"Of course, Miss Chester," Richard gave the girl an encouraging smile. "I prefer business attire. By the way, don't you think this cute horse is a little extravagant?"
Richard's gaze shifted to the front of the carriage. A monstrous-looking horse was harnessed there. Its anthracite-black skin stretched tightly over its skeleton, its ribs jutted out, its back adorned with enormous leathery wings, and its muzzle was filled with sharp teeth, like a predator's. Its jaws weren't those of a normal horse, but those of a crocodile.
"Oh," Chelsea sighed sadly. "My lord, you see a thestral..."
"If that's the name of this cutie," Richard's voice was filled with irony, "then yes, I see her just as well as you, Miss Chester."
"Um..." Chelsea's gaze slid in front of the carriage, as if over empty space. "I don't see anything there. And many people don't. The thing is, only someone who has witnessed a person's death can see Thestrals."
"Hmm," Richard said calmly. "It does happen... By the way, Miss Chester, you're an excellent student. Perhaps you know what kind of magical creatures are wrackspurts?"
"Wrackspurts?!" Chelsea's face expressed confusion. "Never heard of them. But I can find out about them."
- That would be wonderful. How was your summer, Miss Chester?
"My Lord..." The girl's gaze, directed at Richard, was full of gratitude. "Thank you! It was the best summer of my life. I lived in a luxurious room and earned a huge amount of money. And the work... It's incredible! I never thought I'd be doing something so large-scale and interesting. Our group developed graphene-based composites for mech armor, spacesuits, flyers, and spaceships. My Lord," Chelsea's gaze was hopeful, "if possible, I would like to continue working in your workshop after Hogwarts..."
"Miss Chester, I was actually hoping that you would become my personal assistant, but if you are truly interested in scientific and magical research, then that can be arranged."
Chelsea beamed with happiness like a little sun. She said with delight and adoration:
"Thank you! Thank you so much! My lord, I'm actually more interested in scientific and magical research... I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations."
- What are you saying, Miss Chester?
Richie swung open the carriage door, holding it with the hand holding his cane and gesturing with the palm of his other hand. Chelsea smiled timidly and climbed in. Richie sat down across from her and continued:
"We're all human and have our own aspirations and passions. If you prefer magical engineering, so be it. When a person is in the right place, they'll bring more benefit to society than if they're forced to work."
As soon as Chelsea and Richard climbed into the carriage, the vehicle set off towards Hogwarts. Chester was silent for a moment, but then, unable to bear it, she asked:
- My lord, um... Perhaps you need help with another project?
"Your zeal is commendable, Miss Chester," Richard said, his gaze full of approval. "There are enough projects for everyone. I have one difficult task, and I don't know if you'll take it on..."
"I'll try!" Chelsea leaned forward happily and fixed her gaze, full of joy, on her benefactor.
"Then listen. We have the initial data: the Protean Charm-one; a small number of wizards-two; the need to create a stable link between various Muggle devices, numbering over a hundred billion-three. We need to come up with a way that would allow a small number of wizards to create a huge number of quantum transmitters."
Chester was dumbfounded by the task at hand. For a moment, fear and panic appeared on her face. She considered the task incredibly difficult, even impossible. But by the end of the carriage ride, Chelsea steeled herself and resolved to do everything in her power and succeed, no matter what. This was her chance for a better life.
In the Great Hall, many burning candles flew over the long laid tables, causing the golden dishes and goblets to sparkle and shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow.
Chelsea immediately headed to the Ravenclaw table. Richard joined the Hufflepuffs. He was immediately bombarded with Justin Finch-Fletchley's question:
- Richie, where have you been? We thought you were lost.
"It's all right, Justin," Rich replied. "I don't like fuss." So I calmly waited until everyone had left, then made my way to the castle in a nearly empty carriage.
Through the multitude of pointed hats, Richard saw the frightened first-years being led into the hall one by one. Colin Creevey's head whipped around. For a moment, his gaze settled on Richard, and a joyful smile appeared on the boy's face.
Professor McGonagall, like last year, placed the Sorting Hat on a stool. This ancient AI no longer evoked the same excitement in Richie, as his workshop now contained more advanced and effective AIs.
Professor McGonagall unrolled the scroll:
- Dawson, Jack.
As soon as the hat touched the plump brunette's head, she immediately exclaimed:
- Hufflepuff!
A storm of applause erupted from the Badgers' table.
The Old Hat continued to sort students into houses.
While the sorting was underway, Richie noticed Headmaster Dumbledore, who was watching the sorting intently from his seat at the staff banquet table. His white beard was silvered, and the lenses of his half-moon glasses glittered in the flickering flames of hundreds of candles.
A few seats away from the headmaster sat a handsome young man with light golden hair, bright blue eyes, and a snow-white smile. Unlike the other teachers, he was dressed in a very stylish blue suit made of expensive fabric, over which he wore an aquamarine robe. Richard glanced at the textbooks only once during the train ride, but he easily recognized the man as Gilderoy Lockhart, the author of eight books included in the required reading for this year's course. Recognizing Lockhart wasn't difficult-each of his books was adorned with a portrait of the author, complete with a wide, toothy smile.