As I am NOT the original author of the Harry Potter series, who as anyone should know is the wonderful JKR who lets us play with her world. I don't own a darn thing here. On with the story.
Chapter 31 Goblin Discussions
After spending a very restless night alone in the Hospital wing Harry was dressed and ready to leave when the doors were unsealed and Hermione was finally allowed in. "Professor Potter I told you. No getting dressed until I give you permission to leave." The Matron scolded him as she entered the room.
"Madam Pomfrey, I have spent the hours since you kicked my wife out of here tossing and turning without much sleep. If you would please give her the potions I need I am going to my quarters and back to my own bed were I can get some rest." Harry said looking at the Matron his eyes hard.
Part of being a good healer is knowing when to fight with a patient. She knew this wasn't the time. What he really needed was sleep and Hermione would insure that was what he got. "Very well Professor, Mrs. Potter I am turning him over to your care. I have informed the Headmaster and He will be covering Professor Potter's classes and he has excused both of you from any classes you have today. Professor Potter needs rest for the remainder of the day and this potion every two hours. If he fails to follow those instructions and ends up back here I am chaining him to the bed and putting him to sleep until it's time for him to leave." Madam Pomfrey said as firmly as Harry's eyes were hard.
"Come on Harry, It is back to our rooms where you have an appointment with a bed." Hermione said taking his arm.
In Diagon Alley a scream echoed from the vicinity of Gringotts down the alley growing in intensity as people whose attention was drawn by the first scream added theirs to the chorus. The goblin guards concerned by the noise sent a scout out to check the problem locking the doors the moment he stepped out. Once he realized the focal point of everyone's attention a stream of Gobbledegook emerged from his mouth, quickly four other goblins joined him while two goblins watched the crowd the other three reached down and raised the armless, legless, yet still alive body of a goblin wearing what had once been fine robes and carried him into the bank. His journey was mercifully short as the guards brought him into the closest conference room and barred that door while their compatriots emptied the bank of all non-goblins. Only when that had been accomplished did a well-dressed goblin appear from a concealed passage and approach the conference room where the goblin from the steps rested. Turning to the goblins guarding the room he said, "Move to a safe distance just in case. I will enter and deal with this." As he entered the sounds coming from the injured goblin were cutoff suddenly as a glow surrounded the door.
Several minutes later the goblin exited the room saying, "Senior Goblin Ackrack has joined the warrior guide force. Remove him to the appropriate place and check him for anything that does not belong on or in his person before the rest pay him honor." He then disappeared into the concealed passageway.
Passing a squad of goblins warriors standing guard outside a well fortified conference room Gartogg entered bowing to the table where Ragnok sat at the head. Ignoring the others as was custom Gartogg addressed his comments directly to Ragnok, "Senior Goblin Ackrack had his limbs pulled from his body by Voldemort who was upset that Ackrack did not carry our pledge of obedience to him. Ackrack was unsure if he had been spelled to hurt another due to his loosing conscious when his legs were pulled from him. I eased his passing to the warrior guide force as is custom. After the guards insure he is safe we will be notified to pay our respects."
Ragnok looked around the table were the senior heads of Gringotts British branch had gathered to await Voldemort's reply. Voldemort had sent Lucius Malfoy to demand they announce their obedience to his will and turn over control of the wizarding bank. Ackrack was the goblin who had lost the bones game played to select the goblin to carry their request for additional time to study the matter. Several of the goblins around this table had suggested Lucius Malfoy be contacted and given the request but Togbog had successfully argued using a wizard to convey the message would only enhance Voldemort's perception of the goblins as weak servants of the Wizards.
"I suggest we all take a day and think on this. Tomorrow will be soon enough for us to decide on a course of action." Ragnok said standing signaling the end of the meeting.
That night a wizard and a goblin met in a hidden location. "The Dark Lord's actions may have turned the council against the plan." The goblin informed the wizard.
"It was your responsibility to insure the outcome was the desired one."
"Unfortunately the neutral forces on the council were strong enough to successfully lobby for time to study the business effects. I would have been able to deliver the goblins given another week or two."
"It is up to you to make this right." The wizard responded in a cold voice.
"I will take some time now, possibly several months."
"I will inform the Dark Lord. I suggest you pray he is in a lenient mood." The wizard replied before disapparating leaving the goblin to make his way carefully back to the relative safety of Gringotts.
At the same time two goblin friends, who'd grown up together, were sitting in a study drinking the dark earthy goblin ale while discussing the day's events. "Ragnok are you sure about this course of action?" Maalhook asked acting in the protagonist role he knew Ragnok preferred when they were along and Ragnok was considering what path to follow. He was also aware should he do this in public his head would be forfeit.
"I have spent considerable time studying the signs and believe this it the best way forward."
"There will be opposition bout from within and without Gringotts."
"Yes my friend but I believe this is the proper path to follow." Ragnok announced in a tone that signaled to Maalhook the decision was made.
"Then I and mine will do what we can to assist you."
"Your family will be exposed to retribution should this fail, which it can in many and varied ways." Ragnok cautioned his longtime friend.
"As you well know my clan does not follow the safe path. That is why me and mine were expelled years from our ancestral clan years ago." Maalhook responded getting a grin to match his own from Ragnok as they remembered the incident that caused that expulsion and how it backfired on his ancestral clan.
Hermione was looking at Dumbledore her attitude just short of open confrontation listening to his explanation, "Professor and Mrs. Potter I am sorry. We have discussed this all ready in the staff meeting and I cannot allow you to have your own house elf. None of the other Professor has one and the students are forbidden to have their own."
"How many of the one's you've just mentioned have had their lives threatened and attacks carried out within these halls!" Hermione rebutted.
Dumbledore sighed saying, "I'm sorry that is my final word on the subject."
Harry watched the headmaster leave then looked over from were he was seated in their living room area saying, "Leave it be Hermione. We will just have to be more careful."
"We wouldn't have to be more careful if Dobby was here watching out for you."
"For both of us, Love. If I'm in danger so are you, perhaps more so once your condition becomes common knowledge."
"It is not an illness Harry,"
"You could have fooled me for a while there." Harry replied.
Hermione remembered what he meant; it was only a few months ago that Madam Pomfrey had given her the potion to prevent morning sickness. "But Harry he would be out of sight. It is not like anyone would know." Hermione said.
"I would be willing to bet it was Snape that was the driving force behind the refusal. Can you just see him whining now, "Ooo, Ooo, Headmaster, if Potter is allowed a house elf than Mr. Malfoy and the rest of my Slytherins should be allowed to have their own elves too." Harry said in a wimpy voice bringing a smile to her face.
"Oh Harry, what am I going to do with you?"
"Well there's still this room and my office we haven't christened." Harry said wiggling his eyebrows.
That night as they snuggled in bed before falling asleep Hermione felt Harry put his arm around her his hand sliding down to caress her. His hand felt the bump that was the twins causing him to whisper, "Is that?" his voice trailing off in wonderment.
A feeling like none she could remember swelled in her as she fought tears of joy to reply, "Yes Harry that is our children." By the time she'd turned over to face him there were tears of happiness rolling down his cheeks and through their mental connection she could feel the indescribable joy he was feeling. The boy who had grown up without love or a true family now had both thanks to her.
At breakfast the next morning Harry and Hermione were taking their normal seats at the head table when they both looked around noting that there were no community servings near their seats, however there was a note between their normal places.
"Professor Potter,
I have asked the house elves to fill your plates and deliver it only after you are seated. I suspect you can guess which elf has this assignment. This precaution should prevent any further attempts on your live by poisoning your food."
Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Harry where is our breakfast?" Hermione asked noticing the same thing Harry had.
"Winky is waiting for us to announce our presence." He said passing her the note before he said to the table, "Winky, Hermione and I are ready to eat."
Two full plates and goblets appeared on the table in front of them. It was obvious that Winky had been in contact with Dobby. The plates were not identical. Hermione's was cereal and a croissant while Harry's was an egg omelet with sausage.
"You've got to admit it Winky does take good care of us." Harry said picking up his fork.
"You know in a way we do have our own house elf, Winky. Though from the taste of this croissant I think she's been talking with Dobby. We need to talk to her I wonder if she would be willing to work for us," Hermione said.
"After what Dumbledore said I was going to wait until after we graduated to ask her. We do have Dobby at home."
"Yes, but I would rather have a girl elf taking care of my babies. I know that sounds sexist and a whole bunch of other things but for some reason I would just feel better." Hermione stated.
"Speaking of which when are we going to inform everyone?"
"Over her objections I swore Madam Pomfrey to secrecy. I know Snape suspects something. He's commented about my not being in his potions class but without proof he may not go running off to his master so quickly." Hermione replied.
"I'm beginning to suspect that even with absolute proof I couldn't convince Dumbledore not to trust him. I wish I knew what that slimy git has on Dumbledore." Harry said glancing down the table to were the afore mentioned Professors sat talking with each other. Seeing Harry's glance the Potions Professor glared at Harry like he was a particularly undesirable table decoration. Which Harry returned with a smile and a wave. Annoying the individual even more.
His vision of Harry was blocked when Bill Weasley sat down beside Harry asking, "Feeling better today?"
"Yes, Madam Pomfrey's great plus a day of Hermione's care and I'm ready to roll."
Seeing the deputy head mistress approaching he said, "Good. I'll let you deal with her then we can talk."
"Ready for class today?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Yes."
"Good from what I was told yesterday your students would barely answer the questions Dumbledore asked. I guess he finally understands what I've been telling him about becoming too much of a figurehead. So something good came out of your troubles." She said before moving off.
That night Bill Weasley stopped in at Gringotts after his day of teaching for his regularly scheduled meeting with Ragnok the head of Gringotts. "Greetings curse breaker what is new this meeting?" Ragnok asked as he entered the room.
"You requested to be kept up to date with any news concerning Harry Potter."
Ragnok motioned for Bill to continue.
"He was poisoned Wednesday at dinner."
"What is his condition and why am I finding out about this only now?"
" He is recovering and resumed teaching today. I was not scheduled to teach yesterday I only found out today when I realized that Harry was not teaching his classes."
"Tell me what you know." Ragnok commanded sitting down.
Bill related what he'd heard of the poisoning including Dumbledore's refusal to allow their own house elf to come to Hogwarts to take care of them.
When he'd finished Ragnok said, "In the future try to insure we receive information of this nature promptly," curtly dismissing him.
Later that night after Gringotts was closed The goblin council that governed Gringotts England had their normal meeting. "It appears this has become strictly our problem." Gartogg said.
"Yes, the other branches have left this in our hands." Ragnok said knowing that if he succeeded in solving the problems caused by Voldemort he would be the next head of the Goblin High Council. But if he failed he would loose everything and be demoted to cart driver in another branch.
"We should announce an alliance with one side or the other."
"Yes but which side." Gartogg asked.
"If we side with the Dark one he will not kill anymore of us. The ministry just wants to control us. Besides the Dark one was well on his way to winning the war last time only to fail when he attacked the Potters." Togbog ventured as openly as he dared.
"Is there no way to continue as is?"
"That is always possible, but occasionally not good business. I would suggest that it is not good business now." Gartogg stated.
"It is down to which side do we think will win." Ragnok stated.
"A show of hands?" Gartogg suggested.
"An excellent idea." Ragnok said calling for those who feel they should side with the Dark one to raise their hands. Before continuing with those who wanted to not chose at the present time. After seeing the votes he announced, "I will take it that if you did not vote for either of those you wish to side with the ministry."
"No Ragnok, I wish to side with Harry Potter." A goblin at the far end of the table announced.
All the other goblins looked at him but it was Ragnok that motioned for more information.
"There are problems inherent in our current relationship with the ministry. To back the ministry would imply an endorsement of their current methods of dealing with the problem and us. Harry Potter has faced the Dark one multiple times and survived. Given how he is treated by Dumbledore and the Dark one I would wager that he is the one slated to solve this crisis. If we back him we stand to gain. He is known to us and has treated us well. His mate is known to be active with house elf rights much to the distress of her friends, both of these facts play to our favor. If we decide to oppose the Dark one I propose that we back the Potters."
"The ministry will not like us choosing someone other than them. Besides the last Potter couple died at the Dark ones hand." Togbog said.
"Leaving this child alive." Gartogg suggested.
"I think it best if we discontinue this discussion. We will talk about it again until then I suggest you keep your own consul unless you chose to contact the warrior guide force." Ragnok said before turning the discussion to other matters.
Madam Hooch took a moment looking over her first year flying class letting them calm down before motioning Harry over saying in a loud voice so all her students could hear her, "Now that you have mastered mounting your brooms we are going to go over some basic flying maneuvers. I have asked Professor Potter to join us so that he might illustrate them while I describe what he is doing. Please remember Professor Potter has been flying for six years now and has spent considerable time over those years training with the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Now Harry I would like you to take off fly a lap of the pitch, going through the floating hoops and land."
"Any speed?" Harry asked a grin on his face.
"One lap at a speed the children will feel comfortable at as they will be following you. Once everyone has landed you can show off."
"Alright everyone follow me. Single file, you don't want to fly into a hoop while chatting with a friend." Harry said bringing a blush to the cheeks of two girls who were whispering to each other.
Madam Hooch flew along side the formation correcting a few students who were having trouble controlling their brooms. All of a sudden one girl's broom flew off towards the announcer's booth for the Quidditch games. Madam Hooch called out "Harry!" but rapid movement had caught his attention and he was all ready on his way. Crouched low on his broom he urged it faster gauging the rapidly closing distance between him, the girl, and the announcer's booth in front of both of them. He knew it would be close but he hoped his luck would hold today. Approaching the girl he noticed a robed figure in the booth with their wand pointed at either Harry or the girl he couldn't be sure which. Without conscious though Harry's hand snapped up a spell flying from his wand before he reached out and grabbed the girl wrapping the same arm around her while managing to just miss the booth flying up and over it while her now riderless broom continued on crashing into the booth accompanied by the loud sound of splintering wood. "Let's go down and wait for Madam Hooch." Harry said circling around and re-entering the stadium.
"Dear are you alright?" Madam Hooch said running over as Harry and the girl landed.
"Y.. Y.. Yessss." The girl managed to say her arms wrapped tightly around Harry.
"You are on the ground you can let go of him."
"He saved me. I was going to hit that thing and he pulled me off my broom and save me." The girl said a few moments after her feet were on the grass of the pitch.
"Excuse me I'll be right back." Harry said taking off for the announcer's box at a slightly more sedate pace. After a slow fly around while he checked the structure insuring it was still solid Harry landed and looked all around the box but didn't find anyone or thing beyond the remains of the collision between the school broom and the front panel of the booth. Taking a slower look around he finally noticed some large drops of fresh blood littering the floor by the access hatch. Gathering up a few of the larger broom pieces he re-mounted his broom and flew back down to Madam Hooch and the waiting students.
Watching Harry land Madam Hooch hurried over to him saying, "I'm glad you were able to salvage some pieces maybe Professors McGonagall or Flitwick can check and see if the broom was hexed."
"They can check but I think the reason she had trouble was her broom being summoned by someone in the announcer's booth. I found some fresh blood up there. I was thinking that perhaps Professor Snape could assist us with that angle."
"I can't believe someone would endanger a student like this." Madam Hooch said.
All Harry did was raise an eyebrow. The suddenly pale face of Madam Hooch revealed that she understood his message.
The lesson over for the day Madam Hooch looked down saying, "Miss Carlson I believe a visit to Madam Pomfrey might be in order."
The girls eyes widened then she shook her head rapidly. "No I don't need to go see her."
"Miss Carlson, it is merely a precaution. As you were involved in an accident she needs to verify you were not injured."
"I don't care, I don't want to see her." She said starting to shake.
"Hey relax, I've been to see her loads of times what's the problem?" Harry said kneeling beside the young lady his professor demeanor discarded. The girl was obliviously distressed causing Harry concern that she was injured more than they suspected. As she stood there looking between them Harry made a decision. "Madam Hooch I've not been to see Madam Pomfrey in a while why don't I pay her a visit and Miss Carlson can accompany me."
Madam Hooch watched the girl look between the two of them her eyes still wide "I believe that would be acceptable Professor Potter."
"Come on Miss Carlson I want you to meet a friend of mine," Harry said leading the way from the Quidditch stadium.
Dinner for Harry brought questions from Hermione. "So just why were you seen visiting the Hospital wing just before dinner?" she asked as she glared at him.
Harry realized she was not happy at finding out from a friend, "Ah, you found out?" he asked slightly nervous.
"Yes, it might surprise you to know that your visit was reported by several young ladies as I sat studying in the library. They were surprised I was unaware that my husband needed to see Madam Pomfrey."
"It wasn't me." He said casually only to quickly encounter a raised eyebrow accompanying the glare.
"Honest you can check with Madam Pomfrey. I was accompanying Miss Carlson to visit her. She had a slight problem during Madam Hooch's class." Harry quickly explained.
"And just how were you chosen for this task?" Hermione asked not wanting to give in just yet.
"Miss Carlson didn't want to visit Madam Pomfrey. I told her I knew her quite well and offered to accompany her. Madam Pomfrey was actually surprised I was there for a flying accident that wasn't mine." Harry said adding the last sentence with exaggerated cheer.
"How is Miss Carlson?"
"Fine, she was just a little shook up Madam Pomfrey decided to give her a calming draught and hold her there until after dinner to allow her to eat in peace. She'll be back in her common room before most of her housemates."
"We will discuss later just how you are going to insure I receive news like that in the future before other individuals feel the need to inform me. I do not enjoy finding out about your hospital wing visits from other students."
Harry was getting better at avoiding the 'Yes Dear,' response that quickly sprang to the front of his mind, choosing instead to reply, "Of course Hermione."