Chapter Two
Edmund wakes up the morning of the next Prefect meeting, a week later, with a new determination in mind; to make Arabella see that he was taking the responsibility of being Head Boy seriously, despite what she thought. He woke up long before his fellow Gryffindors, save for Remus, who he finds sitting in the Gryffindor Common Room.
"Hey," Edmund says, sitting next to Remus.
"Oh, hey," Remus says in surprise, not used to the older Potter being up so early, especially on a weekend. "What are you doing up?"
Edmund shrugs. "I've decided that I'm not going to let this thing with Blakely get me down. I'm going to get her to see that I'm not some pushover like she seems to think I am."
"Ah, there's the Edmund Potter I know and love," Remus says with a grin. "You were ready to give up last week. What changed your mind?"
"I came to the realization that I was being stupid," Edmund shrugs. "And under normal circumstances, I would never let her get to me."
"No, you wouldn't," Remus agrees.
"So, I've decided to prove to her that I'm serious- please don't say it- about being Head Boy. And the only way to do so is to show up at the meeting before her."
"Well, good for you." Remus pats Edmund on the shoulder. "I'm glad to see that you're taking this seriously."
"Did someone say my name?"
Edmund and Remus glance up to see Sirius walking down the stairs with a sleepy yawn, rubbing his eyes. Edmund and Remus share an exasperated look, with Edmund rolling his eyes and Remus shaking his head.
"No one was talking about you, Sirius. Go away," Edmund says, making a shooing motion with his hands.
"No, no. I distinctly remember hearing my name. Twice. I've got a very good hearing, you see."
"What you heard was not your name. Now go away, Ed and I were discussing something that doesn't concern you," Remus says, rolling his eyes at Sirius.
"Ouch, my heart." Sirius dramatically places a hand over his heart before obliging. Remus and Edmund look at each other blankly for a moment before they burst out laughing.
"Well, good luck with your mission," Remus says.
"Thanks. I'm going to need it."
~.~
Edmund makes his way to the classroom where they would be holding the meeting. Arabella is going to be arriving in the classroom in a half hour, so he has just as long to make a good impression this time.
He begins by setting up the meeting. He puts a notebook and quill on each desk, in case a Prefect wanted to take notes or something. Edmund doubts they would want to, but he's sure that Arabella would appreciate the gesture. He then begins writing in his own notebook points that they would discuss during the meetings. Things like, which Prefect would be patrolling which corridors, things like that. He also makes a mental note to learn each of the Prefects names as well, as he didn't pay close attention to this during their meeting the day before.
Halfway through him making his lists, Arabella walks in. She pauses in the doorway, the surprise was written all over her face at the sight of Edmund.
"Potter. What are you doing?" Arabella asks curiously.
Edmund glances up at her for a second before turning back to what he was doing. "What, I'm not allowed to be here?"
"No, you are. I'm just surprised is all. Yesterday you were late. I just figured you were the type to not take this responsibility seriously."
"That's what you get for assuming things," Edmund says simply.
Arabella sits next to him, her curiosity getting the better of her. "What's that you're working on?"
"Hmm? Oh, this? Just topics that I think we should cover during the meeting."
"What's that there? Number two… 'Prefects should exercise vigilance when patrolling to avoid overlooking rule breaking'… Well then. I'm impressed, Potter. We didn't cover this last time."
"Yeah, exactly. I thought we should, you know? People can easily become distracted. I mean, it's in our nature. I don't want them to become so distracted that they miss someone breaking the rules," Edmund says.
"I would've thought that was going to be your specialty. Considering your brother is known for his rule breaking."
"As close as I am with my brother, we're two very different people. Don't assume that I'm just like him just because we share the same blood," Edmund says calmly, without a trace of bitterness in his voice.
Arabella raises an eyebrow at him. "It appears I was wrong about you, Potter. I'm glad to see you're taking this seriously."
"Well, it's a very serious position. Why wouldn't I take it seriously?" Edmund asks. "Because I was late one time? It was a mistake. One that I'm hoping will never happen again."
Arabella grins at him. "Well, you're forgiven. Now let's see that list."
Edmund happily obliges, glad his plan was so far a success. It makes it much easier on him if he and Arabella were on good terms, especially since they obviously had to work together as Head Boy and Girl.
~.~
"What are you working on?"
Chester looks up to see Remus joining him in the Common Room, and Chester moves slightly so Remus can join him on the couch.
"Oh, just a letter to home. My mom's already written to me twice, and it's only been a week." Chester rolls his eyes at Remus as if he thinks his mother was a tad overbearing.
"Well, consider yourself lucky. Not everyone has parents that care so much," Remus says.
"I know that. By the way, how was your summer?" Chester's face is full of concern at the thought of Remus spending the full moon alone. "Did, erm, everything with… erm… your furry little problem go alright?" He glances over at the other students that were sitting not far from them. Remus follows his gaze and gives Chester a small smile.
"It went as expected."
"Are you okay? Erm… the, erm, the thing didn't hurt you too much, did it?"
"You don't see any new scars, do you?" Remus gestured to his body and Chester lets out a relieved laugh.
"No."
"Then there's your answer." Remus gives Chester a cheeky grin. Chester laughs heartily, finding the other student's flabbergasted expressions hilarious. The way Chester sees it, it serves them right for listening in on their conversation in the first place.
"Well, I'm glad you're alright." Chester glances up at Remus for a moment before turning back to his letter.
"By the way, Chester, why do you insist on interfering with my lack of love life?"
Over the summer, Chester seemed to have thought of a new mission: to help Remus get over his insecurities. Chester dubbed it "Operation: Get Moony A Date". Remus didn't think he was good enough for a relationship due to his monthly problem. Chester disagreed. During the train ride in Edmund's absence, Chester made his mission known to his friends. Peter, Sirius, and James all agreed and applauded Chester for his determination, and each of them agreed to help him should he need it. Remus, however, wouldn't stop begging for Chester not to get involved. He was fine with the way things were, but Chester seems to think that Remus would be happier with a significant other.
Chester sighs in exasperation. "Look. You're in your fifth year, Remus. I'm not letting you spend your whole bloody life thinking that you're not good enough for any girl. You need to get over these insecurities of yours. I just think you need a little nudge in the right direction."
"But-"
"You're a great guy, Rem. Any girl… Erm… or guy, whichever tickles your fancy, would be a fool not to notice it," Chester says, giving his friend a look. "And I'll thank you not to worry so much about your… erm… furry little problem, because that doesn't matter, alright?"
Remus blinks. "Uh… Girl. But Chester-"
"Ugh. Come here." Chester stands up and grabs Remus by the arm, dragging him away from the nosy students in the common room.
"Chester. I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I'm telling you. It's pointless. You don't know the prejudices I face because of you-know-what." Remus is very careful not to say the "w" word when there's still a chance of them being overheard. "People would be scared of me. Why do you think I don't want anyone to know?"
They move to the security of the dorm room that Remus shared with James, Sirius, and Peter, so now they're able to speak freely.
"That's stupid! Being a werewolf is only half of who you are. It doesn't define the kind of person you are." Chester angrily flails his arms, upset with how his friend is treated just because of his condition.
Remus smiles softly at Chester's words. "If only everyone felt that way, but that's not how this world works."
Chester huffs, running a hand through his hair. "It just isn't fair. You didn't choose this. Why are people so quick to judge you based on something that's out of your control?"
Remus shrugs. "Because they don't understand. It terrifies them."
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard," Chester deadpans.
"It's what it is." Remus shrugs.
"Well. I for one am not letting this ruin your chances at a normal life. I have until the end of the year to accomplish my mission. You are getting a girlfriend by the end of the year, or my name isn't Chester Alasdair Harrington."
~.~
If there's one thing Edmund prides himself in, it's how he excels in Potions. Even Professor Slughorn praises him, saying that Edmund is the best out of everyone he's ever taught. Better than even Severus Snape and Lily Evans, who are arguably the best in their own year. Professor Slughorn even says that Edmund could give his father a run for his money, and that's saying something.
Potions class is easily Edmund's best class, and also his favorite, followed shortly by Defense Against The Dark Arts.
Professor Slughorn expected great things from Edmund. He has told Edmund on multiple occasions that he thinks that Edmund would be a good Auror, but the thing is, Edmund didn't want to be an Auror. He wants to be a Healer, where he can help people. He didn't want to run around trying to catch bad guys all day and possibly end up being killed, he wants to work in a hospital and heal people from the ailments that make their lives difficult. He would leave catching the bad guys to James and Sirius.
His first order of business: to come up with a potion to help Remus deal with his lycanthropy. Edmund knew that Remus hates being a werewolf. It was the fact that he doesn't have any control over the wolf inside him. Edmund wants to come up with a way for Remus to maintain his human side when he transforms, but so far his plan was a bust. He's sure that there is something that could help his friend, it just hasn't been discovered yet.
Edmund has known what Remus was long before he even met Remus, thanks to his visions. He had a vision about Remus turning into a werewolf. Edmund wasn't afraid, more like intrigued, especially since the visions showed the werewolf being accompanied by a stag, dog, rat, eagle, and a fox. It wasn't the most common companionship, that was for sure. Edmund remembers thinking how odd it was to see a werewolf frolicking about with the different animals. He didn't know what to think of it at the time until James introduced Remus to Edmund and Chester. Then everything made sense.
James has the utmost faith in his brother, knowing that if anyone can come up with a potion to help Remus, it's Edmund. For now, the best thing they can do to help their werewolf friend is accompanying him on the night of the full moon as animals. Over the summer, they had accomplished something that no ordinary wizard has. They succeeded in becoming Animagi, which is no easy feat. The process to become an Animagus was long and tedious, but the five of them succeeded in it in such a short time period, proving just how serious and talented they were. Edmund still couldn't get over how well their animals fitted with their personalities. He knows that this is how the Animagus process works, but it still amazed him how spot-on it all was.
Sirius turned into a massive black dog. Edmund knows that a dog, in general, is associated with protection, loyalty, and bravery. Three traits Sirius is known for.
James, a stag. Stags, Edmund knows, are a symbol of strength. They are also a symbol of nobility, leadership, and pride. Edmund couldn't think of a more fitting animal for his brother.
Peter is a rat. Edmund didn't know too much about Peter, but he knows that rats represent sociability, resourcefulness, and ambition. Edmund knows that rats are also known to be stubborn and devious.
Chester, a fox. Foxes are quick, intelligent, and strongly ambitious. They may be known for their cunning nature, but a fox is very charismatic and easy to love, and also witty. Again, Edmund couldn't think of a better animal. Chester was all of these things. He may not show his cunning side very often, but Edmund knows that it's there, deep down inside of him.
His own form is an eagle. Eagles represent boldness, strength, courage, and ambition. Eagles know what they want and they know how to get it. They also represent leadership and can be incredibly stubborn birds.
Yes, it was all very fitting.
Edmund and James were the first to succeed, followed shortly by Chester and Sirius. Peter took the longest, but with Edmund's patience and James' determination to help out a friend, they were able to get him to succeed, too. It was crucial for them all to succeed, so they can keep Remus company during the full moon while Edmund worked out a potion to help him.
The potion was just taking a bit longer than he anticipated. He knew from the beginning that it was going to be difficult, but he had no idea that it was going to be near impossible. Edmund wasn't ready to give up, though, not when his friend's sanity depended on it.
~.~
When Edmund wasn't researching a way to help his friend or studying for his N.E.W.T.S. (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test), he was performing his Head Boy duties. Arabella had gotten better at working together with Edmund since he had proven to her that he was taking the responsibility of being Head Boy seriously.
Sirius seemed to decide to take matters into his own hands, not realizing that Edmund had already taken care of the situation with Arabella. He had more than once suggested targeting the Slytherin girl during one of their pranks, but Edmund shut the suggestion down, knowing that it would put him in a difficult situation if they succeed in the prank and get caught. It was a risk that Edmund didn't want them to make.
"What's life without a little risk?" Sirius asks him one night.
They were gathered in the Gryffindor Common Room, and as luck would have it, they were the only ones there, as everyone else had long since turned in for the night.
Edmund stares at him with a deadpan look. "Sirius, I swear to Godric, if you even think of pranking Arabella, I will put you in detention for the remainder of the year."
"You wouldn't dare." Sirius narrows his eyes at Edmund, challenging him.
"Try me." Edmund crosses his arms, staring at Sirius with a raised eyebrow.
The two of them stare at each other for the longest time, with Chester, Remus, and James looking at the pair of them with amusement written all over their faces, clearly finding the situation humorous. Peter glances nervously between Edmund and Sirius, not liking the tension in the room.
Sirius breaks the tension with a grin after a while, realizing that Edmund's threat was not an empty one. "Why, does our little Edmund have a crush on her?" Sirius coos, and for just a moment, Edmund thinks he saw a flicker of jealousy in Sirius' eyes at the thought, but it's gone before Edmund can be sure.
Edmund scoffs. "Oh, please. You're as much off your rocker as Dumbledore is if you think that."
"So it's not the snake, then. Who is it that you like, then, Ed? There's gotta be someone in this school that you're crushing on." Sirius gives Edmund a look. Edmund never talks about liking anyone, leaving Sirius curious as to why. They share everything with each other, so why won't Edmund reveal who he likes?
James perks up at the question, very interested in knowing the answer himself. Like Sirius, he was curious as to why Edmund won't tell them who it is. James his closer to Edmund than anyone, and yet, Edmund avoids the question whenever it's brought up. It makes James wonder.
Edmund laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "No. Who has time for that when you have to study for N.E.W.T.s? I've got to focus if I want to pass."
Sirius scoffs, not buying Edmund's claim. "Oh, please."
"What?" Edmund blinks.
"You aren't worried about passing. You know you're gonna do well." Sirius rolls his eyes, shaking his head in exasperation.
"That's so not…" Edmund stops, his body going rigid as he stares blankly at Sirius. They all exchange looks, knowing that Edmund was having a vision.
Inside Edmund's mind, little snippets of the future are playing out.
Lily Evans hugs James in the courtyard.
James and Lily kissing in front of a small crowd.
Lily holding a newborn baby boy, smiling down lovingly at him.
A toddler that remarkably resembles James running around a house- the Potter house, from what Edmund can see- and another toddler resembling Sirius hot on his heels.
A dark figure approaches a small cottage.
A piercing green light fills the air. When the light disappears, Edmund sees his brother lying lifeless on the floor.
The dark figure makes his way up to the nursery.
Lily begs for mercy to no avail. The dark figure performs the killing curse once more, and Lily's lifeless body falls to the floor.
The dark figure turns to the baby boy in the crib and casts the curse once more, but it somehow backfires, and the dark figure disappears.
Sirius is thrown into Azkaban for a crime he did not commit and without a trial.
Peter Pettigrew.
Edmund stares at Sirius with wide eyes, and everyone exchanges a nervous glance, knowing that the vision was nothing good, based on how quiet Edmund is. Usually, after a vision, he'd tell them right away what it was. The only time he ever kept a vision to himself was the one about Remus all those years ago.
Edmund opens his mouth to say something, anything, but no sound comes out. The sight of his brother's lifeless body has him in a panicked state. He doesn't even know how to begin to process that.
James stares at his brother in concern, not liking that Edmund has suddenly fallen silent. "Eddie?"
Edmund shakes his head as tears slowly start to form in his eyes. Sirius moves to put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him, but Edmund suddenly jerks back, staring at him with wide eyes. Sirius lets his arm fall back to his side, a frown etched on his face. Without a word, Edmund turns from the group, heading up to the dorm room that he shared with Chester and two other boys. Moments later, Chester joins him, a frown on his face, clearly not liking seeing his friend in such a distressed state. Edmund is glad that it's Chester who came after him, for he didn't know what he was going to say to James.
"Mate?" Chester reaches out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, but Edmund jerks back, his body shaking as he sinks slowly to the floor. Chester's frown deepens as tears slowly start falling from Edmund's eyes. "Mate, I can't help you if I don't know what happened. What was the vision?"
Edmund doesn't respond. At least, not directly. He moves into a fetal position in the center of the room, burying his head in his arms, mumbling his brother's name. At first, Chester thinks that Edmund was asking for James, but before Chester can move to get him, Edmund peers up at his best friend, shaking his head no ever so slightly, as if he knows what Chester was thinking.
Chester suddenly gets an idea. His eyes twinkling mischievously, he transforms into a fox. If he can get Edmund to smile, if only for a moment, perhaps it'll be enough to get Edmund talking. At least, that's what Chester is hoping for.
Edmund looks at his best friend in alarm, glancing over at their sleeping dorm mates. "Red, what are you doing? If they wake up and catch you, they're going to rep-" Edmund doesn't get to finish as Chester suddenly tackles him. Caught off guard, Edmund allows himself to fall back as Chester sits on Edmund's chest.
"Red, you can't just randomly- they're going to wake up and catch you… they'll report you, do you know what that'll mean?" Edmund worriedly glances over at their sleeping dorm mates, but Chester doesn't seem to care. Chester licks Edmund's face, trying to get a laugh out of him, if only for a moment. It wouldn't permanently cheer him up, but Chester will take even a pity to laugh at this moment.
Edmund tries pushing Chester off, to no avail. Chester is determined to get Edmund to laugh. He nuzzles Edmund's cheek, and Edmund finally gives a weak laugh. It wasn't exactly what Chester was going for, but he'll take it. "Alright, already. Get off of me, you idiot."
Chester finally jumps off of Edmund, changing back into a human as he does. "For the record, I am no idiot." Chester reaches his hand out to help Edmund to his feet, which Edmund graciously accepts.
"Yes, you are. A reckless one. You could have gotten caught. Do you know what that would have meant for you, hmmm?" Edmund crosses his arms, staring at his best friend sternly.
Chester rolls his eyes, sitting down on the edge of his bed. Choosing not to respond to Edmund's question, he sighs, inviting Edmund to sit next to him by patting the empty space beside him. "Tell me what's wrong."
"I… I can't even… You know, sometimes I really hate my visions." Edmund runs a hand through hair, messing it up even more.
Chester thoughtfully taps his chin. "I'm… going to go out on a limb here and say that you're not very happy about the vision."
"No, whatever gave you that idea?" Edmund's voice drips with sarcasm as he gives his best friend a deadpan look.
"I'd appreciate it if you lost the sarcasm."
Edmund shrugs. "Yeah, well, we can't all get what we want."
"Edmund."
"Alright." Edmund sighs.
Chester gives him a small smile. "Now, just start from the beginning."
"The beginning, huh? Well, you see, when a man and a woman love each other very much-" Edmund stops at the glare Chester was shooting him. "...Not that beginning, I take it?"
"No, whatever gave you that idea?" Chester mocks.
"Okay, okay, I'll be Sirius from now on. I'm kidding! Don't hit me! Hey! I could give you detention for that, you know."
Chester narrows his eyes at Edmund. "You wouldn't dare."
"How do you know?" Edmund challenges.
"You're avoiding the question." Chester crosses his arms, tapping his fingers on them.
"Am I? ...Is it working?"
"Little bit." Chester holds his forefinger and thumb inches apart.
"Not well enough, apparently." Edmund sighs. "By the way, thanks for slobbering all over my face." He rubs his face where Chester licked him while he was a fox. Chester shoots Edmund a lopsided grin.
"Tell you what. Next time I'll go get Sirius. I'm sure you'd prefer him licking your face over me any day of the week." Chester gives Edmund a cheeky grin. Edmund blushes deeply, his eyes darting over to the door, worried about James being on the other side listening in. Edmund wouldn't put it past him.
"You know, when I told you that, I told you in confidence. Not even James knows."
"Aww… I feel so important." Chester dramatically puts a hand over his heart.
"You should. I don't keep things from James."
"Except for the fact that you're in love with-"
"Chester!" Edmund snaps lowly, not wanting to wake their sleeping roommates.
"What? They're down in the common room. It's not like they're up here with us- and stop avoiding the question." Chester points an accusing finger at Edmund.
"And here I thought it was working." Edmund sighs. Chester crosses his arms as he taps his fingers on them. "So impatient. Alright. Well, the first one is Lily hugs James in the courtyard."
"Oh. Well, that's a good thing, Ed. Lily hugs James. James will be thrilled…. But there's more. Go on."
"Then, Lily kisses James in front of a small crowd."
"James will lose himself when you tell him that." Chester grins wickedly, but his grin falters at Edmund's glare. "Sorry."
"And then Lily was holding a newly born baby boy…"
"Still not seeing the problem here."
Edmund gives Chester a glare. "Well, if you'd let me finish instead of interrupting me…"
"Sorry. Again."
"...And there was a toddler that looks like James, and a toddler that looks like Sirius running around a house-"
Chester blinks. "Okay, that I can see why it upsets you, but…"
"I thought you wanted to know what was wrong. Why do you keep interrupting me?"
"So the whole thing with Sirius having a baby obviously with some girl isn't it?" Chester blinks, and Edmund gives his friend a deadpan look. "Right. Shutting up."
"Then a dark figure -I didn't see a face- approaches a small cottage…"
"Ah, now we're getting somewhere." Chester interrupts.
"Interrupt me one more bloody time, Chester, I dare you." Edmund gives Chester a glare.
Chester makes a zipping motion over his lips and pretends to throw a key over his shoulder, giving his friend a sheepish look.
"And then the dark figure performs the killing curse on… on… please don't make me say it." Edmund begs, and Chester looks at him with wide eyes, knowing immediately who Edmund meant. Chester nods slowly, motioning for Edmund to continue. "Then the dark figure moves to the nursery where Lily was and ki-kills her, too." Edmund sighs. "And he attempts to kill their baby, but it somehow rebounds, and the dark figure disappears, while the baby survives. Then, Sirius is thrown in Azkaban Prison without a trial… And there was something about Peter, but I-"
Chester gives his friend a bewildered look. "Sirius is thrown in Azkaban?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"How should I know?! There wasn't that much detail!"
"But… what about his child? What happens to him?"
"I don't know, Chester." Edmund shakes his head.
"And what about James' child? What happens to him?"
"I don't know, Chester," Edmund repeats.
"What about me, or you? Where are we?"
"I don't know. We aren't there."
"Well, what about-"
"Chester. Everything I just told you is everything I know. I don't know anything else, alright?" Edmund runs a hand through his hair in exasperation.
"Well. What are we going to do about it?"
"What do you mean?" Edmund blinks.
"Well, we obviously can't allow something like that to happen. We have to change the future." Chester rolls his eyes at Edmund, surprised that he had to be the one to suggest it.
"Change the future? Are you mad? We can't change the future!"
"Sure we can. The future isn't set in stone. It can be changed." Chester shrugs.
"You're mad." Edmund deadpans.
"You've been wrong before." Chester points out.
"What?"
"Don't you remember? Last year, during the finals. You had a vision about me failing my Potions final, so then I asked for your help to study, and I ended up passing."
"But if you hadn't asked for my help, the vision would have…"
"Edmund, my point is your visions are subjective. Meaning they can change." Chester cuts him off. "Unless you want your vision to come true."
Edmund gives Chester a look. "The only part of my vision that I want to come true is the part about Lily and James getting together."
"Well, of course! So we change everything else. The only question is, how?"