Chapter 6

Time seemed to fly by for the students and staff at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, especially for one red haired, green-eyed Ravenclaw first year. Classes were getting easier for him. For that when many of his Ravenclaw friends were studying, he was bored. He was constantly trying to find things to do so his mind wouldn't wonder on other thoughts… like when he three, for example.

Being at Hogwarts seemed to have opened a locked door in his mind that sent memories long forgotten into full view. That and a certain Potions Master liked to bring it up in every detention, that he gave the boy. Unfortunately, for the Potions Master, he was getting less of a chance, for the boy stopped making mistakes that deserved him a detention. Which for some odd reason, the Potion's Master was disappointed for he actually, unbelievably liked, talking to the young Ravenclaw.

Thankfully for the young Ravenclaw, he had found something new to occupy his time. Quidditch. A month ago, on a cold Saturday afternoon, found Fred and George Weasley showing Ewan Tyler the finer points of the magical game. Ewan found to his surprise that he had natural talent for flying. Ever since then, the Potion Master noticed the young Ravenclaw and Gryffindor twins playing quidditch on almost every Saturday afternoon.

However that wasn't the only person the young Ravenclaw was attracting. From the Headmasters office on the seventh floor, Albus Dumbledore watched as the oldest son of James and Lily Potter flew. The Headmaster had known for almost a month now that the young boy was, in fact, Ewan Potter. However, he had decided to keep it a secret, at least until Harry arrived or Ewan found out for himself, though he believed that the young boy already knew.

Ewan was also getting the attention from the Ravenclaw quidditch captain and his Head of House, Professor Flitwick. The first year Ravenclaw had talent, yes, talent that the Ravenclaw team could use. So on that Saturday, The Ravenclaw Captain approached Ewan, suggesting that Ewan become a reserve chaser for the team. Of course Ewan agreed. 'After all what's the chances of me playing?' He thought. Of course, he was proven wrong, when weeks later he was told to suit up because one of the chasers came down with the dragon box.

Butterflies attacked his stomach. 'Pretend you're playing football, pretend you're playing football.' It didn't help that they were playing against Slytherin, the roughest team in the entire school. He was using the broom of the chaser he replaced for this game, a seventh year.

Slytherin in green clad robes flew out onto the pitch followed a minute later by the Ravenclaw team in blue. Madam Hooch, the flying coach and quidditch referee, opened the box that contained the quaffle, bludgers, and the tiny golden snitch. With a blow of her whistle the game began. Ewan being small and fast grabbed the quaffle first passing it to another Ravenclaw chaser. It was like a game of catch between the three Ravenclaw chasers, when suddenly Marcus Flint from Slytherin rammed right into the first year chaser. Ewan pushed back, surprising the older and larger Slytherin. Ewan quickly flew away from the older boy, and then Ewan, quaffle in hand threw with all his might towards the hoops. Thankfully, and shockingly to the first year, it actually went in, giving Ravenclaw ten points. 'Oh thank Merlin' Ewan thought, letting out the breath he was holding. 'I can do this, I can do this…'

The game progressed faster and more dangerous. Slytherin had scored twice and Ravenclaw once more, making it a tie. The Slytherin's were so focused on taking down the chasers that they failed to notice the Ravenclaw seeker flying after the snitch, then catching it earning Ravenclaw an additional 150 points and the game. One hundred and seventy to twenty, Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw alike cheered. Slytherin hissed and booed. Ewan was ecstatic; he never felt such a rush before, never felt so happy.

That night Ravenclaw had a party celebrating the win. They celebrated so late that, their Head of House had to come and order them to go to bed. Ewan went to bed happier than he ever felt before.

FLASHBACK

"Happy birthday Ewan" James and Lily said together to their now three year old son.

"Want to open your presents?" asked Lily already knowing the answer.

"Can I, can I, can I!?" Ewan said, jumping up and down.

"Go" said James smiling.

Ewan grabbed his first present. "That one is from me" said his mum. Ewan opened it. It was a book "The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Cool!" He absolutely loved reading. "Will you read it to me tonight mummy?" he asked. "Of Course, sweetie" replied Lily.

"Okay open mine son" said James. Ewan grabbed the box and opened. "AWESOME! A BROOM!!!" he said opening the rest of it and getting on it.

Lily stared at her husband. "You did not seriously get your THREE year old son a BROOMSTICK, James Potter!?" she said angrily.

"It's a child's broom… only goes two feet in the air" James said, but he got the hint, 'I'm sleeping on the couch tonight.'

END OF FLASHBACK

With Quidditch practice, studying (on occasion), homework, and classes. Time flew by, before anyone knew it, it was Christmas and for Ewan, his birthday.

The Professor's all helped in decorating the school; Ewan finished packing and made his way outside where the school carriages were taking the student to Hogsmeade to catch the train.

On the train Ewan caught up with Fred, George, and Lee. Getting a compartment to themselves, they played Exploding Snap, and ate sweets when the old witch with the cart came by.

Later, Bill and Charlie came by and they all started talking about quidditch. Fred and George both tried out for their house team and made reserve beaters but the two haven't played yet, Lee was given the job of commentary for every match. However, Professor McGonagall realized a little too late that Lee was biased. Charlie was captain of the Gryffindor team and gave the boys all kind of advice including Ewan, though he was on the Ravenclaw team.

The train came to a halt at Platform 9 ¾. The five Weasley's, Lee, and Ewan got off the train and met up with their parents. Ewan met Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, who apparently heard much about him from Fred and George. Mr. Weasley even had the chance to meet Ewan parents. Mr. Weasley started a discussion about muggle cars with Jon. Thankfully, Mrs. Weasley was able to stop the conversation relatively soon. An hour later, Ewan was at home, doing his holiday work, and pondering over what he wanted to do for his 12th birthday.

"How about a party?" asked Jon.

"My muggle friends haven't seen me in month's dad, and my wizard friends are enjoying their holidays, so no party."

"What about something between the family? I know Aunt Sara and Uncle Dave would like to celebrate?" Said Lara.

"I don't want anything big..."

"Okay," said Jon, scratching in chin in contemplation. "How about….no that's babyish…"

Ewan shook his head. "I don't want to do anything… I just want to celebrate Christmas."

"Not… Not celebrate your 12th birthday! Son, you only turn twelve once!" exclaimed Jon.

"I don't want to do anything, just Christmas!"

"What did that magic school do to you!? Not do anything. That's blasphemy!" said Jon "And here I was looking forward towards a party."

"It's okay that you don't want to do anything, Ewan. But if you change your mind we can always celebrate your birthday after Christmas" said Lara, going to the kitchen.

Christmas day came with frost and snow. Presents were given and received. Ewan even received something from the Weasley's. Ewan had decided on visiting some of his muggle friends. This resulted in a snow fight that Fred and George would have been proud off.

The day before he was set off to go back to school, Jon took Ewan to Diagon Alley to get a few new things, or in Ewan's case, get fitted for new robes because of a sudden growth spurt.

"You know the way your growing you could be taller than me." suggested Jon.

Outside Madam Milkin's Robes for all Occasions, Severus Snape was on his way to get more Potions supplies. Ewan, inside, had noticed him. After quickly paying for the newly-fitted robes, Ewan, followed by Jon, rushed out to greet the teacher.

"Professor!" Ewan shouted. "Professor!"

Professor Snape stopped at the call and turned to see Lily's son running after him.

"Happy Christmas, Professor Snape" said Ewan, smiling. He had come to realize that the Professor Snape in class was nothing like the Professor Snape in detention. However he was uncomfortable speaking about when he was younger that he avoided getting detention. It was a sacrifice he had to make, though he missed his detentions with the man.

"Hello, Mr. Tyler." He said with a cold tone.

"This is my dad, Jon. Dad, this is my Potions teacher, Professor Snape." He introduced.

Jon extended his hand for the Potions Master to shake, which he did after a moment's hesitation.

"Ewan told his Mum and I, much about you, and your Potions class. It's his favorite subject, I think, that or what was it son… transmorgifition…trans... trans-something."

Ewan laughed. "Transfiguration, dad!"

"Yeah, that"

"Yes, well let's hope Mr. Tyler grades stay as well as they are now and we won't have any problems, shall we?" Snape said. "Now I must be going, I still have students to watch at the school, I'm not taking a leisurely walk." He turned around and walked away.

"Well… You know what he reminded me of?" asked Jon.

"What?"

"An overgrown bat."

"That's not nice Dad. I Like Professor Snape."

"Still if I had a teacher like that… I'd probably get out of his class faster than you can say lightning."

The train ride back to Hogwarts was more fun than the train ride from, with Fred and George who took their time during Christmas inventing new pranks. Trying it on unsuspecting students, which lead to conflicts, but having a prefect and the Head Boy and the same compartment had its benefits.

Hours later, Ewan was comfortably back in Ravenclaw tower reading a new book on quidditch. Liam and Roger were trading new chocolate frog cards, and Le was playing chess with one of the first year's females.

Once the break was over, the students fell back into routine with classes, quidditch, and homework. The teachers were going all out in preparation for end-of-term testing. Most Ravenclaw's were studying and preparing non-stop, many having to go to Madam Pomfrey for Calming Draught.

Even quidditch practice was becoming more intense. Practicing during the rain, snow, hail, and biting winds. After most practices, Ewan would come back drenched from the rain or with mud. Twice, he had to go to Madam Pomfrey for a Pepper-up Potion.

On top of that, Ewan was in the library researching everything to do with the Potter family. Harry Potter, his so-called brother, was in Modern Magical History, The Rise and fall of the Dark Arts, and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century. He learned that Harry lived with his biological mother's sister and husband. 'Aunt Petunia'.

A noise startled from behind. Professor Snape entered the library, and was currently speaking to Madam Pince. Quickly putting the books in his bag, he made his way towards the exit but not in time for Professor Snape caught him.

"Tyler, look a true Ravenclaw I see, in the library."

"Yes, sir just reading up on some spells for Charms, need to pass the test." He said.

"Any more memories?" Snape asked.

"No, not recently…" it wasn't a lie he hadn't had a memory flashback since Christmas. "Well I have to be going sir, for dinner then curfew and all. Bye" he said leaving before Snape could call him back.

Months had past before Snape was able to give the Tyler boy a proper detention. Fred and George had swindled him into helping with their next prank. Sticking, Mrs. Norris to the floor. Snape gave the Wesley's twins detention with Filch and Tyler detention with himself.

"You will be sorting out rotten flobberworms from good ones for use as Potion ingredients; however, you may use your protective gloves."

It was disgusting. A flobberworm was a ten-inch, toothless brown worm which eats vegetation, especially lettuce.

"Do you know what we do with the flobberworm's, Mr. Tyler?"

"I know it thickens the potions, sir." Ewan answered.

"That is correct, the mucus exuded by a flobberworm is sometimes used to thicken potions."

Ewan sighed. This was not what he wanted to do. 'Why couldn't I just have to clean the trophy room or something like that. This is Disgusting'

"Tell me Tyler, why you felt it nessacary to stick a cat to the floor?" Snape asked.

"It wasn't my idea, sir."

"So if a friend asked you to jump off a bridge, would you?"

"No, sir. Its just… Fred and George said it would hurt her, I just… I just wasn't thinking, sir."

"No, you weren't. You used a sticking Hex, did you not?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's a third year spell." Said the Potions Master. "Who taught you?"

"No one, sir. I learned it on my own… I can do things… others can't. Like, when we learned Wingardium Leviosa… I could move the feather without my wand. When I was younger, before I knew about magic, I could change things by just thinking about it… Is that… I mean is it normal?"

"You didn't hurt anyone, did you?"

"No, sir, never."

Professor Snape sighed a breath of release. The boy, and no doubt his brother, were both going to be very powerful wizards, more powerful then the Dark Lord perhaps.

"No Tyler, its normal."