Morning, Gringotts
In Diagon Alley, the streets were alive with activity. The constant bustle of people, the chatter of wizards, and the colorful displays from various shops filled the air. Everywhere you looked, there was something to catch the eye—a wizard here with a bag of potions ingredients, a witch there perusing the latest magical tomes. Some wizards wandered aimlessly, inspecting various items for sale, while others marched toward specific stores with determined steps, emerging moments later with boxes or parcels in hand.
This was the heart of the British wizarding world, where no shop lacked customers. The alley was a reflection of prosperity, the pulse of magical commerce.
From above, one would easily spot the most prominent building: a towering white structure that resembled a palace, its sharp spires reaching for the sky. This was Gringotts, the one and only magical bank of the British wizarding world.
Before the grand bronze doors stood a pair of goblin guards in crimson uniforms, their attire adorned with gold inlays. As each wizard approached, they would bow slightly, a gesture of respect that was both a sign of etiquette and a reminder of Gringotts' formidable status.
Behind them was a silver door, its surface etched with an ominous inscription:
"Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn,
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.."
The blood-red words glowed eerily on the silver door, a stark warning to all who might dare to enter with malicious intent.
At this moment, the goblin guards were on edge, their postures stiff with nervous anticipation. Across from them stood a group of wizards dressed in striking yellow robes, the emblem of Kamar Taj clearly visible on their uniforms.
The sight of the students, led by Headmaster Ian and the witch Wanda, caused an unmistakable tension in the air. The group, comprised of ten experienced students and fifteen freshmen, stood in neat formation, waiting outside the doors of Gringotts without entering.
The presence of the Kamar Taj group had drawn curious glances from other wizards, and whispers spread through the crowd. Kamar Taj had recently risen to fame after its students had fought alongside the Order of the Phoenix against Death Eaters, and its leader, Headmaster Lockhart, had made a name for himself by confronting the Dark Lord himself and even forcing him to retreat. The school's reputation had skyrocketed, making it a symbol of elite wizardry.
The goblins had never been particularly fond of the idea of a new magical institution taking such a prominent place in the wizarding world, but they could not deny the power Kamar Taj now wielded. The resourceful Lockhart had ensured his school's success with an unprecedented early victory.
The sight of the group standing in front of Gringotts made the goblins nervous. Although their presence was not one of confrontation, the weight of their reputation still made the guards uneasy.
In response to the group's arrival, Goblin Supervisor Stout quickly dispatched a messenger to alert the higher-ups about the situation. It wasn't long before a goblin in a black suit appeared, hurrying to meet the group. He wiped sweat from his brow and bowed quickly, his voice filled with apology.
"I am truly sorry for the delay," he said to Ian, the leader of the group. "We were expecting you sooner. Headmaster Lockhart sent us a message in advance. We're glad to assist."
The goblin supervisor's words, however, took a somber tone. "Are you certain you want to take everything out of Gringotts? I must remind you that Gringotts is one of the safest places in the wizarding world. The treasury of Hogwarts itself resides here, and we are fully capable of safeguarding Kamar Taj's assets."
Ian, with a calm but resolute expression, shook his head slightly. "I'm afraid this is a direct order from our Headmaster," he said firmly. "We must retrieve everything stored in Gringotts and bring it back to Kamar Taj."
At those words, Stout's expression shifted from polite consideration to evident regret. The assets Lockhart had stored in Gringotts were extensive, including large quantities of gold galleons, magical items, and rare books. The sheer volume had caused envy among the goblins, and the promise of a generous annual storage fee had alleviated their earlier doubts.
But now, hearing that all the resources would be transferred elsewhere, Stout could not hide his disappointment. The goblins had been entrusted with the task of protecting these valuable items without receiving a single storage fee, as per Lockhart's arrangement. The realization that they had worked for months without reward made the loss even more difficult to bear.
What a foolish oversight, Stout thought bitterly. I should have secured better terms from the beginning. All this effort, and for what?
Realizing he was being caught in his own thoughts, Stout quickly cleared his throat and addressed Ian. "Please, follow me. We will begin the asset transfer process immediately."
With that, the group of wizards followed Stout deeper into Gringotts. As they passed through the second bronze gate and into the second silver door, the freshmen's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the ominous inscription on the door. The blood-red letters, though striking, barely phased them, their experiences in the Dream World of Kamar Taj giving them a much broader perspective than most wizards.
As they entered the marble hall, they were greeted by the sight of long counters, each staffed with goblins working diligently. Some were engrossed in their ledger books, others attended to wizards in line. The hall was abuzz with activity, and the group moved through it with purpose.
Stout led them to an empty counter and motioned for the group to take a seat. The goblins working there, upon seeing their arrival, quickly stood at attention.
"Your Excellency Ian, Ms. Wanda, the asset handover process for Kamar Taj will take place here," Stout said, his voice filled with professionalism despite the undercurrent of regret.
He turned to the goblins standing behind the counter. "Ruda, this is a special case. You must be thorough and diligent in handling the asset transfer for Kamar Taj."
Ruda, a seasoned goblin, nodded firmly. "Understood, Supervisor. I will ensure everything is in order."
As the transfer process began, the group settled into a waiting routine. However, just as things seemed to be progressing smoothly, a goblin in yellow rushed toward Stout, his face stricken with urgency.
"Supervisor!" the goblin exclaimed in a hushed tone. "Something has gone terribly wrong. There's an issue with the gold galleons in Kamar Taj's vault!"
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