- Where?!
- Did I guess right?
- Yes, damn it! But, Richie, how did you know?
"This sorceress came to see us before you. Imagine, Jas, it's my birthday, you, the Queen, and a bunch of princes are about to arrive, and she says to me: 'Boy, you're a wizard. Come with me to Diagon Alley to buy some junk! HA!'"
"What about you?" Justin continued to stare at Richard in amazement.
- They sent her to hell, naturally, in a civilized manner, as befits.
"Richie, did you give up on studying at magic school?!" Justin asked in a loud whisper, with a mixture of disbelief and admiration.
"No, of course not. Jas, neither aristocrats nor peasants would refuse such a thing. Wizards can be very persuasive, and possessing superpowers is very profitable. Anyway, congratulations, friend, we'll be attending Hogwarts together."
- So you're not surprised that I'm a wizard?!
"Surprised?! Ha-ha! Justin, I'm so shocked I can't even put it into words! But after being spanked several times for my lack of self-control, I've reconsidered my views on expressing my emotions. I'm holding back with all my might from yelling something like, 'And you, Brutus?'"
"Wait, so you're a wizard too!" Justin's eyes lit up with delight. "And we're going to the same school together... Oh my God! This is incredible! Richie, this is... This is..."
"Not bad at all, huh, Justin?" Richard smiled slyly at his friend. "I didn't realize until recently that you had superpowers too. Jas, you're a natural-born spy!"
- Not bad? Not bad?! Richie, this is simply impossible, damn it! Today I learned about magic for the first time, about being a mage, about a school of magic, about the existence of a whole world of people with superpowers...
"Hmm..." Richard rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's a good idea! I'll have to tell my father that your father knows about wizards. It'll make their communication easier. Shared secrets bring people closer."
"Oh, that's what you're talking about," Justin drawled. "I guess I really should tell Dad about this... Richie, aren't you worried? It's unclear where we'll go, what we'll study..."
"Don't worry, friend. You're not alone. By the way, our mutual friend, Harry Potter, is also a wizard. He told me over the phone about his invitation to Hogwarts a week ago."
- Harry? Come on! You're serious?
- Jas, I'm completely serious. Can you imagine what a coincidence?
- Richard, maybe all children in the world are wizards?
"Ha! No, no, no! Definitely not! Justin, think about it, if that were the case, who would go to regular schools? It's just that the universe is small and often throws up pianos in the bushes," Richard thought silently, "Transmigrators... Otherwise, it's impossible to explain how so many magicians have gathered around me."
"I was so surprised to learn I was a wizard," Justin said. "At first, my father and I didn't believe it, but Madam McGonagall turned the statue on the threshold into a pig, and then she herself turned into a cat and back into a human. It was incredible! But you should have seen her face when Father announced we were in a hurry and had to get to the Richs' reception... God, I thought Madam McGonagall was going to have a stroke. She went so pale and pressed her lips together..."
"What a sensitive lady," Richard remarked ironically. "The rules of etiquette weren't invented for nothing. What kind of tradition is this-showing up at someone's house uninvited? Didn't it occur to this lady to ask: what if you have important business?! Jas, so how did it all end?"
- Father has arranged to meet Madam McGonagall at ten o'clock tomorrow morning at Charing Cross Road.
"I was planning on visiting Diagon Alley too, but not so soon. I need to buy some odds and ends. Take my advice."
"Yes, yes," Justin prepared to listen.
"Wizards have their own currency. To make purchases in their shops, you have to exchange pounds for galleons. But you can't exchange more than a thousand pounds. Take the gold with you, go to Gringotts Bank and ask a goblin named Rickbeth, tell him you're from me. For one percent of the value of the metal, he'll exchange it for galleons."
- I'll tell my father. Thanks for the advice, Richie.
"Wait, that's not all. I haven't told you yet where you can buy all sorts of useful things..."
Richard put his arm around Justin and slowly led him towards the dining room, whispering to him about the intricacies of the magical world.
***
Richie went to Diagon Alley on Friday, August 2nd. Although the boy no longer had to follow the school curriculum, he still had fencing training and a charms tutor. So Friday was still the only day off.
Harry and Scott Potter were already waiting in front of the Leaky Cauldron pub, located between a bookstore and a record store. Harry wore a cap to cover his scar.
"Good morning," Richard greeted the Potters.
"Hi, Richie," Harry replied cheerfully.
"Hey, man," Scott replied, frowning.
"Sir, are you alright?" Richard asked, noticing Scott's slight pallor.
- I would say yes, if not for the cruel reality.
- Harry?
Richard raised his eyebrows questioningly and turned his gaze to his friend.
- Uncle Scott is worried about Hagrid.
- Hagrid?
- A giant in a moleskin coat, smelling of cheap whiskey from a mile away, a beard like a shovel, a creepy forester from Hogwarts - Hagrid!