To Settle a Debt

Chapter 7


"*Shit,*" Edward hissed as he pressed a hand to his bleeding leg. One curse. He's hit by one curse all night and it's a slicing hex. He sighed; he supposed it could have been worse, and he was out of practice. He spent too many days content in Risembool. The Death Eaters had fled after he had impaled one of their arms with a spike of stone from the ground, disappearing with chorus of cracks, leaving the bloody spike piercing thin air. Tonks was standing a ways away, and her eyes fell on him. She began walking toward him with a slight hop in her step, content to let the others put out the small fire that remained burning in what remained of the muggle home. Sitting with his back against a tree, Edward's eyes not leaving Tonks as she made her way over to him, and ripping some cloth from his sleeve, wrapping it around the wound tightly.

No one died today; Ed was thankful for that.

In the past few days of working with the Order (though he had yet to see Moody, much to his dismay; he had words for that man) he had realized exactly what kind of trouble this world was in. It was different when Dumbledore was explaining it to him. It wasn't there, it wasn't in front of him; not like it was now. People were dying, and there were only so many that could be saved.

Tonks knelt down before him with a gentle smile.

"How ya holdin' up, Edward?" She asked, helping him tie the knot on the makeshift bandage.

"Vell enouf," He said shortly, "It is noting I haf not seen before, but-"

"But nothing you expected to see again," She said, knowingly, "It's always like that. You think it's over, then all of a sudden... it's back."

Edward said nothing, looking at and appreciating the woman in front of him for what she was; a warrior, a soldier, a protector.

"Come on," She said, holding a hand out, "Let's head back."

"Ja."

Quick, heavy footfalls echoed in the empty hall, as Edward rushed to the Great Hall.

"*Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit...*" He hissed as he skidded around a corner.

"Try not to be late, Mr. Elric, we're hosting a particular guest this year, as you know, and I'd hate for you to get on her bad side so soon."

"*Stupid old man.*" Edward growled as he sharply turned another corned and nearly sighed in relief at the sight of the staff entrance about halfway down the hall. The relief quickly dissipated as he heard the muffled voices through the door, too many for him to possibly be on time. He pulled out his pocket watch and glanced at it (What do you know, Mustang was right, it really is used to tell time, Edward thought, rolling his eyes and recalling that particular comment when he turned in his report... well, really late.) swearing when he saw that he was about twenty minutes late.

It really wasn't his fault he fell asleep in the library again. It was too dark in there, with just candles, it made him sleepy...

Taking a deep breath and bracing himself for the noise of the Great Hall filled with students – and Professor's that were likely mad at him for being late – he opened the door in customary Edward Elric fashion.

With a loud bang as it slammed against the wall next to it.

All eyes were on him, silence falling.

This was good; this he could deal with.

"Vhat are you looking'k at?" He said, crossing his arms and glaring out at the students.

Curious whispers erupted throughout the hall and Edward scanned the crowd. His eyes found Hermione who sat beside Harry and Ron, staring at him in shock. He hadn't seen her in about a week, since... the incident. Her expression changed from shock to a small, sad smile and a knot that Edward hadn't realized had been in his stomach since the last time he saw her untied and he felt he could breath easier. With a satisfied smile, his gaze landed upon the disappointed – yet slightly amused – form of the Headmaster.

"Students, if I may have your attention once more," Dumbledore said, rising from his seat. Silence settled in the hall once more as attention was fixed on their Headmaster. He gestured to Edward, who walked across the raised dais where the teachers all sat to just next to a podium.

"Allow me to introduce your Alchemy Professor, Professor Edward Elric," The old wizard said, seeming to relish in the dropping jaws of the students as they observed the new Professor who couldn't possibly be old enough to teach, "Professor, would you like to say a few words."

Edward grimaced.

"Ja, first rule, never call me Professor again. It's veird," Edward said, then addressed the students, who watched him warily, "Like he said, my name is Eduard Elric, and I vill be teaching some of you alchemy. I say some of you, because not all of you vill be able to do it, and if I tink it's a vaste of time to teach you, you vill be removed from my class, ja? Ja. Dat's it."

"...Thank you, Mr. Elric," Dumbledore said with a wry look, politely applauding. Some students obediently clapped as well, though it was sparse and awkward.

Edward spun on his heel and walked around the table, and noticed, in horrible dismay, that the only seat left was next to that pink monstrosity. He looked to the seat on her right, locking eyes with Snape, sharing his pain. The bastard had the gall to smirk briefly at him. 'If I suffer, you suffer.'

He'd formed a tentative... he wouldn't call it friendship, perhaps civil acquaintanceship with the man. With great dread, he took the seat next to Umbridge, and she tilted her head toward him with a sickeningly sweet smile.

"Well, how... interesting," She said, voice like poisoned honey, "No one has attempted to teach Alchemy in decades. I was led to believe it was a dead... art."

Edward held back the growl that threatened to bubble forth.

"I assure you, Professor," He said through grit teeth, "Alchemy is far from dead-"

"And really," She continued, eying him with judging eyes, "Someone so young. How old are you, Mr. Elric? Though it does seem to be a pattern at this school. Hiring those so clearly... under qualified."

Edward frowned. He really didn't like this woman.

"I'm sixteen," He said, and it looked like she wasn't expecting that, "And I am de only Alchemy Master in all of Europe."

"Sixteen," The creature shrieked, standing and turning on Dumbledore, "Headmaster, this is highly inappropriate. You are having a child teach a class."

"I assure you, and the Ministry of Magic, that Edward Elric is quite capable of the position," Dumbledore placated smoothly, "He is a genius, Professor, an alchemical prodigy. He is more than up to the task. It would have been an insult to him to not offer the position to him."

Umbridge twitched, a small break in her rather creepy facade.

"The Minister will know of this," She said, threat thinly veiled beneath a sweet tone.

She sat then, and ignored him for the remainder of the evening. A relief, truly.

Hermione was shocked, to say the least. They had heard nothing of Edward since he took up residence at Hogwarts. Even Molly denied them news, only shaking her head briskly with a sad look in her eye when she asked. Fred and George couldn't get their hands on any more extendable ears, so without Edward there they could no longer listen in on the Order meetings, making information of any kind scarce. When they had made their way to Hogwarts, Hermione was giddy with the hope of maybe seeing Edward there.

This, however, was entirely unexpected.

Exciting, nonetheless.

Alchemy. Muggle Alchemy. The mere thought of it was incredible, and she was going to learn it. Ever since she had first seen Edward perform alchemy the gears had been turning in her head, itching to discover all the little secrets of alchemy, everything there was to know. The transmuted flower was threaded through her hair, as it had been since he had left.

Then she slowly realized that Edward had become quite untouchable. He was a professor, it wasn't like she could simply chat with him whenever she wanted. And she could imagine that whatever small friendship they had had before might have been irrevocably damaged by her betrayal – it could be nothing less than just that – on that day in Grimmauld place.

Dinner finished in a blur and soon enough she was leaving the Great Hall with Harry and Ron, leading the first years, with one last glance at the high table; Edward rising with clear frustration and hurriedly leaving through the staff door. His image disappeared behind the thick wood door and she almost sighed. Ron elbowed her in the side lightly and she looked up at him. Surprised, she noticed that Harry was nowhere to be seen.

"Can you believe it?" He muttered to her, "Bloke's teaching now. We don't get a word for a week, and now he's our bloody professor."

"It is strange that no one told us," Hermione said, frowning, "Not even your Mum."

"Bloody stupid how little they tell us," Ron huffed, "We're a part of this too."

"I'm sure there's a good reason for not telling us," Hermione said, then looked down guiltily, "Not like we deserve to know what he was up to-"

"Oh, not this again," Ron groaned, "Stop moaning about that, 'Mione. It's getting old. What were we supposed to do, hex Moody?"

"Yes!" Hermione said vehemently, "We should have! We could have..."

Ron growled.

"Fine!" He said angrily, "If he's so damned important why don't you go talk to him. You can go back to being best bloody mates."

Ron stomped angrily ahead of her, leaving her to wonder what, exactly, she'd done to offend.

As the day went on Harry became more and more frustrated. First Snape vanishes his potion leaving him no marks for the entire first lesson of the year. Then they had to sit through Divination while the crazy old bat went on about the all seeing eye and whatnot. And then – Merlin then – they had Defense Against the Dark Arts. He wondered how long he could endure the woman's sickly sweet attitude before he really lost it. After McGonagall let him go with her warning of the interference of the Ministry in Hogwarts, he angrily stalked to his last class of the day; Alchemy.

Ron complained endlessly during breakfast about having an extra class this year and vowed to get kicked out by the end of the week. Hermione was entirely pleased with having the new class on the first day, though panicking over not having a textbook of any kind.

He groaned aloud when he walked into the class to find that they were sharing the class with Slytherins. He spotted Hermione and Ron and moved to sit next to them, only to find that the desks were two person, and on each desk there were two little bound notebooks, and the only empty seat was next to Neville. Ron shrugged apologetically at him, while Hermione had already begun reading the notebook. With a sigh he dropped into the chair next to Neville and smiled nervously at him.

"Hey, Harry," He greeted.

"Hey, Neville..." Harry said, attempting a smile.

Neville was nervously running his eyes over the notebook that sat open to the first page in front of him. The thing looked hand written, the page filled with neat black letters. He began reading the first few sentences and realized – recalling fuzzy memories of a miserable childhood – that this was science. Hermione had said that it was a muggle science, didn't she?

Before he could think any more on the subject the door off to the left at the front of the classroom burst open, banging against the wall and Edward Elric strode in, standing in front of the desk and glaring at the class with disdain.

Wow, he really didn't want to be here, Harry realized.

"Velcome to your first alchemy class," He said, "I haf a question for you first. How many of you haf taken any muggle science class before?"

Hermione's arm hesitantly raised, and two others, including Harry, followed suit. Edward scowled.

"*Shit, worse than the other classes...*" He muttered, "Vell, den. Open de books in front of you, ve start at de beginning."

He walked to the blackboard just behind the desk and flipped it around, revealing a slightly familiar picture.

"Dis is de Periodic Table of-"

"Wait, wait, wait," A voice said from the back of the classroom, "Why are you teaching us muggle chemistry? And who are you to teach us anything, kid."

Malfoy didn't know what hit him. Hell, no one knew what hit Malfoy, but in a shock of light he was lifted into the air by a stone hand, screaming and yelling and threatening to tell his father. It may have been the greatest moment of Harry Potter's life.

"Dat is vhy I vill be teaching you chemistry. Vithout de knowledge of de elements I vould not have been able to do dat," He said with a tight grin, then turned back to the board, "Now, dis is de Periodic Table of de Elements. You vill be needing to memorize de entire ting if you efer vant to touch an array-"

"Aren't you going to let me down? Wait until my fath-mmmphg!" With a crackle of light the stone moved to cover his mouth.

"Moving'k on..."

"Did you see what he did?"

"It was awesome that's what it was. I hope I don't get kicked out..."

"Muggle science! Who knew?"

"A genius. Our age."

"Bloody short bugger, though, in'e?"

News flew like mad in the halls of Hogwarts, and the first impressions of the Alchemy class with Professor Elric ("Ed, please. Just stop calling me professor!") were no exception to this. By the end of the week, however, enthusiasm subsided.

"He's a right nasty piece of work, that Elric!"

"Almost half of every class has been kicked out already!"

"Kicked out? I wish. This is stupid! All we do is talk about elements and matter all class."

"Quizzes every day!"

"Gonna run us into the ground with all this homework!"

Edward sighed in contentment as the newest complaints reached his ear, satisfied that he could clear out the rest of the incompetent students by the end of his second week teaching. What a load of shit that was. But it'd keep the old man happy, and if that's what it took to do what he needed to do here then so be it. Edward closed his eyes and breathed, imagining what it'll be like when he's home with Al for good with nothing to weigh him down.

"Hem, hem."

They happy image shattered and the horrible woman stood in it's place, the scent of her potent perfume driving away the smells of home. He glared at the woman.

"Vhat to you vant," He asked, propping his feet up on his desk.

"I don't know how the Headmaster convinced the Minister to allow you to stay," She said, "But I shall be keeping an eye on you. The Minister is not happy."

"Tell it to somevon hoo cares, ja?" Edward said with a raised brow.

"Your class is dangerous," She continued, undeterred, "It will not last. You have threatened students, even physically restraining them using your alchemy. Merlin willing, you'll be in Azkaban by the end of this, as well as Dumbledore for allowing this to go on."

"I am trembling vith fear," Edward said dryly.

"Just something to keep in mind, Mr Elric," She said with a sickening smile before turning on her heel and leaving the room.

The woman was getting on his nerves, and he hadn't missed the pale and scared looks on the faces of those who have returned from her detentions, which were plentiful. There was a difference between a Teacher scarring children for life for the sake of learning and proving themselves able to do something very difficult and dangerous, and scarring children for the sake of scaring them or for personal enjoyment.

And Edward had no doubt the woman enjoyed toying with the students.

Harry Potter had a particular haunted look about him lately and, though the detentions only served to make him jump at shadows even more, it seemed to stem from elsewhere. He was curious where from, but gave it little other thought. He was surprised Hermione didn't bring it up at all to him. Back at the house when he was learning English she would complain to him about Ron all the time, however she had yet to speak to him at all since she arrived at the school.

Edward was becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress toward the end of Tom Riddle's demise. He had been out twice more this week, defending muggle homes or workplaces from Death Eater attacks, or cleaning up afterward. If wizards were anything, it would be slippery. Apparition made it nearly impossible to get his hands on any of them, despite the method of containment. He knocked one or two out cold cold, but before the battle was over they had been apparated away. He'd turned to simply defending the people or place under attack, satisfied with keeping anyone from dying.

There were mistakes, of course. Each one dogged his steps like every one before.

And yet, he was forced to spend the majority of his time teaching. He was the Fullmetal Alchemist. If there was a problem, anywhere, of any significance or insignificance, he could root it out. But he was stuck. It took a little while, but he realized that Dumbledore was restricting his movements for a reason. To him, the teaching was more important, and keeping him involved in this war against Tom Riddle fell to the wayside. He also wanted an eye on Harry, it seemed. The old man was resorting to spying on the boy who no longer seemed to want to come to him for anything. A restlessness settled inside him. He knew the enemy, the problem. He should be allowed to go out and fix it.

Dumbledore seemed to tell him the bare minimum about Riddle, only wanting him to do as would benefit him. He was manipulative, Edward realized. As soon as he started teaching and doing what Dumbledore wanted, helping the Order on one mission or another, his side of the deal fell through, keeping to his own pace rather than giving Edward what he needed to work with. The library held enough information to keep him occupied for months, but after sifting through the useful and not-so-useful he realized that there was little there to help him. Counter spells, counter curses, protection charms. Everything a wizard needed to know to defend himself. Edward Elric was not a wizard.

And Edward Elric was decidedly not happy.

It was then that Edward realized that he needed to take things into his own hands. He couldn't wait for the Order to make their move and, damn the vow to hell, he wasn't going to. With purpose he rose from his desk and walked briskly from the room.

Only to run headlong into Hermione as he entered the hall.

"P-Professor!"

"*Damn it*," He said rubbing his head with his good hand, "Didn't I tell you all not to call me dat?"

Hermione blushed and looked down at her feet.

"I'm sorry... um..."

"Edward," He said, with a frown, "Dat's vhat you called me before, at de house. Vhy has it changed now? Hell, call me Ed. Dat's vhat my friends do."

"I didn't think..." Hermione began, biting her lip, "I didn't think you'd want me to. After what happened."

Edward blinked.

"Hermione dat vas two veeks ago," He said, slightly baffled, "I had vondered vhy you hadn't come by at all. You still feel guilty? Dat's stupid."

Hermione looked up in surprise.

"You're not... still mad?" She asked incredulously.

"Vasted toughts," Edward said waving his hand, "You cannot dvell on de past for so long'k. It vill eat you alive."

"That's..." She began, looking up at him with wide eyes, "And all this time I thought – wait! Your accent's getting better. You said the 'v' in alive right!"

"Bah," Edward said with a frown, "I couldn't care less about de accent. I didn't spend any time on getting rid of it or anyting."

"Seferus."

"Se-ver-us. If you're going to insist on calling me by name, at least do it right."

"Se...Severus. Hah! I vin!"

"Yes it only took you an hour."

"Shut up, Severus."

Edward held back a nervous laugh.

"Vell... anyvays," He said, narrowing his eyes at her, "Vhat are you doing'k out so late? Curfew is soon."

"Well," She said, "I came to talk to you, actually."

She stopped and glanced around the empty hall, shifting nervously. She took a deep breath and looked at him again, with determination.

"I read the entire notebook," She said, "And I know the entire Periodic Table by heart. Please, Edward, teach me alchemy!"

The exact tone of her voice made him almost think he was talking to Al and half expected her to bow as she pleaded, like his brother would. He blinked in surprise at her request while she looked up at him with expectant eyes. It was true that she was one of few in the class that was doing quite well. The girl seemed to absorb every scrap of information offered to her – and when there were no scraps to be had she'd still somehow find them. She'd come to the class every day with a new question. Still, though, he hadn't intended to actually get around to teaching them alchemy.

Though he imagined, he was going to be here longer than he had first anticipated. Of all the people he would chose to teach alchemy, she'd likely be on the top of the list. A sudden thought struck him.

"I vill teach you," He said with finality, "I vill teach you and in return you vill convince Harry to tell me everyting about his fight vith Riddle."

A grin split across her face, but then fell when he presented the exchange.

"He..." She began, biting her lip, "He doesn't like to talk about that..."

"Ja," Edward said, "I understand dat. Vhich is vhy it is equivalent to a task of such magnitude. Alchemy is not easy."

She looked down, seeming to contemplate the consequences of agreeing, then nodded sullenly.

"I'll talk to him," She said quietly.

"Ja," Edward nodded and then turned to continue down the hall to his initial destination, then stopped a short ways away, turning back to her with a smirk, "Right, von more ting."

She looked up questioningly.

"All is von," He said almost reverently, "And von is all. Vhen you can tell me vhat dis means, I vill teach you Alchemy."

"Wait – but – I thought – Harry!" She sputtered.

"Ja," Edward said with a grin, "Harry is de tuition. Dat is de entrance exam."

He raised a hand, waving as he turned to continue away. Hermione stared after him, looking rather dumbfounded, and after he had turned he heard her stomp her foot with a huff of frustration, muttering:

"All is one, one is all. All is one, one is all..."

Edward laughed to himself as he continued down toward the dungeon. That should be a pretty good source of information on Riddle. Now, to try to weasel some more information out of another good source.


A/N: I apologize for any terribleness. I've come across a bit of a... 'well, what now?' But I'm working on it!