Harry Potter and the Flying Squad (01) - Sahits

"The fight against the Dark Forces has only just begun. Yet more than ever before, Hogwarts
and its people are a center force against them. This house is a fortress, which will grow
stronger every day. The situation will affect our daily life to some degree, however, we will
be up to our reputation as the place Voldemort cannot break down."
Another storm of agreement broke and ebbed.
"Our victory today was the work of men and women, boys and girls, who didn't hesitate to
take their place in our counter-force - in spite of the highest personal risk. I would like to
praise them by name, but they asked me to drop this part - pointing out that we all together are
the troops that stand against the enemy."
Dumbledore raised his arm, cutting short another wave of applause. "As most of you could
watch today, we had allies. Giants. Those Giants who fought at our side were won over by
Hagrid and Madame Maxime from Beauxbatons. Both of them are absent - that's why I
mentioned their names as the only ones ... Our Giants had casualties. Those warriors who
died, they died for us. Let us stand up and remember them."
Students and teachers rose.
Dumbledore took a parchment and slowly called five names.
• "Tarketh the Fox."
• "Wagir Two Fingers."
• "Ermenroth the Sad."
• "Hunold from the Woods."
• "Geldag with the Scar."
After a few seconds of silence, Dumbledore's bent head came up again, and the Headmaster
motioned the audience to sit down.
A smile appeared in his face. "So much for the serious part. Let me come to more enjoyable
things now ... In the course of the recent activities, Hogwarts has joined with Beauxbatons to
form a union of mutual trust and defence. One result is that we have several links installed,
using portkeys. So people can move back and forth between the schools, without taking more
effort than climbing some staircases. Students will be able to make visits, provided - "
Dumbledore grinned, "they speak French."
Harry turned to Ron. "Know someone who's fluent in French?"
"Yeah," groaned Ron, "although it won't help us much. Percy ... He said it's mandatory for a
political career."
They stopped, listening to Dumbledore's words.
"... one person from each side. I've been told they are called Liaison Officers. Our own
representative in Beauxbatons is an ex-student who finished school only recently. His name
should be well known - it's Oliver Wood."
The Gryffindor table emitted a new wave of applause. Dumbledore waited patiently.
48