Prisoner of Azkaban

Chapter Eleven

Concerns

Xerxes

Ron was worried when none of the Elrics were in class this week, he had asked Hermione and Neville if they had heard anything once they had missed the second day, but it wasn't until the Headmaster disappeared as well that he thought to ask Draco. Draco frowned for a moment, not wanting to be considered a gossipe before deciding that Yuery wouldn't mind if his other friends were told. "Their mom's grandmother, who raised her after her parents died in the war, has fallen ill. They all went to be near her for a while. Yuery said that his Dad would be sending him and Will and Maes back to school next week unless things get worse though."

"Oh no, that's awful." Neville frowned. He couldn't imagine if something were to happen to his grandmother. His parents weren't dead, but they might as well be as far as their ability to take care of themselves of him were concerned. They were permanently damaged when he was a tiny baby, he had no memory of a time with them.

"I do hope she gets better." Hermione added, also concerned for the woman as well as her friends.

"That's just terrible." Agreed Ron, "That's where Professor Elric is too, I assume."

"Yes, from what I understand, she spent a lot of time taking care of Yuery's Dad and Uncle when they were little too. Their mom died in the war as well." Draco said with a sad nod.

"What about their Dad though?" Ginny asked with a frown.

"He was fighting in the war. Fuhrer Mustang was known as the Flame Alchemist. He was sent directly to the front as soon as he passed his exam and stayed until the end or so our history teachers said." Huan said as he joined them. "He then returned to Central before being reassigned to East City where the Elrics joined him. That is my understanding, but it was much more complicated, I'm sure."

"Why are they Elric if their father is Mustang?" Ginny asked.

"Technically, they are Mustang-Elric. Elric was their mother's name." Princess Chen said from behind them. "Why are we speaking of the Fuhrer's family? Do you have an assignment?"

"Not exactly, I asked if anyone knew why they were out this week, I was worried. Then everyone was explaining who the Grandmother was to them." Ron offered sheepishly.

"Ah, I see. Yes, it is terrible that Mrs. Rockbelle has fallen ill. I will not discipline you beyond reminding you that speaking of others personal affairs without their consent is not allowed, especially in the halls between classes." The Princess said as she ushered them all into her class. She waved off their apologies before they all went to sit, Ginny slipping back out of the door to get to her math class in time.

Ron absentmindedly took notes during his classes that afternoon, most of his attention on concern for his friend and the family. He decided to write home to get advice from his mother on how he should offer to help. He didn't have any personal experience with sick or dying relatives that he remembered. Of course, he had heard of relatives that had died before the fall of You Know Who, but he had been a baby then.

Hermione waited until after dinner, before she handed him a small handful of paper. When he looked confused, she rolled her eyes. "We both know you weren't really paying attention this afternoon, what with your concern for Yuery. These notes are better than yours. Don't get used to it."

"I- Thank you Hermione. Did you make a copy for Yuery as well?" Ron asked.

"No need, Princess Chen assured me after class that all of his lessons will be covered while he is away. He does have the Headmaster there after all." Hermione said.

"Ah yes, I'm sure having the head of the school as your uncle has advantages, but I'm not sure keeping up with classwork during a family crisis counts as one." Ron huffed. "What do you think Neville?"

Neville glared in a very 'leave me out of this' sort of way before shrugging as he sat between Ginny and Hiro so he wouldn't have to join the conversation. This made Ron huff and Ginny laugh, but otherwise the subject was dropped when they noticed the teachers were all seated so dinner was beginning.

Reseembool

Elric House

Yuery had already finished his homework for today and tomorrow while waiting to be allowed to see Granny. His mother seemed to think it was a bad idea to let them see her right now, while his father was insisting it should be allowed. What Yuery had gathered from this argument was that neither of his parents' thought Granny was going to recover.

He didn't know if the other boys had figured that out yet, and he wasn't going to tell them because then he would have to say it out loud. He had lost older relatives before, of course, but that didn't make it any easier. He wondered if when they buried Granny would she be placed next to Yuery and Sarah Rockbelle? He knew from his parents that they had been her son and daughter in law, Mom's parents, and they died when she was little.

If she was buried near them, but then what about later? When eventually, hopefully a long time from now, Mom and Dad were buried where would they bury them? The Rockbelle graves were not next to the Elric graves after all, also, what about Yeye and Nainai? They were Dad's parents, but not his first parents.

This then made him question where HE would be buried one day. Was he to be buried near his first parents or his second parents? What about William? His first mom was buried somewhere in Central, wasn't she? How did one decide these things, because Grandma Izumi was buried next to her son in a different town altogether.

"Yuery, you're thinking to hard." Will said casually as he pointed at the vase of flowers that Yuery had made float without noticing. "You are to always pay attention brother."

"Sorry, Will." Yuery said with a huff as he concentrated on pulling the magic back into himself.

"Granny's going to die, isn't she? That's what has you so upset." Will asked as he passed his brother a glass of juice.

"Partly. It brought some questions to mind that I think only Dad can answer but now isn't the time to ask them." Yuery said as he sipped his drink and willed away the negative emotions. "Come on let's check on the others. Try not to mention Granny dying, I don't know if they know yet."

"Maes does, he can feel it, just like you. Trisha, I think does too. Sarah and Izumi, I don't think so." Will said with a frown. "It's hard to say though. No one wants to say anything to anyone. Oh Mr. Jean is here to watch us for a while. Dad said that it doesn't matter what Mr. Jean says we are to obey the normal house rules."

"Dad has never forgiven him for the time he babysat me when I was a baby. I don't know what happened exactly except he had to have broken one of Dad's rules because he always says that whenever he is forced to leave Mr. Jean in charge for a minute. He never lets Jean actually watch us though."

"Mom called; Dad was in a hurry. Ms. Rebecca is to be here in a little while to take over." Will said with a shrug. "I think Granny probably got worse; it's the only reason Dad would rush out like that. Uncle is still over at Granny's too."

"Well. Shit." Yuery said quietly, ignoring his brother's annoyed frown. Mom wasn't here to overhear him, and Will would glare but he wouldn't tattle on him. "I should go over there. Watch the others for me?"

"No, Dad and Mom wouldn't like it." Will said.

"I won't be long; I just want to be sure Mom's okay." Yuery insisted. He was already pulling on his shoes. "I know I'll probably be grounded for this, but I have to make sure she's alright."

"Fine. But you owe me for having to deal with all this alone." Will huffed as his brother slipped out of the house.

Will wasn't truly worried about his brother. His parents had walked that path between the Rockbelles and the Elrics every day of their childhood. Whenever they were in town for a visit both he and Yuery were now allowed to walk the path alone as well. However, he did assume his brother would be trouble for showing up right now when Mom wanted them all to stay away.

Yuery made his way down the path quickly, he reached the other house and peeked through the front curtains before slipping inside. He could hear his parents talking from the back of the house where the medical rooms were, so he took off his shoes and started down the hallway. He was concentrating so hard on being quiet he didn't notice his Uncle until Al had grabbed his shoulder as he was passing the kitchen.

"You are not meant to be here. Your mother wanted you to stay away until later." Al said as he leads the boy back toward the front of the house. "I will walk you home and you will stay there."

"She's dying, isn't she?" Yuery asked as a lump formed in his throat.

"Slowly, yes. Not today though." Al frowned at the boy, "What made you think- "

"Dad left in a hurry and left Mr. Jean in charge of us." Yuery kicked a small pebble as he flowed beside his uncle on the well-worn path.

"Yes, well you mother needed a bit of help, and your Dad came to offer it." Al said, "Did you finish all of your homework?"

"Yes sir. Today and Tomorrows." Yuery smiled proudly. Al sighed fondly, times like this he really did remind Al of Ed.

"Well, I will leave you here, stay put. Your parents will return soon." Al said as they reached the gate to the Elric garden.

The Burrow

Meeting of the Order of the Phoenix

Everyone was on edge at the idea of Sirius Black still evading the aurors as well as the muggle police and the dementors who had been sent in search of him. Dumbledore had called the meeting in hopes of calming everyone's concerns and gaining suggestions on where others thought he might have gone after attacking the youngest boy's room.

Everyone was fearful that Sirius would then attempt to gain entry into Xerxes in search of the boy but as far as anyone could tell, the spell would not be easy to get around. So far, they had not found a way to get in there without invitation. It was very frustrating. Of course, the Headmaster was going to make things hard, he was Nick's son too. He had just as much reason to be upset as the other brother. At least he didn't seem the type to hold things against others.

Dumbledore was reluctant to send any other agents near the Elrics, who seemed unusually adept at turning his agents against him, but he had no choice as he could not enter the country himself. He decided then, that the best options were either sending Mrs. Weasley or Mrs. Longbottom, under the cover of visiting their own charge to check on the conditions. Both women had said during the visit to drop off the children they had been assured they were welcome to visit at any time during the year. Neither was certain if that invitation extended to Amestris.

With the news arriving from the Weasley son that young Harry had been out the last few days and uncertain when he would return, it seemed now was the time to move. After all, if there was an issue for the boy they needed to help. It was the perfect opportunity to once again try to lure the boy back home where he belonged.

A?N: Sorry for the late chapter, the storms had us without power or internet last night and most of the day.