They were now all seated around a box like mechanism that glowed blue and had some strange rune like shapes displayed on it. Ron leaned forward for a better look. There were some words below the icon-like boxes but " hard-drive" and " documents" did nothing to promote his understanding.
Ron was grateful that Hermione was across the semi-circle seated beside her father. If she had been anywhere closer, his concentration would have been completely shot. First there was her dress, so much more revealing than her school uniform and robes. And the hair – caught up like that with those cheeky tendrils framing her piquant face. Finally there was that smile and the melting brown-eyed gaze she'd given to him. Her words still echoed in his mind and he could feel a tingle on his face where her lips had touched his cheek ever so briefly. It was a thousand times more intoxicating than the fire-whiskey Fred and George had smuggled into the Burrow on their sixteenth birthday and let him taste.
It took him several minutes to get his racing heart under control. If Charlie had not interrupted him, he might have followed through on his impulse to grab Hermione, escape through the front door, and lead her to the rose arbor where he could snog her senseless.
He gave himself a mental shake. This was not the time to let his hormones get the better of him. He had a job to do. Good- Hawthorn was starting.
" The Ministry has been experimenting with Muggle technology for the last two years. Although we have made some progress with the computer in terms of our own research, we have so far been unsuccessful in harnessing its capabilities to serve our purposes."
" Part of the difficulty is where the computers are located," continued another Ministry official who had introduced himself as Henderson. " We have not been able to work both the computer and our own magic at the Ministry. We're hoping in this non-magical environment with Muggle expertise to find a way to use this technology in our fight against the Dark Lord."
Ron was somewhat puzzled. Usually he kept questions to himself until he knew what was going on or else he asked Hermione who almost always knew the answer to practically anything. Now things were different. If he was to be successful with this project, he needed to be clear about the facts from the onset. He needed to take responsibility.
" Excuse me, " Ron interrupted. " Does that mean you want to find ways to mesh the magic of the wizarding world with the Muggle technology? Or do we want to use the Muggle technology to help- well- amplify our magic?"
Across the room he noticed Hermione look up with surprise, which soon turned to a proud smile.
" An excellent question, young man," replied the Senior Ministry official present.He had been introduced as Nigel Davies, assistant to Amelia Bones. Both were key Ministry officials and the presence of Nigel Davies proved the extreme importance of this particular project.
" To answer your question, we're hoping for both results. Did you have any ideas? Weasley, isn't it? Young Percy's brother?"
Ron swallowed and tried not to scowl at the mention of Percy's name.
" Yes, sir. Ron Weasley. I had been wondering about using the computer technology and connecting it to record the emotions of the enemy. We have wizards who can " see " the future if they have access to this information." Here Ron thought about Herodotus Henckel and his so far unpredictable talent.
" That's an intriguing idea," Dr. Granger said excitedly. " But what you'd need for that is not the computer necessarily but a digital movie camera."
Hermione broke in with enthusiasm Ron recognized immediately. " Of course. The digital movie camera records sound and visuals that can be seen immediately but there is a software program that allows you to view them on the computer. Also, you can then transfer the images and project it on a screen."
Ron's head was reeling. He really didn't understand the mechanics of all of this but he did understand the implications.
" You mean, you could take a photo or get an image of say, a patronus, and then fill a screen with that image? Could you keep it going? On the screen?" His head was almost bursting with an new thought. " If you could, it would be an excellent way to confuse any Dementors," he concluded somewhat breathless.
" And if you used a combination of screens and different people's patronuses, you could move them around and completely confound the Dementors. " Hermione contributed her face flushed and intense, the way she got when she was working on a particularly sticky problem.
" And—while they were confused, a surprise attack could be mounted," Ron strategized, visualizing exactly how that could work.
Dr. Granger and the Ministry officials sat in stunned silence. Ron and Hermione glanced at each other nervously.
Davies broke the silence. " We never dared think that we would get these kinds of ideas so soon. If what you are thinking proves workable, this could give us a distinct edge in the War. Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger – I'm impressed. Frankly I was doubtful about having two novices on the team. Now I can see that I was mistaken."
Hawthorn added his voice, " This is a brilliant start! Why don't we acquaint Mr. Weasley here with the Muggle Computer Technology for Beginners? That way he may be able to help us further when he understands more. Miss Granger, I understand from your father that you already know the basics."
Hermione frowned," Well e-mail and searches – also some word- processing. My father's the one with the most knowledge especially with things like I-photo and I-Movie. He can also use the proxima projector."
Ron gaped. Now he was in trouble. He hadn't understood a word that Hermione had just said. Noticing Ron's glazed expression, Hawthorn chuckled. " Not to worry, Weasley. You'll know almost as much by the time we're through today. Let's get started." With this, he moved a small oval attachment next to the computer and the box sprang to life.
By the end of the morning Ron had brain overload but he could conduct a search, send an e-mail and play several games including a computer version of chess. Unfortunately, the computer had a "crash" after Ron won his thirty-third consecutive game.
" Don't worry," Hawthorn comforted," it's a fail-safe. No Muggle has ever won more than ten games in a row according to this program."
Dr. Granger said in an aside to his daughter, " Do you think Ron might give me some pointers on my chess game?"
Hermione smiled delightedly," I'm sure he would, Dad. "
Ron overheard this last exchange and flushed with pleasure. It seemed that he wasn't rubbish at this whole Muggle computer thing. Maybe, just maybe he could actually make a difference. But first things first. Glancing over at Hermione and her father, he experienced a warm glow suffuse his entire being. He needed to talk to her, be with her and now was the perfect time.
As if reading Ron's mind, Charlie entered the room and announced that luncheon would be served in fifteen minutes. As the meeting had come to a virtual standstill while Hawthorn and Henderson attempted to re-launch the hard drive, Charlie leapt into action.
" Mr. Davies, could you excuse my brother and Hermione for a moment, please?" he requested.
" Of course, of course. They've put in a splendid morning." Mr. Davies enthused. " Go along. Get some fresh air – we want you back with more of those ideas you came up with this morning."
Charlie escorted them out of the room and guided them into the parlor next door. He then indicated the French doors that led onto a terrace and into the back garden.
" There are Aurors on the perimeter of the property but don't go too far. Go- I'll follow and cover you from a distance, " Charlie winked at Ron and Ron grew red in the face realizing that this was his opportunity at long last.
Hermione, however was ahead of him, She grabbed his hand and pulled them both through the French doors. He just had time to think that she was literally leading him down the garden path before she broke into a run ahead of him.