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For copyright and disclaimers, please see chapter one.
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11 – Week Nineteen, Third Year
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Sunday, January 1, 1380: (Julian)
Hogwarts, Entrance Hall: 12:09
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"Hello, Miss Yates, would you..." Alberta stopped, asking "What are you doing, and who is... THAT?"
"Thank you for saying 'who' instead of 'what'", Alfred's holographic head said from above the remote. "My name is Alfred, you are conversing with my remote, and we are testing the placement of various components."
"I see... no, I do not. What do you mean?" the Headmistress asked.
"We have to make sure everything fits in the proper place in this hall," Mattie said from under a beam. She wiggled about, throwing a leg over the beam, adding, "We don't want to disrupt traffic here any more than necessary."
"That's why we're doing it now, and why we've got hinges on each arm," Cassidy added. "Once we've got everything zeroed out, we can just fold two of the arms up to move them out of the way." She grinned, "For once, luck is on our side. Because we're playing with time, our deadline of April first isn't fixed on our side, but it is on theirs. We could start in June and meet them in April."
The Headmistress shook her head, "Again, please?"
"Um, let's try this," Mattie said, sitting on the floor. "You're meeting someone at a particular crossroads in a particular village. There are two ways to get there, one is longer than the other, but they both have the same endpoint, the same destination, right?" The Headmistress slowly nodded, "If a bridge is out, I can go the other way, and still meet them at that one particular spot."
"A gross generalization," Alfred commented.
Cassidy had sat on a beam, when Alberta sighed, "I shall have to think on it. I did wonder, what was that noise?"
Mattie looked at Cassidy, "I don't hear anything. Alfred, you hear anything?"
"No, Captain. However, the tertiary channel B flux capacitor is five angstroms out of alignment," the portable replied.
"Frack," Cassidy looked up, "What did it sound like?"
"A cricket."
"Sorry, I've never heard a cricket. I was born on Mars station, y'see."
"I had wondered why you were fatigued, Officer Yates," Alfred said. "Perhaps she is referring to your wrench?"
Cassidy spun the socket, "Is that it?" The Headmistress nodded, Alfred commenting, "Another mystery resolved. Would you like a grav-belt, Officer Yates?"
Cassidy looked at the clock, "Thank you, no, I've adapted. I'd like lunch, though. Anyone else interested?"
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Monday, January 1, 2001: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts Express, Northbound: 13:22
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"It's a good thing you were able to get the flight home and back, Arthur," Connie Koslowski said. "Especially after pissing off Mrs. Wayne."
"Someone had to say it," he grumbled. "She shouldn't have summoned demons."
"She did not do it, Senor Morton," Tomas said. "It would also have been terribly rude not to offer you a way to school." He shifted in his seat, "Did I read you the latest letter from my sister?" He pulled it out of his bag, and read:
Sunday, December 25, 1379
Merry Christmas!
It's a pity this is so one-way, I'd love to know how things are going there. I hope everyone got their presents. I'm sorry I missed Father Tim's Christmas service and dinner. You'll have to tell me all about it!
As an early Christmas present, we got the Coopers safely packed up from their home and moved into Hogsmeade. I've contracted with Mr. Cooper to build wooden stairs and a platform for Cassidy and I, we can't make it from metal, as it will interfere with the temporal field. At least that's what we're telling the Coopers, they seemed somewhat downcast, a job will help to boost their spirits. Expanding their small house into a proper shop will have to wait until the spring thaw for foundations and walls, though.
Cassidy and I are obviously spending the holidays here at school. Without all the people running about, it's quiet. I've been helping Cassidy assemble things, as well as helping Professor Barnhart plumb in a hydroponics bed in Greenhouse Five. There's a variant of rice there; Cassidy picked it up god-knows-where, gets its nutrients from filtering the water, which is then recirculated. I've also gotten some tutoring in spellwork from Headmistress Oldridge, who has managed to clarify certain things for me, and I love the Alchemy tutoring with Professor Flamel. It's nice to learn things from a master; I'm looking forward to discussing things with Professor Snape.
Because our lives depend on the gizmo we're building, and that it's not as tight a schedule on our side, we're cross-checking our builds with each other and with Alfred, the ship's (manumitted) AI. Tomorrow (Boxing Day), we're going to do a preliminary power-on test for the rig. Considering we're using matter-to-energy conversion (WAY beyond fusion or antimatter!) to power this gizmo, I hope there won't be an earth-shattering KABOOM!
However, you guys are still there, so I guess we did it right!
Mattie
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Wednesday, January 4, 2001: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Entrance Hall: 08:53
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With a howl of tortured energy, a golden ball of light appeared, bringing staff and students running. Humming, it shrank to about five meters, turning transparent, letting people see ghostly figures, Mattie crouching next to a squat black device with heavy cables running from it, Cassidy next to a control panel. Mattie stood and waved, then scribbled on a pad, 'WHAT DATE AND TIME?'
Professor Harry used his wand to write in the air, '4Jan 2001, 5 till 9 am'. He added, 'Can U see clock?'
Mattie turned and scribbled, 'ONLY OURS. HERE BOX-DAY, 13:37. WHAT LIKE?'
Harry replied, 'LOUD howl, now hum. Why?'
After a short conference, she wrote, 'NO RECEIVING STATION – GET BUSY!' The last comment got a chuckle. Turning the page, she added, 'APPEAR AS GHOSTS? KEEP REAL GHOSTS AWAY! ASK BARON!'
Another bit of wand-waving, 'You do. Will ask. Next test?'
After another brief conference, 'TENATIVE 1FEB 12 NOON. TRY TO SYNC TIME.' A few other figures had wandered in, Headmistress Oldridge waved at the 'upstream' throng. She borrowed Mattie's pad, writing, 'Minerva, I shall send you a letter!' She added, 'Professors Binns and Flamel say 'Hello!' to you!' Mattie reclaimed her pad, writing, 'GOT TO GO – GENERATOR LOW ON FUEL. SEE YOU 1 FEB! LOVE TO ALL!' She shooed the others out, waved along with Cassidy, and the field vanished with a 'pop'.
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Minerva settled down, opening the 1379 volume to December 26.
Monday, 26 December, 1379
Dearest Minerva,
It was very pleasant to see you again, not to mention the rest of the school. Could you see colour? We could, although no sound – just a low humming from Miss Wayne's 'gizmo'. Miss Yates assures me that once you have your end constructed, even that should disappear, as will the enormous power drain. It apparently took as much 'juice' to hold the 'field' open for those short minutes as it did to fly amongst the stars – I cannot conceive of it!
Miss Wayne asks me to ensure that the ghosts are kept far from the field – one of ours inadvertently sailed into the edge of the field and disappeared! Her fellow ghosts are unable to find her, and the Baron has been suitably forewarned.
Miss Yates estimates the transfer area itself will only occupy about a ten foot diameter, however, 'spillover' from that might extend to a radius of 150 to 200 feet; which is well into the Slytherin and Hufflepuff dormitories. Please forewarn students and faculty that we might share as ghosts' quarters, meals and classrooms with our counterparts. Miss Wayne has designated classrooms in use in her time. Remind your students and staff they are not to inform us as to future events!
Alberta
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Wednesday, January 4, 2001: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Great Hall: 12:13
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Minerva stood, rapping on her goblet with a knife, as noise slowly died down. She called, "Baron? Are you there?"
The ghost appeared, along with about a dozen others. "We are here, Minerva. You may proceed."
She nodded, "Thank you," and addressed the students. "We all saw the rather dramatic appearance this morning by Miss Wayne and Miss Yates. I have received a letter from Headmistress Oldridge, my counterpart. She wishes me to forewarn both the ghosts and the Hogwarts population about certain things." Looking up at the ghosts, she said, "They have lost one ghost who inadvertently touched the field. They expect it to have a diameter of up to two hundred feet; however, I think it best if you were to be as far away as possible. They next expect a test on the first of February, about noon."
The Baron bowed, "Well I remember that. All of us shall visit the Hogsmeade churchyard ghosts, and we shall take care of Peeves for you." He looked over at Myrtle, "You shall need to go through the lake, unless you will give your word about Olive Hornsby." The spectacled ghost shook her head stubbornly, and the Baron sighed and nodded.
"Secondly," Minerva told the school, "As you saw, they appear as coloured ghosts to us, and we to them. Neither can hear the other, but we can communicate by writing. You must not communicate their future to them," she intoned, "Including persons' names. They will be writing letters, which will be delivered in April. I mention this because the two hundred foot range means they may very well appear in classrooms, the Hufflepuff and Slytherin dormitories, and here in the Great Hall. Therefore, when you ask someone to 'Pass the salt, please,' it may be your ancestor doing so."
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Wednesday, January 4, 2001: (Gregorian)
Gotham City, Wayne Tower, Executive suites: 14:20
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"One moment, please," Mira told the caller, then touched her intercom, "Mrs. Wayne, I have an international call for you, personal, a Miss McGonagall. Will you take it?"
"Of course, Mira, she's the Headmistress of Mattie's school." A light flashed on her phone, she picked it up, "Selina Wayne."
"Good morning, Mrs. Wayne," Minerva said, "I just thought you'd like to know that Mattie called in a few minutes ago. It was... impressively loud."
Selina chuckled, "She does like to make an entrance. Was there much of a discrepancy?"
"She called on Boxing Day, at about twenty till two in the afternoon; we received it about five till nine this morning. She wishes to schedule another test, to synchronize things, at noon on the first of February. Might you have your equipment ready?"
"There are some... logistical problems," Selina admitted with a sigh. "In particular, one person does not want to allow access for 'personal reasons'. I don't know if we can build that part in time; I may have to steal it, and return it later."
"I see," Minerva replied. "Another problem occurs to me, that of unauthorized access to either end. Might you have a suggestion?"
"Hmm," Selina said as she walked over to look out the floor to ceiling windows in her office. "Very possible," she mused, looking at the winter skyline, roofs covered with snow. "I'll have to make a few calls. I'm also concerned about asset recovery; I assume you don't want the equipment cluttering up your Entrance Hall for too long."
"Very true," Minerva chuckled, "A knut saved, and all that, I can well appreciate the need. By the by, another student, a Mr. Spencer, introduced his Aunt Sarah to me, apparently you have met her?"
"I have indeed; I've had a long discussion with her and Mr. Spencer's grandmother. Just after I last saw you, as a matter of fact. While she's not fully conversant with everything you're aware of, we did discuss matters relating to a certain ship, and the associated benefits."
"I should hope that Scotland will come out well in those discussions," Minerva said, and Selina chuckled, "Rest assured, Scotland, the UK, and a nice chunk of Europe will come out very well. We do remember our friends, Minerva."
"As well as enemies, I presume," Minerva said. "I was most distressed to hear of the results of your general election."
"As was I," Selina said. "However, we haven't forgotten our Canadian or Mexican neighbors. One mustn't single-source such things. Pemex as well as BP was most interested in studying certain things."
"I am certain they were," Minerva agreed. "If there is nothing else, I presume I shall see you the first of February?"
"You can count on it, Minerva."
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Thursday, January 5, 2001: (Gregorian)
Luna, JLA Tower: 11:38
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Batgirl crept silently along the hallways leading to the equipment lockers. She crouched next to the first door, and signaled the security implant. When the door failed to open, she opened an equipment pouch.
"You won't be able to get in, Selina," a husky voice said.
"What makes you think so, Diana?" she asked, still working at the lock. "Bruce designed these locks."
"After his death, I removed his access, and placed you on probationary status," she replied.
"You're forgetting a few things," Selina replied, as the first door hissed open to a "Great Hera!" from Wonder Woman. She stood, facing the Amazon. "Firstly, I am still a rather accomplished burglar. Secondly, I have access to all of Bruce's files. Third..."
"Third, never get between a mother and her cub," Clark said. He looked over at Selina, "Promise to return it?"
"Of course," she replied. "Did you really need to ask?"
"Pro-forma," he replied. "When would you like me to drop off the power unit at Hogwarts?"
"As soon as possible before February first," she replied, turning. "Kyle, I'd like to meet with you and your fellow Lanterns fairly soon regarding security."
"Tomorrow afternoon's good for me. I'll check with Jenny and John and let you know. Want us to meet you at Hogwarts?"
"Yes, please," Selina said, turning back to the Amazon. "Diana, you seem to be assuming I'm taking this to turn a profit. I'm taking this to retrieve my child, and you're not standing in my way. Now, you seem to be outvoted, will you step aside?"
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Friday, January 6, 2001: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Entrance Hall: 16:58
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As Minerva descended the stairs, she heard, "Jenny will be a few minutes late. Clark, want some help with that?"
"No, thank you, Kyle, I'm just looking to place it on bedrock." There was a 'thoom' as the building shook, Clark adding, "Hello, Minerva. Did you know there's a sealed chamber under the floor?"
"No, I did not, Mr. Kent," the Headmistress replied as the bell rang for end of class.
"Too late for the poor folks in there," he said. "It looks like they've been dead for centuries. I'll show you where it is later," he added, as the thunder of feet echoed. The oak front doors opened, admitting Jenny, who asked "Did I miss anything?"
"Not really," Selina said, dressed in an impeccable business suit, as was Clark. The three Lanterns, on the other hand, wore their uniforms as students gawked from the balconies. "I'm concerned with security of the components, and since the Corps has been around for quite a while..."
"You're wondering if there's some way to communicate this to Mattie?" John Stewart asked. "I'll check the archives on Oa and see what can be done."
"I thought you might be," Clark said. "The generator has its own security field, but I've got some other devices that would help. I can drop them off tomorrow."
"Could you stop to see Barbara tomorrow?" Selina said. "She's got some computer equipment for both rigs; the one to the fourteenth century, and the one to the twenty-fourth. Dick and his partner Amy have volunteered; they'll be by this weekend to help."
"I'm free this weekend," Jenny said, and Kyle nodded.
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Saturday, January 7, 2001: (Gregorian)
Hogwarts, Seventh floor: 07:28
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Harry Spencer waited outside the seventh floor, leaning on the railing and watching the activity below. He turned when he heard a 'Fwoup' sound behind the door, and smiled, "Hello, Mr. Grayson, good to see you again."
"Mr. Spencer, how are you?" Dick smiled. "I'd like you to meet my partner on the Bludhaven PD, Sgt. Amy Rohrback."
Amy shook her head, holding out her hand. "Sorry, that's a hell of a ride," she admitted. "Please, call me Amy."
"And as we've two 'Harry's' here, the other goes by 'Professor Harry', whilst I am simply Harry Spencer," he said, "At your service. Welcome to Hogwarts, I am your guide to the trick staircases and such. I do like the casual nature of you Yanks. Have you eaten?"
"No, it was a little after two a.m. when we left," Dick said. "Time zones, you know."
"Then let me invite you to a hearty breakfast before we begin work," Harry said, rubbing his hands. "I do say, this is a bit like H.G. Wells, don't you know, time machines and whatnot?"
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"Who is that?" Amy whispered to Dick.
He turned, "That's Hagrid, one of the professors here," he told her, referring to the tall fellow that was covered with hair, casually carrying a steel beam on his shoulder.
"Great bloke, but a bit clumsy," Professor Harry said, welding a conduit to the beam with his wand. "Half giant, but the most peaceful soul you would ever want to meet." He looked up, "Remus, can you get the end of this, so we can get it in place?"
"Certainly, Harry," the thin fellow said, picking up the end of the beam as a grey wolf wandered over, sniffing at Amy. Remus barked something, the wolf replying before sitting next to Amy, wagging her tail.
"Amy, meet Sprink, she's Mattie's roommate," Dick said, and Sprink woofed softly.
"Roommate?" Amy asked, holding out her hand for Sprink to sniff.
"Roommate," Remus confirmed, "Even if she is being a lazy git at the moment. Either pick up a wrench or help me hold this, girl."
"Right-o," Sprink said, transforming. She smiled at Amy, "Never seen a werewolf before?"
"I brought a softball," Dick said. "I'll throw it for you later if we get this done."
"Cool!" and you could almost see her tail wag.
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