I don't like this chapter. Why? Because this chapter is about a TRAIN RIDE. What's there to do on a train besides talking? And cheating games of poker, in Ed's case. Aaand, I had to write this about 4 times over, since I kept accidentally clicking other stuff while this tab was open. RRRAAAAWWWRRR.
I'm thinking about changing the title to "What's Gone is Forever Lost" and yep! A reference to Brothers. I love love love that song. Especially the 'missing' lyrics.
Mustang sighed. This was why he didn't like children. They were a bunch of snot-nosed brats who wouldn't listen to anything someone over 20 said. And they contradicted everything someone over 20 said. And he was barely past 20! Okay, so maybe 29 wasn't as close as he wanted to 20 but still! So anyway, exactly WHY did he take up the job at Hogwarts? It was probably due to Hughes. Him and his pictures. Him and his antics. Him and his pictures. Him and his daughter. Did he remember to mention him and his pictures? Who knew Hughes could become so irritating!
The only good part about going to Hogwarts, was that Hughes couldn't shove adorable pictures of Elysia up his face. Yes he admitted it. Elysia is adorable. And yes, Hughes, there is such thing as too adorable. Your daughter is one of those things with her little pigtails and chubby cheeks and all.
"You're kidding…right?" Edward asked hopefully. That jerked Mustang out of his silent growling and cursing at Hughes. They were in King's Cross Station. In front of the bricks dividing platform nine, and platform ten. Nowhere in sight was platform nine and three-quarters. And if that wasn't enough, Mustang was insisting that he walk through a pillar bricks, which were actually a barrier.
"Why in the world would I want to walk through a wall?" Edward asked, pushing his cart of luggage moodily. He wasn't going to fall for that again…Not to say that he fell for it once…did he? Maybe. Maybe not. It's not like he would tell somebody if he did.
"Because that's how you get to Hogwarts Express. And you should know, we're not even in the same world anymore," Mustang sighed. He was getting really used to Edward doubting every word he said. But just because he was getting used to it didn't mean that he was going to put up with it. Oh wait…he couldn't do anything with all those people that don't know a thing about alchemy around. Damn it.
"Right, I still need to kill you for that," Edward said. "Why don't you go first?"
"Alright, alright," Mustang said, annoyed. He stepped forward and walked through the wall.
Edward gaped. That just wasn't possible. Remember! You're in a world where equivalent exchange doesn't matter. At all! Still wary, Edward walked through the pillar, expecting a large clunk as the metal and rock collided. But amazingly, there was no sound at all. The cart went straight through the bricks. Edward pulled it out. It came out smoothly as it went in. Edward shrugged it off, and he entered the platform still half expecting a collision.
In front of him was a long train, much like the ones he usually rode on. He had a sudden pang of homesickness; he missed playing poker with Al. Of course he would always win, thanks to some 'luck.' Most of the luck depended on the fact that he was wearing long sleeves. That helped a lot. Oh yes it did.
This train was scarlet red with large puffs of smoke traveling out of the exhaust. Where else would it get out? In a large sign above him, was Hogwarts Express. It finally hit him that he would actually be going to a wizarding school. He knew about it for a week, but finally, today, he'd be actually going. Oh god, the world was ending…not that he believed in any gods.
He found Mustang talking to a dumpy red-haired woman. A change to the regular. Mustang usually went for the skinny tall ones, with some 'curves.' Ahem, ahem. Especially around the chest area.
"--ully. Bill got a job at Gringotts, as a curse breaker. Charlie's in Romania, he's working as a dragon tamer. I always think it's a job that's much too dangerous," the woman said, shaking her head.
"Charlie's always been like that though," Mustang laughed. "Both Bill and Charlie have liked adventure and danger."
"Percy's became a prefect this year, all of my children have been prefects, it makes me so proud," the woman's face did show immense proudness. "But Fred and George are going to stop that tradition no matter what. Really, if you hadn't told Bill about all of the tricks that you played in your days, they wouldn't have gotten to become tricksters like that."
"So now it's my fault? I'm so hurt, Mrs. Weasley," Mustang joked.
"Hey, Mustang, you could have at least waited for me," Edward grumbled as he pushed the cart into Mustang.
"Hello there dearie," Mrs. Weasley greeted Edward sweetly.
"This is Edward Elric. Ed, this is Molly Weasley," Mustang said, turning to Edward.
"I heard that Hohenheim's son would be going this year. I never thought I would actually meet you," Mrs. Weasley gushed. Lucky her, she got to meet the famous Hohenheim's son and the Great Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter himself.
"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Weasley," Ed said awkwardly, looking at the woman like she was crazy. Sure he was used to being gawked and stared at by civilians in Amestris for being the youngest State Alchemist and for being the wonderful Alchemist of the People, but it still unnerved him a bit, of how this woman was so...so...doting. Or perhaps those civilians were staring at his brother. His giant seven foot tall brother.
"I'm so very sorry, I didn't know you didn't like short waits," Mustang smirked as they finally said good-bye to Mrs. Weasley.
"What was that?" Edward asked, threateningly as they walked onto the train.
"Nothing, I just said, I didn't now you didn't like short waits. You know, short, tiny, microscopic, chibi, Fullmetal, small, Edward Elric. They all mean the same thing," Mustang said, with the air of a teacher teaching an exceptionally dumb student. They entered a compartment they found at the back of the train with Harry in it.
"Hey Mustang, help me get this into the compartment," Edward said, struggling to lift his luggage.
"Too short, shrimp?" Mustang teased as he walked over to help Edward out.
"Ha ha," Edward laughed sarcastically.
"You know it's true," Mustang smirked as he lifted the luggage with ease.
"Hello Mr. Mustang," Harry said politely.
They were interrupted by a redhead boy, "Excuse, me, can I sit here? Everywhere else is full."
He had a face full of freckles. He had flaming red hair. He had dirt on his nose. He was tall for his age. He was taller than Ed. Ed is four years older than him. Quite a pickle, eh?
"Of course," Mustang said. He raised his hand to shake hands with the boy.
"Ron Weasley," the boy said. The boy looked around the compartment to see Harry and Ed.
"I know you, you're Harry Potter!" Ron said. "My brother's Fred and George said they saw you. I thought they were lying."
"The twins are your brothers?" Harry said.
"Yep, they're pranksters. So…um… do you remember how You-Know-Who looks like?" Ron asked hopefully. "Or anything about what happened that night?
"Not really," Harry answered, startled. He wasn't expecting this question. "I only remember a bunch of green light, and that's it."
He turned to Edward, "Who're you?" He asked it as if he just noticed him.
"Edward Elric, but everybody calls me Ed."
"Try calling him anything that means small. His reaction is hilarious," Mustang smirked.
"HEY!" came the immediate reaction from Ed.
"Elric? Any chance you're related to Hohenheim Elric?(1)" Ron asked, not paying attention to Mustang.
"Yes," Ed growled.
"Did I say something wrong…?" Ron asked blankly, facing Mustang.
"Touchy subject. He doesn't like Hohenheim very much," Mustang said.
"How would he know Hohenheim? He died in 1945. That's… 35 years before Ed was born…isn't it?" Ron said, taking time to calculating the year.
"Yes, but haven't you heard of Amestris before?" Mustang said.
"Not really, but I think Mum mentioned it a couple times before," Ron said, thinking hard.
"Hm, well I'm going to teach that in class, the origins of magic. It'll give you everything you need to know about this," Mustang said.
"Oh," Ron said, slightly put down that he couldn't find out right away.
"MUSTANG!" Edward bellowed.
"Ow! No need to shout, shorty," Mustang said.
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to teach about Amestris?" Edward asked.
"Because I knew that's exactly how you would react. I was half hoping that you wouldn't create a scene, but I guess I'm wrong," Mustang sighed.
"But couldn't you have mentioned that to me earlier?!" Edward growled.
"Well, you would've tried to kill me, and I didn't have my gloves on me, and unlike you, I can't just clap my hands," Mustang said.
Meanwhile, Ron whispered to Harry, "Oy, mate, do you have any idea what they're talking about?"
Harry shook his head no. Unable to keep up with the two alchemists' conversation, the two of them started their own, about the families. A couple minutes later, a couple students knocked.
"Hello, do you mind if we sit here? We've been up and down the train, no more empty seats," the pineapple-headed boy said. No, darn it. His head wasn't really a pineapple. It was pineapple shaped, with that very odd ponytail…thingy.
"Sure, what's your name?" Ron said.
"Shikamaru Nara," the boy drawled lazily.
"Temari Sabuko(2)," the girl said. "What about you guys?"
"Ron Weasley." If you can't tell who said that, you have to be an idiot. And if you can't tell who said that and understand that idiot is an insult, good.
"Edward Elric, but call me Ed."
"Harry Potter." Although Harry wasn't used to it, he couldn't help but feel a little odd, but relieved, that those three hadn't recognized his name. From what Hagrid had said, he was the famous Boy-Who-Lived, and everybody knew him.
"Roy Mustang, I'll be your History of Magic professor this year."
"Pleased to meet you," Shikamaru said lazily as he took the window seat.
"Ahh, poor Shika-kun. I heard that the old professor for History of Magic was boring and let all the students fall asleep in class, too bad they had to get a new one this year," Temari teased.
"This is troublesome," Shikamaru muttered as he leaned back and yawned.
"Sorry about Shikamaru, he can be…very lazy. But he's a genius, a complete genius." Temari said happily, as she took off her fan and plopped herself down on the seat next to Shikamaru.
"Ahh, the professor you were talking about is Binns. My friends and I always had a nice long sleep in that class," Mustang said. "Everybody did. Needless to say, we failed the O.W.L.s horribly."
"O.W.L.s?" Naruto asked blankly. "Aren't they those things that flap and fly at night?"
"…Nice description, but O.W.L.s are Ordinary Wizarding Levels, they're tests that you take in your fifth year. N.E.W.T.s are these tests you take in your sixth year, they stand for Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Levels," Ron said, happy he could finally say something.
"Funny how they name them animals," Shikamaru said lazily. He can' seem to do anything unlazily.
"So what're you doing here? You're obviously not English," Edward asked.
"Foreign exchange students. And yes, we're going to be in the first year. In our school, we start at age 7, not 11. We came from a ninja academy back home," Shikamaru answered. He continued to answer Ron's question as his mouth opened.
"Ninja? Aren't they those Muggle people who have those spiky things that they throw?" Ron asked.
"Not exactly…" Temari sweat dropped.
"Shikamaru, you seem a…a bit lazy to be a ninja," Ed said, eyeing the boy pretending to be asleep.
"What village?" Mustang asked.
"Konohagakure," Shikamaru answered, giving the formal name of Konoha.
"Ah, how's Jiraiya doing? More importantly, how's Tsunade doing? And Kakashi?" Mustang asked.
"Jiraiya's here and still a pervy sage as Naruto puts it,(Ed: Figures, a pervert only knows other perverts)" Shikamaru said. "Tsunade's still trying to kill Jiraiya for being a pervert. Kakashi's a jounin teacher right now. He's still always late and reading Jiraiya's books."
"What about you? You're not English either," Temari asked.
"I'm Amestrian," Edward said, expecting them to ask where Amestris is.
"Amestrian?" Shikamaru shot up so fast that Temari started. And don't forget, she's a highly trained kunoichi.
"What's wrong Shika-kun?" Temari asked.
"Nothing, except did you just say you were Amestrian?"
Edward nodded, surprised. He hadn't expected for a couple ninja to know about Amestris.
Things just got a whole lot more interesting, Shikamaru thought as he lay back down.
"In that case, I take it you are too, Professor Mustang?"
"Very good, how'd you know?" Mustang smirked.
"Anybody a mile away could've heard you two arguing. You obviously know each other well," Shikmaru simply said.
"Okay, I'm lost here. Where's or what's Amestris?" Ron asked. He blew it off the first time when Mustang mentioned it, but he felt like he was missing something important now.
"Amestris is a place, on the other side of th--," Shikamaru started.
"Amestris is a country," Edward said vaguely.
There was another knock. This time, it was a middle-aged woman, pushing a cart of sweets.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?"
Harry, who hadn't breakfast and just noticed how hungry he was, bought some of everything. Ron's eyes grew wide, and he asked,
"Hungry, aren't you?"
"Starving," Harry said, digging in to his Licorice Wand.
"Do you mind?" Ron asked, grabbing a Chocolate Frog, without even waiting for Harry's reply.
"Excellent, I still need a couple cards," Ron said, opening his box. He took out the frog and bit off the head as he dug inside for the card. "Ah, Dumbledore again. Do you want to start collecting them?"
"Erm…are they real frogs?" Harry asked, looking over a box of Chocolate Frogs.
"Nah, they're just charmed," Ron said quickly taking a glance at the expression on Harry's face. Ron handed Harry the card. Edward glanced it at and caught the word 'alchemist'
"Hey Harry. Lemme see that card," Edward said quickly. Harry was startled at Edward's sharp tone, but nevertheless, he handed him the card.
Ed read through the card.
Albus Dumbledore
Currently Headmaster of Hogwarts
Considered by many the greatest wizard of modern times, Dumbledore is particularly famous for his defeat of the dark wizard Grindelwald in 1945, for the discover of the twelve usesof dragon's blood, and his work on alchemy with his partner, Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling.
"Mustang…" Edward gasped. "Read this."
Mustang raised his eyebrow and took the card. The other passengers in the compartment looked oddly at Edward, wondering what the bloody hell (Ron and Harry) or what the kami (Shikamaru, and Temari) had Edward so shaken up about.
Mustang read through the brief description of Dumbledore.
"Well this certainly is interesting," Mustang said. "Next time, don't make such a big deal out of this."
"And what is 'this'?" Shikamaru asked.
"Nothing important," Mustang said, feeling that Shikamaru was a bit too observative.
"I'll really believe that," Shikamaru said. I got to remember to check out the Chocolate Frog card for Albus Dumbledore.
"It's nothing big," Mustang said firmly, "Nothing you'd be interested in anyway. It's about alchemy, that's all."
"I take it that it's the Philosopher's Stone then," Shikamaru said, studying Mustang's reaction carefully. Sadly, for him at least, Temari immediately looked at Shikamaru sharply as she sat up. It blocked his view of Mustang.
"Ha ha, very good," Mustang said. This'll be very interesting, "Why are you so interested in it?"
"It's a stone that can grant immortality, turn lead to gold, and that's what it can do for wizards. For alchemists like you two, it could do anything in your wildest dreams," Shikamaru said. "Who wouldn't be interested in it?"
"A stone that can grant immortality?" Harry asked in awe. "I think that everybody would want it."
The door was smashed open all of a sudden with a loud BANG. It was a girl with pink hair. Ed, Mustang, and Harry were shocked to see pink hair on someone. Shikamaru and Temari looked surprised to see her, not her hair.
"What's wro—," Shikamaru asked urgently.
"Shikamaru, Temari, Sasuke's back. He's on in our compartment," Sakura panted, looking and sounding very flustered.
"WHAT!?" Shikamaru growled. "Why's he back? Is he looking for it too?"
Sakura shrugged and said, "I should get back. Neji might not be able to hold Naruto off."
With that, she left as quickly as she had come.
Ed took this opportunity to ask the two most obvious questions to ask.
"Who's Sasuke? And was that pink hair natural?"
"He's Naruto's best friend I guess you could say. He betrayed the village a couple months ago, and it took up a lot of trouble to just try to get him back. He and the other ninja that were escorting him put up quite a fight," Shikamaru said. Just because Jiraiya said that they should know that they were ninja doesn't mean that they get the entire story. "And yes, it's natural."
For the fourth time that day, the door was knocked upon. This time, it was a round-faced boy.
"Have any of you seen a toad?" he asked tearfully.
All of the compartment's passengers shook their head no, except for Shikamaru. You lazy butt, Shika-kun.
"I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!" The boy turned away.
"Don't know why he's so bothered. But I brought Scabbers so I can't talk," Ron said, as he the rat snoozed in Ron's lap.
"He might have died and you wouldn't know the difference," Ron said, poking Scabbers with his wand. "I tried to turn him yellow yesterday to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work."
"That's sixth year magic," Shikamaru said, "Show me the spell."
Ron cleared his throat and shrugged. He said, "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid fat rat yellow."
Shikamaru snorted as he heard the first line. "Who gave it to you? It's obviously a fake. A real spell would have a couple words in it. Not a poem like that."
"Stupid Fred. I bet he knew it was a dud," Ron muttered darkly.
"I just can't believe you fell for it. Have you even looked through the textbooks yet?" Shikamaru snorted again.
"Now listen you," Ron growled. "Jus—,"
"You two stop fighting," Mustang ordered. Ron started. He forgot that Mustang was also in the compartment.
"I'm bored…anybody want to play some poker?" Edward leaned forward as he said this, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"Nobody play with him. He cheats," Mustang said nonchalantly.
"Hey!" Edward pouted, "You didn't have to tell everybody that! And how'd you know?"
"Really, did you expect that Al wouldn't tell anybody?" Mustang smirked.
"Hmf," Edward folded his arms, and sat back.
"What about chess?" Shikamaru asked.
"Let's play," Mustang said, confident he could beat this boy.
All of a sudden, the door smashed open…again and revealed the Malfoy boy.
"So it's true, Harry Potter's on this train. So is the famous Hohenheim's son," Malfoy sneered. "Sorry I didn't recognize you two when we first met. I just didn't expect you to hang out with that giant brute Hagrid or this trash. Wait a minute…why are you on this?"
"Glad you asked, Malfoy, I'm a new teacher," Mustang grinned evilly.
Malfoy paled, if that was really possible. He regained his composure and said, "I can help you make good choices for your friends." He held out a hand.
"Malfoy. As much as I agree with you that Mustang is trash, I have to say, dream on, albino kid. Why don't you leave?"
Malfoy flushed with anger as he said, "I don't think we want to leave. You've got a lot of sweets, why don't you share them?"
Crabbe moved over to grab one of the Pumpkin Pasties. Temari stood up and she grabbed her fan.
"Sit down Temari. Your attack will do too much damage," Shikamaru yawned.
"Well you're not doing anything!"
"Ed is doing something."
Indeed, Ed had just punched Crabbe hard enough to knock him out. Maybe for good; he punched with his automail arm. But that'll be good for everybody, won't it? Malfoy whimpered and he ran off like a dog with his tail between his legs. Goyle stayed behind for a second to attempt to wake Crabbe up. No use. Crabbe was knocked cold; it'll probably take a nice shock from Mustang to wake him up.
"Bloody hell! That was amazing! Who are you people?" Ron asked in amazement.
"Haha, I've just got a good punch. And I'm pretty sure that Shikamaru gave away that I'm an alchemist," Ed said. He didn't want anybody knowing about his automail.
"He did?" Ron asked, being the idiot.
"Have you been fighting?" a disapproving voice said as Ed went to check on how bad Crabbe was beaten up. There was a large bump steadily growing on Crabbe's fore head
"Who're you?" Ed asked rudely as he kicked Crabbe's head lightly to see if he would wake. He looked up to see the girl. She was a bushy brown haired girl that had the air of a teacher or at least someone who didn't like the rules being broken.
"Hermione Granger. And you had better not get in trouble this early! We're not even there yet! Unlike you, I actually care about the rules," Hermione sniffed. "By the way, we'll be getting there soon, so you should change soon…By the way, the red-head, you've got some dirt on your nose."
Ron and Ed grumbled at the unwelcome girl as she turned heel and left. They changed in to the school uniforms, Ed a tad reluctantly, and the train came to a slow stop at Hogsmeade station.
"So…where do we go?" Naruto asked, looking around King's Cross Station. They were there to find the Philosopher's Stone. Not really. To get on to the train to get to the place to find the Philosopher's Stone! Uwaaaa! This was hurting his brain. Maybe he should stop thinking. …Yes, it felt better now.
"Platform nine and three-quarters," Shikamaru answered. He had already memorized the letter word for word. Letter for letter. Right down to the last little splotch of ink on the paper. Down to the last grain of paper the paper was made out of. It helped when you had a photographic memory. And was a genius. And the only one who was actually serious about this mission, as demonstrated by Naruto's next comment.
"So…where do we go?" Naruto asked.
"I can't believe you were actually trained by Jiraiya(3). He must've at least taught you how to recognize a genjutsu," Sakura sighed.
"Nope. Never," Naruto said cheerfully oblivious to Sakura's disbelief.
"Wonderful." Shikmaru said sarcastically, "We're going to be going to a magic school, where there will be illusions at every corner and now you say that you don't know how to recognize them?"
"Where is Jiraiya?" Temari said looking around. She didn't feel particularly safe for any of the females at the train station at the moment…especially when Jiraiya developed an invisibility jutsu when he was younger. He could just sneak up on you and molest you. That sent shivers down Temari's spine
"He's off flirting," Neji said nonchalantly. It was obvious he didn't want to be there. Being spotted with Naruto, that is. "He's not doing a very good job. He got hit over the head twice already. "
"So where is the genjutsu?" Naruto asked. He was already much too used to Jiraiya doing his 'researching' from all those mini training trips that he was forced to go on. And each time…Gama the wallet became flatter…and flatter…and flatter. But on the good side, he kept on winning the slot machines.
"It's between the 9 and 10 signs. It's actually a barrier between this station and the station to get to Hogwarts Express…Someone should stay back and wait for Jiraiya, because if he can't find it, I'd bet anything that he'd just head back to Konoha."
"Neh," Naruto groaned. "Why can't Pervy Sage stop flirting for once?"
"Because he's Jiraiya. If Jiraiya stopped being a pervert, the world would be coming to an end, it's like…it's like if Tsunade suddenly stopped gambling and stopped drinking sake," Sakura giggled.
"Or if Orochimaru stopped being a gay pedophile," Naruto giggled as he added that. "What's taking Pervert Sage so long? Oy! Pervy Sage, hurry up!" Naruto hollered. King's Cross suddenly silenced as everybody looked at the weird little boy with what looked like whisker markswho was screaming on the top of his lungs.
"NARUTO! Shut up!" Sakura growled as she hit him. She then hissed, "We aren't supposed to stand out, you idiot!"
"But that was the only way that Jiraiya would hurry up! OW!" Naruto yelped. His first bruise from a couple days ago probably still hadn't healed.
"Next time, leave it to us," Neji said.
"So, Shika-kun. Tell me again. How exactly did Naruto get to become a genin?" Temari asked. "He's probably the worst one. I mean he's wearing ORANGE! What kind of ninja wears orange?"
"A dunce. A complete failure. Naruto," Shikamaru smirked.
"Nyeh," Naruto stuck his tongue at Shikamaru.
The rest of the ninja noticed a large white haired man walking over to them.
"Naruto. Next time, don't call me PERVY SAGE!" Jiraiya roared.
"Okay," Naruto whimpered.
"Now onto platform nine and three-quarters," Jiraiya announced. "Is anybody looking? Oh and before I forget, Tsunade has allowed you to say you're ninja. Expecially with Naruto around, I think it'll be pretty hard to hide it anyway."
"Everybody is looking," Neji announced. "It's all because of that baka's screaming."
"Just go," Jiraiya muttered. How in kami did I get stuck with a baby-sitting job? He thought.
"Woow!" Naruto gasped as he saw the train. "That's cool!"
"You've never seen a train before?" Temari said with her eyebrow raised.
"…So?" Naruto said, sticking his tongue out.
"Sakura. That's the kid with the fake limbs," Neji motioned.
Sakura looked at the person Neji was motioning and blushed. He was cute!
"Don't tell me that you're going to go up to him and say, 'Hello, can I look at your fake limbs and take them down to the last screw?'" Neji sneered.
"I'm not an idiot," Sakura sniffed. She climbed onto the train and looked around to find an empty compartment.
"Neji? Do you see any?" Sakura asked.
"There's one with three seats a couple rows down. And Sakura, the Byakugun was not designed to find seats in a train," Neji growled.
"It wasn't designed to do that, but I can make it like that," Sakura said, sticking her tongue at him.
Neji growled. Sakura skipped off to the compartment that Neji talked about. She slid open the door and asked, "Do you mind if we sit here?"
"No not at all! I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Neville Longbottom. They are Cody Aligheri and Sasuke Uchiha, right?" Hermione made the introductions and looked back at Sasuke to make sure she got his name correctly.
Sakura felt her breath get caught in her throat. It couldn't be. It was impossible. But it was true. There was Sasuke. Sitting there. It was as if it was their first day as genin again. But no. It was different. She was different. Neji just glared at Sasuke. For abandoning the village. For nearly getting him killed. For hurting his teammates. And most of all, for making him dislike spiders.
"You can SEE?" Hermione gasped, peering at Neji's white eyes.
"Yes, I can, now go away," Neji said, acting like his usual hostile self.
"Sasuke," Sakura whispered under her breath. She couldn't hold it in. After all that time they were chasing Sasuke, there he was. The last place she would think of.
"Do you guys know each other?" Hermione asked conversationally, slightly miffed at Neji, not noticing the hostile air between Neji and Sasuke.
"Not well. We met each other previously, during an exam," Neji said, tearing their eye contact.
"An exam? Can you tell me about it? I've only been in Muggle ones, and they've-"
"Granger, has anybody told you that you are quite annoying?" Neji hissed. His words were covered up by Naruto's. Apparently Naruto got over his initial surprise.
"SASUKE YOU BASTARD!" Naruto growled.
"Urustankachi," Sasuke smirked.
"Why the hell did you leave? You could've gotten stronger in Konoha," Naruto hissed.
"Orochimaru only wants your body to get your Sharingan," Sakura added softly.
"He can have it if it means that it's my body that kills Itachi," Sasuke glared. "Dobe, stop bothering me."
Hermione looked even more annoyed at Neji while Naruto and Sasuke were having a fight, with their words, that god. Now if this was a real ninja fight…Hogwarts better have another train. And an experienced healer. Like Tsunade. Sakura was getting there, but if the two of them went al out, all hell would be let loose.
"So, Cody," Hermione said searching around for a topic that didn't include that rude boy…girl…boy? "Are you two by any chance related to Dante Aligheri?"
"I don't have any Italian blood, as far as I know," Cody replied.
"But isn't Aligheri an Italian last name?" Hermione asked, confused.
"I'm adopted, so I guess maybe," Cody said tartly. "Either way, I don't have any Italian blood."
"So are you guys Muggle borns or pureblood?" Hermione asked. She wanted to find another Muggle born to talk about school, Muggle school of course, and all those things that wizards don't have.
"Pureblood," Cody said, starting to get annoyed of the girl. The white-eyed guy was right. She could get annoying.
"Oh… I see," Hermione said, feeling a little bit put down.
While Hermione and Cody were doing fine... a bit, the tension between the ninja was growing steadily. Neji and Naruto were glaring at Sasuke who was looking out the window. Sakura was having a fight with her Inner Self.
"Neji, save my spot, I've got to tell Shikamaru and Temari," Sakura couldn't help herself. She had to go tell them. And get Sasuke out of her mind.
"So you're looking for it too, aren't you?" Neji said so softly that only ninja like them could hear it. They couldn't risk anybody finding out there plans.
"What's it to you? And yes I am," Sasuke hissed, "I suppose you're going to try and stop me."
"How'd you guess?" Neji sneered.
"I swore to Sakura that I would get you back," Naruto said quietly, "And I don't go back on my word."
"You can't beat me, haven't I proved that before?" Sasuke smirked. "You can't just rely on your stupid Rasengan against my Chidori."
Sakura came back. She sat back down, and ignored Sasuke. She couldn't bring herself to say something to him at the moment, after remembering their last encounter, when she was trying to convince him to stay back, quite horribly too.
"Oh no, Trevor!" Neville said in distress, looking all around for his toad. Sakura was surprised. She had forgotten that the silent boy was in the compartment.
"He must've gotten out when you opened the door!" Neville cried, "I'm going to go out and look for him."
"I think I'll come with you," Hermione said, hurriedly getting up happy to help someone out.
"Well, now that bitch is out of the way," Cody said as he watched as Hermione stumbled after Neville, "Care to introduce us, snakey?"
"Of course, Wrath," Sasuke smirked back. "Wrath meet the weaklings of Konoha, Naruto, Sakura, and Neji, and Shikamaru and Temari, from the Sand, are on some other compartment."
The ninja looked at each other, with the same thought running through their head, Codename?
"Who are you people?" Naruto asked, sounding braver than he felt.
"Homunculi," Wrath smirked, assuming that the ninja didn't know what homunculi were.
Naruto, being Naruto, yelled, "What! That's not possible!"
How wrong he was. Both of them.
"Kid, get used to a world where nothing makes sense," Wrath smiled evilly.
"So your name is Wrath? As in the Seven Sins?" Sakura asked, repulsive of the names. They were the Seven Sins! Probably literally! And if that wasn't enough, there were probably five others, one for each of the other sins.
"Yes, I am," Wrath said, smirking.
"Are there seven of you?" Neji asked, returning to the mini interrogation.
"One of them died, served him right," Wrath smiled maliciously, "Lust, Gluttony, Pride, Envy, and Sloth."
"Why are you telling this to us?" Neji asked cautiously.
"You see, you ninja, no matter how strong you are, can't beat any of us," Wrath smirked, convinced that he was stronger than any of the ninja.
That punk thinks he's better than us!Inner Sakura thought madly and got a glint in her eye. We're gonna beat him up right!? Anyone that comes between…between…between my outer and me is going to DIE! Shannaro!
"I suggest you don't degrade us like that, Wrath," Neji spat the name.
"I'm not. You suck that much. I can merge with any object I want to," Wrath said.
"Ah, and here I thought you weren't going to tell them," Sasuke interjected, smirking.
"I'm not saying the others'. Envy would kill me if I did. He likes the expressions when he catches them off guard."
Just then something clicked in Sakura's mind.
"If you're homunculi…you've got no soul. So what? Were you created in a jar or something?" Sakura asked the second part sarcastically.
"No, we are the result of stepping over a taboo," Wrath said mysteriously, to most of the ninja at least, "If you want to know more, ask the Fullme--, I mean that Edward Elric shrimp. Dunno how much he'll tell you though. Let's just say that we've caused him a few problems in the past," Wrath smirked again. He liked smirking, oh yes he did.
"Edward Elric?" Sakura asked.
"He's the shrimp with blond hair and a metal arm and leg, ring any bells?" Wrath said, impatiently.
Neji and Sakura exchanged a shocked look as Naruto looked like he was thinking hard. Apparently nothing had come to mind. That idiot. And thennn he remembered.
"Oh right. It's that guy that you were obsessed with, right Sakura?" Naruto asked, finally realizing it.
"I'm not obsessed!" Sakura blushed. "I just want to know how his automail is on! It's connected by nerves, which means that it must her a lot. Also, any sort of anesthetic would close up the wound when the surgery for the port was put in."
Wrath laughed, not an evil laugh, a haha, that's so funny laugh, "His little girlfriend's just like you."
Sakura wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing, and coming from Wrath, though she barely knew him...it…whatever…it sounded like a bad thing.
So…is that a good or a bad thing…Outer…? Do you know? Apparently Inner Sakura was also a tad confused. Cuz that Wrath dude says that we're like that girl. But he's a bad guy…right? Or else why would he be with Oro-kun?
Oro…kun…? Sakura thought. Her inner really needed to get things straight. Orochimaru was most definitely not –kun worthy. Maybe –sama since he was a one of the Three Sannin. But most definitely NOT a –kun.
Hell yeah! He's cute for a 50 year old snakey little bastard, Inner thought excitedly. Of course, if he wasn't a pedophile, he would be a lot better. But then agaaaain, that might mean he'll go for us,--
Sakura thought back, You have got some major issues. She immediately shut Inner out of her mind. She was scarred for life. All because of her boy-crazed Inner. Apparently she would also go for the pedophilic 50 year old ones, whose dream was to crush Konoha. And was obsessed with a teenage boy...but I suppose that's what the pedophilic part was for.
"So why are you here? Well I suppose for the Philosopher's Stone, but why would you need it?" Sakura asked. "You're immortal, aren't you? And apparently each of you has some kind of power that relates to your name, or at least you do, Wrath."
"Smart girl," Wrath grinned, "Too bad I don't like it when they're smart. I want to turn back into human."
"Why would you want to? Isn't it better being immortal and having your powers?" Sakura said confused.
"Neh? Sakura how is his power related to his name?" Naruto asked.
"Wrath is when you're angry and you want to take it out on someone or soemthing. If he merges with something, then that thing is basically gone. It's in his body and possibly some of the atoms go in to the air. I'm not sure. Either way, the item disappears (4). Although...I suppose there's a limit to the size," Sakura said, eyes not wavering from Wrath's smirk which gradually widened as Sakura went on with her explanation for Naruto.
"Smart girl, very smart," Wrath sneered. "But that's not going to get you any closer to defeating us."
"You said that you're a homunculi that was created through a taboo of alchemy. The only one I can think of is human transmutation. You're a fake of a human that died, how to beat you, I'm sure Shikamaru can think of something. But no doubt, you made a mistake telling us that," Sakura said sounding far more strongly and assuredly than she felt. There was just something about the homunculi that could make anyone scared.
"I'll just have to make sure that this Shikamaru doesn't figure it out. And besides, we know our weakness. Even if you did figure it out, there is no way you'll be able to beat us, anyway," Wrath said, remembering how Dante telling him how homunculi die.
"We'll do anything to kill you, if you even try to hurt anyone," Naruto growled.
"You'll do anything you can, you mean. It's impossible to stop them. I've fought against them, and I lost, need I remind you that I beat you in the valley?" Sasuke smirked.
"That was a fluke. You didn't have to fight that bony guy before our fight."
"You've got Ky--," Sasuke smirked, aware that Sakura and Neji didn't know about Kyuubi. Naruto cut him short.
"And you got a powerup with that stupid mark," Naruto growled.
Apparently Sasuke decided to hold Kyuubi over Naruto's head and said nothing more but smirked.
"Hey, you guys, we're nearly there," Sakura said, looking out the train's window to see the sun setting slowly, and Hogsmeade station in the distance.
They just changed in time for the train to pull up in Hogsmeade station. The six of them filed out of the compartment, with Naruto leading excitedly and charging out, yelling and cheering. This led to a sweat drop from all in the vicinity and more, thanks to Naruto's abnormally large lungs. It rivals the size of Ed's...especially when he's yelling about how he's not a shrimp.
"Firs' years, over here!"
Naruto looked up to see a giant. Well not exactly, more like an abnormally large person.
"Hello Hagrid," Naruto heard a boy say. Naruto spun around to see a scrawny looking kid, a first year.
"Hello Harry, Ed," Hagrid faltered a bit at the Ed's grumpy expression, "Is somethin' wrong?"
"That bastard should be happy he's a teacher and gets to leave. Otherwise, he'd be dead already," Ed grumbled.
Harry explained, "Professor Mustang called him...short."
Hagrid nodded knowingly remembering Ed's reaction from Diagon Alley.
"C'mon follow me! Any more firs' years? Mind yer step now!" Hagrid said as he led the first years through a trail so dark on either sides it seemed to be through a forest.
"No more'n four to a boat," Hagrid said, as he motioned to the fleet of small boats docked on the shore.
Naruto jumped into a boat with Harry, Ron, and Ed. He faltered a bit at remembering that Sakura would have to deal with Sasuke, but noticed that she already made a friend...in about five minutes... The other girl was a bushy brown haired girl that Naruto vaguely remembered as the girl that was in their compartment at the beginning of the ride. They were jabbering on as Sakura glanced every now and then at Sasuke.
Naruto held in a laugh as he saw Neji's eye twitching as he followed Sasuke and the homunculi freak on to a boat. Better them than some stupid kids that would be staring at Neji's eyes the entire time. Naruto felt a shiver down his back as he realized that the moment he and Neji were alone...he was dead. For leaving him with Sasuke and the two creeps. Naruto tried to calm himself down by thinking that he beat Neji in the chuunin exams...but it wasn't helping very much.
"Hi! I'm Uz--, I mean, Naruto Uzumaki!" Naruto said cheerfully, trying to ignore Neji's death glare; it was nearly as good as the Uchiha death glare.
"Edward Elric," Ed said absently, staring intently at the group Naruto was just looking at.
"Harry Potter," Harry said, staring at the hyperactive blond like he was crazy. I don't blame him.
"Ron Weasley," Ron said.
"Heads down!" Hagrid yelled as the boats passed through a thick layer of ivy.
Ed, being a shrimp, didn't even have to duck. He seethed slightly.
They reached an underground harbor where they climbed out of he boats. They walked up a flight of stone steps and Hagrid raised a giant fist and knocked three times. The door opened by itself magically to reveal a tall black-haired witch in green robes.
"The firs' years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid said.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here."
McGonagall led them across the room and led the new students into an empty chamber.
"The four houses are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your house points, while any rule breaking will lose house points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup, a great honor. I hope each of you will be a credit wto whichever house becomes yours," McGonagal said.
Ed was paying much attention. He was too focused on thinking of a way to find the Philosopher's Stone. And he was looking at that child that looked oddly like Wrath. Ed shook his head and decided that he was being too suspicious and paranoid. Perhaps it was because Al wasn't with him.
He was shaken out of his thoughts when there was a screech. Pearly white figures came floating, one after another, talking quite animatedly (for dead people).
A ghost wearing a ruffle and tights suddenly noticed the first years and let out a hearty laugh.
"New students, eh?"
"Yes," Sakura said warily, eyeing the ghost.
"Hope to see you in Hufflepuff, my old house, you know?" the Fat Friar said, joyfully.
"Move along now. The Sorting Cremony's about to start," a sharp voice ordered, "Now form a line and follow me."
They were led into the Great Hall. There were thousands of candles floating mid air over four long tables where the students were sitting. Ed's mind uselessly informed him that it was one for each house. Ed glanced upwards to see a black ceiling dotted with tiny white lights...stars. Ed smiled to himself slightly, in Central, it was far too bright to see many stars.
Professor McGonagall placed a four legged stool in front of the first years. The brim twitched and widened and began to sing:
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find,
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Yout top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
ANd I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head (Ed paniced slightly here as did Naruto)
The sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be,
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where drwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafriad of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind
Where those wit and learning,
will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make you real friend,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Hat!
McGonagall started calling out names, starting with an "Abbot, Hannah," who went into Hufflepuff. Then an "Aligheri, Cody." Ed gasped as the Hat barely touched Wrath's head and yelled "SLYTHERIN!". It caused a couple first years, those near him, to glance at him oddly. But Ed couldn't hold it in. He finally had a clear view of the kid. It had to be Wrath. No way it wasn't.
Ed glanced at 'Cody' and saw him smirking. Cody mouthed 'Pipsqueak.' Ed ground his teeth as he held his breath. He glanced at Mustang who had his eyebrow raised and Ed shook his head.
"This year, we are proud to house seven foreign exchange students. Five from Konoha Ninja Academy, one from Sound Ninja Academy," insert skeptical looks and mutterings about ninja, "and one from Amestris's State Alchemist Academy. I trust that you will treat them with the respect you will treat you're classmates. Perhaps, if they like it here, they will return for the next six years, as they are skilled to be picked to come here," Dumbledore announced, eyes twinkling.
McGonagall started with the ninja.
"Elric, Edward," was the first one to be called. Mustang smirked as he saw the confident expression on Ed's face, much like the one that he wore three years ago to the State Alchemist exams.
"Do you really think he's related to Hohenheim?" Ed heard someone mutter and ground his teeth slightly.
An alchemist from Amestris, are you now? And the son of Hohenheim--
Don't ever compare me with that bastard, Ed thought angrily at the hat.
I'm sorry, the hat apologized, and went on, the youngest State Alchemist. Also the youngest to attempt and survive a human transmutation. You'd do anything for your brother, to get him to return back to normal, except to make a Philosopher's Stone. Yet, you seem to be here, to steal one. You also are skilled at tricking, like with this Yoki person. Quite an interesting boy, aren't you? You're perfect for Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, or Slytherin. You're a genius, perfect for Ravenclaw, you are one of the bravest I've ever met, which is important for Gryffindors, and you are quite talented at tricking people, if you ask me.
I don't care, Ed thought, starting to get bored and impatient.
Well it should be "GRYFFINDOR!"
One of the tables exploded with clapping at the prospect of getting the first foreign exchange student.
"Haruno, Sakura." Sakura walked timidly to the shabby hat. McGonagall placed it on her head.
A ninja, eh? The first one I've ever sorted. Quite a smart girl, and very loyal and brave. You even went after this Sasuke after he left the village, although you knew you were no match for him...no offense. You don't care much about having power, you'd much rather have good friends with you. So Ravenclaw or Gryffindor(5)? Which would you to in?
Mr. Hat man? I'd like to go into Gryffindor, if you don't mind, Sakura thought back.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat roared to the students, and the table at the very right clapped loudly and cheerfully. Sakura took off the hat and set it on the stool before walking over to the table. She was immediately bombarded by questions, namely about her hair and if it was natural or not.
"Hyuuga, Neji." Neji stalked over to the hat, sending out as many of the level 3 Death Glares as he could. Not as strong as that one he was sending Naruto earlier, but enough to make some of the younger students cringe.
Another ninja, my my, this year will be most interesting, don't you agree?
...
Well, let's see where you can go. Hmm, I'm getting...barriers. If you don't mind can you release them?
...
I see. Let's see how much I can get out from this. A prodigy. I need more help. The hat finally gave up and Neji finally complied to the help part.
Put me in Ravenclaw.
"Ravenclaw!" The hat agreed, glad he was finally done with this...this unusually private person. The Ravenclaw table clapped unenthusiastically. They thought that Neji should've been in Slytherin instead, according to the number of glares he was sending out.
"Nara, Shikamaru," Shikamaru walked over, lazily.
"RAVENCLAW!" the hat called out barely grazing Shikamaru's head.
"Sabuko, Temari," Temari sat down, a small smile curling on her lips as she glanced at Shikamaru.
One of the talented three shinobi of the Sand, the children of the former Kazekage. Very smart, and you'll do anything for your friends. You were part of the attempted coup against Konoha. Quite a difficult choice, but I know which house is best for you, "SLYTHERIN!(6)"
Temari gave a tiny pout to Shikamaru as she walked over to the Slytherin table. The Slytherins were clapping loudly as they realized that there was at least one foreign exchange student that was good enough for them.
"Uchiha, Sasuke." Sasuke walked over with an expression that just screamed 'You baka's aren't worth my time.'
Like with Shikamaru, before McGonagall even let go of the hat, the hat screamed, "SLYTHERIN."
Again, the Slytherin's clapped loudly. For the hat to decide that quickly must mean that this Sasuke was perfect in Slytherin, and as cunning as all the rest.
"Uzumaki, Naruto," Naruto practically ran toward the stool, being the impatient number one knucklehead ninja. He could barely keep himself still as he planted his ass on the chair.
Ho ho, quite impatient are you? Now...oh...my...I seem to see a very dark aura...if I am not mistaken, is this the famous Kyuubi?
Very good, Kyuubi cackled.
Please don't judge me from Kyuubi, Naruto practically begged, giving the hat the best puppy-dog look he could muster.
Not to worry, well let's get this sorting done. Not very bright are you...? You don't care about power at all, besides a dream of becoming Hokage, but that's only to get respect. You are quite brave, you charge into battles...without...thinking...How do you stay alive? The hat asked, aghast.
I ask myself that question every day.
Hey!
Well, "GRYFFINDOR" is the best house for you, the hat said, chuckling to himself.
Naruto practically jumped down to the the Gryffindor to sit down next to Sakura.
"Hello Naruto, was it?" a bushy brown haired girl said, reaching her hand out to allow Naruto to shake it. Naruto remembered her vaguely as the girl he saw Sakura talking to.
"Yep!"
"Can't he hurry up?" Ed moaned as he stared longingly at the empty golden plates.
"Can you stop thinking about food for a moment?" Harry teased.
"There is a time for speech making, but it is not now, so tuck in!" Dumbledore said.
Ed cheered to himself at this. He spotted the formerly empty golden plates fill up with the most delicious food... and a few rather odd ones.
"I'm Hermione Granger. Dumbledore said you were from Amestris?" a bushy haired-girl said rather quickly(7). "Is the Law of Equivalent Exchange true? You have to give something in order to do something else."
"Yeesshh," Ed said as he continued stuffing all the food he could reach into his mouth. He finally swallowed and sighed happily, "This food is good."
And thus, the cycle began again. Hermione would ask a question about Amestris while Ed was stuffing himself and he would mutter an intelligable answer.
"Sakura! Look! There's ramen!" Naruto cheered as he dove for the bowl and moved it in front of him to chomp on.
"Ahhh, it's not as good as Ichiriku's but it's still ramen!" Naruto said.
"Naruto you idiot, are you going to eat that entire thing?" Sakura scolded.
"Mmhmm!" Naruto's face was practically in the bowl and vacuuming up the noodles.
"Oi, mate, I think there's something wrong with them," Ron muttered under his breath. He took a bite out of his chicken leg. Harry just shrugged and went back to his food.
Meanwhile at the Ravenclaw table, Neji and Shikamaru weren't having such a good time. Mostly Neji.
"So...you're not blind."
"No, I'm not."
"So why are your eyes white?"
"Does there have to be a reason?" Neji said exasperated.
"There's always a reason."
"They just are."
"Oh, so then--"
"Shut up, if you don't, you'll never speak again." Neji hissed.
"Fine, fine," the unfortunately dumb Ravenclaw muttered. He then mumbled, "Who stuck a stick up your ass?"
Neji made a wise choice of pretending not to hear the comment, but the twitch in his eye showed otherwise.
"Shikamaru...they are annoying," Neji hissed.
"This is troublesome," Shikamaru answered, not really listening.
"Shikamaru," Neji said warningly.
"Oh, alright," Shikamaru sighed. "So they get on your nerves, what do you want me to do?"
Neji growled.
"Don't kill them," Shikamaru sighed.
Neji growled again.
At the Slytherin table, tensions were rising high.
"Sabuko."
"Uchiha."
"Still hanging out with the teme? I thought you were better than that, with the Chuunin exam deal,"
"Still hanging out with the snakey gay pedophile? I thought you were better than that, being Naruto's friend," Temari countered, just as cold, if not colder.
"I have no use for friends," Sasuke stated.
"He only has allies," Cody interjected.
The other Slytherins were keeping their distance, except for a certain Draco Malfoy and of course, Cody. The former seemed keen on getting Sasuke's. He seemed like just the guy to convince to be on his team.
"Sasuke Uchiha, was it? I'm Draco Malfoy," Malfoy said smoothly.
"Hn," Sasuke scowled as he bit into an onigiri.
Malfoy faltered for a second. He wasn't used to anybody, besides those filthy Mudbloods, who haven't heard of or didn't care about Malfoy's. He regained his composture and smirked to himself a little. He liked a challenge.
"I hear you're from Konoha's strongest family, the Uchiha clan--"
"Shut up," Sasuke said crankily. Now was not the time to be reminded of his bastard brother. Sasuke swore under his breath, as he remembered the look that night.
"Give it up, Malfoy," Blaise Zabini said through a mouthful of mashed potatoes. "Try any more, and we'll start to think you're interested in him." Blaise wiggled his eyebrows and smirked.
Malfoy's cheeks tinged pink as he rejected that thought.
"If you say that again, Zabini, you might find yourself not able to speak anymore," Sasuke said smoothly and appeared nonchalantly as he glanced at Zabini.
Zabini shuddered as he said, "Fine, fine."
Cody, meanwhile was laughing his guts out.
"So, Temari, do you always carry that giant...black...thing around?" Pansy Parkinson, who Temari thought looked oddly like a pit bull, asked eyeing the 'giant black thing'.
"Yup," Temari bit off a dango. "I'm a ninja remember? It's not at all like those Muggle ideas. I mean look at Naruto. Who would have ever thought that he could pass of as a ninja?"
Malfoy, Pansy, and the rest of the surrounding Slytherins turned to look at the Gryffindor table where the young blonde was talking the pink haired girl over a bowl of what looked like noodles.
"Is it just me or is he wearing orange?" Pansy asked, scandilous, voicing everybody's thoughts.
"Yes he is, that dobe," Sasuke answered, barely looking up.
"So anyway," Pansy said dismissing Sasuke's rude tone, no matter how true, "You always carry that? It looks really heavy."
"Yep," Temari said.
The rest of the dinner was filled with friendly and not so friendly chattering. Mostly coming from around Sasuke and Neji.
"Now that we are all fed and watered, there are a few start of term announcements I'd like to make," Dumbledore said as he stood up and the desserts disappeared from the golden plates. "First years should note that the forest on the grounds is forbidden, and a few of our older students should know this as well.
"Mr. Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind you that any use of magic in the corridors and between classes are prohibited. Quidditch teams will be having tryouts during the second week of term. If you wish to play for your house team, contact Professor Hooch.
"This year, we are proud to add two additions to our staff. Professor Roy Mustang, from Edward's school, Amestris State Alchemist Academy, will be taking over History of Magic." There were some skeptical whispers and muttering here.
"I'm sure many of you wonder how somebody from Amestris will teach you the history of magic. Well, I believe that there is no better teacher than an alchemist from Amestris to teach this particular class, I'll save the lecture for Professor Mustang. Now, the other teacher is Professor Jiraiya who will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. He is one of the Sannin of Konoha, the three legendary ninja that is near or at Kage level, meaning they can become a ruler of one of the countries."
"Let us sing the school song together." Dumbledore waved his wand as the teachers grimaced.
All of the Slytherins kept their mouths tightly sewed up, as did a few other students, such as Neji. Namely, him and Edward. The latter grimaced as he wondered what the hell he gave to have to endure this. This horrible horrible sound.
The prefects led the students to their dormitories after Dumbledore dismissed them to retire for the night.
(1)- Yes, I know that Hohenheim doesn't have a last name in the anime and in the manga, his name is actually the name of Paracelsus in our world. But I wanted there to be a relation.
(2)- Yes, I know, it's totally clichéd. But I couldn't think of a decent last name…or at least I was too lazy to.
(3)- NOTE: This is before the timeskip, since I don't think they'll be able to pass off as 11 year olds without Henges 24/7 and Naruto's the only who can pull that off with Kyuubi and all…I think. Maybe Gaara, but he's not here at the moment, now is he?
(4)- Yeah, Yeah, I know, the explanation sucked, but I wanted something. It took me forever to think of it. --
(5)- I know people usually say that Hufflepuff is for the loyal, but in the songs, I think it says that Hufflepuff will 'take the rest,' which means the ones that aren't fit for the other houses...no offense to anyone who likes Hufflepuffers. Besides, I think bravery comes with loyalty, since if you aren't brave, you wouldn't be loyal to the one you think is right, instead, you'll go with whichever one will be easier on you.
(6)- I originally planned for her to go into Ravenclaw with Shikamaru, but then I changed my mind, cuz I want to see her torment Malfoy and the others. BWAHAHAHA
(7)- Hermione's everywhere, isn't she? XD
Sorry for the crappy ending. I just wanted to get it out. XD Reviews are welcome!! Verrrry welcome. :) And sorry for the crappy chapter, not much inspiration and a whole lotta writer's block means a crappy chap, like this one.