Sorting
The two had made it to the station through floo. Ed had his suitcase with him, a small one, since most of his things were back at the castle already, he just packed some books and snacks for him and Irene.
“Okay, see you back at the castle” Ed grinned. Al rolled his eyes “Try to make some friends, or at least meet your new classmates”
Ed huffed with a smile “I’ll try” they hugged and Ed walked onto the train. They spoke a bit before the train whistled and started to move. Ed waved to Al until he was out of sight.
He sighed and looked for an empty booth, ignoring everyone for now.
He had just found a compartment when he run into someone. “OH! I’m so sorry!” the kid fumbled with a box “No problem” Ed tried to smile as the kid stuttered anxiously. He saw the kid was going into the compartment he was going to.
“Want to join me?” he offered. The kid lit up, it looked like he was going to cry “R-Really?” Ed felt physical pain (exaggeration) from how scared and hopeful the kid looked.
“Of course, I’m Edward Elric, but you can call me Ed” he smiled putting his suitcase by the floor.
He helped the boy with his luggage “I’m Neville Longbottom”
He sat across from Ed as they settled together. “This is Trevor” he showed the box, where a toad sat.
“Oh, you’re familiar? Then this is Irene” he let Irene slither out from his sleeve.
Neville squeaked and dropped Trever. There was a rude croak from the toad as he escaped his box and hopped away.
It happened very quickie as Neville stood to try and catch him “Trever!”
Ed stood, curing his ignorance, the kid was shit scared of him just offering a seat, and of course he’s scared of snakes. “Sorry, sorry!” they left and saw no toad. “I’ll help you look” he said to the near tears kid. “I’m sorry for freaking out-just..” he side-eyed the snake that now curled around Ed’s neck.
Ed waved his hand “No worries” they began looking around and asking others to keep an eye out, even the prefects were made an aware. “How can a toad just vanish” he growled. He had split off from Neville as another first-years offered to help and Ed suggested splitting up to cover more ground.
He opened a booth to see three kids. “Have you’ve seen a toad?” he asked. The blond kid eyes his snake “Lost your food for your snake?” he asked. Ed chuckled, a valid observation “No, a lost familiar” he said. “Why would anyone want a toad as a familiar?!” he asked taken aback. “People have different views and preferences” he shrugged.
“Besides most familiar chose the wizard” the kid shrugged “I guess”
“Well keep an eye out if you can” he turned to leave “Wait what is your name?”
“Edward Elric, I look forward to learning with you?” he said a bit confused (don’t blame him, he’s never had social integrations)
The kid grinned and had this look in his eyes “I’m Draco Malfoy, I think we should be friends” Ed recoiled a bit, the kid reminded him of military officials trying to kiss ass and recruit him. But this was just an 11-year-old kid, he’s probably imitated someone he’s seen, though from what he gathered from Severus, some kids are following their parent’s image.
Ed shrugged “Yea sure, why not” he grinned before looking at other two in the booth “Sorry, I completely ignored you, are these your lackeys?” he teased.
The two boys were big and more muscle then brains, he can already tell. “In a matter of speaking, this is Crabbe and Goyle, I’ve known them since childhood” he said.
“Well, I should continue my search, so I’ll see you in class” he waved with a smile and walked off. In the end they couldn’t find the toad, Ed and the first-year girl, Hermione, comforted him as they neared Hogwarts. Ed did his best to cheer him up, only succeeding a little.
Once the train stopped Ed left with Neville while Hermione had went somewhere else.
They followed Hagrid to the boats and Ed marveled at the sight of the castle over the lake. He made sure to keep a firm hand on Neville so the boy wouldn’t fall. “They’re all your Professor McGonagall”
“Thank you Hagrid”
Ed tuned out most of what McGonagall said, waiting to get this over with so he could eat, and to figure out the paradox of how the fuck did Trever get into the castle before everyone else. When she left, he noticed Draco, he went over to say hi, when he heard him talking to someone.
“-you don’t want to be making friends with the wrong sort, I can help you there” he smirked offering his hand. Ed saw this going down the wrong way already.
“I think I can find the right sort for myself thank you” the kid sassed back. Ed couldn’t help but snort out loud. “He got you there Draco” he walked up between the two groups.
Draco went red “Stay out of this Elric!” he hissed. “Please, you don’t even know how to make friends, I can at least say I’m better then you, and I only have two friends” he gave the boy a look.
“Let’s start over? Hmm? How about that, we are going to be living here for most of the year, and I think it would be much more manageable if we didn’t have to hear you two argue of stupid things” he’s so glad he touched up his English so his accent wasn’t even noticeable. Ed turned to the kid with a bird’s nest hair and glasses, and the red hair. “Wouldn’t want enemies your first day?” he grinned as the two stared at him in shock.
“So, come on, start over, introduce each other, no need to be hostile” he gave Draco another pointed look, which had others around him look at him in shock.
“I uh”
“It’s not that hard Draco, here, allow me to show you”
“HI, I’m Edward Elric, lets ignore our hostile energy so we don’t kill each other at school” he said putting his hand out, doing his best Draco impression, which had the blond boy protesting he didn’t’ sound like that. The two laughed and shoot his hand. “That wasn’t hard, now, Draco actually do it” he said.
Draco was still red, but seemed he wasn’t winning here, so he stepped forward “I’m Draco Malfoy” he gritted out “we shouldn’t be enemies” he said. The kid hesitated took his hand “Harry Potter, we won’t be if you don’t insult my friend again” he said.
“You insulted his friend? That’s not a good way to make friends Draco” he grinned when Draco protested again turning to him. Ed laughed as Draco tried to defend himself but found nothing to say.
Before anything else could be said McGonagall came back. Ed grinned smugly at Draco. Said boy had this look on his face like he couldn’t believe he was acting like this. Ed and the rest of the first-years walked in. He was all the gaps and whispers. Ed fell behind to Neville who was behind Harry and Ron. “It’s bewitched” he heard Hermione say.
Looking up at staff table he smiled brightly at seeing Alphonse sitting with Snape. Al smiled back.
The sorting started and if Ed hadn’t already met the hat (or multiple talking objects) he would have freaked out with the rest of the first-years.
He stood a bit bored until Neville’s was called, the poor kid was so nervous “Relax, you’ll be fine” he smiled encouragingly him. Neville nodded seeming to get some confidence before walking up. It wasn’t too long when the hat yelled Gryffindor.
“Elric, Edward” his name was called finally. He walked up and sat down.
‘Hmmm, you again, my, what a mind you have, very mature and strong’ Ed fought the flinch, even though he knew it, it’s still weird having a voice in your head.
‘And very cautious, I see ambitious, loads of it, could do well in Slytherin, Brave and reckless, Gryffindor will accept you easily, fearsly loyal to your friends and family, a hard worker, Hufflepuff would have loved you, thirst for knowledge and creative output, hmmm, you must be one of my most difficult to place Edward’ the hat sounded amused “I try” he grinned.
‘Yes, yes, I would say Ravenclaw would have loved to meet you’ Ed mulled over that as the hat shouted Ravenclaw. He climbed off and went to the blue team table right next to the green team.
He was greeted by a few that sat around him. He talked with them hearing Hermione and Draco be sorted, Gryffindor and Slytherin. “Who is that boy with professor Snape?” a fifth-year asked. “And why does he look a lot like you Ed?” another asked. Ed turned to them “Because he’s my brother”
“Why’s your brother here?”
“Not that it’s really your business, but one of the professors is watching us and they can’t really watch my brother at their home” he said. The fifth-year Oliver Anderson and the first year Evelyn Hill both nodded. He could see they were both curious but reclined from asking, unfortunately Dean Paxton a first-year didn’t care leaning closer “Why?”
Ed glared at him actually making him flinch back.
Before he could apologize the Great Hall went silent. Ed watched as Harry Potter walked up looking nervous. Ed rolled his eyes scoffing at the reactions. “Is it really Harry Potter?” Anderson asked. “He looks small” came Evelyn’s’ concerned observation. “You really think he defeated a troll?”
“Of course no, the kid looks just as confused as any kid new to magic, and he’s eleven can you fight a troll?” he sneered at the kid, who was a second-year, they leaned away from him. Others took in his logic and looked at Harry for the first time those who saw him as a hero, only saw a scared eleven-year old.
The hat then yelled Gryffindor and he rushed off. Ed ignored the rest of the sorting, only hearing the Wesley’s name before Dumbledore announced food.
He grinned at all the food in front of him, grabbing as much as he could, those snacks could only last him so long. The others around him talked about different things, he listened but never joined. At some point of eating, Irene came out from under his cloak, and he fed her some of his food.
“Whoa, is that you’re familiar?” Dean asked. “Why is it here?”
Ed glared and he felt Irene glare with him at being called an it. “She, is my familial, of course I’m going to have her with me” he gave a confused look. He had read about familiars, and told a bit about them from Flitwick. Familiar are magic animals that are to assist magic-users in their practises, and are lifelong partners.
“Not that I know of, but I don’t think familiars are supposed to follow you around” one said, who he remembers their name being Heather Norden. “Not that I care, but isn’t that one of the primary uses of a familiar, to help and assist their bonded with their practise and protect them?” he asked.
He also got a big rant from Flitwick about how wizards have lost the meaning of familiars and their bonds, now only known as glorified pets.
“I’ve never heard of that” Oliver said. Ed shrugged and let Irene eat another piece of chicken.
“Different cultures, or Britain just lost touch with the lore of familiars” he said. “That reminds me” Evelyn started, ignoring Heathers outrage gasps of not knowing something. “I can hear your accent, very subtle, where are you from?” she asked.
Ed noted Evelyn was very observant “Germany” and he glared at Dean before he could ask why. Soon desert was served, Ed having as much as he could as Irene rest on his shoulders. The feast was over and Dumbledore got everyone’s attention. He warned everyone about the forbidden forest, and the third corridor.
Then the Ravenclaw prefects gathered the first-years to show them to the tower. Ed waved to Al, who could be staying in the room the headmaster had given them.
As they walked, the prefects speaking about the moving stairs and any questions they had, Ed greeted some of the paintings he and Al had befriended.
“And here is the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room” Robert Hilliard, the Ravenclaw prefect was friendly and never dismissed a questioned.
“To enter you have to answer a riddle, of course this does lead to twenty or so Ravenclaw stuck outside, but we are fast learners, don’t tell anyone, but we sometimes put a door stop by the door when exams start, so we not to worry about answering a riddle” he gave a toothy grin.
“Right, let’s see what riddle the door will have for us today” he walked to the door and it moved. Ed didn’t visit any of the common rooms when he and Al stayed here, not interested in at the time.
“What is always coming but never arrives?” the eagle asked. Some muttered around and Ed thought over the riddle. Robert encouraged them to answer. Evelyn stepped forward and answer just as Ed reached the answer, making both of them answer together “Tomorrow” they looked at each other as the door opened “good answer” the eagle said.
They headed inside and Ed took in the room. Couches on the side, dome like roof with windows looking out the lake, a statue of a beautiful lady and a harp by the stairs.
“Now, boys are down there, girls over here” Robert sorted through a small tour “The bathroom in just here, and all your luggage should be in your rooms, I advise you all get to bed now, breakfast is at 8 am sharp” he advised.
Ed went to his room. He shared it with Dean unfortunately and two other boys. The beds were in a bunkbed alcove with a curtain, blue and bronze everywhere. He saw his suitcase by the top bunk, with Irene’s habitat by the window.
He climbed up there, and was a bit surprise by how much space there was, cupboards, a small light to use at night, a pull out desk for studying alone, the window also had space to put things, like Irene’s habitat. She had slid over to it, already curling around the heating lamp.
He sat down and felt the bed comfortable and just to his liking, and his head didn’t hit the top like he thought it would, like it moved for him, which it likely did.
He grinned before dumping all his things on the bed and sorting through his clothes and underwear. The draws were behind him for his underwear and there was a cupboard for his cloaks, shirts and pants.
He then put all his books in a small bookshelf by the pull out desk, which extended when he ran out of space.
Once done, he closed the curtains and changed into long comfortable pants and a tank top, not really caring if anyone saw his scars.
Once done he climbed down to see Dean talking to the other boys, who had already changed. “Ed!” Dean grinned at him.
“Whoa, what a wicket scar!” the blond boy stared, the other with black hair gave a once over. “Uh, thanks, uh, Edward Elric” he introduced.
The blond gave a toothy grin “Hugo Hitchin!” giving a two finger salute.
“Takashi Stickney” the black hair boy said simply.
Dean then began to speak excitedly about some game, which Hugo returned with the same enthusiasm. Takashi looked exhausted of the talk already while Ed struggled to follow. “Exploding snap?” he questioned.
“How can you not know of exploding snap!?” Dean and Hugo exaggerated.
Ed shrugged helplessly, because honestly, he and his brother didn’t really do much cultural research, more interested in magic than anything else, they knew enough, from the teachers, and actually played wizarding chess with Snape and Flitwick, but that was all.
“We have to play!” Dean ran to his bed, which he still hasn’t unpacked yet. “Not to be a damper, but I don’t think any other student will be happy to be woken up by the exploding cards at this hour” Takashi said “You can introduce Elric in the morning” he said moving to his bed.
Hugo and Dean deflated and Ed gave a smile “all is well, I need to check on my brother anyway”
He left after Dean and Hugo promised to show him exploding snap. He had just walked into the common room when Al tackled hugged him. “Whoa! Al! What are you doing here?” he asked holding his brother.
“I came through the passage way” he grinned. Ed rolled his eyes. They sat down on one of the many couches there, only a few people sitting around, only giving the two side eyes.
Al told him about his day, spent with Hagrid. “We mostly played with Fluffy and Fang, but also checked up on the beasts in the care classroom, the care teacher had to rest” he explained. Ed had met the care teacher, all his prosthetics must be exhausting.
“But then Dumbledore had come down to ask Hagrid something” Al said opening a chocolate frog. “Don’t eat too many” Ed warned. Al rolled his eyes before continuing “He wanted to use Fluffy to guard something”
“The thing on the third corridor?” he asked. Al nodded “Yup, Hagrid said yes of course, I was more focus on if Fluffy would be able to stand in the room or wherever he was and Dumbledore said he would put expansion charms for him”
“Weird, why would he need Fluffy? He has all the traps from the teacher-uh oh, I mean Professors” he corrected himself when Al gave a look.
“Again, not sure, they had moved away from me to speak about it, all secretly” he munched on the frog.
Ed huffed “And what about you? Make any friends?” Al smirked. Ed pouted “I’ll have you know, I made at least three acquaintance! And a sorta friend on the train, then some of my housemates”
“At least you’re socializing”
Ed chuckled “I’ll introduce you to them, there’s Neville, he’s nice, shy and no confidence at all, but he’s nice”
“Then there’s this kid that reminds me of military children, well at least the spoiled ones, he held himself with pride and arrogance, that’s not like mine, don’t smirk at me” Ed glared as Al gave a smirk.
“His name is Draco, he declared us friends and I teased him, so I think it’s safe to say we are friends…I think?” he looked at his brother for help.
Al shrugged “sure, whichever you want brother, anyone else?”
“A girl on the train, didn’t talk to her too much, but she was nice enough to help look for Neville’s lost familiar, and she kept going on about all the books she read for school, wanting to be prepared” he explained.
“And your roommates?”
“They seem fine, Dean looks to be one to be nosy but otherwise a wild character, Evelyn is quiet, but observant, met a fifth-year, Oliver, and my other two roommates back upstairs, Hugo and Takashi” he listened them off.
“Well I hope for your sake, you can make some friends” Al tease. Ed gasped “Please brother, I am fully capable of making friends”
“uhhuh, it took you what? A year to admit Ling was a friend, he cried for days when he heard” Al laughed as Ed’s blush.
“Well, he’s an idiot prince!” he yelled in defense. Al laughed.
Al then yawned. “We should get to bed, it’s late, and we still need to do our exercise early in the morning” Ed said standing. “Mind if I sleep here? I don’t want to go the full way back to my room” Al pouted.
Ed grinned. “Of course!”
They moved to bedroom, finding his roommates were all in their bed, curtains closed. Ed climbed up first, and Al after him. Both were in their pj’s and they fell asleep together on the bed.