Erwin's footsteps echoed through the suddenly silent Grand Hall of Gringotts. With each step he took toward the sole remaining goblin, Ragnok, another goblin's life ended behind him. By the time Erwin stood directly before the elderly administrator, the heavy, metallic scent of blood was the only presence that remained besides the survivors.
The wizards ceased fighting, standing among the fallen and watching the confrontation intently. The oppressive silence was broken only by Ragnok's ragged, grief-stricken breathing.
Professor McGonagall moved closer to Snape. "Severus, is it wise to let him approach alone?"
Snape's gaze remained fixed on Erwin. "He is Erwin Cavendish. He never acts unless he's absolutely certain of the outcome."
McGonagall said nothing more, simply watching the young man who commanded such absolute loyalty.
Erwin looked down at the defeated goblin. "It's over now. You have no remaining cards to play. The traitor is dead as well." He gestured vaguely toward the body of Griphook, whom Erwin had dealt with personally moments earlier when the goblin attempted to flee.
"He knew too much," Erwin stated flatly.
Ragnok looked from the traitor's corpse to Erwin's impassive face. "What do you truly want?" he rasped.
"You need to determine that yourself," Erwin replied calmly. "You know precisely why I spared you. Open the remaining vaults. You understand perfectly well that right now, you have no other leverage. Open them, and I'll grant you a dignified end."
"Why?" Ragnok demanded, his voice cracking. "What is your ultimate purpose in all this scheming?"
"You still don't understand," Erwin said, his voice carrying cold clarity. "I intended to act against you eventually, but the opportunity was provided by your own actions. If not for your insatiable greed, I wouldn't have found this justification. Everything that happened today is the direct result of your choices."
Ragnok fell silent, knowing Erwin spoke the truth. If they hadn't been so rapaciously greedy, they wouldn't have left evidence. They wouldn't have given Erwin a legitimate pretext to destroy Gringotts.
A genocide at the hands of wizards. A debt paid in blood for their avarice.
Erwin didn't pressure him further. His purpose in sparing Ragnok was straightforward: only senior goblins possessed the knowledge to open the deepest vaults. Otherwise, Ragnok would have died with the rest.
"Look at these bodies," Ragnok suddenly laughed—a bitter, broken sound. "Yes, we were greedy. But so are you, Erwin. From the moment your communications network and credit system appeared, your objective was transparent: to seize control of the wizarding world's wealth. You want economic dominance over everything!"
Erwin nodded, offering no denial. The goblins had always possessed sharp instincts for financial matters. Many in the wizarding world saw through his long-term intentions, yet they were powerless to prevent it—at least for now, his system was convenient for everyone.
Ragnok glared at him with pure, concentrated hatred. "I won't open them. Even Dumbledore couldn't force those vaults open! Let those treasures rot in Gringotts forever! They'll never be yours. You've miscalculated, Erwin. When that wealth becomes permanently inaccessible, I guarantee those currently following you will turn against you."
Ragnok stared at Erwin intently, desperately hoping to see anger or frustration—any sign that his final defiance had struck home.
To his profound disappointment, a slight smile touched Erwin's lips.
"Ragnok, what exactly is your contingency plan?" Erwin asked softly. "Those young goblins you evacuated beforehand? You believe that as long as they survive, your race isn't truly extinct?"
Ragnok's expression collapsed. "How... how could you possibly know?"
Erwin's laugh sent chills through everyone present. "I must admit, goblin talent is remarkable. Even your young demonstrate frightening aptitude for Apparition. But I wonder if your physiology affects your reasoning capacity, or if your brain size simply imposes limitations. Did you genuinely believe that sending them to goblin communities in Germany would keep them safe? Don't you realize I am the acknowledged master of the Acolytes?"
Ragnok's face drained of all color. "You... what did you do to them?"
"Open the vaults," Erwin said, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "That is your only remaining option, Ragnok. I don't have time to waste on negotiations. Open them, or face complete extinction."
Ragnok's face contorted as he wrestled with the impossible choice.
Erwin began counting deliberately. "Three. Two."
Just as Erwin prepared to say "one," Ragnok's mental defenses shattered completely.
"I'll open them! I'll open them immediately! Please, let them go!" Ragnok sobbed.
Erwin smiled without warmth. "A wise choice."
Ragnok slumped in defeat and turned toward the vault systems, his movements those of a broken creature. Erwin followed close behind. As they passed the imprisoned dragon that Gringotts kept as a deterrent, Erwin paused briefly. "Patience. I'll arrange your release shortly."
Hearing his voice, the dragon—which had been roaring in fury moments before—suddenly fell silent, as though recognizing something in Erwin's tone. Erwin's smile widened slightly.
He watched as Ragnok opened each vault systematically. Gold, ancient artifacts, and priceless magical treasures gleamed in the torchlight, revealing the true extent of Gringotts' accumulated wealth.
After the final vault was unsealed, Ragnok turned to Erwin with desperate, fragile hope. "I've opened them all. Surely now you'll spare the children?"
Erwin's expression remained cold and merciless. "Unfortunately, you made your decision too late. If you'd cooperated immediately, I might have been able to stop the operation."
Ragnok's eyes widened in horror. "You—"
Before he could finish, an invisible blade of compressed magic sliced cleanly through his throat. Ragnok collapsed backward, his eyes wide and unseeing, dying with the knowledge of complete betrayal.
The Purple Lotus Mark flared briefly on Erwin's arm—a communication seal connecting him to his distant operatives.
Far away in Germany, Charlotte stood over the body of the last young goblin evacuee. "My lord, the task is complete."
Erwin severed the magical connection without ceremony.
He would not permit the goblins to survive. Their talent for magic was genuinely extraordinary, and they were no longer useful to his purposes. They would make poor servants even if subjugated, and house-elves already filled that role adequately.
Erwin refused to risk being attacked from behind by survivors nursing blood feuds during the final confrontation. He would accept the role of executioner if necessary, regardless of how others might judge his ruthlessness.
No matter the cost, Erwin would eliminate every potential threat to his ultimate objectives.