Gideon had known the time was coming for the final battle but he had not known how soon. He was in the chambers given to the high lord of the Wizengamot when word had come in.
Alastor walked into his office. "Gideon, your personal assistant told me you were here this afternoon. You need to come now."
Gideon shot up from his desk. "There has been another attack?"
Moody nodded and led him from the room. "There were two attacks and both of them were getting closer to Hogwarts."
Gideon stopped. "The school. He is heading for the school?"
Moody nodded. "It looks like he is trying to lead us to it. He is calling us out for a final battle. He knows Hogwarts is the one place we'll definitely stand."
Gideon shook his head. "The school year is in. There are hundreds of innocent students and we won't be able to get them out of there."
"We'll get the aurors and everyone we can inside using the secret entrance into the chamber. Since Voldemort is ousted as heir he couldn't use it."
Gideon nodded. "We get in as many as we can, have the teachers back us up and everyone we can't get in comes in from Hogsmeade from behind."
Alastor agreed. "I will summon the members of the order and I will alert the school. We'll get the school ready for the attack. We likely have two days no more."
"I will go down and summon the lords of the counsel and I will summon the counsel of the others as well." Gideon decided.
"The counsel of the others? Do you have the right to summon them? I don't think it has been summoned in England in over a hundred years."
Gideon sighed. "I hope that they will come. As the High Lord I have the right to summon the others as there is a seat open to the humans, on the counsel."
Alastor clapped him on the back. "You will have a lot to face with them Gideon. The counsel of the lords will look like kindergarten when you are there."
Gideon knew. "I know that there is a chance the only reason I will leave alive is because they call a truce of all blood upon entrance but I have to try."
"Voldemort will have many dark bodies on his side. We can use the hippogriffs and other creatures of the woods like the centaurs there but we need more."
Gideon thought of something. "You're brilliant Moody. Thank you."
Moody looked up at him in surprise. "What did I say?"
Gideon shook his head. "I will tell you I promise if it works out but you have given me an idea of just what might help me with the counsel of others."
Moody shrugged. "Well all my luck with that Gideon. Like I said you may have two days. You need to do what you have to do and soon."
"Just make sure our order and anyone else we can call upon are ready and the school is warned. I will send my husband and the girls to you right away."
Moody watched as Gideon walked off down the hall and wished the young man luck. He had worked real miracles in getting the half breeds' home and those like his husband as well but he wasn't sure if Gideon had a chance with the counsel of the others. Even with the returned half breeds, there was still bad blood.
He walked into Grimmauld soon after and spoke to Severus. "You three need to come to Hogwarts and help prepare for the final battle."
Severus looked up. "You're going to allow my husband to walk into the counsel of the others with no one by his side. He'll die."
Moody sighed. "He'd die if we went. Only one human is permitted to enter. There is the treaty of blood peace called at the counsel. He will be safer."
Severus was still white. "I hope that my husband has some idea of what he is doing. He knows that this isn't like walking into the Wizengamot."
"He told me I had a good idea. I'm not sure what I said to him other then mentioning the creatures of the forbidden forest."
Severus had no idea but he prayed his husband knew what he was doing. He knew that the traditions of the counsel were as old as the Wizengamot were but Gideon was still young and had not had experience with the others, save for a few like Remus. And he was about to meet with the most powerful of all of them.
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Gideon had called the counsel and the lords had agreed to stand with them and come in from the rear on their side. He had sent a request to the counsel of others in Europe requesting that they meet in England. They had agreed but it stood to be seen how it would go down.
He had called Remus to his side. "Are you sure you're willing to do this for me Remus?"
Remus nodded. "Only werewolf lords are on the counsel but anyone of the others can come and petition at the counsel."
Gideon was grateful. "I think we just need a bit more help. You can help me with the wolves but I was thinking the half giants and the centaurs could be swayed to."
Remus looked at him. "I know Hagrid is willing to come with you. We are to meet him but what do you have in mind?"
"The counsel is meeting in the forbidden forest at a part that usually only the wolves can center. I thought perhaps while there, I can call some back up."
Remus looked at him. "The centaurs? You know the centaurs of the forbidden forest have never agreed to help humans before now. They're likely to kill you."
Gideon shook his head. "I have been saved by them more then once. I know that more of them might be swayed if I can convince Mandragoran."
Remus smirked. "Gideon, even Hagrid has been attacked by Mandragoran. Bane and Firenze you might survive speaking to, but Mandragoran will kill you."
Gideon took a deep breath. "The centaurs of the forest are the only centaurs we can get to Hogwarts for the battle. If we can't convince them we'll not have their aid."
"I know Gideon but the reality is that you face death if you go to them." Remus reminded him.
"If I went as myself I would but as High Lord Gryffindor I have the right to petition the centaurs as I do the counsel. There is a truce on my blood for the next two days."
Remus knew he wouldn't convince Gideon not to do this. "Then I and Hagrid will come with you. If nothing else the two of us can be back up for you."
Gideon and Remus apparated to the edge of the school grounds and headed for Hagrid where Gideon explained to Hagrid what he needed to do. Hagrid had been willing to attend the counsel of others with Gideon but he had the same doubts about the centaurs.
"Leave them Gideon. They won't fight on the other side either. They will be neutral." Hagrid told him.
Gideon shook his head. "I need to speak. I need to know if they won't fight on our side that they'll not only be neutral in battle but at the counsel as well."
Hagrid understood. "You worry that Mandragoran as lord of the English centaurs will speak against the counsel fighting on your side."
Gideon nodded. "The centaurs speak of staying out of all affairs and I worry if they speak against me. If they won't fight, fine, but I need the counsel."
Hagrid sighed. "I will go and speak to Mandragoran and ask he give you an audience as Lord Gryffindor. I won't promise anything Gideon."
Gideon and Remus watched as Hagrid took off into the woods. Gideon had promised if Hagrid could not make it so he could enter the woods under a blood truce like the counsel, that he'd not meet with the centaurs.
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Remembering what he had been told Gideon walked into the clearing. "I bring greetings of the stars and moons to the Lord of the centaurs and his noble tribe."
Mandragoran looked at him. "We do not usually permit humans as you full know into our presence but I have been informed a High Lord called a truce of blood."
Gideon bowed deep. "I am Gideon Potter Prewett Black-Snape Gryffindor, High Lord of the Wizengamot and I have begged upon you an audience, Lord of the centaurs."
Gideon remembered the way that he had been told his names went into precedence and standing within the shadow of the school, Gryffindor was not only the most senior title but the most important one here, so he had changed how he said his name.
"Lord Gryffindor, heir of the founder Godric and head of the school? I have heard we owe you the return of our lands and our freedom." Mandragoran spoke up.
"I have spoken on behalf of all the great races of the counsel of the others to welcome all back as member of out society." Gideon responded.
"And for doing this you'd come here and demand we enter the war that you humans have started?"
"We have begun but this war has been fought by all races and all races will suffer and die. I have called the counsel of others forward to stand with the Wizards."
"Then why come to us. I have been summoned to the counsel and will be there. You know full well from my son Firenze, that we do not interfere."
Gideon shot a look at Firenze. "I do. I also know that when danger has struck in the past your son and other members of your tribe have been willing to protect us."
"You would send my people into war? I assume you'll put them in the front line of battle so they can stand as lambs to the slaughter."
"No. I ask you join us as archers and back up. I ask that you stand to protect all races by my side. If you choose not to I will ask only you neither speak against me in the counsel nor fight against us in war."
"And why young lord shall we do this?"
"I have come here with respect of your tribe. I offer no death or threats. Any race who chooses to remain neutral will not suffer if I win. No tribe or race shall be imprisoned or killed as Voldemort would do. I humbly beg your aid as an equal, as a fellow high lord, and as a great hero of his people. Stand with me."
Gideon fell to his knees in a full bow and he head whispers among the centaurs. Bane turned to his brother Firenze. "He speaks wisdom and shows us great honour."
Mandragoran finally spoke. "My sons speak true. You have shown us honour before and now. We will stand by you young Gideon both at the counsel and in war, even if the counsel of others does not choose to stand with you."
Gideon inclined his head once. "Great Lord I am truly honoured and grateful for the support you will give and the aid of your tribe. Blessings of the heavens be upon you."
Mandragoran motioned him to rise. "You have learned well young man. My son Firenze will accompany you to the counsel as a sign to the others of our aid."
Remus and Hagrid who had stayed at the edge of the clearing and been listening stood in complete wonder. Gideon had impressed them with the high lords but it took a person with a heart of steal to face what he had just done and he had not only walked away alive but had won the aid of the lord of the centaurs.