CHAPDISC: DH26, Gringotts

[Jen Reese]

No: HPFGUIDX 184113

Carol:
> The thing about Griphook is that he's helping HRH, all right--
> helping them get *in* to Gringotts and the vault so that he can get
> the sword.  But he has no interest in helping them to get safely 
> *out* again or in helping them to steal the cup. 

Jen: I can't figure out how your version works though, Carol.  How's 
Griphook planning to get out?  He's no longer a Gringotts goblin; 
he's dependent on a goblin taking them to the vault and getting them 
(or just him) out again, yet he suggests controlling Bogrod with the 
Imperius.

Another obstacle for the theory: The Theif's Downfall. Maybe Griphook 
faked surprise about The Thief's Downfall, maybe he wanted to set off 
the defenses so goblins would come running and provide cover for 
him.  Griphook still needs a reason why why he's there with the Trio, 
he still needs the sword, so he has to urge them to proceed to the 
vault.  

Once in the vault, Griphook's in danger from the Gemino & Flagrante 
Curses just like the Trio.  He's likely depending on Harry's good 
will and their wands to keep him alive, but now he really needs the 
sword for a cover story as to why he's in a high-security vault.  The 
reason the goblins accept Griphook when he comes out is he's 
brandishing the sword as if he's been thwarting the humans inside 
rather than helping them.  The other goblins, holding daggers 
themselves, accept Griphook's story.  It was an accident, not 
Griphook's planning, that caused Harry to lose the sword and Griphook 
to take possession of it. 

There are too many 'ifs' in this scenario for someone with the self-
preservation instincts of Griphook.  He took advantage of the 
situation, grabbed the sword and saved his own skin, but I don't 
agree he planned everything from the beginning.  There were too many 
things Griphook didn't expect, starting in the lobby with the request 
for Hermione/Bella's identification.  And the Trio aren't helplessly 
at Griphook's mercy.  Ron even asks how they're going to get out 
after The Thief's Downfall and Harry brushes it off with "Let's worry 
about that when we have to." (p. 535)
 
Carol: 
> In fact, he joins in the chase after the thieves that he aided, no
> doubt claiming that he was forced to do so under the Imperius Curse
> (or perhaps telling the truth--that he tricked them into thinking 
> that he was helping in order to retrieve the true sword, expecting
> them to be trapped there).

Jen: Technically the text doesn't say what Griphook did after 
escaping the vault.  He "had sprinted for cover amongst the 
surrounding goblins, brandishing the sword and crying, 'Thieves! 
Thieves! Help! Thieves!'  He vanished into the midst of the advancing 
crowd, all of whom were holding daggers and who accepted him without 
question." (p. 541 US)  That's the end of Griphook's story.

Zara:
> I don't know, to me Griphook gave the impression of one who feels he
> is acting on behalf of something greater. He insists he has a right
> to the sword, and is insulted by the offer of other treasures. His
> wording "the goblins of Gringotts *will consider* it base treachery"
> (emphasis mine) suggests he does not so consider it, even though he
> speaks quite seriously of the responsibnility goblin shave to 
> protect the artifacts in their care. Harry agrees to right what 
> he sees as a wrong, and he agrees to help Harry. By his lights,
> anyway.

Jen: I'm not sure what the 'something greater' is for Griphook, 
Zara?  Do you mean you agree Griphook wants to help the Trio defeat 
Voldemort?  Or is his 'something greater' more like a code of 
Gringotts goblins re: treasure?