The Centaur's Shrine

Chapter 29 - Hold-up

Hogwarts,

With her customary brisk pace, professor Minerva McGonagall entered the Headmaster's office, her office in the interim period of Albus Dumbledore's absence. She was alone, but the portraits could see her face showing a curious mix of relief and impatience. She would frown, and then her mouth would display a thin smile, until she caught herself. She walked determinedly toward the fireplace, took a pinch of floo powder and threw it in the hearth.

"Albus Dumbledore, Ministry of Magic," she said.

A few moment later, the head of the old wizard appeared in the flames.

"Good morning, Minerva," said the Headmaster. He looked tired and his voice showed it as well. It was flat with none of his usual playful intonations.

"Good morning, Albus. How is your work progressing?" Her voice was business like. McGonagall had no idea of what he was doing over there, except that it involved finding a solution to the problem with the Goblins. She noted the fatigue but didn't comment on it.

"It is almost over."

"Good. Can we expect you back soon in that case?"

Dumbledore thought about it. He would be presenting his results to the Wizengamot this very morning. There would be some deliberations, and then the High Court and the Ministry would make their decision. Even if they wanted him to participate in the next phase, he should be able to get a few days' rest.

"Unless there are further complications, I expect to return to the school tonight," he said.

"It would be very convenient," said McGonagall. "There have been several new developments here."

"Nothing unduly serious I hope?" he asked cautiously.

McGonagall's expression didn't change much. She simply let a little more of her impatience show.

"Not at all," she said with carefully controlled sarcasm. "Just your basic routine of life threatening accidents, rebellious students, hormone crazed teenagers, sullen professors and the most vicious political climate in decades. Nothing I can't handle. In fact, it looks like the situation is improving."

"Oh." A vague twinkle showed in his eyes. "Has it been that bad?"

She sighed heavily and nodded.

"Albus, it would be a very good thing if you could be here tonight. Your six protégés in particular are most impatient to see you."

"The six of them?" The Headmaster's face suddenly froze.

"Yes. They had a very bad falling out, but that seems to be over now. Miss Granger asked me this morning when they could see you."

At the mention of Hermione's name, the Headmaster's face became actually anxious. McGonagall looked at him with a penetrating stare. She was sure that he was mixed up in what had been happening with her students, and she was determined to learn exactly what.

"Hermione Granger," he said in a toneless voice.

"Yes. The young lady whom I was trying to discuss with you two weeks ago, in case you do not remember."

Dumbledore blinked once.

"What did she say?"

"She apologized for her past conduct in class, and she said that they had a lot of things to explain and several questions to ask."

"She apologized?"

"Yes, to me personally." McGonagall couldn't hide the satisfaction and relief that she felt from the return of a proper relationship with her favorite student. "She said that the past weeks had been very trying for her, and that events had caused her to think wrongly about several people, but that she now had a better idea of whom to blame."

That didn't reassure Dumbledore at all, but he was not going to flee from his responsibilities, however unpleasant they might be.

"Tell them that I will see them tonight at nine o'clock, just after dinner," he said with a sober expression. "We will use the smaller drawing room, the one for visitors. Good day, Minerva."

His face disappeared from the flames. McGonagall didn't even have time to ask him why he didn't want to meet the students in his office. She frowned because she still didn't know what was going on, but at least things were moving.

- - -

Ministry of Magic,

The usher's staff boomed once again.

"I declare this session of the Wizengamot open," said Albus Dumbledore.

Once again, he was facing the assembly of wizards and witches who would decide on the future of the magical community. This time however, he was facing many fewer friendly faces from the benches reserved for the Ministry. He had spent the morning re-establishing contacts with the other members of the High Court, and to his dismay, he had learned that the new administration's decisions were popular among many of them. Of course there was an opposition, but it was a weak one. He saw Amelia Bones sitting among her supporters, and they exchanged a cold look. Her expression was hard and resentful.

Shrummer was called up to make a presentation on the current situation. He started with the less controversial items and finished with the most important one.

"... and the situation with the Goblins is still deadlocked," he said in a confident and practiced voice. "Our decisive action had broken the previous impasse, but negotiations have bogged down once again." He shook his head sadly. "I am very much afraid, my dear colleagues, that nothing can be done with these creatures. This is why I will now propose a radical alternative."

There were angry murmurs from those who had voted for Bones, but Dumbledore ignored them. He was watching the undeclared, those who could still change allegiance according to circumstances. For the moment they were on Shrummer's side and, as he had found out, they did not regret it. However they were listening carefully, and from the anxiety that he could see on some faces, he knew that some cracks were showing in the Minister's coalition. At another time he would have been feverishly thinking of how to turn latent doubts into positive votes, but today he was too tired to do more than hope.

"It was Arthur Weasley who managed the breakthrough with the Goblins," said Seraphin Doodles. A middle aged wizard who had made no secret of his support for Bones. "Why did you sack him?"

"Come now," answered the Minister unabashed. "Arthur Weasley acted on my orders and with my authority, and the result was positive. That was good, but then he publicly questioned the Ministry's policy. That was not acceptable."

There were other critics and Shrummer fended them off easily. After a moment he was finally asked to present his new alternative. Nobody was saying it out loud, but many in the room were worried on whether or not they would ever recover the contents of their vaults. A hundred Galleons a week was all right for the common wizard, but for some of them, it was misery. Shrummer sensed their impatience and reveled in it.

"As you recall, my initial preference was for using the threat of force, and following through if necessary," he said. "In deference to the wishes of several of you, I have asked Albus Dumbledore to explore the possibility of duplicating the financial services of Gringotts, and thus giving us a currency which would not be under the control of potential enemies. I now call on him to present his conclusions."

There were a number of surprised expressions on the faces of the less informed members, but most of them were aware of what the Headmaster had been doing these past days. Dumbledore prepared to testify, but first he had to appoint a replacement for his position as Chief Warlock. He selected the doyen member of the assembly. Griselda Marchbanks was an elderly witch with a reputation for neutrality. They knew each other well, and he would have no surprise from that quarter.

The Headmaster then walked to the center of the court, and started to explain what he had been doing. His presentation described how Gringotts worked, and how it could be reproduced. Unlike the manner in which the Goblins did things, where the magic was in the actual forging of the coins, he proposed that the money be first minted in a mundane manner, with one coin, which for simplicity's sake would be worth one Galleon, and one magical key per potential client. The real magic would reside in a special chamber which would be created by a complex ritual, and which would in fact be the core of the new bank.

This place, which he called the Golden Chamber, would have the power to turn a single metal coin into a 'stem Galleon' capable of producing as many magical replicates Galleons as was credited to the customer's account. The new Galleons would be ready to be taken out and used as guaranteed money. The key would remain with the wizard and be used for access and to activate the procedure. The stem Galleon would remain in the chamber. A minor charm would allow the splitting of a coin into lower denominations.

The really powerful feature of the system would be to allow a customer to create an account from his Gringotts key vault. In that case, all Galleons in his Gringotts vault would immediately disappear, and the stem Galleon would be credited by the corresponding amount.

"So in a sense it's the perfect bank robbery?" asked Amelia Bones sarcastically.

"That is not correct," countered Dumbledore. "The money remains the property of its owner. He has simply changed banks. In fact, it is perfectly possible that if the Goblins cooperate, some wizards may elect to remain clients of Gringotts and that in the future, the two banking system could actually co-exist."

"How is the Golden Chamber created?" asked Stephen Ticklash with an eager expression. He looked ready to confront his own pet theories with the Chief Warlock. Dumbledore did his best to cut short that debate.

"It is a combination of property and pledge magic. A physical location, with undisputable ownership, must be selected. The owners, which you can consider to be the founders and stockholders of the bank, will pledge their family magic for this purpose. They will pay a price in constrained magical power, and in swearing an oath to assure a continuity and fairness of service. In exchange they should probably be allowed a small commission on transactions, or the right to invest some of the money."

The assistance reflected silently. Some people could get very rich with such a deal. It looked made to order for old and powerful families fallen on hard times.

"Can you assure us that it will be successful?" questioned a wizard named Dwight Mason. He was known to be one the richest member of the Wizengamot, and therefore one of those who had the most to lose if no solution was found.

"Nothing like this has been tried before," replied Dumbledore. "So I cannot really guarantee the success of this enterprise, but I am quite confident on the validity of the theory, and I welcome any members of this assembly to check my work." He added humbly. "One key issue is the committement of the founders, and another is magical power of course." He didn't add more. Few wizards would realize how much power would actually be needed, or what would happen in case of failure.

"How will the Goblins react" asked Amelia Bones. "This can only be seen as a deadly threat to them."

Dumbledore shrugged. She had some nerve to ask that question, since it was her who had actually proposed it first. Someone else answered her, and said that the Goblins were only reaping the consequences of their intransigence.

"What about other stuff?" asked Sylvia Dragonis. "Such as objects kept in the vaults, and which are not money. How can we recover them?"

"I can do nothing about that, Madam. I think that would be a subject for negotiation."

Shrummer took the occasion to come back into the discussion.

"That is perfectly correct," he said. "In fact the mere threat of going through with this project, may force the Goblins to finally agree to a final accord." He walked into the center of the court. His face expressed earnest goodwill. "Gentlemages, I am not a man to be intimidated, but I am not a warmonger either. My administration will always be ready to take any painful decision which the situation may require. Give the Ministry the authority to use all available means to put this plan into operation, and I will make one last attempt to get those pesky creatures to see reason. If we can negotiate a peaceful resolution, something at least equivalent to the status quo before the present crisis, then I solemnly swear that I will not abuse of the power this new development will give us."

He was proposing a wizard's pledge. There could be not higher guarantee.

"What do you require sir?" asked Marchbanks.

"The official accord of this assembly to use any necessary means to make the ritual work, Madam," he said. "As professor Dumbledore explained, this is not a dried and cut operation. We may have to use magical resources which may not be ... quite legal. I would not want to go to the mat with the Goblins, and then find myself hampered by a technicality."

Shrummer was clearly embarrassed. He had the face of a deeply honest man who found himself constrained to compromise with impeccable principles, for the common good.

"Illegal magical resources, you say. Surely you don't mean Dark Magic?"

"I hope not Madam. Grey magic perhaps, but surely not Dark." He shook his head in horror. "I was rather thinking along the lines of ancient family rituals. You will understand that I cannot be more explicit."

The witch understood, as they all did. These things were secret, and very private. What most of them were now thinking was that some powerful families wanted to participate in the enterprise, in effect becoming bankers, and that they would contribute some of their unsavory family magic in exchange for immense wealth. The morality of the operation was dubious, but as long as some lines were not crossed, it would be acceptable.

"We may require explicit assurance. After all, it must remain a public service, and untainted."

"Certainly." Shrummer took out a piece of paper. "I have prepared a charter for the new bank, which I suggest we call Wizgotts." He signaled the usher who tapped his wand on a pile of parchments. The sheets immediately folded themselves into little paper airplanes which flew toward the seated wizards and witches, and unfolded neatly in front of them.

Dumbledore read his copy as well. It was straightforward stuff. Teller operations would be free. The bank would have the right to invest the money held and keep a fraction of the proceeds. There should be no more surprises. They would debate it a little longer, and then it would be put to a vote.

- - -

Hogwarts,

Since it was a normal school day, they still had to spend some time in classrooms. Not to mention that homework had not been a top priority for them these last weeks, and that it was piling up. The professors didn't make any explicit remarks, but they could not fail to notice the dramatic change in the atmosphere of the sixth year's classes. McGonagall was particularly relieved to see Harry seated next to Ron and Hermione with Draco, and that the girl had returned to her usual positive participation.

"Miss Granger, could I speak with you for a minute?" asked the professor when the lesson was finished. Hermione obliged.

McGonagall noticed that the other three did not quite leave the room. Even during class, they seemed to be constantly checking on each other as if they were in a state of infatuation. She recognized the symptoms. It confirmed what the girl had told her that morning.

"I have spoken with the Headmaster. He will be coming back to the school this evening. I told him you wanted to see him. Am I right in thinking that it involves the six of you?"

"Yes, professor."

McGonagall waited a few seconds in the hope that she might be given some advance preview of what would be discussed. Hermione remained silent with a serious face. It would be difficult enough to talk about everything in the proper setting. Doing it between classes was unimaginable. The professor saw that she would have to wait some more and sighed.

"Well then. He will be ready to see you at nine," she said with a hint of frustration in her voice. "I will wait for you in the great hall and take you to him. That will be all."

Hermione grimaced an apology, which was eerily echoed on the other's faces, and they left the classroom.

- - -

Ministry of Magic,

When Shrummer returned to his office, it was with a thrilling sense of anticipation. He immediately called Boocrat to give him the good news.

"We have the green light from the Wizengamot," he said.

"Did they change the actual wording on the document we had prepared?" asked the scholar.

"No. The only condition is that no Dark Magic be used. From what I gather, that should not be a problem?"

"No, it should not. We should proceed with the treaty cancellation as soon as possible." He paused. "Did Albus Dumbledore make any specific remarks?"

"None. I think he is still clueless as to our intentions."

The Scholar did not remark on what he thought of the opinion of Shrummer concerning a wizard such as the Headmaster.

"So much the better, but we will not wait for that to change. Can you arrange to get Dragonis and the others to join me in the Department of Mysteries as soon as possible?"

"We will be there in half an hour."

Thirty minutes later, a group of solemn faced wizards and witches entered the one of the Ministry's most important room. It contained a sealed copy of every magical treaty ever signed, and also of every pledge made between wizards. Unlike the similar room which housed known prophecies, its official purpose was not archival, but confirmation. Those engagements were binding because they were stored here. The room was vast. The walls were lined with filing cabinets containing simple sheets of paper. The space was partitioned with shelves filled with thin books detailing commercial transactions. Here and there, small tables were disposed, with the major treaties represented as heavy volumes with elaborate dragon skin covers. Access to each document was restricted to the authorized parties, in a way which depended on the importance of the pledge.

For simple oaths between wizards, the system was fully automatic. When the agreement was made, a sheet of magical paper appeared in one of the filing cabinets. The terms of the accord were written on it, and while it existed, the wizards had to abide to it. If both participants agreed, it could be voided and the sheet would disappear. The more complex contracts required physical interventions and often special rituals. They were protected by powerful runes and wards. Most of these documents were of course confidential. Some were so secret that most wizards did not even know of their existence.

The Camelot/Hogwarts treaty had thus been protected by the equivalent of a Fidelus spell. Alan Boocrat had often visited this room, and he had never found it. He only knew it existed by indirect inferences. The day after their first foray into Camelot, he had returned in this very room. This time, an extremely old volume was visible in a previously empty corner. He had been able to see it, but not to open or even touch it. Two days ago, after the last desecration ritual, he had finally been able to read it for the first time.

Today, after the Wizengamot vote, and all their work, they would actually have the power to alter it, and thus confirm their hold on the entire area which had been ceded to the Centaurs. Even then, it would not happen with a simple wave of a wand. It would be hard work and last for several hours. The entire council of the Brotherhood would participate, in what was to be the final culmination of almost a thousand years of efforts.

- - -

Hogwarts,

They got their first chance to discuss the situation seriously after lunch and before the start of the first afternoon classes. They holed up in Hagrid's hut and Hermione made a synthesis of what they knew, and what questions remained pending.

"We have several troubling facts to analyse. The first is that Fudge, apparently with the help of Umbridge, suddenly decided to publish a law which seemed to have had no other purpose other than to piss off the Goblins. Second, someone, or a group of people, which we will call X for simplicity's sake, killed Umbridge, making it look like a Goblin crime. These facts have been reported by Gauldbag, and partially corroborated by other information which Draco and Ginny got from Trevor and Shrummer."

She looked up.

"From that, I deduce that X wanted the trouble to arise. Now the Goblins may be lying, or X might be a Goblin faction, but I think we have to concede that X exists."

"Third, politics." She looked at Ginny and Draco, "You two got drawn in on Shrummer's side and nobody stopped you. I started with Bones, sold the idea of FOM to her, and then Dumbledore put a stop to it, in a forceful, and to my mind excessive, manner."

"We know that you're a very stubborn witch," said Draco with a small grin. "Did he try to convince you by other means before?"

Hermione scowled furiously, but she had to admit he was right.

"Okay, maybe he did. Anyway, despite this Bones decided to run for office with FOM as her program, and she got Helen to help her. Trevor had you to sign that letter of support which basically got Shrummer elected. Do we agree that he must have tricked you?"

This time it was Draco's and Ginny's turn to be embarrassed, but they had already gone through it in the merging, and most of the guilt was done, except toward the rest of the Weasley family. They didn't reply immediately.

"You should accept it," said Luna gently. "It will make things easier with Arthur and Molly. You were reckless, but Trevor was the one who planned it."

Draco nodded slowly, and there was anger in his eyes. He would not forget. Ginny didn't say anything. She was dreading the time when she would have to meet her father. She pressed herself against Draco's side and closed her eyes. She felt a hand caressing her cheek, and she looked up to see Harry's face.

"We'll be with you when that happens," he said softly. "All together, and it will be all right."

She glanced at Hermione who gave him that same assurance, and of course Ron and Luna would be there. She clasped Harry's hand and wondered how they ever could have thought of doing anything without them. Hermione waited a little and continued.

"Now where it gets interesting is the link that we have between Comil, Thelas, Shrummer and Boocrat. The Goblins gave us a real tip on Boocrat. What was in his house points to another conspiracy, this time apparently against Hogwarts, probably using us, and possibly the Headmaster." She looked at Draco who continued for her.

"And which includes using Ginny and I to help get Shrummer elected," he agreed. "I remember that time at the Parkinsons. Shrummer and Boocrat did everything they could to make us look good and impress the hell out of the rest of the assembly. A lot of those people have influence in the Wizengamot, and it paid off big." He clenched his fists and the anger in his eyes burned hotter. "I think you're right. These bastards got together and played us like puppets."

They will pay for that. We'll get Dumbledore to make us testify in front of the High Court, and we'll have Shrummer out of the Ministry and into Azkaban faster than you can spell Wizengamot.

"And now we have two important questions," said Hermione.

"Is there a link between X and Shrummer's gang? And if they are not the same then what is X's goal?"

"Then what about the Power Circle? And that other castle?"

They looked at each other and Luna raised her hand.

"I believe that there is another question we should ask ourselves," she said. "Something strange happened to Ron, and then we have Sir Comil's position to consider. Is he just an innocent bystander or did he play a role?"

"All right. We can put it down as questions number three and four," said Hermione, finishing up her notes. "And of course, we don't know what the Headmaster thinks about all this. But we will know that soon." She turned toward Harry and her face was determined. "We ask him, and we don't give up until he tells us everything he knows."

Harry nodded slowly, and the others did the same.

- - -

Ministry of Magic, Department of Mysteries,

The seven figures were arranged in a circle around the table where the treaty book was open at the first page. The room had been fully warded, and everything arranged so that they would not be disturbed. On a side table, a cauldron was softly bubbling, and an ornate silver knife was lying next to it.

Alan Boocrat started reading the text phrase by phrase. After each one, he would mutter a spell, dip his wand into the cauldron, and pass it over the written words. Then they would speak out together, either repeating the phrase unchanged, or with slight modifications, or with a completely different meaning. The text was updated accordingly.

Every phrase mentioning Hogwarts and the Centaurs was changed.

- - -

Hogwarts,

Dumbledore woke up from his afternoon nap and got up. He had returned from the Ministry a few hours ago, partially relieved from what had happened in the morning, and with a bad case of post stress fatigue. The nap had been a necessity. There were potions to keep a wizard without need of sleep or rest for several days, but like Muggle pep drugs, they had unpleasant side effects. The Headmaster was tense enough at the thought of meeting the students he had let down so badly. The last thing he needed was to be distracted or irritable.

At least they managed to remain friends. In that they were wiser than most.

His eyes fell on a bowl of treats. He refrained from reaching out to take one. Actually he had not eaten a single candy since that awful night in the Wizengamot. That had never happened before. The small discipline was negligible compared to the criminal mistakes that he had made, but there was so little he could do about it, that the small symbolic privation took on an excessive importance. He felt very much alone. No one had even lashed out at him, either accusing him or demanding account, and of course no one had forgiven him. He was facing only himself, and showing no mercy.

He opened a cupboard and searched for an appropriate dress. He almost selected a very old and worn out robe, but that would really be overdoing it with the self pity. He finally chose a simple one with a soft blue theme.

Really Albus. Dressing up for a meeting with your own students. You are definitively on the slope to senility.

Only he didn't consider them as students. He had tried to do that more than once, and it had never worked well. To McGonagall and the other teachers, even Snape, they could be that. It was easy enough for those whose only responsibilities were confined to the school routine, to treat them as children to be educated, but he had a more complex history with these six youths. That was part of the reason why he was not seeing them in his office. Students got convoked to the Headmaster's office, but they were - he didn't know what his relationship with them would be anymore. Certainly they were not children.

Albus Dumbledore was tense and worried, but he was still a Gryffindor. He squared his shoulders and walked decisively out of his quarters.

Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape and the six were waiting for him in the little drawing room. By common consent, they had only talked of mundane matters, and very little of that. They were all standing. Snape was curious but reserved, McGonagall was determined and impatient. The six were together, not explicitly touching, but very much standing out as a group. It was uncanny how the slightest gesture by one of them was immediately reflected in the others, as they adjusted to the change in configuration. The image in Snape's mind was that of a flock of birds, flying and turning as one.

"Good evening," said Dumbledore.

They returned the greeting politely, noting his unusual seriousness and the lines of fatigue. The Headmaster conjured up a circular table and a few more chairs, and then he motioned for all of them to be seated. The table was large and they arranged themselves in three groups. He found himself symbolically isolated, facing the six on his right and the two teachers on his left. It was very difficult for him to look at anyone directly. His eyes moved from one to the other until they caught Luna's. Her face was the one he was most comfortable with, and he stopped his gaze there.

"Thank you for accepting to see us, professor Dumbledore," she said.

Looking at her, he suddenly intuited the key role she must have played. He had only received a cursory report from McGonagall, but he knew enough to read between the lines. Things must have been pretty bad.

"You are most welcome," he replied. "Before we start, I would like to offer my most sincere apologies for the mistakes I have made, or allowed to happen." He saw the surprise and disapproval on McGonagall's face, and he gestured to stop her from saying anything. He also noted Snape's tight control, and a softening, or maybe he was imagining it, of Hermione's expression.

"Ultimately, I am the one to blame for everything that happened. What is done is done. We now have the most retrograde Minister of Magic in decades, and I am afraid that it is much too late to change it." He stopped when he saw that Harry indicated that he had something to say.

"I don't know about that, sir," he said. "But we don't think it's over yet, and what we are going to tell you will hopefully convince you of it."

- - -

Ministry of Magic, Department of Mysteries,

It was the last page, and the key part of the ritual. The will and intentions of the original signatories, as symbolized by their signatures, still had the magical power to break everything that the Brotherhood had done up to now. They had to neutralize this, and in effect substitute their own magic, using the implicit delegation of authority given by the Wizengamot, Shrummer's position as Ministry of Magic, and the hereditary rights of Sylvia Dragonis. Everything that had been done, since Electra had formulated her plan, had been aimed at this final act.

They turned toward the brewing potion and each of them used the knife to donate a few drops of blood. Boocrat took a final dip from the brew with his wand and touched each signature, which then became blurred. When that was done, they all pronounced a long incantation, terminated by complex wand movement over the page. There was a flash of light, and then the ancient signatures were replaced with seven new ones.

It was done. They looked at each with the savage joy of victory. The work had been exhausting, but in this supreme moment, they felt no fatigue. Camelot was now officially the property of the Blood Brotherhood. Shrummer silently reflected that Amelia Bones had been right about calling this a perfect robbery, except that she had been wrong about the target. They now had the power to replace Gringotts, but that had only been a justification for their real goal, getting control of Merlin's Power Circle.

- - -

Hogwarts,

The six students took turn in describing what they had witnessed and done, up to this morning. When they were finished, Dumbledore was deep in thought. He gave them his own version of the events at Gringotts and at the Ministry, including the justification for his apparent cooperation against the Goblins.

"My reading of Shrummer's intentions was that he would have started a war without it." He gestured helplessly. "I did not suspect Alan Boocrat, but from what you tell me, and several signs which I did not think important at the time, he probably knew everything about the subject I was researching. They did not need me at all."

In truth he was both relieved that some malignant force had been at work, thus absolving him of some of the guilt, and very worried that the situation was much more complex than he had thought.

"They wanted to keep you busy," said Snape. It was the first time he had spoken. "Just like they wanted the six of you neutralized."

They all turned toward him. He was annoyed to see signs of surprise on most of their faces, except for Draco. These people don't understand the first thing about conspiracy.

"X and Shrummer's group are evidently the same," he continued smugly. "The real question is why they saw fit to do this. It is obvious that the position of Minister is not the end of it."

Dumbledore considered the man for a moment. Trust a Slytherin to see such things clearly. Too bad he waited until now.

"Your reasoning is admirable Severus," he said. "It is unfortunate that, as a professor, you were not aware of these developments before." He kept his eyes on the man with a measuring stare.

Snape sensed the barb in the words. He frowned but said nothing. He had let the situation fester, and in that respect, he was only slightly less guilty than the others. Dumbledore was right. Standing aside had been acceptable in his role as professor, but as a prospective Headmaster, he should have been actively trying to understand what was happening, and doing what he could to counter it.

McGonagall showed her irritation at the verbal fencing.

"That's enough both of you!" she snapped. "The past can't be changed, but we should examine the remaining information in our possession. Mister Potter is quite correct that we haven't seen the end of this."

Dumbledore and Snape stopped glaring at each other. Severus inclined his head in a gesture of apology which the Headmaster acknowledged.

"Yes," said Luna, "And would also like to know if something has been done to Ron."

They explained the contradiction between Harry and Ron's memory of events. The Headmaster summoned Fawkes, and asked the Phoenix to recover the pensieve from his office. Ron and Harry were asked to place a copy of their memories in it. Dumbledore and Severus examined them while Ron looked on anxiously. After a while they came back into the world and exchanged a look. Snape cocked his head slightly toward Ron and the Headmaster nodded.

"Mister Weasley," said Snape. "Will you please allow me to examine your mind for a moment?"

Ron was terrified. He remembered very well Harry's description of his lessons with the potion master, even though these were with the old Snape. And then there was a lot of his private life that he didn't want the man to see. The professor knew exactly what he was thinking and gave him a disgusted look.

"Mister Weasley, I assure you that I do not wish to learn anymore of your turpitudes than I already know. If you can manage to concentrate on that specific event only, then this should prove a simple and straightforward examination."

Luna took his hand and expressed calming thoughts. Ron was sick and tired about thinking about Alicia's accident, but he really had no choice, and maybe he would get rid of the terrible doubts which still haunted him. He gulped and nodded his agreement. Snape waived his wand at him.

"Legilimens!"

He did not try to simply consult the boy's memories, but also their continuity and emotional context. The pensieve vision had been choppy and unfocussed, while Harry's had been clear and sharp. It was a sign of either mental manipulation or grave psychological instability.

The examination lasted a full minute. The professor ended the spell, and Ron fell back into his chair with a groan.

"Undoubtfully mental manipulation," said Snape clinically. "Specifically concerning the emotional state which was exacerbated to an irrational rage, and afterwards there are signs of a very remarkable Obliviate." He considered them all. "The person who did this was not a student, and he could not have been very far away. Did you notice anyone close to you?"

"There was no one else but us, Kirke, and the other kids," said Harry.

"Hum. It is easy enough to hide in the grounds. I wonder if this was the only time this happened." Snape's paranoid mind was exploring new angles. The past weeks had been filled with many excessive emotional displays, himself included. In most cases, there had been good causes for it, but now he suspected everything. "Did any of you feel suddenly and abnormally emotional for no objective reason, or compelled to act strangely, in the past weeks?" he added.

Silence followed as they reviewed their memories. After a while Hermione spoke.

"I don't know if it corresponds to what you mean, professor, but I felt very edgy at the Auror ceremony, and in the following days." She grimaced at Ron. "And then after the match, in the infirmary, I got into this stupid row with Ron, but I guess that I was upset about Harry and Draco's accident..."

Snape examined her mind as well. The effect was much less perceptible, but it was there. He told her so. Hermione looked stricken. The idea that someone had invaded her mind without her knowledge, and for a possibly criminal purpose, was intolerable.

"What- What did they make me do?" she gasped.

"It is not clear that you were made to do anything specific, Miss Granger. Your memory has not been altered, so simply reflect on what you remember."

"I felt ... uncomfortable. I kept imagining that all those people were thinking ... bad thoughts about me, you know, Muggle born and ... not worthy. And then, when I was with Helen, we talked about FOM and the association." She looked at the Headmaster who looked back with sad eyes. "I felt that I really had to do something to change those prejudices, and when I saw Amelia Bones ... well I thought that she could help."

Snape thought back on the ceremony as well.

Fudge's stupid remark... and then his decision to provoke the Goblins... Merlin's Ghost!

"I fear that you were not the only one to be manipulated," he said grimly.

"Fudge," said Dumbledore, who had been following the same reasoning.

They pondered this new theory. It explained practically everything which had happened up to the past days. Everything but the motive.

"All this must tie in somehow with that Power Circle which you mention," said Dumbledore. "But I do not understand how they could hope to use it." He turned toward McGonagall. "Has anyone tried to get inside the school in the past weeks?" She shook her head. He tapped his finger nervously. "In any case, I will need to see it as soon as possible."

"You have no knowledge of such a thing?" asked Snape.

"No, Severus. And I have never heard of a teleporting circle before. You say that it was very old?" he asked of the students.

"Yes sir," said Harry. "I would say that it is much older that the rest of the castle."

"Hum. Very well. I suggest that we go there now, but before that, I would like to have a word alone with Miss Granger." McGonagall and Snape stood up, but the five other students hesitated. Dumbledore sighed sadly. "I assure you that I mean her no harm, quite the contrary. I would take it as a favor if you would allow me that liberty."

Harry wasn't sure, but Hermione understood that he probably wanted to talk about the incident between them. She touched Harry's hand and silently told him to do it. Severus suggested that they go and examine the circle room without waiting for them. They filed out of the room and now the Headmaster faced the student he had wronged the most. A heavy silence followed.

"Miss Granger," he began sadly. "I wanted to apologize privately for the grief I have caused you. I do not know if you will ever forgive what happened, and I would understand it if you didn't. The only excuse I can offer is that I truly tried to preserve you." He grimaced. "In that, I certainly failed, but what we have discussed surely shows that, as I had argued, there are indeed ruthless forces still at work in our world."

Hermione stayed silent, because there was nothing that she could think of saying. She needed more time to digest all this.

"I know that I have lost your trust," continued Dumbledore in a tired and lifeless voice, "and that will be part of the price I will pay. A form of wizard's debt, and a very real one it is."

"I wasn't just me," she finally said. "You blocked Bones and FOM."

"Amelia Bones is another matter, but you are correct that I did put a stop to your plans for the association, even though I thought it admirable in principle. It was a political judgment, and it looks like I was wrong, but your dream will not die. Even if Bones' effort fails, you and others will take over." He looked straight at her. "In any case, I have made the decision to release you from those restrictions which I imposed at that time. I will not stop you anymore from doing what you want. I am not certain that yours is the most efficient way of promoting those ideals, but I no longer feel qualified to judge that."

"You mean that ..."

"Yes, Miss Granger. You and your friends have earned the right to decide on those things for yourselves. If you so wish it, I will let you speak to the Wizengamot, and I will support your position, with what is left of my influence."

"Why?" asked Hermione.

She was very surprised by the offer. It didn't sound like the Headmaster at all. He looked back at her with a very sad and weary expression.

"I have played a role in public life for a long time, Miss Granger. I have always tried to be a stabilizing influence, and sometimes this meant acting when I believed the situation demanded it. I have done this, but I am getting old. I have made many mistakes, and now I am not even the one who is able to correct them. To me that is the sign that I must retire soon, and leave others to take the lead." He saw the alarm on her face. "Oh, I will remain available, and a member of the Wizengamot, but I think that I do not deserve to be Chief Warlock anymore." He smiled weakly. "So you see, the least I can offer you is my support while it still means something."

Hermione stayed silent while she reflected on his words. She found them very disturbing.

"What was done to us," she said, "and to you as well it seems, it was wrong and cruel, and it makes me mad. I'm not going to let them get away with it. These people are evil. They killed Umbridge, even though she was probably an accomplice, and they almost killed Alicia. Don't you want to get back at them too?"

"Revenge Miss Granger?" he asked softly.

"Not revenge, justice!" she affirmed. "Evil triumphs when good men and women stand aside."

"I did not stand aside," he objected.

"You tried to make me stand aside. Me and the rest of us." She was indignant. "We should have been fighting from the beginning. Haven't we proved our worth?"

"You have." He sighed heavily. "And I have told you that I would not stop you anymore, which means that I will help you as much as I can."

"But you don't believe anymore," insisted Hermione. She looked piercingly at him. "You've given up, is that it?"

"I have not given up," he replied frowning. "I simply acknowledge that I have failed."

Hermione knew she was playing a dangerous game, but they needed to have the real Dumbledore on their side, not this tired old man he had become.

"Is that what you want to be remembered for?" she goaded. "A failure?"

A flash of anger flared in his eyes.

"I may have wronged you, Miss Granger, but I will not tolerate disrespect. I warn you-"

"I don't care about your warning," she interrupted. "When we fought Voldemort, you were our leader. You showed us the way and we followed you proudly. This is not the case anymore. You got us into this mess, and now you just want to get out, like a coward."

The insult stung him. He stood up furiously and the air crackled around him. His eyes glowed like she had seen them do before, and she braced herself for the same backlash of power.

Down in the circle room, Severus Snape had been examining the circle. He was standing inside it, when it suddenly flared with a blinding explosion of golden light. He was violently thrown in the air and to the side. The others ran to help him. Smoke was rising from his tattered robe.

"MISS GRANGER!" yelled Dumbledore. "No one talks to me like that!"

Hermione felt his anger wash over her once again, but this time she wasn't as helpless. Something inside her was responding to the assault and protecting her. More than that, it was giving her a surprising sense of strength. Her confidence increased, and she stood up as well, throwing her chair crashing to the floor. The Headmaster was so incensed that he didn't realize immediately that her eyes were now burning as brightly as his. A red glow bathed her face.

"WELL I DO!" she roared. "I don't want your excuses, if all you want is to surrender. Lash out at me if you want, but it's them who deserve it. What happened to the great Albus Dumbledore? It's him I want and no one else!"

More light radiated from the circle. There were two colors now. Red battled gold for dominance. Harry and the others had to stand back, dragging professor Snape with them. They used their wands to cast protection spells, but even with that, they had to closed their eyes and muffle their ears as bolts of energy rebounded across the room.

"YOU-"

Dumbledore suddenly stopped as he saw Hermione before him, gloriously unafraid and determined, her face set in an expression of challenge, her eyes two flaming pools of fire. Surprise froze him. How could the girl show such power? His anger went away. He recalled her words and felt shame once again, but this time it was for the weakness he had displayed. This girl, barely into womanhood, was showing him the true values of Gryffindor House. It was a further humiliation, but the power was still flowing through him. Dumbledore took it all, and then he did with it what he knew these young men and women had done with their affection. He pushed against the pain, the guilt and the self pity, and willed himself to be strong once more, strong like them. She was right, Arthur was right. Sometimes the answer was to do things and throw away the consequences. He placed his hands on the table and his face radiated assurance once more.

Hermione held her breath. She had watched with fascination the emotions play across his face. Her heart leaped, when she saw the familiar twinkle of amusement back in his eyes. The tide of magical energy slowly drained from them.

"It would seem, Miss Granger, that you have a definite talent for provocation," he said with a new and different voice. "And I must admit that I would very much to see it exercised on our current Minister. Do you think that we could arrange that?"

She grinned at him.

"I would love that, professor. I'm sure that we could give him a ride for his money."

He gestured for her to follow him. After the relief, she was feeling the aftershock of their outburst. Her head swam with dizziness, and she took a few deep breaths while he considered her with undisguised affection and respect. In her mind they were now even, although she could barely believe what she had dared to do. She looked at him and saw that he didn't seem to be holding any grudge.

"Professor?"

"Yes Miss Granger?" he said gently. She paused but his face told her to go on.

"I wish you would go back to calling me Hermione. Er, at least in private," she added.

He smiled and took her arm to lead her out of the room.

"That will be both a pleasure and an honor, Hermione. Shall we rejoin our friends now?"

- - -

Camelot,

The expedition arrived in sight of the ruins shortly before nightfall. There were five Centaurs, led by Bane and including Firenze and Lyman, and three Pure Ones. From a distance, everything seemed normal. It was only as they got closer to the outside wall, that a strident sense of danger filled them. Firenze and Lyman were in front with one of the Unicorn when a grey shape jumped from behind a rock. Lyman had been expecting something and he was ready. The others weren't.

"Fizenze! To your right!"

The Unicorn jumped away quickly, but Firenze stayed put and reached for his bow. The shape closed the distance and struck at one of his legs. He felt a sharp pain, and then he had to defend himself with his hands. He pushed the attacker violently away. By that time Lyman had his weapon prepared and he launched an arrow at it. The Golem was stuck head on and the powerful impact broke it into several pieces. They looked like those of the stone demon which had attacked Flitz in the forest a few weeks ago.

Bane screamed at them to regroup. It was an ambush and they were much too close to the ruins. Another Golem appeared and Lyman turned to aim at it, shouting at Firenze to get back. The old Centaur was distracted, and another one of the shapes slammed into him from the side. It was holding a short, pointed sword in one talon and it drove the blade into the Herd Mentor's human body half, just below the ribs.

Lyman screamed with rage and pain and lashed out at the creature away, stepping between it and Firenze. The other Centaurs took out their bow and searched for a proper shooting angle, but they hesitated in fear of hitting their friends. Lyman dropped his bow and fell on his knees. The Golem was trying to get past him and he reached out to clasp at one leg. He barely saw Firenze escape away. Blood and strength were flowing from him but he concentrated on holding on to the monster.

Firenze turned back when he was at Bane's level and aimed his bow. Lyman was being brutally struck at. He saw an opening and let out a powerful arrow at one monster, breaking off its left arm.

There were more stony shapes coming out at them. Lyman was on the ground, unconscious. One Golem was hacking savagely at him with a horrible sound. The Centaurs send arrows flying, but suddenly the Golems started screaming with a shrill sound which tore at their eardrums. The noise was unbearable and the Centaurs had to run away. It was too much for them. They could face death, fear and the pain of wounds, but the high frequency sound was driving them mad. They only stopped and regrouped at a safe distance. The demons didn't try to pursue. They hovered a moment and then went back into the ruins. After that, only a few fleeting shapes could be seen now and then for a while.

"Bane! They killed Lyman, and Firenze is wounded," said Ronan. He was pressing leaves against the leg of the other Centaur. Blood was flowing all the way to the hoof.

"What about the Pure Ones?" Bane turned around to see where they were.

We are well.

"What happened! Where did these demons come from?"

The Shrine is now the wizards' property.

"Wizard demons!" hissed Bane. "I knew it was them all along." He looked back at the ruins. There was no further movement.

"Bane, we can't fight them," said Ronan. "What are we going to do?"

The Unicorns were calm, but desperate anguish could be seen on the Centaurs' faces. A new Herd Mentor could be found, but without the Shrine, the foals would remain animals. The Herd would wither and die, and they could not even use the gateways to escape to another place.

Bane felt his mind harden with anger and hatred against the humans. This was not even war. It was extermination. There was no word for genocide in the Centaur's tongue, but that was what he thought was happening. He could see only one response.

I will not stand idle while they do this. If our foals' lives mean so little to them, then why should we respect theirs?

Making war on children was sacrilegious for them, but he felt that no other action would do. The Centaurs had lived near the wizard school for centuries. A few humans had been allowed to enter the Forest. Most had been harassed for trespassing. The two communities stayed apart, but the children of the wizards had never been threatened.

Bane called the other Centaurs around him and explained what he wanted to do. They listened. Their faces were hard at first, and then they showed horror and shame. Bane told them that they had no choice.

"I say we must do this, and force the humans to yield the Shrine back to us. If any of you disagree, then he must find another way."

"We could fight the adults," said Ronan. "At least we would die with honor."

"A death in battle is honor, yes. But what about afterwards? Where would be the honor of letting the manes and the foals die alone in the Forest?" He gestured toward one of the Centaurs. "Galmet's foal couldn't be brought into the Herd. If we don't recover the Circle soon, it will be too late for him, and he will not be the last one."

No one else spoke. He could see that they believed him. They marched back toward the camp. Bane knew that each would be thinking about an alternative to his plan. He doubted they would find one.

- - -

Hogwarts,

"What happened here?" exclaimed Dumbledore.

There was a strong smell of burnt clothes and singed hair in the room. Severus was just starting to get up, Draco was helping him. He looked as if a lighting bolt had struck him. His robe was burned and torn in several places. His face and hands covered in soot, and his normally long shiny black hair was puffed around his head.

To those who had witnessed the powerful display, it was anything but funny. The noise and the bolts of energy had surprised and frightened them violently. But to Hermione and the Headmaster, it looked exactly like the result of a chemistry lab prank, and Severus didn't seem dangerously wounded. Hermione had to bite down her lip to stop herself from smiling.

"I don't know," said Draco with deadly seriousness. "It happened just a few minutes ago. Professor Snape was examining the center of the stone circle, when it sort of blew up with a lot of bright lights." He looked at the now quiescent pillars. "This thing is incredibly dangerous. I'm never putting a foot on it again, and I urge everyone to do the same."

Dumbledore considered the circle and felt wonder. He was certain that he had never seen it, but despite that, it felt eerily familiar. He could sense the magic emanating from it. Something clicked in the Headmaster's mind, and then he understood exactly what had happened. He looked at Snape and his lips twitched. The potion master looked indignantly back, Dumbledore said nothing but the twitching became more pronounced and his eyes danced.

"Albus-"

Dumbledore gave up trying to hold it in. He opened his mouth and roared with laughter. It was too much. He could hear Hermione laughing as well. She must have understood it too. In his mind he pictured a serious and dour faced Severus among the pillars, when he had unconsciously called upon the power of the circle.

Severus watched the Headmaster shake with mirth. Now he was certain that the man was stark raving crazy. Mentally, he began to compose an application for a teaching position at Durmstrang,

Dumbledore couldn't help it. All the tension of the past weeks was pouring out in his laughter. He didn't understand everything, but it fitted with little hints he had heard about the special links between the Hogwarts Headmaster and a reserve of power associated to the school.

Power ... Merlin!

A dramatic transformation came over his features. Hilarity left him as quickly as it had come and he looked stricken. They all reacted immediately.

"Albus, what is it?" asked McGonagall.

"This." He gestured toward the circle. "This is what they want. It is an incredible source of power, a nexus of concentration for magical energy. Oh, Severus. I am utterly sorry."

He waived his wand to restore his appearance as best as he could. Severus grunted his thanks, not quite forgiving him. His face still felt toasted like after a bad sunburn. Dumbledore explained what he had just intuited, and how it would defeat his last desperate plan.

"I was confident that it was impossible to duplicate Gringotts, but I had not counted on such a device. It would certainly give them a real chance of success."

"But they still can't get at it," said Draco. "It's here. It's even probably only attuned to the Headmaster." He suddenly realized. "Oh! You think that they would try to replace you?"

"That is possible, but it may not be necessary. As you should remember, there are others, probably all over the world. All they have to do is find out where another one is."

"They probably already know," said Hermione. "That other castle. There must be a circle over there as well. Harry, do you have the Omniglasses?"

Harry took out the glasses from the bag where they kept all the documents. They looked at the model Dobby had seen in Boocrat's house. None of the teachers recognized it, and unfortunately Dobby had not looked at it with a much details as Hogwarts.

They talked about it a little more, but they were all tired and excited. Once again, too much had happened for them to be able to analyze the situation properly. They decided that this last mystery could keep for the night. The Headmaster announced that he would increase the wards around the school. He cast a last look at the circle before leaving.

The Founders must have known of it. It must serve some purpose for the school, perhaps more than one. How fascinating.

They went up the long stairway and separated. The first thing that Dumbledore did when he entered his quarters was to take a chocolate mint from the bowl of treats.

- - -

Forbidden Forest,

The trio and Flitz had devised a simple system for coordinating their reunions. Whichever party wanted to initiate a meeting for the next evening, would simply turn over a bi-colored stone at a pre-arranged spot on the Forest's edge. Flitz would visit it at night, and Silena or one of the twins would check it every morning, or position it the night before.

This time it was the young Centaur who was asking to see them. Alicia had checked the signal just before classes. They had waited impatiently all day, and when diner was finally over, they checked out quietly out of the school toward the Forest.

"Flitz?"

It was a moonless night and very dark. They walked around the meeting area, trying to spot the Centaur, but it was almost impossible to see further than a few meters into the forest.

"Here!"

They greeted each other eagerly. Flitz was bursting with excitement.

"There was a very big meeting of the Herd this morning. Pure Ones came to speak with the elders. Most have left, but some are still around."

"Pure Ones? You mean Unicorns!"

"Yes. I thought that you would like to see them."

"You bet we would, but ..." Richard looked anxious. "Does that mean that we would need to go into the Forest?"

"Of course. I will lead you. It is not very far."

"Er, isn't it supposed to be very dangerous?" said Silena nervously.

"Do you want to see Unicorns or not?" asked Alicia. "I do, and if you won't come, then I'm going alone."

"Hey! You can't do that," exclaimed Richard.

"Yes I can. It's you who can't stop me from going, but you can come with me and Flitz."

Silena and Richard glared at her.

Gryffindors. They always have to rush in when it's unsafe.

"Okay. We're coming, but if we get killed, I'm blaming you."

Flitz had been waiting impatiently for them. When they made their decision, he turned and started to walk toward the Centaur camp. However, traveling in the Forest proved to be more complicated than he had thought. The humans couldn't see the path, which surprised him. His Sight was showing the trees and all living creatures clearly. He hadn't imagined that his friends would be as handicapped as he remembered being before First Stone. He allowed them to cast Lumos spells, but they would have to put them out when they would get next to the camp. If the Centaurs caught them, there would be hell to pay.

They walked in silence, until they suddenly felt a strange presence in their minds, which transformed into a crystal clear thought.

Welcome.

Flitz recognized the same Pure One who had been at his side at the ritual.

"Greetings to you, Laurell. These are my friends."

I know. They are welcome as well.

The three children were too stunned to speak, or even to think clearly. Alicia intensified her spell and saw the Unicorn standing a few meters from her.

"Er, good evening," said Richard. "We're just, ah, visiting." He wasn't sure if they shared the same prejudices as the Centaurs against humans sharing their Forest.

You wanted to see us, and I needed to meet you. But this is not a proper place.

The thoughts rang in their head like beautiful music. They looked at the incredibly white shape before them. It actually glowed in the dark now. As they watched, the glow increased and seemed to extend to patches of the ground under him, and then gradually to the vegetation around them. It was a strange light which appeared to come from inside some things, but not all. Stones and dirt remained black, only leaves, wood and insects glowed.

I have given you a measure of Sight. Follow me.

He started to trot away, in a different direction from the one they had been taking. Mesmerized, they followed him deeper into the Forbidden Forest.

Hold-up Ch29 - 20