Soon, the goblin came scurrying back eagerly. "This way, please, both of you."
He led them through an ornate gate into a lavishly decorated room. Everything here, from the carpets and paintings to the furniture, exuded luxury.
However, all the tables, chairs, and sofas seemed very small, probably custom-made for goblins. Yet this was where goblins met with honored guests, and they still refused to provide sofas and chairs suited to human warlocks.
In a sense, did that count as a show of dominance?
"Welcome, both of you."
Three old goblins sat on three separate sofas. One was Craw, whom they had met that morning, while the other two seemed even older than him.
One was nodding off, while the other smoked a cigar, looking every bit the big boss.
"You're from the United States?"
The cigar-smoking goblin asked.
"That's right."
Edward casually transformed the undersized sofa into a normal-sized one and sat down with Dumbledore. This immediately made the drowsy goblin open his eyes.
"May I ask where the gold coins and jewels you wish to deposit came from?"
Edward snorted. "What's it to you? What, if I say they're illicit, you won't take them?"
"Of course not?"
The cigar-smoking goblin flicked off some ash and laughed. "But in that case, we'll have to charge an additional service fee."
Edward immediately stood up and snapped, "Are you fucking with me? I'm not depositing anything."
The goblin kept smiling. "Then I can't guarantee there won't already be Aurors waiting for you when you walk out of Gringotts."
"..."
"Half!"
The dozing goblin held up one finger. "We want half as our service fee!"
"Why don't you just rob people!"
"No, no, no!" The cigar-smoking goblin laughed. "Robbery is illegal. We run a legitimate business. If your money is clean, just