A/N: Grr! Man fan fiction has been crazy these past few months. First I'm not receiving review alerts, than I can't even log on to post a new chap. I swear you guys, this chap was suppose to get posted this Sunday morning, but the server would not let me up load my new chap. sigh Okay, now that I vented, thx to the marvelous Princess Fictoria for being my beta, I couldn't have done it without her. And thx to Lady Diggory, my bud and inspiration for this chap. And obviously since I have been so frustrated at getting this damn chap up, I was late starting the next. So a Wednesday update is very unlikely. Sorry.
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The week before the duel, was a busy one for the Conway brothers. The boys decided to split up to gain as many supporters as they could for the impending duel.
!!Nick!!
Nick walked confidently into Gringotts, with a respectful nod to the two goblins that stood guard at the door to the main hallway. Walking past the long counters where many Wizards and Witches did their dealings, he walked right up to the counter of assistant to the head Goblin.
"Good day sir," Nick said politely.
"May I help you?" Came the gravely voice of the goblin who looked at Nick over the top of his half moon glasses.
"Yes I wish to speak to the Head Goblin, my name is Neville Conway." Nick asked.
"Neville Conway?" The Goblin asked in disbelief.
"Yes. My father, Simon Conway set up a meeting with the Head Goblin a few months ago, to be held at a time of my choosing."
The Goblin looked at him critically for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I was told to be expecting you. Come this way Mr. Conway."
The Goblin led Nick through many hallways before leading him into a small, but impressive sitting room. A pot of tea and scones appeared as Nick took a seat.
"If you'll wait just a moment Mr. Conway, I will retrieve Hangnook, the Head Goblin. He is in a meeting with the Headmaster at the moment."
Nick nodded and thanked the Goblin. Nick smiled and knew that the Headmaster wouldn't appreciate being interrupted in the middle of a meeting.
Hangnook, a short and suspicious looking Goblin entered the sitting room five minutes later, apologizing for not coming sooner.
"The meeting I was in Mr. Conway was ironically enough about you. Headmaster Dumbledore supplied me with a signed release form signed by your brother Harry to gain access to your father's vault. It seems that the Headmaster wishes to acquire four items from that vault which he knows you and your brothers relinquished into our custody." Hangnook said with a hint of laughter in his voice.
But Nick did not find the statement at all funny, but chose his words carefully. "And I am sure that a forged signature did not make it passed your highly skilled employees. The animosity between the Headmaster and my brothers and I is well known through out the Wizarding community, I cannot believe such a flagrant attempt to deceive such hard working Goblins, such as yourself would even be tolerated."
Hangnook gave Nick a toothy smile. "You are very astute young Conway, and precise in your assessment. We did not believe for one moment that you or any of your brothers would hand Dumbledore a key to your vaults."
Nick sighed in relief. "So I can assume then that the artifacts we left in your care are safe?"
Hangnook nodded in response. "But this is not why you have come to see me today is it young Conway?"
Nick nodded. "Can I assume that you have head about the impeding duel between Voldemort, my brothers and I?"
Hangnook nodded slowly.
Nick, suddenly nervous cleared his throat and took a deep breath. "My brother's and I intend to win. With those four artifacts currently hidden in the Conway family vault, we will be unstoppable against Voldemort. But we are not prudes. We know we will need as much support we can get, and unfortunately, Dumbledore will be somewhat…preoccupied on the day."
Hangnook nodded in understanding. "And you wish to know where the Goblins stand on this war?"
Nick nodded, folding his sweaty hand in his lap.
Hangnook was quiet for a moment before answering Nick was a toothy smile. "You have nothing to worry about young Conway, you and your brothers have our allegiance."
Nick let out the breath he didn't know he was holding and stood to shake the Goblin's hand. They spoke quietly for a few more minutes and then departed.
Nick stepped into the ally, aware that Dumbledore's henchmen were watching him. He smiled and using a portkey, disappeared.
!!Drake!!
Drake sat perched in a tree in the forbidden forest, watching as creatures mulled about. In his animagus for, it was quiet east to observe the creatures of the forest without being detected. Cocking his head to the side he watched as Hagrid led his half brother through the forest, back to the alcove that the half giant called home. Filing the information away for later, because he knew his brothers would want to hear about that bit of information, he went back to watching and waiting.
A bit later, his waiting paid off as he saw Magorian, the leader of the Centaur's walk into the clearing with Bane and Ronan, near the tree where Drake was perched on.
Drake swooped down from the tree, using his short wings and long tail to make a graceful landing in front of the three Centaurs'. Keeping eye contact with them he went into a low bow before transforming back into his human self.
Bane looked at the boy with detest written all over his face. "Who are you and how dare you intrude on our land!"
Drake kept bowing as he spoke quietly to group, "I mean you no harm. I come in peace."
"You come seeking more then peace man-bird," Ronan said quietly. "It had been written in the stars that-"
"Do not tell this man-bird what has been foretold in the stars! Have you no pride Ronan!" Bane said scathingly.
"Please," Drake murmured gaining the attention of the group. "I have come to ask of your help. Yes," he said shooting a look at Bane who was about to interrupt. "The Wizards and Witches before me have looked down on your race. They have ignored your skills at star gazing and ignored what has come from them. I am not here to dispute that nor am I hear to apologize."
Bane was livid and reached for the bow and arrow strapped to his back, but Magorian waved him off.
"Because," Drake continued when the threat to his life was diminished. "I believe it is up to the Wizarding community to make the apology. You have always known where the Conway family has stood. We have made it clear that our alliance is with the magical creatures of the Wizarding world."
Magorian studied him a moment before answering. "What is it you wish us to help you with young man-bird?"
Drake sighed in relief that he would be able to tell his story and turning to the head Centaur he spook calmly and quietly.
"As you may already know, my brothers and I have challenged Voldemort to a duel…"
!!Jake!!
Jake grumbled as he knocked on another door. He hated knocking on doors of wizards and witches that were considered trustworthy and approachable. Though there had been extra precautions taken to ensure that anyone that the brothers talk to didn't go running to Dumbledore or Voldemort, Jake still though it dangerous to be doing this, but considering what his brothers were doing, he felt that he got the better end of the deal as he knocked on the door of Amos Diggory.
Amos Diggory, a warm looking man with a scruffy brown beard answered the door, took one look at Jake and invited him sitting room.
"I take it you already know who I am, Mr. Diggory, since you have invited me so warmly into your home."
Amos nodded and sat across from Jake. "Yes I do Mr. Conway. You see the Wizarding Ministry of America has been making quiet a fuss at the Ministry about your father."
Jakes smiled. "Well if the Headmaster would get his head out of his ass, excuse my language sir, and hand my father over, there wouldn't be a problem."
Amos laughed. "Yes well, we all know that the Headmaster has his own agenda."
"An agenda," Jake said slowly, "that gets innocent people killed."
Amos repressed the shutter and stood to grab a photo that was adorned on the mantel. "It's only been a year since I lost my son but everyday when I wake up it feel like I lost him all over again. Does that make any sense? I lost my wife only six months later. If there is testament to dying of a broken heart, my wife is proof of that."
Jake stood and put a hand on the man's shoulder. "I am very sorry for your loss, Mr. Diggory."
Amos nodded and Jake sat again. "What it is it you have come for Mr. Conway?" he asked wiping the tears that fell from his eyes.
"Voldemort," Jake said ignoring the shutter that came from Amos. "The war is at hand Mr. Diggory, and I am sure that you have heard of the impending duel."
Amos nodded motioning the Daily Prophet that sat on the far table. "Yes," he said and sighed. "You boys have both Ministries in an uproar. It seems that both the Minister and Dumbledore would like to get their hands on you and prevent this duel."
Jake scoffed. "Oh I didn't know they liked this war, wait here while I go and tell my brothers. I'm sure they would like to know that they don't have to put their lives on the line to save the Wizarding world," Jake said sarcastically.
Amos gave out a gruff laughed that sounded strained around the edges.
"Will you help us?" Jake said, getting right to the point. When Amos looked at him in question, Jake went on. "Don't get me wrong, my brothers and I plan on dueling and defeating Voldemort, but his supporters are another story."
Amos nodded in understanding.
"My brothers and I are gathering as many creatures and people as we can to help us against Voldemort's supporters. We may be young, but we're not stupid. The Death Eaters won't play nice, and will kill us if they are able. We need as many people as possible watching our backs."
"And what of Dumbledore," Amos asked.
"We both know where Dumbledore's loyalties lie. We cannot and will not let him mettle in this. Besides," Jake said slyly. "The Headmaster will find himself unavoidably detained, come the day of the duel."
Amos stood again and walked to the window. It was a long time before he said anything.
"I've lost my whole family because of the dark lord," he said turning to face Jake with determination set in his face. "I'll be damned if I sit by while more people die."
Jake nodded, and as he was about to leave, Amos called him back. "A few of Cedric's old school mates still keep in touch with me. I have heard that you are dating Veronica Collins."
A flash of the bright eyed girl crossed his mind, and Jake nodded swallowing the lump in his throat.
"You know she used to date my son after he and Cho Chang broke up shortly after the ball during…during the…tournament."
Jake nodded.
"He wrote me just before the third task and told me that he had fallen in love. Although the girl was quite a bit younger then him, but he had believed he had found his soul mate."
Jake nodded again, not trusting himself to speak.
Amos turned to the boy, the grief evident in his eyes, and said quietly. "Take care of the girl, Jacob. She deserves someone who will take care of her."
Jake spoke quietly, "I will Mr. Diggory. I will."
!!Harry!!
After weeks and weeks of invading Dumbledore's mind with ghost occumency, Harry was thrilled to learn the secret location of the order of the phoenix. He stood at the door and knocked, confident that Dumbledore was at Hogwarts.
Sirius answered the door with his wand drawn, but it promptly fell out of his hands when he saw Harry.
Pushing his way inside, he waited until Sirius shut the door, and Remus, who was watching from the doorway, to come out before beginning.
"I need your help," he said eyeing both men warily. "I need your help, and I need my father back."
TBC
A/N: The contest to see who can think of the most creative punishment for Dumbledore will continue on until next Sunday. That gives you guys one more week to think of the most creative punishment to be used on Dumbledore by the Conway brothers. The person, of course will be credited for the idea. Please be kind and review, they inspire me to give longer and faster updates.