(Disclaimer: I did not create nor own the rights to the character of Marcus Flint or most characters mentioned in this fan fiction. I created Ryan Connor and Cecilia Devogue. The rest is all copyrighted to JK Rowling and her respected publishers. I make no money off of this fan fiction. I hope everyone enjoys this. Thank you.)

Four - "The Other Sister"

By Travis J

Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry held many secrets and wonders, or so Ryan thought during his first week at the school. It seemed as if he was sorted, much to his embaressment at being the oldest sorted possibly in the history of the school. He explained this to Hermione after the feast was over, but she told him she was pretty sure in "Hogwarts, A History" there was someone older mentioned. At any rate, Ryan found that being part of the Hufflepuffs wasn't such a bad thing. After all they didn't cause the attention that the other three sections of the school did. They seemed rather mellow and easy going. His room was on one of the top floors of the Hufflepuff boy's dormitories, in a room with the rest of the sixth years. It almost seemed like an extra bed was bewitched into the room and the dormitory made a bit larger so that it was a comfortable fit. If this didn't add to his embaressment, Ryan wasn't sure what would. At least he wasn't stuck in Ravenclaw with that awful Endara girl...or even worse in Slytherin where he would have to be ignored by Marcus on a daily basis.

The second day of school brought the schedules for students. Ryan looked over his own and saw that he only had three classes. One was Defense Against The Dark Arts, the other was History of Magic, and a third seemed almost handwritten on the bottom called "Summoning Skills". Looking over the last class, Harry saw that it was taught during what was usually a free period before lunch by two professors: Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall. He had recognized the latter professor for she was the one responsible for the Sorting Hat. Wanting to discuss his schedule with Albus Dumbledore, Ryan made his way to his office right after breakfast was finished. He nodded to the rest of the Hufflepuff table and waved to Hermione as he left the Great Hall in search of the school's headmaster. His search lead him to a great many series of stairs, one being a trick one he nearly fell through, and the discovery of Peeves...the troublesome poltergeist. At last, Ryan found the office of Dumbledore, but found that a password was needed to enter. Not having the password for the office, he decided to find the office of the head of Hufflepuff's house, Professor Sprout. This time he found himself in the greenhouse, where the Professor had her sleeves rolled up and was digging through what could only be classified as some sort of beast's dung. She smiled and nodded to him, her eyes twinkling, "Why Mister Connor...can I help you with something?"

Ryan rubbed his left arm uneasily and nodded, "Well it seems like I have a third class listed at the bottom of my schedule at a rather odd time slot. It's hand written in so I didn't know if I've been hoodwinked or something."

Sprout gingerly wiped her hands on a towel, and took his schedule, "Let me see...ah...no there has been no lies told here. You see summoners aren't usually frequent in numbers here at the school. This seems like a special class they must reserve for students such as yourself. It is being taught by two professors! How lucky you are to get such attention."

He nodded, not wanting to take the soiled schedule back, "Oh I'm very excited and I feel lucky for such attention. It's just...how many summoners are there at Hogwart's?"

"Presently? Well there is only one or two I can think of to be honest. As I said, summoners aren't exactly that prominent in the magical world.", she stopped when she saw Ryan's frown, then decided to take a different approach, "Think of yourself as a special gem to the community."

These words cheered him up a bit as he nodded, "Thank you for your help Professor. I am sorry not to be taking Herbology...it looks interesting."

Sprout winked and went back to the pile of dung, "Well right now your summoning takes priority. You have missed a lot of your magical upbringing, and the school is trying it's best to get you back on track so you will grow to be a powerful summoner."

Thanking her for her time, Ryan left the greenhouse and walked the school grounds. It was a sunny day with a slight breeze that seemed to invite autumn. He closed his eyes for a moment and enjoyed the breeze, and then looked down at his schedule. He had a class in fifteen minutes! Racing to his dormitory and gather the needed textbook and supplies, he managed to show up to class ten minutes late. A man who looked to be in his thirties, rather worn with shabby robes, greeted him with a smile, "Ah. You must be Ryan Connor...our newest student. Please take a seat, I was just introducing myself to the class."

Ryan looked around at the first year faces and felt sick. He seemed far too old to be here, "Has there been some mistake Sir? I am sure this is the class I was assigned but..."

Professor Lupin, the one in charge of the class, nodded, "There has been no mistake. Take a seat and we will talk after the class."

Ryan blushed and found an empty seat next to a first year girl who kept staring at him with a smile the rest of the class. He tried being polite and smiling back, but he couldn't get over how embaressing it was to be in a first year class. Perhaps coming to Hogwart's was a mistake after all. Lupin's words seemed to go through one ear and out the other. By the time the class was over, Ryan felt glued to the seat. He seemed to be staring at the blackboard and biting back tears. The Slytherins already sniggered at him, but this would certainly add insult to injury. Not to mention...Marcus would probably find him ridiculous and wouldn't talk to him again. He was so eager to talk to Marcus again. His thoughts were interrupted by Lupin's calm and friendly voice, "I am sorry I couldn't explain your situation in full detail when you requested it...but I was hoping you would show up a bit early so we could of covered it before class."

Ryan nodded slowly and didn't stand up, "I am very sorry for being late. I couldn't find the classroom...I will stay after any day you wish to make it up in detention."

Lupin laughed and shook his head, "That really won't be neccessary. I understand what it's like to be different anyway, that's why I thought we could be friends. Look...I know you're new here but you have to try and make the best of it. Yes this is a first year class, but students can hardly expect someone out of contact with the magical world up until now would come to the school with the knowledge of a sixth year's spellwork. There is no shame in your circumstances."

Ryan nodded, trying not to whine about it, "I understand, Professor Lupin."

He got up an gathered his things, leaving the classroom before anything more was said. He didn't feel like discussing his dilema with a teacher who couldn't relate to it. After a bit of a break, where he sat on his bed and looked through pictures of the mother he left behind in Manchester and the life he once led, he gathered his textbook and supplies for History of Magic. The class seemed boring to most, but there was something about it that sparked Ryan's interest. Perhaps it was because the magical world was shaded from him for so long...and now what he learned from Professor Binns opened his eyes to something enitrely new. Hearing the stories of old battles, of creatures that he never knew exsisted, and of the struggle of the magical community since the beggining of time...it sparked something inside of him. If he could, he would become a history Professor. Though it was probably unlikely since he would not recieve a full education from Hogwart's. After the class ended, and his hand felt cramped from all the notes he took, Ryan had just enough time to drop his supplies off and switch textbooks to head off to his final class right before the lunch hour. Somehow it seemed like Summoning Skills should be his favorite subject, but so far History of Magic had overwhelmed him with an excitement and passion he didn't think he would ever feel.

Walking through the grounds, Ryan met Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick outside near the Quidditch Pitch. There was a long strip of land that was not being used, and while some team garbed in green robes seemed to be having their practice on the pitch, they were otherwise alone. Ryan held his wand firmly in his hand, not really knowing how to use it, but hoping he wouldn't look like a complete fool. Flitwick was flipping through a large reference book while McGonagall seemed to be taking notes. As he approached, he cleared his throat so they would know of his prescence. Not that he needed to...nothing ever got past McGonagall so it seemed. She raised her eyes, in those ornate glasses, and composed herself to look rather stern, "You are early. That's always a good sign. Five points to Hufflepuff for being punctual...that never happened last year with the two students we trained."

Ryan was glad he could contribute something to the house cup, "Thank you, Professor. Will I be training with the same two students this year?"

"Well Ben Gibbins graduated, but you will be training quite avidly with the other student indeed. In fact I hope you two will become good friends since you share such a rare bond in magic."

He rocked on his heels a bit, "I can't wait to meet the other student then."

McGonagall put her notes down and gestured behind him, "Here she comes now."

As if the day had not burdened him with enough stress, this last surprise made him feel ice cold. Walking across the grassy field near the pitch was none other than Endara Bail. Her blonde hair was tied back in a tight ponytail, and her robes moved slightly in the wind. A few of the Quidditch players nearby whistled as she walked, those long legs of her's swaying in perfect harmony. She didn't even have to try. Men just seemed to love the look of her. McGonagall obviously had mistaken Ryan's shock for sheer admiration and lust for he heard her let out a soft laugh, "Yes she really is a beautiful girl. A rather cheeky attitude, but she promises to be a good summoner. Have you had the fortune of meeting her?"

Ryan tried to form the words in his mouth, speaking slowly, "No...not the fortune..."

Endara sneered as she saw her other classmate and put her hands on her hips, "Still bumping into people and causing a mess? I heard you entertained a group of first years today."

Burning with anger he shot back the best retort he could come up with, "Still forgetting to button your blouse? It's really not that hard, maybe sometime I can show you the concept of buttons on a shirt."

Before either could say another word, Flitwick piped up, "This is most unfortunate! This new reference book by Nanci Rainshadow has quite a few contradictions. I don't feel comfortable teaching the students the introduction lesson it lists until I send her an owl for confirmation."

McGonagall nodded, "Why don't you go send her an owl then Professor Flitwick? I will stay behind and see how these two rank in skills. I know you're new Ryan, so I won't be too harsh on you this time."

Endara giggled, a shrill childish giggle, "Perhaps he should be put in a remedial class, Professor? I highly doubt his skills could even come close to mine."

"I bet I'm better than you think, Endara!", he couldn't believe his anger and came to be aware that the Quidditch team practising on the Pitch had stopped their work and drawn their attention to the small dispute.

McGonagall sighed, "I won't have bickering, really! Now I hoped you two could become friends. Being a summoner is not exactly an easy job. Perhaps you could set aside your differences and work together like I would expect mature adults could."

Ryan hated to agree with her...but she was right. He bowed his head, "Yes, Professor McGonagall. I'm sorry."

Endara sighed, "Let's start the lesson then. I'm eager to show the boys on the Pitch just how good my dragon summon is."

McGonagall nodded, "Fine then. Step back with me then Ryan so you will be safe."

For a moment it seemed like Endara wanted to say something cheeky but then decided against it, "I call upon the great dragon spirit of the spirit realm to be my brethren in battle!"

Her eyes shut tight and she raised her hands in the air, one hand clasped tightly around a wand that was emitting a soft ray of violet light. Her legs spread apart slighlty, and Ryan considered saying a rather nasty joke that would fit for the moment, but remembered the Professor was present and didn't want those five points he earned taken away. Endara seemed to focus for minutes before the violet light from her wand made a swirling cloud above her head. This was much like a Patronus charm in a sense...but something far deeper. There were also a number of different summons that one could do at any given time during a battle. Slowly the cloud formed a dragon no bigger than it's summoner, with outspread wings and a clamping jaw. It's roars filled the air until Endara flicked her wrist rather quickly and the smoke formed dragon dissapeared. Ryan didn't know what to say. He had seen images of mist and smoke around him sometimes when he felt a very strong emotion, but never had they taken a full form like that. It didn't help that his mother used to go into frantic fits when the clouds and mist appeared. McGonagall clapped, as did most of the boys on the Pitch. One in the front Ryan recognised as Draco Malfoy. He strained his eyes to see who else was there, and suddenly felt sick. Marcus Flint was watching. This was his team...the Slytherin team he was captain of. Suddenly the competition he had started with Endara took a nasty turn. He had more at stake than he thought. As she lowered her arms finally, a tattoo became visible on her lower left arm. It was in the shape of a scripted "R" with a circle around it.

McGonagall clapped once more and quickly wrote something down on her notepad before turning to Ryan, "Okay then Mister Connor...let us see what you can do. Now I don't expect much since your powers are still quite new. I would imagine supressing them for so long has disrupted your progress quite a bit. Just try and follow Endara's lead. Visualize a summon...see what happens."

It seemed easier said than done. Ryan parted his legs a bit and raised his hands high in the air. The sweat in his palm caused his wand to feel slippery, and his bottom lip trembled slightly. Closing his eyes tight, he focused as hard as could on summoning something...anything at all. He had never really tried to do it before. As time passed, he heard laughing from the Pitch. This made him gets nervous, wondering if Marcus belonged to one of the laughs that rang through his ears. Hearing Endara join the laughter made a surge of anger run through his body. He was almost tempted to send a summon towards her, suddenly a clasp of thunder could be heard above him. The thunder was followed by a shrill scream, and McGonagall shook Ryan violently. He opened his eyes and lost focus. Endara was on the ground, rubbing her shoulder, with a look that shot daggers at her fellow classmate. The Slytherins on the Pitch were silent, and McGonagall looked rather angry. Ryan felt rather weak, "What did I do?"

The Professor raised her eyebrows, "What did you do? You summoned a panther that charged at poor Endara! We do NOT use our summons to hurt fellow classmates. We only use them defensively."

Ryan felt tears well up in his eyes, but crying in front of all these people would make things much worse than they actually were, "I am so sorry, Professor! I have never done that before, and hearing everyone laugh just filled me with this...anger."

As if she understood, McGonagall nodded and spoke rather loudly, "Right then. This class is over. Everyone go back to what they were doing! Endara do you need to go to visit the infirmary?"

Endara shook her head and slowly got up, "No...unlike this amature I've suffered worse during my summoning. He is lucky I'm in a good mood or else I would run right to the headmaster and tell him what a rotten summoner would-be he accepted into our school!"

The Professor crossed her arms, her mouth tightening for a second, "I won't have you saying such hateful things, Endara Bail. You should respect each student as you would want them to respect you. Ryan is new...I have fault in this for forgetting that he had not done this before. I should of really spoken to him before the start of class. I am glad neither of you are hurt though. I want you both to go back to your dormitories to relax before lunch. Understood?"

Both the students agreed and watched Professor McGonagall write something down on her notepad again. As Endara had rolled up the sleeves of her robe, her tattoo became visible once again. Ryan wondered what the R stood for. Was it for Ravenclaw? Somehow she seemed a bit young for a tatoo...but she was of age and could do anything she wanted...and acted like she took liberties on that right. She shot him another hateful stare and stomped off towards the castle. Some of the Quidditch players followed her, offering to carry her books and her supplies, or even carry her back to her dormitory. Ryan felt worse now than he had when he walked into Defense Against The Dark Arts. This was the only non-first year class he had and somehow he managed to blow it. He felt like packing up his things and heading out, hoping Cecilia would put him up until he found a job. Perhaps there was some sort of spell that could rid him of this summoning burden. Before he could get far from the Pitch, he heard the familiar voice of Marcus Flint, "That was pretty funny! I never heard that bitch scream like that before. She had it coming for sure."

Ryan turned, feeling a bit irritable, "Did you get a good laugh with your friends?"

"No...I didn't laugh. Honest I didn't! Look my friends are a horny lot, that'll do anything to look good in front of that Endara tart...but I'm not like that."

"Really? What are you like then?"

For a minute it seemed like Marcus wouldn't answer. He bowed his head and shuffled his feet, "We are more alike than you think, you and I."

Ryan shook his head, "Somehow I doubt that. I would never pretend to be someone I'm not."

"Well you're luckier than I am. I don't have an option. If I wanted to be who I truly was...I would be the most hated guy in my dormitory and my own father would disown me. Not all of us get the good second chance you did."

Ryan almost felt pity run through him, and decided to change the subject, "So you weren't laughing at me?"

Marcus smiled in appreciation, "Nah. Like I said...there are a number of people who would of paid galleons to see what you did to Endara."

"It wasn't on purpouse. Hearing your team laugh...hearing her laugh...it made me so angry. I must of slipped my focus. Though it's a shame I never got to see my own summon."

Rubbing the back of his neck again, a nervous habit so it seemed, Marcus nodded slowly, "I suppose that's how it is with most summoners. The bloke who graduated last year could see his summons after he focused for a good while. Maybe that will happen with you."

"I don't think I'll ever be as good as Endara. She seems smart...she's in Ravenclaw after all. I'm only in Hufflepuff...it seems to be the place they stick the students that don't fit anywhere else."

Marcus took Ryan's hand for just a brief moment while they were alone, "That's not true. Being different is better than being boring. You interest me. Why in the hell do you think I make such an effort to be alone with you...to talk to you?"

Ryan felt his sadness slowly vanish at this guy's words, "You actually try to be alone with me?"

Marcus laughed, "Do you think I always rush to rescuse someone when a Dementor happens to be in the area? No. You're special. I could tell at St. Mungo's that you and I had more in common than you think. That's why I sent you those flowers. No one talks to me like you do."

"No one makes me feel like you do...", Ryan closed his eyes and moved into Marcus, kissing him softly on the lips. It lasted for only a brief moment.

Marcus pulled away and shook his head, "What are you playing at!"

Ryan felt confused, "I thought...I mean you said..."

"I never told you I was a poof! What's your problem!"

"I'm sorry...it was just a kiss..."

Marcus looked as if he was going to punch the next thing that moved, but cleared his throat and closed his eyes for a moment, "Don't think I didn't want that. It's not that at all. It's just that what you did can cause major trouble for me. More than you can imagine. I'm in Slytherin...they practically hate everyone that's not a pureblood with money. Having an openly gay relationship with the school's new summoner won't help me keep my position on the team...or even the same friends I have now."

Ryan touched his own lips for a moment, where Marcus's taste still lingered, and sighed, "What amazing friends you must have then."

"Shut it. You don't know as much about me as you think!"

"Well after this, I don't think I want to.", Ryan felt himself move backwards slowly, leaving his textbook near the pitch, "I'm sorry for the kiss...for everything."

Before Marcus had a chance to say anything more, Ryan turned around and ran back to the castle. Luckily there was no one out on the grounds since it was into the lunch hour. Not feeling hungry, or wanting to face Marcus Flint, Ryan quickly made his way up the many stairs to the Hufflepuff enterance. He gave the password and entered the common room, racing up to his four poster bed in the sixth year dormitory, and crying bitterly for what seemed like hours on end. The only thing to keep him distracted the rest of the night was his History of Magic homework, which he did rather quickly and even managed to take on the next week's assignment. History was something that seemed so natural to him, and he was glad to be distracted by the homework. That night at supper, Ryan made his way to the Great Hall...trying to avoid the staring eyes of Marcus Flint. For a moment, it seemed like Marcus was go over and say something, but he was drawn back into the crude story Draco Malfoy was telling the table. Hermione Granger passed Ryan and said hello, and remembering the tattoo on Endara's arm, Ryan asked Hermione about it. She looked lost in thought for a moment and then repeated his own thoughts, "It could stand for Ravenclaw...but as I remember she had a sister that was a few years behind her. Her sister's name was Rana I believe. She was a good deal nicer than her sister...but she died two years ago."

Ryan raised his eyebrows, "Endara's sister died? How?"

"I don't really know. I would suggest you ask her, only she has a bite worse than a snake's."

"Thanks for your help.", Ryan waved goodbye to her and came to the conclusion that the tattoo on Endara's arm must be the initial of her deceased sister. She was the sister that survived, the only summoner left in her family. Perhaps that is why she was such a rude and cold person. He imagined such a thing would drive him to be rather harsh as well. Deciding that he would ask her tommorrow, and thinking about what to say, he didn't notice students leave the Great Hall. He became focused when he heard a thud in front of him and saw the textbook he left behind on the Quidditch Pitch. Before he could turn to say something to Marcus, he had left. Running his fingers over the textbook on the table, Ryan opened it and saw a note in scribbled handwriting...the same writing that was attached to the roses he had recieved. "Meet me Friday after supper at the Owlery. - Marcus" A faint smile came over his lips, as Ryan had something new to look forward to.