The Towers that Eclipes Darkshire

[Tom Marvolo Riddle]

Transportation between structures across the vastness of the verse? Well if the Communication devices functioned in that manner then perhaps something stronger could penetrate a hole or tunnel enough to allow for travel. Maybe akin to the Floo network of Wizarding Britain; it was an insane bit of magic, functional but insane, the portkeys however were far more useful. Something along those lines would be better suited for cross-verse movement.

However, there was a level of efficiency and speed of Floo for within the castle itself were ideal for certain situations. Might be useful in case of emergencies especially after the events of Nippur. When the castle finally extended to the villages, Floo travel would be necessary.

Grimacing at the thought I looked up from my musings, shifting my position in my seat only minutely, “I believe that can be accomplished easily enough, I still have a sum left that I can use for all of those items you have listed.” It would be expensive, my experience with the Castle itself gave me some marker of what we’d have to go through and instinct was telling me both would be equal in cost. Maybe there was something to that journal regarding the use of Omnilium being inherent to the material itself.

With the topic of the Hammer though I sent out instructions for more changes, duplicating what had done with the dungeons and had the castle add the same the Institute Embassy. A private shop in their own dungeon along with the requested additions. Then with a second though include Nealaphh’s requests to the public portion of the school as well. While division of ownership and rights to such were important, survival out here would likely call for many students to have access to much of the same; who more than likely would be building such items for themselves for use.

Which brought him to the topic of the artifact itself.

“What thought have you had as to who will be wielding the Weapon we forge?” I said offhandedly, ignoring Nealaphh’s change to Avian form. I didn’t want to give any impression that I was interested in the task myself nor his reasons for swapping shape. Although I myself could have done as such… wand work befitted the use of a sword more than a blunt instrument. It would not be an ideal match, nor would I lower myself to using any form of cudgel when a smarter tool lie at the ready with but a whisper of a word.

Be that as it may I did fully intend to go ahead with the construction of the weapon, and I would supervise its use in the mission it was meant to execute. It was only proper as I would likely be the only one capable of repairing the tool should it be damaged. Though if I did my work properly such a concern was hardly even a possibility.

~*O*~

A door was all that stood in their way between them and talking to Professor McGonagall. Like everything else, it had that too clean, too new, polished look that kept them from knocking straight away. It fit into a pattern that had Harry questioning a number of things he had come to accept about the castle. One of which was don’t accept situations at face value.

Like strangely enough getting down from the tower hadn’t been an issue. The layout of the stairs all took them towards the Great Hall, but what was even more concerning was the Gryffindor Tower itself was taller than before. When they had reached the Common room, they found stairs that went down into what would ordinarily be going towards the ground floor and the dungeons as well.

What bothered Harry and Ginny from looks of it also, were all the portraits were slumbering. The Fat Lady barely stirred in her frame when they exited from the Tower.

“Who could have enough power to change all of Hogwarts?” Ginny asked, her tone quiet. Neither one had yet knocked still. And for that point was the main reason.

“I don’t know, someone made it easy for us to get down here.” Screwing up his courage, Harry took a deep breath and knocked before stepping backwards. With baited breath they waited for something to happen, anything. But silence reigned.

“Oh come on,” Ginny said finally after a minute’s quiet, a slight scowl painting her face. With little choice Harry followed her for once as she tested the door. It opened with barely a sound, and revealed and office that… well looked like the Headmaster’s. Silver objects spun merrily, others puffed out smokes of all kinds, in the corner there was a rather plush couch which Harry could remember Professor Dumbledore sitting in in various places around Hogwarts whenever a chair hadn’t be available or didn’t meet his exacting requirements.

There was just one problem. For all the lived in look of the office (though exceptionally clean as well), there was no Professor. Just like every other room… nothing.

Harry was starting to have a sinking feeling that their only choice was to follow the wishes of their mysterious abductor and moved to the Great Hall. His stomach at least agreed to that much. If there was any food to be had.

Looking to Ginny who was still tightly gripping his own hand, he asked, “Should we try the Great Hall?”

His question seemed to elicit a sharp pause as she seemed to gather herself into a nod, “Do we have a choice in the matter?”

Harry thought for a moment, and like the room they were in, Dumbledore himself had once said, “We always have a choice. But this is a clue.”

Ginny gave him a questioning look, “What clue? These aren’t Professor McGonagall’s things. Not enough tartan”

Harry snorted, “No they aren’t, but the last time the Chamber was opened,” Ginny blanched but Harry ignored it and continued with what he was saying, “Professor Dumbeldore was the Transfigurations Professor.”

That did give Ginny another reason to pause apparently, absorbing the information, “But that means we’ve gone back fifty years in the past? Most time travel magics can only accomplish a few hours, maybe a day at best.”

Harry blinked, “Time travel? Magic can do that?” The look he got confirmed it, however something clicked in his head and remembered what Hermione had mentioned once about the plumbing, “Even so, I don’t think that’s it. The last time Hogwarts was changed was when they installed pipes for the loo and such. And his is Dumbledore’s office, they don’t add up.”

Ginny paled, “So- w-whatever this is, isn’t the past and isn’t the real Hogwarts?”

Harry winced, he hadn’t meant to put it that bluntly but he had to agree, “Right. I think the only answers we’re going to get are in the Great Hall. Everything is pointing that way.”

He gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, they didn’t really know each other that well but it was better than being stuck with a perfect stranger. Ron would understand.

“Then the Great Hall it is.” She said after a moment of contemplation.

The both left at a pace that wasn’t rush, whatever was going on they wanted to be ready should something bad happen. Best not to run head long into a trap.