Hermione Granger and the Year Hidden from Hogwarts

Chapter 24

Hermione Granger and the Year Hidden from Hogwarts

Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter 24

A/N: Alright, here we go. A nice boss battle for Hermione to flex off the training and experiences we've painstakingly watched throughout the years. Sorry to say that yet again, the goblins stole the story. I'm officially two chapters behind on my outline, but hey, this is for fun anyway!

April 25th, 1992

Beyond the declaration, there was a flurry of activity. The attendant goblin rushed from the office, presumably to spread the word, and Gorlug ordered Wudrok to take them to the arena and prepare them for the first trial while they gather volunteers.

"Volunteers for what?" Hermione asked, alarmed by what she'd signed up for.

Wudrok glanced at her, canting his head in puzzlement. "I would feel sorry for you, Miss Granger."

"Thanks, I think?"

The, essentially, condolences from a rather ruthless species notched up her concern.

"Come, I will take you to the arena preparation rooms for you to discuss strategy with your Goblin Spokesperson." He paused. "Although, I would take you the secret way to avoid more goblin secrets being spilled."

Before she could ask, he reached up and touched a pointy nailed finger to the inside of her palm, uttered a harsh word that the translation magic couldn't interpret, and then cut into her skin.

She didn't even have time to see the blood well before she dropped into unconsciousness, a shouted but vague, "Miss Granger!" chasing her dreams.

When she came to, she was flat on her back on compacted earth. A chill had gathered in her bones. As her brain caught up to the most recent moments in her life and confirmed that they weren't some elaborate dream, she sat up.

"Miss Granger?" Flitwick's voice shouted, concerned. "Miss Granger!"

"Over here, professor."

Flitwick's short stature rounded a half wall sculpted from rounded rock. In fact, the entire room seemed to resemble a locker room of sorts, straight off the set of the Flintstones with all the furniture being formed with the very rock the area had been carved from. "Thank goodness you're alright."

"What are the Trials?" she blurted, getting right to the heart of the matter.

Another voice joined them, Wudrok. "You would engage in three fights, two with volunteer goblins, and one with a magical creature. You would win all three to earn your ranks within the horde. After that, goblins wishing to outrank you will be able to approach and challenge you to a fight, where you would accept and win to keep your place or lose. A forfeit will also drop your status within the horde."

"Oh," Hermione breathed leaning back against the wall. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because, I would feel bad for you if your only hope was with this half-breed."

Her energy cackled, and sparks lit her curls. "I would ask you not to insult the man that only wished to protect me from your archaic laws." She took a deep breath to center herself. "But, I would be indebted to you for your help."

"No!"

Hermione jolted at Flitwick's harsh interjection, but Wudrok interrupted with a rapid, "I accept your terms. It would be done."

Flitwick collapsed to the ground beside her, giving her a frown. "You're subtracting years from my life, Miss Granger."

She cleared her throat. "Did I make a mistake?"