OLD MAGIC
Chapter 65: Scheduling a Meeting with the Elder Council
After receiving the raven messenger from Snape early the next morning, Friday, Jason summoned Blayrock to him and explained what was needed.
"This be an excellent chance to give it a first run on such a large group. Any bugs needed to be solved will be seen during this effort," the dwarf said, easily when he had been asked by Jason to handle the transport.
"When be this meeting?" Blayrock asked.
"Monday, morning at nine precisely," Jason answered.
"So we be using the Quidditch Ilkley Moor Stadium for this as well?"
"Since it is already part of the plan for later, yes." Jason nodded.
"Excellent. We will make up a batch of them right now, brief the one that will pass them out … that be Snape perhaps?" Blayrock asked.
"Yes, I think he will be best along with Hagrid assisting. When you have the devices ready bring them to me and I will summon Severus to take them. You will be supplying a few helpers to insure proper usage?"
"Oh aye. No way are these beauties going out for a test ride without my observers seeing them in action and taking notes."
"Very well, then can you have your agents and the devices ready by Sunday morning?"
Blayrock thought a moment and nodded. "It's tight but doable. See you in the morning, Jason."
The half giant smiled and nodded then prepared to send a message to Snape about the devices and the Dwarves that would come with them. That part he was sure Severus wouldn't be happy about but it couldn't be helped.
As Snape prepared for his second class of the day, a huge barn owl arrived and quickly dropped a message on his desk before vanishing again. He quickly opened the missive and frowned at what Jason had said but since he had no choice he treated it as something they had to do.
"Dobby!" The house elf appeared.
"Yes, Professor Snape?"
"Please deliver this to the headmaster and Hagrid, please," Snape said, handing the newly written missives to the elf.
"Certainly, sir," Dobby took it and vanished in the next breath.
He sighed, grateful that things were now moving ahead quickly, though he knew it still might take another week until all the pieces of this plan were in place before they swooped in. Shoving that all out of his mind he focused on the day's lessons.
After lunch, Snape and Hagrid received a summons from the headmaster to meet in his office. When the two arrived they were surprised to see Professor McGonagall there as well. She sat near the fireplace across from the headmaster's desk holding a cup of tea. As they walked up to the pair, she nodded at them but said nothing.
"I've already updated Minerva on the events occurring of late. This is so she can manage things here while I'm away for however long these final stages will take," Dumbledore answered their questioning eyes.
"Of course and I should have remembered that would be necessary," Severus sighed as he realized yet another thing he hadn't thought of but then it wasn't truly his responsibility really so he let it go. "What did you need from us, sir? Is this in regard to the message I sent?" Snape asked, taking a seat next to Minerva as Hagrid did the same in a heavier style sofa chair set near Fawkes, made just to handle Hagrid's greater bulk.
"Yes but only in regards to how we plan to disseminate the devices without anyone becoming suspicious and wondering what we are up to."
"I thought that might be what you wanted and I have been thinking how it could be managed. According to Blayrock one device will transport ten people at a time. However, there will also be one of Blayrock's Dwarves going with each group. That's non-negotiable."
"Why is that?" Dumbledore asked, surprised by this stricture.
"This is the first time the devices are being used in a real situation. They have been tested so they are safe however, if there any tweaks as it were that are needed the Dwarves need to witness it and fix it if need be."
"So that means not only do the devices need to get to us but so does a very obvious Dwarf." Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head. "How many will that be?"
"I was told that one device will transport ten people. So that means ten devices for the Aurors and the equal number of Dwarves. But the Order only required one of each so that shouldn't be a problem there.
"But would be a serious problem for the Aurors. That many people are hard to collect without anyone taking notice especially with Dwarves among them. So how do we aid Madame Bones on accomplishing this massive transfer of people unnoticed?"
"I had taken that into account, sir, plus the additional issue that everyone must depart for the Elder Council Headquarters at precisely the same time, nine o'clock. Which is why I have been searching my brain for a place where they could congregate unnoticed since they can't all leave at the same time. I finally settled on one place that should work very well for this need … Queerditch Marsh. Her people can apparate there individually or in small groups until they are all in the same location. It will be on Madame Bones to insure all her people are there before the time to transport happens."
"But that location is unplottable for a reason, Severus," Minerva objected.
"Of course but I have been there and know it's location which I will pass on to Madame Bones personally," Snape reassured her.
"It sounds like the perfect solution. I'll leave that to you to take care of then Severus. As for the Order, I have already sent out the notice to congregate at Grimmauld Place at the appointed time. Thank you for coming. I had only wanted to make sure all details had been handled for this special meeting. I must admit to being rather excited by the prospect of seeing this place no one knew existed," Dumbledore said, smiling a little.
"It is rather spectacular," Severus admitted, smiling. "If that is all you needed from me, sir …?"
"Yes, that's all Severus, thank you and you too Hagrid," Dumbledore said waving the two off.
"Until Friday morning then, sir," Severus said heading for the door with Hagrid on his heels. He had much to do before the weekend.
As the pair made their way to the great hall, Hagrid asked, "I take it you be using Dobby to insure you can slip into the Ministry of Magic to drop in to see Madame Bones?"
"Of course. Can you think of a better way to get in and out unseen," Severus said, smirking.
"Nay. Amazing how the little creatures can come and go so easily and how wizarding kind just shrugs at it not once considering the implications of said abilities," Hagrid snorted.
"Yes, unfortunately that's true. Wizarding kind doesn't realize how lucky we are that only a tiny few house elves of any generation were ever truly evil."
"Oh Aye, makes me shiver to think about it. So do you intend to inform Blayrock of the meeting place for the Aurors too? Remember, he has to send the devices and Dwarves to her and they can't be seen with her," Hagrid reminded him.
Severus groaned. "Until you just said that it had slipped my mind. I was so wrapped up in just insuring everyone knew where to go without being seen! Yes, I will go see Blayrock as soon as I can get away."
"You could send a message …."
"Yes, but it would require questions and answers back and forth. Much better to just go and see him," Severus sighed.
Hagrid gently patted the man on the back. "We're near the finish line my friend. Hold on just a bit longer."
Severus gave his friend a tired smile. "Thanks, I do try. Have a good day, Rubeus."
"You to, Severus."
The pair split up as soon as they stepped past the gargoyle.