This chapter builds the much-needed premise of the whole story. The next untie many of the knots. An avid reader of this fic had wished the goblins to play a bigger role. And they will. From now onwards. These are shrewd and calculating magical folks. But against a common foe, all must unite. Things will get AU. Consider yourself pre-warned. And to all those readers under house arrest because of Convid-19, sending across prayers, courage and warm wishes to keep your spirits high. Once again- MournfulSeverity stands as the source of inspiration. In her very first review of the first chapter of "Love Empowered Empathy- Prologue," she had mentioned the word "Obscurial". That got me researching like a mad hare. Thoughts of "venom" and some sequel of "Spiderman" flooded my mind. And with the emotionally loaded "Mute" and the huge fantastic tale weaving in the backdrop of "Love Empowered Empathy"- Baby's Breath was quietly born in one of my sleepless nights. I hope against hope I shall not disappoint my readers.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but my thoughts of AU and OC, the rest all belong to J K Rowling.
Chapter 29
At this hour of the day, when the world had buried itself in pitch-black darkness, Severus Snape sat across his desk, separating himself from all those who gathered in his Gargoyle guarded office. Just like him, the others too were waiting for the "Visitor". After he got bored studying the lines of worry on each of them, eavesdropping into conversations that he had no purpose for, he had gone ahead to study the portraits of the previous headmasters and headmistresses of Hogwarts hanging above from the circular walls of the office.
Dumbledore's portrait as usual was quiet. But the others were busy chattering enthusiastically among themselves. Their eyes glued on the occupants of the room. Only Dilys Derwent and Phineas Nigellus Black were sitting straight and were watching him, in return, with interest.
It was a day of surprises. As if fireworks chose to explode around him on purpose. The thestral foal, Hermione, people trusting him with growing confidence, Bill Weasley working in liaison with the Goblins, the cryptic letters Hermione had written to Potter and Draco. The volley of surprises shocked him time and again, making him wary to his bones. Headmaster Black showing unguarded concern for the Granger girl, calling her specifically "his girl", Molly Weasley appearing at his doorstep with Minerva at her toes, convincing him to let her be the part of this investigation.
The formidable Weasley Matriarch had even handed over a curious case to him. He had felt a pull at his magical core, the moment he held on to the book size case. Strange. And she seemed apologetic, concerned and quite worried about him, of all the people! The case now lay inside one of the desk drawers. Narcissa had sent a letter of confidence and tucked within its folds was this old parchment. He felt the parchment between his fingers, and had transferred it into one of the many pockets concealed below his billowing robes.
Behind his stoic features, and piercing eyes, Severus was feeling like a caged beast of the wild. He had already briefed the former students on the facts at hand. He observed Blaise was continuously shifting his weight from one foot to the other. The boy knows something and maybe wishes to run it through me. Some things never change. Draco too was watching him from under his lashes.
Moments ago an owl swooped in. But instead of going to the Headmaster, it went and sat in front of the Charms Professor and regally held up its foot. In awe, Flitwick retrieved the burden, and the creature without waiting for a reply and flew back in the darkness of the night.
Whatever it was in the massive, had moved the Charms Professor to tears of joy. With glistening eyes, he had addressed the Headmaster, "I have been requested to receive the goblin delegate by myself. They wish to mend the estranged relation it so seems." Thinking over this new development, Severus nodded in agreement.
The Headmaster decided to let things happen in the ministry and Goblin's way just to make sure he was mentally prepared for the final battle cry. Yes, all these culminating events felt like precursors to the inevitable. His heart twisted in his chest once again. His occlumency shields clattered against each other. They felt like layers of mist over the Northern seas could pretend to be sheets of opaque glass.
One small struggling owl flew in next, this one seemed to be carrying a letter for Molly. Snap overheard the plump woman informing Minerva, Harry, and Remus, that it was from Arthur. Bill had to go on an urgent errand, and Fleur with Teddy, were to the Burrows to help Arthur in watching over Ginny. Snape would bet all his money the young Weasley was no doubt, coming to Hogwarts.
Just like the others, even he was shocked to hear the Floo connection getting activated. And moments later, the head of Kingsley Shacklebolt appeared.
"Headmaster Snape, I have been specifically asked to be present in this meeting of ours. The goblins wanted the present Order members to attend this meeting. I do have a couple of others with me. And it is safe to say, even they were requested to come."
"Then, by all means, do step in," though his drawling voice approved of this peculiar request, but his fingers for a few moments held on to his ebony wand, hidden below the table, just out of sight.
Kingsley Shacklebolt arrived with Narcissa Malfoy and Andromeda Tonks through the floo connection. And behind them, George Weasley too stepped into the room.
Kingsley right away informed him that he too had received an owl from the goblins. He showed it to the Deputy Headmistress who was also the Order of the Phoenix head and headmaster who was her first in command.
The letter was specifically addressed to Kingsley but his designation was mentioned as second in command. His exact role in the order of the Pheonix. Indicating the presence of the Black sisters, he conveyed that the ministry had pardoned Narcissa on special grounds and Madam Bones was of the belief that she could help Severus in the search of Horcrux if that ever came up. The presence of Andromeda Tonks and George Weasley was on special request from the goblins. The former was involved actively in the First Magical War. The letter quoted, "because she seemed to have played a significant role in the first war." In favor of the second, it jested, "He is needed because he is one of the best inventors of the Weasley Twins." It was amusing to watch, Molly's face, morph into pride and soon transgress into motherly suspicion. Snape could not have found any fault with that. The twins in their short tenure at Hogwarts were a force to reckon with.
These special requests managed to change the very atmosphere of the room. Minerva leaned over to him and Kingsley, worrying, "I don't like this dictating approach of the Goblins! This is not sitting well with me, though... if it is linked with Miss Granger's predicament, it makes the whole affair more sinister."
Andromeda Tonks, Narcissa, and Molly were still intently watching Severus like a hawk. They seemed quite agitated and were barely hanging on to their patience... And Draco. The Malfoy Head too seemed out of his usual character. Of all these nights, Fawkes was absent as well. 'These are the nights when I miss your counsel most, Albus,' Snape thought to himself.
Blaise Zabini, from the other end of the room, was observing the others with keen interest. Each one of them seemed to be onto something, yet they looked like they were afraid to broach the topic for some unknown fear. Though many thought the former potion master was simply sitting on his armchair across his desk, just waiting for the "Visitor", having grown under his supervision, Zabini was able to read the lines of worry and the slow building up of fury and frustration behind those obsidian eyes. Across the room, Remus Lupin could feel that something big was finally going to hit them and this would definitely knock them out for good.
The fireplace once again came alive, but this time it was Fawkes, who flew in gracefully, and after circling over the heads of the gathered witches and wizards and thoroughly astonishing them, it went on to sit quietly on its perch. A handful of seconds later, the flames turned green and the head of Aberforth Dumbledore appeared among the flames. His voice loud and clear, "Headmaster Snape, May I come through? I am bringing your visitors along as well."
Furrowing his brows and then briefly staring at Minerva and Kingsley, both of whom looked doubtful of the surviving recluse brother of the former Headmaster, Snape welcomed the last arriving guests to the ancient school of Hogwarts. Things had already turned too mysterious to brush aside, and he was meaning to find some answers, and that only meant, laying down at the cards on the deck.
The green flames grew high, and the long frame of Aberforth Dumbledore eased inside the crowded room. The others already present in the room, peered at the long cloth wrapped object he was carrying under his armpit. But they rose from their seats simultaneously. Squaring up his shoulders, Filius Flitwick stepped forward.
In the ancient gargoyle guarding room of Hogwarts Castle, after centuries, a goblin stepped in, followed by a wizard. In his tailored three-piece suit and his shiny black cane, Griphook, the residing of the Goblin Community, looked no less than a king by his own rights. Towering over him, Bill Weasley, Molly and George noticed, stood taller and braver. No one could shake the overwhelming feeling that the eldest Weasley induced in their beating heart. He looked much like an intimidating wizard who had earned a goblin's confidence, honor, and respect.
A/N: I am nearly done with the next chapter.