Ryan had the mirror in his mind for days after Hector had been caught. He kept telling himself that it was fake, his grandsire had explained, how the spells worked. He was reminded of Moody, he met the man many times, he was not only Uncle Siri's boss but friend. As well as cousin Tonks' boss, and Ryan sometimes thought, perhaps more. Ryan knew all about his eye, he had shown Ryan, when he was younger. The man scared some adults, he had something in common with Grandsire, though he wasn't an old blood. He had heard Uncle Siri once say, Moody owed Grandsire his job. No matter how good he was, Moody would never have been appointed head auror, without support. Back then, all the top positions were held by old bloods, even without skill. Moody and Amelia had been the first to rise, Amelia an old blood but from a lesser branch, but not the last. Moody though didn't allow it to cloud him, he didn't bow to anyone, not even Orion. Orion might not admit it, but Ryan knew, his grandsire had a certain respect for the man due to it. Ryan liked him, because the man taught him a lot of things, and played chess.

Ryan looked at his map, and planned to head out into the school. He knew that it might be taken, if found, like the cloak had been. The map couldn't make him disappear, but could help him get around, avoid people. He just had to be far more careful about it than Hector.

He was almost at the classroom when he ran into some of the lions. "Sorry."

Oliver looked at him. "No problem. What are you up to?"

Ryan looked at the others, the girls on the team and their seeker. "Nothing."

Oliver shook his head. "You have the same look, as two beaters I know, when they are up to a plan."

The seeker turned to the girls. "Let him get going. We're talking quidditch here."

Ryan went to slip by. "I didn't mean to interrupt, really."

Katie stopped him. "Don't listen to Colin, he is just a jerk sometimes."

Oliver agreed. "Worried really. He has heard how you fly, scared to face you next year."

Colin sneered. "Last I hear the little Snake prince won't even get off the ground."

Lee who was with the team snorted. "You barely did last game. Ball fell into your hands out of boredom."

Colin went to stomp off. "Maybe the golden boy wasn't so wrong."

Ryan looked worried. "I didn't mean to cause issues. I'll…."

Oliver stopped him. "Colin is a prat. If we had a better option, he'd never have made it up from the reserves."

Ryan had the map in hand but was hiding it. "I really should get going."

Oliver put a hand on his arm. "Do you need a hand? The twins would have us make sure."

Ryan shook his head. "Nothing I need your help with."

They shared a look, but they allowed him to pass. In the past Oliver would have been the first to trade insults with a Slytherin. He still wasn't certain he'd call one a friend, except the rare exception, like this kid. Ryan seemed to have a little snake in him, but he could have fit in any house, even his own Oliver thought at times. The twins laughed when he said that. They had thought the same thing, other than a lion, when he had been sorted. The twins were the reason Oliver, and the others except Colin, would back him up.

Ryan finally managed to make his way to the classroom. He kept looking at the map, to ensure Hector or the headmaster, were nowhere near. He needed time, he needed to see what this would do, it was nothing else he told himself.

Ryan looked at the mirror and saw what he saw before. "Come on."

He was shocked when Nick appeared next to him. "What are you doing?"

Ryan turned to the Gryffindor ghost. "I am waiting to see if it ripples."

Nick watched and he saw the mirror ripple. "It has never done it when he is here."

Ryan was confused. "He? Do you mean Hector?"

Nick went to leave. "I seem to have spoken out of turn."

Ryan called to stop him. "The twins told me you help with their pranks, not always Peeves."

Nick turned to look at him. "I have been known to help my lions. You are not a Gryffindor."

Ryan agreed. "But you know I am friends with your house. Who did you mean?"

Nick looked around and said. "The headmaster. He comes every evening. He performs a spell on it."

Ryan was not surprised, as he had shown Hector. "What spell?"

Nick shook his head and said the words to him. "I don't know what the words mean. I know I am no help."

Ryan wrote down the word quickly on a piece of parchment. "I will find out. Thank you."

Nick started floating towards the doors. "Do not let it be known I helped one of the Baron's kids."

Ryan called. "I won't tell. But no one can know I was asking either."

Nick turned back a moment. "It seems we both have a secret to keep."

Ryan looked at the mirror when the ghost was gone. He knew he needed to find out what the spell was, that the headmaster cast. He had no idea why this mirror was so important to him, and what good it would do for Hector. Ryan had this odd feeling, like he was meant to know about the mirror, but he wasn't sure how. Hector shouldn't have known, that he had followed him.

Ryan headed out of the room and thought to himself. 'I have to go to the library. The spell has to be there somewhere.'

He ran into Draco on the way to the library. "There you are Ryan. You know we have practice this evening."

Ryan forgot it was Thursday evening. "Oh yeah, I was on my way."

Draco turned his cousin around. "You're headed in the wrong way."

Ryan put the paper and his map back in his pocket. "I was going to the library for a moment."

Draco shook his head. "You can speak to her after practice."

Ryan nodded. "Our game against Gryffindor is coming up."

His mind was still on the mirror, and what it was. He spell had rippled again, and he had this tiny hope, he may be an elemental like Grandsire. He was reminded Grandsire promised he could tell him anything, and he knew he was true. But he needed to find out more, what he was dealing with, before he brought him in. He would make his Grandsire proud. Grandsire said he was a true Black, and he would prove it one day.

He put his mind into practice for now. "I like the twins, but I hope we whip their ass in the game."


Eileen stood watching her grandson as he poured over the books. He had always been one to study, but there was something different. She knew what most of the classes were working on, well for his classes, she had a keen interest on him of course. She didn't see any reason for him to be looking through some of those books as well. She tried to tell herself, that it was some extra credit, he did a lot of that. But she wasn't sure. Between potions and quidditch, he was busy enough, and now he was here a lot. She wasn't sure sometimes when he ate.

Ryan was growing frustrated, as he couldn't find the spell anywhere. He should have known, the headmaster likely knew millions of spells, and Nick said he didn't know it. Nick had once been a wizard, and he had been in a school of magic, for many years.

Eileen came over to him. "Can I help you find something?"

Ryan had to be careful as they weren't alone. "No. I am just doing some research."

Eileen sat down. "You have gone through a large pile. Perhaps there is something I can help you find."

Ryan shook his head. "No Na….Madam Pince."

Eileen resisted the urge to kiss him on the head. "You know I am always happy to help, if you change your mind."

Ryan nodded. "I know. Thank you."

Draco appeared and plopped down next to his cousin. "Are you done yet?"

Blaise nodded from his other side. "We were going to go outside. No one has practice tonight, some of us were going to fly."

Ryan shook his head. "You know I won't fly."

Draco pulled him up. "You are scared of the balls, and there won't be any."

Blaise reminded him. "And its Friday night. You know the two prats have started their weekend of detentions after dinner."

Ryan closed up his books and nodded. "I'll come and watch at least."

Draco put an arm around him. "The twins are coming. We will get you on the broom yet."

Ryan kept his mind on the spell, which he was determined to find. He knew he had only two options, to get into the forbidden section, or to ask Grandsire. He knew he could tell Nanny, and she may be able to help, but he had to be careful. He wasn't sure he wanted to tell grandsire yet, he needed to be sure. He always ran to others for help, but he wanted to prove for once, he could do this on his own.

He was in the stands watching some of the others playing in the air. On evenings when the teams didn't have practice, anyone could take to the air, using their own brooms, or a school broom. There was one sitting next to him on the stands.

Fred flew low. "Come on Ryan. You have to fly with us."

Ryan shook his head. "You shouldn't want me to. I will be the seeker on your opposition."

George laughed. "You know we promised competition remains on the field. But even Oliver would agree."

Draco smirked when he heard that. "I doubt that."

Fred agreed with his twin. "He always says the victory is only as good as the competition."

Ryan smiled a little. "He has a lot more in common with Marcus than he thinks."

Adrian who was with them laughed. "I don't think you better allow either of them to hear you say that."

Draco handed his cousin the broom. "Come on, just a bit."

Ryan finally stood up. "If only to get you guys to lay off. Just this once."

Fred nodded. "If you fly now, we won't bother you again before the game."

George whispered to his twin. "Nothing to say we won't after."

Ryan heard them but chose to ignore it for now. "There, are you happy?"

They were happy, that for the first time since the flying lesson, he was on a broom. Sirius had every intention, of buying his nephew a broom, for his next birthday. He was right on board with Draco and the others, wanting his nephew to get on a broom, and fly. Ryan's dads thought it would do him some good, but they wouldn't push him, unless he was ready.

Ryan could admit perhaps it was a bit fun. He wouldn't go too far from the ground, not like the others, but it was high enough for him. Draco was right, he could admit it, it was less scary on Draco's broom. He didn't need the speed of the Nimbus, it was the stability, which helped him.

Ryan was actually smiling a bit when they headed in. "Okay it wasn't too bad."

Draco clapped him on the back. "We will make a seeker out of you yet."

Hector had appeared from a bathroom. "Good to hear. Will make trouncing your team even easier."

Blaise looked at the kid. "You won't know will you? You'll be stuck playing toilet bowl ball the day of the game."

Ron glared at them. "You snakes will pay."

Hector looked at his friend and snickered. "You know the little Prince of snakes will soon pay for them all."

Draco knew who the term referred to. "You even try and mess with him again, you'll regret it."

Hector called to Ryan as he left. "You won't always have them around to protect you."

Ryan went red in the face from that. His mind went back to the mirror, and trying to find out what the spell was. He knew he should perhaps ask for help, but he shook it off, Hector was right. He always turned for help, he always needed someone to back him up, not this time. He would prove this time around, that he no longer needed to hide behind anyone. He kept telling himself that.

Ryan thought that perhaps he was thinking about help in the wrong way. "Perhaps there is someone who can give me a hand."


Ryan had no idea if he would help, but he had to try. He sent an owl to London, asking him for some help. He hoped it wouldn't cause too much attention, and aimed for the weekend of the game, if nothing else. He wasn't sure the man could help, but something his grandfather had told him, made him think. Besides other than Uncle Padfoot, and maybe Remus, he was likely the only one who may know. He could tell Grandsire, and he would find out, but Ryan wanted to prove to his grandsire he could do this. Grandsire always said, that it didn't matter how powerful he was, he was clever and gifted, like a true Black. He was going to show his grandsire that he was right.

The day of the big game had arrived. Neither Ryan or Draco were on the team yet, but they would be down with the team, for the game. They were on the team, just reserves and Ryan was manager as well. He quite liked the position.

Ryan smiled when he saw Uncle Padfoot. "Hi Uncle Padfoot. Where is Moony? Is he my Uncle yet?"

Sirius ruffled his nephew's curls. "Your Uncle? How would he be that? "

Ryan smirked. "You know you're going to marry him one day."

Sirius shook his head. "Whose dirty work are you doing? Your Aunt's, or Moony's?"

Ryan smiled a little. "So you admit he wants you to propose to."

Sirius laughed. "We may have spoken of it. I don't know, I don't know why he would want to enter our lovely family."

Ryan's smile broadened. "Because he would have the best nephew ever."

Sirius had a coy smile on. "Oh yes, I assume he and Draco will get along well."

Ryan didn't think he was funny at all. "Uncle Siri."

Sirius laughed. "You know I consider Draco my nephew too. But I guess you're pretty cool."

Ryan looked around. He saw his dad and Papa, and Uncle Luc. "So where is he?"

Sirius looked at his brother and back. "You'll have to ask your dad. He sent him off on business."

Regulus heard. "He is a partner last I looked. He will be back from Madrid in two days."

Ryan turned back to his Uncle. "You must be lonely. Well you could always spend the weekend with Grandmother."

Sirius smirked. "Brat."

Orion had come over. "Your mother would like a visit. She has not had a chance to speak to you since Christmas."

Sirius groaned. "Interrogate me you mean."

Orion glared at his son. "Your mother is unable to visit now. The least you can do, is show up, interrogation or not."

Sirius looked like he would say something, but he held his tongue. He felt like reminding his father, he had been disinherited years ago, there was no threat to be had. Other than his home, as Remus' job was secure. But he knew his father wasn't in the right place right now. Orion and his wife may have had an arranged marriage, but the love was deep, there was no doubt. The illness of his wife was hard on the stern man, and though most people couldn't see it, his sons could. Orion had watched his words, as Ryan was there, and he didn't need to worry. The healers wanted Wallburga to be hospitalized, but she refused. She may not even see her grandson's next birthday. Ryan may not have been close to her, but he had a big heart, and he would mourn his grandmother. It was not the time to think of it.

Ryan's eyes went to who had also come with the family. He hadn't been sure if he would come, or would just send Ryan a note. He had been hoping he would be able to help. Ryan just hoped he had not told anyone why he was there.

Draco saw him. "Mad Eye, what are you doing here?"

Mad Eye smirked. "Your Uncle was on and on about this game."

Sirius whispered to the boys. "Tonks was supposed to come."

Draco grinned. "We could have a double wedding, you and Tonks are both Blacks after all."

Sirius nudged his nephew in the ribs. "Watch it Draco. Besides Mad Eye we can't even convince to ask her out yet."

Mad eye looked at Ryan as they headed for the pitch. "I had an interesting owl last week."

Ryan looked at him sideways. "Oh."

Mad eye handed him something. "I think this should be of some aid."

Ryan pocketed the book. "Thanks."

Moody stopped. "You know if you need help translating, I or your grandsire will help."

Ryan understood what he meant. "I will if I need it. Thanks."

Moody clapped him on the arm. "I'd usually not lend such a book. But I trust Sirius' nephew."

Ryan touched the book. "I'll be careful."

Moody went to join the others. "It's not the book I mean for you to be careful with."

Ryan nodded. "I promise."

Draco dragged Ryan towards the bench. "Come on, the game is soon, and we don't want to miss the pep talk."

Ryan nodded. "Sebastian is as bad as Grandsire, and his lectures, about missing pep talks."

It was his senior year, and their captain had his heart set on winning this season. They had won last year, but it was the first time in six years, as the lion had won the cup every year Charlie was on the team. Charlie had made the team as a reserve first year, but starter second year, like Ryan was on path to being. The twins' older brother had graduated two years before.

Ryan tried to keep his mind on the game, and not the book in his pocket. It wasn't that hard, when the game began, as it was quite exciting. It was even more exciting for Draco, as a chaser took a blow, and he got to play for a few minutes.

Ryan was so excited when they won. "Yes, we won."

Draco was flush from having got to play though he hadn't scored. "That was awesome."

Marcus clapped them both on the back. "It was definitely a team effort, even you two."

Ryan shook his head. "I wasn't even on the field."

Draco pointed out. "And I didn't score."

Adrian agreed with Marcus. "Draco you helped with a couple of assists, pretty good for your first game."

Marcus looked at Ryan. "And you were the one who came up with the move I used to score the winning goal."

Ryan blushed a little when he heard that. "I guess."

Orion had come over. "I have sent for some sweets, for your team party after dinner tonight."

Lucius smiled at his son. "I am so proud. Your mother will be disappointed she didn't make it today."

Sirius looked at Moody. "You must have been psychic. You never let me drag you to a game before."

Moody smirked. "I happened to know Tonks was out for lunch with her mother today."

Laughter followed that comment. It had not gone unnoticed, by Tonks or Moody, that Sirius was trying to play matchmaker. Tonks thought it kind of funny, considering his own reluctance, to take the next step. It took him long enough to tell Remus how he felt, and now to propose. He had finally told Remus all, with Regulus' full agreement, about who Ryan was. Remus was shocked, but he could admit it didn't surprise him, really. He had been surprised Sirius had taken Harry being sent away so easily, and then his reunion with his family. He was happy to know the small twin was alive and safe, and had already been quite fond of his boyfriend's nephew.

Ryan touched the book after they said goodbye to their family and headed back to the school. "I have to find out what that spell was. I have to."

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