The companions lounged, waiting, by the side of the road. Caramon and Tika talked quietly- Caramon running her through some more sword practice (and ducking her wide swings). Laurana sat against the back of a broad tree, its brilliant green leaves drooping from the heat. Tanis sat next to her. The two quietly murmured in Elvish, their words blending in with the whisper of the foliage. Flint had dropped like a sack, and was now snoring away. The Dwarf's old bones had been paining him of late, and he was glad for any respite, though he would die rather than admit it. His snoring shook the branches of nearby trees, causing leaves to swirl down among the companions. Tasslehoof, the Kender, was lounging by the side of the road, one of his packs opened, examining his newly acquired "possessions". However hard he 'tried' to stop them, new and interesting items just kept falling into the Kender's pouches. He was examining a glittering and obviously magical device that had somehow lodged its way into his vest when Raistlin appeared. The young mage stooped like an old man, his frail and broken body shuddering with each new cough. His staff, clutched in metallic fingers, was planted firmly, however. At the sight of Ras, Caramon broke off his conversation with Tika to support his brother down the road. As Raistlin passed Tasslehoff, he made a quick grab for the object Tas was examining with interest.
"Oh, is that yours, Raistlin?" inquired the Kender innocently.
"You know perfectly well that it is." Snapped the mage.
"Well then, it's a good thing I found it- it might've gotten lost… maybe even nabbed by some clever thief!" Tas exclaimed. "You really should take better care of your possessions. You wouldn't want to loose one, after all."
Raistlin snorted, but after carefully putting the item back in one of his many pockets, said nothing. He became engaged in a deep conversation with the other members of the party, who as usual left the Kender out. Feeling bored and rather pouty, having finished examining his new trinkets, Tas began examining Raistlin's magical device, turning the knobs and doodads on it. After picking it up again from Raistlin's pocket while Raistlin was absorbed in the discussion, he had promised himself he would return it to Raistlin when he was done – a promise his mind quickly forgot, as the party set up to go. Tas had been wondering what exactly had Raistlin so worked up about this object – so far it was just another boring mage-toy. He was curious to see what Raistlin did with it.
Later that evening after the friends had pitched camp, just when Tas had begun to tell Flint in his shrill voice of the time he had lost a woolly mammoth, Raistlin noticed that the device – he called it a Time Device- was missing again. Swearing to himself that this time he would kill the kender, he marched over to where Tas lay and pulled him upright by the ear. This was much more painful than it sounds due to the fact that Raistlin was quite a bit taller than the little Kender.
"All right. Enough of your foolishness," He snarled. "Where is it?"
"Where's what? If you don't tell me what I'm supposed to have done this time, I can't tell you." Tasslehoff cried with perfect logic. "You just interrupted me in the middle of a story that I'm sure Flint was finding fascinating. Weren't you, Flint?" only Flint's snores answered. He had taken the opportunity while the Kender was otherwise engaged to slip off into sleep without the help of the highly improbable tale the Kender delivered to him with the utmost sincerity – and at a painful octave, too.
"I think that answers that question." Winced Raistlin, as a particularly loud snore hit him in the ear. "Now give me the Time Device."
"Oh! What's it doing in my pocket?" exclaimed Tas. "I thought you were supposed to take care of it!" as he pulled it out of his vest, his fingers hit just the right combination. The whole clearing began to dissolve around them….
The company was standing in a corridor of stone that, although they did not know it, was in a school. A school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Caramon glanced around. Everyone was here…except… that was odd. Raistlin and Tasslehoff were missing. They had been standing nearest the device – why weren't they here? He was just beginning to wonder this - mostly because it really wasn't the very best idea to loose sight of Tasslehoff Burrfoot for even a minute- when an old man in a peaked cap and long robes appeared in front of him.
"Hello. My name is Albus Dumbledor. Why don't you step into my office for a moment." As the world started to dissolve around him, Tas gazed around in fascination. The kender recovered quicker than the rest of the companions. Seeing that he was in an area that he had never seen before, the kender quite naturally scampered off to explore. Walking down the large stone halls, which were quite a bit bigger than usual due to his slight stature, he recalled his uncle's advice: "Whenever you are in a boring situation, turn left and keep turning left until you are free." This certainly counts as boring, Tas decided. There's not even a bugbear or anything! So he turned left, left again, and left again until…
"VALIENT." A short boy in black – was he a dark wizard? Tas wondered, interested. I wonder if he would put a spell on me? – Spoke to a painting of a human in a frilly pink dress. To Tas's amazement, the picture swung open. As the boy entered into the space behind the painting, Tas slipped in behind him. The room was filled with many human children in black robes. They chatted and laughed – or studiously did homework. All kept nervous eyes on the shadows cast by the blazing fire in the hearth, though. Tas slipped deftly through these shadows, taking another left and ending up at the foot of a stairway. He nimbly climbed the tall stairway, looking for adventure. Tas went into a doorway marked6th year (though he could not read it – his Spectacles of True Seeing were somewhere in the cursed temple of Istar). The door was locked, but that did not stop him for long. "This simple a lock – if they really wanted to keep anyone out, they would've used something better. I would ask permission if they were here, but for now I might as well see what is inside. After a few moments with some oddly shaped metal picks, the door swung open. Tas was inside.
There was just one problem, however- the door had been magically warded. Immediately, blue fire shot up the doorframe and formed an impenetrable barrier. Tas, rather than being shocked or scared, merely gazed at the flame in wonder and set about exploring the room. 'After all,' he reasoned to himself, 'I won't be getting out. So I might as well explore while I'm waiting. Ooh! Look at this!' and he wandered contentedly around the room. 'How careless of these people, leaving these things in plain sight! I'm sure they would be mislaid or stolen! Here now, I'll just put these away until I see them so that nothing happens to them…'
The springing of the trap had alerted Harry that something was happening in their dorm. 'Probably Neville forgot again.' He said, sighing. 'I'd better go and let him out again.'
'We're coming with you Harry.' Ron and Hermoine said together. 'Just in case.'
So off the three set towards the boy's dormitory. Harry was very glad that he had such good friends in Ron and Hermoine. They were more than slightly overprotective, though, he had to admit. They went everywhere with him, almost never allowing him any time to himself. Harry had to admit that the war with Voldemort had gotten worse lately, but still…
They climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitory, where the flickers of blue flame lit the way better than the torches. Finally they reached the top, where the door had completely disappeared. After peering inside, and seeing no sign of dark activity, (though also no sign of Neville, suprisingly) Harry said the counterspell and stepped inside. Or rather, Harry said the counterspell and Ron and Hermoine stepped inside, wands raised, before motioning Harry to come in.
'Oh! Hello. How are you? Did you know that your door bursts into flame? That's not really a polite way to greet visitors! You really should do something about it! Someday someone will get hurt! How are you? My name is Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Hero of the Lance. Who are you? Are you Black Robes? Will you put a spell on me? I saw one summon a demon once! Can you do that? Please?' All this was delivered in a very high-pitched voice by a tiny creature standing near the open trunk beside Ron's bed – the trunk that Harry knew Ron had locked that morning. The little creature bounced towards them, hand outstretched. It wore bright blue leggings, with a fleecy vest burdened with many pouches that clattered and jangled as he moved. He seemed to be about four feet tall, with curiously pointed ears and a ridiculous topknot that swung with each step. Cautiously Harry shook the thing's hand.
'Who… What are you?' He asked.
'Me? Oh! I'm a Kender, of course! What else would I be? I've been a bird before, though. And a mouse. Do you want to hear the story? Well- '
'That's all right.' Harry broke in, as the –Kender?- got ready for a long rendition of some tale or another, which Harry suspected might not be entirely true. 'How'd you get in here? We locked the door!'
'Oh, that. It was easy. I thought that if you had really wanted to keep people out you would've used a better lock. So I came in to see what was in here. Wherever here is. Though you really shouldn't treat visitors like that. The flame will hurt someone someday! Irresponsible! You would almost think you didn't want anyone in here!' Tas said, frowning. Then his face brightened again. 'Can you do magic? Like Raistlin! I've been in a mage's lair before, too. With my magic teleporting ring. You see, what happened was-'
'I think we'd better take you to Professor Dumbledor.' Harry broke in.
'Who's he?' asked the little man. 'Does he do magic? Is he interesting?'
'Come with us and find out.'
'fine.' The Kender hoisted his hoopak (though the young wizards did not know what it was) and skipped joyfully after them.
Harry led the Kender to Dumbledoor's office. Tas chattered all the way. Harry ignored Tas for the most part, though Hermoine (softhearted as she was) listened to him.
'You said you were a 'hero of the lance'.' Hermoine remarked. 'What exactly is that?'
'Oh come now, Hermoine.' Ron scoffed. 'He was just making that up. You know that. He's just an annoying little bugger.'
'Oh no I'm not! I'm a hero! Me, Tanis, Lauranna, Caramon, Raistlin, Tika, Goldmoon, and Riverwind - we all saved the World. I almost died! I don't think I'd like that. No adventures – though Fizban says that there are. I really don't know. It might be interesting to see. Raistlin saved me – he changed The Dream that we all had. But he became a blackrobe… but he really didn't. He said it wasn't time or something. I don't think he likes me very much. But that doesn't make much sense. You know, most people think Kender are annoying. But they should listen to us once in awhile – we have our uses. They never do though." The kender finished sadly. The next moment he was skipping down the hall again, swinging his hoopak. It made an ear-piercing shriek worse than the Kender's voice as it flew through the air. Tas watched in fascination as Harry spoke the password into Dumbledor's lair and they moved up the staircase. At the top of the stair Harry became aware that there were many other people crowded into Dumbledor's office. One of these, a short and stocky male dressed in armor with a battle-ax on his back –Harry allowed himself a moment of surprise at this fact- immediately stepped out of the crowd towards the Kender.
'Tasslehoff Burrfoot! You rattle-brained doorknob of a Kender! Where on Earth have you been? Not that we would have missed you, but what if something had happened to you?' the other members of the group exchanged wry glances. 'What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? Whatever it is, don't come crying to me for your mess. How much trouble are you in this time-'
'Hi Flint! I'm not in any trouble! I just met these three friends. They had some sort of trap on their door that I sprung. I warned them about it – someone could get really hurt. And then they said I should come here. Are they blackrobes? Do you think that they'll do any magic? NO. I told you – I didn't get in any trouble at all. I was perfectly well behaved (at this point, Flint slyly removed several of Harry and Ron's possession's from Tas's pouches and returned them to their rightful owners.) oh! How did those get into my pouches? They must've slipped in when I was exploring. (Turning to address Harry and Ron) you really shouldn't leave your stuff around like that. Someone could take it!'
'Tas! Come over here and be quiet!' A tall young man with a red beard and pointed ears snapped. He turned to Dumbledor. 'Well, this is the Kender we were telling you about. We'll be able to keep him in line for the most part. He's well meaning, but he's … well… he's a Kender. In our world that would be enough to explain anything. Don't listen to him. He's full of tall tales and mischief.'
'Hello, Tas.' Dumbledor said kindly, taking Tas' hands away from the Remembrall the kender was absentmindedly trying to stuff in his purse. Flint surreptitiously removed some more of Harry's belongings and returned them. Harry realized that the Kender didn't even realize what he was doing. Introductions were made, and the group began to talk. That Doorknob of a Kender!"
Flint's first reaction upon becoming oriented to wherever they had appeared was to look for the Kender. Even though he had been asleep, he knew instinctively that it was all That Kender's fault. The dwarf would never admit being concerned for the Kender – after all, he seemed to cause nothing but trouble. He'd never gotten off to a good start with Tas – Tas having 'found' an expensive piece of jewelry the dwarf had made… forcing them into an adventure with a soul-stealing mage, an irate elf, fire-beings, a Dark God, and much more. Flint earnestly believed he had aged more on that trip, and the subsequent adventures that Tas had joined them on, than he had his entire life. Tas often acted like a child – never quite growing up, always innocent (even as his throwing knives found their targets). He was also immune to the self-preserving emotion of fear. Flint had learned not to be surprised by much – even statements such as 'gee…. Maybe I shouldn't have taunted that Dark Elf…' or 'hmmm. I guess it wasn't a good idea to open the door with five locks, four traps, and warning signs all over it. Oops!' Sensible travelers ducked and got ready to fight or flee whenever a kender said 'oops'. It was probably one of the most feared words on Kryn. As such, Flint never like to let the Kender get out of his sight. However, Tas was long gone. 'Rorix's beard!' the dwarf swore, but he couldn't see the Kender. 'Mark my words, we'll be in trouble up to our ears before long.'
Tanis looked down at the grumpy dwarf. 'He's probably just having around. I admit It would be nice if he was in sight, but don't worry so much.'
'I've heard that before.'
Then a rather old wizard appeared in the hallway. 'My name is Albus Dumbledor. Why don't you step into my office for a moment.'
'Who are you?' asked Tanis suspiciously. 'Why should we trust you? Where are we?'
'Step into my office and see. Don't worry. If I wanted to hurt you I would have done so already. This way, please.'
There was something so trustworthy, so calm and hospitable about the old wizard that they complied. Through corridors and passageways and stairs they went until they had reached Dumbledor's office. Dumbledor conjured up some chairs (including one for Flint's small stature, for which he was grateful. His back had been hurting him more than usual lately) and the Wizard began to talk.
'I don't know quite who you are, where you came from, though I expect you will tell me in time. I do know that I had sent out a spell asking for aide in these troubled times. No- don't interrupt. I will fill you in. No evil or cruel people can pass into these walls. So I know that you cannot harm us. It just remains to be seen exactly what part you will play. I am hoping you will join us. Failing that, I suppose we will try to send you back. I am asking – almost begging you- to please join our cause. We need aide badly to fight Voldemort.
I know you do not know the current situation here. Therefore, I am going to quickly fill you in. The place you are in now is a school for young wizards. Many years ago, a dark wizard calling himself Voldemort besieged the land. It began with mysterious 'disappearances'… then outright murder. All who resisted were killed. The wizards managed to overthrow him – for all time, as we though. Now, though, I am not so certain. Last year there were some disturbances. Then two of our students were kidnapped. One survived to bring back the news that Voldemort had returned. I am one of the few who believe this is true – the people do not want to believe. Disappearances have become more frequent. Voldemort's sign is in the air around murder sites again. Still people ignore the truth. If we are not ready, I fear that what almost occurred fifteen years ago –Voldemort taking over- will surely happen. He would not be kind to wizard, witches, or even muggles such as yourselves. I fear mostly for Harry and those close to him, though. Voldemort wants revenge, and it not above hurting those Harry holds dear. The poor child has already lost so much… and has fought long and hard. Last year was immensely hard for him. He blamed himself for Cedric's death… and then was tortured and cruelly used by Voldemort. He still has nightmares frequently. I do not know if I can explain this to you fully, but I am begging you for help. In these dark times we must parley with all, and come together or surely fall. The lives of so many innocents are on the line. If you could not aide us you would not have been brought… so I can only hope that I can convince you to do so.
In the silence that followed Dumbledor's words, even the irrepressible Tas looked somewhat solemn.
Tanis finally broke the silence. 'Will you allow us to have the night to think this over?'
'You may take all the time you need- within reason, of course. Let me show you your rooms.'
Silently, they filed out of the room.
"Oh, is that yours, Raistlin?" inquired the Kender innocently.
"You know perfectly well that it is." Snapped the mage.
"Well then, it's a good thing I found it- it might've gotten lost… maybe even nabbed by some clever thief!" Tas exclaimed. "You really should take better care of your possessions. You wouldn't want to loose one, after all."
Raistlin snorted, but after carefully putting the item back in one of his many pockets, said nothing. He became engaged in a deep conversation with the other members of the party, who as usual left the Kender out. Feeling bored and rather pouty, having finished examining his new trinkets, Tas began examining Raistlin's magical device, turning the knobs and doodads on it. After picking it up again from Raistlin's pocket while Raistlin was absorbed in the discussion, he had promised himself he would return it to Raistlin when he was done – a promise his mind quickly forgot, as the party set up to go. Tas had been wondering what exactly had Raistlin so worked up about this object – so far it was just another boring mage-toy. He was curious to see what Raistlin did with it.
Later that evening after the friends had pitched camp, just when Tas had begun to tell Flint in his shrill voice of the time he had lost a woolly mammoth, Raistlin noticed that the device – he called it a Time Device- was missing again. Swearing to himself that this time he would kill the kender, he marched over to where Tas lay and pulled him upright by the ear. This was much more painful than it sounds due to the fact that Raistlin was quite a bit taller than the little Kender.
"All right. Enough of your foolishness," He snarled. "Where is it?"
"Where's what? If you don't tell me what I'm supposed to have done this time, I can't tell you." Tasslehoff cried with perfect logic. "You just interrupted me in the middle of a story that I'm sure Flint was finding fascinating. Weren't you, Flint?" only Flint's snores answered. He had taken the opportunity while the Kender was otherwise engaged to slip off into sleep without the help of the highly improbable tale the Kender delivered to him with the utmost sincerity – and at a painful octave, too.
"I think that answers that question." Winced Raistlin, as a particularly loud snore hit him in the ear. "Now give me the Time Device."
"Oh! What's it doing in my pocket?" exclaimed Tas. "I thought you were supposed to take care of it!" as he pulled it out of his vest, his fingers hit just the right combination. The whole clearing began to dissolve around them….
The company was standing in a corridor of stone that, although they did not know it, was in a school. A school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Caramon glanced around. Everyone was here…except… that was odd. Raistlin and Tasslehoff were missing. They had been standing nearest the device – why weren't they here? He was just beginning to wonder this - mostly because it really wasn't the very best idea to loose sight of Tasslehoff Burrfoot for even a minute- when an old man in a peaked cap and long robes appeared in front of him.
"Hello. My name is Albus Dumbledor. Why don't you step into my office for a moment." As the world started to dissolve around him, Tas gazed around in fascination. The kender recovered quicker than the rest of the companions. Seeing that he was in an area that he had never seen before, the kender quite naturally scampered off to explore. Walking down the large stone halls, which were quite a bit bigger than usual due to his slight stature, he recalled his uncle's advice: "Whenever you are in a boring situation, turn left and keep turning left until you are free." This certainly counts as boring, Tas decided. There's not even a bugbear or anything! So he turned left, left again, and left again until…
"VALIENT." A short boy in black – was he a dark wizard? Tas wondered, interested. I wonder if he would put a spell on me? – Spoke to a painting of a human in a frilly pink dress. To Tas's amazement, the picture swung open. As the boy entered into the space behind the painting, Tas slipped in behind him. The room was filled with many human children in black robes. They chatted and laughed – or studiously did homework. All kept nervous eyes on the shadows cast by the blazing fire in the hearth, though. Tas slipped deftly through these shadows, taking another left and ending up at the foot of a stairway. He nimbly climbed the tall stairway, looking for adventure. Tas went into a doorway marked6th year (though he could not read it – his Spectacles of True Seeing were somewhere in the cursed temple of Istar). The door was locked, but that did not stop him for long. "This simple a lock – if they really wanted to keep anyone out, they would've used something better. I would ask permission if they were here, but for now I might as well see what is inside. After a few moments with some oddly shaped metal picks, the door swung open. Tas was inside.
There was just one problem, however- the door had been magically warded. Immediately, blue fire shot up the doorframe and formed an impenetrable barrier. Tas, rather than being shocked or scared, merely gazed at the flame in wonder and set about exploring the room. 'After all,' he reasoned to himself, 'I won't be getting out. So I might as well explore while I'm waiting. Ooh! Look at this!' and he wandered contentedly around the room. 'How careless of these people, leaving these things in plain sight! I'm sure they would be mislaid or stolen! Here now, I'll just put these away until I see them so that nothing happens to them…'
The springing of the trap had alerted Harry that something was happening in their dorm. 'Probably Neville forgot again.' He said, sighing. 'I'd better go and let him out again.'
'We're coming with you Harry.' Ron and Hermoine said together. 'Just in case.'
So off the three set towards the boy's dormitory. Harry was very glad that he had such good friends in Ron and Hermoine. They were more than slightly overprotective, though, he had to admit. They went everywhere with him, almost never allowing him any time to himself. Harry had to admit that the war with Voldemort had gotten worse lately, but still…
They climbed the stairs to the boys' dormitory, where the flickers of blue flame lit the way better than the torches. Finally they reached the top, where the door had completely disappeared. After peering inside, and seeing no sign of dark activity, (though also no sign of Neville, suprisingly) Harry said the counterspell and stepped inside. Or rather, Harry said the counterspell and Ron and Hermoine stepped inside, wands raised, before motioning Harry to come in.
'Oh! Hello. How are you? Did you know that your door bursts into flame? That's not really a polite way to greet visitors! You really should do something about it! Someday someone will get hurt! How are you? My name is Tasslehoff Burrfoot, Hero of the Lance. Who are you? Are you Black Robes? Will you put a spell on me? I saw one summon a demon once! Can you do that? Please?' All this was delivered in a very high-pitched voice by a tiny creature standing near the open trunk beside Ron's bed – the trunk that Harry knew Ron had locked that morning. The little creature bounced towards them, hand outstretched. It wore bright blue leggings, with a fleecy vest burdened with many pouches that clattered and jangled as he moved. He seemed to be about four feet tall, with curiously pointed ears and a ridiculous topknot that swung with each step. Cautiously Harry shook the thing's hand.
'Who… What are you?' He asked.
'Me? Oh! I'm a Kender, of course! What else would I be? I've been a bird before, though. And a mouse. Do you want to hear the story? Well- '
'That's all right.' Harry broke in, as the –Kender?- got ready for a long rendition of some tale or another, which Harry suspected might not be entirely true. 'How'd you get in here? We locked the door!'
'Oh, that. It was easy. I thought that if you had really wanted to keep people out you would've used a better lock. So I came in to see what was in here. Wherever here is. Though you really shouldn't treat visitors like that. The flame will hurt someone someday! Irresponsible! You would almost think you didn't want anyone in here!' Tas said, frowning. Then his face brightened again. 'Can you do magic? Like Raistlin! I've been in a mage's lair before, too. With my magic teleporting ring. You see, what happened was-'
'I think we'd better take you to Professor Dumbledor.' Harry broke in.
'Who's he?' asked the little man. 'Does he do magic? Is he interesting?'
'Come with us and find out.'
'fine.' The Kender hoisted his hoopak (though the young wizards did not know what it was) and skipped joyfully after them.
Harry led the Kender to Dumbledoor's office. Tas chattered all the way. Harry ignored Tas for the most part, though Hermoine (softhearted as she was) listened to him.
'You said you were a 'hero of the lance'.' Hermoine remarked. 'What exactly is that?'
'Oh come now, Hermoine.' Ron scoffed. 'He was just making that up. You know that. He's just an annoying little bugger.'
'Oh no I'm not! I'm a hero! Me, Tanis, Lauranna, Caramon, Raistlin, Tika, Goldmoon, and Riverwind - we all saved the World. I almost died! I don't think I'd like that. No adventures – though Fizban says that there are. I really don't know. It might be interesting to see. Raistlin saved me – he changed The Dream that we all had. But he became a blackrobe… but he really didn't. He said it wasn't time or something. I don't think he likes me very much. But that doesn't make much sense. You know, most people think Kender are annoying. But they should listen to us once in awhile – we have our uses. They never do though." The kender finished sadly. The next moment he was skipping down the hall again, swinging his hoopak. It made an ear-piercing shriek worse than the Kender's voice as it flew through the air. Tas watched in fascination as Harry spoke the password into Dumbledor's lair and they moved up the staircase. At the top of the stair Harry became aware that there were many other people crowded into Dumbledor's office. One of these, a short and stocky male dressed in armor with a battle-ax on his back –Harry allowed himself a moment of surprise at this fact- immediately stepped out of the crowd towards the Kender.
'Tasslehoff Burrfoot! You rattle-brained doorknob of a Kender! Where on Earth have you been? Not that we would have missed you, but what if something had happened to you?' the other members of the group exchanged wry glances. 'What trouble have you gotten yourself into this time? Whatever it is, don't come crying to me for your mess. How much trouble are you in this time-'
'Hi Flint! I'm not in any trouble! I just met these three friends. They had some sort of trap on their door that I sprung. I warned them about it – someone could get really hurt. And then they said I should come here. Are they blackrobes? Do you think that they'll do any magic? NO. I told you – I didn't get in any trouble at all. I was perfectly well behaved (at this point, Flint slyly removed several of Harry and Ron's possession's from Tas's pouches and returned them to their rightful owners.) oh! How did those get into my pouches? They must've slipped in when I was exploring. (Turning to address Harry and Ron) you really shouldn't leave your stuff around like that. Someone could take it!'
'Tas! Come over here and be quiet!' A tall young man with a red beard and pointed ears snapped. He turned to Dumbledor. 'Well, this is the Kender we were telling you about. We'll be able to keep him in line for the most part. He's well meaning, but he's … well… he's a Kender. In our world that would be enough to explain anything. Don't listen to him. He's full of tall tales and mischief.'
'Hello, Tas.' Dumbledor said kindly, taking Tas' hands away from the Remembrall the kender was absentmindedly trying to stuff in his purse. Flint surreptitiously removed some more of Harry's belongings and returned them. Harry realized that the Kender didn't even realize what he was doing. Introductions were made, and the group began to talk. That Doorknob of a Kender!"
Flint's first reaction upon becoming oriented to wherever they had appeared was to look for the Kender. Even though he had been asleep, he knew instinctively that it was all That Kender's fault. The dwarf would never admit being concerned for the Kender – after all, he seemed to cause nothing but trouble. He'd never gotten off to a good start with Tas – Tas having 'found' an expensive piece of jewelry the dwarf had made… forcing them into an adventure with a soul-stealing mage, an irate elf, fire-beings, a Dark God, and much more. Flint earnestly believed he had aged more on that trip, and the subsequent adventures that Tas had joined them on, than he had his entire life. Tas often acted like a child – never quite growing up, always innocent (even as his throwing knives found their targets). He was also immune to the self-preserving emotion of fear. Flint had learned not to be surprised by much – even statements such as 'gee…. Maybe I shouldn't have taunted that Dark Elf…' or 'hmmm. I guess it wasn't a good idea to open the door with five locks, four traps, and warning signs all over it. Oops!' Sensible travelers ducked and got ready to fight or flee whenever a kender said 'oops'. It was probably one of the most feared words on Kryn. As such, Flint never like to let the Kender get out of his sight. However, Tas was long gone. 'Rorix's beard!' the dwarf swore, but he couldn't see the Kender. 'Mark my words, we'll be in trouble up to our ears before long.'
Tanis looked down at the grumpy dwarf. 'He's probably just having around. I admit It would be nice if he was in sight, but don't worry so much.'
'I've heard that before.'
Then a rather old wizard appeared in the hallway. 'My name is Albus Dumbledor. Why don't you step into my office for a moment.'
'Who are you?' asked Tanis suspiciously. 'Why should we trust you? Where are we?'
'Step into my office and see. Don't worry. If I wanted to hurt you I would have done so already. This way, please.'
There was something so trustworthy, so calm and hospitable about the old wizard that they complied. Through corridors and passageways and stairs they went until they had reached Dumbledor's office. Dumbledor conjured up some chairs (including one for Flint's small stature, for which he was grateful. His back had been hurting him more than usual lately) and the Wizard began to talk.
'I don't know quite who you are, where you came from, though I expect you will tell me in time. I do know that I had sent out a spell asking for aide in these troubled times. No- don't interrupt. I will fill you in. No evil or cruel people can pass into these walls. So I know that you cannot harm us. It just remains to be seen exactly what part you will play. I am hoping you will join us. Failing that, I suppose we will try to send you back. I am asking – almost begging you- to please join our cause. We need aide badly to fight Voldemort.
I know you do not know the current situation here. Therefore, I am going to quickly fill you in. The place you are in now is a school for young wizards. Many years ago, a dark wizard calling himself Voldemort besieged the land. It began with mysterious 'disappearances'… then outright murder. All who resisted were killed. The wizards managed to overthrow him – for all time, as we though. Now, though, I am not so certain. Last year there were some disturbances. Then two of our students were kidnapped. One survived to bring back the news that Voldemort had returned. I am one of the few who believe this is true – the people do not want to believe. Disappearances have become more frequent. Voldemort's sign is in the air around murder sites again. Still people ignore the truth. If we are not ready, I fear that what almost occurred fifteen years ago –Voldemort taking over- will surely happen. He would not be kind to wizard, witches, or even muggles such as yourselves. I fear mostly for Harry and those close to him, though. Voldemort wants revenge, and it not above hurting those Harry holds dear. The poor child has already lost so much… and has fought long and hard. Last year was immensely hard for him. He blamed himself for Cedric's death… and then was tortured and cruelly used by Voldemort. He still has nightmares frequently. I do not know if I can explain this to you fully, but I am begging you for help. In these dark times we must parley with all, and come together or surely fall. The lives of so many innocents are on the line. If you could not aide us you would not have been brought… so I can only hope that I can convince you to do so.
In the silence that followed Dumbledor's words, even the irrepressible Tas looked somewhat solemn.
Tanis finally broke the silence. 'Will you allow us to have the night to think this over?'
'You may take all the time you need- within reason, of course. Let me show you your rooms.'
Silently, they filed out of the room.