Ryan was excited about the year. It was so odd, being the second eldest at the table. He felt odd, considering the years he had relied a lot on the older kids to watch his back. He was reminded he still had seventh years, and those in his own house, like Greg and Vince. The two were often called goons by other houses, but they were very smart, and good friends. And they had often been his bodyguards, they called themselves it. He had also grown up a lot, though not as much in height. He had grown a few inches, and he no longer looked like he was much younger, but he wouldn't have complained about a few more inches. And though he was not the most powerful, years of working with the twins, kept him quick on his feet. He knew how to give as good as he got, and he had less need of the older kids, to watch his back. He was reminded though, two of his former protectors, were back at school. He was happy to see Oliver and Marcus both back at school. He knew in the next few years, a lot of the staff would change over, Poppy mentioned training him to take over when he finished. His Uncle Horace would likely retire in a few years too. He considered being a potions master, but while he enjoyed it with Papa and Uncle Horace, he knew he wanted to be a healer.
Professor McGonagall handed out their schedules in the morning. His looked quite empty, as his two extra classes were not included on it. Students only had to take three, and some had no choice, as they didn't pass high enough. But Ryan had always been the book worm.
Vince looked at his schedule. "You have as much free time as I do."
Blaise smiled. "More time to spend with Marcus."
Draco shook his head. "He only wishes."
Ryan explained. "I am going to be working in the hospital wing, and two nights a week, be in the forest."
Greg was surprised. "The forest?"
Ryan beamed. "Firenze has offered to teach me himself. Sinistra is good, but it is such an honor."
Draco added. "His grandsire helped make both happen. Firenze can teach him herbology and healing too."
One of their beaters asked. "Still going to have time to be our new captain?"
Ryan smiled. "You know I will. I have always done extra credit before."
Draco shook his head. "He thrives on pressure."
Ryan shrugged. "Even if harder, having only five classes, I can focus on them more. And for me, they are all related."
Vince picked up his own. "I guess charms is the only one we have together anymore."
Greg agreed. "We're charms, herbology, care of magical creatures and defense."
Draco was reminded. "Forgot about your grandsire's as well."
Ryan shook his head. "I am excused from charms once a week for that."
Even those taking five classes, for sixth and seventh years, they had a lot of free blocks. Ryan would be using them, for more than his usual study. Poppy had actually blocked time, it just didn't show, he'd be in the class when his friends were in transfiguration. He'd have astronomy Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and quidditch on Wednesday night, and Saturday morning. Uncle Sirius would have him late afternoons, when he was home from work, before dinner, when Ryan had no classes. It would leave him some evenings, and most of the weekend, though he was bound to spend time with Uncle Horace as well. He was the first sixth year, to do seventh year potions, since his Papa.
Ryan already planned to spend Monday nights with his Uncle, and some time Sunday mornings. Seventh years could leave campus any time, but sixth years had some new freedoms as well. They were able to leave during the day, every weekend, though only into town, without permission.
It was Friday and Ryan had potions all morning, and the afternoon off. His grandsire wasn't coming for his first class yet. "A good day."
Draco shook his head as he was headed for defense. "Too bad you aren't in defense. Your Uncle is teaching now."
Ryan grinned and shrugged. "Uncle Moony will be amazing. Definitely better than Quirell."
Blaise grinned. "Thought perhaps you'd be more interested in his apprentice."
Ryan blushed a little. "It will be nice to see more of Marcus."
Draco turned to Blaise as they headed up for class. "Perhaps Marcus can escort him into town this weekend."
Blaise agreed. "Marcus will have a whole house behind him."
Draco shook his head. "He may need it."
Blaise pointed out. "Oliver doesn't have many lions for help. Hermione and Seamus maybe."
Draco reminded him. "The twins have promised to back him up, and Katie."
Blaise wasn't fazed. "The twins are done school."
Draco pointed out. "But they can come to campus all the time. And see Ryan in town."
Blaise put an arm around his neck. "You'll just have to give Ryan some cousin advice."
Draco smirked. "You forget he is as close to Fred, if not in ways more."
Blaise shrugged. "Well we snakes always win out."
In quidditch it was true. Since they began school, the snakes had won the quidditch and house cups, every year. The lions hadn't won since Charlie graduated from school. Ryan was the first undefeated seeker since Charlie, and had broken his record. Charlie too had begun in his second year, and had a three year run undefeated. He had won the cup six years, but because of points, they had lost a game two of his earlier years as seeker. Ryan had two years to go, and he had already gone four seasons undefeated. He had broken a few others of Charlie's records. But Draco feared, with the twins backing him, Oliver may have better luck in love. Oliver was a good guy, but he was routing for Marcus.
Ryan headed into potions class, feeling a bit odd. He was taking a class for the first time with older students. He had helped tutor older kids in theory, while they helped him with practical, but this was new. Terry, a seventh year snake, ended up being his partner.
Terry was one of the chasers on their team. "Not intimidated?"
Ryan shook his head. "In this class, no."
Terry was writing down the potion. "I should remember all the tutoring you helped with."
Ryan shrugged. "It helps, having a Papa and Uncle, who are potions masters."
Uncle Horace came into the room and started in on his speech. But when he finished he looked at Ryan. "Already started?"
Ryan looked at his Uncle with a smile. "Sorry, a bit anxious."
Horace laughed. "I knew being in an older grade wouldn't hurt."
The headmaster had tried to argue against it. He had reminded them, though Ryan was advanced in studies, he had struggled in some classes. He didn't think it was a good idea, for Ryan to skip ahead. His Uncle though had insisted, and with a few certain governors, had it passed. He was doing basically seventh year charms when working with Poppy. And his studies with Firenze, would be far above even seventh year.
Ryan grinned as he headed up a few hours later from potions class. "It's good to be back."
Ryan had spent the afternoon before in the hospital wing. He usually wouldn't have started his new class, but he had decided to start. His grandsire had decided not to come till next week, to start his training. Normally he'd have potions and charms on Monday and Fridays, and just charms on Wednesday afternoons. Tuesdays and Thursdays he had ancient runes all morning, with the afternoons off. Tuesday and Thursdays he'd spend two hours with Poppy, and an hour with Uncle Sirius, leaving him time to study as well, and in the evenings, with Firenze. He was so excited about all of his studies. And though Grandsire and Uncle Sirius were clear favorites, Firenze and Poppy excited him as well.
He was surprised when he was about to go for dinner, when someone came into the hospital wing. It was only the first day of school, and it wasn't common. Poppy had just been showing Ryan the ropes of the hospital wing, pleased he was so anxious.
Ryan was even more surprised by who. "Oliver? What are you doing here?"
Oliver smiled a little. "If this is your greeting, you need to work on your bed side manner."
Ryan shook his head. "You can't have been hurt already."
Oliver reminded him. "You never know. I had my first class for first years today."
Ryan shook his head. "Not quidditch practice."
Poppy had come in. "I have had my share of first years in here after. Two in your year."
Ryan grimaced when reminded. "Well that isn't exactly normal."
Poppy agreed. "I'd rather not have first years almost drowning on a regular basis."
Ryan looked at her. "I was just going to come tell you, I finished the list."
Poppy took it from him. "You can head down or dinner. You were a ton of help already."
Oliver smiled. "Maybe I could walk you down."
Ryan asked. "Didn't you need something?"
Oliver shook his head. "I just thought maybe we could…."
Ryan smiled a little. "I'd love to catch up."
Oliver walked with him. "I thought maybe you'd come into town with me tomorrow. After quidditch."
Ryan shrugged. "I did promise the twins I'd visit. I'm sure they'd like to see you."
It wasn't what Oliver meant but he'd take it. "Sounds good. Maybe lunch at the Three Broomsticks as well?"
Ryan agreed. "I should be hungry after practice."
Marcus came their way when they were in the hall. "Ryan, I thought maybe you'd go into town with me tomorrow."
Ryan smiled a little. "I think I must be popular. Oliver already asked."
Marcus ground his teeth but he tried to hide it. "Oh."
Ryan was oblivious as always. "You could come with us."
Marcus shot Oliver a look and smiled. "I'd like that."
Oliver was now the one grinding his teeth. Both Oliver and Marcus may have been oblivious years before, but they weren't now. They were both attracted to Ryan, and they had every intention to pursue him. It wasn't the only reason though they had taken their jobs, they told themselves. The two were hoping for some alone time with Ryan. The twins had not been ideal, but Oliver knew they'd help, they were trying to play match maker for years. But the snake accompanying them, definitely was not at all what he had been planning.
Draco looked to him when he sat. "Where were you? You had no classes after lunch."
Ryan told him and ended with the guys. "It should be fun."
Blaise snorted and said under his breath. "For whom?"
Draco looked at Blaise. "If I didn't know my cousin, I'd think he was playing them off one another."
Blaise agreed. "But even if he wasn't oblivious, he would be too kind for that."
Draco shook his head. "We may need to help Marcus. The twins are already involved."
Blaise looked at the head table. "And his Uncle leans towards his former house."
Draco shook his head. "Ryan respects his Grandsire's opinion the most. And we know his choice."
Orion wouldn't meddle to much though, and not only because his son would hex him. He did want Ryan happy, though he was sure who would make his grandson happier. Oliver came from a good family, and if it was Oliver, he would make peace with that. But Orion would be at school too, and hopefully some of his opinion would rub off on his grandson. Or so Draco was hoping.
Ryan turned to his cousin. "Well we have our first quidditch try outs as captains tomorrow, to worry about first."
Albus had been distracted since he had met with James. James was insistent, the boy was dead, and he was to remain so. Albus had to wonder, if Lily really shared the same thought with him. He could admit, he was a bit surprised when Lily had not argued, about sending the baby away. Part of him suspected she was in shock. Though she had never been maternal to the baby, she was still his mother, and always had a big heart. He wondered if there was a part of her, when she looked at Hector, that wondered about the other baby. But James couldn't know, if they spoke.
He really had no idea where to start. And he knew if he went poking, he took the chances, of someone finding out. He was good, but he had people watching him, since the newspaper debacle. He would just have to say, he had heard rumors, the child was alive. Few knew of him.
He went to London to see Lily. He smiled when she opened. "Lily."
The woman looked at him with suspicion. "Albus, we weren't expecting you."
Albus noticed she didn't let him in. "Is James home then?"
Lily shook her head. "He's at work, and I have a feeling you knew that."
Albus didn't deny it. "I wished to speak to you alone. Are you alone? Or am I interrupting?"
Lily ground her teeth. "I don't care for what you are insinuating Albus."
Albus shook his head. "I didn't mean it that way. It just doesn't usually take this long to be invited inside."
Lily reminded him. "My husband usually allows you in."
Albus entered as she backed up. "I wished to speak to you. It bothers me, the distance between us lately."
Lily smirked. "You know I am not fond of the way you use my son."
Albus reminded her. "How many books have you had published? How much money have you from him?"
Lily bit back. "He is our son, and he has a choice. You don't give him one."
Albus pointed out. "James has agreed on it. I would have been unable to do anything, without his okay."
Lily didn't need reminding. "My husband and I have spoken of that as well."
Albus was surprised when he found Molly in the kitchen. "I didn't realize I was interrupting."
Molly stood. "I'll let you two speak. I should be getting home."
Lily sent her friend off, though she wished she would stay. Molly had been a good friend of hers, since their sons were born. Molly was older, it was her brothers who Lily had known better, before the boys. But with her son's fame, it was often hard, to know who was being honest. She had always known the family was honest. There had been troubles, over the book store incident, when Hector nearly killed the twins. But Lily and Molly had patched things up, and Molly had come over for tea, both a bit lonely with empty houses.
Albus looked around the town home. The couple had four other houses, the ruins had only been one, in the Potter estate. They were nowhere near as rich as the Malfoys, paupers compared to the Blacks, but had an estate. But they lived here in the week, when they were working.
Lily turned to him. "So what do you want?"
Albus accepted some tea. "I wished to speak to you about your son."
Lily sneered. "I thought you decided long ago, it was just easier to talk to my husband alone?"
Albus had. "I wasn't referring to Hector."
Lily stopped in confusion. "Harry?"
Albus nodded. "Unless you have another son I don't know of."
Lily snapped. "You know I don't. Have you heard about him?"
Albus heard a note of genuine interest. "No."
Lily turned away. "He is likely dead."
Albus stood. "He wasn't that sickly. Muggle social services would have found him a doctor."
Lily didn't turn. "Why do you bring him up? You want to torture me?"
Albus reminded her. "You were all for giving him up."
Lily wasn't in denial. "I was. I don't regret it. But I gave birth to him."
Albus put a hand on her arm. "I told James, I thought to look in on if the child was alive."
Lily turned. "We will not take him back. We have our son and heir. Hector doesn't even know he had a twin."
Albus was aware of that. Most of the world didn't know the Potters had a second child. Only a few members of the order knew, and had been told the child died, some years before. The couple had told themselves, it was protecting Hector, not to tell him he had a twin. He didn't need to wonder where the kid was, or perhaps be hurt, if told the child was dead. It would just complicate their son's life, and they didn't want that.
Albus prodded. "Severus believed Harry had magic."
Lily nodded. "He did some old test. Claimed old bloods used it, to know if a child was a squib."
Albus had heard of it. "Did you ever see any signs?"
Lily shook her head. "James has told you, the baby never did."
Albus pushed. "I know what James has told me."
Lily looked down at her hands. "Fine, there were times, but James said it was Hector, or an elf. Or some freak magic on the estate."
Albus needed to know. "What?"
Lily's shoulders slumped. "Minor shaking of the room, when the twins cried. Floating bottles. Things like that."
Albus knew Hector showed very little accidental, after the Halloween. "And yet Hector showed little until he was eight."
Lily slammed her cup down. "I don't know what you gain from this? He is gone. I have told you, he's gone."
Albus took her by the arms. "Did he have a scar?"
Lily refused to look at him. "No."
Albus pushed. "Lily?"
Lily shook her head. "No. The healer said he was touched by the magic in the room. He had an almost burn."
Albus sighed. "Backlash from the spell they guessed, I assume."
Lily watched him. "Do you plan to look for the child?"
Albus tried. "I would, but I have to be careful, without a parent being involved."
Lily went to lead him to the door but said. "It would perhaps not be bad, to know he was alive. With some other family of course."
Albus was happy, that she was willing to do that much. He didn't expect her to take the boy back, he knew better than that. He wondered, if it did turn out the baby was actually the hero, if they would. Or if they would want to cover it up instead, and allow Hector to remain the hero. He had no idea how he would handle it, but for now he was more intent on finding the boy. He had this sick feeling, he made a huge mistake. Even if Hector was the hero, the boy may have had the magic to be the target. He needed to find out.
Albus headed back for school. "There has to be some way of using the link, to find him."
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