A/N: Technically, it's still winter break, at least for me, it may not be for some of you. I just got to spend most of Yule with my super-religious family, and my grandmother always wants me to come with her to midnight mass. Me, I prefer to avoid the bolts of heavenly lightning. It could have been worse, though, since luckily no one in my extended family would know what a Hammer of Thor pendant was if it danced naked through the house. Thank the gods for open-minded parents.

Ling managed to find a them both an empty compartment to change in. It wasn't empty to start with, strictly speaking, but the two occupants were willing to find another place to sit for a few sickles.

"You think the animal sigils on most of these people's clothes have anything to do with the houses Carrot-top mentioned?" asked Ed.

"Most likely," said Ling. "They'll probably explain it when we get there. And in the most annoying manner possible, just for us."

Ed snorted as he slumped down into the seat. His face then grew serious, as if he'd suddenly remembered something. "Alright, answers time. We're both in our early twenties, but we still look like teenagers. In fact, we look just like we did on the Promised Day. What gives?"

"Maybe it has something to do with the homunculi or the Philosopher's stone. Some sort of side effect, or something?" I'm not sure I like the implications of that train of thought, though...

Ed was silent for a moment. "Have you been having any weird dreams since the Promised Day? Dreams where you're someone else?"

"Yeah, but I figured they were stress-related. I am running an empire after all." Ling wasn't quite sure where Ed was going with this.

This seemed to fit with whatever was going on Ed's head. He nodded to himself and sat back. "I'll have to do some more research on it, plus the research on how to get home. Hopefully this school we're headed to has a decent library."

"Wait a second, you're just leave me hanging with that?"

"Until I get some research done... yeah, pretty much."

"So cruel..."

On their way to the carriages, the trio was suddenly waylaid by Professor McGonagall. "Mr. Potter and Ms. Granger, would you kindly come with me."

"We're not in trouble, are we, Professor?" asked Hermione.

"Not at all, not at all, Ms. Granger, but I do need to see you in my office, and Madame Pompfrey needs to see to Potter."

"But I'm not sick!" Harry protested. Any other arguments, however, died in his throat from the withering look McGonagall gave him.

"That was not a request, Potter. Ah, Pomona, you found them, thank you. Would you take Potter and bring them all up to the Hospital Wing?"

Harry turned to see Professor Sprout leading two familiar faces, both wearing expressions of resignation: the Israelis, Edward and Ling.

"Of course, Minerva. Come along, dearies."

Following the Herbology Professor up the castle, a sudden thought struck Harry. "Professor, are we going to miss the Sorting?"

"Oh, you'll most likely miss the start of it. But don't worry," she said, gesturing to Edward and Ling, "these two here also need to be Sorted, so you won't miss all of it. Dumbledore's starting a little bit later, on account of the dementor incident on the train. What the Ministry is thinking, I don't know..."

"What year are you two going into, anyway?" asked Harry

"Third," said Edward.

"Third?" They certainly didn't look Harry's age. "How old are you?"

"Fifteen," said Ling, who still looked like he was analyzing a combat situation. "Apparently, they didn't want to put us all the way in fifth year, but thought we were too old for first year. So here we are, in the middle."

Edward snorted at that. "Lek, jorcu ibac veman jorb." Whatever he had said caused both the Israelis to scowl.

Awkward silence followed, interrupted by Madame Pompfrey hurrying over to the group, with what looked like a large bar of chocolate in her hand. "The stupidity of the Ministry never ceases to amaze me. What are they thinking, let dementors loose all over the country to do as they please. Look at you three, you're pale as ghosts!" She broke the bar into thirds and handed them all a piece.

"You'll be in good hands," Sprout said to Edward and Ling (Edward simply rolled his eyes while he ate his chocolate). "Well, I must be off, Poppy, the Sorting will be starting soon." She bustled away in the direction of the Great Hall.

"Professor Lupin already gave us chocolate," said Harry, "He's the one who got rid of the dementor."

"Did he now? I'm impressed. Hopefully this one sticks around, it's high time we had a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who knows what they're doing. But it won't hurt to have a second dose, just to be safe."

"Don't question free chocolate," advised Ling, who was licking his fingers.

"Speaking of food," said Edward, "Where's this feast we've heard about?" The question was followed by the loud rumbling of all three stomachs.

"Oh, all right, I suppose you can go," said Pompfrey, "There's only so much I can do for dementor exposure anyway." As the three hurried away, she called after them, "But make sure you get plenty of rest tonight!"

When they reached the Great Hall, the lasted first year had just been sorted and was walking to the Hufflepuff table. "Ah, just in time," said Dumbledore. "Here are our two new students. Joining us from Israel: Edward Elric and Ling Yao. They will starting in the third year."

Harry slipped away from the pair just as Dumbledore announced them and hurried to his seat beside Ron. Hermione was already there, having somehow gotten away quicker.

"So those are the nutters we met on the train, huh?" said Ron quietly, as McGonagall called Edward's name to be sorted. "Wonder what house they'll end up in."

The Sorting Hat was taking an awfully long time with Edward, Harry noted. Even longer than it had taken when he himself was being sorted, the year before last. Edward's face had grown ever more stonier, when the Hat finally called out, "GRYFFINDOR!"

Their table burst into applause, and Ron groaned, as Edward made his way over. He sat next to Neville, shaking his hand as he did.

"Yao, Ling!" called McGonagall.

Ling took a deep breath and walked to the stool to have the ratty hat placed on his head.

"Well, well, you're like your friend over there. Horrific experiences, and you're several years older than anyone here suspects."

He felt his heart skip a beat. If this thing could see into his head...

"Don't worry. Like I told your friend, I don't have free will. Yes, I know about your little encounter with Truth, and the conditions he set. But I'm not allowed to tell anyone what I find in someone else's head. And I'm bound to Sort everyone who is admitted to the school, even if I don't want to.

Ling swallowed. " So, are you just going to put me Gryffindor with Ed and Potter, or..."

"Nonsense. You're not really a Gryffindor, and besides, my duty is also to protect the school. I may have to Sort you, but do you think I'm likely to put you in the same house as someone you're contemplating the murder of? No, no, no, that won't do at all. And with your eye for success, there's a house which suits you better." "SLYTHERIN!"

A/N: I know, still short. But I hit another writing block and have to figure out how I'm going to do the rest of the night. Also, I didn't put in Ed's sorting because, come on, we've all seen it a hundred times.

Someone asked why Ling and Edward are in third year. I think I had Ling explain it just now, but I'll repeat it. Since the school officials think Ed and Ling are fifteen, they're not going to put them in classes with first-years. But I also think it's rather illogical to put brand new students in the year group that's about to take life-changing exams. And of course, because Truth fixed it so they would be in the same year as their target.

Also, just 'cause I'm curious (and for review fuel), what are all of y'all's predictions for how the story will turn out? This isn't a vote, I already know what happens, I just want to know what you think. Oh, and just for fun, what's Ling's patronus?

"Lek, jorcu ibac veman jorb.": "Yeah, sure, that's why," *sarcasm mode*