Several Aurors soon came to search them and forced them to change out of all their clothes, shoes, socks, and other belongings, lest they had hidden wands, potions, Undetectable Extension Bags, or anything similar.
Then each person had a few hairs plucked. Fortunately, the Aurors did nothing more excessive than that. They simply had them put on the clothes they had prepared, assigned everyone a room, explained things like meal times, and left.
And so they were left there for two days. During those two days, their movements were not overly restricted. Aside from being unable to leave the courtyard, they could move about freely and talk as they pleased. No one paid them any attention.
Three meals appeared on the table automatically every day and vanished once they were done eating. Their rooms were always spotless, and even the toilet bowls gleamed like new.
Occasionally, they caught sight of a House-elf, but it seemed to do its utmost to avoid their notice, always working quietly and disappearing quietly.
Although no one stopped them, no one felt like talking over those two days. They had all been driven into sullen silence by their own stupidity.
The most talkative among them was the Goblin Brin. On average, he cursed "despicable British wizards" once every five minutes, cursed some foolish companion once every fifteen minutes, lamented the unfairness of his fate every half hour, and shouted hysterically once every two hours.
But after more than half a day, even he ran out of energy and could only huff angrily.
Two days later, their quarters received their first visitor—the subject of their investigation, Murphy Darkholme.
"Let us out! You despicable human!" the Goblin Brin shouted the moment he saw Murphy.
Murphy glanced at him. At once, two burly men rushed out from behind