Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist. They belong to J. K. Rowling and Hiromu Arakawa respectively.
~Ch 7 - Bait and Switch ~
Edward awoke early the next morning in his ridiculously expensive looking room. The room was decorated in richly colored reds and golds, which made Ed wonder if they made it up just for him or if it was just connected with the theme of one of the school groups. When he had first entered the room, he had scoffed at the elaborate set up and four post, canopy bed, but now that he had the chance to enjoy the massive and cozy bed, he was elated at the room they had given him. He had gotten used to sleeping on trains, outside, and even in a small hotel if he was lucky, but he had never in his life slept in a more comfortable bed than the monstrosity he was currently laying in. If it weren't for years of rising before the sun came up, he might not have woken up at all, but military life has a way of programing you that's hard to get rid of in a short amount of time.
He drug himself out of bed and readied himself for the day ahead. He decided to forgo his red coat as a means to get through the halls without sticking out to much. His preferred black outfits would blend more easily in with the sea of black robes the students wore. McGonagall may have wanted him to blend in better, but he'd be damned if he was going to where a dress around. It had taken his superiors quite a long time for him to grow fond of his military uniform and it at least had pants! No, he would be dressing in nice dress clothes for a man.
He grabbed his boots from beside the door/back of a portrait, a fact he still found a bit odd, and sat down in front of a roaring fireplace. He sighed at the heat from the flames as he pulled his boots on. It wasn't that he was a freeze baby, nor that it was to awfully cold, but the weather... there was only one word for it, miserable. It was not yet to late in the year, but the chill of fall was seeping its way into the mornings. Add that to the very damp atmosphere and you have a most painful combination for automail users. His ports ached every morning that he walked the castle halls in the earlier hours, but he wasn't about to give up time in his day to avoid a bit of pain. If there was one thing he could handle, it was pain. It was an unfortunate annoyance though.
Ready for presentation to his students and fellow staff members, he grabbed a book off of a small table and opened the portrait door. He was currently reading a book on advanced magical theory and trying his hardest to make connections between the authors view on how magic worked and a way to apply it in tandem with alchemy. This short time before the start of classes would be his only real chance to study on his own topic until the end of the day. Dumbledore had informed him of the high volume of alchemy applicants via the enchanted sign-up list, so Edward had a full day of classes. As much fun as it would be to teach all the snot nosed children the basics of alchemy, he had more important things he wanted to do with his time. These magically spoilt brats probably won't be able to grasp the simplest of alchemy theory anyways.
Edward smirked as he thought about his up coming classes. He had told the headmaster he would do something to interest the students in joining and he had fulfilled that. He hadn't, however, agreed to keep them interested. His smirk darkened ever so slightly at that thought. They won't know what hit them. If his class attendance wasn't cut in half by the end of the week then he would need to re-evaluate himself as a commanding officer.
Opening the book he was carrying to the marked page, he engrossed himself in the text and made his way to the Great Hall. When he got there a quick glance around the room told him that, as usual, he was one of the first people here. In fact, that gaudily dressed, toad like, woman in pink was the only other one there. Dolores... She's the one Dumbledore warned me about. Well, since I'm going to be driving off my students I might as well earn my keep in another fashion. Placing a pleasant smile on his face, he made his way to the other side of the staff table and sat down in his 'assigned' seat. The one right next to Umbridge. Placing his book down on the table he turned his smile to her and said, "Guten morgen." and then pored himself a large cup of black coffee. He had a feeling he was going to need it today.
The voice that came out of that woman's mouth was so sickeningly sweet Ed had to keep himself from gagging, but none the less kept smiling as she answered. "Why yes, yes it is." She then turned her attention away and focused on her morning cup of tea.
Hmmm, Dumbledore informed me on her views and I have a feeling she already dislikes me for my subject let alone the entrance last night. He opened his book and sipped his coffee as he thought on a way to start a conversation. One that might put him on her good side. He was saved the trouble though because the squat woman made a disgusting sound like clearing her throat. Edward had to force the smile back to his face as he turned his attention from his book to Dolores. "Did you need something frau?"
"Actually," She said in her girlish voice, "I was just wondering what exactly you had in mind for your classes today professor." There was the barest hint of sarcasm underneath her faked breathy voice.
He set the book down to show she had his full attention before answering her with another question. "I am afraid I'm not sure vhat you mean. Could you elaborate?" He asked back just as sweetly. It's a good thing I started dealing in political situations or I might not be able to stomach the rest of this conversation.
She made a slight giggling noise. "Well, after that little display last night, I get the impression you have very... unorthodox teaching methods. That, coupled with the fact your subject has never been taught in Hogwarts before, leads me to worry. Of course I am merely worried about your ability to cope with the proper and large scale class setting of this school." She finished with a smile.
In other words you hate me and my new class, well I can play the double speak game too you old toad. "I am touched that you vorry over my vell being in this new school, but I assure you that Alchemy class vill be very vell structured. I hope my demonstration last night is not the cause for your concern?" He questioned.
"It was rather..."
Ed cut her off. "Impromptu? Yes, it vas not vhat I had planned. I apologize if it vas disturbing to you and let me also apologize for my late attendance. A certain poltergeist thought it fun to turn me around in the lower levels. I vas merely escaping the creatures attempts to keep me lost vhen I arrived."
"Apology accepted, I can understand how disgusting creatures can cause havoc in a wizard or witch's life." She said before attempting to daintily sip her tea, her stubby fingers cluttered with ugly rings threw off the 'dainty' effect though. There was a moment of silence where Ed began to pick up his book, but he didn't even get a chance to open it because Dolores began to speak again. "So, Elric. That's an interesting sure name. I'm not familiar with it in any of the prominent wizarding families."
AKA Who are you and where are you from. Edward translated in his head.
"Is it Muggle?" She continued.
He laughed. "You may not have heard of it because I am German perhaps?" I was warned of her dislike for mixed heritage.
"No, I am quite familiar with the prominent names in the world wide wizarding community and I don't think I have ever heard of your last name before. Given your obvious talent I would assume you to be from an astute family."
"Danke for the compliment." He acknowledged. "I am sorry to inform you that I don't know much of my family history. However, both of my parents vere vizarding folk, so I never gave it much thought. As for my talent, I had an excellent private tutor and mentor." He saw her start to form another question, but beat her to the punch. "And before you ask, no, I cannot say who taught me. I vas sworn to secrecy, but I assure you they vere the best of the best." She'll probably think that since Dumbledore hired me, it was Flamel who taught me... which is exactly what I'm hoping for.
"I see." She said in a slightly clipped voice.
Well, getting on her good side isn't going as well as I had hoped, but I suppose it will take time. So long as I can keep myself from accidently setting her on fire or transmuting her into an actual toad until then... I should be just fine. He gave her another friendly smile, while internally gagging himself, and tried some damage control. "If you are still vorried over my abilities, I invite you to come view my class vhen ever it pleases you." He hated the games one had to play in politics and dealing with rank, but he was used to it by now. When he was starting out in the military he had fought it every step of the way. The military was just a means to an end after all. But when he realized it would be his life career, he had started actually participating in the necessaries.
Dolores smiled sickeningly at him before responding. "Oh, I will plan on it."
"I vill be sure not to disappoint then." As the two turned back to their own drinks Edward discreetly rolled his eyes. Dumb old toad. He stood up and made to leave. "If you'll excuse me, I still have some last minute preparations for the first class. Good luck today Frau Umbridge." He decided to skip breakfast for a reprieve from anymore questions. He did take his coffee with him though. He was right, he did need it after all.
-
Harry, Ron and Hermione had gotten their schedules from McGonagall at breakfast and were pleased to see their first class of the term would be Edwards. Had it been something like History of Magic, their day would have been the worst Monday in the history of Mondays as far as the boys were concerned. They already had Double Potions, Divination, and Double DADA with that new ministry teacher. This Alchemy class was their saving grace. If Ed's introduction at the start of term feast was any indicator, his class might even rival Professor Lupins DADA class in the fun department.
The Alchemy Classroom had been set up in the far back hand corner of the castle's ground floor, but given how big Hogwarts is, it was a relatively short walk compared to other classes. When they arrived, the trio found the doors to the classroom shut and a large group of Slytherins and Gryffindors already waiting with more arriving. Harry thought it odd that the classroom had yet to be opened. Since Edward hadn't been in the Great Hall he had figured the alchemist was already in his classroom. Perhaps he slept in?
Beside him Ron made a displeased sound. "Tch, figures we had to have the one good class with these prats." he said referring to the slytherins. " They always manage to ruin a good thing."
Harry was just about to agree, but the doors began to open and everyone's chatter died down in favor of watching the blond teacher open up the new class. Harry and his friends had expected to see the smirking Edward from Grimwald place, but in his place was a pressed and polished, very stern looking man. This Edward just looked around with out a word before retreating into his classroom. The students gave one another questioning gazes, but filed into the room behind him. What the they saw when they entered was entirely different then what the had expected. With his flashy display, the majority of the students figured he would have a brilliantly decorated classroom full of wondrous looking things, but quite to the contrary, this room was the epitome of dull. From floor to ceiling was a dull, gray, slate like material. There were the normal rows of desks and teacher's desk, along with a standing chalk board, but other than that the room was mostly empty.
Edward stood at the head of the class at parade rest, calmly watching with a blank look as the students fill in the desks. Once they were all situated, he straightened up slightly and turned away. Again the students looked to each other in question, but decided against speaking until they got to know this odd professor a little better.
Picking up a piece of chalk at the standing board, Edward turned back around and finally spoke. "How many of you are Muggle born?" He questioned and Hermione nearly choked on her own spit at the abruptness of the question, while Draco decided snickering was a better approach.
"Ed, I don't think that's an appropriate..."
"Professor Elric, you vill refer to me as Professor Elric, Fraulein Granger."
Hermione blushed deeply at the reprimand and Malfoy's snicker turned into an all out laugh. "What's the matter mudblood, afraid he'll kick you out on account of your filthy parents." He teased.
The trio were about to rise from their seats and start yelling, but before anyone had a chance to retort, Edward spoke in a stern and commanding voice. "You vill shut your mouth this instant little slytherin. I vill not have you throwing around insults in this class... only I am aloud that privilege." he fixed Draco with a steely gaze to which the platinum blond flushed. " If it happens again, I vill take house points. As far as I've been told those are quite important, ja?"
A few of the students nodded while Draco sat looking as though he'd swallowed something sour. He had been sure the new professor would have a slytherin point of view, what with his serpent jacket at the feast and all.
Edward turned back to Hermione. "I understand your concern, but I assure you it is not for malicious reasons. Now, once again, how many of you are muggle born or have at least one muggle parent?"
Slowly a few Griffindor hands went up including Hermione's. Harry was torn on weather or not to rase his hand since he was rased as a muggle, so he did a sort of half rased half hidden hand gesture.
At the few show of hands Edward spoke in a disapproving tone. "That is ashamed..." He said more to himself. "And of those of you who have their hand's raised, how many of you have studied science, more specifically the periodic table?" Some of the hands went down not including Hermione and Harry's hands, of which Harry's actually raised a little higher. "You can put your hands down now." he said as he folded his arms and leaned against his desk. "Those of you who have not studied muggle science vill find this class very challenging I'm afraid."
Now the whispering did start up and it caused Edward to frown. " Shut up!" The noise stopped immediately. "As I vas saying. Vith out basic knowledge in science, you vill have to study twice as hard. Alchemy is first and foremost a science." A few hands went up in the air, but he ignored them in favor of turning to the black board and drawing a circle with triangles in it. "There vill be no need for vands in this class..." He finished the drawing and set the chalk down before continuing. "This," he said as he turned around and pointed to the perfectly drawn circle, "is vhat you vill use to focus your power instead. As I said, this is a vay to use 'magic' should you find yourself vithout your vand."
"This is a transmutation circle and it is vhat you need to complete an alchemic reaction, or the 'vandless magic' I'm sure you all came here to learn." Again Hermione's hand went into the air. "No questions until I am finished." He scolded slightly to no one in particular. "You lot, however, von't even be touching one of these for quite some time." Here he went to his desk and opened a drawer, pulling out a large stack of papers. "Before you vill even be aloud to try a transmutation, you vill need to memorize these basic." His sentence was punctuated by the loud thud of the thick packet on a female slytherin's desk. A few of the students even jumped at the noise.
After he had finished passing out the information of basic scientific knowledge to the class, he stood back at the front of the classroom. "You are expected to memorize all of that by your next class if you vish to continue vith this course. On top of that, you vill need to enhance your drawing abilities. By the end of the school year you vill be expected to draw a perfect circle for transmutation or you vill fail." As the gravity of his words set in some of the students' faces paled, including Ron's. "I have been notified by your other teachers that since you are fifth years you have exams called OWLs, but do not expect me to go easy on you just because Alchemy does not have one of these. This class vill amount to grueling hours of study and practice, so accept it or leave. If you do not put one hundred percent into this class you could endanger your lives or the lives of your class mates and I vill take it as a personal insult. In fact," His eyes narrowed slightly as he surveyed the room, " should you not see this as your most important class, I will take it as a big middle finger pointed directly at me."
He gave them a moment for what he said to sink in before continuing to the Q and A part of his class. " So, now that you have a basic understanding of vhat I expect, are there any questions?" Several hands went up, but he decided to let the blond slytherin boy try and redeem himself. "Ja, you, blondie."
"Draco, Draco Malfoy." He corrected in a snide tone.
"Get on vith it."
"How can something that comes from muggle studies be so dangerous?" He asked with a self satisfied smirk. A couple of larger boys sent him approving smiles of there own and it irked Ed.
For the first time since the class started Edward made a facial expression other than serious. He smirked. With a clap of his hands, he struck the ground. Not a second later a large and rather pointed spear of rock shot out of he floor and stopped rising inches from Malfoy's head. Calmly walking over to the slightly shaking boy, Edward said, "There are many vays it can be dangerous. You should never underestimate things because of their origins." Edward returned the stone to the floor and started to walk back to the front of the room.
Malfoy turned scarlet from embarrassment and anger. He stood up and shouted. "I thought you needed a circle to use this stupid muggle magic? Why don't you need to?! What do you take us for, a bunch of gits?"
"Sit down Herr Malfoy." He hissed out in a deadly tone that had Draco obeying before he knew what he was doing. When Ed settled himself back into the front of the class he addressed the question, though the students might not realize it for a moment. "In Alchemy, you cannot gain anything vithout first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. Maybe it is the price for having no vand, but for vhat ever reason, this is the truth." He looked directly at Malfoy. "Before I can answer your question, Herr Malfoy, you have to understand there are certain rules governing Alchemy that are different from the rules governing your ever day magic. There are certain taboos that must be observed and respected. Pray you never break them." He unbuttoned his vest and set it on his desk as he spoke. This action caused several girls eyes to grow rather large. "Before I show you this, keep in mind I did tell you alchemy is dangerous." He began unbuttoning his white button down shirt half way and some of the girls mouths actually fell open slightly. "Also, as I stated before, Alchemy has a rule of equivalent exchange."
Hermione's face paled as she realized where this was going. "You cannot gain something with out giving something up of equal value." She spouted out without thinking. His injuries, he did it to himself!?
"Very well spoken Fraulein." He said with a nod in her direction before continuing his speech to the class. "Should you forget to observed these rules or taboos, the consequences may be more than you are villing to pay." He pulled his half open shirt to the side, revealing the beginnings of his automail as well as the gruesome scars around it. His voice rang out cold and hard in the bare stone classroom, chilling the students' blood. "Should you vant to obtain my special ability, there is quite the price to pay." He pulled up his pant leg past the boot to give them a glimpse of metal. That done, he began to redress himself. "The reason I share this vith you is in hopes that you do not take the laws of alchemy as lightly as I did in my youth. So that you vill not make the same mistakes that I have." He finished buttoning up his vest again before continuing. "Should I ever catch one of you attempting to break one of the rules I teach you, I vill save you the trouble and personally break your neck. Now, are there any further questions on the matter?" His eyes glinted at Malfoy, but the boy made no further moves to ask anything.
"Good." He looked over everyone else. "Anything else?" You could here a pin drop in the silence. Ed was doing a victory dance in his own mind. I'd be surprised if any of them show up for my next class. "I see..." He went and sat down behind his desk. " I am going to dismiss you all early today, but before I do I have one more thing to add. I have a feeling this class is more than a lot of you bargained for, so I will give you this one reprieve. Should you think yourself in over your head or feel you don't want to put the effort in..." He glared at them all. "Don't bother coming back. It will not be held against you if you drop this class, but I do not enjoy having my time wasted... That is all. You are dismissed." That stated, he pulled out his book, along with quill and parchment, and started scribbling something.
The class gathered their things and very quietly left the classroom. Once they were out of ear shot, Ron was the first to voice his opinion of Edward and his class. "He's a bloody nutter!" He said a little loudly. He then looked over his shoulder as if Edward would pop up out of the floor to stab him for his insubordination. Assured this was not the case he continued. "I mean, I thought Snape was bad, but what the bloody hell was that?"
"I know what you mean. He acts like he bipolar or something." Added Harry.
"Bi-what?" Asked Ron.
"It's a mental disorder." Came Hermione's exasperated voice. "And I can't believe the two of you." She scolded. "Making fun of him like that, and after he defended you to Harry."
"Oh come on -mione. Even you have to admit there is something just not right about the guy. You can't go defending him just because you have a crush on him." Ron said flippantly.
Hermione stopped in her tracks. "I do not have a crush on him!" She roared, causing a few students passing them in the hall to giggle and scurry off. "Look," She said calming herself, "all I'm saying is that I don't blame him for how he treats his area of expertise. If someone of his skill could get that badly injured by it then it's only natural to want to drive off any slackers."
"So I take it your going to keep attending then?" Asked Harry.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Se gave them a suspicious look. "And you to will be as well, right?" The boys gave each other a wary glance. "You have got to be kidding me. Harry, have you ever considered why Dumbledore appointed him to such a position when the ministry is obviously trying to cause problems here as it is?" A couple of blank stares answered her question. "For crying out..." She sighed. "Perhaps he thinks that he may be able to teach us something invaluable to use when," she lowered her voice, "You know who decides to make his move."
"I think your reading to much into it." Said Ron.
"I doubt it, but think and do what you will." She huffed. "I for one am going to keep going to alchemy class and if you two don't then it's you who are the 'nutters'." She stalked off on her own to use their extra free time to study.
Ron looked at Harry. "Well she may be able to handle extra hard studying on top of the OWLs, but what about us? If they are as bad as everyone says then I don't know if we'll make it with the extra work."
Harry rolled it around in his head for a moment. Well, it would be easier for me because of my normal school education, but Ron really might struggle. Heck, I know about the periodic table and all that and I'm afraid I might struggle after that speech. He sighed. "I guess I'll take it too. I mean, Hermione might have a point about learning something important for... the future."
Ron looked as if Harry had sprouted another head. "Are youserious?"
"Yeah," he gave Ron an apologizing look. "But don't feel like you have to stay in it if you don't want. I mean, what with prefect duties and the OWLs. It's just that the science Ed was talking about was hard enough to understand by it's self, so some one who has never learned an of it before..." he trailed of. "He just had a point about it being hard for non-muggle schooled people dealing with that kind of stuff. Please don't take it the wrong way.
Ron was silent for a bit as they started walking again, but after a few moment he said "So... you wouldn't be mad at me if I don't take his class?"
"What? Uh, no. Of course not." He stumbled on his words, expecting a completely different reaction.
Ron let out a sigh of relief. "Good, cause I don't know if I could survive that class. Heh, he can be pretty scary can't he?"
"Yeah," Harry laughed softly, "He did stun your mom into silence, remember?"
"Yeah," Smiled Ron. "He does have that one saving grace."
-
IVX: So there's the first class. Again, I hope it wasn't what you were expecting or are used to. I also Really hope you enjoyed my take on it. Don't worry, Ed won't stay stern through the whoooole story, lol, guess you'll just have to come back to see how it plays out. I am looking forward to writing what they do in class and especially the upcoming Umbridge inspection! Well, thanks for reading and please leave your reviews after the beep.... ~Beeeeeeeep~~~~
...^_~
