Clankers

From UnknowableWiki

Clankers are small metal objects that, when shaken, produce a loud, long nose. They are commonly used by the Gringotts goblins to train and tame the dragons that guard the bank's vaults.

The dragons learn to expect pain—probably hot swords—when they hear the ringing of the Clankers echoing in the underground passageways that lead to the vaults. When a withdrawal has to be made from a vault in the lower levels, therefore, the goblin in charge takes Clankers along with him, and shakes them while on his way to the vault; the dragon retreats, shaking with fear.

When Griphook, Harry, Ron and Hermione break into Gringotts to steal Hufflepuff's cup from the Lestranges' vault, Bogrod asks a younger goblin to fetch him Clankers. Bogrod, under the Imperius Curse, uses the instruments to force the dragon guarding the vault to allow them inside.

The goblins in charge soon realise that intruders are attempting to steal something from the bank. Moments after the Trio and Griphook manage to enter the vault, a large group of goblins holding daggers and Clankers arrives (DH26).