Ed's POV

In all honesty, I wasn't sure what to think of this new place. It was nothing like what we had at home. Beside the magic and no equivalent exchange, the people were dressed weird, the architecture over the top, and the people huge. I looked up sheepishly at the large man who I had been sat next to; he was bigger than both the major and Sig.

"The names Hagrid," the gigantic man greeted, a large smile almost hidden by the mass of facial hair on his face. "I'm the professor 'o Care 'o Magical Creatures and the Keeper 'o Keys and Grounds," he said, putting out a luge right hand. I reached out and shook the man's hand.

"Edward Elric," I greeted. "I guess I'm the alchemy professor," I said as the large man released my hand. This caused the huge man to laugh heartily. My eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion. I didn't know what I said had been so funny. "So, if you're keeper of keys and the grounds, I suppose you have a map on you?" I asked hopefully, knowing I would get lost in this castle for at least the first week or so. And it was a magical castle. Who knew what secrets it could be hiding.

"Of course, lad!" he said happily. "Why don't you come down to me hut after you get something to eat; I can show you the grounds," he offered. I thanked him, telling him that would be great. I glanced back at the table, my eyes widening as there was now a plate full of food in front of me. It took me a moment to recover, but I finally returned my attention back to Hagrid. I didn't think I was going to get used to the whole magic thing.

I could feel eyes on me the entire time I ate. I could hear whispers, most including my name. I was quickly getting agitated. The only two people here that were treating me like the adult I was were Dumbledore and the behemoth of the man beside me. I quickly finished up my meal, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible, away from the prying eyes of the other staff members.

Part way through my meal I looked up to find Dumbledore was standing in front of the table, a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. "It is so great to see all of you once again. As you know, students will arrive exactly a week from now and classes will start the day after," he said. "Let me know if any of you need anything," he said, but I felt the small speech was more for me than the other teachers. Albus then approached Hagrid and me. "Hagrid, would you show this young man to his room; I heard something about you showing him the grounds."

"O' course, professor!" Hagrid said joyfully. "I'll give him a small tour so 'h can get his bearin's," the large man said.

"Thank you, Hagrid, that would be wonderful. He has the empty classroom next to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, and his bedroom is connected," he said, looking to me for the second part. Dumbledore had turned to leave, but turned around as if he had forgotten something. "If you want to, you can send home for a few pictures to use on your doorway." I frowned, not really sure what he was talking about, but that wasn't exactly what had caught my attention.

"Wait, you mean I can write home?" I asked, not entirely sure how that would work through the Gate. "It'll work with then…" I trailed off, not sure how much the other teachers knew about the Truth. The old headmaster smiled and nodded.

"Of course, I've had it all settled. Have Hagrid show you to Owlrey; you can use any of the school owls," he said. I only looked at him, eyes wide. "Now, I really must be going. There are a few things I must attend to before the start of the year. Thank you again, Edward," he said before finally turning and showing himself out of the Great Hall. I turned to Hagrid for an explanation.

"Owls?" I asked. I wasn't sure what else to say.

"O' course!" he said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I hate to break it to you, but where I'm from, owls are wild animals," I explained, hoping he would get the message. A look of realization passed over the man's face.

"Ah, different countries, different customs, I guess," he said with a nod. I was thinking the same thing. "So, yer are from a different country, ain't ya?" he asked. I could feel eyes on me again, and I knew the others were listening in on the conversation. I only nodded, but didn't provide any more information, returning my attention to the plate of food in front of me.

Once I had finished, I looked up at Hagrid. "What should I do with my plate?" I asked.

"O' don't worry 'bout that, lad. House elves 'll take care of it," he said, once again, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Dumbledore had apparently not told them I had no experience with magic. I only nodded, deciding it was best not to answer. I didn't want to raise any suspicion or blow my cover the first day on the job. "Well, if yer done there I can show you around Hogwarts," he offered.

"That would be great," I said, relief thick in my voice. I wanted nothing more than to get away from the constant stares from the other staff. I stood and most of the teachers looked away, diving back into their own conversation, all of them except for one man. On the other end of the table was a man with dark, greasy hair, his eyes cold and as dark as his hair. He continued to stare, openly meeting my eyes. I stuck my hands in the pockets of my trench coat.

"Your parents ever teach you not to stare," I said to the man, successfully silencing the room. I raised a hand in farewell before quickly leaving the massive room, Hagrid not far behind me.

"That was awful brash there, lad," Hagrid commented, looking slightly concerned.

"I've said worse to military officials," I said. "That's just human decency," I said. Hagrid didn't say a word for a moment, but then he was right back to his joyful tone which I was noticing was quite normal for the man. It was a nice change from so many years of serious military officials and over bearing adults. It was nice to have a change.

"We'll take a stop down at me hut so I can get ya that map I promised. Get ya some parchment and a quill to write and letter for some pictures. Then we'll head to the owlery and then to yer room," he said. I looked up at the large me.

"Thank you, Hagrid, for all the help," I said genuinely.

"O' course!" he said. "I know what it's like to be a new teacher. One myself just last year," he explained. We kept small talk as he exited the castle and made our way through the castle grounds to a cozy looking hut at the edge of a forest. Hagrid must have seen me eyeing the forest because he spoke. "That there is the Forbidden Forest, lad. Best steer clear o' that one," he said, nodding toward the large expanse of woods. "Fang doesn't even like it," he said as he opened the door to his hut.

Before I had the chance to ask who Fang was, there was a bark and suddenly I was on the ground. There was a huge weight settled on my back, causing me to splutter for air.

"Oi, Fang! Get off the boy. Ya know better than that!" Hagrid boomed, and the weight was suddenly gone, and I pushed myself to my feet with a huff. When I was finally standing, I turned to glare at the gigantic dog who was staring at me expectantly, his tail wagging, and his eyes almost hidden under the rolls of skin on his face. For a second, I felt my heart clench, the incident reminding me so much of Alexander. And any thought of Alexander brought the thought of Nina. I shuddered, the horrible scene filling my mind.

"Ya alright, lad?" Hagrid asked, obviously concerned.

"Yeah," I huffed, nothing looking at the man. "So this your house?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

"Sure is!" he said, concern forgotten. I breathed a sigh of relief. "Come on in. Well grab ya some paper and a quill to write to yer family," he said, leading me into the same hut. Inside, there was a fire still roaring in the fireplace, warming the entire room. Fang immediately flopped down on the rug in front of the fireplace, closing his eyes and letting out a heavy breath. "Here ya are!" Hagrid said happily, setting down a piece of parchment paper, a quill, and an ink well on the table in the center of the room.

"Quill and ink?" I asked, choosing to take a spare pen out of my inner coat pocket.

"O' course!" He paused. "Ah, different countries, different customs," he said again, smiling sheepishly. I only waved him off, a small smile on my face. He reminded me of Armstrong, only a lot less overbearing, loud, and sparkly. "Take a seat," he invited kindly. "I'm gonna put some tea on," he said before going to sift through the messy cupboards and then over to the fire.

I stared at the parchment in front of me, not sure what to write or who to write it to. I decided just to add everyone's name, Al, Winry, and Granny. I would just address the letter to Al; he would make sure everyone read it.

Dear, Al, Wriny, and Granny,

I just wanted to let you know that I am safe, and I got where I needed to be with no problems. Sorry about the owl, this is how these people communicate.

So get this, they want me to teach! Thankfully I will be teaching alchemy, but I don't know how many of them will actually have the ability to transmute. I wound up in a field with this crazy old man telling me about magic! I couldn't help but laugh at the old man, but he proved me wrong. This world is governed by magic, not equivalent exchange. It's definitely something to get used to, that's for sure. I'm sure there will be lots to learn. I'll tell you all about it when I get home.

Al, I hope research is going well, but don't push yourself. The headmaster of the school, Dumbledore said to get some pictures sent so they can be used as paints? I'm really not sure what all that entails, but I'll let you know when I know. I'll let you pick a few out, just send them back your letter.

Winry, because of this place and all the magic, I'm not sure how my automail will react, but I promise to polish it and oil it. Dumbledore told me if there was ever an issue he would figure out something to fix it. I know you don't like anyone tampering with your precious automail, but we might not have a choice this time. I'll make sure they don't break it. Can't make the same promise about myself. Keep an eye on Al for me.

Granny, keep an eye on Winry and Al for me. It's hard to be away from either of them for this long.

Ed

"Hey, Hagrid?" I asked, looking up at the man who was setting a pot of hot tea down on the table. "What are they supposed to do with the owl once it gets there?" I asked.

"They'll jus' give em the letter and tell em who to take it to," he explained, a cheery smile on his face.

P.S.

Just give the owl the letter and tell it who to bring it to. I'm told it knows what to do.

"Would ya like some tea, Edward?" Hagrid asked, holding the chipped tea kettle in his enormous hands. I accepted, and we sat in a comfortable silence as we drank our tea, the only sounds being that of the crackling fire and Fang;s heavy breathing.

"So, Hagrid," I said once I had finished my tea. "Why did Dumbledore ask me to send for pictures?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"O'! Pictures are commonly used as doorways to private quarters. Anyone in the painting can take your password so only you can get in," he explained. I looked at him confused. "It'll be better if I just show you," he said. I nodded in acceptance. "Why don't we get that letter off, and then I can show you to your quarters and classroom," he offered, clapping his hands together, the great sound starling Fang.

"That sounds great. Thanks again for all the help, Hagrid; I really appreciate it," I said sincerely. The large man beamed at me.

"O' course, Edward! It's really no problem a' all," he said as he stood. Hagrid showed me up the hill to the massive owlery. There Hagrid showed me how to send a letter by owl. I tied the letter to one of the school owls, a small elf owl with golden eyes that had hopped right over to me.

"Take this to Alphonse Elric in Resembol, Amertris," I said to the little owl, feeling quite ridiculous. The owl actually gave me a quick nod before speeding off. Then Hagrid led me into the castle once more, taking me up a billion flights of stairs, moving stairs, to my classroom and quarters.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, young man!" I jumped when one of the paintings on the wall actually spoke to me! Only then did I realize all the pictures in the hallway were actually moving. "What's wrong?" the same old man in the painting from before said. "Never seen a moving painting before?" he asked before moving off out of the frame before appearing in the next one over. I only stared, turning back to Hagrid for an explanation.

"Tha's why Dumbledore asked you to send for a few pictures," he explained. I nodded, too shell shocked to say anything more. All of a sudden I was being drenched in water.

"What the hell?" I screeched, looking up only to gape like a fish at what I saw above me. The man was dressed in a Jester's costume, his face set with an evil smirk, but that wasn't what shocked me. What shocked me was the fact that he was floating in mid air.

"Oh, a muggle in our midst!" he jeered. "Oh, no. The Ministry will not be happy, no they won't," he said, shaking his head, a finger on his chin. "Just wait until everyone finds out they're children are being taught by a muggle," he said, his voice patronizingly somber, that wicked smirk still on its face. I fummed in anger.

"That's enough Peeves," a voice said. I looked over to my right only to gasp. There was what looked like a ghost coming toward us. That can't be possible. Once you're dead you don't come back. No one can come back from the dead.

Peeves cackled something wicked before disappearing into thin air. "I apologize for Peeves; he's the resident poltergeist," the ghost explained. "I'm the Bloody Baron, Slytherin House Ghost," he introduced. I only stared at him.

"Y-you're dead," I muttered stupidly. "The dead should stay dead," I said, not really thinking about my words before they slipped from my lips. The Bloody Baron furrowed his eyebrows at me, giving me a disapproving look before disappearing as well.

"Tha' was a little harsh, lad," Hagrid said, breaking me from my thoughts.

"The dead should stay dead," I repeated coldly, forcing myself to regain hold of my senses. Hagrid didn't saw anymore, only leading me toward my classroom and quarters. Hagrid showed me to my rather large classroom, there being about 30 to 40 desks in the back of the classroom. There was a large desk in front of a chalkboard which I assumed was my desk. This would suffice, though the set up would need some rearranging.

"Yer quarters are right in here," the huge man said, knocking on the door right next to the chalkboard. "There's another door just down the hall that also leads to yer room," he explained. He then turned back to me. "Ya need anything else before I leave?" the man asked, a smile still on his face. I thought for a moment, the only thing I really needed being sleep.

"I think that'll be all," I said. "Gonna unpack my stuff," I said kicking my suitcase that I had set my my feet, "and get to sleep." Hagrid nodded.

"Breakfast is tomorrow at eight in the Great Hall. Just use that there map, and you should be able to get there no problem. If ya do have a problem, just ask one o' the paintin's," he said. "Good night, Edward, I'll see ya tomorrow," he said, not waiting for a response before leaving me to my thoughts.

I sighed and grabbed my suitcase before pushing open the door to my quarters. The room was quite spacious. There was a four poster bed in one corner of the room, a small nightstand to the right of it. Across from the bed sat a dresser and on the nearest wall, across from the bed in the other direction was a fireplace. The room also held a desk in one of the back corners. There was even an empty bookshelf along one of the walls.

Throwing my suitcase down, I carelessly dumped my clothes into the different drawers before shedding my coat, vest, shirt, pants, socks, and boots, leaving me in only my boxers. I grabbed a white tank top from the open drawer, slipping it over my head and closing the dresser. I hopped into bed, thankful to find it comfortable. I tired to push down my racing thoughts from all of the new information thrown at me as I settled down to sleep. Surprisingly, I was quick to sleep, finally resting from a long, stressful day.