Marauders' Godson Book 1: Sorcerer's Stone

Chapter Three

Edward slowly put the hat back onto the stool, barely hearing the yells from the Slytherin table and the confused conversations spreading around the Hall. He glanced wincingly at Ron and Harry.

To his surprise, Ron was rolling his eyes, as if he'd expected this, and Harry was looking faintly amused. His brother nodded to him, and Edward knew he would still be his friend.

Relaxing, Edward walked over to the Slytherin table.

"Potter, Harry!" Professor McGonagall called, still looking shocked. Edward stopped by the Slytherin table, deciding to wait to find a seat.

Harry nervously approached the hat, put it on, and sat down. There was a long pause, and then the hat yelled, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Edward applauded, smiling, as Harry sat down with Percy and the twins. Then he turned to find a seat.

Malfoy smirked at him as he approached. "Well, that's a surprise. None of the Potters were ever in Slytherin, from what my dad said." He scooted over.

"No, thank you," Edward replied, keeping his voice calm. "I haven't forgotten that you insulted my foster family, Draco." He looked around, and spotted Onyx a few seats down, with two empty spots on either side of him. He walked over to Malfoy's splutter.

"Hello," Edward said, and Onyx stared at him. "Do you mind if I sit here?" He pointed to one of the empty spots.

"Um." Onyx blinked. "Yes?"

Edward smiled amusedly. "Yes, you do mind? Or yes, I can sit here?" he asked gently.

Onyx relaxed and said, "No, you can sit here. No one else is," he added in a faintly bitter tone.

"Thank you." Edward sat down next to him. "So... your father is one of my godfathers."

The boy stared at him with shock. "He is? I didn't know that!"

"You didn't?"

"No, I don't remember Dad at all," Onyx said snarkily. A few Slytherins nearby gave him dirty looks, and Edward frowned at them. "I do know that someone called James Potter is my godfather-"

"That would be my father," Edward told him. "I suppose that makes us godbrothers, correct?"

Onyx snorted. "Was that a joke? Because it was terrible."

"I rarely joke," Edward replied dryly, "for that very reason."

"Weasley, Ron!"

Edward quickly turned around to watch his friend/foster brother be sorted.

Ron shakily picked up the hat, sat down, and put it on. After a short pause, the hat bellowed, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Edward joined in with the clapping, ignoring the boos coming from around him, as Ron pulled off the hat, relieved. Ron joined Harry at the Griffindor table, casting him a delighted look.

"Zabini, Blaise!" was the last person there. The hat bellowed "SLYTHERIN!" as soon as it touched the boy's head. Zabini came over to the Slytherin table as McGonagall took the hat and stool out of the hall.

A tall man with a long white beard stood, and Edward recognized Albus Dumbledore.

"Welcome!" he smiled. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!"

Edward stifled a laugh as the plates and pitchers suddenly filled with food and a delicious-smelling drink.

"Thank you!" Dumbledore sat down to clapping and cheering.