As the two stepped into the clearing, the short, sturdy figure stopped his work.
He turned around, revealing typical Goblin features: pointed ears, sunken eyes, and a pair of somewhat intimidating yellow eyes.
"Filius?" Griph put down his hammer, a look of surprise flashing across his face.
"What brings you to my humble abode?"
Professor Flitwick hurried forward, a friendly smile on his face.
"Griph, long time no see. Your craftsmanship is as excellent as ever."
Charlie carefully observed the Goblin blacksmith.
Griph's arms were muscular, and his hands were calloused, a typical artisan's physique.
But when his gaze turned to Charlie, his yellow eyes immediately filled with wariness and hostility.
"Why do you bring a Wizard whelp here?" Griph's voice became sharp.
"Wizards are not welcome here."
Professor Flitwick had told Charlie on the way that the relationship between Goblins and humans was very complex.
There had been several Goblin rebellions in history, and both sides held deep grudges.
He specifically instructed Charlie not to speak carelessly later and to listen to the Professor in everything.
Charlie nodded obediently in agreement.
"Griph, it's like this," Professor Flitwick explained.
"This is my student, Charlie White. He recently acquired some troll hide and would like your help to craft a set of armor."
Griph's expression grew even uglier after hearing this.
He scrutinized Charlie up and down, his eyes full of disdain.
"Oh, I see." Griph sneered.
"Filius, have you completely sided with the Wizards?
Do you even help satisfy the requests of such a little brat?"
Professor Flitwick's smile stiffened slightly, but he still said patiently:
"Griph, we are friends, aren't we? This child really needs this set of armor."
"Friends?" Griph scoffed.
"Would a friend beg me for a human? Filius, don't forget, you have Goblin blood flowing in your veins."
"But what are you doing now? Acting as a dog for humans, teaching them magic, making them stronger."
"So that they can, in turn, bully Goblins!"
Griph's words grew increasingly harsh. He had suffered no small amount of bullying from Wizards since he was young.
That's why he moved to this remote forest, hiding in a place beyond the reach of Wizard influence.
But now Flitwick was asking him to do something for a Wizard, which made him feel betrayed.
"Do you think those Wizard students truly respect you? They're just putting on a show! Behind your back, they still call you a half-blood monster!"
Professor Flitwick's face instantly turned pale, and his body trembled slightly.
These words struck the most vulnerable part of his heart.
During his student days, he had indeed heard such words many times.
Charlie, standing by, was fuming with anger.
Although Professor Flitwick had warned him not to be impulsive, he couldn't just stand by and watch his teacher be humiliated because of him.
Charlie wouldn't indulge him just because he had his reasons.
"Enough!"
Charlie suddenly stepped forward, his voice cold.
Griph was taken aback, not expecting this Wizard brat to dare speak.
"It's your business if you don't want to make the armor; no one can force you," Charlie said, word by word.
"But to mock your own friends so coldly, no wonder Goblins are so unpopular."
"What did you say, you rude brat!" Griph flew into a rage.
"I'm already being very polite, otherwise I would have cursed you already if the Professor wasn't here," Charlie retorted, not showing any weakness.
"You say the Professor betrayed Goblins, but he integrated into Wizard society, taught students, and helped Wizards and Goblins get along harmoniously."
"What have you done?"
Charlie's voice grew colder and colder.
"A useless coward who only bullies his own kind, what right do you have to insult the Professor?"
Professor Flitwick stood frozen, a surge of bitterness rising in his nose.
No one knew how difficult it was for him to be caught between the two races.
He had to endure the prejudice of Wizards and the accusations of Goblins.
Charlie's words hit him right in the heart.
Griph trembled with rage, pointing a finger at Charlie.
"Let's go, Professor." Charlie pulled Flitwick, ready to leave.
"It's no big deal if we don't get it made."
"Wait!" Professor Flitwick stopped Charlie.
He looked deeply at Charlie, a warm current flowing through his heart.
This child was willing to break ties with a Goblin to defend him.
Professor Flitwick made up his mind that he must help Charlie get this done.
He walked up to Griph and pulled a delicate small box from his robes.
Opening the box, an ancient silver badge lay inside, engraved with complex Goblin script.
When Griph saw the badge, his eyes instantly widened.
"Is this the Ancestor's Medal?" Griph's voice trembled.
"Filius, how do you have this?"
"This was left to me by my grandmother," Professor Flitwick said softly.
"If you help Charlie make the armor, this medal is yours."
The Ancestor's Medal held extraordinary significance for Goblins; it was an acknowledgment of their ancestors' achievements, priceless.
Griph stared at the medal, his expression complex.
After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Are you really going to give me the Ancestor's Medal for a human brat?"
"Yes." Professor Flitwick did not hesitate.
"This medal is the honor of Goblins. Giving it to you is also returning it to its rightful owner; it's of no use to me here."
Griph was silent for a while longer, then finally sighed.
"Alright, I agree." He looked at Charlie, his tone still very cold.
"However, I will charge 150 Galleons for processing, and I will cover all materials besides the troll hide."
Charlie looked at Professor Flitwick, who nodded at him, so he calculated in his mind.
He still had 200 Galleons at Gringotts, so 150 Galleons for a piece of equipment that could resist Spell was well worth it.
"Deal."
Griph nodded but did not take the medal.
He pushed the box closed and said to Flitwick:
"Take the medal back."
Professor Flitwick was stunned.
"Griph..."
"Don't say anything." Griph waved his hand.
"You are my friend. I was too emotional just now, and I apologize to you."
He lifted his head, not looking at Charlie, and said gruffly.
"Brat, for Filius's sake, I won't charge you a deposit."
"Send the troll hide as soon as possible. Come back in a month to collect the finished product, and then you'll pay 150 Galleons, not a single Knut less."
Charlie's mouth twitched. Was this tsundere behavior?
You really got me, making me lose interest in both Elves and tsundere at the same time.
With the matter settled, Professor Flitwick bid farewell to Griph and left with Charlie.
But neither of them noticed that before they Apparated, a pair of dark red eyes in the forest shadows watched them.
-------------------------------
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