Edmund walked into the hospital wing with haste, he let out a breath of relief when he saw that Neville was asleep on one of the beds. With a frown on his face, Edmund sat down beside the boy on an empty chair and sighed, "Didn't get to see us win, did you now?" Edmund whispered and rested his back against the chair, it was hurting from ducking and leaning away to not get hit by any bludgers.

"-father will hear about this!" Edmund heard and at the voice his head snapped up. Watching as Draco walked out from behind a curtain with a black eye. Concerned swelled up inside of him but then he looked over at Neville.

He stood up and walked over to Draco before the boy could walk away. "What happened?" He asked.

"Why do you care?" Draco spat and looked over at Neville. "You blood traitors deserve everything." He spat out and Edmund's theories were confirmed. The boy didn't care anymore and treated him like any other friend of his. He must've looked taken aback because Draco had an expression of regret on his face. "I'm sor-"

"All you've done so far is tormenting all of my friends." Edmund interrupted the pureblood supremacist. "You just called me a blood traitor." He said and moved back from him, his heart bottoming out, "Don't, please don't, talk to me anymore." He whispered. Draco took a step to his friend but turned around after he saw the expression on Edmund's face, it pained him to have insulted his friend like that. Draco knew that Edmund sees everyone as a human, and that there is no superior being. They had discussed it countless times.

Edmund watched as he watched the empty shell of whatever used to be his friend walk away. He sat back down beside Neville and opened the leather bound book, unconsciously fidgeting with his necklace. His head was racing and distracting him from his reading. With a sigh, he held his necklace out in front of him and casted the projection spell. "I want to be a teacher here-" He heard her voice and his heart calmed down.

"She was a lovely student, but very clumsy." A voice said and Edmund looked up at the drawn back curtain.

"Madam Pomfrey." He let out a breath, "I-"

"Was looking at your mother. I know dear." She said with a small smile, "The resemblance to your father is uncanny." He looked down at his wand and gulped. "I don't believe that he is capable of what he did, Mr. Lupin." the healer said.

"You should head off to bed, Lupin." The matron said and looked at Neville, "It's late so I'd rather have him sleep here instead of taking the long way down to his dorm."

Edmund scrambled onto his feet and grabbed the book from the tableside and nodded, "Thank you, Madam Pomfrey." said Edmund quietly. It was a comfort that others thought that his father didn't commit the murders.

"Your father never had a shy look on his face." She called out before he could walk through the open door, "That's good." She hummed, "You're your own person, Mr. Lupin. Despite all the similarities, remember that."

—

In the library he studied hard for the upcoming exams, yes he was starting prematurely but he didn't care. He would be disappointed in himself if he had to stay behind for a year, nonetheless the disappointment that his Uncle Severus would feel, his teacher or the disappointment that his Uncle Remus would feel, the scholar.

Neville hadn't showed up to study yet, stating that it was too early, Susan agreed with him. So naturally he sat with the first people who he recognized. "Hey Hermione." He smiled at her and set his books down. Looking over at her pages, he recognized a study schedule. "You're doing better than I am already." He said humorously.

Hermione looked up and smiled back at him, "Do you want a copy?" She asked excitedly.

He shook his head, "I think it is better that I make my own schedule." He smiled at her, it quickly faltered as Harry and Ron sat down at the table as well.

"Bloody hell mate, are you starting early as well?" Ron questioned and frowned. The books in front of him reached his head, Edmund looked at the pile of books with a raised eyebrow.

"Homework and exams are important." He muttered and opened his book. After some time of Harry and Ron whispering to one another they stopped and actually started on their homework.

Edmund just leant back in his chair as he read the history book, the sun shone onto his face and he immediately felt the warmth of the sun on him. The pile of books from Ron and Harry never lowered, only the two books that they held in their hands, is when it did.

"I'll never remember this." Ron bursted out, the silence interrupted. The boy threw down his quill and looked out of the library window, full of longing. The sky was clear and the feeling of summer was in the air.

Time flies.

"Hagrid? What are you doing in the library?"

Hagrid walked out from behind a shelf, revealing himself. The half-giant looked out of place in his clothing, surrounded by students wearing their outfit. Edmund rolled his sleeve up, the heat was getting to him. "Just looking." The shifty voice made even Hermione look up from her book. "What are you lot up to? You're not still looking for Nicolas Flamel, are you?"

Edmund shook his head, "We know who he is, a long time ago." He said, "We also know what the dog is guarding." Despite having been angry at them for accusing his uncle, he still wanted to know. To know what they are up to because he can get quite concerned, Hermione was getting looser with the rules and Edmund saw on her face how she liked the freedom of not having to follow the rules.

"We also know about the stone-"

Hargrid shushed Ron and looked around, "Don't go shouting about it now, remember, it's a secret."

The three began talking about Hagrid and the hidden item behind his back as soon as the giant left. Edmund just returned to his books and continued to study. Hard-working, is what he hopes that people see, what Hermione sees. The Hufflepuff couldn't help but look over at her thoughtful face, the light falling in and over her brown eyes was a beam of light, making them glow a light brown colour. Edmund felt his stomach flutter

"Are you coming with?" Hermione asked and Edmund's head snapped up from his book. "To Hagrid's." She clarified. He closed his book and looked outside, the sun was still shining.

"Yeah." He nodded and stood up, he checked his watch and blinked as an hour had passed ever since they saw Hagrid in the library. He followed after the three nosy students and enjoyed the sun as it shone down on Hogwarts.

The curtains were closed and Hagrid was asking questions instead of opening them immediately. Ed immediately unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt as the heat inside was cooking him up. He smiled and nodded at the gamekeeper, accepting the tea that he had offered.

Edmund nearly choked on his tea when Harry bluntly asked the question. He watched as Hagrid willingly gave out the answers that they searched for. Then they mentioned his uncle again, Hagrid casted him a glance.

The giant knew, he believes that a select few on the staff knows, the ones that Uncle Severus can trust. Just none of the students do, Edmund looked down at the table and just nursed his tea, hiding his smile as the gentle giant defended his uncle. "Could we open a window, Hagrid?" Edmund asked as he wiped off the sweat on his forehead.

He followed Hagrid's line of sight and blinked. "Merlin." He just said and turned back to his tea, "That was what you were doing in the library, getting a book about them."

From that moment on, Edmund had decided to not mess with the dragon anymore. Unlike his parents, trouble wasn't his calling. He rather enjoyed the quiet in the chaos, of course, he wouldn't mind them telling him about their findings and such.

But Harry and Ron's dislike towards their potions professor was getting to him. To the point whenever they'd be at the library as well, he'd immediately set away his potions book, not wanting to let them get started on their rant about the man. Yes, he acknowledged the poor treatment and even talked in a one-sided conversation about it with the man, but the grown man just wouldn't ease up on it.

Time had passed and Norbert was taken away by the careful hands of Charlie, Ron's brother. He was nervous, his hands were sweating and his necklace was constantly being fidgeted with, a sign of his anxiety.

Neville and Susan just assured him that he'd do fine, that he was studying alongside Hermione and that they even had the same grades. Which was absolutely false, Hermione has gotten way higher scores on her History of Magic then he had, and he'd get better scores on Potions than she would.

The summer came and Edmund felt as if it was the worst time to make their exams, he had immediately taken off the sweater and loosened his tie. However, every morning by breakfast, he could see his uncle staring at him with a strict expression.

After taking a single step out of the great hall he was greeted by the sight of his uncle. The man ordered for him to tighten his tie and go wear a waistcoat instead of his sweater because not having one on was against dress conduct. Edmund had managed the debate with the man that he shouldn't have to wear a waistcoat.

Professor Sprout walked over, "Just let the boy tighten his tie and let him go on his way." She said and motioned at the boy to move, "Everyone isn't wearing a sweater, or a waistcoat of all things." She said, "Ease up on your boy, Severus." Whispered the head of Hufflepuff.

The practical exams, he knew he had passed with flying colours and then finally the last exam, he was a bit unsure about as he didn't expect that he'd pass it with the highest grade, but certainly didn't get less than a half of the grade.

He had worked hard for his grades.

Hermione and Edward were talking about their exams when Ron and Harry came up to them. They then begin walking down to the lake, Edward and Hermione are happily agreeing on their answers but Ron was ready to leave it all behind as he lounged down under a tree. "Be more cheerful, Harry. We've got the whole week before we learn how badly we've done."

Harry kept rubbing his forehead and Edward gave him a concerned look. "I wish I knew what this means!" Harry said, frustratedly. "My scar just keeps burning, I mean, it happened before but never as often like this."

Protectiveness washed over Edward.

"Go to Madam Pomfrey," Hermione suggested. Madam Pomfrey would help and she wouldn't judge, Edmund would know after spending some time helping her out in the Hospital Wing.

"I'm not ill," said Harry. "It's a warning?" He suggested to himself, "Maybe danger is coming-" He trailed off and Edmund frowned.

"Calm down, Harry. Remember what Hermione said? The Stone is safe because Dumbledore is still here. We don't have any proof that Snape knows how to get past Fluffy. I don't think he's going to try again after his leg." Ron said as he lazed against the tree.

Harry then continued talking about the feeling that he felt, as if something was missing and Edmund just wanted to reach out and try to pick his brain with him but Hermione had a different idea. She talked about her notes but Harry was gazing off somewhere in the distance.

Then the boy jumped to his feet and Edmund quickly followed. "I've just thought of something." Harry said, the colour drained from his face. "We've got to see Hagrid, now." Edmund kept up just fine but Hermione was hurrying. "Don't you think it's a bit odd? What Hagrid wants more than anything is a dragon and then a stranger comes up to him and just gives him one."

"Wandering around with dragon eggs is against the law." Edmund gave his input.

"Why didn't I see this before?" He wondered and they arrived at the hut. Hagrid greeted them happily but was quickly shot down by Harry's questions. "What did the stranger you were playing cards with look like?"

"Don't know, he wouldn't take his cloak off. It's normal though, funny folk in Hog's Head." Hagrid explained himself.

"What did you talk about? You talk about Hogwarts or anything?"

"Yeah, think so." Hagrid said, "I told him what I did as gamekeeper, he kept buying me drinks and all so I can't really remember that much, he had to be sure that I could take care of Nobert, you know?" The man frowned, "So I told him about Fluffy, told him that he's a dear if you know how to calm him down, just play some music and he'll fall right asleep." After that answer, the lot of them quickly made their way out of Hagrid's head and headed up to the Entrance Hall.

"Merlin." Edmund said and looked over at Harry. The revelation was too much and it all concluded that the mysterious man had enough information about Fluffy.

"We've got to see Dumbledore," Harry said, "Hagrid told someone how to get past Fluffy. It can be anyone who he told but it's either Snape or Voldemort." Edmund and Ron winced at the name. "Where's Dumbledore's office?" Harry questioned.

Edmund stepped up, "Follow me." He said and walked up to the second-floor corridor, as they rounded the corner they were met by Professor McGonagall.

"What are you three doing inside?" She had a large pile of books in her hands.

"We're going to see Professor Dumbledore." Edmund smiled and looked over at the gargoyle.

"May I ask the reason as to why you want to visit Dumbledore." Edmund's smile faltered quickly and Harry spoke up.

"It's a secret." She then gave Edmund a concerned look, she had been a very present person in his years as a kid, his mother, Amanda Potter was the student that she was the most fond of. It subtly translated over to Edmund as well. She was also very present in the decision of hiding his last name knowing the grief of carrying the last name of a murderer and having seen it in some of her old students. He subtly shook his head at her, it wasn't that secret.

"Professor Dumbledore left ten minutes ago," she said coldly. "He received an urgent owl from the Ministry of Magic and flew off for London at once."

"He's gone?" said Harry frantically. "Now?" The other three shared looks and turned back to look at Harry.

"Professor Dumbledore is a very great wizard, Potter, he has many demands on his time-"

"It's about the Sorcerer's stone-" The books in her arms tumbled out but she didn't move to pick them up. Edmund went down on his knees and picked them up for her.

"How do you know?"

"Professor, I know someone is going to try and steal it. We've got to talk with Professor Dumbledore."

"Professor Dumbledore will be back tomorrow. "I don't know how you found out about the Stone, but rest assured, no one can possibly steal it, it's too well protected." she said shortly and left no room for arguments. Edmund handed her the fallen books. "I suggest you all go back outside and enjoy the sunshine."

Professor McGonagall walked away and Harry spoke up, "It's tonight." He said, "Snap's going through the trapdoor tonight. He's found out everything he needs, and now Dumbledore is away. He sent that note, I bet-"

"I'm out." Edmund said, tired of the Snape accusations popping up again. "You lot can figure it out on yourselves but I seriously don't think our potions professor is after the stone." The Black turned around and came face to face with his uncle.

"You shouldn't be inside on a day like this," he said, "You want to be more careful," said Snape. "Hanging around like this, people will think you're up to something." He sent a sharp look to his nephew and Edmund clenched his jaw. "Be warned, Potter, any more nighttime wanderings and I will personally make sure you are expelled. Good day to you." He strode off in the direction of the staffroom.

—

At dinner he sat with Susan and Neville who were both nervously talking about their exams. Edmund knew that they would be fine, maybe a small hiccup but it wouldn't affect their whole grade. Padma sat with them as well, happy to talk about her exams with him.

His eyes glanced at the three, they were nervously talking to one another, looking around a bit, mostly at the table where all the professors sat. Professor McGongall was looking sharply at the three, and his uncle was glowering at the DADA professor.

The Hufflepuff couldn't help but beat himself up about it, how was he going to let his friends face whatever is in that room all by themselves, besides, it would be better if he was there with them to help them against whatever.

That night, he walked into the Gryffindor Common room. The password was 'Pig Snout' he knew, because Ron had tried to make them guess it. He chuckled when he saw Hermione sitting there with the two of the Gryffindors. They all looked surprised to see him walk in. "Can't let yourselves get killed." Edmund muttered and looked at them, "What is our plan?" questioned the Hufflepuff.

They all beamed at him and before he knew it, he was underneath a cloak. Tricking Peeves into letting him think that he is the Bloody Baron. The next thing he knew what happened was that he was stuck in some Devil Snares, on a broom chasing after keys with wings which was just an absurd moment for him.

Then he sat on a bishop, they suppose that it was bewitched to be alive by the head of Gryffindor. Then they walked in on a knocked out troll, the stench that came off of them was just horrid.

Then it was Hermione's time to shine, she had figured out which potion was the real one in the matter of seconds. She loves how she has to prove herself in solving a riddle every time she wants to enter her common room.

Edmund watched as Harry walked through the flames and he took his wand out, once Hermione was out of the room and he waved the magical piece of wood, he knew who had set up the fire, it was the same one that he'd see his uncle study at him.

He walked after Harry and hid in the shadows, his breath hitched when he saw their unique Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. His face wasn't twitching and he wasn't stuttering. He watched in silent horror when Harry had ropes put around him.

When the man started talking about his uncles, how James and Severus hated one another. His heart ached, knowing at the end that they still didn't like each other. Then Harry was put in front of the mirror, Quirrell brought him back and undid his turban.

Chalk white face with glaring red eyes, slits for nostrils. As if it was something out of a horror movie. His heart dropped when he realised that this is Voldemort, the most feared dark wizard in history, surpassing Grindelwald. "There is someone else here." Voldemort rasped out. That had scared Quirrell, and the man just lunged at Harry.

It was the moment Edmund stood up from his hiding spot and casted the knockback jinx at the man. Quirrell was shot back against the wall and moaned in pain as he stood up. Glaring at Edmund, "You!" He accused, "You insolent boy, your uncl-"

"Glacius" Ice wrapped up his body and over the man. Edmund ran over to Harry and untied the ropes around the boy. "Are you okay?" He asked and looked at him with wide eyes.

"I'm fin-"

"What is the meaning of this?" A voice that he so well knows shouted from the top of the stairs. His heart stopped and he looked up to see his uncle, the potions professor glaring at him with blazing eyes.

Then a hand on his shoulder, "Perhaps, you should calm down, Severus. They boys have been through quite a lot here." Dumbledore spoke kindly. "Let's get them up to Madam Pompfrey, I believe that she would like to check up on everyone here."

Edmund averted his eyes at Harry who was looking up at Dumbledore. He clenched his jaw and looked at the concerned eyes of his uncle instead, a small smile graced his lips.