepy and tired, he barely blinked when he realized Orion was in the bath. He'd roomed with four other guys for six years, then spent a year in a tent with Hermione and Ron, he'd seen more than he would have wanted to in any other circumstances. Especially when it came to his best friends.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Orion squeaked out, although he would deny he'd done as such. "I'm having a bath!" attempting to cover himself up with as much as he could with the bubbles.

Hayden blinked owlishly at Orion, "Are you…are you a prude?" staring at the pureblood heir in utter bewilderment, lips twitching in amusement. Surely, he had to be kidding, there was no way he was so self-conscious about someone seeing him in a bath. The awkwardness you felt at Hogwarts the first few weeks, leaves quite quickly. You become accustomed to life there at Hogwarts.

"I am not a prude!" Orion protested, "Now turn around and get out!" jaw unhinged when Hayden not only ignored him but actually proceeded to do his morning ablutions right there and then! It was one thing being comfortable on his bed (which he'd rather liked, the closeness especially) but this? It was too much.

"Did you not share a dorm with four other guys? Or shower?" Hayden asked, flushing the toilet, giving Orion an odd look.

"I did, for five years, prefects and head boys get their own rooms that come with a bathroom attached. I was both." Orion frowned, not sure how to feel about being denied the first genuine thing he'd wanted from Hayden since they met. He felt deeply, deeply uncomfortable.

Hayden blinked, staring at Orion, noticing his discomfort, "I'll be downstairs," he told the other wizard, disobliged, especially in the face of making Orion uncomfortable. It hadn't been his intention at all, and he hadn't expected it from him either, considering they'd grew up in Hogwarts. Seeing each other in their natural state was…normal, he hadn't given it a second thought.

Closing the bathroom door behind him, he truly was perplexed, no matter, they could discuss it later. They were in a relationship after all, and they were going to see each other in a state of undress. If Orion had hang-ups about such things, then it was best he knows now, so they could begin to help him if he required it.

He dressed in the clothes that were left out for him – presumably some of Orion's old clothes that no longer fitted him – since Arcturus was way too tall and well, he certainly didn't have Lucretia's clothes, that was for certain. They took great pride in their house colours, he thought as he dressed in the clothes. At least the house prejudice wasn't as bad as it would get in his time. Or his old time rather.

He wasn't surprised by the fact they fitted almost all too well.

He sniggered at the thought of what kind of clothes he'd have needed with his real body, the one he'd had after suffering nearly two decades of abuse at the hands of the Dursley's. Probably Orion's clothes from when he was thirteen years old. Luckily, it was likely these were maybe a year old or something similar.

"Good morning," Hayden said politely when he entered the kitchen, "I hope that this spread isn't just put on for me…" he ventured, truly, truly hoping that it wasn't the case.

"No, not at all, please sit, and good morning, I hope you slept well?" Arcturus promptly replied, smiling in amusement as both his wife and daughter, like a whirlwind, said hasty goodbyes before they were gone. "My apologies, they are…"

"Wedding shopping, I know, Lucretia was very excited," Hayden grinned, he liked her, and honestly and genuinely couldn't wait to spend more time with her.

Arcturus smiled, a bland one that was more out of expectation than a desire to do so. He was very protective of his daughter, and Ignatius had proven him by the skin of his teeth, passed every test put forth to him. Not that Prewett knew every single test he'd put the boy through. "Yes, she is," happy that his daughter was happy. He'd had a political match in mind, then Orion had come along, and he'd gotten caught up in having an heir. Still, he was grateful for that, given what had nearly happened to them all…he thanked the Deity that was Death every day since the contract was broken.

Hayden frowned; everyone was acting weird today, then again…maybe that was how it was in a family.

"I know my family owes you more than we could ever repay, so I apologise for this," Arcturus stated, turning to face the young Lord properly, "I demand to know what your intentions are towards my son?"

Hayden blinked blankly at Arcturus, before pursing his lips, glancing at the hot coffee before squaring his shoulders, "I'm afraid you're going to have to spell out what you believe to be the problem, Lord Black. For it is too early to try and work out what's going on by reading between the lines. I honestly would prefer a clear and frank discussion, bear in mind please, that I did not grow up in the magical world, there are…obvious gaps in my education."

Reaching for the coffee pot, he poured himself a coffee, with just a splash of milk. He really needed coffee and needed it strong today. He had a feeling it was going to be a long day all things considered. As an afterthought he put half a spoonful of sugar into the cup and stirred it in. He didn't normally put sugar in.

Respect lit up Arcturus' grey eyes, pressing his fingers together he pressed them to his mouth for a moment. "A frank discussion it is. Why have you not approached me for my son's hand in marriage?"

"You're joking, aren't you?" Hayden asked aghast, "After what the last contract would have done to him…Orion likely hasn't gotten over the fact his family had betrayed him for what? A bloody Lordship! Money! Now you're wanting me to just go behind his back and ask you, after what you did, to betroth him to me? Would you give him any say?" quick to anger, and quicker still to defend those he loved without care about himself.

"Have you not wondered that perhaps Orion is worried by your decision not to?" Arcturus pointed out gracefully. Propping one of his knees on the other, looking for all the world that they were having a grand old time. Or he was, for all of a few seconds before he was pale, clammy and stiffer than a board.

Death had made an entrance.

"You should listen to him," Mort informed Hayden, scythe in hand and everything.

"Don't do that!" Hayden jumped out of his seat, hand pressed against his chest, breathing a little uneven. Spilling his coffee but luckily not on his hand. "How did you even…" he thought he had to summon Death for him to come…or had he got that wrong?

"Can't stick around too long, dearest, so many souls to collect, too little time," Mort told him, smiling at Arcturus with more fang than teeth. Relishing in the fear that he could elicit from everyone around him, Harry and his dear best friend were the only ones who seemed to wholeheartedly embrace him.

"Dearest?" Hayden mouthed the word incredulously. "Wait, why should I listen?" they could have a relationship without betrothal contracts and all that nonsense. Orion deserved that, deserved to actually pick whom he loved, after the horror that had been these past months.

"You should have more care when it comes to your blood," Mort tutted, while Arcturus straightened further, worry beginning to simmer in those grey eyes of his.

Orion's heart was in his throat, as he gasped, giving away the fact he was listening in on the conversation between his father and the wizard he was beginning to love. "The papercut," he realized, deducing the truth, vividly recalling what happened yesterday, and horrified by it. It just had to be a betrothal contract he got blood on now didn't it.

"Oh," Hayden said quietly, "Oops," more sheepish than worried, after all he'd broken a contract before, Orion and Walburga's contract in fact. There was nothing he couldn't do when he put his mind to it, and he would never let a single accident such as a papercut ruin his life. He would quite happily become a squib…or would he be a Muggle? Eh, he would never find out, so it didn't matter.

"This is why families create betrothal contracts for their children, to safeguard their future! To protect them." Arcturus declared.

"You'll find that the creation of betrothal contracts was to tie families together to whom you weren't too closely related, it only became political seventy years later." Mort declared causing Arcturus to blanch, he had forgotten to whom he was conversing with. The deity to whom he had been thanking so much these days. A god that knew everything, saw everything, the entirety of the universe reflecting back at them. The questions he wanted to ask…but dare not. It was terrifying as it was breathtakingly wonderful, but for the most part, his inclination was towards terrified.

Nobody wanted Death's attention after all.

"Huh, they figured it out back then…too bad the information wasn't shared." Hayden said, mouth making a moue as if to say 'oh well' shrugging his shoulders. There was nothing to be done about it now, it had all happened so long ago, at least it was mainstream now to ensure that they knew the consequences.

"Indeed," Arcturus murmured, his tone slightly dryer than usual. Presuming that was where Hayden Peverell had come to know about such…drastic cost of marrying into your own family repeatedly. Squibs, it was mindboggling, which had him thinking of Marius, was he even still alive? What he'd read from that book suggested his children, grandchildren or even great grandchildren could have magic, if he married and had children with the right person (a fellow squib line) it was mesmerising. It made him realize his mistakes where his cousin was concerned.

"It exists to this day, in the family Grimoire's of some of the oldest blood, that take half-blood brides with pureblood names into the family or more likely abroad." Mort sounded far too amused by what he was telling everyone.

"Now I see where you get it, Lord Peverell," Arcturus said, a look of almost fond amusement appearing on his face, before his features went blank under his pureblood mask.

"Hey, this is all me," Hayden teasingly complained, "You're ruining my reputation here." In a faux whine.

Orion coughed to hide the laughter that was bubbling up his throat, only Hayden would complain and whine to a god, Merlin, it was a surprise he was still alive. It was like he had no fear and no filter, but that was Hayden all over wasn't it? After all he'd been through it was no surprise, he didn't fear death…quite frankly, death would have been a mercy.

"Do the betrothal, lest you wish to lose half your fortune to Griselda Marchbanks!" Mort warned him, he was very much like Ignotus and it took everything to remain impassive. He was a god, yes, it was very rare humans traded words with him that weren't filled with fear and terror or worse the incessant pleading.

Hayden blanched, "Marchbanks?!" he echoed, wide eyed.

"Who sent a betrothal contract on Dumbledore's suggestion." Mort coolly informed him.

"And probably half the others that have thrown their hat in the ring," Hayden flapped his arms up and then down in a motion of 'giving up'. "I hate the old fool." His voice icy and merciless.

Arcturus glanced quietly alarmed by the hatred Hayden Peverell held for Albus Dumbledore. It wasn't just a flippant hate; no this was deep and immeasurable. What had Dumbledore done to earn Hayden Peverell's ire? Perhaps there was a deeper reason for the theft of the wizard's wand. If it had been anyone else Arcturus would have been rather disapproving of the whole thing. A wand was a wizard's lifeline, definitely not something done in polite society unless it was won fair and square in a duel.

There was no way such a thing had happened; it would have been all over the news. Someone would have seen something, especially with-it regarding Dumbledore.

"How will signing a betrothal agreement even stop any other agreement?" Hayden whispered to Orion, confused, wouldn't blood agreement win out?

"Because you haven't signed it," Orion said wryly, "Having yours, my fathers and my signatures on a betrothal contract would supersede all else including an agreement of unwillingly shed blood." Which wouldn't fly with magic itself, but the court of public opinion? It mattered all too well, they wouldn't care if it was an accident.

Hayden was still confused; it made no sense.

"Blood letting agreement could be seen as an initial agreement, before the signatures," Orion began to explain, "One that promised to honour the agreement and see it through. Then signing could be considered the second level of the agreement and completing it." He explained in a way that he knew Hayden would understand without dumbing it down entirely. Hayden wasn't stupid and he'd be damned if he treated him as such.

"Still don't get why they'd refrain from suing just because another contract is signed…" Hayden whispered.

"Because once signed magic makes it so that it cannot be ignored…normally," Orion said wryly, recalling spectacularly what happened to his own. "The law will make it so that a case cannot be raised." And given how old fashioned the Wizengamot actually was right now it would truly be so.

The coldness in the room faded, and the glow in Hayden's eyes dimmed entirely. Oddly enough, it hadn't been something noticed until they lacked it. It left them wondering if it had happened the last time the god had appeared before them. Hayden was right though, he didn't have much control over his gift, and he needed to learn. Hopefully they could find more books in Peverell Castle.

Hayden gazed straight into Orion's eyes, trying to garner something from him. "Do you want another betrothal contract?" noticing Orion's subtle flinch. "I won't be mad if you say yes, I won't be mad if you say no, it won't matter, I will marry you."

Orion inhaled sharply, tenser than a coiled spring, opening and closing his mouth. He didn't know how to explain his thoughts and feelings. He'd been raised to believe he'd never have to answer to anyone. So, yes, he was rather fraught with worry. On one hand, he wanted the safety a Betrothal offered to both of them. On the other hand, the thought of one left him feeling sick to his stomach.

"We would create it ourselves," Hayden added firmly, not needing to be able to read minds to know what Orion was worrying about. He wasn't showcasing his fears, not like Ron would have, but he was worried. He hoped that he'd get better at reading Orion or that Orion would get better at showing his feelings to him, to family. He shouldn't feel the need to hide himself that way with family, and most certainly not with him. He meant what he'd said before. "Basic, no hidden clauses, and no lawyer."

The rest of Orion's tension bled away; he'd never felt any doubt that Hayden cared about him. Never, not once. There hadn't been a single sliver of worry and doubt creeping in due to the lack of Betrothal contract. Hayden had stayed with him knowing there was never going to be any permanence despite their attempts. Hayden had been determined to stay with him until the very end. Hayden loved him. Betrothal contracts had him far more wary than Hayden ever would.

'I will have the last say' Arcturus wanted to demand, but he didn't dare interfere since he was getting what he wanted. Assurances for his son's future, there would be no greater match possible. Not because of what the name represented, so he told himself, but because his son was happy. The Peverell name while likely not having much in terms of monetary value, was still known, respected, and the gifts that would be welcomed into the Black family? Oh, if he was a lesser man, he'd be rubbing his hands together in utter glee. Instead he calmly, returned to his seat, "Shall we begin?"

Orion and Hayden turned to look at Lord Black having truly forgotten he was there.

"I thought you were visiting…" Orion begun, but was cut off before his sentence was finished by his father, which was quite rude.

"I still have time," Arcturus was almost vibrating in excitement, "Please excuse me, I shall go and retrieve the necessary items." It was true though, he would have enough time to visit his friends in Italy, which he had been looking forward to. Today he would get to tell them that his son was going to marry a carrier, a powerful wizard and a Peverell.

"Was that…a skip in his step?" Hayden asked craning his head to see the wizard disappear into his office.

Orion was just staring at his fathers back shaking his head, "Can't have been…" nah, it was more likely a little trip up that looked like he was skipping…right?

Hayden smothered his amusement, "Bloody Marchbanks, I really hate Dumbledore sometimes." He hissed in seething fury to Orion.

Orion pressed his hand against Hayden's back, giving him comfort, his hand trailed up Hayden's neck until he gave him another firmer squeeze. Hayden leaned back into the comfort offered to him, grateful for it. He'd spent so long trying to be strong. Yes, Hermione and Ron had helped him so much, in so many ways. However, they still looked up to him to help everyone, to save everyone.

"How do you know her from before?" Orion's voice was a breathy whisper in his ear, not meant to be arousing, but to ask a question without being loud. His father wasn't that far away that he didn't wish to risk being overheard. This was one thing he would not risk getting out.

"Actually, I didn't know her, and Dumbledore knew each other," Hayden whispered, nose pressed against Orion's neck. "She's an examiner, during O.W.L's and N.E.W.T's she comes to Hogwarts every year, I shouldn't be surprised she'd be a Dumbledore supporter." His grumbling echoing through and into Orion's neck, it tickled him and made him nearly laugh.

Arcturus returned, clearing his throat far louder than there was any need to, giving both of them a look.

"Forget a betrothal contract…how do you fancy just getting married on our own?" Hayden stage whispered to Orion smothering his amusement at the look of indignation that overcame Lord Black's features.

Orion choked out his own amusement, as he nudged Hayden into sitting down, and quickly followed. Part of him couldn't believe they were here, and just about to begin Betrothal contract negotiations with his father overseeing it. "At least I'll have a say in this one."

Arcturus winced, genuinely hurt by the words his son uttered. Truthfully, he would have likely said the same if their situations were reversed. Hence, he said nothing, just accepted he'd made a terrible choice, in more ways than he could fathom given the new books that his son and Hayden Peverell had released.

The Betrothal Contract

Of

Lord Hayden Ignotus Haidar Peverell & Heir Orion Arcturus Black

The Betrothal may be dissolved:

By mutual and free consent of both parties.

By a diriment impediment which subsequently arises between said parties. The innocent party may be released from his or her obligation, but not the one who's fault the impediment arose. The latter will be held accountable and will pay a monetary sum in compensation.

"Is that agreeable?" Hayden asked Orion, focused solely on him, Arcturus did not matter in this. He would sign it, but this? This was just for him and Orion alone.

"Yes, but how much?" Orion pondered, he liked the fact that any 'accountability' would be money, it wouldn't be something outrageous. Like being asked to marry someone else, it was an aspect of the other betrothal contract that had remained untouched. There had never been any other option, it was to marry, Walburga, the end. He didn't intend to not marry Hayden, so he didn't care either way. Money was just money at the end of the day.

"You're worth everything I have in my vault, and more," Hayden murmured, "Will we put it at seventeen thousand galleons?"

"One million, it would only wipe out most of my trust vault," Orion stated firmly, he would not do Hayden the disservice of letting him think he was only worth seventeen thousand galleons.

"Orion, it has to be a sum that is reciprocity," Arcturus reminded him.

"That won't be a problem," Hayden waved it off.

Arcturus arched his brow, "You have made that much from your books already?"

"What? No, I've not even counted the money from our joint venture," Hayden shook his head, "Have you?"

"No," Orion confessed, "I'll know when I get my next Gringotts statement," which was due at the beginning of the month. He wasn't sure how much they'd made, and since they were the bosses, the money was just piling up in the vaults, they didn't need to hand it out to anyone. Well, except those that were working on getting the books out, published and advertisements.

"Do you even know how much you are worth?" Arcturus asked, staring between both of them.

"Yes, what do you want to see my portfolio?" Hayden asked, his tone bordering on sarcastic. It was too bad he didn't have a House-elf in his service, that way he could have summoned them to retrieve it. He wasn't going to use the Black House-elves, he wasn't sure how the Portfolio would react (it was private business and charmed so) to a House-elf trying to take it.

"That is normal in a betrothal contract," Arcturus stated, "So, yes,"

"Try the other way around, it's your duty to prove that Orion can provide for me," Hayden pointed out, narrowing his eyes displeased. "My education isn't that lacking, Lord Black." His tone had bite; he was furious quite frankly with his underhanded ways.

"Which might be true if you were a Witch," Arcturus declared, "But you are both husbands to be, which means, by rights, I have the right to ask to ensure that Orion and you can live very comfortably without draining the Black estate." He had heard the young Lord's ambitions, which he approved wholeheartedly, but not if it came to draining the Black coffers entirely.

"You presume we'll be living on the Black estate?" Hayden asked, not sure if he wanted to feel offended or not.

"You may be making quite a lot of gold for your books, very profitable, and well done of you, but the profit cannot be enough for the plans you've got in mind for the Peverell estate." Arcturus said kindly, he wasn't saying this to be bad, but he wanted to make sure the Black estate wasn't put to ruins. He still felt it would be better to just sell the land, it would at least make a decent bit of gold.

Naturally unaware that was exactly what Lady Walburga Black would have done to the estate.

"Father…just don't," Orion begged, hand over his face in mortification. He just happened to know the worth of the Peverell estate. "The Peverell estate is worth more than ours collectively, there are things in the castle itself that are worth billions of Galleons, and totally priceless. In terms of monetary value of the galleon, we've only got maybe two million more collectively."

Arcturus swallowed thickly, "And you couldn't start with that?" his tone weak, strained, he hadn't expected this although he truly should have.

"Don't look at me, I wanted to see how far you'd go," Hayden shrugged.

"One shouldn't get too much enjoyment out of pushing people's buttons," Arcturus told him, but his lips were twitching.

Hayden just grinned.

"Especially when one is family," Arcturus added.

Hayden's grin became a smile, family, he liked the sound of that.

"Speaking of family, two children, minimum, preferably two male heirs." Arcturus getting back to the matter at hand.

"No, not two male heirs, two children, it won't matter their gender." Hayden said firmly, green eyes boring into grey, daring him to try and disagree with him.

"I'm sorry, I cannot agree, there has to be at least one male heir," Arcturus argued.

"Not really, if we only have daughters, any of them could have a boy, that could become the new Lord." Hayden argued, nudging Orion who had been far too quiet for him to be comfortable.

"The Black family legacy has been carried out from the dark ages, and it is still the main male line." Arcturus explained, "We have a proud legacy that I do not want to see end." And the family just continued to get smaller, and he genuinely feared for the next generation. His own siblings hadn't had children, not that they were trying and Dorea kept miscarrying. He could remember all the kids he'd grown up with, and how little there were this generation, and there would be even less next generation with only three boys and two girls, well, one, his daughter couldn't have children.

Orion meanwhile couldn't help but imagine a family with Hayden, a girl that was the perfect blend of them both. It made his heart ache for his sister who would never get to experience this. Any dreams she'd had…had turned to ash in her mouth when she was still a child. He glanced at Hayden, wondering if perhaps there was a miracle that could see her be a mother. It was unlikely, he knew, otherwise Hayden would have mentioned it before this, maybe.

"I don't mind what we have," Orion declared, intertwining their hands, a show of solidary. They were in this together.

"Very well then," Arcturus sat back in defeat, it seemed they were both determined to turn him grey and vex him entirely. To think Melania was the only one who could turn him on his head quite so successfully. "We cannot sign this until Melania returns," he realized, blurting it out more like. He'd rather not end up sleeping on the sofa for the rest of his days.

Orion and Hayden sniggered in amusement, green and grey eyes filled with mirth.

Yes, they were determined to turn him grey and vex him.

For some insane reason, Arcturus didn't mind. Why should he given what would have happened to his family if it weren't for Hayden Peverell? He deserved all the allowances he could have and then some. He was surprised by how quiet his son had been.

A/n – well there we go, I'm not going to go into too much detail regarding the betrothal contract 😊 at least I don't intend to, but are there things you want to know that haven't been discussed yet? Who will have Regulus and Sirius? Hayden? Lucretia? Walburga? Dorea? Ooo so many people…after all death only promised they'd be born 😉 hahahahha R&R please

Finally got the scene that had been bothering me for ages into the story (where Harry walked in on Orion) don't worry it will be discussed more behind silencing wards ;) although it didn't go how I wanted to at all, hmm maybe next time :D