This is Hogwarts' enchanted admissions office, untouched by students and requiring no human intervention to function.
"Such profound magical artifacts. I'll figure them out eventually." Using the Unlocking Charm to ease open the window, Ian first sets the broomstick aside and then waves his wand to clear away the accumulated dust. Only when the room is spotless does he step forward toward the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance.
Since he might visit this place often in the future, he refuses to leave it in such a state. Many who grow up in orphanages develop similar habits of meticulous cleanliness.
Some groups simply can't afford to fall ill.
"Judging by the looks of it, no one's been here for decades. Magic could've easily kept this place clean." Ian eagerly begins studying the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance.
As expected.
The magical runes and enchantments woven into them are incredibly intricate, seemingly linked to the very core of Hogwarts' magic. Ian's current knowledge of enchantments and alchemy only allows him to grasp the basics of their workings.
"This doesn't hinder my plan!" With a flick of his wand, Ian expertly channels the Book of Admittance's properties onto several blank pieces of parchment.
The enchanted parchment, once attuned, begins slowly unveiling a map of Hogwarts, revealing secret passages and even the elusive Room of Requirement.
This is likely due to the deep connection between the Quill of Acceptance, the Book of Admittance, and Hogwarts itself.
"Although I'd love to conduct lessons in the Room of Requirement, now isn't the time." Ian pauses and deliberately conceals the Room of Requirement's details.
As well as any passageways leading beyond the castle grounds.
"No need to make it easy for students to wander into the Forbidden Forest in the dead of night." As the creator of this magical map, Ian can determine what information appears and what remains hidden. In fact, all the maps he crafts can be adjusted or modified remotely by him at any time.
Ian would never be foolish enough to let others track his own movements. To him, this iteration of the Marauder's Map is simply a perfected version.
Beyond the standard "password" activation,
Users of the map can even choose a pseudonym unknown to others, allowing them to remain anonymous while sharing their name only with trusted friends.
At the same time.
These maps can even designate custom colors for friends or partners. If it weren't for his utter disdain for money-grabbing schemes in his past life, Ian might have even considered offering paid customization features, like themed nameplates or border designs.
Of course, the true reason he hasn't done so is more likely due to his current limitations in alchemical expertise.
Who knows?
"The names of individuals require the Quill of Acceptance's influence."
Watching as dots begin appearing on the parchment, Ian carefully weaves his magic, linking the map's mechanisms to the Quill of Acceptance itself.
Thus.
The dots on the map now display names— down to the ghosts of Hogwarts. Ian spots the label "Ian Prince" within the Ravenclaw common room and grins with satisfaction.
"One day, when I write my autobiography, every student who bought my map will serve as proof. I was nothing more than a good student who enjoyed eating, sleeping, and studying!"
Some plans had already been meticulously laid out from the moment Ian first set out to create the map.
This is somewhat similar to the way wizards craft enchanted artifacts. Ian holds the highest authority over his creation, making it effortless for him to modify his own location on the map.
He can even use the master map in his possession to alter the locations and labels of others on their copies. This is the greatest advantage and power of controlling magical cartography and the "enchantment framework."
"I'm not the type to frame my classmates for mischief. Just because I don't need to use this function doesn't mean I shouldn't have it."
Ian carefully tucks all the maps into his robes. These maps only work within Hogwarts— outside its grounds, they turn blank. Even in Hogsmeade, they are useless. There's no alternative; after all, Ian crafted the map through unconventional means.
Although the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance can detect magical children across Britain, Ian is ultimately a limited alchemist. Achieving this level of accuracy is already impressive.
"Time to retreat!"
Ian grabs the broomstick and soars out the window. He takes care to lock it behind him before diving down, racing towards the broomstick storage under the moonlit sky.
A few minutes after Ian's departure…
A flustered Professor McGonagall rushes to the attic door, her wand at the ready. Moments later, Albus Dumbledore appears in his dressing gown, stifling a yawn as he arrives in no great hurry.
Shortly after, Snape materializes as well, his expression dark with irritation, clearly displeased at being roused from his slumber.
"Albus, someone has been in this room." Professor McGonagall's voice is firm.
"That's highly unlikely, Minerva. We all know the conditions required to enter this chamber. Even if someone attempted it, there's no way they could break this magic."
Snape's frown deepens.
"The alarm went off, Severus!"
Professor McGonagall's tone sharpens as she exchanges a knowing glance with Dumbledore, silently urging him to open the door.
"The Founders' magic is not easily breached. Severus has a point," Dumbledore murmurs, rubbing his eyes beneath his slightly askew nightcap.
With a wave of his hand, the door senses his presence and swings open, revealing the spotless room within.
Clean. Immaculately clean.
The sight leaves all three professors momentarily stunned.
"There really was an intruder!" Snape's voice is laced with disbelief.
"It seems the Founders' protections are not as unbreakable as we assumed. Merlin's beard— could it be that Imperius Curse user we've been unable to track down?" Professor McGonagall regains her composure, her face now lined with concern for the school's safety.
"Alert the Ministry wizards stationed here. They specialize in this sort of thing." Professor McGonagall purses her lips and turns to Dumbledore.
However…
Albus Dumbledore merely frowns as he steps into the room, inspecting the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance. Then, kneeling, he studies the floor and walls with careful scrutiny.
"Albus?"
Professor McGonagall and Snape hesitate at the threshold. McGonagall glances at Snape, both uncertain as to what Dumbledore is looking for.
"The magic here remains untouched. The Book of Admittance and the Quill of Acceptance have not been tampered with. It's as if someone merely entered… had a look around…"
"And, incidentally, tidied up for us," Dumbledore remarks with a touch of amusement, standing and striding toward the window. His expression has softened, and his tone is notably more relaxed.
"Not disturbed? How can that be? Aside from you and those you've authorized, who else could possibly pass the enchantments?" Professor McGonagall frowns.
"Albus, did you sleepwalk here and clean the place yourself?" Snape's eyes narrow in suspicion, as if questioning Dumbledore's mental state.
"Perhaps," Dumbledore chuckles, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. Yet, his gaze remains fixed out the window, watching something— or someone.
"Of course, bypassing my permission isn't strictly impossible." Dumbledore watches a figure quietly slipping back inside the castle from the broomstick storage room.
"Sometimes, Hogwarts makes its own choices." His voice is wistful, almost as if speaking to himself. The two professors exchange puzzled glances.
…
As if nothing happened, Ian returns to the Ravenclaw common room. The young witches and wizards are still eagerly awaiting his lesson.
With his newly completed Marauder's Map hidden in his robes, Ian smiles and agrees.
It remains a pay-to-learn system.
(To Be Continued…)
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