Remus had walked away without answering the woman. Part of him had been tempted to let her know that he was safe and happy. He could have made her swear an oath she wouldn't reveal that he knew. But it wasn't his place to let her know. He was Ryan's Uncle by marriage and nothing else. It was his dads' place to decide if Lily knew anything about him. She had given up her right to have her son and call him her son. If anyone deserved to know about Ryan it was his twin. Hector would not know Ryan was his twin but he would have him in his life again. Remus would ensure the boys had that much. But he could admit there was a part of him which felt Lily's pain through all of this as well.

He and his husband were expecting a visit in the morning from their nephew. They knew Ryan would come to talk to them sooner than later. He had been distracted by a date the night before. Remus knew Sirius was worried when he didn't even think of the date.

Remus was a bit surprised when he came out in the morning. "Ryan?"

Sirius appeared next to his side. "How long has he been there?"

Remus shook his head. "Not sure. I wonder why he didn't go to his bed."

Sirius bent to scoop his nephew up. "Well I will now."

Ryan stirred before he could. "Uncle Siri?"

Sirius kissed him on the head. "Morning cub. What are you doing here?"

Ryan saw his other Uncle too. "I came to talk, but I didn't want to wake you up."

Remus pointed at his door. "You have a room here."

Ryan sat up. "I thought maybe it was being used."

Remus understood. "You thought Hector would be here."

Ryan shrugged. "I thought he might need to talk to you."

Remus sat down. "We spoke a bit last night."

Sirius had an elf bring food. "You know we always have time for you."

Ryan smiled a little. "I know. I also had a date last night."

Remus managed to laugh a little. "Don't remind your Uncle."

Sirius was distracted but he still managed to grumble about it. Ryan's dads constantly reminded him their son was only sixteen. It was his first serious boyfriend, or in this case two. Just because he chose one when he did, didn't mean he would marry them. Regulus may have married his first love but Sirius had dated a lot. He had married his first love too but it had just taken time. He knew they were right. He just didn't like the fact that both his first boyfriend and one of his possible first serious boyfriends, was a snake. He was hoping for a lion.

Ryan could admit as they waited for breakfast he had been a bit nervous. He loved his Uncles and he thought they likely had done the best. He just had to wonder how much of all of this they had known. Or his dads for that matter as well.

Ryan finally asked. "Did you know?"

Sirius didn't look up. "Yes."

Remus added. "We were there when the twins were born."

Ryan was confused. "How did you let this happen?"

Sirius was pale. "I was his godfather. I did my best by Harry."

Remus agreed. "We tried to fight them sending him to the muggles."

Ryan understood. "That's why you don't speak to James anymore?"

Sirius confirmed it. "That and how he treats your Daddy and others."

Ryan looked at Remus. "You did till the book shop."

Remus agreed. "I had so few friends; I didn't want to give up any. And I believed the child dead."

Ryan had to ask. "Have you looked for him?"

Sirius nodded. "He was adopted as far as we can tell. Blood adopted, there is no trace of the child."

Remus told Ryan. "Your Uncle loved him a lot. He did his best by his godson, as did your Papa."

Ryan was surprised to learn Papa was godfather too. "I know they would have."

Sirius hugged his nephew who came into his arms. He felt guilt even though Ryan was the child they spoke of. He had always felt he could have done more for Ryan when he was Harry. But those who loved him had reminded him he did his best. He rescued Ryan when he could and had given him the best family possible. He could answer truthfully; that he thought Harry was happy, as he knew he was.

Remus mentioned. "What would you think if Hector came to live with us?"

Ryan was shocked. "What? Like adopting?"

Sirius shook his head. "No. But when he is seventeen and can leave home."

Remus explained. "He has the money to be on his own, but still."

Ryan assured them. "I think it is a good idea."

Sirius was relieved. "I was worried you might not like the idea. You don't get along."

Ryan shook his head. "We have started to. I don't hate him."

Remus knew that. "He mentioned your tutoring helped."

Ryan shrugged. "It's not like Papa and Dad want to take him."

He had been an only child and only grandchild for a long time. But it wasn't like he was the only child in the family either. He had a cousin, Draco, though they were really second cousins. It was one summer, well part of one, as Hector wasn't seventeen until later in the summer. And he thought that it would be good for the kid. He had no idea how Hector was even getting through all of what he was facing.

Remus looked at his husband when alone. "We have to contact your dad. I hope he has got warnings to the other schools."


Orion had been in quick contact with people he knew. Bulgaria had been easy considering Borden. Borden had sworn he would warn both the elves and the headmaster of the school what was happening. France had been a bit more work even for Orion. He had eventually turned to his son in law who had a contact down there. Severus knew a family with some veela blood from his war days. Mr. Delacaur was a member of the school governors down there and he was able to help as well. It was the Delacaurs who had come up with a possible solution for them as well.

They needed to throw Albus off the track in the UK until they could nail him. For now they had to ensure the potion wasn't getting into the food here at school. But Albus had to believe that his plan was working here at school anyways.

Albus was about to go look for Hector when he called an elf. "The potion has been put in the food?"

The elf bowed. "Yes headmaster. Lofty not be understanding why."

Albus smiled. "There is a concern of a fever going around. It will keep the kids healthy."

Lofty looked skeptical. "Miss Poppy nurse lady be giving those."

Albus ground his teeth. "It isn't your place to question."

Lofty went to disappear. "Yes headmaster sir."

James had appeared in the door. "Elves having questions?"

Albus shrugged. "It doesn't matter. They will do what is needed."

James looked around. "Could they have overheard?"

Albus shook his head. "No. Only my personal elf can hear what happens in this room."

James knew his elf was sworn. "And the school elves shouldn't disobey you."

Albus smirked. "Shouldn't. But they belong to the school and not me."

James looked around. "When is my son coming?"

Albus sneered. "He isn't."

James was surprised. "You told me you asked him to come."

Albus smirked. "He listens as well as most of my staff."

He had threatened the boy with detention to come. But Minerva had stepped in and told him that was out of line. And she would take the detention if he continued. He had no idea why but his staff seemed to be against him as well. They would not help him with anything. He knew most of them were not impressed when they had read the article in the paper. He tried reminding them he was their boss but had little effect. Even his most loyal ones like Vector were giving him the cold shoulder as of late.

He and James went in search of Hector but it wasn't that hard. Gryffindor had quidditch practice that day and they were just finishing up. It took some time but Hector had made a chaser on the team. He didn't have the skill James once had but he was still good.

Hector ground his teeth when he saw them. "I have nothing to say to you."

Albus tried to stop him. "We need to talk."

James agreed. "You can't walk away from us."

Hector sneered. "Watch me."

James reached out to grab him. "I'm your father. You will listen to us."

Hector yanked away. "He isn't. Unless you divorced mum and made him my step mummy."

Albus went red. "We need to talk. We know you leaked the story."

Hector shrugged. "So what if I did? It needed to come out."

James shook his head. "We went over this. You can be the hero. If we don't find him…."

Hector bit. "I am not the hero. I am sick of pretending."

Albus pointed out. "You were happy before."

Hector reminded him. "Before I knew it was all lies? Not as happy as you seem to think."

James said quietly. "It is nearly Christmas. You'll come home, and we can find a way to make this story go away."

Hector backed up. "I am never going 'home'."

Albus reminded him. "You're not seventeen."

Hector smirked. "That never stopped anyone before."

James looked at Albus. "Do something."

Albus steered him towards the school. "We will continue over Christmas, in finding the other."

Hector watched them go. He hoped they never found Harry where ever he was. He had not known his brother. Though he would have loved to know him, he hoped Harry wasn't found. He had been a prisoner of those men and all of their plans. He hoped his brother never fell prey to it. He saw Ron coming his way and was worried. He hadn't spoken to Ron since the newspaper had come out.

Ron looked at him. "How long?"

Hector took a breath. "A few days."

Ron asked. "You knew when you were questioning me."

Hector nodded. "I was worried….."

Ron smirked. "That I could care you were a hero?"

Hector nodded. "I know it was stupid. I hope you understand, I didn't want to lie to you."

Ron smiled. "I do. And on the bright side, no longer the pathetic side kick to the boy who lived."

Hector laughed a little. "I still think you make a good side kick."

Ron clapped him in a hug. "For you I think I can handle it."

Hector walked with him to school. "You and I need to make peace with some people."

Ron stopped. "You mean Hermione."

Hector nodded. "For starters. You don't need to be friends, but peace at least."

Ron sighed. "Fine. As long as that doesn't include her boyfriend."

Hector laughed and more than agreed. He didn't think Blaise was too bad even if he was a snake. But he would never push that. But he and Ron could no longer lord over people that he was the hero. He hadn't done it all year and he had seen a difference in some of their house at least. Maybe with studying to improve his marks, and now this, he might leave school better than before.

Ron assured him. "I am signing up to stay over Christmas too. You know I'll be here for you."


Orion was relieved to have confirmation from abroad. They had found an in with Salem as well, and warned them there as well. It turned out there may have been those hurt in France as well. Veelas often had some elemental magic though nowhere near the levels of the Blacks. They had the power but couldn't be classified as being an elemental in truth. They had a control over the elements but not the link to the core magic. But there were a number of veela and part veela students there who could have been affected.

Orion came to school both to keep an eye on his grandson and to train him. Ryan had only been in lessons with him since the start of the year but he was flourishing certainly. Between his grandsire and his Uncle, Ryan was doing extremely well with his extra studies.

Ryan was so happy when he came. "I want to show you."

Orion smiled. "Your Uncle told me you had made progress."

Ryan nodded. "Can I show you grandsire? I have to ask."

Orion nodded. "Of course."

Ryan transformed, covering his body head to toe in feathers and his nose was beak like. He smiled when he turned back. "That's it."

Orion laughed. "Amazing progress in a few months."

Ryan knew. "Uncle Siri said it is the bigger parts that take time."

Orion agreed. "For a bird, the wings and the size."

Ryan was reminded his grandsire had the same form. "How long did it take you?"

Orion smiled. "Nine months or so."

Ryan was amazed. "Better not tell Uncle Siri or he'll be jealous. It took him a year."

Orion shook his head. "Our powers will make it easier for us."

Ryan took out a book. "I have also kept up my studies with the centaurs."

Orion looked down at the book. "Quite advanced."

Ryan pointed at a list. "I have been studying the tea they have made for me."

Orion realized why Ryan was bringing it up. Ryan had a tea he had to take ever since the headmaster started giving him the potion. Ryan had no idea what had been causing him the headaches and dizzy spells he had suffered. The centaurs had just told him the tea would help with that. The centaurs and Aunt Poppy had gone into no detail for him. Orion should have known that Ryan would be curious about it.

Ryan had taken down all the plants, and all of their different uses. And he had been trying to come up with what the combination could help do. He had studied a lot of herbology and medicine, with the centaurs and Aunt Poppy, but he had not come up with an idea.

Orion sighed. "The headmaster is looking for an elemental in the school."

Ryan was shocked. "Does he know about me?"

Orion shook his head. "He looked at your Uncle and Daddy once too."

Ryan was shaken. "Can he tell?"

Orion assured him. "The tea we have been giving you will help."

Ryan was pale. "Okay."

Orion was worried. "The headaches and symptoms haven't come back have they?"

Ryan shook his head. "No. I promise I would have told you."

Orion clapped him on the back. "I know and trust you."

Ryan put down the book. "Can we start my lesson please?"

Orion took out his wand. "Of course."

Ryan grabbed his from his bag. "I wish I didn't need this."

Orion laughed. "You can already do some wandless. This is just a tool to help."

Ryan shook his head. "I can't do any more than I could do when I was eight."

Orion smirked a bit. "Not many eight year olds if any can."

Ryan pointed out. "Accidental. Mine was too."

Orion corrected him. "When younger, like the bookstore. You had more control by eight."

He assured his grandson he was making progress. And unlike his animagi, the progress would be slower. Learning to control his elemental powers would take time and dedication. Orion had not been any quicker learning his, in fact he had been a bit slower. But he had not had his grandfather being so hands on as Orion did. He may have been better if he had more direct training to help him out.

When Ryan was done and on his way to meet Oliver, Orion slipped into the school. He promised to meet his son and son in law. They were trying to work on the school elves, and get the proof that they needed at last. They only had it abroad so far.

Poppy and Horace were there as well as Severus. "Any news?"

Poppy shook her head. "No one has suffered any symptoms. I have no proof."

Horace agreed. "And he isn't getting the potion from me."

Severus pointed out. "Even he wouldn't be that big of a fool."

Orion called the head elf. "Lofty."

Lofty appeared. "Mr. Lord School governor, what can Lofty be doing for you?"

Orion looked at her. "Has the headmaster had anything added to the food?"

Lofty shook head. "Lofty not be talking. Mr. Lord Governor knows the headmaster boss of elves."

Poppy spoke up. "Only if he is not putting the kids in danger of any kind."

Lofty rung her hands. "He no be. It make them feel better."

Orion realized she revealed something. "He has been adding something."

Lofty shake head. "Lofty say too much."

Poppy pushed. "If it has to do with children's health, you know it has to go through me."

Lofty reluctantly produced a bottle. "Headmaster say it for fever. Lofty add little bit. Lofty not add as much as headmaster say."

Horace took the bottle to test and he nodded. "Lofty likely saved the life of anyone else who may have had the powers."

Orion looked at Lofty. "The headmaster was poisoning students. You will say nothing. He is to think you are still doing it."

The others were worried but Orion was not. He knew the elf belonged to the school and not the headmaster. The elf would protect the students above and beyond anything else. He had kept the bottle and they had the proof now. If the aurors wanted, the elves would testify as well. Lily had warned them but part of them hadn't been sure whether to trust her. They were worried an elf testimony and the potion wouldn't be enough.

Orion looked at Remus. "Do you think you could convince Lily to testify against him?"

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