Disclaimer: in all honesty FMA is not mine in any way, shape or form. With the minor exception of the obsessive collection of merchandise that i have. Harry Potter does not belong to me either, also excepting my frightening collection of HP books of multiple covers. Thank you.
Note: I claim poetic license, so anyone who has a beef with anything that I've written, left out or got wrong, I'm not really going to care much. This story is done and I'm not in the habit of reposting reedited fics. Flames with be summarily ignored.
Chapter 4There was a strange occurrence in the school of Hogwarts, something that had not happened in the entire known history of its existence. For the first time there was one thing that members every house agreed upon.
Edward Elric was a looker.
Not that he ever bothered to notice. The young alchemist constantly had his nose stuck in some book, taking notes that no one could read. There had never been anyone so oblivious to a raging fanclub as Ed was. He was constantly followed by girls wherever he went. He was never alone anymore in the library. He was accosted in the halls with questions about his personal life. They practically stalked him, making an official Edward Elric Fanclub complete with meetings and membership dues.
And Ed did not even notice.
"Blimey, it's not fair," complained Dean one day at lunch. "Why's it that he gets all the girls? What's so great about him? He's always reading those books, he never does anything!"
"And he looks like a girl!" added Ron, "Not even Bill looks that girly with long hair,"
"Well," Hermione pointed out, "He is attractive,"
The boys stared at her in horror. "No, not you too Hermione," Harry gasped dramatically.
Hermione frowned at them, "No. I was merely stating an obvious fact. He's attractive, smart, a mystery. It's no wonder that so many girls are infatuated with him,"
"Sounds like Hermione's got a crush too," Ron teased.
"Really Ron, I do not have a crush,"
"You sure? You sound like you like him," Harry agreed, smiling in amusement.
She sighed and packed up her books, "If you boys can't remember that I have better things to do than crush on someone then obviously you don't want help studying for the test in transfiguration,"
Over the cacophony of protests Edward's head snapped up. His eyes followed Hermione as she stood and stalked away from her friends. Quickly he gathered his things, almost dropping the book on potions mixing he was wading through at the moment, and dashed after her, startling many of his dedicated stalkers.
"Hermione!" he called after her, "Wait up, I need to ask you something,"
Hermione paused, looking back over her shoulder, confused. "What do you need?"
"How much free time do you have?" he asked, catching up to her and slowing to a walk.
"Why?"
"I need someone to help me with a little research I've been meaning to do," he ran a hand through his hair and frowned down at the floor for a second. "I've been trying to figure out exactly how it is you do transfiguration here since it doesn't work with any of the Laws and I need someone who can do it and do it well. I hear you're one to ask,"
"I guess you could say that. What do you need?"
"Just someone to transfigure stuff while I observe the process," he shrugged, "You alright with that?"
"It's not a problem for me," she said, "I need more practice anyways,"
"So what time would be good for you to meet?"
Hermione thought about it. She had a full timetable and much of her spare time was spent on homework. "How about Saturday?" she asked at last.
"When?"
"After breakfast?"
Ed nodded, "Meet up in the Hall?"
"Sure,"
"Thanks, this'll be a big help," he smiled brightly, bid her good day and jogged down the corridor. Hermione watched as he vanished around a corner, a small smile playing upon her lips.
A sudden shiver ran up her spine as she felt the chilling glares of many ignored fangirl.
By the time Saturday arrived Edward had exhausted every text the library had on the making of the Philosopher's Stone and had moved on to Dumbledore's own notes on the subject. He was pouring over one such notebook that morning as he inhaled his breakfast. Loose paper took up most of the space on the table around him, spilling over onto the bench as well, thwarting the scheme of many of his fangirls. His formerly pristine while gloves were stained with black in from all of the writing he had done, not even sparing himself a moment to clean them either with alchemy or without. He had circles under his eyes from staying up too late many nights in a row.
"Edward," Hermione moved some of his papers so she could sit down next to him, "You don't look good. Are you sure you should be up?"
Ed looked up and over at the witch. "What are you talking about? This is the best lead I've had since before I realized what following Marcoh's research would require,"
"I'm not even going to pretend to understand what you're talking about," Hermione frowned, "But to be honest you look terrible. Have you been sleeping? Have you done anything other than research?"
"Uh..." Ed thought about it, "No?"
"Honestly," Hermione sighed, rolling her eyes, "And they say that I'm bad,"
"Hey," he protested, "I can't slow down now. I'm closer to getting the answer now than I have been since I started looking for this,"
"And what is it that you are looking for? Every book I've seen you with has been from the Restricted Section up until two days ago and that looks like Professor Dumbledore's handwriting,"
Ed looked down at the book he was taking notes from. "The old man lent it to me, why? It's only basic stuff, for me at least,"
Hermione's bugged out, "This is basic?"
Ed shrugged, "Hey, you're talking to the guy who was acknowledged as a prodigy when he was ten. I understood things then that most adults had a hard time grasping even after years of work. This is basic,"
"I'll take your word on it," she said, sounding unsure. "Anyways, you said you wanted me to help you with something dealing with transfiguration..."
"Oh right, thanks for reminding me," Ed marked his page and started packing away all of his work.
"Why are you working so hard on this anyways?" she asked innocently. Ed slowed for a second, his expression growing distant.
"My little brother is... unwell. No one can help him so I'm looking for a way to fix what's wrong with him, see if I can do it myself. I'm sure I can, I just need to find the right method..." he frowned, getting to his feet, "But that's not what I wanted your help with. I have a problem with this transfiguration stuff and something about it has been bothering me. I talked to that professor about it, what's her name? McGonagall? Yeah, well, she couldn't help me so I was thinking I'd work on it myself with some help."
"So what do you need me for?"
"To transfigure stuff, of course,"
Hermione eyed the blond scholar warily. Ed just grinned and led the way to a deserted classroom.
Now to start field research.
Ed fiddled with his stylus and stared blankly at the paper before him. He had hardly gotten a start on this report he had to write when his mind had started to wander. His current predicament was him trying to stay on task while still mulling over theories and suppositions for the many projects he had signed himself up for. The bound souls, the transfiguration and making a Stone, it was taking more energy to keep everything straight than he had anticipated. Hermione was right, he had pulled far too many late nights and all-nighters.
He put his pen back to the paper and started writing again. Four years of writing mission reports gave a guy a little practice. Writing reports was like writing in code to Edward: he could do either in his sleep. Now, whether or not they would be legible would be another matter entirely.
What was there to report on? He had made considerable progress in this new method of creating a Philosopher's Stone. He had made no progress as to the mysteries of the transfiguration and the many bound souls. The schoolgirls were getting on his nerves with their constant stalking.
Ed scratched out the last one. The last thing he need was Colonel Mustang getting it into his head to come to Hogwarts to 'check up on' him. That leach wouldn't pass up the opportunity to try his hand with schoolgirls.
This draft was a mess. Edward pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and started copying out a cleaner copy. He tried to keep his handwriting as neat as possible.
When the report was finished Ed checked it over for mistakes before folding and sealing it. That done he could now get on to some more personal business. He pulled out another sheet of paper and started writing his brother.
Dear Al
How are you doing? Things are going well here. I've been able to learn a lot about this new method of creating a Stone. If things keep going the way they have been I should have the process complete in two more months. I'm keeping out of trouble so don't worry. Tell Winry and Granny I say hello. We'll see each other soon.
Ed.
Ed sighed and folded the short note as well, placing it on top of his report. One more thing to write. Out came another sheet of paper. This time the Fullmetal Alchemist wrote in code.
For this recipe you will need three cups of milk, one cup of sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, an egg and a pinch of salt. Beat the egg into the milk and add sugar. Beat until dissolved. Add spices. Pour into baking dish and place in preheated oven. Sometimes baking at high temperatures can burn the pudding. If you want it to come out well you should add less sugar. If you need the sugar the you must lower the temperature by approximately fifty degrees. Bake for an hour or until golden brown.
Share with your closest friends.
He folded the message and labeled the outside 'The Recipe I Promised You' before adding it too to the stack of mail to sent. That done he leaned back in his chair and stretched. One hand absently undid the tie on his braid and he combed through his long hair with his naked flesh fingers. Only in the confines of his rooms did he undress enough to bare his arms to the open air. His coat hung over the back of another chair, his gloves decorating the cushioned seat below it. He had kicked his boots off by the door, leaving his feet bare. If anyone knocked on his door Edward would have to redress himself very quickly. But at the moment he was beyond caring. It had been a long day and all Ed wanted to do was unwind.
He got up from the deck and flopped gracelessly over a overstuffed chair and stared into the dancing flames in the hearth. The light reflected off his golden eyes unnaturally. His fingers absently traced invisible arrays on the upholstery. When he caught himself he laughed. He had been working for to long today. It was time to get some sleep. Well, at least he got the reports done and a letter to Al written. In the morning he'd have to have to ask the old man how he could send them to Eastern from here.
Hermione noticed that the further Edward got in his research the less sleep he seemed to be getting. There were dark circles underneath his eyes that had not been there when they had first met. He was constantly writing in that notebook of his, drawing those 'arrays' and doing so many calculations it made her head spin. The only time he pulled himself away from his research was when he studied her transfiguration. She spent almost all Saturday changing one thing into another. But Edward only seemed to get more and more frustrated, as if there was something he was not quite understanding.
"Wait," he said, interrupting her train of thought, "Do that again,"
"Do what?" Hermione stilled, looking over st her observer, confused.
"That transfiguration. Do it again," he picked up a matchstick, "But this time turn it into exactly this one,"
She studied the matchstick curiously then pointed her wand at the needle. The needle turned into a matchstick and Ed leaped off the desk he was sitting on with a triumphant whoop. Hermione stared at him as if he had grown a second head, wondering what on earth he was going on about.
"What? What is it?" she asked, feeling bewildered.
Ed snatched up a teapot. "Change that paperweight into this teapot now. I have to make sure,"
"Make sure of what?"
"Just do it please," he stared into her eyes, excitement dancing and brightening the gold of his irises into a living fire. Hermione sighed and turned to the paperweight. "This exact teapot," Ed urged.
Hermione, not understanding what had him so excited did as he asked. She transfigured the paperweight into the teapot that Edward had been holding. Whens he turned to show him the newly formed teapot her eyes widened.
Edward was holding the paperweight.
"I finally figured out the secret to this transfiguration business. No wonder," he laughed, tossing the paperweight into the air and catching it, "No wonder you people could 'bypass' the Laws! You weren't changing anything, you where exchanging. It makes so much more sense now. You exchange some of your energy to satisfy the Law of Equivalent Exchange and just pull a swap,"
"What? No..." Hermione's eyebrows furrowed, "that can't be right,"
"You try it. Change whatever you want into something already in this room," Ed waved an arm to indicate everything they could see.
Hermione frowned and turned to the desk beside Ed. She pointed her wand at it and it swapped places with its chair. Her eyes widened. She tried changing a potted plant into a cage that was hanging five feet away. They switched places.
The pattern continued.
"Edward... do you realize what this means?" she asked at last, standing in the middle of the classroom in amazement.
"That you guys abide by the rules after all?" Ed quirked a wry grin at her. "Man, this is turning out to be a great week!"
"Mr. Elric, are you certain you wish to proceed with this now?" Dumbledore asked gravely. Edward was staring intently at his latest array.
"Better sooner than later. Doing it this way is much better than doing it the way I first came across. Might as well take advantage of that," he clapped his hands together and pressed them to the floor. Blue light flared up for a full second before dimming back down. A complex black array now decorated the gray stone. "Besides, there's no time like the present," he tossed the headmaster a confident smirk before kneeling down in the center of the array. He placed his palms over the flowing black lines, lighting them up once more.
Dumbledore watched in amazement as the alchemist started his own version of the spell that he and Nicholas Flamel had worked on for years. If the boy survived then he truly deserved the title of genius.
Blue alchemical light filled the small, out of the way room they had prepared just for this occasion. Edward's clothing and hair fluttered upwards, trying to race away from the energy that emanated from the array below. Edward pushed as much energy as he possibly could into the array, feeling it leaking out of him at an alarmingly fast pace. He had to push himself to his limits like never before for this, drain his energy to a hair before the edge that would kill him.
One misstep would be all that it would take...
He kept channeling and compressing as much as he could. Something started to form before him, floating innocently in the rushing air. Ed's eyes widened at the first glimpse of his success. This spurred him to redouble his efforts and the forming Stone grew.
After what seemed like an eternity Edward cut off the flow of energy. He slumped to land heavily on the floor, the metal of his automail arm clattering deafeningly loud in the sudden silence. Perspiration ran down his skin in steady rivulets. He gasped for breath, feeling more exhausted than he had ever before in his life.
Dumbledore knelt beside Ed, saying something that the alchemist could not quite make out. Everything was going fuzzy, his vision, his hearing, even his grip on what he could feel. He was just so tired...
So tired... he wanted to sleep...
Ed woke up in an unfamiliar room in a strange bed to an even odder sight. He pulled himself upright, noticing that someone had allowed him to retain his long sleeves and gloves. Looking around the room confirmed that the strange assortment of flowers, boxes of candy and other presently unidentifiable objects spread to more than just the bed beside him.
"What on earth?" he muttered. He shook his head, trying to clear out the odd vision. It did not vanish. So instead he swung his legs out from under the covers and tried to stand. His legs gave out on him and Ed found himself clutching at the mattress, kneeling on the floor beside his bed.
Edward scowled and tried to push himself to his feet once more. He could hardly push his upper body back onto the bed.
"What is going on?" he growled, frustration showing through, "Why can't I stand?"
"You current are experiencing acute energy drain, Mr. Elric," said a patient voice. Ed looked over and noticed a neat and tidy matronly nurse striding towards him, "The Headmaster would not tell me what you did to get yourself in such a condition. What were you doing trying to get out of bed yet? You won't be able to walk for another day. There is little I can do for a drain this severe. You almost killed yourself Mr. Elric,"
"I did?" Ed blinked. Did he make it? Hand he made a Stone? Would this humiliation be worth it?
"Yes. You did." she hauled him up and settled him back under the blankets. "Professor Dumbledore said that you made it, whatever that is supposed to mean. He will want to see you. Are you feeling up to visitors?"
Ed blinked at the MediWitch. "You mean Dumbledore?"
"There have been a few more people than just the Headmaster who want to see you, as you can see," she gestured to the plethora of get well soon gifts.
"Who are they from?" Ed asked.
The MediWitch raised an eyebrow, "They are from your fanclub, your many admirers, the entire female student body. Whatever you wish to call them,"
"Why?" Ed was really feeling rather slow at the moment. He shook his head, "Never mind. I want to speak with Dumbledore if he's not too busy,"
"I'll go fetch him now,"
"Thanks," Sighing, the alchemist leaned back into the pillows that propped him upright and closed his eyes. He concentrated on breathing slow and deep until he head the telltale sweep of fabric against stone that heralded the arrival of the headmaster.
"Ah, you have awakened, Mr. Elric," Dumbledore said approvingly. "It took you a full three weeks less time than it took me. You truly are a prodigy,"
"Yeah, thanks for the confirmation." Ed sighed, cracking his eyes back open, "How long was I out and did it work?"
"Three days, and your fanclub missed your sorely. And yes, it did work." he reached into his robes, pulled out an innocent red stone and handed it to its maker. Edward accepted his Stone with great reverence. He held it up, allowing the light to catch on its surface, causing it to glow. Power thrummed beneath its surface, power that Ed was intimately attuned to.
"It worked," he breathed, "It worked..."
"That it did. What will you do now?" the question was asked in hushed, careful tones. Edward sighed, smiling softly.
"How long before I'll be back to normal?" he asked.
"Given your rate of recovery I would hazard a week,"
"Plenty of time." Ed nodded, "I want to get Al back into his own body as soon as I can. It's been too long for him. It took me a month to travel here. If I send a letter to Mustang now asking him to bring Al here..."
"You would have a month to recuperate," Dumbledore nodded sagely. "You wish to preform the feat here?"
Ed nodded, "Yeah, far away from prying Amestrian eyes. There are far too many people who want to know why my specialty is kept under lock and key. Only the Fuhrer, the Colonel and Lieutenant Hawkeye know. Everyone else just... they don't know." he trailed off with a heavy sigh. His eyelids were falling despite his greatest efforts to keep them pried open.
"Sleep, Mr. Elric. You will find yourself tiring easily over the next day or so,"
Edward nodded slowly, his flesh hand clutching the Philosopher's Stone.
When Edward was released from the Hospital Wing he found very quickly that he had to actually work to slip past the many waiting girls in his fanclub. There were a few close mishaps but he ultimately made it to his rooms without being seen by anyone female. He slumped into one of his chairs, panting. This was so humiliating, to be out of breath this easily.
He noticed something on his desk that had not been there before. So, gathering his strength, he pulled himself back to his feet and padded over to fetch the letter.
It was from the Colonel. Ed resisted frowning. He opted for opening it instead.
Fullmetal,
It is good to hear from you at last. I had not expected such results from you in such a short time. Please don't think that I think little of your skills it was just that you had estimated two months in your last report.
Ed gave into his urge to frown. Could that man not lay off the short jokes even for something like this? Evidently not.
I will bring Alphonse as well as Lieutenant Hawkeye, as you requested. You had better have a good reason to do this so far away, Fullmetal. It was a handful getting the higher-ups to agree to let me go.
See you when we get there.
Colonel Roy Mustang, Flame Alchemist.
P.S.
Al says to say hello. As does Riza.
Now Ed smiled. Two out of the three coming he could stand. Maybe this wouldn't be so difficult to endure...
