A Bite of Hogwarts
Mysterious Journey

The Ministry of Magic does not have an independent finance department, only a Goblin Liaison Office.

Among the past Ministers of Magic, there were those who considered taking back the magical world's economic power from the goblins. However, after a couple of attempts, most wisely stopped their reforms and re-employed the goblins of Gringotts.

This was partly because wizards lacked the necessary talent and guidance in numbers, finance, and interest rates. Even if they forcibly took over Gringotts Wizarding Bank, it would be difficult to maintain a normal social and economic system if the goblins completely left.

More importantly, the goblins of Gringotts were indeed exceptionally "useful."

With Gringotts Wizarding Bank, wizards in the Ministry of Magic didn't have to think about complicated salary distribution. Every month, their wages and compensation would automatically appear in each official's vault. High-ranking officials like Cornelius Fudge and Dolores Umbridge would receive extra gold coins beyond their publicly stated salaries.

Even most of the expenses for activities and daily maintenance were borne by Gringotts. As long as they didn't directly ask for gold from Gringotts, the goblins were quite obedient to the Minister of Magic's orders.

Of course, no Minister of Magic would push Gringotts too hard. After all, the goblins undoubtedly kept a ledger of their own savings and gray income. And the goblins strictly adhered to their professional ethics, never leaking or opening customer data, regardless of how the political power shifted.

Over time, the balance of power between the Ministry of Magic and Gringotts Wizarding Bank gradually stabilized.

The daily work of the Goblin Liaison Office was to represent the Ministry of Magic, requesting budgets from Gringotts, discussing salary increases, and relaying Gringotts' messages and demands to the Ministry of Magic, assessing whether Gringotts would remain loyal to wizards, and whether their demands were reasonable.

"Gringotts... is very tight-lipped. I've only heard that there seems to have been an internal purge..."

Mokridge, the head of the Goblin Liaison Office, pondered for a moment and shook his head.

"The specific reasons are hard to find out, but it's related to Gringotts' recent failed investments in the former Soviet Union, and the goblins of the American Gringotts branch declaring independence some time ago. The goblins in Europe probably took a slight hit in the internal strife this time, so they removed some personnel who weren't performing well, right?"

"Removed? I bet they were secretly executed. Those money-grubbing creatures, I wouldn't be surprised if they killed each other for Galleons... Recently, they even had the whimsical idea of asking our Ministry of Magic to help suppress them. I guess they're panicking..."

"Wizards from the Ministry of Magic interfering in the goblin civil war? Hmph, that would be hoping to tie the entire British Ministry of Magic to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank's chariot. Any idiot knows what the result would be. The magical ministries of various countries and the International Magical Council would probably unite to deal with the British Ministry of Magic at the first opportunity. Even now, our position in the international community is very awkward."

Cornelius Fudge snorted coldly, a gloomy look on his face.

"Besides, even if we could agree, there's no way to explain why wizards would become mercenaries for goblins. The first day the contract was signed, we would be driven off the stage by the united angry pure-blood families. The goblins' business is for the goblins to figure out themselves."

"But... recently, there have been some strange rumors circulating in society."

At this moment, John Dawlish frowned and spoke up proactively.

As the Deputy Head of the Auror Office in the Ministry of Magic, his function was actually somewhere between secret police and police. In addition to cracking down on crime as the armed force of the Ministry of Magic, part of his job was to monitor various rumors and dangerous signs.

"Oh? About what?"

Cornelius Fudge turned his head to look at his capable subordinate, shaking his head half-jokingly.

"If it's about the Dark Lord about to be resurrected, everyone had better get some more money and keep it at home, then we don't need to pay attention to it. Such boring rumors even *The Quibbler* wouldn't write about. It'll die down naturally after a while."

"It's not that, but the Gringotts goblins have indeed been a little strange recently."

John Dawlish shook his head, looking somewhat puzzled.

"Starting some time ago, many pure-blood family members have been required to make an appointment in advance or have some extra financial investment recommendations when they go to the bank to withdraw money. This is different from Gringotts' usual efficiency. There are rumors that Gringotts is having financial problems. In short, even simple deposits and withdrawals take a little longer than usual these days."

"Even..."

As he spoke, John Dawlish glanced at Mokridge, who looked slightly uneasy, turned his head to look at Minister Fudge and Undersecretary Umbridge, and continued in a solemn tone.

"There are rumors that Gringotts is secretly misappropriating the gold we wizards have deposited."

"Hmm? What's going on? Who said that?" Fudge sat up straight subconsciously, frowning.

"As far as I know, it started with Perseus Parkinson of the Parkinson family. He is convinced that the gold in his vault has been secretly touched by the goblins. Although the total amount hasn't been changed, they are not in their original positions. However, it's just based on his memory, and these speculations can't be confirmed yet."

"Gringotts having financial problems is probably true. Douglas, the head of the Goblin Venture Capital Department who contacted us before, has disappeared. As for misappropriating the gold of wizards, the goblins don't have that much courage."

The head of the Goblin Liaison Office shook his head, grinning as he spoke.

At the same time, Dolores Umbridge also shook her head and smiled. Her thick, stubby fingers rubbed against the gemstone ring she had just worn on her left hand a few days ago, echoing his words.

"The latter one, Mr. Perseus is probably too sensitive. The goblins are responsible for distributing the salaries of various Ministry of Magic officials, the expenses of government-related enterprises purchasing goods... It's only natural that these things will go into the vault. Maybe it's because the news of the Dark Lord has been spreading like wildfire recently that made him a little suspicious? How could the goblins be short of money?"

"That's right, Gringotts Wizarding Bank may have a few investment failures, but it will definitely not fall into crisis because of this. As a bank, doesn't all the money have to go back to them? It can't just evaporate after going around in a circle, can it?"

Giving Umbridge a grateful look, Mokridge nodded and echoed in a low voice.

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Chapter Two! (OMG!!)