DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter or Sony VAIO…though Sony VAIOs are nice laptops…

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, I know the video game systems don't line up with the time period, but hey, I like the video games we have today better than some of the older ones…except some things, like Duck Hunt.  That's beside the point.  I will also use technology that's more current, like Sony VAIOs, Internet, etc.  Wow, more to say, Music will also be more recent.  I like current music and will find some things will fit this story to a tee.  Or, I just like the song and want it to be included! ^^ OH yeah I really love this chapter! ^^

Chapter 8

Muggle Ways

            Harry locked himself in the bedroom until he finished his homework, which just happened to be right after Tristan returned with everything from his apartment.  Dumbledore arranged it so that Tristan could have a little room.  Harry and Tristan spent the rest of the day putting everything from Severus's room into Tristan's room.  When Severus finally finished working on his antidotes he first went into Tristan's room and asked what everything was.  Before having the room, Tristan asked if Dumbledore would make it 'Muggle-like' so he could live his old life.  Tristan and Harry were able to work everything, where Severus kept asking what everything was.  While unpacking one of the boxes, Harry screamed.

            "Little bro, what new excitement have you found now?"

            "It's just your CD collection!  Any Discman around here?" Harry asked, knowing exactly what everything was.

            "What's a 'Discman'? Is that like a Frisbee?" Severus asked.

            "No, Dad, nothing like that.  It's something that play CDs, and it's portable, meaning you don't have to plug it in."

            "Why would you have to plug it in? What are CDs?"

            Harry began this time.  "CDs, or compact discs, are things that look like this," he said as he held up a CD, "that Muggles use to listen to music and record data onto.  You need CD players to listen to them, or a computer.  Hey Tristan, do you have a laptop around here somewhere?"

            Severus was still confused.  "What are a computer and a laptop?"

            Tristan began this time, though both Harry and himself were exasperated.  "A laptop is what's at the bottom of my CD collection.  Harry, if you'd be so kind, show Dad what my laptop looks like."

            Harry reached towards the bottom of the box and pulled up what looked like a briefcase.  He began to open it up and pulled out the heavy rectangle shaped object.  "Wow, Tristan, nice laptop, a Sony VAIO? Wow, must've cost you a lot of money.  Sir, this is a laptop.  It's a portable computer.  Where's the nearest plug in this place?"

            "Yeah, it wasn't cheap so don't break it.  There are plugs in the kitchen area, the living area, and in the bedroom."

            Severus looked at the laptop.  It confused him.  He didn't understand the purpose of the laptop and why Tristan needed to bring it with him.  So he decided to ask about that.

            "Dad, it hooks up to the Internet.  The Internet is confusing to explain, but I'll try.  People make web pages and you can view the web pages using the Internet.  You can also communicate with people once you are connected to the Internet.  That's why I brought it.  I want to be able to communicate with my friends back home.  Dumbledore put a phone line in here…I think it's in the kitchen, Harry, if you want to go on the net right now."

            "No thanks, I think I'd rather see what other goodies you've brought.  Maybe we can confuse Snape a little more!" Harry said, excited.

            "Harry, call me Severus.  Everyone else does, anyways.  What about me being confused?"

            "Well, Severus, things from the Muggle world are hard to explain to someone who has no idea what you are talking about.  Don't worry!  Tristan and I will try to teach you EVERYTHING!"

            "I'm looking forward to it," Severus remarked sarcastically.

            "Hey Harry!  Over here!  I knew there was something I wanted you to have!"

            "Oh what could it be?" Harry asked, in an anticipating tone.

            "Try some videogames!"  Severus looked at Harry's face light up.  Harry dashed over and asked what systems Tristan had.  Severus didn't understand what Harry meant by systems, but he would soon find out.

            "Wait a sec.  If you brought video games, that means you brought a TV!  Where is it?"

            "It's in some boxes somewhere.  I want to show you want games I have."

            "I have to know what system you have first, remember?"

            "What's a TV?  What would these systems be?" Severus asked, not understanding everything Tristan and Harry were talking about. 

            "A TV is the way Muggles watch the news.  You can see things through this.  Again, it's not something that's easily explained.  You need a TV or a computer to play video games, depending on what games you want to play.  On top of that, to play certain games you need a certain 'system' to play it on.  Harry, the answer to you question is N64, PS2, and Dreamcast.  I have a ton of games for each system.  Should we hook it up tonight or tomorrow?"

            "TONIGHT!  After dinner!  Then we'll have to teach Severus here how to play a few games.  Though, I only know a few myself.  You do have Mario Kart 64, right?" Harry asked.

            "Of course, of course.  I have three controllers, so once we teach Dad how to play it, we can all play!" Tristan shouted, as he thought about beating his dad at something so simple.

            "What are you guys trying to teach me?"

            "Only a video game, Dad.  No need to fear us, it's simple.  Let's see…I'll hook all the electronics up myself.  Harry, can you carry anything labeled 'bedroom' into my room.  I think there are a few misc. boxes still lying around.  I think that's everything.  Now for dinner, Harry and I will cook you a great meal, the Muggle way!" Tristan said, directing the last comment to Severus.  He shooed Severus out of the room, insisting that Severus would just get in the way.  Tristan led Harry over towards the kitchen area and Harry gasped.

            "Wow!  This is the picture perfect Muggle kitchen; it has a fridge, microwave, and oven.  So what did you have in mind for your dad?" Harry asked, curious as to what food Tristan brought with him.

            "I was going to make breaded chicken cutlets, French fries, and corn.  Sound good to you?"

            "Certainly American enough.  Well what do you want me to do?"

            "For starters, put enough French fries on this tray," Tristan said as he handed Harry a cookie sheet.  "You can then turn on the oven to around 400°F and place the tray in the oven.  I'm going to start cutting the chicken cutlets and breading them.  Can you get a frying pan with sides and add some vegetable oil to it?  Thanks."

            "Well, what about the corn?" Harry asked, not sure how Tristan was going to manage that one.

            "Simple, microwave-able food, Harry.  You have to think simple and make life easier.  Well this will take about 15 minutes.  I can handle the rest.  Why don't you go and find some video games you might like?" Tristan suggested.

            "I've got a better idea."

            "What could be better than any of my brilliant ideas?  I mean, I am a genius," Tristan joked.

            "I'll go find some interesting CDs and we'll listen to them.  I don't think Sna-Severus will like some of the things that you own."

            "I could always combine things and make a new CD using a CD burner."

            "Never heard of that before, sounds cool.  Well we have to include Right said Fred, Sir-Mix-A-Lot, umm, whoever performed the Macarena, and a bunch of other awesome songs.  You do have them, right?" Harry asked.

            "If I don't have them, I can always download them off the Internet.  I mean, who's going to call here?"

            "Too true!  I can just picture Severus' face when he hears these songs!  These songs aren't the cleanest songs in the world.  Especially since we'll be listening to this while we eat.  Tristan, how do you hook this up to the Internet?"

            "Here, let me do this.  Just watch the chicken, okay?"  Tristan hooked up the computer and logged into Napster as soon as he got online.  He quickly downloaded anything he really liked or thought Harry would like to hear, and put it onto a CD.  "There you go, Harry, your very own CD to listen to.  Enjoy!" Tristan said cheerfully.

            "Thanks!  Is dinner almost ready?"

            "Almost, why don't you go get Dad?  I'm sure he'd like to come in while I put on the music," Tristan stifled his laughter.  He could just imagine Snape listening to 'I'm too sexy.'  Dinner was going to be interesting.  Harry brought Severus in, and Severus stopped at the door.

            "Tristan, excuse my language Harry, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LISTENING TO!?" Severus yelled.

            "Only Right said Fred.  It's this British band that had this one popular song, 'I'm too sexy.'  That's what we're listening to right now.  Do you like it?" Tristan asked, even though he knew how his dad was going to act.

            "I'M TOO SEXY IS THE TITLE OF THIS BLASTED MUSIC?"

            "Yup!  What's wrong with it?" Harry said from where he was sitting at the table.

            "What's wrong with it? ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO THE LYRICS?"

            "Yes, Dad, we are.  It's got a nice beat and makes for a nice evening of strip poker," Tristan said, jokingly.

            "You better not be playing strip poker!"

            "But, Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaad!" Tristan gave those puppy dog eyes, "I'm twenty years old!  I'll change the song.  Harry, want to watch the music video to this one?"

            "Sure, why not?" Harry responded, almost afraid of Tristan's choice in songs.  It turned out he had a reason to be afraid.  Tristan brought the laptop over to the table so both Severus and Harry could watch the video of 'Baby Got Back' by Sir Mix-A-Lot.

            "WHAT KIND OF SHIT IS THIS NOW TRISTAN CAMERON HOLLEN!?" Severus yelled.

            "Hey, Dad, I don't think Darryl and Jake can hear you in New York.  Want to make it a little louder so they can hear you?" Tristan remarked sarcastically.

            "Just don't force me to watch this.  Can we please just eat?" Severus asked, with his hand to his head, making it seem like he had a headache.

            Tristan turned off the music, knowing that his dad had a headache.  After dinner, Harry and Tristan quickly put the dishes in the dishwasher and went to set up the N64 in the living area.  They motioned for Severus to follow them and for him to sit on the couch and watch.  Since Tristan had already set up the system once before, he knew exactly how to do it this time.  When they started up the game, Severus groaned.

            "What is it now?" Harry asked, without even turning around.  He was too engrossed in the video game at this point.

            "That music isn't an improvement!"

            "We can always turn it off Dad.  Chill.  It's okay, dude," Tristan said, going for the 'surfer' tongue.

            "So you guys are racing each other as these 'characters'?  I don't see the point in that."

            Harry decided to answer this time.  "That's because there really isn't any point besides having fun…I WON!  I WON!  Look, Tristan, I BEAT YOU!" Harry yelled, jumping up and down at the same time.

            "Want to try and play us this time?  It'll be fun!  Don't worry about losing; we'll play Battle at Block Fort.  I'll explain.  Each of has three balloons.  You want to try to make the other players lose all three balloons before you do.  You achieve this by shooting bombs, bananas, and anything else destructive.  No magic of course, this is a Muggle game.  What give it a go?"

            "I'll try, but I'm not promising any skills," Severus reluctantly agreed.  He was horrible at the game, but he did have fun.  Slowly he learned how to play the game and finally was catching up to Tristan and Harry.  He was about to win, when Harry realized what time it was.

            "I think I should get to bed.  It's almost one in the morning.  Tristan, I'll sleep on the extra bed in your room.  G'night." Harry sleepily said.

            "Tristan, do you mind if I crash on the couch?"

            "Not at all, Dad.  See you in the morning.  I'm going to sleep now." Tristan said.  He closed the bedroom door behind him and fell asleep quickly.