Capítulo 87: Fullmetal Wizard | Chapter 87
Ed was jostled awake by Harry as the train pulled up to its stop. Ed couldn't see a thing outside, it was so dark. He got up and retrieved his knapsack from where he'd stashed it and followed the crowd off the train. Harry stopped ahead of him, and was looking around. Ed heard the voice of a woman calling, "First years..first years, come with me please."
He saw it belonged to a woman with a sever hair cut, carrying a lantern.
"You probably should get going Ed." Harry said, watching her, voice sounding a little disappointed.
Ed shook his head.
"I..don't think I'm supposed to go vwith dhem. I am.. never..dhat young." Ed watched the children poked and pushed each other along. Most were nearly as tall as he was, and his mood went decidedly south because of it. Harry shrugged, a followed the crowd. Ed followed him. Soon, they reached a muddy track of dirt that passed itself off as a road. Lined up along it were some dark carriages, and Ed saw a number of students climbing into them.
What really caught his eye, though, were the creatures hitched up to them. They were horse-like. Dark in color. Bones protruded through thin skin, and Ed could see what looked like bat wings folded neatly along their back. Though they were far too consistent in form, and none of them looked to be in any pain, Ed couldn't help himself.
"Chimeras.." Ed whispered in Amestrian. He walked up to one and he reached out his right hand to its reptilian nose. The creature snorted like a horse at him, and stamped it's foot. Ed patted the neck with his left, a glanced at the milky white eye.
"What am I supposed to be looking at?" Ron said.
"Right there. Between the shafts." Harry said.
"Can't you them?" Harry said worriedly.
"Dhese dhings? Yes, vhy?" Ed looked over his shoulder and saw that Harry had Ron pointed right at the creature.
"See what?" Ron said. "They're pulled by nothing, like always."
Ed looked over at Harry and met his eyes.
"What do you see, Ed?"
"um..a chimera" Ed said in Amestrian.
"A mix of a horse..reptile..some odher things.." Ed said in English. "It looks like it needs food. I don't know how it is still standing."
Harry looked a bit relieved. Ron's face screwed up in confusion.
"It's alright." Luna's airy voice drifted to them from behind the carriage. "I can see them too."
"Ed..I don't know where you're supposed to go." Hermione said from the carriage. "It's your first year, but..um.."
"I tink it vwill be vorked out vonce I get dhere." Ed said, and stepped away from the horse-chimera. "I did make my choice late."
"There's so much you'll miss out on, though..First years go by boat..see the whole castle.." Hermione said, then sighed and looked down. "Come on. Let's get a carriage together before they all fill up." Hermione climbed into the carriage. Ed climbed in behind her, and offered her a smirk.
"Is alvright. Travel by vater..iz not so goot idea. For me." Ed said as she took her seat across from him.
"What? You don't.."
Ed frowned and looked sharply at her, and even raised his gloved right hand a little. She noticed the small gesture, and nodded slowly, eyes wide and mouth set in a "o". Ron, Harry, and finally, Luna, settled in soon after, and then with a creak of wooden wheels, they were on their way.
The carriages stopped at some stone steps, and Ed was the last to step out of the carriage. He looked about him and finally to the steps that the crowd was busy ascending. He looked up to the top, to where they lead and scratched the back of his head.
"Hey..you coming or what?" Ron called. Ed glanced over to the voice, and saw that Ron was standing beside Harry.
"Yeah." Harry said, with a last longing look at something in the distance. It was dark out, so Ed had no idea what he was looking for.
'Lights?' Ed thought. 'Maybe that Hagrid they were talking about?'
Ed looked again towards the top of the stairs. "Ed? What's wrong."
"Dhis vreally a school?" Ed said, with a frown.
"Wait. You can't..?" Harry said. "But.." Harry turned back to the horse things pulling the carriages, and looked straight at one. Ed looked at him, and snorted.
"It's ok. I get it." Ed said as he approached the horse-thing. He patted it on the haunch with his gloved left, and adjusted his knapsack on his back.
"What?" Ron said, and turned.
"He..can't see the castle, Ron." Harry said, soft enough that it could only reach Ed's and Ron's ears. Ron raised his eyebrows.
"I never..I mean I knew..but.." Ron stammered. "Those.. explosions at Ollivander's..I thought for sure.."
Ed approached the steps, and looked back over to Harry and Ron. Both had looks of pity on their faces, and Ed scowled in response.
"Come." Ed said, turned, and joined the crowd on the stairs. Once his right foot touched the ancient stone, he felt several impulses flood his mind at once. He closed his golden eyes.
Find a bush FAR AWAY to use as a privy..and he didn't need to go. Find food, anywhere but here--NOW!!! Turn back and try to find a way around to get bearings--because he was soooo obviously lost--Who would want to stay in some ruins anyway?!?
'Just like at that Tavern.' Ed thought. He breathed in deeply, and let the breath out slow. Then, he turned his considerable will to task of simply reaching the top of the stairs, wrapping his mind around the task as though it were an array. Focused now, Ed opened his eyes.
TURN AWAY..this is no place for you. LOOK!! A distraction! Go chase it. RUN!! HIDE!! There are wolves here!! SEE the BONES?!?
Halfway up, the assault of unwelcome impulses hammered him even more, and he stumbled when he misjudged a stone step with his left foot. He felt someone grab his left elbow and he jerked it away. He began reciting the periodical table of the elements under his breath like a mantra, and shot a glare at the offender who dared touch him. It was Harry, green eyes wide beneath the round glasses. Ed turned back to his task, and took another step.
"Ed.." Harry said softly.
"Have two. Goot legs..I vill. Use dhem." Ed growled before he could say anything, and took another step. Sweat dripped down his forehead and ran down his cheeks, and he rolled the sensations away from his awareness.
"..there must be a charm or something..." Ron's voice mumbled from behind him. "..To help I mean.."
Another step. And another.
JUMP!! You'll be much safer than up there!! Run!! Find the SHINY!! It's over there!!
Three steps to go. Two..then one. He was at the landing, standing before the threshold of the remains of a large, decrepit, burnt and blasted door. It's remains hung open on huge ruined, rusty hinges. Beyond it, Ed saw the interior of a large and luxurious hall lit by torches. Hermione, Luna, and even Ginny had stopped just inside and looked at him now, and the crowd flowed right by them. He saw the Malfoy boy glance at him and give him a dirty look, flanked by the two goons. He felt a hand on his left shoulder. Ed jerked it away again and stepped inside the castle.
He nearly fell over when the impulses suddenly stopped. He stood uneasily on two wobbling legs, blinking in the unexpected relief. Hermione rushed forward, and he held up his left hand, fingers wide as he blinked and looked about. He heard cheerful shouts and footsteps echoing in the large hall. Smelled the stink his own sweat. He eased back his focus, and wrinkled his nose as a sweat drop dribbled down from his forehead. It tickled just enough that he had to sneeze into his arm.
"So dhis is Hogvarts." Ed said and looked back at Harry and Ron with a smirk. Harry chuckled.
"Uh..I just found out you WERE supposed to go with the first years, Ed, but.." Hermione said. "uh.. Professor McGonagall sent me to get you for the sorting. You're to go last, so no harm done. I think there's still time for you to wash up a bit."
Ed nodded, and with a wave to Harry and Ron, let Hermione lead him to where he needed to go.
Ed recognised Professor Mcgonagall from the house. She was a severe looking woman, dressed in black robes and a pointy hat like he remembered witches were supposed to dress from kids' books, and on her nose rest a the same pair of square glasses. She was carrying a wooden stool, upon which sat a ratty, patched, and ripped pointy hat. She glanced at him, and her eyebrows lowered.
"Mr. Elric, I was informed you were told to dress properly for the occasion."
Ed looked down at himself. He was wearing dress dark slacks, and shiny dress shoes. His pocket watch chain was shiny for once, since he did take the time to clean it, and it hung properly from the belt loop in front to the front pocket where he had placed the watch. He had a gray vest over a long sleeved, crisp white shirt, and of course, his white gloves. He refused to wear a tie..instead, he had buttoned up the shirt at far as it would go, so that it would cover the remains of the burn on his neck. His automail was covered. Maybe it was his hair she was upset about? That.. he had just pulled back into a ponytail, unruly bangs--still as unruly as ever. He HAD just looked in the mirror..he didn't think he looked that bad.
"Am dressed nice. Vhat?"
:::
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