AN: So, as promised this is chapter 3. See, I am an upstanding member of this community. If you are returning, thanks for coming back. I hope this story is to your liking so far. If it's your first time… well you've come all the way to the third chapter so I'll assume you like it too. A couple of notes before we get started: I appreciate all reviews and notes so, thank you.

To '1 One Piece Fan': I write the chapters until I feel there is a natural stopping point. However, chapters 5 and 6 are a bit longer. I'm glad you like the stories.

To 'Pokeperson01': I'm very glad you are enjoying the story so far. Please, do not harm your phone whilst reading fanfiction or while waiting for an update. :)

To 'Guest': I do my best to be accurate to both universes. Both my reading and the wiki page indicate that the military ranks of Amestris indicate a structure mirroring the US Army.

Now here we go.

Chapter 3

"You're all brainless zombies who never even tried to think for yourselves." –Edward Elric

Ministry of Magic

July 22nd, 1995 (Gregorian Calendar)

"Welcome envoys of Amestris to the Ministry of Magic!" The owner of the voice was a portly, middle aged man wearing a green bowler hat. The man was flanked by two individuals. On his right was a short squat woman with a toadish face. Her clothes were a horrendous shape of pink. On the bowler hat's left was a tall lanky young man with flaming hair and horn-rimmed glasses. "Welcome! Welcome! I am the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. This is my Undersecretary Delorous Umbridge and my assistant Percy Weasley."

Dumbledore stepped around the ambassadors to a stand at their side. "Minister it is my pleasure to introduce Colonel Edward Elric and Major Alphonse Elric."

Fudge gave a strained smile to the older wizard and grunted a thank you through gritted teeth, which caused Mad-Eye to snort behind them. The Minister cleared his throat and focused on the Headmaster. "Soldiers, Dumbledore? I was under the impression you were bringing state certified alchemists to teach, not combatants. You haven't been exaggerating to our neighbors have you?"

"If you are referring to the rumors of the resurrecting terrorist that you yelled at our superior over, then I will tell you what he was trying to. He was trying to tell you that the people of Amestris do not believe that such things are possible," said Alphonse with a slight edge in his voice. "As for the rank my brother and I hold that is because state certified alchemists in Amestris are members of the military entering at the rank of major. If you had simply waited for an explanation all of this would have been explained."

"Ah, yes well…" started the woman in pink.

"If you feel that the Führer has chosen us in error, I am sure we could tell him that he is mistaken."

"No, no Major. I'm sure Führer Grumman chose correctly." The Minister may be an ignorant man but he wasn't stupid it he rejected the two men that would never see another Amestrian again. "Now, if you two would go with Mr. Weasley we will get your paperwork sorted out. Professor Dumbledore you and ex-auror Moody may go now."

"What sort of paperwork are we talking here?" asked Ed scratching his forehead with a gloved hand.

"Just visas, ambassadors' paperwork, and a press release," replied the assistant, Weasley.

"Yeah, no. I'm not doing a press release."

"But our world has been monitoring these doors for four years-"

"No."

Minister Fudge held up his hands in surrender. "If they do not want to talk to the press then they do not have to, Weasley. Now, off you go!" Fudge and his entourage forced the two alchemists through the door to the waiting crowd of reporters and camera flashes.

The doors shut the behind them leaving Dumbledore and Moody alone in the chamber with four guards and the attendant to the Great Doors.

"So, Alastor. What do you make of the boys?" asked the headmaster in a voice barely above a whisper.

"The older one is definitely is a fighter. He has a false leg in addition to that arm. He is covered in scars to boot." Alastor shook his head. These young men were quite the pair. "The younger one has just as much mettle. But there isn't a mark on his body over four years old. But he carries himself like he's seen almost as much action as the other. They are also keeping to many secrets for my liking."

"Hmmm… they seem to be odd. We can't blame them for hiding things. If they crossed into the realms that Voldemort is comfortable in and came out clean… I would not be willing to share either. Now, if you wouldn't mind heading to see Padfoot to ensure that there is rooms in his doghouse?"

Moody nodded and headed for the door. "I'll meet you in the atrium when I'm done."

Three and a half hours later

It had been two hours before Moody had returned and another hour and a half after that before the crowd of reporters signified the return of the foreign alchemists. The two wizards pushed through the members of the media and met in the middle with Ed and Al. "Leave them alone, now. They have had a long day and it's not over yet," called Dumbledore gripping each man by the shoulder and directing them to the apparition point at past the rows of fireplaces.

"Thank you, Mr. Dumbledore. They are relentless." Al pulled some documents from the inside of his coat. "We are all set. Visas, stamps in our passports, and papers indicating we are diplomats."

"Good, we are going to take you to get you up to date on educational affairs. If you would take Alastor's hand and Ed if you take mine, we will be getting out of here."

Ed complied and took the headmasters hand. "What does hand holding have to do with traveling?"

Twinkling blue eyes met his molten gold ones. "We will be apparating. Best to exhale and keep your eyes shut."

They turned on their heels and vanished.

London, England

July 22nd, 1995 (Gregorian Calendar)

Suddenly, there was a squeezing sensation that felt like they were being pushed through a half inch steel pipe. The sensation ended as quickly as it had started leaving the wizards standing over two collapsed alchemists. Alphonse was on his hands and knees vomiting.

"Hey, you ok, little brother?" asked Ed with concern filling his voice.

"Yes but I'd rather go back to the Gate then do that again."

Ed brought his legs under him and stood slowly. "Man. That was rough on the old ports." After helping his brother to his feet, he took a look at their surroundings. It was an urban street named Grimmauld Place. Directly in front of him was an empty lot between Numbers 13 and 11. "This doesn't look like any school I've ever been to."

Al raised a brow at Ed. "That's because we haven't been to school in nine years and that was a one room school house."

"Shut up."

"Stop bickering, and read this," grumbled Moody. He handed Al a small piece of parchment.

The Headquarter of the Order of the Phoenix

Can be found at 12 Grimmauld Place

"Now give it here." He snatched the scrap back and lit it on fire.

Ed and Al looked back to the empty lot in front of them. In its place stood a house that matched all of the other houses on the street. "Now that right there. That's impossible."

"Ed, I think we stepped in it big time."

"Come on, you lot. We need to get off the street. And keep quiet when we get inside. You don't want to wake up Lady Black." Moody hobbled out across the street and onto the stoop. The other three followed close and slipped into the house behind him.

The door opened into a long dimly lit hallway of dusty floors and peeling grimy wallpaper. A disturbing umbrella stand that appeared to be made from the leg of something and at the end of the hall was a staircase. Murmured voices came from the door on the right.

"Ah, here we are. Right on time for the meeting," said Dumbledore slipping past the other three. He opened the door into a dingy dining room. Along the far wall ran a long china cabinet shacked high with dishes. The table was, like the rest of the house far, old and long. Fourteen people were sitting around the table. They were an odd collection of folk. They ranged in age from only a few years older than Ed and Al to a woman aged almost to Granny Pianko's age. Conversations halted as all four of them shuffled in. "Ah, I'm glad you are all here." He moved to take the seat at the head of the table. Moody left to seat on the far side of the table leaving the last remaining seat next to a young woman with vibrant blue hair.

All eyes were on the brothers. Ed looked at the woman and then to his brother. He leaned over to his brother ear and whispered, "I'm a married man, Al. Besides your nineteen and haven't had a girlfriend yet." He ripped the suitcase from Al's hand and shoved him towards the available seat. Al turned and glared at him but, took the seat nonetheless. Ed smiled smugly, stacked the suitcases against the wall and sat on top.

"Well yes, now that we are all situated, I believe we can get started…"

The meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was mostly uneventful. Dumbledore issued orders on who was supposed guard a teenager named Harry Potter. He also stated that another man named Hagrid was on a mission with a woman to gather forces. A man in billowing black robes named Severus was evidently a double agent in the enemy camp. He spent a good deal of time listing the movements of the man known as Voldemort. Overall, Ed and Al thought that the meeting was useful. They were focusing on consolidating forces while keeping updated on the movements of enemies.

"I believe that is all. Does anyone have anything else to add?" asked Dumbledore.

A plump red haired woman raised her hand and gestured at the two strangers in the room. "Who are these two young men? Are they even old enough to join the Order?"

"Since business is concluded, I believe that some introductions are in order. As some of you may know we have secured the assistance from beyond the Great Doors in the Ministry. These two young men are State Alchemists from the country of Amestris. This is Major Alphonse Elric and his brother Colonel Edward Elric." Dumbledore pointed to each man in turn. "I'm sure you will all make them feel comfortable."

"Nice to meet you boys but, are you sure they sent you the right people. They hardly look old enough."

"I'm 19 and my brother is 20. I believe that is over the age of majority in both of our countries," said Al with an exasperated groan. "Why do you people keep assuming we're children?"

"You two are barely older than the twins and the same age as Percy!"

"And I'm only 23. What's your point?" piped the vibrant young woman next to Al.

Moody let out a groan. "Quit your crooning woman and you to Tonks. Children don't have missing limbs or scars like that and they sure as hell done act like these two."

All eyes snapped to the two alchemists causing Ed to sigh, "Fine. Not like it's a secret back home." He pulled the glove off of his left hand to show that it was flesh. He took a breath then removed the glove off of the right one, revealing his automail. "Al and I haven't been children for a long time."

Dumbledore cleared his throat getting the attention of the members of the Order. "If there are no more objections, then I believe it is time to adjourn for the night. Molly has prepared a meal if you'd like to stay but you are free to return to your lives."

END OF CHAPTER THREE

END NOTE: That was chapter three. Favorite, review, or send me nasty messages about how I'm a poor excuse for a writer. I don't know, I'm not your boss. Anyway, next chapter will be up next week.

In the meantime, have a good week.

-Rising Robin