BTW, I keep forgetting to say this but, DISCLAIMER: I do not own FMA or HP.

So, I disappeared off the face of the planet for a little while. Sorry! I have excuses though, I promise. What kind of procrastinator would I be without them?
Here they are:
~I was part of an amazing production of Les Miserables
~I found Starkid came out with a new musical that I just had to watch
~KarmaHope and I started a new little project - PROJECT FALCHEMY - a fan site for FMA fans that will release a really great, wicked awesome, epic surprise that every fan will love (eventually). But in order for us to continue this, we need to have people join the site! So go to projectfalchemy(dot)webs(dot)com.

And now, what you're actually here for:

CHAPTER 4

"Harry dear, go get Edward and Alphonse from their room. It's time for supper." Said Mrs. Weasley.

"Alright." He trekked up the stairs to the third floor. He knocked rapidly on Edward and Alphonse's door and walked in without waiting for a response. He stopped short at the sight in front of him. Edward's entire right arm was completely metal.

Edward looked up sharply and shook his head. "Don't tell people about this. It will draw to much attention." Harry nodded slowly.

"But how did you lose your real arm?"

"An accident." Edward said. "A horrible mistake." He spoke in a solemn tone.

"…" Harry didn't know what to say. He was shocked by the limb.

"What did you want, Harry?" Alphonse asked breaking the silence.

"Oh! I was supposed to tell you it was time to eat. Mrs. Weasley wants you to come downstairs." He told them. Edward nodded and stood up.

"We will be down in a minute."

Harry exited the room, still slightly shocked. He continued down stairs. He met Hermione on the second floor staircase.

"Harry. What's wrong? You look like you just saw an alien." He shook his head.

"Not an alien. A robot."

"A robot? What do you mean?"

"Edward's arm it's all metal. But it doesn't look like a wizard prosthetic – it looks muggle-made. Like a robot in the science fiction films."

" A metal limb? Like with wires and everything?" Hermione asked in a low tone. "That hasn't been developed in the Muggle world yet!"

"Are you sure? Have you been studying prosthetics?" Harry asked.

"No, but my grandfather lost his hand in the second World War. He has showed me different things about the false limbs available in the Muggle Medical Field. None look like you describe… Did he say how he lost the limb?"

"No, he just said a mistake – an accident. It certainly explains some things though."

"What explains some things?" Ron asked, walking up the staircase curiously.

"Edward's arm – it's fake and made of all metal. He slugged Dudley back on Privet Drive and caused some pretty bad damage to his face. I've never seen Big D beaten in a fight." Harry explained to his two friends.

" Metal?" Ron asked in disbelief. "What-?"

"You really shouldn't talk about other's private secrets, Potter, Granger, Weasley."

The Golden Trio spun around to find Mad Eye Moody standing on the landing.

"Moody! We're sorry we just-" Hermione stuttered.

"Just what?"

"It's just unbelievable! Metal limbs! We just wondered what happened." Hermione answered.

"If Ed wants you to know, he will tell you in due time. Don't go meddling in other people's business and don't go spilling this to anyone else." With that Moody was gone, stomping down the stairs.

"Kids! Supper! Come on now!" Mr. Weasley called and the three teens began down to the kitchen. Ed and Al were not far behind them and had caught up as they reached the kitchen door.

Already seated at the table were the twins, Tonks, Remus, Ginny, Moody, Sirius, and two new faces.

"Ah, Elrics, I'd like you to meet Bill Weasley and Mundungus Fletcher." Sirius said. He motioned to the red-haired man across the table from the twins and the short, grumpy looking man beside Remus.

"Nice to meet you," Al said. "I'm Alphonse and this is my brother Edward." Bill smiled at the boys, while Mundungus sat staring at the silver pocket watch chain hanging from Edward's pocket.

Edward noticed the look and stuffed the chain further away, glaring at the man.

"Dinner smells good, Mrs. Weasley," Alphonse said, trying to take attention away from his brother and the pocket watch.

"Thank you, Alphonse. I made pork and baked applesauce. Take a seat, now, dear," and with her wand, Molly levitated the dishes to the crowded end of the wooden table. Edward and Alphonse sat down between Bill and Tonks.

"So, how old are you?" Bill asked Alphonse.

"Well, I'm going into 4th year at Hogwarts, my brother is going into 5th year." Al skirted around the question. Bill looked at the boy confusedly.

"Eat up, boys! Chit chat later."

000

"He has a metal limb?" Bill asked his brothers in disbelief.

"Indeed." Fred and George said together.

"Harry saw it and told Hermione and Ron all about it." George continued.

Fred shoved something suspicious and flesh colored into his pocket, "We just happened to overhear them."

"How did he lose the original?" Bill reasoned out loud.

Fred shrugged, "You've got me."

"Do you know anything else about the brothers? Maybe their age? The younger one avoided the question at dinner."

"5th and 4th year, I think." George said.

Fred frowned. "Something about those kids seems much older."

"I get what you mean." Bill left his brothers' room and began downstairs. 'Dumbledore must know something about them. I'll ask the other Order members if he's told them.'

He approached the den where Remus, Sirius, and Arthur stood.

"What do you know about the new guys? The Elrics?" Bill asked the three men.

Arthur looked up in surprise, "Well they are going into 4th and 5th year and Harry met them at his Aunt and Uncle's house."

Sirius frowned, "Edward was a soldier, but we haven't figured out where, yet. His boss, 'Colonel Mustang' looked exactly like me."

Bill and Arthur looked at him in disbelief. "Really?"

"That's how he lost his limb isn't it?" Bill said. "Did you know his arm is metal?"

"Yes, Moody mentioned it."

Arthur nodded, "He would notice that. Do you know anything else about him?"

Sirius and Lupin shook their heads.

"I'm sure Dumbledore knows more." Bill said.

"He didn't tell the Order anything, though. We should see what else he can tell us about the boys."

000

"I worry about those new boys Albus brought here," Arthur told his wife.

"Why? They will be just fine – Hogwarts is a very safe place after all."

"It's not where they're going. It's where they've been. I found out Edward, the shorter one, he was a soldier. Where are they from that children would be putin the military?" Arthur voiced his concern. Usually, he would just mind his own business, but after hearing about the boy's limb, he was pushed over the edge. "Molly, he even lost his arm!"

"Arthur, are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes Molly. I wouldn't have shared my concern normally, but that. I can't believe he's Ron's age… and to have…."

"We should ask Albus more about the boys. Next Order meeting, okay?"

000

"So, wait - what exactly is the Order of the Pheonix?" Harry asked Ron and Hermione. The Golden Trio and the Elric brothers sat in Ron and Harry's bedroom.

Ed shook his head from his spot on the floor under the window. "The resistance – this entire operation around you. Every adult in the house is a part of the organization," he said.

Hermione looked over to him. "How did you know that?"

"I pay attention. It is quite obvious," Edward explained.

Alphonse nodded in agreement, "You two also whispered about it a lot." He looked at Ron and Hermione.

"Even they knew? Well, when is the next meeting? I want to join." Harry stated angrily.

"Well, tonight, of course, but Harry we're not-" Hermione started. Harry ignored her and marched right out and down several flights of stairs. The other four soon followed, trying to stop a furious Harry.

"Harry, they're not going to allow you in!" Ron argued.

Harry ignored him and marched right up to Sirius. "I want to be in the Order. You're fighting Voldemort, right? I'm fighting him too, aren't I?"

"Harry, you are not of age yet, you can't be in the Order!" Molly argued, looking to Sirius for support. "You're just a child."

Harry's brows furrowed. "I'm not a child!"

Suddenly, there was a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, my dear boy, we know you are not a child, but you are a student, and as such, can't get involved with Order work quite yet. You are sure to be briefed in due time."

Harry turned to the Headmaster, "Fine, Professor Dumbledore. But I want to know what's going on at least."

"I'll fill you in later." Sirius told Harry. "Now go on, you five." He motioned upstairs. Harry grumbled but began following Ron up the staircase.

"Misters Elric, could I speak with you?" Dumbledore asked, stopping their assent.

Edward turned, "What would you like to speak about?" he questioned.

"How about in here, the parlor?" The alchemists followed the old man curiously.

"I was hoping that you two would join the Order. I know you have immense skill (the journals, you know) and it could be of great use to us. If you join our ranks, we can continue to teach our magic outside of Hogwarts and perhaps you can find a way home."

The blonde man stiffened, "You-?"

"Yes. I met another from Amestris some time ago. He created the philosopher's stone with me. He is gone, hopefully returned there. Anyway, will you join us? I know we've made a deal already for teaching but, we need all the members we can get. A great war is ahead of us."

Edward and Alphonse exchanged a meaningful look. "We'll join," they said in unison.

"Good, good, now onto the meeting."

They entered the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

"They are children as well, Albus!" Molly said as she caught sight of them.

Albus shook his head, "Their skills will be needed." The room silenced and all looked at the Elric boys.

"Their skills? What skills can these students possibly posses?" Severus Snape sneered at the newcomers.

Dumbledore motioned for them all to sit down.

"This, for any of you who do not already know, is Edward and Alphonse Elric. They are joining the Order of the Phoenix and bringing with them their vast knowledge of Alchemy."

"Albus, Alchemy is a dead art!" Minerva McGonagall cried.

He smiled, "Exactly, Minerva. That gives us an advantage."

"Alchemy, eh?" Snape muttered. "Alchemy indeed."

000

"'You are a student, and as such, can't get involved with Order work quite yet…' Who does he think he is? He put them into the Order! One of them is only a 4th year! What's so special about them?" Harry ranted.

There was a crack beside the door. There stood the twins holding two fleshy, stringy objects.

"Want to find out?"

The Golden Trio stepped out of the bedroom and to the top of the stairs. The twins followed and carefully dropped down the Extendable Ears in their hands.

"Alright, let's listen." Fred said. They all leaned in to the ears.

"This, for any of you who do not already know, is Edward and Alphonse Elric. They are joining the Order of the Phoenix and bringing with them their vast knowledge of Alchemy."

"Albus, Alchemy is a dead art!"

"Exactly, Minerva. That gives us an advantage."

The five leaned away and looked at each other in shock.

"Alchemy? They know Alchemy?" Hermione said.

"Shhh. Let's go back." George said, pulling up the Ears.

They returned to the room and sat down.

"So, what is Alchemy?" Harry asked in the silence.

Hermione looked up, "Well, as Professor McGonagall stated, it is a dead art. Alchemy was like magic in many ways. It could transform things, meld them together and create magnificent, impossible things."

"What do you mean, 'like magic', 'Mione?" Ron asked.

"Well, it was said to be based on Muggle Science. It wasn't technically magic because it couldn't be done with a wand."

"No wand, eh?" George asked.

Hermione shook her head, "It used equations and elements from the Periodic Table."

"The what?" Ron asked.

"The Periodic Table tells you the elements things are made out of, like Aluminum, Lime, and Water. We learned about it in Muggle Studies." Fred explained.

"I learned about it in science classes a bit. It was really confusing…" Harry interjected.

"Anyway, wizards used the muggle concepts to do alchemy and create by channeling energy through the equations. It was very complex and took a lot of work, therefore it was abandoned. The last known alchemist was Nicolas Flammel."

"He created the philosopher's stone," Ron explained to his brothers.

Fred and George nodded in understanding, "That whole thing in your first year."

Ron nodded.

"So," Fred began, "How do you think little Edward and Alphonse learned this 'dead art'?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes in thought. "Perhaps they learned from Flammel."

Harry shook his head, "No, remember Dumbledore said that he was friends with Flammel. He was surprised to meet the Elrics. They couldn't have studied under the man and not been seen previously by Dumbledore."

"Maybe," George suggested, "They learned in another country where it is not dead or there is another like Flammel."

"I read in a book once about a country full of Alchemy, but it was just a legend. There is no way it could exist…" Hermione reasoned. 'So then, where are they from?'

000

What do ya think?

.

.

.

That wasn't a rhetorical question. Please review!

V