A/N: The plot starts to move forward! If you have questions that don't reveal the story, please ask them! I intend on making a FAQ post to answer all your questions soon!

One reviewer brought up an interesting point. I need some clarifications. What is the definition of the genres Angst and Drama? I might be confusing the two. Do you think that the genre change from Drama to Angst might be appropriate? As for the romance part, they're 16 (Rial) and 15 (Draco). They're in the middle of a war and teenage drama. Romance is headed their way, but not for a while.

Last thing, I promise! Someone said at the end of MS that this title sounded like two books. That's correct! DNSD combines 5th and 6th year into one long story. In my version of things, all this ends at the end of their 6th year and they have a normal, boring 7th year.

Onto the story!

Chapter Eight-Breaking Ground & First Match

Rial sat outside the Potions classroom early the next Friday morning. Today was his first Quidditch match and he was more than slightly nervous. He'd sat with the others for as long as possible this morning, chatting away. The only downside to this was the presence of Terry Boot, who seemed glued to Draco. Rial was frustrated and annoyed, the presence of the Ravenclaw bothered him more than he cared to admit.

Draco is perfectly free to date whomever he wishes, he thought firmly. Just the thought made him want to growl in irritation.

When he saw the wards disappear from the door in front of him he stood and walked up to it, opening it carefully. Severus was carefully writing down instructions for today's potions lesson. He didn't bother to consult the open book on his desk, the potion they would be brewing today was the Draught of Living Death and Severus probably knew the instructions and ingredients verbatim. The Potions Master was meticulous, his handwriting reflected this. It was slanted to the right and fluid, easily legible without frivolous loops and curls.

The only time Rial saw his dark eyes flick to the book was in order to write down the correct page number. Rial retrieved his own book and opened it to the correct page, placing a marker there and reclosing it for when class started. The flicker of pages was near-silent, but his Head of House turned in his direction. Severus was a spy and Death Eater, his hearing had to be intensely tuned to the most minute of sounds.

He looked surprised to see Rial alone, or at least Rial thought he did. Any facial movement was so subtle one had to really be paying attention. Setting the chalk down he walked back to his desk and sat down, retrieving a few papers. As he started perusing them and making quick scratches with his grading quill he said, "Good morning, Rial. A little nervous about the match today?"

"Good morning to you as well, Severus. I don't want to lose this match, especially since we're playing Gryffindor. I received word from Father earlier this week. He said he was going to try and come today. I don't want to mess up in front of him."

"Sirius played Chaser for Gryffindor for two years if I remember correctly, 6th and 7th. He was a reserve Chaser before, but he kept skipping practices in favor of playing pranks on the students. It didn't much impress the team Captain."

"That sounds like Father," Rial agreed with a smile. "Did you ever watch the matches while you were in school, sir?"

Severus arched an eyebrow at the formal address but replied, "Yes. Whenever we played Gryffindor at any rate. Most of the other matches I preferred to study for my classes. In any case Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were little match for Slytherin during my time as a student. Their teams have gotten better over the years."

"Sir, may I ask you something about the war?" Rial asked cautiously.

"Go right ahead, Rial. I'll let you know if I think it's a subject you shouldn't worry about."

"I've been thinking recently," Rial began. "About the outcome of the war. If Voldemort wins, he'll subject all of Great Britain to purity laws, arranged marriages and such again. That has failed in the past; it's highly unlikely the magical world will put up with it. However, if Dumbledore wins we're looking at total magical and Muggle integration. The magical world is afraid of Muggles and history has proven they have the power and resources to decimate our kind if they knew we still existed."

"That's all true, Rial. What's your thoughts on the matter?"

Rial hesitated and plowed ahead. "I was thinking of this at the end of last year. I don't want to put my trust in the Dark Lord, he's already proved to me that he thinks very little of me in exception of his little personal warning for the magical world," Rial tapped the snake on his neck.

"There's no way I'll help Zachary Potter or his father. James cares for power and little else; in the case that we won I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to grab the Ministry for himself in the aftermath. So I've been wondering, if all of this is true and there are others that think like I do, would it be a plausible idea to create a third side?"

Severus was quiet. Rial watched his dark, thoughtful eyes. After a long moment he said, "I'm impressed with your knowledge and understanding of the situation we face, Rial. Those have been my thoughts as well lately. I know for a fact that we are not the only two who think this way, but the problem that has come up when people have tried this before is a confusion of goals. Now that I've said that, what would be your goals for the magical world if you were to create this third side?"

Rial sat down in his chair and traced his fingers over the Potions book as he gathered his ideas together. Severus appeared willing to give him time, sitting back in his leather desk chair and crossing one leg over the other. Swallowing, Rial looked up at his Head of House.

"My goals would be as follows. First and foremost, defeat the Dark Lord. He is a psychotic killer and his ideas would set us back, not bring us forward. More than that, if he keeps killing the people he's been attacking recently, he wouldn't have any pureblood lines left."

"Next would be to remove Zachary and James Potter from their positions in the eyes of magic. This could be simultaneous with our attack on the Dark Lord. For example, how many people would look up to Zachary any more if someone else were to kill Voldemort? He's been heralded the Boy-Who-Lived, the Savior. James is a threat to any family he perceives as Dark, my own included. His prejudice and bigotry would harm the magical world, not help it."

"The third and last would be to stabilize our world. Our kind are scattered and leaderless, old traditions are being destroyed with every generation. The Muggles have one good idea I've been thinking about integrating into our world. They have what is called the United Nations, a sort of Conclave for leaders of the various countries. They discuss matters of global importance and make decisions on world leadership and wars between various countries."

Severus' eyes glittered in the lantern light and a small smile crossed thin lips. "Well done," he said quietly. "You've been thinking about this for a long time and have outlined the types of things we need done. With your permission I would like to bring your idea before your father and Lucius this afternoon."

"Of course Severus!" he breathed, giddy with relief. His Head of House didn't think he was a complete dunderhead for debating this idea. Severus probably didn't realize how much importance his approval meant to Rial.

Rial looked up at Severus again. His face was cool and impartial, though his voice was cold and sharp enough to cut glass. "I stand by what I said last year at Yule however. James Potter is mine."

Dropping emerald eyes he looked at the table and breathed to himself, "He'll see what qualities this Squibling possesses."

Later that day Severus made his way up to the Professors' stand around the Quidditch pitch. He didn't say a word to McGonagall other than a curt good afternoon, making his way toward where Lucius and Sirius were sitting next to each other. Sirius was wearing his Auror robes and Lucius his usual impeccably tailored and pressed silk shirt and pants. The snake-headed cane leaned against his leg.

Sitting on Sirius' opposite side he greeted the pair quietly. While they were waiting for the game to begin, he said, "Rial brought something up to me earlier today. I want you to listen to what he said."

Then he proceeded to repeat the conversation he'd had with the 5th year. It had been exceptionally hard to not show his pride and respect for the teen. Rial had clearly been thinking about this for a long time and his argument was persuasive. More than that, Severus believed the ideas he'd lined out were those the other attempts at a third, impartial side had lacked.

Sirius blinked expressive gray eyes when he was done and said, "I wondered what he's been thinking about. He was exceptionally quiet after the World Cup. More than once I caught him with a piece of parchment and a book on wizarding law and previous wars. I never thought anything about it; I figured it was a piece for History of Magic."

Lucius' cool silver eyes flicked with a bit of blue as he thought. "Indeed, if we could make it work this would greatly help solve our problems."

Their conversation was cut off when the voice of Lee Jordan boomed over the crowded stands. "Welcome one and all to the first Quidditch Match of the 1996 school year! Our match today is the traditional Slytherin vs. Gryffindor opener. Since the inception of Quidditch teams for the school these two have faced off first every year in the battle for the Quidditch Cup."

"For Gryffindor we have; McLaggen as Keeper, Chasers Bell, Johnson and Ginny Weasley, Beaters Fred and George Weasley and Seeker and Team Captain Zachary Potter!"

Each name was accompanied by a scarlet blur that slowed into the form of a Quidditch player and waved at the crowds. The smug, grinning form of Zachary was accorded a huge roar from the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff sections.

"And for Slytherin we have Team Captain Fawcett as Keeper; Chasers Montague, Belby and Malfoy; Beaters Coote and Plover and Seeker Rial Black!"

All of the Slytherins outside of Rial shot toward the center the same as the Gryffindors. Rial, wand in hand, soared over the shouting Slytherins and Ravenclaws and flicked his wand in a little pattern. The same shield he'd produced at the end of the First Task glittered above the end of the Slytherin section before turning into a shower of silver and green sparks.

Rial soared forward and stopped about 10 feet from Zachary. The half-twins were really nothing alike, Severus noted. Zachary Potter was surprisingly well-muscled for a 16 year old, nearing a height range of 6 foot plus some. He couldn't control his emotions to save his life and thrived under a constant spotlight. As far as magical talent went he was mediocre at best.

Rial, on the other hand, was a phenomenally talented young wizard. Contrasted against his half-twin he was all slender bones and angles, barely touching 5' 6" in height. Rial was the ultimate Slytherin, a master at controlling his emotions and temper. Severus had observed easily enough the previous year how much he hated being in the spotlight. He preferred hanging in the shadows, which gave him the element of surprise.

They're a great deal like their respective fathers, he mused. James Potter loved being well-known and famous, flaunting the money and power of a high-ranked Auror position. It was well-known in the MLE that James would likely be Scrimgeour's replacement with the grizzled Head Auror retired.

Sirius Black preferred his mid-rank Auror position, having turned down several promotions. He usually worked with the Magical Creatures Department, tracking down feral werewolves and other creatures that had avoided Registration. For all that he had a lower position and pay, the Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black was easily approachable and most felt comfortable around him. There was something about his bubbly, hyper personality that drew people to him, Severus included.

Madam Hooch came forward on her broom, Quaffle poised on her upturned fingers. She said a few words to Potter and Fawcett, who grudgingly moved forward and shook hands. Fawcett backed off quickly and Potter rubbed his fingers on his scarlet uniform. The Gryffindor locked eyes with Rial and smirked. Rial didn't so much as bat an eyelash. He continued looking at a point just past Zachary's head.

Severus heard Lucius chuckle. "His message is clear, isn't it? Zachary isn't worth his attention."

Sirius shook his head wryly, gray eyes snapping with humor. "I'm glad he didn't get my temper. I'd want to smack Zachary right about now."

"I think he'll be content with showing up Zachary in his favorite sport," Severus replied, waiting for the beginning of the match.

Rolanda blew her whistle and threw the Quaffle up between Draco and Katie Bell. In a quick sideways move Draco snagged the Quaffle from Katie's outstretched fingers and took off.

"And the Slytherins get to the Quaffle first! Malfoy is in possession, now a quick toss to Belby, oh! A nice move on Chaser Belby's part, that Bludger came very close to hitting his shoulder."

Rial remained toward the center of the pitch, eyes actively scanning for the small Snitch. He seemed content to search for it without moving, keeping tabs on the Chasers and Beaters 30 feet below him.

"Montague scores! 10 to 0 in Slytherin's favor. First goal of the game to Slytherin, a first in four years!"

10 minutes later, the score was 60 to 30 in Slytherin's favor. The Slytherin team was much improved on their coordination and skill; they had little need for the bruising tactics of previous years. "Bell in possession of the Quaffle, headed past the center line! She's one of our four senior players on the Gryffindor team; we'll be saying goodbye to them after this year. LOOK AT POTTER!"

Zachary was flying at an incredible pace near the Gryffindor stands, looking like little more than a scarlet blur. A green dot zipped in his direction and a moment later he was abruptly diving toward the ground instead of moving straight forward. He barely pulled up before hitting the ground, shooting a furious glare at a smug Rial, who moved back toward center.

"And in an entirely legal if dirty move, the Slytherin Seeker gives the Snitch time to disappear again! What he did was kick the front end of Potter's Firebolt, forcing the broom onto an alternate course. On a side note, this move is considered somewhat dangerous for the opposing Seeker; if they miss the broom with their foot it's been known for them to break a leg bone from impact with a speeding broom."

"Malfoy scores! The score is now 90 to 50 for Slytherin! This is a record game as so far we have had zero illegal moves or penalties. The norm for Slytherin house is four per game, the school record was back in 1982 when they were playing for the Quidditch Cup against Gryffindor and incurred 27 penalties!"

Draco was clearly enjoying himself as he intercepted the returning Quaffle and scored again. Montague lazily pursued Johnson, which resulted in the score changing again, 100 to 60. It was after Belby put the Quaffle through the middle ring against Keeper McLaggen that Jordan shrieked, "This is why you have to keep an eye on the Firebolt, my fine spectators! Look at Black go!"

Severus spun his head to see Rial diving down toward the grass, perfectly straight up and down. If not for the sharp eyes of Jordan and the Seeker's green robes he would be near impossible to see. Just as it looked like he was going to hit the ground he leveled out, speeding after a tiny golden blur barely three inches off the grass. Potter was in pursuit, but he was a good 10 feet behind still.

Rial skimmed around the corner at a rocketing pace, rising up with the Snitch to come past their stand at a pace that attempted to make a small hurricane in his wake. He was just above the Gryffindor hoops when his hand closed around something and he skidded to a long halt. He raised his left hand above his head, letting Jordan glimpse tiny silver wings beating against his hand.

"SLYTHERIN WINS! Final score 260 to 60! The first match against Gryffindor they've won in 4 years and they do it handily by 200 points! Their next mach will be against Ravenclaw in three weeks! Until then this is Lee Jordan saying, WELL DONE SLYTHERIN HOUSE!"

Gracefully Rial flew in their direction, triumphantly grinning. Removing his wand, he transferred the Snitch to his right hand and whispered a spell. Stopping directly in front of a glaring James Potter and a stunned Minerva McGonagall he tossed the now quiet Snitch at the former Gryffindor. James' eyes narrowed and he looked down at the Snitch. Hissing in anger he glared at the teen, who was already flying away. Rial quite mockingly saluted the Gryffindor and joined his teammates, who were grinning quite smugly.

"I think this was meant for you Snivellus," James spat, tossing the golden ball in his direction before he headed out of the stands.

Sirius arched an eyebrow and looked down at the little ball. He snorted in laughter and whispered, "I doubt that it was the best idea to taunt him!"

Severus looked down and resisted laughing himself. A tiny curving snake covered the golden ball's upper half, while the lower had the score 260 to 60 and the words, 'Talent and Skill'.

Smirking at the former Gryffindor sitting next to him he said, "It's acceptable. We are talking about the student that came up with Minerva MeowGonagall, after all."

Sirius burst out laughing as Lucius said with a smirk, "Rial came up with that nickname? Minerva's still trying to figure out who started that."

Severus just smiled back. Talent and skill indeed, Rial Black.