Ryan was not excited at all, when they headed out to the lawns, for their first flying class. He knew he might not be the worst, there were muggle borns in the class after all. But he knew he would not be able to keep up, he never could, when he was growing up. His Uncle and grandfather had offered to get him a broom, but he didn't think he'd use it enough, and had said no. They only had to take the lesson for three weeks, and then they had the choice, to continue or not. He had loved his other classes, but unlike Draco, this petrified him completely.
Ryan stood between Draco and Blaise near the brooms. He looked down the lawn, and he could see at least he was not the most nervous of them. He could see Neville, and a girl whose name he heard in class was Hermione, looked a bit sick to the stomach.
The lesson was barely in when Neville shot up and was dancing off the ground. "Help."
Hector sneered. "I guess one can see pigs fly."
Ron smirked as he looked over to where Ryan was on his broom, but on the ground. "And snakes as well."
Dean whispered. "Madam Hooch is busy with the pig."
Hermione who was in their house spoke up. "You don't need to get detention on the first day of class."
Hector sneered and turned to look at her. "No one asked you, you stupid know it all. Should have been a Ravenclaw."
Ryan was looking at Draco who was above the ground. "I'm not sure."
Draco tried to encourage his cousin. "You'll be okay. I'll let you use my broom if you'd feel better."
Ryan shook his head. "No. I don't need a faster broom, this one is bad enough."
Blaise thought Draco had a good point. "But his broom is more stable. You may feel safer."
Ryan allowed his feet to get just off the ground. "I want back on the ground as soon as possible."
Ron whispered to Hector. "Now or never."
Hector sent a spell at the broom. "That should teach the little know it all."
Ryan's broom suddenly went crazy, nothing like Neville's, it was insane. The broom shot up in the sky, he had to cling to the broom handle, to prevent himself from falling off the back of the broom. Just as he thought the broom calmed, as it leveled out, it suddenly went into a deep nose dive towards the earth. He closed his eyes, he was scared the broom was going to crash into the ground, as he desperately tried to pull out. The broom didn't crash though, and he opened his eyes, as he felt himself skimming the grass. The broom was still wild, and was heading for the lake, and he was too scared to jump off the broom. He was moving way too fast as it was.
The others in the class watched in horror, as the broom was heading for the lake. They had been amazed when he pulled out of the dive, but they all began shouting for him to jump, knowing the squid was in the lake. Few knew the squid would help.
They watched in horror as he fell from the broom into the lake. Draco shouted. "We have to get him. He can barely swim."
Madam Hooch headed for the water. "Stay back."
Of course no one listened but Blaise pointed. "Look."
One of the older kids who had been down by the water had jumped in. His friend shouted. "Marcus has him."
Draco watched when they got to the shore as Marcus swam towards the shore with Ryan. "Thank Merlin, how is he?"
Marcus was helped ashore by the tentacles of the squid. "I don't think he's breathing."
Madam Hooch had Ryan laid on the grass and used a spell to clear his lungs. "Come on boy, breathe."
Draco was shaken as he watched his cousin cough out water. "He could have drown, if not for Marcus."
Hagrid had come over. "Professor, do you need my help?"
Madam Hooch motioned for him to pick up Ryan. "I think Poppy should take a look at him."
Draco looked at Hector when his cousin was being carried off. "You will pay for what you did to him."
Hector tried to look innocent. "You won't pin this on me you snake. The little twit just can't fly."
Blaise looked at him. "We heard you after potions. We'll prove it was you."
Madam Hooch turned, but the broom was in the bottom of the lake, and couldn't be tested. The broom must have broken, as the magic of it was no longer working properly, and couldn't be summoned. She had a feeling it was the boy, the teachers had already spoken of him at lunch, but she couldn't give him detention without proof. She turned instead to the boys, Ryan's cousin and the others in his house.
She looked at Draco. "I am sure he would likely use a friend when he wakes."
Draco nodded but he turned to Marcus. "Thanks."
Marcus just shook his head. "Not about to allow the newest member of our house to drown."
Madam Hooch looked at him. "I have a feeling when his family learns, they will want to thank you."
Draco agreed. "His grandsire will likely make an appearance."
Being an old blood, Marcus was of course aware of who his grandsire was. There were some who may try to kiss up to them, and make influential contacts, but it had not been Marcus' intention. He had seen the kid looking like he may drown, and had gone in for him. He asked Draco to keep him updated on how the kid was. Ryan would likely spend the night in the infirmary.
Blaise led Draco off. "We will get Hector back for this. But you know Ryan won't want to be alone when he wakes up."
Regulus and Severus headed for school, accompanied by Orion and Lucius. None of them could believe this, Ryan had been at school only a day, and they were being summoned to school. They hadn't been contacted by Albus, as they should have been when their son was in the hospital wing, but by Poppy. She had assured them Ryan hadn't stopped breathing, and the quick thinking of Marcus, had seen him caused little harm. But they were coming, Orion and Lucius as governors as well as family, to check on him.
Ryan was still out when they arrived, so while Regulus chose to stay with his son, Severus went with the other two. They headed to the headmaster's office, where they were surprised to find, James and Lily were there.
Orion sneered. "You contacted the culprit's parents but not the family of the victim?"
Albus looked up. "I am not aware of what you speak of."
Severus shook his head. "You didn't really think Poppy wouldn't tell us Orion was in the hospital wing?"
Albus cut in. "It was a small accident, and there is no evidence to whom was involved."
Lucius motioned for a girl to come in. "It seems you didn't have any interest to look."
Hermione appeared in the room. "I saw what happened sir. Hector hexed the broom."
James sneered at the girl and back. "My son has told me about her, she was hurt by a mean word he said."
Severus held up a bottle. "That may be true, but she took a truth serum. As did the other two witnesses who saw what happened."
Albus watched the girl leave. "It was a simple prank. Hector will have detention with myself tomorrow morning…."
Orion cut in. "He will spend the next two weeks in detention for nearly killing my grandson. And with Filch."
Albus shook his head. "What are you even doing here? You retired from the governors four years ago."
Orion pointed out. "I stepped down as head, but I still hold my seat, until my grandson comes of age."
Lucius agreed with Orion. "The governors have every right to act. I am sure you will make sure this doesn't happen again."
Albus glared. "In all the years I have been headmaster I have never had a student die…"
Orion turned to leave. "And it is just coincidence it was my grandson who came close? I am keeping my eye on you Albus."
Albus watched them leave, and was simmering in anger. He should have known they'd come, but he had not told them about the boy. He was not going to take this laying down. He had convinced Poppy she needed to run some tests, it was obvious the boy was small, and might be ill. He had slipped in an extra test, a paternity test, he needed to have done. He had to find out who the second parent of the boy was, and soon. He had been told the second parent was dead, but she must have family, and perhaps they could be useful in this.
Orion headed down for the great hall. He would check on hos his grandson was doing later, but he and Lucius were heading out. But he made a stop in the great hall first, as he had someone he wanted to speak with.
Orion went towards the Slytherin table. He stopped at the older kids. "I am seeking the Flint heir."
Marcus, who was a fourth year stood. "I am Marcus Flint, Lord Flint's eldest son and heir."
Orion turned to him. "I am told you saved my grandson from drowning."
Marcus nodded. "I had help from the squid, but yes sir. I wasn't about to allow him to drown."
Orion offered his hand. "I will ensure your father is aware of your bravery. Our house owes you a debt."
Marcus accepted the hand but shook his head. "No one in our house wouldn't have done the same. We have his back, sir."
Orion turned to his son in law out in the hall. "Join my son. I'll expect an update about my grandson, in the morning."
Severus nodded. "Your son or I will floo you."
Orion headed to leave. "Wallburga will be expecting an update."
Lucius went to follow. "Narcissa will as well. She told me to give her nephew a kiss for her."
Severus clapped his friend on the back. "I will. I doubt Ryan will wish to be over whelmed by too much company."
Lucius knew he was right. "He will likely feel a bit bad, this is his first day of class."
Severus headed up for the hospital wing, sorry for his son. Ryan was looking forward to school so much, and before the end of his first day, ended up in the hospital wing. His son was so set on making them proud, making new friends, and doing well in school. Luckily, Poppy had assured them, he could return to the dorms tomorrow. She was just planning to keep him over night, to be careful, and run some tests.
He was waking up when Severus got there. "Dad. Papa."
Regulus kissed his son on the head. "We were worried when we heard."
Ryan was a bit pale. "I don't really remember, not after I hit the water."
Draco plunked down on the bed. "You were amazing, the dive you pulled out, you know you could make a seeker."
Fred had come up with George and nodded. "If you were in Gryffindor with us, Oliver would be recruiting you for the team."
Ryan blushed a little when he heard that. "I'm not a lion, and I wouldn't make a good seeker."
Draco shook his head. "I heard the team talking, they want you to train. I will be a chaser, we can practice together."
Regulus sat down with his son. "Perhaps you can be team manager, and when you are more confident, start flying with them?"
Severus reminded his son. "Your Uncle and grandsire both promised you a broom."
Ryan shook his head. "I just want to return to class."
That was the son they knew, and his dads were happy, he was not more shaken. They knew he was a bit, and would have stayed with him tonight, if he wanted them to. But he wasn't asking, and even with his friends in front of him, he'd have asked. They knew Eileen would come and look in on him, later, when she knew there were no other guests. Poppy of course was able to make that possible for her.
Regulus kissed his son on the head. "You will be in your dorms tomorrow, and in class Monday. And you will soon show Hector up."
Eileen had sure enough appeared, not long after the others had gone, and Ryan's face lit up. He hadn't seen her since he began school, but in the distance, in the hall. She told him about a passage from the library, which he could use, to come to her private rooms. He could also come to here, and Poppy would allow him through the floo, both of which Albus couldn't trace. He was told, whenever he was worried, to come to one of them. But he could also just go to them if he wanted some company. He also knew he could trust Horace.
Eileen was with her grandson until he fell asleep. She felt so bad for him, it was only his second night at school, and he was in here. But Draco promised to pick him up in the morning, and had told Ryan he'd take him to quidditch practice.
Eileen was in Poppy's office when Albus was about to enter. "I will come back through when he is gone."
Poppy nodded. "I'd like to talk to you."
Albus appeared moments after he had left. "Poppy, I came to see how young Ryan was doing."
Poppy smirked. "At least this time you got his name correct."
Albus shook his head. "It was a slip of my tongue years ago. Have you thought of what I said?"
Poppy shook her head. "Albus I am not going to run some unnecessary medical tests on him."
Albus tried to reason with her. "You know he is quite small. And Orion will come down on us, if anything happens to his precious heir."
Poppy couldn't deny that. "I really can't run all of these tests. I'd need to send them to the hospital."
Albus waived her off. "They are simple enough, Horace can run the tests for you, that you can't."
Poppy knew he was right. "I guess I did take a blood sample from him already."
Albus smiled as he was sure she had finally come to her senses. "I am sure Severus will be pleased to know you take such an interest in his son."
Poppy smirked. "In the years since he worked here, you have forgotten Severus so well?"
Albus was reminded the man hated him interfering. "Fatherhood can change a person, or so I am told."
As the man left, Poppy for once had to agree with him. She had known Severus all of his life, and she had been proud of the man he grew into. He like Lucius had been forced into the mark, as had his husband, and had gone spy as soon as possible. Like Eileen, she had never been so proud of her honorary nephew and godson, as since he had become a dad. Ryan had quickly become the love of the life of many in his family.
She was going over the forms, when Eileen came back through the floo. She had told an elf, before Albus had come in, to get Eileen when he was gone. The man knew her and Eileen were friendly, she helped get her the job, but with Ryan in the ward they had to be careful.
Eileen looked at the papers. "What are those?"
Poppy didn't look up from the forms. "Albus gave them to me."
Eileen perched on a chair arm. "Are they anything to be worried about?"
Poppy was still reading. "He wants me to run some tests on your grandson."
Eileen wasn't surprised. "What does he hope to gain from this?"
Poppy shook her head. "I'm not sure yet."
Eileen looked into the room where her grandson was sleeping. "He may not know who Ryan is, but he knows he is key."
Poppy's head snapped up. "Damn."
Eileen turned to her. "What is it?"
Poppy shook her head. "He slipped a DNA test into the tests."
Eileen sunk fully into the chair. "No. If he has the results, he will know that Ryan was blood adopted."
Poppy shook her head. "You can't tell when someone has been blood adopted. Your son in law will show up…."
Eileen cut her off. "As the only parent. He blood adopted Ryan alone. The only way for a DNA test to show one parent…."
Is for a blood adoption, was the obvious answer. Regulus had never considered it, when he adopted his son years before. He knew his husband's blood couldn't be used, or Ryan would never be accepted by the Blacks, which was the whole purpose of it. In magic DNA tests, a form would be produced, showing both parents. In the case of a blood adoption, it worked to show the blood adopted parents, but in this case Ryan had one. There was only one way a person would only possibly have one parent.
Eileen began pacing. "We have to do something. This can't be happening."
Poppy tried to calm the woman. "We won't allow him to find out."
Eileen turned to look at her. "If he finds out Ryan was blood adopted, it won't take long for him to sort out who he may be."
Poppy knew it would put Ryan at risk. "He may see to an accident, or the Potters may try to claim their son."
Eileen couldn't allow this to happen. "What are we going to do?"
Poppy thought and she shocked Eileen with her answer. "We are going to run the DNA test for him."
Eileen looked at her friend like she had lost her mind. Poppy pointed out, if they didn't do it for him now, he would find his way. But there was no way to trick the test she thought, he would want the test run a second time, by someone else. Eileen couldn't allow her son to lose his son, and more than that, she loved Ryan so much and needed to keep him safe too. Ryan was a Black, and he needed to remain one.
Poppy went over to the floo and grabbed for the floo powder. "There is one person I know that we can trust to help with this."
AN: Please keep up the reviews. This story will be updated, when there are some reviews showing it is worth continuing.
