Disclaimer: Anything Fullmetal Alchemist is owned by Hiromu Arakawa and anything from the Harry Potter universe is owned by JK Rowling
"Wow, that that kid has some issues." Ed commented to his brother, noting the dramatic turn of events on the otherwise boring Defense Against the Dark Arts class.
"I know brother, I really think he needs some help." Al answered, concerned for their charge, who had just been issued some sort of notice by the instructor and was advised to got to McGonagall ."I mean is there anything we can do about it?"
"I know. But Al, we're only here to make sure he does not get hurt by the Big Bad and his groupies. And Al, what can we do? He does not talk to his friends, let alone to us."
"I guess we just have to find a way to talk to him."
"Easier said than done, Al. But, sure. Let's see if he's willing to talk once he blew off his steam."
"I just hope it comes sooner than later, brother."
"Hem, hem. Now, is there anyone else who wants to speak up? I believe our guests have something to say?"
"Nothing, Professor. We were just surprised with Mister Potter's reactions, that is all." Alphonse answered diplomatically
"I'm afraid we have not made a good impression there. I assure you, all he said was just lies." Umbridge then said. She still has to treat those Amestrian brats nicely, who knows who they are related to, she thinks. She has to ask her contact what she knows about these Amestrians.
The look Alphonse saw on his brother never bode well. The last time he saw that was at the mines of Youswell. It was exactly the look that the moment he told 1st Lieutenant Yoki he was conned. Alphonse then steeled himself for the ensuing chaos.
"Oh that is not a problem, don't worry about it." Edward said, waving his hand dismissively.
Fortunately, for everyone involved, Umbridge was just as, if not more, dense than the former 1st Lieutenant Yoki. A simpering laugh, the matter was brushed off, and the rest of the class went in bored silence.
-line break-
The afternoon found the brothers on a spot of shade beside the lake, seemingly lounging around. In reality though, they were observing their charge, a boy named Harry Potter, sulk around and be gossiped on by the majority of the student body.
"Al, did we really act like that when we were children?" Edward commented on the childishness of the situation.
"We did not exactly have a regular childhood, brother." was his brother's reply
"But they just seem to do things without sense or reason, Al. It's like Liore from before, only multiple times worse." his brother told him, remembering the blind fanaticism of the people from Liore from before.
"How so?" Al asked his brother, knowing full well what his brother meant. It won't hurt for his brother to talk it out, anyways.
His brother was about to explain it in exquisite detail what exactly he meant by that, but he was stopped when he saw in his periphery a long haired blond sit with them by the shade of the tree.
"Please do continue. What's with this 'Liore' and what made Hogwarts worse?" Luna then prompted Edward, clearly looking forward to Edward's tale.
The brothers exchanged a look, asking each other what should they tell her. If are to tell her anything at all.
Luna then blinked, looking expectantly the brothers,"No? Okay.", she said. "I'll just ask someone else."she continued, standing up, coming up to the first person she saw and the last person the Elrics want to see.
"Armstrong." Luna greeted
A raised eyebrow "Lovegood."
"Liore?" Luna asked, looking at Era expectedly for answers.
There was a moment when Era furrowed her eyebrows and then answered, "A city in the northern part of East City, Amestris." after a beat, she asked "Why?"
"Does it have a nargle infestation?" Luna then asked, ignoring Era's question altogether
"It did. I believe Colonel Elric was the one sent care to take care of the problem." Era then answered, acting as if the questions had made perfect sense, if it had made any sense at all.
Visibly brightening up, Luna said "Ah. Thank you. That answers my question then". Luna then went on her own way, completely forgetting the brothers.
"You know her?" Edward asked Era incredulously. If Era and Luna really does know each other, who knows what Luna knows.
"Who does not? Miss Lovegood has a certain infamy among the student population." Era said, sitting down on the space in the grass Luna had just occupied. "Nice view, you got here. You could really see lots of things from here"
A tense silence ensued, the brothers waiting in bated breath as to what Era is up to right now.
"Miss Lovegood is a very astute individual you know. Much more than what her peers sees in her." Era said after a couple of minutes
"What do you mean by that?" Edward asked before he was able to stop himself
"Do you remember the case of General Mustang?" Era asked
"Yeah, what about it?" Edward replied, not entirely sure what direction this conversation is going towards.
"If I heard it correctly, he gained the knowledge of truth at the cost of his eyesight?" "Curiously though, he wanted nothing to do with the whole transmutation."
"What does it have to do with anything. Just stop fucking with me before I lose what patience I have, Armstrong."
Era then said: "Miss Lovegood's mother died in front of her in a 'horrible freak accident' when Miss Lovegood was just nine. No one really knows what happened, only Miss Lovegood was not the same ever since. Some say it is spellcrafting gone wrong, others say a potions accident. Some even say it's real weird stuff as it involved some obscure runic circles. Who would know right? It's not like anyone has some parallels to draw from, right?"
Silence then again ensued, the brothers mulling over the implications.
And yet again, Era broke the silence. "My, look at the time. I need to send some missives today. Better get the owlery before curfew. And, uhm, you might want to check the courtyard again, Colonel. It seems your young charge has stormed off again." Era then said, directing the brother's attention to Harry Potter storming off to the Gryffindor tower, before standing up herself and started walking towards the owlery.
A/N:
yeah, I know, Umbridge is alive and unharmed. I know many would want to have Edward lay waste on that considerable (and I mean hefty), piece of urgh! (I swear, I hate politicians). I just believe that after all Edward went through (he already got his daddy issues sorted out, already), he has already made peace with the world (somewhat) and had mellowed out (read: grown up) a bit. Yeah, excuses, excuses. OOC warning!