Magic vs Alchemy
Magic vs Alchemy
Central Library
Restricted Archives
2:00am
"You know Edward, when I said you needed to take a break from the case, this isn't what I meant." Roy said as he sat down across from his son. In the week since Rose disappeared Ed had barely eaten, and if he had slept at all Roy missed it. He was near collapse. He was also stubborn and refused to relent until he had answers. Unfortunately, all they were hitting was walls.
At noon Roy had ordered Ed to go home and rest for a while, and he had, but when Yuery had thrown a tantrum that had resulted in some very strange shapes for the shrubs in the backyard, Ed had mentioned the library and disappeared form the house, according to Winry. That had been twelve hours ago. "According to the research of Godric Gryffindor magic and alchemy pull from the same energy source." Ed said instead of responding. "Salazar Slytherin disagrees, citing the mention of the 'elusive' Gate."
"Ed." Roy tried again, letting the exasperation tint his tone. It had been a rough few day for all of them.
"Nicolas Flamel disagrees, as a Wizard Alchemist he feels that the power itself comes from the Earth, but Alchemists use the Gate to control it, whereas Wizards funnel it directly through their bodies." Ed carried on as if Roy hadn't spoken, turning a page and making another note in his new journal.
"As fascinating as centuries old theory is, you need sleep Ed." Roy tried again, physically closing the book after setting a bookmark in between pages.
"I need to protect my sons. This is how I do that." Ed nearly whispered without looking up from his notes. He was feeling useless unable to make any headway in Rose's kidnapping or in finding a way to help Yuery learn to control magic.
"They need you at home." Roy said gently, worried about how close to collapse his son seemed.
Ed's pen stopped as he squeezed it before looking up, hurt clear in his eye. "I'm not Him."
"No one said you were." Roy realized too late how Ed would make that connection, now he needed to do damage control. "You could stay here all week and the boys wouldn't remember you disappearing for such a short time. However, you are going to work yourself into a hospital bed for exhaustion if you keep going like this."
"I can't repeat his mistakes Dad. He thought he was doing the right thing for us too. Look how that turned out. You're right, they need me to come home. I just…I'll come back in the morning. Spend the day finishing these books. They seem the best option on teaching him not to use it, until he's old enough to control it." Ed started piling the books on the edge of the research desk to let the library staff know they were still in use.
"Nicolas Flamel is Xerxian. I can't find any pictures of him, but his description…he's hundreds of years old." Ed finally spoke again as they climbed in the car.
"Another Father?"
"I'm not sure."
"We'll look into it. Together. After you sleep."
Hogwarts
Headmaster's Office
Mid-Afternoon
Dumbledore had called Lupin, Snape, and McGonagall to meet him in his office. Lupin arrived via flue as Snape and McGonagall entered via the stairs. Dumbledore looked very concerned but waited until everyone had settled before beginning. "Our informant had some very disturbing news this morning at the weekly update. A member of the Elric household was recently kidnapped while no one else was home. Don't worry it wasn't young Harry, but it was one of the young ladies that live there."
"Which one?" McGonagall asked, concerned not only for Harry's safety, but also for these people who had seemed pleasant enough to her. Even if they had treated her harshly upon discovering her secret. Though if she were being honest, she doubted if the situation was reversed, she would have been any kinder.
"A Ms. Rose Thomas." Dumbledore said. "It appears whatever happened the rest of the household is assuming she is dead. They are still searching for her however and have increased security around the house severely. The children are being kept inside, and no one is allowed aside from the family and the maid. It is unclear if they will be allowing the maid to continue."
"Does the informant have any idea who may have done this?" Lupin asked, concerned they may return as further threats to Harry.
"The general opinion seems to be that it was either in retaliation to an investigation that led to several arrests by Colonel Elric the day before the kidnapping. They have also considered an old enemy of General Mustang is attempting to use her kidnapping to restart a war that happened a few years back. There is no indication that any magic was involved, but as they wouldn't know how to see the signs of magic, we can not rule out death eaters as a possibility."
"So, are we sending someone to look into it?" Lupin asked cautiously.
"Severus, if you would be so kind?" Dumbledore said, turning to the young teacher. He rolled his eyes in return. Dumbledore loved to make an order sound like a request, but it was still an order.
"I shall do my best to gain answers without tipping our hand. It was not Death Eaters; however, they are firmly under the impression the child is dead."
"You're certain none suspect?" Lupin asked
"I only know otherwise because I was informed directly. Before you question my loyalty again, remember I took the unbreakable vow, I cannot reveal anything in regard to Harry's survival to someone with the dark mark, until I am ordered to by the one who made the vow. I noticed you haven't created the same commitment."
"My loyalty has not come under question, aside from by you Severus." Lupin said with a sigh. "If it would lay your concern to rest, I'll do it now."
"I believe it would." Snape replied simply. "As a precaution of course."
"Dumbledore?" Lupin said without looking away from Snape.
Moments later found both McGonagall and Lupin kneeling along with Dumbledore as Snape watched on.
"I vow, upon pain of death, that I have not revealed Harry Potter to be alive to another soul, living or dead." The pair began, and the first string tied them to Dumbledore.
"I vow to do anything and everything in my power to keep Harry Potter safe until which time he can defend himself." Came the second, brighter string.
"I vow to not reveal the continued existence of Harry Potter until Albus Dumbledore has said otherwise." Came the final string sinking into their arms brightly before fading away.
After they had all stood, Dumbledore said quietly. "Kingsley has already made the vow, after checking with Gringotts. They had known all along the boy was alive, but it is against their own vows to reveal personal information of their clients."
"I am going now, make sure the students do not blow up my rooms." Snape said before disappearing into the fireplace, a small bag of supplies at his side. Lupin watched with a frown. It bothered him that Snape was being trusted with something so sensitive, but he knew this was largely thanks to his desire to go aide the search. This woman had been important to Harry, hopefully they found her alive. Dumbledore reminded Snape, again, not to make direct contact, instead he was to watch to see what they would do.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, decided it was time to ask another alchemist for help and wrote Flamel. Hopefully, Fawkes could find him quickly. Fawkes would find anyone still alive, but sometimes it took a while, especially if they were on the hidden continent. The last time he had attempted to get a hold of Flamel, over two years ago, it had taken nearly a month to get a reply.
Colonel Elric's Office
1:00pm
Ed had the boys with him in the office, as he had every day since Rose disappeared. He could bear to have them out of his sight for long. The only exception was the library, because he had been informed, they weren't allowed in the archives. Even then, he made sure Al, Winry, and Mei had all been there to watch over the boys.
After his first trip to the archives, Ed had intentionally limited himself to three hours of research, and had made a deal with his Dad that Roy would come to collect him at that point to ensure he stuck to it. For now, though, he was reading through the latest report on the Chimera case while William slept in his lap and Yuery sat in the space under his desk, carefully flipping through a book on animals.
Havoc came in a few minutes later, to announce that Ed had a visitor. "He doesn't have an appointment, sir, but he said he thought he could help find Ms. Thomas."
"Tell him I will be available in the second conference room in fifteen minutes, but do not let him leave or make any calls." Ed said stiffening as he reached for his phone himself. Havoc nodded as he left the room and Ed dialed the in-office connection to reach his father. "General, I need you to meet me in conference room two in a few minutes. It's about Rose."
Ed then looked down at his sons, there was no way he was letting a stranger near his boys at this point, not that he had ever been especially open to strangers around the boys. He called for Breda and Ross to come into his inner office. When they arrived, he asked them to watch over the boys for him, then placed William in the playpen sitting in the corner and told Yuery to keep quiet so his brother could sleep.
Conference Room Two
The man waiting for them was dressed in a similar manner to the way had dressed in the field for years. He had on Black pants and boots, a black dress shirt under a black jacket. He didn't have the complexion for the style, his skin appeared sallow and his black shoulder length hair lank. He stood facing the window with a very stoic expression. He had his hands clasped behind his back and held his back stiffly, but his shoulders slightly bent as if he was hiding exhaustion.
Roy spoke first, clearing his throat before stating. "We were informed that you may have information of the Thomas case?"
"Yes, my name is Severus Snape." The man said as he finally turned around, frowning slightly at the sight of an extra person. It had been his intent to reveal himself as a wizard and offer his services, but it was a risky move given the country's stance on magic. Elric had already encountered magic. Snape had no idea if this other man had been kept up to date.
"I'm General Roy Mustang, and my son Colonel Edward Elric." The man said as the blond nodded then gestured for them all to take a seat.
"I have read about you in the newspapers." Snape begins, he had read all about them, everything that had been printed in the last three years. It had taken him three days to read through it all, it was also when he came to the idea it may be safe to reveal his magic. "I saw in the paper this morning, that your housemate and former lover had been kidnapped Colonel. I felt I needed to do something to help."
Edward opened his mouth to deny the claim, but then remembered that he was going to have to start letting that one go like with Yuery. Instead he focused on the other confusing part. "How do you think you can help?"
"Well, that is. It would be highly illegal for me to do it, and just mentioning it could have me disappeared…if not for those poor children…" Snape said, knowing he was playing it up a bit. He hadn't ever been good at this kind of thing; he was attempting to seem shy and unassuming. He continued by lowering his already quiet voice to a near whisper. "You see. I have a bit of talent in magic. I know a seeking spell that could find her whereabouts, no matter her current condition."
"You're a wizard?" Edward asked, stiffening. Once again, the wizards had found him and his son.
"In a fashion. As I'm sure you know it is illegal to practice magic in Amestris. My father was very opposed to all forms of magic. My mother was a witch, she showed me what she could secretly." The best lies, were incomplete truths. Snape had learned this long ago. The sympathy he was sensing from both men seemed to indicate that once again the method had worked. Perhaps this could open doors to further communication after he helped find this girl. He was concerned for her wellbeing, from what he gathered her chances were rather bleak.
"Excuse us a moment please." Edward said, as he walked toward the door, Roy leading the way. This was Ed's situation, but they were inside headquarters, so Roy had to be seen as the leader. He fully intended to defer to Ed however, Ed was the one taking all the risks with this one. Roy was on the fence about it, he knew the guy was holding back information, that much was obvious to him, but if he was a threat was a different question altogether. Ed, for his part, also knew the man was lying in part. He felt that trusting him to an extent was safe. Weeks of reading Qi had only taught him so much however, and before they moved forward, he was going to have Mei get a read on the guy.
A few minutes later they had decided. They would ask the man to meet them at a restaurant to further discuss the issue because they were not inviting the man into their home or letting him have the address if he didn't already. They would have Al and Mei meet them, and leave the children with Riza and Winry under guard at Gracia's. Some may feel it was excessive, but trust was not easy for them even before the year they'd just endured.
Roy slipped away to make the necessary calls, and to contact Madame about having a private dinner at her new bar. Edward went back to the conference room to speak with the man further. He was once again staring out of the window with his hands clasped behind his back. Before Ed could say anything, the man, Severus, if he could be believed said "You don't trust me. You shouldn't. Trust is earned. I will earn your trust if you will allow me a few moments of your time."
"I am willing to listen to you. Meet us this evening at seven at this address. If this is a trick however, you will find yourself in a very unpleasant situation." Ed said as he handed the man a slip of paper. He congratulated himself on picking up subtle threats from Greed.
Madame Christmas Bar and Lounge
7:00pm
Ed and Roy had both changed before they headed toward Madame's. Now dressed in matching white button-down dress shirts and black slacks, they could blend in slightly better with the crowd. Al chose to dress in a similar manner, with Mei wearing a red silk dress. When they arrived, Vanessa led them straight to the private room Roy had requested. Their mystery guest had already arrived a few minutes before and had seated himself on the far side of the table, though he stood when they entered.
Al took the lead, introducing himself with a handshake and pleasant smile, before Mei did the same. Edward and Roy saw no reason to shake his hand, though both nodded by way of greeting before everyone found their seats. Snape continued to sit on the far side of the table, whereas Roy sat with his back to the door, which in any other public location he would have refused. Edward sat to Roy's left and Alphonse to his right, with Mei next to Al. There were still half a dozen empty seats between her and Snape.
"Order what you would like, the food here is wonderful." Roy said politely, without bothering with the menu.
Edward left his menu closed as well, intending to just order whatever his Dad did so that he could keep an eye on the table. Al, on the other hand, was carefully going over the menu as if it was lost research. He did this on every one of the handful of occasions they'd had to take him out to eat. It was still so new to him. Snape seemed unconcerned with the way Ed and Roy were watching him as he gazed down at his own menu.
Mei was pretending to look it over, while paying attention to Snape in search of any ill will he may harbor toward the Elrics. The room was silent for about five minutes before their waitress, a girl named Trudi who Roy vaguely recognized, came to ask for their orders.
Roy ordered the spinach quiche and a glass of red wine. Everyone followed suit, which amused Roy. Al always ended up ordering whatever Ed did, and Mei only read a little of their language so she usually did the same, so when Ed decided to just go with whatever Roy ordered he'd expected all the kids to order with him, though the fact that Snape did as well surprised him. Snape seemed to notice Roy's amusement and explained with a shrug that it seemed the popular choice.
Roy pointedly changed Mei and Al's drinks to milk. Ed smirked at his brother briefly, but wisely chose not to tease him or have his order changed as well. They sat in silence until Trudi returned with their food ten minutes later and locked the door behind her so that they would not be interrupted again. Snape was not nervous only because he was relatively sure there were no anti-apparition spells on the building.
"I'm assuming you had more questions for me?" Snape said simply.
"A few." Ed replied. "To begin with, why did you decide to approach us now?"
"I read in the papers that Fuhrer Grumman and Emperor Yao intend to open a joint alchemy and magic academy. I assumed that the ban on magic users may be lessening. At least enough to allow me to offer my limited services."
"That's a nice story, unfortunately, it seems a little convenient." Roy said as he cut into his dinner. "You dabble in magic, yet just happen to have a spell that can help us find the girl who was kidnapped from my home just hours after threats were made that they intend to unseat me by showing that I am … unconventional… with some rules."
"Are you suggesting that I am involved in taking the girl, sir?" Snape asked, barely able to contain his anger at the accusation, implied or otherwise.
"You weren't involved in taking her. You aren't offering to save her for altruistic either. You are hoping to gain favor with the Mustang-Elrics for reasons of your own… though you wish them no ill will." Mei said as she read his emotions and intent.
"Mei happens to be the younger sister, and third heir of Ling Yao." Edward said to Snape's questioning gaze. "She is a master at qi sensing. She'll know if you lie."
"Very well." Snape said with resignation. That made this slightly more difficult but not impossible. He simply had to do what he had done earlier in the office and tell half-truths.
"Are you here to attempt to steal either of my brother's sons?" Al asked pleasantly but the malice was beneath the surface.
"I have no intention of taking either of those boys from your brother's care." Snape said honestly. After watching them secretly, he felt that the boy was in the best place possible for him, and perhaps he wouldn't turn out just like his worthless birth father after all. Which was something Snape greatly feared about the boy originally.
"What do you know about Rose's disappearance?" Ed demanded.
"Only what has been said in the papers."
"The story you told us earlier, about your parents. Was it true?" Roy asked.
"Yes." Snape answered a bit snappishly which only served to make Roy believe him. The only other person he had seen have that kind of reaction was Edward when someone brought the man up, Ed could rant for hours on the subject. Snape had the same distasteful expression meant even after all this time working with the boy and living with him and Roy still didn't know enough to ease that pain.
"Do you know Albus Dumbledore?" Edward asked, and the others all frowned at him in confusion. "Dumbledore is the one I told you about."
"Everyone who is in the magical community for more than five minutes knows Albus Dumbledore." Snape said, the half-truth better hold water, or we are in serious trouble, he thinks.
Mei gave one last nod before she and Alphonse left the table. They intended to head over to Gracia's to make sure everything was alright over there. Ed frowned and huffed, and Roy suppressed a sigh. Time was not on their side on this. They were not certain what was happening to Rose, if she was alive or dead at this point, but if there was even the slightest chance she could have been saved and they let it slip away…he knew Edward would never forgive himself.
If this man turned out to be a threat to Yuery though, Roy would personally burn him at the stake. No one threatened his family. No one. Roy had given up on the delusion that he was a good man in the deserts of the East. He would not allow the world to break his children the same way. "Alright. Let's talk about this… spell."