Price of Peace

Chapter Fourteen

Visiting

Amestris

Fuhrer's Mansion

Severus decided to come by for a visit, though had been sure to call ahead. The family was currently busy with the new baby and extended relatives after all, and he did not wish to intrude. Edward had been happy to invite him, and the Malfoys, over for a visit. Narcissa had debated with herself for a bit, having never visited the mansion before, but decided that it would be rude to ignore or decline a direct invitation from the leader of the country.

Severus was pleased to have her come along, a sign she was adjusting well to everything, however he had hoped to meet privately with Edward to talk about whether he was allowed to tell her who Yuery truly was; years ago when she had first come, she had taken a vow the same as his own, so that she wasn't allowed to mention anything about the country or its leaders. At the time they had not told her directly that Yuery Elric was the missing Harry Potter, in fact Severus didn't remember ever directly mentioning Yuery.

With Yuery and Draco becoming friends it seemed it was more important, for both boys' safety, that Narcissa was informed of the situation. She could always take additional vows to insure she would not be able to talk about it to anyone if it made Edward more comfortable. She would not be able to leave Amestris anytime soon either, since their people had assumed she and her son were dead.

Once they arrived Severus was admittedly distracted by the introduction of Elizabeth Mustang. She was a tiny version of her father with his darker hair and eyes. Like her brother, she had her mother's nose and mouth shape. He couldn't really tell much beyond that about the child this young. He was surprised though when Roy happily offered to allow him to hold the baby.

It was a sign of how far they had come in trusting him. He remembered a time when they would not allow him in the same room as any of the children. He remembered when they finally let him in enough that he had been greatly honored to be introduced to Edward's new daughter. He had never imagined they would grow to trust him enough to hand over one of their children to him, supervised or not. Narcissa peered over his shoulder down at the tiny girl while Draco watched on from his side.

"I remember when you were this small Draco." Narcissa said with a smile. "I also remember how nervous you were to hold him Severus."

"To be fair, I had never held an infant before Cissy. I was worried I would drop him." Severus said without looking away from the baby in his arms. "I hadn't imagined they would be so tiny and light until he was in my arms."

"Now you're a pro." Edward said as he walked into the room, carrying his youngest daughter. "Draco, if you want the boys are in the playroom. Straight down the hall, last door at the end."

Draco glanced up at his mother then rushed off when she nodded in agreement. Edward set Sarah down on the floor, and she immediately rushed over to look at the new baby. Edward laughed as Roy said fondly, "Lizzy watching is currently Sarah's favorite activity. She'll be bothering you and Winry for a new baby soon enough."

Edward frowned at him and shook his head but other ignored the statement as he turned his attention to Severus and Narcissa. "I'm glad you decided to come for a visit. The boys have been missing Draco, and the Hughes girls will be here in about an hour to join in the fun."

"We didn't want to intrude." Severus finally handed the baby back to Roy, who mentioned taking her in to get fed while walking out of the room. "I hope you weren't feeling obligated to allow us over."

"Oh please, you know da- darn well that I don't bother with social norms. If we weren't up to visitors I'd have said so." Edward laughed, "Narcissa, would you be insulted if I stole Severus for a few minutes. Military Business."

"Of course." Narcissa agreed. She was used to this at least. Often enough during her marriage Lucius had disappeared with one person or another into his study for 'Ministry Business' whether it was actually about the Ministry or about the other group that was always his excuse. Before she could offer to leave, Winry came in carrying a couple of teacups to join Narcissa for a chat.

"Sorry, that was rude, I should have visited with her for a bit before running off." Edward said as he sat down across from Severus in his own study.

"It is alright. I meant to find a way to have a private word with you at some point in our visit." Severus said as he sat himself.

"Still. Win's bound to lecture me later about my rudeness. So, anything new from out West? Is that why you needed to see me?"

"No. Well yes and no. There are new developments, in the form of Narcissa and Draco are presumed dead, and I may or may not be either dead or the one who caused their deaths or not involved at all. They haven't decided about me, though there are people pushing that I am completely uninvolved." Severus sighed tiredly at the complexity of the situation. "No, I came to talk to you about how much we can tell Narcissa."

"Okay. We are absolutely going back to them thinking you might have killed your godson, but for now, what do you mean?" Edward thought he knew where this was headed but didn't want to assume anything.

"She has, correctly, assumed that the Boy must have been kept under a similar charm and at some point, briefly left it for the Ministry to think him dead and then announce he was alive." Severus began. "I am concerned now that Draco and Yuery are good friends, it may harm their friendship and Narcissa's trust, if it should come to light other ways."

"Hmm. I actually kind of assumed she had already pieced it together. After all, someone leaked photos of him out West a few years ago. However, yeah if she hasn't already figured it out then we need to tell her. She's from there, she should know what is going on."

"I hadn't thought of that. She may have indeed been fishing to see what I would say when she brought it up. Without your permission I was unable to confirm anything even if she had asked directly though."

"Hmm. True. So, about this other issue. They think you either died or killed your friends. What?"

"I disappeared around the same time as them, it is understandable to assume I was involved in their disappearance. Since I was it will be a great deal harder to deny."

"So, the three of you are trapped here then for the foreseeable future."

"I- Yes, that it an accurate summery of the situation. It does complicate our search." Severus suddenly felt very tired. They were only one or two pieces away from ending the threat altogether. They had to take care of this before anyone found a way to bring Him back to power.

"We still have Remus. He can continue to search. I also have access to my own vault, so there are reasons for me to go to England if necessary. I also still have the advantage. No one outside of you and my family know I am a wizard as well as an alchemist."

"It is preferable we keep that advantage as long as possible. Voldemort must not gain word of it if you are to gain the upper hand. We can send you both though. I know you hate to travel away from your family. "Severus frowned in thought. It would be risky but not impossible for him to continue to make trips to England, he wasn't going to just sit back and let others do everything. He had to make amends to Lily for his mistakes. "I can go as well. There are disguises I can use. It may be better in the end for others to see me anyway. There are no warrants against me, so at this point I am not at risk and being seen would aide in the belief I am both alive and did nothing to them."

"That would work for the government, maybe, but what about her husband and his people?"

"Even if they tried to force me to confess, I can't. With her claiming permanent residence in Amestris she is now under the spell. Including how she came to be here. A truth potion or spell would force me to say I know nothing after seeing her in Diagon Ally. In fact, that may work for the better, as I do need to return to spying for them." Severus sat back with a frown. "I will have to invent a reason for being gone for several weeks. A mission works well enough. The fact that I was on a few missions, though not from the Order, during that time will help me when they use it on me."

"I don't like it, but your right. It would be for the best. We don't want to risk you being arrested the minute you step into Europe the next away mission." Edward frowned as well. "Speaking of the Order. I am going to find a way to get into that castle and look around to see if one is in there. I just haven't thought of a way to do it yet."

"I searched myself, however I haven't gained your level yet and was at a loss with all the other energies clinging to the walls."

"Yes, that could be a problem. I will continue to work on it."

England

Hogwarts

Remus Lupin was nervous about this meeting, but Dumbledore was his best chance at getting a second meeting with Sirius. He needed to speak to Sirius, to ask for help understanding what really happened. Sirius had told him at that first meeting about the switch and at the time he had been so surprised he hadn't asked everything he needed to know.

Dumbledore had at least agreed to meet him, an improvement over the last few months, so he was somewhat hopeful. He was shown up to the Headmaster's office and invited to sit and wait for the man in question. Remus was used to being patient. He had trained himself to remain calm and still for hours at a time and he had brought along a book as he had intended to stay the night in London.

The sun had fully set, and Remus was nearly finished with his book, yet Dumbledore still had not appeared. With a sigh, he closed and put away the book before asking the portraits if they knew what was keeping the Headmaster. He was completely annoyed as they informed him that the Headmaster had left the grounds shortly after dinner. Perhaps, he wondered, the man had pressing business in the village. With a sigh he went in search of McGonagall, who should know what was going on.

Minerva was still in her own office when Remus knocked on the door and was invited in. He sat on the edge of his chair while he waited for her to finish what she was reading before she set aside the parchment and smiled at him. "Remus, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you to the castle this evening?"

"I had an appointment with the Headmaster. I was waiting in his office since early this afternoon but was just informed by the portraits that he is no longer on the grounds. I was hoping you could tell me how long he intends to be away. I do have to return to my own school before long I'm afraid."

"I had no idea you had been left waiting like that! I am truly sorry, but I'm afraid he isn't expected back for a few days. He is following a lead, and it probably slipped his mind that he had scheduled a meeting. Perhaps I can be of help?" Minerva said with a frown. It was unusual for Dumbledore to forget a meeting even when he was distracted. She wondered what this was about.

"No, I'm afraid he was the one I needed to help. It is alright, I will simply reschedule." Remus said, though he had been through rescheduling back and forth before and knew Dumbledore had to be avoiding him at this point. He didn't hold out much hope for getting another meeting anytime soon. "Do you happen to know where he might have gone or plans to be back."

"Unfortunately, he did not leave details on his trip. He was in a bit of a hurry."

"Of course. Thank you, Minerva, I won't keep you." Remus sighed as he stood.

"It isn't any trouble at all. If you're certain I cannot be of any help?"

"No, I'm afraid not. As I said, I will reschedule once I return to the school. I really must be going though; the classes do not teach themselves."

They said their goodbyes and Remus headed toward town. He had decided to look around Hogsmeade before giving up and returning to Xerxes before his classes tomorrow. He didn't see signs of the man anywhere. Remus knew it had been a longshot to find the man easily, but he was still disappointed. He wondered sometimes if Dumbledore was intentionally framing Sirius or if he just refused to be wrong.