The Last Maruaders: Year One

Chapter 7: Happy Holidays (Ryan's POV)

Ryan slowly packed her bag, the letter from Sabine unfolded on her desk, right beside the one from her mother. She had the older one memorized, having read it every day since she could read, and the newer one, she hadn't looked at since she opened it. She was nervous to travel back to meet her godfather- What if she didn't like him? What if he didn't like her?

"Hey, come on, you're going to miss the train, Ry." Daphne said, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Almost done." Ryan quickly shoved everything else into her bag and followed her best friend out of their dorm, carrying Shadow's cage under her arm.

"You okay?"

"Just nervous." She admitted. "I don't know who he is. What if he doesn't like me?"

"How could he not like you?" Daphne asked as they joined the crowd of students leaving the castle. "He's going to love you."

"Thanks, Daph."

The train ride back to London was quiet and Daphne gave her a quick hug when they stepped onto the platform. "Write me."

"I will."

"Oh, good! You're here!" Ryan smiled at her caretaker. "Come on, dearie, let's go. I'm so excited for you to meet him."

"Thanks, Ms. Sabine." She took her arm and they Disapparated, returning to the orphanage. "Do you think it'll be okay?"

"Absolutely, dear." Sabine patted her hand. "You're a wonderful girl, Ryan."

"Thank you."

She walked in, her bag on her shoulder, and stopped. A man with familiar messy black hair had his back to her as he was reading to the younger kids there. "-in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle."

"Mr. Evans?"

He turned, his hazel eyes twinkling and Ryan took a step back. "There's no way." She breathed. "You're-"

"James." He smiled. "You're Ryan. Merlin, you look so much like your dad."

"I-I do?"

"Yeah." He grinned. "But that's okay. I won't hold it against you."

"Are you my godfather?"

"One of them." He said. "But I'm not sure where Moony's at. To be fair, there's a lot I'm not sure of anymore."

"Oh."

"Ryan, dear, take your bag up to your room and freshen up. James is going to take you to dinner, if that's okay."

Ryan nodded, her brain trying to figure this out, and did as Sabine suggested. She found a long black skirt and her red tee she wore to the Quidditch game, and after brushing her hair, she rejoined James in the den. "I guess I'm ready."

"Great!" He beamed. "Let's go. There's this really good Italian restaurant a couple blocks away."

Ryan followed him out, her hands in the pockets of her coat. "Can I ask a question?"

"Sure, Ryan. Anything you want, ask."

"Um, I thought you were dead." She said, wincing slightly when she said it. "Sorry, I just-"

"No need to apologize, Ryan." He slowed down, letting her walk alongside him. "Everyone thought I was. Now, um, I don't remember a lot from that night, but my memories are slowly coming back. I can't really say for sure what happened, but I woke up in a Muggle hospital in Paris. It took me a few months to remember my name, let alone what happened, but the important thing is I'm here now."

"But your last name isn't Evans."

"It is not. But considering that people are still assuming I'm dead, I'd rather not let them know I'm alive."

"Oh." She paused. "Are you really my godfather?"

"You were born June 6th to Elora Lockhart and Sirius Black. Your full name is Ryan Arctura, and you, Harry, and Elijah were best friends before that happened. All of us would get together at mine and Lily's house and let you three play."

"Wait. Elijah?"

"Yeah, Moony's kid. Elijah Holmes, I think. He shares a birthday with you, actually."

"We're friends now, too. Just he's in Hufflepuff and I'm in Slytherin."

James opened the door for her to the restaurant. "How's Hogwarts for you?"

"So much fun! I love Transfiguration and Potions, although Professor Snape doesn't like me much. As long as I don't talk in his class, though, he leaves me alone and picks on Harry and Neville. Probably because I'm in his house. History of Magic is really interesting, too, even with Professor Binns' voice. And Herbology is messy." She wrinkled her nose. "But it's okay."

"Don't like getting dirty?"

She shook her head. "I'd rather not."

James chuckled. "Now, I have a question for you. How would you like to come live with me? I have a flat in downtown London, not far from King's Cross Station."

"Um, is Harry going to live with you too?"

James' eyes darkened and he let out a heavy sigh. "That's the thing. I have explicit instructions to not try to contact my son. And if I do-"

"From who?" Ryan asked curiously. "I mean, Harry's aunt and uncle aren't exactly the best Muggles, from what I've heard."

"They weren't the best Muggles when Lily was alive either, Ryan. But I know it'll happen soon. I'm just waiting for the right time."

"Can I think about living with you?"

"Of course. Take all the time you need. And, when you go back to school, you can write me if you want."

"Okay, I will."

When they arrived back at the orphanage, James opened his bag, fishing out a present. "Here, this is for you. I found it in the wreckage of the house. It was supposed to be a present from your dad."

Ryan carefully unwrapped the paper, finding a new looking locket and chain. Her initials were engraved on the front with her birthday on the back, and when she opened it up, she found herself staring at the first picture she'd seen of her parents. On the left side, with beautiful, curled dark green hair and bright turquoise eyes, was her mother, smiling widely. And the right, a handsome man with his black hair in a bun and pale blue eyes twinkling. Sirius Black. "Wow. Thank you!" She threw her arms around James, hugging him tightly.

"You're welcome, kiddo." He hugged her back. "I've been helping Sabine on my off days, so I'll see you around before the holiday's over. You better get to bed, though."

"Okay. Bye, Mr. James! And thanks again!"

She held the locket open again, staring at her parents, who smiled back. "I miss you." She whispered, holding it to her heart. "I wish you'd come back for me." She rolled over and reread the letter, fingers tracing the neat cursive.

Dearest Ryan,

I'm leaving you with Sabine in the wake of your father's arrest disappearance. I'm in no way ready to care for a child; I have to do what's best for you. I'm sorry...I wish I could be the mother you need. I do love you, though. Don't ever think I don't. Good luck in life, Ryan. You'll need it.

Love, Elora (Mum)