(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.)

Five - "The Secret Lives Of Summoners"

By. Travis J

It seemed like the rest of the week continued on like a blur. Focused on doing as much of his History of Magic assignments in advance, Ryan got honors from Professor Binns and was told he would finish with the year's work halfway through the term. Hearing this compliment made the summoner blush, and he was glad to find out that instead of people staring at him in that class, they were wanting to talk to him for answers to the next week's homework. Even though he had his rough spots still in Defense Against The Dark Arts, and Endara was "mysteriously ill" the next time they were supposed to meet for their small Summoning Skills class, overall he found his first week at Hogwarts quite a success. That Friday came faster than Ryan could imagine, and he found himself in the boy's bathroom fixing his hair and spraying on some cologne to try and create the right image. Just what would go on at the Owlery that night with Marcus Flint? It all seemed to be surrounded in mystery...and the unknown was something Ryan Connor feared most.

Making his way up to the Owlery that night after supper, Ryan wondered why they didn't meet at the Astronomy Tower. Wasn't that a more romantic place to be? Not to mention there was rumor of a hidden room that could turn into whatever it's users wished. Somehow it seemed Marcus was being strange again. Especially since he had not so much as said a "hello" to Ryan the rest of the week since he returned the book with the note inside of it. He found the door, and with a sweaty palm he opened it to see a large room with a high ceiling and many open windows which revealed the starry skies. It was a bit dark inside, but there was Marcus with his arms crossed, leaning against a wall and waiting for him. He did not smile or say a thing until Ryan closed the door. Then, as if with some fierce eagerness Ryan did not know this man had in him, Marcus moved in and kissed him deeply. Not pulling away or wiping his mouth. It was a kiss that seemed to trail on for minutes on end. Finally pulling away, Marcus ran his hands over Ryan's shoulders, "We need to talk."

Slowly Ryan nodded, "I would say so. What's with the change in attitude all of a sudden?"

"I told you about the image I have to keep up. No offense, but that's my top priority if I want to get onto a good Quidditch team as a professional. This relationship..."

"So you do want a relationship?", Ryan interrupted rather sharply.

"Well...er...yes. I mean I think I do. I haven't really had one before. I mean these urges have always been here...but actually having a relationship is something new to me.", Marcus looked a tad embaressed at saying this, but it was the honesty.

Ryan appreciated this honesty and took a turn kissing him, "Don't worry. I have never had a boyfriend before as well. You're my first. That is...if you don't mind the title?"

Marcus seemed to think about it for a minute, his foot crunching down on what must of been the skeleton of a rodent hidden in the straw, "I would be honored to be the overprotective boyfriend of the hottest summoner at Hogwarts."

"Oh I think your team mates might disagree with that viewpoint."

"I don't plan on telling them. In fact, unless we are behind closed doors, there is no...well..us."

Ryan looked a bit offended, "No us? You mean to stay in the closet then?"

"Hell yes I do!", Marcus took a step back and looked up at the starry sky through the windows, "People here may be different...but being different on TOP of being different already won't be as tolerated as you may think."

"Why do I care what other people think? You seem to be the only one worried about your reputation. I think you need to reassign your priorities."

Marcus went red in the cheeks for a moment and narrowed his eyes, "Don't talk about my life like you know it! You have no idea what I had to do to get where I am now. Nothing can ruin that."

"Marcus...you have more going for you besides for Quidditch. I am sure people will understand. I mean they aren't exactly stupid. They will notice that your new mate is well...rather a little too close to you.", Ryan bit his bottom lip after he voiced his opinion.

Once again Marcus seemed to take a moment to think, "Well we will have to make them think we are enemies then. We can't give them the evidence to make that conclusion."

"What?"

With more confidence, Marcus nodded his head, "Yeah that will work. When in public we will pretend to be terrible enemies...but when we are alone we can snog like the best of them."

"I don't like that idea.", Ryan felt it was a rather cold and immature thing to do.

"Well do you want to have me as your boyfriend or not?", Marcus moved forward and kissed Ryan again...the kiss had a certain convincing tenderness to it.

Slowly nodding, Ryan pushed away slightly, "Okay...I won't tell anyone. We are enemies and public. I understand."

"Good...and this isn't permanent. During the holiday and the summer we can do whatever we want. No one is paying attention then."

It seemed Marcus was much more impressed with his plan than Ryan was. They both had a mild snogging session and left the Owlery seperatly so as not to create attention from passing students. That weekend, Marcus seemed to be in his icy cold mode once more. He even went so far as to shove Ryan out of the way when leaving the library. At first Ryan rubbed his shoulder and felt shame run through him, then he remembered it was only an act. Marcus really did want to be with him...this bullying was only to keep his reputation going. The Slytherins immedeatly adopted new jests to make fun of him, with the laughter of Marcus Flint behind them. Somehow it seemed like Marcus was having too much fun at this acting game. That coming Monday, when Marcus had not only shoved him again but ignored him to the fullest extenet, Ryan was completley surprised to get another letter in the form of being "accidentally" pushed in line for food. As the Slytherins chuckled and jeered in front of him, Ryan read the letter quickly. "Be at the Owlery tonight after supper. - Marcus"

More than a little angry at Marcus for taking too many liberties with his pretend bullying, Ryan threw open the door of the Owlery that night and almost slammed it behind him, "You need to settle down a bit with this act!"

Marcus went pale and shrugged, "I'm sorry if I seem a bit too rough. Really that is what my fellow Slytherins expect. Hell...it's what most students and faculty at Hogwarts expect."

"Well I think you should lighten up. That last shove today really hurt."

Moving over to Ryan, Marcus kissed his shoulder tenderly and then went up to his neck, "I'm sorry. I promise I will let you deck me right in the jaw at some point next week once we get into a fresh argument after your Summoning Skills class."

Pushing him away in shock, Ryan shook his head, "Now you are PLANNING new ways for us to be enemies? This is ridiculous! You say you want to be with me...but then you seem to have more fun pushing me around than you do snogging!"

Marcus put a finger over his boyfriend's lips and pulled him into a hug, "Nothing's more fun to me than our snogging time...not even Quidditch. Which I must say, is right up there on my life's pleasures."

Smelling the spicey cologne Marcus usually wore, Ryan felt his anger eradicate, "I just wish we could be together in public. So we wouldn't have to go on with such a horrible facade."

"What does it matter? You and I both know the truth...and after school, when my career is established, we won't have to hide anything. This isn't permanent."

Ryan kissed Marcus's jawline and trailed his lips down a bit to his neck, "You don't know how it makes me feel to have someone hold me like you do. I haven't seen much compassion in my life...and the time we spend here...the time I spend with you...it's one of the things that motivates me to keep trying."

Before Marcus could say anything, there was a loud creak as the Owlery door was opened. Marcus immedeatly pulled himself away from Ryan and made it seem like he was bullying an owl to come down and take a letter he had pulled out of his robes in a hurry. Turning his head quickly to see who had interrupted their private time, Ryan saw the ever-arrogant Endara Bail look at him with narrowed eyes. Her icy gaze traveled to Marcus and then back to her summoner classmater. She smirked a bit and went over to her own owl, petting it lightly as her voice broke the silence that had dominated the large room, "What a coincidence to come across you two. I'm deeply surprised you don't kill eachother if left in the same room together without any faculty around."

Ryan shot back a retort as fast as he could, "How would you know? You seem to skip class enough. A little scared of my summons?"

"You wish. I just don't feel like wasting my time with a little nothing like you. Ben was a much more worthy partner in summoning.", she then looked over Ryan's shoulder at Marcus, "I need to talk to you Mr. Flint. Alone."

Looking over to Marcus for a moment, Ryan saw the flash of urgency in his eyes and then bowed his head, "I was just leaving. After all...how can I stand to be in a room with two of the people I am supposed to hate most of all?"

Knowing he had just told a lie, well rather about hating Marcus, Ryan brushed rather brashly past Endara and left the Owlery. He didn't wait outside for fear that Endara would certainly make a connection. She was a clever girl even if she was a nasty tart. The next day during the lunch hour, Ryan passed two of the Hufflepuff house gossips and almost froze when he heard what they were talking about. One of the girls was giggling as much as she could while trying to squeeze out words, "It's totally true! I heard it from Draco himself!"

The other girl rolled her eyes, "I'm not a fan of that prat. Anyway, I think Marcus and Endara would make a wonderful couple. They are attractive...but terrible human beings. Fit for eachother I would say."

"I hear their first official date isn't until the year's first trip to Hogsmeade. They are like totally going to the cafe or something romantic like that."

"That's gross, that is. They'll probably go on about how much they hate muggle borns and how they want to gain popularity by looking like bullies."

"Who cares? I still think it's interesting. Marcus has never had a girlfriend before, and Endara goes through men like water. I wonder how long this will last."

Ryan felt tears sting his eyes, and turning around, he ran past Hermione who was about to open her mouth to say something. She looked over her shoulder and then sighed, going back to the Gryffindor table to join her friends. Ryan raced up to his dormitory and spent the rest of the afternoon crying and with a most terrible headache. That same night, Marcus had slipped him a note in the form of another push and Ryan was almost tempted to tear it up...but thought better of it. Opening it up, he scowled at the directions to a spare classroom that was never used. So their location had been changed, and Ryan had to figure out how to get to the classroom. He made his way there slowly, wanting Marcus to wait and feel anxious, and when he finally arrived he had to push Marcus away from kissing him. His eyes burned with tears again, "How could you!"

Marcus looked more remorseful than ever, rubbing the back of his neck, "She knew. I could tell she did. That tart is one of the smartest girls in school...and trust me her hate for you alone would cause her to ruin us both. I had to come on to her, to offer her a date, or else she would of known for sure. I also offered to...er...beat on you a bit if you ever gave her lip in front of me. So watch what you say when I'm around, or else I have to pretend at being pissed."

Ryan slammed a chair and let the tears spill down his cheeks, "You don't find it hard to pretend. I don't know what I'll do when I see her kissing you...touching you...holding your hand! I don't know if I will even go to Hogsmeade!"

Marcus moved close to Ryan and ran his calloused fingers over his boyfriend's side slowly, "Now don't be brash. Maybe I can shake her off at Hogsmeade...I am NOT going to the cafe with her. There's no way that's going to happen. Only a few dates and then I'll ditch her so no one can say a thing about me not having a girlfriend."

Ryan couldn't let go of his anger...his pain, "I don't want you to kiss her..."

Silent for a moment, Marcus brought his lips to the back of Ryan's neck and spoke almost in a whisper, "I will try my best not to. I promise you that."

"Well so far it seems like your promises aren't worth their weight."

With that, Ryan pushed himself away from Marcus and left the classroom. Without a snogging session, Marcus was quite grumpy at the next Quidditch practice session. The trip was coming up soon and his own head was clouded with confusion. To be open to all of his friends would risk far too much. Hufflepuff may be kinder to Ryan, but Slytherin would not be so to Marcus. The house was known for it's prejudice of muggle-borns...so why would it treat gays any differently? One thing was true though, and that was that seeing Endara on a daily basis almost made Marcus sick. He made any excuse to avoid her, he wanted to wrench his hand away when she tried to hold it during their lunch and suppers, and he had so far kept his promise not to kiss her. The next two weeks were a rather rough time, with snogging sessions every other night with Ryan, and days filled playing a role he really didn't want to play. Ryan continued meeting Marcus because he had hoped to change the way his boyfriend looked at their relationship. He wanted Marcus to see that they could be open and proud with who they were.

When the students had their first trip to Hogsmeade, a cold wind had been blowing through the grounds and the students bundled up a bit. Ryan wore a simple gray cotton coat Cecilia had bought him, and he viewed Marcus in his black leather jacket, an arm around a rather cheaply dressed Endara who was giggling to the few friends she actually had that didn't want to slap her. For a moment, Ryan noticed Marcus look at him, and then Filch came out and started reading out the list of names. Ryan didn't want to hang out with the set of gossiping Hufflepuff girls who seemed eager to fill him in on all the happenings of Hogsmeade...he preffered to be alone. Well actually he preffered to be with Marcus but that would not happen. As he watched them during their visit to Hogsmeade, he felt himself shudder. They entered the cafe and came out less than twenty minutes later, Marcus looking a bit flushed and annoyed and Endara dominating any conversation they were having. They walked past Ryan and Endara seemed to shoot him one of her famous icy looks. For some reason, he had found they "coincidentally" ended up sitting near eachother at The Three Broomsticks, and almost always the couple remained present wherever Ryan chose to venture. As a result, the trip was no fun and felt like a waste.

Though the true shock came when Ryan went to discover the shrieking shack. There stood Endara, Marcus's leather jacket on her once bare shoulders, locked in a kiss with Marcus. Ryan felt his body shake and tears well up in his eyes. He wanted to scream and could feel the clouds start to form around him to form a summon...but he wouldn't summon. He was learning to control that part of him. Instead he took Marcus up on his offer and pushed Endara aside, punching Marcus as hard as he could straight in the jaw. Marcus staggered back and tasted blood, eyes looking with great pain at Ryan who seemed close to crying. There was a great silence before Ryan turned and almost ran back to Hogwarts. He didn't show up to supper that night and stayed in his dormitory the next day during classes. Missing his classes somehow didn't seem as important. Endara had seen to it that he would never be happy at Hogwarts again...and somehow Ryan felt that he would never be with Marcus Flint again.