And so, exam time arrived. First-year students' exams started earlier than the rest of the class, and consequently, they ended sooner.
Richard passed all his exams, except Potions, with ease. As expected, he didn't get a top grade in Potions, but an "above expectations" grade. But that's not bad, considering only Hannah and Susan were on his level in his house. The rest of his Hufflepuff classmates should have gotten a grade lower-a "satisfactory." It's unlikely Snape would give him a failing grade-he's not as cruel as he pretends. He's a bitter, sarcastic, picky misanthrope, ready to hand out punishments for any infraction. But he usually doesn't set out to fail anyone. Although Harry Potter said the Potions professor behaved differently with him, as if he hated him from the first lesson.
It was terribly hot outside. Harry Potter once complained to Richard about the pain in his scar, to which Rich advised his friend to visit the school healer. A visit to Madam Pomfrey didn't help Harry much, which alarmed Richard. The transmigrator suspected a terrible illness, a scourge of the past that had become his present: cancer. Therefore, Richie worried about Harry, to whom he had grown attached and for whom he felt responsible.
The final exam for all four first-year students was History of Magic. Surprisingly, the exam was administered not by a ghost, but by an elderly wizard from the ministry commission-Professor Richard Wiene.
After the exam, Richard, Harry and Ron separated from their fellow House members, went outside and strolled leisurely along the shore of the lake, away from prying ears.
"That's it, no more lessons!" Ron Weasley sighed with relief, an expression of indescribable happiness appearing on his face. "Harry, you could look a little more cheerful. After all, we have a week before the exam results are announced, and we can rest for another week. They say we'll only get a week off in our second year."
Harry rubbed his forehead and winced.
"I'm sick of this pain," he said sharply. "The scar hurts constantly. It used to happen, but rarely. And now it's like it's on fire." And the healer didn't say anything, just spread her hands and gave me a potion that doesn't help.
"Yes, Harry, that's bad," Richard remarked. "I'm afraid it might be a tumor. We'll send you to the Royal Children's Hospital right after school. It seems wizards are completely incompetent in certain illnesses. Although in other cases they can give any doctor a run for their money; for example, they treat common ailments quite well and very quickly."
"Guys," Ron whispered, "I heard Dumbledore left school today."
"Ron, that's as it should be," Richard beamed with satisfaction. "I had to pay a huge amount of money to arrange an unscheduled meeting of the International Confederation of Wizards. The Headmaster won't be back at school until late this evening. And after lunch, your brothers are supposed to incapacitate Snape and Quirrell, so be prepared-we begin the operation an hour after lunch."
"Snape?!" Ronald was horrified. "Oh, Merlin! He'll kill them! I've had my share of arguments with Fred and George, but I don't wish that on them."
"It's unlikely Snape will do them any harm," Richard shook his head from side to side. "Besides, Fred and George promised not to get caught. Considering their considerable experience in pranking and the ample time they've been given to prepare, I think they'll succeed."
"Richie, we promised not to tell anyone," Harry looked reproachfully at his friend.
"I didn't tell anyone anything," Richard assured honestly. "I simply gave the twins a task without telling them the exact purpose. They recently assured me everything was ready and we'd have three to five hours. But paranoia dictates that we shouldn't spend more than a couple of hours on the operation."
Harry winced again and rubbed his hand over the scar.
"Richie, you mentioned once that we needed an alibi," he said.
"We'll have it, lads," Rich Jr. replied with a mysterious look.
"Really?" Ron asked, surprised. "But how? We can't be in two places at once, can we? Or..." A look of clarity dawned on his face. "You bribed the witnesses?"
"No, guys," Richard shook his head. "You'll see for yourself soon enough."
Richie glanced at his watch and added:
- It's time. Let's go to the one-eyed witch's corridor.
Ron and Harry were intrigued by Richard's behavior and followed him without hesitation. When he opened the secret passage, the boys watched with secret delight.
"A secret passage!" Ron exclaimed admiringly. "Where does it lead?"
"To the Honeydukes basement," Richie replied. "Hurry inside, the statue will be back in place in a moment."
Richard performed a feat of acrobatics and climbed into the secret passage. Harry quickly followed him through the hole, followed by Ron.
After a while, the boys emerged from the shop's basement into a small alleyway. The door was easily opened with a standard spell, one that Harry Potter mastered perfectly.
"This is Hogsmeade, isn't it?" Ron looked around excitedly. "Cool!"
"Are we waiting for someone?" Harry continued to twist his neck.
"We're waiting," Richard said curtly. "Herring spawn in June..." he said into the distance in a clear voice.
"What?" Ron looked at Richard in bewilderment.
Suddenly, Harry drew his wand and froze, watching in horror as the unremarkable bush straightened up and took on the features of a human. Looking closer, he suddenly realized it was actually a man in a military camouflage uniform, his face painted in spots.
"Birds fly in flocks," the soldier answered.
Harry realized that it was indeed a soldier by the machine gun that was hanging on the man's shoulder.
"But spawning is better," Richard replied.
Ron looked from Richard to the soldier with immense amazement. His eyes widened in astonishment.
"What nonsense are you talking about?!" he exclaimed nervously.
"Quiet, Ron," Richie hissed.
The soldier approached the boys and looked them over with undisguised disapproval.
"Sir," he said to Richie, "the password and response are correct. We are at your disposal, sir."
"I need three people," Richard said to the man in a commanding tone. "Get down to the basement quickly."
The soldier put his right hand behind his back and made some signs with his fingers. A moment later, two more bushes took on the shapes of people and quickly appeared next to the boys.
Harry and Ron watched everything with great interest, mixed with delight.
"Are these Muggles?!" Ron whispered in Richard's ear with immeasurable surprise.
"Forget it, Ron. You didn't see anyone," the young earl replied suggestively.
The soldiers quickly found themselves in the basement of Honeydukes. The boys followed suit, and soon they all found themselves in an underground passage.
Richard began to give orders to the military:
"Gentlemen, you've probably been briefed, but I doubt you believed everything. Just in case, I repeat: you will now undress and take a special drug. For exactly one hour, your appearance will change dramatically. Time it. In exactly fifty-eight minutes, you will need to take a second dose. Same with a third dose, but I hope you won't need it. Your job is to provide us with an alibi. Be visible to the students, but do not interact with them, so no one will suspect a substitution. On signal, or in two hours and forty minutes, meet at the statue of the one-eyed witch."