- With what?
- Exposure to a shock dose of radiation.
The girl fidgeted on the seat, almost jumping up and down.
"Oh my God! It looks like... We have to tell the adults about this!" she exclaimed.
- No, Hermione. You shouldn't. I'll be very offended if you tell about it.
"But why?" Hermione's face took on an offended expression. "We can save the Minister!"
- Hermione, tell me, are you loyal to the Queen and Great Britain?
"Yes, but..." the hurt look on Granger's face gave way to bewilderment. "Why are you asking?"
"Because your desire to help the Minister of Magic would be a betrayal of the Queen and the country. Perhaps I should just count out thirty pieces of silver for you right away?!" Richard asked sarcastically. "Or have you decided to betray your homeland out of the kindness of your heart?"
"I... N-no..." Hermione was at a loss. She looked at Richard with a lost and bewildered expression. "I don't want to betray the country... I would never do that. How could you even think that?"
"Huh?!" Richard chuckled ironically. "Then tell me, who in our country has access to radioactive substances?"
"Well..." Granger began thoughtfully winding her long hair around the index finger of her right hand. "Nuclear physicists and others..."
"Or Her Majesty's Secret Service. Or Fudge, for some unknown reason, was trying to infiltrate a facility where such substances are handled, which is even worse," Richard hinted. "Which in turn means Minister Fudge was somehow threatening the country or the Queen. Do you understand? And you want to save a scumbag who turned against his country simply because he's a wizard and considers himself above mere humans."
- My God!
A flash of insight crossed Hermione's face. She realized that things weren't as simple as they seemed at first glance.
"Richie, I won't tell anyone!" she said sincerely.
"I hope you're not stupid. Just try to think before you act, Hermione. And decide what you want to do with your life. The wizarding world, filled with racism against ordinary people and the wizards who come from that world, a world with low salaries and no career prospects. Or you'll choose the world of ordinary people, where you can get a school education, graduate from Oxford or an equally prestigious institution, and then, with the help of a friend who'll be sitting in the House of Lords, you'll have a great career in government and a very decent salary. Think very carefully, Hermione; you have until the end of your studies at Hogwarts."
Hermione Granger had never been so lost in thought. Richard's words forced her to seriously consider her future. Until then, she'd viewed the wizarding world as a fairy tale, but gradually those rose-colored glasses began to crack. It all started with a troll in the ladies' room. Or maybe not. It all started with tea with the Queen. Now that really was like a fairy tale. Finding herself at either the Queen's reception or Hogwarts seemed both impossible and magical.
Richie didn't interrupt the girl's thoughts. He continued reading the newspaper. On the second-to-last page was a short article.
The Wizengamot has delivered its verdict in the case of Mr. Dylan McDougal and Mr. Caleb Saunder. As a reminder to our readers, these two wizards worked at Rich Workshops. They were caught stealing from their employer. The court sentenced Mr. McDougal to six months in Azkaban and Mr. Saunder to a year.
Richard's mood meter skyrocketed. It's hard to describe the feeling of someone whose revenge has been successful and whose head is no longer haunted by the vengeful mage in power. Happiness? Hardly. Delight? Probably yes. Satisfaction? Definitely. It's a whole cocktail of emotions. You seem to rejoice at someone else's misfortune, but you also understand that justice has been served, and the person who once did wrong has been held accountable for their actions.
As the train approached the final station, Hermione emerged from her thoughts.
"Richie," she said, "are you really going to help me with my government career?"
- Yes.
"But why?" Hermione's voice was filled with confusion.
- Why not?
Richard shrugged, but noticed the girl was watching him closely, expecting a more detailed answer. So he explained:
"Hermione, every politician needs a team. People they can trust with their back and their wallet. People who won't betray them and will stand by them in any situation, whether they're right or wrong. A team, Hermione! When a politician grows, they pull their team along with them. And just as an official can be confident in their people, so they can be confident in their backs. Confident that they won't be abandoned to their fate, but will be pulled along. But for this to happen, everyone must work with full dedication: both the leader and the subordinates!"
"So, if I understand correctly," Hermione began, "as the heir apparent, you will have a seat in the House of Lords?"
"Yes, Hermione. And this position also offers a path to a high government position, all the way up to Minister. Plus, don't forget that I have a very respectable business. Even now, my personal fortune, excluding my father's, makes me a multimillionaire. And in the future, I'll be handling billions. And we need our people everywhere. Stay close to me; I don't ask for much, only loyalty. And I'll give you a lot for that. Do you want to become an assistant minister or the Headmaster of an international corporation? Hermione, it's all in your hands. This is the pinnacle, not languishing in a wizarding reserve."
The Hogwarts Express, as usual, arrived at Hogsmeade Station late in the evening. All the children, returning from their holidays, traveled to the castle on self-propelled carriages. Dinner began immediately after arrival, so the children gathered at their respective house tables.
Richard noticed out of the corner of his eye that Dumbledore was looking at him with intense disapproval, a certain unkindness, a narrowing of the eyes. The way people usually look at a poisonous and dangerous animal, wondering whether to kill it or leave it alone to avoid poisoning themselves.
All good humor left young Rich. He realized that Dumbledore knew who was the reason the three wizards got what they deserved.
The next day, classes started somewhat unexpectedly, as always happens after the holidays.
During dinner, when Richard had finished eating, Harry Potter approached him from the Gryffindor table.
- Hey, Richie. Do you have a minute?
- Good afternoon, Harry. Of course, I have some free time for a friend.