Disclaimer: Harry Potter and related characters and settings belong to J. K. Rowling. The Lord of the Rings and related mythology belong to the heir of J. R. R. Tolkien.
A/N Title explanation. This title is a bit of a stretch really since I couldn't find the right words. "Torogwain" is "troll-like" or essentially "foolish". "Firion" is the common Sindarin for mortal "Man" (as opposed to "Adan" which refers to the Edain). So the title is supposed to be "Of Foolish Men". Hope that's what it came out as.
Chapter 9: En Torogwain Firionin
Durmstrang Institue Attacked!
A Daily Prophet Special edition report by Susan Brome
Last night at 11:30PM London Time, Durmstrang Institue was attacked and destroyed by an army of creatures led by Death Eaters. It appears that the Death Eaters have made another alliance with creatures never seen before but bear a suspicious resemblance to goblins.
According to stories from the few survivors, this army of thousands came out of no where in the dead of the night from the East and obliterated the defenses of the school in a matter of seconds. Many of those at Durmstrang, primarily students, fought valiantly but they were overwhelmed and in the end. The casualty report lists at least 700 dead with a margin of error up to 25, the vast majority of these unfortunately being students. Many who attempted to escape were devastated by a troupe of Dementors, whom according to rumors were led by four dark robed figures riding flying beasts of terrible contenance and decay. In the end, there were only 150 survivors all among those whom had managed to escape and nearly every one of them with critical injuries.
At this time, this reporter would like to point out that Hogwarts Headmaster and Head of the Wizengamot Albus Dumbledore had been urging various European Ministries of Magic to increase security at the Magical Schools, Durmstrang Institue being one of them. His advice was unheeded by the European Ministers of Magic and this is the cost. Perhaps it is time for a change in the governments of the Wizarding World.
In related news, World Famous Quidditch Player Viktor Krum has turned down a 5 million galleon contract to join the resistance against the Dark Side, hoping to avenge his alma mater. 3 muggle towns near Durmstrang were also obliterated, raising the casualty report to a total of 2000. Of course, around 1300 hundred of these casualties are muggles. Obliviators have been working nonstop to explain away these deaths as they recreate the memories of the muggle witnesses.
That morning at Hogwarts, the attack on Durmstrang was the sole topic of conversation. There had of course been Many Death Eater attacks over the past two years but never on this large a scale. And this was the first time a magical institution of such magnitude had ever been completely obliterated.
"So much death; so much destruction," said a teary eyed Hermione as she read over the Daily Prophet. "And now they're trying to raise suspicion against the goblins! Yes, modern goblins and Orcs share a common ancestry but they're nothing like each other! This is just more injustice!"
"What more would you expect from the Wizarding World?" said Harry from across the table. He looked down the Gryffindor table and noticed that Ron, on the far side from Harry and Hermione had been starring at them. As soon as Ron realized that Harry had noticed him, he looked away and started gobbling down on some muffins. Harry sighed sadly and turned his attention back to Hermione.
"Will you look at this?" exclaimed Luna Lovegood as she suddenly flopped down on the chair next to Ron, reading not the Daily Prophet but rather the Quibbler.
"What?" asked a perplexed Ron.
"Daddy wrote a retraction in the paper today," said Luna.
Ron if anything looked even more confused: "A retraction to what?"
"To an article he had placed in the Quibbler about two years ago," said Luna, "the one about the 'Heliopaths'."
"Er, I'm drawing a blank here," said Ron.
"Don't you remember?" asked Luna. "There was an article in the paper about Heliopaths: great, giant sized spirits of fire. We thought that Cornelius Fudge had an army of them hidden somewhere."
Ron thought for a moment. "Now that I think about it you might've mentioned something like that."
"Well Daddy's printed a retraction because we've found some new evidence that shows that Fudge isn't the one who has a hidden army of Heliopaths," said Luna. "You-know-who is the one who controls them."
Across from Ron and Luna, Ginny suddenly spoke up: "And that means?"
"Big trouble," said Luna very seriously. "Heliopaths are vicious, powerful monsters that gallop along the ground burning everything in their path. Just one of them can wipe an entire city off the map. And You-know-who has an army of them."
"You actually seem to be very concerned about this Luna," said Ginny.
"Of course I am," said Luna. "We should all be concerned."
Suddenly, a voice called out from behind proclaiming pompously, "Helio-what? What is this nonsense I am hearing? Has Hogwarts really drifted down so low?"
All of the Gryffindors looked behind to see several people they would rather not see. The first of these was British Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, trying to look important in his pompous clothing and manner but really looking ridiculous. Next to him was his Senior Undersecretary Delores Umbridge, affectionately remembered amongst the Hogwarts students as "that shrimpy toad-thing". On the other side of Fudge was none other than Percy Weasley, trying to look important while at the same time desperately trying to avoid Harry's and Ron's eyes: he was still treated with a certain amount of shame amongst the Weasleys for not initially rallying behind the fight against Voldemort two years ago but rather foolishly siding with Fudge's attempts to discredit Harry and Dumbledore. Behind them were two Aurors. One was the grey haired Auror known as Dawlish. The other one was the most welcome sight of them all: Senior Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt, secretly a member of the Order of the Phoenix.
"Hmph the Quibbler! The paper is nothing but rubbish! It should've folded up years ago," exclaimed Fudge.
"Such is the quality of this beastly school. Still allowing students to read such nonsense," said Umbridge.
Luna looked absolutely scandalized. Before she could say anything however, Ron suddenly leaped to his feet and yelled, "Hey! What makes you so important that you can make such obstrucious claims?!"
Percy suddenly came forward and snapped, "Ron, calm down before you embarrass yourself!"
"Embarrass myself?" said Ron incredulously. "Don't you mean embarrass you, Percy?"
"Well said, big brother!" said Ginny, lifting her glass.
Percy looked flabbergasted. Before he could say anything however, Professor McGonagall came up to them saying, "Why, Minister Fudge. And Delores," her voice positively dripped with malice as she said Umbridge's name. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"We've come to see Dumbledore," said Fudge. "Take us to him right now."
"Very well, follow me please." As soon as McGonagall led the Ministry officials out of the Great Hall, all of the students started chattering amongst themselves.
Harry and Hermione turned to each other looking somewhat stunned. "Obstrucious?" they both said.
* * *
"Too many have died last night," said Remus Lupin, as he paced around Dumbledore's office, "far too many."
"They wouldn't have died if they had listened to Dumbledore!" exclaimed Mad-Eye Moody. "Those Ministries just aren't being vigilant enough!"
"It's always about 'Constant Vigilance' with you, isn't it Mad-Eye?" said Tonks. Even she however was looking rather somber.
From behind his desk, Dumbledore sighed, looking weary. "I just hope that the defenses at Beauxbatons are raised now," he said. "That school will probably be the next major target."
"We could send several people from the Order to help out," said Lupin.
"And lower the defenses at Hogwarts?" snapped Severus Snape. "This is no time to be thinking about the welfare of others: if they refuse to follow good advice, let them burn for their mistake! Dumbledore, we have to look to our own defenses!"
"Severus, I do agree with you in that we must keep Hogwarts's safety a priority," said Dumbledore. "But I do also believe that a few members of the Order should head to Beauxbatons and help out there. It is the least we can..." He was interrupted when the door to his office suddenly burst open and Cornelius Fudge entered, followed by his employees and a rather livid McGonagall. Fawkes was startled and flew from his perch, landing on the back of Dumbledore's chair. Fudge glared at Tonks (for apparently being at Hogwarts despite Auror orders) before turning to Dumbledore and slamming a copy of the Daily Prophet on Dumbledore's desk.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he demanded.
"Tell you what sooner?" asked Dumbledore.
"Don't play dumb with me Dumbledore!" snapped Fudge. "Why didn't you tell me that You-know-who's headquarters was in the Forbidden Zone?! That's where the attack on Durmstrang originated from! And that's where the Death Eaters and their goblin like allies disappeared into after the attack!"
"And whatever would you want that information for, Cornelius?" asked Dumbledore, though his voice took on a tone of warning.
"Isn't it obvious?" said Fudge. "I plan on taking every capable Auror, Hit Wizard, and able bodied wizard, create a coalition with the other European Ministries, and attack the Forbidden Zone crushing You-know-who once and for all!"
"Have you gone mad?" yelled Moody. "You have no idea what kind of horrors you're dealing with! What you're planning is suicide!"
"Not to mention an unnecessary loss to our already depleted manpower," said Snape.
"If their headquarters are breached, they can be taken down!" snapped Fudge. "During the last war, the difficulty arose from the fact that we had no idea where You-know-who was basing his attacks from. Now, we do!"
"You have no clue whatsoever about the Forbidden Zone!" exclaimed Lupin. "Voldemort is now basing himself out of an ancient fortress tower..."
"You will not speak out of turn, werewolf!" snapped Umbridge.
"Hey, that was uncalled for!" yelled Tonks.
"As are you for yelling at the Senior Undersecretary of the Minister of Magic, Auror Tonks," said Umbridge. "As of now, you are no longer an Auror!"
Tonks was stunned and looked ready to cry. She however, managed to instead grit her teeth and glare at Umbridge.
"If I remember correctly, the appointment and sacking of Aurors should be solely the responsibility of the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement," said Dumbledore rather coolly. "For that matter, what is Madame Amelia Bones's position on this attack of you are planning?"
Umbridge suddenly made a sickeningly suspicious grin. "Unfortunately, Madame Bones has suddenly taken ill and was taken to St. Mungos yesterday."
This news was met with general gasps around the office. Snape however, remained calm as he caught Umbridge's eye: clearly to those who knew of Snape's abilities, he was using Legilimens on her. "It seems rather strange," said Snape, "that Madame Bones became ill sometime after drinking some tea you offered her, Delores."
Umbridge immediately paled. Fudge however suddenly yelled, "I will not have any wild accusations flying around! Nor any wild claims!"
"And just may those 'wild claims' be?" said Dumbledore.
"Did you think I would be deaf Dumbledore?" sneered Fudge. "Did you? I've heard of the most recent rumors surrounding Harry Potter! They always seem to pop up don't they? King? A king in this day and age? I'll tell you now I will not bow before that insolent brat!"
"Most interesting isn't it?" said Dumbledore. "Not too long ago, 'that insolent brat' as you called him was being praised for being a voice proclaiming Voldemort's return amongst a disbelieving crowd. Yet before that, he was being labeled a glory hog for doing the exact same thing: proclaiming Voldemort's return amongst a disbelieving crowd. Before even that, he was being praised for being a champion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament and yet not too long before then he was being criticized for being chosen a Tri-wizard champion. Before that, he was being given special privileges since it was believed that a madman was after his life, and yet the previous year, he was feared for being suspected the Heir of Slytherin. And of course he was hailed as the Boy-Who-Lived before that."
"What is your point, Dumbledore?" snapped Fudge, though he seemed to be somewhat flustered.
Dumbledore stood up, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Cornelius, this attack you are trying to pull is merely an attempt to boost your faltering public image! You plan such a desperate attack because you accurately predict that the Wizarding populace, whom are rather disgruntled with the Ministries of Magic, would flock to see Harry Potter crowned as King!"
"Shut up!" screamed Fudge. "I am Minister of Magic! What I say is final! I am personally leading the attack and you cannot stop me!" With that, Fudge stormed out of the office followed by his employees.
Kingsley Shacklebolt lingered behind for a moment, his eyes meeting with the various members of the Order in the room. With a sad smile he said, "Good Bye" and left the room.
After a few minutes of somber silence, Dumbledore snapped to attention. "We cannot stop them. But at the least there are some things we can do. Alastar, gather as many Order members as we can spare and take them to Beauxbatons. But try to be discreet."
"I'm on it," said Moody. "Lupin, Tonks, you two are with me!"
"Minerva," continued Dumbledore, "head to St. Mungos with Poppy and organize Amelia Bones's transfer to Hogwarts's Hospital Wing. It may not be wise to trust anyone in the hospital now. Severus..."
"I will gather as many anti-toxins as I can find," said Snape. "There should be something in my stores that can counteract whatever it was Madame Bones ingested."
"Bless you Severus," said Dumbledore. "Let's just hope that the fates are on our side with this one."
* * *
Several days later, Harry Potter had a dream: dream like he had seen far too many times previously. In his dream, Harry saw the throne room of Barad-Dur, high up at the top of the tower. He saw the mutilated corpses of many wizards, among them Dawlish, littered all over the floor. And he saw a terrified looking Cornelius Fudge, Delores Umbridge, and a somber looking Kingsley Shacklebolt being forced to kneel by many Death Eaters before the dark throne of Voldemort-Sauron.
To be continued...
A/N Sorry this one came out so late but like I said before, it's very, very difficult to access a computer with word processor here. Hope this one was worth the wait. The chapters should really start getting more and more exciting so just wait for the next one.