Sufficiently Advanced Technology…

…is indistinguishable from magic. – Arthur C. Clarke

Author(s): The Rocket Scientists

Disclaimer: DC owns Bat universe. J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter universe. We own nothing (waaah). No money changing hands (waaah).

Rating: PG

Feedback: Feedback welcomed! Flames will be used to light Bunsen burners.

Summary: Batman/HP crossover. While investigating a series of mass murders in England, Batman spends his spare time trying to work out the technology behind Hogwarts magic.

A/N: This story takes place before Robin #125.

PROLOGUE

Batman stepped off the teleporter pad, marched to the Watchtower conference room, and took his seat at the table. He had never liked being abruptly summoned away from his own business to an impromptu meeting, and today was no different. Or was it? Looking around, he saw not only his Justice League colleagues, but members of the Outsiders and Titans as well. His eyes narrowed beneath his cowl as he performed a quick mental review of recent world news. What emergency would call all three teams of heroes to the Watchtower?

Superman took the podium. "I have called you all here," he began, "because of a potential threat to all humanity. As you may or may not be aware, there has been–"

"–a series of unexplained mass murders in the United Kingdom," rumbled Batman.

Superman glared at him. "You could at least have let me finish my introduction," he grumbled under his breath. In a louder tone, he continued, "Batman is correct. Entire villages in England, Scotland, and Wales have just…died. In each village, the victims appear to have simply dropped in their tracks within a few minutes of each other. Plant and animal life was left untouched, but the entire human population of the village was wiped out. There is no evidence indicating biochemical attacks, and local and national police have found no clues as to either the cause or the perpetrators of the deaths. The attacks appear to be escalating in frequency, and Her Majesty's government has now asked us to step in."

A spirited discussion broke out at this point.

"Could there be an extraplanetary cause?" "It must be Darkseid!" "Perhaps it's a meta – maybe one of those left over from the old Soviet Union – you know, like the KGBeast." "I bet it's one of those mind-control masters." "Nah, it's gotta be some kinda specialized radiation."

Perhaps 'discussion' was not the right word. 'Discussion' implied some sort of order, procedure, rational exchange of ideas, all of which were totally lacking in this loud session of haphazard speculation. Superman seemed willing to let the chaos go on indefinitely, but Batman had a much lower tolerance level for wasted time.

"Enough." His voice was not loud, but there was a tone in it which silenced everyone else in the room.

"This is no better than random guesswork. You are hypothesizing without any data. Someone needs to examine the evidence before coming up with a theory," he growled.

The members of the Justice League looked at each other. Then Superman voiced the thought that was in everyone's mind.

"Good point, Batman. Who else do you want on your team?"

Batman's eyes narrowed dangerously, and his voice dropped another octave. "My team?"

Superman didn't flinch.

"Well, you did just volunteer, didn't you? Besides, this sounds like a job requiring your specialized skills."

Batman took in a deep breath and glared at him. Superman gazed calmly back. After a few moments, Batman exhaled slowly.

"If I must. You can reach me in London. I won't require a team, though."

"Yes, as a matter of fact, you will. The official request for aid specified representatives from all three teams. That's why everyone was called to this meeting."

Rolling his eyes under his cowl, Batman stood and placed both hands flat on the table. "Fine. Nightwing, Robin, you're with me." He turned and stalked out of the room.

Nightwing and Robin looked at each other, grinned, rose from their seats, nodded to Superman, and followed their mentor out the door.

"LATEST IN SERIES OF MASS MUGGLE KILLINGS! Ministry Declares He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named Prime Suspect!"

Hermione Granger read the latest Daily Prophet headline out loud to everyone at breakfast in the Burrow's kitchen.

Ron Weasly groaned. "Same old, same old," he said. "Didn't they figure that out months ago?"

His father let out an exasperated breath. "Yes, Ron, as a matter of fact, they did. They've been trying to keep a lid on it, but the killings have gotten to the point that even the Muggle government is taking official notice. So the Ministry finally decided that everyone in the wizarding world should be alerted."

"But the wizarding community can't really do anything directly against Voldemort, can they," put in Harry Potter, belatedly sighing as everyone except Hermione flinched when he said the Dark Lord's name.

"Now that you mention it…" began Hermione, her voice trailing off thoughtfully.

"Mention what, Hermione?" Ron's sister, Ginny, asked.

"Well, you know, Harry's right…aside from Harry's wand, there is no magical weapon that can even touch Voldemort. So I was thinking…if magic isn't effective against him…is there some sort of Muggle technology that might work?"

There was a dead silence as everyone gaped at her in disbelief, followed by a roar of laughter from Ron.

"C'mon…Hermione…" he gasped. "Muggles can't even…find Hogwarts castle…let alone You-Know-Who. How could you expect them to be able to fight him? Throw a…whaddayoucallit…fellytone at him?"

Hermione looked affronted, but before she could retort, Mrs. Weasly broke in.

"It's time to leave, everyone. Harry, dear, do you have everything? Ginny, where's your trunk? Hermione, don't forget Crookshanks! Ron, did you remember your broom? Hurry, everyone, we don't want you to miss your train!" In the ensuing bustle, Hermione barely had time to glare at Ron. By the time they reached King's Cross Station, the idea had been completely forgotten.

TO BE CONTINUED…