Many Circles

Chapter 4: Many Hearts

Alphonse stared at his father with a mix of surprise and awe. He hadn't seen him in so long, and even though Ed was a great brother (a little troublesome), he really missed the rest of his family.

Al pulled back from his dad's hug and looked on as Ed walked out. He knew his brother needed time to cool off and wasn't going to take things in stride.

"Al?" Remus said, catching Al's attention once more. He turned his head to stare back at his father. The man had blonde hair and honey brown eyes that were so similar to brothers that it was almost scary.

Beside the two, Albus smiled over at the reunion.

"I'm happy that things are going well between the two of you. Though is your brother always so forward?" He asked, and Al nodded to the old man.

"It's going to take brother a while to get used to the idea. He was already really opposed to learning magic and then this… He just wasn't…"

"Expecting all this?" Remus finished, his eyes on the door his eldest son had left through. "Edward always was a bit stubborn." He murmured, then he turned his eyes to Al. "You've really grown up. I haven't seen you since you were a little baby."

"I, ah, yeah. I took some work but I'm me." Al replied, a little flustered at being reminded at how much pain the last few years had caused. The younger brother quickly changed the subject at his father's inquisitive look.

"So, I'll be going here? To learn magic?" Al asked, his eyes scanning the room and landing on the old man with the pointy hat.

"From people like this?" He almost squeaked out, trying his hardest not to start laughing.

"Well, yes." Minerva said, a little angry that Al was slightly shaking, trying to hold it in.

"Not from the headmaster himself, of course. I'll be teaching you a very important lesson. Defense Against the Dark Arts. It is very useful to know about. But more of that later. I can see your tired, let's go find your brother and get you to the room. I've, um, requested that you stay with me for a while, at least until you get sorted." Remus said, as he stood up from the table and smiled over at Alphonse.

"I don't mind! I get to stay with brother, and you, so that'll be great!" Al said, happily. Remus gave a relived smile, but it dimmed a bit when he remembered Edward's face.

"You don't think your brother will oppose it too much, do you?" He asked, a little wary of the answer.

Al just shrugged, brother could be a handful if he put the effort into it.

The two were about to go look for Edward when Minerva spoke up to Albus.

"Why did you change things and have Hagrid and myself pick up the boys? Surely, someone like Black might have gained their trust a little more than I? Or at least dealt with Edward a bit better." She complained. Her head was slightly painful from dealing with the latest events. Namely one called Edward Elric and his direct approach to words.

Albus gave a gentle smile. "My dear Minerva, Sirius would have been a good choice, but I decided for Remus to be able to tell him everything about the boys on his own terms. You found out something that Remus has been trying desperately to keep secret for years now, just by being here. None of us knew if the boys would instantly recognize Remus, and since Edward did, I am happy I kept Sirius away. The insatiable curiosity of a Marauder would have been perked and I'm afraid it would just cause more trouble for him to know at the moment." Albus explained quietly, so that only the two of them could hear.

Minerva turned away and looked over toward Remus and Al who were chatting happily. The young boy seemed to have a light in his eyes from seeing his father. He must have missed him, she mused. Both of them.

"Alright, then." She said, nodding. She then spoke up a bit louder so everyone in the room could hear.

"Let's look for Edward and then all of us should retire for the night. The school year has started and we all have to get ready for the morning. I trust Remus can explain the details to you and your brother at his leisure?" She asked, almost hoping that Remus would let her off the hook. The boys weren't in her jurisdiction, yet.