"That's not science fiction. No, Hermione, it's entirely possible to achieve within the next twenty years. But not with technology, but by combining technology and magic. Hermione, you can keep a secret, right?"
- Yes.
"Then I'll tell you a secret. With your help, I want to build an entire fleet of transgalactic spaceships and send expeditions to explore the galaxy. Already, using the spells that power the Hogwarts Express, we're developing a powerful reactor with infinite, free energy and a perpetual motion machine to propel the ship through space. All that remains is to find the methodology for creating the Sorting Hat, so that we can use it to create an artificial intelligence to control the starship. Thus, little by little, inventing one thing after another based on things familiar to wizards, we can get closer to our goal-space travel over incredible distances."
Rich Jr.'s rousing speech struck a fertile chord. Hermione was fascinated by the idea of space travel. The prospects were breathtaking. Magic was cool, but the little Muggle-born witch had indeed noticed that wizards treated it as something mundane. And Richie had just opened his eyes to the possibility of magic being used more globally. Hermione envisioned a gigantic starship, traveling several light years in an instant.
"I'll help you, Richie!" Hermione promised firmly. "I definitely will!"
"Then here you go," Richard handed the girl the tape recorder. "You know how to use this. To contact me, press one."
- A megaphone? For me?! But there aren't many of them.
"You're my friend and comrade, Hermione," Richard gave the girl a warm smile, igniting a sensual flame in her heart. "That way we can stay in touch. Call me if you learn anything new, want to meet me, or if anything happens."
- Thanks! Oh, Richie, we have to go to class.
- Yes, it's time. Have a nice day, Hermione. Happy birthday again. I wish you all the best.
Beaming with happiness like a little sun, Hermione almost skipped off to class, wrapping up the package with the gift back on the way.
Richard hurried to the Transfiguration classroom. Walking alone through the corridors of the ancient castle, he didn't even bother to hide his happy smile.
"I think I've got the fish," he thought. "A spy suit (the Weasleys make them for the secret services) would be perfect for such an inquisitive girl. I can only guess how long she'll be able to resist breaking into the library's Restricted Section. I hope Hermione immediately discovers the brochure I slipped into the package describing the duplication spell. A ninja invisibility suit and such charms in Granger's hands... Mmm... I'm sure I'll have the recipe for the Sorting Hat in my pocket by the end of the year. According to the information in Hermione's personal file from the school psychologist, she's a smart, inquisitive, and stubborn adventurer who, given a task, will overcome all obstacles and achieve her goal, no matter what. A very useful person."
Before entering the Transfiguration classroom, Richard glanced at the platinum Philippe Patek chronometer on his left wrist and noted that there were a few minutes left before the lesson began.
Entering the classroom, he caught the teacher's stern gaze.
- Good morning, Professor McGonagall. You look wonderful.
"Go ahead, Mr. Rich," the professor said sternly. "The lesson is about to begin."
"Hello to everyone I haven't seen. Padma," Richard nodded amiably as he passed the first row of Ravenclaw students, "that's a wonderful pearl necklace. It really brings out your beauty."
Walking past the second row of desks, where Justin sat on the left and the raven boys on the right, Richard shook hands with all three boys, stopped near the third row and began to bow politely to the right.
- Miss Turpin, glad to see you. You have a charming smile.
The girl, who had been silent and a little gloomy until then, blushed with embarrassment and smiled involuntarily.
- Miss Brocklehurst, this is a lovely lipstick that really brings out the contour of your lovely lips.
Brocklehurst, unused to compliments, stiffened and stared at Richard like a hunted doe looking into the eyes of a predator.
"T-t-thank you," she managed to stammer out slightly. "R-Richie, you can call me by my name."
- Okay, Mandy. I'll take that into consideration.
"And me!" Turpin blurted out, blushing.
"Certainly, Lisa," Rich replied.
Richard knew that if he didn't compliment his Hufflepuff classmates, the girls would be offended, so he turned to them and repeated the bows.
- Hannah, your hair is wonderful. The braids really highlight your beauty. Susan, you look charming as always.
"U-um!" came a loud cough.
Richard turned around to find McGonagall's stern gaze displeased.
"Mr. Rich, if you're done seducing the girls, can we get to class yet?!" the professor asked forcefully.
"I don't dare delay the lesson, Professor McGonagall," Richard replied politely, taking his place next to Justin.
"In that case, Mr. Rich, demonstrate for us the transformation of a match into a needle," McGonagall said dryly. "Here's a match for you."
The object that was voiced was placed on the table.
Richard waved his wand and muttered the Transfiguration incantation. The piece of wood almost immediately transformed into silvery steel, sharpening and acquiring an eye.
"Not bad," the professor commented, looming over Rich. "One point to Hufflepuff. Tell me, Mr. Rich, have you been practicing?"