For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter 1

A/N: This will be the last full week I'll write for a while. Like JKR, I'll move on to separate chapters for important events in the school year later. Jessie Tickes of Jas. W. Tickes & Sons, clocksmiths, is used with permission.
PS: I know email addies don't display correctly. This is the best I could get QuickEdit to take!

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7 - Classes, Week Three, First Year

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Sunday, September 13, 1998:
Hogwarts, Slytherin House, First year girl's dorm
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"Mattie, get up! You'll oversleep!"

"Gway, Sprink. Bother some'ne else."

"Mattie, you know we're the only Firstie girls in Slytherin. C'mon … Breakfast…" she crooned.

"Sleep … " I buried my face in the pillow.

"It's half past nine, Mattie," she said. "If you don't get up, I'm stealing your transformer…" she crooned.

"Y'wouldn't dare, y'lousy Brit. Scrubbin' cauldrons…" I mumbled. "Okay, I'm up…"

"Not until I see you out here, you're not. Let's see what else you have in your trunk…" I heard latches being opened, and I scrambled out of bed, only to see Sprink across the room, sitting and flipping the latches on HER trunk. I glared, and she said, "Got you up!"

"That was evil. I'll get you for that," I said.

"We're s'posed to be evil. We're snakes, dummy!"

I snorted at this, gave her a final glare, and dug out my shower things.

------------------------

Breakfast wasn't very crowded. The two Cortez sisters visited us at the Slytherin table, along with Charlie Adams and the Morton fellow from Hufflepuff. Sprink smiled, and said, "Good morning!", motioning them to take a seat. I looked at them over my coffee cup, and Sprink said, "Don't mind Mattie. She's a grump on weekends. What can we do for you?"

Morton cleared his throat, and said, "I was wondering if I could join your study group. We seem to be mostly muggleborn, here, and…"

"'Cept for me," Sprink said. "Tell us about yourself."

"Well, um, Arthur Morton, from Columbus, Ohio, my dad works for Federal Express and mom works at the university."

"Another Yank? Got our vote!" Roshawn (or was it Shaundra?), said.

I put down my coffee cup. "Yanks have to stick together here, with all these Brits," I said with a grin. "Besides the New Yorkers, here, I thought I was the only other one. Mattie Wayne, from Gotham City."

"Gotham? I've heard … isn't there?" I raised my eyebrow, and he whispered, "the Batman?"

I shook my head. "Never seen him. I think he's an urban legend, like the alligators in the New York sewers." I added, "We do have the Gotham Knights. Is that what you mean?"

"What are you bloody Yanks on about?" Charlie asked.

"Hometowns." I said, and asked, "What have you got for Professor Harry's class on Friday? That's the only thing I've got left to finish."

"How'd you get all that done, and can I copy it?" Sprink asked.

I drained my coffee, and said, "I stayed up late last night. Let's meet down by the lake, okay?"

------------------------

I passed around my Charms homework, and asked, "So what's everyone got for DADA? Anyone come up with a new charm or spell?" I scratched my back against the tree's bark.

Arthur said, "Yeah, although I don't see how it relates to DADA. Remember, Professor Harry didn't say it had to. Just a new spell."

Sprink groaned, and said, "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Lack of coffee?" I asked. She threw a quill at me. I tossed it back, and asked, "Anyone come up with a usage for an Unforgivable?"

"What did the Imperious feel like?" Roshawn (I think) asked Sprink.

"It was weird. I was thinking about my Astronomy homework, and then Professor Harry cast the spell, and I didn't have a worry in the world. All I wanted to do was make him happy, and I knew that if I sang that stupid song, I would." She shrugged, and said, "So I did, and then I remembered what he said about fighting it, so I kept repeating to myself, 'This is stupid!' I can see how you can get someone to do anything with it."

"There was Astronomy homework?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah. You had detention last week. Sorry, I forgot!" Sprink said sheepishly. She dug around in her bag, and passed me some pages. "You have to cast the star chart at the time and place of your birth."

"You FORGOT?" I glared at Sprink, then glanced at the pages and said, "Hey, these are all for the UK. What about the US?"

"Here, these tables are for New York," Shaundra said. "You could probably use them for Gotham. When's your birthday?"

"May 31. Thanks." I copied them, and passed them back, then started to look them over. Roshawn passed me hers, saying, "We're June sixth, so we're close."

"'Cept Mercury does something or other, and Venus retrogrades, I think." Charlie shrugged, and said, "All I know about it is looking up my horoscope in the Daily Mail."

"They've got faster orbits, I think," Shaundra said. "If you figure back a week from ours on those two, you should be okay. The latitude and longitude should be close enough."

"How closely does she want that plotted? It's not like we have access to GPS," I asked.

"GPS?" Sprink asked.

"Global Positioning System," Charlie said. "It's a system the Yanks use for their military to navigate. Supposed to be accurate to a few meters anywhere on the planet."

"Hogwarts is supposed to be Unplottable," Sprink said. "According to Mum, that means you can't put it on a map."

"What about Hogsmeade, though?" Arthur asked. "Hogwarts isn't that far from Hogsmeade." He motioned across the lake, and said, "Just figure a quarter mile or so north, and there you go."

Sprink blinked, then said, "I … don't know." She looked up, and said, "Hey, owls! Post's here!"

"They're going in the Great Hall. They'll miss us out here," I said.

"Owls are smart, they'll know where we are," Sprink said. "See? Some are heading this way."

Two of them landed next to the twins, and Charlie asked, "How can they tell you two apart?" An owl landed next to him, and hooted. Arthur chuckled, and an owl landed next to him.

A flock landed next to me, including four with a large package. One enormous gray owl stalked over to me, wearing a Zabini Apothecary medallion on his chest. He gazed at me with his yellow eyes, and I told him, "Hello. Do you have something from Blaise?" He blinked, then solemnly held out his leg. A bit of parchment was wrapped around a longer scroll.

Saturday, September 12, 1998

Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

Dear Mattie,

Thank you, thank you, thank you! It seems inadequate, but if there's anything I can ever do to thank you for reuniting me with Draco, you have only to ask.

I've attached a scroll for Draco. I definitely plan to be at Hogwarts for your Quidditch game against the Gryffs, although I don't know if I'll actually attend the game, if you know what I mean. Best of luck in any event.

Draco may not be aware of it, but his mother is now working at Hogwarts, as a mediwitch in the Infirmary: Narcissa Black.

Once again, I am in your debt,

Ms. Blaise Zabini

I told the owl, "Thank you. I'll reply with the other letter." He blinked and took off, and another waddled up to me.

September 12, 1998

Miss Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

Miss Wayne,

Please accept our apologies for the delay in replying to you. A copy of our latest catalog is included, as is a complementary copy of 'Hogwarts for mischief-makers'. We also pay a 5% commission on prank ideas, 7% on prototypes, and 10% on production pranks.

Regarding your equipment, SNAPE recommended us? Are we talking about the same bloke? Tall, batlike, hooked nose, greasy hair, lives over a cauldron? When we get our hearts restarted, we'll be more than happy to discuss (in private) your needs. Please come by when you're in the Alley Quidditch-shopping.

While we wish you the best of luck, we hope you don't mind our saying that we'll always be Gryffindor supporters (especially with our sister Seeking). We're sure you understand.

Sincerely,
Fred and George Weasley
Weasley Wizard Wheezes
40 Diagon Alley, London

P.S. You're sure it was SNAPE?

I giggled, and told the owl, "Thank you. I'll be seeing them shortly." It hooted and flew off, and another came up.

Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

Miss Wayne:

Please find enclosed a copy of our comprehensive catalog. Seeker equipment is listed on pages 18-42. I have also enclosed a copy of our broomstick pricing flyer, and this year's comparison reprint from 'Which Broomstick'. Please note that we have received a few of the new Firebolt II model, and deposits and layaway on it are available. A specification sheet is included.

Sincerely,

Charlie Wickham
Quality Quidditch Supplies
23 Diagon Alley, London

I looked up, and said, "Sprink, I want to buy a broom, what do you think of the specs on this new one? Which one should I get?" I passed her the spec sheets, and she pounced on the one with the Firebolt II.

"Oh, Merlin! Zero to two hundred miles an hour in five seconds? Turning circle of six feet? Improved braking, maneuvering, and acceleration / deceleration charms?" She smiled at me, and said, "Mattie, you don't have that much time on a broom. I'll take this one, and you can have my Cleansweep Five. Deal?" I raised my eyebrow, and she muttered, "Darn!"

"Can you afford it? How much is it?" Charlie asked.

"My mum and dad won't mind another loan to buy it. It's only 400 Galleons…" Sprink smiled sweetly, then added, "It will be the fastest broom at Hogwarts."

"Until someone makes a faster one," Arthur said sullenly.

I looked at the four patiently waiting owls, and asked, "Does one of you have an invoice?" One of them flapped over to me, and offered his leg.

Miss Mattie Wayne
Hufflepuff House

Ms. Pomona Sprout,

Please find enclosed your order for the 1998 version of 'Twelve Thousand Magical Plants, Herbs and Fungi'. We have billed your Gringott's account #174750 the amount due of 217 Galleons 3 Sickles per your letter.

Sincerely,

William Carter
Flourish and Blotts
31 Diagon Alley, London

"This was misdelivered," I told the owl, who looked offended. "I'm sorry. I should have said 'misaddressed'. It should have gone to Professor Sprout. If you can wait a moment, I'll write her a note, and you can deliver it to her. If you don't mind, that is." I scribbled on the bottom of the receipt:

Professor Sprout
Hufflepuff House

Professor,

It looks like Flourish and Blotts sent me your order, and billed my account by mistake. The owls have the books out here with our study group next to the lake. What did you want done with them? Should I send them back?

By any chance, did you get my Potions and Alchemy texts and book bag?

Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House

"Do you mind finding Professor Sprout?" I asked the owl. "That way you won't have to fly all the way back with those heavy books. I am sorry I insulted you, the four of you certainly didn't make the mistake." He regarded me, then hooted and stuck out his leg.

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The owl flapped his way back, and offered me his leg.

Miss Wayne
Slytherin House

Miss Wayne,

I'm in the middle of something I can't interrupt at the moment. I do indeed have your Potions books and bookbag (no Alchemy, though). Mr. Carter seems to have us confused, as he charged my account 132 galleons, 6 knuts.

If there are any Hufflepuffs in your study group, I would appreciate your dropping the books off in our common room, and I'll put your things there to trade. We can then sort out our respective accounts with Mr. Carter.

Pomona Sprout

I wrote just underneath:

Professor Sprout:

Charlie Adams and Arthur Morton are both in my study group. I'll go with them to drop off the books when we wrap up for the day.

Thanks,
Mattie Wayne

"Charlie, Arthur. I wanted you to see this," and handed them the note. "These books are Professor Sprout's, and she wanted them delivered to your common room. You don't mind, do you?"

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Each of us struggled with five thick books down the corridor to the Hufflepuff common room. Charlie gasped, "Gillyweed", and the statue rotated open. People looked up, then rushed to help us with the books. After they were stacked up, someone asked, "Why didn't you use the featherweight charm on those?"

"We needed the exercise. What is that charm?" Arthur said.

"It's 'tollenosis'. Is one of you Firsties Mattie Wayne from Slytherin?" I waved, and he said, "Professor Sprout left those for you. Just use the featherweight and levitation charms to get them back to the Snake's Den."

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Sprink and I dropped the books next to my bookcase, and I tossed the mail on my desk. She asked, "Got all your homework done? The professor's going to ask."

"Yeah," I said. I pulled out my computer and grabbed my converter, and asked, "Where do you want to see this?"

"Common room. I'm not the only one!"

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I tapped Terry on the shoulder, and asked him, "Can I steal this place? My converter has to be in contact with the castle's stone."

"It means I get a prime spot to see this," he said with a grin as he moved over.

I smiled, and set down the converter, unzipping my bag. I connected the power and network cables to the converter, and then whispered a silent prayer as I booted. I heard the familiar chimes, and the phrase, 'Welcome to Macintosh' appeared. I crossed my fingers, and double-clicked Netscape. Yahoo came up, and I said, "Welcome to the Internet. What do you want to look up?"

"How about the uses of dragon's blood?" Frank asked from behind me. I clicked on search, and typed 'uses for dragon's blood'. A second later, 32,000 results appeared. Scrolling down, I said, "Here's one that lists fifteen uses for it," and double-clicked it.

"There's only supposed to be twelve," Frank said. "Let me get my book." While he ran down to his dorm, I popped open my mail, and waited for it to download. While it did so, I opened a chat window, and pinged Aunt Barbara.

'Hey, Mattie!' she wrote. 'How's school?'
'Not bad,' I replied. 'Can you VC?'
'Sure. Open up.'

I connected my camera, then clicked open a video window, and saw Aunt Barbara. I waved at her, and she smiled, and asked, "Hey, Mattie! What's happening? Who's all your friends?"

"These are my housemates. They're Internet newbies, so be gentle, Babs," I said.

"Lil' sis, who's this, and how'd she get in your box?" Ian asked.

Barbara howled with laughter, and I said, "Babs, be nice!" Turning to Ian, I said, "This is my sister-in-law Barbara. She's back home in Gotham. This is a video-conferencing link." I pointed to a small window, and said, "This is what she's seeing and hearing."

"An' she's where?" Ian asked.

"About four thousand miles away," Babs said. "I've sent you web links relating to maginet and education you should find useful."

"It's like you're right here!" Ian marveled. "What's this maginet you mentioned?"

"Magical network, runs on the Internet backbone," Babs said casually. "Why isn't Hogwarts on it?"

"They didn't even know the Internet existed until I asked about it," I admitted. "Two of the professors went into Inverness to use their public library. I think this is the only computer in the building."

"Lil' sis keeps referring to us as being in the fourteenth century," Ian admitted. "I'm thinking she's right."

Barbara said, "Hang on a moment," and wheeled away. I flipped over to my mail, and saw Barbara's mail. Opening it, I double-clicked the link for the American department of magic, and repeated my search on dragon's blood. Ian whistled, and said, "Look at this! Potions using dragon's blood, differences in the types of blood, merchants selling it…"

"How many uses does it list?" Frank asked. I scrolled up, and said, "Fifteen. Hang on a minute, I'll print them out." I fished out my printer, connected it and loaded paper. As it printed, I flipped back to Bab's window. She was talking to someone else, and rolled her wheelchair around while she did so.

"Lil' sis, can I ask a personal question about y' sister?" Ian asked.

"You can ask me. I may not answer it, though." Barbara said.

Ian nodded, then said, "No offense, but why do ye roll abut in tha' chair, lassie? Why not walk?"

I sucked in a breath, and Ian looked at me. Barbara considered, then said, "I was shot. I'm paralyzed from the waist down. I can't walk."

"Shot? No offense, please, but wha' do ye mean?"

"A gun fired a lead bullet into my spine. It damaged my spinal cord, so I can't move my legs or feel anything below my waist." Barbara considered Ian, then said, "Guns have been in use since the mid sixteenth century. You don't know what they are?"

"I've heard of them, but I've never seen one," Ian admitted. He thought for a minute, then asked, "I'm not a healer, but why not just transfigure the bullet thing into something harmless, and drink a nerve potion?"

"YOU CAN FIX THIS? I COULD WALK AGAIN?" Barbara demanded, leaning forward.

"I'm na' a healer, but it seems simple enough to me," Ian said. "You're kin to our lil' sister, which means ye' kin to us. We can ask for ye, if'n ye'd like."

"Holy Mother of God, PLEASE!" Barbara sobbed.

"Muggle trash. Explosivus!" My computer blew up, and I spun around to see Graham Pritchard's smirking face.

"You BASTARD! Why the HELL did you do that?" I yelled, leaping out of my chair, and running at him.

He waved his wand at me, and smirked, "Just keeping the common room neat and tidy."

I struggled to stand, and I heard a muttered, "Finite Incantatum" Professor Snape turned, and asked, "What is going on here?"

Frank caught me, and said, "Pritchard used an exploding hex on Mattie's machine, sir." I snarled and twisted, but I didn't want to harm Frank.

"Mr. Pritchard?"

"Getting rid of Muggle trash, sir."

"I see," the professor said. "Mr. Pritchard, whether it is Muggle or not, it is property belonging to a housemate. You will pay for the repair or replacement of Miss Wayne's equipment. You will also serve a month's detention with me, where you will scrub cauldrons, without using magic. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir." He flipped me a coin, and said with a smirk, "A knut should cover it."

"Miss Wayne, what did your equipment cost to purchase?" the professor asked.

"About three thousand dollars, sir," I replied. "I think that's three or four hundred galleons, but I won't know until I can go into muggle London to check."

"I see," he said. "Miss Wayne, this is a matter of Slytherin honor. I will accompany you tomorrow afternoon to Diagon alley, and thence to muggle London. Bring what you will need, I will arrange it with the Headmaster." I nodded, and he asked, "Were you able to make productive use of your time?"

"Yes, sir. We discovered a whole network of magic users."

Frank said, "Someone's discovered three more uses for dragon's blood, sir!" He handed the printout to Professor Snape, who pursed his lips before saying, "I will show this to the Headmaster. If these are legitimate uses, he will find them most interesting."

He moved off to his office, and Frank told me, "Leave Pritchard be for now, lil' sis. He owes you a debt, and poundin' on him won't help."

"If he doesn't?" I snarled.

"Doesn't pay an honor debt to a housemate?" Frank considered, then added, "Give him some time, it's a good bit of money, and his family isn't wealthy. If he doesna pay, then ye can look into takin' it out a' his hide." I sighed, and nodded, and Frank released his hold on my arm.

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Sunday, September 13, 1998

Barbara Grayson
Gotham Clock Tower
Gotham City, USA
c/o Ministry of Magic
Mail Transfer Office
London, UK

Babs -

I'm sorry for the sudden disconnection. One of my housemates thought it would be a good idea to use a blasting hex on my 'Muggle trash'. Professor Snape, my head of house, has informed him that he will be paying for the repair or replacement of my equipment. He will also be serving a month-long detention scrubbing potion cauldrons by hand. It's not a pleasant job, I can tell you. I'll tell you that story when I see you next!

I don't have class until ten p.m. Monday night (Astronomy), so I'll be going with Professor Snape into muggle London that afternoon to look for a replacement machine. At least my files are backed up to zip disk, but my other 'special' software isn't.

I talked to the medical people here (they're called 'mediwitches'), and they cautiously confirmed what Ian said. Doctors and healers being the same, they would prefer to examine you themselves before committing to a diagnosis. Is it possible for you and Uncle Dick to come to Scotland?

Love to all,
Mattie

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Monday, September 14, 1998:
Hogwarts, Great Hall

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"Sprink, we're running late for Herbology!" I said.

"Right, right. I'm coming!" She gulped her pumpkin juice, and ran after me as I ran out the door toward the greenhouses. As we entered Greenhouse One, I lined up as the bell struck nine; Professor Sprout came out of her office, and smiled at us.

"Good morning, dears! I hope everyone had a good weekend. Please pass your homework up while I call the roll, and we'll get dirty! Charlie Adams? … "

" … and Mattie Wayne?"

"Here, ma'am." I waved, and the professor said, "I'd like to see you after class, Miss Wayne."

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" …Oh, look at the time! Homework, dears, the even questions at the ends of chapters three and four for next week. Wash up, and have a good afternoon!" Professor Sprout moved off, back to her office, and I followed, knocking on the doorframe.

"You wanted to see me, ma'am?" I asked.

"Oh, yes. Thank you for helping out with that book order. Have a seat, would you, dear?" I did so, and she passed me copies of two letters. "This is what I'm sending to Flourish and Blotts. I would appreciate a copy of your own letter, dear."

Sunday, 13 September, 1998

Mr. William Carter
Flourish and Blotts
31 Diagon Alley, London

Mr. Carter;

I have received the order that Miss Mattie Wayne of Slytherin House sent to you, and that you erroneously billed to me, as Miss Wayne received my order and was also billed incorrectly. We have exchanged books, and I have asked Gringott's to transfer 85 galleons, 2 sickles, 23 knuts from my account to hers to rectify this error.

Please correct your records accordingly:

Professor Pomona Sprout
Hufflepuff House
Gringott's personal account #147750
(Please note the second digit.)
Copy to: Miss Mattie Wayne

I nodded, and looked at the other sheet:

Sunday, 13 September, 1998

Customer Service
Gringott's Bank
50 Diagon Alley, London

To Whom It May Concern:

In order to correct a merchant error, please transfer 85 galleons, 2 sickles, 23 knuts from my personal account #147750 to Miss Mattie Wayne of Hogwarts' Slytherin House, account #174750. Please owl receipts to both of us when complete.

Professor Pomona Sprout
Hogwarts Hufflepuff House
Gringott's account #147750

I smiled, and said, "Thank you. I'll be happy to do so, but Professor Snape said he'd take me to muggle London this afternoon, so I need to get going. My computer was inadvertently damaged yesterday, so I need to see about repairing it."

She looked excited, "Oh! Were you able to get it working, then? It sounds so exciting!"

"Yes, and we found three other uses for dragon's blood. Professor Snape took the printout to Professor Dumbledore." I grinned, and said, "Do you know what Professor Flitwick found in Inverness?"

"He was very excited over something, but I didn't get a chance to ask him." She smiled, and said, "We'll find out soon enough. Now off with you, dear. I just wanted to give you copies of those letters."

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"Are you ready, Miss Wayne?" Professor Snape asked.

I said, "Yes, sir. I appreciate your taking the time to do this. I'll need to stop by Gringotts to withdraw some muggle Sterling to pay for it."

"I believe Mr. Pritchard will be paying for it, Miss Wayne."

"Yes, sir, but from what I understand, he may not be able to … afford it immediately. I was going to be nice and offer him terms to reimburse me when we know how much it will cost. There will probably be a bench fee."

"Bench fee, Miss Wayne?"

"A diagnostic charge." I lifted the iMac, and asked, "Can you get the printer, sir?"

"Stop thinking like a muggle," he said. He transfigured a chair into a wooden box, placed the printer and computer in it, then shrank it and put it in his pocket. "Come. We need to walk to Hogsmeade to get past the apparition wards." He glanced at me, and asked, "Have you apparated before?"

I lifted my bookbag with my 'Bat' equipment, and said, "I've used a portkey, sir. I don't know what apparition is."

He held the door for me, and said, "It allows you to move between two points, similar to a portkey, but your magic powers it, not the portkey creator's. Instead of a hook behind your navel, it feels like a mattress pushing you from behind."

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We just … appeared in the street in front of Zabini Apothecary. Blaise looked through the window, ran out and hugged me, saying "Mattie! Hello, how are you?"

I coughed a bit, and she let me go, nodding politely to Professor Snape. "We are unfortunately pressed for time, Miss Zabini," he said. "Miss Wayne's computer was damaged with a blasting hex, we are on the way to muggle London to inquire on repairs."

"Who did it? What can I do to help? Mattie, I owe you…" Blaise said.

"Mr. Pritchard is the responsible party, he will be reimbursing Miss Wayne." Blaise nodded, and the professor continued, "Are you familiar with muggle London, Miss Zabini?"

She shook her head, "Not in that area, professor. I would suggest Hermione, though."

"I would prefer to keep it in Slytherin. However, if she can be spared for the afternoon?"

"I have no objection. Why don't you come in for a minute?"

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We walked into Gringott's, and saw the goblin sitting by himself, bored, at the 'Muggle Currency Exchange' window. I walked up, and said, "Excuse me. I need to get some Sterling, please."

"Key, please," he said in a bored voice. I handed him my little cloth Gringott's moneybag, and he sat up like he had been shocked. He locked his cage, and said, "One moment, please, milady! Please, please, come this way. How can we make you comfortable?" He opened a door to a small conference room, and held a chair for me, virtually ignoring Hermione and Professor Snape. He bustled out, then hurried back in with another, older goblin. A third came in bearing a tea tray. Hermione's jaw dropped.

"Allow me to introduce myself, Miss Wayne. I am Herblung, prime client relations' manager. How may Gringott's assist you today?" the older goblin asked.

"I need to buy some muggle computer equipment, so I need to convert some galleons into sterling," I smiled. "Since I'm not familiar with muggle London, I was wondering if you had a telephone directory or map of some sort to find the shop I need."

"Certainly, milady!" Herblung said something to the tea-goblin, which vanished, only to re-appear seconds later with a telephone directory and a London map. He looked up, and asked, "Professor Snape, isn't it? Can you apparate both these ladies, or would you prefer we do it for you? The closest shop is about two miles, much too far to walk."

"May I see the directory, please?" I asked, then found the closest Apple dealer on Regent Street. "This one's in Whitechapel. Is that far?"

"Several miles. Please allow us to apparate you and your colleagues, Miss Wayne. It is all part of the Gringott's service," Herblung smiled, and added, "As far as your withdrawals, we have modified the charm on your moneybag. Simply think of how much you need, in whichever currency, and it will be there for you."

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With a soft 'pop', we appeared with our three goblins in an alleyway. They would wait for us there, while we walked around the corner to the shop. Hermione held the door as I carried in the (resized) box with my poor computer and printer. I put it down next to the 'Service' window. A fellow ambled up with a 'G'day, mate! Sick'un, eh?" He whistled, and said, "Someone shoot it?"

"Not quite," the professor said. "We require a written repair estimate, and we do not have a great amount of time."

"Too bad, mate. Got a dozen in front o' ye."

"You insolent little…" the professor started to build, but I said, "Excuse me, professor. May I?" He sneered and moved off.

"He gets impatient," I said as I reached into my pocket. "Short fuse, and all. Now I understand that there's a line, but how many techs do you have working today?"

"A Yank, eh? Four, with me, why?"

I slipped him a folded 50-pound note, and said, "I really need that estimate as quickly as possible. If you send your mates over, will this help to … jump the line?"

"As an … expedited bench fee, it will indeed." He smiled, and said, "I'll send them over, but at a glance, I'd think about replacing it, mate."

"Sounds like a plan," I said. I looked about, and said, "Who's the blonde over there?"

"Kelly." He caught her eye, and motioned her over. The other three techs came by, sorrowed over the condition of my equipment, and shook my hand in sympathy. I was promised an hour for the estimate.

"Hello, I'm Kelly Bundy," she said.

I looked at her, and asked, "Do you by chance have a sister named Karen?"

"Why, yes, a younger sister. She goes to school up … in … Scotland," she said, as she recognized the school crest on my sweater and my school tie. "As a matter of fact, she has a uniform that's very similar to yours…" She looked around, and whispered, "Hogwarts?"

I nodded, and quietly said, "That's Professor Snape over there, head of Slytherin House."

"Merlin, I'm jealous!" she whispered. Raising her voice, she asked, "So, looking for a replacement desktop?"

"Actually, I'm thinking of a PowerBook, for homework and stuff. What's the top of the line?"

"Oh, we've got one that just came out September first. It's a new G3/266 with a four gig drive and 64 meg of RAM. It's this one right over here… "

I played with it, then asked, "Kelly, who was the tech that called you over?"

"Dave. Would you like to speak to him?" I nodded, and she bustled off. I played with the black PowerBook, and Kelly returned.

"Yes'm, miss. What can I do for you?"

"Quick and dirty, what's the status of my printer and computer?"

"Printer took a surge. It tests okay, but …" he rocked his hand. "The computer now, I'd write it off 'twere me."

"I need a repair quote that will be more than the cost of a new machine," I smiled. "Kelly, I need to watch Dave take the hard drive out of that old machine, and a quote on a fully-loaded PowerBook and printer that will come in under that repair estimate. All by," I checked my watch, "two o'clock. I need to be out of here by three."

They glanced at each other, then smiled. Dave said, "Come along, then."

------------------------

Old hard drive in my pocket (I'd be giving it to Barbara), repair estimate of almost 3000 pounds in my pocket, I paid 2200 pounds cash for the fully loaded PowerBook, case, and printer. Professor Snape walked up, and said, "Well?"

"Professor, I'd like to introduce Kelly Bundy, Karen's older sister."

He raised his eyebrow, and nodded politely. I took a couple of business cards from Kelly, and said, "We'll be in touch. I'll tell Karen 'hi' for you."

She leaned closer, and said, "Think I could … visit sometime?"

"I think that could be arranged," he admitted.

------------------------

We popped back into Gringott's, and Herblung bustled up, "Miss Wayne, back safe and sound! Is there anything else we can do for you?"

"One little thing, Mr. Herblung. It's such a trifling thing I hesitate to ask…" I said.

"Why, what can it be, Miss Wayne?"

"I have two documents, a repair estimate and a sales receipt. Would it be asking too much to have an official Gringott's letter with the conversion from sterling to galleons?"

"Not at all! I'll sign it myself. One moment, please."

------------------------

With the Gringott's letter converting the estimate to 608 galleons, and the sales receipt to 446 galleons, we split up, I headed to Quality Quidditch at #23, the Professor and Hermione to Blaise' apothecary.

The bell over the door rang, and a fellow asked, "Can I help you, miss?"

"I'm Mattie Wayne. I'm looking for Charlie Wickham, is he here?"

"I'm Charlie. Glad to meet you, Miss Wayne."

------------------------

With my new Firebolt II in its carrying case, and other equipment in my bag, I walked down to the Wheeze. The bell tinkled, and a redheaded bloke looked up. I smiled, and said, "I'm Mattie Wayne. Is Fred or George here?"

"I'm Ron Weasley. I'll tell them you're here. Would you like something to eat or drink?"

"No, thanks." I grinned, and he said, "Be right back."

I was looking at the barrel of fake wands, when I heard a voice, "Miss Wayne! Long time…"

"… No see! What…"

"… can we do…"

"… for you?"

"Gentlemen," I smiled. "Can we talk privately?"

------------------------

"Look, guys, I can't license my stuff to you," I said. "It's not my decision. I'll ask the proper people the next time I see them, but that may not be until the Christmas break. Now, is there anything else?"

One of them asked, "We usually subcontract the more intricate works on our pranks to Jessie, across the street at her clock shop. Do you have a problem with that?"

"Is she discreet and reliable?" They nodded, and I said, "Not if I can meet her."

------------------------

The bell over the shop door tinkled, and a young woman looked up from her workbench, a jeweler's loupe screwed into her eye. "Wi' ye in a minute," she said, just as something went flying. "Ah, Bloody Hell!" and a rubber chicken over the fireplace started to dance. I laughed at it, and she said, "Like m' chicken, eh? It gets its exercise when it hears a swear word. These two gave it to me, first day on th' job."

"Any language?"

"So far. Go ahead an' try."

"Okay. ' !'" The chicken started dancing, and the twins cracked up. I smiled sweetly, and said, "It works!"

She smiled, and stuck out an oily hand. "I'm Jessie. What language, and what di' you say?"

"Russian, and I … invited it to have relations with a goat." I smiled sweetly again, and shook her hand. "Want it in German? That's a great language to be rude in."

"Nae, 'tis all right. What can I do for you?"

"These two scoundrels are doing some equipment conversion for me, and they mentioned they used you as a subcontractor. Since it's a bit … sensitive, I wanted to meet you first." She nodded, and I said, "For example, I have this item. I attach one of these miniaturized devices to a moving person or vehicle I want to find, and they come up on this screen."

"Clever. What's the range?"

"Variable from ten meters to one hundred kilometers." She blinked, and I translated, "Thirty feet to about forty miles." I changed the resolution, and moved away from the twins. "See, the detector's picking them up over there, and Jessie, you're over there."

"When did you do that?" they all asked.

I grinned, and said, "When we shook hands. Check the insides of your right wrists." They groaned, and the bell tinkled over the door.

"Miss Tickes. Miss Wayne. Messers. Weasley." Professor Snape intoned. "Are you ready, Miss Wayne?"

"One moment, please, sir." I handed one of the twins a bag with my gear, adding the small scope to it, and then said, "Oh, my broom!"

"I have it, Miss Wayne. The seals are unbroken."

"Thank you, sir." I looked around, and added, "I need to come back. I need a good alarm clock."

"Tickes clocks have had an excellent reputation since before the war with your Colonies, Miss Wayne. You could not do with a finer timepiece," the professor said.

------------------------

"Mattie, get up. It's nine o'clock…"

"S'what, Sprink?"

"You said you wanted to shower before class. It's a long run up to the Astronomy tower."

"Aright, all right." I poked my head out of the bed hangings, and said, "Be there in a minute."

------------------------

"Good evening, students. Please pass up your star charts, and did anyone have any questions?"

I raised my hand, and asked, "Professor Sinistra, I used the New York charts, I didn't have ones for Gotham."

"Miss Wayne, right? You were in detention with Professor Snape last week." I nodded, and she added, "This will do for now, but please have the correct chart completed by next week's class, Miss Wayne. Now then, to the roof, everyone!"

------------------------
Tuesday, September 15, 1998:
Hogwarts, Great Hall

------------------------

"History again," I complained. "At least I can get Herbology done. Ready, Sprink?"

She gulped her pumpkin juice (I wondered how she could stand it!) and said, "Right behind you, mate."

Professor Binns floated through the blackboard, and said in a monotone, "Hello again, and welcome back to History. We will be continuing with recent Goblin events. In late May, 1503, Queen Alferta the Flatulent, after only two weeks on the throne…" Several heads went 'thunk' and snores were heard.

I scribbled a note to Sprink, 'How's your Herbology?'
'It's OK. What about Astronomy?'
'It's about the only thing we can't copy. I can do my father's star chart, but my mother's an orphan. What about you?'
She shrugged, and replied, 'My family tree goes back a long way. That's not my problem, people like my Aunt Bella are.'

Binns droned on, "…taxation on silver mines in the Argentum district caused…"

------------------------

As the ghostly Professor floated through the chalkboard, we awoke our sleeping classmates, and I said, "I've been having this mad urge to ask Professor Binns if he knows what happened on July 20, 1969."

"Or June 6, 1944," Charlie agreed. "So have I. The problem is that we're getting a lot of our homework done, and I don't think the other years would appreciate our bollixing up the system everyone's profiting by."

As we walked, Sprink asked, "Um, guys? What did happen on those dates?"

"Events of earthshaking significance," I said. "See why I've been saying 'fourteenth century'? I'll make a bet with you, Sprink. I'll bet you…"

"… a knut?"

I grinned, "Against two of my galleons that you can't get an answer to either date without asking either a professor, a muggleborn, or someone in another house. That means you can ask anyone in Slytherin. Deal?"

"I'm gonna regret this, but in for a knut, in for a galleon. Deal." We shook, and Professor Vector came down some stairs.

"Professor Vector! Can we have a moment?" Sprink called.

She paused, and said, "Yes, Miss Tonks?"

She motioned the Professor over to join us, and Sprink handed her a knut, saying "We have a bet, Professor. Mattie is saying that I can't find out what happened on two historic dates without asking a professor, a muggleborn, or someone in another house. I can ask any student in Slytherin."

She raised an eyebrow, "What dates?"

"June 6, 1944 and July 20, 1969," I said as I handed her two galleons.

Sprink gasped, and then said, "We shouldn't have asked you! You'll go to Dumbledore and everyone will lose their study time!"

"You're right, I should. You should learn what happened then. Then again, I think every person that's gone to Hogwarts in the last two hundred years has done exactly what you're doing." She smiled, reminiscing, then added, "I know I either studied or slept through his class. For what it's worth, we've been trying to get him to update his syllabus for at least that long, so I wouldn't worry about losing the study time." Professor Vector motioned me aside, and asked in a whisper, "What happened then?"

I used a book to support the sheet of paper, and wrote:

June 6, 1944 - Allied invasion of Europe in Normandy, France. Over one million troops in the invasion fleet - largest in history.

July 20, 1969 - US lands two men on the moon. Neil Armstrong is first, his quote: "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

I folded it in quarters, and handed it to her. She glanced at it, closed her eyes, and said, "I got an 'Acceptable' on my History OWL, too. He never mentioned either one."

------------------------

At lunch, I looked over my Potion notes while Sprink worked her way down the table, whispering. Someone called, "Post's here!" and I looked up, to see an owl with a manila envelope circling above me. He landed, and offered the envelope to me.

"Thank you," I told it, offering it a drink. It hooted, and flew off, another taking its place. It wore a Gringotts medallion, and had a scroll tied to its leg. I thanked it, and unrolled a receipt and an envelope with 'Monthly Statement' on it. It flew off, and I looked at the larger envelope.

Sunday, September 13, 1998

Miss Mattie Wayne
Slytherin House
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry
c/o Department of Magic
Mail Transfer Office
Washington, DC, USA

Mattie:

I'm glad that you're ok. I've passed a copy of your letter to your Mom & Dad, and all four of us will come to see you. I don't know how long it will take for the healers to examine or treat me, so I have to free up a couple weeks, and that will take some time. Figure on mid-November for our visit.

Scrubbing cauldrons? grin I want the story!

I'm glad you're able to get some replacement equipment. Assuming you've already gotten it, I've copied the software you need to the enclosed CD. Just click on 'Install' in your Finder, and everything will be set for you. I assume that the old hard drive is either in your possession or destroyed.

So, you're going to try out for your house Quidditch team? I'd like to see it, the information I've gotten from maginet sounds interesting. Good luck to you, and let us know what happens!

Love,
Barbara and Dick

I heard a whoop, and turned to look. Arthur was standing at the Hufflepuff table, saying, "I'm an Uncle! Carson Tecumseh Morton, 9 lbs. 2 oz, 19 1/2 inches!" He pumped his fist in the air again, and people were slapping his back in congratulations.

"Congratulations, Mr. Morton!" Professor Dumbledore said, leaving the high table to shake his hand. I joined the line to congratulate him, then returned to my mail.

"When do kids show their first sign of magic?" I asked, back at the Slytherin table.

Surprisingly, Graham Pritchard answered, "Usually by the time they're two or three. It can be nervous until it happens - you don't know if the child's a squib or not." He frowned, and added, "Squibs happen in the best families - my little sister's one."

"So is my big sister," Karen admitted. "She said until my magic manifested at two, my parents were biting their nails." She smiled reminiscently, and said, "I was chasing a ball, ran headlong into a rosebush, and set it on fire."

------------------------

"Settle down, settle down," Professor Snape said as the door closed. "Pass up your homework while I call the roll, and Mr. Morton?"

Arthur swallowed nervously, and said, "Yes, Professor?"

"Congratulations."

------------------------

"So where do they hold the DA meetings?" I asked.

"Seventh floor, in the Room of Requirement. It's opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy," Terry Higgs said. "He's the one what tried to train trolls for the ballet. You walk past it three times, concentrating on what you need."

We walked in behind some Gryffs, and found most of the school there. Professor Harry stood up on a small stage, and said, "Welcome, everyone to the DA. If this is your first time here, there's a simple rule to remember. In here, there are no houses, no professors, and no students, just Hogwarts." He grinned, and added, "This is the only time you can hex a professor - IF you can get away with it!" People chuckled, and he asked, "Any questions?"

Someone from Ravenclaw asked, "What about a Patronus?"

"I can show you how to cast the charm, but it's no good without a Dementor or Lethifold to use against it," Harry said. "I was planning to use boggarts to simulate them later on toward Christmas, when they're in season and easier to catch." He smiled, and added, "Since we're still so early in the school year, I thought we'd dust off our vacation laziness, and touch on some of the basics. Let's form two lines, and practice 'Expelliarmus', shall we?"

------------------------
Wednesday, September 16, 1998:
Hogwarts, Charms classroom

------------------------

"Oh, Miss Wayne! Thank you for telling me about that Internet thing!" Professor Flitwick squeaked. "We only had half of an hour, but I was able to look up the most interesting things! We simply MUST get this for the school! I was most vocal about it in the staff meeting this morning!" He beamed at me, and asked, "Professor Snape said you had gotten new equipment. Do you think you might bring it by to show people?"

I blinked. "Certainly, sir. Um, where? The library?"

"That would be wonderful! Would Saturday be agreeable?"

"We have Quidditch tryouts on Saturday, sir. Maybe … tonight after dinner? I need to finish some homework…"

"Most acceptable, Miss Wayne. Now, speaking of homework, everyone please pass it forward…"

------------------------

"I am SO dead," I moaned at lunch.

"Why, what's wrong?" Sprink asked, as she nibbled on a carrot.

I looked at her through my fingers, and said, "People are gonna want to see the Internet, and I haven't had time to even take my new machine out of the box. They're not going to want to hang around while it sets up."

"I don't know. If I got one, I'd have to do it, right? How long does it take, and how much does one of them cost?"

I took a gulp of milk. "You just do it once, and the last time, it took about 15 minutes for me." I sighed, and said, "My machine cost about 450 galleons, but it's a top-notch machine. There are others that are less expensive."

Sprink whistled, then said, "There are potions that you have to watch closely for hours and hours. I can wait 15 minutes, especially if it's only one time. Just tell people that it's the first time you've started this machine, they'll understand." The bell rang, and she added, "We gotta get to Transfiguration!"

------------------------

"Good afternoon, everyone. Please pass up your homework," Professor McGonagall said. She spied me, and said, "Miss Wayne, Professor Flitwick could barely contain himself at the staff meeting this morning. As you have the only one of these … devices in the school, when will the rest of us see it?"

"Professor Flitwick asked this morning, ma'am. I got a new one Monday when Professor Snape and I went into London, however, I haven't had the chance to set it up yet." I shrugged, and added, "The last time I did it, it took about 15 minutes. I got talked into bringing it into the library after dinner."

"I see. What did it cost? I'm wondering how many Hogwarts could afford…"

"Mine's a top-of-the-line portable, ma'am, and cost about 450 galleons." Several whistles and Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. I added, "A desktop unit, like you might use in your office, would probably be half of that." She relaxed a bit, and I asked, "Ma'am? My sister-in-law is a top-notch computer scientist, and she'll be coming to visit sometime in November. She could better answer your questions about it than I can."

"She's coming for the Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch game?"

"If I make the team, ma'am."

"Well, best of luck in your tryouts on Saturday." I nodded, and she addressed the class, "As fascinating as all of this is, we need to continue with our transfiguration of inanimate objects. Now, last week, many of you had difficulties in changing a doorknob to a doorstop. What we'll do is to walk through the process…"

------------------------

Sprink and I rushed through dinner, and hurried down to our dorm. I was tempted to hide in bed, but Sprink wouldn't let me. She grabbed the printer and a stack of paper, and I took my transformer and PowerBook, and headed up the stairs for the library.

I looked around, and found a vacant table butted against a wall. I started to unpack the PowerBook, and someone cleared their throat. "Need a hand, there?" I turned to see Professor Harry.

I checked the indicator lights on the AC adapter, and said, "No, thanks. Just cross your fingers it boots ... " Happy Mac appeared with the extensions, and I heard, 'Welcome to Macintosh'. I started Netscape, and switched to the maginet, making it my home page. "What would you like to look up, Professor?"

"What about the Dark Arts?"

I typed it into the search page, and came up with 320,000 hits. Sprink whistled, and Professor Harry leaned over me, studying the listing. "There. 'Primer to the Dark Arts', please."

"Oh, my!" Professor McGonagall said from behind us. "I think we shall all need to update our syllabi."

------------------------
Thursday, September 17, 1998:
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office

------------------------

"Good morning, Miss Wayne!" the Headmaster called. "Please, come in, come in! I understand you connected your new compulator yesterday?"

"Computer, sir. Yes, I did." I yawned, and said, "Excuse me. We were in the library with it until ten last night. We'd still be there if Madame Pince hadn't thrown us out." I took a seat next to the fire, and said, "I'm sorry. I'm a bit tired."

He chuckled, and said, "That actually brings up a good point. You've made good progress, and now I'd like you to try protecting your mind while fatigued." I nodded, and he continued, "Ready? Legilmens!"

------------------------

The clock chimed the half, and Professor Dumbledore said, "Well, now. We've been making excellent progress. One other thing, Miss Wayne, I understand your sister-in-law will be visiting us for medical reasons?" I nodded, and he asked, "She is an expert in connecting these machines?"

"Yes, sir. We're looking at mid-November for her visit." There was a knock, and he looked at the door, calling, "Come in, come in, Minerva."

He nodded, returning his attention to me as Professor McGonagall entered. "Ah, very good. Would you be so kind as to ask her what information she would require from us in order to set up a group of these machines? We will, of course, be more than happy to pay her usual fees." He smiled, and said, "We do like to purchase from our Hogwarts family when we can."

I smiled, "Sir, I bought my machine from my housemate Karen Bundy's sister Kelly in Whitechapel. I'll pass her information on to my sister-in-law, since Kelly already knows about Hogwarts."

The two professors looked at each other, and Professor Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent!" He scribbled on a bit of paper, and added, "In that case, please have them contact Miss Fawcett at the education ministry regarding shipping and so forth." I cocked my eyebrow, and the Headmaster chuckled. "She's a recent graduate, and a good Ravenclaw," he smiled. "I look forward to hearing from them. Oh, and Miss Wayne, please keep this quiet for now."

------------------------

On my way through the Common Room, I saw Karen, and asked, "Is your sister Kelly discreet?"

"Usually. Why?" she asked.

I motioned her aside, and said, "This is still secret. Professor Dumbledore wants me to contact my sister-in-law and Kelly regarding getting a computer network installed at Hogwarts. I was going to send them an email now. If this goes through, it could mean a LOT of money for Kelly in sales."

"You mean … we could ALL have access to a machine like yours?" I nodded, and with an excited grin, she added, "I think you can rely on her, and on me!"

------------------------

To: kbundy, bgordon
From: mwayne
Subj: Computer network at my school
Flags: Private

I've been asked by Headmaster Dumbledore to contact you both regarding the possible installation of a network here. There is a possible site visit in mid-November.

Barbara, we will need to know what kind of information you would require from faculty and staff regarding needs. Kelly, we would prefer to buy from 'family', however, I'm sure that individuals would be interested in purchasing equipment privately.

Please contact Shannon Fawcett (she is a school alum) at the Ministry of Education in London. Her address is: sfawcett, regarding shipping, financing, etc.

Please contact me if you need to forward messages to Headmaster Dumbledore.

Ms. Mattie Wayne

------------------------
Friday, September 18, 1998:
Hogwarts, Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom

------------------------

"Good morning, everyone!" Professor Harry said. He smiled, and said, "Please pass up your homework while I call the roll. Mr. Adams?"

"… and Miss Wayne. Now then, did anyone have any questions before we start discussing the spells you found? Miss Leeds?"

"Sir, my parents wanted me to ask, it wasn't in the Prophet … What spell did you use on … on … You-know-who?"

Professor Harry took off his robe, sighed and sat down. "Miss Leeds, first of all, I won't answer your question until you can say his name. Secondly, and this is a lesson for all of you, don't take everything you read in blind faith. Make your own decisions, think for yourself. Lastly, Miss Leeds, have you ever killed?"

She blinked, and flushed, "Um, no sir."

He smiled wryly, "Good. I pray you never have to." He looked around, and said, "Until you come to that point where you'll wonder - could I kill? Last week I showed you the Unforgivables. Last week I killed six rats. They hadn't done anything to me. They happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and were trapped. Their lives were sacrificed for your education." He stood up and walked about, before continuing, "You may say, 'Well, they're only rats.' This is true, but they had a life, and I snuffed them out like you would a candle. A Death Eater would say, 'They're only muggles. They're only mudbloods.' Tell me, Miss Leeds, you're a pureblood, and a Gryffindor. Could you kill Miss Wayne, there?"

She sputtered, "Why … of course not!"

"Why not? She's a muggle; she's a Slytherin. She has to be evil personified. Off with her head!"

"But … But she hasn't done anything."

"EXACTLY!" he roared. He glared, then said, "I'm a Gryffindor, why shouldn't I dock every other house here ten thousand points? I can, I'm a professor. What's to stop me?"

"It wouldn't be right!"

"Whose right? The only 'right' I care about is making sure Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"

"There's no reason for it!"

"Sure there is. I want Gryffindor to win the House Cup. That's my reason." He paced, then asked, "Miss Leeds, stand up, please." She did, and he asked, "What was his name?"

She blinked, then said, "V… Voldemort."

"Good. You may be seated. I want every pureblood except Miss Leeds in this room to stand up." I glanced at Sprink, and watched, fascinated, as she stood up with about a dozen people. Professor Harry took his attendance roll, and started marking names off, mumbling to himself. He looked up, and said casually, "By the way, everyone standing has flunked the course."

There were shouts of outrage, and Arthur grabbed his bag and turned to leave. Professor Harry said, very quietly, "Sit down, Mr. Morton, before you flunk also."

Arthur hissed, white with rage, "Do you think I care? If you're going to flunk people for being pureblood, you're a worse instructor than Binns!"

Professor Harry's eyes glowed, and he said softly, "You have five seconds to comply, Mr. Morton, or I will recommend your expulsion. For the rest of the purebloods," he continued as Arthur reluctantly took his seat, "I don't care how much money or influence your family has. If you're standing, you've flunked." People started to sit, or grab their things, and he roared, "DID I SAY YOU COULD MOVE?" They froze, and he calmly said, "Now then. I hope you want to be re-admitted to my class. There's only one way for you purebloods to do so. Say his name. Miss Tonks?"

"I … I … " she stammered.

"Are you a Death Eater, Miss Tonks? You should be able to. Show me your left arm. As a matter of fact, I want to see every pureblood's left forearm." People blinked, and he undid his sleeve, baring his forearm. "See? No Dark Mark. Miss Tonks?"

Sprink pulled off her robe, and pushed up her sleeve. She didn't have a Dark Mark, and she managed to stammer, "Voldemort!"

"Very good, Miss Tonks. You're re-admitted, please be seated. Mr. McLeod, you're next. Your arm, please?"

------------------------

"Now then. I'm glad to see that every pureblood here could prove they aren't a Death Eater. Question, Mr. Adams?"

"Sir, why only the purebloods? Why not us muggleborn?"

"Voldemort only recruited from pureblooded families." He chuckled a bit, then said, "It's a bit ironic, he himself was a half-blood. His mother was muggle." He paced a bit, then sat on a table and said, "Now then, what have we learned today? First of all, everyone has something that sets him or her apart. For instance, we have four Yanks in the class." He motioned, and we stood, except for Arthur, then sat again at his nod, "We have six blacks," he motioned again, "and how many people with green eyes?" I raised my hand, as he did. "We have twenty-one males," he stood, "and twenty-two females." I sat back down.

"The point to all of this today is to get you to think for yourself, to make your own decisions. You can take other people's opinions into account, but remember, they are OPINIONS, not cold, hard fact. Mr. Adams, will Hufflepuff win the Quidditch cup this year?"

"I hope so, sir."

"Not if Wayne can use that new broom of hers," Arthur mumbled.

Professor Harry ignored this, and said, "An opinion, a fact would be … Miss Tonks?"

She mumbled, "You're cute?" and he grinned, and said, "Thank you for your opinion. However, I asked for a fact."

"Um… Hufflepuff just got new brooms?"

"And therefore they will win the cup. Shaky logic. Who else has a new broom?"

I raised my hand, and at his nod, said, "Firebolt II, sir."

There were several whistles, and Professor Harry said with a grin, "I hope you're bringing it to flying class. Homework, everyone! From the purebloods, I want two feet on why people are afraid to use Voldemort's name. From the rest of you, I want two feet on a campaign of fear in recent history. Feel free to cross-reference each other. Next week, we go over the defensive spells you've found. Mr. Morton, a minute of your time, please."

"Is that a request, or an order, sir?"

"It is not a request, Mr. Morton."

------------------------

"Why are we walking to class?" Sprink asked. "It's a flying class, and we're carrying brooms. Why are we walking?"

"Um. Exercise?" I asked. "UP!"

"UP!"

"YeeHa!"

------------------------

I waited with the others while Arthur talked to Professor Harry after class. With a clap on the shoulder, he turned and walked toward us. Charlie met him, and asked, "What's up, mate?"

Arthur shrugged, and said, "I have the somewhat dubious honor of his first detention for DADA, and he wanted to know why I wasn't at the DA meeting on Tuesday."

"That's right, you weren't," Sprink said.

He shook his head, "I'm not really … comfortable in large groups, and after his performance today, you couldn't PAY me to attend."

"Professor Harry was just trying to make a point," Sprink said.

"Well, it's a lousy way to do it. I was this close," Arthur held thumb and forefinger a quarter inch apart, "to telling him to shove it and expel me." He snorted, and added, "Mattie, I'm surprised you didn't beat me to it just to stick up for Sprink and Slytherin House."

"I could tell he wasn't serious about flunking anyone, but he was ticked off at you," I said. "Didn't you see his eyes glow?"

"No, he was serious. If anyone had refused to say 'Voldemort', he'd have flunked them and you all know it. A bully is a bully whether he's a teacher or not. After what he said, he couldn't back down."

Sprink said, "He's a pureblood too. Didn't you notice he unrolled his sleeve? Just because he acts like a muggle doesn't mean he isn't. Besides, he's right, wizard folk, and especially the purebloods, have been scared to say his name. It's almost like a curse, if you say 'Voldemort', he'll appear!" She turned to look Arthur in the eye, and said, "I think you're way over-reacting!"

Arthur shook his head, "No. If a man threatens to do something mean, cruel, wicked and nasty, odds are he's really mean, cruel, wicked and nasty. I'm not up on this whole 'The Boy Who Lived' thing, but if today is any sample of Professor Harry Potter, I'd rather spend my free time by myself."

"He was right, though," I said. "Opinions and facts. What's your opinion, and what's your fact? The fact is, right or wrong, you were disrupting the class. If you had a problem with Professor Harry, you could have gone along, and told him so after class. If that didn't work, you're supposed to go to your Head of House." I stopped walking, and looked at Arthur. "I'm having a really difficult time in Transfig, but I'm not going to throw a fit in class. I'm working with some of the people in my house, and I've talked to Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall about it. If I were you, I'd talk to Professor Sprout, and get her opinion. If she agrees with you, she'll go to bat for you."

"Talk to some of the other people in the house as well, mate," Charlie said. "Yes, it's an whole lorry full of 'opinions', but they knew Professor Harry when he was just a regular bloke, like us. If he was an arsewipe then, he'll be one now. My take on him is that he's a regular bloke. He's a teacher, now, OUR teacher, so we need to give him a bit of respect."

One of the Cortez twins (Shaundra?) said, "Also, last week he showed us the Unforgivables, and he even told us the curses! That could have blown up horribly in his face! He trusts us enough with the correct information that we won't abuse it!"

Roshawn (I think) added, "Didn't you see how it hurt him to cast the Cruciatus on those rats? If he was faking that, he deserves an Oscar!"

"When you called him a worse teacher than Binns, I winced at that!" Sprink said. "That was a low blow, but did he challenge you for a personal insult? He knows you would have no chance against him in a duel! Merlin, the only one here that might be able to beat him would be Dumbledore! No, he ignored that, and a lot of wizards wouldn't! So tell us, what exactly did he give you detention for?" She waited, then said, "Well?"

"Disrupting class, all right?"

"You're pissing off one of the most powerful wizards in the world, one who could turn you into a toadstool with a twitch of his eyebrow?" Shaundra asked. "You know that's a fact! Boy, you're either insanely stupid, or insanely brave. That's like going into the Bowery with a Cub Scout knife and hundred-dollar bills stickin' out of your pocket."

"The operative word there is insane," Roshawn said. "In either case, what are you doing in Hufflepuff? You should have been with the rest of the fools in Gryffindor!"

Arthur was getting steamed, and I added, "One last thing, and I'm changing the subject. When you announced the birth of your nephew, I asked at the Slytherin table when a kid's magic would show, and people said it was usually about two or three. They also said that people don't have their full magic until their late thirties or forties." I looked at Arthur, and mentioned, "Professor Harry isn't even at his full strength yet. He's got another twenty years, and you're pissing him off?" I stepped close, and tapped him in the chest, "What kind of idiot are you?"

"One that wants to be alone!"

"Ah, a loner. Know what you mean," I commiserated. "Too bad, you've got us. Do you have a large family?"

"Four sisters, two brothers, and I'm the first wizard in the family in three generations," he admitted. "It's also a little scary, being four thousand miles from home by myself."

"Before I came here, I went to a private boarding school. I know what you mean," I said.

"So why didn't you three go to Salem?" Arthur asked.

"Place just creeped me out," I admitted, and the Cortez sisters nodded their heads.

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Saturday, September 19, 1998:
Hogwarts, Slytherin Quidditch Tryouts (Quidditch Pitch)

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Karen blew her whistle, and said, "'Sonorus'. All right, you lot! Everyone who's trying out for open slots on the team, on the field! Everyone else, keep your eyes peeled for nosy Parkers from the other houses! Chasers to me, Keepers to Frank, Seekers to Ian! Good luck, everyone! 'Quietus'." I walked out on the pitch, and Sprink headed toward Karen.

"Right-o! Everyone for Seeker, then," Ian said. He released the snitch, and said, "Go find it." I kicked off with the other two.

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"There you are, you little…" I whispered to myself, spotting the snitch orbiting a goalpost. I tipped over and dove at it, only to see it zip away. I grinned, and followed.

I stretched … and grabbed it! Holding it up in my left hand, I heard Ian call, "Seekers to me!" I turned, and flew toward where he stood, talking to Karen and Frank. I landed, and looked at the snitch, wings still beating fruitlessly. I handed it to him as the other two landed, and he said, "Best two of three. Go find it."

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"Come out, little snitch. Come out, come out wherever you are…" I crooned as I dodged and wove my way through the madness over the pitch. The dozen or so Chaser candidates were trying to score against the four Keepers, two on each end. Professors Snape and Vector were Beating, knocking the Bludgers around, while Professor Sinistra, holding a mug of something, had joined Karen, Ian and Frank. I saw a flicker of gold near them, and dove. The snitch was hovering a foot or so over Professor Sinestra's head. Banking hard, I reached out and snatched it as she jumped from the slipstream. I came about, smiled, and said, "Sorry!"

"What were you doing!"

"Catching the snitch, Professor." I held it up, and added, "Sorry if I scared you."

"That's two for you, lil' sis," Ian said as I handed it to him. He glanced at the other three, then said, "Sit out this next one. We need a reserve Seeker."

"I did it, I did it, I did it!" I squeaked, bouncing up and down.

"Keep it quiet until we make the announcement tonight," Karen said.

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Karen walked into the Common Room, flanked by Frank and Ian. She cleared her throat, and the room fell silent. "Ladies and gentlemen of the Snake's Den, it is my pleasure as your Quidditch Captain to announce the team for the 1998-1999 season. Ian and Frank are returning as your Beaters. I will be playing Chaser, as will Julie Dorney and Sprink Tonks. Each of them scored six goals." Sprink squealed, and I shushed her. Karen smiled, then added, "Keeper is James Dorney, who blocked an average of 70%, and Seeker is Mattie Wayne, with two of the four catches in practice." People started to whisper, and Karen said, "Reserves are…"

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