Now there are a few thing I want to clear first, before going on to this chapter.
Ametrisis exsists as a real country in this world, at least for this story. It is known as a military country, and is famous for its alchemy. However, it had not yet shown the entire knowledge of alchemy ( Human transmutation, Fire alchemy, whichever. Just the advanced form) to the world. It has been very secretive of that information.
Alchemy is taught at Hogwats, the course starting from the third year. It is an elective subject. The material taught is very basic. I have added a note of the things taught yearwise.
Year 3: Basic elements.
Year 4: The entire periodic table.( Properties of elements etc)
Year 5: Normal reactions, molecules and compounds.
Year 6: Alchemic runes, alchemic cirlcles are taught at the end of the year.
Year 7: Basic Alchemic reactions with a circle. The curriculum ends here.
Harry, Ron and Hermione have taken Alchemy.
Automail also exists, but the quality is much worse here ( Moody's leg ). The best automail is only avilable in Amestrisis.
Chapter 4
The sun finally showed its head at The Burrow, slowly bathing the house in a fresh orange color. The morning dew remained thickly on the grass, as the air was quite humid. The sky was murky, informing the tenants of the said house of a downpour. However two of them were outside, in the sun. The sunlight which was rapidly being blocked by the ever present murky clouds. The rare rays of sunlight bounced off the figure's arm as he moved artistically through the grass, performing what seemed to be a beautiful dance of death. The other figure looked on with amazement, the said emotion clearly etched onto its ocean blue eyes.
Finally, when the dance stopped, the earlier figure steadied itself on the fence, while downing a glass of water.
"Thanks, Win. The northern weather automail certainly helps. It is very light but with more durability. This is the best model I've seen. Thanks!"
Winry gave Edward a large smile. She always liked her automail being appreciated. The fact that her favorite customer, now her boyfriend; always praised her work made her day.
Ed gave out a sigh, breaking his natural breathing. Winry noticed this.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know…..Just missing Al, I guess."
"Have you written to him?"
"Yeah. Apparently, he is still weak to hold a pen, so Hawkeye writes his letters for him."
Its good thing to hear that she is doing well. After what happened during The Promised Day…"
"What was the Promised day?"
Ed and Winry froze. Slowly turning around, they saw Harry leaning against the door, with a questioning look on his face.
"How long have you been there?"
"Apparently long enough. So…"
"What?"
"You better start answering some questions."
Ed looked thoughtful. He didn't want his secret to be out in the open. But this meant that he could get closer to Harry.
"Alright. But you see, I have some questions of my own….."
Sometime later, the three of them sat within a magical barrier which Winry had created, so that they would not be overheard. Harry found himself amazed at their current level of skills. What amazed him more was the hunk of metal attached to Ed's arm and leg. Just as Winry finished casting the barrier, he exploded into a flurry of questions.
"What's with your arm and leg? Is it really metal, or are you a cyborg?"
Edward had expected this, so he gave a nod toward Winry who told Harry the complete version of automail.
"Err, can you repeat that?"
Edward snickered, but stopped immediately as he received a death glare from Winry.
"Told ya, Gear head."
"Shut up, Alchemy Freak."
Their argument went on, with the two of them forgetting the third occupant. Finally due to the result of a cough, they both snapped their heads to towards a very impatient Harry, who looked on pointedly. Edward decided to explain to him in short.
"Basically a prosthetic is attached to my limbs, which is made of metal. But its receptors are attached to my nerves, so that I can easily move it. Got it?"
Harry managed a small nod, somehow digesting the thought of having metal attached to your limbs.
The next question was also inevitable.
"How did you lose them?"
Edward's facial expression became grim. He always hated to give out this piece of information.
"Ed?"
Edward managed to look up at him, who had his emerald orbs full of concern.
"Tell me Harry, what do you know about alchemy?"
Harry remembered the subject which he had just started last year. It seemed quite simple to him. Thus he gave Edward a complete, yet precise gist of what he had learnt last year. To his surprise, Edward started laughing.
"What's so funny?" He was surprised at his own annoyed tone.
"S-sorry. I still find it tough to face the fact that you are learning what I and my brother had learnt when we were 6 years old."
This utterly shocked Harry. The basics of alchemy were quite easy; but the fact that Edward had mastered it when he was 6 years old utterly shocked him. He wanted to question him thoroughly about his earlier activities, but his question surprised even him.
"You have a brother? Where is he?" This question was one of those he wanted to ask in the end, preferably when the tension within the trio had disappeared.
Edward gave him what looked like a cross between a grin and a worried look. "Yup. His name is Alphonse….. He's recuperating in the hospital right now. He just recovered from a disease right now."
Harry though that he detected a tinge of worry, but immediately dispelled that thought.
Edward continued on.
"Whatever you are going to learn in Hogwarts, is basically the very basic of alchemy. Reactions, properties of elements, etc. Hell, you are going to learn about alchemic circles and reactions in your last year itself! I completed as this by the age of 10. All means all. Even the circles you will learn in your final years are the very basic ones."
"So, basically the magic you used at the world cup was….alchemy?"
"Yeah. I am the very few people in the world who can perform Alchemy without a circle. Consider that similar to non verbal spells. It gives me easily a split second advantage."
Harry was bewildered. Noticing it, Edward continued his former explanation.
"Let me explain. Every alchemic reaction has to have a circle. It denotes the transfer of power. But, due to my….. research and knowledge, I have attained a way of performing it without a circle. I simply picture the needed circle within my mind, then go forward to complete the reaction."
Harry nodded.
This time Edward asked Harry a question.
"What do you know about the law of Equivalent Exchange?"
Winry groaned. Ignoring her, Harry gave Edward a shrug.
"It simply means that to achieve something, something of equivalent value must be given away. For example, I can create a glass out of broken pieces of glass, but I cannot create a bar of gold out of glass, as Gold is an entirely different element. Got it?"
"So, you can create a wooden chair out of a log, but not a steel spoon out of it?"
"Exactly."
"Shit man. Alchemy is really something."
"In fact, when you attempt a transmutation which breaks this law, the reaction will die out, in an explosion of sorts. It is also known as rebound. The sight is not pretty when that happens. Now, I have answered enough questions. Time for you to answer mine."
Harry grimaced, but nodded nonetheless.
"Why did Voldemort tried to kill you?"
Harry startled at the sudden serious question.
After a grueling 15 minutes, Harry had explained everything about himself to the enigmatic Edward Elric and Winry Rockbell. He even told them about Sirius being innocent. He couldn't find out the reason, but somehow, he felt that he could trust them. What surprised him was that Edward taking his story completely, believing it without any interruption or delays. Just then Edward looked at his watch and mentioned to leave, Harry stopped him.
"What? We have to get ready for our departure."
"You didn't answer my question completely. How did you lose your arm and leg?"
Edward winced. Slowly turning to face his new 'friend' he started in a completely serious voice. "What I am going to tell you, Harry, is not to be repeated anywhere, not even to your best friends? Got it?"
Slowly, Harry nodded.
Edward continued. "Remember, what I told earlier? In order achieve something; something of equivalent value must be given away. So tell me Harry, what could be equivalent of a human soul?"
This caused goose bumps to erupt on Harry. He never expected this. Noticing his silence, Edward went on.
"The answer is nothing. There is no possible substitute for our souls, whatever you do. The branch of Alchemy which deals with this is known as Human transmutation. However, there is a unspoken rule in it: Don't attempt to bring back the dead."
Harry paled.
"I was an idiot. I thought that I had researched everything. I had the perfect array. I had all the required items for making a new body. But I failed to grasp the earlier fact…That was a mistake which hounded me. I and my brother just….. wanted to see our mother's smile again. But the reaction failed. I lost my leg and Al lost…. his body. Then somehow, I bonded Al's spirit to a suit of armor, enabling him to live, at the cost of his senses and my arm."
An audible gasp was heard. Ed and Harry turned to find that Winry was reduced to tears.
While comforting her, Edward asked another cryptic question; "Do you believe in God, Harry Potter?"
"I guess."
"Then this is what happens to those who try to tread on God's territory. That's why it should never be attempted. This is why it is forbidden."
Harry was too stunned to answer. Being an orphan, he knew the pain of not seeing your parents.
"After the failure, we were taken in by the Rockbells. Winry also had lost her parents, and she lived with her grandmother. After spending some time into depression, I decided to get my brother's body back, whatever the cost. Soon I was fitted with automail. Then in order to continue on our research, I decided to join the military-"
Edward was interrupted by Harry's expression. He truly lacked the words to describe it. In simpler terms, Harry's jaw dropped.
"Don't joke. Military can't take children."
"Harry, does it even look like I am joking?" This caused Harry to snap out of his daze to notice Edward's grim expression.
"So, I joined the military, and was accepted as a state alchemist. So after what seemed like loads of research, automail breakdowns, death matches and a war, I managed to restore my brother back to his former body. It was a tedious process, but it was worth it."
Harry was entirely stumped. Defeating a basilisk and banishing many dementors seemed like nothing to fighting a war. War meant endless fighting and killing. The very thought of it made him break out in a clammy sweat. His brain absolutely refused to cooperate; it seemed to have jammed somehow. Finally when he pieced the puzzle together, he spoke out in a chocked tone, "So you are a Colonel now?"
Edward's eyes widened and he gave out a faint growl. "Where did you hear that?"
"At the world cup. When Winry…..was stunned. You were shouting, and someone asked you, no pleaded with you, with your rank to help her….."
Edward gave out a sigh. After all, he didn't want anyone coming to him calling him 'Alchemist of the People' or 'Hero of the Nation'.
"Why are you here?" This broke Edward out of his stupor.
Edward hesitated. He didn't want to reveal this to Harry yet. But one look at the aforementioned person caused him to shudder. Sighing, he told him about his mission. The reaction was quite anticipated. There was red color on Harry's face and was slowly building up a darker shade.
"So, you are saying that Dumbledore assigned you as my bodyguard?"
A nod.
"Doesn't a he think that I can defend myself?"
Another nod.
"So?"
"He thinks that you rush into all kinds of situation without thinking…."
"So what? I am completely capable of defending myself!"
"Huh. I have read about you. All you have done until now was 'sheer dumb luck', to quote Professor McGonagall."
"WHAT?"
"Look for yourself. In your first year, you were saved by your mother's wards. In your second year, you were saved by Fawkes, and a lucky swipe which killed the basilisk. During the third, you were saved by…..well, that was your own effort. Can't say anything about that."
If it was possible, Hell had frozen over. Harry had never been berated by anyone before. Excluding Snape. But somehow, Edward had called him an idiot and criticized his actions which spanned over 3 years luck. He knew it was the truth. He had just gotten luck. He had his friends to support him during the search for the stone. Fawkes had ripped out the monster's eyes for him. If it was not for them, he would be certainly be dead. Silently he managed a nod towards his so called 'bodyguard'.
Ed simply nodded. He checked his watch and cursed.
"We are late."
Hours later Harry sat with Ron, Hermione, Winry and Edward in a compartment aboard the train. Harry kept his word, he hadn't mentioned anything about his chat with Edward. He just told everyone that had gone for a walk. He snapped himself back to reality, they all were dripping wet, for it was raging outside. Hermione was attempting summoning charms, but the articles were falling in mid fight. Ron was still eyeing Winry, oblivious to the fact that Edward was sending him death glares.
After sometime a poorly summoned book fell on Edward's face, inviting his wrath. A shouting session later, the compartment was quite again, except for the angry mutterings of two teens. Winry and Harry worked tirelessly to keep things under control but failed again as Edward got frustrated again at another poor attempt.
"If you want to practice, do it in the corridor!"
"If you have failed to notice, it is full of students!"
"So is this compartment! Jeez! Don't you know how to do it? It's pathetically simple!" Just then, Edward summoned the fallen book wordlessly with a flick of his wand. With another flick, he banished it towards Hermione, which struck her flat on the face.
Edward broke into raucous laughter. Ron looked bewildered, as he was too busy staring. Harry managed to stop himself before a chuckle broke out. Winry gave a small smile before reprimanding Ed while Hermione looked positively murderous. However, he anger was replaced by embarrassment as she remembered that Edward had not only summoned and banished the target, but managed that wordlessly as well. Again silence fell as she fished out a book to read while Harry managed to convince Ron to have a game of chess. The silence was soon broken a chattering sound; the culprit being Winry who was feeling very cold. Edward immediately rushed to cast a self heating charm on her, managing to return her to normal. However, he turned to find three pairs of eyes boring into him.
"What?" he spoke in his usual aggravated tone.
"Bloody hell, mate! That was awesome!"
"What was?"
"The self heating charm! We don't have that till our N.E.W.T year!"
"So?"
This time Hermione took over"He is asking, Edward, from where did you learn this? This is very high level magic."
Edward scoffed. "I read about it."
"Where?" Ron interrupted again
"Seriously Ron, how much ignorant you can be in your own house? I took them from another room, Percy's I think. Anyways, the rest of your two brothers had used the same books, so I read all them. "
If it was possible, Edward thought that the jaws of all those present would hit the floor.
"You read the books for the rest of the school years? What are you? A pumped-up version of Hermione?"
Both Edward and Hermione teamed up to unload pain on a certain red haired boy there and then, but were interrupted by a voice.
"I always wanted to go to Drumstrang. There they really teach dueling, not the ruddy crap we learn here."
Just then, the compartment door flew open, allowing Malfoy and his two cronies to step inside.
"Look what we have here. Potter and his group of mudbloods and mudblood lovers. No wonder this area stinks."
Harry immediately stood up, angry. "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"
Unfazed, Malfoy went ahead and swiped the Ron's dress robes which he had placed over his owl's cage. While he was busy laughing, Edward gave out a groan. Again Malfoy noticed this.
"Who is this new short guy here?"
Edward was ready to burst but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Turning around, he saw that Winry gave him a forced look, forcing him to sit down back. However, Malfoy found this amusing and started to joke on it again while receding from the compartment.
"Huh, another useless fellow. Too bad he needs his bitch to control himself."
Edward snapped. Ignoring all protests from Winry, even ignoring the fact that Malfoy was on the other side of the door, Edward punched Malfoy through the glass, breaking it with his right hand. The punch caught him squarely on the face, knocking him out instantly. Crabbe and Goyle stood there amazed, dumbstruck that someone had knocked Malfoy out with a single punch through glass. Even before they could register the pain they were out cold too, sporting bruises on their faces.
When the three of them woke up, they were amazed to find that their line of vision was black. It took them minutes to realize that they had their shirts discarded while their pants were put on upside down on their torsos to prevent their vision. The final thing they realized that they were hanging upside down, naked from the waist below, save for their boxers.
That event was the talk of the group even when they reached the station. Ron was still chatting about how Malfoy got what he deserved while Harry, for once supported him. The twins had already started ranting about the event, which did bring out laughter in every possible person. The 5 of them went on until they reached the carriages.
"Who are these creatures?" Winry asked in a low tone as they reached their carriage.
The group fell silent. Edward knew what they were but was too stunned to answer. He had read all about Thestrals, but was amazed to see a living one.
"What are you talking about?" Ron was speaking in his normal volume, oblivious to the silence of Winry, Harry and Edward.
"The horses."
"What do you mean? The carriages are horseless, as usual."
"No! They are right there! Can't you see them? I mean…..something so strange-"
"They are Thestrals. Only those who have seen death are able to see them." Ed's grim voice cut in between. "I suppose even you can see them Harry?"
Harry gave a silent nod. Ron and Hermione immediately fell silent, piecing the puzzle together.
During the ride to the castle, Harry and Ed engaged into conversation about Quidditch while Ron added a few quotes of his own in between. Winry and Hermione both had the similar thought going to their heads.
'Boys…..'
As the carriage came to a stop in front of the gate, everyone filed out of the door. Much to Edward's displeasure, he was the last to descend, which caused him to a fit, and further ended into Ron falling face first into the ground while Winry bashed Edward's skull. However, as Ed stepped out of the carriage, his legs suddenly gave away and he found himself lying on the ground, in a spread eagle form. The bad news was that he fell on the top of Winry. Muttering apologies while trying to avoid her glare, he tried to stand up.
'What the hell? My automail's not responding!'
Winry was still reaching for her wrench when she saw the look of panic in Edward's face. Understanding the situation, she turned towards the others, who were closing in for helping him.
"Hurry! Go and get someone!"
"What?"
"Can't you understand simple English? GO-AND-GET-SOMEONE!" she spoke out every word clearly, with a tone of authority in her voice.
Noticing it, they ran off to fetch McGonagall, as they knew she would be the closest one. When they ran off, Winry seemed to notice their awkward position. Edward was still on the top of her, unable to move as he had lost control of his leg. A blush found its way on her cheeks quickly, as immediately tried to get up, only to find her moments restricted. Turning her face back to him was a mistake, because as soon as she finished her action, she found herself being captivated by his golden orbs.
"E-Ed?" that was all she managed to choke out.
"Hmm?"
"Mind letting go of me?"
"Uuh, yeah… Sorry Win."
Slowly, she got up, straightening her clothes. The rain was still falling heavily and she thanked that they at least had gotten inside the building. The idea of being outside in the rain did not appeal to her. Helping Edward into a sitting position, she heard the sound of hurried footsteps behind her. Turning around, she found that the trio had returned with a very stern looking witch, who also had her hair in a tight bun. The very air around her screamed discipline. Seeing Edward, she hurried even more and introduced herself as Professor McGonagall.
"The headmaster has informed me about your 'condition', Mr. Elric. However, he also told me the perfect remedy for you."
She then waved her wand, muttering something which sounded like Latin to all those present. Moments later, she stopped and glanced towards him, as if asking him to try out movement now.
Moments later, all five of them regrouped at the Gryffindor table, just before the starting of the sorting ceremony. Winry and Edward were as enchanted as the magical roof, but the storm did send a few shivers down Winry's spine. Meanwhile Ron was complaining about his hunger while Harry and Hermione were watching the sorting out of interest. Half of the girls in the hall were swooning at the very sight of Edward, who fortunately was oblivious to all the stares he was receiving. Harry shot a glance towards the staff table and quickly noticed two vacancies. The DADA post and the Alchemy post.
Winry almost jumped out his chair when the food appeared in front of them, while Edward did a series of double takes. Hermione snickered at them, while Ron was too busy stuffing his face with food. Not wasting any further time, Edward also started eating. Later, everyone was musing over the fact that someone has eaten more than Ronald Weasly.
When the feast ended, Dumbledore got up to give his speech. But however, he was interrupted by a newcomer, who had banged open the doors to the great hall. His face was scarred, while his nose was half. The sight of his eye made all the students cringe. Even Edward felt repulsion when he saw that the fake eye had turned itself around completely, revealing only milky whiteness to the staring audience. A dull thunk was audible with every step, revealing the presence of automail. The entire hall was doused in silence, as the students were too busy taking in the appearance of the newcomer. He reached the staff table, and headed towards one of the empty seats; not before having a small chat with Dumbledore.
"May I present you, our new Defense against the Dark arts professor; Alastor Moody who is better known as Mad Eye Moody."
"Mad Eye?"
"The auror?"
"He's here?"
All the whispers immediately took off in the great hall and Dumbledore had to raise his voice again to make himself heard. Fred quickly told Harry, Ed and Winry about Moody.
Later as the Triwizard Tournament was announced, the sound in the Great hall reached a record high, as most of those present wanted to bag the prize of a thousand galleons. Their thoughts were immediately quashed as Dumbledore told them about the age restriction. The earlier excited voices were replaced by voices of outrage, but Dumbledore paid no attention to it, but continued with his speech. As he reached the end of his speech, the crowd started to get up, most of them dejected about the age restriction. But however Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly, mentioning the students to take their place.
"As you all know, Professor Smith who used to teach Alchemy, has retired. Thus a new person has taken his place. The person comes straightaway from the birthplace of Alchemy, Amestris."
Several conversations again exploded again in the great hall. The military nation of Amestris was well known for its secrecy of its art of alchemy. To have an expert coming to teach them from the very nation was indeed a surprise.
Edward was himself surprised. He didn't expect anyone from his homeland to come to Hogwarts. He started to shortlist the people for the job.
'The bastard?'
'No. He is busy with Ishval.'
'Teacher?
'Brrrr, no. She hated anything weak, further she's not even military.'
'The Major?'
'Hell no. He would chock everyone with his sparkles! '
'Scar?'
'No, dammit! That nut job just uses his hand, not his brain! Then who is the one?'
"I am sure you will like your new professor very much. Now put your hands together to welcome our new Professor of Alchemy, General Olivier Mira Armstrong!"
Edward almost fainted.
I really dont know what possesed me to put in the Ice queen, but as most of the other stories have Izumi as the one, i made a little change.
Now, I know there are many questions and arguments about the selection, but remember that the basis of alchemy is taught in Hogwarts. Olivier knows that basics enough to teach.
As for the reason why she is here, she is sent away for sometime as many people saw her during the final battle aggainst the central forces. So she will stay at Hogwarts until the 'heat' has subsided.
As for Edward's automail, the charm McGonagall used enabled Edward to be an exception to the no electronics ward over Hogwarts.
The reason why Ed has told about himself to Harry and no one else because he dosent trust them as they dont trust him.
All those who have reviewed , thanks a lot! It made me feel so much better! Thanks for the adds too!
Please review! I can use all the advice you can give! So just take 1 more minute to review! Please!