Chapter 292 - Gringotts Meeting (1/2)

The day after the Conclave had been held, Reginald Prince stood by the main fireplace as he glanced at the antique clock on the mantel to tell the time. A quarter till eight the clock read, and he'd already eaten breakfast. Soft footsteps caused him to glance up to see his sister in a red long robe tied around her body with embroidered, gold threaded, night slippers on her feet. Seeing his sister up at this hour he blinked in surprise as Georgine walked over to him and gave him a quick look over.

Stretching forth her long, slim fingers, Georgine fixes his collar just like his wife, Sirsa used to do. ”Brother, you can't do this alone,” Georgine matter-of-factly murmured.

”I'm not going to replace Sirsa for I am your sister, but I will do my best to fill some of the gaps. And you will accept my aid, brother, because the world now knows the truth and we can no longer hide in anonymity. And above all before our pride, the children must come first.”

Georgine pulled back and nodded her head in satisfaction. ”Good, now you're ready to go,” Georgine said, before glancing up at her brother. ”Is everything ready?”

”Grok Gringotts agreed to my request,” Reginald answered.

Georgine snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. ”And as he should. He failed dismissively in protecting a guest and Rowan almost died because of him!”

”He is vastly aware of the lapse in his security,” Reginald drily said.

”Have you already had breakfast?” Georgine abruptly changed the subject.

”I did.”

”Good, you look as thin as a toothpick as it is.”

Reginald chokes as Georgine flashes him an innocent smile. Swallowing down his retort, Reginald instead says, ”I shall be back by noon, I would think. Would you like anything?”

”No, but be sure to pick up some things for the children. They'll need things if your plan is to come into effect,” Georgine reminded him.

”I will,” Reginald said, before glancing up at the time. ”Are you going back to bed again?”

Georgine raises an eyebrow that says it all, ”But of course. Was there ever any doubt?”

Seeing his sister's expression, Reginald sniffs and turns away without a word. Grabbing the floo powder from the silver pot, he tosses the sparkling power into the flames. The green flames roar high overhead as he steps forward and says, ”Diagon Alley.”

Zooming away, Reginald emerged in Diagon Alley and made his way on foot to the grand-snow white building in the distance. The morning air was cool against his skin as the warm sun was rising on the horizon. No doubt, it'd be another sunny day with blue skies.

At the entrance of Gringotts's the uniformed goblin guards bowed to him in recognition as the burnished bronze doors opened. Using some of their own goblin magic, the guards must have sent word. Because Reginald had only crossed the marble floor to find a young goblin politely waiting for him. The young goblin, Ragnok with pointy-eared and long fingers neatly trimmed gestured for Reginald to follow him as he said, ”Please this way, Mr. Prince.”

Reginald follows the goblin through a door into a hallway that leads up past offices and up the stairs to finally reach the single office in the long corridor that is guarded by a row of goblins. Ragnok stops and gestures to the door. ”Grok Gringotts is waiting for you inside, sir. I cannot go any further than this.”

”Most gracious manners,” Reginald thanked the goblin in Gobbledegook, before striding down the hallway. The rows of lined goblins on either side were impressive in their shining armor and spears seemed to glow with power. The spears were so sharp that they seemed to cut the very air.

Reginald politely knocked, before reaching for the doorknob, but the door swung open. A well-dressed attendant bowed and gestured for him to step inside. Reginald stepped inside and glanced at the office that he had been within several times before. The office was rather simply furnished given the high ranking of Grok Gringotts.

But that did not mean that pieces located inside the office were not valuable. Why even the carpet on the ground would have been considered a national treasure. No, what Reginald was referring to is that Grok Gringotts was not ostentatious with his wealth.

Taking a seat, Reginald sat down in the comfortable highchair that no doubt had been specially brought in for him. The other chair at his side was much smaller able to accommodate a goblin or a normal-sized witch or wizard. The second goblin attendant that had been standing against the wall rushed forward and asked, ”Would you like some coffee or any other sort of beverage, sir?”

”Not right now,” Reginald politely declined the offer as he turned to study the portrait of King Ragnuk, the first, the goblin King that had forged Godric Gryffindor's sword that hung on the wall. He hadn't been studying the portrait for long when the door opened behind him. Turning and rising to his feet he bowed and said, ”Greetings Grok Gringotts. May your gold always prosper and shine.”