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AN: chapter betaed by Miette and dstone12, thank you :)
I have not slept one wink this night yet I feel young and giddy as I walk through the corridor.
Despite knowing that a wrongness had been attacking Hogwarts for years, I only realise how much it had spread and affected the Castle these past years now that it is mostly gone. I can almost taste Magic's delight.
It feels good to have finally made progress in my task.
Father first assigned me to Hogwarts seventeen years ago to monitor her increasingly powerful Headmaster in both magic and politics, and to gauge if he could become an ally in our quest to establish anew the relationships and trade between all magical beings.
Instead, I discovered that the Castle was hurt, the nexus split by conflicting goals.
To this day, I don't know why the split occurred. I suspect that it's linked to Dumbledore's hate for Slytherins — a hate that for a long time I believed was merely a caution — along with the curse on the Defence against the Dark Arts professor position. I only suspect, because Sensing through all the intents and magics of Hogwarts' various inhabitants, living or not, is well above my ability. To be honest, few have mastered Sensing to the point where they would be able to distinguish such subtle information without losing themselves. Severus might be one of them. Hoardrock might be another.
Sadly, I could not ask for my clansman to come to Hogwarts without raising suspicions. After all, Dumbledore thought he was granting me a favour when he accepted my candidature to the Charms professor position. He thought I was a half-Goblin disabused and rejected by my clan, all too grateful for being offered a chance in the Wizarding World.
Dumbledore had no idea that his new Charms Professor was the eldest child of the current Clan Runsaus' Johtaja. He had no idea that I had been sent to evaluate a possible alliance and instead decided that the Headmaster was a possible obstacle to my clan's goals.
My time at Hogwarts has been well filled, between my attempts and failures to find the origin of the nexus' split, my slow progress in befriending all the Castle's inhabitants and then gaining their trust, as well as discovering the ups and downs of teaching young Wizards. I must admit that at times, I lost sight of my mission, enchanted by Hogwarts' delights in nurturing all young magical beings and creatures. Only seeing Peeves, Hogwarts' physical manifestation of the split, reminded me there was something wrong in the Castle's seemingly idyllic world.
I watched the split grow slowly each year until one day, four years ago, when a wrongness appeared overnight and latched onto one side of the split. From that day forward, the split's growth quickened.
To my surprise, Hogwarts was aware of the wrongness but recognised it as a part of herself, thus preventing any of those who served her from acting against it as hurting the wrongness would be hurting Hogwarts. Only the Protector was allowed to protect Hogwarts from herself and to hurt her if necessary, and that post had not been filled for decades.
I once more regretted not being as adept at Sensing as Hoardrock, as I might have been able to make Hogwarts see that this wrongness was foreign to her. Instead, I could only attempt to contain the spread of the wrongness, which was not helped at all by Dumbledore's increasing favouritism towards Gryffindors and belittling of Slytherins. I began fearing that the wrongness would succeed in twisting Hogwarts' nexus.
I did not know what the wrongness was until a few months ago when Hoardrock told me of Severus' task, assigned by the Seers, to take care of the Wizard who had twisted his core by making a Horcrux. Or Horcruxes. It seems Severus has asked disturbing questions. And when the Bloody Baron told me that Lord Caspian had sworn to take out the source of the wrongness in Hogwarts and accepted the Protector title… Yes, I knew what the wrongness was. The only question had been whether it belonged to the Headmaster or to Lord Voldemort.
It must be Lord Voldemort's. Hogwarts would have already crumbled if it had been Dumbledore's. It would also explain why Hogwarts had recognised the Horcrux as part of herself. After all, Lord Voldemort is Slytherin's heir.
Hogwarts' new Protector is such a delight. It has been a long time since the Castle provided for the job. To think I helped Severus find his path. Father was so disappointed when he went to Clan Röykkiö, but the Trials result could not be ignored. Hoardrock is the only one from Clan Runsaus who could have taught Severus to develop his strengths, and he was already far too busy with Gringotts. Plus, Lord Malfoy insisted on Severus' Master having a family of his own. Something that worked quite well as Severus clearly is a Wizard who trusts few but is deeply loyal. Drunek had been the perfect choice. How lucky we are that Severus chose to leave Hogwarts at the end of his fifth year.
I frown, thinking of everything I learnt last night. Hoardrock told me a disturbing story about the Marauders, Severus and Dumbledore. It makes me wonder what else I missed while it happened right under my nose. Minerva will be devastated. She's always had a soft spot for Sirius Potter, because of what she suspected but could never prove about his upbringing. Albus certainly did not help.
No, he never helped. His behaviour makes so much more sense after Hoardrock's revelation about the Headmaster's goal. I could never have guessed.
Joyous conversation shakes me out of my thoughts as I reach my goal. I open the classroom's doors to be met with the sight of a diverse group of magical beings sitting in a circle, each bringing their own unique magical talents and perspective to the group.
Facing me is Beò from Line Seann, Hogwarts' Intendant and the leader of Hogwarts' House Elves. Next to him sits Lord Gilbert Sparrow, former vassal to House Ravenclaw and Spokesperson for Hogwarts' Ghosts, hovering a few centimetres from the ground. Phineas Black, former Hogwarts Headmaster and representative of Hogwarts' paintings, has a frame set up on a stool beside the ghost. Beag, from Tree Prìomh and representative of Hogwarts' fairy people, is using one of the said stool's bars as a seat. Next to them, one of the Merpeople is encased in a luminous orb of water, making her look even more beautiful. She is Alvilda Uendeligdam from Shoal Først, ambassador of the Great Lake.
And, of course, next are representatives of the three sentient magical groups living on Hogwarts' grounds: Magnus from Herd Steigeadh, spokesperson for the Centaurs, Stark from Pack Wandernd, Hogwarts' Pack's second, and next to the empty chair saved for me, Christophe Andersen, the representative of the Vampires. I don't know if Christophe doesn't claim Family Inuuk's name because their group hopes to create a new Family in Hogwarts, or because the group is acting outside the Family's official alliances. Balance between Hogwarts' and the Family's duties may be hard to find.
We are only missing two members to be complete: the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, and the Protector. Then we would be a true Conclave — the first in many many years. I wonder if Severus really understood what he agreed to when he accepted his title. Hagrid certainly did not, and it's on Dumbledore's head.
I'm not even sure Severus knows that he accepted the title, but his position was sealed the moment he protected Hogwarts from her Headmaster and removed the wrongness. She will never let him go now.
"Fejedelem! What a night, wasn't it?" welcomes Gilbert.
I almost roll my eyes at his use of the ancient title.
"You know, because I've told you many times, that the Fejedelem title has not been used for five hundred years now, ever since the Johtaja's title is not inherited anymore."
"Yet, everybody knows that Clan Runsaus always designates the Johtaja's heir to succeed him," answered Gilbert mirthfully.
"Then, the Fejedelem would be my brother, Mjolnir help him."
I don't envy my brother's future. I am quite happy with my task that allows me to work with many other species and develop the relations of our Clan with Hogwarts' many and varied inhabitants.
"Let's begin the meeting, the students will start getting up in one hour," grumbled Beò.
I sit down in my usual seat, and listen as the Intendant lists the changes already wrought by the events of the past night.
All of us felt the difference in Hogwarts the moment the wrongness was cut off from her. Yet, Beò remains cautious: while the castle is feeling better than she has in years, there is still much to do to reunite her. The Headmaster did not help last night, his harmful attack on Peeves has shaken this part of the nexus to its core. However, Beò is optimistic as Peeves is looking brighter than he has for a long, long time, which gives him hope for his reunification within Hogwarts.
"I believe that Hogwarts will not reunite until she chooses a new Headmaster," states Stark.
Most nod.
"Indeed. The only question is, will she do so soon or will she wait for Dumbledore to have left her grounds for 371 days? Saturn was fogged tonight," says Magnus.
"Now that Headmaster Dumbledore is unable to prevent us from investigating and now that we have a Protector, we should be able to lift the curse on the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor position. We have long suspected that it was linked to the split," answers Alvilda.
Dumbledore truly does not deserve the title of Hogwarts' Headmaster. How he fooled the Castle is a mystery. Though he fooled me for several years too. Another lesson that Magic is not infallible. Though I can't help but realise that many ghosts have been giving Dumbledore the cold shoulder for years. While the Bloody Baron's feelings are always hard to read, in past Conclaves, Lord Sparrow never supported any motion that required the Headmaster's involvement.
Am I missing crucial information because they won't tell one of the Pillars, or because I have not known how to listen to them? The Pillar's position is precarious because none of us have had our role explained by the Headmaster. I am lucky that my clan knew enough about Hogwarts to direct me to the Intendant when I became the Shield. According to Beò, there was a time when the Pillars rotated their attendance depending on the Conclave's agenda.
I can't help but feel that the Headmaster hoped to strengthen his power over Hogwarts by keeping us Pillars ignorant of our duties. I shudder when I think how differently the previous night could have ended if I had not taken my place in the Conclave as the Pillars' representative even though the Headmaster never mentioned I should–or even could–do so.
Yes, so many things could have gone wrong. I am so grateful for my clan's warnings. Dhaal is a truly wily Familiar, telling Drunek two weeks ago that Severus would be retrieving the Horcrux from Hogwarts soon, and then confirming the date of the night of the retrieval two days ago. It allowed the Intendant to make preparations, warning all magical beings and creatures living within Hogwarts boundaries not to help the Headmaster against the Protector unless specifically asked. It had been a tiring job to prevent any Wizard from interrupting the duel between the Protector and the Headmaster.
Making sure Hagrid would not be on the grounds had been a headache. We were fortunate that Pack Wandernd was able to entice him with a visit to the Romanian dragon reserve, and that Minerva authorised his stay over there.
I wonder if she suspects more than she lets on.
"I cannot wait for Hogwarts' new Headmaster!" adds Bearg. "This time, we might be able to renew the full Oath, with all the Pillars and representatives of Hogwarts' Magic included in the pledge!"
"Let's hope Hogwarts will choose better this time," grumbles Beò.
"Once bitten, twice shy," answers Phineas primly.
We all nod in agreement.
Beò speaks next.
"The Protector's House Elf, Tuei from Line Zawia, is a Kahu. She has agreed to teach two of mine to become Kahu so they can follow up when suspicions are raised that any student or their family possess lost House Elves."
Dumbledore subtly stalled or opposed far too many necessary actions that would have improved the status of most, if not all, magical beings here. We were all so blind. His words said "we are friends and equal and I will take care of you" but his actions and omissions, while subtle, tell a different tale.
"Isn't it quite the coincidence that the Protector's own House Elf is a Kahu?" asks Christophe suspiciously.
Beò sighs.
"The Council may have acted after hearing our Prophecy. They decided to take action for the first time in a long while, because not to act was too great a risk, while to act if not needed carried little or none. Tuei volunteered and does not regret it."
I look at the others and see the same surprise at his words. House Elves acting on a Prophecy. The times are truly changing.
"There is another urgent matter we must address, before another Headmaster is chosen and decides, once again, to keep Slytherin's Familiar prisoner under the pretext that he's the last defence in the event of an invasion of the Castle or worse, completely ignores Hogwarts when she tells him he needs to visit Baskos," states Stark.
"You're right, but we cannot just let Baskos out. You know he helped hide the wrongness in the Castle," answers Alvilda.
"He was confused," answers Phineas. "It reminded him of Salazar."
"That's exactly my point," replies Stark. "He doesn't have all his marbles anymore. Letting him out is dangerous. What if he goes to the Pahuu?"
A Basilisk is a dangerous creature. A mad one even more so. We cannot let Lord Voldemort use him. I could barely believe there was one living underneath the castle when Stark told me two years ago – and I can't help but wonder if he would have told me about Baskos if we had not officially allowed Werewolves students in Hogwarts.
We cannot just change Baskos' prison in Hogwarts for another one. After all, what would have any of us become, locked in for hundreds of years without anyone to talk to?
"I believe you are forgetting that Dumbledore is not here anymore," intervenes Christophe.
"What are you talking about? This is exactly why we're speaking of this," replies Alvilda.
Christophe smirks.
"Please. Without the shadow of Dumbledore over him, we know exactly who will pamper Baskos without letting him hurt anyone,... well, not too much."
Of course. Hagrid. Let's hope Fang does not have a heart attack.
"Isn't Hagrid prejudiced against Slytherins thanks to his Hogwarts' history and his gratitude to Dumbledore?" asks Bearg, concerned.
"He is in a general way, but put any hurting slytherin student in front of him and he will want to help him. I assure you that he will be beyond himself with a Basilisk to care for," replies Gilbert, chuckling softly to himself.
We discuss a few more matters before Beò signals the end of the meeting. The students are getting up soon, and each of us needs to get back to his mundane tasks of the day.
I agree with Gilbert. Hagrid is a gentle soul at heart, if misguided by his admiration for the wrong man. The fact that he is a huge fan of Severus is another matter that reassures me about his future willingness to help Baskos.
Hagrid truly likes the boy. He always spoke kindly of him, but I think he has grown even fonder of Severus now that he has returned. They are close enough that Severus is advising Hagrid on a private matter and has introduced him to Og from Tribe Cnoc, a Giant Councillor from Kyirong. I am quite curious to know what fruit this endeavour will bring to our young Protector.
Four hours later, I leave Hogwarts to meet with Hoardrock over lunch. I know he left much out of his briefing to me last night, with so little time to speak together as he needed to make arrangements to ensure that Dumbledore would remain in Grindelwald's tower.
That is a turn of event I may have misunderstood. Why imprison Dumbledore in that Dark Lord's tower?
From what I was told at the beginning of my mission, their history is complicated. If I remember correctly, Grindelwald integrated Hogwarts and the House of Slytherin in his seventh year, following his expulsion from Dumstrang for unlawful use of the Dark Arts. Then he declined to go back to Russia and instead went to live with his great aunt, Bathilda Bagshot, in Godric's Hollow. The Dumbledores lived next door, and while Albus Dumbledore was a few years older than Grindelwald, they became fast friends and bonded over their love and interest for Magic. They travelled the world together, to learn and study Magic, for several years before they had to come back to the United Kingdom after Dumbledore's mother's death. A few months later, they had a falling out, because of Grindelwald's addiction to the Dark Arts according to the rumours. The future Russian Dark Lord left to plot world domination while Dumbledore aimed to master Transfiguration. They only met again on that fateful day when Dumbledore won his duel against Grindelwald and made sure he was locked into his tower forever.
Why would my clan choose to put Dumbledore in the same prison as Grindelwald? It really makes no sense. There must be a lot more to the story that I am missing. After all, I know now that Dumbledore is not the knight in shining armour painted by his legend. Who knows what really happened between him and Grindelwald? From his behaviour these past years, the use of the Dark Arts may not have fazed the Headmaster. I am so curious.
I breathe deeply in the cold and slightly damp air, a perfect weather for my goblin side. A walk is just what I have been needing after all that has happened, though I keep my step brisk. Minerva has called for a faculty meeting early this afternoon, and something tells me I should not be late.
To think that only ten years ago, Severus was setting foot inside Hogwarts for the first time!
His genius was quickly noticed but none of us ever imagined how far he would go in such a short time. Clan Röykkiö's gamble has paid off far more than we expected it to.
To think I only learnt that he was a Prince on the day he was emancipated... It was such a shock to us. But it explained why Lord Malfoy was going to such lengths for the boy, offering to be his monetary caution…
No, I'm letting my inner Dumbledore talk. I may not have spent much time with Lord Malfoy and Severus, but the affection between them was genuine. Wirkrund admitted that he was impressed when the Lord refused to accept any Master who did not meet his criteria for Severus, even when they threatened to remove the Malfoys' business partner designation and privileges for interfering with Goblin "methods."
There were many things we were not aware of about Severus. The fact that the feud between him and the Marauders was a lot more serious than I knew. The fact that his homelife may not have been happy — and Augustus, how is it possible? He never says but the shame shining in his eyes the few times the subject was broached...
I admit I did not suspect anything was wrong either. The lad was happy and in good health during his first year, if a bit prickly and rough around the edges — the latter smoothing out as it always does for the first year Slytherins, though his tongue remained sharp. I think I noticed a change in his third year, when his appearance changed. I did not put much stock in it, between his growth spurt and puberty hitting… Horace also warned us that he had given him free reign of one of the labs, and we all know that the man does not know how to enforce a curfew. As for his clothes, well, youngsters like to make statements these days. My eyes did not open until the beginning of what would have been Severus' sixth year.
I remember that teachers meeting in perfect detail. Minerva had explained with a mix of surprise and anger that an irate Pettigrew had stormed into her office accusing Hogwarts of supporting the Ministry and giving unfair advantages to Muggleborns. The first example he had given of this so-called favouritism was the fact that only Muggleborns could access the school funds to help them pay for their clothes and school "things".
Of course, that was not true. We just don't make a point to write it in the non Muggleborns' Hogwarts letters because it's obvious. Improving Hogwarts, now that Dumbledore is away from her, will begin by questioning every obvious matter. And supporting Minerva in her effort to stop the Gryffindor bias Dumbledore seems to have slowly instilled into the thinking of most of the faculty, while he painted Slytherins as the bad House, and Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff as the inconsequential ones.
Minerva has many ideas about improving Hogwarts, some which were taken from Severus' proposals. From everything I hear about him here and there, I wonder when he finds the time to sleep. Hoardrock is certainly keeping him busy, pushing him to develop his House.
Speaking of my clansman, I suddenly realise I have arrived at the Procope, a café renowned for its French gastronomy and its privacy. I love goblin's traditional fare that reminds me of the innocent days of my childhood, yet, to celebrate, nothing beats the delicacy of a meal cooked by a French chef. Hoardrock is also quite fond of their pricey but smooth red wines.
My clansman is already seated and looking at the menu when I arrive. He offers me a smug smile.
"Yíngjiē, Filiem."
Hoardrock loves calling me by my childhood nickname. Filius the Fejedelem. Filiem. Why he persists when my brother is the one who will most certainly become the Jothaja of our clan in a few years is a mystery.
"Yíngjiē, Hardrock."
A name we gave him in our fifteenth year when his "rock hard head" won a head banging contest against a baby Erupent, while we were spending our holidays in Nanyuki with Tribe Mrefu. The baby's mother was not pleased as you can imagine. We continue to memorialise the event to this day despite his consternation.
I sit as he gives me another menu.
"Let's toast to your successful mission!" says Hoardrock with a toothy grin.
"And to our resourceful young ally!" I add, knowing very well Severus was the ace in our clan's strategy.
Hoardrock nods with enthusiasm.
"Yes, I must say I'm quite proud of myself for finding our gem."
I flicker my ears in mock warning.
"Don't forget who brought him to Gringotts first."
"It was a team effort," he agrees easily. "Too bad Clan Röykkiö reaped most of our hard work."
"Aren't they our allies?" I ask innocently.
"Not officially," answers Hoardrock.
"That won't last."
Soon, we'll be ready for the next phase of the plan. The time has come for Goblins to reach out to our magical brothers no matter their kind, instead of curling up on ourselves.
"True," says Hoardrock. "We've already reached out to Clan Röykkiö and their allies too many times to deny our alliance. We'll announce it by the end of the week."
"So, will you tell me what happened?" I ask, looking at him with my best unimpressed glare.
"So impatient, Filiem," he answers with a smirk. "But I agree, best tell you everything before the food comes."
French food might be considered sacred to Hoardrock.
"I must say, our Daoack possesses one big flaw. He never asks for help. Fortunately, Dhaal has other ideas when it comes to looking out for his Broer's safety. He came to Drunek as soon as he realised that Daoack would have difficulty retrieving the Horcrux from Hogwarts without getting caught. He did not tell us that they would retrieve a Horcrux, but we had strong suspicions," explained Hoardrock.
We were truly blessed Severus had found himself such a loyal Familiar. It makes me wonder if I should risk undertaking the Ritual. Hoardrock has told me several times that my wand and I were as ready as we could get. I just never saw the point of taking that risk. Until today.
"As you imagine, Drunek immediately warned me and Wirkrund. We had already looked into ways of supporting Daoack against Dumbledore when he began his Apprenticeship under Professor McGonagall, in the event Dumbledore tried to frame Daoack or use him. Drunek's knowledge of the shameful 'werewolf incident', incomplete that it was, as well as the constraining Oath we removed from Daoack's mind during his Trials had given us indication of where to begin looking."
"Why did you not tell me of this before?" I ask, a bit hurt to have been kept in the dark of such significant harm dealt to Severus by the Headmaster.
"We didn't want you to change your behaviour so close to the end," answered Hoardrock, looking at me sympathetically. "We knew it was only a matter of time before things came to a head. When Drunek warned us of what was happening, we had several old laws ready to use against Dumbledore. We reached out to Daoack's other allies to ensure they would also support us based on the notion that any and all necessary actions can be taken without explanations in order to save a nexus, even if those actions appear to be lawless. We were also ready to show that Dumbledore had misunderstood Daoack's actions because of his dislike for him, as proven by his past actions."
Hoardrock paused, humming thoughtfully.
"Daoack's allies did not require much convincing that Dumbledore was a danger to the Hogwarts nexus and to Daoack's attempts to save her. You know, that boy gathers loyal followers. He could be truly dangerous if he decided to turn to politics."
I laugh softly.
"He gathers these followers because he's not political. Remember, Magic and myself for sole limits."
He nods with a smile.
"You're right, of course. Anyway, it came in handy to cart Dumbledore off to Grindelwald's tower, especially based on the agreement and willing assistance given by the Headmaster's own phoenix Familiar. When we freed him from Daoack's restraints, we offered him a choice. Go to the mixed goblins-wizard court for his slights against Daoack and the Hogwarts nexus, or agree to be useful and spy on Grindelwald. We told him that we believed Grindelwald was plotting something and that we needed someone to watch him. Dumbledore was the only one up to the task. Richtigk and Renji were with me as I made the offer. As you imagine, Dumbledore quickly decided to become a spy."
"So he's currently living with Grindelwald in Nurmengard tower?" I asked, still having trouble believing this extraordinary turn of events.
"Yes. For now, they are busy exchanging curses and insults, from what the guards told us," answered Hoardrock. "But what is more interesting is that we may really need his reports on Grindelwald. Richtigk and I Sensed something weird in the nexus of the tower when we dropped off Dumbledore. I don't think we would have noticed anything if we had not been on high alert, waiting for Dumbledore to try playing us somehow. I will need to investigate the matter to determine whether we need to intervene."
I frown. Knowing my friend, it will not be something minor, though he seems confident that it won't blow up in our face in the next few days or we would not be having lunch right now.
"That's worrying. And quite a lucky coincidence."
"Not really," answers Hoardrock with a huge smirk. "We did not choose to lock Dumbledore in with Grindelwald simply by chance."
As he explains Severus' interpretation of the wizard Prophecy and Dumbledore's phoenix Familiar's reasoning, I cannot help but think we were either very lucky or truly guided by Magic.
PS: you had no doubt recognised Professor Flitwick :)