Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns the characters from the world of Harry Potter. Anna Grey is mine, however. At least I think she is, but she isn't too sure about it.
Dedicated to my friend Cilla: this is not a Mary Sue ~grin~
The Virus
October 6, 2001
caldosh (c)
rating: PG-13
Sipping her tea, Anna gazed at the screen of her computer. Life just wasn't fair, especially not if you had just updated your virus scanner, restarted your computer and discovered the damn program had once again completely ruined the system files. What's the use anyway? Okay, so your friendly personal help desk had told you of a shortcut to restart the entire installation. And another personal help desk would be more than willing to help you, but you certainly didn't want to contact him!
If only you'd inherited you parents' cunning knack for handling Muggle machines, but no, you simply had to major in the ancient crafts.
In the end you re-install the software, restart your computer half a dozen times and pray it will work this time. The start and quit sounds are beginning to annoy you, even though under normal circumstances you thoroughly enjoy them.
At least you have your local server working again. Even good ol' mom and dad never managed that!
Anna sighed again. It was hard living in the Muggle world. How did the Muggles manage? No wonder one company could have a virtual monopoly in their world - Muggles just couldn't defend themselves against such an oppression!
Maybe she could set up a special support group for them. As an aide to Professor McGonegall, Anna knew she had certain privileges that would enable her to leave Hogwarts often enough without arrousing suspiscion.
Invigorated by her idea, Anna left her computer running its defragmentation program and set out to find Minerva.
~ - # - ~
"I'm begging you, Minerva. Leave me be!"
An irate looking Professor Snape stormed out of his colleagues office, bumping into Anna.
"Out of my way, Muggle Loving Technocrat!"
He pushed her away and marched down the stairs, leaving Anna trembling in his wake.
"Anna? Are you all right?" Minerva McGonegall looked at the young woman.
Shaking her head, Anna focused on the concerned face of her elder. "I'll be fine. That man is just so ... so! You know what I mean. Why did he leave like that? What has Harry Potter done this time?" She managed a small smile, trying to convince Minerva her confrontation with Severus Snape hadn't upset her.
"It's not Harry Potter who upset him."
"Really? Who has done what to him this time? I'm certain he'll blame Harry for it, one way or another. Snape is just a walking Conspiracy Theory. It's a wonder Professor Dumbledore will even let him work here, especially if he doesn't improve that foul temper of his."
"Anne, leave Professor Dumbledore out of your grievances against Severus. And let's go into my office. I'm sure the Weasley twins are around here somewhere, and they certainly don't need to hear your biased opinion of our Potions Professor."
Minerva guided Anna inside and sat her down in one of the comfortable chairs.
"Tea, dear?"
~ - # - ~
Amazement crept over her face. "You're kidding, I hope? Snape has opened a virus sent by George and Fred Weasley and now all his computer does is play aria's from 'Cosi fan Tute'?"
Anna cracked up, laughing so loud her hands were shaking so badly she was spilling cold tea all over her robes. "That's briliant! I wish I'd thought of that! Those boys should receive a medal."
"Anna! Behave yourself." But even the always calm and collected Minerva McGonegall couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You should have seen his face, it was simply priceless. I wish I had my camera. Severus was steaming."
"'Was steaming'? The way he almost ran me over, I'd say he'll be steaming for quite some time."
"He most probably will, which is going to make it more difficult to repair his machine. He has tried to cast several Silentio spells, but they won't work of course. I'm afraid there's nothing else you can do, but to re-install the whole software program."
Anne blinked and swallowed hard, "Did I just hear you volunteer me?"
"Yes, dear, after all, Severus blames you for his debacle. He's certain you will bring the downfall of Hogwarts."
Snorting at the last comment, Anna poured herself some fresh tea, "Just because I suggested the students get some hands-on experience with Muggle machinery doesn't mean I want to destroy the school. How dare he?"
"Anna, I know you don't, but men like Severus need time to get used to new toys. Just show him the finer points of making a database, and he'll be a computer convert in no time. Besides, I think he likes you."
~ - # - ~
Carrying her laptop through the dark corridors of Hogwarts dungeons was a unique experience, Anna thought. What was more anachronistic than this? She realized many wizarding families would have her head for bringing Muggle technologies to their children's school, but since the highly esteemed and wise Professor Dumbledore had endorsed her project, not even the Malfoys could stop her. Of course, Albus never mentioned his near addiction to 'Solitaire', only Anna knew his secret.
When she had contacted Professor Snape earlier, she distinctly heard him hum along to the virus' Mozart favorites. Perhaps ridding his computer of the Weasley twins' joke wouldn't be too terrible after all.
Ever since meeting Snape in her Final Year at Hogwarts, Anna had been intrigued by the brooding man. At the last moment he had substituted for the previous Potions Professor, and he still hadn't left.
She hadn't graduated in Advanced Potions for Excellent Students, so she had never had the dubious pleasure of having Snape as her teacher. Although, after hearing poor Nevil Longbottom's anguishes pleas to free him from the horrors of the course, she was thankful for her earlier revelations that she just couldn't stand the smell of a used cauldron.
She only hoped Snape's office would be cleansed of all those horrendous smells.
~ - # - ~
"It's really quite simple, Professor Snape. Have you managed to follow my online courses in Simple HTML-ing for the Wizard? If you have then ... "
"Ms Grey, do you really think I have the time to follow one of your Muggle training programs? I assure you, my duties as Hogwart's Potions Master keep me profoundly occupied. And contrary to popular belief, I do have other hobbies than making Potter's life miserable!"
tbc
Dedicated to my friend Cilla: this is not a Mary Sue ~grin~
The Virus
October 6, 2001
caldosh (c)
rating: PG-13
Sipping her tea, Anna gazed at the screen of her computer. Life just wasn't fair, especially not if you had just updated your virus scanner, restarted your computer and discovered the damn program had once again completely ruined the system files. What's the use anyway? Okay, so your friendly personal help desk had told you of a shortcut to restart the entire installation. And another personal help desk would be more than willing to help you, but you certainly didn't want to contact him!
If only you'd inherited you parents' cunning knack for handling Muggle machines, but no, you simply had to major in the ancient crafts.
In the end you re-install the software, restart your computer half a dozen times and pray it will work this time. The start and quit sounds are beginning to annoy you, even though under normal circumstances you thoroughly enjoy them.
At least you have your local server working again. Even good ol' mom and dad never managed that!
Anna sighed again. It was hard living in the Muggle world. How did the Muggles manage? No wonder one company could have a virtual monopoly in their world - Muggles just couldn't defend themselves against such an oppression!
Maybe she could set up a special support group for them. As an aide to Professor McGonegall, Anna knew she had certain privileges that would enable her to leave Hogwarts often enough without arrousing suspiscion.
Invigorated by her idea, Anna left her computer running its defragmentation program and set out to find Minerva.
~ - # - ~
"I'm begging you, Minerva. Leave me be!"
An irate looking Professor Snape stormed out of his colleagues office, bumping into Anna.
"Out of my way, Muggle Loving Technocrat!"
He pushed her away and marched down the stairs, leaving Anna trembling in his wake.
"Anna? Are you all right?" Minerva McGonegall looked at the young woman.
Shaking her head, Anna focused on the concerned face of her elder. "I'll be fine. That man is just so ... so! You know what I mean. Why did he leave like that? What has Harry Potter done this time?" She managed a small smile, trying to convince Minerva her confrontation with Severus Snape hadn't upset her.
"It's not Harry Potter who upset him."
"Really? Who has done what to him this time? I'm certain he'll blame Harry for it, one way or another. Snape is just a walking Conspiracy Theory. It's a wonder Professor Dumbledore will even let him work here, especially if he doesn't improve that foul temper of his."
"Anne, leave Professor Dumbledore out of your grievances against Severus. And let's go into my office. I'm sure the Weasley twins are around here somewhere, and they certainly don't need to hear your biased opinion of our Potions Professor."
Minerva guided Anna inside and sat her down in one of the comfortable chairs.
"Tea, dear?"
~ - # - ~
Amazement crept over her face. "You're kidding, I hope? Snape has opened a virus sent by George and Fred Weasley and now all his computer does is play aria's from 'Cosi fan Tute'?"
Anna cracked up, laughing so loud her hands were shaking so badly she was spilling cold tea all over her robes. "That's briliant! I wish I'd thought of that! Those boys should receive a medal."
"Anna! Behave yourself." But even the always calm and collected Minerva McGonegall couldn't help but burst out laughing. "You should have seen his face, it was simply priceless. I wish I had my camera. Severus was steaming."
"'Was steaming'? The way he almost ran me over, I'd say he'll be steaming for quite some time."
"He most probably will, which is going to make it more difficult to repair his machine. He has tried to cast several Silentio spells, but they won't work of course. I'm afraid there's nothing else you can do, but to re-install the whole software program."
Anne blinked and swallowed hard, "Did I just hear you volunteer me?"
"Yes, dear, after all, Severus blames you for his debacle. He's certain you will bring the downfall of Hogwarts."
Snorting at the last comment, Anna poured herself some fresh tea, "Just because I suggested the students get some hands-on experience with Muggle machinery doesn't mean I want to destroy the school. How dare he?"
"Anna, I know you don't, but men like Severus need time to get used to new toys. Just show him the finer points of making a database, and he'll be a computer convert in no time. Besides, I think he likes you."
~ - # - ~
Carrying her laptop through the dark corridors of Hogwarts dungeons was a unique experience, Anna thought. What was more anachronistic than this? She realized many wizarding families would have her head for bringing Muggle technologies to their children's school, but since the highly esteemed and wise Professor Dumbledore had endorsed her project, not even the Malfoys could stop her. Of course, Albus never mentioned his near addiction to 'Solitaire', only Anna knew his secret.
When she had contacted Professor Snape earlier, she distinctly heard him hum along to the virus' Mozart favorites. Perhaps ridding his computer of the Weasley twins' joke wouldn't be too terrible after all.
Ever since meeting Snape in her Final Year at Hogwarts, Anna had been intrigued by the brooding man. At the last moment he had substituted for the previous Potions Professor, and he still hadn't left.
She hadn't graduated in Advanced Potions for Excellent Students, so she had never had the dubious pleasure of having Snape as her teacher. Although, after hearing poor Nevil Longbottom's anguishes pleas to free him from the horrors of the course, she was thankful for her earlier revelations that she just couldn't stand the smell of a used cauldron.
She only hoped Snape's office would be cleansed of all those horrendous smells.
~ - # - ~
"It's really quite simple, Professor Snape. Have you managed to follow my online courses in Simple HTML-ing for the Wizard? If you have then ... "
"Ms Grey, do you really think I have the time to follow one of your Muggle training programs? I assure you, my duties as Hogwart's Potions Master keep me profoundly occupied. And contrary to popular belief, I do have other hobbies than making Potter's life miserable!"
tbc