Many Circles

Chapter 3: Many Pleasing

Edward sighed as the trio got off the train and quietly boarded a carriage that was to take them to a place called Homestead. He flexed his automail arm that was hidden under his trademark red jacket with a short sleeved black shirt that Al had gotten him a few weeks before. Dark, blue pants, similar to the color of Amestris's military's, covered his automail leg that quietly clanged each and every time the carriage hit a rough part of the road.

His hair was in its normal braid, and his golden eyes were bored as he looked out the window at the passing people and land. He closed his eyes for the duration of the short trip, since his nerves were already on edge from earlier questionings.

Magic he thought what was magic compared to science? A parlor trick that needed deceit and lies to work, that's what!

He opened his eyes slightly when the carriage pulled to a stop in front of a small store in Homestead. It seemed deserted and Edward's interest came to a halt when he looked at it.

At Al's insistent pulling on his sleeve, Edward sighed and was the first to jump out of the carriage. He waited until the his brother and the professor had exited as well before letting himself be lead into the small store.

McGonagall walked over to a small fire place and grabbed a handful of powder.

"This is floo powder and it will get us to our next destination. We're to head to Oliander's : Maker of Fine Wands." She said curtly, her eyes boring into the back of Ed's head.

"Really." He said blandly, turning to face her after watching the carriage leave.

"Wands?" Al asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.

McGonagall nodded.

"Just take some powder and throw into the fire place like this!" She threw the floo powder and called out.

"Olianders!"

Green flames sprung to life and she gestured for Al to step forward. Her smile was bright as she saw their shocked faces in the green fire light.

"This will bring each of us to our destination. Just step through, you'll be alright." She instructed.

Alphonse swallowed then stepped towards the flames. A arm in front of him stopped him short.

"Brother?" Al asked, happy internally that Ed was so brave.

"I'll go first, just to make sure." Edward said quietly.

He turned to stare over at the woman who smiled back.

"If I roast, I'll find a way to make you pay. Even if I have to come back through the Gate one day." Ed warned, his eyes severe.

He stepped quickly through the flames and felt a weird sensation come over him.

The world was spinning and next thing he knew a old looking man was staring down at him as Ed sat on the floor with soot on his clothes.

"Ah, you must be Mr. Elric. Good to finally meet you." Said the man who lightly dusted Ed off and offered a hand.

Ed shook his head and then took it quickly.

"My name is Oliander and I'm to show you your wand. I pride myself on always getting it right."

"Right…" Ed said uncertainly.

He then look around the place with a mix of surprise and disgust.

"Never dust huh?" Ed joked when he saw the boxed lining the shelves and the dirty selves they were on.

"Too many boxes and too many wands that might go off. Please, which hand do you intend to use your wand with?" Oliander asked, his eyes shinning with delight.

"Well before all that, where's Al?"

"Oh, well, I asked that I see you separately. I'll send an owl to find him when I'm done with you. Don't worry it shouldn't take too long. I like to do one at a time, for the best results. And I love the look of surprise on a new wizard's faces." Oliander explained, "And now, your arm?"

"Um, what's the criteria?" Ed asked, feeling like he wouldn't like this.

"Well, what is your normal arm to use? Right or left?" The elder man asked.

Ed smirked and presented his right arm. Oliander's magical tape measure started it's work and then the man scurried away to grab a promising wand.

He handed it to Edward and told him to take a swish.

Ed did and Oliander scratched his head in confusion.

Nothing happened, no vase breaking, no sparks. Nothing, and that was odd.

"Something should be happening. You have magic and this should focus it enough to do something. Might be small but…" Oliander trailed off and shook his head.

5 more wands and a few frustrated sobs later, Oliander glared at Ed's arm with something akin to hate.

"This should NOT be happening!" He spoke out.

Edward looked angry as well and shook his head. "I knew magic was fake!"

"Pardon? Fake! No, no, child! It is not some myth, magic is tried and true!" Oliander said in shock. He couldn't believe this boy was giving up.

"Well I guess I don't have it like everyone thinks! Al too, probably. Sure mom could do some scary things when she was angry and it wasn't alchemy, but I doubt it was anything that the laws of science couldn't explain."

"Oh, so your saying 'not magic'. Well let me tell you this. I know you have magic, no one would mistake it, and you came here fine! It requires magic to deal in Daigon alley, young man!" Oliander nearly screamed his face flush with trying to deal with the blonde boy.

Ed shook his head and went to sit on a small, black chair.

"Just goes to show that this magic junk isn't possible. So just give it up and let me leave this place in peace. I have stuff to do and I need to look after Al!" Ed replied, and lifted his arm to rest his head on it.

Oliander glared again and his eyes once more caught sight of Ed's gloves.

"Why do you wear those white gloves anyways? Deformed?" Oliander spat out and Ed's glare got venomous.

The young 16 year old removed his hand from his chin and pulled off his right glove to show off his automail.

Startled eyes seemed to reflect in the metal as Oliander felt sudden panic about his last, harsh words.

"What? Don't like what you see?" Ed sneered. Pulling off his jacket showed off more of the automail since his shirt had short sleeves.

Oliander let out a small groan and sunk into a nearby seat. He put his head into his hands for a moment and then looked up in shame.

"That's why… it wouldn't work." He whispered hollowly.

Edward left his red coat on the back of his chair and then stood up to regard the man with a barely calm façade. Inside he was nearly livid.

"I think my business is done here." Ed said coldly.

"No! Wait, Mr. Elric. Forgive my ignorance. I was stupid to do as I did. Your left arm, it isn't the same, is it?" The shocked man asked. He didn't notice it, even though it was in plain view.

"No, it's me." Ed replied quietly. He looked apprehensive for a moment and was surprised that the man didn't jump at the chance to try again.

"You have that." Oliander said, his voice once again hollow.

The man then shook his head, and regarded Edward with pained eyes.

"Do you know? The ones with that in the wizarding world. You know about them? No of course you wouldn't, being new to it. Good it's your right and not the left. Good…"

"Your making about as much sense as a broken circle. What are you talking about?" Ed demanded. So this wizard knows automail? But he doesn't seem happy about it.

"Automail. If one with automail is found usually they have had their left arm removed so the traitorous dark mark will bother them no longer. Men like that deal with Azkaban at one point in their lives. Few wish to deal with the pain that is said to be automail. Should I even ask why one so young has it?" The wand maker said solemly.

"None of your business. I will say this though; I don't even know what a dark mark is. Or Azkaban for the record." Ed said. His voice blending between a joke and a truth.

"Just don't go showing that around here. Few know a lot about it but there are times it could get you into trouble. Now, let's try the left. It looks less shiny." Oliander said trying to amend his earlier faults.

35 wands later, and a lot of books set on fire was what greeted the two. With one final wave on the 36th wand that shot out bright gold and green sparks.

"Finally!"

"Huh? What?" Ed said surprised.

"It's the one. 16 inches mahogany wood, with a core of diamond. There is one other property-"

"Are you quite done yet?" Rang out the voice of the stern vice head master who stood by the fire place, her eyes amused.

"Yes, yes, we're finally finished. I hope your brother isn't such a bother Mr. Elric! Now, get going and let me finish before 9 o'clock. You've missed a good meal at Hogwarts." Oliander said, and then he pushed Ed towards the door.

McGonagall smiled as Al came through next and she and Ed left him in Oliander's care.

Edward hastily shrugged on his jacket before exiting the store with relief.

"That took way too long! I've my fill of wizards!" Ed exclaimed, feeling the stiffness of his arm from being unused for so long.

McGonagall sighed and then directed him to a nice establishment for a quick dinner. She had already treated Al once 5 o'clock had come around.

"This is the Three Broomsticks. It's a nice place to eat and enjoy a good atmosphere. I used to come here in my younger day quite a bit." She elaborated, before gesturing for Ed to enter.

The both of them went to a table and Ed glared at the people around him.

"Since your not used to life here I'll order." She murmured, and Ed seemed to ignore her completely for the rest of the meal. He had bigger things to think about.

As dinner wore on and McGonagall ate silently her calm demeanor was shattered when Ed asked…

"What's a dark mark?"

Her form stiffened at the question and in a tight voice she started to explain.

"It started 16 years ago…"

Remus sat in his room. Impatience was his chief fault for the moment as even his best friend could do nothing to calm his raging nerves.

"Seems like you've got no reason to act so jumpy, Moony. Really you can tell me what's bothering you, can't you?" Sirius said as he read up on a few nasty spells.

The other Marauder sat in a comfy chair trying to read, and for once Remus was the one distracting him instead of the other way around.

"It's not a big deal. I'm going to take a walk to clear my head. Ask Albus about some things. I'll see you later Padfoot." Remus said. His mind not on the conversation but on what awaited him.

When the door to Remus's room closed softly behind the werewolf, Sirius raised an eyebrow with skepticism.

"Not a big deal. See you later Padfoot. Yeah, and I believe you just like I believed James when he said he didn't like Lilly anymore." Sirius mocked sarcasticly.

He then shrugged and was confident Remus would figure it out with or without his help. Maybe Harry might know..

He thought, wondering if his newly re-instated godson could get some information from the friendly werewolf.

Remus sighed as he leaned against the wall a few doors down from his room. It was after 9 o'clock and still no promised word from Albus.

McGonagall had still yet to return and Remus could only take so much worrying in one week. He walked over to the front of the school. Roaming eyes took in the sight of the dark night with sorrow. He then went to the great hall and soon reached Albus who was at the teacher's table. A quiet, solemn look on his old face.

"Still no word?" Remus asked, and a quick nod confirmed his pain.

15 minutes later the door to the great hall opened. Remus and Dumbledore both hastily stood when McGonagall arrived with two young men in tow.

Remus could feel his hand shaking on the goblet he still held. He couldn't calm down anymore by drinking pumpkin juice, and he almost sighed in relief when Albus cast a silencing charm on the whole hall.

"Just a precaution." Albus said, informing McGonagall when she gave him a surprised look.

"Alright, here they are." She said, her voice tense and drained.

Remus stood still as he looked on at his two sons.

The younger, Alphonse, seemed to be a bit sheepish as he looked in awe at the ceiling which showed a clear, dark night. Brown hair and grayish eyes on a pale face were the first aspects Remus stared fondly at. The boy now wore a Hogwart's uniform with wand in hand looking every bit like a young man ready to learn.

Eyes turned to regard the older son. Though not older by much but it seemed to be a stark contrast in confidence. Gone was the childish innocence Remus expected and in it's place stood harsh, golden eyes that glared stonily back. Remus felt a chill go up his spine, he hadn't ever wanted his son to glare at him in such a manner.

Blonde hair framed Edward's face and it ended in a small braid tied off in a black tie. The fierce eyes seemed to be the most prominent feature while the Hogwart's uniform seemed off centered with the white gloves on Edward's hands.

"What in all the world is he doing here?" Edward gritted out, and Remus felt sick to his stomach.

"Brother, what are you talking about?" Al asked, his eyes roaming the room for a familiar face. He came up blank and looked slowly back towards Edward.

"What's our- our- that man doing here?" Edward choked out, thought he wasn't able to get the words out fully.

"You mean your father?" Albus asked, his cheerful voice echoing through the room.

Al's grey eyes widened and Ed's just narrowed more.

"W-what do you mean?" McGonagall asked, shocked and perplexed. The only person here that could possible be a father was… her eyes widened when she saw Remus with a shameful look on his face.

Remus lifted his gaze but still missed the sour look Ed threw Al when he whispered something to him. Moments passed and Remus nearly flew back into his seat when a force abruptly collided with his stomach and arms tightened on his sides.

"Dad?" He heard quietly and looked down to see happy, grayish eyes staring up at him.

"Hey Al." He whispered, and returned the hug.

He then looked over, hoping to see Ed next. His eyes widened when he saw Edward glaring over at him from the same spot he hadn't left. Furious eyes glared and then Edward turned on his heel to walk out of the large room and into the school without a clear though in his mind.

Harry Potter yawned once he trudged away from Sirius's room. It was getting late and he wasn't supposed to be out after 10. He didn't have much time but he would think about helping Sirius figure out what was bothering professor Lupin so much.

Harry continued to walk through the halls and then up a few flying staircases. His eyes were glued to the path he followed and he didn't notice the footsteps coming towards him until they pounded into him. Sending Harry flying to the floor and knocking his glasses off in the process.

Several moments passed in silence before Harry blurry vision cleared when his glasses were pushed onto his nose. A leg hung to the side since it was always hard to put someone else's glasses on.

The dark haired boy quickly adjusted them and looked up into golden eyes. He blinked for a moment and grabbed the offered hand that helped him up.

"Um.. Sorry, I wasn't watching… where I was going?"

Harry said, his words sounding lame even to him.

He then noticed a braid swing around when the owner of it shook his head and then started to walk away without a word.

The boy was gone in another second and Harry looked lost for a moment.

"Who was that?" He said to no one. No answer came back.

Cheers!

This is the longest chapter I can ever remember doing for a fanfic! So be happy about it and review! (Happy)

I wrote this in one night, since I seemed to be on a writing spree or somthing.