A New Beginning

Chapter Four

Severus

Central

Narcissa had been waiting anxiously for word on the situation all afternoon. When Draco returned from school, she had him begin his homework, and after play in his room but wouldn't let him go outside even to their yard. She was afraid that if the Order knew where to look, so would her husband's people.

Severus arrived just before dinner time, looking exhausted, but relieved. She relaxed for the first time since she had spotted the giant. Severus pulled her aside, once again grateful he had managed to talk Edward into sharing Yuery's story with her. "No one is looking for you or Draco here. They aren't looking for anyone in particular. Dumbledore sent Hagrid our to check in on the Boy because I haven't been saying anything at all, Lupin hasn't said much either. He didn't want to lose touch with what was going on apparently. Hagrid was able to come in because he'd been invited in the past, a loophole I will be working on correcting after dinner."

"So, none of us are in danger then?" she asked in concern. Perhaps, she thought not for the first time, it would be better to return to England with Draco now that Lucius was locked away. He couldn't bother them, and she could cast spells to keep the rest of his friends away. She didn't want to endanger anyone else.

"You're thinking about returning again." Severus sighed.

"It would be better for the people here. Safer. Perhaps it would be better for Draco as well."

"It wouldn't be no. Your presence here has changed nothing on the child's danger. Though it does keep you and Draco safer… I do not want you to go."

"What of next year? Draco will be expected to attend Hogwarts. He will be sorted into Slytherin of course, Lucius paid to ensure that. What about Yuery? Won't he be expected to attend Hogwarts as well? Wouldn't both boys have an easier time should they attend together so not surrounded by strangers."

"I am fairly certain Yuery will not be attending. Even if he does, there is no guarantee they would be in the same house, in fact, it's unlikely. You told me yourself Dumbledore fixes the House results; do you truly believe he would allow the boy to be sorted anywhere other than his own House?" Severus frowned, hating that the Houses were rigged and all of the associations with the Houses. Having watched how Xerxes operated he agreed that Hogwarts was in need of major changes. "I think that Draco is better suited to Xerxes, Hogwarts is not a terrible school, but he would not be able to avoid certain classmates that you would rather he avoid."

"Do you think they will be fine with Draco continuing? I know he was allowed for primary, but he is a foreigner."

"Has anyone made him, or you feel unwelcome? I have been assured that was not the case officially, but that means very little on personal level."

"No haven't had any problems. Draco loves school, and he's made friends there." Narcissa sighed, she didn't want to separate her son from his friends, unless she wasn't given a choice, she did agree he was thriving here.

"I must go to speak with Lupin and Elric tonight after dinner about the spells. I can ask them about Draco's schooling as well if that would make you more comfortable." Severus smiled in a reassuring manner. This was not the first time he had to sooth Narcissa's fears, and he understood. She wasn't used to things turning out as she had hoped. She nodded, before turning back to the kitchen, it was time to eat then so he could finish the rest of his visits and hopefully not have to run around all night.

Reseembool

Severus had called to say he needed to speak to Roy, Edward, and Alphonse. They had been surprised he needed to speak to all three and a little concerned but had stepped outside to wait for him in case it was something they wouldn't want the children to overhear.

He arrived moments after they stepped into the yard and joined them quickly. He looked stressed, but not as if it was urgent. "Dumbledore sent Hagrid to check on matters here." Severus barely waited until he checked to be sure none of the children were outside. "That of itself is not an issue. I can handle him easily and he isn't a threat."

"Hagrid's the big guy, right? He carried Al up to the castle when Al passed out after that battle." Ed frowned. The man had not seemed threatening at the time, however anyone sent on Dumbledore's behalf Ed considered a threat until they proved themselves otherwise like Severus and Remus. "Alright, so what is our concern then?"

"He was not invited in recently, but rather a long while ago. I need to get together with Remus to go over the spell to be certain no one else can enter without express permission." Severus sighed, "It may be best to allow Hagrid limited access to avoid Dumbledore attempting to send anyone else."

"What are the chances he would try to take my son if Dumbledore asked him to take Yuery?" Edward shuddered at the idea.

"I doubt he would try to remove the boy, unless the boy willingly left with him. Talk to the boy, undoubtably he would try that. Perhaps attempt to introduce him to magic, but not take him." Severus frowned. "Hagrid is not a cruel man; he can be a bit of a fool admittedly. Mostly thanks to his trusting nature and he does have an unfortunate obsession with dangerous animals… I cannot imagine him stealing a child though."

"Alright. If you believe him not to be a threat." Roy said and Edward nodded. "I still would prefer to avoid him."

I did tell him that I would try to arrange a brief meeting before he returns to England. He can assure the rest of the Order the boy is doing well, which will calm the fears of most of the members without having to take the boy to see them or to have them attempting to breech the spell." Severus said.

"Tomorrow. I will join him in this meeting though. He isn't meeting my son without me." Edward said firmly. "I will take Yuery and leave the moment I don't like what he has to say too, just to warn you."

"That seems appropriate. "Roy nodded. "I will join you as well, if you please Severus."

"I will come collect you. We do not want him to know of this location. It would nullify the protection spells to have someone who reports freely to Dumbledore enter them." Severus sighed. "Not completely of course, after all Remus and I can enter. However, neither of us can nor would reveal the location. There are reasons why I have long suggested being careful who you invite here."

"As I told Dumbledore himself years ago, I am aware of his spies inside both Command and the Mansion. Perhaps not all of them, but enough of them." Roy said casually, ignoring Al's frown as Ed nodded along. Severus frowned wanting to warn them they hadn't found the closest, but he was still bound by his oaths to Dumbledore and the Order. "I know, Severus. I have known for years."

"What?" Al asked confused.

"Bella Figg is a spy. We know. There are too many things that were known about our family unless someone inside the house was telling things." Edward sighed. "However, she also proved long ago her primary loyalty lies in keeping Yuery and the other children safe, so we pretend not to know and allow her to stay."

"What?" Al demanded again.

"Spies come with the territory of leadership Alphonse. There are spies everywhere. As long as they do not become a threat, we ignore them." Roy patted Al on the shoulder. This was one of those conversation they had gone through before, but he no longer remembered. "She has been subtly tested more than once; she may report to Dumbledore, but her loyalty is to us. Like Remus and Severus."

"I'm so confused. I hate politics." Al grumbled. "You're sure she's safe?"

"As safe as any staff member." Ed grumbled. He admittedly didn't completely trust any of the staff and had he suspected Ms Bella before she had proven herself, he would have gotten rid of her like they had the 'nurses' they had sent to care for Al after Promised Day. "She has no idea we know. Neither did Severus until now."

"I should have known. When did you figure it out?" Severus was curious what had given her away.

"She recognized you, if became apparent quickly when you kept coming around. However, she had also gone out of her way to keep the boys safe. Dumbledore knows things about us that had to come from inside, but on the other hand, he does not know that Yuery is aware of magic. If she was telling him everything, he would know." Ed said. "You should go, the border needs to be taken care of sooner rather than later. If you need help, let me know."

"No, that shouldn't be needed. We wish to keep your talent hidden as long as possible and working on the border spell could reveal you." Severus said. "I will come tomorrow to take you to meet Hagrid."

Xerxes

Severus only had to say that Dumbledore had sent Hagrid for a visit for Remus to understand the issue. Without further word they sat down in Remus' study to go over the spell used to keep the borders safe and find the possible holes that could be exploited again.

Hours later, the two men took a break for a cup of coffee to wake themselves up. "I don't think it will be a further issue. Figg admitted she gave him an open invitation long before the spell, so he was grandfathered in, but I cannot think of anyone else who would be. Not with Dumbledore vowing to remain outside the country. Perhaps we are overthinking the situation." Remus suggested.

"It is possible. I refuse to leave anything to chance, however. One more stack and we should know one way or the other." Severus yawned before shaking his head to wake up.

"GO home Severus. I will finish the books, and let you know in the morning. I am used to staying up all night you aren't."

"I won't be able to sleep until I know." Severus frowned. He knew Remus was right, and that he should go home and get some sleep especially with his plans for morning, which honestly was coming far sooner than he would like.

"If you leave now, you can get a good four hours before your boy wakes you. Don't deny it, we both know he wakes you even when he's trying to be quiet. There are only three more passages. I can finish quickly; it looks favorable that we have nothing to worry about."

"The moment you know, call me. I will not rest easily until this is answered. I doubt I will rest easily until Hagrid returns home. I trust him, I do not trust certain others." Severus yawned again as he placed his mug in the sink. "Edward and Roy know Arabella Figg is a spy. Apparently, they have known for years."

"You do not sound surprised." Remus said.

"I can not say that I am really. They knew you were a spy as soon as they met you. I admitted who I was as soon as I introduced myself, but that was an extreme situation." Severus said as he pulled back on his jacket. "Roy told Dumbledore years ago that he knew there were spies, that he had spies of his own as well though I have no idea who any of them may be."

"Really? How would Roy come to send spies? It is my understanding that magic was considered a myth until recently in Amestris."

"Not myth, illegal. However, Edward is friends with Emperor Ling, who has access to wizards." Severus shrugs. "I need to go, or we need to get back to work. Either way you need to finish the research. I just thought you would want to know."

"Go, please. I will finish up here and yes, I agree. I do not think we should let her know about this, she would likely report it to Dumbledore and then he would remove her. She takes good care of the family."

Severus nodded before leaving to head to the port key access area. Unless there was an emergency, it was considered the only acceptable area for magical transport of any kind. Remus returned to the books. He really did not think they would have an issue with the boundary spell but like Severus did not want to leave it to chance. Not when the child could be in danger.