Hermione and Richard walked along the train toward the last carriage.
"I've read all the magical textbooks several times and memorized them,"Hermione said. "I hope that will be enough. "
"All the textbooks in a month? Not bad. I suppose, Hermione, you're worrying for nothing. Most children won't even open the books. For example, I didn't even consider reading the magical textbooks. Frankly, I didn't have the time—and when I did, I preferred to rest before a long and difficult year away from home.
"But it's magic!"Hermione exclaimed indignantly, as if Richard had said something sacrilegious. "How can you not even open the textbooks?! I thought you were a genius…"
"I don't consider myself a genius. You know, Hermione, the past two years have been incredibly difficult for me. During that time, I built the foundation of my future prosperity, finished both secondary school and sixth form, and also studied privately with a tutor in charms and fencing. After all that, I couldn't even look at books—I had only one desire: to get some proper rest."
Hermione froze in place and set her suitcase down on the platform with a loud thud. She looked at Richard with a mixture of outrage and disbelief.
"You finished school? How?!"
"The usual way for someone my age,"Richard shrugged calmly. "I sat the exams as an external candidate."
"The usual way?!" Hermione stared at Richie with wide eyes.
"Yes, the usual way."
"Boys don't usually finish school at eleven!" Granger declared.
"That's their problem. I even received an invitation to a prestigious university after I discovered a method for producing graphene flakes. Unfortunately, I already knew I'd be going to Hogwarts, so I had to decline. A pity. Otherwise, I'd be heading to a university lecture right now instead of a school for magic."
Hermione's cheeks flushed pink. The girl resembled a kettle about to boil over. Unable to contain herself, she burst out:
"What the hell?! Why is it that every time I see you, I want to shout that I don't believe you?!"
"I hardly believe it myself—that all of this is actually happening to me. But what can I do? Every morning I open my eyes and see that the reality around me is very real indeed."
"I…" Hermione's eyes filled with tears from frustration. "After our last meeting, I decided to finish school early too. I barely managed to arrange it with my parents and the school. I… damn it! I worked incredibly hard just to pass the exams for the second year of secondary school, and here you are saying you've finished sixth form!"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Hermione,"Richard apologized sincerely." I didn't mean to upset you. Believe me, I truly admire your talent. To master the curriculum of several school years in such a short time is a truly impressive achievement. You're brilliant!
"Don't mock me…" Hermione sniffled.
"Not at all, Hermione, I'm completely serious. You really are a very talented girl—and on top of everything else, you also have supernatural abilities. Will you tell me what interesting things you found in the textbooks?"
Richard handed the girl a handkerchief. She accepted it and began wiping the tears from her face.
"Are you really interested?"Hermione asked hopefully.
"Of course. I haven't read those books myself. I suggest we continue this conversation in a train compartment. As I can see, more wizards are arriving. We should take the best compartment while we're here early."
"Alright."
The boy and girl took the first compartment. Hermione eagerly began recounting the information she had learned from the magical textbooks.
Gradually, the platform filled with oddly dressed witches and wizards. Some managed to combine pajama pants with a jacket, or a skirt with a sweater. For the time, a man wearing women's clothing looked quite peculiar.
Richard periodically glanced out the window. Looking at the platform once more, he noticed a familiar face.
"Hermione,"he interrupted the girl's story," please excuse me. Hold this compartment for me, if you would. I'll go meet some friends.
"Of course, Richie."
Stepping off the train, Richard hurried toward the familiar figure. A chubby-cheeked boy stood not far from the entrance to the ordinary train station, looking around in confusion.
"Justin! Hello."
Young Finch-Fletchley, spotting a familiar face, was overjoyed. Breaking into a wide smile, he said with relief:
"Richie. Richie! Richie, I'm so glad to see you! Look, I bought a suitcase with an expansion charm too."
Justin proudly showed him a black leather case.
"My dear friend, words cannot express how glad I am to see you. A splendid case. How was your journey?"
"Fine, but Dad couldn't get through the barrier,"Finch-Fletchley replied with a hint of disappointment."
"My guard couldn't even approach the passage, so don't worry about it. Shall we wait for Harry, or head straight to a compartment?"
"Let's wait for Harry."
Justin looked uncertain. He glanced around with a mix of curiosity and mild apprehension.
"My God,"he whispered," Richie, these people have absolutely no sense of fashion. Look at that wizard—is it just me, or is he actually wearing a woman's nightgown?
"Hmm…" Richard also noticed the elderly wizard."Quite extravagant. Pink… Good thing it's not a negligee, otherwise my eyes wouldn't survive the sight."
(End of Chapter)
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