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Ian planned to create only fifty copies in the first batch, and then make adjustments based on user feedback. He wasn't concerned about completing the most intricate and labor-intensive enchantments.
Not long ago, he had discovered a fascinating detail in Hogwarts: A Secret History. The book described an ancient alchemical artifact hidden within the castle— the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance.
These enchanted objects determined Hogwarts' incoming students, recording their names the moment they exhibited magic, and they operated with unparalleled accuracy.
This, Ian realized, was the key and inspiration for his own Marauder's Map!
"Thank you, great ancestors. Thank you, Hogwarts founders. Thank you, Hogwarts itself… and, of course, thank you, my brilliant little brain."
He had no idea how the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance worked, nor why their magic extended across all of Britain.
Even modern alchemists had failed to unravel their secrets. It was said that no human hand had turned their pages since the four founders placed them within the highest tower of the castle.
But—
Did that really matter?
Ian didn't need to understand their inner workings completely—only how to borrow their principles to bind similar magic to the enchanted parchment he was crafting.
Success wasn't guaranteed.
But he was at least 80 to 90 percent confident.
"Ah, I almost forgot— thank you, Professor Mara, for your excellent teachings!" Ian added, feeling that his former alchemy professor deserved some credit as well.
He continued inspecting the fragment of Professor Mara's old robe, a piece he had salvaged for study.
Finishing the map would require some night-time exploration— he needed to find the tower where the Book of Admittance and the Quill of Acceptance were kept. Fortunately, there was still a fair bit of time before his afternoon classes.
His two roommates, William and Michael, still hadn't returned.
One was probably holed up somewhere, deeply immersed in study. The other? Most likely running around trying to procure some sweets for the latest girl he was hopelessly infatuated with. Ian felt he understood both of them all too well by now.
"Whoosh!"
Just as Ian was scribbling down notes, a small figure suddenly appeared in front of him.
"Micky brings lunch for the learned Mr. Prince!"
It was Micky, the house-elf Ian had met in the Hogwarts kitchens, balancing a plate of sizzling steak.
Unlike the usual black-pepper-seasoned fare served at dinner, this steak was coated in a rich, red sauce filled with fiery chilies—likely just plucked from the castle's greenhouses.
"Much appreciated, my hardworking elf friend." Ian was momentarily startled but quickly recovered, flashing a warm smile as he accepted the plate from Micky's hands.
The recent passing of Professor Ronnie Ehrlich, their former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, had certainly cast a shadow over the school. But if there was one silver lining, it was that Ian had gained an unexpected connection with Hogwarts' house-elves.
The elves who had been responsible for clearing out Professor Ronnie's shattered remains had been surprisingly easy to befriend. A few well-placed compliments and kind words, and Ian had secured their assistance in bringing meals straight to his dormitory.
Just because he didn't go to the Great Hall for lunch didn't mean he intended to skip lunch.
Seeing Ian dig into his meal, Micky's ears perked up happily.
"Micky is most pleased to serve the learned Mr. Prince! And about the matter Mr. Prince asked Micky earlier— Micky's friend, Rinky, has already gone to gather the special ingredients and seasonings!"
It wasn't just food deliveries.
Ian had, of course, made additional requests of the house-elves.
"Brilliant! You're absolutely wonderful! This Christmas, I will gift you a set of enchanted kitchen tools— my very own, specially crafted, super multifunctional utensils!"
"Oh! Oh! Great heavens! The learned Mr. Prince wishes to give Micky a gift. No, no, no! Micky cannot accept! It is an honor simply to serve you, young wizards!"
Micky flailed his arms in a panic, his large eyes welling up with emotion.
"You don't have to say anything. It's settled!"
Ian polished off the last bite of his steak and handed the empty plate back to the overwhelmed house elf.
"The learned Mr. Prince is truly the kindest wizard!" Micky's voice wobbled, and his eyes brimmed with tears.
Honestly, house-elves were remarkably easy to move.
"Micky and Rinky will be sure to prepare the most delicious dishes for the learned Mr. Prince!"
With that, as if hearing something outside the dormitory, Micky quickly bowed, then vanished with a soft pop!—
Ian's two roommates still hadn't returned.
Only a few younger students were running about in the hallway, chattering away as they played.
"Beef hot pot must be tastier than steak!"
Ian's request to Micky and Rinky, of course, stemmed from a desire for something different from the standard fare of the Great Hall.
However, his culinary skills— limited in his past life to little more than fried rice— were hardly enough to instruct the house elves in crafting a proper meal.
Best to leave such matters to the true experts.
They would figure it out on their own.
All a young wizard needed to do was enjoy the feast.
"This time, I truly owe my ancestors."
With that, Ian returned his focus to his studies.
Professor Mara's post-lesson instructions were methodical, almost an extension of homework. The intricate and esoteric properties of the enchanted fabric fragments hinted at advanced alchemical craftsmanship.
Even now, Ian still struggled to grasp the fundamentals of many of the alchemical formulas before him. However, compared to when he first started, he had improved significantly.
At the very least, he could analyze the material using reference texts and logical deductions, piecing together what might be possible if he fully mastered the knowledge hidden within the enchanted dress.
A Time-Turner.
Yes.
The artifact the witch had assigned him to study was none other than a time manipulation device— one no longer produced in the present day, making each existing one an irreplaceable treasure.
"However, this sequence of runes and structural framework doesn't quite match the alchemical blueprints described by modern scholars."
"More intricate?"
Ian cross-referenced the diagrams with introductory texts.
He frowned slightly in puzzlement.
...
The afternoon brought Herbology class.
William and Michael had dashed back to retrieve their textbooks— One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi— before heading to the greenhouses outside the castle for Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff's first lesson.
"Today's topic is Chomping Cabbages," William muttered as he flipped through the book while walking as if cramming at the last moment to impress the professor. Ian wouldn't have been surprised if he had snuck into the greenhouses earlier for a preview. He was all too familiar with this type of studious overachiever.
"Can you eat it? Does it taste good? Can I bring some back to the dorm?"
Michael, as always, remained true to himself. His trio of soul-searching questions would be difficult for anyone to answer— perhaps even the Herbology professor herself.
Professor Pomona Sprout.
(To Be Continued…)