In Times of Trouble
Chapter Fourteen
Strategy Meetings
Hogshead
Hogsmeade
Three days later
The spell work had been arranged, and Dumbledore reluctantly agreed to the terms, after all he still had his spies. Once that had been settled, they sat down together to work out the best way to deal with the threat in question.
He was more than a little surprised when he arrived to find not just the younger Elric and his wife in the meeting, but the Elder and a woman he didn't recognize with braided black hair and a scowl on her face. She stood in the back of the room with her arms crossed just behind the Elrics.
Lupin again stood off to the side, obviously the one who had escorted the others to this location. Dumbledore nodded to him first before he offered a bright smile to the others. "Well. Not that we have all arrived, lets get on with it shall we?" he said.
"I suppose we don't get a lot of choice in it. For the record, I don't trust you, or like you. Do not assume us helping you changes anything." The elder said with a scowl. Not for the first time, something about him reminded Dumbledore of Nicolas and he wondered how many people on the continent had that coloration.
"I think introduction are needed first." The younger said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He too had a bit of Nicolas in him, not as sharply, but there. "As we all know, you are Albus Dumbledore. Wizard and minor Alchemist, oh and Headmaster. Professor Remus Lupin, Werewolf and Head Teacher. I am Alphonse Mustang-Elric, Alchemist and Headmaster. This is my wife, Princess Mei Chang-Elric, Headmistress. My brother, Lt. Fuhrer Edward Mustang-Elric, Fullmetal Alchemist. And my teacher, Izumi Curtis, housewife."
"Well, if you're done waving credentials around, lets get on with this." The angry woman, Izumi Curtis said.
"I beg your pardon madam, but why was she included in this meeting?" Dumbledore asked in a polite but sharp tone.
"Izumi knows Perenelle better than anyone else in this room, since she was Izumi's alchemy teacher." Alphonse said.
"Oh. I was under the impression you were a muggle with that introduction my apologies" Dumbledore said.
"What I am is irrelevant. I am here to offer insight, nothing more." Izumi said.
"I've made the pact and the spell is cast. Even if you walked out right now, I would not be able to reverse it, therefore keep your end of the agreement, and help me find this woman's reasoning." Dumbledore said, annoyance finally slipping into his tone.
"You seem to be under the impression that you're in control of this meeting sir." Izumi said. "You are simply a guest of my students' generosity. One I counseled against I might add, therefore keep your peace or we'll have to test your endurance."
"Please just stay quiet Professor. No one wants to see a lesson today." Alphonse said, paling slightly at Izumi's narrowed eyes.
"Okay look. It has been brought to our attention that you managed to get yourself on Perenelle's hitlist." Edward said, growing tired of the conversation. "Since as much as I'd love for you to just disappear, I refuse to be party to murder, we agreed to help you. However, if you'd rather just take your chances, be my guest. My hands are clean then and that solves two of my problems."
"What do you have in mind?" Dumbledore asked.
"Well…how much we tell you depends on how much you already know actually. So, what do you know about the Flamels?" Alphonse asked.
"Nicolas Flamel has come and gone from the wizarding world for centuries. He took only one apprentice in all that time, me." Dumbledore said. "I was young, just over eighteen when he offered to teach me- "
"Eighteen is old for an alchemy apprentice. Training tends to start somewhere between eight and thirteen." Izumi said with a snort. "Some go down as young as four and as high as twenty, but that's rare."
"Still, I became his apprentice, he had me live with him for the better part of three years, two here and one in between in Amestris, which is how I could find it." Dumbledore said. "I never met Perenelle in this time, which I did find a bit odd, but he said she was shy and chose to live in one of their other houses while I was there leading me to believe that perhaps she was not happy with certain…activities… we engaged in during that time."
"Okay no. I don't need to hear about that sht. Skip ahead to important stuff." Edward said with a scowl of disgust. The last thing he wanted was to hear about his birth father's sex life. Dumbledore looked briefly offended before Alphonse gestured for him to continue.
"He trained me as much as he could in that time, though he did say something about magic interfering with my full potential. He said, before he brought me back to England, that something bad was brewing in his country, but I had the same problems and I needed to focus on fixing things here."
"So basically, he gave you some training but otherwise you don't know anything about him." Edward said with a frown.
"I know he wrote me a few years ago and told me that if his sons should ever need my aide, it would repay my debt to him, but he never said how many sons or their names or ages, so I wouldn't know them if I was standing right next to them." Dumbledore defended. He did his best to ignore the looks that passed between the Amestrians. "I wrote him, nearly five years ago now, to ask for his help with Voldemort. He told me to have the Ministry contact the Fuhrer of Amestris and they would send an alchemist. They sent you, and you not only failed to help with the situation you kidnapped the child."
"I already told you I won't be party to murder. That goes double for an innocent baby. We aren't talking about that though." Edward said before pinching the bridge of his nose. "Okay. We get it. You know Nicolas pretty damn well. What do you know of his wife aside from her avoiding you?"
"Only rumors from her prior stays at the schools, and that Nicolas warned me to stay away from her." Dumbledore replied.
"Oookkaaaay then, Perenelle 101." Edward said. "First of all, she is insane. Like lock her in a padded room and forget about her insane. However, she is also smart, so anything we throw at a normal opponent won't work on her."
"I was Perenelle's student. She was a harsh master, never one to demonstrate herself, though she had a lovely staff that were always willing to step in until I demanded Dummies to work with." Izumi said with a frown. Nothing was adding up with this woman.
"What does she say you owe her exactly?" Alphonse asked, and Dumbledore took a moment to realize he was being addressed since the young man was flipping through a book and not looking at any of them.
"She didn't say. Only that as her husband's lover, I owe her for that, and she intends to collect." Dumbledore said.
"He just had to say it. I was trying to ignore it, and he had to say it." Edward muttered, apparently to himself because none of the others responded. After he muttered a bit longer, he sat forward. "Okay, so here's what we know. She hates you, for reasons. She hates my brother and me, because Xersian bloodline. She wants to dismantle everything her husband has ever done."
"Oh, that's why you look similar. I wasn't going to say anything, but I wondered. He told me he was one of the only Xersians left." Dumbledore said.
"Yeah, there aren't very many at all. Most of them died centuries ago." Ed said vaguely. He wanted off the subject. "So, we need a way to stop her. What did you learn Al?"
"Nothing useful, I'm afraid. She's barely capable of magic, barely capable of alchemy, but very, very manipulative and good at collecting people who are exceptional at the two." Al said, finally closing his book. "What we need is to find her, so we can stop her before she causes anymore trouble."
"So. That's the goal, find the people she's using and cut off her resources." Edward said with a nod. "I'll handle Amestris, Alphonse, Princess, can handle Xing. You can handle here."
"Here, as in United Kingdom? Otherwise, I'm afraid Europe is far too large for one person." Dumbledore said.
"The only other place in Europe she has connections is France, and my money is on her avoiding there." Al said quietly. "It's far more likely since she faked her death, that she is trying to gather forces in Amestris."
"Very true." Edward said grimly. "I suggest we meet here again in a month to see where we stand. Oh, and Albus, don't try to pull one over on me. I know damn well you have a spy network, use it to find her."
"It's more a vigilante group." Lupin added, he hadn't spoken in a while, and Dumbledore had nearly forgotten he was there. "Snape said that he told you to look deeper into Flamel. I assume you ignored him."
"What could Snape know about it that I didn't already know." Dumbledore asked.
"Probably enough to fill a book." Edward said as he turned to the others. "If that is all, I need to get back. I have a meeting with the Council of Twelve in an hour."
"Yes, of course." Lupin said politely. "If you both would come with me. Professor Elric, Princess Mei, I assume you will be alright until I return."
Edward and Izumi are gone a moment later, leaving Alphonse and Mei with Dumbledore to settle any left-over details. Al does his best to offer a polite smile, something he is still struggling with after years of no body, controlling his expressions. Unless he was actively thinking about it, he tended to simply look blank.
"So, do we all understand the plan then?" Al asked.
"Yes. Have our people track her down, then restrain her until the others can arrive." Dumbledore recited.
"Essentially. I strongly suggest you avoid engaging her directly. Send someone else instead, preferably several others." Al said with a frown. "She is dangerous, don't underestimate her."
Dumbledore nodded in agreement as Lupin reappeared. Lupin offered him a brief smile before the other two stood and joined him to take their leave. Dumbledore wondered if perhaps it was time to rotate out his spies, they seemed to be growing attached to the other side. He couldn't afford to have them decide that leaving the boy there was for the best. One day, hopefully soon, it would be time to collect the child and thanks to this new spell he was going to have to rely completely on others to do it.
With that and the rest in mind, Dumbledore summoned the rest of the Order to inform them of an emergency meeting later that day. He then headed back up to the castle, it seemed he had a lot of planning to do.
Central Command
Council of Twelve
Meeting Hall
Edward had arrived with plenty of time to make it back to his office to gather his notes before joining his Dad and the council. The Twelve men and woman who sat on it were all generals, most had been in place under Grumman as well.
Edward still managed to get there ahead of the generals and after the Fuhrer, to take his seat to the right of his dad and nod once to indicate the meeting had completed and that they would go over it later. Before Roy could ask any questions, the generals began filing into the room. Roy and Edward both stood until the others were all in place behind their seats.
Roy raised an eyebrow as a promise that they would talk later before he turned to the others to greet them all. Ed offered a half smile before returning his attention to the thick files in front of him. He had no real proof Dante was involved in this unrest, but he felt she left her signature all over this whole thing.
Over the years since Promised Day Edward had gotten used to the routine of commanding officer. He was almost comfortable with it now, almost. It helped that, like his Dad, he was very relaxed and informal with his office staff, aside from this part. It was still expected that they wait until he indicated before sitting to begin the meeting.
Edward was still a bit distracted from his earlier meeting, luckily, he was also used to following Roy's lead on these things so that even when deep in thought he simply followed Roy's ques. Roy sat and half a second later Ed followed. The rest of the room then settled into their seats as Roy opened the meeting.
Ed nodded along at the three reports before his own, gratefully taking copies to read later in case he had missed anything in his current state. Meeting Dumbledore in person again had left him with the strong urge to go and gather his son to him and hide the boy away. It was an irrational feeling, since the magic they cast prevented Dumbledore from making a move, but the last few years had left him paranoid on the matter.
He had taken the time to call the mansion and talk to Winry before this meeting, so he knew she had the children with her, in the living room, and the guards were on watch. He tried to relax, because this meeting was far too important to skip out because of a bad feeling. He noticed the room was waiting for him when he felt Roy nudge his foot under the table.
"We have an issue here in Central that needs to be addressed now, today if possible. An anti-Ishbalan movement is beginning to form. As near as Intelligence can gather the movement is not well organized, and we need to keep it that way. I am creating a special task force to handle the matter, any agents that you think would be well suited to the job have a list sent to my office by the end of the day. My hope is that we can break this up before any violence can irrupt." Edward said calmly before sitting back and waiting for the questions.
"When did you learn of this?" General Miles asked.
"Last week, just before I sent for you and the others." Edward said calmly, with a deep frown they all recognized as his attempt not to start his normal rant. He had gotten better at controlling his temper over the years, he was much calmer than he had been as a field agent but everyone in this room remembered the chaotic temper of Fullmetal. "It was brought to my attention while investigating on the request of a friend the mistreatment and verbal abuse his houseguest and her son had received from a neighbor. During the course of the investigation, I learned she was just part of a larger movement."
"We will move to have it well known that these sorts of unprovoked encounters will not be tolerated" Roy added. "I propose we begin with a fine for the first offense and go from there dependent on the frequency and severity of the situation."
"Very good, Sirs." General Alex Armstrong said, he had been part of the earlier investigation. "I have compiled a list in anticipation of this meeting after my men reported their findings."
"Thank you, Armstrong." Roy said with a tired sigh. "That should be all for today. Should you have any further questions, I'll be in my office all afternoon. Good day Generals."
Roy and Edward left the room, rejoined by their adjutants at the door. Minutes of the meeting would be typed up as soon as they reached their offices. Tomorrow they would receive the minutes with their morning paperwork. As soon as they were alone, Roy turned to Ed to suggest he take the rest of the day off. Ed held up a hand to stop him. "Don't say, because if you do I will, but I still have a bunch of stuff that needs my attention so I'm trying to do your thing and pretend nothing is wrong."
"Work will be here in the morning Edward." Roy tried again.
"Yeah, so will racism. That doesn't mean I want to spend the night worrying about who could have been helped soon had I done my job." Edward said with a frown. "What if it were Daniel and Hannah being targeted? Why should it be any child? No, I need to get on the paperwork to get the taskforce out the door as soon as we have a team."
"Edward- "
"You didn't hear the things this woman was saying Dad. About a baby! He's Yuery's age."
"I've heard it all before Edward." Roy said in a tired tone. "During the war and afterwards. It doesn't change that you are distracted and worried about the children. Go home, take work with you, and you'll be able to concentrate better there."
"I am not a child." Edward frowned.
"As I tell Alphonse every single time, you are MY child, and I will continue to worry about you. That doesn't have a magic age line where the worrying stops." Roy said with a sigh as he patted Ed on the shoulder.
"Fine. Just don't think I'll keep leaving when stuff gets hard." Edward said.
Snape's Home
The neighbor who had been so hateful hadn't bothered them again since Severus' associate had come to visit. Cissy wasn't certain if the man had actually done anything about it or if she was just getting good at avoiding people.
She knew the young man had been an important member of the government, though she hadn't paid very close attention to the politics around here yet. Severus had been reading the paper this morning, which she felt was strange with its frozen photographs, when she saw the man again on the front page standing next to the one who had interviewed her.
They were surrounded by two woman and a handful of children, as well as what she assumed must be bodyguards. "What's going on there?" she asked curiously, pointing to the article.
"Hmm? Oh, the Fuhrer and his family attended the theater yesterday. It was the first official outing of the First Family since the arrival of the Lt. Fuhrer's daughter. Well, aside from attending the wedding but that was covered as well." Severus said. "In a couple of weeks, the papers will clam back down, though they do enjoy taking photographs of the Family."
"They're very popular it seems." She commented, looking at the crowd in the photo.
"Yes, they are, both of them are decorated heroes. As is the Fuhrer's wife. The Lt. Furher's wife is one of the most sought-after mechanics in the country. Though she still not back to working full time yet. Only a couple of days a week I believe." Severus said with a smile. "A few years back, they saved the country. That's how leadership managed to fall to their family."
"I see." Cissy said. "I need to go to the market; we need milk and eggs. Would you like to join us?"
"Of course. Though please tell me you have been further harassed?" Severus asked as he folded the paper.
"Not at all. Though I would prefer to avoid it if possible. Drake doesn't need to hear people saying those things about him."
"I agree. We can go as soon as you're ready." Severus said with a smile. He was glad to learn the harassment had stopped. He'd worried that woman would be stubborn about it after his attempt though sending Edward seemed to have ended the whole ordeal.
She got Drake ready, and they were off about ten minutes later, which was when they noticed the moving van in front of the woman's house. The woman herself was standing out on the sidewalk with three young children, and a thin tall man. The moving crew was loading the truck as the family watched when Severus, Cissy, and Drake tried to slip by quietly.
"I hope you're pleased with yourselves. Thanks to you we're going to have to move again!" the woman said as they passed.
"I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean." Severus said, knowing full well that Edward wouldn't have had the family evicted, or he would have mentioned it.
"Like we were going to be able to stay living next door to your kind, when the state won't even protect us from you!" the woman said with a sniff.
"Darling, please don't cause further trouble." The man said in a tired tone. "I apologize for her. She never did know when to quit. There's no reason to notify the state about her statements today."
"You misunderstand this situation." Severus said carefully. "No one wanted or required you to move. Only that your wife no longer harasses Cissy and Drake. It is unfortunate that she felt so strongly that she couldn't hold her tongue to go so far as to move to a new house."
"Well, if you didn't go whining to the state about mistreatment of your half-breeds, I wouldn't have to move, would I?" the woman said even as her husband attempted to pull her away.
"For the last time, his hair is blond!" Cissy said unable to take this again. "He never came close to touching any of your things. You are so stuck on being right you twist the world to see things your way. Merlin, you're as bad as my ex-husband."
All of the color drained from Cissy's face when she realized what she had said. In front of her son too. So much for keeping a low profile. Drake looked up at her with large eyes, concerned for his mother's upset more than anything that had been said since he hadn't understood most of it anyway. "Come Drake, Sev. We need to get to the market."