Chapter 21: Working
Christmas came and went with no noticeable difference. None of them had sent anything to each other since anything they wanted everyone else knew about and they got when they went shopping together. Harry wasn't picky on how he spent his money. They had sent all members of ship small gifts but they didn't want to give them anything that would be questioned. In return ship had sent them a product of Fred and George's that created a distraction. They hadn't yet come up with a name but they were working on several other products (despite low funds).
Malfoy had eventually replied and agreed to sell Tilly to them. All three had met him for the transaction and, luckily, nothing had really occurred. They now had two very happy House-Elves working for them. Tilly was wary at first but when she saw how much Dobby praised them she was quick to warm up to them.
Everyone had accepted the fact that the Warden's Circle was under a Fidelius Charm (several were surprised; as they had been unaware you could do that, while Flitwick stated that he was most impressed). Percy's reply had included information about Umbridge, and, after also looking her up themselves, they realized they wouldn't like this women. She had passed several anti-werewolf laws that made it difficult for them to get jobs.
Eventually the day came in January when Hermione was asked to meet with the Goblin who was in charge of the Ministries finances. Harry and Ron were able to go with her since the Ministry didn't mind them going anywhere as long as they didn't have to pay them.
Surprisingly Griphook was waiting for them when they arrived.
"Hello Griphook," Hermione greeted him with a nod of her head and a common Goblin greeting in Gobbledegook.
His eyes widened slightly as he bowed his head back and returned the greeting in his native tongue. "I am to show you to Grimtok," he informed them, "your Ministry's financial manager. Follow me."
They did so and followed him behind the counters to a room in the back of the bank. The three of them waited comfortably in the chairs while Griphook went to fetch Grimtok.
When Grimtok arrived he was surprised to hear them greet him in Gobbledegook, nevertheless, he returned the greeting, "I have heard several surprising things about you from Griphook," he spoke in English – unusually friendly for a Goblin.
"I'm glad to hear it," Hermione responded politely with a smile, "Yet I'm afraid I'm here on official business for the Ministry."
"Very well," Grimtok replied, much more formally, "What is it that the Ministry desires?"
While Hermione and Grimtok got to business Harry began to think, he was pleased to hear that Grimtok was already separating them from the Ministry. Though they worked for the Ministry Grimtok held them as separate from them, different in ideals and ways of life. When Griphook had greeted them he had said 'your Ministry's', Grimtok had said 'the Ministry'. That would definitely help when they appealed for the Goblins' help, or at least the Goblins' backing.
Grimtok also appeared to be slightly different from other Goblins. Perhaps it was just them but Harry thought that he was much friendlier to humans than others of his race. He could see how he got the position of the Ministry's financial manager, since not that many Goblins could probably handle putting up with the Ministry. He would make a useful ally.
Eventually the meeting concluded and they returned to the Ministry reporting success on both fronts (though they didn't tell the Ministry that), they had achieved their job and showed the Goblins that they were respected members of society.
When discussing it later that night in the confines of their home they were all rather pleased with how the meeting had progressed. Harry pointed out the wording that Grimtok had used. Ron, who had not noticed that but had grown up in the wizarding world, pointed out that Grimtok had been much nicer than all the other Goblins he had met.
"Though that could have been just because it was us," he added.
Hermione just laughed and told Ron they weren't that famous.
"Maybe we are," Harry told her, "everyone at the Ministry knows about the nice girl in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures with the two bodyguards."
Ron nodded in agreement, "Whenever we go to the loo guys always ask about you," he stated simply without a hint of embarrassment.
Hermione blushed slightly but they were so close that it didn't bother them that much to talk about things like that. "Well I'm glad we're spreading the news," she said, "but that is exactly what we want. The more people hear about us the more likely they'll agree with us."
(Line Break)
Cresswell was very impressed with their meeting and pretty soon they had meetings every other week with Grimtok. By the time March came they were no longer using the formal Goblin greeting but a much less formal one.
Eventually they decided to enact the piece of legislation that they had drawn up earlier. The object of this legislation was that high ranking Goblins – not all Goblins, just the ones in charge of the bank – would be given the ability to vote for any future Ministers. At first it sounded like too much but when they thought about it they realized it wasn't that much. Only a few select Goblins, no more than ten, would be able to vote; definitely not enough to change an election by any means. Also, Fudge was so overconfident and pompous that he wouldn't even worry about it.
They penned a letter to Percy, asking for his assistance. They wanted him to encourage the Minister to sign the bill by pointing out that it wouldn't affect any future elections due to the limited number and that it might gain more Goblin support – which meant more financial support.
This time – instead of waiting for the back in forth involved in owling someone – they sent Tilly with the message, telling her to wait until she received a reply. Hermione had already managed to slip the bill in with all the other small bills that did not need to be read before the Wizengamot.
The next day they sent Tilly again and Percy reported a success, Fudge had signed the bill. During their lunch break they slipped away to Gringotts to inform the Goblins of the new legislature.
Once they realized neither Griphook nor Grimtok were at the counters they went up to a random Goblin and greeted him with the customary Goblin greeting. Instead of appearing surprised he merely bowed his head in return and repeated the greeting.
"We would like to speak with Grimtok," Hermione informed him politely, "if he is available."
"He is," the nameless Goblin grunted out before hopping off his stool and gesturing for them to follow him. Though they already knew the way to Grimtok's office it was impolite to just travel through the bank on their own without a Goblin escort. Not to mention it was quite possible Grimtok wasn't even there at that time.
He was though and they were ushered into his office where he was sitting behind a desk.
Upon seeing them he raised an eyebrow, "I was unaware the Ministry had financial matters that needed to be settled today?" He said after the customary greeting, voicing it as a question.
"They don't," Hermione began, "we wished to speak with you about a recent piece of legislature that we helped bring into being."
"And what would that be?"
"We recently drafted a bill that allows all high ranking Goblins, namely the Goblins in charge of Gringotts, to vote for the next Minister of Magic."
There was silence as Grimtok processed the information given to him, then realized they hadn't exactly clarified everything. "And did the bill pass?" He asked warily.
Hermione smiled warmly at their one Goblin friend, "It did indeed."
The Goblin seemed too shocked for words.
"We are aware that Gringotts is run by a council of seven, and that this number has almost no significance in any election, but we felt that small steps were necessary."
Finally Grimtok spoke, "I am sure I speak for all of my people when I thank you, it has been a long time since the Ministry has considered even one of us their equal. I am honored to count you among my friends. If you ever require any Goblin magic I would be honored to assist you."
Hermione inclined her head in thanks, having read about Goblin culture extensively and learnt about it from Grimtok himself she knew it was a promise few Goblins ever gave a wizard.
(Line Break)
Unfortunately, three days later they received a message from Snape of vital importance that ruined their good mood.
The Dark Lord plans to attack a Muggle subway station currently undergoing construction tomorrow evening when it is busiest. I was not privy to the details of the attack so I know nothing else, I merely heard others speak of it. Good luck.
Hermione penned a quick thank you and they sat down to think about it.
"That wasn't helpful at all! How are we supposed to know which station?" Ron complained.
"Calm down Bill," Harry glanced at Ron in slight irritation, "he said it was undergoing construction."
"How does that help?"
"Not that many stations undergo construction at the same time," Hermione spoke calmly, trying to placate him.
"Alright," he spoke, calming down slightly, "how do we find out which ones are?"
At this Harry referred to Hermione, having no experience in this.
"It'll be a matter of public record," she said matter-of-factly, "it won't be that hard to find. What I'm worried about is how we're going to stop it. Snape said he had no idea how many Death Eaters were going to be there and we can't take on that many."
"Well first we need to figure out why he's doing it at a subway station," Ron said strategically, already planning out battles in his head.
"The construction," Hermione answered instantly.
"Things go wrong all the time with construction," Harry continued, "this way he gets to kill hundreds of Muggles without anyone suspecting anything other than an accident."
Hermione turned to Harry puzzled, "But if it's closed for construction-"
"It's not," Ron interrupted, "Voldemort wouldn't attack an empty station."
"Right," Hermione murmured to herself.
They continued discussing the attack late into the night, going over various methods to save the innocent Muggles at risk. They took a break and went to the local library finding exactly which station would be under construction yet not closed to the general public. Eventually they formulated a plan: they would get all the Muggles to leave through various ploys – mainly some Muggle-repelling wards they would set up early that morning – then they would create an illusion that would make it appear as everyone was still in the station.
The problem with such a large and elaborate illusion however was that they would all need to be present to keep it up and that the Ministry would most likely notice such a powerful flare of magic in a place where few wizards ever went. It wasn't much of a plan and there was such a large risk of it going wrong, yet it was the best they could come up with. They were aware of the Ministry's abominable response time and were counting on it. They also believed that it was very unlikely many Death Eaters would show up, blowing up an underground station didn't require a lot of work, just a few quick spells.
The last problem was what to do with any Death Eaters they had to fight. They didn't want to kill any of them but they couldn't just leave them there for the Ministry to find. If they did that there was a very good chance the Death Eaters would get off free, as there would be no evidence that they were doing anything wrong other than preforming magic in an area normally surrounded by Muggles. Any wealthy Death Eater could easily bribe their way out of such a situation. They had a lot of planning left to do.
A/N: So, I said this would be up earlier and I apologize for the wait. I was a lot busier than I anticipated and I had some problems with my internet. Next chapter will be up next Wednesday.
I don't own HP.
Thanks to books101 and marierr for reviewing!