CH 28 Problems between Goblins and Elves and Wizards
Occasionally my Beta tells me I need some major changes in a chapter, and she is almost always right. Thank you, FriendofMolly. Reviews are always appreciated.
Harry had just been back from Switzerland a little over two weeks. It was the second week in May, and Mary Lou's voice came over the phone intercom, "Harry, you have a phone call from Gerhard Richter."
'Sometimes I think this combination of magic and Muggle technology is just a little too intrusive' thought Harry 'although it is a lot easier talking on the phone than over the floo. "Put him through."
"Hello Harry."
"Hello Gerhard. How are you?"
"I'm fine. We have an issue with the Goblins, however. I'm going to be sending over a formal complaint we have just gotten from the Goblins."
"I think it's in Goblin's nature to complain. What are they bitching about now?"
"Some of the ways we are treating the house elves, and some of the freedoms we have been giving them, seem to be against some of the treaties signed at the end of the Goblin wars. Free house elves in North America and elsewhere, including here in Europe, are a real issue. Clothing house elves is another problem. The way you have organized the Potter/Weasley house elves, with them in many ways controlling their own money, is driving the Goblins crazy. Several other groups around the world have copied the Potter/Weasley organization, including a couple of groups in Switzerland, and it sure looks like more groups of Magi and house elves want to organize like the Potter/Weasley house elves."
"How big is this complaint?"
"Merlin, it's a lot of pages, 1,500 tightly written pages, in 500 year old German. It totals maybe 2,500 pages of detailed complaints once we translate it into English. We are translating it into all the common Magi languages, and will have it in both an electronic file and a written version that you can edit with Magi means."
"Maybe I'd better read this, or at least the portions that concern us here, and have Hermione read it too."
"I'll forward it to you, Harry. And Harry, there is more, and it concerns Goblins. Have Albus and Rose talked about the science project they are doing with my great grandchildren Adel and Hermann. I think there are a couple of children from North America and China involved too."
"I know Al and Rose have been gone a day a week last month, and Al seems excited about something. We were going to have dinner with Ron and Hermione tonight or tomorrow night and Al and Rose were going to tell us what was going on."
"Well worth listening to, Harry. Give me a call after you hear the results of their little science project. Bye."
"Thank you for your call Gerhard."
Early afternoon Harry and Hermione were meeting in Hermione's office, with Bill Weasley and Solon from the Potter Estates office and Plato from Hogwarts.
"Has anyone seen these treaties that the Goblins refer to?" asked Harry.
"They exist," said Hermione. "It is going to take someone other than me to translate them. Like a lot of things dealing with Goblins and house elves, there is probably a lot more to this story than just violating the treaty."
"Goblins can be the most frustrating beings to deal with," groused Harry.
"It's not just what the Harry Potter Estates is doing," Bill interjected. "It's a lot of things going on in North America and all over the world, changing the lot of house elves."
"Complaints about Hogwarts elves as well," Plato contributed.
"Law or tradition very clear," explained Solon. "All drafts from wizard to bank must be signed by Magi. House elves not to handle finances on own, not to have own monies. Harry Potter Estates and DPW computerized accounting, all checks computer generated, checked by accounting office. Any going to goblin banks have hand written amount and signed by a witch and wizard working for Harry Potter estates, but the witch and wizard that we hired are not in charge Magi but just do what house elf say Magi. Just at edge of law and Kreacher said is 'subversive.' That drives Goblins nuts."
"On which side of the law, or is it tradition?" Harry asked.
Solon grinned and said "Subversive." Harry and Hermione laughed. It was pretty obvious from what Solon said that they were definitely pushing, beyond, maybe well beyond, what strictly speaking was allowed. No wonder it was driving the Goblins nuts.
Plato interjected again, "Even at Hogwarts house elves housing changed from all in public spaces to every family having a little own space, a few own possessions. Much subversives, all over."
"That's what we've been working for!" exclaimed Hermione. "How come the Goblins have problems with it?"
"Long history of conflict between house elves and Goblins," said Plato. "Start of battle lost in prehistory."
Harry said, "I'm going to tell the Goblins that we are going to have to translate the treaties, but that we will look into their complaint and will work on it after the International Council of Witches and Wizards. I'm not going to be Chief Mugwump after this session anyway, and maybe I can avoid being in the middle of this controversy."
As everybody was leaving Hermione said "There are some very interesting things happened in Magical DNA analysis, and some of them are relevant to this discussion, Harry. I'll call Ginny to arrange dinner together, and have Rose and Al tell you about some of the things they are finding out."
"Gerhard said something about that," said Harry.
After dinner that night both families went up to the large upstairs office at Hermione and Ron's house. Rose and Albus had cleared off one wall and were getting ready to project things up on the wall. Hermione was going to do the magic part, but Rose and Albus had the material ready.
Rose started, "I assume everybody knows at least a little about DNA, the blueprint for life. There are four bases or letters that make up the DNA alphabet, adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine, usually abbreviated as A, G, C and T, and they are in pairs, A with T, C with G. It turns out that there is another pair, a magical pair that is very different in construction and in where it is. The magical pair seems not to be in line, but residing in magic space, sort of off to the side and you can only see it with a magical sequencer that can sense things not in the Muggle three dimensions. They have labeled these base pairs Psi written Φ and Omega written Ω because they cannot be mistaken for anything else." When she said this Rose displayed A-T, C-G and Φ- Ω on the wall.
Rose continued "Some Muggles have a few of the magical base pairs. Most Magi have about 100, and the total possible base pairs Magi have are less than 200, we think. Most magical animals have about 1,000 magical base pairs or more. Thestrals have as many magical base pairs as any animals, about 10,000. We think that is why you cannot see them."
"You can see Thestrals if you have seen someone die," Harry remarked.
Albus responded with, "The soul goes off to another dimension. I've talked to the Prophecy Department in Switzerland and the Department of Mysteries here. We don't even want to talk about that now."
"It turns out that house elves have over 1,000 magical base pairs," Rose continued. "All humans have over 99% of their DNA the same, and Magi are no exception. And Mitochondrial DNA all comes from the mother, and by tracing minor variations in it you can tell how old a species is. For example it looks like modern humans are about 30,000 years old. It is harder to tell how old Magi are because there are Magi in all of the races of humans, but it sort of looks like Magi are about 10,000 years old."
"Have you examined Goblin DNA too?" asked Harry.
"We're getting to that, Uncle Harry," responded Rose. "Let me talk about house elves first.
"Over 99% of the DNA in humans, including Magi humans is the same. There are some racial differences, but they are minor, and there is more variation in the DNA within a race than there is between the races. Race turns out to be a harder thing to define than you might want. It turns out that human's closest relatives in the animal world, the great apes, share most of the human DNA."
Rose had her mother put up charts of human DNA showing some of the differences, and how similar everybody was.
"There are only about 200 areas in our DNA that are different from the Neanderthals," Rose continued, showing a chart. Then Rose had her mother put up charts of house elf DNA, saying "House elves DNA doesn't look at all like human DNA. House elf and dragon and some other animals have DNA that might as well have come from a different planet.
"What about Goblins?" asked Hermione?
"We're still just on house elves," Harry reminded everybody.
"Goblins refused to let anybody examine their DNA," said Rose, "until Al got involved."
"You just have to know how to ask," Albus rejoined. "First we got DNA from the young Goblins at the DPW factory, and then we got DNA from some other young Goblins in North America, Asia and Europe. Then we found out that Goblin women are not all happy with their very much subordinate role in Goblin society and got a lot of female Goblin DNA."
"Al is the first being of any kind to get DNA, or that much information, from Goblins," Rose said. She then put up charts showing Goblin DNA on the wall. Goblin DNA was very similar to House Elf DNA.
"How many house elves know about this?" asked Harry.
"Subversive," whispered Plato. "Hard to keep secret."
"It's more complicated than Rose is saying," Al said. "Female house elf and Goblin are more similar than male house elf and Goblin. We don't have enough information to say a lot, but it sure looks like house elves and Goblins came from the same ancestor 5,000 to 10,000 years ago."
"Do the Goblins know about this?" asked Harry. "Is this why we got this big complaint, because they think Magi will start treating Goblins like house elves?"
"A lot of Goblins know about this," said Al. "Everybody who gave us DNA has been given copies of the reports."
Harry shook his head. "So now we have a revolution on our hands, because Al got some Goblin DNA?" he asked.
Al said. "It is not just the DNA. It is the friendship between Goblin children and Elf children and the children of the Magi. It's Goblins working with Magi as partners, eating with them, becoming friends."
Harry said, "Something like this was sure to come out sooner or later. Facts are stubborn things. It's hard to argue against scientific facts. Are there any Goblin we can talk to about this?"
"Goblin Titanium and his family?" asked Albus of Rose, and she nodded her head.
The two families continued to discuss the DNA testing, and how Al had gotten all the samples, and how Al had gotten friends from the group learning elfish to help.
Finally Al said, "You have met the Goblin Eniac. His daughter Jamie Francis was one of the key developers of the Magic DNA Sequencing Machines. There is a whole group of Magi, Elf including Metal Working Elf, and Goblins working on this DNA thing in Switzerland. It is driving the old fashion Goblins nuts."
"Just because all the races are working together?" asked Harry.
"House elf society is very egalitarian. Male and female are equally repressed and oppressed, except they are getting freer, less repressed and less oppressed.
"Male Goblins like to think they are freer than elves, but they are bound by other obligations. At least Male Goblins have been freer than female Goblins, who have been almost as bad off as house elves. Goblin Titanium's family and Goblin Eniac's family and many other families are breaking down the Male Chauvinism of Goblin society."
"That's not the worst part, Al," Rose said. "We have begun to be able to get into some of the oldest records. Al and Galadriel and Thorin can get into areas no one else has been able to get into."
"I don't have time to read much of what Galadriel and Thorin have been finding," Al said. "Besides there are still a lot of areas we cannot get into. We have the male and female High Elf, we think, in the Elf Galadriel and the Goblin Thorin, Their parents know, but not many other people. Please do not tell anyone! Galadriel and Thorin are in enough trouble already.
"We are missing the female Magi. I am also not the head wizard, although the prophets say I am the best substitute for the head wizard they can come up with.
"I wish I could meet the girl from the music store. Maybe she and I can get places that I cannot."
A couple of days later Al and Rose introduced the Goblin family that they were friends with to their parents. Al had arranged a dinner with the Harry Potter family, the Ron Weasley family, and the Dobedo elf family consisting of Dobedo, Harriet Tubman and their children Martin Luther King P/W and Oprah W P/W.
After introducing the humans (including of course Jean Grainger, a Muggle) to the Goblins, Al introduced the Goblins. "The head of the family is Goblin Titanium. His wife is Precious. His oldest two children are boys, Zeek and Wayne, and his daughters are Ariel and Beth."
"Those are unusual names for Goblins," said Hermione after everyone had shaken hands and met everybody else.
"Please sit down," said Ginny. A couple of other P/W house elves started to serve dinner, and while dinner was going on there was a lot of conversation about what all the parents did, where the children were in school, and what happened when Al and Rose and Martin visited the DPW factories.
Harry told Titanium, "You are the first Goblins I have ever shared a meal with. I was told that Goblins do not like Wizard food."
"Goblins told from very young age that eating with Wizards is dangerous, that Wizards put magical things in your food and try to pretend that they are your friend," Titanium responded. "'Never, never believe a Witch or Wizard when they say they want to be your friend' is a saying we are told over and over. I think we miss much good food and companionship that way."
"Bill has shared a few meals with Goblin Greenshade of TTMB," Harry mused.
"Same sort of problems," said Titanium, chuckling. "Makes way too much Muggle money, that Goblins need, but consorts with Wizards. Not a proper nasty hard bargaining Goblin."
"You know how Magi are governed, by the International Council of Witches and Wizards," said Harry.
"Headed by Chief Mugwump Harry Potter," replied Titanium.
"Only for rest of my term, ending this summer," Harry quickly added. "House elves are almost always governed by the local Magi governing body. We are trying to get some laws that apply to every country and group, but that is hard and it is going very slowly."
"Gringotts is more than a bank," Titanium explained. "The head of Gringotts is nominal head of all Goblins. Goblins pretty good at collecting taxes and making money. Not so good at some other things, because is always fighting and not trusting anyone. Have always been some Goblins working closely with Magi, but not common, and Goblins have nasty words for a Goblin who has sold out to Magi. Goblin governing is not democracy, but partly aristocracy, golden rule, he who has gold rules. Greenshade and I get away with what we do because we make good money."
"I understand that Goblin men are usually much bigger than male house elves, but Goblin women are about the same size, and even look similar to house elves," Hermione interrupted with. "You call your mate 'Precious.' Is that her given name?"
"Tell them, Precious" Titanium said to his mate.
"Goblins not want to show their wives because wives treated like property," said a glowering Precious. "Females given a letter or, if lots of females a pair of letters instead of a name, and if too many the same letter name can have name changed by parents or mate. No better than a house elf, no better than a slave. Tie gave me my name, and named our daughters. Goblin registry for names still fighting over it. Stupid Goblins." Turning to her mate Precious said, "Thank you, Titanium, for my name, the names of our daughters, and the names of our sons."
"So now you're outcasts in the Goblin world?" asked Harry.
"About as welcome as a Malfoy at a Weasley Christmas, I would expect," joked Tie. "I know your history. I have plenty of free time, something else Goblins not supposed to have. Children learning to be brilliant metalworkers, but also good happy beings." Titanium grinned, spread out his hands to the assembled group, and said, "Trouble in Goblin land. Goblins being happy! Terrible terrible subversive things, being happy."
"So do you know what is going on in Goblin land?" asked Harry.
"A growing group of Goblins are on our side," replied Titanium.
"Many unhappy wives want names and respect," added Precious.
"All my Goblin girl friends call themselves by a name and not a letter," Ariel said, waving her hand and bouncing up on her seat. "A couple even fights with their parents, and refuse to come unless called by their name and not a letter."
"So how many Goblins know about the DNA tests?" asked Harry.
Martin the house elf jumped up and said, "Almost all house elf children know, and are trying to tell Goblin children as quickly as possible."
Precious added, "Goblin women do talk to house elf females, not all the time but enough, and is spreading that way as well."
"So is this massive complaint about how Magi are being nice to house elves partly a response to this?" asked Harry.
"Stupid Goblins always unhappy," said Titanium. "Way they are raised. Hope it's not genetic, don't think it is. Doesn't help when Magi like Tom Riddle and his nasty allies treat Goblins bad."
"What would happen if I had Cindy Base Hudson write articles about the DNA in the Daily Prophet, and see if it could be picked up around the world?" Harry asked rhetorically. "I could also have her write about the happy Goblin family."
"Have them over to the pond next summer," said Al. "Have Mr. & Mrs. Hudson show them in bathing suits along with house elves and Magi frolicking in the pond, climbing on the Hogwarts climbing castle, having fun."
Everybody in the room started to laugh, and one after another they said, "Frolicking Goblins?" The whole idea was so ridiculous, and at the same time so subversive. Hermione finally said, "Precious, when the weather is right, sometime in July or August, we are going to invite you and any other Goblin family from DPW who wants to come out to the pond and the New Burrow and Potters New Burrow property."
"I am sure we would be delighted to come," said Precious as her mate nodded in agreement, then with a gleam in her eye, "and frolic."
The meal was followed by various discussions, the children breaking off to play and talk, and the adults talking much more about Magi, house elf and Goblin relations and traditions.
The usual house elf meeting that took place before the ICW meeting every year was full of excitement about the DNA discoveries, and what they implied. There was a great deal of discussion about what if anything to do about the discoveries. Finally a North American house elf got up and addressed the assembled group of mostly house elves along with a few Magi, mostly the children who knew Elfish and a parent or other relative of the children.
"We need respect," she said in elfish. "Look at what Magi call themselves, Witches and Wizards, or Magi." On the wall she had the three capitalized words written in several languages. "Goblins are Goblins" and again she had the word used for Goblin in several languages written on the wall. "We are house elves or" and she went on to write all the various ways house elves were described. "Notice that in many languages Magi and Goblin are capitalized, but we are small letters. In other languages we are described with words or cases that imply the diminutive, that in some way we are lesser beings. In fiction when we are described as pretty, powerful, good beings we are," putting the words up on the wall, "Elves, not elves, not house elves, not" going on to describe several other ways they were called, "but Elves. Let us start calling ourselves Elves, and ask all the other beings to start calling us Elves as well."
There was a lot of discussion, but in the end most of the house elves agreed that from then on they would be Elves. They asked Harry Potter, who was at the meeting with Albus and Rose, to bring their request to the International Council of Witches and Wizards and to the Wizengamot in England.
Harry and Ginny walked into the New Burrow late the last Sunday in June. They had attended the dance at the end of the ICW meeting, going to bed very late there, and had just gotten back from Switzerland. As they walked into the New Burrow everybody in the room applauded, and it seemed there were 30 or 40 Elves applauding as well. The Elves quickly made themselves scarce.
"All we got was permission for Elves to be Elves," said Harry, "and we got that by one blasted vote! We never politicked so hard. Stupid ICW factions. Had to have a clause that the next chief wizard could revoke or would have to confirm, and the Elves are going to have to fight language by language and country by country.
"Of course part of the legislation was an acknowledgement of the request of the Elves Council, the first recognition or even permission for an Elves Council. We lost a few votes on that detail, but it's important."
"I think it's very important," said Hermione. "We have legislation ready for the Wizengamot, and when it passes, and it will, we will not use 'house elf' but refer to Elves as 'Elves.' I assume the big Goblin meeting is still scheduled for the end of August."
Harry grinned, saying, "Goblins are getting more and more upset, and not only at Magi and Elves. There is more and more open or semi-open discussion among the Goblins. Cindy's articles in the Prophet were picked up by Magi newspapers and radio around the world, so even in areas of the world where the Goblins and Magi would like to hide the information they cannot."
Albus, who was sitting close to the adults listening, addressed his dad saying, "You said 'facts are stubborn things,' dad."
"Facts are the least of our problems, Al," Harry responded. "What is most important is how we respond to the facts. There are even groups that will not admit to the facts. When we were fighting Tom Riddle there were large groups that did not want to admit he was back. I've heard comments that this DNA testing doesn't change anything, that in our world it is just irrelevant."
"Frolicking Goblins", the headline in the Daily Prophet read. Harry was showing it to his family around the breakfast table.
"It was a lot of fun," Albus said.
"Not enough Quidditch," said James. "Why can't Goblins and Elves fly on brooms?"
"Elves can," Harry responded. "They're pretty small to play Quidditch against Magi. House e…Elves are so good at apparating that maybe they just don't see the point in flying on a broom."
"Elves and Magi together can apparate further than either alone," said Albus.
"In North America they are doing experiments to move large objects with Magi and Elves," Harry said. "They are having some success, but it is dangerous. Elves and Magi have been hurt and even lost their lives in these experiments. Albus, can Goblins apparate?"
"I don't know, dad," answered Albus. "We never talk about it. Elves never use things to make magic, like wands, although they do use potions, and of course cook. Goblins use and make things all the time. I think they apparate, but I know they also have something like the floo network that they use but that they do not let anyone else use. They do not want anyone else to know about it, although it's not all that secret. That is how Goblins move money around, and other treasures."
"Can you ask?" Harry inquired.
"Why don't you ask Goblin Titanium, dad," Albus replied. Turning to his mother Albus asked "Do you think we could have the Goblins and Martin the Elves' family for dinner again?"
Ginny turned to Harry and said, "I don't have any problem with that."
Harry replied to the whole family, "I think it would be a good idea to have Goblin Tie and his family over here again, especially after the articles about 'frolicking Goblins.'"
Cindy Hudson thought there was a whole lot more to the Frolicking Goblins that what she saw, and after talking to Albus and Rose she wanted to write about all the DNA some more, and about the part that Albus and Rose had in getting DNA samples. It took a lot of persuading, but in the end Harry and Ginny, Hermione and Ron agreed. Cindy agreed to write the article in such a way as to promote the ideas of equality that they all were fighting for.
The same group of Elves, humans and Goblins was at a meal later that week. Cindy and her husband were at the meal documenting it; she had agreed to let Harry and Hermione go over the story before it was published. There was a lot of discussion about the 'frolicking goblins' article, and the good time that was had by all.
Harry finally asked, "Do Goblins apparate like Elves and Magi?"
"We can, but most of us don't," Tie replied. "We can use wands, but we are not supposed to. Some of the devices that Goblins use are not exactly wands, but they are devices that focus magic, so they do some of the same thing."
"Would you like to use wands?" asked Harry.
"I can hardly speak for all the Goblins," said Tie. "There are Goblins who are talking to me or getting messages to me, however. They know I'm talking to Harry Potter. Using wands helpful but not necessary."
"How would you suggest I approach the Goblins when we have our big meeting?" asked Harry.
Tie got a twinkle in his eye. "I think I'd say Elves and Goblins and Metal Working Dwarves all the same anyway. I have DNA samples here," and he handed Harry some DNA samples, "and Metal Working Dwarves really just partly Goblin and partly Elves. Always good at metal working, but hated by too many Elves and Goblins. Stupid."
"How many Metal Working Dwarves are there?' asked Harry.
"More than Leprechauns," said Tie.
"Leprechauns just little free Elves," said Dobedo.
Harriet added, "Like to pretend are different, but just like a whole big family of disobedient children."
"So I just mention to the Goblins that they aren't a different from Elves?" asked Harry.
"And get Goblins fighting among themselves, if you're lucky," Tie replied.
There followed a long discussion about the various branches of the Goblin/Elf family, including the mixed blood Metal Working Dwarves, and some history of the problems mixed beings had. The parts of the discussion that Harry and Hermione wanted to be out in public were in the series of articles Cindy wrote.
Scorpius and Cleopatra were reading the Daily Prophet and talking among themselves and with the house elves. Scorpius said, "I bet my Dad and especially my Mum are furious about these articles."
Cleo said, "Your mum really does not like anybody, except a few of her Pure Blooded friends, does she?"
"No," Scorpius replied. "I don't think she even likes me much. Grandmum kisses me good night, but Mum doesn't even touch me."
"And they want me to marry you?" asked Cleo.
"Granddad wants us to get married," said Scorpius, "and dad does everything granddad wants, even though granddad is in prison. It's stupid. I really like you, Cleo, but more like a sister. I hope we are always friends, but thinking we'll get married is just wrong."
"Albus and Rose are the same age as we are," said Cleo. "They have done so much, and they are parts of big wonderful families. I wish I could be part of that family instead of this one."
"I'll be in Slytherin and they will be in Gryffindor," said Scorpius. "I'd like to be friends with people like them, but I'm worried that there is too much bad blood between the families. Roses' mother was tortured in our house! Rose will probably meet me and hate me as soon as she knows my name."
"Do you think I could meet Albus and Rose?" asked Cleo. "Do you think there is any way I could be sorted into any other house?"
"Probably not," said Scorpius. "We're doomed!"
Cleo asked the house elves, and they gave Cleo copies of all the Prophet articles about the Potter family and Albus Potter or Rose Weasley.
Although Harry had been replaced as Chief Mugwump of the International Council of Witches and Wizards, the Goblins still wanted him to chair the big meeting that was finally held the end of August of 2015. Galadriel and Thorin met with Harry the day before the meeting, at the request of John and Mary Rivendell and Goblin Zefenslot.
Harry did ask Goblin Zefenslot, "Which side of this controversy are you on?"
"Officially, I am keeping my mouth shut, and my power intact," the old Goblin said. "My youngest grandson is up to his neck in Dragon Dung over all he is doing to promote this, and I am not ordering him to stop."
"And your wife?" Harry asked Zefenslot.
"Mutnesut is keeping her own consul, but working behind the scenes," the old Goblin said, a twinkle in his eye. "Listen to our children."
When Harry met with Al and Rose, Galadriel and Thorin, Galadriel said, "It is important that we all are at this meeting, advising you, and that Albus is our spokesman."
"Are you all right with this, Albus?" asked Harry.
"Magic comes from the female," Albus said. "I do not feel comfortable doing this."
"Your queen is not yet at your side," Galadriel said, "The Goblins will not listen to me."
"I have yet to prove myself," Thorin said. "The time is coming, as we all know."
"I feel neither comfortable not happy to be the spokesman, father," Albus said. "All the Elf Friends, those of us learning the languages, have appointed me to this task, however. I have no choice but to do my best."
The assembled group spent a long time talking about the document, how different it was in Elfish, in Goblin Elfish, and in Gobbledegook, and why it was important.
That night Harry told Ginny, "People are asking a lot of Albus. I am proud of him, but also worried."
The Goblins presented a summary of their complaints for two days. It seemed like at almost every point Albus and the rest would argue over how to translate certain words, and then get into massively disputed interpretations of the history of the wars between Goblins and Elves and Magi.
At one point Harry could tell that Albus was arguing about the history of magic. "Magic came from the Elf Queen, not her consort," Albus said. "Read the old myths. It was given to the witches before the wizards."
Harry thought there would be a revolt.
Albus presented DNA evidence, historical evidence based on certain books currently published, and documents they had found from the archives to back him up. Galadriel and Thorin argued the point.
Finally, after a debate that almost became a fight, Goblin Zefenslot got up and for the first time spoke, saying something in very harsh Gobbledegook, and two Goblins were taken from the hall.
"What did Zefenslot say," Harry asked.
"Threatening to kill his grandson and his grandson's friends was going too far," Albus said. "The most vocal of the Goblins are not particularly happy."
"NOT PARTICULARY HAPPY?" Rose said. "Like Tom Riddle was not particularly happy that he could not kill your father. They want to KILL US!"
Al said, "Unknown to all these Goblins, the whole of these sessions is being broadcast live to all the Goblin wives we can find, and transcript of the sessions are going to be published within a week in all the languages the Goblins speak. There are going to be some very unhappy Goblins very soon."
At the end of the two days the chief spokesman for the group of unhappy Goblins asked for many of the recent changes in the treatment of Elves to be rolled back. They also wanted to forbid fraternization between Goblins and the other races.
"More Goblins need to frolic, and not argue," said Harry. "You act like you're a different race, but the only thing that seems to make a Goblin a Goblin is you're never happy. Better to be an Elf."
"Goblins not Elves!" the most vocal of the opponents of changes yelled, to a chorus of approval. About half of the hall did not join in the chorus, however.
Harry held up a thick report that was going to be distributed to all attending the session. "This report goes over both DNA and historical arguments for you all being the same, Goblin, Elf, Metal Working Elf, even Leprechaun. Read the report and get back to us," said Harry. He then got up and led the Magi and the rest, all but the Goblins, out of the room.
For the next year there were discussions, small arguments, controversy and the like between Elves, Goblins, Magi, with the half breed Metal Working Dwarves and even a couple Leprechauns joining in. There were no more formal complaints from the Goblins, however. Whenever anyone told Harry that 'the Goblins are not happy,' Harry would respond that, 'Goblins are just unhappy Elves. It's in their nature not to be happy.'
Albus and Rose continued to go over to Switzerland, to work on the DNA project, and, as Albus said, with a gleam in his eye, to 'Frolic.'
Eventually Harry asked Ginny, "Is Albus really the leader of the Magi children studying with the Elves. I will never get a straight answer out of him. Maybe you could ask Rose."
Ginny would occasionally spend time alone with Rose, giving her some "female" attention. Rose liked going clothes shopping with Ginny and Lily, something that Hermione found extremely boring and time consuming. One evening Rose was over, and Ginny said to her, "Uncle Harry and I would like to talk to you about you and Albus. Just how important are you two?"
"I'm not all that important, Aunt Ginny," Rose said. "People sometimes ask if I am as smart as my mother, and I just don't feel that smart. Albus does not need me like people say Uncle Harry and Dad needed Mum.
"You really need to talk to Mr. and Mrs. Brandt, Adel and Hermann's parents, about Albus. I am Albus's cousin, but I am not part of the leadership. Because the Brandt's are in Switzerland, and talk to the Elves and everybody, they know."
So Harry and Ginny arranged a meeting with Wilhelm Brant, the grandson of Gerhardt Richter, and his wife Freda. Gerhardt was still the head of the Swiss Valley. They took Rose along.
Wilhelm said, "The three beings really at the head of the group learning all the languages are Galadriel and Thorin, plus Albus. It is hard to think of Galadriel as a house elf. Other Elves treat her almost as a princess, one who will be the Elf Queen someday. Thorin is everything good a Goblin is, but is almost more like an Elf King than a Goblin. Those two are a pair, which is against everything Elves and Goblins are. It is real strange".
"More and more they are saying that Magic comes from the female. We are missing a female Magi to Albus.
"Albus is always careful to say that he is not the King of the Magi, and that there is a good chance that someone else, maybe even one of your or his decedents, will become the next king. Most of the children I talk to think Albus is just being humble."
Ginny asked Rose, "What does Albus think he is? Does he think he is the leader of your group? Does he think he will be the next King of the Magi?"
Rose said, "Albus has accepted the role of head of the Magi children. Albus tries very hard to listen to good advice, and to understand what we want to do as a group, and what we need to do. As to being the next King, the most Albus will ever admit to is, 'maybe, if I survive.' He is very aware that there are people out there trying to kill him."
Wilhelm Brandt said, "Albus is a natural leader. He is a consensus builder, and all of the children learning with him like him and respect him. To Albus's credit, I think it frightens him some time. He asks me, and many others, how to be sure he is a good person, and is doing the right thing."
Ginny asked, "Are there Goblins who would kill Albus?"
"Not many," Wilhelm said, "but Goblins have their outlaws and evil people too. There are Goblins who serve the Lord of the Dementors."
After these discussions Harry and Ginny were even more worried.