Harry Potter and the Sealed Gateway
Chapter 6: Pumpkin Juice and Gharblags
Hermione ran over to Harry to give him a hug, and they went inside Hagrid's cabin.
"Surprise, Harry!" Hermione said.
"Aye, surprise," said Ron.
Harry grinned. "When did you two get here?"
"Dumbledore sent us a letter yesterday asking us to come, and he sent Tonks to get us this morning," Hermione said happily. Ron, who had grown another few inches rubbed his eyes groggily and Harry could tell that he wasn't quite awake yet.
"How is Tonks?"
"She's fine," said Hermione, "she says she's been kept busy with the Order."
"Nearly made me fall out of my chair, showing up at my door looking like Professor Snape," said Ron.
Hermione, Hagrid, and Harry all shared a laugh.
"It isn't funny," said Ron, "how would you like it if your teacher shows up at your door and tells you that you have to take Potions again next year…"
Hermione let out a squeak. "Harry…tell me about your O.W.L.s…I got 10, I was quite pleased…" Ron rolled his eyes.
"I got six, mate."
"I managed to get eight," said Harry.
"That's wonderful, Harry!"
"Good job, mate."
Ron grinned menacingly. "Well, looks like we're done with potions. Boy, that really made my summer. Hermione's got to take it again!"
"Oh, Ron, it isn't that bad…"
Harry looked at them. "Well, actually…"
Ron's jaw dropped. "No way…You got an OUTSTANDING in potions?" he said suspiciously. Hermione was beeming.
"That's the thing…I only got an E…"
"Let's hope it's a mistake then," said Ron darkly. "We know Snape wouldn't let you into his class with a substandard grade."
Harry laughed.
"But anyway, what classes have you got?"
So Harry, Ron, and Hermione compared their schedules while Hagrid made lunch for Grawp (an entire lamb) and them. Ron was taking Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione had registered for seven classes: Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Arithmancy.
"She's crazy, Harry," said Ron. "Not even Percy took seven N.E.W.T. classes…"
"How is Percy?" asked Harry. Percy had severed his relationship with his family last year, but now that even the Ministry agreed that Voldemort had returned, Harry thought Percy might have apologized to the Weasleys.
"He at least talks to us now and stops by every once in awhile," said Ron, "but I think he's still rather embarrassed about the whole thing."
Harry nodded.
Hermione jumped in, "Harry, tell us why you had to come to school early…"
So Harry told them all about Aunt Petunia's confession about his grandparents' deaths and about how Avery had tried to attack him in the his house and Lupin and Hagrid came to get him.
"Twas the strangest change I'd ever seen, 'is Aunt Petunia," added Hagrid.
"But do you think Dumbledore's right about Voldemort not being able to attack them again?" asked Hermione.
"I reckon he is…don't miss a trick, he doesn' " replied Hagrid.
"And Avery couldn't attack you?"
"Nope, he just started shaking…and it hurt him somehow…"
"Blimey, Harry, you're lucky," Ron said, his eyes wide.
"Luck's got nothing to do with it, Ron…Harry's mother left some kind of magic on him…"
"So, was it weird staying the Castle all by yourself?" asked Ron.
"Well, actually…" And Harry launched into the story of how they had met Professor Flitwick and how Dumbledore had told him about the Fidelius Charm.
"Of course, why didn't I see it earlier?" Hermione asked, "that is so fascinating."
"Don' understan' a bit of that Fidelius Business. Too complicated for the likes of me," said Hagrid.
"Aye, aye," replied Ron, raising his glass of pumpkin juice.
Harry began again. "He said that the time at my grandparents was one of the three times that…" But he stopped himself. He wasn't sure that he wanted Hermione and Ron to know about the Prophecy. It would only make them worry, and he didn't like to talk about it.
"Yes?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing," lied Harry. Hermione and Ron looked at each other curiously and Harry continued, "he gave me a package, and…" Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out his prefect's badge.
"Oh, Harry, this is wonderful!"
"Congratulations, 'Arry," chimed Hagrid, beeming, "I knew Dumbledore wouldn' let you down!"
"I don't think I could have handled it without you, mate…" Ron whispered into Harry's ear.
"What was that, Ron?" said Hermione, in a false accusatory voice. Ron looked nervous, but a second later she was grinning.
"But what was in the package, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Oh…I don't know…I haven't opened it yet…"
Hermione and Ron both raised their eyebrows. "So Dumbledore gives you a mysterious package and you just didn't open it?" asked Ron.
"I was distracted…" And Harry told them all about Borlig Borkkleburg.
"Hagrid…is that why those cottages are there? Because there are Goblins at Hogwarts?" asked Hermione.
"Yeh…"
"But why doesn't Borlig just stay with his parents?"
"Never you mind that."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all recognized the look on Hagrid's face to be the "I'm keeping a secret for Dumbledore" look.
"Wait a second," said Harry, thinking hard, "Professor Flitwick said he was here visiting the Borkkleburgs…he said they wanted protection…and then Lupin said that they were the protection."
Ron's eyes widened. "Protection from what, do you reckon?"
"And that's not all. Dumbledore warned me about something. He said that some of the ancient protections on Hogwarts might not work this year."
Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged dark looks. "Hagrid?" they asked.
"You three…jus no tha' it's been taken care of…"
Harry was about to protest, but just then.
"HAGGER! HERMY! RON! HARRY! COME OUT SEE RUNNERS!"
"Runners?" asked a puzzled Hermione.
"Wha's going on?" asked Hagrid, leaping up to go out of the door.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all stood in Hagrid's doorway and watched as four wizards and witches ran up to the doors of the Great Hall. Among them Harry could recognize his Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall, and Lupin. In a flash, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and even Grawp were all running toward the castle.
"GRAWPY!" yelled Hagrid, "GO…WATCH THE TREE!"
"YES, HAGGER! BYE HERMY!" and Grawp walked off in the opposite direction.
"Tree?" inquired Hermione.
"You know, Hermy, I think Grawp fancies you," teased Ron.
"Shut up, Ron." And they opened the doors to the Great Hall, where they saw McGonagall, Lupin, Dumbledore, the Borkkleburgs, and two other people conversing at the staff table. McGonagall's voice bellowed through the whole hall.
"Thank goodness for Fred and George Weasley! They alerted the hall of records at once, you see, and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had six dozen wizards and witches standing guard at the entrance. Apparently, he was seen…"
"Outside of my shop," came an old, softened voice that made the hairs stand up on the back of Harry's neck. It was Mr. Ollivander, the owner of the wand shop where Harry had bought his wand several years ago.
"I saw him there too Professor," came another familiar voice.
"BILL!" cried Ron. All seven people at the staff table turned to look at the four who had just entered the Great Hall.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, please go up to your dormitory immediately," said Dumbledore. "Hagrid, please come here."
"Why--" Harry began. But Hermione was pulling him up the stairs already. "Come on, Harry!"
Harry heard Mrs. Borkkleburg yell for Borlig, presumably telling him to go with Harry, because at that moment Borlig came running up behind them.
"Hello, Borlig."
As they ascended the seven flights of stairs to the Gryffindor common room, Harry introduced Borlig to Hermione and Ron, who chuckled when Borlig called him Gron, but was silenced by a blow to the stomach from Hermione which clearly knocked the wind out of him.
"Borlig, if you don't mind me asking…why didn't you stay with your parents before Harry came…did they mention anything to you?" asked Hermione.
Harry wondered why he hadn't asked Borlig that earlier.
"Gyes, Ghermione…gey said dat git gwas too danggerous."
Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged significant glances.
"Gwhy?"
Harry wasn't sure if he felt comfortable telling a Goblin that he had known for two days about Dumbledore's warning, and judging from the look on Ron's face, neither was he. But Hermione began…
"It's just that…well Professor Dumbledore warned Harry that Hogwarts was in danger this year…"
"O…" said Borlig thoughtfully, "gmy famgily gwon't tell gme gnothing."
"I see…" said Hermione, deep in thought.
When they reached the sixth floor, Borlig told them that he had left his "gharblag" there and would meet them in the common room.
"What's a ghablarg?"
"A gharblag gis…glike…g..ah g..I gwill show you."
They told Borlig that they would see him in a few minutes. When he was out of sight, Ron rounded on Hermione.
"Hermione! We can't go explaining our secrets to HIM…"
"Ron! It is VERY important that these Goblins feel at home at Hogwarts," and seeing the expression on his face, "THAT means befriending Borlig, yes! Honestly, you should try TALKING to Bill about his work."
"What's that supposed to mean? I don't talk to my own brother enough?" Ron's ears were turning red.
"No! It means you don't talk about anything important…just Quidditch…and," Hermione puckered her lips and made a goo-goo eyed impression of someone who had a very big crush on someone, "Fleur Delacour…"
Ron's face flashed scarlet. "And how is Viktor?"
It was Hermione's turn to blush. "He's FINE, thank you."
But they had reached the Fat Lady. "Erm…Harry…what's the password?" asked Ron.
"Oh…blimey…Brah-gah-doo-kah-dah-ka…" Harry guessed feebly.
"Nope."
"Gyou gmust work gon dat Gobbledegook, Garry," came a friendly voice from behind them, "Grah-ahg-deg-oo-kla-juck." And the Fat Lady swung open.
They turned to thank Borlig, but their jaws dropped as they saw exactly what a "gharblag" was.
"Blimey, Borlig…is that a…a…dog?" Ron was flabbergasted.
"Gno…"
"What is that, Borlig?" asked Harry, stepping backwards.
"Gharblag," said Borlig simply.
Hermione, however, had her finger on her lips, thinking hard. "Oh! Is that a….is that a jarvey?"
Borlig nodded fervently. "Yes….garvey…" He was holding what appeared to be a large squirming ball of fuzz, until a head popped out of it.
Harry looked at it. It looked like a rather overgrown ferret. It was rather cute, actually.
But just then the jarvey made a rude noise, followed by, "Brilliant, Bushy! Nice to see your brain's at least as big as your ego."
Harry was shocked. Borlig looked embarrassed; Hermione, affronted. But Ron laughed. "I like that thing, Borlig." Borlig grinned. "Gis smart, dah gharblag."
The jarvey wasn't done. "What are you laughing at? You smell worse than the backside of cow."
It was Harry and Hermione's turn to laugh. Ron looked taken aback, but he and Borlig eventually joined in the laughter.
"That," said Ron, "is brilliant."
"Aww, go look in the mirror and frighten yourself, Freckleface."
And from that moment onward, Ron, Hermione, and Harry became Borlig's friend.
Chapter 6: Pumpkin Juice and Gharblags
Hermione ran over to Harry to give him a hug, and they went inside Hagrid's cabin.
"Surprise, Harry!" Hermione said.
"Aye, surprise," said Ron.
Harry grinned. "When did you two get here?"
"Dumbledore sent us a letter yesterday asking us to come, and he sent Tonks to get us this morning," Hermione said happily. Ron, who had grown another few inches rubbed his eyes groggily and Harry could tell that he wasn't quite awake yet.
"How is Tonks?"
"She's fine," said Hermione, "she says she's been kept busy with the Order."
"Nearly made me fall out of my chair, showing up at my door looking like Professor Snape," said Ron.
Hermione, Hagrid, and Harry all shared a laugh.
"It isn't funny," said Ron, "how would you like it if your teacher shows up at your door and tells you that you have to take Potions again next year…"
Hermione let out a squeak. "Harry…tell me about your O.W.L.s…I got 10, I was quite pleased…" Ron rolled his eyes.
"I got six, mate."
"I managed to get eight," said Harry.
"That's wonderful, Harry!"
"Good job, mate."
Ron grinned menacingly. "Well, looks like we're done with potions. Boy, that really made my summer. Hermione's got to take it again!"
"Oh, Ron, it isn't that bad…"
Harry looked at them. "Well, actually…"
Ron's jaw dropped. "No way…You got an OUTSTANDING in potions?" he said suspiciously. Hermione was beeming.
"That's the thing…I only got an E…"
"Let's hope it's a mistake then," said Ron darkly. "We know Snape wouldn't let you into his class with a substandard grade."
Harry laughed.
"But anyway, what classes have you got?"
So Harry, Ron, and Hermione compared their schedules while Hagrid made lunch for Grawp (an entire lamb) and them. Ron was taking Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hermione had registered for seven classes: Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, Transfiguration, Potions, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Arithmancy.
"She's crazy, Harry," said Ron. "Not even Percy took seven N.E.W.T. classes…"
"How is Percy?" asked Harry. Percy had severed his relationship with his family last year, but now that even the Ministry agreed that Voldemort had returned, Harry thought Percy might have apologized to the Weasleys.
"He at least talks to us now and stops by every once in awhile," said Ron, "but I think he's still rather embarrassed about the whole thing."
Harry nodded.
Hermione jumped in, "Harry, tell us why you had to come to school early…"
So Harry told them all about Aunt Petunia's confession about his grandparents' deaths and about how Avery had tried to attack him in the his house and Lupin and Hagrid came to get him.
"Twas the strangest change I'd ever seen, 'is Aunt Petunia," added Hagrid.
"But do you think Dumbledore's right about Voldemort not being able to attack them again?" asked Hermione.
"I reckon he is…don't miss a trick, he doesn' " replied Hagrid.
"And Avery couldn't attack you?"
"Nope, he just started shaking…and it hurt him somehow…"
"Blimey, Harry, you're lucky," Ron said, his eyes wide.
"Luck's got nothing to do with it, Ron…Harry's mother left some kind of magic on him…"
"So, was it weird staying the Castle all by yourself?" asked Ron.
"Well, actually…" And Harry launched into the story of how they had met Professor Flitwick and how Dumbledore had told him about the Fidelius Charm.
"Of course, why didn't I see it earlier?" Hermione asked, "that is so fascinating."
"Don' understan' a bit of that Fidelius Business. Too complicated for the likes of me," said Hagrid.
"Aye, aye," replied Ron, raising his glass of pumpkin juice.
Harry began again. "He said that the time at my grandparents was one of the three times that…" But he stopped himself. He wasn't sure that he wanted Hermione and Ron to know about the Prophecy. It would only make them worry, and he didn't like to talk about it.
"Yes?" asked Hermione.
"Nothing," lied Harry. Hermione and Ron looked at each other curiously and Harry continued, "he gave me a package, and…" Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out his prefect's badge.
"Oh, Harry, this is wonderful!"
"Congratulations, 'Arry," chimed Hagrid, beeming, "I knew Dumbledore wouldn' let you down!"
"I don't think I could have handled it without you, mate…" Ron whispered into Harry's ear.
"What was that, Ron?" said Hermione, in a false accusatory voice. Ron looked nervous, but a second later she was grinning.
"But what was in the package, Harry?" asked Hermione.
"Oh…I don't know…I haven't opened it yet…"
Hermione and Ron both raised their eyebrows. "So Dumbledore gives you a mysterious package and you just didn't open it?" asked Ron.
"I was distracted…" And Harry told them all about Borlig Borkkleburg.
"Hagrid…is that why those cottages are there? Because there are Goblins at Hogwarts?" asked Hermione.
"Yeh…"
"But why doesn't Borlig just stay with his parents?"
"Never you mind that."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all recognized the look on Hagrid's face to be the "I'm keeping a secret for Dumbledore" look.
"Wait a second," said Harry, thinking hard, "Professor Flitwick said he was here visiting the Borkkleburgs…he said they wanted protection…and then Lupin said that they were the protection."
Ron's eyes widened. "Protection from what, do you reckon?"
"And that's not all. Dumbledore warned me about something. He said that some of the ancient protections on Hogwarts might not work this year."
Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged dark looks. "Hagrid?" they asked.
"You three…jus no tha' it's been taken care of…"
Harry was about to protest, but just then.
"HAGGER! HERMY! RON! HARRY! COME OUT SEE RUNNERS!"
"Runners?" asked a puzzled Hermione.
"Wha's going on?" asked Hagrid, leaping up to go out of the door.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione all stood in Hagrid's doorway and watched as four wizards and witches ran up to the doors of the Great Hall. Among them Harry could recognize his Transfiguration teacher, Professor McGonagall, and Lupin. In a flash, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, and even Grawp were all running toward the castle.
"GRAWPY!" yelled Hagrid, "GO…WATCH THE TREE!"
"YES, HAGGER! BYE HERMY!" and Grawp walked off in the opposite direction.
"Tree?" inquired Hermione.
"You know, Hermy, I think Grawp fancies you," teased Ron.
"Shut up, Ron." And they opened the doors to the Great Hall, where they saw McGonagall, Lupin, Dumbledore, the Borkkleburgs, and two other people conversing at the staff table. McGonagall's voice bellowed through the whole hall.
"Thank goodness for Fred and George Weasley! They alerted the hall of records at once, you see, and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had six dozen wizards and witches standing guard at the entrance. Apparently, he was seen…"
"Outside of my shop," came an old, softened voice that made the hairs stand up on the back of Harry's neck. It was Mr. Ollivander, the owner of the wand shop where Harry had bought his wand several years ago.
"I saw him there too Professor," came another familiar voice.
"BILL!" cried Ron. All seven people at the staff table turned to look at the four who had just entered the Great Hall.
"Harry, Ron, Hermione, please go up to your dormitory immediately," said Dumbledore. "Hagrid, please come here."
"Why--" Harry began. But Hermione was pulling him up the stairs already. "Come on, Harry!"
Harry heard Mrs. Borkkleburg yell for Borlig, presumably telling him to go with Harry, because at that moment Borlig came running up behind them.
"Hello, Borlig."
As they ascended the seven flights of stairs to the Gryffindor common room, Harry introduced Borlig to Hermione and Ron, who chuckled when Borlig called him Gron, but was silenced by a blow to the stomach from Hermione which clearly knocked the wind out of him.
"Borlig, if you don't mind me asking…why didn't you stay with your parents before Harry came…did they mention anything to you?" asked Hermione.
Harry wondered why he hadn't asked Borlig that earlier.
"Gyes, Ghermione…gey said dat git gwas too danggerous."
Hermione, Ron, and Harry exchanged significant glances.
"Gwhy?"
Harry wasn't sure if he felt comfortable telling a Goblin that he had known for two days about Dumbledore's warning, and judging from the look on Ron's face, neither was he. But Hermione began…
"It's just that…well Professor Dumbledore warned Harry that Hogwarts was in danger this year…"
"O…" said Borlig thoughtfully, "gmy famgily gwon't tell gme gnothing."
"I see…" said Hermione, deep in thought.
When they reached the sixth floor, Borlig told them that he had left his "gharblag" there and would meet them in the common room.
"What's a ghablarg?"
"A gharblag gis…glike…g..ah g..I gwill show you."
They told Borlig that they would see him in a few minutes. When he was out of sight, Ron rounded on Hermione.
"Hermione! We can't go explaining our secrets to HIM…"
"Ron! It is VERY important that these Goblins feel at home at Hogwarts," and seeing the expression on his face, "THAT means befriending Borlig, yes! Honestly, you should try TALKING to Bill about his work."
"What's that supposed to mean? I don't talk to my own brother enough?" Ron's ears were turning red.
"No! It means you don't talk about anything important…just Quidditch…and," Hermione puckered her lips and made a goo-goo eyed impression of someone who had a very big crush on someone, "Fleur Delacour…"
Ron's face flashed scarlet. "And how is Viktor?"
It was Hermione's turn to blush. "He's FINE, thank you."
But they had reached the Fat Lady. "Erm…Harry…what's the password?" asked Ron.
"Oh…blimey…Brah-gah-doo-kah-dah-ka…" Harry guessed feebly.
"Nope."
"Gyou gmust work gon dat Gobbledegook, Garry," came a friendly voice from behind them, "Grah-ahg-deg-oo-kla-juck." And the Fat Lady swung open.
They turned to thank Borlig, but their jaws dropped as they saw exactly what a "gharblag" was.
"Blimey, Borlig…is that a…a…dog?" Ron was flabbergasted.
"Gno…"
"What is that, Borlig?" asked Harry, stepping backwards.
"Gharblag," said Borlig simply.
Hermione, however, had her finger on her lips, thinking hard. "Oh! Is that a….is that a jarvey?"
Borlig nodded fervently. "Yes….garvey…" He was holding what appeared to be a large squirming ball of fuzz, until a head popped out of it.
Harry looked at it. It looked like a rather overgrown ferret. It was rather cute, actually.
But just then the jarvey made a rude noise, followed by, "Brilliant, Bushy! Nice to see your brain's at least as big as your ego."
Harry was shocked. Borlig looked embarrassed; Hermione, affronted. But Ron laughed. "I like that thing, Borlig." Borlig grinned. "Gis smart, dah gharblag."
The jarvey wasn't done. "What are you laughing at? You smell worse than the backside of cow."
It was Harry and Hermione's turn to laugh. Ron looked taken aback, but he and Borlig eventually joined in the laughter.
"That," said Ron, "is brilliant."
"Aww, go look in the mirror and frighten yourself, Freckleface."
And from that moment onward, Ron, Hermione, and Harry became Borlig's friend.