Fullmetal Wizard | Chapter 92

Title: Ghost Snape Divination

"Professor Binns strikes again." Ron said as he got up from his own desk and rubbed his sleepy eye.

Ed's head was laid down on crossed arms on his desk, and judging by the soft snores, he was most definitely asleep. Harry nudged Ed on his left shoulder, and Ed mumbled something in that strange language in annoyance.

"I thought for sure HE'D stay awake..." Hermione said in an exasperated tone. "I mean..he loves..."

"Come on, Ed. Got to make it all the way to the Dungeons.." Harry said.

"..Give it a rest, Pavarti..He's cute.." Another voice..this one was Lavender's.

"Oy! Ed..get up.." Ron said, and he took hold of Ed's shoulder and gave it a good shake. Ed lifted his head with a start, and blinked glazed golden eyes. "Class's over mate."

"Vas..Ah." Ed rubbed his eyes with the knuckle of his left hand. "Dhat vwas.."

"Easily the MOST Boring Class Ever..?" Harry said.

Ed yawned hugely and nodded. Then got up and picked up the single notebook he had with him. They were the last ones filing out, and as they made their way to the hall, Ed paused at the doorway and looked back over his shoulder.

"Ed..?"

Ed glanced back.

"I vant to check someting. Can you dhree vait for me a bit?"

Harry glanced to Hermione and Ron. Hermione folded her arms in a huff.

"Honestly, what would you do if I didn't let you use my notes?"

"We'd never pass our O.W.L.S without you..."Ron said.

"And..It'd be all your fault." Harry added with a smile.

Harry heard the distinctive sound, and looked in the doorway. Ed was standing before the chalkboard, the one that Professor Binns had passed through at the end of the lecture, with the fingers of both hand splayed. As he watched, Ed lowered his hands and cocked his head to the side.

"Find anything..?" Harry said.

"..Uh..no." Ed said, and turned towards the door with a puzzled expression on his face. "..must be somevhere else." Ed glanced about the now empty room, then walked towards the door.

"What are you looking for?" Harry said.

"It's ...Noting vreally." Ed said. "Dhe boring guy ve vere listening to. I vanted to see if I vas right about vhat he is."

"He's a GHOST, Ed." Hermione said. "Seriously."

Ed immediately said. "Ghosts don't exist.."

"WHAT!! How can you say that, when..!!"

"'Ione..Wait.." Harry said.

"But..he's being just SOooo....And Nearly Headless Nick was right THERE all night and the others filed in plain as day and..."

"Not here, 'Ione. Let's find someplace...more private."

It was drizzling slightly, and the clouds drifted lazily about the courtyard in such a way that they muffled the snippets of conversations of the huddled groups about it. They found a secluded corner beneath a dripping balcony, and settled back to wait for the bell. Hermione, once she looked about, began.

"Well?" She hissed.

Harry looked over at Ed, then to Ron. Ed rolled his eyes, shrugged, and folded his arms.

"ione. Ed really is .." Harry said.

"Rude and thoughtless." Hermione said. "He didn't even look.."

"Bloody! 'Course not. He can't see 'em, 'iome." Ron said, exasperated.

"What?" Hermione's voice was barely above a whisper.

"See vhat?" Ed said, and leaned his elbows on his knees. "I see dhis place just fine."

"Now." Harry added softly. "You're inside it now."

"Huh?..Wait. That means..You..you really are..?" Hermione said, looking at Ed with wide eyes.

Ed just stared right back. Then raised a single eyebrow.

"Then..How did you ever get past.."

"You only saw the tail end of it." Ron said. "Believe me, it didn't look at all easy. Looked like he was working against a real strong wind the entire way up."

"It vasn't DHAT bad..."

Harry saw someone walking towards them, alone, across the courtyard.

"Quiet.." Harry said."Someone's..

Then Harry saw just who it was. Long dark hair, perfected almond shaped eyes..Cho Chang. He swallowed nervously, and quickly ran his fingers through his hair.

'Glad I don't have that stinksap on me, now..' Harry thought. He looked at Cho, met her eyes, and gave a (hopefully) friendly little wave. He was rewarded with a little smile.

"Hi, Cho." Harry said, and he thought his voice sounded a tad too high and nervous.

"Hi, Harry. I see you got that stuff off you."

"Heh, uh, yeah." Harry found himself smiling. 'Cho really is speaking to me...!'

Cho glanced over at Ed, and Harry saw her eyebrows raise.

"So. You're..um, new here..."

"Oh..Cho, this is Edward Elric. Ed..this is Cho Chang. She's a Ravenclaw. And.. "

"Hi." Cho smiled, and gave Ed a wave. "That was..an interesting jinx you did. Last night."

Ed snorted. "Dhat vwasn't..."

"Just..um..that was really impressive.." Cho said. "I mean I couldn't..No wand..and"

Harry wanted to say something, anything, to get Cho to look back at him.

"Um.." Harry said. Cho slid her eyes towards him.

"So..um..have a nice summer?"

Cho looked down, and swallowed. Harry winced inwardly and found he wanted so much to take those words back.

'She..must be missing Cedric..' Harry swallowed. 'She still misses him. I wouldn't blame her if she hates me.'

"Uh..yeah..yeah." Cho looked up and met Harry's eyes. "It was alright..I mean..um.."

Harry and Cho remained silent for several moments, just looking at each other. He felt his face getting hot.

"So..um..About that badge.." Ron said.

"Tell me. Vhat do I get to look forward to vith dhis..'Potions'?"

Harry looked back to Ed and Ron, then heard the warning bell ring. Harry saw Hermione grab Ed's arm, and give it a fierce tug before Harry turned back to Cho.

"Vhat?!"

"um..there's the bell." Harry said listlessly.

"Anyway..um..See you, Harry." Cho walked away.

:::

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