A/N: Hello again. Surprise surprise, I'm not dead though one might think so. This chapter is probably my longest one so far and I'm not super happy with it but I have an important A/N regarding the future of this story and I know ff don't like when chapter-updates are only A/N:s.

So, as you all probably have noticed by now, this story haven't been updated since 13 July 2018, and it's 19 January 2021 now. That's a 2,5 years gap between updates. And I don't recall how big the gap between the previous two chapters were but it was big. I wish I could blame it all on this last chapter being a fucking pain to write, but the truth is that it's a bit more complicated than that. Mostly real life issues (but after the disaster called 2020, who doesn't have that?), but it's also a combination of me putting more energy into my own writing project which I hope to be able to finish this year, and me losing the enjoyment I get from HP-related stuff because of J.K. Rowling trans-phobic writing. I might be cis but I just can't ignore the damage she's causing to the community either. So yeah, I no longer buy any HP stuff or watch the movies when they're shown on the telly. I will however admit that I still read some HP-fanfictions still because: 1) Most members of the community I've met/seen are very supportive of LGBTQ+ rights etc and I still want to support them. 2) Many HP-fics cover sensitive issues a lot better than officially published works, or they cover some really interesting ideas and concepts.

So what about my own writing in the HP-fandom? Apart from some prompts on my profile I'm not gonna delete anything, and I only have plans for two short HP-crossover one-shots after this: One is more of a side fic to this one and character study in HP-enviroment, and the other one more of a writing exercise where I'm forced to write an argument where they physically can't hang up or throw punches.

But when it comes to this story I am unsure if I should continue with it or not. Don't misunderstand me, I still like this story, but not as much as I used to (especially after Rowling's bullshit) and the updates are so slow I don't feel like it's fair for you readers to be left hanging for literal years between my updates. For this reason I've decided to put a poll on my profile so you can vote on what you would prefer: For me to continue writing it however slow that might be, or to let it die and just finish it off with a summary of things I had planned to use. If you use the app you won't be able to access the poll, so you can either comment with your preference here or send me a PM (though if you send a PM via the app, please let me know in the comment cause I'm not sure if I'll be able to see it properly).

And please allow me to apologize for the text-wall the poll starts off as, it's two questions in one as this site do not permit me to put two polls at my profile at once and it doesn't allow me to put it in paragraphs. But if you've ever visited my profile/prompt collection you already know it's a lot of text there. Sorry about that. Anyway, the answers marked with LLF is about whether or not I should continue this story. Those marked HoS is if you would enjoy seeing me do a blog or site with concept art etc for my personal project with the working name Hearts of Stone. You do not need to answer both questions if you do not want to.

Edit: Many seems to have problems finding the poll so I've looked around a bit and apparently it won't show up at all on phones regardless if one uses the app or a browser. I suspect it's the same if one were to use a tablet too. I can see that some users have been able to vote so at least the desktop version seem to work, it's just hard to spot cause it just kinda melts into all the other text. But it's there, just above everything else! Thank you for pointing out the issues and voting/commenting your preferences!

So with that said, please enjoy the latest chapter!

Quick summary: Maes Hughes is James Potter with lost memories. He regains them when Envy almost kills him in the telephone booth and he recovers at Dr. Knox' place. He have so far revealed to Roy and Madam Christmas that he's alive and hinted it to Gracia. His elderly house-elf Dipsy get permission to visit Harry and she pops him over to Hughes.

Chapter twelve – Family

Harry adjusted the rolled up sleeve.

"Are you sure it's okay for med to borrow Dr. Knox' son's clothes?"

"Of course. His son is an adult now, he wouldn't fit into them anyway, and Knox isn't a very sentimental man who would be upset at old clothes being used. How do the shoes feel?"

"Oh, they're fine. Better than my old ones actually. So… are you going to tell me yet where we're going?"

"Oh, just for a stroll", his father said far too innocently. "Are you ready?"

"I guess…"

"Great; let's go!"

Anxious over what his father was planning, he put on the cap and followed the older wizard out the door. It wasn't very hard to keep track of which path they took, as James pointed out various sightings and explained their history. Harry had to admit this Amestris place was pretty odd. In most ways it reminded him of old movies from the twenties which he had caught snippets of from the telly, but then there were suddenly prosthetics which look futuristic. Especially when compared to Professor Moody's peg leg.

"Dad, how come the prosthetics are so much more advanced than everything else here?"

James jaws tightened. "There was a bigger need for that."

"But why?"

"Amestris is a military state, and is often in some kind of war. There are also many alchemists here, and when if they make a mistake in their calculations the rebounds can maim or even kill them. With so many people loosing limbs, the creation of automail was merely a time question."

"Oh… But how do they work?"

"They're connected to the nerves. A kid I know told me they don't use anesthetics during surgery because they need to be able to control all the connections right away."

Harry grimaced. "That sounds bloody painful."

"Yes, many decline the option of automail because of it. It's hard to believe he managed to recover in a single year after a double surgery when most adults would need at least three years."

"In one year? Wow. Just how old is he?"

"He was eleven back then. He's fifteen now. His brother is your age-"

"MISTER POTTER!" a light voice called out from behind and they turned around. It was a woman with short hair and modest clothing, holding a small girl in the hand. Harry instantly recognized them as his father's new family. Glancing at his father, he noticed he shone up. Had he looked at him and his mom the same way?

"Mrs. Hughes! And little Elicia too!" James said. "How nice to meet you again, how are you?"

Mrs. Hughes smiled. "We're fine, thank you", she replied and turned to Harry, smile never wavering. "I take it that you're his son?"

"Yes ma'am. I'm Harry."

"It's very nice to meet you, Harry. I hope you don't mind that we borrowed your book last night."

Harry blinked. "What?"

Mrs. Hughes let out a small chuckle. "Your father and I quite literally bumped into each other yesterday, but when he helped me pick up my groceries he accidentally dropped your old fairy tales book in my bag. Elicia fell in love with the Fountain of Fair Fortune."

James grinned. "That was Prongslet's favorite as well. It seems our children have a very good taste."

"Indeed. I guess they got it from the father."

"Oh I would rather peg it on their mothers. I was never the kids' favorite when it came to telling them, only sweet old mama would do."

Harry was wondering just what was going on, as he was quite sure something more was being said between them but without words. A small tugging on his sleeve turned his attention to the little girl who stared at him with big, curious eyes.

"Uhm, hello", he said awkwardly and knelt down. Just how do you handle little kids anyway?

Elicia tilted her head. "You look like daddy. Can you be my big brother?"

Harry's eyes widened. "Uh, I guess?" he said and his sister – Merlin he had a sister – let out a happy cheer. He could hear the adult giggling behind him as Elicia reached out her arms to him.

"Up, Brother! Up!"

Feeling slight panic he glanced towards his father and Mrs. Hughes, who both where trying to stifle their laughter. And both gave slight nods of permission. Bugger!

Gently grabbing the little girl under her arms – how fragile is she? What if he held her to hard? What if he dropped her? – he shakily lifted her close. Obviously she knew more than him because she automatically put her arms around his neck and shifted her weight, forcing him to adjust the grip before standing up. His father dramatically wiped away an imaginary tear.

"My son's a natural!"

Mrs. Hughes smiled gently. "I was planning on making quiche tonight, would you two like to join us?"

"Sure! Quiche is my favorite dish!" his father answered for them and offered his arm for Mrs. Hughes who smoothly slipped her arm in.

"Shall we go, gentlemen?"

Harry listened with half an ear as his father told Elicia tales of the Marauders while Mrs. Hughes taught Harry how to make quiche. When she heard he didn't know what quiche was she had instantly offered to teach him how to make it. Apparently it was a kind of pie, and they fell into an easy rhythm as they cooked.

"Thank you for giving me a hand, Harry", she said to him.

"You're welcome, Mrs. Hughes."

"Please, call me Gracia", she said before she continued in a whisper. "After all, I am your step-mother."

Harry could barely stop himself from snapping his head towards her, though he did stiffen.

"…How?" he whispered back. Gracia smiled softly and continued to whisk the eggs.

"It was a number of clues, and when we met again on the street Maes confirmed it."

Harry frowned. "But neither of you said anything about it."

"Not outright, no. But people who have known each other for a long time – especially married couples – tend to develop special jargon and body language that others might not even notice. I am sure you and your father will develop it too."

The young wizard pondered her words before he carefully chose his next question.

"Don't you… Don't you mind my presence? I mean…"

"Are you worried I'll feel like you've stolen him from me?"

"…Yeah."

Gracia petted Harry's hand. "Well I don't. As a matter of fact, I had the same worries when we realized Maes might have a family from before his memory-loss."

"Really?"

"M-hm. We had been married a year and a half when we connected the dots of his nightmares, but we could never find you. Until now. I have no idea how you two were re-united, but I am very happy you are. And while I understand I can never replace your mother, I would be honoured if I could be a part of your life in some way."

Harry looked up at the mild woman with big eyes. "Really? You mean it?"

"Absolutely!" she replied and finished the quiche before placing it in the oven. "And I know for a fact Elicia would be happy too, though I suspect it will be some time before we can tell her you're her real brother."

Suddenly there knocking on the door and Elicia dashed to it, crying out "Papa!" as she opened it.

"What is it, Elicia? Do we have guests…?" Gracia asked as she followed after her daughter. As she seemed to speak with what sounded like a young girl at the door, Harry saw his father fighting to not cry.

"Are you okay, dad?" Harry asked. His father took a deep breath and nodded.

"Yes, I'm fine."

"…and I was so sad when I read the paper- Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had visitors."

In the doorway to the kitchen was a blond girl about his age with blue eyes.

"Don't worry about it. The more the merrier, right?" said Gracia which caused the girl to sob.

"Yes…"

"Well, how about some introductions. Winry, this is Mr. James Potter and his son, Harry. Gentlemen, this is miss Winry Rockbell."

James got up and shook the girl's hand. "Well it is very nice to meet you, miss Rockbell! A real pleasure!" he said and Harry quietly followed his example. The girl forced out a polite smile despite her tears.

"It's nice to meet you too."

Harry's father frowned and gently wiped away a tear from her cheek. "Hey, what's the matter?" he asked softly and she sniffled.

"I'm sorry, you just reminded me of someone I used to know. I discovered today that he was murdered…" she answered and held up the newspaper. James frown deepened and he grabbed the paper. Harry could see his eyes moving rapidly over the page, his posture going stiffer and stiffer and his knuckles getting white as the crumpled the paper.

"No no no, she's not the one who shot me", he muttered frantically, "it was a shape-shifter! She's being framed. Wouldn't surprise me if they skip the trial completely and execute her before nightfall. Damn it, I need to go save her! Harry, do you have your wand?"

"Uhm, no it's actually still under my pillow at Hogwarts."

"Alright. Dipsy!"

CRACK!

"Master Maes called?"

"Dipsy, I need you to fetch Harry's wand for him and then be prepared to aid me. I need to go out and find Roy. Harry, I need you to stay here with Gracia even if it means you'll have to sleep here. Things might get dangerous out there tonight, so stay indoors but do not be afraid to use magic if you need to. The trace won't be an issue this far away from England anyway. Oh and Miss Rockbell, I'd prefer if you didn't leave the house either, you can borrow the phone and call the Elric brothers if you want to. I will probably be late, don't stay up for me."

Quickly kissing Gracia on the cheek, Harry and Elicia on the tops of their heads and giving Winry a pat on the shoulder he grabbed his jacket and was out the door. For a few moments none of them moved or said anything, but they were snapped out of the spell by Dipsy apparating away. Gracia cupped her cheek where James had kissed her. "Oh dear, I think he forgot he's undercover for a moment."

Winry looked like she wanted to ask fifty questions at the same time, while Elicia just looked at her mother. "Mama, why do papa look different?"

"Oh, honey, how should I explain this..."

Harry could almost see little cogwheels turn in her head as she tried to understand, so he sat down cross-legged in front of his sister.

"Elicia, you know how everybody thought dad was dead, right?"

"Uh-huh."

"And do you know why?"

She shook her head and Harry awkwardly scratched his head. "Okay, so… Uhm... Well, there were some bad guys who were really, really angry at dad."

"Like, super angry?"

"Super duper angry. So they hurt him because they wanted him buried. And they don't know dad isn't dead."

"Why not?"

"Because dad is pretending to be a different person."

"Like when we play tea?"

"Just like that. But the bad guys don't know they are the same person. But if they find out, they will hurt him again, so we must be reeeally careful to not let them know."

"Like a secret?"

"The biggest secret. It's a secret to everybody. Can you keep that secret, Elicia?"

"Uh-huh! Pinkie promise!" she said and held out her pinkie for him. Harry chuckled and hooked his pinkie with hers.

"Pinkie promise."

Just then Dipsy returned with a crack and handed Harry his wand in a brand new holster and a small rectangular case.

"Here's your wand, Young Master Harry. Dipsy discovered yous did not have a proper holster, so Dipsy took a trip to Ollivander to acquire one and a polishing kit."

"Oh, thank you Dipsy."

"PINKIE PROMISE!" Elicia suddenly cried out and held out her pinky to Dipsy as well, not at all bothered by the obviously-not-human appearing out of nowhere.

Dipsy tilted her head in confusion but none the less accepted the gesture. "Of course little Mistress, but what is Dipsy promising?"

"That's a secret!"

In the end, Elicia made every one of them to pinkie promise before she allowed them to settle down in the living room, where she soon fell asleep in her mother's lap.

"It- it really was Mr. Hughes. I'm so glad he's alive." Winry said and wiped her eyes before glancing at Dipsy who put tea on the table for them. "Although… what are you?"

"Dipsy is a house elf, little miss! Now Dipsy is being called, but I'm sure young Master Harry can answer your questions."

And with another crack the elf was gone again. Both Winry and Gracia looked curiously at Harry who shrugged.

"House elves are creatures that are bonded with wizarding families. Dipsy told me it's to stabilize their magic and that they in return serve us."

The women glanced at each other.

"I think you need to explain this magic thing from the beginning, Harry", Gracia said slowly.

Harry glanced at Winry before releasing a sigh. "Well, I guess the kneazle is already out of the bag… Magic is real, and dad and I are wizards."

"Wait, do you mean Mr. Hughes really is your dad?"

The boy blinked, surprised over which part she focused on.

"Uhm, yeah. That's a bit of a complicated story though…"

"Harry dear, if you don't mind I would very much like to hear it. We never knew how Maes lost his memories and I have a feeling your story is connected to that."

"Err, you could say that. Well, I guess the easiest part to start with is about Hogwarts and the Wizarding World…"

As Harry explained about magic, his school, the statue of secrecy and anything else he could think of Winry and Gracia both listened with rapt attention. Their faces filled with feelings raging from wonder to sad and angry. And when he began to explain about Voldemort, his followers and the attack on his family Gracia looked heartbroken and Winry right down murderous. Harry was fairly sure she would have gotten up and started to rant if Elicia hadn't been sleeping in her mother's lap.

Eventually Gracia hummed. "I still don't understand how Maes ended up here, though."

Harry shrugged and stood up to get the quiche from the oven. "To be honest I don't know how it happened either. I just know that when Voldemort came to our house mom tried to barricade the two of us in my room while dad tried to fend him off. Whatever happened in that duel resulted in dad ending up here but without his memories."

"I see. Well I am glad you survived as well Harry, you are a fine young man and I am sure your mother would be very proud of you."

Blushing Harry mumbled his thanks and went to the kitchen. As he pulled the pie from the oven he noticed Winry had followed him and was currently setting the table.

"Soo… can you show us some magic? Mr. Hu- ah, Potter did say you could do some."

"After dinner, perhaps", Gracia gently interrupted and placed a newly awoken Elicia in her chair. "Quiche will always taste better warm."

In the end, Harry's demonstrations were some basic first year material: Match to needle, levitations and some dancing fruit. Just as he was about to move on to second year stuff a startling crack behind him made him spin around, spotting his father and a short-haired woman, who instantly fell on her knees and threw up.

"Scourgify", James incanted and with a flick of his wand the vomit disappeared. When the woman looked up Winry gasped.

"Lieutenant Ross!"

Breath hitching the woman – Ross – looked at them and shakenly raised her hands. "Miss Rockbell! Mrs. Hughes! I- I can explain-!"

"I'm sure you can, Maria", Gracia interrupted gently. "But I think it's safe to say you're innocent, or James wouldn't have brought you here."

The lieutenant visibly relaxed. "I... thank you. So you know each other?"

James chuckled and answered her.

"You could say that. Hey, how about some coffee while we explain everything?"

"Tea", Gracia objected and shifted the squirming toddler in her arms. "It's late and Elicia isn't the only one who needs to sleep tonight, mister."

"Yes dear", James grinned bashfully. Harry noticed a miniscule narrowing of the lieutenant's eyes accompanying her frown.

"Just how well do you know each other?"

In lieu of answering, James just nodded towards the living room and with a flick of his wand cups and a freshly filled kettle followed him. The woman stiffened up.

"Alchemy shouldn't be able to do this", she whispered and stiffly sat down in an armchair while the rest of them occupied the sofas.

Laughing James prepared the tea – and only asking Harry and Winry how they preferred theirs which visibly disturbed the soldier when he put in just the right amount of sugar in her cup. Gracia sighed.

"Please don't tease your subordinate, honey."

Ross glared at James. "I was not aware I had an unknown civilian as a superior, sir."

"Well I can't really say I'm your superior anymore. What use are ranks to dead people anyway, Miss Ross? Finite Incantatem."

For a long moment the woman just stared at him as his disguise faded away, then she sprung up in a salute.

"General Hughes, sir! I apologise for not recognizing you."

James got up on his feet as well and saluted her back. "At ease, Lieutenant. I rather take your lack of recognition as a good sign."

"Thank you sir. However, I must still apologize in advance for my action."

His father blinked. "Wha-"

They all winced at the hard slap she delivered.

"We thought you were dead!" she hissed at him. "Why the hell haven't you come back? Can't you trust us?"

Muttering something about friends and hitting, James rubbed his cheek before speaking up. "You I can trust, but the military? Not a chance."

"Sir, what do you mean?"

James picked up Elicia who had been reaching for him before he answered in a too collected voice. "Do you remember the secret behind Laboratory 5?"

Harry wondered why she suddenly looked ill. "Unfortunately, yes. Why?"

"What if I told you that was only small scale? A preparation to repeat the event on a scale of Amestris?"

"The scale of- Sir, you cannot be serious! The entire population would-!"

"Exactly. I won't go into details now, but Amestris was created for this sole purpose. I discovered their secret which is why they tried to kill me, and you were the perfect scapegoat. That it also eliminated a person who knew of Laboratory 5 was probably a bonus. We've still got some time left, at least until they stage a battle at Fort Briggs."

Ross looked ready to vomit again, but then a hard glint appeared in her eyes and she straightened up.

"What can I do, sir?"

"At the moment? Nothing. You need to lay low, as must I. Roy and I are working on a plan, but it will take time. I would however like your help in England with another matter."

"Sir?"

"I need you to investigate who put Harry's name in the Goblet of Fire."

"Goblet of Fire?"

"Dad? Are you talking about the tournament?"

"Among other things."

"Dad? Tournament? General Hughes, sir, what's going on here?"

"Please call me James while we're still in Amestris miss Ross, and Harry here is my son from before I lost my memories. And in order to explain the tournament... do you believe in magic?"

What followed was yet another long explanation of magic and how he had been forced to enter the dangerous competition. Just as James was about to explain how he was planning to get Maria past the anti-muggle wards he was interrupted by the phone ringing. Frowning Gracia got up and answered, the rest of the company leaning forward to eavesdrop.

"Hughes resident. Oh, hello Edward, how do you do? Oh that's good. Yes, both me and Elicia are fine. Yes she is here, would you like to speak with her? Oh? I see, that's fine. Yes, that is the correct address. Alright, I'll see you in a bit. Take care, dear."

"Are Ed and Al coming here, Mrs. Hughes?" Winry asked as Gracia sat down again and she nodded.

"Yes. They discovered you and the news-paper was missing and suspected you were here. The hotel they're staying at had a phone-book so they just wanted to confirm you were still here so they could come and pick you up. They also wanted to talk me about something."

"About what?"

"I have no idea, but he sounded rather upset."

"That doesn't surprise me", the lieutenant stated. At their confused looks she shrugged helplessly and elaborated. "Just before I ran into Colonel Mustang I encountered the brothers. That guy from Labratory 5 who helped me escape distracted them but I'm positive they managed to get past him. And if the Colonel burned the fake corpse before they got there it must've shaken them up."

James' face twisted. "Yeah I can see how that would traumatize them. However I'm not sure we should tell them-"

"Why not?" interjected Winry harsly. "They deserve to know! I don't know what this Labratory 5 business is, but if you two were nearly killed because of it and they know why, they sure as hell are going to take the blame for that!"

"Miss Rockbell, it might be for-"

"For the best? Is that what you're going to say? 'Cause it sure isn't the best for them!"

She was standing now, fists shaking by her side and tears streaming down her face. Harry was certain the only reason she wasn't screaming was because of Elicia and the neighbours. When she continued, it was in a hoarse whisper.

"And if you don't tell them, I will."

Harry's father sighed and scrathed his neck. "Very well, though we should probably still break it to them slowly. And I better put up some silencing wards. Harry, Lieutenant Ross, I think we better hide in another room when the boys arrive."

With a few flicks of his father's wand any trace of additional guest were removed, and Harry, his father and Lieutenant "call me Maria" Ross went to hide in his father's old study – door slightly open so they could hear what was going on.

Harry wasn't sure how long they we're waiting – Maria sitting stiff in the chair, his father lurking by the door and himself viewing the family photos on the wall for the third time – but eventually they heard the tell-tale sound of timid knocking, followed by muted voices and shuffling and... clanking? It sounded suspiciously similar to the moving armours of Hogwarts.

As they listened to the brothers' low and mournful voices, Harry shifted uncomfortably. He hadn't realized how personal their conversation would be, if he had he would have hidden in Elicia's room instead. Glancing at his father, he saw his jaw clenching and how the wet eyes stared unseeing at the ceiling. Maria Ross was hunched over, face buried in her hands.

"Mrs. Hughes, we're so sorry... Because of us, your husband died... we're so, so sorry..."

"Don't apologize, it was not your fault. Maes did he though was right and he would do it again in a heartbeat, over and over no matter how many times people tries to kill him. It's just who he is."

"But... if we hadn't... if we only-"

Clearly unable to take it anymore, James stepped out from the room and interrupted them.

"Then you wouldn't have discovered the truth. I am glad I got to help you two."

Harry peeked out and saw the two guests – someone in armour who had to be Alphonse Elric and a kid in black with blond braided hair who had to be the elder brother Edward – staring at his father, the kid pale and with slack jaw. James gave a weak chuckle.

"You look worn out, Edward. You need to sleep properly."

The boy's face suddenly twisted in a snarl and before Harry could react he had jumped over the backrest and slammed his father into the wall, a blade pointed at his throat.

"Who the hell are you?" he growled. Harry dashed out and tore him away.

"GET THE BLOODY HELL OFF MY DAD!"

Edward looked startled for a second before his eyes narrowed again but before he could take one step a wrench came flying like a bludger, hitting the blond in the head and making the armoured one squeak.

"Damnit, Ed!" Winry snapped, fists on hips. "Why do you always have to be so rash about stuff? And stop transmuting my automail!"

"ARGH! Why the hell to you keep throwing wrenches at me, woman?!"

"ENOUGH!" Gracia barked as Elicia started to bawl and they all flinched.

Nobody moved as she soothed the little girl, but eventually she exhausted herself into a fitful sleep, small hiccups lingering. With a sigh Gracia leaned back in the armchair and spoke up again.

"Well breaking it slowly didn't work well, so why don't we all sit down and talk? You too, Maria."

Edward paled when he spotted the Lieutenant and she squeezed his shoulder as she passed. Once everybody had settled down around the small table – Winry and the brothers on the couch, Gracia and Elicia in one armchair with Harry in the other while his father and Maria had grabbed chairs from the dining room – Alphonse gently spoke up, with a higher than expected voice.

"So... you two are really alive, aren't you?"

"We are, Al", Maria confirmed.

"But how?" Edward questioned, posture stiff and eyes narrow. "Autopsy is a standard procedure, and I know Colonel Bastard isn't authorized to access the necessary files to fake the dental prints."

"It was a mix of alchemy, magic and help from Dr. Knox", James supplied. Both brothers turned to him.

"Magic's not real", they chorused.

"Oh but it is. Look here: Finite Incantatem."

The brothers visibly startled as James pointed his wand at Harry's hair, making it go back to its natural dark again, and before Harry could react they had swamped him, gently tugging at his locks and examining his hair in astonishment. The young wizard couldn't help but freeze in shock – it was like Diagon Alley all over again but for a different reason!

"There's no sign of any dye, Brother."

"I know, and there's no indication of other substances either. Have the properties in the hair been changed in a molecular level? Damn, where's a microscope when you need one?! I need to check for transmutation marks!"

"Ed! Language!"

"Whatever. Hmm... Finite – end, incantatem – enchantment..." Ed mumbled as he gave Harry's hair a tug. "End enchantment? Seriously? What kind of bullshit is this?"

"That 'bullshit' is my hair", Harry grumbled and slapped away their hands.

"Alright boys, I think it's time for some proper introductions. Harry, this is Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist, and this is his younger brother Alphonse Elric. Ed, Al, this is my son, Harry Potter."

Ed scrunched up his face. "No offense, Hughes, but I remember you shoving your family pictures up my face and Harry there wasn't on them."

"I'm not surprised Ed, I don't think anybody remembered to tell you our dear general here was an amnesiac since everybody else knew", Maria filled in and the Elric brothers stared at each other for just a second before turning back to her and James.

"Uhm... could we take this from the beginning, maybe...?"

And so the brothers were also filled in about how the General and the Lieutenant had survived and magic. Gracia left early on to put Elicia to bed, and by the time they were finished the brothers seemed to accept there was something akin to magic even though they refused to believe in magic itself no matter what they were shown.

The blond boy leaned back and crossed his arms with a huff.

"So now what?"

"Well, obviously you two need to pretend Maria and I really are dead", said James. "So act like you're still mad at Roy and lie low for a bit while we smuggle her out of the country. Once we have more information we'll see what the plan is."

Harry's father stood up with a yawn and stretched.

"Anyway, I think it's time for bed for all of us. Though I'm not too thrilled about letting you go alone this time of the night so why don't you three boys share one guestroom and you two ladies take the other?"

A/N: So that's it for this chapter. Thank you all for reading and for all the kind words you've given me!

Please let me know in the poll or the comments on what you think I should do with this story. Should I continue or should I let it die?

Thank you!