Author's Note: Well, the group is back at Hogwarts! The adventures continues with more twists! Vacation and relaxation is over! By the way, I will be needing more than 9 votes on the poll... Come on, its easy as four clicks of the mouse (maybe five if you choose two choices).

Disclaimers: I do not own Harry Potter, D.Gray Man, DNAngel, Fruits Basket, Fullmetal Alchemist or Legend of Zelda.

Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty Eight: Beginning to Unravel 

He slowly opened his eyes, looking around. For the first time, he noticed he was not in any pain. Something is going to happen then, he realized, his surroundings becoming clearer: he was in the Great Hall. Through the blurry crowd of black, he could spot an indistinct shape of sun yellow. In an instant, the yellow was covered in crimson red. What is happening? He thought, in shock.

Suddenly another stream of yellow crossed his vision. However, he realized that the color was much duller than anything else he had seen. What does that mean? Is it a person? What happened? He thought, none of his questions answered. Before he could figure anything out, he woke up.

Yuki slowly sat in his bed, breathing heavily. It had been a while since he last had a dream concerning either the past or future of one of his friends. Something is going to happen soon… but what? He sat in his bed, trying to understand the images he saw but everything was still jumbled, still unclear to him. I'll talk to the others about this. Maybe we can figure out what is going on.



It was the beginning of May and the students were starting to get nervous about the end of the year exams, especially in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Cross had corrected their reports and had been using them to do his course. Seeing the number of dark creatures assigned to the entire school, their notes took almost a hundred pages.

"You're probably worried about the exam," mentioned Cross one day. "But each year is only getting seven creatures to study. I don't feel like correcting all your work again."

The news spread all over the school and it seemed, for most students, a weight had been lifted from their already packed shoulders. At dinner, in a way, they were celebrating, even the group of seven. Edward and Yuki did not mind having less but they were not disappointed by the news. Link and Daisuke were the happiest, even though Link knew about almost all the creatures they studied before they were presented in class. However, their joy could not last forever.

"Yuki! Didn't you want to tell us something before?" asked Daisuke, remembering that the Sohma had tried to bring a conversation up before they were interrupted during lunch.

"Yes! I wanted to ask the four of you about-"

"Special delivery!" shouted someone, opening the double doors of the Great Hall.

The students' attention turned directly towards the sound, none of them recognizing the figure that now stood at the entrance. The new comer had short, light grey hair and dark, blood red eyes. His whole ensemble consisted of black clothing: his 

long, loose pants; his tight, sleeve-less shirt; and his open sweater. However, the students did notice a slight resemblance to one of their classmates.

"I've got a telegram for a special someone," explained the new comer, an evil smile playing on his lips as he looked to the side. "It's not in the best shape though… Envy did quite a number on it."

"Stupefy!" yelled someone from the student's table.

They saw the red light fly towards the new comer and then, a few feet from the figure, he back flipped, avoiding the spell, which passed underneath. After he landed, an evil smile spread across his face as he stared in front of him at the person who cast the spell. Now that the students had a clear view, they realized that the new comer did not slightly resemble but was the exact black and white copy of their classmate: Link.

"What in the world are you doing here?' growled the blond Gryffindor.

"As I said before, I'm here to deliver a telegram," replied the man, unfazed by Link's anger.

The blond boy shook in rage and charged towards his look alike, his wand ready. The intruder just laughed as he reached to the side of the door.

"Might as well deliver it, even if it is pretty damaged," he sighed.

He effortlessly lifted whatever was hidden and threw it in Link's direction. The student, stunned by what his look alike tossed, skidded to halt and was knocked over. The supposed 'telegram' was actually a young man with light blond hair. His condition, however, was indeed bad. He lay unconscious over Link, bruised and cut, some wounds still fresh while others looked more than a few days old.

Link, as gently as possible, moved the boy off himself and faced the intruder while getting up. However, he had not expected his look alike to have bridged the gap and he now stood in front of him. Link had no time to react when he was kicked square in the face, the intruder's hell connecting with Link's nose, a sickening crunch resounded in the Hall. The student covered the hit spot, blood dripping down to stain his white shirt and the gold on his tie. He looked up at the attacker who smiled.

"It's the dark's turn to shine. No, not shine, rule. Rule over this black world. Don't any of you forget it!"

He quickly jumped back and left the Great Hall without a second glance. The students started to worry about Link and the young man. Link wiped off some of the blood, even as more took its place. He touched the sides of his nose and snarled. He placed both hands on each side and pushed his broken nose back into place, the students 

around him freaking out. He seemed so calm, like he had done it a few times before that, which was probably true.

Next to Link, Edward had pushed his way through the crowd after jumping over the table. He was now kneeling next to the young man, which he had turned over. He lightly shook the newcomer's shoulder, distress sounded in his voice even if those around him could not understand him. Link remembered then that Edward was of German origin and was probably now speaking it. He knows him, concluded Link, staring wide-eyed at the two blond boys while the students stared at the amount of blood on his face.

"Wach auf! Wach auf Russell!" ordered Edward in German, trying to get an answer from the unconscious boy.

With the Ravenclaw's persistent shaking, the young man, Russell, groaned in pain. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking a few times because of the bright lights of the Great Hall. He looked around and his silver eyes met Edward's golden ones.

"Ed…?" he coughed, wincing since his multiple cuts and bruises hurt him even more when he moved.

"Russell! Was hast dich geschah?"

"Es macht nicht aus, was mir geschah," he replied softly in German. "Ed… sie haben sie… sie haben Fletcher und Alphonse… sie haben unsere jüngeren Brüder…"

Edward stared in disbelief at Russell, unable to speak. At first, he did not what to believe him but a second glance at the injured boy's desperate face told Edward otherwise. Besides, why would he joke about something as important as that? Though Edward, his fists shaking. Without a word, he got up suddenly and dashed towards the doors.

"Where'd the bastard go?" he yelled once outside. "Come back here this instant!"

"Ed! What is it?" called Yuki, who had caught up to him.

"Where is he?" yelled the blond student once again, looking around, not hearing his friend.

"Ed! He's gone, stop yelling," explained Yuki calmly, placing a hand on the innerved student's shoulder.

"Let go of me! I have to…," Edward stopped suddenly, now aware of what he had done.

After Yuki placed his hand on Edward's shoulder, the Ravenclaw student had lashed out with his right hand at his friend, trying to get his hand off. However, Yuki was closer than the blond student realized and his metal fist had made contact with the Sohma's face, making him stagger back and hit the door, sliding down to the floor. Edward stared wide-eyed, unable to move as the students looked at both of them from the Great Hall. Yuki got up slowly, supporting some of his weight on the door he fell upon.

"Yuki…," gasped Edward, trying to find some words to say, to explain his outburst.

"No, forget it," whispered the Sohma, making his way towards the Hospital Wing.

Edward stared at the floor where Yuki had landed, many thoughts passing through his head. In short, he was confused, worried and scared. He had a hard time admitting the last part; he almost never got this scared after the episode five years ago. He had feared for his life but, this time, he feared for… he did not even want to think about it. What am I to do? He thought, shaking his head, hoping to clear it.

"Edward," called Allen who was standing in front of him. "Let's go."

The white-haired student motioned for him to follow Link and the, once again, unconscious Russell who lay unmoving on a stretcher. Edward aimlessly nodded and followed the small group towards the Hospital Wing. He stared at the floor, keeping Kyo's and Link's feet in view since the red head had to support his friend. The amount of blood Link had lost made him dizzy and disoriented.

Once they finally reached the Hospital Wing, Yuki was already heading out, his face no longer bruised. He held the door open for the small group. Edward, being the last one, stopped in front of the younger student. He looked into the light amethyst eyes but could not trust himself enough to utter a comprehensible word. He lowered his gaze and slowly bowed his head in regret. Yuki, understanding the message of inner struggle, gently pushed Edward inside, closely following.

In the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey was already tending to Russell who still lay unconscious as Link sat on the nearby bed, slowly swaying on the spot, his eyes unfocused. Edward and Yuki joined the others while they watched the nurse and her apprentice Tohru heal the boys.

During that time, Edward had not stopped staring at Russell, constantly replaying in his head the information his friend had given him. It's my fault, he thought, his clenched fists slightly shaking. My enemies are after me, not him. They're only using him. Damn it! In the first time in a very long time, Edward was genuinely scared and unsure of himself. His enemies had found his weakness and were using it to its full potential.

After a moment, Edward broke away from the group and headed towards the nearest window. As he approached it, his fists shook even more, his anger rising. He reached the glass pane and leaned his head against it. He stared into the distance, his vision unfocused as he tried to think clearly through the amount of pure hatred that formed inside of him.

"Edward? Are you all right?" asked Tohru as she finished healing Link.

The concerned blond boy took a deep, irregular breath, trying to control his emotions. He was also getting very tired of that question she always asked him when he was mad. Was it not obvious enough that he was almost a total mess?

"If you're worried about your friend, he'll be just fine. We healed him to the best of our abilities," cheered Tohru happily, thinking to reassure her friend.

"What is wrong with you!" yelled Edward, whirling around to face the girl, his face filled with anger and quickly turning a hint of red as he glared at her. "What the hell makes you think I'm alright? Why in the world goes on in your mind when you ask someone who is clearly not fine if they are? I'm certainly not alright!"

His words echoed throughout the room, turning everyone's attention towards himself. Tohru slowly backed away, scared at her friend's sudden outburst. The others stared at the older student, shocked to see the amount of rage and desperation he had unleashed. Kyo, however, frowned and stood up, making his way towards Edward.

"Maybe you're angry but that's no reason to yell at her," growled the red head, staring down at the blond student.

"Bite me carrot top. Mind your own business and if you don't like what I said, take it up with your girlfriend and fix the damn problem."

"Why you little-"

"Don't call me short on top of everything else, bastard!"

To everyone's surprise, Edward punched Kyo square in the face, making the red head stagger and then fall back, clutching his bruised cheek. Edward had hit Yuki by accident previously but, this time, his fist connecting with Kyo's face was entirely intentional. The blond student breathed heavily afterwards, glaring at all of them

"Does anybody else want to call me short?" he threatened in a low growl, eyeing each one of them.

"Edward, what in the world is wrong?" asked Link, barely sitting on the bed. "What possessed you to punch Kyo?"

"Come here and I'll show you," growled the concerned blond student, very pissed.

"Edward, calm down," pleaded Tohru, scared.

"Make me!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, his anger overflowing.

"Edward…," whispered Daisuke, approaching his friend cautiously. "What happened? Please tell us, we can help."

"Like hell," he growled, turning away from his friends.

He glared at the scenery outside the window, fuming on the spot. He was still trying to decide what his future actions would be. However, a light tap on his shoulder made him turn slightly around, breaking his train of thoughts. Before he could react, a fist landed on his cheek, making him stagger back and trip. He fell hard on the stone ground, rubbing his face were the fist had hit.

"That was for before," whispered Yuki, kneeling in front of his friend. "Now what in the world is wrong?"

Edward stared into Yuki's amethyst coloured eyes, his anger slowly receding. The punch had knocked some sense into him and he thought more clearly than before. He took a deep breath, bowing his head once again. It took him a moment before he finally calmed down enough.

"I need to leave," breathed Edward sadly, looking up, his emotions slightly better under control after the punch he received. "I have to."

"Edward, why?" asked Dumbledore who had led the group to the Hospital Wing in the first place.

"I need to save the only family I have and Russell has, left. I need to go save our younger brothers," replied the Ravenclaw, standing up and facing the Headmaster, all traces of his previous outburst vanished.

Upon hearing the news, the group remained shocked. They had no idea of the importance of the news the newcomer had brought. Dumbledore looked at the fiery determination in his student's eyes and nodded in agreement.

"I know I cannot convince you to finish your mission. Pack whatever you need tonight and I'll have a portkey ready for you tomorrow at noon."

"Thanks you professor. Once Russell wakes up, I'll ask him about their whereabouts and head there first," explained Edward, already heading towards the door.

"No!" yelled Allen, reaching of his friend's arm. "Edward, what about the prophecy? What about your friends? You could get hurt heading out there by yourself!"

"My brother is more important to me than my own life, Allen," explained Edward, looking straight ahead into his friend's silver-blue eyes. "And I would risk everything I have to protect him. I promised him that day seven years ago. And I never go back on my word."

Edward shook his arm out of Allen's grip and walked out the door. Allen stared in shock at the spot where his friend once stood, as did everyone else in the room.

"That's Ed for you," commented a voice with a heavy German accent, softly. "As hard headed as ever…"

They tore their eyes away from the door and in the opposite direction: towards the newcomer. During the whole debate, the blond boy had woken up and had witnessed Edward's explanation. He now sat upright on his bed, all signs of past injuries fading away.

"How do you know Ed?" asked Yuki, approaching the blond boy's bed.

"Long story…," he sighed, a soft smile playing at his lips. "Name's Russell Tringham by the way. And to partly answer that question, I was watching Alphonse when they attacked and captured us."

"Us?" repeated Kyo. "They took you too?"

"Yes. Alphonse, my younger brother Fletcher, and myself were taken."

"What happened?" asked Tohru softly.

"Now that story is not as long," sighed Russell sadly, tightening his grip on the sheets.

Author's Note: Please review and vote! Both are greatly appreciated! And thanks to Ashka-chan for correcting my German!