Disclaimer: The 19th verse, same as the first. You can find the lyrics of One Tin Soldier at http:// www. scoutsongs. com/ lyrics/ onetinsoldier. html
Chapter 19: Listen Children
'Dear Headmaster, Thank you for your concern, but I find I really don't need an escort as my father has already provided one.
I will see you when the term starts next year.
Have a holly, jolly Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Harry'
'There that should settle their hash. Time to blow this popsicle stand!' He stepped to a floor length mirror and ran his finger around the frame, watching as the glass turned to swirling clouds of mist. Stepping through, he never noticed that the tracking spell that Dumbledore had placed on him, slid off unable to pass through. As soon as Harry disappeared into the mist, the mirror returned to normal.
0o0o0o0o0o
Jareth laughed as he watched the Headmaster grind his teeth in frustration at the disappearance of one Harry Potter. Like Harry, the Goblin King felt that the old wizard deserved everything Harry had dished out. His concern over Harry should stop with school unless there was evidence that Harry was being abused. Jareth snorted. 'He didn't do it last time. In fact, he encouraged it.'
"Father!" Garion's voice echoed through the castle halls, breaking Jareth's train of thoughts. The tall Fae stepped out of his study just as his son ran up to him. Father and son hugged each other as if they hadn't seen each other in ages, even though it had only been a couple of months.
"Welcome home, my son," Jareth said softly as he pulled back to get a good look at the boy. He frowned. "So Dumbledore couldn't keep from interfering after all." Anger radiated off the Fae as he said, "How dare he block your magic! I know I cannot intervene just now, as the time-line must be protected. However, I will repay his meddling."
With a wave of his hand, Jareth called up a crystal and broke it over Garion. The shower of fairy dust fell onto the boy's head, removing the block Dumbledore had on Garion's magical core while making it seem like it was still obstructed. Thus deceiving anyone that read the his aura.
Garion shrugged. "I'm not surprised, Father. I've been having problems channeling my magic. You think he did that while I was in the infirmary at Hallowe'en?"
"It would seem so. He also placed a tracking spell on you. It failed to go through the mirror," Jareth smirked. "You did leave your professor waiting at the entrance. I am very proud of you, my little hooligan."
Garion beamed. "Thank you Father. I do try."
0o0o0o0
Christmas in the Labyrinth and in New England as well, was magical in a non-magical way. Snow gave everything a crisp, clean look that was reminiscent of a Currier and Ives print. Sarah and her staff had been baking non-stop. Uncles Cory and Snuffles kept the boys busy between Christmas decorating and out door activities such as snow fights and sleigh rides. Play rehearsals filled the theatre with music and laughter as the play for the holiday was 'A Christmas Carol.'
With his magic back to what it was before his stint with the troll, Garion whole heartedly embraced his time with his family. He was quite sure that his Father would do something about Dumbledore's interference. If only to keep the old codger from blocking Garion's magic again.
The day before Garion was to return to Hogwarts, a package arrived. The note attached read, "This belonged to your father. I was keeping it in trust for you. Use is wisely." Inside was a silvery grey material.
"Well, I wondered if he was going to give that to you or not," Sirius told Garion as the boy held up the strange material. "That was your father's invisibility cloak."
Garion looked from Sirius then to his father, who commented, "It is as it should be."
0o0o0o0o0
Garion returned to Hogwarts and once more became Harry Potter. He refused to comment on where he had been and who he had been with. He endured the questions as best he could.
The months between Christmas and Spring was filled with study and adverture for Harry.
'Dear Father,
I found the strangest mirror. Didn't you once tell me about a mirror that had gone missing in the Labyrinth that showed people's desires? I think I found it. After I did, Dumbledore moved it. He seemed afraid for some reason.
I thought you might like to know. I'm not sure if the Headmaster will allow me to come home for Easter or not. He's being a bit of a flake. Plus the professors are assigning a lot of homework.
Your son.'
0o0o0o0o0
'Dear Uncle Snuffles,
Guess what? Hagrid tried to raise a baby dragon he got over Easter break while I was visiting home. Thankfully, we, Ron and Hermione were able to send it to Ron's brother, Charley. Man, did we get into a lot of trouble over that, but it was worth it. You are right, though, the guy's a nice guy but very clueless on what's cute and cuddly. We really should introduce him to Ludo. At least, rocks aren't as dangerous as a fire breathing dragon! Or worse, we could introduce him to the Fireys since he seems to have a thing for fire.
Got to run. Your favorite hooligan. –G.'
0o0o0o0
'Dear Miss Williams,
We wish to inform you that your son Harry Potter was given detention for fighting with another student. Professor R. Hagrid gave Mr. Potter plus three other students the task of helping with finding an injured unicorn when he was injured.
Although Mr. Potter wasn't seriously harmed, it is my duty to inform you of the incident. What happened during the detention isn't very clear, however, Harry did receive minor injuries and had to spend the night in the Infirmary.
We pride ourselves on protecting our students, but in this case we failed. We assure you that Harry has not sustained any permanent damage and we will continue to monitor him carefully to see that he comes to no further harm.
M. McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts'
Sarah barged into Jareth's study, waving this latest communique. "We have do something! They aren't taking care of Garion like they said they would!"
Jareth pulled his wife and soulmate into his arms. "Shush. My Sarah. We've been through this. He has to fulfill his destiny and that includes suffering from the manipulation of the Wizarding World. We can't interfere, as we would like to. He is a survivor. We have given him every advantage to help him get through this. Sh. He'll be home soon for the summer."
0o0o0o0o0
Harry stood in front of the Mirror of Erised with Quirrell standing behind him. He had a choice to make. He could step through with the stone and disappear into the Underground or stay and fight him. Either way, he knew it was a no win situation. Something would be revealed to his enemy and he wasn't sure he was ready to do that.
However, the decision was made for him when Quirrell attacked him, revealing his mother's protection. Thus killing the timid professor and setting Voldemort once more free to raise havoc at a later time.
Of course, Harry found himself back in the infirmary with Dumbledore trying to use magic on him again along with Ron, Hermione and Madame Pomprey trying to smother him with their concerns. He seriously wished the year was over with and he was back with his family.
0o0o0o0
The End of the Year Feast was a bit much in Harry's opinion. Dumbledore cheated with the House points. It really wasn't fair if you asked him. Sure he loved the fact that Gryffindor had won the cup but did he have to add all those ridiculous points? Come on!
Before everyone left the Great Hall, Harry decided to give his own warning to everyone. Would they get the message?
"Listen, children, to a story
That was written long ago,
'Bout a kingdom on a mountain
And the valley-folk below.
"On the mountain was a treasure
Buried deep beneath the stone,
And the valley-people swore
They'd have it for their very own. . . "
The Great Hall grew silent to hear what he was singing. He wove his magic within the song. He was giving them a warning, especially to the adults.
". . . Now the valley cried with anger,
"Mount your horses! Draw your sword!"
And they killed the mountain-people,
So they won their just reward.
"Now they stood beside the treasure,
On the mountain, dark and red.
Turned the stone and looked beneath it...
"Peace on Earth" was all it said.
"Go ahead and hate your neighbor,
Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of Heaven,
You can justify it in the end.
There won't be any trumpets blowing
Come the judgement day,
On the bloody morning after...
One tin soldier rides away."
When the last note ended, Harry stood and walked away with his guitar in one hand, his music case in the other. Behind him, the Great Hall was silent as everyone sat stunned by the power of the message behind the music.
0o0o0o0
A/N: As we said, we are trying to go fast through the books, just hitting the high points.
The song "One Tin Soldier" is a protest song from the '70's movie: "Legend of Billy Jack." Basically about an ex green beret who just returned from the Viet Nam War to save a herd of wild mustang and a free-arts school from corporate America. The movie was typical of that era: 'make love not war' and the 'anti-hero versus establishment.'
We really appreciate the reviews. We are glad that you all enjoyed Riverdance. We really had fun writing that chapter. Thank you one and all. Until next time. --GF and The Frau