Their son was about to turn eleven, and neither dad could believe it. He was still their little boy, when they looked at him. He had not grown much, which helped that image, he looked at least two years younger. His health had been improving, and so had his accidental magic, not just when his life was in danger. Orion had reminded him, that Blacks were usually politicians and lawyers, he didn't have to be auror level. His dads thought he may be a healer, or potions master, but knew Orion would be proud. The man had got better over the years, had been more open with his grandson, about how proud he was. He had even become a bit more open with both of his sons. Wallburga's health was failing, and they had to wonder if it was affecting their dad. The couple had been married for nearly forty years, and though an arranged marriage, real love had come. Wallburga had not left the manor in the past few months now, refusing to be in a hospital.

Their son's birthday was approaching, but their thoughts were on school. Part of them were wondering, if they were not wrong, to not send their son away to school. He would never fit in at Durmstang, but he would have had a place at Beauxbautons, with no issue.

Regulus sighed as he and his husband were talking. "I am starting to think we're wrong."

Severus knew his husband too well. "To not send Ryan to Beauxbautons?"

Regulus nodded. "Albus already poses a risk. We are putting out son right under his nose."

Severus held him. "You know Albus has no reason to believe Ryan is Harry."

Regulus knew. "But he has it out for our family."

Severus was not feeling much better. "Our son knows to be careful. And he can call on us if needed."

Regulus rested his head on his husband. "And your Mum, as well as Poppy are there. And father and Lucius are governors."

Severus reminded him. "Horace may not know about him, but you know he will watch over my son for me."

Regulus was reminded of his husband's mentor. "I hope he is a snake. He will be better in Horace's house, and with his cousin."

Severus smiled a little. "There is a little snake there in him. He'd be fine in Ravenclaw, Filius can be trusted with him."

Regulus tried to smile a little. "And Draco will watch his back, and the twins, no matter what house he is in."

It had been four years, and the twins began school two years ago, but they remained close to Ryan. Besides Draco, they were the only real friends their son had, on his own. Draco and his friends always tried to include Ryan, but it was different. Susan Bones had become a friend of late, her father and Severus were friends for years, and she had more in common with Ryan than others. Ryan had wanted to go to school, he had his cousin and friends there, and Nanny was there too. He also knew about Horace, who was a second class, but a capable potions master. He had paid for Severus to take his exams, as he was not Lord Prince yet, and thought of him as a son. Ryan had no idea he once was Harry, and they had no intention of him knowing. He was aware Papa was not his second parent, his grandmother made sure of that, but he didn't care. He was told his mother was dead, and the only parents he had, were the dads he loved.

They told themselves they had taken every precaution with their son. They had no idea what Albus would do, about Harry, as there were those who knew he existed in the Order. They were worried what he'd do, if he ever found out who Ryan was, to

Orion had appeared in the door and heard some of their worries. "Your son will be okay."

Regulus turned to look at his father. "I wasn't aware you were coming."

Orion put something down. "Your son wished to borrow this. I thought you were convinced Orion should attend our school?"

Severus agreed. "There is just some under lying concerns with Albus, and the family."

Orion turned to his son in law. "The man is mistaken, if he thinks I will allow him to lay a hand on my grandson."

Regulus wished his father's words were any more comfort than his husband's. "There is more to worry after."

Orion shocked them both. "You worry that Albus will find our Ryan was once Harry Potter."

Regulus looked at his father in absolute shock. "How? How did you know?"

Severus was as bad as his husband. "We thought we covered our tracks."

Orion smirked. "You don't think you could present me with a new grandson, and I'd not do my research."

He had not got much of a look, but a quick one, of the baby. There had been slight changes in his looks the next time he had seen him. He had also had his doubts, in truth he thought the baby may be Severus', his son lying about that. He had gone looking, he heard rumors of the second Potter baby, and Sirius had unintentionally confirmed it a few years ago for him.

Regulus shared a confused and concerned look with his husband. He hated lying to his father, but he never thought Orion would accept this, and Ryan would have been in danger. To find out he knew, and for years, shocked them to the core.

Regulus tried. "Father I wanted to tell you, but Sirius begged me to take him, keep him safe. And I knew that….."

Orion finished. "No one would suspect my grandchild. And that I would protect them."

Severus tried to help. "Your son wanted to tell you, but it would have put Ryan in greater danger."

Regulus was desperate. "Father, please, I know we lied…."

Orion cut him off. "That boy is your son, you love him, and because of that he is my grandson and heir."

Regulus looked at his dad in shock. "Father….."

Orion shook his head. "If I was going to reveal him, or cast him out, I would have done it years ago."

Severus had to ask though he was sure he knew the answer. "Wallburga?"

The man almost laughed. "If she knew, blood adoption or not, do you think she'd have allowed him to remain in this family?"

To say he was shocked, was an understatement. By the time he had proof, the child had been in their family, three years. He had never seen his son like that, as a father, and the little boy brought even him great joy. He needed an heir, and though once a half blood, he had been blood adopted. Ryan had proven he was a true Black, even before he was blood adopted, and he was now a true Black.

He held his son by the arms. "He is my grandson. And Albus will rue the day, if he even thinks of interfering with him, mark my word."


Ryan's eleventh birthday had arrived and he was so excited. He couldn't believe he was about to start school finally. He knew his dads had considered sending him to France, and he understood the worry about Albus, but he was happy. He would be careful around the man, he didn't want to leave the twins and Draco, or be so far away from his dads. Besides Grandsire was close, and the man would put the fear of Merlin into Albus as he usually did, if he came near Ryan. And since his magic had become more common, he felt far more at ease about school.

That year he was having a party, not at Malfoy manor like usual, but the Black's main home. His grandmother could no longer leave, and had insisted that the party be held there, so she could be involved. It shocked most, she usually had no such interest in her grandson.

Ryan was smiling ear to ear when they got to the manor. "I can't wait. Susan is coming right?"

Sirius smiled a little. "Your little girlfriend?"

Severus shook his head. "My son still thinks girls have cooties."

Ryan put his hands on his hips. "Papa. Susan has no cooties, she just is a good friend."

Regulus came to his son's aid. "Her father will be bringing her soon I promise."

Sirius smiled while he watched his nephew. "Next year you will likely have double the guests."

Severus agreed. "Though we may have to host it, I am not sure if his grandmother would approve, of anything less than full bloods here."

Regulus sighed, quiet so his son didn't hear. "I hope that will still be an issue next year."

Sirius grudgingly agreed. "For some old reason, father loves the old bat. It will be rough when she passes away."

Her sons may not be close to the woman, but they didn't wish her dying either. She wasn't that old, only in her mid –sixties, but her health went downhill. Her husband had her to all the best specialists, and they had gone abroad even, but there was little for it. It was not some known illness, well there were a few minor ones, her magic just seemed to be weakening. It did with old age.

Ryan had no idea what was planned for the day. He had been pestering his dads, he usually had some say, and wanted to know what it was. His dads couldn't tell him, even if they wanted to, they only had a say in the guest list.

Severus reminded his husband as they walked. "Ryan may be a snake. And we all know they are full bloods, for the most part."

Regulus kissed his husband. "Glad you added the last part."

Sirius shook his head. "Not my nephew, I think he will make a good little Ravenclaw."

Severus could agree with his brother in law. "He would do well in any house, just as long as he isn't a lion. That is where Hector will be."

Orion appeared. "There is the birthday boy. I am extremely proud you are eleven, and will soon be making us prouder at school."

Ryan blushed a bit with the compliment. "Thank you grandsire. I promise to make you as proud as possible."

Wallburga was out in a wheelchair. "You have a very important reputation to live up to."

Orion shooed Ryan towards the door. "Go see what you think."

Ryan was amazed when he found an amusement park, and even mini golf. "Grandsire, this is too much. Thank you."

Wallburga agreed with him. "You spoiled him."

"You deserved it, not your friends are waiting." And to his wife. "It isn't every day our only grandchild turns eleven."

Wallburga spotted Remus with her son and grumbled. "Hopefully it stays that way."

Remus, who was dating Sirius but they were not even engaged, calmed her son. "I am used to it by now."

Orion shocked his sons. "The mini golf was your mother's ideas."

Orion had used some spells, and borrowed the rides, from a local amusement park. He knew his grandson had trouble keeping up with friends, and this helped. One of the things Ryan loved in California, even with Disney land and such, was mini golf. It and swimming with the dolphins had been two of his favorites. The fact his grandmother not only listened, but remembered this, definitely shocked her sons and son in law.

Susan, the twins, Draco and Blaise who was more Draco's friend but one to Ryan, were there. Ryan hoped his dads were right, and there would be more next year, that he might make some other friends at school. He had so much fun, and beat all of them in min golf, twice.

When it time came for gifts, many were for school. His Papa had a special one. "I hope you like."

Ryan found a new cauldron, much nicer than standard, but a book inside. "Papa, is this it?"

Severus nodded. "My journal, well in the back of the text, if you know the spell. All the potions and spells I came up with in school."

Ryan hugged his Papa. "Thank you."

Severus explained. "There is room to add. I have no doubt you will soon be out shinning me."

Orion handed his grandson a gift. "Not to be out done."

Ryan opened his gift and found a new astronomy ball. "Grandsire."

Orion smiled, and assured his grandson he deserved it. His grandson had shown a real keen passion for the stars over the years. In the past few years he had been a bit more active with his grandson. He had been playing chess with him, and had encouraged him, even had been teaching him about elemental magic. Orion had some Earth magic, and had been teaching Ryan, even showed him his dagger. He saw potential in Ryan.

Regulus smiled at the many gift certificates he got as well. "Well a week before school starts, we will take you shopping for the rest."


Ryan's birthday was August 3rd, well the day his dads chose, when they had adopted him. It was a few weeks before they went shopping, as they chose to wait, until just before the school year began. Draco and his parents were coming as well, and Sirius was to meet them, after they had done the boring things like robes and books. He was so proud of both his nephew and cousin, and had bought them a voucher, for their own owl. Ryan had always been a bit more of a cat person, preferring a cuddlier thing, but he was okay with an owl too.

The boys were so excited, they didn't even complain about their robes. Ryan had vouchers to use, at the book store, so it was not only text books which he bought. Severus had of course supplied the boys with their apothecary ingredients, and gave Draco a standard cauldron, for his.

Ryan was amazed when they stepped into the wand shop. "I can't believe we finally get one."

Draco nodded. "Though you can do a lot already."

Regulus reminded his nephew. "Mainly accidental, and you'll both need to learn how to use a wand."

Ollivander had come over. "So which of you boys will be going first?"

Draco saw his cousin back up a bit so he smiled. "I will."

The man made a tape measure appear. "And which arm is your wand hand?"

Draco produced his right hand. "This one sir."

Ryan watched on, with the adults, as Draco tried three wands. The third one, a ten inch wand of hawthorn and unicorn hair, was his wand. Ryan was a bit worried, when it took him much longer, worried he might not have one. His dads just assured him that it could take time for some. He eventually found one, an eight inch wand made from willow with phoenix.

The boys were proudly led off, headed towards the emporium, where they could choose a pet which was the last stop. The first year rule of brooms was over turned, but Draco already had one, from his parents.

Draco was quick to choose and picked a dark eagle owl. "I want him. He looks fast, and like father's."

The owner smiled. "Good eye, though it is a female, and not a male."

Draco shrugged. "So I will have to name her Nike, instead of Ares, like I planned."

Severus saw his son's concern. "You can have a cat if you choose."

Ryan shook his head. "Uncle Siri gave it to me for an owl. And Draco…."

Regulus agreed with his husband. "Your Uncle and cousin will understand, if you choose to have a cat instead."

Ryan was about to look at cats, when he came across a cage. "I want her."

The owner came over. "Our only snowy owl. They are rare, not natural in these parts."

Draco smiled. "What are you going to name her? You could pick a name from myth like me."

Ryan considered it but he remembered a book grandsire had given him. "I'm going to name her Hedwig."

Sirius was happy his nephew chose an owl, but Ryan's dads were right, he'd have been happy either way. It was why he bought a voucher for this store, and not strictly the owl emporium, to give the boys a choice on animals. There was no doubt Draco would have an owl, he had spoken of nothing else, but his nephew he had his doubts about. Ryan had a cat growing up, his cat was too old, to come to school with him.

Ryan noticed the crowd near the book shop and asked. "What is that about? It wasn't there an hour ago."

Severus shook his head. "The reason we came early, another book signing."

Draco whispered to his cousin. "The boy wonder might be upset. No old grannies and little kids to think him some hero."

Regulus motioned down the road. "How about we go get some ice cream and head home? I for one am in no mood for all of this shopping."

Ryan agreed. "We can't be late for dinner. I promised grandsire I would show him my wand."

They were spending the last few days before school at the manor. Wallburga insisted, at least the night before the train, so she could see him. It was nothing sentimental, he would of course want to give Ryan another lecture, about family honor. It was Ryan who wanted to go today. He wanted to spend some time with his grandsire, before he left. Uncle Siri had even been convinced to come.

Orion smiled later when he saw his grandson's wand. "Whatever house you're in, I'll be proud. You will soon be top of your class."

An: So next chapter the boys are off to school, and Hector will make an appearance of course. Sorting hat too, so please please review.