Chapter Text
Trisha Elric suppressed a sigh as she gazed out the window. She had been doing that a lot the past seven days. So much so that Edward was picking up on it and was bringing her more and more little gifts of things he had found or made with his fledging alchemy skills. And of course, where Edward went, Alphonse ultimately followed. Her kitchen window ledge was lined with little trinkets the boys had made, shiny rocks that glittered in the sun, and a small handful of handpicked flowers in a small vase. Trisha often sighed when she looked out the window, before looking down and smiling at her window sill.
When Van Hohenheim told her he was leaving, she calmly spoke to him, listened to his reasoning and promised to wait for him. Inside she was crying and screaming, wanting to be selfish and demand he stay with his small quaint family. But she couldn't. Her sense of loyalty wouldn't let her. Even if she understood his reasoning, she knew she couldn't tell their boys why their father had left. Not yet anyway. Maybe one day.
And yet, she couldn't supress the small amount of anger she felt when she saw the confused and expectant look Alphonse would throw at the front door. Or the small frown that seemed to be etched at times on Edward's face. But she promised she would wait. She would wait for Van Hohenheim in their home, raising their boys, encouraging their recent passion in their father's alchemy, and be ready to welcome him home. Although maybe she should remove some of the more dangerous alchemy books from the shelves. Just in case Edward got his little hands on them. He really was surprising when it came to his capacity to learn and was already showing signs of a strong will and determination to succeed. Then again, Alphonse wasn't that far behind either.
Suppressing yet another sigh Trisha turned to gaze out the kitchen window again and was startled when she saw a figure coming down the lane. A figure who seemed to be wearing robes that were an alarming shade of periwinkle.
In her surprise Trisha watched the figure approach the house before hearing a firm knock on the front door. Jolting out of her revive Trisha made for the door, grasped the handle and opened it.
“Good morning Professor” Trisha said calmly.
Bright blue eyes sparkled and crinkled behind silver half-moon glasses as he smiled a gentle smile. “Good morning Miss Elric” Dumbledore replied calmly. “Might I trouble you for an invitation into your home?”
Trisha smiled in return. “Of course Professor! Please follow me into the kitchen”, leading him into the hallway. Her mind was racing as she returned to the kitchen, it was not everyday that your old school professor paid you a visit. Especially when you consider the distance between Resembool and Hogwarts. “Please Professor take a seat at the kitchen table, would you like some tea?”
Dumbledore sat elegantly and gently waved a hand. “That’s quite alright my dear. I promise I won’t be taking up much of your time.” Blue eyes surveyed the room with a sharp intelligence and focused on something behind Trisha. “One does feel old when they see he growth of their students.”
Turning to see what Dumbledore found, Trisha realised it was a photo attached to the fridge of a newborn Alphonse being held my Edward. Alphonse was sleeping nestled in a cream blanket, looking much bigger than he was in Edward’s small arms. Trisha smiled.
“Those are my boys, Edward and Alphonse. Edward is five and Alphonse is four. They are both so clever it’s actually frightening sometimes. They must get their intelligence from their dad. Oh, don’t worry about them interrupting! They are at our neighbour’s house right now. You know, I think Alphonse had his first burst of accidental magic the other day. It might have been Edward again though, he’s been showing signs of magic since he was a baby!” Trisha was rambling awkwardly but proudly. It’s difficult to make conversation with a past teacher you know!
Dumbledore smiled again, “Ah youth!” he replied. “Such a wonderful thing to witness. The presence of our sons will make my proposal even more interesting.”
“Pro…posal?” Trisha questioned.
“Let me explain first. You are aware of course that as an educational provider, Hogwarts is held up to certain standard held by the Ministry’s Department of Magical Education.” Trisha nodded, the DME regularly conducted ‘surprise’ visits and inspections of the school every few years to ensure that the Ministry standards (flawed some may be in her humble opinion) were met in order to ensure the quality of education.
“We was visited just two weeks ago by our dear friends and, while the inspectors who visited were all past students themselves, they saw it upon themselves to set Hogwarts a number of targets to ensure secure our place as the finest school of magic in the world”. Trisha nodded again, failing to see how this lead to the Headmaster visiting sleepy Resembool that was thousands of miles away.
“The inspectors noted that in the incidents of staff absence or sickness, classes have a tendency to be cancelled due to the small staff numbers of the school. While the staff numbers themselves are not an issue, the target we were given was to hire more staff to support our current teachers. And so, Trisha Elric I would like to offer you the post of Second Charms Professor at Hogwarts.” Dumbledore finished with yet another smile.
Trisha was sat in her chair, hands folded in her lap, following Dumbledore’s miniature speech. “Wha- Wh- Excuse me?” was her eloquent response. “You want me to teach at Hogwarts?”
“Yes. You was always so gifted with charms, one of the best of your year. I feel you would be the perfect Second Professor to assist Professor Flitwick.”
“But – But, I mean I can’t. I can’t leave the boys alone for 9 months of the year while I’m–”
“It would not be a problem for you to bring your young sons with you. I’m sure that there are many on the castle would assist you with childcare.” Dumbledore interrupted and chuckled. “Really Trisha, I’m determined to have you on my staff and think of the life your sons will have at Hogwarts growing up!”
Trisha couldn’t argue that. There were many students who would have loved to grow up within the grounds of the castle. But the truth of her hesitation lay in her promise to Van Hohenheim. Trisha shook her head and opened her mouth to reply –
“Before you give me your response Trisha, I must confess that I have another motive besides your talent and teaching potential. I received an owl last week from an old teacher and friend of mine asking me to take you and your boys into my care. Imagine my surprise when just after I added your name to the list of Second Professor candidates this letter arrived!” Dumbledore shook his head and chuckled. “I don’t fully believe that was a coincidence my dear, and based on that charming photo of your sons I now realise how he relates to the three of you” he said, giving Trisha a knowing look.
Trisha couldn’t stop the blush staining her cheeks and turned to look at the photo, considering why Van Hohenheim reached out to Dumbledore. Did he fear so much for their safety? All things considered, there was only one option.
“Well then Professor Dumbledore, I humbly accept your job offer. But I must insist that your comment of support for childcare for Edward and Alphonse!” Trisha replied firmly, pointing at Dumbledore. “I don’t think you fully release what you have done letting my sons into Hogwarts so early, but I’m sure it will be interesting”.
“Indeed” Dumbledore replied, with mirth in his eyes. “I will send an owl later today with your teaching contract and details of your appointment.”
*
Three weeks later, Trisha Elric was wearing a robe for the first time since her graduation. Holding a sleepy Alphonse up in one arm and holding Edward’s hand as he walked beside her, their luggage flouting gently behind, Trisha approached the school that was her home for seven years... and more years to come apparently They walked down the shaded forest path, miles away from Resembool, in the mid-August heat. Turning a bend she saw it for the first time in years; Hogwarts stood regally and proudly against a bright summer blue sky. An awe inspiring and serene moment-
“MAN THAT CASTLE IS HUGE!” exclaimed Edward.