Marauders' Godson Book 1: Sorcerer's Stone

Chapter Six

November first meant meant two things: one, it would be getting colder, and two, Quidditch season had started. Harry had told Edward, Onyx, and Topaz that his first match would be against Slytherin. They all promised to cheer for Harry; Topaz because Ravenclaw was Slytherin's rival, Onyx because Harry had accepted him before Slytherin had (and they hadn't), and Edward because Harry was his brother.

Edward had apologized to Hermione the next morning, but he found that it wasn't needed; saving her from a troll had been enough to make Hermione join their slowly-growing group of friends. This had also made the  Gryffindors decide to "adopt" Edward, Topaz, and Onyx as their own. Both of these were good news, because Topaz hadn't succeeded in finding friends in his own House.

Edward learned very little at Snape's office after dinner. All the Potions professor would say was:

"I can tell you very little, on Dumbledore's orders. I was stopping the real villain and was attacked."

And he quickly changed the subject to Remedial Potions, quizzing him about the potion he was making the third years review.

As Edward walked back to the common room, he was still wondering if the dog had attacked Snape or if the "real villain" had.

"What'd you learn?" Onyx asked as Edward entered their dormitory. It was empty except for them and Shadow, who was sleeping at the foot of Edward's bed.

"Not enough," Edward replied tiredly, sitting on his bed. He explained what had happened in Snape's vague words.

"He's on Dumbledore's orders?" Onyx exclaimed. "Does he not trust you?"

"If you didn't remember, Hermione didn't either," Edward pointed out calmly. "And I think it's because I'm a first year, not because he doesn't trust me."

He had been very careful to be polite and flattering to every teacher except McGonagall, who valued hard work more than flattery. He hadn't spoken to Dumbledore yet, but he had smiled politely every time he saw him.

They fell silent after that, because Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle, and Zabini had entered, chatting loudly.

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"You've got to eat, Harry," Edward said calmly, "or you won't have enough strength to play."

"Or kick the Slytherin team's butts!" Ruby grinned. She didn't look nervous at all, and she had already eaten.

Harry smiled weakly, but Ron and Onyx were sniggering. Topaz and Hermione rolled their eyes in unison, making the two boys laugh harder.

"As soon as you get on that broom, Harry, you'll be fine," Edward assured him. "It's common with stage fright."

His calm, soothing tone made Harry relax, and then the Seeker put toast and sausage on his plate.

At eleven o'clock, Edward, Ron, Hermione, Onyx, and Topaz joined the other Gryffindors in the stands, carrying a banner of the Gryffindor lion and the words Potter for President. They sat down with Neville, Seamus, and Dean, who had drawn the lion, and waited for the match to start.

After a while, the teams emerged from their separate changing rooms, Gryffindor wearing scarlet Quidditch robes and Slytherin in green. They marched out onto the playing field with their brooms in hand, stopping on either side of Madam Hooch.

"Now, I want a nice, fair game, all of you," said Madam Hooch severely, looking at the Slytherin Captain, a thickset boy called Flint. "Mount your brooms, please."

Edward watched Harry climb onto his new broom, and he smiled. He knew Harry would do well. More revenge for the Slytherins' bullying, said a voice in Edward's head.