Harry Potter and the Summer of the Dementors

Harry returned home to Grimmauld Place in a pensive frame of mind. Bill was right: this had become more just a casual work experience visit. There was obviously a lot more going on, and it was centred round him. He could, of course, go to one of the adults - Mr Weasley say, and talk to them about it. But somehow he didn't feel like doing that. He knew the sort of advice he'd get - 'tread carefully, Harry' - and he didn't think it'd be much use to him. No, he'd rather work this one out for himself.

He looked around the room he'd just Apparated into. What was there in here that would be of any help to him? Not for the first time, he wished he'd paid more attention to Professor Binns. Some background here would be really useful. Still, he hadn't thrown out his old textbooks. Perhaps it was time to sit down and read through the goblin chapters. It'd probably be for the first time. Sighing, he walked over to the bookshelf, ran his finger along all the books until he came to the right one.

Taking it out, he flopped down on his bed and opened it to the contents page.

'Goblins. The Early Years.'

As good a start as any. He began reading.

Somehow the material seemed different read like this, not presented in a boring monotone. And now he had need of it, it began to make more sense. He read on and on, until he'd covered all the chapters on goblins. Slowly he laid the book aside, and was suddenly aware he was very hungry. He ambled downstairs. No sooner had he reached the kitchen than Dobby appeared.

"Harry Potter would like some supper?"

"Yes, please, Dobby."

"What would Harry Potter like?"

"Oh, anything that's quick and easy." Dobby looked at him reproachfully. "Er, steak and chips?"

"Five minutes, Harry Potter, sir."

"Okay." He sat down with a Butterbeer. "Has Remus had supper yet?"

"Remus Lupin will not be eating with us tonight. He has retired to his room for the moment."

"What?" Then it struck him. The moon must be coming up to full. "Oh, right."

Soon the plate was in front of him, and he began eating, his mind still full of what he'd been reading. Indeed, he was so deep in his thoughts that it wasn't until his knife and fork scraped onto an empty plate that he realised he'd finished.

"Thank you, Dobby. That was very good."

The elf looked at him slightly disbelievingly, but took the plate from him. "Would Harry Potter like anything else?"

"No, thanks, Dobby, that was just the job."

"Harry Potter has a lot on his mind."

"Yeah, you could say that." He stood up, scraping his chair back. "Thanks again, Dobby."

"Dobby is always happy to serve Harry Potter."

"How's Winkie?"

"Winkie is very well, very well indeed. She has got used to working in Harry Potter's home. She helps me clean the house, and rid it of the last traces of the Dark Magic."

"Oh? Is there much left?"

"Some. But it gets less, day by day."

"Excellent. Well, thanks again, Dobby."

The elf gave a small bow.

It was while he was on his way upstairs that he remembered something else - Professor Wynne's book on intelligent magical creatures. He'd given Ron, Harry and Hermione a copy each after being introduced to Grawp. That must have lots about goblins in it.

And it had pages. Pages upon pages again. Harry sank down into an armchair and began reading. It was close on midnight when, yawning, he finished the last chapter. He stood up and stretched, feeling more tired than for a long time. But he knew he had to be fresh for the morning. A quick shower then bed.

The butterflies in his stomach got worse and worse as the white façade of the bank came closer and closer. What if he made a mess of things? Upset the goblins no end? That would be the last of any career in the Ministry. Well, he could only do his best. Taking a deep breath, he straightened up and marched to the doorway. Before he could say a word, he was intercepted by one of the doorman.

"Mr Potter, sir," he murmured - as much as goblins can murmur. It was more of a grating hiss. "Please, follow me."

"Um, right."

Remembering to stride along as with as much confidence as he could, he followed the doorman. But it was a different route to the one he took yesterday. They seemed to descend staircase after staircase, follow corridor after corridor. Finally they turned a corner to what seemed to be a dead end. Raknuk was standing by a door.

"Excellent, Mr Potter - very prompt."

Harry turned to say thank you to the doorman, but he had already disappeared.

"Good morning," is all he could think of to say.

Raknuk gave that grimace of a smile. "Waiting for you inside, Mr Potter, is the Goblin Council. It does not meet very often, but this year it has met several times. This will be the sixth meeting. They are gathered here today because they would like to talk to you. Is that alright?"

"Er - yes."

"Good. Well, when we go in, I shall introduce you to everyone, and then they may ask you some questions."

"Right. OK."

"Are you quite ready?"

He gulped and nodded. "Yes."

"Very well then."

Raknuk opened the door for him and he stepped inside into a large bare room. Bare apart from a square table in the middle. Facing him was a goblin on a raised chair, another on his right, and the chair on the left was empty. On either side were three chairs with a goblin sitting looking at him. The fourth side had only one seat, and it was empty. That must be mine, he realised.

Raknuk closed the door and stepped forward. "Harry Potter," he announced.

Then he started with the three on the left, naming each, and each bowed his head as his name was given. The same with the three on the right. The one facing him, then the one in the centre: "Goblin Raznak." This was said in tones of deepest respect. This must be the head of the Council.

All the goblins looked quite elderly, all confident, some with a fierce glow in their eyes. Harry bowed back to them.

"I am Harry Potter and I am honoured to be here."

The atmosphere relaxed very slightly. Obviously the goblins liked and approved of formality. Raknuk went around the table to fill the empty seat next to Raznak.

"Please sit down, Mr Potter." The voice was deep, resonant, not quite like the voices of other goblins Harry had heard.

"Thank you," and he pulled out the chair.

Each of the goblins was staring at him intently. He looked around the table for a few moments then focussed on Raznak.

"Goblin Raknuk tells me that you asked if you might to come to Gringotts, after the problem with the publicity at the Ministry following your encounter with the Dementors."

"That's right, sir."

A hand waved in the air. " 'Sir' is not necessary. I am told that you are a courteous young man, and what we have seen so far bears that out."

"Thank you," and he gulped.

Raznak leaned forward. "Tell me, Mr Potter, why did you choose Gringotts?"

Well, this was one time when he wasn't going to tell the truth. Not the whole truth. He cleared his throat. "Well, during a talk with Minister Arbuthnot, I asked him if I might shadow members of the Aurors' Department in the Ministry, for experience. I had thought of trying to become one after leaving Hogwarts. Then, after the article in the Prophet, that fell through, so I had to think of something else.

"As you know, the incident that caused the problem at the Ministry involved Dementors; Dementors which we think are on the loose and are dangerous. I also think they are linked in with Voldemort in some way, although I'm not sure how. I want to see the Dementors dealt with, and I want Voldemort defeated in whatever way we can."

He stopped and looked round. Several of the goblins were nodding to themselves as he finished.

Raznak looked across the table at him. "We have been following your exploits for some time, Mr Potter. We suffered ourselves in the past when Lord Voldemort was at the height of his powers. He even attacked this bank. He did not succeed, but he did a lot of damage and killed several of our staff. And any goblins that he thought stood in his way were - dealt with." This last was said in a grim tone of voice.

"That I can imagine," said Harry.

"So, then, why Gringotts, Mr Potter?"

"Because the threat posed by Voldemort goes beyond the wizarding world. It affects us all; goblins, wizards, whoever. Coming to Gringotts was, I thought, a chance to meet and to see goblins. We've been taught something about goblins at school, but that's not the same as meeting them and talking to them."

"You shouldn't believe all you read in those books of yours," growled a particularly fierce looking goblin.

Harry looked at him. "No, indeed. Professor Wynne is one of our teachers, and he gave us a very different picture."

At the mention of Wynne's name, the atmosphere changed again.

"Wynne - we know him," said another goblin. "He has come to us from time to time, and we have told him something of our way of life. He is a man to be respected."

"That's right," said Harry. "Whatever differences we have had in the past need to be put behind us. The more we know of each other, the more we will understand each other."

The fierce looking goblin grunted.

Raznak came back smoothly. "Now we understand that you yourself have had several encounters with Lord Voldemort."

"That's right."

"Would you be see kind as to tell us something about these?"

Oh Lord! Where to begin? He took a deep breath. "The first time was ..."

He talked for what seemed to be an age. As he talked, he began to realise that his audience were leaning forward on their chairs, their eyes fixed on his face, listening to every word.

"I passed out then," he eventually finished, "just as Professor Dumbledore appeared."

He sat back, conscious of the perspiration trickling down his neck and his back.

Raznak nodded very slowly. "We have heard more of your exploits than you might have imagined. The Chamber of Secrets. Do you know who built the Chamber of Secrets, Mr Potter?"

"No," although he thought he knew what was coming.

"Goblins did, Mr. Potter. But that is a story for another time. Now, could we cut to the story of the return of Lord Voldemort to his present body?"

Harry gulped, his throat dry, his voice hoarse. "I'll try."

Raznak raised a hand. "Urzuk! A glass of water for Mt Potter."

One of the goblins immediately rose to his feet and went out, returning a few moments later with a glass which he gave to Harry. Gratefully, Harry sipped it for a moment or two, then laid it down.

"It was in the graveyard of a village called Little Hangleton ..." he began.

The story took him a long time to tell. He had to stop now and again - partly to sip water, partly because his emotions would get the better of him. From time to time, a part of his story would cause a flurry among those around the table; they would whisper together, and he would have to stop and wait again. At the end, he was completely exhausted. No more, please, he thought to himself.

"Thank you, Mr Potter," said Raznak softly. "I would like to extend my sympathy for your ordeal - and also for the ordeal which we have put you through."

Harry nodded. He had run out of words.

"Could you answer a few questions for us?"

Harry nodded again.

Raznak looked around the table. "Has anyone any questions?"

"How do we know you're telling us the truth?" the fierce looking goblin asked immediately.

There was a rustle from around the table.

"You don't," said Harry bluntly. "I'm sorry, but you're going to have to take my word for all of this."

Raknuk came in: "After seeing Mr Potter tell his story, I don't think any of us would have any doubts as to its truth."

There was a rumble of agreement around the table. Harry blinked. Amazingly, they were on his side.

"There is one issue, Mr Potter, which is of great interest to us. The rebirth, so to speak of Lord Voldemort. Can you take us through it again?"

"Of course. But I didn't understand it all - how it worked, I mean. I was watching, yes. I can tell you what I saw."

So he went through it again, interrupted now and again by further questions from Raknuk. He could see goblins around the table making notes now.

At the end he looked mutely back to Raznak and Raknuk.

"Thank you once more, Mr Potter. Reliving experience such as these - it must have been a great ordeal. I must apologise for doing this to you. But I am sure you realise why we are doing this." Harry nodded. "Raknuk, if you could take Mr Potter next door ..."

"Certainly," and the goblin rose from his seat. "Please, come with me."

Stiff from sitting in the chair, Harry got up and followed him. In a side room was a table with plates of cold meat, bread, and jugs of pumpkin juice.

"We would like to talk among ourselves for a short time. Have some refreshment, please."

"Thanks," said Harry gratefully.

He was left to himself as Raknuk disappeared once more. He was ravenous. He fell on the plates and devoured huge slices of bread and ham. It was some time before he sat back in his chair, replete. All the while his mind had been blank. He had relived too many unhappy memories over the past few hours, and for the moment he was content to think of nothing. He stood up to stretch, and paced around the room, loosening up his muscles.

After what seemed like an age, Raknuk re-appeared.

"Apologies for keeping you so long, Mr Potter. The debate lasted some time."

"That's okay," said Harry, and gave him a weary smile. "It was a lot to take in. And you did have to decide whether to believe me or not."

"I don't think there was any real doubt about that. Zurkag, well ..." So that was the name of the fierce looking goblin. Raknuk shrugged. "I think that deep down even he was convinced. But would you like to come back through? We won't keep you long now."

"Sure."

He followed Raknuk and took his seat at the table once more. There had obviously been some animated discussion going on, judging by the continued muttering from goblin to goblin. Raznak called everyone to order.

"We have taken up too much of Mr Potter's time already. Further discussion can be kept for later.

"Now, Mr Potter, you are here under your own initiative?"

"That's right."

"So you are under no obligation to report to the Minister of Magic?"

Harry hesitated a moment, weighing those words. "No direct obligation, no."

"Direct?"

"Perhaps a moral obligation."

"You make an interesting distinction, Mr Potter. What would you do if we asked you not to report back?"

Again he hesitated, but then: "I think I'd have to accept that."

"Indeed. Well, as it happens, we do want you to report back." Harry blinked, and the goblin smiled. "I was just curious as to your exact status."

"None," said Harry frankly. "I came here at your invitation, but all I am really is just another Hogwarts student."

"Not just another Hogwarts student. Perhaps a rather special one. However, feel free to talk to Minister Arbuthnot in any way you like. Perhaps after that you could come and see us again?"

"Of course. Er, I don't know quite when ..."

"No matter. Contact us when you are ready."

"Okay. I'll do that."

"And may I, in conclusion, say thank you for being prepared to come here today to tell us your story?" There was a rumble of approval from around the table. "And for being so frank?"

Harry gave a smile. "No problem. Besides, I have nothing to hide."

Raznak nodded. "We are convinced of your sincerity. Now, Raknuk, if you'd be so kind as to escort Mr Potter?"

"Certainly."

Harry stood up and looked at the assembled Council. "Thank you for hearing me out," then he turned and followed Raknuk.

"Well done in there, young man," said Raknuk, as they began to make their way along the deep underground corridors.

"Do you mean that?" asked Harry curiously.

"Yes, indeed. The Council were very impressed - not least because you volunteered so much so freely. And that you were not an agent for the Ministry."

"They believed me?"

"I think so. Some are no doubt still harbouring doubts, but yes, we believed you. Raznak was convinced, and he is Head of the Council."

"Good. Look, is there anywhere in Gringott's I can Apparate from?"

"Two more floors up."

"Okay."

"Where will you go now?"

"Home. I'm exhausted."

"Indeed - it must have been quite an ordeal for you. What then?"

"I shall probably drop a note to the Ministry this evening," said Harry slowly, "and I imagine that I'll see Arbuthnot some time tomorrow."

The goblin nodded. "Wizards and goblins have gone their separate ways for a long time. Some would say too long. Others would say it is better that way. But for the moment we have common enemies."

"I know." Harry was silent for a few moments. "Would you say thank you to Raznak for me?"

"For what?"

"For giving me this opportunity."

"Of course. Now here is the Apparation point." They stopped and the goblin held out his hand. "Until later, Mr Potter."

"Okay. Thanks again."

He steeped into the Apparation point, thought for a moment, and was back in his room in Grimmauld Place.

His first thought was for a shower, and after that he changed back into jeans and tee shirt. Then he flopped down on the bed, and before he knew it, had fallen into deep sleep.