Title: That damned uniform!
"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 grey 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?"
Professor McGonagall made a clucking noise in her throat, and she put the wooden stool down for but a moment. She turned, waved her wand. Ed widened his eyes as the hum barely tickled in his chest--then he noticed the sleeves of his arms were now covered by an additional dark material. He looked down, and scowled.
"Dammit" Ed said in Amestrian.
He was now wearing the same robe as everyone else. He pushed up one dark sleeve. His original clothes were still beneath.
'No equivalent exchange.' Ed thought.
"Come, children. This way." Professor McGonagall quipped as she once again took up her burden, not even looking in Ed's direction enough for him to really give her a stare down. Two great doors opened before her, and she entered an even bigger hall than they were currently in, lit up in soft candlelight. The children lined up, and one by one they filed in behind her.
As he knew he was to be the last one in, Ed took the time to look around. The hall that they were to enter had four long tables running the length of it, about which sat the other students. Above each, he could see banners -- showing him each table had their own colors, and symbols. Above that, was and wasn't, the sky. Ed knew for certain that he shouldn't be able to see the ceiling through stars, no matter how high up it was.
Just ahead, and a little above, them was another long table, running along the width of the hall, about which, Ed supposed, sat the professors. He watched as Professor McGonagall placed the stool down, and turned about. The general din of the hall quietened to a hush of expectation. Then, the tattered hat on the chair, using the large rip near the brim as a mouth, began to..sing.
Ed sighed, and rolled his eyes.
'Blood seal on a HAT of all things.. What next?' Ed thought. He folded his arms and leaned his shoulder against the doorjam.
He watched. One by one, names were called. And one by one, those in the line stepped up to the table. Once there, they sat upon the stool, usually looking very nervous or fearful, and had the hat placed upon their heads by Professor McGonagall. It was the hat that called out one of four things: Slytherin!, Hufflepuff!, Gryffindor!, or Ravenclaw!. The child in question then took off the hat and replaced it upon the stool for the next. Then rushed off to one of the long tables with the banners overhead.
Nice. Neat. Orderly.
Ed narrowed his eyes. He could see Severus Snape at the table ahead. Dumbledore as well..mostly because he sat to the side of the stool in the only high backed chair. He didn't recognise the others at the table. And there was this one in pink cardigan sweater..looked to be a woman. Ed cocked his head.
'She looks familiar. Where did I see..?' Ed thought.
"And finally...Elric...Edward!"
Ed blinked, then shoved himself off the jam and walked at a leisurely pace towards the stool. All eyes were on him, and not all were friendly. He was feeling particularly stupid-- mostly because of the robe he was being forced to wear. He saw the pink sweater woman turn abruptly about and glare at him as though he were a piece of dung. She rather resembled a toad overall, especially when she frowned--like she was doing right now.
"Headmaster, not that I wish to question your judgement in these matters.." The woman said in a little girl voice. "...the Ministry was under the impression that this.. ah, Mr. Elric..is in fact a Muggle. "
Her voice carried far in the Great Hall, and there were many many whispers coming from the long tables. Their tone surprised, shocked. And from the green and silver one, outraged.
'Ministry?' Ed thought.
Ed stopped walking down the aisle, and kept his eyes on the pink toad-woman as she rose from her seat. He could see a wand was in her hand already. He was but a few meters from the raised area that the stool was on, and two long tables were to his right, and left -- the literal middle of the hall.
"Shall I save us all the trouble, and simply obliviate him now?"
Ed raised a single eyebrow, easily reading her movements. He adjusted his stance, deceptively relaxed, but ready. The pink toad woman smiled a sickenly sweet smile and walked over to where Dumbledore sat; Ed never broke his gaze. She turned towards him, and, as she raised her wand, Ed felt the hum of an active array in his chest.
He clapped his hands together with a hasty, balanced array shining in his mind. The warming energy flowing throughout his body.
Dumbledore quickly held up a hand before Ed let the energy flow. The pink monstrosity glanced towards the movement, and raised her eyebrows.
Golden eyes narrowed, Ed eased himself into a guarded position instead, fully in his fight stance, right hand leading.
"I assure you that Mr. Elric is indeed more than qualified to be attending Hogwarts. As I'm sure you're aware, all Professors will have the opportunity ..as soon as tomorrow, if you wish ...to place him in their classes as they deem appropriate." Dumbledore said. His voice, too, carried throughout the hall, and the whispers quietened a little --down to a kind of buzz.
The pink woman lowered her wand and stepped to the side of the stool. The hum of an active array did not go away, and Ed flicked his eyes to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore stood from his gawdy high-backed gold chair, looked at Ed with his twinkling blue eyes, and gestured to the stool. Ed could see the movement from the corner of his eyes as he watched the pink-toad woman carefully. Her beady eyes finally met his.
"You done..?" Ed said in a low growl, and she narrowed her eyes.
"Delores... if you please." Dumbledore said in the most polite tone.
The pink-toad scowled, for just a moment. Then the sickenly sweet smile reappeared on her face. She tucked her wand into her pocket, and with a final look of disgust aimed at Ed, walked back to her seat at the table with her head held high. Ed watched her the entire way. The hum in his chest faded once she completely sat down. Only then did he lower his hands to his sides. Ed clearly saw Severus curl back his upper lip in disgust as well, as he was seated just across from her; It wasn't long before his usual sneer-mask replaced it.
:::
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