AN: I decided to jump ahead to sixth year, for some excitement and more action. Now the question of his pairing will come to question.

It was the summer before Ryan and Draco were to start their sixth year. Ryan was prefect, and they were to share the honors as co-captains for the quidditch team, they had insisted. Adrian had been captain since Marcus graduated, but he graduated this year, leaving the opening. Draco was the more dominant player, though Ryan was the undefeated seeker, in four years. Ryan had served as team manager for five years though, and it seemed right that he would be officially made a captain of the team. Draco wasn't jealous his cousin was prefect, Ryan was the natural. Even with all the years of pranks with the twins, he had always been the rule follower of their group. The twins too had graduated, but they had bought Zonkos in town, and they would be close as ever. Ryan still considered them brothers, and turned to them for a lot.

Ryan's birthday was going to be an unusual one for him that year. Both his friends, and his family, had a few surprises for him. He and his dads had spent time in the US, and he had not been expecting much of a party. His grandfather of course wouldn't hear of it.

He was surprised to find his Uncle and grandsire together. "Am I interrupting?"

Sirius shook his head. "No, we were waiting for you."

Orion motioned him in. "Your Uncle and I had an early gift for you."

It was the day before Ryan's sixteenth birthday. "Oh."

Sirius motioned him over. "Your Uncle and I have another more conventional gift."

Ryan looked at a bottle. "Taken a page from Papa or Uncle Horace?"

Sirius laughed. "It's what you have been asking me for."

It dawned on Ryan who beamed. "An animagus potion? Really?"

Sirius nodded. "I convinced your dads, to finally allow me to train you."

Ryan was amazed. "I thought Papa wanted me to wait till I was done school."

Orion smiled a little. "We had a little chat."

Ryan was surprised. "You never step in."

Orion shrugged. "I have always been heard, I just know where to draw the line."

Sirius handed him the potion. "How about we find out your form?"

Ryan took the bottle. "I hope I have one."

Orion shook his head. "You will. You may be the only one with my powers, but almost all Blacks have a form."

Sirius and Regulus both were, Regulus was a dog like his brother. Even Wallburga took the potion once, though she never learned, and could have been a sparrow. Tonks was a chameleon, she had learned when she was in auror training. Not everyone could learn, if no form was shown when they took the potion, they didn't have the magic. Orion had never known a Black who couldn't though. He thought it had something to do with their elemental blood, even if Ryan was the only one in his family, to show it.

Ryan took the potion, and anxiously waited. He had no idea what form he might take, he had been thinking about it for a long time. The twins were going to try, and he hoped to help teach them. With Draco, they planned to make it a group thing.

Sirius was surprised when he saw the form. "I kind of hoped for a dog."

Orion smiled in pride at the crow. "Incredible"

Ryan turned back. "I'm a crow?"

Sirius smiled. "I kind of thought a dog, like your daddy and I. You know birds are harder"

Ryan nodded. "Or a snake like Papa and Uncle Luc."

Orion surprised him. "I am a crow, as was my grandfather before me."

Ryan looked at him. "Really? I have never seen you transform."

Orion took his form and turned back. "I learned in my twenties."

Sirius looked at his nephew. "I will be able to teach you this year."

Ryan looked at him. "You're going to come to school?"

Sirius smiled. "Your Uncle Moony has been named the new defense teacher for the next few years. I'll be with him, and do full moons."

Ryan was shocked. "The headmaster wouldn't. And Quirell?"

Orion laughed. "Quirell was being forced to retire in two years. The school governors decided, someone else should train his replacement."

Ryan was surprised. "Uncle Moony isn't staying?"

Sirius shook his head. "He is happy with texts, and the book store. Not to mention he plans on writing his third novel soon."

Ryan asked. "Who is he training?"

Sirius had a secretive smile on his face. "You'll have to wait. I think you'll be happy."

Ryan thought. "I'd think you meant Adrian, but he signed with a league in the US, besides he was never big on it."

Sirius reminded him. "I thought you two broke up."

Ryan nodded. The two of them hadn't really dated anyways. The school began to have more social events, dances and such, over the years. Adrian had been his date to them last year, and they had shared a kiss or two. But Adrian really was a friend, they always knew it, the kisses had been pretty platonic. He was happy for Adrian, when he learned his friend was moving to Boston, to play. He knew he was his only friend without a serious date. Draco had been dating Pansy for three months, and Blaise was with Susan, though Ryan thought he had eyes for Hermione. Blaise may have been a Slytherin, but he didn't mind she was muggle born.

Orion shared a look with his son. It wasn't just because the next part was just for him and his grandson. But because he was quite happy with the appointment. He had never let up hope, his grandson would see sense. He approved of Adrian, but he knew Ryan would never be serious.

Ryan looked at his grandsire when his Uncle left. "You want to talk to me?"

Orion motioned him to sit. "Your form seems another sign."

Ryan sat. "Because both you and my great great grandsire had the same form?"

Orion nodded. "The last member of our family before me to be an Earth elemental in full, was Sirius Black, the elder."

Ryan knew the tree. "Your grandfather."

Orion smiled. "My father had some minimal powers, as did my elder sister. She could have been heir, if born this generation."

Ryan was understanding. "You think it's a sign?"

Orion nodded. "I have known for years that you were one, deep down. I think it's time I start to train you."

Ryan beamed and nodded. "Yes."

Orion laughed. "I know you're not taking defense this year. But I thought we could have some private tutoring."

Ryan spoke up. "You're not disappointed?"

Orion kissed his head. "You know I'm so proud of you."

Ryan was not taking the usual big five classes. He was actually only to take three official classes. He was taking charms, potions and ancient runes. But because of his Uncle, he got special permission, for specialized courses. He officially was a transfiguration student, but he was taking it through Poppy, and it was combined with charms. He was going to study things to give him a leg up to be a healer, which was where he leaned. He was also taking astronomy, to no surprise as his passion never decreased, but taught one on one by Firenze.

Orion told him. "Filius has agreed, to let me have you one of his classes as week. He agrees, it would definitely help."


Ryan was thrilled, both by his animagus studies, and his training with his Grandsire. He was so proud that he would be a crow like his grandsire. Orion often thought how odd it was, neither of his sons was elemental, but Ryan was. Ryan may have been blood adopted, but the chances such power would pass through a potion, were rare. It was just more proof, that he had been right to not only accept but welcome Ryan in his family. He looked at the sixteen year old, and knew he would do the family proud, both as a healer and as Lord Black one day. The Potters had no idea what they had given up, though he doubted Ryan would have been half this, if they raised him. Orion was the one who spoke to the centaurs, Ryan had some dealings with Firenze, and got permission for Ryan to have special studies.

Ryan's mind was on the party, but also on the new teacher or apprentice, under Uncle Moony. He knew something was up, because of his Uncle, and how he had reacted. He was happy Adrian was coming for the party, as he would be leaving on his trip in not too long.

Adrian smiled when he came in. He handed Ryan a gift. "I'm going to miss you."

Ryan kissed his cheek. "You will be amazing. And I am counting on you to keep in touch."

Adrian laughed. "You know I will. I'll need some dating advice."

Draco smirked. "You want it from him? You are the closest thing to a boyfriend he has had."

Fred shook his head. "Well hopefully we can change that this year."

George agreed. "Now that he will have some proper prospects."

Draco smiled. "Yes he will."

Fred looked at him. "How did you know? He told us only we knew."

George agreed. "He swore us to secrecy. He barely likes you."

Draco looked at them. "How is it, I have the feeling we're not talking about the same person?"

Ryan was confused by them all. "Who are any of you talking about?"

Adrian shook his head. "You know with them meddling, the offer of advice goes both ways."

Ryan sent him a grateful look. "I think I may be missing my translator."

Blaise had come over. "You always have me."

Ryan shook his head. "Not likely. Now you broke up with Susan, you'll be love sick over Hermione again."

Blaise smirked. "She is a friend and study partner. Can you imagine my mother's face?"

Susan was next to him. "I happen to know your mother would support it. She has married more than one muggle born herself."

Blaise couldn't deny she had. Blaise likely had it easier than most in their house. The old blood families were getting much more open minded over the years, about the muggle borns. Blaise's father was Italian, and blood purity was less of an issue, on the continent. And his mother had been married countless times, and two had been muggle born. He and Susan were like Ryan and Adrian, they had split on good terms. They had really dated, but in the end they too realized, they made better friends. Ryan and Adrian were different, as they had really known it from the start.

As they were talking, both Oliver and Marcus came into the back garden. They were having a surging party in the pool, and there was some alcohol. Many friends were legal, and his family was not foolish to think he might not try, so it was being controlled.

Oliver handed Ryan a gift. "I have a surprise for you."

Marcus gritted his teeth at Oliver and added. "As do I."

Draco shot a look at Fred and whispered. "Him?"

Fred nodded and looked at Marcus. "And him?"

Draco nodded. "Yep. I guess the competition is back on."

Ryan looked back and forth. "I'm all for news, if good."

Oliver grinned. "I took over for Madam Hooch. I'll be at school full time."

Ryan was surprised. "You still play for the United."

Oliver nodded. "Only five months, and neither is full time. Rollanda used to be a professional ref as well."

Ryan grinned. "It will be nice to have an old friend on campus."

Marcus budged in. "He won't be alone. I'm apprenticing with your Uncle."

Ryan realized what his Uncle meant. "He told me I'd like his choice. I'd have thought he meant Oliver."

Draco nodded. "He would prefer a former lion."

Marcus handed his own gift. "I too will still play for two years. I'll retire, when I take over teaching."

Oliver pointed out. "Ryan doesn't take defense anymore."

Marcus looked at him. "He'll be taking some extra training I was told. Besides I am apprenticing with his Uncle."

Ryan shook his head. "You two never change."

Draco whispered to the other three. "Ryan hasn't either. He still thinks it is some quidditch competition between them."

His friends all agreed with Draco. They hoped since he attempted to date, and he was open to it, he may become less oblivious. Draco had joked, years ago, that Marcus being older wasn't an issue. His father was a student governor, and Thatcher Flint, could get his heir a place at the school. Marcus and Ryan weren't aware, but Orion and Thatcher had spoken more than once over the years, about the chances. Thatcher had been more than happy, when the option opened up, and he had helped encourage his son.

Draco looked at the twins. "Still backing your old horse?"

Fred grinned. "What do you think?"

George agreed. "I assume you are as well."

Draco nodded. "Marcus is a Slytherin and perfect for him."

Fred pointed out. "Oliver is an old blood, and heir to a title as well."

George added. "And Ryan has many friends outside of the snakes."

Draco couldn't deny it. "Let the best man win."

Fred whispered to his twin. "We'll just have to give ours some help."

Ryan looked at them. "Come on, going to hit the pool or what?"

His friends joined him in the party. It was true, the party was a sign of how Ryan continued to bridge the houses, over the years. The only Hufflepuffs were Susan and Neville, but there were Ravenclaws too, like Luna. Hermione and Seamus represented their age Gryffindors, they were dating, but Blaise was hoping deep down to change it. There were of course more snakes, past and present then anything, but the twins' girlfriends and Katie, the old chasers for the team, and Lee were there as well.

Draco smirked a little. "There are more lions here, then there will be at the hero's birthday party."


Ryan and his friends were headed for school. It was odd, not having the twins or Adrian on the train, the others had been gone for years. Ryan had made friends with the twins long before he began school, and he would be friends, long after. If they could survive being in different houses, and only become closer, he knew it would last. Though Draco seemed his obvious best friend, and in ways he was, Fred was also. He could talk to Fred about things, he often couldn't to his cousin. When younger, Draco sometimes resented that, but he had grown up. Draco was happy for the twins to be around, and to help build up his cousins confidence. They were both happy the twins were in town, and could come visit a lot. Ryan was a secret backer in their store, so he had a fresh supply. He got money every year, from Uncle Borden for his birthday, and he had used it and some he made for working for Uncle Horace. He still worked with Uncle Horace all the time, and was in seventh year potions this year, not sixth. And he and Uncle Borden were close, as he finally got over his initial concern, the man would take him.

Hector was further down the train. He had grown up some since the first two years. He still had some scars from the near rape in his second year. He was doing better in classes, and finally a chaser in quidditch, but hadn't shown up Ryan yet.

Ron looked at him. "So what courses are you taking?"

He grinned. "Transfiguration, defense, charms, herbology and unfortunately potions."

Ron grimaced. "Potions? I thought you'd drop it."

He shrugged. "I want to be an auror. And it is hard to get in, if you don't have those four."

Ron shook his head. "I'd hex myself if I had to continue."

Hector looked out the window. "My father is on me again. He reminded me, now I am sixteen, I really have to start showing my power."

Ron felt bad for his friend. "He can be an ass sometimes."

Hector didn't defend his father. "My mother keeps him in line when she can."

Ron tossed him a candy. "So what is his bright idea this year?"

Hector shrugged. "No idea. He is meeting with the headmaster as we speak."

Ron munched on a frog. "Hopefully its better, than the series of magazine articles last year."

Hector grimaced. "Worse than having Creevey follow me around. I never thought I'd hate press so much."

Ron snorted. "You know you like it."

Hector shrugged. "I like the fame, and being the hero. But not the rags, and some of that."

Ron thought aloud. "You could always just leave the UK when done school."

Hector shook his head. "No. Once I have control over my own life, it'll be better."

Hector liked the fame, and the money, he couldn't deny that. And he definitely didn't plan on leaving the country any time soon. His dad had run some tests on him this summer, though he hadn't explained what some of them were. One had been a potion, to see if he could be an animagus. He did take form, but it took a long time, and it didn't last more than a flash. He had been warned, it was a sign, he likely had little chance to learn. Just because you had a form, didn't mean you'd be able to learn for sure, it still took a lot.

James was sure enough at school speaking to Albus. Albus had ordered him to have some tests run that summer on his son, and the results had come back. He had been as disappointed as his son, on the outcome of the animagus potion.

Albus smiled. "James, you brought the results?"

James told him of the animagus as he handed over the forms. "Unfortunate, as he was a magnificent raven."

Albus sighed as he turned to the forms. "That is truly unfortunate."

James took up a cup of tea. "Unfortunately the tests were no more helpful."

Albus agreed. "I don't understand this."

James didn't understand. "I don't really understand why you had the tests ordered."

Albus looked up. "For years I have been trying to understand how your son survived."

James was confused. "Because of Lily."

Albus shook his head. "Perhaps. But why was he chosen in the first place? To be quite honest, Neville was the clearly obvious choice."

James knew it was because of his wife. "And what would these tests prove?"

Albus put them down. "I thought there was a chance your son was an elemental."

James was surprised. "There have been none born in generation. I know there are rumors some of the old blood families had it."

Albus agreed. "Voldemort was one, a water. Sirius Black, the old one, was rumored to be. You are descended from his family."

James smirked. "Very distantly. I assume Sirius or his group would have it if any."

Albus shook his head. "Tested both when in school, neither did. And that boy is a weakling."

James could admit it would have been nice. "I'd have liked to have my son have those powers, even if a link to them."

Albus had been hoping. He was not en elemental, but if Hector was one, it was a direction for them to go with. Hector was still well known, but he was becoming a joke, as he came closer to adulthood. They needed to find a way to make him stand out, before seventeen, when the world would expect more. He needed to be more than the auror. And unfortunately the little Black heir was showing more and more Black blood. He had more potential in some ways, than Hector had. He would never have thought to say that.

Albus sat back. "Have you ever thought about the other?"

James was shocked. "No. Why would I?"

Albus thought aloud. "He was in the room."

James laughed. "The kid was almost dead before the attack. Only Severus thought he had any magic."

Albus knew. "I had thought perhaps to look into finding him."

James stood. "He is gone. The world believes him dead."

Albus cut in. "We could make it look like we were lied to."

James shook his head. "That child is dead to us. Hector is my heir, he is the hero. I have one son."

Albus nodded. "It is your choice of course. I just thought perhaps Lily may wish to know if her son is alive…."

James was irate. "My wife feels the same as I do, we have one son. The child is best left dead."

Albus tried one last time. "And if it turns out the child was perhaps an elemental? That he perhaps had the power….."

James cut him off. "All the more reason to leave him dead. Hector has the scar, he saved us, now leave it."

Albus watched the man leave, and had to think. He had been the one, who had arranged for the baby to be sent to his relatives. He had never looked in on the child, till he was eleven. He learned Petunia never saw the child, she had been away, and the child was lost. He had thought it for the better, not having to hide the child, he had enough troubles. It had never occurred to him, that it may have been the child, and not Hector. He knew he might be wrong, these tests proved nothing, but there was a chance. He didn't think they could or should let it drop.

He looked out the window. "Is it possible that sickly little midget of a baby was really the target? I have to find him."

An: I will repeat again, Ryan will not learn he was a Potter once. I won't crush his life, to add drama.

You may have noticed the form of the twins, a raven and a crow, are very similar. Though the animals are, the symbolism is different. They are both known as shape-shifters and tricksters, but they are often two sides of the same coin. Though traditional animal symbols don't have evil, there is the dark side. Crows (Ryan) are linked to healing, to leading towards light, to eloquence, cunning, diplomacy and intelligence. Ravens are linked closer to the dark, to the more sly deception side. But there are links, seemed fitting for former twins.

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