Draco and Marcus were relieved that Ryan was in bed, and wouldn't be leaving. They had to find a way to ensure that the tutoring ended for good. Draco was still hoping he could convince his cousin to tell the family. He knew he should, but Ryan would never forgive him, if he went behind his back. He hoped this plan he worked out with the twins would work, and perhaps Hector would be help, in this. Marcus was just as into this, he wanted to make sure Ryan was safe. He told himself because it was a member of his house, and it was Ryan. The entire house had been protecting him since he started, more than just the normal first and now second year. He still remembered the kid he saved from drowning, and told himself it was simply that. Like Ryan, he was unaware of the plotting of his father and Ryan's grandfather. Draco was not.

They were heading up stairs, to talk to the twins, and against Marcus' protests, Oliver. They knew their plan was partially in play, but it would have to wait. They hoped the little twit had enough knowledge, he'd know how to keep the potion, until it was needed.

Fred pulled them into an alcove. "Come on."

Draco shook his head. "The headmaster is gone."

George pointed out into the hall. "Don't want to run into him either."

Marcus saw Quirell headed down the hall. "Almost as bad as the other sleaze ball."

Poppy suddenly appeared. "I wanted to speak to you for a moment."

The man turned. "I was on my way out to town."

Poppy stopped him. "Albus is not here, and for some reason, this seems to be your job."

Quirell finally stopped. "What is this about?"

Poppy showed him a list. "Some ingredients have gone missing from the infirmary."

Quirell looked at them. "These potions seem pretty harmless. But don't you have security?"

Poppy nodded. "So many people come in and out though. And these aren't ones I keep under lock and key."

Quirell handed the scroll back to her. "Then I don't see the issue."

She shook her head. "Combined, with a few other things, they can be used as a date rape drug."

Quirell sneered. "I doubt any student around here, knows how to mix them, even if he or she had them all."

Poppy shook her head as the man walked off. "Hopefully you're right. But I am going to the heads of house."

Fred looked at the others as Poppy went. "You don't think?"

Draco went pale. "The looks that he gives Ryan all the time."

Marcus was relieved. "Well Ryan is in bed. We'll just warn him."

A student may not, but a teacher would likely know about such things as well. They knew the man wasn't the smartest, but he was not alone. They had worried, about the looks that the man gave Ryan all the time. Ryan refused to speak about what happened in class, but he was always so pale when he came back or before he went. They tried to assure themselves, that if he had been touched, Ryan would have told them. And it seemed the potion ingredients had only been taken recently, not something new.

They were heading for the tower, when they spotted Ron coming their way. He seemed to be in an odd mood, possibly not bad, but they had never been one to want to see him as well. They were ducking into another alcove when they heard him.

Ron was grumbling. "I still don't know why he is doing this tutoring. I don't know why he thinks Lockhart is so cool."

George looked at the others. "You don't think?"

Oliver got out and grabbed Ron. "What are you talking about?"

Ron looked up. "It's none of your business."

Draco pushed. "You know Hector has no tutoring with the man. He only hopes."

Ron sneered. "That is what you think."

George stopped him. "Is he there? Did he take Ryan's place tonight?"

Ron played dumb. "How would he do that?"

Marcus felt like hitting him. "He took the potion from us. Tell us kid, is he in the class."

Ron shook his head. "Why should I help you?"

Fred ground his teeth. "Because Lockhart may be trying to rape him as we speak."

Marcus added. "So if you don't want your best friend molested by a pervert, tell us now."

Ron went pale. "Molested?"

Draco nodded. "The man has a thing for Ryan. Poppy said a potion was taken."

Ron gulped. "He took Ryan's place. He thought Ryan was learning to be an animagus."

Draco looked at the twins. "I never thought I'd say this, but we have to save his scrawny ass."

George agreed. "He may be an ass, but even he doesn't deserve this."

Marcus went with them. "And Ryan will feel extremely guilty."

They got their way to the classroom, but they found it empty. They knew he had to be somewhere, and their eyes went to Quirell's office, but the door was closed, and they could see that it was locked. They needed to get in, but it wasn't like Quirell was going to help them. They weren't sure, but there was a good chance he may be involved in this. They knew they needed a teacher, and quick.

Draco and the twins headed into the hall, to find the first teacher they could find. Draco had been hoping for Filius or Horace, but unfortunately he ran into Minerva. The woman was assistant headmistress, but she was not a fan of his house. It was her, and not Quirell, Poppy should have normally spoken to. But Albus for some reason had said it was the work of the defense teacher.

Minerva looked at him. "No running in the hall."

Draco looked at her. "Professor McGonagall, we need your help."

Minerva shook her head. "Why?"

Draco took a deep breath. "Hector, he took Ryan's place in tutoring. Lockhart, he has been trying things with Ryan."

Minerva didn't believe the boy. "If you are lying to me boy…."

Draco nodded. "I know, detention for the rest of the year. You have to come Professor."

Minerva followed him. "Poppy did tell me about the missing potions. But to accuse a teacher….."

Oliver was surprised to see her come. "Professor, you have to help now."

The presence of Oliver and the twins, and Ron, helped. She knew they were friends with Ryan, but she trusted her lions more. Besides Ryan was a good student, he didn't belong in that house, she often thought. She wasn't sure, but she brought down the wards on the office, and was shocked when she saw what was happening. It wasn't just that they were on the couch, but Lockhart was in boxers only, and had Hector's hand, and from what she could see, was trying to force it down his boxers. The boy seemed to be okay so far.

She leveled her wand at him. "Unhand him now."


Severus and his husband had been summoned to school, and Lucius. They were a bit confused, when Lily and James were coming as well, and wondered what their son had done. James though didn't even notice them, and was holding his wife, as they headed through the halls. It was the hospital wing they ended up in first, and they found both of their sons in beds there. Ryan looked to be in much better shape than Hector was though. They were shocked to find Moody was there as well, and Tonks, who seemed to be standing watch over someone.

Moody had thought to take Lockhart back to the ministry right away. But he had known it was best, to wait until both boys were able to speak, and say what had happened. Ryan was still ill, but he had admitted, his Uncle Horace had made him ill.

James was irate. "What the hell happened? Someone better tell me."

Albus spoke quietly. "I think we can speak of this in private."

Lily was irate. "I want to know what happened to my son."

Draco spoke up. "He was attacked by Lockhart."

James turned to look at the boy. "What are you talking about boy? He would never touch my son."

Tonks spoke. "No, but your son took a Polyjuice potion, to look like Ryan."

Severus looked at his son. "Why would he take one to look like Ryan?"

Ryan wouldn't look at his dads. "Because I have been having private tutoring with him."

Regulus sat down on his bed. "Why didn't you tell us? Did he touch you?"

Ryan shook his head. "No."

Severus looked at his son. "Orion?"

Ryan trembled. "He was always looking and touching my arm. I told grandsire, he promised to come Monday."

James was irate. "And how the hell did my son end up in the class?"

Ron spoke. "He took a Polyjuice from the twins. They were going to pin something on him. He wanted Ryan's tutoring lessons."

Fred spoke up. "We weren't. We knew Hector would steal from us. We had no idea what the man was doing."

Lucius looked at Albus. "But somehow, I have a feeling you do."

Albus was irate. "You can't seriously be accusing me of knowing that man was a child molester?"

Lily was the one who spoke. "It was your plan, to have him come, to have him tutor Ryan."

Lily had revealed something, which Albus hadn't wanted known. Her husband knew, and it was plain on his face, and that of Albus. But though Albus looked ready to hex her, James looked like he would have said it if she hadn't. Lucius shared a look with Regulus and Severus, they both had their suspicion, but of course it had only just been confirmed.

Ryan held to his dad, worried he was in trouble, but also just extremely upset and sick. He hadn't told his friends, and he felt so guilty, for what had almost happened to Hector. He didn't like the kid, but he didn't want him hurt like that either.

Hector had come around and he clung to his mother. "Mum."

James kissed his son on his head and told his son what Draco had said. "Is it true?"

Draco and the others expected him to lie. He whispered to the twins. "Like he will tell the truth."

Hector shocked them. "They told the truth. I stole the potion."

Lily looked at her son in shock. "Why?"

He was shaking. "I was jealous. I didn't get why he got the special tutor, and all I got was Quirell."

Severus spoke up. "I'd like to know the answer to that as well."

Albus shrugged. "Hector and Quirell have a rapport, have worked together for two years. It made sense."

Hector was shaken. "I thought I wanted him. He tried to….he thought I was Ryan….and he tried to….."

Lily held her son to her. "He will never touch you or anyone again. He will go to prison."

Moody went to move the man out. "The boys will both likely have to testify against him."

Ryan was shaking against his Papa. "In court?"

Tonks shook her head. "You are both children, neither will have to testify in court."

When the man was gone, Albus disappeared as well. They were surprised, they thought the man would try and smooth the waters here. The fact that his little golden boy was the one who had been attacked, they thought must get to him. For the first time Severus knew, James and Lily seemed to have lost some trust in the man. But Severus doubted that it would last for very long.

James looked at Poppy. "Is our son okay? Can we take him home?"

Poppy nodded. "Both boys can go, but they need rest."

Lily went to lead her son out. "You'll come home, until this is over."

Ryan spoke up. "I'm sorry he tried to hurt you."

Hector looked at the kid. "He did it to us both."

Severus helped his son up. "You're coming home too."

Ryan looked at his dads. "I'm sorry for not telling you."

Regulus kissed his son on the head. "We will talk about it later."

Lucius looked at Draco and the twins. "I don't approve of the prank. But you helped protect Ryan and even Hector."

Draco was shaken. "I had no idea it would go so far."

Lucius held his son in his arms, and assured him he knew. Not even Ryan, no matter the looks from the man, could have known how far it would go. Hector should not have stolen from them, or taken Ryan's place, he had some guilt in this. But the only one in trouble was the man, who had tried to molest not one but two students, in the school. And Lucius would see he, and any others involved, were made to pay for it.

At home Severus held his husband when Ryan was tucked into bed. "He may be a brat, but it makes me sick, what almost happened to Hector."


Ryan had not been up for speaking to them the next day. Orion had arrived home a day earlier than expected. It seems that Sirius had sent word to his father, when he learned what happened, and got him to come home. He hadn't been at school, as he hadn't been told what happened, until after. Moody knew who was involved, and the tension with James and the fact one boy was his nephew, would make him a loose cannon. He knew Ryan would need his grandsire there for him. The trial wouldn't start for a few days, and he'd have been back before, but still.

Ryan was quiet for the days leading up to the trial. He had to be taken to the ministry on Monday, to speak, and tell about what happened. It was another reason that Sirius had summoned his father home early. He was worried about his nephew, as were his brother and brother in law.

Orion came into the room. "It is time to leave."

Ryan looked up. "I don't think that I can."

Orion looked at him. "You can and you will Orion."

Ryan was shaking. "I am scared grandsire."

Orion made him look. "You are Orion Regulus Black-Prince, you are my grandson, you are strong."

Ryan looked at his hands. "I'm not strong. Everyone has to protect me. I need tutoring. I'm not strong."

Orion cut in. "You may not be the most powerful, but you are strong. You are a Black, you are strong."

Ryan was in tears. "I'm scared."

Orion held him. "Courage Ryan, is not the absence of fear, simply knowing that there is something more important."

Ryan buried his head against him. "I want to make sure the man never hurts anyone else."

Orion kissed his head. "Then you will come, and you will testify, and with Hector, put the man away."

Ryan dried his tears and nodded. "I will."

Orion held him by the arms. "And I will be by your side."

Ryan looked up. "I'm sorry for being scared grandsire."

The man knelt. "Never apologize for being scared Orion, do you hear me, never. Everyone gets scared, even your grandsire."

Ryan looked at the man, who he threw himself back into the arms of. He didn't know, he didn't believe his grandsire ever was afraid. His grandsire was the bravest man he ever met, braver than Moody and Uncle Padfoot. He was never afraid of anything, he faced Albus, and more. He always wanted to be like his grandsire, powerful and courageous. Grandsire was an earth elemental, but like Ryan, he was not the most powerful wizard. He would never have made an auror, but he had his own power.

Orion kissed the boy in his arms. He thanked Merlin, and both his sons, for giving him this boy. He had once thought, to be powerful, he needed to be aloof both in public and private. But in this child, he realized the true power was in the family he had, his legacy he would leave.

Severus watched his son come out. "Are you ready for this Ryan?"

Ryan nodded. "I am Papa. I just want this over."

Regulus was next to his husband. "Then we should go."

Ryan looked at his Grandsire. "You're coming as well?"

Orion nodded. "I am."

James was leading his son out when they arrived. "You did good Hector."

Lily looked at them. "I never thought we would be on the same side."

Severus shook his head as she walked off. "We were for a very long time."

Ryan spotted someone when he was about to go in. "Uncle Borden?"

Borden came over. "Your Uncle Horace told me what happened. I came to check on you."

Horace was with him. "I knew he would want to know."

Ryan backed up. "I will tell someone next time. Please don't try to take me away."

Borden shook his head. "I would not take you from your dad. I'm just here, to give you support, nothing else I promise."

Moody appeared in the door. "Orion, Amelia is waiting for you."

Orion squeezed his shoulder. "Remember what we told you."

Ryan was in bad shape, but he went into the office. He had to take a truth serum, and then put his memories into a pensieve. After Amelia watched, she had some questions for Ryan as well. It was the same thing that Hector had gone through. As they were kids, they were allowed family with them, and Regulus had accompanied his son. He couldn't talk to his son during it, but held his hand, trying to give him strength. Ryan felt sick, but when he left the room, he felt better, in hopes the man would go away.

Though they didn't have to testify in court, both boys were there the next day. The evidence was shown, and it was no surprise, that a verdict came down right away. The man was found guilty of all crimes, most serious of which, was attempted sexual assault of both Ryan and Hector.

The man sneered. "I never did anything."

Amelia shook her head. "Just because you were stopped first, doesn't make you innocent."

The sentence spoke. "You have been sentenced to ten years in maximum security in the muggle world."

Lockhart looked at them like they grew two heads. "Muggle? What do you mean muggle? I am no muggle born."

Amelia informed him. "The family's request was taken into consideration. It is within our powers, to commute the sentence."

Ryan looked at his Grandsire. "You did this?"

Orion shook his head. "I was beaten to it."

Lily spoke from her place. "What child molesters get in muggle prison, is a hundred times worse than dementors."

Severus shook his head, as he watched the woman lead her son off. "I guess that side of her is not lost."

Ryan looked at his Papa. "What do you mean?"

Severus held his son. "Nothing. I think we should get home."

Lily had once been a mother bear, she'd have died for her son, as she almost did for Hector. Unfortunately only one son had earned that side. Severus thought of a woman he once thought friend, as he led his son off. At home, they were relieved the man was in prison, but spoke to their son. They were not mad at him, but upset, he hadn't told them. He swore to them, he'd tell them or grandsire, if something happened.

Regulus held his son to him. "Do. Ryan I can't lose you, I can't."

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