A/N: Hey guys! This is the sequel to A Second Chance so if you wanna know how this all comes about, read that one first. As always, reviews, follows, favorites, and all are more than appreciated! Love all of my readers! I own nothing but the plot. Enjoy!

Prologue

North Star Orphanage

Caretaker: Sabine Wyard

Wizards:knock thrice then twice

Muggles: knock once, twice, and ring the bell

She raised her fist and followed the sign's instructions. She held her one-year-old closer, shivering slightly with the wind. A few minutes later, the old wooden door creaked open and a white haired elderly woman smiled gently at her. "Yes, miss?"

"Hi. Um, I can't-" Elora struggled to find the words she needed. "Circumstances have changed and I'm in no place to raise her."

"Not to worry, dear." She held out her hands and Elora passed her daughter over. "We'll take good care of her."

"Her name's Ryan Black. And there's a letter in there. Will you give it to her when she's older?"

"Of course."

Elora kissed her forehead one last time before disappearing into the night.

Four Years Later

"Hey Sabine!"

Five year old Ryan Black peeked through the stair railing at the man walking through the side door. She'd seen him before, but it was usually right after bedtime or before breakfast, when she wasn't supposed to be out of bed.

Sabine hobbled through the kitchen door, taking the bags from him. "Thank you, James. You've been a lifesaver, helping me out."

"It's the least I can do. You saved my life." He kissed her cheek, following her into the kitchen.

Ryan decided to go ask for a cup of water, knocking on the door frame.

"Yes?" Sabine asked, sighing.

"Ms. Sabine, may I have a cup of water?" She smiled up at her caretaker.

"Very well, get it yourself. I've got to put up groceries."

Ryan, being five-years-old and about four inches shorter than the other five year olds, frowned, concentrating on the cupboard with the glasses. One began to float down to the sink. Just before the cup reached the sink, James caught it. "Water?" He asked her.

"Yes, please."

He turned the faucet, filling the cup half way before he handed it to her. "Here you are, Ryan."

"Thank you." She took it from him, turning to leave.

"Hey, wait a second." He knelt down to her level. "How'd you feel about coming to live with me?"

"Really? I'm gonna get a home?"

"Yeah, you will. I'm your godfather, you know."

Ryan glanced at Sabine, who nodded. "Okay!"

"I'll get her things gathered up for you. You've got a place, right?"

"Yes, Sabine. I've got a flat near the Leaky Cauldron."

Chapter One

Ryan tossed and tossed, finally kicking off the blanket. The clock on her nightstand read six twenty four. She yawned and stumbled to the kitchen where her godfather was already sitting, his eyes scanning the Daily Prophet. He silently slid the plate of toast to her and she took a bite, sliding it back to him. He waved his wand and a mug of hot tea floated over to her. She took a sip, spreading warm jam on her toast. "Rough night?" He asked.

"Bad dreams."

He nodded understandingly. "I'll get some more sleeping draught today for you, Ry."

"Thank you."

She got up from the table, her tea in her hand, and went back to her room. A small, metal day bed sat opposite a scratched and banged up writing desk. An old bookshelf with a couple of crooked shelves held various titles, both Muggle and Wizarding, along with a couple stuffed dragons and a stuffed cat. A yellowed piece of parchment, flat from years of reading, lay on the desk. Ryan pulled the rickety chair out, her fingers smoothing the parchment out of habit as she read the letter once again.

Dearest Ryan,

As I'm writing this letter, certain circumstances have pushed me to give you up. To protect you from the dangers of our world. Darling, I don't want to do this, but I must. I'll come for you once it's safe. Remember I love you.

Love,

Elora

Ryan smiled, imagining her mother waltzing in and marrying James, making them a real family. She quickly pushed that thought away; she had no idea where the green-haired woman in her locket was now. James knocked softly on her bedroom door. "Ry, don't forget we're going to Diagon Alley as soon as you get dressed."

She quickly changed out of her pyjamas into a set of faded purple robes, and she ran a brush through her shoulder length black hair. As soon as she found her worn, dirty white sneakers, she flung the door open. "I'm ready, Uncle James!"

"Five more minutes, kid!" He called from his room. "I can't find my other shoe!"

She snorted, sitting down to wait. A few minutes later, he joined her. "You ready?"

She jumped up, linking her arm through his. "Can we go to Ollivander's first?"

He shook his head. "Trust me. Ollivander's last. Anyways, we've got to go to Gringotts first, to exchange this muggle money."

The duo walked six blocks north before they had to cross the busy London street. If you weren't looking for it, you'd completely miss the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron- even if you ARE magical. James grabbed her hand, keeping her from being sidetracked, as she'd spotted a fluffy, dirty white kitten. "We'll get you a pet at the Menagerie. Come on, Ry."

"What can I get?"

"Anything you want."

"I can get an octopus?"

James laughed, tapping the bricks with his wand. "If they have one, sure thing."

Ryan grinned up at him. "I hope they have puppies. I want a big, black one."

James' smile faltered and he stopped, causing Ryan to run into him. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why?"

"I'm not really a dog person."

"Well, let's go see what they have."

"Gringotts first."

She kept beside him, eyes taking in the wonders as he talked. As they passed Quality Quidditch Supplies, Ryan stopped in her tracks, staring at the broom in the display window. James had one, and it was in great condition but this one was - "Whoa." She breathed.

"-then your pet, and- Ry?" He trotted back to her, shaking his head a bit. "Can't have a broom yet, firstie."

"I can see my reflection."

"It's the latest Nimbus 2000." He read the info under it. "I bet they fixed that turning issue in the 1500s."

"Yours?"

"Yes. That broom's a git sometimes." He sighed. "Come on, no sense in staring at it."

She dutifully followed him to Gringotts, waiting patiently as he exchanged some of the money he'd been saving for ten years. He thanked the goblin, attempted to smooth his hair, and motioned for her to leave the bank. "Let's start on this list, shall we?"

"I want all the books."

He chuckled. "Let's stick to the ones you need, and hopefully, we can get a couple more for you."

"Okay."

Almost an hour later, Ryan had everything on her list. Except her wand. "Well, in you go, kid." James pointed to Ollivander's. "I'll wait out here for you."

"Y-you're not coming in?"

He shook his head. "Tradition. My parents shoved me in there and then went for ice cream."

She took a deep breath and pushed open the door. Dust rose up around her and she stifled a sneeze, trying to see through the dim lights. "Good afternoon, Ms. Black."

She stiffened. "Hello?"

A thin, gray haired wizard stepped through the haze, his silver eyes shining. "Shopping a little late, aren't you, young lady?"

"My godfather wasn't able to bring me any sooner." She defended James, knowing that tomorrow was September first, and they were among the last to be in Diagon Alley.

"Not to worry, not to worry." He disappeared again, and Ryan could hear him moving around. "Let's try this one."

One of the boxes appeared on the counter in front of her. She took the wand out carefully and waved it. A shelf opposite her fell and she hastily returned the wand back to the box. Three more wands, all with the same result. Finally, he came out with a bent box, placing it on the counter with the others. "10 and a half inch hawthorn and unicorn hair."

As soon as her fingers wrapped around the wand, warmth spread throughout her body and black sparks flew out of the end. He nodded, smiling. "Well, Ms. Black, an unusual combination, but I think you will do good things with it."

"Thank you, Mr. Ollivander." She paid and went back outside where James was indeed still waiting for her.

"You still want to go to the Menagerie? We have time."

She shook her head. "I wanna go home so I can pack everything and get ready."

He frowned a little. "Alright, Ry."

As soon as they made it back to the apartment, Ryan placed all her packages on her bed and started unwrapping them. And then she realized something. "Uncle James!" She ran to the kitchen. "I don't have a trunk."

He made a stirring motion in the air, keeping the spoon stirring in the pot. "Actually, you do." He pulled out a large black and silver trunk with the faded initials RAB painted on the side. "This was your uncle's. Sirius found it in a Muggle thrift shop and bought it. I'm sure he would've gotten you a new one but I-"

"I love it." She knelt down, her fingers tracing the initials of family long passed. "What was his name?"

"Regulus Arcturus Black. Sirius chose your middle name to honor him."

Ryan jumped up, wrapping her arms around James. "Thank you!"

"You're welcome, kid." He ruffled her hair. "Dinner'll be ready soon. Wanna set the table for me?"