Disclaimer:
I don't own it. I wish I did, if only because then I wouldn't have to write this each and every chapter…
.:/*\:.
Hermione woke to the sound of an annoyed owl trying to break through her window. The young witch attempted to burrow under her covers but the bird must have seen her move, because it started to screech even louder, clawing at the glass panel in an effort to gain entrance.
"All right, all right, I'm up."
The Gryffindor slipped Walnut from under her pillow and waved it lazily at the window, causing it to open to let the ruddy bird in. The owl winged its way to the foot of the bed, perching on the footboard and blinking at the witch.
Hermione huffed as she sat up in her bed, rubbing her eyes as she went. She knew that her hair would be sticking up and around her face. She was also pretty sure the owl wouldn't care. The witch spied the two scrolls the bird was clutching in its talons.
"Those for me?"
The owl hopped onto the bed and approached Hermione. Judging by the fact the scrolls were made of leather rather than parchment, Hermione could take a good guess as to whom had sent them. The owl extended one leg, and the witch dutifully took the first message:
Imrae,
I am pleased to welcome you to the Ukerim. The other missive is your apprenticeship contract with Hagdar. You will need to clear it with your chosen Runes master. As much as we Goblins enjoy negotiating, I'm afraid that none of these terms are up for negotiations. Those are what we offer to all our Goblin apprentices, with a few changes made given the fact that you will be spending your first year focusing on a different branch of magic.
We had a visit from Mr. George Weasley regarding your Wards apprenticeship. We have tried to explain that we do not charge our own for knowledge in the same way humans do, but you may have to explain some more after you study the contract.
There are a few things you need to do as soon as possible. First, sign our contract so all the bases are covered with the Ministry. I would request that Professor Flitwick is present when you sign, as a Dratagu. It is traditional for a member from an allied Clan to witness such events as the signature of apprenticeship contracts. If you can, buy a messenger bird as soon as possible. It will make our communications that much easier.
And finally, visit the Centaurs and the Merpeople to request permission to tread their lands when necessary. Don't forget your seldra. The Ukerim are neither allies nor enemies with the Black Lake denizen, and we want to respect the old traditions. Although the wizards would tell you the Black Forest and the Black Lake belong to Hogwarts, we know different.
Since you might not have the time to look it up, tradition requires that you bring an offering to your hosts. The Merpeople are not often able to eat fruits and vegetables from the surface, and usually enjoy such gifts. The Centaurs might be more tricky. An Udur never had to deal with them, given most are adopted after they have left Hogwarts and any place with forests behind them. I would recommend approaching Professor Firenze and asking him what the the Black Lake herd might most appreciate.
I have called for a formal leader meeting for the next full moon, in three days time. We will then discuss an appropriate time to introduce you to the rest of the Clan. We will give you at least a week to get ready, so do not fret.
May steel always flow thick in your blood.
Ragnok.
Hermione sighed as she got up, mentally modifying her to-do list for the day. Between meeting with Professors McGonagall and Babbling, going to Diagon Alley for an owl of some kind, finding offerings of peace for two very different species, going to the bottom of Black Lake to meet the Merpeople, finding the Centaur Herd, and organizing whatever journals was in George's chest, the chances of her working with the Wards today were slim-to-none.
She quickly got dressed and signaled the owl to follow her into her living room. Hermione was grateful to see that the House Elves had already set a warm cup of tea by her favorite armchair. She settled there and summoned an owl treat to her. She gave it to the messenger bird as she took the second message from its leg. She unrolled her contract, quickly scanning the text for what she needed.
"Meeting with Hagdar once a week," Hermione mumbled to herself and she read, "Some homework that'll involve physical and magical training, learning the basics of metalworking and Goblin magic, and of course warding… As a Goblin, payment for my training will be made by working in the workshops, fifteen hours each week during my first year, down to ten for the second and third."
Hermione nodded to herself before she re-rolled the contract and quickly finished her cup of tea. She was about to set out for the Headmistress's Office when a tell-tale tinkling sound stopped her. She walked back to her bookshelf and reached to take the slim journal, opening it to the first page.
You seem preoccupied.
"How would you know how I seem?"
I have no eyes or ears, but I can sense your power and your feelings through the Wards. And it allows me to guess at your thoughts.
"I won't be able to study with you today. And it will set me back."
Not to worry. I assume it has to do with the missives you received this morning.
"And how do you know about this?"
The Wards, and myself by extension, allowed the owl onto Hogwarts territory after ascertaining its intended destination.
"You do that with every owl?"
Of course.
"But you don't check for cursed or dangerous packages?" Hermione asked, remembering her fourth year.
The Wards perform a cursory check for deadly curses and items. We are not equipped for more.
Hermione nodded slowly. "Well, I need to get everything sorted. After all, I am starting both a Runes and a Wards apprenticeship today. May I request that the School Wards add a few layers of protection to my rooms until I learn to do it myself? There are a few books in my bedroom that should not be seen by anyone but me."
As you wish. The Headmistress is still in the Great Hall. A few dozens of people have arrived this morning with views to make the final repairs to the physical foundations.
Hermione hesitated, torn between setting the Master Ward back on the shelf and taking it with her. The book seemed to sense her thoughts once more.
I will remain and watch over the workers. It sounds as if you need to sort out a few things. I will give you a report when you come back.
Hermione tilted her head sideways. "Give me a report?"
You are the only wards worker in the castle. You have also been chosen by the Heads of Hogwarts - the Headmistress, the Deputy Headmaster, and the Heads of Houses - to work with the wards. As such, I report to you.
Hermione shook her head as she slowly set the Master Ward back onto its shelf. She still wasn't certain that giving so much control over the School Wards to someone who technically was still a student was such a great idea. But as the Master had just pointed, there just wasn't anyone else.
.:/*\:.
Hermione's usually solitary walk to the Great Hall was not repeated that morning, as she found Professor Flitwick waiting for her halfway down. The half-Goblin Professor smiled at her as he fingered his own seldra, showing a stylized lion with a six-pointed star above it. He wore it as the pin those working in Gringotts seemed to favor. Hermione then realized that she had never seen her Charms Professor without this pin. Ever. She had simply never questioned its meaning, thinking it simply a decorative piece of jewelry.
"Good morning, young apprentice."
"Good morning, Master Flitwick."
And when her old teacher extended his hand to her, Hermione grabbed his forearm with a smile.
"It seems like you have made an impression in Uzugarg. I have already receive many messages asking about the new Udur."
Hermione simply smiled and followed the Charms Master as he started to walk in direction of the Great Hall.
"Masters Hagdar and Ragnok have requested your presence when I sign my apprenticeship contract this morning."
"I'd be honored. I think I'll be able to answer whatever questions Minerva and Bathsheda have, and I can smooth over anything they do not quite understand. I think both of them trust me not to steer you or them wrong."
Hermione smiled and nodded, mentally ticking one thing off her list.
"I must admit I was both unsurprised and disappointed to hear that you were signing up for two apprenticeships, but that none of them was in the field of Charms."
"I didn't quite choose my fields of study, Professor. But I am still happy enough. Actually, Master Hagdar recommended that I try to continue my Charms studies."
"You do realize that you could easily pass all of your NEWTs this summer and be done with school, Apprentice Granger."
Hermione shrugged with a small smile. "I have a feeling I might have to. I have had a quick look through my wards contract. And Master Hagdar has made it clear there are a few things I'm expected to learn, as a Goblin, that have little to do with wards."
"Ah, you mean the metal smithing and combat training?" At Hermione's nod, Flitwick chuckled. "I'm afraid ours is a warriors' nation. We have had to be, with everything the Ministry tried to pull on us over the years. Those two skills that every Goblin eventually has to learn the basics of, are for protection. Yours and ours both. If everyone knows how to defend themselves then all of us can be sent into battle if the need should be great enough."
The young witch found herself nodding again. She had learned over her years in the wizarding world to take everything with a grain of salt. Hogwarts taught that the Goblin revolts were the work of individuals of little note. But if this was the case, why had there been more than one? And why was so much time dedicated to these occurrences during History of Magic? As she understood it, the Ministry had always had a hand in what was being taught in Hogwarts and who did the teaching - whatever they had said back in her Fifth Year. If they decided the curriculum and Goblin Revolts were unimportant, surely they would have revised the coursework to reflect that.
With a shake of her head, Hermione realized that Professor Flitwick had led her to the doors of the Great Hall. He smiled at her when she re-tuned in to their conversation. "Would you like me to have a quick look at your contract over breakfast? I must admit, I have never done this before."
Hermione smiled and fetched the scroll from her pocket, handing it over to her Charms Professor. The diminutive man smiled.
"If it's all right with you, dear, I think I'll show it to Professor Snape as well. It seems I won't be able to say no."
Hermione turned as the Charms Master inclined his head and watched as Professors McGonagall, Babbling, and Snape returned Professor Flitwick's small greeting.
"Don't worry, young apprentice. I'm sure I can settle whatever worry may be running in their heads and hearts. After all, the Goblins might happily take advantage of a human, but we look after our own."
Hermione smiled and nodded, and the two Goblins - one half by blood and the other adopted, but Goblins none the less - exchanged another warrior's handshake before the Charms Professor went to join his colleagues.
"Hello, Hermione." The Gryffindor witch turned to see Luna sitting there.
"Hey, Luna. Still working on the Ravenclaw Girl Dormitories?"
"Yes. Although I'm not sure why we're bothering. You'll have everything back in shape before the end of the week."
"Not on my own, I won't," Hermione laughed.
"But can't you just ask the Master Ward to reset everything?"
Hermione couldn't help but scoff. She had long ago stopped wondering how Luna knew about everything that was going on.
"I'm not the Dragon, Luna. I don't have that much access to the Master Ward."
"Oh. Well, maybe you should talk to the Master Ward about that. I mean, it is the simplest solution. Nice seldra, by the way."
Hermione huffed a laugh and pulled the younger witch into a hug. "Promise you'll never change, Luna."
"Well, of course not," Luna said, matter-of-factly. "Otherwise I won't be me anymore."
Hermione smiled as she ate a few bites of fruit and drank another cup of tea. The two witches continued talking for a while, catching up on what was happening in each other's lives. Hermione told her younger friend how she had been adopted by the Goblins the day before - although not why such a move had become necessary - and Luna told her how she was now looking to take over the Quibblers since her father was currently too depressed to work.
"I think he still feels bad about what he did to you," the Ravenclaw explained, her voice losing the flighty quality that usually defined the young witch.
"Well, you can tell him that I, for one, don't hold anything against him. He did what he thought was best for his only daughter in a time of war. Nothing wrong with that in my books."
Luna's smile was enough to brighten the room once more, and Hermione smiled back.
"Miss Granger?" Hermione turned to see the Headmistress standing behind her. "Please join us in my office. We will go over both of your contracts now."
Hermione nodded and turned back to give Luna a wave and a smile before following McGonagall. When the two witches finally got to the Head Office, Professors Snape, Babbling, and Flitwick were already there.
"Right, Miss Granger," the Headmistress said as she made her way to her desk. "We have all had a look at your wards apprenticeship contract, and Professor Flitwick has explained to us those details we did not understand."
Hermione glanced at the Half-Goblin, who smiled at her and nodded once.
"Professor Babbling has agreed to work around your training schedule with the Goblins, given that it will only take an hour or so of each day. However, you will need to pass your Ancient Runes NEWT before your apprenticeship formally starts."
"I had gathered that, Professors," Hermione smiled. "I guess we will find out if everyone is right to say I could have passed all of my NEWTs last year."
Her professors looked at each other and smiled. Even Professor Snape's lips twitched. The Headmistress handed a quill over to her favorite student and waved at two scrolls on her desk, one made of leather, the other of parchment. With a smile, Hermione signed her wards contract, which flashed with a burst of magic, and in succession duplicated itself, both copies then sealing themselves and disappearing to be filed - at the Ministry and at Gringotts, Hermione assumed. She then moved on to her runes contract.
"Read it first," Professor Snape growled. Hermione turned to look at him and he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Gryffindors. Any of us could be Polyjuiced, and we could have slipped something in that contract."
"And here I thought 'constant vigilance' was a saying that belonged to Alastor Moody," Hermione smiled at the dour Potion Master.
McGonagall actually laughed at that.
"It is best if you read it anyway, Miss Granger," the Headmistress chuckled again. "I can arrange the timetables to give you a couple of half days free. But I would need to know as soon as possible when Master Hagdar would need you at Gringotts."
"Master Ragnok has recommended that I get an owl, so I can go into Gringotts on my way and see if I can have a word with either Masters Ragnok or Hagdar."
"Very well, Miss Granger."
Hermione looked down at her runes apprenticeship contract, noting she would be expected to act as a teaching assistant for the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Years, and ultimately take over teaching the Third Years altogether after Halloween. She would be expected to help with grading and patrolling. And of course, she would need to learn her own curriculum and research a Master project.
Not entirely surprising, was Hermione's thought as she picked up the quill again and signed the contract. Another flash of magic and one copy went off to the Ministry while the other stayed on the Headmistress's desk.
"Now that both contracts have been dealt with," the Headmistress said, "I guess you have many things to do."
Hermione turned and smiled to Professor Babbling. "Will you need me today, Master?"
"No," Professor Bathsheda Babbling chuckled. "You may go about your business for the rest of the week. From Monday though, we'll have to make sure you'll be able to get your NEWT without too much trouble. If you are going to Diagon Alley, you might want to pop in Flourish & Blotts. I've made a list of the texts you should have, at the very least."
Hermione took the piece of parchment from her professor and looked at it quickly.
"Hmmm… Of course, I still have my school textbooks. I'm sure I have Futhark: Runes for Intent, Kana and Kanji for All Occasions, Phoenician Runes Studies and Ge'ez Studies, Ancient and Present. I remember seeing them when I put my books away yesterday. I think I have the Dictionary of Middle-Eastern Runes. Not sure about Dalecarlian Runes for Translators. Can I assume by this list that you'll introduce more than just the Futhark runes during my apprenticeship?"
"Although most people in Europe choose to specialize in Futhark nowadays, we are required to introduce a few other systems during the first year. I can deal with Futhark and Hebrew as specialties, and any of their direct children systems, but I would need to recommend a different Master if you choose another specialty."
Hermione nodded to herself. "I'm not sure about my specialty yet, but I'll give it a thought or two, Master. In the meantime, I'll go check which books I own and which I need to get."
"On your way then, Apprentice."
Hermione smiled brightly at her new Master and did just that.
.:/*\:.
Hermione Apparated into Diagon Alley, just opposite of Gringotts. She quickly tied her hair back so her seldra was in plain view and walked in the bank. She approached a counter but, was intercepted by a Goblin in green robes. The young witch noted the crossed katana and double recurve bow pin on his chest.
"Ah, Imrae. May I help you?"
"I'm sorry, Master…?"
"Sokn."
"Master Sokn," Hermione smiled. "I was wondering if I could speak with Master Hagdar for a moment."
"Hagdar thought you might be coming and asked me to keep an eye out for you. Have you got questions?"
"I just wanted to let my Master know that I have signed my Wards and my Runes contracts. Master Babbling and Headmistress McGonagall need to know when my presence will be needed in Uzugarg so they can arrange my schedule around it. I also wanted to ask if my master had a preference for my Runes specialty. Or if the Ukerim had."
Sokn gestured for her to follow him and led Hermione into one of the side rooms just off the main hall.
"It sounds like you have a lot to do," the Goblin said.
"Between checking that I have all the Runes texts I need, buying more supplies and an owl, and contacting the Black Lake Merpeople and Centaurs to ask passage rights, yes."
"Well, I'm afraid Hagdar is in Orrosta for the next few days. Clan business. And Ragnok has been called away. But maybe I can help you with a few things. I will send my messenger bird to Hagdar to pass on your message, and to your Headmistress to let her know to address future messages to Gringotts. I'm afraid owls are not trained to find Goblins. I will find someone to accompany you down to Uzugarg in a moment so you can find yourself a nice messenger bird of your own."
"Thank you, Master Sokn.
The Goblin nodded and walked out through a small hidden door on the opposite side of the room, leaving Hermione to ponder why owls could not find Goblins when they very rarely failed to find a witch or a wizard - even one they had never met. Less than two minutes later, the hidden door opened again and a Goblin poke their head through.
"Apprentice Imrae?"
Hermione nodded, possibly looking at the first young Goblin she had ever met. He had the same dome-shaped head, pointy nose and ears, and clawed hands as all the Goblins she had ever seen. But his skin was unlined and his head was full of long, straggly, blondish-red hair that easily reached his broad shoulders, tied back in a low ponytail, and he stood barely at Hermione's waist. His seldra hung from his ear, just as Hermione's, with the katana and the bow of the Ukerim, but with a crossed-hammers charm for his craft instead of Hermione's warding spiderweb. The black spinel denoted that he, like her, was an apprentice.
"Name's Bjorker," the Goblin extended a hand and Hermione quickly grabbed his forearm.
"Imrae, as you've been told."
"Master Sokn asked me to take you to Uzugarg. He also asked me if you'd had time to study our customs or our language at all."
"I'm afraid not," Hermione winced.
"Not a problem. That's what I'm here for. We'll have to go through the back, though. I'm not supposed to be seen up here."
Hermione nodded and followed the Goblin through to one of the small carts that would take them to the city below.
"Can I ask if your name has a meaning?"
"It means 'beer-goblet'," Bjorker grinned. "My father is reputed to have been able to drink the entirety of Uzugarg under the table back in the days."
Hermione smiled and very soon, Bjorker was leading her to the main market. While many had looked twice at her presence yesterday, everyone now seemed to find it perfectly normal.
"Word travels very fast in Uzugarg," Bjorker said by way of explanation. "So what do you need exactly?"
"A messenger bird."
"In which case, we need to go Ofsi ak Heithir. Best place for you to get that," as Bjorker grabbed Hermione's hand and pulled her toward one side of the market. It wasn't long before they found themselves in front of a large shop that seemed to boast pretty much every kind of bird except for owls.
"The Ukerim have a tradition. Our messenger birds are usually hawks or eagles. Many prefer to go for the larger species because with training, these can learn to carry their owners if worse comes to worse. It is said to have saved many Ukerim in battle."
Hermione looked around at the birds as Bjorker continued his explanation. She could recognize a few species. Her parents enjoyed bird watching - not as much as some, but enough that Hermione could easily know the difference between a sparrow and a wren, or a robin and a bullfinch. The interest had spilled over - as it often did for Hermione - and she had spent a few months at age seven watching and learning everything she could about birds, including birds of prey. And so, the witch identified red kites, and sparrowhawks, and ravens, and even a few colorful parrots.
"So. Eagle or hawk?"
"That's right," Bjorker nodded. "I chose an bateleur eagle, myself. And our Master Hagdar owns the most magnificent harpy eagle you will ever see."
Hermione noted the pronoun use in passing, as she looked at varied eagles.
"I believe Master Ragnok went somewhat against tradition and chose a falcon bird. An all-black gyrfalcon."
"The largest of the falcons," Hermione nodded to herself.
"Something to do with not wanting the wizards to be too horribly frightened."
Hermione chuckled at the rather nasty smile Bjorker sported as he said those words. She then turned her attention back to the birds. She could still remember when, during her third year, her parents had finally agreed to a pet. Crookshanks had been the best. Still was, with a bit of luck. He had chosen to go with her parents, and she didn't blame him. He was always the clever one, and he could smell trouble coming. They had bonded as Kneazle and human, but he had never become her Familiar as best she could tell. And he had always loved how her mother would dote on him for hours on end.
"If there is anything you need to ask, I'm happy to translate," Bjorker said with a smile.
Hermione was slightly impressed with herself when she didn't feel anything other than peace at the sight of his pointy teeth. The Goblins had shown more in the way of acceptance towards her in the space of two days than she'd felt from the wizarding world at large had in seven long years - barring a few exceptions.
"Actually, could you help me to ask if the birds have been trained to leave owls alone?"
Bjorker's grin only grew wider and he spent a few moments working with her to get the pronunciation right. The language was definitely hard on Hermione's human throat, but she was determined to do her very best.
"You need to approach Master Varbartom and request trade for the Ukerim. It is our duty to see that you are able to communicate with the rest of the Clan, and so your first messenger bird is traded for by us, although you are welcome to sweeten the deal to ensure good trade in the future. You are still expected to argue the trade yourself."
Hermione nodded as she ran the words over and over in her head. She knew that much, at least. Since the wizard folk were always on about their gold coins, the Goblins - for all their love of gold, silver, and bronze - had chosen to retain the tradition of trading for services.
"What is a good trade, though?" Hermione asked.
"Depends what you have to offer. In my case, maybe a custom order for tools for the shop. Ukerim will gladly over deal when it comes to a first bird though."
"Overdeal?"
"Overpay," Bjorker said after a few moments. "As high as a cartload of meat - equivalent to about 500 kilograms. In general, a good trade is one or two sacks of meat and maybe a personal favor from the buyer."
Hermione nodded again then looked down at her guide. "What about speaking only when spoken to?"
"Doesn't apply to any situation where trading is involved."
Hermione filed the information away and approached the Goblin who had been watching them since they'd entered his shop. He was an average height, but his arms and legs were well-muscled. Hermione had the odd thought that only runts worked at Gringotts. The warriors and traders looked far more powerful than the surface-working bankers.
"Mokal Vrabartok," and Hermione bowed to the shop-keeper before she continued, "Ud srulmog nar heithir kukumak."
The older Goblin smiled and nodded at her then turned to say something to Bjorker.
"Master Vrabartok says that you have a good tongue for a young Udur. And that no bird of his will touch an owl, including the larger raptors."
Hermione smiled and bowed again to the Goblin who waved her back in the direction of the birds.
"So, what will you go with?" Bjorker said as he looked around as well.
Hermione shrugged as she walked to an eagle. Left-over knowledge from childhood told her it was a golden eagle. Something not foreign to the wilds of England to be sure, but it was an eagle, and big.
"I'm not sure if following tradition is a good idea for me," Hermione muttered.
"Why not?"
"I live at Hogwarts. I'm surrounded by owls. Even if my bird won't attack them, the owls won't know that."
"That's fair enough."
A screech sounded to one side and Hermione turned to watch a medium-sized raptor hop on its perch and bob its head as it watched Hermione.
"No, I think I will follow Master Ragnok's example," Hermione said as she looked over at the silvery-grey raptor.
The bird looked right back at her, large black eyes glittering. Hermione quickly identified the bird as a peregrine falcon. Said bird spread her wings, displaying herself for the witch looking at her. The witch quickly studied her little feathered friend. The falcon was silver all over her back, with her species' distinctive black wings and tail tips. Her front and underside were a blueish white, and striped with black. Behind her, Master Vradartok approached and said something.
"Master Vradartok says that bird is a passable hunter, good enough she wouldn't die of starvation, but not what you want in a hunting bird. She isn't the fastest of her breed either, although faster than most other birds in this shop. She is, however, an excellent fighter and flyer. Her agility in the air is second to none, and her cleverness allows her to pick out weaknesses to attack. She has been trained to wear combat armor suitable to her breed. She also appears to have a loyal nature, and will probably defend her bonded to the death."
Hermione smiled softly. The last thing she wanted was for something of the sort to happen, but she had learned to never say never. She could still remember how Hedwig had behaved with Harry, and maybe this clever falcon would ease the ache of Crookshanks' absence.
After some negotiating, Hermione left the shop with her new bird, a black handling glove with a matching hood for her bird, a reinforced leather pauldron for her companion to perch on safely, several strips of black leather to tether the bird if necessary, and few bags of dried meat to use as treats for the falcon. In exchange, Hermione had promised two sacks of meat and that she would come and use her wards skills to strengthen the shop when Master Hagdar deemed her ready. Bjorker seemed to think it was a fair trade.
"So, what will you call her?" Bjorker said as he helped Hermione to secure the pauldron to her left shoulder.
"How do you say silver sky?" Hermione asked after a moment.
"Silfr Kil. Shortened, you could go for Silfkil."
"Shortened?"
"We are somewhat rare species, Imrae," Bjorker said with a grin. "Our names are only one word to begin with. A Goblin is only officially named when they reach the age of seven. Before that, we are given a nickname that may or may not survive our actual naming. During our naming ceremony, we are usually named after an ancestor or after something we have done or want to do. You are the messenger of the gods, the Udur who will hopefully lead the Ukerim to greatness. I am the beer goblet my father is so fond of. When the name chosen is longer than one word, though, we often shorten it. It usually involves dropping a letter or two, or even whole syllables, to make the name both shorter and easier to pronounce. So Silfr Kil becomes Silfkil, because even a Goblin would have troubles with saying 'lfrk'."
Hermione smiled at her new friend and he grinned back up at her. The young Goblin gave a final few tugs on the leather straps securing the pauldron into place then nodded.
"Well, what do you think Silfkil?" Hermione said, smiling at the peregrine.
The bird's only answer was to launch herself from Hermione's gloved hand to land on her shoulder. The falcon tugged on Hermione's seldra once then settled.
"What now?" Hermione asked her companion.
"Now, we make sure you have everything you need," Bjorker said with a smile.
The young Goblin then proceeded to guide Hermione through the main market of Uzugarg, shopping for what he deemed were the essentials. Hermione ended up buying some fruits and vegetables she intended to offer the Merpeople when she went to meet them. Bjorker was adamant that Goblins only used leather scrolls to communicate, and had Hermione buy a good amount of them as well as some parchment. By the time the two apprentices made it back to Gringotts, half the morning was already gone.
"Right," Bjorker then said with another smile, "Since I can't go in the main hall, this is where I have to say good bye. Make sure you send me a message when you get back or my father will never believe I spent time with you today."
"I will, Bjorker," Hermione promised with a smile.
The two exchanged a handshake before the smith apprentice turned around.
"Find Master Sokn before you leave," the young Goblin said as he left. "So that he knows that he can use this room once more."
Hermione nodded and watched her friend walk back out. With a sigh, she walked though the opposite door. Master Sokn came to her side almost immediately and acknowledged Silfkil with a nod.
"Your Master has sent word that you should meet the Black Lake denizen as soon as possible. He also said to make sure you wear the ceremonial armor he sent you yesterday."
"I will, Master Sokn. Thank you," Hermione bowed to the elder Goblin who nodded at her then waved her off. And the witch turned to get back to Hogwarts.
.:/*\:.
Author's Note:
Over 50 reviews! I'm so grateful to all my reviewers. And to everyone who has followed, faved, and read this story.
As you may have noticed, I've slowed down on postings. Work… Need I say more? My novel is getting ready to see the digital self of Amazon, and there's all sorts of thing that needs doing before it happens. Sadly, it means less time writing for pure pleasure. I want to try to keep going but it's not impossible I will drop to one posting a month until the launch is well behind me. I just hope you guys won't hate me for it.