Lafiel pondered the news they had received after the sorting. Something called the Tri-wizard tournament was coming here, and of course another inanimate object was somehow judging who was worthy. Preposterous. Though, to be fair, the hat had surprised her. It had far more insight than she had expected.
Luna told her about the tournament. That young woman had a frightening amount of specific knowledge locked within her brain. Apparently eternal glory wasn't all that eternal, and the competition was ended because of the death toll, and not just to the competitors.
Lafiel was giving serious thought to entering, mostly because of the benefits she could possibly achieve. Winning the tournament was not remotely important, at least not directly, but it might be indirectly important. Winning the magical world's respect, might be, since it would open certain doors she might need to eventually return to her own people.
There was also the possibility of the endemic racism practiced by these people to begin to cause problems, though should she win, it would be unlikely their group would be treated badly, at least for a time. She knew that the others had no interest in entering. That was fine.
All this thought explained why she was out here at near midnight, having snuck out of the Ravenclaw tower. It seemed her usual decision making process would be applied. If the choice is stay or go, or do, or do not, then one most always go forward. She took the piece of paper out she had written her name on, using the closest equivalent in English letters. In case it was important, she also wrote her name out in her own language. It was possible she would not be chosen, but that too was okay.
As she approached the thing the headmaster referred to as an age line she slowed, then carefully took a step. It felt a bit like moving through water. She had done the math to figure out if she was technically old enough in Earth years, and had a number that was a little small, but evidently not enough to stop her. She dropped the paper in and moved away.
She was more than a little disappointed. She had hoped to be forced to have to come up with something a little more creative. Her best guess was simply wrapping the paper around the small rock she had in her pocket and throwing it in would possibly bypass the magical protections, but she supposed she now would never know if it would work, and that annoyed her. Quickly moving past her annoyance, she snuck back towards the Ravenclaw common room, only to totally fail to answer their riddle.
Hermione had showed her where the Gryffindor common room was. She used this knowledge to quickly get to it and use the password she had been given. The portrait had tried to protest her entry saying she was a Ravenclaw. She had stated simply, "I am a Gryffindor now," and sure enough the trim on her robes changed.
The portrait muttered several complaints about kids and lax rules, but did let her in. She was a bit surprised to find a couple of seventh years making out in the common room.
She coughed to catch their attention and said, "Shouldn't you be somewhere actually private?"
"We were," the browned haired male said dryly.
His girlfriend straightened her robes. "And what might you be doing out so late at night?"
Lafiel smiled. She said, "Exploring possible future opportunities for resource development."
The slightly older young woman glared at her. "Can't you do that without interrupting us?"
"My apologies. You are of course correct."
With that, she walked up the stairs into the girls dorms and found the one Hermione was in, also finding the bed that had been set aside for her. Seeing that, she quietly left and found the showers. The flagrant use of water like this would never be permitted on a ship. It was an experience she treasured as she let herself fall into a light meditative state.
A part of her wondered if she would regret her earlier action, but that too was swiftly let go of. She would review the results of her actions at a future time, but only to optimize future decisions. Past decisions were already in the past. It was trained from youth to try not to spend too much time on regrets. Learn yes, but not to the point of wasting time. Even with their potentially quarter millennia life span, it was considered a sin to waste the time one is given, though she again wondered at the new path her life had taken.
The Queen had known something. She knew well the Queen's behavior pattern, and her pushing her initial mission was out of character unless she knew something that Lafiel, herself, did not. The Queen never wasted resources, and people were the most precious of all. She knew, that the Queen would order missions she knew would end in death, if they were worth it, but they were never given lightly.
She wondered if she would have the strength to be able to send people she cared about to their death for the good of the Empire one day. A part of her greatly hoped that the throne passed her by, or that she died before such a day come to pass. There was it again, the emotions that still continued to cloud her judgment. She refocused herself, letting go of such thoughts, wishing that they would fall away with the hot water sluicing down her body.
Hermione sat in their first Charm's class of the year. She was doing well, because of all the work she put in. She found it even easier after what had happened. Her mental focus was noticeably improved, and the studying she had done with Lafiel's guide was beginning to pay off. Some of it, in fact, sounded familiar to a short introduction she had read to Occlumency. It was an odd coincidence, even if Lafiel's version seemed more refined.
That being said, Harry and Lafiel's cheat method was beginning to annoy her, though she was beginning to understand it. Harry always understood magic on an almost instinctive level. He could often simply see a spell, practice it, and get it to work, totally skipping all of the actual theory. It was a very annoying skill for one like her, who had to learn the theory, understand the theory, practice the spell, then integrate her understanding to her magic, then, hopefully finally succeed. He skipped steps!
Lafiel and Harry's dual casting was the ultimate sort of cheat, save that it seemed to merge Lafiel's most excellent brain with Harry's intrinsic understanding of magic, allowing them to pick things up quickly, and then retain that shared understanding with only a bit more work. The fact that Harry was a lot smarter than he had let on was also a remembered annoyance. Honestly, who could do less than their best? The very idea offended her.
Perhaps what really annoyed her is Ron. He tried to just get a spell to work by brute force, but totally lacked Harry's intrinsic ability to do so, and even Harry actually read and attempted to learn the material. Either way, Ron was her partner. She wanted to trade for Luna. She still was not entirely certain the young woman was fully all there, but then even if Luna was only eighty percent there, well, eighty percent of Luna was a heck of a lot more interesting than her current partner.
Lafiel really was horrible for her friendship with Ron. She put things into perspective. Ron was just, so, average. She knew her thoughts were unkind and chastised herself. Oh, look, it was about time to go. She just wished she could get this right before...
She was a bit surprised when Lafiel caught her glancing at the old clock on the wall. She gave her an endearing smile, as if she well understood, and, Hermione thought, she probably did.
Lafiel took Harry's right hand in her left, then while looking at Harry, moved her focus to Hermione and whispered, "Why not try to help her?"
Harry quickly caught on and lightly placed his hand over Hermione's right. Hermione too caught on quickly and refocused on casting the spell, even as Harry followed her motions, and there, she had done it. A perfect switching spell.
After Harry let go, she looked down at her hand and marveled. Perhaps there wasn't an actual limit to when learning dual casting, or maybe there wasn't for them? It bore study. She knew that it felt nice.
As she thought about the experience, she felt it. Her logic, her reason, her understanding of the spell, and this new contribution now merging with it.
Remarkable.
Harry was not looking forward to potions today. Then he mentally corrected himself. He never looked forward to potions. Learning with Snape in the room was usually harder than it needed to be, though it seemed to be growing better over time.
He sat down, waiting for Ron to join him, only to be surprised when Daphne Greengrass sat down beside him. He sent her a curious expression, only to get an amused one in response.
Draco saw them right after entering and moved to their station, with his two bookends. "Move Potter. Sit with one of your own kind."
Harry glanced at Daphne, her expression of amusement had increased. Was she playing with him? He saw that Hermione and Lafiel had noticed, but were simply hanging back for now.
"Pardon me?" he tried.
"I said, go sit with your own kind, or maybe that blood traitor."
Glancing back at Daphne, yes, she was being entertained, but why was she here. Curse his curiosity. If he was going to get an answer, he would have to not drive her off.
He mentally thanked Lafiel's guide. He hadn't read nearly enough of it, let alone mastered any significant portion yet, but it did give him an idea.
Making sure his own feelings would not betray him, he said in his best respectful tone, "I was here a bit before Miss Greengrass arrived. I can only assume that Miss Greengrass wishes to be here. Perhaps you should ask her?"
Daphne's expression shifted into a less amused one. She then glared icily at Draco, just daring him to ask the question.
He huffed and moved to his own station, only to find the others had already paired off. With a sigh he pulled Crabbe to his table, and left Goyle to deal with Ron, but only after making sure there was at least one table between them.
Ron and Goyle ended up in the hospital wing. It didn't look too serious. Daphne's switch to Potter's station, left a Slytherin to have to pair with a Gryffindor, which was something he never liked to see. He wondered what that was about? Potter wasn't as bad at potions as he made him out to be, but he was hardly up to Greengrass' standard, except, from the glances he made during his own work, he appeared to be doing okay, though Daphne did correct a few of his bad habits. A pity that.
Lafiel was sitting between Harry and Hermione with Luna at Hermione's far end while they were waiting for the Triwizard cup to reveal who was going to be the champions.
Fleur and Victor were named for their schools. Each left for the waiting room where the tournament contestants would gather.
Then came time for Hogwarts turn. The paper flew out of the Goblet landing on the floor. Albus picked it up, and after puzzling over it for a few seconds he said, "Representing Hogwarts will be Abriel Paryunu Lafiel. Lafiel, will you come up here?"
Whispers began all over. "She is too young." "She must have cheated." "Someone rigged it." "This is ridiculous."
She got up from her table, conscious of the looks her friends were giving her, and the whispers, but let none of it affect her. He handed her the entry paper and she walked out as if she was a queen heading to court. The whispers got louder, and more than a few wondered if they were seeing what the Goblet of Fire had seen.
The Goblet was covered, then seconds later it uncovers itself, bursts into fire again, delivering one more name to the headmaster.
Albus says, "Harry Potter", then louder to the entire audience, "Harry Potter."
Harry was stunned before, but now he is well passed stunned, at least until Hermione shook him. He slowly walked up to the headmaster, who gives him the slip. He walks to where the others are, noting the glare from Snape and the comforting look from his head of house.
Fleur was the first to comment when she arrived. "Yes, do they need us perhaps?"
"No, I am the Hogwarts Champion."
"That is absurd, you are too young."
Victor said, "I agree. Just what is Hogwarts playing at."
"Nevertheless, I entered and am here."
They were joined a short time later by Harry Potter who said, "Hi." He paused, then awkwardly continued, "It seems I am a triwizard chamption too."
Victor snorted. Lafiel looked over in concern.
Into the room rushed the Triwizard leaders, Snape, and McGonagall.
Dumbledore was the first to speak, "Harry, Lafiel explain yourselves."
Lafiel smiled. It wasn't a warm smile.
She said, "I walked down last night and entered just like everyone else. The age line thing slowed me a bit, but did not stop me. I've no idea how Harry's name came out."
"Neither do I," muttered Harry.
The Headmaster said, "The age line should have blocked you both from being able to enter."
"I am 16 years and 5 months old."
Albus eyes widened. He asked, "May I cast a spell to confirm it?"
"Of course."
Albus did so. The spell showed no visible result, but Albus said, "Okay that is confirmed. The age line should still have stopped you, but at least that much is plausible. This bring us to Harry. I know what his age is, and I know he would have been blocked, so care to shed some light on this Harry?"
"Honestly sir. I have no idea. At first I thought it might be something targeting Lafiel and myself, but as she put her name in, I have no idea."
"It doesn't matter," said Bartemius Crouch. "He has to compete. They both do. It is an unbreakable magical contract enforced by one of the few reliable oath binders we know exist."
"What exactly does that mean?" asked Lafiel.
"That you die or lose your magic if the goblet judges you haven't made a reasonable attempt."
"Surely not? I chose freely, but if someone dumped a paper with Harry's name in there, it can't just do this. That makes no sense. You could just chuck names in of all your enemies to a fake contest and wait for them to die."
Albus said, "Perhaps not and you may have a point, but we will have to proceed for now."
"Very well." Harry seemed less than thrilled to hear that, but went along with it.
It didn't take long for everyone but the champions to leave.
Lafiel and Harry were at one side of the room when she asked Harry quietly, "Are you really okay with this?"
Harry sighed. "I'd have preferred neither of us was in this thing, but if I have the choice between letting you compete alone, or with my help, well maybe I can help keep you safe."
"You have a remarkable ability Harry Potter."
"Pardon?" he asked.
"To make me angry and happy at the same time."
Fleur, who was following the little scene laughed. She walked over to Harry and touched his face briefly with her right hand.
"Impressive," she said.
"What do you mean?" asked Lafiel.
Victor responded. "She controls it well most of the time, but it seems Harry is effectively immune to Veela Allure, or perhaps he is already bonded to another?" He glanced at Lafiel as he said this.
"Possibly," noted Fleur.
Lafiel turned to face Victor and Fleur more fully. She asked, "We have a little time, shall we discuss how we are going to face these tasks?"
Victor said, "This is a competition."
Lafiel asked, "Does that really stop us from learning and preparing for it together?"
"I'm not sure what you could teach us."
Harry laughed. "I'll tell you what, let's head to the roof. I'll get an elf to fetch Lafiel and my own brooms, and if she doesn't impress you, we'll I'll give you my Firebolt."
Victor's eyes widened.
Fleur said, "Surely you kid?"
"Perhaps a little, but if you insist, I'll keep my word."
Lafiel smiled before walking out of the room. The other's soon followed. Dobby fetched their brooms. He even got Fleur's and Victor's.
Victor looked at the broom that Dobby handed to Lafiel. "Are you insane? Those things are ancient."
Lafiel's smile grew wider as she mounted the broom and flew off into the sky, doing a high speed dash to the quidditch field. The other's soon followed.
Once they got there Harry asked, "How about follow the leader? Lafiel, do you want to lead, Victor and Fleur follow, and I'll be at the end?"
She nodded, before leaning down and pouring on every ounce of speed she could manage as she shot off and over the forbidden forest, quickly dashing around trees and between branches, all the time making small changes to her posture and position on the broom to keep correcting for its problems.
She slowed a few times when Fleur had difficulty catching up. At one point Harry had to dash forward and pull her broom sideways a bit to avoid an impact, but both recovered quickly and resumed the chase.
Ten minutes later Lafiel landed in a small clearing in the middle of the forest.
Victor was the first to speak. "Are any of the stability charms working on that broom?"
Lafiel shrugged. "I'm not sure how many are left. It is much more of a challenge to fly than Harry's broom."
She held it out to him. He quickly mounted, and was able to control it in a slow circle, but it still wobbled from time to time before he returned to the ground. "I'm not remotely crazy enough to bring that thing any higher. Why the devil are you using it? It's junk, and I know Potter can afford better."
"Hey, don't look at me. We were playing a game over the summer, and it was all that was available. I had previously bought her a Nimbus 2000, but she gave it to Hermione and took the broom Hermione was using, and so far, I can't convince her to let me buy a replacement."
Lafiel responded, "This one is more interesting, and I planned to make my own broom anyway."
Fleur said, "Do you know how to do that?"
"Not yet, but we are in an advanced Arithmancy class. We meet tomorrow at two, should you want to come? Perhaps we can work on it?"
Fleur said, "I will be there. Can I meet you somewhere before?"
Lafiel said, "We could meet where we were after the Triwizard selection?"
"I'll see you then."
Victor said, "I will as well."
They each flew back, staying together till they cleared the forest, but soon separated to their respective destinations.
After they left, a lone centaur walked into the clearing. The centaur stared after the direction they went before saying absently, "Daughter of the stars. Daughter of change. The future come full circle. Where will you lead and who will follow?"
Harry, Lafiel, Luna, and Hermione arrived in the great hall anti-chamber only to see Victor, Fleur, and a mini Fleur.
Fleur introduced them to Gabriel. It seemed her sister had come with them and wanted to tag along with her big sister.
Gabriel asked in rapid fire french, "Why is your hair blue?"
Lafiel and the others looked puzzled by the words. Hermione was the first to answer. "She asks why our hair is blue? I'll answer her."
Hermione spent a few minutes answering the girls questions, but then her last question had Hermione stunned. "She said, she wants blue hair too."
Amused, Fleur cast a color change charm on her sister's hair to match the shade of Lafiel's own. Gabriel jumped around and hopped from place to place as they walked to the Arithmancy classroom.
They were surprised when they met for their advanced arithmancy class, that Vector wasn't there, but instead Filius Flitwick, who was already speaking with Daphne about her runic designs.
Flitwick said, "Good evening class. Professor Vector has some work to do, so I thought I'd take this class. I understand your mostly self paced, but perhaps I can get you started?
Lafiel asked, "Do you know how brooms work, or have access to a book?"
Filius grinned. "If there is one thing that is protected these days it is the secrets behind high end racing brooms, but I can draw you the runic arrays I put on my last broom design. It worked, but was a bit dangerous."
Filius called for a house elf to retrieve one of his notebooks. He then cleared all the blackboards with his wand and finished his cup of coffee while Lafiel pulled out several books from her bag. She then handed one to Daphne, Victor, and Fleur.
Lafiel said, "This is the translation of a book I used for training my mind, well still use for training my mind and body. I think you may find it helpful. We did cast various protection spells on them, so, only you three will be able to read them." Lafiel noticed Gabriel's annoyed look.
Hermione said, "To me it reminds me of a better version of the only occlumency book I've had a chance to read."
Luna stepped over to them, and with a complex wand motion and some fain words she pointed first at Gabriel, and then at Fleur's copy before saying, "There, now you both can read it."
Fleur opened the book with Gabriel crowding around. She said, "It is French. Are you French?"
"No, I just have access to ways to translate things quickly."
Flitwick said, "I would quite like a copy."
Luna pulled out her own copy and cast the same charm on Flitwick and then the book, before handing him a copy. She said, "I'll get another. Technically I can only widen the charm, so I'm still registered to read that one, though it should not matter."
Flitwick had read a couple pages when the house elf returned with his notes saying, "Professor must let us clean. That was horrible."
The others laughed, even as Flitwick opened his book of notes, carefully making no comment that might indicate his desire for the House Elves to clean his work area.
He flipped it open and paged through till he was about two thirds of the way, then used his wand to copy all of the diagrams from the next half dozen pages to the four blackboards the room contained.
Lafiel quickly looked over the diagrams, even as all the others did the same, except for Filius and Gabriel who began to read their new book.
Hermione was the first to comment. "This is a broom design? It is insane."
Filius laughed. "I've no idea how racing brooms work. That is just what I came up with. It may be good. It probably isn't. I've looked in the forbidden section in the library. There is nothing better there."
Lafiel said, "Let's split this up. Each blackboard has a major array. The first two can go to the Hogwarts table. The second two can go to the other."
Filius read several pages of the book before glancing at the tables. Both sides were doing well, but the Hogwarts table was already revising the first set of runes. He got up and took a closer look, before nodding thoughtfully and moving over to the second table, which was Fleur, Victor, and Daphne.
They were also doing well, at least in understanding what he had written, but hadn't begun to think about revising. He debated mixing up the teams, but it wasn't as if the foreign team was doing bad at all. They would be acing 7th year Arithmancy with work like that.
An hour later Hermione stood and walked to the front of the room, while Luna flicked her wand, copying some of their work to the left most blackboard, replacing what was there.
Hermione said, "The design here was broken into four major arrays. We got levitation and propulsion. The other two were stability and control. We are uncertain if this separation of concerns is what we need. We simplified the two, but we don't think this is the best approach."
"Why not?" Filius asked. "I can see several improvements on what I had. I'm pretty sure they would help."
Hermione looked at the others.
Luna again cast, this time transferring their new major design to the middle left blackboard. It was filled end to end with small details and symbols. She then repeated the process with the left board, erasing what she had up there and showing a sketch of a racing broom with a rider, before it was crossed through. Under it was a shapeless person seemingly flying in the air rimmed in white light with lavender wings of light attached to their mid back, with additional smaller wings attached to the back of each foot.
Pointing to the new drawing, Hermione said , "Here is what we want to do. The white around the person is the persons magic, formed into a shell. It must have several useful properties, but the key one is similar to the featherweight charm. It brings a person's apparent weight down to essentially nothing. It also acts to guide air smoothly around a person. We are still working on the details, but having some ability to absorb and redirect damage is also planned."
Gabrielle said several sentences in rapid fire French. Fleur said, "Gabrielle says your copying that from her favorite cartoon."
Hermione blushed furiously, before quickly recovering. "The idea had occurred to us. The wings are designed to provide thrust and control, and yes, we thought they looked good too."
Fleur, Gabrielle, and Flitwick laughed and even Daphne cracked a smile.
Pointing to the left most board with her wand, Hermione said, "Here is our current best guess at a running body suit that could handle this. It's not complete. There are some things we haven't figured out yet."
"Is that all?" muttered Flitwick dryly.
Hermione asked, "Did we make a mistake? I thought for sure we were on the right track."
She appeared almost panicked when Fleur laughed even as Daphne grinned. Victor rolled his eyes. Harry smiled fondly, while the others just smiled.
Gabrielle spoke some more french which Daphne absently translated as, "She wants to try it."
Hermione almost panicked. She rushed out, "This isn't remotely ready to try. We aren't even sure its safe or how to test it. We thought about dragonhide for protection, but it would prevent this from working. We were thinking of carbon fiber outfits for protection, but this is still quite dangerous. Then we thought of some way to remotely control the spell, but again, that doesn't work, since the magical skin that shapes air would block control. It is really quite puzzling."
Daphne asked, "Why not make a robe or something for that crazy Patronus of yours? Isn't that solid enough to be stable, for awhile at least? It certainly should have the magic to support this thing."
Hermione turned to the professor.
Flitwick said, "I have no idea. It sounds plausible. If we want to do this, let's keep meeting and keep working on it, get Professor Vector and Babbage to sign off on it, and how we are testing it. I'm willing to volunteer, if we get all that."
Victor stated, "I will be first."
Harry said, "I'll take my turn as well. This looks fun as heck. In fact.." He turned to Victor. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
Victor rubbed his hands together in glee and stated, "I'm thinking the Firebolt company is going to be very angry with me."
Gabrielle said some more rapid fire French. Fleur replied before translating, "Gabriel wants to go first. I assured her, once we were sure it was safe, then she could have a turn."
Flitwick said, "We'll it's about time for this class to end. Please leave your work on the boards. I asked around and have found a couple house elves that are very good at tracing permanent copies. I'll assume you want similar protection charms on them as to the books?"
Luna asked, "You are familiar with such charms? I had thought they were nearly a family secret."
"I don't know your version, but I know a goblin one that works well enough, and they also require me not to teach it. What's more is I can make a set of linked books we can keep this work in and help you file for the necessary magical patents, if you succeed. Does that sound good to everyone?"
All quickly agreed.
Filius said, "I do have one more question. The charms I know are permanent. Pulling anything out of the set to apply for a patent is going to require the majority of the people here, Beth and Septima's signoff, assuming they agree to take part, which I'm sure they will. My point being, if anyone is not interesting in seeing this through to the end, then tell me now."
Fleur glanced over at her little sister. "What about Gabriel?"
Filius shrugged. "I'm fine with adding her. This won't automatically translate, but you can certainly add your own translations to it."
Murmurs of agreement were quickly obtained. Filius started to leave, but went back when he realized he had left Lafiel's book behind. The bookmark almost slipped out as he grabbed it. He then turned back to the others.
"I read part of it. I agree with Miss Granger. Parts of it are similar to some occlumency books I've read. It certainly seems useful so far. I'd like to review it all, but if you want, I could help you with a patent and getting it sold. If all goes well, I'd possibly put it on my recommended books list."
Lafiel asked, "I need no credit. It is certainly not my work. It is perhaps one of the greatest legacies of my family. A book on how to make the most of what you are born with."
Filius shrugged. "If you are willing to make it public, we can definitely attribute it to your family, if that is okay."
Lafiel hesitated. "We can discuss it later. Money is no doubt useful, but I would never claim credit for another persons work, and it would be doubly sinful to claim credit for the work of so many."
A short time after they left, Filius returned with Septima and Bathsheba. He also summoned the elves to start documenting the work.
Septima said dryly, "Perhaps I should retire?"
Beth muttered, "Me first. Seriously, I can't keep up. I'm just glad your helping with this work Filius."
He laughed before turning to the elves, "Cally, Jenna, could I ask you a question."
They put down their quills and turned to the professor. He said, "First, all this work is secret, from everyone but the people that created this and us."
"What about professor twinkly?" asked Cally.
"You may of course tell him, though try to make sure he knows it is a sensitive subject."
The elves nodded. He asked, "My question is, if I were to obtain a suitable material, acromantula silk, perhaps, and then a suitable magical thread, could you two weave these patterns into clothing?"
Jenna looked at Cally then back at the professor. "We believe so, but we be needing much practice!"
Bathsheba said, "I have books I can lend you. As long as you stick to practicing the examples in the books, don't use any magical materials, and don't deliberately add magic you should be fine. It takes a couple years for my students to get decent at writing runes, and anything of this quality must be done nearly perfectly before I'd sign off on it."
Cally said, "Could we be having a month perhaps to practice?"
Filius said dryly, "I think we can grant you at least that much time." He grinned at them. "Once we know it's safe, perhaps you will be the first elves to fly without a broom?"
Jenna came up to him, peering up at his face, "You not be kidding Jenna?"
"Of course not. Just don't spread it around. Some are..."
Cally said, "We know this."
Sadly, Filius replied, "Yes, I imagine you do." More quietly he added, "You know you can come to me if you need to?"
Beth glanced at Septima who nodded, "Us too."
The elves eyes widened. Cally said, "We thank you, but we would not add to your burdens unless the need was great."
Filius said, "You should come to the next meeting. I will add you both to the books we are making to contain this project."
Jenna looked hopeful. "They be okay with working with elves?"
"I believe so."
The elves smiled.
Back in his chamber Filius brought out a round handheld mirror decorated on the outside with intricate runes. The border began to glow golden before an image began to form. In the image Intricately carved ornamental beams rose to each side with goblins moving to and from in the background. An older goblin came into view, as he slipped glasses on and state, "Report."
Filius gave no details and no runic schemes, yet he did convey an accurate report of the day he had just had. The goblin on the other end listened intently, his eyes widening at several points as he wrote down Filius's words."
When he was done the goblin on the other end said, "Remain on standby. I am bringing this to Lord Ragnok immediately. He may wish to question you further."
"I shall be waiting."
The other nodded. "I am uncertain of what Lord Ragnok will recommend, but for my own thoughts, you have done well. Don't mess this up."
Filius said dryly, "I shall do my best."
The other nodded, as if he expected nothing less.
Filius was not surprised to see Lord Ragnok scarcely ten minutes later in his little mirror. He appeared to be alone, though that meant little with magic.
The king asked, "Can they do it?"
"I believe they can, but as with all things magic..."
"It may not work. Yes, I've heard the quote. Make sure Gringotts is involved. I doubt that group will support us fully taking over the manufacture of such clothing, but we need to be involved, and make sure it works for us too."
"I already have a couple of house elves willing to try, and I have as well. I assume we can manage to get a goblin or two involved, at least with some tests, but this is going to require considerable care. I was hoping you would find a couple of volunteers."
"Consider it done."
Filius said, "It would be better if they were on the team from the start, but I see no method to arrange that, though, you might talk quietly with Lord Greengrass. I believe he has been honorable in the past and no doubt she will be reporting at least part of what she heard. Besides with the Greengrass family oaths.."
"Very well, I will try to work that angle. The last thing we need is for Cyrus to decide to try to take control of this new group. Are there any other concerns?"
"I am not familiar with Miss Delacour's family or Mr. Krum's..."
"I do not believe there are big concerns. Is there anything else?"
"Mr. Krum mentioned he might be making the Firebolt company mad. We should investigate any existing contracts. I can't see how they would apply, but finding out their contents is likely a very good idea."
"It will be done. For now, you have done well. Keep it up, and notify me of any concerns immediately. The last thing we need is the Wizengamot to make a nonsense ban on these before they even work. We lost a lot of money when Flying Carpet's were banned."
Filius said, "Then it is good we have the Triwizard champions willing to fly them. I'm hoping we can manage a game against say an all broom team? Once that goes public..."
"They won't dare ban them, at least if it goes well."
Filius nodded, bowed, and signed off.
He then rolled up what they had of plans, before opening the room to his study, only to find it immaculate.
He cursed quietly about over ambitious house elves. He liked that room the way it was. He then walked over to a painting and slipped it aside, revealing a safe, where he locked the drawings in, before replacing the painting. He would begin work on the books tomorrow early, and hopefully have them done by the time the advanced group met again.
He asked for a cup of coffee before taking the book Lafiel had gave them and sitting down at his favorite recliner. He supposed he had been complacent of recent years. Without the focus and work the dueling circuit required it was easy to get into a rut. He would have to fix that. Perhaps this would help? He would just have to read and find out.
He already recognized the book from a previous conversation with Ragnok. She had already given the goblin nation a copy and he was waiting on his own. Evidently there were more than a few discussions on the best way to translate certain things, and the Gringotts printing was only to be in the goblin language. He supposed he would have to make sure his copy got redirected to someone else, or perhaps not. Seeing it in two different languages might be useful, and would give him a chance to check the translation, and maybe ask Lafiel if he had any doubts.
What he really wanted was to learn the original language, and then maybe the untranslated version. He wrote down a note to ask about such privately. There was some big secret there that he wasn't sure he wanted to expose, though he quite wanted to know it.
Lafiel was impressed with the work that the group had done on the designs, extending it with creative ideas she had not even considered. She suspected they were beginning to get some use out of the book she had gave them. She had no plans to try to help until they had at least read it a couple of times. That book was wrote over generations, and it was hard to beat it. At this rate, it would be another couple weeks before they could test it.
Her own concern was Daphne's oath to her father. She had read what was available, and with Harry's help and his wonderful cloak also read what existed in the restricted section of the library. The problem was such spells were highly family specific. She would ideally need the original spell notes to do this safely, and from what she had read, the book would likely harm or kill her even if she could get it.
That meant the direct approach was, for now, off the table. They would need to come up with an indirect approach to analyze the magic. She debated writing Samantha but had not decided whether to do so or not yet. The problem was, if it got out that she was breaking family magic like that, or trying to, the potential repercussions were apparently big, so it was best to continue on her own, or with what help the others were giving her from time to time.
Daphne had told them that unless they could give her a really good reason not to, she would have to tell her father much of what they were doing, at least with the flying design. Her father would want to be involved in such an endeavor, if it could be profitable.
Lafiel had no great problem with that. Harry, Fleur, Victor, and now Daphne's family each had money. Money was going to be required, particularly if she ever tried to create any antimatter for her ship. She was hoping that another path would open up though. The risk of that technology getting out was significant, and this world was well bellow the level Abh would even consider contacting, let alone have antimatter technology. Something based on the runic array that scared professor Vector, or maybe even their magical flight idea seemed a far better plan, and far less apt to result in this world destroying itself.
There was another reason she might eventually find herself need vast quantities of money, and that was building a ship to take her to a safe location to even attempt a return flight. It would have to be capital ship sized, and basically replicate the ship her craft was launched from. It was a daunting challenge, even with the database she had.
Ragnok was woken by a knock at the door late at night.
He half snarled, "Enter!"
His chamberlain entered and waited for the door to be closed. He seemed even less enthused at being up at this unholy hour than Ragnok was.
He said somberly, "My lord. It is confirmed that Tom Riddle has made multiple Horcruxes. One was just found in the Lestrange family vault."
Ragnok cursed fluently.
His chamberlain stood quietly and waited for his orders.
"Ensure that this knowledge does not leave Gringotts. Send the information to the team destroying these things and make sure they record the destruction. I declare the Lestrange vault forfeit. Delay announcing it until one of them comes in, then seize them under our laws. We don't want to let anyone know we are tracking these things. Monitor Azkaban. I want a proposal for the Lestrange's accidental deaths brought to me within one week. It is not vital, but if they never leave, it does simplify matters."
His chamberlain nodded. "Do you wish for a status report now on this topic, or do you want to wait for breakfast?"
Ragnok sighed. "I'm awake now. Get to it."
"Based on a resonance scan of the Horcrux we found, plus what we already know, we think Voldemort intended a total of six horcruxes, making 7 total with what little is left in his body."
"You can detect where they are?"
"Unfortunately no, though if we get closer and repeat the procedure the odds go up. We plan to visit the old Riddle estate tomorrow with our top team. We think there might be something there, but that is only a guess."
Ragnok shivered. "Something feels wrong here. This is too easy… Too quick. Send a division of the home guard with them. Anyone associated with Riddle may be killed at the leaders discretion. Witnesses are to be obliviated. Anything in the area that is out of place magically should be cleansed. Be thorough."
"Of course. Shall I delay your first meeting in the morning?"
Ragnok looked at the clock on the wall and debated on his odds of getting back to sleep. He then looked at the book on his bedside before looking back at his chamberlain.
He said, "If there is anything that requires me, then wake me. If not, I'll trust you to handle the day to day business in the morning. Once that is done, make sure I am awake then find your own rest."
"Of course my lord."
Ragnok smiled. Competent help was a leaders fondest desire. He still wasn't sure why he felt it necessary to send such a force. Wars had been started for smaller reasons. Still, with that much in the field, well Narnok could deal with any eventuality. Unfortunately, Narnok could not authorize use of the home guard outside of their territory, but he trusted him with command of such forces once authorized. Hell, he was his chosen successor should he die before one of his own progeny show adequate skills. Unfortunately, adequate, for one in his position was a very difficult thing indeed.