Chapter 9 Associations of Mutual Benefit
Thursday, August 31 1985, 8:15, Gringott's Wizarding bank
Long spindly fingers retraced the delicately drawn out lines of the thick parchment on the table, the sharp edges of their almost claw-like nails scratching slightly as they met the familiar contours of the Egyptian coastline.
Their owner allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction, a singular departure from his usual expressionless mask, a lapse currently allowed by his momentary security from the scrutiny of indiscrete observation.
Smirk still firmly in place, the finely cut square of parchment was gently pushed aside, a second that it had until now covered from view taking its place as the focus of attention. It was a letter, bringing to his attention concerns the 'seeing to' of which could not be delayed, but whose general content held much promise for Gringotts and through it, Gornuk. The paragraph that caught his eye was one that supported this.
…by the second of the upcoming month, when the Wizengammot are scheduled to convene, a fact which makes our subsequent courses of action all the more urgent. It goes without saying that I must not fail to enter the arena on my own terms if I wish to evade the preying of both Malfoy and Dumbledore. We are also both undoubtedly aware that without the support of a strong party detached from either, this has little chance of happening…
The smug expression morphed into a slightly eery grin as the gaze of the beady eyes followed the slanted scrawl.
The letter served only as another confirmation of his assessment of the situation. Everything was falling into place. Just as it should of course; failure was not an option here. It had never been. That lesson had been firmly instilled in him as far back as he could remember.
Diligence, efficiency, and cunning, the three pillars upon which his father had founded his education. Family history and later the necessities of his craft had added guardedness, but that went without saying.
This was a human's world his grandfather had once told him, and you had better always be a dozen steps ahead of them if you want to stay in it.
Needless to say, his grandfather had not had a very positive view of humans, whether wizard or no, the only difference being that wizards were armed with magic, and so more of a bother.
In truth, this opinion, which Gornag had repeated day in and day out in his advancing age, was not a particularly surprising one, or even one with which his grandson held much disapproval.
Indeed the latter's opinion in this matter coincided rather closely with that of his grandfather, in that he perceived the average human as both relatively slow-minded and deceitful by nature; you could trust them neither in capability nor intent.
For the most of them anyhow. There were, granted, a few exceptions to this rule, which admittedly made his indispensable interactions with the wand-carrying race more bearable.
This reflection brought him back to considering the letter. Its author could very well prove to be one of those few exceptions, considering the contents of his discourse.
Though he would never admit it for the life of him, Gornuk had been intrigued by the young wizard from the moment he first laid eyes on him.
No, that wasn't exact. His attention, as that of the entire council, had been called upon even before that, at his first request for an audience. Not only the request but its manner and formulation. Never had Gornuk met a wizard who spoke Gobbledegook. Understood a few words: yes. Managed to reproduce one or two phrases in a barely decipherable garble: yes. But one who spoke relatively fluently, with only minor mistakes and a more than passable grammar: never.
As for the Goblin Friendship…..such occurrences were the stuff of Goblin lore, legends of a past already forgotten in the childhood years of his ancestors. That pronouncement had left Gornuk skeptical to say the least. But the young wizard-lord had held his own. The Elder knew very well that it was no mean feat to submit to a blood test. The excruciating pain notwithstanding, it was impossible to cheat, and the cost should you attempt to do so was not worth the deception.
No, it would not do to deny he had been impressed, if only grudgingly and cautiously so. The wizard's subsequent identity, title and story had only complexified the issue. Whether for good or evil, it would not do to be too hasty in dealing with it. A partnership with a Defense Master apprenticing in Runes was not cast aside without careful consideration.
It had been easy and no trial to himself to offer some vague promise of shared association; how far they would go in actuality would depend on Peverell. There were few enough wizards for whom Gornuk held true respect for him to wish close interaction with any exception to the general lot of fools. All he needed was a trial, a means to test this young human's worth without having to deal with him himself. The answer had come as soon as the wizard asked to file his apprenticeship with the Ministry.
Let Hayes deal with him. The experienced Master would not be blindsided by anyone. Gornuk nodded to himself in remembrance. Yes, Hayes had been the perfect choice. After all, should he succeed in securing the temperamental master's hardly won approval, his own path was paved. Not that Peverell would have reason for regret . His plans with Hayes had always included Greengrass, and Peverell had admitted himself he needed a firm alliance to ground him against Malfoy and Dumbledore.
The letter made this clear enough.
…My calculations have made clear in my mind that the best chance of this happening is through some means of introduction with Cyrus Greengrass, he alone of the more prominent parties could grant me access to Madam Bones without trapping me under Dumbledore or Malfoys' wings.…
That the boy had suggested Greengrass himself had been a surprise, but a good one, and one that spoke well of his strategic and deductive skills, something further upheld in the rest of the missive.
…It was a welcome discovery in my background research of him, - looking avidly for legitimate means to approach him- that I discovered his affiliation to Gringotts. Very convenient I must say. It should hardly strike me as mere coincidence that the very member of the Wizengammot I planned to approach happened to be jointly organizing a tomb-breaking expedition in Egypt for Gringotts bank with the same Runes Master that that bank's manager referred me to. Convenient for them also, is it not, that their principal Cursebreaker should have just taken on a parselmouth runes' apprentice, an invaluable asset in decoding ancient Egyptian wards?
I must admit to feeling slightly manipulated my friend, though why I should be surprised that you should play your cards several steps ahead I know not. After all, it is beneficial to both parties, and I certainly have no cause for grievance. Perhaps I should just content myself with our reaching the same conclusions, albeit mine at a much later time…
Everything was to Peverell's credit. That he should have the initiative and the diligence to take up the background research himself was proof enough that Gringotts' association with him was not a waste of time. Slightly annoying, yet still gratifying in its own way was the fact that the young Lord had also not been dupe to his slight manipulation of events.
That he had anticipated benefitting of Peverell's eventual talents in his field for the Egyptian expedition was certain. All the better if he had the allure of Hayes and now Greengrass to push the wizard to do it. But Peverell hardly seemed to reprimand him for it; indeed he had seemed more amused than irked by the situation. And really why shouldn't he be? Peverell had conceded it himself; he had no cause to repine. Gornuk was also sure his correspondent was intelligent enough to know he had every advantage keeping himself under the Goblins' wing.
The fact was, and remained, that Peverell needed assistance. He was competent, extremely so, and much more than Gornuk had seen in many if any so young amongst his race. But there was only so much even a competent wizard could do while balancing precariously in front of the attentive gaze of the influential personages of the wizarding world. Not to mention doing so while harbouring and caring for the Potter child.
As it was, Peverell had seen rightly concerning the upcoming Wizengammot meeting. Matters were pressing for time if Peverell's return amongst the Assembly of Lords was to go according to plan, something that once again the young wizard had judged correctly.
…If your plan is indeed heading where I imagine it is, it might be judicious to speed up its conclusion. Hayes has yet to even mention the project to me, and while I have no reason to believe he is anything other than satisfied with the quality of my work, you know better than I how reluctant to be impressed he can be. My only reassurance in this matter is that I would undoubtedly have heard from him had he been less than content. Saturday's meeting is now just two days hence and the urgency of Greengrass' introduction to me all the more pressing…
A curt nod from the Goblin was the response to the close of the correspondence. He had acted swiftly, and according to what the situation required. His answer to Peverell's request would soon be arriving, and from there everything should fall into place.
Gornuk's head lifted up from the parchment once more, and turning to his right, let his studious gaze study the pendulum clock by the door briefly, informing him it was currently twenty to nine.
Just five minutes now.
Supposing, of course, they arrived on time.
Luckily for him, his two expected guests were also amongst the previously defined (yet limited) superior class of wizardkind in intelligence and efficiency (and really, neither Gornuk or any of the other Goblins of the Council would have allowed their business ventures to be so tied in with the them had they not been) but that was no guarantee of exactitude. There was never any guarantee with wizards, whatever their quality.
One could only hope for the best.
Not that he should have worried.
It was precisely a quarter to nine when four individuals came to stand before the door behind which they knew sat Gornuk, Goblin Elder and manager of affairs at Gringotts bank.
The two foremost of the group, rather squat and decked from head to foot in fine uniforms bearing the Gringotts' crest, were easily identifiable as members of the Goblin guard. The third, just as squat as the first two, and featuring a scowl worthy of any goblin anywhere, was nevertheless clearly human. As he waited for them to be announced and called in, he glared fiercely at the door, as if trying to burn a hole through the oaken barrier. His companion, also human, though considerably taller (which in truth was not that difficult)did not share his current mood, his expression almost completely neutral, only the close observer being able to detect the subtle smirk of amusement as he gazed at his friend's tightly clenched fists.
That same friend, he pondered, would probably have detected and demanded retribution for the mockery, but thankfully, hidden behind him and out of his gaze, he was safe.
Ah…Leander, you are easier to read than a book .Thank Merlin and the Spirits that you weren't a Slytherin.
Indeed, Cyrus Greengrass had known Leander Judson Hayes far too long and far too well for him not to be able to decipher this behavior on his part. He had certainly borne witness to it often enough.
The flaring eyes, the slight twitch of the fingers as if begging to be filled once more with his wand (perhaps to curse the unwary passerby), quill and parchment; the incessant muttering both of calculations(for the work he desperately needed to be doing) and recriminations (damning whoever had dragged him away from it).
It was safe to say very few people got away with interrupting Master Hayes from his precious work. Indeed, hardly anyone ever interrupted him at all, because working is what he was usually doing.
Greengrass shook his head. Whatever his feelings towards it, Leander was hardly stupid enough to disregard a summons from Gornuk. Not that that would prevent him from making his displeasure known, something which Greengrass hoped he would not have to interfere in; it would not be the first time damage control was needed to prevent Leander from going too far in his behavior to the Goblin.
He once again wondered what business the Goblin Elder could possibly have need of them for at such short notice. The first thing that came to mind was obviously Egypt, since it was the most imminent at the moment, but Hayes', Gornuk's and his partnership was tied up in quite a few previously established affairs already, any one of which could be concerned.
Egypt was only made more probable by the mounting impatience of all parties to finally have their careful plans lead to results. The expedition had been two years in the making, months of negotiation and organization that was still requiring polishes and clarification. Other projects had had to be mostly pushed aside because sheer amount of work involved, so that there really was little chance of large concerns emerging from those quarters.
It only took a minute from their invitation inside the room, finally affording them a view of Gornuk, for his musings to be confirmed.
Greetings made as the two goblin Guards carefully sealed the double-paneled door through which they had just entered; Greengrass was quick to take in the map of North-Eastern Africa on the desk, as well as an unidentified scroll of parchment that had taken its place as the Goblin's current object of study.
Absorbing all the information he could glean from observation alone, Greengrass judged the scroll to be rather thick and finely trimmed, indicative of superior quality. A tight and slightly slanted scrawl just visible below the curl of the page, and the top edge, this time clearly in his field of vision, was dominated by a broken semicircle of blue wax in its middle; both elements which led to believe it was a letter.
He wondered briefly who it was from, and what import it could possibly have concerning the expedition or any of its three perpetrators. He glanced towards the Runes' Master.
Hayes for his part seemed generally less preoccupied with assessing the situation than his friend, current efforts predominantly focused on glaring at Gornuk more than studying the map or the letter.
The goblin however did not seem to mind. If anything, the habitual mask-like expression seemed slightly disturbed by an ever so slight upturn curve of the upper lip, something Greengrass might have passed over had he not been fishing for details latch onto, but which he was relatively sure was a smirk. Equally present, and somewhat unsettling in such an individual as this, was the intense gleam in the beady eyes, which only seemed to increase as he took in the disgruntled ire of one wizard and the cautious evaluation of the other.
"Greengrass, Hayes, I see you have both managed to pull yourselves from your respective activities (this was said with an amused glance at Hayes, to which the targeted wizard responded with a loud snort of annoyance). We have much to discuss and as much to do, while time presses increasingly."
At this, Hayes let out a second snort, this time followed by a severely clipped tone of annoyance. "Maybe some of us'd be less pressed for time, Goblin, if meddlesome creatures did not interrupt their work."
Greengrass resisted the urge to sigh in exasperation at Hayes' rude attitude; that was hardly the way to deal with a goblin. Indeed, Gornuk seemed to agree with this view of things, his eyes narrowing as he answered his irate challenger. Goblins did not particularly take to being referred to as 'creatures'.
"I would remind you, 'human' that your precious work includes our dealings. If you are so lax towards your involvement in them, I could remember to spare you from such summons in future. Unfortunately, I judged your particular presence necessary today."
The tone was even, but the implications were evident, Hayes grumbling slightly but not rising in return. All three knew it would lead to nothing, the arrangements as they were remained too mutually beneficial to both Goblin and Humans (Hayes and Greengrass) alike for either to wish jeopardizing them; Hayes had been properly chastened, and the subject was closed.
It was Greengrass who led them back to the purpose of the meeting. "What matters are particularly pressing?" he inquired. "I should assume, from the map in front of you, that this concerns our imminent removal to Egypt, but the finishing touches of the expedition will not be finished for another two weeks at the earliest, if not the full four weeks I am currently predicting. Though such delays are regrettable, that would take us at least to mid to late September."
Gornuk answered him with a conciliatory nod, but his vocal reply brought objection. "That would have been true until recently, but not any longer. While our plans do need another fortnight to affirm themselves, other factors have recently arisen which should we not take advantage of immediately, could stall them until some time into October."
"How so?"
Gornuk smirked slightly at his audience's apparent confusion, while Hayes listened on silently, still scowling.
"The Wizengammot are to convene in two days' time, as per tradition to meet on the first Saturday of the month. The next gathering would not be until the seventh of October, a full fortnight of additional delay from your least optimistic estimations."
Greengrass' puzzlement only grew. "How would the Wizengammot affect our plans? All the authorization and paperwork we need has already been completed through the Ministry, and even had it not, it's out of their jurisdiction."
Gornuk nodded once more. "That is correct. But it is not the Wizengammot as a whole that I am interested in, rather an individual. Surely rumours have reached you of the reemergence of one of the Twenty-Five. You are after all a member of the Assembly yourself are you not?"
Greegrass nodded. "I was the closest male heir to the Greengrass title when my elder brother died, and have indeed since been counted amongst the Twenty-five. As for the rumours, word has indeed been circulating of a supposed aspirer to the title of an ancient house, but I was reluctant to heed them. It would not be the first time a young upstart tried to pull himself into an undeserved position of power."
Gornuk shook his head. "No, the rumours are correct, as I can attest to myself, having had dealings with the young Lord directly. I can guarantee he is no usurper. Wait to meet him before you form your opinion, Greengrass, but I think you should avoid hasty censure as regards this particular human. Mark my words, however young he is, Peverell is one to watch."
"Peverell?"
Both wizards present had reacted, but Hayes' sudden emergence from silence was the most noted, and his two companions turned to him. Gornuk's grin returned full force. "Yes indeed, Master Hayes. I see you have begun to surmise where this conversation is heading."
Hayes grunted.
Greengrass meanwhile looked from Gornuk to his friend, trying to comprehend what he had missed.
"Should've known that impudent rascal was nobility, with that attitude of his. Ungrateful cocky whelp that he is…I knew that name sounded familiar…"
It was Gornuk's turn to snort. Hayes glared at him.
"You have yet to send me any complaints regarding his capabilities, Hayes, and from you, that is enough of a guarantee of his prowess."
"He's adequate" Hayes barked, "nothing more." His glare at Gornuk sharpened "and it's certainly not enough to justify you hoisting him on me, you meddlesome Goblin."
"He needed a Master, you had no apprentice, and I knew his talents could be of service to you. Why should I not, as you say, 'hoist' him onto you? You would hardly lose from it, and if he really was so terrible, it would be easy enough to have him break the contract."
Greengrass' eyes widened. "You have taken up an apprentice?", he asked Hayes, "Since when?"
Looking once more first to one than the other searchingly, he settled his gaze on the wizard he had adressed, gracing him with an evaluative gaze, before putting in "I have yet to see you qualify the work of a Runes' apprentice as adequate, let alone allow him to work under your mentorship. From you that is the equivalent of putting his name up for the Order of Merlin."
Hayes' glare turned from Gornuk to Greengrass. "I was pressured into taking him in, and really his only redeeming quality is that he is attuned to parselmagic. That asset moreover is hardly one he can accredit to particular perseverance on his part; he was born with it."
Gornuk scoffed. "Hardly. He was born a parselmouth. It is another thing entirely to harness that aspect of his magic and tame it into consolidating his Runes' training."
Greengrass started again. "A Parselmouth? And attuned in parselrunes? That would be reason enough to take him to Egypt on its own, whether or not you believe this talent is due in any way to his own merit. I am not a Runes' master Hayes, and I know well enough that manipulating parselrunes effectively would be more beneficial than forcing our way through by breaking them. It would be less dangerous and more productive in the long term." He turned to Gornuk. "I suppose you wanted to approach him for the expedition while using the appeal of a Wizengammot contact to lure him?"
Gornuk nodded.
"Peverell is smart, and strong-willed enough to stand on his own, but he is not ignorant of his vulnerabilities in entering the Wizengammot as a new player. Meeting with him prior Saturday, with or without Hayes could enable you to establish an acquaintance, and start ties which Saturday's Wizengammot conference would consolidate if you wished it. He could hardly refuse to take part in the expedition if Hayes saw fit to include him," he nodded towards the Runes' Master, "his vows of apprenticeship bind him to follow. But Peverell has now under seventeen months of his Mastery training to complete, at which time his continued ties to the project would be left entirely to him."
"Seventeen months? Apprenticeships take a minimum of three years before Masteries can even be attempted."
"Peverell particularly requested council in his search for a Runes' Master due to the singularity of his situation. From what I have understood, both his Masters were killed, which unfortunately left him with an apprenticeship to complete without the mentor for him to do so."
"Masters? Plural?"
Gornuk smirked and nodded. "He is already an accredited Defense Master. Runes are only his secondary field. He turned to consider Hayes. "Such an accomplishment so young can only attest to his previously doubted merit."
Hayes had nothing to answer to that particular provocation. A Defense Mastery was not something you could just ignore.
For Greengrass, it was the tip of the scale. If this Peverell was indeed all Gornuk had said he was (and really since when had a Goblin offered more than was due in regards to a wizard?) an alliance with him should definitely be envisaged. Even Hayes' opinion of him seemed to confirm this (though in his case, it had been gleaned more from what had not been said rather than what had).
No Slytherin worth his salt could pass over such an opportunity, and no one could say that Cyrus Greengrass was not a Slytherin.
"I'll send him a post then."
Gornuk's smile was completed with a smug laugh.
"No need Greengrass, I sent out an owl an hour before you arrived. Peverell will expect you at his home at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning to discuss all that we just have."
End of Book 1