OLD MAGIC

Chapter 61: House Elf Warriors

Sunday evening, before leaving to see Jason that Monday morning, Fawkes had done what he'd promised Snape, and that was to speak with Firg, the house elf leader of Hogwarts, who was very surprised by what the Phoenix had wanted to know. Later or tomorrow, he would approach the leader at the Ministry of Magic Headquarters as well on the same subject.

"Firg sees why this be so important and yes, it might be helpful to end war quickly. However, if Hogwarts is not involved with the fighting directly, unlikely my elves will feel the need to be involved at all. It is a matter of protecting what is their masters not whether they be brave or not. It is engraved upon each house elf to protect their masters and their dwellings but not an idea like ending the evil despite the fact it could lead to we elves gaining more rights," Firg explained.

Fawkes sighed. He thought that might be the issue but there was one thing Firg missed. "Hogwarts may not be involved with the larger picture but they do be involved nonetheless."

"Huh? What part would be ours?" Firg asked, confused.

"Hogwarts be not clean of evil despite all the efforts to keep it safe for the children within."

"Ahhh, you mean Slytherin House. Aye, you are correct. Spies they be for their parents."

"Not just them but a possibility of others that are involved as well," Fawkes warned.

Firg pulled on his chin and nodded. "Sorry I am to admit that may be true though our infestation should not be that large … but exist it surely does. Worry not, I will order my elves to do a thorough accounting of all within these walls and get the list of those working for the Death Eater faction to you post haste."

"Excellent. And thank you for clarifying what your people will or will not do in the coming battles. Your honesty is a valuable thing in this day of subterfuge and lies."

Firg shrugged. "Be our nature, Fawkes. Glad I am you came to ask my advice. Though our part at Hogwarts be small, glad I am that at least Jeg will be able to aid the Elders more when it comes to the Ministry of Magic though there be some house elves there that may have turned to evil and those will fight to keep the Light from winning."

"Be Jeg honest and on side of Light?" Fawkes asked concerned.

"Worry not my friend. Jeg be honest and believes in what the Ministry of Magic stood for and not what that fool Fudge has made it become with his foolishness and cowardice."

"Surprised I be at hearing that. Thought elves overlooked their masters foibles and served them regardless of how they feel personally."

"That be true normally, Fawkes, however, they be not ignorant of what is truly going on. They will not support any that threaten the safety of all rather than the few when it comes to the Ministry of Magic's total population of wizards within it. It may not be sentient as Hogwarts but the building does hold a great deal of magic within it's walls that elves will guard with their lives as it affects all within and without. That is why the evil turned elves disturbs them so. In that, the good will be willing to fight to return the balance that has been lost since these wars began," Firg said sagely.

"Ah, that be good to know and will work to our advantage including completing the identification of those Death Eaters within the population there."

"Aye, they would be keen on eliminating that threat and Jeg will be the one who can ensure that is accurate. Be there others doing this identification now?" Firg asked.

"Yes, Munch, a wizard who acts as entry guard and Blodrig, the Goblin leader. They have been working tirelessly for weeks on that," Fawkes affirmed.

Firg nodded. "Then it be a good idea for you to gather them for a meet with Jeg and speed up the process, yes?"

Fawkes gave a trill that was his form of a laugh. Yes, this was exactly what he had hoped would be the outcome of this meeting. It might not be all that Severus had wished for but at least it was more than hoped. "Oh yes, definitely. Thank you, Firg you have been most helpful."

Firg smiled. "Glad I be to have been of some use. Good fortune my friend and keep me informed."

"I will and you keep Hogwarts safe for me while we are all away," Fawkes requested.

"Of course. That be our life's duty," Firg said solemnly. With a chirp of farewell, Fawkes flashed away.

~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~o~

Sighing at waiting yet again to speak to Jason, Fawkes returned his attention to their leader and discovered Jason had finally completed his conversation with Aestra and Annis Black and was now signaling the Phoenix to join him. He flew over and took a perch on Jason's shoulder as the half-giant and his secretary left the strategy room for a broad staircase just outside. Not speaking, Jason continued upward until he reached the living quarters floor. Turning off he walked down a short hall until he reached a door. He opened it and gestured for the bird to go before him.

The room was a small observation area with three huge windows that looked out over the huge estate the castle sat on. It held little in the way of furniture, only a table with a couple of chairs, and three padded benches below each window. Jason took a seat on the center bench and relaxed. Fawkes flew to the back of one of the chairs and faced the council leader.

"What can I do for you, my old friend," Jason asked.

"I have an interesting proposition to bring to the table," Fawkes said promptly then went on to present Snape's excellent idea, his own research into it's feasibility, and his own thoughts on how this would work for the mission. "Feel I do that Harry Potter's idea has merit as does Firg's. Only sorry I am that the house elves of Hogwarts will not be of much use in the larger picture except for cleaning their own house, unless the enemy makes fool hardy attack on it which is very unlikely. But the house elves of the Ministry of Magic … now there is where their assistance could make the mission be accomplished in mere minutes rather than hours or days."

Jason gaped at him for a moment before he regained his wits. "How did we ignore this resource?" He finally managed to ask.

Fawkes fluffed his wings and sighed. "Forest for the trees perhaps," he said disingenuously.

Jason burst into laughter before sobering and shaking his head. "Aye, very possible. So now that this has been brought to light, I'm assuming you are suggesting we get with this Jeg and set up the meet Firg has so helpfully urged us to do then if all goes well, the collection of the spies could be done as quickly as … say a week?"

Fawkes tilted his head and thought a moment. "Nay, let us not put cart before horse. Meeting first then we will know just how quickly this can happen. Tell you I have so that you may be informed and if this is what you wish to do."

"Oh aye, definitely. If something can end this quicker then we needs do it. As I have been informed by Severus and Rubeus, the enemy leaders, such as they are, be off balanced and struggling to bring their forces together. Now is the time to take them and those at the Ministry down …. oh but wait …," Jason cursed softly. "Now I definitely am trying to put cart before horse as you so eloquently stated."

"How so?" Fawkes asked cocking his head at the half giant, confused.

"Because we need the assurance our allies are ready to work with us. I feel confident Madame Bones is willing but we need to at least wait for her to get her own people on the same page besides obtaining the legal warrants for the enemy we intend to collect. For this to be legal we cannot jump ahead of the law's rules on this."

The Phoenix let go a loud disgruntled chirp. "True that be. As much as we be wanting to jump on this quickly we must be cautious or all will be wasted effort. Very well, meeting Jeg, Munch, and Blodrig is still a good thing to accomplish now. Perhaps better as they will not be rushed in the identification process, and give Hogwarts elves the time they need as well since they had only just been asked, yes?"

Jason nodded his head in agreement. "And after you have gotten that done, I may have the news we need to move it all forward and a better idea of our timeline. Yes, this is a better idea. Go ahead, my friend. We will still succeed, I am feeling very good about our chances in getting this all done by at least the end of the next week if not sooner. Oh, and to sweeten the information of yours is the news I just received from Aestra. She has found the enemy's army location and is at this moment maintaining a watch over them until we are ready to strike."

"This be excellent news and makes me feel better about the delay on the other matters. Yes, I too feel we are very close to being ready to end this war with few casualties. I have much to do as do you so I will depart. See you tomorrow perhaps. If be unable will send a messenger. Farewell for now!" Fawkes said raising his wings.

"Good luck my friend," Jason called out as the Phoenix vanished. Turning to his secretary he said, "Seems we are closer to our goal of being free at last, Draylin."

The Dwarf smiled broadly as he rolled up his scroll neatly. "Aye, sir, it does indeed."