The last week he had spent with his Uncle Severus before spending the last week at the Wealsey's. It was mostly making potions together and being taught how to make it more efficiently and how to improve it quality wise. The escape of his father was still on the forefront of his mind.

Dumbledore didn't make it to his session to discuss magical politics with him, but instead taught him a single spell where he was very vague about teaching, saying that it all depends on him. What happy memory does he have when his life so far had been taking care of his sick mother, being shipped off to live with his uncles after she passed right in front of him, fighting against the remains of whatever Voldemort had left and running from an ancient Basilisk.

Naturally, he imagined receiving his Hogwarts letter. It wasn't his happiest since the spell didn't appear, instead just let out a bit of a spark; Then he imagined his mother, the best birthday he had with her.

That seemed to do it, a wolf spouted from the tip of his wand. He wondered if it had anything to do with his uncle Remus. He was wondering a lot of things lately, what he'd do if he would see his father, why he had to learn the patronus charm but he had a hunch for what reason it would be used.

Edmund hung out at the Weasley's, having to endure Percy's constant bragging about being a head boy. Quite tired of it, but was excited when he heard that they were going to pick up Harry.

In a silent panic he headed out early to quickly buy his books, since both of his uncle's forgot about it as well. With a letter where he was lectured in, the Weasley's allowed for him to go alone quickly and find Harry. From there on out he had set out to go to Diagon Alley.

Edmund stood outside of his usual shop and grinned as he handed over the money. He had a bad habit of spending it all on quidditch. It wasn't like it was a huge dent in his bank, quite honestly. It would just be like taking a drop out of the ocean.

He stepped out of the store after paying the flat rate of the broom, it'd be in his hands when Hogwarts would begin. "Oof-" A voice said and he immediately helped the person up. "I'm so sorry," He started, "Harry?"

"Edmund?" The boy in question asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Doing some light shopping." He blushed and tried to hide the receipt. Harry noticed and reached out to pluck it from behind his back. He even had to jump a little to grab it.

"Bloody giant." Harry muttered as he corrected his glasses to read the receipt, "Bloody hell?" He exclaimed, "You've just paid the full price for a firebolt?"

"Please don't tell anybody." Edmund said as he snatched the receipt. "My uncle's would kill me if they found out." They're very protective of the money that they have, mostly due to how they're grown up. They instilled their principles on him, but it flew out of the window every time it came to quidditch. "How have you been, Harry?"

"Glad that I am not arrested for using underage magic." Harry retorted and Edmund snorted. "I'm doing better now that I am here, how about you? How was your vacation with Hermione?"

Edmund blushed as Harry asked about Hermione and nodded, "It was fun, we were always doing something. Did you get the pictures?" He had gone to a local photography business and rented out a red room, mostly because he had to use the potion and if the muggle found out about it? He'd in some quite trouble like Harry was, only he couldn't speak French to the Magical Ministry of France.

"They looked nice," Harry said as they started walking. Edmund just followed Harry. "You looked mad in some of them though."

"More like, annoyed." Edmund answered truthfully, Harry gave him a questioning look. "What do you need?" He asked as they entered the apothecary. For the rest of their shopping trip they went to stores and spent their money. Edmund didn't need to get more ingredients for his potions as his Uncle Snape had it under control. He did, however, need to get new robes.

Madam Malkin was complaining how he keeps shooting up like bamboo. Instead of making the size perfect she made it bigger so that he didn't have to replace it during the school year. After that, they went to the bookstore to buy their school books.

A few books were different because of the different subjects they were taking. Edmund was actually taking one more than Harry, which wasn't that surprising. Harry was a bit lazy when it comes to school work, but how gifted he was in some subjects made up for it.

The manager of the book store looked relieved to get rid of one of the aggressive books. Edmund quickly showed the man how to subdue the books and stop them from biting him again soon. The man thanked him and gave him one book of his choice for free.

The two were talking about how bad omens weren't a real thing, but rather just some illogical explanation for things that happen in the future. "Harry! Edmund!" He heard a familiar voice call out, a smile instantly laced his lips as he turned to look at Hermione.

It quickly faded when he realised that she was sitting there with Ron. Harry gave him a confused look before they sat down. "I'm going to get some ice cream." Edmund muttered, getting Harry's order.

The three talked while Edmund was inside ordering his and Harry's ice cream. When he sat down, they discussed their pets. Hermione was getting an owl and Edmund just listened. He already had a family owl, he mostly used it along with his uncle Remus. His Uncle Severus didn't use it, something about him not wanting the owl to get followed.

Then there was another owl, the Potter owl. The owl that his mother had gotten after her brother passed away. He was old and was more content to sit on a stick the whole day. His uncle had told him that the owl was depressed, only happy when Edmund was around.

He helped Hermione catch the cat, he talked about his own cat, Piri and how to take care of their kind of cat. They walked out of the room and Edmund looked at the rat. The clerk talked about how the rat had been through a lot, missing a toe and being old on top of that?

He just couldn't get rid of the ugly feeling in his stomach.

They walked into the Leaky Cauldron. "Ah Edmund, gather everything you need?" Edmund nodded and smiled at the patriarch. He was rather fond of Mr. Weasley, the man, had stories for days. He was glad that the man liked him as well. "Harry! How are you?" The man had put down the Daily Prophet and Edmund's breath hitched as he saw the familiar picture of his father.

"Still haven't caught him yet?"

Edmund looked down at his dress shoes and tugged at his collar. Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, reached over and licked his arm. He gave the cat a small scratch and looked up at Hermione's concerned face.

He gave her a small nod, he was fine.

The two continued talking about his father and Edmund stayed quiet. "Azkaban guards?" Edmund asked, "Dementors?"

"Yes." Mr. Weasley nodded. Edmund wanted to ask more about them but was quickly interrupted when the rest of the Weasley's walked in. Molly quickly reached over and brushed Edmund's hair back, chastity him about getting a haircut.

Edmund smiled and nodded, "I'll quickly go, there is a shop around the corner, no?"

—

He got back in time for them to leave, back at the Burrow, Ginny avoided him with everything she had in her and the twins were teasing him for it again. They laughed about how Mary would hate his new hair.

He had to remind them that Mary had a boyfriend, and that isn't him, thankfully.

A vague letter came with the family owl that morning. 'Keep a bar of chocolate on you - Uncle R.' His uncle loved to be vague, and it was getting rather annoying. Edmund sat at the bar after having a conversation with a hag about how muggles see them. It was a rather nice conversation, Tom even joined in. When it was over though, Edmund looked back at his friends and saw that Mrs. Weasley, Ginny and Hermione were giggling about something.

As if having some kind of radar on her, Hermione looked up and smiled at him. He gave her a smile back, Hermione laughed and returned her attention to Mrs. Weasley. Ginny then looked up at him and gave him a look, almost knowingly. He quickly averted his eyes from her.

He then looked over at Harry and Ron along with the rest of his family. In the chaos of leaving the Leaky Cauldron, he didn't really have a chance to talk with any of them. Edmund received Ron's pleading looks and quickly jumped into the car before Percy did.

They were all keeping a close eye on Harry, Edmund noticed, especially Molly. The Weasley matriarch kissed all of her children, then Hermione, then Edmund and finally Harry. Who looked embarrassed.

Edmund didn't feel quite embarrassed, he quite liked Molly, she was rather nice. Edmund watched when Mr. Weasley called over Harry but was quickly distracted when a hand clapped his back. "Ed!"

He turned around and grinned, "Ced!" He pulled the guy in for a short hug and grinned as he saw that he was catching up, height-wise. "Prefect, huh?" Edmund looked at his badge. "Looks rather good on you, doesn't it?"

"Oh," Cedric waved off the compliment, "I think that Hufflepuff Quidditch captain looks better on me."

Edmund's jaw dropped and nodded approvingly, "It was going to happen sooner or later. I guess we're doubling down on training?"

"We sure are, especially after you bought me those new books set for my birthday." Cedric threw a hand over his shoulder, "Let's go sit with the team, I have a presentation about our new strategy." Edmund quickly waved goodbye to his friends who were being doted on by Molly and stepped into the train. Immediately he was approached by a few as they walked through the halls.

Susan and Padma sat together, along with a sleepy looking Neville. "My nan was mad at me for misplacing my supply list." He had said. The girls gave Edmund a hug and complimented his clothes. His old clothes were all dismissed and thrown out because the two of them just didn't like them, so he had to buy new ones that would please them. Just because he was such a good friend. After seeing them, Cedric tried to hurry towards their compartment.

Then came Lavender. "Oh Edmund!" She squealed out and from the corner of his eyes he saw a familiar bunch of curls scoff and turn around. The gryffindor had hugged him tightly. Slowly, he peeled her off of him.

"Lavender." He greeted, "Had a nice vacation, I presume?"

"Why didn't you answer my letters, Eddy?" She pouted and Edmund just had to get out of there. He quickly turned to Cedric who made an excuse and pulled the Hufflepuff out of the situation.

Edmund cheered and held his arms up in victory as he entered the compartment. His fellow teammates just cheered with him and shook their heads. "Again with running away from the fangirls?"

"Blimey, they just kept coming." Cedric said.

"Don't act like you're that way as well." Their beater said. "We're just so handsome, we have a whole crowd of girls after us." He mocked and everyone laughed. It was weird to hear them tease the two of them without Beatrice.

As soon as the trolley passed, Edmund bought everyone some candy and let Cedric do his speech and pep talk about this year's quidditch cup. If they win again, it would be the third time in a row. Most of them were also sixth years, so their final year and winning is a great deal to them.

Their other chaser, Lila, was looking at a deal from one of the national Irish Quidditch teams. This year, they were putting the emphasis on her. The light in their compartment lessened and it seemed like Edmund was the only one who noticed, outside the clouds were thickening and getting darker.

He stood up from his place and looked into the corridor. His heart stopped when he heard steps and his head turned. It was only the lunch lady.

They ate but the weather was worsening, it made a few heads turn. After lunch, Cedric had to excuse himself and head up to the prefect compartment. Edmund took that as a sign that there were no speeches impending and headed out, walking through the corridor to find out where Hermione, Harry and Ron sat.

His step faltered as the train came to a stop with a jolt. Thuds and bangs sounded of falling luggage. Then the lamps went out and he could hear some panicked talking. Immediately he pulled his wand out and casted, 'lumos'.

From the ground he picked up what looks like a first year, "Stay inside of your compartment." He ordered with a frown on his face and nudged them inside the open compartment and closed it before continuing down the corridor. His wand held out in front of him, not knowing what danger would be lying ahead.

He heard more steps and then saw the faint movement outside. "Stay inside!" Edmund shouted out and pushed even more confused and frightened first-years inside of their compartment.

Then he saw a flash of red, "Weasley!" He called out and followed after it. He opened the door and saw the bunch of them sit together.

"Neville? I thought you were sitting with Susan and Padma?" Edmund said and his eyes fell on the orange light of flames. "Uncle?" He questioned, confused.

"Edmund, stay here." He looked tired and Edmund knew why, it was the reason why he had to stay with the Weasley's for the last week, now shone waxing gibbous instead of the full moon. "You all, stay where you are." His uncle pushed Edmund inside and turned to walk through the corridor.

"Uncle!" He protested but the man gave him a pointed look before closing the door in his face. "Fine." He grumbled and sat down where the man sat, pushing aside the tattered suitcase.

"That's your uncle?" Ron asked. "He looks like he has gone through it all!"

Edmund put his leather bag on his lap and shrugged, "He likes to hold onto old things, he's a bit sentimental." A bit was an over exaggeration. The man loved nostalgia. The man was still in front of the door and Edmund's breath stopped as he saw the cloaked figure.

"Dementor." He whispered out and tightened the hold on his wand. Between learning the patronus charm and the recent news of dementors coming to Hogwarts, Edmund understands why Dumbledore had urged him to learn the spell. He watched in silent horror as the Dementor glided over to Harry and started to kiss him. The moment he saw the breath come out from Harry, Edmund stood up and held up his wand. "Expecto Patronum!" He cried out.

A wolf made out of light jumped out of the tip of his wand and its eyes blazed with fierce intensity as its form radiated protection and strength. The wolf leapt forward and charged at the dementor, pushing back the cloak.

The compartment was lit up from the radiant glow. Edmund's chest was heaving from the sudden intensity. Slowly he lowered his wand and looked over at Harry, not looking at the rest of his friends who were staring. He took a hold of his bag and rummaged through it.

"Chocolate." His uncle said from the corridor.

"Yes uncle." Edmund said and finally grabbed a hold of the bar. "Eat it." He said to Harry and handed it over. "It'll help."

He had read all about it, naturally. Especially after learning to use the patronus charm. He had to find some sense in everyone's vague words. Edmund crashed back into the seat as he finally caught his breath.

Harry ate the chocolate and the two other friends are looking over and talking about how concerned they are for Harry. The boy had fainted, after all. He then moved over and rubbed Ginny's back. The girl was quite a mess and Edmund gave her a piece of chocolate as well.

The door slid open and there stood his uncle, "Good, you've eaten the chocolate." He then looked over to his nephew, "We'll be at Hogwarts in ten minutes. Pass me my suitcase, Edmund?"

"Of course, Uncle." Edmund said and handed it over. "Can we-"

"After the opening feast." Lupin gave him an apologetic smile, "Then we'll talk." Edmund nodded and didn't ask anything further. The man continued to walk through the corridor.

The rest of the trip was a quiet affair, no more sound of excited talking and laughing throughout the corridors. They stepped out and the first thing they hear is Hagrid calling out to all the first years, they were looking quite terrified. "All right, you four?" Hagrid yelled over.

Edmund raised his thumb and continued to walk as they walked over to the coaches. He walked over to the skeleton horses and had a small smile on his face as he petted them. They were pulling the coaches to Hogwarts, after all. "What are you doing, Theseus?" Hermione asked as he was lagging behind.

He retracted his hand and smiled at her, "Nothing, Hermione." He said and stepped into the coach. It had set off and bumped and swayed. He kept a close eye on Harry, the boy was looking quite ill from the confrontation in the train. "You want some more chocolate, Harry?"

"I'm fine." The boy muttered.

The carriage continued to be pulled forward and Edmund held a tighter grip on his wand as he saw the two dementors standing guard by the iron gates. He had let Hermione and Ron step out first, and then Harry.

Before he could even get out of the carriage he heard a familiar voice, "You fainted? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Malfoy asked, looking quite gleeful.

Edmund stepped out of the carriage and gave him a not-so-friendly look. "Don't you have anything else to do, Draco? I think that I saw your girlfriend running around, trying to find you on the platform."

"Who?"

Edmund gave him a small smile, "Pansy dear, innit?" He said and nudged Draco, "Get off your high horse, Draco. Leave us, would you?" He whispered.

Draco rolled his eyes, "No fun." He muttered and finally left. In the corner of his eyes, he saw the appraising looks of his uncle. Edmund gave him a small smile before continuing to follow after his friends, he lagged back a bit, not really wanting to risk another dementor attack.

The door to the Great Hall stood open. "Potter! Granger! I want to see you both!" Came the voice of McGonagall. "Lupin! You report to the Headmaster!"

"In his office?" He asked.

"Yes." She then turned to the rest, "No need to look so worried. Move along there, Weasley." Ron stared at them as Harry and Hermione were ushered away.

"Why doesn't she ever call on me?" Ron asked Edmund, envy laced in his voice.

Edmund shrugged, "She does, when you're sleeping in class." He joked and gave his back a pat before moving away, "I've got to report to the headmaster's office."

After walking up the stairs Edmund looked at the gargoyles and clenched his jaw as he uttered out the password that had been used for centuries. "Toujours pur." The gargoyle creaked and moved aside.

The office was a usual mess, a controlled mess, by Dumbledore's standard. "Professor?" He questioned, "You wanted to see me?"

"Mr. Black." Dumbledore said and motioned for him to sit down. "Your uncle had already owled me about the encounter on the train. I see that you have practised using the charm."

"Until it took a clear form."

"Clear for it took indeed, a corporeal form even." Dumbledore hummed and poured in some tea. "It is advanced magic, even for an apprentice of mine, it is advanced." The man cleared his throat, "I am afraid that we've got something else to discuss, your slip to go to Hogsmeade was rejected."

"What, why?" Edmund frowned. He had been looking forward to joining Hermione and Ron to the magical town.

"I'm afraid that it has to do with your father being on the run."

"But Professor, you know he's innocent?"

"That I do know of, Edmund. But I am afraid that it was the ministry that played their part in this. Anyone with familial connections to him is strictly forbidden from leaving the castle grounds."

Edmund sunk in his chair, "Does the ministry know about me?"

"They know of you up until the passing of your mother." Dumbledore said, "Your uncle's took great care in making sure that you aren't tracked to your familial roots."

Edmund pursed his lips and nodded. "But why can't I go then, if they don't know of me?"

"They will know." Dumbledore said, "in their eyes, it is a matter of safety. You would be one of the first people that your father would try to find. In their eyes, it also means that you'd let them inside of the castle."

"One of the first?"

"You listened well." Dumbledore complimented, "They believe that they would go after Harry as well, because he is his godson and family. Because Sirius Black is an alleged Death Eater, they believe that he would have revache feelings towards him. Thus, entering the grounds to kill him."

Edmund blinked and set his teacup down. "Fine." He nodded, "I would be allowed off the grounds if I were to be with a teacher?"

"One with adequate knowledge of magic." His Uncle Lupin was the first professor that could come to mind, but Hagrid was quickly scrapped from his list. The giant could protect him from physical attacks, but no magical ones.

They had some more small talk about his vacation and as he set down his empty teacup. Dumbledore reached over and looked at it before clearing his throat. "Why don't we head down, I believe it's time to start the feast."

Edmund had missed the whole peering down into his teacup interaction and nodded. "I believe that it would be a good idea to start to practise more duelling." Dumbledore said and nodded.

"I have already practised some duelling with my uncles, Professor." Edmund said. He turned his head around to the sound of footsteps. "That would be your friends." Dumbledore hummed, "Let's start our lessons on Friday evenings for theory and Saturdays for practical." The man said before suddenly disappearing as Edmund looked back once more.

He smiled at his friends and glanced over at Harry, "Madam Pomfrey says that you did a good job, with giving me chocolate."

"It was my uncle who told me to bring some."

"She mentioned that as well." Harry said.

He looked over at a happy Hermione, "Did you get your schedule?" Professor McGonagall could easily get approval for the time turner than other professors. Especially because of her reputation within the ministry. It had always been like that. He had asked her about it as a curious child. She then explained it to him.

They got back just when Dumbledore started his speech, Cedric gave him a look as to ask why he was late. Edmund waved his hand, he'll tell the Chaser about it later, how he was called up to the office.

He listened closely as Dumbledore started his announcement, and told them more about the dementors. A grin appeared on his face when he started to talk about the two newly-appointed teachers. Clapping at every introduction of the teachers, everyone quickly followed.

Edmund was quickly swept away by Cedric after dinner and helped with the first years, some of which he recognized from the panicking in the train. He gave them a comforting smile and hung back with Cedric.

Quickly explaining that he was called up to the office and that his permission slip wasn't signed to go to Hogsmeade. Cedric being Cedric, put a positive spin on it and just reminded him that it means that Edmund would have more time to train and try out the new strategies.

Edmund laughed and nodded, agreeing.