40

Chapter 40: The Goblins First Move

"And just what do you mean by 'not a thing?'" Amelia asked suspiciously as she stood to address the strange goblin before her. She personally only truly interacted with two goblins, the goblin at the front desk, and the goblin in charge of her families account.

"Madame Bones," Griphook said diplomatically as he took in the impressive visage of the witch before him. Madame Bones was well respected within the goblin community, both for her own deeds and morals as well as that of her family. "Heir Potters fees for any and all services have been waived as he is a Friend of the Nation through recent deeds which he has accomplished."

"Recent deeds? And just what has it been that mister Potter has accomplished? I have heard of no mighty deeds that Potter has done to earn such a rank?" Proudfoot growled in aggravation from his position beside Madame Bones.

"Mighty Deeds do not make the wizard Donald Proudfoot," Griphook said simply as he turned away from the pair and looked towards the group on the sofa to assess their well being. "Mister Potter has shown the nation more humility and respect in a single moment than anyone else has in a very long time."

"And why exactly is it that Mister Potter has been made a friend of the Nation? It is not like no one else has shown goblins respect, I myself bow to the tellers and thank them each time that I visit Gringotts." Amelia asked curiously, her head tilted slightly to the side.

"That is true Madame Bones," Griphook stated simply as he continued to stare at Auror Proudfoot, withstanding the urge to smirk as the Auror began to shift awkwardly. "However, why is it that you do so? Honor? Compassion? Dignity? Respect? Because you were taught to do so?"

"All of those reasons I suppose," Amelia answered slowly as she thought over her response.

"Precicely." Griphook said simply as he moved forward once more, the large warriors flanking his sides without a moments hesitation. "Now I may be overstepping my bounds, but I have brought multiple of the Nations highest level warriors. They will assist in securing the grounds and castle. I have also brought along several ward masters, they will assist in breaking Dumbledore's hold on the ward schematics and insure that no malevolent or... Inventive wards remain behind after his departure." Griphook announced and took great pleasure in the looks of slack jawed shock now adorning the humans faces.

"Now," He directed his attention towards Madame Bones once again, "Do not misunderstand me, Madame. The Nation is indeed being selfish in showing part of our hand as we are. For far too long the witches and wizards have looked down upon the Goblin Nation as being lesser. We hope to end it. Some day the populace will need us, be it another dark lord or merely when you come to your senses that we do indeed control your wealth. We intend to make it clear that we are more than willing and capable of working with you. Should you accept of course."

And with that final statement hanging thickly in the air of the infirmary Griphook extended his hand to the stately witch before him, his long and spindly fingers a sharp contrast to the witches thin and narrow ones.

As palms met and fingers wrapped together Griphook gave a truly pleased smile.

Healer Fowlfinger exited through the small privacy curtain silently and with the grace and fluidity of one who was used to doing so on a daily basis. This was a skill that was not only practical to gain in her line of work but also necessary. With so many warrior goblins under her care you had to take care to not startle them lest you become a patient yourself.

Young heir Potter was indeed doing well, though their was some lasting spell residue he'd have to be cleansed of, but with rest and the help of his mate he would be just fine.

Withstanding the urge to frown Fowlfinger moved forward to confer between the resident mediwitch and the commander of the evening. Truly Griphook had come into his own since young Heir Potter had arrived back into the wizarding world. Where he and his line had been disgraced, he making a small wave in gaining back the lines dignity by doing the grunt work of the lower goblin with a dedication and dignity few had seen.

Now, accompanied by his rapid rise in status Griphook was becoming a mighty fine goblin, many of the higher ranking lines were scowering to get into his good graces, even going so far as to ask his uncle for a contract. Griphook had even gone so far as to challenge Rotgut the Demented to an honor duel in which he had removed not only several of his uncles fingers but also his ear and a good portion of his side before he had continued.

To add insult to injury Griphook had proceeded to enact his first familial change just two seconds after taking up the mantle. He had proceeded to cut all previous ties and proclaimed that new proposals would be accepted as well as the previous ones for he himself to decide whether or not it would be beneficial to tie his line to their own.

Of course directly after his statement Ragnok had put in a verbal offer to tie his line and Griphook's status as the new Head of his line was catapulted from 'gaining respect' to 'highly respected' in an instant.

Yes Griphook was indeed going places and she had plans to be there to witness it all...

Draco Malfoy was currently ensconced in a small corner of the nearly packed common room, his back to the thick chamber wall and a straight shot to the passageway leading towards the dormitories. Purely a safety tactic no matter how needless considering the fact that there was currently a trained auror and a goblin warrior standing guard at the entrance to the room.

True, the difference in stature between the two was considerable different between the two, however their auras were the same. Of course if he were being completely truthful with himself, which he would never be, he would have to admit that the warrior goblin who stood there larger than Draco thought goblins could become and laden down with a variety of knives and other deadly looking weapons was far more intimidating...

Casting a seemingly uninterested gaze around the current inhabitants of the common room Draco began to evaluate the situation further.

In the far left corner a group of seventh year girls sat whispering to each other while staring at a Witch Weekly magazine. In the corner nearest the door the prefects were gathered and, more than likely, coming up with a game plan on how to maintain order and keep the others within the room from going stir crazy. Everyone else bar one were in various states of false bravado or inane attempts of pretending that everything was fine. The only one that wasn't happened to be the Italian seated to his left.

Casting an amused gaze at his friend Draco took comfort in the fact that only Blaise, and perhaps Hermione though she was never so serene about it what with how quickly and intensely she was drawn into every book and consumed them the way a dehydrated man consumed water, could sit there and calmy read a read by the castle was in turmoil around him.

As the Italian turned page after page Draco could find himself slowly relaxing, the slow shift of page against page and the deep steady breathing of his friend soothing him.

At least until the false bravado turned into a pseudo form of swaggering bluster as someone finally cracked under the pressure and did the only thing that they could think of...

Make it worse.

Terence Higgs, someone who's only form of standing came from his position as Seeker and his uncle Bertie's relationship with Tiberius McLaggen and Rufus Scrimgeor. Bertie Higgs was also the one who bred and maintained a pack of pure albino hounds for the pest sub-division in the ministry, hounds which he also uses to go Nogtail hunting quite often as Terence is prone to boast about.

Other than his uncles influential ties in the ministry and his current position on the Quidditch team, however, he was rather insignificant.

Terence was currently looking at the entrance to the common room in disgust, speaking in a pseudo low tone that Draco was certain he knew was carrying throughout the room.

"Look at this filth, a goblin standing next to a wizard as though he's worthy. How dare he pollute our space?"

Draco wished that he could say otherwise, just picturing Harry and Hermione's reactions fueling him with indignation, but it appeared as though his house mates were agreeing to the sentiment.

Standing quickly Draco cast a disgusted sneer at those in the room as their eyes fell to look at him.

Opening his mouth to enlighten the plebeians that he apparently shared a space with Draco was shocked when it was a voice other than his that next filled the air.

"Oh yes, mock and scorn the ones who are protecting you at this very moment. That won't backfire on you considerably," Blaise's smooth drawl sounded throughout the common room as he closed his book with a gentle yet resounding thud. "Not to mention risking your families fortune like that Higgs, mighty brave of you."

"What the hell are you talking about Zabini?" Terence hissed as he stood up to his full height, towering above the first year and still managing to look no bigger.

"Who controls your gold? You? The ministry? No. Gringotts does. And who controls Gringotts, hmm? You? The ministry? No. The goblins do. They're a sovereign nation you twat. If they choose they could take every last knut you own and charge you for their trouble. Now, I suggest you sit down and shut up before I hex you myself."