Fullmetal Alchemist Fan Fiction ❯ Fullmetal Alchemist : A Summoning ❯ Shock and Awe ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist. They belong to J. K. Rowling and Hiromu Arakawa respectively.

AN: Because the formating won't work for my mac, thought is now `blah'

~Ch 6 - Shock and Awe ~

The rest of the shopping trip was rather uneventful compared to the wand fitting. It was also very unproductive. The store Flourish and Blots had absolutely nothing usable for his class. The couple of books they did have on alchemy were completely off for his brand of 'magic'. Oh, there were certain similarities on one thing or another, but this world's alchemy worked differently from his. This fact meant that he would be creating any reading material necessary for his class. He did get the books as a reference to his own research however.

The next store was an apothecary where he thought he would be able to get his hands on base elements for the transmutations the students would start with. It was another disappointment. Most of the supplies from this store were of magical origin and, while great for magical potions, they were horrible for basic alchemy. The stationary shop at least had the chalk he needed. That was the last stop before the current store they were in. Madam Malkin's.

Ed grimaced as he looked himself over in the full length mirror. He waited for the lady shop owner to leave the fitting area before turning to McGonagall. He asked in a distasteful voice. "I vill not have to vear this all the time vill I?"

"No Edward, as a teacher you will be aloud to wear what ever you please, but you do need at least one nice dress robe for special occasions." She looked him over. "They suit you quite well, I don't see your reason for the not liking them."

Ed gave her a dead pan stare before looking in the mirror again. " I look like I'm vearing a dress." He grumbled, holding out the edges of the long robe.

"Edward," The transfiguration teacher said in a hushed, but stern voice. "You need to be able to blend in with our community if you are going to convince anyone of your place amongst us."

Edward pulled the black dress robe off and waved her off. "Don't be silly. I am vell versed in the art of blending vith the locals. I often vorked undercover and am quite adept at 'fitting in' vhen I vant to." He smirked. "I've already taken note of the interesting style of clothing the men here have and intend to take advantage of certain aspects of it." While McGonagall was thinking he meant because of his metal limbs, he was thinking about the highly heeled shoes the men seemed to favor. His old platform style of boots might not stand out here like they did back home.

"I hope for your sake that is the case." McGonagall said as Madam Malkin came back out with a bag for him to carry his purchase in. McGonagall paid for the robe and then handed the rest of the money from his school funds to him.

Edward, ever observant, had been comparing the price of objects the entire time to get a feel for the money. When he had seen the price she had just handed over for his dress robes he shook his head. The minute they hit the street again he asked. "I expect I vill be fending for myself for any further attire." At Minerva's nod he continued. "If I am not mistaken, you just paid quite a hefty price for that garment. Is there perhaps a low cost shop I could visit?"

"There is a second hand robe shop near Olivander's. I am glad to see you have a bit of monetary sense about you Edward." She complimented. "And on that note, I feel confident on leaving you to your own devices now. I have work to attend to, but I will be back tomorrow to bring you to Hogwart's. I wish you good luck in finding what you need." She said as she made to leave his company, but in a softer tone added. "Please try to stay out of trouble and not draw attention to yourself."

As she said this Ed clicked his heals together and saluted her at the position of attention. Mineerva's face paled before Edward started to laugh and relaxed his posture. "Relax Minerva," he laughed. "A joke, a joke. Now stop vorrying and attend to your vork. I vill be fine on my own. I am a grown man after all."

She gave him one more worried look, not finding his joke all that funny, before nodding and leaving with a sighed "until tomorrow."

Edward smirked as he watched her leave and breathed in deeply, as if he had be deprived of air for a while now. At last, freedom. He thought happily. Slinging the bags of his purchases over his shoulder, he made his way down the crowded alley. I'll just take care of the clothes shopping now and then head off to get some food. It took no time at all to find the shop and his search for suitable clothing was almost instantly rewarded.

In the front of the shop hung a bright red witches dress... robe, gown... whatever. He immediately picked it off of the rack and hung it over his arm. He picked out a few more random outfits before making his way to the counter. He was met by the rather pleasant shop owner. The lady, in her late forties by the looks of it, had a warm smile and a kind voice. When she looked through his items to tally the price she smiled at the red witches robe. "What a nice young man ya are. Buyin something for yer lady."

Edward laughed. "I don't have a freundin of mine own. This is for me." When the pleasant smile fell from her face to be replaced by a blank gaze he chuckled harder. "Don't vorry, I von't be vearing it like this. I just vanted the material." He said mirthfully. The woman seemed to come out of her daze and giggled with him for a moment.

"I'm interested ta know what you'll make with it." She said as she handed him the paper with the price and he handed her his money.

Ed looked around the shop and since there was no one else in it he shrugged. "I suppose it vouldn't hurt... Can you keep a secret?" He asked and at her nod he winked at her. "Then I vill show you now." He laid the red dress on the floor. He then reached into one of his bags and pulled out a bottle of ink. I suppose I don't really need ink, but it will be fun to watch her face when I do this. He thought as he uncorked the top and pored the ink onto the fabric. The woman looked at him with a slight 'are you mental' look, but he just continued by putting the bottle away and moving back to his work. "Now vatch carefully. I am about to change this using vandless magic." Her eyebrows rose in surprise at his comment, but he didn't give her time to comment. The next instant he clapped his hands and placed them to the soiled red material. When he picked up an all to familiar coat to appraise his work the woman behind the counter stood in stunned silence with her mouth slightly agape. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that reaction... hm, It might be a good way to interest the students... He shook his head. What was he thinking? He only agreed to teach to get his hands on their knowledge. Just like he had originally joined the military for similar reasons.

"Vell, I'll be leaving now, but I may visit your lovely shop again if my stay is longer than I originally hoped for. Auf Wiedersehen" He sighed happily as he pulled on the jacket. It had been a while since he wore this particular article of clothing. He normally wore his military uniform anymore and the last time he was in this world he couldn't make it himself and he would have stuck out even more so than at home. Just then a man in a lime green robe and high heeled boots walked by. Heh, don't think I have to worry about sticking out because of the color. He thought to himself before heading back towards the Leaky Caldron for lunch.

As he passed the shady looking area he had noticed before, a certain someone caught his interest as they made their way down that alley. Feeling he could wait just a bit longer to eat before tailing and possibly messing with his new favorite drinking partner, he followed after him. When he turned down the alley he couldn't see him any where though. Ed decided to make his way down the street a bit to find him, but as he passed one particular shop, something in the window display peaked his interest to say the least.

He went inside and quickly snatched up the book with the title of "Alchimie." He flipped through the book with one hand and noticed it was a very old book, hand written in German. He was already prepared to buy it, but as he glanced over a few details, it was clear to him an Amestarian, or someone who learned from one, had to have written it. The similarities were just to great. There were a few pages torn out, including the one with the authors name, but Edward was too excited over his find to worry about it at the moment. From what he had seen it had theories of both his own and this worlds alchemy mixed together and he was as giddy as a kid in a candy shop. If this book proved to be authentic, it would probably cut his research time in half.

He made his way to the counter and was met with the suspicious face of an oily looking man. Trying his best to ignore the stare, he placed the book on the counter. "How much for this ratty looking thing." He said slyly.

The man looked him over for a moment before lifting the book up. "This particular item is worth a great deal as it is the only one of its kind. It has rather radical ideas on alchemy so I've been told. But I'll make you a deal and sell it to you for a mere 15 galleons."

Edwards sputtered out a laugh. "You are joking, ja?" When the man gave him a non to pleased look he straightened up a bit. " I am a bit of an expert in the field of alchemy, German alchemy, and this thing isn't vorth even half that price. Nein, not even a sixth. I like to collect old alchemy books as a hobby, but if you think you vill get that much out of something like this you vill be sorely disappointed." He emphasized his point by turning to leave with a laugh. He didn't make it to steps before the shop keep called out to him.

"Wait, lets make a deal."

Ed smirked, but when he turned to look at th oily man his features were of boredom. "Vhat are you offering?"

The man's eyes narrowed slightly. "If this book is really as useless as you say it is, then I have been swindled myself. However, I will lower the price to seven galleons."

"Auf Wiedersehen Herr shop keep."

"Wait wait, I'll go to five galleons, but that's the lowest I'll go. I have to make at least a few sickles off of it you know."

On the outside Ed appeared to be thinking the proposition over as he picked the book up again, but on the inside... Sucker! "I suppose..." He drawled. "It is unique, I'll give it that, but it vould be the most over priced item in my collection." He finally nodded. "Alright, you have yourself a deal."

Later that night Edward was in his room in a familiar scene. Papers and books were scattered all around and he was completely absorbed in his work. The only difference being the lightly colored stick in his hand. "Locomotor book." Edward said for the umpteenth time, but this time it finally worked. The book he had been pointing his wand at rose into the air and hovered over to another spot. Edward smiled to himself and then stretched out across the papers. "This is going great. Much more exciting now that I'm able to apply the knowledge. Imagine the possibilities!" He said to himself as he rolled over to pick up the German alchemy book again. "When I get home, so many things will be opened up to our world."

It had to be late by now, but he didn't care. This was the most optimistic he had felt about anything in so long. As far as he was concerned, it wasn't a question of if he got home, but when he got home. Not to mention being able to bypass equivalent exchange like this was amazing. It was like eating nothing but fish and rice your entire life and then one day be offered chocolate cake! Edward delved back into the German text again and lost himself to the words.

There was a loud knock on the door and Edward lifted his head up from the floor, a piece of paper clinging to his cheek before it relented to gravity and floated to the ground. Ed blinked a couple of times to clear his vision. When did I fall asleep? He thought, but another loud knock came and he went to answer the door. When he opened it he found a rather miffed looking McGonagall. "Oh, Guten Morgen." He greeted. "I didn't realize you were coming early today." He said as he covered a yawn.

"I didn't and it is just past noon." She looked past him to the scattered papers and sighed. "I assume you were up late practicing magic then?"

"Ja." He said sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. "Give me a moment and I'll be ready to go." Pulling the wand from his vest pocket, he pointed it at the things and stated "Pack." The papers, books, and writing supples, along with various other items he had lying about, packed themselves neatly into a new trunk. Or rather a second hand trunk spruced up by alchemy. He then flicked his wand and said "Locomotor Trunk." and the trunk rose off the ground as he straightened his clothes.

McGonagall was awe stricken by the boy yet again. "Exactly how many spells did you learn last night Edward?" She questioned.

"Only about twenty that I got to vork properly." He said nonchalantly. "Oh! I almost forgot." He reached to the side of the door and pulled his red coat off of the hook. He put it on and gave the room a once over before moving himself and his trunk into the hall. He noticed his traveling companion staring in distaste at his jacket and lack of different outfit. "Vhat?"

"I thought you knew how to blend in Mr. Elric." She said in a voice devoid of any wonder she had felt for the boy moments before.

"I do." He said with a smile as he began walking down the stairs. "Vhat I said vas that I knew how to vhen I vant to."

Feeling a headache coming on Minerva decided to just let it go for the moment. Following him down the stairs she motioned him near a large fireplace in the back. "I have already told Tom of your departure so we are all set if you are ready to go."

"Of course, though I'm not sure I like this method of travel." He said eyeing the fireplace.

"We will not be traveling by floo. I only moved us over here to be out of the way." She pulled out an old king from a set of wizard chess. "This is a port key, I suppose you already know what it does?"

"Ja." He said with a grown. Edward grabbed a hold of his trunk and then the piece. Don't these people ever just walk or drive somewhere? He thought disgruntled as he felt a tug on his naval. The ride was rough and when he finally made contact with the ground again he was on his knees and disheveled. Clearing his throat he stood and dusted himself off to return some form of dignity. "So vhere are ve Minerva." He asked as he looked around. "This does not look like a school." He said as he looked around the village.

"This is Hogsmeade. It is the closest town to Hogwarts." She said matter of factly.

"What is it with you people and pigs?" He questioned softly to himself.

McGonagall raised a brow, but pointed off in the distance. "That is our final destination. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

Edward turned to stair at a ridiculously large castle. He was not surprised at this seeing as how he had read up on the school, but it was still quite the sight. As they began walking towards it Edward couldn't help but think, At least I'll get my daily exercise just walking to and from meals. He thought dryly.

Time seemed to fly by once Edward got settled in. The couple of weeks before start of term were gone before he new it, but when your obsessed and locked away with books day in and day out, time loss seems to happen quite easily. Edward was happy with himself for having a class syllabus worked out as well as some reading material written out and duplicated. He was also happy with his progress in Magic, but he was agitated with his progress to blend magic and alchemy. While the book had helped discuss the differences between two types of alchemy and how to mix them for alchemic purposes, it failed to mention anything in respects to the gate, travel, or basically anything in the way of getting him home. After only this short time he could tell he had a long road ahead of him before he got home.

It was now the evening of the start of year feast and Edward had given himself a break. Up until now he had rarely visited anywhere but the library, his rooms, his class room and the great hall. He had met the staff upon arrival and got the grand tour, but he wasn't concerned with most parts of the castle. He was to focused on his research to bother with menial things. After that initial introduction he hadn't really talked to any of the staff more than a couple of words because of always having his nose in a book, even at meal time. Though usually he grabbed food and took it with him back to his rooms. He especially avoided the ghosts, he was still getting over the fact that they were real... and they gave him the creeps. Even the house elves had been band from his rooms after cleaning up his papers and books the first time, so Edward had found himself quite the shut in.

Today, however, he had decided to go explore. He had originally planned to tour the grounds for some fresh air, but the weather was horrid. A fact that reminded him he had gone from raining spring to chilly fall, completely skipping the beautiful summer where his automail ports hurt the least. He decided instead to roam the castle. His little expedition turned sour shortly after entering the dungeons though. Not only did he get lost, but he was now officially late for the feast and to top it off he had a Very annoying poltergeist tailing him. Well, it was more like chasing him at this point. The stupid thing was throwing all sorts of things at him! Ok, so maybe he had been verbally abusive to the stupid ghost wanna be, but who wouldn't with the things Peeves says to others. After a short comment and a few minutes of verbal warfare, the poltergeist just started throwing these 'stink bombs' at him a long with ink wells and anything else the little shit could get his hands on.

Running down a random corridor he pulled out his watch and swore. "Ah hell," he said in his native language. "I'm beyond late thanks to..." He had to dodge another thrown object and shook his fist at the vile thing. "I swear, if you stink up my clothes..."

"You'll what Shortty Von Short Short!" Peeves yelled as he threw another dung bomb at the blond.

"Oh, very inventive!" He yelled over his shoulder. Seeing a door up a head he took his opportunity and jumped into the deserted room. A quick couple of transmutations had him standing on the other side of a solid wall and hopefully leaving behind a confuse Peeves. He turned and slumped against the wall in relief. It was then he noticed the hundreds of eyes, all trained on him. "Uh... Hallo." He said shyly to the many house elves. He had somehow managed to transmute himself into the kitchen. Standing up straight he laughed nervously. He was sure that after banning them from his room he wasn't the most popular person with them, but he really needed directions and now. Turning to the friendliest looking one close to him he spoke to it. "Excuse me, but could you direct me to the Great Hall. I seem to be a little lost."

"Of course Edward Elric." The elf pointed directly up. "But the feast ceremony has already begun and the food is about to be sent up. Would you like Dobby to escort you there sir."

Ok, it's kinda creepy he knows my name, but ta hell with it. "Actually... are you saying we are directly below the great hall?" The elf nodded and his mental lightbulb clicked on. "Could you show me to directly below the spot the head master speaks from for the feast?"

"Anything you like sir." Answered the elf and he lead him to a spot at the end of four long tables.

"Danke Dobby." The elf looked at the him strangely. "Ah, thank you Dobby." He repeated and at the understanding the elf's eyes widened in awe.

"What a great and kind wizard Edward Elric is to thank Dobby. You are like the great Harry Potter sir." The elf said in wonderment and he noticed the others were all giving him strange looks as well.

"Danke again, but I really must be going now." There was an even more stunned look on the poor things face now and Edward backed away a couple of steps. Hoping the elf had been precise in his location he clapped his hands and placed them to the floor. I was thinking of giving a demonstration after all. He thought with a smirk as he raised into the air on the stone pillar.

In the great hall, everyone had just finished listening to, or rather blocking out, the new pink professor's speech and Dumbledore had just began speaking again. "As some of you may have heard, we will be teaching a new subject this year at Hogwarts. Alchemy to be exact." The children who had spent their free time at the Oder of the Phoenix Headquarters shot each other disbelieving looks. All were thinking the same thing. You don't think it could be...? At the same time, an unpleasant sound came from the pink clad lady at the staff table, probably because she had just got done saying progress was a bad thing, but the headmaster continued on. "I had planned on introducing your new professor and letting him give... oh, never mind then. Here he is now." That said, he moved to the left slightly to get a clear view of the blue glowing array in the floor directly in front of the area he was standing before.

Noticing his line of vision and soon there after the blue glow, some students even stood from their seats to try and get a better look at the strange phenomenon. The floor seemed to melt away from the center until a perfect circle remained open to the floor below. The faint sound of a clap sounded from below and up rose blond hair followed by a red jacket with the symbol of a cross and serpent. He was crouched on stone that rose to fill the void perfectly and once it came to a stop, no seems or flaws in the stone could be seen. The strange man stood facing the headmaster and paused for a moment.

When Ed came up through the floor facing the full staff table and Dumbledore, he just knew there were hundreds of eyes directed on his person from behind him. He smirked at the 'Opa' and he winked subtly back at him before raising his hands in a motion towards the Fullmetal Alchemist.

"I give you..." said the headmaster as Ed turned around, smirk still in place. "Edward Elric, your new Alchemy Professor." The hall was suddenly filled with clapping and a monestrous wave of questioning and comments on the new teacher. The loudest actually coming from the Slytherin table. Dumbledore made a silencing motion an the buzz quieted down. " Professor Elric, would you care to say a few words on your class?"

Edward looked back to the headmaster. "Danke Herr Dumbledore." his accent, on top of his looks sent many girls swooning. Even more than had done so for Lockheart. Edward's smirk widened slightly, but began his speech. "I know mine class is a last minute addition, but I encourage students of all years to make last minute applications for Alchemy." He began walking across the raised platform of the teachers table as he spoke to the student body. "I know you may be vondering vhat alchemy could do for the common vizard or vitch. Vhy you should give up valuable napping... excuse me, studying time," the students laughed at this comment. " to this class, but have you ever considered vhat vould happen should you find yourself vith out a vand and in need of magic?"

In a fluid motion he clapped his hands and slammed his palm into the stone floor once again. As he lifted his hand a spear formed and rose with it. Grabbing it out of the air he gave it a flourishing couple of spins before resting it on his shoulder. "Not everyone is made for this kind of alchemy, but for those who can grasp it, it is an invaluable tool." You could here a pin drop in the complete silence of the great hall. "So I can expect a good turn out for the class, ja?" He said as he stabbed the spear in the stone and sent it back to its origins per the usual.

It was still silent and Ed began to rethink the shock and awe approach, but clapping came from the headmaster behind him and soon the entire hall was clapping once again. As the clapping stopped and Edward made his way to the empty seat next to a woman dressed in pink, Dumbledore wrapped the speaking up. "For those of you interested in Professor Elric's class, you may fill in your name on the sign up sheets in your common rooms before going to bed. Now, with no further delay... tuck in." Ed was pleased when he saw the delicious food from the kitchen below appear on the platters before him.

The roar of talking and gossip rose to a deafening level as the students started in on the arrival of the new professors. The trio had to lean toward each other to hear one another with out yelling. "Can you believe he's a professor now?" Asked Hermione.

"It seems unreal doesn't it?" added Harry, but their attention was drawn to Ron who started laughing.

"What are you laughing at?" Questioned the bushy haired witch.

"You, haha, peeped on a professor, ahahaha." At his comment Hermione blushed deeply and Harry just shook his head as he began to eat.

IVX: I know there is a lot of time jumping in this chapter, but I wanted to get the story moving along and onto school with classes and all that jazz. Hope you don't mind. Sorry for the wait. I was visiting with my hubby who was home from the military on leave. He will be deploying to Afghanistan after a brief bout in combat training so I needed all the time I could get with him. Thank you for your understanding and a happy holidays to you all... ^_~