Hello! Hope you guys like this chapter! Thank you to all of you who reviewed and have kept reading my story. And Happy Memorial Day weekend!
Funny story though, I actually wrote this chapter before the previous one. I got pretty much all the way through it when I realized I wanted to have Ed and Al go home for just a bit and have that sweet moment but I couldn't have it after this as stuff does happen. But I am very pleased to give you guys such a quick update as I feel terrible for leaving you all hanging for so long. I promise to be better!
I hope you all enjoy it :)
Chapter 35- Bromine
Edward
"There's a DA meeting tonight brother," Al told him and Edward gave a small nod in reply. "Yeah, I think Harry said he wanted to focus more on defensive magic and other spells. Plus we worked them pretty hard last time with drills."
"So do you want to go? It's still interesting to watch," Al replied.
"Sure, if you want to go, Al we can," Edward replied putting down his travel journal. He had been rereading his Alchemy notes trying to see if there as something he possibly could have missed that would help them. Of course, the Philosopher's Stone would do the trick but Edward couldn't bring himself to use it, and Al wouldn't want to get his body back that way either so it was effectively useless.
He got up and headed to the Room of Requirement with Alphonse; walking three times in front of the wall to reveal the secret room. Stepping inside he saw a couple students standing around and talking as the rest slowly filed in. They couldn't all go in at once or it would be suspicious.
"Alright everyone, today we're going to be working on the knockback jinx and refreshing some of our other defensive spells," Harry announced. As he began to organize everyone and demonstrate the spell a large thunderous noise was heard causing everyone to freeze in their tracks. Edward was immediately on the defensive, ready for any attack. His hands twitched just a little as he kept them close together and ready to clap so he could transmute something.
Alphonse was also at the ready, with both of the Elric brothers standing protectively between the students and the door.
It was silent for just a moment before another large boom which caused the door to shake and crack a little before there was a massive explosion. Edward quickly clapped his hands and bent down, transmuting the ground into a large wall to put up some form of protection between them and whoever was attacking.
"Run!" He yelled as the students screamed and panicked behind him. Luckily the Room of Requirement seemed to know their every need and a small door formed for the students to escape through. Harry, Ron, and Hermione stayed beside the Elric brothers though.
"Get out of here now," Edward snapped at the trio. None of them seemed like they wanted to leave but the look in Edward's eyes told them if they didn't he would transmute a passage out of the room for them if they didn't try to go voluntarily. "You to Al, whatever's coming I can't have you getting hurt."
Alphonse shook his head. "I'm not leaving you, brother."
"Go and make sure the other kids get out of here safely, transmute the door behind you if the room doesn't already close it off. Keep them from getting captured or hurt.
There was just a brief moment of silence before Alphonse gave a short nod and ran to the door. The wall that was created by Edward soon collapsed as Hermione ran to the door with Ron and Harry behind her. Edward then saw who was attacking; it was Umbridge, Filch, and some Slytherin goons.
He saw the self-satisfactory smirk on her toad-like face and had to hold back the growl brewing in the back of his throat. "Get them!" She yelled and Edward blocked a bolt of red light with his arm, a spell most likely trying to subdue him. Of course, it had to be her. It was always her. Everything bad at this school was because of her. But he didn't have much time to dwell on that as more spells came flying at him. He dodged most but one caught him in the arm and sent him flying back, knocking all the air out of his lungs.
Edward was dazed by the attack but his instincts were screaming at him to move, to do something!
Hermione and Ron had gotten away through the door, with Alphonse behind them. Edward then yelled. "Do it! I'll be fine!" Knowing that Alphonse would transmute the door so it couldn't be opened by anyone and so the students that had gotten away wouldn't be caught. He just hoped everyone had gotten away, but unfortunately, Harry was hit with a jinx that caused him to crumple to the floor. Edward struggled to get up and help him but was dragged up roughly by Filtch. "Got 'em!"
Edward unleashed a string of curses at the old man before Umbridge flicked her wand causing his throat to close up and he couldn't speak.
"Language Mr. Elric," She said in a haughty and smug tone. Edward's glare was then turned on at full power and he couldn't deny the small bit of pleasure he got from forcing her to look away from him and avoid the eye contact.
"Well, well, Mr. Potter. It seems I was right about you all along." She turned to the few Slytherins that had helped her, Edward saw Draco Malfoy grinning among them, and said. "Fifty points to Slytherin, for each one of you!" She said proudly and Edward rolled his eyes.
"Come now," She ordered and he and Harry were dragged to Dumbledore's office. Edward cursed himself for letting down his guard, he should have known that Umbridge would try something like this. But they had been so careful. It meant someone had to have ratted them out and when he found out who he was going to have some choice words with them.
In Dumbledore's office, he saw the Headmaster, along with Professor McGonagall and Fudge along with a red-headed boy and a black wizard in colorful robes. He remembered seeing him at one of the Order of the Phoniex meetings, Shaklebolt.
"Well, well, well," Fudge said in the same smug tone of Umbridge.
"We caught them trying to escape," Umbridge told him proudly.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Elrid, do you know why you are here?" Fudge asked looking at the two of them.
Edward opened his mouth to give him a piece of his mind but nothing came out despite him trying his hardest.
"He was cursing up a storm this one," Filtch told them. "And it appears trying to do so again," Fudge commented as Edward glared at him.
"Mr. Elric, if you promise to keep the harsh language to a minimum I'll reverse the spell," Dumbledore said in a much kinder tone. Edward didn't like it but he gave a small nod and with the flick of a wand his voice returned.
"No I don't know why you dragged us both here and assaulted us," He replied after clearing his voice a little.
"Mr. Potter?" Fudge asked obviously not pleased. Harry shook his head. "No, I don't."
"So neither of you know why you are here?" Umbridge said incredulously. "So neither of you have broken any school rules or ministry decrees?"
"No, I haven't. I thought we went over this at my hearing, or should I call my commanding officer so he can let the Fuhrer know about all of this?"
Fudge seemed to slightly pale at that and said. "No, not at all."
"I think we should bring in our informant," Umbridge suggested. "It might help jog their memories."
Fudge nodded and soon a girl, Marietta, he believed came into the office looking very scared.
"Come on now," Umbridge almost cooed at the girl. "Tell us what you told me."
"Yes now, come on- Galloping Gargoyles!" Fudge soon exclaimed as it was revealed that Marietta had been horribly disfigured with the word 'SNEAK' written across her forehead in purple pustules.
Edward even winced a bit and made a mental note to never, ever, piss off Hermione Granger. Marietta wailed and hid her face once more and while Umbridge tried to coax her to speak Harry and Edward shared a look. Hermione had promised that no one would snitch and if they did it would be monstrous and she definitely lived up to that promise.
"Well fine! I'll tell him," Umbridge said finally giving up on getting her to talk. "Miss Edgecomb came to my office this evening to tell me about this secret meeting Mr. Potter was organizing with the other students. She told me it was on the seventh floor in a hidden room and well...then this happened." She told him, gesturing to an almost quivering Marietta.
"It was very brave and smart of you to come to Professor Umbridge young lady, I'll be sure to tell your mother how good a student you're being here at school. Now can you tell us what the purpose of the meeting was tonight?"
Marietta whimpered and shook her head. Umbridge was looking more and more frustrated at the girl. Edward couldn't help but smirk, her perfect little plan was falling apart right in front of her weird idol.
"Can't you reverse it?" Fudge asked and Umbridge shook her head. "I haven't been able to find a counter-jinx Minister."
Edward's smirk only grew, Hermione was gifted and he was sure it would take a lot to break whatever spell she had put in place.
"It doesn't matter if she can speak, I can tell you what happened. Potter organized a meeting in October at the Hog's Head which we have testimony from one of the few patrons there that it took place," Umbridge told them proudly. "Clearly in defiance of the Ministry Decree."
Edward sighed a bit, he knew that meeting place sucked and told them as much.
"I'll have to stop you there Delorus, that decree did not go into effect until the day after said meeting and so they cannot be punished for breaking it," Dumbledore replied smoothly and Edward had to hold back a laugh at how red Fudge and Umbridge turned.
"Fine," She bit out. "Well in the months since then the other meetings that happened would be illegal even if the first wasn't."
"Well, they certainly would have been if they had taken place. Do you have any evidence that even one meeting occurred in that time?" Dumbledore asked.
"Miss Edgecombe told me about the meeting tonight herself before the curse set in!" Umbridge protested.
"And no others, meaning you have no evidence that any occurred in that time," Dumbledore stated.
Umbridge then forced Marietta to look at her. "Tell us, dear, were their other meetings? You can just nod or shake your head. I'm sure it won't make the spots worse."
Marietta shook her head with more tears in her eyes and Edward was again thankful. She had snitched but the punishment seemed to fit the crime and at least now Umbridge's whole case was falling apart.
"Why are you shaking your head!?" Umbridge said, her voice showing how frustrated she was.
"I believe she is telling us no unless Miss Edgecomb is using a new silent form of communication we are all unfamiliar with," Professor McGonagall quipped which angered Umbridge to no end.
"Tell us!" Umbridge ordered. "Potter set up the meetings and Potter was the leader with Edward Elric helping him train students to fight against the Ministry!" She started to almost shake the girl causing McGonagall to pull her away and move Marietta behind her. "I will not have you assault one of my students Dolores," She said firmly.
"Calm yourself Madame Umbridge," Shaklebolt also said, standing by McGonagall.
"No-I mean yes, you're right. I forgot myself," She murmured.
"Dolores, the meeting tonight definitely happened though," Fudge said trying to get it all back on track.
"Yes! Yes well..." Umbridge said straightening out her pink jacket. "Miss Edgecombe informed me of the meeting and I went to catch them all red-handed. But we were only able to find Mr. Potter and Mr. Elric here who used his alchemy to try and stop us from catching the other students. And when I sent Miss Parkinson into the room to check if they had left anything behind we found this!"
She then produced the Dumbledore's Army list of names and Edward's heart dropped. He could see the color slightly drain from Harry's face as well. This was not good.
"Dumbledore's Army, eh?" Fudge said looking at the list of names. "And Mr. Potter and Mr. Elric's names along with a number of other students names are on here I see."
Dumbledore was silent for just a few moments before tossing his hands up a little before putting them behind his back. "Well the game is up it seems, would you like a written confession or will my statement here be enough?"
"C-confession? What- I don't-" Fudge seemed absolutely in shock and so was Edward. He hadn't expected Dumbledore to jump straight to that. He had to have something up his sleeve.
"Dumbledore's Army. It's right there at the top of the parchment. Not Potter's. Dumbledore's."
"You organized this!?" Fudge exclaimed and Dumbledore simply nodded. "Yes I did and Mr. Potter acted under my instructions. Tonight's meeting was supposed to be the first. And Mr. Elric I am afraid was quite the shock to see show and interest. I know for a fact his commanding officer told him not to interfere in our affairs but I suppose the military training in him made him try to find out what was going on so he could report it to the proper authorities."
Everyone looked to Edward who nodded in reply. He trusted Dumbledore and if he wanted to do it this way then he would play along, even though it killed him a bit inside. "Yeah, my main duty in Amestris is to bust up corruption and other crime rings in different cities. I stumbled upon their meeting in Hogsmeade and decided to investigate. This was the first meeting and I thought going and finding out would show you that Amestris is a friend to you and your government."
Luckily for Ed, he was a very convincing liar, years of practice made it so he could lie about his injuries and Al's flawlessly.
"Then you have been plotting against me!" Fudge yelled and Dumbledore nodded in reply. "Yes, I have."
Harry then shouted. "No! No Professor!"
Dumbledore put up his hand and said. "Please, I know you want to try to take the fall for me but it's not necessary."
"Be quiet Potter!" Fudge then snapped, looking like it was his birthday with the happiness on his face. "I knew it! I knew you were plotting against me with all this You-Know-Who's returned business."
He then looked to the red-headed boy. "Weasley? You've gotten it all written down right? You got it all?" Edward's eyes widened a bit, so this had to be the older brother Ron had told him about that was a bit estranged from the family. The red-haired boy was furiously writing all of this down and nodded. "Yes! Yes, I've got it all."
"Excellent," Fudge said rubbing his hands together. "Well then, we can have it in the morning edition of the Prophet if we rush it."
"Now, you will be escorted back to the Ministry where you will be charged and then sent to Azkaban to await your trail," Fudge told Dumbledore, the smug look never leaving his face.
"Ah, you see, I thought we might hit a bit of a snag there," Dumbledore said walking out from behind his desk.
"A snag?" Umbridge questioned.
"Well yes, it appears you are under the impression I am to go... what is the phrase? 'Come quietly'."
"You can't escape Dumbledore," Umbridge said pulling out her wand. Edward's eyes darted around the room, even with McGonagall, himself, and Harry, he knew that they could prevent them from taking Dumbledore but the expression on the man's face told him not to do anything of the sort. Edward didn't know his plan but he trusted him enough to stay silent and not take action, which killed him a bit.
"Enough of this!" Umbridge snapped, with her and Fudge looking like a cat about to pounce on their prey. "Take him!"
Dumbledore winked at Harry and Edward and suddenly Fawkes flew down and Dumbledore reached up to grab him, sending a wave of light and pressure throughout the room, knowing everyone back except for Harry, McGonagall, and Edward. Everyone was knocked out and Dumbledore quickly went to the boys.
"Listen, we haven't got much time. They will wake soon, you need to act like no time has passed like you were knocked out too."
"Professor I-" Harry said, looking like he was trying to apologize.
"None of that. Don't worry about me. You need to continue your lessons and try to close your mind. It is vital," Dumbledore said, gripping Harry's shoulders tightly.
"But-"
"Close your mind Harry," Dumbledore said firmly.
He then looked to Edward and said. "You must keep up the act Edward, and I am entrusting you to look after Harry for me while I am gone."
Edward nodded and snapped his heels together and gave the perfect military salute. "Yes, sir." He never gave anyone that unless he one-hundred percent deserved it. It was a rare gesture for him and he could tell Dumbledore appreciated it.
Dumbledore then gave a look to McGonagall and Fawkes swooped down once more, Dumbledore catching his tail and disappearing in a flash of fire and smoke.
When the others looked like they were stirring Edward pulled Harry down to the ground to look like they too had been knocked out. Ed rubbed his head and let out a fake groan.
"W-what! Where is he!?" Fudge yelled as he woke. "Find him!"
Umbridge looked to Harry and grabbed him. "Where did he go!?"
Edward didn't hold himself back and pushed Umbridge away, standing protectively in front of Harry. "He disappeared. I woke and Harry was still out like all of you, all that was left was some smoke and ash. You all have wands, use them to find him instead of manhandling students."
Umbridge huffed and straightened her horrendous pink outfit out before leaving to try to find him.
"Come along now," McGonagall said, helping Marietta up. "You all should be in bed now."
Fudge gave a dismissive gesture as he left the office. Kingsley got up as well and rubbed the back of his head as he followed him. "You may not like it Minister, but Dumbledore's got style."
And Edward couldn't help the smirk that appeared on his lips.
Hope you guys liked it!
But wow, a lot has happened since I wrote this chapter. I had to get my appendix out a couple days after I posted the lasst chapter so there was that. I'm fine now, it all went well but just a lot has happened. My work for the summer will be starting soon so I will be busy with that but hopefully I can still try to post once a month.
Please review and let me know what you like!