Conjuring Life
By: Demented Dementor
Harry Potter is the Property of J.K. Rowling. This piece is meant only for others to enjoy (for free). Full Metal Alchemist is the property of Hiromu Arakawa. No Copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 1: Special Delivery
Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's First Law of Equivalent Exchange.
-Alphonse Elric
Harry Potter was not happy. Just about anyone who knew him could tell you that. And if you would ask them why he was unhappy. You would get many different responses. If you would ask the neighbors why, you would probably hear in exquisite detail that the boy was mentally unhinged, and planned to kill us all in our sleep. You would also hear that the boy attends St. Brutus's Secure Center for Incurably Criminal Boys. If you were to ask his Relatives that he lives with, the Dursleys. They would probably grunt at you and mutter under their breaths about ungrateful freaks. If you were to ask his friends from school. They would probably tell you that his Godfather died a short while ago and no doubt mention that, that was by far the most logical outcome. Or at least that's what Hermione would say, Ron would most likely shuffle his feet uncomfortably and change the subject to Quidditch. But anyway no matter who you asked. No one would have gotten it completely correct. Because no one bothered to ask the one person who could've answered the question correctly. And that was of course Harry himself.
Harry Potter lay in his room late at night doing his most favorite pastime while he was at the Dursleys. Counting the number of cracks in the paint above his bed. In other words, Harry was bored out of his mind. The Dursleys had heeded the warning from the Order of the Phoenix well and had been treating Harry much better than before. They had begun to feed him a somewhat decent amount of food (so long as he cooked it himself). They also had cut down on the chores that Harry had to do. However while this treatment was indeed by far much better as Harry stated in his letters every three days to the Order as requested. It unfortunately left Harry plenty of idle time to dwell in his thoughts.
Over and over Harry replayed the skirmish at the Department of Mysteries. His poor mind began to think about what could've been done in hindsight. Yet these replays gave Harry one benefit. They allowed him to realize that the death of Sirius Black did not fall on his hands. Apart from Harry possibly being able to get in contact with an Order Member who then could confirm that Sirius was at Headquarters (which was out of Harry's control). Every scenario if based on what Harry knew led to heading for the Department, which then led to Sirius' death. Getting rid of his guilt allowed Harry to mourn like a normal teenager.
Harry was brought out of his musings by a tapping noise at his window. Looking over he saw three owls standing on his windowsill. Curious Harry glanced over at the calendar and did a double take. It was July 31st. His Birthday. Harry was now officially 16. Harry jumped up from his bed and opened the window to let the three owls into his room. Two of them Harry recognized as Hedwig his own owl. And Pig, Ron's owl. The third Harry did not recognize, but guessing from the seal on the letter it carried, it was from the Ministry. Harry quickly went about relieving the birds of their burdens. Pig and Hedwig flew over to Hedwigs cage to get a drink of water while the Ministry owl merely flew out of the window. Harry decided to open the letter from the Ministry owl first. 'Probably my OWL results' he thought. Tearing the back of the envelope he unfolded the parchment inside and began to read.
Ordinary Wizarding Level (OWL) Results.
Pass Grades
Outstanding (O)
Exceeds Expectations (E)
Acceptable (A)
Fail Grades
Poor (P)
Dreadful (D)
Troll (T)
Harry James Potter has achieved:
Astronomy A
Care of Magical Creatures E
Charms E
Defense Against the Dark Arts O!
Divination P
Herbology E
History of Magic D
Potions E
Transfiguration E
OWLS received: 7
Note: An exclamation point (!) denotes a new school record for the highest score since 352 AD. Congratulations Mr. Potter and good Luck on your NEWTS.
Kyle Fleming
Dept. of Standardized Testing
Division 5
Harry's heart fell somewhat. He didn't make the grade for NEWT Potions. However he doubted that Snape would've allowed him into the class even if he scraped the necessary grade. Next Harry turned to his packages from Hedwig and Pig. The first one was from Hermione. Harry opened the card to read.
Happy Birthday Harry!
How are you? Have the Muggles been treating you well? I'm staying at the Burrow right now. Have you gotten your OWL results yet? I can't wait for them to come. I hope I did all right. I'm absolutely convinced that I mixed up Pax with Upax on the Ancient Runes exam. But then again, you're not taking Ancient Runes, so you have no idea what I'm talking about! Anyway, hope that you enjoy the present and hope you can come soon.
Hermione
Harry couldn't help chuckling to himself. He was certain that Hermione got top marks in all her classes. He opened the small package that came with the card. And couldn't help smiling at what was revealed. In typical Hermione fashion she had gotten him "A Guide to your NEWT year" by Madame Marshal. Harry set the book to the side and turned to Ron's gift. Opening the card Harry had to give a small laugh.
Happy BirthdayHey Harry, How are you doing? Dad says that Moody told the Muggles off at the station so that's good isn't it? Hermione's over at the Burrow and keeps going on and on about how she just knows she failed her OWL'S. Yeah right! She's probably top of our year! Hope you like the gift.
Ron
Harry opened the package and gave a small gasp. Inside was a beautiful knife. The handle and sheath were decorated to look like ivy was crawling up from the point. In the center of the sheath was a small jade stone that was the same color as his eyes. Harry next turned to his last package which had come with Hedwig. Opening the envelope he discovered a small note on which was written.
To: Harry
From: The Order
P.S. so you quit sticking that wand in your back pocket.
Harry opened the package to reveal a dragon hide wand holster that could easily be clipped to his arm. Another note was inside.
Harry
This holster is charmed to prevent your wand from being summoned from you.
As well as a notice me not charm so you can wear it with short sleeves. Simply tap it with your wand.
Moody
Harry quickly strapped the holster to his arm and taped it with his wand before sliding it inside. Harry then placed the NEWT book in his trunk along with the knife. Harry settled down in his bed and shut off his light.
Harry woke up the next day at around 6:00. He snuck downstairs careful not to wake the Dursleys and began to cook his own breakfast. Quickly eating the ham and eggs that he cooked. Harry cleaned up his mess and grabbed the chore list from the refrigerator. A quick glance through revealed that he only needed to mow the lawn and remain out of sight this evening. It seemed Vernon would be having his boss over for dinner in hopes of a promotion and they didn't want another fiasco like in his second year.
Harry really didn't mind mowing the lawn. He figured that when he got a house of his own. He would still mow the lawn the Muggle way. The sound of the mower did wonders in terms of drowning out his thoughts and allowing himself to relax. Harry turned on the mower and began the familiar path. He was lost so much that he almost missed the Muggle postman walking up the path to number 4 with a medium sized package under his arm. Harry just continued along until he heard his Aunts voice.
"No there is no Harry Potter here at this address!"
Harry shut off the mower. "I'm Harry Potter" he said causing the man to turn to him.
"Package for you sir." The man said crossing over to Harry to hand him the package. "I'll just need your signature." After Harry signed the slip the man turned and headed for a brown truck before driving off. His Aunt had already stormed into the house slamming the door. Harry merely tucked the package under his arm and continued to mow the lawn.
After retreating to his room Harry was about to open the package until he heard a commotion downstairs. Going to his door he glanced downstairs to see Mad Eye Moody attempting to force himself past Uncle Vernon's large girth and get into the house. "We have treated the boy much more kindly than he deserves. You have no right to just barge into my house!"
"Stuff it Dursley" Mad Eye said giving one mighty heave shoving Vernon out of his way. "I need to talk with Potter."
"What do you need Moody?" Asked Harry from the top of the steps revealing his presence to the rest of those gathered.
"What have you been telling them boy?" Shouted Vernon, however Harry and Moody ignored him instead going up to Harry's room to talk.
"I see that you got a package Potter." Said Moody as they entered the bedroom. "Does it have a return address?"
"Uh. No I haven't checked." Replied Harry glancing at the package. Moody nodded taking out his wand. "Excuse me Professor. But what are you doing?"
"Stand back Potter. I'm going to destroy it."
"WHAT?!?" shouted Harry rushing forward to grab the package from where it sat. "Why the hell would you do that?"
Moody sighed lowering his wand. "For all we know, that could be a Portkey that would take you directly to You-Know-Who."
"It's not from Voldemort Why would Voldemort send me a Portkey in the Muggle mail?" Harry ignored the flinch at Voldemorts name. "Wouldn't that be a little bit hypocritical?" Moodys face took on a thoughtful expression.
"Not bad Potter, it seems to make sense." He said grudgingly replacing his wand. Harry set the package down and tore off the paper. Out fell a tattered old book, not that large. Yet it certainly wasn't brand new. Harry glanced at the cover.
"An Introduction to Alchemy?" He said out loud. At a chuckle from Moody Harry turned around.
"I should've known." Said Mad Eye shaking his head back and forth. "No one can hide anything from that kid." Harry glanced at Moodys hands where a small piece of paper that had fallen from the package now was. Harry grabbed the paper from Moody.
Harry Potter,
Happy Birthday from a stranger. Thought you could use this.
Edward Elric
Full Metal Alchemist
"Someone you know?" Asked Harry.
Moody shook his head. "Not personally, just an alchemist who came over here after him and his brother were exiled from their homeland. They're currently working for the Department of Mysteries right now." Moody eyed the book warily. "If I were you Potter, I'd destroy that book as soon as possible. That Alchemy stuff is dangerous. In my opinion, it should be classified as a Dark Art." And with that warning Moody turned and left the house to Uncle Vernon's relief.
Harry stared at the book. Harry looked back at the book that now lay innocently on his table. He trusted Moodys judgment and experience. Yet Harry still felt like one peek couldn't hurt anything. After all, he had used the Cruciatus curse on Bellatrix Lestrange and he certainly didn't turn into Voldemort from that one use. So it only made sense that a small glance at the book wouldn't send him permanently down a dark path. Harry opened the book and discovered another note from this Edward Elric.
Harry,
If my initial belief was indeed correct than you were not alone when you opened my gift. Most likely someone from the Order of the Phoenix (yes I know all about them). They probably told you again that Alchemy is a dark art, so let me make this painfully clear. Alchemy is a Science. And like with all the sciences in the world it gives you knowledge. Knowledge can be used for good or evil. So they are correct in saying that Alchemy is a dark art. Yet if you use that logic you will realize that the same can be said about magic. The energy used in a stunner or a tickling charm is the same energy that is used in the Killing Curse. If you choose to read on in this book that is entirely your choice. You will find that this book will be filled with notes. Many of whom are crossed out. They are crossed out for a reason! Let me explain myself.
Several years ago our mother died from illness. Al (my brother) and I both in our foolishness thought that we could use Alchemy to bring her back. This is called by Alchemists as Human Transmutation and it is strictly taboo! Yet we didn't care. We went ahead and studied it and finally we tried to transmute out mother back to life. We failed. As our consequence I lost an arm and a leg. Al lost his entire body. The only reason he is still here is because of Alchemy. So now you see. If you were only to go off of our failure and our foolishness, than Alchemy is a dark art. This is what Dumbledor believes. Yet no magic could have kept Al's soul from leaving this realm. So read, or don't read. It doesn't really matter. The choice is yours.
Edward Elric
Harry sat there for several minutes reading that note over and over. Harry thought for a long time about the words Edward had written. The question now was weather he would use the knowledge held within the book. Or would he follow Moodys advice and destroy the book. 'There is no good or evil. Only power, and those to weak to seek it.' Voldemort had said that to him four years ago, then he had flat out rejected it, his young mind to stubborn to get rid of the simple black and white world he lived in. Taking a deep breath Harry made his decision and began to read "An introduction to Alchemy." Little did he know that this book would change his entire life.
