Aristocrat (HP/SI)

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***

In May, the students seemed to come out of hibernation. Examinations were approaching, so everyone rushed to prepare for them.

On the first Sunday of the month, Richard was approached by the Ravenclaw Head Girl at breakfast.

- Um..." she began hesitantly. - Mr Grosvenor, we have something important to ask you.

- Miss Crystal, you look wonderful," Richard said, giving the girl a dazzling smile. - I'd love to have your time.

- In that case, could you come to the faculty lounge?

- Of course, Miss Crystal.

Richard headed towards the Ravenclaw tower in the company of the Head Ravenclaw.

- You, miss, mentioned that you were having some difficulties," Richard continued the dialogue on the way to the dormitory.

- 'Mm-hmm...' Penelope Crystal stretched out. - You see, we... that is, the students of our faculty were divided in our opinions. There was a division into groups, each of which was engaged in the development of a way to create graphene. And some were working on ways of using the substance. In the end, three groups of students developed different ways to make graphene, and two more groups created ways to use it. Now the students are worried that many of them won't get the prize.

- Miss Crystal, tell the students in your department not to worry. It's quite simple - I will divide the grant into several groups, and if I like their results, I won't leave them without an award.

Penelope was delighted.

- Oh, thank you, Mr Grosvenor, - she said with sincere gratitude. - We thought we'd have to divide the award ourselves and everyone would fight. I think your proposal is a good way out of this.

Soon Richard and Penelope found themselves in the Ravenclaw faculty lounge. There, almost all the Ravenclaw students were waiting for them eagerly. Out of them stood out five groups of one to five people, mostly upperclassmen. The rest of the students acted as spectators - the underclassmen.

Dozens of eyes gazed at Richard with anticipation, excitement and curiosity.

- Friends," Penelope Crystal said in a cheerful tone, "Mr Grosvenor has said that he will divide the award fairly among all the research groups. So I urge you to refrain from self-mutilation. You will now take turns demonstrating your achievements, and Mr Grosvenor will evaluate them fairly and impartially.

- Thank you, Miss Crystal," Richard said. - If you don't mind, please make me a list of all the developers divided into research groups.

- I will.

Penelope first called for an empty chair and placed it in front of the guest. Richard sat comfortably in the chair and the students lined up in a semicircle around him, forming an open space in the centre.

Crystal armed herself with parchment, quill and ink, sat down at the far table and began to make a list.

A tall and thin black-haired young man with enthusiastic blue eyes moved forward. It was clear from his head student badge who this fifth-year student was.

- I'll go first," he said, looking coldly around at the disgruntled students in the four groups. No one objected to him. - Robert Hilliard," he introduced himself. - So, let me begin...

Robert was very nervous, which caused him to pause for long periods of time.

- Erm... So," he continued. - Our group has developed a method of step-by-step production of graphene. First, using adhesive tape and a pencil lead, many plates are created. Then they are enlarged with the help of charms and graphene flakes are collected, which are glued together with the charms of eternal gluing. And so it is repeated until a sufficiently large canvas is created. This material is shrunk, and eventually a small scrap of graphene film is left on hand. This film is then multiplied by duplication charms and glued together again. And so on until a large graphene web is produced. When we have managed to create a huge roll of graphene film, the only thing left to do is to copy it.

Robert took a prepared roll of film, which looked like packaging polythene. Between the thin layers of graphene film was a thin yellowish paper. The roll was about two metres wide, and its thickness was quite solid. The Ravenclaw Headmaster duplicated the roll with the help of duplication charms.

- I have it all," he said.

- Fascinating," Richard said. - I look forward to a full and detailed instructional report on the process of creating graphene. You certainly deserve a reward. Next, please.

Next, a charming blonde seventh-year student stepped into the centre of the room. She fixed her short hair, cut like a boy's (I think such a hairstyle is called "garçon"), directed a piercing gaze of her brown eyes at Richard and, slightly worried, began in a charming and melodious voice:

- Good afternoon, Lord. My name is Eliza Brooks. I am graduating from Hogwarts this year and would like to work in your workshop.

- That is something to consider, Miss Brooks," Richard replied patronisingly. - Go on.

- K-hem... Thank you," the corners of Eliza's lips crept up involuntarily. - Our team has been developing an alternative method of creating graphene. Let me give you the documents.

Richard nodded favourably in response. Immediately, a short, russet-haired boy from the sixth year snapped out of his seat and handed Grosvenor a folder of papers. Robert Hilliard looked at this with annoyance. The boys in the next group of speakers fussed, two of them snapped out of their seats and dashed through the crowd towards the men's bedrooms.

Richie opened the folder and looked at the presentable charts before focusing his attention on Elise.

- 'As I said earlier,' Miss Brooks continued melodiously, 'our team decided to take a different route. We thought, "What is graphene?" The answer lay on the surface - it's a substance that's made up of carbon. So then we thought, "Why not use a ritual that will turn high-carbon objects into a graphene film?"

Richard certainly liked what was going on. Even one option for obtaining graphene was fine with him, and here was a second one. He considered it an extremely good day.

Meanwhile, Elise's assistants asked the students to stand aside and began to prepare some kind of ritual. They drew a circle with chalk, inscribed a five-rayed star in it and soon turned it into a pentacle. Then they began to write in the cells that were formed inside the pentacle, some runes.

Richard noticed a new face behind the students - it was Professor Flitwick, who was watching curiously. Because of his small stature and the students' preoccupation with what was going on inside the improvised circle, no one paid attention to the professor.

Brooks began to comment on the actions of the assistants:

- And we managed to create such a ritual. To activate it you don't even need to have a magic wand, although for simplicity it is better to use it. The essence is simple. First, we create a magical figure-seal with runic signs. You can make it temporary, as at the moment, or you can create a permanent seal.

Professor Flitwick listened to the student's story with undisguised interest.

- Secondly," Miss Brooks continued, "you must place an object with a high carbon content in the centre of the pentacle: graphite, coal, or even firewood. But graphite is the best - after its use there is no waste. And the final step is to put the magic power into the magic seal and say the words-activator.

Brooks turned to face the pentacle, inside of which a small pile of graphite was already rising. She pointed her wand at the centre and said clearly:

- Et kluod sic de klinans graphene!

No special effects followed the girl's actions. Only in the centre of the seal an amazing action took place - black graphite turned into a thin, transparent, barely visible to the eye film before the eyes of curious onlookers.

- Well done! Marvellous! - Richard rejoiced. - Same here, Miss Brooks, I expect a detailed description of the ritual instead of a presentation," he waved a folder in his hands, "a detailed description of the ritual. Your team certainly deserved an award.As soon as Team Brooks had removed the traces of the ritual and stepped aside, their place was taken by a heavily built guy with short black hair and a heavy jaw. The two guys who had run off to the bedroom shortly before handed him a folder of papers. He walked over to Richard and silently handed the folder to him.

Richie looked at the documentation and barely held back a smirk. Unlike Miss Brooks, these papers were more like rough drafts put together in a hurry, and it was difficult to make sense of the information presented.

- Go ahead," Richie nodded, slamming the folder shut.

- I'm Adam Tronton," the burly man began in a bass voice. - We've also developed a way to make graphene. Ha-ha-ha...

Adam's throat was dry with excitement and his voice became hoarse. He licked his lips nervously and continued:

- 'We decided to develop a spell based on a mixture of enchantments and permanent transfiguration. The principle is the same as Eliza's team. Well, that is, graphene is carbon. We just need to take something like wood and turn it into graphene flakes, which can then be reassembled and glued together with enchantments.

One of the mates handed Adam a small log. He placed it on the floor and waved his wand.

- Tranformatio ipsum graphenum.

A yellow beam struck the log from the wand, after which the wood scattered into a mound of fine dust.

Next, Tronton continued to wave his wand and cast one spell after another on the dust. First, he divided the dust into two parts: grey and white. Then he used spells to turn the grey dust into a transparent film of graphene.

In total, Richie counted as many as seven different and rather complicated spells. But he saw a huge advantage in this method: there was no need for any auxiliary items for the ritual, no need for a sample. So all you need is a wizard, a wand and carbon.

- Very good, Mr Tronton," Richard said to the excited young man. - I expect the same documentation from you. But in decent form, not drafts," he waved the folder. - After the team leaders bring me all the papers, they will receive payment orders for the guys in their group. I have decided to pay each of your three groups a grant of thirty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty-three galleons. You've earned it handsomely, ladies and gentlemen. But I hear you've got some other fellows who've decided to take a chance. Don't be disheartened, if I like your product, you'll be rewarded too.

The students, those who were promised grants and those who were excitedly waiting for their turn for the presentation, cheered. Some students in the audience looked disgruntled and cast envious glances at the more fortunate students.

- Quiet!

Crystal's loud commanding tone silenced everyone.

- Thank you, Miss Crystal," Richard nodded to the head teacher. - Next, please.

Two boys burst out of their seats. One was about fourteen, the other sixteen. Both looked alike: blond hair, round faces, full figures. The older one had glasses. Both boys came forward fidgetily.

- I am Festus Fleming," introduced himself, "and this is my younger brother, Foster. We want to present to you, sir, our design.

Foster fussily unfolded the finest shimmering cloth, so similar to Harry Potter's invisibility cloak.

- 'This is an advanced invisibility cloak, sir,' Festus commented. - Our father is in the business of making invisibility robes out of demimask wool. They have a number of disadvantages: they are expensive, heavy, and very dense. Demimask wool is incredibly expensive, so it can't be cheap. But... If you use just a little bit of wool, everything changes!

Foster fussily straightened the silvery iridescent fabric and threw it over his shoulders. As soon as he wrapped it around his shoulders, his torso became invisible, only his head floating above the ground as if separate from his body. The effect was so stunning that all extraneous noises suddenly disappeared. The spectators gazed at the invisible cloak with rapt attention.

- Sir," continued Festus, "we used two layers of graphene film, between which we placed the thinnest cloth of demimask wool, literally the thickness of a single hair. It took us a total of one ounce of wool. That's a hundred and seventy times less than it takes to make a regular invisibility cloak. And our product is incredibly strong and durable. In theory, the spell on such a cloak of invisibility would last for centuries.

- Excellent, gentlemen.

Richard was as stunned as the rest of the audience. Such a fabric boded well for the future. It was possible to supply the British secret services with several hundred invisibility-enchanted cloaks made of such fabric at a price a hundred times higher than the cost of production. From one invisibility cloak he planned to earn at least a hundred thousand pounds. That's a minimum of twenty million, you might say, already on the books.

- Gentlemen, I'll need a sample of the cloak of invisibility and, as with all others, a full report. You have honestly earned your grant of 30,000 galleons.

- Yoo-hoo! - exclaimed Foster. - Brother, have you heard? We are rich!

- Thank you! - Festus' eyes lit up with delight and adoration. It seemed as if he would start praying to Grosvenor. - Sir, thank you so much! We'll bring it all!

- Flemings, don't delay the others! - Penelope Crystal shouted at the boys.

- 'Yes, yes, sorry,' replied the headman Festus, 'we were just leaving.

The Fleming brothers' place was taken by a skinny nondescript girl of about fifteen or sixteen, wearing huge horned glasses. She was all alone and shyly shuffled from foot to foot. Her robe looked threadbare, clearly off someone else's shoulder. Her shoes were stomped to the point where it was a miracle she could still walk in them. Her mouse-coloured hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. You'd think that she was a typical grey mouse and a crammer from a poor family, but Ritchie tried to abstract himself from the assessment of clothes, he was interested in intelligence and talent, or rather, the result. And who gives out this result - it doesn't matter.

The girl's voice was quiet, and she looked extremely shy. She crumpled the edges of her tattered robe in her hands and spoke:

- 'My lord, I'm sorry, I...'

- Courage, miss, I don't bite," Richie gave the girl a reassuring smile. - Introduce yourself first.

- Chelsea Chester, my lord," the girl mumbled, and even did a sort of curtsy.

Chelsea had earned Richard's approval by her exaggeratedly polite treatment of the earl, as if a lieutenant had been complimented on being called captain. He decided to clarify Miss Chester's fate later, as she resembled a humble orphan. And that was the kind of person he needed. Granger, for example, was already demonstrating the qualities of a strict leader. But not everyone should be the Lord's deputy, he needs other close staff. For example, a secretary who will be loyal to the lord and will not run away to give all the background to the competitors. And if she is a sorceress, it's a triple benefit: security in case of emergency, and a potion in time to add to the glass of a business partner to make him more agreeable.

All in all, Richard drew a few conclusions. One of them was that it was highly probable that Chester was ignored by her classmates, and she was a very lonely girl. The second conclusion was that Miss Chelsea was badly in need of money, which pushed her to have to come up with something and offer it to the lord. All this stemmed from the fact that unlike the others, she acted alone and not in a team. Well, her appearance and demeanour and the looks of those around her also said a lot.

Gaining courage, Chelsea continued:

- My lord, I don't know how you'll like it, but I've come up with a few ways to use graphene.

- I'm listening to you carefully, Miss Chester, - Richard encouraged the girl.

- I think that graphene film can be used to strengthen various materials, - said Chelsea quietly. - I've made some crafts, if I may...

- I'd love to see them, Miss Chester," Richard said.

With trembling hands, Chelsea hurriedly pulled out various items from the deep pockets of her robe: scraps of cloth, pieces of glass, wire, copper plate.

The students moved closer, narrowing the circle in an attempt to see the objects in Chelsea's hands.

Richard didn't hesitate to get up from his chair and approach the shy girl. He stared at what looked like trash with undisguised curiosity.

The lord's proximity made Chelsea's hands begin to tremble even more. She held her breath and froze like a pillar of salt.

- Miss Chester, don't worry," Richard said in a calm tone, trying to reassure the girl. - Tell me, what are these objects?

- M-m-my lord," Chelsea began to stammer. - I'm sorry, I'm worried.

- That's all right, everyone's nervous," Richard said warmly. - Nevertheless, I'm very curious to know what you've prepared.

- This," Chelsea showed a piece of coloured fabric, "I reinforced the fabric by gluing a graphene film on one side. It's incredibly strong.

- That's wonderful.

Richard took a piece of cloth in his hands and tried to tear it, but it didn't work. Then he took a penknife out of his pocket and tried to pierce the fabric. This was more successful.

- Excellent result," he smiled dazzlingly. - Anything else?

- Yes," Chelsea nodded uncertainly, holding out a copper plate to the boy. - It's made of thin layers of copper and sheets of graphene, which I glued together using the spell of eternal gluing. The strength of the metal turned out to be a hundred times greater!

- A graphene composite," Richard said with satisfaction. - If you add chromium plates, the strength will increase even more. I'm glad you've come up with this technology. Anything else?

- Yes, my lord," Chelsea said quietly. - Here, the mirror... It's much stronger now that I've put several layers of graphene film on it.

- That's wonderful, Miss Chelsea," Richard praised her. - You definitely deserve an award. Miss Chelsea, come to me next weekend with a full report on the properties of the various materials you have tested in combination with graphene and you will receive your award.Richard noticed that some of the female students were looking at Chelsea very unkindly, with a kind of animal anger, envy. Others, on the contrary, look at her as if she were a fool who was pitied by rich Richie. So sorry that he was even ashamed to announce the amount of the award, as for the other contestants.

To lighten the mood, Richard said loudly:

- Professor Flitwick, do you have anything to say?

Filius Flitwick, who had gone unnoticed by most, suddenly stepped into the centre of the room, clapping his hands loudly. In the abrupt silence, he thundered in a joyful tone:

- Bravo! Bravo! Fifty points to Ravenclaw and fifty points to Puffendoo for a solid investment in magical science. And now everyone disperse!

- Good day, ladies and gentlemen," Richard said goodbye and headed out of the dormitory.

The people reluctantly began to scatter to their bedrooms or leave the living room through the main door.

***

Richard spent the next Sunday chatting with the leaders of the Ravenclaw research groups. A disused classroom on the fourth floor was chosen for the meeting, which was quickly brought to an acceptable state of repair with the help of spells and transfiguration. The last visitor for the day was Chelsea Chester.

- Hello, Milord," she said shyly, trying again to reproduce her curtsy.

- Good afternoon, Miss Chester. Please have a seat.

The study room turned into the semblance of an office. Richard's efforts had transformed the desk into a fancy desk, and the boy was sitting in a comfortable transfigured chair. Opposite was a comfortable visitor's chair, and Chelsea sat on the edge of it.

The girl looked at the young Grosvenor with admiration and breathless excitement.

- Miss Chester," Richard began, noticing the girl's hesitation, "I must confess that all the methods of using graphene demonstrated by you were well known to me. But the fact that you thought of such an idea yourself speaks of your extraordinary mind.

Chelsea dropped her shoulders frustratedly and asked in a shaky voice:

- So I'm not getting paid?

- Oh, Miss Chester, how could you? - Ritchie asked with slight indignation. - I promised a reward, and the Grosvenors keep their word. Here, Miss Chester. Upon presentation of this parchment at Gringotts Bank, you will be paid ten thousand galleons, but on the condition that you continue to research the uses of graphene. And if you make any progress, you can expect another reward.

Chelsea clutched the parchment with a dead grip. A look of delight spread across her face.

- This is for me? Really? - As if she couldn't quite believe what was happening, she asked.

- Yes, Miss Chester. Are you in no hurry?

- No, my lord," she shook her head sideways.

- Miss Chester, tell me about your plans for your life. What do you plan to do after you graduate from Hogwarts?

- I don't know, My Lord," Chelsea murmured quietly. - 'I've thought about it, but...

- Miss Chester-" Richard's hand rested on the folder.

Chelsea looked at the folder and was amazed to find her name there.

- 'Yes, yes, miss,' Richard continued. - This is your personal file. It says that you are an orphan and live in an orphanage in the city of Chester. Is that a coincidence? I don't think so. It's more likely that the orphanage staff have a poor imagination.

- Yes, My Lord," she said shyly, "it is indeed true.

- I'm surprised you weren't adopted or even put into a Foster family, Miss,' Richie continued.

- Um... Yes, sir..." Chelsea faded her eyes.

- Or not," Richard raised his right eyebrow. - From the character reference of the orphanage staff, it sounds like you're a bully with criminal tendencies.

Chelsea jumped up, her eyes rounded, and stared at Richard in stunned amazement.

- N-no... No, sir! I'm not like that! It's...

- I'm listening to you, Miss.

Richard leaned his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his intertwined fingers.

- 'It's all the magical emissions, I guess...' Chelsea said quietly. - Well, I used to have all sorts of weird things happen to me when I was a kid, like things would catch on fire or break, and my teachers would think I was doing it on purpose and punish me for it.

- I suppose, Miss Chester, you are not anxious to return to the orphanage.

- Yes, My Lord," Chelsea nodded her head vigorously.

- And you won't be able to spend the money properly," Richard continued. - They won't let you out of the orphanage, and witchcraft is forbidden on holidays...

Chelsea sighed sadly. She already knew that.

- But let's get back to my earlier question," Richard said. - What will you do after school?

- Work, sir," she shrugged.

- Are you aware that you are considered a Muggle-born wizard?

- Yes, sir.

- And you've heard about the attitude of most wizards towards Muggleborns, too?

- Yes, My Lord.

- So, Miss Chester, you're under no illusions that you'll have a high-paying job after Hogwarts? In the wizarding world, you're a nobody, so you'll only get a job as a waitress or a cleaner, and that's a long shot. You can't get a decent job among ordinary people either, because you don't even have a high school education.

- I-" Chelsea sobbed. Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. - I know, sir.

- Well, well, well, you'll have the Huanghe," Richard said in a soothing tone. - It's not all over yet. Miss Chester, you're a young witch, and with a great desire you can achieve a lot.

- I don't think so," Chelsea sobbed again, lifting her glasses and wiping away her tears. - You said it right, My Lord, no one wants me, and I can't expect to get anywhere higher than a waitress. But at least I won't starve, and thanks to your money I can afford to buy a place to live. Thank you, Lord Grosvenor. They said at the orphanage that if it weren't for your charity, we'd be much worse off.

Ritchie, quite naturally, was completely unaware of where his annual donations were being spent. Orphans, but where exactly - it's managed by the charity fund. But the boy pretended to know what he was talking about.

- So, Miss Chester, I want a clear answer - are you prepared to work hard and study for your future career?

- Yes, My Lord," Chelsea's gaze was hopeful as she looked at Grosvenor. - Yes! Why?

- I have something to offer you," Richard smirked in the style of a tempting serpent. - Miss Chelsea, how would you like to be Lord Grosvenor's personal assistant?

- А?!

The girl's eyes became glassy, her jaw set against the tabletop, and the skin on her face smoothed with amazement.

- My personal assistant, miss. Sort of like a secretary, but the range of responsibilities is a little wider, the level of trust is higher and the salary is much higher, about the same as a director of a medium-sized company.

Chelsea swallowed convulsively. The surprise was joined by a mixture of elation and joy. Her heart was pounding frantically in her chest, it seemed like it was about to jump out.

- Sir, is it true? - Chelsea asked with a gasp. - You're not joking, are you?

- I'm not in the habit of such jokes, Miss Chester. Despite my youthful appearance, I've owned my own business for several years and have earned over a hundred million pounds to date. You should know very well who you're talking to.

- I'm sorry, My Lord.

- Miss, aren't you even going to ask me what it takes to get the position?

Chelsea's face showed a slight look of consternation, which was replaced first by an appraising look and then by a mixture of excitement and determination. The girl took in a full chest of air and exclaimed in one breath:

- I'm ready to sleep with you, sir!

This was not the answer Richie had expected. He couldn't help himself and burst into uncontrollable laughter, starting to slide off the chair.

- Oh, God!" he said, wiping away tears of laughter. - Oh!" He was finally able to sit up properly and stop laughing. - Miss Chester, you surprised me. I can't say you're not my type, but you're actually going to have to work harder than spreading your legs.

- Harder?! - Chelsea's eyes widened in fright as she imagined something like a gangbang with a bunch of golden youths.

- Yes, stronger," Richard nodded seriously. - During the time I'm at Hogwarts, you'll need to finish at least high school. Better yet, you'll need to finish high school. Ideally, in addition to your high school education, it would be advisable for you to attend college or at least enrol in a distance learning programme.

Richard had never seen such a huge amazement before. The girl looked as if she had been thrown asleep into an ice-hole, she swam out of it, but it turned out that it was pitch black outside. And now she sat with glassy eyes and could not understand what was going on, where she was, what to do!

- Go to school?

- School.

- School?!

- School!

- I agree, My Lord! But I'll have to study by correspondence and that will cost money...

- I will pay for you to attend school and even college, Miss Chester. On the condition, of course, that you work for me. We'll make a contract, and we'll spell it out. But, Miss, you'll need something to live on, something to eat, something to rent.

- Yes, sir, of course," Chelsea agreed placidly.

- That's why you, Miss Chelsea, will go to work at the Ministry of Magic as an assistant to one of the heads of the Ministry. You will gain experience there and spy for me.

- But, My Lord," Chelsea said, confused. - No one will hire me at the Ministry of Magic!

- We'll see. If Madam Bagnold becomes Minister of Magic, and I have some hopes that she will, you will be hired for any position in the Ministry of Magic. And if there is a mishap and Bagnold is not Minister, I will employ you in my workshop.

- Thank you, My Lord!" Chelsea thanked the boy eagerly. - Thank you so much. I promise I won't let you down! Sir, I'll do anything for you.

- That's not all," Richie continued. - Miss, this summer you'll be working at Grosvenor's Workshop as an intern. You'll live in one of the bedrooms there, and meals will be provided. Share your ideas on the use of graphene with the wizards, perhaps you will think of something else.

- My lord... - tears appeared in Chester's eyes, this time from happiness. - Sir... I... I... I don't know how to express my gratitude to you. Thank you.

- I'm glad we had a deal. Miss Chester, I dare not detain you any longer.