0495 Conditions & Assumptions


    Bryan having seemingly exhausted his list of revtions, gracefully lifted his delicate porcin teacup once more. He leaned back into the plush embrace of his chair, and took a long, contented sip of the exquisite brew quietly waiting for Gerson Barnah to ept the deal.


    <em>''What could be so valuable that the renowned Bryan Watson would personally travel to Paris to negotiate this business?''</em>


    The old goblin''s gaze lowered, his rheumy eyes fixating on the exquisite pastriesid out before him like jewels on a goldsmith''s workbench.


    An oppressive silence fell upon the room, broken only by the soft ticking of an antique clock and the barely audible breathing of its upants.


    It was impossible for Barnah to quell the burning curiosity that gnawed at his insides like acid. Yet, with the wisdom born of centuries of high-stakes negotiations, he recognized the futility of pressing the issue. Bryan Watson''s demeanor made it crystal clear that he had no intention of divulging any further information.


    "Mr. Watson—"


    After what seemed an eternity, the old goblin finally raised his head.


    "We find ourselves with nopelling reason to refuse this most intriguing proposition. The profits generated from the Triwizard Tournament broadcast will be distributed precisely as you have outlined. As for the matter of your personal remuneration..."


    Here, Barnah paused, his long fingers steepled before him in a gesture of deep contemtion.


    "If my memory serves me correctly – and I assure you, Mr. Watson, that despite my advanced years, it rarely fails me – we have a workshop in the heart of Diagon Alley. Its current function is the production of broomstick maintenance kits, a respectable if somewhat mundane enterprise. Beginning at first light tomorrow, this establishment will dedicate its efforts solely to thepletion of existing orders, steadfastly refusing any newmissions. The machinery along with our skilled workforce, the factory buildings, and thend upon which it stands – all will be transferred into your capable hands with the utmost haste. However—"


    Bryan raised an eyebrow slightly, waiting silently for Barnah to state his conditions.


    "While the exact nature of your intentions for this alchemy workshop remains a mystery to us," Barnah continued, his voice taking on a note of calcted spection, "I cannot help but surmise that its purpose is linked to the production of yet another of your groundbreaking inventions. Am I correct in this assumption, Mr. Watson?"


    "You want to be involved in the workshop''s future endeavors?"


    Bryan''s lips curled into a smile.


    "This, despite being wholly ignorant of the nature of the business, unable to ascertain whether it will yield bountiful profits or catastrophic losses? Such a proposition seems wildly at odds with the goblins'' notorious penchant for risk aversion, Mr. Barnah."


    "You yourself are our greatest assurance, Mr. Watson—"


    The old goblin chuckled in his aged voice.


    "While the acquisition of a workshop is undoubtedly a crucial first step, we both know it''s just a single piece in a far moreplex puzzle. The realization of your vision will require substantial capital, a meticulously crafted supply chain for raw materials, and robust channels for product promotion and distribution. Such endeavors, I need hardly to remind you, would consume a lot of your valuable time and energy – resources that could be better applied to matters more befitting a wizard of your stature."


    Barnah leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. "These logistical challenges, Mr. Watson, happen to be exactly what we excel at. Our expertise in these matters is unparalleled. By allowing us to participate in the future management of the workshop, we can alleviate many of your potential headaches. And in return for this service, what we ask is quite modest—"


    A strange light shed in the old goblin''s eyes.


    "We will not interfere with the workshop''s management decisions – that, I give you my solemn word as a goblin of standing. Our sole requirement is one-tenth of the workshop''s annual profits."


    The saying "wisdomes with age" couldn''t be more apt.


    This old goblin, Gerson Barnah, was willing to risk a substantial sum of Galleons, all for the chance to establish asting business rtionship with Bryan.


    "Your proposal is... intriguing," Bryan said after a moment of contemtion. "I''ll arrange for my friend, Remus Lupin, to liaise with you on the specifics of this arrangement. He''s a werewolf; I trust you''ll find a way to work harmoniously together."


    The old goblin, who had been on the verge of rejoicing at Bryan''s apparent eptance, found his thoughts suddenly derailed by this unexpected piece of information.


    Bryan Watson, who just two years prior had been an unknown young wizard in the magical world, had in an astonishingly brief span of time be a household name across several continents. In the European wizardingmunity especially, he had ascended to a status that rivaled, if not surpassed, that of Albus Dumbledore himself. Given his significant age advantage and the awe-inspiring disy of power he had unleashed on the night of the Quidditch World Cup final, many were convinced that the next half-century – perhaps even longer – would be the era of Bryan Watson in the European magical world.


    And now, this same wizard was casually mentioning a friendship with a werewolf.


    While werewolves might find some eptance in the Americas, their status in Europe was far less favorable. They were universally loathed by official wizarding organizations in every country, treated as little more than dangerous beasts in human form.


    If Albus Dumbledore had made such a im, Barnah might not have been quite so taken aback. Dumbledore was well-known for his entric views and his advocating of the downtrodden. But Bryan Watson? The very foundation of his meteoric rise to fame had been the elimination of the notorious werewolf leader Greyback and his bloodthirsty pack.


    Goblins and werewolves, while both considered outcasts by the wizarding elite, upied very different steps on the socialdder. Through their legendary cunning and financial acumen, goblins had managed to carve out a niche for themselves in the Wizarding world, bing indispensable if not entirely trusted. Werewolves, by stark contrast, faced a far bleaker reality, enduring levels of exclusion and prejudice that made even the goblins'' lot seem enviable byparison.


    The fact that Bryan Watson showed no hesitation, no shame in openly dering his friendship with a werewolf... it spoke volumes.


    To Barnah, it was a clear indication of Watson''s character, his willingness to look beyond societal prejudices and judge individuals on their own merits. This revtion, more than any business deal or magical feat, dramatically increased the old goblin''s enthusiasm and confidence in the possibility of forging a genuine friendship with Bryan Watson.


    "Any friend of Mr. Watson''s is, without question, a friend of the goblin nation," Barnah said, his smile finally reaching his eyes, imbuing it with a warmth that had been absent throughout their negotiations. "I will personally assign Ragnok to oversee this matter. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to work harmoniously with Mr. Lupin."


    The prejudice between goblins and wizards was, of course, a two-way street. Given the wizarding world''s disdain for werewolves, it was only natural that goblins wouldn''t hold them in particrly high regard either. Yet Ragnok, newly tasked with this sensitive assignment, dared not voice even a whisper of dissatisfaction. He bowed deeply to both Master Barnah and Mr. Watson, his one remaining arm pressed tightly to his chest in a gesture of utmost respect and dedication.


    With the thorny issues of negotiation finallyid to rest, the oppressive atmosphere that had hung over the office like a storm cloud began to dissipate. Both parties, each harboring their own hidden agendas and future aspirations, found themselves able to rx atst. The exquisite spread of food, which had until now served as simple set dressing for their high-stakes discussion, finally received the attention it deserved.


    As Ragnok moved to refill their delicate teacups, the fine bone china clinking softly, Bryan seized upon the moment to broach a seemingly innocent topic.


    "Ah, there''s one other matter I''ve been meaning to inquire about," Bryan began, his tone casual. "During my travels through various magical civilizations a few years back – following the Ancient tradition of newly graduated wizards, you understand – I came across a rather interesting piece of information. It rtes to the fate of the wealth left behind by wizards who meet an untimely end without leaving an heir. I heard that in such cases, Gringotts would give up control of these unimed vaults to the Ministry of Magic. Is there any truth to this, I wonder?"


    Barnah who had been savoring a crumb of traditional goblin cuisine with evident relish, involuntarily trembled, causing some food crumbs to fall on the expensive velvet tablecloth.


    "What you describe is indeed in wizardingw, Mr. Watson," Gathering himself, Barnah nodded slowly.


    "It''s a regtion agreed upon by both the goblin nation and the wizards. I can assure you that Gringotts branches across the globe adhere rigorously to this regtion."


    "And yet," Bryan smiled nomittally. "I''ve heard whispers of... alternative methods of handling such delicate matters. Might there be any substance to these rumors, I wonder?"


    Not only Gerson Barnah but even Ragnok and Laddie, who had been dutifully attending to their master, felt the weight of Bryan''s implication settle upon them.


    In truth, the practice Bryan referred to was not as covert as one might expect. Among the upper echelons of goblin society, those who upied positions of power simr to themselves were well aware of the actual procedures employed by branch employees in such cases.


    The reality was far from the neat and tidy process outlined in official documents. Instead, aplex web of collusion had been woven between certain Gringotts employees and their counterparts in various Ministries of Magic. Together, they would systematically take valuable items from the vaults of the heirless dead – priceless antiques, rare magical tomes, stocks in both magical and Mugglepanies, deeds to properties in prime locations.


    These ill-gotten gains would then be hedged through local ck markets, the proceedsundered through aplex series of transactions before being divided among the conspirators, along with whatever gold and Galleons had been stored in the original vaults.


    This was no small-time operation, but an intricate and far-reaching chain of interest that implicated mid to high-level personnel from Ministries of Magic and Gringotts branches across multiple countries.


    For Bryan Watson to raise this issue now, in such a nonchnt manner. It was clear to all present that he had no interest in joining this nefarious enterprise – such methods would be far beneath the dignity of a wizard of his stature.


    "I won''t insult your intelligence by denying it, Mr. Watson," Barnah replied, matching Bryan''s casual tone with practiced ease. "Regarding the situation you''ve described, I concede that there may indeed be some instances of... shall we say, irregr operations."


    Bryan clicked his tongue, his face a masterpiece of feigned disappointment. "How utterly disheartening," hemented, shaking his head slowly. "If only those Ministry officials could channel even a fraction of the energy they expend on lining their own pockets into their actual duties, perhaps they wouldn''t find themselves constantly criticized by the public for their gross ipetence."


    With that pointed observation, the topic was summarily concluded. The remainder of the breakfast was linked to more pleasant subjects – discussions of magical theory, the finer points of goblin craftsmanship, and even a bit of good-natured spection about the uing Triwizard Tournament.


    As the meeting drew to a close, Bryan rose from his seat. In a burst of brilliant me, Fawkes appeared in a shower of golden sparks.


    With a final nod to his hosts, Bryan grasped one of Fawkes'' tail feathers. In the blink of an eye, the wizard and phoenix vanished in a dazzling congration, leaving behind only the lingering scent of cinnamon and woodsmoke.


    For several moments after Bryan''s departure, Ragnok and Laddie remained rooted to the spot, their eyes wide with wonder as they stared at the ce where the legendary Phoenix Fawkes had materialized. But their reverie was short-lived, as the moment Bryan''s silhouette had dissipated into the air, a dark cloud seemed to appear upon Gerson Barnah''s face.


    "Ragnok," the old goblin growled, in a sharp tone,."you are to depart for our British branch immediately. First, conduct a thorough investigation into the matter Mr. Watson so casually mentioned. I want aprehensive list of every goblin and Ministry employee implicated in this... unsavory business. Second,pile detailed records of the wealth they have misappropriated."


    Barnah''s eyes narrowed, conveying the gravity of the situation. "Prepare two copies of your findings. One is to be delivered directly to me, the other sent to Bryan Watson himself. Time is of the essence, Ragnok. This must be done with all possible haste."


    For a moment, surprise flickered across Ragnok''s face. He had always prided himself on his unflinching obedience to orders, but the nature of this task gave him pause.


    "Master Barnah," he said cautiously, "are we truly prepared to expose the British Ministry of Magic in this manner? The repercussions... we stand to make many enemies."


    "Bryan Watson considers this matter to be of great importance," Barnah said with a grave expression. "Perhaps... perhaps this was the true purpose behind his visit today."


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