Rating:
PG-13
House:
Schnoogle
Ships:
Cho Chang/Harry Potter Hermione Granger/Viktor Krum Original Female Witch/Ron Weasley
Characters:
Harry Potter
Genres:
Action Suspense
Era:
The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
Spoilers:
Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire
Stats:
Published: 02/06/2003
Updated: 02/18/2003
Words: 264,404
Chapters: 34
Hits: 87,813

Harry Potter and the Flying Squad

Horst Pollmann

Story Summary:
Fifth year in Hogwarts. Even before terms start, Harry is involved in the defence against an evil attack from the Dark Forces, something which ``later will be called 'The Hogwarts Express Accident' ...``In Hogwarts, many things are different - most of all, the joining of all four``Quidditch teams in the 'Flying Squad', for patrol and exploration services.``For Harry, this looks like a path toward Cho Chang, except that - well, ``maybe this should really be left to the story itself ...``At any rate, expect Giants, Goblins, and house-elves to play their roles in ``this fic - as well as some new characters.

Chapter 16 - The Raid

Chapter Summary:
Squad training for the new broomsticks - the Steel Wings - hasn't even started yet when Ron arrives with an alarm message. And of course - concerned about Hagrid, Harry isn't held by rules nor promises, not even by Cho's comment. This has consequences ...
Posted:
02/12/2003
Hits:
2,106
Author's Note:
If this fic is truly English, then it's thanks to the efforts of two people:

16 - The Raid

Hermione's words still in his ears, Harry marched to the Quidditch pitch. So she was trying to solve the puzzle without asking him, was she? Very unusual, that. When Hermione wanted to know something, she could be a real pain in the arse. So why not this time?

With other people, not being asked could mean they weren't expecting a reasonable answer. Not Hermione; such answers only made her push harder. So why else? To give him a rest? Lenience from Hermione was most unlikely. Which left just one reason he could think of: she felt certain that she was going to solve the riddle without his help.

Well, he couldn't change it. Hermione wasn't in the Squad; she only had to keep it to herself, something she was much better at than keeping her nose out of other people's business. Actually, it wasn't quite correct to say she had to keep it to herself: she could discuss it with him. In that case, he had to expect good advice whenever they were alone ... what a promising thought.

He was among the first students on the Quidditch pitch. Probably some Squad members were expecting visitors today, although most parents were expected tomorrow - the Weasleys, for example.

Viktor wasn't there yet, which couldn't have to do with some visitors.

Should he wait? Was he with the Squad while Viktor still was missing and less than a dozen Squad members were hanging around? Harry's conscience said no but didn't get a majority of the vote.

He mounted the Steel Wing.

Having buckled his safety belt, he rose into the air. Some more low-speed training wouldn't hurt. He ran another circle, regaining the touch he'd mastered before lunch.

The Steel Wing's reactions felt more familiar by the minute. Harry aimed at imaginary points in the air, not too far away, pushed a little, then stopped. A real air target would be helpful - maybe a Quaffle, or another team member.

Looking around, he saw Viktor arrive.

Aiming alongside, so he wouldn't hurt Viktor should his calculation fail, Harry pushed harder, diving. The feeling as though being kicked by a Giant came less gently this time; the belt tensed, then relaxed again. Harry stalled to a stop beside Viktor and came to a halt within a yard's distance from the planned spot. There had been no delay in braking, so the fifty percent level hadn't been exceeded.

"Viktor - your arm okay?"

"Yes ... Be careful with your targets."

Viktor didn't complain about Harry's actions; obviously he was more interested in becoming familiar with his own Steel Wing.

Very well then, where was the limit?

Harry started another circle, wider than before. Getting flat behind the windshield, he pushed in earnest.

It wasn't a kick, it was a blow. For several seconds, his flying was out of control.

He slowed down, steadied, and started again, this time with more care while constantly speeding up. Was there still more? Yes - no limit yet. Bending slightly sidewards, he started the arc, speeding, speeding.

The feeling of power seemed almost unbearable. A strong force pressed him into the saddle, getting stronger by the moment, the Steel Wing still accelerating. Harry felt like screaming with excitement.


After a second turn, he made a first attempt to test the brake delay. There was none, not as long as he was restricted to the space of the Quidditch stadium. Maybe if he started from across the lake, only this was definitely not with the Squad ...

The other members were doing similar manoeuvers while more and more reformed to teams, practising formation flight.

Harry had no team, unfortunately. There were the girls; maybe they'd invite him. He flew down.

"Harry," called Alicia, "you're jumping around like a puppy off its leash."

Katie laughed, and Cho gave a mischievous grin.

A puppy - wonderful.

"What's your status?" asked Katie.

"'With the Squad' was the term," answered Harry, "otherwise, to be seen. No solo, no twin - "

"Wouldn't know with whom," said Cho, "so there's no risk."

"Uh-oh," said Katie, "poor Harry." Looking over his shoulder, she added, "Wrong - two twins."

Fred and George touched down. "Harry," asked Fred, "want some team practice?"

Harry glanced around. "Where's Lee?"

"He's got visitors," answered George, pointing his thumb over his shoulder toward the Hogwarts buildings. "His parents. He won't make it today."

When Harry's glance followed George's finger, he saw a figure on a broomstick approaching quickly. The broomstick looked strangely familiar, glittery - a Firebolt!

It was Ron. He landed, missing them by several yards. He didn't look cheerful. "Where's Viktor?"

"Running wild," replied George, his finger drawing a circle that indicated the air around the Quidditch pitch.

"Damn," hissed Ron. His eyes were scanning the air.

Something in his friend's face made Harry ask, "Ron, what's going on?"

"We got an alarm owl - from the Giants."

This wiped the smiles off everyone's faces.

"A group of them, some Giant patrol, ran into trouble somewhere south of Hogsmeade. Other Giants ... that's all we know." Ron scanned the air again.

Other Giants, and what else? Another thought struck Harry. "Ron, where's Hagrid?"

"Not in the school." The concern on Ron's face was disquieting. "In the camp, at least I hope so."

Or with the group, thought Harry. Attacked by Giants ... Only Giants? What if this was a combined attack like on the train? Dementors ... Hagrid and Dementors! That thought brought decision.

"I'm going south." He moved around. "Fred, George, ready?"

Ron's head turned sharply, Cho's too. "You're not!" she shouted, her voice thick.

Ron looked uneasy but didn't protest. Obviously, he had already done the same speculations as Harry.

"Cho, Hagrid's our friend." Harry was pleading. "If there are Dementors - Hagrid's been in Azkaban for two months, if they catch him - "

"You stupid fool! Are you crazy? You don't know what's out there!" Cho's face was almost white.

Maybe so. There wasn't time to argue. Harry looked at the twins. "Now?"

"You're tail," replied Fred, hooking his belt. "Let's go!"

Harry mounted his broomstick and hooked up his own belt. Glancing sideways, he saw Cho snapping her belt. Then he was in the air.

At some distance to the left, a rider was returning to the pitch, another Squad member - no, Viktor. Too late for interventions.

Harry pushed, climbing, weight pressing him into the saddle. He remembered the eye-shield that was still up and flapped it down. He almost had reached formation distance to the twins, but then was too close a moment later ... Why didn't they speed up? The Steel Wing could do better than that.

Fred turned, saw Harry behind them, then looked past Harry. His right hand closed over his right eye, rested there for a second, then he turned back.

What was that? After an instant, Harry remembered, now grateful for Katie's lessons in the Squad's new tactical signs. Fred had signaled him to check his back.

Harry turned around, holding his course with difficulty. The girls were following! They were still behind, closing in.

Was it for support, or to stop them? Cho's face had been a mask of rage ... There was always a point where she stopped arguing, then it was make or break. And if it was break, here and now?

Fred had accelerated. Harry followed, shortening the distance. Fred's hand swung sidewards, upwards, made a fist, then touched his head once, twice.

Another sign. It meant - what? ... Yes, of course, head! Fred was telling him to change from tail to head - switching the formation from a triangle pointing backward to the opposite. It also meant passing the command from Fred, the port wing, to Harry.

Without hesitation, he pushed, pushed, pushed, as fast as he dared without losing control. Strong forces kept pressing on him, tensing the belt, trying to rip his arms off the handles.

He whooshed past the twins, who were certainly following, pushing their broomsticks to the limit too, but he couldn't check, not at this speed and flat on the Steel Wing. A rear-view mirror, that's what's missing, he thought. The rush of air passing grew; no longer a whistling, it was now a steady rumble, surprisingly deep. His body lay inside a narrow sphere of calmness; no sound could pass through the cover of compressed air ... What would happen if he tried to raise his head?

So that was full speed on a Steel Wing.

* * *

He roared across Hogsmeade - not alone, hopefully. People in the streets were looking up and waving. No, he wasn't alone, he could see it from the way they were watching the spectacle.

The streets looked crowded; many parents had announced their visits to Hogwarts. Within seconds, he'd passed the town.

He slowed down, braking. Yes, now he could feel it, the momentum was more than the brakes could handle all at once. Turning, he saw the twins, pretty close. If they'd been farther behind, the second they would have needed to recognize his braking would have been enough to close the distance. The Squad would need another sign to announce braking from high speed, what could it be, something close to the body, maybe a hand flat at the back, a fist opening to fingers that pointed downward.

Three more points arrived in the air, growing, then slowing - the girls.

Harry held the Steel Wing with his knees only, moved both arms, outstretched, in a half circle upward to shoulder height, then back to the handles. It was the signal for the others to close in and spread out to scan formation.

At low speed, careful not to let the wind cover other noises, they scouted over trees, plains, bushes, trees again, and more trees.

Nothing. Nobody in sight, whether human or Giant, no unusual sound.

The trees condensed to a forest, slightly climbing uphill. They reached the hilltop, then descended again.

Somewhere, somebody was cutting wood, now stopped, started again - knock knock knock, too rapid for the blows of an axe ... Quarterstaffs! It came from somewhere to the left.

Bending sideways, Harry changed course. The others had heard the sounds, too; the girls, who had formed the left side of their scanning line, now were in front.

They slowed down more.

Harry adjusted, suppressing the strong desire to push forward, to be on top.

The sounds had stopped. According to their last bearing, it had to be somewhere ahead of them. Another sequence of banging ... four, five - silence.

Cho, in head position, stopped dead. Her arms moved, elbows outstretched, then held to the body - 'Gather,' this sign meant.

Harry moved forward, then slowed. Reaching her position, he saw an opening in the trees, widening to a plain that was fully enclosed by the forest. He heard another bang, saw a movement first, and then he saw the full scene - a dreadful picture.

Close to the middle of the plain, some Giants stood back to back, forming a circle, quarterstaffs in combat stance - four, no, five of them, a sixth Giant sitting on the ground in their midst. Around them were other Giants, apparently more than twice as many, also in combat position.

There was no constant fighting, which explained the intermittent sounds. Those in the middle were defending, those around attacking, stopping, feinting, attacking again.

Harry recalled the Giants' duel in the spector. The scene below looked similar, except that there were many more Giants, and it wasn't sport he saw, it was a deadly fight. Two, no, three figures were lying on the ground, motionless, between the fighters. The defenders in the middle - Lleyrin's patrol - were using them as a barrier that kept the attackers a few more inches away.


The Giants hadn't noticed them.

Cho retreated out of sight from the ground, then waited for the others. Her gaze met Harry's, then the twins'.

"Okay, you heroes," she said thin-lipped, "what now?"

"We have to inform Lleyrin," said Harry, "and quickly - his men down there need help badly."

"That's what I think, too - although I wouldn't have been surprised to hear some half-brained idea about a broomstick attack." Cho pointed down. "At least Hagrid's not there."

Broomstick attack ... Harry didn't intend to do anything as foolish as sending a Patronus - or any other spell - toward the ring of fighting Giants down there. Stunning a Giant took several wizards; aside from that, those Giant weapons -

"If we had our bats, we could give them a run. Those sticks don't come faster at you than a Bludger."

Heads turned to Fred, faces in disbelief. Cho's expression made clear what she thought: crazy Harry had found his master. Katie and Alicia seemed glad that the twins had come without the bats.

George reached in his pockets. His hand came up and he turned to Fred, eyes glittering. "Look here - what about them?"

At first Harry couldn't recognize what George was holding. He saw Fred's eyes go wide, a grin spreading on his face. Then he saw it - firecrackers!

Cho's arm made a slow movement in front of her face, indicating that the twins had lost their marbles, no longer able to distinguish joke from reality.

"Wait - " said Katie.

"Listen," said George, "we know what we're doing. One pass, no more - the surprise is on our side. For those down there, knowing that we've found them might make the difference they need."

Without earning more protest, the twins flew some distance back, gaining the range that was required for reaching sufficient speed to fly down.

Harry lurched a few yards forward to have a better look at their target.

What followed was a scene to remember forever. No one else could have tried it with any hope for success, nobody but the twins, acting in perfect harmony, with years of experience in throwing and hitting at high speed.

They reached the turning point and came around toward the plain. A nod to each other, then their Steel Wings kicked forward, accelerating incredibly fast, the twins side by side. They ducked, their inner arms free, touching each other's fingertips. Just in front of the others, they separated, passing, faces ahead, eyes narrowed, diving, almost crushing through the branches.

Harry's head spun around.

The Steel Wings swerved down, targeting the outline of the combat ring, one at each side, aiming alongside the attacking row. They reached the level close over ground that meant eye level with Giants. The defenders saw them a split second earlier, gaining the crucial instant to prepare ... The twins, like a ballet, sharing one mind, threw the crackers, immediately bent outwards sideways upwards ... out of reach before the explosions burst up, spreading arcs of colour and noise.

The attackers closest to the explosions jumped and turned in midair, twisting, desperately trying to balance between the new enemy and their opponents. They turned back quickly when they saw only sparks - too late, though, for some of them.

The defenders, using the instant of advance, lunged forward, quarterstaffs straight. They struck and retreated back. Two figures were collapsing; a third one staggered, regaining balance just in time before the next hit, and stumbled back.

One defender, darting forward, grabbed the quarterstaff of his downed opponent, leapt back and, without turning, held the quarterstaff behind his back. The sitting figure was up at once to take it and to join the circle.

Harry had counted. Seconds before, there had been eleven attackers against five defenders and the one in the middle, who was apparently unhurt, had been handicapped only by a broken quarterstaff. Now it was eight to six, as big a difference as day and night, not even taking into account the severe blow against the morale of the attackers.

The twins came back, beaming, hands empty, fists up, pumping the air.

"Brilliant!" shouted Harry. "You two ... Incredible!"

Katie and Alicia were shouting, waving, trying to hug the twins in mid-air.

Cho was smiling, her eyes shining, head shaking slowly. When the twins arrived, she called, "Beware of the Weasleys!"

"At your service, madam," replied George, trying a bow. Fred added, "No greater compliment ever, my lady."

"That's it?" asked Cho, sobering up and ready to leave.

"Almost," replied Fred. "We have to split up. Two for the Giants' camp, two for Hogwarts, and George and I'll stay and hold contact here."

It was obviously the best plan. Whatever happened next, wherever the Giants moved, the twins would serve as a living relay station that was easy to detect - assuming the other two riders would give the rescuing Giants an air escort.

Katie nodded. "Harry, you should return to Hogwarts. Let Alicia and me go to the camp. I think it's better that way."

Probably - considering the fact that he wasn't supposed to be here at all. But he hadn't seen Hagrid yet, and wasn't it he who knew Lleyrin best?

"True," called Cho to him, only she meant Katie's argument. "Get going!" She was already turning, so Harry would have no choice other than to follow.

"Okay, OKAY! Just a second!"

Cho stopped and turned, her face telling him No more.

"Back - yes," said Harry, "with a last circle around. If we don't feel cold like from Dementors, we can go."

"All right." It made sense, even for Cho.

Katie and Alicia were already off, gaining speed, heading toward the Giants' camp.

The twins went around to dive again, revealing themselves, steering clear of the group in the center of the plain.

Close above tree level, Harry and Cho made a wide turn. Eyes to the ground, Harry tried to stretch his senses. He had still another reason for this final check, even if he hadn't explained it, but perhaps Cho had thought the same. If the Giant patrol had been attacked right in the plain, they'd seen all the casualties, all of them Giants and no Hagrid. But what if ...

Nothing on the ground. There was no figure, whether fallen or upright, no traces of fighting either, coldness only in the air but not in his senses.

Harry shouted, "Okay - let's go."

* * *

Passing Hogsmeade to the east, they returned to Hogwarts while keeping the old patrol formation - Cho head, Harry tail. Cho kept slightly below maximum speed, leaving the top range for Harry to close in if required.

Harry's mind was still on the battle scene. Five figures in the grass ... he didn't know of which side.

Hogwarts came into view - Steel Wing flights at full speed were pretty short. The Quidditch pitch looked empty. Viktor stood waiting in the Entrance Hall, some Squad teams with him.

Harry and Cho dismounted and walked over.

"Report!" growled Viktor - a very angry Viktor.

Harry obeyed. "We've found them. Only Giants - six of ours, eight of the other side, those were the numbers when we left. The twins are there to hold contact. Katie and Alicia went to the camp." Remembering the initial reason, he added, "No Hagrid, and no Dementors."

"Sign in with Ron," said Viktor, "then join your Head of House, she's waiting for you." He made a face. "I haff got some words by that woman - I don't want to hear thiss again."

Which explained why Viktor sounded so upset that his accent had returned more heavily than in months. Harry could imagine the scene with McGonagall and Viktor shouting at each other. Well, it hadn't been Viktor's fault - or had it? He'd arrived too late for a quick decision ... Maybe Viktor was angry at Harry as much as at himself. All that had started with Viktor testing someone else's Steel Wing. Why not believe the book?

Because going by the book wasn't exactly Viktor's strength. Not Harry's either, and a few seconds from now he was going to face McGonagall.

Ron seemed very relieved to see them. When he heard the story of his brothers' performance, a smile lit his worried face, brightening even further when Harry told him about the resulting balance of powers.

"Good, good," said Ron, "and now for the serious part: Harry, McGonagall's waiting for you."

"I know. I'll see her right away - the sooner, the better."

Outside, he turned to Cho. "I think it's only me she's waiting for - you don't have to come with me."

"Wrong," said Cho. "Badly wrong."

Harry didn't understand exactly what she meant, but he saw no reason to object. McGonagall's full rage, spread over him and Cho, might be slightly more acceptable than undivided.

The reached the office and knocked.

"Come in."

McGonagall looked grim. Seeing Harry didn't relieve her, more to the contrary. Seeing Cho didn't confuse her.

Harry reported again. The story of the twins' dive stirred no muscle in the witch's face, certainly no smile.

"Mr Potter, I remember giving you very clear orders about your outside service - this morning, only hours ago. Please explain to me how this uncoordinated action fits to my orders - and to Squad orders."

"It was because of Hagrid," answered Harry, his eyes on the table. "The alarm message wasn't quite clear - it could have been Dementors, Hagrid within their reach. After his two months - "

McGonagall interrupted him. "Mr Potter, as good as your reasons might have been, your actions are unacceptable. There haven't been any Dementors, Hagrid's safe in the camp while at the same time, there's more at stake - "

She stopped herself and turned to Cho. "Miss Chang, I'm not your Head of House, so I don't need to figure out whether your following was an act of responsibility or recklessness. Anyway, if you would leave us alone ..."

Cho didn't move. "To discuss your little secret? Why?"

McGonagall stared at her, Harry too.

"I think I know it already," said Cho, "so you could suspend me too - except that, in a few days, the entire Squad will know."

"Why - what are you talking about?" McGonagall seemed closer to stammering than Harry had ever heard. At least, she'd found her speech quicker than he had.

"What am I talking about?" Cho sounded impatient. "You know perfectly well what I mean. How do I know it? Because I had time for some clear thinking - and because I talk with Harry a bit more often than the others."

McGonagall looked at Harry. "Did you - "

He shook his head, but Cho answered already.

"No, he didn't, Professor McGonagall. All I know from Harry is about some letter. And then, this morning, I saw him handing a letter to you. But as I said, that was just confirmation because by then, I'd already solved the puzzle."

Solved the puzzle ... oh God, thought Harry, Hermione will be next. He couldn't imagine how Cho had found out - if she had found out. Not that he felt much doubt ...

McGonagall had regained her balance. "Miss Chang, Mr Potter, we have to talk with the Headmaster. Please follow me."


They marched to the staircase, McGonagall first, Cho following, Harry trailing, a formation never used in the Squad, which suddenly seemed far away.

But then, they really would have to suspend Cho. Was she right? Would the entire Squad know in a few days? He didn't think so, but he was probably too involved to look at it from the outside.

McGonagall opened the gargoyle with the password, and they climbed upstairs. There the witch knocked, then opened the door.

Dumbledore looked surprised. "My dear Minerva, an unexpected visit - and some more guests I'm glad to see safely back in Hogwarts." He didn't look as furious as McGonagall, but didn't smile, either.

Another resident of the room was obviously taking more joy in their arrival - Fawkes. Seeing Harry, the phoenix issued a sweet sound, fluttered through the room, and landed on Harry's shoulder. Harry felt a gentle nibbling at his ear.

Cho had watched, and now looked in Harry's eyes. "See what I mean?"

McGonagall seemed confused by Cho's remark.

Dumbledore said, "Miss Chang, it seems as though Mr Potter has told you something, at least Fawkes isn't unknown to you." He motioned for them to sit down.

"Albus," started McGonagall, "Miss Chang has - has solved a puzzle, as she said. I think we should listen to her explanation, and why she believes that in a few days the entire Squad will know."

Dumbledore looked at Cho. "Miss Chang?"

"Harry told me about Fawkes, yes, but that's got nothing to do with - with the reason why we're here. He didn't tell me anything else - didn't need to, actually, because everybody in the Squad can figure it out. I've been a bit quicker, that's all."

"What did you find out?" asked Dumbledore.

"What - well, why Harry isn't supposed to fly around, and why we've got those Steel Wings ... That's about it."

"Please show us your solution." Dumbledore's face was expressionless.

"Well, the first thing was Harry's suspension. We got the information about the Death Eaters from you" - she looked at Dumbledore - "and that Professor Snape's at risk, and that Harry's at risk. Yes, and so he's been suspended - for obvious reasons, wasn't it? Too risky - nobody could follow his Firebolt. It was the natural consequence, right?"

Dumbledore didn't nod.

"It was crap."

This time, Dumbledore reacted, a faint glimmer in his eyes. "I think I know what you're trying to express, Miss Chang, but out of curiosity, what is crap?"

"A Muggle term. It means - er, an incoherent conglomerate of non-matching things ... In that case, arguments."

"Yes, that's what I thought," said Dumbledore. "And why were these reasons so - crappy?"

Cho's face was heated. "Voldemort wants Harry, that's nothing new at all. We've known that since the tournament, since Cedric - was killed. He had him, but he couldn't hold him, and that's certainly no reason to change his mind. So he wants him all the time - the time during which you, Professor Dumbledore, sent him against a bunch of Dementors, during which he was a Squad member all right; with his Firebolt nobody could follow but Viktor."

Dumbledore asked, "Is this a reproach, Miss Chang?"

Cho shook her head. "No, Professor ... yes, a bit, although I'm certainly the wrong person to blame you. Anyway, all I'm saying is just - er, there had to be another reason for your sudden change of mind. The Firebolt - okay, that was just good as an official justification, but not more."

Dumbledore nodded. "Please go ahead."

"So, something was new. I didn't know what, all I knew was that Harry had twenty-four hours a day to think about a way back into the Squad - minus some classes, yes. But for anyone knowing him better, it was clear that Harry wouldn't sit back and just say, well, what a pity."

At these words, Cho's face looked slightly more heated.

She continued quickly. "So I thought for myself, what had changed? What made Harry so precious, all of a sudden, that he couldn't be exposed any longer? His person alone wasn't enough, I think I've pointed that out sufficiently."

Dumbledore nodded.

"The other events at that time gave me the clue," explained Cho. "A team was caught by Death Eaters, and we became aware that information is an important factor. Then we heard about the information we got from outside, from an espionage network - your words, Professor Dumbledore - and then it was clear to me. Harry knew something that was even more important than he himself, and it had to be about that network."

"Was it purely conclusion, Miss Chang?"

"More or less," answered Cho. "To get confirmation, I asked Harry a question and watched his face, that's what puts me ahead of the others."

"Certainly," said Dumbledore.

Cho blushed a bit. "So Harry was suspended - out of the game, safe and snug at Hogwarts. Only there was that tiny little problem that he just couldn't stand it, was as happy as a cat in the rain. Everybody could see it, everybody could hear the wheels clicking in his head. He told me he was looking for a way back, but once more, that was just confirmation. Anyway, for quite a while, nothing did happen."

Cho hesitated a moment, certainly not searching for words, more for what to reveal or in which sequence.

"And then came Christmas. Time for presents. And out of the blue came that hail of owls and broomsticks, the fastest you've ever seen, one for each member of the Squad. Where they come from, who sent them - big mystery. But doesn't it just so happen that they solve one of Harry's problems, that of the slower broomsticks? Whatever he did, his fingers had to have been in the plot."


With a calmer voice, Cho added, "I know from Harry that he received a letter and answered it. This morning, I saw him handing a letter to Professor McGonagall. So for me it's not a guess - I know."

McGonagall twitched a bit.

"The interesting question is," continued Cho, "who sent them? We all got a letter to tell us the news, and that letter comes from where - Gringotts! Of course, a bank's just where you would ask for a broomstick, or a hobnail, or a nice set of cauldrons ..."

Listening, Harry grinned. Meanwhile, he felt very relaxed; a phoenix nibbling at his ears had that effect.

"... run by Goblins, furthermore, it's well-known that Gringotts is used as the Goblins' public gate for business of all kinds - "

Dumbledore interrupted. "That's not well-known, Miss Chang."

"Really?" Cho looked genuinely surprised. "I thought it was. My parents do import-export business, and from listening to them, for me it's a known fact. Anyway, we can safely assume that the mysterious client should be somewhere within the Goblins."

Dumbledore nodded.

"So far, it was just a chain of fairly simple conclusions. The next part's a bit more tricky, but not too much. Why would the Goblins send broomsticks to the Flying Squad? And what's more, why just Steel Wings? As that letter said, you can't buy them anywhere. But I wouldn't be surprised to hear that even the Enforcement Squad never saw them, that they were prototypes ... Anyway, I see three possible reasons."

Cho's index finger came up.

"First, the Goblins do what they can to get Harry out into fresh air, so a passing Death Eater can catch him. No matter what the letter says, that could be a reason. The weak point is, how do they know? But we'll come to that."

The next finger.

"Or the Goblins do just the opposite, they try to protect Harry as strongly as they can. Of course, that would require that they don't know about his suspension - but I could imagine a letter that just says, 'Dear Goblins, it's pretty risky with the Squad because they're all so slow. Any idea? Yours, Harry.' I mean, not quite his style, but for the Squad ..."

Harry didn't move. Indeed, his letter had been different; still, Cho was only listing possibilities.

"Or maybe the Goblins don't give a damn this way or the other. All they do is send what Harry has asked for. In that case, Harry could have written anything, as long as there's a line saying 'We need fast broomsticks' ... Well, those are the possible reasons I can see ... Did I miss something?"

Dumbledore ignored the question. "Please go ahead."

"Now, let's examine them. The first version can be dismissed pretty quickly. One counter argument is the weak point: how would the Goblins know? It could only be Harry's letter, but why would Harry write them if not for good reason? But there's a better proof. If the Steel Wings really came unexpected - I mean, unexpected by everybody, then you" - Cho looked first at Dumbledore and then at McGonagall - "would have intervened immediately. But you didn't. So you knew. Looking at you this morning, seeing you smile happily, was enough to discard the first option."

"Did I?" Dumbledore was smiling now.

"Well - er, so to speak, Professor." Cho hastened to continue.

"The second version doesn't raise any such conflict. The Goblins want to protect Harry because he's precious to them. Why's that? Because he himself, or his knowledge, has to be kept away from Voldemort. If that's true, we've found the mysterious network: the Goblins."

Cho waited a moment, watching Dumbledore and McGonagall. She wasn't rewarded with any reaction, while Harry himself was too deeply fascinated to produce any treacherous sound or movement.

"Still," said Cho, "there's a weak spot. Why don't they send a letter saying, 'Dear Harry, please keep inside, do it for us,' or why don't they send a Firebolt or two? After all, twenty-nine Steel Wings leave a dent in every budget, even that of the Goblins. So let's look at number three. They send them because Harry wants them. I mean, he was as surprised about them as everybody else, but the point is, they spent a fortune. Why? There's just one possible reason - Harry did something for them, and they felt obliged to do it."

Harry hadn't really followed Cho's chain of logic. So it was a real surprise hearing Cho come as close to the Request as her last statement.

"But then, what was it what Harry did, or at which opportunity? Sure, he has that knack for the rich and mighty ..."

It was Harry's turn to blush.

"... and somehow he's always found in the middle of the action, but I couldn't imagine anything in the rank of twenty-nine Steel Wings. Then, thinking about the weak spots in versions two and three, I saw it. Put both together and - bingo - the weak spots disappear! So my final interpretation is this ..."

She had everybody's full attention.

"... Harry did something for the Goblins. In the course of doing that, he came to know about their role in our fight. They had an obligation, and they had reason to protect him. Harry asked them for broomsticks, and they sent the Steel Wings."

Cho turned to Harry, and exhaled. "I really would like to know what you did for them."

* * *

Dumbledore said, "Remarkable, Miss Chang. Except for minor details, your conclusions are correct. So you deserve the truth, and that is why I'll answer your questions. With some Goblins as my guests, I asked Harry to give an eyewitness report of the evening of the Triwizard Tournament. The report was important for our - meeting. I intended to let him do it blindfolded, hiding the nature of his audience. It didn't work that way; Mr Potter will certainly tell you the details. So we decided to let him see, in order to receive his report. As a result, he knew about the Goblins. The final conclusion was obvious, on the day I informed the Squad. In return, the Goblins awarded him a Goblin Request - "

Cho's flat hand hit her forehead. "Of course - a Request! Stupid of me not to think of it!" She looked at Dumbledore. "What category?"

"Privileged."

"Holy dragon ..." Cho's voice was a whisper. After a moment, her eyes narrowed. "Wait a second, Professor - you're trying to tell me that Harry's got a Privileged for telling that story? Try again."

"Miss Chang," answered Dumbledore, "if you agree, I'll follow your free style of conversation and call you Cho."

Cho reddened. "Sorry, Professor Dumbledore ... er, yes, of course, I'd like to ..."

"Thank you, Cho." Dumbledore smiled broader, but became serious again at his next words.

"A Goblin Request for a story, however sad, is certainly inappropriate. On the other hand, if you look at the Request as an award for the story itself, for its outcome, what do you see? Aside from saving himself and returning with Cedric's body, Harry informed us within minutes about Voldemort's revival, giving us time to react immediately."

Harry stared at Dumbledore. He hadn't thought of it that way.

Cho noddded slowly.

"But it's even more than that. A Privileged Request is a mutual bond, binding both sides forever." Dumbledore looked at Harry. "You have claimed your Request, Harry, and you have received what you wanted, but it doesn't stop there."

Harry considered the Headmaster's words. "You mean, that's a permanent ob for both sides?"

"An obligation? Yes, that is exactly the term for it. They're bound to help you now and later, and you're bound to what is awarded. Keeping the secret's a temporary issue, but the bond holds you in the fight against Voldemort - for me, that's the essence of the award."

"That's okay," said Harry, "for as much choice as I have ..."

Cho looked at him. He couldn't decipher her glance.

"The Request also influences our decision of what to do with both of you and your knowledge," said Dumbledore, making Harry's eyes widen. "The Steel Wings are a clear message - toward me, for example. What the Goblins are saying is obvious."

"They want us to use them - me included," said Harry, his heart beating faster.

"Yes," confirmed Dumbledore. "And for everybody not getting the clue, there's the quote in Harry's letter" - he looked at Cho - "the ominous letter of this morning."

He took a parchment from his desk. Harry recognized the Gringotts' emblem.

"The unknown client," said Dumbledore, "recommends to remember this Goblin saying: Why Sickles to mourn, once the Galleon's torn." He looked up. "Harry, how do you interpret this?"

"I don't know," confessed Harry. "I didn't find time - "

"Cho?"

She didn't hesitate long. "If something's going to happen to Harry, their least worry is having their role as an espionage network revealed."

"That's my interpretation, too," said Dumbledore, "as well as that of Professor McGonagall."


Cho didn't look pleased. "I could sign that statement any time, but ... why are they doing everything they can to expose him?"

"To understand Goblins," said Dumbledore, "a look at history is quite helpful. The Goblins' history is full of rebellion, fierceness, and fight. Goblins are warriors at heart. I understand the message this way: Harry's already exposed, actually has been from the day he survived Voldemort's first attack. Protecting him at Hogwarts is a natural act, while hiding him in the building for twenty-four hours a day is the wrong move. They send that message - in the form of the best equipment you can find in the wizarding world to protect a Squad member."

Harry's grin tried to reach his ears.

Dumbledore saw it. "But - there's a big but. As before, we have the obligation to keep their secret and - of course - to protect Harry against the risks we're supposed to confront him with. That brings us to the question of how to balance you, Cho, and you, Harry, with your knowledge and with the Squad?"

Dumbledore looked thoughtfully at Cho. "I don't agree with your statement that the other Squad members soon will find out by themselves. I think you had a few advantages."

Harry's mind was torn between the image of himself back in the Squad and the image of Hermione, who was close behind Cho in her thinking process, or maybe she'd figured it out already. Should he tell Dumbledore? He returned to the conversation.

"... force that made you see, the same force that's more often referred to as blinding."

What had Dumbledore said? And why was Cho blushing so deeply?

"So the first conclusion is, a team with you two alone would nicely separate the knowing from the non-knowing ..."

Suddenly, Harry could calculate again. "It would also reduce the risk for the Goblins," he said. "It would be only one team that's - er, critical."

Dumbledore smiled. "Numerically correct, Harry. Playing with more numbers, that would imply a second twin team - " he looked at Cho, " - your current partners."

"Katie and Alicia."

"Yes. That's of course a violation of the Squad rule which says that a patrol team consists of three members. But I'm sure that everybody will agree. The Steel Wings have fixed the number of Squad people to twenty-nine. So, leaving aside Mr Krum, we simply cannot form twenty-eight members into triple teams only. What I have in mind is to establish those two twin teams, which have to be restricted in their flight routine a little more than the others."

Harry looked anxious. Was it starting again?

"It could be specified as such: the twin teams are allowed for regular patrol, except that they're not allowed to investigate unusual findings closer. On the other hand, if both teams agree, they may at any time form a quad team which then is sufficiently equipped, even better than the others."

Harry beamed.

Cho looked already more interested than sceptical.

"Harry," said Dumbledore, "every attempt to keep you out of the action fails miserably - if that's the right term, considering the results. I would have many comments to say on the flight to save Hagrid, some of them with Professor McGonagall, some different, but I can make it shorter. I will add three extra security precautions."

Now what was this, thought Harry. Could he fly, could he not -

"The first is your team partner, Cho. Whatever flight you want to do, she has to agree. I believe that's the best control we can make work."

Cho beamed.

Harry looked still more interested than sceptical.

"The second is an extension to a standard rule. Mr Weasley - Ron - will work as your anchor. It simply means that you sign out from him when leaving, and you sign in to him when returning."

"Sure," said Harry, "that's the standard rule."

"No," corrected Dumbledore. "The standard rule says that you sign out on a list which is found in Ron's office. Ron may or may not be around. That's the rule for the others. For you, the signing-out must be personally."

"Ah."

"I'm not going to talk about what-if's, Harry. Just remember, that's how we fulfill the bond with the Goblins - yours as well as mine."

"Yes," said Harry, sobering up. "I see."

It wasn't quite true. In his lessons with Lupin, he had been supported in the concept of fighting a necessary fight, once the decision was taken, even against rules and agreements. Something like that had made him gather the twins and rush south of Hogsmeade. The result confirmed his actions ... or, hm, barely justified it ... Or was it pure luck?

And now there was that bond, in a way more flexible than any rule but, in contrast, unbreakable. It was easy to recognize the moment when a rule was broken. It was considerably more difficult to decide whether an action was in the sense of, or against, the bond. Assuming he had one of those inspirations, and they were in some conflict with the standards, what then? The Goblins were warriors, said Dumbledore ... So?

"The third is, like the second, an extension of the standard," said Dumbledore. "In contrast to all other team members, you haven't passed an exam yet, Harry. Before the organization with the two twin teams takes effect, you'll do an exam patrol with Cho ... right after the Christmas visits, the sooner the better."

"Okay," said Harry.

Dumbledore looked him in the eye. "Your exam, Harry, will be different from the others. To return to the Squad, you have to pass it. That means, you have to complete the patrol on your Steel Wing and sign in with Ron."

That sounded very bad. Harry asked, "How different?"

"It will be more than just one single test scenario. We - that is, the same team as for the Squad tests - will try our best to catch you, to get you off your broomstick, with the only restriction that you have to survive unhurt. Harry, we'll play Death Eaters - for them, the restriction is the same!"

Oh God ... Snape, Drilencu, McGonagall ... worst of all, Dumbledore himself ...

"Cho," asked Dumbledore, "you're not being tested, but you'll of course be affected. Do you agree?"

"Oh yes - if Harry comes through, I'll know it's not a bloody foolish idea to fly patrol with him. And if he doesn't, he has to admit that it is."

Harry stared at her. "You think I'll fail, right?"

Cho stared back. "I'm your team partner, I won't cheat. There's no doubt that the odds are against you - us, I mean ..." She shook her head. "No, I think you'll come back - with or without me."