Defense Against the Dark Arts

Edmund slept very soundly that night.

The second day of school was Thursday. Slytherin's first-year students didn't have morning classes, so they could lazily sit in the Great Hall and watch the students who did have morning classes wolf down their food, choking themselves half to death.

A few professors without classes were scattered around the faculty section, and Edmund suspected that faculty members with early morning classes had the privilege of having house-elves deliver their meals.

Dumbledore also didn't attend, perhaps he was shirking his duties, and thus missed the loving package Elena sent to Edmund.

Even with the Malfoys and Blacks as a comparison, Mrs. Soman's bundle, which required two owls to carry, was still far too conspicuous.

When Edmund checked the contents, Snape gave a cold snort, as if he hadn't blown his nose; and when Edmund tore open the package, his classmates all stopped talking, some even holding their breath.

There's no doubt that the Soman family does have a little bit of wealth. But what's even more enviable is perhaps the attention... well, or rather, the favoritism shown by their parents.

"Some of them are still babies," a girl, presumably Annelie Murseb, muttered sourly. "Tch, it's just school, why make such a fuss?"

Edmund was extremely pleased to hear that someone was envious. He smiled heartily and deliberately laid out Mrs. Soman's priceless "motherly love" for a detailed inspection, as if afraid that someone sitting far away might not be able to see it clearly.

This boasting will surely bring him a lot of trouble, but to be honest, Edmund's biggest fear is boredom; he's more worried that trouble won't come looking for him.

His other roommate, Travers, after witnessing this, visibly became even closer to Edmund, his attitude bordering on obsequious. "Try this little cookie, Edmund, it's better than the others in the other basket!"

Eleven-year-old kid, but he's got quite a few tricks up his sleeve.

This relaxed atmosphere lasted until around ten o'clock. While Edmund was still admiring the unicorn skeleton in the lounge, a kind-hearted second-year student approached him and reminded Mr. Soman:

The first class of the first year is with the Gryffindor idiots, and the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom is quite far from the common room, so it's best to leave early and not be late.

The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom is located on the second floor of the Astronomy Tower, separated from the marble staircase of the Great Hall, where the Slytherin Common Room is located, by a library annex.

That's the entire building.

Moreover, it's said that... the magical staircases at Hogwarts have quite a personality. They don't care if you're in a hurry to get to class or desperately need to use the toilet. They come and go as they please. If the task of a young wizard is to study, then the task of Hogwarts' 142 staircases is to toy with young wizards who are eager to get to school.

……Fine.

Can this really work?!

This is no ordinary marathon. This is a magical marathon!

If the preceding text led anyone to believe that Edmund has a great sense of direction, you are sorely mistaken. Before gaining human form, he was mostly sealed in a small brass container, making him a true hardcore nerd.

Edmund buried himself in hard work,

Edmund went in the wrong direction.

Edmund rallied his forces,

Edmund bribed the older students.

Well, in the end, Galleons still work better—which isn't too surprising.

"He got off easy!" Travers spat, clinging to Edmund's side. "That's an entire Galleon... look at his pathetic state!"

Edmund sighed, thinking to himself, "You look far more shabby than that other person. They earned their living through hard work, while you're both penniless and useless..."

Perhaps he had made his disdain too obvious, because Travers immediately changed the subject, saying that he already knew how to get there.

Edmund managed a weak smile, hoping Travers was serious—that way he would only have to pay for each course once.

Seeing that Edmund remained silent, Travers inwardly grumbled that the German probably couldn't speak English, while loudly praising Edmund's generosity. He then launched into a lengthy, earnest eulogy about Edmund's closet full of dragon-skin boots... Finally, he made a sarcastic remark about another roommate.

"Did you notice, Edmund? That grumpy Snipe disappeared as soon as he finished eating. What good would it do to leave us behind? He'd still be late, wouldn't he? If he caused the house to lose points, the prefect would be furious, and then..."

Edmund found it hard to appreciate such harmless banter. He didn't like Severus Snape, but he didn't harbor much malice either.

While it's generally understandable, Travers wanted Travers to completely despise Snape, cling to him tightly, become "good friends," and shower him with Galleons...

But this tactic is too simplistic. Wouldn't it make Edmund seem even more foolish than him if he took the bait so easily?

Edmund was completely unfazed by awkward situations when faced with topics he wasn't interested in. He didn't say a word and simply pushed open the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

The classroom was laid out in a very wizarding style. Several blue ribbons hung in mid-air, and many skeletons of unknown creatures were displayed around the room. The most conspicuous object in the center of the room was a huge, golden lens, the purpose of which even Edmund couldn't guess.

Surprisingly, someone arrived even earlier than him, the one who had left early and seemingly gained an unfair advantage along the way. In the corner of the front row of the classroom sat two Gryffindors, one tall and one short. The shorter one exclaimed in surprise, "Ah!" upon seeing Edmund's green robes.

"Good afternoon." Edmund recognized them as the freshmen who had shared a boat with him on the lake and greeted them without any hesitation.

The tall, scarred Gryffindor nodded politely to him and pronounced his surname correctly. Edmund, seeing this, sat down next to the tall and short pair, and Travers hesitated for a moment before following suit.

Edmund behaved quite kindly, as if he were completely unaware of the feud between the snake and the lion. The scarred boy—whom Edmund now knew was Remus Lupin—also behaved very naturally and gently.

The two intelligent men pretended not to understand, but eventually their conversation revealed some genuine feelings. Edmund was the first to complain about how far the Slytherin common room was from the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and Lupin sighed in agreement.

Edmund then realized that the other person had left right after finishing breakfast. Because the Gryffindor common room was in the South Wing of Hogwarts, getting to class in the Astronomy Tower area not only required outsmarting at least three magical staircases, but also crossing a toilet infested with Peeves and a suspension bridge.

"Hell," Edmund said calmly. "Defense Against the Dark Arts had better be worthy of our arduous journey."

Lupin smiled upon hearing this, and seeing that this Slytherin classmate was indeed friendly, he opened up and started chatting. He was dressed very simply, but his knowledge was extraordinary, and he even told Edmund about the family background of the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

It is said that this Lady Hecate's great-great-great-grandmother, who is of unknown generation, also taught at Hogwarts, so even the staircases of Hogwarts give her special consideration.

"That sounds really good," Edmund said sadly. "Unfortunately, my father isn't up to the task."

While they were chatting, the first-year Slytherin and Gryffindor students arrived at the classroom one after another. Interestingly, the two Slytherin girls, who were only a little later than Edmund and the others, paused for a moment when they saw the two of them sitting with the Gryffindors, and then unhesitatingly chose the desks and chairs on the other side.

The more people come, the more obvious the dividing line between red and green becomes.

Travers shifted uncomfortably several times, pleading softly with Edmund to sit with him on the Slytherin side. When Edmund ignored him, the boy steeled himself, stood up, and sat down next to another Slytherin freshman, Avery.

"..." Lupin seemed somewhat worried upon seeing this. "...I heard that professors usually require us to practice in pairs."

Gryffindor hesitated for a moment, then added in a low voice, "If you'd like, perhaps we could form a trio."

It was a pleasant surprise that the other party didn't intend to remain aloof. Edmund smiled and shook his head, declining Lupin's offer.

There are nine new students in Slytherin this year, and seven in Gryffindor. No matter how they're paired, someone will be left behind. And Edmund doesn't care which unlucky person he ends up with.

Besides, Snape, who left early, would most likely be paired with Lily Evans, whom he already knew. Edmund thought he would still end up in a group with one of the remaining Slytherin boys.

To Edmund's surprise, since Miss Moorselber from the girls' side insisted on going with her twin brother, his partner became Pollyanna Coppert, a girl from the same house who was the last to enter the classroom and looked a little lame.