Chapter Four
An End to Summer
Aka: A Wand and a Train
I'm a Shape-Shifter!
What's in the package?
"I get bored very easily,... I have a voracious appetite and do not feel alive if I'm repeating something I'm good at. So I'm always looking for new challenges."
-Jewel
After they left Edward in the flat with Al's books, they headed to Ollivander's.
"Be careful," George whispered in his ear before they entered.
"He's been a bit jumpy since the war and the stay at Muriel's." Fred finished, ushering him in.
Dust and magic cloaked the shop, laying thick like a blanket. A rustling in the back announced the arrival of Ollivander himself.
He was a tall, thin man with white hair and pale eyes. He seemed almost sickly and slightly haunted.
"Ah," he said in a hoarse voice. "Misters Weasley and Mr. Elric." Al jumped, on his guard. "I remember your father. Hohenheim of Light. A rather unusual wand chose him. Thirteen inches. Bendy with an ice phoenix's feather. Good for Transfiguration." Al blinked. His father... as a wizard? Then that would make him a half-blood.
Why hadn't he heard about magic before?
The Weasley twins remained silent, rearrangeing their thoughts on the blond.
"So," he said carefully. "Do you have a wand for me?" he looked at the wand maker with blue(?) eyes. Was he really a Matamorphagus? Fred wondered, watching the exchange.
"Hohenheim did say something about his sons being a bit unusual," Ollivander replied, picking up a very old and even dustier box than the others. "Perhaps, you will have an unusual wand pick you as well." He handed Al the wand. "Cherry wood. Twelve inches. Flexible, good for Tranfiguration and Charms."
Al wrapped his fingers around the stick of wood, feeling a strange sense of serenity. A golden wisp of light emerged from the tip, brushing over the store's occupants. When it faded, everyone was left smiling, even the odd Ollivander.
"What's in it?" the twins asked, looking at it curiously.
"The hair of a demon," Ollivander said, heading for the back. "And when you see Edward, tell him his wand awaits. Thirteen and a half inches. Maple and Sphinx hair. Perfect for Defense and Transfiguration. No charge for either of you." And he left.
That night, Al rested in bed, fingering his wand.
Was his father truly a wizard? And if he was, did that mean he and Ed were wizards, too?
He threw off the covers and slung his legs off the bed. He crept over to the small firplace in his room and lit it. he opened a small pouch and pulled out a pinch of green powder.
"Villa de Potter!" he breathed, sticking his head in the flames. A dizzying sensation later, he was looking into a cozy house with three figures sitting around a table.
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley stared at him with shocked eyes.
"What are you doing Al?" Harry asked, snapping out of his surprise. The blond shuddered.
"This is so weird," he mumbled. Harry grinned at him. "Actually, I was wondering if you could do something for me."
"What?" Ron asked, curious.
"See if you can find anything on Hohenheim of Light," the younger boy said, frowning slightly.
"Isn't he an alchemist?" Hermione asked.
"We'll see what we can find. Are you hunting him?" Harry asked. Al shook his head, sending ash flying.
"Sorry," he said quickly.
"It's alright," Harry said, waving him off. He glanced around the house he inherited from his father's family.
"Hohenheim of Light isn't a demon," Al sighed, inhaling some ash. "He's my -cough- father." Al had to pull his head back, leaving the Golden Trio shocked, and broke into a coughing fit.
He wiped a hand over his grimy face, smearing soot over his cheeks. With a pout, he headed into the bathroom.
After he face, he contemplated his reflection. Pulling forward a loose golden lock, he stared at it, wondering if he really /could/ change his apperance at will.
As if it wanted to spite him, the strands turned a mahogany shade.
With a gasp, he fell back onto the wall, staring at his reflection. Cautiously, he lifted the brown piece of hair and concentrated on turning it back to gold. When it did as told, he grinned, green eyes shifting to gold, then black, brown, violet and finally blue. Freckles appeared on his face as his hair turned a brillaint orange.
He smirked, looking curiously like a younger Bill Weasley.
He was going to enjoy this new power.
September first found the Weasley family, Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Alphonse Elric, and Luna Lovegood gathered at Platform Nine and Three Quarters.
Ron and Harry were being reprimanded by Hermione and Molly for not returning to school, while Bill, Fleur (who was pregnant by now) and Arthur talked with Ginny. Charlie and Luna stood off to one side, discussing magical creatures. The twins and Percy were helping Al put his trunk on the train.
"Don't open this 'round 'Mione." George whispered with a wink as Fred distracted Percy. He shoved a small package in his hands and grinned, heading over to the rest of his family.
Al leaned out the window, trying to catch pieces of the conversation. Molly turned to him with a smile.
"Alphonse dear," she said, in a way that reminded him of his own mother. "Promise you'll write. I know it might be a hassel but -"
"I promise Mrs. Weasley," he said with a warm smile, eyes turning blue as he adopted the Weasley family freckles and hair. Molly looked at him in shock before laughing.
"You and Teddy love doing that," she said.
Alphonse liked little Teddy. The baby liked to turn his hair red and go freckly if he was with any of the Weasleys, or obtained messy jet black hair if he was with his godfather, who took him on the weekends, much to Andromeda's relief. As much as she loved her grandson, taking care of a baby was a tough job at her age.
"It's nice to fit in," Al said with a smile. Molly looked at him a bit sadly, but hugged him affectionatly. He stepped back as a shrill whistle sounded. Hermione, Ginny and Luna stood next to him, waving at the Weasleys and Harry as the train began to pull out of the station. Soon, they ran out of platform, the last thing they saw being the twins, racing like children to keep up.
Hermione turned to Al and flicked her wand at his trunk, which lifted into the air and floated behind them.
"Right then," she said, lowering the trunk into the rack of an empty compartment. "I'm going to the Prefect's compartment. I'll be back soon." And with that, she disappeared.
Alphonse and the girls took their places in the compartment, Al sitting across from the blond and other red head.
"Hello there!" a cheerful voice said. They looked up to see Neville Longbottom sticking his head into their compatment, trunk at his feet.
The summer had been kind to him. He was leaner, all of his childish roundness lost and he looked quite handsome in his Muggle jeans and T-shirt.
"Hello Neville," Luna said dreamily.
"Hey Luna," he said. "Ginny. I don't believe we've met. Neville Longbottom." he introduced himself, holding out his hand. Al took it, smiling.
"I'm Alphonse Elric." he said softly.
"Nice to meet you!"
"What's in the package?" Ginny asked, staring at the small parcel that was moving frantically.
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