Reading Time: 2 Minutes
Series: If Only (How To Defeat A Dark Lord In Two Years If You’re Really Trying)
Author: Aussiefan70
Fandom: Harry Potter
Genre: Family, Hurt/Comfort
Relationship(s): Gen
Content Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Violence-Against Children
Beta: Geminiangel
Word Count: 218,079
Summary: If only Harry Potter had responsible adults who cared. He manages to find them when he reaches out to the Goblins on his first day in the magical world. Only they’re not technically Goblins, and they’re also going to make sure he not only survives, but finds friends and family, and thrives. Sorting out Voldemort is the cherry on top.
Artist: Spuddoc
Artist Appreciation: Thanks for some amazing looking artwork, Spuddoc. I really appreciate your efforts.
Story
Notes
My perennial response to the Harry Potter books has always been…where’s a responsible adult or two when you need them? That question tends to keep driving my writing in this fandom and formed the basis of this fixit series. It turned into more than I first planned, when I was worried at first, that I’d meet the minimum word count (yep, that ship has definitely sailed). But the world-building took on a life of its own, and the series is affectionately nicknamed the behemoth these days.
As for the world-building, many fine writers have reimagined and renamed the Goblins in Harry Potter, so I figured I had the right to have a shot at it too.
My head canon says that the Goblins (or Guduriak in my ‘verse) would be an ancient race, who’d perhaps had a very close relationship with magical and non-magical humans in the distant past. Looking for a long-standing ethnic group that had maintained a language and identity for well over a millennium, I happened upon the Basque people of northern Spain. Hence my use of Basque as the Gudurian language.
To any Basque speakers, please forgive any errors. I researched the language and culture as extensively as I could, but had to rely on Google Translate for the translations. All errors are mine and any feedback in the comments is welcome.
That said, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to write “Goblins” again. The world-building has totally overwritten my previous head canon. For me, they’ll now be Guduriak for ever more.
What adorable artwork! And I’m such a huge fan of Harry finding some adults who do actual adulting!
Harry is completely overdue getting some adults who care in my mind. Close to part one going live. Hope you enjoy it!
I have also had difficulty with JKR’s Goblins particularly with ‘Gobbledygook’ . I grew up on a military base in the 60/70’s and that kind of prejudice is anathema to me.
I’m looking forward to seeing your story.
I hope ypu enjoy the first part that goes live tomorrow. I agree. The prejudice in canon drives me up the wall. There’s definitely no acceptance of the concept of Gobbledegook! Hmm, perhaps I should label that a spoiler alert. Lol
The premise sounds so good! Really looking forward to the story! Also, the artwork is adorable!!!!
Loved the artwork and I look forward to reading the fic! 🙂
Loved this; both parts, if you’re wondering.
Very interesting idea, and you explained it very well; anything you introduced also has a reason, and you don’t leave us, as readers, wondering what is X, Y, or Z.
In short, a story I will probably return to again and again.
Thanks muchly.
Wow, thank you so much for your very kind and thoughtful review. When doing so much world building, you always hope you caught all the hanging plot pieces. It’s nice to have someone confirm that you did. Enjoy your rereads when they happen. That’s some of the highest praise when a reader wants to come back.