Chapter X

Cherry Syndrome

"So what do I take to the Ministry anyway?" Ron wondered out loud, looking at his heaps of school books that had been thrown rather unceremoniously on the dormitory floor. "And why have we never had a class trip before?"

"Because Dumbledore is a tight arse." Came Dean's muttered reply as he himself fiddled through the contents of his trunk.

"Well Ronald, I think that your wand would be a brilliant place to start." Hermione, as helpful as always, lightly suggested with a bright smile on her face. Harry chuckled and hoped that Ron would not catch on to the obvious sarcasm caked upon that comment. However, Ron Weasley was not that thick. He shot her a filthy look before snatching up his wand and muttering that it was already part of his ingenious plan. Hermione's comment also did not go unnoticed by Dean either.

"Hey Harry, what's a bird doing in our dormitory anyway. We're not allowed in thiers after all."

Ron scoffed.

"As if Hermione counts as a girl. She's more like an honorary bloke. Right Hermy?" How Ron managed to look surprised when he received a scowl and a pillow to the face as an answer was beyond Harry.

"Yes I am a 'bloke' aren't I? Well then Ronald, seeing as I am nothing but a 'bloke' I best start behaving like a 'bloke' shouldn't I?" She snapped closing in on him as he subconsciously backed away from the oncoming storm. "Then I'll start by this. You 'blokes' quite obviously don't have a brain cell between you. So that's the last time I lend you my notes." In one fluid motion, Hermione snatched the ridiculously tall pile of parchments from Ron's bedside and stalked out of the room with nothing but a swiftly muttered goodnight to Harry.

Ron was left speechless.

"You know I don't think I've ever heard so many blokes in one passage." Harry commented with a note of wonder. With that he too departed to the bathroom, leaving Ron to ponder his own stupidity which he did for the rest of the night.

"Now then kiddies, the Ministry of Magic is an extremely large and busy place, so I would like to set up some rules. Do not act stupid, do not ask stupid questions and most important of all do not wander off or I will hunt you down and beat you with a hockey stick." Edward shouted over the year group.

They were gathered outside the telephone box, all almost jumping from such anticipation that the hockey stick threat was lost on them. Professor Elric sure knew how to start of a school year with a bang. There came a whine from one of the muggleborn students. It was quite obviously her first time there.

"Professor can we please go now?" She said. Edward waved his hand dismissively at her and continued speaking.

"Yes, yes we can go in as soon as one of you answers me this one question." His expression darkened as he turned around to face a particular person who was towering behind him. "What in God's name are you fucking doing here Mustang?" He growled at the ever cheerful man. All Roy did in return was tutt and chirp in reply.

"Now, now, Edward you mustn't use that sort of vile language around the students. They are at an impressionable age, you know?" Several students as well as Roy, winced at the sound of Edward's cracking knuckles. "Ok, ok I'm here because I was asked to be." Roy smirked. "Unlike you I seem to be liked by the students. They practically begged me to come." Roy sniped and crossed his arms smugly. Who cared about the students a good banter was too fun to miss.

"You mean you're popular with the girls you stupid player. You do know that touching the students is illegal right? I hear Azkaban has a lovely section for perverts. You'd fit right in." With that Edward achieved what all people wish to do in their life. He drew a collective "ooooh" from the students. Nevermind the magic museum, this was real entertainment. Roy pouted, something he would later deny.

"That's a little too harsh don't you think?"

"No it's not, now get your ass in the elevator." Edward snapped. "And I want only boy's in there with you, you hear me?" With that finally said the students filed their way into the lift and eventually out into the entrance hall of the Ministry.

"Wow their relationship is really rotten isn't it?" Harry muttered to Alphonse. They were, by now, quickly stepping down the halls of the third floor of the ministry. Alphonse smiled and shook his head.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that Harry. After all, despite all the complaining, Brother never once told Professor Mustang to leave did he?" Alphonse mused. Harry stopped midstep and raised his eyebrows.

"Ah..."

"Now one thing about the Ministry is that it is not only the largest office in the wizarding community, but it is also a museum containing bits and pieces of our history since the 1300's." Edward explained. "And why is this important? It's because in order to grow stronger you must understand magic and know its origin. That is what Theory is going to teach you." He drew to a stop and ushered everyone to gather around.

"Now for some artifacts, who here has heard of the Mirror of Erised?" Every hand shot up and Edward nodded in approval. "Yeah everyone's heard of that one but here is a little known fact: That mirror was part of a pair." Edward stepped aside to reveal a glass cabinet containing what looked like a smaller version of the mirror they had all witnessed the destruction of the previous year.

"This boys and girls is the Mirror of Sterger. The reason why none of you have heard of it is because it is the mirror that no one can bear to look in. It will show you the one thing you regret the most." The class looked on in wonder until one daring student, Harry, asked the question they were all dying to know.

"What do you see Professor Elric?"

This was when the year six students of Hogwarts discovered that unlike their initial impression Professor Elric may not be as strong as they all thought. They all watched curiously as his bland, knowledgeable look morphed into that of a sad smile.

"I have many regrets Mr. Potter. Some of them I have even come to terms with. This one I still have problems with." Edward turned to look at the mirror. "I made the girl I loved cry. That's something that even after getting over her, I could not forgive myself for."

The awkward silence fell once again the only thing heard was an almost inaudible whisper from Alphonse. That was until Roy's teachers instincts finally kicked in for the first time.

"Alright, I think we should move on to the next artifact." He declared, walking the students away from the mirror. All students save for Harry. Just as he was about to walk about he was grabbed by the collar and pulled to face the blonde professor, who's usual, irritated expression was back with a vengeance.

"Tit for tat, Harry. What do you see?" He asked with an edge to his voice. Ok, so it was more of a demand. Without a moments hesitation Harry's eyes were drawn to the mirror but they did not stay there for long.

"Why is this important Edward?"

"Because, Harry, it will be important soon...trust me."

Harry sighed.

"I see Cedric..and Sirius...and Ginny..everyone who has been hurt because of me." Edward paused then a satisfied smile slowly began to makes its way over his face.

"Good, keep that in mind. It will help you bring your Godfather back. Now then, go back to the class." He ordered and Harry obeyed but to his surprise, Edward did not follow. Instead he was walking off into the other direction.

"Edward, where are you going?" The blonde stopped and turned back.

" You didn't actually think I came here just to teach did you? No, I've got some business to attend to. If they ask where I am, come up with an excuse would you? Oh and one more thing, tell Jackass-Mustang to take you to the Department of Mysteries without fucking around please. Thank you." With that, Edward was gone, leaving Harry to process the bombardment of information.

The Department of Mysteries was back to its former glory but there was no surprise in that. It had been a whole summer after all. However, there were still tiny clues such as the significant drop in prophecies that gave away the battle of that spring.

It had been hard work trying to come up with an alibi for Edward, so in the end, Harry had resorted to the easiest solution. He told Roy the truth...He took it well.

"That stupid son of a bitch! No wonder he let me come along he wanted me to do his job." He groaned. "I bet he knows how much I hate work. That's why he did it." The sad thing was, neither Harry and his friends nor Alphonse could disagree with that.

"I'm really sorry about my brother, Professor Mustang." Alphonse apologized. Roy sighed and looked wistfully at the sweet, polite, young student in front of him.

"He is a piece of work Mr. Elric. Oh why couldn't he be more like you? Are you sure you two are related?"

Alphonse just stared at the floor, his face an exhausting mix of fluster and confusion. Roy could not help but take pity on him.

"Ok Alphon..I mean Mr. Elric, I'll take the class. But only for you." He said with a wink and turned towards the students and continued the class. Alphonse smiled gratefully. That technique had always worked on the Colonel as well.

"So where do you suppose Professor Elric has gone, Alphonse?" Hermione asked, prophecies were something she already knew of very well and there was something more important at hand. Alphonse shrugged.

"Brother mentioned that he needed to collect something from here." Alphonse replied thoughtfully.

"I've heard that one before." Harry said. Ron nodded.

"From Hagrid in year one, right?" Ron worded looking at his friend with understanding.

"But doesn't that seem a little far fetched. There's no way that the Philosophers Stone could be here." Hermione reasoned and Alphonse laughed a little.

"Yes that does seem quite far fetched." He mused.

Oh the irony-

"Hello Minister, I believe you have something for me." Rufus Scrimgeour looked up from his desk work to come face to face with a man he had only ever seen in books and datafiles. That was all he'd ever expected to see of him too but the rumours had been correct.

"You really don't age do you Mr. Elric?"

"Now that's not true, I've grown a centimetre since I was last in this office I swear." Edward rushed, throwing himself into the visitor's chair across from the Minister. Rufus looked on in awe.

"...Last time you were here was ten years ago."

"It's perfectly normal for a man to grow so little." Edward reasoned.

"In their thirties yes, in their late teens not at all, you..." He continued but was cut off.

"Are you going to give me the stone or not Scrimgeour?" Edward snapped, narrowing his eyes threateningly.

The file had been right afterall: Avoid discussions on height at ALL costs.

Rufus nodded and pulled out his wand. He whispered a quick unlocking charm on the third desk down and retrieved a small wrapped package. He placed it on the desk between them.

"You'd think the Aurours would know that a philosophers stone cannot be destroyed." He muttered, eyeing the package. To this Edward got to his feet and opened the package, from his pocket he retrieved a silver chain.

"They do know...well they sort of do."

"What do you mean?" Rufus asked, intrigued by Edward's actions. The man was making a necklace out of one of the most powerful stones in existence. Was that really the best way to keep it safe.

"Well your philosophers stones can." Edward threw the chain around his neck. "Ours cannot, they're made out of significantly stronger stuff." He explained. The Minister leaned forward.

"And what 'stuff' would that be Mr. Elric." Edwards face twisted into that of disgust.

"Human being's Minister." Rufus mouth opened into an "oh" before he shut it. Edward was on his feet and already halfway to the door.

"You'll be a target with that on Mr. Elric. You cannot let it fall into the wrong hands." He warned even though he had a feeling that Edward was more than capable of standing up against enemies.

His feeling was confirmed when a smile spread across the mysterious man's face.

"Don't worry Minister, I can take care of myself."

With that Edward tucked the new pendant beneath his shirt and exited the room.

I am making mah own action. I'll try not to disapoint. The Mirror of Erised may seem like a recycled idea but I love that damn thing too much to leave it alone. Oh and the stone that Edward picked up is NOT Flemmings one and is also NOT the main point to this story but quite possible the next one.

And for those who are wondering cause I cant be arsed to check if I've already said it. Al's body is back as well as Ed's leg. But his arm is still metal meaning he has NOT yet lost his alchemy. Oh and write in your review how you feel about FMA ending. I dont know if I should smile or cry.