The two stepped into the clearing, and the short, stocky figure stopped working.
He turned around, revealing the typical features of a Goblin: pointed ears, deep-set eye sockets, and a pair of yellow eyes that looked rather frightening.
"Filius?" The Goblin set down his hammer, surprise flashing across his face.
"What brings you to my place?"
Professor Flitwick strode forward, a friendly smile on his face.
"Griphook, long time no see. Your craftsmanship is still as excellent as ever."
Charlie watched the Goblin blacksmith closely.
Griphook had muscular arms and calloused hands, the typical build of a craftsman.
But when his gaze shifted to Charlie, those yellow eyes immediately filled with suspicion and hostility.
"What are you bringing a little Wizard brat here for?" Griphook's voice turned sharp.
"Wizards aren't welcome here."
Professor Flitwick had told Charlie on the way that the relationship between Goblins and humans was complicated.
There had been several Goblin Rebellions throughout history, and both sides had long-standing grudges against each other.
He had specifically warned Charlie not to say anything careless and to let the professor handle everything.
Charlie had obediently nodded in agreement.
"Griphook, here's the situation," Professor Flitwick explained.
"This is my student, Charlie White. He recently came into possession of some Troll hide and would like you to make him a set of armor."
Griphook's expression darkened further when he heard this.
He looked Charlie up and down, his eyes full of disdain.
"Oh, I see." Griphook let out a cold laugh.
"Filius, have you gone and taken the Wizards' side completely?"
"Do you even have to help satisfy the demands of a brat like this?"
Professor Flitwick's smile stiffened, but he still replied patiently:
"Griphook, we're friends, aren't we? This boy really needs the armor."
"Friends?" Griphook sneered.
"Would a friend come begging me on behalf of a human? Filius, don't forget—you have Goblin blood in your veins."
"And what are you doing now? Acting like a dog for humans, teaching them magic, making them stronger."
"So they can turn around and bully Goblins!"
Griphook's words grew more and more cutting. He had suffered no shortage of abuse from Wizards throughout his life.
That was why he had moved to this remote forest, hiding somewhere beyond the Wizards' reach.
But now Filius was asking him to do work for a Wizard. It made him feel betrayed.
"Do you think those Wizard students actually respect you? They're just putting on an act! Behind your back, they still call you a half-blood freak!"
Professor Flitwick's face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled slightly.
Those words had struck the most vulnerable part of his heart.
He had heard them plenty of times when he was a student.
Charlie was furious as he listened from the side.
Though Professor Flitwick had warned him not to lose his temper, he couldn't stand by and watch his teacher be insulted because of him.
Charlie wasn't about to let him get away with it just because he had his reasons.
"Enough!"
Charlie stepped forward abruptly, his voice icy.
Griphook froze, not expecting the little Wizard to speak up.
"If you don't want to make the armor, that's your business. No one can force you," Charlie said, each word clear and deliberate.
"But no wonder Goblins are so unpopular, when you sneer at your own friends like that."
"What did you say, you rude brat?" Griphook exploded.
"I've been perfectly polite. If the professor weren't here, I'd have cursed you out already," Charlie shot back without flinching.
"You say the professor betrayed the Goblins, but he's found his place in Wizard society, teaches students, and helps Wizards and Goblins get along."
"What have you done?"
Charlie's voice grew colder and colder.
"You're a useless coward who only picks on your own kind. What gives you the right to insult the professor?"
Professor Flitwick stood frozen, a sudden sting rising at the bridge of his nose.
No one knew how hard it was for him to be caught between the two sides.
He had to endure prejudice from Wizards and accusations from Goblins.
Charlie's words had struck right to the heart of the matter.
Griphook trembled with rage, pointing at Charlie and sputtering.
"Come on, Professor." Charlie tugged at Flitwick, ready to leave.
"We don't have to get the armor made."
"Wait!" Professor Flitwick stopped Charlie.
He looked at Charlie, a warm feeling welling up inside him.
This boy had been willing to fall out with a Goblin just to defend him.
Professor Flitwick resolved to make sure he helped Charlie get this done.
He walked up to Griphook and took an exquisite little box from inside his robes.
He opened it. Inside lay an ancient silver badge engraved with intricate Goblin runes.
Griphook's eyes widened the instant he saw the badge.
"Is that the Ancestral Badge?" His voice trembled.
"Filius, how did you get this?"
"My grandmother left it to me," Professor Flitwick said softly.
"If you make the armor for Charlie, the badge is yours."
The Ancestral Badge meant a great deal to Goblins. It recognized their ancestors' achievements and was worth a fortune.
Griphook stared at the badge, his expression conflicted.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"You really want to give me the Ancestral Badge for the sake of a human brat?"
"Yes." Professor Flitwick didn't hesitate.
"The badge represents Goblin honor. Giving it to you is only right—it's going back where it belongs. I have no use for it."
Griphook fell silent again for a while, then finally sighed.
"Fine, I'll do it." He looked at Charlie, his tone still cold.
"But I'll charge 150 Galleons for the work. I'll cover all the materials except the Troll hide."
Charlie looked at Professor Flitwick. When he saw him nod, he did the math in his head.
He had 200 Galleons at Gringotts. Spending 150 on equipment that could withstand spells was well worth it.
"Deal."
Griphook nodded, but didn't take the badge.
He pushed the box back toward Professor Flitwick and said:
"Take the badge back."
Professor Flitwick was stunned.
"Griphook..."
"Don't say anything." Griphook waved a hand.
"You're my friend. I got carried away just now, and I'm sorry."
He lifted his head and, still refusing to look at Charlie, snapped,
"Brat, for Filius's sake, I won't ask you for a deposit."
"Bring the Troll hide as soon as you can. Come back in a month to collect the finished armor. And not a Knut less than 150 Galleons."
Charlie's mouth twitched. Was this what people meant by tsundere?
Seriously, you've managed to make me lose interest in both Goblins and tsunderes.
With the deal settled, Professor Flitwick said goodbye to Griphook and left with Charlie.
But neither of them noticed the pair of dark-red eyes watching them from the forest shadows before they Apparated.
Before you continue