"Yes?" Padma looked at Richard curiously. "And how?"
During the school year, representatives from the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Education visit the home of a first-year wizard living among ordinary people. They place a tracking charm on the student's residence, which detects the use of magic by a wand and transmits a message to the artifact. So, let's say there's only one young wizard living in a small town-the charm will be placed on the entire village. If there are many wizards in the town, then the charm will be placed on the house and a small surrounding area. In my case, the charm should be placed on the entire estate, unless the wizards are killed by the guards, which is possible.
"Kill?!" Ernie MacMillan, walking beside Justin, widened his eyes in amazement.
"What did you think, Ernie? This isn't just anyone's estate, it's the Duke's! Our security isn't as good as the Queen's, but after one incident," Richie winced, remembering the "duel" with the lousy swordsman, "and learning about the mages' abilities, Father beefed up security. Video cameras, motion sensors, thermal imaging, Squib augmentation, to prevent potential wizard-terrorists from fooling the guards."
Justin whistled and said in surprise:
- Wow! Richie, I didn't notice you had such security.
"Right, because good security should remain unnoticed," Richie replied. "Professor McGonagall didn't notice anyone except the guards at the gate either, even though she was being held at gunpoint by a professional hidden in an alcove during her visit."
"Richie, do you have secret passages at home?" Justin continued, amazed.
"Jas, our estate was built two hundred years ago. The first Duke of Westminster was very protective of his own security. True, back then, crossbowmen were stationed in hidden alcoves, and now guards are armed with pistols, but essentially nothing has changed. It's the same at receptions with the Queen. You seem to stand there calmly, oblivious, but in reality, just try to do anything to Her Majesty-they'll leave you in a mess."
Patil was interested in witchcraft during the holidays, so she brought up the topic again:
"Richie, you said you can't use a wand for magic. But can you brew potions?"
"Potions are fine," Richard nodded. "You can do magic without a wand, too."
"What if someone else does the magic?" Patil continued her questioning.
"Then you're out of luck," Rich replied. "You'll have to prove you're not a camel, meaning you weren't casting a spell."
"What if I use my wand somewhere no wizard lives, or, conversely, somewhere where wizards live?" Padma asked.
"You can bewitch yourself," Richie replied. "The main thing is not to do it in front of wizards. Tracking charms are useless in wizard-inhabited areas, as they'll react to any wand spell. And you can't cover the entire country with tracking charms, just as you can't station a wizarding policeman on every street corner."
"So," said Justin, "children of pure-blood wizards can do magic during the holidays?"
- They can.
"They can?" Justin asked.
- They can!
"That's not fair!" Justin frowned.
"Jass, my friend," said Richard, "is life really fair? Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others don't know if they'll get a crust of bread for breakfast. Why are you so fixated on this peasant fantasy? Justice... It doesn't exist and never has!"
"Wait!" Macmillan exclaimed, stunned. "Richie, you talk so calmly about protecting the Queen, it's as if you've seen Her Majesty."
"Well, yeah," Richard shrugged. "How am I supposed to talk about it? I see Grandma Lisa maybe ten times a year: at birthday parties, at Christmas dinner, at a charity reception. Although, this year I'll have to miss a lot of events because of school."
"Grandma Lisa?!" Macmillan's voice took on a hysterical tone. "GRANDMA LISA?!"
Richie rolled his eyes dramatically and said,
- Ernie, you and I have been living in the same bedroom for two months now, and you've only just realized that I'm part of the royal family... Weren't you embarrassed that I'm a count at such a young age?
"Merlin!" Macmillan gasped, stunned. "Richie, you know, it's hard to believe... For example, Malfoy is a Lord, but he can't boast of having seen the Queen."
"Ernie, for starters, only Lucius Malfoy is a Lord," Richard explained. "Draco is still a commoner and will remain so until his father dies, when he inherits the title of Baron. And secondly, who would let a terrorist into the Queen's presence? Let Malfoy enjoy his freedom and avoid the royal spotlight."
"Can a Muggle queen really do anything to wizards?" Macmillan asked.