I was planning on waiting until next week before posting this chapter, but I'm having a bad day and the response we've gotten so far has been great! Thank you guys so much for the reviews, they made my day!

So here we go, on to chapter 2!

It was the next week that Ed found himself back in Mustang's office, fully dressed in uniform, hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. He had his metal vambrace strapped to his right arm, he had made the adjustment of having his wand holster hooked on the back of his belt, next to his state issued gun.

Right at 8:30 door to the office swung open, causing the two officers to stand from where they had been relaxing on the office sofa chatting. Hawkeye bowed slightly as a tall old man dressed in bright yellow robes with bright purple stars strode in. He had a beard that he could easily tuck into his belt and he peered over half-moon glasses. Ed exchanged a quick look with Mustang at the brightly colored garb, 'one of those clients.'

"Lt. General Mustang," The old man spoke as he offered his hand to the Mustang, a seemingly kind smile on his face. "Thank you for having me."

"Headmaster Dumbledore," Mustang gripped the old man's hand in a firm handshake. "President Grumman apologizes that he was unable to attend this meeting."

"That's alright, my dear boy," Dumbledore smiled again, either not noticing ignoring the way Mustang's eyebrow twitched. "I'm just glad I could call in this favor from your state."

"Speaking of, this is Colonel Edward Elric-Rockbell, the Fullmetal Alchemist," Mustang gestured to Ed, who shifted from his parade rest, to give the old man a handshake. "He is who we have decided is best for what you need."

"Ah, the famed Fullmetal Alchemist," Dumbledore allowed a soft bow as he shook Ed's hand. "I wasn't expecting such an important figure."

"Even outside of Amestris I'm still famous?" Ed groaned slightly, pulling away from the client, something in the back of his mind getting a weird vibe from the old man.

"Worry not," Dumbledore chuckled slightly. "Most knowledge about Amestris in general is widely unknown through the rest of the world. So, you are still going to be unknown to the majority of the rest of the world and school, including your additional abilities."

"Good," Mustang shifted the attention to the matter at hand. "Now you send word of some changes last night?"

Ed cocked an eyebrow, shooting the dark-haired man a sharp look, Mustang hadn't mentioned anything last night while he had been over for dinner or earlier this morning.

Dumbledore nodded, his smile slipping off his face, "Yes, the minister has decided that the inclusion of Colonel Elric here isn't enough security for Black. He has decided to post some of the guards from Azkaban. Are you aware what Dementors are?"

Ed nodded, he had been spending most of his free time going through all the books on magic he could get his hands onto. He tore through everything he could including books from his own collection, the military library, and even going to raid Mustang's personal library the past week. He exchanged a glance with Mustang, he had a feeling neither man would fare well against something that fed off bad experiences.

"Lt. General Mustang told me that you've been reviewing magic, Colonel," Dumbledore continued at Ed's nod. "I would recommend you review the Patronus charm, if you have not."

Ed nodded and took a mental note, he remembered one of the books Mustang had in his library mentioned the charm, "I'll be sure to do that."

With that matter taken care of the three men continued into the usual mission conversation, touching in on some of the drier topics that almost had Ed zoning out.

"Now, Lt. General Mustang mentioned in his initial reports, you are expecting an addition to your family soon?" Dumbledore shifted his attention to Ed as they started to wrap up.

Ed grinned, nodding happily, "Yes sir, my wife is almost five months pregnant."

"Congratulations!" Dumbledore smiled. "Now, I've already discussed with Lt. General Mustang, once the baby comes, and if security is taken care of, we will be sending you home for a couple weeks."

Ed nodded, the familiar excitement stirring in his stomach at the thought of his upcoming baby, "How will I be getting home?"

"As we get closer to her due date, we can set up communication via Flu in my office and when the baby actually arrives, we can have you long distance Flu home," Dumbledore rubbed at his beard, his eyes twinkling.

"You can go this far with the flu system?" Roy cocked an eyebrow, and Ed knew the man was wondering why they had bought the three days' worth of train tickets.

"Not regularly," Dumbledore corrected. "Especially if it's someone who isn't accustomed to fast-travel. We will have to set up a specific link once we get to that point."

With that taken care of, the meeting was wrapped up, and Dumbledore moved to finally leave the office. Although he turned back towards Ed and reached into his robes, "Colonel Elric, this book might come in handy in your research of the school." Ed stepped forward to accept a large book, with the title Hogwarts: A History. "This is a good resource for learning the actual school."

"Thank you, Sir," Ed nodded, already easing it open to scan through the pages with interest.

"Also," Dumbledore stopped short to glance up and down at Ed. "Do you still have your automail leg?"

Ed nodded suspiciously, glancing up from the text, "Yes…will that be an issue, sir?"

Dumbledore turned his gaze away from Ed's legs, "I'm not the most informed on how automail works, but I am aware that most electrical devices have a tendency to react badly to high density of magic, especially at the school. Will this be an issue?"

Ed blinked, glancing over at Mustang, "Oh, we've already thought about that." They had actually been discussing the issue the last night. "But we believe there shouldn't be any issue. Automail is powered off of the body's natural electricity from the brain. We did a few experiments, and had no negative results towards magic and automail. Neither has there been any reports of malfunctions due to automail or magic." Winry had been far from happy to learn that Ed had experimented with his leg, but had accepted that it was necessary.

"Good, Good," Dumbledore nodded.

With the nitty-gritty discussed, Dumbledore continued towards the door of the office. Ed glanced at Roy, asking for permission to follow the man out without words. Roy nodded and sat back at his desk to continue some paperwork.

Following the elderly man out of the office the two walked quietly towards the exit, ignoring the stares from the rest of the team.

"Colonel Elric, I really appreciate the service you are providing my school." Dumbledore smiled, stopping in front of the exit.

"It's not necessary to call me by rank, sir," Ed said, shaking his head. It felt too formal.

Dumbledore nodded, still smiling. "I look forward to working with you, Edward."

Ed held out his hand for one last handshake until they met up again at Hogwarts.

The next week leading up to Ed's departure went by far too quickly in his opinion.

At work he was swamped in preparations for his team to take over his usual work while he was gone. The rest of his time was balanced between spending as much time as possible with Yuri and Winry and researching magic. The boy had taken the news of Ed's deployment with a sad resignation and had gotten very clingy, something that Ed had found bittersweet. His son usually chose to cuddle with his mom, but Ed was reveling in the extra attention. Even though he had outgrown the habit, Ed welcomed the addition of their son in their bed those last nights.

The last day before he had to leave, Ed spent the day with his family, Yuri never straying far from his side. The evening he had spent in Mustang's library, reading through a large tome explaining the intricacies of magical fast travel while sipping at a clinking glass of whisky. Yuri had curled into Ed's side, while Roy sat across from the two in his own armchair with the same drink. Winry and Riza sat outside in the kitchen with glasses of grape juice.

Now he stood on the train platform, magically expanded suitcase and travel trunk in hand.

Yuri had made it to the train station before the tears had started, quietly wetting Ed's shirt where he had tucked his face into his father's neck.

"Oh, my sweet boy," Ed hummed, setting his suitcase down in order to shift his son off his hip and into a proper hug. Yuri's tears had been silent until Ed's arms fully pulled him close, when he let out a wail.

In that moment Ed was brought back to the nights after Hohenheim had left, holding Al close as he cried for their dad. He could feel his heart breaking, he didn't want to leave for so long. Each sob that wracked the boy's small body tore a bloody gash deeper and deeper into his heart.

"I'm not going to leave forever," Ed whispered, caressing his hand through Yuri's fluffy blond hair. "I'm going to be home before you know it…But Yuri…"

He waited until his boy leaned back in his grip, tears still streaming down his face, "I need you to promise me something okay? This is super important, and I can only trust you to do this."

Yuri sniffled loudly, hiccuping and rubbing at his quivering lips and nose with the back of his hand, before nodding seriously.

"I need you to keep your momma and baby safe for me okay?" Ed brushed away the tears covering Yuri's cheeks with a thumb, looking into the deep golden eyes that were so much like his own. "I know I can trust you to do this for me, right little man?"

Yuri nodded furiously, before flinging himself back around Ed's neck, "I promise papa! I won't let nobody do nothing to them!"

"And Yuri," Ed whispered softly, so just he could hear. "I need you to make her smile, make her laugh, every day."

He squeezed his boy closer as he felt the small head bob against his neck, "I promise, Papa, I promise."

"Good," Ed nodded, before leaning back onto his heels and placing a kiss on Yuri's forehead. "I know you can do it. I'm going to miss you…I love you so, so much."

"Not as much as I do, Papa," Yuri pulled back to give Ed a watery smile. "I'm gonna miss you more. But Grandpa said he's gonna help me write you letters!"

Ed heaved up to his feet again as Yuri allowed Winry to scoop him up onto her hip, "Is that right, Grandpa?" He turned towards Roy, smirking widely.

Much to Roy's dismay, and Ed's udder glee, Yuri had fallen into the habit of calling the older man Grandpa. ("He did technically adopt both of you when you were still underage" "Not helping Havoc! I'm only THIRTY-THREE!"). And when Roy's half-hearted attempts to get Yuri to stop went ignored, the nickname stuck.

"You know he's much less of a pipsqueak brat, I love teaching him," Roy smirked right back, laughing as Ed punched his shoulder playfully.

"You Bastard General," Ed clasped hands with Roy, who smirked right back and pulled him into a hug. It lasted for a minute, just long enough. Before pulling away Ed tightened his grip and whispered, "Keep them safe. Please."

"With my life," Roy whispered right back, squeezing back, before stepping back. The two met eyes before Ed turned to hug Riza, kissing her on the cheek as he pulled away and thanking her for all her help. "Good luck Fullmetal."

Ed nodded to the two, and turned to his beautiful wife.

Pulling her into a gentle hug Ed inhaled her sweet scent that was purely Winry, apples and oil and metal, before pulling her into a long kiss over Yuri's head.

"I love you with one hundred percent of my being," Ed murmured softly against her lips, pressing his forehead into hers. Behind them the train whistled shrilly, signaling the end of the loading time and upcoming departure. Reaching up Ed brushed away the single tear that leaked out of Winry's eye, his other hand cupping the small of her back gently. The two had already said most their goodbyes the night before, after returning from Mustang's and depositing the sleeping boy in his room.

"Please stay safe," Winry breathed back, kissing him one more time, before handing him his suitcase. "I love you too."

The train whistled one final warning, causing Ed to pepper both parts of his heart with kisses on their cheeks, leaning down to plant one kiss onto the bump, "I'll be home when this one comes to join us! I love you!"

Stooping to snatch his suitcase and trunk Ed stepped back and onto the train, just as the doors slid shut. He quickly stepped around the benches to stand at the nearby open window, waving out at his family, "I love you! I'll see you soon!"

The train lurched beneath him, as Yuri squirmed out of Winry's grasp to run alongside the slowly accelerating train, waving, "See you Papa!"

The little boy ran alongside the cart for as long as he could, Roy trailing a couple steps behind him, while the ladies stood and waved. Ed waved out the window as the trained curved, just in time to see Roy scoop the boy up onto his shoulders, then they were out of sight. He heaved out a sigh, before shoving his trunk under the padded bench and slumping down. This was the first of a couple trains he would have to take before he even left the country, and the start of the three days of travel to London.

Pulling out the same tomb from Roy's library Ed settled into a comfortable position, at least he had time for some more research.

When Ed got off the final train of his trip he leaned lightly against his cane, as he walked with a slight limp. His automail leg was stiff from the inactivity of being stuck in a seat for the past three days. He was glad Winry had convinced him to bring the custom wooden cane she had made when he had started to struggle with rainy days. Apparently, it was also good for after sitting on a train, and one boat, for days on end.

As Ed walked through the train station, he was quickly overwhelmed with the loud bustle of the people around him. Conversations surrounded him, drawing his attention in every direction. Most of the people around him spoke in English and had strange accents. He was desperate for a familiar voice. His heart ached as he thought about Winry's voice, the love he left behind.

Ed found the bathroom so he could change his clothes from his casual wear into his military uniform, which Dumbledore had requested he wear upon entering the school.

Folding his casual clothes neatly, Ed placed them in his suitcase and clipped it closed. He shrugged on his jacket, his medals clinking together briefly, and made his way out of the bathroom.

'I need to catch a cab,' He thought to himself as he tugged his luggage to the curb side, watching as cars whirled by. He was less than thrilled by the idea of sitting in another seat, but he knew he'd have no way of knowing where to go in this city. The people of London barely spared him a glance, despite his foreign military dress.

Almost as soon as he put his hand out there was a cab pulling over. The man driving rolled down his window, "Need any help with your bags or getting in?"

"No, no," Ed waved his hand as he leaned his cane against the side of the car and tossed his luggage carefully into the seat, "I've got it."

"Bloody hell," The cab driver whispered as the car shook lightly, "What've you got in that thing?"

"About a years' worth of packing, my wife made me over pack," Ed laughed, not mentioning that the trunk had a weightless carry charm on it. Grabbing his cane again, Ed climbed into the cab and rested it against his lap.

"I get that, mate. Where you headed?" The man chuckled with a sorry smile.

"Charing Cross Road, please." Ed smiled back as he rubbed the back of his neck. According to the file he had been given, the pub he was meeting the potion master in was a magical specific location on that street.

"You've got it," The man said as he started the cab again.

As they pulled off into the street Ed thought back to when he was packing for the trip, fingers idly fiddling with the small dangling horse head charm wrapped around the handle.

"You're sure you've got everything packed?" Winry asked, opening drawers that usually held Ed's clothes, before pointedly grabbing his cane from the closet and tucking it in to his suitcase.

"Yes, Winry. I've got everything packed." Ed sighed as he lay back on their bed, curling around the already sleeping form of their son in the middle of their bed. Yuri had refused to sleep in his own room the past few nights after Ed had told him he was leaving. Even after he had fallen asleep Yuri would wake up and cry if he was left in his own bed, so they had kept him in their own bed.

Winry sat down next to him, trailing her fingers along his right arm, "Vambrace?"

Ed sat up and pulled Winry against his chest, tucking her under his chin, "You know that rarely leaves my body, sweetheart."

Her arms wrapped around him. "I know, it's just…" She whispered into his neck.

"Of course, baby girl…" Ed gently passed his fingers through her hair. "I love you so much, my sweet, beautiful wife."

The cab pulled to a halt and Ed was snapped into reality once again.

"Charing Cross Road, sir," The driver nearly shouted, "That'll be ₤13.20, please."

"Thank you very much," Ed smiled, handing the man his money, glad he had stopped briefly in order to exchange currency.

As Ed grabbed his things, he sized up the street they had ended up stopping by, looking down for the pub he was supposed to go to. The cab drove off, leaving Ed standing on the unfamiliar street.

Picking a direction Ed stooped to pick up his trunk and with cane in hand, started limping down the street. For once in his life luck was on his side, as an unassuming building transformed as he approached. While at first it had looked like an abandoned building, it transformed into an unassuming front. It didn't look like much from the outside, shifting from the abandoned built to just a wooden door set in a stone building with a hanging witch with a cauldron to mark it. It was enough to draw Ed's attention though.

Taking a deep breath Ed shoved the door open and took a step inside.

Aright, that's chapter two~

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~Silver