Charlie and Professor Flitwick first went to Gringotts to withdraw money, then returned to Griph's forest Hut.
The winter forest appeared particularly desolate, with bare branches swaying in the cold wind.
Charlie tightened his cloak, and the warm breath he exhaled condensed into white mist in the air.
The equipment he had been looking forward to for so long was about to be finished, and Charlie felt a sense of anticipation.
Professor Flitwick saw his expression and smiled knowingly.
"Don't worry, Charlie, although Griph has a strange temper, his craftsmanship is absolutely top-notch among Goblins," Professor Flitwick said with a smile.
"When I was young, I saw weapons he forged, and I dare say they were no worse than Gryffindor's sword."
Soon, the familiar wooden Hut appeared in their sight.
Professor Flitwick stepped forward and knocked on the door.
"Griph, it's me, Flitwick."
Footsteps came from inside the Hut, and the door creaked open.
Griph poked his head out, and a smile appeared on his face when he saw it was Flitwick.
But when his gaze fell on Charlie, the smile instantly vanished.
"Hmph!"
"You've come at just the right time, the things are just finished."
Charlie: O.O?
Did I eat your family's rice, to make your face so sour?
The three entered the Hut, and the warm fire dispelled the winter chill.
Griph walked to the workbench in the corner and took out a package.
"Behold my masterpiece."
He was full of confidence, unwrapped the package, revealing a brown vest.
Charlie's eyes lit up.
The vest looked unremarkable, but upon closer inspection, one could see intricate runes on its surface, sparkling under the firelight.
"How is it?"
Griph said proudly.
"I used troll hide as the main material, supplemented with Mithril, Dark Gold, and other materials, then inscribed ancient Goblin runes on it."
"It can definitely be considered a work of my heart."
"Its magic resistance is about eighty percent of a Troll's."
Charlie reached out and touched the vest; it felt thick and was not light in weight.
"What level of Spell can it withstand?"
"Regular Spells from adult Wizards are no problem," Griph guaranteed, patting his chest.
"Stupefy, Petrificus Totalus, Expelliarmus, these can all be blocked."
"But if the caster's strength is too great, or Dark Arts of the level of the Killing Curse, it cannot be blocked."
"After all, this is just troll hide."
Charlie nodded; having such an ability was already very good.
It's not like wearing the vest means having to take Spells to the face; the vest is just a final layer of insurance.
"This is enough." Charlie pulled out 150 Galleons from his bag.
"The agreed price."
Griph took the gold coins and carefully inspected them one by one.
Charlie was not in a hurry and waited for him to slowly check; this was normal business practice.
Just then, a low voice came from outside the Hut.
"Our Griph is actually colluding with Wizards."
Griph's face instantly changed dramatically, and several gold coins in his hand dropped to the ground.
"Damn it, how did they find this place?"
Charlie and Professor Flitwick exchanged glances, both feeling that the situation was not good.
The wooden door was roughly pushed open, and eight Goblins filed in.
The Goblin leading them had bloodshot eyes, a ferocious face, and a scar on his left cheek, making him look like trouble.
Charlie subconsciously gripped his wand, and Professor Flitwick also adopted a defensive stance.
"Bagman, I didn't invite you, what do you want?"
Griph glared at the newcomers.
The Goblin named Bagman ignored Griph's question, instead staring greedily at the wands in Charlie's and Professor Flitwick's hands.
"Oh, Griph, I never thought our blacksmith would also betray the Goblins and cooperate with Wizards."
"It seems I haven't cleaned out traitors for too long, which allowed you all to get ideas."
Bagman sneered, and the scar on his face twisted like a centipede.
Professor Flitwick whispered to Charlie:
"Charlie, do you remember the Goblins I mentioned who hate Wizards?"
"After they lost the war, their wands were taken by Wizards, but they still haven't given up."
"If a fight breaks out later, I'll hold them off for you, just run."
Although Professor Flitwick knew Charlie was not weak, even able to defeat a Troll, he was, after all, only a first-year Young Wizard.
If Charlie were injured, Professor Flitwick could not forgive himself.
Charlie nodded; this was clearly not the time for false modesty, and as for whether to run or fight, that would depend on the situation.
"Griph, I'll give you a chance." Bagman licked his lips.
"Hand over these two Wizards' wands, and I'll let you go."
Charlie eyed Griph sideways; if this guy dared to make any move, he would not hesitate to hit him with a Fire Spell.
To everyone's relief, Griph had no intention of betraying them.
"Bagman, are you crazy?" Griph roared furiously.
"Doing this will bring disaster to the Goblin race!"
"Do you want to provoke another great war between Goblins and Wizards?"
"Disaster?" Bagman sneered.
"Now Wizards treat us like slaves, taking our wands, isn't that a disaster?"
The Goblins behind him all nodded in agreement.
"Exactly, why can Wizards have wands, and we can't?"
"Our magic is no weaker than theirs."
"It's time to let the Wizards know the might of the Goblins!"
Professor Flitwick frowned.
"Bagman, you are inciting racial conflict."
"Shut up!" Bagman glared fiercely at Professor Flitwick.
"What right do you Wizards have to lecture me?"
"I will kill you with my own hands and offer your flesh as a sacrifice to our kin."
Bagman licked his lips.
"Especially the little one, the tenderest and most delicious meat."
"Enough!" Griph roared.
"Bagman, I will not allow you to cause trouble on my territory!"
Bagman's smile vanished.
"Griph, it seems you are determined to stand with the Wizards."
"Then don't blame me for disregarding our kinship."
He waved his hand, and the Goblins behind him all pulled out their wands.
Bagman and his Goblins pointed their wands in unison, and eight red lights shot out simultaneously, an ear-piercing hum filling the air.
Although Goblin magic is different from Wizard magic, the common point is that with a wand's enhancement, the power greatly increases.
These Spells were clearly not easy to withstand.
Professor Flitwick's eyes were sharp; Goblins had all had their wands confiscated, so the source of these eight wands was self-evident, meaning at least eight Wizards had met with misfortune.
Professor Flitwick waved his wand:
"Protego!"
A transparent shield instantly unfolded before him, and the red lights crashed into it, erupting in dazzling sparks.
"Griph, take Charlie and leave!"
Professor Flitwick shouted, waving his wand repeatedly at the same time.
The ground began to soften, and the flagstones beneath Bagman and the others instantly turned into mud, immediately restricting their movement.
"Damn it!"
Bagman cursed, struggling to pull his feet from the mud.
Professor Flitwick seized the opportunity to strike:
"Expelliarmus!"
A red light shot directly at Bagman, who hastily summoned a light shield to block it.
"Is that all you've got? Then just wait to die."
Bagman smiled ferociously.
Professor Flitwick knew the danger of being outnumbered and had to finish the fight quickly.
He took a deep breath, tracing complex patterns in the air with his wand.
"Apparition!"
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