Just as Cohen had predicted, after the meeting, Edward really didn't tell Cohen anything, genuinely worried it would put him in danger.
"Is it about You-Know-Who?" Cohen asked.
"..." Edward immediately shook his head.
"Right, so it is about You-Know-Who," Cohen jotted down a note in his little book.
"Is it about kidnapping Harry?" Cohen remembered Snape had shown up today – his first appearance here since Cohen's trip to Malfoy Manor. This meant his undercover escapade with You-Know-Who must have been revealed. No wonder Rose locked herself in the guest room as soon as she came out...
"!" Edward stared at Cohen.
"Alright, I've guessed what your meeting was about. It's about me going undercover with You-Know-Who, isn't it?" Cohen sighed. "I bet Mum had a big row with them."
"Your mother thinks it's too dangerous for you, a child, to be with You-Know-Who." Though Edward tried to sound neutral, his tone clearly conveyed his disapproval of the arrangement. "No matter how resilient you are, You-Know-Who isn't someone easy to deal with..."
"It was my own decision," Cohen said. "We can't just rely on an insider You-Know-Who is wary of for information, can we? Snape didn't even show up the night You-Know-Who was resurrected, and he didn't offer any help before that."
"..." Edward remained silent.
"Besides, since my first year at Hogwarts, I've been the only one helping You-Know-Who," Cohen continued. "I really am the most suitable source of information, and You-Know-Who genuinely believes I'm a thoroughly evil creature, completely on his side."
"I worry he'll influence you," Edward whispered. "He's seduced follower after follower in the past..."
"If I really get influenced, just punch me! One punch and my soul will be crystal clear," Cohen patted Edward's shoulder. "He can't give me anything I want anyway..."
"..." Edward hesitated. "What do you want?"
"I want our family to live normal lives," Cohen said. "To go back to how things were, though I might not be giving you grandchildren anytime soon, so you'll have to prepare yourself for that..."
"Silly boy." Edward chuckled, giving Cohen a playful tap on the head. "If we're talking grandchildren, haven't you already brought back a little Dementor?"
"I'm talking about a grandchild who looks more human, of course," Cohen clarified. "You wouldn't want to hug Mick, and I don't want to scare Grandma..."
"That's true," Edward said, though he was clearly preoccupied, lost in thought about something else.
"So, I have to try my best to sort out anything that messes with our normal lives," Cohen said matter-of-factly. "Kingsley said Dumbledore would support Mr. Crouch for Minister, and if he doesn't pull any more stunts after taking office... aside from the Ministry problem, that just leaves You-Know-Who."
"Mm." Edward was still thinking about other things.
"Don't worry, I'll protect myself," Cohen assured him.
---
On the last day of the holidays, Hogwarts owls finally arrived with their book lists.
"Two new books, Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5, and Theory of Magical Defense," Harry said, looking at the list. "Dumbledore found a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
"Sounds like an old fuddy-duddy," Ron grumbled. "First time I've heard a book title as dull as Standard Book of Spells."
"Well said, as a reward, here's a set of Me, the Magical One," Cohen slowly tore open his envelope. His envelope felt a bit heavy – parchment wouldn't be this weighty. Plus, it was bulging, as if it contained something hard and lumpy.
"Dumbledore isn't sending me little toys, is he?" Cohen asked with a hint of mischief, wondering if it was because he hadn't told Dumbledore about his secret visit to You-Know-Who. Knowing the old man's sly nature, it wasn't impossible...
"What?" Ron asked, confused. "What else is in the letter?"
Harry looked equally puzzled.
"Clink!"
As Cohen ripped open the envelope and tipped it, a shiny, red and gold object dropped onto the floor.
"Bloody hell – a Prefect badge!" Ron gasped. "I almost forgot, it's our year's turn to pick prefects!"
"Sounds like you can help us dish out some serious detentions to those Slytherins!" Harry's eyes lit up. If Ron were Prefect, Harry might have felt a pang of jealousy – after all, Ron didn't really seem as brilliant as Harry. But if it was Cohen, it wasn't nearly as surprising, because Harry knew he couldn't beat Cohen in any aspect.
"Bang!"
Fred and George suddenly appeared in their room.
"Any thoughts on the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher?" Fred asked. "We saw the Defence Against the Dark Arts book – my word –"
"My word –" George practically shrieked at the same time as Fred. They had both spotted the Prefect badge Cohen had just picked up.
"You're Prefect?!" Fred's eyes widened. "How could you betray the cause –"
"How is being a Prefect betraying the cause?" Hermione burst through the door excitedly, waving her own envelope, then saw the badge in Cohen's hand. "Cohen! You got it! I knew it! Me too, Cohen, me too!"
"Because being a Prefect means you're forced to destroy some of the fun in school," Fred said, feigning sadness. "From now on, every time we see Cohen, we'll have to walk on eggshells –"
"As if I'd give you detention for selling Skiving Snackboxes," Cohen said, looking a bit exasperated. "I'm a shareholder, remember?"
"Cohen, as a Prefect, you can't show favoritism!" Hermione exclaimed, shocked.
"If we needed to sneak out of school for something important, Hermione, would you give us detention?" Harry asked playfully.
"Oh – well... I mean..." Hermione stammered, her face flushed.
"Just thinking about having to guide first-years around the castle every day makes me feel weak and not want to get out of bed," Cohen thought about his future routine, suddenly having an urge to throw the badge away. Dumbledore had finally found a way to control Cohen.
But this also reminded Cohen: if they were going to take over the Ministry, Edward was definitely the most suitable candidate for Minister. The thought of working gave Cohen a headache; such a pleasant job was best left to a wizard in his prime like Edward.