"Soul mates? Love that makes it all the better and it explains quite a bit."
At her curious look he chuckled "about two years ago I realized something, that somewhere along the line you became the voice of my conscience, so you see it explains quite a bit."
Chapter 10
Of Goblins and Galleons
"Ohh I see"
"Yes love I meant it when I said you were my heart." He said as they stepped into the coach to return to Gringotts.
"Harry the part about us being soul mates? Does it bother you at all?"
"Mo Chrea, nothing about us bothers me save one thing.' Seeing the curious look on her face he continued 'That Riddle might attempt to harm you or our family, or worse that Dumbledore might try something to force me to act in the way he wants."
"You really are having a hard time trusting him arent you?"
"Yes; you might say that. Love for nearly eighteen months he allowed Snape to 'teach' me Occulmancy and it was next to impossible for that greasy bastard to teach me a thing, hell if I hadn't found the books I did in Hogsmead I wouldn't have learned it at all.' Seeing her getting mad he finished ' 'Mione what Snape was doing wasn't teaching me how to hide my mind or lock it away from Riddle, he was opening it even further so that the headmaster and Riddle could influence me even further. Albus doesn't want me to be able to think on my own he just wants a bloody weapon, that's all." Disgust plainly evident on his face
"Well then my darling we will have to prevent that now won't we?" Jane said with her slightly musical laugh
"Yes Harry we will have to prevent that from happening" Rob said with a rather large grin on his face
"Ok you guys; what is so funny?" Harry asked nervously looking at his wife's parents, now his only family out side of Remus.
"Honestly Harry don't you remember what I said in the bank prior to us…' here she trailed off not knowing for her life what to say or how to say something ' Dealt with the problem that Fudge was ." his wife said to him a twinkle in her eye
"Yeah something about how he…'Harry trailed off
"Yes love he has no power to control either of us any longer
Meanwhile at Hogwarts…
"Albus what is wrong you look rather depressed; like someone took you off the chocolate frog cards?"
"Minerva, Young Mr and Mrs Potter are apparently rather displeased with the minister at the moment I wouldn't be surprised to hear he has been removed in accordance with the Treaty of Hogwarts."
"Albus I don't quite understand what it is you are saying. The only one that would be able to do such a thing would be…" she trailed off thinking to herself 'that does explain the letter from Amelia Bones though'
"The Lord of House Gryffindor." He finished for the prim woman "Young Mr and Mrs Potter.' Upon hearing this her eyebrow went up 'yes you heard me correctly Harry and Miss Granger have wed under the rite used by Godric and Rowena and yes her parents are surprisingly fine with it."
"But then, why are you so depressed Albus? I don't understand this mood you are in now."
"Ahh my dear Professor, I had hoped to be able to mould young Harry in to the perfect warrior for the light and now I fear I will never complete that which I needed to do." He said turning as he walked away for her. "I am afraid I may have to oblivate the four of them so they cannot remember, yes I shall have to it is for the greater good. Yes there is no other way." The aged headmaster mumbled to himself not realizing that the Head of Harry's House at the school was still there and had in fact heard this, he also never noticed the colour of her face turning redder by the second.
"WHAT! Albus I am ashamed of you. That boy, no that man has lost his entire family and you would take his happiness from him, is that all we are to you weapons to be used and then discarded?" McGonagall shouted in disgust
"You don't understand Minerva, young Harry must be the perfect warrior for the light. I can not allow such distractions to cause him to begin to be able to think for himself we need him dependent upon me for his guidance." He said turning back to her the twinkle gone from his eyes; instead there was a gleam that reminded her of the look in a fanatic's eye, one that bespoke that the person whose eyes held that gleam believed that there was no other version of the truth than the one they believed.
"Albus, my old friend you are wrong in this." She said as she hurried from the entry of the Great Hall saying "I received a letter from the new minister this morning before you returned and must see what they want of my own House, Professor."
"What?" he said absently "Oh of course on your way then, if you must Minerva."
"Yes Albus I must, I do apologize but this is my own family I am speaking of not the one I am head of here."
"Very well I shall see you on your return then?"
"I will be in my office after I return if you wish to meet with me." She said hurriedly as she walked off thinking 'By the gods he has truly lost touch with the world if he believes I am going anywhere but to see those two' as she was thinking this her pocket vibrated once then again
"Minnie? Are ye alone to talk?" came the rough voice of Moody. Pulling the small mirror that all Order members carried for communications from her skirt pocket she saw Moody's face
"Yes Alastor, your house fire fifteen minutes, understood? We have a rather large problem."
"Oh aye understood then, red floo powder then? Rosemerta should have some behind the bar."
"Yes most certainly red this time. I don't wish for the problem to be able to hear anything at all."
"Very well in fifteen minutes then." Moody's face was gone in a swirl of blue and white then the mirror returned to normal
As McGonagall and Moody were speaking over the mirror the coach carrying the reborn House of Gryffindor was pulling up in front of the goblin run bank. The honour guard had been asking people to move if they did not they were moved to allow space for the four people inside entrance into the bank. One of these people was a blonde haired teen that saw the coach, began thinking that these people were most certainly purebloods, and should be sympathetic to the Dark Lords plans and beliefs. That was till a rather small goblin shoved him unceremonialy onto his rear end in order to open the door
"Stupid creature! Do you know who I am? I am the heir to the Malfoy House! You dare to touch me?" He said not getting up
"You wouldn't step aside sir, it was necessary to move you so the Lord and Lady in the coach would be able to exit it." Griphook said his face splitting into a very toothy smile
"Oh? And which family is this one I have never seen that crest before; and I know them all I am friends with all of the families that are of noble and pureblood." As soon as he finished saying this he heard the scrape of a boot on the cobble stones behind him, hearing the sound he bent his neck back to see who it was behind him. He saw it was the lord that had been in the coach in a deeply hooded cloak as were the other members of the house. He stood to get a better look and hissed when he finally realized who it was. "So Potty did you kiss Fudges ass to become a lord or did they just give it to you? And who's this, eh?" He said reaching for Hermione's hood, what he found made him panic for a brief second, as he realized the goblins around him all had blades of what looked to be rather sharp swords pointed at him, but what frightened him the most was the fact that Harry had his own blade against his throat and that his eyes were glowing slightly
"Please ferret give me a reason to kill you right now, you will not touch my wife or any other member of my house." Harry said these words in a voice that made Draco feel like someone had just walked to his grave and had begun dancing the tango.
"You married? Who would be that stupid? The Weaslet? Or… no you wouldn't compound your father's sin against wizarding blood would you? You did, you married that mudblood Granger. Didn't you ?" as he finished saying this there was a second blade against his throat
"Draco you disgusting little worm.' Hermione said taking her own hood down 'I have a name you know, though it doesn't shock me you cant remember it. Here let me repeat it for you so you get it right ok? Don't answer just listen; My name is the Lady Hermione Jane Potter, rightful Lady of House Gryffindor wife and consort of the Lord Harry James Potter, Heir and Lord of House Gryffindor, Heir to the Lions Throne, Prince Regent to the Wizarding world."
She said with pride in her voice and the glow in her own eyes, seeing this and hearing the titles she was naming Draco did something he hadn't done since he was a small child; he lost control of his bladder.
"Having control issues Malfoy? You know the muggles have special knickers to prevent that from being evident." She said chuckling as she did so
"Dobby?" Harry called out
"Yes Lord Potter?" said the small elf as soon as he had popped in.
"Please remove young Master Malfoy from our presence; his stench is turning our stomach."
"Right away Milord." Dobby grabbed Draco by the shin and popped away with him in tow. As the company of people that composed the House of Gryffindor entered the bank, the two security goblins standing to either side bowed low; Harry was a bit shocked at this action but wasn't sure what to say to them. Suddenly the one to the right spoke in a rather gravely voice
"Milord Gryffindor, is what I have heard true?' Harry raised one eyebrow at this. Seeing that he didn't understand the question the goblin continued 'That you mean to have an alliance with my people."
"Oh, yes I do in fact mean to hopefully accomplish just that. Why does it worry you in someway?"
"No milord, it is just no wizard has ever even considered it. We may be considered good enough to take care of money, but never treated like an equal."
"I see, well you will find my house is quite a bit different from other houses. What is your name my good goblin? I like that you spoke your mind and I am sure Soupac will not begrudge me a personal guard for myself and my loved ones."
"Ragnaroc, milord that is my name in the human tongue."
"Ah I see now, well my fine Chaos will you accompany myself and my family to our meeting?"
"Chaos? Milord I don't understand. But I am more than happy to go with you and your kin to the meeting." As he said this he hefted his long pike onto his shoulder and began to lead them to their meeting.
"Your name in our language is an old Norse word it means Chaos or the end of times your pick" Hearing this Hermione looked at him so fast her neck popped literally
"Harry, love I thought you never paid any attention in Binns classes?"
"Well 'Mione I have a bit of a secret, I love Old Norse and Celtic legends. So those were probably the only classes of Binns's that I managed to stay awake for."
"And here I was thinking you needed my help for that class." She said pouting slightly
"Mo Chrea, I have one more secret to confess I never really needed your help in any class other than Potions, I just wanted an excuse to spend time with you. I was as big a coward as you were when it came to letting you know how I felt all of the last four years."
Her face held a look of complete shock and a look of love at the same time, Harry thought she looked gorgeous that way.
"Milord Potter, you did indeed come to see me. I am most pleased at this, I did not believe Griphook when he told me of the matter you wished to speak to of." Came the low gravely voice of the head of the goblins.
"Milord Soupac, I am honoured you would make time for myself and my family." As Harry said this both he and Rob bowed low to make a show of respect.
"Ah please, Harry do not bow to me and I will not do the same to you; Agreed?' seeing the young wizard's nod he continued 'I wish for us to treat each other as equals young sir, not as an adversary."
"Yes Soupac equals, I believe there is much inequality in this world and I believe our treaty and alliance will advance our two peoples relations with each other a great deal."
"I too think this Harry. Now this young woman next to you she is your wife now I believe?' at this Hermione nodded, 'Ah good I have heard many good things of you Milady, from many unusual areas such as the house elves as well as my own goblins, I am much impressed, come we have much to discuss I think." The old goblin said turning to point to a room with an intricately carved door made of what looked to be pure platinum.
As this was happening Minerva McGonagall was walking into the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmead, looking for the inn's owner Madam Rosemerta. The older witch looked quickly around the main room and saw the younger woman she was looking for and waved her over.
"Rose, I need some of your red floo powder and a private room; also I need it so no-one knows I am here ok?" she whispered into her ear
"Red floo powder? Aye I 'ave some behind the bar and the room as well.' Seeing the older witch not moving she turned and said quietly ''ere come on now I believe I know who ye'll be speaking to then." At this the head of Gryffindor house nodded and followed her first to the bar then up the stairs to a small room with one small hearth. Looking around Minerva nodded her liking to the room. After the inn's owner was out of the door she locked and sealed the door and cast every privacy charm she knew after casting a spell to see if there were any listening charms on the room, to her relief there were none at all. She hurried to the hearth and saying "Incendio" had a respectable fire in it. Taking the red powder in her hand she tossed it in to the flames and called "Stone Guardian", she thought to herself how many times she had called Moody at this floo address and had always thought it was a rather silly name for the floo address but know given what she had found out about the old Auror she understood the meaning behind it
"Minnie that you?" came the voice of the heavily scarred man
"Yes Alastor it is. I have some troubling news I am afraid."
"Oh, it can't be good for you not to want Albus to know we are talking. How bad are we talking here?"
"Very, I am afraid. You know of the news of young Mr and Mrs Potter I hope?"
"Yes, I do my house has been allied with theirs for nearly a millennia now; why what has this to do with Albus?"
"Mad Eye, he wants to Oblivate them all of the recent events in order to maintain his control over young Harry, I believe he is either loosing his mind slowly or has crossed the line from the light to the grey. I don't know what to do. Have you an idea?"
"We need to get them hidden and Potter trained as fast as possible, I know where to take Potter but his wife is as stubborn as you are Min, can you teach her while I train Harry?"
"Yes I can, I can have all of them, Hermione and her parents here for the next two weeks or so before Albus might suspect anything is that enough time for you?"
"Yes if we do things the old way, the kid might not like it but when I explain what the old man is planning he might go for it."
"Why wouldn't he like it?"
"One word Min, Pain and a lot of it, but it is the fastest way to make him into the warrior he needs to become."
"Oh, I think you should tell him after you have convinced him to go with you for training, otherwise his wife." at this she boke into a small grin thinking to herself 'I have never once been wrong over the loves in my house, but I never thought they would marry till after they graduated.' "May make him see reason like any good woman would."
"Ye may be right I will do that I have the thing I need here. I will go and see if they are at Gringotts, I remember him saying he wanted to speak to the head of the Goblin Confederation regarding a treaty of alliance."
"A what? He wouldn't would he they are rather dangerous you know."
"Well they are rather trustworthy in my opinion and once you have their trust they will not break it, nor will they break their word once given. I think it is a good idea Minnie, we need all the allies we can get in this war."
"Very well Mad eye if you think it's a good idea. How do you plan on getting Harry where you need to take him? He cant apparate, and the floo can be followed, and portkeys can be traced."
"I have that taken care of just meet me at Gringotts in twenty minutes, Ok?"
deserved.
"Oh very well, I just hope it works."
"Don't worry it will once we explain why we need to move now. Harry is much brighter than Albus gives him credit for I think."
"Twenty minutes Mad Eye? I'll be there."
"Good I need to make another call to finish setting things up, see you there." As soon as he finished speaking he was gone and the flames where a nice normal orange colour. Minerva McGonagall sat on the settee in the room and sighed, she had never realized that the Headmaster a man she had been taught by had the capacity to fall to the dark or was it simply that fact that he had been in charge for so long he really thought of people as chessmen on a chessboard of world proportions? Either way he was not going to be allowed to deny Harry the chance he had at happiness that he
As this conversation was occurring, in the headmasters' office Albus Dumbledore was thinking out loud. "How to get young mister Potter back in line with my plan." He said turning to his Phoenix only to see he was not only not there but that his perch was gone as well. " I don't understand how can a phoenix disappear on his own? He has been my companion for over thirty years, does no-one understand I have to mould young Harry into my weapon, I have no choice in this I need him to destroy Voldemort for me."
As the headmaster was attempting to figure a way to get Harry back under his control his former familiar Fawkes was making a rather sudden appearance in the lobby of Gringotts as Harry and Hermione and the Grangers were walking out.
"Fawkes? What are you doing here?" Harry said eyeing the bird carefully till he saw the fact that Fawkes had brought his perch along with him. "Ok, now why you are here did that old coot send you?" The beautiful bird looked up and down at the young man, then flew over and landed on his shoulder. As this happened Hedwig flew in and landed on Hermione's shoulder and hooted softly to get their attention. Fawkes trilled to the large white owl, to which she hooted back almost in reply. Then she turned her head to Harry
":Harrywizard, the grand one is here of his own choice. His former companion has darkened he says he will only ally with the light and those of the light and asks to stay with you if he can, he is most sincere.:"
"That so Fawkes? Ok I guess you stay with us then." As soon as the words were out of Harry's mouth he heard the sound of a wizard apparating into the bank lobby behind him. Both Harry and Hermione spun and with wands in one hand and swords in the other faced the unknown wizard in front of them.
"Potter, can you both put up the blades please? I already am missing one eye I am rather attached to the other" Came Moody's rough voice from under the hood of the cloak he was wearing
"What was the first thing you told me about my wand?" Harry asked not moving in the slightest
""Not to carry it in yer back pocket, seeing as you could have blown off your buttock." Hearing this Harry let out at breath he didn't know he was holding as he sheathed his sword and nodded to Hermione to do the same as he lowered his wand
"Ok, Mad Eye what do you want? He sent you huh?"
"No he didn't, as a matter of fact Minerva sent me and she should be here in a few moments. We need to speak to you alone.' Seeing Harry's eyebrow raise he went on. 'The four of you Potter."
"Oh, ok so where is…"
"Right here Mister Potter, Missus Potter, Mr and Mrs Granger it is a pleasure to see you once again; as much as I would like us to exchange pleasantries time is of the essence. If you would all please come over here and let us speak, we have much to discuss and very little time I am afraid."
"Ok what is going on exactly? If that old man thinks he is going to have any say over Harry and Hermione he is sadly mistaken" said Jane Granger " You two can go and tell him if he wants Harry under his thumb he has to get past a rather angry mother, ME."
"Mrs Granger, Please call me Minerva, you too Harry Hermione, and I completely agree with you Mrs Granger; He should have nothing to do with them outside of school. But unfortunately I believe he has finally gone round the twist as they say." Seeing the quizzical expressions on the quartet's faces she went on. "He wants to wipe your memories of this day. All of you. Harry he'll replace yours I believe with one of him explaining your families history to you and how you can remove Fudge, Hermione yours I believe he would modify to make it seem like you were in love with young mister Weasley I think, and your parents most likely the same." The four members of House Gryffindor all had looks of abject horror on their faces, but Harry's was slowly turning to a look of rage.
"Well that explains Fawkes coming here with his whole kit." Harry said
"Lad, Lass I have a proposition for you both if you're interested." Mad Eye said in a low voice
"What is this idea Moody?" Harry asked taking his wife's hand in his and lacing his fingers with hers.
"Well, you come with me for training and Hermione and her parents stay with Minerva at her estate for two weeks. Now I won't lie to you this will be the hardest training you can imagine, but when it's done you'll be better than Albus and possibly better than Voldemort."
"Love what do you think?" Harry said turning to his wife and her parents "You guys too I want input here."
"Well… Pr..I mean Minerva has always been straight with us, and Moody has no reason to lie. If the headmaster is loosing his mind slowly this may be the best option for us, Mum, Daddy what to you think?"
"I agree with Mia Harry I think it's the best course of action for us" Rob said. His wife was quiet and thoughtful for a moment, "Harry I agree Mr. Moody here did pledge to train you for battle as he put it I think this is for the best."
"Ok Mad Eye we accept for two weeks and no more agreed?" Harry said without turning away from his wife, the woman he loved more than his own life. "Love I know this will be hard but it is the only choice we have, and if I am not mistaken Moody will want me to go with him now."
"My love I don't want you to go, but I know we have no other real options and yes I think he does as well, I love you, my husband you and no other till my last breathe leaves my body and beyond." The brown haired witch said with tears in her eyes.
"Mo Chrea, you are my heart, my soul, my strength my everything, to you my wife I pledge my heart and soul, you and no other till my heart beats no more." As soon as the words left Harry's mouth there was a flare of magic and after it was gone Moody spoke
"Lad you are bonded to one another in a way I have never seen and I have seen a lot, but we need to go now."
"Ok Mad Eye, one second, I need to do two more things.' Turning to his transfiguration teacher he asked 'Professor I need to ask you to guard them and tech my wife everything you can, will you do this for me?"
"Yes Mr Potter I can and I will." The older woman said with a sad smile. As she said this he tuned to his wife and embraced her and his family and then he stepped back and with a look of pure love kissed his wife with all of the passion in his being. When they were done he turned to the aging Auror.
"Let's go Moody I want this over with."
"Here lad tke this I'll meet you there." He said handing Harry a small statuette of a gargoyle. As soon as Harry touched it he felt the hook of a portkey and the rush of wind and then he was landing hard on his rear end,
"Bloody Portkeys, where the hell am I?" all he saw as he looked around was mist and fog " Moody? Where the blazes are you?" he called out
"Here lad, I'm over here." Came Moody's voice thru the mist covering the training grounds
"Keep talking moody I need to find you, damn it!" Harry called out softly but loud enough for Moody to hear 'Why this time of day I'll never understand, but I need the training he offered me that much I know already' Harry thought to himself
"There ye are lad good. Ok there are a few things we need to discuss before anything else, first is Sirius; who killed him lad I want the truth as you see it then I will ask the second question." The heavily scarred man said softly
"Well if you had asked me that last year at this time I would have said me; However a good friend helped me see that it isn't my fault, I would say ninety five percent of the blame rest with Tom and Bella the other two and half with Albus for locking him up that way and that last two and a half with me for haring off like I did but Tom is the one truly responsible in the end. Why?"
"Good lad you accept that while you don't hold all of the blame you do hold a small part but I would say closer to one percent was you seventy five was Voldemort and twenty four was the old coot as you called him; Lad I will teach you if you answer this next question ok ?' at Harry's nod he continued 'Of all of the types of art this is the most difficult and painful to learn it brings neither beauty nor happiness till it done, it is created in smoke and flame, in pain and blood, many learn of it but never master it. To be a true master of this art you must know its name; do you know which art form I am talking of?"
"I think I do it would be the Art of War, but I prefer to call it by another Moody.' Seeing Moody's raised eyebrow he went on 'I call it "My Path" I have no choice in this, you know the prophecy?' at the older man's nod he finished 'then you know I have little choice or everyone I love will die and I will not allow that to happen."
"Good lad, you're ready then I think." Turning he called out "Drummond kill the mist and bring in the others."
"Right away Alastor." Came a deep voice from the mist that was slowly clearing. Harry could begin to see shapes in it that resolved into men walking slowly toward him and Moody.
"Hey 'Stor, been a long time eh?" came the same deep voice as before Harry saw the man it belonged to finally; He was tallish around six feet three or so dressed in all black armour with a sword slung cross ways on his back and a dagger on each hip, what he couldn't seem to see was a wand holster any where and the fact that the mans arms were bare from the shoulders down and he could see all of his tattoos confused him a bit but he shrugged it off and looked closer at the art work that was on the mans skin on the right forearm he saw a phoenix rising over a star above that was a Celtic band that looked a bit like old worn stone, this was under the gargoyle insignia and a very small cross on the left arm was a huge family crest with the name Drummond at the top and a shield and what Harry guessed was the family motto under that, which if he wasn't mistaken meant "Protect those with no defence", But what Harry noticed most of all was long scar that ran down his face on the right from the hairline to the mans jaw, all in all he looked very dangerous he moved like a damned cat making nearly no noise at all for gods sake
"He looks a bit scrawny don't ye think 'Stor? Well man stand up and let me see what I have to work with here.' He said as he turned toward Harry the man noticed he wasn't standing yet and was looking at Moody as if Harry was expecting him to say yes or no 'NOW!" came the barked order to which Harry immediately responded to by standing, the man looked him up and down and snorted " He'll do I suppose.."
"Hey what am I a bloody animal or something? I am standing right here ya know."
"Did I say you could speak? Do not ever speak unless I say so got it ?" he said his voice was like ice Harry thought as he just nodded "Good he learns quick I like that, you are wondering who I am aren't you lad? You can speak now freely"
" Yes I am, who are you ?"
"Just call me Doc I am here to train you when we' at this Harry realized there were other men and women appearing from the now clearing mist all dressed like this man was all looked very dangerous 'are done you will be a man and capable of face anything, un fortunately we have very little time in which to do this, SO we are using other methods older ones we normally wont use. Come on kiddo it'll be fun." He said with a smile that made Harry feel like someone had walked on his grave