Summer 95’
Despite the sharp pain that came with each step Ryleigh was determined to not use the crutches anymore. She was sick of them getting in the way and stopping her from being where she needed to be. As she waited on a bench outside the three broomsticks for Harry she held her ankle in her lap massaging it lightly.
“Does it hurt still?” Hermione asked as they approached and Ryleigh dropped her leg to the ground.
“only a bit.” She lied. “Ready?”
They nodded and headed off to the edge of the town. Hermione stood with Ryleigh, close enough to catch her if she needed it no doubt while the boys walked ahead of them.
She only stumbled once on a loose rock and Hermione caught her arm.
“Thanks.” She mumbled embarrassment filling her cheeks with red.
Padfoot was suddenly standing in the path ahead of them, he whined and then turned away, they followed him without question to a cave where he transformed back into Sirius. He walked over to them with a smile giving Ryleigh and Harry both a tight hug.
“You - why are you limping?” He asked her and she looked to Harry with a glare.
“I know he told you already.” She said.
He raised brow, “I was giving you the opportunity to tell me yourself.”
“Can we talk about this later?” She asked with a huff.
“Right, fine.” Then he turned to Harry, going on about how Mr Crouch was meant to be minister but his son was a death eater and so on.
When they were finished with their lengthy talk Hermione took the boys by the arms and led them out.
“I’ll wait for you to help you back.” Hermione said as she stood at the edge of the cave and pushed them out.
Ryleigh sighed, she’d successfully avoided this conversation for 2 months with everyone except Ginny and wasn’t keen to have it now with her father that she’s only really spoke to through letters.
“What really happened?” He asked taking a seat next to her.
She shrugged, “it doesn’t matter, I’m fine and they’re gone, Snape got them expelled.” She said chewing on her lip.
“Ryleigh it does matter. I’m… im glad that they’re gone that was something … good… that snivelus has done but it doesn’t negate what happened.” He said.
“Snivelus?” She asked.
“Severus. I meant Severus.” He corrected.
Silence.
“Come on Ryleigh, I want to help you, I want to be there for you, and I can’t do that nearly as much as I’d like already…”
“Just a couple boys. They.. beat me up a bit during the Yule ball and… stuff. Ginny and Snape found me and Madam Pomfrey patched me up.” She explained, “pretty she Christmas isn’t a favorite anymore though.” She joked.
He looked at her with worry. “You look thin.” He said.
“Gee thanks.”
“That’s not— have you been taking care of yourself?” He asked.
“Dad- you’re eating rats and living in a cave, I think I look pretty good.” She commented and his face broke into a wide smile.
“What?” She asked.
“You called me dad.” He said and she blushed.
He leaned over, “can I give you a hug?” He asked and she nodded.
They embraced for a long time before she pulled back. “I’d better get back.” She said.
“You’d better.” He said, “and Ryleigh, stay safe, please.”
“It’s Harry who likes to find trouble.” She said.
“I know, he’s a lot like his father, but you’re my daughter and I know well enough what I was up to during my time at Hogwarts.”
She laughed, “don’t you worry dad, I spend all my time making potions and sitting in the Astronomy tower, well as soon as I can make it up the stairs again.”
Xx
Halfway through Ryleighs potion study she had an idea.
“Professor?” She asked and he looked up.
“I have a question.” She said and stood to make her way to his desk.
“The ministry can tell when people use magic, and where the magic was used, but they can’t tell who it was so there’s no real way to track someone based on their magic use.”
“Correct” he said, “as skilled as you are Ms Walsh I don’t think a third year Hogwarts student is going to solve something all the highest level witches and wizards have been stumped by for centuries.”
She laughed, “no, of course not. But what if instead of trying to track someone by their magic we tried to track them in another way.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Go on.”
“It’s just a thought but with legilimency you can reach into someone mind to see their thoughts right?” She asked and he nodded.
“What if we used the same sort of basing around a potion that would allow you to reach into someone’s thought if you yourself thought about that person?”
He hummed, “an interesting thought. I would say research further and get back to me.”
She smiled. 2nd potion creation here she comes.
Xx
Ryleigh Luna and Ginny sat close to the front of the bleachers she could see Snape and McGonagall sitting just to her right and the contestants coming out onto the small field below. Dumbledore explained how it would work, that Harry and Cedric would go first then Krum and Fleur. She could see Moody standing at the entrance to the maze and her now constant nausea spiked. Harry was looking up at the crowd and met her gaze for a brief moment before looking away quickly.
“Is he alright?” She asked Ginny who shrugged. “He’s been dodgy week.” She said.
They cheered as the cannon went off and the two boys walked in, the maze closing behind them. A few minutes later the other two entered and the same happened behind them.
After they had all gone in the crowd quieted down as they waiting, chattering among themselves, until they saw the flare of red sparks and someone retrieved Fleur from the maze. Followed by Krum. After that they continued to wait for Cedric and Harry.
She saw out of the corner of her arm Snape clutch his left arm tightly and make sharp eye contact with Dumbledore then look away and gather himself.
It was dark by the time Harry and Cedric reappeared together, trophy in hand. They crowd stood and cheered loudly together Ryleigh Ginny and Luna included.
They started rushing down to him, Harry was leaning over Cedric’s rather still body.
Fleur screamed and ran backwards, away from them, Dumbledore moved forward and she could see a number of the professors cease there applause.
Dumbledore tried to pull Harry off the older boy but he screamed and threw himself back over him.
Ryleigh gasped and Ginny threw herself into her shoulder. Luna grabbed her hand tightly and Ryleigh squeezed it back.
“For gods sake Dumbledore what’s happened?” She could hear fudge say.
Then there was Harry, sobbing, “he’s back! He’s back! Voldemorts back! Cedric, he asked me to bring back his body… I couldn’t leave him, not there…”
Dumbledore held him, “it’s alright Harry, it’s alright… he’s home. You both are.”
Fudge moved back toward them and said “keep everybody in there seats.” Then more quietly to Snape, “a boys just been killed.” And Snape and McGonagall both rushed toward Dumbledore and Harry.
The crowd gasped and whispered.
“We need to move the body Dumbledore. There are to many people.” Fudge said then Cedric’s father began pushing through, “let me through. Let me through!” And he ran past them to the crowd around the boys.
“That’s my son! That’s my boy!” The man screamed and fell to his knees at Cedric’s side. He continued sobbing as Moody practically dragged Harry away.
“Harry?” She called after them but the Professor continued on.
After a minute Snape and McGonagall started clearing out the students as Cedric’s father contributed to sob over his lifeless body. She sniffed and moved Ginny to lean into Lunas body then pushed herself through the last bit of crowd to where Snape and McGonagall stood.
“Ms Walsh you need to get back with the rest of the-“ Snape started but she interrupted him with, “Moody’s taken Harry somewhere. Professor something isn’t right with it, but it’s him.” She said and the man stared at her, eyes searching before he nodded.
“Which way did they go?” He asked and she pointed to the direction that they had exited.
“Go on back to your dorms now, take those girls with you.” McGonagall said before making her way to Dumbledore and whispering something to him.
Xx
She, Luna and Ginny were seated in the astronomy tower as usual. They were quiet in the space, just keeping each other company as they overlooked the grounds.
They watched as the Beauxbattons flew off and the Durmstangs ship sunk into the lake.
“Promise me we’ll hang out this summer. I know things are… sad and awful but I need to…” Ryleigh said softly and both girls nodded.
“I’ve got to get going…” Ginny said, “the twins’ll be waiting for me.”
They hugged her tightly goodbye and were left alone.
Ryleigh shifted back and forth between her legs.
“I—“ she started and stopped.
Luna reached for her hands, clasping both into her own. They stared at each other for a moment.
“I’ll miss you Ryleigh.” Luna said quietly.
Instead of answering the 14 year old leaned forward and let her lips meet Lunas.
It was soft and sweet, just a peck before she pulled back and tucked some hair behind her ear.
“Um.. Ro’s birthday is in a few weeks… I’m sure he’d love it if you came… if you want…” she stumbled out.
“write me, I’ll be there.” Luna said and gave Ryleigh another quick peck.
“You’ll miss the train. You should- probably go.” Ryleigh said with a soft smile and Luna met it.
Then the blonde picked up her things and skipped away. Ryleigh let herself lean against the pillar and smiled wider than she thought possible.
Xx
When she walked out of her living room fireplace she dropped her things to the ground and opened her arms for the tiny hugs that threw themselves at her.
“Oh I missed you guys!!” She said as she squeezed them back tightly. “You’re so big!!”
“We missed you to Ry!” Quinn said sweetly.
“Welcome home love.” Erin said.
“I’m so glad to be home.”
Xx
The summer was mostly unremarkable. Luna and Ginny visited for Ro and Quinn’s birthdays, turning 9 and 7 respectfully. She and Luna had decided they could call it dating between them but they weren’t going to spread it around the school. Luna thought there’d be no issue but then people were already mean to Luna and she thought that wasn’t an issue either. Ryleigh agreed they wouldn’t lie if they were asked but they also wouldn’t bring it up themselves.
Sirius had even ventured a visit to Ireland. They spent the day on her beach soaking in the warmth of the sun and talking. He was honest with her about his involvement with the order and trusted her to keep things to herself. Things were planned carefully and Harry’s seemed connection to the dark lord posed an issue in regards to keeping him completely informed. Though she could tell his desire to inform the boy of all the information they had.
“But you’re being careful, yes?” She asked and he said he was. When it was time for him to go she gave him a tight hug and he was gone, paw prints left behind in the sand.
Xx
When Ginny came to visit just before august she asked if Ryleigh could come back with her and Erin gave a reluctant yes with a clear warning to stay out of trouble. Not that Ryleigh had been the cause of any of her troubles, last summer at the cup and then over Christmas. She still agreed and went off with Ginny.
Of course, a promise to stay out of trouble only applies when the trouble involves her so Harry being attacked by dementors and the Weasleys all heading to Grimmauld place wasn’t her breaking her promise.
When they arrived she saw Sirius sitting at the table and was very pleasantly surprised.
“Ryleigh!” He said happily, “what on earth are you doing here?” He asked and gave her a tight squeeze as the rest of the Weasleys made there way into the kitchen, greeting Sirius as well.
“I was with Ginny.” She explained. Then looked at who else was in the room and blushed awkwardly.
“Remus, you’ve met Ryleigh.” Siruis said to lupin who was seated next to him.
“Of course, Not properly as your daughter though.” The quiet man said.
“Hello Professor.” She said, “it’s good to see you again.”
“Why don’t you kids head upstairs while we have a little chat.” Molly said ushering then out.
She nodded and followed Ginny toward the stairs. As they were leaving the kitchen the front door opened and Professor Snape walking in. He whispered something to Moody at the door and then continued on. He gave her a slight nod as he passed by.
Ginny tugged on her arm and she snapped her attention back to the girl, following her up the stairs.
Harry arrived that night and they spent the week she was meant to spend at the burrow at grimmauld place.
One morning when she woke Ginny was fast asleep beside her so she carefully crawled out of bed and padded down the steps.
The house was quiet aside from Kreachers mumbling as he cleaned.
She made her way to the kitchen and filled the kettle with water before setting it on the stove to boil.
“tea is in the cabinet on your left.” The voice behind her said and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Snape was standing in the doorway to the kitchen.
“T-thanks… how do you, know that?” She asked but still opened the cabinet and took out the tea.
“I’ve spent far more time here than I care to.” Was his deadpanned response.
“You bothering my daughter Snivelus?” Sirius asked from behind Snape who spun around and gave him a proper sneer.
“He’s not— he doesn’t bother me dad.”
“Ive only come to inform you…” and his voice faded to a whisper for only Sirius to hear.
Then he turned to leave. “Ms Walsh.” He said and she waved a goodbye.
Picking up her mug she filled it with water and looked back to Sirius.
“Would you like some?” She offered and he nodded.
“I need to send an owl to my mother.” She said as she placed a cup in front of him.
“Indeed.” He said. Then woodlessly a parchment appeared in front of her.
She laughed, “thanks.”
‘Dear Mom,
I know you said don’t get into trouble and I haven’t I swear. But Harry did and we had to go to London. I’m thinking if it’s alright I’ll just take the train with Ginny to Hogwarts. Love you, Ry
PS I promise that I’m fine and I’m with dad’
When she was finished he whispered and a black owl can swooping in. Took the letter and flew back out.
“Come here. I want to show you something.” He said and led her to a room with a closed door. Inside wasn’t much of anything except the walls were covered in a large painting of a tree.
“Is this..”
“The black family tree.” He said with disdain.
“My parents here.” He said and pointed to them.
“Over there, my deranged cousin and her sisters.”
Ryleigh walked over to the painting of his cousin. “Bellatrix.”
“She’s in Azkaban. Bit of a dark lord fanatic if you will.”
She looked closely at the woman, her wild dark curly hair, pale skin. “She looks like me…” she said softly. “I’ve always wondered…”
“Yes she does a bit, doesn’t she… the hair. Well, you’re nothing like her.” He said and led her towards his own spot, a single branch hung off the bottom of his burned out photo.
“But how did-“
“It’s enchanted. Keeps growing on its own.” There was a small paining of herself at the end of the branch. The more she looked at it the more she saw the features she could attribute to the black family, the structure of her face, and shape of her eyes.
“When you were born your mother asked me if I’d like you to have my last name. I told her no. Because the name Black has always been stained with pure-blood supremest’s and maniacs. I wanted something more for you. You mother, your grandparents… they were good people. You grandfather treated me with more respect than I deserved. And your grandmother Ryleigh, she was such a kind woman. A good heart, brilliant witch. You take after her.”
“Thanks… people always tell me how great she was, I never knew her, I wish I had…”
“Well I did. She was fierce, protective, she fought for the order you know- and she died doing it. She was truly brilliant.”