Chapter 468

"This… this…"

Faced with Ian's commanding tone and the harsh ultimatum detailed on the parchment, Elder Harmon instinctively wanted to refuse. Yet, as he opened his mouth to protest, no suitable reason came to mind. He found himself trapped, unable to muster a defense that wouldn't escalate the already tense situation.

The goblins weren't prepared for war—not now, not against Kamar-Taj.

"Harmon," Ian said, his voice cutting through the tense atmosphere, "don't forget where you stand. This is the wizarding world, and goblins have always been subordinate to the will of wizards."

Ian didn't bother with formalities. Addressing the elder by name, his words were sharp and deliberate, aimed at breaking Harmon's composure. Ian hoped the provocation would push the goblin leader to act rashly—perhaps even issue a command to his subordinates. That would give Ian and the Kamar-Taj wizards the justification they needed to retaliate.

The apprentices standing behind Ian watched the unfolding confrontation with wide eyes. For many of them, this was their first taste of Kamar-Taj's might displayed so boldly. In their hearts, a sense of pride and loyalty swelled. To them, Kamar-Taj wasn't just a mystical sanctuary; it was a force to be reckoned with, commanding respect and awe from the magical world.

To the younger wizards, Kamar-Taj stood as an unshakable pillar of power, inspiring a shared mentality: Kamar-Taj is first, and I am second. The events unfolding before them were nothing short of exhilarating.

"Mr. Ian," Harmon said finally, his expression unreadable but his tone measured. "Rest assured, Gringotts may not fully understand the nature of the events affecting Kamar-Taj's vault, but we will cooperate fully to resolve the matter."

Despite his calm facade, Ian could sense the rage bubbling beneath the surface of the goblin elder's words. Harmon's fists clenched subtly, his nails digging into his palms as though he imagined Ian's face there instead. Yet, the elder's forced smile remained—a mask of civility concealing his fury.

Harmon knew better than to escalate matters further. Gringotts could not afford to openly challenge Kamar-Taj. The conflict needed to be contained, focused solely on the issue at hand. Expanding it to involve the Ministry of Magic or Hogwarts would be disastrous.

At the entrance of the reception hall, a familiar figure stood silently, observing the scene with a mixture of interest and disdain—Dolores Umbridge.

She remained still, her beady eyes flickering as she processed the confrontation. Despite her curiosity, she refrained from intervening. Minister Fudge's instructions had been clear: observe, document, but avoid involvement unless absolutely necessary.

From her vantage point, it was apparent that the minister was aware trouble would brew at Gringotts today. Rumors suggested Fudge was nearby, likely watching from a safe distance.

Ian, noticing Umbridge's presence, didn't allow his focus to waver. He turned his gaze back to Harmon, his expression cool and indifferent.

"If that's the case, Elder Harmon," Ian said, his voice devoid of warmth, "then let's begin. Tell me what information you have. Why are over 160,000 gold Galleons missing from Kamar-Taj's vault?"

Ian's words carried a calculated intent. He wanted to escalate the situation, to force Gringotts into the spotlight and make their shortcomings known.

Harmon recognized this ploy immediately and countered with a placating tone. "I'm afraid Gringotts isn't aware of the specifics behind Headmaster Lockhart's divinations," he said, shaking his head. "Perhaps we should inspect Kamar-Taj's vault directly to uncover the truth of the matter."

Pausing as if struck by a sudden thought, Harmon added, "Ah, there is one thing you may not be aware of, Mr. Ian. To prevent unauthorized access, Gringotts employs an anti-theft waterfall. It's a powerful enchantment that can weaken or nullify magic entirely. Could it be possible that the recall spell was disrupted by this enchantment, resulting in an incomplete transfer of assets?"

The elder goblin's words were carefully chosen, redirecting the blame back onto Kamar-Taj's aggressive tactics. Harmon's expression remained neutral, but his tone carried the faintest hint of satisfaction.

Ian's eyes narrowed, recognizing the elder's attempt to shift responsibility. Internally, he acknowledged the misstep in relying too heavily on brute force, but outwardly, he remained calm and collected.

"Elder Harmon," Ian said, his voice dripping with feigned understanding, "your explanation is… intriguing. But surely, this can be resolved by simply inspecting the vault, can't it?"

With that, Ian cast a pointed glance toward Umbridge, who had been silently observing the exchange. Though reluctant, she stepped forward, her expression stiff and her movements deliberate.

"Elder Harmon," Umbridge said with her characteristic saccharine tone, "I must agree with Mr. Ian. Inspecting the vault seems the most logical course of action. Surely, we all want to resolve this misunderstanding as quickly and peacefully as possible."

While her words seemed neutral, it was clear she was aligning herself with Kamar-Taj. As much as she loathed being dragged into this, the Ministry of Magic had its own interests in the matter.

Harmon's composure faltered slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching in barely concealed frustration. Still, he nodded and forced a smile. "Very well. Let's proceed to Kamar-Taj's vault. The truth will undoubtedly come to light."

Turning to Supervisor Stout, Harmon issued a curt order. "Lead the way, and ensure everything is handled with the utmost care."

Stout nodded hurriedly, gesturing for the group to follow him into the depths of Gringotts.

The descent into the underground passages was as dark and foreboding as ever. Despite the torches lining the walls, the flickering light did little to dispel the oppressive gloom.

When they reached the trolley station, it was clear that preparations had been made. A row of carts waited on the tracks, their metal frames gleaming dimly in the torchlight.

Stout barked a few commands, and several goblin drivers scurried forward, their simple attire contrasting sharply with the tension in the air.

Ian, Wanda, and the other Kamar-Taj wizards stepped into the carts with practiced ease.

As the carts sped along the tracks, the wind howled through the tunnels, causing Umbridge and her Aurors to clutch the handles tightly for stability. In stark contrast, the wizards of Kamar-Taj stood tall and unshaken. Their golden robes fluttered lightly, and faint auras of protective magic surrounded them.

The magical equipment they wore was a testament to Kamar-Taj's wealth and craftsmanship. From enchanted boots to shimmering defensive shields, every item exuded power and sophistication.

The goblin drivers couldn't help but glance at the wizards with a mix of envy and greed. To them, the wizards of Kamar-Taj weren't just formidable—they were the dream.

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