"Have you lost your minds... daring to formally declare war on Gringotts?"
Gornuk's eyes nearly popped out of his head, though they already bulged.
"Then how did you dare pocket the wealth the pure-blood families accumulated over centuries?"
Douglas countered with the hint of a smile.
The VIP room fell silent.
Only the moan of wind in the ventilation duct could be heard.
Gornuk's gaze flickered uncertainly.
He was calculating rapidly.
His goblin nature made him swiftly weigh the profits of life and death.
If they obeyed the Ministry of Magic and refused to release the funds, the goblins would have to face the Dark Lord's blade.
Voldemort was now a ghost without any restraints, and the Dementors' loss of control proved his power.
Offend the Death Eaters, and the entire underground banking system would never know peace.
The goblin closed his eyes heavily.
He took several deep, ragged breaths.
When he opened those greedy eyes again.
Cunning compromise had gained the upper hand.
The merchant had defeated the politician.
"The commission must be increased."
Gornuk cut straight to his bottom line.
"For a high-risk, large cash withdrawal in exceptional times like these."
"Besides the standard base service charge, I personally require an additional five percent war-risk safekeeping fee."
"There is no room for any discount."
"You may deduct seven percent in one go. That can even include compensation for the fright you just suffered."
Douglas answered without a moment's hesitation.
"But this staggering fortune must go into my bag with the Undetectable Extension Charm today, right now, intact."
"Don't agree too soon, Mr. Terry."
A trace of reluctance flashed across the goblin's face.
He intended to use his last line of defense.
"Rules are rules. You must still pass through the Thief's Downfall in person."
"We must follow procedure