"My name is Professor Mustang. You may call me Professor, or you may call me Mustang. Or, if you want extra credit, you may call me Lieutenant Colonel." The class stared at the man with glassy eyes. Edward rolled his eyes, chin resting on his hand. "This year I will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. My personal mastery is in Alchemy, so you will also be learning some of that. Even though the current ministry believes it to be. . . outdated. I prefer that you be prepared for anything that may come at you."

He turned to the chalkboard, which already bore his name, and wrote the following underneath. How to Defend Yourself Against a Homunculi.

"Can anyone tell me what a Homunculus is? Mr. Elric?" Edward sighed. "Come now Mr. Elric. I know you have the answer.

"A homunculus is what is created when a wizard or witch tries to bring a human being back from the dead. They are soulless dolls, made in the image of the person you were attempting to bring back. They cannot be killed unless you make them mortal, which can only be done through the use of the Philosopher's Stone."

"Very good Mr. Elric. Ten points to Gryffindor." The others were staring at him. They shared the class with Slytherin. Draco was leaning forward, looking very interested. "There are, however, several ways to defend yourself from such a creature."

"Excuse me, Lt. Colonel."

"Yes Miss Granger." He said, without turning from the board as he added Edward's response beneath the heading.

"Why do we need to know something like this? How likely is it that we will come up against something like that? Doesn't it take a very skilled alchemist to do such a thing?"

"Very true Miss Granger. There are but seven homunculi currently in existence. Some are hundreds of years old. There are a two or three that are much younger though, created within the last five to twenty years." He turned to look at the class. "Your only chance against them is speed. Unless you are proficient in alchemy, injuring one is nearly impossible. Casting a spell of slowing, or even something as simple as the levitation spell, will halt them for a short time. That gives you time to escape."

"Are you saying someone without alchemic knowledge has no chance against a homunculi?" Hermione asked, hand in the air.

"It is the simple truth Miss Granger. They are not human, they will not show mercy. I expect two feet of parchment of the subject of defending yourself against homunculi by next class. If you are stuck, or lacking research material, I would be happy to help. I have many books on the subject. Of course, if you are up late at night and unable to come to me for aid, Mr. Elric is another source. He also has a vast knowledge of homunculi and several volumes on alchemy and homunculi."

Edward sank into his seat, eyes locked on the top of his desk. Mustang smirked, glancing around the room, assessing each student. Many seemed crest fallen, two feet was a lot to ask on the first day of class. "If you do not wish to do the report, then I ask that you research an alchemic formation. If you choose to do that instead, you must be prepared to display your knowledge next class. This means being able to do the alchemy, this is very difficult. I expect this project from very few students. In any case, class is dismissed, use this time to research for your paper."

The class rushed for the door, surprised to be let out so early. "A moment Mr. Elric." Edward sighed, nodding at the others and heading back inside. Once everyone was gone, Mustang crossed the class room and closed the door, locking it carefully. "I found out during lunch, Envy and Sloth were spotted in Westchester. Lust and Gluttony are in London, while the others remain unaccountable. If they come here, I want these students to have a fighting chance."

"That close?" Edward was shaking, he sat down on a nearby desk. "I thought they would still be in Germany. . . In that case, I will do everything I can to help you prepare the students."

"It will be alright Edward." Roy pulled the blonde into his arms. "We will find the stone before they get here. I called Winry and Hughes, they are on their way as we speak. Winry has gotten a position to teach Enchanted Artifact Creation, while Hughes will be teaching seminars for students that want to Aurors." Edward nodded, breathing carefully. "Oh Ed." He kissed his love gently on the forehead, and then the lips. "It will be alright." Edward sighed, and then wrapped his arms around Roy, holding him tight.

"I'm scared Roy. . . I don't know if I can face the thing I made."

"You will face it Edward, and you will win." They held each other like that for some time, until Edward stopped shaking and finally fell asleep. Roy smiled sadly at his lover, carrying him up to his room. The other students were in the Great Hall for dinner, so there was no one to see him tuck the boy in, kissing his lips gently before leaving the boy to sleep. A sleep he dearly hoped to be without dreams.