110 Changes

The first indication I got that something was wrong was the uncontrollable vibration coming from the brass door handle that I had been enchanting. I knew I didn't need to worry about the room taking damage because I was in a multi-layered warded circle similar to the one at Dad's shop where he experiments with new ideas.

The wards are keyed to me and will prevent anything from crossing from the inside to the out. However, while the room was safe from damage, I was very much at risk.

Without pause, I turned and dove out of the circle just in time to see the shiny brass door handle I was working on explode, sending pieces of brass shrapnel in every direction. Thankfully, my wards worked perfectly and stopped anything from leaving the circle.

With a groan, I picked myself up off the floor.

Over the summer break, I had been pushing my charm-crafting skill. For the past two months, I had been working on one of the most complicated and complex pieces of magic I had ever worked on. I was trying to make my own version of a self-contained transportation network. To say that it has been slow going is an understatement.

Don't get me wrong, the Floo network is great. Probably around sixty to seventy percent of people traveling use the Floo Network. But, it was old and hadn't been updated in centuries. One of the unfortunate things about wizard society is that there tends to be a lack of progress in that area once there is something that works.

I couldn't help but wonder what Ignatia Wildsmith would think of me wanting to replace her life's work. We were both Heirs of Ravenclaw, and yet here I was working to replace her greatest achievement.

I still hadn't worked out just how everything would work in my new system. Having Ignatia's journals would save me a ton of time. But, I knew this was a long-term project and would probably take a few years to work out all the kinks.

Like Ignatia, I would be using the idea of something to base my network on. She used fireplaces. As long as something resembles a fireplace, the floo network could connect with it.

My idea was more straightforward. It was to use doors in the place of fireplaces. Of course, the door was only of secondary importance. The real piece of magic would be the door handle.

Imagine being able just to open a door and walk through to your destination. Way better than getting into a fireplace full of ash and having to douse yourself in floo powder.

I also planned to take it one step further by introducing portable door handles. If you find yourself needing to go somewhere, all you would have to do is find a door, place the enchanted door handle into it, and voila, instant travel.

Since most people either don't have the skill or talent to apparate, I figured my way would be more convenient. If I could get this network up and running, it would put Fawley's Arcane Solutions so far into the black. I would never need to worry about my company becoming unprofitable ever again.

One significant change I was planning to my travel system was to increase security. As of now, travel is unrestricted amount fireplaces that are actively connected to the Floo Network. All you need to know about to get to travel to someone's fireplace is the name of the residences. While most take active precautions, some never even consider that the floo network is an easy way into people's homes.

My way of fixing this glaring hole is to do away with voice activation commands used in the Floo Network and introduce a coded system. On the door handle, I plan to add a backplate with the numbers 0-9. Each handle will get a designated number that someone must use for the doorways to connect. It won't solve all the security concerns, but it's better than what people have now with their fireplace.

As I finished cleaning up the mess, two loud voices drew my attention as their bickering filled the Tower.

"What were you thinking, you old, paranoid, billy goat?" A screeching feminine voice shouted. "Building a secret tower in the middle of nowhere. Did it ever occur to you that maybe you should have told someone where it was?"

I smiled when I heard Anton's scathing reply, "It wouldn't be much of a secret if I told anyone where it was, now would it?"

"And look where that got you, a few hundred years of complete isolation." The feminine voice sneered.

"At least it was quiet and peaceful." Anton countered.

"Peaceful." The other voice said in shock before snapping, "I'll show you what you can do with your peace."

Anton's squawk of surprise made me think he had just been reminded that people in paintings near each other can travel outside their paintings into other paintings.

I shook my head as the two paintings kept bickering and making snide remarks to one another. The other voice belonged to Anton's wife. Her appearance in the Tower was only one of the many changes the Tower had experienced during the summer. After years of keeping the Tower as my own personal playground, I finally came clean with my family and showed them the secret Fawley tower.

As I packed up my copy of Ignatia's personal spellbook, my thoughts drifted back to the emergency family meeting we had when I got home from Hogwarts.

The family meeting took place late at night for two reasons. The first was to make sure the twins were asleep. Mum and Dad didn't want to worry them. Mum made a half-hearted attempt to get me to skip the meeting but gave up when Dad said I should be there. The other reason why it took place at night is we were waiting for Uncle John to arrive.

We waited for Uncle John in the family room. The lights were dim, as if they could somehow sense the serious situation. I sat in the middle of our lightly colored couch. To my left was Grandma. As always, she was dressed to impress, wearing finely tailored burgundy robes. Dark hair that was streaked with grey didn't do much to hide the worry lines on her face.

To my right was Mum. Unlike Grandma, she was dressed in her brewing robes. They were dark, tattered, and full of stains from years of brewing potions. Whenever Mum was worried, she would starting making potions. I bet if I went down to her brewing room, I would find dozens of potions bottled and ready to go.

Sensing my gaze, Mum let go of the ends of her hair she had been nervously twisting. She reached over and drew me closer as if she wanted to protect me from the world.

I turned my gaze towards Dad, who was sitting in his favorite chair. Tiny flecks of grey were beginning to show in his dark brown hair and trimmed beard. He appeared lost in thought as he absently traced the design in his guild ring.

Mum and Grandma passed the time by interrogating me about every aspect of the past year. Not wanting to increase Mum's protective instincts, I made sure to exclude some of my extracurricular activities like hunting trolls.

Eventually, the large door to a tall cabinet in the corner room opened, bringing the smell of the salty sea into the room. The vanishing cabinet was one-half of a pair. The other was located on Uncle John's ship.

It must have been raining wherever the Jolly Roger was located because when Uncle John stepped into the room, he was soaking wet.

Grandma frowned at the sight of Uncle John dripping water everywhere.

"Come here, Johnny," she fussed. "You'll give yourself a cold being all wet like that."

Grandma got up and flicked her wand towards Uncle John. Once the water dripping off him vanished, she swooped in for a hug.

I smirked at the sight and felt slightly better about being trapped in my Mum's grasp. It seems no matter how old someone gets. Mothers will always try to baby their kids.

Once all the small talk was out of the way, the smile that Uncle John always had on his face faded away, leaving a much more serious look.

"Well, we all know what we're here for." Uncle John said.

Dad nodded, "Delvin Whithorn is dead."

"How?" I asked.

I lowered my voice and followed up with something I had been wondering since I heard the news. "Was it us?"

"Apparent suicide," Uncle John shook his head and explained. "According to my source within the syndicate, he even left a note behind."

A brief glimmer of regret flashed in Uncle John's eyes. As if he was saddened by the fact that he wasn't able to take his revenge personally

Shallow tears formed in Grandma's eyes as she realized that the man who stole so much from her husband was dead.

"Good riddance," she spat.

Dad and Uncle John didn't say anything, but their faces reflected agreement. They were both happy Delvin was gone.

Uncle John rubbed his forehead as if a headache was bothering him. "In the end, It doesn't matter if Delvin killed himself or not. Delvin's father is going to blame us either way."

Worried about the future, Mum asked, "What do we do?"

Dad got up and moved behind Mum. He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't worry. I may not be much of a fighter, but I am a master charm-crafter. I'll turn our house into a fortress. By the time I'm done, It will take a small army to get inside."

Uncle John sighed, "The problem is Declan has a small army."

Hearing Dad's declaration that he would turn our house into a fortress made me think of my Tower. While I'm sure, Dad's enchantments would secure the house. It wouldn't be as good as the Tower.

Anton Fawley was paranoid and built the Tower with the expectation of it being besieged. There are defensive spells woven into every stone. Not to mention it's hidden and almost impossible to find.

The choice of keeping the Tower to myself or using it to help my family wasn't a choice at all.

"Umm," I began. "I might know of a way to protect ourselves till this blows over."

I turned to Uncle John, "Remember when I was younger, and you told me about the old legend about the Fawley Tower."

Uncle John smiled, "Your dad and I used to look for that Tower when we were kids. But I don't think it's a good use of our time to go tramping through the woods. Besides, it's an old wives tale. It probably doesn't exist."

Awkwardly, I replied, "I found the tower years ago."

Feeling everyone's eyes on me, I sheepishly added, "I've been using it as my hideout."

Uncle John shook his head in disbelief at my announcement. He turned to Dad and asked, "Do you remember how much time we spent during the summers looking for the tower?"

Dad smiled in remembrance, "Too much." He said fondly.

"When did you find it?" Uncle John asked.

"That first summer you told me about it," I replied.

"Of course you did," Uncle John grumbled. "Probably stumbled right up to it."

"Athena helped," I admitted.

"What's it like?" Dad asked curiously.

I looked up at him and grinned, "You're going to love it. It's everything a wizard tower should be."

The next day, after showing off the Tower to my family, an argument broke out.

"Absolutely not," Grandma declared, stamping her foot into the ground and crossing her arm. "I'm far too old to be strolling around in the woods. I'm not leaving my house, and that's final."

"Mum, be reasonable." Uncle John pleaded. "It won't be forever, just until things calm down."

Dad jumped in, "Besides, it's not like we'll be cramped in here. The Tower is big enough to hold dozens of families comfortably."

Once I saw how Grandma had dug in her heels against the idea of moving into the Tower, I decided to jump in and throw some guilt her way.

"Please, Grandma. What would we do if something happened to you? What would Sasha, Rebecca, or I do without our grandma guiding us?"

Grandma gave me a look of betrayal as she took in my innocent puppy dog eyes.

"Hmph." She sighed in defeat. "Fine, but only for the summer. I'll not be spending the rest of my life living in fear."

I gave Grandma a cheeky smile and a swift kiss on the cheek in consolation of her loss.

But, before I could do anything else, Grandma looked at me and unleashed a predatory smile. A sinking feeling started creeping up within my gut.

It's a trap.

"Well, since I've given in to your demands," Grandma said innocently. "I just have a small request of my own."

Dad and I exchanged suspicious glances. Yup, Grandma was definitely playing us. She never intended not to move into the Tower with the rest of us. She was just trying to get something out of this thing.

"It's been far too long since Fawley manor had thrown a dinner party. I think it's time to pen some invitations and unseal the Fawley ballroom."

Dad and I let out identical groans while Uncle John made faces at us, mocking our situation and thinking he was in the clear.

"What are you smiling at?" Grandma asked him. "I'll be sending your wife an invitation as well. I'll be expecting you in dress robes. Make sure you leave that ridiculous coat at home."

As Uncle John's face fell, I made a face back at him sticking out my tongue. Ha, that is what I like to call karma. If we have to suffer, then you get to suffer right along with us. That's what being a family is all about, suffering together.

Grandma tsked and wagged her finger at our expressions, "Don't be so glum. Believe it or not, this is for our family's benefit."

Sensing our doubt, Grandma explained, "Last night, I thought long and hard about our situation. The reason why this Syndicate can thrive is that they operate in the dark. So, all we need to do is open our home and invite Ministry Officials, Hogwarts Governors, Business leaders, Old Families, anyone influential to our home."

Understanding appeared on all of our faces as Grandma explained her plan.

"That… That's a good idea," Dad reluctantly replied.

We all looked to Uncle John to see what he thought. If anyone could predict what Declan would do, it was him.

"It's a good plan," he admitted. "Probably even better than holing up in this Tower. As long as you keep the spotlight on our family, Declan will be reluctant to make a move."

Grandma smiled like a cat who just caught a canary. She had been trying to get Dad to host parties in the manner for ages. Now she had the perfect excuse.

"Well, I guess I have some planning to do," Grandma mused.

She turned to leave, humming her happiness about how things worked out, which left the rest of us wondering how we went from holing up in the middle of nowhere to hosting dinner parties in the span of two minutes.

"Alex, are you ready to go to the house?"

Mum's echoing voice brought me back to the present. I gave my copy of Ignatia's work a longing glance before turning to leave it behind.

True to her word, Grandma had been hosting dinner parties every other week at the house. Since our family was the host, we all were expected to attend.

"Don't wait for me," I shouted back. "I'll be there soon."

I took the magical platform up to the third floor. The floor was a large circular room that had dozens of doors built into the walls. Each door led to a large bedroom, whose spatial dimensions had obviously been magically altered. Otherwise, there was no way the Tower could have so many bedrooms.

In the corner of my room was a small familiar-looking cabinet. It was the vanishing cabinet that led to the cabinet I had stashed at Hogwarts. Even though I had come clean with some of my secrets this summer, I figured no one needed to know about my secret passage to Hogwarts. To make sure no one found out, I used magic to alter the exterior and hid it in my temporary bedroom. I also made sure to seal it up tight because the twins had a bad habit of sneaking into my room when I'm not there.

Outside of a plain bed and a small dresser, there wasn't much else in the room. I left everything back in my old room because this was all supposed to be temporary. Once Uncle John gave us the ok, we would all move back home.

I quickly threw on my dress robes and made my way to the ground floor, where dad had put a newly enchanted cabinet that led to the house. Like me, he sealed it up when it wasn't in use.

With this being my 7th or 8th dinner party, I knew exactly what was expected of me. Ever since I unveiled my company, everyone seemed to want a piece of me.

While some wanted to discuss business ideas and cooperation, young ministry officials were always looking for patronage that would help them rise through the ranks.

At first, I was tempted to blow them off, but Grandma explained this was how the game was played. With some gold and the right thing whispered into the ears of those in power, I would start gaining influence over those who wanted a patron. They wouldn't be very useful right now, but as they rose through the ranks, the benefits would only increase.

Sensing that wasn't enough to sway me, Grandma pointed out that Dad and Uncle John had chosen not to follow her advice to make connections when they were young. Right now, the main reason our family had such pull in the Ministry was because of her contacts. Then she pointed out she wouldn't be around forever, and someone had to make sure the family stayed influential.

So, I gave in and started playing the game, as Grandma called it. I shook hands, smiled, and made conversation with the current leaders and their underlings. Many, I recognized from other parties Grandma had dragged me to when I was younger. But, the difference was now I was someone important rather than just someone's child.

Speaking of change, while I was busy greeting guests, I noticed the appearance of someone else who had caused a change in my life over the summer.

The raven-haired girl noticed me looking at her, and a shy smile crept out on her face.

"Alex," she cheerfully greeted.

I glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then leaned forward and stole a quick kiss. Then I whispered in her ear, "I'm glad you could make it, Jessica."