June 24, 1991
8:27 A.M.
Myrddin Manor
First Floor Workroom/Lab Space
Sunlight slowly crept along the windowsill, filling the corner of the room. A large worktable occupied the center of the space, accessible from all sides, with what amounted to designer barstools surrounding it to provide ample seating for whoever came in to use the room.
Bookshelves lined two of the walls. One held all manner of jars filled with various herbs, minerals, inks, and magical animal blood, alongside a litany of pens, carving instruments, rulers, protractors, and other measuring devices. The other held various magical metals, as well as parts from different magical animals, including dragon bones, leather, and scales, phoenix feathers, Occamy feathers, griffon claws, hippogriff claws, and so on. Magical gemstones, jars of regular gemstones, and all sorts of crystals filled the remaining shelves.
This was one of the labs housed on the Manor's first floor. There were also well-stocked potions labs and, in the back, a smithing workshop.
When last we left our intrepid adventurer, he had just enjoyed a sumptuous feast of crab legs. Percival then proceeded to explain to our stalwart hero that the world was much bigger-
What the actual fuck are you doing right now? A Golden Age narration? Seriously?
What? You are constantly narrating things. I wanted to give it a try.
Alright, but why Golden Age comics?
Makes for a good time.
Know what? Forget it.
System antics aside, Percival had, in fact, dropped some information in our laps.
Looks like the wizarding world is just the tip of the iceberg here.
I could continue thinking about what he'd told us, but honestly, there would be time for that in the future. Today's goal was to try my hand at enchanting a pair of glasses to be as ridiculous as I possibly could.
To start with, I pulled out a pair of glasses I'd designed and had made by one of the companies under the family's ownership. The style was very 2020s, but they fit my aesthetic better than the BCGs that passed for frames in '91.
"Engorgio!"
I cast an Enlargement Spell on the frames, using my wand to increase the size of the materials I'd be working with today. It made carving runes on a larger surface a lot easier, and the spell would hold long enough for me to complete a full runic inlay for the enchantments to anchor to, instead of relying on passive enchantments that would wear off over time.
This was where true enchanting shone.
Now, to be clear, I was using runic patterns carved into the frames and lenses to enchant these glasses. That would make them an enchanted item. This was different from an alchemical item, as the glasses had been made through traditional means, with magical effects added afterward.
Alchemical items, on the other hand, were made using alchemy to produce specific effects. There were a variety of ways alchemists could accomplish the same things I was doing right now, but honestly, I was nowhere near that level yet. Even then, artifact creation was only a single aspect of alchemy.
As such, I was going to leave alchemy alone for now.
I swear, the reincarnators who decide to focus on alchemy as first-years either have insane learning abilities, or their creations never make it past the beginner levels.
Enough of that for now.
Since today's topic was enchanting, I would focus on that, beginning with double-checking the runic latticework I'd been developing since the halfway point of the school year.
The first thing I did after enlarging the glasses was separate the lenses from the frame, then the arms from the frame, leaving the glasses in seven separate pieces: two arms, two lenses, the frame body, and the two screws.
My hope was that by relying on the magic associated with the number seven, I could further strengthen the item as a whole.
The second thing I did was take a special glue designed to break down on contact with water and apply it to the enlarged frame, the edges of the lenses, both screws, and both arms. This would allow me to apply the traced runes to each piece before I started carving, giving me one final opportunity to check each matrix.
Taking inspiration from my wand, the frames were made from a composite of magically significant materials: cherry wood, ebony wood, and rowan wood, with mithril used for the overall construction and the screws.
The lenses were carved from gemstones, clear enough to see through without any magnification at all.
I carefully applied the glue to each piece in the areas where I planned to add my runes.
Along the outer edges of the lenses, I was applying focusing runes capable of filtering light across different color spectrums, as well as adjusting to allow more or less light through based on what was on the other side. This formed the first concentric runic matrix.
I'd planned seven matrices around each lens. Each had a function that would, in theory, allow the glasses to work for whoever put them on, improving the vision of someone who already had excellent eyesight and allowing those who needed correction to see even better than they otherwise could.
The next ring was designed around how I thought Ravenclaw's Diadem was supposed to work.
My theory was that by synchronizing the eyes with the long-term storage, deductive reasoning, and information-processing portions of the brain, I could allow the wearer to read and absorb information at an accelerated pace.
If I was right, that would let me take in information faster without necessarily making me any smarter.
Combined with my mental library and the System, that meant any information I encountered could be filtered, stored, and sorted much faster than through traditional learning methods.
If I was right, I'd need to refine that enchantment considerably before I ever considered selling anything with it. Something like that could easily cause an ordinary person's mind to burn out really fast.
For me, though, it should boost my learning speed by a lot.
The following two layers worked together to adjust the wearer's vision, achieving my intended goal of vision correction while also allowing the glasses to function like binoculars, a telescope, a rifle scope, or even a microscope, to an extent.
Then I added the functionality of Omnoculars, allowing the glasses to store visual data and replay it. I'd already made a separate crystal lattice to serve as their internal storage.
The remaining enchantments were designed to convert written language into one the wearer understood, based on information stored in the glasses' memory; provide what amounted to a personal movie screen for watching recorded events in ultra-high definition; and, finally, create a magical filter that, if I was right, would allow the wearer to see and interpret magic.
Something like mage vision.
Within the frame itself, where the lenses would be mounted, I designed the circuit that would keep the lenses housed securely, link them together, and provide control over the additional features.
This would also allow the glasses to display a full HUD showing what was happening around the wearer.
Look out, 1991. If this works, dynamic smart glasses are coming to the wizarding world thirty-something years ahead of the No-Maj side.
I'd also included additional information-storage crystals, some of which contained what amounted to data-processing software, assuming I'd programmed them correctly. By combining magical programming with light-based processing, using principles from both established and theoretical computing technology, I was attempting something considerably more advanced than an ordinary enchanted object.
If I'd understood those books from Japan correctly, this would be my first step toward making true smart glasses.
No AI for them, but I didn't need that right now. Just the information storage and recording features would allow me to do so very, very much more.
The arms of the glasses would each have seven enchantment matrices as well, with some functions overlapping or reinforcing one another.
Each arm would have an enchantment to draw power from the surrounding area, passively charging the glasses while keeping the dual-battery setup topped off.
Next, I applied the indestructibility enchantment I'd used on the cage across both arms, linking it through the frame and joining everything together with the screws.
Additionally, the arms were enchanted to form a shield around the wearer's head, protecting them from sudden impacts caused by high-speed projectiles.
Another enchantment would filter the air around the wearer, removing toxic substances and allowing them to breathe while submerged. A related function was designed to convert magical energy into breathable air when exposed to a vacuum, while scrubbing the air released by the breather.
There was also a climate-control enchantment to keep the frames and the wearer's face at optimal temperatures.
Finally, the arms allowed voice control, as well as audio recording and playback, both cochlear and audible to those nearby.
Lastly, the screws holding everything together would have gemstones mounted into them to function as the aforementioned storage batteries. They would also serve as anchors for the other enchantments and house a limiter in case any of the enchantments started overpowering the device itself.
I had all my supplies right here and a full day ahead of me.
If these worked the way I wanted, then after a year of testing, I'd make a set for Harry and see if any of the others wanted one.
...
I pulled the first enlarged lens toward me and secured it in the adjustable mount. The transferred runes followed the curve of the gemstone, their lines clearly visible beneath the workroom's lighting. I turned the lens slowly, checking the alignment against the original diagrams one final time before reaching for my carving instruments.
There was a reason I'd spent months working on the latticework before attempting this. The individual runes weren't particularly exotic, but arranging them into seven interconnected matrices without having their functions interfere with one another had required a ridiculous amount of Arithmancy. Some of the effects were supposed to overlap, others were meant to reinforce one another, and a few depended on the surrounding matrices to function at all. The real question was whether my calculations would translate into a working enchantment once everything was assembled.
I selected a diamond-tipped engraving tool and began following the first set of transferred lines. The enlarged gemstone gave me plenty of room to maneuver, and I could maintain a consistent depth without having to resort to magnification. It was still delicate work, particularly where two runic pathways passed close to one another, but that was the entire point of enlarging the glasses in the first place.
After finishing the first sequence, I rotated the lens and continued around its circumference. The outer matrix was comparatively straightforward, dealing primarily with the manipulation and filtration of incoming light. The more complicated work would come when I reached the matrices responsible for interpreting what the wearer saw and communicating that information to the storage crystals.
It was becoming increasingly clear why so many pureblood families contracted this sort of work out to professional enchanters. Even with the design completed beforehand, carving the damn thing was going to take hours, and that was before accounting for the other six components. For someone without the time, training, or inclination to do the work themselves, paying a specialist made considerably more sense.
Of course, I was doing this because I wanted to learn how to make the things myself. That, and I wasn't particularly interested in handing my designs over to someone else before I'd figured out whether they worked.
I paused to brush the loose gemstone dust away from the engraved surface, then checked the completed section against my diagrams. Everything appeared to be where it belonged. I turned the lens over to inspect the depth of the cuts under the light, satisfied myself that I hadn't damaged the material, and returned it to the mount.
One section down. Quite a few more to go.
I reached for the next carving tool and got back to work.
The next section took considerably longer than the first. I worked my way around the lens, following the transferred patterns and switching instruments whenever the width or depth of a particular cut required it. Every so often, I stopped to clear away the gemstone dust and inspect the grooves before continuing. The adhesive held the remaining patterns in place, which was fortunate, considering how much of a pain in the ass it would have been to transfer everything again.
The second matrix required considerably more attention than the first. Its design was based on my understanding of how visual information reached the brain and how the brain processed and stored that information. I wasn't trying to make anyone more intelligent. I was trying to improve the speed and efficiency with which they could absorb what they were seeing. Whether that would actually translate into faster learning remained to be seen, but the underlying theory was sound enough that I'd been willing to spend months working on it.
I had also accounted for the possibility of the wearer simply being unable to keep up. Increasing the amount of information someone received wouldn't accomplish much if their brain couldn't process it quickly enough, and I wasn't particularly interested in finding out what happened when an enchantment tried to shove more information into someone's head than they could handle. That was one of the reasons the control matrices were so important. If the glasses couldn't regulate their own functions, I wasn't putting the damn things anywhere near my face.
The gemstone itself was proving to be an excellent choice of material. It held its shape under the engraving tools, and the enlarged surface allowed me to follow the more complicated curves without sacrificing the spacing between individual runes. That didn't mean the work was particularly quick. By the time I'd finished carving the second matrix, I'd already developed a small collection of used cleaning cloths beside the mount.
I set the engraving tool down and reached for my wand, using a simple cleaning charm to remove the remaining dust from the work surface. Once I was satisfied that nothing had been left in the grooves, I examined the lens from several angles and compared it against the original diagrams. The first two matrices looked good, although their actual performance would have to wait until the rest of the assembly was complete.
The next pair of matrices dealt with magnification and focal adjustment, which brought their own complications. Correcting someone's eyesight was one thing. Allowing that same person to switch between ordinary vision, long-distance observation, and examining something at microscopic scales was another. I'd designed the matrices to work together, sharing some of their functions rather than treating every possible adjustment as an entirely separate enchantment. The challenge was making sure the resulting image remained usable throughout those adjustments.
I wasn't particularly interested in building a pair of glasses that could magnify a distant object a thousand times if the wearer couldn't tell what the hell they were looking at.
Fortunately, I wasn't starting from scratch. Between existing vision-correction charms, magnification spells, and the principles behind Omnoculars, there was plenty of established magic to draw from. The difficult part had been figuring out how to combine those functions into something small enough to wear on my face without having to carry around a collection of separate enchanted instruments.
I continued carving, occasionally turning the lens to bring another section into a more comfortable position. The work settled into a steady rhythm as I followed the next set of transferred lines. There was something satisfying about watching a design I'd spent months calculating gradually take shape in the material itself. I'd always enjoyed making things, and the fact that I was using magic to build something that wouldn't exist on the mundane market for another few decades only made the project more entertaining.
Eventually, I finished the fourth matrix and put the tool aside long enough to stretch my fingers. The first lens was beginning to resemble an extremely expensive piece of jewelry covered in tiny writing, which, considering the materials involved, wasn't entirely inaccurate.
I checked the clock before reaching for the diagrams covering the remaining three matrices. There was still plenty of work ahead of me, and I hadn't even started on the other lens, let alone the frame and arms. The individual techniques were familiar enough, but fitting everything into this particular design was going to take time.
I took another look at the completed sections, selected the next instrument, and returned to the task.
...
Having finished the first lens and made it halfway through the second, I stopped to take stock of my progress. This being my first real project involving carved runes, I wanted to be certain I wasn't taking any shortcuts. I might mess around a bit in combat, like I had against that Karkinos, but this was different. A poorly carved rune could cause the wearer to go blind or short-circuit their long-term memory, leaving them perfectly capable of accessing their memories while wearing the glasses, but unable to do so once they took them off.
I set down my carving knife and took a step back from the worktable. Pulling a bottle of water from my inventory, I took a sip while maintaining enough distance that I wouldn't accidentally splash any of the materials.
A light knock came from the door.
Talk about great timing.
I returned the water bottle to my inventory, stepped away from the worktable completely, and went to answer the door.
"Josh, Percival asked me to come get you. He said that "The Dog" is here?" Harry said after I opened the door a crack to see what was going on.
The Dog? Seriously, Percival?
"Ah, the Dogfather has arrived. Thank you, Harry. Give us a tic to settle up here, and we can head down the hall to the family room," I said, thoroughly enjoying butchering their butchering of an already well-butchered language.
"Dogfather?" Harry asked, looking even more confused as I pulled the door to. No need for him to see what I was working on just yet.
"Colloportus!"
I locked the door with the door locking charm. It would keep for now, as a locked door here typically meant that someone was doing work that they needed to remain undisturbed.
"Trust me, Harry. It'll make sense in a minute," I said, starting down the hall toward the family room. Harry followed, still looking puzzled by my choice of words. I left him to it. Some jokes were better appreciated with a little context.
We reached the family room a short walk later. Percival was sitting in his usual armchair, talking with Andromeda Tonks, who had settled onto the sofa with a cup of tea. Neither seemed particularly surprised to see us. What caught Harry's attention, however, was the enormous black dog sitting on the carpet, facing the doorway. Harry stopped dead. The dog was nearly as imposing sitting down as most dogs were standing. His shaggy black coat hung thick around his neck and shoulders, and his eyes were fixed on Harry with an intensity that didn't quite match his otherwise relaxed posture.
Harry glanced up at me. "Is that what you meant by Dogfather?"
Before I could answer, the dog let out a long, distinctly offended whine. I grinned at him. "Something wrong, big fella?"
The dog gave himself a vigorous shake, sending his shaggy fur flying in every direction, before rising and padding toward us.
"Ah, there ye are, lads," Percival greeted us. "Come in."
Harry remained where he was, watching the approaching animal. The dog stopped a short distance in front of him, sat back on his haunches, and lifted one enormous paw. Harry blinked at the gesture before glancing toward me. "Does he want me to shake his paw?"
"Looks that way," I replied, watching as Harry hesitated for a moment before reaching out and taking the offered paw.
The dog held it there, perfectly still. Harry smiled faintly, but the expression faded as he looked more closely at the animal's face. His fingers tightened slightly around the paw, and for several seconds, neither moved. Then Harry's eyes widened.
"Padfoot?" he whispered.
The dog's ears shot up. Harry released his paw, stepped forward, and threw both arms around his neck. "Padfoot!"
The sudden embrace caught the enormous dog completely by surprise. He rocked backward slightly before steadying himself, his head turning toward Harry as the boy buried his face in his thick black fur.
"I remember you!" Harry exclaimed, tightening his embrace.
Padfoot went still. Then, slowly, he lowered his head against Harry's shoulder. Harry clung to him, his small hands buried in the shaggy coat. The dog's tail gave a single uncertain thump against the carpet, followed by another.
I glanced toward Percival. The old wizard was watching them quietly, his expression unusually gentle. Andromeda had lowered her teacup, her eyes fixed on Harry and the dog. "Percival?" she asked softly.
"Aye," he answered, keeping his voice low. "I've been teaching Harry Occlumency. We've started with meditation, learning to settle his mind and work through his thoughts. During a few of our sessions, fragments of memories from when he was a baby have come to the surface."
Andromeda looked back at Harry. "He remembers?"
"Apparently so," Percival replied, watching as Harry pulled back just far enough to look Padfoot in the eyes again.
"It really is you," Harry whispered.
The dog pressed his broad muzzle against Harry's cheek. Harry laughed, though his eyes were wet, and wrapped his arms around him again. Padfoot leaned into the embrace, his tail moving slowly across the carpet. Nobody seemed particularly interested in interrupting them.
Several minutes passed as Harry and Padfoot continued getting reacquainted, neither seeming particularly interested in anything happening around them. Eventually, Andromeda decided it was time to remind the pair that the rest of us were still there.
"Alright, boys, I think it's about time we got to the reason we're all here. Padfoot, come here and greet the boy properly," she said, pointing to a spot beside the couch.
The large black dog reluctantly stepped away from Harry, walking backward until he reached the spot Andromeda had indicated. He gave another whine and flashed Harry what could only be described as a doggy grin before his body began to change. A moment later, Sirius Black stood in his place.
"Harry, allow me to introduce you to your godfather, Sirius Orion Black, or, as Josh apparently calls him, your Dogfather," Percival said with a laugh.
Harry watched as Sirius took a hesitant step forward. "Hello, Pup. I'm glad to hear that you have some memory of me, even if it's just in my Animagus form."
Sirius rubbed the back of his head, glancing toward Andromeda, who stared right back at him. She didn't say anything, but the look she gave him seemed to convey her disappointment that he'd chosen to disguise himself rather than simply introduce himself to Harry. Sirius at least had the decency to look sheepish.
"Well, go on then, boy. Greet the man as the man," Percival said, shaking his head with a grin.
"Hello, Sirius. It's nice to meet you again," Harry said with a smile before stepping forward and throwing his arms around his godfather, continuing the hug they'd started only minutes earlier.
Sirius looked surprised for a moment before returning the hug, wrapping his arms around Harry as the boy held on to him.
Look, Harry is blushing slightly.
Can you blame him? Sirius just licked both sides of his face.
I mean sure, but I think it is more to do with his emotions than his embarrassment at this point.
Most likely. However, I think Sirius is starting to get uncomfortable now.
"Not to interrupt the reunion, lads, but take a moment and breathe. I'm sure this has been quite a surprise for both of you," Percival said, his Irish accent growing noticeably thicker as he spoke. Judging by his expression, he was feeling some of the emotion in the room himself.
Harry finally loosened his grip, allowing Sirius to straighten up. Sirius gave his godson another smile before the two moved toward the couch.
A short while later, we'd all settled into more comfortable positions around the family room. Harry and Sirius remained together on the couch, with Andromeda having moved to a nearby armchair to give them plenty of room to reacquaint themselves. Percival and I occupied the other chairs, and the three of us began discussing the healers' recommendations for Sirius's continued treatment and the arrangements for his stay at Myrddin Manor.
"The healers were quite clear about the importance of continuing his treatment," Andromeda explained, looking over the recommendations she'd brought with her. "He's made considerable progress, but after spending nearly ten years in Azkaban's Heavy Security wing, there's still a great deal of healing to be done. Particularly where his mental health is concerned."
"Understandable," Percival replied. "We've already prepared a room for him, and there's plenty of space here for him to get some fresh air without overexerting himself. I don't intend to keep the man confined to his bedroom."
"Nor should you," Andromeda agreed. "He needs to establish a routine again. Somewhere he can recover without feeling as though he's still confined to a hospital ward. The important thing is that he follows the treatment plan St. Mungo's established before his discharge."
"That shouldn't be too difficult," I said. "Between the grounds and everything else around here, he'll have plenty to occupy himself with."
Percival nodded before returning his attention to Andromeda. "What about his follow-up appointments? Will he need to return to St. Mungo's regularly, or can most of his treatment be handled here?"
"I'll be stopping by three times a week to assess his recovery and make sure he's keeping up with his treatment," Andromeda answered. "He'll also have regular sessions with a dedicated mind healer. The man's qualified in both magical mind healing and Muggle psychology, which should give him a broader understanding of what Sirius has been through."
"That sounds promising," Percival replied.
"It is," Andromeda agreed. "And given the conditions of Sirius's discharge, keeping those appointments is particularly important."
Percival nodded. "I'll make certain everything is arranged for his visits. Jack will be around as well, and Tiffany may be able to spend some time with him when she's available."
"That will help," Andromeda said. "Especially once Harry leaves for Hogwarts in September. Sirius needs to have a routine established that doesn't depend on his godson being here."
"Exactly," Percival agreed. "They'll have the summer together, but there's no reason his recovery should depend on Harry's presence."
Andromeda smiled. "And with Sirius staying here, I have no concerns about the suitability of his accommodations. There aren't many households in the Wizarding World that could offer him the same level of security and support."
While the three of us continued discussing the practical details, Sirius had been keeping Harry occupied with stories about his parents and their time at Hogwarts. From what I could hear, he'd started with how he and James had met, their friendship growing during their first year, and how being Sorted into Gryffindor had immediately set him apart from the rest of the Black family.
Sirius explained that his family had expected him to follow generations of Blacks into Slytherin, and that his Sorting into Gryffindor had been considered something of a disgrace. He'd been rather pleased with the result himself, especially since it meant sharing a dormitory with James Potter. The two had quickly become inseparable, and their friendship had only grown stronger as Sirius became increasingly estranged from his own family.
By the time he was sixteen, Sirius had finally had enough of living at Grimmauld Place and moved in with James and his parents. He spoke fondly of Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, explaining how they'd welcomed him into their home and treated him like another son. According to Sirius, they'd been more like parents to him than his own had ever been, and despite the trouble he and James occasionally caused, they'd never made him feel unwelcome.
He also mentioned that not everyone in the Black family had turned their backs on him. His uncle Alphard had supported him, and Arcturus Black had been one of the few older relatives who seemed to appreciate his refusal to follow every family tradition. Sirius even recalled how he'd named Arcturus's new house-elf Robert, largely because he knew the name would irritate certain members of the family who believed house-elves ought to have more traditional names. Arcturus, rather than being offended, had approved of the name, much to Sirius's delight.
Meanwhile, our own conversation had moved on to how Sirius could begin getting back into a normal routine without interfering with his recovery.
"Once he's had a little time to settle in, I'd like to see him getting out of the house more," Percival said. "Even if it's just spending some time walking the grounds or getting involved in whatever we're doing around the Manor."
"That would be good for him," Andromeda agreed. "He was always an active boy, and being able to move around freely again should help. We simply need to make certain he doesn't try to do too much too quickly."
"I doubt he'll have much trouble finding something to do around here," I remarked.
Percival chuckled. "Between Jack and me, I'm sure we can find something to keep him occupied. And I'll make certain he has plenty of opportunities to spend time with Harry before the school year begins."
Andromeda nodded. "I think that will do him a great deal of good. Having his godson back in his life gives him something to look forward to, and that's important after everything he's been through."
Before the conversation could continue, Harry's voice suddenly rose above our own.
"I've got a house-elf too! His name's Alistair!"
A sharp crack sounded beside the couch as Alistair appeared in his neatly tailored clothing.
"Young Master Harry, did you require my assistance?" the house-elf asked with a polite bow.
Harry blinked in surprise. "Oh! I didn't mean to summon you."
"Not a problem, sir. I'm always happy to assist." Alistair turned toward the rest of us, offering a polite greeting before his attention settled on Sirius. "Sirius Black. It's a pleasure to see you again."
Sirius grinned. "Alistair! It's been a long time."
"Indeed it has. I'm very pleased to see you reunited with Young Master Harry." Alistair paused, regarding Sirius with a decidedly professional expression. "However, while I have you here, I believe a reminder is in order."
Sirius raised an eyebrow. "A reminder?"
"Lady Lily left me with standing instructions concerning Young Master Harry. Should you attempt to involve him in the same sort of mischief that you and James engaged in during your Hogwarts years, I am to inform Professor McGonagall immediately."
Sirius stared at the house-elf for a moment before narrowing his eyes. "You wouldn't."
Alistair's expression changed, his mouth spreading into an impossibly wide grin that looked entirely too pleased with the prospect. "I most certainly would."
I couldn't help laughing, and Andromeda wasn't doing much better. Even Percival was chuckling at the exchange.
Sirius shook his head, although he was grinning now himself. "Of course you would."
"Now, unless there's anything else you require, Young Master Harry, I'll return to my duties," Alistair said, his expression returning to its usual professional composure.
"No, thank you," Harry replied.
"Very good, sir." Alistair bowed once more before disappearing with another sharp crack.
Sirius watched the spot where the house-elf had been standing for a moment before turning toward me with a grin. "You know, I've just realized something. You stole my Dogfather joke."
I grinned back at him. "Snooze ya lose, old man."
Sirius placed a hand over his chest, looking thoroughly offended by my choice of words. "Old man? I'll have you know I'm still young enough to run circles around you, pup. Besides, stealing a man's best joke before he's even had a chance to use it? That's a rather ruff way to welcome someone home."
Harry immediately started laughing, and I couldn't help grinning as Sirius settled back against the cushions with the satisfied expression of someone who'd just delivered a particularly clever insult. The man had apparently decided that if I was going to steal his Dogfather joke, he was going to make me regret it.
"Well, I figured you wouldn't want to spend your first day here chasing your own tail," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "Besides, you've been out of circulation for a while. Thought I'd throw you a bone."
"Oh, that's how we're playing it, is it?" Sirius asked, his grin widening as he rubbed his hands together. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You Ravenclaws always did have a habit of sticking your noses where they don't belong. Although, judging by your sense of humor, I'd say you've been barking up the wrong tree."
"Better than being all bark and no bite," I shot back, earning another laugh from Harry. "Though I suppose I ought to be careful. Wouldn't want you getting a bone to pick with me."
Sirius threw his head back and laughed. "Hahahahaha! Oh, that's a good one! I'll give you that, lad, but don't think you're getting away with it. I've spent years perfecting my ability to look innocent while causing trouble. You might even say I've got a rather impressive pedigree."
"Considering the family you come from, I'd say that's debatable," Andromeda remarked, lifting her teacup with an amused smile. "Though I suppose we can agree that you've always been particularly talented at finding trouble."
"Andy!" Sirius exclaimed, turning toward his cousin with an expression of wounded dignity. "I'm trying to have a perfectly civilized conversation with the young man who helped get me out of prison, and here you are dragging the family name through the mud."
Andromeda raised an eyebrow over the rim of her cup. "Sirius, darling, I distinctly remember you tracking mud through my mother's sitting room after spending an afternoon running around the grounds as Padfoot. I believe the house-elves spent the better part of an hour cleaning the carpet."
"Allegedly," Sirius replied, raising one finger.
"You were still covered in mud when you transformed back."
"Circumstantial evidence."
Harry dissolved into another fit of laughter, nearly folding over on the sofa as Sirius maintained his expression of complete innocence. Percival was chuckling as well, his shoulders shaking slightly while he watched the exchange over his cup of tea.
"Well, Sirius," I said, waiting until Harry had managed to catch his breath, "I'd say Andy's got you on a pretty short leash there."
Sirius slowly turned his head toward me, his eyes narrowing as the grin returned to his face.
"Careful, Josh. You're getting dangerously close to making me the butt of every joke."
"Wouldn't dream of it. I'm just trying to keep things from going to the dogs."
"Too late for that, I'm afraid. You've already let one into the house."
"Aye, and I'm beginning to wonder whether I ought to have put a kennel out back," Percival remarked, setting his cup onto its saucer. "Though I suspect the neighbors might complain about the noise."
Sirius looked toward him with an expression of exaggerated disbelief. "Percival! I expected better from you. Here I am, freshly returned to polite society, and you're already threatening to put me outside."
"Only if ye start scratching at the furniture, lad."
That did it. Harry broke into another round of laughter, and even Andromeda had to put her tea down before she spilled it. Sirius looked around the room as though searching for someone willing to defend his dignity, then apparently decided that nobody was going to come to his rescue.
"Well, I suppose that's settled, then," he announced, folding his arms across his chest. "A man can't even enjoy a little peace and quiet without everyone taking a paw at him."
"Peace and quiet?" Andromeda repeated, laughing softly. "Sirius, you've been responsible for most of the noise since Harry came into the room."
"Precisely! And I was doing a magnificent job of it until everyone started interrupting."
Harry was still grinning when he looked up at his godfather. "Were you always like this?"
Sirius turned toward him, his expression softening without losing its amusement. "Oh, Pup, you have no idea. Your father and I were practically professionals when it came to making people laugh. Well, most people. There were a few professors who didn't appreciate our particular talents."
"Professor McGonagall?" Harry asked.
"Especially Professor McGonagall," Sirius replied, nodding solemnly. "Although I maintain that she secretly enjoyed some of our better efforts. She just couldn't admit it without encouraging us."
"Considering Alistair's warning, I'd say she's probably still got a few bones to pick with you," I remarked.
Sirius gave me a sideways look. "You know, I was beginning to think we'd moved past the dog jokes."
"Sorry. Guess I just couldn't let sleeping dogs lie."
Sirius stared at me for a moment before bursting into another fit of laughter, slapping his knee hard enough that Harry jumped beside him.
"All right! All right, you win that one!" he managed between laughs. "Merlin's beard, James would've loved you. The two of you would've been absolutely unbearable together."
Harry's smile widened at the mention of his father, and Sirius reached over to ruffle his hair. Harry made a halfhearted attempt to duck away, but there wasn't much determination behind it. The two settled back against the sofa, still smiling, while Andromeda retrieved her teacup and Percival reached for the small plate of biscuits on the table between the chairs.
The conversation might have continued in that direction for considerably longer if the family room door hadn't opened a moment later.
Jack stepped inside, pausing just beyond the threshold before approaching Percival's chair. He waited until Percival looked up from his tea, then leaned down to speak quietly into his ear. Whatever he said was too low for me to make out, but Percival's eyebrows rose slightly before he gave a thoughtful nod.
"Ah, I see," Percival said, setting his cup aside. "Thank you, Jack. Give us a few minutes before bringing him in, would ye? And be sure to let Lord Malfoy know that we've guests present. I'd appreciate it if he remembered that this is a family gathering and conducted himself accordingly."
"Of course, sir," Jack replied, straightening. "Shall I have refreshments prepared for him as well?"
"Aye, that would be appropriate. See what he'd prefer, and have it brought in once he's settled."
Jack inclined his head and withdrew, closing the door quietly behind him. Percival watched him leave before turning his attention back toward the sofa, where Sirius had stopped laughing and was now regarding him with an expression of mild curiosity.
"Lord Malfoy?" Sirius asked, shifting slightly against the cushions. "Lucius Malfoy?"
"The very same," Percival answered. "He's called on rather unexpectedly. I suspect there's some political matter he wishes to discuss, though I won't know for certain until I've spoken with him."
Sirius let out a breath through his nose, glancing briefly toward Andromeda before returning his attention to Percival. "Well, that's certainly one way to ruin a perfectly pleasant morning."
"Now, Sirius," Percival began, his tone remaining conversational as he leaned forward slightly in his chair, "I've already asked Jack to remind Lucius that we've guests present and that I expect him to behave himself. I'd appreciate it if ye'd extend the man the same courtesy."
Sirius looked at him for a moment, then glanced down at Harry, who had gone quiet beside him. His godson was watching the conversation with interest, although he didn't appear to understand why the arrival of Lord Malfoy warranted a warning.
"You're asking me not to start anything," Sirius said.
"I'm asking ye to remember that he's a guest in my home," Percival replied. "I'm well aware there's history between the two of ye, and I've no intention of pretending otherwise. But whatever disagreements ye might have, I'd prefer they remain disagreements rather than becoming a spectacle in front of Harry."
Sirius rubbed a hand over his jaw, considering the request while Andromeda watched him from her chair. After a moment, he gave a small nod and settled back against the sofa.
"Fair enough," he replied. "I can manage that. Though I reserve the right to think unkind things about him while he's here."
Percival chuckled. "Think whatever ye please, lad. It's what comes out of yer mouth that concerns me."
"Well, there goes half my entertainment for the afternoon."
"Only half?" Andromeda asked, her lips curving into a smile. "I would've thought you could manage a little better than that."
Sirius grinned at her. "Andy, you wound me. I've been out of practice, that's all. Give me a few weeks, and I'll be back to my usual charming self."
"That's what worries me," she replied, shaking her head with a quiet laugh.
Percival seemed satisfied with the exchange, and the conversation gradually resumed while we waited for Jack to return. Harry took the opportunity to ask Sirius another question about his father, which led to a brief discussion of James's fondness for Quidditch and the amount of time he'd spent practicing whenever the weather permitted. Sirius seemed only too happy to oblige, gesturing animatedly as he described a particularly ambitious attempt at scoring with the Quaffle during practice. Apparently, James had decided that flying straight toward the goal hoops was far too ordinary when he could attempt a sharp turn around another player, roll beneath an approaching Bludger, and still get his shot off. He'd managed the first two parts beautifully, according to Sirius, but had been so pleased with himself that he'd forgotten to account for the hedge beyond the edge of the pitch when he tried to pull away.
By the time another knock sounded at the door, Harry was laughing again, and Sirius was in the middle of explaining why the hedge had been entirely at fault.
"Come in," Percival called.
Jack opened the door and stepped aside, allowing a tall, blond-haired wizard to enter the family room.
Lucius Malfoy was dressed in finely tailored robes of dark green crushed velvet bordering on black, the fabric catching the light as he moved. His long hair, reminiscent of moonlight falling across a darkened field, fell neatly over his shoulders, and he carried himself with the easy confidence of someone accustomed to moving within the formal gatherings of political society. A silver-headed cane rested lightly in one hand, the silver cobra's head bearing emeralds inset into its eyes, more an accessory to his appearance than something he appeared to need for support.
Weird how some Muggle Victorian-era things managed to make their way into wizarding society like that. If the movies held true even here, his wand was hidden inside that cane like a sword in its sheath. Ebony, eleven and a half inches, with a dragon heartstring core, if I were to guess.
He paused just inside the room, allowing Jack to close the door behind him before offering Percival a respectful inclination of his head.
"Lord Myrddin," Lucius greeted, his voice smooth and measured. "Thank you for receiving me without an appointment. I hope my arrival hasn't caused too much inconvenience."
"Not at all, Lucius," Percival replied, rising from his chair to greet him. "Though as Jack will have mentioned, we've company this morning. I trust ye won't mind joining us for a little while before we get down to business."
"Of course not," Lucius answered, offering a faint, courteous smile. "I would hardly expect you to dismiss your guests on my account."
His attention moved naturally around the room, and I watched as he took in the people gathered there. He acknowledged Andromeda first, inclining his head with a degree of familiarity that suggested he hadn't expected to find her sitting in Percival's family room.
"Andromeda. A pleasure to see you again."
"Lucius," she replied warmly enough, setting her cup aside. "I hope Narcissa is well."
"Quite well, thank you. She sends her regards, although I suspect she'll be rather disappointed to learn I've had the opportunity to visit without her."
Andromeda smiled at that. "Then you'll have to bring her along next time."
"I shall endeavor to remember."
Lucius turned toward the sofa, where Sirius had risen to his feet. For a brief moment, the two men regarded one another without speaking, and I noticed Lucius's expression change slightly as he took in his wife's cousins appearance.
"Sirius," Lucius said at last, inclining his head. "I hadn't realized you were well enough to leave St. Mungo's. It's good to see you recovering."
"Lucius," Sirius replied, returning the greeting with a small nod. "Only recently discharged, actually. Percival's been kind enough to offer me somewhere to stay while I get back on my feet."
"A generous arrangement," Lucius observed, glancing briefly toward Percival before returning his attention to Sirius. "And one I imagine will be considerably more comfortable than a hospital ward."
"You've no idea," Sirius answered, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
Lucius allowed himself a restrained smile before looking toward Harry, who had stood beside his godfather.
"And you must be Harry Potter."
"Yes, sir," Harry replied, straightening a little.
"Lucius Malfoy," he introduced himself, offering Harry a courteous nod. "I've known members of both sides of your family for many years. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."
"Nice to meet you, Lord Malfoy," Harry answered.
Lucius's expression warmed slightly at the proper address, and he acknowledged the greeting before turning toward me.
"Joshua Myrddin," he said, his eyes settling on me with unmistakable recognition. "I had hoped I might have an opportunity to speak with you as well."
"Lord Malfoy," I replied, rising from my chair. "Good morning."
"Good morning. I understand you've been rather busy since returning from Hogwarts."
"Something like that."
"Indeed." Lucius's smile broadened a fraction. "I recently had the opportunity to examine your book. A rather ambitious undertaking for someone your age, particularly given the subject matter. I imagine it required a considerable amount of research."
"It did," I answered. "Though I'd already done most of the groundwork before I started putting it together."
"That much is apparent. Whatever one's opinion of the subject, the effort involved is difficult to overlook." Lucius adjusted his grip on the cane, resting both hands lightly over its silver head. "I suspect it will encourage a number of interesting conversations in the coming months."
"I'd be surprised if it didn't."
Lucius gave a quiet chuckle. "Quite. Though I daresay you may find that publishing a book is sometimes the easiest part of being an author."
"Wouldn't surprise me."
As the conversation continued, Lucius moved farther into the room, taking the chair Percival indicated near the others. He passed close enough to me that I could have reached out and touched his shoulder without taking more than a step.
I can't believe he's standing within stabbing distance of you right now. Seriously, I think there are a few optional quests that could be accomplished here if you're interested.
There's more to life than quests. Regardless, he's technically here under guest right, and if canon is anything to go by, he isn't completely irredeemable.
I mean, yeah, few are completely irredeemable, but he's still Lucius Malfoy, and he hasn't been redeemed yet.
I left the System's observation unanswered as Jack returned with refreshments, placing a fresh cup and saucer on the table beside Lucius's chair. Percival resumed his seat and waited until his guest had made himself comfortable before turning the conversation toward the reason for the unexpected visit.
"Now then, Lucius," Percival began, folding his hands comfortably over his stomach. "What brings ye out this way on such a fine morning?"
Lucius set his cane against the arm of his chair and accepted the tea Jack had provided, taking a moment to arrange the saucer before answering. "A matter I thought would benefit from a conversation in person, rather than an exchange of letters. Though I hadn't anticipated finding quite such a gathering."
"Well, ye've caught us at an interesting time," Percival replied, glancing toward Harry and Sirius with a small smile. "But there's no harm in discussing business once everyone's settled."
I glanced toward the clock, then toward the door. My glasses were still sitting in pieces on the worktable down the hall, and I'd already been away from them considerably longer than I'd intended. With Lucius here to discuss whatever political business had brought him to the Manor, there didn't seem much reason for me to remain.
"If you'll excuse me," I said, waiting until Percival looked my way, "I've still got a project down the hall that needs finishing. I was halfway through something when Harry came to get me."
Percival nodded, apparently remembering the work I'd mentioned earlier. "Aye, the glasses. How are they coming along?"
"Pretty well, actually. I've still got a fair bit of carving left to do, but I should be able to finish the first set today if nothing else comes up."
"Then by all means, get back to it," Percival replied. "We'll see ye at lunch."
"Sounds good."
I turned toward Harry and Sirius, both of whom were watching me from the sofa. Harry looked a little disappointed that I was leaving, but Sirius was wearing the same mischievous grin he'd had throughout our earlier exchange.
"Leaving already, pup?" Sirius asked. "I thought we were just getting started."
"Sorry, old man. Some of us have work to do."
"Work, he says!" Sirius exclaimed, looking toward Harry with an expression of mock disbelief. "Can you imagine? A young man voluntarily abandoning a perfectly good opportunity to cause trouble because he's got work to do. Whatever happened to the youth of today?"
"Some of us learned how to stay out of the doghouse," I replied, earning another laugh from Harry.
Sirius pointed at me, grinning. "That one was deliberate."
"Every single one of 'em."
Andromeda laughed softly as I turned toward her, offering a polite nod before looking back toward Percival and Lucius.
"Enjoy your visit, Lord Malfoy."
"Thank you, Joshua," Lucius replied, rising just enough from his chair to acknowledge my departure.
"And I hope your project proves successful. I would be interested to hear more about your work when the opportunity presents itself."
"Appreciate it."
Jack was already moving toward the door, opening it as I approached. I thanked him on my way out, then stepped into the corridor while the conversation behind me returned to Percival and his guest.
The door closed quietly, leaving me with the familiar sounds of the Manor and a workroom full of unfinished enchantments waiting down the hall. I adjusted the position of my shoulder bag and started back toward the stairs, already considering which of the remaining matrices I ought to tackle first.
The conversation in the family room continued behind me as I made my way down the hall. I could hear Sirius laughing again before I got too far away, although whether he'd come up with another dog joke or Harry had said something to set him off, I couldn't tell. Either way, it sounded like they were having a good time.
I reached the workroom and drew my wand, tapping the door with its tip. "Alohomora." The lock clicked open, and I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. Everything was right where I'd left it, including the enlarged lenses, the other five components, and the collection of engraving tools spread across the worktable.
"Alright, back to work."
I returned to my stool and pulled the second lens toward me. I'd finished the first one before Harry interrupted me, and the second was already halfway done. That left the remaining matrices on this lens, followed by the frame, both arms, and the two screws. Quite a bit of work, but at least I wasn't starting over.
I checked the completed carvings against my diagrams, then adjusted the mount to bring the next section into a comfortable position. The fourth matrix was nearly finished, leaving only the last few connections between the magnification and focal adjustment enchantments. I selected the appropriate engraving tool and began following the transferred lines, carefully maintaining the depth of each cut as I worked around the gemstone.
The magnification matrices were some of the more interesting parts of the design. They needed to work together to adjust the wearer's vision across an enormous range of distances, from examining something microscopic to observing objects miles away. I'd already done the calculations, of course, but seeing the actual runic pathways take shape was considerably more satisfying than staring at another page of Arithmancy or runic diagram plans.
I finished the remaining connections and set the tool aside long enough to inspect my work. After wiping away the gemstone dust with a dry cloth, I compared the completed section against the diagrams and turned the lens beneath the workroom lights. Everything looked good.
The next matrix dealt with recording and replaying visual information, using the same general principles I'd drawn from Omnoculars. I'd already prepared the crystal lattice that would store the information, but I'd also accounted for eventually transferring those recordings elsewhere, much like a wizard extracting a memory with his wand. That was a feature I was particularly interested in developing further. If things went as planned, future versions would only need a prompt, either a thought or a voice command.
I adjusted the lens in its mount and began carving the recording matrix, working along the pathways that would connect the visual enchantments to the storage crystals. The individual cuts weren't especially difficult, but the intersections required more attention. Some of the pathways needed to communicate directly with the neighboring matrices, while others would remain separate until the frame's control enchantments activated them.
A mistake in either direction could cause the glasses to fail entirely or possibly explode. Neither of which were particularly desirable outcomes for this project.
I continued working, periodically stopping to wipe away the gemstone dust and check the depth of the grooves. The recording matrix gradually took shape around the lens, followed by the sections responsible for retrieving stored information and displaying it to the wearer. Once that was complete, I moved on to the remaining functions.
The translation matrix came next, followed by the personal display and the final enchantment responsible for interpreting magical phenomena. I'd already spent months working out how these functions would interact, so the majority of my attention went toward making certain the physical carvings matched the diagrams.
The mage-vision matrix was particularly intricate around its connections to the light-filtering enchantments. I had to reposition the lens several times to reach the narrower sections without damaging the surrounding grooves, but the enlarged gemstone gave me enough room to work comfortably. Eventually, I finished the final cut and put the engraving tool down.
I cleaned the lens, removed it from the mount, and held it beneath the workroom lights. Seven completed matrices covered its surface, their patterns following the curves of the gemstone in a series of interconnected rings. I placed it beside the first lens and compared the two.
"Two down, five to go," I muttered, reaching for the frame.
The frame presented a different set of challenges from the lenses. Rather than working with a single gemstone, I was carving across a composite of cherry wood, ebony, rowan, and mithril. Each material had its own characteristics, and the engraving tools behaved differently depending on which surface I was working.
I secured the enlarged frame in the adjustable mount and began along the inner edges where the lenses would eventually sit. The first pathways were responsible for connecting the lenses to the rest of the device, so their placement needed to match the corresponding runes I'd already carved. I worked slowly around the first opening, then repeated the process around the second. Once those connections were complete, I moved on to the matrices responsible for coordinating the various enchantments and providing the controls.
The frame was where everything would come together. The lenses could gather and process information, but without the connections running through the frame, they wouldn't be able to communicate with the storage crystals or the enchantments housed in the arms.
I followed the transferred patterns across the composite materials, changing tools whenever the width or depth of a particular groove required it. The mithril sections were especially satisfying to work with. They held the carvings beautifully, although I still had to account for the transitions between metal and wood.
By the time I'd finished the last of the frame's seven matrices, I'd developed a fairly respectable collection of gemstone and metal dust around the worktable. I grabbed another dry hand towel and wiped down the surface, then inspected the completed frame from several angles before setting it beside the lenses.
I reached for the first arm.
The arms were considerably longer than the screws, which at least gave me more room to work with, but their matrices were no less complicated. I'd designed seven enchantments into each one, covering everything from power collection and protective functions to environmental controls and audio.
The first matrix was responsible for drawing ambient magical energy into the device. I secured the arm in the mount and began carving along its length, following the transferred runes toward the hinge where the connection to the frame would eventually be made.
Once that was complete, I moved on to the protective enchantments. I'd already used the indestructibility enchantment on the cage, so I was familiar with the principles involved. The difference here was that the enchantment needed to work across several separate components, maintaining the integrity of the assembled glasses rather than protecting a single object.
The shield enchantment required more attention. It needed to work with the corresponding matrix on the other arm to provide protection around the wearer's head, which meant the connections had to be positioned correctly when the glasses were assembled.
I finished those sections, checked them against the diagrams, and continued. The air-filtration and environmental enchantments occupied much of the remaining space. I worked through each matrix in turn, carefully carving the pathways responsible for the different functions before moving on to the climate-control and audio enchantments.
By the time I finished the first arm, my fingers were beginning to feel the effects of the work. I set the engraving tool down and stretched my hands, flexing them several times before reaching for the bottle of water in my inventory. I took a long drink, returned the bottle, and spent another minute rolling my shoulders before getting back to it.
The second arm went somewhat faster. Not because I was rushing, but because I'd already worked through the corresponding patterns on the first. I still checked each section against the diagrams, particularly where the enchantments were intended to reinforce one another, but the process was becoming familiar. Eventually, the last matrix was complete.
I cleaned the arm and placed it beside its counterpart, then picked up the first enlarged screw and secured it in a smaller clamp. The mithril surface provided an excellent foundation for the carvings, while the gemstone mounted into the screw would serve as one of the two storage batteries. The screws also contained the anchors and limiters that would keep the other enchantments operating within their intended parameters.
I adjusted the inspection lens above the worktable and began carving the first matrix. The enlarged screw gave me enough room to work, although I still had to reposition the clamp several times to reach the necessary angles.
The pathways curved around the screw's body, connecting the gemstone battery to the runes that would eventually meet the corresponding enchantments in the frame and arms. I worked through each section carefully, checking the completed grooves before moving on. The first screw took longer than I'd expected, but eventually I finished the seventh matrix and set it aside.
The second followed much the same process. By the time I completed its final carving, I had worked through every diagram I'd prepared for the project. I checked the last set of grooves against my calculations, turned the screw to examine the connections around its gemstone, and placed it beside the other six components.
I looked over the worktable, taking in the completed lenses, frame, arms, and screws. Every component had its seven matrices carved, and all forty-nine enchantments were finally ready for the next stage.
I cleared a section of the worktable and brought over a basin of clean water, along with several soft cloths. The special adhesive I'd used to transfer the runic patterns was designed to dissolve on contact with water, so removing it was straightforward.
I started with the lenses, washing each one carefully to remove the adhesive from the gemstone surfaces and the completed carvings. Once they were clean, I dried them and placed them on a fresh cloth. The frame came next, followed by the arms and finally the screws. I worked through all seven components, making certain every trace of the adhesive had been removed before drying each piece and arranging them on the padded tray.
With that finished, I began the final fit and finish.
I examined the edges of the lenses and the corresponding openings in the frame, checking that the surfaces were clean and ready for assembly. Everything had been manufactured to the specifications I'd provided, so the components fitted together exactly as intended.
I picked up the first enlarged lens and carefully seated it in the frame, aligning the runic connections along its outer edge with the corresponding pathways I'd carved into the frame itself. The second lens followed. I checked both from several angles, making certain they were properly positioned before moving on to the arms.
The first arm fitted neatly against its hinge, followed by the second. I aligned the connecting matrices and reached for the enlarged mithril screws, carefully threading each one into place and tightening them until the arms were securely attached.
Once the final screw was seated, I picked up the assembled glasses and turned them over in my hands. The lenses sat properly within the frame, the arms moved smoothly on their hinges, and the screws held the assembly together. More importantly, the runic matrices were designed to maintain the alignment and structural integrity of the components once the enchantments were activated, so I wasn't worried about anything shifting afterward.
I set the enlarged glasses back onto the padded tray and took a moment to look them over.
Seven enchantments on seven individual pieces, making this a seven-by-seven enchantment. Honestly, I couldn't see why people preferred enchanting to alchemy. From the limited understanding I had of Alchemy so far, Alchemy should be easier in the long run than this. A seven-by-seven was the kind of project most enchanters undertook for their Mastery, and here I was, not even in my fourth year at Hogwarts yet, attempting one.
Maybe Flitwick was right about me taking my O.W.L.s at the end of this year...
Some of those enchantments overlap.
And? I still carved out forty-nine enchantments. STFU.
Touchy, touchy.
I shook my head and returned my attention to the glasses.
All that remained was returning them to their original size and activating the enchantments. The first part was simple enough, although I wanted to make certain everything was properly positioned before I attempted the second.
I picked up the enlarged glasses and gave them another inspection, checking the lenses, hinges, and screws one final time. Satisfied that everything was seated correctly, I placed them in the center of the padded tray and retrieved my wand.
"Finite!"
The Enlargement Charm released, and the glasses began returning to their original dimensions. I watched closely as the runic patterns contracted along with the materials they were carved into, their connections maintaining their relative positions throughout the process. Within a few seconds, the glasses had returned to their proper size.
I set my wand aside and picked them up, turning them beneath the workroom lights. At their normal size, the individual carvings were considerably harder to distinguish without magnification.
The glasses looked exactly as I'd intended when I'd designed them. Modern frames, clear lenses, and nothing particularly obvious about the amount of magic I'd just crammed into them. Unless someone knew what to look for, I doubted they'd realize they were anything more than an expensive pair of spectacles.
Now came the part that would determine whether I'd spent the morning making something useful or an extremely elaborate piece of costume jewelry.
I placed the glasses back on the tray and took a moment to review the activation sequence I'd worked out. With forty-nine enchantments spread across seven separate components, I couldn't simply dump magic into the entire assembly and hope everything sorted itself out. The matrices needed to establish their connections in the proper order, allowing the power storage, control functions, and individual enchantments to recognize one another.
Fortunately, that was something I'd accounted for in the design.
I positioned my wand over the frame and began feeding magic into the activation matrix, keeping the flow steady as the first runes responded. A faint light appeared along the inner edge of the frame, tracing the pathways toward the hinges and the two gemstone batteries housed in the screws.
I watched as the glow reached the screws, then spread through the connections leading into the arms. The gemstones began to brighten, their internal structures catching the light as the charging enchantments established themselves.
So far, so good.
I continued supplying magic, allowing the control matrices to establish their connections with the lenses. The light traveled around the rims, following the concentric patterns I'd spent so long engraving into the gemstones. One ring illuminated, followed by another, the glow spreading through the lenses until both were covered in an intricate network of softly shining runes.
I kept my attention on the flow of magic, watching for any sign that the matrices were interfering with one another. There was a brief increase in resistance as the separate enchantments began interacting, but the limiters responded as intended, regulating the flow before it could exceed the parameters I'd established.
The resistance eased.
The glow began to fade, retreating from the lenses toward the frame as the individual matrices settled into their operating states. A few seconds later, the last visible traces disappeared, leaving the glasses sitting quietly on the tray.
I waited.
Nothing exploded.
"Well, that's encouraging."
I lowered my wand and examined the glasses without touching them. The gemstones mounted in the screws retained a faint internal glow, but otherwise the entire assembly appeared perfectly normal.
Congratulations. You've successfully activated your first seven-by-seven enchanted item.
Yeah, well, let's see if the damn thing actually works before we start celebrating.
I reached toward the glasses, then stopped just short of picking them up.
I'd spent months designing the enchantments and most of the morning carving them. The activation had gone according to plan, but there was still a difference between a magical device accepting power and that device doing everything it was supposed to do.
I picked up the glasses, opened the arms, and examined the lenses one last time.
"Alright. Moment of truth."
A faint scratching sound near the door caught my attention before I could put them on. I glanced over, expecting to find someone trying to get my attention, only to discover an orange tabby cat standing just inside the workroom.
I stared at the animal for a moment, wondering how the hell it had gotten inside without my noticing. I had closed the door when I returned, and I hadn't heard it open since.
The cat looked back at me with the sort of complete indifference only a cat could manage. Its orange fur was neatly groomed, and it appeared perfectly comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. Rather than retreating when it noticed me watching, it took a few steps farther into the room, its tail held upright as it surveyed the furniture and shelves.
"Well, hello there. Where'd you come from?"
HOLY FUCK! IS THAT GOOSE?!?!
Goose... FROM THE MCU?!?! FUCK!
Goose sat there watching the System's and my moment of realization, a rather pleased look in those feline eyes. After all, if this really was the same interdimensional cosmic creature from the MCU, I wasn't about to make assumptions about its biology. For all I knew, Flerkens didn't even have the same distinctions between male and female that ordinary cats did, and I wasn't interested in pissing one off over something that stupid while it was sitting right in front of me.
Are you sure that's Goose, the Flerken from the MCU?
PRETTY FUCKING CERTAIN! I CAN TELL A FLERKEN APART FROM A KNEAZLE OR A BASIC HOUSE CAT! WHY IS IT STARING AT ME?!?!
Try calming down and being nicer?
Fine. Spoil the mood.
"Hrrrk."
"No. No. No. No, no, no, no, no," I muttered, recognizing what was about to happen as I started backing away from the cat-shaped being that had somehow entered my workspace.
"HRRRRRRRK! HRRRRRRRRRK!"
"Not on the floor!" I cried as the 'cat' began coughing something up that was considerably larger than any hairball had a right to be.
Something shaped like a...
Cell phone? A touchscreen smartphone in 1991? What the actual fuck?
The phone lay on the floor, suspiciously clean for something that had just been coughed up by an interdimensional, cat-shaped being.
Goose, because until proven otherwise, that was who I was going to believe was sitting in front of me, pushed the phone toward me with one paw. The creature stopped when it was within a foot of my boots, close enough that I could easily bend down and pick it up. Apparently satisfied, Goose turned around, walked back to the previous spot, and sat down facing me.
"Meow, meow, meow, meow, meeeeow," the 'cat' announced, gesturing toward itself with a paw.
Translate for me, robot voice. I don't want to have to explain this twice. Hello, human. I am the Flerken commonly known as Goose. The voice in your head should have already told you as much. This phone is a gift for you from that 37 guy, as thanks for letting me crash in your world for a little while. That's what she said. That last part was DISTINCTLY female, J-man.
J-man?
I'm trying something new. Would you prefer meat bag? Or maybe Hal?
No, I think I am good.
I picked up the phone and turned it over in my hands, examining it from several angles. I hadn't held a smartphone in years, and I'd almost forgotten what it was like to have one of these things practically glued to my hand for most of the day.
No obvious brand markings, but it's got multiple ports, including a headphone jack. Man, now that takes me back.
Before I could investigate any further, the phone started ringing in my hand.
Optional Quest Alert!
You have received a literal call to adventure! Please answer the phone and go off on a quest to save a world overrun by aliens!
Press Yes to Accept or Press No to Decline.
Failure Penalties:
???
???
???
???
Death
Rewards:
???
???
???
???
A favor from a mysterious source.
Please decide quickly!
"NO!" I exclaimed, mashing the Ignore Call button with my thumb while mentally selecting No on the quest prompt.
I was not going on a literal call to adventure. I was busy!
Bzzt!
The phone vibrated in my hand as a text message arrived from an unknown sender.
R.O.B. 37: Good call on that one. I sent Goose to bring you the phone to help you troubleshoot your magitech, like you asked for when you and I designed your System. I have no idea how they got your number. Anyway, with that, you can make calls to anyone, anywhere, and anywhen, with the exception of those related to you by blood or marriage. For them, you can only call in the present. Like we agreed. If you want to start messing around with time, you're going to have to start powering up faster. Till next time!
Ding! Memory packet transferred. System setup and integration! Please review at your own leisure.
Fuck me. I forgot that was coming.
Wait. You knew this was coming?
Well, yeah, BUT so did you. We just both forgot, and you haven't been paying as much attention to your System as a NORMAL gamer usually does.
The System had me there.
I'd been treating the System like a convenient AI assistant that could hold a conversation more often than not, but I'd been massively underutilizing it and its tools. There were entire features I'd barely touched, despite having access to them for years.
Having said that, though…
I'll start using the other features after I get as far as I can like this. Normal-ish body. Normal-ish mind. I need to see what I can do as a human first.
Fair enough. Still, though, do the occasional quest. It can get kinda repetitive in here watching you train or study day after day after day.
I'll keep that in mind.
You'd better.
I shook my head and looked back at the phone in my hand. There were several applications installed, although one in particular caught my attention.
Help Given to Those Who Ask.
"Well, that's certainly an interesting name for an app."
I tapped the icon, intending to see what it actually did, only for the phone to start ringing again.
"Seriously?"
Unlike the previous call, there wasn't an accompanying quest notification. Just an incoming call from an unknown number.
I considered ignoring it, but curiosity got the better of me.
"Help Given to Those Who Ask support line," I said with a smile as I accepted the call.
I listened for a moment.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down. What's your name?"
Another pause.
"Yes, it matters. You called me, and to make sure I can provide the appropriate assistance, I need to know who you are."
I leaned back against the worktable, listening to whatever explanation the caller was offering.
"Don't worry about it."
Apparently, that wasn't the answer they wanted.
"Look, you called me," I said, starting to get a little irritated with the caller. "Either you give me some information so I know how I'm supposed to be helping you, or you get random helpful advice that may or may not help the situation at hand."
I listened again, my irritation gradually giving way to confusion.
"Okay. And how exactly did you manage to get yourself into that situation?"
A few seconds passed.
"Uh-huh. Right. And you thought that was a good idea because...?"
I frowned.
"Hang on. Back up a second. What did you say you took?"
The caller repeated themselves.
"You took WHAT?!"
.....
Wizard tech smart glasses successfully paired. This is due to the phone itself. Your glasses aren't quite at its level yet. We can at least update your glasses' operating system a bit here. The rest is on you, bud. - R.O.B. 37
I stared at the message scrolling across the lenses of my new glasses. Honestly, I hadn't planned on pairing them with the phone. It seemed rather redundant with my System in place.
Damn straight, choom.
Moving on.
This should at least save me a good bit of time during the troubleshooting phase when I eventually put them on the market. With the software update, R.O.B. had combined the mage vision I'd coded into the glasses with the live translation concept I'd also added to create, for lack of a better description, subtitles.
You don't need the glasses for that. Just activate it in the System and up the #$%^ setting to a higher percentage, and you'll have subtitles too.
We've been over this. Now leave it.
I'm just saying. No need to raise it to 100%. One robotic voice in your head is plenty.
SUBTITLES that came from the world itself. A native identification feature that worked like the Identify or Observe skills seen in so many System stories and worlds.
It could also translate any text I was looking at or audio around me, provided the language was understood by the information stored in the System itself.
Honestly, I thought Curse-Breakers were going to love that.
Since this was technically software, and I'd designed the glasses to transfer data, I could copy the functionality over to other devices later. That gave me a head start on my plans for smartphones, too.