A new chapter is up.
Come in, get comfortable, and let’s see what kind of trouble waits this time ❤️ ✦ By the time Edmund reached the Ravenclaw common room, exhaustion had settled behind his eyes.
The rescue had not demanded much physical strength, but shielding the Comet with magic while pushing it beyond its limits had drained him.
All he wanted was a quiet afternoon and several hours of sleep.
The common room was silent when he entered.
Every witch and wizard inside turned to look at him.
Edmund slowed.
The attention was unsettling enough that he briefly wondered whether he had walked into the wrong tower.
“That was brilliant, Edmund!” A senior witch’s shout broke the silence.
The room erupted.
“You made that Comet fly like a racing broom!” “You’re a first-year.
How are you already that good?” “You should try out for the Quidditch team!” The flight, the danger, and the dramatic rescue had captured the imagination of a House with no shortage of witches eager to discuss all three.
Edmund stared at the excited crowd.
‘News travels obscenely fast in this castle.’ Before he could answer anyone, Cho rushed through the students and threw her arms around him.
“Edmund, are you all right?” She pulled back just far enough to search him for injuries.
Edmund slipped an arm around her and stroked her hair.
“I’m fine, Cho.
Not a scratch.” Relief softened her face.
A moment later, she pinched him sharply at the waist.
Edmund winced.
That part had nothing to do with concern and everything to do with the girl he had risked himself to save.
He offered Cho his most innocent smile.
She was not fooled, but she also knew this was neither the place nor the time to pursue the matter.
Once she stepped away, the rest of Ravenclaw surged forward.
“How did you make a Comet go that fast?” “Was today really your first time on a broom?” “They said you caught a Gryffindor with your bare hands.
Are you actually that strong?” One particularly curious witch reached for his arm.
Edmund retreated a step.
This was becoming dangerous in an entirely different way.
Roger Davies forced his way through the crowd.
The Ravenclaw Quidditch captain was also the student who had asked Edmund for advice about girls after the Sorting.
“Edmund!” Roger called.
“Professor Flitwick wants to see you in his office.” The announcement sounded like deliverance.
“Excuse me, everyone.
I can’t keep Professor Flitwick waiting.” Edmund slipped through the path that opened for him.
“I’ll answer your questions later.” He escaped the common room before anyone could test how much of him was available for inspection.
…
The story had already spread to the other Houses.
One flying lesson had produced Neville’s fall, Harry and Malfoy’s aerial chase, and Edmund’s rescue of Hermione.
Hogwarts students could hardly have asked for better material.
In Gryffindor Tower, Ron was reenacting Harry’s dive with enough enthusiasm to suggest he had been on the broom himself.
“He dropped from twenty feet, caught Neville’s Remembrall inches above the ground, and stopped just like that!” Fred and George draped an arm over each of his shoulders.
“Wonderful, Ronnie,” Fred said.
“We’ve heard Harry’s part several times now.” “Tell us about Edmund,” George added.
“How exactly did he catch Hermione?” “Yes, tell us that part,” Angelina Johnson said.
The Gryffindor Chaser leaned forward with open interest.
Ron sagged beneath the twins’ arms.
“Fine.” He reluctantly began describing how Edmund had chased Hermione down and caught her before she hit the ground.
Hufflepuff’s reaction was uncomplicated.
A student had risked himself to save someone, and they respected him for it.
Slytherin was divided.
Some students had not forgotten Edmund’s rejection of their House during the Sorting and now resented the attention he was receiving.
Others were less willing to dismiss a talented, well-spoken wizard who had distinguished himself in class and in the air.
The disagreement turned into a spirited argument before dinner.
Edmund knew nothing about it.
He was standing outside Professor Flitwick’s office, knocking on the door.
“Come in!” The office looked much as it had on Edmund’s previous visit.
Flitwick beamed when he saw him and gestured toward a chair.
“Please sit, Mr.
Gaunt.
What you did today was remarkable.
Casting a precise Levitation Charm at that speed is beyond many adult witches and wizards.” “Thank you, Professor.
I only did what I could.” Flitwick accepted the modest answer without dwelling on it.
“How familiar are you with Quidditch, Mr.
Gaunt?” Edmund’s interest sharpened.
‘Surely he isn’t about to offer me the same opportunity McGonagall gave Harry.’ “I know the rules, Professor, but today was my first flying lesson.
I have never played a proper match.” With Cho as both a devoted Quidditch supporter and an enthusiastic admirer of the Tutshill Tornados, ignorance had never been an option.
“Excellent.” Flitwick’s smile widened.
“Would you be interested in joining the Ravenclaw Quidditch team?”
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS AuroraVale Thank you for reading.
I hope this chapter pulled you a little deeper into the story.
Stay close, because things are only getting more interesting.