Fullmetal Wizard

"Let me start over...Professor Dumbledore." Ed said, and he unbuttoned the cuff of his own left sleeve. This he rolled up just past his elbow, which revealed both the large bandage wrapped around his forearm, and the carved-in lettering in his flesh. Then he removed his glove, and unwrapped the bandage to reveal the rest, and checked the array scar once again to make sure it was scabbed over. He turned the lettering to face Dumbledore. "Dhis is vhat she vas having us do. Using a quill dhat used our own blood as ink."

Dumbledore's twinkling blue eyes narrowed behind his half-moon glasses as he peered at the letters. He looked hard at the marred flesh a rather long time, blue eyes lingering on the array scar just above the letters. Then, he looked up abruptly an stared off a little to the left of Ed's shoulder, and Ed lowered his arm back to his side. Professor McGonagall's eyebrows lowered to the point where they almost met, and her nostrils flared out when she looked in the pink toad's general direction.

"That pattern above the lettering, and the ones mixed in the letters themselves. I recognise them a little from my work with my partner." Dumbledore said in Amestrian "Tell me, you happen to know exactly HOW to use blood, like the ancients are said to have done in alchemical transfiguration, correct?"

Ed looked down a moment to button his cuff once more.

"The correct word is 'transmutation', Professor. Not 'transfiguration'." Ed replied in Amestrian. "It is said that only the mad or truly desperate ever think to use blood, but then, I haven't gotten very far in your library just yet. There may be exceptions to be found."

"Ah. I see now."

"Will you two speak ENGLISH!!?" The Minister said angrily.

"Cornelius, I have determined that Edward here was speaking truthfully when he said he was not the one who 'transfigured' the desk around Professor Umbridge."

"WHAT?"

"You see, blood is well known to be a very volitile substance in alchemy. You do remember that I am known for discovering the five uses of dragon's blood?"

"I'm not following.."

"Never you mind, Cornelius." Dumbledore said cheerfully. "It will suffice to say that I believe that Mr. Elric was not the one responsible for unlawfully detaining Professor Umbridge within her own desk. I would say that particular feat lies with Professor Umbridge herself. Now..as for the assault charges..."

"I certainly did NOT transfigure my own desk about myself!" The pink toad. "I didn't even have my wand..!"

"I never said you did, dear. Now...what was that you said about touching Mr. Elric on the arm..? Would you care to ..say.. demonstrate it to me?"

Ed immediately snapped a glare to first Dumbledore, then to the pink toad's beady eyes.

"No vay in hell ..!"

"Elric..! Such language..!" Professor McGonagall said crisply.

"I'm NOT letting her, or anyone else, touch me." Ed said loudly in Amestrian, and made a quick glance at man behind the desk. "I mean it. I will defend myself."

Dumbledore held up his hand.

"Calm down, Mr. Elric." Dumbledore said softly in English. "It is but a simple.."

"LIKE SHIT IT IS!!" Ed yelled. He was so angry, he didn't know which language he spoke in as he stepped back away from the immediate threat of the pink toad.

"Easy.."

"No one's here to hurt you.."

"Calm down.."

Ed glanced about and saw several of the picture people patting the nonexistant air in front of them. He then realised he had his arms crossed about his chest, and the right arm protectively over the left and his gloved right was clawing nearly painfully into his left bicept.

'More and more like a dream world than ever..' He thought as his eyes went wildly from one frantic picture person to the next. ..then his back hit against a wall. 'They don't know about blood seals..if this gets activated..I'm gone..!'

Thankful for something to focus on, he closed his eyes and looked inward at the structure, and listened to his breathing. Calcium Carbonate ..Magnisium ..Colbalt ...Regimented and arranged like a grid. That at least was the same as it always was. When he opened his eyes once more, he startled.

Severus peered down at him coldly over his nose. He was standing close enough to touch, yet far enough away that he wasn't. The image of the Gate flashed for just a moment, and Ed scowled right back at the man.

'The damn gate didn't break me..but if I have stay in this.. stupid ...dream world...' Ed thought as he swallowed his bile. Then he tore his eyes away from Severus' gaze and looked back at Dumbledore.

"Hem hem..clearly, the boy..oh I mean Mr. Elric, is too dangerous to be allowed remain here at Hogwarts. We simply cannot allow unstable sorts like him to.." The pink toad said in a little girlish voice.

"Actually, Delores. I have come to a quite different conclusion. You see, from what I have just observed, I have determined that, while awake, Mr. Elric would never allow you or, anyone else, to touch him. What's more, I believe he would simply move away rather than harm a person with such innocent intent." Dumbledore said in an almost cheery tone.

"Which means, when this alleged assault occurred, if it indeed it was Mr. Elric who harmed you, then he must have been rendered unconscious at the time." Dumbledore continued. "And who among us can be faulted for what happens when we are unconscious?"

"That's ridiculous." Toady said. "I rather think he was fully awake when he moved as fast as he.."

"Tell me, Delores, just how much blood did you end up taking from Mr. Elric this past week for his detention?" Dumbledore said politely.

"I honestly don't know." Toady said, "What does it matter?"

"Oh..it matters greatly. Severous, would you say Mr. Elric is quite a bit more pale than he was, say, at the start of term feast?"

"Considerably so. However, I believe it has more to do with his unique method of measuring toxic potion ingredients than any supposed blood loss. He has this most fortunate habit of holding them directly in his hands, one that will most certainly shorten his life if he is unwise and continues to do so in my classroom."

Ed snorted in amusement, and lowered his arms to his sides.

"Ah, yes. Quite an skill to have, isn't it." Dumbledore said, blue eyes twinkling.

"Well? Is he to be expelled or not?" The Minister demanded. "Remember, Dumbledore, This is not the first time he has attacked a Ministry official."

"Alas, at the time he allegedly attacked several Aurors, I believe you'll find he wasn't a student of Hogwarts. I can not deliberate on those instances, only this one that lies before me now. Therefore, I find that Mr. Elric is indeed still welcome within our walls." The toad's beady eyes widened at this statment.

"At least, for as long you are Headmaster." The toad said in simpering, girlish voice. She nodded her head politely at the desk. "Professor Dumbledore."

"Indeed." Dumbledore replied. "And as Headmaster, I have the highest honor to discuss your ..rather harsh choice of discipline methods ..at length. Beginning tomorrow."

:::

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