The Great Goblin Rebellion October 1991
What triggered a goblin rebellion in October 1991? Harry Potter's introduction to magical Britain goes differently, and Hagrid's trip to the secret vault…well, the cart gets tipped off the track completely.
Harry Potter belongs to J. K. Rowling, the creative lady who shared her wizard and his life with the world. She's kind enough to allow others to play on her beach for a while.
&& FROM LAST CHAPTER &&Amelia thought to look at Ted Tonks, who looked extremely concerned by the question. When Fudge responded, "Of course, the goblins can't hurt wizards – they're no more dangerous than muggles to a wizard with his wand."
At that moment, the door opened again to permit Albus Dumbledore to walk into the room. The headmaster/ grand warlock was dressed in eye-searing lime green robes with unicorns dancing across the panels. The wizards looked away, the goblins openly snickered, and Dumbledore smiled as he affected each person in the room. He corrected himself, 'Each person and every creature.'
Alastor Moody caught Amelia's eye, and they exchanged nods. For the next five minutes, while they listened to Albus pontificate, they would stare at his robes or beard and think, 'Idiot' so that when he skimmed their minds, he would hear that word with the image of his robes.
"Good wizards and goblins, we have much to discuss this morning," Albus said. "The unfortunate experience with the misguided wizard the other day must not interfere with the good relations that exist between wizards and the keepers of our money."
Albus Dumbledore spent two minutes preaching the value of forgiveness and understanding. Surprisingly, the goblins remained silent, and Cornelius Fudge was the official to interrupt the elderly wizard. "Dumbledore, are you getting to a point or just meandering from Hogwarts to Diagon Alley and back this afternoon."
"Now, Cornelius, you were always impatient in transfiguration class as a boy," Albus reminded the man.
Steelcrusher addressed the gathering, "Grand Warlock Dumbledore, we at Gringotts hope you can endorse or refute the last statement made by Minister Fudge before you entered the room."
Glancing at Cornelius, Dumbledore asked, "What was the minister's statement?"
Steelcrusher explained, "I asked Minister Fudge if your government was going to stand by the idea that wizards and goblins must deal with outlaws separately. That we would not cooperate or follow each other's laws."
The head of security paused and continued, "Minister Cornelius Fudge then stated, 'Of course, the goblins can't hurt wizards.' He added, 'They're no more dangerous than muggles to a wizard with his wand.'"
The Grand Warlock sighed and glanced at the Minister for Magic as if he were a five-year-old boy caught with his hand in the biscuit tin an hour before supper. "We must not create strife…"
Steelcrusher insisted, "Grand Warlock, will you support Minister Fudge's statement? Will the Ministry for Magic and the DMLE allow Gringotts to deal with our criminals…human criminals separately from your judicial system?"
"Of course, your laws apply to everyone within your borders," Dumbledore affirmed. "And our laws apply everywhere else."
"Really?" asked Steelcrusher. "The laws of Magical Britain apply to everyone in Great Britain? The muggles?"
"Well…in that case, the DMLE enforces our laws on wizards who often mingle with the muggles," Dumbledore stated. "But the muggles do not follow our laws. They are not aware of us and our laws."
Amelia watched the goblins, the minister, his undersecretaries, and Ted Tonks. The lawyer was still, his eyes staring at the wall above Dumbledore, Fudge, and everyone. He never met anyone's gaze. The goblins grew quiet, the minister and his minions muttered amongst themselves, and Dumbledore walked about, speaking to everyone.
After another ten minutes, Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "Since we've discussed all the important matters, might we move to resolution?"
"What do you mean? What resolution, Dumbledore?" asked Cornelius.
"I came to Gringotts to retrieve Harry Potter and Rubeus Hagrid," Dumbledore said. "The boy must return to his proper guardians before nightfall, and Hagrid is needed at Hogwarts."
&& CHANGE &&In the room where they were watching the wizards and goblins, Harry pulled his legs up close to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, making himself as small a target as possible. Andromeda Tonks felt her heart break seeing the child react to Dumbledore's words. Andrew Poppins frowned and glared back at the view of the room, wishing Dumbledore's robes would catch fire. Hedwig launched herself into the air and came down to sit on the arm of her boy's chair and cover his head with her wings while making small noises in her throat.
&& CHANGE &&Director Amelia Bones cleared her throat and addressed Albus. "Sir, your keeper of the keys will be arrested and tried before the Wizengamot whenever he leaves Gringotts."
"Arrested? Whatever for?" asked Dumbledore, incredulous to hear the last statement.
"I will arrest Rubeus Hagrid for violating the Statute of Secrecy and muggle-baiting".
"What? Amelia, are you confused? Hagrid would never do something like that!"
"But he did, Grand Warlock. On the night of 31 July, Hagrid e forced his way into a muggle dwelling and accosted Vernon and Petunia Dursley, who are both muggles. The next morning Hagrid transfigured the couple and their underage son into livestock and left them on an island off the coast of Southern England. Then Hagrid kidnapped their nephew," Amelia continued.
"No, I'm sure there's some misunderstanding," the elderly wizard insisted.
"Not according to the statements made by Mr Vernon Dursley and Mrs Petunia Dursley. They clearly reported that the giant man with the pink parasol took their nephew against their wishes. They said several times that they refused to allow him to attend Hogwarts. "
Cornelius sputtered, "Harry Potter not attend to Hogwarts!"
The minister turned to Dumbledore and shouted, "Where did you put the boy, Albus? Who had custody of the Boy-Who-Lived?"
Ignoring Cornelius, Dumbledore continued to question the DMLE Director, "Where are the Dursleys now?"
"We're not sure," Amelia explained. "Our monitors reported magic in a muggle location, so a team was sent to observe the space. They found a large group of muggles gathered there when the transfigurations wore off, and the Dursleys reappeared, screaming and shouting about freaks and magic. It took two teams of Obliviaters to wipe the memory of more than fifty muggles. Three men fought back and were killed. Then the Aurors had to create an accident to explain the deaths."
"Where are the Dursleys, Amelia?" Dumbledore insisted on knowing.
"They were rushed to hospital somewhere in the south of England, but it did not appear that their minds would return to normal anytime soon."
"But they're Harry Potter's family! They must be returned to their home where they and Harry will be safe."
"Find them, Amelia," Fudge ordered. "How many hospitals can the muggles have…two or three?"
"There are multiple…Minister Fudge, there are thousands of hospitals and private clinics in England."
Perplexed, Fudge asked, "What about just southern England? You said they were in southern England. How big is that?"
Ted Tonks spoke up and asked, "Grand Warlock, what happened to your robes?"
&& CHANGE &&Harry listened to Hedwig, and when she rose up to uncover his face, he wiped away the tears on his cheeks.
Andrew said, "Harry, you're not going back to those people. Sowsbreath and Gringotts won't allow it."
Andromeda rose from her chair and moved to stand in front of Harry, blocking his view of the chamber where the goblins and wizards were meeting. She smiled gently and said, "Mr Poppins is right. You are not going back to those people. We can throw up a thousand shields around you now that the wizards said our laws don't apply here in Gringotts.
"For real?" Harry asked, looking at Andromeda carefully. "I'll live in my trunk in a boot closet and not be in anyone's way."
"God's teeth, I'll string Dumbledore up by his…" Andromeda swore. Then she promised, "If nothing else, I'll beg Sowsbreath to arrest you!"
&& CHANGE &&Everyone in the conference room heard the comment about Dumbledore's robes and turned to look. The unicorns weren't dancing and leaping on his robes any longer – they were running full-tilt toward each other in a demolition derby. One unicorn would strike another, and they would collapse with broken bones, torn hides, and tangled manes. Then the unicorns would rise and begin to run toward a different one of their brethren. Silvery unicorn blood became splattered on the lime-green panels.
Unable to draw his wand and deal with the animated characters on his robes, Albus Dumbledore sighed and said, "Good goblins, is this really necessary?"
Steelcrusher asked, "Goblins? Why do you think one of us did such a tasteless prank?"
"Because no wizard can use his wand inside Gringotts."
The goblin in charge of security snorted and said, "Wandless magic. Powerful wizards…truly powerful wizards can use wandless magic to make simple cantrips without a wand. Isn't that what you use to make little cherubs and sprites dance on your robes, Grand Warlock?"
Sighing and surrendering the battle for the day, Dumbledore said, "Rubeus Hagrid has my complete trust. This misunderstanding can be straightened out."
No one endorsed the Grand Warlock's statement, so he moved along, asking about Hagrid's health, Harry Potter's state of mind, and the final item on his agenda.
"Might I be taken down to Vault 713 to retrieve the item I stored there in the spring?"
Steelcrusher growled and cursed, "Stoval! Haven't you… no, you were late and didn't hear our announcement. The thief tangled with Rubeus Hagrid when the half-giant left Vault 713. The wizard stole the package from your man after killing our cart driver.
"No, a simple wizard couldn't harm Hagrid. His giant heritage makes him impervious to almost every spell there is.
"Apparently, a powerful enough slashing spell can slice open his skin."
"And that's where we have some serious questions for you, Headmaster Dumbledore," Ragnock said, joining the conversation for the first time.
"Headmaster? I'm here as Grand Warlock."
"But we believe the thief to be the Muggle Studies professor recently hired to teach the DADA class this next school term."
Dumbledore grew angry, and his tone of voice grew stronger, "Quintus Quirrell did not rob Gringotts Bank! He's a gentle soul who only wants to teach the children to defend themselves."
Ragnock smiled and spoke again, "Then it must have been Tom Riddle who robbed the bank and stole your precious item."
Amelia, Alastor Moody and Ted Tonks were watching Albus Dumbledore when the Chief of the Vault Managers pronounced the name 'Tom Riddle'. All three noticed the headmaster took a step back, swallowed and then said, "Who did you say?"
"Tom Riddle."
"No, it's not possible…he can't be back yet."
"Yet, Headmaster?" asked Steelcrusher.
Ragnock asked, "What was the precious item you stored in Vault 713, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Ignoring the questions, Dumbledore asked, "What proof do you have that it was…"
"The whole event was recorded by runic arrays from the moment the vault cart was tipped over and sent Griphook to his death until the thief apparated away in Diagon Alley."
"Show me!" demanded Dumbledore. "Show me!"
&& CHANGE &&In the viewing room, the goblins argued about the meaning of Dumbledore's loss of composure upon hearing the name 'Tom Riddle' while Andrew Poppins changed his focus from the goblins to the wizards. Andromeda had moved closer to Harry and asked to hug him.
The hug turned into a long and tight embrace as the boy began to cry, and the witch joined him in shedding tears before she sat in his chair and pulled him into her lap, holding him gently and rocking back and forth, ignoring the goblins and the surprised wizard. Hedwig approved because she remained on the back of the chair and seemed to be humming gently to her boy.
&& CHANGE &&Pressing a series of runes along the wall, Steelcrusher began the recorded events. Hagrid stepped into Vault 713, and Quintus Quirrell walked into view coming from higher in the bank. Griphook challenged the intruder, who simply waved his wand and threw a bombard at the goblin standing beside his mine cart. Both goblin and cart fell over the edge of the crevasse, disappearing.
"Whut ya doing here, prefess'r?" asked Hagrid walking out of the vault, a small bag in one hand.
"Give me the stone, Hagrid. Give me the stone, and you can live."
"Whut? No…prefess'r Dumbledore said to give it ter no one! I got to take it back to him at Hogwarts!"
"I can give it to him for you."
"No," replied Hagrid, his tone determined and final.
"Very well," Quirrell said before slashing his wand three times in the air, each slash pushing the half-giant back against the wall. Hagrid fell to the ground in front of the open vault, and Quintus Quirrell took the bag from the hand of the half-giant. Then the DADA professor levitated himself and began his escape from Gringotts.
"No, it's not possible," Dumbledore said as he watched the figure fly over the carts of goblins descending to Vault 713 to apprehend the thief.
The figure of Quintus Quirrell glowed as more magic appeared from underneath the purple turban around his head, and Alastor Moody declared, "The wizard's possessed for sure! That's another wizard's magic controlling the man!"
There were more attempts by goblins to attack the wizard, but powerful shields threw spears to the side or back at the goblins themselves. Bursting into the lobby while the gong was banging in the background, Quintus Quirrell laughed, landed before the door, and ran out into the alley, followed by six guards who threw their spears at the escaping thief.
The runic array recorded the moment Quintus Quirrell began to apparate away and vanished, with a look of surprise and pain on his face.
Moody demanded, "Dumbledore, who has possessed Quirrell? You interviewed him last week! Was he possessed when you talked to him? Or is it a new possession? We can get the bastard out of the man if it's early."
Steelcrusher spoke up and said, "Auror Moody, do you know the name Tom Riddle?"
"No!" shouted Dumbledore. "No one must speak of this! No one!"
"Dumbledore, tell me now if you know anything about Quirrell!" shouted Amelia Bones. "Unless he's in custody this week, my Susan will not set foot in Hogwarts 1 September or any other day! None of the children will come to Hogwarts!"
The third and fourth goblins, who'd remained silent throughout the meeting, leaned their heads close together. Ironstream said, "This is most excellent! The recording will be forwarded to the ICW to prove Fudge is a fool, Dumbledore lost his composure, and we've revealed that a professor is possessed before the beginning of the school year."
Sowsbreath replied, "But who is Tom Riddle to disconcert Dumbledore so? And what was the stone that Quirrell took from the half-giant?"
End of Chapter.