Harry Potter and the Muggle Solution

"Right. This is the clutch. You press it in fully when you need to change gears, brake and more. You basically it use for everything when you're not accelerating. This is the back brake and this is the front brake. You push the back brake in before you squeeze the front brake, otherwise you'll end up over the handlebars. And finally, this is the accelerator. You use it for accelerating and going forward. Now watch me."

Harry was tending to his motorcycle, while Hermione, Ron and Natalie all watched. He was giving them the basics.

"Now, I've turned it on. This is the starter. It's an electrical start and over here is an emergency kick-start. No, push the button," the engine revved, "and pull the accelerator around." The engine shuddered, and came to life. For a 250 cc motorcycle, it purred beautifully. It wasn't one of those racing super bikes. It was what Remus had called a chopper. He said it was better than a super bike. Not as fast, but you sat up and the wind hit you full in the face. Harry didn't know. He had seen a super bike. Also, while with Remus, he had shown Harry quite a few magazines' containing motorbikes. Harry had one picked out he loved. It was called a Kawasaki Ninja. He wanted it so bad... "Now it's in neutral. See the green light over here? That's neutral. I put it into first gear and the light goes off. Now I accelerate, let the clutch out slowly and off I go."

He moved off, slowly and took it around the garden to warm the bike up. He then stopped at the other three and got off. "Now, who wants a go?"

Hermione bravely stepped forward and sat astride it. She did exactly what Harry had, only with a little bit of fear. Before she put it in gear Harry approached her. "Listen. Don't fear it. All right? We're all wizards here. Any problems and you and the bike will be fine. After all, it's charmed that if you do fall off, it will basically be unscathed and you will be unscathed. The second thing you need to know is never fear it. If you're scared of the motorbike, it'll know. Trust me."

Hermione nodded and took a deep breath. She slowly turned the throttle round and as the bike revved. She jumped slightly. She turned it round a little more, then started to let the clutch out. Out of nerves, she let it out fully.

The bike juddered, then lifted off the ground in an unmistakable wheelie. Hermione was sitting on it, screaming her head off. Harry ran up to the bike, as it was in first gear and going very fast. He managed to take her hand off the throttle, before she accelerated fully and the bike did a somersault.

"Take a break. I'll explain what you did wrong in a minute."

Harry put it on its stand and approached Hermione. "Now, take a breath. You want to continue?"

She turned to him and nodded. Harry stood back. "Right. Lean forward slowly and put the front brake on. It'll stop it from tipping and keep going forward." She did as he said. "Now turn it on and start the ignition." She did this. "Away you go."

Harry watched as Hermione got it into gear and again started to let the clutch out. He heard the bite approaching. "Right. Keep going, only a little bit slower. When the bike starts to move, accelerate a little and you'll move forward. Don't worry about tipping over. The balance will sort itself out."

Hermione did all this and the bike started to go forward. She accelerated slightly and took off. She managed to go in a straight line, then stop. Without stalling it, she wheeled it backwards. "That was amazing. Now, how do I turn?"

Harry laughed. "Not on grass you don't. Trust me."

***

Harry watched her with pride. In only two days she had come a long way. She was now able to accelerate fluently, turn without a hitch and also had the basics of flying it. Harry was as proud as he could be.

Ron, however was taking a little bit more time. He had managed to wheelie the bike, skid and also, somehow managed to end it up in a tree. Natalie wasn't going on it. She refused, saying that her uncle had been in a horrific accident back home, in Belfast.

Hermione brought the bike down and landed neatly beside Harry. "Where can I get one of these?"

Harry laughed. He had been waiting on this. "You really want one?"

Hermione grinned and nodded. "Take this one. I've been looking for something a little better. Came across one called a Kawasaki Ninja. This one here, has a top speed of at least 180 mph. The ninja, the 600 version has a top speed of 220... Which one's better you think?"

Hermione looked at him, with her head cocked. She had no idea what he was talking about but understood the words 'take this one', 180 mph and 220... "You sure? You want a faster one, that it? Where you going to get the money from?"

Harry scuffed his feet. To be honest, Remus was right. He was rich. He now had the equivalent of one million pounds in his Vault. Sirius' money had been transferred two days ago and when he got the notice of his overall sum, he nearly fainted. He knew that a Ninja, a brand new, 1000 cc motorcycle, capable of at least 300 mph was around £20, 000. He had plenty.

"Um, I got enough. Now, yes or no? I like this bike, yeah, but it's not suited to me... I don't like the way you sit up on it. The bike I'm looking for you actually bend over the tank, to create less drag. Also, when I'm on it, I get the feeling Sirius is watching me. I can't shake it and I just can't deal with it."

Hermione nodded. Again Harry was talking words she didn't know, but she got the meaning. "You mean that? Thank you so much."

Harry accepted the hug then stepped back, a grin on his face. "One thing though... It's getting wrapped up for your birthday."

Hermione turned to him and scowled. She didn't know if he was joking, but doubted it. She had already showed him what she was capable of. He didn't like it.

"You serious?"

Harry looked at her face, then at where her hands were going. He shook his head and grinned. "What do you think? But you'll get it when I get the one I want. Could be a few months, could be tomorrow. But be patient. OK?"

Hermione nodded. She could wait.

***

Harry woke up and stretched. He checked his watch. It was seven o'clock. He got up and dressed, surprised to see Ron and the twins were up before him. He looked at his watch again and knew why. It was the 31st of July, his sixteenth birthday. Now he knew why everyone was up before him. He shrugged and went downstairs.

As he entered the kitchen, a wave of noise hit him. Everyone was there! Dumbledore, plus most of the Order, Hagrid along with Madame Maxime, basically all of Gryffindor house above fourth year and finally, for some strange reason, Dobby. He entered the kitchen as they all sang Happy Birthday, the same way the school song had been sung: with everyone picking their own tune... As usual, Fred and George were last to finish.

"Clear a path, clear a path. Well Harry. It's not every day you're a 16-year-old wizard. Now, as I am sure all of the older ones know, at 16 there is a test that we carry out. It is a simple test to see how well your magical powers are progressing. We can find out some things from this test and law requires it. Now, before we get the celebrations underway, I think we need to be doing this. You can do it here, or we can go somewhere more private. It is up to you."

Harry looked up at Dumbledore and thought for a moment. "Let's do it here. Can't hurt can it?"

Dumbledore looked at him and nodded. "No, it cannot. Now if everyone would clear a path. Thank you. Now Harry, take out your wand. That's it. Hold it like you are about to duel... A. There we go. And what a nice stance you have. Every class of wizard or witch has their own stance. A lot of things can be told form the way you hold a wand. By yours, I see that you like things to be over with fast and sharpish. Am I correct?"

Harry looked at him and nodded. He was spot on. "Good, good," he continued. "Now, let us begin. Now, what I am asking is a simple spell. When it is cast it will take a form and a certain colour. The form is your magical standing and the colour is the available magic you may draw from. Now, this form will be an animal. Every animal ever discovered by Muggle and wizard alike has a meaning so there will be no misdemeanours. Now let us begin. The spell is a simple one. You basically flick your wand and say show macicks. It's that simple. Give it a go now and let's see how you do."

Dumbledore went and stood by Remus, who was watching expectantly. Harry got ready to cast the spell. Before he did, he glanced round the crowd. He saw the look of fear on Ron's face and knew what it meant. If Harry did better than Ron, Ron would never forgive him... He spotted Hermione who gave him the thumbs up. Harry took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He flicked his wand and muttered the words. He waited a moment, and when he heard a few gasps he opened his eyes.

He saw a gold unicorn, sitting before his eyes. It turned to him, winked, and then disappeared. Harry turned to Dumbledore, who had his mouth open. Harry could tell something was wrong. He looked at all of the people there. Remus, like Dumbledore had his mouth open. Mad eye Moody was watching him with that quizzical look. Professor McGonagall was also watching him. Harry turned back to Dumbledore.

"Headmaster?"

"Yes? Oh, sorry. I was just amazed. Now let me explain. The unicorn, as you all know is a very rare and pure magical thing. The fact that it appeared for Harry, I am astounded at. Now, the fact that it is gold probably means that Harry here is the most potent wizard the world has ever seen. Only a few such occurrences have happened before, for very powerful and very good wizards. So Harry here is possibly the most powerful wizard in this very room. I would appreciate if all of you would keep this quiet and not mention it again. Now, let's get on with the celebrating."

Harry shrugged his shoulders. If no one else was going to mention it, he wasn't. He just took it as a good sign. He had learned from last year to keep things to himself, somewhat and not go asking stupid questions when they were not due. Things would sort out, he knew. Harry went and joined Ron, Hermione and Natalie, who were discussing the golden unicorn. When Harry approached Ron closed his mouth.

"Look mate. I know what you're going to say. Again I'm better than you in something. Listen, I don't want to be. I don't need this."

"I was going to congratulate you mate. Am I that predictable?"

Harry nodded, closely followed by Hermione. Hermione slipped her hand into Harry's. "I can tell you don't want to discuss it so I'll keep my mouth shut."

Harry grinned. "Am I that readable?"

"Haha. Come on. Let's go get some breakfast."

Harry and Hermione walked into the kitchen, holding hands. All of the Gryffindor's present turned and looked at them in awed silence. All of the boy's wolf whistled while the girls all ahed. Harry didn't know why. Could have been the fact that he was no longer single, or maybe it was about time he asked Hermione out... He didn't know and didn't really care. They both walked up to the table, their shoulders and heads held high. Harry sat down, followed by Hermione. He then got stuck into the bacon, kippers, eggs, sausages and everything else that was on the table. Natalie sat down beside Ron and helped herself too.

Halfway through the meal, Natalie turned to Mrs Weasley. "You know, you make a great Ulster fry."

Mrs Weasley shrugged and went back to putting more food on the table.

After everyone had breakfast, they all went out to the garden, carrying Harry's presents. By the looks of things, from Harry's perspective, it was a big haul. The sun was splitting the trees on a beautiful day. The temperature must have been around thirty degrees. Everyone sat down, chatting and laughing. Harry picked up his first present. It was from Ron.

He ripped off the paper and out rolled a golden ball. A moment later it grew wings. "Ron, is this a snitch? Why did you buy me a snitch?"

Ron shrugged and his ears turned pink. "Don't you like it?"

"I love it but why a snitch?"

"I seen it and thought of you. A snitch gets manhandled by- Ouch. Sorry. Manhandled and woman handled every Quidditch game and is always in top form. So are you. You always face danger, and always come out without a scratch. So I got it for you as it reminded me of you."

Harry nodded. Ron had a point, though without a scratch was an understatement. Harry needed all of his finger and all of his toes to count the amount of days he had spent in the hospital wing, and that was before first year had ended. He shrugged anyway and went to his second gift.

Harry opened gift after gift, the pile of ripped paper getting higher. Everything seemed to be because it reminded the person who had bought it for him, of him. The possibility was endless. He was relieved when he looked at the last two presents. One from Remus and one from Hermione. He didn't know which to open first, so he closed his eyes and picked one at random. It was Remus'. He ripped the paper off and there was a box. It was a small jewellery box that looked like it held a ring. Harry opened it and there indeed was a ring. It was a band of pure gold, with a small ring of red sapphire in the very centre of it. It was around 2mm thick and made the ring look much more beautiful than just a plain gold ring would look. He held it to his eye, then turned to Remus.

Remus shifted in his seat and looked at him. "It's your father's wedding ring. Your mother had it made for him. His favourite colour was red and seeing as he was a Gryffindor through and through, much like yourself, made it sapphire lined with gold."

Harry looked at him, a tear in his eye. "Thank you Remus." Harry slipped it on his finger and it fitted perfectly. He then turned to the last present. It was a big box, about the size of a big television. Harry ripped off the paper to find a plain cardboard box. He carefully opened it and took out two things. One was a jacket. It was a black and red leather jacket that seemed to have padding on the shoulders, back and arms. The second one was a helmet, again black and red. However, there was a picture of a dragon battling a green snake. The dragon was winning.

"What are these for?"

Hermione pointed to where his motorcycle was parked. "Ah. Thank you very much but why?"

"Well, if you ever take it into a Muggle area and the police see you without that stuff on, you'd probably get arrested. And it offers some protection. I put a little charm I found on it, that protects it from basic curses and jinxes. It and whatever the person wearing it is touching."

"Thank you very much." Harry turned the jacket over. On the back was another picture. It was the same on his helmet. A huge red dragon, battling a green snake. Harry put it on. It fitted like a glove. He put the helmet on and turned to Fred and George. "Well, go on. Try it out. Hit me with a curse."

Fred grinned at George. They both pulled out their wands. Fred yelled "Stupefy" while George yelled " Expelliarmus." A beam of red light and a beam of blue light hit Harry. He stood there and then all of a sudden the two beams of light were reflected back directly at their casters. Fred and George were expecting this and dived out of the way. However, their spells followed and hit them. George's wand was forced out of his hand and into Harry's. Fred was hit by the spell and knocked unconscious. Harry ripped up the visor of the helmet and ran to Fred, throwing George back his wand. Mr Weasley came over and revived Fred. Then, Fred and George both turned to Hermione.

"You're giving us this charm. We'll make a whole bunch of clothing with this charm, to help the Order and the average Joe on the streets. That was amazing."

Hermione laughed as they both spoke in conjunction. She nodded and waved them off. She walked over to Harry. "What do you think?"

Harry pulled the helmet off. "This," he pointed to the leather jacket, "I'm never taking off."

***

That night, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Natalie were all out the back of the Burrow. They could all now fly Harry's bike, very well. His helmet and jacket just gave him more confidence on it. At the moment, Ron was putting the acceleration through its paces, with Natalie sitting on the back. Harry was lying on the grass, Hermione at his side.

"I've been meaning to ask you. How long?"

Harry twisted until he was facing her. "How long what?"

"How long have you had feelings for me?"

Harry shifted uncomfortably. He knew this would come eventually. To be honest, he didn't know. He always knew Ron had feelings for Hermione. Until around third year, when he kind of stopped... "I don't know. A while I think. I've just never known. It was just with... With... With, you know, I just kind of realised it. What about you?"

Harry felt Hermione shrug. "I don't know. Since about third year I think... Then Viktor came along. All of that just made me realise how close a friend you were. Ron was a prat. I had been fighting over the two of you to be honest, but after that fiasco and Scabbers and Crookshanks, I just gave up on him. That's when I turned to you."

Harry nodded. That fitted quite well. He went back to his musings, only coming out when the bike screeched to a halt a millimetre from his head.

"Watch it boyo."

"Harry? That you? Wow. I stopped just in time."

Harry stood up and lunged at Ron. Ron jumped off the bike, which was being supported by Natalie, and sprinted round the garden, Harry close on his heels. Eventually, Harry managed to rugby tackle Ron to the ground. He took out his wand and thought of a good jinx to use on him. He ended up on the Rictusempra spell. Ron broke into uncontrollable fits of laughter. Harry left him there and went to find Hermione sitting astride the bike.

"Do you mind if I?"

Harry shook his head. She started it up and took off. Harry went back to Ron, to finish this the hard way.