A/N: Someone mentioned Rial's age. I'll be editing that soon hopefully. As far as Rial sounding OOC for Harry, it's an entirely different life for him. I'm playing around with the whole twin and Harry-in-Slytherin plots, pushing the boundaries. I'm glad so many of you like this little tale of mine!

Chapter 29- To Return or Not Return?

Torian Lestrange appeared on the garden path just outside the wards, tucking a small platinum medallion down the front of his black silk shirt. He was almost overheating already, even though he'd only just arrived in the Italian sun. He walked briskly through the wards, feeling the tingle on his skin, similar to the pins and needles sensation when his feet fell asleep. He started making his way along the beautiful garden path, headed for the small yet expansive villa. It was September 3rd and he'd just returned from the funeral of his grandfather Taryen Lestrange. Taryen's younger son Rabastan had been buried in a nameless plot behind the Lestrange Manor. It was the only form of recognition Torian would ever give his uncle, formerly one of the Dark Lord's Death Eaters.

He admired his dead grandfather more than ever at that moment. It must have been difficult to turn his wand against his twin sons. Yet he had done what was necessary and killed Rabastan just moments before an irate Rodolphus had slashed his throat open with a Cutting Curse. Torian hadn't seen the damage to his grandfather's body himself; Lucian Snape had already healed the cut by the time Torian had arrived home. It was with a solemn pride and worry that he had taken the title of Lord of the House of Lestrange. His father had been bypassed by Taryen almost 2 decades before when he married Bellatrix Black.

As much as Taryen had hated his daughter-in-law, he loved his grandson. Torian had been raised in a loving, indulgent yet unspoiled manner, taught from a young age about pureblood protocols, politics and etiquette. He had inherited his grandfather's love of languages, having learned French, Spanish and German along with English by the time he was 11. His grandfather taught him a love of the good music and literature and always challenged his mental boundaries with puzzles or a good old-fashioned game of wizard's chess.

He swallowed a lump in his throat as he stepped up onto the patio. It would be hard to adjust to life without his grandfather. He was already facing his first hurdle. He grimaced quietly at the thought and turned his appreciative gaze to the sprawling single-layer estate laid out before him.

When his grandfather had approved of the idea of a sort of home-schooling for him along with his friends, Rial's father Lord Black had risen to the occasion magnificently. This villa had been in his family for almost as long as Black Manor itself rarely visited but well-maintained by a small army of house-elves. The current Lord's mother, Walburga Black, had hated the open, sunny estate and refused to visit it or bring her sons there due to threat of 'over-exposure' on their 'sensitive' skin. The fact that Sirius currently sported a medium tan didn't support her theory in the slightest and Rial's skin was positively golden.

Here was headquarters for the Custodis Pondera as well, the third side Rial had formed with his father and the other adults. Torian hadn't learned about it until two weeks ago and it was still a surprise that the ideas mentioned on their train-ride from Hogwarts were being put into action. However, if anyone could make a third side like this work, it would be Rial and the veritable library of knowledge and experience in the lives of the adults. To his surprise, both Rial himself and Draco were full members and their voices held a great deal of weight for two teenagers.

Along with being Secret-Keeper for their current location, Severus Snape was currently in his element, teaching university-level Potions at the prestigious Riley's Academy. The man hadn't been well-suited for Hogwarts-age students who saw Potions as a required class, but for older students who chose to attend Potions and had a solid basis and understanding he was an almost overwhelming force of inspiration. Severus had taken to it without the slightest hitch and held the respect and attention that he deserved amongst his fellow staff and the many peers who called Italy home.

Torian found the two he was looking for in Sirius' private study. Sirius was looking over some paperwork for the Ministry with a grimace of irritation and Rial was studying a book their Defense instructor had recommended on the Dark Arts. His brow was furrowed slightly and he was idly tapping the opposite page with his slender fingers. Torian stepped entirely into the room and shut the door behind him.

Rial looked up first. "Tor," he said warmly. "Come, sit down. I'm sure that attending the funeral was harder on you than it appears. Would you like some tea and scones as a snack? We still have about three hours before dinner."

"Just some tea would be appreciated," Torian replied.

He looked at Sirius, who set down his paper, leaned back in the chair and said, "The Ministry is still trying to track down Rodolphus. Severus was talking to his father the other day and said Lucien was just about angry enough to tell the Ministry to shove off and go after him himself. Severus managed to convince him to stay put but it wasn't easy."

"I had heard that Lord Snape was close to my grandfather, apparently they were good friends in school. I never realised that they valued their friendship that much, however," Torian said quietly.

He inhaled deeply and continued. "I have another reason for coming to you after the funeral." Without further hesitation he drew up the left sleeve and revealed the inky black Dark Mark, which had been engraved on his skin not two hours previously.

Sirius stood up and walked around the front of his desk, taking Torian's wrist and gingerly studying the Mark. Swallowing his revulsion at the grisly tattoo he continued, proud that his voice didn't shake. "My father caught me alone just outside the Manor's wards. He said I either would take the Mark or he would make sure that I joined my 'useless' grandfather," Torian spat the word with considerable venom. "I would not be ashamed to say that I would have liked to see my grandfather again, but not under those circumstances."

"So you made the difficult but correct conclusion and took the Mark," Rial said softly. The door opened again just then, revealing Draco standing just outside. He saw Torian and said, "How was the funeral, Torian?"

"Well, aside from the last part. I think my grandfather would have been pleased," Torian almost drawled, amused by his blonde friend's inquisitive nature. Draco hated being left out of the loop.

The Malfoy heir's eyes landed on the Mark and widened. "How?" he asked calmly.

Torian recounted his story again, watching Draco's eyes darken in anger. "Father told me the Dark Lord has been questioning about my absence. When my father suggested one of my cousins instead he was hit with Crucio."

Torian suddenly saw a way to make good of his situation and his eyes widened. Rial watched him with narrow eyes and said, "No, Torian. It's too dangerous and you're—"

"I'm what, exactly?" Torian demanded harshly, making Rial recoil against Draco instinctively. "Too young, perhaps? Too inexperienced maybe? In case you haven't noticed, Rial, we're a bunch of 15 and 16-year-olds in the middle of what is about to become the foulest war in the wizarding world. It is my choice and this is my decision."

He stood up, walked to the door and swirled around abruptly to face Sirius. Tilting his chin a little defiantly he said, "I will return to Hogwarts and offer myself as a spy to Dumbledore. Meanwhile, Lord Malfoy can stop attending meetings and I will send my information by encrypted messages and occasional meetings to this residence. I swore a debt to your son for releasing me from my mother's influence. As she was your cousin and Rial is your son it applies to you as well. I will become a spy for the Custodis Pondera against Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort. If I am to make it convincing, I must leave tomorrow morning at the latest."

Torian made his exit after his little speech, heading with purpose and determination to his rooms. He would say goodbye to Blaise and Pansy after dinner tonight, along with Remus, Lucius and Severus. This was the right thing to do and he would make a difference in this war, one way or the other. He was last of the Lestrange's and he would do something that would cause honour to once again be accorded his family name and legacy.

-D-N-S-D-

Rial leaned into Draco's shoulder, looking into his father's eyes with confusion and slight hurt. "I was only concerned," he said in a slightly trembling voice. Torian had left maybe a moment before and his automatic defensive position had startled Rial.

"I know," Sirius replied. "So does Torian. "However, he has realised that he must make the difficult decisions now as the heir to the Lestrange family. He may not gain the title for another year but to all purpose and intent he is now Lord of the House of Lestrange. He wants to contribute to our efforts and he sees the opportunity to spare another pureblood Lord in the process."

"He is well-trained in Occlumency," Draco added. "It is a trait common amongst pureblood families to make sure their children, especially the heir, can protect their mind. Purebloods are a suspicious lot, they may encourage their children to make friends with others that may not be in their circle, but they are not idle in the protection of their family secrets."

"Should I apologise?" Rial asked Draco, a bit timid. For all he acted almost with arrogant confidence, he demurred in the cases of pureblood families to those with the experience and knowledge.

"No. Torian knows you meant well, he will probably apologise to you," Sirius answered. "Accept it graciously and consider it dealt and over with. Bringing it up again could be seen as a sign you don't trust that he felt guilty for it in the first place."

"Stupid bloody politics," Rial grumbled, earning a slight glance from his father at the language. "I know for a fact I'll never enter that field of work. I don't have the patience for it."

Draco laughed softly and kissed the top of his head as his father said in amusement, "That I can say for a fact you inherited from me. It is well-known in the Ministry that I have no patience at all for speaking with the elite of our kind. Just make sure the person you do let interact with politicians on your behalf knows what they're doing."

Rial considered that sound advice, which he would take if he ever got that far in the magical world. Either that or he'd become a recluse. He snorted, that was unlikely. He had too many plans and dreams to ever leave magical society entirely. He opened his text on the Dark Arts and resumed reading for his next paper.