Orion had gone to the hospital with Severus. Severus had been at the hospital for days going through records. The realization that the same poison had been used on Abraxas as on Lily, hit home. Well same base, just slight alterations, causing difference in symptoms. Severus had hoped to go through the records of other old bloods who had died around the same time. Abraxas was not the only reason Eileen had gone into hiding. His mother knew what was happening. Eileen had no intention of coming back from the dead even when safe. She loved her life as Irma Pince and would continue. But it would mean she was safer in the school and to be close to her son and grandson as well. Severus understood his mum loved her life and job at school but still had always worried for her. He hoped to be able to make some of that fear finally go away.
He had summoned his father in law because of some shocking news. He wasn't even sure why he had gone into their files when he had. But when he did, he found out that Albus' evil went deeper than they had thought. And they needed to act much quicker as well.
Orion came into the private office. "What is it?"
Severus pointed at a stack. "Another three possible victims."
Orion's eyes scanned them. "I had my suspicions."
Severus picked up another two. "These were the shock."
Orion read. "Alice and Frank?"
Severus nodded. "We all assumed they were tortured."
Orion read it. "Why are they alive?"
Severus' friend spoke. "The combination was meant to be like what was used on Lady Potter."
Severus added. "It seems it hadn't been perfected just yet."
Orion closed the files. "Why attack them? The other victims were old bloods."
The tech thought. "They are old bloods."
Severus shook his head. "Like James, not very traditional. And loyal members of the order."
Orion smirked. "We see where loyalty gets them."
Severus reminded him. "Albus knew Lily turned on him."
Orion thought. "Augusta."
The tech asked. "Lady Longtbottom?"
Severus understood. "To this day, she is one of his most out spoken opponents."
The woman had been in the war but never in the order. Augusta was a lot like Orion and the other old bloods of the time. She was a stickler for the traditions of blood, though not one for blood purity. She loved Neville a lot, but like Orion, kept that mainly in private. Augusta had taken over her husband's seat and power when he died. Her son had been too young, and then had no interest in it. Augusta's husband had been much older, and she had been known to be the power behind him, even before he died. She was a formidable woman, who could give Orion and Abraxas both a run for their money in truth. And in a way, it was a surprise that Albus had never gone after her in fact.
It seems that one of the nurses had taken a blood sample without thinking. She had run some tests but the results had never been looked at. The couple had been attacked by death eaters and that was all that mattered. But it seemed they had been wrong.
Severus stopped. "Did they have a strong enough dose? Were they already like this when they were attacked?"
Orion wondered too. "Well there is one way to find out."
Severus smirked. "Albus is not about to tell us."
Orion shook his head. "There are other witnesses."
Severus was confused. "They are in prison."
Orion shrugged. "One of the perks of being a governor."
Severus pointed out. "You'd need permission from the minister."
Orion laughed. "Do you think the man would deny me?"
Severus agreed. "Cornelius is always happy to lick your feet."
Orion handed him the folder. "You need to go to Longbottom manor."
Severus was a bit surprised. "You wish me to tell Augusta?"
Orion nodded. "She might be an useful ally to have in this."
Severus agreed. "She will meet with me."
Orion went to speak to Cornelius and get permission. Technically he could have gone, as a member of the Wizengamot. Anyone could go to the prison but the black cells were a different matter. But to have a private audience and possibly use vertiserum, was another matter all together. He either needed Cornelius to approve it, or go to the full Wizengamot. Albus had no friends among the lords, but he had spied everywhere. The last thing they needed was for Albus to get word of what he was doing. They needed to nail him but had to be careful he didn't catch on.
Severus was happy when Augusta let him come through. "Thank you for speaking to me."
Augusta motioned for him to sit. "How can I help you?"
Severus handed her the files. "I think you would like to read this."
Augusta saw the names. "My son and daughter in law?"
Severus motioned for her to read. "Lily was poisoned."
Augusta looked up. "I had my suspicions."
He saw her surprise as she read. "It looks like a similar poison."
Augusta snapped them shut. "Albus?"
Severus nodded. "We are trying to prove it."
Augusta stood. "You have whatever help you need."
Severus stood. "Thank you."
Augusta asked. "Is there a cure?"
Severus turned back. "I promise I will do all I can to find one."
Augusta sighed. "Neville wishes for his parents every year."
Severus didn't think Neville was the only one. The old woman likely wished more for the couple than Neville did. Neville didn't have any memories of his parents before that hospital. If his gran didn't take him to the hospital, he'd likely have none. Augusta was really the only mother he had ever had in his life. But it would mean a lot to both of them, if the couple perhaps could recover.
Severus had to add. "They may come out of the coma, but I can't promise they'd ever make a full recovery. It has been a long time."
Orion was not surprised when he was able to get permission to go. He took his son with him, actually both of his sons with him. Sirius technically accompanied them on an official basis. But so did Cornelius, so that there was a cover, in case Albus' spies were at work again. The three Black men had no idea what to expect when they got to the prison. But they knew they needed to find out what had happened with the Longbottoms. Sev was working on a possible antidote, not a total cure, but maybe it would help them recover some. But this was needed as well.
Rodolphus, Bella and Rabastan had all been in black cells since the end of the war. A few years before Crouch's son had died from a heart attack. Rodolphus was brought to them in a private room. He seemed to be the only one of the three who was sane enough to speak to.
Rodolphus looked up when they came in. "What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
Regulus watched the man. "Same cocky self as before."
Sirius agreed. "I would have thought prison would affect you."
Rodolphus smirked. "Innocence helps."
Orion smirked. "You want us to believe you are innocent?"
Sirius agreed. "We all saw your mark."
Rodolphus looked at Regulus. "I believe both you and your lover have one too."
Regulus corrected him. "Husband. And they vanished when Voldemort was killed."
Sirius nodded. "Those who took an oath on their magic, it went away."
Rodolphus showed his arms. "Like this."
Orion stopped. "There is no mark."
Sirius didn't believe it. "This is some trick. You would have been checked."
Rodolphus smirked. "Were too busy throwing me in prison to look."
Lucius, Regulus and Severus no longer had the brand on their arm. They had sworn an oath on their magic, that they had gone light. And when Voldemort had died, those who had, the marks had gone away. But those who weren't, like Bella, their marks had remained. Orion remembered seeing her mark when they were on trial. But it hit them, her and Rabastan were the only two whose were shown.
Rodolphus watched the three men and wondered what brought them. He had thought he would be left rotting in this cell for the rest of his life. He knew he had been a fool to trust that Albus would get him out of prison. He had turned long ago.
Regulus asked. "When?"
Rodolphus smirked. "Got tricked into taking the mark by my damned brother. Admit, I didn't turn spy as soon as you did."
Orion pressed. "The Longbottoms?"
Rodolphus knew why they came. "Insane. Thought they were dead, when we arrived."
Orion had to ask. "You were questioned under vertiserum."
Rodolphus agreed. "But only Barty was asked. He wasn't in the house. He believed what Bella told him."
Regulus stood. "More proof against Albus."
Rodolphus called. "You going to leave me to rot in here?"
Orion turned back. "You testify against Albus, we'll see you free."
Rodolphus said. "I did commit crimes before a spy."
Sirius shrugged. "Fifteen years in prison, and years as a spy, get you off for good behavior."
Rodolphus shouted. "I won't go back to that cell."
Orion turned back. "You will, until we need you. Or we will forget what we heard."
They couldn't allow Albus to know the man would testify for them. It would be another nail in the man's coffin. They were all shocked to learn Rodolphus had been a spy. It was years after men like Severus and Regulus, but he had been one by the end of the war. Bella and Rabastan were true death eaters, the man hadn't tried to defend them. They had given him the serum, to ensure he was telling the truth.
Regulus was meeting James with his husband. They were meeting at Grimmauld, James wanting an update on how things were going. James had helped where he could, but they had limited how much he was involved in. They still had their concerns about working with him.
James was on alert. "I have a feeling Albus has someone watching me."
Sirius smirked. "A feeling?"
Regulus motioned into the house. "What kind of former auror are you?"
James grunted. "I have been retired for years."
Kreacher appeared. "Stinky filthy halfblooded thief."
Regulus was confused. "James is a lot of things, but he is no half blood."
Kreacher brandished something. "You no be stealing Mistress' treasures."
James bolted out of the way when a shot went past him. "Your mad elf is trying to kill me."
Sirius shook his head. "My mad elf is saving your ass."
Regulus watched as his brother walked to the shut door. "What?"
Sirius removed a spell and revealed Fletcher. "It seems you weren't such a fool after all."
Fletcher was furious. "Let me go."
Sirius put a wand under his chin. "You are trespassing I remind you."
James came forward. "How long have you been following me?"
Fletcher didn't look at him. "I am not telling you anything. If Albus finds out…."
Sirius smirked. "You just told us all we need to know."
Fletcher was upset. "You'll get me killed."
Regulus released him. "Take one little oath, and he never needs to know."
Fletcher was a rat and a thief, but for the most part he wasn't bad. He was definitely not evil like his boss. But he had been in and out of prison for his business. And they had often thought that it must have been Albus brailing him out all of the time. It seemed they now knew why he did. They made him swear an oath, that he'd not reveal anything to Albus. Albus couldn't even force him with truth serum now.
Sirius went to throw him out. "If I find your slimy ass near my house again, I won't take it so easy on you."
Ryan and Hector were both on high alert at school. Ryan's friends were reluctant to help Hector but they had agreed to. Ryan was always able to rally people around him easily enough. For years those in his house had been protecting him as best as they could. He reminded them, if Albus was brought down, it would make him safer as well. And for him they were willing to keep an eye on Hector as well. Draco and a few others had admittedly seen a different side of him as of late. It was his older friends though who had been easier to convince.
Ryan didn't know but both Oliver and Marcus were involved. He knew they'd protect him but not that they were working for his dads and grandsire. They knew the boys would be close to Ryan, and were happy they were willing to help protect him.
Ryan was a bit surprised when he finished practice. "Both of you. Am I seeing things?"
Marcus shook his head. "I wanted to take you into town this afternoon."
Oliver piped up. "As did I."
Ryan was not surprised. "The last weekend before Christmas break."
Oliver glared at Marcus. "He won't back off."
Marcus shrugged. "You haven't asked him."
Ryan cut in. "You can both accompany me."
Oliver grunted. "Not exactly what I was hoping for."
Marcus gloated. "You know I will get to see him at Christmas."
Ryan burst his bubble. "Both of you were invited at Christmas Eve and New Years for the parties."
Oliver turned to him. "I guess if he insists on tagging along….."
Marcus ground his teeth. "I am not the tag along."
Ryan shook his head. "Maybe I should go into town with Draco."
Oliver turned to him. "Okay. I can try and get along with the snake."
Marcus nodded. "I guess."
Ryan smiled. "Good. Because I would prefer your company."
In reality he could not have gone into town without them. He had sworn to his dads, grandsire and Uncle Horace that he wouldn't. Not to mention Aunt Poppy and Nanny. He knew they all loved him and were just trying to keep him safe. But sometimes he wondered what it would be like not to have so much family at school. But he really didn't mind, he loved having them close to him like he did. And Uncle Borden was meant to come visit sometime that day as well. He had heard rumors that his cousin Viktor might be coming as well.
As they headed in to town, he was surprised to see that Hector was going too. He thought that Hector was to be laying low as well. He noticed though that Ron wasn't the only one with him. Hermione and even Blaise, and Seamus was with them.
Marcus spotted them. "What is Blaise doing with that group?"
Oliver agreed. "Seems the odd man out."
Ryan shook his head. "Dating Hermione, who I guess convinced him to go."
Marcus laughed. "He looks like he would rather be anywhere else then there."
Ryan agreed. "But you do things for love."
Oliver grunted and looked at Marcus and back. "You can say that again."
Marcus agreed again. "You can put up with almost anything or anyone."
Ryan blushed when the word love was said. He tried to cover it with a joke. "If you two lovebirds would like to be alone, I can join…"
Both of them said at the same time. "No."
Ryan shook his head with laughter. "See, you can agree on some things."
Oliver looked around. "Did you have some plans?"
Ryan nodded. "I need to finish a few gifts. Including the two of you."
Marcus smirked. "I could buy his for you."
Oliver didn't think it funny. "Oh I could repay the favor."
Ryan solved it. "You can each accompany me for the other's gift."
The compromise seemed to be a good one and was agreed on. Ryan had finished for his other friends and for his Uncles. He just needed something for his dads and grandsire as well. He had found grandsire the hardest to shop for in the past. But he could admit, as each took a turn escorting him to buy a gift for the other, this was the hardest. And of course they weren't any help at all. Marcus would have ended up with a pink silk robe and Oliver with some tea cozies, if the guys had any say in what he bought. Luckily they didn't have any input really.
Ryan and them headed into the Three Broomsticks for an early dinner when they were done. He was famished, as he had not really had any lunch. The guys were both competing for who should be able to pay for his dinner even.
Ryan shook his head as their drinks were brought. "You can split the tab."
Marcus reached for one of the bottles of butter beer. "I can't wait for the holidays."
Oliver agreed. "Private dates will be so much easier."
Ryan smirked. "You do realize I will be home with my entire family."
Marcus was reminded of their first date. "Well they didn't interrogate me the second time."
Oliver was pale. "It should be better a second time around."
Ryan shrugged. "You'll have to face Grandsire. And Uncle Borden and my Aunt and cousin will be there."
Borden's voice came from behind. "Never too early to start."
Ryan smiled when his Uncle was behind him. "Uncle Borden, I didn't think I'd see you today."
Borden hugged him and kissed his head. "Glad I came. Get to meet the mysterious suitors."
Viktor was with his dad. "Draco has told me a lot about them."
Ryan turned around to see the two guys who were at the table behind him. They had both downed their butter beer when Borden had arrived. He had a feeling they were both wishing it had been an alcoholic drink of some kind. He knew he would have to face their families sometime. He knew the Flints though, and Marcus' dad wanted them together Marcus admitted. He noticed though they both looked pale, one looked so pale he almost looked blue in the face. Neither of the other two noticed, the bottle Ryan had been handed, had no lid on it, and his date had drank it.
Ryan watched in horror as he fell from his chair in convulsions. "Help him, someone help him."
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