Muggle Mysteries
TK, seemingly unfazed by Harry's admission of being a wizard, whipped out a device that looked like a small brick with a screen. "This is a phone," he said, tapping the screen with his thumb. "It's how we muggles communicate over long distances."
"Incredible," Harry murmured, leaning in to examine the object. "We have something similar, but it requires magic to work."
TK chuckled, punching in a few numbers. "This doesn't run on spells," he said. "It's all science and tech. Hold on." He put the phone to his ear and began speaking rapidly. "Judd, you're not going to believe who I've got here."
As they walked, Harry's eyes darted from one marvel to the next. Cars, phones, electric lights—everything was so...ordinary, yet extraordinary. The muggles bustled about, unaware of the wizard in their midst. They talked into their devices, called for help, and moved with a purpose that was both fascinating and eerily familiar to Harry.
"This is amazing," Harry said, his voice filled with awe as TK explained the inner workings of a smartphone. "So much knowledge at your fingertips. It's like a portkey to the world, but you don't actually go anywhere."
"And you can talk to anyone, anywhere," Carlos added, holding up his own phone. "No floo powder or owl post necessary."
The three of them approached a pile of rubble that was once a house. TK's expression grew serious. "We heard a kid trapped in here. Can you help us?"
"Of course," Harry said, his wizard instincts kicking in. He took a deep breath and raised his wand, feeling a little foolish. "I've got it," he murmured, and with a flick of his wrist, a path through the debris cleared, revealing a small hand sticking out.
The two men stared at him, their mouths agape. "How did you do that?" TK asked, his eyes wide.
"Magic," Harry said with a shrug, trying to play it cool despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He'd never used his wand in front of muggles before, but the situation called for it.
TK and Carlos helped him through the rest of the rescue, their eyes glancing at Harry's wand every now and then with a mix of curiosity and fear. They pulled out a small child, her eyes filled with tears and her dress dusty. She clung to her mother, who had been waiting anxiously outside the ruins. The mother's eyes met Harry's, filled with a silent gratitude that transcended any language barrier.
As the day rolled on, Harry found himself more and more fascinated by the muggle world. The way they used simple tools to perform Herculean tasks was nothing short of wizardry to him. He watched as TK and Carlos communicated with their devices, coordinating efforts and calling for more help. The ease with which they interacted with their surroundings, the trust they placed in machines, was a stark contrast to the careful dance of spells and incantations he knew back home.
They took him to a place called a "diner" where they consumed something called "hamburgers" and "fries." The food was greasy and delicious, and Harry marveled at the speed with which it was prepared. There was no cauldron, no simmering potions, just a flurry of activity behind a counter and a sizzling grill. The absence of magic was palpable, a strange emptiness that resonated through every plastic cup and paper plate. Yet, the warmth of the people and the buzz of their conversations filled the void.
TK and Carlos listened with rapt attention as Harry recounted tales of his battles with dark wizards and magical creatures. Their eyes grew wide with each new revelation, their jaws dropping at the mention of Quidditch matches and magical duels. They were a captive audience, their questions coming in a steady stream as Harry tried to bridge the gap between their worlds. He spoke of Dumbledore's wisdom, the loyalty of his friends, and the weight of the prophecy that had been placed upon him.
In between bites of his burger, Harry took in the sights and sounds of the diner. The clanging of metal on metal, the sizzle of the grill, and the smell of cooking oil were a symphony to his ears. The neon lights flickered, casting a warm glow over the chrome surfaces and worn booths. The muggles around them chatted away, oblivious to the incredible story unfolding in their midst.