A/N thank you to everyone reviewing please keep it up. I will try to do better about switching POV's less often. It will be staying in first POV of view for Roy. If it's anyone else it will be third POV.

Roy's POV

As I was coming back into consciousness I realized I was lying on something soft. Thinking back the last thing I remembered was pushing Alex out of the way of two spells. I opened my eyes immediately trying to sit up only for a sharp pain in my side to force me back down. All around me was white and the room had a distinct smell of disinfectant. I groaned aloud. I was in a bloody hospital again.

I looked down at my chest and there was several rows of bandages. Lifting one up I could see a handful of healing wounds and a few scars where healed wounds were. I sighed I had been hurt badly by the looks of things. Looking around the room I was in I realized that i was most likely in the hospital wing of Hogwarts. I vaguely wondered if Alex was okay and if Sirius and the others had made it in time. I heard the door open and shut softly as someone entered the wing.

I looked over and saw Sirius walking towards me. He started when he saw my open. He said his eyes filling with tears," Thank Merlin. Your awake. Your finally awake." I groaned aloud as he wrapped me in a bear hug. I gave him a cautious pat on the back before I asked," Sirius how long was I out?"

Sirius said solemnly," Just over two weeks. We thought you would never wake up." I sat up quickly instantly regretting it as the pain from my wounds flared. I asked gripping Sirius' shirt," Does the Furher know? What about my adoptive mom?"

Sirius said with a small nod," Yes we sent word to the Furher immediately. He sent one of his medical alchemists to check your condition. He gave the same report that Poppy did. He's still here in case you woke. As for Madame Mustang the Furher sent word to her for us." I let out an exasperated groan. That wasn't good if they knew I was injured they could call me back early. Then I remembered why I was here. I asked," What about Alex? Is he okay? Did the death eaters catch him?"

Sirius gave me a comforting smile as he said," You did your job. Alex is fine and here in Hogwarts. The death eaters never touched him. In fact he is in class right now as if nothing ever happened." I leaned back against the pillows and said," Thank Merlin. Sirius do you have any hand to hand combat skills by chance?"

He gave me an unreadable look before he said," I do. What brought this on?" My face turned to stone as I said," If it rains my gloves are useless. I want an extra backup in so that way I'm not useless. I would appreciate it if you teach me hand to hand."

Sirius contemplated it for a moment before he nodded. He said," I'll do it but we play by my rules. If you don't like it you can find a different teacher." I said holding out my hand," I can respect that."

He shook my hand with a faint smile crossing his tired features. I looked around making sure we were alone before I pushed myself into a full sitting position. Once I was sitting up I said," In my bag there is a piece of paper. It's an order form. I need you to send that out by an owl. It's important that it gets out right away." Sirius asked his curiosity getting the better of him," What are you ordering?"

I gave him a feral grin as I said," Ignition cloth gloves, lighters, and a knife." Sirius asked his confusion," What do you need those for?"

I said with a sigh," Think about it. I have only one ignition cloth glove. If and when that gets ripped in battle the only thing I have to protect myself is my side arm." Sirius nodded and said," That explains the gloves. What about the knife and lighter?"

I held up my hand showing him the back of it and said," There will be a time where either my gloves get destroyed or they get wet and I can't transmute the water to fight. So instead I will use the knife to carve a transmutation circle into the back of my hand and use the lighter to create a spark." The plan covered my bases for when Furher Bradley calls us to arms. It wouldn't be much longer especially after my injuries.

The war had been going on for too long it was becoming to costly for both sides. It could be ended within a few months if the State Alchemist were called to fight. I had a sneaking suspicion I would be called back before Christmas. Sirius said," I'll do it. Roy... What is Amestris like?"

I said giving him a genuine smile," Before the war it was beautiful there was nothing like it in the world. There have been many restrictions placed on alchemists since the war began. Everyone sees us as dogs of the military but I want to change that. That is my dream and I will see it through to the end." Sirius looked at me with surprise. He could see the determination that spoke wonders.

He placed a hand on my shoulder before he headed towards the door. Right before he reached it he said not turning around," You should always follow your dreams. Never let anyone tell you different." With that he was gone leaving me to contemplate his words. Ten minutes later Pompfrey walked in a let out a squeak in surprise. Without a word to me she hurried to her office. A minute later Dumbledore came in with Pompfrey on his heels.

He said his blue eyes twinkling," Major Mustang it is good to see you awake again. Alex Potter told us of your heroics on the trail. Thank you for saving him." I said holding my hand up to stop him," It was my job professor. I will stay by his side and protect him until the day comes and it will come that Furher Bradley calls the State Alchemist to arms."

The old man looked mildly hurt that I only thought of being here as a job but it was the truth. Hogwarts meant nothing to me. Like England it was full of bad memories. I said raising a placating hand," It's nothing against you headmaster or this school. James Potter was not the best father to me. England just holds to many painful memories with him at the root of all of them."

Dumbledore had a look of disbelief on his face. I said pushing myself back up into a sitting position ignoring the twinge from my wounds," Whether you believe me or not that's up to you. That bastard disowned me when I was five and left me in Gringotts to fend for myself. He told me that if I followed him he would kill me. Still don't believe me I'll give you my memories." Dumbledore said trying to placate me," That won't be necessary Major. When Madame Pompfrey releases you, you will follow Alex to all of his classes as added protection. You will be by his side anytime he's not in his common rooms."

I nodded my assent he turned to leave but couldn't help one last comment over his shoulder," I wouldn't try to ruin James Potter if I were you. He could always challenge you to a duel." I smiled viciously," Let him. In a duel I would be allowed to use any form of alchemy. He's already lost to me once. Why not make it publicly?"

The man ignored the comment as if it was never spoken and left the room. I spent the next three days in the hospital wing with occasional visits from Sirius or Remus. After the third day I was released under the stipulation that I would take it easy. When I returned to my rooms I found a package waiting for me. I smiled as I opened it. Twelve pairs of ignition cloth gloves, five lighters, and three knives just like I ordered them. I knew that Alex would be in class for a few more hours and I didn't officially start back until tomorrow. I started drawing the transmutation circles on each of the gloves.

I looked up when there was a knock on my door and called out," Enter." Alex and his two friends came in. He appeared to be judging my health before he said," I heard you were released from the hospital wing. I wanted to thank you." I was stunned the last thing I was expecting was my brother to thank me. I said giving him a small genuine smile," While I don't need thanks for doing my job. I accept yours."

Alex face brightened considerably then he looked nervous as he asked," I was wondering if you would come and have lunch with the us at the Gryffindor table?" I considered it for a moment. On one hand I was fairly hungry but on the other I didn't know anything about these people. That made me nervous. Looking at my older brother I noticed that the longer I was silent the more his face fell.

With a sigh I grabbed my uniform jacket and with some amount of stiffness put it on. I looked at him and said," Lead the way."