Disclaimer: Anything Fullmetal Alchemist is owned by Hiromu Arakawa and anything from the Harry Potter universe is owned by JK Rowling

*yes, I know, it's high time I include HP to the narrative.. On with the story.

With Colonel Armstrong deployed, the stacks of undone paperwork had once again started to rise to levels that one Captain Riza Hawkeye has deemed it necessary to take out her gun. Just to make sure that progress on paperwork continued.

Much to the displeasure of the Captain though, the escort of the Elric brothers arrived half an hour early and the General was more than willing to personally guide the escort to the location of the brothers.

The Captain knew this was another of the General's attempts to get away from the work, but she couldn't very well pull out a gun when an outsider was in the room. So, much to her chagrin, she let the General go out of the office, the escort trailing behind him.

"I really do apologize for this inconvenience; they tend to forget time once something has their attention." General Mustang said, turning to the people behind him as he strode in the halls of the military dorms.

"It is I who should apologize, as we are the one's who arrived earlier than expected." Was the simple reply of an old man with long silver hair.

"But still, sorry for all this trouble, Professor Dumbledore was it?" Mustang asked the old man, making sure the name he got was right.

"Yes, that is correct. Grumman told me you will be the commanding officer of the help we requested?" the man now known as Professor Dumbledore questioned.

"That would be the case Professor. Though, I have to inform you that he will be with his younger brother for the duration of this agreement." General Mustang said, making sure both parties are aware of another person being involved.

"I see. Is the younger brother aware of the nature of this assignment?" the other person, a severe woman with her graying hair in a bun asked.

"He is. I assure you, this will not be a hindrance." Stopping at a door, he turned to the Professors. With an easy smile in place, he simply said "Shall we?" and knocked at the door.

The door was answered a minute later by a young man with golden hair and amber eyes. 'This must be the younger brother.' Dumbledore thought to himself.

"Oh! I'm sorry General Mustang! I promise we are on our way!" the young man babbled. "I'll just go get Brother. Please, do come in!" he said, motioning them inside.

"Thank you, Alphonse. Now, this is Professors Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. Professors, this young lad is Alphonse Elric. He will be joining the Fullmetal Alchemist for the duration of the term."

"I see, nice to meet you Alphonse." Dumbledore said, holding out his hand, his blue eyes sporting a genial twinkle. "How are you, my boy? You seem to be rather tired today."

"I'm fine, thank you Professor. We were just unable to notice the time once we got down with the books the General gave us." Alphonse answered, taking the offered hand.

"It is nice to hear our books were able to capture your interests. Where is your older brother though?" the woman known as Minerva McGonagall asked Alphonse.

"I'm right here you know!" a voice shouted from behind the high stacks of books in one of the corners of the room. Not much can be seen yet from this person as his head is still bent over the numerous books laid before him.

"You have to pardon Fullmetal, Professors, he may be a very skilled alchemist, but his social skills are rather...short" General Mustang said as an apology to the guests, though he deliberately paused before the last word to goad a reaction from the alchemist.

And a reaction he gets.

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE CAN HIDE IN A DOT?!" The Fullmetal Alchemist shouted, charging at the General, only to be physically restrained by his younger brother.

"Brother! Please calm down! The Professors from the school are here!" Alphonse Elric told his brother, hoping he'd stop attacking the General.

"I assure you, my boy, we meant no such sentiments. Though that sounds a rather useful skill." Albus Dumbledore said, chuckling. "I believe you must be Colonel Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist?"

Edward Elric turned to face them properly. "Yeah, that's me. Edward Elric, the Fullmetal Alchemist. And you are?" he asked the professor, as if sizing him up in a fight.

"How foolish of me to forget my manners! I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." He introduced himself. Gesturing to the other professor, he said, "and this is Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and the Transfiguration Professor."

Minerva McGonagall took a good look at the Colonel, not believing her eyes. "Albus, he does not even look of age yet." She told Dumbledore a bit too loudly.

"I trust Grumman in his judgement Minerva. Though, I was hoping that the good Colonel take the teaching post for Defense this term. But we can make plans as we go along." Dumbledore told Minerva. Pulling out his watch, he addressed the Amestrians, "I believe it is almost time. We should get going before we miss our trip."

"Shall I have someone take you to the train station then?" Mustang offered the Professors.

"There is no need for the trouble General, we have taken the liberties of procuring international portkeys today." Dumbledore replied.

"I'm sorry?" Mustang clarified, acting as if he is not totally out of his depth. Maybe he should really start on the material Armstrong left regarding this so-called "Wizarding Britain".

"Damn, I was hoping we can get away with any methods of wizarding travel. None of them sounds comfortable. Or safe for that matter. You up for a portkey ride Al?" Edward grumbled to himself, the last question directed to his brother.

"I'm not entirely comfortable with the idea, Brother. But at least we won't get lost in transit. Unlike floo." Alphonse answered his brother, a resigned expression in his face.

Taking in the confused expression of the adults, Edward pointed his thumb to the stack of books and said, "You have to admit, she's thorough with the reading materials that were sent." as if that would explain everything.

An amused chuckle from Dumbledore. "It seems we can skip the bookstore today Minerva. Now, I need to speak with General Mustang here regarding some arrangements. I trust you can handle the young ones on your own?" Professor Dumbledore asked McGonagall.

"Of course Albus." McGonagall replied. Taking out a sheet of parchment, she gestured to the brothers to step closer. "This portkey will activate in about a minute and will directly take us to Diagon Alley. You only need to touch it with at least one finger. Whatever happens, don't let go."

The brothers took a deep breath and placed a finger at the parchment, waiting for the portkey to activate.

General Roy Mustang tried his best to hide his surprise as Professor McGonagall and the Elric brothers disappeared in a pop. Composing himself, he asked Dumbledore "Shall we continue this in my office Professor? I believe we have quite a number of matters to discuss."

"Yes, please. Thank you very much General. It is certainly most appreciated" Dumbledore replied, following the General's lead going back to his office.

A/N: Edit 11 July 2016

again, my thanks to all of you for all the love and support.

special thanks though to my beta, TheUltamateBlastoise for going over this foolishness.

anyways. I'm almost done with chapter 16! once my beta is done with the entirety of the manuscript, I will update the story with actual content!

love you all

juniorjay