I'm not completely happy with this chapter as written. But I didn't want to delay any longer while I messed with it. This chapter is a little shorter than what I normally publish, but we're getting to the end of this particular part of the tale. Once again, thanks for reading. Comments both good and bad are always appreciated. I may not go back to fix prior mistakes, (unless it's important to the story.) But I take note of your feedback and try to better in the future.
Once more thanks to Rob4133. His ideas and editing have been invaluable.
And finally because I haven't said it in a while, just in case you've forgotten, this is Rowling's sandbox and we're just making sandcastles with her toys.
Happy Halloween
Bob
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Lucius still limped on his leg. His master had not seen fit to let him completely heal following the debacle at the muggle PM's residence. They had failed in their mission most spectacularly. The loss of the cannon fodder wasn't the misshapen babies primary issue. But he didn't tell anyone that. He would have counted this a "win" if they had returned with any hostages. He would have been mollified if there had been widespread panic over monsters or giants in the muggle news. The loss of giants was a bit troubling though, there weren't that many of them left. Their only importance was another asset to further his plans. Once he took over, he could destroy the rest.
He took a moment to enjoy that thought before getting back on track. His spies had told him there had been stories of an explosion at the residence but nothing further. He had been further irritated that their contacts on the continent and in Northern Africa had been reluctant to commit without guarantees. Word had spread and a family had already suffered some political losses along with financial. The story was told that The Blacks were looking for an excuse to destroy the Bruno family. In fact, some parts of it had already fled. Reports of foreign teams of hit wizards combing the countryside further fostered that belief.
When he had sent spies to test the palace, the unexpected wards "bounced" them off causing injuries. Voldemort fumed but he didn't have enough bodies at the moment for any major endeavors. He dug into the seemingly endless coffers of the Malfoy family and hastened some funds to their agents overseas. It was the Malfoys turn to donate, of course, Lucius was thrilled to do so. As he simultaneously wondered if he could get another shipment of powder in.
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It was hard to find things to give one another for feast day. This was an event held once per year on the anniversary of your birth. For most it was a little cake or a comb or even a brush. But the more important you are to the community the more impressive the gift should be. This was actually Aria's first year being tasked with finding an appropriate gift for Magorian. His mares were glad to drop this odious task onto her. Most times they had to go through several intermediaries to trade for something. None truly knew what the relative items that were being traded were worth. With their natural distrust of wizardkind they thought they had been taken advantage of. But now she had her own emasculated wizard to take advantage of. Even though neither of them saw it that way.
Ronnie found himself wandering further into the woods of the Centaurs. When she had told him his task he accepted it without argument. He knew he couldn't deny her anything. Only now did he start to realize that this devotion was part of the geas placed on him by Magorian. It was much harder to hurt one you loved. Of course, Magorian only belatedly became aware that the geas worked both ways. His precious Aria was in love with her Ronnie too. But since he was an unmarried mare, she was safe.
Ronnie was running low on time he had been wandering around the woods going further and further out. At first Aria or one of the others would accompany him, but it was boring for everyone else. Ronnie too, but he knew what he was looking for. At least he thought so. After the 33rd, "How about this one?" Pointing to a likely source. After 33 replies of, "Umm.. no. Not quite right. After a while they left him alone to search.
Eventually, he stayed out all night, having reached the point where it didn't make sense for him to turn around. He had just over two weeks left and if he didn't want to rush, he needed to start it soon. He was skirting the edge of a swamp when he felt..." something." He was armed with a mare's bow and arrows as well as a knife and small hatchet. Moving toward the source he kept going, faster and faster, heedless of the dangers. Even though these were the Centaurs woods, it was still a forest and like any wood, potentially dangerous.
Stumbling through the bushes he tripped at the last second on a large root and fell with both hands on a tree. It wasn't tall or majestic. It wasn't overly beautiful, It's leaves weren't made of silver or gold. But the tree was. It had a presence. It was signing to him but it never made a sound except for the wind rustling the leaves. He righted himself and pulled his hands off the tree as if scalded, but once more placed his hands back on it, drawn to it.
He wasn't sure how long he stayed like that. It's not as if the tree and he had a conversation, but there was a communion of a sort. Finally pulling his hands from the tree he both felt refreshed and weary simultaneously. The tree existed for a purpose and it taught him that everything had a purpose but most people and almost all trees never knew their purpose. He sat and watched the tree and tried to think about this stunning event. He was so out of his depth here and wished that Hermy or Looney was here to help. And then he chastised himself, it was Hermione and Luna and he was certain that they would tell him he had to puzzle this one out on his own.
As he mulled everything over he realized the tree somehow told him where other trees were that knew their purpose. He heard/felt a "crack" and a six-foot piece of wood fell next to him. It wasn't fit for a spear or an arrow, it was too gnarled. It wasn't thick enough to carve into anything and the thought of it kind of made his stomach flip-flop at the idea. He held the stick and realized he had to puzzle out what it was for. It would help him realize his purpose. Like a divining rod the stick was pulling him. Not having any other ideas he let it pull him. He was just open enough to the idea of magic for this to work through him. Another ten minutes of seemingly going in random directions though brought him to the perfect piece of oak just big enough for the bust he knew he would carve. He could see Magorian's head in the bust just waiting to be exposed. Even though he felt a bit silly, he thanked the magic divining rod before beginning the laborious process of bringing the heavy oak back.
Many leagues away. An old man long tired of waiting for assistance pulled his head up from his workbench. He was adding to the many boxes that dominated the shop, as he prepared for the rush of youth not many months away. He seemed to stare off into space for a time before a smile broke his lips. "Finally." He breathed.
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"Harry! Harry! Come quick! There's a baby Dalek in the bathroom!"
Harry roused from a deep sleep was instantly alert. Luna sounded scared and both he and Hermione jumped out of bed with their wands already in hand. Luna stood in the doorway in between their room at the Craigowan Lodge and the en-suite bathroom.
The queen had sent along travel arraignments through Major Granger for all of her guests. The stated reason was she wanted to give everyone "the full benefit of traveling without magic." Despite nerves, everyone had met at the Black Bastion and left in four large limousines which brought them to a small airfield outside London. After receiving some very patient instructions, some had never seen a helicopter before, (having not seen the video of the second task). With some nervousness, they entered the rear of the "ungainly looking bird" as Sirius called it before enduring the two-hour flight to Scotland.
There were many different levels of apprehension as the flight commenced. Augusta very nearly refused to board the aircraft, until Siri hit her with a cheering charm. Others, such as Dan didn't give it a second thought as he boarded the airplane having plenty of hours riding in similar aircraft without all of the nicer amenities such as sound muffling and comfortable seats, or even a head, (bathroom). Most fell somewhere in between and the fear of the unknown that was quickly replaced by boredom. Most agreed that they would be apparating home though; with Siri offering to side along both of the Grangers.
Having arrived in another set of limos at the Craigowan, they were briefed by Mrs. Cumberland, the queen's social secretary, and a written itinerary given to them for the next two days at the Balmoral. She also included "reminders" on how to address each person there. For the most part it was expected to be quite informal except for the initial greeting and any ceremonies.
She joked, "Informal does not mean you get to call her Liz."
Everyone turned to look at Siri. He rejoined," Hey. Even I knew that. She obviously wants everyone to call her Beth."
The rooms were well appointed with every amenity you could think of. Someone's attempt at proper social convention had the four girls in a room assigned to them and the two young lords were assigned a room with two doubles in it. As before, the girls made short work of that setup in favor of the one they were most comfortable with.
The hostel staff made no mention of it, nor did any of the security assigned. All of the girl's parents along with Matron Longbottom were completely aware of their arrangement at school and if the kids could be trusted while alone there was no reason to make note of it now.
Everyone knows that Hermione's brain works faster than most. However, being in a deep sleep it took a moment longer than normal to realize what was happening. She could hear the fear in Luna's voice and could feel it through the bond as well. By the time they got to the bathroom door she had a suspicion just what she was speaking of. Hermione also realized that Harry would have no idea what a Dalek was and may be thinking that one of Luna's mysterious magical creatures was putting in appearance in at the most inopportune of times.
Luna stood in the doorway visibly shaking. At a glance, Hermione took in that she was in between fully awake and her dreamstate. She pushed Harry's wand down and sent calming waves of peace to the both of them as she grabbed Luna into a hug. The bedroom door was thrown open and security, staff members, Neville and the girls with wands drawn and Dan Granger with his weapon already "safety off".
She took charge of the situation. "Stand down!" she ordered. As an explanation for the family, she added, "She's half in a dreamstate." Heedless of the almost nothing they were dressed in, she took the girl further into her arms and calmed her.
"It's a Dalek 'Mione. I swear."
"Shh." She looked at the younger girl who still wasn't fully there, and even though standing rocked her gently to and fro. "We're here and we'll show you. I think I know what you saw. Here let's turn the light on."
As she turned the light on fully. She pointed out in the sudden bright light exactly what she saw. Instead of a small wastebasket, the bathroom was equipped with a three foot tall cylindrical stainless steel wastebasket. It even had a domed cover with free swinging doors built in on either side.
"I'm the staff doctor. Dr. John Smith. May I be of assistance?"
Luna perked up. "The doctor? Are you here for the Dalek?"
If Hermione didn't have an armful of Luna, she would have facepalmed then. "Shh. Wrong doctor honey. Once the sun is up I'll explain everything to you both. Let's try to get you back to sleep."
They tried to apologize to everyone, but no one was concerned with the interruption. All of the family had heard of her difficulties with her dreaming. One of the staff or security agents confided when the night light was turned back on, "You know, in that light it does look like a Dalek. How much do you want to wager they'll be traded out before the day is gone?"
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It was really easy when being presented to the queen and her family. All one had to do was what the majordomo told you to. Since he had reminded everyone immediately before being presented and then was there a step to the side and one behind just to remind everyone in case they had forgotten. Apparently, it happened frequently enough, mostly due to nerves they were told.
Harry had privately wondered if Augusta or the Davis', Greengrass', or even that blackguard Sirius would object to bowing/curtseying to the muggle queen. He was kind of relieved when the introductions and courtesies were done. The "Your Majesties," and "Your royal highness," etc.
When asked later he snorted, "Nah. None of us would. It's only polite. Purebloods are raised with all of the bowing and scraping. Every child of a pureblood is raised knowing where one sits in relation to everyone else. Paying attention to the niceties is one of the few things that keeps Magical Britain going. That's why half-bloods and mundanes upset the purebloods so much, they're insulted by the inadvertent snubs to their positions."
"And just how are the mundanes supposed to know this?" Hermione asked with a little heat. "Until I bonded with Harry no one had bothered to teach me or any of the other new bloods."
"Me either," Harry added.
"It used to be a course at Hogwarts, along with the muggle studies, but it was dropped by Dumbledore a couple years after he became the head."
"Figures. Then he makes sure that muggle studies stays 80 years out of date."
"Why wouldn't the purebloods disrespect the crown?" Hermione was curious and wanted to get back to the original point.
He smiled in return, "Because you can't very well expect everyone to respect your titles when you aren't willing to do the same. But make no mistake, the moment they were told to, or the moment they thought they could get away with it, regicide would be easy for them. Then too there are the old treaties that bind us to the whoever sits on the throne. It has passed from family to family, but magic recognizes the throne and our oath to it. Better to avoid any remembrance of them."
"Why not use the old treaties and oaths to hold everyone's feet to the fire?"
Sirius continued, "Because it would affect all of magical Britain, not just the criminals. It should be used as a last resort."
"Well said," The Prince of Wales had come up behind the three and they hadn't seen him.
They were meeting in well-appointed room. It had plenty of deep chairs and couches. A few servants took orders for drinks, but most stayed at the side waiting to be summoned. Of course, no one knew which ones were the wait staff and which were security. Neville thought they all served both functions.
They were told they were going to have an early dinner. Some other guests hadn't arrived and they would wait for them.
"I suppose I should be upset with the both of you." He said with a smirk to the two teens. "By the way, mother is keeping an eye on all of us. She likes to 'stir the pot,' so to speak. In fact, your ladies are receiving an earful at the hands of my wife as we speak."
They turned to see Diana looking every bit the courteous hostess speaking with the four young ladies. No one was fooled. Even with his poor eyesight, Harry was able to see the fire in her eyes and the passion in her movements.
Harry stole a glance at her majesty and while she engaged Augusta and the other adults she would steal a glance at Diana and then her son. Their eyes met briefly and a Harry thought he saw a quick wink.
"She's smiling, but I know she's trying to influence your ladies." He continued still speaking of his wife.
"She's not having any luck," Neville answered. He closed his eyes briefly before continuing, having searched through the bond. "My girls are amused."
Harry paused a moment and did the same thing. "'Mione's being polite about it, but she's just a bit on this side of irritated."
"What about Luna?" The Black asked.
"Luna's...not really there right now."
Seeing the blank looks he explained further. "I'm not sure what she's doing though. If you were to ask her a question she would answer you after a bit. Part of her is there in the conversation and but most of her is searching for something."
"For what?"
Charles saw both of the young men shrug at the same time. "Beats me. We're used to this. She does it fairly often. I would imagine its something for your wife though."
He wanted to ask more but his two sons came over. They had been a bit hesitant of approaching the older boys even though trained from birth on the social niceties. Here were a couple of actual wizards, just a bit older than them and already, if the briefings were to be believed, capable of single-handedly killing giants when an entire security team couldn't.
The pregnant pause almost became uncomfortable, but Prince Harry being only ten couldn't help himself. So you're really magic? Can you do something?"
"Harry! That's not polite!"
Several things happened at once all seen by a different person in the group. Harry saw Hermione start and take a preparatory step when she faintly overheard "Harry," towards him. He felt her concern jump.
Neville saw the boy's eyes grow wide in worry, but they had continued to search their father's face and saw them relax almost immediately.
Sirius had been looking at Diana and saw the concern in her eyes and a flash of anger as she watched her recalcitrant husband.
The elder Harry laughed. "It's fine. If I was them I would be asking the same. Siri, you're probably best for this part. Do you mind if Padfoot has a go?"
Siri asked, "Highness?"
Charles knew he was on eggshells with both of the women in his life. And this was his mother's show. He turned slightly and raised an eyebrow. An almost imperceptible nod was the answer.
"Is it dangerous?"
Neville and Harry chuckled. "Padfoot's a big happy goof."
"Neville! You wound me!" He over dramatized for the kids.
"He better remember he's housebroken," Harry quipped.
Sirius, always wanting to be the life of any party stepped back and winked at the two kids. In a moment there was a big black dog standing where he had been. He couldn't help himself. A couple of loud "Woof's" just to get everyone's attention and he quickly licked the kids' faces before cavorting around the room. He even made as if he was going to "greet" the queen Padfoot style but at the last second sat and gave her a doggy smile with his tongue lolling out of the side of his face.
Cece Greengrass laughed, "Bad Padfoot. You try that and you could very well find your self neutered."
"In both forms," The queen drolled laconically.
He never stopped smiling as he shifted back to human bowed and gave her his best roguish wink before resuming his dog form and cavorting back to the lads. Eventually. (He stopped at every group and gave them the benefit of his presence. Even licking Diana's hand.)
Harry and William were agog. "Can you do that?"
The older teens lightly laughed. "Not yet. We're going to study it this summer. It took Sirius two and a half years to learn how to do that. It's a process that requires a lot of determination."
"Which means most wizards and witches can't do it," Neville finished.
Seeing the questioning looks they continued. "Wizards and witches are inherently lazy. They learn how to do some wonderful things and rely on it exclusively." Their eyes caught those of the Prince of Wales. "Which is why they treat mundanes, or as they call them, muggles as if they were beneath them."
"The truth is," Neville picked up the spiel, "That is why in most areas the mundanes have the magicals beat. The wizards refuse to admit, even to themselves, that a society that doesn't grow, stagnates."
"What about the rest of the world?" Charles asked curiously.
Sirius rejoined them at that time when the two young lords shrugged. "It's not quite as bad elsewhere. Every region of the world has their own issues and concerns, but magical Britain is among the worst." Seeing the looks for Harry and Neville, "Hey, we have business interests everywhere. And Moony has seen much of the world."
It was William's turn to blurt, "It's cool to have two girlfriends." Of course forgetting that everyone in the world with the possible exception of young Harry knew that dad has a wife and a girlfriend.
"They're more than that though, they're our fiancés." Neville was really patient with the boys. "And we're bonded. What happens to one of us happens to the others. Harry was hurt a short time ago and when he got hurt, both Hermione and Luna suffered right along with him."
"Isn't that illegal?" Won't one be jealous? How does that work?" All sprung from the boy's mouths all at once.
A quick look at father told William he was borderline safe for the moment.
The elder Harry answered. "It's a bit different for all of us. It's more than a standard boyfriend-girlfriend thing for us. Hermione, Luna, and I share emotions and power. In the final stages we'll even share thoughts."
"You mean you'll know what she's thinking?"
"We pretty much know now what our mate's thoughts are," Neville clarified. "We have to concentrate, but I can tell you what Daphne and Tracey are thinking and feeling right now." As he said that, the entire group looked and Daphne and Tracey gave a smile and wave to the two boys. "What Harry means is that we'll be able to think directly to each of our respective mates. And they to us."
Harry added sotto voce, "It won't be long now."
That was something Neville didn't know. "Really? We've been talking about this as well. The girls have been dropping 'hints' about it for a few weeks."
"The four of them must have been talking again. Hermione and Luna started directing feelings at me, and then Luna for the last couple of weeks has been influencing my dreams again. They don't want me to enter the third task without completing the bond. And I can't really blame them, but I hesitate at the same time. They would have a slightly better chance if I didn't complete the bond if something happens to me."
Charles couldn't stop himself. The conversation had gotten serious all of a sudden. "They would have a better chance at what?"
Harry had steeled himself, so didn't show any emotions. But his answer was terse, "Staying alive."
The magicals of course knew of the bond completion and what it means. Dan and Emma may have heard a bit of what they said because their lips tightened but they didn't say anything. But the nonmagicals not privy to everything were naturally curious.
"Third task?"
"Complete the bond?"
"Influence your dreams?"
The timing of the interruption was exquisitely precise. Everyone's questions, which included many of the others in the room that had tried hard to overhear exactly what was happening now. The briefings for the mundanes were as thorough as MI5 could make it. But there was still large gaps of information. Which was one of the stated reasons for this holiday. One thing that was clear, Longbottom and Potter were definitely lightning rods. All kinds of fun, mischief, and trouble were S.O.P. for the teens. (A/N: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE).
The majordomo interrupted everything, "Dinner ladies and gentlemen is served." He then led the guests to the dining room. Each seat had a small placard indicating the proper seat. There were more forks and spoons lying all in precise rows and three different glasses of different sizes in front of each seat.
Spying Harry quail a little, "What did you think Potter. Did you expect a serve yourself buffet?"
Everyone tittered as they stood there. It wasn't proper to sit, not when their hosts hadn't put in their appearance yet.
"Don't worry about it, Greengrass. I've got this covered. I know exactly what to do."
"Oh yeah?" Her tone was plain that she didn't believe him.
"Yeah. It's easy. I'll just do what 'Mione does. She'll keep me out of trouble."
Luna hadn't been "back" for all that long. Remembering a conversation from months ago she added, "Yeah Harry. You really suck!"
Everyone laughed and Harry was aghast with false hurt. "Luna!" Even the staff along the walls hid smiles and laughs.
"Well you do," she defended. "Everyone knows. You and Nevy both."
"Luna!"
"Why is everyone surprised? You both do. You suck trouble and danger towards you like the worlds best Hoover. I just have one question?"
"What's that, Luna honey?"
"What's hoovering?"
Once again interruption was timely. "Ladies and gentlemen..."
Their hosts were presented by ones and twos beginning with the young princes and then their father and mother. Once more their faces were schooled to hide any show of feelings.
Harry heard Luna mutter, "A wide gulf, but not insurmountable."
The big surprise came with the next set of introductions. "Since they arrived with the hosts," Daphne, standing opposite of Harry told everyone, that makes them co-hosts for the evening. Remember Harry," singling him out, "that makes this their home for the rest of the evening."
Tracey added, "A very great honor."
Jaws hit the floor as the next host and hostess were Bloodbringer and his mate Tress! They were of course introduced as Ambassador and Mrs. They were closely followed by two more Goblins, One they had only heard of but never met, Director Ragnoc and his eldest mate Fortuna.
Before they could announce Her Majesty and Prince Phillip Luna shattered protocol. "Bloodbringer!"
Only Hermione grabbing her arm and not letting her go saved the dinner from devolving into Daphne's dystopic Buffet.
Everyone lingered at the dinner table, they would shortly go to still another room where this time with a small orchestra there would be dancing. But her majesty found herself enjoying this dinner. Even though it had the some of the markings of a state dinner, it decidedly was less informal.
"Lord Potter, Lord Longbottom. I understand from our friend Ragnoc that one of you is also the Duke of Gryffindor."
Almost simultaneously, they answered, "Yes mum."
She waited a pregnant moment before asking, "Well? Which one of you is it?"
Harry shrugged, and Neville answered for them. They had settled this a long time ago. Hogwarts knew. Which means the hat knew. They figured the goblins knew as well. "We don't want to know. It doesn't matter to either one of us. We both have titles enough and don't need the added burden accompanying the title. The dubious political benefits a duchy adds will never make up for having a brother."
Harry added his two knuts in, "Neville was born less than 30 minutes before me. Since we've come to Hogwarts I've discovered I have a big brother, two ladies that love me, two more sisters, and more. Everyone with us here is family. A title in no way can make up for all of that.
The "family" was humbled by Harry's declaration and they knew Neville felt similarly.
Impressed, but not done with her examination. "And will this adversely affect the voting bloc in the Wizengamot?"
Neville answered, being slightly more conversant with the nuts and bolts of the 'gamot. "It shouldn't. Our alliance is strong enough to neutralize both the dark and light alliances. We've had feelers from members of both, especially since Lord Black joined ours. We could potentially have an additional six members or more if we could assure them safety from Voldemort."
Speaking in goblin Ragnoc choose that moment to pipe in, "Teens should do what they're told or be whipped."
The two goblin spouses, both shorter than their mates and their faces softer with brilliant gleaming sharpened teeth, were long used to the males speaking thus so didn't react. Bloodbringer hid his reaction behind his napkin. His eyes were alight though, similar to the look Harry got when he had a prank in the making.
Luna didn't skip a beat, she replied in the same guttural language, "Ragnoc Quickcutter are you of the Clan Grovel? You are getting a little long in the tooth and dull in the eye to speak thus to two young warriors in the springtime of their youth."
Bloodbringer couldn't help it, he laughed openly and had the two spouses smiling while Ragnoc sat there both amused and surprised. No one has dared speak thus to him in many a year.
Simultaneously Tracey dropped her silverware, and Daphne spilled her drink which poured for another moment before she caught herself. It hadn't been but a few short months since Luna began to instruct them in the language and here she was giving them an example of practical application.
Harry and Neville joined Ragnoc their mouths open for flies. While Hermione quickly thought how she was going to prevent bloodshed and then find a way to kill her youngest mate. If they survived.
The whole table froze. They knew something of import had occurred. The queen asked, "What was that? What was said?"
Normally goblins eschewed titles, except when dealing with formal affairs. This certainly qualified. "Director Ragnoc intimated that Lords Potter and Longbottom should do what they're told. Lady Lovegood just told the director he was getting too old to tell them what to do. And threatened that her mate and Lord Longbottom would fight him if needed."
"And asked if I knew how to grovel!" Ragnoc added amused.
People started to laugh nervously.
"Luna. I really wish you would let me know before you do these things. I really didn't plan on fighting the whole goblin army this evening."
The corners of the queen's mouth curved up in a small smile. "Tell me Lord Potter do you think you can defeat the entire goblin army?"
He hesitated, unsure what he should say. "Well, I'm not sure I can defeat the WHOLE army."
The goblins were openly laughing. Bloodbringer exclaimed, "He does! Look at him! By the goddess he thinks he can defeat the goblin hordes!" Far from mocking, it was more of one friend teasing another.
There was one thing the goblins detested above all others, a lack of honor. To them if you stole something, you lost or had no honor. The same thing with telling a lie. If you told a lie then the truth was stolen and honor injured. This is why they detested most wizards, the truth was something they only met occasionally. They knew Harry and Neville spoke the truth as they saw it. They also knew despite their power that they could not defeat the goblin hordes, but in the zeal of youth believed in their magic, his mates, his brother and themselves. Only a fool would mistake that for hubris.
Dinner had completed with no further excitement. The laughter loosened up the dinner guests considerably. The adults relaxed, the triads calmed one another. Hermione even decided not to commit murder upon Luna. The queen disappeared for a time as did Prince Phillip taking the four goblins with them. After a short time the majordomo, a fastidious person named Wilbright, led them to an entirely different room. Smaller than the other room it had two seats that could only be described as thrones. Harry realized that Dumbledore's raised golden seat in the Great Hall was a poor attempt to mimic one of these, the royal throne. Where Dumble's seat of power appeared cheap and gaudy, these while understated, actually held an air of nobility.
Mr. Wilbright cleared up the confusion, "Investitures are rare, and normally there would have been the ceremony and then the formal dinner. In many cases there would be press involved and a formal ball. But things are slightly different with our other hosts the goblins and their delay. So we will be investing Lord Longbottom and Lord Potter as peers of the realm."
The ceremony was brief and touching. Both Neville and Harry were taken aback by the whole thing. They of course knew that it was going to happen, but at the same time, the significance of the event didn't hit them until the queen was speaking to everyone while the two teens knelt in front of her.
She was going to use the same sword that was used in previous ceremonies but was stopped by the Director who stood near.
"A moment your majesty. For the sake of tradition, did you wish to use the same sword that was forged for their ultimate grandfather?"
"Is this sword near Director?"
"A true son of Gryffindor can call for their ancestor's sword. It will respond to any of his descendants that embody the Gryffindor traits. The Knights of the Garter is an order founded upon the beliefs of Godric Gryffindor. To call forth his sword they most embody rectitude, zeal, and virtue.
"Call forth your sword Lord Longbottom."
Neville stood, raised his hand, and in what had become an unconscious habit for the both of them, snapped his fingers. The mundanes had seen little bits of magic, Sirius and other bits of levitation, but this was different. This was something they could hold.
Neville bowed and presented the sword hilt first. "It will lighten itself for your majesty. " And then a warning, "Do not cut yourself or anyone you're fond of. Just the slightest nick would be fatal."
"I shall endeavor extreme care, Lord Longbottom."
Their oaths were short and to the point. Elizabeth held the sword by the hilt and first Neville being the elder, and then Harry swore on the sword of Gryffindor on their lives and magic by lowering their heads to the blade showing submission to the authority of the crown.
Their oaths included: "To be faithful to Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of Her other Realms and Territories, Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith."
Once done she spoke to Neville, rise Lord Neville Longbottom, Earl of Pendle." And then to Harry, "Rise Lord Harry Potter, Earl of Finchley and Hereford." She handed Harry the sword. and cheekily, "Careful my lord. I have it on good authority it is a very dangerous weapon."
He couldn't help but smirk as he raised the sword slightly and willed it away.
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There were the congratulations from everyone. Luna finally got to hug and kiss Bloodbringer.
He tried to sound fierce, "Lady Luna. I've told you goblins do not hug and kiss!"
"Tough," she answered. "We love you and we hug and kiss family."
Since the other goblins were right there laughing, his savage delivery fooled no one. The girls were never far from one another. Seeing Luna break the ice, Bloodbringer soon had three other witches hugging and kissing him as well.
Female goblins are almost never seen by humans. They have seldom been known to speak in the presence of humans. Very few there realized just how momentous it was when Fortuna commented tongue in cheek on Bloodbringer's bewildered state, "I fear for the goblin race when it is discovered that a warrior of the BlackRock clan can be defeated by the hugs and kisses of four witches."
"Wait until they start kissing your mate. In fact," He called to the flighty blonde, "Lady Luna! Did you not want to make Ragnoc a family member too?"
It was amusing to see Luna pursue him all night and finally catch him. Then she called to the other three.
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It had been a success. There had been a deal brokered for wards and the goblins were pleased with the mundanes. The goddess was definitely smiling on the goblin clans.
The long day over Harry and Hermione were half asleep when Luna got up. "I'll be back," she called to them.
Harry tried to rouse himself at Luna's declaration. But she kissed each one on their forehead. "Hush now. This is my task and neither of you can go. Go to sleep now my loves. You can watch my memories later when we share dreams."
Despite the fact that the lodge was over a mile away from the castle and the protections surrounding the royal family was some of the best in the world; five minutes later had Luna knocking on a bedroom door. While she waited, Luna turned to look at the ubiquitous cameras and gave it a wiggling finger wave. She toyed with the idea of giving the nearest security guard a 'wet willy'. Harry always reacted by reciprocating in kind, but Hermione always jumped a foot.
She knocked a second time and heard, "Just a mo," as she remembered when she first learned of them. She had been trying to get everyone. Everyone fell victim to it. Even Fleur and Vic fell to her wandering wet widget digit. But she could never catch Tracey unawares. She had stealthily stalked her prey for 15 minutes, waiting for the right moment. The victim had unknowingly aided in the scheme by tying her hair back while she got ready for Flitwick's furious fun time. She was just moments away from scoring when Tracey called over her shoulder, "Try it little girl and I'll hold you down and tickle you till you pee your pants."
She had the same thought now as she exclaimed then. She never did get her. "Rats!"
The door opened and Diana stood in a diaphanous blue dressing gown, confusion and concern in her eyes. "Lady Luna?" She looked up and down the corridor wondering why the security agents weren't here.
"We need to talk."
Without further word, Luna took her hand and pulled Diana out the door and down the hall.
"Are you kidnapping me?"
She paused in the middle of the hallway directly in front of a camera. "Really? Are you kidding me? You're in your gown and I"m dressed in my nighty." She corrected herself, "Well it's not really a nighty because it's just my underwear and one of Harry's Quidditch jersey's. And the only reason I'm wearing the jersey is that Hermione says I shouldn't show everyone my breasts." She began to pull her down the hall again. "I'm not really sure why I shouldn't. In fact my exfriend Ron. He's a runaway slave girl now, kinda. Anyway, he's got bigger boobs than I do. But they're just temporary boobs, maybe. Unless of course he mates with a centaur in which case his boobs will be permanent, but that will lead to all kinds of other problems. I hope he finally makes the right choice here. I would hate to have to see a race of little Ron centaurs running around."
The entire time the confusing girl had been talking she had led them through the various corridors to the other wing. It was a sad state of affairs when she couldn't even sleep in the same wing as her husband. And she mentally scoffed at her thought of the word "affairs".
The trek had pulled them past several guards who she half-heartedly waved at. She thought of perhaps pulling her hand back and breaking free or even just standing still and refusing to move. But the tiny blonde's banter befuddled her and she wondered if she had had a spell cast upon her.
"And then there were six of me but only one was really me. And Harry was actually Hermione..."
They were at her husband's door now and once more the guard was oblivious to their presence, but the little girl continued her confusing tale, "then we bought Percy wedding robes and he became Mrs. Clearwater..."
Her knocking had the door opening. He too had a robe on and blinked in confusion. "Good. You're still awake. We have a lot to talk about." She pulled the still confused woman through the door and grabbed Charles by the hand as she closed the door with her heel. "Most of the magic you had is gone, but there still is some magic available for you. You two are going find that magic. Here's how..."
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The SGTMAJ continued his briefing of the Colonel.
"Major Granger will be returning tomorrow following Potter and Longbottom's investiture."
He flipped a page. "The prisoners are still demanding representation. Most of them are still trying to use their magic to disappear. They can't understand how muggles are stopping them."
"Keep the drugs going into the food and water. I know the wizards and goblins have wards up, but I don't quite trust them fully." He didn't care about their day in court. If they had one it wasn't going to be anytime soon.
The Sergeant Major flipped still another page. "I'm told the first batch of the truth serum will be ready later this week. They think they've gotten the bugs worked out and it should be safe for use on humans now.
"Excellent. Remind me to send a letter to Amelia Bones. She can bring some of hers, and we'll compare it to ours.." He waited for a moment as the SGTMAJ jotted down some notes. "Anything else?"
"Last item. DI Tibbs reports that it's getting harder to find drugs on the street."
"Good. Let's remind our assets that just because they don't hear from us, doesn't mean we've gone away. They can start using their own resources to look for new supplies of drugs. Let's see if we can get another shot at those wizards."
