One answer to a frequently asked question: Why no reaction from Ed at the mention of a Philosopher's Stone in his wand? He doesn't react in any significant way because he already was made aware that for his custom wand it would include an incomplete fragment of the philosopher's stone. He was told this by Dumbledore in chapter 6. I am sorry for the confusion this may have caused.
For the sake of this chapter, I am changing the format style. This means English for certain situations. You will know when the time comes. For all future chapters unless noted this signals speech in a foreign language to the point of view.
I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST, FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST BROTHERHOOD, OR ANY PART OF THE HARRY POTTER SERIES!
In the doorway stood Alastor Moody, holding a silver chain in his hand. On the end of it, hung the Silver Pocket watch Ed had left in his room.
"I knew you were a fishy character from the moment you entered Headquarters, and this only furthers my evidence" Moody growled.
"How did you get that?!" Ed said, shooting to his feet.
"I know this symbol very well boy, it's the symbol of the Amestrian Military. Now how did a child like you come to have it, eh?" Moody continued, unperturbed by the outburst.
Ed froze, as he felt the color drain from his face. Among the jumbled thoughts in his mind, one question came out clearest.
What do I do now?
Chapter 10- Explanations and Connections
"Well, boy?" Moody demanded, both eyes staring straight into Ed's. Fury boiled in at the sight of the man's cold glare, and Ed attempted to retrieve the watch, only to be held back by a suspecting Remus Lupin.
"What gives you the damn right to look through my things? Is this a normalcy in this place? To search with no limits of another's rights? I've just about had it." He said, just barely suppressing the urge to punch the nearest person he could find.
"Ed, calm down…" Remus said, attempting to sooth the clearly furious teen. However, his attempts were all in vain.
"I've had it with you people sticking you noses wherever they can fit! You have no sense of when to respect a person's privacy, you just want to know everything about anything right? You know there was a man; he was much smarter than you people. He was dragged into something he shouldn't have been, and now he's dead!" Ed raged, and as he said those words he felt his heart sink. That's right, he's dead, all because he got involved. Poor Gracia, and Elisia too.
"Ed..." Hermione breathed out, tone dripping sympathy, and pity. This only served to infuriate Ed even more, how he hated the idea of being pitied.
"Then let me ask you this boy, if you learned that something suspicious was happening, and you knew exactly how to deal with it, and how much it could harm society, would you just sit by because someone told you to?" Moody said, voice dangerously low.
Ed stopped in his tracks, thinking of the recent events at the fifth laboratory. I almost got killed, but I learned valuable information about the stone, the military, and my enemies. I don't know if you could call it 'worth it' but it was overall something that could have been left alone, causing more people to die. Ed shook his head. But that's different! I haven't done anything to make these people assume I'm dangerous! Sure, I used some Alchemy, but that shouldn't bother them in this freak show of a society!
"Now do you see boy? Why it is necessary to take precautions, and keep constant vigilance! To-"
"Shut up! That doesn't justify anything! You have been sticking your nose into my life ever since I got here! What exactly makes me so suspicious that you have to go through my stuff?!" Ed said, finally ripping his hands from Remus's grip.
Harry couldn't believe what he was seeing. It seemed so odd to see Ed like this. So angry, and frustrated.
"The man was a family friend. He died recently cause of something stupid I did."
Harry wondered about that. Was this man the same as the one he mentioned then?
"The dog-like thing was a chimera. It was a little girl and her dog, they were combined into that. They were later murdered by a serial killer."
Harry couldn't help but wonder why he didn't pay attention to that earlier. His country was riddled with things that they didn't know about, and Ed had been involved with situations like that. Ed was clearly not some random researcher. But then what?
"I know this symbol very well boy, it's the symbol of the Amestrian Military. Now how did a child like you come to have it, eh?"
Was Ed a soldier? Harry shook the thought from his head. 15 year olds don't become soldiers.
"-thought you trusted the Old Man!" Ed said loudly, interrupting Ed from his thoughts. "Ed, please, just give him the answers he wants." Remus tried to reason. Ed scoffed and Harry sighed. Of course he has to be stubborn.
"He's not going to rest until he finds a reason for me to get locked up! I'm not telling him anything!
"I could always give you the Veritesserum again. Do you want me to take those measures? Because I warn you now I will not hesitate to do so, even if I have to use force" Moody growled. Why is he taking it so far? Even Moody isn't normally like this.
"Come now, Mad-Eye! That's taking things too far! He's fifteen!" Mrs. Weasly said, glaring at him disapprovingly.
"Ed? Do you blame yourself for that man's death?" Hermione asked, breaking the tension of the air as Ed turned sharply to face her. "What?"
"You said yesterday that someone died because of something stupid you did. Now you say it's because he got involved in something he shouldn't. Do you blame yourself?" She asked. Harry stared at Hermione in awe, she figured that out?
Ed's fist clenched as he said "If I didn't get him involved he would still be alive. Gracia and Elisia would be happy, and so much grief could have been spared. Is it so wrong to take responsibility?"
"Ed…" Ginny said softly.
"Edward. Please, if you explain what's going on things will be so much easier. Why don't you just tell us?" Remus tried again, to soothe Ed's anger. Ed shook his head, "My life is none of your business"
"What are you talking about?! Were your friends Ed! How is this not our concern?!" Hermione said loudly, directing everyone's attention. No one spoke, as she looked at Ed expectantly. "Damn it all" He muttered. "That's exactly why I can't tell you!" He protested.
"Look, Ed. All we want is a general picture of your situation. We won't get into trouble. Besides, what could be so bad from a muggle country that the wizarding world can't handle?" Sirius said, clearly getting annoyed. Ed glared, before letting out a loud sigh. "Fine." He said, before turning to Moody. "But on condition he doesn't keep poking around afterword."
Moody scoffed, before saying "Fine boy. If you tell us what we want to know truthfully now, I won't dig farther into your personal life unless I find it absolutely necessary." Ed seemed annoyed at that, but then said "Alright. What first?"
"What is alchemy?" Remus asked.
Ed nodded, resuming his seat. "Alchemy is the science of understanding, deconstructing, and reconstructing matter. It follows the principle of equivalent exchange,"
"Hold on, I thought alchemy was a lost magic! The one where they try to create a philosopher's stone and turn lead into gold?" Ron said, clearly still confused.
"I don't know what kind of sick alchemy that was, but that isn't it. We can turn lead to gold, but it's illegal, 'cause otherwise it would screw up the economy. As for the philosopher's stone, only a few people I know of study it, and regret it."
"Because it requires human life?" Harry asked. Ed turned to him and nodded. People in the room gasped, besides the ones who Harry had already told.
"That's awful" Tonks said softly.
"How did you come by that information?" Moody asked.
"My brother and I looked into it. We had been researching it for a good 3 years, searching for it. Then we got access to a certain man's research notes, which we decoded. And there we found the answer." Ed explained.
"Why were you looking for it?" Arthur asked, and the room went quiet, and the whispers died down, as all eyes turned expectantly to Ed. Harry had to admit, he was extremely curious about this, and had been ever since Ed had told him this information.
"When we were younger, there was an accident. Something stupid that my brother and I did, resulting in my losing a leg, and my brother who almost lost everything." Ed said, and Harry noticed his voice shaking ever so slightly. "I used alchemy to bring back his soul, in exchange for my right arm. It was attached to a suit of armor, and I was fitted with automail, by a friend of mine who happened to live nearby. We wanted the stone in order to get our bodies back to normal. In order to do that, I joined the military three years ago. We gained access to the military information, and the pay helped to support us. I'm here to further my research." Ed explained, and the room fell silent.
"So you're in the military?" Sirius said, sounding slightly impressed. "But if you joined three years ago, then you would have been twelve! Does your government really recruit people so young?" Molly said, sounding distressed. Ed shrugged. "I'm considered a child prodigy. They recruit based on examinations, which are usually hard enough to keep the younger people out, and most people don't want to do it anyway. I'm the youngest recruit in history" Ed said, a hint of pride in his voice. Harry found it odd, to think that Ed was a soldier. The idea of Ed walking around in a military uniform and obeying an officer seemed so bizarre.
"Though I have to ask. How do you know the symbol so well?" Ed said, turning to Moody.
"Had an old friend, named Basque Grand. He joined the military as a state alchemist." Moody said. Ed's expression seemed to sadden at that. "You knew Brig. Gen. Grand?" He asked. Moody nodded "that's what I just said, boy"
"Then you know what happened?"
Moody looked at Ed suspiciously. "I haven't heard from him in years now boy, what are you talking about?"
"He was murdered not too long ago." Ed said plainly. Moody stayed silent, before saying "I see. He always was a reckless one. Expert in combat, but lacked to proper awareness"
Ed nodded, refusing to look up.
"Colonel Mustang? Have you heard anything from Ed?" Al asked. They were in the Colonel's office, and Al was worried. Ed usually doesn't take this long to respond, especially when he knows that Al is worried and it is something urgent. Mustang shook his head, saying "Nothing, and frankly, it's getting annoying. He knows he's supposed to keep me updated, and with the situation what it is…"
Al had been surprised at first, at how concerned the colonel had been about Ed. Every now and then he even spotted the colonel looking out the window, as if waiting for an owl to swoop in. Al found it nice to vent to the colonel, who seemed to find it quite alright.
"He's just so reckless sometimes. Are you sure it was okay to send brother on this mission?" Al asked. Mustang simply waved a hand, saying "Fullmetal won't die easily. You know how stubborn he is better than anyone else. He'll pull through, especially if he knows that it's for the sake of you getting your body back"
"Do you think he even got it? Should be send in someone?" Al asked, growing paranoid. He hated the idea of Ed being hurt by these people, and it scared him, to think that something might have happened to him.
"We'll wait. If he doesn't respond in the next week, I'll send backup." Mustang said sharply. Al nodded, excusing himself from the room. He needed to think.
He missed his brother dearly, and he found most of his nighttime thoughts occupied by worry. He wanted to be of help to his brother, and he knew there had to be a way. He was confident that Ed would not give up on him.
I want to feel again. I want to feel human again. I don't know how much more of this empty feeling I can stand. I know I am touching something, but it's like I'm entirely numb, and always have been. I want my body back so badly I can taste it, and I want Ed to get his limbs back. That has to happen first, the automail is so hard on him. For him, I can wait a little bit longer.
He looked up to the sky, as he imagined a breeze hitting an imaginary face. Ed, I hope you're alright.
There was a loud crash, interrupting Al from his thoughts. He had barely realized where he was going, until he saw the smoke coming from the apartment building a bit away from his own current location.
"What was that?!" Al wondered aloud.
"Alphonse!" said a voice from behind. He turned to see a military car coming toward him. It stopped, and the window rolled down to reveal Riza Hawkeye. "Lietuenant!"
"Scar has been spotted in central. That was probably him. You need to stay away from the scene, Colonel's orders." She said. Al shook his head. "I can't! He might be hurting more people!"
"Alphonse, do as the Colonel orders you to. We can't risk this, especially after your last run in with Scar" she said. Al shook his head again. "Unlike brother, I don't have to listen to him. I'm going whether you want me to or not" He said, before taking off towards the scene.
"Alphonse! Get back here!" Riza said, driving after him. As she did she sighed. "The Elric stubbornness truly runs deep, doesn't it?"
When Al reached the site, he was horrified. The whole building had been demolished, and there stood Scar, facing a terrified man wearing an odd set of clothes. He wore robes of a bottle green with stars and moons, and was waving a stick at Scar, yelling odd phrases in what sounded to Al like Latin.
On instinct, Al ran over and was surprised to see Scar looked not only baffled, but also intrigued. Just then, he decided to charge at the man, who screamed.
It was an instinct, Al ran and stepped in front of him. There was a loud clang, and Scar leapt back.
"Alphonse Elric, are you going to interfere with me again?" He said.
"I thought you only targeted state alchemists!" Al said, as the man behind him began to babble in another language. Al thought he recognized a few words as English and wondered if this person was a 'wizard'.
"This man sought to interfere, and for that he is being punished" Scar said, tightening a fist. "If you do as well, then I will deal with you first"
Al didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. He clapped his hands together, and slammed them to the ground.
As the two fought, Al was wary of the man babbling in the background, saying something about magic and help, further convincing Al he was an English 'wizard'
There was no progress. Al would create something, but just as quickly it was destroyed by Scar. It was a back and forth, as neither combatant wanted to give way. Finally, Al had been backed into a corner. He looked around frantically for a place to run. As long as he doesn't hit me again. I was lucky the first time since he was prepared to destroy the human anatomy, but this time he won't mess up. I need something to keep him occupied. Anything!
Just then, there was a loud crash. "How may I be of assistance, Alphonse Elric?" said a loud booming voice, and Al was suddenly unsure whether or not to be scared or relieved.
"Armstrong" Scar growled, turning around. Soon, many military cars had followed, and surrounded him. Al would have been relieved, but he had a sinking feeling it wouldn't last. Sure enough, before he knew what had happened, Scar had disappeared underground once again.
Al found a way to escape, and ran back to the babbling man. He tried his best to recall his English and said slowly "Are you alright, sir?" The man stopped for a second, before saying "I am. Thanks to you saving me"
Al nodded, shaking his head to show it was not a problem. "Please excuse me. My English is not very good" He said, trying his best to be polite. The man waved it off, and Al asked "Are you a wizard, sir?" The man jumped, looking around quickly.
"How do you know about that?" He asked sharply.
"My brother has friends who are wizards" Al replied, remaining calm.
He nodded, before speaking rapidly. Al barely caught the jist of it. The man was saying that he was indeed a wizard, though he cannot use magic here for some reason. Al wanted to tell him why, but he had no clue, how, so he just nodded. "I am Alphonse Elric, by the way."
The man suddenly nodded, pointing at him happily. "You know Edward Elric?" Al gasped lightly, before saying "Yes. That is my brother"
"He is doing well. Very studious boy. Always in the library"
Al laughed. It's good to know he's safe.
"I am Elphias Doge, It was good to meet you, Alphonse" He said, holding out a hand. Al took it, feeling much better.
"Father! Are we really going to let that Flame Alchemist go?! He burned Lust to a crisp!" Envy demanded.
"My Lust. He killed my Lust" Gluttony said, hovering in the corner. He hadn't said anything else since the incident.
"I won't have that happening Envy. He is a potential Sacrifice" Wrath said, cutting through the expectant silence. Envy turned to wrath, saying viciously, "C'mon Wrath! We can always replace him! There are plenty of candidates in the experimental project"
"Now isn't the time, you two. Envy, have you made contact with any of the targets?" Father said, instantly silencing the quarrel. Envy bowed slightly before saying "I did. I also ran into the Fullmetal brat. He should be being questioned right about now"
"I see, so the plan is going smoothly?" Wrath inquired. Envy smirked. "Of course it is! Soon enough they'll all have the capability to open the gate, and we can move to test out this method. If this works, we should be able to proceed with the main event."
"You both have done well, Wrath, Envy. Keep up the good work" Father said, taking a sip from his glass. "Soon, it will all begin. Just a matter of time now"
PROGRESS! It actually happened! The plot thickens~. Next chapter is Hogwarts, so look forward to that. The poll for Edward's house will close on October 2nd.
This is becoming really fun to write I must say.
Thank you for reading.
-SevenBlazingSkies