"Fudge had all his property seized?" Snape asked in shock. "What about Hogwarts?"
Tonks fidgeted uncomfortably. "Dumbledore and Fudge decided that having Hogwarts seized could result in some serious repercussions. The school was turned over to the House of Polairix too long ago to be sure that there aren't any enchantments that could come back and hurt Dumbledore and the Ministry."
"He isn't going to be happy about this." Snape muttered. "What about Gringotts? Have they gotten his money from there?"
"I don't know." Tonks said helplessly. "I sent a letter to Nair'icaix as soon as I heard the word, but there isn't a single thing that Harry can do."
Snape sighed. "We can pray that it doesn't get any worse."
...
"Take me to whoever is in charge." Percy snapped at the first goblin he and the Aurors encountered as they entered Gringotts. "I'm here on important Ministry business."
The goblin looked at Percy grimly before moving away quickly. When he returned, he motioned for them to follow him. The pompous Weasley smugly rehearsed what he was going to say as he briskly followed the creature that was leading him to the manager's office.
The goblin motioned for Percy and the Aurors to enter a large office and gestured to a very regal looking goblin seated behind a desk. "You may speak with Lord Gold." The goblin then left the room.
Percy approached the large desk that Lord Gold sat behind and then withdrew a document addressed to the chief goblin at Gringotts. He tossed the parchment down in front of the goblin. "You must comply with that order from Minister Fudge immediately."
"I'm not sure that I have to do anything." Lord Gold replied irritably. "What is the meaning of this? You have no right to just show up and demand an audience with me."
"Read the parchment and see." Percy snapped.
Lord Gold reached forward and picked the document up, treating it as if it had come from the depths of a sewer. The goblin shot an angry glance at Percy before reading it.
To Whom It May Concern:
By decree of the Minister of Magic, Gringotts Bank is to immediately turn over all assets belonging to Harry James Potter, the House of Polairix, the House of Potter, and the House of Black to the British Ministry of Magic on grounds that Harry James Potter is guilty of high treason against the aforementioned Ministry.
Gringotts must also swear to never deal with Mr. Potter's assets or accept his patronage in the future. Gringotts must also in no way give aid to Mr. Potter.
Cornelius Oswald Fudge
Minister of Magic
"Tell me, young pup. Do you have any idea as to how many treaties this 'thing' breaks? Does your moronic boss have any idea what a serious action this is?" Lord Gold whispered.
"Minister Fudge is well aware of all things." Percy stated. "In fact, he's aware of the fact that we're at war and that Harry Potter could be a potential threat."
Lord Gold smiled grimly. "A threat to Minister Fudge, certainly not the wizarding world."
"You don't know what you're talking about!" Percy retorted.
"I think I do, boy." Gold said, his voice showing nothing but contempt for Percy Weasley and his superior at the Ministry. "What happens if I should refuse to comply with this demand?"
Percy gestured toward the Aurors standing behind him. "That's what my escort is for. You can either turn over Potter's assets or be arrested for treason. Take your pick, goblin."
The goblin smiled evilly at Percy. "I will do neither. Gringotts Bank hereby refuses to comply with your Ministry's wishes." Lord Gold then raised his hand and snapped. Immediately, the walls enclosing the office seemed to fall away to reveal a squadron of heavily armed goblins training their weapons as Percy and the Aurors. "I suggest that you Apparate back to the Ministry."
"You won't get away with this." Percy growled as he fearfully drew his wand and Apparated away, the Aurors quickly following suit.
The Head of Gringotts was immediately joined by his compatriots, Lord Silvere and Bronze. "Have the staff begin to evacuate our records immediately. See to it that access to the vaults is blocked off from this building. I'll go to the lobby and order all humans to leave and notify Lord Polairix of the situation immediately."
Lord Silver and Bronze didn't waste any time departing to see to their individual tasks. Lord Gold smiled grimly and restored the illusion of walls around his office before making his way to the lobby of the bank. He stepped onto a special platform that immediately lifted off and hovered above the crowd of witches and wizards doing business.
The goblin's voice was automatically amplified as a result of a special charm on the platform. "Attention all Gringott's patrons. The British Ministry of Magic has blatantly broken its treaties with this establishment. Therefore, Gringotts of Britain is hereby closed until further notice. All those present may withdraw up to 500 Galleons from an available teller and have it credited away from their account. Those who don't take this opportunity will receive either twenty percent of their current deposit or 500 Galleons by owl."
"What has happened?" called out an anxious witch. The crowd fell silent in order to hear the goblin's response. "How long will this closure last?
"Ask your Minister of Magic." Lord Gold answered.
...
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