Consultation
Harry had pretty much given up on being allowed to dress himself for anything important. Especially with Maglor getting in the act. Apparently his hair was now considered long enough to be braided and it was vitally important that this was done. On the bright side it wasn’t his responsibility to make his hair behave. Surprisingly the tall elf managed to wrestle it into temporary submission and the braids looked pretty good. A simple affair from his temples back and held together with some sort of clasp thing in the back. Where it came from, he had no idea.
Apparently there was another emblem on it but he was going to ignore that fact. He managed to talk both the bard and the house elf from trying to get him to wear more jewelry, that was more than enough. That along with his ever present pendant was all he really needed.
What he was allowed to do was handle the Hallows. They really didn’t want to find out what would happen if someone else tried to do so. They were bonded to him, and probably a part of this consultation so they would have to come. It was handy that if the cloak was back on his shoulders and not closed the invisibility factor did not kick in. That made it easier to wear. Most did not know what that particular Hallow looked like, so it was safe enough to wear openly.
Not that Gringotts was requiring him to go into the public entrance. They seemed perfectly fine coordinating his comings and goings so he wouldn’t be exposed to the wizarding world. To a certain extent, he had become a valued partner or asset. Difficult to say how the dverger regarded him.
With Maglor being in charge of the appointment, Harry just needed to be responsible for his own behavior and remaining polite. This was actually a bit of a relief that he didn’t have to figure out how the dverger thought, or what the best strategy was. That’s not to say he was inattentive. He was taking advantage of letting the more experienced lead, and learn from it. The added bonus that it really seemed to perk the bard up that he was willing to entrust him with this.
Maglor continued to be supportive, patient, and willing to make his own decisions. Trusting him to do this was a minor enough consideration. That worked well for both of them. Including the fact that Harry really didn’t want to be in charge of this meeting. He also didn’t feel the need to be. The bard already had shown he was willing to be considerate of Gilriant’s feelings and needs. There was no need to fight to have them considered.
Sitting back in Nokrak’s office, Maglor took the lead. “As part of the agreed settlement, Master Black is here for the consultation that Gringotts required. Actual payment for any services rendered will be determined by both parties if such action is requested by Gringotts.” Yeah Harry was perfectly happy not to be the one trying to verbally dance around like that. Nokrak smirked and inclined his head. “Agreed.” Well he seemed happy so perhaps the dverger liked a good negotiation.
Nokrak turned and regarded Harry. “Master Black, do you understand the nature of the Hallows you wield?” At that Harry couldn’t help but to smile. “As much as it is possible for anyone of my ability, level, and mortality can. There are limits to what the mind can grasp after all.” Alright maybe he has learned something listening to Maglor and the rest. The dverger cackled a laugh. “A good answer.”
Then the Account Manager became more solemn. “Long ago Gringotts entered into a contract with the Unspeakables. We provided the materials that gave them limited control over those wraiths they call dementors. They in turn worked on ways to banish them with us getting access to said research, and developments that stemmed from it. It has been a mutually beneficial arrangement. However, not one that was ever intended to be permanent. We neither require, nor need, for it to continue.” Not surprising of a fact based on what they knew so far.
“Those foul creatures do not belong here and one of them dared to take dverger souls.” That part was snarled out. It was also a factor that Harry and Maglor had already considered might be part of the consult. So they were not unprepared. One of the reasons that Gilriant bore all three hallows to this meeting. Still, he looked over to the bard.
“So the research they did likely told you who had the highest probability of destroying the creatures. Did it also give you access to The Veil of Death?” Maglor’s serene question did seem to bring Nokrak back from the edge of his rage, if only a little.
“Yes,” Now the Account Manager had a sharp toothed smile “The same which you need access to. I am sure we can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement.” Neither Maglor, Harry nor Kreacher were shocked that Gringotts was as prepared as they were for potential ramifications. Bargaining was part of the blood and bone of their dealings after all.
“But of course.” Maglor inclined his head. “Young Master Black is prepared to try his hand at purifying a dementor and releasing the souls held within. I surmised you have one that you are holding that you would wish to see this happen to?” A neutral expression settled over Nokrak’s face. “We do. It may be best to escort you to where the creature is held and attempt it there.”
The house elf piped up from where he was seated on Harry’s right. “Kreacher thinks it would be wise to invite Unspeakable to see. They need not tell Ministry everything, but will tell what is needed.”
Nokrak inclined his head. “You speak wisely. If your end goal is to convince the Ministry the Dementors indeed will be gone, and to gain access to the Veil it will be helpful. They remaining closed-mouthed about who is doing it, well that would be considered covered under the contracts we already have with them.” Kreacher puffed up slightly. He knew how to look after his little Master’s best interests
Then the account manager smirked. “One we had considered as well. There happens to be one of the Unspeakables here on another matter. They can be easily brought to where we are holding the dementor as witness.” Proving that Gringotts was invested in this matter and more than willing to prove it.
“Very well, shall we start working on the Contract?” Maglor serenly asked.. Even if he anticipated the dverger could devine what their end goal was, the great work of the deal must be made. Their pride would allow no less. It would benefit both parties in this case to have everything clearly written out. “We shall. Gringotts is even prepared to assist in your preparations to return to Ea. Within reason of course.” Nokrak replied.
The two hammered out the details. Each scenario, resources, responsibilities clearly laid out. While the greatest risk was to Harry, all would have a part to play. It was also written in that if this first attempt was unsuccessful, Gringotts would be willing to help provide resources. That is as long as he continued to work at and and there were re-attempts within certain time frames.
This did not concern Gilriant, as he was certain this first attempt would be successful. He could feel that, with every fiber of his being. He was not alone in this venture. Not only would he have family supporting him, there was something else. Another being’s interest had been pricked. They knew what was to happen and no doubt would be ready. While that might disturb others, it did not bother the Keeper of Balance.
Finally the details were hammered out, and all present signed the contract. To Harry’s slight surprise this included Kreacher as well. Upon consideration not so much. The house elf had indeed been there for the settlement, and was part of the family. Therefore it made perfect sense to have him sign as well. While everything was being signed Nokrak called a runner into the office who left to carry out his orders.
He returned with a package which was given to Gilriant. “This came to my office by much more conventional methods than the last items I received for you.” Came Nokrak’s dry explanation. “As a precaution it was scanned, nothing of harmful intent was detected within it. In fact, based on what we could tell without opening it, it is Gringotts belief, this was meant to aid you in your task.”
Harry glanced at Maglor, getting his nod of encouragement before reaching to take and then open the package. Under the first layer, on top of a finely carved wooden box was a letter. He opened it to read.
Dear Friend,
Long ago, my family felt the stirring in the magics when an outside force entered our world. It was deemed far too dangerous for us to approach. It was also Seen that one day, a friend of our family’s would be born of those dispossessed to our world. That they would be able to cleanse what must be cleansed and return the lost stars to their own sky.
We ourselves needed to remain hidden from the greater world. There are far too many that would use whatever they could to grant themselves more power. While those of my family venture forth in it, we remain unseen, and misunderstood. It would not aid you in your tasks for us to openly be what we are at your side. However I would not be deterred from aiding where I could and I am glad to call you my friend.
This was crafted long ago for you, my friend, to aid you in your task. It is my hope that when you go home, you will take this with you. It can aid you while you grow, and be a memory you can hold of our world. This is no prophecy, but a promise. Our power cannot touch those you will aid, but it can aid you. We freely gift this to the Keeper of Balances.
Walk the path of the stars, keep the balance of the sun and the moon. Know that our blessings, hopes and dreams will ever walk at your side.
Blessed be friend
Instead of a signature, there was a finely drawn image of a crescent moon, entwined with flowers. It also had small images on it that Harry was pretty sure were radishes. He knew exactly who this was from. He didn’t blame her at all for keeping that side of her secret. Better than most, he understood how those that craved power, or even thought they were doing what was right for the world could do. They not only could, but would seek it out and if they could not possess it, seek to destroy it.
Whatever she gifted him with, he would use and honor to the best of his abilities. First he passed the letter over to Maglor. Eventually it would make its rounds around the room but as he passed the letter over it revealed more of the box and the carvings on top of it. There was a sharp inhale from Nokrak, and when he glanced at Kracher, the house elf’s eyes were wide and round.
Keeping that information in the back of his head for later he opened up the box. There sitting in the padded interior was an elaborately wrought circlet. Perhaps closer to a crown but it felt lighter and more airy than that. Nothing so solid and heavy.
It seemed to be made of some silvery metal, and inlaid with gold at points of the design. As the light hit it, shimmers of the rainbow gleamed. Every color there was or could be. Gilriant imagined it would shine most brilliantly in the sun, and be a hidden surprise under the moon. Where it would sit on his head, to one side was the delicately designed sun, and on the opposite the moon. Throughout the piece stars were placed, some prominently, others tucked away.
Gilriant reached to touch it, and a fissure of power tickled over his hand. It made the circlet shine bright for the moment, glittering. And when he pulled his hand back there seemed to be traces of glitter on his hand as well. Curious, but far from the oddest thing that had happened to him and he trusted the sender.
“That, young one, is now bonded to you. No matter where you go or what you are, it will fit you. No one else will ever be able to wear it, unless they are also a part of you.” Nokrak’s voice held a hint of awe in it. Now wasn’t that an interesting thought to tuck away and consider all the potential meanings of later.
“You know of it’s make?” Maglor’s voice was sharp as he looked from the circlet back to the Account Manager and back. “Yes, we have not shared all our secrets with you GoldCleaver, not all of them we are free to share. You should, however, recognize some of what has gone into its creation, and that it is safe.” Nokrak’s voice indicated no offense at the question. Just quiet respect now.
Obviously the makers of it were of importance to Gringotts. Just how, well Gilriant supposed it didn’t really matter. Not for them and the limited time they had left in this world. If they intended to stay longer, certainly something he would wish to investigate further. For now they would be taking what research they had with them. He had far too many things to learn still that must be addressed before they were to leave.
Maglor leaned over and inspected the circlet. “This was undoubtedly made for you young one. See here?” He pointed out the sun, “The House of Finwe has the sun in its device. Over here the moon, which is part of the House of Thingol’s symbol. There, hidden, a few flowers for Melian, your maia ancestor.” Harry leaned in to see and yes there they were. He had missed them before as they were cleverly hidden in the design. The bard’s hand traced around the entirety of the circle. “And the stars, for almost all your houses, especially of your Grandfather and of my House.” A faint smile carried in his voice and on his face as he picked it up to place it upon Gilriant’s head. “You cannot argue against wearing this, young one.”
Inwardly he sighed, recognizing the bard’s point. Outwardly he allowed the placement. There was another tickle of power that washed over him. Then, it was peaceful. An annoying prickling buzz at the edge of his senses vanished. One that he didn’t even realize was there until it was silenced. Helpful indeed. A type of clarity that blanketed him. It warmed him to know his friend was looking out for him still. In her own way.
Kreacher respectfully took the box, holding on to it. His eyes remained wide though they had lost some of its roundness. Quiet and almost reverent the house elf held it. Treating it as a precious object.
Then it was time.
Leaving the office they moved deeper into the complex of Gringotts. What most Wizards saw was the upper offices, and the deliberately twisting and confusing track to the vaults. This was but merely a small fraction of it. As they descended it spread and grew. Guards joined them on the journey down, flanking and guiding them deeper. Protection? Respect? Perhaps a bit of both. A hooded figure in a gray robe joined them, at the height to mark them likely being a wizard and not one of the dverger. Almost impossible to tell their gender, they paused at sight of Harry only for a heartbeat before continuing on.
Here, in the depths, the song he heard before rang even more strongly. It spoke of earth metal and stone. The ringing of the anvil and the sparkle of gemstones. Of heat that both burned and nurtured. Fire that breathed life into creation. It was a good song and it welcomed him here. Gilriant followed it, his feet knowing the way as the song started weaving protections. To hold the warmth, to protect life, and to keep the corrupt at bay. Not quite a trance, more like following a guide that he could hear within his very soul.
Soon they came into a wide chamber and in the center, in a circle a rather pitiable creature. One of the dementors, held fast within, unable to move beyond the runes inlaid in the floor. Ones that Gilriant recognized from their copies of the dverger’s research. A faint whisper told him they would be useful at a point in the future.
For now though, he focused on the being, no beings in front of him. For as the Balance Keeper, he could feel them. Not just the corrupted and pained soul of the encasing one, but the souls within. Still fighting, still full of fire and metal and stone, ever fighting. The souls of the dverger were strong and would not give up.
The guards spread around the circle, along with Nokrak, the gray-robed Unspeakable, and Kreacher. Maglor remained at his back. He turned and smiled at his guardian. The bard sighed but inclined his head and stayed back behind him. Gilriant walked into the circle.
Runes and lines in the floor lit up, the white and the black sweeping in from opposite sides of the room and swirling around him, forming the shimmering silver-gray light. The Balance Keeper drew neither wand nor stone, for they did not need to. They were bound to them and a part of them. There was a place in the room opposite from where Gilriant walked, one no living being had stepped into. The air thickened and a power could be felt, building there. The living drew back from the space, not daring to look within it.
No, every eye instead was drawn to the figure that stopped short of the tattered robe wraith. It lunged at them but instead of flinching away, the Keeper grabbed its arm and held fast. The silver-gray built bright shining and outlining not just Gilriant, but the creature. Then even the living could see all the lights of the souls it held within it.
Balance Keeper opened their mouth and a pure tone issued forth. A single note at first and then one that became a melody that first spoke of peace and hope. Wisps of darkness started to be pulled away from the black shroud. Spiraling away and pulling the pain and corruption from the being. Even as that was ongoing, some of the song split. It echoed the call of the song of stone, metal and fire. The souls of the dverger brightened within. Strengthened and yet now they did not fight.
Instead they followed the path being put forth. Being drawn out of the dementor, that was becoming more than that named tortured being now. The souls followed the path to the spot that stood opposite the Keeper. There they were welcomed, an almost celebratory song for those that could hear it. Drawn forth one by one, until all had been wrought free.
At this point the shrouded being was no longer black, nor tattered. The Keeper released the arm in their grasp and all could see it. A gray-silver shroud made whole, both like and unlike the silver-gray light around Gilriant. No one save them, could see what was beneath the hood. Those that stood outside the circle could see only the smile on the young one’s face. The gray-silver clad being fisted its right hand and placed it on its chest bowing low. Then turned and brightened at the other presence there. It glided forward and vanished too into the welcome that waited.
The Balance Keeper went to one knee, head bowed to the unseen presence. One heartbeat, two, then the lights danced up and flared brightly blinding all from sight. When all could see again the presence was gone, as was all trace of the silver light. Gilriant slumped forward with fatigue and Maglor rushed forward on the now darkened runes and lines of the circle to catch him.
“M’alright, just a little tired.” Harry patted the arm around him and let the bard help him up. While undoubtedly Maglor would much prefer to carry him, instead he helped hold him steady. Knowing the young one would much easier accept the support that way. As they stood, the dverger as one, repeated the salute the gray-silver shrouded being had given.
“You have freed and returned our brethren home, you have our thanks.” Nokrak’s gravely voice called out. “As agreed we will carry out our end of the bargain. You will be prepared, and the Ministry will be warned to be ready in four months to replace the guards of Azkaban. For by the Spring Equinox, all will be gone.” The gray hooded figure of the Unspeakable turned their head towards the Account Manager sharply at that. Then inclined their head as well.
“My thanks, for it is past time that all should go home.” Gilriant replied. As he inclined his head in turn to the dverger, the light of the lamps glinted off the circlet he wore. The inner rainbow shimmering against the silver and gold of the metal. A fissure of the power shimmering around it. A reminder of what happened here.
The dverger filed out of the room, taking the Unspeakable with them. Until the only ones that remained were Harry, Maglor, and Kreacher along with a guide. The bard waited until they were the last in the room, the guide standing just by the door. “Are you sure you are alright there hinya?”
“Nothing one of Kreacher’s meals and an excellent cup of tea won’t fix.” Harry smiled at the tall elf. Besides him he could feel the pride radiating off his small friend. “Kreacher will fix the young master an excellent meal and tea, yes.”
With a chuckle, the bard did his best to support Harry as they moved out the door. For his part, the young one leaned on Malgor. It was nice, having an adult he could trust that would be supporting his best interests, over any other. Their guide led them to the point that Kreacher could pop them back to the house.
Once back there, Harry was deposited on the couch in the Room of Stars. It didn’t take long for the fea of his ancestors to once more cover him. Some seemed particularly interested in the circlet on his head. Which reminded Gilriant to take it off to study it. Kreacher placed the box on the stand by him before popping off to fix tea and food. “I am not wearing this all the time.”
A chuckle escaped Maglor as he ran a hand over Harry’s hair. “Nor do I expect you to. Though there are times you should wear it.”
“Yeah, when I’m doing the whole you know, thing with the dementors and such. Which I think I have a plan for. At least the beginnings of one. I didn’t know what I was doing before I got there, but now I have a better idea. And I think you can help me.” Harry settled the circlet in the box and closed it.
“Yes then, and when we get home. It will reflect your rank better and perhaps keep them from trying to put a different crown on you.” The bard remarked absent mindedly as he looked over the carvings on the box.
“Rank? Different crown? What do you mean by that?” Harry started at Maglor and then his eyes narrowed thinking of the elements that had been pointed out to him. Then he slowly asked. “Just how many elven houses have heraldic devices anyways?”
“Hmmm?” Maglor blinked looking at the young one. “Oh did we not go over that part? I suppose we were so focused on what you needed to know right now.” He tipped his head thinking. “Those descended from Finwe tended to. Especially if they served as High King. Thingol’s was an entirely different royal line. The reason I think for the sun and moon on opposing sides and devices.”
Harry stared at him. “Royal houses? When exactly were you going to tell me this?” Looking a bit baffled by Gilriant’s response he glanced in the direction of Gil-Galad, Elured and Elurin’s fea. “I did not know you had not been told and it wasn’t yet relevant. I suppose all of us have spent so much time here that we simply didn’t think of the potential import of it.”
Falling back in his seat he barely noted Kreacher setting up tea and a plate by him. “Okay.” Thinking it over he could see that particular point of view. It sounded not like they were keeping anything from him. There was already a great deal to handle. His gaze flicked from the box and back to Maglor. “And you think that will keep them from trying to put anything else on me?”
“I do not know the current state of affairs so I cannot make any statement with certainty.” Maglor still seemed baffled by Harry’s upset, but remained calm. “What I can say is you are far too young for any of that to be of concern for some time.”
To the side Kreacher fixed the cup of tea the way Harry liked and handed it to him. The house elf shot Maglor a disapproving look. That at least sent a spurt of humor though the young wizard and he sighed. “Yeah okay. We did need to take care of stuff here. See what’s going on there, and then worry about that bit. I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
Maglor set about fixing up the food on Harry’s plate and handing it to him. “Take that up with your grandfather. While Finwe is my grandfather, I was never meant for the crown. Especially after the Oath.” Accepting the plate, the young one started to eat. “For now, eat, rest, and then we can talk about your plan.”