Harry, along with Sasha and Zed, looked around after they stepped into Greengrass manor behind Daphne. The artificial lighting her parents had installed being enough of a charge that Harry wasn't getting headaches, but it was still enough to be an annoyance. "I hate Dark Zones," muttered Harry.
"Is that what you call them," asked a small voice at the top of the stairs in front of the group. Harry looked up and saw a smaller version of Daphne. She looked about Sakura's age and was hiding behind the bannister.
"Yes it is. You must be Astoria." She nodded, revealing more of herself as Daphne went up to her sister. Harry smiled. "Nice to meet you. I'm Harry MacGrath. This is Sasha and Zachry Benoit."
"Nice to meet you," said Sasha.
"Call me Zed," said Zed.
"Where's Mum and Dad, Story," asked Daphne.
"This way." Astoria made her way down the stairs and to a sitting room nearby."
"Good to see you're getting stronger."
"Thank you. When Mummy and Daddy took me into London, I started feeling better than ever. I'm not as strong here, though."
"That's because you only have the basic setup," said Harry. "But we'll fix that. Don't worry. Daniels Magical Technology specializes in modernizing the Magical World." They stepped into the sitting room and found the girls' parents in the middle of a conversation.
"They're here," said Astoria. They looked up and made their way to the group. Daphne's father made his way to Harry.
"Mr. Potter."
"MacGrath," said Harry, Daphne and Sasha. Zed yawned in reply, still too tired to care. Sasha smacked her husbands shoulder to make him more alert.
"Forgive me. I knew your parents, it's only natural that I'd first call you your birth name rather than your adopted name. I am Lord Cyrus Greengrass. And this is my wife, Lady Martha Greengrass."
"I'm Sasha Benoit," said Sasha as she shook Cyrus' hand. "This is my husband Zachry."
"Nice to meet you," said Zed. "We're going to go ahead and start setting up generators while you four get to talking."
"Alright then. Mimsy." A house elf appeared in front of Cyrus. "Make sure to get Mr. and Mrs. Benoit anything they require."
"Yes, Master Cyrus." Cyrus gestured for Harry to sit. Harry sat in a chair next Daphne. Astoria sat in her sisters lap as Cyrus and Martha sat in a couch.
"First of all, it is good to see you again, Harry. Might I say, you're the spitting image of your parents, from what Daphne has told us. Proud, brave and heroic like your father. Intelligent, strong willed, and tenacious like your mother."
"Thank you, Lord Greengrass."
"Just call me Cyrus."
"And call me Martha," said Martha Greengrass. Harry nodded and Cyrus started talking again.
"Next, please tell me everything you can about Technomancy. I'm afraid the man who told us Astoria was a Technomancer couldn't tell us much as he was busy."
"I'd be happy to." Holly blinked into existence on Harry's shoulder, startling Cyrus and Martha while Astoria stared at her in awe. "Sorry about Holly. She likes startling people with that."
"Though it doesn't always work, apparently," said Holly as she flew over to Astoria. "Hello there."
"Hello. You're pretty…"
"Thank you," said Holly and Sasha from the hall. Harry and Daphne chuckled at the confusion on their faces.
"Sorry," said Harry. "Holly is my A.I. assistant. I based her off of Sasha and she's adopted Sasha's appearance as well, much to Sasha's joy."
"It's like having the nerdy sister I never had," called Sasha from the hall.
"As you can see. Now then. Technomancy is the use of magic to manipulate and control technology. There are three types of Technomancers, as we've learned this week. The first two are natural. Alpha Technomancers are the more energy and data based Technomancers." Harry pulled out a laptop and used his Phoenix II smartphone as a mobile hotspot to show them footage of Cole. "They have a better time producing and manipulating our natural electric based abilities. And because of their higher energy output, and the amount of electricity running through their bodies, they're slightly stronger than normal and are definitely more durable." He showed them Cole dropping from the highest point in New Marais and start running off.
"Amazing," said Martha.
"Alphas are known to the No-Maj public as Conduits. I myself am a Beta Technomancer. Or Mechanist." Harry showed footage of himself. "Mechanists are more machine oriented. Our abilities allow us to see designs and how to repair, alter and modify modern technology. I've also been able to identify runic designs as well. Mainly due to their enhancing abilities for technology, I suppose." He showed some more clips. Mechanists have two primary abilities. Schematic, which allows them to see designs and blueprints, and Mechano-kinesis. We can essentially control machines with our thoughts." He showed them a brief clip of himself and Luna using mechanical prosthetics to wave to a camera while Luna ate a candy bar and Harry tried to generate a ball of lightning for the umpteenth time with no success."
"What are you doing there," asked Cyrus.
"Certain things are easier for each variant. Conduits can do so much more with energy manipulation. This includes working with computer code. In theory, a Mechanist like myself should be able to do the same things, but we have difficulty with it. I was trying to create a ball of lightning. It's very… difficult. Sonofa…" Daphne looked where he was looking and spotted Astoria already making a ball of lightning in her hand, small though it was as Sasha set up a generator in the sitting room. "Great, shown up by a nine-year-old."
"I'm ten," shouted Astoria.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"Oh, boo hoo for your fragile ego!"
"You two are going to get along splendidly," said Martha with w grin. "You're practically like brother and sister."
"Well, if she's going to be my apprentice," said Harry. "She needs to learn to act better around me or I'll drain her." Harry groaned as Daphne pinched his ear.
"Do it and I freeze Them off."
"I know Cryomancy now, too, Daph, won't work when I know how to counteract freezing spells on myself."
"You're welcome for that stolen knowledge, by the way."
"I thought I apologized and thanked you already."
"You didn't," said Daphne and Holly.
"You've been too busy," finished Daphne.
"Oh. Sorry for taking it without your permission and thank you for letting me continue to use it. To be fair, if I hadn't used it, we'd still be wracking our brains on how to stop that Aquamancer."
"You still should've asked first."
"Wait," said Martha. "You can use Cryomancy, Harry?"
"Well, not to the same extent as Daphne and her mentor, Lucy Kuo. Yet, at least. It's a long story."
"Tell it," said Sasha out in the hall. "We're gonna be here for a couple of hours." Harry sighed and proceeded to tell them about their encounter just three days prior. Hearing about Harry and Luna's Malfunctions, Astoria thought about what hers might be, grabbed a nearby pitcher of water and poured it on her head. Daphne exclaimed as she was shocked slightly by her sister. Astoria's hair stood on end as lightning arced between strands.
"That was on purpose to see what would happen if you found yourself submerged now, huh," asked Harry. Astoria chuckled nervously before spotting her hair and exclaiming. Harry chuckled. "Looks like Static Buildup is your Malfunction. Good news, though. This lasts only for a few seconds. Unlike my Electromagnetism." Harry drained the static electricity from her hair as Daphne helped her smooth it out. Holly blinked out of view before returning a few seconds later.
"Simulations 1 and 2, both failures, Harry. Simulation 3 still ongoing. Progress… unknown."
"Don't know whether I should be worried or not from that."
"What's going on," asked Cyrus.
"He's working on his birth mother's project," said Daphne. "He's been running tests on a certain formula that could temporarily give Muggles magic to help with magical potions if they'd need them."
"I remember Lily mentioning something like that before," said Martha. "But why work on it?"
"It's… personal," said Harry. He shook his head and turned to Astoria. "Let's start with the basics, alright?" Astoria nodded and stood up as Harry made his way to the first generator Sasha had set up in the room for them to work with while they worked on the rest of the house. "So, did the Technomancer you meet instruct you on draining and releasing?"
"Yes. He said it was necessary for our magic."
"That's right. In the four years since Empire City, extensive testing has been done regarding Technomancy. Our magic mimics the flow of electricity for modern technology. Never staying in the same spot, always flowing like a river in a circuit." Harry drained the generator slightly before gesturing for her to do the same thing. She drained it and smiled as she felt energized. "Now release it back into the generator in three short bolts." Astoria followed his instructions and Harry noticed white lines in her eyes. He grinned slightly before pulling out a his Multitool. He turned to Sasha as she walked in.
"Alright, first generators are up, wi-fi will be up soon."
"Then let's try Charging next."
"Charging," asked Astoria.
"A more fun and more convenient way to travel for Technomancers." Harry grinned and held his hand up to the lights before Charging in and landing out in the hall beside Zed as he worked on a light fixture.
"Whoa… Let me try!"
"Hold out your hand and reach out with your magic. This is the basic way of Charging. With enough time, you can do it on instinct. It'll look like a tunnel with a lot of windows while you're in there. Just pick one to leave." Astoria Charged and paused for a few seconds as she looked around. She smiled and went through the 'tunnel' before landing behind Harry. She smiled brightly and saw her arms sparking with electricity. " Catch." He tossed his Multitool to her and watched as she turned it in her hands.
"What am I seeing?"
"Schematic. This is a Mechanists ability. It allows us to see the blueprints and designs of technology and, occasionally, runic arrays."
"Why runic arrays," asked Cyrus.
"We don't know, but the prevailing theory is that it's for potential upgrades to technology."
"Maybe because the right runic sequence can create an automaton," said Martha. "At least from what Lily once told me."
"I didn't see mention of that in her journal."
"She had multiple journals. I think she had a private vault in Gringotts that James purchased for her. One where she kept most of her research."
"…I should ask Griphook or maybe Angor if I have access to it…"
"You know the High King," asked Cyrus.
"Sort of. He's the one who helped Ollivander create my wand." Harry pulled out his wand to show everyone. "Goblin Wrought Silver."
"A metal wand," asked Martha. "I suppose it helps with your unique magic."
"It does indeed. From this time at Hogwarts, we've learned that we have just a slight trouble with normal magic wandlessly unlike Technomancy." Harry lifted the generator nearby using electromagnetism and managed to lift it about three feet off the ground. He tried using telekinesis on a book in a similar method and only lifted it three inches. Using his wand, he lifted it up to the ceiling before setting it down.
"So young, and yet still able to use silent magic," asked Cyrus.
"Harry and the other Technomancers prefer trying silent casting," said Daphne. "Considering Tech magic is basically silent anyways they're used to it. They've even encouraged me to learn it. I have some difficulty, though."
"It's all about intent," said Harry. He handed Astoria his wand and turned her to the generator. "Once you know what you want to do, it's easy. Imagine the generator listing into the air. Your magic will do the rest." Astoria aimed the wand at the generator and saw it lift off the ground like she wanted. She smiled broadly and Harry acted quickly to catch it with his magic when it started to fall.
"Sorry," said Astoria.
"Don't worry about it. It's easy to lose concentration on your first attempt when you're successful. I was the same way."
"Smashed a few of my computers when he did," said Sasha. "Runt still needs to pay me back for them."
"And I will… as soon as people start realizing that I know how to make sure they're not caught doing… inappropriate things in Hogwarts. And Pansy doesn't beat me to the punch."
"She will," said Daphne. "She's more cutthroat than you are."
"What else can I do," asked Astoria.
"Well," said Holly. "You can use Conjuration with Technomancy."
"That's an advanced level skill," said Cyrus.
"Not for us," said Harry with a grin. "It's surprisingly easy for us, mainly because we can see it happen. Sasha?"
"Wi-fi is up. Computer is being set up by Zed in the next room."
"Then I'll demonstrate that when he's done. For now, let's work on your tech control." Harry opened up his backpack and pulled out a mechanical spider. "This is a creation of one of my friends for Technomancy practice. Luna called it the Personal Electronic Technomancer Express Reactor."
"Though we've taken to calling it P.E.T.E.R.," said Daphne. Harry mentally took control of it and the spider waved at Astoria.
"He's a great way for Mechanists, like you and I, to practice controlling technology mentally without having to accidentally leave exposed wires everywhere." He set P.E.T.E.R. down on the ground and had him walk over to Astoria. "Take control of him. It's easy." P.E.T.E.R. went still as Astoria knelt in front of him. She reached out with her magic like she did with the lights and saw through his mechanical eyes. Harry chuckled as her own eyes crossed as she got confused. "Just focus on your eyes while maintaining the connection." Astoria tried doing as he said and blinked as her vision returned to normal. She looked at P.E.T.E.R. and focused on making him crawl into her hand. She smiled as the mechanical spider crawled into her palm.
"Luna developed him and his 'brood', as she calls them, to act as spying devices just in case they need to spy on First Sons," said Daphne. "Though they also function as a spare battery in case you suddenly find yourself in a Dark Zone."
"Hence 'reactor' being in the name."
"Can I keep him," asked Astoria.
"Sure. Luna said she made that one for you. You can personalize him however you want. Though, you may want to program a personality into him so he can act on his own when you're not controlling him."
"How do I do that?"
"Can't tell you everything, now can I? Consider this a test. Figure out how to program P.E.T.E.R. on your own after I demonstrate Conjuration for Technomancers." He pulled out a radio. "Sasha? Zed? Any computers up and running?"
"Two so far," responded Zed over the radio. "One in a private study, another in a spare room."
"Then let's head to that spare room. And I'll show you Conjuration." Harry led them to the spare room just as Sasha finished up with setting up the basic programs.
"All ready, Jack," said Sasha with a grin.
"Jack," asked Astoria.
"Inside joke," said Harry. He held out his hand. "Now, watch and learn." Harry concentrated and Astoria watched as lines of 1s and 0s filed out of the computer and to Harry's hand before merging together and forming a solid object, a simple marble.
"Smaller objects are somewhat easier. I can Conjure objects about the size of a quaffle, and that's from four years of practice. Everyone else is still trying to Conjure things larger than their hands, all save Luna, Pansy and Lily, who've had a bit more practice. They can Conjure objects the same size as what I can." Harry dispelled the marble and turned to Cyrus. "To answer your unspoken question, Conjuring is easier for us because we can see the lines of code we use to Conjure with. It's why normal Conjuring is so difficult for people. They can't see what their forming with magic unless they've had a lot of practice."
"I see. From what it seems like, your magic is easier to use."
"Only for certain things. Outside of technology, energy, and coding and memory, we have the same learning curve as everyone else. It's why we still need to attend school at places like Hogwarts, Ilvermorny and Ryuga Academy." Astoria held out her hand and tried to Conjure a marble like Harry had. She saw the lines of code flowing from the computer and imagined it becoming like the marble Harry created, only for the code to 'shatter' causing her to blink. "That's normal for the first try. It takes time to understand how computer code can be manipulated for things like Conjuring and programing."
"That's why you wanted me to see that first," exclaimed Astoria. Harry nodded and smiled. "So, I start understanding how my magic makes this work, and it will be easier?"
"You're more like your sister in more than just looks, huh?" Daphne blushed lightly at the compliment as Astoria smiled. "Yes. And this will be your first set of tasks to practice until we meet up again. Which reminds me." He turned to Cyrus and Martha. "Isabel would like to invite your family to D.M.T. for a holiday party she's hosting during the Christmas break."
"We'd love to attend," said Martha. Any chance to get to know my daughter's betrothed is welcome." Harry smiled with a light blush that matched Daphne's and nodded.
"I would like to get to know you both as well. I'm sorry we don't have time for it today, but we need to get back to the school for a class trip."
"Daphne wrote you'd be heading to Japan, is that correct?"
"Yes, ma'am. We're heading to Akagi Industries in Tokyo. Isabel is a good friend of the owner and founder. He's allowing us to get a tour of his facilities."
"And Harry convinced him to allow me to test out one of their new inventions involving… what was it called?"
"Cryo-technology. It's supposed to help Cryomancers by creating an artificially created sub zero environments. It's supposed to help when they find themselves in warmer climates and their magic starts becoming less reliable. Like my uncle's partner, Lucy Kuo."
"She's the one who's been teaching Daphne, right," asked Astoria. Daphne nodded and smiled.
"Just like Harry will teach you," said Daphne. Holly hovered over Astoria, making her look up.
"Given enough time and experience," said the A.I.. "You'll be able to create something like me. An Artificial Intelligence. Think a computer, like the one in this room, but with emotions and free will."
"Would it be as cool as you?"
"That remains to be seen. It would be your creation, after all."
"Just remember," said Harry. "To base it off of someone's mind. Not make it from scratch. A.I. function better with humans when they have an understanding of emotions and how they affect us. Otherwise we end up with code based on pure logic which would be…"
"Apocalyptic," finished Holly. "At least, based on theories and Hollywood portrayals of A.I."
"Then maybe she shouldn't make one without supervision," suggested Cyrus.
"Smart idea," said Sasha as she walked in. "Harry, we need your help with something."
"Sure thing." He turned to Astoria. "Why don't you come with, so we can go over how to work with computers so you can get some experience."
"Alright then."
(Hogwarts)
Isabel was typing away at her laptop as a video call came through with a familiar looking logo on it. Smiling, she accepted the call and was face to face with a bespectacled man with greying hair and a surprised look on his face. "It really is you," said the man.
"Hi, Alex."
"Isabel Daniels. I never thought we'd meet again."
"I always hoped we would. I know you guys had to distance yourselves after I sided with my father. But he was the lesser of two insanities. He knew how to control his power. You would've been lost to it."
"I know that, now at least. But at the time, given the circumstances we were in, and what happened after you left…"
"What happened?"
"…It'd be better if I showed ya." He stepped out of frame before stepping back in with someone beside him. Isabel gasped and covered her mouth involuntarily as her eyes fell on a woman of Japanese descent with long bangs covering her eyes and wearing a nuns outfit.
"Y-Yumi?"
"Hello, Isabel," said Yumi.
"Wh… how… what…?"
"Your father happened," said Alexander. "He absorbed her soul and turned her into a familiar before releasing her. Shortly thereafter, she, along with Heinkel, were excommunicated. Yumi for being resurrected by a vampire, Heinkel for sticking up for her."
"What about you?"
"I stayed behind, but I gave up hunting. I had a feeling the Church would eventually send me after you and… I don't think I'd ever be able to kill you, lass. You may be half vampire, but you're half human as well. And out of all of us, the only one with her head properly on her shoulders."
"Only took you how long to figure that out?"
"Honestly, Heinkel's still debating about that," said Yumi.
"Of course. Listen, I wanted to talk to you guys for two reasons. The first was to see if we could borrow some of those Iscariot nanobots for testing. See how they affect Technomancy on Technomancers and normal mages alike."
"I don't know if we can do that," said Alexander. "They're supposed to be top secret."
"Alex, what if I told you we knew of a threat that would make my dad seem like an ant?" Alexander and Yumi exchanged a look before turning back to the screen.
"I'd say that's a wild claim."
"It's the truth. Remember shortly after we met, I mentioned how some mages are born with the gift of Sight? Seeing into the future in various ways?"
"I remember…"
"Well, my protégé, a boy by the name of Harry encountered a Seer Technomancer about four years ago. And Alex… actually, it might be better if I just show you…"
(Author's Notes)
And things should be back to normal regarding updates. My fever is gone, the infection is cleared, and I can get back on track. Being sick sucks. But with that out of the way, nothing should be interfering with regular updates. And for those curious, I will be uploading Isabel's backstory regarding Hellsing and the Iscariot Organization. Just be patient. I am working on three regular stories all at once right now. Until next time, Y'all!