Chapter 4: Hogs Head Gatecrasher

Link stepped into the poorly lit, dingy dining area of the Hogs Head. The two masked individuals seated at the far table paused their conversation and looked across the dining area over at him. They both wore identical unfriendly glares.

'Hiya!' Link called cheerfully, waving and smiling at the two ruffians.

The two thugs glanced at each other in confusion for a moment before turning back to their hushed conversation. Perhaps huddled together more closely than before.

Ignoring them, Link approached the bar counter where the elderly barkeep was busy clinking some glasses together around some shelves. Putting his elbows up on the filthy counter, Link cupped his head in his hands and waited for the barkeep to finish organizing. Humming merrily to himself, he looked over the bar's selection. There seemed to be a great variety of potion types on sale!

After he finished going over the bottles, he slowly turned around and took in his surroundings. The room was dimly lit by a variety of light sources including a torch that produced a thick, black smoke, flickering candles nearly drowning in wax, and a couple of oil lanterns. The corners and ceiling of the room were covered in cobwebs and everything was exceptionally dirty. The only furniture consisted of a few rickety bar stools, the bar counter, and perhaps a dozen tables with a random number of chairs scattered around each one. The room was small but had a few secretive alcoves here and there for privacy (like most places of this sort typically do). The only decoration was a massive stuffed hog head adorning the wall. Link grinned at the sight of it. He didn't like hogs.

As he appreciated the scenery, a large rat suddenly darted out from beneath the shelves where the ancient barkeep was cleaning. Shouting in fury, the old man swirled, trying to stomp on the madly squeaking rodent. He must have missed as the rodent skirted around the counter past Link and towards a hole in the wall. Quick as lightning, it scurried into its home just before a bottle impacted outside of its lair, exploding into wet shards all over the floor.

Upon seeing that he missed his chance, the barkeep started swearing and whipping his rag on the counter, splattering it with yet more filth. Link tsked, shaking his head.

Better luck next time!

At the sound of him, the old man stopped raging and glowered over at the still smiling Link. Stomping over, the scowling barkeep planted himself directly across the counter from him and loomed over menacingly. However, Link wasn't intimidated. He'd had his run ins with unfriendly villagers over the years and was used to being an outcast. No doubt as soon as he found this guy's missing Cuccos or something, they'd be the best of friends. For now though, he really needed some red potion.

'Hiya.' Link said with a grin. Dropping his hand from his chin, he tapped the bar counter twice. The barman's lined expression slackened in confusion.

'What? You want a drink?' he rasped and Link nodded eagerly.

'Sorry, I don't serve bleedin' pumpkin juice. Now piss off, runt!' snarled the old man, waving his wet rag towards the door.

Link shook his head and pointed at a bottle of red potion on the wall.

'What? Firewhisky?' said the barkeep incredulously, 'A little gnome puke like you wants firewhisky?'

'Hep!'

For off the shelf potion in a place like this I'm not paying more than twenty rupees. Link mused as he reached for his Giant Wallet.

'Real cute kid. Listen, this isn't a candy store. Now before I lose my temper, I suggest you turn arou-' Before he could say another word, Link plopped a large, shiny red jewel on the counter and looked at the man expectantly.

The old man stared at the gemstone, then he looked back at Link who mimed drinking a bottle. Without warning he moved from behind the counter and Link stepped back towards the door.

'Just stay cool, Link.' whispered Navi under his hat.

The barkeep's bloodshot eyes scanned Link carefully. His eyes travelled from the boy's strange green cap and messy blonde hair, to his bloodstained matching green tunic, down to his deeply bruised knees and shins. The what looked like ten or twelve-year-old appeared to be carrying a mirror slung over his back with an empty scabbard. At any other bar, he would be a freakshow, but in the Hogs Head he was a pretty typical customer, bit on the young side though.

'You working for one of the Magical Ministries lap dogs? Eh? Come to take my bar license away?' he growled, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Link shook his head earnestly.

The man carefully considered him. After a tense minute of silence, he slapped his rag over his shoulder and headed back behind the counter. As he passed the rupee, the barkeep quickly snatched the jewel and slipped it into his pocket before grabbing a bottle off the top shelf. Grunting, he slid it down to Link who swiped the bottle before it slid off the countertop. Link gave the barkeep an appreciative nod in return, but if the barkeep saw the gesture he ignored it as he presently returned to shifting through his bar glasses.

'Nice job, Link!' praised Navi quietly. 'Grab us a booth.'

Humming in acknowledgment, he headed for a secluded spot in the corner closest to the door. Stepping through some broken glass, he gingerly sat down on the booth's cushioned seat. It was unpleasantly moist and sticky.

Well, it's not like my clothes can get any dirtier anyway.

Link lifted the bottle and took a sip. The liquid burned his mouth slightly, but he was pleased to find that it did not have as acrid an aftertaste as most red potion.

Now's not the time to be picky. Bottoms up!

Tilting the bottle back, he started to drink the firewhisky in the Kokiri cultural tradition. Which is to say, all at once.

'How is it?' asked Navi as he finished downing the bottle.

'Guwaugh!' he replied in satisfaction, slapping the now empty bottle down on the table with a loud smack. Wiping the back of his mouth with his left hand, he felt his cheeks start to redden as he leaned back in the booth that he suddenly found much more comfortable than before.

'So how are your legs feeling?' she asked with concern.

'Iss-cha.' he slurred contentedly, bobbing his head. His legs felt better than ever. In fact, he could barely feel them at all.

'That's great Link!' Navi said happily, 'That will make finding the crystal piece so much easier! Before we leave this dump, we should stock up on red potion. Who knows when we'll be back, you know?'

'Hic!' he said, putting his head in his hands.

That was some…mighty fine red…potion.

At that moment the door creaked open and two fancily dressed men stepped inside the inn. The first was a tall, handsome man with a hard face. He had striking blue eyes, platinum blonde hair and sleek, jet black robes. The second man was shorter and pudgier and upon entering the bar immediately glanced around, nervously wringing his cap in his hands. Clearly, he was out of his element.

'Lucius, what's so important that we had to come here of all places? My word, if I was even seen in a place like this-' he was abruptly silenced by a look from the tall blonde man, who then motioned to a booth in the far corner of the room opposite of Link and Navi.

As they walked past their booth, Navi got a good look at the duo. She could tell they were up to something, though in a bar like this she supposed everyone was. She would have just ignored them until she heard the pudgy man say:

'Come on then Lucius, what is it you have found? I-'

At this the blonde man turned and hissed "Quiet!" before gesturing back at the booth.

Navi's ears pricked up.

'Link!' she whispered directly into the slouched over boy's ear 'Link, those two are talking about some discovery! It might be the crystal! Hey, what's wrong with you?'

'Hic! Hmm? Oh…er, uh…' he started, rubbing his eyes. 'Ah! Hey!' said Link suddenly sitting upright, rubbing his ear angrily.

No pinching!

'Link, Listen! Those two guys in the corner booth are talking about something they found! We have to get in close. Use the Stone Mask!'

He started grumbling. Glancing over at the bar, he saw that the bartender was still hidden beneath the counter wrestling with his glassware and the two thuggish patrons at the table were still engrossed in their conversation. Nobody would notice if he were to disappear.

'Quickly Link!'

With an annoyed sigh, he slipped on the Stone Mask and stood up from the table. Swaying slightly, he peered down the row of booths. The two men had already seated themselves and were deep in conversation.

Never a dull-*Hic*-moment. Link thought as he started to amble down towards the conspiratorial pair.

Lucius Malfoy did not like to leave things to chance but tonight he was left with no choice. His esteemed colleague and fellow Hogwarts school board governor Jacob Kent had to be brought in line. For the past decade, Lucius had been carefully laying plans to have Dumbledore removed as headmaster and his plan was finally nearing its fruition. The amount of sacrifices he had to make, the fortunes he had spent, and the years of manipulation were all coming to a head this year. Finally, Dumbledore would be discredited and Hogwarts could return to its pureblood roots.

However, in order to ensure that his plan succeeded, he had to secure the support of at least six of the other twelve members of the board of governors. This had proved the most difficult part of his plan by far. Following the First Wizarding War, the Malfoy family reputation was ruined. Only blackmail of the most highly placed officials in the Ministry of Magic had kept him out of Azkaban. From there he was forced to scrounge and grovel before the mewling public to regain enough credibility to be appointed as chairman of the board of governors. This was no mean feat as there were many families that were sympathetic to mudbloods or even had mudblood family members themselves attending Hogwarts and they remembered all too well the name Malfoy during the First Wizarding War. Although most respectable wizarding families had aligned with his stance on mudbloods and the proliferation of Muggle culture privately, not many would openly support his views. At least, not until now.

There had been a resurgence in pureblood values and ideals as of late, and he had been able to capitalize on it extensively. Now, with five of the requisite six members under his influence, he only needed one more board member and Dumbledore was as good as gone. Jacob Kent would be that sixth member. Convincing him might prove difficult however. He had never spoken privately with Mr. Kent before tonight. There was nothing to blackmail him with and a bribe was too risky. He would have to rely on good old-fashioned deception to achieve his goals.

The board of governors met only twice in the interim period between the school years. Once at the end of June and again in the last week of August. The current school year was just around the corner and this was his last chance to secure his support. After the meeting at Hogwarts, he had been able to convince Mr. Kent to accompany him to Hogsmeade for a private meeting under the pretext that he had some critical information to share with him concerning the future of Hogwarts. Though he seemed skeptical, Mr. Kent had at least agreed to accompany him to the Hogs Head Inn and hear what he had to say.

The two men walked side by side down the dark, empty streets of Hogsmeade. A tense awkwardness hung in the air as they moved together in silence.

This whole situation is quite odd. Thought Jacob Kent as he walked alongside his stern-faced companion No, mad is a more accurate way to put it. I'm an educator not a spy. Why does he insist on such secrecy? What information could he possibly have that he couldn't bring it before the board? He's the chairman, for God's sake!

The two continued on, past the inviting lights and sounds of laughter of the Three Broomsticks and towards the outskirts of town. Before long, Jacob found that he couldn't help but say something, if only to end their wordless marching.

'Lucius, are you quite sure you shouldn't present your information to the entire board? If it is as damaging as you say-' began Jacob.

'No.' said his foreboding companion immediately, 'This matter cannot be trusted with the board.'

'But what then? What could be beyond the board in regards to the running of Hogwarts?'

'There is a conspiracy.' Lucius said in a voice barely above a whisper. The tone sent a shiver of unease running down his spine.

'But-but-' he began before Lucius cut him off again.

'Not here. I will explain everything when we arrive at the Hogs Head.'

The two continued to walk together in silence for a few moments before his nervousness once again got the better of him.

'So…do you often go to the Hogs Head?'

'Not unless I can avoid it.' replied Lucius coolly.

'Ahh. Yes, it has uh, quite the reputation, eh?'

'Yes, but it is nothing if not discreet. We won't be disturbed there.' Lucius said without turning his head. He kept his pale eyes fixed on the dark street ahead.

'Back when I was in Hogwarts I chanced a visit once but I…well.'

Jacob trailed off weakly. Truth be told, he didn't like to think about the one time he braved the doorway of the Hogs Head. In his final year at Hogwarts, Jacob's then girlfriend had dared him to enter. Much to his own amazement, he did. His moment of glory only lasted a second however as he was promptly thrown out by an exceptionally angry group of Siberian Warlocks. He grimaced at the memory. He remembered how his girlfriend and her friends had laughed at him as he landed in the muddy street.

By the time Jacob had collected his thoughts, he suddenly found himself standing in front of the old, familiar doorway to the Hogs Head Inn. Lucius looked at him expectantly.

'Oh, Er, after you.' Jacob said, smiling weakly and moving aside. Lucius nodded and entered, holding the door open for him. Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the dingy inn.

For a split second he had hoped that his memories had been coloured by age, but the Hogs Head was every bit as horrible as he remembered it. Broken glass littered the floor and the only occupants besides themselves and the aging bartender, who seemed to be swearing at his cups near as he could tell, were two masked cutthroats at a table by the bar and a strange looking hooded individual in the shadows of one of the booths.

Jacob was starting to feel as though this was all too much.

'Lucius, what's so important that we had to come here, of all places? My word, if I was even seen in a place like this…' he began before the words died in his throat. The look that Lucius Malfoy gave him was positively bone chilling.

Without saying a word, Lucius gestured towards a booth on the opposite side of the "dining" area and started to lead the way forward. As they walked, he chanced a peek at the occupant of the closest booth.

He was shocked to see what appeared to be a blood covered child drooling over an empty bottle of firewhisky. It was too much. If he was ever connected to a place like the Hogs Head his entire career could be in jeopardy. He had to get out of this hellhole.

'Come on then Lucius what is it you have found? I- '

'Quiet!' Lucius growled in a cold fury that shocked the soft-spoken man. Again, he gestured towards the booth.

After a moments hesitation, Jacob followed. A cold sweat breaking out across his body. He should have never agreed to this insanity.

Lucius took his seat and motioned for him to do the same. Tentatively, he sat in the spongy, vomit coloured cushion, wincing as he felt his rear suddenly get damp from whatever fluids the booth had held captive.

'So, go on then. What's so important?' he started anxiously, his cap a crumbled mess in his hands.

'In a moment.' said Lucius calmly who gazed over at the bar. Catching the eye of the foul-mouthed barkeep, the man slowly shuffled over.

'What?' barked the elderly man abruptly as he neared their table.

'A bottle of dragon barrel and spare us your glasses.' said Lucius flicking some crud off the table.

The barkeep turned to Jacob expectantly, but Jacob just smiled weakly. Rolling his eyes, the elderly bartender walked over behind his counter and grabbed a dusty bottle. Returning, he plonked it on their table and rudely thrust out his hand for payment. Once Lucius had dropped a few coins into his hand, he returned to his counter and resumed muttering to himself.

'So what do we, er-' a momentary thrill of fear gripped him as Lucius suddenly drew his wand. Before he could do anything, Lucius gave it a wave and two fine snifters appeared on the table. Lucius passed him his glass and smiled.

'Relax Mr. Kent, you look like you could use a drink.'

He suddenly exhaled a deep breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.

'Why, yes actually. Thank you.' He took the glass and downed it in one gulp. Pinching his nose, he sat back in his squelching chair. Dragon Barrel was strong stuff.

'I am sorry to have brought you to this…' Lucius looked over his surroundings with disdain '…place, but this is a matter of utmost importance. It concerns the safety of all the students at Hogwarts, and perhaps even beyond.'

Jacob gulped. His mouth was suddenly quite dry.

'You see, it has recently come to my attention that a powerful dark artifact has been discovered and that it is going to be smuggled into Hogwarts.' said Lucius nonchalantly.

Jacob balked. A dark artifact smuggled into Hogwarts? Surely there had to have been some mistake. Hogwarts was an unparalleled fortress protected by the most powerful wizards and witches in the country. Who would attempt something so foolhardy?

'Wh-What? How do you know this? Come on man, if you're serious then now's not the time to be cryptic!'

'Oh, the threat is real, I assure you. I've heard from some…old acquaintances of mine-' Jacob felt his blood run cold, '-that some terrible evil has been unearthed by some party. I don't know who they are precisely, but I know that they have deep ties to Hogwarts and perhaps the Ministry as well.'

'B-but how?' The students safety at Hogwarts has always been paramount-'

*Hic!*

'Excuse you.' Lucius said before taking a sip from his own glass.

'Oh, thank you.' Jacob said, feeling rather puzzled at the interruption 'Uh, were was I?'

'Security.'

'Right. The teachers at Hogwarts are all well qualified. And with Dumbledore himself at the school…' he shook his head in disbelief, 'I just don't see how this matter couldn't be resolved with the boards co-operation.'

'I have evidence to suggest that some members of the board may also be involved' said Lucius evenly. Jacob's mouth dropped open in shock. He needed a drink. Quickly pouring himself more brandy, he took a large gulp while Lucius watched him silently, his own glass in hand. After some consideration, Jacob spoke again in a more reasoned tone.

'But to what end? How would a dark artifact even find its way into Hogwarts? Only students and staff can enter the castle.'

'Yes, that is true. I think that a student may attempt to smuggle the artifact in with them.'

'But why though?' sputtered Jacob taking another drink.

'Who can say?' shrugged Lucius, 'Practitioners of the dark arts seem to arise where we least expect it.'

'We should alert Dumbledore, he'll-'

'No.' said Lucius leaning forward slightly, 'Or rather, I fear it will do little good. I have repeatedly stated to the board that Dumbledore does not take his position as headmaster seriously enough.'

'Well…yes, but these are extenuating circumstances. If Dumbledore was made aware-' he began before Lucius interrupted him again.

'Do you honestly believe he will-' started Lucius

*Hic*

'-listen to my recommendation that the school be temporarily closed so we can investigate the issue?' finished Lucius looking at his opposite skeptically.

'Well, you're talking about shutting down the most prestigious school in the country for a year. There will be an uproar.'

'And what do you think will happen when parents find that their children were put in danger? Maybe even killed? Do you not think there will be an uproar then, hmmm?' said Lucius taking another sip of brandy.

Jacob sat silently for a while, thinking through what Malfoy had just told him. It was true, Dumbledore had repeatedly overruled safety complaints lodged by parents in the past and there had been several high-profile incidents. After the troll attack last year, the board was subjected to many complaints that were forced to go unaddressed, largely due to Dumbledore's influence on some board members.

'Dumbledore is not a member of the board of governors and yet he is able to dictate the policies at Hogwarts with little to no accountability.'

Jacob said nothing.

'He is a popular man.' admitted Lucius, 'And was a great wizard in his day. But, mark my words, his recklessness will cost the lives of students. And when that happens, you have to ask yourself on whose side do you want to be on?'

'It's too late to do anything. The school year starts in five days, Lucius.' said Jacob grimly, 'If you had evidence you should have brought it before the board earlier.'

'I have tried, on many occasions, I have tried. Haven't I been saying for years that Dumbledore's eccentricities placed the students in harm's way? We have all just been very lucky. But luck always runs out eventually.'

Lucius Malfoy shrugged slightly and took another sip of his drink.

'Hopefully, my information is inaccurate and nothing happens. But should the unthinkable occur, I need to know that I can trust you to do the right thing. For the students…and for your career.'

'And that is…?' asked Jacob wearily.

'If there is another incident at the school this year, I will be calling for the headmaster's removal. Dumbledore has many friends on the board of governors, but with your help he can be held accountable for his irresponsibility. If a vote to remove him is triggered…well I hope you consider what I have told you tonight.'

Jacob Kent nodded, brow furrowed in thought as Lucius stood up, dusting himself off.

'Good evening, Mr. Kent.' said Lucius bowing slightly before he turned and walked out of the Hogs Head. A few moments later, he had one last drink before grabbing his hat off the table and following suit.