DISCLAIMER! This Harry Potter story was written for fun. All rights belong to the wonderful lady (JK Rowling) who gave the world Harry Potter to read and enjoy. Looking forward to the next movie! Yeah, Fanfiction – a great place to stretch your imagination and enjoy someone else's creativity too! New Movie coming in April! Hurrah!
Chapter 3: Summer of 1994That summer, with Dobby's cooking and potions, Harry grew healthier. With Remus's lectures and ideas, Harry began thinking about new ways to accomplish magic and everyday tasks. With Padfoot's need for play, Harry enjoyed running around the neighbourhood and taking long hikes through the parks connecting the different towns. (Dudley Dursley and his group of hooligans could never find Harry Potter to chase or beat up. And the gang of thugs continually found themselves in trouble with the law because they got caught harassing smaller children, shoplifting, and peeking through windows in the evenings.)
Allowed to work on his own computer and Quill, Harry proved to have his mother's genius with spells. Trying to figure out how to move his library of past answers into the storage space of his computer, Harry was inspired one morning as he stared at the scar on his forehead in the bathroom mirror. He hurried into the kitchen and sent Dobby to Diagon Alley for several mirrors that were the size of a sheet of paper or a book. While Dobby was gone, Harry finished fixing the lunch which immediately caught the attention of Uncle Moony.
"Plotting a good prank there, pup?" Remus asked as he and Padfoot wandered into the kitchen following the smell of a roast chicken.
"Hey. Not a prank…not yet. But I had an idea for getting some written information into the computer without having to type it in again."
"Muggles call it scanning and using Optical Character Reader," stated Remus.
"Have you seen a scanner?"
"We can go to London and visit a computer store. Do you want to buy one?"
"No, just see how one works. I want to use magic to do this," Harry explained.
Dobby returned with six mirrors, and he set them down carefully before fussing mightily at his Mr Harry Potter for carving the roast chicken. The two wizards sat to eat and Padfoot begged scraps and titbits, from the first one and then the other.
Within two weeks Harry had a spell that could scan a page of handwritten text laying on a mirror into a word processing file in the storage of the computer. With a spell from Remus already on the computer, Harry had unlimited storage space. He demonstrated the spell to Remus who was speechless.
"You invented this in two weeks? Merlin, you got James and Lily both bragging to every other person in Avalon tonight!"
Blushing, Harry squirmed for a moment but then he asked for ideas about how to get the magic to work on a book or a stack of paper.
Your magic spell 'reads' any person's handwriting and converts it to printed type?
Yes.
Remus smiled and said, "Then think about what else you're wanting the magic to do."
Let me see this working," Remus said, reaching for random paper sitting on Harry's desk. The werewolf stopped to read the parchment – a seventh-year potions essay from 1974.
"How much do you have?" he asked his adopted nephew.
Blushing again, Harry replied, "The entire compendium of teacher's resources for the last fifty years.
Sighing Remus said, "Again, your dad and Padfoot would be proud, but your mum would lecture for two hours about not cheating or getting lazy."
"I won't cheat, and I won't get lazy. But I've got a great research tool that I can use and help other kids with their studies," Harry assured Remus.
"Okay. I'll help you with some runes, but you have to create the spell with your dad's notes in arithmancy."
Remus worked on his own projects that summer and once Harry got his eyes corrected by a healer, he stared at his face in the mirror for a while, not used to the image without the frames.
"How about we get you a set of glasses that are plain glass, and charm the crap out them?"
"What kind of charms?"
"Ones to protect your eyes from the high wind when you're flying. And to protect your mind from anyone reading it."
While Remus added his dial-up internet rune to Harry's new glasses, the young wizard figured out the spell to scan an entire multi-page document into the computer's memory from a mirror.
After demonstrating the successful scan of an entire set of essays on fourth-year charms from 1967 into his computer, Harry received the new plain glasses from Remus.
"The newest rune is my latest version of the dial-up internet rune."
"What does that do for me? I can't jump into the internet."
"Not yet. But the rune that imitated the internet dial-up proved effective against the Dementors for me and Padfoot. When the creatures grabbed us, the rune activated. The Dementors tried to escape but got pulled into…well, into the ether. It doesn't connect with the real internet yet."
Harry giggled and said, "Maybe the Dementors are the bugs they talk about on the internet."
Remus considered the idea seriously but continued saying, "The rune will help you access the internet when I get it right. Right now I think the internet dial-up is a way to confuse Snape and Dumbledore next year when they try to read your mind."
By the middle of August, Harry and Remus have charmed a CPU, Monitor and Quill (laser printer) that shrank and enlarged using Harry's fingerprint, not his wand. And Remus was able to create a rune that successfully connected the CPU to the internet with the dial-up of a high-speed modem to work. Now, Harry could remain in touch with Remus (and Padfoot) via the internet at night.
CHANGE SCENERY && World CupDespite the invitation to spend the balance of the holidays with the Weasleys, Harry decided to only visit for the day of the World Cup Quidditch Match. He travelled via the Knight Bus and arrived at the stadium in the early afternoon. He used the point-me charm to find Mr Weasley in the crowds.
"Mate, where's your trunk?" were the first words out of Ron's mouth.
"I'm not staying at the Burrow for the rest of the month," Harry explained to Ron. "After the game, I go back to Surry…to take care of the lawn and housekeeping. I'll see you on the express on 1 September."
Ron complained that he'd been bored the whole summer with nothing to do. "And Granger wouldn't come neither. Says her muggle parents wanted to take her to something called a sympathy in London."
"Do you mean a symphony?" asked Harry. Ron simply shrugged and continued to complain about his brothers, his sister, and his homework.
"I wanted to use your homework and Hermione's to get mine done," Ron explained. Harry knew this meant that Ron wanted to copy his summer homework and the young wizard decided to play a prank on his erstwhile friend.
"Tell you what, when I get home, I'll make a copy of my homework and send it to you via Hedwig. You can use mine to write your homework," Harry said.
Ron stared for a moment and asked, "Whatcha want in return?"
"Nothing. You're my friend," Harry replied, thinking of the prank he'd pull.
"Yeah, I'm a pureblood and you're not, so for me to be your friend is enough payment," Ron reasoned. "You're alright Potter."
The time before the start of the game was exciting with Barty Crouch, Sr. losing his temper when the twins threw several exploding pranks at the man's elf. Crouch popped away with the injured elf and left several empty seats in the box. Arthur was terribly embarrassed, but Fred and George ignored their father and his bosses.
Harry made certain to sit near Susan Bones and her aunt while Arthur tried to corral the two teenagers. Ron ignored everyone and spent his time staring at the Vela cheerleaders for the Bulgarian team and then lost his composure completely when the seeker, Victor Krum, flew into the stadium. The game was exciting, and Harry carefully watched each time the seeker swooped down and burst through the beaters or chasers. After the game when he said goodbye to everyone, Mr Weasley insisted that Harry remain with them for the night and return to the Burrow for the remainder of the holiday. But Harry refused politely but firmly and made his way out of the campground. The Knight Bus was very busy, and even the boy-who-lived had to wait his turn with the crowd. To avoid a scene, Harry put himself under another notice-me-not charm without moving his wand.
Almost an hour passed when suddenly, panicky screams spread across the campground. A group of Death Eaters ran through the crowd, casting hexes and creating chaos. Harry was disgusted that several thousand wizards and witches fled from a dozen individuals in white masks and cowls. The teenager moved behind a tree to prevent anyone from trampling him and kept his wand ready to defend himself. Then one of the disguised wizards caught sight of Harry Potter.
"Perfect!" the wizard shouted as he ran forward, his wand outstretched. About ten feet from Harry Potter, the wizard shouted, "Legilimens."
Harry caught the wizard's eye and saw a spell racing toward his eyes. But when the spell hit his glasses, something strange happened. The dial-up sound for the computer modem played, and Harry saw the wizard's eyes grow wide in astonishment before he collapsed to the ground.
The other Death Eaters were eventually subdued by a few determined and aggravated wizards and witches. Harry hung around long enough to hear that Lucius Malfoy was the wizard who collapsed and could not be revived. Saying nothing to no one, Harry jumped onto the Knight Bus as soon as it appeared again. He was back in Surry and at Uncle Moony's house before 11:00 PM.
"Harry? Did the game run long?" asked Remus. Padfoot stirred on his mattress and lifted his head before climbing up, shaking and walking over to welcome the boy. If the dog was lucky, he'd get a late walk and then a good brushing before everyone when to bed.
"The Irish won. The game was great!" Harry said. "But then after the game, some Death Eaters showed up and threw hexes at everyone. There were thousands of wizards there and only a dozen of terrorists but still…everyone ran away. A few fought back and the Death Eaters went down fast then."
"People are afraid of the Death Eaters," Remus admitted.
"And there was something really weird too," Harry told Remus while the werewolf got his coat and the long lead for Padfoot.
"Let's walk the pooch and you can tell me," Remus said. "After Padfoot sprinkles a few trees and bushes, we'll have hot chocolate."
Padfoot shot out the door and jerked back when he reached the end of the lead – Remus was strong enough to hold on and keep the grim under control. Harry snorted to see Padfoot pretend he had no idea what caused him to get thrown to the ground. Once they were on the sidewalk, Remus asked, "What's the weird stuff?"
"One of the wizards tried to cast Legilimency on me."
"Do you mean he cast 'Legilimens'? Legilimency is the whole study…" Remus stopped himself from slipping into lecture mode.
"Yeah, he said Legilimens," Harry agreed. "It was a spell headed toward my face and it hit my glasses. The spell activated the modem connection rune you carved on my glasses, and the wizard looked surprised before he just collapsed.
"Surprised and collapsed?" asked Remus. "That's weird, yeah?"
Nodding his head, Harry continued, "I stepped back when the Aurors arrived and took over. I kept my ball cap on my head to hide my face, but I saw them take the mask off the man…it was Lucius Malfoy laid out on the ground."
Remus was quiet for a while, watching Padfoot smelling scents from other dogs and possibly cats, marking his territory in a few places, and then sitting down to scratch.
"He doesn't have fleas and Dobby gave him a bath just yesterday so he's just hinting for a good brushing," Harry told Remus who smirked at the Animagus.
"He'll do just about anything to get a Harry Potter brushing," the werewolf admitted. "Come on you two, let's go home. Dobby'll have hot chocolate waiting for us and a bone for Padfoot to chew."
Once they were inside No.13 and the cups of chocolate were delivered, Padfoot began chewing on the large bone while Remus changed the subject. "I spoke to my patent attorney and Gringotts vault manager today while you were gone.
"Did Padfoot behave with you out of the house?"
"Dobby took him to the countryside and let him chase bunny rabbits at the Black manor house," Remus replied. Harry snickered imaging Padfoot sticking his nose down a rabbit hole and getting smacked by a rabbit's paw. "Anyway, the first rune powered clocks and lamps are going on sale this week."
"That's great Uncle Moony!"
"And I want to tell you that half of the profits for the sales of items will go into a new vault for you."
"What? Why?"
"The work is just as much your mum and dad as it is mine so half goes to you."
For the first time since meeting Remus Lupin almost eleven months earlier, Harry reached out and hugged his 'uncle'.
"You've already done so much…all the lessons last year, the computer and printer, and this house…this is home! You and Padfoot are my family, now."
The next morning, (Harry had stopped sleeping at No.4 after the first week in Surry for the summer), the four magical inhabitants of No.13 were in the kitchen when Hedwig arrived with the Daily Prophet. Padfoot stood beside Remus as he looked at the headlines and front page, reading over the wizard's arm. The Grim sat down and his tongue slid out of his head as he panted – the Grim's way of laughing.
"The paper's lead article is the shocking discovery that Lucius Malfoy was out running around in his death eater outfit last night…and while he's unable to comment on the event due to being incapacitated by unknown magics, his companions, Thomas Mulciber, Evan Rosier, Stanley Goyle, William Crabbe, Paul Selwyn, and Robert Travers were arrested."
Harry frowned and looked away for a moment before asking, "Didn't all those guys swear they were under the imperious spell back in 1981?"
"They did," Remus replied. "But their main protector, Minister Cornelius Fudge, got trampled in the panic last evening with broken ribs, and a broken jaw. He's incapacitated like comatose Lucius Malfoy. Therefore DMLE Director Amelia Bones took emergency powers for ten days, sealed the ministry building overnight, and questioned all the arrested 'terrorists' with truth serum. She is expected to issue a special statement later this morning. The Daily Prophet will publish an afternoon edition with her announcements."
"How do they know she'll have an announcement?" asked Harry.
Remus replied, "That's a good question. When there are major arrests and emergency powers implemented, the government provides earth-shattering information."
"They're not really going to shatter a piece of the earth, are they?" asked Harry, his eyes wide with wonder.
"Pup! You're not five years old," Remus scolded with a false stern tone.
"Padfoot is, yeah?" Harry asked pointing toward the Grim who leaned against the werewolf.
"Let's put off shopping for any school supplies for a few more days," Remus said after he frowned and looked away while thinking. "Other people might get nervous and try to make a stupid statement."
Not concerned about cancelling the planned trip to Diagon Alley that afternoon, Harry confessed the prank he planned to play on Ron Weasley. He began by explaining that Ron always copied Hermione's homework when he could get it, or Harry's when he couldn't get anyone else to hand over their notes."
"Yesterday, Ron was unhappy 'cause Hermione didn't come to the Burrow, and I wasn't coming to stay. I told him I'd send him copies of my homework to help him with his."
"Copies?"
"He'll just make a copy of the papers and put his name on them to turn in," Harry explained.
"What?" Remus said with a frown before he glanced at Padfoot who sneezed and hurried from the room to begin an afternoon nap in the lounge.
Harry snickered and asked, "What was that about?"
"Sirius Black used to do the same thing," Remus said. "Sometimes he'd been locked up by his mother for much of the summer but once he ran away from No.12 Grimmauld Place to live with your father and grandparents, there was no excuse for not doing his homework in summers."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'm going to use my scanning plate and copy in a couple of things from the textbook – the professors will chew him out for plagiarism."
Remus was thoughtful and said, "Use that for the homework assignment in charms. Flitwick will even send a letter to Arthur about the offence. Then switch the answer for your transfiguration homework with the potion homework.
"What do you mean?"
"Under the question for Transfiguration, copy in the answer for potions. And then under the question for potions, copy your answer for the transfiguration homework."
Harry snickered and said, "Ron will never even look at them. All three teachers will chew him out and I'll explain that I just made a mistake when I made the copies."
"You're smart like your dad but sneaky like your mum," Remus said. "Let me tell you about the time…"
CHANGE SCENE && Afternoon ProfitsIn the afternoon edition, the Special Edition Daily Prophet reported that the wizards at the Quidditch Championships had named other wizards (and one witch) who got off in 1981 because they claimed to be under the imperious but were actually full-fledged Death Eaters. This meant that Alecto Carrow, Amycus Carrow, and Antonin Dolohov had been arrested. Teams of Aurors had taken down Unspeakable Augustus Rookwood, and Ministry Executioner Walden MacNair in the ministry with some injuries. And there were warrants out for the arrest of Severus Snape and Martin Parkinson.
"I hope they arrest Snape," Harry said heatedly. "And throw him through the veil."
Padfoot growled in agreement. In a short while, Harry assembled the homework package for Ron and sent it to the Burrow via Hedwig who needed the exercise. As he tied the letter to her leg, he promised his owl, "I'll have some bacon for you tonight when you get back!"
With Harry's prank under way, Remus said, "Come here. Let's talk about something else."
"What?"
"Well, you know I've got the runes working on powering the computer and printer without time limit now. You certainly have put them through their paces this summer."
Nodding but not saying anything, Harry listened as Uncle Moony continued, "Well, the ICW wants a dozen computers and printers to test. And I've got patents filed on all the runes. Gringotts is going to put in six computers and printers for the accounting office that creates the reports for the different wizarding businesses and the government. If it goes how I think it will, there'll be demand for hundreds of computers and printers next year.
"That's great Uncle Moony. You'll be rich."
"And the lawyers are working right now on your scanning mirror magic while they're working on my dial-up remote modem runes. Once your mirror and my modem rune are protected, we'll change the magical society around the whole globe."
Harry asked, "What about the papers that the goblins print?"
Remus grinned and replied, "They've bought a twelve-month license to use your patented spells for conversion to parchment and quill script. The ICW offices did too."
"Wow!"
"You're going to be rich too."
Dobby popped in and said, "If youse both rich, Dobby needs new pots and pans in his kitchen. Doggie chews on handles too much and makes it hard for Dobby to make soup or bake."
"What did he chew up this time?" asked Remus before Dobby pulled out a mangled rolling pin from inside his uniform. The elf frowned while his wizards laughed at the chewed and scarred wooden surface.
After a marvellous supper, Harry asked, "Remus, no one knows about my spells, do they?"
"No. Gringotts and the lawyers won't release any information until I sign the proper papers. And you're fourteen now. All the papers have to have your free signature too. No potions or compulsions from anyone can make you sign anything anymore."
"Good. I don't want anyone at Hogwarts to know about the spells – or the glass scan."
"Why?"
"I want to keep a low profile in my fourth year. It was nice last year not to have to deal with a disaster at Hogwarts like my first year and second year.
"Padfoot almost caused a disaster," Remus reminded the teenager.
"The Grim snarled at a few people but then ran away when the big bad wolf showed up."
Remus sighed. "Harry, I don't believe – can't believe – that Sirius betrayed your parents. Sirius and James were brothers. He was the third person to ever hold you and he took the oath to protect you with his life. Padfoot would never have gone to the Dark Lord."
"Maybe someday he'll remember how to change back into Sirius Black and he can tell us," Harry said. Looking over at the sleeping giant sleeping dog, Harry grinned, "He does make a good guard dog in the meantime."
As the last days of August passed, Magical Britain struggled with the revelation of unreformed Death Eaters in their midst, and the ineptitude of the minister for magic. Amelia Bones returned power to Cornelius Fudge on 28 August. He dithered about the first day but then fired Dolores Umbridge when she kept insisting that the Minister set the falsely accused purebloods. In a moment of irritation, he signed the execution orders. Amelia moved immediately and all the Death Eaters were pushed through the veil before midnight.
Narcissa Malfoy proved to be an intelligent witch when she moved her comatose husband home from Saint Mungo's to their secure manor house where Malfoy house-elves could care for him. With her husband incapacitated, Narcissa assumed the role of regent until her son Draco reached the age of 21, when he could become regent. So long as his father lived, he would be Lord Malfoy. The healers could find nothing wrong with Mr Malfoy except that his mind was blank.
"His soul is still present, and his automatic systems will keep him breathing without any problem," a healer explained. "Whatever happened at the World Cup, pulled his consciousness out of him."
"He's a vegetable!" Draco whined. "Now I'm like Longbottom with a vegetable lord."
Narcissa Malfoy waited until the healer left via the floo to slap her son, cast hexes at his posterior and confine him to his bedchamber for two days without any games, visitors, or access to the floo.
End of Chapter.Next Chapter, the fourth-year starts and Harry gets mad.
