Harry Potter: Reunion with the Enemy

Hagrid looked at the uneasy expression on Harry's face and quickly comforted him, "The conflict between goblins and wizards has a long history. Due to different concepts, the same event is interpreted differently in goblin society and wizard society."

"For example, the Sword of Gryffindor was forged by Godric Gryffindor on behalf of the Goblin King Ragnark. After forging the sword, the Goblin King wanted to take it back from Gryffindor, which triggered rumors in the goblin community - they said that Gryffindor stole the sword, and the Goblin King sent his subjects to retrieve it but was rejected by Gryffindor. This legend, which has been going on for 18 years, also contributed to the goblin rebellion in the th century."

"In the eyes of wizards, as long as the one-time commission forging fee is paid, the sword will belong to the wizard forever and can be passed on to anyone he wants after his death." Madame Maxime explained in detail the conflict between the goblins' concept of property and the wizarding society.

Harry walked over to the chair Draco had conjured up and sat down. "So, goblins have their own language, and the Ministry of Magic has a special goblin liaison office to communicate with them. How do they negotiate with giants?"

"In fact, giants consider huge size as beauty and worship violence and aggression. In their eyes, even half-giants and wizards are too short, and goblins and house-elves are not worthy of their attention at all."

"And giants have extraordinary strength due to their huge size, and their defense is much higher than that of ordinary wizards. Generally speaking, they win by strength advantage. And goblins--" Hagrid paused.

"Goblins rely on intelligence, forging skills, and control of magic to win." Harry continued thoughtfully.

"So when we returned to the giant territory this time, we found that the goblins tried to win over the giant group not through traditional exchange of interests or negotiations, but by giving them weapons and products that the giants liked to achieve indirect control." Hagrid said with a disgusted expression.

"What is indirect control?" Draco seemed to have thought of something, but still asked Hagrid to speak first.

"It is to use the magic attached to the gifted items to influence them."

"Giants are not sensitive enough to discover that the cause of some abnormal behavior is attached to these items." Hagrid nodded.

"In what ways do objects affect them?" Draco looked at Harry, as if reminding him of the sword of the Forsyth family.

"The struggle between giants is very direct, and the power change of the leader is also completed by slaughtering the previous one. Therefore, the gift given by the fairies this time not only continues the indestructible characteristics of the previous fairy products, but also to a certain extent can enhance their brain perception function, thereby indirectly enhancing their strength." Maxime took out a brief inspection opinion. As the headmaster of Beauxbatons, she seemed to be quite proficient in magical inspections on items.

"Interfering with perception to increase strength? Why?"

"For example, if this fairy product can give you stress, this is a short and extreme psychological state in the evolution of humans and animals. If it is a deer, a few minutes of stress can help it increase its heart rate, shut down unnecessary senses, and let adrenaline and cortisol surge, so that it can survive the pursuit of natural enemies. This state can stimulate the instinct of survival and enhance strength."

Madame Maxime paused, "But if you are in any mental state for a long time, there will be certain negative effects."

"This time when we went to the giant's territory, we saw that the giant holding the fairy product was already in a hysterical state, even though he had defeated the previous leader with his powerful equipment and strength a few days ago and became the newest lord of the cave."

"Moreover, the giants don't have the corresponding knowledge system to deal with this situation, nor do they know how to use drugs or other methods to provide short-term relief or anesthesia. So the giant cave has been almost destroyed by him and other giants affected by the artifact."

"They can rely on Alex's carefully selected wine for anesthesia... One inference is that this may be the reason why the Forsyth family cannot do without bottles of wine." Draco teased and linked the two things together.

"Unless they have no other choice, goblins probably won't be willing to give up the items they've forged." Harry agreed with this point of view.

The production and control of magic items has always been a major concern of the wizarding world. Not to mention the combination of some advanced and sophisticated magic and goblin forging techniques, Harry had previously experienced the power of Slytherin's locket, the chain of which almost strangled him to death by the lake, and the Ravenclaw diadem that was burned by the Fiendfyre in the Room of Requirement was also enchanted to increase the wearer's wisdom.

"The question now is, to what extent can the fairy's magic reach, and to what extent has the fairy's plan progressed."

"But it's already late at night, and tomorrow is Alex's big day, so we should return early." Draco stood up and prepared to say goodbye to Hagrid and Madame Maxime.

The window was shrouded in darkness, with only a bright moon hanging high in the sky. Niangyi had been led back to the door of the cabin by Hagrid. Its bright yellow eyes flashed a faint golden light in the night. In the distance, unknown sounds came intermittently from the Forbidden Forest.

Harry also politely said goodbye to the two of them, and after a brief greeting to Ni Yi, he prepared to return the same way.

However, after taking a few steps, Draco and Harry stopped and looked at Hogwarts Castle.

At the moment they couldn't enter the gate of Hogwarts, and they didn't know the address of the principal's office. It would be rude to disturb Principal McGonagall so late at night.

"Is there any other way for us to get back?" Draco turned to Harry and asked.

You can't Apparate in the Hogwarts area, and the train... that's out of the question.

"Fly back?" Harry looked at Draco's cautious suggestion.

"Do you still want to continue Weasley's racing legend?" Draco looked at Harry with horror.

"Wilting." Harry pointed to the Hippogriff not far away. "We can cast a Disillusionment Charm and a Silencing Charm on it. We have already informed Headmistress McGonagall that we are coming to school, so it should be OK as long as we ensure safety when we leave."

Draco seemed to be trying to resist, but when he turned around and looked at Harry's emerald eyes looking at him with a hint of pleading and invitation, he wavered again.

……

"Make eye contact first. Just wait for it to bow to you and then you can ride on it." When Hagrid heard that the two had changed their plans, he once again patiently taught them how to communicate with the Hippogriff.

After Harry and Draco climbed onto the back of the wilting wing, Hagrid gave them a hug respectively, "Go ahead, and be safe on the mission, kids."

Harry felt Draco, who was sitting behind him, tense a little, and said softly, "It's okay, as long as it trusts you, there won't be any problem."

The Hippogriff spread its wings and carried the two of them into the air. Harry carefully held onto its drooping wings and its body covered with glossy feathers. The ride was even bumpier than on a broom, and Harry tried hard to keep his balance.

The drop in temperature at night and the wind brought by the flight made Harry feel a little cold. It was more difficult to ride with two people than alone - his shoulders were held by Draco in a restrained manner.

Riding at night allows you to see blurry scenes on the ground. Compared to the wizarding areas immersed in the quiet night, the Muggle world is a brightly lit city that never sleeps. The various large screens and LED lights shining in the city seem to swallow everyone up.

It was Draco's first time flying on a Hippogriff, and the violent turbulence and the feeling of the wings scraping across his calves made him feel a little dazed. His mind was full of thoughts, and for a moment he even doubted whether he was violating the school rules of Hogwarts and whether he should explain it to Lucius.

I was so dazed that I forgot that I had already graduated from Hogwarts and was already a working adult.

Harry in front of him suddenly turned around and spoke as if he was hesitant to speak: "Well..."

"What's wrong?" Draco didn't hear clearly and thought the wind had blown his voice away.

"Gently?" Harry freed a finger and pointed at Draco's hand, which had been tightly clasped on his shoulder for some reason. A faint red mark was left because of the unconscious excessive force.

"Sorry--" Draco was about to let go, but was almost thrown out by the sudden jolt.

Never mind. Draco simply put his arms around Harry's waist.

The cold wind on his back was blocked by the body temperature that suddenly approached, and Harry suddenly felt the warm air flow around his neck due to Draco's breathing. In the quiet night with only moonlight and the sound of wind, everything his senses received became extremely clear.

The evening breeze blew up the corners of Harry's clothes, and Draco suspected that his fingertips seemed to touch Harry's thin ribs and slightly cold skin.

"I have to find a way to get him to eat more when I get back." Draco rested his head on Harry's back and thought with his eyes closed.