My Time

Chapter 58

"Hey, Orion, do you know when the next Wizengamot meeting is?" Hayden enquired, buried as he was amongst all the paperwork he was trying to work through. He was just grateful that half the letters about the book went to Orion. Although, how he got anything else done with the gorgeous intricate calligraphy letters he wrote to answer most of them was a mystery. Seriously, it took him over an hour to write a thank you and answer any questions they had.

Orion turned inquisitively to Hayden, before opening his drawer and pulling out his portfolio. The thick dragonhide journal had everything Orion needed for his day-to-day life. Opening to the calendar his thin well looked after nails shifted over every day, but didn't need long to find the 'Wizengamot session 10AM – 4PM'. "22nd of June, that's tomorrow, and it's a lengthily one. Do you have something planned?"

"I was thinking about joining on that day," Hayden explained pensively, "Unfortunately, its' directly after the meeting about Longbottom if it doesn't carry on longer than they suggest." He wasn't sure he would be in the mood to be honest, even if it would amuse him. He had a funny feeling the Ministry were going to make him out to be exaggerating or lying because he'd been 'arrested' so to speak. A bone to pick with them might be a better phrase.

"It is?" Orion questioned, he had nothing in his calendar, "What time?" plucking his black quill and ink, dipping it in and dabbing it against the side until he was sure no drops would blot the page. Yes, it was easy to use spells but he'd rather avoid mistakes altogether.

"6AM," which was just after shift change, "Is the Ministry even open to the public at that time?" dubiously.

"No, they don't open their doors until 7.30, but court and Wizengamot business are the exception, naturally." Orion explained, writing the information down, absently letting it dry, keeping the portfolio open.

"Will I experience trouble getting there?" Hayden asked, arching a brow, a resigned look upon his face.

"The wizarding world isn't as bad now than it is in your time," Orion reassured him, his tone quiet, glad for the silencing spell – despite his bedroom door being open – his mother had been insistent on it. Honestly, treating them like they were horny thirteen-year-olds. Then again, he glanced at Hayden, perhaps it was for the best that they were reminded. Orion grimaced at Hayden's dubious look he really didn't have a good view of the ministry or wizarding world in general.

"I'll take your word for it," Hayden commented, "I'll find out during this trial." It wasn't really a trial, it was just an evaluation performance meeting, at least that's what they'd called it in the letter he received from the Ministry. This meeting would be the deciding factor on a lot of things for Auror Longbottom.

Orion turned back around, watching Hayden on the floor entirely bemused. There was a table and a chair, perfectly serviceable, he might even go so far as to say comfortable. Yet here he was sitting on the floor, without even a pillow to help. In a few hours he'd stand up and complain about his numb his arse was. Although, he had commented on how different this body was without the abuse the Dursley's had put him through. "You really should at least sit on the bed."

Hayden snorted, "Do you think I didn't see your parents faces when they noticed I was on your bed?" lips quivering with amusement, honestly you would have thought he was a naked person Orion was having an affair with for Merlin's sake. It wasn't as if they were up to anything, Orion had been at his seat, as he was now.

"Do you want to play script what might be said during Longbottom's evaluation meeting?" Orion questioned, "It can get very loud, and as much as it pains me to admit Longbottom does have a few that will be eager to fight in his corner. Especially considering most of the Longbottom's are Aurors, it's a time-honoured tradition in the family."

"Not for everyone," Harry grumbled, thinking of Neville, like seriously, he couldn't believe how different they were. Then again, Neville hadn't been raised by his grandfather or his bloody father at that. He'd been raised by a witch married into the family, and from all accounts was an awful grandmother, whether she was like that to her son well, nobody knew. She seemed to adore her son though, but you could abuse them and adore them too, just look at Bartemius Crouch Senior was like.

Not all abuse was physical after all.

"Do you have plans for the meeting then?" Orion asked, recalling how easily Hayden had slid everything he needed put out to the public in the Marchbanks trial. It had been a sight to see, and he would relish it for years to come. Hayden could make people feel small with a kind look on his face. Could deride them without looking like he was doing so. It took a special talent to be able to do so.

"Why are you asking like that?" Hayden questioned, straightening up, eying Orion speculatively.

"Perhaps because I know you?" Orion stated, smirking deviously, grey eyes glimmering in the light. Or at least he was coming to, there was a massive difference between the boy he'd seen in those memories and the young man he was now. It was as if something had…shattered Hayden irreparably. Whether it was before or after his ex-girlfriend had 'killed him' he didn't know. Either way he had lost all care for people except those he cared for.

"I have no idea how it's going to go in order to plan anything, you don't either…unless you do?" Hayden questioned curiously, "Do you know what happens at job evaluation meetings? Who all is there?"

"A few witnesses, the boss, the boss's boss and the Minister in some cases, depending on the publicity of the case." Orion said thoughtfully, "He will definitely be there, if for no other reason than to meet you." Most of the time that he and Hayden were out in public he was with him, which likely prevented him from being bombarded with people, both high society and the working class, the commoners who had not a single ounce of decorum.

The Minister wouldn't lose this opportunity to see Hayden up close and personal. To observe him, to see what he was like and if he was in any way easily manipulated or a good candidate to support him. The position as Minister wasn't public appointed but Wizengamot appointed.

"The Minister of magic, what's he like?" Hayden asked, he hadn't been in the newspapers and he hadn't heard anything positive or negative about him. He presumed the Black's were indifferent towards him or he would have heard nothing but disparaging remarks, but honestly? The family didn't dwell as much on people as the public likely thought.

"Adequate." Was Orion's only statement, it was neither good or bad, but high society liked him. He gave them the right compliments, steered towards the preferred rules, observed the pagan holidays, encouraged it even. Came from a well-known family, with lines going back at least five generations and were content he was who he said he was.

"Is that meant to be an insult? Or just you have no real thoughts on him other than he does his job?" Hayden asked, stretching out as he stood, groaning softly, he really needed to stop sitting on the floor all the time.

Orion frowned, "It isn't an insult, he's…how shall I say this…forgettable at least to me. The rest of high society find him amusing, whether they really like him or not I truly don't know." He didn't care enough to ask those opinions he truly cared for.

"Don't tell me they're all useless? Especially her!" Hayden grumbled, sitting himself on the bed with his paperwork all tied up a little.

"Her? There's no way they'd allow a witch to run for Ministership!" Orion declared amused, as he set the tray in front of Hayden so he could write easily. The thought was rather amusing to say the least.

"Did you just hear what you just said?" Hayden asked, judgementally, "Would you have said that if it was your sister?"

Orion blinked, staring at Hayden as if he wasn't making any sense. "Well, no, I suppose not." He conceded, truthfully his sister would make a good anything, including Minister for magic. She was powerful, well connected, was extremely intelligent, knew how to play the game, yes, she would be an absolutely wonderful Minister. The thought of other witches becoming Minister didn't fill him with any confidence though.

"Better get used to it," Hayden commented, "Unless I've truly made things completely different, she'll be Minister in at least two decades." She'd put Sirius in Azkaban he was twenty-one- years old, and it would be ten years until Sirius was born still. Honestly, trying to keep a date of everything was difficult. He didn't dare write anything down, not even in his own blood – Charlus or Fleamont could read it after all.

"Not if I have something to say about it," Orion muttered, but not loud enough for Hayden to hear. Considering what Hayden thought of the Minister and wizarding world in general, nothing had been done right in generations. Well, he would ensure something was done and that the Ministry kept running as it was. He would not see it decline, he refused to see it. Returning to his previous spot to finish the letter. "We may have to do a follow up book, on this subject."

"Why?" Hayden queried, "Everything that was needed was included."

"The science behind it, we only touched upon it." Orion declared, "You were right, we shouldn't have dumbed it down quite so much. I'm getting asked the same questions by well, nearly everyone that isn't insulting."

"The ones asking if family three or four times removed is too closely related for a marriage you mean?" Hayden asked, hopping off the bed, and made his way over, draping his arms around Orion's shoulders and peered at the letter he was currently responding too. "Yeah, I've had my fair share of those, maybe you're right, perhaps a small follow-up guide might be best, otherwise we might be getting these letters until the day we die."

"Don't say things like that," Orion declared, he did not like it the slightest, even knowing Hayden didn't mean anything by it. He'd almost died so many times it truly was just a blasé attitude showing through.

"Sorry," Hayden murmured, giving him a squeeze before he let go, "I'd need to research everything again…" already murmuring and figuring out how to best go about writing a new book that was more about the science behind it. Perhaps writing should be his primary job and focus, there was so many ways he could make the world a better place. Especially now that Voldemort wasn't going to be a problem. Or he was hoping so, if he did cause problems Hayden had no qualms about taking care of it.

Orion's lips twitched into amusement, when he did things and decided to do them, he saw them through to the end.

"Do you still have that Honeyduke chocolate box you bought?" Hayden asked an hour later, "Can I have your Sugar Quills?"

"There's only one left, but you may," Orion said, watching Hayden roll his eyes at correcting of his language. Watching as Hayden hopped off the bed, and opened his trunk at the bottom of the bed and came out with not just Sugar Quills but a chocolate frog and bar. "I'll buy you them back tomorrow, I promise."

"What happened to yours?" Orion asked.

"Mine? I didn't get one," Hayden commented, sugar Quill already in his mouth, "I just got a few cauldron cakes. What? They were rather expensive, more expensive than if you got them individually!" he said seeing the look on Orion's face.

"Not by much," Orion laughed, shaking his head, sometimes he worried about the strangest things. "You mentioned your owl the other day, have you ever considered getting another one? Not to replace her, but for convenience's sake?" he was struggling for what to get Hayden, for their betrothal, he hadn't been happy with the other things he'd bought and Orion understood why but it had been necessary. However, he had no clue what to get him. He was so very easily pleased; he'd be happy with a bar of chocolate for Merlin's sake.

Hayden froze, withdrawing the sugar quill he admitted, "I don't know, I know it's silly, that I should, it would make everything so much easier. Does it bother your family that I ask for yours?" worried he was exasperating them by asking for the use of their own birds.

"No, not at all," Orion was quick to dissuade Hayden of that notion, "It was just a thought."

"She was my constant companion for six years," Hayden huffed a laugh, "Do you think it's stupid that I told her everything? If I had the bastard who shot the curse…I would kill him." his tone going dark and cold. He was no longer that naive sixteen-year-old boy.

Orion shook his head slowly, "No, it's not stupid, I did the same thing with the family hawk, I say family but I picked it out when I was five." He'd lost him just a year ago, he'd lived with them over a decade. He'd passed away in the vets with him there, old age, but at least he hadn't been taken from him violently. The bond they shared, it was a surprise Hayden had survived during the attack.

Orion sighed; it was utterly exasperating. He'd attempted to figure out what Hayden wanted, but he just shrugged utterly indifferently. Even when they were shopping, he didn't glance at anything he was impossible to shop for and Orion hated that. If he'd asked Walburga, she would have given him a list as long as his arm with the demand of him buying everything.

"Tired?" Hayden asked, misinterpreting the sigh as one of coming tiredness.

"No," Orion denied, "Although, it is getting late and we are going to have a very early start tomorrow."

Hayden made a small hum of agreement, but they nonetheless went back to their tasks to get them finished.

"Have any of you heard from Lucretia yet?" Hayden asked after a few moments.

"She's on her honeymoon, why would we hear from her?" Orion asked completely bewildered, but it wasn't a new feeling, some of Hayden's comments were way out there. "Better question is how would we hear from her? It's not like she took an owl on holiday with her."

"Owl Post Office," Hayden said dryly, "It's sort of normal to let family know you got there safely and are having fun." Admittedly with a post card, with Muggle post, it could be all different due to the time or what.

"I see," Orion replied, another thing that had changed, then again, if it was children perhaps those away would write. "I need a drink…Lynx!" finally finished with the last letter, and leaning back in his chair.

"You drink way too much," Hayden said making his way over again, sneaking out a roll of Orion's wax and burning some onto each letter, and pressing his Peverell ring against it. "Hmm, we'll need to make a crest combining both ours, for those that actually want to keep their combined names." His chin perched on Orion's shoulder. He smelt amazing, he always did, actually.

"Those that want to? How many children do you want?" or think we'll have. Most people struggled after one, were lucky to have two more was a cherished capability.

"What can I do for young Master?" Lynx questioned, not judging the closeness of them both.

"Send these to the Post office first thing in the morning," Orion told the House-elf, taking Hayden's letters into his own bundle, "Any urgent?" Hayden shook his head no; they could get there when they got there. "None urgent, and if you like, use the two to send owls if they return before you leave in the morning."

"Lynx will do that," the House-elf agreed, accepting the bundle of lose letters, but gripped them tightly to stop them ending up strewn all over the floor.

"Bring me up a glass of wine," Orion added.

"Nothing for me, thank you, Lynx." Hayden said, seeing the House-elf looking inquisitively at him, giving Lynx with a small grateful smile he reserved for the House-elves.

With her orders ascertained she popped out of the room.

"Think she'll be back to keep an eye on us?" Hayden asked sniggering into Orion's shoulder, sat perched on the arm of the chair.

Orion smiled fondly; Hayden found amusement in the oddest things. He absently rubbed up and down Hayden's arm, loving the feeling of being embraced by his betrothed. At first he'd felt deeply uncomfortable, especially with the impropriety of it. He'd grown to appreciate it, relish it, and he honestly wasn't sure he could live without it. "Perhaps," especially with the way his parents were behaving, it seemed Hayden might have been correct after all. He'd thought his mother was angry at his father, but she seemed to be going out of her way to avoid them all, not just his father.

"Before I forget again, the Minister what's he like? In general, I mean." Hayden asked, shifting just slightly.

"His name is Leonard Spencer-Moon, he started off as a tea boy in the Ministry of magic, in the department of magical accidents and catastrophises, I believe. Then led the department itself before becoming the Minister." Orion explained, "He used to be a Slytherin, and made connections when he was at School with the majority of people. Connections that stayed firmly within sight after he finished his education. It led to him being voted in with a massive margin compared to the other competitors for the job." Accepting the glass from the House-elf, blatantly ignoring the thanks and smile Hayden gave the house-elf for accomplishing a very easy task. Honestly was Hayden going to do the cooking and washing and cleaning himself?

"Is he like Tom or is his connections genuine, does he have friends?" Hayden changed his question so that Orion got what he was asking.

Orion blinked, "I see," he murmured, drinking from the glass, musing on an answer. "Honestly? Its difficult to say."

"He's never attempted to get you onside?" Hayden queried.

Orion slowly and smugly smirked, "Everyone attempts to get on my good side," Hayden shivered, that look was enough to make him want to reach out and do very, very bad things that would likely get him kicked out of the Black house. "Being born a Black and more importantly the Black heir…one day Lord, I have a lot of obligations and people trying to ride on my coattails, to gain connections and favour, to say they are my friend…needless to say I don't make friends easily. Acquaintances yes, but not many friends." The rest of his family were so lucky, they didn't have the weight upon their shoulders that he did.

"You sound a little sad at that," Hayden murmured quietly, recalling his two best friends whom he missed like a gaping hole in his heart.

"Sometimes when I was at my loneliest I'd wish for what others had, the bond and closeness." Orion confessed, "I love my family don't get me wrong, and wouldn't change them for all the world, but not having a confidant? A real friend that I could rely on and be relied on in turn was a little disheartening."

"Not to forget you could be lonely even in a full house," Hayden murmured, "I'm sorry you didn't have that, but never forget you do now. I am your friend; I am that first and foremost before your lover and one day your husband."

Orion smiled, "I know," gratitude suffusing his voice, as he leaned against Hayden. He was happier than he could remember ever being. He'd been a little jealous of Lucretia, he'd never told a soul, not even his sister. He'd been so grateful she had someone she loved, no doubt, but he'd been jealous, envious of her relationship. That she got to pick someone she loved, that he stayed with her despite the news, that they had love in their relationship. He knew there would never be in his, he had been fond and annoyed by Walburga in equal measures, like usual when it comes to family.

Then Hayden dropped unceremoniously into his life, thank Merlin it had been during Yule. He was mildly curious about him when he took him to St. Mungo's but it was only while there that it became something more…and then he was smitten.

"Good," Hayden stated.

"Still, your desire to spend the day with my relatives was rather odd today," Orion commented, "Care to explain?"

"I don't have any family, Orion, I want to know all your relatives, I want them to like me, to trust me, to come to me if they need anything." Hayden explained, "There is a reason, but I was asked not to speak of it, so that's what I'm going to do." There was very little doubt Orion would come up with an accurate guess as to why he wanted to visit Cedrella and Septimus. Shifting to accommodate Orion moving to drink.

"Plus, their boys are amazing, one day I hope they'll be close to our own." Hayden commented, hopefully then he could put a stop to whatever happened between the rest of the family and Arthur…which really did baffle him. Assuming of course, he wasn't wrong, and getting everything upside down. It wasn't as if he'd been really close to Arthur or Molly to know their personal life. Perhaps it was too painful for Arthur to think about.

Orion wanted to turn into a pile of goo, just imagining a child of him and Hayden. Wrapping his arm around Hayden, his thumb absently rubbing up and down his hip. "Bit too old perhaps," after all it would likely be years before they succeed in having a child after a wedding. The two boys would be out of Hogwarts by the time his own get there. Should he be lucky enough to have any. "Someone to look up to nonetheless."

"You're forgetting she'll have another son in a few years," Hayden nudged him, "Arthur, you saw him in the memories." His voice quiet, making sure not to be overheard especially if someone should chose that moment to walk into the room.

"You don't find that thought odd? Any child of your friends with a wizard who used to be the father of your best friend?" Orion commented idly, shaking his head, it sure as hell got to him.

"He'll need friends, his love for all things Muggle will see to that." Hayden commented warmly, "Perhaps I can lessen it by taking him to various outings to Muggle areas." There were so many out there, ice skating, cinema, bowling, there was so much more entertainment in the Muggle world than the magical world without a single doubt.

Orion groaned, a pained look on his face, "Please don't," the thought of them in that Muggle world was abhorrent to him.

Hayden gazed at him stunned, "You actually know how to say please," teasing him before grinning, "We'll see." Making no promises, he wanted his children to understand both worlds. "Plus, I thought you wanted to find your uncle Marius?"

"Not so loud," Orion whispered vehemently, glancing at the doorway, which was to their side. "I can't really do anything until I am Lord Black."

"Why?" Hayden asked in confusion, "Do you honestly think they'll disown you for looking for him?" Yawning, the warmth and constant work (and drink he'd had while at Cedrella and Septimus') catching up with him. At least he was finished – until the next batch – for now so he could focus on the next series of events in his life.

"I don't really want to know the answer to that," Orion confessed, he didn't think they would, but thinking wasn't exactly the same as them doing. If it weren't for the occasional hearing his grandfather's odd comment while drunk or the family tapestry he wouldn't know about Marius. "It's not something I'm willing to risk." He'd been raised with the expectation of becoming Lord black, he couldn't conceive being anything else.

"I've never really understood why anyone would disown a child," Hayden told him quietly, "I mean…for not having active magic? They can still bring something to the magical world, and the likelihood of having magical children is also massive. I couldn't do it; I couldn't give a child of mine up that I had birthed and raised…it would break me."

Orion tightened his hold on Hayden, "You won't have to." and that was a promise he wouldn't break, he couldn't promise a whole lot but he could promise that. However, he was pretty confident that he and Hayden couldn't possibly end up with a squib child. They were both too powerful for that, and they had no close relations.

"No, I won't," Hayden murmured, eyes closing contently, as the gentle wave of sleep came to him. Morpheus calling him to rest for now. He would give Orion up to protect any child of his, for that's what being a parent was. He'd learned what not to do by watching Petunia and Vernon with Dudley.

The conversation continued until Hayden dropped off entirely, sleeping slumped against Orion on the chair.

Hayden wouldn't be there come morning.

A/N – I wanted to write a chapter just between Orion and Hayden 😊 wasn't as lovely dovey as I'd like at least I don't think so I'd let you all be the judge of that 😉 lmao but I hope you enjoyed reading it all the same next chapter will be the meeting with Longbottom and of course the Wizengamot meeting…hopefully both but we'll see how big the scenes are 😊 do you want to see Hayden in the Wizengamot (it is already happening in The Contract after all) or are you happy to see it happening here? With Orion getting to see Hayden march to the beat of his own drum uncaring for propriety and gaining his own followers/friends? Will Tom join as well? having taken Hayden's advice? I don't really post stories with smut anymore but I will try and at least give one scene per story although the funny thing is this one definitely gearing up to Harry being the top at least once with Orion's reluctance despite having written them both having 'relationships' before getting together and sowing their 'oats' so to speak lmao anyways there we go! Enjoy R&R please