"Thanks, but it's all right. Allen and Emily both took a long time before they were willing to come out back then..." Albert frowned and hesitated for a while, but out of a sense of responsibility, he still declined John Bassa's kindness. "Once things are finished here, I'll trouble you on the way back."
"No problem. Don't worry about what happens after we wrap up. Go take care of your business first." John Bassa shook his short curls and gave an understanding smile. Albert's answer had confirmed his earlier guess. "Then let's speed things up... We'll go in and announce it directly."
The Ministry of Magic party marched in grandly through the Bronze Gate.
Director Nagnok, who had been waiting nearby, immediately hurried forward with the senior staff to meet them. More ordinary goblins also temporarily stopped their work. Some glared furiously at these intruders in their eyes. In just a few short days, the relationship between goblins and wizards had grown even worse.
"Director Harris, Department Head Bassa..." Nagnok's expression no longer held the calm courtesy of the past few days. "We should already have finished paying compensation for Diagon Alley. Why has the Ministry of Magic surrounded Gringotts again today?"
"I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll get straight to the point." Albert was somewhat impatient with these gentlemanly false pleasantries. "You and I both know what was broadcast on the news today."
"Director Nagnok, we're not here to explain ourselves to you." John Bassa stood before Nagnok with perfect composure. Things were different now from when Lenn had been refused entry by Gringotts; with a pretext in hand, his tone was more aggressive than ever. "We're here to inform you of the Ministry of Magic's decision and carry it out."
"I'd be glad to hear