Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/2591591.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage
  Category:
      F/M, M/M
  Fandom:
      Harry_Potter_-_Fandom, Fullmetal_Alchemist:_Brotherhood_&_Manga
  Relationship:
      Edward_Elric/Harry_Potter, Alphonse_Elric/Winry_Rockbell
  Additional Tags:
      AU, Slash, Angst, explicit_content
  Series:
      Part 21 of Prompts
  Stats:
      Published: 2014-11-09 Words: 24734
****** Storm-born Alchemist ******
by MissYuki1990
Summary
     “I am an Alchemist,” he said as he lowered his hands to his sides and
     opened his amazing eyes. “And I’ve been sent here to correct one
     injustice, and learn from the two who are known as the best
     Alchemists since Nicholas Flamel.”
Written on the request made by CloudOfNothingness.
I hope you’ll like it!!!
Disclaimer:I claim no rights to the characters of Harry Potter and Fullmetal
Alchemist: Brotherhood. They belong to their respective owners. Songs featuring
in this story are ‘Brothers’ from Fullmetal Alchemist sung by Vic Mignona, and
‘Wrapped’ sung by Gloria Estefan. I claim no rights to the songs.
Warnings: AU, angst, slash, explicit content, underage (16 is the age of
consent in Croatia, but it’s still considered underage)
                                      cut
Even though it was the middle of the Summer, the night of the 31st of July was
cold as harsh winds blew through Godric’s Hallow. Inside a house near the city
Graveyard, a woman called Lily Potter was giving birth.
Her husband and their friends were in the living room of their house, all four
of them tense and fearful, because the pregnancy was difficult, and the birth
wasn’t going easy either. The lives of both children and their mother were at
stake, and James Potter was afraid that he could lose all three of them.
When Madam Poppy Pomphrey came down into the living room with a relieved smile
on her face, saying that they received two boys, cheers of utter happiness and
joy filled the house.
At that moment they didn’t care that there was a madman on the loose, searching
for them. They didn’t care that they were at war. The only thing that mattered
to them was that Lily was alive, and that both of the newborn boys would make
it.
James was taken into the bedroom, and was given the older twin into his hands
while Lily held the younger one to her chest. James took a seat beside his
beloved wife as he cradled his firstborn in his arms. The child was red and
wrinkled, but still James couldn’t help but feel love blooming in his chest.
There as already a tuft of black hair on the child’s head, and when he opened
his eyes, James could already tell that he would inherit his wife’s beautiful,
emerald orbs.
The younger twin which Lily had cradled to her breast was somewhat smaller, but
he was louder as he cried and cried, his small limbs flailing around. There was
a tuft of dark red hair on his head, and neither could see his eyes since he
had them tightly closed.
They named their first born Harry James Potter, and the younger twin was named
Jeremy Damian Potter. They decided that Sirius, James’ oldest friend would be
Harry’s godfather, while Remus, Sirius’ werewolf mate, would be Jamey’s
godfather, and everything seemed right with the world.
For a year they lived in relative peace, hidden from Lord Voldemort by the most
powerful of protective spells, until their trust was betrayed by Peter
Pettigrew, who joined Voldemort’s ranks out of fear and jealousy.
The night of Halloween would forever be remembered by every Witch and Wizard in
Britain and Europe, for it was on that night when Lord Voldemort came into the
Potter House intent on killing the child prophesized to mark his downfall.
Unaware of the Dark Lord’s evil intent, Lily and James went to bed early, so
there was nothing stopping Voldemort from entering their house and making his
way into the bedroom where Harry and Jamey slept together in their cradle,
wrapped around one another as they were in their mother’s womb.
Certain that nothing could go wrong, Voldemort raised his wand to strike down
the raven haired child first. To his misfortune, both children woke up at the
same time, and he found himself target of two identical pairs of emerald eyes.
Now, someone else would have hesitated, but Lord Voldemort’s soul was too
damaged and his heart was too cold, and an evil grin stretched his thin lips as
he raised his wand to kill the red haired child first, seeing that the raven-
haired one appeared to be holding on to his twin as though he understood what
was going on and wanted to protect his brother.
When the Killing Curse left Voldemort’s wand, happened something that never
happened before. The raven-haired child’s magic burst out from him to protect
the younger twin, merging with Jamey’s core and producing a shield so powerful
that the Killing curse rebounded and hit Lord Voldemort instead.
Unseen by anyone, a strange door appeared on the floor of the room, and when it
opened an eye caught sight of everything, immediately storing it within the
collective consciousness of all that was, all that is, and all that will be.
        Your wish will be granted, and your sacrifice will be accepted.
Those words echoed through the small room as Voldemort’s very being was
destroyed, everything he was, everything he is and everything that he was
leaving behind turning into nothingness.
Lily and James woke up to terrifying screams, and when they rushed into the
room where their children slept, they found little Jamey reaching for them from
his and his brother’s crib as his brother lied unconscious at his little feet.
At the foot of the crib, lied the dead body of Lord Voldemort, his wand broken
beside his right hand.
Jeremy Potter was named the Boy-Who-Lived when Lord Voldemort’s death was
confirmed by the Headmaster of Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Albus Dumbledore, and all of the Wizarding World celebrated the child.
As time passed, and Jamey started showing bursts of accidental magic, it became
obvious that his older twin had no magic of his own. James and Lily loved both
of their children, but it was obvious to anyone who wanted to see that most of
their attention was focused on Jamey, and it became worse and worse as time
went by.
Even though Lord Voldemort was well and truly gone, his followers still reigned
and implanted terror in the hearts of Wizards and Witches, swearing that they
would bring their Lord back from the dead.
As time passed Harry and Jamey grew, with Jamey showered by love and Harry
pushed to the side. James and Lily were so overtaken by their little Boy-Who-
Lived, and the fame their achieved over night, that they hardly noticed that
Jamey was happy, innocent and cheerful, while Harry was quiet, introverted and
calm, and - despite having no magic - always the one who stood up and by his
younger twin.
Fawning over Jamey, the Potters didn’t notice that Harry was acting strange for
his age. Unaware of what happened on that night, they simply believed that
their firstborn was traumatized by the horrible events, not knowing that it was
his sacrifice that made it possible for both twins to survive, and that their
survival cost Harry his childhood and innocence, for his sacrifice brought him
knowledge that no one should have.
Only the fact that he was a child with a mind not corrupted and limited by
worldly beliefs saved him from going insane and dying a horrible, horrible
death.
Harry received the penalty of Truth. As he grew, more and more of it was
revealed to him by the Gates of Truth, and the Being Above All Beings. He grew
aware of everything, forced to hide his knowledge from his parents who devoted
all of their attention to his younger brother.
He swore to protect Jamey with everything he had, even though he sacrificed his
magical core to save Jamey’s life. Jamey wasn’t aware of his brother’s
struggle, growing up like all children do, discovering the world piece by
piece.
He was a cheerful child although while Harry was always serious and quiet.
Jamey seemed to laugh enough for the both of them, chattering non-stop since he
learned his first word. It made Lily and James all but ignore the fact that
Harry rarely if ever spoke, keeping his eyes on Jamey at all times.
Jamey grew up innocent and happy, with Harry making sure that his brother was
safe and loved. Around their 6th birthday, the Gates of Truth gave Harry the
basic knowledge of Alchemy, and whenever he wasn’t watching over his brother
because their parents took him out somewhere while leaving Harry behind, Harry
used that time to practice Alchemy.
Even though James and Lily never admitted it, they were ashamed of their first
born son being a Squib, but when they tried to convince people that Jamey was
their first born, the little one - in his innocence - contradicted them, saying
that ‘big-brother Harry always takes care of him and keeps him safe’.
Not understanding how Harry, who had no magic of his own, could in any way
protect Jamey, James and Lily ignored the child’s words.
Upon their 11th birthday, Jamey received his letter of acceptation into
Hogwarts, but to James’ and Lily’s surprise he burst into tears and ran into
his room, not letting either James or Lily in.
When his parents gave up, deciding to give him time, Harry came out of his
small room at the end of the hallway, and entered Jamey’s room without any
problems at all, his younger brother’s magic recognizing him immediately.
“Jamey?” he called out warmly when he found his brother curled up in the corner
of the room with his arms wrapped around his legs which he hugged to his chest
and his face hidden in his knees.
Harry smiled a small, loving smile and closed the door before he approached
Jamey and took a seat beside him. Not even a second later, Jamey threw himself
in Harry’s arms, wrapping his own around Harry’s shoulders as he buried his
face in Harry’s neck.
“I don’t want to go! I don’t want to leave you behind! Mom and dad will ignore
you! They’ll forget about you! I don’t want to leave you behind!!” Jamey cried
frantically and Harry’s heart ached.
“Jamey, you need to go to Hogwarts,” He whispered lovingly as he hugged his
twin to his chest.
“But what about you?!” Jamey cried out and raised his head, his emerald eyes
meeting Harry’s. It was always amazing to him how everyone - their parents and
their godfathers - always said that they had identical eyes, when in fact
Harry’s were a cross between green and gold, while his were shining emeralds.
Jamey hiccupped when Harry raised his hands and brushed Jamey’s wavy, chin long
hair back before he cupped his cheeks and wiped his tears away with his thumbs.
“Jamey, you know that you and I are different, right?” Jamey nodded as he
sniffed and Harry smiled at him, “Do you know why that is?” Jamey shook his
head and Harry sighed, “Come.” He stood up, pulling his brother along to
Jamey’s big bed.
He lied down before he pulled Jamey on it, and when Jamey nuzzled close to him,
Harry hugged him tightly, wrapping his slightly bigger body around his twin’s,
mimicking the way they used to sleep together before their parents gave them
separate rooms, even though Harry always sneaked into Jamey’s room to watch
over him.
He continued to brush his right hand through Jamey’s hair lovingly, making his
younger brother calm down within the safety of his brother’s arms.
“I remember what happened on the night Voldemort came to kill us,” Harry
whispered and Jamey tensed up within his arms, raising his head to look at
Harry. “He aimed to kill you first, and in my childish innocence, I wished to
protect you even then. I denied my own magical core to save your life,
summoning something that should never be summoned - the Gates of Truth. I was
willing to sacrifice myself to save your life, and the Being Above All Beings
granted my wish, but the basic rule of Alchemy meant that I had to pay the
price. The price of your life was knowledge.”
“Knowledge?” Jamey whispered, listening intently to every word that flowed down
Harry’s lips.
“Yes, Jamey; knowledge. What saved my life was the fact that my mind wasn’t
corrupted by the knowledge of the world, and I could accept it all without
going insane, but it cost me my innocence and childhood.”
“That’s why you’ve always acted so grown up! That’s why you never minded the
way our parents treated you - why you always protected me.”
Harry smiled and nodded, and Jamey frowned as he bit into his full bottom lip.
Even though they were twins, they were different. Jamey’s hair was bright red
where Harry’s was darker than sin. Jamey was of a smaller stature while Harry
was stronger than him. Jamey was open-hearted, kind and cheerful, while Harry
was introverted, serious and almost world-wary.
“The Being Above All Beings granted me knowledge about the world, and it also
gave me knowledge of Alchemy.”
“Alchemy?” Jamey’s eyes widened in interest, and Harry chuckled at his innocent
younger brother.
“Yes.”
“Can I see it?!” Jamey cried out in excitement and hopped off of the bed, while
Harry followed after him at a slower pace. He looked around Jamey’s room and
found a small stone he remembered them finding in the back yard.
“Give me a second,” he asked and Jamey nodded hurriedly, and he took a seat on
the bed, although his whole body was vibrating with curiosity.
Harry took the white stone before he looked around, and finding nothing
resembling what he needed he kneeled on the floor in front of Jamey, sitting
back on his legs, before he took the hem of his shirt into his hand and ripped
a part of it off. He placed it on the floor around the stone before he looked
up at Jamey and winked at him, making his excitable younger brother giggle.
Jamey’s eyes widened in amazement when Harry closed his eyes and took a deep
breath. He clapped his hands in front of his chest before he lowered them to
the ground and covered the stone and the piece of his shirt, and Jamey gasped
when a strong wind danced around Harry’s hands followed by electricity
crackling around them.
When it all stopped, Harry took what he created and offered it to Jamey, whose
full lips parted in amazement. The stone which was round before now had the
shape of a flat ring, with two intricately carved wolves dancing around one
another, one black and the other pure white. The pendant hung on a black string
and was big enough to fit in the middle of Jamey’s palm.
“So that you never forget me,” Harry murmured and Jamey frowned at him.
“How could I ever forget you? You’re my one and only brother!”
Harry chuckled and nodded his head. “I know, but you’ll be leaving to Hogwarts,
and you’ll make a lot of friends, so you won’t have a lot of time to think
about me.”
“I’ll always think about you! And besides, I’ll come home for the holidays!”
Jamey’s eyes were filling with tears again, and Harry took a seat beside him,
pulling him into his arms again.
“I won’t be here when you come back,” he whispered and Jamey froze up.
“What?” he breathed out weakly, and Harry smiled at him reassuringly.
“Mom and dad didn’t tell you this because they wanted it to be a surprise, but
from this year they will be teaching at Hogwarts. Mom will teach Charms, and
dad will teach Defense.”
“And they would have left you alone?!” Jamey jumped to his feet, fully intent
on giving their parents a piece of his mind, but Harry stopped him by grabbing
his right hand into his left and pulling him flat against his body.
“I would have left either way,” he said, and Jamey pulled back to look up at
Harry with pain in his eyes.
“Why? Is it because of our parents? If it is I’ll talk to them! We can tell
them the truth! When they see your Alchemy-…”
“I need to leave, Jamey,” Harry interrupted him firmly. “There is a land to the
east, Germany, in which Alchemy is widely known and accepted while Magic
doesn’t work there. I could make a life for myself there. I could learn so
much, and maybe - maybe find people there who are the same as me.”
“But Harry-…”
“You’ll always be my brother, Jamey, and I’ll never forget you, and - and I
will come back.” Jamey looked deep into his brother’s eyes, searching for any
sign of deceit.
Harry never lied to him. While he did protect him and watch over him, Harry
never sugarcoated anything, and he was always honest with him. Harry was the
reason why Jamey didn’t become a spoiled, stuck up brat because of their
parents’ and godfathers’ pampering.
Harry was his all - his one and only brother - and the only reason why Jamey
didn’t hate their parents for treating Harry as though he was less worthy -
forgetting about him more often than not - was because Harry always told him
that their parents simply didn’t know better.
Harry was his big brother - his shield, his strength, his everything - and the
fact that Harry was leaving hurt awfully.
“Swear to me - swear on me that you’ll come back,” Jamey spoke in a wavering,
breaking voice, and Harry swallowed difficultly.
“I swear on our bond as brothers that I will come back,” he said and Jamey
nodded. He looked around the room before he looked at Harry again and ran over
to his table, taking a pair of scissors out of the first drawer. “Jamey, what
are you-…” Harry stared in shock as Jamey raised the scissors to his hair and
cut off a strand before he placed the scissors back on the table.
He walked back to Harry before he offered the strand to him, and Harry accepted
it into his hands before Jamey took the pendant Harry created.
“Jamey, wait!!” Harry cried out when Jamey put all of his strength into
breaking the pendant in half. It snapped under pressure and Jamey offered the
white wolf to Harry who stared at his with parted lips and confusion in his
eyes.
“Use my hair to make a string. This will be my part of our promise.” Harry
swallowed difficultly as he walked over to the table and placed the fiery red
strands on it before he placed the white wolf beside them and clapped his
hands.
He turned around to face Jamey as he hung the newly made necklace around his
neck, and Jamey smiled as he placed his own necklace around his neck.
He walked over to Harry and pulled his twin into a hug, holding on for dear
life.
“I swear on our bond as brothers that I will always wait for you,” he whispered
and Harry hugged him back tightly, burying his nose in Jamey’s neck as he
breathed in his scent.
“I will come back,” Harry whispered, and neither noticed the pendants around
their necks glowing white. “I will come back.”
                                      cut
Harry sighed as he took his backpack with only a single change of clothes and
some food he took from the fridge. James, Lily and Jamey went to the King Cross
station already, their parents hardly sparing a glance for Harry.
By the time they realize that they forgot about their firstborn son, Harry
would be long gone. With Jamey’s help, he managed to save up enough money for
the ship that would take him to France from where he would make his way on foot
to Germany, also known as Amestris.
With a heavy sigh, Harry walked out of his small room, made his way down the
stairs, and out of the house he grew up in. His heart was both heavy and light
as he walked out of the front yard, and made his way into his future.
His brother was in his thoughts and in his heart, and as he walked down the
road, he made an oath to return.
Even though he parted ways with his brother, he would come back to him.
                                      cut
                     Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
                      And sorry I could not travel both
                      And be one traveler, long I stood
                    And looked down one as far as I could
                    To where it bent in the undergrowth; 

                    Then took the other, as just as fair,
                     And having perhaps the better claim
                    Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
                     Though as for that the passing there
                     Had worn them really about the same,

                      And both that morning equally lay
                     In leaves no step had trodden black.
                    Oh, I kept the first for another day! 
                     Yet knowing how way leads on to way
                    I doubted if I should ever come back.

                     I shall be telling this with a sigh
                        Somewhere ages and ages hence:
                     Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
                       I took the one less traveled by,
                     And that has made all the difference.
                      -Robert Frost, ‘The Road Not Taken’
                                      cut
Edward raised his head and looked at Winry and his brother when they heard
knocking on the front door.
“Who could it be in this weather?” Winry asked, referring to the blizzard that
hit their small town two days ago. The snow was already really high and they
opted to stay inside the house, not daring to risk getting lost in the high
snow.
“Stay here. I’ll go and check,” Edward said as he wiped his mouth with a napkin
and hurried over to the front door. A strong gust of wind made him stumble
back, only to yelp and rush forward when someone stumbled inside the house.
He caught the small body and cradled it in his arms, his eyes widening when he
saw a boy not older than some 11 years with pale skin, lips blue from the cold,
and hair darker than sin mated to his face.
“Winry! Prepare a hot bath!” Edward called out as he picked the child up and
rushed into the dining room, making his brother and Winry gasp, and the woman
to rush up the stairs with Edward and Alphonse following close behind.
“What was he doing in that blizzard?!” Alphonse asked while Winry started to
fill the tub with warm water.
“I have no idea. He fainted when I opened the door,” Edward spoke as he took
the child’s heavy cloak off. “Al, there should be some of our old clothes up in
the attic. Find something that would fit him.”
“Right away.” Alphonse ran out of the room while Edward laid the child down on
the warm rug to take his boots, trousers and pullover off of him, leaving him
only in a pair of boxers after he took his socks off, not bothering to take off
the strange pendant hanging around his neck.
“The tub is full!” Winry told him, and Edward quickly took his shirt off and
slipped out of his slippers before he gathered the child into his arms again
and carried him into the tub, getting in it with the child as to make sure he
wouldn’t drown.
A pained moan left the child’s lips and his whole body cramped up when they got
into the warm water, but Edward just wrapped his arms around the child’s torso,
keeping his arms crossed over the child’s chest, with his small hands clasped
inside his bigger ones.
“Come on, kid; come on. It’ll be alright. We’ll warm you right up,” Edward
murmured against the child’s right ear as he started to shiver within his hold,
his body starting to warm up.
“He doesn’t look like he’s from Amestris.” Winry commented as she kneeled
beside the tub and started brushing her fingers through his wet bangs
soothingly. “He looks like a traveler, but he doesn’t have a bag or anything.”
“Maybe he abandoned he luggage in the storm.” Edward suggested and Winry sighed
with a small smile tilting her lips when the child finally relaxed within
Edward’s arm, a feverish blush setting over his otherwise pale cheeks.
“We’ll learn everything once he wakes up,” she said and Edward nodded.
“Found some!” In that moment Alphonse ran in with clothes in his arms and Winry
stood up.
“I’ll go prepare the guest room. You two dress him and then bring him to bed.
He’s sure to get a fever, so it’ll be a long night,” with that said Winry left
and the two brothers were left alone.
“I’ll go and bring some clothes for you too, brother.” Alphonse said while
Edward slowly cradled the child in his arms and got out of the tub, laying him
down on the rug before he grabbed a towel to dry the both of them.
The child started shivering again by the time Edward dressed him into soft
cotton clothes he remembered belonged to him when he was 11, and a spark of his
old bitterness hit him when he realized that they were just a bit short on the
child, but he pushed it down when Alphonse came back with clothes for Edward.
The blond man got dressed quickly while Alphonse left to help Winry, and Edward
picked the child up and carried him into the guestroom where Winry already
prepared the bed and started a fire in the fireplace.
He laid the child down before he tucked the thick covers over him, covering him
to his chin, taking a seat on the bed and accepting a wet towel from Alphonse
to place it on the child’s forehead.
“We have enough medicine to last us a few days, but if his condition worsens
one of us will have to go to town,” Winry spoke up as she took a seat in a
chair beside the bed, and Alphonse took his place behind her, placing his hands
on Winry’s shoulders.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. First he needs to wake up,” Edward
said, and as though on cue, the child opened bleary, dilated eyes, making it
impossible for them to see his eye-color. “Hey,” Edward whispered as he leaned
closer, attracting the child’s attention to himself, “hey, it’s alright. You’re
safe.”
“Who…” his voice broke and he started coughing, and Edward hurriedly gathered
him into his arms while Alphonse ran to bring the child a cup of water.
“Easy, easy,” Edward comforted as he rubbed the child’s back. Alphonse returned
and Edward smiled at him gratefully before he helped the boy coughing in his
arms to slowly drink some water.
Once the child calmed he leaned back into Edward’s strong chest with a raspy
sigh, his eyes already slipping closed, but he fought against sleep to tilt his
head back and look at Edward to the best of his abilities.
“Where am I?” he asked weakly as his eyes slowly cleared, and Edward was taken
aback by a pair of heterochromic eyes - both green and gold at the same time.
“You’re in Resembol. I am Edward Elric, and that over there is my younger
brother Alphonse and his fiancé Winry Rockbell.”
“Harry…” he answered in a voice breaking from the high fever, “Harry Potter.”
“You should rest, Harry. You’re safe here. We’re going to take good care of
you,” Winry comforted him, and a small smile tilted Harry’s lips, his eyes
already closing and his breathing evening out.
“I know,” with that he fell asleep, leaving his three caregivers confused with
his quiet admission.
“Did you guys hear that or was that just me?” Alphonse asked, looking at his
brother who was staring at the child sleeping in his arms with a thoughtful,
questioning frown.
“We’ll know nothing until he wakes up,” he said and gently laid Harry down
before tucking him under the heavy comforter.
But it sure sounded like ‘I know’, he thought as he took a seat in a chair
beside Harry’s bed, while Winry and Alphonse exchanged worry-filled glances
when they saw the well familiar contemplative frown on Edward’s face.
It appeared that they had quite a mystery to solve, but sadly they could do
nothing until Harry woke up.
                                      cut
“Did you get any sleep at all?” asked Winry when Edward came down into the
kitchen where she and Alphonse sat with cups of coffee already in front of
them.
“Believe it or not, his fever broke around an hour after the two of you left
for bed. His breathing is already lighter, and he hasn’t coughed once in the
past two hours,” Edward grumbled as he took a seat at the table, moaning when
Winry placed a cup of coffee in front of him, and eagerly taking a sip of the
bitter drink.
“That’s not normal,” Alphonse murmured as he wrapped his left arm around his
waist, rested his right elbow on his forearm and took a hold of his chin with
his index finger and thumb. “I couldn’t get his words out of my head either.”
“I have no idea,” Edward sighed as he slid lower in his chair, crossed his legs
under the table and his arms over his chest. “I’ve been trying to think of
something all night long. I hadn’t seen the sign of the Homunculi anywhere on
him. Never the less, have you seen his eyes? I mean…”
“I think people like to say that no good deed goes unpunished.” All three of
them jumped to their feet when Harry spoke up, and they found him standing in
the doorway, completely relaxed and with a small smile on his face. “Good
morning,” he added as he bowed at them respectfully.
Edward, Alphonse and Winry were completely taken aback. Harry was completely
healthy, and his strange eyes were observing them with knowledge and wisdom
often not found in people 5 times his age, let alone 11 year olds.
“How did you…”
“I have to excuse myself,” Harry interrupted Winry as he pushed his hands in
the pockets of Edward’s old trousers. “The blizzard caught me off guard two
days ago, and I was too far away from any city to find shelter. I am sorry if I
gave you any trouble. I am just lucky that I stumbled upon your house despite
the storm. It would have been awkward if I ended up anywhere else.”
“What?” Edward asked as he took a step forward, instinctively putting himself
protectively in front of Winry and Alphonse.
Harry looked taken aback at his actions, but a second later his eyes went
blank, and then a blush covered his cheeks as though he just came to a
startling realization.
“Oh Merlin, I am so sorry!” he bowed at them quickly before he straightened and
looked at them, “I haven’t really been around people for over a year, but that
doesn’t excuse my lack of manners!” the three stared at him in wonder as he
bowed his head and rubbed the back of it with his right hand.
“Kid, who are you?” Edward asked almost tiredly, and Harry smiled at him as he
allowed his right hand to fall to his side as he tilted his head to the right a
bit.
“Well, for once I am not your enemy. I was told that there was someone in
Amestris who could help me, and I came here looking for you. Like I said; I am
lucky I found your house in that storm. I’ve been looking for you for months
now.”
“Wait you mean us?” Alphonse asked as he rounded his brother to look at Harry
who nodded at him.
“Yes. I was told to find Edward and Alphonse Elric; the Fullmetal Alchemist and
his brother. I was told that the two of you could help me.”
“Told by whom? And help you with what? I’m sorry to disappoint you, kid, but
I’m not an Alchemist anymore,” Edward said only to tense up when a mysterious
smile tilted Harry’s lips.
“By Truth.”
The Elric brothers and Winry froze up.
“You - you are…” Edward’s stuttering was interrupted by Harry raising his
hands, clapping them, and then placing them on his chest, and all three of them
gaped when his clothes shifted into a form fitting pair of black trousers, and
a long sleeved turtleneck.
“I am an Alchemist,” he said as he lowered his hands to his sides and opened
his amazing eyes. “And I’ve been sent here to correct one injustice, and learn
from the two who are known as the best Alchemists since Nicholas Flamel.”
Edward and Alphonse stared at him with lips parted and eyes wide, while Winry
held her breath as gears turned in her head.
“What injustice?” she asked and Harry glanced at her before his eyes settled on
Edward again, and he took a small step forward.
Edward licked his lips as the child almost two heads shorter than him tilted
his head back to look into his eyes.
“Truth is sometimes cruel, and the task of dealing ultimate justice often takes
its toll. You, Edward Elric, have been unjustly punished on the Great Scale of
things. Your journey has been punishment enough, and the sacrifice of your
Alchemy to save your brother’s life has been seen as price too high when all
was seen,” as he spoke, Harry’s eyes grew dull and his voice became flat,
deeper than it should be for a child of his age. “Will you accept the gift of
Alchemy back into your mind?”
Edward gulped and glanced at his brother who nodded at him weakly, and Edward
looked back at Harry.
“I will,” he spoke in a raspy, straining voice, and his breath hitched in his
throat when Harry’s eyes turned white and a familiar - to the child’s face so
unfitting grin - stretched the boy’s lips.
“Let’s fix you then.” The boy clapped his hands and placed them on Edward’s
chest, and neither heard Winry and Alphonse call for Edward frantically when
the Gates of Truth opened beneath them.
Edward looked around the familiar white space with his heart beating quickly in
his chest and unable to breathe in enough air for his starving lungs. The sound
of giggling which still haunted his dreams made him turn on his heel, and he
found Truth sitting on the ground with Harry standing beside him, a small,
mysterious smile tilting his lips.
“Good to see you again, Ed,” Truth greeted him and Edward gulped.
“Is it true?” he asked. “Will I really get my Alchemy back?”
“You will. When this child sacrificed his innocence and childhood to save his
twin brother, I saw the potential in him to right the wrong inflicted upon
you.” Truth raised its right hand and snapped its fingers, and with a gust of
wind Edward’s Gate appeared behind Truth and Harry.
He looked at the child and found him still smiling with calmness and warmth in
his eyes, and Edward felt something settle in his chest; something he couldn’t
name and yet something that felt welcome and long-awaited.
“I have sent Harry to you so he could be the catalyst of this event, and for
you to take him under your wing and teach him to be a great Alchemist. He had
no place in his homeland. Give him one.”
And with that said, Truth disappeared and Edward’s gate started to open.
“Shall we?” Harry asked as he offered his right hand to Edward.
The older man took a hesitant step forward, but at the reassuring smile which
settled on Harry’s face, he felt strength fill his body and he approached the
child, taking his right hand in his left.
“Let’s go.”
                                      cut
“Into the shower with you, squirt!”
Winry and Alphonse looked up when the door opened and Edward and Harry walked
in with Edward pushing a laughing Harry forward.
“Hello Winry! Al!” He ran past them and the two raised eyebrows when they saw
that he was covered in mud.
“Is dinner ready?” Edward asked as he walked over to Winry to kiss her cheek
and rub her bulging stomach.
In her 7th month of pregnancy, Winry looked absolutely beautiful, and Edward,
Alphonse and Harry watched over her like hawks to both her joy and chagrin.
“It is, but would you please explain to us why Harry is covered in mud?” Winry
asked while Edward went to pour the stew she made earlier into plates for both
Harry and himself.
Edward chuckled at her question as he brought the plates to the table while
Alphonse sliced some bread for them before taking a seat beside his pregnant
wife.
A lot of things changed since Harry came to them. Most of the changes could be
seen in the young teen, but everyone they changed as well.
Harry came to them as a wary, too-grown-up-for-his-age 12 year old. Now, 2
years later, he was laughing and acting more like a child. Sure, he was still
too serious at times, but when they remembered that he’d hardly crack a real
smile before, seeing him now, brought smiles to their own faces and filled
their hearts at warmth.
When he came to them, it was only two months after Winry’s grandmother died of
old age, and while Winry wouldn’t show how much she missed her, having Harry
there made her open up, and it filled her heart with love for the child.
Among the three of them Edward lived through biggest changes. While he tried
not to show it, the fact that he lost his Alchemy weighed down on him greatly.
With Harry’s arrival and the return of his Alchemy, he started to feel better.
Now when Alphonse and Winry looked at him, they could see that he was calmer
and more open. Wisdom which he used to hide behind cutting wit and a sharp
tongue could be seen in his eyes and heard in his words. He stood straighter
and carried himself with pride.
Seeing his brother like that made Alphonse come to peace with everything that
happened to them as well.
They all loved Harry dearly, and it could be seen that he loved them as well,
although he was closest with Edward. The Fullmetal Alchemist was both his
mentor and closest friend, despite the age-difference between them. With Harry
being more than just mature for his age, it was easy for the two of them to
connect, and while the two were either too oblivious to notice or simply in
denial, Winry and Alphonse could see the potential of their relationship
developing into much more with time.
They were smarter than bringing that up though. Harry was only 14 and Edward
was no where near ready to settle down. As he helped Harry study Alchemy to its
depths, he was too engrossed in research to actually have time for anything
romantic. Alphonse and Winry only hoped that he would get over it by the time
Harry was ready to enter a relationship.
“It smells great!” the 14 year old exclaimed as he entered the kitchen, tying
his waist-long, raven black hair on top of his head, his lose, cotton, black
clothes clinging to his well-defined body - courtesy of long hours spent
practicing with Edward.
“Dig in! You haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.” Winry chastised
Harry kindly, and he chuckled as he took a seat at the table, nodding at Edward
when he placed a glass of apple-juice in front of him before he joined them at
the table as well.
“Edward still didn’t tell us how you managed to get yourself covered in mud,”
Alphonse commented and Harry swallowed before he looked at him.
“Ed and I were working on cross-transmutation and I was supposed to make a
house out of wood and mud. Everything was going well, but I must have forgotten
to harden the mud enough for it to stand. It all came tumbling down!” he
finished with a bright smile and the other three laughed at him.
“We’ll try again tomorrow,” Edward said and Harry nodded enthusiastically -
well, with as much enthusiasm a 14 year old with the mind of a 70 year old
could show.
He was about to comment on Harry’s grown skill, when all of a sudden the teen
tensed up, his eyes dulled, his smile vanished without a trace, and his right
hand flew to his chest to grasp the pendant hanging right over his heart which
seemed to pulsate white light.
They’ve all seen it happen before. It happened several times already, and it
was inevitably followed by them receiving news from Harry’s twin that something
horrible happened in school.
First time it happened in Jamey’s second year when Death Eaters somehow
infiltrated Hogwarts and released the Secret of Salazar Slytherin’s chambers.
Jamey managed to destroy the Basilisk with the help of his friends, but the
Death Eaters who did it were never revealed.
The second time it happened was when Jamey only entered his third year at
Hogwarts and the train was attacked by Dementors the Death Eaters released from
Azkaban Prison.
The third time it happened after Jamey and his friends faced another bout of
Dementors at the end of Jamey’s third year at Hogwarts.
They learned to be wary every time Harry’s pendant started to act up. Just a
few weeks ago, Jamey sent Harry a letter that their parents were taking him and
a few friends of his to the Quidditch Championship. Jamey was overjoyed, hardly
able to wait.
The fact that Harry’s pendant acted up now of all times, on the night of the
game, could mean nothing good.
“Harry?” Edward called out warmly, and Harry’s eyes suddenly cleared as he
breathed in and looked at him.
“Something happened,” he whispered as a frown marred his handsome features, and
his shoulders remained tense although hunched.
“Harry…”
“Excuse me. I’ll be in my room,” he murmured as he stood up, leaving his dinner
practically untouched, and left the kitchen.
“This is horrible,” Alphonse muttered as he wrapped his left arm around Winry’s
shoulders while Edward pushed his plate away, suddenly not all that hungry.
“He almost left last time this happened. If it was something that really
endangered Jamey’s life, this time he might actually leave,” Winry said,
looking at Edward with a pointed glance.
“If it were me, I would do the same, Winry,” Edward spoke, although his eyes
filled with sadness. “I know how much he misses his brother, even though he
hardly ever shows it. Their relationship was just like mine and Al’s. They
depended on one another. If Jamey wasn’t there, heaven knows what would have
become out of Harry, and he told us what would have happened to Jamey if Truth
didn’t spare his life and instead punished him with Knowledge. Honestly, I’m
surprised he stayed this long.”
“Edward, we can’t let him go alone,” Alphonse spoke seriously and Edward looked
up at him.
“We’ll have to,” Edward answered with a note of finality in his voice. “I’m
going to bed.” He left the two alone, and Winry leaned against Alphonse,
placing her hands on her stomach.
“He won’t show it, but Edward will hate seeing Harry go,” Alphonse whispered
when he buried his nose in Winry’s hair.
“Do you think he’ll come back?” she asked and Alphonse sighed heavily.
“I don’t know, Win. I just don’t know.”
                                      cut
Edward stopped beside Harry’s room, finding the door slightly ajar, and his
heart clenched when he heard hardly audible muttering coming from the other
side. He leaned against the doorframe and opened the door just a bit more, and
he felt like his lungs filled with lead when he found Harry kneeling in front
of the window with his head bowed, eyes closed and hands clasped around the
pendant which he pressed against his lips.
He couldn’t hear what Harry was saying, but he was sure that the child was
praying; praying to Truth to keep his brother safe.
With a heavy heart Edward made his way to his room. He closed the door when he
entered and walked straight to the nightstand on the right side of his bed. He
opened the drawer and took out the small brown package, leaving it on the
nightstand before he took his wallet. He grabbed his brown coat off of the
chair sitting in front of his worktable and made his way out.
Harry saved him when he gave him back his Alchemy.
It was time he repaid the favor.
                                      cut
Edward took a deep breath as he knocked on the door of Harry’s bedroom. Winry
and Al were already sleeping, and it was close to midnight, but Edward couldn’t
wait until morning, and he knew that Harry - just like him - hardly ever fell
asleep before one or two in the morning.
“Come in!”
He licked his lips as he entered Harry’s room, closing the door once he was in.
“Hey, are you feeling alright?” he asked as he walked over to Harry’s bed where
Harry was lying, already in his sleepwear, his bedside lamp on, and a book in
his hands.
“I would lie if I said that I am,” he answered with a smile which didn’t quite
reach his eyes. Edward licked his lips as he took a seat beside him, looking
down at the package and the envelope he brought with him.
“Harry, I was planning to give this to you after dinner. It arrived this
morning.” Harry’s eyebrows furrowed a little as Edward gave him the package.
“You know how I was reinstated as a State Alchemist a year ago, right?”
“Yes. Winry wasn’t all that happy with you, but we’ve received a lot of books
because of that,” Harry murmured and Edward nodded, watching as Harry carefully
turned the package over in his hands, and his eyes widened when he saw the seal
and that it was addressed on him.
“I sent your results and data to Mustang. Congratulations. You are now an
official citizen of Amestris, and are recognized as a State Alchemist. You
won’t be called to active duty until your 18th birthday, but the Silver Watch
is yours. I - I just wanted you to know that you have somewhere to come back
to,” as he said that he gave Harry the envelope and Harry’s eyes widened.
Inside it was a train ticket to France, and enough money to cover a trip to
London, from where he would be able to take the train for Hogwarts.
Edward didn’t expect to see tears fill Harry’s eyes, and for the young man to
throw himself at Edward, wrapping his arms around his shoulders in a tight hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered as he clung onto the man who was not just his mentor,
but someone he appreciated more than anything in the world. “Thank you so
much.”
“Just stay safe, Harry,” Edward murmured as he wrapped his own arms around
Harry, holding him close and burying his nose in Harry’s neck, breathing in his
natural scent lightly covered by the scent of ink, paper, freshly cut grass and
pines. “Stay safe and…”
“I will come back,” Harry whispered as he moved back to look up at Edward, his
lips tilted into a smile Edward has never seen grace Harry’s lips. “I will come
back.”
As though that was enough, Edward felt relief grasp his heart. His shoulders
lost the tension they had ever since Harry’s pendant acted up, and a mountain
fell off of his chest.
“And we’ll all be waiting here for you.”
                                      cut
Harry waved at Edward, Alphonse and Winry, leaning out of the window as the
train started on its way to France.
He took a seat with a sigh and pulled his pendant from under his shirt, looking
at the white wolf.
I’m coming, Jamey, he closed his eyes and rested his head against the window,
his amazing eyes looking at the green scenery rushing by, but not really seeing
it.
I’m coming.
                                      cut
Hogwarts was drenched in heavy rain as the whole student and professor body was
gathered in the Great Hall.
A great feast was prepared in honor of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and
Durmstrag Institute, which came to Hogwarts to compete in the great TriWizard
Tournament.
Everyone was in good spirits except one Jeremy Potter. His right hand was
clasped around the pendant his brother gave him, and the black wolf was
pulsating with warmth as though it was trying to tell something to Jamey.
It wasn’t the only reason for his bad mood. Just a few weeks ago, a day which
was supposed to be one of the best days of his young life - the great Quidditch
match between Bulgaria and Ireland - was interrupted by a Death Eater attack.
Thankfully no one was hurt with Jamey and his friends - Ron and Hermione -
being safe in their tent, but never the less, it made Jamey feel wary and miss
his brother more than ever. Every year since he started Hogwarts something
happened caused by Death Eaters, and he knew - he simply knew that this year
wouldn’t be any different.
He only feared that this year they would finally succeed.
The Ministry of Magic was doing everything they could to stop them and the
Order of the Phoenix, led by Albus Dumbledore, joined forces with the Aurors
and Unspeakables, but it was all in vain.
His parents were doing their best to train him, because they believed that if
Voldemort ever came back, he would be the only one able to defeat him. It took
every bit of effort for Jamey not to reveal his brother’s secret to their
parents.
Their relationship turned even colder when Jamey realized that it took almost 3
months for his parents to notice that Harry ran away from home on the day Jamey
went for Hogwarts. They did start a search, and the loss of his twin really did
change them, but they hardly if ever mentioned him.
Sure, his mother would often remember Harry during holidays, and his dad would
sometimes ask him if Harry contacted him in any way, but Jamey was feeling
quite vindictive, and while he did tell them that Harry contacted him, he
simply refused to tell them where he was and what he was doing.
He knew his brother was alright.
That was enough for him.
“Jamey? Jamey?!” he was shaken out of his thoughts by his friend - Ron Weasley
- calling out to him, “Did you see them, mate? They’re beautiful!” he gushed as
he stared at the girls from Beauxbatons, more accurately one Fleur Delacour.
“Jamey has better things to do than salivate over pretty blonds, don’t you,
Jamey?” his other friend - Hermione Granger - shot him a pointed glare and
Jamey chuckled weakly.
“Yeah,” he murmured as he glanced at the Teachers’ table and saw his parents
talking about something or another. He sighed as he squeezed the pendant,
startling when it gave one particularly strong pulse, and all sounds in the
room stopped when the door of the Great Hall started to open, and in walked a
figure dressed in black with a hood hanging low over his face.
He was drenched from head to toe, his heavy cloak dripping with water, and
Jamey held his breath as a familiar feeling washed over him, the pendant
growing impossibly hot.
“My, my,” the figure spoke as he walked down the middle of the Hall with
confidence not often seen in people, “if I knew it would rain so hard I would
have taken a carriage.”
“Harry!!!” Jamey cried out in joy when his twin lowered his hood, revealing
himself to everyone, and his younger twin jumped out of his seat, tripping over
his feet to reach his brother and envelop him into a tight hug.
Harry chuckled as he held him tight, amused by the fact that Jamey wasn’t
bothered by his dripping clothes or the fact that everyone was staring at them
in shock. He himself was amused by the fact that - while he has grown a good
amount - Jamey still remained smaller than him, and to his joy seemed to have
kept his innocent, loving nature.
“You’re here! You’re really here!” Jamey whispered, and Harry tightened his
hold on him, burying his face in Jamey’s neck to breathe in his scent - so much
like his and yet so very different.
“I’m here, brother. I’m here,” he murmured and Jamey pulled back to look at
him.
“It’s not fair!” he exclaimed with a pout, although he couldn’t hide the grin
tilting his lips, “You’re still taller than me,” he grumbled and Harry ruffled
his brother’s short, fire-colored hair with his right hand.
“I’m also older. By a few minutes, but still older.” Jamey stuck his tongue out
at him and Harry chuckled.
“Harry?” Jamey turned on his heel and Harry looked up, all warmth disappearing
from his face and his eyes turning cold.
Jamey and Lily were standing a few feet away from them, the Witch’s eyes full
of tears as she covered her lips with her hands, and James staring in amazement
at their firstborn son.
He looked nothing like the child they remembered.
He was half a head taller than Jamey, and his heavy, black clothes did nothing
to hide his well formed body. For a 14 year old, he was well developed on all
points, and he stood with pride and carried himself with grace and poise not
one of them had.
His strange eyes of both green and gold looked at them with absolutely no
emotion in them, and his long black hair was tied in a high ponytail, falling
to the middle of his back now that the hood wasn’t hiding it. His skin was
tanned from days spent in sun, and his full lips were pulled in a thin, firm
line.
“Mother. Father.” He nodded his head at them formally, the tone of his voice
holding none of the warmth it had when he greeted Jamey, taking his parents
aback.
“Harry, how did you…”
“If you are asking how I got here, Father, I may have shamed you by being a
Squib, but I am still your son. Seeing and finding Hogwarts wasn’t all that
hard. Now,” he looked at Jamey and his expression immediately morphed into a
smile, his eyes filling with warmth and love, “is there any place in this
castle where we could talk without everyone and their uncle staring at me like
I’m a Chimera?”
Jamey giggled and was about to answer when he was interrupted by their mother.
“Harry, why are you…”
“Ignoring you?” Harry asked coldly, raising an eyebrow at Lily who whimpered
and took a small step back at the icy stare her firstborn son looked at her
with, “Must I remind you that you have ignored my existence before I left? I
don’t know if you even bothered looking for me, because I know for a fact that
you hadn’t tried writing to me, since Jamey’s letters reached me just fine, and
mine found him without any problems. Now, if you will excuse us, my brother and
I have a lot to catch up to.” He looked at Jamey pointedly and his twin woke up
from his amazed stupor.
“Come,” he said and took Harry’s right hand in his left, ignoring his parents’
calls in favor of leading Harry out of the Great Hall.
“Take it easy, Jamey, I’m not going anywhere!” Harry laughed in amusement as
Jamey led him up many stairs and down several hallways.
“You have a lot to tell me, Ry! I can hardly wait!” Jamey cried out and they
came to a sharp stop. Harry watched in amusement as Jamey passed in front of a
wall three times only for it to turn into amazement when the wall shifted into
a doorway. “Come on!” Jamey grabbed Harry’s hand again just as the door opened
and they entered a room with a comfortable couch resting in front of a
fireplace in which fire was already burning, and two big mugs of warm chocolate
were waiting on the low table in front of the couch.
“Impressive,” Harry muttered while Jamey all but hopped over to the couch and
threw himself in it grinning as Harry took his heavy cloak off of himself,
taking a look around searching for somewhere to hang it.
His eyebrows met the line of his hair making Jamey giggle when a coat rack
appeared right beside him.
“This is the Room of Requirement; it gives you whatever you wish for,” Jamey
explained and Harry hummed before he made his way over to the couch and took a
seat to Jamey’s left. “So!” Jamey clapped his hands and grinned brightly at
Harry. “How come you’re here? I mean, you did say that you’ll come back, but in
all honesty I thought it would take longer.”
Harry smiled at him lovingly as he tucked his legs beneath himself, leaned back
into the comfortable backrest of the couch and tucked his hands between his
thighs to warm them up a bit.
“The pendant acted up again, and I decided to come back to check up on you,” he
answered and Jamey’s eyes widened. “On my way here, I heard a few men
commenting the attack on the camp during the game. I was happy to hear that you
escaped unscathed.”
“We were all as safe as possible,” Jamey said and Harry felt the weight he
carried on his heart during his trip to Hogwarts disappear. “I was debating if
I should write about it to you or not, since I knew you would worry. I’m glad
you came, brother, but I didn’t want you to stop your training just because of
me.”
“Jamey,” Harry chastised with a frown, “you know that there is nothing I
wouldn’t do for you. You’re my brother, and I swore to protect you no matter
what. And Edward had nothing against me leaving to see you. As a matter of
fact, he was the one who bought the ticket and gave me enough money to come
here.”
“Really now,” Jamey drawled with a sly smirk and Harry choked up a bit,
honestly not knowing why he blushed so hard at his brother’s almost leering
grin, “your dear mentor bought you the ticket to see your little brother. Did
he do anything else? Did he hug you? Give you a little kiss goodbye?”
“JAMEY!” Harry cried out in outrage, blushing to the roots of his raven-black
hair, “It’s not like that! Edward is - I am - he is-…”
“He’s only 7 years older than you, brother! In a couple of years the difference
won’t be visible at all!” Jamey teased him mercilessly.
“It’s not like that!” Harry looked at Jamey with pleading eyes, but his twin
huffed and rolled his viridian orbs.
“Harry, all you ever talk about in your letters is Edward Elric. I’m sure you
mentioned his brother Alphonse and sister-in-law Winry a couple of times, but
it’s always about Edward. Fess up, brother - you have a crush the size of the
Universe, and you’re stupid if you deny it.”
Harry choked up as he looked at the fire, his brother watching him with a
loving, gentle smile.
When he thought about it, Jamey was right. He did always talk about Edward. Who
wouldn’t? The man was intelligent, wise, kind, protective, obsessive to a fault
when something would catch his attention long enough to keep it, and beautiful
both inside and out.
The very thought of Edward’s shoulder long, sun-kissed hair and his golden eyes
made Harry’s heart fill with warmth and beat that much faster. The memory of
Edward’s strong arms around his smaller frame when he held him the night before
he left, made Harry’s skin tingle and a shiver travel down his spine, and he
unconsciously wrapped his arms around himself, not noticing the knowing smile
which tilted Jamey’s lips.
“You’re in love with him, brother,” Jamey whispered and Harry looked at him,
and Jamey’s heart hurt when sadness colored his brother’s amazing eyes.
“I may be in love with him, Jamey, but Edward will never love me the same. I’m
his student, and he may care about me, but he will never love me like I love
him.”
“Harry…” Jamey murmured compassionately and moved closer to his brother,
wrapping his arms around him as Harry rested his head on his shoulder, wrapping
his own arms around Jamey’s waist. “I’m happy you’re here, Harry.”
The Alchemist chuckled and nuzzled his nose against Jamey’s neck. “Me too,
Jamey. Me too.”
                                      cut
When Harry and Jamey walked into the Great Hall the next morning, heavy silence
settled over it, and every head turned in their direction. They looked around
with almost matching expressions of confusion until their eyes settled on their
parents who were seated at the Teachers’ table with their heads bowed and
shoulders hunched, and two more people Harry hasn’t seen nor heard of since he
left sat to their parents’ right.
Sirius Black and Remus Lupin-Black were both staring at Harry with wide eyes
and lips parted in shock, obviously unable to believe that he was really there
and how much he changed since they last saw him.
“Jamey, I’ll return to the Room. I’ll see you after classes are finished.”
“Harry, no…”
“Jamey!” Before Harry could leave, Ron and Hermione ran over to them, hindering
his retreat. Both of them smiled at Harry brightly, and the raven-haired teen
answered with a smile. “I’m Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley. We’re
pleased to finally meet you. Jamey talked a lot about you.”
Harry accepted Hermione’s right hand before moving on to Ron, and the gangly
red-head smiled a small crooked smile as they shook hands.
“Jamey wrote to me about you. Thank you for watching over him while I was too
far to do so.” Harry said and Jamey blushed, nudging Harry with his left elbow.
“Harry!” he mumbled and his older twin chuckled, looking at him with warmth in
his eyes and a mischievous smile on his lips, making Jamey roll his eyes at
him. “Come on; you need to eat as well.”
“Jamey, I don’t want to…”
“Harry!”
“Too late,” the raven haired teen bit out, surprising Hermione and Ron with how
quickly all warmth disappeared from his eyes and the lines of his face as he
straightened and clasped his hands behind his back, accenting the strength of
his shoulders when his black, long-sleeved button-up shirt stretched over taunt
muscles.
“Harry, we need to talk to you,” James stated firmly as he, Lily, Remus and
Sirius reached them. They were obviously trying to appear firm, but
unfortunately for them, Harry had Truth in his head until he was 12 and Edward
as a mentor for the past two years.
No one could hold a candle to Edward when the Fullmetal Alchemist set his mind
on something, especially if it was connected to Harry’s studies.
“Pardon me for being rude, but I don’t believe that I have anything to talk to
you about. I left to find my own path and place in the world when I didn’t have
it here. I successfully managed that and only came back because I was under the
impression that my brother was in danger. I don’t believe that I have anything
to say to you.”
“Harry, we are your parents…” Lily pressed with a pleading look and Harry’s
eyebrows furrowed, the gold of his irises somehow becoming clearer.
“Which is why I respectfully decline, because I am afraid that if we were to
talk, I would say things which should have long been said, but would sadly
change nothing,” he answered cuttingly, not noticing the way Ron and Hermione
looked at Jamey in complete surprise, noticing the more than obvious difference
between the two brothers.
“Now, now…” Harry slowly turned on his heel to look at the Headmaster of
Hogwarts, “Harry, my boy, I know that it has been a long time since we have
last seen one another-…”
“I was five and you were too busy fawning over Jamey to even look at me,” Harry
cut him of dryly with his right eyebrow raised challengingly, and the right
corner of his lips tilted up a bit when he heard Jamey snicker at the way Harry
managed to leave the Headmaster gaping with a single sentence.
Harry let go of an almost suffering sigh and shook his head.
“Alright,” he conceded and looked at his parents and godfathers. “Since it
appears that I will have no peace until this is done, I will talk to you.”
James, Lily, Sirius and Remus breathed sighs of relief, but Albus didn’t share
their sentiments. There was something in Harry’s eyes - in his whole appearance
- that told Albus that they weren’t dealing with a normal 14 year old boy.
Harry wasn’t acting like a child. He was acting like a grown up man facing
something that annoyed him to the point of suffering. He wasn’t acting like a
rebellious teen, but like a man who was facing something that was of no
consequence to him.
“You can use my office,” Albus offered and Harry nodded minutely before he
looked at his brother, Ron and Hermione.
“You three have breakfast and go to classes. I will meet with you in the Room
once you are done.”
“Alright!” Jamey grinned and quickly hugged Harry, “Give them hell,” he
whispered in Harry’s ear before skipping off followed by Ron and Hermione who
nodded at Harry with small smiles.
“Don’t skip classes just because I’m here! I’ll know if you do!” Harry shouted
after Jamey, and his twin stuck his tongue out at him, making Harry chuckle and
shake his head. “Shall we?” he asked as he looked at the adults gaping at him,
before he turned on his heel and marched out of the Hall, leaving them no other
choice but to follow him.
Once they were in Dumbledore’s office, Jamey and Lily took seats in the love
seat while Remus and Sirius took separate armchairs, and Albus sat at his table
with Harry choosing to stand by the window with his arms clasped behind his
back, shoulders straight and eyes focused on the Quidditch Pitch he could see
in the distance.
“Harry, why don’t you take a seat?” Lily asked weakly.
“I will much rather stand, thank you,” Harry answered cuttingly as he turned
around to face them, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against
the wall with his right leg straight and his left knee bent a little. “Now,
what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
The Potters and Blacks exchanged glances before they looked at Albus, finally
facing Harry only to see him staring at them with a raised eyebrow.
“Harry, we wanted to apologize for the way we treated you when you were a
child,” Lily spoke up. “I know that you are angry with us, especially since it
took you leaving for us to realize the mistake of our ways, but - but if you
could find a speck of forgiveness in your heart to allow us to show you that
we’ve changed, we’d-…”
“Forgiveness?” Harry asked dryly and Lily’s lips parted and closed several
times in an attempt to find something to say. “If I had forgiveness for you it
would mean that I felt something for you, which in fact I don’t. I hold the
gratefulness every child should hold for their parents for the life they gave
them, but other than that all I feel for you is utter indifference, and nothing
but due respect. Jamey is my brother and I love him. I would put my life on the
line for him without a single thought. You may be my parents, but other than
that, you are nothing to me.”
“Harry, you can’t talk like that to us!” James snapped, “We are your parents
and we deserve your respect…”
“If I didn’t respect you I would not be here listening to you,” Harry cut him
off calmly, apparently not at all aggravated or angry. One would say his
attitude was aloof and cold. “Like I said; I found my place in the world and
only came here to make sure that Jamey was alright, since through his letters
I’ve gotten the impression that this school is not a safe environment for
anyone, much less children.”
“Harry, I think you’ve been misinformed…”
“Misinformed, Headmaster?” the Alchemist cut him of as he pushed himself away
from the wall and looked at Dumbledore with a cold stare, “In his first year it
was the Philosopher Stone incident in which he would have died had he not had
the smarts to set Quirrell on fire and escape the chamber. Whatever gave you
the idea to hide the Stone in Hogwarts, and I won’t even ask how, in the name
of Xerxes did you allow a Death Eater to work in this school!”
“Harry…”
“No, Father!” the teen cut James off and glared at him before he turned glaring
eyes at Dumbledore, “In Jamey’s second year, a group of Death Eaters somehow
managed to get into the Chamber of Secrets, letting out a 1000 year old
Basilisk, which - again - wasn’t stopped by you, but by Jamey and his friends
who somehow managed to find out what it is, succeeded in finding it, and
somehow they managed to kill it. In his third year it was Dementors. Now,
please - if you can find an explanation - tell how in the name of Truth, did a
group of children manage to stop Voldemort’s scum, when you and your professors
did nothing?!” he finished in a roar making everyone in the room startle.
“Harry, if I may…”
“No, Sirius, you may not,” Harry cut him of as he straightened, fixed the
sleeves of his black, tight turtleneck and faced them all with a cold
expression. “My parents were too busy pampering Jamey to remember that they had
another son. If I wasn’t there, Jamey would have turned out like a spoiled
brat. I hoped - I truly did hope that the two of you would remember your first
godson, but I guess I hoped for too much. Jamey wrote to me at least twice a
month, and the owls never failed to find me. You - not one of you - didn’t even
remember to try. As far as you were concerned I could have been lying in a
ditch somewhere and you wouldn’t have known. Thankfully I found good people who
took me in and taught me everything I needed to know.”
He clasped his hands behind his back, standing with his feet a few inches
apart, his stance strong and unyielding as he stared down the people who should
have been his family.
“I may have kept your name, and I may still be your son by birthright, but do
not get the idea that I need you in any way, shape or form. I do believe that
you have noticed that I have never touched the trust fund you set up for me, so
I think that is proof enough to you that I really need nothing from you. As for
Jamey, I don’t think it has to be said that I will willingly decline any and
all rights I have to the Potter name and wealth in his favor. He is my one and
only brother, and I would do anything for him. I came here to see him, not you.
If there is any problem with me staying in Hogwarts then I will gladly find a
place to stay in Hogsmead, but if you in any way try to stop him from seeing me
and spending his free time with me during my stay here, I will show you what
I’ve learned while I was away. Do not tempt me.”
All the while Harry spoke the adults in the room - even Albus Dumbledore -
stared at him and listened in apt attention. It was impossible not to.
His eyes were more gold than green, and they were glowing with something no one
could name. The very air around him crackled with something unknown to them,
and the tone of his voice left no room for argument.
“Harry, please…” Lily stood up weakly and took a few hesitant steps towards
Harry as tears trailed down her cheeks, “we have been hoping for so long that
you would come back - that we would have the chance to make things right -
that-…”
“I am sorry, Mother, but there is nothing you could do to erase or correct 10
years of neglect. In your eyes I may be a fourteen year old boy, but I have
grown up quite forcefully. Would it make it easier for you to understand my
standing if I denounced my name and heritage? Because-”
“Harry, no!”
“Because if it would make it clear to you I will!” Harry thundered and Lily
took a fearful step back. “The only thing that stopped me from doing that
before was my love towards Jamey, but he will remain my brother whether I carry
your name or not. Now if that is all, I will take my leave. I don’t believe I
have anything left to say to you,” with that Harry marched out of Dumbledore’s
office, not even bothering to close the door on his way out.
“Oh, Merlin!” Lily cried out and James hurried to catch her into his arms as
she broke into fresh tears, and heavy sobs shook her body.
James looked at their friends, finding them with their heads bowed and hands
fisted on their knees. He then looked at Dumbledore who was staring at the
table in front of him with a thoughtful frown on his old face.
While he didn’t know what it was, he did realize that there was something off
about Harry. There was power inside the 14 year old that wasn’t magic, and it
set Dumbledore on edge.
He would have to keep an eye on the child.
They didn’t know where he spent the past two years, and while his love for his
brother was more than obvious, they didn’t know who the people who took Harry
in were or where their allegiances lied.
They would have to be on guard.
Otherwise, a lot of things could go wrong.
                                      cut
Dumbledore was frustrated, and it was slowly starting to show.
Harry James Potter was a master of evasion. There was no way for anyone to keep
an eye on the boy. The only times he could be seen was when he would be with
his brother and his friends by the lake, and Dumbledore couldn’t very well just
approach them to try and talk with Harry, because then his intentions would
become obvious.
One thing he did manage to prove to himself.
Harry was not a normal 14 year old boy. That was more than obvious.
What he proved was that the child had training - military training.
If one looked hard enough they would see that Harry was constantly aware of
everything; constantly on guard. He was watchful and careful, and even in the
company of his brother, when he appeared to be relaxed, he kept a close eye on
everything.
It all put Dumbledore on edge, and he couldn’t help but feel wary of Harry.
He couldn’t help but fear him.
                                      cut
“Harry, please don’t go! I don’t care what mom and dad might do! Tonight’s the
night the Goblet of Fire will choose the three champions! I want you to be
there and see it!”
Harry took a deep breath, already knowing that he agreed to Jamey’s request.
Even Hermione and Ron seemed to know that if the grins of their faces were
anything to go by.
“Alright.” Harry nodded and Jamey cheered. “But I’m going back to the Room the
moment dinner is done,” he conditioned and Jamey rolled his eyes although he
was nodding at Harry.
The Great Hall was already filling up with people, and everyone was bursting
with excitement.
As it was for the past two weeks, Harry was determined to not pay any attention
to his parents and godfathers. Jamey never complained about it, only saying
that he understood Harry’s sentiments and agreed with them wholeheartedly.
He hopped in his seat making Harry chuckle with fondness at him when Dumbledore
walked down to the Goblet of Fire for the start of the Ceremony.
“I can’t wait to find out who the Champions will be,” Jamey whispered to Harry,
completely ignoring Dumbledore’s speech.
“I heard that the bets are on Victor Krum from Durmstrang, and Cedric Diggory
from Hogwarts. I didn’t manage to find out who the favorite from Beauxbatons
is,” Harry answered in a whisper and Jamey giggled.
“You’re a right spy,” he said and Harry winked at him.
In that moment the Goblet started to burn stronger and the twins looked at it
in avid interest. A piece of paper came out of the fire and Dumbledore caught
it in his hand. He unraveled it slowly before he raised his head, and almost
everyone in the Hall held their breaths.
“The Champion of Durmstrang will be Victor Krum!” he called out, and the
students of Durmstrang broke into thunderous cheers as Victor stood up to walk
over to stand on the bottom stair leading to the Teacher’s table with his hands
clasped behind his back and a proud smirk on his face.
Not a moment later, another paper appeared and Dumbledore read the name of the
next Champion.
“The Lady which will represent Beauxbatons in the TriWizard Tournament will be
Fleur Delacour!” Polite clapping from the students of the French Academy was
almost covered by the loud cheers and cat-calls from almost all the male and
quite a bit of female populace of the Hogwarts student body.
“Is she any good?” Jamey whispered to his brother and Harry chuckled.
“According to what I’ve heard, she is the best student of the Academy. Her
chances are good.” Jamey nodded and they looked at Dumbledore in time to see
him unravel the last piece of paper.
“And last but not least, the Champion of Hogwarts will be Cedric Diggory!”
screams and cheers almost shook Hogwarts to its foundations as Cedric joined
the other Champions in front of everyone, and Dumbledore turned to smile at
them.
The Headmasters of the other schools were all but bursting with pride, and the
judges of the Tournament looked truly interested in the following events.
Dumbledore was about to announce dinner when the Goblet seemed to splutter, and
another piece of paper appeared in the air, making everyone go quiet in shock
and wonder.
Even before Dumbledore read what was written on the piece of paper, Harry knew
whose name the Goblet spat out, and anger and fear gripped his heart.
“Jeremy Potter,” Dumbledore whispered and Jamey’s eyes widened, his whole body
freezing, and the only thing he could do was look at his brother.
“Jamey…”
“I didn’t do it,” he whispered as he started to shake his head frantically.
“I know you…”
“Mister Potter, please come here,” Dumbledore spoke loud enough for everyone to
hear, but Jamey had eyes only for his brother.
“Harry, I swear on my magic I didn’t do it!! I didn’t put my name in the Goblet
- I didn’t…”
“I know…”
“Jeremy Potter!” both brothers looked at Dumbledore and Jamey jumped to his
feet out of pure fear and shock, but before he could walk over to Dumbledore,
Harry stood up as well and moved to stand in front of his brother. “Harry…”
“I spent every moment with Jamey when he wasn’t in classes,” Harry cut
Dumbledore off before the Headmaster could speak up. “The Goblet cannot choose
four champions, which means someone tricked it into doing it by throwing
Jamey’s name in it under the fourth school. Those spells are far above the
skill of a 14 year old,” he spoke in a voice which left no room for argument,
raising his left arm a bit when he felt Jamey’s trembling hands on his back.
“Harry…”
“Don’t,” Harry interrupted Dumbledore and glanced at him over his left shoulder
before he turned glaring eyes at the Headmaster. “Jamey did not put his name in
that Goblet and he will not compete in this Tournament!”
“Harry, that is not your decision to make. The Goblet chose him, and that draws
up a contract of sorts. If Jamey doesn’t compete…”
“Do you expect me to allow my brother to compete in a Tournament when no one
can guarantee that he will come out of it alive?!” Harry thundered as he looked
at their parents, “And you are alright with this?!” The Potters have joined
Dumbledore’s side during Harry’s rant, and were now looking as though they
couldn’t decide which side to take.
“Harry, there’s nothing we can do…” James started and Harry’s eyes flashed,
turning completely golden in his anger.
“You can’t,” he bit out through clenched teeth, “but I can.”
“Harry!” Jamey cried out when his twin marched for the Goblet.
In the next moment happened something no one ever saw. A see-through blue
shield appeared around the Goblet in a two meter radius, stopping Harry’s
further advance, but to everyone’s shock, the teen growled, baring his teeth
before he took a step back, clapped his hands in front of his chest and slammed
them against the shield.
The shockwave that spread from it made everyone stumble back, and James had to
hold Lily otherwise she would have been blown back.
Everyone watched in amazement as Harry pushed against the shield with all his
might, seemingly not even bothered by the cutting gusts of wind trying to push
him back or the blue snaps of electricity whipping against his strong form.
“I won’t let you put his life in danger,” he pressed out through his teeth as
he pushed harder and harder, the shield around the Goblet starting to vibrate
as circles no one has ever seen appeared around it with marks and forms which
made Dumbledore’s eyes widen as realization finally dawned on him.
He finally knew what had him on edge from the first moment he saw Harry.
“I won’t let you harm him!” To everyone’s amazement cracks started to appear in
the shield as Harry put more strength into his push and leaned forward.
The band which held his hair snapped and the wind made it dance around his head
as his clothes ruffled around his strong body.
“Harry!!” Jamey cried out, but due to the strong wind he couldn’t move out of
his place.
“I’ll break his contract even if I’ll have to break you to do it!!!” Harry
thundered, and with one last push the shield broke with the sound of shattering
glass.
But it wasn’t over yet.
As Harry stumbled forward, breathing as though he ran a marathon, blue flames
exploded from the Goblet pushing against him but not harming him.
         Who are you to contest the Rules of the TriWizard Tournament?
The letters appeared floating above the Goblet in blue, flickering flames.
“I am Harry James Potter; State Alchemist of Amestris, also called Storm-born
Alchemist, named as such by my mentor Edward Elric - the Fullmetal Alchemist of
Amestris!” Harry answered firmly as he straightened, standing strong and
unyielding in front of the Goblet of Fire, seemingly unconcerned by the blue
flames licking at his body.
It does not matter. Once made the Contract cannot be broken until the Champion
                             wins, loses or dies.
Harry’s eyes filled with anger as he fisted his hands by his sides and he bowed
his head, staring up at the Goblet with glaring eyes from under his messy
fringe.
“I have faced the Gates of Truth and the Being Above All Beings when I was
hardly 15 months old,” he hissed in a dangerous low voice. “What makes you
believe that I fear you? What makes you believe that I will not tear you to
pieces if you do not release my brother from the contract?”
For a few moments the Goblet did nothing, and then letters started to appear
again.
 I can see who you are, Storm-born Alchemist, and I admit that you are strong,
  stronger than any Alchemist that ever lived, even your mentor who has also
             faced the Gates of Truth and lived to tell the tale.
“Then you also know that I will not hesitate to tear you apart if you do not do
as I tell you. My brother may be a good Wizard, but he is not strong enough yet
to face the Trials of the Tournament. Someone else threw his name into your
fires. Will you - a Being who was made to deal justice - pass over such a
crime?” the flames around the Goblet grew smaller at Harry’s words, but again
it took a few long breathless moments for it to answer.
 You are correct to assume that I was made to deal justice in this Tournament,
                         but a contract is a contract.
“Then take me!!!” Harry roared, unaware of the people staring at him in utter
amazement and shock, disbelief written on every single face except that of his
brother.
Jamey was both terrified and in aw of his brother’s power. He knew that Harry
was possibly more powerful than he was, but seeing his brother stand up to the
Goblet like that - against all odds - it left him more than just apprehensive.
“Let me fight in the Tournament instead of him!!!” the Alchemist thundered as
he took a step closer to the Goblet, his own raging powers making his clothes
and hair snap and dance around him.
            I cannot do that. The one who was chosen must compete.
Harry’s eyes darkened to almost black and he bowed his head a bit, staring at
the Goblet with eyes which were starting to brighten more and more, gold
leaning towards platinum until they became completely white.
“Then at least tell me who is the one who put my brother’s name into your
flames,” he pressed out through his teeth as his hands relaxed by his sides.
“No…” Jamey whispered as terror gripped his heart.
                          A man named Igor Karkaroff.
Harry breathed out slowly as his eyes slipped closed.
“Thank you,” he murmured, and everyone looked at the man sitting at the
Teacher’s table.
He appeared to be too taken aback and unable to move, but everyone looked away
from him when Harry spoke up again.
“But I cannot allow my brother to get hurt.”
                                What are you-…
Before the letters even became clear enough, Harry eyes snapped open, he
clapped his hands again and fell to his knees, slapping his palms against the
stone ground.
The blue flames blew out and inhuman screams filled the air as a white circle
appeared on the ground with Harry and the Goblet smack in the middle of it.
“Harry!!!” Jamey screamed but was stopped from running to his brother’s side
when Ron’s older brothers - Fred and George - took a hold of him and held him
back.
Golden lightning shot out into the ceiling, lighting up the whole Hall as
cracks appeared in the Goblet and strong gusts of wind pushed everyone to their
knees and made them cover their heads.
It was over with a single strong shockwave, and moments later Jamey raised his
head to see his brother standing tall and strong in front of the broken pieces
of the Goblet.
Everyone slowly stood up, and those who were standing in front of Harry could
see that his eyes were closed and that he was looking completely calm.
The sound of scampering feet made his head snap up and his eyes flash open,
revealing white orbs glowing with incredible power.
He clapped his hands and spread them to the sides, and two shocks of
electricity hit the ground making it shake and rumble as what appeared to be
lightning surged forward, and moments later Igor Karkaroff, the Headmaster of
Durmstrang, was bound in his place, incased in a circling wall of stone which
reached up to his neck.
When Harry took a step forward Dumbledore stepped in front of them and raised
his left hand in what was supposed to be a calming gesture. Harry’s eyes
glanced down and a smirk tilted his lips when he saw Dumbledore holding his
wand in his right hand.
“Do you really think you can stop us?” The voice which came out of Harry’s
mouth was not his. It sounded distorted - like hundreds of voices speaking at
the same time - and Dumbledore took a wary step back.
“Who are you?” he asked as he slowly raised his wand.
“Albus!!”
“Harry!!” while James and Lily called for the Headmaster, Jamey called out for
his brother, but for the first time ever Harry didn’t even spare a glance for
him.
James and Lily were stopped from advancing any further by the few Aurors that
accompanied the judges of the Tournament, and Sirius and Remus were too shocked
to do anything but stare in amazement.
“Who am I?” A sly chuckle shook Harry’s strong shoulders, and when he looked at
Albus again, his eyes were completely white, “One name you might have for me is
The World, or you might call me The Universe, or perhaps God, or perhaps the
Truth.” Albus took a step back as the weight of the situation settled down on
him.
Harry took a step towards him with a grin stretching his lips - a grin which
looked surreal and terrifying on the young man’s usually handsome face.
“I am all and I am one, so of course this also means that I am you, and I am
this Child.”
“You are the one who saved us?!” Harry turned on his heel at Jamey’s question,
and the younger of the Potter twins shivered as Harry tilted his head to the
left with the grin on his face turning smaller and gentler.
“Your brother’s instinctive wish to protect you is what saved you. His innocent
heart called me forth, and his sacrifice brought Tom Marvolo Riddle down. Ever
since then we have been one. He sacrificed his childhood, his innocence and his
magic to save you and destroy Riddle. By the rules of equivalent exchange I was
supposed to give him something of equal value. Only Truth knows the Value of a
child’s sacrifice. I granted him Knowledge and the power to protect you. I must
admit that I have grown quite fond of him, otherwise I wouldn’t be doing this.”
“Doing what?” James asked weakly and found himself target of those terrifying
white eyes. Harry’s right hand rose and Karkaroff was dragged in front of him,
the walls falling apart.
He fell to his knees, staring up at the child with white eyes as a piece of the
stony ground darted up and wrapped itself around Karkaroff’s left elbow,
raising his arm in what appeared to be an offering.
With a touch of Harry’s right hand index finger Karkaroff’s left sleeve all but
melted away, revealing his faded Dark Mark.
“What - what are you doing?!” he screamed as Harry’s right hand took an
unyielding hold of his wrist and his left covered the Dark Mark.
“Fulfilling my protégé’s wish, of course,” Truth answered with a grin. “You and
all those of the same allegiances as you will face the ultimate Justice - the
Equivalent Exchange. For all the lives you took, now you will face the
Punishment.”
Karkaroff screamed and screamed for no apparent reason, only to stop and
collapse, shaking and shivering, when Truth was done with him.
“Death is too good for you, so you and everyone like you will spend the rest of
your lives as the one thing you hated most - normal humans. In your arrogance
you thought yourselves better, when you are nothing but humans as well. You
will not die until you experience all the pain you inflicted upon others. Every
day, exactly at midnight you will feel the horror and the pain of one person
you tortured, and killed. That will be the punishment for your crimes.”
Karkaroff raised his head weakly, looking up at Truth with pain in his eyes.
“What - what are you?” Truth chuckled and tilted Harry’s head to the left with
an almost calm smile.
“I am the truth of your despair.”
And with a snap of Harry’s fingers Karkaroff was gone.
Heavy silence settled over the hall as Truth turned to face Dumbledore.
“The Death Eaters are gone. The Child’s wish to protect his brother has saved
your world. You named the wrong child the Boy-Who-Lived because of your own
arrogance and pride. If the Child wasn’t satisfied I would take your life as
well. His only hope is that no more mistakes will be made.”
“Wait!!” Jamey screamed, tore himself out of Fred and George’s weakened holds,
and ran to stand in front of his brother, taking a hold of his shoulders as he
stared up in white eyes. “What you did - it was - it was Alchemy!”
An almost loving smile tilted Harry’s lips. “Yes, little one; it was.”
Jamey’s eyes widened in horror as he held his breath. “But - but that means -
by the laws of equivalent exchange-…”
“Your brother needed to sacrifice something to gain something of equal value in
return.”
“No,” Jamey whispered brokenly as his hold on Harry’s shoulders grew firmer.
“Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To
obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy’s first law of
Equivalent Exchange.”Truth recited and the smile on Harry’s face grew sad.
“What did he sacrifice?” Jamey breathed out, only to snap when the smile on
Harry’s face disappeared and Truth took a small step back, “What did he
sacrifice?!” he screamed as tears filled his eyes and started to trail down his
pale cheeks.
“Everything that makes him who he is,” Truth answered and Jamey stopped
breathing as his whole body froze. “His memories, his feelings - his heart;
everything.”
“Give him back!!!” Jamey screamed as he slammed his fists against Harry’s
chest. “Give him back!! He’s my one and only brother!! You took him from me
once!! Give him back to me!! Give him back!!”
“Jamey!!” Lily cried out, but James held her back. Both were crying even though
they were hardly able to wrap their minds around what happened. In their hearts
they understood.
They understood that they lost their firstborn son.
“Give him back!” Jamey’s voice broke as he fell to his knees with his head
bowed and hands fisted on Harry’s hips, “Please - please, give him back - he’s
my brother - he’s my only brother-…”
Truth’s eyes saddened as the cries of the child kneeling in front of him
overlapped with ones he heard quite some time ago.
 “Whether it be an arm, or a leg, or even my heart, you can take it!! So give
         him back… HE’S MY LITTLE BROTHER AND HE’S ALL I HAVE LEFT!!!”
                                      cut
                      How can I repay you, brother mine?
                       How can I expect you to forgive?
                    Clinging to the past I shed our blood
                      and shattered your chance to live.
                                      cut
Jamey hiccupped and raised his head when Truth kneeled in front of him.
“He did it for you,” Truth said and Jamey whimpered weakly.
“Give him back, please. I’ll do anything - sacrifice whatever you want just -
just please…” he pleaded as tears trailed down his cheeks, “please - he’s my
one and only brother - please, give him back to me.”
                                      cut
                          And how can I make amends
                        for all that I took from you?
                       I led you with hopeless dreams.
                           My brother, I was a fool.
                                      cut
On that day Truth uttered something that would forever be remembered.
As he stared into eyes of pure emerald, he said something that has never been
spoken by Truth since before the beginning of time.
“I’m sorry.”
                                      cut
                         So where do we go from here?
                        And how to forget and forgive?
                         What’s gone is forever lost.
                          Now all we can do is live.
                                      cut
Jamey bowed his head, but a glimmer in the weak light of the flickering torches
made his breath hitch in his throat.
Truth looked down with a frown when Jamey took a firm hold of something hanging
around Harry’s neck.
“This…” he whispered as he pulled his pendant from around his neck and showed
the two peaces which were once one to Truth, “This is the promise we gave to
one another.” Even though Jamey’s voice was wavering it was also gaining
strength. “Harry promised to come back to me, and - and I promised to always
wait for him. This is our bond, our oath. Take it! Take it, and bring him
back!”
Harry’s left eyebrow rose up a bit, and the left corner of his lips tilted up.
Truth chuckled and shook his head as he clasped Harry’s hands around Jamey’s.
“You two are just like the Elric brothers,” Truth whispered and Jamey’s lips
parted as white eyes slid closed and black hair fell around his brother’s
handsome face like a veil as his head was bowed.
The air filled with something heavy, and Jamey’s breath hitched in his throat
when he felt Harry’s hold on his hands grow stronger.
“I’m sorry, but this is the best I can do.”
And blinding white light filled the hall.
“I’m sorry.”
                                      cut
                  A dream lies dead here. May you softly go 
                 Before this place, and turn away your eyes, 
                Nor seek to know the look of that which dies 
                 Importuning Life for life. Walk not in woe, 
                  But, for a little, let your step be slow. 
                   And, of your mercy, be not sweetly wise 
              With words of hope and Spring and tenderer skies. 
               A dream lies dead; and this all mourners know: 

                 Whenever one drifted petal leaves the tree- 
                 Though white of bloom as it had been before 
                      And proudly waitful of fecundity- 
                    One little loveliness can be no more; 
                  And so must Beauty bow her imperfect head 
                 Because a dream has joined the wistful dead!
                     -Dorothy Parker, ‘A Dream Lies Dead’
                                      cut
… I don’t know how to say this. My brother
Harry
He’s in a coma.
Our Medi-Wizards will do what they can, but no one knows if he will ever wake
up.
I’m sorry.
I don’t know if you felt the same as my brother, but I think he would want you
to know that he loved you as something more than a friend and a mentor.
He truly loved you.
Know that he is in safe hands and that I will inform you the moment his
condition changes.
Stay well.
Best regards,
Jeremy Damian Potter
The letter fell out of Edward’s hands, landing soundlessly on the wooden flood.
A heavy breath left his lips as he rested his elbows on his knees and hid his
face in his hands.
Alphonse wrapped his arms around Winry and she buried her face in his chest as
tears she couldn’t hold back ran down her pale cheeks.
Edward fisted his hands in his hair as his heart hurt and his guts felt like
they were filling with lead.
Damn it, he bit into his bottom lip but it did nothing to quiet to sobs which
shook his body.
Damn it all to hell!!
                                      cut
Jamey sighed as he entered Harry’s room in their house in Godric’s Hallow. He
parted the drapes letting in the late morning sun, before he turned on his heel
and walked over to the bed in which his brother lied still.
His head was tilted to the right, and the expression on his face hadn’t changed
for over a year and a half. Calm and peaceful, he truly appeared as though he
was merely sleeping, and could wake up at any moment.
Jamey took a seat beside him and brushed his right hand through his bangs which
now fell to his chin, and traced the thick braid which rested over Harry’s left
shoulder.
Harry’s hands were resting on his stomach, his fingers entwined, and Jamey
covered them with his right hand, a small smile tilting his lips.
“Hey, brother! Happy 16th birthday!” he whispered as he rubbed small circles in
the knuckles of Harry’s left hand with his thumb, “Nothing’s really changed
here. In a few weeks I’ll go back to Hogwarts for my 6th year. I really hope
you’ll wake up before then.”
He swallowed difficultly and his lips tilted up.
“Edward sent an answer. I’ve told him that we really don’t know what else to do
to wake you up so - so I asked him if he knew anything. I’ve told you what he
wrote in the letter before this one. He and Alphonse have been searching for a
way to wake you up since I sent them a letter explaining what happened to you.
I don’t know if all of them will come since little Evangeline is still too
small to travel.”
His voice broke and he let go of a heavy sigh.
“I really do hope you wake up soon, Harry,” he whispered. “Things are just not
the same without you.” He bowed down to place a loving kiss to his brother’s
forehead.
“Jamey?” He straightened and found Lily standing in the doorway with a small
sad smile on her lips, “Come, breakfast is on the table.” Jamey nodded before
he glanced at his sleeping brother again, stood up, and walked over to his
mother.
She wrapped her right arm around his shoulders and kissed his cheek before they
left down the hall, leaving the door of Harry’s room open.
They found James, Sirius and Remus already sitting around the table, and the
three smiled at them warmly.
“Happy birthday, Jamey.” Remus said and stood up to hug his godson, closely
followed by James and Sirius also wishing him happy birthday. “Are there any
changes?” the werewolf asked as they all took seats around the table, and Jamey
shook his head with a sigh.
“None. He’s still sleeping,” he answered before he gifted Lily with a small
smile after she placed his plate in front of him.
Ever since the events which stopped the threat of Death Eaters forever, Jamey
has been different. No one could explain what happened. People still hardly
believed the retelling of the events, and something akin to apprehensiveness
gripped the hearts of every witch and wizard in Britain.
The Potter family was left alone for once, and after they were told by every
single Medi-Witch and Wizard that there was nothing they could do to help
Harry, they brought him back to Godric’s Hallow to watch over him. Lily quit
her job at Hogwarts with Remus taking her place while James continued to teach.
She stayed home with Harry, watching over him every day from morning till
nightfall, hoping his amazing eyes would open at last.
Jamey changed. He was no longer cheerful and innocent. The fact that he almost
lost his brother took almost everything from him. He was still good and kind,
but there was sadness in his eyes; sadness that wasn’t there before and which
could be erased by nothing.
The fact that James and Lily neglected Harry before was still between them, and
that wall would never disappear, but instead of Jamey telling Edward to come
for Harry, he allowed his parents the small comfort of having their first born
close, at least until he woke up.
They still believed he would.
They still held on to hope.
And nothing could take that hope from them.
Nothing and no one.
                                      cut
Lily, James and Jamey stood at the porch of their home as a man they only ever
read from and heard about walked into their front yard.
He was taller than they thought, topping James for an inch or two, and his wide
shoulders and trim waist were accented by his brown pants and white button up
shirt which had the first button undone and the sleeves rolled up to his
elbows.
His sun-kissed hair was tied in a ponytail and his eyes shone like molten gold
from his tanned face.
He carried a brown suitcase in his right hand, and a light brown coat was
thrown over his left forearm. He moved with certainty and poise, his shoulders
straight and his stance firm.
They could all see from whom Harry learned to make an impression.
“Good day,” he greeted when he climbed the porch and placed the suitcase on the
wooden floor. “I’m pleased to meet you.” He shook James’ hand first before he
greeted Lily respectfully and turned to look at Jamey.
The 16 year old felt his heart warm up when he saw Edward’s eyes grow softer
and a small smile tilted his lips.
“Harry was right. You two are almost nothing alike,” he commented as they shook
hands.
“Harry made you out to be shorter,” Jamey answered teasingly and Edward
chuckled while Jamey snickered.
“Do you want to settle down in your room or should we take you to see Harry
first?” Lily asked, and all of them saw sadness fill Edward’s eyes, and the
tightness of his lips couldn’t be missed either.
“I came for him, so…”
The Potters nodded. “Come inside,” Jamey said, and they made their way inside
the house.
When they reached the door of Harry’s room, the Potters let Edward in, and the
Fullmetal Alchemist took a deep breath before he squared his shoulders.
The moment his eyes landed on Harry’s still form, Edward could swear that the
world stopped spinning. His feet almost betrayed him as he walked over to the
bed and took a seat on it. He didn’t even notice how hard his hands were
shaking as he reached to brush a strand of Harry’s hair behind his left ear.
He looked healthy and strong, although his skin wasn’t as tanned as Edward
remembered since he hasn’t been outside in the sun ever since he fell asleep.
What surprised Edward most was that Harry lost none of his muscle-mass. It
appeared as though his body was preserved in some way, and still growing if the
noticeable loss of all the baby-fat in his cheeks, and his sharper chin were
any indication.
It appears that Truth does play favorites after all, he thought as a small
smile tilted his lips.
“Will you be able to wake him up?”
Edward looked at Jamey and his parents and slowly nodded his head. “Alphonse
and I came upon this idea after paying a visit to a few of our old friends. I
don’t know why we didn’t think of it ourselves. I guess we’re both trying to
forget as much of our past experiences as possible.”
“What will you do?” Lily asked and Edward chuckled as he looked at Harry again.
“When my brother and I tried to bring our mother back from the dead Al’s body
remained trapped on the other side. I needed to sacrifice my alchemy to bring
him back. When Harry found us, Truth made me an Alchemist again. I was told
that - a lesson without pain is meaningless. For you cannot gain anything
without sacrificing something else in return, but once you have overcome it and
made it your own, you will gain an irreplaceable Fullmetal heart.”
Edward shook his head with a chuckle while the Potters stared at him with
thoughtful, questioning frowns.
“It took me a while to understand what Truth meant with that, but now I know it
all.,” He slowly raised his hands and connected them in front of himself,
before he laid his right hand on Harry’s chest and his left on his own. “We’ll
be right back.”
And everything disappeared into white light.
                                      cut
“Took you long enough, Edward Elric.”
Said man turned on his heel only to lose his breath and stumble forward when he
found Truth standing beside a throne-like chair in which Harry sat with dull
eyes, completely still. His face was expressionless, his back was straight and
his hands rested calmly on his thighs. His beautiful, long, raven hair fell
over his right shoulder in a thick braid
“What - what is wrong with him?” he asked weakly as he took a few shaky steps
forward only to fall to his knees in front of Harry, covering his smaller,
colder hands with his own.
“This was the only way to preserve his health until someone came to bring his
memories back.”
“His memories?” Edward looked at Truth, and the Being Above All Beings nodded.
“His brother is not an alchemist, but his sacrifice was enough to bind Harry’s
soul to his body, otherwise it would have decayed into nothing. It wasn’t
enough to bring his memories and feelings back though.” Edward swallowed as he
nodded and looked at Harry. “What will you give me, Edward Elric?”
The Fullmetal Alchemist took a deep breath and licked his dry lips.
“A promise,” he stated firmly and looked at Truth, and his heart danced in his
chest when a grin started to slowly spread on Truth’s face. “In exchange for
Harry’s memories and feelings - his all - I will give you a promise that I will
do everything in my power to stop him from suffering ever again. I promise to
devote my life to him and only to him - to making him happy.”
Truth burst into laughter and Edward felt something pulling against his very
soul, and when Truth stopped laughing Edward looked at Harry and slowly raised
his hands to cup the 16-year-old’s cheeks.
“You have finally understood, Edward! Go! Take him back! And I don’t want to
see either one of you for at least a 100 years!”
And with that Edward leaned up. His eyes slid closed and his heart burst in his
chest when his lips covered soft, lush, warm ones, and light burst behind
closed eyelids.
                                      cut
Edward shivered when he felt a warm breath against his lips and he slowly
opened his eyes to meet the most amazing orbs of both green and gold he came to
love before he even realized he could.
Not further parted than a single breath, he stared in Harry’s eyes, their noses
touching and their breaths mixing between them, and it took Edward a second to
realize that he was leaning over Harry and that his student, his friend - his
love - was looking right back at him with eyes full of love and warmth.
“It took you long enough, Ed,” Harry whispered and Edward let go of a choked up
chuckle as he rested his forehead on Harry’s and nuzzled his nose against his.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting,” He answered in a tight voice, shivering when
Harry slid his hands from between them and touched Edward’s cheeks with the
tips of his fingers before he slipped them higher to cup his face and caress
the seam of his bottom lip with his thumbs.
“Time passed quickly enough,” Harry murmured and Edward’s lips tilted into a
smile.
“Did you get enough sleep, Sleepin’ Beauty?” he asked and Harry smiled.
“I’m not too sure I’m awake yet,” he answered and Edward let go of the breath
he was unconsciously holding only to lean in and seal his lips over Harry’s in
a kiss which shook something deep within him.
“You’re awake!!!” The two broke apart when someone jumped on top of them, and
Harry broke out into laughter as Edward was forced to roll off of him while
Jamey hugged them both with all his might. “You’re awake! You’re awake! You’re
awake!!” Jamey chanted through tears of happiness, and while Edward just gave
in and patted Jamey’s back in comfort, Harry wrapped his arms around him and
glanced at the doorway of his room where Lily and James stood with their arms
wrapped around one another and happy smiles decorating their faces.
Harry closed his eyes and buried his face in his brother’s hair.
It was over.
He came back.
Now everything would be alright.
                                      cut
“Don’t forget to write, alright?” Jamey requested as he hugged Harry tightly
and his big brother chuckled before he kissed his cheek and took a step back.
It’s been two weeks since Edward managed to bring Harry back, and the two
Alchemists were now ready to return to Amestris. James and Lily made a portkey
which would take them to the border of Amestris since magic there didn’t work,
and Ed and Harry didn’t mind walking for a bit.
“Be good at school, and try not to get into too much trouble,” Harry warned
Jamey who grinned at him brightly, and Harry shook his head with a smile full
of fondness before he looked at his parents who stood a bit to the side.
“Mother. Fa…” he was cut off when Lily let go of a choked up gasp and wrapped
him into her arms. For a second Harry was frozen in his place, his arms tight
by his sides, but when Lily started to apologize and pull back, Harry wrapped
his arms around her waist and pulled her close, burying his face in her hair
and holding on to her tightly.
Lily’s right hand fisted on the back of Harry’s head and she hid her face in
his neck, before she reluctantly moved back, cupped his head and kissed his
forehead.
“I wish you all the luck and happiness in the world, baby,” she whispered as
they parted and Harry nodded at her with a small smile, before he looked at his
father.
James didn’t even hesitate to walk over and pull Harry into a hug, kissing his
forehead and clapping his back before he moved back and placed his hands on
Harry’s shoulders.
“Have fun, son; and take good care of yourself,” he said with tears in his eyes
and Harry nodded.
“I will,” he said and walked over to stand beside Ed who wrapped his left arm
around Harry’s waist as though it was the most natural thing to do.
“You watch over our son, Edward Elric,” James warned as Lily and Jamey came to
stand beside him and Edward chuckled as he looked down at Harry, meeting his
eyes and smiling at the teen lovingly.
“I won’t let him out of my sight,” Edward promised and Harry smiled before he
looked at his family just as Edward raised his left hand with Harry’s pendant
in it.
“Come to visit when you have the chance!” Harry said as he took a hold of the
pendant.
“Don’t be a stranger either!!” Jamey called out, and the last thing the Potters
saw before Harry and Edward disappeared in a flash of colors was the two young
men share a loving smile and lean in to press their lips together.
                                      cut
“That’s it; it’s official. I hate portkeys,” Edward grumbled as he and Harry
struggled to untangle from one another, with Edward cursing under his breath
and Harry snickering.
“I have to agree on that with you,” he said and sighed when they finally
managed to stand up and dust their clothes off before Edward took his suitcase
and both looked around.
“I hope we landed where we were supposed to land,” Edward drawled and Harry
snorted, wiping his brow with his right forearm, frowning when his fringe fell
into his face.
“If we go east we should reach the border in less than 2 hours. We can spend
the night in the city on the border and catch a train for Resembol tomorrow
early in the morning.” Harry answered as he brushed his chin-long fringe behind
his right ear.
“Well then! We better move out,” Edward said and Harry nodded with a smile.
They walked in comfortable silence side by side, and even though Edward thought
Harry wouldn’t notice, the teen felt the Fullmetal Alchemist’s eyes running
over his body every once in a while.
While it was amusing it has gotten to the point of annoying him. No matter how
many times Harry said that he was fine - how many times he proved that his body
was well - Edward just wouldn’t stop worrying about him.
They did talk about it, and Edward did promise that he would try to control
himself, but really, it would take time for Edward to really believe that Harry
was there and that he was alright.
Harry tried to understand him. He really did.
Edward confessed to him a few days back that there were feelings growing in
Edward’s heart from the day they met, but that he was suppressing them and
denying them since Harry was way too young for him to try anything.
Sure, he was aware that Harry was mentally maybe even more grown up than him,
but it couldn’t be denied that his body was still developing. It couldn’t be
denied that physically he was still a child, and while his mental and emotional
maturity was that of a thirty year old at the least, Edward refused to allow
himself to put Harry in an uncomfortable situation.
Edward admitted to him that a part of him was glad that Harry left to see Jamey
almost two years ago, because it gave Ed an opportunity to really think about
his feelings and where their relationship would go.
Now, at 16, Harry looked like a young man, and the difference between him and
Edward was less and less visible.
For close to two years, Edward worked day in and day out trying to find a way
to wake Harry up. His feelings for the younger Alchemist were strong, and they
were growing stronger with each passing day.
Harry was at the age of consent so nothing was really stopping Edward from
being with him but his own insecurities.
Yes, Edward was insecure.
Even though he was probably the only one beside Jamey who really knew Harry,
and he knew that the younger man cared little for appearances and silly things
like age differences, Edward just couldn’t forget that Harry was young.
Even though he thought he knew better than doubt Harry’s maturity, there was a
little voice in the back of his head which told him that Harry would one day
fall in love with someone else; someone better.
Edward knew Harry both inside and out.
He knew Harry’s heart, mind, and soul.
He knew the strength hiding in those long, sinewed limbs, and back. He knew the
way his lightly defined muscles twitched under strain, caressed by the rays of
the midday sun. He knew what it felt like to run his fingers through Harry’s
mid-back long, silky hair as he braided it so it wouldn’t get in Harry’s way
while they practiced, the way his skin felt under his fingers as he would rub
the knots out of Harry’s shoulders after they would spend days sitting in the
library of their home in Resembol.
He knew Harry’s earthy scent and his warmth. He knew the sound of his laughter
and his cutting wit.
So what was he afraid of?
“You’re going to burn a hole in the back of my head with how hard you’re
staring at me.”
Edward yelped and tripped on his feet, hardly managing to stay standing when
Harry spoke up out of the blue.
The younger man sighed as he turned around to look at Edward, and the Fullmetal
Alchemist blushed furiously when he saw the knowing shine in Harry’s eyes and
the little upwards tilt of his lips telling him that Harry knew exactly what
Edward was thinking about.
“Sorry, I didn’t-…”
“Edward,” Harry sighed and Edward felt a shiver going down his spine, a spark
of annoyance appearing in the back of his head because he just knew that Harry
was aware of what him speaking his name in that almost exasperated soft tone
did to the older Alchemist. “I thought we talked about this.” He approached the
taller man and stopped hardly a breath away of him.
Edward felt himself instinctively leaning closer to Harry, and the younger man
smiled up at him.
“I know, Harry,” he answered. “Doesn’t mean that I’ll just get over it all over
night.”
Harry chuckled and Edward gulped when Harry took another step closer to him,
placing his small, warm hands on Edward’s forearms.
“Do you know what it means to be a grown up trapped in the body of a 16 year
old?” Harry asked as he nuzzled his nose against Edward’s, his lips brushing
against the older Alchemist’s. “It means knowing exactly what you want -
knowing what you feel and what you need - and yet being unable to take it - ask
for it - because everyone sees you as a child.”
“Harry…”
“I know what I want, Edward Elric.” Harry’s voice deepened a bit as he looked
straight in Edward’s eyes, tracing up Edward’s arms with the tips of his
fingers, and Edward could feel their warmth burning his skin even through the
material of his button-up, white shirt.
Harry placed his hands flat on Edward’s chest as he took that final step
forward, with his lips hardly a breath away from Edward’s.
“I’ve known ever since my 13th birthday, and yet I denied myself and held back
because I thought you would never feel the same; that you would always see me
as a child, even though mentally we’re the same age.” Edward rested his
forehead on Harry’s as he closed his eyes and ground his teeth together. “In
your eyes I’m still a…”
“No,” Edward pressed out through his teeth. Neither heard his suitcase hit the
ground, but Harry felt it when Edward placed his hands on his thin waist and -
whether unconsciously or not - pulled him flat against his body, making him
feel exactly what he was doing to the older man. “I know you, Harry. I know
you’re not a child, but I…”
“Do you think me so fickle?” Harry asked and looked deep in Edward’s eyes.
From so close, Edward could see every shade of Harry’s amazing irises. He could
see the exact spots where green melted into gold, and he could see the specks
of white around the pupil which couldn’t be seen unless you were this close to
Harry.
“Do you think that I would easily stop loving you and chose someone else over
you?”
“No,” Edward breathed out and Harry smiled as he slid his hands up Edward’s
chest, tracing the strong column of his neck, before he cupped Edward’s face
and caressed his cheeks with his thumbs.
“Then stop doubting me. Stop doubting yourself. I love you, Edward Elric. I
love you now, and I will love you a hundred years from now.”
“I love you too.” Edward murmured, and he held his breath when Harry finally
closed that practically non-existent distance between their lips in a light,
chaste kiss.
“Good.” Harry moved back with a smirk, and Edward had to try hard as not to
whine when the younger man all but danced out of his arms. “Come on. We won’t
reach the border until tomorrow if we linger.” He walked away with a sway to
his hips Edward could swear wasn’t there before, and the young man glanced at
Edward over his left shoulder as though he knew what passed through Edward
mind.
“Minx,” Edward grumbled as he bowed down to take his suitcase before he
followed after Harry. “Nothing but a minx.”
                                      cut
“I’ve seen worse,” Edward commented as he and Harry looked around the room they
rented for the night. It was hardly bigger than a normal guestroom, with a
single bed which could fit two people if they weren’t much for personal space.
The bathroom was hardly big enough to fit one person comfortably. “Not much
worse, but I’ve seen worse.”
Harry chuckled as he took a seat on the bed and looked around. “Well at least
we’re not sharing it with anyone,” he said and Edward snorted as he brought his
suitcase to a little cabinet with drawers facing the bed and placed it on top
of it. He stretched his arms above his head with a groan before he walked over
to the bed and took a seat beside Harry before he flopped back with his arms
thrown over his head, glancing at Harry when the teen chuckled at him.
“What?” he drawled.
“Nothing,” Harry answered as he lied down, rested his head on Edward’s chest,
and placed his right hand right over his heart. Edward lowered his right hand
to place it on Harry’s head while he took Harry’s right hand in his left and
squeezed it gently.
“You know you can tell me everything right?” Edward asked and Harry chuckled,
nodding against his chest.
“I know,” he murmured.
“So?” Edward pushed lovingly and Harry sighed.
“It’s just,” he hesitated as though he was searching for the right words, “I
can’t believe that we’ve come to this. I don’t have to worry about my brother
being hunted by Death Eaters anymore. I’m free from everything.” He raised his
head a bit and Edward’s right hand slid to Harry’s waist as the teen braced
himself on his left elbow to look town at Edward. “I’m with you and - and it
all feels like dream - like I’m still in that stasis Truth put me in and - when
I left two years ago, I had so much to tell you and now-…”
“Hey!” Edward whispered as he let go of Harry’s right hand and caressed his
cheek with the back of his fingers, “You’re back. Don’t you think that’s all
that matters?” Harry smiled down at Edward and nodded.
“It’s just hard to wrap my mind around the fact that we’re going to settle in
Resembol. Neither you nor I are forced to go to active duty when we come back.
I just - before I knew what I had to do. I had to learn from you. I had to look
out for Jamey. I had to go back to him. Now? Now I have no idea where I’ll end
up. It’s - It’s strange.”
“We don’t have to go straight back to Resembol, you know?” Edward said and
Harry’s face morphed into a small, confused frown. “We could travel around a
bit. Maybe go to Austria or the Czech Republic, or Hungary. We could even go
further; like Croatia, or Macedonia, or Greece, Bulgaria, Romania. We have all
the time in the world to go back.” Harry chuckled and bowed down to rest his
forehead on Edward’s, humming in content when Edward’s right hand slid down to
his hip.
“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we are,” he muttered and Edward
swallowed difficultly as he entwined his left hand in Harry’s thick hair,
messing up the braid Harry wore his hair in.
He raised his head as he tugged Harry’s down and sealed his lips over Harry’s
in a deep kiss, swallowing the sigh of relief which Harry let go of as he
leaned into Edward, flattening his body with his.
                                      cut
                       I keep every tear like an ocean
                        for every day that my fortune
                         kept me from being with you.
                     I cradle your faith that reveals me,
                      grows like a flower then heals me;
                          fills me with promise anew.
                                      cut
Edward could hardly breathe and it felt like heat was filling his stomach as
the kiss grew deeper and Harry’s right hand fisted in his shirt on his chest as
though he was trying to hold on to him.
Without thinking about it, he flipped them over, pushing his left leg between
Harry’s, moaning when Harry wrapped his left arm around his shoulders and
fisted his hand on his back, almost tearing his shirt with how forceful his
grip was.
Edward slipped his left hand under Harry’s shirt, moaning at the feel of
Harry’s heated skin under his callused fingers, and the teen gasped and tilted
his head back when Edward latched his lips on his neck intent on leaving a mark
that would show everyone that this amazing young man was his by all rights.
Harry entangled his right hand in Edward’s hair before he tugged the band which
kept it out of his face off of it, letting it fall forward like a veil of silky
sunlight, caressing his face and shoulders, its scent reminding him of the days
they spent in the sun, practicing together until neither could move anymore.
Edward’s larger body covered him completely, his warmth was enveloping him; his
fingers left burning imprints on his skin, igniting something inside him he
never felt before.
It felt like he was decomposed and recomposed at the same time, every fiber of
his being yearning for the powerful, intelligent, strong man caressing him as
though he was the most precious being in the world.
“Damn it,” Edward cursed under his breath as he rested his forehead on Harry’s,
breathing as though he ran a marathon. “Please tell me to stop - please, or
I’ll…”
“Ed?” the young man interrupted him and Edward opened his eyes to look in
Harry’s, “Make love to me?”
As though his words were the keys which unlocked the chains holding Edward
back, every muscle in Edward’s body uncoiled and he let go of a long, heavy
breath. Harry pulled him into a deep kiss before Edward moved back with the
teen following him.
Edward didn’t even manage to toe off his shoes properly, when Harry took a hold
of his collar and pulled him into another kiss, his dexterous, nimble fingers
already working on the buttons of Edward’s shirt as he struggled to toe of his
ankle high boots.
He slid his hands under Edward’s unbuttoned shirt and slid them up Edward’s
stomach and chest before he pushed the shirt off of Edward’s shoulders, and the
older man had to let go of Harry’s waist to let his shirt fall on the floor.
Not a second alter his lips were back on Harry’s, unable to get enough of the
taste of innocence which Harry seemed to be made of despite his sacrifice and
what he lived through, as he took a hold of the teen’s shirt, having to move
back as to take it off of him. He took a firm hold of Harry’s waist, pulling
him flat against his body as Harry’s fingers entangled in his hair to hold him
in place.
There was a sense of urgency in every move, marked by both of them trying to
hold back, knowing that there was no rush; that nothing would come between
them.
They were together, and after everything Edward suffered, and everything Harry
gave up on, nothing and no one could take this from them.
                                      cut
                        I carry your worn disillusion
                         when my pathetic confusion,
                       kept me from speaking the truth.
                       Merely a coin in your fountain,
                      lost like the seconds I’m counting
                           till I am closer to you.
                                      cut
Harry stepped out of his trousers and briefs after Edward managed to push them
off of his slim hips while Harry unbuttoned and unzipped Edward’s pants, but
before he could push them down Edward took a firm hold of Harry’s waist and
hosted him up, making the teen wrap his arms and legs around him as the older
man carried him to bed.
Their lips met in an almost desperate kiss as Edward laid Harry down on the
bed, kneeling between Harry’s invitingly parted thighs, before he started
kissing down Harry’s neck, his hands caressing Harry’s sides, as he licked his
pebbled right nipple, making the smaller man gasp and arch up.
He took the small, dusky nipple into his mouth, groaning when Harry’s nails dug
into the firm muscles of his shoulders, and the teen arched up as though
offering himself to Edward like a sacrifice worthy of the gods.
It took every bit of Edward’s self-control to stop himself from moving away,
feeling unworthy of such an innocent, beautiful creature which trusted him more
than anyone in the world not to hurt him and to take care of him.
His hands traveled to Harry’s hips and he traced his hipbones with his thumbs
making Harry snap his hips up, and Edward groaned when Harry’s hard cock rubbed
against his through the layers of his trousers and boxers.
Kissing down Harry’s stomach Edward bypassed his straining need, caressing
Harry’s strong thighs with his hands on his way to take Harry’s socks off,
leaving him completely bare to his darkened, dilated eyes.
He gulped as apprehension gripped his heart at the sight of the unblemished,
creamy skin stretched over tight muscles, and he must have grimaced in some way
because Harry’s beautiful face morphed into a confused little frown.
“Ed?” he whispered as he sat up, making Edward sit back on his legs. The cold
steel of his automail leg burned his ass through his trousers, and Edward
suddenly felt so unworthy, so meaningless compared to Harry’s perfection. “Ed,
what’s wrong?” Harry got on his knees in front of Edward and gently cupped his
face in his trembling hands, but Edward bowed his head, looking at his own
hands as though they were dirty.
“I…” he started but choked up on words when he couldn’t find the right ones to
explain what he was feeling, “Compared to you I’m-…”
“Ed?” he raised his head at the loving warmth of Harry’s voice and found the
teen looking at him with admiration and adoration he never saw in anyone’s eyes
in his life.
He could do nothing but sit back as Harry leaned forward, and goose-bumps
appeared on Edward’s skin when Harry kissed the scars remaining on Edward’s
right shoulder where his automail arm was once connected to his body. Harry
moved back a little and he traced the scar on Edward’s stomach from when he was
impaled by that pole some time ago, and he felt his cock twitch when Harry
bowed down and kissed it.
“I don’t see your scars, Ed,” he murmured as he straightened and gently took
Edward’s wrists in his hands as he moved backwards on the small bed. He placed
his hands on Edward’s chest making him lie down, and Edward gasped when his
head hit the pillow and Harry straddled his waist before he leaned down and
kissed Edward, steadying himself with his hands on Edward’s chest. “I see
everything you’ve had to live through to atone for your mistake. I don’t see
scars. I see medals of honor and hard-work.”
“Harry, I’m…” he swallowed his words when Harry kissed him before starting to
slide lower, littering open-mouthed kisses on every scar he found on his way
down.
Edward stopped himself from grabbing Harry to pull him off of himself by
fisting his hands in the cotton sheets of the bed when Harry tucked his fingers
under the waistband of both his trousers and boxers and started to tug them
down.
He threw them to the side, followed by Edward’s socks before he kneeled to
Edward’s left and traced the line where metal met skin on his left leg almost
reverently. The Fullmetal Alchemist stopped breathing when Harry bowed down to
lay a loving kiss on the rough skin above the metal, before he kissed his knee.
“You’re mine, Edward,” he said as he straightened before he crawled over the
older man, flattened his body with Edward’s and framed Edward’s head with his
forearms, leaning in to kiss him. “All of you.”
Edward groaned as he flipped them over, sealing his lips over Harry’s in a
desperate kiss. He braced himself on his left elbow as he traced his right hand
over Harry’s chest and stomach, before taking a firm hold of Harry’s cock and
giving it an experimental tug.
When the teen moaned and twitched up, Edward started kissing and nipping down
his front as he moved lower and lower on the bed, and the teen gasped and
tugged on Edward’s hair with his right hand when he breathed over his rock hard
length.
Giving the head a small lick, Edward felt a smirk tilt his lips when Harry
hiccupped and his whole body twitched, only to freeze up and for the teen to
stop breathing when Edward took the head of his cock into his mouth, lightly
sucking on it as though tasting the waters.
“Ed!” Harry moaned his name and Edward slowly took more of him into his mouth,
moaning at the bitter taste of pre-come gathered at the slit as he teased it
with his tongue. He started bobbing his head, enjoying the gasps and moans
rolling off of Harry’s lips in a steady flow, broken only by an occasional yelp
when Edward would either change the pace or deep-throat him, swallowing around
his cock.
Despite Harry’s moan of displeasure, Edward allowed his cock to slip out of his
mouth before he crawled over the teen and kissed him, allowing him to taste
himself on Edward’s tongue.
“We - we need lube - we-…”
“We don’t.”
Edward choked up and looked at Harry, blushing when the teen winked at him.
“What?” Harry snickered and leaned up to peck Edward’s nose.
“A little gift from Truth,” he said as he took Edward’s right hand in his left
and led it between his legs and to his entrance, the older man’s eyes widening
in amazement when he felt the wetness around it. “Truth - well let’s just say
he tweaked my body a bit.” Edward gulped as the teen stared straight in his
eyes. “He made me like this for you, Ed.”
Edward could do nothing else but bow down and kiss Harry with everything he
had. Harry let go of Edward’s hand to entwine both of his in Edward’s hair
pulling him as close as he could go as Edward circled his entrance with his
index finger, before slowly pushing it in to the first knuckle, making Harry
moan and tilt his head back as his eyes slid closed.
Edward latched his lips on Harry’s neck as he pushed his finger all the way in,
a shiver traveling up his body at the tight, wet, welcoming heat clamping down
on it. He moved lower, licking the underside of Harry’s cock as he pulled his
finger out and slowly pushed it back in, rotating it as he went deeper, and his
young lover gasped and twitched up, fisting his hands in the pillow above his
head as to stop himself from fisting them in Edward’s long hair which caressed
his heated skin like silk.
Edward teased Harry’s cock with licks, his hips with open-mouthed kisses,
trying to hold himself back from just taking the writhing young man giving
himself to him. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut as he pushed two fingers
inside Harry, listening for any sound of discomfort from the younger man.
When he heard none, he started thrusting in and out of that tight heat,
searching for that bundle of nerves which would make Harry see stars. Harry’s
whole body froze up and he cried out in both surprise and pleasure, telling
Edward that he found it, and the older Alchemist rubbed against Harry’s
prostate as he glanced up at Harry, his heart clenching at the sight of him.
His hair fell out of the braid, fanning around Harry’s head like a dark halo.
His eyes were closed and his lips parted, and a heavy blush covered his cheeks,
spreading down his neck to the top of his chest.
The fact that Harry trusted him completely, the fact that he was giving himself
to him without a doubt or a second thought made Edward’s heart clench, and he
pulled his fingers out of Harry’s hole, wiping them against the covers as he
settled between Harry’s legs, bracing himself on his elbows on either side of
Harry’s shoulders before he bowed down and kissed him, trying not to think of
the fact that the head of his cock was brushing against Harry’s wet entrance as
to stop himself from just taking the younger man.
He moaned into the kiss when Harry loosely wrapped his arms around his
shoulders, and bent his knees as he parted his legs, cradling Edward
welcomingly between his thighs and making the older man move back to rest his
forehead on Harry’s left shoulder.
“Edward?” the sound of his name rolling off of Harry’s lips in a breathless
whisper sent a shiver down his spine. “Ed?” he slowly raised his head and
looked in Harry’s passion blown eyes. “I love you,” he murmured, and Edward
swallowed difficultly.
He rested his forehead on Harry’s and closed his eyes as he slowly pushed the
head of his cock in, hearing Harry’s breath hitch in the teen’s throat as his
nails dug into the muscles of Edward’s back.
“God - Harry…” he pressed out through his teeth, and the teen’s hold on him
grew tighter as he raised his hips to meet him, gasping when Edward bottomed
out and stilled.
Edward was sure his brain melted into mush because of the feeling of his cock
being encased in Harry’s tight heat. Every muscle in his body was tightly
coiled as he fought against the need to move, opening his eyes to look down at
Harry and finding him looking up at him with love shining from every line of
his face.
I love you.
I trust you.
I need you.
I want you.
Phrases which meant so much when heard, but which meant so much more when they
could be seen in the eyes of the one you love most.
                                      cut
                      I keep every phrase barely spoken,
                   that from your lips may have broken free
                          as you give me your love.
                      My yearning is constant and steady
                        when I’m with you I’m already
                           everything I can become.
                                      cut
“Move,” Harry ordered in a deep, raspy voice, and Edward could do nothing but
obey.
He grunted as he pulled out only to thrust into Harry again, hissing when he
felt Harry drag his hands to his shoulders, certainly leaving read marks on his
back, but it only seemed to excite him more.
He slammed his lips against Harry’s as he pushed into him, changing directions
with each thrust until Harry cried out and threw his head back in pure
pleasure.
Edward braced himself on his hands as Harry wrapped his legs around his waist,
and the teen’s eyes slipped closed when it seemed Edward reached even deeper.
But it wasn’t enough.
It simply wasn’t enough.
He needed more.
He needed everything Edward could give him.
He already had his love and devotion.
What he needed was his complete abandon; everything he bottled up for so long,
keeping it all in his heart. He needed his sadness and rage, his sorrow and
pain, his joy and happiness; his everything.
“Ed, please…” he whispered as he forced himself to open his eyes, grabbing a
hold of Edward’s head as he rose up a bit to place his lips over Edward’s,
“please - I need - I need all of you - please - I…”
“Damn it, Ry,” Edward bit out as his eyes flashed with something Harry has
never seen, and the older Alchemist pushed his left arm under Harry as he
straightened, taking a firm hold of the teen’s left hip with his right hand as
he sat back on his legs, bouncing Harry in his lap and letting gravity do half
the job.
It felt as though Edward reached even deeper with the change of position, and
with his cock trapped between their hard stomachs, Harry could do nothing but
throw his head back, gasp, and moan, and cry out with every hard thrust,
Edward’s cock hitting his prostate each time, and making every muscle in
Harry’s body coil as warmth gathered in the pit of his stomach.
Edward hid his face in Harry’s left shoulder, feeling as though he would burst,
but holding back, refusing to come before Harry.
He would give his all to his lover - his everything - knowing that Harry could
take it and keep it, just like Edward would take everything from him and keep
it in his heart forever.
They found salvation in one another’s arms. The basic rule of Alchemy.
Something of equal value must be given to gain something in return.
Separate they were imperfect - each weighed down by the trials they passed.
Together they were complete - two parts of one whole.
One is All and All is One.
Edward thought he finally understood completely.
                                      cut
                      Wrapped in your arms I can wander
                         up to the heavens above me;
                       hearing you say that you love me
                       back in your arms where I’m free.
                                      cut
“Ed!” Harry whispered as he fisted his hands in Edward’s hair and pressed his
forehead against Edward’s when the pace became frantic.
“Come for me, Harry,” Edward whispered as he pressed Harry as close to himself
as he could, feeling the teen’s hard cock rub against his stomach, pressed
between them. “Come for me.”
Harry’s lips parted in a soundless ‘o’ and he squeezed his eyes tightly shut as
his whole body tensed up rigidly, and he came between them as he twitched
within Edward’s tight hold, his wet channel growing almost incredibly tight as
it clamped around Edward rhythmically.
With just a few frantic thrusts, Edward spilled inside Harry, his hips
twitching up as he filled the teen with his seed. It took one hell of an effort
for him not to collapse on Harry, shivers running down his spine when his young
lover bowed his head to litter loving, warm kisses over his neck and left
shoulder.
“Don’t,” Harry stopped him when Edward moved to pull Harry off of his cock,
Harry’s arms tightening around his shoulders, “I want to feel you inside me
just a bit longer.”
Edward swallowed difficultly as he buried his face in Harry’s neck, wrapping
his arms around Harry’s still shivering, smaller body.
Something calm and soothing settled around them like a pair of velvety wings,
and the setting sun breaking through the window caressed their entwined bodies.
Ever so slowly, Edward laid Harry down before pulling out of him, and rolling
to his said, taking the smaller man with him, and sighing in content when Harry
rested his head on his chest. With his left arm under Edward’s neck, he slid
his right hand down Edward’s chest to rest it above his heart as comfortable
silence reigned between them.
He smiled when Edward kissed the top of his head, answering with a loving kiss
placed on Edward’s chest before he rested his head back on it.
“I don’t want to go back to Resembol yet,” he whispered, not wanting to break
the comfortable, sated atmosphere.
“Where do you want to go?” Edward asked as he rubbed soothing circles in
Harry’s naked back. Harry hummed thoughtfully as he raised his head before he
placed his chin on Edward’s chest.
“South,” he finally answered. “I want to go South.” Edward chuckled and leaned
forward to peck Harry’s lips.
“Then South we will go.”
                                      cut
Alphonse chuckled and shook his head as he folded the letter Edward sent to him
before he looked at Winry who was feeding their 7 months old baby girl.
“They’re going South,” he said and Winry scoffed and rolled her eyes.
“They skipped the Wedding and jumped right over to the Honeymoon,” she grumbled
while Alphonse snickered and little Evangeline cooed at her mother, her
beautiful golden eyes focused on the small spoon in Winry’s left hand.
Winry grinned at her daughter and Eve giggled when Winry made a funny face.
“You’re Uncles are horny little bastards! Yes, they are! Yes, they are!!”
“Batad! Batad!!” the little girl cheered and Winry looked at her in horror.
“That’s what you chose for your first word!!” she cried out and Alphonse
snickered, shutting up when Winry glared at him.
“Now, now Winry, just remember that it was you who taught her that word!” he
spoke as he backed away with his hands raised.
“My fault!! She is your daughter!!”
“Winry, let go of the screwdriver!! Where the hell did you pull it out of?!?!”
“Batad!! Batad!!”
“Alphonse Elric, stand still so I can hit you!!!”
“Oh, HELL no!!!!”
                                      cut
Hope you liked it!!!!!!
All my love,
Ms. Yuki
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