CHAPTER I

POSTED!

Alchemy Professor Wanted!

Albus Dumbledore stood at the edge of his desk, about as close to maiming someone as he had ever come in his life. The newly appointed High Inquisitor Dolores Umbridge stood no more than five feet away, Cornelius Fudge by her side, smiling wickedly at the Headmaster.

"So you see Professor Dumbledore," Umbridge was saying, "you need to fill the empty slot now that Divination has been dropped from the school's curriculum. I am sorry to say that you need to fill this slot no later than Wednesday of next week. Otherwise, the Ministry will have no choice but to fill it for you."

"I see." Dumbledore sat back down. "I had my suspicions that the Ministry would try and place one of its own here at Hogwarts. I must say however, that Divination never crossed my mind as a class unworthy of teaching to the students."

Both Ministry officials were not expecting the easy way in which the Headmaster was taking this news. "Very well then." Fudge said. "We will be back next week to check on your replacement. Until then."

When they had both left the room, Dumbledore finally allowed himself to relax. He truly had expected this, just not this early. The term did not start for another two months.

"Professor?" came Minerva McOnogal's voice from the hallway.

"Please come in Minerva." Dumbledore answered.

"Is it true?" she asked. "Did they cut Divination?"

"I am afraid so, and they have given me until next week to find a replacement."

"How are we supposed to create an entirely new class in one week!" Mongol sputtered.

"Why, it will be extremely easy." Dumbledore had an unusually wicked grin on his face. "When one expects a blow like this, you come prepared. I have already begun preparations for the newest class to be taught at Hogwarts."

"What?" McOnogal asked after Dumbledore stopped for dramatics.

"Alchemy."

Dear Mr. Elric,

I am pleased to announce that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has recently begun classes in Alchemy. Alas, we find ourselves without enough professors in which to teach this class. Your reputation as a genius in this field precedes you. The staff and I would like to extend to you the job as professor to the fifth, sixth, and seventh year students. The other professor that we have procured has declined the position as Head of Staff for the Alchemy department, so we would extend to you this position as well. In accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Magic, we need your response no later than June 21st. we are sorry if this is an inconvenience to you, but the current situation we find ourselves in was brought upon us very suddenly. We happily await your response.

Sincerely yours,

Albus Dumbledore

Edward finished reading the strange letter, utterly perplexed. Number one- Never had he heard of Hogwarts OR magic. Second- since when did owls deliver mail? And third- him, Edward Elric, teach!

"I must be going crazy." He muttered.

"What was that, Nii-san?" his brother Alphonse asked. "And why is there an owl at our window?"

"It delivered this." Ed said, handing the letter to his brother.

Al read it over quickly. "What!"

"That is what I said." Ed muttered.

"But… brother, magic doesn't exist, does it?"

"Not according to the laws of nature." Ed answered. "But since when do owls deliver mail?"

"Maybe it was trained?" Al chipped in.

"Maybe." Ed sighed. "Only one way to find out." With that, he pulled out a piece of paper and a pen.

"What are you doing?" Al asked, walking over to Ed.

"writing back."

Dear Mr. Dumbledore,

Sorry, don't believe in magic. Prove it.

Signed,

Edward Elric

Dumbledore read the letter very quickly, surprised by Edward's abruptness. "Interesting."

"What was that professor?" McOnogal asked, looking up from her Daily Prophet.

"It seems that I will have to go and prove to Mr. Elric that magic does indeed exist."

"Sir!" McOnogal spluttered. "Can someone like that teach at a wizarding school?"

"Minerva, he will be teaching Alchemy. What he needs to know about magic he can learn over the next two months." Dumbledore stood and walked to the door.

"What if he does not take the job?" Minerva persisted.

"He will." He replied with a knowing smile.