GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST
Newspaper article information
Author	Andy Smudgley
Newspaper	Daily Prophet
Date of publication	6 September 1991
Accompanying photographs	Photograph of Gringotts goblins surveying Vault 713
Subject	The break-in and attempted robbery of Vault 713, at Gringotts Wizarding Bank

GRINGOTTS BREAK-IN LATEST was an article published in the Daily Prophet in September 1991. It reported the break-in and attempted robbery of Vault 713 (at the time containing the Philosopher's Stone) at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, London, on 31 July.

Transcript

Investigations continue into the break-in at Gringotts on 31 July, widely believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown. Gringotts goblins today insisted that nothing had been taken. The vault that was searched had in fact been emptied the same day.

"But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you," said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon.

Behind the scenes

• In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone:
  • The article is instead titled "Break-in at Gringotts", with a sub-heading saying "Gringotts' Security Breached".
  • Harry Potter does not read about it at Hagrid's Hut, but reads it instead over breakfast at the Great Hall, on the day of his first Flying lesson.
  • Even though the date of publishing was 6 September 1991, the date on the newspaper says 8 August 2001, which, apart from going against the dating conventions, is self-defeating: 8 August would be during the summer holidays.
  • Also, the article is significantly larger, and contains more detail than the one featured in the book. It is worded thus:

    Believed to be the work of Dark wizards or witches unknown, Gringotts goblins, while acknowledging the breach, insist nothing was taken. The vault in question had, in fact, been emptied the very same day. "But we're not telling you what was in there, so keep your noses out if you know what's good for you", said a Gringotts spokesgoblin this afternoon. Gringotts now need to readdress their security system. Goblin security specialists are combing the land for a better breed of security dragon to replace the now deemed useless existing ones. They are even going as far as examining muggle security systems. Gringotts need to get another security system in place before any more breaches occur. Wizards, Witches all over the country are scratching their heads wondering how safe their money is in the so-called safest wizard bank. Head Goblins are urging the wizarding community for calm.

• This article was one of the four selections that Harry Potter (website) listed on their social media for fans to guess of which headline hadn't been featured in the Prophet.

Appearances

• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (First appearance)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film)
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (video game)
• Pottermore