I don't own Fullmetal Alchemyst or Harry Potter
The house in the country was quiet and still. No one dared to make too much noise, lest they spoil their tentative peace. The inhabitants of the house felt like they were constantly walking on eggshells, especially around the two young boys who had dragged themselves to it a short time ago. Now they stayed in the house, staring with hollow eyes at the memory of what they had done.
A knock on the door echoed through the house, shattering the silence as the dog barked at the door. The boys didn't move from their spot, they just listened to the voices at the front. They heard the old lady quiet the dog and open the door; they heard her protest as someone pushed inside, and a quiet apology behind them. Heavy footsteps echoed through the house, quickly locating the boys.
The man glared as he saw them; a blond boy, sitting in a wheel chair with a large iron armor standing above him. He pulled up the young man by the shirt. He stared back with a blank expression.
"What did you do?!" The mad demanded. "We went to your house and we saw the floor. What was that?! What did you do?!"
The boy curled in on himself, his eyes dimming and tears gathering at the corners. The armor moved, setting its hand on his shoulder.
"We're sorry." A young metallic voice echoed from the armor. "We didn't mean it. We're sorry. We're sorry." He started shaking. "We're sorry." The man looked up at the armor, confused.
"Wait." He looked closer. "Are you…?" He stepped back in shock, realizing what must have happened as he heard the voice coming from the armor. The voice couldn't belong to a boy that was more than eight or nine years old. He looked up at the helmet, and saw a faint glow coming from the eye holes. As he stared, he noticed that he couldn't see anything inside. The armor was empty. He sucked in a breath and looked down at the boy whose shirt he was gripping, his eyes filling with horror as he realized that where his right arm and left leg should have been, there was only empty space.
The old lady walked into the room, followed by the man's female subordinate. "These boys have been through hell and back." She said grimly. Turning, she waved her hand at him and walked towards the dining room. He walked after her, and heard metal clanking as the boys followed.
Once they were all seated, an uncomfortable silence settled over the room. The man settled further into his chair and folded his arms.
"I am Colonel Roy Mustang." He said briefly. "I'd heard reports of a brilliant alchemist living in this town so I came to check it out. I never dreamed that I'd find a boy skilled enough to attempt human transmutation, or advanced enough to bond a soul to a suit of armor. This is a surprise to say the least." He glanced over at the boys. The armor was again standing behind the other, whose eyes looked glazed over and empty. "I think he's more than qualified to become a state alchemist. Should he choose to accept the position, he would be required to serve the military at times of national emergency. In return he'll receive privileges and access to otherwise restricted research materials. Given time, they may be able to find a way to get their bodies back, or even more."
The old woman stared at him, her gaze hardening. "You didn't see them. When they walked up to my house half dead and covered in blood, I went and saw what was at their house. Whatever that was, it wasn't human. Alchemy created that abomination and it nearly killed them! And now you want to throw them headlong into it!? Would you really have them go through that kind of hell again?!" She glared at him. "No. I don't think so. They have another option, and their mother left me to take care of Edward and Alphonse and show them."
The Colonel nodded. "I understand your hesitancy. I also understand you have connections with other sources that can assist you. You're speaking of the wizarding community of course?" The woman's expression didn't change much, but he could see a spark of surprise in her face. "Yes. We are aware of your connections, Mrs. Rockbell. I would like to remind you that the State Alchemists and the wizarding community are not separate. There are some State Alchemists who are also wizards, not many but they do exist. I myself attended Hogwarts before enlisting. We are all under the same government."
Mrs. Rockbell glanced at the boys and then back to the soldier. "Their father was an Alchemist, and their mother was a witch. The boys have both abilities at their disposal, even if they haven't used one as much as the other yet. Their mother asked me to show them that part of their heritage. They will be attending school where they can best learn that."
Mustang glanced over at the boys. It was hard to read any sort of expression on the armor, but he could see Edward's face. It was completely different than it had been just moments before. What had been a dead, and hopeless expression was now full of fire and determination.
"I assume you mean Hogwarts and not one of the other schools?" He asked. The woman nodded. "Then we have no problem. Should Edward accept the position as a State Alchemist, he would not be prevented from attending. On the contrary, the government would support him in furthering both his and his brother's education and help provide them with whatever they need in school. Provided they can keep good grades and Edward reports any research he finds, there is nothing stopping them from participating in both programs and learning all they can in both fields. Perhaps it will be the combination of them that will allow them to reach their goals." He paused, turning to the boys and wanting to make one thing perfectly clear to them. "I'm not forcing you. It's your decision. I'm merely offering you the opportunity. It's your choice to take it or not, to move forward or remain stagnant."
Pinako Rockbell opened her mouth as if to argue, but shut it as Ed raised his only hand. Their focus immediately turned to him as it lowered. He turned to the Colonel, his face grim.
"I just have one question. Do you really believe that if I do this, I can find a way to get our bodies back?" He asked. Mustang took a moment to look into his eyes, focusing on the determined fire he saw there. Slowly, he smiled.
"I do." He said.
Edward nodded, and lowered his gaze to look at the table. "Then I'll do it." He said simply, determination written into every line of his muscles.
Three days later, the Colonel and Lieutenant had left and Edward sat in a large bed, covered in a sheet, strange instruments surrounded him. Alphonse sat in a chair nearby while Granny Pinako stood on his other side with her granddaughter, and their childhood friend, Winry.
"You're sure you won't regret this?" Granny asked grimly.
Edward nodded. "My mind's made up. How long will the surgery and rehabilitation take?"
"Three years, give or take." She answered.
Edward took a deep breath, contemplating that for a moment before lifting his head. "I'll do it in one."
Granny and Winry gasped slightly. "You'll have yourself coughing up blood, you know that?" She told him.
He nodded again before turning to Alphonse. "Al. You just hang in there a little longer, okay? We're going to get you your body back, I promise."
Al nodded. "Right and while we're at it we'll get yours back too." The boys looked at each other confidently before Edward turned back to the women.
"Okay. I'm ready."
AN: Okay, so I updated this chapter a little bit to clarify the government just a tad. I've adjusted the plotline and it needed to be done in order for the story to make sense. It's not a big difference, but when Mustang is explaining it to Pinako and Ed you might see it. Thanks for understanding everyone!
