Disclaimer: I own neither Fullmetal Alchemist nor Harry Potter. This story takes place post episode 51 and book 5. Read at your own risk for spoilers.

The Foundation of Truth

Bard Linn

Chapter 10: A Monumental Return

Time worked strangely when one crossed the gate.

When Dante sent Hohenheim across it, he landed several years before Edward showed up in his counterparts' body despite that only a few days had passed in their world. When Ed returned to his father's side it was at the tail end of the war. In fact most of life had begun to recover. So for Edward, only a few minutes had passed between when he communicated with his brother to when he crossed over. For Al, however, several days passed.

"Al-"

"He said he was coming!" Al insisted glaring at Winry. "He promised!"

Considering Edward's track record of keeping promises to his brother you couldn't argue with Al's faith. Even though the mechanic believed her childhood friend was dead. "It takes time," Winry reminded the thirteen year old. "Maybe-"

The door opened. Izumi glared at the figures but allowed the man and his blond shadow to enter. "Alphonse-kun, any word?"

The boy shook his head at Hawkeye's question. She glanced at her former commander. He shrugged. She glared. Mustang cleared his thought. "Alphonse-kun your brother always managed to get back even if he came back late. Actually," the former National Alchemist continued, "he usually was late. Of course with his short legs-"

It was somehow very appropriate that Edward abruptly appeared over Mustang's head and came crashing down. "Ow."

"Niisan!" Al launched himself at his brother. Underneath them Mustang grunted in pain. Fullmetal was heavy.

"Al," Ed grabbed his brother tightly. After all this time, he could finally touch his brother again. Winry threw her arms around the pair.

Hawkeye kept an eye on Mustang. When the alchemist began to turn blue she caught Ed's attention. "Edward-kun."

"First Lieutenant Hawkeye?"

"If you wouldn't mind getting up."

Ed glanced down at his scowling, blue, former superior. With a bounce he pushed Al and Winry up. Then he lunged to his feet. "Colonel."

Roy slowly stood examining the young man in front of him. He looked quite different from the boy who had served under him for four years. That maturity he had seen in their last meeting had grown. Most importantly, the driving aura of pain and anger usually floating about the blond head had vanished completely. In its place there was only a blinding joy. "Fullmetal."

"Can't call me that. I'm not a National Alchemist anymore Flame," Ed grinned.

"Neither am I though you seem to still be wearing a watch."

"One: it's a gift. Two: it's gold. Three: you aren't a National Alchemist anymore? And what's with the eye patch?"

"He's in hiding," Hawkeye replied bluntly. Together the group explained exactly what had happened since Ed left. Al's reappearance, the fate of Mustang's officers and what had happened to Mustang himself. "Authorities are still search for Roy and myself," Hawkeye finished. "The others were pardoned but we successfully killed King Bradley."

"And you don't remember anything that happened while in the armor Al?" Ed turned to his brother hoping to be proven wrong.

Al shook his head. "Nothing 'Nissan." This adult Ed frightened him more than he wanted to admit. He had known, intellectually that his brother would be older but seeing it in person unnerved him.

Ed reached over and ruffled his brother's hair just like he had when they were little. Al relaxed at the gesture; it was so typical of his brother it reminded him that despite the differences this was still Ed. "So, I take it the truth never made it out?" Mass shaking of heads. "Right first things first." He snatched the eye patch of Mustang's face. "Looks nasty but not completely gone." He glanced around. Now were did I put that thing…"

"Getting absentminded Fullmetal?" Mustang challenged only to jump out of the way as a large trunk nearly fell on him.

"Ah ha!" Ed flipped the truck onto its back and opened the lid. "Now where is…got it! Hold still." He pulled out a small vial.

"What are you-" Mustang blinked as the liquid hit his eye. The scalding tirade on the tip of his tongue fell silent as his vision suddenly improved. He blinked several times. No doubt, he could see out of his left eye. "What was that?"

"Phoenix tears, rather fresh." Since materials from phoenixes were one of the few things Ed could actually guarantee would exist over here (via his animagus form) it made sense to know as much about them as possible.

"PHOENIX TEARS?!"

"Yeah, you know. The bird? P-H-"

"I know what they are Fullmetal," Roy snapped slipping into old habits. "Where did you get them?"

"I can't remember their natural habitat off hand. It's in there somewhere," Ed gestured at his trunk. "Finding the right book might be a problem though."

Al leaned in the trunk. "Wow, there's a lot of stuff in here. What's thi-AHHHH" He jumped back in shock.

"Are we there Master Edward?"

"I think you startled them Winky. They've never seen a house elf before," Alexander floated out of the trunk.

Ed dropped his hand into hi hands. "Guys…"

"Winky will make some tea. Master Edward get some chairs before Master Edward's friends fall over." The Elf vanished with a crack.

Ed rolled his eyes. For being servants house elves were rather pushy. He pulled his wand out and conjured some more chairs and guided the others to sit.

"That's not possible," Izumi whispered. "The laws…"

"Don't apply to magic."

Mustang was in even worse case. He grabbed his gloves an attempted to barbeques Alexander. This, of course, didn't have the desired result. "Ghost…"

Ed snickered at Roy's reaction. "Yes. This is Alexander Ravenclaw. He haunted part of Hogwart's library," The blond explained calmly as if discussing the weather. He gestured at the returning diminutive form who had raided Izumi's kitchen. "That's Winky. She's a rather stubborn house elf who wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Master Edward is being stupid. Master Edward needs Winky to take care of him. Master is a very smart wizard but isn't very practical. Misses too many meals without Winky."

"Wizard? Magic?" Al asked sounding dazed.

All eyes turned to Edward. "Well, I guess I should start with what happened right after I left the Colonel…"

"…then Al vanished…"

"…After Dad found me…"

"…showed up at Hogwarts after the time turner exploded…"

"…met up with Harry Potter and if you think I'm a trouble magnet then you should meet him…"

"…found out exactly where the Gate came from and its purpose…"

"…ran into Envy and managed to kill the bastard this time.."

"..and finally came home."

"That's quiet a story Edward-kun," Hawkeye commented.

The alchemists were more stunned. "I had no idea alchemy was so important," Roy murmured sitting back on his seat. That made Ed hide a grin. For the first section of his story everyone had sat uneasily on the chairs expecting them to vanish from under them.

"I wish I could see Hogwarts," Al whispered wishfully.

"You might. Who knows, you might even get to attend," Ed replied. "I'm going to see if we can get a two way portal up between the worlds. Magical abilities often run in families."

"That would be so neat!" Al grinned. "But I don't want to go yet Niisan. I want to stay with you."

Ed pulled his little brother into his arms. "I know Al. I know." He smiled. No matter what happened in the future, he had his brother back and that was all that really mattered.

"EDDDD!" Winry yelled pulling up his right sleeve. "What did you do to the automail this time?"

Ed glanced down at the arm. "Um, got hit a few times during Quidditch?"

"IDIOT!" Cue flying wrench which Ed still didn't manage to avoid. Some things never changed.

End Chapter 10

Almost done guys! I based by guess about the gate because of the part where Alter!Ed meets up with his Dad. Hohenheim is recognizes by the authorities as someone of importance. That wouldn't happen in a few days. The next chapter will be an epilogue set three years after this.

Responses to:

Cringe: I love that mental picture. Too bad I can't draw.

Lunatic Pandora1: I love to torment Roy. (snicker) Notice how almost everything falls on him?

sy2004notensai: I have added something to chapter 6 to address this under responses.

Halo Sora: Don't miss dinner on my account. Really, it'll be here when you get back.

OoO: one more after this then we're done! Hope you do well on Finials!

Kirakit8790: Not that evil. I did plan to update next day. And it wasn't like Ed was dying or anything. Now if I had left you for weeks on end...Exactly what did you feel needed to be expanded? I may edit this again some time in the future. But I like to read short chapters casue long one's I lose my place on. This was supposed to be more humor than serious anyway.

Lucathia Rykatu: Would you believe that I hadn't thought about Envy at all in regards to that stuff before you said it? And I came up with an answer in 10 minutes? Yes, well short would not be a good thing to say now would it. Ah, if only I could have gotten Malfoy to say it..(can't tell he gets on my nerves, oh no. Not at all.) The gift giving symoblism mainly came from Harry and Hermione though Ron actually thought of the clock when Harry mentioned Ed's old one. As for wand replacement, first as my sister pointed out he could just fix it with Alchemy over there (12 years old and she thought of it before I did!). And if that wasn't possible he is a phoneix so he could use one of his own. (Part of the reason for the wand/animagus match) KK/DC/FMA- I was writting an outline for it and it took 2 and a half pages. WAH! That's epic length! For comparison this one's outline was about half a page. However, provided I ever get around to it, would you like to beta it? My knowledge of DC/KK comes stricktly from fanfiction cause I'm a cheep creep who refuses to watch dubs on Cartoon network.