Our American Cousin

Authors Note: Warning Merry Sue alert. This is a Merry Sueish episode. You have been warned so don't say I didn't warn you.

XIV

A Type of Modern Magic

Sara was one of those people who had ability to make herself either the centre of attention or simply blend into the background. Since she was a good three inches taller than the tallest of the Gryffindor girls the latter was a bit of a trick. However, today Sara felt a need to be dramatic, especially since if this little experiment worked, she would become rather wealthy.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Sara started out in a voice that got most of the common room's attention, "I would like you all, if it is not too much trouble, to participate in an experiment. An experiment, that if successful, will enrich and diversify your lives." Several of the students edged forward to where Sara was standing like a carnival hawker. "Many of you will recognize this." Sara pulled away a sheet from a table to reveal what appeared to be a standard compact CD set up. "I know what many of you are thinking. 'Who would be fool enough to bring a CD player into Hogwarts? It would never work.' For a normal piece of electronics, that would be true; however, this is a prototype, the first in a line of electronics designed specifically for the modern wizard and witch. Yes folks_this little contraption should, in theory, play ordinary Muggle compact discs, even in a high magic environment such as a Hogwarts common room." Sara gave the students a moment to talk among themselves. " 'How does it work?' you ask yourself. 'What could possibly run such a miraculous device?' Well, let me tell you _ the heart of this baby are these." Sara pulled out two glowing sticks about the size of golf pencils. "Magical batteries. You see, instead of attempting to build in an anti-magic field, like some have tried in the past, Wizarding Electronics of Seattle, Washington has created a CD player that runs off of magic itself." Sara dropped the two rods into two slots at the top of the machine, bringing it to life. By this time Sara could see the ideas in the eyes of every Muggleborn student in the room. Images of music, television, and computers danced in their heads, while images of stock dividends danced in Sara's. "Now, if I can get a volunteer from the audience. You sir," she pointed to Colin Creevy who seemed to have the brightest glint in his eye. Colin stepped forward. "Now, if you will verify that this is a standard Muggle CD case." Sara handed him a small folder of music. Colin flipped it around and nodded. "Good. Now, if you would open it up and remove a CD of your choice." After a moment he pulled out a white disk that said 'random dance mix 1' and handed it over. "Thank you sir. Now, ladies and gentlemen, if I could have silence. We are about to enter a new age for wizarding kind. Soon all the advantages of Muggle entertainment and communication technology may be available to the wizarding world."

Sara flipped open the single CD holder and dropped in the mix, then closed the door with a click. The disk spun up to speed, ready to play. 'Good sign,' Sara thought to herself. Then, holding her breath, Sara hit Play. For a moment there was silence; then she turned the little knob marked Volume, and soon the strains of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" came clear and steady from the speakers. There was a cheer as several older students began to dance. After a few minutes Sara cast a silence spell over that corner of the common room so others would have a chance to study. A couple of the Muggleborn students and Harry dragged Sara to the side.

"Ok_where do I get one?" Hermione asked.

"Like I said, it's a prototype. If it survives the night I'll send in a favorable report and they'll go into production. Should have them on the market for Christmas."

"What else have they got?" Dennis Creevy asked.

"They also sent me a portable player I'm testing tomorrow. There aren't as many high magic areas in the states. Not like Hogwarts. This was the final test. If it doesn't crap out, Wizarding Electronics is going to be the first and biggest in the European market."

"And you're invested, aren't you?" Hermione asked. Sara shrugged.

"Maybe a little."

"Well, put me down for a portable mp3 player when they get out." Sara blinked a few times.

"Those just hit the norm market. They won't be big or affordable for another five years."

"Call me in five years then. Come on Harry." Hermione grabbed his arm. "I want to dance."

Several hours later, Minerva McGonagall was doing a bed check and expected to find the common room quiet. Instead, in one corner, most of her seventh years seemed to be moving rhythmically to something unheard. Pushing into the mix she winced at the volume of some sort of Muggle music. She also blinked at Harry Potter_shy self-effacing Harry Potter_in his shirt sleeves, moving in a highly provocative manner, sandwiching Hermione Granger between himself and Ron Wesley. She thought about breaking it up, but it was Saturday night. She suddenly remembered a smuggled-in record from her own school days, and a charmed player that scratchily put out swing music, full of trumpets and drum solos. By this time most of the students had stopped dancing and were looking at her. Someone had turned the music down.

"Don't stay up too late Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," she finally said. "You have Quidditch practice tomorrow, I believe." Minerva left a somewhat stunned common room. Once in the hall, she did a couple of steps to a song remembered from seventy years ago. "Now that was dancing" she said to the dark castle.

Anthony -

The testing of the two units you sent me was completely successful. I'm including my big word report for the board. Tell everyone that you NEED to be in full production by Christmas. I want 5% off every sale at Hogwarts and 2.5% for the rest of England. I've already had questions about portable mp3 players, PDA's, cell phones, digital cameras, and laptops. If I were you I'd throw everything made this Christmas right back to R&D. I'll do my best to make the next conference call but I think Christmas is probably the soonest I can get to a phone. Thanks for the coffee. Live long and prosper.

Sara

P.S. Just to show how much I love you I'm including a picture of me in my school uniform to amuse your anime-warped mind. Yes_those are pleats and knee socks.

Sara folded the note into a large flat envelope and handed it to the lady across the counter at the Hogsmeade post office.

"I need this to get to Seattle, Washington, the USA as quick as possible." The woman squinted at the Muggle address.

"For twenty galleons we can get it shipped airborne express overnight." Sara winced and handed over the money.

"I don't suppose you know if there's a real telephone anywhere in town?"

"A Muggle one?"

"Yeah."

"Closest is the town of Richinwick, about thirty miles east of here." Sara, having already made the flight once, was not keen on doing it again.

"Anyone there on the floo network?" she asked desperately.

"Nope. You got to fly or apparate to about a mile out of town, then walk in." Sara looked out into the damp, rainy weather. In New Mexico a thirty mile flight would have been nothing, but the clouds were thickening over Hogwarts.

"Alright, thanks."