This was shorter than normal, sorry Orz
Was actually planning to wait a bit before updating but since I got a review telling me to "UPDATE" I 'hurried' to finish this chapter so thanks to for the reminder XD
Al was surprised to see that most of the kids were sleeping when he woke up.
'I thought most of the kids would be awake already to get ready for the day. . . It's probably because it's the new school year so they don't really care yet.'
He crawled out of his bed and quickly pulled on his school uniform- the gold and scarlet robe. He made sure to quietly leave the room so he wouldn't awaken Colin and the two other people in the room.
He also grabbed his book- Better know your Pets Before they become PESTS!- before slinking out of the room.
After debating for a quick second or two whether to either read the book in the Common Room or the Great Hall, Al decided to go to the Great Hall and read. There was a chance he would bump into Brother.
However, Al was slightly disappointed that his brother wasn't there at the Great Hall yet. Still, he sat down at the Gryffindor at table- why were there separate tables for each house? Hogwarts seemed to be a school that liked separating students. . . That wasn't good.
"My, you're early Alphonse Elric."
Al turned around to see Nearly Headless Nick drifting behind him. He politely greeted the house ghost.
"What are you doing this early in the morning?"
"I thought it would be nice to get started on reading and. . . I was kind of hoping I would run into Brother here. . . Because we are in separate houses," Al responded to the ghost. It was a complete surprise at first that ghosts could exist but Nearly Headless Nick told him that not all dead or wandering souls became ghosts. It destroyed that little hope he had in him for his mother to return. But it wasn't like he was particularly sad or anything. Because there was no way to bring back the dead. Nope, he wasn't depressed at all after finding that out (maybe just a little).
"Edward Elric? He is a Slytherin, yes. I certainly expected that you would be one too. Not trying to point anything out but it's been awhile since siblings were in different-opposing!- houses."
"It isn't normal? But I thought separation was normal. Because it's kind of hard for siblings to believe in the same ideals and stuff. People say Brother and I are complete opposites so I wasn't too surprised with the revelation. . ."
"It's nice of you to think that way. It's kind of refreshing to see that you aren't upset that you are in a different house compared with your brother."
"Al!" A third voice called out from the entrance of the Great Hall.
"Brother!" Al turned with bright eyes to find his brother but he quickly turned back to the ghost and apologized to him before getting up and walking over to Ed.
"I thought you would be up earlier than I would," Al pointed out when he reached Ed.
"Haha, something kinda happened last night so I was kept up a little later. Almost got yelled at by Snape too, oops," Ed chuckled.
Al sighed, Brother was never going to change. . .
"How's it going for you Al? Seems like people don't really like having siblings that go to Slytherin and Gryffindor."
"No one said anything to me about that. They were too excited about Harry and Ron arriving in a flying car."
"Yea, I heard that too. Draco was pretty upset that Harry didn't get expelled but I told him that Harry probably won't just get away with it. He wasn't too happy but at least he wasn't whining and stuff," Ed plopped down at the Slytherin table. "Ah crap, it's unfair if I made you sit at the Slytherin table- it'll make you look bad. Then again, that Ron kid would most likely complain about me sitting at your table. Hold on." Ed pulled his wand from his robe and pointed his wand after he threw some cups and spoons on the ground.
"This is the part about magically changing something into something else- I have to transfigure something like a spoon or cup because if I tried to transfigure the ground then the whole floor will be gone!" Ed grumbled.
Ed transfigured the cups and spoons into a small table and chairs right in front of the big table where the teachers were suppose to sit. After making sure everything was sturdy, he plopped onto one of the seats and gestured for Al to do the same.
"And its wood too! Alchemy would have changed this into a plastic table and silver chairs," Al commented on awe.
"Well then, let's dig in!" Ed stood and grabbed an armful of food before setting it down on the table.
It was a surprise, Elric wasn't trying to wake him up by flipping him off the bed.
Draco looked around the room to see Crabbe and Goyle still sleeping. Edward Elric was no where to be seen.
'He probably is in the library or something again- nerd.'
Draco huffed but didn't budge from his spot on his bed. That afternoon that Elric saw him. . . He is probably suspicious of what was going on that day.
'What should I say if he asks?'
Draco bit his inner cheek. He really didn't want to lie to Elric. True, Elric scared him at times but he really isn't that bad. Sometimes he acted like he was much older than he actually was but that might attribute to the way he was raised. But if he lied to Elric and he found about the truth. . .Elric most likely wouldn't be happy at all and it would hurt if Elric decided not to trust him anymore.
'Do I have to pick a side if Elric asks? Father's or Elric's?'
Draco mentally slapped himself. Obviously his father would be the choice because he knew a lot more and his father would be upset if Draco didn't listen to him. But it wasn't as if Elric was just a simple fool either. He did have a point that the Slytherins are the same as the other houses and vice versa. And that he shouldn't look down on others just because how they are raised or their occupation. Elric also respected Draco's own opinion much more and actually enjoyed being with him when he wasn't looking down on other people.
Elric said that although the Weasley's were poor- an understatement- it didn't mean that they couldn't be impressive. Just because Weasley had a grudge against Slytherins, he sacrificed himself rather than sacrificing Elric.
'But not all Gryffindors are like that. Most of them would just sacrifice their enemies. . . What if I was the one in that situation?'
Draco felt his blood run cold. No doubt. If he was the one standing on the chess board with them- he would have been the one to get sacrificed. Simple. The Gryffindors hated him.
'They don't randomly hate you, you know? You were really aggressive and still are to them. You did give them the wrong impression. Do you want to remain that way forever? With your only allies being your own house?' Draco recalled Elric rolling his eyes as he ranted while they were waiting for the train.
'I don't need any help from them!' Draco remembered himself saying. Really, it wasn't a smart thing to say but he wanted to protect his pride and he knew that. But it still hurt. To be hated.
But still, he wanted to beat Potter and if he had no choice but to be hated then so be it. He did wonder though. Elric said he hated it when people abused their powers, would him trying to force his way into the Quidditch team be something Elric would be pissed off at? Hopefully not.
"Hey, Al?" Harry poked his head into the room that had Al's name- along with 3 others- listed at the door. He found 3 boys yawning and pulling their things together but no Al. "That's strange. . . Where did he go?"
He quickly slipped out of the room before the boys noticed him. He didn't want any commotion in the morning.
"Why do you want to find him that badly mate?"
"I just wanted to know if he is feeling ok because he is separated from his brother you know."
"It's a good thing! Al probably doesn't want to be grouped with those Slytherins anyways. I mean, I still am overjoyed that I am in Gryffindor and not Slytherin," Ron pointed out as he and Harry started heading out their house.
"Ron, you still think all Slytherins are that bad?"
"Bloody hell Harry! What can I say, you can't trust 'em! It might be Malfoy that sent you that house elf trying to play a prank on you remember!"
Harry made a face. It was only a possibility. Anyways, Ed didn't even seem untrustworthy. Al also was very nice when they first met. But Malfoy was really a prick.
Ron sighed seeing the face Harry made, "Look mate, don't get too attached to Ed, he may seem nice now but you can never know. Just a warning from me to you mate.
Harry had no choice but to nod when in fact, he disagreed with Ron. But he had nothing to prove himself with so he had to just nod and wait.
"I don't like Al is that type of bad person though!" Ginny called from behind them and panted as she caught up to them. "I-I mean, he was genuinely worried when he didn't see you or H-Harry at the feast!"
"Aw Ginny, that could have been just an act!" Ron rolled his eyes. It seemed like Harry and his younger sister just didn't understand that the Slytherins were not the types of people who were on the "white" side- or would ever be- of the black and white world. They were just too accepting!
Harry was grateful for Ginny speaking up so when he was sure Ron couldn't hear him, he tilted his head and whispered a thanks to Ginny.
The girl promptly flushed and dropped all the books she was holding. Harry thought she looked like she was about to cry but she only stuttered and apology and quickly picked up her books before racing forward to the hall.
"What was that?" Ron furrowed his brows. "Hey, what did you do Harry?" He knew his little sister probably had a crush on his friend so most likely her reaction was due to that.
"I-I have no idea," Harry stammered awkwardly. He didn't expect her to react that way.
'Maybe she doesn't really like me?'
"Sounds like most of the kids are coming for the breakfast. Took them long enough, keh!" Ed rolled his eyes after taking another gulp of his stew. He was ready for some commotion about him making a table instead of sitting at his own and at least some exclamation about a Gryffindor and a Slytherin sitting together.
"Elric!" Well, well, the first to arrive at the hall was nonetheless but Draco Malfoy. Ed suspected that it had something to do with the fact that Ed usually woke Draco up earlier than usual kids. When Ed turned around to take a look at Draco's face,he saw that Draco was horrified and quite angry at Ed siting with a Gryffindor. Ed pointedly took a sip of his stew.
"Good morning to you too Draco. Help me grab like another bowl of stew and like 5 pieces of toast, cause you are closer."
Draco's jaw worked up and down without a single sound being emitted. He looked too shocked to say a thing. He always had a thing about Slytherins staying on their own and even though he knew the two Elrics were brothers, it surprised him that they would openly sit together and eat. The other Slytherins that walked in looked astonished and quite upset but they didn't give away as much of a reaction - other than Pansy who was fuming since she knew that Draco was friends with Ed. Most of the Slytherins knew how scary Ed was if he got angry so they just silently raged.
"Good morning Malfoy," Al chipped in and thanked Crabbe and Goyle who brought over the things Ed requested. "Um, Crabbe, can you help me grab a glass of milk from the Gryffindor table over there? I know I am asking a bit much but I wouldn't like to take the food from your table." Al knew that he could get it himself but Ed had told him that if he wanted anything, he could just request it from either Crabbe or Goyle.
Crabbe looked conflicted but as he knew that Al was Ed's brother, he obeyed and approached the Gryffindor table and grabbed a glass of milk. Harry and Ron were watching with an astonished expression.
"Wait! What do you think you are doing?" Ron angrily exclaimed as he tried to get to Crabbe and stop him.
"Alphonse Elric from your house wanted it," Crabbe half said and half grunted.
That stopped Ron enough in shock because he never knew Crabbe could actually speak a full sentence. Harry gently pushed Ron down onto one of the seats at their table.
"I wonder what he is doing over there. . ."
Al smiled at Harry when he noticed that Harry was looking at him and waved. He gestured to another chair next to him but Harry had to refuse. Ron looked so out of it that he would probably pass out if he saw Harry sitting there.
Draco looked bewildered that his two "friends" were taking orders from a Gryffindor but the two of them just ushered Draco to take a seat and so Draco sat on the edge of the table so he could still lean forward to talk to Elric. Even though Ed offered him a seat at the table, he strongly refused.
"How are you still friends with him!" Pansy wrinkled her nose in disgust and turned to Crabbe to scold him for taking the orders of a Gryffindor.
When Snape entered the hall, his lips were pulled into a frown but he didn't say anything and Ed raised a brow at that. All of the students who trailed in were surprised to see two different colored robes sitting together at the table and also voiced their doubts with each other. But the teachers didn't say anything. In fact, the only teacher who actually said anything was Lockhart.
"What is this?"
"We wanted to sit together and it wouldn't be proper to sit at the wrong tables right? I mean, it's not like we have permission to so. . ." Al innocently replied with a slight accusing tone. Lockhart beamed and nodded.
"Yes yes I see but since you are in different houses you can certainly see why its wrong?"
"No, not really." Al and Ed simultaneously replied.
"Why, of course its beca-"
Lockhart was interrupted by the loud flapping sounds of owls all entering the hall to deliver mail. Misty plopped down on their table without missing a beat. She and Sunny - a Spotted Wood Owl- both had mail attached to their legs. Al nuzzled Sunny before detatching the letter and reading the name of the sender.
"Its from Winry!" Al brightened, "And Granny Pinako wrote one too! They reply so fast!"
However before he could open his two letters, a loud screeching filled the hall.
"STEALING THE CAR, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED IF THEY'D EXPELLED YOU, YOU WAIT TILL I GET HOLD OF YOU, I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU STOPPED TO THINK WHAT YOUR FATHER AND I WENT-"
Al whipped his head in shock toward the Gryffindor table and saw Ron with his head in his arms. Harry looked ashamed likewise. The loud yelling and screeching caught the attention of all the students in the hall and Harry looked away guiltily as Mrs. Weasley ranted on and on about what they had to go through because of Ron and Harry.
Finally when all the yelling ended, Ron looked grateful and Harry looked relieved. Ed didn't even bother trying to stop the Slytherins from laughing. They kinda deserved it. They shouldn't have had flown here on a flying car anyways even if they did have no choice.
The house teachers kept a straight face and started handing out schedules for the students in their house. Ed quickly shoved another piece of toast in his mouth before Snape and McGonagall arrived at their table- together.
Snape sneered but handed Ed his schedule before walking off. McGonagall was more civil about handing Al his schedule.
"Um, thank you very much!" Al thanked.
She briefly paused in her step before nodding back.
"Gotta go now Al, hope you'll have fun!" Ed quickly told Al before running off to go to his first class, Charms with Ravenclaw.
"You too Brother! Don't cause too much trouble!" Al called after Ed before Ginny approached Al.
"We should head to class together. Its too embarrassing to walk with others if you don't mind," She shyly asked.
"Ah right, the thing with your brother and Harry?"
Ginny nodded, "How about you? You are sure brave enough to sit with your brother even though he is a Slytherin."
Al frowned. "I don't get what's wrong with doing that. Most people have told me that but I don't understand why."
"Um, well its mainly because of how the Slytherins act all the time."
"All the Slytherins? Do all the Slytherins fit in that category of being evil? Brother mainly fits in the category because he is cunning and not because he is evil! I mean. . .If you are judging a whole group of people because of one person then that is basically stereotyping them!"
Ginny looked nervous, "Stereotyping? How do we stereotype?"
"Stereotyping would be like everyone calling Slytherin people evil based off of a few evil Slytherins. Its just the world we live in now. There may be Slytherins who are actually really good people! But because everyone is so against Slytherins- other than Slytherins themselves- they don't actually process that a group that is considered "evil" can actually do something good. And because Slytherins are probably used to being the most hated house in the school, they probably don't even try and change because no one will acknowledge them as anything else but just evil people. When someone is already used to being called something, its hard for them to understand or get the idea that they can be something or someone ! I'm sorry that I ranted." Al apologized after realizing how long he actually was talking. They were almost there at the classroom.
"No! That is actually a very cool way of how you think!" Ginny's eyes shone with excitement. "Maybe if we tried treating the Slytherins better. . ."
"I think that is a good start!" Al cheerfully exclaimed.
'I think I can do this Brother!"
And that's it for now! Sorry if the story is getting boring, I'm trying to get there!
To answer some of Death of Snipers questions :
-Madam Hooch couldn't be the referee at the match so she had to get replaced I think- that was a part from the book
-Kicking the troll with martial arts takes too much time lol and its quicker to just whip out a wand in a moment of shock
-It was the way that Ed fell that kinda broke the automail. He fell on his hip part that was the adjoining part of flesh and bone with steel and wires so that caused him to be immobilized kinda cause of the pain and Quirrell didn't get the full blunt of the metal anyways. Winry didn't expect Ed to get into one of his "big adventures" so she gave him a "normal" automail so it breaks easier than his normal one in the anime.
-About the money, its kinda a way to get back at Hohenheim and to make him act more fatherly XD
Thank you GoddessDana and for the support of Al in Gryffindor.
And thank you everyone who followed and favorited, very much thankful ^^
Oh, and they do Guest ^^
