The Last Marauders: Year Two

Running late to her second defense class, she tried to slip into class without Lockhart noticing, but unfortunately for her, the only available seat was right up front. She sat down beside Hermione. “Ah, welcome to class, Ryan.” He beamed at her. “I won’t take points from you this time, just don’t run late again.”
“Thanks.” She mumbled.
“How could you be late?” Hermione hissed. “It’s your first class.”
“I don’t want to be here.” Ryan retorted. “He’s an idiot.”
“Now that everyone is here,” Lockhart smiled widely, “Let’s begin. Great job to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ryan for helping nip the pixies back into their cages Tuesday. Ten points for each of you.” Hermione’s face turned pink and Ryan rolled her eyes. “We’re going to talk today about banshees. Who can-yes, Miss Granger?”
“Banshees are spirits that have the appearance of a woman with floor length black hair, a skeletal face, and green skin. A banshee's scream was fatal to the ears.” She said promptly.
“Take another five points. Good job, Hermione. Take out your copy of Break with a Banshee. We’ll be doing interactive readings today. Who wants to start? Ah, good, Ms. Patil, start with the first page.”
Ryan pretended to follow along, keeping her book mostly in front of her face. She didn’t want the reminder that she was related to this buffoon of a teacher, and she was hoping he wouldn’t realize their connection. After nearly all the girls read, and they were three chapters in the book, class was dismissed. “Ryan, I need you to stay after class. I’m sure Pomona won’t mind.”
“I’ll let her know, Ry.” Daphne said. “Don’t worry.”
Ryan sighed, shoving her book back in her bag. “Yes, Professor?” She asked, trying to be polite.
“Now, now, Ryan, we can drop the formalities.” He said cheerfully. “I can’t believe Elora didn’t mention her daughter was at school now. Of course, it’s been a couple years since I talked to my sister.”
“I haven’t talked to her since she left me at an orphanage when I was one.”
His smile faltered. “Oh, um, I had no idea. I bet it was because she just couldn’t afford it after your dad got arrested.”
Against her better judgment, she sat back down. “Wait, my dad was arrested? For what?”
“He worked for You-Know-Who.” He said dismissively. “But anyways, I think this is a sign. I’m going to write Elora and let her know that I have you in class. She’ll be delighted, I think. Just try to apply yourself more in this class, okay? I’m sure you’ve got a good brain. You are my niece, after all.”
“Right.”
“Now, I should let you get to class before your dear Herbology professor gets too upset.”
She made the walk to the greenhouses, her mind reeling. Her mother was alive and her father was in jail? “Find a table, Ms. Black.” Professor Sprout sounded irritated. “We’re repotting Mandrakes again today, so grab your earmuffs.”
Ryan slipped in beside Oscar at his table. She put gloves on, then her earmuffs, and grimacing, grabbed one of the Mandrakes. It threw dirt all over her and the table. Knowing it wouldn’t do any good to brush it off, she sighed, continuing the assignment until it was time to head to Charms. Heading to the bathroom first, she walked right through Moaning Myrtle. “Sorry, Myrtle.” She apologized as she ran the water to wash off as best as she could in between classes.
Myrtle sniffed, floating up and diving back into her usual stall.
Ryan rushed to Charms after drying her hands, deliberately sitting by Malfoy. “Hi.” She whispered as Flitwick was going over instructions for the dancing feet spell. “Did my dad work for You-Know-Who?”
“What? Why would I know?”
“Maybe you could ask your parents for me.”
“They won’t know either.”
She raised an eyebrow. “We’re cousins. And I know your family has that reputation.”
“Fine. We’ll talk later. I’ll tell you what I know.”
“Thank you.”
“Pair off now with someone from the other house and practice.”
Ryan paired off with Oscar. “Tarantallegra!” She gave him no chance, and his legs started moving uncontrollably.
“Well done, Miss Black! Ten points to Slytherin!” Professor Flitwick pointed his wand at Oscar and the dancing stopped. “Go again.”
Oscar quickly got his revenge, winning Ravenclaw ten points as well. By the end of the class, most of the students were able to cast the charm. Ryan followed Malfoy out of the classroom into an empty corridor. “Okay, spill.”
“All I know is what I’ve heard from my dad.” He started. “But apparently, your dad is the reason that Potter’s an orphan. He sold them out.”
“What?”
“That’s all I know. He’s been in Azkaban since that night.”
Ryan sat down at the end of the Slytherin table, ready to write to James to find out the truth, but she paused. He already had trouble remembering things from that night. Maybe she should wait. “Hey, what’s going on?” Daphne asked, sitting down across from her. “You didn’t sit with me in class.”
“Lockhart told me that my mum’s alive.” She kept the other bit of information to herself. “I’m thinking about writing her.”
“I think you should.” Daphne said earnestly. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
“That’s true.” Ryan looked at her empty parchment. “Maybe she’ll answer me.”
Elora,
Hi. I’m not sure if you’ll get this or not, but I’m in my second year of Hogwarts, and our new DADA professor is Gilderoy Lockhart. He’s my uncle, apparently. Um, he said you were still alive, so I’m just wondering why you never came back to the orphanage for me?
Ryan
Before curfew, she and Daphne ran to the owlery to mail the letter. “I hope she answers you.”
“Me too.” Ryan watched the large tawny owl fly off. “Lockhart also said my dad worked for You-Know-Who.”
“I mean, it’s a possibility.” Daphne said slowly. “A lot of people were on his side. Even against their will.”
“Yeah.”
Daphne put her hands on Ryan’s shoulders. “Don’t worry about it too much. We’ve got too much fun to have here.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Ryan smiled. “Thanks, Daph.”