The Goblin Gambit

"Perhaps." Tonks said, the expression on her face seemingly agreeing with Shacklebolt's choices. Mockridge wasn't sure, but he thought he could sense a slight undercurrent in Tonks manner. Did she secretly support another faction?

His thoughts were interrupted when one of their potential nominees walked up to the group and joined them. "Already deciding on who the new Minister should be, I take it." Arthur Weasley commented cheerfully. He was carrying several files and looked to be on an errand.

"We were thinking that you could do it." Shacklebolt replied.

This made Weasley look uncomfortable. "I suppose I would do it if called on. Things are just too difficult and I don't think I have enough experience to be competent. Not only will the new Minister be besieged by Voldemort and Potter, but the public will demand action taken to reconcile the goblins at Gringotts." Weasley looked at Mockridge. "Has Fudge asked you to do anything about Gringotts and is there any progress that you know of?"

Arthur Weasley had just given Mockridge the perfect opening. "I have not been asked to do anything concerning the matter, but earlier on today, I sent a missive to Lord Gold requesting a possible meeting to discuss solutions to our problem."

"That's good." Tonks said brightly. "I sure hope the goblins like you better than they like Fudge."

"It's hard to tell with goblins." Mockridge said, drawing upon his experience with dealing with the magical race that ran Gringotts.

The timing could not have been more perfect. The lift made a noise to indicate that it was making a stop at their level and then opened to reveal a very flustered employee from the Goblin Liaison Office who was being trailed by a goblin messenger.

This immediately caught everyone's attention and even the people stationed at the entrance of Madame Bones's office turned to look at the action. After all, how often did a goblin walk into the Ministry of Magic, especially considering the current situation?

"Mr. Mockridge," said the exasperated official, "this goblin has just arrived from Gringotts with a letter from the head of the bank. He insists on personally delivering it to you since you're the Head of the Goblin Liaison office."

The goblin formally strode forward and with a bow, handed a sealed letter to Mockridge. "Lord Gold expects a prompt response." he said, his goblin accent very thick and loud.

"I shall respond immediately of course." Mockridge said, feeling slightly flustered himself. Potter had obviously managed to pull his part of the job off, now the ball was in his court.

The goblin stood there looking at Mockridge. Apparently he had been instructed to wait for the response. Further pressure was put on Mockridge by Tonks. "Open it! This could be the solution to our Gringotts problem!"

With a quick snap, the seal on the letter was broken and Mockridge wasted no time unfolding the letter to examine it. He quickly skimmed the short message which invited Mockridge to come to Gringotts with the returning messenger for a meeting to discuss options on reopening the bank.

"What does it say?" Shacklebolt inquired. Everyone in the room listened for Mockridge's response while pretending not to.

Realizing that he was now on stage and that every action he took could have an effect on the outcome of the plan, Mockridge planned his words and actions very carefully. Not everyone knew that he had sent a letter to the goblins first. They would need to know that. "It's a response to the letter I sent to the goblins earlier. Lord Gold has agreed to meet with me to discuss the possibility of reopening the bank."

"Why are they being so agreeable?" Mr. Weasley asked suspiciously.

Already, opposition had reared its head. Fortunately, this comment could be turned to be favorable with an appropriate response. "I think they are being agreeable because they know about Fudge's imminent downfall. It was he who caused them to close the bank in the first place and they can't enjoy being closed anymore than we do."

Mr. Weasley was about to say another thing but Tonks cut him off, seemingly in ignorance. "There's no use in keeping Lord Gold or his messenger waiting, Mockridge."

"Right you are." Cuthbert said with a smile. "I'll run up to my office and gather some necessary papers and then get moving."

He then left the floor with the goblin escort in tow and quickly headed to his office, meeting very few people on the way. Gathering all of his papers took only a few moments and within minutes, he found himself entering Gringotts bank and being escorted to the offices.

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