Disclaimer: I don't own FMA or HP, if I did alot of things would be different.

A/N: I am so sorry I haven't updated in ages! I really hope this makes up for the long wait! I hope you enjoy.

"Colonel! Hey, Colonel!" Havoc and Breda slam open the door and burst into the Alchemist's compartment.

"You'll never guess what happened!" Havoc raises his voice in delight.

"Does it have something to do with the Dementors? Wait! What happened to your nose?" Mustang asks. Mustang is an important looking boy with jet black hair cut choppily, with bangs falling to his eyebrows. His pitch black eyes sharp and focused.

"That's what we're trying to tell you Mustang!" Breda sounds exasperated.

"Well basically, we were checking the compartments, just like you asked when the lights went out. Me and Breda went into the nearest compartment and BAM! My nose is broken! A teacher, who was in the compartment lit up their wand and who's in the compartment? None other than the Harry Potter and Edward Elric!"

"Who broke your nose?" Riza asks sharply. A formidable girl with sandy blonde hair and red-brown eyes, like a hawk, her eyes are kind yet exceptionally sharp.

"Elric." Breda says, almost gleefully.

"Mean old swing he has." Havoc says defensively, touching his nose lightly, "It's like his god damn arm is made of metal!" They laugh, not one of them knowing that Havoc hit the nail right on its head.

"I still don't see what's got you so excited." Mustang says pulling off his white gloves and running a hand through his bangs in irritation.

"Well, just as we were about to leave, this Dementor entered the compartment, well it's understandable that Harry would have fainted. But, then that kid, Elric, fainted, and had some sort of fit and was out for about an hour, and screamed the whole damn time too!" Breda explains in a hushed whisper.

"What was he saying?" Alex Louis Armstrong, a strongly built, mountain of a boy, with no hair, bar a gravity defying curl and sporting some very impressive eyelashes, not to mention a perfectly groomed moustache, said.

"I couldn't really make it out… something about leaving his brother alone and taking him instead… I don't know." Breda shrugs dismissively.

"Whatever he was saying, Professor Lupin, the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, said it was the worst reaction to a Dementor he'd ever seen. Oh yeah, that girl of his has a good arm too, I reckon she'd make a great addition to our Quidditch team as a beater." Havoc says, rubbing his head gingerly, wincing as he remembers the pain.

"Yeah, that's if she's chosen." Mustang says calmly.

"So, the old Moon's finally risen huh?" Maes smiles cryptically.

"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, how did the Dementor in your compartment go." Breda grins.

"We all cast our Patronus' as soon as it entered; the Dementor seemed to get the message pretty quickly." Maes Hughes pushes up his glasses, chuckling softly.

They sit in a comfortable silence before it's broken by a sudden outburst.

"Roy! We're gonna be late! We're on Prefect duty!" Riza exclaims.

"Shit! Riza, you're supposed to remember these things!" Mustang curses before getting up and leaving the compartment with Riza. His 'subordinates' laugh at Mustang's 'brilliant' memory.

Ten minutes later the train slows to another stop, however, this stop is at the correct location.

Meanwhile…

The train finally stops at Hogwarts. The golden trio collect their things and leave. Harry, pausing by the door, looks over his shoulder at the pair who still hadn't gotten up from the floor.

"Ed, Winry, you coming?" He asks.

"Yeah, yeah, we'll catch you up in a bit." Ed waves him off.

"Oh, well don't be too long." He grins walking off down the corridor, bag in hand.

As soon as the golden trio are out of sight, Winry turns to Ed.

"Why did you make them leave?" Winry asks, worry and suspicion clouding her eyes.

"Um, well… We might have a problem." Ed starts hesitantly, eyeing her cautiously.

"Might? There's either a problem or there isn't. Which is it?"

"I uh- can't move my arm… Or my leg…" He trails off, looking at his mechanic. Her eye twitches, Edward pales considerably, shrinking away from her. Then to his surprise she breathes out a heavy sigh.

"Oh Ed, what are we going to do with you?" she mutters half to herself, "Come on then, let's get you to the carriages." Thanking his lucky stars, Ed allows Winry to help him up and aid his walk out of the train, towards the awaiting carriages. Looking around, they see Harry waving at them frantically; slowly they make their way towards him, pausing only to pet a young Thestral.

"Hi Harry, Ron, Hermione." Winry nods at each of them respectively.

"Hi Winry, uh, what's up with Ed?" Hermione asks curiously, eyeing the limping boy suspiciously.

"Oh, don't worry about him, he's just a weakling." Winry brushes off, smiling mischievously as she clambers into the carriage.

Three. Two. One…

"WHO'RE YOU CALLING WEAKER THAN A NEW BORN BABY YOU GEAR HEAD!" Edward explodes, arm flailing about.

"You're lost without me, alchemy freak." She says holding out her hand and pulls Ed into the carriage by his right arm, he uses his working arm to support his ascension into the carriage, all the while cursing big steps that don't consider the people who aren't giants. When he finally manages to board the carriage, it jolts to a start, nearly causing Ed to fly out of his newly procured seat. Everyone stifles a laugh with the sleeve of their robes, falling into a comfortable silence as the journey wears on.

"Err, Winry, why were you stroking the air back there?" Harry asks inquisitively, suddenly remembering seeing the two stroke what seemed like the air before they boarded the carriage.

"It wasn't the air," Edward looks at Harry like he's an idiot, "it was one of those weird horse thingies."

"No Ed, they're called Thestrals." Winry corrects gently, rolling her eyes in exasperation.

"Thestrals? What the blazes are Thestrals?" Ron asks, looking unbelievably confused.

"Thestrals," Hermione breathes, then perks up with realisation, "Ah yes! Thestrals are winged creatures that can only be seen by the naked eye if one has witnessed death."

"Always trust Hermione to explain things, it's like she swallowed a bloody encyclopaedia!" Ron grins, patting Hermione on the back; Harry strokes his chin, as if he's trying to figure something out.

"Wait…" Harry says slowly, "You have to see someone die to see a Thestral right? So who did you see die?" The atmosphere darkened considerably, Ed and Winry tense and the golden trio, noticing their unease decide not to press any further, and they sit in an awkward, tense silence filled only by the sound of the carriage wheels bumping along the uneven path.

Finally, the carriage trundles along towards a familiar pair of magnificent wrought-iron gates, flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars, Edward stiffens as he spots two more towering, hooded Dementors, standing guard on either side. A wave of cold sickness and painful memories threatens to engulf him again and sends vicious shivers down his spine, his stumps throbbing. He leans back into the lumpy seat and closed his eyes until they passed through the gates, letting out the breath he didn't realise he was holding. The carriage picked up speed on the long, sloping drive up to the castle; Hermione leans out of the tiny window, watching many turrets and towers draw closer. After what seems like an eternity the carriage sways to a halt and Hermione and Ron get out, closely followed by Harry, who hesitates at the foot of the carriage and turns round to Ed and Winry apology and understanding lighting his eyes. Just as he is about to speak, a familiar patronising voice drifts towards them.

"You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?"
Malfoy elbows past Hermione and Ron to block Harry's way up the stone steps to the castle, his face gleeful and his pale eyes glinting maliciously. In his glee he fails to notice Ed and Winry disembark from the same carriage.

"Shove off Malfoy." Edward growls, clenching his jaw, Malfoy jumps a foot in the air from surprise, before regaining his composure and turns to face the blond haired two.

"Did you faint as well Elric?" Malfoy sneers loudly, "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you, too, Elric?" Edward clenches his fist and Malfoy's lip curls into a smirk; he doesn't notice the terrifying rage in Winry's eyes as she swings back her right arm, trusty wrench in hand as she lobs it at his head. Her aim strikes true and Malfoy collapses in a snivelling pile to the floor, clutching his head in agony. The crowd that had gathered around the group whooped and cheered. Edward- for once- towers over the cowering boy. Looking terrifying even though he's leaning heavily on Winry.

"Dementors show people their very worst memories, right?" He says, his tone venomous but also… sad, "Do you know why it's a bad idea to taunt the people who've seen hell?"

"N-no." Malfoy whimpers. "W-why?" he shuffles backwards, trying to get away from the boy, but Edward steps closer looming over him.

"Because one day, we might decide to show it to you."

Not even waiting for Malfoy to respond, Edward turns, nearly losing his balance, but luckily, Winry grabs hold of him and he hobbles up the steps, with Winry's help, into the castle, both ignoring the stunned murmurs from the crowd.

At the very back of the now dispersing crowd, the Alchemists stand, leaning casually against the stone castle wall.
"'Tis truly admirable the way she defended her friend, the act of kindness is truly astounding." Alex Louis Armstrong throws off his shirt with emotional tears streaming down his face, his sparkles twinkling like stars in the fading light.

"Did he have to take off his shirt?" Falman asks the group with a disturbed expression, the others shrug in reply, being used to Armstrong's emotional tangents.

"Told you she has a mean swing." Havoc grins smugly, changing the subject smoothly.

"Sure Havoc. But the pipsqueak's temper could be his undoing." Mustang waves the comment away dismissively. He spins round when he hears a dry chuckle from Riza.

"Sorry sir." She says, struggling to gain her composure as he shoots her a pointed glare. "It's just, well, he reminds me of someone." She stares at him pointedly.

Hughes comes up from behind Riza and drapes his arm over Roy's shoulder. "I have to say I agree." He says loudly, grinning from ear to ear.

"H-Hughes!" Mustang splutters in mock outrage, then he smirks. "Anyway, I was taller than him when I was six."

In the hallway outside the Great Hall Edward stops short, his expression murderous.

"What is it Ed?" Winry asks worriedly. "Is it your automail?"

His eye twitches dangerously and he takes a while before answering. "Someone just called me a tiny little pipsqueak."

Just as Winry is about to reply a mixture of voices call out. "Hey, you two! Wait up."
Ed turns around to see who the voices belonged to, and the golden trio bound over to them with grins on their faces.

"That was bloody brilliant how you guys put Malfoy in his place!" Ron grins.

"Yeah, thanks for defending me back there." Harry thanks them bashfully, still not used to the prospect of people sticking up for him.

"Eh, it was nothing." Ed and Winry smile in unison, both blushing lightly. Harry and Ron share a look.

"Well I think it was extremely stupid of you. Winry could have killed him!" Hermione says outraged.

"I wouldn't have minded if she did." Ron murmurs to Harry. Hermione whips around, glaring at her two best friends, opening her mouth to scold them when.

"Elric! Potter! Granger! I want to see you now!" Edward, Harry and Hermione turned around, surprised. Professor McGonagall, Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor House was calling over the heads of the crowd. Together they fought their way through the crowd, Edward still using Winry for support. After what seemed like an eternity they reached the stern-looking Professor.

"There's no need to look so worried- I just want a word in my office. Move along there Weasley, you too Miss Rockbell." Professor McGonagall looks at Winry expectantly when she doesn't follow Ron into the Great Hall. "Well?" The Professor asks, her eyebrow arched questioningly.

"Sorry Professor but Edward can't walk on his own." She gives the Professor a look that says 'you know what I mean'. The older woman's eyes soften in understanding.

"Ok then, follow me." she stalks towards her office, closely followed by Edward and Winry, leaving Harry and Hermione gawking, trying to make sense of what they just saw.

"Well, come along then." McGonagall calls over her shoulder at the two. Once they were in her office, a small room with a large, welcoming fire. Professor McGonagall motioned at the four to sit down. Hermione noted how close Edward sat towards the fire and added it to her mental list of things to ask him in the future.

"Professor Lupin sent a note to say that you had both been taken ill on the train." The Professor says, looking from Harry to Edward. Before they could reply, there was a soft knock on the door and Madame Pomfrey, the matron came bustling in. Harry went red in the face, whilst Edward leapt to his feet in outrage.

"I'm fine!" He rushes. "I don't need anything. I'm perfectly ok as I am!" at that he stalks towards the door, or at least that was the plan. After no more than two paces forwards, his automail gives out, causing him to fall, none too gracefully, to the floor. Madame Pomfrey rushes forwards, but Winry gets there first.

"Ed you idiot." She mutters, helping him to his feet. "You've probably done your leg more damage."
Harry and Hermione exchange confused glances. What's wrong with his leg? Harry's mind casts back to when Ed had walked to the carriages, that's right, he was limping. Did the Dementors do that? He resolves to ask Hermione about it later. As Madame Pomfrey and Winry usher Edward out of the office, Harry calls out to them, following them out of the Professor's office and into the hallway.

"Hey, Winry! I'll take Ed to the medical wing, you go down to the Great Hall and get something to eat." Maybe I can find out what they're hiding.

"Nah it's fine, the idiot's my problem, I'll deal with him." She grins kindly, but her eyes were firm, with a look that said there was no point in him arguing with her. Harry shrinks away but his interest is piqued by her reactions. Before he can dwell on it any further, Hermione comes out of McGonagall's office, a huge grin growing on her face. Running up to Hermione, Harry grabs her wrist and carries on running, half leading, half dragging Hermione into the Great Hall. He doesn't stop until he plonks himself down on the bench opposite Ron. Ron looks up from his roast beef surprised.

"What's going on Harry?" asks Ron, some beef and mashed potato hovering precariously on his fork which is stopped in mid-air. Hermione rips her wrist from Harry's grip and glares at him.

"Yeah, Harry, what is going on?" says Hermione.

"Sorry," says Harry meekly, "I just had to get here before those two did."
Ron looks at him completely nonplussed.

"What two?" he asks.

"Edward and Winry," supplies Hermione, she turns to Harry. "I'm assuming those are the two you were referring to."

"Er, right," says Harry slowly nodding his head.

"But they're our friends right?" says Ron confusedly. "Why did you want to get here before them?"

"Because they're hiding something, and we need to figure out what."

"Sorry Harry, but haven't we already discussed this? In fact, if memory serves me, you were the one who shot it down…" says Hermione giving Harry a rather pointed look.

"Well yes… but didn't you notice that when we got on the train his leg was fine but when he got off the train he needed help to walk," Harry points out, "and, you saw the way McGonagall looked at them, she knows something we don't."

"Oh and when Winry said that he'd gone and done his leg more damage!" exclaims Hermione, understanding what he's saying.

"Ok, so you're basically saying that we should spy on our friends because you think that they're hiding something," says Ron slowly, adding on mournfully. "Can't we just have a quiet year where nothing bad happens to us?"

"Come on, you'd die of boredom and you know it," grins Harry.

"Yeah, you're probably right, but couldn't we just try and ask them?"

"Ask who what?" Edward's voice questions from behind Ron. The golden trio stiffen, all turning their heads to the newcomers.

"How's your leg, Edward?" asks Hermione rather suspiciously. "You don't seem to need Winry's help anymore."

"Oh, you know Madam Pomfrey and her potions, she fixed me in a second." Grins Ed, slapping his leg.

"Then how come you arrived here half an hour after Harry?" asks Ron.

"It's a figure of speech dumbass." Laughs Ed, only to get hit by a wrench from Winry.

"Don't be rude, he was only asking," Winry admonishes.

Any words that Ed might have spoken to Winry are cut short as the Headmaster stands up to speak.

"Welcome!" says Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and one is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become any more befuddled by our excellent feast…" Dumbledore clears his throat and continues. "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." He pauses and Harry remembers what Mr Weasley said about Dumbledore not being happy about the Dementors guarding the school. "They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continues, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave the school without permission," he sends a pointed look towards the Alchemist's table, the people in question grin and salute in reply, Dumbledore sends them a small smile before continuing, "Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises – or even Invisibility Cloaks," he adds blandly and the golden trio sweat drop, "it is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I therefore warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs foul of the Dementors."

Percy, who was sitting a few seats down from Edward, puffs out his chest and stares around impressively, earning irritated eye-rolls from the twins and Edward. Dumbledore pauses again; he looks very seriously around the Hall, eyes pausing at the Alchemist's table and then Winry and Edward. This look does not go unnoticed by the golden trio, who look at them quizzically. Nobody moves or makes a sound.

"On a much happier note," he continues, "I am pleased to welcome two more teachers to our ranks this year. Firstly, Professor Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the role of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." There is some scattered, very unenthusiastic, applause. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard.

"Look at Snape!" Ron hisses in Harry's ear. Professor Snape the Potions Master is currently staring along the staff table at Lupin. It was common knowledge that Snape wanted the DADA position for himself. But even Harry is surprised at the sheer amount of hate that clouds his expression.

"Well it looks like they had a colourful past." Mutters Winry to Ed.

"You can say that again!" laughs Edward. "This year's going to be interesting." He adds jovially, not realising how right he is.

"As to our second appointment," Dumbledore continues, "well I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs."
Ed snorts loudly at this, whilst Winry chuckles softly. This earns a few questioning glances from the golden trio, glares from the teaching staff and a soft smile from the Headmaster.

"However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid, who agreed to take on this teaching job as well as his game keeping duties." Dumbledore continues as if no-one had interrupted him. The Gryffindors stare at each other stunned, before finally starting a tumultuous applause.

"We should have known!" roars Ron, pounding the table. "Who else would have set us a biting book?"

"Well I think that's everything of importance," says Dumbledore. "I think it's time to bid adieu."

Ed and Winry joined the Gryffindors streaming up the marble staircase, along more corridors, up more and more stairs, to the hidden entrance of the Gryffindor tower. Before they reach it however, Edward pulls Winry to the edge of the corridor.

"What is it Ed?" she asks concernedly.

"They're suspicious, we can't let them find out about what happened," Ed whispers urgently, Winry however, struggles to keep her laughter down.

"You're telling me to be careful? Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you?"

"Forget it." Ed goes to storm off but Winry grabs his wrist.

"Don't be such a drama queen," she sighs, "I'd die before I let anything slip. But you have to promise me you'll be careful too, they're not the only ones interested in the past."

Ed whips around suddenly. "Who else is interested?" he asks.

"The Alchemists."

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this! The next chapter should see Ed and Winry in their first few classes and include a lot more entrances of the alchemists. 'Til the next time.