Heart's Flame
Chapter 3: Hogwarts
As the group reached the huge castle, Snape walked in two huge doors. He was in there for a couple of minutes before coming back out and telling them all, "They're ready for you now." As they walked, Roy instinctually moved Ed behind him, out of sight. Havoc and Hawkeye, sensing his uneasiness, moved to both sides of the young teen.
They kept walking until they stood in front of a large table with several people sitting, reminding Roy uncomfortably of a military trial. The oldest of the group (Roy decided that must be the Headmaster) stood up and asked Roy " Are you Roy Mustang?"
Mustang replied "Yes Sir!", while resisting the urge to salute. " And with me I have Edward Elric, our ambassador and his bodyguards, Lieutenant Colonel Hawkeye and Captain Havoc. As he said each soldier's name, they gave a tiny salute to the old man.
He chuckled and said "I see them, but where is young Edward?" Roy stepped aside, revealing the small boy. The Headmaster's smile faltered a bit after seeing Ed's scars, but he quickly regained his composure. The other professors had no such luck hiding their emotions. A chubby nurse at the Headmaster's side gasped, while a very short professor looked like he was trying not to faint. A large bearded man's eyes were watering, and the woman to his left paled. In fact, the only one Roy didn't see react at all was a guy who was standing in the back of the room, with a strange, unsettling electric blue eye whizzing around on his face, and a peg leg.
Roy looked back to the old man and the Headmaster said, "My name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, but you and your friends can call me professor, or Dumbledore, whichever you prefer." Roy heard Ed snickering at Dumbledore's ridiculously long name, and he shot a stern glare at the teen behind him.
Dumbledore then gestured to the people sitting. "We also have our Nurse, Madame Pomfrey, Ponoma Sprout, our Herbology professor, Hagrid over there is the Care of Magical Creatures professor, Filius Flitwick is our Charms professor, and the man in the corner is Professor Alastor Moody, our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. As he named each person, Roy nodded to the one named. He noticed with a spark of irritation that they were still staring at Ed.
He cleared his throat loudly, and everyone jumped, like they had forgotten he was there. Roy moved back in front of Edward to shield him from the stares and addressed Dumbledore. "While we are here, I expect my charge won't be bothered?"
Dumbledore was about to reply when Hagrid spoke up. "But how did 'e get so many scars on his face!" After he said that he clapped his huge hands over his mouth as stony glares from everyone reached him. Roy sighed seeing how there was no avoiding the question.
He turned to Dumbledore. "Where is Ed staying?"
"Second floor, same room as you. You'll need a map." Roy took it and looked at Havoc.
"Take Ed to his room. I'll be up after we're done here." Surprisingly, Ed didn't protest. Roy decided he just wanted to get away from the attention as soon as possible.
"Can I get a place to sit?" Dumbledore obliged and a chairs flew over for him and Hawkeye. He took a deep breath to center himself and began.
"Two years ago, Amestris overthrew it's corrupt government. The ones leading the rebellion were Van Hohenheim, Edward, and myself. We succeeded and dethroned the Fürher. However, shortly after, Ed disappeared. He was missing almost half a year when he was found. As it turned out, he was tortured for information by the previous Fürher's allies about the Philosophers Stone so they could take over again. The medical report stated that his eye had been stabbed and cut around, blinding it. He had several cuts and lacerations. He had been burned, forced to drink toxic chemicals only to throw it back up. His right arm had been severed right before we found him, probably meant to kill him before we got there. He was beaten, broken, but he never told them anything. That 15 year old has more backbone than probably any of you wizards and I respect him a HELL of a lot more than I probably will any of you!"
He was shaking by now but he wasn't done. Not even close. "That's not all! After all was said and done, we couldn't even find the bastards responsible! The only one we caught killed himself before we could interrogate him!"
He was shouting by now, with Hawkeye patting his back to calm him down. The effect was instantaneous and he sat back down, breathing hard. Everyone looked shocked at his outburst and Hagrid looked like he was regretting asking his question. Roy sighed again.
"I'm going to bed. Could I get a copy of the map?" Dumbledore wordlessly handed it to him, the twinkle in his eye looking a bit dimmer, and he left, Riza following loyally behind him.
It took him awhile but he finally found the room. He walked in and saw Havoc sitting in a chair in front of a large fireplace, smoking a cigarette as usual. Roy snatched it from his mouth and put it out. Havoc looked over and looked like he was about to protest, but Hawkeye silenced any impending argument with one of her glares. Both men swallowed and Roy asked Jean, "Where's Ed?"
"Chief's sleeping, or at least I think so. It's been quiet."
Roy snorted. "That doesn't mean he's asleep, Havoc. If anything you should be worried." He dismissed the pair to their dorms and went to check on Edward. Havoc was right, he was asleep.
With Roy mentally and emotionally exhausted by the nights events, he fell into a deep sleep, not even bothering to change out of his uniform.
Okay. Sorry this took longer, I was rereading GoF. I'm also trying something new. I want a vote on where the story goes next.
Roy's name comes out of the Goblet.
B) Ed's name comes out.
C) It's told from a spectator's point of view and neither's name comes out.
Also…. shorter chapter than usual. I know. I just wanted to end it there.