The video cameras weren't equipped with microphones, so Richard wasn't worried about anyone overhearing the conversation. Of course, there was a small chance someone could lip-read. If it was Scott, no big deal. But if it was Steve, well, that was a big deal. Still, personal safety was more important than keeping the secret of magic.
"John, please don't embarrass me! Try to avoid familiarity today. No need for your 'Mr. Richie.' Address me properly: 'Lord Rich.' I need to demonstrate my status to my guest. You understand, it's difficult for a young man my age to conduct business because adults don't take children seriously."
"Of course, Lord," John bowed respectfully. "I understand, it's just like at business meetings in the summer."
"That's great. John, you meet the guest, escort him to the dining room, and then go up to the second floor. Is everything clear to everyone, gentlemen?"
"Yes, Lord," John answered for everyone.
The detective and the driver merely nodded to indicate that everything was clear to them.
"Then everyone get into place," Richard commanded. "We only have twenty minutes left."
The bodyguard and detective went up to the second floor. With a wave of Jane's hand, the men were provided with a tray of tea and a variety of snacks, so they wouldn't be bored.
Richard headed to the nearest mirror and checked his appearance. Taking out a comb, the boy combed his hair. Then he adjusted the sleeves of his snow-white shirt and gently twirled the platinum cufflinks with enormous rubies, then straightened his tie. Straightening the jacket tails of his brand-new, bespoke suit, Richard confirmed that he looked perfect and very expensive. The ruby tie clip and cufflinks alone cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. A three-piece suit made of the finest fabric cost another couple of thousand.
Just when Richard was sure his appearance was perfect, there was a knock at the door. And this despite the fact that there was a bell.
The boy immediately realized it was a wizard. As far as he could tell, wizards don't use electricity, which explains many of their habits, one of which is that wizards usually knock on the door instead of ringing the doorbell.
John went to open the door, and Richard stood near the dining table, which was laden with various dishes.
An unfamiliar male voice came from the hall:
- Hm... I'm going to the Lord.
"Greetings, sir," John replied stiffly. "Let me take your cloak... Follow me, please."
In person, Arthur Weasley was a tall, thin man with a receding hairline, red hair, and blue eyes. He was dressed rather shabbily: a worn gray wool suit and a washed-out white shirt with a black check pattern. He looked good-natured and slightly surprised, but only until John said:
- Lord Richard Rich, Mr. Arthur Weasley is here to see you.
"Mr. Weasley," Richard inclined his chin slightly. "I am pleased to welcome you. Make yourself at home. Please, have a seat."
Mr. Weasley looked thunderstruck. He stared at Richard in amazement, unable to believe that this was the same Lord from whom he'd received the letter. Yet the boy's words were so powerful, commanding, and confident in what he said and how he said it, that his legs carried him to the indicated chair.
Turning around, Arthur saw no servant, as if he had vanished like a house elf. Mr. Weasley even briefly considered this a new breed of house elf, but quickly dismissed the thought.
"Mr. Weasley, don't let my age fool you. I've been in business for a long time, so I know perfectly well how adults react to who they have to work with. Believe me, this isn't a game. This is serious business."
"Huh?" Weasley shook his head in confusion. "Sorry."
Richard took a seat opposite his guest and set an example by helping himself to some salad and a steak.
"Jane's steak was a success today. Don't miss the chance to try it, otherwise the marbled beef will be wasted."
Mr. Weasley felt uneasy. He saw that the boy was dressed expensively, making him feel self-conscious about his old, shabby suit. Overcoming his shyness, he put a steak on his plate and tasted a piece of meat.
"Oh, Merlin!" he exclaimed. "How delicious! Is this really beef? I've heard that only Dromarog can produce such tender meat, but the price is exorbitant."
"No, sir, it's definitely not dromarog. Marbled beef is prepared in a special way. First, it all begins with selecting special breeds of cows whose meat is not very fatty. Then they are fattened on select feed and kept sedentary. Once they grow up, the bulls are suspended in the air in soundproof stalls so they move as little as possible and their meat is extremely tender. When standing or hanging, the muscles are under tension, and the fat layers are distributed evenly throughout the meat. This is how this wonderful meat is created.
"How awful!" Mr. Weasley's eyes widened, continuing to devour his steak with relish. "The things Muggles come up with!"
- Human imagination is multifaceted and ineradicable... The weather is wonderful today.
- Yeah... Uh, Lord, excuse me, may I ask why you invited me?
Richard kept his cool and, despite Mr. Weasley's desire to get down to business, he was in no hurry to spill all the information.
"Madame Marchbanks mentioned that you enjoy enchanting ordinary people's devices. A worthy hobby for a wizard."
Mr. Weasley straightened up. This was the first time he'd heard praise for his hobby. Wizards usually looked down on such things.
"Yes," he said proudly. "I actually enjoy experimenting with charms on Muggle devices."
- I even heard rumors that you managed to create a flying car.
"Oh, yes! My pride," the wizard resumed his usual demeanor, which relaxed him a little. "I've enchanted the Muggle car. It can fly and become invisible. I also cast an Undetectable Extention Charm on the interior. My whole family can fit in the Ford Fog Light."
"Amazing!" Richard exclaimed, without a hint of pretense. "You have quite a family, Mr. Weasley. A wife and seven children. That's quite remarkable. It's rare to find such a family these days."
Mr. Weasley's lips involuntarily spread into a smile.
"Oh, yes! My youngest daughter, Ginny, will be nine this year, and Ron will be going to Hogwarts next year. My eldest, Bill, works at Gringotts as a curse breaker. Charlie graduates from high school this year and plans to become a dragonologist."
"What a coincidence! I'll be going to Hogwarts next year too. You have very capable children, Mr. Weasley. But it must be difficult to provide for such a large family."
"We're not complaining," Arthur frowned slightly. "But we're a close-knit family."
"I'm not judging anyone in any way. But you want the best for your children, right?"
"Of course," Arthur agreed.
- Being a good father, you would surely want to provide your children with their own home and give them the best of everything?
- If only I could... But I'm sure they'll achieve everything themselves.
"There's no doubt your children are a worthy example, and they will certainly achieve great things, but... Mr. Weasley, if you had the chance to give each of your children a plot of land and build them houses, would you do it?"
"Without a doubt," Arthur nodded.