"Colin, I have a favor to ask of you," Richie began. Catching Creevy's attentive gaze, he continued, "I kindly ask you not to take pictures of me like the paparazzi. If you do decide to take a picture of me, please let me know in advance. We'll choose a neutral background and clothing. As you understand, I'm a public figure. We can't allow my photos to leak to anyone who shouldn't."
"Okay!" Colin nodded a couple of times. "Of course, Richie! Thank you! What department are you in?"
Richie draped his robe over his shoulders and pointed to the badger patch on his shoulder.
All four boys' gazes were glued to the patch. Colin ran his eyes over the crest and read the inscription aloud:
- Hufflepuff...
"Gentlemen," Richard said, flashing them all a charming smile, "I must go and meet the other students. We will certainly see each other again at Hogwarts. Have a safe journey. Here, help yourself..."
Richard had the perfect tactic for meeting kids. To be remembered as a good and generous guy, simply treat your new acquaintances to treats. While he was handing out sweets to the boys, a red-haired woman peeked out from the next compartment. It was Ginny Weasley. She'd heard Richard's name and couldn't contain her curiosity.
Richie felt eyes on him. He looked up and saw Ginny. Weasley's cheeks flushed.
"Oh, it's really Richie," she squeaked in amazement.
"Oh, Ginny, hi!" Richard replied cheerfully. "Bye, guys."
Rich waved to the boys one last time and went into the next compartment to see Ginny. Another girl was sitting there-a charming blonde with slightly bulging eyes that gave her a surprised look. Unlike Ginny, who was dressed in an expensive scarlet velvet dress, the blonde was wearing a jumpsuit made from multicolored patches. She was eyeing Richard with great curiosity.
"Good afternoon, lady," Richard bowed politely.
"Richie," Ginny said, overcoming her shyness, "this is my friend Luna Lovegood."
"The same Lovegood who lives next door to you?" Rich asked.
"Yes," Weasley nodded.
Luna was smiling at something. She looked intently at Richie and said in a distant voice:
- I know you! You catch wrackspurts and send them off for experiments...
Richie didn't understand anything, but tried to keep a straight face.
"Miss Lovegood," he said, "I don't know what kind of wrackspurts you're talking about. It could very well be. Unfortunately, I don't have time to delve into all the research."
"There are a lot of Wrackspurts around you," Lovegood said in a serious tone, still looking at Richard. "You attract them like a magnet attracts iron."
- It's possible...
Richard forced a polite smile onto his face, making a mental note to find out what kind of monsters these were and how to defend against them. After all, magic can do anything! Who knows what kind of obscure creatures wizards have bred.
"Oh, Richie," Ginny said loudly, "don't listen to Luna! She often talks nonsense."
Richard decided not to linger. He handed the girls some candy and said:
"Ginny, that's a lovely dress. Miss Lovegood, that's a lovely patchwork jumpsuit. Ladies, please help yourself to some chocolate. Excuse me, walking around the train is so tiring. Have a nice trip, and I must return to my compartment. If you get bored, I'll be waiting for you in the first compartment of the second carriage."
The journey to Hogwarts flew by. The children hurried to leave the carriage as if something depended on it. Richard defied the herd instinct and was one of the last to leave.
It was dark outside. The station was lit by enchanted lamps that had originally been gas. Students hurried to the carriages. First-years gathered around the loud-mouthed Hagrid.
Rich took his time. He watched the first-years. They looked nervous and stunned. Soon Hagrid led the newcomers away, and the platform was almost empty. Only one carriage remained.
Richie glanced around and spotted a lone seventh-year girl slowly trudging toward the remaining carriage. The boy hurried over as well, arriving at the carriage's side at the same time as the girl.
- Good evening, Miss Chester.
Chelsea flinched; she hadn't noticed Richard until the very end, so his address came as a surprise to the girl.
"My lord!" she said with relief. "How glad I am to see you!"
"Wonderful weather, Miss Chester," Richie responded with a polite bow. "That suit looks great on you."
Chelsea looked down sheepishly and adjusted her glasses. She adjusted the hem of the gray jacket from the formal pantsuit over which she wore a robe.
"Do you really like it?" She looked up at Richie, her gaze pleading for his approval.