[Third Person POV]
Arthur and the rest of his companions soon found themselves ushered into Goburk's office. The goblin banker himself sat in his chair, posture regal yet relaxed, his sharp eyes flickering with shrewd calculation as the group settled in around him.
Sylvia, now back in her disguise, had curled herself comfortably across Arthur's lap. Her head rested lightly against him, her breathing soft and steady as she dozed. Arthur's hand absently stroked her fur, his mind already bracing for the business discussion that was about to unfold.
"King's Magical Enterprise—or KME, as the public seems to enjoy abbreviating it—has now been officially running for a little over five months," Goburk began, his gravelly voice filling the room. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled together, and let a small smile tug at the corner of his lips. "In that time, our profits have not only remained steady but have climbed significantly, and continue to grow with each passing week. Most of this success has been thanks to word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers, along with the regular advertisements we've placed in the Daily Prophet."
He paused to open a drawer, pulling out a polished pair of enchanted spectacles. "It also helps, of course, that the products themselves are reliable." He slid the Speed-Reading glasses onto his nose and tapped the side lightly. Immediately, his eyes flicked across several documents at a rapid pace, parchment after parchment rustling as he shuffled them forward. "These have been particularly well received by both students and working professionals," he commented before handing Arthur a stack of reports detailing earnings, expenses, and projected forecasts.
"Still," Goburk continued, removing the glasses and setting them neatly aside, "it would be prudent to prepare for the possibility of slowed growth in the future. Sooner or later, customers may begin to lose interest if we cannot sustain their excitement. Though I doubt such a scenario will occur anytime soon, contingency plans are always wise in business."
Arthur leaned back slightly, his hand still absentmindedly resting on Sylvia's head. "I wouldn't concern yourself too much with that," he replied confidently. "Keeping the public engaged will be the least of our worries. The magical items I intend to produce are not mere luxuries—they are tools that will integrate so deeply into daily life that it will become difficult for people to function without them. And, of course, I plan to steadily release new products as time goes on. In fact…" He reached into the folds of his robe and withdrew a small pouch, setting it atop the desk with a soft thud. "I brought a few prototypes to demonstrate."
Goburk's eyes gleamed with curiosity as Arthur loosened the drawstrings of the pouch and began laying out the contents.
"The first item," Arthur explained as he held up the pouch itself, "is the very bag I'm carrying them in—a storage pouch. Far more practical than lugging around a suitcase, its size belies its vast storage capacity. We can market them around convenience and portability."
He then drew out a simple yet elegant bracelet. "This is a one-time-use charm protection bracelet. It stores a powerful protective spell that will activate automatically in the wearer's moment of need."
Arthur reached in again and produced two distinct gloves, placing them side by side. "Here we have two variations. The first is the Instant Recall glove, enchanted with an Accio charm. Anything you drop or have knocked away will immediately return to your hand. Useful in duels, and just as handy for everyday accidents. The second glove, however, has been charmed to resist the Expelliarmus spell. Whoever wears it cannot be disarmed so easily."
Goburk's grin widened as Arthur revealed a final pair of spectacles. "These," Arthur continued, "are translation lenses. They allow the wearer to read foreign text instantly, no matter the language. And here," he added, pulling out a small carved talisman, "we have the spoken counterpart—a translation talisman. When held, it allows the user to both understand and be understood in foreign tongues. An invaluable tool for merchants, diplomats, and travelers."
The goblin banker leaned forward, studying each object with growing intrigue. "It seems you've been keeping yourself rather busy during your time at Hogwarts," he remarked with a sly edge of amusement.
Arthur let out a long, weary sigh, his hand dragging down his face. "You have no idea…"
Goburk gave a sharp chuckle, gathering the items closer to examine them. "These will sell—and sell well. But let me give you some advice. Do not unleash them all at once. Introduce them gradually. A steady trickle will keep the public eager, always waiting to see what comes next. That way, King's Magical Enterprise will never fade from their minds."
"If that's what you believe is best, then I'll trust your judgment," Arthur said with an encouraging nod. His voice carried a confidence that seemed far older than his years. "Your advice hasn't failed me yet."
The two of them settled into an extended discussion, their words flowing with the ease of men seasoned in trade and strategy rather than a goblin banker and a boy of eleven. They debated matters of management, how best to structure employees, the logistics of handling enchanted inventories, even the notion of acquiring property for a separate branch should expansion demand it. Maps were unfurled, ink scratched across parchment as notes were hastily taken, and at times their exchange grew so swift it almost felt like a duel of wits.
Goburk's sharp features softened for a moment as he studied Arthur with something close to admiration. "You know," he remarked at last, "when we speak like this—when we exchange letters and ideas—it becomes difficult to remember you're just a young wizard. You sound more like an entrepreneur who's lived through decades of business ventures." His tone carried a rare hint of respect, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Across the room, Nicholas and Perenelle had been silent observers. Both exchanged a glance and then nodded quietly in agreement. To them as well, it was an uncanny sight. The boy sitting before them was supposed to be eleven years old, yet the way he held himself, the way he navigated complex matters of trade and diplomacy, made it easy to forget.
Arthur gave a charismatic grin, the kind that instantly lightened the atmosphere. "What can I say? I had a good tutor." His eyes flicked briefly to Merlin, who smirked knowingly at the remark. "Anyway," Arthur continued, folding his hands neatly on the desk, "I believe we've covered everything that needed to be discussed, correct?"
Goburk's expression shifted then, growing more solemn than at any other point in their meeting. "Almost everything," he said, his voice carrying weight. He leaned forward slightly. "There is one more matter."
Arthur straightened, attentive. "Oh?"
"The Goblin King himself—His Majesty, King Ragnar Gringotts—has expressed interest in meeting with you." Goburk's tone made it clear this was no casual invitation. "He wishes to have an official audience with the head of the Pendragon household."
Arthur froze, blinking in disbelief. "I… beg your pardon?"
"It does not have to be immediate," Goburk assured him, his hands resting firmly on the desk. "You may arrange the meeting at a time that suits you. But the request stands. His Majesty would like a formal introduction."
The words stunned the room into silence. Perenelle's brows lifted in surprise, Nicholas's lips pressed into a thin line of contemplation. The only one unmoved was Merlin, whose calm, expectant expression suggested she had already anticipated this turn of events.
Arthur scratched his cheek, clearly thrown off. "That… might be difficult," he admitted. "This holiday break is already far too short, and I need to return to Hogwarts straight after. The best I could offer would be during summer break. If the King doesn't mind waiting, I'd be honored to meet with him then. But it would have to wait until the summer."
Goburk inclined his head, clearly satisfied with the response. "I am certain His Majesty will understand. Your reasoning is sound, and I will see to it that he is informed of your decision."
"Much appreciated," Arthur replied warmly as he rose to his feet, moving carefully so as not to disturb Sylvia, who remained curled against him.
Goburk stood as well, his shorter frame still commanding an aura of authority. He gestured toward the door with a courteous nod. "As always, it is a pleasure doing business with you."
"Likewise," Arthur chuckled, returning the nod with genuine fondness before offering a final farewell.
As the group exited the marble halls of Gringotts, Arthur glanced toward the Flamels with a faintly apologetic smile. "I'm sorry you had to sit through all of that. I hadn't expected the meeting to take quite so long."
Nicholas only laughed, his voice carrying an almost grandfatherly warmth. He reached out and ruffled Arthur's hair in a gentle gesture. "Don't apologize, my boy. If anything, it was refreshing to see you so… businesslike. Quite the sight, I must say."
Perenelle gave a soft smile as well, her eyes lingering on Arthur with quiet pride. "You've a remarkable gift. Most men spend a lifetime trying to master such composure—and here you are, still a child."
Arthur flushed slightly at the praise but said nothing, only hugging Sylvia a little closer as they continued down the bustling streets of Diagon Alley.
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