Or rather, this is the foundation of their foothold in the Wizarding World.
Now suddenly, someone in the hall of Gringotts Wizarding Bank openly claims that the treasure from his vault has vanished.
Even the goblin accompanying him to retrieve the treasure hangs his head in silent agreement at this moment…
It can be imagined how impactful this is on Gringotts employees and the wizards coming to deposit and withdraw treasures.
The fairies peered at Harry, murmuring amongst themselves.
The wizards handling business here also looked uneasy, glancing at Harry and then at Lanlock.
They were desperate to know what on earth was happening.
The two elegantly dressed fairies sighed, turning and leaving the hall of Gringotts.
"Mr. Lanlock, I think I require a reasonable explanation," Harry said in a calm tone. "Or should I say, if you can't provide one that satisfies me, I'll have to get an old friend to discuss it with you."
"No, no no, Mr. Potter." Lanlock managed a reluctant expression: "Please come with me to the VIP lounge. We promise, regarding the issue with vault 313, you will be given a reasonable explanation!"
"Hmph." Harry snorted, following Lanlock into the VIP lounge.
Not long after, two goblin attendants nervously entered carrying tea and pastries.
They attended to Harry diligently, yet their expressions were particularly stern, and upon close inspection, one could even detect a hint of fear.
"What's with those faces?" Harry glanced at the two goblins, "I remember the industry standard is to smile. Why aren't you smiling? Is it that you don't like to smile?"
The two goblin attendants muttered internally, Gringotts doesn't have such rules…
But facing this bearer of a wand stained with innumerable goblin blood, they opted to muster an unwilling smile.
Soon enough, a knock sounded. With Harry's permission, the two previously suited goblins entered sequentially.
Soon after, a cross-eyed goblin entered the room.
"Mr. Potter." Cross-eyed goblin bowed to Harry, "We finally meet."
Harry nodded courteously at him and asked, "Do we know each other?"
"Sorry, Mr. Potter, although we don't know each other, I grew up hearing your name." Bodrick shivered as he spoke.
"Let me introduce myself. I am 'Cross-eyed' Bodrick, humbly serving as president of the Elf Brotherhood."
"Aren't you from Gringotts?" Harry asked impatiently.
He initially thought the visitors were goblins from Gringotts, so he didn't refuse to meet them.
But now, amidst my damn dispute with Gringotts, what are you meddling for?!
Seeing dissatisfaction surface on Harry's face, Bodrick's heart skipped.
He hurriedly forced a smile, "I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, I understand you have urgent matters, but I still wish to slightly disrupt you…"
After all, no one hits a smiling face; had Bodrick started off cockily, Harry would have already drawn out his wand.
But Harry has always been one to yield to softness rather than hardness, and Bodrick's low demeanor made it ill-advised to use an inoffensive minor curse on him.
"I'm pressed for time, so whatever you have to say, say it quickly." Harry tapped his fingers on the table.
"Here's the thing, Mr. Potter." Bodrick tried to manage his diction: "I…umm, we've all heard of your renowned days in the past. Now that you've returned to your loyal Magical World, we fairies would like…to clarify any misunderstandings with you."
"Clarifying misunderstandings indeed," Harry casually wiped his nails, "Back then, we had some minor unpleasantness with you fairies and exchanged opinions frankly and fully—which wasn't entirely my intent, but if any among your fairies again covet the ancient magic, indiscriminately slaughtering innocents…"
At this point, Harry spoke meaningfully, "I'll be watching you."
Hearing Harry's words, Bodrick exploded inwardly.
Minor unpleasantness?
Exchanged opinions frankly and fully?!
That's what you call minor unpleasantness?
My gosh! Thousands of fairies following Lanlock back then were wiped out by your lot!
Bodrick recalls how the elders described it—those students meeting and casting green spells, and a pair of young men and women adept in ancient magic…
The number of fairies who perished beneath your wand are beyond count—otherwise, why does it wield such terrifying menace against fairies?!
However…
Receiving this response from Mr. Potter, Bodrick remained very pleased within.
As long as he doesn't intend to further extend the problem to all fairies…
"Thank you for your leniency, Mr. Potter." Bodrick quickly bowed: "Your leniency illuminates the entire Magic World."
"Let's leave that topic for now, I have more pressing matters to discuss with you fairies."
Harry spoke softly, but the words bore heavily on the goblins' ears.
More pressing matters to discuss?!
Suppressing fairy uprisings was considered minor unpleasantness, Bodrick dared not imagine how grave 'more pressing matters' could be.
"Please go on, Mr. Potter." Bodrick said respectfully: "Within Gringotts we still have some influence, and are committed to providing you with a satisfying answer."
Harry nodded, motioning for Lanlock to approach.
"A century ago, my friend stored a fortune at Gringotts, and today when I went to retrieve it, the wealth had disappeared."
Harry gave Lanlock a look, who stepped forward to present an inventory list to Bodrick.
"I need an explanation now; where exactly did my treasure go?"
Bodrick took the inventory list, his face immediately showing a pained expression.
This… could this even be described as wealth?!
Even for Gringotts, over two million Golden Galleons is astronomical, not to mention the numerous precious alchemy materials, antique items…
He dared not imagine what might occur if Gringotts cannot provide an appropriate answer.
"Rest assured! Mr. Potter!" Bodrick immediately asserted: "I will certainly press Gringotts to give you a satisfying response!"
Harry nodded, quite pleased with Bodrick's attitude.
Just then, the head of Gringotts hurried into the room, halting abruptly before Harry.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Bodrick." His small eyes blinked, "About your issue, Mr. Potter, I've already heard it reiterated by relevant personnel. I'm now urging the tellers to verify this matter, and we'll definitely provide you with a satisfactory answer!"
"I'll be waiting." Harry nodded, speaking with consideration.
Observing Harry refraining from causing an uproar at Gringotts, the manager heaved a sigh of relief.
Harry, unaware of what these fairies were thinking, would surely snort if he knew.
After all, living under Principal Black's education for over five years, even stones would gain some flavor over time.
Now, being in a society ruled by law, Harry would strive to maintain decorum.
Soon, Gringotts' tellers filed in, carrying a thick stack of documents.
They sat not far opposite Harry, commencing a thorough review of the documents.
Harry didn't rush them, leisurely sipping tea, waiting for the final outcome.
Indeed, he wasn't kept waiting for long.
Half an hour later, a goblin stood, waving a stack of papers in hand.
"Here! I've found it!"