My Time

Chapter 55

Orion was roused with the gentle nudge of the wards alerting him to people entering his home. All of them were under the wards, his parents, himself and Lucretia. Although, Lucretia would be creating her own hearth, home and wards once she married. It would leave only three people attached to the wards here, until he left home too. After a few moments of focusing, Orion realized it was his parents returning from the party they'd attended. Glancing down at Hayden an utterly besotted look on his features.

He knew his father would be pissed if he saw them like this. Half a year ago he would have agreed (not that he'd have been anywhere near this close to Walburga). It wasn't proper to be abed with your betrothed, even if they were fully clothed and lying on top of the covers.

He felt very foolish for not considering the difference in the timelines. Mostly due to the fact he didn't quite realize how broad the difference in their respective timelines were. Foolish or not, the biggest obstacle they'd face was his father. As Lord Black he was used to getting his way, no if or buts. Such was the control the Lord of the family wielded.

A feminine gasp roused Orion entirely, causing him to jerk his head towards his door. Wincing a little at the pain, he had twisted his neck a little. He groaned inwardly, perfect, the last thing he needed was his mother at his too. His head slumped on the pillow, just waiting.

He didn't need to wait long.

Melania's face was thunderous. "Cease this display at…"

"Mother, please be quiet for a moment," Orion stated, "I shall be downstairs momentarily." Rubbing his temples, tired and a little exasperated. He didn't want her wakening up Hayden, he wasn't sure that his betrothed was getting enough sleep.

Melania huffed, unimpressed with her sons conduct, it was utterly disgraceful. Thank Merlin it was them that saw and not someone else. If everyone found out they'd think she and Arcturus raised Orion in a barn! He should feel at least some semblance of shame. Yet he just stared back at her as if he was doing no wrong. Shameless, it was so utterly shameless. It wasn't how she'd raised her son. Giving him a disappointed look, she turned and returned to the kitchen, Orion could hear his fathers voice raising in clear anger and surprise.

Orion sighed, slowly moving off the bed, so not to disturb Hayden. He moved one of the pillows to his back and head. Nodding firmly, he padded out of the bedroom, recalling the look of utter confusion and incredulity at his reaction the first time Hayden wandered into the bathroom while he was bathing. That should have been his biggest clue to how vastly different things were. Yet it hadn't even crossed his mind.

Both of them were standing at the kitchen table, two glasses of wine being poured by Melania. They were both stiff, clearly vibrating in anger but remaining silent. They ignored Orion when he entered the room.

"May I ask, mother, what was so urgent that you didn't even knock before entering my bedroom?" Orion asked politely but distantly, she had never just entered his bedroom since he was eleven or twelve-years-old. For the most understandable of reasons, he was a growing teenager after all.

The same had gone for his sister, although he'd learned with all the nasty hexes she'd left on her doorhandle. Started off with stinging hexes and worked up until she'd been grounded for six weeks for the rather nasty hex, he'd ended up on the receiving end off.

"Don't you dare try and turn this around on your mother," Arcturus demanded, his voice low and stern. He didn't need to raise his voice to be heard, or acknowledged, his grey eyes were filled with anger. He would not tolerate Orion speaking to his mother that way, regardless of his heir status – or Lord one day – there were some things you just didn't do. "What are you thinking? It's a good thing the boy doesn't have a family otherwise they would have been quick to nullify the contract!" which could happen with such horrifying displays of impropriety.

"I doubt that." Orion commented, naturally knowing things they didn't, primarily that clearly, the sort of 'display' they'd gotten up to was likely very common then. It wasn't seen as rude or indecent otherwise Hayden wouldn't have been comfortable with it. Tradition clearly meant a lot, he wanted to see it revived, Hayden didn't want to see it overturned. "And please do not mention that in front of him or anywhere he might hear." Hayden didn't seem all that hurt that he didn't have them, it was more like the idea of them. He did want family though, more than anything. He might not know everything about Hayden yet, but he knew that much.

"Have you nothing to say about that unseemly display?" Melania asked, wondering what on earth had happened to her son. Sitting down, her wine glass in hand.

Orion chuffed, crossing his arms he stared at his mother, "Are you trying to tell me you both didn't do anything remotely improper before you were married?" well, with the tales he'd been told not likely, however, no parent told their children the entire truth.

"How dare you…?" Melania begun to stutter; eyes wide with shock at her sons' accusations.

"Don't you dare imply such impropriety again, your mother and I were every bit proper. We were never together without an escort or family chaperone." Arcturus declared sternly, "What were you two thinking?" exasperated, honestly, was this some sort of delayed teenage rebellion phrase? Orion had never acted out like this; he wasn't sure what was going on.

"What we are doing is up to us," Orion declared firmly, not wavering slightest by his parents' disapproval. "You do not get to dictate our relationship. From now on, what we do has no bearing on either of you. In public or in private, you do not reprimand me, least of all in front of my betrothed." Firm and unrepentant, Hayden was his future, and his parents would just have to get used to it. He would never turn Hayden away again…the thought made him shudder. Hayden didn't want to live without basic touch – which it clearly was to him – and he honestly didn't want too either. Hayden had gotten him attached to simple touch.

"You will do as you are told!" Arcturus demanded, slamming his fist on the kitchen table, unable to help himself. "You will behave in a way befitting a Black and you will not humiliate this family. Don't make me remove you from the next in line."

A futile threat, but one that had kept everyone in line when need be. The family Lordship had been in the main line since it's conception. They'd been prosperous since the dark ages, and always had a male heir for the main line. If Orion didn't get it, hypothetically to keep it in the main line Lucretia would need to pass it onto her son but she wouldn't be having any children. Unfortunately, being a mother just wasn't in the cards for her, so Orion was the only way to keep it in the main line. If not, it would be up to Alphard or Cygnus to take over, which was rather late since they'd been adopted and were legally Potters. Or rather Black-Potters. No doubt they'd drop the name at the prospect of being Lord Black. Only a fool would turn it down.

Oh, if only he knew the truth.

"You'll do what you feel you must," Orion said sombrely, "As you always have." Their threats would no longer work on him. He would either become Lord Black or he wouldn't, for the first time in his life he was calling their bluff.

Melania and Arcturus stared at their son utterly dumbfounded.

"Orion…you'd give up your entire future for…" Melania asked, her face entirely inscrutable now. For the first time she began to realize the extent of the feelings her son held for Lord Peverell. Oh, she'd known they were in love, any fool could see that…but this extent? To give up his family name? His family? That was a shock to the system. It's not often you saw love matches, it was all to keep the family going, to gain magical affinities, it was very rarely love and she was in awe that her son was one of the rare ones. She had been a Black for far longer than she had ever been a Macmillian. She'd been raised thinking the same regardless of her surname, family first always.

"I love him." Orion declared, grey eyes filled with fire, "He and I will marry soon in the next few months." They'd announce it perhaps a week or so after his sister was back from her honeymoon. Hayden had strong suggested he let her have her moment, since there were so few for witches (especially in this time). Hayden was very empathetic; he loved his sister and wouldn't have thought much of announcing his own engagement straight after their (his sister and her soon-to-be husband) and save the date announcements for their wedding.

"Melania, give us a moment," Arcturus murmured, staring at his son indifferently. He did not understand his son at all, and all these changes had begun the moment Peverell had appeared. He'd been the perfect heir; he couldn't have been prouder if he tried. Now he felt like he didn't even know his own son.

"He is my son, too." Melania declared, not as quick to do as her husband asked. In fact, she felt highly insulted that her husband was trying to see her out of the room. Like she was some disobedient child sent to bed.

Arcturus turned to stare at his wife, he did not need a single word more to leave his lips to get her to comply. Although, it was not without consequences regretfully.

"You may stay down here this evening then, if I am to be relegated to the bedroom like a child." Melania declared quietly, her tone firm, as she stood, and without even glancing at her husband and son, she glided upstairs, this was her only show of displeasure. Any such emotions she may wish to show had long since been punished out of her. After all, she wouldn't find a husband if she had temper tantrums every day.

Arcturus stood, moved towards the drink cart, and poured himself and his son a seriously generous amount of fire whiskey. "Do you think it's a good idea to burn bridges with your family?" he asked bluntly, as he slid across the tumbler.

"You would be burning the bridges, father. Not me." Orion declared seriously.

"Orion, enough!" Arcturus called out vehemently, chugging back his drink, a glare on his face that promised retribution. He'd already had to throw his brother to the wolves and kill their trusted lawyer…he did not want to sever ties with his son for Merlin's sake. The Black name must continue. "Whatever this…display is, it's over. Do you understand me? You will not embarrass this family. If you won't think of us or yourself, think of the rest of your family, Walburga! Cygnus! Alphard! Your sister! Their prospects are already on shaky ground due to their father's disownment even with the Potter name!" his voice rising steadily in ire.

"This display? Holding hands is hardly a crime worthy of Azkaban father. If people are uncomfortable with it then that's on them. I refuse to cede to everyone's demands on what I think of propriety!"

"Your family…" Arcturus started, but he didn't get a third word in edgewise.

"Our family is above the common riff-raff!" Orion stared directly at his father unafraid. "We lead by example. Once the rabble dies down, you'll see for yourself. I'm not going to lower myself to acting how they want me to."

Arcturus stared at his son stunned.

"Unless, of course, you've been lying to me?" Orion asked, arching a single brow in demand to his answer.

Arcturus scoffed, half a smirk appearing on his face, "Touché," giving a nod, more resigned than anything. He was proud of his son for his resolution, and not caving to his demands even if it angered him. Sighing in exasperation, he tiredly rubbed his face, and to have his own words used against him? Cheeky sod. "I'm not sure how my father survived three of us." He muttered mostly to himself. And he had a cheek to say girls were more work, in his experience that wasn't exactly true.

"And father? Don't threaten me with the removal of the Lordship ever again." Orion told him, walking towards the doorway, turning back to observe him and added, "I have no qualms about becoming a Peverell." He added, giving his father food for thought. "I love him, and I will not lose him because I refuse to tell him I love him or show him I care."

Arcturus gave a jerky nod, feeling put in his place for the first time since he'd gained his Lordship. Well, with the exception of his father, of course. Even he hadn't expressed any sort of disapproval, much. Also, hadn't threatened to all but abandon the family name. It wasn't as if he could rage at Orion for having a temper tantrum when he was very calm, quiet, and more importantly unyielding. He wasn't doing it out of spite or anger, he was just being honest.

Arcturus closed his eyes tiredly, being the Lord of the family was no small feat. You were busy ninety percent of your time, with only ten percent left for family and rest. There was always something needing his attention. He was truly concerned about his son and the hold Lord Hayden Peverell had on him. He didn't believe it was a potion or spell, no.

It took years (a decade really) to love Melania truly. He had been fond of her, no doubt about it, but what they'd been through together had bound them to one another. Then naturally he'd grown to love her fully. It was down to him though, he'd thought nobody could love him, that any marriage was just for children, prestige and money. It hadn't been aimed particularly at Melania, but everyone. Scoffing, Arcturus downed the glass his son had left untouched. Having all the money in the world, the looks, doesn't stop you feeling inadequate.

Not that anyone would ever know, Arcturus straightened up, that proud pureblood façade already being reapplied.

Time to apologise to his wife…then head to the spare bedroom…again.

Melania just so happened to be as stubborn as him.

Perfectly matched so they were.

When he passed his son's bedroom, the door was open and Orion was laying spread out on the bed with Hayden curled up against his chest.

His son met his gaze unapologetically and unrepentant.

Arcturus didn't say a word, merely padded on towards his and Melania's bedroom.

He heard Orion's door clicking shut – magic likely – and Arcturus had to bite his tongue to stop the protests slipping out. Perhaps checking him for any potions and spells might be a good thing to do…maybe both of them. Or a house-elf. Oh, he liked that idea very much…then again that might have them relegating themselves to the tent outside Peverell castle.

Unbecoming of a Black and a Black to be.

Oh, how he hated when he was backed into a corner so nice and neatly, Arcturus thought in complaint. hopefully his wife wouldn't be too out of sorts, after all it was their daughter's wedding, and they couldn't be on outs then. Not with the entire family, friends and acquaintances would be there.

A/N – hmm not too sure this went the way I wanted it to BUT there's no way that Orion would be disrespectful to his father as to shout at him and yell obscenities not unless he was pushed to the very edge, not in that timeline anyway. Anyone that did back then well, would have likely regretted it. He made his stance known and that's all he could do. I like to keep things as realistic as possible 😊 another small chapter I know but I couldn't write out the wedding scene as a side, it needs a whole chapter and will likely be longer than normal so that will make up for it 😉 what would you say is my favourite written wedding? I'm thinking Sirius/Rodolphus' might do something similar 😊 and it would be a little more cheesy to boot 😉 hehe R&R please