It was nearly dinner time before everything was stowed away. Lisa greatly appreciated Dobby's help, as they prepared dinner for the large group. Lisa seemed quite pleased with the number of people around.

Travis, meanwhile, had once again set up his computer system in the large room he called 'the dorm'. He also claimed one of the beds, saying, "This one's been mine since I was five, I think." Harry and John claimed the next two beds over. Travis then set up several shelves, which enlarged his workstation. They were filled with numerous books, jars, bottles, and vials. Many were filled with odd-coloured liquids. "Okay. John, please don't mess around with the stuff on the shelves here unless you ask. Some of the shit here can seriously fuck you up." Travis held up one of the many vials, saying, "This one… basilisk venom. Can kill you in minutes." He picked up another, saying, "Erumpent fluid. Highly explosive."
"Err… Travis… what in God's name are you doing with basilisk venom?"
"Potions ingredients, of course."
"Oh yeah, makes such WONDERFUL poison…" Harry remarked sarcastically.
"I get the point," said John, shaking his head. He knew he was only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it came to magic. Travis, meanwhile, continued checking over the large collection. "Damn… thought I used all those," he said, picking out a bottle.
"And that is?"
"Polyjuice potion."
"You can make polyjuice?" Harry was surprised.
"Sure. I've used it maybe five times at most, don't care for the taste of it, nor the fucked up feeling you get as you transform."
"What's it do?"
"Makes you look like someone else for an hour," answered Harry.
"You've used it before," said Travis. Harry nodded. "Second year. Hermione brewed it. We wanted answers from Malfoy, so we made ourselves look like his cronies, and questioned him. Hermione… something didn't work quite right."
"Let me guess… non-human hair." Harry grinned at that memory, saying, "Someone's cat. She had to go to the hospital wing to get it reversed. Don't mention it to her, it's still quite embarrassing."
"Yeah, no doubt."
"You mean, that shit will make you look EXACTLY like someone else," said John.
"Exactly. Only thing that doesn't change is your voice. Harry… you mean to tell me, you and your friends brewed Polyjuice potion in second year." Travis was astounded, as the realization came to him.
"Well, we had to. Someone was attacking our classmates, and we wanted answers. We thought someone in Slytherin was doing it," explained Harry, "Of course, how were we to know it was Voldemort? At least at the time." Travis only nodded in understanding, as he finished setting things on the shelf. Just then, Bill stepped into the room. "I guess I get the last bed, huh?"
"Pretty much," said Travis, "Sorry we don't have more private rooms…"
"Not to worry, I'm used to sharing space. Wasn't that long ago I was a student. Now… your fireplace downstairs isn't connected to the floo, right?"
"Didn't want the ministry to know about our property up here. That's all it would take for them to put magic detection charms up."
"True enough. Thing is, I know how to do it," said Bill, "A floo connection would be more convenient than having to apparate."
"In that case… be my guest. I'll have to go to Baldwin Alley and get a pot of floo powder then."
"Let me come along," said Bill, grabbing Travis' hand. They vanished with a slight pop. Harry only shook his head with a grin. "Mental."
"How do they do that? I mean, just 'pop' from one place to the next?" questioned John.
"I don't know. I know what it is, but I don't know how it works. No one's bothered to explain it to me."
"Dinner's just about ready," said Lisa, stepping into the room, "Where did Travis go?"
"To Baldwin Alley for some floo powder with Bill," answered Harry. Lisa nodded, and left.
"Still find that weird… We're what, two or three hours from Toronto, and they just-vanish there as though they're gone to the corner store."
"It's one of the things I love about magic… it's like being able to take a shortcut."

It seemed like only minutes later, when Travis and Bill reappeared in the room. Travis had a small pot in hand, that looked much like those they had used in the Snitch & Bludger, as well as the ministry.
"Your mum says dinner's about ready," said Harry. Travis nodded.
"We can do this after dinner, then," said Bill. The group then went down the stairs, to find everyone already gathered around the table, which had been expanded yet again. Travis placed the pot by the fireplace, then took a seat, Bill quickly grabbing the seat beside him.

Once dinner was over, Bill set about configuring a floo connection on the fireplace. He first enlarged it slightly, as it was already quite large in the first place. He then began casting a series of charms on it, as well as pulling out several strange tools. After all, there were very specific tools required to configure a floo connection, and not just anyone could do it.

Finally, he finished the work, and said, "Right. Time for a test." He took a pinch of floo powder, knelt down in front of the fireplace and stated, "Fire-call No. 12 Grimmauld Place!" Red flames roared up, and a face appeared in it, being that of Molly Weasley. "Bill! Where are you-Harry!?"
"Err… Hi Mrs. Weasley… I-"
"You have a lot of explaining to do, young man!"
"And I will… just… not right now. We're testing a floo connection."
"He'll explain everything in due time, mum," said Bill.
"You're quite right he will, gone for weeks on end without a word!!" The Weasley Matriarch shrieked.
"Mrs… Molly… Would you be able to send Hedwig through? I imagine she's there, is she not?" There was a long pause, and Molly answered, "I'm afraid she's out hunting… you are floo'ing us awfully late, going on midnight here."
"Sorry, mum, forgot the time difference."
"Where are you?"
"Canada," called Travis.
"And who might you be?"
"Travis, ma'am… Harry met me a couple of weeks ago."
"Travis who?"
"Um… I'm gonna keep that to myself for now… forgive me, but I don't know you," answered Travis. Molly seemed to nod in understanding.
"We'll call around lunch time tomorrow," said Bill, "So Harry can retrieve Hedwig."
"What's the address there?"
"Err… bollocks! Knew I forgot something… we'll call you back," said Bill. The face vanished, as did the flames. "Did everything but assign the address. "What do you want it to be, Travis?"
"Travis Fisher's Cottage."
"All right." Bill again began casting several charms at the fireplace, and muttering an incantation which ended with, "Travis Fisher's Cottage." Travis only grinned, as Bill said, "See, even we experienced wizards forget sometimes." He once again called Grimmauld Place. This time, it wasn't Molly who answered. "Harry?" 'Of course, he'd stick his nose in,' Harry thought. "Yes, I'm here, professor."
"We are all very concerned for your safety."
"Oh, I'm sure you are, professor. Concerned that I'm not at the Dursleys, right?"
"Among other things. Now I must insist…"
"Insist NOTHING, Dumbledore!" Harry hissed, "You'd lock me up in that prison, just like you did Sirius… and now… just, go away, I'm not ready to talk to you just yet!" At that, Harry stormed away and up the stairs.
"I must ask, what has made Harry so angry?" questioned the old wizard, gazing about the room. Sirius, of course, had made himself scarce as soon as he saw who it was in the grate.
"In his shoes, I would be angry too, Albus," answered Bill, "He's explained a few things."
"You are keeping an eye on him?"
"Yes, but not for the Order's sake if that's what you mean. Now let my mum back in front of the grate." Albus' face disappeared, and moments later, Molly reappeared. "The address here… it's 'Travis Fisher's Cottage'. It's warded, and no, no one can come through without permission."
"How well protected is Harry?"
"I've cast a Fidelius charm, mum, as well as make the property un-plottable. Harry will be just as safe here as if he were there."
"Oh. Well, that's good, I guess."
"Good? He's hid a mile of property! Never saw anything like it in my life!" Derek exclaimed, finally getting over the idea of someone talking through the fireplace.
"And who might you be?"
"Derek. Derek Reese, ma'am."
"A Muggle, I would presume? Oh my…"
"Mum, lots of stuff is going on here, more than we should be discussing over the floo. I'll get Harry to explain to you sooner rather than later."
"Just keep Harry safe, dear."
"We will. Love you, mum." With that, Bill closed the connection. Harry immediately re-appeared. "Sorry, I didn't expect him to but in like that."
"I kind of did," answered Harry, "I knew she'd say something the moment you cut the connection. Nothing against your mum, but…"
"I know, Harry. I understand your frustration, mate. I think I get an idea where things are truly at between you."
"I'm sure that, if he could've come through the floo, he would have, and tried to apparate me back to England-"
"He can't do that, Harry. No one is crazy enough to apparate across the ocean."
"Why? What's the difference?" questioned John. He was finishing his dessert.
"Distance. The further away one apparates, the more risk it is to miss their destination," explained Bill, "It's better to take several hops when going long distances. Not to mention, he could never come anyway, not knowing the secret here."
"Thing is, it's Dumbledore we're talking about," Harry reminded, "The things I watched him do a couple of weeks ago against Voldemort… it was astounding. Scary, but astounding."
"What kind of things?"
"Maybe I should show instead," said Harry, "Travis… mind if I borrow your pensieve?"

Minutes later, everyone was sitting around the table again, the pensieve in the middle.
"What is that?" questioned Sarah.
"It's called a pensieve. This way I can show you all something, rather than try and explain it."
"Harry, with this many people, I can do something so we can view it without going into it," said Bill.
"You mean project the contents," said Travis. Bill nodded, saying, "You know how to do it?"
"Yeah. The disadvantage is, you only see it verbatim from a single person's perspective."
"Right," said Bill, while Travis muttered an incantation while gesturing at the pensieve with his wand. "Any time, Harry." Harry concentrated on the memory he wanted to show, and drew it out with his wand, then deposited it into the pensieve. Travis tapped it once to start playback.

The memory began, showing two wizards throwing angry curses at one another. The same man whose face they had all seen in the fireplace not minutes earlier, was conjuring and controlling water, while the other-a truly frightening figure with grey skin, slits for a nose, and red, snake-like eyes-was conjuring and controlling fire. He attacked the other, directing fire to form into that of a dragon, and lunge. The other, meanwhile, countered with some sort of hydro-snake, of sorts, which drenched and doused the dragon. The memory quickly ended there.
"I… I don't want to show anything else there," said Harry.
"It's all right, Harry," said Sirius, appearing at the stairs.
"Sirius… where did you get to?"
"Went upstairs when Mr. Weasley made the floo call."
"That was… incredible," Derek managed, "Incredible, in a scary way."
"It was far worse to be party to it," Harry grimaced, as he recovered the memory and placed it back in his head.
"I have no doubt," said Sarah. She thought for a moment, then questioned, "Is there a way for us to use that?"
"Err… I don't know… as far as I know, it's not been done before-I mean, drawing a memory from a Muggle," said Bill.
"She certainly can't do it herself," said Sirius.
"I have an idea," said Travis, "Think carefully of the memory you want to show, so it fills your head… think ONLY of that memory."
"Okay."
"Now… I'm gonna place my wand at your left temple. I want you to wrap your hand around mine…" and Travis did so. Sarah followed Travis' instructions. "Now draw… excellent!" Travis grinned, as she guided Travis' hand and wand away from her temple, a wisp of energy trailing. "Now… we put it in the pensieve…" He dropped the memory into the pensieve. "Is this private, or public?"
"I don't mind if everyone sees it, although it's meant for John-a bit of a belated birthday present, of sorts. You always wanted to know what your father looked like?"
"I… sort of know, mom." Sarah cast a strange look at Derek, then looked back at John. "As an adult?"
"No."
"This is when we met. At least, a moment when we weren't being chased by a tee-one-oh-one. Can you start it?" Travis nodded, and tapped the pensieve.

An eerily familiar scene began to play out, at least for John. He had seen his mom make pipe bombs on numerous occasions. She had always told him it was his father that had taught her how to do it. Now, for the first time, he got a glimpse of exactly that.

Two figures-one of which John instantly recognized as his mother-were working methodically in front of a dresser that stood in for a work stand. Behind them, pans, bottles, and packages cluttered the small kitchenette that was part of a small motel room. On the makeshift work stand, lay a number of short lengths of plumber's pipe, which had been threaded at each end. The man was showing her how to pack the pipe with explosive putty, saying, "Make sure there's none on the threads, like this. Now screw the end-cap on... very gently."
"You must have had a fun childhood," said Sarah, as she completed the first pipe bomb.
"That's good. Now, seven more like that while I make fuses."
"I was thinking, there's so much I've got to show you when we get through this. It's mind boggling, the possibilities... Disneyland, the beach, movies...matinees with popcorn and foot-long hot dogs..."
"Hot dogs?" inquired the man, looking up from what he was doing.
"All the things you've never seen and done. You're here, but where-ever you go, and whatever you touch, you bring the war with you."
"My whole life has been combat."
"I want it to be over for you."
"Not possible," was the man's methodical answer.
"I want it to be over for me too. I feel like I slipped over some invisible line, that I'm in your world now. Everything's the same, but I see it differently. It's like, there's you and me, and him... but nobody else can understand or help or even touch us." Sarah sounded bewildered and frightened. The man looked up from what he was doing, catching Sarah's gaze. He reached for her hand as though to comfort her, but Sarah was disappointed as he only looked at her watch. "We'll head out at Oh-two-hundred. That gives you four hours to sleep if you want. I'll finish."(1) It was there, the memory ended.

"Even here, now, with all of you… I still don't believe it's over," said Sarah, her voice sounding mechanical. "The machines… they'll keep coming after us. They'll find a way to come here."
"Miss Connor… if those things show up here… I'll… eat my broom," Travis declared, brushing his hair out of his eyes.
"Speaking of machines… what did you do with Cameron," questioned Harry.
"Still offline in the truck," answered John, finally speaking since the memory was started. He shed no tears, but his eyes were slightly damp.
"We will have to cast that charm on her now, John," said Travis. He thought for a moment. "Here. Come over here a minute." John followed Travis over to the chairs. "Tell me. What do you feel?"
"Um, nothing."
"No, no. Take a seat. Then really concentrate. Close your eyes…" John did so. "Now think about where you're sitting. The room… can you see it in your mind?" John nodded. "Now. Let your consciousness fill it. Tell me what you feel."

Several moments passed, before John answered. "It's like a humming, buzzing. Like I'm surrounded by white noise, or something."
"Good, very good. Keep your eyes closed," Travis instructed, as he produced his wand, and muttered an incantation. "What did you feel?"
"The buzz got really loud right beside me."
"Open your eyes, and look," said Travis. John opened his eyes, and was caught between amusement, and surprise, as he found a table had appeared beside his chair. "You just 'felt' magic being cast."
"God, they never taught THAT at Hogwarts," said Bill, impressed, "You might make a good teacher, Travis."
"It's one of the first things we're taught at Nipigon. How to sense out magic."
"So he'd probably be able to see the Leaky Cauldron, then," guessed Harry.
"Eventually, yeah. It's about tuning the subconscious to detect magic, or magical items."
"What kind of course was that?" inquired Harry.
"All first years at Nipigon are required to take 'Introduction to Magic'. It's a basic overview of magical society, and, more importantly, basics of what it truly means to be a witch or a wizard. See, it's not just about casting, right?" Harry nodded. "We have an amazing culture. We've been given an amazing gift. That class touches on that."
"God, with Hogwarts, they just drop you right in the middle of things. You know, I had no explanation on anything… I didn't even know I was famous before I went to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Eleven years old, and they expect us to just 'get it'."
"Yeah, that's just stupid. At Nipigon, not all the courses are magical. We also get the standard reading, writing, and maths, history, and so on. Although it is still magic-oriented, we still get the same education as a Muggle would. Those courses are marked the same way as a Muggle school as well."
"What for, though?" questioned Bill, "Wouldn't a witch or wizard wish to stay in the wizard world?"
"Not always. Having Muggle education equivalent helps in that case, if a witch or wizard wants to get into a Muggle college or university."
"I wonder if it might be possible for me to finish my education at Nipigon," said Harry. Both Bill and Sirius looked scandalized. "Hey, I'm not kidding. I'm through being a pawn and a tool. I want to complete my NEWTs, and if it takes a foreign school to do it, that's exactly what I'll do. And I'll drag all my friends over here, too."
"Shocked. All there is to it," Bill declared, "A Potter NOT completing his schooling at Hogwarts? Bloody hell, your parents would probably roll over in their graves." That got a feral look from Harry. "Sorry, maybe not the best words."
"Well, no doubt, Professor Bishop would love to have you. She definitely knows who you are," said Travis.
"No doubt there. I'd imagine the entire wizard world knows who I am," said Harry, darkly.
"Anyway," said John, standing, "Let's get Cameron."
"Right." Both John and Travis quickly left the cottage.

"Derek?" questioned Sarah. Derek had neither moved nor said anything since the memory had played. Yet, he was trembling, shaking all over.
"He might like a calming draught," said Bill.
"Have to wait until Travis comes back, even I don't like touching his potions," said Harry.
"Before… we were sent back," Derek began, looking up, "John had taken a bunch of men, my brother included, to take out some research facility. My brother didn't come back. Now… I… I understand I guess. John knew what he was doing. At the time… I couldn't… or better, didn't WANT to accept what he did. This…" He gestured to the pensieve, "It…" he put his head down on the table, emotionally overwhelmed.
"Derek… your brother gave me my son," answered Sarah, reaching, and putting a hand on his shoulder.

Minutes later, John and Travis re-entered, followed by Cameron. Every so often, she seemed to glance left or right, as if triggered by something in her peripheral vision.
"Everything is fine?" she queried.
"Yeah, fine, Cameron," answered Harry, "How are you handling the magical environment?"
"It is… strange. I am compensating, however. John must still be protected," she answered.
"What does it look like… magic, I mean?"
"It is like interference. It is as if I cannot get a clear picture."
"Where do you see it most?" questioned Travis. Cameron gestured to the area with the chairs. "Those items."
"They're actually transfigured from scraps of wood," said Travis.
"How is she able to see this, though? She wasn't given the secret," Sirius challenged.
"It wouldn't matter inside. Outside, it wouldn't matter if she knew the secret or not, I don't think. The Fidelius charm works on someone's spirit, which… well, Cameron just doesn't have one," said Bill, "As far as I understand."
"No, if she actually had one of those… we wouldn't be worried about Judgement Day," said Sarah, darkly.
"The thing is, why COULDN'T a machine have a spirit? I mean, actual, true artificial spirituality… like a new species," Travis pointed out. That got scowls from Sarah, John, AND Derek alike. "Um… never mind."
"It's a nice evening outside," said Sirius, "Let's take this outside." 'Perfect distraction,' thought Harry, as they nodded in agreement.
"We can have a fire," Travis decided, "Roast marshmallows… hey mom, do we have the stuff to make s'mores?"
"Um… I don't think so, hon."
"Shit."
"What do you need? I can get Dobby to get the stuff for us," offered Harry.
"Well, it's quite easy, really. Graham crackers, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. We put the marshmallows and chocolate chips between two graham crackers, wrap it in tin foil, and put it close to the fire. The marshmallows and the chocolate chips melt, and it's a messy, yummy treat."
"Muggle treat, I imagine," said Bill. Travis nodded, while Harry summoned Dobby. "Can you get us a couple of things from the store?"
"Right away, Harry Potter, sir!"
"Great. We need some chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham crackers."
"How about a case of Butterbeer as well?" Travis added. He knelt down, and whispered something into the elf's ear, who nodded enthusiastically. He vanished with a light pop.
"What else did you ask him to get?"
"Um… not telling," Travis smirked.
"Nothing illegal, I hope," Lisa frowned.
"It's not illegal if we don't get caught," Travis again smirked. Lisa only shook her head, and stepped back into the cottage. Sirius, meanwhile also had a mischievous grin on his face. "You must play lots of pranks when you're at school."
"Oh hell yeah. Half the time I get busted, but well, you live an' learn, right?" Travis laughed, "Last prank I did, professor Logan swore she'd have me in detention until I took my NEWTs."
"So, what did you do?"
"Okay, you guys have a Great Hall or whatever, right?" Harry nodded. "Well, me and a few guys basically inverted the room, so all the furniture was on the ceiling. It was compounded so that, if someone tried to fix it, it would just… go back the way we set it. We ended up eating all three meals that day in our dorms."
"Oh, that's good," Sirius smirked.
"Well, then there was the start of school last year. Everyone was making fun of my hair…" He gestured to his hair, "So, I spiked the juice the next morning, so everyone had hair like mine. Not too many people were impressed… but they stopped teasing me about it. Got me a week's detention, but it was worth it."
"Pranks are always worth it," Harry grinned. They had then gathered around the large fire pit, which was surrounded by a number of cushions that seemed to have backs to them.
"This is… nice," said John, as he took a seat. Harry took the one beside him. "Cushioning charms," he grinned.
"Yup. One of my little creations. See, you can lean back like this…" He quickly demonstrated, and easily reclined, so he was looking up at the sky. "Great for watching the sky."
"He's fell asleep out here a few times," said Lisa, as she joined the group. That got a groan from Travis, and a grin from Harry. "I can see that." Travis quickly set up a pile of wood in the pit, and with a gesture from his wand, said, "Incendio." The pile ignited with a woosh.
"Now where's the fun in that?" said Sarah, "I thought part of a campfire was actually starting it."
"Why go through the bother, when we have magic, though?" Travis challenged back. He took a seat, and Bill quickly claimed one beside him. "Speaking of fire… gotta get the tractor going tomorrow. Dad was pissing and moaning about a stack of wood he wanted to get cut up. I can use some help with that, if you guys don't mind lending your wands." He gestured to Harry, Bill, and Sirius.
"Why would you want to do that, though?" questioned Harry, "I mean, he's a right bastard toward you."
"Just to piss him off. I keep doing stuff around him to show him exactly how convenient things can be… and he keeps blowing me off. Like, he refuses to sit at the table at home… because I magically expanded it. He'll sit at the island counter instead."
"God, sounds like he thinks he'll catch a disease or something if he touches something magic," said John. Travis nodded. "Yup, about the size of it. Thing is, half the things in our house are magic in some way or other. It's cost me a lot of fines to make that house the way it is."
"And you did a bunch of stuff up here, too," Derek assumed. Travis again nodded. "Definitely. Again, most of it, he's got no clue. I mean, he knows about the cushions here… so he lugs a stupid plastic lawn chair from the cellar." He fished his pack of cigarettes out of his pants pocket, and lit one of them.
"Did your dad ever punish you for using magic?" questioned Harry.
"Oh, he tried a few times," said Lisa, "Until I put my foot down. Like I said, the limit was when he tried to have an exorcism done."
"Usually, when something strange would happen, they'd lock me in my room-which was a cupboard under the stairs, until I turned eleven. Then I got my Hogwarts acceptance letter addressed there, and they changed it rather abruptly. Thing is, they still locked me in my room, and didn't feed me for days at a time."
"Harry! God, man, why didn't you tell someone?!"
"I just… well, sometimes believed I deserved it."
"Harry… dude… that's bullshit," said John, astounded at this revelation.
"I know that now… but Dumbledore should have known, too. No, instead, he keeps sending me back there, where he knows I'll be mistreated, overworked, and underfed. Even Mrs. Weasley knows something's not right… she sees me coming back, thinner than when I left school."
"Eating is so important for a young wizard," said Bill, "That's why the meals are always so large at Hogwarts."
"Same at Nipigon. They stuff us, and they're constantly telling us to have snacks and so on."
"Dumbledore forgot that, I guess."
"Unless he wanted to keep you weak."
"Why would he want to do that?" questioned Cameron, observing from the perimeter of the circle. "If you are meant to face a strong opponent, you should be properly prepared."
"Yeah, that's right. But I guess Dumbledore doesn't see it that way. Then there was the whole mess last year… Snape and his disastrous Occlumency lessons. Made me WORSE and more open to Voldemort's attacks, I think."
"They want you to learn Occlumency?" questioned Travis. Harry nodded. "I know a little on that, but… I'm not an expert. I might have a few books that could help with that."
"Great. Anything has to be better than Snape, greasy git. The word for today, is 'shampoo'." Bill burst out laughing at that remark.
"What am I missing?" questioned John.
"Oh, Snape. To see him, you'd swear he's never washed his hair in his life," explained Bill, "That, along with the hook-nose, sallow skin…"
"Sounds like a vampire," said John.
"You know… now that you mention it…" Bill doubled over, he was laughing so hard.

It was only a few moments after, Dobby appeared, bringing several packages. He deposited a bag in Travis' lap, then left the rest of the items in front of Harry.
"Thanks, Dobby," said Harry. The elf nodded, and popped away.
"Okay. So we're gonna need some tin foil, then." He got up, and headed up to the cottage, which was only a few feet away, taking with him the small bag.
"So how old are you," questioned Harry, gesturing at John.
"Sixteen. My birthday was almost a week ago."
"God, you'd be almost an adult in our world."
"But how? He's still just a boy," Sarah challenged.
"Adulthood is seventeen in our world, miss Connor," answered Sirius, "When they're able to get their apparation license and so on. It's also when they take their NEWTs."
"NEWTs? What's that?" questioned John.
"Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests," answered Bill, "And trust me, they ARE nasty, and they ARE exhausting."
"Great. Something less to look forward to," Harry grimaced.
"Study hard, pup, you'll do fine," said Sirius, trying to lend support.
"So they would be like, grade twelve final exams, or something," guessed John. Harry nodded. "I guess so. It's seventh year exams."
"Except that over here, we also get those same grade twelve exams in any Muggle subjects," said Travis, as he reappeared from the cottage, "Math, English, chemistry, and so on."
"They teach chemistry in a magic school."
"Combined with potions, actually," said Travis, as he set a rack full of aluminium-foil-wrapped packages close to the fire. He then arranged them around the edge of the fire. "Give them about ten minutes."
"They combine chemistry and potions? Blimey!" said Bill, "My twin brothers would have a field day."
"They'd be lucky if the school were still standing after a class with them… at least based on what I know," said Harry.
"Fred and George?" queried Sirius.
"That would be them," said Bill.
"Quite proficient potion-brewers, as I remember them," said Sirius, "Along WITH their pranks."
"Have a Butterbeer, guys," said Travis, gesturing to the case that had enlarged near the fire.

As the evening wore on, Lisa, Sirius, Sarah, and Derek each retreated to the cottage. When Sarah at last left, Travis smirked, and said, "Let the real fun begin."
"Real fun?" questioned Cameron. Travis smirked again, and pulled the small bag from one of his pockets.
"Firewhiskey," guessed Bill. Travis nodded.
"What's that?" questioned John.
"Well, since you just had a birthday and all…"
"Travis! Don't do that, mate. He'll be sick!" Harry was uneasy about the idea.
"A week ago, I would've said no. Now… besides… technically, I'm twenty-three. I was born in 1983-I just jumped over eight of them."
"Playing it that way, actually, you'd only be thirteen here," said Travis, as he summoned several glasses from the cottage. He then re-enlarged the bottle, and poured generous amounts for his friends. "Now. Sip it, don't gulp, or you'll burn off all your taste buds," Travis warned.

John had consumed alcohol before. What teen-aged kid hadn't? So, he took a gulp, failing to heed Travis' warning. After all, how strong could it be, right? Needless to say, he was unprepared for the vicious assault the beverage laid on his mind and body. His nose, throat, and chest instantly felt like it was on fire, it was the best way to describe it. The same instant, it felt like he had been struck between the eyes with a two-by-four.

Travis snickered as he watched the range of expressions cross John's face. He almost dropped the glass, and Harry grabbed it, "Let me take that."
"Holy… sweet… FUCK!" John wheezed.
"I did warn you," Travis laughed, as he downed his glass. It seemed to do absolutely nothing to him, and he poured himself another generous portion.
"I take it you've had this more than a few times," said Bill.
"With an asshole like Bartlett, and my stupid father… do you blame me?"
"Guess not," said Bill. Harry noticed the two of them had pushed their cushions closer together.
"So can I have my drink back, or you gonna drink it?" questioned John.
"Right. Not my fault if you sick up," said Harry, grimly, passing John his drink. He took another gulp, and the same range of expressions crossed his face. "Fuck that's strong."
"You get used to it after a while," said Travis.
"This… beverage… it won't harm him?" questioned Cameron. She had claimed one of the cushions opposite the group.
"Might… make me a little sick," John wheezed again, and took another gulp, finishing the glass.
"Your mother will not be pleased."
"IF she knows. This shit's in the vault, got it?" said Travis, sharply.
"In the vault?"
"As in, secret. You say NOTHING to anyone that's not here right now."
"What you are doing doesn't appear to be safe."
"Cameron… fuck off," said John, dryly, passing his glass to Travis, who quickly filled it. "Sip, don't gulp," he reminded, and received a rude gesture for the effort.
"Well… a toast, then… to the death of Dark lords…" Travis began.
"And evil computers… that want to take over the world…" John added, his mind already starting to become clouded as the alcohol took hold.
"Oi," said Bill.
"I'll drink to that," said Harry.
"Cheers," said Travis, as glasses clinked.

"So… are you two gonna like… kiss and get it over with, or what?" questioned John, gesturing to Travis and Bill, a goofy grin on his face.
"My, my, aren't WE presumptuous!" Travis laughed, and proceeded to tackle Bill, and kiss him senseless. Harry almost choked on his drink, while John only watched, open-mouthed. He HAD been joking, right? Then again… he licked his lips, the alcohol further impairing his judgement.
"Err… right, then," Harry finally recovered, looking first at John, then at Bill and Travis, who had also recovered their composure somewhat.
"I do not understand," Cameron declared.
"It's two people kissing. What don't you get?" questioned Travis.
"It is strange… two males… it is-"
"If you say unnatural, freaky, or any other crap, so help me I'll blast you across the lake and back," Travis warned.
"Your behaviour is not understood by my programming," answered the cyborg.
"Cameron," John laughed, "There's a LOT of shit that's not in your programming!"
"You know, Bill… I think Johnny here actually liked that…" Travis snickered, the mood quickly recovering.
"Um… okay, then…" said John, taking another swig from his latest drink. He had lost count of how many he had at this point.
"So… I have to wonder how much it would cost to get him to kiss Harry…" Travis giggled. Harry proceeded to spray his drink all over, some of it landing in the fire causing it to flare up momentarily.
"No, no, we could threaten to dunk him in the lake… Maybe get miss Cameron to help," Bill snickered. Harry actually looked amused at this point. After all, John was good looking, was he not? So said the little voice in his head.
"Or banish his clothes… could do that," Travis smirked.
"A hundred bucks," said John, "Pay me a hundred bucks…"
"Merlin, is that all the Boy-Who-Lived is worth?" said Harry, feigning injury.
"All right, fine… I'll pay you a thousand bucks… but it has to be a real kiss, right?" said Travis. John again licked his lips, looking first at Travis and Bill, who were still snuggled close to one another, then at Harry, who was looking at him expectantly from his own cushion.

A little voice seemed to be screaming 'this is totally wrong' in the back of John's head. Yet, the rest of him was curious. He had kissed more than a few girls in the past. Never a guy, though. It wasn't 'unnatural', but… He shrugged, leaned over, and their lips met, blue eyes gazing at green. As they connected in such an intimate manner, he also felt something. That same sensation he had felt earlier, as Travis was demonstrating the feeling of magic. It was exactly that, though it touched him in every pore, from head to toe. He knew he was beyond drunk, but yet, he was perfectly aware, as the strange feeling washed over him. It was perhaps the most wonderful thing he had ever felt.

Harry, meanwhile, felt his magic reach out, and touch the boy he was snogging senseless. It had been a dare, a bet, but yet, a flood of memories suddenly assaulted his consciousness. He was easily as intoxicated as the others, and with the lowered defences, memories of two years before swam circles in his head. The worst of it was an image. Yes, he had seen it before, but this time, the face was different. Rather than Cedric, it was John, staring up at him in the grave yard, face frozen in a mask of surprise. He broke off abruptly, saying, "I'm… I'm sorry."
"Damn, John. Think that deserves a bonus," Travis grinned. It faltered when he saw tears leak out of Harry's eyes.
"Harry?"
"I-we… we can't do that again."
"Why-Harry, what happened?"
"You felt it, I KNOW you did, but… we can't… NEVER! He'll kill you! He'll kill you just like he did Cedric!!" Harry blurted, his mind swirling with the horrible images.
"What do you mean, felt it?" questioned Travis.
"I think it was his magic," said John, "It was… just like earlier… inside."
"The buzzing feeling? No way," Travis declared.
"Yeah, that's it… but… what's it mean?"
"It means Voldemort will torture you before he kills you! That's what it means!" Harry shouted, "God, I hardly know you, and…"
"Harry, you can't know that for sure, man."
"But… guys! What the fuck does it mean?!" John shouted.
"His magic likes you. As in, REALLY likes you."
"I can't," said Harry, again, "I just… it's…"
"Not to mention… I said before…" John trailed off. He wasn't sure if that was even the right answer anymore. 'Didn't swing that way?' What the hell did he just do? "Harry… I barely know you either… but… you're my best friend… both you and Travis… Jesus, actually LOVING you…"
"I'm not asking you to! Don't you get it?! I can't! I just can't!!" Harry said, leaping to his feet, "All I ever do… I just get people killed! And he'll kill you all, too!" He was visibly shaking from head to toe, teetering dangerously side to side.

He stood there for several moments, as though deciding what to do. Suddenly, he produced his wand, and pointed the tip toward himself. "Avada…"
"HARRY NO!!!" John literally tackled him, causing the wand to fly out of his hand and clatter to the ground.
"LET GO OF ME!!" Harry roared, trying to escape John's grasp.
"Travis! Help me, for Christ's sake! Harry, NO!" John was a little bigger than Harry, but the boy was very strong for his size. It was taking all of John's strength to keep him pinned, and out of reach of his wand. "I'm not gonna let you off yourself! FUCK, dude!"
"John, I can't do anything with you on top of him!" Travis answered, shaken up himself. Bill, too, was stunned by Harry's sudden, and potentially catastrophic act.

John finally managed to get Harry rolled over on his back, so they were facing each other. "We can do this all night," he huffed, adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"SO CAN I!" Harry hissed, dogged determination on his face. He started fighting again, and John did the one thing that came to mind: he again closed the distance between Harry's lips and his own.

Harry stopped fighting at once, shocked by John's action. He froze, and gradually became accepting of the kiss, feeling the warmth of his magic as it again crossed the connection. Of course, he had felt that kind of thing before, the first time he had kissed Cedric. Yet, here, this boy from another world cared for him so much… love? Maybe not. Care? Absolutely. It was the last thing that crossed his mind before he fell to the bliss of unconsciousness.
"Harry?" said John. He suddenly felt a strong wave of energy pass over him, and he too, fell to the darkness.

"Man… that was pathetic!" Travis groaned, picking up Harry's wand. "Help me put them onto…"
"Let me. We'll put them up in the dorm… it's getting late anyway."
"They will be all right," said Cameron. It was a statement, rather than a question.
"Yeah. Harry's magic combined with them being totally smashed… that was coming one way or another," said Travis.
"Smashed?"
"Drunk," said Travis, turning back to Bill. "Can you handle both of them?"
"Yeah, of course," Bill grinned, "I lift things many times their combined weight." He drew his wand, pointed it at John and Harry, then said, "Locomotor John and Harry!" The two teens both floated effortlessly off the ground, while Cameron watched with interest.
"You are sure they will be okay?"
"We're sure, Cameron. What will you do now?"
"I will patrol the property."
"Oh. Then be my guest, not that we're expecting anyone. 'Night, Cameron."
"Good night, Travis." The cyborg gave a weak smile, then walked off to start her 'patrol'. Bill was already guiding the sleeping teens up to the cottage. "Coming?"
"Right." Travis followed Bill into the cottage, up the stairs, and into the dormitory. Harry and John were placed on Harry's bed, after Travis cast a slight enlargement charm on it.
"So, Mr. Fisher. Your bed or mine?" Bill smirked.