A/n- sorry if it's been a while. School's been hell lately. (cowers from precalc and ap bio) the good news for you readers is that my deadline, which was once October, has been pushed up because I had based it on the release of the FMA movie. Now the movie is releasing November 14th, so I renew my promise that the story will be finished by that date. I say good news because before I was afraid I'd have to rush and/or leave out a certain event that will stretch the pages quite a bit. Now I have enough time not to worry and I've been writing relentlessly, mostly during driver's edu. And American lit. Enjoy!

Chapter 22- Veritaserum

Albus Dumbledore entered the room followed by Professors McGonagall and Snape, the latter of which was carrying a small vile of a completely transparent liquid.

"Thank you for coming, Headmaster," Hoenheim said in gratitude.

"Thank you for trusting me enough to summon for my assistance," Dumbledore replied with a praising smile, then turning to nod toward Snape, "Severus, if you would," he said.

The potion's master nodded in return and tipped the contents of the vile into Envy's mouth. He then performed the counter curse to free him silently, keeping his wand on the captive.

"Are you working for Voldemort?" Albus asked calmly, thus starting the interrogation.

"I don't work for anybody," the Homunculus spat out.

"May I, Sir?" Edward intervened, receiving a nod.

The reason Dumbledore consented so easily was beyond him, as he had expected an argument, but it raised his expectations for the man. Instead of pondering this mystery, he turned to the one at hand.

"Are you in league with Voldemort?" he reworded.

"…Yes," Envy said after struggling to keep the information sealed.

"Why are you working for him?"

"I told you, pipsqueak; I'm not a freakin' henchman."

"Did you make a deal with him?" Ed asked, ignoring the insult.

"Yes."

"What was it?"

"That I'd…give him Harry, plus a new power…" Envy ground out.

"What's in it for you?" Ed inquired further, puzzled.

"I get to see you…humans…suffer…and I get to kill you…and him," he replied, inclining his head toward Hoenheim, "After he tortures and uses you, that is."

"Is this power you promised the Philosopher's Stone?"

"Yes."

"Is Voldemort aware that you harbor the Stone?"

"No."

"Interesting…" Ed mumbled to himself, continuing shortly, "Were you aware that alchemy isn't supposed to work on this side of the Gate?"

"Seems to be working fine, so it doesn't really matter, does it?" Envy smirked.

"Answer the question."

"No."

"How did you find Voldemort?"

"Evil seeks evil, I guess," Envy shrugged, "I heard rumors."

"Is that how you found us?"

"No."

"How did you?"

"He has many spies, I hear."

"Malfoy," Harry clarified, "and his goons Crabbe and Goyle."

"Is that true?" Ed asked Envy.

"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't answer that question. It seems that juice of yours has run dry."

"Nonsense! It should have lasted another hour or two!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed.

"On a human, maybe," Edward informed them, "But he's not human; he's a homunculus—a fake human—the result of a failed human transmutation."

"I'll teach you failure!" Envy bellowed in rage, breaking the spike that pinned him with his hands and charging at Ed, "You should have killed me right the first time!"

"Avada Kedavra!" Snape shouted just as the creature finished speaking.

The green blast hit Envy square in the chest, knocking him back onto the floor, dead.

"Severus! That was most uncalled for!" McGonagall lectured.

"I agree with Minerva," Dumbledore said, "He could have told us more."

"I don't believe he's dead," Snape stated, "if what he just said is true."

"He's right; wait and see," Ed confirmed.

Three seconds passed and then Envy's eyes blinked away their dimness and an evil smirk lightened on his face.

"Damn that stings," Envy said, whistling, "That's some serious juice you got there."

"Sadistic bastard," Edward grumbled under his breath.

The headmaster and Professor McGonagall were both surprised, but each handled it in the opposite way. The Transfigurations teacher could do nothing more than stutter, while Dumbledore kept silent and merely raised his eyebrows. Severus looked smug and pleased with himself for his fast thinking, however he still paid attention to the enemy and kept his wand pointed at him.

Envy cracked his neck and stretched his arms above his head as if unconcerned with his predicament. This chilled attitude in addition to his constant smirk infuriated Ed, and he wondered just what they were doing standing still like idiots instead of knocking the crap out of this creature. Finally, the headmaster spoke.

"Severus, if you will, keep an eye on this imposter while I inform the Ministry of Magic of this."

Snape nodded, eyes never leaving Envy as the headmaster turned now to his students.

"However grateful I am for your assistance—" he told them, eyes twinkling.

"But Sir—!" Ed began to protest, but the headmaster interrupted with a shake of his head.

"I'm quite sure we can handle this," he assured them.

They got the message and departed to their beds, laying exhausted in them; it had been a long day.

A/n- this is exciting cuz the next chapter leads up to the climax. I'll update soon, but replies would be appreciated! Thanks to everyone who did so far—I replied back to the ones I was able to. Thanks again!