Trust Is the Foundation of Cooperation; Avoiding Suspicion Matters More Than Anything

The next day.

Harry brought the Invisibility Cloak and the Sword of Gryffindor, meeting Ron and Crabbe at the Teleportation Array.

The three waited for over half an hour before Aaron finally sauntered over.

"You're late," Crabbe said maliciously.

"You're early," Aaron retorted disdainfully. "And another thing, goblin—I don't care how they sweet-talked you, but remember: I call the shots here."

Crabbe's face darkened. He gritted his teeth in fury. "Got it."

"Aaron, you..." Harry trailed off, his face full of distress.

They had not even found the Horcrux yet, and he had already offended the one leading the way. What if Crabbe quit halfway through?

Aaron shook his head speechlessly. "This was a deal from the beginning. If you lower your stance too much, you'll be at a disadvantage in a negotiation."

Harry felt even more exhausted. It was not as though he did not understand that.

But Crabbe was the only goblin who could help them. He would rather suffer a little loss than let an unpleasant exchange affect their search for the Horcrux.

"Can we leave now?" Ron asked at just the right time, easing Harry's awkwardness.

"Not yet. Before we leave, you need to sign a contract."

"You don't trust me?" Crabbe glared indignantly at the two of them. "Then our cooperation can end here."

"No, Crabbe, we've never doubted you." As Harry spoke, he frantically signaled to Aaron with his eyes. Hurry up and apologize!

"Tch! Trust is the foundation of cooperation. I don't care what agreement you made with Harry Potter, but this Teleportation Array concerns the safety of everyone in Divine Thunder Hall. I have no choice but to put some safeguards in place."

Hearing that, Harry and Crabbe looked at each other.

It seemed they had misunderstood. The contract Aaron wanted them