Chapter 32
09 Dec 2024
-oOo-
Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
-oOo-
A/N: I hope you enjoy this instalment. I will apologize now, this chapter got away from me in editing, so it will be next chapter to see the Karlsburg Preserve.
WolfgangNH
-oOo-
January 25, 1994
Isla Nublar, Costa Rica
The eight goblins sitting on the benches all looked distinctly green. It was a slightly rough ride on the chinook today from the mainland as a week storm system could be seen to their south.
Harry kept a close eye on them. Air travel was not agreeing with the little blighters, but they all wanted to get to the island as soon as possible. This was the first time in known memory that any of the Underdwellers had gone this far from their mountains or been this in the open in many years.
Yvonne and Simmons didn't seem to mind them.
Apparently, they had been around Harry and magic enough to just accept it.
The pilots were not pleased to see them when they had transferred from the private jet to the chinook. Because of the cabinets and how many there were, the large transport helicopter had been sent for them. They had considered the boat, but decided they didn't want to wait three days in Costa Rica and then another two days at sea. And the air strip couldn't accommodate an aircraft large enough to fit all three cabinets and the eight goblins and six humans all at once.
Perhaps they needed a larger air strip? Harry thought to himself.
If it could have taken larger planes they wouldn't have needed to stop in Costa Rica. The typical private jets InGen used would land here now. The larger passenger jet that had been chartered for this trip could not.
"We'll be landing in ten minutes at the airfield," the voice of the pilot came over the headset.
"Ten more minutes," Sirius called out to the others.
Rrunlung nodded. A few other goblins tightened their grip on the edge of the seat.
Sirius leaned over and Harry took the headset off one ear. "I'm going to warn Muldoon to not piss them off. They don't look well," he said loud enough into his ear so Sirius could be heard over the noise of the rotors.
"As long as Muldoon has cleared the field, I think it will be alright. I think they need to touch solid ground for a few before we take them inland," Harry replied.
Sirius nodded.
When he could see the island out the window, Harry felt a tension in him release. He hadn't even noticed it, but even from a few miles out, he could sense the land. He also felt his magic reaching out. It wanted his mate and his familiar. They had left the morning of January ninth and now it was the morning of the twenty-fifth.
Harry enjoyed traveling. He had never been able to do anything like this before. Even so, there was something to be said about going home.
The fact he had a place he called home had him smirking. Sirius grinned, guessing at his godson's thoughts. His own were a bit on his own blonde.
As the Chinook bumped when it landed, he noticed Ccackpol swallowing hard. The goblins were a proud race that didn't like to show any weakness.
"We're here," Sirius announced. He undid the harness to stand up.
"It will be good to see my daughters and wife," Anders said.
One of the goblins, Rackfist, fell out off the bench as he lifted the latch to his harness. Bloodfang took his knife out and cut the straps after getting frustrated with the latch. Uncharacteristically, none of them said anything to Rackfist. Rrunlung just sat, her eyes closed and looked to be fighting down her own gorge.
Ccackpol got shakily to his feet. "If you ever have us leave the ground again, I'll gut you myself," he growled through the translation medallion.
Sirius gave the goblin a snarky salute. "Will do."
Harry gave him a 'really!' type of look.
Ccackpol growled at him.
The rotors were slowing down. Looking out the window, Harry could see a few jeeps, a transport truck and a small bus usually used by the construction crews. A half dozen workers, Mr Hammond, Mrs Murphy, Muldoon, Dr Bones and Lex were there.
Harry's heart jumped to see his hot blonde in a pink skirt and white top.
The back gate lowered.
"All out who's getting out," Sirius told them.
Harry led the way. The goblins quickly found their feet as they trudged down the other side of the crates. "Don't go too far until we show you around," Harry warned their guests.
Ccackpol narrowed his eyes. "I am not a child."
Harry shrugged. "Don't complain when the lizards eat you."
Pthilwick scoffed. "There are no lizards that could do that. There aren't even any dragons left."
"You didn't tell them?" Harry asked towards Sirius and Mr Greengrass as he stepped in next to the vice-captain.
"We did," Mr Greengrass said.
Ccackpol grinned. "The council did not want to cause a stir. It was not widely announced. I have a bet with my father that one of them will be eaten."
Rrunlung came up beside them. "What is this? A bet I was unaware of?"
The other goblins gave Ccackpol nasty looks.
As they approached the others, Mr Hammond was looking at the goblins with his usual congenial smile. The man didn't hold a prejudice bone in his body. Muldoon was eyeing them as one warrior would another. Mrs Murphy looked taken aback and had taken a step back. Dr Bones was curious.
Harry's eyes met Lex's. She was staring at the goblins, her eyes a little wide and a hand on the tip of her wand.
"Welcome," Mr Hammond said as he stepped forwards. "I'm glad you could accept our hospitality. I'm John Hammond, the mind behind the island you just stepped on to."
He held out his hand. Harry wanted to hit his forehead. They had warned against that. Ccackpol stood unmoving while a few others shifted uncomfortably.
"Mister Hammond, they don't shake hands," Harry reminded him.
Sirius chuckled. "I wanted to see how that would play out."
Ccackpol put his left hand on the wilt of his dagger while raising his right hand.
"Oh, right. Right," Mr Hammond said. He held up his right hand. "How did that go again? I come with palm open to greet the nations."
Ccackpol took his hand off his dagger. "I, Ccackpol, vice-captain of the Gringotts's clan and son to the king, come with palm open to greet the ruler of these lands."
The other goblins did the same, introducing themselves. "I, Rrunlung, Master rune crafter and matron of the Errol clan, come with open palm."
Pthilwick was of the Errol clan, while Rackfist and Bloodfang were from Gringotts and Rockclaw, Spurnick and Earsplitter were from the Rothgurls.
Getting that this was the proper thing to do, the others introduced themselves. Lex finally looked into his eyes before stepping forward. She seemed to have gotten over her initial shock and was now questioning him without saying a word.
He wanted to go over and snog her senseless, but this was one time for them both to act older.
Mr Hammond clapped his hands together. The sound had most of the goblins jumping for their weapons.
Harry hung his head.
Sirius stepped forward. "Right. How about we take them for the tour, get them settled and then have dinner together?"
He gave Anders a look. "Maybe you can help them understand?"
"I can do that. Come on Karl," Anders said.
"Yvonne, if you don't mind," Sirius said to her.
"Can I come with you?" Lex asked.
Harry grinned, holding his hand out to her. "Please." He didn't want to be separated from her anymore.
Rrunlung looked to them. "Is this a courting ritual?" she asked looking as Lex grabbed his hand and then gave him a peck on the lips.
Harry grinned. "Something like that."
Rackfist grimaced. "Just bed the female and be done with it."
Lex's hand tightened on his.
Pthilwick eyed the goblin. "Not all clans treat their females that way."
"They are part of the horde, just like us. There is no need for attachment," Rackfist shot back.
"Enough," Ccackpol demanded. He said something in their guttural language and the six warriors fell into two-by-two lines and at parade attention. "Swordblighter, your traditions are your own. You have respected ours. We will do the same."
The goblin prince gave the others a hard glare.
Harry nodded his head. "We will respect you," Harry told them.
"If you will, we can take the short bus and show you around," Sirius said as the others got into the jeeps. Muldoon was hanging back with them.
"The cabinets must be secured first," Rrunlung said.
"Our workmen are experts," Muldoon told her.
"I will not let them out of my sight before we have made the exchange," the older goblin told him.
"What if Yvonne or someone stays here with Rrunlung? We can meet them at the compound in an hour or two?" Harry suggested.
Muldoon scratched his chin. "That might work. I am coming with you."
"Sure."
Sirius led Ccackpol and the others towards the bus while Lex pulled on his hand. They fell behind the others. Whispering into his ear she said, "I didn't really believe you."
Harry kissed her forehead. "You aren't the only one to not believe without seeing it. Just be careful what you say for the moment. We are their allies, but they will challenge anyone that threatens them or their honour."
Her hand squeezed his harder. "What does that mean?"
"Well, I've already had to fight twice," he told her.
Her eyes widened. "What do you mean fight?"
He bumped her hip. "Well, I may have a new scar or two."
Her eyes narrowed. It wasn't anger, but she wasn't pleased either. "Harry Potter, what did you get into this time?"
He grinned at her. "I'll tell you about it later. I may even let you kiss them."
She huffed, giving him a glare. "At least you didn't come back in a cast this time."
Muldoon was talking with the goblin prince as they approached the bus. "I wouldn't call them dragons, but they can be big. Some are small, like chickens."
"Yeah, if you see the little compys about, don't try to pet them. They'd think your fingers were sausages," Harry told them. "Muldoon, I want to go by Rexy." He was missing the big lug.
Muldoon shook his head as Sirius grinned.
The goblins didn't look to believe them.
Lex sat next to him towards the back of the short bus, one hand in his with the other on his leg. "I missed you," she whispered as the bus started.
He leaned his forehead against hers. "I missed you too. How was everything here?"
"Boring without you. We did all the practices you left us. Hermione is doing some magic on her own now. I told her that you didn't want her doing that without you being here. The tutors are boring. I can't get the translation and transcription program working the way I want it. We went out to Isla Matanceros. It's really pretty there and the bay is going to be really nice. Did I mention it was boring without you?" she told him, moving to peck him on the lips.
Harry grinned. "I never caught that it was boring. Was it boring?"
She gave a soft giggle. "Idiot," she said rather affectionately.
They were lost in their own world as the bus approached the allosaur paddock. Coming in from the airfield instead of the mid-island landing pad meant they didn't approach the valley first. Harry didn't really pay attention to Muldoon and Sirius talking with the goblins.
Harry gave her a broader grin. "You know me."
"I do, unfortunately," she replied.
"Oi!" He tickled her and she laughed.
"Is this some human mating ritual?" Spurnick, one of the guards, asked to another.
"It is rather horrifying to watch," Rackfist answered.
Harry lifted his head to glare at the goblins. "What I do with my girlfriend is not horrifying."
Spurnick had a dubious look while Rackfist had a slight uptick to his mouth. Ccackpol turned to them. "I have seen how you both courted your mates. It was equally horrifying. Swordblighter has earned his privacy."
The two guards bowed their heads to their leader.
"Here is the allosaurus pad," Sirius said with a flourish. "Right, it is an allosaurus?"
Muldoon shook his head. "Yes."
He looked out the window, spotting one of them standing on the edge of the forest looking at the bus. The goblins quieted down and moved to their side. They muttered something in the goblin tongue that didn't translate with the medallions.
Ccackpol fingered his axe. "A wingless dragon," he stated. "And you let it live?"
"The fences are quite effective at containing them when the power is on. Otherwise, we have methods to capture them. We only kill them when necessary," Muldoon said.
The goblins regarded the monster. "Does it breathe fire or something else?" Spurnick enquired.
"Nothing like that. The only ones that spit a poison is Dilophosaurus," Muldoon answered.
Lex put her chin on his shoulder to look at the carnivore. "I still like them better than the raptors."
He squeezed her hand. "How are Owen's raptors doing?"
Harry was concerned about them.
She moved in closer so that her chest was pressing into his back. Which was something he rather liked and missed. Her hand wandering further up his leg was sending hot jolts through him as well. "They ate up Sirius's boots."
Harry winced. "The dragonhide ones he had from the other place?"
"Yeah," she said.
"He's going to kill them," Harry replied. He did not like the little things, but they were Owens familiars, well, at least Blue was. He was unsure about the others.
"Owen is really afraid of that. Mister Arnold has a cage being built for them in the Compound. It should be done in a few weeks," she replied.
He frowned. "They won't like that either. There isn't that much room there."
"Owen wants to let them run free when we move to Isla Matanceros," she told him.
The bus started to move.
Harry sighed. He wanted to do the same with Rexy. He was also thinking the island could become another preserve with goblin help. "We'll see."
"Susie wants to give the town a name. I think we all do," she told him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and she slumped to put her head onto his chest as the bus bumped about.
Merlin, he had missed her more than he thought. It appeared Lex wanted to be as close to him as he wanted to be to her. "I think we should."
"A few of us were thinking Hogsmeade or New Hogsmeade, since that is where you and Sirius came from," she said.
He felt touched and sad about that at the same time. "Maybe."
It hurt a little too much to think about the near extinction of magic and everything that was lost.
They quietly talked as the bus went around the island. The goblins were getting more worked up, meaning they wanted to hunt, as they saw more and more of the large beasts. By the time they made it to the tyrannosaur paddock, they were ready to attack something. Except for when they used to train dragons, goblins and dragons never got along. The dragons would always be trying to get to their gold hordes while the goblins would hunt them for their body parts. It was an equal hate-hate relationship.
This restlessness was played out when the bus stopped, and the door opened.
"We are just letting Harry and Lex… wait, you need to stay on the bus," Muldoon told them, moving to stand in the way.
"Robert, I wouldn't," Sirius warned him.
"I have been in contraptions too much the last two days," Ccackpol griped, leading the others out.
Harry gave Sirius a look, who returned a shrug. Making sure his sword was ready if he needed it, he got up when Lex stood and held a hand out to him. "Shouldn't I be doing that?"
"Then you sit in the aisle next time," she told him with a grin.
Harry hadn't really noticed how agitated the goblins were getting, too lost in his time with Lex. As they went to step out of the bus, Sirius took his arm. He made sure he had their attention. "Be careful. They are riled up. I thought the dinosaurs would be different enough from dragons to not bring up that unpleasantness, but they are seeing them as dragons."
"Well, shite," Harry said.
"What does that mean?" Muldoon asked.
"They may draw blades before anything else," Sirius told them.
"Great. If they do anything to Rexy I won't go easy on them," Harry replied.
"I'll do my best to keep them back," Sirius told them. "Do you have tranquilizers in that?"
"It only holds three," Muldoon replied.
"It's better than nothing," Sirius said. Like Harry, Sirius was weary to draw a wand on a goblin. Even though these didn't seem to have the same aversion, as the goblin-wizard wars were starting to fade from the collective memory, they still didn't want to risk it. Not to mention, like most magical folk, they had slight protection from most magics. It might take a stunner or three to put one of the goblins down when in a battle rage.
Getting out of the bus, the eight goblins had scattered a little, all of them happy to be moving. The goblins were not a sedentary type of people. A few had drawn weapons to practice, while Ccackpol, Rackfist and Pthilwick were looking at the fence. Pthilwick sniffed the air, and his lip curled up a bit.
Harry was on guard and made sure Lex was on his far side from the goblins. A flock of birds took off from the jungle. All the goblins stopped what they were doing and turned towards the paddock. "Well, fuck," Harry muttered.
Muldoon moved a little closer to them and Sirius made sure the strap over the hilt of his blade was free.
"What is in there?" Rackfist growled.
"My familiar," Harry told them, giving them all a hard look. Ccackpol reached for his axe. Harry looked towards the tree line. He could see Rexy poking his head out from the foliage. Romilda was watching them from just inside the foliage. She was the larger of them, but Rexy was starting to assert his dominance, even if he was only twelve feet high to her twenty when standing tall. He was still two feet taller than when Harry had originally bonded. By this time next year, he would probably be eighteen feet if he kept growing and might top out just a bit taller than Romilda.
Harry stepped towards the cage. He roared out at Rexy. The goblins all drew out their weapons. Rexy stepped out before responding. The roar was one of challenge.
The goblins moved into a position that would allow them to fight close but move out of the way when needed.
"Stand down," Harry told them.
Ccackpol said something in the harsh goblin tongue. Harry reached for his sword. He may not know what they said, but the intention was obvious.
Muldoon withdrew his air pistol. Sirius swore while Lex pulled her wand. Rexy took a few threatening steps to see the little blighters threatening Harry.
"This isn't a dragon," Sirius said. "No need for violence."
"This is a danger we cannot let live," Bloodfang said.
"Rexy is my familiar. If you don't threaten him, me or Lex, he won't eat you," Harry warned. He drew out the Sword of Gryffindor. Each of the goblins knew he could handle it. They also knew he had learned, sort of, how to control his magic to increase his speed to match theirs.
There was a tense standoff as Rexy moved closer, growling all the time. Let me tear them, Rexy said.
He was surprised to hear Romilda growl as well. Dangerous things.
He growled back. Do not attack them unless they attack us.
Rexy growled his dissatisfaction, and Harry wasn't sure he would listen.
Ccackpol took in a deep breath. A deep scowl was on his face. "Swordblighter, this is a goblin-eater. How can you defend it?"
"He is my friend," Harry shot back.
"Swordblighter talked with it," Pthilwick said. He was the first to take a step back, lowering his sword to point towards the ground, but not sheathing it. Earsplitter, his clansman, did the same. The others still looked ready to attack as Rexy approached the gate.
Harry took a step back. Lex was next to him. Easy, Rexy. They are not going to hurt us, Harry growled back.
Let me eat one. They smell like beef, Rexy said.
Harry fought down an insane laugh. When he was close enough, Harry reached behind him. Rexy dipped his head down to put his muzzle on Harry's palm. The action calmed them both down. Ccackpol looked at him with a little bit of surprise.
Lex put a hand onto his sword hand, then gently pushed it down. "Maybe we all just need to put our swords down," she told him.
Harry eyed the six goblins. Rackfist and Bloodfang still looked ready to fight. Ccackpol huffed before lowering his axe. "We will let this one live for you, Swordblighter. Do not request another favour."
After a moment, Harry dipped his head. The others lowered their weapons.
"Perhaps we should get to the compound and get you your bunks?" Sirius said, still sounding tense.
Ccackpol snarled. "I am not getting back into any contraption."
Harry could tell the others were of the same opinion.
Muldoon looked to Sirius. "We can walk. All the fences are fully operational."
Sirius let his shoulders slump a little. "Yeah, a walk would probably do well." He slid his sword into his scabbard. He looked to Harry. "You coming or staying?"
"I'm staying for a bit. We'll apparate back."
Muldoon put his tranq-gun away as the goblins moved a little way off. They hadn't put their weapons away, but they didn't look murderous anymore. He looked at his watch while still keeping an eye on the goblins. "It's just after two. Dinner is at the compound about six."
"We'll be there," Lex said.
"Muldoon, radio ahead and have Owen hide the raptors," Harry told him. Muldoon pursed his lips before going into the bus.
Rexy was still growling out his displeasure at the little odd men. Romilda had walked into the centre of the enclosure, watching over them.
The bus driver left, and Harry didn't fully relax until Sirius and Muldoon hiked off with the goblins.
He let out a long breath. The tension in his shoulders dropped. Lex let out an uncertain laugh. "Well, that was exciting."
Harry nervously chuckled. "Yeah. Real entertaining. I didn't think they would be that bad. Oi, you ruddy big chicken," Harry cried out as Rexy's snout reached through the gate enough to nudge his shoulder. Harry stumble two steps before spinning around.
You left me, Rexy accused.
I told you I was going away for a bit, he growled back. Lex looked curious at them. Harry motioned to the tyrannosaur like it was a bad behaving dog. "The big baby is complaining that I was gone too long."
She gave him a genuine smile. "This time I agree with him."
Rexy huffed. Harry moved up to pet his snout. I didn't know we would be gone so long. I have ways that you can join me on some of these adventures soon.
This mollified his overgrown chicken. Lex wrapped her arms around his waist as he put his head against Rexy's snout and wrapped his free arm around her shoulders.
Coming home was the best feeling in the world.
-oOo-
January 26, 1994
Isla Nublar, Costa Rica
The last month had been a whirlwind for one Dora Tonks.
She had been asked to come with Dr Grant to Jurassic Park for a few months of research before it opened. Being a graduate student in palaeontology, it was a dream come true. When she had first seen the parasaurolophus moving in herds, she had fallen in love.
When she was a young girl, she had always wanted the dinosaur toys, not the dolls. Her father had indulged her, and her mother always added in any type of fantasy beast she could. Dragons and tyrannosaurs fought each other as much as the knights fought them both.
It wasn't odd to see a pterodactyl stealing someone while a triceratops riding wizard would save them.
As she grew older, she lost some of the thrill of those old fairy tales her mother used to tell her. They became as stiff as a corpse the day her parents died when she was fifteen. Her mother's cousin had adopted her, helping her to fully learn to control her emotions. Then she had gone to college, focusing on her biology, computer science and natural history courses before being accepted into one of the top palaeontology programs in the world. The move to the United States had allowed her to flee from the memory of her lost family, only keeping in touch with her aunt. Now she was determined to be the top in her field, like her advisor, Doctor Grant.
A plan that was going along very well.
That was until she had found her long thought dead uncle.
But he wasn't really her uncle.
She was told what she did with her hair was magic.
But magic wasn't real. Right? It was all just hand slights and mirrors.
But it was.
Her hair and the reaction to the sticks couldn't be explained any other way.
She had been told there were real dragons, wizards and sea serpents.
But she had lost all those toys and dreams years ago.
Even seeing what Sirius and the others could do, she hadn't fully bought into it yet. It just seemed too fantastical for her more scientific mind. Refusing to take up a wand, but wanting to know more about her ability, she had started to spend time with Sirius, Harry and Lex. Then they had gone away for a bit.
With them gone, she had avoided the others and had worked her way into a state of denial.
It hurt too much to think that her Uncle Sirius and her parents could have been murdered over this secret.
Then, last night, she had met the little men and her already topsy turvy world really flipped on its head.
Dora was convinced she was going mental. She had thought them just people with dwarfism. Was that a mistake saying something like that? How was she to know the little men, goblins, did not like being compared to dwarves?
Their dislike of dwarves had been made very evident by the splitting headache she was suffering.
Laying on the couch in the apartment she was given, she called out, "It's open," when a knock came at her door.
When it opened, a grey-eyed man poked his head in. "Are you up?"
She rolled her eyes. This man was just as much a prankster as the uncle she remembered. It was nice to find she still had family, but it was still a little odd at times too. "No. I'm sleeping."
"Oh, good. Then I'm not bothering you. Doctor Rose is with me, if you don't mind us bothering you," Sirius said.
"Come on in. Grab me that paracetamol on the table, will you?" she requested.
The doctor came in with Sirius. "How is the head today?"
"Still a splitting headache," she replied.
Doctor Rose 'tsked'. "I suspect it will hurt for the next day or two. You have a good-sized bump on your head."
"Yeah. What the bloody hell was that all about anyways?" she shot at Sirius.
Sirius rubbed the back of his neck as he put down a glass of water and the bottle on the stand next to the sofa. "I tried to warn everyone that they don't take kindly to insults."
"So, the blighters just go around hitting everyone with the butt of their axes?" she demanded.
"Well, not usually, but they were still worked up about seeing the dinosaurs. They think the big ones are dragons, and dragons and goblins do not have a good history," Sirius told her. "Dwarves and goblins don't either."
"I still can't believe all this," Dr Rose said. "I mean dinosaurs are one thing. I've seen what Harry, Sirius and the others can do. That doesn't seem that preposterous with dinosaurs. But those little men? Then they called me to look at you last night… I had the fright of my life."
The middle-aged woman was clearly out of sorts.
Dora snorted in mirth. "Yeah."
Sirius grinned as he looked at the egg on Dora's head.
"When they were hosting us, they were not as violent. Like I said, they were agitated from the dinosaurs, the flight and driving around the island. They really only use small animals like ponies, or mine carts to move around," Sirius explained.
Dora huffed. "I didn't know I was offending them. I was only going to the compound to find Harry."
Sirius cocked his head. "Why?"
"I was hoping to get measurements of the tyrannosaur, if he could get me close enough without it eating me," she told him. "I need them for my models."
"Huh," Sirius remarked. "I thought Doctor Wu had measurements on everything?"
"We are not allowed to access some of those files," Dora told him.
Sirius frowned. "Did you ask John or someone about it?"
"We were told some of the data is a trade secret. We are allowed to take our own measurements though. Did that bloody thing need to hit me?"
"Keep icing it every twenty minutes or so. You don't have any signs of a concussion. You can take up to two Tylenol pills, three times a day," Doctor Rose instructed.
"Bril. Thank you, Doctor Rose," she said.
"Any time. I want you to visit the infirmary tomorrow so I can just make sure you're ok," the woman replied.
When she left, Sirius took a seat at the small table.
Dora lay her head back down and put the ice back on her head. She closed her eye lids as the light was hurting them. "Everything you've been telling me about is real, isn't it?"
"Do you want me to tell you it's all make believe and last night you just hit a tree branch?"
"That would make it easier."
Sirius chuckled. When he spoke again, he sounded far graver. "Dora, I know this has probably been a lot for you, but I need you to stop pretending it isn't real."
She tilted her head towards the table and opened her eyes. He was leaning over, his elbows on his knees, fingers pressed together and his grey eyes staring at her. She pursed her lips.
"There are things I haven't told you yet because I didn't want to overwhelm you. I'm sorry that I had to go away the last few weeks, but you need to know this," he said.
There was a sinking feeling in her gut. "Did you find out what happened to my parents?"
She hadn't realized that she was questioning whether the accident they had been in was something more.
"Not that I know of, but Muldoon and John have some people looking into it. Listen, Dora, you need to know what we have found out about the church, what happened to the other witches and wizards and why the goblins and a few others are so important and why they act like they do. If you decide that you don't want anything to do with us after you know, that's fine. I hope you stay with us, though," Sirius told her.
Dora frowned. "Couldn't we do this when I don't have a headache?"
"We need to do this now. I wanted to do this two weeks ago, but Harry and I had to leave to meet the goblins rather unexpectedly. You need to start training with a wand. In my time, you could do more than just morph your hair. Something extremely dangerous is going on and we need to help all those with magic we can," Sirius told her.
Dora closed her eyes and sank her head back into the pillow.
"I talked with Lex and Lynne a few times while you were gone. I think I've learned what has happened," she said. "I don't… I don't know if I want to be involved."
"Did Lynne tell you that Hermione and Lex were kidnapped in November by a secret Order in the church and Lex was about to be tortured if she didn't convert?" Sirius said, dropping a bombshell.
She snapped her head over to the side, her eyes locking on his grey ones. "What!"
Sirius was the gravest she had seen him yet. "In November, Lex went to see Hermione in England. When she got there, they were attacked by men from a secret Order. They were taken to a place in Wales, and we had to save them."
Her mouth dropped open.
"Muldoon just informed us that a group left on a hike not far from a magical preserve we were at. They were reported to have guns, and they were the same group that kidnapped Lex and Hermione. I rescued Owen from the same group. He had been given to them and for three months they starved, beat and did what they could to make him become one of them. Dora, there is an incredibly good chance that your uncle and parents were killed by the same group," Sirius told her.
She swallowed.
"They are hunting wizards and all magic. When they find it, they destroy it if you don't join. I'm sorry to keep this from you." Sirius ducked his head a little.
She just stared at him. After a moment, she moved her mouth a few times before saying, "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because you looked overwhelmed," Sirius told her. "Lynne told me to ease you into all this. I would have just told you everything up front."
"Bloody fuck," she said, groaning as she turned her head back and put an arm over her eyes. "Docter Bones says that my magical levels where like half of yours."
"From what we can tell, that is plenty strong enough to use a wand," he told her.
If what he was saying was true, then she wondered what would happen if she was found? Would she be killed like the rest of her family. Only her great-aunt was left.
She let out a long breath. "I want to study dinosaurs, not learn magic tricks."
"You can do both," Sirius told her.
"But I have to go back to the university in April," she told him.
"We can find a way to make this work. We are doing that with everyone else. Lex wants to go to university. I'm sure Harry will follow her or find a way to be close to her most of the time. I'm sure Hermione and Charlotte wants too as well. We aren't trying to cut ourselves off from the normal world, and enough know our secret because of how we got here that I'm surprised none of the workers have told anyone," Sirius told her.
"You said you can't help me control my changing ability," she said in one last act of defiance.
"I honestly don't know. You've seen the books we've been able to collect. I'm sure Lynne or Lex or Hermione will be able to show you anything they find on being a Metamorphmagus. I'm just trying to protect you. I'm know I'm not your real uncle, but besides Harry, you are the only family I have left," Sirius said. Besides Lynne and John, no one else knew of his relation to Lex.
" Fine. Give me a wand," she snapped. She knew she had some of her mother's temper at times.
Sirius gave her a smirk. "It will work out, Dora."
"I hope so."
-oOo-
February 3, 1994
The Vatican City, Italy
Cardinal Richelieu was going over the latest reports from Father Reginald.
The investigations into the burning of the abbey in Wales in November had led the man to Bethmale, France. Twenty of their order had gone with him on an expedition that should have reported back by now. Even in the wintertime, an expedition like this should not have taken more than two weeks.
Flipping through a few other reports, he didn't like the conclusions that Father Reginald was coming up with.
The events leading up to this seemed to start with the founding and relocation of two girls. Hermione Granger was a known infidel that the Order had been monitoring for a few months before the parents finally asked for help. If they hadn't their doctrine would have had them intervening after the local priest had observed something strange in her.
The day they were to retrieve the Granger girl, a group that included Alexis Murphy and Sir Benjamin Lockwood visited. Both were linked to InGen and this new Jurassic Park the entire world was frothing over. His Order had looked into it, then discarded the dinosaurs. Perhaps they should look into them gain?
Even besides the dinosaurs, Murphy knew how to use magic and had a wand.
Not in decades had they found wanded individuals, especially ones that knew how to use them. Now, they had identified three, Sirius Black, Hermione Granger and Alexis Murphy, and at least one other. He looked at the photographs.
Black was a taller man with black hair and grey eyes. He was a strong individual that had a battle-hardened look to him. He seemed to know what he was doing and had been linked to a few events in the Washington, D.C. area since last April and had been seen with InGen personnel all over Europe in the last few months.
Granger was just a thirteen-year-old girl. She had a wand, but obviously didn't know how to use it. That probably meant it was passed down through the family, like most wands they still found.
The last one, the unknown boy, was the one that bothered him the most.
The picture showed a boy of about seventeen. He wasn't the tallest, but he was obviously fit. In each of the pictures, the boy's eyes were constantly looking around as though he was expecting danger. Where Black had a battle-hardened demeanour, this black-haired, green-eyed boy had a predatory look to him.
There was something extremely dangerous about him.
Even so, Father Reginald had enough evidence to suggest that everything here pointed towards InGen.
The other reports about the company were relatively humdrum. It was a biomedical firm that specialized in rare treatments and had been highly successful. It was rumoured to be on the cutting edge of genetic research and had even found ways to exploit that into cloning. The advertisements for Jurassic Park were proof enough.
Father Reginald had attended the unveiling of a living dinosaur.
The initial reports indicated that it was pure science. The church and Order may not like it, but they didn't speak out against it.
Looking at the bevy of papers on his desk from Father Reginald and the late Father Ricardo, he was realizing that something larger than the Order had dealt with in many years was happening.
It was very worrying.
Father Reginald and Ricardo were some of their top members. The Americas were still a relative hotbed for new activity, so most of their Order was focused over there. The inquisitors and brothers were often their more experienced field operatives because of it.
To lose Father Ricardo had been a blow.
If Father Reginald did not check in within the next few days, then they would have to assume he was gone. As were the twenty brothers with him.
That was a blow they could not afford. Twelve had died in Wales already. They had about a hundred and ten brothers trained to fight the infidels, with about four hundred others of varying degrees of skills. To lose thirty-two of their order was a significant blow.
He wasn't sure the last time they had suffered so much?
He tapped his finger on his desk.
The Order was going to have to investigate this, whether the pope sanctioned it or not. He would put the Washington, D.C. diocese on alert and would personally travel there. Father Castelli would investigate Bethmale and the rumours of Beauxbatons.
He may not have known, but Cardinal Richelieu found himself wishing they still had the armies the Inquisition once possessed. Perhaps they could convince the pope to let them use the Papal Guards? That should be more than fifteen hundred men.
The council would need to meet before he left as well. The cardinals needed to convince the pope of the danger of what has been found.
-oOo-
February 6, 1994
Isla Sorna, Costa Rica
Harry was excited to be out of the classroom today. The last week-and-a-half Lex and his tutors had been trying to catch him up on the lessons he had missed while away with the goblins. Besides his time with Rexy, he had spent truly little time with his true passion.
Dinosaurs.
Ccackpol and Rrunlung had gone back to Rothsnarg using the doors. Lex, Astoria and Hermione had taken to the surly old goblin matron who had taken it on herself to start teaching them the true secrets of runes. Harry was a good student, but those two took to it like a mermaid to water.
The old biddy was so impressed with them, that the three of them were to use the Vanishing Cabinets once a week to attend lessons. The ones he made with Rrunlung were still working and would be installed once they had a secure spot on Isla Matanceros.
Names for the town were being discussed. Bay Town, Ocean's Edge, Mage Tower and others were being batted around, but none seemed to really be taking hold.
That wasn't his concern today, though.
The helicopter was coming into the landing pads on Isla Sorna. They were collecting the last of the species that would in Jurassic Park when it opened. Dr Harding, Dr Grant, Dora and Simon Howl were with them today. They wouldn't be going near the labs, only out to the paddocks.
"How any species are there on this island?" Simon loudly enquired.
"That is a bit of a secret," Muldoon told them.
"I've heard you once had velociraptors," Simon replied. "I would love to see them."
Simon, and most of the others, hadn't yet been made aware of Owen's familiars, who were now the size of a basset hound. In another year, they would be as tall as Owen. "We are not breeding anymore for now," Muldoon told him.
That was one thing Harry agreed with. Until they understood what was going on with the current pack, Mr Hammond had put a stop to anymore.
"Is it true that oviraptors have feathers?" Dora enquired.
Harry grinned. They had only invited them along today, so none of the others knew much about what was going on yet.
"Yeah. They are rather brilliant to look at," Harry told them.
"How so?" Dr Grant asked.
"Well, they are mostly green, like a parrot, but with white and brown patterns on the tips," Harry told them.
"They aren't true feathers, but close enough," Dr Harding said.
"How do they act? The fossil records indicate they like to eat eggs," Dora questioned.
Harry had to admit he didn't know as much about the oviraptors as the others on Isla Nublar. He had been rather busy lately.
Dr Harding replied. "They like eggs, but not as much as small rodents and some fruits and tubers. They are omnivores. We've also observed them building nests, though no egg laying."
"Fascinating," Simon replied.
The helicopter came in with a soft jostle as it landed.
The teams were already waiting for them with a transport truck, four cages and two jeeps to follow them out. "Where is the other team?" Muldoon enquired as soon as he got out.
A man in an overall replied, "Already out at the paddock. Doctor Quincy is out there with them and wanted to get them tranquilized as we headed over."
Dr Harding looked a little concerned. "I thought we were going to observe them first? I'm not very familiar with the oviraptors yet."
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know," the man said.
"What's the issue?" Dr Grant asked.
Harry looked out towards the interior of the island. This was unusual for their normal routine of retrieving new dinosaurs.
"Just a change in our schedule," Muldoon told them. "Let's get into the vehicles."
Harry climbed into the second jeep with Dora and Dr Harding.
Harry was still a little uncomfortable around the young woman with bright blue hair today. He had been rather close with her before going through the veil. A closeness that hadn't yet to show itself.
For once, she leaned over to him as they passed through the gates to the paddocks. "I always feel like we are going to get attacked when we go through those gates."
Harry shrugged. "The dinosaurs aren't bad. They are just creatures. If you leave them alone, they tend to leave you alone."
She didn't look convinced. Her eyes focused on something on the other side of Harry. "Is that…?"
He turned to look. The larger of the Cryolophosaurus was standing in the sun watching them trundle by. "A Cryolophosaurus? Yeah. They considered taking them over instead of the Allosaurus, but thought they were still immature," he told her.
"They are beautiful," she said, her head turning to follow them.
He had to agree. As much as he was cautious of the carnivores, the colourful crest was spectacular to look at. They passed a few more paddocks before stopping at one in the centre of the island before the paddocks ended.
When they pulled up, Muldoon and Dr Harding were already out of the vehicle.
"You were supposed to wait. How long have they been under?" Dr Harding demanded.
A man Harry had seen in the labs looked at his watch. "About forty minutes. We thought you were supposed to be here earlier."
"And what are their vitals?" Dr Harding pushed passed the man. The man wasn't usually this worked up.
"What's going on?" Dora asked getting out besides him.
"A disagreement between the lab and the park," Harry said. He had seen this a few times now. The staff of the lab listened more to Dr Wu, while those on Jurassic Park listen more to Hammond and Muldoon.
"They are stable for now," the other man said.
"You know that Hammond will not be pleased if something happens with this transfer," Dr Harding snapped. Harry moved to the gates as they opened. The half dozen oviraptors were surrounded by a few workers. The ones with the crates were already unloading them with a forklift.
"This is just as incredible as the other island. Did you see the young brachiosaurus and the cryolophosaurus? I need to study them. Their crest was a display piece, just like the papers speculate," Simmon was spouting out.
Dr Grant was more subdued as he walked over. "I still have a tough time believing this. Gerry is upset about this though."
"Gentle with those crates," Muldoon chastised the crew.
Harry turned to watch the forklift backing up.
"Careful! You blithering fool! STOP!"
Harry saw the forklift back into a ditch. Two men were on the side, walking too close as the crate minders.
"STOP!" Muldoon shouted.
Harry's wand was in his hand, and he was flicking it as the forklift started to go over. The handlers realized too late that it was going to fall on them. A white ball of magic shot from his wand. It hit the forklift, stopping it in an impossibly precarious position.
The two men on the side scrambled out of the way. The one on the forklift jumped off.
It was a much larger and heavier thing than he was used to levitating, so he gripped his wand tight and concentrated. It lifted, hovered over a few feet and he set it down on level ground.
Dora had watched the whole thing with huge eyes. "Bloody fuck."
Harry dropped his wand. Muldoon was already yelling at the forklift driver.
Simon was making the sign of the cross. "Oh, God! You're a witch."
Harry rolled his eyes. "Fuck," he muttered.
He wished Sirius knew how to obliviate people. They needed to know how the church did it.
-oOo-
February 7, 1994
Isla Nublar, Costa Rica
Sirius sat in the room with one of the people he liked least in this world.
Genaro had been called in by John to look at the treaty between then and the goblins. Since the cabinet had been installed, there was a relatively steady stream of negotiations back and forth. He was hoping this was the final revision.
"I have these last few changes to recommend. This will allow either of you to call for reparations instead of going to war," the man said.
Dorothy, Anders and him didn't bat an eye at that statement. Lynne licked her lips. "Are we sure we want something like this with them? How likely is it the goblins will go to war?"
"From where I was from, I would say on a good day they usually banged their weapons on their shields. On an average day, it would only be a stint in the arena for those that offended them. On a difficult day, goblin rebellions were once quite common. I don't get the sense that these goblins want war," Sirius answered.
"I agree with Sirius. They are eager to be out of their mountain. I know the wards at Durmstrang need reinforcing, if they haven't failed while we have been away," Anders said.
"How do you know they haven't," Wendy questioned.
"I figure we would see fantastical creatures all over the news. Since the summer, there has been nothing," Sirius replied.
"I'm just a lawyer, but this reads more like a trade agreement than a contract," Genaro said.
"It is, in a way," Sirius said.
"It is much more than that. I still think we should see if we can find the Karlsburg Preserve. My grandfather used to know the families there. If this is to cover all of Europe, I would not be comfortable signing them up for this if they do not know and anyone is still here," Anders told him.
Lynne took his hand.
"Do you know where it is?" Sirius asked.
"In the Swiss alps. I have a map in my family's grimoire," Anders offered.
"Donald, is this ready to sign?" John asked.
"It should be. I could show this to someone else in my office," the man suggested.
"No!" four voices said at once.
"This is something that only concerns those of us with magic," Sirius told the man.
"But you are going to use this to show more things like the dinosaurs. Do you have any idea what this means for InGen and the investors?" Gennaro said.
"It means absolutely nothing, Donald," John said, giving the man a hard look. "This is outside of Jurassic Park or InGen. I have used my own personal funding, and any expenses incurred will be paid back."
When the meeting broke up, Anders asked Lynne, Wendy, his wife and Sirius to stay.
"What did you want?" Sirius asked.
"When the preserves all worked together, there was a council made of the key members. I found reference to it in our grimoire," Anders stated.
"What type of council?" Wendy Bones enquired.
"It was the council that oversaw the creation of the preserves. I don't have a lot of details, but I was thinking we should establish a new council. Beauxbatons is going to be key in saving the other preserves. We are the last of Durmstrang. Once we know how to use out magic better, Dorothy and I want to return. We are going to revive Hogwarts and there is the Karlsburg preserve. The four of us should have a council to help decide the best for all of us," Anders replied.
"I would feel more comfortable if we are all working together and that my daughters have a place to learn," Dorothy said.
"Not to mention Isla Matanceros. Harry wants to make that into a preserve," Sirius told them.
"Is the council going to be like a government?" Lynne enquired.
"Like a town council or the ministry?" Wendy put in.
"I think we need to treat it like a ruling council for now. There are so few of us and I don't want men like Mister Gennaro deciding our fates. I agree we need funds, but the danger of exposing too many to dragons and trolls and other foul things is too much," Anders stated.
Lynne looked to him. "I am still so new to all this. What do you think?"
Sirius wasn't sure. This sounded too much like the Wizengamot and the ICW. He had seen how that had gone, but Anders had a point. If they were going to be separated and acting like a government with the goblins, then they needed a council or something.
With a sigh, he said, "I agree with Anders."
There was a general murmur of acceptance.
Dorothy looked to her husband. "Can you reach the Karlsburg Preserve this time of the year?"
"We should, but it is at the base of the Matterhorn, so I don't know," Anders said.
"Well, I had hoped to stay for a bit," Sirius said.
"You can't send Harry again. He needs to catch up with his classes still and we need one of you here to keep teaching the others," Lynne stated.
"I still think it's not right that a sixteen-year-old does all this," Wendy put in.
Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "I don't like it either, but the kid has done things I wouldn't even attempt."
"My husband and you should go," Dorothy put in.
"Alright, but I want to make sure we are ready. We can wait another week to leave," Anders put in.
"Sure," Sirius agreed.
-oOo-
Next time on The Magic of Amber: The Karlsburg preserve and the culmination of events with the Church approaches.
-oOo-
A/N: If anyone wants to make suggestions for the town name on Isla Matenceros, then leave a comment, PM me, or go to my profile to find me on Discord.
WolfgangNH