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 43 Attack at Gringotts
"And I am honored that my sister Janehook has worked so hard to learn Gobbledegook her effort speaks volumes about her commitment to this family" Harhook said finishing her giving of thanks.
Hermione was next and stood looking everyone in the eye before saying, "I have been blessed in many ways this year. The greatest was when I bonded with my life mate and now we have babies on the way. The honor given to both my mate and myself by Maalhook and Deklhook when they adopted us I can't describe in words. The only greater honor in my life was when Jimhook asked me to marry him. I was also honored when the Goblin nation asked me to become their ambassador. Harhook said I honored her by working to learn Gobbledegook. I must disagree it was myself that was honored when she deferred to teach this undeserving one.
A sudden knock at the door interrupted the recitation of Blessings. "I will deal with this!" Maalhook said rising from his seat and going to the door his displeasure at the interruption evident. A quick conversation later he turned to the group saying, "Griphook grab you weapons and come with me."
Harry stood heading for the door not stopping when Maalhook asked, "Where do you think you are going?"
"I suspect this is a fight the males Hook clan are going to. I claim my right to accompany you as Jimhook of your clan." Harry replied.
Shaking his head in frustration Maalhook replied, "You are correct come Gringotts is being attacked by the forces of the Dark Lord we just might need your help."
As the men disappeared Hermione looked towards Deklhook to see what Goblin wives would be doing.
"Janehook help Harhook prepare the kitchen to receive wounded." Deklhook said before heading into the storerooms in the bedroom area returning with the family's store of medicinal potions and bandages.
Once the kitchen was cleared of all extra items and the dishes put away Harhook took the time to duck into her room returning with a veil secured tightly around her face. At Hermione's raised eyebrow she replied, "If I start out with myself hidden in the old way there is no shame should it fall and male goblins see my face. Besides it is far better for a warrior to see at least the eyes of a female before passing away than a faceless hood," As Deklhook nodded her agreement.
Suddenly the home was rocked by an explosion, "That didn't come from down the tunnel." Deklhook exclaimed looking out a window to see a large hole in the protective wall surrounding the goblins home enclave.
'Harry we are being attacked back here!' Hermione thought through their bond.
"Oh ##$," Harry exclaimed when he heard Hermione in his mind.
"What Jimhook?" Maalhook asked as he hacked away at a troll that was trying to get past.
"The women are being attacked."
"They must have found a way through the spells. Evidently there is a traitor among us. Be very careful," Deklhook replied.
'Hermione keep me informed we are kind of busy at the moment hopefully we can turn back once we get this under control. Above all stay safe and head into the tunnel off our room if things get desperate!'
"If he thinks I'm waiting hiding out like a little scared firstie until he rescue's me then he's got another thought coming," Hermione sputtered heading for the door.
"Harhook!" Deklhook called out as she saw her daughter head to the door being Hermione.
"I am sorry mother. She is my sister and I will do my best to keep her safe." Harhook replied grabbing an axe that rested by the door.
"I want both my daughters to come back." Deklhook said as the door shut behind Harhook. The breach caused by the explosion was obvious just up the path from the Hook's home. There were wizards in black robes and white masks just starting to make their appearance in the Goblin homelands.
"Impedimenta, Incarcerous, Impedimenta, Incarcerous," Hermione called out quietly targeting the nearest attacking group of Goblin Inferi causing them to fall to the ground wrapped tightly in rope.
She was making her way over to the breach when a voice behind her called out, "Diffindo," and the Goblin Inferi she'd bound were back on their feet looking around for targets.
As spells started to fly around them Harhook cast her shield calling out, "I would suggest this is a time for more than binding spells." Several other goblin women were out of their homes casting spells towards the invaders but they were quickly being over whelmed by the Goblin Inferi being followed by Wizard Inferi and it appeared there were death eaters also entering through the nearby breach.
Searching her mind Hermione was trying to find a spell to seal the breach she felt her mind connect with Harry's and suddenly they reached a decision together. In two different battles two individuals both started drawing a long narrow horizontal shape with their finger before pulling back and swinging a fist forward in the attackers direction. It only took a few additional casting to clear out both groups of Inferi allowing Hermione to approach and cast the goblin tunnel drilling spell up in to the tunnel that sloped downwards towards her. On each successive cast she narrowed the spell so it would just reach the tunnel walls further up as she repeated the spell aiming deeper into the tunnel until there was no more noise coming from the breach.
Harhook reached Hermione as she cast one last time up the now silent tunnel. "Come Janehook this group of our warriors will defend this from here on. We are needed to assist mother." A tired but not yet exhausted Janehook turned from the devastation she'd caused following Harhook back to the Hook clan abode.
Back in Gringotts bank Harry's casting of the drilling tunnel drilling spell and its resultant destruction of all the death eaters near him had alerted the goblins who were soon casting their own drilling spells ending the attack. The goblins were up moving around the defenses they'd made of desks and other shattered items. A goblin pike to the chest checked more than one Death Eater to see if he was alive before Ragnok put a stop to it wanting to question the ones who'd survived. Though rather it was to find out Voldemort's plans or what the goblins could have done better Harry wasn't sure. The Goblins shifted to kicking the Death Eaters lying on the bank floor rather hard insuring they were either dead or tightly bound and gagged.
"Jimhook, you did the Hook clan proud today." Maalhook said coming up beside Harry and slapping him on the back while they walked back through the building and tunnels to the Goblin homelands. Entering the Hook home Harry took in the sight of Hermione wand out working on one of the goblin's that'd been hurt while he was seated in the kitchen while Deklhook and Harhook worked together on the goblin lying on the kitchen table.
"Can I help?" Harry asked looking around.
"Check on the ones guarding the breach. I'm fine." Hermione called out not looking up from her work.
"Right." Harry turned leading Maalhook back out the door.
"Maalhook," A goblin called out as they approached.
"How did the battle go here?" Maalhook asked knowing the goblin he was addressing had been in the initially detachment sent to protect the homelands.
"Don't know you might want to ask your daughters."
"What?"
"From what I've been able to learn your two daughters stopped the attack cold. Jimhook's mate is responsible for a large number of the invaders not being alive when we arrived."
Maalhook talked with other members of the detachment making the rounds to insure they were settled in until crews could get here to repair the breach in the wards and wall. With that done he made his way into the breach looking at the carnage for himself so he could describe the conditions in the meeting he knew he'd be summoned to shortly.
Disgusted as he walked up the tunnels incline past a small group of then passed a similar group of Human Inferi, finally coming upon a group of death eaters given the masks littering the tunnel Maalhook realized the number of bodies was difficult to determine as most were partials consisting of either legs or arms and heads with various sized pieces of trunk attached. After carefully stepping around bodies on s surface make slippery from their blood draining out he made his way deeper into the breach he quickly found what he was looking for, pieces of goblins. From the looks of it there were only two or three of them and when he saw the still intact faces he suddenly realized several things. Calling out to the guards to have his son bring him some items he waited until Griphook arrived and over came his initial shook at seeing so many dismembered bodies he was able to assist his father in his gruesome task of recovering a few goblin body parts. Maalhook continued on searching for the other end of this tunnel hoping to find additional answers while Griphook trailed behind. After a bit they emerged into a large cavern where a still alive body rested on a golden throne facing the tunnel as if to oversee the assault. Maalhook carefully approached the body as his son stood guard ready to deal with any other surprises. A quick examination of the body lead to a glance around the chamber were the signs of the spell that cut down the attackers and cut this being in two.
"Father!" Griphook called out in warning as he raised his sword and sliced the snake that suddenly appeared lunging towards his father in two.
"Thank you my son. Now if you could come here and remove this beings head also it would be appreciated."
Griphook was unsure why he was asked given his father was standing there facing the chair but as a dutiful son he joined his father and with a swift horizontal swing severed the head. Seeing his father smile as the ornate throne reverted to a simple chair.
"Add that head to your bag and we'll be ready to return home." Maalhook instructed.
A goblin was waiting at the entrance to the break with his summons to the meeting. He took off with his son falling in behind as they were lead through the maze of tunnels to a meeting room he'd been in several times before most notably when Vault 713 had been broken into several years ago. Overlooking the long table were several elevated fireplaces currently filled with the heads of other branches of Gringotts. "Why is Griphook here?" Ragnok asked as the goblin followed his father into the meeting room.
"I am old and while I could carry what he is carrying for me it has been a draining day." Maalhook said not wanting to state the real reason his son was with him.
"What is the condition of the protections around our homes?" Ragnok asked deciding to ignore the breach of protocol for a moment.
"The protections were breached and a large contingent of wizards were attempting to enter when their way was blocked. The attack was stopped and currently there is a detachment of guards keeping it blocked until our warders and construction crews can get there and repair the wards and chamber breach."
"Then our detachment of Guards arrived in time, Good." An ornately robed goblin said from the far side of the table.
"No they did not." Maalhook replied.
"But how?" sprang from several throats.
"Several of the wives and daughters met the attack and stopped it killing most of the attackers in the process."
"Impossible it was only when the goblins who work on the tunnel boring began casting the drilling spell that the tide was turned in the bank itself. No wife or daughter knows that spell."
"While that might have been true before tonight, now it is no longer true. It was successfully used in the defense of our homes and I have seen the results of it. To be honest it looks even worse than in the bank. The defenders caught the attackers bunched in the tunnel with no place to dodge or hide."
"This is unbelievable. Maalhook is spreading tales again." The ornately robed goblin said speaking up.
"I believe you will find calling my honesty into question is not your best tactic Togbog." Maalhook said while thinking 'Just give me an opening.'
Togbog looked over at Maalhook standing there with his son off to one side and slightly behind him knowing all the Gringotts' heads were observing this confrontation. If he wanted to fulfill his dreams of supplanting Ragnok at the head of London branch not to mention the governing council he needed to put Maalhook in his place. "I always have Gringotts in mind with every decision I make. Can you say the same adopting not one but two humans into your family."
I've got your slimy calculating clan now,' Maalhook thought replying, "I know where every member of my family fought and I am convinced once this is over all the Hook clan will stand proud. Can you say the same?"
"What are you babbling about?"
"I have checked with various individuals who were at the main battle and none recall seeing you." Maalhook said making one of the most serious charges possible against a goblin, avoiding a battle.
Togbog knew he had to answer the direct challenge, "I was on the edge of the battle few would have seen me." He said wondering what Maalhook was driving at.
"Perhaps you were with your heir who could verify your presence?"
"We were fighting near one another. Unfortunately he is missing at the moment." Togbog said sitting back and looking suitable down heartened at his missing son.
"Then allow me to solve that mystery." Maalhook said gesturing towards Griphook who opened the bag he was carrying and placed the head of Togbog's son on the table.
"What is the meaning of this!" Togbog exploded rising out of his chair and drawing his knife.
"We would all like to know the answer to that." Ragnok said from the head of the table.
"I was investigating the breach and after wading through a mass of human bodies parts I came upon pieces of three goblins. All from the Bog clan." Maalhook said calmly.
"Obviously they were fighting the humans protecting our homes. How dare you blacken their memory." Togbog said firmly taking note of who was nodding in agreement for future gifts and support.
"How dare I? Isn't this the son you said was fighting beside you?"
"It might have been one of his brothers. They grow up so fast." Togbog said firmly.
"Then explain this." Maalhook gestured and an arm appeared on the table it was obviously a goblins with the dark mark on it.
With a finger waggle Ragnok snapped it up the table towards him just as Togbog was reaching for it. "The hand is wearing the ring of the heir to the Bog clan." Ragnok said formally looking towards Togbog.
Togbog looked around desperately noting that the individuals who'd been nodding in agreement now had a very different look on their faces. "Togbog explain why your heir was not only found in the company of wizards who were attacking our women, but his arm bears the brand of the attackers indicating his loyalty was not to his clan nor Gringotts!" Ragnok said formally.
Togbog knew from the way it was worded that his life was forfeit unless he managed to disassociate himself from his heir. If Ragnok had phrased it to just question his attack on Gringotts he could argue it was just a business decision and possibly gain clemency but an attack on Goblin women was not tolerated except under extremely limited conditions none of which applied today. His son was acting on his orders he would not disgrace his memory. "My heir was doing as I requested. I believe the Dark Lord will win in the end and moved to be in position to offer Gringotts support to him when that came to pass. He wished us to join him earlier and I was tasked with assisting in accomplishing that. My wife and daughters knew nothing of it. You have killed my son in battle you may kill me but my vision is true. The Dark Lord will win in the end to the determent of Gringotts and the path Ragnok has lead it down."
Ragnok held his hand up forestalling a nearby goblin from ending Togbog's life instead drawing his own knife and slicing Togbog's throat personally. He then looked up at the other managers. Killing a member of the governing council without prior approval was risky but if they agreed with his decision it would boost his standing and consolidate his power. Seeing nothing but nods of agreement at his actions he smiled as he wiped his knife on Togbog's robes before sheathing it. Looking at the remaining members of the council for a moment Ragnok then turned to Maalhook saying, "Join us while we decide on proper awards for the defenders of Gringotts."
"Ragnok, if I may I have one more item to bring before you." Maalhook countered knowing he was very close to following Togbog.
An obviously annoyed Ragnok looked to his asking, "What is so important that it interrupts our celebrations?"
"The head Griphook." Maalhook said motioning to the table where his son promptly placed the severed head of Lord Voldemort.
"You took his head?" Ragnok muttered.
"He was in a cavern at the end of the tunnel situated on a throne like platform. I believe the cavern is located under Borgin & Burkes. The spell that killed the attackers had cut him in two at chest level also removing his arms above the elbow as he was dead. I requested my son to remove his head and brought the it here as proof of his demise."
"We have even more reason to celebrate. I however am declaring the killing of Lord Voldemort by any specific individual a goblin secret to be celebrated by us and all honors bestowed but kept from the wizards. I would not want to inspire any of his followers that existed to attack them for killing him. The announcement will simply state he was killed while attacking Gringotts," Ragnok said motioning for Maalhook to take a seat at the table while discussions commenced on awards to the defenders.
Harry walked out the front door of Gringotts, which closed behind him, and stood on the front steps looking at the crowd of people that had gathered. "Hey, What's going on with our bank?" one individual yelled accompanied by various sounds of agreement.
"If you would be quiet for a moment that's what we are here for." Harry replied.
"Why you where's our goblin bankers?" another person call out.
"Most are recovering or fixing up the bank for business. Allow me to introduce the Goblin Ambassador Dager Hermione Potter who unlike me is authorized to speak for Gringotts."
The door opened a second time and Hermione stepped out beside her husband. When the crowd started to surge forward as the door opened Harry's leveled wand kept them off the steps to Gringotts.
Dressed in her Ambassador robes Hermione looked quite regal as she stood beside her husband, "I have a short announcement then I will take a few questions.
"At approximately 9 last evening as Gringotts was preparing to close its main hall for the day several individuals made they way into Gringotts taking positions in various public locations before simultaneously exploding causing extensive damage and lose of life among both the employees and patrons of Gringotts.
"Numerous attempts were made to apparate into Gringotts but our wards held. The thwarted apparition attack was followed by a full scale attack on Gringotts by dementors, trolls, Inferi, and death eaters through both the main and employee's entrances. Gringotts employees fought back the attackers resulting in a significant a loss of life on both sides. Gringotts wants to assure everyone their vault area was not breached and expects to open its after hours alcove within the hour. Opening the main hall will take slightly longer. Gringotts requests that individuals who have business to conduct have patience and adjust their banking plans to take the inevitable delays into account."
One individual who had a parchment floating beside him with a quill rapidly working on it asked, "What happened to the witches and wizards who were in Gringotts at the time of the explosion?"
Hermione looked at him and recognized it was not a quick quotes quill at work so she replied, "Those we identify as being wizarding customers are being transported to St. Mungo's as they are found. We are taking care our own and of individuals we are uncertain about or were obviously part of the attacking forces. The wizarding individuals deemed blameless will be released as soon as they are cleared while the rest will remain in Gringotts custody."
"Why is Gringotts holding witches and wizards?" A loud man asked.
"In accordance with the treaty allowing us to run Gringotts it is our right to deal with anyone attempting to rob Gringotts. Let me reiterate the attackers did not get close to any vaults and your gold and other valuables held in our care are safe and still secure."
"Mrs. Potter why did your husband address you as Ambassador Dager?"
"Hello Miss Skeeter, When in these robes I prefer to be addressed as Ambassador rather than simply Mrs. the goblins might see the lack of title as an insult. To answer your question Dager is an honorary title that a number of goblins earned within the last few hours, some posthumously. It is a title I did not seek nor want but I have been persuaded to accept in honor of those who have fallen.
"If you all will forgive us my husband and I need to return to assist with the cleanup and preparations for opening." Hermione said turning and entering the quickly opened door. Harry watched the crowd until his wife was within Gringotts then quickly joined her.