Chapter 13: Going Home
Okay, I looked and looked but I could not find what I needed to about small company internal computer networks in 1992, so I winged it. If you can tell me, then I will be more than happy to change what I put.
DaughterOfIris23 and Dashti-the-dramione-shipper are the betas for this chapter.
HP-BTVS-HP-BTVS
The next morning there was an article in the Daily Prophet that declared Xander to be the King of Goblins, Lord of Hogwarts, and Guardian of the Boy-Who-Lived. Next to Xander's smiling, wolf-eyed picture was a pair of dead hands with the caption stating that they had belonged to Quirinus Quirrell. The gist of the article was that now he was the king of a warrior race and that he would do what he needed to protect his family and his people. He maintained that if anyone hurt Harry, their detached hands would be shown next.
It had the community in an uproar. There were pros and cons being fought over in taverns and pubs. Quite a few fights had to be quelled. The Aurors were not happy.
Xander didn't care. He had said his piece and he would stand by every word.
That very afternoon, Madam Bones came to visit. "I have orders to bring you in for questioning," she said wryly. The last place she wanted to be was here, bothering the man who had killed You-Know-Who, well, drove him off. She had a department to run, and a covert operation to arrange. Something needed to be set up in case the Dark Lord did come back. And it had to be subtle. The Minister could not know about it, so she would set up a small group of trusted Aurors to monitor the situation.
"Oh?" Xander replied as he showed her into his 'house within the castle'. This should be good. Bones didn't know he was innocent of violating any crime. Well, she might, but the people who sent her, that was different. The situation had to be important, or they would have just sent a regular Auror.
"The amount of magic you must have used…" she said, trailing off as she looked around the house.
"Wasn't me," he said, taking her elbow and leading her to the couch. "Joyce did it. Now, questioning," Xander said, bringing her back to why she was there.
"Yes, Minister Fudge demands that you be brought to justice. He claims that if you are the Goblin King, then you broke many treaties by killing Professor Quirrell," the Head of the DMLE stated with a great deal of frustration.
"Ah, but I took his life as guardian of the Boy-Who-Lived," Xander parried. "Besides, Hogwarts is self-governed. The only reason I called you in yesterday was because it was one of your citizens that was killed."
"How can you be self-governed with so few people that can claim this land as home?"
"You know what? That's a good question. Joyce!" he called, then settled in and waited.
"Yes?" Joyce asked as she appeared beside him on the couch, shocking Amelia in the process.
"How can we be sovereign if we aren't a country?" he asked.
"Hogsmeade," was her succinct answer, but when she saw that they didn't understand, she went further. "At the time that we were given that power, the town was much larger. The whole country was split into small kingdoms; we were one. They pay their taxes and a portion of their revenues to Hogwarts: it's in their leases and mortgages. Merlin was our king, but the throne has lain empty since he died. The ruling was that only the Lord of Hogwarts was to rule, which we all know is now Xander. I've held it as proxy, but since I'm technically dead, well…"
"You look good for a dead person," Xander said cheekily.
"Hush, you," she said smacking his arm. Then continued, "When all the other kingdoms were conquered, we never were. No one could find us or knew about us. Only the magicals knew and they used us as a refuge. The non-magical parents were charmed not to talk. All the wars passed us by. Diagon Alley is a result of the witch hunts before the Statute of Secrecy. We're an offshoot of Avalon," she explained with a shrug. "King Arthur wanted us to be self-sufficient, so he set it up. I gave my papers to that Auror, Kingsley."
"Yes, I read those, and… I'm sorry, who are you?" Amelia asked, wondering how this young-looking woman would know all that.
"Oh, sorry, I'm Joyce Summers. I'm the embodiment of Hogwarts. I was around when it was built, and I became the building when I died," Joyce said, leaning forward and holding her hand out to shake Amelia's.
Bones took the hand and shook it limply. It was like meeting a radio star: someone who knew the founders. "I have a question. Was Salazar Slytherin as bad as they say?" Then she reeled back at the glare she received.
"No! No, he was not!" Joyce snapped as she stood with her hands on her hips, ready to defend the memory of the man she thought of as her son.
"I didn't think so," Amelia quickly said, waving her hands placatingly. "There are too many holes in the story," she added. "It has always been a mystery to me. Why would the others build with him if he were evil? Why were there no other stories of him before or after he left? Why were there no trials, or accounts of criminal activity on his part? Too many unanswered questions," she expounded.
"Well, that's fine then. And, yes, you're right on all the above." The spirit of Hogwarts relaxed, sitting back on the couch.
"Mr. Harris, Minister Fudge wants you to come in. Perhaps, if I can question you, that will appease him," the Head of the DMLE said, "I'd like to get a few more answers for the record."
"Sure. School lets out in a few days. Let me get Harry settled and I can come by in, say, a week?" Xander suggested, not seeing an issue with that request. If things got hairy, he could just teleport out. It was one of the things he hadn't told Bones about.
"That would be lovely. Owl me and let me know when you are available," Amelia said. She stood and held out her hand to Xander. "I look forward to our talk."
"Me too. And hey, if you can get this Fudge fellow to come, that'd be great," he said with a smirk. He and Buffy had loved riling up officials, something poor Giles was well aware of. Wesley never stood a chance. Poor bastard. At least it had made him grow a backbone.
"I'll see what I can do. I can see myself out." With that, Amelia Bones left the 'house in the castle'.
"She's good people," Xander said as he sat back down.
"She was a good student. Hufflepuff, if I remember correctly," Joyce agreed, calling a house elf for some butterbeer.
"Really? Well, that takes the cake. I'd have pegged her as a Gryffindor. She is a cop, after all," Xander stated. He took one of the butterbeers and settled back into the sofa.
"You should never stereotype the Houses, Xander. That is never a smart thing to do," Joyce said, settling back on the couch with him and just enjoying time spent with one of her sons.
They then discussed him being at Hogwarts for some days over the summer. As it was, most of the residents were being sent on a paid vacation. The Muggle Studies professor would be sent to get caught up on the 20th century, and the rest were to learn more about the non-magicals. It would do them good to know -and teach- what they were up against. Xander knew they would not stay hidden forever, and if they wanted to survive, they needed to know how to blend. That, and they were upgrading the castle. The teachers would need to know how to use the stuff they were bringing in.
An hour later Harry came in. "Hey, what's up?" he asked, settling on the couch across from them and grabbing a butterbeer.
"Madam Bones came to visit, and I have to go and answer a few questions for the cops next week. Where's Hermione?" Xander replied, not worried in the least. His casualness showed, so those around him didn't worry either.
"She wants to get some studying done for next year," the dark-haired boy answered with a frown. All she seemed to do was study. It was downright unhealthy. He was going to have to get her to have some fun, sooner or later.
"Harry, I wanted to ask you about Dumbledore's wand," Joyce said, leaning forward a bit. "I heard what happened, but I never got a good look at it. The portraits are telling me that he's really mad that he doesn't have it. Can I see it?" she asked gently.
"Sure," Harry replied, and he pulled the wand out of his pocketspace. "It's a weird wand. It calls to me at night."
"It's not telling you to kill anyone, is it?" a very worried Xander questioned. Cursed objects were not new to him. The demon Sweets came vividly to mind. He'd never look the same at singing and dancing again. He still had nightmares.
"No. I don't think so. It just wants me to use it," was Harry's confused answer.
Joyce looked at the wand in the boy's hand and said, "Harry, that is a very powerful wand. The bodies it has left behind are numerous. You need to put that back in your pocketspace and only use it in the direst of circumstances. I mean it, young man, put it away," she added when Harry didn't do as she said right away.
"Joyce, something I should know?" Xander asked, eyeing the space that Harry had tucked the wand into.
"The Tale of the Three Brothers tells of three men who defeated Death and were awarded. One got that wand, and he died not long after. Many wizards have fought for that wand. It is said to be the most powerful wand there is. I say, if it's so powerful, then why are people dying over it? However, I don't know the full history. Still, it is not to be toyed with. The only way to claim that wand is to either kill the owner or rip it from their hands, like Harry did. It is not a good wand. I'm worried others might find out he has it and do their best to take it," she said almost in tears.
"I won't use it," Harry promised, not liking seeing his foster mother so worried.
"I know, sweetie, you're a good boy. I want you to promise me you won't tell anyone you have it. Claim ignorance if you have to, okay?" Joyce pleaded.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the boy said with a smirk, hoping to lighten the mood.
"Not even Neville and Hermione," Xander warned. He didn't know the story, but if Joyce was spooked, it was not good.
"I promise," Harry said. "I'm going to go pack. We're leaving soon, and I want to make sure I haven't lost anything," he stated, moving to do just that. He wanted to get away from the tension in the room.
"Okay, sweetie. If you're missing anything, call a house elf," his foster mother advised.
"I will. Bye." And with that, he bolted from the room.
"Do you think we should take it away?" a very concerned Xander asked.
"No. If you do, then you're the owner, and they will come after you," the equally concerned Joyce replied.
"Better me than him," Xander said forcefully.
"No, actually, this works better. Only you, me, Amelia and Dumbledore know who has it. Amelia doesn't know what it is, and I don't really count, since I'm dead and I can't be tortured. Dumbledore won't talk. And only you know exactly where he has stored it. Besides, I have a feeling it's right where it was always supposed to wind up," she said ominously.
"Okay, I'll trust your judgment for now." Xander backed down, making plans for if or when this became an issue.
"I have to go. Don't fret, Xander, it will all work out in the end." And with that she disappeared.
"It better," was all he could say to the air.
The rest of the week went slow. With no class, and nothing to do but wait for grades, most of the students were bored. Still, time passed and now it was time to go home.
Harry reveled in that. Home. He had never had one outside of Hogwarts, and now he did. It felt wonderful. He, Hermione and Neville sat together on the train and just chatted about things they would do over the summer. Hermione was going on a trip with her parents. Neville had a few parties he didn't want to go to. Harry was just going to relax. It had been forever since he could. He did offer for Neville to come and visit. During their talks, they had a small visit from Malfoy.
"Still claiming you beat the Dark Lord, Potter?" the blond boy sneered, though there was nervousness in his eyes, that made Harry wonder if he really wanted Voldy back.
"Like Xander said, you can believe what you want," Harry answered negligently. Xander told him not to worry about what others thought, especially bullies like Malfoy.
"You will meet your end one day, Potter," the blond wizard vowed, and turned and left before Potter could send him to the loo again. Or the prat's bodyguard showed up.
"We all do," the dark-haired wizard called after him. A shiver ran down his spine, though he couldn't say why. He wasn't afraid of dying. Sometimes, when he was in is cupboard, he longed for death, he had come to welcome it. Now that he had family, he still knew that one day he would die. So, he had no idea why his words rang untrue. Brushing it away, he turned back to his friends.
The group went back to their talks of summer. When they got to the train station, Harry and Xander, being comical, hugged like they hadn't seen each other on the train. Silly boys. Hermione hugged her parents, and Neville just slinked off with his formidable grandmother.
"I don't think she's very nice to him," Harry said as he watched his friend's shoulders slump further and further the more the woman talked.
"I know. We'll get him to come visit soon," Xander said, knowing that while she belittled the boy, she did love him. He had had a discussion with her about Neville's wand, after Xander had replaced the boy's father's wand. The woman was tough, that was true, however, she did worry about her grandchild.
"Okay," was the sad reply. Harry never liked to see anyone unhappy, and Neville was miserable.
"Come on, we'll go see what Emma did to the house," Xander offered, picking up Harry's trunk and hoisting the lightweight item on his shoulder, and they joined the Grangers.
They made it to their house, via Harry Air including the family's car, and marveled at the nice décor. Emma had done a great job, she kept the colors mostly deep brown, forest green, and tan. The walls were dark, the floor was tan, the furniture was brown, green, and tan with splashes of burnt orange. She also kept is sparse. There was only a couch, chair, coffee table, lamps and rug in the living room. A picture of a forest scene hung over the large fireplace.
The kitchen/dining room was equally sparse. The counters only had a microwave and coffeepot. The regular refrigerator and stove were a contrasting white to the brown counters. The dishes were a deep dark brown, with coffee cups to match. The four-seater wooden table was just the right size.
The bedrooms had a bed, dresser, desk, and nightstand. Xander's was a king size, but Harry's was a twin. The third room was left empty for the work out equipment.
"I wanted to leave most of the decorating to you. I figured you would want to add your own personal touches," Emma said when they finished looking around.
"This is great," said Harry, enthused. It was more stuff than he had ever had his entire life.
"Thanks, Emma, it's really male friendly," Xander said, mussing Harry's hair. "You guys enjoy your trip. We'll be okay from here," he added, knowing they wanted to get going.
"Okay. See you soon," she said, waving as she went.
"Bye, Harry, I'll bring you back something," Hermione called as she turned and walked backwards.
"Have fun," he called back.
The duo had a great time shopping for their house. Since it wasn't clothes, though they did pick up some summer ones, it wasn't a hassle. They spent the next two days rearranging everything and making it a home. Just for them.
The rest of the week was spent setting up a schedule. Mornings were for workouts, breakfast and cleaning. The rest of the day was spent to whatever came to them. Harry finished most of his summer homework the last week of Hogwarts, and so had the whole summer to relax.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
Xander had to pop over to Hogwarts every day to help with the upgrading. They had found some muggleborns that were more than happy to set it all up. Hogwarts would be a much brighter, warmer place when the kids came back.
Joyce, being able to move every stone in the castle, helped a great deal. If they needed to get behind a wall, she simply made an entrance. The only place she couldn't go was under the foundation. The basement and dungeon were above that, meaning the kitchen and Hufflepuff and Slytherin dorms would get upgrades as well.
Since the plumbing worked, it was left untouched for now.
Central heating was to be installed in each of the used classrooms, offices, common rooms and dorm rooms; with insulation added. They had plans for the whole castle, but it would take more than one summer to accomplish.
Each common room was going to sport electric outlets for entertainment purposes, and electric chandeliers instead of candles. They charmed the outlets, so if it wasn't an actual plug, it would not get into the outlet. They had plans to do the same to the offices, but the teachers didn't need to know that.
All the most trafficked halls would have electric lights, and the Great Hall would have massive electric crystal chandeliers, which would dim during the evening afters, so the ceiling could still be seen. Joyce had told Xander the story of how all four of the founders got together and created that marvelous work of art. Xander hoped one day that he and Harry could do something similar. Well, they probably could now, but not without being exhausted.
TV/movie rooms would be set up for those with passing grades and current on their homework. And educational game rooms were planned for those needing help. Anyone could use them, but they were geared towards those who were behind in the non-magical classes. Club rooms were also designated and powered up. They would have outlets for those who wanted to use media to prove points or just entertainment. With the same kiddy-proof charms, of course.
A phone room was going to be added. Now, if the parents had a phone, they could call, or the kids could call on weekends, or emergencies. They would upgrade a classroom to a computer room in the future. No need to bombard the kids with too many changes at once. They were hoping to sneak in a computer teacher in the near future and make it an elective class.
The offices also were to be given phones, and magical computers, thought up by a muggleborn. They ran on electricity but were more comprehensive than non-magical computers. They ran faster, and the search engines were quicker. They couldn't get on the Internet, but they could do paperwork, print, have filing and send internal emails. The house elves were taught to scan all the files into each computer. They would have what was called a campus network, so they could communicate with each other and share files. A room was created by Joyce to hold the brain and router.
Filch's job was made easier with a floor buffer and a large vacuum for all the tapestries. The vacuum washed and cleaned as it went, without water. It still ran on electricity, as did the buffer, but it was enhanced. Those sneaky little house elves were taking joyrides on the buffer, making Filch have to hunt it down to use it.
Nothing was done to the kitchens, because the house elves were powerful enough not to need outside help. They were told if they ever wanted anything, just to ask.
Norberta's pen was going to be reinforced with electric fences, which had a separate generator. She was prone to try and escape. For some reason she thought Harry was a nestmate and kept trying to get to him. Fluffy was good at keeping her in the pen, but backup never hurt.
All these upgrades were to be fed by the sun and the excess magic of the school, with a transformer to make sure they were compatible and didn't overload. It was another muggleborn design. The whole roof of the castle, that couldn't be seen from the lake, now housed solar paneling. The elves were in charge of keeping them clean of debris and making sure if one was broken, either they fixed it, or they told Xander, who was taught how to fix them magically. The generator was in one of the many disused classrooms on the top floor and the wires fed thusly. It was warded six ways to Sunday, the whole roof as well. It was the first thing set up.
They were even planning a large windmill to be built next to Hagrid's hut to supplement for the winter when the sun was gone. It was a magical windmill, so it would go faster than non-magical's and work three times as hard. It would stand 100 meters tall, and the arms 35 meters in length. It would be built like the ones in Holland and face the lake. In the summer it would spin lazily, but in the winter, it would rev up. A silencing charm was to be added to it, so only a muffled 'thuamp' would be heard.
Xander was looking into geothermal power, but it was still new, and he wanted to make sure it was safe.
Right now, it was all just starting, the roof, and the halls were done, but they hoped to have it completed by the end of summer.
Along with electrical updates, the wards were updated as well. The Chastity Ward was boosted to include heavy bullying. If someone was about to be hurt the alarm would blare. With Xander being able to jump anywhere in the castle, there was little chance to escape. Passive or mild bullying was recorded and sent to the Head of House as an email. That way they would be able to step in and stop it. There was a weak intent ward added to the perimeter. It would warn Xander, Albus, and Joyce if someone with ill intent was entering the school. They thought about a stronger one but decided that hormonal teenagers had some strong emotions, and the ward would set off every time the kids decided they hated their parents, or their siblings, or their boy/girlfriend, or even just everyone in general. But, in time of war the ward could be boosted.
Hpbtvshpbtvs
The week flew and Xander made his way to the Ministry. He was led to Amelia's office, and took the seat indicated. With her was a small, pudgy man, who seemed to like the color green a bit too much.
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Harris. Minister Fudge feels you violated goblin treaties in killing Professor Quirrell," she started, poising her quill to take notes.
"Nope. I acted as Harry's guardian, not the goblins' king," Xander denied, looking at the man and finding him wanting.
Fudge bristled. "Now see here," he said, "you killed a man. A wizard. I have been told you're a muggle, or a squib. You don't even own a wand," he protested, as if he knew Xander's secrets.
Xander held out his hand and created a flame. "I don't need one," he sneered.
Cornelius was flustered at being proven wrong. Xander had to wonder who was whispering in the man's ear. "I… I… nevertheless, you must be tried for killing a British wizard," he demanded. "We don't hold to such acts. I will see you in prison for this," the self-important man threatened. Well, he was important, just not as much as he thought he was.
"That man, you are trying to defend, was attacking a British child. I have Harry's memory. Do you want to see it?" Xander asked slyly.
"That is a sound idea," Amelia stated firmly, getting up to get the pensieve. She brought it to the desk and poured the memory in. They all put a finger in the bowl and were sucked in. The memory started when Harry first woke and finished when he woke again in the Hospital Wing. They were pushed out at the end, and Xander retook his seat. He was so proud of Harry for having bravely faced such odds.
"This proves nothing. The boy is as blind as a wimblebat. We couldn't even see who the man was," Fudge denied quickly, as if denying it would make it unreal.
"All it needs to prove is that he was being tortured. And he was. Whatever else you take from it, is up to you," the wolf-eyed man said firmly, leaning forward and glaring at the idiot. "Besides, you fool, even if it isn't Voldyshorts, it is a Dark Lord. Moron," Xander scoffed.
"Now see here, I am the Minister of Magic. You can't talk to me like that," Cornelius said, puffing up importantly.
"And I am Lord Hogwarts, King of the Goblins, and Guardian of the Boy-Who-Lived. So what?" Xander said snidely.
"Gentlemen, stop. It is obvious that Mr. Harris was innocent of killing in cold blood. This is a case of protecting his foster son. No charges will be filed. We will make note and move on," Bones said when she got tired of all the posturing.
"But… but… Amelia," Fudge stuttered.
"No. That is my final word," she stated firmly.
"Fine, but you had better watch your step, Harris. I am the Minister of Magic, and I can see you deported," the pudgy man blustered.
"Sure, go ahead. I'll just close Hogwarts and take my ward elsewhere." Xander shrugged and brushed his shoulder, showing the man that he was unimportant.
Cornelius paled and quickly left the room.
"That's your leader?" the wolf-eyed man asked in disbelief. He knew some weak leaders in his time, but this guy took the cake.
"Yes," was all Bones would say to that. She shuffled some files on her desk. They all seem to be held there by magic.
"You should go and see what we're doing to the castle. I'm having it upgraded to include phones and electricity," Xander advised with a smug look. It would help her in the long run if she had a computer to hold all this paperwork.
"Really!?" she exclaimed, excitedly. "I thought electricity didn't work in magical areas?"
"Nope, that was just propaganda. It works just fine. If it were true, all the non-magical buildings around this one and Diagon Alley wouldn't work. Now, I'm not trying to change your culture, but you guys stumbling ignorantly around in this age of technology is just plain stupid. I'm from the future, a different future granted, but mostly the same in the non-magical area and you're gonna get caught, mark my words."
"The future," was the confused question.
"Yes," he said, peering at her face. "Joyce brought me here to help Harry. Now, I'm helping you. In a few years, cameras will be on all the streets of London. Everything you do will be recorded. It will be a matter of days before the secret of magic gets out. You need to come into this century or you're all going to die," he warned forcefully.
It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but he felt it was not far from the truth. From what he had seen with the teachers at Hogwarts, they were just asking to be killed. Really, not knowing what a phone was, or how to use one, was just wrong. A world of wrong.
"You want to help?" she asked, seeming almost desperate.
"Yes, I mean even if you don't wire the building up, at least get a phone system. They are much faster than the paper airplanes I saw buzzing by. More useful too. You can reply right away, and not have to go back and forth with all the parchment," he explained, noting her desperation. He wondered if she knew it was only a matter of time.
"Yes, I've heard some of my muggleborn Aurors complain about the lack of phones. I will definitely look into those, now that I know they will work," she said as her eyes moved rapidly, like her brain was running a mile a minute. "How did you get the clearance to add all of your 'upgrades'?" she asked with a great deal of curiosity.
"I do own the building. If the Board doesn't like it, they can stuff it. I mean really, no TV? That's just criminal. That and I haven't had a Twinkie since I got here. Therein lays badness," Xander said sorrowfully.
It was a small white lie. He had been in the non-magical world a few times and stocked up. However, the house elves couldn't get their faux Twinkies quite right. They were very upset over this and determined to try harder. It was the chemicals, Xander was sure of it.
"Well, like I said, I will look into it. For now, we are done. No charges will be filed. If I need you, I will owl you," she said, looking at her busy schedule.
"Not a problem. I'm at your disposal," Xander said, getting up and shaking her hand. He left with a jaunty whistle and made his way home. He liked the sound of that 'home'. It had been years since he had one. He, like Harry, never considered his father's house a home. Now, he had Harry and that was home.