Yep. Another update. I'm doing very good on this story. And this chapter is longer than they have been in a while! I just started writing and next thing I knew...bam! And what's more impressive is that I finished it almost immediately after posting the last chapter! just wanted to wait for a bit in between. But things are going to start wrapping up here soon. We are now finally on the final stretch of this story. And I thank each and every one of you for staying with it so far and hope you won't be disappointed.

Don't own FMA or HP

That night the four sat in various chairs around the room. They had left immeddiately after hearing Edwards score. (Fifty points which felt quite satisfied for) and were trying to warm up indoors. Naturally Madam Pomfrey had already stopped by several times to check up on them, fussing over Edward and stating how that task had been flat out cruel for him to do in his condition. And already Edward had been fitted with replacement automail that Winry had made, knowing Edward would probably lose it in that task. What surprised Roy was that apparently she had given it to Edward for free. He had seen the bills she charged Edward for automail. And seen how much it really cost. It wasn't cheap in the slightest. They had also been informed about the next task not occuring till the twenty fourth of june and that they'd be notified about what was coming a month before. That left Edward blessed free time after his intense study sessions to prepare for a seemingly impossible task.

So for the moment they were all relaxing on various couches and recliners. "So...Winry. Are you going home to Amestris now?" Edward asked.

Winry shook her head "No. Not after that. This tournament is dangerous and if that was only the second task I am terrified to think of what the last task will be. You just might need an automail mechanic to help you when you're done." she said with a wink.

Edward smiled gratefully, internally glad that his old friend was staying. He would never admit it out loud but Winry did mean a lot to him. He firmly believed that she was truely his most important person now that Al was gone. Granted she was stubborn, annoying, had a really bad wrench throwing habit, and honestly scraped more money out of him than any one he had ever met.

But that was just little parts about her that helped make up the girl he was slowly falling for. "So...I'm your most important person?" Winry suddenly asked with a small amused smile, breaking the sudden silence.

Immediately Edward blushed, looking away "It's not like that." he muttered. Not willing to admit out loud his actual feelings towards the blond mechanic.

Suddenly he recalled something and looked curiously at Roy who was settled comfortingly on the couch, Riza leaning against him "Did you mean what you said? To Karkaroff?" he asked seriously. Roy stiffened and Riza looked up at him, eyes blank as she wondered what he would say.

Roy turned away, not meeting any one elses eyes "It was in the heat of the moment." he said.

Edward frowned "but did you mean it?" he asked again, his tone more serious than usual.

Roy sighed, his shouders slumping in defeat "For what it's worth...if I could ever have a son like you, or even Alphonse, I think I could easily brag about being the happiest, and proudest parent alive. Even if you don't see me as a parent I will continue to protect you. Even if you are a shrimp with a temper." he teased though his eyes were warm and sincere.

Edward smiled, shoulders slumping in relief as well "Yeah. And you're still a sadistic colonol with a god complex." he said though his eyes were grateful. Winry and Riza just exchanged looks before smiling. Knowing that this was exactly what both Roy and Edward needed.

break

The next two weeks passed in a relatively peaceful bliss. edward and Winry's fame had increased dramatically after that and everyone continually retold tales of Edward's brief 'fight' against the giant squid. From how some people made it sound you'd have thought an all out war had broken out between the alchemist and the squid. So that was why when Edward got the chance him and Winry decided to risk a little trip to Hogsmeade.

Winry sighed, stretching her arms as they walked down the road "It feels so great to be out of the castle. It may be big but it felt so confined." she said.

Edward smirked "I know. Just think, I've been here since September 1." he said.

Winry shivered "No thank you." she said.

She then smiled "So...what kind of stores do they have in Hogsmeade?" she asked.

Edward smirked "no mechanic shops of any kind. There's Zonko's jokeshop. Honeydukes, the candy shop, or we could go to the Three Broomsticks for a drink. Oh plus there is the Shrieking Shack." he said.

Immediately Winry's attention was caught "Shrieking Shack?" she asked.

Edward smirked "it's supposedly haunted but I don't buy that. The only ghosts I've seen can hardly do damage. it was probably some rabid animal." he said casually.

To Ed's misfortune however a challenging smile slowly began growing on Winry's face "I want to see it. Inside it." she answered.

Edward stopped, blinking in surprise "What?" he asked.

Winry crossed her arms, that determined blaze in her eyes that usually was followed by troubled "I want to see it." she repeated. Edward groaned "Great..." he muttered.

line break

Winry smiled widely as they made their way into the house through a shattered window in the back "You know this is tresspassing?" he asked.

"And you do it all the time." she answered back easily.

Unfortunetly Edward couldn't deny that claim. "Looks like some sort of animal was here after all." Winry said, looking curiously as some shredded furniture.

The whole house seemed to be demolished. Suddenly Edward tensed as he heard a growl. Quickly he pushed Winry behind him as he turned to face the large black dog that continued growling, it's hackles up. "Think that's the animal that caused the damage?" Winry asked fearfully.

Edward shook his head "No. It was done by something bigger. But this dog may have taken over. Hy Winry, reach into my pocket." he suddenly said.

Winry frowned but did so, bringing out a small bag that fit in her palm "Okay now what?" she asked.

"I've got lunch in there. There should be some chicken in the basket. Perhaps we could placate it." he said. Winry nodded, noticing how the dog stopped growling, it's ears perking up at the mention of food. Winry quickly dug out a piece of chicken before tossing it at the dog that caught it with a happy bark.

Winry smiled "He's just hungry then. Well in that case I'm continueing to explore." she said in determination.

Edward groaned again "Winry..." he muttered.

But she ignored him, looking curiously at the various things around the house "Wow...this looks like solid gold!" she said eagerly.

"Titanium with some sort of gold coating." Edward called from his position, taking a seat on te couch.

Winry turned to him with a raised eyebrow "How can you tell?" she asked.

Edward pointed "The ends peeling." he told her.

Winry frowned, looking at the end "Well what do you know..." she said.

Suddenly her frown deepened "Edward...who do you think it is? That person who was impersonating me?" she asked.

Edward frowned "I'm...not too sure actually. And I get the feeling Mustang doesn't know either. Hey wanna give the dog some more chicken? Don't worry I've got plenty." he said.

Winry nodded, this time giving it straight to the dog rather than tossing it. "What if...what if it's a spell?" Winry asked hesitantly.

She didn't know much about magic but it was worth a shot. Edward nodded "Could be. A few months ago I..." he trailed off, remembering how badly Lust had hurt him. Did he dare tell Winry? What if it put her in danger? But finally Edward shook his head. Alphonse was dead because Edward had tried to work alone. He wouldn't hold others out again. Granted he wouldn't let Winry all the way in but he could tell her a little.

She may come up with something "A homunculous. The one that attacked at the Yule ball. She managed to change her looks and sneak into the castle. She said..." abruptly his eyes widened and he stood, pacing wildly back and forth, startling the dog and Winry.

"She said she had a master. Homunculi should have no alchemy or magic capabilities. meaning they must have someone pulling the ropes. Someone who can use magic. Someone close by. Or at least close enough to use a magic spell on some one in the building. Granted that doesn't help our imposter problem one bit because it means it could be anyone. It could even be a student or a teacher." he said.

He then ran a hand through his hair, looking with a wry smirk at both the dog and Winry "Don't suppose either of you know the background of the professors do you?" he asked sarcastically. Winry shook her head but the dog...shifted hesitantly. edward frowned, looking curiously at the dog, his suspiscions suddenly kicked into over drive.

Suddenly he frowned, clapping his hands before summoning his famous blade "Who are you?" he asked.

Winry blinked in confusion, looking down at the dog "Edward what are you...woah." she said in alarm, backing towards Edward as the dog just...changed into a thin black haired man.

"My name is Sirius Black. I'm Harry Potter's godfather. I'm on Dumbledore's side." he said.

Edward frowned "You wouldn't happen to know which teachers to be suspiscious of would you?" he asked.

Sirius nodded "Yes. Because Harry is worried about the same things." he said quietly.

Edward frowned "That' right. He's in the same boat as me." he pondered.

"You could help eachother." Sirius pointed out.

"No." Edward said firmly.

He looked up with hard eyes "Whoever is the mastermind behind this seems to be targetting me and Harry. Problem is we do't know what for. If we start working together they could take a leaf out of the tournament and take those who are most precious to us." he said firmly.

He then shook his head "Harry, Ron, and Hermione are great but I don't want to endanger Winry, Roy, or...mom." he said, almost slipping on his cover.

Sirius sighed, nodding "Not to mention for all you know you could be expendable. I understand. What if you keep contact through me?" he asked.

Edward frowned, thinking it over "Only through talking in person. No letters. To easily intercepted." he said.

Sirius nodded "Deal." he said.

He then looked curiously towards the bag in Winry's hand "But out of curiosity...how much food do you have in that thing?" he asked hopefully.

break

Edward and Winry walked slowly back to the castle. Sirius had given them directions to where he was staying, along with a hippogriff. His words had given them a lot to think about. "Edward...is there any way you could come back home?" Winry asked suddenly.

Edward blinked before shaking his head "No. Not till schools over." he said firmly.

He then turned to Winry with a small smile "You up for the challenge of staying?" he asked.

Winry nodded "And up for the challenge of finding out who is behind this." she said.

Edward nodded "And the help will be appreciated."