9 Chapter 9

When the hit in a past life was small, there were many films about Harry Potter: the original one from the book, several remakes and prequels. They were all different from each other. For example, the magic in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was much stronger and more spectacular than in the original picture. In remakes, the level of special effects went off scale and many scenes were changed for the sake of legislation and tolerance. For example, the hero's girlfriend became black, the antagonist teacher became gay, and the best friend became vegan.

Only these films were not watched by Richie, although he had heard a little about them. He was not interested in admiring a flat picture. He hadn't read the Harry Potter books either. But when the remake-holofilm came out, he saw it ... partly. But there, according to rumors from the voice, everything turned out differently. First, the plot has been changed for the sake of modernity. Mages coexisted next to the world of people who used anti-gravity punishments and flyers, communicators and other benefits of civilization. Secondly, the special effects were on a completely different level. And to make the world of magic more attractive to the viewer, the magicians in the film turned out to be incredibly powerful. Children-wizards with a wand could cause a hurricane or tsunami, while muggleborn magicians actively used communicators and a haloset, and the most powerful wizards could even arrange a planetary apocalypse. This was necessary in order to explain how magicians can hide from highly developed technologies. Thirdly, the writers left the entourage of the old castle and the adventures of the protagonist. Because of this, for a person brought up in modern society, the feeling was created as if the main villain in the film was the headmaster, who admits situations that are dangerous for students in his educational institution. The whole film did not let go of the feeling that the director of the school of wizardry deliberately creates situations due to which the main character is on the verge of death, as if the old man set the goal of killing Harry Potter with someone else's hands, regardless of the victims among the students.

In general, Richie didn't really like the golosherial, so he only watched the first episode and skipped a couple of the next. Yes, it was a TV show. Each season stretches over ten episodes, describing one course of study for students in a school of magic. Seven seasons in total.

In the first episode watched, a scene was shown with the house of the villainous guardians, who in the world of the future would have long been put behind bars for cruel treatment of an adopted child. But Harry Potter was much the same as the actor portrayed him on the show. Unless the cinematic Harry was older and denser, and his scar was more beautiful and larger.

And now Richard was tormented by the question - what canon to be guided by? What is true and what is not? Mighty wizards here or so-so? Although all these questions are useless, since he is not familiar with any canon of the Harry Potter world. So, he knows superficially that the orphan boy lived with his mother's sister. There was some evil wizard who was trying to conquer the human Empire or destroy the solar system. And in the end, Harry had to destroy the villain and save the world. There was also a villain-director, a kind of gray cardinal who pitted the main character against the antagonist.

***

After Richard's exclamation, silence reigned in the living room of the house on Privet Drive for a couple of seconds.

John asked the ward:

- Sir, excuse me, what?

"Nothing," Richard pretended as if nothing had happened. "I just thought Mr. Potter would look good as an actor in the future when holographic cinema was invented. Madame Taylor, do you see the same thing as me? It seems to me that you need to make sure that the neighbors' complaints were not in vain ...

Petunia gasped, turned pale and raised her hands to her mouth.

- How, complaints from neighbors ?! She said quietly.

Vernon turned purple, and his cheeks were bloodshot. He moved his mustache angrily, turned his gaze to Madame Taylor and sharply asked her:

- Who else are you?

The old woman was not taken aback. She twisted her face, as if offended by the man's words, and replied:

- I'm Jessica Taylor from the guardianship. Mr. Conor, the representative of the charitable foundation, and I, with a nod of her head, she indicated who she was talking about, - and with Lord Grosvenor we came to see how well you care about the orphan you took in care. There is a signal from your neighbors that you are not taking good care of your child. And now I can see perfectly well that this is actually the case. Your son is dressed much better than Mr. Potter. In addition, he is completely ill-mannered. I suppose you spoil him too much, while not paying enough attention to Mr. Potter.

Mr. Dursley turned pale, his skin, which had just been scarlet, was paler than chalk overlay paper. The man staggered and grabbed his heart.

- It's all because of you, brat! He hissed angrily, addressing Harry.

A policeman entered the dialogue. He turned to Mr. Dursle:

- Sir, I have to warn you that everything you said will be used against you in court. Mrs. Taylor, please work.

- Yes, yes, - the old woman nodded. - Mr. Dursley, show me where the child lives.

Vernon's eyes flickered nervously to the sides. He glanced sideways at the closet under the stairs, swallowed convulsively, and glanced at the stairs leading to the second floor.

- Uh-uh ... - he drawled. - Let's go to the second floor!

It seemed to Vernon that he had come up with an ingenious move. The man was going to show his son's room, passing it off as Harry Potter's bedroom. But he did not take into account the fact that he was disgustingly raising his son.

Petunia's hand, with which she was clamping the mouth of the child, loosened and sank. Dudley pulled free from Mrs. Dursley's grip and exclaimed indignantly:

- Dad, but there is my bedroom and the room with toys. There's also the guest room where Aunt Marge is staying, and your bedroom. The abnormal lives in the closet!

The eyes of all the intruders present widened. Representatives of the guardianship authorities, the police and the foundation did not expect to hear such a revelation. And Richie was amazed. It's one thing to see in a movie that someone is living in a closet with two spare rooms. It is another matter to find out that this happens in reality.

- NS! - said Richard. - Yes, everything is much worse than the neighbors described. Policeman, will you take a look at the closet?

- Of course.

The constable walked towards the closet. Vernon's carcass grew in his path. Mr. Dursley spread his arms out to the sides and said nervously:

- Yes, this is a child, do not listen to him, he is lying out of harm.

- But it's true! Dudley squealed hysterically and stamped his feet.

Petunia tried to grab her son, but he eluded her grasp.

- Dudley, shut up! Mrs. Dursley hissed, angry.

"Step aside, Mr. Dursley, or I'll be forced to take your actions as resistance to a government official," the policeman said calmly.

Vernon had no choice. He grew even paler and stepped aside.

The constable, Madame Taylor and Mr. Conor went to the closet under the stairs and threw open the door. There they all three stood like statues. Huge eyes betrayed unreasonable amazement.

- My God! - the old woman from the guardianship authorities exclaimed in amazement. - You really put the child in the closet! Fiends!

Harry watched the unfolding events with excitement. He had never seen his uncle and aunt so scared. It even dawned on Dudley that something terrible was happening, and so he fell silent.

Vernon sighed heavily and stepped closer to Harry. He said to the boy:

"Uh-uh ... Harry, about this closet." Your aunt and I have been thinking about this for a long time and decided that you have grown up enough to continue living there. We thought it would be best if you move into Dudley's second bedroom.

Madame Taylor gave Vernon a disapproving look and said:

"Mr. Dursley, this won't help you anymore. We are filing an improper custody case. Now the judge will decide your fate with your wife.

"Please…" Mr. Dursley moaned softly, "we'll fix it. Don't look at how the boy lived. We just thought it would be best for him. He ... Uh-uh ... Afraid of large spaces.

- Do not make up nonsense! Madame Taylor replied sharply. - I have seen such an attitude of guardians towards an adopted child more than once in my career.

The old woman walked over to Harry, squatted down and asked in a soft tone:

- Harry, tell me, did your aunt and uncle beat you?

"Um ... no, ma'am," Potter mumbled.

- Exactly? Mrs. Taylor asked. - Do not be afraid, they will not offend you anymore. You can tell me everything.

"No, definitely not, ma'am," Potter shook his head.

- Maybe your uncle touched you in different places, put you on his lap? - the representative of the guardianship continued questioning.

Petunia muttered something softly and rolled her eyes. She seemed to have stopped breathing. The woman was in a light-headed state.

Vernon's eyes went up to his forehead. He was so scared that he held his breath.

"No, ma'am," Potter replied. Gaining courage, he added, "I was only hit by Dudley and his friends.

- I told you: your son has a terrible upbringing! - stated Madame Taylor, referring to Petunia. - Everything is very clear here: you need to be deprived of parental rights, and both children should be immediately sent to a foster family.

- I don't want to go to the orphanage! Howled Dudley, who realized it smelled like fried.

Petunia leaned against the wall and, with some incredible effort of will, remained conscious, but was ready to collapse unconscious at any moment.

- My son ... Harry ... How so ?! She sobbed hysterically.

Harry was also shocked and frightened by the prospect. He shielded Aunt Petunia with his chest and said:

"Ma'am, please do not send me to the orphanage. Actually, aunt and uncle are not that bad. I go to school, eat, dress. I'm fine. True true! Please don't.

Only one journalist was out of work. She quietly stood on the sidelines and recorded everything that happened on a dictaphone. In addition, the girl quickly scribbled something in a notebook. Her eyes burned with enthusiasm, the word "SENSATION" could be read in them!

- Hmm ... - Richard drew attention to himself. "Ladies and gentlemen, please don't have a fever." I understand that the situation looks ugly, but maybe it's not so bad. Mr. Dursley, are you working?

"Yes ..." Vernon said uncertainly. The man had a hope. He replied in a more confident tone: "I have a wonderful job. I am the CEO of the Grunnings drill company. I earn good money and provide for my family. Please, Lord, believe me ... I would never harm the boy!

- Then why are your children dressed differently? Madame Taylor asked sarcastically. - And I also have a second question: what do you spend the money that the state allocates for the orphan of Harry Potter? I will need the most detailed report.

"Uh-uh ..." Mr. Dursley was at a loss. - What money? We didn't get anything! I spent my own money on Harry.

- What are you hanging on my ears ?! - Madame Taylor was indignant. - The orphan must be paid an allowance of two hundred pounds a month, and you, as his guardian, must submit a statement of funds spent with the provision of checks to the guardianship authorities.

- To us from the guardianship authorities did not come before you, - Mr. Dursley answered with even greater bewilderment.

"Madame Taylor," Richard interjected again. - I suppose that some bureaucratic error has crept in here. We need to investigate this incident. In my turn, I declare that I, through a charitable foundation, provide Harry Potter with a scholarship of two hundred pounds a month. The spending of these funds will be monitored by representatives of the charitable foundation. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley will have to provide a monthly report on the funds spent. From this money, Mr. Potter is supposed to allocate at least five pounds a week for pocket expenses. And God forbid the boy will not receive money or your son Dudley and his friends will steal it from him. Criminal responsibility lies with you as guardians.

"Lord Grosvenor," Madame Taylor looked at the boy with a questioning bewilderment. - Are you suggesting leaving the child in this terrible family?

Harry, realizing that this strange boy-lord was in charge here, looked at him with tearful eyes and whispered with his lips:

- Please!

"Madame Taylor," Richard replied, "let's give this family a chance.

Petunia and Vernon both breathed a sigh of relief. But realizing that this was not the end, they held their breath again and began to wait impatiently for a response from the representative of the guardianship authorities. They had never been so scared in their lives.

- Hmm ... Well, if the Lord asks ... - Madame Taylor thought.

"Please, ma'am," Richard said. - Let's not separate the family. Moreover, Harry himself says that they do not treat him so badly. Besides, I am not suggesting to leave everything to chance. Naturally, since there is more than one signal, then this family must be closely monitored. As it should be in such situations, a representative of the guardianship authorities will have to come to them on a weekly basis. I understand that there is more to be control over Mr and Mrs Dursley and their child than Mr Potter. I, for my part, will connect the detective for periodic secret checks on the fulfillment of guardian duties.

"I think that for the first time you can close your eyes to what is happening," said Madame Taylor thoughtfully. - But only for the first time! She added sternly, looking menacingly at first at Mr. Dursley and then at Mrs. Dursley.

Vernon and Petunia breathed a sigh of relief.

Harry Potter looked at Richard gratefully and whispered softly:

- Thanks! Many thanks!

Madame Taylor said:

"Mrs. Dursley, I need all the documents for Mr. Harry Potter.

"Ma'am, we have them in our room," Petunia replied in a trembling voice. - Please, come with me.

Mr. Conor went with the hostess and the guardianship representative.

At the same time, the constable took Mr. Dursley aside and spoke to him about something. Vernon listened intently to the policeman.

Richie perked up his ears and caught the topic of the conversation.

- Mr. Dursley, now they will come to your home with a check from the guardianship authorities and from a charitable foundation. If you do not want problems with the law, you should provide these people with full reporting.

"Yes, yes, constable," Vernon nodded on his thick neck.

"There are also a few rules you need to remember," the policeman continued. - Your children should be equally well dressed. God forbid, the representative of the guardianship will notice Harry Potter in tattered things - you will not end up with problems. And take care of raising your son Dudley. The guardianship authorities will check, including whether you are too bad parents. In the meantime, you are pulling on some of the worst guardians and at any time you can lose parental rights. If your son misbehaves, beat up other children - this will definitely be included in your personal file. And bruises or other injuries to Harry Potter will be recorded and it is unlikely that it will be possible to prove that it was not you who beat the boy. In this case, you face a prison sentence.

Vernon was frightened and nodded to the cop's words.

Richie realized that this conversation was not interesting to him. He found that only the valet, the journalist and Harry, who came close to him, remained in the room.

"Hi Harry," Richard said.

"Hello ... uh-uh ... Lord," Potter replied hesitantly.

"Harry, you can call me Richie. We're the same age.

A smile lit up Harry's face. He said with sincere gratitude:

- Thank you for helping!

- Please. I did what I had to. You know, buddy, one day you'll save humanity, maybe more than once.

- I ... humanity ?! - in the eyes of Potter showed bewilderment.

- Yes, you.

- Why do you say that?

"You're a wizard, Harry!

A wry smile graced Potter's face.

"No, I'm just Harry. Harry Potter. There is no magic.

"You think you're just Harry. And you are wrong about magic. Look.

Richie showed Harry his empty palms, then pulled a gold coin from behind his ear.

- Ha ha! Harry laughed genuinely. - It's a simple trick!

- Simple, huh ?! Richard raised his right eyebrow. - And if so?

After a moment, Richie was clutching an old, frayed and leaky sock with the fingers of his right hand.

Harry felt his right leg cool. He lowered his head and was surprised to find that it was this leg that was left without a sock. Then he raised his eyes to Richard and, looking closer, recognized his sock, clamped with two fingers. At this moment, it was necessary to see Potter's face, an amazing range of emotions appeared on it: from happiness and faith in a miracle, to exorbitant amazement.

- How did you do this?! - he asked.

"This is magic, Harry! Richard said with a grin. - Abra-Kadabra, alle op!

Young Grosvenor waved his toe and it disappeared. Harry realized that he no longer felt the draft in his foot. Here's just an amazing thing - the socks were definitely not his. Previously, Dudley's old black socks were on his feet, which were too big for the boy and, moreover, worn out by time. Now, on his feet, he was wearing brand new dark blue socks, which even looked very expensive. They also had a G-shaped monogram.

- Incredible! Harry Potter whispered with delight. - Can I do that too?

- Easy, Harry, - leaning to the boy's ear, Richie whispered: - In a couple of years, a giant alcoholic will come for you and give you a ticket to the school of magic and wizardry. There you will be taught to use mutant abilities. Just like in the X-Men comic.

"Um ..." Harry was confused. - And it is necessary? You mean a giant alcoholic to come? It's just that my aunt and uncle do not like oddities and alcoholics.

- For you - a must! - said Richard with firm confidence. "You're the future savior of the world, Harry. Everyone else usually comes with a prim-looking tartan who works as a deputy headmaster at the school.

- If the deputy director comes to everyone, then who comes to me? The director himself? Is he a giant?

- Ha! Richard chuckled. - Take it higher ... The FORESTER HIMSELF will come to you!

Harry looked at Richard in such a way that without telepathy it was possible to read:

"Are you kidding me ?!"

Harry was filled with disbelief. He thought Richie was joking and the stories about magic were fiction to cheer him up. These are simple tricks. Yes, magic tricks and nothing else!

In any case, Harry was very grateful to Richard. This boy, completely unfamiliar with him, the godson of the prince, that is, almost a prince himself, came to him and helped. Now Harry will have pocket money, just like Dudley. And also good clothes will appear and he will settle in a room with a window!

The day after the visit of the young lord on the BBC channel, the TV presenter read the news, among which was the following:

- The godson of Prince Charles, the son of the Duke of Westminster, the young prodigy Richard Grosvenor, who graduated from the second grade of high school at the age of nine, took up charity. He spent his first money earned from the production of 'funny bracelets' to help orphans. Young Grosvenor visited a dysfunctional family, in which he discovered that the director of a drill company had mistreated his orphan nephew, whom he had taken into his care. Thanks to the actions of the heir to the Duke of Westminster, the living conditions of the orphan were improved, and control was established over the dysfunctional family by the state and a charitable foundation. Young Grosvenor gave the orphan a substantial scholarship, which will be paid to the boy until he comes of age.

In addition to the TV news, there was a large newspaper article. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley got what they feared the most in the world - loud publicity. Previously, they considered many things to be abnormal, but now those around them considered them abnormal. Although the Dursleys, on the contrary, thought that their behavior and treatment of their nephew was correct.

The neighbors washed the bones of the Dursleys for a long time. And although the names were not indicated in the newspaper, they did mention the city. Little Winging is a small town, so it immediately became clear to everyone who was talking about. After the article, the neighbors stopped visiting the Dursleys' house, and Petunia no longer received invitations to the home economics club. This dealt a serious blow to Mrs. Dursley's pride, but at the same time made Petunia and Vernon think about their behavior.

From that day on, the parents began to raise Dudley more strictly, and Harry Potter began a different life.

Harry was in seventh heaven. Uncle and aunt did not treat him kinder, they showed indifference and once again tried not to scold the child. Harry became less stressed with housework, and Dudley joined him in cleaning and tending the garden.

A couple of times the cousin tried to recoup Harry, but for this he was severely punished and the attacks on Potter came to naught.

Harry moved into his bedroom, albeit small, but it had a window, bed, wardrobe and desk. What more could you want? In addition, the boy got pocket money, they began to dress him well and feed him better.

Not to say that before Harry was fed poorly, it was just that Dudley received a larger portion, but now Mr. and Mrs. Dursley tried to dress both boys the same, give the same portions of food and treat them equally in public. If Dudley buys ice cream, Harry gets exactly the same portion. At the cafe, Dudley wanted cake and cocoa - Harry orders the same. After all, there were now two checks every week at Yew Four, which, of course, the Dursleys were not happy about.

On the other hand, Vernon found pluses in his new position. Previously, for some reason, the "boy" did not receive payments, although the Dursleys had formalized guardianship, but now every month Harry's account, which could reasonably be disposed by guardians, received four hundred pounds: two hundred from the state and the same from a charitable foundation. Vernon was also glad that the scandal had no effect on his career. Although he was terribly scared that the news would reach the management and he would be fired.

Petunia and Vernon now shuddered when watching TV at the mention of the royal family. Previously, they were frightened by wizards and everything abnormal, but now they realized that the normal world is worth more to be afraid of. Wizards can ruin the mood with a bad joke or a service by enchanting it. And an influential Lord is able to destroy life. They understood perfectly well that the "petty bastard", that is, the young Lord, could easily put both of them behind bars and deprive the most precious thing - Dudley's son, by sending him to an orphanage. And it is even easier for the godson of Prince Charles to destroy the career of her husband, the only breadwinner in the house. It is enough to spread rumors among the business elite, after which Mr. Dursley in the UK will not be accepted for a position higher than a watchman or a loader. You can forget about normal income and work as a leader.

Mr and Mrs Dursley's new fear was the attention of the aristocracy to their common family. God forbid to turn their gaze upon yourself.

And somewhere in London, in the guardianship authorities, the leaders furtively took a breath and crossed themselves (even unbaptized) that the young Lord did not dig on the topic "where is the money that was not transferred to the orphan, and at whose expense to correct the mistake."

***

After meeting with Harry Potter, Richard finally understood what kind of universe he was in. And this made him think seriously.

Now it was very clear to he that he was not a mutant, but a wizard. And several questions arose before him at once.

First, how to live on? After all, if the series did not lie, then at the age of eleven, Richard would be forced to study at the school of magic and wizardry. But he hoped that by this age he would get rid of the obligation to attend school. Naturally, this could not but upset the guy.

It should be added to this that according to the series, the world of wizards was distinguished by increased danger, therefore, there you still need to manage to survive.

Among other things, the wizards in the film had an unspoken hierarchy and racist divisions into purebloods, half-breeds, and muggleborns. In the ordinary world, Richard has a very high status, but in the magical world he will be at the very bottom of the hierarchy, which did not suit the young man at all.

But there are, no doubt, advantages. Still, being a magician is much better than an incomprehensible mutant.

Secondly, Richie, knowing that he is a wizard and in a couple of years at least his father would know about it, began to understand that he would not be able to keep his superpowers a secret. And if so, then maybe it is worth confessing to your father, telling him about the magical gift?

One more conclusion followed from the known information - most likely Richard is a half-breed. Most likely, his mother was not a foreign spy, but a sorceress. And she drank Gerald not with drugs with pheromones, but with a love potion. And what about this information? If you tell your father about your superpowers and the world of magic, then he, being an intelligent person, will guess that Richard's mother is a sorceress. And who knows if the father's attitude to his son will change after that? But then again, sooner or later Gerald will still know Richard's secret. In this case, the sooner he finds out the truth, the better it will be ... Probably.