The shadows stretch across the grounds of Hogwarts as the sun begins to set. The doors to the Great Hall brightly sparkle and dazzle with light caused Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt and Auror Frank Longbottom to stand up straight from their stupor. The sparks fade, and with a loud groan, the doors open wide, revealing the mingling members of the delegation inside.
A stout witch with thick bobbed hair marches directly towards the two Aurors. "Minister," the two Aurors greeted the Minister of Magic, Eugenia Jenkins.
"Auror Longbottom," Minister of Magic Eugenia Jenkins said, "Send word to Mrs. Prime that there will be a press conference held later this evening. She will handle all the details as the Senior Undersecretary."
"Yes, Ma'am!" Auror Frank Longbottom said, before obediently hurrying away to send word to Mrs. Prim.
"Shacklebolt," Minister Jenkins gazed up at the much taller wizard, "gather your team of Aurors. We'll be departing as soon as I finish greeting the rest of the delegation."
Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt nodded his head in obedience to the command, "I shall shortly, Minister Jenkins," before departing toward the grounds to gather his team.
Minister Jenkins returned to the Great Hall to finish greeting all the members of the International Confederation of Wizardry. Although tedious, it did produce good results. Many of the members of the delegates were interested in the artifacts that would become available once wizlink went online.
There were trade discussions about the artifacts as there were already agreements in place on providing the technology for the wiz link and magic brain, along with various apprenticeships to replicate the discussed artifacts. However, until the witches and wizards of the other ministries became sufficiently proficient to replicate the artifacts, the artifacts would have to be purchased directly from the source.
The Great Hall is filled with bustling conversations, which pause for a moment only to see Nadira, the Guardian of Hogwarts slithering across the stone hall. The delegates parted as Nadira is followed by Firenze, who trots out of the hall toward the Forbidden Forest. Nadira returned to the waters of the inky black lake of Hogwarts and plunged into its depths with a splash.
Conversations resume as Annis Black, Gerrod Troels, Professor Odine Ponce, and Ragnok stand in a corner of the Great Hall quietly discussing the events that just transpired.
"I must admit, I find myself surprised that everything went so well," Annis Black murmured in relief. "Though," she paused to glance at Ragnok. "I am sorry that the wand ban wasn't fully revoked."
Ragnok did not answer, but the corners of his dark, slanted eyes revealed a glimmer of satisfaction in their depths. "Forgive me, but I must excuse myself. My grandfather and the Council must be nervously waiting for my report."
"Of course," Annis Black said in understanding and watched the youthful goblin determinedly make his way out of the Great Hall. She briefly wondered how the goblin would get home, but she wasn't too worried. Ragnok must surely know what he was doing.
Once Ragnok is out of earshot, Annis Black remarks, "Ragnok must be taking it dreadfully hard and is doing his best not to show his dismay."
Professor Odine Ponce arches his brow at the remark. Odine did not personally know Ragnok, but he had the feeling that was not at all the case. That or Ragnok truly was a superb actor.
Gerrod Troels wryly shakes his head. Gerrod had worked with goblins for various years, primarily because they were one of the few willing to give a half-troll work. Over the years, he'd grown to enjoy working with the goblins and had learned to read them well. He wasn't mistaken; Ragnok was more than amply satisfied by the outcome achieved. And if so, the witches and wizards of the delegation had been unwittingly outbargained, because a Goblin never settles for less when they can have it all.
The conversation resumes between them as Annis proposes setting up a market location in Hogsmeade shared by the Hags, centaurs, and merfolk. The Hags knew of current market prices and would ensure the centaurs and merfolk weren't cheated when selling their wares or buying supplies.
Gerrad Troels very much approved of the suggestion and said as much. He suggested that the location hold some sort of large pool which could magically connect to the Great Lake and back, but which could only be opened and closed by the merfolk. He suggested that the goblins could construct the pool, but the centaurs and merfolk would need to weave their magic into the pool in order to create such a possibility.
Professor Odine Ponce was very much in favor of the suggestion. He promised that he would dive into the lake later that evening to bring the proposal to Merchieftainess Murcurs, the leader of their tribe. He genuinely hoped that she would be pleased with the results.
Across from the excited trio in a corner of the Great Hall is the slender figure of Reginald Prince, who looks quite diminutive in comparison to that of Rubeus Hagrid. In rare form, Reginald apologized, "I am deeply sorry, Hagrid. I had hoped the delegation would accept the restitutions offered. I did not expect them to force you to relocate to be closer to the new Giant reserve in the Alps that will house the Gurg, your mother, and the giants relocating alongside her."
"It's alright, Mister Prince," Hagrid offered with a sincere smile. "Terry's Da in his letter warned me as much as did Tiffany. A bonnie lass and bright lad those two. They've been right kind to me along with Rowan, Severus, and their friends. I am right grateful to them. Truly."
"And besides," Hagrid sheepishly rubbed the back of his head with one hand. "I've already accepted a position with Beauxbatons as their new professor for Care of Magical Creatures." He shyly rubbed a foot against the ground as his cheeks became rosy.
"With Olympe and me official, I wanted to be closer to her, you see. It'll be a bonus that I'll be close to Ma," Hagrid bashfully said. "That and well, I didn't want to put Professor Kettleburn out of the job. He's been a good master and friend to me. It jus' didn't seem right to ask him to retire before he's ready."
"Thank you, Hagrid, your words put me much more at ease," Reginald sincerely said, before clapping Hagrid on the waist. "In that case, I wish you a good journey and a fruitful employment at Beauxbatons."
"Thank you, Mister Prince," Hagrid widely beamed and pulled Reginald into a bear hug, much to the great startlement of Reginald, who wasn't sure if to be embarrassed or mortified at being hugged in public by another man.
Releasing the older man, Hagrid says, "I've got gifts to give Severus and Rowan. If you don't mind me going to get them, I'd sure appreciate it."
"Of course," Reginald answered as Hagrid perked up and hurried away. Not that anyone got in his way, and if they had, he would have easily pushed through them.