The Redoubt
Molly was in the kitchen, cooking for her children, her husband, and her visitor. Gary, after calming down, spent time with the boys.
Molly had flooed not only her husband but her brothers as well.
By 7:00 all were present and eating in the large dining room. Arthur told a few stories as to what he was doing, the two brothers less so. Gary gave a few stories which would be safe for general consumption.
He told stories of helping a wizarding community with an epidemic and getting a clinic built. He also told a story of helping a group under attack from a (what they assumed was magical) creature. Helping some muggle refugees with the government they now had to deal with.
He didn't really say much in detail, but it was obvious he did a lot of helping people out.
Molly beamed at a number of the stories. It was obvious that Gary was a good wizard.
Finally, the children were all put to bed and the real conversation took place.
"So, what's really been happening in Britain?" Gary asked.
What followed was a story of a hidden war that turned into some visible skirmishes. Arthur spent far too much time obliviating muggles and Fabian and Gideon were involved with a group which was trying to stop the madness.
Gideon sighed. "We've had a few meeting places which have been attacked. Somehow, they seem to find them too easily."
Gary looked at the twins. "What about wards?"
Fabian shook his head. "Who has time? Although we have a few wealthy members, even their wards are suspect. It would take doing something like we did here to make strong enough wards – and we've been kind of keeping them to ourselves. I don't want to see my sister's family in danger."
Gary said, "I can agree with that." He paused for a moment. "I wonder if we could work out something which would solve both problems."
Everyone was interested. Gary asked, "How hard is it to make a secure floo connection?"
Each of those he was asking looked at each other and then shrugged. "It's not too hard – but even a secure floo doesn't help if someone manages to get the password."
Gary sat back and considered. He looked at Arthur. "Would you object to adding a secret floor to the Burrow?"
Arthur was both curious and worried. "Secret floor?"
Gary nodded. "Your mum made a couple of more schemes for separate wards, right?"
Arthur chuckled a bit. "After your last visit – she made more. The Weasley Box now has templates for up to eight different schemes tied together. The main ward stone would provide the final focus – but another one could hold the schemes for particular sections completely separate."
Gary was surprised. "Eight?" Arthur nodded. "Wow." He sat back again. He turned his head toward Molly, who was watching this meeting and knitting at the same time. "Molly, you have a bit of parchment?"
After getting the parchment, Gary sketched out a few ideas. The others watched him with curiosity. Finally, his ideas were somewhat laid out.
Gary looked at the people around him. "I want to set up a warding scheme which would allow us to place hidden areas completely separate from the rest. If we can do it right, the people who visit this area wouldn't even know exactly where they are. Only the property owner," he nodded at Arthur, "would have that secret. Complete wards could be placed which would be set by someone else, but they wouldn't have access to the main stone."
The Weasleys and the Prewitts all looked at the sketch. Molly said, "It looks to be expensive. We would have to get a larger ward stone and I remember how hard it was to gather the foundation stones."
Gary nodded. "I know. We'd need some financial backing. That's why these two," he looked at the two Prewitts, "are going to ask one of their friends to visit me."
Gideon and Fabian looked at Gary. The man had been visiting their sister's family on occasion for over 9 years. He had single-handedly, almost, been responsible for ensuring that the family was comfortable and fairly well protected.
Although these were nervous times, they decided they could trust him. And besides – he always came up with such unique solutions. Fabian asked, "Who do you need to meet?"
James Potter was very curious as to where the Prewitt brothers were taking him. They had contacted him just the night before, asking him to come to this meeting in secret. Even his fiance and the Marauders didn't know where he would be. He trusted them, however. And so he was at a private floo, waiting for them to arrive.
Suddenly, out of the suddenly green flames stepped first one and then the other. "Hello, James! Fancy meeting you here!" Gideon said with a grin.
"It's almost as if you're waiting for a date!" Fabian added.
James grinned. "Not if I don't want Lily to kill me. Besides, I'm a one-woman man."
The Prewitts grinned. "Thanks for coming," Fabian said.
Gideon added, "We're actually going to my sister and her husband's place, so no secret locations."
James was a bit confused. "But this is secret? Everyone knows you have a sister."
Suddenly, the two were very serious. "Yes, everyone knows. But they have an old friend visiting and his presence is secret."
"He's gone out of his way to help keep her family safe."
"And so, when he asked for secrecy, we promised."
"And you're going to promise too."
James, seeing their expressions, nodded solemnly. "I give my sacred word that I'll keep this secret."
The two looked at him and then nodded. Their smiles returned. "Okay. The floo address is the Burrow and the password is 'Battry.'" Fabian paused. "Arthur's a bit odd."
The three flooed in to the home of Molly and Arthur Weasley. The two led James into the family room. Sitting in the room was the Weasley family in full, as well as a man which caused James to stop short.
The man looked up and James asked, "Who are you?"
His features were so close his own that he was completely shocked. As far as he knew, he was the last Potter.
The man stood and said, "In this place, my name is Gary Seven. And yes, I'm distantly related to you as well as all of these."
Molly, Arthur, and the Prewitts were all looking back and forth between the two. Those who knew James were shocked to realize that they never noticed the similarity – but they had never seen them together.
James sat down, "In this place?"
Gary smiled a bit mysteriously. "A long story. I've been known by a lot of names."
James sat back in the chair. "Why did you ask to meet me?"
Gary looked at Molly. "Perhaps we can move to the dining room and these stay here." He pointed to the children.
Molly nodded. Bill and Charlie protested a bit and even Percy looked unhappy. The boys were only satisfied when Gary promised that he wouldn't be leaving.
The adults all trooped into the dining room and all sat around the table. James looked around and commented, "This is very nice! I didn't know the Burrow looked like this."
Molly and Arthur smiled, even as Gary and the Prewitt brothers grinned. Fabian said, "Gary here helped design and build it."
Gideon added, "One reason we trust him so much."
"He's helped our sister and her family a bunch of times."
Gary made a noise. "It's only been a couple of times, and I was well fed in exchange."
Molly interjected, "It's been far more than just your visits."
James smiled at the interaction. "Well, why am I here?"
Gary looked at James. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're … helping … yes, helping … helping some pillars of the community with an issue that has been growing these last few years."
James was a bit suspicious. "What do you mean? I just got out of Hogwarts and am managing my estates and preparing to get married."
Gary nodded, "Yes you are. But you're also helping to combat the growing problem of a particular Dark wizard which had made himself a nuisance."
James nodded. "It's no secret that my family has long been against Dark wizards. I help out from time to time."
Gary said, "Yes. And I'm asking you to help even more." He looked to the others. "Can I have permission to tell him about The Box?"
Arthur sat back and thought about it, as did the others. Arthur said, "You were there when it was made a family secret."
Gary replied, "Yes. And I can say with certainty that James IS family. He's related to all of you as well as me. And he can help get it into use making money for you all."
James scoffed at that. "What do I care about making money? There are more important things happening than money."
He was surprised when everyone glared at him. Gary said, "Yes. The Box is much more than about making money. Properly used, it can provide a real difference. But as the man who made The Box, I'd like to see the Weasleys and the Prewitts benefit from one of their secrets being used. The Potter family is wealthy. The Weasleys and the Prewitts also have to live while they do their part."
James, recognizing that his hosts were pretty close to being offended, immediately apologized. Gary turned back. "So, can I get permission?"
Each of the red-headed men looked at each other and then at Molly. Molly looked back at Gary and considered it. In her mind Gary was family and so she nodded, giving her agreement. Arthur turned back and said, "I think that's a yes."
Gary asked James to make an oath to maintain the secret outside of those present, unless given specific permission. Although hesitant, he agreed and did so.
Gary said, "Okay, Arthur, bring out The Weasley Box."
Arthur left and returned shortly. Gary opened the box and started laying out its contents. He explained what each item was and then showed James the templates. He explained how this allowed the creation of several interlocking but separate warding schemes. He also explained how it had been used in the construction of much of the Burrow.
When it was all explained, James whistled. "My family knows a bit about wards. But this is amazing." James looked at Gary. "What's your idea?"
Gary said, "I suggest that you go into partnership with the Weasleys and Prewitts. More warding templates can be devised. This would allow quick but thorough installation of pretty strong wards, especially for new construction. I also suggest this."
He pulled out his sketch and explained it. "I suggest building a second floor on the Burrow and calling it The Redoubt. With the interlocking system, we can create an area where your friends can gather and plan which is completely closed off from the rest of the property. Only Arthur, as the property owner, would eventually know the location of The Redoubt. Perhaps the person holding the wards for the Redoubt might know, but the secrect keeper would be Arthur." He really hated the meddling Dumbledores.
He continued. "Everyone could floo or apparate in to an entrance completely separate from the Redoubt. We can build a magical elevator which would take people in but ward it in such a way that any incursion would set off an alarm. A separate Fidelius would hide the location from those coming in and even attackers wouldn't be able to see outside of it, much less even attack it."
Gary paused, "The only thing is: It's going to cost a bit of money. For providing the backing for this, you get to own a business providing ward schemes and even contracting with Gringotts if necessary. You could, perhaps, employ friends who otherwise might have difficulty getting employment elsewhere. The only limitation is – they are only provided duplicate materials and 'the Potion' to do the job. Only you, Arthur, Gideon, Fabian, and Molly would have access to The Weasley Box."
James was curious. "What about you? Don't you have access?" The others all voiced their agreement with this.
"Well, I'm not here much. If I get access – well, that's great but not necessary," Gary said.
James stood up. "I'd like to consult Lily and make sure it's okay with her, but I think I'll want to do it."
Gary also stood. "Lily is your fiancé?" James nodded. "Well, if she's marrying you that's fine." The others agreed. "But no one else. I know you have some close friends but this isn't your secret to tell, at least not yet. Agreed?"
James put his hand out, "Agreed."
Handshakes were passed all around. James said he would be back the next night to work out details.
Once he left, Gary turned to Arthur. "If you don't mind, I'd like to start preparing the wood and stones tomorrow to start building. Even if that falls through, we should prepare The Redoubt as much as possible. I have time now and since it's not urgent that it be finished in one or two days, I can take my time and save energy doing it."
Everyone agreed. Gary was put up in one of the bedrooms from the original first floor which normally was for visitors. After eating dinner, Gary read a few warding books that Arthur and Molly had on hand.
Early the next morning, Gary made his way outside. He began searching the property for stones to line the magical elevator. Arthur had given him permission to also excavate under the house to build another magical septic tank and the entrance area for the Redoubt. He wanted to ensure that the The Redoubt was as separate as he could make it.
Molly plied him with drinks and food throughout the day. He had to warn off Bill and Charlie who were curious about what he was doing, but it was pretty fun.
Underneath the middle of the house, he dug out a room which was 10 feet by 15 feet.
At a certain point in the afternoon, he had left for a bit and made his way to a nearby mountain. He looked at several granite boulders and performed a charm from the warding book Arthur had let him read. Each stone that was found to have imperfections was marked by Gary as rejected. He didn't want to accidentally inspect a stone twice.
He finally found a particularly large boulder that was acceptable and, using the Elder Wand, he performed the Portkey charm and moved it next to the house. He then levitated it through the opening he had made in the foundation and then moved it back toward the original portions of the house.
After dropping it in the hole prepared for it, he had to take a break as it took a lot of energy to move such a thing. Molly gave him a pepper-up potion she brewed. After his break he half buried the large stone. It would have sufficient contact with the ground, which was important for ward stones, but was also sufficiently exposed to add ward schemes to it.
He left access to the ward stone through the original entrance to the space beneath the Burrow. He then sealed off the area using stones etched with one of the unused tying Rune schemes.
He had to keep meticulous notes to make sure Arthur and any warder would know exactly where to apply whatever needed.
He made a room to hold The Weasley Box and anything else they wanted to hide and lined it with another of the unused schemes.
By the time Arthur had gotten home, much progress had been made.
After dinner, James arrived as did the Prewitt Brothers. They were all amazed at the progress made. Especially at the size of the main ward stone. Such a stone wasn't often seen outside of such places as Hogwarts or the Ministry. Ward stones for homes were usually much smaller.
Gary, embarrassed at the praise, pointed out it needed to be as several other ward stones would have to be tied in. That made sense to the others.
James presented an agreement that he had gotten put together that day at Gringotts. It was remarkably generous. Weasley, Prewitt, Potter was a new enterprise specializing in ward scheme preparation for new and existing homes. The Weasley family, the Prewitt brothers, and the Potter family would each see a third of the profits. The capital provided by the Potters would be paid back over several years by the profits realized. If the business failed, the Potter family would write off the loss for access to The Weasley Box in perpetuity. The Weasley family would retain control of The Box.
When Fabian asked where Gary stood in all of this Molly interjected, "He's part of our family." She pointed to her clock and his hand, which was firmly positioned over Home (Burrow). "We'll take care of him."
With that, no more objections were raised.
James agreed to come over when he could over the next week to help Gary with the building. He was busy with his other commitments but didn't have a regular job.
Everyone agreed that the current project should be finished before they started actually working on the business.
Early the next morning, Gary continued working on lining the entrance for The Redoubt. The ward stone for this would be in a secret panel accessible in the entrance hall. Gary could imagine Dumbledore wanting access to all the ward stones and, not knowing which type of Dumbledore he was dealing with, he wanted to prevent the necessity.
Thinking about it, Gary could conceive of an instance where portkeys would need to land in an infirmary-like area. This would be on one end of The Redoubt. So, he made a second panel to hold a ward stone which could be tied in to The Redoubt's main stone.
He would have to use another tying scheme for that section. He would have to ensure an alarm was activated if that entrance was used.
Once again, he had to take time to go and find two smaller stones for these warding schemes. Luckily, he found acceptable stones much more appropriately sized and transported them into the bays prepared.
He did put the new magical septic tank above the bays, but an obvious panel gave access to that.
Gary worked hard that week. James stopped by on occasion to help move and place stones, but for the most part he worked alone. The only real hiccup was the rainwater that had invaded the entrance hole he had placed which would be where the elevator doors would be located. It was the only area unsealed at that time.
By the next Saturday, the cellar was pretty much finished. On one end of the house were the ward stones for the ground and first floors (originally the main stone and first floor stone). The septic system for the main Burrow was also there. In the middle of the building was the main ward stone. Toward the original end was the entrance to the elevator as well as a fireplace for flooring and an area for apparition. With pure cheek he had modeled that area off of the look of the transporter room aboard the original Enterprise. Only a select few people would likely recognize it, but it was fun to do.
The ward stones were in bays next to the floo. The septic system for The Redoubt was behind that.
Saturday, James and Lily both showed up as did the Prewitts. It was chilly, but Gary was certain they could complete the next floor before winter set in.
Lily had been clued in with the understanding she would keep it to herself.
Arthur was working, but would be back by the afternoon. The four men worked to produce timber and lumber to build the top floor. Gary separated the material for the emergency entrance so that the specific scheme could be put on those pieces.
Gary also ensured that there were eight long timbers that could be used as piles below the elevator shaft. The foundation as it was would support the floors, but he wanted to require as little magic as possible to support the additions he was directing.
It was a novel concept for the magically raised but Lily's reaction was, "Duh!"
Thus, it was with some wonder that just before lunch the magicals watched as the first timber was placed in the four-foot hole for it. When it was standing up with no magical force needed, Gary took a broom and began casting banishing charms directly on the top of the post. It took him only four to get it half buried but it took over forty more to get the pile dug deep enough so that it was exposed a foot above ground level. The next ten feet was exposed below ground and would be the basis for the walls of the bottom of the shaft. And thirty more feet were fully encased within the earth below.
The timber was magically treated so that ground water would not rot it.
An odd thing that none of them noticed: Due to the depth of the posts and how much earth they actually touched, all of the wards that tied into the shaft (most of them on the property) benefited from the magic that they transmitted up. The wards, it was noticed, charged much faster than the warders anticipated.
It was a secret known only to the highest trained warders. Due to the secrecy of the project none such ever saw the full plans. It would be put down as a magical anomaly or some oddity of the location.
After lunch, Arthur was available and the new floor took shape. The frame was put up and the roof was replaced. The inside walls would be completed by Gary over the next week. He wanted to investigate a few things before they were completed.
The group DID complete the inside walls for a small kitchen and a small potions area. The waste drains were tied in to the new septic system via pipes that would run within one side of the shaft. A bathroom was also completed.
Because they didn't take the time to do many of the inside walls, they had time to repeat the pile installation. By dinner, all eight piles were fully inserted and, at least from the outside, it looked complete outside of the elevator shaft.
After dinner, Gary asked for opinions on how to line the shaft. He wanted to put as much protection between the shaft and the house as possible.
Lily, curious, asked, "Would anyone really try to destroy an elevator they were in? You only really need it at the top and bottom."
Gary considered that and agreed. "I guess it's back to the mountains to make granite sheets," he sighed.
Lily once again interjected. "You can buy that from pretty much any quarry. Except for putting runes on them, maybe a couple of thousand pounds – 400 galleons – would probably get them delivered. You name a place and just transport from there."
Gary looked at Lily and then knocked his head. "I KNEW I was spending too much time trying to plan it all myself." There were chuckles around the room.
James said, "I've funded a startup vault for Weasley, Prewitt, Potter. It has 100,000 galleons. As long as you don't use more than half – I'd say use it as much as possible. I'd like to protect certain people as fast as possible."
The Weasleys and the Prewitts were both shocked at the amount. Lily and James noticed that Gary Seven didn't seem shocked.
James pulled two keys out. "I have mine at home. I put Arthur's, Gideon's, and Fabian's name on the access list without a key. I wanted to ask what name I should tell them for you."
Everyone looked at Gary, waiting for an answer. With a solemn tone Gary said, "I'll go soon using the key. But when you get a chance, tell them that you're giving access to Maarek Ilumian. That's the name the goblins gave me long ago."
None of those present knew the significance. James would receive a number of odd looks when he did go and give access to Gary. He dutifully wrote down Gary's goblin name and asked for a blood drop to be placed on the parchment as well for further identification.
Gary took the day off the next day and started moving about Britain to locate a number of items that he planned on using.
During his jaunts, he visited a granite quarry, an industrial electronics manufacturer, an electro-plating facility and a couple of stores in Diagon Alley.
In the end, he spent approximately 15,000 galleons for various items. He had a couple of days between the order for the granite being submitted and paid for until it would arrive and he used that time to tinker with his idea.
When asked, he would only smile enigmatically and say, "You'll see."
The truck driver had the damndest time finding the delivery point for the granite. And when he found it, it was a lonely road in the middle of nowhere. He wasn't interested enough in details to ask for more information. If he had returned only two hours later, he would be shocked to see the slabs gone.
Arthur had also snuck him into the Ministry to see how the elevators worked. With an increased level of suspicion it wasn't easy, but it got done.
This allowed Gary to make the elevator and get it fully operational before the sheathing had arrived. It was a bit of work to slide the slabs between the house and shaft, but he had left space for them.
Even though it was unlikely to be needed, Gary was making sure that wizarding stupidity wouldn't create a catastrophe.
On Saturday, Arthur, James, and Gary all made their way to Gringotts. They would be negotiating ward installation.
James took the other two to see the Potter Account manager.
"Hello, Sharpclaw. I'd like to negotiate for warding on a private property."
Sharpclaw pulled out a parchment to take notes. "And where is this property? Is it already on your account?"
James shook his head. "It actually is the home of Arthur Weasley here. We need to install several schemes."
Sharpclaw looked at James. "On the same stone or different stones? And how much property is being discussed?"
James said, "Gary Seven here knows the most."
Sharpclaw looked at the second man. Hmm. He appeared to be a Potter. But he also appeared … "Seven? I'm not familiar with the name."
Gary said, "Greetings, Sharpclaw. May your blade only be dulled by the blood of your enemies. I am known at this time among wizards as Gary Seven. Goblins know me as Maarek Ilumian."
Sharpclaw took on a very interested look. "May your blade only be outshone by your gold. Mr. Potter mentioned your name. You have been seen, but did not name yourself. We were curious as to when you would step forward. You are involved with this?"
Gary nodded. "I helped to devise the home over the last few years on different trips. The most recent addition is to provide a base of operations for those opposing another wizard – nothing which might overly concern Gringotts at the moment."
Sharpclaw sat back. "At the moment. I see. Maybe in the future it might concern us?" Many goblins knew of the dimensional traveler. He showed up on occasion and always dealt fairly. He was also known to pass on advice which later turned out to be profitable.
Gary took on an enigmatic look. "I can see the wizard they are opposing causing trouble for the Brethren. Something to consider after current business is concluded."
The other two wizards were shocked at the interaction Gary seemed to have with the goblin. It they didn't know better, it almost appeared the goblin respected him.
Sharpclaw said, "It would be profitable to see your ward preparation?"
"It could be. Gringotts is supreme of course, but only those who give up stop trying to learn."
He looked at James. "Perhaps I will accompany our warding teams. Provide a more instant quote. Would that be acceptable?"
James looked at Arthur who nodded. James said, "You're more than welcome to come. When would be convenient?"
Sharpclaw looked at James, looked at Maarek Ilumian, and returned his gaze to James. "A moment and I will have an answer."
The goblin jumped from his chair and made his way out. Arthur and James looked at Gary. "What was that?" James asked.
Gary gave another enigmatic smile. "I have had dealings with Gringotts from time to time. A product of a long working relationship."
Both looked at Gary. He didn't seem that old, so both were curious how long such a relationship could be.
Very soon, Sharpclaw returned. He hopped up to his chair and looked at James. "Would tonight be convenient? Perhaps 20:00?"
TBC