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"So... why did you ask me to come?" Harry looked warily at the goblin sitting behind the desk in front of him. He looked more elegant than the rest and had a golden monocle over his right eye.
The goblin crossed his fingers and leaned forward a little.
"Thanks. That is the reason, Mr. Potter, thanks."
Harry narrowed his eyes slightly before suspecting something.
"Is it about the Horcrux?"
"Correct," the goblin nodded. "Thanks to your information, we discovered the Dark Object type XXXXX inside the Lestrange Vault. This was very good, as we got rid of an object that could create problems with the Ministry of Magic."
"I won't ask you how you knew about this object, but you have our thanks."
"You're welcome. I just wanted that thing destroyed," Harry replied simply.
"Mm," the goblin nodded. "I understand that, we goblins don't like such magic either. In fact, I think very few would like such magic."
Harry nodded, but showed the letter the bank had sent him in the morning.
"The face says something about a reward. Are you really planning to reward me?"
"Of course. As I said earlier, this is about a thank you, so a reward, or rather a gift, is appropriate for this occasion."
The goblin bent down a little, seeming to pick something up and then placed it on the desk. Harry, who saw clearly what it was, was immensely surprised. He didn't get up, but moved a little closer.
"You... you... cleaned it?" Harry asked, dumbfounded. Hufflepuff's cup was there, in its golden, badger-engraved splendor. There was no malice coming from the cup, not even a single speck of darkness could be felt.
"We goblins have magic, Mr. Potter. We can use magic, we just can't carry wands for years. And as you can see with the cup as evidence, we've gotten a lot better when it comes to wandless magic."
Harry immediately looked at him, "Aren't you afraid I'll talk about it?"
"That would just make you a fool."
The two looked at each other for a long moment before Harry smiled. The goblin was practically telling him that it was possible to cooperate in some way or receive some help if he kept quiet, but at the same time he knew it was a threat. If Harry said anything, the goblins might open their mouths about the information Harry had given about the Horcrux, or that he was even now the possessor of Helga Hufflepuff's cup.
"I think this reward is a bit much for just a bit of information. Tell me, do you happen to like Celestina Warbeck?"
"Almost all the goblins like that woman's music."
"Mmm...", Harry nodded before reaching inside his jacket and revealing a small purple square-shaped pouch. He pulled out his wand and then a thin notebook appeared.
"Nice magic. An Undetectable Extension Charm... but it seems a bit modified."
Harry just smiled before opening the notebook and leaving it on the desk.
"How about this?"
"Heh...", the goblin laughed a bit seeing a signature from Celestina Warbeck.
"I got it when I went to her concert by winning the lottery tickets at the bank."
"Looks like we can get along, Harry Potter. Consider yourself a friend of Brok."
Harry nodded and took the goblet before putting it in his small purple pouch near his chest.
"By the way, Brok. Now that we know each other better, would you be willing to part with some goblin-forged silver?"
Brok glanced at Harry slightly from the side before smiling.
"Most wizards are interested in the crafts of my people, but they forget that our ways are different. They are never so clever as to ask for only silver forged by us."
Brok pulled a scroll from a drawer in his desk and handed it to Harry.
"As long as you can offer me some of these things in exchange, I'll agree."
Harry raised an eyebrow at him before taking the scroll and looking at its contents. Harry's eyebrows immediately rose at the rare and even dangerous materials.
"Acromantula corpses, dragon claws, dragon blood, dragon scales, and also dragon tongue. What is this? It seems you're also after ghost rats, which is already strange."
"Can you even take a Dementor's cloak off?"
"Oh... I have this. Basilisk blood and flesh."
"You have the blood and flesh of a basilisk?" Brok asked in shock. The list was something he gave to anyone who wished to trade for the goblin items or crafts, he never thought Harry Potter would have any of these items.
"Yes. It'll have to wait until the school year starts though. I have it at Hogwarts."
"Okay..." Brok nodded slowly. Anyway, the blood and flesh of said beast was useful to him.
"But why do you have this on the list? Or is this just what you give to wizards so they don't trade?"
Brok sighed a little and said, "While that's true, Basilisk meat is good for some things, mostly feeding some beasts. You should know by now that we have dragons downstairs."
"Though it also depends on how it died. If the poison sac broke and stained the inside, then it's useless."
"I pierced its brain with a sword."
Brok rubbed his forehead, not knowing what to think of this boy at this point. Killing a basilisk with a sword? That was just too difficult.
"Fine. Then I'll wait until you notify the bank."
"Then I'll take my leave," Harry smiled before standing up.
Brok nodded before yelling for the door to be opened. Fleur appeared shortly after.
"Miss Delacour, please escort my friend Harry Potter out."
Fleur froze when she heard that. Friend? was what she thought, not believing that Harry had actually made friends with a goblin.
"Fleur?", Harry asked confused at the sight of his frozen friend.
"Ah... Y-Yes, right away," stuttering a bit, Fleur nodded before turning around for Harry to follow her. But the moment they left the office and the door closed, she turned to Harry immediately.
"What does this mean, Harry? Do you know what you've done?", she hissed quietly.
"What?", he looked at him totally confused.
Fleur grabbed him by the arm and pulled him closer before whispering, "Goblins don't make friends, Harry. At least not with human wizards. For a goblin, especially the head of Gringott's Bank of Great Britain to call you a friend, is just ridiculous."
"What did you two talk about?"
"I...", Harry spoke, but stopped immediately.
"You?", Fleur raised an eyebrow.
"I gave him the autograph Celestina gave me at the concert."
"Let me see if I understand correctly," Fleur moved her hands a little and said seriously, "Brok, the head and boss of Gringotts Bank of Great Britain made you his friend... why did you give him an autograph from Celestina Warbeck?"
"Correct," Harry nodded.
"Nonsense!"
"But it's the truth. After talking about some important things and a gift from him for helping the bank, we became friends when I gave him that gift."
Fleur pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Your life is meaningless, Harry Potter."
"Oh, if you only knew, Fleur."
She glared at him before slumping her shoulders and sighing a little.
"You never cease to amaze me, Harry."
Harry shook her hand before starting to walk away.
"Please don't fall for me, Fleur. You're not my type and I don't want to make you feel bad."
Harry just felt a smack on his bottom before looking back in surprise.
"You... did you just kick me?" he said, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes. What are you going to do about it?"
"You're underestimating me too much if you think I'm just going to stand by, woman," Harry stated before waving his hand, almost as if he were slapping something.
Fleur snorted, but then jumped forward slightly when she felt a smack on her bottom.
"... ", she was silent for a long moment. It was only when she heard a snort from Harry that she reacted and glared angrily.
"You... you dare..."
"You started it, young lady, not me. Now face the consequences."
Harry left her there as he walked out of the hallway. He knew Fleur would get revenge, but he wasn't too worried about that fact. The most she could do was hit him in some way or play a prank on him.
Fleur looked at his back before smirking a little evilly, already thinking of a way to return Harry's move.
She didn't know that it would just make her more upset.
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