Edmund thought back on his first time in Diagon Alley, it was quite an experience but it was a rather nice day especially since his Uncle Remus was narrating stories to Edmund about how he had first encountered his father there or what types of stuff they bought from Zonko's.

Remus had looked very nostalgic as he looked at the ice cream parlour. He had talked about how his mother had mentioned her first date with his father there, how Uncle James hadn't been talking to his father because they were going out on a date.

They had a short conversation about how most think that his father was deemed guilty by the masses and how it wouldn't be wise about telling anyone of his lineage. The conversation was slightly upsetting to Edmund but he was quickly cheered up when they were going to get a wand from Olivanders.

The one Edmund had been using used to be his mothers. But both of his uncles thought it would be best if Edmund would get a wand of his own, a connection with the wand would be far more genuine. The first year didn't really understand wandlore.

The two arrived at the shop and were reprimanded by his uncle Severus for being later than they had discussed. The uncanny thing was when Edmund walked into the shop, the first thing that came from the wandmaker was 'Well, you certainly look like your father' Edmund had given the man a small smile, 'And that'll be your mothers, come on up boy, many options here.' He was handed a wand and he waved with it.

The biggest compliment yet was that he is a lot like his mother. The three paid for the wand and made their way out of the store. They were all quiet as they crossed off the last thing on their to-do list. Now, they were making their way towards King's Cross station.

They walked between the bustling people outside on the square. "I must go now, behave on the train, Edmund." His uncle Severus said with a sharp look. Edmund gave him a toothy grin as he rolled his eyes at the strict tone.

"Yes uncle, when don't I behave?"

Severus gave him a small tug of his lips before he disappeared into the crowd, Edmund tried to follow the man dressed in all black but with his talent he disappeared. "Let's go, Edmund. Before you might miss your train." Lupin said and hurried Edmund inside of the station.

Edmund was glad that he had a cart, he only had to call out and everyone would jump out of the way instantly. Slowly they made their way to the platform and walked through the magical gateway into platform 9 ¾ . He looked at the old-fashioned train and blinked. "Go on now," His uncle Remus urged, "Don't forget to write to me once a week, or let me know if you forgot anything. Or if you just want to talk." Lupin offered and leant down to press a kiss to his forehead. "Remember to have a fun time." He was blabbering a bit down.

The kid smiled at his uncle and nodded, "Ofcourse, uncle." He said and his cart was swiped away from him and was taken towards the back of the train. "I need to go now." Edmund said, nervously as he looked around as people were starting to board.

"Stay safe!"

"Yes!" Edmund called back after smiling at his uncle and boarded the train. He sucked in a breath as he heard the excited chattering onboard. He walked through the corridor of the cart and stopped as he heard his name being called out. "Draco!" He said excitedly as he slid open the door.

The compartment was already filled, safe for one spot. Draco pulled him in for a quick hug as he introduced Edmund to his friends, "This is Edmund Lupin, he's the one with whom I got my flying lessons with." He said, his chest puffed out, proud of what he had accomplished.

Edmund gave them a friendly smile but it wasn't reciprocated when the two boys just looked at him. The darker one just nodded at him and looked back out of the window. "That is Crabbe and Goyle, the quiet one is Zabini." Neither of the two reached over to shake his hand. "We were just talking about Slytherin, we're all going to be in it."

Edmund leant against the door frame as the train jolted, starting to move. "That's nice," He hummed, "House of the Snakes, right?"

"Of course." Draco said, pretentiously, "You'll be in our house, won't you?" He had asked and Edmund shrugged.

"I'm sure that he would love it," He said quietly, referring to his familial relation with Snape, their soon to be potions teacher. In the corner of his eyes he caught a boy searching for something around the corridor, a panicked look in his eyes. "I'll see you around." They did their handshake that they had made after their first flying lesson. "Don't be a stranger?"

Draco let out a short laugh and rolled his eyes, "Just when mother lectured us about stranger danger."

Edmund laughed before backing up and sliding the door closed behind him as he looked at the stumbling boy. "Are you okay?" He asked, as he reached out and put a hand on the panicked boy's shoulder.

The boy shook his head, "I can't find my toad! I can't find Trevor!" he exclaimed. Edmund opened his mouth to say that he would help, but instead a girl's voice interrupted him, exclaiming that they would help the panicked boy. Edmund turned around at the girl and gave her a small smile.

Edmund shrugged, "I'm sure that Uncle Sev would love it." He said and smiled. In the corner of his eyes he saw a boy walk around worryingly. "It was nice meeting you, Crabbe, Goyle." He nodded, "I'll see you around, Draco." He said and they did their handshake they made after their first flying lesson. "Don't be a stranger." He teased.

Draco rolled his eyes, "Just when mother lectured us about stranger danger."

Edmund laughed as he closed the door behind him, he stumbled a bit as the worried boy walked up against him. "Are you okay?" He questioned kindly.

The boy shook his head, "I can't find my toad!" He exclaimed. "I can't find Trevor!"

Edmund put a hand on his shoulder and opened his mouth, "We'll help you find Trevor." A girl's voice said. The boy raised his head and looked at the girl and smiled. Her curls were a bit wild as they were a bit frizzy. He unconsciously patted down his hair as he nodded.

"Yes we will help you, when did you last see Trevor?" He asked.

"Well, when I boarded at the back of the train." The boy said and gave the two an appreciative look, "Thank you, for helping me out.

"Ofcourse," Edmund smiled and held his hand out, "I'm Edmund Lupin." he introduced himself as they shook hands. "This is-" He looked at the girl.

"Hermione Granger." She said with a smile.

"Neville Longbottom." The boy introduced himself.

"I'm Susan Bones." Another voice introduced herself and the blonde gave them a small smile, "I thought I'd lend a hand." Edmund smiled at the makeshift group of kids, the only one who really looked out of place was Granger, dressed up in her modern muggle clothes while the three of them were wearing shirts and a sweater which had family crests sewn on.

"Should we split up in pairs?" Edmund suggested.

Susan nodded, "I'll go with Longbottom to the front of the train, you haven't searched thoroughly yet, right?" Susan asked as she curiously looked at the Longbottom.

Neville nodded, "I tried but, well, people aren't as nice as I thought." The boy hung his head a little and Edmund gave him a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"Granger and I will go look around in the back then, maybe we'll see something you had missed." He gave Longbottom a smile and looked at the curly-haired girl. "If that is alright with you?"

"Fine with me." The girl smiled at him and the four nodded at each other. Quickly they already split off and were walking through the corridors.

"Are you excited for Hogwarts?" Edmund asked as they walked side by side, occasionally looking through the glass doors of a compartment to see if there was a toad.

Granger had a wistful smile on her face as he asked that question, "I've read all about it, I'm a bit stunned how all that I've read is an actual real thing."

"You'll be able to give me a walking tour?" He asked with a joking smile but was pleasantly surprised when the girl beamed at him and nodded.

"I think I can give you a tour around the paintings and their stories!" She said excitedly, "They're so interesting." She had a smile on her face and Edmund nodded. He hadn't heard of the stories of some paintings before, he had heard of the painting from the former headmaster, who was family.

Edmund stopped in his tracks when he recognized the flaming red hair that he had spent quite some time with after he had moved to after his mother had passed away. "Weasley?" He questioned when he slid open the doors. "I thought you were starting next year?" He asked, genuinely confused.

"Wrong Weasley, mate." Ronald muttered, "Ginny will be starting at Hogwarts next year." He had a slight attitude in his tone as he muttered and Edmund frowned.

"Are you still mad about that?" He questioned as he tilted his head, looking a bit baffled, "I beat you fair and square, you do know that right?" Edmund was very friendly with the Weasley's, especially the twins. His house overlooks the house of the Weasley's and well, if they see one another they always go out to hang out. A week before school started, the two of them had a flying parkour match to see who could be the fastest, Edmund was a whole lot faster than Ron. "Anyways," Edmund snapped out of it when Granger nudged him, "We're looking for Neville Longbottom's toad, have you seen it?"

Ron cringed as he looked at Edmund, "We already told him that we haven't seen anything green that croaks."

Edmund nodded and took a step back but was quickly pulled inside of the compartment by Granger, "Are you doing magic? Can we see it?" Edmund pursed his lips and shrugged, deciding to stay for wasn't catastrophic for the toad. He squinted at the boy a bit, he looked like Uncle Prongs from the pictures but he quickly turned back to Ron as the boy was waving his wand and uttering out a bogus spell.

"That doesn't sound like a real spell, Ron." Edmund said as he cringed, he had to bite his lip to not have any sort of teasing smile on his face, "The twins teach you that?" Ron nodded, his face as red as his hair.

"It's not very good no," Granger shook her head, "I've tried a few spells before, I've got to catch up," Edmund's hunch was right, well hunch was rather far-fetched because he had a mild suspicion. "It was a surprise when I got my letter, but when I found out about Hogwarts, I spent the entire summer reading about it." She gushed and Edmund smiled.

The girl raved on about the books she had read in the quite short amount of time, he knew of all the spells she had talked about, having grown up in a house with high expectations from a well-educated uncle and the literal potions master at Hogwarts. "I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"

"Ron Weasley." The youngest Weasley boy in the family.

"Edmund Lupin." He introduced himself as well, the only person in the compartment that didn't know him was-

"Harry Potter." It was as if his heart stopped as he looked over at the family member in stunned silence. For years he had wondered why Harry didn't stay with him, instead of some kind of close cousin, he was estranged, grown up with Aunt Lily's muggle family members. He had tried sending letters but none ever arrived as his family owl always came back with it attached to him.

"Do either of you know what house you'll be in?" Granger asked, "I reckon that I would be in Ravenclaw but Gryffindor doesn't sound half as bad." Granger said as she looked out of the window and suddenly stood up, making the quiet Edmund stand as well. "Well, we should continue to look for Neville's toad, you two better change, you know? I think that we'll be there soon." Granger walked out but Edmund lagged behind, having dropped his wand.

"Is it true?" He looked up to find Draco, standing at the exit, flanked by two of his friends, selected by his father. Edmund cringed subtly, trying to not let his aversion show. "Is Harry Potter in this compartment?"

"Yes."

"My name is Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." The blond introduced himself, not having noticed Edmund as he was solely focused on Harry. Ron coughed, hiding a clearly heard laugh. Edmund cringed at the ginger but did rise an eyebrow at what Draco's retort was.

"Laughing at my name, are you now? I can already see who you are, father told me about you lot of blood traitors." Draco sneered and Edmund took in a breath. Lucius Malfoy isn't a pleasant person to talk with, the conversation always ended with talking about blood purity. Edmund prefers Narcissa, she seemed actually interested in the boy who is friends with her son. "You'll find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." Draco had a pretentious smile on his face, "I can help you there."

"Draco," He said with a scolding tone, "You're being rude now." He now stood in front of his blonde friend. "The year hasn't begun yet and you're not really making friends here, are you now?" Edmund questioned as Draco slowly took a step back.

Draco opened his mouth but a voice was heard throughout the train. "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

He walked past Draco and quickly walked into an empty toilet stall and got dressed in his black robes. He walked out and already bumped into someone, "Oh, sorry Granger." He said and looked down at the shorter girl, she had an excited look on her face, "Are you ready, Hermione?" He asked with a small grin on his face.

"Well, I must be since we're already here." The girl nearly fell again at the motion of the train stopping completely and Edmund put a hand on her arm to keep her standing. He had an amused smile on his face.

"Let's go?" He questioned and Granger nodded, the two quietly talked about Hogwarts and Edmund talked about how his uncle went there as well, years ago. "I don't think a lot has changed since then." He shrugged, because in all the years he went, everything remained the same.

Granger just shrugged, "Well, it's Hogwarts." They board one of the boats alongside Harry and Ron. Even though Draco was motioning to Edmund to come to his boat, even though all the places were already filled. When they were all in the boat, Edmund could feel his stomach cramp up whenever he looked at the back of Harry's head and his mind just went blank.

Relief spread through him when Hagrid guided them through an underground cave and left them with Professor McGonagall, as if Harry being near him didn't make him feel nervous already, he was thinking about being sorted in front of the staff, especially Uncle Severus and Dumbledore. "Welcome," McGonagall started, "to Hogwarts. The feast will begin shortly, but before you take your seats, you will be sorted into your houses." Her back was straight and her chin was up, Edmund had seen her in the staff room before, but her posture screamed authority rather than comfort for a curious child.

"Slytherin." Edmund heard Draco whisper proudly, he turned back to look at him quietly and a frown appeared on his face as he looked at the slicked back hair of Draco. Never before had Edmund heard Draco talk about others like that before, as if they were his inferiors. He had heard Lucius talk like that, but the man was always cut short by Narcissa. He wondered if Edmund wasn't Draco's friend before Hogwarts that Draco would've looked at him like an inferior being as well.

"-You will have classes with some of your housemates, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room. The four houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin." McGonagall continued her speech and Edmund felt tapping on his arm. He turned around and looked at the blonde.

Draco with a small smile, "I'm sorry for in the train-"

"Thank you." Edmund said, "But you shouldn't have to apologise to me." He whispered and looked back at the ginger. Draco cringed visibly and quieted down, Edmund just frowned at the boy before looking back at Professor McGonagall. He had heard her speech before, a few years back. He was allowed to listen in alongside the professor from Dumbledore, he had hung onto every word she said.

Then again, he was being nudged by someone, "You're mouthing the words." Granger said with a slightly confused look.

He gave her a smile, "I've heard it all before."

"I suggest you all fix yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." McGonagall cleared her throat as she looked over at Edmund's tie, he gave her a weak smile as he tried to tie it properly.

He must've had a confused look on his face or a helpless one, because Granger clicked her tongue, "Seriously?" She questioned as she pulled up the collar and properly pulled the fabric around his neck, "Have you not learned this in primary?" She lectured and started tying it. He blushed and looked at everything except her.

"I'm homeschooled." He muttered and Granger jumped a bit when the doors opened, causing her to tie it up to his throat. He cringed and she muttered an apology before loosening it around his neck. Professor McGonagall looked at the two with an amused look on her face and a raised eyebrow. "If you're done being cosy," The students laughed, "Form a line and follow me."

Edmund walked between Draco and Granger . The blonde was raising his eyebrows at Edmund everytime he looked at him, but Edmund kept his eyes up from, focussing on the bushy back of Granger's head. The moment they stepped into the Great Hall, his eyes went up to the sky. It never failed to amaze him, "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside, I read about it in Hogwarts: A history." She whispered to Harry.

At the end of the long tables they stopped, standing in front of a stool. Edmund watched and listened as the hat sang its song and bowed at the tables at the end. Then it finally was time for their houses to be picked out for them.

Edmund watched as he watched his new friend Bones being put in Hufflepuff, how ready she was to help Longbottom find his toad was admirable and really fitted her house. He watched as Harry was nearly a headstall, his estranged secret cousin was picked out to be in Gryffindor, alongside Ron. Not so surprisingly, Hermione was put into Ravenclaw, he gave her a thumbs up as she walked over to sit with Padma, someone he had made an acquaintance with at the front of the train, he rather enjoyed talking to her about the houses, by her answers, it made sense that she was chosen to be in Ravenclaw.

"Neville Longbottom!" McGonagall called out and Edmund patted his back, in silent encouragement. The hat was on his head for nearly three minutes, Edmund would know, he counted. "Hufflepuff!" It called out. Edmund clapped and whistled as Neville walked over to the table adorned in yellow, Longbottom's robe slowly turning into the yellow colour.

Then he stopped clapping as he realised, "Merlin." He muttered and gave Draco a nervous look, "I'm next." As soon as he uttered those words his name was called upon the stool by Professor McGonagall. He was nervous, he had seen it all happen many times before, watched other kids get appointed a house. He stepped up to the stairs with the hat on his head and he raised his eyebrows as a voice immediately invaded his mind.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here, another Black? And Potter, I quite remember your mother and father." The hat hummed in his head and the vibrations made him blink a few times. "Destined to make your mark, no doubt. Gryffindor runs through your veins but so does Slytherin. But here you are with the potential of a Hufflepuff along with a sprinkle of Ravenclaw." He felt the head grin, "Fascinating. Warmth and genuine kindness that flows from within, loyalty and fair play, dedication to whom he calls his friends." A small pause and Edmund was feeling a bit restless, and he closed his eyes, not daring to look at anyones faces now. "A flicker! Bold and daring Gryffindor. Ah yes, a wild card. Unafraid to challenge conventions and traditions. Your heritage is rich with bravery and daring, but in Hufflepuff you'll find a home with moulding hands for your fairness, justice and compassion. A place of nurturing and support."

Edmund opened his eyes and looked out in front of him as he heard the hat shout, "Hufflepuff!"

As quick as it happened, the hat was plucked off of his head and he glanced back at the professor's table. He looked at the tiny proud smile that Uncle Severus wore on his face and he gave him a weak smile as he walked over to the house of the badgers. Somewhere in him, he knew that his uncle was a bit disappointed to not have him in Slytherin, under his house. But the feeling that Edmund felt about Hufflepuff was something he couldn't ignore, he felt happy. When he sat down, Bones looked over at him with wide eyes, "You're a hatstall." She said, a bit bewildered.

Edmund frowned as he shook his head, "The hat didn't take that long." He muttered to her.

"Yes it did, it took seven minutes just to place you in Hufflepuff."

Edmund's eyes widened, "Seven?" He was stumped. How he had reached seven minutes with that hat on his head was confusing to him. "Bones, it can't be."

"Susan is fine." She cringed a bit at the sound of her last name, "Everyone calls my aunt Bones, besides, Susan is nicer."

Edmund gave her a smile, "Then it'll be Edmund," He patted Neville's back, who sat next to him. "You can call me that as well, Longbottom."

"Neville." The boy muttered.

Edmund smiled brightly, "We're housemates." He hummed happily as he reached over to the pie. If he was going to look over to his uncle, he would feel guilty and put it on the side to eat dinner first. So he kept his eyes on Susan who was talking to Neville about Hufflepuff.

Their house was great, he loved the entrance but most of his love was for the common room and their dorms. The green plants and the cosy fire made him feel right at him as the warmth and the plants made him feel happier already. He looked over at Neville and saw that he wasn't as stiff with moving around as before. "Excited?" Edmund asked.

"I am." Neville nodded.

"You have had the hat on for quite a while as well, right?" Edmund continued to ask the questions as they sat by the fire, the warm light reflected on Neville's face made the worry melt away.

"I suppose so."

"Did it struggle?" Edmund asked and Neville gave him a confused look, "With choosing a house for you, I mean." The common room was bustling, students were talking, hugging each other and squealing over one's summer romance. The excited sphere that hung around the room seems to be nothing new to most students.

"Between Hufflepuff and Gryffindor actually." Neville said and he looked less sheepish as he answered the question. "I was quite surprised with Gryffindor, I don't really see myself in red."

"The Sorting Hat struggled with the same thing for me as well, I nearly was a Gryffindor." He shrugged, "It did say that I was a better fit for Hufflepuff, so I am not complaining." They looked up at the person who sat down on the couch.

"Have you heard?" She asked and by the clueless faces of the boys she just said it instead of letting them guess. "They've changed the class schedules, all the houses will have class together, but every house will be split in half."

Edmund looked at the blonde girl, "So we're going to have classes with Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw?" Edmund questioned and pursed his lips as Susan nodded, "Is it to better the relations between the houses, I heard that Gryffindor still has a grudge against Slytherin and likewise."

"Most of them say so." Susan nodded.

Susan Bones walked over and sat with them, "Have you heard?" The two boys looked curious, "They've changed the class schedules, all the houses will have class together, but half of us will be split into two groups."

"So we'll have class with Slytherin, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw?" Edmund questioned and Susan nodded, "I quite like the idea, to better the relations between houses?"

"Most say so." Susan nodded, she curiously looked up as an older student came walking over, he looked proud to have the head boy pin on his chest.

"First years?" The three of them nodded and he handed them their schedules after asking for their names. Edmund looked over at Neville's and Susan's. He smiled.

"Looks like we're all in the same class." He hummed and the prefect looked at the three of them.

"The bedtime for first-years is nearing so I am suggesting you three get ready for bed." The head boy said. Neville and Edmund stood up, smiled at Susan and split up. Edmund was excited and curious as to how different he was from the rest of his family, how on his mother's side, they were all Gryffindors and on his father's side, most were Slytherins, except for Sirius Black. He had changed into his pyjamas and smiled as he looked at the yellow banners by their beds.

"We're Hufflepuffs, Neville." He said quietly.

"Yes we are, Edmund." Neville said proudly.

—

He looked at the faces in his new class and pursed his lips, he wasn't quite sure what dynamics would play in them. The Gryffindors were a Lavender Brown, who has a staring problem. Seamus, whose wand exploded in their first lesson together. Then Harry and Ron, who Edmund had already met.

For the Hufflepuffs, Neville, Susan and he were in one group, alongside Wayne Hopkins, Hopkins was more of Finch-Fletchley's friend. In Ravenclaw, Edmund only knew Granger and Patil, but Boot and McDougal were storted as well. In Slytherin Tracey Davis was sorted, along with Pansy. Edmund didn't take a liking towards the girl after he had seen her close the door in some kids face, in his class Goyle and Draco were sorted.

He could see the contempt on Harry and Ron's face whenever they looked at Goyle and Draco. Edmund just picked up his books and walked out of the class, quickly he was already being pulled aside.

"Do I seriously need to teach you how to tie a tie?" She questioned as she put his collar up and unfolded whatever knot was in the piece of fabric. Edmund blushed as she immediately scolded him when she could.

"Yours looks quite pristine, I think that I'd like to learn." He said jokingly but Hermione took it seriously as she straightened his tie. He was just glad that she didn't choke him again by tying it too tightly.

"I could teach you during lunch?" She offered and Edmund blinked, blushed and nodded. In that order. He was surprised that she took the joke seriously, most likely was that she was annoyed by his horrendous tying skills.

"Thank you, Granger." Said Edmund, quietly.

"It's not a problem, Lupin." She smiled at him, "But Hermione is fine, we're friends, right?"

He smiled back at her, "Yeah, we're friends. Only if you call me Edmund."

"Ed sounds far better." Ron said as he walked past him and out towards the courtyard. Edmund raised his eyebrows at the ginger, he seemed less miffed to be around him.

"I think Edmund is too big of a mouthful for Ron." Harry apologised for the ginger. Edmund laughed and shook his head.

"He's been trying to make it stick for years." Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Neville round the corner next to Susan. "I'm glad we're in the same class, Hermione."

"I'm sure they put me in the same class as you just to tie your ties." She teased.

Edmund blushed and nodded, "They knew that I am a hopeless case without you."

Hermione laughed and walked over to the courtyard alongside Padma. Neville and Susan walked over to Edmund and Susan quickly started to tease Edmund over his blushing face. He cringed and shook his head, "Such a bully." He said jokingly.

After their first break they finally start an actual class instead of an introduction. The three of them walked into the class and Edmund sat at a bench with Wayne, Neville and Susan behind Harry, Ron and Seamus.

Edmund took another look around before the bell would ring, and just before it happened. The four slytherin's slipped into the room. Edmund smiled at Draco and waved, the boy donned in green waved back.

Their first Herbology lessons, a subject they will have every Monday morning. His enthusiasm for the class would quickly run out, he suspects, as he didn't really have any passion for the subject, unlike potions, charms or Defence Against the Dark Arts.

But their Herbology professor is the head of Hufflepuff and he didn't want to disappoint, he never wants to disappoint. Neville looks happy to be in the classroom, judging from the way Neville relaxed when he walks into the common room, the boy likes to be around plants.

Their tables were put into groups of four, and as expected everyone sat with their own houses. The light chatter in the room sounded like some background noise as Edmund looked down at his book. Soon the students all quieted down when Professor Sprout began to write down something on the board. Sprout turned around and looked proud at her quiet class.

She had doubts at first for the sudden change, but she rather enjoyed it so far.