Charlie and Professor Flitwick went to Gringotts to withdraw the money, then returned to Griphook's Wooden House in the forest.
The winter forest looked especially bleak, its bare branches swaying in the cold wind.
Charlie pulled his cloak tighter around himself, his warm breath turning to white mist in the air.
He had been looking forward to this equipment for so long, and now it was almost ready. Charlie felt a little excited.
Seeing him, Professor Flitwick smiled knowingly.
"Don't be impatient, Charlie. Griphook may have a strange temper, but his craftsmanship is absolutely top-notch among Goblins," Professor Flitwick said with a smile.
"When I was young, I saw a weapon he made. I'd say it was every bit as good as the Sword of Gryffindor."
Soon, the familiar Wooden House came into view.
Professor Flitwick stepped forward and knocked.
"Griphook, it's me, Flitwick."
Footsteps sounded inside, and the door creaked open.
Griphook poked his head out. When he saw Flitwick, a smile spread across his face.
But the moment his gaze fell on Charlie, the smile vanished.
"Hmph!"
"You've come at just the right time. It's just been finished."
Charlie: o.O?
What did I ever do to him? Why the sour face?
The three of them went inside, where the warmth of the fire drove away the winter chill.
Griphook went to the workbench in the corner and took out a bundle.
"Take a look at my masterpiece."
He looked thoroughly confident as he untied the bundle, revealing a brown vest.
Charlie's eyes lit up.
The vest looked ordinary at first glance, but on closer inspection, he could see fine runes covering its surface, glittering in the firelight.
"Well? What do you think?"
Griphook asked smugly.
"I used Troll hide as the main material, combined with mithril, black gold, and other materials, then engraved it with ancient Goblin runes."
"It's definitely one of my finest works."
"I'd say its resistance to magic is about eighty percent that of a Troll."
Charlie reached out and touched the vest. It felt sturdy, and it wasn't light, either.
"What level of spells can it withstand?"
"Ordinary spells cast by adult Wizards are no problem," Griphook assured him, thumping his chest.
"Stunning Spells, Petrifying Spells, and Disarming Charms—all of those can be blocked."
"But it won't hold up against an especially powerful caster or Dark Magic on the level of the Killing Curse."
"After all, it's only Troll hide."
Charlie nodded. That was already pretty good.
It wasn't as if he planned to wear the vest and take spells to the face. The vest was only a last line of defense.
"This is enough." Charlie pulled 150 Galleons out of his bag.
"The agreed price."
Griphook took the coins and inspected them one by one.
Charlie didn't rush him. He waited while Griphook checked them at his own pace; that was normal when doing business.
Just then, a deep voice sounded from outside.
"Our Griphook, consorting with Wizards, of all things."
Griphook's face changed instantly, and a few of the coins slipped from his hand and hit the floor.
"Damn it, how did they find this place?"
Charlie and Professor Flitwick exchanged a glance. They both sensed that something was wrong.
The wooden door was shoved open roughly, and eight Goblins filed inside.
The Goblin at the front had bloodshot eyes and a menacing face. A scar ran down his left cheek. He looked like trouble.
Charlie instinctively tightened his grip on his Wand, and Professor Flitwick also adopted a defensive stance.
"Bagman, I never invited you. What do you want?"
Griphook glared at the newcomer.
The Goblin named Bagman ignored Griphook's question and stared greedily at the Wands in Charlie and Professor Flitwick's hands.
"Oh, Griphook. I never thought our blacksmith would betray the Goblins and work with Wizards."
"Seems I've gone too long without clearing out the traitors. That's why you've gotten ideas."
Bagman let out a sneer, the scar on his face twisting like a centipede.
Professor Flitwick spoke quietly to Charlie.
"Charlie, do you remember what I told you about the Goblins who hate Wizards?"
"After they lost the war, the Wizards took away their Wands, but they still haven't given up."
"If a fight breaks out, I'll hold them off for you. Just run."
Although Flitwick knew Charlie was no weakling—he could even beat a Troll—he was still only a first-year Wizard.
If Charlie got hurt, Professor Flitwick would never forgive himself.
Charlie nodded. This clearly wasn't the time to insist on being polite. Whether he ran or fought would depend on the situation.
"Griphook, I'll give you a chance," Bagman said, licking his lips.
"Hand over the Wands of these two Wizards, and I'll let you go."
Charlie glanced sideways at Griphook. If he made even the slightest suspicious move, Charlie wouldn't hesitate to hit him with a Flame Charm.
Thankfully, Griphook had no intention of betraying them.
"Bagman, have you gone mad?" Griphook roared furiously.
"You'll bring disaster upon all the Goblins if you do this!"
"Do you want to start another war between Goblins and Wizards?"
"Disaster?" Bagman sneered.
"The Wizards treat us like slaves and take away our Wands. Isn't that a disaster?"
The Goblins behind him nodded and chimed in.
"Exactly. Why can Wizards have Wands, but we can't?"
"Our magic is no weaker than theirs."
"It's time to show the Wizards what Goblins can do!"
Professor Flitwick frowned.
"Bagman, you're stirring up conflict between our peoples."
"Shut up!" Bagman glared fiercely at Professor Flitwick.
"What right do you Wizards have to lecture me?"
"I'll kill you with my own hands, then offer your flesh in tribute to my people."
Bagman licked his lips.
"Especially the little one. His meat will be tender—probably the tastiest."
"That's enough!" Griphook roared.
"Bagman, I won't let you cause trouble on my turf!"
The smile vanished from Bagman's face.
"Griphook, I see you've made up your mind to stand with the Wizards."
"Then don't blame me for forgetting that we're kin."
He waved his hand, and the Goblins behind him drew their Wands.
Bagman and the others leveled their Wands. Eight red beams shot out at once, and a piercing whine filled the air.
Although Goblin magic worked differently from Wizard magic, the two had one thing in common: a Wand greatly increased their power.
Those spells clearly wouldn't be easy to withstand.
Professor Flitwick's eyes turned cold. The Goblins had all had their Wands confiscated, so the source of these eight Wands was obvious. At least eight Wizards had met their end.
Professor Flitwick flicked his Wand.
"Protego!"
A transparent shield sprang up in front of him. The red beams struck it and burst into dazzling sparks.
"Griphook, get Charlie out of here!"
Professor Flitwick shouted as he swung his Wand again and again.
The ground began to soften. The stone tiles beneath Bagman and several of the others instantly turned into a quagmire, hindering their movements.
"Damn it!"
Bagman cursed as he struggled to pull his feet free of the mud.
Professor Flitwick seized the opportunity to strike.
"Expelliarmus!"
A red beam shot straight toward Bagman, who hurriedly conjured a shield of light to block it.
"That's all you've got? Then prepare to die."
Bagman grinned viciously.
Professor Flitwick knew how dangerous it was to face so many opponents alone. He had to end the fight quickly.
He drew a deep breath and traced a complex pattern through the air with his Wand.
"Apparition!"
Before you continue