Adrian and Viktor had both come to France to help Nick with his powers. Slowly his eyes were coming back, but unlike Fleur, that was not why they had come. Fleur and Bill would likely remain, when his eyes came back, they were family for him. Fleur and Bill had moved to France, Bill working for the bank here now, but had yet to buy their own home. They had been living with Fleur's parents, before Nick was brought, and they came down here. The Black estate was as close a commute for Bill as the Delacaur home, and both he and Fleur wanted to be here for Nick.

Viktor could admit he was feeling a bit left out, Nick spending so much time with Adrian, riding. He had been thinking about it for some time, and had two hawks sent from home, his own and another.

Nick was confused when Viktor asked him to meet him out in a barely used part of the stables. "You have never come riding before."

Viktor smiled. "I can, but I didn't bring you out to go riding."

Nick came to his side. "Then why are we in the stables?"

Viktor steered him into one of the stalls. "Because this was the only place for me to have a temporary aerie."

Nick had heard him use the term before. "You brought your hawk?"

Viktor nodded. "I had two sent for. I thought perhaps I could teach you."

Nick was surprised. "My eye sight is coming back more and more."

Viktor nodded, but he reminded Nick, it was still part of his training. Nick was not only training to live without his eyes, which was becoming unnecessary as slowly his sight returned, but also for his powers. He was an elemental, and his control over the Earth and his ability to talk to animals were important, and linked to healing powers. They had their suspicions; he may have helped heal Molly, when he had visited her. He needed to study all three sides, not just focus on one, and his powers were bound to grow.

Nick had heard him talk about his birds before, and thought it sounded cool. He had tried with Hedwig, to look through her eyes, but he had little success. He had such a connection with her, he thought he might, but no.

Viktor led him in and showed him the two birds, well had Nick touch them. "This one is mine, I have named him Hercleid."

Nick had a flash of the other bird. "Does he belong to someone?"

Viktor shook his head. "My family breeds them, and we have not sold him. Most of our money is lands and such like you, but birds too."

Nick took the glove Viktor handed him, and allowed the bird onto his wrist. "I have heard about this before, even you, but never been close."

Viktor led him towards the outside. "It is not as common, even in the wizarding world, as it would have been a hundred years ago or so."

Nick didn't think that was too surprising. "I guess most wizards tend to use owls only. I don't know if these would be good for mail."

Viktor laughed, and agreed with Nick, that many of them would not have been. There were times they had been used for messages, but for the most part they were hunting birds, used for sport. Viktor had grown up around them, had known how to work with them, since he was eight. He had not come into his powers till much later, but his family though it likely was the reason his powers had shown so young. It was the same with Adrian, both their powers showed before eighteen, likely because of their work and time with the animals.

They spent the afternoon, and while he had no visions through the hawk, Nick enjoyed it. He could sense the bird, as he did with other animals, not to the extent of Hedwig even though now. He thought with time, and though he didn't enjoy it as much as riding, he liked it.

They were back in the stables and Nick stopped to visit with his horse. "Thank you for teaching me that."

Viktor smiled. "I know it's nowhere as cool as riding, but I thought you may enjoy it. Hopefully you can fly with me soon."

Nick shook his head. "Maybe you and Adrian will have to race and see who takes me flying, he played quidditch after all."

Viktor smirked. "I am not about to be shown up by any chaser thank you. Now a certain seeker with break neck dives, perhaps."

Nick blushed a bit in the face from the compliment. "Maybe you should fly with Adrian, wouldn't want to be shown up by me old man."

Viktor smirked. "Old man am I? I can promise you I could still fly circles around you. Unless the twins were around to help you out."

Nick looked innocent. "You think I would use my brothers as beaters to help me beat you? You know we would never do anything like that."

Viktor snorted. "Don't think I buy that innocent look, I don't buy it, no matter how cute a pout you have."

Nick was blushing from the comment; he had never had someone talk to him like that, especially not Viktor. He practically had to beg someone to go to the ball, and he had only had Ginny, with her little crush on him. Viktor had been thinking it, but he had let the words slip out, without a real thought, and he was worried. He took a chance, and reached out, and kissed Nick tenderly on the lips.

Nick pulled back and was about to say something when a voice came from behind. "I didn't realize I would be interrupting something."

He had been at school for a few weeks now. Harry had not had extra training yet, and even though he had to be careful, he was a normal kid. He missed things about home, well Travis and Professor Manx, but he liked it here. The freedom to eat what he wanted; sit where he wanted in class, talk with kids and more. He kind of wished Travis could be here, to share it with him, his best friend. He could admit it was a bit alienating here. He fond Nick had a hard time making friends, because of being thought as Harry, so he had the same. Nick's quidditch friends were gone, and Ron he knew was spying on him, and he suspected Ginny. Luna and Hermione were the only two who knew the truth, and though they were warming up to him, it was still different. He knew they held back, in private, because of their love of Nick.

He knew, or suspected, Neville knew something was up. He had been told by both girls, and the twins, how close Neville and Harry were. Unfortunately even Luna didn't know all the two spoke of, like Ron was foolish enough to think he'd know it all.

Luna came to him on Saturday morning. "I think you need to tell Neville. He is to be trusted, but the longer you wait…."

Harry was a bit confused by the comment. "What do you mean?"

Hermione agreed with Luna. "He is worried something is wrong with his best friend. He is a good kid, and he may voice his concerns."

Luna agreed with him. "Right now he has only to me, but he is speaking to his grandmother, or plans to."

Harry had been told the woman was one of his top supporters. "I don't see the concern, I don't believe Nick even met her before."

The girls agreed, but they reminded him Alice and his mother had been close, before that Halloween. Nick had not really known, but Augusta had looked in on him, since he had begun school. Her concern for him had increased, when he befriended Neville, one of the few who had. The woman may seem cold, but she was a lot like the Malfoys, it was in public, she truly loved her grandson.

Harry noticed some of the Slytherins and his attention went to Draco. He of course knew oddly enough, the kid was Nick's nephew. He knew Draco was here as long as it was safe, his family was ousted as spies, and there was the whole Nick issue as well.

Hermione saw his eyes and nudged him. "I would stop looking at him, unless with spite in your eyes, or you will concern people."

Harry turned back to her. "Will they be worried I am interested in him? I never asked if Nick…"

Hermione shook her head. "I suspect he was, but he only ever dated two girls, one being Ginny. It is more, he and Draco were enemies."

Luna smiled. "Nick definitely was, those were boyhood crushes. But no one would know that enough, to notice or care, if you aren't."

Harry blushed a bit at the comment. "That's not a problem." And composed himself. "I need some where to meet Neville."

Luna motioned to Hagrid's hut. "Neville is meeting us there soon. He has no idea why, but I asked him to."

Harry didn't comment, on how they seemed to know he would say yes, but went with them. Neville was waiting for them, Hagrid had gone into town, so Neville was alone with Fang. He had a concerned look on his face, and Harry was reminded what the girls had said. Neville had even fewer friends than Nick, and he had relied on Nick, and was worried.

Harry had him take an oath, and warded the hut, to make sure they could not be heard. It was an upside to his training, he knew it could not be broken. It took a few moments, but he told Neville the truth, with the girls help to convince Neville.

Neville stood. "I knew you were wrong. Where is Nick? Where is my best friend?"

Hermione calmed him. "He is telling the truth, he is safe with his family, I have seen him."

Luna kissed Neville. "He wants us to help Harry, but we will see him, when safe. You know he'll be happy you know, you can write him."

Harry spoke up. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but for safety reasons, I have to be careful."

Neville could understand, why they had to play it safe, and he needed to play along. He was not like the other two, Hermione was so rational, and Luna had a way of sensing things. He was worried about his best friend, and he didn't really like this other kid, even if he was Harry. He would tell his Gran, Harry knew it as he said it before the oath, but for the war they would both support him.

Harry added before they were to leave. "Just know, he considers you one of his best friends, still. I'm sorry if I made you doubt that."