*Casually appears and drops a new chapter like nothing has happened*
Really though I'll be honest. I lost enthusiasm for this story a long, long time ago. I hit a wall with chapter eight and over time I have written ten different versions of this chapter and was never happy with any of them. I finally decided to post this one because I felt it was the best of the ten but I am still not happy with it. I do not want to get anyone's hopes up, so I can't promise any more chapters any time soon. I started writing this years ago when I was in love with Fullmetal Alchemist and wanted to contribute something to the fandom. I've grown a lot as a writer and this old thing makes me cringe to read. I hope one day to finish it, but realistically I doubt it will happen any time soon. Thanks to all those people that are still reading after all this time, I posted this chapter for you. All my love 3 Tandy
oOo
Ed comes to the rapid conclusion that he hates apparition, and if that is any indication, magical transportation in general. He staggers and lets go of Dumbles' arm after they appear in a dingy, dirty, walled-in alley way. He heaves desperately trying not to puke his guts out, since they had just been forcibly compressed through a rube and then spit back out in a brand-new location. Ed is only a bit consoled in his misery when he sees that Harry is also leaning against the dirty wall looking as green as he felt.
"Come now, boys!" the blue-eyed menace chirps cheerfully in an entirely unwelcome manner at the two of them.
Ed has to take a deep breath to restrain himself from murdering and/or punching him in the face again by reminding himself that this isn't his world anymore. The rules he played by in his own home world wouldn't gain him any advantage here. If he wanted to complete his mission and get back home to his brother he had to watch, wait and use every advantage available to him. No matter how satisfying it would be to pull a classic Edward Elric and viciously take down old Dumbles Whitebeard for what he had done to Ed in the small amount of time he had been here it just wasn't an option. As much as it sucked, Dumbles was his only connection to Tom Riddle, he held all the cards and the power and he was also the leader of the organization that the bastard-ass Truth had led him to. So, Ed figured that Dumbles and his band of psychos was where he needed to be.
Ed pushes himself off the wall, shaking off the last of his nausea and falls into step beside Harry as twinkle-eyes taps his wand against the bricks. Ed catches Harry's green eyes that are filled with surprising concern, so he flashes him a brief reassuring smile. Harry grins back, clearly relieved and looks as if he wants to say something but Ed's attention is caught up in watching the bricks reform into an arched entryway that is leading into a bustling, magical marketplace.
It wasn't like anything Ed had ever seen before, even with his extensive traveling he had done in his home universe. Ed felt himself falling behind Dumbles as he strode down the alley as he tried to take in everything around him and examine the baffling array of casually magical items for sale.
Magical signs bursting with color and movement are advertising things Ed only has a vague idea about from his constant reading. Other items are completely unfamiliar. Ed is so busy examining the apparent flying broomstick that its only when he glances around, he realizes Dumbledore has vanished. Harry is patiently standing beside him and Ed forces himself not to flush in embarrassment, instead asking, "Where's Old Whitebeard?"
Harry's eyes and mouth crinkle at the corners as he holds back laughter, "I told Professor Dumbledore to go ahead and that I would make sure to help you with your shopping. He said he would meet us later, apparently he was needed at the Ministry on important business."
Ed raised a doubtful brow but didn't question further. Privately, he thought it was extremely unlikely Dumbles had any business and just wanted to be away from Harry for a yet to be discovered reason. Another thing to keep a close watch on, Ed mused to himself darkly.
"Well," Ed crosses his arms and flashes Harry a grin, "Where to first?"
Harry grins back, his shoulders relaxing for the first time since they had met up with Dumbledore, "The bank, Gringotts. Dumbledore gave me our school lists and our keys" He says while stepping back into the flow of people bustling about. Ed quickly falls into step with him, not wanting to get lost in this crazy place who knows what magic did to perfectly innocent shops and streets. "So," Ed began as they started heading toward where he assumed the bank was, his eyes sweeping up and down the street with an equal mix of calculation and wonder. "Are you on a scholarship fund as well?"
Harry blinked at Ed in confusion, his green eyes clearly displaying a lack of understanding.
Ed raises an incredulous brow, "Then why did Dumbledore have your key? Isn't that what you use to access your money?"
Harry suddenly stops and stares straight ahead his hand that was holding his key is now gripping it so tight that Ed sees his knuckles turn white. "I—I don't…" Harry stutters out, looking lost, which tugs on Ed's heartstrings, so he throws his flesh arm around the kid's shoulder and gives him an awkward squeeze. "Hey maybe I'm just overthinking things, I don't know a lot about this world and how it works." Ed said in a more upbeat tone (but honestly Ed was certain that he'd just stumbled onto more of Dumbles shady ass crap).
"Do you have just the one key to access your gold? Do you have a list of your assets and transactions?"
Harry mutely shakes his head, "I honestly don't know anything about that," he admits looking pained as he does so. Which honestly, Ed is unsurprised Harry is a kid and most kids do not need to worry about money, Ed is only well-versed in such matters because he was forced to write expense reports to explain what he was using his governmentally funded money for ever since he joined the State Alchemists.
"Well," Ed says bracingly, "While were there you can ask about a complete report on all of your assets and the state of your finances."
Harry presses closer to Ed's side, looking up at him with hurt green eyes, "Do you think that…that I am being stolen from?"
Ed shrugs (he wouldn't put it past Dumbles but…), "Never hurts to make sure everything is on the up and up, right?"
Harry nods, seemingly reassured, and straightens back up. Ed lets his arm fall back to his side as they continue walking.
oOo
Getting money is an experience.
Goblins apparently are a thing that exists, and they seem to prefer banking as their profession. Ed's gold key that unlocks his very own actual underground vault that contains the money he will get to use for school supplies and personal necessitates while he is here in the world. Ed is also unsure if the literal breakneck speed train-like system that the goblins use to navigate the underground tunnels is completely necessary. Judging by the goblin drivers unconcealed smirk at Ed's green countenance he guesses its more there for amusement than anything practical.
Getting Harry's financial records turns out to be less of a hassle than Ed thought it would be. Once Harry stutters out his request and reasoning the goblins move efficiently and tell him that all outside keys have been deactivated and that a complete compiling off all of his records will be sent to him by mail within the next two weeks.
Ed and Harry exit the bank with two large leather purses stuffed full of gold, silver and bronze coins for shopping.
From there, shopping is a whirlwind. They get all of the things spelled out on their school lists, and Ed spends the bulk of their time and his money grabbing books on every subject imaginable in the bookstore while Harry watches on with disbelieving eyes.
They also spend a fair amount of time at the clothing store, because Ed refuses to let Harry leave without getting a new wardrobe which Harry reluctantly agrees to.
By the time they meet back up with Dumbledore, both boys are decked out in brand-new clothes, laden with purchases and smiles.
As Dumbledore ushers them out of the Alley and grips their arms to apparate them back to their creepy home base, Ed's mind is whirring through plans. It was time to hone his magical knowledge so he could be ready to take on Hogwarts, figure out how to kill Tom Riddle and get Harry into fighting shape. Once Ed was at Hogwarts and able to move more freely, it was time to start putting his own plans in place instead of following obediently along to Old Whitebeard's.