Epilogue

Edward was just completing his usual morning exercise routine when he saw Minerva McGonagall make her way over towards him.

"Morning," he said with a nod.

"Good Morning, Edward," McGonagall nodded back in greeting.

"Leaving today, I see?" he asked, taking in her casual attire. She was dressed in a thin and light emerald-green robe and her hair was out of its strict bun for once, flowing behind her in the morning breeze.

"I am." She smiled. "I just wanted to wish you a good summer."

"Don't know why you're bothering. We'll see each other again in a couple of weeks." Edward shrugged. "You're only going to visit some of your family in England, right?"

"Yes, but you're going to Germany for that trip of yours soon, aren't you?" she asked.

"I suppose," Edward said. "Haven't exactly picked a date for when to go or have decided how long I'll stay."

"Well, be that as it may, I wish you a safe visit home, Edward," McGonagall said.

"You too." Edward smiled back.

"Oh, I almost forgot," she said in that way Edward knew that she hadn't really forgotten, "Dumbledore would like you to come up to his office at your earliest convenience."

Edward raised his eyebrows at her in question, but she only smiled, turned on her heel, and left. He watched her retreat to the castle and after a few more stretches, he followed her example. He took a quick shower and changed before making his way up to the headmaster's office. When he got there, however, no one was there.

"Hello?" he called out. "Dumbledore? Minerva said you wanted to speak with me?"

No answer. Edward was just about to leave when an old man dressed in ornate robes came out from one of the office's adjoining rooms. He looked positively ancient; his skin the pale color of parchment, wrinkled and aged. Long snow white hair cascaded down his back and over his shoulders, and his eyes were a startling electric white-blue, like lighting.

"Mr. Edward Elric, I presume?" the man asked in a soft, yet firm voice.

"And you are…?" Edward frowned.

"Nickolas Flamel," the man said, blowing minutely.

Edward swore he could hear bones creak under the strain the action caused. His eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Honestly, sir, I'm not sure whether I should be honored to meet you, or angry for what you allowed to happen here."

"Ah, Albus did warn me that you might not take kindly to meeting me," the old man chuckled.

"It's nothing against you personally." Edward frowned.

"Now, that, my dear boy, is a lie," Flamel sighed.

"Not really." Edward shrugged. "Just when it comes to the stone."

"Ah, yes, the one you destroyed."

"The one you allowed to continue existing."

The ancient man shrugged his thin, bony shoulders.

"What do you want, sir?" Edward asked, eyes narrowed.

"To apologize," Flamel said. "It was wrong of me to keep the stone. The moment I learned that unseemly persons were aware of its existence and after it, I should have destroyed it, not pass it on to Albus. My wife and I have come to terms with its demise and have a little over three months worth of life left. By the time autumn is in motion, and the leaves begin to turn, we will die. But before that, I wish to make amends. I've already spoken to Albus, and he has informed me of your plight. You are not from this world, are you? You are Dr. Licht's son. His eldest, I believe."

"I'll ask you again, Mr. Flamel. What. Do. You. Want?" Edward growled. Damn Dumbledore and his nosy crooked nose.

"Do you wish to find your father?" Flamel countered.

Edward froze, his body going rigid with tension.

"…You know where he is?" he asked.

"I do. Or, at least, I know where he'll be in one month's time," Flamel said. "I hear you have yet to decide when to take a trip to Germany that your fellow staff members have gifted you with. Might I suggest a time and location? You are more than welcome to stay at the summer home that my wife and I are going to be spending the last of our days in. I'm sure you'll find the trip… most enlightening."

This is the official ending for The Philosopher's Stone fan fic, so go check out the next fic in the FullMetal Wizard series, The FullMetal Wizard: The Chamber of Secrets!