Another old one that's been kicking around a while. Enjoy.

Summary: An invitation by a Goblin is not something one can refuse or ignore; a threat is something else entirely. Facing persecution, the Goblin King emerges into the Wizarding World for the first time in centuries.

The Prologue

Dear Mr. Dumbledore,

You are cordially invited to an audience with the Chancellor of Gringotts, in Gringotts' ante-chamber this evening, at 13 o'clock.

He wishes to discuss delicate matters of security that pertain to the safety of the realms in relation to the current Wizarding crisis.

It would be in all of our best interests for you to attend.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed)

Ragnok, Head Banker of Gringotts 1907- present

Dumbledore read the succinct note with abject surprise and peered over his half-moon glasses at the Goblin who had delivered it. "The Chancellor? I was under the impression that Gringotts was under the control of the Goblin council."

"That is what we wished Wizards to think, sir."

"Yes, yes, I suppose you would." Dumbledore sighed. He could feel the storm was gathering with an alarming speed. Looking outside of his office window, he could see the flashes of light in the distance were growing closer. The rumbles were barely audible over the howling wind and rain. "Would I be correct in assuming this has something to do with Voldemort's latest attacks?"

The Goblin nodded, a steely glint in his eye and an understanding seemed to pass between them. Dumbledore had always been one of their strongest advocates at the ministry.

"Please, follow me. There has never been more urgent a situation."

"The thirteenth hour?" Dumbledore asked, hoping to provide a solution to another of the teeming questions that this simple note had brought to mind.

"The twilight hour is the easiest to cross over."

"To cross over from where?" Dumbledore mused, but the Goblin had already disappeared through the doors.

What a storm. Sarah thought sitting in the window of her room at the Leaky Cauldron, staring out at the swirling grey smog. The wind rattled the windows, causing her to shiver even at her perch on the ledge, where she was wrapped in a tough woollen blanket. She was lost in reverie when she heard a voice behind her.

"Sarah?"

"Hoggle?!" She smiled widely as she looked across the room to the red rimmed mirror. She had barely blinked before he was stood looking out of the window next to her. "Hoggle? What is it?"

"You heard about Bogrot?"

"The goblin village in Somerset?" Sarah asked with a frown. She had personally never been there, but knew that was where many of the Gringotts Goblins had been born and raised.

"It's gone." Hoggle said with his head hanging low. "All of it, destroyed. Voldemort and his death eaters came at dawn when they were all sleeping and- and- they all died, Sarah."

"I'm so sorry Hoggle." Sarah placed her coffee on the stand by the window and leaned down to hug her friend. "I'm so sorry."

"Why didn't …he… intervene?" Sarah asked when Hoggle had calmed down. From what she knew, the Goblins had fiercely fought for his majesty in the Goblin City and appeared to love him despite his faults. "Surely he would…"

"He didn't know in time, no one called him until it was too late. He saved only one." Hoggle looked at the sky. "This is his fury."

Sarah's eyes widened at the intensity of the storm. "Will he face Vol-"

"NO!" She stopped as Hoggle covered her mouth. "You know the power of names!"

"W-what? But surely only-"

"He stole a wish, Sarah." Hoggle shook his head. "We have no idea what he can do."

Dumbledore looked around the ante-chamber as the stirring of a deep and dangerous magic became apparent. None of the Goblins reacted as skittering voices and giggles were heard, and new shadows flickered across the walls. The wind outside roared into life, but as soon as the thirteenth hour chimed a deathly hush fell over the room.

"Well, well. It has been a long time since I had to interfere." An imperious, mocking voice drawled. "But then I can hardly expect wizards to be competent in controlling their own population."

Dumbledore turned to face the source of the voice. It belonged to an unearthly blond man with a dark cape slung over his shoulders and folded arms. His eyes were the most penetrating of all and seemed centuries older than his appearance. Dumbledore knew immediately from long years of experience he would have to step ever more delicately. He enquired politely. "Whom is it that I addressing?"

The man inclined his head in acknowledgement, as several of the Goblins and creatures around him tittered. "I am Jareth, Master of the Labyrinth and the Goblin King. I expect you may have read myths about me." At this point he gave a fanged smirk. "I assure you most of them are true."

"The Goblin King." He murmured in amazement. The King seemed to be basking in his astonishment with undisguised pride and amusement. Dumbledore has indeed read the myths, children's stories more accurately that often held a bitter lesson to prideful mortals. He grimly recalled the prospect of wished away children, and wondered worriedly if this new breed of goblins he had seen arriving with the so called monarch were the product of the King's cruel duty. Deciding to find out more at a future date, he broke the small pause. "Why is it you wished to contact me?"

"This Lord Voldemort has broken the neutrality treaty between Wizards and my people. When I was asked to sanction action, I admit I was curious that my Goblins would choose to work with you."

"I am honoured that they have done so." Dumbledore looked gratefully to Ragnok who nodded.

Jareth ignored the comment. "In your world they may do as they like, it is what they wished for. However I do refrain from sitting idly if areas of my realm are attacked. Bogrot was a link between my Kingdom and this world. It... irritates me that somehow these wizards were able to find it and attack at the time of day when its defence was weakest. Any Goblin would not have dared. There is a traitor somewhere in the ranks of wizards who know of it or have been shown there. If my Goblins can be made aware of whom is responsible, they are quite capable of taking care of the problem themselves." The sinister implications of that sentence did not go unnoticed. Jareth continued in a dryer, more courteous voice. "As you are no doubt aware the people have no secure place at your Ministry of Magic which is why they asked to contact you. If you were to provide this assistance, I am certain they will provide invaluable help in your war in return."

"I shall do my best to uncover the truth." Dumbledore said after a few moments. "On the condition the man will not be murdered, or harmed. We do not know the circumstances yet."

"Murdered? Certainly not. They would never be so unimaginative." Jareth smiled cruelly, his curved lips encouraging the other Goblins to match his sneer with malicious cackles. "Nonetheless, we have an agreement. They shall not be physically harmed. I am certain you also know better than to break a vow with Goblins. Tell no other of my presence, if you would be so good. I have no desire to be subject to mortal pedantry on a whim."

Dumbledore gave a sharp nod with a frown. "You could have used Ragnok to inform me of this. Why appear yourself?"

"I think you need to know the true danger you should face, should Wizards cross our path again."

"You were not there in the Goblin Rebellions."

Jareth laughed nastily, along with the other, wilder, Goblins. The others simply smirked. "Things are not always what they seem."