See You Again

-𝕏𝕃𝕀𝕀-

He sat in his office as he swirled the firewhiskey around in his glass. Walburga and Kreacher would unfortunately be back soon from her visit with her twisted and vial father, Pollux. He couldn't die fast enough... Unfortunately, Ara's memory of the family tapestry showed that the manky pillock of a man didn't pass until 1990. He downed the rest of his glass before promptly standing up and headed towards the floo, he had a brother-in-law to visit. Stepping out of the green flames into a medium sized study of dark brown wood, and tones of maroon and black spread throughout the room, in one tacky Victorian style or another. Orion quickly made his way to the bar cart to pour himself and Alphard a drink. Sure enough, right as he placed in his ice, in came Alphard bursting through his study doors in a panic. Seeing that it was none other than Orion, he lowered his wand and grabbed the offered drink. 'To what do I owe the pleasure of your unexpected visit, Orion?' He asked lazily as he made himself comfortable in one of his chairs by the fire. Orion took up the chair across from him, 'You need to be checked out.' Alphard paused in his effort of raising his glass for another sip, 'Checked out?'

Orion huffed out a humorless laugh, 'Someone is going to try to kill you this year. I do not wish for them to succeed... No, I do not know how. I also can't tell you how I know but I assure you this is no game or falsehood I'm telling you.' Alphard immediately sat up straight, 'But you know the why?' Orion took a sip, 'You're aware of a man who's been parading around calling himself Voldemort, yes?' Alphard scoffed, 'That barmy old tosser! Voldemort... ridiculous is what that is! He tried to recruit me into his little circle not too long ago. But I remembered him, all right! He may look different but I could never forget him. Creepy bloke he was! You'd remember him too! That Riddle fellow! He went to school with our father's.' Orion smirked, Alphard then looked back at him baffled and appalled, 'Are you saying he tries to kill me because I remembered him!?' 'I'm saying that he tries to kill you because you remembered him while not becoming one of his many marked muppets. If he has no control over who you tell about him... you're naturally perceived as-' 'A threat.' Alphard whispered as realization dawned on him. Orion swirled the contents of his glass lightly, 'You'd also be a good warning to the rest of us, proof that he could get inside our defenses...'

'Why you telling me this? Aren't I the pariah of the illustrious Black family!? Wouldn't you want me to end up murdered?' Orion raised his left brow, staring intently at the fire, 'Believe it or not Alphard... you're actually my favorite out of this family of mad blood that runs through our veins.' 'Me? You going senile?' Orion let out a snort at that. 'No... Just had my eyes pried open is all.' 'Uh-huh!' Alphard mumbled back in disbelief. 'As much as I appreciate the warning Orion, I'm not naive enough to believe that is all you want. So out with it!' 'I need a potion made.' 'Oh? What kind? And who for?' Smirked Alphard. 'A very strong kind... and best if you don't know, though I don't doubt you'll figure it out.' He downed the rest of his glass and stood up, pausing briefly. 'The draught of living death, but make it more... un-curable and undiagnosable.' Then he floo'd back to Grimmauld, leaving behind a baffled Alphard Black. A few moments passed, 'I knew I was his favorite!' he spoke out loud to no one, with a wide grin growing on his face.

Like usual Orion awoke early to get ready and leave before Walburga awakes. It was a goal in his life to stay far from Grimmauld as much as he possibly could. He wanted to be a father to his sons, he wanted to raise them differently but... he could not, especially with Walburga's jealousy and need to report everything back to her father. So he distanced himself, naive enough to hope that she would at least have the decency to raise their sons like she loved them. Ara's memories showed how wrong he was. He failed to take into account that she'd blame their sons for him not being there, that her irrational jealousy and temper would turn to them. That her Black family madness would surpass the love a mother should have. Orion failed his sons in the past future... he be damned if he ruined this second chance that was given to him. With that thought in mind, he entered the Wizengamot meeting with a reinvigorated focus. He scoured the crowd of Lords and Lady's of their respective houses that were currently mingling before the day's session began, before his gaze settled on none other than Fleamont Potter.

He slowly made his way through the crowd over to Potter who was conversing with Francis Longbottom, Merlin was Orion glad that he took the seat instead of his wife Augusta, the headache alone... Their chatter halted as Longbottom eyed him suspiciously as he approached, Potter turned around. 'Lord Black?' Orion nodded his head in acknowledgement, before turning to Longbottom 'Mind leaving me and Lord Potter a moment.' though they all knew it wasn't a question. Longbottom hesitantly left them after receiving a reassuring nod from Potter. 'Quite unusual, you seeking me out Lord Black. Anything on your mind?' Orion subtly cast a wandless and non-verbal privacy spell, 'Quite. I believe you and I need to have a very important conversation after today's session.' 'Oh? Whatever about?' 'Let's just say I've... come around to a few things.' 'Is that so?' Orion smirked at him before turning around and heading to his seat, pausing briefly, 'Thank you.' Potter looked at him surprised and bewildered 'What for?' 'For being there for Sirius when I couldn't.' then continued his way.

The session was just as long and just as boring as usual. Abraxas Malfoy may be his best friend, but his unending questions throughout the whole thing about why he was talking to Lord Potter, was driving him mad. Several times he glanced at the Gavel, wishing to grab it and knock him over the head with it repeatedly. 'I just don't see what you'd ever have to talk to Lord Potter about?' Abraxas whispered bitterly. 'Abraxas, don't make me use one of the unforgivable's to finally cease your incessant babbling.' Abraxas, naturally, shot him an irritated glare and being the ever so dramatic peacock he was, harrumphed. 'You're my best friend Orion, as I am yours, or was! You've never kept secrets from me before, I don't see why you should now!' he whispered harshly. Orion let out a long sigh, maybe he should use the Gavel on himself instead? 'Stop being so dramatic. We'll talk about things later, Abraxas. But right now is not the time nor the place! I have to sort a few things out prior to our conversation as well! So please, just be patient.' Abraxas fixed him with a hard stare before sighing and reluctantly nodding. 'And you are and always will be my best friend.' Orion whispered back amused, 'Only I could ever put up with you and your antics.'

He waited the proper amount of time for Potter to prepare for his arrival, before finally floo'ing over to Potter Manor. He was greeted by Euphemia Potter (née Selwyn), before being directed to what he assumed was Lord Potter's study. Though when he entered, to his surprise it was no study but in fact a potions lab that looked as if a rainbow imploded on itself in the room. 'I can hear your judgment from over here' said Potter from the corner of the room as he put away some ingredients. 'No judgment... just... unexpected.' 'Ah, yes. You and your side normally meet in stuffy old studies, correct?' Orion snorted. 'Something like that... Did you accidentally set my son loose in here? From what I've heard Kreacher complain about... Sirius seemed to enjoy causing such explosive results.' Potter snorted as he made his way over to him. 'No, I'm afraid this was all me. Now what is it you'd like to talk about, Lord Black?' 'Orion. You may call me Orion.' The surprise was clear on his face before he immediately smiled with a wide grin, 'Then call me Fleamont.' Orion nodded before hesitantly sitting down in one of the chairs, 'Several things... though first, what do you know of a man calling himself "Voldemort" ?'