Poppy knew she took a chance, and it wasn't her son's life, but she had to act. If she didn't perform the test, Albus would find some other way. He needed to have the test results, and have no doubts, that it had been performed correct. She knew even if Severus came, if he added his blood now, it would cause problems with the Blacks. Orion was aware of whom his grandson was, but his wife was not, and would not allow it. And Ryan didn't know he was adopted, and they planned to keep it that way, if possible.
Horace was a bit surprised when he was summoned to the hospital wing. He had been alerted to the fact that Ryan was in the hospital wing. He was always close to Severus, he looked at him as a son, and Ryan was showing he would follow in his Papa's steps.
Horace was not surprised when he found Eileen, as he knew who she was. "It seems a bit late for tea."
Eileen sighed. "I'm glad you were willing to come, I'm sorry about the late hour."
Horace took a seat. "I must say I was intrigued to find out why."
Poppy did pour him some tea. "I am sure you are aware Ryan is in my wing today."
Horace nodded. "I wasn't, until dinner, when Mr. Flint informed me. And then Albus spoke to me."
Poppy should have known Albus would act. "He spoke to you about the tests he wants run."
Horace agreed. "I assume he is trying to have a DNA test slipped into it."
Eileen nodded. "Is Albus aware that you and my son have remained in contact?"
Horace shook his head. "No. Albus knows my opinion on the dark arts."
Poppy remembered. "Your niece."
Horace sighed. "It broke my heart. But unlike Severus, I knew she became involved, of her own free will."
Eileen hoped Poppy was right. "We need your help, but also your discretion. It's a lot to ask, but for my son and grandson's sake."
The man didn't pause. "I'd do anything for Severus and his son. You have my oath this doesn't leave the room."
Over the years there had always been staff with family. Horace had been one; he had been married, though his wife had died a few years ago. They had no children of their own, but his wife was Astrid Krum, the younger sister of Lord Viktor Krum. When her brother was killed, in the war against Grindewald, he left two children. His son Borden was grown, but his daughter Penny was young, and needed a home. Penny had come to live with her Aunt and her husband at the school. Penny unfortunately fell in with the wrong crowd. Unlike Severus, she never took the mark, but she had slept with many of the inner circle. Severus was tortured into the mark, and when he and Lucius had turned spy, Horace had been one to help. Horace had turned his back on his niece, when she fell into that crowd, and he had not seen her again till she died. Lucius and Severus, and Regulus later, had not chosen to take the mark, and had made up for mistakes too.
Eileen listened to the man take the oath, and she knew deep down, it wasn't required. She always regretted she couldn't help her son pay for exams, as her brother hadn't died, and she didn't have the money. Horace had refused to take the money, when they tried to repay him.
Eileen took a deep breath. "We need your help with the DNA test."
Horace wasn't surprised. "I had thought so. I was under the impression his mother was dead. Is there concern about her family?"
Eileen shook her head. "There isn't a mother."
Horace understood. "He was blood adopted."
Poppy nodded. "And only by one parent."
Horace felt their concern. "Of course it will show up on the test. May I ask who he is?"
Poppy looked at Eileen. "It is your choice."
Horace said. "I will help either way."
Eileen took a moment. "You deserve to know it all. He was born Harry Potter, the twin of Hector Potter."
Horace of course hadn't known there was twins, and listened. "And do the Blacks know?"
Eileen shook her head. "Sirius of course, and Orion. The others, no."
They hoped the man could help, and would help. They knew he wouldn't break his oath, but if he would help, was another matter. The world didn't know about Harry, and they were worried. They doubted the Potters would claim him, they had told those who knew of him, that he had died from a childhood illness. The couple, and Albus, would want to cover their tracks any way they could.
Horace was thinking and quick. He knew he needed to help, any way he could. He cared about Severus, and he knew how much he loved that boy. He had been too late to help Penny; he had realized too late, he should have tried. He wouldn't let Severus down.
He finally said. "I have some hair from my niece."
Poppy was surprised. "You are proposing, naming your niece his mother?"
Horace nodded. "I will have to check with my nephew. I will not involve him without his permission."
Eileen was surprised. "I know he is friends with Lucius, though Lucius isn't aware, who Ryan is. But I don't know about this."
Horace tried to reassure them. "He is a good man. And his friendship with Lucius will help."
Poppy pointed out. "Ryan doesn't know he is adopted. Besides, a blood adoption, will change his looks."
Horace shook his head. "We will use the potion on several blood samples, not on Ryan."
He knew Albus would never trust his results alone, even if he didn't know he was close to Severus. He would want a sample sent on for a second test, especially if Horace was claiming to be Ryan's Uncle. So they would use the potion on a dozen or so samples, so if required down the line, they would have more blood. There would be no need for Ryan to know, he already believed he had a mum, that Papa wasn't his dad.
Horace stood. "Give me tonight, and I will speak with my nephew, and see if he approves."
Albus was in his office the next morning. He hadn't thought that it would happen so fast, but it seemed Horace was quick to act. Poppy had supplied him the blood, and he had run the tests, the night before. Albus knew they were simple tests, but he had thought Horace or Poppy may put him off, at first. Horace had told him he wished to speak, and assumed it had to do with the DNA test, that he had to slip in with the rest. He asked the man to bring Ryan with him, and was waiting for them after breakfast in his office.
He was surprised when the man came into his office alone. He had asked him to bring Ryan, and he usually could count on Horace to do so. But he reminded himself he should be happy, and perhaps there was some reason for his reluctance.
He motioned Horace to sit. "I thought you were bringing Ryan with you."
Horace shook his head. "He was going to quidditch with his friends. I thought after last night he could deserve it."
Albus pretended to agree. "Of course. I was surprised the results were done so soon. You must have been up late last night."
Horace took some forms out. "Early this morning really. I thought it important. There is another reason I didn't bring Ryan with me."
Albus played it calm. "Is there some worry about his health? Perhaps we should summon his family."
Horace shook his head and handed over forms. "I was a bit surprised, but I for some reason ran a DNA test."
Albus smiled inside. "Is there some troubling results?"
Horace handed him the forms with the results. "I was just shocked."
Albus thought aloud. "I often thought that it was perhaps Severus, and he just didn't want the world to know."
He looked at the forms, praying that it wasn't Severus. He needed to have some kind of ally in this. He had to believe that the mother of the child had some kind of family out there. He hoped he could spin it, and gain some control over Ryan, and his family. Severus he had never been able to control, well barely when he was a spy, but not since he had been given a full pardon. He knew if there was a mother, she must be an old blood, but there were some old blood families he could handle. They weren't all Slytherins, though he knew he was hoping for a miracle.
He was relieved to find that it wasn't Severus who was the father of the boy. The father was listed sure enough as Regulus Black, but the mother was a surprise to him, as it was a name he recognized. Penelope Victoria Krum, her family was foreign, but he remembered her.
He looked at Horace. "I wasn't aware your niece had a child."
Horace was ashen. "Either was I. You know my wife and I had no contact with her, after she got in with that crowd."
Albus did. He remembered the scene. "She never took the mark did she?"
Horace shook his head. "No. My wife and I claimed her body for burial, and there was none. She is buried at home in Bulgaria."
Albus nodded. "She has a brother, if I recall, who was older."
Horace hid a smirk. The man was more than aware of her brother. "Yes Borden, he is Lord Krum now. I remain in contact with him."
Albus was reminded Astrid was dead, and the Krums would be his only family. "And he is not aware he has a nephew?"
Horace shook his head. "I contacted him this morning. He was surprised to learn he had a nephew."
Albus looked at the forms and back. "Do you have any more of the blood left? I'd like to send it to the hospital for more tests."
Horace handed him a vial. "I thought perhaps you might. Now I know he is family, I'd like to ensure he is safe."
Albus stopped him before he left. "I am surprised Severus didn't let you know he was raising your nephew."
Horace shook his head. "I have not spoken to him, since I learned he took the mark."
Albus wasn't surprised. "Have you thought of perhaps taking an active part in your nephew's life?"
Horace stopped. "I am distant kin, only through marriage. I don't see a reason to interfere. I will keep an eye on my nephew."
Albus motioned to the door. "I will let you know if the hospital comes back with more results."
Horace smiled. "I am thankful. For all her faults, Penny was my niece, and I'd like to ensure her son is safe."
Albus watched the man go, and slumping into his chair, shook his head. He had been hoping that he would have something to work with. He thought even if the family was Slytherin, he could perhaps blackmail them, with their past. But he would never touch a Krum. Borden Krum was public about his thoughts on the dark arts. He had been old enough to know how brutally his parents had been murdered. Borden was also a very good friend of Lucius, and that of course was the nail in the coffin. And though Horace was sometimes slow, he was not one to be tricked, and he didn't seem like he was going to act. But there was perhaps still some he could do there.
He went to the floo, and summoned James and Lily come to the school. They had been planning on coming later, their son was trying out for the quidditch team after lunch, but he wanted to speak to them first. He of course had told them what he was up to.
James didn't wait long when he came in. "Did you find out?"
Albus sighed. "He is a Krum. His mother was Horace's niece."
Lily pointed out. "Are you sure? I mean Severus was Horace's little pet."
Albus reminded her. "For a head of Slytherin, he was against the dark arts."
James reminded his wife. "The whole school heard him when he kicked his niece out."
Lily looked at Albus. "Can we use this?"
Albus shook his head. "Borden Krum is no friend of mine, and a friend of Lucius'. Horace may be a slight help."
James shook his head. "What are we going to do? That brat is showing up our son."
Albus smirked. "Teach your son some restraint. He walked right into that."
Lily wasn't happy. "You have to get him out of cleaning the bathrooms"
Albus shook his head. "Even if I could, I wouldn't. That boy needs to learn self-control."
He had put up with the marauders, but this was different. The marauders were smart, they could pull off pranks, and not be caught. They also knew better than to do them with witnesses, and with a teacher, as well. He knew Hector's fame was dying, and they needed to act. The older generations, and some little kids still saw him as a hero, but they needed the mid-range. He needed Hector to work with him.
He told the couple. "Hector will begin training with me and Quirell. Hopefully we can at least make him shine in classes soon."
Regulus and his husband were headed back to school, and once again with Lucius in tow. They didn't really know why. Well in part, they had told Ryan they would come see him in the morning. They had not wanted him to feel bad, like he was a baby, to need them. They had head he was going to quidditch practice, and had said they would come, and be there for him. They didn't think he'd train with the team, not yet, but they hoped he would consider it. He was getting a bit stronger, and it would likely be good for his health, for him to get the exercise.
Lucius had an odd look on his face when he came with them. They thought he was going to see Draco try out, for the reserve chaser position, but he took them into town first. They had no idea what was happening, and when led into a backroom at the Three broomsticks, were worried.
Severus saw his mother as well as Poppy and Horace were there. "What is going on?"
His mother motioned. "We needed to speak to you about Ryan."
Regulus looked at his mother in law and Poppy. "Is there something wrong?"
Poppy nodded. "Unfortunately Albus has had a DNA test slipped into the tests he had me run. Horace was to run the test."
Regulus began shaking. "Oh Merlin, we have to get our son out of there."
Severus knelt as his husband sunk into a chair. "We will. You know your father will help us. He loves Ryan, he will help us."
Regulus looked at Horace and Poppy. "How long before Albus has the results?"
Horace spoke up. "I gave them to him just after breakfast."
Severus' pulse was racing through his chest. "He knows, we have to get Ryan and now."
Severus couldn't blame the man, he had never told Horace, the truth about his son. They had never even told Lucius, his best friend, and closest thing to a brother he had. They had been honest, when they had told Orion, they had kept it a secret as it was safer fewer people knew. He had no idea why Albus had not acted, but they needed to get their son out, and as soon as possible.
Lucius shared a look with the others. He had been shocked to learn the truth about the child he considered to be his nephew. It changed nothing for him, that little boy was family, and there was nothing in the world that would change that for him.
Lucius spoke up. "I had an interesting floo call this morning from Borden Krum. He was surprised to learn we had a nephew in common."
Severus looked at his brother in confusion. "Borden Krum? Nephew? What do you mean?"
Eileen spoke up. "We knew we needed to trick Albus, and we needed help."
Poppy added. "He needed to believe the DNA test. We went to Horace for help, we knew we could trust him."
Horace smiled. "You know you are the only family I have since my wife died. I wouldn't let your son be hurt."
Severus realized what they were saying. "You faked the DNA test? But if Lucius and Borden share a nephew…."
Horace finished. "I used my niece's hair. I did a blood adoption on a dozen samples. Albus believes Penny was your son's mother."
Regulus was amazed. "You really did this for us?"
Horace nodded. "It seems fitting he is now officially my nephew. Borden agreed with me, I of course asked his permission first."
Severus clapped the man on the back. "Thank you. Thank you."
Lucius looked at him. "You know you could have told me. Narcissa and I love that boy, we would never care about this."
Severus turned to his brother. "Believe me, it was the hardest secret I ever have had to keep."
Lucius embraced his brother, and swore he understood, and the secret remained safe with him. Regulus and Severus headed for school, relieved that Eileen and Poppy had gone to Horace, even without their knowledge. They knew the women were right, Albus would press until he got it some way, if they didn't do the DNA test. They had to convince him he had the results, and they had done just that. Lucius came with them, and quidditch try outs were just ending when they arrived. Draco came bounding over, with Ryan in tow.
He looked at his dad. "You missed it. I made the new reserve chaser for the team."
Lucius kissed his son. "I am very proud, and you know your mum and I will be at the first game."
Ryan looked at his dads. "I was made team manager. They want me to train with the seeker too."
Regulus kissed his son's head. "The seeker is your choice, but I am happy you will be team manager."
Severus agreed with his husband. "Your grandsire will be as well."
Ryan was reluctant, he knew they wanted him to practice, and be seeker next year. He wasn't just worried about his health. He didn't think he was as good as they thought he was, and worried he'd embarrass the team, if he was on it. He was happy to be team manager, as long as he didn't get convinced to practice, he liked to be involved. He knew it would make grandsire happy, like his dads had told him. He worried, that they had come just to check up on him, after what happened the day before.
Severus shook his head. "We came to cheer Draco on in try outs too. Unfortunately we didn't realize try outs would be done so quickly."
AN: Please keep up the reviews. This story will be updated, when there are some reviews showing it is worth continuing.
