GrygrFlzr: Just a little. I'm glad you liked it.
jakeroo123: Makes sense. As for your second point, while I do agree that Phineas often defies physics as well, it is usually because of something Ferb did. As for Candace, well . . . you have to allow SOME leniency, it is a cartoon after all.
Radar180: I'm glad you thought so!
Mystic Supernovae: Makes sense. He is extremely brave and clever. Thanks for your opinion!
Meagan Snow: Yeah, I agree. Her character didn't flow quite as well as the others. But she won't be playing a major part in this story.
Crazy CM Fan100:Good guess. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.
Neville_Can_Kick_Mathew_Lewis'_Butt: While, I am impressed that you know the Harry Potter timeline (very few people do), I disagree that you say Phineas and Ferb cannot take place during it. The show can technically occur any time between the nineties to about ten years in the future. Also, if you look at Lawrence, he talks about the 1950s as though he were a teenager during the time, implying that the time period is closer to the 1990s or early 2000s. I was a bit concerned about the timeline myself, but I figured it wouldn't make such a big difference. Still, it strikes me as somewhat amusing that in a story that is a crossover between a cartoon and live action, the thing that bothers you is the timeline. Anyway, I'm sorry the story isn't to your liking.
AN/: I apologize in advance for Phineas's character in this chapter. But to be fair, we have no idea how he would have reacted. I would also like to thank everybody who told me what House they thought he should be in. There will be another poll at the bottom author's note of this chapter.
Ferb peered through the peek hole to see an oddly-dressed woman at the door. She wore a pointed hat and a long, emerald-green dress. The hat alone gave away her identity. She was a witch, no doubt. Father had mentioned something about someone from the school showing up. He unlocked the door and let her in.
"Hello," the woman said, "my name is Professor McGonagall. I presume you are Franklin?"
"Ferb," the boy said.
"Excuse me?"
"My name is Ferb."
McGonagall seemed mildly surprised that the boy had just interrupted her, but nodded and went on. "Well then, Ferb, is your family home? I need to speak to a legal guardian."
Ferb nodded. He turned and went upstairs to fetch his parents. With any luck, Phineas was still sleeping (as most children would be doing at 6:00 on a Saturday). Perhaps he could tiptoe past their room and not wake him up. He did not need his brother embarrassing him in front of one of his future professors.
He entered his parents' room and woke up his parents. Lawrence immediately knew what was going on and after waking up his wife, went downstairs with Ferb.
Perry had never seen seen an oddly dressed human in his life (with an exception of some of the getup he had seen at the L. O. V. E. M. U. F. F. I. N. conferences). This, however, was no what drew his attention. He had only been half paying attention to the conversation his owners had had the previous day, but he remembered vaguely that the school letter had mentioned that he could bring a pet. It was when the witch came in that it clicked: the school was in England, that was where Doofenshmirtz was. If he could somehow get Ferb to take him, he could find out what his nemesis was really up to.
He noticed Ferb returning downstairs with his parents, McGonagall nodded at them curtly. The platypus put on the cutest face he could manage.
"Oh, poor Perry," said Lawrence, "I believe we've woken him up."
Ferb scooped up the semi-aquatic-secret-goverment-agent-slash-pet platypus into his arms. McGonagall, noticing the animal for the first time, frowned.
"What exactly is that?" she asked.
"This is Perry, our pet platypus. He doesn't do much."
"I see," the professor turned back to Ferb. "Well, you seemed fairly calm when I arrived, so I assume that you are already aware of the basics?" He nodded. "Good," she said approvingly, also appearing slightly relieved. "Then this should be simple. You have a way to get to London, am I correct? Excellent. Are there any additional questions that you wish to ask me?"
Ferb looked at Perry and nodded. "I have one request: I wish to bring my pet platypus- - assuming that my brother has no objections." This was foolish, of course. Phineas would obviously object. Still, he wanted to have something from home with him.
Lawrence, Linda, Perry, and McGonagall all looked at him oddly.
Well, thought Perry, that was easy.
Lawrence said, "Are you sure?"
McGonagall shifted, looking rather uncomfortable. "Well, you see, we normally don't allow pets other than owls, cats, or toads. There have been exceptions, but why, may I ask, would you want to bring him?"
"I understand that this may differ from your normal policy, ma-am. But Perry and I share a very special bond. It may seem troublesome to have an exotic pet, but I assure you that he will not be any trouble. I would have much gratitude if you were to let me take him."
The transfiguration teacher stared at the boy. She was surprised to hear such a mature voice from such a young boy. She looked back at the platypus. The animal seemed fairly clean. It also wasn't too big, unlike a dog. Minerva glanced at the boy's pleading eyes and sighed. "Very well, I have nothing against it. But you must ask your parents first."
"Ask your brother," was all they said.
"You're going to do WHAT?" Phineas shouted.
Ferb did his best to ignore his complaints and packed his suitcase. After he went on about it for several more minutes he gave in. "I already told you," he said, careful not to let his temper get the better of him. "It is your choice."
Phineas stood in his spot without moving for several minutes, staring at the ground. He appeared to be thinking very hard. Finally, the redhead looked up and met his brother's eyes. "No," he said, "we're going to let Perry decide."
Ferb nodded and put Perry down on the floor in the middle of the room. The two boys stepped back until they were on opposite walls. "Now, whoever Perry goes to gets to keep him. This is the only fair way. We also won't fight on it afterwords. Agreed?" Ferb nodded and waited.
. . . and waited.
. . . and waited.
. . . and waited.
Perry glanced back and fourth between his masters. He knew that whatever decision he came to, it would likely tare the two apart. It broke his little platypus heart to seen their relationship so damaged. Phineas and Ferb had been friends since the day he met them. But Perry was also an agent for OWCA, and he always had to put his work first. If he got to London, he could find out what Doof was up to.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, Agent P made his way over to Ferb. Phineas's face fell, although he tried not to show it.
He nodded at his brother. "Fine," he said. "Have fun at your wizard school," then he left the room without another word.
The flight to London was long and uneventful. Phineas, refusing to sit next to his brother, shared a row with Candace. Linda and Lawrence sat together, leaving Ferb with some random guy with a beard named Bob.
He had never seen his brother look so furious before. Phineas was probably the most collected, optimistic person he ever knew. He did not anger easily.
Suddenly, Ferb grew frustrated. Why should he let his brother rule his life? For years, he had been the brains behind the two. Phineas came up with the clever ideas, sure, but it was him who made them work. Without him, his brothers' ideas would just be a bunch of words. But did he ever receive the fame or popularity that his brother got? No; he was always just second-best to Phineas. And now, finally a chance to prove himself; his brother should have been happy for him!
And yet, Phineas was his best friend. The other boy often did just as much work on the projects as he did. Phineas always knew how to cheer him up. To Phineas, it wasn't about being happy, it was a betrayal.
A pang of guilt hit the British boy in the stomach, like a ton of bricks. He really hoped Phineas would forgive him. He hoped that he would forgive himself.
Grandma and Grandpa Fletcher were there to greet them at Heathrow Airport. The two were surprised by the sudden phone call, but were more than happy to let the family stay with them.
Reginald Fletcher immediately realized that something was wrong the second he saw his grandchildren. "Why the long faces, lads?" he asked them.
Candace and Ferb both stared at the floor, even Phineas seemed at lost for words.
"They're just upset that Ferb's leaving," Lawrence explained.
"Don't be sad, little ones," said Winnie. "You will get a chance to see your brother again soon." Candace shrugged and Phineas forced a small smile in his grandmother's direction, although, in actuality, he felt more like crying.
That night, Phineas approached his brother. "Look, I thought about it," he said, "and I decided I'm happy for you. Sorry about being mad before. If I got a chance to go to a wizard school, even without you, I'd probably go, too."
No you wouldn't, Ferb thought, you would have made them take me too. Still, he appreciated the gesture and smiled in his brother's direction. He hated it when they fought.
"I'm still going to miss you," he paused, "and Perry." The two looked down at the platypus, who chirped affectionately at them. Soon, Phineas began returning to his normal, optimistic self. "We still have a whole day of shopping tomorrow. I can't wait to see all of the wizard stores. And we'll always have summer. Are you coming home for Christmas?"
"Definitely."
"Great. We'll just have to make our holiday project even better!"
Ferb nodded. He was glad that things had worked out. But most of all, he was glad to have his brother back.
AN/: As you can see, this chapter acts as sort of a bridge. Once again, I apologize for Phineas's OOCness and the length. I struggled a lot with this chapter, because I wanted there to be tension between the two boys. But don't worry, the next chapter will take place in Diagon Alley, and Phineas should be back to his normal, happy self. It will also hopefully be longer.
Question: Should the Flynn-Fletchers go to the Quidditch World Cup? Please let me know in your reviews.