Beta: AriArlene
Original Release Date: 7/19/15
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the canon Harry Potter universe or any other universe.
Chapter Twenty Nine – Marauder Tech Reveal
/*two days before Christmas*/
Dropping a three foot high tube with octagonal sides and a thick rope and wire combination at the top of the tube into the hole where the slide under Hogwarts is, Remus grabs an Omni Play and taps a few onscreen controls. Within seconds a constant image feed using the modified sound-mapping device appears on the screen, indicating nothing living currently as it descends.
"Fascinating" murmurs many of the professors as they huddle around in groups around three other Omni Plays.
Running out of the wire and rope combination on the first giant spool, more is added to continue lowering the mapping device deeper under the castle. After adding a third spool, the device hits bottom, and then following the orders of Remus begins to hover and move around the walled in area slowly, making a map.
"And what happens when the device is done?" inquiries Professor Flitwick.
"Once it decides that it can not go any further, it will stop somewhere and continue looking for any deviations in what it has before, after a certain period of time it will tell the server that it is connected to to make a version and mark it as a finished version and date and time stamp it for retrieval purposes. Then if we wish to, we can print a copy of whatever version we want and use it" states Remus still studying the screen.
"I included some speakers with a rooster's crowing just in case it detects that something has moved" adds Sirius, who looks pleased with himself.
"And what, pray tell, is the use for the line that you lowered it down with?" asks Snape.
"Primarily to provide a way to more easily bring it back up once we are done, alongside transmitting information to and from the device. But it can also do it wirelessly, at least to where we are here. But further away it might not be able to communicate information properly, leading to missed notifications of movement" replies Remus.
"Wait, it can detect movement?" inquiries Professor McGonagall.
"Of course. It just doesn't do too much to alert whatever is causing the movement other than maybe make crowing sounds. It will display that movement has been detected, but the notification screen won't do too much more than that. That's why additional sensors are being requested to be placed by Director Black. With more of them, added with a map, and many other things, they can more accurately pinpoint where movement has been detected, and pass by enough sensors and the system will try to plot a possible course that the source might be taking" states Sirius, using sticking charms to hold the spool to a nearby wall.
"And where would you like to place these…sensors, Mr. Black?" asks Snape coolly.
"Near dormitory entrances, any down most if not all hallways. But ask Director Black, she's the one who has the plan. Remus and I just provide the equipment, installation, and support" replies Sirius.
Turning to Amelia, Dumbledore asks, "Director Black, where do you think the best placement of these sensors would be?"
Unfurling an overview map of Hogwarts, similar to the Marauders Map just without indicating who is where, Amelia places some marks multiple places on the map, answering the soon to be familiar question of the importance of said hallway. Looking over the countless amounts of placemarks on the map, Professor McGonagall asks, "And all of these sensors/cameras are connected to your system at the same time?"
Rubbing his hands together, Sirius replies gleefully, "Remus and I have placed over fifty of our mainframe systems close enough to Hogwarts that our system should be able to handle it even if we install over 12,000 sensors/cameras in the area.
Furrowing her brows, Professor McGonagall inquiries, "And pray tell why you have that capacity?"
"Let's put it at we have our reasons, and in time they will benefit the wizarding society" replies Remus.
"Now, Headmaster, will the placement of these sensors be of any issue to you?" inquiries Amelia.
"Hmm. No complaints, especially if the results are as you hope for" replies Dumbledore, stroking his beard in thought.
Levitating three trunks, Sirius follows Amelia to begin the placement of the sensors everywhere she indicates. Following the head of houses to their offices in order of who is the closest, Remus begins the minor installation of two Omni Play's mounted above each other, with the top one having the ability to be removed and taken elsewhere. Teaching the four professors how to use their newly found equipment and the how to switch between a global view of Hogwarts and what sensors had been tripped, the area that each one was designated to do a quick look over [area around the respective dormitories], and then where any professors might be, such as in their office, or on their way to where a sensor had been tripped.
Hours later, Amelia stands in front of Sirius and Remus, talking to the staff of Hogwarts.
"Headmaster, I appreciate you and everyone's cooperation in this regard. When this basilisk issue is resolved, I will have Sirius and Remus take down the sensors as they can be considered intrusive."
"Nonsense. We can evaluate keeping the system intact, especially if prevails to find students who ought not to be wandering the corridors after hours" replies Dumbledore, eyes twinkling.
"Thank you, and have a very Merry Christmas" replies Amelia, before following after Sirius and Remus.
Arriving back at their cozy little home, three sit down the living room, each with a drink, making idle conversation.
"We're enjoying a nice and quiet Christmas this year, unless you get called into the office, is that correct, Amelia?" asks Sirius, sipping on a butterbeer.
Putting down her cup of tea, Amelia replies, "Yes. A short break of two days, and then I've got to be back in the office. Of course I think it will be awfully quiet, unless one of your sensors goes off. Haven't had a word of any Death Eater activity in years, and hopefully it will stay this way."
"Until we remove all possible Horcruxes of Voldemort's, and even then there might be some activity" Remus reminds everyone.
"That is true. But considering that the ministry isn't giving us enough funding to really repair or replace our worn out gear, to rely on private donations and personal funds means that—" begins Amelia.
"It means that Fudge doesn't want to show that there is any potential Death Eater activity, and he is wise to do so. If the public knew that there is still a chance of Voldemort returning, there would be panic, and with little to no leads on even where to begin looking for anything related to Voldemort, he'd be shown as a useless Minister of Magic, just like he is" adds Remus.
"Interesting. I hadn't thought that far, but it does make sense. We do need an area for some training, but that isn't in the budget. Some weekly exercises/practice to help keep everyone up to par, just in case something does happen would be good. But I'm not certain where, unless you allowed everyone to train in the basement, where you all helped teach Harry and Neville" replies Amelia.
Furrowing his brow, Sirius answers, "Didn't they have an area a decade ago for that?"
Sighing, Amelia replies, "They did, but once word of Voldemort disappearing got out, the ministry began reapportioning areas, materials, employees, and of course money."
"And without any real threat from Death Eaters and Voldemort, the ministry thought it was worth it to reassign the practice area and use it for something else I bet" answers Remus.
"Correct. But let's focus less on my work and more on spending time with our family these next few days" says Amelia, finishing her cup of tea and heading to bed.
/*the following day*/
"Anything you two would like to do today?" inquiries Remus, taking a seat at the table where Susan and Harry sit eating.
"See some electronics shops in the non-magical world" Harry answers.
Turning to Susan, Remus asks, "And what about you Susan? Anything in particular that you'd like to do?"
Quietly Susan replies, "I-I don't know."
Thinking quickly, Remus offers up a suggestion, "Then why don't we get dressed and peruse some stores like Harry mentioned, and then if anything sparks your interest, we can switch to that. That way both of you can enjoy the trip."
Grabbing their coats, Remus transports the three of them to the Leaky Cauldron, before stepping out into the cool London air. From shop to shop they go, perusing around the bustling crowds, eager to get home and wrap the final gifts on Christmas Eve. From clothing boutiques, to a bookstore, and even stores with consumer electronics, like radios, desktop computers, and many other things.
Finally making it through the non-magical portion of London, the trio make their way to Diagon Alley, discovering a crowd inside the Marauders Emporium.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU WILL BE SERVED, DON'T WORRY!" announces Sirius's magically enhanced voice.
Spotting Remus, Sirius motions towards the door, making a locking motion. Getting the hint, Remus locks the door to only allow customers out, and manually switching the sign to 'Closed', before helping at the registers to help the customers checkout faster. Finishing with all of the customers inside, Remus asks after depositing much of their gains to their Gringotts bag, "How did the promotion of a five sickle PRT device when you spend seven or more galleons in one transaction go?"
Snorting, Sirius replies, "You saw the crowd that was in here, it was a madhouse. But on the plus side, we sold over one hundred and fifty of them, alongside the rest of our merchandise."
Reaching under a counter, Sirius brings out a wooden tray lined with a deep purple cloth and holds it out to Susan and Harry.
"The PRT, or 'Portable Reusable Transporter' manifests itself as a device that connects with your Omni Connect, and allows you to transport to areas where you have an Omni Connect registered to our network. With some effort, we've made it so everyone has their own network credentials, and each account can have multiple of each type of device attached to it. Now, these work by either using your voice with a specific word or phrase when you are in an emergency situation, such as in a place you don't know where you are, held hostage, etc. There is a button as well, well, not really a button per say, but an area that you hold with a finger for three seconds that then transports you to your set end point. You can modify where your end point is by looking at your Omni Play and going to the 'PRT' tab, and then choosing between your applicable devices" states Sirius, before taking a long drink from a nearby container.
"And what Sirius didn't mention is that you can have it so your Omni Connect allows family members to also access and use that point as a travel destination. For safety's sake, you both are registered and can travel to our list of access points, such as the workshop here, our home, and even to Hogwarts, as long as you are attending Hogwarts" adds Remus.
Thinking it over, Harry asks cautiously, "Does that mean you all can monitor who is where?"
Laughing, Sirius replies, "No, we can't see who is where, and parents only can possibly turn that on, and then it only gives the location of the closest Omni Connect that their kid is connected to. It doesn't pinpoint where you are, unless you just finished arriving at a certain point. It's more for a safety thing."
"And with a priority transport system in place, if an Omni Connect is compromised/is instructed to be marked as 'Compromised' by the owner of it, it will be unable to process any requests to be transported there. Such as a Death Eater attack has laid a trap at someone's house to arrive there, then people can't arrive there" finishes Remus.
"These should be the last version you will need, as they can update just by staying connected to the network. Now Harry, we made a custom version for you, in the shape of a watch. Of course you can still remotely set off pranks with this" smirks Sirius, holding it out towards Harry.
Glaring at Sirius, Remus adds, "But if you'd like a different type of device, you can choose it and we will make you a customized version. It just has to be easily accessible, such as a wrist object, ear rings, but those are more for the ladies we believe, and of course pendants and necklaces."
Picking up the watch that Sirius holds, Harry does a double take as the watches, now side by side, begin migrating the information from the old one to the new one. Putting it on, Harry gasps as the band begins to adjust, resulting in what feels like the most perfect fit ever.
Holding out the tray, Sirius chuckles lightly before saying, "Susan, we weren't certain what variety you might like the best, so we made a more feminine version of Harry's watch, then a wristband with a plain metal rectangle with curved edges, that is essentially just a piece of metal that feels warm, without an interface, a necklace with a small rectangle with rounded edges with your name on it, and the activation portion on the back, and then a pair of ear rings."
Looking over them, Susan spends multiple minutes trying to decide before Remus asks quietly, "Do you like any of them?"
Smiling, Susan replies, "I actually can't decide. Can I get the necklace and the watch?"
Returning the smile, Remus replies, "Certainly. In fact, you can have all of them if you want."
Taking the necklace and the plain wristband, Susan puts them on, with the wristband automatically adjusting snuggly but not painfully against her wrist.
"Now that everything is done here, who wants to go get some food?" asks Sirius, rubbing his hands together.
Sitting down to grab a meal from the Leaky Cauldron, the quartet are served their drinks as Amelia joins them. As one family, the five enjoy their meal before heading back home. Playing various games and chatting lightly about things, night falls before anyone realizing, prompting everyone to go to bed.
The next morning, Susan and Harry enter the living room to open their presents that had arrived during the night. A Weasley sweater for Harry, sweets from Hermione, some new books varying from history to strategy, a broomstick polishing kit from Neville, and some new music amongst other things from his three odd but lovable guardians. Susan receives a diary that only opens at her touch, some sweets as well, some new shoes, and other gifts from friends.
Sitting back and enjoying Susan and Harry open gifts, the three adults smile at the happiness that lights up their world at time when life at Hogwarts is bleak.
Author note: Thanks you everyone for reading and reviewing and everything else. I do hope to get some sketches of at least some of these devices online…within in the next month?