Aristocrat (HP/SI)

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***

August flew by almost unnoticed. Richie was fully prepared for school and on the morning of the first of September he drove from his home in London to King Cross Station.

Stephen brought the young gentleman to the station and went to accompany him to platform nine. At this time Richard was busy with an important conversation on a radiotelephone, which attracted the attention of passers-by. It is a rare thing to own such a machine, and if it is a boy of eleven in an expensive suit, it is a marvellous sight.

- Yes, Mr Silver, I need an offshore company. By next year, we need to have a hedge fund in a place that's as tax-efficient as possible and has no problems with the British authorities.

- Sir, a hedge fund? - Dan interjected.

- Exactly, Mr Silver. A hedge fund managed by our company. Ninety per cent of the foreign currency assets are converted into dollars.

- Yes, sir. Anything else?

- Of course! What about Nokia stock?

- Just a second, sir... - for a while the sound of keyboard keys clacking was heard from the telephone receiver. - Sir, Nokia stock is now thirteen dollars and forty cents per hundred units. We missed the point - we should have bought them in February, when they were worth nine dollars and twenty cents.

- There's no point in dragging it out. Buy them now. How much money do we have available?

- Five million dollars, sir.

- Buy it all. I don't want to wait for the price to go any higher.

- Yes, sir. I'll get your wishes to the broker and start the hedge fund registration. But that'll take at least two or three months.

- That's fine, Mr Silver. The main thing is to have the firm fully operational by the middle of next summer. I'm counting on you, don't let me down. All right, Mr Silver, I'll see you in December. Do you remember? All reports to John.

- Yes, sir. I remember you're leaving for a public school where there's no communication. Goodbye, sir.

Richard switched off the phone, folded up the antenna and, ignoring the surprised people in the crowd, stowed the radiotelephone in his valise.

The boy did not notice when he reached the third quarter of platform nine. Despite the crowds, there was only one family near one column, whose members looked unsure if they were where they needed to be.

A medium-sized, sturdy man with rectangular glasses, brown hair, and a decent business suit was familiar to Richard, though he had met him only once. A girl his age with thick brown hair was also familiar to him. But it was the first time he had seen a nice slim woman of about thirty-five with dark brown hair in a fashionable lettuce dress.

- K-hem," Richard drew the family's attention to himself. - Good morning, Dr Granger.

Well, the effect was exactly as intended. All the members of the small family turned their attention to Richie.

The man frowned slightly, trying to remember where he knew the boy from. He realised that it was probably one of his patients, but it was hard to remember another client when you'd only seen them once.

The woman eyed Richard curiously.

The girl had the most violent reaction. Her face stretched, her lips quivered, and her finger was pointed at the boy's chest, whereupon she exclaimed:

- 'It's you!

- Hermione," Richard bowed politely.

- 'You are the very nephew of Prince Charles!

Hermione was embarrassed to be pointing her finger at such an important boy, she shamefully hid her hands behind her back and blushed.

Her parents' eyes instantly took on the perfect shape - a ball. You can understand them - to meet such a person at the railway station by chance is tantamount to encountering an alien.

- I must correct you, miss. Prince Charles is not my own uncle, but my godfather. Anyway, I'm glad you remember me.

- You can forget such a thing..." Hermione muttered quietly. - I thought it was a joke. And when the Queen's administration called, I thought it was a continuation of the prank....

Richard laughed wickedly.

- 'Oh, miss, I hope nothing untoward has happened. Did you get to tea with the Queen?

- Yes... I did... I did...

Hermione didn't know where to put her hands. She was both embarrassed, angry, excited, delighted and in anticipation. All in all, she was experiencing a whole cocktail of conflicting emotions.

- Lord Grosvenor, I presume? - Mr Granger remembered.

- Yes, sir. Richard Grosvenor. You have a light hand and a good memory.

Mrs Granger, slightly recovered from the shock, said:

- 'So that's the young man who helped our little girl get into tea with the Queen! Oh, thank you, Lord Grosvenor.

- You're welcome, ma'am. It was no trouble at all. It's a lovely dress, by the way. Paul Smith, if I'm not mistaken.

- Yes, that brand," Mrs Granger said, a wide smile on her face.

- Thank you..." Hermione said in a whisper. - I'm sorry I didn't believe you.

- It's nothing. Hermione, are you going to public school?

- Erm..." the girl faded her eyes. - Yeah... To school... A private, closed school. How did you know?

Richard grinned and glanced round at the girl's clothes.

- Several suitcases, a uniform with a skirt, jacket and tie, the first of September, the train station... You can hardly travel like that on holiday with your parents.

- Oh, yes," Hermione nodded her head to show that she agreed with Richard's conclusions. - What about you?

- I'm going to school too... Private, closed... Nothing special.

Hermione looked at Richard carefully, lingering her gaze on the valise and asked:

- But where is your luggage?

- I prefer to travel light. I'm sorry, Miss, Mr and Mrs Granger. It was good to see you, but I must take my leave.

- Of course, Lord," Mr Granger replied. - 'Good day to you.

- Goodbye, Lord Grosvenor," Mrs Granger said.

- Goodbye," her daughter echoed.

Richard walked round the Granger family and came closer to the pillar through which the passage to Platform Nine and Three Quarters is made. The boy knew from his mentor that there were spells cast on the passage that made ordinary people ignore it. Including ordinary people do not notice the wizards, who go back and forth through the passage between the platforms. Because of the spells, people try to avoid the column with the passage. Knowing all this, Richard, upon reaching the column, was amazed to find all three Graingers watching him intently with curiosity. Beside them stood Stephen. It seemed as if the three adults were having trouble concentrating on Richard. Hermione, on the other hand, saw him with no problem.

Turning around, Richie raised his eyebrows questioningly and asked:

- Going to Hogwarts too?

To which he received a jaw-dropping view of Hermione in response.

- Hogwarts? - She blurted out.

- Hogwarts.

- Yes, Hogwarts! - The amazement on Hermione's face was replaced with joy and excitement. - Are you going there too?

Richie put his index finger to his lips.

- Shh! It's a secret!

- Oh, statute..." Hermione put her right palm to her mouth.

- 'I suppose, Miss, your parents as well as my bodyguard can't go near the pillar. Let me help you, Miss Granger.

Richard took a couple of steps forward and picked up the heaviest looking suitcase.

- Oh!" he set it down immediately. - Are there bricks in there?

- Books," Hermione said embarrassed. - 'Professor McGonagall explained to me that you had to go through a column, but I doubted it was this one.

- This one, Miss. There's a portal located here, so you needn't be afraid of smashing your forehead.

Richie concentrated, habitually dispelled his emotions, took a deep breath and with a wave of his hand cast levitation charms on the suitcase with the books, then took it by the handle and lifted it with ease.

- Let's go. Goodbye again, Mr and Mrs Granger. Stephen.

Nodding to the adults, Richard made his way through the column to platform nine and three quarters. Panting, Hermione dragged the second suitcase following the boy. As she crossed through the portal, she squeezed her eyes shut.

Since the boy and girl had arrived at the station an hour and a half before the train left, the platform was still empty. Only in the distance stood a few wizards with children.

On the tracks sat an ancient red steam locomotive with ancient passenger carriages that looked as if they had recently come off the assembly line.

- The Hogwarts Express! - Hermione said with admiration as she looked at the steam train. - I've read about it. This train has been taking wizarding children to Hogwarts since the turn of the century. Traditionally, first-years take the last carriage. Lord, what about...

- Richie. To you, Hermione, I'm just Richie. In public schools, as you must know, there's no separation of status, rank, or anything else. Since we're classmates, it's silly to be polite.

- All right. Ritchie, how do you carry my suitcase so easily? It's so heavy!

- It's a levitation spell.

- But I've read that you can only cast spells with wands. Besides, you can't cast spells around ordinary people.

- As long as no one notices and a little bit, you can. I don't know what kind of books you read, but the power is not in the wands, but in the wizard himself. Sorcery without a wand is difficult, even very difficult, but nothing is impossible. Magic can do anything!

- Richie, are you a hereditary wizard?

The girl was burning with curiosity.

- I don't think that's the right definition. It's just that I learnt about magic a year and a half ago, when I noticed magical manifestations.

- But it wasn't until the end of July that a Hogwarts professor came to see me. How could you have learnt about magic before then? I thought all wizards didn't get invitations until after they turned eleven.

- Hermione, do you really think the royal family doesn't know about wizards?

- I mean...the government knows about wizards? What about the statute of secrecy?

- What about the statute? It's not a big deal. Those who need to know know know everything.

Hermione and Richard walked along the train towards the last carriage.

- I've read all the magic textbooks several times and learnt them by heart," Hermione said. - I hope that's enough.

- All the textbooks in a month? That's not bad. I think, Hermione, you're worrying for nothing. Most of the kids won't even open the books. For instance, I never even thought of reading magic books. Frankly, I didn't have time for it, and when I did, I preferred to rest before a long and hard year away from home.

- But that's magic! - Hermione exclaimed indignantly, as if Richard had said something sacrilegious. - How can you not even open your textbooks! I thought you were a genius....

- I don't think I'm a genius. You know, Hermione, I had two incredibly hard years before this. During that time I built the foundations of my future wealth, finished middle and high school, and tutored in spells and fencing. After that, I couldn't look at books, and my only wish was to just rest.

Hermione froze like a stumbling block and set her suitcase on the platform with a loud clatter. She looked at Richard with indignation and disbelief.

- How did you finish school?!- As they usually do at my age," Richard shrugged nonchalantly. - I passed my external exams.

- Like you usually do?! - Hermione looked at Richie with round eyes.

- Yes, as usual.

- Usually boys don't finish school at eleven! - Granger declared.

- That's their problem. I even got an invitation to a prestigious university after I discovered a way to make graphene flakes. Except I knew I was going to Hogwarts even then, so I had to decline. It's a shame. Now instead of going to magic school, I'd be going to a lecture at the university.

Hermione's cheeks turned pink. The girl resembled a boiling kettle. She couldn't stand it and asked loudly:

- What the devil! Why is it that every time I see you, I want to exclaim - I don't believe it!

- I myself don't believe that all this is really happening to me. But where can I go? Every morning I open my eyes and see that the reality around me is quite real.

- I-" Hermione's eyes filled with tears of resentment. - After our last meeting, I decided to finish school as soon as possible. It was hard to agree with my parents and the school. I... Devil! I passed my second year high school exams with great difficulty in the meantime, and here you are claiming to have graduated high school!

- Oh, I'm sorry, Hermione," Richard apologised without pretence. - I didn't think my words would hurt you. Believe me, I truly admire your talent. To have learnt the syllabus of several school classes in such a short time is quite an accomplishment. You're smart!

- Don't mock..." Hermione sobbed.

- No, Hermione, I'm dead serious. You really are a very talented girl, plus you have supernatural powers. Can you tell me what you've read in your textbooks?

Richard handed the girl a handkerchief. She took it and began to wipe the tears from her face.

- Are you really interested? - Hermione asked hopefully.

- Of course I am. I haven't read these books. I propose to continue the dialogue in the train compartment. I see that the wizards are arriving. We should take the best compartment, since we're the first to arrive.

- All right.

The boy and the girl took the first compartment. Hermione began to eagerly recount the information she had learnt from her wizarding textbooks.

Gradually the platform filled with fancily dressed wizards and wizards. Some sorcerers could combine pyjama trousers and jacket, skirt and jumper. For this time, a man in women's clothing looked outlandish.

Richard peered out the window periodically. Once again looking at the platform, he noticed an acquaintance.

- Hermione," he interrupted the girl's story, "please excuse me. Hold this compartment, please. I'm going to meet some friends.

- Of course, Richie.

Getting off the train, Richard hurried towards the familiar. The chubby-cheeked boy looked around bewilderedly, standing not far from the aisle to the regular railway station.

- Justin! Hi.

The young Finch-Fletchley, spotting the familiar, was incredibly excited. Smiling broadly, he said with relief:

- Richie. Richie! Richie, it's so good to see you! Look, I bought an extension valise too.

Justin showed his friend a black leather valise.

- Sweetest mate, I can't tell you how good it is to see you. It's a wonderful bag. How was your trip?

- All right, but Dad couldn't get through the column," Finch-Fletchley said with a hint of regret.

- My guard couldn't even get to the crossing, so don't worry. Shall we wait for Harry or go straight to the compartment?

- Let's wait for Harry.

Justin looked unsure. He looked around curiously and a little fearfully.

- God," he whispered, "Richie, these people don't know how to dress. Look at that wizard - is it just me, or is he really wearing a woman's nightgown?

- Hmm... - Richard noticed the older wizard too. - A bit extravagant. Pink... It's good that it's not a negligee, otherwise my eyes wouldn't be able to bear such a sight.

The boys were keeping a close eye on the barrier, so when Harry Potter walked past with his rucksack behind him, habitually hiding the scar on his forehead with the visor of his baseball cap, he was immediately noticed.

- Harry. Harry! - Justin waved his arms, drawing attention to himself.

Harry noticed the familiar faces and headed towards them. On the way he kept squinting at the red steam engine, which had just flooded the boiler and was letting out thick puffs of smoke and steam.

- Hello, boys! - He said hello. - Justin, Richie, you're here already.

- Scott didn't come with you? - Richard asked.

- My uncle said he was sick of looking at wizards' faces, so he only walked me to the crossing," Potter replied.

- Guys, I got us a great compartment," Richard said. - We need to hurry there, because the poor girl must be fighting off the last of her strength, holding it for us.

- Who's the girl? - Harry asked curiously. - A friend of yours?

- The daughter of the dentists I had my teeth done once. Turns out she's a wizard, too. I'll introduce you. By the way, Harry, did you and Scott go to Gringotts?- We went a couple of days after the shopping, when it was crowded with wizards," Harry replied. - My parents left me a decent amount of money.

- What about our suspicions? - Richard asked.

- It's fine, Richie,' Potter replied. - The goblins checked the access logs - no one has visited my safe.

- Harry, I know it's rude to talk about finances, especially someone else's," Richard continued, "but it's not good to have money lying around dead. Have you thought of putting it into business?

- I don't know," Potter shrugged his shoulders. - Richie, I don't know anything about it. Do you have any advice?

- Of course, but it depends on how much money you have," Richard said.

- It's about fifty thousand galleons.

Richard thought for a moment, and then answered as the boys reached the last carriage:

- It's not much, but it's not a small sum. I recommend that you exchange ninety per cent of the halleons for pounds and buy shares in Nokia, Microsoft and Intel. And in the year two thousand, which will be after you graduate from Hogwarts, sell them.

- Ew, Richie," Justin wrinkled his face. - Don't be as boring as my father.

- Thanks, Richie, I'll think about it," Harry said.

Hermione was pleased and relieved to see Richard back.

- Ugh," she said, "it's you! I'm tired of answering that this compartment is occupied.

Richard gave the girl a broad smile and said politely:

- 'Guys, this young lady is the Hermione Granger I told you about. Hermione, let me introduce you to my friends.

Hermione eyed the new boys curiously. She shifted her gaze to the chubby boy in a nice suit and carrying a valise that Richard was pointing at.

- Justin Finch-Fletchley," Grosvenor said. - Son of Lord and well known banker Robert Finch-Fletchley.

- Nice to meet you, Justin," Hermione replied politely.

- And this is Mr Harry Potter ...

Before Richard could continue, he was interrupted by Granger.

- Harry Potter?! You bet I know all about you!

Harry was taken aback by this onslaught and recoiled, almost tumbling out into the vestibule.

Justin looked at Hermione in bewilderment. He didn't bother to think of anything, slid his valise under the sofa and sat down opposite the girl, closer to the window.

Richard burst out laughing.

- What did I say that was funny? - The girl looked at Richard resentfully.

- 'Hermione, I didn't know you were a Harry Potter fan. If I'd been attacked in the street by a groupie, Harry would have laughed too.

- I guess so," Harry said. - Sorry Hermione, it's... Could you please not shout my name? It's going to be a busy place with wizards wanting to shake my hand and rip off a piece of my clothes.

Harry sat down next to Justin, put his rucksack on the sofa and continued:

- I'm sorry Hermione, but I have to disappoint you. Everything you've heard or read about me is lies and fiction. I have done nothing of the sort. Think about it, what is a one year old child capable of?

Justin looked from Granger to Potter in bewilderment.

- Harry, what are you talking about? - He asked. - I understand - Richie, he's a global celebrity. What's that got to do with you?

- How, you don't know! - Hermione stared at Justin with big eyes. Without waiting for him to answer, as if she didn't need to, she continued, "Harry Potter defeated the evil wizard, the Dark Lord.

There was an amused snort from Hermione's side. Harry rolled his eyes to the ceiling and sighed heavily. Granger looked at the barely contained laughter of a snorting Richard and pouted her lips.

- 'Richie, why are you laughing? - She asked perplexed.

- 'Hermione, you're hilarious,' Grosvenor replied. - 'You should definitely try stand-up! Oh... Lord... Where did you even get that from?

- I read it in a book called 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts',' replied the girl.

- To begin with, the last aristocrat with the surname Riddle died in the forties, leaving no legitimate heirs. Tom Riddle is an impostor! The crown did not grant this terrorist the status of Lord.

- But it's a magical title..." Granger stretched out.

- No, Hermione! It doesn't work like that. The title of Lord in Great Britain can be granted by the Queen, or it can be inherited. Riddle is at best an unrecognised bastard, so the title flies by like a witch on a broomstick. Riddle is an impostor, full stop.

- What does that have to do with Riddle? - Hermione asked in bewilderment.

Harry and Justin were silent, but judging by the solidarity and curiosity on their faces, Finch-Fletchley was also curious to know the answer to that question.

Richie enlightened his mates:

- Tom Riddle, known as the self-styled Dark Lord and You-Know-Who, is the leader of a terrorist group of British far-right wizards who died in the autumn of eighty-one, allegedly from an unforgivable Avada Kedavra spell reflected by Harry Potter's forehead.

- Wow! - Finch-Fletchley gave out. He patted Potter on the shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, Harry. It's a fame you wouldn't wish on anyone.

- Richie, how do you know this wizard's name? - Hermione asked in amazement.

- The Queen told me.

- Mm-hm... I see. Since the Queen herself... But isn't it true about Harry?

- I'm not sure," Richard shrugged. - My wizarding tutor said that magic can do anything. I've had time to see if it's true. So," he said in a joking tone, "Harry, if you get hit by Avada again, hit it back with your forehead! I'm sure it's avada-resistant!

Potter wrinkled his nose and replied:

- 'Uncle Scott said that Avada is fatal one hundred per cent of the time. There is no escape from this spell except to dodge or hide in cover. Guys, let's not talk about that.

- All right," Hermione backtracked. - Boys, why don't you have any luggage?

- Didn't Richie tell you? - Justin asked in surprise.

- 'No,' Granger shook her head sideways.

- We bought bags from the magic shop," Finch-Fletchley continued. - They hold a lot more stuff than they should. And they don't weigh anything.

- Wow!

Hermione's eyes lit up with an eager gleam. It was perfectly visible that she, like any girl, was dreaming of a truly bottomless bag. Though ordinary women's handbags seemed to possess such a quality as it was. Whichever one you look in, it can hold a lot of extremely unexpected things like a brick, a screwdriver, a gas can, a huge supply of make-up and other items.

- I haven't seen a shop like that in Slant Lane.

Justin began to explain to Hermione where and what to buy in the magical world.

As they talked, the time flew by. A steam engine horn sounded, announcing the imminent departure of the train. Almost simultaneously a redhead appeared in the vestibule. A panting boy in a brand-new, needle-brown, old-fashioned suit looked inside the compartment. His face lit up with joyful recognition.

- Lord Grosvenor!

- Hello!" Richard smiled and waved at the redhead. - Ron, come and join us.

- Um... Thank you.

- Ron, we agreed, just call me Richie," Richard said in a friendly tone. - Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like you to meet this young gentleman, Ron Weasley. His father holds a very important position in the Ministry of Magic and is in charge of my magical enterprise of experimental enchantment.

- Enterprise? - Hermione stared at Richard in surprise for the umpteenth time since meeting him. - 'Richie, didn't you say you've recently been introduced to the world of magic?

- That depends on how you look at it. A year and a half seems like a long time to me. It's been a bit of a grind, but I've managed to do a little business with the magicians.

Ron stood on the doorstep for a while, but he was shy enough to enter the compartment.

- Ron," Richard continued to introduce the boy to the others. - Let me introduce the others. This lovely young lady is Hermione Granger. Her parents are healers of sorts, treating the teeth of ordinary people. That gentleman in the corner over there is Justin Finch-Fletchley, future Lord and banker. And that modest gentleman in the hat is Harry Potter.

- Harry Potter?! - exclaimed Weasley in amazement.

Ron glanced furtively at Harry, but immediately turned his gaze back to the window, pretending not to be interested. He wanted to ask the famous hero of the wizarding world a lot of questions.

- Ron," Richard said, "don't tell me you're a Harry fan too.

Hermione blushed embarrassedly and stared at the tabletop as if she saw something interesting there.

- No, I'm not..." Ron stretched out. - I've just heard a lot about him from my parents. Oh, I'm sorry," he turned to Harry. - Mum would have scolded me for being uncivilised. Harry, Justin, Hermione, nice to meet you.

As soon as Ron sat down next to Richard, two identical heads with red hair and rumpy faces appeared in the doorway. They looked to be about thirteen years old. They were dressed in handmade or rather magical costumes.

- Ron, there you are! - said the one on the right. - Hello, boys. I'm Fred, and this is George.

- I see you're settling in nicely, Ron," said George. - We've put your things in your compartment. If you need anything, look for us in the third carriage.

- Gentlemen," Richard rose from the sofa, "we are not introduced, but we know each other. Richard Grosvenor. This is Harry, Justin and Hermione. And you are the George and Fred Weasley? That's exactly how your honourable mother described you.

- Oh, Fred, really?! - George stretched out happily. - Do you see the same person I do?

- Yes, George. It is the lordly Earl Richard Grosvenor himself! - said Fred, giving Richard a low, jocular bow. - Pleased to meet you, Your Ladyship.

- It is an honour to be at the same school as the Lord," said George in the same joking tone. - Father mentions you all the time, and sets you as an example to us.

Ritchie recognised the twins' nature at once: jokers and jesters. There is such a type of people - not to eat bread, let only to joke and laugh. So he switched to a jovial tone:

- So you also want to build a transgalactic spaceship and conquer the galaxy?- Oh, Fred..." George said excitedly. - Look at the scale of it! We really should learn from this great man.

- Guys, if you need anything, come back," said Fred. - A friend of ours is bringing a tarantula for you to see.

Ron grimaced and shrugged.

- Thank you, but not today, gentlemen," Richard said for everyone. - Have a good trip.

As the twins left, Harry Potter spoke up:

- 'Richie, I wonder how you manage to find common ground with strangers so easily?

- Harry," Grosvenor replied, "if you had been coached by harsh tutors and given a belt for misbehaviour, you'd be just as good at it. And, of course, the experience of business negotiations with grown-up people, I won't say sharks of business, doesn't go without consequences.

- No, I can do without a belt," Harry replied ironically.

- Do you play Quidditch? - Ron asked.

- Quidditch? - Harry asked.

- How? You don't know! - Ron wondered.

The train moved off, and Ron got really excited. He seemed to be able to talk about Quidditch indefinitely. At first everyone listened to him with curiosity, then Hermione and Richard lost interest in the wizarding game and both became bored.

Richard out of politeness did not want to interrupt Ron, especially Harry and Justin listened to the red-haired boy with interest. So the Earl of Grosvenor attempted a temporary escape.

- Hermione, would you like to walk round the compound?

- Yes!

Excessively quickly Hermione jumped up from her seat.

- Come on, Richie," she said in a deliberately calm tone. - I'm interested in seeing the magic steam train.

- Don't be bored, boys, we'll be back soon," Richard said as he left the compartment.

He heard some mumbles in reply.

As the boy and girl entered the other carriage, Hermione said:

- 'I don't understand what boys find in this Quidditch stuff?

- Boys love games, especially spectacular ones. I think a game where several wizards are flying at breakneck speeds on sticks and at the same time they're trying to be shot down is legalised suicide. Anyway, Ron's point of view has validity too.

- I'm going to agree with you," Hermione said with an important look. - Ritchie, what faculty would you like to go to?

- Any faculty has its good points," Richard replied, as usual, streamlined. - 'I'm impressed with Puffendui, but the others are good too.

- I want to go to Gryffindor, that's where Dumbledore went.

- Dumbledore, huh? I was told by his examiner that the current Headmaster was great at charms when he was young.

Richie and Hermione barely missed a trio of boys their age. Two of them were stout, and the third was a trim blond with the same hair as Richard and a similarly coloured suit.

Richie and the blond man froze and gave each other appraising glances. The blond man's eyes squinted and he stretched out mannerly:

- Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. This is Crabbe," he pointed to a burly boy with a short and powerful neck, "and Goyle," he pointed to a more rounded mate.

Richie raised his right eyebrow, assessed the goodness of Malfoy's suit, nodded with his chin, and said in a dry, proud tone:

- Count Richard Grosvenor. Pleased to meet you, Mr Malfoy, gentlemen. Would you like to hear an anecdote?

- I'd love one," Draco said through his nose.

- A ship went down. Two gentlemen swam out to a deserted island. They weren't rescued until a year later. The rescuer asked one gentleman the name of the other. He replied that he didn't know, because there was no one to introduce them to each other.

Malfoy's lips curled into a snake-like smile.

- Grosvenor? - He stretched out. - I think I've heard that surname.

- I've heard of the Malfoys too," Richard replied politely. - Have a good day, Mr Malfoy.

- You too," Draco said in a mannerly manner.

The boys continued their journey to the end of the train, while Richard and Hermione continued to the beginning of the train.