Chapter 37
“Go read your letters, Harry.” Violet said. “We can unload this and meet you for supper and town meeting. Oh? Where’s that going to be?”
“The Mayor’s Office is up and working, not fully furnished but good enough to a town meeting.” Harry grinned. “We’ve kept the ground floor open just for meetings. Lots of chairs and benches.”
“Very good.” Violet grinned back. “We’ll be there. Six, isn’t it?”
“Seven.” Harry corrected. “And supper is provided.”
“Oh, even better.” Violet sighed in relief. “I don’t think I’ll be up to cooking tonight.”
~~~
August 3rd 2920
Harry sat between Sirius and Colin with Fred and Lavender on either side of them, on a rug in front of what would one day be his house. So far, it was a series of pegs and strings laid out in place of a floorplan. James and Lily sat on a log that had been hacked into to form a sofa, while Remus and Tonks had their own rug, that Teddy was laying on.
“So… letters…” Harry said. “Who’s reading them?”
“It should be Fred.” Lavender said. “They’re both addresses to him.”
“Gee, thanks.” Fred snarked but he accepted the two letters from Lavender. “Dumbledore’s first, huh?”
“Please.” Lavender nodded.
Fred opened the folded sheet of paper, breaking the wax seal to do so.
Mr Weasley, Miss Brown.
Greetings to you both.
I was most surprised to receive your Patronus, Mr Weasley. I wasn’t aware of your ability to cast that particular spell, but I then recalled your 7th year and that most ill-fated gathering in the Room of Requirement, that Madam Umbridge seized upon. I don’t doubt that our dear Harry would have happily offered the knowledge that had been offered to him, to his friends and housemates.
A fully corporeal Patronus is one of the hardest magics to cast, being able to do so twice, consecutively, is a testament to you, and Harrys skill as teacher.
I have no certainty in regard to the means of my arrival here, just that I woke with the dawn and was here. It had caused some concern in me, initially, but after thinking on the matter, I decided to take advantage of the opportunity I have been given. Not many get to remember their former lives, when they pass on to their Next Great Adventure.
I still have access to my magical core, however my wandless casting is quite limited, but I make do as best I can. I find it most confusing that my age has been altered. I was, as I’m sure you are aware, well over 100, but now I find myself considerably on the lower side of that, given my appearance. It is most puzzling.
My arrival here was, as I said, simply a matter of waking. I found myself with nothing, no wand, no books, no clothes, no food. I was among a number of other men of a similar age, all of us were injured in one form or another. I allowed the healers to examine me and they assumed that my minor head injury had caused a memory loss. I have spent the last year learning about the culture that I am now a part of and it is most remarkable.
It appears that I was incorrect, when I thought that I was found with other men, in truth, those other men were dwarves. And it seems that I am also a dwarf. Most remarkable.
As employment was necessary to enable me to provide for myself, I gained employment with a ram breeder, it is simple work, but I find that I enjoy it. I am learning new skills and remembering old ones. But life in the Iron Hills, which is the name of the region that I find myself in, is not an easy one.
If, like myself and our acquaintance, you are dwarves, I suggest that you find a benefactor, someone that can assist you in acquiring the minutiae of things that are necessary in dwarven culture.
Beads are worn in the hair, to determine your skills and your social history. Beads for family and kin are worn on your left, starting from the temple. A bead for a father is first, followed by mother and then any children, in order of birth, including the wearer. Skill or Craft beads are worn on the right and I am uncertain of the significance of their order, other than beads for journeyman and Master are worn together and one must be a journeyman to be able to ply a trade.
An apprentice is called a utrab, a journeyman is a tarbûn, a Master is Tarbûnel and a Grand Master is Sigin’Tarbûnel.I would suggest consulting with a bead maker, for more information.
Dwarrowdams, the female dwarves, are highly regarded and respected but they are taught alongside their male counterparts, in all things. Trade, academics and weaponry.
Weapons and their use are taught from a young age. Most acquire skills in at least one weapon, although, many are proficient in multiple.
Children are rare and a much-treasured joy. Young people, like yourselves, are watched over and their training is monitored closely.
As I said, find a benefactor, someone to aid you in getting established, it will make life considerably more pleasant.
It may be many years before I would be in a position to travel, my employer has taken a risk on employing me, the financial cost of establishing me was no insignificant matter. In the year since my arrival, I have only managed to repay a portion of what was outlaid, and until that debt is paid in full, I will not forfeit the position it has granted me.
I have managed to corral our mutual acquaintance, just the once. It did not go well. He was most adamant that I stay away from him and I am sad to say that I understand his desire and reasoning, I abused his trust, quite dreadfully, especially towards the end.
The one thing that we both have agreed upon, is that it would be far better for you both, to stay in the west. There are raids and rumours of an enemy in the east. Stay as far from here as you can.
Mr Weasley, I implore you to protect Miss Brown as you would wish your own sister protected, if she were in such circumstances.
Miss Brown, Mr Weasley is a fine young man, look to him for protection, should you need it.
I would be delighted to hear from either of you, for any reason.
Letters may be addressed to me at~
Albus, son of Percival, son of Claudin
Utrab Ram Herder
Lanzi Vale
Southern Reaches Foothills
Iron Hills
“Oh, my…” Lily muttered. “He’s…”
“Well, that was better than I expected.” Harry sighed in relief.
“Better?” James asked.
“He’s a meddling old man.” Lavender huffed. “He’s had a finger in every aspect of Harry’s life, right from the minute you died.” She half glared at James and Lily. “I’m not surprised that Harry hasn’t told him, he’s here.”
“Far better, if you don’t.” Remus agreed.
“Really?” James asked. “He could help us so much, he’s knows so much.”
“Not about this world, he doesn’t.” Harry corrected. “He’s been here for just over a year. You and mum have been here for over a decade. He’s been nowhere and done nothing, other than find work where he is.” He looked around the group. “We’ve travelled hundreds of miles, met dozens of people, bought a place to live, we’re building a village around us. We’ve made connections, acquired skills, beads, weapons and friends. He’s done next to nothing in comparison.”
“Huh...” James grunted before slowly nodding. “That's true...”
“And I’m still a bit peeved at him, over the whole prophecy thing.” Harry added. “I’m not ready to tell him, I’m here, not yet.”
“No, I can understand that, pup.” Sirius nodded.
“Shall we read Severus’ letter?” Lily asked.
Mr Weasley.
Please forward my regards to Miss Brown, and assure her that I mean no disrespect when I address this letter to you. It is simply the fact that I am more familiar with you, having both been members of the Order.
That old fool cornered me shortly after I received your Patronus, and might I say, that was certainly an unexpected surprise to see it approaching me. I was not aware that it had been covered in your DADA classes, I know that I never covered it. It is exceptionally difficult to cast a corporeal Patronus. Be proud of yours.
My arrival here was most unpleasant, but I do believe that was as much the issue of my being bitten by Nagini, as anything. The last thing I remember is seeing Potter kneeling beside me, then I woke in a healer’s room. The healer attempted to give me an inferior potion, to which I took offense and informed them that their potions master was deplorable. It earnt me a quick rebuke, but only until the healer realised that my skill with potions was fact, not a desire to avoid treatment. I was subsequently offered the post of potions journeyman, and progressed to Master within weeks. I have no wand, which is an inconvenience that renders some of the more effective potions out of my capability, at this point in time.
I am experimenting with feeding an oak seedling a mix of potions and my magic, in the hope that I can harvest a branch for wand wood. Although, I am uncertain as to what to use for a core. I have found a few magical plants and may have to resort to using a floral core as opposed to a faunal one. They require more power to use and are less powerful, but are useable by almost anyone that lays a hand to them.
Irrespective, I am not suggesting that you attempt to replicate my experiment, I have been working on this for some months, now and feel that results are still many months, possibly even years away. But I shall persevere.
Albus informed me that he would provide you with whatever cultural information he can, so I shall not waste paper on duplicating what little I know.
Instead I shall recommend that you find a benefactor, someone that can aid you, but I warn you to be selective. The last thing you want, is to be under a mountain of debt or to have Miss Brown be forced into a marriage, against her will. If all else fails, marry her, yourself. Do not let her fall to the predations of those who would abuse her.
The old fool and I are in agreeance on one subject only. That you must stay in the west.
Goblins here, are not like those of Gringotts. Here, they are foul beasts, worse than Greyback and his brethren. They and the creatures called ‘orcs’, are controlled by a being that the locals call only ‘the Enemy’, many refuse to say anything more on the matter. But raids and attacks are an ongoing issue, and the healers here believe they will not end until the west is at war with Mordor.
How long until that happens? I will not guess. The few that will speak to me of it, do not believe that it will be in our lifetimes. I am not so confident.
I will do all that I can to train future potions masters, people that can alleviate the suffering of the injured.
Due to this, I beg you, stay in the west. If you must, prepare for war, but do not come east.
Please, please, do not come east!
If you wish to write, letters can be sent to me at
Severus, son of Tobias, son of Wallace.
Potions Master
Clifton Ridge Healers’ Halls
Southern Reaches Foothills
Iron Hills.
There was only silence when Fred finished, silence that lasted for minutes.
“I…” James started only to fall silent again.
It was Sirius that finally spoke up. “Harry?” He asked.
“Yeah…?”
“Get the wand box out.” Sirius replied. “If we’re facing a war, we need potions and Snape… As much as I hated him, Snape was the best. He needs his wand.”
“Yeah.” Harry nodded. “But…? I’ll hunt one up for him, I know what his looks like, but how do we get it to him?”
“Send it in a document tube?” Colin suggested. “Or a box?”
“Both.” Remus said. “Put the wand in the document tube and place that inside a box. That way you can place a ‘recipient only’ charm on the document tube and an opening charm on the box that only requires him to pulse his magic into it, to open it.”
“Mum?” Harry asked. “If we get a box together, can you charm it?”
“Yes, dear.” Lily nodded.
“Thanks, mum.” Harry smiled at her before letting his smile fall. “I’m not sure this is… Is it just me or is Dumbledore just sitting back and waiting for whatever is coming, to come? Am I really choosing to work with Snape over Dumbledore?”
Remus snorted. “Snape might be an ass, but he’s smart. He’ll have taken one look at what’s going on and he’ll be getting ready. His potions could be the difference between life and death, for many people. I say, send him a wand.” He frowned. “Two if you can find a second one.”
Harry nodded, climbed to his feet and apparated away, re-appearing a few minutes later. “I found Snape’s wand, I think.” He laid the wand storage box on the rug and a black wand beside it.
“Yes, that’s his.” Lily said.
“Great.” Harry sighed. “So, how do I get one that will choose the same wizard? Ollivander says the wand chooses the wizard.”
“Ask.” Lily said and leant forward, she picked up Snape's wand from the rug and tapped it on the box. “A matching wand for the wizard, Potions Master Severus Snape.” The box clicked and fell silent, a few seconds passed and the box clicked again. Then the clicking kept going for nearly a minute, before a second wand was ejected from the top of the box. It rolled to a stop against the box’s trim. She picked it up and placed it on the rug, before tapping the box again. “A matching wand for the wizard, Potions Master Severus Snape.” This time the clinking last only a few seconds, before a third emerged from the box. “I think three is enough, don’t you?”
“Yes, mum.” Harry nodded. “Now if you can enchant some holsters for him…?”
“James was taught how to make them.” Lily mused. “Two forearm and one leg, I think…”
“That sounds about right.” James nodded. “I don’t suppose that your Hermione threw in any dragon-hide, did she?”
Harry blinked. “I don’t know… Mum? Dad? Sirius? Why don’t you come with me and we can check out the trunk that she sent and see what belongs to who? Cause, Hermione and Andromeda just lumped anything of mine, mum’s, dad’s and Sirius’ all into the same trunk. Remus and Tonks’ stuff went into a separate trunk that Hermione wanted me to give Teddy.”
“But as Remus and I were here, he just gave it back to us.” Tonks said, from her seat beside Remus.
“How’s Teddy’s colic?” Lily asked.
“He’s about over it.” Tonks said. “Thank heavens… I feel useless to the Pond. All I’ve done is look after my son, while you lot have been building.”
“No.” Harry shook his head. “You’ve looked after the future of Hogwarts in middle-earth.”
“Yes.” Lily agreed. “Teddy will be here, long after us, he’s the future of Hogwarts. He and this little one.” She placed a hand on her belly. “They’re our future.”
“What?” James blinked.
“Mum?” Harry asked.
“I’m pregnant.” Lily nodded, her smile bright and wide.
“My turn!” Remus squawked. “I get to be godfather, this time.”
Sirius just started to laugh.
“A brother or sister…” Harry whispered.
“Brother.” Lily corrected.
Harry blinked. “You can tell?”
“Yes, Harry.” Lily nodded. “The diagnosis charm tells the sex.”
“A brother…” Harry whispered, again. He leapt over to hug his mother, laughing and crying at the same time, ignoring James who was doing his best to imitate a statue.
“So?” Harry asked.
“The holsters are done.” Lily said. “Might not be the fanciest to look at, but they’ll do the job.”
“The charm work on them is done, too.” James added. “Thanks be to Hermione for the dragon-hide.”
Lily studied the pile of wands and hide. “I’d suggest wrapping the wands in wool or cotton and stuffing the document tube as full as you can.”
“I have plenty of wool, but only a little bit of cotton.” Harry replied.
“Then wool it is.” Lily replied.
The three wands were enclosed in fluffy unspun sheep’s wool, before that was all wrapped in a piece of blanket. This was carefully pushed into the document tube before the tube was sealed with a ‘recipient only’ charm. The three holsters were laid in the base of the box, over the layer of blanket that lined it, the tube was placed on top of the holsters, along with a pair of small stasis boxes and everything was packed with more wool, leaving barely enough room for the omni-directional notebook to be jammed in, on top of everything.
Each stasis box had a shrunken chest in it, one containing seeds and the other had a shrunken greenhouse, between them they had every type of magical plant that the magicals had come across, all bar the Whomping Willow seedlings. There was even a pair of tiny… tiny… mandrake seedlings.
“Are you sure about sending him plants, Harry?” James asked.
“They’re all potions ingredients, dad, and he’s the Potions Master.” Harry replied. “He needs them. If he’s to work to the best of his ability, he needs not only his wand, but the ingredients to make those potions.”
“Huh…” James grunted. “Yeah, I suppose he does.”
“How are we doing with those omni-directional notebooks, Tonks?” Harry asked as the dwarrowdam in question walked into the big house’s kitchen.
“Good.” Tonks nodded. “All finished.”
“How do they work?” Lily asked, this was something she’d seen but never had the opportunity to study, before that Halloween.
“It’s simple.” Tonks replied and laid what looked like a standard notebook on the table and opened it. “See, here?” She pointed at the inside cover. “Each image corresponds to another book. I’ve gone with a magpie for Fred and a rabbit for Lavender. And of course, the cauldron is Snape.”
“Of course.” James nodded. “Are we sending one to Dumbledore?”
“No.” Harry answered. “We’re sending him a sheet of two-way parchment, not a book.”
“Just linked to one here?” Lily asked.
“Yes.” Harry smirked. “If he wants to harass Snape, he can do it in person.”
James laughed. “Not going to make it easy for him, are you?”
“Nope.” Harry huffed. “I’m still feeling a bit miffed at him. I mean… I don’t like Snape, but the way that Dumbledore treated both him and me? And the fact that Dumbledore’s just sitting back and waiting for a war to come, while Snape’s working on potions to help…?”
“And let’s not forget the wand, thing.” James added. “Snape’s at least trying to grow the components to make one.”
“Yeah.” Harry nodded.
“So, we’re helping Snape, because he’s trying?” Tonks asked.
“But Dumbledore’s not, so he’s not getting the same help.” James added.
“Exactly.” Harry smiled as he nodded.
“Okay, then.” Tonks nodded. “What are we sending them?”
“Snape? Wands, three of them, plus holsters.” Harry answered. “The notebook. Two small stasis boxes with shrunken seed-box and greenhouse, with all the plants we’ve found so far. Dumbledore? A sheet of two-way parchment.”
Tonks looked at him. “That’s it?”
“That’s it.” Harry nodded.
“Can I suggest that we inform Snape of the LAD Summons?” Tonks asked. “If we’re helping him, we should help him, in any way we can.”
Harry blinked, he hadn’t thought of the Summons spell-chain since they left Brandyhall.
“It might make the difference between him succeeding and just scraping by.” Remus added.
“True…” Harry nodded. “Do it. Get Fred to write it out. I’m still not comfortable telling either of them that I’m here, not yet.”
“That’s fair, Harry.” James nodded. “I think I’d prefer to do the same.” He looked a little hesitantly at his wife, Snape was her friend and she might not appreciate James’ feelings on the matter.
“Yes.” Lily nodded. “I agree. We can inform them later, when we feel they need to know.” James threw and arm around his wife and hugged her to his side, pressing a kiss into her hair. “Like Harry, I’m still a little steamed at the way he treated my son, better for both of us if I’ve got time to calm down.”
James laughed, gently and smiled. “We let Fred be point of contact, for now. You can chew Snape’s ears off, later.”
“Later.” Lily nodded.
“Harry?!” Colin’s voice came from outside. “We got incoming dwarves.”
Harry hurried out of the house and looked to the main access point to the East-West Road, and sure enough, two dwarves were hesitantly entering the village’s gates.
“And you want me to see to them?” Harry asked.
“You’re the mayor.” Colin retorted. “And you’re a Sigin’Tarbûnel.”
“Huh.” Harry grunted. “Alright.” He waved to the house. “You explain to them, I’ll see to our visitors.” He trotted down the hill and across the flat, knowing that any hobbit that saw the dwarves would automatically look for one magical dwarves to tend them. As Harry drew nearer, one of the dwarves eased the other to the ground, and it became clear that the second dwarf was injured, as a wrap on his leg was dark with blood.
“Hello.” The first dwarf called as Harry reached them.
“Hi.” Harry said. “Welcome to the Willow’s Pond. I’m Harry, son of James.”
“Hello.” The dwarf repeated. “I’m Gideon, son of Ignatius. This is Fabian, my-”
“Prewett?!” Harry gasped, he knew those names.
“Uh… do we know you?” Gideon asked.
“Harry… son of James… son of Fleamont…” Harry said slowly. “And Fred’s adopted brother.”
“Fred…?” Gideon asked.
“Fred and George? Molly’s sons?” Harry added.
“Oh…” The two dwarves looked at each other. “Um…”
“Oh for Merlin’s sake…” Harry huffed. “Weren’t you two Aurors?”
“Uh…”
Harry glared at them and huffed. “Hello.” He said again. “I’m Harry Potter, son of James and Lily Potter. I’m your nephew’s best mate, adopted brother and quidditch captain for Gryffindor. Welcome to The Whomping Willow’s Pond.” The two dwarves just gaped at Harry and the seconds crept past. “What? No reaction?”
“You’re… you’re… you’re…” Gideon didn’t seem to know how to respond to Harry’s introduction.
“I’m waiting, is what I’m doing.” Harry huffed.
“I’m Fabian, Molly’s older brother.” The second dwarf finally said. “Any chance of some help? We got caught by some ghouls in the hills to the south-east of here. We got away but, I hurt my leg.”
“Yeah, we can fix that.” Harry said. “We’re not really at the same level as St. Mungo's or Madam Pomfrey, but we can fix you up. And no, the Barrow Downs are not good, they make the Forbidden Forest look like Kensington Gardens.”
“Yeah, didn’t like them.” Fabian agreed.
“You’re…” Gideon said for the fourth time.
“Is he broken?” Harry asked.
“Probably.” Fabian nodded. “We’ve been here for a long time.”
“Hmm... September 1981? Right?” Harry asked.
“Yep.” Fabian nodded. “We thought we were alone until we received a Patronus, a couple of months back. Don’t know who it was from, but whoever sent it was obviously a wizard, and obviously from Hogwarts. Neither me or Gid can do one of them, not a fully corporeal one, anyway, and certainly not a wandless one, so we couldn’t reply. We took a few days to think about it and we decided that we couldn’t let someone else struggle along like we did. Our first few months, here, were awful, we had nothing and no-one seemed to want to help. But we finally got sorted. So, we felt that we should be helping out our fellow magicals. We packed up our stuff and sold what we couldn’t pack and left the Blue Mountains. The message said to go to Bree and ask for the locksmith and the wood-carver. In Bree, the Trade-Master was…”
“Useless?” Harry asked. “Yeah, I found that, too.”
“Yeah.” Gideon seemed to have pulled himself together and he entered the conversation. “We got next to nothing out of him, but one of his guards? He told us about this place. Said you were helping the hobbits build a new village.”
“We started back, but we got a little off course and wandered into the hills of the Barrow Downs.” Fabian shuddered.
“Big mistake.” Gideon added. “We had to fight ghouls just to get out alive. All our stuff is still there, our pony is dead. The ghouls didn’t attack the cart, just us, our pony and our dog. I have no idea if the dog got out alive, or not, but we saw the pony get slaughtered.”
“Ouch.” Harry grimaced. “Well, let’s get you healed up and then we can deal with the ghouls.”
“Uh…?” Gideon grunted.
“If you remember the campsite, we can apparate in, summon and pack your stuff and apparate out.” Harry replied.
“How?” Gideon asked. “Neither Fab nor I, learned to apparate wandlessly.”
“So, we get you a wand.” Harry said. “We got plenty of them.”
“You’ve got wands?” The pair said together, both sets of eyes wide in surprise.
“Yeah. Lots.” Harry nodded. “Ollivander put together a storage box and had it sent with me.”
“How?” Fabian gasped. “We had nothing when we arrived, only the clothes we were wearing.”
Harry snickered. “Consider yourselves lucky then, Dumbledore didn’t even get clothes.”
“Dumbledore’s here?” Gideon’s eyes were wide.
“Not here, but…” Harry frowned. “He’s in middle-earth, but he’s way out east.”
“And how do we plan to get to him?” Fabian asked.
“We don’t.” Harry replied.
“Why not?” Fabian frowned.
“Dumbledore doesn’t know I’m here and I’m not telling him.” Harry said before turning slightly to the side and casting a Patronus. “Message to Colin.” The silvery stag nodded and opened its mouth. “Can you harness up Golly or Delilah and bring a cart down to the gates, our dwarven guests are injured.” Harry nodded and the stag ran away, he cast again. “Message to mum.” The second stag opened its mouth. “Mum, bringing in injured dwarves. Leg wounds, probably a bit of ghoul exposure and shock, I think.”
“You can cast…” Gideon whispered.
“That’s James’ Patronus.” Fabian added.
A bouncy little spaniel Patronus ran up to Harry and leapt up into his lap. “On my way.” A young male voice spoke.
“Who…?”
“That was Colin.” Harry said. “Let’s get you fixed up and then we can bring you up to date on what’s happening and what we’re doing about it. Okay?”
“Ah… yeah, I s’pose so.” Gideon answered.
An hour later, the two new dwarves looked at Lily.
“Are you frigging kidding?” Gideon spat. “Dumbledore gave your son to muggles!? Muggles that he knew hated magic?”
“He did.” Harry nodded. Lily was studiously trying not to laugh at Harry's nonchalant attitude.
“But Snape…?” Fabian whined.
“Yeah, I’m still struggling with that.” James said as he entered the kitchen. “But at least the greasy wanker is trying.”
“Which is more than can be said for Dumbledore.” Sirius added as he wiped his boots at the door.
“Agreed.” Remus stood behind Sirius and waited until the smaller man cleared the doorway.
“James…” Gideon whispered.
“Hey, Gid, Fab.” James gave them a grin and sidled up to his wife. “We finished putting your greenhouses up.”
“Thank you, dear.” Lily pressed a kiss to James’ cheek.
“Do I get one of them, too?” Sirius asked. “I helped.” Lily just looked at him with one brow raised. He took a few steps back and made sure the table was between he and Lily, earning him a snort from the Prewett twins. “Never mind, I’m good.”
“Fred’s incoming.” Lavender smirked. “This’ll be good.”
“Hey, all.” Fred stomped into the kitchen and made for the stove. “Colin told me to get over here. Why?”
“We have a couple of newbies.” Harry said.
“Have they been sworn in?” Fred asked, he’d been in the process of retrieving his wand but paused at Harry’s comment.
“No, but they don’t need to be.” Harry said. “Turn around and meet your uncles.”
“What?” Fred turned to look at Harry, who nodded to Gideon and Fabian.
Fred’s head turned a little more, before he caught sight of the older twins’ bright red hair, then he spun around, his eyes wide as he focused on them.
“Who…?”
“Hi.” Fabian waved. “I’m Fabian.”
“Oh my gosh…” Gideon whispered. “Little Freddie…”
Fred’s brows rose sharply and he turned his head to look at Harry. “Am I seeing things?” He said in a faint voice.
“If you’re seeing redheaded twins, then nope, not seeing things.” Harry poured himself a mug of juice and sipped at it. “Apparently, they belong to you.”
“Me?!” Fred squawked. “They’re not mine, they’re mum’s!”
~~~