While Skye calms down, Morgana uses her magic to write on the whiteboard behind her while she's talking to the class.
"As I was going to be saying before we were interrupted."
Skye softly says, "Sorry…"
However Morgana just carries on, "Over the next two weeks we are going to be splitting each day into 4 sections, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Computers. Each lab will be 1 hour long, followed by 30 minutes in this classroom discussing what we did, what we saw, and what we thought would happen. While I wasn't aware that Skye would be here, it makes things easier."
Skye twitches as her name gets added to the board with her job title, "How are you doing that!?"
"Magic, and I suggest that for your own piece of mind, and ability to keep your memories, you don't talk about this outside of this group of people. Their society has very strict rules on who is and isn't allowed to know about magic. If they find out you know, they'll remove your memories of this. Anyway, Skye is the one that will be putting together all of the equipment we need for the experiments we have lined up. That also means that it would be very inconvenient if she didn't remember any of this tomorrow." Morgana glances at Susan as she says that, "Today we are going to be looking at all of the equipment that you might use, as well as the safety equipment you need to wear. This afternoon will be spent in the computer lab learning how to use the computers, from turning them on, to running different programs, and what a program is. Then over the next two weeks, we will be programming a series of prewritten games in Microsoft Basic. By the end of that time you should all appreciate just what goes into writing these programs, as well as a basic idea of what the different programming features do. Any questions?"
Skye raises her hand, "Will you be doing any classes on weird sh…stuff and how it works?"
Morgana chuckles, "Sorry Skye, that's what the children are learning in their normal schooling. This group has opted to learn the mundane subjects on top of that."
"Damn, as I really need to understand just where the energy is coming from for this. As, the energy requirements for going to France and back in less than 10 minutes are absurd."
"Well, if you're still curious once we've finished with these two weeks, you've got my contact details. Give me a call and I'll try to introduce you to my husband, though we're currently separated as he cheated on me a long time ago, and hasn't made it right yet."
"Right, so no dating the Ex. I'm not stepping in that one without waders. Before I forget, there's a special method for smelling things you're working on in the lab. While nothing you will be working with now should be a problem, in later years some stuff could leave you feeling dizzy or sick if you get a full breath full. When you start college and university, some of this stuff could make you pass out or suffer from poisoning." All the children turn around and stare at her, "What? It' something that I wish teachers and lecturers would stress when they hire these labs. The other safety thing is, as a general rule you should never try to catch something you have been heating or was being used for heating. Test tubes, Bunsen burners, and the other apparatus that we use is cheaper to replace than costs the NHS to fix you up. Not to mention the time it takes to heal burns. Same thing with anything sharp. It's cheaper to replace the knife than it is to repair your tendons. And I don't care if you have some magical healing, that only matters if you can get to it before you bleed out and die."
Morgana coughs slightly uncomfortably, "Yes, thank you for the timely reminder of just how dangerous science can be. Also, thank you for pointing out safety instructions I missed. Sorry about that everyone."
As Skye seems to have regained her equilibrium, the class moves back into the lab and runs through the most common equipment. They then spend the afternoon learning how to start the computers, launch windows, run DOS programs, and how to open the Microsoft Basic program. For the last hour of the day, the children are left to explore the university's online resources.
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As she leads her out onto a remote Scottish mountain, Marie looks at Hermione with exasperation, "For the last time, no there are no books written on this style of magic. We're two weeks in, and you still think it's something that could be written down?"
"It must be possible to write something about this?"
"I seriously want you to think about this for a moment. Who are parenting books written for? People who already know how to do the things they're teaching, or for the babies and toddlers who don't? Also, do you think those books would be of any use in a country like Malawi, where many people still live a traditional lifestyle?"
"But everything has to be written down, it does." Hermione starts to cry.
Marie blinks rapidly and gently asks, "Hermione, why does everything have to be written down?"
"If it isn't then how can you prove that what you remember is true."
Marie mutters, "I am so not the person for this." More loudly she continues, "Hermione, why would you need to prove that?"
"'I'm just imagining things.'"
"Who told you that?"
"Everyone."
"Was this about magic?" Hermione nods sadly, "Hermione, sit beside me. Sometimes people will say things like that because they don't understand. When you grow up, you'll get variations on this all the time. Especially about events that you were part of. Do you remember what Morgana said to Skye the first day we were at the labs?"
Hermione nods, "It's in my notes too, she said 'What's your name honey? Does it matter where you…"
Marie interrupts, "You have a good memory, I specifically meant about not talking about magic and why, you don't have to repeat it." Hermione opens her mouth and then nods, "Hermione, you're an intelligent girl, I bet you experimented with your magic once you worked out what it was."
Hermione smiles sadly, some excitement appearing in her voice, "I did, I figured out how to make things float, and turn the light switch on and off from the bed."
Marie nods with a smile, "Well Dora had a very long, very loud word with me after my unscheduled trip with Skye." Hermione giggles then hiccoughs, "The magical community has something they call the Statue of secrecy. I'm sure you've read about it already, however, what probably wasn't in those books is that they have people called obliviators. Their entire job is to cover up magical incidents. Have you ever watched Blade Runner or Total Recall?"
Hermione nods, "I watched Blade Runner, it was a bit scary."
"Well, someone should have words with your mum and dad, as both films are meant for adults. Do you remember in Blade Runner they can modify people's memories?" Hermione nods, "Well, that's what obliviators do, they erase the memory of magic and then use magic to prompt the person to make up a new memory of what they saw that doesn't include it. Does that sound like the stuff people said about the things you did?"
"Do you really think so?"
"Yes Hermione, I do. For most people, memory is a fuzzy thing and is as much based on the language they use as it is based on what actually happened. Have you ever seen the advert for The Guardian newspaper with the skinhead running towards a man just walking down the street?"
Hermione nods, "I did, but I didn't understand it."
"What did you see when you saw the advert?"
"The skinhead heard something, turned and saw that the crane wasn't attached properly, and so ran to help the man."
"Well done for not jumping to conclusions. I've had… issues with skinheads in the past, so when I see a skinhead my immediate thought is that they're some sort of thug. So it wasn't until I saw the end of the advert that I realised that my preconceptions were wrong in this situation."
"How do you spell preconceptions?"
Marie laughs, "I'll show it to you in a dictionary later. My point is that people are inclined to believe things that fit with what they already know. This is why science, history, and archaeology are often so hard, especially for women like myself and Morgana. When we discover new things, we not only need to overcome the existing understanding of that time period, but we also need to overcome the 'knowledge' that they have about how capable women are."
"But that's stupid."
"It is, and it may surprise you to know, but most people are stupid outside the things they know well. They also don't tend to have both the time and inclination to correct their ignorance, at the same time that is. Also, people will say that this is the best time of your life. Usually, they seem to be talking about having fun. However, I prefer to think of it as having time to learn and do the things that catch your interest. Whether that's through play, study, books, or experimentation. As you get older, you'll find that you have less time for these things due to your increased responsibilities."
"Why do you say people are stupid?"
"Ok, say that you need a table in the next hour and you can't get to the shops. What would you do?"
"Um, I'd probably find a load of stuff to pile together."
"A carpenter would probably be able to put together a reasonable table from wood lying around. A builder could use bricks. A metal worker could weld a table together. A home owner might pull one out of their home. Compared to the solutions, how does yours look?"
"Um, a bit stupid, but it's all I have available."
Marie shakes her head, "No, it's all you know how to do. I've just started with illusions so this is likely to be a little crude, but watch."
Marie looks at a nearby rock and concentrates hard on an image in her mind. Pulling mist around the rock she slowly forces her image onto the rock and the mist. After nearly 20 minutes there's a rickety table, with one leg shorter than the others where she got her visualisation wrong.
"There you go," she pants, "another method. One that I had to learn for myself with just a little guidance. Not because my teacher didn't understand it, rather it's because it works off of feeling and I didn't understand what I had to do until I'd done it once."
"But surely you could write that down."
"Hermione, what does the mist feel like?"
"Um…"
"You don't have the language to describe it because it's a sensation. Just as you can't describe red to someone that's red, green colourblind. They just don't have the necessary experience to allow the explanation to make sense. The same is true with Celtic magic, the only way to learn it is to experience it, and the first step of that is getting access to the mist, which you can't do safely without a teacher. You already know that medallion I gave you allows me to find you anywhere, and allows you to find me anywhere. That way, if you get stuck in the mist I can come and find you. If you weren't wearing it and you got stuck, you could easily die because you went too deep to find your way out again."
"I wish books had all the answers."
"So do most of us that are well read, at some point or other. The truth is that the people that write the books either learnt their stuff from experience, were taught them, or learnt it from something someone else wrote. Have you ever played Chinese whispers?"
Hermione nods, "I hate the game, as nobody bothers to actually remember what they were told."
"That's not usually true, it's just that what they hear and what was said can be different things. If I say that a car brakes, what does that mean?"
"That it's coming to a stop?"
"No, the exhaust pipe just fell off. Everything stops in a factory because of a break?"
"Um, something has broken or all the workers are on a rest period?"
"Correct, now imagine that you're reading a document from 200 years ago, and it says that you need to take a barleycorn and put it on a tray. What does that mean?"
"Um, I have no idea."
"Well done, you've just done something that stumps many experts. You've admitted ignorance. It's an part of the old system of measurements and can mean either a size, or a weight depending on context. But say someone copied out that document and translated it into Victorian English, where barleycorn is an obscure, but still known measurement. Then that document is copied and translated again in the 50's where the barleycorn is all but unknown as a measurement in Britain. Would it be reasonable for that author to add barleycorn to the ingredients list?"
"No, as it's not an ingredient."
"So what do they think it is then?"
"I don't know, but it's not an ingredient."
"You only know that because I told you. I only know that because I'm doing an Archaeology degree, and it's something that came up."
"If that's true, how do I tell what books are true?"
"By reading from many different books on the same subject, or trying the stuff yourself. The reason for the practical lessons over the spring break were so that you could make your own measurements and learn how to verify things. Which is one of the foundations of modern science."
Marie ends up holding Hermione as one of the cornerstones of her world crumbles, hopefully what replaces it will be more stable and better founded.
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Albus jiggles the vault keys in his hand while he waits at the front desk. After a few moments, the duty Auror looks up, "Good afternoon sir, sorry for the delay. How can I help you?"
"I wish to see Madam Bones on ICW business."
"I see, please sign the book here, and note down the reason for your visit." The Auror indicates a book on the desk. Then he reaches underneath to pull out a wooden tray as Albus signs, "Please deposit your wands and any enchanted items into this tray, you will get them back when you leave."
Albus bristles, "How dare you, do you know who I am?"
The Auror gives him a bored look before pointing at a poster on the wall, "Yep, you're the person that prompted this whole thing. Also, over the last 3 months you've tried to assassinate Bones three times, kidnap Scrimgour, and hold Shackbolt hostage twice. There was also the time you tried to get Moody, but nobody believed that could be true."
"But I didn't do any of those things."
"We know, but it's easy enough to get bits of your hair and the bosses run weekly drills. We've also had Fudge, Umbridge, and random people trying it too. So, unless you can absolutely and incontrovertibly prove that you are who you say you are, and you have the right to be in the office, you are going to go through the same process as everyone else."
"But what if someone tried to impersonate an Auror?"
"We have processes in place for that, and don't ask, I can't afford to have my pay docked again for disclosing them to a civilian."
"Then can you let Amelia know that I wish to see her?"
The Auror shrugs, "Sure, you'll still have to do this anyway." They then scribble a note and tap it to a stone on the counter. It then folds up into a plane and soars through a small hole above the door to the bullpen.
Half an hour later, another Auror comes out to replace the one currently on the desk and Albus again tries to get in to see Amelia. Not five minutes into the same song and dance, Moody stomps out behind the desk, "I've got this one, go and catch up on your paperwork."
"Alistair, it's good to see you. I'm here to see Amelia."
Moody spins the book around, "I can see that, ICW business. Your last signature has expired, so I'll need you to sign in again. Also please put your wands and enchanted items in the box. They will be returned to you when you leave."
"Alistair, you know me, this is important business."
"You could be the Queen of Sheba here on personal business, and you'd have to do the same thing. There are no exceptions for wand users."
"What do you mean for wand users?"
"Exactly what I said. Now, do you want to see Bones or not?"
"I… need to see her, but I don't want to relinquish my wands."
"Then there's two ways you can do this, you can arrange a meeting with Madam Bones outside the secure area. Or you can comply with the rules. Rules, I might add, you were instrumental in bringing about. Not that we've had many people trying to get in here with anything other than a wand."
"Moody, you know why I can't."
"Look Albus, you can either comply or make an appointment. Once you've decided which one you're going to do, tell the duty Auror, and they'll let me know."
As Moody turns away, Albus notices something on his back, "Alistair, when did you start carrying a sword?"
Moody laughs, "When Bones started whooping my arse in practice. Now if you'll excuse me I've got paperwork to deal with, and I can't go on patrol until you've decided what you're going to do."
In the end it takes Albus an hour to cave due to the fact this is a matter of the Statute of secrecy.
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As the door to her office opens, Amelia looks up, "Yes?"
"A Mr Dumbledore to see you?"
"Send him in."
As Albus walks in she conjures a chair for him, a simple wooden office chair, "Please take a seat."
Begrudgingly Albus sits in the plain chair, "Amelia, I have here a request for information from the ICW." Amelia raises an eyebrow and waits, "It's to do with the recent black out of the magical detection grid in Yugoslavia, the Ottoman's are extremely upset by it."
"What does this have to do with me?"
"We understand that you have experience with this phenomena already, and require that you hand over any pertinent information."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with the place that has been attracting refugees for the last month?"
"I… have not heard of this."
"It was on Sky News a week or so ago, apparently it's the safest place in Bosnia."
"Where's that?"
"Yugoslavia collapsed last year and it's one of the countries that has formed from the remains."
"They did not inform me of that particular change in geography. Or about this place you were talking about."
Amelia nods, "I see. Well, what information is it you want from me?"
"The cause, if you know it. How you've remained functioning while it's been down. How often it happens, and if there's anything they can do to prevent it."
"Ah, well we've put the cause down as an act of god. We have now got a set of redundant arrays, along with a few Arrays outside the observed area that tends to be affected. They're not as convenient as the full array, but they tell us where to start looking when the backups come back online. As for preventing it, don't piss off any gods?"
"Amelia, this is no joking matter. It's perfectly fine to say you don't know."
Amelia nods, "Sure, let's do that then. Come on, I'll escort you to records so that you can get an official copy of our processes and procedures for these blackouts. We've managed to get the down to 80% coverage time down to 30 minutes. That's with taking everyone off of patrol and calling in everyone that's not on shift. Without that, we can cover all of the population centres with more than 10,000 people in 30 minutes, and then work on the rest of the country. If they want it to be faster, they'll need to employ more people than we do."
"Surely this needs to be done faster?"
Amelia laughs, "Sure, the fastest it could be done is 15 minutes for 80% coverage if I had double the budget I have now."
"Surely it would be possible to get it down below 15 minutes."
Amelia shakes her head, "I have been informed by the Unspeakables that this is the absolute fastest an array can be activated. We can't have the arrays partially charged, as then they're also partially active and fall over when the surge happens. It's all in the report. Goldhorn, Mr Dumbledore needs an official copy of our detection grid recovery plans."
Salome Goldhorn looks up from her filing, "Certainly Director. If you'll take a seat it will be ready in around an hour."
Amelia nods, "Would you include the incident reports for when we had to implement these plans too."
"Certainly director."
While that's happening Albus looks over at Amelia, "Amelia, I'm not sure that all of the changes you've been making are such a good idea."
Amelia shrugs, "We have had far less injuries since they've been implemented than in the three months before that. This has saved us 100 hours of Auror time, and 70 galleons on St Mungo's charges. Our conviction rate has increased, especially with the new Probation system. I believe your friend was the first to benefit from it, and then fall foul of the automatic sentence when he refused to stick to the agreement."
"Ahem, yes, well, that's not the changes I was thinking of. I was more concerned with the need to hand over our wands and enchanted items."
"Ah, well that has also improved productivity. Thank you for that suggestion by the way. Ensuring that only Aurors are carrying weapons in the department has made it much easier on us. We've actually been able to levy fines on a few members of our community that we'd have normally needed to book because they got violent. It's amazing how much less stressful it is being able to chuck the drunks from The White Wyvern into a cell to sober up and then fine them 10 galleons each in the morning. We've even managed to do some much needed maintenance in the department because of it."
"But still, I'm not exactly a normal wizard. I'm the chief warlock."
"Given how easily we have been able to pick up stray hairs of yours, you could be the Ottoman Emperor and you'd still have to go through the same checks as everyone else."
Albus grumbles but subsides.
As he tries to take the reports, the vault keys reappear in his hands and Amelia narrows her eyes at them, "You should really take those to the goblins to get them looked at."
"Maybe when I'm not so busy."