--- The Eternal Lost Lurker
<lurkerdrome@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

This, then, becomes the issue--how would a boy whose
entire existence is as
a collection of files and data stored on a complex
electronic appliance then
attend Hogwarts?

Magic, no no da.

THAT would be the purpose of the story. ^_^

I'd have to disagree.

---

"I assure you, the offer is quite sincere, and was
properly addressed."

Lan was stiil standing straight against the wall,
letting fear into his reflexes so it would not take
over his mind.  Little did he know that Dumbledore
could see this, and highly approved of the tactic.
He did know that, with his mother out shopping, there
was no one but himself and his navi to witness this
intruder into their house - but he had promised he was
only here to answer questions, and so far he was true
to his word.

"But...he's dead!"

"I know that.  Yet he lives on, in that device of
yours.  Your full twin brother, now, thanks to your
father's manipulation.  Now, if you would kindly turn
it on, I would like to speak with him."

The PET's screen flickered on.  "I'm here.  I've been
listening the entire time," Megaman's annoyed voice
echoed even before his image appeared.

"Oh, sorry.  I'm afraid I am not the most familiar
with the new devices.  Have I said something to offend
you?"

"Yeah.  You want me to abandon Lan."

Lan blinked.  He had been focussing on the absurdity
of a navi attending a human school, but a moment's
thought revealed Megaman's point: if the navi was
there, he was not also by Lan's side.

"Hmm," the old man replied.  "Yes, yes I suppose you
would think that I am.  But I assure you I am not."

"What, are you going to copy me or something?"

"In a manner of speaking.  Forgive me for what I am
about to do; it is reversible if you wish, but I do
not think you will believe it without experiencing
it."

"Wha-"

"NAVIKO AVATARUS!"

Lan's pupils shrank from the flash.  They shrank
further when it faded to reveal Megaman, in the
flesh, between them.

"You have a Mr. Potter to thank for this spell.  He
adapted it specifically for modern artificial
intelligences, such as navis."

"Whoa..."  Megaman looked around, taking in the new
sensations, new motions, and...

"Oh, I get it!  It's a remote-controlled robot," his
voice came from the PET.  "Cute."

"Not quite, but close."  Dumbledore tapped Megaman's
arm.  "That's real flesh and blood in there, not the
mechanical golem you are familiar with.  A robot
could never function at Hogwart's; too much
interference.  Besides, I am given to understand that
most robots, at least the ones around here, are
particularly prone to a possession by, what were they
called, 'viruses'?  This body has no such weakness."

"Still..."  Both Megamans shrugged in unison, but
only the PET made sound.  "Thanks for the offer, but
I don't want to waste your time.  Even this way - and
I assume you've got solutions to any other technical
questions I'd have, like communicating through that
interference - I'd still have to divide my attention
between studying at your school and helping Lan.
Thanks, but no thanks.  Virus busting and schoolwork
both deserve full concentration."

"Did I mention the school is near England?  Most of
your studies would be while Lan sleeps, and I
understand you do not require sleep."

"I dunno.  Lan and I have been up pretty late before.
And you said 'most', not 'all'."

---

...et cetera, and so forth.  I'm sure someone can see
a way around this.  Perhaps I could, with a little
more effort.  But a good way to overcome this escapes
me at this moment.

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