James had Severus' words in his head day and night. He had expected Hector to be the hero for all of his life. Not for him, in that he needed his son to save him. But for the crowds, to make the money, and sell the books. He had made Hector be something, that if he was honest, he had always known his son never really wanted. When he was a kid Hector enjoyed the spotlight, but he had come to see that it made him a freak to many. He had resented being different when he was in school, and he made his father know that loud and clear. Part of James had wondered if his son would be grateful when he found out he wasn't the hero. And part of Hector likely was. But having found out his entire life had been a lie, had been like a hard slap in the face. He wished his son would at least understand.

For now he was giving up on finding Harry. He wasn't sure if forever, but he had enough to focus on. He would make sure Albus went down for the murder of his wife and Hector's mother. And he wouldn't allow either of his sons to be put at risk. In a shock to even himself, he turned to the people he knew could help him with this. He never in a million years believed he would have turned that way.

He walked into the shop and looked at the clerk. "Is your boss here?"

The man nodded. "He is in the back shop."

James took a breath. "Can you tell him Lord Potter needs to speak to him?"

The man moved to leave. "Yes sir."

A few moments later a surprised Severus appeared. "I thought my clerk was crazy."

James shook his head. "Can we speak?"

Severus motioned to his back room. "I finished the potion I was working on."

James stopped. "I was hoping to include your husband and the marauders."

Severus was really surprised. "Remus should be with my husband at his shop. Sirius will be easy enough to summon."

James went to follow the man. "Thank you."

Severus looked over his shoulder. "Don't thank me yet."

James shrugged. "You are willing to hear me out."

Severus agreed. "We have a common goal for once."

James sighed. "Lily would have been happy we were working together."

Severus shook his head. "She did try before the babies were born, to make us friends."

James thought about when his wife had named Severus godfather. He had never protested because it had been for the other baby. He had thought that Hector was the hero and had never considered the other child. He had never liked Severus and never normally would want him around his son. But he knew Lily had once relied on him and Remus for a great deal of support. Now he knew that Harry had actually been the hero. He wondered what would have happened if he and Sirius had not stepped in for Harry when he was born. Would the war have gone on?

He could see the shock of both Regulus and Remus when they came into the shop. It seemed fait, as Sirius was there already. He was reminded his brother and husband ran the shop together. He still thought it odd seeing a Black running such a shop as this.

Sirius watched him. "What are you doing here?"

James motioned. "Can we speak in private?"

He was led not into a back office but a private nook on the second floor. "Speak."

James looked around. "Hide out here?"

Severus grunted. "It's our son's little nook. Now what is this about?"

James sighed. "You want to bring Albus down and you need my help."

Regulus smirked. "Why would we accept your help? You work for him."

James reminded him. "You don't have my wife's testimony anymore."

Severus didn't deny she hadn't given it. "We have the elves and don't trust you."

James pointed out. "You know the elves aren't enough. Or you'd not have risked my wife."

Remus spoke up. "How do you know that?"

James laughed. "Because no matter the last decades, both of you still love her. I saw you at the funeral; you'd not have risked her."

Severus spoke. "How do we know we can trust you?"

James took an oath on his magic. "I will see that man go down for killing my wife."

Severus shared a look with his brother in law and his husband. In truth he had believed the man before he took the oath. He knew what it had taken James to come here. James would never have agreed to spy for Albus in this way. But they still had needed to take every precaution. The man had shown in the past, he was sometimes a jelly fish, and gullible. He had been blinded to what Albus had been in the past.

Sirius hoped that this was a turnaround for James. He hoped that since the man had come, he wasn't simply out for vengeance here and now. He could still remember the James who had once been his brother. The James who had come out after Harry was born, he had never recognized.

Orion had come in behind them unseen. "It seems we may have the in we need."

James turned to see the man. "I didn't know you'd be involved."

Orion smirked. "My grandson is my top priority."

James shook his head. "Better grandfather it seems than a father."

Sirius stepped in. "My father was a great one; I was foolish not to see that. But that has nothing to do with this."

Orion spoke. "This is about my grandson. And your son."

James extended his hand. "I will work with you, to protect them."

Orion shook it. "For the boys."

James was a pureblood and came from an old family. But he was the only child of much older parents and had always been spoiled. He had never been traditional, even before he had married Lily. He had been the one to inspire Sirius to rebel against his family as he had. He had shown Sirius what could be found beyond. Though Sirius had once longed for it, he saw the benefits of the loving family he had left behind.

Orion said before he had to leave. "The sooner the man is dealt with, the safer they all will be."


It seemed the fathers weren't the only ones who were meeting or making peace. Really it was less of a shock with the boys than their dads. Ryan had been getting along with Hector in the last few months. And having been there when Lily was killed, he had felt a connection to him. It was Hector though who came looking for him. He was worried after what happened to his mother. He knew he needed allies among this.

Ron had no idea that Hector had been having tutoring with Ryan as well. Hector told him, when he told his friend he was going to Ryan. Ron was shocked but he was behind his friend as well. He had proven before that he would do anything he could for Ryan.

Hermione came over. "He should be waiting."

Hector was grateful. "Thanks."

Hermione stopped. "I'm really sorry about your mum."

Hector sighed. "Thank you."

Hermione walked with him. "I'm kind of surprised you returned to school so soon."

Hector was. "I couldn't sit around the house."

Ron added. "Hasn't been home anyways."

Hermione was surprised. "Still not speaking to your father?"

Hector wondered how she knew. "No."

Hermione could see he didn't want to talk. "I can help you catch up on any of your work."

Hector nodded a bit. "I will have to take you up on that."

Hermione had got Ryan and Draco to meet them in the room of requirements. She was not sure what it was about but happy to help. She had seen a very different side of Hector in the past year. She thought he was actually nice and far more down to earth than you'd ever be able to guess. She couldn't even begin to understand how it must feel to have lost your mother like Hector just had. She knew he had never been close to his father even before the big blow out recently. He had been pressured by his father to be the hero, when he was thought to have been it.

Ryan and Draco were waiting in the room but they weren't alone. Ron was a bit surprised when he saw the twins had come to school and were there. They came often enough to see Ryan, but they weren't expected in this meeting. Ron and Hermione were made to take an oath.

Ron grunted but took it. "There. I wouldn't betray my best friend."

Fred smirked. "Sorry little brother, but you have to earn trust."

Ryan looked at Hector. "Why did you call?"

Hector sat down. "I need your help."

George smirked. "We could have told you that."

Draco pushed. "The headmaster?"

Hector nodded. "I need to bring the man down before he hurts anyone else."

Ryan watched him. "And you think we should join forces?"

Hector nodded. "We both want to bring him down."

Draco spoke up. "And you know you and Ron don't stand a chance."

Ron went red. "This was a mistake."

Hector calmed him. "They're right. We need help."

George grinned. "See little brother, he has realized you are a screw up."

Ron glared. "I don't have to sit here."

Hector stopped him. "You don't. But I want your help."

Ron sat back down. "For you, I can put up with them."

Fred and George knew their little brother did have one redeeming quality. They may bug him about a lot, but he was loyal. They knew he had stood by his best friend through a lot since they had begun school. Ron may be a brat sometimes but he could have had a few more friends likely. But because of Hector, he had found it hard to make them. They could admit when it came to Hector, Ron was not such a rat.

Ryan looked at Hector. "My dad's knew about your brother. They said they looked."

Hector shook his head. "I don't want him found."

Hermione had been quiet as she took it in. "Wouldn't it be nice to have him?"

Ryan said. "You told the world about him."

Hector didn't deny it. "But to out myself. I will protect my twin if I can."

Draco wasn't sure why. "You don't even know him."

Hector shrugged. "He was abandoned because of me. I owe it to him to keep him safe now."

Ryan put a hand on him. "You know you have family. Uncle Moony loves you, and Uncle Siri."

Hector laughed a little. "I guess maybe it makes us cousins."

Draco smirked. "I'm not sure I'd go that far."

Ryan would have though. He hoped in a way that Hector would make peace with his father though. It wasn't that he had a problem with Hector living with his Uncles that summer. He had been honest when he said he was fine with it. But he thought about his own bond with both his dads. And he couldn't imagine the divide he saw Hector had with his dad now. He knew how lucky he was to have his amazing family.

Fred went to leave when they were done. "You have our two way. You know we'll come when you need us."


Albus had no idea what he was going to do. He had tried to speak to James since the funeral, but had been turned away. The man knew far too much. Albus knew though he couldn't touch him, or it would truly be his down fall. James had aired his doubts about Albus in public. Albus doubted that the man would be stupid enough to testify against him. James may not be as loyal as he was before but he wasn't stupid. He knew how his wife died and that his son was under Albus' nose as well. Albus truly believed the man would not do anything too foolish against him. But he had to be careful about it as well. He had never thought Lily would have gone to the ministry, and agreed to testify against him.

He had called Fletcher back from France for some back up. He was one of the few that he could trust at this moment in time. And keeping this under control was more important than finding Harry. He would find the boy when this was cleared up.

Fletcher came into his office. "I am sorry I missed the funeral."

Albus smeared. "I doubt you'd be any more welcome."

Fletcher shrugged. "I was in the order. And even James doesn't know the full extent of us."

Albus grunted. "Better keep it that way."

Fletcher picked up the money. "I assume you have something else for me to do."

Albus agreed. "I need you to keep an eye on James for me."

Fletcher was surprised. "You expect me to follow him?"

Albus smirked. "It's not like I am asking you to follow Moody or Sirius. He was a joke of an auror."

Fletcher pointed out. "But one hell of a marauder."

Albus tossed him more coin. "And you are slick as oil when you want to be."

Fletcher pocketed the extra coin. "I won't go down for this."

Albus smirked. "If I go to prison, who will keep saving your ass?"

Fletcher shrugged. "I could always go straight."

Albus sneered. "And the Longbottoms could come out of their comas."

Fletcher stopped. "Worried that may come out?"

Albus sneered. "Of course not. No one suspects they were already gone, when the death eaters came."

Fletcher shook his head. "Except the Lestranges."

Albus shook his head. "Who are in a dark cell for life."

Fletcher went to leave. "I never understood why. They were in the order."

Albus shrugged. "Sometimes sacrifices have to be made."

As the man left, Albus walked over to the pensive. He could admit, he had felt some guilt over the couple. He had never meant for them to be driven insane. The tea was never intended for them. He hadn't quite perfected the potion yet. Abraxas has been his first real success with it. He had known Augusta was opposed to him, and was convincing Frank and Alice to flee with Neville. Albus knew Neville was not the hero. But he needed him in the country as a possible decoy. Augusta was meant to drink the tea. When he learned they had, he had to cover up his tracks. The Lestranges and Crouch were fools, believing their stooge had told them. They didn't realize they had been set up. Albus couldn't allow the world to know. He thought they would have surely died by now. But they seemed too stubborn to die.

Albus left his office on a mission. As long as the couple was comatose, no one need know. It wasn't like anyone was going to the prison to speak to Rodolphus any time soon. Rodolphus' secret would die with him in a black cell any day now.

Albus noticed Ryan headed towards the doors. "Mr. Black."

Ryan turned to look at him. "Headmaster."

Albus walked towards him. "Where are you going?"

Ryan looked to the doors and back. "To a lesson sir."

Albus heard that too often. "You don't have astronomy tonight."

Ryan agreed. "I usually don't sir. But I am meeting Hagrid and Firenze."

Albus eyed him. "And why is that?"

Horace came up from the dungeons. "Is there a problem Albus?"

Albus smirked. "How is it you always have a teacher suddenly appear?"

Ryan shrugged. "Luck sir."

Horace added. "And why would my nephew need a teacher to appear?"

Albus shook his head. "He is up to something."

Horace looked at his nephew. "You should hurry along. Firenze is waiting."

Ryan went to leave but said. "Did Uncle Borden tell you he was coming?"

Horace smiled. "He did. I believe he arrives tomorrow."

Albus looked at the man. "Why is that man coming?"

Horace turned back. "To see his nephew. You were the one to encourage the relationship after all."

Albus ground his teeth as the man walked off. He had no idea why the thought of Borden coming, bothered him so much. The man had no power here in the country. He wasn't a thorn like Lucius and Orion were in his side. But his arrival just seemed odd timing with all going on here. He had enough old bloods to worry about. He had truly believed Hector was the key to finally getting rid of the old blood power. He thought he could do it the political way, the legal way. He was starting to think that he had given up his old ways, too soon. He used a spell, and went to follow Ryan onto the grounds. He had this feeling there was more to this than he could see. He didn't trust any Blacks.

Ryan was meant to be meeting his grandsire in the woods. Usually Uncle Moony was his cover, but he was away from school tonight. Firenze would be there though. Ryan was on alert, knowing that the headmaster was always keeping an eye on him.

Ryan was headed towards Hagrid's hut when Fang came to his way. "Hey boy."

Fang was agitated for some reason.

Ryan under stood and stroking the dog he whispered. "Good dog."

Hagrid had appeared. "Ryan, you are a bit early."

Ryan had been meant to meet someone. "Anxious I guess."

Hagrid looked around. "You shouldn't have come out alone. Draco usually walks you."

Ryan moved towards him but his hand touched something in his pocket. "He was busy in the library."

Fang suddenly disappeared off, chasing something they couldn't see.

Hagrid was confused. "I have no idea what has gotten into my dog."

Ryan did but didn't tell him. "Must have seen a cat."

Or smelled one Ryan thought. He couldn't see Hector but he knew he was there. Hector had got his cloak back into the school. Orion had removed the blocks, which would reveal it was brought into the school. He had been surprised to learn Ryan and Hector were partnered. The boys were more surprised to learn their dads were. Ryan and Hector had been sharing the cloak, and the map, to keep an eye on each other. He sent a silent nod Hector's way, or where he thought he was, in thanks for his help. He headed into the woods but found Firenze and his dad instead.

Regulus kissed his son on the head. "Your grandsire had to go to the hospital. Something came up about the poison used on Lily."

Just another mystery to keep on your toes. Please keep up the support.

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