“Thank you,” replied a typically deep, gravelly, goblin voice.  Luna wondered briefly what sort of magic the goblins employed to communicate in such a manner.  Not able to arrive at an answer or ask her father, she proceeded to exchange her trainers for the luxuriantly comfortable slippers.  She returned the gold box to the receptionist with polite thanks, then began to examine the mosaic-like depictions on the wall.  Gold plates mounted below each gave the goblin’s name and accomplishment.  Among them was Ottusk “Otis” Footsore,⁷ “Inventor of the Safety Elevator.”  Taking up two panels was Parsimonius Gringotts, “First Banker of Britain.”

A tone sounded at the receptionist’s desk, and the goblin announced, “Miss Veneris, a page is arriving to guide you to your meeting.”

Moments later, a youngish-looking goblin appeared at the doorway.  “Miss Veneris?” he asked her in a gravelly baritone.

“Yes,” Luna replied, walking toward him.

“Please go through,” he said, holding the golden door to the offices open.  Luna passed nearly all the way through and then paused for a moment at the top of the door to allow her father time to sneak through.  She was standing in a hallway as extravagantly decorated as the reception room except for one detail.  A deep shag carpet made of finely spun gold thread cushioned the floor.  Its sparkle mesmerized her for a moment, then she continued through the doorway.  The guide turned right and led Luna (and her father) down the hallway.  They reached another golden door mounted with a plate that read, “Head of Public Relations.”  Her father’s ability to gain an interview with such a high-ranking official impressed Luna.  Gringotts was known for its reluctance to divulge information.  The page opened the door for her, and Luna paused to give him a lengthy thanks so that her father had time to enter unnoticed.