Ryan was doing his best to avoid Lockhart and Quirell. He didn't like the way the new man was looking at him when he was at school. He hadn't told his dads or grandsire yet, they had to know, the man was at school. Grandsire had stepped down as head of the governors years ago, and hadn't been very active with them, until Ryan started school. But he always kept an eye on the school, and Uncle Lucius was the head governor. Ryan would have two seats one day; Papa could be a school governor if he chose. The Prince family had a seat on the Wizengamot and the school governors, but Papa didn't use them. Papa didn't use Prince as a last name, only Ryan did, Papa was just Lord Prince though he didn't go by it. Papa never touched the estate, but he had taken Ryan to see Prince Manor, which would be his home one day. He didn't want them to worry; he was still scared they'd want to send him away to school. He liked Viktor, but he didn't want to go to school at Durmstang. Or at Beauxbautons.

Draco and their friends though were worried about him. He wasn't the only one who noticed the looks, and it wasn't just the younger ones. Adrian and Marcus had doubled their efforts, to have their little seeker protected, and not just from Hector.

It was a week before the first game and Ryan was full of nerves at the end of practice. "I'm going to be sick."

Draco looked at his cousin. "You know you're going to be awesome, you are getting better if that is even possible."

Marcus agreed with him. "Oliver has no chance of beating us, even if Seamus is better than the last."

Adrian assured him. "After your first game, it will feel better."

Ryan guessed he was right. "Then I can't wait for the week to be over."

Marcus' attention was drawn to someone. "Hey Wood, never took you for a spy."

Oliver had appeared in the stands. "More your style Flint."

Draco whispered to Adrian. "There is only one person he came to watch."

Adrian laughed quietly and shook his head. "Should get Marcus out of here. We can't lose him before the game."

Draco asked. "Worried he'll be hexed, or that he'll get detention?"

Adrian smirked. "You insinuating our captain would get bested by a lion?"

Draco shrugged. "Usually not, but he seems to be a bit blinded when it comes to Ryan."

Ryan looked over, not hearing their words, but the laughter. "What is so funny over there?"

Adrian looked at him. "Thinking of a prank."

Ryan didn't buy it for a moment but he looked at Oliver. "I thought the lions had practice tomorrow."

Oliver turned to him and smiled. "We do. I thought I'd come see how you were feeling about the game."

Marcus ground his teeth. "No trying to make our seeker nervous. You'll have to try and win the fair way."

Oliver shook his head. "The victory is only as good as your competition. Besides I wanted to wish Ryan luck."

Adrian clapped Marcus on the back. "Maybe you two would make the better couple. You sound like him."

Marcus stalked off, muttering something about replacing his entire team. Laughter followed him by his entire team. The very thought he would date a lion, especially one like Oliver, was a joke to him. Marcus had no idea why it bothered him so much, He had been dealing with them for years, and Oliver was usually a decent guy, but his blood was boiling. He had to remind himself he could not get kicked out of the game, to stop himself from hexing the kid. He had to go and take a cold shower, to calm down. There was something about Ryan, which brought it out.

Ryan was totally oblivious, as he stood talking to Oliver. He had no idea why Marcus was so riled up, but Marcus didn't really either. Or about the talk from the others, including the twins, who had appeared.

Fred looked to Draco. "Maybe we need to play matchmaker finally."

George agreed. "They'll never act on it."

Draco shook his head. "Ryan will never be ready to date for another few years."

Adrian piped in. "And set up with whom? There are two of them."

Fred smiled. "I happen to think Oliver is perfect for him."

Draco smirked. "He'd be lucky to survive the rundown of the Blacks."

George shrugged. "He does come from an old blood family, and one with a title, even if he is a Gryffindor."

Adrian turned to go to the change rooms. "Orion may be wishing it was still time for arranged marriages."

Draco whispered to the twins. "I think there may be a third option."

Fred thought. "He is younger. He will be the only one at school fulltime when Ryan is ready to date."

Draco pointed out. "Lord Flint is on the governors. I am sure he could find some reason for his son to be at school."

As they were plotting, Ryan and Oliver were chatting it up. Ryan was happy that Oliver had come down to talk to him. He knew Oliver was competition, but he was a good friend, and he knew so much about the game. Marcus and Adrian were doing their best, but it helped him. Oliver was not on his team, so he wasn't just flattering Ryan, to try and make him less nervous. He knew Oliver wanted to play professional one day.

Oliver walked with him to school. "I am sure your cousin will be proud of the moves he taught you."

Ryan knew he spoke of Viktor. "I wished he could come to the game, but he has school of course."

Oliver laughed. "I have no doubt your family will be out in mass."

Ryan couldn't deny it. "Uncle Borden is coming. He told me he had business, but I am sure he is coming for me."

Oliver didn't doubt it. "Well then I guess he can give a full report when he gets home."

Ryan spotted Lockhart off from the door. "Great, just what I needed."

Oliver turned Ryan away. "How about we go and visit Hagrid? I am sure he will have tea for us."

Though Hagrid's cooking could be a worry, Ryan agreed with him. It seemed it wasn't just the twins and his housemates who had noticed it. Oliver may not have seen it first hand, but he knew from the twins, about the situation. He had no idea why the creep was allowed here. He thought Ryan should tell his family, they could act. But hearing from the twins, he didn't push the matter.

Hagrid smiled when they appeared at his door. "Just in time for some lunch."


Ryan was nervous and excited. It was Halloween, and in two days' time, it was his first game on the team. Draco could admit he was nervous too. He had played in one game last year, but only for a few minutes, and hadn't scored. For the most part, it was their first game for both of them. Ryan had been the team manager, and helped plan moves last year. He was still doing it this year, and active in practice, but he'd be in the game. He knew Oliver was right; he would have his family all in the stands, even Uncle Borden.

He was excited though as it was Halloween. Halloween had always been one of his favorite holidays. And at school it was the best one there. The twins told them they had some kind of surprise to make the Halloween party even more fun. That sometimes worried them.

Ryan was leaving charms class when Professor Flitwick stopped him. "Ryan, I need to speak to you."

Ryan stopped and looked at one of his favorite professors. "Is there something wrong sir?"

The man motioned him to come over. "I have been asked to send you to the headmaster's office."

Ryan was a bit pale. "Is there something wrong? I didn't do anything sir."

Filius couldn't imagine what the boy would have done. "I don't believe so. He just said he wished to speak to you."

Ryan didn't like the sound of that. "Okay sir."

Filius went to lead him. "You know if something is bothering you, my door is always open."

Ryan was reminded Papa always told him he could trust the man. "Papa told me."

Filius smiled. "Horace may be your Uncle, but your Papa and I always got along well."

Ryan nodded. "He speaks fondly of you still, in his short time as a teacher. And as a student."

Filius laughed a little. "You make me feel a bit old."

Ryan felt bad. "Not as old as the headmaster."

Filius laughed. "Actually I come close. The advantages of having goblin blood."

Ryan wondered. "Does the headmaster?"

Filius shook his head. "Long age usually comes from veela or goblin blood. I am not sure where the headmaster gets it."

As far as anyone knew, the headmaster had no veela blood. There was veela blood in many old families. Marriage to a veela was considered the same as a pureblood witch or wizard, so the old families all had it. But in the past few generations, there was no veela blood in the family. And the thought that the headmaster had goblin blood, was a laugh. Though some people might think he was more like one, than the charms professor, he had more of the qualities in him. Filius was far more warm and personable.

Ryan wished Filius would come, but he only saw Ryan to the stairs. He knew while he had Uncle Horace, Nanny and Aunty Poppy, there were others he could trust. Papa had always told him both Filius and Hagrid would watch over him as well. With Hagrid, it was more Dad.

The headmaster was waiting and not alone. "Ryan, I was happy you would come."

Ryan looked at the man. "I wasn't aware I had a choice sir. Professor Flitwick told me you wished to see me."

Albus ignored the comment and motioned to his side. "Professor Lockhart has been speaking to me, and I thought we should bring you in."

Gilderoy smiled at him. "I have kept a close eye on you in class, as promised."

Ryan didn't mention how creepy that was. "Is something wrong sir?"

Albus motioned him to sit. "You seem to excel in all of your classes, but your progress in defense has been slow."

Ryan had sunk down into a seat. "I am doing my best sir. Practical I just find hard."

Gilderoy spoke up. "I have offered to tutor you privately."

Albus had a smile. "I had thought to ask Professor Quirell, but he is of course busy with Hector, and a full plate of classes to teach."

Ryan was panicked. "But Mr. Lockhart isn't at school often. I am sure he is busy, and my older housemates are helping."

Lockhart shook his head. "I can write from here as easy. I plan to be here during the week at least. I'll have plenty of time for you."

Albus added. "You will work with him two evenings a week."

Ryan felt like he had been backed into a corner. "I have quidditch sir. And I do potions with Uncle Horace."

Albus barely hid a sneer at that. "We will work around quidditch. And I am sure your Uncle will understand."

Lockhart agreed. "Surely he wishes for his nephew to do well in all of his classes."

Ryan was anxious to get out of this. "I want to be a potions master one day, or a healer. And I plan to drop defense when I can."

Albus wasn't surprised. "I assured your family I would see you succeed. Unfortunately I have to step in, as you are close to failing."

Ryan tried to protest. "I am not even the bottom of the class sir."

Albus stopped him. "Harder subjects are coming, and Quirell worries you will crumple under the pressure."

Ryan was pale. "I have never failed before. I won't."

Albus motioned him up. "No you won't. You'll start your private tutoring next week. You get your marks up, then we will see about stopping."

Ryan slipped from the office, feeling absolutely sick to his stomach. There were kids who were actually failing, who weren't forced to have tutoring. He had never heard of a student being forced to have tutoring like this before. He hated being around the man in the class, and now he was about to be forced to be alone in a room with him. He was really scared about it.

Draco and the twins were waiting, and he tried to focus on them. The twins' surprise turned out to be an invite to attend the Death day party for their house ghost, Nick. It seems that ghosts celebrate the day they die, like living people celebrate their birthday.

Fred grinned as they headed into the party. "It seems it is his 500th."

Draco looked at his cousin. "You look as pale as the ghosts."

Ryan didn't want to ruin the night for them. "Nothing, I just hate talking to that man."

George clapped him on the back. "You look worse than us, and there is no reason for you to have detention."

Ryan looked at the party and tried to get into the mood. "I just want to focus on the party."

The friends agreed, and though they planned to head up later, they stayed for a while. They were amazed when they saw the headless hunt come in. They eventually did head up stairs, as there was no edible food down here, besides the school party was fun as well. Fred and George were happy to rub it in to Hector, that they got invited to a ghost party, and he didn't. He pretended not to care, but he was staring daggers.

Ryan tried to focus on the holiday. "You can't allow that man to bother you. You can't."


He had still not told his friends about his new tutoring. He knew he would have to tell them, as they would obviously notice. If Uncle Horace or nanny knew yet, they hadn't said anything. He doubted they would, Albus was not about to brag to anyone on staff. He would be worried about Horace going to Orion, and he knew Poppy was close to his Papa as well. He of course had no idea about Nanny, and it had to stay that way. He still had no idea why she might be at risk, but Ryan knew she was only safe if no one knew.

The game though had come. His dads, Uncle Sirius and Moony, Grandsire, and of course Draco's parents were there. He was a bit surprised, when Aunty Andromeda and Uncle Ted had come, as well as of course Uncle Borden. He was nervous, but still happy they had come.

Marcus turned to Ryan after the pep talk. "Doing okay kid?"

Ryan looked a bit pale. "I don't think I have anything left to throw up."

Adrian turned to them. "You don't sound like you're kidding."

Draco chimed in. "He isn't. He was in the bathroom twice after breakfast."

Marcus shook his head. "You know you will do awesome. Stop worrying."

Adrian piped in. "Besides you don't have to worry about the beaters. They're your friends."

Ryan shook his head. "Competition only on the field, but still on the field."

Adrian whispered to Draco. "Maybe Oliver will threaten them into keeping bludgers away."

Draco smirked. "I might worry you already took one. To Oliver, quidditch comes first."

Ryan heard their names being called. "I hope I have better luck than Oliver."

Marcus looked at Adrian. "What is he talking about?"

Draco snorted. "Oliver told him he was knocked out in his first game and woke up a week later."

Marcus ground his teeth. "So much for him not psyching out our seeker."

Adrian patted Ryan on the shoulder. "Oliver is a keeper, such injuries are far more common there."

Seekers were at the most risk to injury, but keepers and chasers got plenty as well. Seekers were fast though and it worked in their favor. Ryan had never been on the field with live balls and he was worried. As he took to the air, and heard the people in the stands, he felt sick again. He was reminded not only of his team pep talk, but the twins and Oliver, as the game began. And of all the advice that Viktor had given him as well. He just tried to focus on nothing but the snitch, not the crowds, or the rest of the game. He could see Seamus every once and a while, but he seemed to be much lower on the field, and he worried he was wrong. He could at least hear that his team was ahead in points, and Draco scored twice.

He was starting to go down lower, sure he was wrong, when he spotted the snitch. He went into a dive, nothing as deep as his cousin had shown him, but still deep. The snitch was higher up than Seamus, and as Ryan's fingers wrapped around it, Seamus had barely noticed.

The whistle blew and Lee could be heard. "Ryan Black-Prince catches the snitch. Slytherin wins, 290-100."

Ryan couldn't really believe he did it until he heard the announcer. He looked at the snitch in wonder. "I did it?"

Draco had flown over and laughed. "You did. We won."

As they landed Marcus clapped him on the back. "Incredible."

Oliver had come over with the twins. "Good game, and amazing catch."

Seamus even agreed. "Can't believe that snitch was almost right over my head, and didn't see it."

Ryan shook his hand. "Good game."

Hector had come down with the rest of his house and sneered at Oliver. "Sure you're regretting not choosing me. I'd play, if you ask nicely."

Oliver snorted at the kid. "I miss having you on the team like I'd miss a hole in my head."

Fred laughed as Hector stormed off. "I think I'd rather the hole."

Ryan saw his family and smiled. "Thank you for coming."

Orion clapped him on the shoulders. "I am extremely proud. I value your grades more, but you were impressive."

Severus hugged his son. "I ordered some sweets for your house party. I had a feeling it would be a celebration."

Sirius added. "But we got permission to take the teams out for a celebration lunch."

It seems that his Uncle had not misspoken, and both teams were invited. It was a bit odd, with Orion there, but they had. Orion had been reminded that Ryan was friends with a few on the lions, and it only seemed fair. Ryan was happy to go into town, and his mind went off other worries for the afternoon. For one moment he wondered, how his grandsire would react, if he knew about defense. But Orion knew Ryan never did well as other classes in it, and he had always told Ryan, there was more important things. He knew his family would find out but not now. He knew they wouldn't be upset, they knew he was working so hard to improve in the class, and he was acing all the rest.

Hector was simmering as he watched them leave. "I have to get on that team."

Ron shook his head. "You have already tried to bribe Seamus to drop off the team."

Hector ground his teeth. "Threw it back in my face. And reminded me Colin was reserve."

Ron shrugged. "Could see to a little slip up for him before next game."

Hector reminded him. "Colin would simply take over."

Ron snorted. "Colin is a weakling, there is no way you couldn't get him to drop out."

Hector looked off towards Ryan. "He thinks he is so much better than me, because he's on the team."

Ron assured his friend. "You're the hero, and the best in the important classes. He is nothing but a freak show."

Hector had learned the brat was getting private tutoring. He had resented it when he had been first made to have them. But he had come to see they would make him more powerful, and make people look up to him more. But now he wasn't the only one to have the private lessons. And he just had the normal professor, Ryan had the book author coming in just for him. He hated the little snake more and more.

Hector hissed. "I don't know why Lockhart is tutoring the brat and not me, but I plan to find out."

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