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For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter one.
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9 – Eleventh week, Third Year
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Monday, November 6, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Library: 18:52
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Arthur looked down at the e-mail he'd just written and hesitated. He'd stood up to Mattie when the situation had called for it. He'd stood up to Snape when the Potions professor had made an unethical demand of him. He'd stood up to a ranking demon from Hell to protect his sister, even if he'd had a long attack of the shakes afterwards.
But with the death of Bruce Wayne, Selina Wayne was now the head of the Bat Clan, widely regarded as a group of people it was not safe to cross under any circumstances. Even the heaviest of hitters treaded carefully when dealing with them. 'Dammit, someone has to stand up and tell them when they're wrong. If not me, then who?'
After two calming breaths, Arthur clicked the 'Send' button. The chips could fall where they might. 'If I go down, I go down swinging.'
To: Selina Wayne
From: Arthur Morton
CC: Hogwarts Staff
Subject: Halloween
Dear Mrs. Wayne,
Since the demonic invasion of Hogwarts you sponsored on Halloween, my sister has been suffering recurring nightmares. She's not the only one. Two students have quit school with three other being removed by their parents. If my folks knew what happened that night, I have no doubt that Julie and I would be added to that total. There is a petition circulating that calls for Mattie's expulsion on the grounds that her presence is too dangerous to tolerate. (This from people who consider it a mere inconvenience to lose a leg while learning how to apparate.)
I can understand that you want Mattie back safe and sound and will go to any lengths to accomplish that goal. I miss her too. But the collateral damage inflicted by you was simply too great.
What do you intend to do about the harm you've done to people who never harmed you?
Sincerely,
Arthur Morton
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Tuesday, November 7, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Hufflepuff table: 18:07
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Arthur wondered why people had edged away from him all day. 'I took a shower,' he mused as he booted his laptop to start his Charms homework. His mail client pinged, and he looked at the subject lines. 'Uh, oh. There's a lot about Halloween.'
To: Arthur Morton
From: Severus Snape
CC: All Hogwarts
Subject: Re: Halloween
Mr. Morton:
Were you perchance accidentally sorted into Gryffindor?
SS
To: Arthur Morton
From: Charlie Adams
CC: All Hogwarts
Subject: RE: Re: Halloween
It's been nice knowing you, mate. I'll come to your funeral.
To: Arthur Morton
From: Minerva McGonagall
CC: All Hogwarts
Subject: Re: Halloween
Mr. Morton:
While I admire your courage, relations with other students' families are not your affair. Regarding any petition, may I remind you (and others) that Miss Wayne is a VICTIM here?
"I saw a copy of your little note, Morton," a soft voice said. "I had not considered a Hufflepuff before." He looked up into Lucille Malfoy's smirking face, when Julie yanked her away, "You go through me to get to my brother, bitch!"
"Miss Morton, your loyalty does you credit," Lucille said, drawing her wand. "Even if it is misdirected..."
"Misdirected or not, Miss Malfoy," Professor Harry said as he grabbed her wand. "Miss Morton was standing up for her brother, something that is not deserving of a curse. If you have finished eating, please proceed to your mother's quarters, you do have homework to submit."
"Of course, Professor," Lucille said politely, nodding to Arthur and Julie. "May I have my wand, please?"
Harry reversed it, handing it back to her as he watched her walk out. Glancing at Arthur, he smiled slightly, "Shall we re-sort you, Mr. Morton, as you seem to enjoy pulling the tiger's tail?"
"By the way, thank you, Arthur, for telling the whole damned school about my nightmares," Julie snapped.
To: Arthur Morton
From: Selina Wayne
CC: All Hogwarts
Subject: Re: Halloween
Mr. Morton:
I was surprised to receive an email from you, and disappointed to learn that some students had left. While I'm aware that Hogwarts has its faults (as do all schools), parents are working with the Headmistress and faculty to resolve them. While student feedback is appreciated, these are not really your concern. Quite honestly, I was disappointed to learn that you have not shared your concerns with your parents. They have your best interests at heart, as do the faculty. As I will be in the Columbus area shortly, I'll be sure to stop by for a cup of coffee.
I was distressed to learn students were having psychological problems. One of the ongoing problems we are discussing with the Headmistress is the lack of psychological support for the entire Hogwarts community, both staff and student. Until a permanent position can be filled, I have asked the Headmistress to select a competent professional to be available several times a week at my expense. If someone feels more comfortable with another counselor, I am willing to cover that expense also.
I requested Lady Zatanna to choose a few individuals for her investigation team; I admit I should have inquired more closely into her choices. While she led the team, I take responsibility for that lapse in management, and will be visiting Hogwarts tomorrow if you have questions.
Regarding 'collateral damage', shall we do a quick review? In Mattie's first year, she was kidnapped twice, the first time in January by Mr. Malfoy, the second time by the late Minister Fudge at Mr. Malfoy's urging. In the first instance, there were three persons injured, in the second, only my daughter. I suggest you consult with those persons regarding damage, and the Ravenclaw and Slytherin Quidditch teams.
In Mattie's second year, Minister Fudge not only tried to rob her, he personally cast the Cruciatus curse on her while kidnapping her godmother, Ms. Lane. When Minister Fudge tried to close the school by cutting the budget, my daughter came up with a novel financing method to assist. When Minister Fudge, in a truly bizarre scheme, tried to kidnap and ransom the three werewolves in school, including her friend Miss Tonks, Mattie dueled him in her defense. When Minister Fudge tried to personally arrest Miss Tonks and Mr. Lupin, she stood in his way and made him back down (in front of the press, I might add). When the disguised Lucius Malfoy distributed the Imperious potion in the water, we assisted with discovering the solution.
In this, Mattie's third year, the subject of your note, she was abducted and cast back in time, allegedly by Miss Malfoy. She was able to deduce a solution and is constructing a means to return. Not content with that, she has rescued another time traveler, and will be bringing her along. I'm sure that Miss Yates will be eager to discuss with you any 'collateral damage'. From the letters and notes Headmistress McGonagall has received from Headmistress Oldridge, as well as a personal visit (courtesy of one of those demons), Mattie has been diligent in protecting the timeline, saving all of your lives.
From the descriptions and accounts I have received, the Demon Hella and the Demon Etrigan focused on two students, Miss Malfoy and Mr. Pritchard. Perhaps you are concerned about Etrigan declining to take you and your sister to Hell? That he paid you a compliment? I regret any emotional problems you or your sister may have had, but if I might be brutally frank, Mr. Morton, from where I stand, you've gotten off far lighter than my daughter.
Selina Wayne
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Wednesday, November 8, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall, Gryffindor table: 12:52
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"Miss Malfoy, please come with us," Tonks asked.
"Trying to arrest me? My solicitor needs to be here," she sneered.
"I am here, Miss Malfoy, and this is not an arrest. You're being committed to St. Mungo's psychiatric ward for treatment," Roger Webster said.
"I think not," Lucille said, Narcissa replying, 'Stupefy!'. Clearing her throat, she levitated Lucille, "Please excuse us, everyone."
"Finally!" someone said, applause breaking out.
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Friday, November 11, 1379: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Cassidy Yates: 17:09
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'I'm going stir-crazy,' Cassidy thought as she waited for Mattie to arrive. She sighed, looking over the plans again, 'One more trip, maybe two, and then we build. I hope we have enough cash.'
"I'm home!" Mattie called, and Cassidy replied, "Honey, I baked a cake for the neighbors!"
"You're such a good little wife," Mattie replied, continuing on their series of 'domestic' jokes. "Will there be enough for all? They've got a lot of kids." She inspected Cassidy, "Such a conservative outfit! Miss prim-and-proper, aren't we?"
"We are representing the neighborhood association," Cassidy replied, twirling in her tiny white and blue pleated skirt. "It's a big cake. Will you get the door?"
"Certainly, milady, after you change to something a bit more... conservative."
"Durn it, you don't let me have any fun," Cassidy said.
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Cassidy, still grumbling about putting on a jumpsuit and boots, placed the box on the table while Mattie talked to the Headmistress. She smiled, strolling over to the stuffiest professor, (Binns), and flirting with him.
"C'mon, work, work, work!" Mattie said, grabbing her elbow.
"You're no fun," Cassidy replied, blowing a kiss to the professor as she left.
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Friday, November 11, 1379: (Julian)
Outbound, Cassidy Yates: 19:34 (relative)
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"At least we don't have to worry about outbound traffic," Cassidy said. "I'd better go change. How are the engines?"
"So far, purring like a kitten with cream," Mattie said, adding, "As my mom would say. You did a nice job. I don't know how busy the inbound traffic will be, maybe another hour or so to orbit."
Cassidy tapped keys, "Seventy five minutes for the flight, then landing and so forth, sounds about right," she said. "Hopefully this is the last time we have to do this."
"You and me both."
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Cassidy pulled off her boots, then the jumpsuit and the sport bra, tossing it in the replicator's disposal. Stretching, she did a deep knee bend, 'I've got time for a quick sonic shower,' she thought, and entered her quarters' small head.
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"Get along, you!" Mattie heard, and a furious, naked Cassidy thrust Anne onto the flight deck, folding her arms under her breasts, "Look what I found in my shower, Captain. Can we take her back?"
Mattie groaned, "A stowaway. I just called to make the appointment for your exams. These next few weeks the ship's going to be torn apart for the AI's installation, I'll have to fly her back." She glowered at Anne, "Explain yourself."
"Weeks?" Anne wavered, and Cassidy grasped her elbow. "I thought you would'st be gone only a day or two, as before."
"No, I told the Headmistress we would be gone as long as four weeks. This is our last trip. Did you tell anyone you were going?"
"I gave Melanie a sealed scroll she was to pass on tonight," Anne said.
"At least you did that," Mattie said as an alarm chirped. She flicked a switch on the command chair, "We'll sort this out in a minute, for now, Anne will take the helm and Cassidy will assume her usual position for Approach."
"Just look busy, the board's locked out," Cassidy said, holding out the chair. She waited, assuming a head-down position, wrists held behind her as Anne nervously took a seat.
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"Please state your registration, cargo and purpose," the bored controller said over the comm.
"The Cassidy Yates, registered in this system, one crew, one personal slave, no other cargo," Mattie said as Cassidy knelt behind her, head down for the benefit of the controller's view. She grinned to herself as Mattie continued, "Purpose is ship upgrades and medical treatment, control. We have an appointment in the Capital; I'd appreciate a berth there."
"I'm reading a Power Ring, Yates," and Mattie replied, "That's mine. Do I have clearance?"
"Of course, honored Lantern!" the frightened controller said. "Please take vector Alpha nine to bay 193, and welcome!"
"Thank you, control. Yates out." She said dryly, touching controls, "One down."
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"Now, what the hell do I do with you?" Mattie mused as Cassidy pulled Anne from the chair to stand. "The only thing I can think of is to fly you back after we hit dirt."
"You've already claimed her as crew, Captain," Cassidy said. "She'll have to sign the ship's papers, and you'll have to check her out with the Dock Master."
"Crap. That means tomorrow morning at the earliest," Mattie said, gesturing at the darkening sky. "Anne, it looks like you get one night on a different planet. Go with Cassidy to change, we've got about forty minutes before we land."
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Cassidy worked at the replicator, then turned to Anne, telling her, "Strip, and put these on."
"But... those are MEN'S clothes!"
"No they aren't. DO IT," Cassidy growled. Anne 'eep'd' and started to unbutton her blouse. "You broke the law, Anne, and you're damn lucky the Captain can fly you back tomorrow. Don't piss her off even more."
Anne's mouth opened as Cassidy continued, "There are three penalties for stowing away: death, enslavement, or Captain's Option." She glowered, "You know what the first one is. The second one is judicial enslavement, which means you get a collar like mine, but there is NO chance to remove it. You're buried in it."
Anne swallowed nervously, "The third is Captain's Option. Legally, aboard her ship, the Captain is one step down from God. You don't know her like I do, but she's incredibly pissed if she's swearing. She's going to fly you back to Hogwarts, and what the Headmistress does to you, I don't know. If you behave yourself, you may still see the future. Are we clear on this? Do you understand how much trouble you're in?"
"Yes, ma'am," Anne said meekly.
Cassidy snorted, "Good. Hurry up; you'll need to help me get dressed." She picked up her 'corset', and stepped into it, wincing as the catheter went in. She squirmed as the other plugs were seated, adding, "I need this as tight as possible. When it's locked on me, give the keys to the Captain."
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(I see nothing out of order), the Customs inspector said, returning the record chips. (How long will you be staying?)
"Possibly three to four weeks, dock master. My crewman needs a medical procedure, and we know how healer's offices are." The dock master grunted as Mattie continued, "I also need some ship work as well as specialized cargo. Might I contract for a bay umbilical?"
(I can arrange that, ship-mistress. Your docking fees for three weeks are... four kilos, payable in advance.)
Mattie counted coins, "As we do not know how long the healers might take, I think it wisest to pay for the month. Will six kilos do, dock master...?"
(S'aa'z, ship-mistress. You have my com-code if I might assist. Good day.)
Mattie saw him out, raising the boarding hatch. She strolled to the flight deck, motioning Anne through and releasing Cassidy and shoving her through the hatch. Once the hatch was closed, her hands were released, and she dived for her legal pad, writing:
How much did you give him?
"Six kilos for the month, we don't know how long the healer will take."
Cassidy nodded, writing:
See if he can recommend a wholesaler for our stuff. Do we have at least fifteen kilos in the safe?
"I'm keeping twenty in the ship's safe; the rest goes to the bank."
"Err, 'Bank'?" Anne asked.
Cassidy rolled her eyes, writing:
Have fun with her, Captain. Please don't forget tools. I gave you my list, didn't I? Mattie nodded; Cassidy continued: The antigravity cart is about shot – see if you can get a deal on a new one. Don't forget cargo nets and things.
"All right, Anne, here's the plan. Does the suit fit all right?" Mattie said, noticing Anne rolling her shoulders.
"The... bra, is it called? It is pinching me, and I am not accustomed to wearing pantaloons, or these tiny knickers."
"You would stand out from the crowd wearing your full skirt, this way you'll blend in. We can get you a halter to wear underneath." There was a muffled 'clank' as the umbilical was connected. "For now, live with it. Once the bank's van arrives for our deposit, we drop Cassidy off for her examinations at the Shipmaster's Hall, and start shopping for our equipment."
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"Their skin was... orange and they were all bald," Anne said quietly.
"Yes, Anne. Remember the first time I left? I said you hadn't been exposed to other life?" Mattie motioned at the departing van, "There are thousands of intelligent races out there, and not all of them are friendly." Cassidy rocked forward in agreement from where she knelt. Tucking the receipt into her waist bag, Mattie motioned, "We need to get Cassidy to her examinations, and if anyone asks you a question, refer them to me, Anne. No matter what you see or hear, stay calm and save any questions for tonight."
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"Dock master!" Mattie called, "A moment of your time?" The salmon colored alien paused, (Yes, ship-mistress, how might I assist you?) The small tentacles on his mouth waved as the three approached.
"I was hoping you might have a recommendation for an electronics wholesaler, Dock master," she said. "My client is anxious to work on his project."
(Might I see the requisition?) She handed over a chip, and he looked at his board. (Ah, yes, although I would suggest buying the beams and such from a dockyard fellow I know. You can get the assembly in titanium instead of steel for the same price. Much lighter, he won't pay as much for shipping.)
"True, but my client specified steel, and he has an annoying habit of turning off his comm. Is the dockyard fellow available?
(I happen to be going that way myself. Perhaps I might introduce you?)
Mattie smiled, "Most appreciated, Dock master."
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(Yes, we can accommodate you, ship-mistress. Unfortunately, my beam-cutter requires a part that is out of stock.) The dockyard contractor, not surprisingly another salmon-colored alien, paused regretfully.
Mattie tisked, "Such a pity, I was hoping to get them cut and loaded. Perhaps you might help me in something else? I am in need of a grav sled and other things that will allow my slave to move these heavy beams and such."
(I believe might locate such a device. Would you like it added in?)
"If it is no more than five hundred grams, she is very weak, you see."
(Perhaps you might wish to trade her in?)
"She is guarantee on a debt, so that is not possible. I have left my cargo bay unlocked; will these have all the correct bolts, tools, cargo nets and such?"
(Of course. Bay 193 you said?)
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Anne took Cassidy's leash, as Mattie strolled through the market. She paused next to a fountain, her Captain telling her quietly, "I don't like this, there are too many people wearing guns, we'd better arm ourselves." She looked around, "This way."
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Anne examined the other slaves secured outside the weapons shop, then knelt Cassidy in number six, flipping the stocks closed on her ankles, and locking the ring closed around her neck, pocketing the key. She wiggled, getting comfortable to wait, and the slave to her right nodded at her tight black outfit, asking, "Did you piss off your Mistress?" Cassidy rocked back and forth, shrugging her shoulders.
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"Hmm. This might be best for you, Anne. Think of the needles as very tiny arrows."
"Surely that little thing cannot hurt a person!"
Mattie looked around, motioning to one of the shop slaves, "Do you have a needler we can practice with?"
"Certainly, Mistress, the range is this way. Static or live target?"
"Live?" Anne asked.
"A cheap slave, Mistress, but the replacement cost is added in to the purchase, however." She swallowed nervously, "If I have displeased you, Mistress, I may serve as your target."
"A static target will do," Mattie interjected. "You have not displeased us, you are dismissed." The slave escaped gratefully, Mattie growling, "See why I hate slavers?" She looked around, "There's the range."
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Friday, November 11, 1379: (Julian)
Epsilon Eridani III: 22:30 (relative)
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"I do not like this... thing, this... gun," Anne complained quietly. Cassidy looked at the holstered needler on her hip, then at Mattie.
She motioned, "I'll tell you later, there's the Shipmaster's Guildhall. We'll sign Cassidy in; then get a meal and our room."
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Friday, November 11, 1379: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Headmistress' office: 23:00
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My dear Minerva,
Miss Wayne and Miss Yates have gone off planet again, leaving a large sheaf of notes they request I pass on to you. This is the plans for their time-travel device they will build; in the box is both 'hard copy' and 'electronic' versions, along with the 'settings' they will use. They will be placed in the rear library.
They have an additional problem. Miss Bundy is apparently so desperate to see the stars, she has stowed away on their ship. Unfortunately, she did not know they would be gone for three to four weeks, as this is both examination times for Miss Yates, and her (hopeful) manumission and the removal of her collar. Miss Yates was exceedingly cheerful, speaking at length with Professor Binns.
Alfreda
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Saturday, November 12, 1379: (Julian)
Epsilon Eridani III, Shipmaster's Guildhall: 06:46 (relative)
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"Wake up, Anne," Mattie said, shaking the girl gently. "Get a shower and get out here, we've got a lot to do." The girl nodded as Mattie stood. "You can use either the water or sonic shower; use the soap in the dark red bottle."
"Shower?"
"Think of water coming down like a waterfall, that's a shower. The three seashells are the sonic; they use sound to clean instead of water." She patted Anne's shoulder. "Ten minutes, all right?"
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Cassidy stumbled after whoever had her leash, eyes locked closed; still tightly gagged. 'At least I could stretch my legs out last night,' she thought, thinking of the cell she had shared with other slaves. Her legs had been chained in the center of the cell; her neck ringed to the wall. She couldn't talk, but she could listen in on the other conversations, for a slave cell, it was moderately comfortable. She stopped, and her wrists were released. She was told, "Here you are, first examination, 'Basic shipboard procedures for small craft.' Have a seat and I'll secure you." She didn't even feel the shackles as a helmet was lowered over her head, and the examination came to life in her mind.
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"Where to, Captain?" Anne asked as she followed Mattie through the breakfast buffet. She spooned the same green eggs onto her plate, choosing a rasher of bacon instead of sausage, and a slice of bread. The milk was a light blue, but she took a glass, resuming her seat.
"We need to get a more advanced computer installed, what's called an 'Artificial Intelligence' to monitor you while you sleep." Mattie replied, adding some yellow sugar to her coffee. She sighed happily as she sipped, "The existing computer isn't up to it. If a problem develops, it can eject you and walk you through fixing the problem. Once that's ordered, I want to buy books on technology."
"Whatever for?"
Mattie held her cup and sipped, "The early twenty first century doesn't have anything like the Yates," she explained. "We can use the time-travel device we're building, or the stasis tube to send Cassidy home. Either way, Earth is pretty defenseless against some of the scum out there." She snorted, "Hell, against some in this room. Buying these books gives us a chance to defend ourselves."
"I don't understand," Anne said, sipping her milk. "How will a book help?"
"Let's take something simple, like an arrow. To create that arrow, it has to evolve, first with a straight shaft, then with the fletching, and finally with the steel tip." Anne nodded, "The first arrows were just sticks with a sharp point, which evolved into straight sticks with a sharp point. Along this time, someone figured out how to make metal from stones, but the two technologies weren't connected." Mattie motioned, "Technology builds on itself, like bricks in a wall. What I'm trying to do is to jump from the straight stick to the final arrow, which won't be easy. I haven't figured out how to make the metal point, even though I have one in my hand."
"Ah, I see." Anne said. "The books will tell you how to make the arrowhead, even though you do not know why."
"Exactly, I'm hoping to jump that gap. I hope that some very smart people can figure out the making of that arrowhead, because we desperately need it."
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"Oh, my," Anne said. Mattie stopped next to her, speaking softly, "It's a judicial slave market, Anne. They're convicted criminals." They looked at the naked beings, chained under pale yellow and green awnings, before moving away.
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Saturday, November 12, 1379: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall: 08:08
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Mattie entered, pushing Anne gently ahead of her. Headmistress Oldridge looked up, and hurried to meet them, "You're both safe, good. I'll let Minerva know, and for you, young lady..." She glowered at Anne, then asked, "Miss Wayne, have you both eaten?" Mattie nodded, and Alberta added, "In that case, would you join us in my office?"
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The Headmistress' tongue-lashing finally ran down, she added, "You have not said anything, Miss Wayne."
She sighed, "I can understand her motivations, and it's the dream of stars. I'm fortunate enough to be able to fly among them; Anne took advantage of my security lapse." She steepled her fingers, "I don't want her expelled; she saw some things that have severely shaken her." The headmistress cocked her head, "A slave market, and several dozen different aliens."
"Aliens?"
"Other forms of intelligent life," Mattie explained. "Not all of them friendly," she added, touching Anne's needler on her hip. She stood, nodding courteously, "If there's nothing else, Headmistress, I need to get back." She passed Anne's wand back to the headmistress, "Her clothes are on board ship, we'll return them when we get back."
"Please give our best wishes to Miss Yates," the headmistress called. As the door closed, she said, "Do sit down, child, and tell me what you saw..."
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Sunday, November 12, 2000: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Headmistress' office: 13:42
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"I do thank you, Mrs. Wayne, for coming by to speak to us," Minerva said, as she poured tea. "We have some twenty weeks to build their time-travel device, is that enough?"
"It will have to be, if necessary, we'll borrow parts." Selina said. "In any case, I needed to meet with you, but I do have a two o'clock appointment in London. I was wondering if I might borrow your floo?"
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Sunday, November 12, 2000: (Gregorian)
London, The Leaky Cauldron: 13:45
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Selina sneezed as she stepped out of the floo. "Allow me, Mrs. Wayne," Albus said, dusting her off and repairing a run in her hose. "Your party is in room four, second door on the left."
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"Mrs. Wayne!" the older woman called, "Please come, have a cuppa, and don't bother with all that foo-frah!"
"Thank you, ma'am," Selina said, only to be waved off, "It's Elizabeth and Sarah, please." Selina smiled as they added, "Now, have a cuppa, and tell me about your daughter, and what we can do to help."
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"I don't care for the newly elected President Luthor," Elizabeth said. "He'll federalize your daughter's ship, like the one that's in Area 51. I'd much rather it remain private property, and available to all."
"We're agreed, then," Selina said. "I don't mind the British or American militaries getting some tech, but only as spillover from civilian applications."
"There's going to be quite a bit of research to do," Sarah said. "I would suggest spreading it out in penny packets to universities." She sighed, "Much as I would also like to keep it solely British, we can reduce some of the hazard by spreading it out to Europe and North America."
"Speaking of which," Sheila said, "I have something to be analyzed." She produced two half-liter bottles, "Miss Yates extracted these, and gave them to Minerva for us; she didn't want them to degrade over 600 years. This is main engine fuel; this is thruster fuel. I think someone like BP can come up with a blend when they duplicate it."
"One way to spur trade: cheap petrol," Sarah said, to chuckles. "We'll need to have a place to park the ship that's not a military base. Do we have any sort of dimensions?"
"We do," Selina said, passing over several sheets. Sarah looked at them, pursing her lips. "Too tall and long for a standard small aircraft hangar, we'll have to build custom, and we'll have to have it licensed as an experimental craft. Not really a problem, I know a few blokes. What company to hire the space under?"
"Gringotts' Leasing, Ltd," Griplink said, looking up from his own sheets. "We'll file them as privy contracts, and arrange for them to be 'misfiled' in the Crown Court files," he said, nodding courteously at Elizabeth. "Once we have Miss Wayne and Miss Yates safely back, we will contract with them to establish a branch office."
"One problem with that," Selina said. "Minerva told me Mattie will need to attend summer school to catch up. She won't have time to flit about the galaxy, and as for Miss Yates, we hope to return her to her time as quickly as possible."
"Miss Yates will still need identification and such," Sarah said. "If we can scare up a piccy, we can get her done as a British subject."
"There's another girl they're bringing forward in time, a Miss Anne Bundy," Selina said. "I understand Minerva took a picture of the three of them with her cell phone."
"Should be no problem, then," Sarah said. "Now, how do we want to split up the research? I've drawn up a list of what systems I think would be aboard, and what schools are currently tops in that field of research. For instance, Rolls-Royce has always had a strong relationship with... "
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