Harry found himself with Neville and Rutherford Poke in the Forest of Dean. Ford had been able to contact the Goblins and tell them that there was a way to avoid the Ministry's attempt to kill them all in one fell swoop. They wouldn't believe him until he disclosed that Harry Potter would be leading them away in defiance of the Ministry in order to help save them. Maybe the good will I started with them by handing over the sword helped after all.