Howdy! Don't really have anything ta say at the moment! Ok, I'm sitting here in my room watching Final Fantasy VII Advent Children –happy-, it's safe ta say I know squat about FF but I do like Cloud and Vincent!

Chapter Ten: Christmas Shopping in Hogsmeade

Edward opened his eyes groggily, his vision slightly blurred from the light. He tried to sit up but stopped when a wave of pain shot through his ribs. Somebody then said,

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, don't try to move yet dear. The potion hasn't started taking effect yet."

"Huh?" Ed looked around blankly his eyesight improving now. He noticed he was lying in a bed in the hospital wing. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Al where looking down at him, "What happened?" he asked.

"Well," Harry started "Your ribs were busted, all of them can you believe that, and that Peruvian Vipertooth bit you."

"I hate to say it but it was a good thing Professor Snape had a bezoar or else you would have been done for." Ron added.

"How are you feeling brother?" Al asked. Edward sat there for a moment, looking around. He inhaled deeply; wincing slightly Ed answered,

"I've…been better." He then took one last look around and frowned, "Where's Artimus?"

"Oh, well…she left." Harry said.

"Yeah, said something about a report." Ron nodded.

"Why do you ask?" Hermione asked.

"Just find it strange that she'd just up and leave without telling anyone." Ed shrugged. They spent the rest of the time in silence; finally deciding it was time to leave Harry, Ron, and Hermione left. Al stayed behind and sat with his brother.

"Oh, I just remembered!" Al suddenly said, he pulled a roll of parchment out of his armor and handed it to Ed "Artimus told me to give this to you when you woke up."

"What is it?" Ed asked.

"I'm not sure brother."

Edward examined the parchment for a moment before unrolling it; he started reading what was on it. When he was finished his eye was twitching slightly, Al could tell that ment that whatever was on that parchment must have really irritated Ed.

"Brother?"

"Read…" Ed snapped the parchment at Al, who took it and started reading it out loud,

Edward,

Hey! If you're reading this that means you didn't die from that tiny, little dragon and I won't have to come up with an excuse why the Colonel has to do so much paper work that covers your funeral expenses. Anyway speaking of the Colonel, sorry I had to leave so soon, something came up in Central and the Colonel called me back. Nothing big, just some unclear files and reports, stuff like that. I should be back by the third task, I'd be back sooner but hey, duty calls!

Artimus

"What's so bad about this?" Al asked.

"Nothing's wrong, I just can't stand her that's all." Ed shrugged.

"Oh brother, she's not that bad."

"That's because she hasn't done anything to you yet!" Ed hissed. He slumped back into his pillow; he had to admit he didn't hurt as much anymore, "Say…it's the twenty-fourth right?"

"Huh? No, that's tomorrow…why?"

"We should probably get something for everyone…" Ed muttered. Alphonse looked at his brother for a moment then asked,

"Are you ok?"

"Oh yes, I'm great…never better!" Edward smiled, it was a kind of silly looking smile like he wasn't quite with it, "Yeah, I was thinking of getting something for Winry, Granny, Den, everyone at Central HQ or at least the ones we know, and something for our new friends, Harry, Ron, Hermione…" he continued. Alphonse wasn't really sure what to do; Madam Pomfrey had walked by and noticed Eds' strange behavior and Als' slightly worried shifting.

"Don't worry dear, the potion is just kicking in, it tends to make people a touch loopy. It will wear off when potion is done doing what it's supposed to." She smiled and walked away. Al sighed and got up saying,

"I'll go get you some dinner brother."

"Hey Al! I'm thirsty, I could go for a glass of milk right now." Ed said. Al froze then groaned, that was the first time he'd ever heard his brother ask for milk…it'll be the only time too. He then raised his hand in acknowledgement,

"Whatever you say brother." He had to get out of there; his brother was really getting weird.

--

The next day Edward was fully recovered and allowed to leave, well just after Madam Pomfrey gave him one last check up to make sure all the side effects of the potion had warn off. Ed and Al made their way back to Gryffindor tower; they were discussing what Ed had said, including the milk comment, about getting their friends something for Christmas.

"I can't believe you actually brought me milk!"

"You asked for it brother."

"Well, I wasn't my self…"

"You didn't have to drink it."

"I still have that horrid taste in my mouth…"

"Anyway brother, what are we going to get everyone for Christmas?" Al asked. Edward thought about it for a moment, he wasn't really sure.

"Maybe we can find something around the school, I don't really know." Ed shrugged, "Hey! Maybe we can go down to that Hogsmeade village I heard about!"

"How are we going to do that?"

"Well, while I was in the hospital wing I heard some students talking about a trip down there taking place today, we can check it out."

"Yeah!"

They finally made it to the portrait of the fat lady and said the password. When they walked in they found Harry and Ron playing a game of wizards' chess, Hermione was watching with little interest.

"Hey." Ed smirked.

"Oh hey! How are you feeling Ed?" Hermione said jumping up with a little more enthusiasm then she ment. Ed took a quick step back and said,

"I'm fine thanks," he then whispered "What are you so happy about?"

"I just want to get away from these two, they've been at this game for the past hour. Most of their time was spent either looking at the board blankly or arguing over a move."

"Oh, I see…well anyway. When is this Hogsmeade trip I heard about?" Ed asked.

"Hogsmeade trip, oh right, that's actually what we're killing time for. Everyone won't be leaving till noon so we've got about another half an hour." Harry said turning his attention away from his game for a split second then turning back to it saying, "That was a good move but it left you wide open for my knight to do this!" Harrys' knight took out Rons' rook. Al walked over and sat down watching, he seemed to like watching the little chess pieces move about the board.

Edward sat down in an easy chair next to the fireplace, he had grown rather fond of this spot, it was peaceful and seemed to calm his nerves. He looked to his right and spotted a book lying on a small table, he leaned over and picked it up. It was a first year book on beginning transfiguration. Opening up the book Ed started to read, it was a mildly interesting book, if you were interested in shattering all the laws of nature and equivalent exchange. But it was interesting to see how, supposedly, people can turn an apple into an orange.

Half an hour had passed by fairly quickly and soon they were all heading down to the Great Hall. Students were gathering to all head down to Hogsmeade village, Ed turned and looked up at Al saying,

"So, what do you plan on getting for Winry and Granny?"

"I'm not sure yet brother." Al sighed.

"Oh, you guys are going Christmas shopping too?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah." Both Elrics said.

"How much do you plan to spend? Me, I've got just enough for my family and friends." Hermione said, she then bit her lip and added, "I'm not imposing am I?"

"Naw…wait…" Ed frowned and turned to Al "Did you bring any money?"

"No I didn't brother, you always carry the money." Al muttered.

"Don't worry you guys, you can use some of my money." Harry said.

"What? No we couldn't do that." Ed said shaking his head.

"I've got plenty, trust me! It's not a problem you two." He laughed. Edward finally agreed after everyone had to try and convince him he didn't have to do anything in return. It was soon time to depart and everyone made their way out of the castle and down the path that lead to Hogsmeade village. It was a slight trek through the snow, that had some how fallen in one night. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the Elric brothers' made their way over to the Three Broom Sticks pub and walked in.

"Man…how'd it snow so much in one night? Geez it's cold." Ed shivered. Al just shook his head and said,

"You should have warn your jacket brother."

"Heh…"

"Come on, they've got hot apple cider here that'll warm you up nice and quick." Ron said walking over to the bar. They all sat down at the counter and got just that, and with the first sip they were all contently warmer then they had been a moment ago.

"Heh, I could get used to this place." Ed said setting his mug down and flopping his head down next to it, "I'm ready for a nap."

"No lying on the counter!" the bar tender snapped slamming an empty beer bottle down next to Eds' head making him jump.

"Don't bust a lung buddy, geez." Ed muttered sitting up, "So, where are we heading first?"

"Lets see, there's Zonkos' Joke Shop, Honeydukes candy store, and the Shrieking Shack." Hermione listed.

"Let's go to Honeydukes first." Ron said.

"I've got no objections." Ed said, Al nodded. They all got up, paid for the drinks, and left. The wind was picking up now and was blowing cold gusts of snow in their faces turning them red. Trudging through the snow the finally made it to Honeydukes candy shop. They opened the door and walked in as a small bell jingled, it was fairly crowded but they all managed to get in.

The Elrics stood in the entrance gazing around the shop in awe; it was so bright, colorful and warm. The walls were covered from floor to ceiling with all assortments of different sweets and snacks.

"Whoa…" Ed gawked.

"Careful brother, remember what we came here to do. We're shopping for Christmas presents, not food." Al reminded, Ed was only half listening. He'd walked over to a self filled with 'Fun After Effect' candy and was studying them with an evil gleam. Al didn't like that look, it was a look that said he was plotting something mischievous and probably involved sending some of these things to a certain Colonel.

Edward picked up two different packages, one that said 'Cockroach Clusters' and another that said 'Acid Pops'. He snickered slightly and turned to Al asking,

"What do you think Al? Should this be the Colonels' Christmas present?"

"You wouldn't do that brother…it's Christmas." Al sighed shaking his head. Ed shrugged and held onto the two items, Harry and the others had finished up and paid for their treats. They all gathered around the exit to decide where to go next, Harry suggested they go to Zonkos'.

"Sounds like a plan," Edward agreed, he had an even bigger smirk on his face now, "What kinds of things do they sell there?"

"You'll see." Harry and Ron said smirking themselves. Alphonse and Hermione just sighed and shook their heads; they didn't know what to do with those three.

They all headed out and made their way to Zonkos' Joke Shop, the weather had let up slightly but it still made Ed wish that he'd brought a jacket. When they arrived at Zonkos' and walked in, Ed immediately went over to a shelf that caught his eye. It had series of miscellaneous items on it. Alphonse had wondered off and was looking around at all the different gadgets and gizmos that lined the walls. It didn't take long for the two brothers to find Christmas presents for everyone on their list, though in some cases they weren't in the best of taste.

Edward set down on the counter a pair of white gloves that had stuck themselves to the warier and didn't come off, a contraption that when taken apart can't be put back together again, and some other things he figured would be fun to give. Alphonse did the same only his items were more meaningful then mischievous.

The gang ended their trip to Hogsmeade with a visit to the Shrieking Shack; Ed wasn't too impressed, Al just politely said it was interesting. Though when Harry told them about how one of their previous professors had been a werewolf and the Shrieking Shack was the place he was kept back in his school days. That made it slightly more interesting but finally the cold got to Ed and he couldn't care less if the Philosophers Stone itself was in that shack, he wanted to go back to the Three Broomsticks to get more of that hot apple cider then head back to Hogwarts.

They did just that and finally got back to Hogwarts. Walking into the Gryffindor commons room, Ed flopped down in his favorite spot by the fireplace and sighed,

"That was fun…" he took out his silver pocket watch and checked the time, it was six in the evening "Wow…time really flew by."

"How is it your watch isn't affected by the magic protecting the school?" Ron asked curiously.

"Why would it be affected?" Ed muttered putting it back in his pocket.

"All muggle technology is rendered useless when they come within a serten distance of the school." Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"Muggle? What's that?" Alphonse asked.

"A person who can't do magic." Harry answered.

"Oh, well…I'd have to say it was the alchemic amplifiers in the watch," Ed shrugged, "You said it yourself that alchemy was an advanced magic. I personally think that's crazy, alchemy is a science and follows the laws of nature."

"Why do you ask Ron?" Al asked.

"Just wondering that's all…" Ron shrugged.

"So, what did you boys think of Hogsmeade?" Hermione asked. Ed sat up slightly in his chair and looked around at the three wizards with a questioning look,

"Are we being interigated?" He asked.

"No, we just were wondering that's all."

"All right then, it was nice. I really liked the Three Broomsticks," Ed answered with a comfortable look about him as he remembered the hot apple cider, "Zonkos' was impressive too, I could really get back at Mustang using some of the things I saw in there. Next time I should bring some money."

"Brother?" Al turned and looked at his brother.

"What?"

"You said 'next time', does that mean that when we leave…we could come back if we wanted too?" Al asked excitedly.

"Hmmm…" Ed looked at the fire for a moment then smiled, "I guess…this place kinda grows on ya after a while."

-To Be Continued-

Man! I just finished FF VII (the movie) and holy wha! That Sephiroth is wicked! Both in a good way and a bad way. Wow! Man he kicks butt! Vincent just got even cooler in my book! He can fight too! Yeah! Cloud…yup! Still like him! He's just cool! That was a cool movie…love the action and the fighting! –Continues to talk about nothing else until finally someone has to get the sedatives-

Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Leave some reviews! Hmmm…I've been doing really long chapters lately…for this story anyway…I was actually going to go into Christmas in this chapter but figured it was getting kinda long. I mean I don't mind long chapters! I just want to keep things consistent, normally I write an average of four pages per chapter so yeah…GA! Now I'm typing out a long author note thing! I'll just stop talking now…