A/N: Hello my dear readers! Do you know what's a good feeling? When you enter a flow, and the words just pour out of you. So nice... Sure, I had to go back and edit quite a few things, and the chapter ended up being much longer than expected so I had to split it up but still. Also, I know several of you were looking forward to see the encounter between Roy and Hughes buuuut since the chapter got so long I had to split it, it won't happen in this update. Sorry. In this one, it's all about Roy.

Enjoy!

Chapter seven – Preparations

Roy glared at the paper in his hand while he waited for the person on the other end of the line to pick up the phone. Not much time had passed since that bloody stranger had knocked him out with that red light, but when he woke up the man was gone. At least he hadn't been left on the ground, but the context in the letter worried him – once he had decoded it.

There were at least two homunculi with different abilities. There was a big possibility there were more of them. The Ishbalan civil war was planned, along with others. Presumably by them.

They also had some kind of plan involving Elric brothers.

At last he heard someone pick up the phone on the other end.

"Madam Christmas bar, lady of the house speaking."

"Madam, it's Roy", he said curtly.

"Oh? What's the matter Roy-boy?" she replied with a near nonchalant voice – if he hadn't been raised by her, Roy would've missed the concern in it.

"You will get a visit from a strange man tonight."

"Is it a friend of yours?"

"I don't know."

His aunt was quiet for a moment before she spoke up again. "We're opening early tonight. Come by at five and we'll talk then."

He knew what she meant with that. It meant they would "open" at five and simply have "forgotten" about marketing it, which meant nobody would be suspicious if Roy showed up to speak with his current girlfriend if they noticed him there early.

"Right. Just a warning, though, he might be early as well."

"Really? Hmm, guess I'll have to warn the girls about him then. What can you tell me?"

"He has light-brown hair and blue eyes. Goes under the name James Potter."

"Alright. We'll keep our eyes open. Just show up at five, Roy-boy."

After a few obligatory pleasantries he hung up and grabbed his coat. It seemed like he had to go to the office to "pick up some papers". Oh dear how incredibly clumsy of him.

When he walked into the office, his subordinates looked at him in surprise.

"Hey boss, isn't today your research day?" Havoc asked, the unlit cigarette hanging from his lips as usual.

"Oh I'm just picking up some papers I need for my research", he replied smoothly and pulled out a drawer in his desk. Huh, seemed like he had forgotten some calculations here after all. Damn it.

Idly he collected the papers as he spoke up.

"Have any of you heard any rumours about a man called James Potter?"

Confused but negative responses were heard from all but one of his subordinates. Vato Falman leaned back in his chair and scratched his cheek.

"I've heard the name before, but it was many years ago. It's more than likely a coincidence."

"Maybe so, but still; what can you tell me about him?"

"Not much, really. It was my Great Uncle Garrick who told me about this… terrorist, Voldemort, who was wreaking havoc in the UK. Something about that when You-Know-Who as they used to call him target someone, that person and their family would die. That's what happened for the Potter family, but for some reason, when he tried to kill their one-year-old son Harry the attack backfired and he disappeared. Many people call him the Boy-Who-Lived now. James was his father, and the only trace left after him was his glasses and his wa-weapon. But it was some years ago."

Roy stiffened as he heard the Warrant Officer's slight slip up. "Tell me Falman… his weapon… it wouldn't have happened to have been a wand, would it?"

He didn't pay any heed to the befuddled glances the rest of his crew gave each other; his focus was on the eldest in the group who straightened up and looked right into his eyes.

"You've met a wizard", he stated.

"And you know about their existence. Any particular reason you never told me?"

"With all due respect, sir, there shouldn't be any wizards here. They stay away from Amestris due to our militaristic history, and while I might be a third generation squib, the Statue of Secrecy still applies to me. If anyone discovers I've told you just this amount, you are in real danger of having your memories of this modified and I would face a hefty fine or maybe even prison. Frankly, sir, I figured you'd value your mind over the knowledge of something you wouldn't believe in and anyway."

Mustang cleared his throat while shifting uncomfortably. "Well, when you put it that way…"

"Am I the only one who wants to know what a 'squib' is?" asked Havoc all of a sudden.

"It's a non-magical person born into a magical family", Breda shot in and everyone turned to him in surprise. Breda simply shrugged. "My dad was a first generation squib. It was seen as a bit of a scandal, so while he wasn't disowned he still decided to go to the muggle-world and become an accountant."

"Muggle?"

"Non-magical people. But sir, when did you meet a wizard?"

"This morning, in my house", Roy growled. "The bastard called himself James Potter and knocked me out with some red light."

"Hmm… sounds like the Stupify-spell", Falman mused. "It must have been a weak once since you're already awake and remember what happened."

"I still plan on frying him next time I see him. Is there anything else you can tell me about this Potter-bloke?"

"I'm afraid not. But you can try asking my cousin. She's kept more in touch with our Great Uncle than I have. Maybe she knows something that could help you to determinate if it's the same person or an imposter – though I can't really figure out why one would want to pose as a dead guy."

"Right. Now, where can I find her?"

Roy knocked on the door out of politeness before he entered Hughes' old office. When Sheska saw him she jumped up on her feet and saluted.

"Colonel Mustang, sir! I didn't know you would be here today", she squeaked out.

"At ease, private", he replied and shut the door, cheering internally when he saw that she were alone. "I just wanted to ask a couple of questions while I was here."

"Oh, is it about some book from the destroyed library?"

"If anyone asks it is", answered, smirking at her confused look. "I've been informed you have relatives in England that you're still in touch with, is that correct?"

"Ah, yes, sir."

"Good, good. Can I assume you've heard of one James Potter, then?"

Roy had to admit that her sudden stuttering were kind of amusing. "I- I- Uhm- Wha- Why w-would you think that, sir?"

"Well, miss Ollivander, your dear cousin told me a little bit but mentioned you might know more about him. I already know he's a wizard, but I need more details."

Relaxing when she was informed he knew that bit, Sheska hummed and absently tapped on her chin.

"Well let's see… He was apparently killed thirteen years ago, on this very day now that I think about it. He had a mahogany wand with core of a dragon heartstring, good for transfiguration. He was sorted into the Gryffindor House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. Married a Lily Evans shortly after graduation and had a son named Harry, who is the sole survivor of the killing curse-"

"My apologies for interrupting, but how do you recognize this… killing curse?"

"Oh, its incantation is Avada Kedavra and it has a green light. None of the shield charms can block against it, but if you're quick enough to summon or conjure items they can block it though, but you must be really good and have enough space between each other for it to work. So the best shot in your case sir would probably be to duck, then."

"I see. Please continue about this James person."

"Uhm, well… I read in the book Modern Magical History that the Potters are one of the Ancient and Noble families, so he was technically a Lord even though he worked as an auror – a magical police officer. It was also a picture of him and his family from before the attack; he had dark hair and glasses."

Roy frowned, that didn't match with who had broken into his house. "Dark hair and glasses? Are you sure?"

"Oh yes, absolutely! Actually, now that I think about it, he looked remarkably like General Hughes, they would probably have been about the same age too if he… they… had… you know…"

"I understand", he replied softly as she trailed off. He handed her a handkerchief and she dabbed her eyes with a sniff. "I just need to ask a couple of more questions; did he have any special abilities or something? Can wizards change shape and so on?"

"Well he had taken mastery in transfiguration, so while he wasn't registered I guess he could have learned the art of animagi – turning into an animal at will that is – and he was infamous for his pranks during his school years. He can't have been a metamorphagus though, that's a rare ability so they would have put it into that history book. So if he would have wanted to put on a disguise he would either have to transfigure his face or put on a glamour."

"What's the difference?"

"Well, a transfiguration will last even if the witch or wizard was to fall asleep for example, but it wouldn't help hiding any accessories and it's fairly advanced magic. Glamours are easier to make and can hide items, but for the observant person their faces might appear to be somehow off, and if they for any reason loses consciousness the glamour would fall."

"Hmm, I see. Is there anything else I you can tell me?"

"No sir, I'm afraid not. But if I may ask, sir… why this interest in James Potter?"

"…Let's just say I met a man today. Whether he is the real deal or an imposter remains to be seen, but I rather be prepared than not. Thank you for all your help, miss Ollivander, you've been a real help."

"You're welcome, sir. I'll do anything to help you find the Generals murderer."

Roy froze and stared at her in shock. Sheska gave a tiny, shy smile.

"With all due respect, sir, I haven't seen you this this focused about anything that's not related to the murder in one way or another since that awful night. Don't worry, I won't tell anybody about it, your secrets are safe with me."

He chuckled slightly. It seemed that Sheska was more observant of her surroundings than anyone gave her credit for. Hughes must have been thrilled when he found her. "Thanks for telling me, I'll keep that in mind. Have a nice day, private."

And with that Roy headed home again to do some actual research before tonight's "date".

He still had an evaluation coming up after all, and he was as prepared as he could be for now.

A/N: You know, when I started this fic, Falman, Breda and Sheska weren't supposed to be squibs at all. They pretty much just ended up being that anyway. I did consider to make Breda a cousin of Lily instead but... that didn't feel right, so I left it as it was.