Disclaimer: The rights of Harry Potter belong to JK Rowling and Warner Bros. I am making no financial gain from this story whatsoever.

I called this Chapter 6 as a mistake. Changed it now.

A/N: In this chapter a real person (or people) is used in an entirely fictional setting. No libel is intended. More science (Something I'm more familiar with) and politics, too. Hope I didn't get too technical, or wrong.

Thanks to the three reviewers. Appreciate it. The rest of you, drop in a word, will you? Thanks.

Chapter 5
Muggle Delight

"I want to show you something," Hermione said.

"What?" Harry asked.

"You'll see."

Harry followed her, curious. She took him down a flight of stairs and reached a wall. She looked around, making sure they weren't followed.

"Come on, Hermione," Harry laughed. "Are you hiding nuclear secrets?"

"Just get in," said Hermione annoyed.

"In what?" asked Harry. "A wall? Blimey, Hermione, you're tired from teaching already?"

"Oh, sorry." She waved her wand, saying, "I'm in love with nonsense."

Harry laughed. He was clutching his stomach as the wall opened. Really! That had to be the stupidest password ever.

"A secret room, Hermione? Are you propositioning me?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

She slapped his arm, laughing. She took him down a staircase that was behind the wall.

"Seriously," she said. "Is that all you think about?"

"That," acknowledged Harry, "and Quidditch."

"Honestly!"

"So, what's this place?"

"You know the Ministry's banned muggle goods in wizarding homes?"

"You told me that."

"Well there were a few things I couldn't let go."

They reached a door. Hermione opened it, and walked in. Harry followed her, and stopped at the door.

"A few?" he asked sardonically.

They entered a massive hallway, for lack of a better word. It was divided into many rooms, but Harry could see its enormity by looking at the ceiling, which loomed very high above the rooms. What shocked him was that the place was full of objects.

"Hermione," he said in wonder. "Did you apparate a hypermarket in here?"

The place was lined with muggle objects. There were rows upon rows of books, video cassettes, music records, cassettes and CDs, toys, and so much more.

"Okay I got carried away," she replied, laughing. "I wanted to have a few things, a TV, books so on, but I just kept on buying. The dratted Ministry bans just encouraged me."

"What's this?" He held up a cover of some book, that didn't seem to have pages.

"That's a DVD," Hermione frowned. "You didn't lose your memory of the muggle world?"

"No," Harry said. "I've never seen this VDD before."

"It's DVD. It's like what CD is to cassette in music, for movies."

"It's a movie CD?" Harry looked at the DVD in wonder.

"Yes, with better technology."

Harry looked around, picking up a few things and putting them back down. Hermione pulled his arm.

"There's something I want to show you," she said with excitement.

They went past a few rooms and shelves, with Harry still gawking around, and then stopped at a room.

"What do you think?" she asked.

Harry stared in shock. She converted a couple of rooms into an apartment. There was a kitchen, a bathroom, and a large living room. In the living room, standing in all its glory was…

"That's got to be the largest television I've ever seen," he gasped.

It was massive, with large speakers on the side. There were even speakers on the ground surrounding it.

"Why is that Playstation black?" he asked, remembering Dudley's old white Playstation.

"That's because it's a Playstation 2."

Harry's eyes widened. "There's a 2?"

"Yep, and I bought some competitor videogames as well," she said. "There's a shelf full of games beside the movie shelf."

"I love you," Harry said. "I really do. Here is my reward for vanquishing Voldemort. This!" he raised his arms and spun around. Hermione giggled.

"Okay," she said. "What do we do first?"

"What did I like doing before?" Hermione became silent. "Hermione? Did you hear me?"

"You never knew about this," she said softly, looking down at her feet.

"What?" Harry laughed. "Why not?"

"I never told you."

"Why?"

"Because…"

"You didn't trust me," Harry said. He took her silence as an affirmative.

"I'm sorry Harry," she stammered. "It's a severe crime, and you didn't want to oppose the Ministry."

"But you told Ron," he said, hurt. She shook her head. "You didn't? Why?"

"He works for them," she said as if it were obvious. "If I didn't tell you, I sure as hell couldn't tell him."

"You're a weird witch, Hermione Granger," Harry said. "That or this world is a weird place. Why did you tell me now?"

"You said you were going to oppose the Ministry."

"No, I didn't. I told Kingsley to lay low. I said I'll deal with the situation."

"You aren't?" she asked in horror.

"I didn't say that either," Harry said, smiling. She gave a slight smile, and threw a cushion from the couch at him.

"You…you… you…"

"Me…me…me…what?"

"Argh!"

"So," Harry said, hopping on the couch. "What do we do first?"

"There's this movie I think you'll like," she said, and left the room.

She returned with a DVD case. Harry took the case, while she placed the DVD into the player.

"How does electricity work here anyways?" he asked.

"Magic," she replied simply. "I also connected the television to satellite channels. European, mainly, for now. I'm still trying to figure out a way to get the American channels."

"What's this about Rings? And who's the Lord of them?"

"Oh, Harry," Hermione laughed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"That was bloody brilliant!" Harry exclaimed.

"I know," Hermione said. "It's amazing. Was I imagining it, or were you sniffling?"

"I was not," he said defensively.

"You're lying, Harry," she laughed, wagging her finger at him. "What was it?"

"The deaths were shocking. Is the story finished? 'cause the ring's still around."

"Nope, there are still two more parts."

"Great! Did they come out?" she nodded her head. "Why don't you have them?"

"Who said I haven't?"

"What are you waiting for woman? Let's watch it."

"Its 2 am Harry. We have classes in the morning. We'll watch it another night."

"Okay, mother."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With that, Hermione and Harry spent a lot of their time in the muggle room, as they called it affectionately. They watched movies and played games. Well, Harry played a lot of the games. She even introduced him to computers and the Internet.

"Why does the Ministry want to stop us from this?" he mentioned in wonder.

"Power, I think," said Hermione. "Those fools want to stop us from identifying with muggles. We fear and hate those we don't know far more easily than those we do."

"Wizards knew very little about muggles to start with."

"They probably don't want to risk it. We are still close to war. More importantly, however, is that many wizarding nations around the world have websites, telling the news the Ministry wishes to hide from us, so they can feed us their sanitized version."

"Idiots."

"Seconded."

"How did you get the computer connected to the internet?"

"A friend of mine helped me with that."

"So you did tell someone about this?"

"He helped me buy it."

"He? Is there something you have to tell me?"

"It was Malfoy."

"What?" Harry cried out. "You told him about this? And not tell me?"

"Settle down," Hermione said. "He followed me. I had no choice."

"At least the ferret's shown he's trustworthy."

"He's saved Ron and my lives plenty of times, and we've repaid the favor. He's already shown that."

"How does he know how to put up the Internet? Heck, does he know what a computer is?"

"Nope, but he has contacts with the Unspeakables and he got one to give him information on muggle technology working with magic. And, more importantly, how to preventing Hogwarts from causing the electronics from going haywire."

"That's nice of him."

"Don't say that. He wanted quid pro quo. "

"And in return…?"

"He wanted to be able to use anything I had. Including the computer."

"I wonder what he looked at on the computer."

"I know." She typed the keyboard. "Here's the history of the web browser. It'll show where he's been. He loves the muggle news and international wizarding news."

"I thought he'd be a part of 'International Blond Ferrets' or something," Harry said.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry had to plan his lessons carefully. There were a few things that he wasn't allowed to teach. They started this control of lessons a year ago. He could easily go around them. All he had to do was teach alternative spells, as they had one at least.

This puzzled Harry. What was the point of banning curses that a teacher could easily go around?

"They're testing the waters," McGonagall explained when he asked her in the Great Hall during breakfast. "The Ministry is seeing the reaction of the people. You don't assume complete control of a nation in one day. It takes time, and the smart ones know it. First, they let the people demand the restrictions, and then they extend it."

"Then perhaps we should end this before it gets too late."

"Perhaps we should."

"What about you Malfoy? Any problems with the restrictions?"

"Not yet," Malfoy replied, "but in a couple of years, I'm expecting some."

The owls came in then. A flurry of feathers and squawking beast roamed the air above the tables, trying to find their owners at the tables.

A simple grey owl flew towards Harry. He took the letter from it. He looked at the envelope, which had a seal he never saw before. He shrugged and opened the letter.

Dear Mr. Potter,

By order of the Monarchy, you have been requested to appear before Her Majesty the Queen. The reason of the visit will be apparent when you arrive. Secrecy of this meeting is of paramount importance. Do not tell anyone of this. Destroy this letter immediately.

You are expected on September 25th at 9pm, promptly. Instructions on how to enter are on the next page.

Do not keep Her Majesty waiting.


Sincerely,
Her Majesty's Magical Representative

The Queen knew about the wizarding world? He thought. Not only that, a representative! And why would she want to see him? Probably something to do with Voldemort. He was after all, the Boy Who Lived.

"What's the letter about?" asked Hermione, buttering her toast.

"What? Oh, nothing," waved Harry. "Just some parent asking a student's progress in my class."

"That's sweet," Hermione approved. "Taking note of the child's learning."

"No," disagreed Malfoy. "That's annoying. I'd love to throttle some parents. Their child's failing and they blame me! It might've been my fault if the stupid git weren't failing all their classes."

"I'm guessing you're thinking of one student in particular," Harry said.

"Yep," Malfoy said. "Be grateful that idiot's graduated last year. I've never seen people as stupid as his parents."

"Malfoy, be nice!" Hermione chastised.

"So you're telling me they were right in calling you a stupid witch with a more impressive bosom than head?"

"No, they were idiots."

"Then we are in concurrence, it seems."

"As wonderful as talking about Hermione's cleavage is," Harry said, who then got slapped by Hermione, "I have to go to class."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"My, you look impressive," Hermione remarked at Harry's door. "Who's the lucky woman?"

"Thank you," Harry said. "I always said you had good taste." He was wearing a muggle jacket, shirt and trousers. He'd be respectable for the queen, but this wasn't even a high enough occasion to wear a suit. Harry decided he wouldn't wear a suit, or tuxedo for that matter, even when he got married. Then again, he could marry a witch, and that wouldn't be an issue.

"You're avoiding the question."

"No, I ignored it."

"That special?" Hermione said, intrigued. "Come one, tell me. Who's she?"

"It isn't a date," Harry replied. "Though I wish it were. I'm meeting someone important and have to present myself well. I can't tell you, before you ask."

"Can I at least help you change?" Hermione asked.

"I'm done anyways. But thanks for the offer. Maybe when I come back?"

"Disgusting man."

"Boy Who Lived," replied Harry. "Most women would throw themselves at me after hearing that."

"I'm not most women."

"I noticed."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Hermione asked, looking angry but for the twinkle in her eye.

"Look at the time! I have to go. Wish me luck."

"Good luck," offered Hermione, not knowing what it was for.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Harry apparated into the palace as he was told to. A young man, immaculately dressed, awaited his entrance.

"Right on time, Mr. Potter" he said looking at his watch. "Excellent."

"Where's Her Majesty?" Harry asked.

"This is where we accept wizards. Not that we've gotten much recently. If you'll follow me…"

Harry trailed him, and asked questions.

"Who are you?"

"I'm the Queen's Representative to the magical community."

"How does the Queen know of our existence?"

The man looked at him confused.

"The monarchy has known for centuries. The magical population fell under the monarchy's rule when King William from Normandy took over England. He offered that or death. The wizards had no choice. He had Norman wizards helping him."

"They never covered that in History for us."

"Probably ashamed they were beaten by muggles."

"Any wizards or witches from the monarchy?"

"There have been many over history. But no," seeing Harry's question in his eyes, "never has a king or queen been a wizard or witch. The first-borns that were magical were not chosen. History gives other reasons why. One actually became king, but was forced to abdicate quickly once found out. He tried to hide it from the family. We gave the world some excuse that he was romantically involved with someone unacceptable."

"You're kidding me," Harry said in awe.

"I assure you I am not. This was done so as to ensure that the ruler of the people was the same as the vast majority of the people.

"We've chosen not to meddle in the magical world when we decided not to meddle in the muggle one. Democracy does not allow the rule of a monarchy. It seems, however, times have changed, and a conflict between the Queen's subjects seems imminent."

"And why have you sent for me?"

"That was Her Majesty's decision. You will have to ask her."

They reached a large oak door, lined with magnificent carvings of wizards and muggles. It was obviously old, as the muggles lived in huts, and haven't worn such clothes for a long time. The magical people looked just as they did today, Harry noticed with humour.

The representative knocked on the door, and then opened it. He offered Harry to go first.

"Thank you," Harry said as he went in. He entered a lovely large room. It was lined with paintings, some moving, some not. And seated at one end was the…

"Your Majesty," said Harry as he kneeled.

The Queen laughed. "Kneeling, or bowing for that matter, is not expected."

Harry quickly got up, blushing.

"Please, have a seat," the Queen offered.

"Thank you," Harry said, and sat across her. He waited for her to talk.

"You may be wondering why you were summoned?"

"Yes."

"Times have changed. I have the magical and muggle worlds at each other's throats. They are my subjects, as such, this will not do."

"What do you ask of me? And why me?" Harry finished puzzled.

"Albus Dumbledore has told me many times of your greatness. This means you can be trusted. And you are the person who got rid of the wizard who called himself Lord Voldemort. This means you are capable of causing change."

"I am honoured to have gotten praise from Professor Dumbledore, but alas, I am only one man. I cannot go against the people."

"I will not ask you to," the Queen replied. "I need you to cause the effects that will make the people change."

"I will do my best."

"That's all you can give. Now, have you realized that the two governments have seemed to have settled down when being close to all-out war?"

"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I must interrupt. There have been changes in my life that you must be aware of before you place trust in me."

With that, Harry told her everything about his time-travel. When he was done, the monarch looked shocked.

"Are you telling me that you've traveled the future?" He nodded. "And that you've just defeated Voldemort?" He nodded again. "Is this a problem, or a good thing?"

"Apparently, a good thing," Harry said. "The old me, before the change, refused to get into this conflict. I, on the other hand, disagree and want to offer as much help as possible."

"Excellent," the Queen replied happily. "It is great to hear that. And let me commend you that you are so willing to help your nation just after doing so much. Men like you are rare."

Harry blushed, and remained silent.

"Back to the matter," the Queen said. "I have received some highly distressing news, and had to warn the wizarding world. I needed to tell someone trustworthy, and yet powerful. You are the only one I knew of that fit both."

"What is it?"

"Have you heard of a spate of kidnappings of wizards and witches?"

"A little. But no-one's told me too much of them."

"A number of wizards and witches have been kidnapped. All were of lowly stature, criminals and the extreme poor. It seems that they were taken by the governments."

"Which ones?"

"Both the muggle and magical," answered the representative, who had sat beside Harry. He opened a black folder.

"We have received word from MI5 that a new muggle department has secretly been opened in the scientific branch of the government. One that deals with magic."

"How to manipulate it?" Harry asked, frightened of the answer.

"No," was the reply. "How to stop it."

"What?" Harry whispered.

"It seems that magic is a hereditary trait. Muggle geneticists have studied specimens, magical people, provided to them to see how the trait is passed down through generations. And more, if they can somehow silence it."

"Ridiculous!"

"Is it? You know of wizards coming from muggle families, and muggles coming from wizarding. You call the latter Squibs if I am not incorrect.

"While studies are preliminary, one on a form of RNA interference, and others that include many transgene insertions that removes the function of magic has been found."

"I'm sorry. Could you say it in a way someone who's never taken biology could understand?"

"My apologies. Traits in organisms can be silenced, which means to stop from occurring. While muggle geneticists are still very far away from actually modifying single traits, eye colour for example, of humans with perfection, the magical Ministry has provided them with magic to speed up the process of actually removing the magical phenotype. This means, they may be magical by blood, but they won't be able to cast spells."

"Why? Why would the magical ministry harm its own people?"

"The agreement they have together is for them to somehow stop the trait of magic for magically born muggles. This would, in effect make a separation between both worlds. If there are no children coming from the muggle world, over time, there would be no need for them to interact. They're already banned from inter-marriage."

"What's stopping the muggle government from using this as a cover to actually silence all wizards?" Harry asked suspiciously.

"Nothing. It seems to us that that is they're intention all along."

"We return to the question again," said Harry. "Why would the magical ministry harm its own people?"

"I don't know. It may be that they're just buying time for some other plan they have."

"Perhaps."

"Harry," the Queen re-entered the conversation, "we cannot allow this to happen. You must somehow end this before it gets too far."

"Don't you have the power to stop this?"

"Technically, I do. I could remove both governments and appoint myself or my own government to lead. I cannot rule, this would be a severe breach of the trust of the people. I could appoint my own, but whom? The people wouldn't accept it unless I provide a more acceptable alternative. The present governments are already extremely popular.

"No," she concluded. "They must be destroyed from within. I must entrust you this. No-one else can be trusted from becoming dictators themselves."

"It's always me in the end, isn't it?" sighed Harry.

"Unfortunately, it seems to be the case. You will, however, get as much support as I can provide you in secret."

A/N: Please review.