Richard smiled to himself at the young wizard's polite formality. It harkened back to an earlier age, far removed from the casual easiness of his modern world. For all that he was a stranger in a strange land, Arcturus seemed determined to properly show the flag. While he usually made an effort to blend in with the culture of wherever he happened to be, it was an attitude that Richard could respect.
After serving himself, Richard likewise took his seat, then held up a restraining hand at the young man's words. "Please, where it is just the two of us, I am Rich, or Richard, if you prefer, and you are Arcturus. After chatting with Miss Cassiopeia Black, I consulted the family genealogy. As is common with most of the Pureblood families, we share a marriage between ancestors - somewhat closer to your days than mine, but still making us distaff cousins of some remove. In public settings, where more formality is called for, if you were to refer to me as Cousin Richard, it would make it plain that your familiarity comes from blood ties rather than any disrespect. I would, of course, make it just as plain that you are Cousin Arcturus, a young and respected member of the extended family."
He shook his head. "When a wizard does magic, there is a basic process, not always well-articulated to the student. First, there is intention; what are you going to attempt. Then there is focus, deciding on the tools to use, and how to use them. Lastly, there is the gathering of magic, followed by the application of that magic to achieve the desired results. For the more advanced practitioner, the process is seldom so formal, and sometimes not even in that order. For example, let us say you have just taken a seat in your favorite chair, and something you want is just out of reach. Do you reach for your wand and swish, swish, flick," he mimed using a wand, "as you cast a spell, or do you simply Summon the object to hand with your familiarity with the spell and the magic a wizard always has gathered to himself?" As he spoke, Richard's coffee cup lifted from the table in front of him and drifted serenely into his waiting hand so gently that the hot liquid inside didn't slosh about in the slightest.
"So if you would speak of your intentions and goals, while I review one of the basic tools of magical focus you used in the process, it will give me an indication of where your current abilities are concentrated, and in addition, where the basics of magic have changed from your time period to mine. With a little luck, we will both learn something from the process."