Chapter VIII
Cherry Syndrome
"So I'm not going crazy?"
"No brother, I can see the dead horse too."
"Then why isn't it licking you?"
"Because you just have a way with imaginary animals Edward. I happen to think that you're both barmy by the way."
"Shut up asshole."
"Hah! Barmy haven't heard that word in a while. What are you like eighty Professor Mustang?"
"Ronald!"
"Hey has anyone seen Harry?"
"I'll take that as a compliment to my colourful vocabulary Weasley."
"I'm terribly sorry Professor, he...has something very wrong with him."
"Thank you very much Hermione. Its nice to see you have my back."
"As I was saying Harry..."
"That's quite alright Granger. If I have you standing up for more how could I possibly get upset?"
"Oi, pervert you aren't being paid to hit on the students."
"Brother's right. I'm pretty sure you can get locked up for that."
"Exactly! Thank you Al."
"So I guess I'll go back and check the train then..."
"So does that mean I can hit on the teachers? Are there any hot female teachers at Hogwarts, Weasley?"
"No...no there really aren't. The closest thing we've got to that is Professor Elric"
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well I suppose he could pass for a girl."
"What?"
"Ok Hermione, that is a very bad thing to say to brother."
"WHAT THE HELL! Am I invisible too now."
"Well its not untrue. Edward you are short enough."
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT THAT YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO SEE HIM EVEN IF HE WORE A FLASHING SHIRT THAT SAID "I AM HERE!"?"
Silence fell after that exclamation as all eyes turned on Edward. He was winded and blushing heavily due to his sudden outburst. To make matters worse Roy could do nothing but snigger. Alphonse had let slip that his brother was terribly sensitive about his height and Roy had taken to this fact like a bear to honey.
Edward huffed and turned back to the matter at hand. In front of him was something that looked like the love child of a chimera and Black Beauty. He inspected it thoughtfully and the chimera seemed to hold his gaze. Alphonse was just as ready to join the investigation. He leaned in to watch as the jaunty bones rippled with each movement. The motion became more frequent as the stares intensified. Hermione eventually took pity on the animal and decided to explain it to the new professor.
"Mr. Elric this is called a Thestral. They're magical creatures which are associated with death. This is because only those who have witnessed death can see them." Edward and Alphonse both hummed thoughtfully. Roy eyed the two brothers for a moment but then gave up and yawned.
"Can we hurry up and get these wards up then?" He mumbled. "I don't want to miss the feast." As if on cue Mr. Flitwick tottered over to the group looking slightly perplexed.
"Wow I suddenly feel so good about myself."
"Brother." Alphonse hissed, nudging him. Flitwick ignored them and instead turned to the students.
"What are you three still doing here? You'll get locked out if you don't hurry up to the castle. These wards are not something to mess with I'd expect you know that." He said, waving his wand towards the three students. Ron, Hermione and Alphonse nodded quickly before hurrying onto the last remaining thestral. With a small wave to the professors they were gone.
When the road was clear, Flitwick turned to the new supervisors with a worried look on his face.
"We're still missing three students," he rattled. "It doesn't usually take this long for them to get here."
"And who might the students be?" Roy asked. Flitwick looked down at his notes.
"Draco Malfoy, Luna Lovegood and Harry Potter." Edward and Roy groaned.
"I knew that boy was trouble." Edward complained, pulling back his sleeves. "Oh well, we'll go and check the train." He volunteered, grabbing hold of Roy's robes. The older man raised an eyebrow skeptically.
"We?" He asked. Edward smirked.
"Yes, we, come on Mustang." With one final yank they too left the charms professor stood alone at the gate.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you that it was rude to eavesdrop Potter?" Draco sneered. He slowly turned his back to the door as he pulled out his wand. Within a split second Harry felt the bridge of his nose give way beneath a vicious curse uttered by the blonde. Harry scowled at him. There was no point in hiding now. In a heartbeat he threw his invisibility cloak to the floor and drew his wand.
"Well I heard your voice Malfoy and I couldn't help myself." He returned with equal malice.
"You should have thought more thoroughly on that then. RICTUSEMPRA!" He yelled, directing the spell at him. Harry was just as quick and at precisely the same moment another spell was cast in Malfoy's direction. At that moment four spells went off in the compartment. Yes...four.
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
The compartments blinds flew open as two figures burst in through the door towards the front. Harry turned wide eyed to face the person who had disarmed him.
"Edward? Luna? What are you doing he..."
"We're stopping you from killing each other, that's what." The deep voice came from the other side of the train. It was Roy Mustang and in his arms he held an extremely relentless and struggling Draco Malfoy. Edward clucked his tongue as he picked up the two discarded wands.
"Mr. Malfoy I know that Potter is a lost cause..."
"Oi!"
"But I'd expect more from you. Please find a less annoying place to duel next time." Edward slurred handing him the wand. Draco's glare deepened as he wrenched himself from Roy's grip.
"Nice face, Potter." With those final words, he was gone. Harry sighed as he too took his wand from Edward. The blonde smirked.
"It is indeed a nice face. You're lucky he got to you or else I would have broken your nose." He chuckled. Harry backed away slightly.
"Hey Edward, you were talking about me getting arrested but I'm pretty sure violence against students can do you in too." Roy informed him. "Now let's get off the train I don't want to miss the feast." Then, with a skip in his step, Roy was gone and Harry returned his gaze to Edward.
"Don't look at me. I'm not fixing it for you." He muttered. He walked out of the compartment with Harry and Luna at his tail. Luna smiled at him sympathetically.
"Here." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a fresh, baby blue handkerchief. "I may never have had a broken nose but the blood makes it look painful." She explained and Harry could not help but stare.
"Thank you." He murmured, accepting the handkerchief. It was then that Edward finally turned to face him.
"Go on then." He said.
"What?"
"Your theory on Draco Malfoy. I know there is one. That boy is mighty suspicious." Edward explained, shoving his hands in his pockets. Harry frowned. So he had not been the only one to notice. Draco Malfoy had definitly changed over the summer. He had heard him. The way he had spoken to his friends and the things he spoke of. Being destined for more, escaping from Hogwarts, seeing him creeping around Knockturn Alley like that, it was all signs of change. And the only thing Harry could think of:
"I think he's one of them." He said quietly but the second time he gained more confidence. "I think that Malfoy has become a Death Eater."
I realise that this is not very long but I kept my promise so I'm happy :D
Please review. It would mean an awful lot to me.
Just one thing to say this time. Please explaaaiin your reviews. The reason I ask for them is so that I can get better at writing but if what you are writing is the characters are ooc then what good does that do me? Please tell me how the characters are ooc. Do you's understand? Thank you very much