Authors note: I am so sorry everyone for taking so long. Thank you all for waiting. I have just recently moved with my family from Northwestern Ontario to Prince Edward Island and it is beautiful here (except for the mosquitoes). Because of the move and looking for a new job I haven't had a chance to write and this chapter gave me so much grief. I kept getting stuck and I kept rewriting because I wasn't happy with what came out. I'm still not quite satisfied with it but this is the best it's gonna get. Thank you to everyone who favorite my story.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Fullmetal Alchemist.

Chapter 4: Meeting the Order

Over the next week Edward spent his time confined to his room or the library, looking over Hohemheim's notes and reading as many magical theory books he could get his hands on. On the rare occasion he would eat in the great hall, he kept his nose in a book throughout the meal and only spoke to the other professors when directly addressed. Professor Dumbledore had to admire the boy for his dedication and unwavering focus. He was pleasantly surprised when Madam Pince had informed him that the golden eyed man had already read all the standard schoolbooks up to third year. He doubted that even Miss Granger could read that much in only a week.

At the end of the week Dumbledore approached the boy in the library. "Edward?" Dumbledore called. The young man standing by a bookshelf with his nose in yet another book grunted a reply. "Tonight I would like to take you to the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix so you can meet the other members." Ed nodded his head, not appearing to have listened to a word spoken. The headmaster was about to try again when Ed spoke up.

"What is the overall goal of this so called order and how many members do you have?"

Momentarily surprised that the boy was really listening Dumbledore replied, "The goal of the order is to prevent Voldemort from regaining his former power and to prevent him and his followers from taking over the wizarding world, as well as convince the wizarding population that Voldemort is back. As for our members we currently have about thirty."

Edward frowned but did not look up from his book. "That's not many. How many have combat training?

"We currently have two Aurors; those are what we call our law enforcement, one retired Auror, and a few others that have been trained in combat."

Edward's frown deepened even more. "You made an organization to fight this nutcase and most of your members can't even fight? That is one of the dumbest things I have ever heard." He finally looked up from his book and gave the old man a full out glair. "Are you just senile or do you people really think that you can solve all your problems just by waving your magic wands?"

Dumbledore frowned, "I know very well that magic can't be used to solve everything, especially in these circumstances. Unfortunately it is very true that many of the magical community have forgotten this fact. When they come across a problem that can't be solved by a simple spell or wand wave they don't know what to do and panic, hoping that the problem will either solve itself or that someone will solve it for them. That is how Voldemort was able to rise to power so quickly and devastatingly during the last war."

Dumbledore closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "Another unfortunate truth is that very few have learned this lesson after the first war ended. Right now the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge refuses to take the initiative, instead choosing to ignore the problem and hope that it will go away. That is why we currently have so few members because Fudge is cracking down on anyone who tries to convince the populace of Voldemort's return."

Edward observed him for a moment before heaving a sigh of his own. "I really don't want to get involved in another war, especially one that has absolutely nothing to do with me. I really want to say you guys made the problem so fix it yourselves, but its equivalent exchange. You will give me access to research materials and help me get home, and I'll teach a bunch of brats' alchemy. So whether I like it or not I am involved."

Dumbledore nodded solemnly and exited the library. Edward watched him until he was out of sight then slumped down in a nearby chair with his arm thrown over his eyes. What a mess. They seriously think they can fight a war with such small numbers. Ed brought his arm down and pinched the bridge of his nose. For a week he had been studying magic non-stop, and all he got from it was confusion and frustration which pissed him off. There was no logic to magic. It could do so many impossible things but there was no practical use for much of it. Why would anyone want to turn a teapot into a tortoise or make a pineapple dance anyway?

He understood what most of the main branches of magic were about. Charms gave properties to objects that didn't already exist for that object such as the ability to levitate. Divination was about predicting the future, which was utter nonsense. Curses and jinxes were spells meant to intentionally cause harm to another person. Potions was the subject that he understood best. It was basically mixing different ingredients that just happened to have magical properties together, which gave the product a magical result. Without the magic it was very similar to alchemy.

Transfiguration was the subject that gave him the most grief. At first it seemed to be just like alchemy because it changed one object into something else but that is where the similarities end. Alchemy broke down the material then reformed it into a new shape. Transfiguration completely altered the materials molecular structure which should not be possible. Also, turning an inorganic object into another inorganic object was one thing but turning an inorganic object into an organic object such as an animal or even the other way around was outrageous.

The fact that these people could seemingly create life from nothing, even if it was only temporary and think nothing of it really pissed him off. It was only the fact that most transfigurations were not permanent which prevented him from flying into a frustrated rage. Angry as he was, Edward was determined to make some sense of this and had hopped that the more advanced texts would shed some more light on how magic actually worked.

That evening, Dumbledore brought Ed into his office and instructed him on how to reach the headquarters. "Let me get this straight old man. You people can travel by sticking your head in a fireplace? Now that is most definitely the dumbest thing I have ever heard. Don't you people fly around on brooms or something or better can't we go by car or train?

"Well Edward we do indeed fly on brooms but it is not necessarily the fastest or most comfortable way to travel especially across long distances. They are more often used in sporting events, which you will most likely see during the school year. We rarely use cars and taking the train would take too long. This way is faster and safer than side-along apparition would be."

"What's apparition?"

"I shall explain that another time but for now shall we go Edward?" Edward stared at the old man in disbelief and gave his head a shake. Even if I do manage to get home I wonder if I will have any sanity left. He took the glittering powder from the bowl proffered by the headmaster. He threw it into the fire causing the flame to turn emerald green.

"Now Edward, step into the flames and announce very clearly 'Number 12 Grimmauld Place." The blond was nervous and sceptical but did what he was told. Suddenly he felt as though he was being sucked feet-first down a long narrow corridor, while being spun around and around by heatless green flames. Feeling sick he scrunched his eyes closed and held perfectly still, praying that it would be over soon. Abruptly he came to a stop and pitched forward out of the fireplace, landing hard on the cold, stone floor. He groaned but lay still until his stomach returned to its normal state.

"You must be Mister Elric. Allow me to help you up young man." Ed looked to see a balding redheaded man with his right hand outstretched. Edward raised his left hand and grasped the older man's wrist and used it to pull himself up. A look of surprise flickered on the red heads face but he quickly composed himself and introduced himself as Mr. Weasley. Edward gave a nod of acknowledgement and took in his surroundings. He appeared to be in a large stone kitchen with a large wooden table in the centre.

He stiffened briefly in alarm when Dumbledore, who had just exited the fireplace, rested his hand on his shoulder. "Let's go upstairs to meet the rest of the order." They trudged up the stairs into a gloomy hallway. Ed raised an eyebrow at the curtains that seemed to be covering up a portrait but did not pay it much mind. They entered a large dining room where a strange assortment of people were sitting around the table.

Ed gave them all an appraising look. He recognized Snape and McGonagall near the head of the table who nodded to him in acknowledgement. He noted a rather gaunt faced man with long black hair sitting at the opposite end of the table. This must be the one they call Sirius Black. To Black's right was a tired looking man with greying hair and to his left a dark skinned man who observed him with curiosity. Mr. Weasley sat down in between a plump woman and a younger man who both shared his flaming red hair.

The last two people in the room where the strangest looking. A young woman with bright bubble-gum pink hair smiled cheekily at him and gave a little wave, knocking over a candlestick which she set back upright with a blush. The scarred man next to her had the strangest appearance of them all with a great chunk missing from his nose and a whizzing, electric blue eye. The scarred man glowered at Ed and scrutinized him carefully, his blue eye lingering on Edward's automail arm and leg.

The scarred man spoke in a low growl, "so this is the son of Flamel that you told us about Albus? How can you be so sure that this brat is trustworthy, especially in the suspicious manner he arrived in? He could be a spy for the enemy." Edward glared at the scarred man for the brat comment.

"Don't worry so much Alastor," said Dumbledore sitting down at the head of the table. "He was completely unaware of the wizarding world until I filled him in so it is quite impossible for him to be a Death Eater. Also he is the son of my old friend Nicholas, so Mr. Elric has my trust." Edward rolled his eyes at the old man's naiveté. He would never put that much trust in a complete stranger just like that. "Now then Edward, let me introduce you to the members of the Order of the Phoenix." Dumbledore introduced Edward to each member in turn. Not knowing how he should great these people Ed just nodded to them.

After introductions, the red headed woman, presented as Molly Weasley spoke up. "Albus you can't seriously let a child become a member of the order. He could get hurt or worse." Edward gave Mrs. Weasley a very nasty look but she continued. "Honestly this is very irresponsible, a child has no place in fighting a war. He would not be able to handle-"

Edward slammed his hands down hard on the table, silencing the agitated woman and bringing all attention to him. "What makes you think that I would not be able to handle it?" He said quietly. "Because of my age? I may be young but I gave up being a child when I joined the military at twelve, knowing full well that anytime I could be called out to kill or be killed." Mrs. Weasley opened her mouth to scold him but he cut her off. "As for the danger, I have been in more life threatening situations then you can imagine. I have faced serial killers, terrorists, and monsters and I have the scars to prove it. I have seen many people die before my very eyes and I have even taken lives. I have already seen some of the worst of humanity so do not brush me off as some child when you know nothing of what I have been through."

The members of the order all gaped at him dumbfounded. Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I understand your concerns Molly but I am confident in Edward's abilities and Edward will be remaining at Hogwarts as a teacher and to watch out for Harry so he will not be directly involved in the war. He will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts."

Edward snorted. "Yeah right, not after what I have heard has gone on at your school." All the adults did not know how to respond to this and an awkward silence permeated the room.

Finally the tired man named Remus Lupin broke the silence, "why don't you take a seat Edward and let us all get on with the meeting?" Ed grunted but complied, unceremoniously plunking himself down in a chair next to Snape. The adults stared at their newest member, unsure on how to proceed.

Mr. Weasley finally got the courage to speak up, "so Edward, Albus said that you are a muggle and yet you can perform alchemy. I thought alchemy was an obscure brand of magic?"

Ed shut his eyes and counted to five. If wizards were going to ask the same question over and over again, he would have to work extra hard not to blow up in frustration. "For your information alchemy is not magic it is science. I will admit that to the uneducated alchemy may appear almost magical or even like a miracle but unlike magic, alchemy follows the natural laws of the universe. It also can be used be used by anyone who works hard enough unlike magic which is inherited through genetics."

All Mr. Weasley could do was sit there and blink. "I-I see," he said hesitantly. Edward rolled his eyes at how clueless the adults all looked. The only person who appeared to have understood his answer at all was Dumbledore.

Mrs. Weasley once again tried to protest Edward's participation. "Surely your parents would not agree to you getting involved in something so dangerous?"

Edward snorted, "I wouldn't know since they have both been dead for years and one of them left when I was a kid so he really wouldn't get a say. As I said before, I have been in more dangerous situations then most would in their lifetimes. And since I am technically an adult by your standards and you are not my mother you have no right to judge my decisions. There was another awkward silence.

The scared man Mad-eye Moody, hadn't stopped scowling at the young man since he sat down. His electric blue eye continuously looked the boy up and down. "How did you lose your limbs boy?" he growled unexpectedly. Edward stiffened while the rest of the adults, sans Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape all stared at Moody confused.

"What are you talking about Mad-eye?" asked Tonks.

"I mean his arm and leg are fake. Pretty impressive looking and much more advanced that what we have or what muggle have from what I can tell." The adults all looked to the blond teen for clarification. He sighed and pulled up his right sleeve where everyone at the table could clearly see the metal sheen of his prosthetic. The majority of them gasped in horror, almost unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

Finally Mrs. Weasley spoke up. "Oh you poor dear, how in the world did this happen."

Edward scowled at the nosy woman as he tugged his sleeve back down. "I don't need your pity. Let's just say happened many years ago and it was due solely because of my own mistakes and that is all I will say on the matter." Both Mrs. Weasley and Moody had looks of disappointment on their faces. Molly's was due to the boy's outright hostility and Moody's was for the vague answer they were given for their questions.

Mr. Weasley's eyes were shining like an excited child. "That is so fascinating. What is it called? How does it work? What is it made of? Can you move it like a real arm?" Edward was taken aback by the man's enthusiastic manner while Molly sighed at her husband's antics.

"They are called automail which is a short term for automotive armoured prosthesis. They're made out of a steel skeletal frame with steel plaiting to protect the wiring and other delicate machinery. The electric motors and pneumatic actuators inside, which convert energy into mechanical motion, are what allows the limb to move and give it's more natural means of motion."

Mr. Weasley frowned in puzzlement. "I thought that eckeltricity came from plugs and batteries which I have an extensive collection of. Does your arm have a battery inside that makes it move?"

Edward stared at the red haired man for a moment before slapping a hand over his face. "First it is e-lec-tri-city, if you are going to say it then say it right. Second, despite my arm being gone my brain is still sending signals to where it should be so my automail is powered by the electrical pulses sent through my nerves."

"Are you saying we have erectracity in our brains? That's impossible. How come it doesn't fry us?" Questioned Mr. Weasley. Everyone jumped when Edward's head slammed into the table.

The people sitting closest to him could hear him muttering under his breath, "Hohemheim said in his notes that wizards were ignorant of a lot of things but these idiots don't even know basic anatomy. If the adults are this clueless how bad are their kids?"

Most of the adults were rather miffed at this this, but to everyone's surprise Moody let out a loud snort. "Sounds much more useful than this wooden leg I have. How difficult is it to get one of those things?"

Ed lifted his head. "For one thing they are really expensive and they do require a lot of maintenance. Especially when you live a life as rough as mine. Also the operation is painful enough to make grown men bawl like babies since you need to be fully aware when the nerves are connected. Not to mention rehabilitation takes three years at least."

Moody grunted "Too bad," he said. "Although why would a brat like you go so far when simpler limbs would do?"

Ed scowled at the scarred man. "I needed automail in order to protect my little brother. I was eleven and had both my limbs operated on at the same time but I didn't care about the pain. I even finished the rehabilitation in one year, pushing my limits to the point where I vomited blood, but all that mattered was helping Alphonse."

Dumbledore smiled while the rest of the adults gawked at the young man. He is continuously surprising us, the old man mused. Such strength of will and nobility from someone so young. He stood up and all eyes turned to him. "I think that is enough for one night. In two days Edward will have to appear before the ministry in order to secure his position as a professor so in the meantime we will have to provide a proper cover story. For now Edward let us return to the castle."

Edward sighed in relief that the meeting was finally over. He followed Dumbledore, Snape, and McGonagall out of the room, trying his best to ignore the stares that followed him from the rest of the order.

Harry was frustrated, once again he and the rest of his friends were left out of the order meeting. The only thing he knew for sure was that the order was supposedly getting a new member. It was all the adults could talk about, and even though they tried to keep quiet about it, the whispers eventually found their way into the ears of the curious teens; extendible ears to be precise. He was currently hiding on the second floor landing at the top of the stairs hoping for a glance at this new member. The rest of the teens did not want to risk getting caught or thought that it wasn't such a big deal.

He became lost in thought, trying to imagine what this new member must be like to have the adults be making such a fuss. Is the reason why they are so excited simply because they rarely get new members or is there something particularly special about this one? Harry thought to himself. He became so distracted by his contemplation that he missed the door opening and did not notice Dumbledore walk out and head downstairs. He finally jolted out of his musing when he heard Mrs. Weasley bid Professor McGonagall goodnight. Harry peered down the stairs and caught a glimpse of Snape stalking down the hall towards the front door. McGonagall was by the dining room door with Lupin and Mrs. Weasley.

Finally the black-haired teen spotted someone new. A boy with golden hair and a blood red coat stood at the bottom of the stairs. He couldn't be any older then sixteen or seventeen, then why was he at the meeting? He couldn't possibly be the new member. Suddenly the boy looked up and golden eyes locked with Harry's green ones. The bespectacled teen felt uneasy as those golden eyes seemed to carefully analyze him. The mysterious boy's eyes narrowed and he gave an unimpressed frown before finally turning away and disappearing down the stairs to the basement.

Harry could only crouch on the landing, frozen in confusion. Who was that strange boy? Why was he in the order meeting? And what was he thinking about as he had stared at Harry with those fierce golden eyes?

Note: This chapter was a nightmare. Let us all hope that it won't take another year for me to complete the next one. At least I've already got the gist of it planned out. Reviews and constructive criticisms are always welcome. Now it is just about midnight here so goodnight everybody.