Upon hearing Wentworth's inquiry, even Dumbledore couldn't help but be momentarily taken aback. He instinctively blurted out,
"Has something happened, Wentworth?"
Without any hesitation, Wentworth recounted the incident of discovering a letter in his family vault at Gringotts to Dumbledore, even repeating the letter's contents verbatim.
However, Dumbledore's reaction was beyond Wentworth's expectations. He first abruptly stood up, as though struck by a sudden realization, but then, as if reconsidering something, he slowly sat back down, falling into a long silence.
It was so long that Wentworth couldn't help but yawn, and only then did Dumbledore, as if suddenly awakened from deep thought, return to his senses. Without any change in expression, he said to Wentworth,
"Wentworth, go back and rest for the night. Tomorrow, we will go to Gringotts again—I will accompany you!"
Confused by Dumbledore's cryptic response, Wentworth returned to his dormitory with a face full of doubt. Dumbledore's behavior tonight was truly unexpected.
He couldn't shake the feeling that Dumbledore had realized something significant from his words—something beyond Wentworth's own comprehension. And that feeling of being left in the dark was deeply unsettling.
The following morning, as Wentworth stepped out of the Hufflepuff common room with Cedric, they were met with the sight of Dumbledore approaching at a leisurely pace.
Dumbledore appeared to have regained his usual composure, smiling warmly as he addressed Wentworth,
"Shall we set off, Wentworth?"
Wentworth blinked in surprise and asked,
"So early, Headmaster? I haven't even had breakfast yet!"
Dumbledore chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he replied,
"What a coincidence—I haven't eaten either! While the breakfasts at Hogwarts are certainly splendid, after decades of the same fare, even the best meals can become tiresome. Today, I thought we might try breakfast in Diagon Alley. What do you think?"
Delighted by the invitation, Wentworth didn't hesitate in the slightest, leaving a wistful Cedric behind as he accompanied Dumbledore to the Leaky Cauldron.
As they settled in, Dumbledore lifted his goblet and sighed contentedly,
"I do so love the mead here. Nowhere else manages to capture this particular richness of flavor!"
Meanwhile, Wentworth found himself engaged in an unfortunate struggle with a rather unappetizing pancake, glancing at Dumbledore with a look of grievance. While he couldn't comment on the quality of the drinks, he could certainly say that the food at the Leaky Cauldron was far inferior to Hogwarts' fare.
Since it was still early, the pub was relatively empty. Feeling somewhat deceived by the lackluster meal, Wentworth hastily swallowed a few bites before feigning satisfaction and urging Dumbledore onward. Soon, they stepped through the pub's hidden entrance and into Diagon Alley.
The moment Dumbledore appeared, the previously quiet morning street erupted into a frenzy.
Wizards swarmed toward them, and even shopkeepers abandoned their counters just for a chance to exchange a few words with Dumbledore. There was no concern about potential theft—meeting Dumbledore was clearly of far greater importance.
At last, after navigating the enthusiastic crowd, Dumbledore and Wentworth arrived at the entrance of Gringotts, only to be met with an unexpected sight: a group of Aurors from the British Ministry of Magic had formed a perimeter around the bank. Leading them was none other than Rufus Scrimgeour, the head of the Auror Office.
Scrimgeour's expression flickered with surprise upon seeing Dumbledore, but he quickly composed himself, stepping forward with two Aurors in tow.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, you're here as well!"
Dumbledore's eyes glimmered with curiosity as he asked,
"Rufus, what's happened here?"
Scrimgeour hesitated before responding in a perplexed tone,
"You don't know? We received word that a vault in Gringotts has been robbed. We came to investigate, but the goblins refused us entry, insisting that nothing has been stolen."
Dumbledore exchanged a glance with Wentworth, his eyes silently questioning the young wizard.
Wentworth, feeling utterly helpless, inwardly groaned,
"Stop looking at me like that, Headmaster. The vault that was robbed wasn't mine—it was yours!"
Of course, this was not something he could say aloud.
At that moment, Scrimgeour's gaze shifted toward Wentworth, his expression scrutinizing. However, before he could speak, two goblins suddenly rushed out of Gringotts, hurrying toward Dumbledore under the watchful eyes of the Aurors.
One of the goblins bowed deeply before addressing Dumbledore with great respect,
"Gringotts welcomes the greatest white wizard in history—Albus Dumbledore. Please, come with us."
With that, the goblin turned and began leading the way inside.
Watching this unfold, the Aurors left standing outside looked utterly disgruntled. One of them grabbed a goblin by the arm and, ignoring the goblin's wary glare, demanded indignantly,
"Why can they go in, but we can't?!"
The goblin met the Auror's gaze steadily before replying in a measured tone,
"Because he is Dumbledore—Albus Dumbledore."
For a moment, the Auror was at a loss for words, but then he pointed accusingly at Wentworth.
"Then why is he allowed in as well?!"
The goblin impatiently shook off the Auror's grip and replied with exasperation,
"Because he is with Dumbledore—Albus Dumbledore!"
Auror: …
Unbothered by the commotion behind them, Wentworth and Dumbledore followed the goblins into Gringotts. Inside, the bank was noticeably more crowded than usual, with goblins rushing about in a flurry of activity.
They were led to a lavishly decorated chamber, its walls covered in gold dust and its furniture inlaid with gemstones. As they took their seats, the opposite door swung open, revealing an elderly goblin leaning on a cane, assisted by another goblin.
The elder goblin approached Dumbledore, bowed deeply, and spoke in an apologetic tone,
"Our deepest regrets, Mr. Dumbledore. Vault 714 has been breached. This is a grievous failure on Gringotts' part."
Dumbledore: ???
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