Planning for a Better Future
Chapter Four
A Plan Forms
Hogwarts
Headmaster's Office
Snape arrived in Dumbledore's office shortly after breakfast as requested. He had been here often enough over the last few years that he noticed right away the stack of books not previously left in the bookshelf. Dumbledore invited him to sit, before beginning without bothering with pleasantries.
"I find I need to begin with an admission. After spending time with the Amestrians, I agree the child is in the best place for him for now." Dumbledore said, ignoring the shocked look of doubt that briefly crossed Snape's face before he returned to his stoic mask. "They not only clearly care for young Harry but are capable of protecting him."
"As I have said, more than once." Snape can't help but say. He doubted the man's sudden change in opinion.
"Indeed." Dumbledore replied, folding his hands on the desk in front of him. "Something about the Elrics remind me of Flamel, I admit. Perhaps they share a common ancestor. However, like him, they prove to be powerful. Powerful enough that I believe Voldemort's followers would be unlikely to defeat them easily."
"You gathered this from one battle, did you?"
"They are very remarkable indeed. I know you have been looking into horcrux lore." Dumbledore said, changing the subject. "I assume you have come to the conclusion that Voldemort had the nerve to create one."
"Of course." Snape replied.
"I am lending you the literature I have on the subject. I believe that he may have created more than one. It is imperative that we do as much as we can to prevent the use of these objects."
"Have you any idea what he may have used as vessels?"
"Guesses only at this time." Dumbledore said with a sigh. "Though I believe I understand Tom well enough to correctly determine what he was likely to have used."
"We would also need to locate where they were hidden of course." Snape replied. Dumbledore nodded before waving his wand and bringing over the books.
"I will let you begin with the research; I will consider options and try to compile a list of locations to search." Dumbledore said, pleased with the direction of the conversation. He may yet win back over Snape's loyalty.
"I have…an ally…in this endeavor." Snape began carefully, uncertain how much he would be able to say, or how much he should reveal. "I will have to include them in any knowledge I gain."
"I see. One of His?" Dumbledore asked, concerned now over Snape's possible loyalty.
"Never." Snape said furiously. The idea that Edward would ever side with such a monster was laughable to him. Though he admittedly knew very little of the Elric's history or allies, he couldn't see the boy becoming friends with a murder.
"Very well. Do not reveal the source of your knowledge, and I will not ask either. However, should they seem to ally with the enemy, you much swear to stop them." Dumbledore said with a frown, not happy with this turn of events.
Snape agreed before taking the information from Dumbledore and excusing himself. The priority was to find the horcruxes, then destroy them. Dumbledore's distrust was not a concern for him, the safety of the children was.
Fuhrer's Mansion
Edward's Office
Snape had spent a couple of days reading over the material Dumbledore had given him, before returning it since it did not seem to cover anything that Edward's books had also covered. He then excused himself for the weekend, to meet with Edward to discuss the plan and help Edward's training.
He arrived on time, to find Edward pouring over several books as he came in. "Basilisk? Werewolves first, now giant snakes. Your magical creatures sound more and more like an alchemy experiment gone wrong every time I read more." Ed said without looking up from the book in front of him.
"Why are you researching basilisk? As far as I know they're extinct." Snape replied with a frown as he sat down.
"This book listed it as ways to destroy these things. I had no idea what a basilisk was, so I looked it up, though of there aren't anymore of them its pointless. Which is probably best if the death rate for encounters is to be believed."
"It's accurate yes. I found more information myself. It appears he intentionally made several, perhaps as many as five or six." Snape replied, and Ed sighed heavily.
"I already defeated one wannabe god. You would think that would cover my family's bullshit quota for a couple of generations and instead it only managed to buy a few years. Truth owes us one after all this." Ed said in a tired tone.
Snape nodded along as Ed began to pace as he ranted. Snape had learned some time ago to just let the younger man blow off steam and when it seemed he needed additional help to quietly offer whatever was a good distraction.
"Fine. We need to find these things and get rid of them, and I need to also raise my kids and run my country. I will not become Him. That is NOT an option. So, get us a list, we'll go from there." Edward said once he had finally calmed down and sank into his office chair. "Meanwhile, I'll work on how we get rid of them."
"Very well. I have help in the search…"
"In other words, Dumbledore has decided to help, and you can't say that directly." Ed said with a frown. Dumbledore would never stop being a sore point to him as far as he can tell. Between what happened with Yuery and what happened with Hohenheim he just couldn't like the man.
"Yes. It will please you to know however, that he has decided that this is the best place for the boy so we should not have to worry about him causing anymore trouble for you for a while." Snape said, knowing full well that Dumbledore expected him to pass this on and that Edward would not trust it.
"Good for him. Convenient to decide that it is his choice." Edward said with a wave of his hand. "If he wants to win real points, he can help get rid of this threat."
"Should we get to today's lesson while I'm here or wait for next Saturday?" Snape said instead of replying.
"Wait. I'm too pissed off to deal with it right now." Edward said, "Plus I need to help get the kids to bed. I missed a couple of weeks' worth of my turn. It looks like it's going to happen again, so I need to spend time with them while I can."
"Very well. I should leave you to it then." Snape said.