Remus wasn't certain Lily could be trusted or counted on. She had warned him about the potion but he wasn't certain she would go this far. The woman had gone behind her husband's back to help them. Lily wasn't a fool and she'd know she would be risking her life to help them out. But he agreed to go to her and see if she would help. He knew they needed to try anything to ensure that Ryan was safe and would remain that way. They could try and take Albus to trial but they needed to have a witness. As much as en elf would testify, there was no certainty it would work. Albus would face some charges but he may get out of prison. That was something they had to make sure didn't happen.

He headed for London and held out hope that this might work somehow. In the last little while he had seen his former friend show up a bit. He had seen the girl both he and Severus had been friends with when they were young. He just hoped he wasn't seeing what he wanted to.

Lily was shocked to see him. "What are you doing here?"

Remus cast a privacy spell. "I need to speak with you."

Lily shook her head. "I have nothing to talk to you about."

Remus didn't back down. "You told me about the poison."

Lily turned a bit. "I wouldn't let him hurt kids."

Remus sighed. "Hurt Harry you mean."

Lily bit. "How do I know? You won't tell me where he is."

Remus shook his head. "I don't know."

Lily picked up a picture. "If that is what you have to tell yourself."

Remus took out his own photo. "We need your help."

Lily turned to him. "I did what I could."

Remus showed her the picture. "Both your sons need you."

Lily touched the photo. "How?"

Remus told her what happened. "You need to testify."

Lily shook her head. "I can't."

Remus took her by the arms. "It is the only way to keep both your sons safe."

Lily was in tears. "I can't."

Remus went to leave. "Neither of your sons will ever be safe unless he is stopped."

Remus left the house without another word. He had left the picture though and Lily picked it up. She knew Sirius must have taken it. He was the only one who had ever taken a photo of both twins. Or Harry for that matter. Lily could admit she didn't have a single photo of her younger son. She couldn't even remember holding him more than needed. Or looking into his crib and watching him sleep as she had with Hector.

Lily left and headed for the school to see her son. She had no idea where Harry was but she needed to see to Hector. He was the son she knew and loved. And she knew any choice she made could affect him for better or worse. Remus was the one who told her to focus on Hector.

Hector was surprised when he saw her. "Mum, what are you doing here?"

Lily tried to hold him. "I wanted to see how you were doing."

Hector sneered. "He send you?"

Lily was hurt. "Of course not."

Hector went to leave. "Go home to him."

Lily stopped him. "We're not living in the same house."

Hector stopped. "You left him?"

Lily wished he'd turn around. "I love your dad, but I hate what he is doing."

Hector refused to turn. "You lied to me too."

Lily took two steps forward. "I know. And I would do anything to make it better."

Hector shook his head. "You can't."

Lily touched him. "Maybe we can find him. I mean without the headmaster."

Hector surprised her. "No."

Lily watched as he turned. "You don't want your twin?"

Hector shook his head. "I want him happy and safe."

Hector could admit he wanted to know his twin brother. But his life was a horror show and it was bad enough he was trapped in it. He didn't think anyone else needed to be dragged into it with him. He hoped his brother was happy and safe wherever he was. And that his so called father and the headmaster never got their hands on him. One of them should at least be happy and safe out there.

Lily said. "He may not be safe."

Hector shook his head. "The headmaster?"

Lily nodded. "He won't stop looking for him."

Hector said. "There has to be some way."

Lily found herself saying. "If there was some way for me to protect him…."

Hector understood. "Do it."

Lily admitted. "It could perhaps be a risk."

Hector shook his head. "Protect him for once."

Lily looked at him. "I will do what I can."

Hector went to leave. "No matter how upset I am, I do love you."

Lily had tears in her eyes. "I will prove I deserve it."

Lily knew the risk but she needed to take it. She had sworn to her son she would what was needed to make sure he and his twin were safe. She had no idea where Harry was but she had a feeling he must be close. Remus had refused to admit he knew where Harry was or that he was safe. She knew if he hadn't then that he likely never would. She just held hope that maybe one day he might know.

Lily headed to London somehow knowing where he'd be. "I'll help."


Albus had no idea what was going on but the potion didn't seem to work. He could be wrong but he was sure the boy had to be here. He had received word from France that a few kids had shown illness. But he had been reminded that veelas could show some of the traits as well. If the boy was in France it may be almost impossible to track him. There was no sign of him in Salem or Romania, no one had shown any signs. He knew he should consider the boy was in France. But he just had this feeling the boy was closer to home.

He was having troubles to say the least with the other twin as well. Hector kept refusing to speak to him and had been saved from detentions. He learned the boy would be staying for Christmas though. He only had so much time before all of this couldn't be cleaned up.

He was heading for the hall when he saw someone. "Mr. Black, what mischief are you up to?"

Ryan looked up. "None sir."

Albus sneered. "And what are you do lurking in the halls outside my office?"

Ryan shook his head. "I'm not."

Albus pointed around. "Then what are you doing?"

Ryan showed a book. "I am waiting."

Albus didn't believe him. "Waiting for whom? Your boyfriend?"

Ryan shook his head. "I have none. But no sir."

Albus smirked. "I won't be lied too. Who?"

A voice came from behind. "Is there some reason you're interrogating my student?"

Albus turned to find Filius. "I was asking what he was doing lurking around?"

Ryan looked at his professor. "I brought the book with me sir."

Filius smiled and turned to Albus. "I asked Ryan to meet me here."

Albus was confused. "He has no special lessons with you."

Filius agreed. "But Poppy was unable to take his lesson this evening."

Ryan turned to go with the man but said to the headmaster. "I'm sorry if I interrupted your thoughts."

Albus grumbled when he was gone. "That boy has the luck of Hector."

It wasn't luck as Ryan hadn't been there lurking. He had in fact been meant to meet with Filius, though further up the hall. He had ducked into an alcove when he had seen James coming down the hall though. The man seemed to be around the school more and more lately. Ryan had tried to listen in on the man but James had disappeared into the crowd. Ryan was coming out, to meet Filius, when he had run into Albus. Filius didn't think anything of it. He assumed Ryan wasn't at their meeting place because the headmaster had held him up in the hall.

Albus was looking for the same person Ryan had made an attempt to follow. James had been lurking around the school more and more. Albus had asked him to and had been coming up with excuses. But now his son was his excuse to the world.

He found James in the room of requirements. "I hope you have good news."

James shook his head. "Not good."

Albus smirked. "News?"

James turned to look at him. "I thought my wife might be having an affair."

Albus smirked. "Just because she left you."

James shook his head. "There is something more than the boy."

Albus sighed. "You found something."

James nodded. "She was meeting with Moody."

Albus raised an eyebrow. "Alastor? What does he have to do with anything?"

James shook his head. "I don't know. But she spoke with him this afternoon."

Albus began rubbing his temples. "Is there some reason she'd go?"

James shrugged. "The potion."

Albus shook his head. "She didn't know the risk of it. She had left."

James wasn't certain. "Did we check?"

Neither man wanted to believe that Lily would have turned on them. James loved his wife and had trouble thinking she'd turn on them. He hadn't really thought that she was having an affair on him. He had always thought that she was too honorable for that kind of thing. He could admit he had slipped once or twice in their marriage. But Lily had always been far too honorable for that kind of thing. But now he wasn't certain.

Albus watched him. "If she has spoken to them…."

James shook his head. "She wouldn't."

Albus sneered. "Are you accusing her of an affair with Alastor?'

James' head dropped in his hands. "She'd not risk it."

Albus thought. "Maybe she made a deal with them to avoid prison."

James wasn't certain. "If she went to them, why have the aurors not come?"

Albus wasn't certain. "But we can't wait for them to come."

James stood. "What do you mean?"

Albus smirked. "You're no fool James. You know what I mean."

James shook his head. "No."

Albus stopped him. "She will bring us both down."

James pulled away from him. "She'll see reason."

Albus sighed. "I'll give you a chance."

James left the room to head for London and find his wife. He knew he should never have told Albus but he told him everything. The man had to be wrong about this though. Lily was loyal even if she questioned Albus from time to time. Lily would never turn either of them into the aurors. Lily would know that Albus would get out of it anyways. They both knew they couldn't make enemies out of him.

Albus watched the fool leave and thought. "I can't just wait for them to come."


Remus and Sirius had been shocked when they received word to come to London. Remus had held out hope that Lily would help them. He hadn't been sure but he hoped his words would sink in. Hector had admitted to him that he had spoken to his mother. If anyone could get Lily to do the right thing it was her son. There was one person who meant the world to Lily and it was not her husband. Remus had no doubt Lily still was in love with her husband but Hector was her heart and soul. Remus knew she would do everything for her son.

Alastor surprised them when he told them Lily had come in. She hadn't told him anything but that she was willing to testify against Albus. She had asked him for protection though. And he had agreed to have someone on him for protection.

Remus was worried. "We need to arrest the man."

Moody shook his head. "The ministry insists on having that potion sampled."

Sirius ground his teeth. "Horace and my brother and law both have."

Moody reminded him. "It needs to be impartial. We can't let him get off on a loophole."

Remus was worried. "What happens if he gets wind of what is happening?"

Alastor shook his head. "How would he? The elf won't talk."

Sirius agreed. "My father made sure of that."

Moody handed him forms. "We got samples from the other three schools, being sent. They will be examined as well."

Remus sighed. "How long will it take?"

Alastor assured them. "Three days at the most."

Sirius asked. "We are certain Lily is protected?"

Moody smirked. "I have never heard you so concerned for her."

Sirius shrugged. "Hector might be upset but he needs her."

Moody sighed. "As long as she keeps her head down, she should be fine."

Remus hoped so. "Neither has any reason to believe she'd turn on them."

It was nearly Christmas time which was another reason for the timing. They would wait until the Christmas break to arrest the man. It was five days away and they could have acted sooner. But there was a chance when they tried to arrest Albus, that he would resist. Well there was more than a chance. And the lest students in the school the better. They hoped Albus wouldn't stoop to using a student as a shield but they had no idea. He would be a fool too. Though the amount of potion was poison level, he could argue the amount was a mistake. There was a good chance he would not be facing the kiss or even life. But if he hurt someone else, that would change. Albus was smart enough to know that.

Remus and Sirius didn't head back to school but to the manor. They filled Orion in on what was happening and Ryan's dads as well. They promised they'd make sure Ryan kept his head down until the break. They wanted him away from the school as well.

Back at school Ryan was enjoying a date with Oliver. "What are you up to?"

Oliver smiled. "You will have to see."

Ryan wasn't sure he liked this. "Should I be worried?"

Oliver's smile turned to smirk. "Worried I will leave you in the woods?"

Ryan laughed. "No, if only for fear of my family. But you are close to the twins."

Oliver shrugged. "They did help with some of the planning."

Ryan stopped. "Now I am really worried."

Oliver pulled him along. "You are their silent backer."

Ryan didn't deny it. "That doesn't mean I want them planning my dates."

Oliver smiled. "Well after Marcus' last one, I had a lot to live up to."

Ryan smirked. "Didn't hear he had us watching your game all night?"

Oliver shook his head. "Draco seemed to have left out that part."

Ryan was not surprised. "I wonder why."

Oliver led him towards Hagrid's hut. "It seems unfair he has backup."

Ryan was amazed when he found a picnic. "I think you have plenty."

It was nothing over the top like Marcus' date had been. Ryan realized the food though included some of his favorites. And there was a WWN which was playing some of the music they both liked. Ryan thought this was the kind of date that he had been expecting from Marcus. He wondered if Oliver had the same thought as Marcus had admitted to. Marcus had been trying to show he had a lighter side like Oliver did. And perhaps Oliver was showing he had a more traditional romantic side. It made Ryan laugh to think the twins had a part in this.

They were done dinner and enjoying a dance when Ryan heard something. "I swear I just heard a scream."

Oliver agreed with him. "We better go find out."

Ryan heard something and pointed. "It's coming from the pitch."

Oliver headed with him. "The lions are practicing tonight."

Ryan was reminded Oliver was a coach. "Maybe one of the players was hurt."

Oliver agreed. "Rollanda is in London. I better check."

Ryan hurried after him. "Where is the team? They don't seem to be there."

Oliver looked at the time. "I would have thought they'd be done by now."

There were only two people there, and they could see someone lying on the ground. One of the other two were kneeling and the other standing. Ryan didn't know what happened but he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. There were no brooms in sight and the team wasn't all there. He knew what ever had happened, it wasn't a simple quidditch accident. Something seriously had gone wrong.

Ron saw them first and looked up. "Oh Merlin you have to help. We need a nurse, you need to help."

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