OK this took a little bit longer than expected, I hit a massive writers block, and became a victim of essay-mania. For future, please expect new chapters on Sunday afternoons (or nights). I am sorry for the wait. I wanted to make this chapter the best I could, with some fun bits and some serious ones.
Unfortunately, there is no flashback reminder for this chapter (yes, that is what I call them), as last chapter was varied, and there was nothing of relevance to this chapter that would need reminding. I'm sure you all know what's going to happen this time around. Hogwarts~
I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST BROTHERHOOD, OR ANY PART OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES!
Chapter 11- One Interesting Hat
They all woke up early that morning. Mrs. Weasly was yelling at Sirius, in turn causing the portrait of Mrs. Black to yell, and in turn waking up Ed, who was also yelling about demonic women.
Once everything was sorted out, Harry found himself at Kings Cross station, in between an angry Ed, and a stressed Mrs. Weasly. They approached the gap between platforms nine and ten, and Mrs. Weasly said in a distressed tone, "Alright, all of you, get ready. Fred, George, you first"
As they ran towards the brick wall, Harry spotted Ed's confused look. He watched as one by one, the Weaslys disappeared into the brick, in utter confusion. Soon, only Ed and Harry were left. Harry turned to Ed and said "Don't worry, I was nervous too. If you want, you can run. It makes it go by faster"
Ed looked uncertain, and raised an eyebrow. "Is that really ok?"
Harry nodded. "C'mon" He said, and Ed nodded. "On three"
"One…Two…three!" Harry said, and then ran towards the seemingly solid wall, and Harry felt the familiar sensation of running through water.
Then the other side appeared.
Ed looked around in awe, before Harry dragged him over to the rest of the group. Mrs. Weasly hugged each one of them.
"Be careful, stay safe, don't forget to write. I'll see you all at Christmas" She said, a small tear falling.
"Come now mum, we'll all be back!" the twins said, each returning the hug, before walking toward the train. Harry headed for the large black dog which was wagging its tail happily. He spotted the disapproving look from Mrs. Weasly, and did acknowledge that what Sirius was doing was extremely risky. All the same, Harry patted it on the head, saying "I'll see you soon, Padfoot"
After saying all their goodbyes, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ed headed for the train, and boarding, just as the whistle blew.
"Shall we find a compartment?" Harry asked, turning to Hermione, Ron, and Ed. Hermione smiled sadly, saying "I'm sorry Harry, but Ron and I have to go to the prefect's carriage"
Harry's face grew slightly disappointed, before he said "Oh right, I'll see you then" She smiled apologetically before leaving with Ron, who said "Sorry, mate"
This only left Ed and Harry to look for a compartment. Ed let out a yawn, before saying "We better get going" Harry noticed Ed had become a bit more relaxed since the night he revealed his position in the military. He just couldn't quite wrap his mind around the idea that Ed might have to go to war one day, or perhaps has already been part of one. It was so surreal, something he didn't think he would be saying, or thinking, what with being involved in the magical world, where everything is about as normal as a green feathered pig.
"Harry, what the hell are you doing?" Ed asked, staring Harry confused, shocking him from his reverie. Harry realized he was face to face with the wooden pillar between compartments, and about to bump into it. He blinked. "Please don't tell me we have to do that again" Ed groaned, clearly remembering the incident while entering the platform. Harry shook his head saying "No, no. I just got lost in thought is all. Let's keep going" Ed shrugged, but kept walking. "These trains are a lot nicer than the ones where I come from. You only get these kinds of compartments in First Class, but here they're everywhere. And the seats look like they won't leave someone with a sore ass" Ed muttered, and Harry couldn't help but snort. If anything, Ed is interesting. That's for sure.
"Here, how about this one?" Harry said, pointing to an empty compartment. Ed nodded and they walked in. Ed immediately dropped into a seat, after stuffing his small briefcase in the top rack. He sighed, stretching out luxuriously. "I was right. These are way more comfortable than the ones from home" Harry smiled, saying "Do you miss home?"
Ed shrugged. "I miss the people there I guess. Though, I could live without the bastard colonel. The serial killers would be nice to get away from too" Ed mused, going off into his own series of muttering. Harry stared at him oddly at this. How much trouble has Ed gotten into exactly, to make him think of serial killers in the plural? He's not exactly a devout supporter of world peace.
Just then the door slid open slightly, and the head of Neville Longbottom poked in. "M-may we sit here? Everywhere else is full"
"Sure, Neville." Harry said, as the two walked in and sat down. He saw a bleach blonde girl wearing an odd expression on her face, as if she as not even aware. Neville looked at Ed curiously as the girl said "I haven't seen you before. Are you a first year? You look a bit old for that."
Ed looked surprised at her, and Harry was too. Most people assume he's 11 or twelve automatically due to his height.
"Oh, this is Ed. Edward Elric, he's starting Hogwarts this year, as a fifth year" Harry filled in.
"Why are you so late?" Neville asked. "I came here from Germany" Ed said quickly, cutting Harry off. Harry closed his mouth, automatically remembering that Ed was incognito.
"Well, Edward, my name is Luna. Luna Lovegood. This is Neville Longbottom" Said the blonde girl, taking a seat in front of Ed. Ed nodded, and Neville asked "Do you know what house you want to be in, Ed?"
Ed shrugged. "Don't know too much about them."
Harry decided to fill him in, and said "Well, there are four. Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Huffelpuff. Hermione, Ron, Neville, and I are all in Gryffindor, and so are Ron's brothers and Ginny."
"And I am in Ravenclaw" Luna added, before pulling out a vibrantly colored magazine and flipping through it. Harry spotted the words "The Quibbler" on the cover and vaguely thought he recognized the name.
"Ravenclaws are known for their wit. Gryffindors are known to be daring, and Huffelpuffs are known for their loyalty." Neville explained. Harry was surprised how talkative he was today. Usually he was extremely timid, and rarely did he talk so openly.
"What about Slytherin?"
"You don't want to go to Slytherin, Ed. They say that all the dark wizards go there, and they're all a load of prats with a blood status obsession." Harry said. There was no way Ed was going to end up like Malfoy, Harry was sure of this. He may be somewhat rude, but he wasn't like Malfoy.
Ed shrugged. "Well, I suppose Ravenclaw then as a researcher, that would make the most sense"
Neville looked ready to say something, but just then the woman with the candy trolley came by, and Harry bought his usual, one of everything. There was now a mound of candy boxes and various wrappers sitting on a table in the compartment. Ed looked suspiciously at the candy and Harry grinned, picking up a box of Berty Bot's Every Flavor Beans.
Ed raised an eyebrow, "What do they mean by Every Flavor?" Ed said.
"Literally just that. Every flavor. Chocolate, strawberry, boogers, earwax, even grass." Neville said, taking one cautiously. "My grandmother always bought them"
"Who the hell makes an Earwax flavored candy?" Ed said, wrinkling his nose. "Try one." Harry suggested, handing Ed one. Ed looked skeptical, but took one, staring at it cautiously. He hesitantly plopped it in his mouth, before choking. Harry couldn't help but laugh, asking "What was it?"
"Milk" Ed choked out. Neville looked at Ed confused, "What's wrong with milk?"
"It's disgusting!" Ed stated defensively. "You think so? That's no good, milk helps build up immunity to nargle infection." Luna said dreamily.
Ed looked at Luna like she was a cow, but then said "So what? I'm not drinking the damn stuff"
"But it will help your growth!" Neville said. Ed growled and Harry shook his head vigorously. He seemed confused, before Ed exploded in anger. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SMALL?!"
"These better not be actual frogs" Ed said, eyeing the package nervously. After the earwax and milk flavored beans, the spicy lollipop, and the cockroach pastry, Ed was prepared for anything.
Harry laughed. "Don't worry it's edible. But you should be careful, or it might escape" Ed paled at this, imagining a dark brown frog squirming around as he attempted it. The thought made him nauseous.
He opened the package with the hands of a surgeon, and slowly opened it. Instantly something shot out at Ed's face, and landed on it. It sprung off of it and out the window. Ed stared out the window in utter shock for a moment, before muttering "What the hell…?"
Harry and Neville burst out laughing, as the compartment door slid open. "What's goin' on here? Ron asked, walking in with Hermione. He spotted Ed and stared at the card.
"Ed's frog just jumped out the window" Harry explained, and Ron was laughing too. "Don't worry mate, it's the card you want. You can collect them" Ed stared down at the card and groaned. "No thanks. You want it?" He said holding out the card. "Are you serious? Paracelsus is really rare, you're really lucky you know" Ron said, staring at Ed in awe. Ed shook his head. "I don't want it. Take it" Ron grinned, snatching the card away. Ed saw Hermione's eyes widen in recognition of the name, and Ed shrugged. I don't want anything to do with that man. Let alone see his stupid damned face on some trading card.
As Hermione started rambling on about the Prefect meeting, when once again the door opened. Ed saw a platinum blonde boy standing in the doorway, a smirk planted on his face. Behind him stood two gorilla-like lackeys, staring at the scene dumbly.
"Potter" He said in a drawling voice. Instantly, Ed didn't like him.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry said, not attempting to hide his distaste.
"Just wanted to see why the Gryffindor prefects weren't doing their job. We're supposed to be patrolling the halls" He said with a smirk. As he spoke, Ed immediately thought of Colonel Mustang, and that made him want to punch the guy more. He turned to Ed and said "Who are you, exactly? A first year?"
Ed growled. "Fifth year, actually"
He sneered, saying, "You sure don't look it. What, did you suffer severe lack of growth as a child?"
"Why you damned son of a-"
"Ed!" Hermione hissed, cutting him off.
He wanted to punch the boy so badly, he really did, but the Al-like voice in his head was telling him not to. It took quite a bit of willpower, but eventually he calmed slightly.
"Says the one bullying first years!" Hermione said accusingly.
"Get out, Malfoy" Harry said sharply. "Malfoy" tapped the badge on his chest and said "You shouldn't be so rude, potter. You see, unlike you, I am a prefect. That means I can take points, and award detentions."
"And you, unlike me, are a git. Now leave"
"Fine, Potter. But be warned. I'll be dogging you footsteps this year, watch yourself." He said, before turning to Ed. "And you too, pipsqueak" he said, and Ed snapped. A hand collided with a jaw with a satisfying crack! and in a second they were gone, running away, tripping over their robes.
"That was…" Hermione trailed off.
"Bloody brilliant!" Ron said in an impressed tone.
"No, it was stupid! Ed, he's a prefect, you could get into so much trouble!" Hermione corrected. Ed shrugged. "The jerk had it coming"
"You can't be so reckless, it will get you into a lot of trouble" She said. You don't know the half of it, Hermione.
"Were almost at Hogwarts! We should change" Neville informed. Ed groaned loudl. "I'm not getting in a dress"
"You have to! It's protocol" Hermione said. Ed scoffed. "No way."
Hermione and Luna left the room to change, and Harry, and Ron wrestled Ed into the uniform. It seemed odd, to see Ed's leather clothes, and the hastily and roughly applied shirt and robe. Ed knew the only reason they had won was because his ports had begun to sting.
"What the hell is THAT?" Ed said, staring at the horse-like creature connected to the carriage. "Ed, what are you talking about?" Hermione asked. "The thing pulling the carriage" Harry said.
"Harry, nothing pulls the carriage. They pull themselves, just like always" Hermione said, rolling her eyes. Ed rolled his eyes in response. "I am NOT hallucinating."
"Don't worry, Harry, Edward. I can see them too" Luna said from the carriage. "You're just as sane as I am" Ed saw that Harry looked skeptical about that, and he too was not reassured by her words. Even to this freak show of a society, she was not normal.
As they all filed into the carriage, Ed stared uneasily at the odd chimera-like creature, trying to figure out what animals could have been combined. It disgusted him.
An awkward silence filled the air as they neared the castle, and Ed began to think of how old fashioned this school was.
"Is there a reason this is so medieval? Castles, carriages, is there something wrong with just walking? Or I don't know, cars?" Ed said aloud.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "If you had actually paid attention to Hogwarts: A History, than you would know that modern muggle technology doesn't work here. Machines go haywire what with all the magical energy" She said matter-of-factly. Ed scoffed. "We took a train here didn't we?"
Just then, another thought occurred to him. How will my automail react to the energy increase? He remembered the stinging pain in his automail ports, and mentally rattled off a list of choice swears.
When they finally reached the castle, the six students all disembarked and set foot inside the castle. Almost immediately, pain surged in Ed's limbs. As they walked, the pain grew worse and worse, and he was just barely keeping steady balance.
On the way to the Great Hall, Ed was sure he had seen a figure floating in the air, that had thrown water balloons at them. Thankfully, he had dodged the balloon, though it didn't help his pains at all.
"Ed, are you ok?" Neville asked. Ed nodded. "Just little sore."
"Edward Elric" said a sharp voice from behind them. He turned. "Yeah, that's me. What do you want?" She clicked her tongue disapprovingly, before saying "I am the deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagle. I will have to take you now to be sorted into your house. Please follow me." She said. Her staid demeanor immediately made Ed think of Riza Hawkeye, only holding more authority in her tone.
Ed nodded, following her toward the abnormally large doors. What's the point of such giant doors? Nothing that could possibly come to this school is that size. Ed was soon shuffled into line with a large group of first years, and groaned. They were all either shifting their feet from nerves, or jumping around eagerly, as the ceremony began. Ed began to take in the whole room. The ceiling that looked so similar to the sky outside, and the floating candles. I wonder how they prevent wax falling on the student's heads.
He watched as the woman from earlier, (what was her name, McDougal?) placed a hat on the three legged stool and then walked away. Ed was wondering what was the purpose of it, before finding himself with a million questions.
The hat was singing. Admittedly, it didn't have one of the best voices, but it was singing. Is like Al? Does he have a blood seal?
Once it had finished singing, the woman came back, holding a roll of parchment (what's wrong with normal paper, exactly?) and began to read off names. The students walked up to the stool, and put on the hat. After this, there was a certain amount of time that passed, before the hat shouted out a house. Some people were sorted instantly, others took a bit longer. Soon, Ed heard his own voice called.
"Edward Elric"
Voices filled the room as he walked foreword. What had prompted this was Ed's guess.
He sat down on the stool uncertainly, rather abruptly reminded of the interviews when he took the state alchemist examination. His mind was in a daze, still on the question of the sorting hat's soul. The pain in his ports was not helping at all. He felt the hat placed upon his head and waited, though what for, he wasn't sure.
"Ahh, an Alchemist. A long time since I have sorted one, Hohenheims?" Said a voice, sounding far too close to Truth's in Ed's opinion. A voice he couldn't quite discern as anything, other than a voice. He jumped, before thinking distastefully, Don't remind me. Who are you anyway?
"Why, I am the Sorting Hat of Hogwarts. I would have thought that was obvious."
No! Who were you before you were attached to the hat?
"That is something you shouldn't be concerned with. Now.. let's see.."
Ed felt a tug in the back of his brain, before memories began playing in his mind. Stop looking through my head!
"This is the only way I can accurately sort you. Now be quiet and let me think! After a moment of silence, the voice said again I see… Not many kids your age are able to learn as much as you have. Ravenclaw would take you in with open arms…The loyalty you hold for those close would be widely accepted in Huffelpuff…"
DID YOU JUST CALL ME SMALL?!
"My my, that temper may not do very well with the soft tempered huffelpuff after all."
What's that supposed to mean?
"A harsh past… you have performed the taboo?" Ed froze at this, but knew he had given himself away anyway. "To come up with such an accurate theory at such a young age is commendable. You aim to perfect this theory then?"
All I care about is finding the answers I need to help my brother. Once I get my info, I'm not staying here. Does this really need to be so well thought out? It's ridiculous to base a person's whole school life on one or two traits in the first place.
"I quite agree, alas this is my job and always has been. I have been doing this for so long I don't quite remember when I was a human myself. "
Ed thought on this, and the hat chuckled. Do not fret. This is my destiny, and I am quite used to the fate.
People were whispering, wondering in the long silence. Finally, the hat said "Yes, I think that is the only place to put you… better be… GRYFFINDOR! "
It said yelling the final word to the hall. Ed sighed, realizing how tense he had been during the interaction. He stood up as many people cheered, or boo'ed at him, walking towards the Gryffindor table, filled with students who were standing and clapping for him. That was interesting to say the least. I should ask the old man about that. He took a seat next to an eagerly beckoning Harry, as there was a barrage of words. "Congratulations" "Good job, mate" "You should be proud" As he listened to the voices of so many, a deafening, yet quite soothing. For a split second, Ed felt somewhat normal.
Only for a split second, mind you. After that, he immediately regretted it. I'm in a school of abnormalities. I'm a military dog on a research mission. This is by no means normal. Besides, I can't enjoy that kind of thing until Al is back in the flesh. Until then, I have no right.
"Ed! Are you still here?" Came Hermione's voice, as a hand passed in front of Ed's eyes. "Huh? Oh, yeah."
"Dumbledore is speaking" Said a rather irritated voice, which Ed couldn't find the source of. Ed huffed, after realizing he would never find the voice, and turned to see that Dumbledore was, indeed speaking. "To our new students, Welcome, to our old students, Welcome back, to another year at Hogwarts." Dumbledore said, voice ringing through the now silent hall.
"I only have two words for you at the moment, and here they are. Tuck In"
And with that, he was finished. "What kind of half assed speech was that?" Ed said as people muttered excitedly. "Ed! Language!" Hermione scolded.
"That's just the way he is. He gives a proper feast after the feast" Said a boy from across the table. At the word "feast", Ed perked up, realizing just how hungry he was. "Well, we better get started soon, I'm starved!" He said. As he said this, he almost jumped out of his seat. Mountainous plates of food had appeared out of nowhere. One second it wasn't there, the next it was. The hell?! How is that even possible?! Harry and Ron laughed at Ed's reaction, and watched in an amused fashion as Ed cautiously poked the chicken with his fork, as if expecting it to disappear on contact.
"It's not poisoned, you know. The proof is right in front of you" Harry said, obviously holding back a snicker, pointing at Ron, who was digging into a large pile of various foods with gusto. Ed stared at the food a little while longer, before deciding it was safe, and digging in as well.
After a few minutes, Harry, Neville, Hermione, and a few other Gryffindors were gawking at Ed in astonishment.
"Blimey, mate. You eat more that Ron!"
"Boys" Hermione scoffed, but all the same was surprised. Ed barely ever at with the rest of them at Headquarters, and was rarely seen at meals after all.
"You eat a lot for someone so small" Someone remarked, immediately sparking Ed's attention.
"WHO'RE YOU CALLING SO SMALL THEY COULD BE CRUSHED BY A BEAN?!"
"No one said that, mate-"
Just then, the food disappeared, and Dumbledore stepped up to the podium.
I love that line "You're just as sane as I am". I don't know why, I just love it so much. It's so good for reassurance, yet it fails so badly.
I HAVE REASONS
I did some research in the books and movies, as well as the HP Wiki, and I found that the Sorting hat seems to value the student's values and wishes, just as much as their actual traits.
WHY NOT HUFFELPUFF? Huffelpuffs have a soft nature generally. This is Ed.
WHY NOT SLYTHERIN? Although Ed is most certainly ambitious and cunning, he isn't a Slytherin type in my opinion. For one thing, he isn't even a wizard, and considered a muggle-born, automatically making him unqualified for Slytherin(or at least, it would be horribly hard on him to be placed in a place like that). Also, people of Slytherin nature are generally the type of people Ed hates. The hat wouldn't put him in that position.
WHY NOT RAVENCLAW? For a long time I was fixed on putting Ed in Ravenclaw, because of his current situation in the story, and his obvious intelligence and occasional wit. He is also very resourceful, and quick thinking. However, his values aren't focused there.
SO WHY GRYFFINDOR THEN? Edward is in general courageous person, who isn't afraid to stick out and say what he feels is right. He values strong resolve and motive, as well as the ability to "move forward" in life. I personally feel that these qualities outweigh his value for wit and intelligence. I am not trying to be unoriginal in any way; rather, this is what I honestly feel is right.
Of course, this is all opinion based. Should anyone (I KNOW there's someone) feel I am incorrect in my thinking and don't support my decision, please speak up! I love to hear your opinions about this story, in any shape or form, especially if it can help me improve. I am very sorry if he is not in your desired house, this was a difficult decision for me. I can promise that this story will not take the usual turn however, and I hope you stay with it (though who am I to tell you what to decide?)
If you were interested to know, here are the poll results:
Ravenclaw: 7
Gryffindor: 7
Slytherin: 5
Huffelpuff: 2
Thank you for reading,
-SevenBlazingSkies