Sorry for the long absence folks. Let's see if I can start banging these out and make up for some time. Hopefully should have another two chapters up by the end of the weekend. The next one is longer but it's already been started so we'll see. Here's hoping and happy reading.
Chapter 4. The Function Junction
A bit of time to make sure Hannah was comfortable, three hours' worth of a quick nap, a quick traipse up through the castle under disillusionment past the likes of Filch the caretaker, and now three quick walks past this particular stretch of wall while thinking precisely what he needed and sure enough a door appears on the wall right where it hadn't existed previously. Quickly entering, young Hadrian found exactly what he was looking for in pretty much the form he had expected it to,
"The Room of Requirements!"
The banner was flying above the center portion of the room which resembled a mix of the Great Hall, a study, and the control room of some high-end muggle technology business. Beneath the banner was a mostly empty space in the center of the room, filled only by an ornately designed golden pedestal with a book on it and strange lines resembling power cables running into its base. Walking up to the pedestal Hadrian couldn't help a grin and an exclamation of "Thank you, Salazar!" at the title of the book. "The Room of Requirement: a magically guided directory for what YOU need!" Quickly opening the book, Hadrian was impressed with how magically guided it truly was.
"Of the few people that have been fortunate enough to find this special room over the years, you are only the 2nd person to cause this book to actually appear on the Pedestal of Power! The directory has often been called forth by those with an organized and goal-oriented mentality but it's FULL potential can only be realized when the Pedestal of Power is brought forth in tandem. Naturally thoughts, needs, and mentality examined at the door to determine the form in which the room will present itself. The desire for not just the Room to appear but to have a way to learn more about The Room itself will cause the book to appear. For the Pedestal to appear one must have pure intentions and either consciously or subconsciously be in need of a sufficiently strong power source and/or mapping beacon. Bear in mind the pure intentions part is a safe-guard. If you would seek to abuse the Ley-powered Pedestal you would regret it. You have been warned! Continue reading at your discretion for any further assistance needed!"
At the mention of the phrase ley-powered, Hadrian knew exactly what and why the Pedestal had appeared to him of all people. Though he briefly wondered who had preceded him to the pedestal, no further knowledge was needed. So, gently removing the Directory from its perch on the pedestal, Hadrian cradled it in his left hand while removing B.r.o.k.e.r from his pouch. Taking a deep breath, Hadrian placed the cube on the pedestal, exhaling audibly once he realized that either the Evans' Shield was working, or the Pedestal refused to force itself upon his technology. Either way…
"Broker, perform Function 1 unattached!" At these words B.r.o.k.e.r. shifted form to resemble a gun-metal grey desktop computer on the center of the pedestal. A low volume but slightly high pitched whine emanated from the device as it briefly ran safety and compatibility diagnostics for itself and the surrounding area. Hadrian cracked a smile as the whirring noise was interrupted by the bleep bloop sounds of his favorite movie robot and then replaced by a comforting hum sound only covered by the voice coming from B.r.o.k.e.r. itself. "Function 1 complete. All systems currently fully functional. Currently located on top of magical structure of unknown strength. Detecting numerous power sources connected to said magical structure. Strong intent-based magic detected within magical structure classified by current database as opposite to ill intent if not helpful in nature. Assumed massive magical influx once attached. Recommendation of activation of the Evans' Cell M1000 prior to attachment. Estimated time saved on mapping function if performed after the previous recommendation: 99.9%."
This left Hadrian dumbfounded. The Evans Cells was merely a magical battery of sorts, but the M1000 was something else entirely. Deep within the Peverell Vault had been a pure white pedestal upon which a series of rocks were placed. Having been intrigued, Hadrian consulted the Peverell Family Grimoire only to find that these rocks were not even of this world. Sometime around what would now be referred to as 440 B.C., a meteorite struck the grounds of what was the ancestral seat of the Peverell Family, landing on the main ley line of the grounds atop a rocky hill, the highest point on the property.
"The force of the meteorite strike, apart from drawing the attention of the family, dug an extremely deep crater in the rock face. Thankfully the protective magicks of the property prevented utter catastrophe from befalling us as well as keeping those outside the grounds none the wiser. The main meteorite, now embedded deeply down in the bedrock also had broken off into several hand sized stones littered around the crater. Many discussions were had about what to do with the site as some thought the stones to be of an ominous nature due to the manner of their appearance. Against my instinctual feelings, and at the behest of my family members, I ascended towards the site to engage in the removal of the stones. However, a great gale blew in an isolated storm, seemingly growing in strength with each step I took upwards. Drops of rain the size of cat's eyes pelting me to and fro. Finally, a single bolt of lightning struck own into the crater when I myself was but a tenth of a league from the summit! Upon the completion of the lightning bolt strike, the storm itself whisked away as if it never were, leaving behind only the most beautiful rainbow ever witnessed in its wake! Taking this as confirmation of my prior instincts, I covered the final distance with no further intention of actually removing the stones. These feelings were compounded as I stared down into depths of the crater to find the darkness of the miasma disrupted by ethereal green light shining from the celestial stones as if they had been fed by the very lightning themselves. A feeling similar to the accepting of Headship of the family hung in the air, providing me with both a sense of calm and purpose. Counting seven smaller green lights, I summoned these smaller stones, and with a last glance at the sight of the rainbow above dissipating in the twilight, I began my descent to tell of my first-hand experience to the family. At my direction, most of a week passed without any further disturbance to the site. On the seventh day, a family elf popped into my study to plead with me, most excitedly I might add, to come see the area near the site. Gathering the family, we proceeded to towards the site on foot, only to be amazed by what we perceived along the way. The crater, as mentioned before, occurred on that rocky hill which still claimed itself highest on the property. The land adjacent to the hill, however, was forested. And with each step closer and closer towards the hill we found that the trees had grown ever taller and healthier. Upon reaching the base of the hill I bade my family turn around and observe the phenomenon once more. Then, having quickly ascended the top together I bade them look down into the crater to observe the still glowing meteorite. The awe on their faces speaking volumes, I proceeded to tell them that I was convinced that this was a blessing from Mother Magic herself and that to deny it sacrilegious. All being in concurrence on that, I proceeded to declare a keep be built on the spot with the large meteorite serving as the loadstone. The rest of the stones to be put in a safe place until such time as our descendants find use for them. Thus the prime location of the Family Manor was changed for the only time once being on the Island. These being the words of Lord Eirloki Peverell, Head of House Peverell."
Having read other excerpts from the grimoire and also knowing the power capabilities of the regular Evans Cells, Hadrian knew that for his M1000 to be needed the power influx about to happen truly was coming from Hogwarts' ley lines. Taking another deep breath, Hadrian reached into his pouch to retrieve his converted family Heirloom.
"Broker, archive the current power structure you are resting on as the Pedestal of Power in your database as well as the current room as the Room of Requirements. Also, receive, incorporate, and activate," Hadrian exclaimed. A side panel on the device opened, into which he placed the M1000. Whirring, and bleep blooping preceded B.r.o.k.e.r. stating that the M1000 was fully functional and engaged atop the sound of the all too familiar humming. "Broker, attach and perform Function 2 with full digital readout projection when ready, current location as the starting point."
At this B.r.o.k.e.r. performed the first command. Though it was not so much physically "attaching" itself to the pillar as merely a lowering the defensive portion of the Evans shield to allow technological paring with environmental objects. This was met with a flash of white light so bright that Hadrian had to turn away from it. Once it diminished enough as to not be blinding, he turned to find a similar if not muted light emanating from both B.r.o.k.e.r. and the Pedestal itself. A few moments of whirring later and B.r.o.k.e.r. was ready to go. "Attachment process completed, performing Function 2 mapping with full digital readout projection." At this a bright blue map of light started to slowly create itself in the air in front of the pedestal. A P with a B located above it being located within the center of the Room. A few minutes of scanning the room resulting in a message of Magical Anomaly detected did not surprise Hadrian. Thankfully the borders of the room were set so it continued on to the rest of the 7th floor corridor as expected. Understanding this could take a while, and not wanting to upset the order of the room in the middle of such an important task, Hadrian sat down on a chair the Room created for him and began to read from the Directory in order to pass the time.