Many Circles
Chapter 2:
Many Faces
Edward and Alphonse Elric waited at a train station just west of Central City. After a rather awkward moment, Edward once again looked up to see the very, very tall half giant, Hagrid, smile down at him. The young, 16 year old blonde boy, glared back, and had to fight the urge to transmutate his automail into something dangerous.
The younger boy, with light brown hair and kind grayish eyes, lightly patted his older brother on the shoulder and sighed. Hagrid caught on to their discomfort but for the wrong reasons entirely.
"Cheer up! It won't be too bad. I remember my days back at Hogwarts, as a student anyhow. Oh, look, the train with McGonagall is coming!" Hagrid said happily then he lightly pushed the brothers up onto the platform to wait on the silver train.
"Stupid tall oaf, with his stupid, magic school, and the crappy-."
"Brother! It can't be that bad!" Alphonse shouted over his brother's mutterings.
The younger of the two offered an apologetic smile over to Hagrid who seemed a little put off by Ed's major reluctance.
"Really, it'll be fine. You'll make plenty of friends in Hogwarts. C'mon now, board the train, it's coming in just a second." The half-giant said, trying to soothe the boys.
He then put his hand on Ed's head in a comforting gesture that sent Ed into a small rage. The blonde boy pulled away from the two and stomped onto the train, feeling angrier than ever that the man was at such a height that he could probably never reach.
Professor McGonagall sighed as she watched the two newest students settle in on the train. The Headmaster had other things for Hagrid to attend to so it was just her watching the two boys.
She decided to go with the safer bet and questioned Alphonse first.
"Alphonse? Do you have any interest in magic?" She asked, feeling a trifle annoyed at the harsh glare Edward threw her way.
The youngest boy stared at her blankly for a moment before he smiled and said, "I think it'd be great to learn even though I'll probably still like alchemy best." He answered, and McGonagall smiled with satisfaction.
"And Edward, what about your interest in magic?" She questioned, and then frowned at Edward's stubborn shake of his head.
After chatting with the boys for the rest of the trip back to Scotland. She was pretty sure about one thing.
She might have a new Gryffindor on her hands with Alphonse, but with Edward, she wasn't so sure…
Remus Lupin paced up and down the corridor anxiously awaiting any news from the Headmaster. Remus had not been told when to expect his sons to arrive, other than sometime on the 14th which was today. He sighed as he popped a shoulder bone back into place, since he had previously purchased books and materials for the two boys personally back in Daigon Alley. He had spent the whole day yesterday trying to find items that they would need and hadn't properly rested since he had learned they were coming.
Suddenly, the door to his right opened, and an old withered hand motioned for him to come in. Remus readily entered and nodded his thanks to the Headmaster for letting him into the Room of Requirements without much trouble.
"Remus, I've been worried about you lately. You look quite pale, old friend." Albus Dumbledore said with concern and then he motioned for the younger man to sit in a nearby chair.
Remus sat down quickly then shook his head.
"I'm worried, is all. I can't believe that I'll get to see them once again. I feel horrible about leaving all those years ago, but I couldn't do anything about it. It makes me feel older than I really am, thinking about it. I know they can't possibly forgive me right now, but maybe with time, do you think?" He asked, hopeful.
Albus smiled at him reassuringly, and spoke with confidence. "Yes, I believe they would have it in their hearts to forgive but to maybe not to forget. Don't make the same mistake like last time. Remember, this could be one of your few chances." Albus gently warned, and Remus took it to heart.
"I know. But, there's something strange about all this." Remus said, voicing his concerns out loud.
"And that would be?" The Headmaster prompted, as he was quite curious.
"My wife, Trisha, she would have sent the boys here the first chance she got. We both could perform magic and she wanted them to either go to Hogwarts or Dumstrang. I thought she would do everything in her power to further their education, and I did leave enough money for supplies and such. I do wonder what happened, and I hope she isn't too angry about them just up and leaving like this." Remus speculated, feeling that something was missing.
Albus had a twinkle in his eye that made Remus slightly uncomfortable.
"So, old friend, it wouldn't happen to be the one and only Trisha Silversword, and if so I'm surprised you managed to snatch her attention without quite an uproar." Albus murmured, quite intrigued.
Remus sighed and then nodded. "It's a long story, maybe another day." He wondered if he'd have to tell Ed and Al as well. Though for now such things would have to wait until they were more properly introduced into the wizarding world.
Thanks for all the reviews concerning my story's idea. The encouragement is nice. I'm still thinking how to properly word a few things concerning the conflicting past. It's very fun to write anyways!