Dear Reader,
This chapter is another about Grindlewald and his goblin allies. The next one, however, will return you to Minerva and Albus. I'll hopefully update in about a week, once I return for Alabama to see my family and once I've finished the sixth Harry Potter book. I also have a question for the reviewers: should I put recap notes at the beginning of each chapter so everyone remembers what is happening? Please tell me if that would help. Enjoy!
-LunarLitLover
Chapter 4: Goblins
A few hours later, most of the details of Grindlwald's proposal were worked out. All parties were satisfied. All except one, that is.
Artemis the Arrogant was not completely satisfied with Grindlewald's generous offer; she demanded more, mostly in the form of insurance. "'Ow can 've be sure that you 'vill keep your 'vord? I don't know about you," she indicated her fellow goblins, "But that is not enough for my clan. 'Ve 'vish to be assured that these trade regulations 'vill remain intact."
Argument erupted in the room, most of the goblin leaders agreeing with Artemis. But, yet again, Grindlewald held up his hand to silence the assembly. He then pointed a long, wrinkly finger forward, indicating Artemis. "You are a greedy goblin, Artemis the Arrogant. Yet I empathize with your greed. It's why we're all here, is it not? So, although my offer is far more than generous, I agree to add a bit more." Artemis' eyes brightened as a look of glee spread over her face. Grindlewald continued, "In addition to the 25 of business that must pass through goblin hands; the excessive tax increase for businwizards who discriminate against goblin businessmen; and the removal of many anti-goblin laws – in addition to all of this, I can guarantee the Head Treasurer position to a goblin. I will also assure you six spots on the Ministry's Trade Board as full-fledged officials. That should be satisfactory, I think." Grindlewald leaned back in his chair, grinning.
The possibilities whirled in Artemis' mind as she contemplated what this could mean. There were 12 seats on the Ministry's Trade Board. Six would be half of the seats and enough to stop any decrees they didn't want to pass. It was also almost enough to pass any decrees they wanted passed. And the Head Treasurer controlled all the cash flow of the wizarding world. Those were some very important positions. In this way, quite a bit of power and money would come into goblin hands. Power and money that they hadn't experienced in hundreds of years.
"Done," Artemis said without hesitation. Grindlewald smiled. Boric the Bold also agreed, "I'll also sign your treaty." All the other goblins followed suit. Not like they had any other choice, really; only Artemis and Boric were smart enough to realize what an opportunity this was. The other goblin leaders copied them, knowing it would be in their best interests.
Grindlewald held out the completed treaty for Boric and Artemis to read. Once they found it acceptable, they both signed below the two names that were Grindlewald's and Riley's, and the other four goblins did the same.
Interesting, Grindlewald thought. The goblin clans fight among themselves no matter how much peace and land is offered to them. Yet I offer them trade rights and government positions, and it gets six of the most powerful clans to unite in one common cause.
"Thank you, Gentlemen," Grindlewald concluded. "Now, with my wizard army and the six of yours, we will have the most powerful army that the wizarding world has seen in centuries. The Ministry will have their hands full."
He grinned and it almost split his hideous face apart.
Preview: The next chapter will take us back to Minerva and Albus when he asks her to dinner.