"Patils? What good are a couple of pretty witches?!" Granger asked with bitter irony.
"Twin girls, of course, can be of varying benefit, but if their father is a millionaire who could soon become a billionaire, then such connections are useful for business. In any case, it's too early to think about what's filling your head."
- I don't think about anything like that...
Hermione's cheeks flushed traitorously, giving her away completely.
"Wait!" she decided to change the subject, following the tactic of "the best defense is a good offense." "The Patil sisters-the daughters of a multimillionaire?"
"You didn't know?" Richard asked, surprised. "I knew it the moment I heard their last name."
"So, you're friends with Padma for selfish reasons?" Granger asked. "Me too?"
"Hermione, you have to understand that someone in my circle can't be friends with just anyone. My tutors beat the idea into my head that you shouldn't tarnish your name by associating with marginalized people. At the same time, making useful connections is encouraged. But no one is stopping you from being friends with someone you like, as long as communicating with them won't harm your reputation or honor. So, Justin and Padma are useful connections. People any reasonable person in my circle should be friends with. And you... Hermione, tell me frankly, what useful connections do you have?!"
Hermione pouted resentfully.
"Don't be offended," Richard said in a conciliatory tone. "But really, I'm not friends with you because my parents are dentists. I've got enough brains of my own. So what selfish goals could I possibly have in being friends with you?"
"So you like me?" Granger muttered quietly.
"Of course, Hermione. I like your spontaneity, your drive, and your sharp wit. Let's go to dinner."
- I won't go, everyone will see that I cried.
- Then let's go to the kitchen, only the house elves will see you there.
"House elves?!" Granger's eyes lit up with curiosity.
- I'll tell you about them and show you on the way.
Hermione hesitated and was ready to leave the toilet, but her stubborn nature did not allow her to agree so easily.
The sudden ringing of the magiphone made Hermione jump. Richie pulled a phone, or rather, its magical equivalent, from his robe pocket.
- Hello.
Harry Potter's loud and excited voice came from the speaker, and the noise of a panicked crowd could be heard in the background:
- Richie, get to the dorm immediately. There's a troll in the school! Do you hear that? A troll has snuck into the school!
- Troll?
- Yes, a mountain troll!
- Where did there come from in school?
"I have no idea," Potter replied. "Quirrell said the troll was in the dungeons, and the Headmaster ordered everyone to go to their common rooms."
"Just wonderful," Richard replied with a fair amount of sarcasm. "Harry, thanks for the warning." We ran to the Hufflepuff common room.
Richard, putting the receiver of the recorder in his pocket, met Granger's irritated gaze. Hermione crossed her arms over her chest and said in a voice full of disbelief:
"I don't believe it! What kind of nonsense have you come up with? You couldn't come up with a more stupid way to lure me out of the toilet?"
"Hermione, stop messing around!" Richard replied irritably. "This isn't a prank. Nobody agreed on anything. Judging by the sounds of it, there's genuine panic in the Great Hall. So, get your feet wet and run to the Hufflepuff dorms, because they're closer."