Aristocrat (HP/SI)

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***

The tenth of July marked a joyous occasion for Richard - Millicenta Bagnold was elected to the position of Minister of Magic.

When one hears the word "elected", a typical picture of a democratic election with ballot baskets, counting board and observers appears in front of one's eyes. In British wizards, elections are similar and turn into a kind of holiday. Only in emergencies, the Minister is appointed by a vote of the heads of departments of the Ministry of Magic. In normal times, wizards dress up in their best robes and gowns, take their children with them and go to Slanting Lane or Hogsmeade to cast their vote for one of the candidates. And, as at all such events, it is not the one with the most votes who wins, but the one with the best hustle.

Madame Bagnold's hands were free. With funding so huge by wizarding standards, she couldn't lose. She had bought most of the members of the election committee outright. The new-old Minister of Magic had won a record eighty-three per cent of the vote out of one hundred and thirty-seven per cent.

"How so!!! - The average person would ask with indignation. - After all, the maximum can only be one hundred per cent of those who voted!" But who would do such nonsense as to convey all the information to the voter? Certainly not the bribed members of the magic election commission. So all the wizards of Great Britain knew from the Daily Prophet was that Bagnold had won eighty-three per cent of the votes and had become Minister of Magic again.

Richie had even dropped everything for the sake of it and accompanied by his new bodyguard, Nymphadora Tonks, had gone to the Ministry of Magic to personally congratulate his protégé.

It was a shock to Nymphadora, who was not yet accustomed to her new job and the status of the ward for whose safety she was responsible, to see how easily the brat (as she mentally called Richard) talked to important people and adults. Slightly condescending and patronising with subordinates, on an equal footing with rich and powerful wizards.

It was strange for the young sorceress to see adults taking it normally. They spoke to the twelve year old boy as an equal adult. Nymphadora subconsciously felt that it was right, otherwise it was silly to talk to a rich and powerful wizard, but in her heart she rebelled and envied. She is eighteen, she holds an important position - guarding an entire count, receives a huge salary - twice as much as the head of the aurorate. And yet her parents and others treat her like a child.

Envy... Yes, Nymphadora was jealous of Richard, but not maliciously, but kindly. The boy had become something of an idol to her, like a rock star to a rock music fan or a famous bodybuilder to an amateur athlete. She wanted to be the same, to be listened to and treated as an equal.

- 'Madame Bagnold, you look dazzling as always,' said Richie. - The dress is gorgeous, and the emerald colour suits you very well. My sincere congratulations.

- Oh, Richard, you don't have to be so formal," Bagnold smiled charmingly. - You may call me by my first name. Thank you.

- All right, Millicenta," Richard smiled back. - You are more deserving of this position than anyone else.

- Richard, I hear you have big plans? - said the new Minister of Magic.

- I do," Richard replied. - At the moment I'm expanding the Grosvenor Workshop, I'm going to employ up to ten per cent of British wizards and bring in foreign mages. My plans are to soon go into space in a wizard-made spaceship to colonise earth-like planets. It's like we're living in the Middle Ages. Muggles have been flying into space for forty years already, they've been to the Moon.

- Wow!" Bagnold said with genuine admiration. - Colonisation of distant planets... It's really grandiose. I remember a few decades ago, a French witch flew to the moon on a specially enchanted broomstick. And one of the Weasleys, I think it was Billius, Arthur's brother, travelled to the moon by portal. All the good they did was bring back lots of moonstones. And so wizards weren't interested in space, so there wasn't much interest in conquering it. But if there's a chance of colonising Earth-like planets, that's a different matter! Richard, you can be sure that the Ministry of Magic will support you. Such a project will positively affect the reputation of all British wizards.

- That's wonderful, - replied Grosvenor. - Millicenta, I need the contacts of the French witch and Billius Weasley. I want to involve them in the space programme.

- Richard, you'd better contact Arthur Weasley about Billius," the new minister replied. - I'll help you with the French girl.

- Thank you," Richard said. - Millicenta, when do you take over as Minister?

- It will take a week for the Acting Minister to hand over all the powers," said Bagnold. - So not until the seventeenth of July. Richard, who is the lovely lady with you? - She turned her eyes to the silent Nymphadora.

- Miss Tonks," Richie introduced. - Bodyguard. Formerly trained as an auror.

- Oh, Richard," Madame Bagnold said with a mixture of irony and reproach in a chesty, erotic voice, "you're so quick... You're poaching Ministry staff.

- That's life," Grosvenor replied nonchalantly. - By the way, what do you think about hiring employees of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to guard Grosvenor's Workshop? A kind of extra-departmental guard.

- Richard, I don't mind," a sly smile crept across the red-haired sorceress's face. - Come to my place on the seventeenth or eighteenth - we'll talk over all the details. Perhaps we won't have to hire anyone. We can think about creating a special unit to protect important magical objects. And your workshop will be one of them, along with Hogwarts, the Ministry of Magic and St Mungo's Hospital.

- Good," Ritchie nodded in agreement. He glanced at the crowd of wizards who were eager to get the new Minister's attention. - I'm sorry, I see you're popular today. I dare not take up your valuable time. Goodbye, Millicent.

- I'll be glad to see you again," Bagnold replied. - Goodbye.

Richard, accompanied by Nymphadora, left the Ministry of Magic.

Tonks was in shock. Before her eyes, a twelve year old boy had just negotiated with the Minister of Magic to create a new division of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

'This is nonsense! - Nymphadora thought. - How can this be possible, and even after exchanging a few phrases!!!"

- Tonks!

Richard's voice brought the bodyguard out of her musings.

- Yes, sir? - she said.

- We're going to portal to London and visit Granny," Richard continued. - Try to keep your metamorphmagic powers in check, and keep your hands away from the wand. Or better yet, hide it.

- What's that? - Nymphadora asked in mild surprise. - Your grandmother doesn't like wizards?

- I haven't inquired about it, but her guards are better not to be nervous," Richard replied.

Nymphadora was puzzled and wondered, "Who is that grandmother?" This continued until she climbed into the Bentley with her employer. Richard turned to the driver:

- Steve, let's go to Granny's.

- To Windsor Castle, sir? - Stephen asked.

- Yes.

It began to dawn on Nymphadora that her employer's grandmother was not so simple. She asked again:

- Windsor Castle? Isn't that where the queen lives?

- There," Richard agreed. - That's where we're going.

Nymphadora was so stunned that her jaw nearly hit the floor of the car. She suddenly realised who Richard had called Granny. She drove the whole way in silence, trying to digest the news. A thought flashed through her mind:

"First the meeting with the Minister of Magic, then the Queen... What next? A trip to tea with the suddenly revived Merlin?"

Tonks hoped to the last minute that this was a joke. But when Richard secluded himself in the study with the Queen and she had to stay outside with Her Majesty's guards, all doubts were swept away like a good broom.

Richie didn't leave the Queen until a couple of hours later. He looked as handsome as a coffin. Shrunken, pale, his shoulders hunched, his legs shuffling tiredly. Nymphadora was greatly surprised at Richard's appearance. She positioned herself slightly behind the boy and followed him.

- Sir, are you all right? - She asked.

- I'm alive and well, but I'm tired," Richard mumbled quietly. - Tonks, a word of advice for the future - never bargain with royalty if you want to keep your nerves in order... By the way, what do you know about the Department of Mysteries at the Ministry of Magic?

- Well, I know, - Nymphadora began to answer, - that it is located on the minus tenth level of the Ministry and they are engaged in secret developments and researches there. What exactly they do, no one knows. The employees of this department are called Unspeakables. And rumour has it that they don't even report to the Minister of Magic.

- Mm-hmm," Richard nodded faintly. - That's right. Because the Unspeakables report directly to Her Majesty. The Minister of Magic and only a few wizards know about it. So no-one can get that information from you.

- Sir, do you trust me that much? - Nymphadora stumbled as she walked.

- 'Consider it so,' Richie replied.

- Consider it? - Nymphadora was perplexed. - What's that supposed to mean?

- Tonks, are you familiar with the word 'secret carrier'? - Richard asked a counter-question.

- Yes, sir," the metamorphmagus nodded.

- Well, Tonks, you are now a carrier of state secrets," Grosvenor said. - Tomorrow morning you will go to the Ministry of Magic, straight to the Department of Secrets. You'll be tested to see if you're fit for duty. If you pass, you have a good chance of becoming a member of the Department of Mysteries, and after the bodyguard course, you will receive special training in magic.

- Sir, what about my job as a bodyguard? - Nymphadora asked in amazement.

- It's still the same," answered Richie. - You'll still be my bodyguard, but if you're lucky you'll be listed as an Unspeakable, and you'll be trained as a magical special forces officer, compared to which the Aurors are smoking in the background.

- Oh!" Nymphadora's hair and eyes turned sky blue with excitement. - Cool! Thank you, sir.

Richard stopped abruptly and looked at the sorceress carefully.

- Don't let me down, Tonks," he said. - I put in a good word for you with Granny.

- If it's to Granny..." Nymphadora said meaningfully. - I won't let you down, sir!

- And," Richard continued, "tell the Unspeakables that I need a specialist or specialists to research the undocumented properties of the Unforgivable Death Spell.

- Research on the properties of Avada?! - Nymphadora's eyes bulged. - But you can go to Azkaban for using that spell!

- In public, Tonks! - Richard raised his index finger in the air. - For using it in public! No one forbade experiments on mice. Besides, I have the Queen's permission in my pocket. Anyway, don't argue! Just give my regards.

- Very good, sir.

When Richard returned home, there was a cosy armchair by the fire, tea and sweets on the table and his father sitting opposite.

As soon as Richard was seated in the armchair and had a sip of tea, Gerald asked:

- How was your day?

- Fine," Richard replied tiredly.

- Yes?" the Duke asked doubtfully. - And you look like a zombie.

- It was Granny... - Grosvenor Junior sighed heavily.

In response, the Duke raised his right eyebrow questioningly.

- The good news," Richard began to explain, "is that Bagnold has managed to sneak into the Minister of Magic's chair and has come to an agreement with Granny about the construction of the power stations.

- Mm-hm..." A wide grin graced Gerald's face. - How much did she ask for?

Richard answered with a heavy sigh:

- Half. But... I managed to bargain for forty per cent.

- Not bad, - the Duke praised his son with restraint. - Very good. I understand it was a monopoly?

- Yes," nodded the boy. - No, if I had built one power station, my grandmother would have agreed to a tenth of it. But she herself proposed to gradually create a monopoly, with the condition not to survive from the market nuclear power plants, which are important to the state from the military point of view. And not just in the UK. She promised to help with promotion to other countries, but only after the power stations had proved themselves to be reliable and cheap.

- Great! - A broad smile on the face of the reserved Duke spoke of his immeasurable delight. - I didn't even count on this. Son, if this goes on, you'll be richer than me.

- I hope so, but that's not all.

- What else? - Gerald asked curiously.

Richard's face twisted as if with a toothache. He replied:

- Grandma ordered one spaceship "for herself" at almost cost price. I had to agree.

- Richie, it's not difficult for you, is it? - Gerald asked.

- Dad, for me it's not a problem at all. It's not like I'm going to row like a slave on a galley. I'll just hire more wizards. But I'll still have to hold off on the other projects. We also talked about Riddle's ghost.

The smile was wiped from Gerald's face, replaced by a tense crease in his forehead.

- Richie, you didn't say anything about the Philosopher's Stone, did you? - he asked.

- No, Dad," Richard shook his head from side to side. - I presented the story as an adventure to steal a valuable artefact, the Mirror of Einalege, with the help of which I planned to create a worldwide network for viewing fantasies. He went on to describe how it all happened, leaving out any mention of the Philosopher's Stone.

- Ritchie, I'm curious, how did the Queen react to the news that Riddle's ghost had appeared? - Gerald asked worriedly.

- I've learnt a lot," Richie rubbed his eyes tiredly with his palm and continued:- It turns out that Her Majesty has a magical analogue of MI6 - the Mystery Department. They collect and store all dangerous artefacts, conduct various scientific researches in the field of magic, are engaged in the protection of Her Majesty and, as you understand, perform the functions of secret service among mages.

- That's how... - Gerald looked surprised. - I didn't know. Though something like that was to be expected. But you knew about it for a reason...

- That's right," Richard let out a long groan. - Grandma decided to put the problem on my shoulders. She promised me help from the Department of Mysteries. And my scar.

Richard raised his right hand and showed a small scar.

- What's wrong with it?! - Gerald furrowed his eyebrows.

- Dad, the scar is from the spark of a rune-shaped death spell! - Richard said in a slightly raised tone. - There are two people known to have such scars - me and Harry Potter, and both involved Tom Riddle.

- И?! - Gerald's upturned eyebrow left no doubt about his desire for clarification.

- I don't know what the risks are," Richard said. - So we'll have to experiment with the Avada Kedavra spell, mice, and wizards on death row. Granny has given her permission, even insisted on it, but I don't like it at all.

- I don't care about criminals! - Gerald said in a cold tone. - The queen is right - we need to deal with this problem. Richie, don't worry.

- Who would say that to my conscience..." Richard muttered to himself.

***

On the evening of the eleventh of July, Richard travelled to Grosvenor's Workshop, accompanied by Proudfoot. Mr Weasley was just then in his office on the third floor.

All around, construction was in full force. A huge skyscraper was being built by the wizards - seven floors had already been constructed. Not far from the building there was a fence around a huge excavation for a bunker. Several magicians from bags with invisible expansion abundantly sprinkled the ground with sand and gravel mixture, then with the help of magic they tamped the cushion and laid granite slabs reduced to the size of bricks, which in turn were enlarged and glued together with the help of charms. This was how the road was built. Cheap, fast, reliable, durable. Taking into account the thickness of granite slabs and sand and gravel cushion, such road will serve for centuries. Roll on top of a couple of inches of asphalt with the addition of rubber crumbs (from tyres) and enchant this coating for durability - it will be quite good. Such a road will not be demolished despite temperature differences, loads, precipitation and other factors.

Soon Richard found himself in Arthur's study. The room was furnished austerely, with only the bare essentials: a simple desk, a comfortable armchair, a couple of backed chairs, and filing cabinets along one of the walls. The desk was piled high with papers.

Arthur Weasley pulled himself away from the paperwork and raised his head, looking at his visitor carefully. A pleased smile lit up his face.

- Lord Grosvenor! - he said excitedly. - I've been meaning to get in touch with you.

Richard nodded at Mr Weasley and sat down in one of the chairs facing Arthur without asking permission.

- Good afternoon, Mr Weasley," he said. - Do you have some business with me?

- Yes, yes," Arthur nodded his head a couple of times. - Sir, I'm sorry, I wanted to ask... - the man was a little confused and rubbed his fingers over the document he still had in his hands. - Sir, I want to resign from the Ministry of Magic and do only the workshop. Too much energy and time has been consumed by the expanding staff and tasks. I have to spend nights in the workshop.

- Very well, Mr Weasley," the boy did not object. - After the relaxation of the secrecy statute, we don't have such a great need for our own man from your department in the Ministry.

Arthur Weasley's face lit up with happiness.

- Thank you! - he said eagerly. - Thank you, sir! Now at least my wife and children will see me at home. I also wanted to ask...

- Yes, yes? - Richard raised his eyebrows, urging Arthur to continue.

- I've been approached by a journalist from the Daily Prophet," Weasley said. - They want to interview me, take pictures of me and my family. May I, sir?

- Of course, Mr Weasley. You're free to give any interview you want. I'll just ask you to keep secret information and information that could defame the company and my name.

- Absolutely not! - Arthur exclaimed. - I could not even think of such a thing. Thank you!

- Mr Weasley, I hear you have a brother, Billius, who has been to the moon?

- Cousin Billius," Arthur corrected. - 'He's my uncle's son. But really - Billy travelled to the moon. He collected a lot of moonstone, the sale of which made him fabulously rich. Now Billy travels the world, mostly favouring expeditions to various dangerous places.

- Mr Weasley, do you know what spells your cousin used?

- Erm..." Arthur hesitated. - He used to tell me during family gatherings, but I didn't really listen. I know that Billy travelled to the moon through a portal. I think he used various spells to protect himself: a modified air bubble and the like. Why?

- Mr. Weasley," Richard said, "I think it's very important to involve a wizard who's been to the Moon in the space programme! Sir, you do realise that the help of such a wizard would be invaluable, don't you?

An epiphany came over Arthur's face.

- Oh, Merlin! - he exclaimed emotionally. - Why didn't I think of that before? Forgive me, Lord...

- I'm really curious, why? - Richard asked with interest.

- You see," Arthur ruffled his hair agitatedly, "I'm so used to seeing Billius as a frivolous joker... We mostly meet at rare family gatherings. There's the drinking, the partying.

- I understand, Mr Weasley," Richard nodded. - You're not used to taking your cousin seriously. Nevertheless, if he really travelled to the moon, this wizard has much to share with us. It's an irreplaceable experience.

- Of course, sir," Arthur agreed. - I'll be sure to contact Billius and ask him to help us. I don't think he'll refuse. And if he finds out we're going into space to other planets... Oh! He'll ask to be on the crew of the spaceship!

- Let him, I don't mind. Now that that's settled, let's get on with the more important matters," Grosvenor continued. - Mr Weasley, I need the best researchers for a very important project that will be carried out under the auspices of the Neo-Razimians with the permission of Her Majesty and the Minister of Magic. The project is top secret, and all researchers who will be allowed on it will have to sign magical non-disclosure contracts.

- What kind of project? - Arthur asked curiously.

- Research into the deadly Unforgivable Spell and how to counteract it.

Arthur's eyes widened at this information.

- How?!" he exclaimed in amazement. - But everyone knows there is no defence against Avada!

- There is a way," Ritchie shook his head from side to side. - The lightsaber beam has been proven to be able to deflect the deadly spell. I want a defence to be developed that can automatically reflect Avada.

- That's amazing! - Arthur's gaze became keen, and his face expressed an extreme degree of curiosity. - And how did you find out about this?

- Mr Weasley, that's classified information," Richard replied. - Just take note of the fact that it is. We'll need a bunker for the research. How are we doing on that?

- A box for the bottom two floors is ready for now,' Arthur replied. - We're building a bunker along the lines of the Ministry of Magic. It will occupy almost the entire area of the plot. That's why the construction is taking longer. We have to do everything very carefully, because most of the work is done under the finished buildings and the lake. But if necessary, we can transfer the forces of mage builders and make one floor of the bunker suitable for researchers in a couple of weeks.

- I would be grateful if you would do that, Mr Weasley," Richard said with an important look. - The research will be organised by a specialist from the Unspeakables. The Department of Magical Law and Order will be in charge of security. I think we're done with the important questions. Tell me about the progress of the research and show me the latest developments.

- Of course, of course, - Arthur hurriedly left his workplace, - come with me, sir, I'll show you everything.

Richard spent several hours inspecting his magical enterprise. He watched the work of dozens of wizards. Testing new prototypes. Talking to wizards. After the inspection, he was very satisfied.

***

The fifteenth of July Richard devoted to work in the office of the Grosvenor Group. He was sorting out a pile of papers. He was distracted from this tedious task by a cautious knock at the door.

- Come in," he said.

Dan Silver slipped into the office past Proudfoot, whose athletic figure was visible in the doorway.

- I'm sorry, you asked to come in," Dan said.

- Mr Silver, have a seat," Richard invited the man in. - I've been going over the documents on the hedge fund. It's not bad.

- Thank you, sir," a slight smile graced Mr Silver's face. - I'm sorry, but I'm not quite sure why we need a hedge fund.

- For currency manipulation, of course, Mr Silver," Richard said as a matter of course.

Mr Silver's face stretched in amazement.

- Currency manipulation? - he asked in surprise.

- Yes," Richie replied chastely. - Where are we on the dollar assets?

- Sir," Dan came out of his daze, "we have just under three million dollars in our accounts. All other funds are in circulation.

Richard reached out and took a document from the table. Glancing at it, he stated:

- Two hundred and seventeen million. Not bad, but it could be better. Mr Silver, start negotiating with the banks. We need an investment loan secured by securities for the maximum amount possible.

- Sir," Dan took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his sweaty forehead, "a loan? For what kind of project?

- For the investment project we will take another loan, - Richard said. - The Crown will be our guarantor for the power plant, so the loan is guaranteed.

- If we're not talking about the power station, what are we talking about? - Dan asked.

- Mr Silver, I need money for currency manipulation through the hedge fund," Richard said openly. - By the end of August you should have credit funds on hand, which you will convert into dollars, then buy deutsch marks and start waiting for the pound to fall. According to my estimates, the pound relative to the deutsch mark will bottom around mid-October, but this is not certain. Therefore, you will have to orientate on broker's reports. Your job is to maximise your profit on the exchange rate differential with minimal risk.- Oh, sir, - Dan began to sweat even more profusely, - but you can make huge losses on such operations.

- I have professionals to make sure you don't make losses," Richard said with a hint. - You should try not to let it happen. Follow the rules of financial fraud, then everything will be fine.

- But, Mr Grosvenor," continued Dan, "what makes you so sure that the pound will start to fall?

- 'It's obvious! - Richie said. - The Bundesbank, Germany's central bank, has a higher interest rate than the US and Europe and, despite the pressure, is not going to lower it. This definitely threatens to cause European currencies and the dollar to fall, while the deutsch mark rises. But the dollar will be less susceptible to a fall in the exchange rate than the pound. Therefore, the pound-dollar-deutsch mark-pound chain should yield the highest returns. The Bundensbank will announce a new interest rate at the beginning of September. This will quite expectedly attract investors from Europe and the US to Germany. It is at this point that the pound exchange rate will start to collapse.

During Richard's speech, Mr Silver sat dumbfounded.

- Erm... I understand, sir," he said. - I'll pass on your wishes to the hedge fund brokers.

- Mr Silver..." Richard's gaze became stern, as if he were pinning the man to the chair. - I hope you won't spoil such a simple and effective scheme and leak the information to the side....

- Y-yes, sir," Dan's voice trembled. For some reason the little boy at that moment frightened him a lot. - I mean, no, sir... I mean, I won't tell the competition anything... You can rely on me.

- Good," the menacing look on Richard's face was replaced by a warm smile. - I'm counting on you.