CHAPTER 68: THE HOGSMEADE PROBLEM

Facts:

The Shrieking Shack is an abandoned house in Hogsmeade. For many years, villagers thought it was haunted because they often heard screams coming from inside, and Albus Dumbledore encouraged the rumour, as he was the one who commissioned it, due to Remus Lupin's Lycanthropy.

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18th of December 1993. Today was another Hogsmeade meeting, outside, it was snowing, and Ed was now walking to the carriage to go to the place. Beside him were Hermione, Harry, and Ron, who wears thick clothing, but they were looking at Ed weirdly, as Ed was only wearing the blue scarf that Hermione gave him, a jacket, and jeans.

"Are you sure you're not feeling cold in that, Ed?" Hermione asked. "I mean, you're not wearing much…"

Ed shrugged, "I'm fine. I'm quite comfortable with coldness." Ed answered, then he opened the door to the carriage, and allowed the rest to enter it.

"Are you staying here at Christmas Ed?" Harry said, "You're usually going home, though."

Ed nodded his head. "I'm staying at Hogwarts. I don't really have any business at home, and Hermione's parents said they will come to my parents' home as well, so they've already got company."

"How close are you parents and Hermione's are? I mean, Hermione lived in your house for two summers straight…" Ron commented, which made Hermione blush a bit.

"Pretty close, I guess…" Ed answered. "They met at first year, I think… after that, they hit it off…"

Ron hummed. Then, Ed turned to Hermione, "You brought the charmed bag, right?"

Hermione nodded vigorously as she showed Ed the ragged sack. "What are we going to buy anyway?"

"A lot of things, for our parents, for Luna, for these two, for you and me, and for our other friends…" Ed answered.

"Is that a bag with an extension charm?!" Ron exclaimed, "I thought that's illegal?"

"It is." Hermione answered casually. "But we're not really rule-abiding wizards and witches, are we?"

"Me, Harry, and Ed? No, we're breaking rules all the time, but you Hermione? Are you sure you're yourself?" Ron commented, surprised at Hermione's new stance on rule breaking.

Ed chuckled at the comment, making Hermione hit him playfully in the stomach. "Well Ronald, it's more convenient using the bag. I don't have to have my hands full while strolling the place."

Ron just grumbled in response, and the rest of the way to Hogsmeade went by quietly. When they arrived, all of them went to Honeydukes; first, there, they bought a bunch of sweets. Hermione filled the bag with it. Ron bought some, but his money ran out. Ed saw this and told him to buy a few more if he wanted, as he'd buy it for him, but he politely declined.

After that the two wanted to go to the Jokes shop, but Hermione had other plans, so the group split up, with Harry and Ron going to the Jokes shop, and Hermione and Ed going to other places.

Firstly they went to the clothing store again to buy some things for Hermione's and Ed's friends. Ed didn't know what he should buy, so Hermione bought it for him. They bought Harry and Ron some shirts. Hermione bought her dorm friends scarfs, and she also bought a beanie for Luna.

Then they went to a jewelry store in the middle of town and entered it. Inside Hermione felt nervous, as the stuff inside looked really expensive.

"Are you sure you want to buy our parents jewelry Ed? It looks quite expensive…" she said, nervously, looking at a ring in a glass box.

"I mean, it shouldn't be that expensive… it's Hogsmeade, only students, and some wizards visit here." Ed said as he looked around.

After a couple of minutes of walking around the store, Ed and Hermione bought a couple for their parents. Ed offered to buy some for Hermione as well, but she quickly declined as she's not comfortable wearing these kinds of jewellery.

After that they exited the store; all of the stuff that they bought was already placed in the bag. The two then sat on a bunch to rest for a while. "What do you want to do next?" Ed asked the girl.

"Shrieking Shack?"

Ed shrugged, "Sure, why not."

Both of them then stood up and walked to the place. While they were walking there, Hermione grabbed Ed's arm and placed it on her shoulder, wrapping herself in it. Everyone looked at them and whispered to each other, but Hermione didn't mind.

"You know, they'll know now that we're… you know…" Ed commented.

"Don't care; it'll make other girls stay away from you anyway." Hermione said, which made Ed sighed in surrender.

After a couple of minutes of walking, the two then arrived at the shrieking shack, looking at it rather intently.

"It's plainer than I thought." Ed said.

"Well… you're right…" Hermione agreed. "At least we got to spend time together."

Ed chuckled, "Like I said before, you and I spend quite a lot of time together in the suitcase Hermione, what else do you want?"

"Well, it's different here; the scenery has changed." Hermione grumbled.

Ed then shook his head in amusement and ruffled her hair. "Come on, I'm hungry; let's go to Three Broomsticks."

Hermione just hummed and held Ed's arm. The two walked back to town, going through the streets of Hogsmeade. When they were walking, enjoying the scenery, Hermione suddenly spoke.

"Remember when we went to Diagon Alley in the winter last year?" she asked, reminiscing about the past.

"Yeah." Ed said, "I don't know which is more beautiful in the winter… Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade."

"I'd say it's Hogsmeade, it feels more calming… if that's the right word." Hermione commented.

"I mean, Diagon Alley feels calming too, but I guess you had a point."

After more walking, both of them passed on Madam Puddifoot's tea shop again, and wouldn't you know it, Richard was there, again.

"He's with Cho again…" Hermione said. "Have you seen Daphne though?"

Ed shook his head. "We rarely talk this December. Those two never really visited the classroom again once Richard dated Cho."

"Poor Daphne…" Hermione whispered. "You think she even went to Hogsmeade?"

"Probably not…"

The two then continued to walk to Three Broomsticks. In there, they saw Harry and Ron sitting in the corner. Ed and Hermione walked up to them and greeted them.

"Hello boys." Ed said as he and Hermione sat down in front of them. "What did you buy at the Jokes shop?"

"Nothing really." Harry answered, "We just saw some things and got out of the store; after that we went to the Quidditch supply store, and then we went here. What about you guys?"

"We went to the clothing store, then a jewelry store, and after that the shrieking shack." Hermione answered.

"You went to the jewelry store? What did you do there?" Ron questioned.

"Buy jewelry of course." Ed answered, "For our parents."

"Bloody rich people…" Ron murmured to himself, making Ed chuckle. "Have you ordered yet?" Ed asked.

Harry shook his head. "We just got here too, and the place is quite packed."

Ed nodded and raised his hand to Madam Rosmerta. The woman noticed Ed's hand and walked up to them.

"What can I get you dears?" she asked.

"Butterbeers?" Ed asked the group, to which they just nodded. "Right, four- no five butterbeers, please."

"Alright, five butterbeers, anything else?"

"Can we order food?"

"So sorry dears, we're packed right now, and the kitchen is really full, so I advised to just not order food right now…"

Ed sighed in disappointment. "Alright then… then that's it."

Madam Rosmerta just nodded and walked away from them, preparing their butterbeers.

"Why five butterbeers?" Hermione suddenly asked, "Is anyone else coming?"

"Oh, no, it's for me." Ed casually said, which made Hermione narrow her eyes.

"What? It'll make me forget about the nightmares for a few hours…"

"Ed…" Hermione whispered his name, which made him flinched. "Don't tell me…"

"I don't know what you're talking about…"

The table then just went silent. Hermione was quite mad that Ed had gotten somewhat dependent on alcohol this young.

"Where did you get the alcohol anyway?" She scowled. "Did you have a contact in the Gryffindor house or something?"

"Like I said Hermione, I don't know what you're talking about." Ed continued to act innocent.

Hermione further narrowed her eyes. "We'll talk about this later…"

Meanwhile, Harry and Ron just sat there awkwardly, listening to their conversation. "What are you two talking about?" Harry asked.

"Nothing Harry, nothing…" Hermione answered, which made Harry and Ron even more confused. Then the butterbeers came in. Madam Rosmerta placed the mugs on the table and walked off.

After that, Ed tried to take the two butterbeers, but was stopped by Hermione, who slapped his hand when he was about to take the second mug.

"Don't." She simply said, which shut Ed up.

"Then what are we going to do with the other mug?" Ron asked.

Hermione then looked around the place and saw Neville coming in alone. "Neville!" she shouted, waving her hand so Neville could see her.

Neville, of course, noticed them and walked up to the table. "Hello guys, have you seen Seamus and Dean? I lost them…"

"We didn't Neville, sorry…" Ed said. "Come sit with us though, we have a spare butterbeer here…" Ed reluctantly said, looking at the lonely butterbeer mug.

"Oh, okay, thanks guys." He said as he sat beside Harry. He took the butterbeer mug, and all of them started to chat casually. They chatted about Quidditch, lessons, and the events that just happened in the wizarding world.

After about an hour, all of them got out of the place, full of butterbeers and had a nice bonding. Ron, Harry, and Neville went first to the carriage, as they were quite tired, while Ed and Hermione said that they'll stroll around town more.

"So, you want to tell me about your sudden alcoholic dependencies?" Hermione asked rather sternly.

"Honestly Hermione, it's nothing, you read it all wrong." Ed reassured, "I just tried a couple of brands that's in the bar near the living room, it's quite nice."

"You what?!" Hermione shrieked, "Ed, you're not of age yet!"

"I just tried it, okay. I didn't drink it every day." Ed defended.

"But still…" she grumbled. Ed sighed at this and just held her hand, enjoying the cold air and the busy streets of Hogsmeade. But then Ed saw something that he never thought he would see in his lifetime.

"Hermione, wait." Ed whispered, "Look at that alleyway…"

Hermione looked at where Ed was pointing and saw a group of people, at first she didn't see what's wrong with it, but then one of the group held a blonde boy's collar and shouted to his face.

"Is that Draco!?" Hermine exclaimed.

"Yup…" Ed said. "How the tables have turned, the bully becomes the bullied."

"Should we help him?" Hermione asked in worry.

"Are you seriously worrying about Draco Malfoy right now?"

"He's your cousin Ed…"

"I know… but I talked to him at the start of the year, he didn't want anything to do with me, so…"

"Ed…"

"Why are they ganging up on Draco anyway? He's still a Malfoy, and even if Lucius is dead, he still has his mother."

Ed and Hermione then saw Draco spit on the boy, who grabbed his collar, and that made the boy punch him in the face.

Hermione flinched at this, while Ed commented, "Ouh, that definitely hurts…"

Hermione smacked Ed's shoulder and glared at him. "Help him!" She hissed.

"Well, how am I supposed to help him, they've got a group. I'm only me. I can't use my space magic in front of the Slytherins… they'll report me to their parents!"

"Just use ice magic like you used to!" Hermione quietly yelled at Ed.

Ed sighed in surrender. "Fine." He grumbled as he pulled out his wand.

Ed then pointed his wand at the ground of the boys who were bullying Draco and shot a small needle at it. When the needle hit the ground below them, the ice quickly expanded, enveloping the boys body, while only giving their heads freedom to breathe.

Ed heard them yelling frantically as he and Hermione walked up to them. Ed arrived with a smug smile on his face, mocking the Slytherins.

"Well, well, well, it looks like snakes have a bit of infighting as well…" Ed sneered as he helped the fallen Draco stand up.

"I don't need your help!" Draco hissed as Ed offered his hand.

"Fine, suit yourself." Ed then looked at the frozen boys; he saw Nott, Crabbe, Goyle, and Parkinson.

"Well, the whole gang's here…" Ed snickered. "What are you doing beating Draco over here?"

"None of your business Aldrich!" Nott spat.

"That's not nice." Ed shook his head. "Your daddy ever taught you manners? Nott?"

"My father taught me something alright." He sneered, looking at Hermione like she was a cockroach. "A blood traitor like you hanging out with your mudblood girlfriend… you should be ashamed of yourself!"

"Changing topics now?" Ed raised his eyebrows as he walked closer to the frozen boy, "Are you not cold in there? Do you want me to leave you here frozen?"

Nott went silent again, and his face turned paler than ever before. "R-Release me… quickly…"

"Oh Nott…" Ed slapped his face lightly. "Why are you beating Draco? Because he's fatherless? I thought you're motherless too? You should sympathize with him instead of beating him…" he said, he had read Nott's mind; he lost his mother when he was young, so he decided to jab him on it, as Ed thought he was beating Draco because he's defenseless, now, fatherless.

"Don't talk about my mother!" Nott shouted angrily.

Ed shook his head as he canceled the ice magic, dropping them to the floor, shivering from the cold. "Go, or I will really freeze you here."

Nott gritted his teeth and glared at Draco. "Let's go." He commanded his newly formed gang; he left the scene, leaving the three alone.

Ed then turned to Draco; his face was quite swollen. Ed just made him a block of ice and put it on the swollen area.

"You okay?" Ed asked.

"I'm fine…" he grumbled.

"What happened?"

"Pureblood business." He glared at Ed, trying to look menacing, but he looked pitiful right now.

Ed shook his head in surrender. "Let's get you back."

Ed helped him walk to the streets, much to Draco's dismay, but it's either Ed or Hermione, which he and Ed wouldn't be fond of. The three of them managed to walk to the carriages, but while they were on their way, Ed asked him again.

"Now, tell me what happened."

"I said none-"

"I'll drop you here if you don't say anything." Ed threatened, "Your mother is worried about you Draco, she said you rarely send any letter anymore."

Draco went silent for a while before talking. "My mother made some business decisions that made a lot of pureblood families lose some money…"

Ed hummed, "So she wanted to stay away from the purebloods from now on."

Draco nodded weakly, "When you told her the dark lord was still alive, she made some preparations. That move being one of them."

"And now you got the backlash, being bullied from your mother's move…" Ed said, to which Draco sighed.

"What do you think about the move Draco?" Ed questioned. "Your own thinking this time, don't be influenced by pureblood bias."

Draco thought for a while before saying, "I don't know honestly, it depends on what side would win in the next war, if Dumbledore's and Ministry's side wins, then we'll have a lot of benefit from the move, but if the death eater's side wins… The Malfoys are doomed…"

"A gamble." Ed nodded, "Which side do you think will win in the next war?"

"Right now? Not clear… give it a few years and it will become obvious."

"Good." Ed said, "See Draco, you're quite smart behind all that bias; you just need training from your mother a bit and you'll be a good lord. Just please, throw away all that pureblood supremacy bullshit…"

"I can't believe I just got some advice from the killer of my father…." He mumbled.

"Do you hate me for it?" Ed questioned.

"I don't know… at first I hated you… but now… I'm kind of thankful, I guess… father has always been controlling."

"So I've heard." Ed said sarcastically. The three then arrived at the carriages, and he walked towards McGonagall, who was counting students.

"What happened?" McGonagall said, looking at the bruised Draco.

"Not my story to tell Professor." Ed said as he placed Draco on one of the empty carriages.

McGonagall nodded as she entered Draco's carriage to deliver some aid. "Thank you, Mr. Aldrich, Miss Granger. You can search for another carriage."

Both of them nodded; then they searched for a carriage and found an empty one.

"You know he'll get bullied more because we saved him, right?" Ed said to Hermione, which made Hermione look down. "I know." She said, "But we can't just leave him getting beaten up like that…"

Ed sighed, he then sat besides Hermione, hugging her from the side, making her comfortable throughout the journey back to Hogwarts.