I do not own FMA:B or Harry Potter

Sitting at her desk, Aria engraved small Alchemy runes onto the metal in her hand with practiced ease. The bandages wrapped around her stomach felt strange but she was too engrossed in her work to pay attention to them. With the two Philosopher Stone's Greed had given to her within reach she had finally decided to work on creating a piece of jewelry with the stones. Thus she was working on a silver locket to place the stones in; well one of them at least. The locket itself was in the shape of a snowflake; however, she wasn't drawing her Alchemy circle on the outside.

Most Alchemists would have wanted the circle on the outside as a mark of pride; her's was on the inside of the front half of the locket. It was the strongest Transmutation Circle she knew and her trump card. The second half was where the small stone would sit embedded in the metal. No one would be able to see it because it was on the inside; they would all believe she wasn't a threat if they took her hands out of the equation. The second stone was going to be embedded in a simple metal anklet that fit under her boots. It would be hidden as well.

She was happy with her two decisions; even if Greed was downstairs talking to Envy. Well, it was likely he was done by now since Envy had stopped screaming a few minutes ago much to her relief. She didn't like the sound. Humming softly she didn't notice Kimblee entering the room nor did he announce his presence. Walking over to stand beside her he looked down at the pendant with a critical eye. Clicking his tongue to get her attention, he picked up the pencil and drew a rune on her sketchbook.

"If you use this rune it would be stronger," he told her. The circle she was making would be powerful but it wasn't the strongest combination he'd found. If she replaced a few of the more balanced sections with more powerful attack runes, she would be less likely to be defeated.

"Wouldn't it make it unbalanced," she asked after considering it for a moment.

"No. I assume this is going to be your trump card. Make it as powerful as possible."

Nodding in agreement, she looked down at the circle for a moment. It was true that Kimblee had more experience than her, but could she trust him to help her? She had no idea of his motives and if she allowed this then it was possible he might do more damage than good. He could tell her false information or sabotage her circle. Issac had always told her to think very carefully about who she trusted with teaching her Alchemy. That being said, Issac had trusted Kimblee too and he'd given her no reason to doubt him.

He was right too that she needed to make her trump card as powerful as possible. Right now it was an amplified Water Alchemy circle, that she could use to control the Philosopher Stone. If she did what he suggested it was true the attack power would be amplified but she was almost all the way done. Changing one thing would mean changing everything. Sighing she laid down the metal piece.

"Should I start over then," she asked softly. She'd spent hours on this; it seemed a shame to start all over. Seeing her indecision, he sighed, if he was going to give the girl advice his pride called him to actually put effort into it.

"I'll help you this time," he promised. Brightening she nodded before using Alchemy to fill in the runes she'd engraved. Watching him pick up her sketchbook she reminded herself that she would need a new one soon before watching him begin to sketch a Transmutation Circle.

It was two hours later when Aria realized they'd moved to the floor. Sitting on a pillow she worked at the small table she'd made as Kimblee watched her every move. The situation had the same feel as when she first started learning with Issac watching her instead. Copying the circle he'd drawn, she wondered if he was starting to get bored with watching her. This couldn't possibly be entertaining for him, however, she felt better with someone supervising. Finishing off the circle, she handed him the metal for inspection despite knowing it was perfect; the amusement on his face when she did so was easy to see.

Getting started on the second half while he looked over her work, she found it much easier to use Alchemy to shift the silver around to hold the stone in place. The second half was the part connected to the thin yet strong chain of tungsten she'd created. Now all she had to do was create her anklet and she would be all done. Of course, that would be easier than making the pendant. Then she could spend her time decorating the outside of the first half. Nodding slightly at her plan she picked up the other ball of silver she'd created before using her alchemy to change its shape.

Within seconds the silver had surged around the second stone hiding it completely before forming a simple anklet. Picking it up she studied it for a moment before nodding slowly; it would work as a last resort. Shifting she put it aside before turning her attention back to Kimblee who's lips had tilted into a smirk. Taking back the first half of the pendant she picked up her engraving tool and began adding small artistic swirls to the outside. Now that she was done with the Alchemy Circle she fully expected him to leave, instead, he rested his hand on the table and relaxed.

With her being finished with inscribing the circle, he didn't have to worry about her blowing herself up. She was a clever little thing, choosing to hide her Philosopher Stones was a good move. Being so young and tiny she would be underestimated, yet people like Bradley had a habit of getting over such things quickly. How did he know they were eventually going after Bradley? Simple Greed hated him more than anything. From what he'd heard Bradley had stolen Greed's possessions by killing his minions; there was no way that could be forgiven. If the Homunculus sent after Bradley then Aria would too.

He wondered if she had what it took to follow Greed into hell. The girl was loyal, he knew that but the battle ahead would test her resolve. She hadn't even killed the soldiers in Central or the prison guards. Did she have an issue with killing? If she did that could become a powerful weakness that the enemy could use against her. In his mind, the height of foolishness was going into battle expecting to come out with clean hands. As a former State Alchemist, he knew how Alchemy could be used to kill better than anyone else. He'd reveled in it.

"Did Issac tell you about the Ishvalan Civil War," he asked. His own time in Ishval had been fun, however, Issac hadn't liked it too much. He could remember that much.

"It was one of our first lessons," she said without looking up from her work.

"What do you think of the State Alchemists that participated in that massacre," he asked. Curiosity tinged his voice as he watched her blink before putting down her engraving tool to focus completely on him.

"They were doing their jobs," she stated firmly.

The answer was so different than that of his fellow State Alchemists that he actually twitched. Hadn't he said something similar to Mustang? He couldn't sense that she was lying to him so it was likely that she actually believed what she was saying. Did she not care that they killed people? During the massacre, they killed thousands of innocent people basically committing genocide.

"That's it your not going to condemn them for taking innocent lives," he asked. Watching her tilt her head, he narrowed his gaze as she thought about her answer. At least she wasn't foolish enough to spout some nonsense about human lives being valuable and sound like a fool.

"I don't' know what it's like to use my Alchemy to kill someone, however, I believe that if someone is willing to take a life they have to be ready for the reverse. The State Alchemists that fought in Ishval were all ready to die; I can't condemn someone who puts their soul on the line even if they're tainted in innocent blood," she said.

Holy shit, he had a mini-me. Mustang would be freaking out right now if he could see this. She'd just almost copied what he'd said word for word. It should have made him uncomfortable meeting someone with the same morals as he had, however, he found it more entertaining than anything else. Not only was she on the same mental road as him, but she was also a child. She shouldn't have had the experience to come to such a conclusion. The fact she did just made her all the more interesting.

"What if they hate themselves for feeling the pleasure of taking a life," he asked. Blinking at the wicked smirk on his face, she considered his words before shrugging.

"Then they already have enough problems. I'm sure the nightmares will do a good enough job," she said. She didn't really care about other people besides those important to her; it probably made her a bad person. Shifting she stifled a yawn before frowning. There was just one thing about his words that bothered her, well besides the fact he suddenly wanted to question her morals. She did like the conversation however, Greed never wanted to talk like this. Completely abandoning the thought of working on her pendant she said, "Besides there no such thing as innocent."

"Oh, and why is that Aria," he asked his eyes lighting up in a way that would be intimidating if she was anyone else.

"Everyone has something they feel guilty for. Everyone has done something to hurt someone even if it's not intentional. The only people who haven't are babies and toddlers," she stated. Her voice had changed. Before she spoke with a calm apathy but now there was just a hint of anger in her tone.

"Speaking from personal experience," he guessed. When she nodded, he felt his smirk widen as he asked, "What caused you to have such an opinion?"

Stilling, she almost forgot how to breathe at the question. She hadn't shared her past with Greed although she was sure that he had some guesses on how she lived before he took her in. he didn't even know that she came from another world or that she'd gave up her own life to save people who didn't deserve it. After all these years she could finally admit to herself that her relatives hadn't' deserved what she'd done for them, but she didn't regret it. Without choosing to die she would have never met Greed or the chimeras. In a way she was grateful to have died; that didn't mean that she had forgotten how much it had hurt to live the first seven years of her life.

However she was no longer that little girl, she was Greed's Alchemist. She could talk to anyone about anything without lying. Her past was just that; it might've shaped who she was today but it didn't hold her back from being who she was. Meeting Kimblee's eyes she didn't shrink under the interest she saw there. She could fully see why Issac had called him intimidating however she didn't really mind the expression on his face.

"My cousin; he had a habit of chasing me down and making sure I had the bruises to prove it. The most basic human instinct is violence either as an act of defense or aggression," she said resisting the urge to rub her arm. She refused to look away from him even when his eyes darkened.

"I agree," he admitted. The idea of her being hurt in any way was uncomfortable for him. Sighing he said, "Do you know why I chose to save you? It's because when Envy transformed into Greed, you attacked anyway. You stuck to the conviction that getting back to him was your one job. That is something I can respect."

Aria felt her eyes widen at the words. It was nice to finally know why he'd chosen to help her but she hadn't expected that to be his reasoning. She couldn't really say she was surprised either; she'd known something she did had caught his attention. Never did she expect it to be her actions against Envy. He wasn't the type to save someone for no reason, he'd even told her as much when they first met. She'd been scared when they first met, more of the idea of never getting back to Greed than anything else, so she hadn't really been thinking about her actions.

Still, she was glad that he chose to save her. Although she did now that it put him at a disadvantage, she knew that he was still the strongest Alchemist she'd ever met. Plus, he was willing to answer her questions and challenge her thinking in a way that Greed wasn't. Mainly because she didn't want to ask questions most of the time. It was still strange to be able to do so, but most of the time she just didn't have a reason to ask questions. That didn't mean she wasn't going to take advantage of Kimblee's presence.

"May I ask you something," she started only to hear him chuckle. Waiting for him to stop she noticed the amusement in his eyes, however, that was nothing new. Tilting her head she asked, "do you think you're a monster for what you did in Ishval?"

"Of course," he said instantly. He would never deny that he was a monster nor would he pretend to regret what he did. His time in Ishval was the most satisfying in his life. Grinning at her he explained, "I loved what I did in Ishval. Killing is a rush like nothing else, of course, you might feel different."

"Even if the survivors hunt you down," she asked. There had to be some survivors who wanted revenge for their families. If what she'd learned was true then Scar was a Ishvalan man hunting down State Alchemists.

"You said it yourself Aria, killing is only possible when you're prepared to die," he said with a hint of excitement in his voice. He honestly would relish the chance to fight against an Ishvalan survivor. It would make what h did to their people all the more real.

"When I kill, will that make me a monster too," she asked softly. She didn't mind the idea of killing especially if it was for Greed.

"Everyone is a monster to someone. Does that bother you?"

"No," she admitted. Did it bother her that someone might curse her name one day? Not really, she was more than prepared to shoulder the hate brought about by her actions. If she could help Greed then she would even if it made her hated by the people around her. She didn't care about any of them so their opinions wouldn't matter to her.

"Interesting," he mused as she returned her attention to her project. Watching her work he had to wonder if she would feel the same way after she took a life. He was looking forward to seeing her reaction.

(Greed)

Walking into the underground bedroom that Kimblee had created just for Envy he couldn't help but want to punch the other Homunculus in the face. The only reason his temper had calmed was that Aria was safe. That and despite how much he wanted to shatter all their bones Envy was his sibling. Even if they were an annoying little runt. It was still better to curb his temper than lash out like he had when he'd found out Envy was on the island. He really needed to work on his temper.

Glancing around the room that was really nothing more than an enclosed space with a bed and numerous candles, he sighed at his sibling. Envy was perched on the bed glaring at the wall as if it had personally wronged them. He doubted Envy even really knew why he was so angry. Between the two of them; he was much more emotional than the other Homunculus. Humans that he chose were his possessions and as such, no one was allowed to harm them; it was a rule that both Wrath and Envy had broken. He had to keep from snapping at the other Homunculus at the reminder.

"What do you want," the long-haired youth snapped. Tightening the grip they had on their knees, Envy tried to ignore him.

"Did Father send you to take back the stones," Greed asked despite already knowing the answer; it was obvious. Their Father really was a horrible man pitting child against child.

"Fuck you! I won't tell you anything," Envy snapped. Seeing Greed snarl they were quick to nod almost screaming, "yes!"

Rolling his eyes at the dramatic reaction, he ran a hand through his hair. He wasn't Pride so Envy really shouldn't be afraid of him. It wasn't like he would suddenly lash out. Frowning slightly he leaned against the wall beside the door. He had no idea how to even begin talking to his sibling. It had been over a century since he even saw Envy and the way he left wasn't the best. There had been a time when his siblings were everything to him.

"Why are you always so difficult," he said the exasperated tone causing Envy to bristle.

"Like your not! You betrayed us for the humans," the younger snapped. Glaring up at their brother Envy didn't know how Greed would react.

"I wanted to be left alone ugly. If Wrath hadn't decided to drop by and steal from me I wouldn't have needed Aria to go to Central," he said. He wanted nothing to do with Father or his plans.

"It's pathetic that an immortal would care about a human," Envy snarled. At that moment they decided to fall back on their strategy of lashing out in blind rage. Almost hissing they said, "and she's not even old enough to-"

"Envy!"

The roar from the older Homunculus caused them to flinch as they shrank back. Eyes snapping closed, they waited for Greed to lash out the same way he had in the forest only for nothing to happen. Envy had wanted to hurt Greed it had been their only goal except instead of attacking he took a calming breath. Once again their tongue had gotten them into trouble much to their distress. If it was Pride they had no doubt that they would have lost a limb if not another of their lives.

This just proved that Greed was weak. They were Homunculus, they were stronger than any other species on this planet. There was no reason to show such mercy not even to each other. It was something that Envy had learned several times over the years. Obedience was the only thing needed from the Homunculus by their Father. Except for Lust none of the others even cared if Envy lived or died.

"I don't understand," they mumbled. Looking up at their brother with a vulnerable expression that they hated more than anything else. Gripping their legs tighter, they said, "Wrath is mostly human and he doesn't care about them so why do you?"

"Of course you don't understand the only person you care about is Lust," he stated. He felt pity for his sibling, Envy had always been treated as nothing but a child or a nuisance. No one but Lust was willing to even give them a good word much less care about them. Father disregarded Envy as anything more than a spy. He'd gotten tired of being treated like a disobedient child and chosen to leave however Envy was too dependant on Father and too loyal to Lust. Frowning he decided to explain just this once in hopes of making his sibling understand. Sighing he said, "in short I am Greed, the humans I choose are mine. No one steals from me."

"Well your little brat stole from Father and I paid the price," Envy hissed without thinking. Realizing what they'd said, the Homunculus winced and tried to play it off by saying, "next time keep her the hell away from Central."

Greed stilled anger and panic waring with the annoyance he felt for his sibling. He knew better than anyone how Father punished them. Usually, the man didn't care to use his own hands instead Pride was given the right to deal out punishments. He'd been on the other side of those punishments far more than any of his siblings. The idea that Envy who was always the most weak-willed of his siblings was the new punching bag angered him.

"What do you mean 'paid the price'," he questioned with a deadly calm in his tone. Shrinking back the younger turned away unwilling to answer. Narrowing his gaze, Greed almost snarled ordering, "Envy now."

"H-he just gave me to Pide for a bit. Nothing new," Envy said quickly. Rage flashed through the elder's eyes for just a second but it caused Envy to flinch.

"Does Lust know," Greed asked. His sister might be ruthless but she would never allow Envy to be used as a punching bag by Pride.

"Of course not.," They weren't' foolish enough to drag Lust into their punishments.

"If you go back to Central without the stones what will happen," he questioned. Watching Envy turn away without saying anything, he frowned. He could already guess that returning without the stones would be worse than not returning at all. Pushing off the wall he couldn't stop his hand from twitching. He might be angry but Envy was still his sibling. That meant they were one of his possessions. Almost growling he pushed down the instinctive urge to lash out. Instead, he said, "I need to think. Aria will be down with some food later."

"Why? I hurt her so why are you sending her down here?"

Greed shrugged. There was no way that Envy would make the same foolish mistake of attacking Aria. When he told his sibling as much, the other Homunculus frowned but didn't deny the accusation.

Here is chapter 7 another short one with chapter eight going to be a long one. Anyway Kimblee and Aria are adorable; what did you guys think of this chapter.

stay safe and have a good day

-shyla