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From the compartment, Richie grabbed his cane, which he had picked up from Kiddell during his trip to Slanted Lane for robes. The cane had been promptly modified by the magical engineers at Grosvenor's Workshop.
With a dignified stride, he made his way round the carriage. Walking around the second carriage, Richard met all of his classmates from Puffendu, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. He said hello to each of them, exchanged a few words, complimented the girls, and politely asked the boys how they had spent their summer. He treated everyone to sweets, which he took out of the oversized pocket of his new robe. Richie chatted the longest with Hermione Granger, the Patil sisters, and Justin Finch-Fletchley.
Hermione was talking about her trip to France with her parents. Padma and Parvati thanked Richard for inviting them to the Queen's industrialist meeting. They enthusiastically shared positive vibes and passed on an invitation to visit from their father. Justin boasted about what a wonderful holiday he and his parents had in Majorca.
In the end, after a long struggle with tea and sweets in the company of friends and acquaintances, Richard reached the last carriage four hours later.
Senior students have absolutely no interest in socialising with freshers who were travelling in the last carriage. Freshers haven't met anyone yet, it was their first time travelling to Hogwarts. To an outside observer it might seem strange that Ritchie went to the "little ones", but Grosvenor Junior himself had a certain reason to look at the first-years. Among them one could look out for useful acquaintances and future cadres.
Richard calmly looked into each compartment, smiled charmingly, greeted, introduced himself, gave candy to all new acquaintances and exchanged a few words with them. Children calmly and even happily perceived the visit of a student from the senior course and poured Richard with questions about the school, to which he answered thoroughly.
So in just an hour Richie reached the fifth compartment. Here he was surprised to catch the gaze of one of the boys. It was a brown-eyed boy with mouse-coloured hair. The boy was staring at Richie, his eyes darting around as if mesmerised. In his hand he was clutching a seemingly ordinary camera. When he caught Richard's gaze, he blushed like a cancer.
- Sir!" a blond boy jumped up and blocked the other passengers. - I'm so glad to see you! You are Mr Grosvenor, aren't you?
Richard found the boy's appearance unexpectedly familiar. He had a very good memory, so he recognised the boy's resemblance at once.
- Mr Creevey, I presume? - he asked good-naturedly. - Call me Richie. We're going to be at the same school soon.
- Yes, I'm Colin Creevey, sir," said the boy, shining with delight. - Dad was telling me how clever you were with the brownies, sir. It was awesome!
- Just Richie, Colin," said Grosvenor. - It wasn't a big deal, I just took your brownies.
- It's still cool! - Colin said with a happy glow. - Richie, I saw your interview on the telly - it was incredible! Is your company really going to launch the first private spaceship any time soon?
- No doubt about it, Colin," answered Richie.
Richard looked behind Creevey's back for a moment. Colin's three boy companions sat silent with equally astonished faces. From behind them they were trying to see who Creevey was so enthusiastic about.
- Richie, can I take a picture with you? - Colin looked at Richard with a pleading look in his eyes. - I'll show your pictures to my father. If I told him I was at school with Grosvenor, he'd never believe me!
- Colin, no problem," Richard agreed. - I think we'd better take a photograph together. Let's ask one of your mates to take our picture. Just wait a moment, we should take off our robes so you can put the picture in a visible place and it won't be a violation of the statute of secrecy.
- The Hogwarts sign? - Colin seemed to understand.
- Exactly," Richard nodded in agreement. - The Hogwarts insignia.
A full-bodied black-haired boy got up from the sofa.
- Jack Dawson," he introduced himself. - My dad isn't a wizard, and I grew up in Manchester, so I know my way around a camera.
- That's great, Jack," Richard said. - Nice to meet you.
Dawson looked at Richard with delight. He asked:
- Are you really the Richard Grosvenor who invented the staples?
- Yes, Jack," Grosvenor nodded graciously.
- Cool! - Jack's eyes were filled with happiness, as if he had seen a superstar.
The two boys who remained in the compartment looked at the boys in bewilderment and couldn't figure out who Richie was. One of them, a skinny boy with shoulder-length brown hair, asked:
- What are scrappers?
- Edward, don't you know?! - Jack looked at him with huge eyes. - Staples! Everyone knows what they are.- Um..." A fourth tall, thin boy with red hair spoke up. - 'I don't know what they are either...'
- Don't you, Sean? - Jack looked at him in surprise.
- Yeah," Sean shrugged. - I grew up with a witch mother in the wizarding world...
- Jack, you can tell the boys what it is later," Richard said. - Let's take a picture.
Richie stood in the aisle with Colin in his arms. Jack took their picture. Colin reverently took his camera and clutched it to his chest like the greatest treasure. But he soon came to his senses and took a few shots with Jack and Richard.
- Dad will be thrilled when he finds out we're at the same school," said Creevey.
- Colin, I have a favour to ask of you," Richie began. When he caught Creevey's gaze, he continued:- I'd really like you not to take pictures of me like the paparazzi. If you ever want to take a picture of me, please let me know in advance. We'll choose a neutral background and attire. As you realise, I'm a public figure. I can't have my photos leaked.
- All right! - Colin nodded a couple of times. - Of course, Richie. Thank you. What department are you in?
Richie slipped his robe over his shoulders and pointed to the badger patch on his shoulder.
The eyes of all four boys fixed on the patch. Colin ran his eyes over the crest and read the inscription aloud:
- Puffendui...
- Gentlemen," Richard said with a charming smile, "it's time for me to meet the other students. I'll definitely see you all again at Hogwarts. Have a safe journey. Here, help yourselves...
Richard used the perfect tactic to introduce himself to the children. To be remembered as a nice and generous guy, all you have to do is treat your new acquaintances to some goodies. While he was handing out candy to the boys, a redheaded woman's head peeked out of the next compartment. It was Ginny Weasley. She had heard Richard's name and couldn't contain her curiosity.
Richie felt a gaze directed at him. He looked up and saw Ginny. A blush flooded Weasley's cheeks.
- Oh, it's really Richie," she squeaked in amazement.
- Oh, Ginny, hi," Richard replied in a friendly tone. - Bye guys.
Grosvenor waved goodbye to the boys and went into the next compartment to Ginny. There was another girl in the next compartment, an adorable blonde girl with eyes that looked a little squinty, giving her a surprised look. Unlike Ginny, who was dressed in an expensive dress of scarlet velvet, the blonde was wearing a jumpsuit made of colourful scraps. She eyed Richard with great curiosity.
- Good afternoon, lady," Richard bowed politely.
- Richie," Ginny said shyly, "this is my friend Luna Lovegood.
- The same Lovegood who lives next door to you? - Grosvenor asked.
- Yes," Weasley nodded.
Luna was smiling at something. She, looking intently at Richie, said in a detached voice:
- And I know you! You catch brainiacs and send them off to be experimented on....
Richie didn't understand anything, but tried to keep a straight face.
- 'Miss Lovegood,' he said, 'I don't know what kind of brainworms we're talking about. 'It could well be. Unfortunately, I don't have time to go into all the research.
- There are a lot of brainworms around you," Lovegood said in a serious tone, still looking at Richard. - You attract them like a magnet attracts iron.
- It's not impossible...
Richard put a polite smile on his face and made a mental note to find out what kind of monsters they were and how to defend himself against them. After all, magic could do anything! Hell knows what obscure creatures the wizards were breeding.
- Oh, Richie," Ginny said in a loud voice, "don't listen to Luna! She often talks rubbish.
Richard decided not to linger. He handed the girls some candy and said:
- Ginny, nice dress. Miss Lovegood, adorable patchwork jumpsuit. Ladies, please help yourselves to chocolate. Please excuse me, travelling on the train is so tiring. I wish you a good journey, and I must return to my compartment. If you get bored, I'll see you in the second carriage in the first compartment.
The time on the journey to Hogwarts flew by very quickly. The children were in a hurry to leave the carriage, as if something depended on it. Richard didn't give in to the herd instinct and left the carriage as one of the last.
It was dark outside. The station was lit by enchanted lamps, which were originally gas lamps. Students hurried to the carriages. The freshmen gathered around a thundering Hagrid.
Grosvenor was in no hurry. He watched the freshmen. They looked excited and dazed. Soon Hagrid led the newcomers away and the platform was almost empty. There was only one carriage left.
Richie looked around and spotted a lone seventh year girl slowly shuffling towards the remaining carriage. The boy hurried towards it as well and found himself next to the carriage at the same time as the girl.
- Good evening, Miss Chester.
Chelsea shuddered; she had not noticed Richard until last, so his address came as a surprise to the girl.
- My lord!" she said with relief. - How glad I am to see you!
- Lovely weather, Miss Chester," Richie replied with a polite bow. - That's a gorgeous suit, it suits you well.
Chelsea looked down in embarrassment and adjusted her glasses. She pulled back the halves of her grey jacket from the strict ladies' pantsuit over which the robe had been thrown.
- Do you really like it? - She looked up at Richie, her gaze pleading for approval.
- Of course, Miss Chester," Richard gave her an encouraging smile. - I like business casual. By the way, don't you find this lovely horse a little extravagant?
Richard's gaze travelled to the front of the carriage. A monstrous-looking horse was harnessed there. Anthracite-black leather encased its skeleton, its ribs protruded outward, it had huge leathery wings on its back, and its muzzle was full of sharp teeth like a predator. The jaws were not like those of an ordinary horse, but like those of a crocodile.
- Oh," Chelsea exhaled sadly. - My lord, you see a festral....
- If that's the name of this cutie," Richard's voice was filled with irony, "then yes, I see as wonderfully as you do, Miss Chester.
- Um..." Chelsea's gaze slid in front of the carriage as if it were an empty space. - I don't see anything out there. A lot of people don't. The thing is, only someone who has watched a human die can see the festrals.
- Hm..." Richard said nonchalantly. - By the way, Miss Chester, you're an honours student. Do you know what kind of magical creatures are brainworms?
- Brainiacs?! - Chelsea had a look of bewilderment on her face. - That's the first I've heard of them. But I could learn about them.
- That would be wonderful. How was your summer, Miss Chester?
- My lord-" The girl's gaze, directed at Richard, was full of gratitude. - Thank you! It was the best summer of my life. I lived in a luxurious room and made a lot of money. And the work... It's unbelievable! I never thought I would be doing something so large and interesting. Our group developed graphene-based composites for mech armour, spacesuits, flyers and spaceships. My lord," Chelsea looked hopeful, "if it's possible, I'd like to continue working in your workshop after Hogwarts....
- Miss Chester, I was actually hoping that you would become my personal assistant, but if you are really interested in scientific and magical developments, it can be arranged.
Chelsea glowed with happiness like a little sunshine. She said with delight and adoration:
- Thank you! Thank you so much! My lord, I'm actually more interested in doing scientific magical research... I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations.
- Not at all, Miss Chester.
Richie opened the door of the carriage and, holding it with the hand in which he held his cane, made an inviting gesture with the palm of his other hand. Chelsea smiled shyly and climbed into the carriage. Richie sat down across from the girl and continued:
- We are all human and have our own aspirations, hobbies. If magic engineering is more to your liking, so be it. When a person is in their place, they'll do more good for society than if they're working hard.
Once Chelsea and Richard had climbed into the carriage, the carriage drove off in the direction of Hogwarts. Chester was silent for a while, but couldn't bear to ask:
- My lord, um... Perhaps you need help with some other project?
- Commendable zeal, Miss Chester," Richard's gaze was full of approval. - There are enough projects for everyone. I have a difficult task, I don't know if you'll do it....
- I'll do my best! - Chelsea happily stepped forward and looked at her benefactor with joyful eyes.
- Then listen up. We have the raw data: Protean charms - one; a small number of wizards - two; the need to create a stable connection between various Muggle devices in excess of a hundred billion pieces - that's three. It is necessary to think of a way that will allow a small number of wizards to create a huge number of quantum transmitters.
Chester fell out of the task at hand. For a moment the girl's face showed signs of fright and panic. She found the task incredibly difficult, even unrealistic. But at the end of the carriage ride, Chelsea gathered her will in a fist and decided that she would do her best and by all means succeed. This is her chance for a better life.
In the Great Hall, a multitude of burning candles flew over the long set tables, making the gold crockery and goblets glisten and shimmer with all the colours of the rainbow.
Chelsea immediately made her way to the Ravenclaw table. Richard joined the Puffenduys. He was immediately attacked by Justin Finch-Fletchley's question:
- Richie, where have you been? We thought you were lost.
- 'It's all right, Justin,' Grosvenor replied. - I don't like fuss. So he waited quietly until everyone had gone, then reached the castle in an almost empty carriage.
Through the many pointed hats, Richard could see the frightened freshmen being ushered into the hall one by one. Colin Creevey was actively turning his head. For a moment his gaze stopped on Richard, and a pleased smile appeared on the boy's face.
Professor McGonagall placed the Distributing Hat on the stool, just as she had done last year. This ancient iskine no longer held the same fascination for Richie, as he already had more advanced and efficient iskines in his workshop.
Professor McGonagall unrolled the scroll:
- Dawson, Jack.
As soon as the hat touched the chubby brunet's head, she immediately exclaimed:
- Puffendui!
A hail of applause erupted from the badger table.
The old hat continued to assign students to their faculties.
While the distribution was going on, Richie noticed Headmaster Dumbledore, who was watching the distribution closely, sitting in his seat at the faculty banquet table. His white beard was silvery, the panes of his half-rimmed glasses glinting from the wavering tongues of flame of hundreds of candles.
A few seats away from the headmaster sat a handsome young man with light golden hair, bright blue eyes, and a white smile. Unlike the other teachers, he was dressed in a very stylish blue suit of expensive fabric with an aquamarine robe thrown over it. Richard had only glanced at the textbooks once during the train journey, and yet he had no trouble identifying the man as Gilderoy Lockhart, the author of the eight books that were part of this year's required reading. It was easy to recognise Lockhart - each of his books had a portrait of the author with a wide, white-toothed smile.
Snape, Flitwick, Sprout, and the other teachers sat in their seats.
At the very end of the table was the intimidating figure of the big Hagrid.
Richard thought:
"Strange, why such discrimination? The creepy woodsman gets to sit at the feast table with the teachers, while the head teacher is left out. At least a few times a year during the holidays could respect the old man. He may be mean and grumpy, but he's an employee of the school. The more offensive will be Filch, because he knows that the forester at the table allowed, but the head teacher is not. In my firm, which has grown from one employee to twenty people, everyone from managers to couriers and cleaners are invited to corporate parties. People, regardless of their position, need to realise that they are part of the team, that the firm does not forget about them".
Colin Creevey approached the stool. Professor McGonagall helped him put the Distributing Hat on his head.
The hat on Colin's head thought for a very long time.
- PUFFENDOUS! - She loudly delivered her verdict.
As soon as Professor McGonagall removed the hat from Creevey's head, the boy tore towards the Puffendui table. The students of that faculty applauded loudly for their new fellow.
Colin sat down between Dawson and Richard. Glowing with overflowing excitement, he said:
- Richie, we're going to be in the same faculty! I'm so happy! That silly hat tried to send me to another faculty.
- Yes?" Richard raised his right eyebrow.
- Yes, yes," Colin nodded vigorously. - She told me about bravery and courage, about the faculty of nobility. I'm a milkman's son, but I'm not a fool," I said to the hat, "you cheeky piece of felt, you can't fool me. I know that noble lords study at Puffendoor, and you're telling me about Gryffindor!" I'm so happy I was able to talk the hat into sending me to Puffendoor.
- Colin, congratulations," Richard gave the freshman a warm smile. - You've made an excellent choice.
Richard was only interested in the fate of Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood. The rest of the freshmen seemed uninteresting to him. They were nothing, just ordinary billets for adults who had no firm principles and goals in life. There were no rich and influential people among them, nor were there any useful acquaintances.
Ginny was interesting to Richard as the daughter of the manager of his magic business. She had gone to Gryffindor to join her brothers.
Luna, on the other hand, interested Grosvenor with her knowledge of strange magical creatures. Plus, as far as he had time to collate the facts, Lovegood was the daughter of the editor of a wizarding entertainment magazine. Not exactly a high-flying bird, but it was good to have such acquaintances just in case. Luna was assigned to Ravenclaw.
Finally, the assignment was complete. A variety of food appeared on the tables. The children, starving from the day, greedily gorged themselves on the food.
After the late dinner was over, Headmaster Dumbledore rose from his seat and gave almost the same speech as last year. The only difference was that there was no mention of the forbidden parts of the castle in his narrative. And instead of the deceased Quirrell, he introduced Gilderoy Lockhart as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Lockhart spread an aura of positivity around him. He was beaming with happiness and seemed to revel in the attention of those around him, as if he were a once-famous but forgotten star of a third-rate TV series.
After the anthem, everyone went to their bedrooms. The students had no energy left to do anything but crawl to their beds.
Richard noticed that there were almost twice as many students enrolled in Puffendui this time as last year. It was not unreasonable for him to think that he himself had been the cause of the freshman dormitories being filled to capacity. If Ritchie hadn't walked on the last carriage of the Hogwarts Express and left a positive impression of himself, things might have been different.
The next day, the weather had been bad since morning. The magical ceiling in the Great Hall was draped in dull grey clouds. The lunch tables of all the faculties, as it was supposed to be, were stacked with bowls of oatmeal porridge, plates of smoked herring, toast, dishes with scrambled eggs and fried bacon. All in all, a traditional English breakfast.
Right during breakfast Richard decided to familiarise himself with the academic literature. He opened the book "I am a Wizard" and began to read quickly. The more he read, the more his eyebrows furrowed.
Harry and Ron were sitting at their table next to Hermione, who was also reading Lockhart's book.
Justin, who was sitting next to Richard, nudged his mate with his elbow and asked:
- Richie, have you decided to read the ZOTI textbook? I read them all over the summer. Lockhart is unbelievably cool! If a vampire attacked me in a phone box, I'd die of fright. But he didn't. He fought and won. That's fantastic! I gave them to my mother to read, and she realised how good it was to have a wizard in the family, especially an educated one.
Richard took his eyes off the book and looked at Finch-Fletchley with a smile.
- 'Justine, that doesn't sound like a textbook at all. It's a great book, I'd give it a ten out of ten, but it's a work of fiction disguised as an autobiography. Where are the spell descriptions? Where are the drawings of the wand movements? Where's the history of the spells, how to use them, and a description of the dangers if used incorrectly? It seems that the clever writer, who will teach us ZOTI, decided to make money on us and sold his fantasy under the guise of textbooks. I'd rather ask for money outright than cheat like that. Although, as a businessman, I kind of understand him.
- You think so? - Justin sounded doubtful. - I thought he was strong.
- Justin, open any textbook and compare it to these books," Richie waved Lockhart's work in front of his mate's nose. - It's called a hundred differences. Anyone who has ever opened a textbook will never confuse it with a work of fiction. God forbid Lockhart knows all the spells in his books, rather than finding them in the library.
Justin shrugged and pronounced:
- Wizards believe Lockhart has performed all the feats he describes, and Headmaster Dumbledore would hardly hire an inept wizard.
- Did I say Lockhart was inept? - Richard raised his right eyebrow. - No, Jas. He's at least a talented writer. But you don't have to be a tough Rambo to be a good writer and describe his exploits beautifully. It would be enough for a writer to hear a story in a pub from the mouth of an auror, for example, about the fight against Bigfoot, then turn on the imagination and all beautifully transferred to paper.
- What about the auror? - Justin stretched out. - Wouldn't he have a claim? After all, by that logic, he had defeated Bigfoot.
- Why should he? - Richard wondered. - A writer has the right to describe any adventure in a work of fiction. And if the auror didn't want his story to get on paper, then he shouldn't have told it to everyone.
Putting the book away in his bag, Richard walked over to the Gryffindor table. On the way, he still noted to himself that Lockhart, if he was as powerful a wizard as he described, would also fall under suspicion. He could very well be the one to destroy the planet. Hence the need to investigate and find out.
- Good morning, ladies and gentlemen," he bowed politely to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the Weasley twins and Percival, who were sitting nearby.
- Richie, hi," Ron waved his hand.
Harry greeted his mate with a polite nod.
- Good morning, Richie," Hermione broke away from her book.
- Hermione, you're reading Lockhart,' Richard remarked. - He writes well. If he would write his fantasy in the third person, he could be published in large editions among ordinary people. As long as book publishing can still turn a profit, Lockhart has a good chance of getting rich.
- Fantasy?! - Hermione was indignant. - They're textbooks!
Richard hummed meaningfully and stretched out ironically:
- Well, well, well... Textbooks... By the way, did you already know that this is the first time we're going to have a couple together? Swapped Slytherin for Puffendui in Herbology class this week.
Hermione was overjoyed.
- 'That's great news, Richie! I suggest we work in pairs.
- Hermione, I'd love to," Richard said with a slight nod. - Your company will be very pleasant to me. But don't count on my great skills in Herbology... I have to admit that digging in the ground is not my thing.
In herbology, the students were transplanting young mandrakes. A plant with roots like an ugly baby makes a horrible noise when pulled out of the ground. The adult plant is capable of killing a person. Therefore, all students used sound-absorbing headphones.The mandrakes were reluctant to leave their nest and move to a separate pot. The creatures squirmed, kicked, hammered the students with their sharp little fists, and gnashed their teeth.
Richard spent a full fifteen minutes trying to get one mandrake into the pot. It was frustrating to him that even Harry and Ron managed it in ten minutes. Much to Richie's dismay, Hermione had managed to transplant two mandrakes in that time, and the girl was beaming with superiority.
By the end of the class, everyone was covered in soil.
Sweaty and dirty, the students made their way back to the castle. On the way, Harry said tiredly:
- This is horrible! I hope I never have to become a herbologist.
- I'm certainly not in danger of that! - Richard said with relief. - If we have such plant creatures in the second year, I can't imagine what will happen in the senior year. They'll be sent to fertilise some Ainta or feed a tree dragon....
Hermione snorted merrily and said in a cautionary tone:
- 'There are no such things as ents or tree dragons, I've read magical plant guides! Which one of us reads fantasy! - She looked at Richard defiantly.
- 'All Hogwarts students are reading fantasy this year,' Grosvenor replied nonchalantly. - 'By the way, Harry, Ron, Hermione, look out for Lockhart. I may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean everything is wonderful in the world. If Lockhart is as powerful as he describes himself in the books, he could be another dark lord in disguise for the time being.
- Ritchie! - Hermione's gaze was brimming with reproach. - How can you talk about a teacher like that!
- Hermione has hearts in front of ZOTI on her timetable," Ron ratted the girl out ingenuously.
Granger's cheeks flushed red. She threw an indignant glare at Ron that didn't promise anything good.
- Hermione, you don't have to participate..." Richard looked over at Harry and Ron and said with a hint, "Guys, Quirrell seemed weak....
- Hmm..." Ronald said meaningfully. - Ritchie, I see your point...
- Ritchie, we'll look into Lockhart," Harry said seriously.
- Boys, I don't understand you at all," Hermione rolled her eyes. - You're being silly! Professor Lockhart is a great fighter against dark creatures. And anyway, Richie, why shouldn't I help?! - She was outraged.
- All right, Hermione," Richard held his hands up conciliatorily, "you can help, but in another matter. Find all the information you can about animagi.
- Animagi? - A look of bewilderment spread across Granger's face. - What does that have to do with Professor Lockhart?
- It doesn't," Richard remained unperturbed. - It's for an important matter. And I'm sorry, but you can't be allowed to watch Lockhart. You're prejudiced against him, like a groupie, and you need a sober approach.
After saying goodbye, the Gryffindors headed to their tower and the Puffenduys to their dormitory. After a shower, further lessons awaited them.