The Power He Knows Not - Muggle Style
By ChupacabraTamer
All characters belong to JKR. Thank you for letting us play in your sand box.
This takes place starting on the train ride at the end of GOF. Cannon divergent. New powers. Pissed off and powerful Harry. HP/HG
Warning: Some violence involving minors. If you don't want to read it please find something else to read. You can't read a HP story without there being some violence.
Also: These are 15-year-old teenagers with hormones and find each other interesting. Not condoning it as much as accepting it probably happened.
A/N: Thank you for all the comments. I realize I have misspelled Lillys name and at some time in the future I will go back and rewrite from the beginning. I will correct all misspellings and connect the cannon divergent ideas better where needed. My writing time is somewhat limited so I'm working on getting the ideas out while they are flowing. Thank you again for being part of my journey and now on with the show.
Chapter 11 – Meetings and alliances
"… Just so we are clear we are at war with Voldermort, the Death Eaters, and Dumbledore." Hermione said.
The twins looked shocked at the last name on the list. Sirius could understand their surprise as it had taken him a while to fully understand the depth of Dumbledores machinations. Plus the facts that pointed to him grooming and testing Harry where it wasn't necessary. His actions don't support his words. There is no way he had Harrys best interest in mind.
"I understand your feeling on the situation but there are things you don't know. Let's talk." Sirius said.
Hermione knew the coming conversation was not going to be easy for the twins to take. She just hoped that their belief in Harry would supersede their familial belief in the cult of Dumbledore. As she left she still wondered her choice in bringing them and pairing them with Sirius. The twins were brilliant and Sirius was amazingly helpful getting her to think like a prankster. However, together the three of them will be a force of nature to be reckoned with similar to Krakatoa. Leaving the marauders she shook her head wondering if the shed or Hogwarts would still be standing after this was all finished.
Sirius rounded the back of the house as the Mediterranean sea came into view. He stopped for a moment to appreciate the beauty. The slight breeze from the ocean brought a lightly salty taste to the air. He closed his eyes and took in a deep cleansing breath filling his lungs and feeling the sun on his face and skin. Letting it out he continued on his path to the house only to come up short when he saw Hermione sitting on the porch watching him. Smiling he walked over to join her.
"It does smell and feel great doesn't it?" she said.
"It's amazing how simple and yet how great it feels on the skin."
"How did it go?" She asked.
"Kind of touch and go for a bit but they did listen. I could see that they were trying very hard in the beginning. I can understand. Going against your families belief system is difficult. It's fortunate that they did see the three-headed dog in the school and heard about what happened to you with the troll. After I explained how wards like the ones on the Black house and Hogwarts should be working they realized that Dumbledore must have known. If he didn't know then he must have lowered the wards so that those two creatures could get into the castle without being noticed. Either way it's his responsibility."
Hermione nodded.
"They agreed that Dumbledore was at least culpable if not directly responsible. After what I told them about the Dursleys and your father they understood why Dumbledore was on the list. When I told them about this morning and the portkey and Hedwig they were livid. From what I've heard they are a pretty easy going pair but after they heard about Hedwig I had to make them promise not to run off and prank Dumbledore immediately. I did suggest that they could come up with a few ideas to get back at him for Harry." Sirius said with that evil Black head of house look.
Hermione shuddered at the thought of what those three could come up with.
"I would really hate to be within ten meters of Dumbledore when you three enact your plans." She said.
Sirius barked out a laugh. "Ten meters away should be perfect so you can see the look on his face."
Hermione nodded. "You bet."
"Any idea of what they were thinking?"
"A little. They did have a question about the portkeys we were making. I had never thought about it in that way but I think we can do it." Sirius said.
"Ok. You can do it?" Hermione said exasperatedly.
Sirius grinned. "Can you make the portkey proximity triggered?"
Hermione thought for a full minute. "I think so. What would be the timing?"
Sirius barked a laugh out "I guess I better tell you so you know one of the plans. The twins are truly marauders at heart." Shaking his head. "I wish we had thought of this idea when we were in school."
"They were wondering if you can make the portkey stay with the person and reactivate multiple times?"
Hermione thought longer for this one. "I suppose. It would depend on the magic of the person we portkey. We would have to charge the portkey with the persons magic for the subsequent trips. I would have to put a stop in there somewhere or it would keep portkeying them until their magic ran out or they removed the portkey. Which would be difficult if it was a bullet under their skin."
Hermione stopped and looked at Sirius. "You can't be. Nope not gonna fall into that trap." She laughed as the expectant look in Sirius's face fell.
"The timing and multiple portkey. Would you really? I'm guessing you want different distances based on the destination of the portkey each time?" She asked.
Sirius's face fell another inch. "Merlin. Please promise me if you ever get mad enough to try this on me please oh please just kick me in the bollocks. It would be less painful."
With that they both fell into peels of laughter resulting in gasping for breath and tears running down both of their faces.
"Who were you thinking?" Sirius managed to get out between gasps of breath.
"Draco or Lucius. You?" Hermione said gasping for air.
"Dumbledore flashing away in a flurry of color like a butterfly in a hurricane." Which caused more laughter from the pair.
Fleur walked in on the two of them still trying to catch their breath. It was so infectious that she was giggling without even knowing what they had been talking about. Every time Sirius or Hermione tried to tell her they would catch each others eye and start laughing all over. Fleur was becoming more infected as her laughing became harder just watching these two. Finally she totally lost it and was laughing so hard she snorted. That stopped all of them as Sirius and Hermione looked at Fleur and started laughing again. Fleur wanted to be disgusted or upset but it's hard to pull that off while laughing.
Finally they all calmed down enough to talk. The marauder filled Fleur in on what they had transpired with the idea and their comments about who to send with the portkey. Fleur wanted to see Fudge trying to hold on to his lime green bowler hat while being popped from place to place. They all worked very hard not to fall prey to the laughter once more.
"Thank you. I needed that after this morning." Fleur said "If there is anything I can do to help let me know. I've been studying curse breaking which means I know a curse or two and many curses are all about triggers."
She managed to say that with a perfectly innocent face, not fooling either Hermione or Sirius.
"Um ... Fleur. What happened to your accent?" Hermione asked.
Fleur looked sheepish. "'Ermione non you must ave been mistaken." Smiling at the younger girl.
"With a little effort I can speak english as well as any English. I just choose to live up, or down, to their expectations." She confessed.
"Actually that is really smart. It would give you the upper hand if they say something you don't like." Hermione said and Sirius nodded.
"We will keep your secret." Sirius said with a wink. Fleur giggled at that.
"Now about curses. I think we have a few questions." Hermione started.
With that the trio started a long discussion on curses and triggers. Fleur was amazed and in some ways horrified at the ideas they and the twins had and offered to help them in any way. It would also be fun to see the possibilities and they seemed like many with this group.
*** FTR ***
Later that afternoon Fleur and Hermione decided to take advantage of the day and snuck off to the beach for some sun bathing and swimming. Hermione was not surprised when Fleur had on a tiny bikini bottom and no top. Hermione had on a slightly more modest bikini and hesitated for just a moment as she untied the top and let it fall into the pile of clothing next to the blankets. The late afternoon sun was hot on their skin as they walked to the water and both dove in. The water washed away the days heat and was a balm to their souls as well.
After cooling off they joined their towels on the beach and laid back to soak in the sun. Hermione was thankful that Fleur had shared the tanning lotion she had brewed earlier this summer. Hermione didn't always burn but exposing the girls to the afternoon sun was something new. Plus a burn on them she imagined would be very annoying. Fleur laughed when Hermione mentioned that and she agreed, having forgotten her lotion only once in her life.
Hermione must have fallen asleep. It had been a busy day and as the sun was dipping down toward the horizon she heard low voices talking nearby. Her mind struggled towards consciousness when she recognized who it was. Harry was talking with Fleur in a low voice, probably trying not not to wake her.
"I'm sorry Fleur. I didn't realize you were here. I'll leave." Harry said.
"Non 'Arry. It is fine. Join us." She said. Waving her wand to make a blanket for him between her and Hermione. Harry looked at it nervously and then snapped his eyes back to Fleurs face.
"I don't want to make you uncomfortable." He stammered.
Fleur finally realized the problem and giggled.
"'Arry. This is not a problem. This is natural for us here in France." leaning forward and whispering in his ear. "Actually us girls will be disappointed if you don't steal a few glances." she winked and looked down to her exposed chest. Harrys eyes followed hers and popped back to her eyes quickly when he realized he had just 'stole a glance'.
"Sorry." he said sheepishly. Fleur giggled and winked as Harry blushed from his lightning bolt scar down most of his exposed chest.
Having fully awakened, Hermione realized that she was on her front and topless with Harry beside her. Thinking of all the possible ways to get out of this without flashing Harry and not making him feel bad when she had another thought. Taking a calming breath she sat up and turned to Harry.
"Did you have a good nap Harry?" Trying hard to sound nonchalant about the fact she was topless.
Harry tried not to look but when she used his name he looked at her. Try though as he might he did steal a glance down and confirmed she was topless then his eyes snapped back to hers and resolutely didn't waver.
She smiled and just pretended he didn't look as she continued.
"Um … yes. I really needed that. Tinkie was there when I woke telling me she wanted to be sure I was ok so she had stayed with me." He said.
"Tinkie stayed with you?" Fleur asked.
"Yes. That's what she said. I was asleep."
"Is that a problem?" Hermione asked.
"Non. She is very good at her job but she never waits around if there isn't a reason. We asked before why and she said she had work to do and would pop away. Did either of you tell her to stay with you?" Fleur asked.
"I didn't" Hermione said.
"Me either. I was almost asleep in my clothes when my head hit the pillow. When I woke I was in some very nice silk jammies and Tinkie was gently rocking herself as she watched me. She may have even been humming which I actually found very relaxing." Harry said.
"Um … Hermione you seem to have lost part of your bathing costume. Do you need me to ... um … get you something or find it?" Harry stammered.
Hermione made a big deal looking down and then back to Harry. His eyes did follow hers so he got another look and she smiled. Fleur was right about the liberating feeling. She could also see Fleurs eyes twinkling over Harrys shoulder.
"No. I have everything on that I started with. Is there a problem?" She teased.
"No. I can go. I don't want to intrude but Fleur asked me to stay. I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable." He said looking away towards the sea as that was the only direction he could look without one of them being in his eyesight path.
"'Arry. I told you that you are welcome. Please relax. We are ok with this. You seem to be the only one uncomfortable."
"Yes. Harry it's fine." Hermione said as she laid back on the blanket and with her arms above her head she stretched like a cat. The movement caught Harrys eyes which then threatened to popped out of his head and he quickly returned his gaze to the water. He was not quick enough as Hermione caught his movement and knew he got an eye full. Smiling she just closed her eyes.
"Hermione I think I need to cool off. How about you?" Fleur said.
"Hmm. Yes. I think so."
The two of them got up and headed to the water knowing the Harrys eyes would be following them. Fleur took Hermiones arm as they walked and whispered in her ear.
"He has it bad for you or is there something else going on?"
Hermione debated for a minute and confessed to the older which about the soul bond. She didn't say anything else that happened that day. That was Harrys story if he choose to tell her.
"That would explain it. I could feel something but I have never felt a soul bond before. It's very calming to us Veela." She said.
"Calming? How so?" Hermione asked.
"It mostly negates the Veela allure. Which explains why Harry only has eyes for you. As a test I did increase my allure a little and he didn't even flinch. You are very lucky. I would also be lucky if you two would count me as a friend." Fleur said.
Hermione chuckled "Maybe it was Harry trying so hard not to look at my chest."
That sent them both into a giggling fit. They continued walking slowly out into the water in the hopes that Harry would relax and join them. The beach had a very gradual decline so they were almost a hundred meters out before the water was almost up to their chest. He had made it to waist deep water as he dove under and swam toward the girls.
They had heard the splash and figure out what caused it. They turned to watch him surface but he didn't immediately as they thought. Just then Hermione let out a squeak and disappeared under the water. As Fleur looked frantically for the younger girl she felt something grab her ankles and she was under water too.
Both girls sputtered to the surface looking for any threat only to see a smug looking Harry with a gleam in his eye looking back at them.
"Non. You did not." Fleur spat out.
"Good one. Harry." Hermione laughed but followed Fleurs lead she jumped on Harry dunking him under. He got away from them easily enough and swam a safe distance away and surfaced.
"Serves you right for teasing a poor defenseless boy." Harry taunted.
The water fight that preceded was epic. Fleur was only a little angry mostly at getting dunked which made it hard to look perfect. Hermione just because it was fun.
Later as they were all relaxing on the beach towels Hermione had a thought.
"Harry. Fleur says that our bond will negate her allure. Would you be ok if she tested it?"
"Ok. What do I need to do?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded at Fleur as she continued talking to Harry.
"Nothing really just look at me" Hermione said as she took his hand in hers. Harry had gotten used to the physical contact so he squeezed her hand and leaned in to kiss her gently. After breaking the kiss he looked at Fleur. She looked a little pleased with an underlying annoyance.
"I'm sorry Fleur. Did you say something. I was … um … distracted."
"Non. 'Arry. You did perfectly. You may want to kiss Hermione again though." She said.
He looked at Hermione and she was a little glassy eyed so he took the older witches advice and kissed Hermione again which seemed to bring her back to reality and she returned the kiss.
"So when do you want to do the test?" Harry asked,
Hermiones eyes were back to normal as she looked at Fleur.
"Wow. That was a little intense. I wasn't about to let go of Harry but it did effect me slightly. Like a song you can't quite hear and have to strain to single it out from the other sounds." She said.
Fleur chuckled "I turned my allure up full. Most people would have offered me anything the world over and you say it was a little intense."
"Huh? You did it already?" Harry asked.
"Oui. I did it when Hermione turned to talk to you. Ze' best time is when distracted."
"Harry can throw off the Imperious curse from Voldermort so that might be why he wasn't distracted at all." Hermione said.
Fleur looked at Harry in a completely different light now. He did win the Triwizard Tournament and duel Voldermort but he always claimed it was dumb luck. Maybe there is more to Harry Potter than she thought.
"Zat must be ze difference." Fleur said "That would show you have a good control of your mind. Much better than any other wizard."
They remained on the beach until it was time for dinner and Tinkie popped in to find them.
"Master Harry. Mistress Hermy and Fleur. Dinner be ready shortly." Tinkie said and bowing to Harry popped away.
Fleur laughed. "Harry Potter what on earth did you do to Tinkie?"
"Nothing. I swear." Harry started to explain only to be stopped by Fleur putting her hand on his arm.
"I know it is not your fault. You need not apologize. It's just I have never seen Tinkie bow to anyone."
Harry just looked at the spot where the little elf had just been. Running is fingers through his hair he shrugged.
"I was just ... me."
Fleur and Hermione giggled.
"It would seem that 'just me'" Hermione said using air quotes "is amazing to us house elfs. Master Harry Potter Sir" Hermione said ending in a high voice trying to imitate Dobby. Which sent the girls into even more laughter.
Harry huffed and tried to look annoyed but the laughter was infectious and soon joined them.
*** FTR ***
Dinner that evening was a loud affair with everyone around the table. William was at one end of the table with Fleur and Apolline on either side of him. Sirius was at the other end reluctantly. He had tried to make Harry take the end seat but that didn't work out for Sirius. Next to Sirius on the one side was Harry and Hermione then her parents and the other side were the twins. The elfs were thrilled to have that many people to cook for and made this a feast that rivaled the opening feast at Hogwarts only with a French flair to it.
After everyone had finally finished the dessert and the table was cleared Sirius tapped his glass to get everyones attention. They all quieted down and Sirius passed the quaffle to Harry.
"For lack of a better term I would like to bring the first war counsel to order." Harry said.
The term didn't really surprise anyone. The twins had heard it and everyone else was behind Harry and Hermione no matter what.
"Everyone. You met the twins earlier. Fred and George." He pointed to them "Thank you for joining us. I guess I will put this out there right now. If at anytime anyone feels they don't want to continue we will all understand. We have already made a few enemies here in France and as I'm already wanted in England anyone associated with me will be a target. I will always be out in front as the main target but we know the people we will be dealing with and how they work"
"Introductions are in order. William is the head of the French Magical Police, like the head of the DMLE." Harry said pointing to William.
"His wife Apolline and you know Fleur. Fleur is working at Gringotts as a curse breaker."
"The couple beside Hermione are her parents Daniel and Emma Granger. Daniel is a retired SAS officer. The equivalent of a hit wizard. Emma is a dentist which is a healer for the teeth." The twins nodded appreciatively. They had heard about him taking out Dursley with one hand.
"And you met Sirius earlier, the best marauder in France." Sirius had puffed up a little at Harry saying only to realize he was pulling him on and his face fell only to smile again at the joke.
"Hermione wanted to bring you two in as we need more pranking ideas. We need ideas outside of normal thinking. We have Sirius for some but she thought, and I agree, that you three would be quite a force. Now add in muggle military tactics with hit wizard and Hermiones genius ideas plus a top notch curse breaker. We have a team that can do anything."
"Now what we want to do is create chaos, disinformation, fear and disloyalty in our chosen opponents. We also want to keep the secrets of how our new items work out of anyones hands that isn't around this table right now. If they figure out how to combat these inventions too soon we will lose our advantage. This is where you two come in." Harry pointed at the twins. They started at being single, or doubled, out and sat up straighter.
"You've seen the wallets and the portkey ideas. Those are good but how do we utilize them better. Also Fleur" She was watching the twins but her eyes snapped to Harry on hearing her name. "I was hoping some of your curse knowledge would help the twins in their delivery and triggering systems."
She nodded. "Oui"
"Daniel and William. I need you two to oversee and help where you can. Daniel I'm hoping that your former work can help catch the wizarding world by surprise. William we will need your knowledge on what response we can expect from the wizarding underground. I realize you work in France but criminals and blood purists are probably pretty similar here as in England."
"Any questions? Or anything you can think of that you need right now?" Harry asked.
Hermione started to raise her hand only to stop when she realized everyone saw her moving and turned their attention to her.
"I'm not sure if it's possible but I could really use some time with the Goblins. Also, BloodCrusher said that the Goblin RUNE team wanted to meet with me. Not sure if that's possible considering they are in England but maybe they have a secure way to send information back and forth." She said looking at Fleur.
Fleur squirmed a little "Em. I can't say for certain but there maybe a way. Can you come with me to work tomorrow morning? I can get you a portkey back here after we figure out if there is a way." Fleur said looking at Hermione. Hermione nodded.
"Anyone else?" Harry asked "This is supposed to be a discussion please."
"Pup. You're doing great and you've covered everything that really needs to be covered. Except when we want to meet next." Sirius said and the others acknowledged.
"Would tomorrow night be too soon or should we wait two days till the weekend?"
A discussion ensued after that and Saturday after lunch was decided. The twins had ideas and were hoping to get something working by then.
Harry closed the formal meeting and small groups formed and ideas started popping out. Tinkie popped in with parchment, quills and ink for the various groups and popped out again after a quick bow to Harry. Apolline chuckled at Harrys discomfort and joined the discussion with Fleur and the twins.
Harry approached William with a question and he broke off from his group.
"William, how do wizards hide their homes? I heard that Pettigrew was the secret keeper for my parents and he gave them up but how were they hidden?"
"Probably the Fidelius charm. It is cast against a place and one person becomes the secret keeper and is the only person that can give out the location. If Pettigrew was the secret keeper than he could have easily told Voldermort." William said.
"Ok. How exactly does it work?" Harry asked.
"It's like a perception filter that works against your mind. You look and if you don't know the secret it will filter it from your mind." William explained.
"So you have to be looking at it for the charm to work against your mind. Could any of the mind arts counteract it?" Harry asked.
"None that I know of."
Harry waved over Daniel to join them.
"We've been talking about hiding a house the wizard way." Harry explained what they had just talked about to Daniel. Daniel listened and nodded his head. He had an idea where this could be heading and smiled at Harrys idea.
"If an arial automated picture was taken of a house under a Fidelius charm would the house show up in the picture? Is that the question?" Daniel asked.
Harry nodded. "Interesting question. I would need to know a place that was under the charm and I can see if a former contact would check for it on the arial maps. There might also be historical photos of the area that would have the house before the charm was cast. Then you can compare what you see with what it in the picture."
Daniel knew there were many arial reconnaissance photos of the English country side and towns. It shouldn't be difficult to find one and check it out.
William and Daniel started discussing how to check Harrys supposition. Harry left them to work out the details as he heard his name being used in the group with the twins and Fleur. He wandered that way to see if he needed to watch his back around the pair.
"Harry did say chaos." Fred said.
"Non. This vode be cruel." Fleur said.
"That's the point." George said.
"Let's let Harry decide." Fred said as he saw Harry moving their way.
Fred showed their idea on a piece of parchment. It was a crude drawing that was moving which, even though crude, gave Harry the idea quickly. He also was hoping that they didn't use this idea on him.
"Fleur. Can you work out the timing? If not this part" Harry pointed to part of the moving picture "Would not be safe to do. We don't want these to be lethal."
Fleur looked at Harry and then back to the drawing. "You would do this to someone?"
Harry nodded. "As long as it's not fatal."
Fleur looked it over again. "If ze portkey is accurate within one meter it is possible."
"How would someone exit from this trap?" Harry asked
"That is the beauty of it." Started one twin.
"There are multiple ways to exit"
"And to trigger"
"So even if they figure out"
"One. There are other"
"Possible ways to trigger it."
"We also block other ways like accio and blasting."
Harry looked at them in disbelief. "You two are really sick and twisted. You know that don't you?"
"Yes and thank you for noticing." They both replied with smiles.
"Fleur. Are you ok with this idea? When it's ready and tested with conjured animals I will even test it myself." Harry said giving a little shudder thinking about being caught in their trap.
Fleur looked between the three boys and realized they were going to make a lot of bad people debate the wisdom of continuing their ways. "Oui. I can have you something the day after tomorrow to test. I have to work tomorrow."
"Great. Thank you Fleur. Guys, truly terrifying. Truly. You will need Hermiones help with the portkey but I think she will approve. If she is hesitant suggest that you will test it on Malfoy or Snape."
Harry hadn't seen grins on the twins faces like that since they gave Dudley a Ton-tongue toffee.
Hermione was writing a list on a piece of parchment. She had reached about the length of a normal sized sheet of paper and was still going strong. She looked up as Harry sat beside her.
"It seems that we have the right people together. What do you think?" she asked.
"Yes, I agree. Although I do need to warn you about the twins idea. I think it's amazing but … well .. you might think it's a little cruel." he said.
"To cruel for the people that torture and kill muggles?" she said.
"Ok. Not to cruel for them. I think you will like it. They will be coming to you for help with the portkey part of it. Fleur is working on the triggering and timing. Fred and George on the prank side of it."
"Merlin help the person that gets on their bad side." she said.
She put her parchment away and went to join the twins and Fleur.
Apolline sat next to Harry and gave him a side hug.
"How are you doing Harry?"
"I guess ok. I feel kind of useless at the moment. Everyone is working on ideas."
"That is a sign of a good leader Harry. You get good people, put them together, and point them in the right direction then let them do their jobs. They know what the stakes are here. They also don't want to let you down." She said.
"I'm afraid I will let them down." Harry said "I kind of feel like I let everyone down with Malfoy and his gang."
"Non. Never Harry. No one is disappointed in your decision. In the future you may be ready for that decision. You are still a teen so as they say cut yourself some slack." Apolline said.
Harry nodded thinking that was about what Hermione had said.
*** FTR ***
Later that evening Harry and Hermione were heading up the stairs to bed. Both of them were so tired they could hardly stand on their own. Leaning against each other they made it to their rooms. Outside her bedroom door Hermione pulled Harry to her bed.
"Hermione I don't think we should."
"We will just end up together anyway so why fight it."
Harry had no fight left in him as they just kicked off their trainers and fell on the bed together. Asleep almost before their heads hit the pillows. As soon as they were asleep Tinkie popped in and shook her head thinking 'Master Harry needs better care of hisself'. She snapped her fingers and the teens were now dressed in new silk jammies and under the covers. Smiling at a job well done she popped away but not before giving the sleeping couple a little bow.
*** FTR ***
The next morning Harry woke slowly and reaching around found himself alone. His eyes popped open to find him in Hermiones bed and no Hermione. Again he woke in silk jammies which he had to admit felt really good against his skin. Getting up and finding clean clothes for him on the dresser and a set of silk jammies folded next to them he figured that Hermione was already up.
Arriving in the kitchen for breakfast he found himself alone. Tinkie popped in a minute later and started making breakfast for him.
"Good morning Tinkie, I don't mean to intrude but I haven't seen you making breakfast before?" Harry asked.
"Tinkie make Master Harry breakfast today." She replied.
"Ok. Thank you. Do you know where Hermione is?"
"Mistress Hermy go with Fleur to Fleur job. Leave hour ago." Tinkie said "Devil twins and Dog father in scary shed."
"Scary shed?"
"Yes. Master Harry. Since Devil twins arrive elfs afraid of shed. Unless asked we stay away."
Harry chuckled. "I understand and that is very smart."
"Devil twins always outside shed when call elf to get them or most time walk. We know they help Master Harry so we don't bother them."
"Thank you Tinkie and please thank the rest of the elfs for me. I do appreciate all your help more then I can ever express." Harry said as a full english breakfast was placed in front of him.
"Master Harry never need thank elfs. Elfs happy we help Master Harry." With that and a slight bow she was gone.
*** FTR ***
Hermione had been awaken by Fleur in the early morning. It took a few minutes for her brain to register what was happening and who was gently shaking her shoulder.
"'Ermione. Wake up. Missus Potter time to get up." Fleur teased the sleeping teen.
With that Hermione was wide awake and looking into the beautiful blue eyes of the older girl.
Fleur chuckled at her wide eyed look.
"We need to get going. I have made some arrangements for you but we need to be there early." Fleur said.
A groggy Hermione slowly extracted herself from Harry. He was holding her like a fluffy teddy bear and didn't want to let go. She did manage to get away without waking him. She did give him a brief kiss on the lips which brought a slight smile to his face. Reluctantly she left him sleeping.
Tinkie had breakfast on the table when she walked in and she dug into her porridge and fresh fruit. Followed with some coffee to wake herself up. After this Fleur rushed them to the apparition point just inside the wards of the house and they were gone.
Arriving at the apparation point in the French branch of Gringotts she followed Fleur through security, which was surprisingly fast, through a large lobby and tellers stations and a high ceiling, and passing a security guard into a hallway that looked dark as night until they stepped in. Upon stepping into the hallway it was actually illuminated as bright as the lobby area but light from inside couldn't get out.
Hermione was trying to gawk and keep up with Fleur which was difficult but she managed. She only managed to keep up when Fleur took her arm and was guiding her down the hallway to the very end.
"'Ermione I got an interesting response last night when I made your request to my boss. I had sent an owl making your request and I received a notification that I vas to come in immediately. I vas almost afraid to but you don't ignore your boss. When I confirmed who you were and based on my Gringotts oath he told me to vait and he left me in his office. I 'ave never been left in any Goblins office. I was told that vould never appen as I was human. I ave waited outside on a conjured chair but never left unattended. 'E returned with the branch manager and I confirmed the story once again."
Hermione was wondering where this was going.
"He said you had taken a privacy oath about something to a Goblin in Gringotts London. Is this true?"
"Yes. Not a magic oath but I treat it as such." Hermione said.
Fleur nodded. As a minor the Goblins would never ask for a magically binding oath, however her stating that she had was enough to hold her to keeping the secret.
"Good. This will be easier then. I have been told that you need to say about the same thing about everything you will learn today. 'Zey did say that Harry was included in your vow so you can tell him. Vat you are about to learn is as guarded a secret as the other one they told you. I do not need to know the other one but you have an appointment with the Rune group in a 'alf an hour."
The hall came to a dead end. Fleur stopped and looked around to be sure no one was watching. The hall was empty. She took Hermiones hand and stepped up to the blank wall and placed her other hand on the wall. "Put your hand on the wall please." Hermione did as requested.
"Fleur Delacour and Hermione Granger requesting transport to Gringotts London." Fleur spoke clearly to the wall. A moment later their hands began to pass through the wall. Hermione looked around and it was the wall moving towards them. As it did she felt a slight tingling at the point against her skin. Fleur was non plussed so Hermione just relaxed as the wall engulfed them.
There was a moment of darkness and then they were in another hall way only facing towards the open end of the hall.
"Like the barrier at the train station." Hermione said.
"Yes and no." Fleur answered cryptically.
Still holding Hermiones hand she walked them down the hall and a turn to the right and Hermione could read familiar names on plates by the doors.
"How?" she asked.
"Not now." Fleur said in a rather harsh whisper
Hermione nodded and they continued on to a door on the left. Fleur knocked once firmly. "Always be firm in your knock and in your discussion. The Goblins like you but you must always work at keeping their respect. Any human working here is taught that early on. Being pushy is a good trait. From what I hear you are highly respected. Be somewhat arrogant in your dealings."
The door opened and when BloodCrusher saw Hermione she approached and hugged the teen girl. Hermione returned her hug to the amazement of Fleur.
"Thank you Miss Delacour. We will notify you when to collect her. I'm told you will be working with the other humans here today. Please remember that Miss Granger being here is a secret. Actually anything to do with Miss Granger and Gringotts is to be considered a deep secret." that said she closed the door on the older girl before Hermione could even say thank you to Fleur.
Hermione had a moment to look around the room. It was a workshop with rough hued walls of rock that were not smooth. It was as big as the great hall only with a lower ceiling. There were several work areas with work tables and what looked like the tablets that BloodCrusher had for her medical room.
BloodCrusher yelled to the other Goblins in their language and they all stopped what they were doing and joined the two near the table they had stopped in front of.
"This is Hermione Granger. She is the one that made the upgrades possible that we are now using."
They all stomped their feet loudly and grunted, the sound amplified as it bounced around the room. Hermione took this as a positive and bowed slightly to them all.
"I built my work on yours. Thank you for allowing me access to your wealth of knowledge." Hermione said.
BloodCrusher smiled at this and there was more stomping and grunting.
"We have a lot of work and not much time. You all have the questions that Miss Granger sent over and I understand that three of your groups would like some of her time. I think it would be an excellent idea to have Placement work with her before this day is over."
That brought some murmurings from the group.
"May I remind you that she is here at the request of Chief Ragnok. You know what he said. Is there anyone that believes they know better?"
Hermione was amazed as the silence was so oppressive that she swore they weren't breathing.
"Good. Now BloodMaker" she pointed to the nearest group leader "Your group is to be first and be aware of the time." BloodCrusher said and pointed to the group of five goblins on her left. She also waved her hand at Hermione to indicate she should go with them.
That was the start of her day and she found herself being quizzed about her upgrades and they in turn were quizzed about some additional information that Hermione needed. She also passed on the tests that she and Harry had put the wallets through and how the guns worked. The leader of the team had a couple of ideas that Hermione was sure to test when she got back. The Goblins specially liked the brutality of the guns with real bullets and putting them in stasis so they could be tortured more later.
The last part was not what Hermione had in mind initially but she didn't correct them.
They were also amazed with the veritaserum runes she added and took copious notes so they could replicate it. When Hermione relayed the story about the Gendarme Magice trying to reverse engineer the wallet they were about to take up pikes and torches until Hermione explained what happened and what would have happened if they would have continued. That placated the Goblins and they continued without torches.
Hermione got all of her questions answered that she had and even more. They had stopped for lunch and as a group the gathered around one of the large table that had been cleared and food was brought in. There were many kinds of food although Hermione was cautiously curious about which she could eat.
"Always put the food on your plate first." BloodCrusher had said "It will do two things for you. First it will ensure there is nothing magic that will harm you like potions or charms on them. Secondly it will make sure that the food will not react poorly with your system. Place your thumb on the etched ring on the edge and it will read your needs."
Hermione did so and the plate glowed blue for a second and then returned to it's natural earthen ware look. Hermione noticed that no one had taken any food yet. She looked at BloodCrusher for an explanation.
"I'm sorry. I forget that you are not Goblin. You are the senior officer here today. You must take food first before anyone else can. It would be a terrible insult to the senior if a Goblin took food before them." She said.
"Senior? But I'm" she began and stopped. Remember what Fleur had told her she nodded. Reaching for the nearest dish she took a spoonful and placed it on her plate. "Eat now." She said with enough force that they didn't question her.
BloodCrusher caught her eye after that and nodded letting her know she had done well.
When the afternoon was done so was Hermione. Her brain was full and her pile of parchment had grown with every conversation. She had so many ideas her head almost hurt. When her meeting with Placement had completed the Goblins left her sitting at a work table with her notes around her. She sorted them into categories and satisfied she stopped and closed her eyes. The information started swirling the ideas around in her head. She could see all the possibilities of the days conversations designing and redesigning in her head. This was her creative place. She had never told anyone about how she came up with her ideas. In her head in her creative space the ideas shifted and morphed again and again. Pieces added and removed quickly. Designed and rejected only to be redesigned.
With her eyes still closed she took the blank parchment in front of her and quill and started drawing and writing. This continued for about thirty minutes when she heard a gentle cough behind her. She completed the final part of the drawing and opened her eyes.
The entire group had stopped and was staring at her. She was embarrassed but tried hard not to show it. She usually did this when there was no one around to interrupt her.
"I'm sorry. I was … thinking" she said.
"May I look?" BloodCrusher asked timidly.
"Of course." Hermione said pushing the paper over to her and sitting back closing her eyes again relaxing from the intense mental work.
BloodCrusher gasped several times while she reviewed the sheets of parchment. When she came to the last page she asked Hermione softly.
"May I show these to the group?"
Hermione nodded without opening her eyes. BloodCrusher handed the pages to the closest Goblin and turned back to Hermione. "Are you well?"
"I'll be fine. Surprisingly that level of thinking takes a lot out of me. I was living in the design while I was making the modifications. Mentally I probably redesigned each part on the page between fifteen and fifty times before either adding it or discarding it." She pointed to a stack of other pages "Those have been discarded for now. You may look if you like."
BloodCrusher took them and was amazed that these ideas were the rejects. Looking at Hermione with renewed awe she thanked her.
"I will call for Fleur. I believe you have used your brain enough for today." she said.
Hermione could only nod and the fatigue started to overtake her. She must have started falling only to find several Goblins around her holding her up and BloodCrusher putting a potion in her hand. "Drink this. It's like a pepper up potion."
Hermione did without question. She winced as she knew what pepper up tasted like and was surprised when the most delicious strawberry shake filled her mouth. The effect was immediate as she was awake and sitting up. Like a strong coffee but without the jitteriness.
"Wow. That helped a lot and it tasted great."
BloodCrusher laughed as did the rest of the Goblins. "We Goblins like our sweets. So all our potions taste like something good. You wizards should learn that potions don't need to taste awful." The laughing continued and Hermione joined in.
Fleur was escorted in while the group was still laughing and stopped short. Never in her life had she heard of Goblins laughing like this. Schooling her face to be neutral she walked over to Hermione.
"I'm ready when you are." She said.
Hermione gathered up her notes and the Goblins reluctantly gave her back her latest designs. Seeing their reluctance she looked at BloodCrusher. "May I use my wand for a moment?"
She nodded. "Thank you for asking. While you are the senior officer here there would have been some nervous Goblins had you not asked."
Slowly she pulled her wand from her bracelet holster and taking her stack of plans and the rejects she quickly duplicated them and handed the copies to the Goblin that had returned her plans.
"Thank you BloodMaker. You and your groups help today has been invaluable. I look forward to working with all of you again." She said the last bit to the room. There was stomping and grunting that filled the room and continued as she said her good byes and left the room.
Fleur led Hermione through the labyrinth of the Gringotts when Hermione remembered she hadn't asked the older witch how they got to London.
"Fleur, How is it that we are in London?" Hermione asked.
"I asked if I could tell you about that. My boss had to check. When he returned he said that I was authorized to answer any questions you had. He did want me to remind you that the answer I give will mostly be a secret." Fleur said frowning a little.
"Is everything ok?" Hermione asked.
"It iz very strange. Ze Goblins rarely allow that information out without a strict vow. May I ask what you did for zem?"
Hermione thought for a few minutes. The older girl had stopped and was waiting. Hermione decided what she could say based on her promise.
"I'm also under a vow but may I ask you if you have seen the healers tablet that they carry and the interior?" she asked.
Fleur nodded. "It iz impressive. Non. You were the one?"
Fleur had been brought in to an update meeting where the Rune team had showed the upgrades to the medical wallet. They also had one that could be used as a traveling prison. Fleur connected that with the Holding Cell wallet that Hermione had demonstrated just a couple of weeks ago.
Hermione smiled at her. "I'm not sure what you are referring to?"
Fleur looked at the young witch through entirely different eyes. As they continued towards the end of the corridor and the way back to Paris.
"Ze Goblins 'ave a point to point portkey from England to Paris and to other Gringotts locations around the continent. Zey ave stabilized it so zat ze spinning is avoided. No more feeling sick." She said.
"Wow that is great and thank you for trusting me with that information. I will not pass it on to anyone. I will tell Harry we took an international portkey." She giggled "I could probably say that in the veritaserum locked Holding Cell. It is the truth."
Fleur agreed and they passed through the open portal back to Paris and soon were back at the Delacour mansion by the seaside.
As Harry was finishing his breakfast that same morning Daniel joined him. A different house elf arrived to make Daniel his breakfast as the two men exchanged greetings. Harry knew that Daniel was quiet in the morning so he didn't force the conversation. The elf put the breakfast in front of Daniel and he thanked her.
Harry introduced himself to the elf. "Hello. I'm Harry."
The elfs eyes went wide as she curtsied to Harry. "I is Bella. I knows you Master Harry Potter sir" Bella had remembered something as she clapped her hands over her mouth and looked a little scared.
Harry had an idea remembering Dobby when they first met.
"Thank you for making our meals. The dinner last night was excellent. Also it's ok if you slip." Harry said with a wink
Bella blushed. "Master Harry is very generous. Bella doing her job."
"Bella why did Tinkie make my breakfast and not you?" Harry asked.
"Tinkie tells Bella she make Master Harry breakfast. I is younger so I say ok. Tinkie in charge too."
"Oh. Well thank you. I don't know why she wanted to make my meal but it was excellent." Harry said.
Bella smiled at that. "Bella always know what Master Harry and friends want. I tell Tinkie what you like." Again her eyes went wide like she had done something wrong.
"Bella. I like hearing about you and how the elfs work. I really enjoyed my breakfast and it was perfect. You did well. Thank you." Harry said.
"Master Harry very welcome. Bella go clean now." and she was gone.
Daniel had watched the exchange with mirth in his eyes but said nothing after the young elf was gone. Harry sat in comfortable silence as Daniel finished his breakfast. Daniel seemed to be lost in thought.
Working on his coffee Daniel turned to Harry. "So what did you want to talk about?"
Harry was not surprised that Daniel figured him out. He had learned that Daniel was very good at reading people so he already knew Harry wanted to talk to him.
"I have a couple of questions. Well actually one request and one question."
Daniel nodded for Harry to continue. Daniel was often reserved in his use of words. He communicated very well but often times words were not necessary.
"How well versed are you with boobytraps and things like that?" Harry kind of stumbled at the end.
"I've had training and sometimes used them." Daniel replied a little guardedly.
"I was wondering if you would talk with the twins and Sirius about how to ambush the people we want to send into their trap. I guess I would also like your impression of their ideas." Harry said.
Daniel thought for a second. "You make a good point. My skills are related to non magical so if we can fool trained operatives then magicals will probably fall for the same tricks. I would be happy to talk with them. Maybe I'll get some ideas and pass on to my former employer." He finished with a grin that would have been at home on Sirius's face.
Harry shook his head. "I wonder if the world will survive this team we have put together." he mused.
Daniel laughed at that. "Maybe. Those that don't survive didn't deserve to survive anyway."
Harry pulled his Gryffendor courage to ask the next question.
"I wanted to ask." he started "I mean I was wondering how. Erm" Harry faltered.
"How do you decide when to take a life?" Daniel offered Harry.
"Yes. It just seems wrong and yet Hermione was right when she said they would continue doing bad things and I could save an innocent from them. But how do you make that decisions?"
"Harry. Relax."
Harry realized his hands were clenched and he could feel his magic starting to build. He closed his eyes and calmed himself before opening them again.
"Sorry."
"No problem. I'm not going to calm you down like my daughter did the other morning." He teased Harry.
Harry went totally red. "Um. Sorry about that."
"Not your fault. You are a teen and hormones and emotions will almost control you at times. I understand. By my standards you are doing better then some of the men I have known. Now teasing aside to your question. When someone attacks me they become an obstacle to me. Yes I know they are human but I remove that from the equation. They are an obstacle preventing me from returning to my wife and daughter. They are an obstacle that will hurt and kill my brothers in arms. In that moment they cease to be a human and they are equal to a rabid animal. Depending on how much of a threat I believe they are determines my response."
Harry thought about that for a few moments and almost whispered. "What if you get it wrong?"
Daniel realized the battle Harry was fighting in his head.
"The truth?"
Harry nodded.
"You may never know for sure. Or in Malfoys case you had a pretty good idea they were there to kill you. That one would be easier to pull the trigger."
"I could have killed them. When we got to the second hide I switched to real bullets I was so angry. They had dared to try and hurt Hermione. Yet." Harry paused and took a deep breath "I couldn't kill them. Am I weak?"
Daniel looked at the young man in front of him. These are questions he had answered of men in their twenties and thirties not a teen too young to drive a lorry.
"Harry. You aren't weak. Trust me I've seen men twice your age crumble at the things you have done. You are young and these are things you shouldn't have to think about. They are hard questions. Yet, here you are as is Hermione. The truth is the first time you kill will be the most difficult. After it's all over you will crumble. Emma, Hermione, and I will be there for you. You will have to live with it. Anyone in the service that has been in your position is living with it. Just know that we all support you and especially William, Sirius, Emma and I understand. You can yell and throw things if you need to. Find an evil boulder and beat it to a pulp if it helps. You will review the event over and over and the outcome will be the same. Just remember. It happened and they forced your hand. If they had not made the choices they did you would not have had to make the choice you did."
Daniel let Harry think about that.
"Then when you have mulled it over and realized you made the right choice. Let it go. If it helps think about the people that you have saved from them. That helps me a lot." Daniel confessed.
Harry looked at Daniel with furrowed brows.
"I had to send in a team to clean up an area. It was going to be messy but there was no choice. Either we did it or more innocents would suffer and die. Even though I know what we did was for the best it was horrible. You've heard the phrase 'war is hell'. That was hell. Yet even now I know that everything we did that day was justified and saved lives. You can't get better than that. Plus none of them would get a nice cell and time off for good behavior. They never gave their victims that option."
The two men sat in silence mulling over the conversation.
"Thank you for telling me. I'm sure that was not easy. It has helped." Harry said.
Harry got up and gave Daniel a hug. "You saved me so I believe what you did was necessary."
Daniel returned the hug as Emma walked in for breakfast. She waited in the doorway for the men to return to their seats before she walked in noisily so they knew she was coming. She didn't want to surprise them.
Harry excused himself and left the couple at the kitchen table.
"That seemed to go well. Let me guess. He was wondering why he didn't use more force?"
Daniel chuckled. "You do have a way of reading the room Love."
"I take it it went well?"
"Yes. I told him the reality and that we would be there to listen, hold him, or duck from flying objects when he needed it."
"Flying objects" Emma asked.
"Yup. I told him it was ok to rage and throw things if he needed to. Better than him thinking he needed to keep it all bottled up 'like a man'. What utter crap. Cry and scream if you need to." Daniel said.
Emma wrapped him up in her arms and kissed him gently. "How did you get so intelligent."
"It must have been that amazingly intelligent women I married." he quipped right back at her.
"Good answer."
Bella popped in and started making Emma breakfast.
*** FTR ***
Harry was back on the beach. He had remembered more of the Potter magic and wanted to try the kiln spell. He floated several medium sized rocks into a pile about half the size of a man. Closing his eyes he imagined the magic flowing around and through him. He directed it towards the pile of rocks and forgetting that his wand was still in his wrist holder pushed the magic forward. There was a burst of flames like a flame thrower heading towards the pile five meters away from him. When the flames arrived at the pile they swirled around the rocks like a mini tornado. Harry concentrated and the flames changed colors starting at a yellow and ending up in a blazing white that was super hot and would kiln dry pottery in minutes not the usual hours the muggle way took.
Harry could feel the rocks starting to melt inside the fire tornado when the first wet rock exploded sending pieces of rock like shrapnel in all directions. Fortunately his seeker reflexes saved his life as he protected his face and head with his arms. Unfortunately the pieces of molten rock of various sizes hit his arms and the rest of his exposed body.
Screaming he fell back on the beach with holes burnt in his clothes and his skin sizzling from the many points on his body where the rock pieces had embedded under his skin. Before Harry could do anything except scream Tinkie popped next to him and with a flick of her hands caused a wave of water to engulf Harry from his feet to his neck. This started to cool the rock pieces however they were so hot they continued to burn into his skin.
Tinkie swirled the water around Harry in an attempt to pull the heat from the burning rocks. Thankfully Harry passed out from the pain. Tinkie conjured blankets and wrapping Harry in them and drenching them in water she popped away to the house with him to get help.
"Mistress Apolline. Master Potter need help."