Marauders' Godson Book 3: Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Nineteen

The delight at Harry and Ruby winning the match and the Cup lasted only a week, and then people had to start studying for the exams. Topaz, Edward, and Hermione were the most stressed of the third years, as they were taking more classes than the rest of them. They spent long hours in the library and longer hours in their House common rooms, staring down at their notes.

Edward's birthday came a few days after the match. That morning, he woke up to find a small pile of presents on his bed. Draco and Onyx sat on the edge of his bed while he opened them.

The largest present contained a chocolate cake with his initials on it.

"I told Mother she didn't have to get anything for you," Draco said exasperatedly, turning red.

Onyx dipped his finger into the frosting and Edward slapped his hand away. "Mm," the boy grinned. "Almost as good as Mrs. Weasley's fudge. Why'd your mum give Ed a present, anyway?"

Draco turned a darker red and muttered something about "only friends I have in Slytherin."

"Aww," Onyx said teasingly, and Draco punched his shoulder.

The rest of the presents contained a book on girls (a joke from Ruby), various candy and chocolate from Harry, Ron, Topaz, and Onyx, and a book about werewolves from Hermione (Edward was a bit worried about that one). There was one more package on the bed that had the same blank wrapping paper as the Firebolts, Broomstick Servicing Kit, and Topaz's book had.

Draco and Onyx exchanged wary looks as Edward cautiously peeled back the paper. Inside was a book called The Art of Animugusi, by Yarrow Shifting.

"How did he know I was training to be an animagus?" Edward demanded, staring at the book, which had the picture of a man halfway through the process of changing into a fox.

"I don't know," said Onyx worriedly. "You could ask Topaz."

"Or Hermione," Draco added.

Edward pursed his lips. Then he pulled out his wand and tapped the book a couple of times. Nothing happened.

"Was that supposed to do something?" Onyx asked confusedly.

"It did what it was supposed to," Edward said dryly. "Those spells were supposed to tell me if the book was cursed or jinxed in any way, and it isn't."

Draco suddenly let out a loud yelp. "We're going to be late for Divination!"

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Ron hadn't asked Hermione how she was managing to attend all her classes since Ruby had yelled in his ear, but he had to breach the subject again when he saw her exam schedule.

"Look at this!" Ron exclaimed, snatching it up and showing Draco, Harry, the triplets, and Edward.

Monday:

9 o'clock, Arithmancy

9 o'clock, Transfiguration

Lunch

1 o'clock, Charms

1 o'clock, Ancient Runes

"Are you sure you've copied these times right?" Onyx asked cautiously, because Hermione had even lost her temper when Ruby had interrupted her. (She'd apologized later, of course.)

"Yes, of course I have," Hermione snapped, snatching it back.

"Mind your own business, Ronald," Ruby told him coolly. "It's none of your business how she's been getting to classes, and it's none of our business how she'll get to her exams."