10 Chapter 10

After a day of contemplation, Richie got his resolve. He waited for his father to return from Chester and met him at the exit from the hall.

- Good evening, father.

- Hi, Richie. Something happened?

- Dad, we need to talk ... without extra ears.

- If it is necessary, then let's go to my office.

Father and son reached Grosvenor Sr.'s office and settled in the guest chairs opposite each other.

Gerald, noticing his son's excitement, asked with concern:

- Richie, what happened?

- Dad, I have to tell you something ...

- What?!

Richard took a full chest of air, exhaled, and said:

- Dad, I'm a wizard!

Gerald's reaction was not very different from how another adequate adult would react to such a child's statement. He laughed good-naturedly.

Noticing that the child frowned, the father decided to reassure him:

- Son, you are, of course, a good magician, but far from a magician.

- And if I say that I do not know a single trick and all my tricks are performed with the help of superpowers?

"I won't believe it," Gerald said good-naturedly. - Richie, understand, do not confuse reality and fiction. Hmm ... I should probably take you to a child psychologist.

- Dad, I'm not crazy! - Richard was indignant. - I can prove it. Choose the item you feel sorry for the least.

Gerald decided to play along with the child. He picked up a heavy box of Cuban cigars from the corner of the table. From there he put the cigars on the table and put the box in front of his son.

- Dad, look at the box, or rather put your hand on it at all.

- Good.

Gerald was in high spirits, expecting the next trick played by Richie.

The boy used to wind up emotions and uttered the word-activator:

- Abra-Kadabra, disappear!

Richard guessed to use words-activators after a series of experiments. With them, the use of magic is much easier. Abra-Kadabra has become a universal key word that helps to get the right emotional mood. And then the order followed, which the supernatural ability must fulfill.

The box disappeared and Gerald's hand, losing support, hit the tabletop with a clap.

Grosvenor Sr. was amazed and delighted.

- Richie, incredible trick! - he stated joyfully. - You turn into a real illusionist. Well done. Will you share the secret of the trick with your father?

"No gimmicks," muttered a sulky Richard. - Dad, this is magic! I actually made the box disappear!

- Ha ha ha ha! Gerald burst out laughing. - Yes, the trick is gorgeous, but I don't believe in magic.

- Dad, magicians exist! Richard said with firm conviction. - It is a fact. They hide from ordinary people, live on reservations. They even have their own currency and a secret autonomous ministry. When a child with the gift of a magician turns eleven years old, representatives of the local school of magic and witchcraft come to him. A young magician must attend this boarding school for at least five years.

- Richie, you have a great fantasy, - Gerald chuckled, naturally, not believing the words of the child. - No other was expected from such a genius.

Richie began to massage his temples with his fingers and began to take deep breaths, counting to ten silently. Having calmed down a little, he looked closely at his father and said in a sad tone:

- Eh ... I didn't think it would be so difficult. Dad, as far as I could understand, the leaders of the state should know about the existence of wizards. If you don't believe me, ask Uncle Charlie. I suppose he should know about the Ministry of Magic.

- Ha ha ha! - a wide smile never left Gerald's lips. - I will definitely tell Charlie about the wizards who live on reservations closed from ordinary people. He will laugh!

"And I also think," Richard continued after a heavy sigh, "that my mother was actually a sorceress and not a spy for a foreign country. And she didn't use chemistry on you, but love potions.

Gerald laughed so loudly that he doubled over, clutching his stomach with his hands.

- Oh! Son, I also think that your mother is still a witch, but I didn't think you were of the same opinion! - through force with irony the duke squeezed out of himself, after having laughed.

"Nooo…" Richard moaned, pressing his right hand to his face. - I thought it would be difficult ... but so much !!!

In response, Mr. Grosvenor only laughed again.

Richard decided to prove to his father the existence of magic with a larger-scale impact, especially since he was now experiencing genuine emotions, and a whole cocktail of various feelings. In a fit, he exclaimed:

- Abra-Kadabra, damn table, fly!

A heavy mahogany table soared to a height of one and a half meters. He hung like that for a couple of seconds and collapsed to the floor with a terrible crash. The walls shook from the fall, and the chairs bounced slightly. Cigars and writing instruments scattered from the table.

Richie leaned back wearily and brushed the sweat from his forehead.

- Well, dad, now you believe me ?!

Mr. Grosvenor was impressed. Even more.

"Wrong word, Richie," he said with amazement and admiration. - It was an incredible trick! You probably spent a lot of time to complete it?

Richard groaned and closed his eyes. He felt hopeless and wanted to howl loudly.

- My God! The boy exclaimed. - Dad, you are unbreakable!

- And then! - said Gerald proudly. "For me to believe that these tricks are actually magic, something really incredible has to happen. But you tried hard, son. I understand that you wanted to play me. As a consolation, I will say that you almost succeeded.

- It `s Magic! MAGIC! Richard exclaimed. Then, from Gerald's mocking smile, he realized that it was useless to prove anything. With a wave of his hand, he said wearily: - And to whom am I trying to prove this ?! Okay ... Dad, do you remember how the house shook last winter?

- Of course, Richie.

- It was not an underground explosion. I then had a magical release.

- Nice try.

Mr. Grosvenor's face remained a broad smile, and he answered with a note of consolation.

Richard was desperate to prove his case to his father. He slowly got up from his chair and wearily trudged out of the office. Before the door, the boy turned around and said:

"Dad, when you talk to Uncle Charlie, don't say I didn't warn you.

At that moment, the door suddenly flew open. Richard barely had time to jump to the side, missing a dangerous wooden "projectile" in a couple of centimeters.

John, a breathless valet, burst into the office. Steven, the driver and bodyguard, loomed behind him in the hallway. John, looking around the room with a stunned gaze, found a small mayhem. On the floor were pens, pencils and cigars. Drawers were pulled out by the table.

"Sir, I'm sorry to rush in," he began, "but what happened to you? We heard an eerie rumble.

- Ho ho, John! Mr. Grosvenor waved his right hand to the servant nonchalantly. "Richie was just showing a bad trick. The inventory could not withstand the load.

The father winked at his son, who wearily rolled his eyes towards the ceiling, after which Mr. Grosvenor added:

- Richie, next time, use a stronger line. Better yet, experiment with other furniture. This table is, after all, a rarity of the eighteenth century.

Richard wanted to swear like an adult, but what is allowed to an ordinary person is not allowed to an aristocrat. Several times he had already escaped from his lips obscene words, for which there was a flop, not painful, but rather humiliating.

- So, I went, - squeezed out of himself Richard, and then left the office.

***

The Royal Charity Reception took place the following Sunday. Richard went there with his father, just like the last time.

This time the elder and the younger Grosvenors arrived at the reception an hour early. There were very few people in the luxurious ballroom of the palace.

The elder Grosvenor began to look for his friend, and his son did not leave him a single step. When Prince Charles was discovered, Gerald went to him and said good-naturedly:

- Charlie, hello!

- Oh, Gee! Glad to see you, - the elderly prince greeted his friend with a wide smile. - Hi, Richie.

- Hello, Uncle Charlie.

- How did you get there? The prince asked.

"Thank you, Charlie, the road was surprisingly clear today. We even got there much faster, "Gerald replied. - Do you want a joke?

- New joke? - rejoiced Prince Charles. "You know I love these things.

- Recently Richie took up a new hobby - magic tricks. And last Sunday he claimed to be a wizard, "the elder Grosvenor said in a mocking tone. - But that is not all. He prepared a trick as proof - with the help of some trick he lifted my desk into the air, however, then dropped it from a great height. If the table was not so strong, it would definitely fall apart from this.

- Surprising, - the prince was not amused, he carefully examined the godson. - Richie, will you show us this trick?

"It's not a trick, Uncle Charlie. I was then very angry that my father did not believe me, and used a directed magical release. Even if you tell him that I am actually a wizard.

"That's it," Gerald chuckled good-naturedly. - He told me the same thing. Charlie, and imagine, Richie came up with almost a script for a fantastic story. As if wizards live on hidden reservations next to us, they have a school of magic and their own secret ministry. And when he turns eleven, he will be taken to the school of magic and wizardry.

Instead of the expected laugh from Prince Charles, who was extremely serious, the question came:

- Richie, how did you know that?

"I just found out, Uncle Charlie," Richard shrugged. Not knowing how to present this information, he decided to play a fool. - This knowledge appeared in my head, and I understood perfectly well that I was seeing a proposed scenario for the development of the future.

- Richie, and often you can predict the future? Prince Charles asked curiously.

- This happened to me only once a little over a year ago after a strong magical release, only then I did not yet understand that I was a wizard. And when I realized that I had superpowers, I could not believe it for a long time. At first I thought of myself as a mutant, like in the X-Men comics, but then I suddenly realized that I was a wizard.

- So, Charlie, do not play along with the child! - said Gerald.

"Actually, Gee, your son is right," Prince Charles said. - Only I was surprised that he knows about the wizarding world, without even meeting the teacher from Hogwarts.

- Hogwarts? Gerald raised his eyebrows inquiringly.

- This is the name of the school of magic and wizardry in Britain, Scotland and Ireland, - said the prince.

"Oh, Charlie," the elder Grosvenor rolled his eyes towards the ceiling with the air of a man tired of a joke. - I beg you! It's not funny anymore.

- Gerald, did you see me joking? - keeping a serious face, asked the prince. - This is true. Since the time of the Inquisition, wizards have been hiding from ordinary people. They have their own educational institutions. If a child has the gift of a magician, he must study at the school of magic and wizardry in order to learn how to control his gift. Few people know about the existence of wizards: me, the Queen, the Prime Minister, the heads of secret services and some special agents. And also the parents and close relatives of magicians who were born in ordinary families. Or ordinary people who were born to wizards.

- Are you in agreement with Richie? Asked Grosvenor Sr.

- Gerald, don't you believe me? Prince Charles asked in a serious tone. - After so many years of friendship ...

Gerald knew from his friend's tone that Charles was not joking. But the Duke's head did not fit that magic could exist in reality.

- Charlie, are you serious? - Gerald's eyebrows crept even higher from stunned shock.

"I'm totally serious, Gee.

- But it sounds like complete nonsense! The elder Grosvenor looked dumbfounded.

- Nevertheless, Gee, it is so. Magicians exist. They actually live on reservations, though not all. Some of them live next to ordinary people. And a few of them are even aristocrats. Previously, wizards in general often tried to intermarry with the aristocracy, which is why many lords knew about Hogwarts.

"Is it that Richie is actually a wizard?" Gerald looked at his son in surprise.

"Perhaps," Prince Charles shrugged uncertainly. - This will definitely become known in the summer of the year when Richie turns eleven.

- Uncle Charlie, dad, - Richard entered into the dialogue of men, - do not hesitate - I am actually a wizard. Therefore, I would like to know as much as possible about the world of magicians. It is best to find a tutor among them. Is this possible?

"Hmm…" the prince pondered. "I suppose you can think of something. We have access to high-ranking wizards.

"Wait, Charlie," Gerald said, "doesn't the existence of the Ministry of Magic mean that it obeys orders from higher authorities?

"Actually, the Ministry of Magic is completely autonomous. The wizards themselves choose the Minister of Magic. The main essence of this organization is to hide the existence of wizards from ordinary people.

- But why? - Gerald was surprised.

"Fear," Prince Charles replied calmly. "The wizards were so frightened by the Inquisition that they still cannot leave. And it is beneficial for us that the magicians spend their strength to control each other.

"And what, Charlie," Grosvenor Sr. continued, "are you putting up with an uncontrolled community under your nose?

"We tolerate," Prince Charles nodded. - Actually, firstly, we have leverage on the magicians. Secondly, it is to our advantage that sorcerers think that they are free and in control of the situation. As long as they do not creep into ordinary people or try to seize power, we do not care. Likewise, we don't care who rules the wizards.

Richard recalled that in the series the evil wizard was trying to either destroy the world, or seize power. Since then he did not have the same memory as now, he was confused. He decided to intervene in the dialogue and clarify some of the nuances:

- Wait, Uncle Charlie, what if some maniac comes to power in the Ministry of Magic and starts genocide?

- Richie, I'm sorry to be frank, but we don't care what happens with magicians as long as it doesn't affect ordinary people. Even if the wizards kill each other, it will only be easier for us. But if a maniac wizard comes to power and starts to arrange the genocide of ordinary people, then we have a solution for this. Several rocket bombing raids on the settlements of magicians will solve this problem in a radical way.

"I see," Richard said. - But what about the magic terrorists?

"Just like ordinary terrorists," Prince Charles replied. - Richie, terrorists were, are and will be. The special services are fighting the ordinary, and the wizards are opposed by the magic analogue of the special forces, controlled by the Ministry of Magic. The magicians even have their own prison for criminals. In the late seventies, there was a terrorist group of wizards in Britain. For a while, they loosened their girdles too much and began to organize terrorist attacks in our country. As a result, we threatened the magicians that if they do not solve this problem, then we will deal with this and we will not figure out who is good and who is bad. Just six months later, this terrorist group was gone.

"And yet, Charlie, I cannot believe that we have people with supernormal abilities living nearby," Gerald said.

Prince Charles replied:

- At first, I could not believe it either, I thought it was a joke. But ... Occasionally, representatives of the royal family and dignitaries can receive treatment in a magic clinic, where healers work miracles. Why do you think mom lived to her age and has such excellent health? I myself have been treated once in a hospital for magicians, so I feel young.

- Hey! - Gerald was indignant. - And it was necessary to start with this! So Charlie, we need to talk ...

Grosvenor Sr. hugged his friend and led him aside.

"Stay here, son," he said. - So, Charlie, how much will it cost to patch up the body of one charming duke? Do they have an elixir of youth or an analogue? A…

Further Richard could not hear anything. Realizing that his father's belief in the reality of magic and the world of wizards was over, the boy headed out of the hall in search of Prince William, or, for him, just Bill.

***

A couple of days after the charity reception, Gerald was admitted to the wizard's hospital for four days. He returned home a little rejuvenated and full of energy. In appearance, the man dropped fifteen or twenty years, the wrinkles were slightly smoothed out, the skin on the chin tightened and the extra pounds were gone. It felt like Mr. Grosvenor had undergone expensive plastic surgery.

Gerald was home for dinner. After completing the meal, he called his son into the living room, where the father and son traditionally sat in armchairs near the fireplace.

- Richie, now I am absolutely sure of the existence of wizards. Ho ho! Gerald chuckled good-naturedly. - It's hard not to believe in something like that, having got rid of chronic diseases and slightly rejuvenated in four days. However, I must say that all wizards are strange.

- I do not doubt that. Dad, you really look so much better. But ... I confess, I was afraid that after you find out that I am a magician, you will begin to treat me worse.

- What nonsense! Snorted Lord Grosvenor indignantly. - Richie, you are my son. I love you regardless of your ability. Just think, magician! For me this is the same as a magician or if you had other talents, for example, knew how to play the violin.

"Thank you," Richard muttered softly, relieved at heart.

- By the way, son, Charlie contacted me today. He said he found you a wizard tutor.

- How did it happen, he didn't say? Richard asked curiously.

"Charlie said a lot, as usual," Mr. Grosvenor shrugged. "If you're curious, Charlie contacted the Minister of Magic through his channels and asked her for a magic mentor for a member of the royal family. The Magic Minister was shocked and immediately agreed. Moreover, she refused to pay, saying that the mentor would be provided at the expense of the treasury of the Ministry of Wizards. So, Richie, get ready - Charlie will come to us tomorrow with the mages.

- I'm looking forward to it.

The rest of the day dragged on like rubber. Richard was anxious to see a real wizard.

In the morning, after aerobics, Richard took a shower and dressed in a brand new suit with a needle. He doused his hair with gel and combed it back. Richie looked like an exemplary aristocratic child, the very embodiment of elegance. He kept his back straight, his shoulders straightened, only his eyes betrayed excitement.

About an hour after breakfast the doorbell rang, after which the maid escorted the guests into the living room, in which the two Grosvenors were seated.

Of the three guests, only one was familiar to Richard - Prince Charles. He was accompanied by two ladies.

On the right hand of the prince, a woman who looked about forty years old or a little older walked smoothly with an important look, but Richard was not fooled by her appearance, because, as he managed to find out, the magicians have means for rejuvenation. Why are there wizards - ordinary people also have plenty of tools to look younger.

The woman with gray-blue eyes looked at the interior with curiosity and liveliness and ran appraisingly over both Grosvenors. Her red hair was pulled back in a stern bun. This is not to say that the guest is a beauty, judging by her face. Not ugly, not even pretty. However, if the nose was narrower and the lips thinner, it would definitely benefit her. She was dressed in a strict and elegant suit. But even in such simple clothes, the lady managed to look depraved, attracting men's looks. This is due to the bust, which is already outstanding in five sizes, a thin waist and a straight posture, thanks to which the lady looks more curvy.

To the left of the heir to the throne was an elderly lady. This tiny, stooped old woman with a wrinkled face, as if covered with cobwebs, had a lively look of faded gray eyes. The gray hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was dressed in an old-fashioned, closed-top dress in dark green.

Prince Charles said:

- Ladies, let me introduce you - Lord Gerald Grosvenor, Duke of Westminster; and my godson is Earl Richard Grosvenor. This is what I told you about. Richie, Gerald is this lovely lady, "he pointed to a curvy woman," Millicent Bagnold, Minister of Magic. And this wonderful lady, "he pointed to the old woman," is Griselda Marchbanks, elder of the Wizengamot - the wizarding court. She volunteered to be Richard's tutor.

Gerald bowed to the ladies with dignity. Richard repeated his bow to his father.

Mrs Bagnold smiled dazzlingly and said politely:

- Glad to meet you, gentlemen. I am honored to be of service to the Duke and his heir.

"What are you, lady," Grosvenor Sr. replied in the same polite tone. - It is an honor for us to receive such guests at our home. Please, there is no truth in the legs, - he pointed with his palm to the sofas facing each other.

The old woman eyed Richard curiously. She said quite loudly:

- An adorable boy. Is it you I will teach magic?

"Yes, madam," Richard replied. - Forgive me for the immodest question, can I ask how old you are?

- The question is really immodest, - the old woman answered too loudly. Apparently, she had hearing problems. "I taught enchantment at Hogwarts two hundred years ago, so you got a very experienced mentor, Richard. I hope you do not fail my expectations and turn out to be really as talented as Millicenta described you.

"I'll try, madam," Richard replied, impressed by the old lady's age. - Let me help you.

Richie gave the old woman an elbow, which she politely grabbed, not refusing to help. Judging by the look that Madame Marchbanks gave the boy, he just earned a few points in her eyes.

Soon, the sorceresses settled on the couch, which stood closer to the stairs, and Richie, Charles and Gerald sat opposite. Sorceresses and aristocrats were separated from each other by a mahogany coffee table. Richard was squeezed on both sides by adults.

Immediately, a maid fluttered into the living room with a tray. The young girl moved silently. She deftly arranged on the coffee table five cups and saucers, silver teaspoons, a pot-bellied china teapot with hot Earl Gray, a sugar bowl, and a milk jug. There were also vases with jam, waffles, sweets and cookies.

The maid left the room as quickly and silently as she had appeared.

"Original," said Madame Marchbanks quite loudly. "The last time I saw a Muggle maid was about seventy years ago. Definitely, it is much more interesting to look at the maids than at the housekeepers.

- House-elfs? Grosvenor Sr. asked politely.

"A magical servant," the Minister of Magic explained. "Anticipating your second question - Muggles… hmm… that's what many wizards call ordinary people.

"That's what I thought," Gerald said, as if thinking aloud. - The classic problem of small gated communities. It is simply vital for them to come up with an excuse for living on a reservation, cut off from the big world. For this, the closed tribes come up with an ideology, from which it follows that they are the best. They give the rest of them contemptuous nicknames. Muggle, I guess it's a derivative of moogle (mud)?

Madame Minister did not show in any way that she was slightly offended by the Duke's words. Being a good actress, she smiled sweetly and said with admiration:

- Gerald, you are absolutely right. Unfortunately, most wizards consider ordinary people to be filth. I have been trying to fight this for the tenth year as a minister. I try to eradicate the belittling of magical minorities and contempt for ordinary people. It's a pity, but I didn't do much. The contempt of pureblood magicians for people who do not have the gift of a magician has penetrated too deeply. Imagine many purebred families abandoning their children who have not shown a magical gift - they are called "squibs". And some even go so far as to erase the memory of such children.

- Nightmare! - Prince Charles was horrified.

Gerald frowned and played with nodules, after which he said:

"Mrs. Bagnold, I understand correctly - the society of wizards is divided into castes. Thoroughbreds and ...

- In addition to purebreds, they distinguish half-breeds - one of the parents was a wizard. And then there is the third category - Muggleborns ...

The Minister gave Richard an eloquent glance. Gerald followed that gaze. He put a puzzle in his head and realized that a son with the status of a Muggle-born in the society of wizards would be considered something like a Negro during the colonial conquests.

"Mrs Bagnold," the duke said, "if you're talking about Richie, then he's not Muggleborn. His mother is a sorceress.

- Here's how! - Mrs. Minister was delighted. - This is great! Where is she now ?! Oh, I'm sorry ... - she was embarrassed, considering that she had asked a tactless question.

"It's all right, Mrs Bagnold," Gerald replied. - Four years ago it turned out that my wife drank me with love potions. It was then that we parted with her.

- I understand, - Mrs. Minister was not surprised at all. - This happens often.

While the Minister of Magic and the Duke talked, the old woman, spit on everyone, calmly sipped tea. From delight, she closed her eyes and delightedly tasted different sweets.

"Nice tea," Marchbanks said. - And sweets are beyond praise. Boy, - she turned to Richard, - what do you already know how?

"I assume, Madame Marchbanks, you are interested in my magical skills?"

"Yes, yes," Madame Marchbanks nodded a couple of times.

- For example…

Richie demonstrated how he snatched a coin out of the air and tossed it up where it disappeared. Then the boy moved Prince Charles's watch into his hands, demonstrated it to everyone around him and put it back in the same way.

The two sorceresses watched with curiosity Richard's manipulation.

For the next trick, the young magician needed more emotion and concentration. To do this, he said the activator key:

- Abra-Kadabra ... Cup, fly.

Both sorceresses twitched as if from a slap in the face. Almost instantly, both ladies had small wooden pointers in their hands, which were pointed at the boy.

Richard, at this moment with the help of levitation raised his cup in the air, was frightened by the sudden movements of the ladies and lost concentration. Because of this, the cup collapsed on the saucer, and there was a clink of beating china.

- What was that, young man ?! Asked Mrs Bagnold in a stern tone. - Why are you scaring us?

"Sorry," Richard drawled in bewilderment. "I didn't expect banal levitation to scare you.

- Levitation ?! - the old woman grunted with amusement. - Merlin Almighty! With an unforgivable spell?

- Hmm ... - Mrs. Minister sternly pursed her lips. - Young man, what kind of words did you utter?

- Madam, these words I invented in order to facilitate the activation of superpowers. Abracadabra…

The sorceresses shuddered again. Richard raised his eyebrows in surprise and continued:

- Like the usual words used by magicians-illusionists.

The sorceresses hid their pointers.

"Hmm…" drawled the Minister of Magic. - Young man, try not to use these words anymore. It's just that wizards have a spell with a similar activator. This is a deadly forbidden spell, an unforgivable one, for the use of which there will be punishment.

The old woman smiled and said loudly in a cheerful tone:

- And the boy is good! Did you think of it yourself?

"Yes, ma'am," Richard nodded.

- Millie, just think - at that age he himself learned to use magical emissions in the form of wandless spells. Levitate and call things. A friend of mine had a grandson of the same age only recently had the first magical outburst. Definitely, I take this kind of talent as a student. - Looking closely at the boy, she added: - You will come to my house early in the morning on Saturday and Sunday.

"Um… Madame Marchbanks," Richard began, "where do you live? Far?

"Don't worry about it," the elderly sorceress brushed aside as if nothing had happened. - Richie, I will make you a two-way portal from your house to mine.