Disclaimer: Don't own Harry Potter or related characters they belong to J. K. Rowling. OC's are mine.

Chapter 3

Orion made his way into the Headmaster's office where Regulus was waiting, "You lost your temper didn't you?"

Orion glared at his uncle, "What would you have done?"

Regulus stroked his chin in a contemplative pose, "Well, perhaps I'd have used a silencing charm…or perhaps slipped an anti-constipation potion in his drink."

Orion frowned, "Forgot you were a Slytherin."

Regulus chuckled, "If you think I'm bad you should meet Bella. When she was in her right mind she could think up a hundred horrible ways to get back at someone."

Orion narrowed his gaze, "Bella? You mean Bellatrix Lestrange, the Death Eater who tortured the Longbottoms so long that they ended up in the hospital, they're still there."

Regulus looked sadly at the Headmaster's desk, "She wasn't always like that."

Orion shook his head, "Andromeda told me there's only three members of this dysfunctional family I can trust."

Regulus sighed then turned to look at Orion, "Bella used to be one of us…she was a member of the Order of the Phoenix."

Orion looked blankly at his uncle, "You mind repeating that?"

Regulus huffed, "When I learned a few things about the Dark Lord I went to the only person I thought I could trust, I wasn't on speaking terms with my brother at the time, so I went to my oldest cousin. Bella was a devout Death Eater at the time. To even get the mark you have to be willing, it's part of the magic that binds the Death Eaters to Voldemort. Bella, Rodolphus, and Rabastan joined me in opposing the Dark Lord. We joined Dumbledore secretly and only a few knew we'd joined the Order, my brother being one of the few who knew."

Orion absorbed this quickly then spoke, "What happened?"

Regulus chuckled, "We underestimated Voldemort's insanity. Without even knowing that Rabastan was a double agent he tested a potion that had similar properties to the Imperio curse. We believe the plan was to spike the drinking water or some such thing. Rabastan caught Bella and Rodolphus and subjected them to the potion as well. This all occurred after I staged my death."

Orion paced around the room, "So…you, Bellatrix, and the Lestrange brothers were all double agents like Snape?"

Regulus snorted, "Don't compare us to Snape. Snape only turned because he screwed up big time. He's little more than a lackey for Professor Dumbledore now. Bella and the others were the best when it came to leaking information. They even saved a few dozen lives."

Orion frowned, "Then why didn't Professor Dumbledore speak up for them like he did with Snape?"

At that moment Dumbledore entered the office, "Because unlike Professor Snape the Lestranges were no longer trustworthy…as long as they're under the effects of that potion."

Orion turned to the Headmaster, "Why are they still controlled by the potion?"

Dumbledore sighed sadly, "Unfortunately Professor Snape has always been a proficient potions master. The strength of that particular potion could only be countered by those with the strongest of wills." Dumbledore then moved to his desk and sat in his chair, "Now, I do believe you were sent up here due to an altercation with Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore paused as he scrutinized Orion, "For being cousins you two seem to get into fights more often than most."

Orion shrugged, "Eh can't choose your family now can you."

Dumbledore nodded. From the corner he was sitting in Regulus sputtered, "You better not be referring to me nephew."

Orion glanced over his shoulder, "Of course not uncle.

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at the antics of the two then spoke, "Mr. Black, I would appreciate no further outbursts between you or your cousin. For today's transgression I believe fifteen points from Gryffindor should suffice. Now if there is nothing else I do believe I have a meeting to attend to."

Orion nodded and left the office.

Deciding to relax a little Orion went down to Hagrid's hut. There he found Harry, Ron, and Hermione were meeting him for tea. Orion joined them for tea.

While at the hut Harry had noticed an old Daily Prophet sitting on Hagrid's table. Hagrid dodged questions about the break-in at Gringotts, but Orion bided his time and when the conversation had moved on to Professor Snap he spoke up, "So what does Snape got against me and Harry?"

Harry frowned but a look from Orion got him to follow along, "Yeah, during class he seems to hate us, I mean I heard he doesn't particularly care for Gryffindor, but he seems to go out of his way to despise us."

Hagrid looked uncomfortable at the question and comment, "I doubt Professor Snape has anything against the two of you, he's just hard on students in general."

Orion frowned then stood up, "Thanks for the tea Hagrid, but we better get back up to the castle before dinner."

Hagrid nodded then showed them to the door.

As the four of them made their way toward the castle Harry spoke up, "What's wrong Orion?"

Orion looked back over his shoulder at the hut, "Hagrid was too on guard to let anything slip. I know for a fact Snape hates us."

Hermione spoke up, "How do you know that?"

Orion sighed, "Because my father almost got Snape killed when they were students here."

Harry frowned, "What?"

Orion turned to them, "I don't know all the specifics, but when they were going to school they were all in the same year. My dad really didn't like Snape, probably because he reminded him too much of the rest of our family, but Snape crossed a line and my dad purposefully set him up in a life threatening situation. Harry's dad overheard and saved Snape's life."

Ron muttered, "Bloody hell…that means Snape owed Harry's dad a life debt."

Orion nodded then led the group into the Great Hall for dinner.

That evening Orion went to bed, but was awoke by the vibration of the mirror in his pocket. He answered to find Remus on the other end. They talked quietly for a time; Orion could tell his roommates were all asleep. Remus told Orion that Dumbledore wanted him to meet him in the third floor corridor. "I thought that was out of bounds?"

"To a normal student yes," Remus stated, "but to you…well you'll see when you get there."

Orion nodded, and then got up, dressed, and walked out of the dorm. As he left Harry and Ron woke, and saw him go. They got up, and followed. He'd already made it out of the common room before they came down the stairs. Hermione was reading in one of the chairs when they entered, "Hey did you see where Orion went?" Ron asked.

"No, isn't he up in your dorm." Hermione tried to redirect them.

The two of them made for the portrait hole, and she jumped up after them. Outside the portrait, Neville was sleeping next to the wall. "What are you doing out here Neville?" Hermione asked as he'd woken when Harry tripped over him.

"I forgot the password, and couldn't get back in. I hoped someone would notice I wasn't in there, and come to find me." Neville said throwing a look at Ron and Harry.

"Sorry Neville, but did you happen to see Orion come out here?" Harry replied.

"Yeah, he didn't trip over me, but I kind of stirred when the portrait closed. I thought he'd come to let me in, but he never stopped, just headed straight for the stairs, kind of like he was in a hurry to get somewhere." Neville informed them.

The four of them quickly went in the direction Neville indicated, he'd decided to join them rather than wait at the portrait. When they reached the third floor they heard one of the portraits complaining about "blasted students running amok in the halls after dark."

All four friends turned to each other and said, "Orion"

They went down the hall, and stopped dead in their tracks when they heard Dumbledore's voice come from around the corner. "Ah, Mr. Black, it is good of you to join us."

"Sorry it took so long Professor. I had to make sure I wasn't followed." Orion's voice was a much calmer and colder tone then most of them had ever heard.

"Not a problem. Hadgrid and I were just discussing something he found in the forest today." Dumbledore reassured him.

"Sir?" Orion asked.

Dumbledore was silent for long enough to make Harry and the others think they'd moved off. When they were about to go around the corner he spoke again, "A unicorn, it had been killed and it appears something had drank some of its blood."

"Who would do something like that?" They heard Orion.

"Not sure, nothing I've ever seen in there would dare harm one of them." Hagrid said.

A moment later they heard a door open and all sound ceased. They were waiting to hear something more when Ron tapped Harry on the shoulder. "What?"

Ron directed him to look at the end of the hall where sat a mangy old cat. Mrs. Norris sat with her tail flipping back and forth. Her lamp-like eyes were focused on the four Gryffindors. Suddenly she bolted away, and shortly they heard the voice of Mr. Filch. "Did you find some students out of bed my dear?"

They stopped waiting and rushed around the corner. Before them was a large door, when they tried it, it was locked. Hermione quickly cast alohomora to open it. They all ran in slamming the door behind them. Harry listened as Filch came down the hall, and then peaking through the keyhole saw him turn and leave through an adjacent hidden passage. "I think he's gone. Neville stop it." Neville had been pulling on Harry's robes. Harry turned to find his friends all staring at a huge three headed dog. The dog was currently snoozing, but was slowly starting to stir.

"I think we've over stayed our welcome." Hermione squeaked out.

The three boys all muttered incoherent affirmatives, and then they bolted through the door. They ran as quickly as they could all the way back to the Gryffindor commons, only slowing down to give the password. Once they were in they dropped into the nearest chairs. "Bloody hell that was a big dog," Ron forced out as he gasped for breath.

"Watch your mouth Ronald." Hermione instructed, "Did any of you see what it was standing on?"

"I was a little more focused on the heads." Harry shot back.

Neville, still appearing to be in shock, stuttered, "I don't care I'm going to bed." Harry, Ron, and Hermione began discussing the connections of what they had discovered today. Neville had been gone for only a minute before he came back down. "You three have to come see this."

They followed him up to the first year boys' dorms, and looked in to see Orion apparently asleep in his bed. "That isn't possible. We would have seen him right," muttered Ron.

Harry turned to the others, "I think when it comes to the matter of possibilities. Orion rewrote the book."

The boys said goodnight to Hermione who left to go to her dorm. They then got into their beds and tried to get to sleep. Once everything was quiet Scabbers scurried out from beneath Ron's bed. He slipped under the door and ran down the stairs. He was crossing the common room floor when a black boot kicked him back to the stairs.

"Going somewhere rat?" Pettigrew heard. Unless he returned to his human form he had no way of answering. Attempting to find what hit him he looked around. His vision was still fuzzy, but when a shadow moved his heart stopped. "You forgot. I know what your form looks like. Also a normal rat wouldn't react to me the way you do."

Pettigrew attempted to flee, but was caught by the tail easily as the man snatched him up. "Now, now Peter. Why do you flee from your old friend?"

Pettigrew felt a strong hand snatch grasp him around his rat body and turn him to face the cloaked figure. He could not see the man's face, but as he was brought closer he could make out the eyes under the hood.

"I take it you recognize my eyes at least. Know this you filthy little rat. Don't even think about hurting any of the students here, or I'll make your death slow and agonizing. You have many crimes to account for, and you will be brought to account. Just not by me," the man pulled his wand out and began waving it in intricate patterns, "This will keep you in your rat form till someone forces you to transform. Afterward you'll lose the ability to be an animagus. I'm also binding you to the Weasley boy. Until such time as either I lift this spell or die, you will not be able to leave the grounds of whatever building he takes you to, and if you try to escape during traveling. Well let's just say you'll remember what Petrificus Totalus felt like."

Finished with the rat the man dropped him to the floor. Pettigrew could only look up in fear at him. After they stood there and stared at each other for several minutes Pettigrew scurried back up the stairs. Satisfied the man left the Gryffindor commons. He wondered the castle for an hour before reaching his destination. Entering the office he was greeted by the four heads of house.

"Good evening Professors. Pardon my tardiness, but I had a personal matter to see to." He said with a gracious bow.

"Humph, I don't see why you are even needed for this discussion." Snape sneered from the corner.

"Silence Severus," McGonagall chided the potions master, "It is in fact him and I whom have needed to speak. I merely invited the three of you as a professional courtesy."

"Indeed Minerva," Flitwick squeaked excitedly, "I'm surprised you were able to get them so quickly."

Professor Sprout nodded, "Even special order wouldn't arrive until Monday, but you got them delivered on a Saturday."

"A former student of mine works at Quality Quidditch." McGonagall informed, "When I told him they were for new members for the team he delivered them personally."

Snape snarled at the two brooms on McGonagall's desk, "How could you afford two Nimbus 2000s?"

The cloaked man stepped forward, "Actually Professor Snape, I paid for one of them."

"And what does the Gryffindor Quidditch team matter to you." Snape turned on him, "You sneak around this castle like you own it. You're as arrogant as either Potter or Black. Not to mention we don't even know what you look like. You could be a loose Death Eater for all we know."

The man stepped closer to Snape. The other professors moved to stop the confrontation, but were waved off. Once they were only inches apart the man spoke, "You don't know how close to the truth you are." He lifted his hood so his face was visible to Snape, "Now are you satisfied."

Snape spent the rest of the meeting silently staring at the man. Once they were done talking the man picked up the two brooms and made his way to the Owlery. He laid the brooms down and using his wand wrapped them in brown paper. Once that was done and notes were attached to them he turned his face to the rafters above. "Odin…Hedwig…I have a job for the two of you." The two owls swooped down and received their burdens. Smiling the man turned and left the Owlery, and returned to his post.

As the sun filtered into the first year boys' dorm, they began to wake. Dean and Seamus, who had started to distance themselves from the others left for the great hall first, and were soon followed by Neville. Ron came out of the bathroom to see his two best friends both looking ill. "You two don't look to good."

Orion just growled then went to take his turn in the shower. Harry turned to Ron, "We have our first practice today. Wood taped a note to the door."

"I'd think you'd both be excited. I mean, I'd give anything to be able to join the team." Ron said as he pulled on his shirt.

There was a sudden shout from the bathroom, and Orion's voice came from the door, "This is the last time I take the fifth shower!" A minute later Orion emerged, "The blasted warming charm on the water wore out."

"Thanks," Harry remarked, "I guess it's a cold one for me."

Orion nodded, "Hurry up, we need to get breakfast, so we have the strength to control the schools brooms."

"They're making you use the schools brooms?" Ron asked incredulous.

Orion shrugged, "I guess. We're still first years, and we're not supposed to have our own brooms at school."

After Harry showered and joined the others they went down to the common room. They entered to find Parvati, Lavender, and Lee protectively surrounding Hermione, who seemed slightly annoyed at the behavior. Orion looked quizzically at the scene while Harry and Ron could barely hold in the laughter. "Is there a reason you three are acting like Hermione's personal bodyguards. I'm pretty sure my display yesterday will scare most the Slytherins away."

Lee looked at Orion, "It's Wood's orders. He said that since you can't afford to have a detention today…"

Lavender jumped in, "…We are to take your place in keeping her safe."

Orion looked offended, "Um, Hermione am I this overprotective?"

Hermione shook her head, "No, you at least let me go the restroom without first checking if Slytherins are sneaking about the stalls and in my own dorm no less." She huffed as she forced her way between Parvati and Lavender.

"You guys can lay off, I'm sure Draco won't do anything. Besides…" As soon as Orion spoke the portrait hole opened.

The other Gryffindors were startled to see a Slytherin enter their common room. Daphne entered and stood straitening her robes, "Hey Hermione, ready to go to the Library?"

After the two girls had left Ron turned to Orion, "Um, how did a Slytherin just enter our common room?"

Orion turned to the others with a serious face, "I had a talk with Dumbledore yesterday. Apparently the password for their common room never changes; it's the same one since old Salazar completed the dorms for his house. If you remember, I'm from one of the oldest wizarding families, and until recently all of my closest relations have been Slytherin. Don't suppose at least one of them wrote that password down somewhere do you."

Lee looked at Orion with a shocked expression, "You know the password for Slytherin?"

Orion nodded, "I won't tell it though, so don't ask. Since Daphne is having problems in her house, Dumbledore allowed me to extend to her an offer of sanctuary. If her housemates are being excessively mean to her, she can come to us, even sleep down here, or up in the first year girls' room."

Lavender and Parvati looked at Orion like he was crazy. Parvati spoke up before Lavender, "It would have been polite of you to ask us first."

"Sorry," Orion looked at them sheepishly, "I meant to, but went straight to bed after dinner last night." Turning to the others, "Any way Professor McGonagall is going to have a house meeting after dinner to let everyone know. Hermione knew as she and Daphne planned to go to the Library today, and decided to meet here." Orion checked his watch then turned Ron and Harry, "Harry, we better hurry and get breakfast, we're expected at the field by ten, and its eight now."

Harry nodded and the three of them left for the great hall. They had just finished eating when Odin and Hedwig each assisted by two of the school owls flew in from one of the high windows. The owls found their owners easily, and landed just as easily before them. The wrapping was quickly done away with. Ron's eyes went wide, "Those are Nimbus 2000s. There the best brooms available."

Harry looked confused, "I saw one of these when I went to get my school supplies. They cost a lot of galleons."

"That's putting it mildly. Back home I have one of the older models, and that cost Andromeda and Ted twice as much as my cousins first broom." Orion looked amazed.

Ron looked up, "Why did they buy Draco a broom?"

Orion raised his eyebrows, "My other cousin. The one I haven't disowned."

Ron looked sheepish as Harry picked up a small note that was in the wrapping. It read,

Put these brooms to good use.

Orion found a note with his, "Mine says the same. That's strange, there's not signature."

Walking past Professor McGonagall saw them looking over the notes and brooms. "I see you've received your brooms. One would think you would be at the field putting them through their paces."

"Of course Professor," Harry said. Both boys grabbed their brooms and bolted from the hall. Ron, not being allowed to be at the first practice, decided to go check on Hermione and see how she was dealing with the Slytherin. They were both at a table surrounded by books.

Ron walked up to them announcing his presence with a friendly greeting, "Hey, how's the whatever your doing going?"

Daphne shook her head as Hermione looked at the ceiling, "Do you have to put up with that much?"

Hermione nodded then turned to Ron, "Daphne has agreed to help me look for any clues as to what could have been in that package Harry saw. She also has some ideas as to who the thief is."

Ron looked at her funny, and then leaned in to whisper to her, "I thought we already agreed that it is Snape."

Hermione shook her head, "Apparently Ron, our friend Orion isn't completely honest with us. I mean look at what happened last night. I think he knows more then he lets on. Not to mention the fact he was like a completely different person."

Daphne turned to them, "Actually that was just the other side of Orion. You see there is relaxed Orion, that's the one we see every day and will even participate in a harmless prank. The other one is what Blaise and I call the serious Orion, we've only seen it a few times. That was the persona yesterday when he blew up at Draco, and probably during the Duel."

"Well you don't think it's Orion?" Ron asked them.

Daphne shook her head, "Of course not Weasley. I doubt that Dumbledore would show whatever it is to him if he was suspect. As we all know Orion is above stealing, and it wouldn't be very Gryffindor of him now would it."

Ron shrugged, and then turned to Hermione who spoke up, "If anything, I think Orion is helping to protect it somehow." She didn't want to say too much, since she didn't know how informed Daphne was, "We both agree, it has to be one of the Professors. We've eliminated all the heads of house, and are currently trying to eliminate the other professors from the list."

Ron looked at the books stacked around them, "Need me to help?"

Daphne nodded, "Here, take this list and help Blaise gather these books." Ron trudged off to find the Slytherin boy and find the requested materials. He was hoping Harry and Orion were having a better day than him.

Out at the Quidditch field, both of them were flying quickly through the exercises Wood set them to. Harry was darting about catching golf ball that Wood sent flying all over the stadium, while Orion was working flight patterns with the other three Gryffindor chasers. Angelina Johnson, who was named by Woods as the senior chaser had the Quaffle, and had set her teammates to try and get it from her, before she scored.

Orion and Katie Bell were flanking Alicia Spinnet, and the three of them were gaining on Angelina. A hand sign from Alicia and Orion shot forward overtaking Angelina. Once he was a couple yards ahead of her, he turned to the side. She was now forced to turn, dive under him, or go over; any of these would slow her down, and allow the others a chance to steal the ball. She fell into their trap when she decided to go up. Katie was waiting for her and scooped the ball out of Angelina's arm.

Seeing the exercise done Wood called his team in. Once everyone was present he nodded his head in satisfaction, "We have a good team this year, and I know we can win." He turned to his chaser squad, "Angelina, Alicia, and Orion. You three are up for the Slytherin match. When we play Hufflepuff Katie will be going in for Alicia, and Alicia will come back in for Orion during the Ravenclaw match."

Orion turned to Wood, "Shouldn't the three of them have the first game. I'm just the relief player."

"You still have to play at least two matches mandatorily." Wood said, "This will be the rotation for now, if something comes up then we'll modify as we go." He turned to Katie and Alicia, "That also means for you two to be prepped even for the matches you're not assigned." They nodded, and then Wood turned to the whole team, "I'll post the practice schedule on the notice board by dinner. Also, all of you please try and avoid getting any detentions. We need to have everyone at practice we can." Once he saw everyone agree he dismissed them.

Orion and Harry were going to lock up their brooms when Katie walked up to them, "Thanks Orion for pushing to let me play the Slytherin match."

Orion waved it off, "No problem, the way I see it you and the others actually deserve your places on the team. I'm not one to ride my father's coattails."

Katie nodded, "After you get cleaned up, why don't you meet me and the others, and we can go over some scenarios for the Slytherin match."

Orion agreed, and then went with Harry to lock up his broom. After getting cleaned up Orion went to meet with the other chasers while Harry went to join Ron and Hermione in the library.

The weeks flew by as September ended and October moved in. The first year Gryffindors had mostly splintered off into their own groups. Dean and Seamus had become good friends and usually hung out with each other, comparing Quidditch to muggle sports. Parvati and Lavender had warmed up to Daphne's presence, and even encouraged her to stay the weekends at Gryffindor Tower. Daphne wasn't the only Slytherin to make nice with the Gryffindors, as Blaise and Neville had been seen hanging out, and both had been spotted helping Professor Sprout in the greenhouses.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione had noted that Orion had been disappearing more often as the year progressed. They had even been forced to bring the other self styled marauders in to try and keep tabs on him. Susan and Hannah had tried for a week straight to follow him, but they informed the others that Orion had apparently learned of a few secret passages as he vanished whenever he spotted them. Fred and George had somehow had the most luck, and a week before Halloween, had discovered he'd been going down to Hagrids hut, or vanished on the third floor.

Whenever Harry and Orion were at practice Ron, Hermione, and the two Slytherins would return to the task of eliminating suspects, and doing research. It had gotten to the point that Daphne retracted her support for Snape, and added him back to the list, saying that they need to recheck the facts. Ron was happy with this and volunteered to investigate him. Blaise vetoed that saying he knew a source, and then walked away.

Blaise found Draco sitting in the schools trophy room. He was currently polishing the trophies, and was cursing at the house elf next to him. Blaise walked forward and picked up one of the finished trophies by the base, "Professor Snape run out of things for you to do already?"

Draco shot him a piercing gaze, "You better not leave any figure prints on that. And to answer your question, yes he has. Apparently they frown on sabotaging other peoples' essays when you're helping to grade them."

Blaise shook his head, "When are you ever going to grow up?"

Draco snorted, "Oh look at mister high and mighty. How's your mother handling the fact your associating with Gryffindors, not to mention bloodtraitors and mudbloods?"

"She's actually fine with it." Blaise retorted, "In fact she's said it would be better if I distanced myself from you. It seems that some of your indiscretions here have been leaked within our social circle."

Draco went back to his polishing, "Like I care. Who needs those pompous old fools?"

Blaise shook his head, "You don't even need your pompous old fool of a godfather either?"

Draco shot up to stare Blaise in the eye, "What does my godfather have to do with anything?"

Blaise turned around to leave, "Just about everything. You know there are some that believe he's capable of anything. You know, after what he did all those years ago. I wouldn't doubt someone would try to blame the Gringotts break-in on him."

Draco shook his head, "Then they would be even bigger fools, and my father wouldn't let them pin it on him. He knows that Uncle Sev was watching me when the break-in occurred."

Blaise turned so Draco couldn't see his face and smiled, "See you later Draco." He walked off, and then pulled out his mirror to relay his findings to Daphne.

Two days later was Halloween. When the morning post arrived Orion and Harry were surprised to see Odin drop envelops in front of both of them. Inside they found matching pictures, along with identical letters from Andromeda.

Dear Boys,

I was cleaning the attic yesterday and ran across some old photo albums. One of them was in a box labeled as items brought from Sirius and Linda's house. This picture was in the front, and from the looks of it was taken just a couple days after Lily gave birth to Harry. I believe the writing on the back is also hers as it doesn't look like Linda's, and trust me boys neither of your fathers had feminine had writing.

Orion noticed he had an additional paragraph.

Orion, Ted and I have decided to go to his family for the holidays. His mother and father aren't doing well, and we're not sure if they will make it. Since we don't know how long we'll be, we were hoping you'd be okay with staying at Hogwarts for the Holidays. Nymphadora even said she'd stop by there on Christmas Day if you wanted. If it's okay, please send a reply, if not, well we'll figure something out.

Orion quickly dug out some parchment and wrote that he was fine with the plans, and that Nymph didn't have to come. That she should spend time with her grandparents. He quickly signed the letter and tied it to Odin, and sent him off.

Ron was looking over Harry's shoulder at the picture he was examining. Orion picked up his copy and was surprised to see his father and mother looking back at him. He was also surprised to see Harry's parents also looking back at him. The four adult appeared to be in a sitting room with the two women holding their infant sons while sitting on a small couch, while the proud fathers sat on the arms of the couch. Both Harry and Orion seemed to be transfixed on the images before them, and only returned to the present when Ron spoke, "I guess you two have know each other the longest."

Orion chuckled humorlessly, "Not like we'd have remembered this."

"I wonder why they were all together?" Harry asked the air around him.

Hermione turned Orion's hand so she could read the back of the picture, "Harry and Orion meeting for the first time, August 4 1980, picture taken by Peter Pettigrew."

The others heard a low growl escape from Orion's throat. Harry turned to Orion, "Something wrong with this Pettigrew guy?"

Orion nodded gravely, "He's the traitorous rat that betrayed your parents, and killed my mother. He also framed my father." Orion was about to get up when a black clad figure came up behind Harry and Ron.

"Getting fan mail already?" Drawled Snapes voice, "I'd think they'd wait till the first Qudditch match…" Snapes voice trailed off as his eyes caught sight of the pictures. His mouth formed a thin line, and his face took on a stonier expression than normal. "Potter, Black, come with me."

Knowing better than to argue with their potions master, the two boys followed Snape down to the dungeons, and to his office. Once the boys were in he closed the door and turned to them, "I believe we have gotten off on the wrong foot."

Orion decided that this moment called for his particular brand of sarcasm, "No, I think you made it perfectly clear during our first potions class that you adamantly dislike the two of us. I'm not sure the whole story, but I'm sure it has more to do with our parentage then the fact we're Gryffindors."

Snape sat at his desk and pulled out a roll of parchment, "While I won't go into the details with the two of you. I will tell you that I had some preconceptions about the two of you, and I allowed my own feelings to blind me."

While the potions master wrote something down on the parchment Orion shifted uneasily on his feet.

Snape finished writing, and rolled the parchment back up. He turned to his office fireplace, then said over his shoulder, "I'll be back in a minute, don't touch anything."

They heard him call out the Headmasters office, and disappear in the green flames. Harry turned to Orion, "Do you think it's a good idea to antagonize him when we're in his office?"

Orion shrugged, "If you knew half of what I did about him, you'd probably act the same way."

Harry raised a curious eyebrow, "What do you know that the rest of us don't?"

Orion shook his head, "I'm not exactly supposed to tell you that. Privileged information."

Harry didn't have a chance to respond as the fire erupted in green flames again, and Snape returned, shortly followed by Professor McGonagall. She turned to her two Gryffindors, "It seems that Professor Snape has reminded us what today is. He has also realized that this will be the first time for either of you spending this day without your usual kindred supports."

Orion shrugged it off, "It's a day. I put it behind me a long time ago. I mean it's not like we could actually remember anything, we were only a year old. I just focus on the fact that one day my father's name will be cleared."

Snape sneered, and muttered silently to himself, "Like that will ever happen."

Harry also spoke up to his head of house, "I'm with Orion on this. We don't remember, and if I didn't go to my parents graves at least once a year I wouldn't even know they died on Halloween."

"None the less," McGonagall acknowledged, "The headmaster believes that for this year at least, the two of you will be excused from all classes, and may spend the day however you like, as long as you stay within the grounds, and don't disrupt any classes." She turned to head toward the fireplace, "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a class to prepare for."

Snape turned to the two boys, "If the two of you don't mind. I have a suggestion for you." They turned to look at their professor, "My daughter Sarah is unable to move about the castle on her own, as she is not yet a student."

Orion looked at Snape skeptically, "You have a daughter?" He turned to Harry and whispered so Snape couldn't hear, "I pity her." Harry nodded unobtrusively.

"Yes Mr. Black, I have a daughter. As her mother passed away several years ago, and neither of us have family that can watch her during the term, I'm forced to house her here. While I'm teaching you dunderheads, she must stay in our quarters." Snape walked over to a bookshelf and pulled an old grimy book down. The shelf slid away to reveal a hidden door. "If it is not too beneath you, I would ask that you accompany her around the grounds today. I believe it would help keep your heads clear of any straying thoughts."

Orion grunted, and Harry nodded, "Okay Professor. We'll let her tag along, not really sure what to do with a whole day off of classes, what about you Orion." This was followed by a second grunt from Orion.

Snape turned to the door and opened it, "Sarah, can you come here, I have something to discuss with you."

"Coming dad," the boys heard her voice just before she entered the office. She appeared to be about a year younger than them, with dark red hair. It was the eyes that caught Orion's attention; they were the exact same shape and color as his friend's eyes. She looked at the two boys, and noticing their house colors and emblems, "Let me guess, dad caught you Gryffindors setting a prank for his precious Slytherins to fall into."

Orion turned to Harry, "I like the way she thinks." Harry just nodded; Orion guessed that he too had noticed the eyes.

After Snape explained who they where and the situation, she accompanied them from the office. They took the ten year old out of the castle and walked down to the lake first. The three of them were sitting under a tree when Ron and Hermione found them during break. Ron was the first to speak, "Where have you two been? Though I do admit the Professors seemed to be unconcerned with your absences…" Then as an afterthought, "…Who's that?"

Harry deemed to reply, "This is Sarah Snape. She is Professor Snapes daughter."

Orion decided to cover the first questions, "After Snape took us away, and he started acting all funny. Then he left us in his office and went to speak with Dumbledore. He returned with Professor McGonagall, and we were given a mandatory day off from classes."

They were still conversing on this when Daphne came up to them, "Hello, Orion can I have a word with you please?"

Orion nodded then went a couple yards away with Daphne. She had had her hair pulled down over half her face, and was massaging her arms, "What's wrong Daphne, you're acting kind of funny?" Daphne used her hand to flip back the hair that was covering her face. Upon seeing her severely bruised face Orion glared dangerously and in his serious tone that was audible for a ten yard radius, "Who?" was all he could get through his clenched teeth.

Daphne saw the others turn at the sound of Orion's voice, "Flint."

Orion stormed several feet away and pulled out his mirror and spoke quietly, "Uncle R, I need Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey down by the lake."

He saw no image in the mirror, but heard a quiet reply, "Already on the way."

Orion motioned Hermione to come over. Once she was close enough Orion whispered into her ear, "I think Daphne would prefer you to go with her."

All questions Hermione had were silenced when she saw the Headmaster, Slytherin and Gryffindor heads, and the school nurse coming their way. Once they arrived Orion told the Professors what he knew while Pomfrey looked over Daphne. In short order Pomfrey led Daphne away, and Hermione accompanied them. Ron and Harry were now standing next to Orion, and all three were fuming, while Sarah had moved over to her father. Snape turned to the three Gryffindors, "It is strange for Gryffindors to show such compassion toward a Slytherin student."

"Enough Severus," Dumbledore scolded the potions master, "Orion, I know you are driven to seek retribution, but I must ask you to try and restrain yourself, do remember the fix your father got himself in when he sought retribution."

It was Harry who responded, "Don't worry Professor. We'll restrain ourselves."

Ron turned to them as the Professors walked away, "You two going to show Flint a thing or two on the pitch."

Sarah walked over, "I've never seen someone so beat up before."

Orion turned and walked back toward the lake, "Just wait for the first match. I'll have a word with Wood. Flint won't score a single goal all match, and I swear he'll be taken off that pitch on a stretcher."

The rest of the day went by uneventful, and as evening settled in Harry and Orion escorted Sarah to the great hall. There they parted company with her at the staff table, and then returned to their seats to a pleasant surprise. Daphne was sitting between Hermione and Parvati. She was still wearing her Slytherin colors, and her right arm was in a splint.

Orion noting here worried glances at her house table made his way to the seventh year Gryffindor section. One of them spotting his approach stood, "What's up Black? Having problems with one of those snakes again?"

Orion nodded, "I was thinking of handling it myself, and probably still will. Though in the mean time, I have a friend that was ruffed up pretty bad by one of her older housemates."

The Gryffindor seventh nodded in understanding, "You mean the one with the splint sitting with you lot."

Orion jerked his head in affirmation, "I want a sign sent to them, which tells them. You mess with my friends…"

The seventh year smiled and a chuckle erupted from his year mates, "…you get trashed."

Orion joined in the chuckle, "That about sums it up."

"Go sit down and enjoy the feast. I think I need to have a word with our head of house." The seventh year boy strode up to the staff table, and began talking to McGonagall. She looked over at where the first year Slytherin was sitting with the Gryffindors. She nodded her consent and turned to Dumbledore, who in turn nodded, as did Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout.

That night as the feast was coming to a close Dumbledore stood, "Students, may I have your attention." All eyes flashed up to the headmaster, "A series of events has occurred that has resulted in the need for another sanctioned duel. This time under the authority of myself and the heads of each house," He raised his wand, and the students found themselves sliding as the tables vanished and the benches moved to clear the center of the room. He then cast a shield around the spectators, "This match will be between two seventh year students." The Gryffindor seventh year walked up to Flint, grabbed him by the collar and threw him into the shielded area. "You may begin when ready."

The duel was quick. Nearly as quick as Orion and Draco's duel, and like that duel Gryffindor came out on top. When the Gryffindor duelist exited the area Marcus Flint resembled something like a giant bruise with eyes. Madam Pomfrey and Professor Snape were reviving and healing him when Professor Quirrell burst into the hall screaming about a Troll.

Orion hung back from the rest of the Gryffindors as they were escorted back to their dormitory. He didn't notice that Hermione had sent Daphne with Lavender and Parvati, and had joined Ron and Harry in shadowing him. He walked to the staff table, all signs of a sarcastic eleven year old gone, "Professor Dumbledore," he glared at the defense instructor.

Quirrell, who'd been revived, stuttered, "Sh…Shoudn't y…you be heading t..tow…toward your dorm…"

"Stop your sniveling Quirrell." Snape sneered, "Black isn't some silly little first year."

"Enough the both of you," Dumbledore turned to Orion, "Mr. Black, I must ask you to secure the third floor while I and the Professors attempt to do battle with our unwelcomed guest."

Orion nodded, and then left the hall, not noticing his three extra shadows. He was half way to the third floor when he noticed the smell. "So you left the dungeons I see." He turned and followed the smell at a quick run.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were lost track of Orion and stopped outside one of the girls restrooms. While they caught their breath they heard the sound of something heavy being dragged along the ground, and the smell they knew Orion was following seemed to be getting stronger. Harry and Ron dived behind a nearby suit of armor, while Hermione ran into the restroom. The troll followed her in.

Orion was quite a ways away when he realized the troll had doubled back. He turned around and ran as fast as he could back the way he'd come. Soon the smell was stronger, and he heard loud sounds coming from the restroom. He dove through the restroom door to find his friends locked in combat with a fully grown mountain troll. He quickly drew his wand and joined in the fight.

While Harry jumped on the trolls back, Orion used a slicing hex to cut the trolls hand holding the club. It barely nicked the beast, but was painful enough to cause him to drop it. Ron used a levitation spell to levitate the club above the troll's head, and once Harry was safely out of the way dropped it. Hermione had spent most the time shouting suggestions to her friends, and using levitation spells to lob debris at the troll.

Once the troll was down Orion surveyed the damage. They were all unharmed, while the troll was most assertively out cold. The restroom they were in was unequivocally trashed. He was helping Hermione over the troll when Professors McGonagall, Snape, and Quirrell entered. Quirrell dropped cold with one look at the troll. McGonagall turned to her students while Snape checked on their colleague, "I assume you have a reasonable excuse for this."

Orion spoke first, "I'm sorry Professor. I should have expected some of my housemates to notice I hadn't returned."

"I see," She turned to Orion, "I thought Professor Dumbledore only instructed you to secure the third floor, not hunt down the troll." Harry and the others jumped in to explain the whole situations. McGonagall turned to examine the troll, and then turned to Snape, "What do you think?"

Snape sneered, "I'd say about ten points each."

"Then it's settled," McGonagall turned back to the students, "Fifteen points each for sheer dumb luck. Now back to the tower with the lot of you." Once they were away she turned to Snape, "Get him on his feet, and help him remove this creature from the grounds. I'll go report to Dumbledore about this." Snape gave a simple nod and returned to reviving Quirrell.

Another two weeks passed and the first match of the Quidditch season had arrived. The rivalry between Slitherin and Gryffindor began to become more violent as the day for the match approached.

The morning of the match Wood gathered his team for breakfast; Katie sat next to Orion and drilled him on the best ways to get Flint without being called on a foul. Fred and George had found Daphne sleeping in the common room that morning, and asked her how many times she wanted them to hit Flint each. Wood was calling this the Victory through Flint plan. Harry was just to catch the snitch no matter what. Angelina and Alicia were also listening to Katie, but were also assigned the task of scoring. Orion was only to score if he stole the Quaffle from Flint, otherwise he was to pass to one of the others and keep Flint close to the Gryffindor beaters.

Hermione and Ron were sitting with them, but when the team left to get suited up, they gathered some food from the platters and carried it up to Daphne, who hadn't been out of the Gryffindor common room without seventh year guards for two days. She thanked them, then got cleaned up and changed; Blaise had brought her a change of clothes every day since herself appointed exile from the Slytherin dorms.

Pansy and Millicent had apparently thrown her belonging out of their room. Blaise and Draco, surprisingly, had gathered it up and moved it into their dorm. The other three boys left the trunk alone as Blaise mother sent him a hex to place on it, and the consequences were not pleasant, as Nott had found out and needed to spend two days in the hospital wing to recover.

Orion and Harry were listening to Wood's pep talk when they heard the yelling from the stands. Woods went to look and came back smiling, "All of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and I think I saw a couple Slytherins are wearing our colors."

Wood called them to grab their brooms and head for the field. Orion nodded to Harry and shot out the gate with Alicia behind Angelina. The three chasers made a circuit of the pitch, and then moved to their starting positions. Orion shut out all outside distractions and focused solely on his teammates and opponents. When the Quaffle was released he shot forward and followed close to Flint.

Angelina scored first for Gryffindor, and the three chasers were closely following their Slytherin counterparts. A nod from Alicia and Orion came up alongside Flint. Flint didn't see Orion there, and prepared to pass. Orion snatched the ball, and left a confused Flint that was still trying to figure out what happened when the bludger shot at him when he still had the Quaffle rammed into his chest. Orion scored, and then returned to his position guarding Flint.

During the rest of the match Flint was hit with the bludgers a total of twenty times legally, ten times he was hit were counted as fouls against either Fred or George. He lost the Quaffle a total of thirteen times, always to Orion. He also ended up hitting the wall or ground a total of thirty times. An especially hard collision occurred only a minute after he'd forced Alicia into the wall forcing her to land and be checked by Pomfrey. Many in the crowd wondered at the fact Orion had cased Flint to collide so many times without being fouled, or the fact he drew Flint to foul seven times.

Orion also kept his promise that Flint would be carried off on a stretcher. When Harry went into his dive to catch the snitch, Flint spotted him and attempted to knock him off course. Orion was close by and in a feint to receive a pass from Angelina, rammed into Flint sending him into a tailspin. He'd crashed hard enough to break both his wrists, and a leg.

The only time during the match Orion wasn't glued to Flint was when Harry lost control of his broom. He'd scanned the area for anyone who could be hexing the broom. He spotted both Snape and Quirrell. He had Fred relay the information with his mirror to Hermione who then acted by setting fire to the robes of both professors, effectively making him break eye contact.

After the celebration of the Gryffindor victory ended, which didn't happen till McGonagall reminded them that the common room was also technically Daphne's room as the elves hadn't gotten around to placing another bed in the first year dorm, the self styled marauders gathered. Daphne had gone up with Lavender and Parvati to talk.

Orion revealed what he'd discovered at the match. The others agreed that they needed to keep an eye on Quirrell as well as Snape.

That night in the Slytherin common room the first years of that house were also having a meeting. Draco stood in front of the fireplace while his year mates sat in the chairs and couch before him. "She is a member of our house. From what my father says, the hat doesn't make mistakes."

"But she spends all her time with them," Pansy whined.

"And she's friends with that mudblood," Millicent sneered.

A dark shadow moved in the corner and the first years all turned to find their head of house. Snape's visage was twisted into a sneer. He looked like he'd swallowed something foul tasting. "If I ever hear those words come out of one of your mouths again. I'll have you down at Hagrid's hut mucking out the school paddock faster than Black made a fool out of Flint."

Pansy stood up, "Then let's put it to a vote, if we shun the little bitch of a bloodtraitor and kick her out for good. Raise your hands now."

Pansy, Nott, and Crabbe all raised their hands.

Blaise stood up, "If we ask Daphne to come back and prevent the upper classmen from harming her raise your hands now."

Blaise, Draco, Goyle, and Millicent all raised their hands.

Draco nodded then turned to Snape, "We vote to have her come back. It won't be easy though, my cousin doesn't trust me."

Nott started laughing, "Draco he publically disowned you."

Snape shot a piercing gaze at Nott, "Mr. Nott, there are some things in this world worth fighting for. One of those things is family. If Mr. Malfoy doesn't try to reconcile with his cousin, he will lose all privileges being a member of the House of Black has."

Draco turned from them and gazed into the fire, 'They don't understand. I didn't understand. Orion is my cousin, and my father understood the power having an ally like him has. Or did they not see what happened to Flint.'

End Chapter 3

A/N: I'm guessing people didn't like the massively long chapters, so I'm going to go back to shorter chapters that were the mainstay of the original version of this story. This one's a little over 9000+ words; I'll set that for my approximate goal. I'd really like some reviews, so if you would click that link and tell me what you think.