Before I forget. As we all know these characters are all JK's. Everyone of us who written our own version thinks she could have done it better. But our proverbial hat are off for your world.
I really wanted to get this out earlier- but this chapter gave me fits! I planned this three different ways before I finally found something I was satisfied with. (I could keep screwing with it, but I would never get it posted.)
This particular chapter wasn't Beta'd so any error are mine
Lastly- thank you all for reading - please comment- we're all junkies hooked on either writing these, your comments, or both.
B.
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The introductions were made, and the two groups met each other across a conference table. John Major's advisors pressed for more details but were obviously confused by the numerous possibilities.
"That's what she's been trying to tell you," Harry said a trifle crossly. "There are just so many," he hesitated looking for the right word, which Hermione provided.
"Permutations."
"Thank you. Permutations. She can't give you definitive targets because every possible timeline is unique and slightly different. It could be the same..."
"But could be completely wrong," His chief security advisor finished.
"Exactly."
"So how do we protect everyone from magical attacks? What kind of attacks are we liable to see?"
The kids had skipped breakfast, and their rumbling stomachs let everyone know.
"Maybe we should take a break and get some food first. Any ideas?"
Surprisingly it was Tracey that answered first. "Pizza?"
"You're going to turn into a pizza. You know that Trace?"
"But Nev, it's so good. Besides. Everyone likes pizza." Turning her head, "You like pizza don't Mr. Prime Minister?"
All of the adults laughed, "Everyone likes pizza, Miss Tracey. I guess we can have someone order us some."
Dan had been silent through most of the day's excitement. Being so junior, relative to everyone else here. But this dovetailed in with something else he and the colonel had spoken of but not tested yet. "Colonel, this is a good time to see if those wards we spoke of works on house elves."
"Good idea major." He asked the two young men who sat next to each other in the middle on one side and the girls next to them. Luna and Hermione on Harry's left, and Tracey and Daphne on Neville's right. "Would it be an imposition for you to ask one of your elves to assist us with this?"
"Nev, better use Misty, we can't bother Dobs or Winks right now."
Quickly figuring out what everyone would want, Tracey called for Misty.
"Is that it. Anyone need anything else before Misty goes?
Apparently, the wards were no issue, Misty appeared took the order and popped out.
"It should only be about five or ten minutes."
"Are you sure Lord Longbottom? That's quite a large order and it is lunch time."
The kids all shared a knowing smile, looking around Dan had the same smile.
"Okay, someone want to let the rest of us know what is humorous?"
Luna tugged on Harry's sleeve and whispered in his ear.
Thanking her he kissed her cheek while Neville answered for the group. "Your order tends to get pushed to the top when you are the owner."
"You kids own a pizza restaurant?"
Each of the kids held up two fingers. "Two," Harry answered. Then he called for Misty again, telling her to add a basilisk pizza to that order.
"Basilisk?"
"Yes sir. Luna reminded me that Fate wants you to meet someone. I'm going to ask another friend of ours to bring him to the apparition point. If it's okay with you Colonel."
Major's security man bristled at this. "You don't just bring people in to meet the Prime Minister. They need to be vetted first!"
The kids were all a bit tired of being snapped at, Hermione's temper flared first. "First of all, He's not just anyone. He should be greeted with ambassadorial status. Secondly, If Lord Potter or Lord Longbottom names someone as a friend, it means they are personally responsible for their conduct. Up to and including the loss of their own life. Do not impugn my lord!"
The rest of the kids smiled, the lessons were having an effect. Dan merely laid a comforting hand on her shoulder, calming her down.
The PM held up a hand forestalling further conversation. "He didn't mean any offense. My safety is his primary responsibility, and he is very good at his job."
He paused trying to sort out everything he heard in that statement. "Okay. I'm intrigued. Who is this friend of yours? Someone from school?"
"No, he is a goblin," was the answer, as Harry wrote out a note.
Every eye watched him write, Luna and Hermione sighing. "Harry did you want him to be able to understand this?"
Seriously short of patience, Hermione half stood and took the pen and paper away from him. "I swear Harry, your writing is getting worse. You would think that practice would make it better but I swear it's a cross between chicken's feet covered in ink and hieroglyphics. I'd better do this."
Harry started to turn red but Luna comforted him. No, it's okay Harry. This is a good thing. Only Fate knows what would have happened if you sent that note out. It could have started another Goblin war."
"It's not that bad," he said defensively.
Neville looked at what he had scratched, "No mate. They're right, you're supremely talented at so many things, but penmanship is not one of them."
Everyone chuckled at his expense, (partly what he had in mind, and the girls knew it.)
Both he and Nev reviewed Hermione's effort. Each signing and sealing with their rings.
"We'll have to use one of the other elves. Better not call Dobs." They were afraid to use his whole name Harry and Neville had been warned the magic that he used to call them may have them being discovered. He decided to use Winky anyway, Not quite comfortable using the other Potter elves just yet.
Harry called for Winky and whispered instructions while Daphne explained what had just occurred.
"Lord Potter and Lord Longbottom just guaranteed Bloodbringer's safety, with their own lives. Bloodbringer is very high in the goblin hierarchy and his position easily equates to that of an ambassador"
"You boys take your lordships seriously, don't you?"
"If we don't who will? Besides, there are more who want us to fail than succeed. Including our own headmaster and the minister FOR magic."
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Winky popped into the lobby of the bank. She was in a hurry. She was worried for Dobby, he was doing something very shh-shh for the Great Lord Harry. Her Dobby was going to be okay, but she just knew he would be even better if she could just watch him as the mistresses suggested.
The tellers were all busy and each had a line of three or four witches and house elves in them.
"Winky has no time for this. Lord Harry and Lord Nevy has bigs doings. They's can'ts waits for nasty nasty tellers." She was actually talking to herself as she left the lobby and headed for the offices of Bloodbringer.
"Wait. Elf. You can't go there. Come back here elf!"
Suddenly several guards each unslinging their weapon was converging on Winky.
"What youse wants?" She asked clearly irritable.
"Where do you think you're going elf?" The goblin spat the word elf out like it was diseased.
"I'm going to see Bloodbringer Goblin." She also made the last word sound like an epithet. "I am Winky Potter and I am on important business for my master The great Lord Harry Potter. You be of groveling clan?"
"No Elf. I am Snaphook of the Iron clan. I know who you are. You have no right to be here without an escort."
"Well."
"Well, what elf?"
"Well you be here, you be escort. Let's go fast fast. This big big for all goblins."
The goblins looked to one another unsure. Snaphook was in charge but recently promoted and didn't like to act without instructions.
After a long 30 seconds, Winky nudged them, "well? C'mon Iron clan, you be as bad as grovelers. Move move!"
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Winky knew the way to his office. She had been there several times, more than Gringotts knew even. The guard had to catch up to her, the little she-elf could move when she wanted to.
Bloodbringer was used to the heavy pounding of a Goblin. So when he heard the soft knocking he was curiously confused, but only for a moment.
"Enter."
Upon command, the goblin guard pushed the heavy oaken door open, but Winky brushed right past them. "Mr. Bloodbringer sir. Lord Harry and Lord Nevy has important message for you!"
The goblin guard tried to apologize for letting her enter as she did. but Bloodbringer's upraised hand forestalled any further apologies. He knew Dobby was want to act rashly, but this was out of character for Winky. Quickly reading the note, he gave his orders. "She knows her masters business. Provide her with anything she needs. I need to see Ragnoc immediately."
She refused anything, but she made herself comfortable.
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Sergeant Major Cole walked into the room and whispered into the colonels ear. Instructions were given back before addressing everyone. "Lords Potter and Longbottom's guests are here. He brought four guards with him."
"Naturally," Daphne answered. "An ambassador would not travel without his guards.
Everyone stood, Mr. Major noticed the goblin was about five feet tall, dressed as well as any other in a dark grey Savile Row suit. His guards had blood red military uniforms reminiscent of the traditional Roman legions, except their leggings were covered in red leather. Each had a sword at their side and an axe in their hand.
Every warrior and guard there, including the Sergeant Major took an almost imperceptible prepatory step forward. Everyone's "flight or fright" system engaged. These were warriors, at some level everyone eager to see the skill of the other. Not in rancor, just to establish a pecking order.
The two dignitaries were eyeing each other as Harry and Neville began the introductions.
Tracey's eyes didn't miss much. Everyone seemed to be short on filters today. "Males are all the same each trying to see whose is bigger."
"Do you think they really think that Trace?" Luna asked. Her filter had been destroyed a long time ago. Not waiting for an answer, she ran over to Bloodbringer who was just about to shake the PM's hand. "You guys are always so slow about these things. You should just hug and kiss like we do."
Bloodbringer sighed, "Lady Luna. I keep telling you that goblins do not hug and kiss. Especially if the prime minister is of the same sex."
"You men are all the same. I think it's too much testosterone," Hermione adding to the conversation, also hugging and kissing.
That little act seemed to open the flood gates. Everyone relaxed, at least a little and soon they were sitting down each with their slice of choice.
"Can we get your guards a slice?"
Bloodbringer shook his head, "They can't Lady Daphne. They wouldn't be doing their jobs if they were eating." He raised and eyebrow expecting an argument.
"Can I at least give them a golden ticket?"
Even the guards had heard of the golden tickets. The house elves still snuck in to Gringott's leaving golden tickets in the windows. It was funny how the tellers of the Gravel clan almost never got them. The order masters and security goblins were besides themselves wondering how these were showing up in the teller's windows when no one saw any elf. While no laws were being broken, the goblins tightened up their security, and the tickets still showed up.
Even Hedwig had gotten in on the action, once more flying through the caverns dropping tickets she clutched. She didn't do this often as it was easier to catch her than it was a couple of elves using both their own invisibility augmented by the Potter family cloak of invisibility.
Bloodbringer had been questioned a few times about the security lapse, but he swore that he didn't know how they were doing it, and he didn't want to know. As long as no rules were being broken he didn't care. Shaking up the security types was a good idea. Complacency is evil after all.
"No, you can give them tickets if they want them." He looked over to his guards and nodded. They were all close family members and got plenty of pizza. But the kids didn't know that and the guards knew that and appreciated the gesture.
Earlier that morning-
"You're sure you want to do this? We can go ourselves."
No Master Harry. Winky and mes can doos this. If we can sneaky sneak the goblins, the horsey people not sees us. Theys grumble meany like goblinses, but theys likes house elfs."
"Fine, but use the cloak and don't risk yourself. The girls are right, it's the most logical place for him to be."
Dobby and Winky moved slowly keeping under covering of the cloak. They had felt themselves enter the Centaur wards. What he said was true enough, the Centaurs did like house elves. They just didn't like house elves that were bonded to humans. The elves found this hilarious. There was no other creature they could bond to symbiotically. Every other creature they could bond to would lose their magic, eventually. So it was either be a parasite or a symbiont. At least until the curse was broken and they could stand on their own again.
They moved slowly, they didn't want to disturb even a leaf. Centaurs had some of the best wards and magics for their herd. Everything designed to protect the mares and the young. And they were highly observant as well. Their vision clear and strong, some of the best vision in the magical kingdoms, to see clearly the changes in the stars and the environment.
Winky leaned over and whispered softly in Dobby's ear, "Mistress calls for me. I's comes back and stays out of the horsey lands."
He nodded and she was gone. In some ways it was easier without her, he needed to pull on her magic to ensure their elf invisibility stayed up. He silently hoped that having already penetrated their wards would make the difference.
Dobby moved through the trees and whenever possible on the branches careful not to disturb as much as a leaf. He saw the village first, the one that they let everyone see.
There were times when he to sit absolutely still barely even breathing, as one centaur or another would come near.
It took over an hour, but he eventually found the carefully concealed trail that led to the centaur city. He marveled. No one had ever seen more than a dozen centaurs at the same time. Here there was easily 60 dwellings and many adults moving about.
That many people around was both better and worse. He could make a little more noise and it would be covered up by the normal sounds of the city. But it increased the chance of discovery.
He didn't feel comfortable moving into the city itself, and there might be centaurs that could detect magic. So he spent three more hours moving around the edge of the city. It was a couple of hours past midday. He was seriously thinking of leaving and requesting permission to punish himself, when he came across a large lake and girlish squeals of glee coming from it. Moving closer he saw the young mares splashing each other and having fun. He was going to continue his trek when he spied some red hair, and then human legs attached to the ginger hair. But this person at least from this distance had her hair braided which hung midway down her back and from the side a female chest, thinking it was some other female again he was going to continue when the subject turned towards him standing in the knee deep water. He had found him. Magic didn't matter now. Their wards weren't designed to keep anyone in. Thinking of his mates, they would want to hear this.
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Back in the conference room.
Lunch was just finishing. Mr. Majors spoke to the group. "This has to be the strangest day I've ever had. And while I'd love to just socialize with everyone," He turned and specifically addressed his Goblin peer. "And look forward to learning more about you and your people; we need to move this forward."
"Indeed. Lords Potter and Longbottom's note indicated that this was an urgent matter. What can the Goblin nation do for her royal highness?"
Sir David spoke when pointed to by the PM. "Lady Luna had a vision showing several targets being attacked by magical terrorists. The young lads here thought that you would be the ones to provide," he flipped through a sheet looking for the right term, "wards to protect vital areas."
Before Bloodbringer could respond, the irritating security man through his two knuts in. "I'm not certain it is even warranted. While better security is something to be desired, we've spent millions of pounds on protecting vital areas. Our protections are good. This is much ado about nothing, and our two lords just happen to know someone who can provide something we can't even see. Sounds like a shyster promising to make it rain."
The kids began to protest but the colonel held up a hand silencing them. "It's a valid concern. Look at it from his point of view. He's never seen any magic and what he has seen has been parlor tricks and illusions."
"Fine. What do you need to see. You've already seen our elves. Here is our friend Bloodbringer. There was no smoke and mirrors when they arrived. This is not 'cosplay' and they are not wearing costumes."
Mr. Security wasn't backing down. "The 'beaming' in is troublesome but no more troubling than some one with a .50 cal."
"I don't know that term. What is a .50 cal?"
Colonel Markum answered Bloodbringer. "It is a long range rifle. In the hands of an expert targets can be eliminated as far away as a mile or more."
Bloodbringer sat back stunned. He knew of rifles, the 'kids' had told him everything they knew. "There's little honor in that." He said that more as an aside, not meaning it to be a comment.
Dan answered even though it wasn't his place to speak in these talks. "There's little honor in war anyway."
"That's true, but there can be in battle and in life. Your son in law and his brother are two of the most honorable wizards I know. But we need to get back on point."
"Thank you ambassador."
"Please call me Bloodbringer. Among Goblins no honorifics are necessary except for Ragnoc, our liege. And him only during ceremonies."
"Thank you. I find it fascinating that there are other cultures living right under our noses that we know nothing about. Her majesty and I look forward to learning more about you and your people."
He nodded. "It would be our honor. May I suggest Lords Potter and Longbottom? They and their mates are already friends of the Goblin nation, something that is rarely given I assure you. They would be able to facilitate any type of meeting. But to business. May I suggest that the warriors take our lords and their ladies somewhere where they can demonstrate some of what they speak of? And while they are doing that, we can discuss the many different types of wards available and what it would take to put them up."
It didn't take long for the group to split off and go to the firing range. The 'six', Major Dan, Mr. Security, and some others went as well as two of the goblins. The SGTMAJ had recording equipment set up. Hermione was designated spokesperson for the group, after a short consultation.
"Sergeant Major what does the far end of the range consist of? We don't want to destroy any pipes or electrical equipment."
Mr. Security scoffed, as well as a couple others, but the Colonel's people and the goblins took the comments at face value. "There is a special type of clay covering hardened concrete that has rebar embedded in it, and there may be a thin sheet of steel under that."
"Anything on the other side of the wall we should be concerned of?"
One of the security geeks couldn't stop his sneer. One of the younger men, dressed in a black suit as the others, his lips curled in disdain reminding the others of an older brown haired Draco. "This is a waste of time. They're just kids and these are just parlour tricks."
Tracey asked, "Did you want to volunteer for a stunner? It's a low level spell that will not hurt. It will do no permanent damage. It is just a spell to put someone out of the way. Used extensively for law enforcement types."
He almost rolled his eyes. "Fine. What do I have to do?"
"Nothing. Just stand there. We'll have a couple of men ready to catch you so you don't hurt yourself when you fall."
"Luna honey. Did you want to do the honors?"
She smiled so brightly, she must have been really frustrated. Which obviously Tracey was the first to recognize. "Yes please." To the man she asked, "Ready Mr. Man?"
He nodded, and before he could tense his body Luna had shot the red stunner and holstered her wand behind her ear.
He was quickly evaluated and found to be fine. "How long will this last?"
"It depends on the strength of the caster. With one spell a strong wizard could put someone down for over eight hours. Numerous spells would obviously lengthen that. He can be released as well." Tracey cast her spell and the oaf was revived. After he assured everyone that he was fine, he decided to be silent and listen.
Each of the girls shot at the target, impressing the audience with both speed and accuracy.
"And you can keep this up how long?"
"Until you're tired. Again this will depend on the strength of the caster."
"Can everyone do this spell?"
"Above a certain age. It's easy once you're taught. A few of us have been using this for over a year now."
They answered questions about maximum distance and provided a description of a few of the other spells, and what the color of the spell indicated.
"How come the boys aren't shooting? Can they do the spells too?"
They tittered, "They're right there. Who do you think taught us?"
"Harry, Nev. The Sergeant Major told me he wanted the range lengthened. Do you think you guys can do that?" Daddy Granger asked. Might as well have some fun and impress the uninitiated.
A quick conversation, in which the girls promised to shield, had the boys at the firing line. It was only in hindsight the group realized they had cast everything silently. Harry cast a Bombarda Maxima while Neville added a Reducto Maxima.
The entire building shook and the shields thrown up by the girls were impacted by a lot of flying debris. When the dust had cleared, the walls were scorched, the back wall was obliterated. Many ran into the room thinking the explosion accidental causing severe damage. Later that night the evening news would report a minor earthquake in the city measuring just under two on the Richter scale.
"Any questions?" Major Granger asked.
It was hard to tell, but the guys thought that Bloodbringer had a smirk on his face after all of the hullabaloo had settled and he had received a briefing from his guards. Luna tried to listen in without being obvious about it, but didn't have much to say when asked bout the conversation. She would only say, I just wanted to make sure things are going the way they're supposed to." Whatever that meant.
Bloodbringer became a bit more forward. "Now that you know how dangerous wizards and witches are, you can understand why wards can help. I assume the our young friends will loan the use of their elves to provide elfin wards?
The kids nodded while the goblin explained, "Elves have a magic all of their own, despite your wizards putting up wards, you saw today it was no issue for the house elves to come in. That is something that Gringott's is looking in to even while we speak."
The kids snorted and John filed made a mental note to find out what was so amusing.
"Goblin wards are among the best the best in the world."
"We still don't know if the wards the wizards put up will stop a wizard." Colonel Markum interjected.
"That's easy to find out. I'll go outside the ward and apparate in."
One of Markum's security people asked, "Aren't you too young to apparate?"
Neville smirked, "You going to tell the ministry?"
As he left the room, Bloodbringer explained about the laws and the fines for illegal apparition. Then he went into a short description of how wards worked and unless they were powered by one means or how entropy would weaken the wards to nothing.
"But the wards here were just put up recently. The wizards check them regularly. They tell me they are strong."
Bloodbringer hesitated before answering, as if looking for the best way to phrase. "There a lot of different parts to this. Much of that I don't need to go into here. Suffice it to say unless you are augmenting your wards with lei lines or ward stones, you are pitting the strength of one wizard over another."
As if prescient Neville appeared in their midst while a man on the far wall grabbed his head in sudden pain.
Neville quickly sat and took a drink of water with unsteady hands, his face pale and he was sweating. After a moment he had recovered, "That was moderately difficult." He turned to the wizard, "Congratulations, those were well done. They would hold off most anyone."
The wizard acknowledged it with a nod of his head but didn't say anything.
"Lord Longbottom is stronger than most wizards so the wards put up would have maybe prevented anyone weaker than him from entering. However, if he was accompanied by another then you could very well have a catastrophe on your hands."
"He paused again before continuing. "I have an idea. Gringott's is a business. We will evaluate any building you want and provide you with a written estimate. You can run this past your other contacts and we will give you," he smiled here, which is a scary thing to a human, "the family discount because of your association with our young lords here. The current and prior administrations has not been friendly to goblins for a very long time. While you talk to HRH about this. I would like to interest you in some port keys.
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"My lord." Severus kept his eyes on the floor. His knees ached from kneeling. He wondered if Baby Mort had cast a low level curse for that particular spot to be painful. It was the kind of thing Voldemort would do, just because it amused him.
"Severus. I am told that you were going to teach the muggles a lesson."
"Only if you allow me to." He hated himself for tying himself to this monster, but he quickly clamped down on that thought and once more bathed in memories of torturing muggles and half bloods. It never occurred to him that he was a half blood. He decried anything to do with his muggle side, and if that was true, then that only left him being a pureblood. He was powerful enough, and enough in favor that even Bellatrix thought twice before insulting him.
"What is your plan?"
"Simplicity is best. I two groups of men. The first to draw all of the attention, while the second goes under cover of invisibility and notice me not to kill the bitch."
Voldemort was stunned. Snape had a week, and this was the best he could come up with? "No. She is guarded too well. We do not have enough resources available for that right now. However, we do have enough to affect the real power in merry old England. Get me McNair and Lucius, We need to setup some port keys and apparition wards. And Severus..."
"Yes my lord."
"Crucio!"
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The PM and the ambassador agreed to meet again the following week. Bloodbringer said that Gringott's would evaluate different targets of interest and write back and forth. Everyone smiled when Bloodbringer told them they would not send an owl, they knew how to use the mail system, but just to prove their point, they would find the various estimates on their desks in the next day or two. They agreed to let Harry or Neville be the go between, the obvious liaison being Major Granger.
"That was a waste."
"Not entirely Trace. But I know it appears that way."
Everyone waited for Luna to explain further. "There were very few realities where the mundanes accepted the help of the goblins. Those were the most safe, but while it looks bleak, I have hope for this reality. But it isn't enough Harry. We need to do something or the wrong people will die."
The kids looked back and forth at each other. The colonel and the major kept silent, they wanted to see the group dynamics.
"We'll need to be able to get there quickly." Harry said unnecessarily.
"There's at least two locations, and many others if you think about it."
"That's true luv, but any other target won't have the same effect as going after a member of the royal family or the PM."
"There's a lot of other high volume areas Daph."
"We can't cover them all Trace."
Tracey started to chew on her hair ala Luna while Harry and Neville communicated using shrugs, fingers counting and chin pointing. The guys made a decision and the girls knew at once and agreed. Without another word or look Hermione knew it was her turn.
"Daddy many of us have never been to Buckingham or Downing street."
"Yes Daddy Granger. Hermione is right! We can't apparate there if we've never been. Or even set up a port key. It's early enough, are there some kind of tours that we can go on? The more detail we have the better."
Everyone liked that idea, and Sir David made arrangements immediately.
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Harry called Domo, Tress, Charley, and Troy to him while they were at the palace and then while at Downing street.
"The other elves are already taxed. Are you able to set up wards to notify you if wizards are trying to apparate in?"
They each shook their heads eagerly. They were bored, the new young lord had promised them that things would get interesting, besides the extra few people living there, they hadn't seen that yet. But Winky and Misty had already told Tress there would be a huge need for the cows and very soon too much work, and many more beds. Very quickly a building away from the manor was renovated for many visitors. Of course to a house elf too much work is a slice of Nirvana.
"Wes cans. also cans sets ward to let us know when wizard enter houses."
"Excellent. We believe bad wizards will be trying to hurt everyone in either this or the next place we are going to."
"It was decided jointly with the elves for two of them to keep an eye on Buckingham and then two others a the next place. With the wards, the elves could 'pop' in a second determine what to do and then go to one of the six.
The tour of Buckingham was magnificent, it was much more in depth than the walking tour that the average tourist was able to see. The beautifully appointed rooms, deep rich red carpets, and even the bookcases, of which there were more than one, which had the girls each trying to lag behind. Harry had to hold Hermione's hand, while Neville had to grab both Tracey and Daphne's hands.
While the palace was beautiful, it was only slightly larger and both Longbottom Hall and Potter Manor were appointed as well. And the magicals had the benefit of the paintings being interactive.
The building at 10 Downing street was just as nice. The rooms were decorated just as well, again with objects of significant historical value. There were more tiled floors than carpeted and the kids even got to walk in the huge back yard. (Not large by their standards, but large for being in the center of a metropolitan city.
They were on their way out, having an idea where they could apparate into. Harry suddenly asked, "We know we've dominated his time. May we have just 30 seconds more? I want to show him one last important thing."
It didn't hurt to ask, and they only had to wait an additional five minutes.
The PM was too much the politician to let show the annoyance he felt. "Lord Potter, Lord Longbottom, ladies. How can I help you?"
"We are very sorry for the intrusion. After you left Bloodbringer gave us something to pass on to you. It's called a port key."
As Neville explained Harry took it out of the box and held the attractive necklace up. It was silver and the chain held an figure of a tiny key.
Neville continued, "You put it around your neck, the chain is unbreakable. This can transport you and two others safely from anywhere in Great Britain and Ireland."
Hesitantly he held his hand out. As Harry handed him the chain. "How does it work?" He looked at it with a certain amount of trepidation.
"I'm going to give you a paper. It has the activation phrase on it. Do not say this unless it is an emergency. Otherwise you'll disappear and your security types will be very mad at us. If there is anyone to go with you, they just have to be touching you or the chain."
"Where will it take us?"
"We debated on any of our homes, but we finally decided that Harry's has the better wards. Once you're there the elves will take care of your needs and they'll come and get anyone of us or our parents."
Mr. Major opened the small paper. The phrase, "Potter's Retreat" was printed clearly.
Hermione jumped in, "We hope it isn't necessary, but we've learned to trust Luna's vision and Harry's gut."
Luna added, "The chain is only a burden if the gift is frivolous."
He looked confused at her, and the five chuckled.
"Yeah she does that to us too. Welcome to the club."
Their mission done, they thanked him again for seeing them and left him trying to figure out what Luna meant.
Later that evening, as he sat at his desk with a glass of scotch sitting in front of him, he played with the chain pouring it from one hand to the other thinking through Luna's confusing words. He thought of just putting it in his desk, but too many strange things had occurred. He watched the casual ease in which the girls sot the targets equally adept as his guards with their weapon of choice and the two lads shaking the block with their power.
He had already taken off his jacket and tie. He put the chain around his neck. Tossing back the rest of his scotch hi took the paper in hand and decided to have a talk with Norma. Who knows maybe she would like all of this hocus-pocus stuff.
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
Tory was sitting in the common room. Pretty much left alone by everyone. She knew everyone was affected by a potion of some kind, but what did she care she was 12. She had wished she had gone with Daffy. She was tired of being alone. She was safe, even now the snakes were coiling on her and she would absently pet them. She couldn't know it, but the snakes were affectionate because of Neville's feelings for her.
Perhaps she was thinking about Neville's love for her that drew the snakes in. But even as she thought that, she remembered Tracey's statement. And she shuddered again. Tracey could be intimidating when she wanted to be.
"Aw poor little girl. Abandoned again by your family. What a shame." The words were supportive, the tone however was mocking.
She didn't even turn around. She knew who it was. She was one of the most vocal about their feelings for the six.
"The snakes are right here."
"I see them," the voice snapped. But they don't record every conversation. I can still say what I want. And don't think some minor magics like the snakes would stop our lord if he wanted to hurt you."
"I don't think it's the snakes that will stop your lord." Her words were brave, but she didn't feel fearless. In fact quite the opposite.
"Oooo. Such strong words, but I don't think you have it in you. Besides, I am not your enemy, despite what you may have heard. I and my friends want to extend an olive branch to you. We heard how you stood up to your sister. That arrangement they have is disgusting. It's one thing to be bonded, another to be bonded to a witch's witch."
Astoria shuddered as the feminine hand reached out and stroked her cheek.
"See! You agree . At least with that, I am sure there are many more things that we can find common ground on."
Tory looked around to see if anyone else was near. She knew she could call an elf, but didn't want to.
The voice continued. It was soft and hypnotic. Very well modulated. Something of a cross between purring and a sibilance. The voice was put on to lower defenses. "They're all alone. The whole castle. Three schools worth of students and professors think they're evil. They're supposed to be protecting you, but they left you."
She was instructed what to say. She saw the girl begin to rise in the defense of her family, but continued before she could. "Oh, I'm sure they said you could go along. But then they told you it would be boring or something. They always do that to you, don't they? They have this muggle food and games. Did they ever take you? Did your sister leave her former squib mate or" her voice got hard, "that cauldron licking witch at all? Just to spend time with you?"
She continued before the little girl could answer her questions. She wanted the girl thinking evil thoughts about her sister and mattes, not a debate. "You know now that I think of it, it's funny how just a year or so ago Longbottom was a squib. Now he comes back being very powerful. I wonder what kind of dark ritual he did. Now they say they're as powerful as Dumbledore. The leader of the light? Who also doesn't like them I might add."
"The castle even talks to them!"
"No sweetie." The hand caressed her cheek again and then she felt her adversary bend to whisper, "They SAY the castle talks to them. Have you or anyone else heard it? Has your sister or her slag mate heard it? I think someone had better decide who is who. And what is the best for you. Because I think your sister cares about you, only as far as it affects her."
The caress over, Tory brought her knees to her chest and hugged herself as her tears still found their way out despite her firmly shut eyes.
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
Tress 'popped' in. She had been assigned to the PM. "It's the bad wizards and the bigs bigs. They's be starting, but I couldn't take anyones with mes!"
"Shit! Not a way to start a Saturday. I'll go too, my wand will help."
Harry nodded, "But you stay invisible. They know us, they'll shoot you."
Major Granger was already on the phone warning his superiors. The kids had been dressed for three days running in their "battle gear." They each had basilisk armor. It had been three days of waiting for the shoe to drop.
"Girls. Just as we planned," Neville repeated.
Everyone nodded and grabbed the short rope they used as a port key. "Downing street rescue."
SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE SMARTARSE
Chaos reigned. The six had planned for many different scenarios. They didn't plan for three giants trying to kill everything in sight. After their tour they had wanted somewhere where they could appear where there wouldn't be a lot of traffic. The front door would never be a good idea. The wide open backyard was perfect for it. It was large enough to easily host 150 people. (A/N: I took a virtual walk thru.)
Of course, that was before the aforementioned giants.
"Ladies, Voldie never puts his eggs in one basket. Protect the minister. Neville and I will help with the giants."
Tonks disillusioned herself. The three giants were armed with stone axes. Each was at least 20' tall and very much denser than a human. Proof of this was still the odd handgun shot that rang out and bothered the giant almost not at all. She watched as muggle antitank weapons were fired at the giants.
The impact was loud, and the explosion created dark smoke that was quickly carried away be the breeze. The giants screamed their outrage. The impact hurt them, blood was seen at the impact points. The well trained agents had gone for center mass. They would have had better results going for the much more difficult head shots.
Neville and Harry saw a familiar face. Mr. Security was directing his agents.
"Look." They interrupted him. "This is what we were trying to tell you. Nev and I will take care of the giants. Your men take care of the wizards."
His eyes widened at the sudden appearance of the teens, but at this point was glad they were there. When the giants appeared they had immediately opened fire on them with little luck. They immediately went to the heavier weapons when the bullets had no affect whatsoever. Right before the "kids" appeared. Dark wizards in black cloaks and white masks fired on the protection detail. The sudden appearance of the Death Eater's cut into his available men significantly. The green beams were flying everywhere.
"Tell your men, if they do capture one, either knock him out or strip him completely. We'll explain why later."
He nodded and Neville continued. "The girls are going to protect the PM."
Again he nodded. He couldn't stop himself he asked before thinking, "How are you going to stop them?" Indicating the three giants who were still swiping at the remaining security on the roof.
Harry called back over his shoulder, "Beats me. We've never fought them before." Harry saw a DE aiming at Mr. Security. A quick diffindo removed the arm at the elbow. He didn't give him a second glance as he turned his attention to the giants who were shaking the building with their stone axes trying to get at the humans who had hurt them.
Security man Michaels gave the orders to focus on the DE's and warned the inside security the girls were coming to help protect the PM. Fire shifted immediately. The DE's favorite tactic was to appear behind a man shoot them with their green beam and reappear somewhere else a moment later and do it again.
With his orders his men started to protect each other. In a detached portion of his mind, he counted and realized how much damage had been done, and the battle was less than three minutes old.
The ten, now nine enemy soldiers suddenly found themselves on the defensive. They had counted on the giants distracting the muggles. They could see the muggles aiming for them and each wanted to scurry away, but they had orders and swore on their lives and magic to follow their lord.
Tonks watched disillusioned. She had decided to stand near the security agent. He couldn't have known it, but she had saved his life twice in the space of a minute, summoning items to intercept the AK spells shot at him. She longed to take a more active roll, but realized this is where she needed to be. She didn't want to get in the way of the girls, and made a mental note to check on them in a moment. First though, she wanted to see what Harry was going to do about the giants.
She remembered an old tale about a wizard named Jack that had managed to get a giant to fall off a cliff, but there was no cliff here. Just three giants and two teenagers.
Harry needed to get their attention. Before they pounded the roof and caused the building to cave in. "Hey big guy! Down here!" Since he had cast a 'sonorous' spell on himself, and punctuated his call with a bombarda to the giant's face; he got their attention really fast.
MEANWHILE -
The girls were already moving to the double doors that led back into the building. Already focused on task. Since the tour the guys had almost started another argument, telling them several times, "Not to screw with these guys put them down hard." It's not that the boys didn't trust them. They each knew the strengths of each other. Already they were better than most Aurors and were most likely the best Auror team around. The guys just never liked to see them in danger. They both loved the boys more and detested their attitude at the same time.
They weren't in the house 30 seconds before they discovered the body of a security agent. Shortly after that they heard yelling and cursing. They appeared into a room, it had three entrances, not counting several windows. Hiding behind an overturned table were three men. Armed with standards pistols. The girls saw a DE laying on the ground in a pool of his own blood. The dark wizards had learned to be careful. Those muggle weapons were deadly, and only the strongest spells stopped them.
They had to go through here to find the PM and they couldn't do this the subtle way. They would have to make some noise. Daphne chose one door and Hermione chose the other. On three they each cast a "confringo" charm. Hermione at the open door the DE's hid behind; while Daphne at the door jamb because she had a much narrower target. Both were successful. The two spells detonated at once. The noise the DE's were making quickly turned to screams.
The security men quickly turned to the new threats, but they had been told about them.
"Where's the PM?"
"In his office. We wanted to take him out but there are too many monsters inside."
"Monsters?"
"Yeah," another answered . Clearly shaken. "Some giant spiders and some other ugly smelly thing."
Tracey had taken one doorway and Luna the other. Checking the death eaters. They stunned them and summoned their wands and port keys. They dropped them on the floor in front of the agents.
"Don't touch those. Some of those may take you to the Death Eater's stronghold. And you're not ready for that."
Luna continued, "If you capture any of the bad guys. Take their wands from them. Break them if you have to. They'll be useless without them."
Hermione continued, "Let your people know were coming. We don't want to fight you and them."
"We know miss. We were briefed."
They looked to one another. The guys are right. They brought in acromantulas and friggin trolls? The kid gloves are off."
The security men goggled. They looked at the destruction one spell caused. (A/N each doorway) That was nice? They passed the message on and felt no sympathy for the idiots that would get in their way.
The beautifully appointed rooms was a hodgepodge. One room would be pristine and the next would have blood or bodies and be a complete loss.
Another minute found them facing their next adversary. Hermione froze before entering the room. She saw the troll beating one security guy with his club while several tried to kill it without hurting their compatriot.
OUT BACK-
He was surprised by their quickness. Two of them were close enough to strike at him, and they both did. Each swiping at the human bug with their axe. Each interfering with the swing of the other. It gave Harry the seed of an idea.
"Harry do you ever give any thought to anything before you do it?" He said as he cast a lumos maxima into the eyes of the third behemoth, temporarily blinding him.
The third giant was in position to attack Neville who was slightly behind and to the left of Harry.
The immaculately manicured lawn was already rent with gouges and deep crevices from giant feet, heavy weapons, and missed spells.
"Where's the fun in that Nev?" Thought became action. He had to move quickly to keep the attention on him so Neville could act and the security agents finish the rest of the DE's.
The dark wizards were still apparating trying to attack anyone from the rear, but began to weary. They weren't used to five minutes of continuous movement and spell activity. And they were beyond that now. They thought the muggles would fall to pieces seeing their magic.
Harry apparated on to the shoulder of the nearest giant. He had chose the shoulder carefully. The giant was right handed so he landed on that shoulder which impeded him more than if he was on the unencumbered side. He couldn't raise his right arm, to swipe at the wizard with his right arm, he might brain himself with his axe. It gave him a few extra seconds to act forcing the giant to use his left hand to get rid of the wizard.
Tonks shook her head. She mumbled aloud, "Only Harry-fricking-Potter would apparate on to the shoulder of a giant to attack him." She was torn, she wanted to see how they would fight a giant, even in Auror training they never spoke of attacking a giant one on one. Here the kids were going at them two on three. But she felt like she needed to get inside to help the girls. She decided to stay just for a moment. "No one fights a giant one on one. No one."
Neville's lumos stunned the giant for a moment. He didn't waste time. He cast an over powered diffindo at the right knee, but that did little actual damage, although the giant now had a good amount of blood running down his leg. Dodging the return blow from his giant, Neville retreated drawing him further away from the other two. Having a bit more room to work, Neville waited for the giant to lead with his injured leg. Before he could fully plant it on the grass, in preparation of an over hand downward slash with his axe. Neville banished the grass and dirt as deep as he could.
The foot, expecting to find a purchase sank into the hole, and continued to fall right up to the knee. It is just instinct when one is falling to put hands out to save yourself. The giant was no different. Both hands went to the grass to try to arrest his fall. Temporarily unarmed and vulnerable, Neville didn't waste time. His enemy was leaning forward, almost in a pushup position. Taking a page from Harry's playbook, he ran up to the giant's overly large proboscis. He over powered another banishing charm and then stepped back and watched as the light of life flee the giant's eyes. Later on in reflection he would once more curse Lady Fate. These enemies weren't cute cuddly kittens, but no one should have to do this. Especially kids.
INSIDE-
Tracey and Daph pushed past her, leaving Luna to deal with it. Their was no castigation, but this was not the time to freeze. It could mean someone's life.
Luna being Luna knew only one way to deal with this. She grabbed Hermione's face in her hands and turned it to her. Despite the situation, she planted a deep and loving kiss right on her lips. Hermione's eyes went widened after a brief second of struggle, but then returned the kiss. Lasting less than 30 seconds, it had its desired effect.
"Focus now. We'll deal with the emotion later, ya?"
"Yes love. Sorry."
Nothing further was said. Nor needed to be. They moved to finish off the troll.
The girls moved into the room and waved the agents to get out of the way. One agent was clearly dead and the other was dying. The troll was bleeding from many wounds, but like the giants had tough skin and were used to fighting while hurt.
Seeing a heavy statue in the corner, Tracey wanted to get his attention. She used the wingardium spell to lift the heavy bust over the head of the troll. She remembered thinking that it was such an ugly bust, the woman that was the subject of it would have thanked her.
The troll looked to the ceiling as it screamed its outrage at the attack. Daphne had used the distraction to magically move the wounded security man to the others.
"Tracey the bookcases!"
The room was a library the floor to ceiling bookcases were huge. It didn't matter that the bookcases were secured to the wall with heavy bolts. There was absolutely no chance of those bookcases coming away from the wall. Unless you had magic.
The bonded pair acted in concert. Nothing was said, they didn't need to. The troll didn't even see it. With the force of a couple of lorry's each running in to you at speed, the troll dropped like a rock.
Hermione only added to the legend of the four witches. He lay on his back, still alive when Hermione came and stood on his chest.
"How could you?" She accused. "You made us use books!"
Her next spell separated head from the rest of its body. Luna grabbed he and as they walked out to the next room. "You know sweetie. I'm almost certain he didn't know how to read."
MEANWHILE OUTSIDE -
Harry had let the second giant attack the first. He moved, apparating to number two giant as the flat side of the number two giant's axe impacted against the side of his head, on the side where Harry had stood a moment before on number one giant's shoulder. He hoped number one would reciprocate and attack number two with his axe. It didn't work however. As number one used his hand to try and grab him.
The only thing he had going for him was he clearly saw the eyes of the first enemy were now crossed. The powerful blow of number two had most likely concussed the giant leader.
He didn't have any more time. Healthy number two was reaching for him and cross-eyed number one was also. He grabbed the ear of number two, wondering if giants had heard of any type of hygiene whatsoever. The first spell that came to mind, needed to be quick. Even now he saw the blow coming from number one. There was no way to avoid it, and cast he the spell expecting to pay for it. Thinking he might not get as good an opportunity later.
Say what you will of giants. They were stupid, and ugly, and smelled bad; but they were big, strong, and agile. They also knew how to battle. Their whole culture was based on dominance. It was one of the few things that Harry brought to mind. "Bombarda Maxima!"
Tonks lost the contents of her stomach as she saw the other side of the giant's head explode outwards all over the other giant. Part of the blood and grey matter splashed on the wall of the house as she saw the lead giants slap at Harry carry him to the back wall, over 50 feet away.
The back wall of the garden had a stone bench dead center of the wall. Since it was Harry, everything happened as if it was scripted. The awesome swipe carried Harry to the bench. Dazed by the blow, it took Harry a moment for his head to clear. He heard Neville yell "Harry!" Even as he repeated his earlier attack plan. This first one was clearly woozy from the axe smash as Neville had seen everything out of the corner of his eye. Less than a minute later, this giant fell also, his brain vanished much like the first.
Not quite running but moving quickly, he called to Harry. "Harry Harry! Are you alright?"
He saw his brother sitting on the bench. The center of it, sitting as if this were a garden party and he had a bit too much to drink. One leg out straight the other foot tapping to some music only Harry could hear. He reached a hand out to pull Harry up. "Want to join the girls for the rest of the party?"
By this time a few of the security agents were coming close. They wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't at least keep an eye on these two. Especially two that killed those monsters.
Harry shook his head smiling. "I'd love to. But you're going to have to go without me. I'm kind of stuck here."
Neville looked up and down over Harry. He seemed fine.
"What's up mate?"
"I was just a mite slow. I don't know if it was the hit, or me hitting the bench here. But whatever happened, my leg," he said looking at is right leg. The one that was perfectly straight, "is broke."
Neville tried to vanish the trouser leg, forgetting he had the basilisk armor on. When that didn't work, he carefully felt up and down Harry's right thigh. Sure enough, it didn't feel like any other leg. "I think you're right mate. Your going to have to sit this one out. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Harry called to Neville's retreating back, "Hey take your time. I'm just going to take a kip here."
INSIDE APPROACHING THE PM'S OFFICE-
Hermione suddenly laid a hand on Daphne and Tracey, stopping them. "Harry's hurt," her and Luna said in concert.
They quickly looked to the others. Daphne took the lead. "Okay, I've got point. We get the PM out of here. We still haven't seen the 'mantulas. Or too many other DE's. Heavy spells from here on, ready?"
Each nodded. Luna and Hermione were worried, they could tell he was conscious but nothing more than that. Still though it affected performance. They stood behind the door in a connecting hallway. They knew without knowing how, all of the DE's were here.
Throwing open the door, they surprised a group of five wizards. They felt no remorse as they each cast bombarda, barely pausing as they left the dead and dying wizards in their wake.
Acromantulas were not known to work well with humans. There were several rooms where they found them spinning a web on both wizard and mundane. Thinking it was a good thing that Hagrid wasn't there. "Ariania Exumai" was cast several times by each witch. As they neared the office there was a major fire fight. Every color spell was in the air, green, red, blue, sick green, sick yellow, light purple.
"Enough of this. We'll confringo, you incendio. Ready?"
The resulting explosions and fire setoff the automatic sprinklers in that part of the residence. It was retrofitted back in the 70's and was thought to be a desecration of a historical residence, but it may have saved the house that day.
The agents quickly moved to secure the room where the DE's were either dead or dying. They had been briefed and were removing wands from the unconscious and dead alike.
Acting more bold than they felt, they opened the door to the office. John Major sat with his wife and daughter, guarded by another five agents each with their weapon still drawn.
Perhaps a little harsher than she should have, Hermione lit into him. "Why are you still here? You have the means to get to safety!"
"Hermione!" Daphne chided. She turned to the PM. "Her tone was wrong, but she is right. You have the means to escape. Why are you here?"
"The point is moot," one of the security guys said. "Everything is dying down now."
"Who said? Let's see about that." She spoke to the air. "Misty. can you come?"
She waited a full 30 seconds. "Our elves still can't come. That may have just been the first wave. Look this whole area is locked out, you wouldn't be able to leave by car anyways. There is no telling if there are more wizards or monsters laying in wait."
Luna came to the front. "You do what you want John Major. My mate is injured in your back yard saving you and your people. He offered his home to you. Just make sure that you are thinking clearly. Thinking what is best for your country and ensure you include Norma and Elizabeth in your decision process."
Daphne explained in more detail for everyone. "The fact that no one can leave means that the leader of the Death Eater's is still nearby. They do this on major raids so their people don't flee too early. The only thing that would work is port keys. Some of the more senior DE's will have emergency port keys, but most do not. Most often these guys attack, rape and kill everyone and leave. When they meet fierce resistance they flee. Today, they kept the attack up. Bringing giants, trolls, and acromantulas in. That means something else entirely."
"They were trying to capture," one of the security agents said.
All the girls nodded.
About that time Neville and Mr. Security walked in with Tonks.
Neville asked bluntly, "Why are you here?"
He looked at his wife and daughter, who despite being trained to keep calm in theses situations, were barely hanging on. "We were just leaving." He said pulling out his chain and telling the others to hang on.
"Major and Mrs. Granger is there already. We'll be there as soon as we can. We'll bring some of your security forces with you, and once we're sure everything is clear bring you anywhere you want."
He nodded.
Tracey gave final instructions, "The first time you travel this way, it can upset your stomach. Just hang on to the chain until your feet are back on the ground."
Nodding once more, he hugged his girls tighter. "Potter's Retreat!"