Harry Potter sighed as he watched his friends go. Now that they were prefects, he supposed he'd be alone even more than usual.

It seemed that everything on the train was determined to mock him, as every compartment was full. Harry ended up at the open door of the only compartment with a single occupant. A boy with long blonde hair and a bright red jacket stared out the window. Seemingly unnoticed, Harry knocked on the doorframe. The boy turned, revealing bright golden eyes, and Harry was reminded of professor Lupin for a moment.

"Mind if I sit here?" Harry asked.

The boy went back to the window and said, "Do what you want." He was fiddling with a silver watch and seemed nervous.

"So, is this your first year at Hogwarts?" Harry asked, trying to start a conversation.

The blonde looked at Harry, the ghost of a smile playing across his face. "You could say that," he smirked.

Harry was puzzled by his cryptic answer, but continued. "You don't look like a first year," he pried.

A look of something akin to euphoria spread on the boy's face, but it quickly dissolved into anger. "Damn right. I'm not short."

Harry tried not to smile. "I'm Harry Potter," he said, holding out his hand.

To his astonishment, the boy didn't look surprised, or demand to see his scar. Instead, he reached out with his left hand. "Edward Elric. Call me Ed. Or Professor Elric, at least at school."

Harry choked on whatever pleasantry he was about to offer. "What? Professor?"

Ed smiled. "It's true."

Once he got past his initial shock- somewhat- Harry asked, "Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

Ed shook his head. "Nah. The subject's new to the school."

"What's new to the school?" asked Hermione, stepping inside brightly.

"I am," Ed smiled, barely reacting to the two teens who had just thrown themselves onto the benches.

"And who might you be?" she asked, but was interrupted by Ron, who decided that his complaining was much more important than a new kid.

"It's awful up there!" the redhead moaned. "It's hot and boring, and—"

"Ron! I'm Hermione Granger, and this prat is Ron Weasley."

"Hey!"

"I'm Ed Elric."

"What year are you in? We're all in 5th."

Ed gave her a smile. "5th, huh? You'll be able to take my class then."

Hermione froze. "Class?" she spluttered. "Yeah. You'll find out tonight. Don't want to ruin the surprise for everyone."

"A teacher? But… how old are you?" she asked incredulously.

"16." Ed chuckled at her stricken expression.

"You're only a year older than us!" Ron cried. "You must be some sort of magic prodigy!"

To their bewilderment, Ed rolled his eyes. "Magic… what a load of bullshit." Harry and Ron's jaws dropped, and Hermione gasped. "What? It's impossible. It defies the laws of physics! There's no regard for equivalent exchange!" The three were shocked. "What?" Ed demanded again.

"How can you be a professor at a school for magic and not even believe in it?" Ron cried.

Ed winked. "You'll see."

Hermione shook her head, and was about to argue when Ed said, "Look, I know you've got questions, and I can't promise I'll be able to answer them. But—"

"Hello, Potter," a snide voice drawled. "Malfoy," Ron growled, and the Slytherin smiled. "Blood traitor. Mudblood. And who would this be? A new first year? Look boys, they're corrupting the new blood already What a-"

Draco was cut off by the sudden meeting of his face and Ed's fist. "I'm 16, you bastard! You think I'm short?"

Malfoy chuckled, nursing the side of his face. "Oh look, it seems someone's got a temper. I guess we'll just have to-"

Ed punched him again, this time, bringing him to the floor. "Now, is that any way to talk to your new teacher?" he asked.

All the blood drained from the felled Malfoy's face. He glared up at Ed's smirking face and said, "My father will hear about this. He's got ties in the Ministry, and he can make you, and your family's life a living hell."

"I've already been through hell. And as for family, well, good luck finding them." He smirked. "They're a world away." Draco looked at him with renewed fear. Ed smiled brightly. "And if that's not reason enough, I can always fail you. Bet daddy'll be real proud."

Malfoy stood, eyes blazing, and left before he could embarrass himself further.

Ed fell back into his seat, grin dissipating as he coughed into his hand. It was the only noise in the room as the golden trio stared at him in amazement. "What?" Ed snapped when he saw their stricken faces.

"That was bloody awesome!" cried Ron, breaking the silence.

"That kid was a bastard. He deserved it. Hope he wasn't a friend of yours. Didn't seem like one."

Harry burst out laughing. "Malfoy? A friend? That's ridiculous!"

"Good," said Ed tiredly. A knock at the compartment door sounded, and Harry stood to open it.

"Anything off the trolley, dears? an old witch asked. Ron jumped up, and the two boys began to search their pockets. Hermione rolled her eyes, then noticed Ed. His eyes were closed, and he looked like he was trying not to be sick.

"Ed? Are you okay?" she inquired softly, trying not to alert the the enthusiastic idiots behind her.

He nodded, massaging his temples. "Headache," he answered. "I'm gonna try to sleep now." Ed gave her a weak smile. "Don't worry about it."

Around two hours later, they arrived at Hogwarts. By that time, Ed was fast asleep. "Do you think we should wake him?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Yeah, we can't just leave him here," Harry replied, reaching out to shake him awake. In seconds, the amber eyes were open.

"What's up, Alph-" he cut himself off. "What is it?" he tried again.

"We've arrived," Ron said.

"Oh good." Ed jumped up. "Well, I guess I'll see you in class, then," the blonde proclaimed before leaving.

"What an odd boy," Hermione muttered.

...

That night at the feast, there were, in fact, 2 new teachers at the staff table. Ed, and- "It's that Umbridge woman!" Harry cried.

"Who?" said Hermione.

"She was at my hearing, she works for Fudge!"

"Nice cardigan," said Ron, smirking.

"She works for Fudge?" Hermione repeated, frowning. "What on earth's she doing here, then?"

The Sorting Hat's cryptic song caused them to forget about her, and the song was in turn forgotten about as a result of food, at least, by all but Hermione. She gazed up at the staff table, frowning, then noticed another strange thing. Ed had not eaten a thing. Instead, he had elected to join in pleasant conversation with- of all people- Severus Snape. Hermione shook her head imperceptibly, and turned back to her friends.

Dumbledore's speech was a reminder of things they knew all too well- the Forbidden Forest, Filch- until- "We have three new changes in staffing this year. We are pleased to welcome back Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magical Creatures lessons; we are also delighted to introduce Professor Umbridge, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Finally, Hogwarts has decided to bring back a class we haven't had in years. I am pleased announce the arrival of Professor Elric, our new Alchemy teacher."

Some polite applause rang out across the hall, but was quashed by the loud whispers concerning the new subject. "Alchemy?" cried Hermione as Ed waved good-naturedly from the head table.

"All students years 3-7 will be required to take this class," said the headmaster.

Hermione sighed in relief. "Thank goodness," she breathed. "I thought I hadn't signed up."

Harry and Ron rolled their eyes.

As Dumbledore's speech went on, Hermione's gaze drifted back up to the staff table. Ed was nowhere to be found.

...

Ed tried not to run from the room. He didn't want anyone worrying, though with the way he felt, he was beginning to rethink that decision.

They won't understand. They can never understand, he thought, attempting to smile reassuringly at the concerned face of Professor McGonagall.

As soon as he was out of the hall, Ed let the facade drop. His face twisted in pain, and he fell against the wall, sliding down as he tried desperately to he tasted it.

Blood.

The red liquid poured from his mouth as Edward fought from sobbing. Al's okay, he reminded himself. Al's okay. Al's got his body back, and he's alive. That's all that matters, he thought, but couldn't keep the tears from his eyes. Eventually, he leaned against the wall, the pain subsiding. Ed wiped the blood from his face, sighing deeply.

This is so much worse than automail, he thought.

Edit 1/8: I went through some simple editing. My grammar skills have improved a lot over the course of this story. I didn't want to confuse anyone by having dialogue from different people on the same line, something I didn't know was a bad thing until months after this was published. Thanks to anyone who put up with that and followed nonetheless! I love all of my readers, new or old. Thank you for being so supportive and overall amazing!