Author's Note

ok so sorry for this whole chapter being bold but my computer kind of died x( RIP little computer. K so my sis and I are hoping to post every Saturday (may not happen but its our goal) we may also post twice in a week if, you know, we have been productive. also I fixed the bold just now so

disclaimer in first chapter

Chapter 2

"What do you mean by we're going on a trip?" Alphonse asked as he helped Ed shove another coat into his already stuffed suitcase.

Ed sighed, clearly not happy about the ordeal. "I already told you, we're going to a magical castle to babysit some little wizard brat." He repeated for almost the third time. Al narrowed his eyes, clearly not amused. "Stop kidding me and tell me where we're reallygoing," Edward snapped his head in his brother's direction. "I'm not kidding! I wish I was. I don't know all the details yet, but apparently we have to bodyguard some kid and were undercover enrolling in some wizardry magic school."

"But magic isn't real, it doesn't exist," Al countered, shoving a another shirt into the poor suitcase that looked ready to burst. Ed didn't know how to share space, and they only owned one suitcase not having time to go out and buy another one. Edward sighed in frustration.

"I know it's not! But when I mentioned it to Gramps he only laughed at me! The jerk!"

Ed sighed again. "Let's just get this over with so we can come home, Kay?"

Al nodded enthusiastically. "This could be fun brother! What is we actually learn how to do magic?"

Edward scoffed. "You just said it doesn't exist, we will probably just learn some fancy card tricks or something,"

"Who goes to school to learn that?" Alphonse asked in disbelief, slamming the suitcase closed the best he could, finally resulting to using a quick transmutation to keep it closed.

Edward shrugged. "I guess we can ask the kid about it, apparently were staying with him and some friends so we can get to know each other before we go to the school."

Alphonse nodded. "I'm glad this mission is easy brother, all we have to do is go to school, and protect a kid, how hard can babysitting a little kid be?," Edward nodded in agreement.

"Ya, he's not really a little kid though Al, he's my age," Al blinked in surprise.

"Then why need our protection?" Edward shrugged, getting annoyed with all the questions as he took the suitcase from his brother. "He's some sort of celebrity I guess, maybe we're protecting him from kidnappers or something I don't know maybe he's rich."

Al shrugged, Ed helped him stand up, his legs were still weak and it was still hard for him to walk. He could walk short distances with out those annoying crutches he had to wear now though, he was pleased with his recovery so far.

Suddenly the door opened and a stream of light filtered into the room. A figure poked her head inside, a stain of grease smeared across her cheek. "Hey Ed, there's a car outside for you…." Winrys words faded as she saw the suitcase in Edwards hand. Her eyes narrowed angrily and Edwards eyes widened in fear.

"Are you going somewhere Edward?" Her voice was card as stone. Edward hoped she didn't have a wrench hidden anywhere on her but of course it was probably unlikely she didn't have one in her hand right then. "Winry I promise I meant to tell you, but Mustang called me on a mission, I have to go,"

Winry looked deflated. "Oh, but… So soon after he promised day and stuff?" Ed looked away from her face, he couldn't bare to see her sad. "Uh, ya I guess so, but don't worry me and Al will be back soon I promise!" He said desperately, wanting her to stop looking so sad.

"How long will you be gone?" She asked, twisting the wrench in her hands that hadn't been there a moment earlier.

"uh, I don't know like a year?" Ed started, but he didn't get to finish before a wrench was embedded into his forehead. He screamed as he flew across the room, the suitcase bursting open and clothes rained down upon them all. How could such a small girl throw so hard!

"Brother!" Alphonse shouted in concern, though he was used to it by now. Thankfully he was spared because Winry was out of wrenches.

"A year! You jerk how could you agree to that!?" Winry shouted, her only response a groan of pain from the floor.

"We're sorry Winry," Alphonse explained hurriedly. "I promise we don't have a choice! And don't worry, it's nothing dangerous or anything just babysitting some kid or something" Just as fast as it had come, Winry's anger disappeared and she looked dejected. Edward shot up from the floor with an arrogant smirk.

"Ya it's not like you'll miss us or anything, we've traveled before. No big deal,"

Winry opened her mouth to respond, but an angry sounding car horn could be heard from outside.

"We'd better go," Edward said apologetically. "I guess we'll see you later Winry," He watched awkwardly as she nodded, and moved from in front of the door. He picked up the suitcase and Al helped him quickly stuff the clothes back inside, Winry joined them a few seconds later, neatly folding Eds coat as she put it into the suitcase. Somehow they were able to close it again, just in time as the car honked again.

"Bye Winry," Al said and hugged her a quick goodbye. Ed made to move past her but she caught his wrist in the last second. Her face was shielded by her thick blond bangs.

"Just… Just stay safe ok Ed?" She mumbled before releasing him.

Edward grinned. "Since when have a not kept myself safe!" He said sarcastically.

"Brother, are you coming?" Ed heard Alphonse call fromown the hall what Ed assumed was outside the door.

"Ya one minute Al!" He hollered back. He looked at Winry trying to see her face through her bangs. He hesitated at the door, his hand still on the nob.

"By Winry," he said quickly, and before he had the time to change his mind, he pulled her into a quick hug. A blush spread across his cheeks as he let her go.

"We'll be back before you know it!" He called over his shoulder, running towards the door. Winry looked after him, her pink lips ajar in shock. She snapped out if her face as the door clicked shut, clipping the back of Ed's red coat.

"Bye Alchemy freak!" She screamed after him. A muffled

"Gearhead," was all she got in reply. A sad smile spread across her face. She was going to miss her boys.

A very annoyed looking Riza Hawkeye sat behind the wheel of the slick black car, beside her in the passenger side was an exasperated looking Mustang, and in the back seat was a cheerful looking Dumbledore.

You must be Edward's brother, Alphonse! What a pleasure to meet you!" Dumbledore said holding out a withered hand. Alphonse hesitated for a moment, probably startled by Dumbledore's appearance, as Edward had forgotten to mention, but he finally managed to untangle his hand from one of his crutches and hold it old, smiling sheepishly.

"It's nice to meet you sir,"

"I'm surprised to say that you remind me nothing of your brother, no offense of course," Dumbledore said squeezing Al's hand firmly, with a surprising amount of strength for the age he appeared to be. There was a snort from up front from whom Al could only assume was Mustang.

"No it's okay!" Alphonse assured him. "Brother and I are different I guess,"

"Alphonse where is your brother?" Riza asked impatiently.

"Probably giving Winry his.. Uh.. Most heartfelt farewell," Mustang cackled in the front seat and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Then he gave a Yelp of pain when Riza subtly punched him in the stomach.

Riza tapped her fingers on the wheel of the car impatiently. "Sorry to interrupt, but if we don't leave now, we're not going to make it,"

"Right! Of course, sorry!" Dumbledore laughed.

It was then that Ed came huffing up to the car, suitcase in tow. Edward quickly tossed the suitcase and Al's crutches into the backseat, and squeezed next to his brother, who was sitting awkwardly between Ed and Dumbledore. The car started with a roar and they were off.

After a few minutes of driving, Al's voice cut almost harshly through the silence. "So…" He began, clearing his throat. "So where is this.. School we're going to? Do you mind explaining a little bit, I'm kind of confused to what is going on,"

Dumbledore nodded in agreement looking somewhat surprised. "Of course! I'm sorry I didn't explain everything before. We are going to Hogwarts School of…"

"Hogwarts?!" Ed interrupted him. "What kind of a name is…"

"Brother!" Alphonse cut him off, mortified. "Couldn't you at least pretend to be polite for once?!"

Ed snorted and flailed his arms dramatically, catching Al in the face a couple of times.

"Can't a man ask a few questions, yeesh," he scowled.

"Yes Fullmetal if you were a man and not a tiny little…"

"WHO ARE YOU SAYING IS A MIDGET SO TINY THAT WHEN YOU TAKE ME TO SEE A FLEA CIRCUS YOU HAVE TO PUT A LEASH ON ME TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T MIX ME UP WITH THE FLEAS YOU JERK!" Ed screamed in indignation.

"Ed, he didn't say any of that," All three Amestrians chimed in at once. Dumbledore only sat in a state of slight shock. After a couple of minutes of painful silence, with the exception of Ed muttering profanity under his breath, Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Well, yes The school is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and it is located in London, England…"

"Where now?" Ed butt in, his earlier strife forgotten.

"London England, it's…"

"Never heard of it," Ed crossed his arms arrogantly.

"Brother," Al sighed shooting Ed a quick glare.

"Well I wouldn't expect you to, it's on the other side of the world," Dumbledore chuckled.

"On the other side of the world!" Al exclaimed, and his jaw dropped. Edward's face mirrored his brothers reaction. Mustang hadn't mentioned they were going that far! How were they going to get there? Ride a boat? Ed had never ridden on a boat before, except for that time with Al and his mom, but it was a little rowboat and he didn't remember much of it except for the pictures. What if he got sea-sick? Or what if Al got sea-sick? What would happen if Al got sick when his body was the way it was? Edward worried, staring fearfully outside the window. How long would it take to get there? The school started in like… A week or something and he was going to go to some sports game with the kid he was body guarding and his friends, how was that going to work?

"But… How will we get there?" Al almost read his mind. Maybe the Elric telepathy had finally kicked in. "Are we going to use magic!" Al added excitedly, causing Edward to roll his eyes annoyed. Al was too smart to believe in that crap!

"Magic doesn't exist," Edward said pointedly, crossing his arms and staring at his little brother chassisingly. "It can't be supported through science therefore it's not true. Isn't that what you said earlier Al?"

Al blushed and sat back in his seat looking embarrassed.

Dumbledore met Edward's gaze with his own, there was a strange look in his eyes that gave Edward an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. "Just because you can't prove something through science doesn't mean it doesn't exist," he said so matter of factly that Edward's mouth went dry and he could think of nothing to say in return so he turned to stare back outside the window.

A few minutes later the car stopped. Edward looked out the window to see absolutely nothing but a field of grass stretching out as far as the eye could see in all directions.

"Oh! We're here!" Dumbledore said cheerily, opening the door and getting out of the cramped car.

"Umm where the heck is here?" Edward snapped, also opening his car door and getting out. Mustang and Riza followed suit so that they were all standing outside except for Alphonse, who was grabbing their stuff out of the back seat.

Mustang chuckled at Edward's ignorance , as though it were somehow obvious why they were out in the middle of nowhere in a field of unnaturally green grass that was common in Resembool, when they were supposed to be going to a country on the other side of the world. Al came up behind Ed, leaning on his crutches with the bulging suitcase in his hand.

"What's going on brother?" He asked, looking around the field, but the same as Ed he could see nothing. Edward shrugged. "I only know as much as you Al,"

Suddenly Ed felt a heavy hand rest on his shoulder and he stopped himself from jumping in surprise at the last moment. "This is where we leave you Fullmetal. Good luck on your mission," Edward looked up into the coal black eyes of his commander and Fuhrer and scowled.

"Right, good luck, cause I'm so full of that," he snapped sarcastically.

Mustang sighed, his hand dropping to his side. "Some people just never grow up," he mumbled, shaking his head.

Edward winced. "WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO STUNTED HED NEVER GROW TALLER THAN A MUSTARD SEED BECAUSE HES JUST A TINY LITTLE ANT STUCK TO SOMEONES BOOT?!" He yelled, lunging at his superior officer.

"Brother! He never said that!" Alphonse pointed out, exasperated, throwing out his crutch at the last moment so it clotheslined Edward in the neck, making him drop to the ground immediately, choking in pain as the air was cut off in his throat. Almost as soon as he hit the ground he popped back up, like the weasel in the nursery rhyme. His anger now turned on his brother.

"What the heck did ya do that for Al?!" He spitted out through coughs, clutching at his throat with probably had an obvious red line across it.

"Sorry Brother!" Al squeaked, looking concerned. "I didn't know you were running that fast!"

Edward opened his mouth to speak again but was cut off by the old gramps. "Sorry to interrupt, but we're late!" He pointed out, holding up an old looking pocket watch with half the glass missing, and the little hand was permanently ticking at the same spot.

"Ummm… What?" He asked, but was interrupted again by Riza, who he had forgotten she was there.

"He's right boys, you'd better get going," she said, nodding and crossing her arms across her chest.

"What the heck do you mean by go!" Edward shouted. Where the heck were they going in the middle of nowhere with no car or any other vehicle in sight?!

"Magic," Alphonse whispered in his ear creepily and he jumped. "What the heck Al!" He shouted, only to make Al erupt into laughter. "I thought I told you magic isn't real?!"

"Your brother is right young Elric," Edward twisted around again to see Dumbledore staring at him with a twinkle in his ancient eyes.

"Come along now," Gramps grinned and began to walk (with surprising zeal for a man his age) across the grass. Ed turned and raised his eyebrows at Al, who only shrugged. For once, the blond looked longingly at Mustang's retreated car, wondering if he could some how catch up with it and maybe latch himself onto the roof before Gramps noticed him.

"Come on Brother! We're gonna see magic!" Al exclaimed with an excitement like a child in Christmas as he chased after Dumbledore.

"I thought you said magic wasn't real!" Ed hollered at his retreating back. The blond scowled and sighed with annoyance.

"What the heck am I doing," he grumbled before he followed suit,

Chasing after his younger brother.