I have officially finished writing till the point of the interlude! So now...ten reviews or update wednesday. Your choice! Mwuhaha!

Don't own FMA or HP. (And why do we have to do this? Have the past thousands of disclaimers counted for nothing?)

Pinako Rockbell smiled as she huggesd first her grand daughter then her adoptive grandson. "Dumbledore has filled me in on the situation. I hear you've gotten yourself in quite a bind. Though I notice he didn't mention certain things..." she questioned.

Edward smiled lightly "Come on. We'll talk as we give you the tour." he said.

Slowly the four of them made their way out to the school grounds "Roy and I are here on 'punishment' from the military. Last year I...went to rescue Alphonse and failed. For so long I thought he was dead but just recently we discovered he's alive. Somewhere." he explained.

Pinako nodded in relief "I'm glad. He's such a sweet boy. And you brothers don't deserve much more hardship." she said, glaring at Roy. Roy flinched, looking away. He half wished he had gone with Riza now.

Edward suddenly looked up at Roy "Oh, are we going to train today?" he asked.

Roy shook his head "No. I don't want you tired out before this task. Just remember, in cases where alchemy doesn't work against your opponent-" "Just run." Edward finished with an amused smile.

He then smirked as he glanced at Pinako "Winry helped me build a motor for the second task to win it but Roy's been helping me train and prepare for this task." he said.

Pinako nodded at that, before glancing accusingly up at Roy "Actually I would like to talk with Mr. Mustang for a moment, if you don't mind." she said. Edward and Winry exchanged looks before shrugging, heading off ahead. Immediately Pinako frowned "How dangerous have these tasks been?" she asked bluntly.

Roy sighed as he stopped in place "Very. The first task was simple. Edward was facing a dragon. He beat it very easily. But the second task was underwater. Not so easy. Edward figured it out though he did get in a bit of trouble at the end." he said, his eyes flashing.

He then sighed, running a hand through his hair "Today it's a maze. A maze with enchantments and magical creatures. But...he promised he'd win. I'm holding that to him." he said quietly.

Pinako nodded, looking to where Edward and Winry were talking about something or another "You seem to care about him. Quite a lot." she commented.

Roy smiled ever so slightly, his eyes shining in pride "I do. He's like the son I never had. And after the second task I told him that. Granted nothings been mentioned since but that's okay. I will do whatever I can to help him. It's the least I can do." he said.

Pinako smiled, her eyes closing "Good. He needs someone willing to take on that role. So how long did he have to assume Alphonse was dead?" she asked, troubled.

Roy flinched at this "Eight hard months. But by the end of it...Edward was opening up much more than he ever had. This school...it's so full of impossibilities. And that includes helping Edward heal." he said.

He then chuckled ironically "And then when he finally does get past the guilt, and starts healing he finds out Alphonse is alive. All it's done is wonders for his spirit. Edward is most definetly a trooper all right. He just keeps on marching." he said softly.

Pinako nodded "Yes. Yes he does."

break

They spent the rest of the day giving Pinako the grand tour. They went every where they could in the time span of the day, briefly joining Riza for lunch. She was pleasantly surprised to see Pinako Rockbell and thanked her for coming. It seemed so happy. Edward was confident about the third task. And Winry was still safe. It seemed as though whatever trap they had set...had failed. And it was a gratifying feeling.

But all too soon, during dinner, Dumbledore stood "In five minutes I will excuse you all to go down to the Quidditch field to watch the third task. But for now if our five champions could make their way to the field." he said.

Edward sighed before smiling at the rest of his group "Wish me luck." he joked.

Roy smirked "Good luck." he said.

"Good luck Ed!" Winry called.

"Beat em good." Pinako said.

"Be careful." Riza warned.

Edward nodded to show he heard their words as he walked off, joining the rest of the champions as they joined the field.

Sadly...none of them looked overly nervous. Compared to the first task where they were all scared stiff, this time they all seemed rather relaxed. Down at the field it was unrecognizable. Twenty foot hedges towered over them with a dark and creepy entrance that taunted them. Five minutes later the stands instantly began to fill. Almost immediately Edward was able to pick out Roy, Riza, Winry, and Pinako. He smiled cheekily at them, waving casually.

Flitwick, McGonagall, Moody and Hagrid then approached them, luminous red stars on their hats, or in Hagrid's case his back. "We'll be patrolling the outside edge. If you need us send up red sparks. Except for Mister Elric. Is there any sort of signal you can give?" she asked.

Edward nodded, his smirk never leaving his face "Roy's been teaching me a little bit about flame alchemy. I can send up the sparks if I'm in trouble. Which will never happen." he said confidently, feeling a borrowed lighter in his pocket. McGonagall smiled, satisfied with his answer as the teachers headed to their patrol sections.

Ludo Bagman then pointed his wand at his throat "Sonorus" immediately his obnoxious voice became...more obnoxious once more.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the third and final task of the Triwizard tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you where the points currently stand. In first place with ninety points Mr. Edward Elric! Tied in second place with eighty-five points each, Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts school!" he said, the resulting cheer sending birds flying from the Forbidden forest "In third place, with eighty points Mr. Viktor Krum of Durmsrang Institute! And in fourth place Miss Fluer Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy!" he said.

Edward smirked. This was it. "So on my whistle, three...two...one."

And with that...Edward entered the maze.