Alchemy: Tiny Steps

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D/C: I own nothing.

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"English and Edward's accented voice."

"Amestrian, Xingese, foreign languages, or to add emphasis."

Written notes or to add extra emphasize

'Thoughts.'

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Mr. Elric: Edward Elric

Professor Elric: Alphonse Elric

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"My head…" Edward grumbled under his breath, flinching when he ran his hand through his hair. He felt an all too familiar feeling of dealing with a concussion, just what he needed. When he tried to open his eyes, but his vision is blurred and was internally grateful that he wasn't in the Medical Wing. All the open windows and light coming in through them would have just aggravated him even further. "Where am I? What happened?"

"Hagrid's dog jumped on top of you and that resulted with you hitting your head against a rock."

Edward recognized his brother's chiding voice through the haze. "That would explain a lot. Who else is here?"

"Human? Just us. Animals? Who knows. Hagrid had to help a Professor with her class dealing with some creature." Alphonse explained, he got up from his spot and sat on the cot his brother was laying on. "Don't force yourself, do you want to see a doctor?"

"I'm fine, was just caught off guard is all." Edward waved his brother's concern with a wave of his hand. He's dealt with worse and didn't want to worry Alphonse. "Did you talk to him?"

"I did." Alphonse couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "You were right and I learned a lot more about the school to help with my research. But… he seems to be carried away with the house war they have here."

"Yeah, but at least he knows how to keep quiet about it. If you ever want to talk about magical creatures or want to know about how they keep the grass green here, talk to him." Edward blinked his multiple ties to regain his vision and saw he was in Hagrid's hut. "Why are there four of you?"

...

"Mr. Elric isn't coming today. Professor Elric sent him to the Medical Wing, something about dealing with a concussion?"

"What happened?"

"You know how he has an epiphany with animals? Fang jumped on him, Mr. Elric fell and landed head first on a rock. Madam Pomfrey is taking care of him."

"So… is class canceled?"

Monday's Alchemy Class sat around the Alchemy Classroom, Terrence reading the note that was left on the main chalkboard. "Doesn't say…"

The bricks that were behind their instructor's desk began to shift, signifying someone is entering the classroom. Out came Professor Elric, holding onto multiple notebooks in hand along with what many assume to be boxes of colored pencils. "Hello everyone, my name is Professor Elric, I am Mr. Elric's younger brother. I will be taking over for today since he got into a little accident today. Don't worry, he's okay. Brother dealt with far worse."

Everyone in the classroom looked at the Alchemy Professor, wondering what he was going to teach them. For those that went to Amestris, they knew the Professor's teaching style. It is inhuman, terrifying and right down cruel. That kind smile hides someone that could even rival Professor Snape in terms of being cold, cynical, malicious and bitter. Unlike Mr. Elric, he doesn't mince words, the only time one would get a compliment if you even remotely showed some sort of progress (it is noted that hardly ever happens in alchemy), and has said more times than they could count that he would threaten to kick them out. Mr. Elric never once ever made that threat against them. Oh sure, Mr. Elric will talk to you about it, how it would be easier for one to drop out due to outside circumstances and give one the opportunity to better oneself. Never once motioned he was going to kick or expel anyone from Alchemy. Professor Elric… is the total opposite…

"Everyone grab a journal and a set of pencils." Professor Elric instructed the students as he handed out the supplies for them to pass around. "For the remainder of the year, or until you quit or get kicked out of this class, you are to keep this journal and each week all of you are to deconstruct five items. You are to write them down in the journal and they will be checked weekly. We want to see the physical breakdown of whatever you choose, identify the materials and so on."

"…That sounds far too easy than it should." Fred whispered under his breath to his brother.

George hummed in agreement as he picked out a box of colored pencils. Each of the boxes and notebooks already had their names on it along with an unfamiliar transmutation circle or would it count as an array? He had seen it before, just not sure where.

"For extra credit, and possible brownie points, if you could create something out of said items and write it out how the said item was created. If you need extra items to create that item, then you must also deconstruct them. Good news said items could be counted for the following week and so on. Mr. Elric will go into deeper detail in your next class meeting." Professor Elric explained once everyone received their items. "For today, I want all of you to write the Periodic Table from memory- Yes, Timothy?"

"Would you also like us to write the Alchemical Table as well?"

"…" The Professor thought for a moment before he nodded, many inwardly groaned or glared at the Slytherin for adding more to their workload. "Both tables. All of you may work together or by yourself. Keep in mind that you have a higher chance of finishing your work faster in a group. Good luck."

Alphonse couldn't help but chuckle at seeing the students struggle to get into groups to do their work, all the while panicking about the work. It amused him how there is a periodic and alchemical chart hung on the wall that all of them had their backs turned to. Let's see how long it'll take them to take notice.

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"Hey… hey… hey…. Hey… hey… Can I hide here?"

Fourth Year, Hufflepuff and Slytherin, Potions class stared at the Alchemy Teacher in bewilderment as he continuously poked Professor Snape with a wooden spoon. They were waiting for the Potion's Master to explode and kill the younger of the two. However, if anything, Professor Snape calmly got up from his seat, went into his supply closet and came out with seemingly random items. He instructed Mr. Elric to sit in his chair while he created a potion for him.

Mr. Elric silently sat down on the previously vacant seat, it unnerved everyone how compliant he is. Well, he does have a bandage wrapped around his head and his eyes are unfocused. Worry only intensified when Mr. Elric grabbed hold of Professor Snape's book and started to go on about how potions is a good class to take and how it reminded him of Alchemy. Then starting to count off all the places he ever visited. It was odd. Very odd.

"What are you making, Severus?"

"A potion."

"Vat kind of bozion?"

"Something to help with your concussion."

"…I haffe ein concuzion?"

"Yes."

"I think I'm going to be sick…"

"In English please."

"Zick."

"Oh, bloody hell."

...

"I swear! How did we not see that?"

"We should have looked around the classroom."

"We should have studied."

"How are we supposed to study for something we had no clue what we were supposed to study?"

"She does have a point."

"Remember, Mr. Elric did this to us all the time last year. We should have paid more attention to our surroundings."

"Last time that happened, Mr. Elric started to go on a tangent about toads and the color pink."

"…How?"

"That occurred after he came back from a meeting at the Ministry of Magic."

"Ah…"

"…Are we still on for Friday?"

"Yeah."

"Should we bring snacks?"

"What kind of snacks?"

Emmeline Evan, Yaxley Prang, and Wynne Ranott walked out toward their respective classes. They had just finished Monday Alchemy class and they were all peeved. Of course, the youngest of the Elric Brothers would do such a thing. Should they be surprised? No. Are they? Yes. Yes, they are.

Emmeline Evan is a Seventh year Hufflepuff, she has long straight blonde hair, soft blue eyes and tiny freckled splattered across her face. A warmhearted young lady. She's also a very blunt person and tells it as it is. Because of this nature, many come to her for mature advice. She's very dependable and wants to become a healer in the future. That being said, can get her riled up (as in quidditch of she's a huge fan of), she starts cursing like a sailor. She's extremely oblivious though and hasn't had a boyfriend yet.

Yaxley Prang is a Fifth year Hufflepuff, curly blonde hair, dark green eyes and has a kind, thoughtful smile. A sweet, empathetic young man. He often looks after his younger housemates, talking to them, listening to them if something happens. Has a huge sweet tooth and wants to open his own pastry shop. He, unfortunately, doesn't know much about the muggle world as he lost his muggle mother at an early age.

Wynne Ranott is a Fifth Year Slytherin has long deep orange hair, icy blue eyes and has a very angular face. Her family may have muggle blood in them, but they are angel investors. Meaning, they give money to businesses to help them achieve top status for a portion of their stock. Once they become big, they sell their stock for more money. She is the girlfriend of Timothy and realizes that he is using her for money but doesn't really care as his family is from good stock.

...

Ling paced around the meeting room, agitation clearly written on his face. He was dressed in his finest clothing, the entire room had the finest of cloth for drapery, decorations and whatever else is expected from someone of his standings. He wasn't looking forward to the meeting, but it had to be done. It had to be done.

An audible clicked sounded out the seemingly silent room, signifying someone had just used the back passage of the room. Turning around, Ling turned to see that the part of the wall was partially left open, but no one was coming out of it. "Lan Fan, come out already."

"…I do not see the point of me wearing this, I am your bodyguard! Not some sort of doll!" Lan Fan whispered out furiously, stepping into Ling's view. She is no longer wearing the typical uniform that made her easily blend into the shadows or wearing the porcelain mask. She is now wearing a beautiful yellow and blue western inspired cheongsam style dress, her hair pinned back with pearls and precious jewels.

"By the end of the day, you will become my future wife and Empress. With or without the approval of the elders. This will work, the moment they hear what I have to say, they'll scramble around to appease themselves and myself as well." Ling assured Lan Fan solemnly, showing her a side of himself that is hardly seen by the bodyguard. He swiftly walked over towards her and pulled her into a tight embrace. "This plan will work, we've worked it out along with Alphonse and Mei. It will work."

Lan Fan hesitantly raised her arms and wrapped them around Ling's neck. "If I may say, My Lord…"

"You are allowed to say whatever comes to mind, Lan Fan. You do not need my permission."

"What if you are capable of having children? That would defeat the whole purpose of this meeting?"

"Are you saying you do want kids? With me? Hehehehe~~"

Lan Fan stared at Ling with a deadpanned expression as the young Emperor let her go and prance around the room. He kept going on about the possibilities of having kids with her. Even so, it worries her. The plan they have set out to ensure to have Ling get out of marrying 50 wives but still keep peace with all 50 clans. This plan has to work.

That was just one huge thing Lan Fan is worried about. The other issue… Ling's insistence on making her his wife. Grandfather would be rolling in the grave by now. If anything, she surprised he hasn't risen up from the dead just to beat them both into a bloody pulp.

A curt knock reverberated throughout the room, it caused Lan Fan to run toward the secret passage but was stopped when Ling lunged at her and swung her around the room with him. Before he did so, he kicked the hidden door closed and proceeded with his twirling. "Dance with me, Lan Fan!"

"Is it safe to come in?" Mei opened the door just enough to peek her head through and couldn't hold back a squeal at seeing Ling and Lan Fan dance around the room. She hopes one day that would be her and Alphonse one day.

...

Alphonse paced around the strange room on the fifth floor of Hogwarts, deep in thought. Instead of wondering why the room looked like a broom closet, it now was a quaint library with a plush chair next to a lit fireplace, his mind is elsewhere. His mind is back at Xing, wondering if his future brother-in-law meeting will go alright with the elders of all fifty main clans of Xing. If this plan does not work, then all their planning will be for naught and Ling will have to marry fifty wives.

With a sigh, Alphonse allowed himself to fall onto the chair and rubbed his forehead. "This gamble better pays off."

...

"I do not know if I am capable of having children due to my time being a homunculus. It is heavily noted that they are incapable of having children. That is why I advise of this proposal and equal opportunity for any child of all clans to become the next ruler of Xing."

To be continued

R/R