Electricity
Harry leaned back against his desk, watching as the students fumbled with their lockpicks. It was a mixed bag—some, like the Ravenclaws, were picking up the technique quickly, while others, like the Gryffindors, seemed to be approaching the locks as though they might explode at any moment.
The Hufflepuffs, bless their earnest hearts, were working together, whispering tips to each other. Meanwhile, the Slytherins had turned the whole exercise into a quiet competition, with Tom Riddle casually observing from his seat, an unreadable expression on his face.
“Not bad,” Harry commented as a Ravenclaw girl clicked her padlock open. “You’ve got a steady hand. Now, let’s see how the rest of you are doing before the locks start rusting.”
A few nervous chuckles rippled through the room, but the tension remained thick. Harry sighed internally. Time to change the mood.
Once the last student finally managed to pop their lock open—with no small amount of swearing—Harry clapped his hands. “Alright, that’s enough lockpicking for today. Good effort, everyone. Now, onto something a bit more... electrifying.”
The students froze.
“Don’t look so scared,” Harry said, pulling a small box out from under his desk. It was a simple device, with a hand crank on the side and wires extending from it. The students leaned forward, their curiosity piqued despite their apprehension.
“This,” Harry began, holding up the device, “is a hand-cranked generator. It’s one of the many ways Muggles harness electricity.”
“Electricity?” a Hufflepuff girl asked, tilting her head.
“Yes, electricity. Think of it as a kind of invisible energy. Muggles use it for light, heat, and even communication. It powers their homes and devices without a single spell.”
“That sounds like magic,” a Gryffindor boy muttered, eyeing the generator warily.
Harry smirked. “It’s not magic, but it might as well be for anyone who doesn’t understand it. Now, let me show you how it works.”
He placed the generator on the desk and connected it to a simple bulb. “When I turn this crank, the generator produces electricity, which flows through the wires and into the bulb. Like this.”
He began cranking, and the bulb flickered to life, glowing faintly at first before brightening. The students gasped, a mix of awe and terror crossing their faces.
“Merlin’s beard,” whispered a Gryffindor boy.
Harry raised an eyebrow. “Merlin had nothing to do with it. This is pure Muggle ingenuity.”
The students leaned closer, their fear momentarily overridden by curiosity. Harry, seeing his chance, pulled out a second device—a simple handheld taser.
“And this,” he said, holding it up, “is another way Muggles use electricity. It’s called a taser. Anyone care to volunteer?”
The room went dead silent.
“No?” Harry grinned. “Don’t worry, I won’t use it on anyone. Watch.”
He pressed the button, and a sharp crackling sound filled the air as blue arcs of electricity danced between the metal prongs. Several students jumped in their seats, and one Hufflepuff boy actually yelped.
“It’s harmless,” Harry assured them, turning the taser off. “Well, mostly harmless. It’s used for self-defense, to incapacitate an attacker without causing permanent damage. A bit like a Stunner, but with no wand required.”
The students were staring at him with wide eyes.
“Can I try?” asked a Hufflepuff girl, her voice tinged with both excitement and caution.
Harry handed her the taser. “Be careful not to point it at anyone.”
She hesitated before pressing the button, flinching as the device sparked to life. The rest of the class leaned away from her, some looking ready to dive under their desks.
“This is brilliant,” she said, grinning as she handed the taser back.
“Glad you think so,” Harry said, setting the device down. “Now, imagine a world where Muggles have figured out how to power entire cities with this kind of energy. They’ve built machines, vehicles, and communication networks—all without magic. That’s the power of electricity.”
The room fell silent as the students processed his words.
“Professor,” came a voice from the back. It was Riddle. His tone was polite, but there was a glint in his eyes that set Harry’s nerves on edge. “If Muggles are capable of such feats, do you think wizards are... falling behind?”
Harry met Riddle’s gaze, his expression unreadable. “Not falling behind, Mr. Riddle. Just different. Magic and technology are two sides of the same coin. Both have their strengths, and both have their limitations.”
Riddle tilted his head, as if considering this, but said nothing more.
“Alright,” Harry said, clapping his hands again. “That’s enough for today. Your homework is to write a short essay on how electricity compares to magic and why Muggles have relied on it instead of wands. Dismissed.”
The students filed out quickly, whispering among themselves about the “sparking thing” and the glowing bulb. Harry watched them go, his eyes lingering on Riddle, who was the last to leave.
As the door closed behind him, Harry sighed. “This job’s going to be the death of me.”
Then, as an afterthought, he smirked. “If only that were possible.”