"Hello," he picked up the radiotelephone.
"Kid," Detective Potter's hoarse voice came from the speaker, "be glad, I've found a few 'special' people to be your bodyguards."
Richard didn't immediately understand what was being said. But the emphasis on the word "special" made everything immediately clearer.
"Mr. Potter, have you really found candidates for the role of my bodyguards?!" Richard asked happily.
"Exactly!" the detective answered proudly. "It was difficult, but I keep my word. Will you meet with them?"
"Of course," Richard answered immediately.
"Then you can catch them at the Leaky Cauldron pub this afternoon," the detective said. "Or you can arrange to meet them at a time convenient for you."
Richie looked over his schedule for the day and realized he could put off a few tasks and free up some time at noon.
"Sir, today will suit me perfectly," he replied. "Could you accompany me?"
"Sure, man!" said Scott Potter. "What are you talking about?! It's my job."
"Sir, tell us in a few words what kind of people these are?" Richard asked.
"Young men, recently graduated from a private school you know," the detective tried to keep the magic to a minimum in the phone conversation. "After school, the girl spent a year on a 'special' police SWAT course, and the guy completed the full three-year training, worked for six months as an intern, and the same as a cop. I miraculously managed to recruit this pair. The guy had already seen the downside of being a bobby and personally experienced the paltry salary and zero prospects. Overall, they're decent guys, attracted by the good salary and prospects. If we put them through bodyguard school, they might do some good."
- Sir, thank you. I'll see you at the Leaky Cauldron at noon.
At precisely twelve o'clock, Richard walked into the Leaky Cauldron. Half the tables were occupied. Scott Potter was immediately spotted at a table in the corner of the room on the right. Two young men sat across from the detective.
A blue-eyed brunette, about five feet six inches tall and about eighteen years old, sat on a bench near the aisle. Her hair stuck out in all directions, like a stiff, thin wire. Richard noted her strong build, glanced briefly at her small breasts, and was a little surprised by her clothing. She wore a tight black shirt with numerous steel studs and matching trousers. Her shoes were combat boots with thick, chunky soles-the kind favored by English football hooligans and other street thugs. Her wand hung in a sheath from her belt.
The man looked to be about twenty, maybe a little older. He was of average height, with a stocky, athletic build. His brown eyes studied Richard intently. He was dressed in a classic black suit, inexpensive but well-made, and even wore a dark blue tie over a pressed white shirt. His dark brown hair was cut short, sticking out a mere centimeter.
As soon as Richard approached the table, Detective Potter stood up, and behind him the girl and the guy rose to their feet.
"Allow me to introduce," Scott began, "Earl Richard Rich, your potential employer. Richie, this," he pointed at the girl, "is Miss Nymphadora Tonks."
Richard was surprised to see the girl's hair turn purple. She said in a beautiful voice:
- Sir, nice to meet you. Just call me Tonks.
"Very well, Miss Tonks," Richard nodded affably. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"And this," the detective continued, moving his palm to the guy, "is Mr. Hector Proudfoot."
"Mr. Proudfoot," Richard nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
Hector looked surprised, apparently not expecting his potential employer to be so young. He replied:
- Me too, sir.
Richie sat down at the table next to Mr. Potter. The others, following his example, returned to their seats.
"So, let's start with you, Hector," Rich said, getting straight to the point. "Tell us about yourself."
"What exactly, sir?" Proudfoot asked.
"Origin, political views, attitude towards ordinary people, hobbies," Richard listed.
"Sir, my parents are both wizards," Proudfoot began. "Both half-bloods. We lived in Manchester in an ordinary house among Muggles. I'm well acquainted with the Muggle world. I don't dislike Muggles. I studied at Hogwarts in Gryffindor house. I graduated four years ago with four top N.E.W.T.s. I have no hobbies. I'm not interested in politics."
"Bad habits? Do you drink, smoke, or use drugs?" Richard continued.
"No," Proudfoot shook his head. "I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I have an aversion to drugs."
Richard watched Hector's reaction closely, and so far the boy seemed to be telling the truth. He asked:
- Hector, how do you feel about having to guard such a young man for a long time?
"Fine, sir," Proudfoot shrugged. "If it's true that you'll be paying me five hundred Galleons a month, I couldn't find a better job."
"Five hundred?" Richard raised an eyebrow. "No, my personal bodyguards will receive seven hundred Galleons, but half of their salary will be paid in pounds. You'll have to undergo training at an elite bodyguard school. Does that suit you?"
Hector's face lit up with a happy smile. He nodded a couple of times and replied in a cheerful voice: