"Colin, I'd like to ask you a favor," Richie began. When he saw Colin's attentive expression, he continued, "Please don't photograph me like a paparazzo. If you ever want to take my picture, let me know beforehand. We'll choose a neutral background and appropriate clothes. As you understand, I'm a public figure. We can't risk my photographs ending up where they shouldn't."
"All right!" Colin nodded several times. "Of course, Richie! Thank you! What House are you in?"
Richie slipped his robe back over his shoulders and pointed to the badger badge embroidered on it.
All four boys' eyes immediately fixed on the crest. Colin studied it for a moment before reading the inscription aloud.
"Hufflepuff..."
"Gentlemen," Richard said, rewarding them all with a charming smile, "I should be getting acquainted with the other students. We'll certainly see one another again at Hogwarts. Have a pleasant journey. Here, help yourselves..."
Richard had discovered the perfect strategy for making an impression on children. If you wanted to be remembered as a kind and generous fellow, all you had to do was treat your new acquaintances to sweets. As he handed out chocolates to the boys, a head of red hair appeared from the neighboring compartment. It was Ginny Weasley. She had heard Richard's name and had been unable to resist satisfying her curiosity.
Richie felt someone looking at him. He glanced up and saw Ginny. Her cheeks immediately flushed pink.
"Oh! It really is Richie!" she squeaked in astonishment.
"Oh, Ginny, hello!" Richard replied warmly. "See you later, lads."
Giving the boys one last wave, Grosvenor stepped into the neighboring compartment. Another girl was sitting there—a charming blonde with slightly protuberant eyes that gave her a perpetually surprised expression. Unlike Ginny, who was dressed in an expensive crimson velvet dress, the blonde wore a patchwork jumpsuit sewn from brightly colored scraps of fabric. She regarded Richard with immense curiosity.
"Good afternoon, ladies," Richard said, inclining his head in a polite bow.
"Richie," Ginny said, overcoming her shyness, "this is my friend Luna Lovegood."
"The very same Lovegood who lives next door to your family?" Grosvenor asked.
"Yes." Ginny nodded.
Luna smiled to herself about something. Staring intently at Richie, she said in a distant voice,
"I know you. You catch Wrackspurts and send them away for experiments..."
Richie had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, but he managed not to let it show.
"Miss Lovegood," he said, "I'm afraid I don't know what Wrackspurts you're referring to. It's entirely possible. Unfortunately, I don't have time to keep up with every research project."
"You're surrounded by lots of Wrackspurts," Lovegood said seriously, never taking her eyes off Richard. "You attract them like a magnet attracts iron."
"I wouldn't rule it out..."
Richard maintained his polite smile while making a mental note to find out exactly what these creatures were—and how one defended oneself against them. After all, magic was capable of anything! For all he knew, wizards had any number of obscure magical beasts lurking about.
"Oh, Richie!" Ginny interrupted loudly. "Don't listen to Luna! She says silly things all the time."
Richard decided not to linger. Handing each girl some chocolates, he said, "Ginny, that's a lovely dress. Miss Lovegood, your patchwork jumpsuit is delightful. Ladies, please help yourselves to some chocolate. If you'll excuse me, walking the length of the train is rather exhausting. I wish you both a pleasant journey. If you get bored, you'll find me in the first compartment of the second carriage."
***
The journey to Hogwarts passed remarkably quickly. The children hurried to leave the train as though everything depended on being first. Richard had no intention of giving in to the herd instinct and was among the last to step down onto the platform.
It was dark outside. The station was illuminated by enchanted lamps that had originally been gaslights. The students hurried toward the carriages, while the first-years gathered around the booming figure of Hagrid.
Grosvenor was in no hurry. He watched the first-years instead. They looked both excited and overwhelmed. Before long, Hagrid led the newcomers away, and the platform was almost deserted. Only a single carriage remained.
Richie looked around and spotted a lone seventh-year girl making her way slowly toward the last carriage. He headed over as well, reaching it at exactly the same moment she did.
"Good evening, Miss Chester."
Chelsea started violently. She had been so lost in thought that she hadn't noticed Richard until the very last moment, making his greeting a complete surprise.
"My lord!" she exclaimed in relief. "I'm so glad to see you!"
"What splendid weather, Miss Chester." Richie greeted her with a courteous bow. "An excellent suit. It suits you."
Chelsea lowered her eyes shyly and adjusted her glasses. She smoothed the front of her grey tailored suit jacket, over which she wore her Hogwarts robes.
"You really like it?" she asked, looking back up at Richie. There was an unmistakable plea for approval in her eyes.
"Certainly, Miss Chester." Richard rewarded her with an encouraging smile. "I've always been fond of business attire. By the way, don't you find this charming horse rather... extravagant?"
Richard's gaze shifted toward the front of the carriage. Harnessed there was a bizarre-looking horse. Its anthracite-black skin stretched tightly over its skeleton, every rib clearly visible. Great leathery wings rose from its back, while its muzzle was filled with razor-sharp teeth like those of a predator. Its jaws resembled a crocodile's far more than a horse's.
"Oh..." Chelsea sighed sadly. "My lord, you can see the Thestral..."
"If that's what this darling is called," Richard replied, his voice dripping with irony, "then yes. I can see it every bit as clearly as I can see you, Miss Chester."
"Er..." Chelsea's gaze drifted toward the front of the carriage as though there were nothing there at all. "I can't see anything. Most people can't. You see, only those who have witnessed someone's death are able to see Thestrals."
(End of Chapter)
P@treon: /SadRaven
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰