In Times of Trouble
Chapter Two
Come What May
Fuhrer's Mansion
Fuhrer Mustang's Office
Roy had been planning for his trip when he had been informed he had a visitor. He was inclined to send them away, until Breda whispered it was the wizard. So now he was sitting across from the older man, angrier than he had been for awhile. Certainly since Promised Day. There had been things that had come along that were close. This however, he was livid. He had to keep himself from sparking.
Dumbledore had decided that he would come to Roy instead of Edward to discuss Yuery's future, since Edward "was confused" about the significance of the situation. Roy let him talk, all the while growing angrier. Finally, Roy folded his hands in front of him on the desk with a completely blank expression. "If I am to understand you correctly, you seem to be under the impression that we owe you something because of your involvement in Xing a few months ago. You feel an appropriate payment for those services would be to hand over this child, my grandson, to do with whatever you please."
"He is not your grandson. Your son took him from his crib and ripped him from his fate. He has a responsibility to our people. You fail to understand his importance-"
"No. You fail to understand his importance. To Amestris. He IS my grandson. He is the eldest son of my eldest son. One day, my people will expect him to lead them to a brighter future. How is he to do that from the grave?" Roy said, before standing. "Do not underestimate us Mister Dumbledore. We are not people you want as your enemies. You see I know you. I know everything there is to know about you."
"How could you possibly-"
"This book," Roy said, lifting one of the original journals normally kept under lock and key. "was written by Nicolas Flamel. To his son. He spared no details. I know. I know what you did to Arianna. I know of your affair with Gillert Grindelwald. I know how you fumbled the job of Tom Riddle. I know your intention for the child. Harry Potter ceased to exist the 31st of October. Yuery Elric has nothing to do with your schemes. Leave now before the wizarding world learns your secrets Albus."
"You can't-"
"I will publish everything in this book to every printing house and newspaper in your world." Roy said, finally showing his anger. "I won't stop there. I will destroy everything you've built. Everything you think you've accomplished. All of it. Or, you can leave my grandson alone."
"This isn't over. When the time comes, he will be invited to the school. He's going to want the truth of his past sooner or later. I can provide him those answers. He will come to me, no matter how far you try to bury it." Dumbledore said.
"Do you know what they call me?" Roy asked, in a conversational tone. This switch frightened Albus more than he was willing to admit.
"Fuhrer?"
"Ha. Sure. They call me Flame. Hero of Ishbal. I single handedly destroyed the Gaala district. In twelve hours." Roy said. He hated talking about the war, surely he would have nightmares for weeks for this, but if he managed to scare the man off it would be worth it. "When I am sent to interview prisoners I rarely have to ask a question twice. I am the second most powerful alchemist alive. Following my son. The boy's father. Do you understand now the terrible mistake you have made?"
Dumbledore said nothing, instead storming out of the office to Roy's relief. Roy took a shakey breath. He was going to have to warn Edward, which was the last thing his son needed right now. Not with the new baby on the way. Perhaps Roy should leave today instead of waiting until next week. If the wizards tried something right now Ed would have to defend all of the children as a lone alchemist. He shouldn't have to divide his attention like this with a baby about to come.
Safe House
Albus was furious. How dare that that MUGGLE threaten him like this? Wasn't Snape supposed to be keeping an eye on the situation? Where was Snape? With a huff he sent out his patronus to contact Snape, who in turn appeared moments later. "Where have you been?"
"In my home. I couldn't live in the safe house long term and keep it a safe house. I've rented a flat on the edge of the city." Snape said. "What happened?"
"I tried to reason with Mustang, and he threatened me. Something about burning a district and being a hero? Complete rubbish."
"He's referred to as the Hero of Ishbal, it's common knowledge, as were his accomplishments in the War." Snape said, wondering just how much Dumbledore had pickled his brain. These were things Snape and Lupin had found before they ever made contact. "He is the Flame Alchemist, like Edward Elric is the Fullmetal Alchemist. Their names reflect their specialty is my understanding."
"He said he knew Flamel." Dumbledore said, still pacing the room.
"I see, there is the issue that has you so bothered." Snape said with a sigh. Roy wasn't Ed, he therefore had no idea how much he could say before his tongue tied. "I did tell you that you should dig deeper about Flamel."
"You know things you haven't or can't tell me." Dumbledore said. "I have a right to know."
"No you really don't. Nor do you really want to or you would have looked when I suggested it." Snape said. " Look. The only chance you have, however slim, of getting that child to attend Hogwarts is to back off. Do not approach his family again. Do not try to blackmail them into handing him over. These people are dangerous to have as enemies. They would also be very powerful allies. Wizardry and Alchemy have similar power sources. They can counter magic… they also seem to know something that has you shaken so leave. Let me and Lupin and Figg handle the situation as we have been the last few years. Had you dumped him with Petunia you wouldn't be this invested."
"He would have been in arm's reach!"
"He still is. Let this one go. Wherever would you hide him now anyway? I heard about what happened in Little Whigging."
"Very well. For Now." Dumbledore said.
"Albus? Stop drinking. You're killing yourself, and more importantly you haven't bee thinking rationally. Not in years now. If we have any hope of winning this war, you need to have your head on straight." Snape said.
"When do you intend to return to your post?" Dumbledore asked without responding to the ongoing argument between them.
"I will return to my post when you have been sober the entire term." Snape said with a heavy sigh. " Failing that I can always take up a position at Xerxes."
Resembool
Elric House
Yuery and William were busy digging out in the garden, Maes was taking a nap as was Tad. Riza and Winry were in the kitchen making dinner. Riza kept trying to get Winry to sit for a while, but the younger woman was every bit at stubborn as her husband.
Edward was in the study on the phone with Roy. Roy had called nearly half an hour ago, and since it had only been a day since they'd left Central the women were more than a little concerned that the call was dragging out so long. It couldn't be good news, or he wouldn't have shut the office door. Whatever it was, they hoped it wouldn't drag Edward back to the city early.
Finally, close to an hour after he had disappeared, Edward returned to call the boys inside rather sharply for him. Winry and Riza looked at each other, then Winry set down the vegetable peeler to go talk to her husband. She found Ed in the livingroom with the boys, who were both covered in dirt and setting up their blocks. Ed was just sitting there not saying anything.
"Dumbledore tried to take him away." Ed said quietly as Winry sat next to him. "He came to Dad to demand we give him to them."
"I'm sure your Dad set him straight." Winry said.
"He told the old man that if he didn't back off every dirty secret in the man's closet would become common knowledge." Ed said with a smirk. "He also revealed that he has Flamel's journals but didn't let the man touch them."
"I'm sure he felt he had to, to keep you guys safe." Winry said.
"I'm sure he did, I'm not worried about it. That man can't get to them. Even if he could, what good would they do him? He doesn't read Amestrian. He would need a translator." Ed laughed bitterly. "Then he would need a codebreaker. Had I not handed Dad the keybook with the journals he would still be working his way through them."
"Well, then it doesn't matter. What matters is that he currently backed off." Winry said.
"Dad's coming early. He'll be on the next train."
"Okay. So the man really shook him up."
"I think it was more he shook himself up. He pulled out his own list of 'accomplishments' as well. Dad hates talking about the war." Ed said with a sigh leaning his head back against the couch. "Hopefully it will be enough. I can't keep doing this Win. They keep coming at him at every angle. I think…I think they are going to push me into fighting them. I can't lose him."
"We won't. Ed you have never failed when you set your mind to something. Not if it was even slightly possible. You spent five years working on getting Al back. You saved this whole country, possibly the world because there's no way that thing would have stopped here. You are the youngest state alchemist in history. You never quit, and you aren't going to quit on him." Winry said. "If that- If that means you have to travel again for awhile, it'll be okay Ed."
"No. I won't abandon my family." Edward said shaking his head. "No, it was bad enough having to leave him for a few days here and there as a baby. God Win I almost died on him! No I can't be that selfish."
"Well, what if it's the only way to solve this Edward? Maybe England has the answers you and your dad can't find here." Winry said with a sniff. She didn't want to suggest her husband leave, possibly for months, but she'd been thinking it for a while. If Ed wasn't so stubborn he likely would have thought of it too. He probably had thought of it too, but refused to go further than thinking. He was so set on not turning into Hohenheim he blinded himself to the reality of the situation.
"Even if the answers lie in England I'm not leaving you right now. We have three small children and a fourth to be here anytime now. What kind of husband walks out on four babies Win?" Edward asked.
"The kind who's going to do EVERYTHING in his power to protect his family Ed." Winry said. "Look I'm not saying leave today. I need you to meet this child before you go anywhere, but I need you to at least consider it."
"I can't go there now. Dumbledore has got to have people watching for me and who knows what Dante's up to?" Edward said. "She was behind Takeshi's fight you know? I can't leave you vulnerable like that…I'll talk to Al. Maybe he can either go to England, or come here to be with you." Winry nodded, that had gone better than she had hoped. Not the greatest but better.
Xerxes
Headmaster Offices
Alphonse Elric, Mei Chang, and Remus Lupin were conducting a staff meeting when Severus Snape arrived. "You will be hearing from your father or brother soon, I'm sure." Snape said as he sat next to Al. "Dumbledore just left me. He started a fight with Mustang over the boy and lost."
"I'm surprised you're allowed to comment on it." Lupin said casually though there was a sharpness to his eyes that suggested anger and distrust.
"Of course, I'm not revealing anything that everyone in this room wasn't expecting on some level or I would have to hold my tongue as you well know." Snape said testily. "I brought out more of your potion Remus. Do drink it straight away."
"I think this meeting is pretty much over anyway." Al said with a sigh."Mei, care to walk home with me? I'm likely to get an unpleasant call soon."
"Of course. Professor Lupin Kindly lock up behind you." Mei said as she stood to follow Al out of the office.
"So, what did he say to cause a stir?" Lupin asked after the office was clear.
"He threatened to take the child now, and was threatened in return." Snape said with a shrug. "Whatever Mustang said to him shook him enough to back down."
"Do you know what was said?" Lupin asked
"I got the general idea. Mustang offered a display of his own power." Snape said with a shrug.
"I see. How is your houseguest settling?" Lupin asked as they left the office themselves.
"I- how did you?"
"I saw you walking around with them this morning. I decided to come back here and wait for you to bring the potion instead of interrupting."
"You can't tell anyone they are here."
"Okay."
"I mean it Remus. She will die and her son…it will be worse for him." Snape said desperately. "I know you think poorly of me, and of her, but please don't endanger that child."
"I won't. I promise Severus. As long as she isn't a threat to Harry I couldn't care less where she's hiding out." Remus said. "I don't want harm to come to any child."
"Thank you." Severus said as they reached Remus' cottage. Severus followed him in to give him the potion. "She has no idea that the Boy is here, she'll only ever hear him mentioned by his new name in the streets and even if she did…she left Lucius because of his involvement in the murder plot."
"So why did it take her so long then?"
"She had literally no where else to go. She has no access to their accounts, no living relatives, no friends. She asked for help and her pleas were ignored. I found out about it three months ago at which point I took steps to get them free." Severus said. "She's my friend."
"Is that what they call it now?" Remus said.
"I do not need to defend myself against you." Severus said with a sniff. Only years of schooling his expression prevented the blush attempting to rise in his cheeks at the suggestion.
"Because you have no defense." Remus said. "I do not see the issue. They've broken up haven't they?"
Severus left without another word, thoroughly annoyed and embarrassed. This was the reason he hated interacting with people. Especially Gryffindors. He knew better than to think Remus was any kinder than his friends. No. Instead he'd allowed himself to be lulled into a false comfort zone, only for Remus to mock him for showing kindness to a friend.
"Severus, wait!" Remus said as Severus stormed toward the designated apperation zone. "Please."
"What now?" Severus said sharply. "You have more to suggest? Hmm. Perhaps you want to accuse me of kidnapping her? No? Something else then?"
"I wanted to apologize." Remus said as he caught up slightly breathless. "I haven't a lot of experience with friends. I know it's a terrible excuse. However, it was simply a joke they would have used on me over the years. Had used on me, and each other."
"You still want to insist your dear friends were not the bullies I said they were? Even after that kind of thing happening in your own circle? How would you feel if you were helping a friend in need and someone accused you of taking advantage of her? That's what you just did!"
"I wasn't thinking, as I said." Remus said. "Please, Severus, forgive me. I won't suggest things like that again."
"Fine." Severus said. "Don't repeat that to anyone else."
"Is everything alright?" Mei asked as she walked up to the men. She knew they were arguing even without their chi screaming anger and embarrassment.
"Remus decided to insinuate inappropriate things about me and a friend of mine. I was offended." Severus said.
"I see." Mei said. " Remus, Alphonse wished to speak to you for a moment."
Remus nodded before he walked toward Al's cottage where the younger man was standing at the front door. Mei watched him go before turning back to Severus. "He was out of line, I'm sure. Please though, don't be a stranger here. We love to have you. I know that Edward and Alphonse both consider you a friend."
"I highly doubt Edward regards me as a friend Miss. He barely tolerates my presence for his own reasons." Severus said.
"You have never encountered Edward with his other friends then. Edward treats everyone that way, but only if he likes you." Mei said with a giggle. "He still refers to my brother as 'that idiot freeloading prince' and Ling is his best friend! Before they were married he referred to Winry as the 'crazy gearhead'. He refers to Russell Tringham as 'the idiot who pretended to be him'. And he refers to you as 'his annoying wizard.' That's high praise from Edward."
"That's … interesting." Severus said with a smirk. It wasn't often someone actually wanted to spend time with him, so the prospect that Edward actually did like him was nice, even if he didn't completely believe it.
Fuhrer's Private Car
East Bound
Roy decided to leave the care of the country to the Council of Twelve for the next four weeks. He trusted the Council, or rather he trusted the Armstrongs to call him if there was a problem with the Council. He would only be out of communication as long as it took to travel from the train station to the house.
He also had spoken to Severus Snape, who had agreed to arrange instant transport if Roy's presence in the city became necessary. It was still not ideal, however he did not want to leave his family so exposed just after yet another threat had been made on the child. At this rate, Roy was considering assigning bodyguards just to the boy.
Breda had agreed to stay behind and man the office, which was strange in that his transfer back under Roy's command was recent and he tended to try to avoid being in Central as much as possible, until a couple of months ago. Roy hoped it was a sign that Breda was finally recovering. He missed his old team sometimes. He especially hated that any of them were no longer alive. He still felt like a failure.
However, he would not fail his children. He was busy with paperwork at the moment. Fuery was sitting across from him with the briefcase of papers that couldn't wait. Fuery would be head straight back to the city, and was to return at least once a week with a stack of paperwork for Roy.
"Breda seems to be doing well." Mustang said. He loved his team but he knew sometimes they talked to each other more than him.
"He is. He's finally gotten to the point where he feels alive again. Armstrong did a lot to help him through it." Fuery said with a smile.
"Well, that does make sense. Alex is well versed in grief training. I am glad he was able to help. I only wish I had been able to, or that it hadn't been necessary." Roy said with a sad sigh as they traded stacks of files.
They slipped into a comfortable silence then, both in agreement that the subject was best left there. They were glad that their friend was doing better, neither wanted to venture into the realm of gossip which was always a risk when speaking of coworkers.
The miles slipped by with a dull landscape. It was mostly fields at this point, and it lulled Roy into a half sleeping daze. Fuery was reading across from him, the paperwork as dull on a train as it was in the office. Roy was doing his best to stay awake but was failing. Forty minutes out of their lay over in East City the breaks screeched loudly as the train trembled before they were thrown about the cabin as the train left what was left of the track.
Resembool
Ishbalan Command Center
Temporary Office of Brig Gen Jean Havoc
The call came in just as Havoc was about to leave the office. The East City Express had derailed outside of Brownsburg. The Fuhrer's private car had been attached to the end of the train, though the man calling was unaware of this and Havoc did not inform him. Preliminary reports suggested it was entirely accidental.
There was no word on the condition of the passengers aboard, including Fuhrer Mustang and his Adjutant Colonel Kain Fuery, not that he expected word on them or they would have been mentioned during the call. Jean stared at the report dumbfounded. It didn't make sense, trains went down that track twelve times a day.
Jean informed his adjutant to wait for further information as Jean himself headed toward the Elrics to give Edward the news personally. No one knew if Roy was alright. If he wasn't…Edward was acting Fuhrer. According to the way the law now read, if Roy could not return to duty for any reason, Edward was Fuhrer until he stepped down or died. Jean hoped Roy was alright. Not just for Roy's sake, but for Ed's.
He was trying to think of the best way to word this all the way to the front door. He knocked, which he knew was a mistake as soon as he finished because he had been instructed to just come in. Winry opened the door with a frown as Jean gently pushed passed her.
In the living room he found Edward sitting among his sons on the floor. Riza and his youngest brother sitting nearby. Jean was briefly thankful he would only have to do this once as he took a deep breath still not sure what he was going to say.
Edward took one look at his expression and said without looking away "Win, would you mind taking the boys upstairs for me?"
"Sure Ed." Winry said as she took Tad and then lead her sons up the stairs as Riza stood to join Edward.
"What happened Havoc?" Riza asked with a concerned frown as soon as the door to the boys' room clicked shut.
"The East City Express Derailed. We don't know what happened yet." Jean said. "I'm so sorry Edward, Riza. We don't know if he's alright."
"No." Riza said as she sank into the couch. Edward bowed his head, his face hidden by his bangs. He said nothing as his shoulders shook. Riza stood again, to wrap her arm across his shoulder and pull his face into her neck to muffle his tears.
"I'm sorry. I have to head back to command. I will send someone as soon as we hear something." Jean said as he left the family to their grief.