Hector had turned to Hermione for help though he had once said he never would. He knew he needed to do better in school but not for his dad. He honestly couldn't care less if he ever spoke to him again. He would be seventeen that summer and then would never have to return home. He had a trust fund and was sure he could find work. Well he would get his grades up and then he would. He had no idea what he wanted to do with his career though. His father had wanted him to be an auror and he thought so too. He was the hero and it was the logical next step for him. But that had all flown out the window with the news. He knew he could still be an auror but he was no longer certain of that path.

Hermione had been happy to help him out. He had been worried as she was dating Blaise, she may have changed her mind. Blaise was of course one of Ryan's best friends as well as a snake. He could perhaps admit maybe Ryan didn't hate him like he once thought the boy must.

Ron was fuming. "I don't understand this."

Hector looked at him. "I need help."

Ron smirked. "Your dad is too hard on you."

Hector agreed. "But that doesn't mean I can't pick up my marks."

Ron pointed out. "You know you'll get a job either way."

Hector sighed. "I want to earn one."

Ron shrugged. "If I was you I'd just enjoy it."

Hector stopped. "If I wasn't the hero, would you still be my best friend?"

Ron stared at him. "Why bother asking? You are."

Hector pushed. "If I wasn't, would you still be my best friend?"

Ron didn't even pause. "You know I would."

Hector had started having doubts. "Everyone else finds me obnoxious and arrogant."

Ron shrugged. "I have known you since we were babies. I know the real you."

Hector smiled a bit. "Thanks."

Ron smiled. "Still don't understand this whole Hermione thing though. Have a crush on her?"

Hector laughed. "No. She is just one of the only ones who can help me and will."

Ron tried to look hurt. "Are you insinuating I couldn't help tutor you?"

Hector was worried but Ron broke into laughter. Ron wasn't even taking many of the same classes as he was now. Ron was only in defense and charms with him, taking care of magical creatures and divination as well. He understood the pressure his friend was under even if he was the hero. And he was happy Hector was getting help though he wasn't fond of whom. Hector invited Ron to join them but he wasn't surprised when he said no. Ron and Hermione had never patched things up over the years. Ron still found her to be a know it all and now she was with Blaise.

It was a good thing that Ron had chosen not to come into the room with him. While he was tutoring with his godfather as well, he and Hermione were twice a week as well. But until now it had just been the two of them in the room of requirements.

Hector stared at Ryan. "What is he doing here?"

Hermione looked up. "Professor Black thought maybe he could help."

Ryan shrugged. "Hermione and I have been friends. She told me the spell she was helping you with."

Hector came into the room. "Is this some kind of set up?"

Hermione shook her head. "He can go but it would help to have an extra set of hands."

Ryan added. "We have some things in common."

Hector sunk down on the floor. "Ron would never believe this if I told him."

Hermione spoke up. "I am sure we all agree to keep this to ourselves."

Ryan smiled. "Lips are sealed if you want."

Hector sighed. "I'm not ashamed of needing help. I just….."

Ryan understood. "Like having Uncle Moony tutor you, it is easier for others not to know."

Hector took out his wand. "I have enough issues with my father."

Hermione motioned to Ryan to do the same. "Maybe we should get started."

Ryan agreed. "I have quidditch practice later."

Hector wasn't sure, but he could admit having Ryan there was a lot of help. Moony had suggested allowing Ryan to help before. He had turned down the offer when his godfather had suggested it though. He had come to see his godfather till loved him and was willing to be there for him. But he hadn't been ready to see that Ryan might possibly be an ally for him.

Ryan got up to leave later. "I need to get going."

Hector spoke up. "Thanks for the help."

Ryan looked at him. "I am good to come if you want another time."

Hermione joined in. "It seemed to help a lot."

Hector agreed. "Perhaps. I mean you and Moony are so close."

Ryan picked up his bag. "I can perhaps understand why he thinks you're not so bad."

Hector laughed a little. "I guess that is a compliment."

Ryan shrugged. "Progress at least."

Hermione looked at Hector when alone. "I hope you don't mind I dropped him on you."

Hector shook his head. "No. I can admit that it helped."

Hector was not too arrogant that he couldn't admit when he needed help. It had taken a long time for him to though he could admit. Asking Moony to tutor him had been the first step for him. It had been Remus who suggested that he should take Hermione up on her offer. His godfather was still tutoring him but it had its limits. He knew Hector didn't want to allow the headmaster or his father to know what was happening.

Hector thought as he left. "I better not let Ron know about the extra helper."

Albus and James were meeting up in the headmaster's office. They needed to speak about both of the twins. Albus hadn't given up hope that they would find the other boy somehow. But if they didn't, they needed to keep Hector considered the hero, and under their control as well. Hector had not spoken to either of them in the two weeks since he had found out. James knew that his wife had no more contact with her son either. Lily had not spoken to him more than that in two weeks. She told him in no uncertain terms, that if her son never forgave her, they were through. They were bonded so there was no divorce for them. But he had been sleeping in a guest room for the past two weeks now.

James had no idea how things had gone downhill so fast. He did love both his wife and son a lot. Lily seemed to think though that she was the victim in all of this. She had a hand in Harry and she had lied to their son as well. They had both followed Albus and what he wanted to do.

James looked at Albus. "Tell me there is progress."

Albus shook his head. "Not since you spoke with me yesterday."

James slumped into a chair. "We need to do something."

Albus grunted. "It takes time James. How many times do I have to tell you."

James ground his teeth. "It isn't you who have lost their wife and son."

Albus conceded the point. "They'll come back. Lily was a part of this as well."

James sneered. "You don't know my wife very well do you?"

Albus bit back. "It doesn't seem you know her very well either."

James shook his head. "She has always felt some guilt for reasons I don't understand."

Albus went to pour himself a drink. "I guess maternal instinct."

James motioned for a glass. "Women."

Albus turned to look at him. "We need to worry more about Hector."

James sighed. "I have had worse luck with him than his mother."

Albus handed him a drink. "He is your son. Remind him of that."

James sneered. "The son he thinks I don't want because he isn't the hero."

Albus shrugged. "He can remain the hero, if we don't find Harry."

James laughed. "For the headmaster of a school, you don't know children."

Albus downed his alcohol. "This is the reason I never married and had kids."

James hid a smirk. "Oh, that is the reason."

Albus glared. "Sort out your son and wife, leave the rest to me."

James went to leave. "Because you have handled it so well until now."

Albus called. "Don't blame me for your tanked marriage."

James didn't back down. "Oh there is plenty of blame to go around."

He went to look for his son determined to speak to him. He had never been treated like this by anyone in his life. His mother had never acted like this that he could remember. Maybe he had been wrong in marrying a muggle born with no ideas about tradition. But he shook away the thought. He loved Lily and couldn't imagine his life with anyone else. He just needed her to see some sense and be reasonable about this.

James went looking for his son and he wasn't happy at all where he found him. He learned from Nick that his son was in one of the abandoned classrooms on the main floor. He was shocked when he walked into the classroom.

He looked at Hector. "What the hell are you doing?"

Hector turned to look at him. "I am being tutored for my classes."

He looked at Remus. "I told you to keep away from my son."

Remus spoke. "I am his teacher. If any student asks for my help, I give it."

Hector spoke up. "He sure as hell has been more help than you."

James looked at his son. "You will not speak to me like that."

Hector was not backing down. "The only help you ever gave, was setting up press conferences."

James was not cooling. "You were the hero. Think of all the money you have."

Hector agreed. "Between it and my trust fund from Grandpa William, I can leave home at seventeen."

James stared at him. "And go where? You think your godfather would have you? He is a Black."

Remus went to leave. "I'll let you guys talk."

Hector stopped him. "Stay please."

James glared. "He has no place here."

Hector turned back to him. "No. You're the one who has no place here."

James was irate. "All I ever did was for you."

Hector corrected him. "For the boy who lived and to make yourself rich. And I'm not him am I?"

James shook his head. "The world doesn't need to know that."

If he thought that would calm Hector he was wrong. Hector had almost no friends and his life was hard because he thought he was the BWL. He realized that he would have had more friends if not so arrogant. Now he knew he was not the BWL and his whole life had been a lie. And he wasn't about to allow his dad to make him continue to live the lie. He knew if they found Harry, he would be kicked to the curb anyways.

Hector pointed at the door. "I won't be your fill in until you find Harry."

James didn't leave. "He is your brother."

Hector sneered. "A brother you didn't tell me about until you realized you mixed us up."

James simmered. "It was better. You didn't need to know you had a twin you'd never know."

Hector didn't agree. "I should have known. And if you didn't throw him away, I'd have known him."

James was irate. "I didn't throw him away. I will not be spoken to like this Hector."

Hector stood. "Then leave. Because this is the only way I'll speak to you."

James turned to leave. "You have a responsibility and you know it. The people think you are the hero."

Hector shocked both men. "Well maybe the world should know that I am not the hero."

James stared at his son and thought he was hearing things. There was no way that Hector was going to out himself to the world. His son may be hurt now but he had loved all the attention and money he had got. And with his marks, he had little hope for a future elsewhere. Hector would realize when he calmed down, what they were doing was for the best. Everything James had done was for his son and his son alone.

James went to leave. "You know you love being the hero. It's likely Harry will never be found, and you can go on as you have."

Ryan was enjoying the afternoon out on the pitch with Marcus. He had quidditch practice that afternoon but it was over. Marcus had come down and came flying with him after his cool down talk with the team. They had flown together for years on the team but not one on one like this. He had forgotten how much fun it was to fly with Marcus. He was a great guy, and as a chaser, it was a more active fly.

He and Marcus had been spending a lot of time together since their first date. But so had he and Oliver as well. He was confused about his feelings and wished he could sort out who he wanted to be with.

He and Marcus landed and he smiled. "Thanks."

Marcus took his broom. "Are you in a hurry?"

Ryan shook his head. "A bit hungry for dinner."

Marcus smiled. "I thought maybe we could avoid the hall."

Ryan didn't mind it. "What did you have in mind?"

Marcus had a secretive smile. "I thought a private dinner."

Ryan pointed out. "I can't leave campus, we won't have enough time, and no permission."

Marcus led him in. "Not what I had in mind."

Ryan was reminded he had his own rooms. "I don't think my Uncles would approve."

Marcus laughed. "No."

Ryan was a bit confused. "What do you have planned?"

Marcus led him to the room of requirements. "This."

Ryan was amazed when he saw inside. "How did you do all of this?"

Marcus shrugged. "Had a bit of help from the elves."

Ryan looked around. "More exciting than a date in Hogsmeade."

It looked like some odd combination of a diner and a movie theater from the muggle world. Marcus had pictures and the elves had helped. He used some elves to get treats from both London and from the school. He thought dinner and a movie would be a nice second date for them. There were spells to be used to the movie could be shown. Well actually it was some quidditch footage of a game. With televisions becoming more popular since the war, spells had been used to shoot footage. People like Lucius were actually looking into starting a wizard television station.

Ryan smiled when they found things like hamburgers and French fries as well as milkshakes. He wasn't sure he would have expected something like this from Marcus. Oliver was an old blood too, but he was definitely the less traditional of the two.

Ryan sunk down to watch and grabbed a fry. "Does your dad know about this?"

Marcus smiled. "I did borrow one of his elves."

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Does he know what you used his elf for?"

Marcus shrugged. "Oh I don't think he'd have an issue."

Ryan sipped the milkshake. "I wasn't sure you'd know something so muggle."

Marcus laughed. "You think only the Blacks and Malfoys have a taste of muggle life?"

Ryan shook his head. "No. I would just expect this kind of date from….."

Marcus finished for him. "Oliver? I just wanted to show you that I had this side as well."

Ryan fed him a fry. "You know you don't have to compete with him."

Marcus smirked. "Does that mean you aren't dating him anymore?"

Ryan shook his head. "No. I thought you were okay with it."

Marcus agreed. "I am. But until he is out, I will do all I have to do to prove I should be your boyfriend."

Ryan laughed a little. "You and Oliver sound more and more alike."

Marcus groaned. "Can we leave talk of him out of tonight?"

Ryan could have pointed out he was the one who brought Oliver in, but didn't. "I'd like that."

They definitely enjoyed their meal and watching the quidditch game. Ryan had to wonder though if Marcus didn't check what game it was. Ryan noted the game was Oliver's team. From the look on Marcus' face, he was right. Marcus was kind of hoping when he realized Oliver was in it, that his team would lose the game. But unfortunately for him, Oliver's team won the game. He would have to do his research better next time. He had thought it perfect to spend the evening watching a game with Ryan. It was his luck that Oliver was in the game.

After the game they went to head out. Marcus thought to take him for a walk before he had to take Ryan back to his rooms. He knew he had to be very careful about curfew with Ryan. He was staff so Ryan could technically be out after curfew, but not if Marcus wanted to survive.

Draco came running his way. "There you guys are."

Ryan stopped. "Not do my uncle's dirty business are you?"

Draco shook his head. "You have to read this."

Marcus was confused. "I read the paper this morning."

Blaise was with Draco. "No it is an evening edition. There was a breaking story."

Ryan shook his head. "We were about to take a walk. We'll read it later."

Draco shoved the paper at his cousin. "Believe me, you'll want to read this."

Ryan knew his cousin well enough to know that it had to be something big. Draco didn't usually care much about the newspapers. Besides he wouldn't have interrupted a date between Ryan and Marcus for nothing. If it had been Oliver, Ryan may have had his doubts about it. Ryan looked down at the paper not sure what he would expect. When he looked up he was shocked.

He showed the paper to Marcus in confusion. "What?"

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