Okay, I want to brag, so no one stop me. WOO HOO! You see that? You see that! Look a how fast we updated! Are we awesome or what!?

{I'm gonna go with, we've been having a lot of snow days. Thank them.}

But go and enjoy our hard work! Go, my monkey, go!

{Please excuse her. (and that monkeys comment.) We don't know who gave her sugar. Oh! Also, if you guys like the BBC show Merlin, head on over to No.311's profile and read Where Am I (Archaic Book Chaos).}


Chapter 15

Meet Your Champions

The second half of the meeting was going just as well as the first half. Ed was seated near the edge of the room even though he was the only representative from Amestris, the country they were trying to create an alliance with, here. You would think that they would pay more attention to him.

"They have a violent nature."

"-constantly at war."

"-not trustworthy."

"Our troops would be used as sacrifices to delay their many enemies."

"-would put us in more danger."

Ed had stopped trying to defend his country long ago. They would simply ignore everything he said. He had a few good points to convince them, but had no chance to use them.

"-allow weak children to become 'soldiers.'"

"-expect us to judge them by using a child."

"He's not any older than my own son."

"But their strong."

"They could protect us."

"Thier muggles!"

Ed wasn't exactly sure why King Bradley wanted their alliance. Probably so that they'll have an outside alliance to help if one of the countries surrounding them decided to attack. After all, Amestris has very few allies. If he thought about it, they didn't exactly make it easy for other countries to trust them, just looked at what they did to Isbal.

"-judge, for the tournament?"

"Major Elric?"

"Yes?" Ed was surprised, they were actually asking his opinion.

"Write to your superior asking to send a representative to judge the Triwizard Tournament, if you wouldn't mind." Or not. These people really didn't think anything of him. Even the last part sounded forced.

"They're already on their way. Headmaster Dumbledore sent the request weeks ago, sir." He added the last part as an afterthought. The minister nodded and they returned to their debate. Edward knew that he was supposed to be representing his country in a positive light, but he didn't know how to do that.

Politics were too confusing. At least science made sense. In science there was rules that could be learned and experiments to test theories. It was different with politics. You had to manipulate and say just the right thing while looking exactly right. Ed couldn't do that. He was made to have his head stuck in a book, be out on an adventure, or be doing an experiment, not stuck in an office listening to adults argue with thinly vailed insults.

"-could be blah blah blah."

"Blah blah blah blah-"

"-blah blah blah blah blah!"

He might even have to break down and ask Mustang for advice.

~~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~O~~~~

Ed was exhausted by the time he got back to school. He had a headache from listening to those buzzards talk all day. He was angry that is entire day had been wasted, as well. He could just think of all the things he could have gotten done today, think of all the research. There was only one thing he could think of to calm himself down.

He took a seat in the Great Hall and pulled out two sheets of paper and a pen. He didn't understand why these wizards always used parchment and quills. Paper and a pen was so much faster and cleaner, not to mention less expensive. He started writing a report to Mustang while his friends sat down next to him, talking about something or other.

When he finished his sarcastic and hate filled report, Ed started the letter to his brother.

Hey Al,

How's life in Amestris? Have you seen Winry or Aunt Pinako lately? I hope you haven't adopted any cats. You know that if you have any when I come back you'll have to get rid of them. I don't care how or where you found them or how cute they are. You can't keep them. Give them to Mustang or something. I need him to have something to annoying till the ends of his wits. I want revenge.

You wouldn't believe what I had to do today. I had to sit in this stuffy office with a bunch of 'important' people while they discussed whether to become our allies. It was horrible. I could barely get a word in. Not to mention that they just ignored me most of the time. Aren't I supposed to be the representative here? Wheat;s the point of me being here if I'm not even doing anything? I couldn't even get any research done because I was stuck there all day. It was the most boring day of my life. Be glad that you had to stay at home.

Actually, I wish you were here. At least then I'd have someone to share in the bordom with we as well as someone I trust. I don't trust many people here, Al. They all seem to have their own agendas or simply don't know when they've gone to far or when to stop. The only person I can think about trusting is Neville. He's a good kid. He's kind, like you, and is picked on by the teachers and students due to his poor quality of work. Personally, I think he's just not confident enough to do good work. I'm trying to bring him out of his shell. I think it's working so far.

"Hey, Ed," said Hermione, poking him in the side, "aren't you going to eat anything?"

"Hmm, no, I'm good. I'm not really hungry, you know?" She nodded hesitantly and went back to her conversation. Glancing around, everyone seemed excited, why? Oh yeah, the champions for the tournament were being picked tonight. Dang, now it was going to take longer for him to be able to go to bed. That did explain all the food though, there was more than usual.

Hey, Amestris is sending a judge for the tournament here, do you know who it is? I hope it's someone we like. Not Mustang, though. He'd just make life even harder for me if he was here. I'll write you back soon to tell you who was chosen. I better go now, the food's disappearing.

Stay Safe,

Ed

As the plates and goblets emptied, Dumbledore stood. "The goblet is almost ready to make its decision, but first, we must introduce our last judge. Please meet Major Armstrong."

Edward immediately started banging his head against the table, repeatedly. Those around him looked at him questionably until the doors banged open. A man in a crisp, blue uniform came in. Everyone was staring. He had the broadest chest that any of them had ever seen. He had one sole patch of blonde hair that was curled that was the same color as his mustache.

"I am Major Alex Louis Armstrong-" he said as he flexed his, admittedly, huge muscles.

"Leave your shirt on!" Ed yelled quickly.

"Edward! How great it is to see you again-"

"Just go up to the table already!" Armstrong did just that. While he walked, Neville leaned close to him.

"Why'd you say that?" he asked.

"Spend a few days with him, you'll never be the same again." Neville still looked skeptical, but nodded anyways.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said while shaking the Major's hand. He visibly winced and rubbed his hand afterwards. I estimate that the goblet needs only a minute more. Now, a few instructions, when the champions' name is called, I would ask them to please come to the front of the Hall, walk along the staff table, and go into the next chamber through that door." After this, he gestured to the door behind the staff table. "Once there, you shall receive further instructions."

With a wave of his wand, all light in the room went out except for those within the giant pumpkins. Combined with the bright blue flame, it was a very spooky, yet excited, atmosphere.

"Any second," whispered someone who no one bothered to look around for. everyone's eyes were on the goblet, waiting for it to make its choice. The flames inside the goblet suddenly turned red and sparks flew from it. Not a moment later, a tongue of flame shot into the air, carrying a charred piece of parchment with it. Dumbledore caught the piece of parchment as it fluttered down, ignoring the gasps. He read the name in the light of the flames, which were quickly turning back to blue.

"The champion for Durmstrang," he read in a loud and equally as clear voice, "will be Viktor Krum."

The crowd yelled and cheered as Vikor stood from the Slytherin table and walked, slouched, towards Dumbledore with applause following his every footstep. He turned right, walking along the staff table as instructed, and disappeared through the door. As the clapping and chatting died down, everyone returned their attention back to the goblet.

Following the same events as before, another piece of parchment was caught by Dumbledore. "The champion for Beauxbatons is Fleur Delacour."

A girl with silvery blonde hair gracefully walked between the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff tables as two of many disappointed girls burst into tears. She, in the same way as the first champion, disappeared through the door.

The silence this time around was a little different. It was stiff with anticipation. Who would the last champion be? The third tongue of flame shot high, and the piece of parchment with the third champion's name on it fluttered down.

"The Hogwarts champion is Cedric Diggory."

The entire Hufflepuff table jumped to their feet, screaming and stamping for their champion. Cedric walked the same path as those before him with a grin as large as a cat's on his face. The cheering continued long after he was out of sight.

"Excellent!" Dumbledore continued when it was quiet enough to be heard. "Well, we now have our three champions. I am sure I can count upon all of you to give your champions every ounce of support you can muster. By cheering your champions on, you will contribute in a very real-"

Everyone's eyes had been drawn away from the Headmaster and instead turned to goblet, whose flames had turned red once more. Another tongue of flame shot out, and with it came another piece of parchment. Dumbledore reached out and seized the parchment. He cleared his throat and read the name.

"Harry Potter."

All eyes found themselves on the boy in question in a matter of seconds. The boy himself looked very shocked.

"I didn't put my name in, you know I didn't," he said blankly, but quietly.

"Harry Potter," Dumbledore called once more. "Harry, up here if you please!"

Harry stumbled to the front after a slight push from Hermione. The buzz of noise only grew louder as he walked.

"Well… through the door, Harry," said Dumbledore. His smile was noticeably absent from his face. Harry walked along the table ,looking completely astonished as he stepped through the door. Ludo Bagman rushed from the room. Dumbledore , Mr. Crouch, and the other headmasters were about to follow him when the goblet once again turned red. As sparks flew, Dumbledore caught the parchment floating downwards on instinct.

"The champion for the Military of Amestris is the Fullmetal Alchemist."


{And now, ladies and gentlemen, please put your hands together for...}

{The reviews!}

meladi1: {And a happy New Year!}

ReginaDC21: Yes, yes he would be. Ed sucks at it. {But! Ed can actually go to Hogwarts and be obseved and interact with the people and kids there.} WEAPONS!{Sorry, but yeah. We like our readers too much to let any of them die.}

Guest: Maybe. We'll think about it. I don't think I've read that one yet.

BulletWitch1985: {For the answer to that, I'd have to tell you the same thing we told your sister. Ed can actually go to Hogwarts and be obseved and interact with the people and kids there.} {You're welcome!}

Isobel: Thanks! I remember learning about that one year. It was cool.

Isobel: {Thanks! Yeah, it was simplefied, but you have to remember how much time they have for the movie, plus it would have been hard enough because so much of the book take place inside of his head.}

anonymous: Well, I think we've answered your question!

goodstory: {Thanks!} It doesn't fir does it? Probably why he doesn't do much. {You're welcome! I hope our writing will live up to your expectations.}

{Wow, lot's of reviews.} Thanks guys! See ya next time, which might be a while because we have midterms.