A/N - Sorry this chapter took so long…I had serious writers block while I was working on it, but I managed to power through. Sorry that it's not as long or as good as other chapters. I should be back on track after this.

"blah blah"- Speaking Greek

"blah blah"- Speaking Amestrian

'blah blah'- Thinking

***** - Begin/end flashback

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Fullmetal Alchemist, or Percy Jackson. Good thing too, or they wouldn't be nearly as good as they are now. They belong to J.K. Rowling, Hiromu Arakawa, and Rick Riordan. Just to be safe, I also don't own the song 'This is War' by Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Harry

Christmas morning arrived, but it was easily the most subdued Christmas that Harry had ever had at Hogwarts. He almost felt guilty about celebrating, given what had happened only one week earlier. Despite that, he couldn't help but feel excited when he opened a package to reveal a sleek, perfect, Firebolt. He was almost able to forget about Sirius Black. Of course, that changed when Professor McGonagall confiscated his wonderful new broom, on account of it being 'dangerous'.

"Don't worry Harry," Percy assured him as they headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. "If there's nothing wrong with your broom then you'll get it back."

"Better safe than sorry," Thalia quipped.

"But it's a Firebolt!" Ron protested. "And we haven't even been able to use it once!"

"Are you really going to complain about that?" Hermione broke in. "After everything that's happened, I'd think you'd understand how much danger Harry is in!"

Her words had an instant effect. Ron quieted immediately as the friends took their seats at the breakfast table.

"Ah, I see you three have been graced with Weasley sweaters as well!" Fred and George slid into the seats across from them, nodding in approval at Percy, Thalia, and Nico's sweaters before diving into the food.

"It was really nice of your mom to make them for us," Percy said with a grin, running his hands over the soft sweater.

He had received a dark blue sweater with a silver seashell embroidered on the front. Thalia's sweater was purple with a deer stitched on the front, and Nico's was black. Mrs. Weasley had discovered the three's interests during their stay at the Burrow and was now putting that knowledge to use. Apparently, she had decided that Nico would be happiest with solid black.

Christmas breakfast in the Great Hall was as delicious as usual, though less boisterous than previous years. The rest of the day was spent cheerily, and Harry was pleased to note that his three American friends were smiling again. They hadn't seemed to really smile since the murders–not that Harry could say any different. But as depressing as the mood had been around the castle, those three had seemed even more downtrodden.

"What do you think's going to happen now?" Hermione asked as they sat watching the snow through the common room window. "After…what happened…what do you think it means for Hogwarts?"

"What do you mean?" Ron asked, surprised.

"Two people were killed, Ron," Hermione said quietly. "Something has to be done."

"There are dementors here, what else are they going to do?" Harry wondered.

"I'm sure the ministry could think of something," Thalia sighed.

"Once Black is caught they won't have to worry anymore," Hermione said.

It may have been his imagination, but Harry thought that the Americans had given each other a knowing look. They seemed to do that quite a bit, so much so that Harry had gotten used to it. He still hadn't quite figured out the three demigods, and he was beginning to think he never would. Even after they had spilled their secrets, it seemed that they were still shrouded in mystery.

Why Sirius Black was looking for them was the biggest mystery of all. Harry couldn't think of any possible reason for the mass-murderer to be targeting the foreign exchange students. Even if he knew their true identity, what motive could he have for wanting them dead? It made no sense at all to Harry. He made a mental note to ask Hermione and Ron about it as soon as he got the chance.

If he ever got the chance, that is. After the attack, it seemed that Percy, Thalia, and Nico were always around; if not all of them, at least one of them seemed to be with Harry wherever he went. He didn't think it too odd; no one wanted to be alone after what had happened.

"Hullo, what's that?"

Harry started, pulled from his thoughts by Ron's voice. He turned to the window to see what his friend was pointing at. Outside on the grounds, Professor Elric was standing with Professor McGonagall and a man in a tall suit of armour. Well, standing wasn't the right word.

The man in armour had swooped down and hugged the small professor, nearly lifting him off the ground. It looked supremely uncomfortable to Harry, but Professor Elric didn't seem to mind. The armoured man set down the professor, and the two walked towards the lake together. Professor Elric seemed to be eagerly chatting with the armoured man, waving his arms around and gesturing to the castle and grounds.

"Who do you think he is?" Harry asked curiously.

"I dunno." Percy was as helpful as always.

"And why is he here?" Nico added.

"I'm sure if you need to know then you'll find out," Thalia said demurely.

Percy let out an odd cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh, causing Thalia to glare at him. Ron jumped up and headed towards the door.

"Forget that, let's go see if we can find out!"

Harry eagerly followed. "C'mon, we don't have anything better to do!" He called over his shoulder.

Hermione reluctantly set her book down and stood up, followed by Percy, Nico, and Thalia. They had barely made it onto the grounds before they ran into Hagrid.

"I haven't seen ya six in er while!" The giant exclaimed, stopping them in their tracks. "How 'bout ye come have a cup of tea and tell me how ye have been?"

Not giving them a chance to protest, Hagrid ushered the six students toward his hut. Ron cast a wistful glance toward the lake where Professor Elric and the stranger had disappeared to, but he followed Hagrid with his friends.

Hagrid sat them all around the table and set out cups of tea and rock cakes. The 'cakes' were ignored in favor of the tea.

"How has it been going with Buckbeak?" Thalia asked, eyeing the hippogriff sympathetically.

Hagrid's hands shook as he set down the teapot, nearly spilling the contents onto the table. "Trial's set for April 20." He turned to Hermione with watery eyes. "Thanks for yer help Hermione, I couldn't have done it without ye."

Hermione smiled up at him. "It was no trouble, Hagrid."

Harry felt guilty upon hearing that Hermione had been helping Hagrid with Buckbeak's trial. He had been so caught up with all that had been happening, he had forgotten all about it. He resolved to help Hermione with her research the next time the opportunity arose.

"Hey Hagrid," Ron asked, leaning forward eagerly. "Do you know who that guy in armour is? The one who came to visit Professor Elric?"

Harry saw Thalia roll her eyes at Ron's persistence, but Harry was curious too. Professor Elric was a mystery all on his own, but it wasn't often that you saw someone wearing a full suit of armour.

"Eh?" Hagrid turned to Ron. "Well, Edward did say something about his lil' brother coming to visit for the holidays. I suppose that's who it could be."

"His little brother?" Harry asked incredulously. "How could that possibly be his little brother?"

"Well, now we know where all of his height went," Percy snickered.

"I wouldn't recommend saying that to his face," Nico said dryly.

"Thanks for the tea, Hagrid," Ron said, standing up. "We should be going now."

Surprised, Harry and the others stood up, offering their own hurried thanks to Hagrid as they stumbled out the door after Ron.

"Wait a minute," Hagrid called. "Ya six shouldn't be running around by yerselves; not with all that's happened lately. I'll go with ye." The giant followed them outside.

"What's the rush anyways, Ron?" Nico asked.

"You aren't still planning on looking for Professor Elric and his brother, are you?" Hermione asked.

"'Course I am!" Ron replied, dashing towards the lake. "I want to find out if that really is his younger brother!"

Hermione sighed as she followed him, but Harry knew that she was curious, just like the rest of them. Harry really did wonder how on earth the towering man in armour was related to their tiny professor; much less his brother. He wondered if one of them was adopted.

Upon reaching the water, the six friend stopped short by the shore. Halfway around the lake, they could make out Professor Elric and his maybe-brother. It was hard to tell from so far away, but it looked almost like they were fighting. Ron set off in their direction with barely any hesitation, and Harry hurried to catch up.

Now that they were closer, Harry could see that the 'brothers' were indeed fighting. Not a wizard's duel with wands and magic; they weren't even holding any weapons. It was hand-to-hand combat, pure and simple. Harry had seen sparring before on the TV programs that Dudley liked to watch, but this was different.

The two opponents' sizes didn't seem to matter at all, and Professor Elric had no trouble keeping up with the armoured man. At least, he did at first. As Harry watched, the armoured man began gaining ground, until he landed a blow on the young professor that sent him into the dirt.

"Sorry brother, are you okay?" A shockingly young voice resounded from the armour, surprising Harry.

"Yeah, I'm fine Al." Professor Elric accepted the armoured man's offered hand and was pulled to his feet.

'I guess that really is his brother,' Harry thought. 'Though they don't seem at all alike.'

Professor Elric turned, noticing the bystanders for the first time.

"Sorry," he apologized. "Didn't see you there." He turned to his brother with a smile; the first real smile Harry had seen on him. "This is my brother, Alphonse."

"Pleased to meet you," the young voice rang out.

It was slightly disconcerting to hear such a childish voice come from a hulking suit of armour. Harry did his best not to think about it.

"Al, these are some of my students;" Professor Elric continued. "Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger, Percy Jackson, Nico di Angelo, and Thalia Grace," he introduced, pointing to each of them in turn. "And that's Hagrid; he's another professor."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Elric," Hermione said with a nod.

A laugh resonated from the armour. "Please, there's no need to call me 'mister', I'm only fourteen. You can call me Al."

"You're really only fourteen years old?" Ron asked in disbelief. "How are you so much taller than Professor Elric?"

"HEY! WHO'RE YOU CALLING SHORT?!" Professor Elric whirled toward Ron with his fist raised, and Ron stepped back so quickly that he nearly fell over.

"Brother!" Al grabbed his brother's arm, preventing him from attacking the redhead. "Calm down! I'm sure he didn't mean it like that."

Ron nodded hurriedly, and Al released his grumbling brother.

"And will you stop calling me 'professor'?" The aforementioned brother wrinkled his nose in disgust. "You're making me sound old."

"So, Al," Hermione jumped in, clearly eager to change the subject before Ron could further offend the short blond. "Why do you wear that armour?"

"It's a hobby," Al responded.

"Isn't it really heavy?" Percy asked with a frown. "And it seems like it would get really hot in the summer; and probably really cold in the winter too."

"No, it's no problem at all!" Al hurriedly assured them. "It helps me get stronger too!"

"You must already be pretty strong if you can wear that all the time," Harry said, impressed.

"Hagrid," Professor Elric interrupted abruptly. "You teach Care of Magical Creatures right?"

Hagrid grinned widely. "That's right!"

"Magical creatures?" Al asked, his voice tinged with excitement. "Could I see some of them?"

"Sure thing!" Hagrid grinned even wider, happy to have found someone to share his knowledge with.

"Al," Professor Elric warned, "we are not keeping any of the weird animals you find!"

Al sighed. "Brother, you can be really heartless sometimes. What if one of them needs a home?"

"Then it can find its own home!"

"But don't you think to have a magical creature as a pet would be interesting? You could study its behavior!"

"I study alchemy, not animal behavior; magical or not!"

The brothers continued arguing as they walked towards Hagrid's hut. Their banter was light-hearted and playful; as if it was something they did often and maybe even enjoyed. As Harry watched Professor Elric playfully shove Al, he didn't see a professor at all. He saw a teenager not much older than himself, acting like the teenager that he was.

'He really is just a teenager,' Harry mused. 'Even if he acts older than us, and is so serious all the time. He's still a kid, but we all seem to forget that. And his brother–he sure doesn't look it, but he's fourteen. And even with that ridiculously large armour on, he and Professor Elric are getting along completely normally.' Harry watched the two brothers, a feeling of longing sweeping over him. 'Maybe, if I'd had a brother like that…things would have been different. I wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn't had to live alone for eleven years.'