Hey people!!! I'm soooooo sorry that it took me so long, but I can't help it!!! sobbing Ok, random moment is over. Well, yeah. Thank you, though, for waiting so patiently!!! Thank you to everyone who reviewed so far!!! Ok, this is VERY important. This is going to be one of the last real chapters because I don't really want to continue this story. I am a person who prides herself in standing out, and there are too many Harry Potter/FMA crossovers already. So, I plan to make a summary chapter, and an ending chapter so that I can go on to my next story idea. It will be a sequel to this story, and will have more on Al, I'm thinking. Thank you again, and enjoy!!
edwardelricrulesedwardelricrulesedwardelricrules
The two walked in silence, Dumbledore because his mind was on something else, and Ed because he really didn't have anything to say. Ed's thoughts wandered to the nightmare he'd had that night. It was a sharp, bitter dream that made him feel like a knife had plunged into his heart. I didn't mean to, mother! If I had known, I would never have tried to bring you back. It tore me apart to kill Sloth, when she had your face. Mother, Al, Winry, forgive me.
Then his thoughts shifted to the Thestrals. He still felt a bit nervous about riding them, but he trusted Dumbledore. The headmaster almost reminded him of his mother, though he didn't exactly know why. It was probably because of the kind, humorous glint in his eyes, or the fatherly look on his face. He was still pondering the strange feeling when Dumbledore stopped before him.
"Now Edward, this is Hagrid, our Caretaker of Magical Creatures. He teaches the class on magical creatures as well."
"Hullo ther', Edward! Dumbledore, yer here, finally. The Thestrals are ready fur ya, just out back here. Follo' me, now," said the giant man.
Ed remembered seeing the man outside of the train stop, and smiled at him. He looked more beast than man, but had a homely aura. Hagrid smiled back at Ed, and then proceeded down the stone steps to an abnormally large cottage. Smoke was rising out of the chimney, and a great, black bloodhound sat lazily at the doorway. Just looking at it brought back painful memories of Risenbol, and the childhood Ed so deeply missed. He lowered his face, not wanting to show any weaknesses. He let out a shuddering, distressed sigh.
"Ah, here we are! Cum on, Mary Jane! Cum on, Snowball!" Hagrid then made many clicking noises, and threw a piece of fresh meat, still bloody, into the middle of the grass. He called the names again, and then turned to Ed and Dumbledore.
"Yer two better jus' stan' back fer a bit. A'll intraduce ya, then yer can go."
"Okay, Hagrid."
"Erm, I'm not quite sure I want to do this…"
"Oh yer'll be fine! Thu're very friendly, so yer shun't have a problem."
While they were talking, they hadn't noticed the black, reptilian beasts that had quietly sneaked into the clearing. Only two of them came close, but many more were hidden in the half-shadow where the Forbidden Forest met the Hogwarts Grounds, drawn there by the smell of fresh, raw meat and blood.
"Oh, ther ye'are! Took yer long enough," Hagrid exclaimed, patting the two horse-beasts fondly on their velvety foreheads. They didn't pay attention, because they were busy devouring the meat. Once they were done, they looked longingly at Hagrid, almost as if asking for more. Ed's face darkened at the thought.
These beasts are too human! Almost like Nina and Alexander… What if they are…
"Edward, if you keep lingering in the past, your future will wilt away to nothingness. We must focus on the present. Now, I need you to concentrate on the situation in front of us, and let go of any regrets about the past. Will you promise me that you'll do this for me? It is very important for you to understand this."
"I know, Professor. I'm trying, but…"
"No, you're not trying. You want to keep all those bad memories, and you want to tear your soul apart by blaming yourself for every bad thing that has happened in your life. That, Edward, is not the way of the world. You need to forgive yourself for all of this, and find a way to make it better. Instead, you are brooding over things you cannot change. Listen to me if you will, for I am just an old, senile man. What do I know about life?"
"Ye…yes Professor," Ed sighed, giving up. He knew that what Dumbledore had said was true, but he couldn't bring himself to just forgive himself so easily. I've ruined so many people's lives! How can I forgive myself for doing that? How can I forgive myself for ruining Al's life?
Ed and Dumbledore, under the persistent instruction of Hagrid, managed to climb onto the smooth, scaly backs of the two Thestrals. From ,there, the nightbeasts took off, guided by the thoughts of their rider. Ed closed his eyes tightly, and whimpered softly as he clung to the black mane of his Thestral. He had always been somewhat afraid of heights.
"Edward, don't fall off! I would keep low if I were you!" Dumbledore warned, shouting from the other Thestral. That made Ed whimper even more as he thought about how painful it would be to fall a thousand feet down onto the mountainous terrain below.
"I don't wanna die!" he cried out, because the Thestral's flight had suddenly inclined. Ed's face was looking directly onto the ground, still hundreds of feet away but getting closer by the second. The vertigo hit him hard, and he slumped over the night-horse's back, unconcious.
When he woke up, Ed saw that he was still sitting on the Thestral. Dumbledore was on the other one, grinning at Ed because he had fainted. They were in front of a dark pub.
"Edward, you finally woke up. I thought you died of fright or something!"
"No way, Dumbledore, sir. I can't die just yet.
"Well then, let's go get you a wand. Then, we can get all the supplies you'll be needing."
"Um, Professor, I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you. You're going to have to pay for my stuff, aren't you?"
"Don't worry about all that. I'll take care of it. What I want you to concentrate on is to find a way to get back to your own world, understand?"
"Yes sir. Thank you. By the way, where are we?"
"Oh, I forgot! This is the Leaky Couldron. You'll see when we go in, and I think you will be pleased."
They walked into the dilapidated building. Edward was uneasy, because Dumbledore looked like he was up to something. The old wizard walked gleefully, a big grin on his face, and his eyes were twinkling more than usual. The pub was even darker inside, and many suspicious characters were indulging in magical-sounding drinks. No one noticed the headmaster of Hogwarts, except for the bartender, who called out to them.
"Dumbledore! Long time, no see! What'll it be for you, today?
"Nothing, I've got some...business."
"Ah, I see. Escorting this new 1st year to the alley. Isn't he a bit small though?"
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A DWARF MIDGET THAT WOULD DROWN IN A SHOT GLASS???!!!???"
"Edward, come on! We've got to go, and I'm sorry for disturbing you!" Dumbledore called out as he dragged a struggling Ed toward a door in the back.
He tapped the wall in a pattern, and it began to rearrange. A doorway was created, and beyond it was an amazing sight. Ed gasped at it, not yet quite accustomed to magic.
"Welcome, Edward, to Diagon Alley!"
edwardelricrulesedwardelricrulesedwardelricrules
A/N- Hey guys! I'm sorry about the short chapter, but as I said in the beginning, I might not continue this story. So, check in for the summary chapter, and the end. See you later! Ja ne!