Harry Potter in Arcadia

Harry was helping to carry an LVL, a manmade material for structural support, through the front door of the synagogue.

The contractor that Saul Polanski had hired using the insurance payout and the donations of his members was related to the man who had done the original surveying. Although the complete plans were not yet done, the new plans on the subfloor and the floor was ready – and Harry had been bored.

He had volunteered to work for the contractor for no charge. The volunteers, for the most part, wouldn't be really used until the basic structure was done. All safety, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, and structural elements had to be done with a licensed contractor.

So, Harry had volunteered and Saul had asked the man to accommodate him.

Elijah Marks watched as the crew brought in the new beam which would go up the center of the building. The man Saul had asked him to take on was actually a very good worker. And he worked for free. Since Elijah was charging much less than he could because it was a synagogue, every little cost-cutting item counted.

Elijah really wanted to finish the basic part today. He looked up at the temporary beams holding the walls. They would have to stay in place until the floor was done and the beams were set to hold the roof. The roof was actually missing – the old one was far too damaged to be repaired and the weight was a bit much for a shell not fully braced. So, this had been Elijah's first step.

Then the temporary braces. Then tear out the floor. Half of the building was on an old rubblestone/granite foundation. The front half was cinderblock. The front half also had a basement – this would be totally dedicated to the mechanicals.

The building would have offices, classrooms, library, a kosher kitchen, bathrooms, as well as a very large area for services. Entrance from the front was through a door which was above the basement – and about three feet off the ground. Entrance at the side was at ground level – the extra three feet would allow the main synagogue hall to be taller.

All in all, it would be a beautiful facility.

It took all day, but the main structural elements of the floor had been completed. The beams which would run below the main synagogue hall had been laid. About half the floor joists had also been installed. The front of the building had also had the main beams and posts constructed.

The crew, in good spirits, finished for the day and went home.

Harry, however, discretely cleaned himself up and sat on the bench which was still in the front of the building. Soon, Saul – who had been getting an update from Elijah – joined him.

"Hello, Harry. How are you today?" Saul asked as he sat down.

With a nod of greeting, Harry replied, "I'm doing well. I think we got a lot done."

"Elijah showed me. He was quite satisfied with your work."

"That's good. I'm not certain how much longer I'll be in town but it's been a joy to work on this."

Saul looked at the building and sighed. "I just wish that it hadn't been necessary. This building has been a synagogue since 1926. In the early years, there were many in the community that tried to force its closing. After World War II, sympathy for the Jewish people because of the holocaust allowed it to expand. I took it over as almost twenty years ago. This is the first time in all of those year in which services have not been held." He looked at Harry. "It has been a painful process."

Harry, he noted, was looking at the building with a serene look. He didn't even turn his head as he asked, "What do you know of phoenixes?"

Saul was taken aback by the question. "I believe it is a mythological bird from Greek mythology. The story is that it dies in fire and is reborn from the ashes. The tale has a solid foundation in western culture and is often used whenever it is implied that something new grows from destruction. In the Torah, a reference is made to a 'chol'. Many Raabbinacal scholars have interpreted this as a phoenix or a bird very much like a phoenix."

Harry turned his head and Saul was almost taken aback by Harry's look. "Interesting birds, phoenixes. The phoenix … in mythology (and why did Saul think that this was a misdirection) … the phoenix is a creature of fire." He looked back to the building. "As they get old and approach the end of a cycle, they experience what very much is like old age in humans. Really wretched looking, and they feel pretty sorry for themselves. And suddenly – suddenly they burst into flames."

Harry smiled as he looked off. (He looked like he was remembering, Saul thought.) "It's a surprise when it happens. When they're reborn, they are quite weak. You sift through the ashes and there is the phoenix reborn as a chick. But with proper care, they grow quickly, almost magically, and soon come into their own. They are creatures of light and no darkness can abide the cry of a phoenix. Their song is beautiful and gives hope to those that hear it. They can lift extremely large burdens. And, their tears can heal even the most grievous of injuries."

Harry turned his head back and looked at Saul. "Your synagogue is in the early stages: Weak, and not altogether pretty yet. But, like a phoenix, with proper care and a bit of love, it can grow quickly and soon be stronger than it was. Everything dies. But the story of the phoenix tells us that everything can also be reborn."

Harry stood. "I'll be back tomorrow. Have a good night, Rabbi."

Saul quickly stood and nodded to Harry as he walked off. Saul watched for a moment and then turned back and considered his synagogue.

For the next several days, Harry worked with the crew at the synagogue until the basic frame was completed and the temporary braces could be removed. He would take a break as the crew was working on the roof – and Elijah didn't want anyone working on that who wasn't an actual employee: Too much legal liability involved.

So, Harry decided it was time to check in with Joan. A phone call assured him that she would be working. So, at 11:00 he made his way to the store he had first met her in.

He walked in the door. He heard, "Hi! Can I help … Oh. Hello, Harry."

He grinned at the girl. "Hello, Joan. How are you this fine day?" He yelled this with a great deal of enthusiasm – much more than her mood would seem to be able to deal with if he read her right.

He was right. She gave him an evil look. "I'm fine." She took a breath and calmed down. "I finished what you asked. I even have begun writing down everything that's happened," she looked to make sure they were alone and then whispered, "with God."

Harry chuckled. "There's no one here but us, right? You can talk normally."

Joan got a pouting look. "I'm just trying to avoid crazy camp again."

Harry could tell that was something that had upset her, so he decided to stop being an ass. "Well, I'm sure it was enlightening."

Joan became more interested as she replied. "Yeah! It's been kind of cool looking back and explaining every time I saw Him … or Her, or whatever." She sighed. "It kind of makes me wonder what I was thinking sometimes."

Harry smiled at her. "It's part of growing up. If you can look back at what you've done before and honestly have to ask yourself, 'What was I thinking?' – you know you've matured since then, gotten better."

Joan smiled ruefully. "Well, I've matured a LOT apparently."

"So, where's your book?"

Joan went to her bag and pulled her journal out and reached out with it.

"No. Now I have to show you how to key someone in. Even though I set up the security, I can't open it."

Joan was surprised. "Wow. That's nice!"

"Open the cover."

She did that.

"Remember the square that you originally bled on?"

She looked at the book. "Yeah. Right here." She pointed to it.

"Put your finger on it and say, 'I give permission for Harry Potter, one day."

She repeated what he said. "Okay. For around 24 hours, I'll be able to read it. To permanently key someone in, you'd have to prick your thumb, have that person prick their thumb and both put a drop of blood on the square at the same time. But," and he took on a serious look, "once you give them permission, it's permanent."

Joan took on a nervous look. "What's the maximum with just saying it?"

Harry thought about it. "I don't know. If it works like most magical rituals, probably a year and a day."

Joan looked curious. "Rituals?"

Harry nodded. "You're really performing a simple ritual when you give permission. You don't need a witness. Keying you in was a blood ritual."

Joan looked slightly anxious. "I don't know, that sounds kind of … arcane."

Harry looked at Joan with a deadpan look. "Magic IS arcane."

Joan looked embarrassed. "Yeah. Well. There is that." Once again, she calmed her face. "So, I've given permission. So here." She handed over the book. "It's on the second page. And then there's more on pages sixty through sixty-two." Harry looked surprised. "Yeah. I've been out of school – had a lot of time to write. Once I got into it, I just kind of kept going."

Harry opened the book and started reading. Page two had pretty much what she had told him before. Instead of pushing to the pages she told him about, he continued skimming through.

Joan realized what he was doing. "Hey! Some of that stuff is private!"

Harry looked at her with an annoyed look. "Who am I going to tell? And besides, I've been a teenager and had teenage girls as friends. I know basically what they think about and it doesn't bother me. Besides, I'm probably going to be gone soon and likely for good – so you don't have to worry about me being judgmental."

She reluctantly left him alone to finish after that.

At one point Harry said, "Joan?"

She looked over from where she was playing solitaire at the front computer. "Yeah?"

"You need to learn how to spell."

She gave him a look. "Yeah. Whatever. It's not for school or for other people to read."

"Still, it's a good habit to get into."

She shrugged and went back to her game.

Finally, he finished what she had written. He closed the book and thought about it. It was quite an interesting history. It wasn't as dramatic as his own, but she definitely was somewhat of a kindred spirit: Trying to do the right thing, not knowing exactly why she was being directed.

He sighed.

Joan looked over and noticed Harry was done. She was nervous. "So, what's the verdict?"

He looked at her with a friendly smile. "I think you've done a pretty good job. My childhood kind of taught me my attitude and skills. It's the basis for how and why I do things. You, however, didn't have that. You were a typical teenage girl with no special training and were kind of flung into the thick of it. For all of that – I'm quite impressed with you."

Joan looked at Harry in shock. No one who knew her or who had been around her for the last two years had ever said anything like that. There were instances, here and there, where she had received praise – but usually it was fleeting or "You lucked out" or "You did a great job – for a crazy woman."

God gave her encouragement, but never really explained and rarely explained afterword – seeming to feel that her success was expected. That was alright for God – but she was a teenage girl and she liked approval.

No one had just given that approval – with no expectation or agenda. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

They were distracted by the tinkle of the door. They both looked over. Joan and Harry both recognized Him. This was Cute-boy God. Harry hadn't seen this version yet, but the description was pretty clear in her journal.

"Hello, Joan. Hello, Harry."

Joan gave a wave. Harry said, "Hello. You know what I'm thinking, right?"

God sighed. One of His normal flippant responses would just exemplify Harry's point. "Yeah. But you should say it."

Harry looked at Joan briefly (she looked curious) and then addressed the Deity. "You're God. You react like God and you think like God – no matter how well you allow this miniscule portion of reality to relate to you. I imagine thinning your consciousness down to our level takes some effort?"

God smiled at that. "Sometimes."

"Well, just a small thing: Joan respects You. She follows You – even if it's reluctant at times. And she loves You. But she's human and a cheerful 'Well Done' at times would go a long way toward her better relating to You. You might have Billions of years of practice in relating to your creations, but Your creations have to practice relating to you."

God looked at Harry expectantly. "And how about you? Are you practicing relating to Me?"

Harry grinned sheepishly. "Me? I'm still learning – and I've been doing this for MUCH longer than she has." He had a thought and God nodded slightly.

He then turned to Joan, who way staring at the two wide-eyed. "Joan?"

"Yeah?"

"You have a dollar?"

Joan was confused. "Yeah."

"Grab it and let's go out the front door."

The two went to the door and outside. There wasn't much happening – most people were at work or at home. But there were a few people appearing for the lunch hour.

"Take the dollar and let it be taken by the breeze."

Joan looked at him like he was crazy for a moment but then sighed and did as he asked. "Watch it."

The dollar bill blew a few feet and then paused. Another gust took it further. Finally, Joan saw it blow right next to a little girl, who suddenly saw it and picked it up. Even though she was too far to hear what was being said, she could see the little girl talking excitedly to her mother and pointing to an ice cream shop. Her other looked down, looked around to see if someone appeared to have lost the dollar, and then back down. She said something, and it was obvious that the girl was even more excited. The two then made their way over to the shop.

Harry led Joan back in. "Now. I have a question."

Joan, who was looking confused, replied, "Okay?"

"What value did that have?"

Joan thought about it. "Maybe …the little girl was suicidal and getting an ice cream cheered her up? And she's going to grow up and figure out how to cure cancer?"

Harry sighed and shook his head. "Try again."

Joan gave two more possibilities that showed she understood how life was interconnected, but she was reaching too far.

"Joan? You think too much."

"Huh?"

"Look outside."

Looking outside, Joan saw the little girl and mother walking past the store. The little girl was eating a small cone of ice cream. The girl saw Joan looking at her and waved. Joan waved back.

"Maybe you were right. Maybe it's a small part of a great cosmic event. But you're ignoring the obvious: There's a smile on a child's face. That's it. Nothing else. A momentary and easily forgotten moment of joy for a random stranger that will no effect beyond that one little thing. Does it matter that the girl doesn't know that you sent the dollar on its way?"

Joan shook her head. "Do you feel the need to go out and tell the girl how wonderful you were in sending the dollar and starting the chain?"

Joan shrugged and said, "No."

Harry smiled at her. "And do you need me or your mother or even God to tell you that you did a good job?"

"No."

"Now – consider all the bad consequences. What if that girl was just on the edge of being diabetic and this little incident pushed it over the edge?"

Joan looked horrified. "No!"

Harry shushed her. "No, it's probably not like that. My point is: Everything is related. And you really don't need to know the final result in order to know one thing: Something you did had an effect. And since God is involved – it's not likely it was a bad effect. Even if the girl got diabetes now, maybe if she didn't get it now she'd get it in three months – after her family moved away from the doctor who could have caught it and prevented her from going into a diabetic coma from an untreated condition."

Joan was once again wide-eyed. She looked over at God, who was looking at the two calmly.

Harry looked over. "Can you explain the results?"

Joan said quietly, "Ripples."

God smiled and said, "The little girl found the dollar which made her happy. Wanting to share in her newfound fortune (her free will) she convinced her mother to use her extra quarter and another fifty cents to buy her little brother an ice cream too – she had it in the bag (the mother's free will). When they get to the daycare, the little girl will give her brother the ice cream. Wanting to show his friend how great his sister is, he shares it with his friend (the boy's free will). Because the boy's friend got to have ice cream, he's going to not be as hungry when his mother picked him up at 3:00. And because he isn't as hungry, he won't yell in the back seat of the car, distracting his mother. Because she isn't distracted she will see the red light she would have missed – and now, the little boy will be able to go home tonight without a concussion from the accident. Life goes on."

Harry nodded even as Joan tried to work things through in her head. "And, what would have happened if Joan had NOT dropped the dollar."

God shrugged. "The girl would have been just as cheerful as before. She would have convinced her mother to buy her candy because she saw a teenager with spikes and chains walking down the street eating a candy bar. She would still given some to her brother. Who would have shared – the mother taught her children to always share in their good fortune (her free will there based on her own upbringing). The candy would have had more sugar and when he shared it with his friend, the friend would have been sleepy and not caused a fuss. The mother sees the red light. Everyone goes home."

Joan was confused. "Wait! So the accident would have been avoided anyway?"

Harry put a hand on her shoulder. "What would have happened if the girl hadn't brought anything for her brother? If she had decided he didn't need it and she deserved it more? That she didn't need to share?"

God looked at Joan as he said, "A week from now a line of cars would be driving down this road toward the cemetery. Carrying a coffin for a four-year-old boy who never woke up from the coma he had slipped into after receiving a concussion in a car accident."

Joan asked in a whisper, "So I saved his life?"

Harry shook his head again. "Did I save his life by making you drop the dollar?"

"Weeell, kind of."

"Did the little girl save the boy's life by sharing?"

"Umm. Yeah?"

"Or did He save the boy's life by causing the chain of events? Or the mother by teaching her daughter to share?"

Joan tried to think of it all and got frustrated. She closed her eyes as she yelled, "What does it matter? His life was saved!"

"Exactly!"

Joan raised hear head and opened her eyes. "Huh?"

Harry smiled at her. "Do you need to claim the life saved? Is it really all that important?"

Joan sighed. "I guess not. It's just nice to know."

Harry shrugged. "If your dollar wasn't involved, you wouldn't have had anything to do with it. A child is cheered, a life is saved. And it had not much to do with you at all. The universe lives on whether the boy survived or not. But maybe, just maybe, it's a bit of a brighter place by you doing your small little part. A small action. It might be inconsequential or huge. But you did it regardless. It cost you a small sacrifice. He could have ignored your sacrifice and used his original plan. And then used your sacrifice for something else. In the end – the whole world is part of God's plan. Whether you're involved or not."

Harry shrugged. "I think it just makes it a bit easier if you – and everyone else – does their small little parts to make it a bit easier for Him."

Joan considered that. She looked at Harry, out the window, back to Harry, and then back to God. She walked over and, surprisingly (she wasn't the type to normally do this outside of her family) she threw her arms around the Cute Boy avatar of the Almighty.

"Thanks for using my dollar to save the boy's life."

Harry decided that perhaps, just perhaps, Joan was finally getting it.

A/N: Google "Acts of Random Kindness." It's an interesting concept. Perhaps God uses us all at times. And is that such a bad thing?

"Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end."

—Scott Adams
Creator of Dilbert Comic Strip