Disclaimer: I don't own anything save for characters/species not already owned by someone else. I like Gargoyles, Animorphs, and Pokemon. This crossover story line contains all three. Enjoy! ~Grimwood ~grimwood83@yahoo.com
Oh, a couple of notes: * = telepathy/thought-speak " = regular speech/quote ~Commercial Break~ = generally, a shift in characters and/or location that lets you take a break for getting a snack or whatever and can be ignored ~~ = automatic translation of the Pokemon spoken language # = translated Yeerk speech {} = a translation of anything else that needs translating. If you need to see what an Andalite looks like, go to www.scholastic.com/animorphs and click on the link that goes directly to the books. It shows Ax on some of the book covers, his brother on the cover to Andalite Chronicles, an Andalite female on Hork-Bajir Chronicles, and Visser Three/One, who has an Andalite host body, on Visser. IF a person wishes to "borrow" a character that I have invented, they must ASK FIRST! I will then consider letting them use it.
Brooklyn's Tour
The First Stop
~Lake near Hogwarts Castle, an hour before dawn~
The skiff slowly headed for the shore. Not any of its passengers - Brooklyn, Thermal, Hudson, Jeoffery, Gillie, and all of Brooklyn's other Pokemon - knew where they were. Of course, for all they knew, their little party could be in an alternate dimension.
~~It gets awfully difficult to tell these days,~~ Deputy the Sandslash commented about the dimensions. For some strange reason, all of the Poke-balls had malfunctioned. This had caused the Pokemon other than Thermal - who hadn't been captured in one in the first place - to suddenly come out.
"This place smells so clean," Jeoffery Robbins stated. "What does it look like?"
"Well," Brooklyn began, "there's a huge castle right in front of us. We're on a very large lake. There's a forest surrounding the castle at a fair distance. I'm not real sure how to describe one area. In some respects, it looks kinda like a football stadium, yet parts of this thing would never be seen in one."
The blind man got thinking. He'd read about various castles, but they all had moats rather than lakes. His dog Gillie barked once. "What d'you smell?" Jeoffery inquired.
{A strange human,} the seeing eye dog replied.
Hudson began reaching for his sword, but Brooklyn rested a hand on the other Gargoyle's lower arm. "Wait," the red one said. "We don't even know if this human's a threat."
{He doesn't smell friendly.} Gillie looked up at her owner with soft, brown eyes.
Professor Snape had sensed something strange by the lake. Upon investigation, he found a small boat with one muggle and various "pets." He doubted Dumbledore would be pleased to know that a muggle had made it to Hogwarts.
"Who goes there?" the potions teacher demanded in his most menacing voice.
"Volunteers for Avalon," the one human on the tiny boat replied, cocking his head to one side. "I'm Jeoffery Robbins. These are my traveling companions. I'd point out who's who, but I'm not sure which is standing where." He shrugged as his dog licked his hand reassuringly.
"I am called Hudson. Th' beaked lad be Brooklyn, an' th' dragon with th' fiery tail's Thermal. Th' dog be Gillie, an' I havenae clue what Brooklyn calls his other comrades," the elderly Gargoyle introduced. He pointed out who was who that he knew of during the introduction.
"Wind Song's the pink one. Soda has the cream-colored ruff about its neck. Tyde is in the water, and Deputy is the one that looks like a mutated mole," Brooklyn replied with a shrug of his own.
Hudson then asked, "An' who might ye be?" His hand rested on the pommel of his sword, anticipating possible battle.
"I am Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," the man in a black robe replied snidely.
~~I don't like him,~~ Thermal growled.
{Me, either,} Gillie agreed with a whimper.
Soda, Tyde, and Deputy also expressed their dislike of Professor Snape. Fortunately, Snape could only understand Jeoffery and the Gargoyles. "We need a safe place tae spend th' day," Hudson informed the professor while each Pokemon and Gillie were thinking of what more to say about him. "It'll be sunrise soon."
"Your castle looks like it has lots of places that a Gargoyle could roost," Brooklyn added, thinking of Castle Wyvern back before the one thousand years of stone slumber.
Snape scowled deeply. "And what of your little boat?"
"Th' skiff can take care o' itself!" Hudson snapped.
Simultaneously, Jeoffery replied, "Avalon does what it wishes with its skiffs." Raising one eyebrow, he continued, "Hudson, could you lend me a hand? Gillie can guide me on land, but getting out of the skiff is another matter entirely."
The elder of the two Gargoyles was startled by the request but didn't say so. "Aye, lad," he stated instead. "I'll help ye." Hudson gripped the arm of his friend and pulled Mr. Robbins into a standing postition. From there, Hudson hopped out and kept Jeoffery from falling over while climbing more delicately out of the skiff. Gillie disembarked next, followed by the Pokemon, and Brooklyn left the boat last.
"Always last. . ." the younger Gargoyle muttered to himself.
"The castle wouldn't be as safe as Hagrid's," a new voice stated, causing the sojourners to jump.
{This guy I like!} Gilllie announced after a good sniff of the new comer, her tongue flopping out of her mouth. This human had a very long, white beard.
"I'm Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. Follow me, please," the bearded man requested. He led them to Hagrid's, gave a round of introductions, and left with the scowling Snape not quite in tow.
Hagrid was extrodarniraly tall, with black hair - both facial and on top of his head. His guests didn't surprise him at all, though his boarhound wasn't exactly pleased. Having two visitors turn to stone bothered the boarhound Fang more than it did his master. Hagrid chatted for a while with Jeoffery, while Gillie and Fang exchanged sniffs and became friends.
During the day, Hagrid had Jeoffery and the Pokemon participate in one of his classes because the lesson he had very carefully prepared had been vandalized before the skiff travelers had arrived the previous night.
"Hagrid, what sort of creatures are THOSE supposed to be?" a white-blonde, slick-haired boy asked with a sneer at his professor.
"Well, young Malfoy, these are Pokemon. Except o' course fer Gillie, whose jus' a reg'lur dawg. An' Jeoffery's jus' a human tha's blind." Hagrid deliberately neglected to mention that Jeoffery Robbins was a muggle.
"Pleased to meet all of you," Jeoffery said politely in the general direction of the students based on Malfoy's comment and the sounds of material swishing about fidgeting feet.
{I like some of them but not all of 'em,} Fang told Gillie. She agreed and said so. Fang continued, {Malfoy for instance is the one I like the very least.}
{I can smell why,} Gillie admitted with her hackles slightly raised. Jeoffery sensed his dog's displeasure and quieted her with a gentle hand rubbing between Gillie's ears.
"Gillie helps me a lot. Since I lost my sight in Vietnam, I've struggled to learn how to cope. Gillie here makes things twice as easy," Robbins was informing Hermione, who'd asked about the dog being in such a different harness. "Don't blind people from where you're from have guide animals? All be it, not everyone that applies for one gets one."
"I wouldn't know, sir. I haven't met that many blind people," Hermione replied.
Malfoy stepped closer to Deputy. Gillie informed Fang that she had a job to do and said, {Jeoffery! A student is too close to the Pokemon!} Of course, the students only heard deep barking.
"I wouldn't get too close if I were you," he said. "Pokemon don't often get along with strangers. Good girl, Gillie." Reaching in his pocket, Mr. Robbins pulled out a dog biscuit for his faithful pet.
"If you're blind, how d'you know what I'm doing?" Malfoy inquired. He was in range of any of Deputy's attacks should the Sandslash choose to use them.
"That's Gillie's job. She tells me when there's trouble or if it's safe. Gillie acts as my eyes," the blind man replied. "Besides, Pokemon can be quite dangerous. Thermal is techniquelly still wild. The others are a little more domesticated."
"'Domesticated'? Aren't they tame?" Neville Longbottom wanted to know as he stepped further away from the Pokemon.
Jeoffery chuckled. "No, they're not 'tame'. To be 'tame,' they'd have to, how did Webster's Dictionary put it? They'd become completely docile, or something like that. But being 'domesticated,' they wouldn't necessarily be docile."
"You'll have ta excuse Longbottom, Mr. Robbins. He don't have much luck with beasties," Hagrid said in a loud whisper. He continued in his normal voice, "Okay, Jeoffery! How d'we care for 'em?"
"To tell the truth, I only met them last night. When the sun goes down, ask Brooklyn. He oughta know. These guys are his friends, after all." Jeoffery sat down on the grass. Gillie layed down next to him.
"Brooklyn? Who's Brooklyn?" Hermione inquired.
"A friend. He's younger than Hudson, but I can't tell you more. Not that I don't want to, just that I met them after I became blind. I can only tell 'em apart by their voices." The blind man scratched his dog's head between the ears.
"Why can't they talk to us now?" Malfoy demanded.
"Because they're alseep. They'll awake at dusk, I assure you."
"But we're not allowed outside after dark!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"Then maybe they'll visit you in the castle," Jeoffery said calmly in hermione's general direction.
~Commercial Break~
Later that afternoon, after all of Hagrid's classes were over with, Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to visit Hagrid. Hagrid was surprised, and the half-giant let them in. "What brings you three up?" he asked.
"We suspect Malfoy's gonna ruin your planned lesson again," Harry stated flatly. He and his friends knew Malfoy was making things difficult for Hagrid. While in their third year, Malfoy tried to get him fired! What no one could figure out, however, was how Malfoy was accomplishing things like freeing Hagrid's animals or something.
"Oh, dear," Hagrid muttered. "Well, if Jeoffery's right, then th' Pokemon can take care o' themselves."
~~Of course we can!~~ Soda exclaimed with a vehement flick of its tail. ~~Why shouldn't we be able to?~~
"Easy, Soda. No one said you couldn't," Jeoffery replied. He'd learned to tell the voices of the Pokemon apart during the day.
"Hagrid, any idea who Mr. Robbins is talking to?" Ron inquired, baffled.
"Soda. Tha's th' li'l feller wi' th' brown an' cream fur," replied Hagrid thoughtfully, tugging gently at his beard. "Unless I'm wrong, o'course. An' th' one resemblin' a dragon is Thermal." Thermal nodded in agreement. "Haven't 'eard th' names o' the other fellers often enough ta get 'em straightened out jus' yet."
{Jeoffery, tell 'em the names are Tyde, Deputy, and Wind Song,} Gillie suggested with a small wag of her tail in encouragement.
~~Yeah, and that I'm the pink one,~~ added Wind Song helpfully.
Jeoffery sighed and said, "Gillie says the other names are Tyde, Deputy, and Wind Song. Wind Song says she's the pink one."
~~Tell 'em Tyde's blue and Deputy's dirty yellow,~~ Thermal advised. Jeoffery translated.
"Ya mean ya can talk to 'em?" Hagrid practically demanded to know with evident surprise.
"Well, Lord Oberon enchanted me to understand dogs and Pokemon," Mr. robbins replied, scratching Gillie's ears.
"Lord Oberon? Who's he?" Harry asked.
"Ah, bless the inquistive mind," Jeoffery stated. Then he answered the question with, "He's the lord and ruler of Avalon and its Third Race."
"'Third Race'? What's that s'posed to mean?" Ron immediately wanted to know. He scratched the head of Fang the boarhound.
"Avalon has three known races: Gargoyles, humans, and Oberon's Children. 'Oberon's Children' is usually metaphorical for all fay, faeries, sprites, and the like. For a better description, talk to the Gargoyles. They've seen some of Oberon's family, after all," the blind man explained with a tap just to the side of his right eye as a subtle reminder for his lack of vision. He had ticked off some of the common names for Oberon's kids on his fingers.
"It's a good thing sunsets earlier in th' win'er," Hagrid abruptly stated.
"Why's that, Hagrid?" Jeoffery asked out of genuine curiosity.
"Because you an' yer friends can come tae dinner in th' grand hall, o'course. If ya want, I mean. An' yer Gargoyle friends'll wake sooner, too."
{Does that dinner invatation extend to ALL of us?} Gillie asked hopefully, looking up at her master.
~~Yeah, what about the rest of us?~~ Soda quipped.
Jeoffery repeated their concerns. Hagrid sent Hermione at a run to ask a Professor McGonagall. Hermione, McGonagall, and Dumbledore returned shortly there after.
McGonagall's stern face changed to shock when she saw the Pokemon and still sleeping Gargoyles. She had doubted that Hudson and Brooklyn were even real! "Besides," the lady professor firmly stated, "they look like 'grotesques' and not 'gargoyles' to me."
Jeoffery had Gillie and the Pokemon describe to him everything in as much detail as possible. That way, he would have a better idea of what was going on should he decide to tell the adventure to anyone in the near or distant future.
~Commercial Break~
~After sunset, Grand Hall of Hogwarts~
"This is cool!" Brooklyn exclaimed.
~~I'd say "boring,"~~ Tyde complained. Being a water type, the Poliwhirl wanted to be in water.
~~Be nice!~~ Soda snapped. ~~How often do we get to be in a place like this?~~
~~Soda's right. For once, anyway,~~ Wind Song agreed.
"Guys! Knock it off, will ya? If your Pokeballs were working, I'd send you back in!" Brooklyn scolded. Thermal liked it when the others were scolded for misbehavior. She personally thought the other Pokemon, save Deputy, were all acting very immature.
Hudson folded his wings into the dignified cape position. "Sirs and madams, thank ye fer yuir hospitality. I'm Hudson. It's been a long time since I've ever been in a castle for a banquet," the brown Gargoyle said politely and bowed.
Brooklyn followed the elderly Gargoyle's example by having his wings also fold into the cape position. He, too, bowed and said, "Yes, thank you. I'm Brooklyn, and these are my friends: Thermal the Charizard, Tyde the Poliwhirl, Soda the Eevee, Wind Song the Wigglytuff, and Deputy the Sandslash." He pointed to each in turn. They all bowed as their name was called. Er, those with four legs did a fair imitation of a bow, anyway.
Hudson helped Jeoffery face the head table. "Name's Jeoffery Robbins," he said with a bow. "This is my seing eye dog Gillie. She's a big help." Gillie wagged her tail. Being a dog, she didn't bother bowing.
"Welcome, all of you," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Sit where you find room. Mr. Robbins? Hudson? Perhaps the two of you and Gillie should be seated with us."
"Thank you," Jeoffery replied. "Please call me Jeoffery." He bowed again. Gillie led him to the seat indicated by Professor Dumbledore. The seat was between Professor Dumbledore and Hudson. On Hudson's other side sat Professor McGonagall.
Hudson felt deeply honored. Very few Gargoyles were allowed to sit at the High Table, even back in tenth century Scotland. "Yes, thank you. This is a grand honor," he stated as he sat down.
None of the Pokemon headed for the Slytherin table at all. Brooklyn had already seated himself near Harry and his pals at the Gryffindor table. Thermal joined him, though she stood rather than sat. Tyde and Soda decided to dine with the Hufflepuffs. Deputy and Wind Song joined the Ravenclaw table, whose students jumped back from Deputy's claws and patted Windsong between the ears.
As the diners finished their meal, Dumbledore stood up to make an anouncement. "We have some unique guests, as you all can see. They have come from an alternate dimension through the magical power of Avalon's mists, which sends them where they need to be. For the time being, they need to be at Hogwarts. The reasons have yet to be revealed even to the travelers. I would insist upon everyone treating our guests with utmost respect for the duration of their stay. This request applies to all of Hogwarts' residence, both living and living impaired." He shot a sharp glance at Peeves the poltergeist. "Also, you may request permission from the respective Headmaster or Headmistress of your house to visit the Gargoyles and their friends after dark. Punishments will vary depending on the individual and the circumstances. For instance, students will lose house points and most likely serve detention. Staff will temporarily lose privallages. For the non-living, they will be under confinement with no contact from anyone, living or non, for a period to be determined by the severity of the infraction. That is all." Dumbledore sat back down.
The buzz of conversation returned. The tables with Pokemon were especially talkative.
~~Wow! Are they always this strict?~~ Thermal asked. Brooklyn shrugged.
"You can understand it?" Ron, seated opposite of them, inquired.
"Thermal is a girl," Brooklyn replied defensively.
"No offense meant," Ron assured him. "Just curious. 'Sides, I didn't know it's a she."
"Apology accepted. An' yeah, I do understand her and the other Pokemon," the Gargoyle stated.
"Lemme guess. Lord Oberon did it?" Hermione asked more than said.
"Yeah. How'd you know?" Brooklyn wondered aloud.
"Your blind friend Mr. Robbins mentioned Lord Oberon. Mr. Robbins said Lord Oberon enchanted him. From there, it was easy to figure out who enchanted you to understand other creatures," replied Hermione as though that should be obvious.
Suddenly, everyone was standing up! "What's going on?" asked Brooklyn.
"We have to go up to our dormitories. Harry, do we have a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow?" Ron asked.
"Yes, we do. I wish you guys could come," Harry replied and indicated Brooklyn and Thermal.
"I'll be asleep. If the Pokemon get permission, I'd let them go," Brooklyn said with a shrug.
~~How would I get permission?~~ Thermal asked.
"Talk to Dumbledore," Harry suggested.
Thermal, Brooklyn, Ron, and Hermione all jumped. Brooklyn was the first to comment on this. He exclaimed, "I've never known any human to automatically speak Pokemon or whatever you just spoke!"
"I never do it on purpose," replied the young wizard-in-training. He looked a little embarrased.
~~The weird part is that I understood him. It wasn't in a Pokemon language, though it strongly resembles when the Arbok and Ekans speak." Thermal cocked her head a little in thought.
"Then what was it?" Brooklyn rubbed the bottom of his beak thoughtfully.
"I've only heard Harry do that a couple of times. We call the language 'Parseltongue' and those that speak it 'Parselmouth.' I thought it only worked on snakes," Hermione said accusingly.
"Appearently it works on Charizards as well. Hmm. Of course, Thermal had a point, too. A couple of Pokemon species resemble snakes: Arbok and Ekans. That could partially explain it." Brooklyn looked for his other Pokemon hopefully. With luck, he could see if "Parsletongue" worked with them also. Brooklyn muttered something under his breath about other reptiles as well. "Anyway," the red Gargoyle stated, "we should go talk to Dumbledore about getting the Pokemon a chance to see this 'Hogsmeade' place. By the way, is there a place in this castle that the Pokemon could get a quick check up?"
"Yes, the infirmery. Madam Pomfrey is the nurse. She's really good at healing," Harry answered. He'd been in there often enough to know. Harry signaled Professor McGonagall.
"What is it, Mr. Potter?" the teacher asked.
"May we show Brooklyn to the infirmery?" Harry requested. In explanation he added, "Brooklyn wants his Pokemon friends to have a check up."
Raising her eyebrow, Professor McGonagall replied, "As long as you don't dawdle along the way and be in the Gryffindor commons in half-an-hour."
~Commercial Break~
~Later, in the infirmery (Ron, Harry, and Hermione were already back to the Gryffindor commons) ~
Madam Pomfrey, the skiff travelers found out, was somewhat stout and wore the garb of an old-fashioned European nurse. "So," the school nurse drawled out, "what can I do for you visitors?"
Brooklyn stepped back. "Uh, I want my friends to have a check up."
~~What's wrong, Brooklyn?~~ Thermal queried, resting a paw on the Gargoyle's shoulder. She didn't think Brooklyn would normally step back from a human.
"Just surprised, Thermal. Just surprised. Humans usually don't ask what they can do for a Gargoyle." Brooklyn shook his head in amazement.
"You understand them? Well, I suppose the ancient phrase of 'you learn something new everyday' must be true. I have never cared for creatures like these before. I'd do a better job if I could understand them," Madame Pomfrey stated.
"Can you put a translation spell on 'em?" Brooklyn asked, tapping his beak in thought. He didn't want to cast such a spell. Not very many people, Gargoyles or otherwise, had been intrusted with the knowledge of his magical abilities and heritage.
"Of course," Madame Pomfrey replied. "I HAVE studied such things, you know." With that, she cast a spell on the Pokemon that would allow them to speak English until they left the wizarding world.
"Cool," Soda commented after the spell was in place.
~Commercial Break~
~A week later~
Thermal and Brooklyn had Hermione work - with permission from McGonagall - on creating two crystals that would allow the Gargoyles to be awake during the day. McGonagall had to do an awful lot of paperwork for the Ministry of Magic (a.k.a. MOM) in order to let Hermione make the crystals. However, the strict professor had to agree that Hermione was the ONLY student to have enough of both intelligence and divergent thinking to create such crystals. All the professors would be too busy checking students' homework and coming up with the various lessons to be taught.
The idea for the crystals came from two places. The first had been Brooklyn telling Madame Pomfrey about the four Gargoyles in Guatemaula that had pendants allowing them to be flesh during the day. The second source for the idea was Madame Pomfrey herself!
Madame Pomfrey figured that if these "ancient Myan wizards" could do it, so could "modern day wizards of Great Brittain! Although having a vulnerable amulet to work the spell through is out of the question entirely!"
Hermione, naturally, gained Gryffindor an extra 30 points upon completion of the two pendants.
~Late afternoon/early evening, three days later~
Malfoy was watching Hagrid put a pegasus into a makeshift stall. Little did Malfoy know, Brooklyn had Deputy keeping an eye out for trouble!
Malfoy waited until Hagrid went inside his hut. Slinking forward, the student made his way to the pegasus stall. Peering over through a wooden wall, Malfoy counted three winged horses. He motioned to his redundantly present cronies Crabbe and Goyle.
"All right. Goyle, you stand on my left, and Crabbe will stand on yours," Malfoy instructed, pointing so the two less intelligent students would know where to stand. This somehow put Crabbe and Goyle in the perfect positions to wreck the stall while keeping Malfoy's robes clean and free of splinters. "Now, set 'em loose!" Malfoy demanded.
The pegasi whinnied as they sensed danger. Deputy thought rapidly. As the two boys began to use brute force on the wall, the Sandslash used Poison Sting! Hearing the commotion, Hagrid strode over.
The half-giant was shocked to see the three Slytherins. He asked, "What hap'n'd?"
"That monster attacked us!" Malfoy complained weakly.
"Is tha' true, Deputy?" Hagrid looked upset.
Deputy stepped forth and replied, "Only because they were gonna break your stall." The Pokemon walked calmly away, pleased that his Poison Sting had only given scratches and failed to actually poison anybody.
"I'm reportin' you ta Snape," Hagrid announced. "Been wonderin' who's been sabatogin' my lessons!" Hagrid walked two feet when Snape showed up.
Snape's appearance made the boys grin. They didn't think his malice would fall on THEM. "Why is Deputy muttering about Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle attempting to ruin Hagrid's stable?" the potions master demanded with an eerie calm.
"Because they were, Professor Snape. Caught 'em in th' act, Deputy did, sir. I came outta me hut 'cuz o' th' rucus they'd all made," Hagrid admitted.
Snape crossed his arms and declared, "You had better be right, Hagrid. Gentlemen? Is all this true?"
Malfoy instantly went into the "I'm innocent" act. He told Snape, "No, sir. Hagrid is - " and got interrupted.
"SNAPE! You know as well as anyone tha' Pokemon tha' travel with Brooklyn have no reason ter LIE!" Hagrid fumed.
Snape placed his sharp gaze on the professor of Care of Magical Creatures. "Indeed." Reaching into a pocket, the testy potions master pulled out a vile filled with liquid. "Malfoy, I can find out who's telling the truth by making them drink this."
Draco Malfoy swallowed hard. A shot while later, Snape did something very rare. Because Malfoy had confessed, the Head of Slytherin House docked the Slytherins 165 points and gave those three students detention for a month!
~Commercial Break~
~Two days later~
Brooklyn, his Pokemon friends, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Hudson, and Hagrid were playing in the snow. In fact, they were seeing who could build the biggest snowgargoyle without using any magic except to do the wings and facial features (horns, hair, ears, etc). This was taking place in the Quidditch field. Thermal suddenly took flight. "What's wrong with Thermal?" Brooklyn asked the other Pokemon.
"I don't believe it! No Charizard would act like that unless . . . But she couldn't be . . . Could she?" Deputy muttered, shaking his head.
"Unless what, Deputy?" Ron asked.
Hagrid caught on very rapidly. Hudson did, too. "Lad," the elder Gargoyle began, patting Brooklyn's shoulder.
Hagrid scooped Brooklyn up and threw the red Gargoyle straight into the air! "Hermione, quick! Give Brooklyn somethin' ta glide on!" Hermione did as she was told. They did the same thing for Hudson.
~Out of the students' and Hagrid's hearing range~
"What was all that about?!" Brooklyn demanded of Hudson.
"Lad, Thermal's a girl - "
The younger Gargoyle interrupted his elder with, "I know Thermal's female!"
Gliding closer, Hudson continued, "That seems quite fond of ye. Now, I know this'll be difficult fer ye tae believe, but I suspect this female is in need of - "
"Oh no! Hudson, I can't!" Brooklyn all but stopped gliding.
"Yuir parents did jus' fine, as I recall. You yuirself have stated that ye want a mate. Go fer it, lad! Oppertunity doesn't often knock twice, ye know," Hudson replied, hiding a smug smile as Brooklyn headed for Thermal.
~Several hours later~
Dumbledore had the Charizard and Gargoyle wed in a wizard-like ceremony. Dumbledore (fortunately, Brooklyn thought) allowed it to be an elopement at midnight! The only people there were Dumbledore, Hudson, Hagrid, McGonagall, Thermal, and Brooklyn.
~Two weeks later, the lake at Hogwarts~
"So we came to Hogwarts just so Deputy could stop some vandalism," Soda quipped as everyone got back in the skiff.
"No, not just that . . ." Hudson replied with a glance at the new mates.
After several brief farewells, the group's skiff floated back into the mists that Avalon so frequently used.
Temporarily The End
Oh, a couple of notes: * = telepathy/thought-speak " = regular speech/quote ~Commercial Break~ = generally, a shift in characters and/or location that lets you take a break for getting a snack or whatever and can be ignored ~~ = automatic translation of the Pokemon spoken language # = translated Yeerk speech {} = a translation of anything else that needs translating. If you need to see what an Andalite looks like, go to www.scholastic.com/animorphs and click on the link that goes directly to the books. It shows Ax on some of the book covers, his brother on the cover to Andalite Chronicles, an Andalite female on Hork-Bajir Chronicles, and Visser Three/One, who has an Andalite host body, on Visser. IF a person wishes to "borrow" a character that I have invented, they must ASK FIRST! I will then consider letting them use it.
Brooklyn's Tour
The First Stop
~Lake near Hogwarts Castle, an hour before dawn~
The skiff slowly headed for the shore. Not any of its passengers - Brooklyn, Thermal, Hudson, Jeoffery, Gillie, and all of Brooklyn's other Pokemon - knew where they were. Of course, for all they knew, their little party could be in an alternate dimension.
~~It gets awfully difficult to tell these days,~~ Deputy the Sandslash commented about the dimensions. For some strange reason, all of the Poke-balls had malfunctioned. This had caused the Pokemon other than Thermal - who hadn't been captured in one in the first place - to suddenly come out.
"This place smells so clean," Jeoffery Robbins stated. "What does it look like?"
"Well," Brooklyn began, "there's a huge castle right in front of us. We're on a very large lake. There's a forest surrounding the castle at a fair distance. I'm not real sure how to describe one area. In some respects, it looks kinda like a football stadium, yet parts of this thing would never be seen in one."
The blind man got thinking. He'd read about various castles, but they all had moats rather than lakes. His dog Gillie barked once. "What d'you smell?" Jeoffery inquired.
{A strange human,} the seeing eye dog replied.
Hudson began reaching for his sword, but Brooklyn rested a hand on the other Gargoyle's lower arm. "Wait," the red one said. "We don't even know if this human's a threat."
{He doesn't smell friendly.} Gillie looked up at her owner with soft, brown eyes.
Professor Snape had sensed something strange by the lake. Upon investigation, he found a small boat with one muggle and various "pets." He doubted Dumbledore would be pleased to know that a muggle had made it to Hogwarts.
"Who goes there?" the potions teacher demanded in his most menacing voice.
"Volunteers for Avalon," the one human on the tiny boat replied, cocking his head to one side. "I'm Jeoffery Robbins. These are my traveling companions. I'd point out who's who, but I'm not sure which is standing where." He shrugged as his dog licked his hand reassuringly.
"I am called Hudson. Th' beaked lad be Brooklyn, an' th' dragon with th' fiery tail's Thermal. Th' dog be Gillie, an' I havenae clue what Brooklyn calls his other comrades," the elderly Gargoyle introduced. He pointed out who was who that he knew of during the introduction.
"Wind Song's the pink one. Soda has the cream-colored ruff about its neck. Tyde is in the water, and Deputy is the one that looks like a mutated mole," Brooklyn replied with a shrug of his own.
Hudson then asked, "An' who might ye be?" His hand rested on the pommel of his sword, anticipating possible battle.
"I am Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry," the man in a black robe replied snidely.
~~I don't like him,~~ Thermal growled.
{Me, either,} Gillie agreed with a whimper.
Soda, Tyde, and Deputy also expressed their dislike of Professor Snape. Fortunately, Snape could only understand Jeoffery and the Gargoyles. "We need a safe place tae spend th' day," Hudson informed the professor while each Pokemon and Gillie were thinking of what more to say about him. "It'll be sunrise soon."
"Your castle looks like it has lots of places that a Gargoyle could roost," Brooklyn added, thinking of Castle Wyvern back before the one thousand years of stone slumber.
Snape scowled deeply. "And what of your little boat?"
"Th' skiff can take care o' itself!" Hudson snapped.
Simultaneously, Jeoffery replied, "Avalon does what it wishes with its skiffs." Raising one eyebrow, he continued, "Hudson, could you lend me a hand? Gillie can guide me on land, but getting out of the skiff is another matter entirely."
The elder of the two Gargoyles was startled by the request but didn't say so. "Aye, lad," he stated instead. "I'll help ye." Hudson gripped the arm of his friend and pulled Mr. Robbins into a standing postition. From there, Hudson hopped out and kept Jeoffery from falling over while climbing more delicately out of the skiff. Gillie disembarked next, followed by the Pokemon, and Brooklyn left the boat last.
"Always last. . ." the younger Gargoyle muttered to himself.
"The castle wouldn't be as safe as Hagrid's," a new voice stated, causing the sojourners to jump.
{This guy I like!} Gilllie announced after a good sniff of the new comer, her tongue flopping out of her mouth. This human had a very long, white beard.
"I'm Professor Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. Follow me, please," the bearded man requested. He led them to Hagrid's, gave a round of introductions, and left with the scowling Snape not quite in tow.
Hagrid was extrodarniraly tall, with black hair - both facial and on top of his head. His guests didn't surprise him at all, though his boarhound wasn't exactly pleased. Having two visitors turn to stone bothered the boarhound Fang more than it did his master. Hagrid chatted for a while with Jeoffery, while Gillie and Fang exchanged sniffs and became friends.
During the day, Hagrid had Jeoffery and the Pokemon participate in one of his classes because the lesson he had very carefully prepared had been vandalized before the skiff travelers had arrived the previous night.
"Hagrid, what sort of creatures are THOSE supposed to be?" a white-blonde, slick-haired boy asked with a sneer at his professor.
"Well, young Malfoy, these are Pokemon. Except o' course fer Gillie, whose jus' a reg'lur dawg. An' Jeoffery's jus' a human tha's blind." Hagrid deliberately neglected to mention that Jeoffery Robbins was a muggle.
"Pleased to meet all of you," Jeoffery said politely in the general direction of the students based on Malfoy's comment and the sounds of material swishing about fidgeting feet.
{I like some of them but not all of 'em,} Fang told Gillie. She agreed and said so. Fang continued, {Malfoy for instance is the one I like the very least.}
{I can smell why,} Gillie admitted with her hackles slightly raised. Jeoffery sensed his dog's displeasure and quieted her with a gentle hand rubbing between Gillie's ears.
"Gillie helps me a lot. Since I lost my sight in Vietnam, I've struggled to learn how to cope. Gillie here makes things twice as easy," Robbins was informing Hermione, who'd asked about the dog being in such a different harness. "Don't blind people from where you're from have guide animals? All be it, not everyone that applies for one gets one."
"I wouldn't know, sir. I haven't met that many blind people," Hermione replied.
Malfoy stepped closer to Deputy. Gillie informed Fang that she had a job to do and said, {Jeoffery! A student is too close to the Pokemon!} Of course, the students only heard deep barking.
"I wouldn't get too close if I were you," he said. "Pokemon don't often get along with strangers. Good girl, Gillie." Reaching in his pocket, Mr. Robbins pulled out a dog biscuit for his faithful pet.
"If you're blind, how d'you know what I'm doing?" Malfoy inquired. He was in range of any of Deputy's attacks should the Sandslash choose to use them.
"That's Gillie's job. She tells me when there's trouble or if it's safe. Gillie acts as my eyes," the blind man replied. "Besides, Pokemon can be quite dangerous. Thermal is techniquelly still wild. The others are a little more domesticated."
"'Domesticated'? Aren't they tame?" Neville Longbottom wanted to know as he stepped further away from the Pokemon.
Jeoffery chuckled. "No, they're not 'tame'. To be 'tame,' they'd have to, how did Webster's Dictionary put it? They'd become completely docile, or something like that. But being 'domesticated,' they wouldn't necessarily be docile."
"You'll have ta excuse Longbottom, Mr. Robbins. He don't have much luck with beasties," Hagrid said in a loud whisper. He continued in his normal voice, "Okay, Jeoffery! How d'we care for 'em?"
"To tell the truth, I only met them last night. When the sun goes down, ask Brooklyn. He oughta know. These guys are his friends, after all." Jeoffery sat down on the grass. Gillie layed down next to him.
"Brooklyn? Who's Brooklyn?" Hermione inquired.
"A friend. He's younger than Hudson, but I can't tell you more. Not that I don't want to, just that I met them after I became blind. I can only tell 'em apart by their voices." The blind man scratched his dog's head between the ears.
"Why can't they talk to us now?" Malfoy demanded.
"Because they're alseep. They'll awake at dusk, I assure you."
"But we're not allowed outside after dark!" Hermione exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
"Then maybe they'll visit you in the castle," Jeoffery said calmly in hermione's general direction.
~Commercial Break~
Later that afternoon, after all of Hagrid's classes were over with, Harry, Ron, and Hermione went to visit Hagrid. Hagrid was surprised, and the half-giant let them in. "What brings you three up?" he asked.
"We suspect Malfoy's gonna ruin your planned lesson again," Harry stated flatly. He and his friends knew Malfoy was making things difficult for Hagrid. While in their third year, Malfoy tried to get him fired! What no one could figure out, however, was how Malfoy was accomplishing things like freeing Hagrid's animals or something.
"Oh, dear," Hagrid muttered. "Well, if Jeoffery's right, then th' Pokemon can take care o' themselves."
~~Of course we can!~~ Soda exclaimed with a vehement flick of its tail. ~~Why shouldn't we be able to?~~
"Easy, Soda. No one said you couldn't," Jeoffery replied. He'd learned to tell the voices of the Pokemon apart during the day.
"Hagrid, any idea who Mr. Robbins is talking to?" Ron inquired, baffled.
"Soda. Tha's th' li'l feller wi' th' brown an' cream fur," replied Hagrid thoughtfully, tugging gently at his beard. "Unless I'm wrong, o'course. An' th' one resemblin' a dragon is Thermal." Thermal nodded in agreement. "Haven't 'eard th' names o' the other fellers often enough ta get 'em straightened out jus' yet."
{Jeoffery, tell 'em the names are Tyde, Deputy, and Wind Song,} Gillie suggested with a small wag of her tail in encouragement.
~~Yeah, and that I'm the pink one,~~ added Wind Song helpfully.
Jeoffery sighed and said, "Gillie says the other names are Tyde, Deputy, and Wind Song. Wind Song says she's the pink one."
~~Tell 'em Tyde's blue and Deputy's dirty yellow,~~ Thermal advised. Jeoffery translated.
"Ya mean ya can talk to 'em?" Hagrid practically demanded to know with evident surprise.
"Well, Lord Oberon enchanted me to understand dogs and Pokemon," Mr. robbins replied, scratching Gillie's ears.
"Lord Oberon? Who's he?" Harry asked.
"Ah, bless the inquistive mind," Jeoffery stated. Then he answered the question with, "He's the lord and ruler of Avalon and its Third Race."
"'Third Race'? What's that s'posed to mean?" Ron immediately wanted to know. He scratched the head of Fang the boarhound.
"Avalon has three known races: Gargoyles, humans, and Oberon's Children. 'Oberon's Children' is usually metaphorical for all fay, faeries, sprites, and the like. For a better description, talk to the Gargoyles. They've seen some of Oberon's family, after all," the blind man explained with a tap just to the side of his right eye as a subtle reminder for his lack of vision. He had ticked off some of the common names for Oberon's kids on his fingers.
"It's a good thing sunsets earlier in th' win'er," Hagrid abruptly stated.
"Why's that, Hagrid?" Jeoffery asked out of genuine curiosity.
"Because you an' yer friends can come tae dinner in th' grand hall, o'course. If ya want, I mean. An' yer Gargoyle friends'll wake sooner, too."
{Does that dinner invatation extend to ALL of us?} Gillie asked hopefully, looking up at her master.
~~Yeah, what about the rest of us?~~ Soda quipped.
Jeoffery repeated their concerns. Hagrid sent Hermione at a run to ask a Professor McGonagall. Hermione, McGonagall, and Dumbledore returned shortly there after.
McGonagall's stern face changed to shock when she saw the Pokemon and still sleeping Gargoyles. She had doubted that Hudson and Brooklyn were even real! "Besides," the lady professor firmly stated, "they look like 'grotesques' and not 'gargoyles' to me."
Jeoffery had Gillie and the Pokemon describe to him everything in as much detail as possible. That way, he would have a better idea of what was going on should he decide to tell the adventure to anyone in the near or distant future.
~Commercial Break~
~After sunset, Grand Hall of Hogwarts~
"This is cool!" Brooklyn exclaimed.
~~I'd say "boring,"~~ Tyde complained. Being a water type, the Poliwhirl wanted to be in water.
~~Be nice!~~ Soda snapped. ~~How often do we get to be in a place like this?~~
~~Soda's right. For once, anyway,~~ Wind Song agreed.
"Guys! Knock it off, will ya? If your Pokeballs were working, I'd send you back in!" Brooklyn scolded. Thermal liked it when the others were scolded for misbehavior. She personally thought the other Pokemon, save Deputy, were all acting very immature.
Hudson folded his wings into the dignified cape position. "Sirs and madams, thank ye fer yuir hospitality. I'm Hudson. It's been a long time since I've ever been in a castle for a banquet," the brown Gargoyle said politely and bowed.
Brooklyn followed the elderly Gargoyle's example by having his wings also fold into the cape position. He, too, bowed and said, "Yes, thank you. I'm Brooklyn, and these are my friends: Thermal the Charizard, Tyde the Poliwhirl, Soda the Eevee, Wind Song the Wigglytuff, and Deputy the Sandslash." He pointed to each in turn. They all bowed as their name was called. Er, those with four legs did a fair imitation of a bow, anyway.
Hudson helped Jeoffery face the head table. "Name's Jeoffery Robbins," he said with a bow. "This is my seing eye dog Gillie. She's a big help." Gillie wagged her tail. Being a dog, she didn't bother bowing.
"Welcome, all of you," Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Sit where you find room. Mr. Robbins? Hudson? Perhaps the two of you and Gillie should be seated with us."
"Thank you," Jeoffery replied. "Please call me Jeoffery." He bowed again. Gillie led him to the seat indicated by Professor Dumbledore. The seat was between Professor Dumbledore and Hudson. On Hudson's other side sat Professor McGonagall.
Hudson felt deeply honored. Very few Gargoyles were allowed to sit at the High Table, even back in tenth century Scotland. "Yes, thank you. This is a grand honor," he stated as he sat down.
None of the Pokemon headed for the Slytherin table at all. Brooklyn had already seated himself near Harry and his pals at the Gryffindor table. Thermal joined him, though she stood rather than sat. Tyde and Soda decided to dine with the Hufflepuffs. Deputy and Wind Song joined the Ravenclaw table, whose students jumped back from Deputy's claws and patted Windsong between the ears.
As the diners finished their meal, Dumbledore stood up to make an anouncement. "We have some unique guests, as you all can see. They have come from an alternate dimension through the magical power of Avalon's mists, which sends them where they need to be. For the time being, they need to be at Hogwarts. The reasons have yet to be revealed even to the travelers. I would insist upon everyone treating our guests with utmost respect for the duration of their stay. This request applies to all of Hogwarts' residence, both living and living impaired." He shot a sharp glance at Peeves the poltergeist. "Also, you may request permission from the respective Headmaster or Headmistress of your house to visit the Gargoyles and their friends after dark. Punishments will vary depending on the individual and the circumstances. For instance, students will lose house points and most likely serve detention. Staff will temporarily lose privallages. For the non-living, they will be under confinement with no contact from anyone, living or non, for a period to be determined by the severity of the infraction. That is all." Dumbledore sat back down.
The buzz of conversation returned. The tables with Pokemon were especially talkative.
~~Wow! Are they always this strict?~~ Thermal asked. Brooklyn shrugged.
"You can understand it?" Ron, seated opposite of them, inquired.
"Thermal is a girl," Brooklyn replied defensively.
"No offense meant," Ron assured him. "Just curious. 'Sides, I didn't know it's a she."
"Apology accepted. An' yeah, I do understand her and the other Pokemon," the Gargoyle stated.
"Lemme guess. Lord Oberon did it?" Hermione asked more than said.
"Yeah. How'd you know?" Brooklyn wondered aloud.
"Your blind friend Mr. Robbins mentioned Lord Oberon. Mr. Robbins said Lord Oberon enchanted him. From there, it was easy to figure out who enchanted you to understand other creatures," replied Hermione as though that should be obvious.
Suddenly, everyone was standing up! "What's going on?" asked Brooklyn.
"We have to go up to our dormitories. Harry, do we have a Hogsmeade trip tomorrow?" Ron asked.
"Yes, we do. I wish you guys could come," Harry replied and indicated Brooklyn and Thermal.
"I'll be asleep. If the Pokemon get permission, I'd let them go," Brooklyn said with a shrug.
~~How would I get permission?~~ Thermal asked.
"Talk to Dumbledore," Harry suggested.
Thermal, Brooklyn, Ron, and Hermione all jumped. Brooklyn was the first to comment on this. He exclaimed, "I've never known any human to automatically speak Pokemon or whatever you just spoke!"
"I never do it on purpose," replied the young wizard-in-training. He looked a little embarrased.
~~The weird part is that I understood him. It wasn't in a Pokemon language, though it strongly resembles when the Arbok and Ekans speak." Thermal cocked her head a little in thought.
"Then what was it?" Brooklyn rubbed the bottom of his beak thoughtfully.
"I've only heard Harry do that a couple of times. We call the language 'Parseltongue' and those that speak it 'Parselmouth.' I thought it only worked on snakes," Hermione said accusingly.
"Appearently it works on Charizards as well. Hmm. Of course, Thermal had a point, too. A couple of Pokemon species resemble snakes: Arbok and Ekans. That could partially explain it." Brooklyn looked for his other Pokemon hopefully. With luck, he could see if "Parsletongue" worked with them also. Brooklyn muttered something under his breath about other reptiles as well. "Anyway," the red Gargoyle stated, "we should go talk to Dumbledore about getting the Pokemon a chance to see this 'Hogsmeade' place. By the way, is there a place in this castle that the Pokemon could get a quick check up?"
"Yes, the infirmery. Madam Pomfrey is the nurse. She's really good at healing," Harry answered. He'd been in there often enough to know. Harry signaled Professor McGonagall.
"What is it, Mr. Potter?" the teacher asked.
"May we show Brooklyn to the infirmery?" Harry requested. In explanation he added, "Brooklyn wants his Pokemon friends to have a check up."
Raising her eyebrow, Professor McGonagall replied, "As long as you don't dawdle along the way and be in the Gryffindor commons in half-an-hour."
~Commercial Break~
~Later, in the infirmery (Ron, Harry, and Hermione were already back to the Gryffindor commons) ~
Madam Pomfrey, the skiff travelers found out, was somewhat stout and wore the garb of an old-fashioned European nurse. "So," the school nurse drawled out, "what can I do for you visitors?"
Brooklyn stepped back. "Uh, I want my friends to have a check up."
~~What's wrong, Brooklyn?~~ Thermal queried, resting a paw on the Gargoyle's shoulder. She didn't think Brooklyn would normally step back from a human.
"Just surprised, Thermal. Just surprised. Humans usually don't ask what they can do for a Gargoyle." Brooklyn shook his head in amazement.
"You understand them? Well, I suppose the ancient phrase of 'you learn something new everyday' must be true. I have never cared for creatures like these before. I'd do a better job if I could understand them," Madame Pomfrey stated.
"Can you put a translation spell on 'em?" Brooklyn asked, tapping his beak in thought. He didn't want to cast such a spell. Not very many people, Gargoyles or otherwise, had been intrusted with the knowledge of his magical abilities and heritage.
"Of course," Madame Pomfrey replied. "I HAVE studied such things, you know." With that, she cast a spell on the Pokemon that would allow them to speak English until they left the wizarding world.
"Cool," Soda commented after the spell was in place.
~Commercial Break~
~A week later~
Thermal and Brooklyn had Hermione work - with permission from McGonagall - on creating two crystals that would allow the Gargoyles to be awake during the day. McGonagall had to do an awful lot of paperwork for the Ministry of Magic (a.k.a. MOM) in order to let Hermione make the crystals. However, the strict professor had to agree that Hermione was the ONLY student to have enough of both intelligence and divergent thinking to create such crystals. All the professors would be too busy checking students' homework and coming up with the various lessons to be taught.
The idea for the crystals came from two places. The first had been Brooklyn telling Madame Pomfrey about the four Gargoyles in Guatemaula that had pendants allowing them to be flesh during the day. The second source for the idea was Madame Pomfrey herself!
Madame Pomfrey figured that if these "ancient Myan wizards" could do it, so could "modern day wizards of Great Brittain! Although having a vulnerable amulet to work the spell through is out of the question entirely!"
Hermione, naturally, gained Gryffindor an extra 30 points upon completion of the two pendants.
~Late afternoon/early evening, three days later~
Malfoy was watching Hagrid put a pegasus into a makeshift stall. Little did Malfoy know, Brooklyn had Deputy keeping an eye out for trouble!
Malfoy waited until Hagrid went inside his hut. Slinking forward, the student made his way to the pegasus stall. Peering over through a wooden wall, Malfoy counted three winged horses. He motioned to his redundantly present cronies Crabbe and Goyle.
"All right. Goyle, you stand on my left, and Crabbe will stand on yours," Malfoy instructed, pointing so the two less intelligent students would know where to stand. This somehow put Crabbe and Goyle in the perfect positions to wreck the stall while keeping Malfoy's robes clean and free of splinters. "Now, set 'em loose!" Malfoy demanded.
The pegasi whinnied as they sensed danger. Deputy thought rapidly. As the two boys began to use brute force on the wall, the Sandslash used Poison Sting! Hearing the commotion, Hagrid strode over.
The half-giant was shocked to see the three Slytherins. He asked, "What hap'n'd?"
"That monster attacked us!" Malfoy complained weakly.
"Is tha' true, Deputy?" Hagrid looked upset.
Deputy stepped forth and replied, "Only because they were gonna break your stall." The Pokemon walked calmly away, pleased that his Poison Sting had only given scratches and failed to actually poison anybody.
"I'm reportin' you ta Snape," Hagrid announced. "Been wonderin' who's been sabatogin' my lessons!" Hagrid walked two feet when Snape showed up.
Snape's appearance made the boys grin. They didn't think his malice would fall on THEM. "Why is Deputy muttering about Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle attempting to ruin Hagrid's stable?" the potions master demanded with an eerie calm.
"Because they were, Professor Snape. Caught 'em in th' act, Deputy did, sir. I came outta me hut 'cuz o' th' rucus they'd all made," Hagrid admitted.
Snape crossed his arms and declared, "You had better be right, Hagrid. Gentlemen? Is all this true?"
Malfoy instantly went into the "I'm innocent" act. He told Snape, "No, sir. Hagrid is - " and got interrupted.
"SNAPE! You know as well as anyone tha' Pokemon tha' travel with Brooklyn have no reason ter LIE!" Hagrid fumed.
Snape placed his sharp gaze on the professor of Care of Magical Creatures. "Indeed." Reaching into a pocket, the testy potions master pulled out a vile filled with liquid. "Malfoy, I can find out who's telling the truth by making them drink this."
Draco Malfoy swallowed hard. A shot while later, Snape did something very rare. Because Malfoy had confessed, the Head of Slytherin House docked the Slytherins 165 points and gave those three students detention for a month!
~Commercial Break~
~Two days later~
Brooklyn, his Pokemon friends, Ron, Hermione, Harry, Hudson, and Hagrid were playing in the snow. In fact, they were seeing who could build the biggest snowgargoyle without using any magic except to do the wings and facial features (horns, hair, ears, etc). This was taking place in the Quidditch field. Thermal suddenly took flight. "What's wrong with Thermal?" Brooklyn asked the other Pokemon.
"I don't believe it! No Charizard would act like that unless . . . But she couldn't be . . . Could she?" Deputy muttered, shaking his head.
"Unless what, Deputy?" Ron asked.
Hagrid caught on very rapidly. Hudson did, too. "Lad," the elder Gargoyle began, patting Brooklyn's shoulder.
Hagrid scooped Brooklyn up and threw the red Gargoyle straight into the air! "Hermione, quick! Give Brooklyn somethin' ta glide on!" Hermione did as she was told. They did the same thing for Hudson.
~Out of the students' and Hagrid's hearing range~
"What was all that about?!" Brooklyn demanded of Hudson.
"Lad, Thermal's a girl - "
The younger Gargoyle interrupted his elder with, "I know Thermal's female!"
Gliding closer, Hudson continued, "That seems quite fond of ye. Now, I know this'll be difficult fer ye tae believe, but I suspect this female is in need of - "
"Oh no! Hudson, I can't!" Brooklyn all but stopped gliding.
"Yuir parents did jus' fine, as I recall. You yuirself have stated that ye want a mate. Go fer it, lad! Oppertunity doesn't often knock twice, ye know," Hudson replied, hiding a smug smile as Brooklyn headed for Thermal.
~Several hours later~
Dumbledore had the Charizard and Gargoyle wed in a wizard-like ceremony. Dumbledore (fortunately, Brooklyn thought) allowed it to be an elopement at midnight! The only people there were Dumbledore, Hudson, Hagrid, McGonagall, Thermal, and Brooklyn.
~Two weeks later, the lake at Hogwarts~
"So we came to Hogwarts just so Deputy could stop some vandalism," Soda quipped as everyone got back in the skiff.
"No, not just that . . ." Hudson replied with a glance at the new mates.
After several brief farewells, the group's skiff floated back into the mists that Avalon so frequently used.
Temporarily The End
