Disclaimer: NOTHING IS MINE. :|
"I do apologize, Professor Lee, but it seems that the Minister Fudge has decided upon your school entering the tournament." Dumbledore looked solemn as he told the scientist, but there was a noticeable twinkle in his eye.
"What, exactly, does that mean Professor Dumbledore." Komui said, still smiling as his 'students' filled out behind him.
"I'm not quite sure, Professor." he replied grimly. "But I'm sure that such an excellent school like yours should be able to handle it, yes?"
"Of course!" Komui bluffed as their long handshake ended. He still had a smile plastered on his face.
"Glad we understand each other Professor." Dumbledore clapped him on the back and continued. "I'll give you the details of the tournament later. Right now, I am more concerned of telling you about the entrance you'll have to make."
"What? A Tournament?" Allen asked incredulously, as Komui broke the news to his 'students' who had filed back into the Ark from his cajoling.
"Nii-san. What do you mean by arrival performance?" Lenalee questioned her brother.
"Ooh, this is getting interesting!" Lavi said from behind.
"Uncle! Uncle! What are we going to do for the act?" Devitto latched onto Allen and Jasdero followed suit. "Yeah, Uncle!"
Alma, Kanda, and Road were playing cards on the floor next to them. Road abandoned the game as she latched herself onto Allen with the twins, adding her voice. "Come on Uncle! You're the one in charge!"
Kanda gave a "Che," as Alma won their current game and stood up and brushed himself off. He turned and offered his hand to help Alma from the floor. He blushed as their hands touched but was otherwise stoic. Alma giggled and tugged on his ponytail, "Don't be like that Yuu~!"
Allen grunted as he pulled the clingy Noah from his body and looked to Komui as to what to do.
Komui clapped his hands. "Alright everyone! Let's start planning."
"Brother, are you sure this is the right place?" Alphonse questioned his brother for the umpteenth time.
"This is the place Al." Edward said shielding his eyes against the setting sun, he grinned at the large castle looming in front of them. It was a symbol of hope to him now. He was pondering what he would do if he actually found the stone here, when his brain registered that the sun was setting.
Ed looked at his watch, realizing that by the time they got to the castle, it would be later than they had planned to arrive. "We'll be a little late but, that's okay."
Al countered him, worry that their plan would fail so close to the finish line was etched on his face. "Are you sure it's okay for the new Alchemy teacher to be late?"
Ed smiled, trying to ease his own doubts and raise his confidence. "Don't worry about it."
The Beauxbatons' girls appeared with a flourish. The doors swinging open without a sound as they moved into the Great Hall. They swished and flowed in a seductive twirl, their pretty light-blue uniforms flowing around their waists. All the boys were lovestruck, mooning over them in obvious states of idiocy. The girls blew kisses to them, making the boys worse. The girls ended with many acrobatic stunts, and a flourish of blue sparks. They took their seats with the Ravenclaws.
The Durmstrang boys were next, snapping open the doors with a BANG! Their performance was exciting and fear inducing. Flames erupted from their staffs as they slammed them into the floor, eliciting a flinch from the caretaker Filch as he knew he would have to clean the floors later. There were manly grunts and muscle flexing as the boys walked down the front. There was whispering from the other students as Viktor Krum made an appearance with his headmaster beside him. Although Ron had furiously tried to get them to sit with the Gryffindors, the Durmstrangs decided to sit with the Slytherins.
But again, no one could top the brilliant students of Ruzakrost Academy.
It was a circus act. There was a FLASH and a BANG as the doors swung open silently. From behind the blinding light out stepped a little white clown. It was a strange clown, with what looked like claws on one hand. Suddenly he jumped up and flipped in the air, ending the move with a tumble-roll and a quick stand with hands spread wide. He bowed low and continued to do magnificent acrobatic stunts as others walked in.
The next person to enter was a small girl dressed in neon colors. She had colorful balls of different sizes floating around her. With a flick of her hand they moved to circle around her and were then led into a roller-coaster pattern around the hall. She moved to follow the clown as she spun around to make the balls follow her finger. There was another sudden BANG as the next person entered.
It was another girl, though this one dressed entirely in black. Her green flowing hair was of medium length and was decorated with colorful ribbon. Her knee-high boots glowed green before she leaped gracefully into the air. She was suspended by a mysterious force as she moved through the air. Sometimes she would land on the balls floating around her and other times she would join the clown in his stunts from the air.
A roaring came from the door as another actor entered. Fire engulfed the doorway, a man with hair as red as the fire around him sauntered through. He was dressed all in green in Chinese style clothing, his eyes were surrounded in kohl, and they sparkled with laughter. His mouth was twisted into a flirtatious smile as he moved his hand up to it. It looked like he was drinking something when suddenly, fire poured out of his mouth in a long blast. A fire breather! He started twirling a rather large hammer that was on fire. He kept throwing it up into the air and it was sometimes caught by the floating girl. He moved to join the rest still performing at the front.
Attention was returned to the doors as two more performers entered. They were circling each other, much like in a duel. They had colorful guns in their hands, each pointed at the other's head. There was another BANG and similar blue puffs of smoke as the figures shot at the other. The smoke cleared and the students watched as the bullets moved in slow motion. As the bullets hit the figures simultaneously, green and yellow bubbles erupted where the bullets would have hit. They began twirling in a circle as they steadily moved to the front. They would randomly point their guns at an audience member at shoot bubbles.
Surrounded by bubbles, two more figures began their portion of the show. One was male and one was female. The male had long blue hair and was wearing a black sleeveless form-fitting top, with loose white Chinese-style pants. The female had shoulder-length brown hair and was dressed similarly, only with a white top and a black skirt. They were fighting, only not. Neither one landed an actual blow, but the fighting was close to dance in they style they used. Punch, kick, flip, twirl, jab, duck, roll, punch. A series of complex offensive and defensive moves were thrown as they moved to the front to join the others.
Flashes of different colors filled the entryway as yet another student entered. A tall, lone figure raised their arms and the flashes died down. It was a female magician, dressed in a black form-fitting tuxedo with an orange tie. She wore white gloves and a magnificent top-hat perched on her head. A single deep red curl of hair touched her jaw. She pulled a pack of cards from her pocket and started to shuffle them, then she released them and they started to shuffle themselves, floating. She pulled out a magician's wand as she walked forward. The cards moved with her. As she waved the wand, she started to rise with every step, like she was walking on an invisible staircase. She very nearly reached the ceiling before she stopped. She dived and somersaulted in the air on her way down. She was caught at the last minute by the green-haired girl.
The performers all stopped as they gathered around the magician. She slowly reached for her top-hat and pulled it off. Long flowing red hair fell to her waist as is was released from under the hat. She then held the hat gingerly in front of her. She tapped the hat with her wand and then reached inside. She pulled out a comical pink stuffed rabbit. She smiled at the student's laughter. She threw the rabbit into the audience, then turned her hat over. She placed it on the floor, right-side up and tapped with her wand once again. She slowly lifted the hat and a pair of feet appeared. She continued to lift the hat until an entire person was waving enthusiastically to the audience. It was the headmaster previously seen talking to Dumbledore!
The Headmaster and his students waved to the audience and bowed. Hands linked and Komui in lead, they raised their hands high then brought them towards the floor, their heads bowed as well. They stayed for approximately three seconds and straightened. The audience roared with applause.
Headmaster Lee went up and greeted Dumbledore again as the clapping died down. Both Dumbledore and Komui went to sit at the head table as the Ruzakrost students opted to sit with the rowdy Gryffindors. Ron was ecstatic to have someone cool sit with them since they couldn't have Krum. The crowd continued to cheer even as the students finished seating themselves. As they started to die down, the students started the reveal themselves more. The clown took off his mask, the fire-breather wiped the kohl from his eye's, and the magician removed her gloves. They seemed friendlier behind the scenes.
When the last echo of whispers died down, Headmaster Dumbledore began his speech. His voice ringing with clarity in the vast hall.
"As you all know, we are hosting the Tri-wizard Tournament here at our fine school, Hogwarts." He paused. "Traditionally, it would be between our three honorable schools. But this year we are forgoing tradition, and as a safety precaution, we have added a fourth school to this year's tournament!" he gestured to the Gryffindor table where sat the smiling students of Ruzakrost. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang were in a free-for-all.
"This is outrageous!" Karkaroff yelled. "Albus! Are you mad?"
"But, you must be joking. Zis contest az always been between three schools!" Madame Maxime made her protests.
Dumbledore raised his hand imperiously, demanding silence. The request was met and an uncomfortable silence covered the hall like too-thick blanket.
"As you all know, there have been several attacks on the school over summer break. We invited Ruzakrost Academy for Combatant Magic to protect our students. They have adapted a special magic that only they can wield, to defeat these dangerous creatures. They have graciously agreed to protect us." He nodded towards the school in thanks. The majority of the students smiled in return.
"Now as to why they are in the tournament, I have no idea. You'd have have to ask Minister Fudge." He said. "Alas, he is not here to explain his decision." He gave a rather nonchalant shrug.
"Now that we have that settled," He smiled cheerily, "I will announce our next surprise." A startled murmur rippled through the crowd.
"Along with Master Moody," he waved a hand in his direction, "we will have another Professor join us this year. He will be arriving momentarily." The murmuring got louder.
'What other subject is there? Is Snape finally getting the sack? What's the new teacher like?' These whispers could be heard roaming the hall. The Gryffindors were riled with joy at the thought of Snape finally being sacked, opposite the hall the Slytherins were groaning in despair at the loss of their ally.
Dumbledore smiled at Snape's pained expression before he gave awkward cough to quell the whisperings.
"We will be starting a class in Alchemy and thus needed a professor to fill the position-"
Dumbledore's statement was cut short as the doors opened with a bang. Everyone turned to see the new arrival.
He was a short, blonde boy, presumably sixteen, with a vibrant red coat. Behind him walked a suit of armor, almost looking as if it were smiling. He marched up to the Headmaster. Giving a military salute, he handed Dumbledore a letter then stepped back. The old man took the letter then tucked it in a pocket to read later. He held out his hand and greeted the young child.
"Ah, Professor Elric nice to see you could make it." The boy took his hand, a cocky grin across his face as he shook vigorously.
"I'm sorry we're late professor, I had an unplanned stop on my journey." Professor Elric supplied, hand rubbing the back of his head. The students behind him whispered unsettled by the youth of their new teacher.
The Wizard nodded, accepting the scant excuse. "Might I ask who your companion is?" Dumbledore questioned, motioning towards the suit of armor.
Elric hesitated. "This is my younger brother, Alphonse, he's here to assist me."
The professor raised an eyebrow. "Brother, you say? May I ask why he's in a suit of armor?"
Edward rubbed the back of his head again. "It's a hobby of his." He explained weakly. He shrugged as if to say, 'what can you do?'
Dumbledore nodded, ushering them towards the teacher's table. He gave no other thought as to why the younger sibling would walk around in a hulking suit of armor.
The evening proceeded in the normal fashion. Everyone chatting about rumors of the new school, the alchemy teacher, his brother, and many an odd subject, including the possible sacking of Professor Snape.
The Exorcists chatted happily amongst themselves about their own rumors floating about the Order.
"Hey, now that you mention it, where is Timcampy?" Lavi questioned Lenalee, leaning against the table from the position across from her.
"I don't know, you'll have to ask Allen-kun when he's done eating." Lenalee smiled politely as she ate.
"You hear about Miranda and Noise? I think their going to be a couple soon." Road gossiped shamelessly to Lenalee, from beside Lavi.
"Yeah, I heard about that." Lenalee tried to shy away from talking about her friends behind their backs.
Road gave a malicious grin, leaning in closer to the girl. Lavi's ears perked as well. Road held up a hand. "Did you hear about Uncle Allen then?"
Lenalee's eyes widened, she unconsciously leaned away. "What about Allen-kun?"
"Well, I heard that he was going to go after the new girl at the order." Road said pointing to the newest Exorcist. She had dazzlingly deep red hair, her eyes where a sapphire blue, and she looked absolutely perfect to Lenalee. She was talking to some of the Hogwarts students, occasionally looking down to the book in her lap.
Lenalee was upset. 'Why is he going after her? I thought...' Her train of thought wandered off. What had she thought? It's not as if he had said he liked her. All, he had ever really done was hold her hand at times. Surely, that didn't mean anything. But the way he had held her hand, the way he looked at her sometimes... Didn't it mean something? Apparently not, if what Road said was true.
Kanda paused in eating his customary soba, listening to the whispering Road from the other side of Lavi. "Baka Moyashi," he grunted into his food.
Allen felt a shiver run up his spine as he finished feasting. Ignoring the states of shock the other students where in, he glanced at his commrades. 'What's wrong with Lenalee?' He thought as he looked at his friends, Lenalee, Lavi, and Road were talking amongst themselves, Alma was happily chatting to the stoic Kanda, Jasdebi and Devitto were arguing, and Ms. Ahna was conversing with other students. His gaze moved to a succulent looking dish of pumpkin pie. He shook his head to clear it of thoughts of food. There was something wrong with Lenalee and he had to try and make her feel better. He got up and walked to sit beside her.
"Is something wrong Lenalee?" He scouted in next to her, grinning cheerily. He had no use for fake smiles anymore, he had found that it was better to smile honestly. With the war over, he could express his emotions more freely.
She seemed to blush. "N-Nothing." She wiggled over, away from Allen.
Lenalee noticed that he looked a bit hurt. She looked over to him.
"Don't worry Allen-kun it's nothing. I'm fine." Her voice was steadier that she thought it would be.
His gaze bored into her for a few moments more. He wasn't convinced but nodded anyway. 'Maybe she just want's to think about something. If that's the case then it's best if I just leave her alone.'
He didn't realize that he, and mostly Road, were the cause of her hurt feelings.
All Edward could think of was the stone, and Winry. God, he missed Winry, no matter how much he wouldn't admit it. But why in the hell did she have to beat him with wrench every time he saw her? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
He was so close, the stone, and all the information to find it, was stored in this school. He knew it, he could feel it. That's why he had agreed to take this stupid job, and teach these stupid brats, even if Alphonse and everyone at Central thought it weird.
"Mum wasn't kidding when she said we didn't want to miss this year was she?" The twins whispered to Ron, giving their usual mischievous grin.
"Yeah, this year's going to be crazy." Ron said back to his brothers.
He didn't know how right he was...
I do hope you all like it~! I've been so very busy and it's hard to write sometimes. But, it's summer break now, so I have more time to update!
Butterfly explaination: Tykki designed it, and we all know he likes to use the Tease. Teases are shaped like butterlies. :|
Circus act: Allen was in charge of making it. He was raised in a circus. :|
Until I can think of a better way to explain it, I'll save the reason why their worlds are all together for a later chapter. I already know how Amestris is on Earth. :D Without using the Truth thing either~! Still working on DGM and HP combining. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon and I'll get on with the show~
LOVE & PEACE,
Abiki-tan~