As the trio approached the grand obsidian doors leading, the teller left them there and had said that anoblin would be along soon. Agoblin with a stately presend an air of authority appeared rather quickly.

  “I am Graldrik,” he announced, his voice deep and steady, yet carrying the sharp precision characteristic of goblins. His sharp, onyx-colored eyes sed the three of them with professional curiosity. “Senior Arbiter and Liaison for matters of a lineage and tested legacies. It is I who will oversee your business here today.”

  Luna offered a small, serene nod. “A pleasure to meet you, Graldrik. I’m Luna Lovegood, though I suspect you already khat.”

  Graldrik’s lips twitched in the barest hint of a smile. “Indeed, Princess. Your reputation precedes you.”

  Daphne crossed her arms, still slightly wary, but ined her head politely. “Daphne Greengrass-Crocell.”

  “Harry Potter, We were expeg Griphook.” Harry stated curtly

  “Right and I shall lead you to him. If you shall all follow me.” Graldik states as he turns around and the rge obsidian doors open an the goblin walks through.

  ========

  The ctter of their boots echoed in the dim corridor, blending with the occasional growl of distant cart meisms. The air grew colder with every step, carrying the faiallig of a magid wealth buried deep within the earth.

  Daphne shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. “I don’t like this,” she muttered under her breath, her sharp eyes sing the shadows. “Why do I feel like something’s watg us?”

  “Probably because something is,” Luna replied dreamily, her gaze fixed ahead. “Goblins rarely leave their treasures unguarded.”

  “f,” Daphne grumbled.

  The goblin escort, a senior official named Graldrik, shot them a toothy grin that didn’t help Daphne’s nerves. “Well Devil, you should know that our realm, is not to dissimir to your underworld but we have devised a system to make it seem like one is not traversing the dimensional gap.”

  “Its the waterfall.” Luna states

  “I dont think we went through the waterfall this time though.” Harry states.

  Graldrik paused mid-step, his grin faltering for a split sed before it widened into something more impressed. "Ah, the Princess is perceptive. Indeed, it is the waterfall. A clever bit of goblin engineering, wouldn’t you agree? It creates a stant flux of dimensional energy, masking the true nature of our tunnels."

  Graldrik chuckled darkly, "Ah, Prince sort, your observation is correct. The waterfall is oh, but not the only one. For those worthy of a different route, we have other... means of traversal. This tunnel bypasses the traditional meisms, a route reserved for those with special business."

  Daphne raised an eyebrow, her uemporarily giving way to curiosity. "Special business? I’d hate to ask what qualifies."

  Graldrik’s grin widened, his long fiapping rhythmically against his side. "Special bloodlines, unpreted cims, or affairs that more than gold and treasure. I believe your presence here, along with that of the Princess and the Prince sort, falls squarely into that category."

  "How reassuring," Daphtered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

  Luna’s voice, soft yet den with a distant wisdom, broke the tension."This path... it doesn’t rely oerfall because it anchors itself through i, doesn’t it? We aren’t just walking a physical distance; we’re being drawn to the heart of the goblins’ power."

  Graldrik stopped walking and turo face her, his dark eyes narrowing in both resped suspi. "You uand more than most, Princess. Fe the true nature of these halls, and fewer still speak of it aloud."

  “That is what happens when one shares a domain with the great red.” Luna states with a smirk Luna’s remark hung in the air, her smirk widening as the tunnel around them shimmered, the very fabric of reality twisting and folding. In a moment that defied both time and space, the group found themselves standing in the ter of the Hall of Accord.

  The obsidian floor reflected their forms as if they were suspended between two realms, and the softly glowing crystals seemed to hum in aowledgment of their arrival. Luna stood fidently, her presence almost luminous against the dark surroundings.

  Daphne, by trast, looked thhly exasperated. She threw up her hands in frustration, her posure thhly unraveled. "You know what? Fine. Reality’s a suggestion now. Why not? Let’s just around like it’s a casual stroll through a park."

  "Wele to our world, Daphne," Harry quipped, patting her on the shoulder with a grin. "You’re catg on quickly. Now we should see if we catch you up to us”

  “Yeas, a training date would be fun!” Luna cheers as the goblins guarding the doors which they had just ed infront of stared at them sck jaw.

  “Now, Galdrick I believe that we were lied to, This Door does not the lead to Potter at manager.” Luna states

  Graldrik’s expression faltered as Luna made her observation about the door. His fident grin wavered, repced by a flicker of apprehension. He adjusted his colr, his long fiwitg slightly at his sides. "Well... yes, Princess. You are, as always, perceptive. This door... does not lead to your at manager. It leads to someone of much higher authority—His Majesty, King Ragnok."

  Daphne’s eyes narrowed. "Wait. What? You’re telling us this now?" Her tone was sharp, edged with growing irritation.

  Graldrik cleared his throat, clearly unfortable under her pierg gre. "It was not my pce to reveal such details prematurely. The King insisted on speaking with you directly."

  Harry stepped forward, his expression darkening. "You should have told us from the start. We didn’t agree to meet with a king."

  The goblin shifted uneasily, his earlier bravado repced by a more subdued demeanor. "Prince sort, I assure you, this audience is... necessary. His Majesty’s i in your arrival is a rare honor. Few are granted an audieh the King, let alone summoned directly to his throne room."

  Harry shot her a look, then turned back to Graldrik. "Fine. Lead the way. But if this is some sort of setup—""No, no!" Graldrik interrupted quickly, holding up his hands defensively. "I assure you, Prince sort, no harm will e to you here. The King’s iions are honorable."Daph out a frustrated sigh, throwing her hands up. "Fantastic. We’re being dragged into goblin politiow. Just what we needed."

  Harry shot her a look, then turned back to Graldrik. "Fine. Lead the way. But if this is some sort of setup—"

  "No, no!" Graldrik interrupted quickly, holding up his hands defensively. "I assure you, Prince sort, no harm will e to you here. The King’s iions are honorable."

  Luna smiled faintly, her calm voice motioning towards the door. "The’s not keep him waiting."