So... it's been a while.

More than a month.

{But we are alive and back!}

Happy Valentines day! (if you celebrate it.)

{Here's some love quotes to celebrate.}

We loved with a love that was more than love. - Edgar Allen Poe

Love can sometimes be magic. But magic can sometimes... just be an illusion. - Javan

True love is like ghosts, which everyone talks about and few have seen. - Francois de Le Rochefoucauld

We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love. - Tom Robbins

The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost. - Gilbert K. Chesterton

How is the weather where guys are?

{We have more then a foot of snow and are expecting more tonight. UGGGGG! *Falls back with hands holding head*}

Snow, snow, go away and come again another year.


Chapter 16

Howler

Ed was sitting stiffly while those around him asked questions that were repeated on the lips of many others in the room.

"What's Amestris?"

"The military! What're they trying doing here?"

"Are they actually in the military?"

"-someone's kid?"

"What's a Fullmetal?"

"-never heard of it before."

"Who is it?"

Ed's eyes wandered over to the staff table where they locked with Armstrongs. He answered the questioning eyes with a supple shake of his head. He hadn't put his name into the goblet. He hadn't entered this tournament. Armstrong believed him, if the nod he gave in reply as anything to judge on.

"Would the Fullmetal Alchemist please come up," said Dumbledore calmly, although his face showed the shock that was missing from his voice. He was just as surprised as everyone else.

For a few seconds, Ed debated whether or not he should go up. He could just ignore it, but they'd probably figure out that it was him eventually. He made sure that his face was calm before he stood up. All talk stopped as just about everyone in the room stared at him. He considered making a statement like, "I'm the fullmetal Alchemist, the youngest state alchemist in history and hero of the people," but he didn't want to give them more information. They already had too much. He could practically see the gears turning in the heads of the Ravenclaws, and Hermione, turning, trying to figure out the meaning of his name as well as who it belonged to. Some of them had, probably, already figured out what Amestris was.

He, for now, ignored the stares and walked the same path as the champions before him. He didn't want to be doing this, but it had happened. Just like the other things in his life, he was going to stand on his own legs and get through it. Things wouldn't turn out well if he stayed stuck in the past. His brother and him had learned that lesson long ago.

His ears heard the mummers and comments. It was hard not to. Everyone was talking quietly, but everyone was talking. It was not the kind of noise that was easily ignored. So, he didn't ignore it. He just didn't allow the noise to go past his ear drums. He did the same with the stares. He could feel them on every inch of his body as he drew the eyes of the entire room, but he didn't let them get anywhere near his head. He would need to keep a calm head in order to find out what had happened. That was hard enough for him when he had his brother to help him keep calm.

Yet, he did not hesitate when he opened the door and strode original three champions were grouped around the fireplace looking shocked and tense. Ludo Bagman was standing next to Harry saying, "Harry's name just came out of the Goblet of Fire!"

Ed observed how Krum's face darkened, most likely at the thought of either more competition or someone so young competing depending on what kind of person he was. Cedric didn't look too bothered by the news, which could possibly be due to the fact that the school he was representing did not have any extra competition. Fleur had contracted eyebrows and was looking politely confused.

"But zair must have been a mistake," she said.

"I'm sorry, but there hasn't been any mistake," said Ed. All eyes were immediately drawn to him. "Your name came out of the goblet, as did Krum's and Cedric's and Harry's and mine." By now, everyone in the room was looking confused.

"But, he is under the age limit, as I am sure you are as well," Krum pointed out.

"As long as the name got into the goblet, I don't think it really cares about how old the person is," Ed replied.

Before the conversation could continue, the door opened. Professor Dumbledore, Mr. Crouch, Professor Karkaroff, Madame Maxime, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Snape entered the room. The continuous buzzing from the adjacent hall could be heard loud and clear until the door was closed by the last person.

Fleur immediately headed for her headmistress. "Madame Maxime! Zey are saying zat zis little boy is to compete also!" she said, obviously annoyed. The Headmistress drew herself to her full height, but was interrupted before she could speak.

"Who are you calling so little that they couldn't even see over a hydrogen atom!" shouted the shortest one in the room. Those who had not known him long or well enough to know about his pet-peeve with the implication of being short were all surprised at the outburst. After the small silence, Maxime turned to the only authoritative figure that could explain. "What is ze meaning of zis Dumbly-dore?" she asked. Whether she was talking about the number of champions or the strange outburst was uncertain.

"I would like to know myself, Dumbledore," Professor Karkaroff backed Maxime. "Three Hogwarts champions? I don't remember anyone telling me that the host school was allowed more than one - or have I not read the rules carefully enough?"

"Two."

"What?" Karkaroff turned his ice-cold eyes onto the small blonde who had spoken.

"There are only two Hogwarts champions, no three."

"I think you are in the wrong grade if you can not even count. You, Potter, and the other boy were chosen as Hogwarts champions. That is three."

"Two. Cedric and Harry are Hogwarts champion, but I am not." By now Karkaroff was furious at the boy's insolence.

"Then who, pray tell, are you representing?" he asked angrily.

"As, I believe, Professor Dumbledore stated earlier, I am the champion representing the Military of Amestris."

"What's Amestris?" This time it was Cedric who asked the question.

"I have never heard of it, either," mentioned Krum.

"Amestris is my country. I've lived there my whole life," said Edward.

"Why are you representing the military?" asked Cedric.

"I would like to know ze answer to zat as well," said Madame Maxime.

"Maybe because our entire government is basically the military," answered Ed. "If I'm representing the country then the military is going to be a big part of that."

"What about ze name ze Goblet called? Ze Full Metal Alchemist?"

"I don't know why it chose that name, but I know that it is me."

"How did their names get in anyways?" asked Karkaroff. "We were under the impression that your Age Line would keep out younger contestants, Dumbledore."

"Don't go blaming Dumbledore," said Snape, eyes alit with something similar to malice. "It is no ones fault but Potter's. He has been crossing lines even since he arrived here-"

"Thank you, Severus," interrupted Dumbledore. He turned to the youngest champion. "Harry, did you put your name into the Goblet of Fire?"

"No," said Harry.

"Did you, Edward?"

Ed made a half snorting noise. "Why would I be so dumb as to do something like that?"

"Ah, but of course he is lying!" said Madame Maxime. Snape showed his agreement by a slight curl of his lip. Ed started tuning out the conversation as McGonagall joined the rising argument. The only times that Ed payed attention to the argument was when Moody, who had entered sometime during the argument, mentioned that someone might have put Harry's name into the Goblet hoping that he'd die and when they told them the time, place, and rules of the first task.

He waited as the others left the room. Only three people, Harry, Dumbledore, and Moody, glanced at him before they left. When he entered the Great Hall there was only one other person there.

"Did you put your name into that strange goblet?" he asked.

"No, Major. I didn't," Ed answered. "You know me. I don't always go looking for danger. Besides, I promised Al that I wouldn't go looking for trouble."

"I believe you, Edward. Well, I have to go write up a report. Have a nice night."

"You too."

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

Ed was sitting in the Great Hall with his head laying next to his breakfast. The entire hall was buzzing with sound. Almost everyone was talking. All in all, it was giving Ed a headache. He hadn't gotten any sleep last night seeing as how the common room had never been quiet. Now he was stuck between Ron and Neville. He really didn't mind being next to Neville, but Ron was just annoying him.

Ron hadn't stopped talking about Harry and how he kept on denying putting his name into the Goblet when, according to Ron, he obviously did. It was a common case of jealousy, and one that was thoroughly annoying him.

"If you really want to know how he did it, then go talk about theories with your brothers," said Ed. giving an obvious clue for Ron to go away. With a huff, Ron compiled.

"Are you okay, Ed?" asked Neville.

"I'm fine. I just have a headache. It should go away soon."

"Okay, if you say so." The arrival of the mail owls interrupted their conversation. Both boys were surprised when a letter was dropped in front of Ed. It was in a strange envelope, a red one. "E-ed."

"Yeah?" Ed picked it up and turned it over, examining it.

"That's a howler." The hall had grown quiet by now as people noticed the red letter.

"Y-you're definitely going to want to open that."

"Well what else would I do with a letter?" Ed opened it, not prepared for the sound that followed. It was a loud voice, a booming voice. It was a voice that he knew all too well. He let his head fall back to it's previous position on the table.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, FULLMETAL? I THOUGHT THAT MY INSTRUCTIONS WERE SIMPLE ENOUGH. DON'T GET INTO TROUBLE. IT WAS SUCH A SIMPLE ORDER, BUT MAYBE IT WAS TOO BIG FOR YOU. YOU ARE SUCH A RUNT AFTER ALL.

"I'M STARTING TO THINK THAT YOU JUST LIKE GIVING ME MORE AND MORE PAPERWORK TO DO. I AM SO GOING TO GET YOU BACK FOR THIS WHEN YOU COME BACK. MAYBE A NICE, LONG, BORING MISSION TO SOME HOT AND BARREN PART OF THE COUNTRY.

"DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY QUESTIONS YOUR BROTHER KEEPS ON ASKING? I COULD BARELY GET HIM TO GO HOME. AND YOU'RE TEACHER TOO. SHE WAS THREATENING TO RIP MY HEAD OFF FOR GIVING YOU SUCH A DANGEROUS MISSION. WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS SO RECKLESS? WHY CAN'T YOU JUST FOLLOW SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS?

"I'M TRYING TO COVER YOU BACK HERE IN CENTRAL, BUT DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HARD THAT IS WITH ALMOST EVERY COMMANDING OFFICER OUT THERE ON MY BACK ABOUT THIS MISSION? IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A PEACE MISSION. BE NICE, MAKE FRIENDS, GET SOME ALLIES. A SIMPLE IN AND OUT." The rant was cut off by the sound of knocking.

"Sir? Are you almost done with that paperwork? You said it would be done two days ago." Ed recognized Riza's voice as well as the fear in Mustang's voice when he cursed. "Colonel Mustang, unlock this door now." Mustang's voice and curses grew more desperate.

"Um, I'll talk to you later, Elric. We are not done with this conversation. Dang it! How do you stop this thing?" There was the sound of a gunshot and a door banging open. The room was silent as the click of a gun was heard.

"Sir, may I ask what you doing with this… thing when you should be doing paperwork." It seemed that Mustang finally figured out how to end the letter because it ripped itself up, leaving nothing but quiet behind. Without saying a word, Ed stood up and walked calmly from the room before the deafening sound started up again.


{I hope that you guys liked that! I have been planing that scene with Mustang since before we started this thing.}

Review Time!

Guest- Here you go, one update!

Jurassica97- I would help! {Lot's of people asked for him and we couldn't think of anyone better.} *creepily* He could!

BulletWitch1985- {Well, a story gets boing if we don't have enough action!} She's back in Amestris. She was only a one day sub. Yeah, but then we wouldn't be able to have done this scene!

Guest- Hmm, that is a hard decision. I'd take the dead people too. Um hum, good choice.

ReginaDC21- Nope! {Well, here's half of what you wanted.} Hmm, exes. Nope. We have no experiences with those.

Guest- {He doesn't really have a choice.}

Dashita Tichou- {Well, if you want a rib crushing teddy bear then I can't find a better one.}

Guest- {*accepts hug*}{Thanks.} Actually it was exactly 15 days, but this update was one month and seven days.