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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"Remember class…. Starting next year, we are going to start implementing regulations to enter Alchemy and yada, yada, and more yada. Had to talk to the Minister about this, after a lot of people were complaining about how hard it was to enter this class. SO! I made it even harder to get in. With the help of several of the other professors here, we thought up of a program to further along one's teachings of non-magical subjects that goes along with Alchemy."
"Meaning?"
"To put it bluntly… I'm getting tired of doing the remedial shit. All of you are exempt of this rule… to a degree. It will be Critical Thinking, Math and Science courses. Students who would like to learn Alchemy, have to pass these classes before even considering signing up for it. Unless you choose to take an entrance exam to see if you surpass those classes and not have to take those courses."
"Could you explain this further in detail?"
"1st to 3rd years are to take these courses. Then they are eligible to take an entrance exam into Alchemy. As Alchemy is noted to be an elective, it would be treated as such."
"Will it be a sure-fire way into alchemy?"
"Good question. Not exactly. It will mainly have to do with the comprehension of the material, along with the mindset of that person. Remember, not everyone should learn Alchemy."
"Could the classes be taken, and have nothing to do with Alchemy?"
"Yes. Charity, Professor Burbage will count it towards Muggle Studies as each course is guided towards it. I've already talk to your respected Heads about this and I am going to talk to them again later tonight about this."
"Mr. Elric… does this mean you will be doing more work?"
"…. Don't make me take off any house points."
"Mr. Elric. In the two years, we've known you… not once did you ever take away points."
"…Then don't make me break that record then."
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"I need a vacation…" Edward sighed to himself, walking alongside Severus as they headed towards Dumbledore's office.
"Spring Break was last week."
"Shut up, Zefferus."
"It's the truth, Mr. Elric."
Edward shot his close friend a glare before he shook his head. He scanned through his paperwork which he was going for the meeting. After doing so, the Alchemy Teacher looked around to make sure no one was around in earshot. "How was your date? Third date, right?"
"Apparently still stuck in the closet."
"I thought…? Never mind. How about this, let me set you up on a blind date?"
"Hm?"
"Do you want to know who they are first?"
"Yes."
"Charity. She's not bothered by your dark and brooding outlook in life."
"I taught her potions. She was mediocre at most."
"Oh right… she's my age, right? What does she being mediocre has to do with anything? Plus, I think she likes you."
"…What?"
"You didn't notice?"
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"It will also help students that wish to work alongside muggles or make things easier when dealing with them."
"Do you believe this will help?"
"You guys are teaching these kids to not leave the Magical World. Keeping them coddled away and to ensure they don't run by not giving them the skills to travel between both worlds. Let's give them the skills and ensure they don't get in trouble for doing so."
"We do give them the ski-"
"You don't. The reason I want this implanted is to save time and knock some sense into my students. I spend more time teaching them the basics. It only gets worse by the fact many of them are resistant or still holds their magical mindset shit. Between 1st to 3rd years, it should give them enough time to learn the needed material for my class when it comes to non-magical subjects."
"Hypothetically speaking?"
"Yes, Fillius?"
"Could one test into the course as it was done? Or are there other ways to bypass taking the classes or other ways to take Alchemy?"
"Students are handpicked by myself, brother, or possible visiting alchemist from back home. Or show a great aptitude in the subjects. Plus, I've already got the go-ahead by the Minister and supports of my class, they agree with this course of plans."
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"Terrence, Fred, George, Edmond, Timothy, Wynne, Melody, Rachel, Elfrida, Nathaniel, Kasey, Yaxley, and Emmeline… I need to see all of you after class." Edward announced to before dismissing his class of the day. He watched said students remained seated as everyone else left for the day. Once they have left and closing the giant wooden doors behind them, the Alchemy teacher rose from his chair and handed out a small stack of papers to everyone.
"As I was saying the other day, I would be doing some things different for this class next year. My brother and I, decided it would be a good time to have one class just to learn alchemy."
"Mr. Elric?"
"Yes, Edmond?"
"Alchemy? As in we get to learn how to do alchemy next year? Implementing what we learned under you?"
"Yes. Since I am incapable of doing alchemy and I do not feel comfortable enough to do this class without someone to watch over and take over if someone fucks up. Not everything is fixed by magic, always keep that in mind."
"So this means, this course will only be offered once every other year?"
"In a way…yes. Don't make me regret signing you guys up for this." Elric stated to his students, seriousness clearly be heard in his voice. "My brother will be strict and will hold all of you to high standards. Unlike me, he will not hesitate to banish students from taking Alchemy. No second chances. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Now I need all of you to sign these for that if anything were to happen to you, we are not at fault. Like death, serious injuries, and so on."
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"Please, please, please, please~ Auntie Amelia!"
Amelia couldn't help but looked at her niece amusingly as her niece pleaded with her to spend the summer with General Armstrong. Not that she was against it, the Minister is worried that her niece does not know… this isn't a vacation. "We still need to get in contact with her if she could take you in as an apprentice for the summer."
"We've been sending a letter back and forth for a while, Auntie." Susan explained, taking out a stack of letters from her person. "All I need is your permission to go."
"…" Amelia rubbed her forehead in mock frustration. "Let me talk to her first before anything is confirmed."
"Yes!" Susan cheered on.
"You do realize this isn't going to be a vacation, Susan. This is you going to train relentlessly in swordsmanship for the entire summer and possibly more."
"I know."
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"I expect you to do everything you can to get into Alchemy. If anything were to happen to us, I need to make sure you have all the tools you need to survive, Draco."
"Mother, is everything okay?"
"Promise me, Draco."
"I promise."
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"It seems we are going to need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor again."
"Albus… Don't tell me… you already found someone?"
"Of course, I did."
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"Another year, come and go." Edward mused aloud, packing his belongings into his suitcase. He stuffed Xerxes's cage into his suitcase as the little owl will be flying over to Amestris with a letter to deliver.
"Are you ready to go, Edward?"
Edward turned to see Severus and Filius waiting for him at the entrance of his room. "Yeah. I hope you guys are ready for Amestris."
"Are you ready for married life?"
"Yes. Come on, we have to look for the others so that we'll meet up with the Minister to head out to Xing."
"Lead the way…"
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That's all folks! Last chapter of Alchemy: Tiny Steps.
