I was originally just going to have this take place before the war, but I had a few problems plot-wise with this idea. So I'm going to twist things a little so it's kind of an AU universe I guess, where Dumbledore survived the war (maybe someone went back in time later and saved him or something) and so did Snape who I like to think probably survived the snake bite anyway. Both of whom went back to their old jobs, because I like Dumbledore as headmaster and you can't have Dumbledore without Snape.
Snape, I see as being happier, but still the same person, who still isn't keen on Harry, but has bent enough to tolerate and just generally ignore him, I'm going to assume he's gone back because of his love of potions and his old position allowed him more time to research, so he's more than happy for a demotion. He's probably an extremely influential academic in certain circles.
Ron, Hermione, Harry and even Draco have gone back to finish their last year of school.
I wasn't going to do it like this, but then my list of new characters was growing extensive and I figure if I'm going to have a crossover there's no point in having to create new characters, that no one would like and would no doubt accidently turn into Mary-Sue's. I have more than enough new characters from the Labyrinth side already.
Chapter 9
Egypt
"My god, it's beautiful," murmured Griphook admiringly. Bill Weasley nodded his head in agreement. The group stared at the unearthed treasure. They'd worked years for this moment, obsessively hunted down every lead, every trail. And here it was.
Bill had come back to Gringotts after the war, had once again buried himself in this search, as he had when he was a youth, in order to forget, to hide from the death of his brother and the meltdown of the rest of his family. This was his reward. It was almost worth it.
"You know, such exquisite metalworking should be seen, not buried in a vault." Griphook added thoughtfully, with a sideways glance at Gingley.
"Seen?" queried Gingley, though a faint gleam started to show in his eye. "You mean the Faire?"
"I mean the Faire," confirmed Griphook dreamily.
"Faire?" Bill asked
"The Labyrinth faire Mr Weasley, the greatest faire of all... the goblin Faire," Gingley smiled.
The Goblin Faire attracted beings from both Above and Below. Taking place once every 5 years, it was the biggest event of that year. Only a Labyrinth citizen or one with with an ancestry including goblin blood was allowed entry without an invitation, thought the rules were greatly relaxed for any craftsmen. Outsiders could only dream of the treasures to be found at the faire, only the most rich or powerful could barter for an invite. Even then some of the most surprising of people could be left without entrance.
There was however an exception to these stringent rules. For though the Faire was held by the goblins, there were always as many dwarf craftsmen with things to display, and so over the years any native of the dwarf kingdom was also unofficially invited and would be allowed entrance without a ticket. Particularly any dwarf with high enough rank to murmur about setting up their own Dwarf Faire in competition.
The Faire was traditionally the first display of a craftsman's triumph, often the culmination of a full 5 years work. Those who attended the faire were sure to have the best, most exquisite jewellery or weaponry and to be the envy of all their peers. For few dwarf or goblin craftsmen would dream of completing a masterpiece and then not displaying it at the faire, if only for the admiration or jealousy of their peers.
It was also cleverly designed to allow even the commonest Labyrinth inhabitants to make some money, not only through food, drink and hospitality, but also through the selling of their spare ticket. For all the natives were allowed to use one extra invite, the buying and selling of which was big business.
The most important guests were those who held a royal invite, from the goblin king himself, and who stayed in the royal castle. Though these were also the rarest, for Jareth was not one to pander to the whims of the rich or the powerful. Politically, only the neighbouring kingdoms whose borders touched those of the labyrinth, or the highest ranking dwarf nobles were sent an invitation from Jareth and fewer still were invited for any other reason. The goblin king was well known for his dislike of social obligations.
"The Faire is in a month, there's no time. The security alone would be horrendous," Gingley tried.
Bill looked puzzled, "Where is this faire?"
Griphooks dreams turned out to be infectious and drew in most of the camp. Not only was it a chance for Gringott's to shine, but it was a chance for them to see the Faire for themselves. Gringott's operated a lottery, those lucky enough to win, got a week off to enjoy the faire. None in the camp had been lucky this time and it would be another 5 years before they got another chance.
Mr Weasley was another matter; invitations to the faire at this late stage were like gold dust, long since snatched up and horded carefully. Though even Gingley did not advocate leaving the man behind, to have a stand at the faire with contents such as this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and Bill deserved it as much as they. Their only option was a direct appeal to the head of Gringott's, to Ragnok himself. Not an option undertaken lightly.
Ragnok, once he'd seen the treasures for himself, proved easier to persuade than anticipated and even allowed Bill a few spares for his family. So Bill decided to take his brother George, in yet another attempt to draw him back into the world, and Percy.
Hogwart's
The teachers were all present in the dining room by the time the delegation arrived. Dumbledore had spent the extra time threatening Severus with retribution if he ruined this for them. Dumbledore groaned as he recognised the obnoxious goblin from the first visit. He smiled slightly when he recognised Sir Hugh, the famed Weapons Master. He'd had some contact with the goblin during the war, Sir Hugh had been one of the main reasons they had won the war with so few casualties. Goblin mercenaries were generally neutral in wars, simply working for the highest bidder.
Voldemort had made much use of the mercenaries over the years, many Hobgoblins were inclined towards dark magic and hated wizards, so were more than keen to fight alongside the vampires and werewolves. However, upon an attack on the British Gringott's bank, Sir Hugh had withdrawn all goblin troops from Voldemort claiming breach of contract.
The ministry, or what was left of it, had eventually succeeded in persuading an obviously angry goblin, to allow them to hire the mercenaries. Under the sworn oath of the minister that they would pay for their services once the war was over. It was unusual that goblin mercenaries would work for credit, since had the ministry fallen in the war, the loan would never be paid. But Sir Hugh, unlike some of his troops, was not a fan of Voldemort, Severus had confided that he'd been gravely insulted at a formal dinner once, though had refused to go into more detail.
"Sir Hugh, I had no idea you would be present. It's good to see you again old friend." Dumbledore twinkled. With Sir Hugh around, surely the goblins would do what was needed.
Sir Hugh smiled and nodded acknowledgment "Albus," he murmured. He liked the old man.
"Might I present His Majesty, King Jareth of the goblins. Your Highness, this is Headmaster Dumbledore."
"We've met," Jareth murmured, inclining his head politely.
Everybody froze, "King?" Dumbledore questioned getting a rather sinking feeling, he rather suspected that original meeting was going to come back to haunt him.
With all the introductions over, they sat down to the feast uneasily.
"How did you meet Albus?" Sir Hugh asked quietly as they started the meal.
Jareth smiled guiltily, "We met to discuss the wards," he answered evasively. Dumbledore, on Sir Hugh's other side turned.
"I must apologise for our original meeting Your Highness. I was unaware that I was speaking to goblin royalty. I'm afraid the old document wasn't very clear on who exactly had originally made the Heart Stone, or if anyone would still be around to fulfil the summons. May I ask how exactly the goblins came to make such a promise?"
Sir Hugh raised an eyebrow and Jareth ducked his head, quickly busying himself with buttering some bread. Sir Hugh let it lie for now, though both men knew the matter wasn't ended. Sir Hugh was in charge of the King's protection, he couldn't do his job if Jareth hid little details like this from him.
"I was very good friends with one of the founders, a man called Salazer Slytherin." He answered slowly; well aware he had the attention of the entire table now. "He came to me for help, wanted to build a new type of school, one open to all magical creatures, including goblins, he wanted to promote unity in the Above magical community. I agreed to help, it sounded like an interesting experiment. So my goblins got to work building the castle on agreement that at least 30% intake per year were of goblin ancestry."
Jareth put his fork down with a sigh and took a drink from his wine glass. He nearly choked, but managed to swallow the repulsive drink down. He put the glass down firmly, still thirsty, but unwilling to drink the awful concoction. Sir Hugh spotted the grimace and tried his own drink, it was medium quality wine, not the worst he'd ever had by far, but not of the quality that should ever be served to his King. He made a mental note to bring in some goblin provisions.
The rest of the table were staring absorbed at Jareth, waiting for more.
"So what happened?" Dumbledore asked.
Jareth looked surprised, "It's your school. Don't you already know its history?"
"I'd been under the impression Salazer was against even muggleborn students being admitted," Dumbledore answered slowly.
"Well he was, he hated muggleborns, said it would only take one family telling the authorities about the school and every student would have been in danger. Godric though, wanted a school run by wizards for wizards, all wizards, regardless of background. Salazer wanted a school to foster relations between different species, but excluding anyone not of magical ancestry.
They both got their way to start with, Salazer's house admitted the centaurs, goblins, anyone who already lived in, and understood, the magical world and Godric's house admitted humans with magic regardless of background. Rowena commanded that she would accept any student, with magic; smart enough to pass an entrance exam and Helga refused to turn away anyone at all, as long as they wanted to learn. The school houses quickly turned into political statements of course, especially for the pureblood wizards who got a choice of all 4 houses depending on desire."
Jareth stopped, everyone, even his goblin entourage seemed to be listening intently. He looked around him, surely this was basic knowledge. He looked at his wine glass, thirsty from all the talking, and sighed. Decided he'd give it another try, so he lifted it to his lips.
Sir Hugh frowned, unwilling to have his King be forced to drink substandard wine, but unable to politely send it back. Had they been in a goblin residence he would have had no compunction in showing his displeasure.
