Planning for a Better Future
Chapter Fifteen
Plans and Classes
Headmaster's Office
At the end of the first week of classes, Dumbledore again summoned Snape to his office. Severus arrived after dinner, with Dumbledore once again pouring over several books. Without waiting for the older man to look up he asked, "Did you find another lead then?"
"No, I am afraid not. I believe that we should forget about the matter for the time being. I will continue to search of course; however, I wish for you to focus on the classes." Dumbledore responded. "We have, what is the phrase, hit a wall in research. We know there are more, we do not know what they are or where to find them."
"You wish for us to simply surrender? Wait for him to rise again and hope for the best?" Severus asked, angered at the suggestion.
"Absolutely not. However, we have a responsibility to the students here to train them to the best of our abilities. We cannot afford distractions."
"If it is an issue, I can offer my resignation." Severus replied. "Focus on the search which is important."
"Nonsense. You would have no idea where to begin. I knew him well enough to be given a general idea of what would likely have been used and where it would be hidden." Dumbledore said with a sigh. "I believe I have proven that."
"You know Elric is going to continue his search as well. He could likely find them long before you. Research is his life's work." Severus said as a frustrated taunt. "If he should contact me, I will go with him. Without notice."
"I will keep that in mind. Meanwhile, keep your focus on your students. I was informed today that a couple of boys from your house were attempting to intimidate the Gryffindor team." Dumbledore said sharply, annoyed with the implied threat. "Bill Weasley and- "
"Bill Weasley and his lot have been going for the other team since the first day of classes. Everyone in the Great Hall saw the interaction. I doubt it was one sided." Severus argued. "I will speak to my house about the matter; however, I suggest you have Minerva speak to her house as well."
"There is no need. She assures me that her house is aware that scare tactics will not be tolerated. Friendly rivalry is one thing, intimidation is another."
"…I see nothing has changed then." Severus said. "Good evening professor."
Severus stormed out of the tower, angered by the whole encounter. He gave serious thought to terminating his contract as he made his way back to his rooms, only to run into Minerva McGonagall on his way down.
"Speak to your students. Dumbledore will say nothing to you on the matter. However, I will not tell my students to behave only to be taunted in return."
"I'm afraid I do not understand what has happened?" she replied.
"I was informed Bill Weasley feels threatened by my students while having done nothing wrong. I myself witnessed the rivalry several times now, and while it remained equal and friendly saw no reason to intervene however with these new tactics, we both need to speak to our children."
"I agree. I will speak to them immediately. I trust you will do the same?"
"Of course. I will not tolerate this behavior."
Once Snape had left Dumbledore returned to his books. He was running out of ideas where else they may be able to search. He needed to keep Snape here, otherwise they may not gain the boy. After all it was through Snape's endorsement that Dumbledore assumed they would be able to sway that stubborn boy who claimed young Harry.
It bothered Dumbledore that Snape was trying to insist that they use the boy's new name instead of the one he was born under. How would the world know that the Boy had returned if he returned under an alias? Perhaps the problem, Dumbledore mused, laid with the name itself. Harry had been named after his father. James Harry Potter. Harry James Potter. Yes, that was likely the problem. Well, Snape would grow used to it once the boy was here. Until then it would cause no harm to allow him to think Dumbledore had considered his suggestion.
He would find a way, without further help from the Amestrians, to locate and destroy the Horcruxes. It had certainly been impressive that Mustang could control the fire to that degree. However, they were dangerous. He was prepared to consider them the next great threat, and the control of the fire only helped to cement that concern. He had seen what the Elrics could do as well.
The only benefit, as he saw it, was the boy was likely to return to them with some of that knowledge. He, like Dumbledore himself, would have an edge on the enemy from that training. Now it was a matter of winning the boy over once the time came.
Surely, the allure of knowledge of his first family, his real family, would draw him in. Dumbledore just had to play his cards right and he would have the boy firmly in his corner. Even Elric would then not be able to shake the boy away again. Yes, the offer of his birth family's history would be the key.
Given that the Boy was legally born to Elric and some mystery girl, it should not be difficult to shake that foundation. Harry would feel betrayed that he had been lied to for all of these years. It was perfect, he may refuse to return to them even for the summer once the truth was revealed. Sure, Edward Elric held all of the cards now, but he had placed himself in an impossible situation with the lies.
That he had then turned around and had a second child so quickly could be used as well. Wouldn't the boy agree that his stepbrother rightfully deserved the place in line for leadership? He was the one who had truly been born to it after all. Guilt was a powerful tool. Guilt and the promise of knowledge. Soon, he would once again have everyone back in the places they belonged. He simply had to wait until the right time. If anything, his time with Nicolas had taught him that patience was a must.
He sighed as he put away the books. He had meant it that he wasn't going to stop looking for the other pieces, however, it wasn't as urgent as the others seemed to think. Until the Boy was purged, He could return. Nothing could change that. Therefore, they had a few years yet to search because He was not going to show himself before his target returned to the wizarding world.