A/N.- Hallo! Phew, after a little over a year, we finally got this sodding chapter done (it was actually ready about 3 months ago, but friggin college doesn't even give me time to think of anything else, much less translate or write fanfics), so, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Another one is all ready, I just have to translate it.
Disclaimer: We own nothing notorious here, just a couple of spells, that's it. Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling and FullMetal Alchemist to Hiromu Arakawa
Chapter 8.- Doubts
"If we begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and we are patient in them, we shall end in certainties."
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)
It was a sunny day, with a small refreshing breeze running through the grounds of Hogwarts. Leaves could be found everywhere, from the branches of trees to the grass, painting everything in sunset colors. Gnomes ran around Hagrid's backyard. And despite all of this beauty surrounding the castle, there was something missing: life. Since the passing of Albus Dumbledore, no laughter was heard, no couples of students cuddled together along the banks of the lake, figures flying all around the Quidditch pitch were now just memories from the past, not even the pleas of a scared first year being bullied by older Slytherins could be heard; most of the students were now within the castle walls, frightened. Hogwarts now seemed more a prison than a school.
Every morning the Daily Prophet brought even worse news: witches and wizards missing everywhere, muggles found dead, tortured into madness or even dismembered, larger and more frequent breakouts from Azkaban and all of the Ministry's efforts to censor the situation were more futile with every passing day.
Muggleborn children were frightened; the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was upside down… all of this could very well be summarized into one hell of a chaos.
But all of that didn't matter to two young men that battled each other with swords every single day since three weeks ago. These youngsters were Harry Potter and Edward Elric.
To the right Ed was dressed in black sweatpants and trainers as old and tattered as his pants, or even more, his chest was bare. On the opposite side Harry was dressed more or less the same, except his sweatpants were older and bigger, being hand-me-downs from his beloved cousin Dudley, but unlike the year before, Harry wasn't pale and skinny anymore, now he was more toned, with a couple of abs starting to show, as well as more defined pectorals, his arms weren't a couple of spaghettis anymore, but were gaining more volume, and his usually pale skin was now darker, giving him a tanned look.
After training with Edwards for weeks, results were beginning to show for Harry, and not only physically, now his swordfighting skills were remarkable.
"Come on Potter! Don't tell me you've reached your limit" Ed taunted him, laughing.
"I'm defeating you today Elric, and will keep Excalibur for doing it"
"I wanna see you try"
They resumed their duel, while a small group of people observed from the upper level catwalks.
"Wow! Harry sure has improved" Neville exclaimed in awe.
"Yep, now he's stronger and far more skilled with his swords" Ginny stated proudly.
"Swords? "Ron asked confused "Last time I checked he only had one"
"I wasn't only referring to Gryffindor's Sword, Ron"
"Then?!" Ron still didn't seem to get it
"…then I'll just say Harry is quite a man" Ginny said winking
"B-but…WHAT?! So you two have…but…when? And…you're still too young Ginny!" Ron tried to explain stammering.
"Jeez…you're acting as if it was a bad thing"
"It IS! You're still too young" Ron said, cuttingly.
"But it's way too good…wait, don't tell me…RON! You're jealous of Harry and I because we've had more fun than you!" Ginny replied mockingly
"OF COURSE NOT!" Ron replied a little too quickly
"If you had a couple of bricks instead of that belly of yours, things would be a little different, don't you think?"
"This… err… it's mum's fault… she cooks such delicious food and… there's been no Quidditch practices lately"
"Uh huh, and that there's less students, hence more dessert for you, has nothing to do with it?" Hermione backed Ginny
"But… I'm already taking measures to make it go"
"Yeah…all the way down to your knees"
Everyone on the catwalk laughed hard at the comment, while Ron's ears turned the color of his hair.
"Physical appearances aren't the most important part" Ron replied hastily
"Nope, but us women like to feel protected, to be held tightly and to hold them tightly as well, right Hermione?" Ginny said, while Hermione just blushed, unable to say a thing.
They kept laughing for a while, teasing each other and joking, while they watched Ed and Harry fight; there was no doubt that the presence of the Elric brothers hade brought back some of the peace and tranquility that had been missing since three years ago.
All of a sudden a sword fell to the floor with a clang; Harry was down on the ground with the tip of Excalibur millimeters from his throat.
"I think I won again Potter" Ed said smirking
"Yeah, because light blinded me for a moment" Harry defended himself
"Yeah right… had I wished for it, you'd be dead. In combat you must use everything within your reach to fight, in reality you live or die, that's it."
Ed sheathed his sword and approached Al, who threw a towel and his shirt his way. When he was clothed again and ready to leave, Neville stopped him and Harry.
"Harry, I was wondering if… if you'd be teaching us again this year"
"Huh?!" Ed interjected confused.
"In case we need to fight… you know, the DA… we have to be prepared… also the Ministry authorized the use of unforgivables in case of emergency and… well… I was wondering if we could practice them like before… we know you've been given permission to do so. Neville explained
"I dunno Neville, it's too dangerous and I don't want to endanger you… not yet again" Harry replied.
"You know that the members of the DA will stand by your side so… if you're going to fight V-Vo-Vol… if you're going to fight V-VOLDEMORT! … we'll go with you, even if we give our lives for it… so I think it'll be better if we're prepared, don't you think?"
"I… I don't want to endanger any of you, it's too risky. Please understand, Voldemort is terrible beyond human comprehension" Harry argued.
Yes, it's true, but as long as you're alive and kicking, there'll be a glimpse of hope for the light, and we'll gladly give our lives if necessary to get rid of him once and for all, or else more children will end up like us" Neville replied, referring to himself, Harry and Ed "And I don't want that… you understand that, don't you?"
"I'll think about it… let's all go to Hogsmeade today and I will tell you tomorrow, is that okay with you?"
"Sure, I'll warn the rest and… Harry… We want you… all of you… to go to the Room of Requirement, there's something we have to tell you… we'll see you there at 9, and you can't skip it for anything" Neville said this and left.
"Harry, what's the DA? Something like the Order of the Phoenix?" Al asked.
"Yeah, something like that" Harry, Hermione, Ron and Ginny explained them everything concerning the DA, while they headed for Hogsmeade.
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Upon their arrival to the small wizarding village, they noticed a mood even more funereal than that in Hogwarts. Many aurors patrolled up and down the streets, and the amount of students that were allowed or willing to visit had been cut down to less than half. Also, the farther they went into the village, the more they became the center of attention.
"Harry, Ginny and I are going to the robe shop, where should we rendezvous?" Hermione asked.
"Dunno…what about the Hog's Head?" Harry asked.
"Ok, we'll meet there in an hour"
Hermione and Ginny were about to leave when they heard someone call.
"WAIT FOR ME!!!" It was Winry
"Hey, we thought you weren't coming" Ginny said as a greeting.
"Sorry… I got distracted… cutting some alloys… and I lost… track of time" Winry replied, catching her breath.
"Don't worry, you're just in time" Luna replied
After this, the girls and boys parted ways, and a while later Ed and Al started to sidetrack.
"Where are you going?" Ron asked them.
"There's some business we need to attend. We'll meet you at the Hog's Head" Ed replied, and without further ado they left.
"Well, let's go pick up our dress robes, and then let's go to Honeydukes for some chocolate frogs. I'm 10 cards short of the whole collection you know" Ron said proudly.
"Let's go then. Getting a couple of butterbeers would be another nice idea, since we'll be needing them a lot pretty soon" Harry added
Ron groaned rather loudly "Don't even remind me of the NEWTs"
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Luna, Ginny, Hermione and Winry had sidetracked on their way to the shop and headed to the post office. Receiving things there was unusual for a wizard, given the common use of owls, but the parcels they would be picking up weren't too common for wizards either.
"Good afternoon!" Winry greeted the clerk cheerily
"Good evening young lady, what can I do for you?" The clerk, a somewhat small, bald and with a large moustache asked her.
"We're here to pick up a special delivery, here's the delivery number for the parcel the owl brought here." She said while she handed a piece of paper to the clerk.
"Oh yes! Please wait for me here" The clerk instructed the girls while he headed to the back of the office, returning ten minutes with four wrapped parcels.
"Here you go, it'll be four galleons" Winry gave the man four golden and took the parcels.
"Are you sure of this Winry?" Ginny asked
"Of course I am! In how many wizarding weddings have you seen these? We'll be the center of attention!" Winry replied excitedly.
"And just how are we going to bring the parcels into our dorms without anyone finding out?" Luna asked.
"Easy, I cast an undetectable expansion charm at my purse, we'll keep them there." Hermione, always the planner, answered.
"You're awesome Hermione!" Ginny complimented the brunette girl.
"That's nothing. We'll then, let's go to the Hog's Head, and not a word about these, they ought to be a surprise" Hermione warned, indicating at the parcels.
"Yes!" The other girls chorused while they left for the Hog's Head to wait for the boys.
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After splitting up with the others, Al and Ed headed to the village blacksmith. Once inside a tall, strong, bald man welcomed them.
"Good evening! How may I help you?"
"Good evening. I am Edward Elric, do you have the materials I requested about a month ago?"
"Elric?" The man raked his brains for the name "Oh I remember. Of course I do, but they weren't an easy catch, and it'll cost you extra. Also, I think I ought to have a word with your father, after all, I mustn't sell dragon teeth to a child"
"You can't you say? Pity…I was planning on leaving here this bag full of galleons as a tip for your excellent service…ah, I guess I'll have to get my materials somewhere else" Ed said, juggling a bag from hand to hand that jingled with every move.
"Well… " The blacksmith gave a nervous laugh "I guess we all need some protection these days… also, the Ministry has worse concerns that a couple of dragon teeth"
"Sir, I don't want to cause you any trouble"
"Trouble? None at all, after all, I can say you needed them for a school research, just give me the name of a professor of yours and we're settled"
"What would you need the name of a professor for?"
"Well, in case someone comes here asking, I can always say a professor of yours asked for them and we're all free of trouble"
"Bad choice… " Ed said, smirking "I guess I'll have to report this to the Auror Corps, after all, what makes you think I'm not a Death Eater? Tut tut, I think it is my duty as State Alchemist to ensure the law is followed, and more even as a diplomatic guest of the Minister's" Ed said, now fiddling with his silver pocketwatch, letting the man get a glimpse of the State Alchemists crest on it. The blacksmith was now getting too nervous and sweating cold, until Al spoke.
"But nii-san, it'd be a pity for this man to end in Azkaban, I mean, he's sure to have a family to take care of."
"So what do we do then Al?"
"Wait, Mr. Elric, there's no need to call the aurors in, I'm just a humble blacksmith that tries to earn some gold… something tougher everyday. My profession is not often needed for wizards, they have goblins to do that, and in these dark times much less, since every day less people dare leave their homes. How about I offer you a discount?"
"A discount?"
"Yes, yes, you only pay for the teeth and the rest is on me, and worry not about the ministry, I can always tell them I lost the metals and teeth on the way back from getting them, no need for anyone to be harmed."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Alright, I'll take it only because you seem to be a hard working man, but I'll be watching you"
"Yes, yes, of course, let me go fetch your order" The blacksmith said, going for the materials meant for Ed. "Let's see, here's the dragon teeth, Hungarian Horntail, hard to get, a bar of titanium, silver from the Manchester cathedral and a vial with 4 ounces of iridium, that would add up to 980 galleons, but I'll leave it at 400, what do you say?"
"Fine, here's 450, but remember, I'll be watching you" Ed paid while Al took the wooden box that contained their materials and they left.
"Have a good day Misters Elric"
And so Ed and Al left for a small patch of wood on the outskirts of the village.
"Nii-san, I still think what you did to that poor blacksmith was really unfair"
"Maybe, but we only had 500 galleons, and there are no nearby banks for us to withdraw more money and exchange it for wizarding currency, even less if it is money from Amestris" Ed defended himself, but Al wouldn't yield. "Ok, ok, as soon as we receive our next pay from Mustang I'll give him the rest, happy?"
"Now I am" Al finally said happily, while Ed cursed under his breath.
When they were deep enough in the woods, Ed and Al drew a transmutation circle on the ground and placed the materials on its center, then they transmuted them.
"All done! He won't be able to complain, it's perfect. Do you have the box Al?"
"Here" Al said, passing a small red box to his brother.
With their job now done, they were about to leave when Ed heard a sound coming from some trees behind them. Al put the box away safely inside his armor and placed himself on a defensive stance.
"Who's there? Identify yourself!" Ed called, wand in hand.
"Easy there, we come in peace." Two figures in black appeared in front of the boys.
"My name is Lorena Deyanira Malfoy"
"And I am Bellatrix Lestrange"
"MALFOY?! You're related to that idiot?"
"Unfortunately" Both witches said in unison.
"But don't let the reputation of my idiot of a nephew besmirch ours" Bellatrix said
"What do you want?" Ed asked
"We have a message from our lord" Bellatrix began
"He wants you to join him and his noble cause. If you do you will be well rewarded." Lorena continued
"And why is he so interested in me?" Ed asked incredulous.
"My lord has heard of your great skills and he wants the same as you"
"Killing innocents for fun?" Ed asked now skeptically
"Those are small sacrifices for the greater good" Bellatrix said.
"He doesn't want the wise and just to die. He wants a world ruled by them, where the scholars will be respected and not looked down at, and then he heard of you: Edward Elric, a young man that earned the title of State Alchemist at 12, who knows death far closer than most, who has lived and seen wars and intervened to stop them. With a great potential limited by the laws of society, a society that sees great knowledge as taboo, that settles for surviving one more day, without complications, or a hunger for deeper knowledge." Lorena explained.
"And just why does that idiot think I'm interested in joining him and not in bringing him down, like I've done with several fakes and phonies like him?"
"Because he know that the day you two failed at bringing back you beautiful and beloved mother, you and your brother formed a bond like no one before" Bellatrix said
"And if you join him he'll give you a great power: the real philosopher's stone. Not the fake one created with human lives, but the one made by pure alchemy and magic. With it you can give your mother her life back, and regain all that you lost that fateful night."
"Al's body" Ed thought.
"And as proof of his good will, he sends you two gifts. This is the first one" Bellatrix said, handing Ed a package wrapped in black paper.
"And you're supposing that I'll just say 'yes, of course I'll go with you right away, seeing as I don't give a shit about muggles and wizards dying and can become all-powerful'? Ha!" Ed said sarcastically
"That's what the second gift is about: my lord grants you all the time you need to decide. So, in case you wish to side with those that seek knowledge and justice, you just aim your wand at your arm and say morsmordre, and you will find yourself at my lord's side immediately. That said, we take our leave and expect you there soon" Lorena said, and a second later, the two witches apparated away.
"What could this be?" Ed mused, making to open the package.
"Don't open it nii-san! What if it is a trap?"
"Had they wanted to kill me, we'd be fighting right now Al- Ed replied, ripping off the paper and finding an old, tattered book written in odd symbols and titled "The tales of Beedle the Bard"
"A fairytale book?" Al asked skeptically.
"So it seems. Look, this seems to be written in runes, and looks way old"
Not saying anything else, the Elrics headed to the Hog's Head.
"--------------------------------------------
When they arrived at the Hog's Head, the girls were already there, with a bottle of butterbeer each.
"ED! Over here!" Winry called, waving.
"Hey, how did it go? And what's that?" ED asked, eyeing the drink in Winry's hand.
"It's called butterbeer, and it's delicious, here, try some" Winry said.
"Ah…alright"
Ginny walked to the counter "Can I have two more butterbeers please?"
"Oh, I won't have one, thanks, I just ate and I'm not hungry or thirsty" Al stammered.
"Oh well, then make that seven butterbeers please" The bartender nodded and handed her seven new bottles that she and Al carried over to the table, arriving in time to hear Winry say
"We did good, we ordered our dresses already, they're arriving directly to Ginny's home"
"How are they?" Ed asked curious.
"It's a surprise" Winry replied cheekily, winking. "How did it go for you?"
"Perfect…look, there's Harry and Ron"
"All done? Let's go back then" Ron said
"We've been allowed until 5 o'clock, there's time for one more round" Hermione replied.
"C'mon Ron, we could use a butterbeer" Harry said
"Well, well, what've you got there?" Ron asked Ed, noticing the old book the blond had under his arm
"Oh…this…I found it at a shop and bought it for 5 galleons. I thought there could be something useful in its symbols" Ed lied
"Let me see it please" Hermione asked, and Ed gave her the book.
The tales of Beedle the Bard… ever heard of them" Hermione said
"You've never heard the tales of Beedle the Bard?" Ron asked incredulously "You're kidding, right?
"No, I'm not" Hermione said surprised "Do you know them?
"Of course I do!"
Ron arched an eyebrow, surprised and amused. Ron knew a book Hermione didn't? That was unprecedented. Ron, on the other hand, seemed stunned by the surprise of the others.
"Oh come on! All of the children's tales are supposed to be included in Beedles book: "The Fountain of Fair Fortune," "The Wizard and the Hopping Pot," "Babbitty Rabbitty and her Cackling Stump…"
"Sorry?" Hermione said, snickering "What was that last one?"
"Oh come on" Ron said, looking at Harry and Hermione incredulously "You must've heard about Babbity Rabbitty…"
"Ron, you very well know Harry and I were raised by muggles!" Hermione replied "We didn't hear stories like that when we were small, we heard "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" and "Cinderella…"
"What's that, an illness?" Ron asked
"So they are children's tales?" Hermione asked, leaning on the runes.
"Yes" Ron said uncertainly "I mean, what you just heard, you know, all those old tales come from Beedle. I guess this is like a first edition or something"
"Well, I don't think they'll help us in our mission Elric" Harry said amused.
"Never underestimate a book Potter, after all, the secret to the philosopher's stone was hidden in a book of recipes" Ed argued back.
"Well, it seems the store clerk was an ignorant…selling the original print in 5 galleons…that's what I call stupidity"
"Of course"
They kept joking for another hour in the pub before heading back for the castle, resting for a moment and then heading for the room of requirement, at Neville's request.
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"I don't see any room" Ed pointed out, looking left and right for a door.
-Well, we have to wait for Neville… look, here he comes" Harry announced
-Hey guys, wait a moment, Harry, we're going to blindfold you"
"What?!"
"Just do it!" They all chorused and Harry obliged. Neville made the door appear, and when they entered the room, everybody cried out
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!"
"Wha…but…it's not my birthday!"
"With everything that's happened, we never had the chance to celebrate it, so we decided to do it now that we got the chance… better late than never, right?"
The room was filled by Neville, Dean, Seamus, Ginny, Luna, Ron, Ed and Al. Harry couldn't hold back the tears that threatened, he was put in front of a small pumpkin cake, a roasted turkey and other food.
-Time for presents!- Neville announced.
Dean gave him a Firebolt 2007, Seamus gave him "Twelve Fail-Safe Ways to Charm A Witch", Ron and Ginny gave him a gold pocket watch ("A Weasley tradition" Ron explained), Hermione gave him a new Sneakoscope, Luna gave him a revised version of "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them", and finally it was the turn of the Elric brothers and Winry.
"Happy birthday Harry!" Winry said cheerily, hugging him.
"Thanks Winry!" She then gave him her present: some kind of locket, but divided into 12 page-like divisions.
"For you to place the pictures that make you the happiest so you never forget there's people here who love you"
"Win, thank you" He said smiling, clasping it around his neck by himself.
"Happy birthday four-eyes" Ed said, handing him a small red box.
"Thank you Edwarf" Harry replied, opening the box, to reveal a necklace with a peculiar pendant.
"What's this?"
"A symbol of our alchemy style, see" Ed said, showing him the back of his cloak and the seal on Al's shoulder.
"Oh…" Harry still didn't get the point of the present
"If you ever need the help of any alchemist, show them this. Given the materials transmuted into this and the specific amount of matter in it, very few will know its meaning, but whoever does, is a trustworthy person that will most likely help you" Al explained.
"But if you ever come across a tall, white woman, with her hair done with dreadlocks that responds to the name of Izumi Curtis, don't tell here where we are UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES! She will help you, yeah, but don't ask her to train you either, unless you want to find yourself in a living hell." Ed warned.
"She can't be much worse than you are" Harry replied joking.
"YOU HAVE NO IDEA!" Ed and Al countered in unison, fear on Ed's face.
After the presents they continued partying, toasting and dancing. Four hours later they all left to their respective common rooms. Even after such a party, Harry couldn't sleep, and found himself standing in front of the common room fireplace, examining his sword.
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"Harry, what are you doing awake so late at night? You have to sleep well" Hermione reprimanded him.
"Huh? Oh, I was just thinking…"
"Thinking about what?"-
-I've my doubts. I thought I knew Dumbledore and his plans, but… every passing day I feel I know him less and less."
"Dumbledore was always honest to you… he had great faith in you"
"Then why did he call the Elrics?"
"That again" Hermione said, a bit exasperated "To help us Harry… this is a war, a silent one, but a war nonetheless. Remember it was Ed who helped you in Potions, who is teaching you to fight without a wand"
"That…that's another question: Why did he leave me Gryffindor's sword? Isn't it supposed that any Griffyndor can wield it? And why did he leave Elric the legendary Excalibur? If they're such ancient, legendary and powerful weapons, why didn't the ministry oppose?"
"I don't know Harry, maybe it is because they're the legendary weapons of the Triumvirate to…to destroy the Horcruxes, and if the ministry didn't do anything about it is because you're everyone's hope"
"Scrimegour is protecting me, just like last year when he asked me to drop by the ministry every now and again to appease everyone, right?"
"Harry, you're a living legend, 'The Boy Who Lived', to many of them you are the Merlin of our age"
"Then why do they allow this to exist?" He asked angrily as he showed her a copy of "The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore"
"This is a piece of rubbish, written by Skeeter nonetheless, you can't give it that much importance"
"Tell me…just tell me this: If I am their beacon of hope, why do they allow this?" He asked furious, while a couple of tears trailed down his cheeks.
"Voldemort tried to take over the ministry the first time around, they're afraid he'll try again"
"What's it got to do with this?"
"Don't you see? If he manages that, he'll persecute every one that supports you Harry, you're their beacon, yes, but they're also trying to protect themselves and their families…please try to understand them" Hermione tried to see everything logically.
"There's also the Horcruxes. We don't know where they are. We just know that the ones in Riddle's diary and in the Gaunt family ring are gone. We still don't know where the locket is, nor the identity or location of the rest. We believe one is Hufflepuff's cup, based on what Dumbledore said and thanks to Elric we suspect that Ravenclaw's diadem is another one, and we ignore where either one is, Nagini is always by Voldemort's side and we have no effing clue as to what the seventh one is"
"We just have to retrace Voldemort's steps" Hermione suggested.
"But he traveled for years, it could be right here in England or in Egypt or as far away as China, and we don't know how to destroy them either"
"Maybe that is why he left you the swords"
"Maybe…but does that mean that we have to find the other 7 weapons as well?"
"It's possible, I don't really know" Hermione admitted
"That quest could take years for all I know, and again…where does Elric fit in all of this?"
"That, we have to find out"
"You know, I sometimes think that Dumbledore didn't tell me everything, perhaps because he didn't trust me enough, or maybe just to have a good laugh at my expense from the beyond"
"OF COURSE NOT!" Hermione replied heatedly "He always knew you could make it"
Harry frowned "Mione, do you think I should restart the DA?"
"Of course you should! Dumbledore knew we'd be loyal to you, that's why he made us members of the Order as well"
"But I don't want you to die…not anyone else…many have died for me already"
"Yes, it's true" Hermione said, and Harry didn't reply "But many have lived because of you as well"
Harry and Hermione stared fixedly at one another for a moment, and without knowing why, how, or when they closed in on each other until their lips melted in a tender kiss.
"Mione…"
"I… sorry… it's just… you… and well… I… but Ron… and Ginny… and I… and… you… and… well… let's tell them tomorrow that the DA is reopening… well… now… sleep good… I mean well… and… uh… seeyoutomorrowgoodnight" Hermione stammered as she practically ran up the staircase to the girls' dormitories.
Harry on the other hand was rooted to the spot; he brought a hand up to his lips, smiled and went to sleep.
This was how doubt was born in Harry's and Ed's hearts. They both wondered what was most important, if this was all worth it, if they even had the right to be happy by the side of those they loved, and the price to pay for that. Questions that every man ends asking himself at some point in life…but they were not men, they were teenagers, on whose shoulders rested a great responsibility.
A/N.- This is it for now, I hope you liked it, and don't worry, more will come soon (I hope), please review on your way out, thanks to all that already have done so, please keep doing it. Also big thanks to those that have added this fic to their favs or alerts (or both). Danke Schön!!!!