Chapter 851 - Prickle (2/2)

”To make matters worse, the reinforcements from overseas cannot simply portkey off the Verninac grounds but will have to floo elsewhere or leave the extent of the wards entirely,” Alastor said in exasperation. ”By the time reinforcements finally arrive the entire Ministry will likely have already fallen!”

Rufus brown-golden eyes pointedly eyed Alastor's mug suspiciously as if wondering if a bit of Ogden's Finest Firewhiskey had been added to the tea. ”Assuming that is the case, Alastor, then we do the next best thing,” Rufus pragmatically replied causing Alastor to stare at the younger Auror.

”Whatever do you mean, Rufus?” Alastor replied in shock.

”Have you heard the muggle phrase, 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend?'” Rufus asked causing Alastor to slowly shake his head. ”If we are indeed surrounded as you say, then why not use the forces that we are currently already in alliance with, the Goblins.”

”The Goblins?!” Alastor sputtered in disbelief. ”We can't trust the goblins! There is a reason why the treaty is still in place, Rufus!”

”No need to shout, Alastor,” Rufus grumbled rather disgruntled. ”And yes, I do remember Goblin History with Professor Bagshot just as much as you do.”

Arching his brow at Alastor Moody, Rufus drily says, ”Be as it may, did you not just declare that the Ministry of Magic is under attack, Alastor?”

”I did,” Alastor huffed.

”And is Gringotts's not located in Diagon Alley as well?”

”Your point is?”

”Then if we are attacked then the rest of Diagon Alley is also under attack, which would not exclude Gringotts Bank. More importantly, if the ministry falls, so will Gringotts's Bank. The Goblins need clients to ensure their business otherwise what use is their bank,” Rufus plainly explained.

Alastor opens and closes his mouth, before furrowing his brown pensively. ”Supposing that is the case, the Goblins will surely want something in exchange for their aid. They never act without there being anything to gain.”

”Then I suggest that you best think of something just in case,” Rufus crisply said, before grabbing the Daily Prophet and returning to his crossword puzzle. He had better things to do with his time than to think up hypothetical situations.

It wasn't that he believed his partner to be crazy, it's just that Alastor Moody spent an extraordinary amount of time as he colloquially put it, ”Constant Vigilance!” Not that Rufus wasn't vigilant in his own manner nor just as obsessive, but he had other hobbies.. Seriously.