A New Beginning

Chapter Three

Hagrid

Central

Severus felt bad for Hagrid. He had been on an impossible mission really. He also knew that the man felt he owed much to the Headmaster for Dumbledore's help and protection over the years. Severus understood, he had felt the same way, at one point, before he learned the man's plans and began to see his faults.

Even now, Severus did not believe Dumbledore to be an evil man. A deeply misguided and disturbed man who truly needed help, but not evil. That was the worst part for him. Dumbledore truly believes that he is doing the right thing when it comes to the boy. Severus knew that. The fact that Dumbledore felt the child's death was the only way made him dangerous. It was also part of what was driving the man to drink in his opinion.

Hagrid, sadly, did not seem to have learned the truth of the plan, and Severus was unable to say anything on the matter. Perhaps it would be best to arrange a visit with Edward to have Ed tell Hagrid himself. Severus knew that Ed seemed to like the half giant when they met briefly during the Amestrians visit to the castle. For now, though, he would get the man something to eat and into a hotel for the night before going to Dumbledore himself.

"Have you seen them recently then?" Hagrid asked as Severus took a sip of his tea.

"They are well." Severus responded, the newspapers had reported the birth and family's thanks yesterday, leaving Severus a small amount of wiggle room in his responses.

"Might I see him? I ain't seen him since he was a babe. I hear he looks just like his Dad though."

"That would be up to his people. I can see what I can arrange, but I promise nothing. As far as seeing him goes… if all you desire is to confirm his appearance, the entire family has been photographed in the newspapers." Severus said as he paid the bill on their lunch. "Come I know of a nice hotel nearby."

"Uh, most places don' like renting to people as big as me. I figured I'd just pitch a tent." Hagrid looked uncomfortable as he trailed behind. "I ain't got a lotta money on me neither."

"Paying isn't an issue. Neither is your size, not here. They have rooms available with the Armstrongs in mind." Severus assured as he led the way. "You met General Alex Armstrong, tall man, large build, blond."

"Oh yes, I remember. He came with the party that helped when that crazy woman attacked the castle." Hagrid nodded, he had noticed Armstrong at the time, of course. It wasn't often he met people anywhere close to his size, and while the man had been slightly smaller than him, he had towered over the others in his party.

"I will return tomorrow to show you around the city. For now, just relax and enjoy your time off. There is a library a block north of here, and the diner will be open until ten. Do you have enough for dinner on you?" Severus asked after he paid for Hagrid's room and got him settled in.

"Yeah, I should be fine I think." Hagrid smiled, grateful that he wasn't cramped in the room provided and the Severus had been so kind and helpful. Severus left him a small amount of money just to be sure Hagrid had enough, before sweeping out of the room.

Hagrid decided shortly after that to head to the library Severus had mentioned. The papers would be enough to assure himself the boy was doing well, if Severus was right that they appeared often. He found the library easily enough and asked the librarian about the newspaper archives. Soon after he had been settled at a table, while the librarian watched over him as he looked through bound copies of the old newspapers.

Hagrid had decided to begin this year and work his way backward as needed. Almost immediately, he found a photograph of the child, along with the Elric man who he had met before and a blonde woman with a bright smile who appeared to be pregnant, a dark-haired boy close to Harry's height, a blond boy standing in front of the two of them, along with a dark-haired toddler girl in the man's arms and a small blond girl in front of the woman. The captain identified them as the Lt Fuhrer, Edward Mustang-Elric, along with his wife Winry Rockbelle-Elric and their children Yuery (10), William (8 ½), Maes (6), Trisha (4 ½), and Sarah (1) at the opening of the newest branch to the Central Library.

The child, apparently now called Yuery if he was reading the caption correctly, seemed happy in the photograph, though it was difficult to tell when the photograph remained still. Frowning slightly, he continued on, not trusting a single picture as evidence the child was well.

Twenty minutes later, Hagrid left the library after politely thanking the librarian. He had found another six pictures of the boy, some with his father and some the Fuhrer who was his grandfather, the boy seemed happy in all of them. Hagrid was assured that the boy was safe then. He had arranged to meet with Figg privately the next afternoon, and Severus had promised to talk to Elric about him possibly seeing the boy, so Hagrid headed to dinner far less concerned than he had been when Dumbledore had sent him here.

Dumbledore had been concerned the child was endangered somehow according to what he had said to Hagrid or being mistreated. Hagrid, of course agreed to come right away to ensure the child was safe. Figg would be able to confirm that the child was as happy as he seemed, and then Hagrid would head back to Hogwarts whether he had arranged a meeting or not. After all, nothing seemed amiss.

Hogwarts

Headmaster's Office

Dumbledore was not surprised when Snape swept into the office, fury clear on his face. He knew the younger man was likely to be offended that Albus had sent someone to doublecheck that the Boy was truly being cared for. Albus calmly finished the rest of his page before marking his book and looked up. "Severus, what a pleasant surprise. Have you come to return to your post then?"

"Absolutely not. Why in the world would you send Hagrid of all people to Amestris?" Severus demanded sharply. "He is easily spotted wherever he goes, and I know damn well you didn't bother to explain anything of what is happening to him."

"I asked him to check in on the boy. I found myself concerned with the child's welfare, now that two of the three I asked to watch over him have failed to report anything recently." Dumbledore sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Harry is far to important to leave to chance as you well know."

"That child is just that, a child. He is perfectly healthy and happy where he is, and you know you are still getting regular updates from Figg." Severus replied. He wanted to add more, throw it in Dumbledore's face how smart and well adjusted the child was in the Amerstians care, but he was still limited by his promise.

"I do not need to remind you that Harry is far more than that. I admit I never wanted to burden you or anyone else with the choice, but you know the truth of the situation." Albus said tiredly. "We have less than a year now to find a way to ensure the boy is sent to Hogwarts. Less than a year to ensure our future is secure."

"He is just a child."

"Speaking of children, you know there are those who are seeking the young Malfoy. His absence has caused no end of trouble, the Governors went as far as to threaten to remove his name from next year's enrollment. I thought you should know, I left him on the rolls. He will be receiving his owl." Albus looked grim as he reopened his book. "As his godfather, I assumed you were concerned."

"Bastard." Severus said eyes narrowed, before he stormed from the room. He would not be forced to give up one boy to spare the other. No matter what upper hand Dumbledore thought he may have, both boys were protected by the spells surrounding the area.

Severus would need to speak to Remus next, because the only way anyone could enter Amestris at this time, thanks to the spells they cast to stop the Creta battle, was if someone inside extended an invitation. That had to be either Remus or Figg. Narcissa had been terrified to be spotted, and Severus hadn't invited him.

Severus wasn't worried that Hagrid would take the child, certainly the man had more sense than to kidnap a perfectly happy child on the whim of the Headmaster? Hagrid cared for the children of the school, he adored them and would never cause one harm. No, it was more a matter of security. If Hagrid got in, so could others and he needed to be sure who he needed to watch.

With that in mind, his next stop would be Xerxes before he returned home for the evening. He would love to just head back, but with his concerns about security they may need to re-examine the spells they cast around the country. Lupin had to be warned as well. That would likely take most of the night, he decided, so with that in mind he decided that speaking to Cissy and Figg first would be better.

It was growing late as he arrived back in Central, still debating where to go first before He sighed as he turned in the direction of the Figgs apartment. He needed to know how Hagrid got in first, before any of the rest of it. He needed to know if he should actually be worried, after all there was no way Arabella would invite anyone dangerous inside the border.

He knocked on the door and smiled when Arabella answered the door. She invited him in, and he immediately noticed that her cat collection had increased since he had last visited her a couple of years ago. He gently shooed a couple of cats off of a chair before gently sitting on the edge of the seat having no desire to be trapped under her pets as he had been in prior visits since he had a lot to do still tonight.

"Miss Bella, it is late so if I may get straight to the point of my visit without insulting you?" he asked with a small smile.

"Of course, of course my dear. I take it it is Order business then?" she asked as she busied herself making tea and shooing away another couple of cats.

"Not exactly, but it could become so if left unanswered."

"Now you have me concerned, whatever is the matter?" she asked as she finally sat across from him.

"Rubeus Hagrid is in Central. That in itself is of course not a problem exactly, but I must ask. Did you invite him for a visit?" Severus asked, not sure which response he would prefer.

"I did. It was open ended, but when I moved here, I invited him to come around when he had the time. Why? Was he not to know about me being here?" she frowned, certain that Hagrid had been on the short list of those Dumbledore had included into this mission.

Severus sighed in relief. "He is. I had to be certain of something, however. When we increased the spells around the border to keep out Creta, it was meant to keep out anyone who was not invited in directly by a person who could honestly claim Amestris as their home. As you can imagine, I was surprised then to see him since I did not invite him, and Cissy didn't invite him. You then were the only other person who should have been able to let anyone in."

"Well then, your concerns are settled I hope." She said relaxing herself.

"Yes…and no. For now, I must request that you not invite anyone else to visit. We are having some security issues with the borders, and it needs mending before any more magic bounces against it." Severus explained, not wanting to try to explain his concerns of distrust among the Order. He and Remus agreed it was likely there had been a spy among them and until they knew who he didn't want anyone else coming near the boy.

"Oh Dear. Of course, of course. I think Dumbledore would be the only other person who might try to visit at any rate, and he hasn't for years." She said. Severus nodded along, wondering if he should mention that Dumbledore couldn't enter Amestris after his agreement years ago. He decided to leave it be for now in the end.

A few minutes later he excused himself, he still needed to head home and assure Cissy everything was alright then head out to Xerxes to talk with Remus to decide if the spells needed to be strengthened in some way.