---
Right after figuring out the logistics for the newspaper subscription, Richie headed back to his seat to finish his breakfast.
Just then, a late-running owl swooped into the Great Hall, carrying a long, awkwardly shaped package that looked exactly like a broom.
"What is that?"
"A broomstick?"
"Wait, someone bought a broom?"
Under the intensely curious gazes of the student body, the owl circled over the Gryffindor table and dropped the heavy parcel right into Harry's lap.
"Whoa!" Harry fumbled but managed to catch it before it smashed into his breakfast.
"Harry, did you buy a broom?" Hermione quickly cleared the plates out of the way so he didn't have to awkwardly balance the package.
"I didn't buy it," Harry said, shaking his head as he carefully placed the broom on the table.
"Open it!"
The three of them eagerly tore away the brown paper wrapping.
"Merlin, it's a Nimbus 2000..." Ron gasped, his voice filled with absolute disbelief. "That's literally this year's newest model..."
Watching the absolute chaos erupt at the Gryffindor table, Terry clicked his tongue over at the Ravenclaw side. "The Savior must be loaded. Just dropping serious cash on a top-tier broom like it's nothing."
Anthony looked confused. "Are brooms really that expensive?"
"Depends on the model," Terry replied casually, though his eyes were brimming with pure envy. "But even the cheap ones are a massive luxury. It's definitely not something your average student can afford."
---
After breakfast, Richie and the guys packed up and headed out for class.
Suddenly, someone rushed up to Richie, looking completely panicked. "R-Richie!"
Richie turned around and realized it was Neville Longbottom. "Hey, Neville. What's up?"
"W-well, it's like this..." Neville stammered, his face flushing bright red as he gathered his courage. "I was wondering... if you had some free time tonight? I have a few questions about some spells, and I was hoping you could help me."
Richie kept walking up the stairs, glancing back at Neville trailing behind him. "Is there something specific you're struggling to understand?"
Neville nodded miserably. "Yeah. The Levitation Charm and the Wand-Lighting Charm... I just can't get them to work at all."
Misinterpreting Richie's thoughtful silence as hesitation, Neville immediately panicked. "I promise I won't take up too much of your time! Just a few minutes! Please, Richie..."
Neville was genuinely desperate. His spellwork was an absolute disaster. He wasn't blowing things up like Seamus, but his wand basically did nothing. Professor Flitwick was already moving on to advanced spells, and Neville still couldn't cast the absolute basics. He was too terrified to even write to his grandmother about his grades—even though he knew she was going to send him a Howler anyway. Desperate times pushed him to seek out Richie, the guy who had been nice to him on the Hogwarts Express.
Seeing Neville practically begging, Richie let out a helpless sigh.
"Neville. Look, if you need help, all you have to do is ask. I'll help you." Richie reached out and lightly pinched Neville's cheek to snap him out of his panic. "You don't need to act like it's the end of the world. You aren't a lost cause. Solutions are like bread and milk; you just have to go to the store and get them."
Richie smiled. "Meet me in the Great Hall after dinner tonight. We'll go over the theory for those spells."
"Thank you, Richie!" Neville beamed, looking incredibly relieved.
"Alright, you should probably get to class. Unless you're taking Transfiguration with us?" Richie pointed out.
"Oh, crap! Gryffindor has Potions!" Neville's face went completely pale. He immediately spun around and sprinted down the corridor. "See you tonight, Richie!"
Watching the chubby kid desperately sprinting away, Richie just shook his head and laughed.
"Haha, I remember him," Terry said as they walked into the classroom. "The kid with the absolutely cursed luck from Flying Class!"
"Oh, and that Howler he got!" Anthony chimed in. "I swear that thing was louder than a Ukrainian Ironbelly dragon!"
"But seriously, look at Richie's clout," Terry teased. "Even the Gryffindors are coming to him for tutoring! Richie is officially the brightest star of our year! The star of the Seven-Pointed Star!"
"Well, not counting the Savior, obviously," Stephen noted. "We all grew up listening to stories about him..."
Stephen shook his head. "I grew up hearing those stories too, but honestly? Based on what we've actually seen, I think Richie is way more impressive."
"Alright, knock it off, you three," Richie said, rolling his eyes at his roommates. "Class is starting. Go find a seat."
---
For some people, studying is pure torture, making time drag on forever. But for those who actually enjoy it, the day practically flew by.
In the blink of an eye, it was evening. After dinner, Richie waited by the entrance to the Great Hall.
It didn't take long before he heard his name. "Richie! Over here!"
Neville jogged up, awkwardly hugging a massive, towering stack of heavy textbooks.
"Sorry I'm late, Richie. I went back to the dorm to grab my books," Neville panted, poking his head out from behind the stack. Sweat beaded on his forehead, showing just how stressed he was. "Don't worry, once you answer my questions, I won't bother you while you study. I'll just sit quietly and read."
"It's fine. It's not a bother at all. Reviewing the basics actually helps me solidify my own foundation." Richie drew his wand and gave it a flick. "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Neville instantly felt the weight vanish from his arms as the books gently floated into the air. "Oh, thank you." He let out a massive sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"Oh, it's you, Richie."
Suddenly, a familiar bushy-haired girl stepped up to them. It was Hermione.
She was also carrying a stack of books. She looked at Neville, visibly annoyed. "I told you I would help you, Neville. You just need to trust my methods."
"O-oh... H-Hermione." Neville was clearly terrified of her. He instinctively shrank back, hiding slightly behind Richie. "I... I didn't want to bother you."
In reality, Neville was just terrified of Hermione's brutally strict, "tough love" tutoring style. He had watched her relentlessly micromanage Harry and Ron, and he wanted absolutely no part of it.
Hermione rolled her eyes, fully aware of what he was actually thinking. She turned to Richie.
"Richie, do you mind if I tag along? I'll just observe. Though, obviously, if you make a mistake explaining something, I can step in and correct it."
Richie just shrugged. "Sure, if you want."
With that, he motioned for the two Gryffindors to follow him. "Let's go. We shouldn't block the Great Hall entrance. I know an empty classroom we can use..."