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Chapter Thirty-Six: The Goblin Wars

The first attack on Diagon Alley was only the beginning, but not just of the Goblins efforts in England. Following Voldemort's successful defense of the British Ministry, Goblin armies poured out of every Gringotts Branch in Europe, fielding numbers that boggled the minds of the local magical ministries.

"You kicked down a wasp nest," Derkins noted as they looked over the map in the Grimmauld Place conference room. Beside Harry, Hermione was charming more numbers over the magically updating map, while Luna sat nearby listening to the Wizarding Wireless for reports from across the Channel.

Moody was there, as was Arthur Weasley, surprisingly, who Harry tapped as Senior Undersecretary because of his previous experience. It was Arthur who seemed most shocked. "You mean to say that you did this, Harry?"

"Of course," Harry said absently. "The Goblins have been building up their armies for the past three hundred years, just waiting for an excuse. As powerful as he is, Voldemort simply can't dismiss the Goblin armies. They may not have the magic Wizards do, but they have numbers."

"The Bulgarian Ministry has held off the latest attack," Luna echoed the wireless.

Hermione waved her wand over the map, changing the map accordingly. "Any word on the Roman Ministry?"

"Lost all contact," Luna said. "The reports out of France and Spain are encouraging, but it's believed the Roman Ministry has fallen."

"It was bound to happen," Harry said. "Thomas, have our reinforcements arrived?"

"Two hundred fighters got off the plane this morning," Derkins said. "That brings your total fighting force up to six hundred."

"It's not enough," Harry said. He looked up at Hermione and smiled. "Love, do you speak Italian?"

"No," Hermione admitted. "Only French and a touch of Spanish."

"I do," Luna said. "But it doesn't matter—just take a language potion. I assume you're going to go recruit some Italians?"

"A favor for a favor," Harry said. "We'll let Tom deal with the goblins here for the moment. Alastor, you're in charge. Make sure our people are safe, feel free to use the castle or any assets you need. Bartleby is back in the office and our Muggle operations are proceeding, so we have cash flowing. Use it if you need it. Derkins, you're with me. It's time to take the Grand Tour."

He turned to Hermione and Luna. "I want you to stay here."

From the wireless, Luna laughed. "You don't think we will, do you?"

His smile was grim. "No, I guess not. But if you're coming, you're going to be wielding more than just wands. It's time to build your lightsabers."

"They better not be red," Luna said, no longer smiling.

"No, I still haven't found the gems I need for colors, but I have sufficient diamonds to work."

~~Broken~~

~~Broken~~

Voldemort reclined tiredly in his office in the Ministry of Magic. Only half of the underground structure remained usable following the first two attacks. The Goblins had retreated, but he had no doubt based on their history that they would be attacking again.

He knew Potter was behind the attack on Gringotts; his spies reported that Potter had assumed the mantle as Minister of Magic under the aegis of the Muggle government, and that the poor, deluded sheep that adored Dumbledore now adored him. He sat behind his fortifications at Hogwarts, preparing for a battle he had no hope of winning, while giving the discontent somewhere to flee.

The boy had become surprisingly useful in dividing those that Voldemort wanted in his new world, and those he did not. The people who remained in the major magical areas were the purebreds and half-breeds, those who feared the Goblins so much that they would rather follow a known Dark Lord than risk obliteration at the hands of beasts that would not just kill them, but eat them during their victory celebrations.

Unlike most, Voldemort understood that the goblins were the greatest risk to the magical world currently in existence. The fact that they were able to attack so quickly, and in such numbers, proved that the Goblins had been planning for this contingency for many years. He previously left the Goblins alone because he wanted to solidify his hold on the magical world first.

However, the goblins attacked, and the fact that Voldemort in and of himself was able to hold them off, had not only a polarizing effect in magical society, but also had the effect of consolidating Voldemort's own power. People overcame their fear of him because they also had respect for his incredible power. It was that power they needed to hold off the goblin hordes.

So, despite Potter's presence, Voldemort was content with the situation. Yes, it would slow his conquest of the world, but then again by the time he was done with the goblins of England, the whole world would be ready to accept him as the savior he was. Yes, there would be some losses, but he had no doubt that in the end he would be victorious, and Potter's efforts to delay the inevitable would come to naught.

His wards alerted him to a presence outside the door of his office. Snape. The door opened and the Potions Master bowed from the waist. "My Lord, the Goblins are attacking again. Twelve hundred are descending on the magical enclave at Holyhead. The local aurors have been overwhelmed."

Voldemort stood, strangely pleased to be playing the part of the hero. "Let them know I am coming, Severus. Lock the Ministry down in my absence."

"Shall I have any men accompany you?"

"No, Severus, not for only twelve hundred goblins," Voldemort said. "It is a trifle."

"Yes, Lord." Severus bowed as he backed out, making room for Voldemort to stride imperiously from his spacious office toward the floos of the central atrium. As he passed, workers and cowering civilians alike reached up toward him, imploring his protection.

It was good to be the hero. He felt he understood Potter more now.

~~Broken~~

~~Broken~~

The Roman Ministry of Magic was the oldest magical Ministry in Europe, dating back to the days of the Empire when Augusta Fausta Flavia Maxima, wife of Emperor Constantine I, used her position and power to appoint an office under the Emperors to administer the wizards and witches of the Roman Empire in 325 AD.

The Ministry itself was located on the opposite side of the city from the Vatican, which had a rather unsteady and tumultuous relationship with the magical ministry over the centuries. To Muggles, the Ministry itself looked like the ruins of the famed Caracalla Baths. In fact, the ruins were preserved by magical charms just for that reason, while behind the same type of expansion charms that allowed Diagon Alley to exist in a space that ordinarily would have held only a few empty alleyways, existed the Magic Quarter of Rome, a space twice the size of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade combined.

Harry, Hermione, Luna, Derkins, Harry's core group comprised of Lee Jordan, Anthony Goldstein, Angelina Johnson, Ron Weasley, Terry Boot, Justin Finch Fletchley and Katie Bell all arrived with a force of two hundred American mercenaries in the Portkey receiving pad to be met with the raised wands of a dozen yellow-robed Cacciatores, Italian aurors.

"Pace!" Luna cried out. "Pace! Siamo amici!"

"Your Italian is terrible," one of the men said.

"Your English is terrible," Luna said right back, smiling.

"Who are you?" the Cacciatore demanded.

Harry stepped down from the platform. "Harry Potter, English Minister of Magic. We lost contact with you and came to help. I have over two hundred fighters to help."

The Italian snorted. "Two hundred fighters? The Goblins attacked with twenty-thousand!"

"Sounds about even, then," Harry said with a grin. "You see, my friend, Goblin magic is incapable to shielding, correct?"

The older man nodded. "So?"

"So, we brought heavy weapons," Harry said. "And we have a lot more than twenty-thousand rounds of ammunition."

While Voldemort unleashed fiendfyre at Holyhead, obliterating the Goblins but also most of the magical enclave that he was supposedly protecting, Harry directed his fighters to set up a crossfire using a series of heavy-caliber machine guns at the entrance to the last human-held portion of the alley.

"Ladies," Harry said to Hermione and Luna, "ready to go bait the enemy?"

The two young women removed their wands and lightsabers and smiled at him nervously. "Ready."

Harry turned back to the startled, confused Italian aurors and Derkins. "Thomas, hold the line. Cacciatore, your name?"

"Adalgiso Giordano," the man said.

"Mr. Giordano, my associate Mr. Derkins is a professional soldier under my employ. May he count on your cooperation in keeping the remainder of your people safe?"

"Yes, yes," the man said. "We fought, we lost. But what do you think you and your bambine graziose can do?"

"We can kill Goblins," Harry said. "Ladies, let's go."

The three walked into the main part of the magical quarter, looking with interest at what must have been an amazing and beautiful collection of buildings dating back centuries before Diagon Alley was founded. Unfortunately, many of the buildings were either burned out or reduced to rubble.

Goblin magic was tactile in nature. Rather than projecting magic in the form of spells, Goblins imbued their tools with their innate power. Goblin swords could cut through almost anything; goblin shovels sliced through the earth with ease. Goblin arrows exploded like Muggle hand grenades, and Goblin ballista were as devastating as Muggle missiles. Goblins also had no prejudice against using Muggle weapons. When Harry and his ladies turned a corner of the alley and came face to face with an entrenched Goblin army, they knew they faced an uphill battle.

The goblins attacked without hesitation, launching twenty large, enchanted ballista at the trio. Harry raised a hand, caught the giant wooden spikes with the Force, and threw them right back at the barricades. Angry goblins roared as the projectiles hit and exploded with their enchantments, shattering the defensive lines. Instantly arrows and bullets began raining down at them.

Harry caught the arrows and sent them back, while Luna and Hermione interlaced magical shields, which could more easily cover the three of them than trying to deflect the bullets with their lightsabers. Though both had practiced with Harry's weapons, neither felt as proficient in defense as he was.

The arrows Harry deflected back exploded with angry pops among the goblin forces, until tiring of their failed tactics the small, vicious beings began to swarm out around their barricades. "Time to go," Harry said, leading the two back to their own fortifications. On their heels came thousands of angry goblins.

Unlike Diagon Alley, the Roman Magic Quarter was comprised of wide, spacious boulevards that allowed easily two hundred goblins to run side by side. Line after line of such numbers came around the bend of the boulevard behind the three magicals. "Wait until they're at the barrier to start firing!" Harry shouted to Derskin as they ran past.

To the Italian's amazement, Harry, Hermione and Luna leaped the ten feet up the conjured barricade to where the main forces waited and turned to meet the Goblin charge head on. Within a minute, the entire boulevard before the barricade was filled with thousands of goblins. They started climbing the barricade, using each other as ladders.

"Now!" Harry cried in a Force-magnified voice.

Six pockets of heavy machine guns set up along the roofs of the burned out buildings on either side of the alley opened up with the sound of staccato roars. At the barricade, Harry unleashed a huge blast of Force lightning, throwing the Goblins back from the barricade to allow Derskin's men to open up with their small arms fire or spells. The Italians, quickly overcoming their shock, joined with their own spell fire, using blasting and slicing curses mainly.

The goblins died, in numbers never seen before in magical warfare (where Voldemort was not present). The forces nearest the barricade melted under the Italian's fire, while those further away fell where they stood before the sheer number of heavy caliber bullets being fired into their midst.

In the midst of this, Harry summoned his own Fiendfyre, wielding his wand for the first time since the fight started. He did not let it go uncontrolled, though, wielding the animal-shaped flame carefully through the larger clumps of goblins and dissipating it when the largest clumps were gone.

The fighting lasted less than thirty minutes, and when they were done easily eighteen thousand goblins lay did in the alley.

"Il mio dio nel cielo," Adalgiso Giordano. "So many dead."

"Better them than us," Harry said. He turned and looked at the Italian auror. "Voldemort attacked the Gringotts branch in London and two days later Goblins attacked every many magical enclave in Europe in numbers were never believed were possible. According to the London ministry, there were only thirty thousand goblins in all of England. Sixty thousand attacked with just the first wave. They have been planning this for centuries, keeping their true numbers hidden. They used Voldemort's attack as an excuse to wipe out all wizards. You know this, right?"

The older auror ran a hand through his thinning hair. "Si, si, lo credo. I believe you. But what can be done?"

"Who's left at your Ministry?" Harry asked.

"Who? Me. I am the highest remaining official. I was head of Polizia Magica here."

"In the absence of anyone else, that makes you acting Minister," Harry said. "We're on the precipice of change, my friend. Voldemort started this war to try and legitimize his rule in England before he attacks the continent. He hoped the Goblins attacking you would weaken the other ministries to make it easier for his forces to invade. The only way to stop that from happening is to work together."

Giordano stared intently at Harry for a long moment. "I have read of you, Harry Potter. The papers say you are a killer of men."

"I am a destroyer of evil men," Harry said. "And goblins, evidently."

"But this dark lord of yours," Giordano continued, "I have read he has the power of a god."

"I've not met enough gods to form a comparison," Harry said, "but he is powerful. More powerful than any one wizard. And that is why we must work together, or we will never win. The Ministries are fighting the goblins one at a time instead of in a unified fashion, and that is why the Goblins are doing so well. Stand with me in Geneva at the International and help me form the international force necessary to take the Goblins out of the equation, and finally to remove Voldemort from England."

"Siete soltanto un ragazzo," the Italian said softly. "Only a boy. How can you do even this much?"

"By the grace of magic, I have gone beyond the veils of death itself and learned war from a master," Harry said, staring at the man. "Do not look at my face to gauge my ability. Look at my results."

Giordano looked back across the field of dead goblins. "There remain thousands within their cave," he said.

"Fiendfyre," Harry said. "History shows the goblins will never quit and will never surrender until the last one is destroyed. We gained peace after the last war through capitulation. Today has proven that is no longer an option."

"We have many wounded," Giordano said. "Our infrastructure has been destroyed. We will need help."

"I have received some assistance from the English Muggle government," Harry said. "It is time, my friend, for us to break free of the Goblin hold on our economy. It is time to adopt the Muggle currencies. It is the only way we will survive. After we speak in Geneva, we will begin plans for integrating into the Muggle economy. In the meantime, I have enough money to make loans to you for food and shelter for your people."

He turned to Hermione, who nodded. "I'll contact Bartleby to make the arrangements."

"Very well," Giordino said. "Italy will stand by you in Geneva."

~~Broken~~

~~Broken~~

The International Confederation of Wizards Office in Geneva occupied a stately mansion off the Route de Pregny just in front of the western shores of Lake Geneva. From the outside, it appeared to be an exquisite mansion in the Grecian style, three stories with a colonnaded portico and a beautifully kept garden on its spacious grounds. A guard kiosk stood at the entryway to the building, shielded from public view by a row of pine trees.

It was to a pad in front of the kiosk that Harry, Hermione, Luna, and Adalgiso Giordano appeared by portkey. A moment later, Ron Weasley and Justin Finch Fletchley appeared. The two seventeen-year-old boys wore matching black slacks and gray robes with the Phoenix emblem on their breasts. Hermione and Luna wore their Phoenix brooches.

"Halt!" a guard called in English. The man sounded patently nervous as he emerged from his kiosk with his wand at the ready. "Identify yourselves!"

"I am Adalgiso Giordano, acting Roman Minister of Magic. My companion is Harry Potter, Minister for Magic of England, and his entourage."

"I've never heard of you, Mr. Giordano," the guard said. He sounded Australian. "And Mr. Potter is a child."

"I was head of Polizia Magicka when the Goblins attacked the Roman Ministry. I am all that is left," the older man said. "And Mr. Potter came with two hundred men and killed the goblins that wiped out my Ministry. He wishes to address the ICW as is his right as a Ministry head."

Behind the first guard, a second was on a telephone, speaking rapidly. Before anyone could move, an ancient wizard appeared in front of the kiosks. In perfect, unaccented English, he said, "I am Werner Hasseldorf, Assistance Secretary of the ICW. The ICW is currently in lock-down because of the goblin crises. For me to admit you, I must conduct a security screening. Would you submit to veritaseum to ascertain your identifies."

"So long as an antidote is made available immediately after," Harry said with a grim smile. "It is not wise for any head of state to be forced to tell only the truth."

The gaunt old wizard smiled back. "Indeed, Mr. Potter."

He and Giordano took the requisite drops. The Italian confirmed his position as a result of seeing all those in the order of ascension before him die. Harry confirmed his appointment by the Queen of England and the Prime Minister in accordance with English law.

"How interesting," the old wizard said after Harry took the antidote. "The newly arrived ambassador for England insists your dark lord is by rights Minister of England. Whatever shall you do?"

"Adjust his understanding of the situation," Harry said. "May we enter?"

"You may," the secretary said before leading them through the charmed gates.

The moment they stepped through the lavish chateau, they left the Muggle world entirely. The interior of the chateau had more space than a Muggle sports dome, and shone down with the illusion of a perfect summer day. They crossed a spacious circular walkway that appeared to circumscribe the whole structure to a wall that rose thirty feet into the air but ended abruptly, well short of the distant ceiling. Through this door they entered the ICW courtroom.

It reminded Harry very much of the courtroom where he was first tried by Fudge. The representatives were seated on a hemisphere of stands, each wide enough for a large, comfortable desk, looking onto a raised platform where the Supreme Mugwump of the ICW sat with his support staff. In this case, the newly elected Supreme Mugwump was an Australian wizard named Dominic White.

He turned to see the newcomers, as did the seated members. "Witches and wizards of the ICW," the elderly secretary said, "I present Mr. Adalgiso Giordano, who by right of survival and order of precedence is confirmed by Veritaserum as acting Minister of Magic for the Roman Ministry. His companion is Mr. Harry Potter, confirmed by Veritaserum as having been appointed English Minister for Magic by Queen Elizabeth II and her Prime Minister. As master of ceremonies, I confirm that despite belief to the contrary, the English Minister can be appointed in such a fashion, therefore his claim is just."

Immediately the whole body began to shout in alarm, until one voice rose above the others, augmented by magic. "That boy is a traitor and a murderer!"

"Augustus Rookwood," Hermione said to Harry. "Former Unspeakable, Derskin had his file."

"Thank you," Harry said.

"Harry Potter has been named Undesirable Number 1 by the British Minister of Magic!" Rookwood continued. "This body welcomes him at its own peril!"

"Your master isn't here, Death Eater," Harry said as he started walking down to the stage. "He's busy celebrating his successful initiation of war." He turned and looked at the other wizards and witches that filled the stands. "Voldemort attacked Gringotts, killing thousands of Goblins, knowing full well it would start a war. He has used that war to try and solidify the gains he made when he captured and tortured Minister Amelia Bones and her sixteen-year-old niece to death. Voldemort and his supporters are the traitors and the insurgents, and when I have finished dealing with the Goblin problem here on the continent, I will remove Voldemort once and for all."

"Brave words for a little boy," Rookwood said. "You're here because you are too weak to do anything back home!"

"I am here to help those who need help," Harry said.

Stepping forward, Giordano said, "I am Adalgiso Giordano. Minister Potter came with a small force of men and saved my people! His people wiped out twenty thousand goblins and destroyed their burrow in Rome! Italy affirms its alliance to Mr. Potter's Ministry, and rejects the claims of the dark wizard Voldemort to authority!"

"Most interesting," the Supreme Mugwump said. "Secretary Hasseldorf, do we have precedence in situations like this?"

"In 1583, the Minister of Bulgaria was deposed," the older wizard said. "The new Minister sent a representative here who challenged the original to a duel. The original representative won the duel, and the pretender was eventually removed from office by joint ICW proclamation and a force of two hundred wizards. The duel was fought in accordance with the ancient laws."

"Then I challenge Augustus Rookwood, traitor to England and a marked Death Eater of the Dark Lord Voldemort," Harry said. "I challenge him here and now to mortal combat, the winner to represent the interest of the English Ministry."

Rookwood, a tall, gaunt man, smiled grimly. "I am not a fool like those you faced before, Potter. I am an Unspeakable. Do you really think you can take me?"

"Let's find out," Harry said.

The old wizard made his way down the stands until he stepped onto the platform between the Supreme Mugwump and the representatives. He slowly pulled his wand and his eyes glittered darkly. "Very well, Potter. On the count of three. Supreme Mugwump, if you will?"

"Fine," the old Australian said. "Three…two…one!"

Before Rookwood could pronounce his first spell, his head spun around one hundred and eighty degrees, shocking the room with the sound of snapping bone. He crumbled lifelessly to the ground, where Harry walked calmly to lift his wand. He then carried the wand to the Supreme Mugwump's desk before facing the stunned wizards.

"I am Harry Potter, Minister for Magic of the United Kingdom. I came today to tell you a hard truth—Voldemort started a war with the Goblins to solidify his power in England, and in the hopes that the war would weaken the European ministries. The tragedy in Rome is proof that his strategy is effective. The ICW gained peace with the goblins last by total capitulation. We gave them our total economies, condemning ourselves to a slow, stagnant economy that had no hope of ever growing. The Goblins control our currency, and by doing so they control our ministries. The only way to win this war is not just to destroy the goblins, but to destroy their hold on us. I am here now to tell you that I can win this war for you, but that's not enough. We cannot continue to stagnate behind the galleon, my friends. It is time to leave behind the willful retardation of the gold standard and move into the new world. It is time to destroy the goblins, and it is time to join the muggles in the greater world of finance."

He smiled as the representatives exploded in a furor of discussion and shouting. Things were moving very, very fast.