First and foremost I don't give a flying (rhymes with duck) about the "accuracy" of the FMA and HP worlds. This is fanfiction...ALL fanfiction is AU...get over it. Now all positive feedback and criticism will be taken to heart. Also I tried to spell everyone's name right I swear.

Dumbledore gave an all too common nod of understanding. He was sitting at his desk in his favorite place in the world, Hogwarts. The light from the setting sun made his almost impossibly long, white hair glitter in its waning light. Leaning forward the headmaster rested his elbows on the highly polished surface of his desk; knitting his fingers carefully, his gaze intensified, watching his guest with keen attention.

"We both know the Dark Lord will be coming after the school Dumbledore; there is no doubt about that. What I'm suggesting will benefit both of us in our causes," the warm, friendly voice rumbled from one of the guest chairs.

Dumbledore leaned even further forward, chin now resting firmly on his woven digits, an unreadable expression masking his face. The rooms only other occupant took this lack of response as a sign to continue.

"One branch head and his officers to patrol this entire school…..three or four units maybe at the bare minimum, but just the one is asking a bit much even of the best, don't you think headmaster? Please be reasonable!"

"As honored as I am by your concern for the well-being of my students, our teachers aren't incompetent. I do not deem it necessary to have more guards than staff, even in these troubled times" reasoned Dumbledore with an acknowledging tilt of his head. A heavy pause stretched out between them as the sky outside began to blacken, creating dark shadows all around. Several candles flickered to life on the stone walls, banishing the darkness and casting a warm, almost cozy glow about the room.

"If I cannot dissuade you then may I at least suggest an extra Alchemist, just in case?" Dumbledore's eyes closed for a brief moment before opening again with a resigned sigh.

"Very well, but first term starts September 1st and I expect to have a complete list of both the Alchemists and the officers," stated the older man firmly.

Flashing a bright smile, the rooms' other occupant rose to his feet and bowed respectfully.

"It's been a pleasure dealing with you Dumbledore."

"Same here, King Bradley."

The sun had finally set.

Eastern Headquarters

Roy Mustang despised being manipulated by his higher ups, but this was ridiculous! When he and his team were transferred from Central to the Eastern branch he thought things couldn't get much worse.

'Good thing I sent Fullmetal out here before me or the situation would have been intolerable' thought Roy allowing a smirk to slide across his handsome features. A small chuckle escaped him as the door to this office swung open to admit a most unexpected guest. All eyes swung to the doorway as the Fuhrer walked sedately into the crowded office. In a small flurry Mustang and his officers all snapped to attention and saluted their leader, who gave a nod of acknowledgment to his subordinates.

"To what do I owe this honor Fuhrer?" Roy asked, a slight edge of apprehension in his voice.

"Congratulations Colonel Mustang, you and your staff are being transferred."

Hope swelled in the Flame's chest, 'Could it be they would finally be going back to Central?' the thought raced over and over in the Colonel's head, a twinge of hope sparked and raised his spirits as the Fuhrer's secretary stepped forward to hand Mustang a brown folder.

"Good luck Colonel," and as quickly as they had appeared, the Fuhrer and his secretary departed leaving Mustang and his close knit group rigid in their salutes. The sharp click of the heavy wooden door closing signaled a sudden exhale and relaxing of posture for each of them, as all eyes turned to Mustang he opened the mission folder. The level of curiosity spiked as their commander's eyebrows shot upwards and his hands began to shake with indignation. Finally Lieutenant Havoc worked up enough courage to ask as the others gulped nervously.

"What is it chief?"

"Guard duty!" Spat Roy flinging the file onto Hawkeye's desk, each word dripping with ice cold fury.

Rockbell Automail, Risembool

A few days later…..

"One...two..three!" Counted Winry as she cranked the wrench to tighten the attachment bolt on Ed's right arm. His eyes grew wide for a second as he clenched his jaw; a small noise of pain escaped him as his mechanic wiped her brow on her sleeve. Auntie Pinako just finished setting out tea and cookies for them while Al polished his chest plate at the end of the table with a faded blue rag.

"I didn't know automail could attract so much sand. Honestly Ed, it's a miracle none of it worked its way into the port or your arm didn't just stop working," grumbled the blond girl to the now panting State Alchemist.

'Sand, desert, Liore, Rose, disappointment'

The memory of their best lead so far being another fake stone dampened the teen's spirits, 'Will we ever be whole again?'

"Ed?" a slightly annoyed voice jerked his attention back to reality.

"What?"

"I asked when you're going back to Eastern." stated Winry from her place now opposite him at the table. Ed gave a chuckle as he reached out for the steaming mug in front of him.

"Maybe in a couple of days. The longer I don't have to see that man's dumb ass smirk the better," he chuckled before talking a sip of his tea. A peaceful silence had settled over the small family of misfits when Den began to announce the arrival of visitors. Auntie Pinako got up to see who it was, chiding for the noisy dog to be quiet. Ed was just reaching for a cookie as the old woman snarled at the open door.

"What are you doing here?" Pinako said sharply closing the door as the dark haired Colonel stepped past her and into the room.

"Sorry to interrupt but I have important information for Fullmetal." Mustang walked further into the room and seated himself at the simple wooden table still littered with the remnants of their tea. Heated glares from the room's occupants bored into him but, being in the military he was used to it; that didn't mean he liked it.

"This mission will take a year to complete," Roy prompted glancing over at the tall suit of armor further down the table "and I'm sorry Alphonse but you are to remain here, you cannot accompany Edward this time nor can you know the details of this assignment."

"WHAT!" as Roy expected, Ed exploded at the news.

"Brother…." Al stood up to make sure his brother didn't do something rash.

"Quiet!" The solid ring of authority silenced the two boys. Pinako looked at the seated Colonel as she puffed quietly on her pipe nose curling in distaste; Winry looked close to tears but kept her peace nervously biting her lip. Sighing at the tense, almost frightened atmosphere, Roy looked around the room before his eyes came to rest once again on Ed.

"I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things Ed, but this time I really need you to work with me."

"And why would I do that, Colonel? Asked the teen stressing the older man's title. Roy thought for a minute, choosing his words very carefully before speaking again.

"Because something tells me this particular mission will benefit both of us."

Ed perked up, all disappointment from his previous mission vanishing as the passionate flame that drove him forward, reignited in his eyes.

"You leave at 8.45am tomorrow morning when you'll be fully briefed on this assignment, make sure you're ready." He nodded to Pinako and Winry and swept out of the room, very much like the Fuhrer had left his office, leaving the occupants standing in disbelief and shock. No-one made a sound; a car could be heard pulling away but it too faded to silence.

"You're not really going to leave Al for a whole year, are you Ed?" Winry continued to chew her lip as she quietly watched Ed as he stood staring at the floor, his blond bangs hiding his face. Deep down she already knew the answer to her question but still she had to hear it from him.

"What do you think?" he growled not looking up "

Al bowed his head, a whole year; he wouldn't see his brother for a whole year.

"Brother…"

Ed looked up at his little brother; they both knew that those twelve months would be more like twelve years to each other.

"I have to follow orders, I can't look back Winry; I have to keep walking forward"

Aunt Pinako took a slow drag from her pipe looking at the morose faces in front of her.

"At least they aren't sending you off to war Ed." She sighed blowing out a cloud of smoke.

Thanks for all the wonderful help: Krows Scared I sorry about my stubbornness and total lack of grammar skills. To think I want to be an English major...Emos in corner