Randominity

They spar for battle practice, sparks of light shooting back and forth from their wands as they chase each other through the corridors of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Spells rebound off the walls, knocking the ancient heads of house-elves askew, and Ed cringes, but does not slow down. His spells are cast without incantations, transfiguring objects effortlessly: Harry can imagine the student Ed would have been, had he gone to Hogwarts. He'd have been McGonagall's pet, no doubt.

Harry catches glimpses of silver from under Ed's right sleeve as the other boy dodges yet another spell. Harry imagines that artificial limb of Ed's would be cold to the touch, harsh and lifeless. He thinks of Peter Pettigrew's metal hand and in a sudden burst of speed and determination, he closes the distance between them. Pointing his wand at Ed's throat, Harry pins him effectively against the wall, winning this round. "Give up?" he asks, and Ed grins. They are both panting; Harry is a full head taller than Ed, and every time Harry exhales it ruffles the blond fringe of hair over Ed's forehead.

He only remembers that Ed is also skilled at hand-to-hand combat a moment too late, after his back hits the floor and the air is knocked from his lungs. "Who's so short and puny he could be mistaken for a house elf now, huh?" Ed cackles, resting a boot-clad foot on Harry's chest, and Harry shakes his head, both stunned and confused.

"I never even said that," he mutters, and is struggling to get up when Ed suddenly extends that metal limb of his.

"Here," Ed says soberly, his golden eyes hooded and mysterious. When Harry reaches up to grab hold, he is surprised by Ed's firm grip. It isn't cool to the touch at all.