(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.)

Six - "Winds Of Change"

By. Travis J

Ryan had not spoken to Marcus or even made eye contact with him the next few days whenever they happened to come across eachother. With a swollen jaw and a look of total defeat, Marcus didn't even attempt to play at bullying his boyfriend. In fact, everyone in Slytherin agreed that Marcus Flint had been the saddest they had ever seen him. He rarely ever laughed at the crude jokes Draco Malfoy proudly made in the Slytherin Common Room, and he fell behind in his homework almost instantly. That following weekend, without so much as speaking to Marcus once, Ryan overheard the two Hufflepuff gossips going at it again during the lunch hour, "I swear it's the truth! I found out yesterday from Ernie McMillan who knows that plain girl in our Charms class who knows..."

The other girl broke in, "I get the point! Anyway I can't believe it! That has to be the shortest relationship Hogwarts has ever endured!"

"Totally. Marcus like really had it out with her too. Their screams could be heard all the way down the hall outside the library. I hear Madame Pince threatened them with library expulsion."

"Well it's no wonder. That Endara girl is no good as I have always said. Her younger sister was a pretty nice one, but somehow Endara ended up being the bad seed. I suppose it happens."

"Either way, I can't believe Marcus Flint split up with Endara Bail after only one date! A date that ended up with that summoner kid...you know the one your friend in Transfiguration fancies, punched Marcus right in the face. There was blood I hear and Marcus did nothing!"

"I know. How weird is that? Something is totally not right there."

Somehow it seemed like the sadness and hopelessness that had made itslef present over the past week ebbed away. Ryan smiled softly and ventured a look over at the Slytherin table where Marcus caught his glance with sad eyes. The two kept eye contact for a moment, and even though no words were spoken, they knew they had to talk. So that night at supper, Ryan took his own turn at shoving into Marcus and left a note on his outside robe pocket. Marcus put his hand inside the pocket and a slight smile came to his face. He read the note that Ryan left him: "Meet me in the abandoned classroom after supper. Don't be late. - Ryan" Somehow it didn't surprise Ryan that Marcus came running into the room and sealed the door shut not five minutes after supper. The man wore that roguish girn on his face, his deep voice had a hint of relief in it, "I was going mad not hearing from you! You don't know how sorry I am..."

Ryan moved forward and ran his soft fingers over Marcus's bruised jaw, "I won't apologize for the punch. You had it coming, if not for all those nasty shoves you gave me in your little pretend game. I decided to meet you here because I heard you broke up with Endara and we need to talk."

Marcus moved in and ventured a kiss on Ryan's lips, which was successful. When the kiss broke, the Quidditch Captain smiled again, "I have missed those kisses so much. Just so you know, kissing Endara was possibly the most disgusting thing I ever had to do. I would be lucky not to catch anything what with all the blokes she has entertained."

"She even wore your jacket, the tart. How I would of loved to send a summon on her like wildfire that day...and you too...but when I heard how angry you got and how you broke up with her that next day. It must be true then...that you really do have feelings for me."

Marcus looked rather offended this time and nodded his head, "I told you that behind these closed doors I wouldn't lie! This is who I really am and you are the only one who knows it. Now we have to keep it a secret, but I promise you I will never even attempt to falsley date another girl. Ever. I will make it a vow if I need to."

Remembering the nature of the vow, Ryan shook his head, "No no...that's all right. Just...just hold me again, kiss me like we used to during our snogging sessions...and talk to me. I want to know more about you."

Looking like he meant it, Marcus wrapped his arms around his boyfriend, "I'll do anyting for you. I mean that."

"Then let's end this terrible bullying act. I think we should just pretend to be indifferent to eachother if it suits you while in public, and continue meeting as much as we can."

"I'll even let you wear my jacket during the holiday. That's a promise.", Marcus seemed proud of this promise and planted another kiss on Ryan's lips.

The two embraced and snogged for much longer than they had before that night, and the next week went by with more ease. Ryan had already done a great majority of the assignments in History of Magic, and Professor Binns haughtily bragged to any of the faculty that would listen that Ryan would surely be able to take the year's final before the holiday and finish off his term with a more advanced class. Defense Against the Dark Arts was nothing short of mediocre, and even though Ryan rather liked Professor Lupin, he didn't like the subject. He also didn't like the creepy Dementors moving silently over the grounds and frightening the other students. He read of a Patrnous charm and promised to pratice it at some point, being that it seemed much like a summoning spell. Cecilia Devogue, who always got weekly letters a few pages long about the latest gossip courtesy of Ryan, seemed to be taking an interest in the musical arts and announced herself as training for the British Opera. Admittedly she had sent a Howler of her singing a tune from "La Boheme", and Ryan didn't think she really was right for the opera, he still would defend her to anyone who dared critisize her. After all, she had become more like a dear aunt he never had and greatly appreciated. In fact he seemed eager for the holidays to come so he could spend time in London with Marcus, as they both had discussed, and would get a chance to live with Cecilia again.

The next Summoning Skills class came as a surprise, because Endara not only showed up...but she was on time and seemed to be pleased with herself. Ryan didn't know what to think. She had not killed anyone with her summons, she didn't get anyone a detention or scare any of the first years, and she certainly did not have the upper hand...so why did she seem so happy? Not trusting her for a second, Ryan bowed to her and practiced their summons. She not only congradulated him on his ability to fully summon the panter totem but also start the formation of what seemed like a dragon, but she also didn't shoot any offensive remarks his way either. Figuring she would of hated him more and blamed him for breaking up with Marcus, Ryan didn't know what to make of the situtation. There had to be something she wanted. Endara Bail was not kind unless she truly wished to be. After class, she approached Ryan and confirmed his beliefs, "Is it true you live with Cecilia Devogue? The fashion designer?"

Rolling his eyes, Ryan nodded quickly as he gathered up his supplies, "Yes. She's my guardian for the time being. Why do you ask?"

"Well you see I always wanted to get into fashion design myself, and getting a chance to talk to Cecilia over the holiday would be SUCH an honor! I didn't know if...maybe...you could arrange something."

At first he was tempted to shove her in the mud and be on his way, but Ryan remembered the question he was burning to ask her and chose his words carefully, "I think something could be arranged...for a price."

"I am NOT going to pay you!", she turned a nice shade of crimson and looked ready to scream.

"I wasn't talking about money. I have a question I want you to answer. You answer it for me and I'll arrange for Cecilia to have a nice chat over tea with you over this holiday."

Narrowing her eyes as if to glance in his soul, she was silent for a minute. Finally she nodded, "Right. Well what is it?"

"How did your sister die?", he didn't know why it was so important, but it had to be a driving force to explain why Endara was the way she was.

As if she wanted to attack him on the spot, Endara clenched his fists, "What do you know about her?"

"Well I know your tattoo there is the initial of her name, and that she was younger than you. I also heard she was a deal nicer."

"No one's perfect.", at first it seemed like she wouldn't answer him. Thinking for a moment she diverted her eyes away from his face, "A muggle killed her. That's all you need to know. So will you talk to your aunty Cecilia for me or do I have to blackmail you?"

Ryan paused for a moment and moved forward, lowering his voice, "How could you possibly blackmail me? I have nothing to hide."

"Maybe not...but can the same be said about your boyfriend?", seeing how pale Ryan became she let out a soft laugh, "Ah yes I know. My word is golden here too, so you might want to be careful who you mess with. I think if you're smart, you will get me that meeting so I can form my connections. You do for me...I'll do for you. Trust me, you don't want to blow me over. I'm a force to be reckoned with."

He wanted to shoot back with something nasty but for the sake of Marcus, he only sighed, "Fine. I'll see to it you two have a nice tea session over the holiday. Though if I hear you threatening him once or trying to blackmail him...either into one of your pathetic false dates or a kiss...you won't have to worry about blackmailing me because you and I will have it out."

She nodded, as if she gathered some sort of respect for him by standing up to her, "Whatever. Have your dear auntie drop me a line so I know when to meet her. Ta!"

Watching her leave, Ryan felt a sudden urge to send her a crude hand gesture, but decided against it. As much as he didn't want to admit it, she was right. He couldn't afford to make an enemy of Endara Bail. As the next few weeks passed, and Summoning Skills became an almost tolerable class, Ryan prepared himself to take the finals for History of Magic and work on a defensive charm from Defense Against The Dark Arts. He also managed to have many more tender moments with his boyfriend Marcus Flint, who could never stop talking about the holidays and how much fun they would have during it. They were to be alone for an entire weekend in London, and Ryan had to figure out a way to tell Cecilia at the beggining of the holiday. Not to mention break it to her that she would be having a nice cozy meet and greet with the school's nastiest student. Still curious about who Rana Bail was exactly, and why Endara was such a crude person, Ryan decided that he had much research of his own to do after the holidays. As the snow fell outside and the school became decorated, Ryan knew that this would be the best Christmas he would ever have.