Disclaimer: I obviously don't own the idea of Harry Potter or any of the money making forms of it.
A/N: Wow, sorry for how long it took me to update, classes have been a bear. Again, thanks for the reviews, they were very helpful in motivating me.
Questions/Concerns Concerning:
Pairings: I haven't really giving much thought on them. I think for now I will let them sort of develop on their own; believe it or not, that's how most of my characters form (such as Teddy). Anyway, if I do have pairings, they won't be *poof* there they are, in case anyone is worrying about that happening. Well, that's all I have to say on the matter right now.
On with the story!
- - - Book 3 - Part 9: Assistance
Dumbledore sat up suddenly, coming to an epiphany at the wee hours of the morning.
How could he have been SO BLIND!?
It was so simple! It explained everything!
Was he getting too old? How could he have totally spaced this simple explanation? Missed this thing that was staring him right in the face for months?
Perhaps it was the lemon drops; maybe too much sugar was doing something to his brain. That had to be it; many people kept telling him he ate too much sugar. McGonagall had even dared him to stop eating sweets for just one day.
He hadn't been able to make it to breakfast.
But sugar was so good, and lemon drops....
Dumbledore shook himself, reminding himself why he had suddenly woken up.
Harry and the Custosae, after thinking everything over, went hand-in-hand. He saw it now. Understood it now.
Oh, how had he missed it?!
But it didn't matter now, he saw it now and it made so much sense!
The Custosae hadn't initiated contact with Harry, Harry had made contact with them!
Through Hagrid.
Oh, how could he have forgotten Hagrid was a Custosae?
Harry had gone to him when he had had his first bad nightmare at Hogwarts. Dumbledore remembered that night well, McGonagall coming to his chambers to tell him Neville had woken her up to tell her Harry was having a bad nightmare and that soon after she had escorted a very upset Harry to Hagrid.
Hagrid, who had no doubt listened to Harry explain his nightmare and probably reveal they were more than mere troubled dreams . . . they were memories.
What had Hagrid said?
"...these dreams ...are of a ser'us nature, and I think I can safely tell yuh, without betrayin' Harry's wishes, that he has been havin' 'em for as long as he can remember."
Yeah. As long as he could remember....
Dumbledore sighed, once again wishing Harry did not have to suffer such things, before once again moving on in his thoughts.
Yes, Dumbledore would still ask Mage about how they had brought Harry into the Custosae and how much Harry really knew about them, but at least he had figured out how Harry and the Custosae had gotten so close.
Dumbledore chuckled to himself.
It was all connected through his grounds keeper, the lovable half-giant.
How could he have overlooked such an obvious (and not just because Hagrid is large) puzzle piece?
O o O o O
The following days were relatively peaceful, considering how the previous days had been, though Harry and the Custosae were trying very hard to determine what Riddle's next move would be. However, in the middle of that week, Harry decided to speak to Rook about it, and ask him if he had any ideas.
He did.
"The Dark Lord can be patient when he needs to be," Rook said over the mirror. "I believe he will wait until the holidays to do anything major."
"Hmm," Harry hummed, thinking.
"I imagine he would want to do something directly against his enemies, such as their families."
"Like their children..." Harry whispered, suddenly coming up with the most likely thing Riddle would do. "He'd attack the train."
"It is no doubt a prime target, and one he would exploit."
"I've gotta talk to Long Beard and come up with a defense."
"My Clan and the Goblin Nation is at your disposal," Rook said with a short nod. "We are willing to place wards, both offensive and defensive, on the train, and if Long Beard accepts, we would also be willing to personally send a few of our noble guards."
"Thank you, Rook. You're a great and honorable ally," Harry said, feeling slightly overwhelmed by everything Rook was offering him.
"As are you. I take my oaths very seriously, as I know you do as well. You are an honorary member of my Clan, child, as well as a respected leader. It is my honor to assist you."
Harry blinked, deciding it was best to just move on and accept his compliments with grace and a nod. "I'll speak with Long Beard and schedule a time you two could meet. I think He'd like to meet the individual organizing the protection of Hogwart's Express."
"I would expect no less," Rook said, before deactivating his mirror.
Soon after, Harry and the others wrote a letter which would arrange a meeting with Dumbledore. Mage had a lot to talk about with Long Beard.
O o O o O
Harry and the others were on their way to dinner, Dumbledore had just come up behind them and, unknown to them, Madam Pomfrey was around the corner. Glancing behind them, they saw Dumbledore walking, actually carrying his cane like a baton rather than using it as it should be.
"Hello, Professor Dumbledore," Hermione greeted.
"Ah, hello, ready for lunch? I hear the house elves have dished up something grand for us tonight. I believe dessert includes those lovely little chocolate dipped cherries.
"They are such good cooks!"
Harry and the others hid their amused grins, finding Dumbledore's endless enthusiasm for sweets entertaining.
But before any of them could reply, Dumbledore's phoenix cane gave a trill. Ron's eyes grew wide as Dumbledore immediately put his cane down and leaned on it as if he had been using it the whole time.
"Headmaster, I was just looking for you!" Madam Pomfrey said, coming around the corner.
Ron nearly choked as she made her way to them. Hermione and the others glanced at Ron in confusion. What was he laughing at?
"Ah, Madam Pomfrey, I was just talking about the delicious desserts we have to look forward to," Dumbledore said as Pomfrey looked at the cane firmly planted on the floor in approval. "Is there something you need from me?"
"You need to take these before dinner tonight. Knowing how quickly dinner moves along in the Great Hall, I thought it best I give you these beforehand," she said, handing him a tablet and a small potion bottle.
"What are these for again?" Dumbledore asked, barely preventing himself from showing his dislike of whatever these things were.
"The pill will help your leg muscles strengthen further, and the potion will help with your tendons and such."
"Hm. You sure they are necessary?" he asked, looking at them uncertainly.
"Albus, yes. Must you always ask?"
"I am always hopeful the answer will change."
"You're hopeless, Headmaster," she said, before walking away and shaking her head.
O o O o O
Harry cast the necessary spells on himself as Ron and the others readied the room.
"Hey, Ron, before I forget, what was so funny before dinner, when we were with Dumbledore and Pomfrey in the hall?" Harry asked.
Ron stifled a chuckle, or tried to. "His cane-" he managed, suddenly no longer able to hold in his laughter.
"What?" Draco asked, the others now really curious.
"The phoenix," he said, calming down a little. "I don't think there's a way for me to translate it exactly, but . . . man, it's so great!"
"What Ron, what are you talking about?" Hermione asked, trying not to get annoyed about not knowing what was so funny.
"Dumbledore put an alarm on his cane!"
"An alarm?" Neville asked. "Why?"
"To warn him when Pomfrey is near!" He began laughing again. "When it trilled it said something along the lines of 'Ahh! Crazy nurse is close! Use me!' Man, I wish I could give you a better translation, but I just can't."
The others were now laughing, now understanding what Ron found hilarious.
"Hey, do you think he's put one on about Voldemort?" Greg asked.
"That would be great, I wonder what it would say?" Neville asked.
"'Grr! Evil psychopath is near! Blast him!'" Ron shouted, before falling into another fit of laughter.
It took them a few minutes to calm down, remembering why they were there.
"Well, I'll see you all later," Harry said, taking out the small mirror to talk with Dumbledore on.
The others nodded, quietly leaving the room.
Just before dinner, Draco had managed to give Snape a message to give to Dumbledore, which had a time for Long Beard and Mage to talk. It was now time.
"Long Beard," Mage said, now completely composed.
Dumbledore came into view, sitting in his quarters.
"Mage, I trust you are well?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, and yourself? How are you liking the cane?" Mage asked, barely suppressing a smile.
"Splendid, however, I am looking forward to the moment I will no longer be required to use it, though by then it may just become yet another quirk of mine."
Mage smiled, wondering if Dumbledore would make the cane a permanent part of his wardrobe just to hear it trill in warning, before deciding it was time to get to business. He shook himself from his thoughts.
"Well, the reason I have asked to speak with you is because I have come to a few alarming conclusions, and I am sure you have as well. I have spoken to one of my most trusted allies, and we have concluded what Riddle's next target will most likely be."
"My students," Dumbledore stated in a rather dangerous tone if one were to admit it. It was rather scary.
"Yes, though I believe the when and where brings forth more concern. The train is a rather large and undefended target, and striking around the holidays would be a heavy blow to the Wizarding World. My ally and I are willing and prepared to prevent that from happening."
"What are your plans?" Dumbledore asked, silently admitting how defenseless Hogwart's Express was.
"If it is agreeable to you, Rook, my ally, is willing to personally meet with you in your office and present certain protections his family and brethren can offer. You have no obligations to repay their service - Rook is more than happy to go against Riddle for free."
"I would very much like to meet with Rook. When can he meet with me?" Dumbledore asked, unable to hide his curiosity and eagerness about meeting an associate of Mage.
"Tomorrow at one is a good time for him."
"Tomorrow at one it is then," Dumbledore agreed.
Mage gave a short nod and a smile.
"Well, I believe that is everything I need to discuss with you. Do you have anything you need to talk to me about?"
"Actually, I do. To be honest, this has been at the back of my mind for a while now, but with everything, there was never a good opportunity to bring it up," Dumbledore began. "But for some peace of mind, I must ask. How close is Harry Potter to the Custosae? Is he like young Malfoy, an Amici messenger? After what I have seen, am I right to assume he is more?"
Mage blinked, hiding his shock fairly well, though Dumbledore was able to pick up the fact he had taken him by surprise. Mage straightened slightly, and Dumbledore wondered if he had overstepped some sort of line.
"Yes, I suppose you would be right to assume that," Mage said finally.
"You understand my concern then?"
"What are your concerns exactly?"
Now it was Dumbledore's turn to become nervous.
"Well, when I first began to suspect his involvement, I had been worried about how you had come in contact with him, since if you had managed to, Riddle might be able to as well."
"I assure you, Riddle will not be able to reach Harry the way we had," Mage stated.
"Oh, I know that. I came to that answer last night, which is why I am no longer concerned about that," Dumbledore said, gazing at Mage with his twinkling eyes.
"Oh?" Mage asked, barely hiding his worry.
Had Dumbledore figured it out?
"I don't know why I didn't realize it before, the answer was staring me in the face for a while." Mage could almost feel his heart stop as Dumbledore continued. "I am ever so thankful Harry made friends with Little John (Hagrid). I don't want to imagine where he would be if it had not been for Little John. I have little doubt Harry would not be here now if you and your people had not learned certain things concerning him."
Mage released a breath he didn't know he had been holding.
"Ah, well, the Custosae and myself are also thankful for Little John's involvement. Things would not have gone well without him, that is for sure," Mage said, reigning in his now pounding heart.
Dumbledore hadn't figured it out!
"There is one thing that still troubles me, and I hope you do not think ill of me for asking, but, how did Harry know he could trust you? Did he know Little John was going to share what he had told him about the memories to you? I don't think Little John would share anything he had just learned with anyone without Harry's permission, for he even kept the knowledge of the memories from me - not that I am upset over that, for frankly I don't think I could have processed that news very well at that time - but after thinking about it for a while, I am wondering why Harry allowed Little John to tell you," Dumbledore said, while privately thinking, 'when he wouldn't tell me.'
"What are you asking exactly?" Mage asked, knowing he was edging closer to dangerous territory.
"Has Harry come in contact with you?" Dumbledore asked, caving and just bluntly asking.
Mage coughed, once again failing to completely hide his surprise. Collecting himself, he met Dumbledore's eyes to find him curiously waiting.
Mage thought quickly, deciding the truth was the best, or at least as much truth as was possible and safe.
"I have tried my best to keep my distance, at least where I can in regard to Harry, but I can only keep myself so far," Mage said, which was all technically true. "But yes, Harry has come in contact with me."
"I see. Does he know of your position?" Dumbledore asked, not exactly alarmed, more intrigued.
"Yes, very much so, but don't worry, he has made the appropriate oaths and such," Mage said, mildly enjoying the fact he had surprised Dumbledore.
"So he is an honorary Custosae, I take it?"
"I suppose you could say that," Mage said with a smile.
"Well, considering everything, I agree with your decision of including him, and though part of me knows I shouldn't be surprised, I am still amazed to learn that someone of your stature has taken such an interest in him. I hope between the two of us, we can keep him safe," Dumbledore said.
Mage nodded, fighting back the guilty feeling of hiding the full truth from Dumbledore, but it couldn't be helped now. Hopefully when the truth did come out, Dumbledore would understand and forgive him.
O o O o O
Next day, 12:58pm
Dumbledore was standing in his office, waiting to greet Mage's ally in front of the floo after he came in. He wondered who 'Rook' was and what sort of person they were to have Mage count them as one of his 'most trusted allies'.
He had told McGonagall that he would be having a very important meeting and could not be disturbed. McGonagall had been interested, but knew better than to question him at that time.
Finally, the fireplace flared green and a form emerged from the flames.
He blinked, barely hiding his stunned surprise as he took a step forward before giving a slight bow, cane in his hand.
"Rook, we are a Formation of Defenders. I am Long Beard and am delighted to meet you. Mage had nothing but good things to say about you, and I humbly thank you for the help you are offering," Dumbledore said, taking in the bold goblin before him.
He looked very familiar, for a goblin anyway, but for the life of him Dumbledore couldn't remember his name. Perhaps it was for the best.
"No thanks is necessary, Long Beard - or would you rather Headmaster?" Rook asked.
"Whichever is fine, my office is strongly warded. Please, take a seat," Dumbledore said, motioning to the chair slightly in front of his desk as he took the chair across from Rook's. He didn't sit behind his desk for this meeting, since Rook was definitely not a student and deserved to be treated as an equal.
Rook sat down as asked with a nod of thanks.
Dumbledore's mind was racing. What sort of power and influence did Mage have to have a goblin as an ally? And then Dumbledore mentally froze, recalling Mage's words...
"Rook, my ally, is willing to personally meet with you in your office and present certain protections his family and brethren can offer. You have no obligations to repay their service..."
"You are currently wondering why a goblin has agreed to do this, correct?" Rook asked, not waiting for an answer as he continued, holding nothing back. "I will tell you why. For far too long, the Wizarding World has been decaying, welcoming corruption and waving away Justice and respect. For centuries, my kind has watched in silence, nearly just as arrogant and conceited to allow the magical world continue its decline - but no more.
"The time has come for all of such things to stop and end. The time for change has come, a revolution, and I have finally found the one to lead us all. When he first came to me, I was astonished such a soul existed, but I knew what had to be done if I desired to make a difference with him." Rook leaned forward in his chair, his face looking up directly into Dumbledore's.
"He asked me what I would say if he told me he had a way to start correcting all of it, and if I would like to be a part of it. A part of something that will destroy Voldemort once and for all, remove the racist ideals of the Ministry, and place a firm desire for peace between our people and all other magical nations," Rook said. "Headmaster, I do not believe you fully realize what Mage represents and what changes will come because of him. I dare say he will become the greatest wizard of our time, if he isn't already, and will become one of the greatest leaders of all time.
"Now, since I have said this, let me begin by proposing what my kin are willing to offer you and your students."
Dumbledore nodded, not at all offended he had yet to get a word in as Rook began listing out the propositions.
"A unit of noble goblin guards, discreetly patrolling Hogwarts Express, which will be given a new round of fully activated wards, both offensive and defensive. These wards will also send status reports to specified locations so help can come if the train comes under attack, though I pity the poor fool who dares challenge an armed goblin warrior...." Rook smirked, and Dumbledore privately admitted it made him a tad uneasy and even more thankful Mage had made friends with the Goblins. "We are also willing to patrol platform 9 ¾ and part of the muggle train station for your muggleborn students. You can take any or all of what I have just described."
Dumbledore leaned back, for the first time in a long time visibly overwhelmed.
"A whole unit of noble guards?" Dumbledore asked, stunned. "They haven't been seen by the public in over a half a century. The last time they made an appearance was in front of Gringotts during the time of Grindelwald...."
"Mage was quite passionate about defending the students of Hogwarts," Rook said simply. "I am sure this will make quite an uproar and enrage Voldemort, but it is time for the Goblin Nation to stop being a neutral party and take a stand. Besides, a number of the old treaties are soon to expire. We need to make a new public stance, not to mention policy."
"If you do this, you will also be making yourself into a new target for Voldemort, and many in the Ministry will question your motives," Dumbledore stated.
"The better for Mage. Voldemort will be too focused on us to bother looking deeper into the Custosae and her leader, thinking we are acting with our usual business motives," Rook stated. "As for the Ministry, they don't concern me."
This surprised Dumbledore even more. The Goblins were willing to become a sort of decoy?
"This surprises you?" Rook asked, clearly amused.
"I admit, it does. I never would have imagined the Goblin Nation doing this. I am curious, what did Mage-"
"Nothing. That is what makes it so perfect. Voldemort will be looking into what possible gains my kin will be receiving and who we have made a deal with, but he will find and learn nothing, because we are not receiving anything for this venture." Rook smirked. "And right now, I do not believe Mage has discovered this consequence, but I gladly partake in it, though once he learns of it, I am certain he will not be pleased with how we knowingly and willingly became a cover for him." Rook sighed, growing serious and actually heartfelt.
Dumbledore wondered if he was the first human ever to witness such a display.
"He is the first, and, at the moment, the only human I would proudly die for," Rook stated.
Dumbledore managed to hide most of his astonishment in a heavy blink, declaring that day to be the most surprise filled day of his entire life, while being ever so thankful he had a healthy heart and low blood pressure - otherwise he was certain he would have had a number of heart attacks by now.
"So, Headmaster, do you wish to accept?" Rook asked.
"Gratefully," Dumbledore agreed, before they moved on with the finer points of the plan and the protections.
O o O o O
Christmas was fast approaching, classes and meetings with the Army of Hogwarts continuing along.
It was Saturday, Harry now one of the only people left who had yet to produce a patronus, but unlike everyone else, Harry had yet to make any mist or light whatsoever. No matter what memory he used or focused on, it was no use.
"Ready?" Draco asked. "Somac will be here again today to help us try to improve certain spells."
Harry nodded, wondering if he would make any improvement on his patronus, or lack of one.
Everyone entered the room, excited about the coming meeting/practice.
Over the past few weeks, they had covered a great many things, including strategy, shield charms, offensive spells, easy but very helpful spells, and the patronus charm. There had been no Hogsmeade weekends, due to Voldemort, which allowed for even more meetings.
"Alright, everyone knows what they need to work on," Wood said as they all spread out.
Harry went to a corner, Teddy beside him. He would learn the patronus, no matter what people said to try to steer him away.
"Expecto Patronum!" Harry said, aiming his wand at the wall.
Nothing. Again and again he tried, using every memory imaginable, even seemingly insignificant ones.
"Argh! Why can't I do it? Almost everyone else has already produced a corporeal patronus..." Harry grumbled.
"I think you are trying too hard," Somac said, coming up from behind him.
Harry sighed, looking down at his wand.
"Harry, not everyone can cast a patronus," Somac said.
"I don't believe that," Harry whispered.
Somac placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, before shaking her head and going off to another student.
"Harry, maybe you're using the wrong type of memory," Teddy suggested.
"Teddy, we've been over this, I've used every single memory I can think of, even ones that weren't even happy."
"Maybe it needs a different emotion for you," Teddy said.
"Then what?"
"Maybe imagine what would happen if a dementor were here?" Teddy proposed.
"Hmm... can't hurt," Harry sighed, willing to try anything at this point, but tired too.
Harry closed his eyes, his back to the others in the room, who were all doing their own thing.
Snape was helping Draco and Luna with shield spells, Somac was helping Neville in the best method to deflect a curse, McGonagall was watching over everyone in the room, making sure everyone wasn't doing anything dangerous, such as the twins, and the prefects and captains of the houses where assisting where needed.
No one's attention was on the corner any longer, most by now feeling it best to leave Harry be since it was obvious he was adamant about learning the patronus, no matter how many times he had already failed.
Harry exhaled, bringing up a dementor in his mind's eye and imagining what he would do, or at least try to do, if it attacked anyone here, such as Hermione, Susan, or even Seamus.
Teddy stepped closer, being the only one who noticed a ripple of magic trickle out from Harry's feet as Harry snapped his eyes open and whipped his wand out in front of him. Soon after, everyone in the room heard him roar, "Expecto Patronum!"
Before anyone could react, a thick, wide cone of golden light erupted from the end of his wand, slamming harmlessly into the wall before ricocheting back into the room, practically igniting the very air with a splendor of brilliant rays.
It took several seconds for the magic to disperse and for the spots in everyone's vision to clear, but even before that moment, everyone surged toward Harry.
"Congratulations, Harry!"
"Don't know what that was but it definitely felt like a patronus!"
"I knew there was a reason you weren't giving up!"
"That was awesome!"
Harry blushed under the praise.
Not long after that, their meeting ended, everyone happy for Harry that he had finally succeeded, including Snape, even though it was an unorthodox sort of patronus, but when did he ever do anything the normal way?
Never.
"It must be the chaotic magic, maybe something to do with the phoenix tears?" Hermione said, once they were in the common room and out of ear shot from non-Custosae members.
"Must be," Harry agreed, smiling down at Teddy, who had brilliantly thought of this different method of casting the patronus.
"It was definitely more powerful than what we have been casting, even though there wasn't a form, just light," Ron said.
"Can you imagine-"
"How powerful it would be-"
"If there was a form to it?" the twins asked.
"I don't know if that would be possible," Hermione said. "It seems like this is drawing from a different sort of magic within Harry - which reminds me, what memory did you choose, Harry?"
"I didn't, I just imagined a situation where I would need the spell to work," Harry admitted with a shrug. "Teddy suggested it."
Teddy sheepishly shrugged.
"Are you sure you have stuffing for brains?" Fred asked before leading the way to the dorms for the night.
"Pretty sure, why?" Teddy asked.
"No reason," Fred replied, leaving a confused Teddy behind with an amused Harry.
A/N: Well, hopefully tests, projects, and preparations for finals haven't thrown off my writing style too much. Thanks again for being patient and reading/reviewing ^^
Next part: The Noble Guard
