Author's Note: I do not own FMA, Harry Potter, or their characters. This is AU and set during the fifth book.

Clues Found

Roy reminded himself that running down the halls was not a good idea. For one, this place had a tendency to move things around on you. For another, the rest of the school didn't need to know that he'd quite possibly found the cause of his alchemic array going awry and sending himself and Hawkeye to this ridiculous dimension. Riza did need to know, but he could handle that calmly even if he was excited. The teenagers were clearly rubbing off on him.

Still, if he was right about this information, there was a chance that he could get them home before too long. The fact that it had been buried in the library archives and misfiled explained why they hadn't come across this text before. Roy would take government conspiracies and cover-ups over evil wizards bent on world domination any day. At least at home there was something he could do about things. Besides, Roy was really sick of being stuck as a teenager. He liked being grown up for the most part.

He rounded a corner to find raised voices. Or at least, Umbridge's voice was raised. Hawkeye's was a familiar flat tone that indicated she was furious. This did not bode well for anyone. As the scene came into sight, Roy winced. Hawkeye's fingers were hovering near her guns, and they had an audience. This was not a good situation. Riza would be tempted to fight back if Umbridge started something, but their precarious position here would cause her to hesitate perhaps a little to long. It would be very easy for this to get ugly.

He took a step forward, intending to interrupt the tableau before him, when Umbridge's hand lashed out first to strike Riza then to cast a spell that flung his lieutenant into a wall. And that was enough. Roy slid his gloves on and stepped between the two women.

"Enough."

Umbridge ignored him. Roy snapped. A small arc of flames danced into the air. That caught her attention. Roy moved so he blocked any line of fire towards Hawkeye.

"What are you doing?" she hissed.

"Are you all right, Hawkeye?"

"Fine, sir." She had fallen back into their familiar patterns. "Just bruised."

"Good." His eyes narrowed. "Professor Umbridge, I would appreciate it if you did not attack my companion. I don't think any of us would be pleased with the consequences."

"And just what do you think you can do about it, Mister Mustang? This woman shouldn't even be here in the first place. And you know quite well that spells are not allowed outside of the classroom."

Roy felt more than heard Hawkeye rise to her feet and take her accustomed place just behind him. He had no doubt that she had her guns in hand. He smirked. "It wasn't a spell."

"What?"

He snapped again, this time producing a large burst of flame. "It's not a spell. Let me assure you that I am not about to let your bullying succeed with me or mine."

Umbridge looked taken aback before her face shifted to rage. "Mister Mustang, do you realize the serious trouble you are getting yourself into? I don't know how things were run at your former school, but here you are subject to the rules of this institution."

Roy bit back the urge to laugh. He was already walking a thin line here. "You mean your rules. I somehow doubt that the punishment of students by carving messages into their hands has always been a Hogwarts rule. I don't know why no one has put a stop to you before now, but I will not tolerate your abuse."

Before Umbridge could try anything else, Roy decided a show of force was needed. He snapped one more time, setting the book she was carrying ablaze. Umbridge dropped it, startled, and watched it burn. Roy raised his hand, drawing her attention once again.

"Next time it will be your wand. Good day, Professor."

He turned, his senses still on alert for an attack. Hawkeye met his eyes for a long moment and nodded before taking her place at his side. As they headed towards Gryffindor tower, with a rather stunned audience watching, he leaned to whisper in her ear.

"I think I know what went wrong. I found this book…"

Theme: Library Archives