As Christmas approached, the goblins suddenly felt that things were taking an even worse turn.
Many pure-blood wizards had begun withdrawing money and treasures from their family vaults at Gringotts in large quantities.
No matter how they looked at it, this suggested that the pure-bloods knew something in advance and were taking steps to avoid danger.
The goblins made inquiries everywhere, only to hear explanations such as the pure-bloods needing more money to pave the way as England's potions trade expanded.
But those answers did nothing to reassure them. The goblin elders smelled conspiracy and war.
They began asking other Gringotts branches to send more dedicated goblin fighters, while still wavering over whether to contact the Double Serpent Society, which had once extended them an olive branch.
On December 20, the Christmas holidays began.
As expected, crowds flooded into Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley benefited from some of that traffic, becoming a little livelier than before.
Many visitors toured this "historical site" of England in groups.
They visited places such as the old Nimbus broomstick headquarters and the former Potter shampoo workshop.
They offered a few idle words of reminiscence, remarking that this or that had originally been made here.
Outside Gringotts, two rows of goblins in scarlet uniforms greeted the passing crowds with ugly smiles, warmer and more humble than before, yet still no one went inside to do business.
After countless disappointments, they saw a group in matching uniforms approaching Gringotts. It was the black-clad Wizarding Army, known throughout England!
The welcoming goblins' eyes filled with terror at the sight.
"Aah!!"
"Aah! They're here! They're here!"
They shrieked in unison and scrambled toward Gringotts' imposing Bronze Gate, then slammed it shut with a clang.
Under the astonished gazes of nearby passersby, the black-clad Wizarding Army gradually surrounded Gringotts.
Accompanied