The cavern fell silent.
The tension hadn't yet faded from the lake of Inferi—but now, a new weight settled over the group.
Gringotts.
Even the name carried pressure.
Hermione's face turned pale.
"That's… impossible, isn't it?"
Dumbledore didn't answer immediately.
But the look in his eyes said everything.
The Reputation of Gringotts
"Lucian," he finally said, voice low, "Gringotts is not just a bank."
"It is one of the most secure places in the entire wizarding world."
"Perhaps second only to Hogwarts."
He continued, each sentence heavier than the last:
"It is controlled entirely by goblins.""Every vault is protected by ancient magic.""Unauthorized access triggers severe curses.""The deeper vaults… are guarded by dragons.""The tunnels form a labyrinth.""There is even the Thief's Downfall, which strips away all disguises and enchantments."
Dumbledore paused.
Then said plainly:
"Countless powerful dark wizards have tried to break in."
"They all failed."
He looked at Lucian.
"Forcing entry into the Lestrange vault…"
"…is, frankly, impossible."
A Different Voice
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncertain.
Then—
a calm, cool voice broke through.
"Professor… Perhaps your approach is mistaken."
Everyone turned.
Daphne Greengrass stepped forward.
Composed.
Elegant.
Completely unshaken.
Daphne's Logic
"You're thinking like a wizard," she said evenly.
"How to fight. How to break in."
"But Gringotts isn't a battlefield."
She met Dumbledore's gaze.
"It's a bank."
That single word shifted the entire perspective.
"For a bank," Daphne continued,
"The most important things aren't defenses."
"They are business… and rules."
Hermione blinked. "What are you suggesting?"
The Plan
Daphne's lips curved slightly.
"Don't break in."
"Walk in."
A pause.
Then she explained:
"The Greengrass family is one of Gringotts' oldest clients."
"We have longstanding partnerships with the goblins."
"Our main vault is located in the deep levels."
She glanced at Lucian briefly—
a flicker of something unspoken in her eyes—
then continued.
"Very close… to the Lestrange vault."
Execution Strategy
"We submit a formal request."
"As a major client."
"To access our deep vault."
"The goblins will not refuse."
"They will arrange everything—"
transportaccessguides
"We bypass all external defenses."
"Legally."
Hermione's eyes widened.
"That… actually works."
Daphne nodded.
"As for opening the Lestrange vault…"
She looked at Lucian.
"…that won't be a problem."
Realization
Silence again.
But this time—
it was different.
Hermione was impressed.
Deeply.
She had been thinking in terms of spells, infiltration, deception—
but never systems.
Dumbledore… said nothing.
But inwardly—
something shifted.
He realized:
He had spent a lifetime fighting enemies.
And in doing so—
had overlooked an entire layer of the world:
power through structure, influence, and legacy.
And now—
standing before him—
was a new generation.
Each powerful in their own way.
Lucian's Response
"Good."
Lucian finally spoke.
He looked at Daphne.
A rare, clear note of approval in his voice.
"Exactly the kind of thinking I expect from a Greengrass."
Simple words.
But they landed heavily.
For a brief moment—
Daphne's composed expression broke.
Just slightly.
A flicker of genuine brightness.
She had earned his recognition.
On her own terms.
Gringotts
The plan moved quickly.
And smoothly.
Soon—
They were inside Gringotts.
Riding the high-speed underground cart.
Rushing through twisting tunnels.
Past layers of ancient defenses.
At the front—
a goblin guide:
Griphook.
He spoke with pride as they passed each safeguard:
"Dragon fire systems…"
"Curse-trigger vault seals…"
"The Thief's Downfall…"
The cart plunged through a waterfall.
A strange sensation washed over them.
Magic—
stripped.
Illusions—
gone.
Hermione shivered.
"This place is terrifying…"
Arrival
Finally—
The cart slowed.
Stopped.
Before them stood—
a massive circular vault door.
Seamlessly fused into the rock.
Covered in ancient goblin runes.
Cold.
Unyielding.
Absolute.
The goblin turned.
Voice low.
"Lestrange vault."
The air grew still.
This was it.
The so-called impossible target.
And yet—
Lucian simply stepped forward.
Calm.
Unhurried.
As if—
this "fortress of legend"—
was nothing more than—
a door waiting to be opened.
~~--------------------------
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