"This… this…"
The goblin who had previously exuded an air of authority now hesitated, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. His panic was evident, and despite his best efforts, he couldn't muster an explanation that would appease the icy gaze fixed on him.
"Director Stout," Ian's voice cut through the marble hall of Gringotts like a blade, sharp and unyielding. "Kamar-Taj requires an explanation."
The weight of his words was palpable, each syllable adding to the oppressive atmosphere that now blanketed the grand hall. The marble pillars and polished floors seemed to amplify the tension, as if the very structure of Gringotts was holding its breath.
Under Ian's command, the room was suffused with a suffocating pressure, one that pressed down on everyone present. It was a force that not only chilled the air but carried a dangerous, almost feral killing intent. The kind of intent that promised swift and merciless retribution.
Ian wasn't alone. Behind him stood Wanda and several other Kamar-Taj wizards, each of them battle-hardened and unyielding. They weren't here for mere theatrics. The wizards Ian had chosen for this mission were seasoned fighters, individuals who had faced death and emerged victorious.
The goblins could feel it—the cold, sharp edge of the killing intent emanating from the wizards. It wasn't just a threat; it was a promise. Every goblin present felt as though a blade, honed to a deadly edge, was hovering inches from their skin. The unspoken understanding was clear: if a satisfactory explanation wasn't provided, that blade would strike without hesitation.
Stout's lips quivered as he stammered, "We… we didn't mean for this to happen." His voice was barely above a whisper, his fear evident in every syllable. He stood frozen, not daring to make the slightest movement, lest it trigger an attack.
For all their cunning and greed, goblins had one undeniable weakness—they valued their lives above all else.
Ian's voice rang out again, cold and commanding. "Tell me why 160,000 gold Galleons are missing from Kamar-Taj's treasury."
Stout flinched, his hesitation drawing the collective ire of the room. The oppressive silence grew heavier, the air thick with unspoken threats. Even the wizards and witches who had been conducting their business in Gringotts began to sense the danger. Many quietly exited the hall, while others shrank into the shadows, unwilling to draw attention to themselves.
This wasn't just a confrontation—it was a statement. Kamar-Taj was establishing its authority in the magical world.
For Ian, this display was deliberate. It wasn't just about recovering the missing funds; it was about cementing Kamar-Taj's reputation. Gringotts, with its history of greed and opportunism, was the perfect stage for this demonstration.
A low murmur spread through the remaining crowd, only to be silenced by the sound of hurried footsteps.
"Apologies! Deepest apologies!"
The voice belonged to Harmon, an elder goblin of Gringotts, who approached with haste. Behind him marched a squad of red-clad goblin guards, their muscular arms gripping short, rune-carved staffs.
The wizards standing behind Ian reacted immediately, their movements precise and practiced. Wands were discreetly lowered, replaced instead by shimmering silver swords. Each blade was engraved with golden runes, radiating an aura of power. The wizards positioned themselves strategically, their swords poised for combat.
The room grew tense once more, the fragile truce hanging by a thread. Harmon hesitated briefly, his expression betraying his unease, before adopting a calm demeanor. He raised his hands in a gesture of peace and spoke in a conciliatory tone.
"Mr. Ian," he began, his voice carefully measured, "I am Harmon, an elder of Gringotts. Please, let us not escalate this situation further. Gringotts has always maintained a cooperative relationship with Headmaster Lockhart of Kamar-Taj. Surely, we can resolve this misunderstanding amicably."
Ian's piercing gaze did not waver, but he allowed Harmon to continue.
"Supervisor Stout," Harmon turned sharply toward the trembling goblin, his tone now scolding. "What is the meaning of this? Explain yourself immediately! Have you forgotten the partnership we share with Headmaster Lockhart and Kamar-Taj?"
Stout, whether out of fear or calculated theatrics, began to weep openly. "Elder Harmon, I… I don't know what happened. The funds seemed to have vanished. When the wizards from Kamar-Taj demanded the return of their gold, I used magic to expedite the process, but something went wrong. That's why they think the Galleons are missing."
Harmon sighed, his expression one of forced patience, before turning back to Ian. "Mr. Ian, if this is indeed a misunderstanding caused by procedural delays, I deeply regret any inconvenience caused to Kamar-Taj. However, I must ask—was it truly necessary to resort to such… forceful measures? This could have a lasting impact on Gringotts' operations."
Ian remained silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. Then, in a measured tone, he responded, "Elder Harmon, this isn't a misunderstanding. Headmaster Lockhart himself authorized this operation after our divinations revealed significant losses from our Gringotts account. The directive was clear: retrieve all assets and investigate any irregularities. Any resistance was to be met with decisive action."
To emphasize his point, Ian produced a piece of yellowed parchment, its edges frayed but its contents unmistakably official. He handed it to Harmon, his expression unreadable.
"This is an investigation order, authorized by the Ministry of Magic under Law No. 42," Ian explained. "When a wizard's property suffers unexplained losses, they are entitled to apply for such an order and recover their assets by any means necessary. It is signed by Minister Fudge himself."
Harmon's eyes scanned the parchment, his fingers trembling slightly as he read the familiar signature. The weight of the situation was not lost on him.
Ian's voice grew colder. "Elder Harmon, Kamar-Taj demands full cooperation from Gringotts in uncovering the cause of these losses. According to our calculations, 160,000 Galleons are unaccounted for. This is non-negotiable."
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