Ryan watched in horror as Oliver collapsed on the ground in convulsions. He had never seen anyone turn blue and like that. He had been there when Lily had died, but she had slipped away like she had fallen asleep. He looked at Oliver and all of his worst fears were being realized. He had been training with Aunt Poppy and the centaurs. He knew all about cures from Uncle Horace and Papa as well. But somehow as he stood watching Oliver on the floor, he couldn't act at first. He was having trouble remembering to breathe, as he sunk down onto the floor.
Oliver had unfortunately drunk from the bottle intended for Ryan. He hadn't been watching, as he had grabbed a bottle off of the table. He should have noticed that only one of the bottles had come without a lid on it. Borden though had distracted him and he downed it.
Ryan finally snapped into it. "Bezoar. Someone has to have one."
Marcus knelt. "It won't work."
Ryan scrambled looking through his bag. "Uncle Horace, he…"
Marcus grabbed something from his pocket. "It won't work."
Borden held his nephew. "What is that?"
Marcus motioned to Viktor to help. "He needs to drink this."
Ryan watched. "What are you doing?"
Marcus managed to get it in and he massaged Oliver's throat. "Your Papa gave it to me."
Viktor watched as Oliver swallowed. "I don't think he's breathing."
Ryan was frantic. "It has to work."
Madam Rosemerta called. "I have called for the aurors and parihealers."
Marcus watched. "Come on lion, breathe. Breathe for him."
Ryan was in tears when Oliver was no longer blue and breathing. "Thank Merlin."
The parihealers came in. "Let us through."
Sirius arrived with Tonks. "What happened?"
Ryan was shaking. "I want to go with him."
Sirius had permission to take his nephew from school when needed. All of the Blacks were allowed to, from the start. Sirius knew Ryan needed to be at the hospital with Oliver. And he had a feeling his nephew wouldn't be returning to school either. His father had already thought it was a bad idea to send him back into the school. Orion hadn't pushed, as he had always left the final decision up to Ryan's dads in the past. But Orion would surely step in this time Sirius thought. He wasn't about to allow Albus to take another stab at his grandson.
Tonks and Marcus accompanied them to the hospital. Ryan and Marcus told the two aurors all that they knew. They had to re-tell the story when not only Lord and Lady Wood, but Ryan's dads and grandsire, arrived as well. A healer came out with a bottle in hand.
He spoke to the couple. "Your son is very lucky. A few more moments and he may have been in a coma or dead."
Oliver's mum was frantic. "Is he going to be okay? He's not….."
The healer shook his head. "He should make a full recovery. Time will see though."
Ryan sagged against his Uncle. "Thank Merlin."
The man handed Oliver's dad a bottle. "Your son had this on him."
Douglas Wood shook his head. "I have no idea."
Marcus showed a similar one. "We both had one."
Ryan looked up. "You used it. You said a bezoar wouldn't work."
Severus said quietly. "I gave them to both boys. I was worried about you."
Gwen Wood looked back and forth. "What are you talking about?"
Ryan was worried. "He was poisoned because of me."
Sirius motioned to en empty room. "We should perhaps talk in here."
Regulus held his son to him. "He'll be okay."
In the room, the Woods were told what was happening. They were told the full truth, after they had taken an oath. They deserved to know why their son was in this condition. Well they weren't told who Ryan was, but the rest. Ryan felt such guilt, as the bottle had been meant for him. His papa explained he had found an antidote for the poison, thanks to help from the centaurs. So far it wouldn't help the Longbottoms. It would save lives if it was given right away as it was. But he hoped it was a step towards a cure for the couple. He assured the couple it was just more proof of Albus being guilty. Their son would have justice along with a lot of other victims out there. Orion seconded that as well.
Sirius and Tonks had to go put in the report but promised to return. Severus had a friend in the hospital running a test, for proof on the poison. They were already working on Fletcher, to see if he was the source. The healer told the couple they could see their son.
Gwen looked at Ryan. "You may come if you'd like."
Ryan was unsure. "This is my fault."
Douglas shook his head. "No it isn't. And our son cares about you."
Gwen looked at Marcus. "Thank you for helping our son."
Marcus nodded. "I'd like to come as well."
Douglas motioned him to come. "I think that appropriate."
Ryan was pale when he saw him in bed. "You have to get better Oliver."
Marcus shook his head. "He is too stubborn not to."
Ryan was allowed to stay with him for some time. He knew that he would not be returning to school tonight and he was not sure when. He could hear his dads and grandfather talking out in the hallway. He eventually had to go; Oliver's parents walking him out, assuring him their son would make it. They had heard a lot about Ryan from their son, and were well aware Oliver was falling in love with him.
Marcus said. "You better make it lion. I will win his heart without you dying, and he will blame himself for it."
Word had reached the school that Oliver had been taken to the hospital. No one knew what happened but rumors were flying around. Some were true, about poison having been used on him. But no one knew why he would have been poisoned. Other than the snakes, who guessed it was Ryan. Any of the worries had been for Hector after the news had come out. Hector was definitely on high alert after what he had seen He had been with his group in the Three Broomsticks when it happened. He hadn't been able to eat after what he had seen.
He headed back to school with Blaise and Hermione, and the others in the group. He had gone into town, hoping for some distraction. But he had come back even more scared than he had gone into town with. After the death of his mother, he prayed Oliver wouldn't die as well.
He was heading through the hall when he saw Filius. "Professor Flitwick."
The man motioned him. "I have a book I think you could use for your paper."
Hector was confused as he didn't have one, but nodded. "Of course sir."
Filius warded the door to his office. "I assume you have heard."
Hector understood. "About Oliver? Yes."
Filius took out a bottle. "You are to drink this before every meal."
Hector looked at the bottle. "Sir?"
Filius pressed it. "It is from Severus Snape."
Hector took it. "Why? How?"
Filius shook his head. "Horace asked me to pass it on. He knew it would raise less suspicion."
Hector understood. "I didn't know you were involved."
Filius shook his head. "I know little. But the man knows how much I care about the students."
Hector never doubted it. "Thanks sir."
Filius went to take down the wards but handed him another thing. "Ryan would have you have this."
Hector took the map. "He isn't coming back is he?"
Filius shook his head. "Not for now."
Filius was not directly involved in any of this. He knew a lot, and he could be trusted, even without an oath. He had stepped in to protect Ryan more than once over the years. Ryan had been told when he began school, that he could trust most of the staff. Horace, Poppy and his Grandma were the only ones who knew the truth about him. But Hagrid and Filius, and of course the centaurs, could always be counted on for help. He knew bits and pieces of what was going on. He promised all his support, but knew right now it was safest he only know so much.
Hector left the room with the bottle hidden in his pocket. He was told the bottle would automatically refill, when he was out of the potion. He hoped it wouldn't be needed for long. And he would have to make sure his friends were not near his food either.
Ron saw him. "There you are."
Hector nodded. "I just had to get a book from Flitwick."
Ron didn't ask where it was. "I thought you may be gone."
Hector understood. "You heard what happened."
Ron nodded. "It could have just as easy been you."
Hector agreed. "I think you shouldn't be around me right now."
Ron was shocked. "I am your best friend."
Hector agreed. "I already lost my Mum. I won't lose you too."
Ron wasn't backing off. "I will face this with you."
Hector was worried. "He was blue and nearly dead."
Ron shook his head. "You need someone to watch your back."
Hector was reluctant. "You don't touch anything meant for me. Nothing."
Ron agreed. "Hands to myself I promise."
Hector clapped him on the back. "I am grateful I have a friend like you."
Ron pulled him into a hug. "You will always have me."
Hector was shaken by all of this. First his mother had been poisoned and now Oliver. As far as he knew, Oliver seemed to have survived. He at least had the comfort his mother had died quickly, and it had seemed quite painless as well. It had been nothing like Oliver's full body convulsions on the floor of a bar. He would do anything he could, to protect Ron from the headmaster.
He saw Albus coming his way. "Damn it."
Albus stopped. "Hector, I was looking for you."
Hector remained calm. "I would have thought you'd be busy, perhaps in London."
Albus hid a smirk. "London?"
Ron spoke up. "I'd have thought you'd heard, one of your staff was in the hospital."
Albus nodded. "I sent word that I'd visit tomorrow."
Hector went to move past. "First my mother and now a member of your staff."
Albus smirked. "Your mother had a heart attack and Mr. Wood was in town I don't know what you are insinuating….."
Hector stopped. "I wasn't insinuating anything. I just think it odd there were two tragedies in a week."
Ron whispered to Hector as they left. "Was that smart?"
Hector knew his friend was likely right. But after what happened to his mother, he was perhaps not thinking straight. And he was shaken seeing what had happened to Oliver in town as well. He was thinking about Ryan and what he must be going through. He wasn't sure why so much. They were just starting to become friends, if you could call them that. But Ryan had been there for him, when his mum died.
Ron shook his head when Hector once again though he should keep his distance. "You won't scare me off."
Ryan had not been surprised when he was told he wouldn't be returning to school. His family hoped it wouldn't be for very long though. They told him if he wanted to return to school, they would send him to France or Durmstang. They had known what his answer would be though. He had refused to go to a foreign school in the past. And Durmstang made less sense now, when his cousin was no longer in school. Besides he wanted to remain close, so he could see Oliver, and know how his loved ones were. He knew they would move up getting Albus arrested.
He was reminded that he wouldn't be the only one home in a week. It was nearly Christmas break, so he'd only be missing a week of school. Between his dads and his grandsire, they would keep him on course with all of his classes. He would miss his lessons with the centaurs.
Ryan was anxious the next day. "I want to go."
Regulus sighed. "You can't go back to school."
Ryan shook his head. "The hospital."
Severus had come in. "You should work on your homework."
Ryan smirked. "I am three weeks ahead in all my classes."
His dad sighed. "I don't know if it's safe."
Severus agreed. "Maybe in a few days."
Ryan was stubborn. "I want to check on Oliver."
Orion came in. "I will take you."
Regulus turned to look. "Father…."
Ryan cut in. "Thank you grandsire."
Orion looked at his son and son in law. "We will all be going."
Severus understood. "Something happened?"
Ryan worried. "Is it Oliver? Is he okay?"
His grandsire assured him it wasn't Oliver. As far as he knew, there was no real change in Oliver's case. Orion had checked for an update on the boy that morning. He wasn't family, but the Woods had allowed Ryan's family to enquire when they chose to. They didn't blame Ryan at all for what happened to their son. And they wouldn't deny him the right to know how Oliver was doing now. His grandsire didn't tell him what it was about. He just told him and his dads, that his Uncles and Moody would be waiting for them at the hospital.
Ryan didn't mind he didn't know, he was just happy that he was being taken to the hospital. His dads didn't ague any more. In truth they knew he would be safe and they needed to find out what was going on. Besides they knew he wouldn't stop until he could see Oliver.
Ryan was anxious. "I want to see him."
Borden had already heard. "I'll take you down while the others talk."
Severus kissed his son and nodded. "You can go with your Uncle."
Viktor was with his dad. "He better wake soon so I can interrogate him."
Ryan smiled a little. "Might convince him to stay out longer."
Oliver's dad saw them coming. "I wasn't sure you would come."
Ryan shook his head. "I care a lot about your son."
Douglas shook his head. "I just knew there was a risk."
Borden spoke up. "His entire family is just down the hall."
Ryan spotted someone. "And there are two aurors five feet away."
Viktor smirked. "How did you know?"
Ryan shook his head. "I have spent enough time in the auror office with Uncle Siri and Mad eye. I know half of them."
Borden nodded. "One is for you and one for Oliver."
Ryan was relieved to know he was not the only one with protection. The hospital had security and that would normally have been used. But Orion arranged to have off duty aurors on both of them. Some aurors made extra money taking after hours security gigs like this. There had been a lineup of aurors willing to do it for them. And it wasn't about making the extra money in this case, though they'd be paid. Ryan went into the room, upset Oliver was still unconscious, he hadn't improved any. The only good sign was that he wasn't in a coma.
Down the hall the news was better. Orion smiled. "We have him."
Severus was shocked. "How?"
Regulus agreed. "I thought we couldn't trace it."
Sirius came over. "That little rat Fletcher."
Orion explained. "We didn't know where to look. But we just had to follow his trail."
Alastor nodded. "We found the supplier. And he and Fletcher are both willing to testify, to save their asses."
Sirius finished. "And with the proof, we can force Albus to take vertiserum."
Severus let out a breath. "Our son will finally be safe."
Regulus agreed. "And there will be justice for a lot of people."
Viktor suddenly appeared. "You guys have to come now."
Regulus panicked. "Our son?"
Before Viktor could answer, a voice came over the magic loud speaker. It didn't say much except calling a healer to a room number. Ryan's dads and grandsire were aware it was the room that Oliver was in. As they headed down the hall, they prayed for Ryan's sake, it wasn't bad. They knew he already blamed himself for what had happened to Oliver. He would be destroyed if Oliver died because of him.
Severus saw his son outside of the room. "What happened prince?"
Review. For mercy's sake review. Review. There is a review button, review.
