Two: Curious Class, Curious Assignment
In the morning, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ed sat at the Gryffindor table for breakfast.
"What classes did you sign up for, Harry?" Ron asked, biting into a piece of toast.
"The usual. I'd actually rather not take Divination or Potions, but it's the only way I'll be 'well-rounded' when I graduate."
"Well it's true. If you take those classes, it will appeal to people who you might want to work for more than if—"
"Hey, guys?"
"Yeah, Ed?"
"Aren't we supposed to be in Transfiguration right now?"
Aileen was surprised at how well-behaved her classes were. It seemed that her "performance," as the students called it, made them either eager to learn such tactics or afraid she'd use her powers if they made her mad. Even the seventh years were somewhat quiet.
As the next-to-last class of the day filed out, she turned to the window, where she saw it was raining.
Sitting on the window seat in the far corner of the room, she thought of how the rain comforted her, taking her back to her days in her own country…
A cough came from the doorway, shattering the silence and Aileen's trance.
She quickly stood up and turned around. Walking in were the four she had met on the train.
"Oh, I'm sorry…I was daydreaming again…Please take a seat and I'll start as soon as everyone gets here."
Soon the room was full, and Aileen took her place at the front of the room.
"Please be quiet now. It's time to start." She picked up a piece of chalk from the tray on the chalkboard, turning back to the class to begin her lesson for the day. "As you may have seen last night, I did mention that you have all been missing out on the studies of other Dark Arts. One should not focus on merely their own world, as something may happen that is unexpected."
"I swear I've seen her before. She looks so familiar," Ed whispered to himself. "I just don't know where."
"Now, can anyone tell me what a homunculus is?"
Ed's head snapped up. What kind of "dark magic" was she going to be teaching them? How to create a homunculus? He frowned and scribbled something down on a piece of parchment.
"Yes, Hermione?"
"Professor, you should actually be calling us by our surnames. And a homunculus is defined as a falsely-made human created by alchemy."
Aileen winced at her explanation. "Not exactly. And I'll call you however I want. I'm the professor, not you."
More murmurs went around the classroom. Shock?
"Settle down, class. Homunculi are fascinating creatures. They're more than just a falsely-made human—as you so bluntly put it, Hermione. Homunculi are people, like you and me, but – yes, Edward?"
"Homunculi are evil. Their single purpose is to find the Philosopher's Stone." Of course, Ed was an expert on them.
"But…Harry destroyed the stone four years ago," Hermione said. Didn't everyone know that?
"What?" Both Aileen and Ed had looks of shock on their faces, though Aileen was the first to hide it with innocent ignorance. But after the last student walked out, closing the door, she sank into her plush chair near the fireplace, hope draining from her mind.
"It's gone…" Aileen whispered. "I came here for one thing, and it's gone…"
"…and the seven Homunculi that are the most well-known in Amestris are Envy, Greed, Gluttony, Lust, Pride, Sloth, and Wrath. They are identified by this tattoo called an Oroborus. It looks like this," Aileen said. She pointed to the board where she had drawn the figure that morning. "Each has a special talent or unique characteristic. Please research one and give eighteen inches of parchment on the background and basic information of it. I want it on my desk on Thursday. And don't complain – it's an interesting topic. I'm not making you write on the history of goblin wars, now, am I?" Several students nodded, agreeing her class was interesting.
The days were passing quickly now, and it seemed as through it had not already been a week of classes for Aileen.
Collecting the scraps of parchment from the desks, she began putting her things away for the night.
"Remember me?"
Aileen spun around, startled by the voice behind her.
"Envy!" Aileen smiled. It had been the first time she had smiled in weeks. Since she had left home. "What are you doing here?"
"I've been turned into Lust's messenger. She—"
The door to the room creaked open. Immediately, Envy changed forms.
"Oh…I'm sorry, Professors…If you're busy…"
Aileen shook her head, motioning for Harry to speak.
"I just wanted to ask Aileen to come help us in the Gryffindor tower in a bit with our homework. We have a rather curious assignment that we would like assistance with." It was Harry, and the sight of Umbridge made him rush through his sentences and hurry out, slamming the door behind him.
"Jeez…are these kids really afraid of that old bat?" Envy said, changing back to his normal form.
"Apparently so. The only other person they act like that around is me. And it's all because of my first impression."
"What'd you do this time?" Envy laughed as he ducked, avoiding a blow from Aileen's hand. "And you're going by Aileen now? I thought it was something else. Suteki?"
"No. I changed it again. That stupid ministry group was on my tail, and I didn't need them interfering."
"Anyway, Lust says you only have a little time left."
Aileen smiled again. "Tell her that it's been destroyed, but I know where to find everything. Don't worry. She'll get her stone."
Envy shrugged. "Whatever you say."