Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist. They belong to J. K. Rowling and Hiromu Arakawa respectively.
Speaking = "blah blah"
Thinking = blah blah
Speaking German (when not written in actual German)= "~blah blah~"
~ Ch 14 - Practical Applications ~
Edward mentally bemoaned his curiosity for the umpteenth time that night as he ripped off a piece of shirt to wrap the deep gash on his arm. He used his teeth to tighten the knot and was satisfied enough with his patch up to believe he wouldn't bleed out while looking for his wand. He skirted around a stone fist here and a large crater there while avoiding stepping on his unconscious enemies. This bites. How am I supposed to find that dinky piece of wood in this disaster area? He thought to himself. There was rubble everywhere and only the moonlight to aid in his search.
If he wasn't earning his keep before, he certainly was now. In the week since he took that stupid vow he had already been sent on two missions for the order. They must liked the idea of having their very own human weapon to call their own. Both this mission and the last had ended harshly and with little results other than bashing a few of the enemies ugly mugs. Though, it had been a great practical application for many of his newly acquired magic skills. Well at least I'm finally getting that challenge I wanted. He thought ruefully to himself.
Suddenly his path was alight with a soft blue glow. "What are you doin tripin around in the dark? We need to get a move on." Came the gruff voice of Mad-Eye. Edward gave the paranoid veteran a sideways smirk as the man walked nimbly through the mess that used to be an old shack. "What are you smirkin at?" growled Moody.
"Nothing, I vas just amused by how vell your new leg seems to suit you." Ed said in a mocking tone. The gruff man had put up a fight about getting a new "shiny" leg like Ed's after the school nurse had pretty much figured out how to attach one herself. Well, he had most likely put up a bit of a fight because he would be her first experiment... er patient, but it all seemed to work out just fine. In fact, with magic involved, Mad-eye's recovery time was almost non existent compared to Ed's.
The man really was a relief from the rest of the softy wizards surrounding Ed these days. He was a true warrior and now that Edward had taken the vow and was no longer a threat to the old auror, the two could get along in a mocking and baiting sort of relationship. They both had a grim sense of humor and in just this second mission together one would think them old friends in rivalry. "Now, oh nimble varrior, bring that light back over here and help me find my vand." Ed teased.
"Accio Edward's wand." Replied Moody in a bored tone and the wand flew out from under a pile of large splinters and into the older man's waiting hand. Alastor held the handle out to the blond with a ruff slight-smirk of his own.
Ed frowned as he took back his wand. "Shut up, I vould have thought of that eventually." Ed replied grumpily as he unwrapped his wound. Ignoring his partner for a moment, he pointed the tip of his wand at the still bleeding gash. "Exitus cruor adficio." Edward mumbled as he moved his wand with a swooping swish and flick. The blood flow halted and Ed went right on to the next medical enchantment. Ed's frown deepened in concentration with the next spell. "Resarcio viscus." A thin layer of pink flesh covered the wound, but looked ready to rip back open at a moments notice.
When Ed looked back up to Moody, the man had his arms crossed in agitation. "You done foolin around yet?" He huffed, his artificial blue eye was swirling agitatedly.
"Sorry if I didn't vant to bleed out before ve make it back to headquarters." Grumbled the alchemist.
"We could have been to headquarters already and had a real mediwitch patch you up. One that would do better than the crap job you just pulled on yourself." Moody apparated away with a loud pop before Ed could protest that Poppy was not exactly waiting for them at their destination.
Ed resisted the childish urge to stick his tongue out at the spot Moody disappeared from and apparated himself as well. His own apparition gave off only a soft whip like sound. He appeared directly across the street from Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and followed his partner to the door quietly. Once inside however, Ed let loose. "Vell sorry if my vork is not up to your standards." Ed scoffed at the back of the older warrior. "I have only been practicing magic for a few months after all, but do excuse my less than satisfactory healing skills." Ed said sarcastically and apparently... a little to loudly because at that moment Mrs. Blacks portrait roared to life. A vain throbbed on Ed's temple as the screeching of her voice grated on his ear drums. "~That's it!~" screamed Ed as he stomped his way up to her painting. He was tired and bloody and dirty and sooo not in the mood for this crap.
"...Filthy Blood Traitors and Mudbloods!" The yellowing old hag was yelling from the confines of her paintbrush strokes. Ed walked right up to her and started yelling at her in german, not caring if she could understand him or not, but relishing in the feel of a good verbal bashing.
Sirius, Molly, and Arthur joined Alastor in the hall hearing the commotion. They stared up, slightly dumbfounded, at the scene before them. Insulting screams were being traded in duel languages at ear piercing decibels. Sirius was the first to come out of his stupor. "I take it the mission went badly.?" He questioned Alastor, but never took his eyes off of the spectacle.
"You could say that." Moody answered with a slightly amused look.
The blond was still screaming in German as he walked slightly down the hall to the closest door. With a kick of his left foot, the door crashed to the floor. "Hey!" Shouted the last living Black, but his protest to the damage was drowned out by the screaming match.
Ed threw the large wooden door at the vicinity of the paining and stalked into the now doorless room. He soon reemerged with his arms full of dusty china. He Then proceeded to throw each plate at the now completely irate Mrs. Black, screaming what was most likely obscenities with each thrust. Finally, when he had ran out of fine china, he marched up to the mess he had made. "You vanted to be stuck up on this vall forever then FINE! So be it!" He finally yelled in english startling the amused yet bewildered onlookers. "Have fun in an eternity of yelling to no one but yourself you miserable old hag!"
There was a loud clap amongst the old woman's screaming. The blue lights streaked up her portrait as the china seemed to liquify and run up its surface, muffling her screeching in the process. It was soon followed by reforming wood that filled the wall in as if there had never been anything but, though it did look rather new in comparison to it's surrounding walls. The most important part was that all anyone could hear was an annoying yet heavily muffled squeaking sound from behind that new wall. Ed dusted his hands off and looked rather pleased with himself as he marched back down the stairs and passed the speechless onlookers. He stopped at the stairs leading down to the kitchen and looked back at his fellow order members. "Vell, are ve going to get down to business or just stand in the hallway all night?" He questioned with a raised eyebrow. "And someone get a hold of the Opa." He said with a wave of his hand. The blond then continued down the steps talking out loud to no one in particular. "I'm starving and the faster ve get the mission briefing over vith the faster I can eat."
Harry got up early. So early in fact, that he had to wait around for a bit before curfew was no longer in affect. He was still completely enraged about the fact he had been banned from quidditch for life. I mean come on! seriously? Could you get anymore obvious that you are trying to make my life a living hell you stupid whore. He thought as he paced by the portrait hole. Then he softly chuckled to himself as he realized that even in inner dialogue had been influenced by his crazy blond master and his foul mouth. In fact, that very same man was the reason he now paced at the dorm exit before the sun even rose. He wanted to get out of there before anyone could even notice him missing.
Ed had taught him that through his martial arts training, he could release anger and tension and thus allow his head to be more clear when it counted. Though at the time Harry had wondered if he ever practiced what he preached, but he was now gratful for the insight. If he ever needed to release some tension then now was the time. He was going to the room of requirement and he was going to beat the living crap out of a few dummies. It was all he could do at the moment. It just figured that on one of the worst days of his life, his master had been missing from the castle and according to the marauder's map, still was.
His life ban from his favorite sport had been eating at him ever since it happened. Even his visit to the newly returned Hagrid hadn't done much to lighten his spirits. Out of all the bazillion things he did in his hectic schedule, quidditch was the one thing that was purely for him. It was the one thing he did, not because he had to or because it would better his chances at survival, but for the sole purpose that he enjoyed it. And now it had been so viciously ripped from him by that pink abomination. His fists clenched at just the passing thought of her. Calm down. He told himself. I'll get my release soon enough. His fists loosened and he gazed to the clock on the mantle above the fireplace. "About bloody time." He mumbled to himself. Harry never saw the sleepy brown eyes that watched his exit from the common room.
The scared teen had made it to his destination with no problem. It was early on a Saturday morning, so there was a general lacking of anyone in the halls. He hadn't even felt the need to grab his invisibility cloak for the trip. Once he had made it to the DA room, Harry had started with the basic warm up katas and exercises. When he had finished with that and was ready to move on to the dummy, the appropriate fake opponents had been provided for him. It really was amazing how the room just knew those kind of things.
Harry reveled in the feel of the strong solid blows he inflicted upon the dummies. He tore through them like a tornado of limbs and furry. Every time one cracked or broke he was overwhelmed by a feeling of deep satisfaction. His life was always so out of his control and it made him feel helpless. In the strength of his own punch is where he found his solace. To know that by your strength alone you could inflict such damage was rather empowering. Though in the back of his mind he knew that each satisfactory blow did nothing to guide his life in the direction he preferred, he just didn't care. He felt great at that moment and lost himself in the sweaty, blood pounding, heart racing joy of his workout.
So wrapped up in it all, Harry didn't know that he now had a small audience at the door. "Bloody hell Harry, you've been holding out on us." Came the disbelieving voice of Ron.
In the moment Ron had began to speak however, Harry had been startled and jumped behind the dummy he was working on. With a swift kick, the wooden head was sent flying in the direction of the three onlookers.
"Impedimenta." Came the panicked voice of Hermione, stopping the dummy head just before impact. As the impromptu projectile finally fell to the ground at their feet they all just stared at each other for a minute, three in wonder and one in panic.
"I...I'm so sorry. It was just a reaction. You startled me and I thought Ed..."Harry began to ramble.
"Ed?" Questioned Hermione in a slightly breathy voice, still recovering from her earlier scare. The fact that she had picked up on his slip effectively stopped Harry's rambling. "As in Professor Edward Elric." Hermione stated more than asked and her eyebrows rose high.
"Well damn." Said Harry as he plopped down on the floor in annoyance.
"Harry!" Hermione shouted out at the use of language.
"What I think Hermione meant to say was, what happened to you Harry?" Asked a rather confused Neville.
Harry, who was now sitting cross-legged on the floor just put his face in his hands. "Ed's gonna kill me." He grumbled to himself.
"There you go again." Accused the bush haired witch. "I thought there was something fishy about all the time you had to spend with him, first for detentions and then tutoring. The way his attitude changed from summer to the way he acts now, especially towards you. Now you're calling him by his first name and... and... all this!" She gestured wildly at his more muscular chest and the damage he had inflicted upon the few broken dummies, for once at a complete lack of words for what she was seeing.
"Yeah mate... can you teach me." Ron finally added, eyes still wide in wonder.
"Look, I can't talk about it ok?" The scared teen pleaded. "I made a promise and I intend to keep my word."
"What exactly is that supposed to mean?" Yelled an angry Hermione. "Your keeping and obviously big secret from us, your best friends! You had better tell us what's going on right now Harry James Potter." She demanded with an accusatory finger pointed at him.
Harry rose up with a dark look. "Don't talk to me like you're my mother Hermione. You have no right to order me around." He hissed out angrily. When she flinched away from him, his voice and appearance softened. "I'm sorry, I'm just dealing with a lot right now." He sighed.
Hermione blinked back the tears that had begun to sting his eyes at his earlier harsh tone. "It's...it's fine Harry. You're right. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that." She mumbled out, but one of those tears leaked out against her will.
Harry sighed again and pulled her to him in a hug. "It's ok Hermione, don't cry. Really I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at Umbridge for banning me from quidditch and at myself for slipping and probably ruining a promise to... a friend." He explained as he patted her back awkwardly.
Hermione on the other hand had forgotten all other emotions after Harry had pressed her against his bare chest. The only emotion coursing through her veins at the moment was now embarrassment. She pushed herself away from him with crimson cheeks and retreated a couple of steps. "I'm fine, really." She assured and cleared her throat trying to gain back a little dignity.
Ron frowned at the display. "Why don't you put on a shirt and then we can talk." He huffed and moved over to the sitting area of the room.
"Yeah, uh, right." Now it was Harry's turn to blush and he hurried to comply. When he was dressed and ready to converse civilly, he sat down next to Neville who looked to be most neutral in this situation. "So," He started off awkwardly. "I guess you want me to tell you about how I got so fit and combative?" He asked, but continued on before they could answer. "Well, until I discuss it with someone I can't tell you."
"You mean until you talk to Professor Elric." Beamed Hermione in a smug manor. Apparently over her earlier emotional confusion.
Her attitude made Harry decide that now would be a perfect opportunity to try one of his latest lessons. Distraction and diversion. He turned a sly smile on the know-it-all witch. "Hermione, just because you have a lingering crush on our Alchemy Professor doesn't mean that everything revolves around him. Be careful or you might start seeing him in your tea."
Hermione's cheeks were set aflame once again at the mention of her feelings. "That's preposterous." She protested, but Harry dug in a little deeper before she could state her argument.
"It's fine, really Hermione. We all understand. He is only a few years older than us after all. And he has that forbidden fruit type of thing going on for him, being a teacher and all." Hermione was pink and sputtering. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind the uniformed school girl himself. It's a quite common fantasy for men after all." His smirk was positively evil as he watched her face turn into the shade of a tomato.
His words had an even better affect than he realized. Not only had he distracted Hermione's attention, but the other two as well. Neville had a faint blush at the picture Harry's words had painted and Ron's ears and nose were pepper red. The red head was about to blow his carrot top.
Ron jumped to his feet in outrage. "How dare you talk about Hermione like that, like she some kind of... some kind of."
"What," asked Harry with a pleasant smile. "A woman with wants and needs." He said with a slight eyebrow wiggle which only darkened the varying degrees of red amongst his companions. Harry, in turn, began to laugh. Edward's tactical lesson actually worked, but he better wrap things up before his friends got seriously mad at him. "Take it easy guys. I'm just messin with you, but I really have to go now." He said in amusement. Harry nearly snickered at the completely successful distraction and diversion technique that had gotten him out of trying to make up some story or actually spilling the beans. He had nearly made it all the way through the door when Hermione's voice drifted after him.
"This isn't over! You are going to answer my..." But her sentence was cut off as he closed the door and took off down the hall with a good laugh to himself.
Well, it was nearly a complete success anyways. He thought amusedly as he let his legs carry him swiftly back to the dorms for a change of clothes.
Monday had passed uneventfully. Edward, or Professor Elric as most students knew him, had returned sometime late Sunday night and Harry attended his morning class. He had been avoiding his friends like the plague and was relieved to see Edward was back so that he could talk to him about his situation. That hope had been dashed when his alchemy master had disappeared, yet again, right after classes. Though the blond sadist had left a rather detailed homework plan for him with Dobby that made Harry groan.
When Tuesday rolled around Harry could feel the heat of Hermione's ever present gaze on his back. It wasn't a glare per say, but it definitely held some form of discontent. So, when Care of Magical Creatures class came around, though he was apprehensive of what Hagrid might have in store for them, he figured it was probably something either disturbing or fascinating, so he welcomed the distraction. It would also help to distract his friends from their pondering on his newfound abilities.
He trudged through the snow toward Hagrid who stood at the edge of the forest and to his relief he saw hide nor hair of the High Inquisitor. The person that was accompanying the friendly half-giant did surprise him though. The loud red coat stood in stark contrast to the snow surrounding him. I wonder what he's doing out here. Harry thought to himself.
At that moment Hagrid caught sight of him and waved welcomingly with a large smile. Edward caught sight of the motion and locked eyes with Harry momentarily. The alchemist sent him a smirk in greeting before turning away and walking into the forest. As harry approached the larger professor he watched him heft up what looked to be half a dead cow onto his shoulder.
"Afternoon Harry." Greeted Hagrid. "Professor Elric said he was interested in todays lesson after I mentioned it to 'im at lunch and he'll be joinin' us. Said, ya two had run inta 'em a couple a times in yer 'detentions'." He said with that hinting Hagrid tone that was all to obvious.
Hagrid definitely knew about his apprenticeship. Though he was a member of the order and as such had probably been briefed about what he'd missed since his return. Most likely by Edward himself since the other order members had neglected to properly prepare him for Umbridge on the night of his arrival. Harry was curious now though. What was the lesson on that would garner interest from the alchemist. They had quite a few lessons in the forbidden forest until it started snowing and Ed's auto-mail caused him physical pain when it began to freeze up. Warming charms only went so far, so they had rarely had an outdoor lesson for a while now. Looking to the snow around him he suspected Ed must be very interested in the creature if he was out in this mess.
Harry came out of his musings when other students started arriving and Hagrid began to speak again. "We're workin in here today!" Hagrid called out happily to the approaching students. "Bit more sheltered and they prefer the dark anyway..."
Harry snickered to himself at Malfoy's comment of "What prefers the dark? What did he say prefers the dark? Did you hear?" Of course Harry might have been slightly apprehensive too if he hadn't spent many a hellish hour more afraid of his Master than any of the beasts roaming the so called dangerous forest. At this point there wasn't much he hadn't see from this forest anyways.
"Ready?" said Hagrid as he happily looked around the class. "Right, well, I've bin savin' a trip inter the forest fer fifth year. Thought we'd go an see these creatures in their natural habitat..." Harry listened to Hagrid argue with Malfoy over whether or not the mystery creatures were trained as the walked into the trees. The group walked for around ten minutes until a familiar head of blond hair came into view.
Edward was standing in an area where the trees blocked out the light, giving it an almost twilight effect and there was no snow on the ground. Hagrid dropped the cow down next to Edward. The ominous feeling in the students only seemed to increase at the sight of the notorious professor. His slightly evil smirk wasn't helping things either. He really enjoys messing with people doesn't he. Harry thought with a smile and slight shake of his head.
"Gather roun', gather roun'," said Hagrid encouragingly. "Now' they'll be attracted by the smell o' the meat, but I'm goin' ter give'em a call anyway, cause they'll like to know it's me..."
He turned and gave an odd shrieking cry a couple of times and Harry's smile widened. He knew that sound.
Harry watched calmly as the blank, white, shinning eyes emerged from the darkness of the trees. The dragonish face and large winged and skeletal body of a horse was soon completely emerging from the gloom and began to eat the dead cow. Harry looked around to the faces of his mostly oblivious classmates. So Neville can see them too huh? He thought as he watched the boy follow the movement of the thestral's swishing tail.
"And here comes another one." Said Hagrid proudly.
"They do hold a somevhat disturbing beauty, don't they?" Asked the Alchemy Professor to the CoMC Professor.
"I'm glad ya like 'em." Said Hagrid and then raised his voice to the rest of the class. "Now, put yer hands up, who can see 'em." He questioned. "Yeah, I knew you would Harry," he said seriously. "An you too, Neville, eh? An..."
"Excuse me," said Malfoy in a sneering voice, "but what exactly are we supposed to be seeing?"
The young blond professor laughed earnestly. "Truly amazing Hagrid, vhat vonderful creatures they are indeed. I almost didn't believe you when you told me that..."
"Now don't go ruinin my fun Professor." Smiled Hagrid.
"Of course, of course." Replied Ed and he waited for the man to proceed with his lecture.
Harry was almost jealous that the others couldn't see. It would have been something to see meat being eaten without a mouth to cover and chew it. Though there was a more deep seeded reason he envied them, he decided to focus on the lighter of the two.
"What's doing that," Parvati demanded in terror, "What's eating it?"
"Thestrals." Said Hagrid proudly and Harry heard Hermione give a soft "oh!"
Figures she'd heard about them. He mused. To bad she didn't believe me before.
Hagrid went on to explain what they used them for and that, no, they were not unlucky just misunderstood. Soon more joined the first two and Parvati freaked out that she thought one was near her.
"Don' worry, it won' hurt ya," said Hagrid patiently. "Right, now who can tell me why some o' you can see 'em and come can't?"
Hermione raised her hand.
"Go on then." said Hagrid, beaming at her.
"The only people who can see thestrals," she said, "are people who have seen death."
"That's exactly right," said Hagrid solemnly, "ten points ter Gryffindor. Now, thestrals..."
"Hem, hem."
Harry resisted the urge to vomit at the disgusting sound associated with an even more disgusting woman. And if the tell tail tensing of his alchemy master was anything to go by, Ed was feeling the same. Umbridge in all her clipboard glory stood only a few feet from Hermione, Hagrid had apparently thought that the thestral before him had made the sound and was now looking very concernedly at it.
"Hem,Hem."
"Oh hello!" Hagrid said, smiling, having located the source of the noise.
"You received the note I sent to your cabin this mourning?" she said in a demeaning voice as if she were addressing a person who was both foreign and very slow. Harry didn't miss the brief scowl that graced his masters face, but thankfully the toad had. "Telling you that I would be inspecting your lesson?"
"Oh yeah," Said Hagrid brightly. Glad yeh found the place all right. Well, as you can see, or, I dunno... can you? We're doin thestrals today..."
"I'm sorry?" she said cupping a hand to her ear.
Hagrid looked confused for a moment, but spoke slowly and loudly for her. "er, Thestrals! Big, er, winged horses, ya know." He flapped his giant arms like wings.
Professor Umbridge raised an eyebrow at him and started making a note on her clipboard. " has...to..resort...to...crude...sign...language..."
Harry was frowning heavily at the woman, and though Edward had a calm appearance his jaw twitch ever so slightly indicating his ire.
"Well anyway," said Hagrid turning back to his class and looking slightly flustered. "Erm... what was I sayin?"
"Appears...to...have..poor...short...term...memory..." she muttered to her self...loudly.
Suddenly Ed was bringing the attention to himself. His stoic features had been replaced by a pleasant smile and he was standing right in front of Umbridge. "Vhat a pleasant surprise that ve should both visit the same class today." He directed a beaming smile at her, but turned his attention to the teacher of the class he was interrupting. "Herr Hagrid, it seems fraulein Umbridge is unable to see the magnificent creatures before us. Perhaps since she is a special guest ve could give her special privilege?" He beamed at the half giant.
"Well, er, yeah." He started unsurely, but let the young man have his way. "S'pose it would be a nice thing ter do for her."
"Vonderful." Ed turned back to Umbridge and took the clipboard from her hands, setting it on the ground. He took her hand in his gently and led her closer to the nearly gone cow carcass. When Edward noticed her blanching at the gore he placed his face in her line of sight. "tut tut." He told her. "Such a delicate thing as yourself need not look upon such a sight. Close your eyes and trust me." He reassured her.
She looked at him skeptically. "You do realize the ministry has classified the creatures as dangerous?" She said in a deadpan.
Hagrid look as if he were going to protest, but Ed beat him to the punch. "Nonsense. I know that at least these thestrals are very gentle. Now close your eyes and relax." She looked as if she weren't going to for a moment, but finally gave into the handsome face and warm golden gaze before her. "Ja, just like that." He told her as he pulled her compliant hand closer to the velvety wing of the creature. "I vant you to imagine an inky black stallion vith the elegant tail of an onyx colored dragon and eyes like those of beautiful shining pearls. Now add to the image a majestic set of velveteen wings vith enough mighty strength to carry this vonderful creature soaring high into the crystal blue sky." He finally laid the palm of her hand onto the softest part of the thestral, the webbing of it's bat like wing. She jumped at the contact and pulled her hand back as her eyes opened. "It is safe." Placated Ed and he laid her now quivering hand back onto the soft flesh.
While this was going on the students stood in varying emotions. Some looked disgusted with Ed's behavior, mostly the guys, while some of the students watched on dreamily for the handsome blond to continue his wonderful description, mostly the girls. It was an inaccurate yet beautifully rendered verbal portrait. Of course his accent probably helped add a bit of allure for the girls as well.
Harry on the other hand looked on amused, wondering if Edward could literally bullshit a pile of bullshit if he put his mind to it. It was odd for him to know that what he saw was completely different than what anyone else perceived between the two professors. Amazing the difference a little perspective could make. Harry also wondered what deranged images were running through his masters head to keep that honey sweet smile on his face. Oh yeah, Ed had let him in on that little tidbit of information when Harry wouldn't stop pestering him about how he did it.
Finally Harry looked over to poor sweet Hagrid who look complete bamboozled over what Ed was saying and doing. Harry just smiled at him and made a gesture with his hands as if to say don't sweat it. The green eyed teen looked back to the two petting the thestral as he heard Ed's voice again.
"See you two are getting along vonderfully. Now how about a ride." And without warning he somehow managed to haul the terrified inquisitor up onto the horse before she formed the words to protest. "The ride is such a beautiful one, now hold on tight!" Edward beamed at her and gave a jumpstarting smack to the thestrals hindquarters.
To most, Umbridge looked to be sitting on air and after the smack the pink professor was off like a rocket, soaring high into the sky. The malicious gleam in Edward's golden gaze was enough to send shivers down Harry's spine. Well, now I know what he had been visualizing at least. He thought to himself and resisted the urge to face palm himself. He only hope the incident wouldn't hurt Ed. He had been through so many disgusting trials with the woman to waist it all now.
"What were you thinking?" the apprentice reprimanded the master as he paced back in forth in front of said masters desk. "And don't just sit their looking all smug you git. You're the one who told me how dangerous that woman could be and you go and nearly kill her via thestral!" shouted Harry, grabbing a fist full of messy black hair in distress.
"You vorry to much Harry." was Ed's calm and nonchalant answer.
Harry looked like he had been gob smacked. "I worry to..." he started in amazement, but his voice raised in volume and anger as he repeated the statement again. "I worry to much!" He all but screamed. "You turned me into a paranoid mess and now your telling me I worry to much?"
"Ja." Replied Ed.
"Grrrrargh!" The teen growled in frustration and threw himself ruffly down in his seat. After a moment of fretting he finally just let go and slumped back. When he spoke again his voice was resigned. "Theres no point in arguing with you is there?"
"Nein." smirked Ed.
Harry put a hand over his face while making a sound that was the hybrid of a growl and a sigh. "Just tell me one thing... why? Why did you do it."
"Oh, for many reasons I suppose." Began Ed, but he didn't sound like he would continue.
Harry sat up a little and gave him a small glare. "Care to share a few." He deadpanned.
"Eh, vhy not." Ed took a sip of the coffee on his desk before he continued. When he did though, his features were no longer smug or content, but irritated and disgusted. "First and foremost, I felt that if I had to deal vith another moment of her bigotry or idiocy for even a moment longer I might have to kill myself to spare me the pain." that comment had Harry giving him a sad sympathetic smile. "There is also the fact that it gave me a feeling of deep satisfaction." He smirked briefly at the memory. "The other thing that probably helped to push me over the edge, though, vould be the same thing that has kept me from our regular sessions." said Edward.
"And what would that be?"
"Dumbledore." Grumbled Ed.
"What? What's he have to do with anything?" asked the bewildered Harry.
"Everything." Replied the blond. "Now that I have..." Ed felt a strong compulsion to not speak of the vow and realized how close that had been to very bad. "Now that certain things have arisen, the Opa has sent me on more than a couple missions in just this last veek's time." Ed rubbed his face wearily with his flesh hand. "I guess it is just getting to me a bit."
"But I'm confused, isn't your job to spy on Umbridge?"
"Harry," Ed started, "I believe it's ve had a little talk about me, myself, and I."
"Huh." was the eloquent response.
"I'm sorry I haven't told you this earlier, but I'm not really just a spy vorking for Dumbledore."
"But you said..."
"I didn't say anything of the sort. You are the one who jumped to conclusion, I merely neglected to correct you assumptions. Now before you go getting mad, let me just assure you it vas easier to let you think that than get you to believe the truth before you got to know me and know more about alchemy."
"After all I've been through I don't think there is much that I won't believe possible anymore, but go ahead. This should be good." said Harry sarcastically as he folded his arms.
"Remember our discussion about the gate of alchemy?" Questioned Ed.
"Yeah." Replied Harry in an uncertain voice. "Visiting it is what gave you the ability to transmute without a circle, but it's also what took your limbs as payment. What does that have to do with your being or not being a spy?"
"Remember how you thought that the order had rescued me, an undercover spy, from Voldemort vhen my cover was blown?"
"Yeah." Came another speculative reply. "and..." He nudged.
"Vell, that was only partly true." Said Ed sheepishly. "You see, I vasn't a spy to be saved, but rather a summons gone wrong that they stumbled upon."
"I don't understand what your trying to tell me here."
"Harry, I vas summoned by Voldemort from the gate it's self." Said Ed in a no nonsense voice.
"You were wha..?" Harry said still not comprehending.
"Ugh, I hate explaining this cause it's just so unbelievable vhen I say it out loud. Even to me and I lived it." He mumbled to himself. "Look brat, I'm from another vorld alright? Another dimension, if you vill, on the other side of the gate. I gave my life as payment to the gate to save my dying brother and it is from the gate that I vas summoned by Voldemort."
Harry sat in disbelief for a moment before a smirk slowly formed on his features. "Oh come on Ed. Haven't you done enough bullshitting for one day. Stop trying to mess with me." He laughed.
"Harry." Ed said in a stern voice. "I am not trying to pull one over you. I am telling the truth."
"Come on," said the bespectacled boy, but the tone of the alchemy master's voice made him waver. "you're just joking right? ...right?" The serious gaze that met his own wiped the smile from his face. "You aren't kidding." He said in amazement. "You mean you really are from..." he trailed off, but Ed just nodded in conformation. "Bloody hell." was all Harry could manage as he sat back in his seat.
"For what it's vorth, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."
"Yeah," said Harry grumpily, "So why the sudden change of heart?"
"I vish I could tell you that I vanted to let you in on it now just for the sake of it or because I felt you vere ready, but I von't lie to you. There is a very real possibility that I may need to make a quick escape at some point and I need to make sure you are prepared for the occasion."
"What do you mean escape?"
"Don't think about it to hard, just know that even if it never comes to that I vill still vant to make the journey home after I am done helping you." Ed gave his apprentice a sad smile. "You are, in fact, the only thing tying me to this world right now." He said softly.
"Me, I didn't do anything I swear." Harry protested.
"Calm down." Laughed Ed. "I didn't mean it like that. All I meant was that I want to help you before I leave."
"You mean with my whole 'boy-who-lived' fate." said the teen begrudgingly. Ed nodded in the affirmative. "More like the-boy-whom-fate-loves-to-toy-with-and-make-a-mess-of-while-laughing-at-him."
Ed chuckled. "If those vere the only to choices I vould have chose the shorter one too." he joked at Harry's expense.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up." said Harry with a chuckle of his own. After the amusement wore down he spoke again in a more serious tone. "So... another world huh?"
"Ja."
"And why exactly do you need to prepare me for any emergency escape acts you may pull?" Harry questioned, trying not to think to hard on the fact that his friend and mentor would inevitably leave him forever one day.
"Vell, it seems that vhen one opens a pathway between vorlds that there is a residual effect left over and if it is not properly tidied up then there is a chance that ignorant parties may be able to access the gate. Parties such as Voldemort. Ve vere lucky that he accepted the "summoning" as a failure because if he did figure out how to harness the power of the gate ve vould all be in trouble." Harry looked horrified at the prospect. "Bah, don't vorry about it. It is very likely that he would die in the process of trying but I just don't like the opportunity being there in the first place."
"But you still haven't told me what part I play in all of this or why you might need to escape. And how are you gonna help me if you run off to another world?" demanded Harry.
"Slow down there apprentice. First of all, vhen you open the path through the gate you must shut the gate on both sides. A fact that I vas ignorant to on my first crossing over."
"Your first crossing over!" said Harry in wonder. "You mean you've done this before?"
"Ja, sort of, but that vas back during the time of the Nazi party."
"What? How old are you?" demanded Harry.
Ed got a mischievous glint in his eye. "Ve are getting off topic. The point is that I need you to shut down the portal on this side of the gate after I cross over." Ed informed his apprentice while avoiding the question. "It is only deconstruction so you should be able to learn it vith a bit of vork in a short period of time."
Harry looked solum for a moment. "And if I wanted to come with you?" tested Harry.
Ed smiled softly at him. "Harry, this is your vorld, this is vhere you belong. I am merely searching for a vay to return back to vhere I belong. I have family and friends on the other side of the gate who I miss that don't even know I am still alive." He stopped to collect his thoughts and emotions before he continued.
"But what if I don't want to belong here. What if what everybody expects of me is to much." Harry said despondently. "They all look to me as some type of savior, but I'm not. I'm just a teenager who hasn't even had a real girlfriend yet. I'm still so much a kid and people expect me to save the world. Well what if it's to much for me? What if I can't do what they want me to do?" Pleaded Harry almost desprately.
"Harry look at me." Gold met emerald in a gaze of complete understanding. "You are strong. You vill vin against vhatever life throws at you. Be it Voldemort or evil blonde alchemy teachers." Ed smirked at him and got a small one in return. "Trust me, there is a reason you, out of everyone on this planet, vas picked. It vas not for the strength in your vand or the strength in your arm. It was for the strength in your heart Harry. I didn't pick you for my only apprentice because the Opa asked me to. I picked you because of who you are."
"But it all still seems so unfair." He whined.
"Ja, life has a vay of doing that. But no more whining. I vill do my best to ensure you don't have to do vhat they expect of you, but if it happens anyways then I vill make certain you are the victor."
Harry smiled. "Thanks Ed. I guess I kinda needed a little pep talk." Then he smirked. "So I take it thats a no on the dimension hopping?"
"You vould be correct." Ed smiled back. "Besides, I thought you already resolved never to come face to face vith the gate my silly apprentice."
Harry grimaced ever so slightly, "Yeah, that I did." Then a thought came to him. "Um Ed, not to be morbid, but you said that to see the gate you usually have to make a 'payment.' Now don't take it personal or anything, but your starting to run low on limbs."
"Smart ass." Grumbled Fullmetal. "Don't you worry about all that. Vhat do you think all that research I vas doing vas for?" He stated proudly. "It vasn't for the fun of it, I can tell you that."
"So you're trying to find a way through without paying a toll?" Asked the younger man.
"Ja, that vould be my intention."
"Hey, you never did answer about why you would need to make an emergency exit or what that meant for me."
"You're right. You deserve that much." Ed resolved. "The only thing that vould make me leave before I am sure you are either free from your burden or completely able to crush your opponent vas if me sticking around vould amount to me never being able to go home again. I hope you can understand that."
"What would keep you from going home though?"
"Never you mind that. Vith luck it von't ever come to that anyways." there was a moment of silence before Ed's more vindictively mocking voice called out. "Oh, by the vay. Vhat is this I hear about a little incident in the room of requirement?" asked Ed with a smirk.
Harry swallowed hard. "Uh, yeah, I was getting to that. Hey how did you find out anyways?"
"I am your master. I see all."
"So it was Hermone then?" Harry deadpanned.
"Ja, it vas Hermione." Ed pouted ever so slightly that his fun had been ruined.
They spent a good portion of their time talking about what had happened to Harry since Dumbledore had started sending Ed away frequently, including the quidditch banning and the RoR incident. Ed joked that Harry should just obliviate the trio, but relented to let Harry just talk to them about it instead. It would do the boy good to have others to share his secrets with. It always seems to lighten the load on the individual. It wasn't until much later that they actually got in some training. For the next couple of weeks, Harry would be focusing solely on the deconstruction of residual alchemy from a trip through the gate, just to be prepared. One had to have a subtle balance of paranoia in their life to be an efficient warrior after all.
IVX: Hope you liked the newest installment of FMAaS. Next ch... xmas. yay presents! Oh and yes I did make up those medical spells at the beginning of the ch. It's fun stringing together latin. hehe. Weee, it is like three am and i am slap happy as all get out. Have fun and don't forget to let me know how you liked it... ^_~