Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Game of Thrones.

AN: After a very busy year involving my wedding, a new job, and a move across the country, I finally find time to continue this. Sorry for the wait.

This chapter takes place during the time period of 'The Prince of Winterfell.'

I've decided for this chapter to do something different, we'll be following each of the Builders as they prepare for the epic battle in the next chapter.

The Song of Builders

By Jojobevco

Chapter 11

The Builders of the Wall

The Continuing Adventures of Lady Builder Nymphadora Tonks

Tonks shook her head; things had gone to hell in a handbasket very quickly. The 1,300 men that composed the Home Guard of the Army of the Builders were never supposed to leave the Lands Beyond the Wall, much less head all the way to Essos. Tonks had to admit that it made strategic sense, the men could be quickly replaced, but still, it relied too much on a critical assumption that Potter's Corollary to Murphy's Law wouldn't rear its ugly head. "Everything that can go wrong will go wrong at the worst possible moment in a most epic fashion."

She shook her head and realized there was nothing she could do. The Home Guard was slowly being rotated out for regular troops. Agent Reed was managing the transition as Major Kullback had already left. The local residents of Winterfell were accepting, reluctantly, that the troops were here to help and that they were the allies of the Starks. Of course, this reluctance stemmed from the attitude of one Acting Lord Bran Stark, an issue she was on her way to rectify. She walked through the Great Keep to Bran's rooms. As she did, the Army of the Builders soldiers bowed solemnly, while the remaining Stark men eyed her with suspicion. She approached the door took a breath and entered.

"Good Evening, little lord."

Bran, who was sitting in a chair by the window, looked at her, sniffed, and turned back to the window.

Tonks went toward him, standing off to the side of his chair, "I understand that you are mad at me. I understand why. Let me explain why you shouldn't be."

Bran turned back and looked at her waiting. Tonks very deliberately waved her hand, creating a chinz armchair. Bran's jaw dropped. Tonks sat, smirking slightly.

"Bran, let me tell you the story of the Builders of the Wall, the true story, from someone who lived it…"

The Continuing Adventures of Lord Builder Harry Potter

Secret Solar of the Builders of the Wall

The Red Keep

Kings Landing, Crownlands, Westeros

Harry Potter stepped out of the Floo and into the Solar, just in time to dodge a dagger flying past. He watched it bury itself perfectly in the middle of the target. He turned back to the thrower and was surprised to discover that it was Sansa Stark. He turned to look at Major Karsi who shrugged, "She's demonstrated a real talent for it."

"Indeed."

"Lord Harry, what brings you to King's Landing?"

"Actually, Sansa does." He turned back toward her, "How have you been settling in."

Sansa bowed slightly, "Quite well, My Lord."

"I'm glad. Sansa. I was wondering what your thoughts were regarding Lord Tyrion?"

Sansa smiled slightly, "He's been very kind to me."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Has he been brave and noble as well?"

Sansa nodded, "He is, My Lord."

Harry sprung his question, "How would you like to marry him?"

Sansa was almost speechless, her hand flew to her mouth to cover her jaw dropping, "What?"

Harry explained, "We have a rare opportunity to secure a major win for the Builders and their allies by securing a major stronghold for generations. Right now, I have enough leverage to get a concession from Tywin Lannister. To get him to name Tyrion as his heir, now and for all time. I can sell a match between the two of you as a step toward lasting peace. Tywin will see it as a way to get his hands on the North, something which will never happen, but a thought which works to our purposes."

Sansa walked over to the window and looked out over the city below watched her, he could see her thinking. Marriage was commonly seen as a stepping stone to adulthood within the world of Westeros and some people weren't ready to grow up yet. He couldn't blame her, within a short period of time, she had learned a lot about how the world really worked. Harry had seen people grow up in a very short period of time, hell, he had done it himself. Although the concept of marrying a fourteen-year-old girl to a man over twice her age didn't appeal to his Wizarding British morality, well, he had thousands of years of experience in Westeros to temper it with the pragmatic reality of a medieval society. He almost signed with relief when she turned around, nodding and smiling.

Her voice was cheerful, "Kind, brave, and noble, I could do a lot worse than that. I accept."

Harry smiled, and nodded, "As you know, you could do a lot worse, Sansa."

Sansa looked straight at Harry, "Joffrey 'Baratheon'"

"Indeed."

Harry gave a quick wink and turned on his heel, disapparating. He reappeared about a mile down the road from Harrenhal and stepped behind a tree. Harry conjured a banner and a large stick to hang it from, along with a horse with tack and started riding toward Harrenhal. The banner was quite rare by Westerosi standards, yet, if you knew what it meant, you trembled in fear at the sight of it. If you didn't know what it meant, then you were a dead man walking. It was two triangles, facing each other to create an hourglass, with hands reaching out from the middle, palm upwards. Underneath, printed in several languages were the words "We Will Have Our Due." It was the banner of the Iron Bank of Braavos.

Over the 800 years since the bank's founding (due in no small part to a significant startup grant from the Builders) it had garnered a fearsome reputation, one that was ruthlessly enforced. More than one government, house, and pirate king had been toppled overnight for harming a representative of the Bank. Whispers claimed it was the Faceless Men, who, together with a secret army of the Bank, would wipe any opposition from the face of the world with surgical precision.

The truth was much simpler. The majority of the 'envoys' of the Iron Bank were Builders of the Wall, who, upon being attacked, would simply kill whoever did it with extreme prejudice, leaving only the vaguest witness accounts of their actions.

So, when Harry approached the gates of Harrenhal, he was challenged by a rather stupid guard, "Who goes there?"

"I am Chárry Pótter, Special Envoy of the Bank of Braavos to the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. I am here to see Tywin Lannister, Lord of the Westerlands and Warden of the West on a matter of extreme importance."

The gate was promptly opened by the guards. Harry entered the entry yard and looked around at all the human suffering, quirking an eyebrow. He dismounted and walked with the guards to Tywin Lannister's War Room.

Harry gave a short head nod, "Lord Tywin."

"Envoy Pótter, what brings you to Harrenhal?"

Harry took the seat Tywin gestured to. He and Tywin had met many times through Tywin's reign as Lord of Casterly Rock. Of course, Tywin only remembered about half of them, thanks to the judicious use of some memory charms.

"The war, of course. A little war can be good for business, Lord Tywin. Too much war, and the balance slips unfavorably. I'm here with a proposal to keep the balance."

Tywin raised his eyebrow, "To keep the balance, or prolong the war?"

"We will create circumstances that allow the war to end. Whether those circumstances are maintained is up to the citizens of Westeros."

Tywin Lannister grimaced, "Very well then, what is the offer?"

"We will convince Lord Stark to withdraw his forces to the Riverlands and the North. You will be able to ride south to Kings Landing to save your grandson and destroy Stannis Baratheon. You will do this alone. Both sides will agree to a truce for a minimum of six months. In addition, you will marry your son, Lord Tyrion to Lady Sansa Stark, and Tyrion will be named your heir. This marriage will bring a lasting peace."

Tywin Lannister mulled it over and decided to ask, "What if I do not agree?"

"You will need to fight your way to Kings Landing through the entire Northern Army, and then, assuming you get there, defeat Stannis Baratheon, who may have already sacked it. You will need to do this alone, as the Tyrells have already received a better offer then your grandson. Clearly, agreeing to the Bank's proposal is in your best interest."

"And what guarantee do I have that the Starks will keep their side?"

Harry looked at Tywin knowingly, "The same one that you have. It's in their best interest to do so."

Tywin mulled it for a moment. This was never a war he wanted. It was a war brought on by his grandson's stupidity. It might have been a war to preserve his legacy, but, as painful as it was to admit, there were other ways to do that. He slowly nodded twice, "You have an accord Envoy Pótter."

Harry took a scroll out of his pocket and walked slowly to the other end of the table, handing it to Tywin, "Sign where indicated, please."

Tywin unrolled the scroll and read it, confirming the details, before signing. He then hands it back to Harry.

"I will dispatch news to the Northern Army immediately, they will let you pass."

"You may use one of our ravens."

"Thank you, but it is not required, I have my own way of getting the message to them."

Harry gave a short nod and left the room, returning to the entry yard. He glanced briefly at all the poor humans suffering because of the Lannister Army. Thousands of years ago he would have charged forward to help them, risking the future that thousands were working for. Age had tempered him though and with some reassurance that the Lannisters would soon be leaving, he mounted his horse and rode off down the road.

Once he was sure he was far enough away, Harry vanished the horse and the banner and apparated, appearing in a quiet part of the Stark army encampment. As he stepped out into the main thoroughfare, he was pleased by the progress that had been made in breaking down the camp. Harry made his way to the still operating command tent, walking past the guards that now recognized him by sight. Inside he found Robb Stark, Agent Magyr, and Ned Stark sitting, waiting.

"Lord Harry, how did the parlay go?"

Harry tossed the scroll at Ned, "Tywin agreed, with a few more terms I added in. Sign on the indicated line."

"What other terms?"

"Officially declaring Tyrion as his heir and a betrothal between Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark."

Talisa smiled, "Oh, that will work quite well."

Ned, meanwhile was stunned, "WHAT!?"

Harry glared at Ned, and harshly whispered, "Talisa, Lord Robb, give us the tent, please."

Talisa knew that tone of voice, she had seen the effects of that tone of voice, She quickly ushered Robb out of the tent. Once they were gone, Harry waived his hand, casting Muffiato. "What is your problem?"

Ned was infuriated, "My problem?! You married off my daughter without consulting me! You interfered in my family affairs!"

Harry's eyes narrowed in anger, "You're one to talk about failing to consult people. Damn it, Ned, I think you might have wanted to tell me who Jon's real parents are."

Ned's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "You know."

"Our forces picked him up loitering outside The Fist yesterday. I could tell who his father was immediately. Do you realize how bad this is? What it does to our plans?"

"I was the only one who knew, if Robert ever found out, Jon would die."

If anything, Harry got more annoyed, "First, Robert's been dead for almost a year now, so don't give me that. Secondly, I wonder if I know of a magical city at the end of the world that Robert had no idea existed, where an heir to the Targaryen Dynasty could hide in peace and comfort? Do you know of such a place?"

Ned shook his head before burying it in his hands, sitting at the table. "It didn't occur to me. At the time, I was young, I wasn't sure if you were jesting or a fantastical story. All I knew was whispers of my family and what I had learned from an hour-long meeting when I became lord."

"You could have mentioned it in the intervening decades?"

"By that time, it was a fact. It was such a part of my life, of our lives, that I didn't dare risk it."

Harry nodded, "I can see that. Rest assured, Ned, that I have your family's best interests in mind. By the end of this war, the Stark's influence will be spread through the Seven Kingdoms, as the steady hand of honor on the till of society."

Ned was decidedly unimpressed.

Harry rolled his eyes, "I know it sounds like southern politics, but your children will be happy."

The Adventures of Builder-General Aberforth Dumbledore.

Aberforth Dumbledore was currently standing in an unused old terminal of the main Floo Network hub in the City of the Builders. Over the years since the Doom of Valyria, the Builder's Floo network had shrunk considerably. Once it covered the whole of the Valyrian Empire and Westeros. Now, it only covered a few points in a few Free Cities and some inconspicuous sheds near markets in Westeros. It was mostly used for the shipment of food and supplies or for Citizens of the Fist to travel to Braavos or Gogossos, which now held a vacation club. Soliders from the Fist would use it to securely travel to far flung bases and fortresses in areas as diverse as the aforementioned Gogossos, all the way to Iceland Redoubt in Ibben (an Iceland-shaped island far north of Essos)

Many of the unused connections were still here, in an abandoned passenger terminal that was designed in the style of Valyria. Aberforth was standing in front of one who's destination was written in several languages as, "VALYRIAN OUTPOST, DRAGONSTONE." Dragonstone was once the western most outpost of the Valyrian Empire. One that was run by House Targaryen. After the Targaryen invasion and the Builders left them to build their Seven Kingdoms, they sealed off the arrivals lounge, located deep within the Outpost.

Aberforth's thoughts dwelled back further, to how he arrived in this strange land.

8,000 Years Ago

Entrance Hall

Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft

Near Hogsmeade, Scotland, United Kingdom

The moment he had heard, he came running. Aberforth Dumbledore, last of the powerful Dumbledore line ran into the castle to confront the dragon that had somehow worked its way in. Just as he reached the entrance hall he was blown backwards by a massive backlash of magic and light. He forced his old aching bones to sit up. As he did, he looked around, realizing the castle was gone. Instead, they were on a snow-covered moor. Harry was shaking cobwebs from his head and seemed to be searching for something before staring at his hand. Cormac McLaggen was shouting, "Potter, what the hell did you do," while checking on the Head Boy who seemed to have some sort of head injury. Aberforth looked up and around, before seeing something moving in the distance. He raised his wand and incanted, "Lumos Maxima." The flare of light revealed a large army of Inferi that was bearing down on them. Harry stood, and turned to face them, shouting, "Come on!"Tonks and McLaggen got to their feet, just as Aberforth struggled to his.

Aberforth shook himself out of his musings as he once again contemplated the gate in front of him. He touched his wand to it in a pattern. The hearth glowed for a moment signaling its activation. Aberforth turned to Colonel Ygritte, who had arrived during his musings.

"Do you think it will work?"

"Certainly, actually it makes the attack by sea seem like overkill."

Aberforth growled,"I won't get bogged down in a battle of attrition deep within Dragonstone. Also, I'm not taking any chances with a follower of the so-called 'Lord of Light.'"

He got lost in thought again, flashes of battles in Myr and the other Free Cities. Dead cadets, Ros crying. He blinked and shook his head.

"Forgive me, Builder General, but between you and the other Builders, I don't think I've seen you all so lost in thought before."

"Recent events have caused all of us to reflect on our past. For example, had we run the War of the Dawn differently, could we have stopped the White Walkers for all time? Or if we had been more careful in monitoring the study of history and magic, could we have stopped the followers of the 'Lord of Light' before they were ever created?"

Ygritte's answer was one of faith, "I'm sure the Builders made the correct decision at the time."

"Cut the bullshit, Ygritte. You know as well as I do that we are not infallible demigods."

"Someone once said, 'The perspective of time can be a blessing and a curse,' You stopped the White Walkers for 8,000 years, that is a major accomplishment. You continue to give people the freedom of will, despite the issues it creates."

Aberforth rolled his eyes, "I said that, at your class's graduation ceremony."

"I thought you could use a reminder of why we follow you, unquestioningly and unwaveringly."

"Uh huh."

They turned and walked back into the main hub, which had been temporarily shut down for the invasion. They found themselves standing around a converted ticketing desk staring at a map of Westeros. Aberforth waved his hands, gathering the rest of the officers.

"As you are all aware, it is critical that we increase our supplies of Dragonglass for the coming war against the White Walkers. Dragonstone represents the single largest supply of this material in Westeros, we have the first opportunity we have had in a long time to conquer it." Aberforth pulled out a map of Dragonstone, "We will be using a two-prong approach to hit Dragonstone. Once we receive the go from Lord Builder Potter, the Snow Foxes and other special units will follow me through the Floo to the arrivals lounge in Dragonstone. We will unseal the lounge and take over the castle. Meanwhile, Colonel Orell and the Navy will blockade Dragonstone, to prevent surviving Baratheon forces from reinforcing the island or the island defenders from escaping. During the blockade, Orell will lead a two-pronged diversionary attack on the beach and at the docks. Any questions?"

Orell raised his hand, "Sir, how much of a diversion are you looking for?"

"Nothing fancy or dangerous on your end. Just enough lights and action to keep their eyes looking outward."

A captain in charge of one of the invasion units raised his hand, "What sort of defenses should we be expecting?"

"If everything goes according to plan, very light. Between the blockade and the battle plan at Blackwater Bay, Stannis Baratheon's forces will be destroyed. However, it is possible that the so called, "Red Woman" Melisandre might not be accompanying Baratheon. If so, then she will present a considerable threat to be dealt with by me and only me. Clear?"

"Yes, Builder General!"

The Adventures of Builder Cormac McLaggen "The Traveling Builder"

Cormac sighed, running his hand through his hair in a move he had subconsciously picked up from Harry over the years. He was about to have a very difficult conversation, in the head of one of his former wives. He silently cast an alohomora at the door of her bedroom, stepping inside, making sure that the maids in the antechamber would remain in a deep slumber. He then entered her bed chamber and stood next to her bed, as he pushed his consciousness into her dreams.

He found himself in the Sept, with his wife, looking like the day they were married, and very naked.

She looked at him, somewhat confused, yet mostly nonplussed.

"Luthor?"

"Hello, Olenna, it's been a long time." He took a slow deep breath as his eyes wandered over her form, "Wow, I missed that."

The Queen of Thorns grinned wryly, "And I missed that."

Cormac looked down at his own nakedness calmly quirking an eyebrow, "Indeed. However, I am regrettably on business."

"Business decomposing?"

Cormac shook his head, "More like your business. You cannot marry our granddaughter to Joffrey 'Baratheon' he is a bastard of the lowest order. He is a despicable creature who will cause Margery nothing but heartache. He beats the women sent to his bed and he is no true king or leader."

Olenna countered, "Yet, it would secure us an alliance that will give us power and prominence in Westeros and eventual control of the Seven Kingdoms."

"Only if the Lannister family wins. That is not going to happen."

Olenna quirked an eyebrow, "Why should I listen to you, you rode a horse off a cliff to your death?"

"I rode off a cliff because it was time for me to move on. Unfortunately, I didn't realize how much of an oaf Mace was. Thank you for helping him, by the way."

Olenna waved him off, "He is a good boy listens to his mother. What do you mean time for you to move on?"

"I am many things, to many people. I am father, son, husband, lover, cousin, nephew. I am, among many other things The Tyrell. I helped the Gardeners recover after the Long Night, and I turned a known event into an opportunity as Harlan Tyrell. Occasionally, I stood in when needed to continue the Tyrell line, or to make necessary changes. My life as Luthor Tyrell was one of those times. My name is Cormac McLaggen, but you might know me as The Travelling Builder."

Olenna burst out laughing, "Which is just a fancy way of saying that you screwed and fucked your way across Westeros."

Cormac shook his head attempting to clear his mind of the wonderful image of his very hot wife laughing naked, "Well, that's a rather crass way of putting it. Do you really think I am that vile, Olenna?"

"You used me!"

Cormac stroked his beard, "I distinctly remember you sneaking into my room because you didn't want to marry Daeron Targaryen."

"I remember you liking that encounter, in fact, liking it so much you couldn't bear to walk downstairs to propose to my sister the next day."

Cormac wagged his finger, "You exaggerate. I chose not to walk downstairs, it's an important distinction."

"Hmph."

"How did I use you Olenna? I made sure the Tyrell line endured. In return, you became one of the most powerful women in Westeros. I think that's a fair deal."

Olenna sighed and sat on a step in the sept, "What would you have Margery do?"

"Marry Robb Stark."

"I had heard he was promised to a Frey."

Cormac brushed it aside, "A promise that should have never been made, to a man of little importance. A marriage between the Starks and Tyrells will define Westeros. For the better."

"How do I know you're really here? How do I know that you are not some figment of my imagination?"

"Simple, when you wake up tomorrow, talk to our son. I love you, Olenna."

Cormac slowly pulled himself out of her dream and turned on his heel, apparating to his sons room. He rolled his eyes and mentally prepared himself. Mace Tyrell, was not what he was expecting from an offspring. He was an oaf. Cormac was sure a nurse had dropped Mace on his head as a baby. Potter insisted that he could see a resemblance to Cormac. Cormac could not, no son of his would ever be an opera singer, unless he was dropped on his head as a baby.

It would also explain the drooping face.

The Continuing Adventures of Lord Builder Harry Potter

Harry stepped out of the floo and into Tyrion's Solar. Just as Commander Bronn was about to turn around, Harry hit him with a stupefy.

Tyrion briefly looked up before looking back to his book, "Thank you, his fingernail cleaning was getting annoying."

Harry walked to the desk and looked over the books Tyrion was reading, "Crap, good but very inaccurate, crap. Archmaseter Ch'vyalthan never should have gotten his chain. The entire thing reads as a fantasy. Never does he address the strife of starvation and morale issues, which caused several of those sieges to succeed. Instead he seems to think you just have to throw a lot of big fiery weapons at someone and they run screaming. Why didn't you just borrow some of the battle records from the Fist's Library."

Tyrion shook his head, "I would have if I was actually trying to win. I've read your book on siege warfare, Lord Harry, it was very good."

Harry nodded at the complement, "Thank you, unfortunately I could never sell it, so all I have are the reviews from the occasional independent reader."

"I'm trying to not win easily. The objective here is that Stannis is wiped out and that my nephew's army is significantly weakened. I'm using additional sources to figure out how to screw this up enough that both happen."

"Hmm, a good point. Tyrion, there is something we need to discuss."

"Oh?"

"Yes, you're getting married."

Tyrion blinked twice, before saying, "What?"

"Yes, I have made a deal with your father, giving him permission to try to save his grandson, in exchange for some concessions. One of them is a marriage."

Tyrion's eyes narrowed slightly, "And, who, pray tell, my Lord is the other party?"

"Oh, that is Sansa Stark."

Tyrion's fist clenched and his eyes became a towering inferno, "She is a child."

Harry turned his head slightly, "Not according to the morals and social customs of your people. Also, she agreed to this, I asked her before I proposed it."

"But not me?"

Harry sighed, "Because you would have said no for all the wrong reasons. Sometimes, you can be more honorable than Ned Fucking Stark, you know that?"

Tyrion rolled his eyes, "All I have is the common decency of a human being, and of a 'demon monkey' at that."

"Not of most human beings, only a few good people. Which is the reason I suggested this and the reason she agreed."

"How about Ned Stark?"

Harry grimaced, "Suffice it to say he eventually agreed when he realized he didn't have a say in the matter."

"Hmuph."

Harry took a breath, "Tyrion, we have known each other for seventeen years, have I earned your trust?"

Tyrion nodded solemly, "You have, Lord Harry."

"Then please trust that in my 8,000 years of experience observing your society I have gained a better than average understanding of what makes a good relationship and that I believe you and Sansa will make a good relationship."

Tyrion grimaced, "Very well."

"Besides, there is no date on when the wedding will take place, I suggest that you start courting one another," Harry stepped away to the center of the room, "I'll see you in a few days, Tyrion, think about what I said." Harry turned on his heel and apparated.

The Continuing Adventures of Builder Cormac McLaggen

The portkey dropped Cormac in a disused square at the edge of Qarth, on the opposite side from the Warlock's Tower. Given the 1,000 men, many of whom were mounted on horseback, it was a rather cramped. Off to the side stood Daenerys, Jorah Mormont, and Quaithe. Cormac walked over to them. Jorah and Quaithe bowed respectfully, Daenerys stood there looking somewhat dumbfounded. She had seen individual Builders, and some supplies come and go before, but an army appearing out of thin air astonished her.

Cormac nodded, "Daenerys Targaryen," he looked her up and down before extending his hand, "nice to finally meet you."

Jorah made the introductions, "Khaleesi, meet Builder Comac McLaggen."

They grasped arms, cordially.

"Rest assured my lady, we will get your dragons back, and we will eliminate the warlocks," He turned back to his troops, "Major Kulback, deploy the troops, conquer the city."

Kullback, who was getting really tired of traveling, just nodded and saluted, before turning and giving his orders to the troops to defeat the city guard and lock down the city.

Cormac turned back to the group, "And now, asset Quaithe, you will tell me everything you know about the warlocks of Qarth."

The Continuing Adventures of Lady Builder Nymphadora Tonks

"And that is the story of the Builders of the Wall."

Tonks could see that Bran was just stunned by the story she had told. It was an in-depth story of magic, civilization, and war.

"How do I fit in to this story. I can't imagine that you generally serve crippled lords"

Tonks looked him in the eyes and answered solemnly, "You have prophetic dreams. I suspect you have much more magic than you could imagine and more than I have seen in a long time. That worries me."

"Why?"

"Because dark things are brewing north of the Wall. Ancient enemies are emerging and I feel you are going to be at the center of it."

"Me?!"

"Yes, you. Are you ready for your first lesson, Bran Stark?"

Bran nodded, intrigued.

Tonks lifted Bran and carried him through the castle, down into the crypt. There they stopped at the ancient tomb of Bran the Builder. Tonks touched the hammer in the hand of Bran's statue and sent a small pulse of magic though it. She heard the telltale click and carried Bran behind the statue opening a hidden door into a small room behind. Inside was a large rock, cube shaped, covered with runes. It pulsed softly, with white magical currents.

"What is this place?"

"Winterfell's heart. The place that keeps this castle, and those within it safe. Every day it does everything from keeping the halls warm to making sure that Guest Right is enforced."

Bran countered, "Then how was I pushed from the Broken Tower by Jamie Lannister?"

Tonks thought for a moment before responding, "Did you do the bread and salt bit, did someone speak the words?"

Bran thought back, remembering, "No."

"Of course, they wouldn't have, your father and Robert Baratheon were old friends. Unfortunately, in the modern era, invoking the guest right ritual is practically seen as an insult, since the right is considered so inviolable. However, without the ritual, the protections built into the castle do not activate."

"Ah."

Tonks searched the stone for a specific rune cluster, "Speaking of protections," she found it, "Ah." She set Bran down and drew a knife, handing it to him, "poke your finger to draw blood and place it on this cluster, here." She indicated one on the facing side.

Bran did as she asked. It glowed red for a moment, before Tonks shot a burst of magic at it out of her wand. The rune then glowed blue, before becoming a steady white.

"What was that?"

"One of the runes that does not usually work. It will cause anyone wishing ill will on Winterfell to instead see a ruin and suddenly decide to head elsewhere. It's based on a rather brilliant idea of a rather brilliant, yet fallible man from our old world. We improved upon it."

"Why did we use it?"

Tonks grimaced slightly, "Because the Army of the Builders is needed elsewhere, because we are needed elsewhere, and I want your family to be safe."

Bran solemnly nodded as they left the room.