The portkey seized Chris by his centre and whipped him through space, colours and sounds blurring past in a nauseating rush until his feet slammed against hard marble. His knees buckled, sending him sprawling forward, hands outstretched to catch his fall. The cold stone floor pressed against his palms, but he barely noticed the sting as his eyes lifted to take in the breathtaking space around him, Ambrosia Manor's entrance hall stretched before him like a cathedral dedicated to magic itself.
"Merlin's beard," he whispered, the phrase feeling strangely appropriate given his newfound heritage. He pushed himself to his feet, steadying his balance as the world stopped spinning. The aftereffects of portkey travel lingered, a slight dizziness and the phantom sensation of being pulled through a needle's eye.
The entrance hall soared above him, impossibly vast. Vaulted ceilings arched at least forty feet overhead, their surfaces painted with intricate astronomical charts that slowly shifted, stars twinkling and planets rotating in their orbits. Crystal chandeliers hung suspended in midair, untethered by chains or magic visible to the naked eye. They emitted a golden light that seemed alive, pulsing gently like heartbeats, casting warm illumination that chased shadows into the far corners of the hall.
Chris took a tentative step forward, his footfall echoing in the empty space. The floor beneath him was white marble veined with blue that matched the colour of his eyes, the pattern seeming to ripple like water with each step he took. Pillars of the same marble rose to support the ceiling, carved with runes and symbols that glowed faintly when he passed.
"This is mine," he said aloud, testing the truth of it in the air. His voice bounced back to him, confirming his solitude and his ownership. The enormity of his inheritance settled on his shoulders, not as a burden but as a mantle of power and responsibility.
Along the walls hung tapestries, their colours vibrant despite their apparent age. Unlike Muggle tapestries, these were alive with motion, their scenes playing out in endless loops like silent films woven into fabric. Chris approached the nearest one, drawn by the movement.
The tapestry depicted a tall figure with flowing white hair and beard, dressed in midnight blue robes spangled with silver stars. Merlin, his ancestor, stood on a hillside, arms raised as he directed magical energy into the ground. As Chris watched, the earth in the tapestry split open, revealing glowing ley lines that Merlin guided with his hands, forming connections and knots until they formed the foundation of what must have been the first Ambrosia dwelling.
"So this is how it began," Chris murmured, reaching out to trace the fabric. It felt warm beneath his fingers, as if the magic woven into it generated its own heat. The figures seemed to respond to his touch, Merlin turning slightly as if acknowledging his descendant's presence.
He moved to the next tapestry, which showed Merlin among a group of goblins. The scene depicted the signing of some ancient treaty, with goblin warriors and craftsmen bowing before Merlin while he extended a hand in friendship. Chief Ragnok's words came back to him, the alliance between his family and the Goblin Nation had been established by Merlin himself, millennia ago.
The third tapestry was darker in tone, showing Merlin locked in combat with a shadowy figure whose features kept shifting, never quite resolving into a recognisable face. Magic erupted from both their wands, meeting in a clash of light at the centre. Surrounding them, goblin warriors fought alongside centaurs against creatures of darkness that seemed to dissolve and reform like smoke.
"The first war against dark magic," Chris guessed, studying the details. The centaurs in the tapestry fired arrows tipped with light, while the goblins wielded silver weapons that gleamed unnaturally bright.
Further along the wall, another tapestry caught his eye. This one showed Merlin seated on a stone bench beneath an ancient oak tree, surrounded by young witches and wizards who watched intently as he demonstrated spellwork. In the background, a castle was under construction, Hogwarts, still incomplete but recognisable. Four figures stood apart, observing Merlin's teaching: Godric Gryffindor with his distinctive red hair and sword; Rowena Ravenclaw, a diadem upon her brow; Helga Hufflepuff, round-faced and kind; and Salazar Slytherin, sharp-featured and calculating.
"He taught the founders," Chris realised, a new appreciation for his lineage filling him. The history books never mentioned this, that Merlin had been instrumental in the creation of Hogwarts. He wondered what other secrets these tapestries might reveal, what other knowledge had been lost to time or deliberately obscured.
He continued his circuit of the hall, finding more scenes from Merlin's life, the founding of the Ambrosia bloodline through marriage to a Veela princess; the creation of alliances with merpeople and high elves; the construction of this very manor on an island hidden from the world. Each tapestry added another layer to Chris's understanding of his heritage and the responsibilities that came with it.
The ring on his finger seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat, as if responding to his growing comprehension of what it meant to be Lord Ambrosia. He wasn't just a reincarnated soul with a second chance at life; he was the heir to a legacy of power, knowledge, and alliance-building that stretched back to the very foundations of magical Britain.
His mind raced with possibilities. With this wealth, this knowledge, and these historical connections, he could reshape the wizarding world in ways Dumbledore and Voldemort had never dreamed possible. Not through manipulation or terror, but through the renewal of ancient bonds and the sharing of forgotten magic.
Chris's fingers trailed along the stone wall between tapestries, feeling the subtle hum of magic that permeated every inch of the manor. The building itself felt somewhat alive, as if responding to his presence after centuries of waiting.
A soft double pop behind him broke the silence, making him turn quickly. Where empty space had been a moment before, two small figures now stood, their large eyes fixed on him with expressions of wonder and anticipation. House elves, one standing straight-backed and dignified, the other barely containing what seemed like boundless energy.
Chris had been so absorbed in the tapestries that he'd momentarily forgotten the next step in claiming his inheritance. The house elves who had maintained this place through the centuries were now before him, ready to acknowledge their new master.
The first house elf stood perfectly straight, shoulders squared and chin lifted with dignity that bordered on severity. She wore what appeared to be a tea-towel, but it had been pressed and folded with such precision that it resembled formal attire, complete with the Ambrosia crest embroidered in blue and silver thread. Her large amber eyes regarded Chris with intelligence that felt ancient, measuring him against some internal standard only she knew.
Beside her, the second elf couldn't have been more different. He literally bounced on the balls of his feet, rising and falling several inches with each spring, his large ears flapping with the movement. His uniform was also made from a tea-towel, but it looked as if it had been assembled from colourful patches, creating a cheerful patchwork that somehow still incorporated the family crest. His eyes were wider, brighter, filled with an excitement that seemed barely contained within his small frame.
The dignified elf stepped forward and executed a perfect bow, her movements precise as a metronome. "Master Ambrosia," she said, her voice melodic and formal. "I am Jilly, Head Elf of Ambrosia Manor. We have waited a thousand years for your return."
She straightened and gestured to the bouncing elf beside her. "This is Bouncy. He serves the house with... enthusiasm." The slight pause suggested this was an understatement of epic proportions.
Bouncy couldn't maintain the formal posture. He sprang forward, practically vibrating with joy, and circled Chris like a small tornado, examining him from every angle. "Master is here! Master is finally here! Bouncy has waited so long!" His voice was high and musical, each word delivered with the force of a small explosion of happiness. "Master has white hair! And blue eyes that glow-shine-sparkle!" He stopped directly in front of Chris and beamed up at him. "Bouncy is the happiest elf in the whole wide world today!"
Chris couldn't help but smile at the contrast between the two elves. "It's nice to meet you both," he said, kneeling down to be more at their level. "I'm Christopher, or Lord Ambrosia… though I suppose you already know that."
Jilly nodded, her expression softening slightly. "We have known of you since the moment your magic manifested, Master. The house elves of Ambrosia have maintained the manor and island for over a thousand years, preserving it for the day when Merlin's blood would return."
Chris glanced around the entrance hall again, noting that despite its age, everything appeared perfectly preserved, no dust, no damage, no signs of neglect. "You've done an amazing job," he said sincerely. "The manor looks as if it was built yesterday."
Jilly's chest puffed slightly with pride. "House elf magic is different from wizard magic, Master. We can preserve and maintain in ways wizards cannot. However..." She hesitated, her amber eyes clouding with concern. "While the physical structure has been maintained, the magical protections have weakened over the centuries. The Ward Stone requires the blood and magic of Lord Ambrosia to reach its full potential."
"The wards are sleepy-weak!" Bouncy interjected, making a wilting gesture with his hands. "They need Master's power to wake up strong-bright again!"
"What exactly is the Ward Stone?" Chris asked, though he had a general idea from his previous knowledge. He wanted to hear it from the elves, to understand the specific mechanics of Ambrosia Manor's protections.
"The Ward Stone is the heart of the manor's defences," Jilly explained, her tone becoming instructional. "Created by Merlin himself, it channels the magical energy from ley lines beneath the island into protective enchantments. Without regular renewal from the family's magic, the wards have become... passive. They still hide and protect the island, but they could do much more."
Chris nodded thoughtfully. "Then that should be our first priority. Can you show me to the Ward Stone?"
"Yes, Master!" Bouncy exclaimed, grabbing Chris's hand with surprising strength. "Bouncy can show Master the special hidden room with the glowy stone!" He tugged excitedly, then stopped when Jilly cleared her throat.
"Perhaps," Jilly suggested with practised patience, "we should take a more direct route through the manor, rather than Bouncy's scenic tour."
"Aww," Bouncy deflated momentarily before perking up again. "But after the Ward Stone, Bouncy can show Master all the bestest places!"
"That sounds like a plan," Chris agreed, gently extricating his hand from Bouncy's enthusiastic grip. "Lead the way, Jilly."
The Head Elf turned with a small nod and began walking across the entrance hall toward a corridor lined with marble columns. Chris fell into step beside her, with Bouncy skipping and occasionally teleporting ahead only to bounce back to join them.
"Have you personally been here all thousand years?" Chris asked Jilly as they walked, curious about the lifespan of magical creatures in this world.
Jilly's expression softened into something like fond remembrance. "No, Master. I am the seventeenth Head Elf of Ambrosia Manor since Merlin's time. My mother served before me, and her mother before her, back to Twinkle, who was Merlin's personal elf."
"We passes down the stories!" Bouncy chimed in, walking backward in front of them. "Special elf magic keeps memories super-duper clear! Bouncy can remember things from before Bouncy was born!"
Chris raised an eyebrow at this. "You inherit memories from your ancestors?"
"Not precisely, Master," Jilly clarified. "When a house elf bonds to a magical dwelling, they become linked to its history. We can access impressions, echoes of what came before. The more powerful the dwelling, the clearer these echoes." She gestured to the corridor around them. "Ambrosia Manor is perhaps the most magical dwelling in Britain. Its echoes are... vivid."
They passed through a series of corridors, each more magnificent than the last. Windows looked out over pristine grounds, gardens that stretched toward forests in the distance, a lake that glittered in the afternoon sun. Despite the manor's thousand-year abandonment, everything appeared perfectly tended.
"How many house elves live here?" Chris asked, noticing the immaculate condition of every surface they passed.
"Twelve currently, Master," Jilly answered. "A small number for such a large property, but we have managed. With your return, more may be born, house elf populations naturally adjust to the needs of their household."
"Born?" Chris asked, intrigued. "Not brought in from elsewhere?"
Jilly's expression suggested she found the question slightly amusing. "House elves are not meant to be traded like common goods, Master, though many wizarding families have forgotten this. We are born to the house we serve, our magic intertwined with its foundations."
"Bouncy was born during a thunder-boom storm!" the excitable elf volunteered. "That's why Bouncy is so full of zappy energy!"
"Indeed," Jilly agreed dryly. "We have wondered if lightning struck too close to the nursery that night."
Chris found himself fascinated by this glimpse into house elf culture, information that had never been elaborated on in his previous life's understanding of this world. The relationship between elves and the houses they served seemed far more symbiotic and complex than the simple master-servant dynamic portrayed in the books he remembered.
"Here we are, Master," Jilly announced, stopping before a large tapestry that depicted Merlin in the act of spellcasting, his hands weaving complex patterns in the air as magic flowed around him. "The Ward Chamber lies beyond."
Jilly reached out, her long fingers grasping the edge of the tapestry where Merlin's woven form continued to cast his silent spell. She pulled it aside with reverence, revealing a door that would have been invisible otherwise. It was constructed of dark wood that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it, and set into its centre was the Ambrosia crest, an Eastern dragon coiled protectively around a tree, its sapphire eye glinting with an inner fire that matched the one in Chris's ring.
"The Ward Chamber has remained sealed since Merlin's passing," Jilly explained in hushed tones. "Only one bearing the Ambrosia Lord Ring may enter."
Bouncy stood unusually still, his large eyes fixed on the door with something approaching reverence. "The heart-magic room," he whispered. "Where the big power sleeps and wakes."
Chris stepped forward, examining the crest more closely. The dragon was intricately carved, each scale individually rendered with painstaking detail. Its sinuous body wrapped around the trunk and branches of a tree that seemed almost alive, its leaves appearing to rustle despite the stillness of the wood. The craftsmanship transcended art, crossing into a realm where magic and matter became indistinguishable.
"What do I do?" Chris asked, though he felt a strange certainty growing within him, as if ancestral memory was whispering instructions.
"Touch your ring to the dragon's eye, Master," Jilly instructed. "The blood magic will recognise its own."
Chris raised his right hand, the Ambrosia Lord Ring catching the light as he pressed it against the sapphire eye embedded in the wooden dragon. The connection was immediate, a jolt of recognition that made his arm tingle from fingertips to shoulder. The sapphire in his ring flared with blue light that matched the eye on the door, creating a bridge of azure energy between them.
The dragon moved. Wood shifted and flowed as the carved creature unwound itself from around the tree, slithering in a circle until it formed a perfect ring. The space within that ring began to glow with the same blue light, brightening until Chris had to squint against its intensity. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the light vanished, and where solid wood had been, an open doorway now stood.
"The way is open, Master," Jilly said with satisfaction. "The manor remembers you."
Beyond the threshold lay darkness, but as Chris stepped forward, lights bloomed into existence, not torches or lamps, but floating spheres of gentle blue radiance that rose from the floor like bubbles in water. They illuminated a circular chamber perhaps thirty feet across, with a domed ceiling covered in astronomical markings similar to those in the entrance hall.
The floor was polished black stone inlaid with silver runes arranged in concentric circles that spiralled inward toward the centre of the room. There, atop a raised dais of white marble, stood the Ward Stone.
Chris drew in a sharp breath at the sight of it. The stone was a massive crystal formation taller than he was, roughly hexagonal in shape, tapering toward a point at its top. It pulsed with faint blue light that seemed to come from deep within its structure, like a heartbeat slowed almost to the point of stopping. Beneath the crystal's surface, shadows moved in patterns too complex to discern, defences waiting to be awakened.
"The Ward Stone," Jilly said, her voice dropping to a whisper as she and Bouncy followed Chris into the chamber. "Created by Merlin from a single crystal found at the convergence of seven magical ley lines beneath the island. It draws power from the earth itself to fuel the manor's protections."
Bouncy nodded vigorously. "Biggest magic-stone in whole wide world! Makes big bubble of safety all around island!"
Chris approached the crystal slowly, feeling its dormant power reaching out to him like tendrils of mist. The closer he came, the stronger the sensation grew, a gentle pressure against his skin, a whisper of magic that recognised his blood but needed more to fully awaken.
"What exactly does it protect against?" Chris asked, circling the crystal to examine it from all angles.
"Everything, Master," Jilly replied. "Physical intrusion, magical detection, scrying, remote teleportation, time manipulation, reality distortion... Merlin designed the wards to counter magics that had not yet been invented in his time."
Chris raised an eyebrow, impressed. "He could see the future?"
"Not precisely," Jilly said. "But he understood the principles that underlie all magic. He created defences based on those principles, ensuring that even spells not yet devised would be countered by the fundamental rules he encoded into the Ward Stone."
"Very clever," Chris murmured, genuinely impressed by his ancestor's foresight. "So what do I need to do to reactivate it fully?"
Jilly gestured to a small silver pedestal beside the Ward Stone that Chris hadn't noticed before. On it rested a ceremonial dagger, its blade gleaming in the soft light, its hilt formed in the shape of the same dragon as on his ring.
"A drop of your blood freely given, Master," she explained. "The stone requires three things: your blood, which proves your lineage; your magic, which powers the connection; and your intent, which directs the wards."
Chris picked up the dagger, feeling its perfect balance in his hand. The blade looked impossibly sharp, its edge catching the blue light in a way that made it seem to glow.
"Rest the tip against your finger and think of your desire to protect this place," Jilly instructed. "The blade will do the rest."
Chris followed her instructions, pressing the dagger's tip lightly against his index finger while concentrating on his wish to secure his new home. The blade seemed to move of its own accord, pricking his skin with a sting so brief he barely felt it. A single drop of blood welled up, gleaming ruby-bright in the blue illumination.
"Now place your hand against the crystal, with the blood touching its surface," Jilly said.
Chris stretched out his hand and pressed his bleeding finger to the Ward Stone. The effect was immediate and overwhelming. The dormant crystal flared to life, its blue light intensifying a hundredfold until the entire chamber was bathed in azure radiance. The blood spread across the crystal's surface, not as a stain but as a network of crimson veins that pulsed and grew, reaching out in fractal patterns.
Power surged into Chris through the point of contact, racing up his arm and spreading throughout his body. It wasn't painful, but the intensity of it stole his breath. He could feel every inch of the property suddenly, the manor, the grounds, the forests, the lake, the very boundaries of the island. They existed in his awareness as clearly as the limbs of his own body.
The ley lines beneath the island appeared in his mind's eye, glowing rivers of magical energy that converged beneath the Ward Stone. Acting on instinct, Chris directed the stone to draw more power from them, feeling the protective enchantments expand and strengthen in response. Layers upon layers of wards snapped into place, anti-apparition barriers, Muggle-repelling charms, weather stabilisation spells, magical detection nets, and dozens more whose functions he couldn't fully comprehend.
The Ward Stone pulsed faster now, its light steady and strong, the shadows within it resolving into recognisable patterns, defensive formations, magical geometries, runic sequences that rotated and shifted like the wheels of some vast clockwork mechanism.
Chris finally stepped back, breaking the physical connection but maintaining the magical one. He could still feel the property in his awareness, a constant presence at the edge of his consciousness.
Bouncy was literally bouncing in circles around them, his excitement impossible to contain. "So bright-strong-powerful!" he exclaimed. "Master's wards are hundreds of times stronger than Hogwarts' weak ones! Nobody can find island now! Nobody can hurt Master here!"
Chris smiled at the elf's enthusiasm while catching his breath. The rush of power had been exhilarating but also draining, leaving him feeling simultaneously energised and exhausted.
"The Ward Stone will continue to strengthen over the coming days," Jilly informed him, satisfaction evident in her voice. "As it draws more power from the ley lines and adjusts to your magical signature."
She straightened her already impeccable uniform and added, "Perhaps Master would like some lunch before we continue the tour of the manor? The ritual can be taxing."
Despite the temptation of food, Chris shook his head. His excitement outweighed his fatigue. "Thank you, but I'm too eager to see the rest of my new home. We can eat later."
Jilly nodded, unsurprised. "As you wish, Master. Shall we proceed?"
They left the Ward Chamber, the door sealing itself behind them and vanishing once more beneath the tapestry of Merlin. Chris could still feel the magic of the Ward Stone humming through him, connecting him to every corner of his new domain. The sensation was not unlike having grown several new limbs overnight, strange yet somehow natural, as if he'd always been meant to sense the world this way.
"Shall we begin with the common areas, Master?" Jilly asked, already turning toward a hallway branching off to the left. "The manor has been waiting to show itself to you."
"Yes, please," Chris agreed, finding it curious how Jilly spoke of the manor as a living entity. After feeling its magic flow through him during the ward ritual, he wasn't entirely sure she was wrong.
The first room they entered was a sitting room that managed to be both grand and comfortable. A fireplace tall enough for Chris to stand in dominated one wall, its mantel carved with scenes of magical creatures that shifted positions when he wasn't looking directly at them. Arranged before it were chairs and sofas upholstered in rich blue fabric that seemed to shimmer like water when caught by the light streaming through tall windows.
"Please, sit," Jilly encouraged, gesturing toward the nearest armchair.
Chris lowered himself into it tentatively, then let out a surprised sound as the chair adjusted beneath him. The cushioning softened in some places and firmed in others until it perfectly supported every contour of his body. The back reclined to precisely the angle he would have chosen himself.
"The furniture responds to each sitter's preferences," Jilly explained, a hint of pride in her voice. "It will remember your preferences for future visits."
Bouncy demonstrated by flinging himself into another chair, which immediately configured itself to accommodate his tendency to bounce rather than sit still. The chair's legs extended slightly, giving it a subtle spring that allowed Bouncy to bob gently without disturbing the chair's position.
"Comfy-perfect chairs!" he declared happily.
Moving on, they entered a grand ballroom with a floor of polished wood so flawless it reflected the ceiling like a mirror. And what a ceiling it was, a vast dome depicting the night sky, but unlike the fixed enchantment of Hogwarts' Great Hall that Chris remembered from the movies, this one showed constellations that moved in time to music only they could hear. Stars flowed into new formations, creating shapes and patterns that told stories through light and movement.
"The Celestial Ballroom," Jilly announced. "When music plays, the stars dance in rhythm. For formal occasions, they will arrange themselves to complement the event, celebrations, solemnities, declarations of war or peace, each has its corresponding celestial arrangement."
Chris turned slowly in place, watching the gentle movement above. "When was the last time it was used for a ball?"
A shadow passed over Jilly's face. "Not since before Merlin's passing, Master. But it remembers. All of the manor remembers."
Their next stop was a dining area where a long table of dark wood dominated the centre, surrounded by high-backed chairs cushioned in the same blue as the sitting room. As they entered, the table immediately began to set itself, plates rising from cabinets along the wall, silverware arranging itself into place settings, glasses settling gently onto the polished surface.
"The dining table sets itself according to the hunger of those who enter," Jilly explained as the activity slowed. "Had you been truly hungry, a full meal would have appeared. As it is..." She gestured to where a light arrangement of fruit and cheese had materialised on a single plate positioned at the head of the table.
Chris picked up a grape, popping it into his mouth. It burst with perfect sweetness, fresher than any fruit he'd tasted before. "Where does the food come from?" he asked after swallowing.
"The greenhouses and gardens provide fresh ingredients year-round," Jilly replied. "For items we cannot grow, the house elves maintain arrangements with magical markets worldwide."
They continued through several more rooms, a music chamber where instruments played themselves when requested, a gallery filled with portraits of distant relatives who peered at Chris with undisguised curiosity, a solarium where exotic plants turned toward him as if he were the sun.
The lord's study was particularly impressive, a circular room lined with empty bookshelves and centred around a magnificent desk carved from a single massive piece of wood. The desk's surface was bare except for a single leather-bound book.
"This is unexpected," Jilly said, sounding genuinely surprised. "The desk has been empty since Merlin's time."
Chris approached the book cautiously, noting that it had no title on its cover or spine. "What is it?"
"I believe," Jilly said, her tone reverent, "it is the manor's Index. It responds to the current Lord's need for information." She gestured for Chris to open it.
He lifted the cover carefully, revealing blank pages that began to fill with text as he watched. Golden letters flowed across the parchment, forming an elaborate welcome message:
*Greetings, Lord Christopher Emrys Ambrosia. The knowledge of your ancestors awaits your inquiry.*
"Ask it a question, Master," Jilly suggested. "Any topic related to the manor or your family history."
Chris thought for a moment, then spoke clearly: "Where is the manor's library?"
The text on the page faded, replaced by new words: *The Ambrosia Collection is accessible through the small sitting room in the east wing. See page 42 for details.*
"The Index cannot leave this study," Jilly explained, "but it contains every piece of information stored within the manor's library. Simply ask, and it will provide what you seek."
Chris nodded, making a mental note to return and explore this resource thoroughly. For now, though, he was eager to see more of his inheritance.
"Shall we continue outside?" he suggested.
The grounds of Ambrosia Island proved to be even more impressive than the manor itself. Standing on a terrace overlooking the property, Chris could see that the island was vast, far larger than he'd initially imagined. Forests stretched toward distant mountains, their canopies shifting between normal green and patches of impossible colours that suggested magical variants. A lake glittered in the afternoon sun, its surface occasionally disturbed by movement that hinted at creatures dwelling below.
"The island is approximately the size of England, Master," Jilly informed him, following his gaze. "Though most of it remains wild. The centre regions house magical creatures too dangerous for casual visitation."
"Dragons?" Chris asked, remembering the family crest.
"Among other things," Jilly confirmed. "Your ancestor had a fondness for preserving magical species that others would have hunted to extinction."
They descended from the terrace to explore the areas closer to the manor. The lake, up close, revealed water so clear it seemed like liquid crystal, with multicoloured fish darting beneath its surface. Small creatures that resembled miniature water dragons skimmed across the water, leaving trails of steam where they touched.
"The water has healing properties," Jilly explained. "Merlin infused it with magical properties from natural hot springs beneath the island."
The greenhouses were equally impressive, twelve glass structures, each devoted to a different family of magical plants. In one, flowers that changed colour with the viewer's mood bloomed in riotous profusion. In another, trees bearing fruits of gold and silver spread branches toward the ceiling.
They passed the edge of the forest, where Chris caught glimpses of movement between the trees, the flash of a unicorn's white coat, the skeletal form of a thestral taking flight, the unmistakable plumage of a hippogriff watching them warily from the shadows.
"A full creature reserve," he murmured appreciatively.
Bouncy, who had been uncharacteristically quiet during much of the outdoor tour, burst into excited explanation. "Magical creatures love-trust-follow the Ambrosia magic! They know Master will protect them, just like old Merlin did!"
Further on, they found a professional-grade Quidditch pitch, complete with stands that could seat hundreds and goal hoops that adjusted their height according to the skill level of the players. Beside it lay a training ground fitted with enchanted targets that moved and dodged spells, perfect for practising combat magic.
As they walked back toward the manor, Chris found himself puzzled by something that had been nagging at him throughout the tour. "Jilly," he said finally, "the manor is impressive, but I expected... more rooms. Where is the library you mentioned? Or potions laboratories? Or spell-crafting chambers? For a property this size, the house seems relatively small."
Jilly exchanged a glance with Bouncy, whose face split into a grin so wide it seemed to take up half his head.
"Master wants to see the special rooms!" Bouncy exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement. He darted forward to tug at Chris's robes. "Bouncy can show Master the best part of the Manor! The special-magical-amazing part that makes Hogwarts look like a silly toy!"
Chris raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the elf's enthusiasm. "Lead the way, then."
Bouncy spun in a circle of pure delight before shooting off toward the manor entrance, occasionally disappearing with a pop only to reappear further ahead, beckoning impatiently for them to hurry.
"I believe," Jilly said with dignified patience as they followed at a more measured pace, "you are about to discover why Ambrosia Manor has been the envy of magical architects for millennia."
Bouncy led them back through the entrance hall to a small sitting room Chris hadn't noticed during their earlier tour. It was comfortable but unremarkable compared to the grandeur they'd seen elsewhere, just a few armchairs arranged around a fireplace, with bookshelves containing what appeared to be casual reading material. The elf skipped directly to a door on the far wall, one that looked so mundane it might have been mistaken for a broom closet, its wooden surface unadorned except for a simple brass knob.
"Here it is!" Bouncy announced, bouncing on his toes and gesturing at the door with theatrical flourish. "The most special-wonderful-amazing room in the whole wide world!"
Chris glanced at Jilly, who maintained her dignified composure but couldn't quite hide the spark of pride in her amber eyes.
"The door looks... ordinary," Chris observed, examining it more closely and finding nothing to distinguish it from any other door in the manor.
"That's the clever-smart part!" Bouncy exclaimed. "Nobody would ever guess! Only Master can open it." He pointed at the brass doorknob. "No keyhole, no lock, no special words. Only Master's ring!"
Understanding, Chris reached out and touched the Ambrosia Lord Ring to the doorknob. Just as with the Ward Chamber, there was an immediate response, a flare of blue light that outlined the door before fading just as quickly. Unlike the Ward Chamber's elaborate display, however, this was subtle, almost secretive.
The door swung open silently, revealing a perfectly square room perhaps fifteen feet on each side. The walls, floor, and ceiling were made of plain grey stone blocks fitted together with precision. No windows, no furniture, no decorations of any kind adorned the space. It was, quite literally, an empty box.
Chris stepped inside, feeling oddly disappointed. After Bouncy's excitement, he'd expected something more... impressive.
"What is this place?" he asked, his voice echoing slightly in the bare room.
Bouncy followed him in, practically vibrating with contained excitement. "This is the Ambrosia Room of Requirement!" he announced, his voice reverberating off the stone walls. "Merlin's most brilliant-clever-amazing invention!"
Chris blinked, recognition dawning. The Room of Requirement, he knew that name from his previous life's knowledge of this world. But that room was supposed to be at Hogwarts, not here.
"I don't understand," he said, turning in a slow circle to examine the featureless space. "What does it do?"
Jilly stepped in behind them, closing the door with a soft click. "Perhaps I should explain, Master," she offered. "This room is indeed the Ambrosia Room of Requirement, the original version of what later became a famous feature of Hogwarts School. Though now not many know of it's existence."
"Original version?" Chris repeated, intrigued.
Jilly nodded. "Merlin created this room first, perfecting its enchantments here at the manor. Later, as a gift to Rowena Ravenclaw, he created a similar room at Hogwarts during its construction."
Bouncy couldn't contain himself any longer. "But Hogwarts one is a baby copy!" he interjected, hopping from one foot to the other. "Ambrosia version is way-way-WAY better!"
"In what way?" Chris asked, genuinely curious.
"Two primary differences," Jilly explained, her tone taking on a lecture-like quality. "First, the Hogwarts Room of Requirement has approximately one thousand pre-defined configurations, spaces the founders thought might be useful for students and staff. While impressive, it is limited by their imagination."
She gestured to the blank walls around them. "This room has no such limitations. It can become literally anything Master can imagine, drawing on magic far deeper than Hogwarts could access."
"And second?" Chris prompted.
"Second," Jilly continued, "and perhaps most importantly, the Hogwarts room can only rearrange what is already within Hogwarts, furniture, books, equipment. It cannot create what does not already exist somewhere in the castle."
Bouncy could barely stand still. "But Ambrosia room connects to Manor Storage!" he exclaimed. "Biggest collection of everything-ever in whole wide world! Millions and millions of books and treasures and magical things collected for two thousand years!"
Chris's eyes widened as he grasped the implications. "You're saying this room can access anything that's ever been stored in Ambrosia Manor? Throughout its entire history?"
"Precisely, Master," Jilly confirmed with a small nod of satisfaction. "Merlin was a collector without equal. He gathered knowledge, artifacts, and magical tools from around the world, and those collections have continued to grow even during the family's absence, thanks to standing acquisitions orders at magical repositories worldwide."
The potential of such a resource made Chris's mind reel. His previous knowledge of the Hogwarts Room of Requirement had already suggested numerous uses, but this version, unlimited in configuration and with access to two millennia of collected magical knowledge, was beyond his wildest expectations.
"How do I use it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Just think of what you want the room to be," Bouncy suggested. "Close your eyes and picture it super-duper clearly!"
Chris took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The most obvious test seemed appropriate, he pictured a library, but not just any library. He imagined endless rows of bookshelves stretching further than the eye could see, organised by subject, with comfortable reading areas scattered throughout.
When he opened his eyes, the transformation stole his breath. The small stone room had expanded into a vast space that seemed to stretch to infinity. Bookshelves towered thirty feet high, arranged in neat rows that extended beyond what should have been possible within the manor's physical dimensions. Ladders on rails provided access to higher shelves, while cozy reading nooks with plush armchairs and softly glowing lamps appeared at regular intervals.
"Magnificent," he breathed, turning slowly to take it all in.
The titles on the spines of nearby books glowed with a subtle light, and Chris realised with a start that they were written in dozens of languages, Ancient Greek, Latin, Arabic, Sanskrit, and others he couldn't identify at a glance. Yet somehow, he could understand them all, the meanings appearing in his mind as clearly as if they were written in English.
"Your bloodline gift," Jilly explained, noticing his surprise. "Descendants of Merlin can comprehend all written and spoken languages."
Chris approached the nearest shelf, running his fingers along the spines. "There must be millions of books here."
"Tens of millions," Jilly corrected. "And that is merely the beginning. Try narrowing your focus, Master. Think of a specific subject."
Taking her advice, Chris closed his eyes again and concentrated on potions. When he looked again, the library had reconfigured itself, now the shelves contained only books related to potion-making, but there were still thousands upon thousands of volumes.
"Narrow further," Jilly suggested. "A specific potion, perhaps."
Chris thought of Felix Felicis, the luck potion. The room shifted again, and now perhaps a hundred books remained, each offering different perspectives, techniques, and variations on the creation of liquid luck.
"Bouncy wasn't exaggerating, was he?" Chris said, amazed. "This collection on just one potion is probably larger than some entire libraries."
"Bouncy never exaggerates about the manor!" the house elf declared proudly. "Just this one teeny-tiny subject has more books than all of Hogwarts library put together!"
The implications were staggering. With this resource, Chris could learn magic far beyond what any Hogwarts curriculum could offer. He could research forgotten spells, master advanced potions, study ancient rituals, all before he even set foot in the school.
"Can the room create other spaces too? Laboratories, training areas, anything I might need?" he asked.
"Anything Master can imagine," Jilly confirmed. "And if physical components are required, ingredients, equipment, materials, the room will provide them from Manor Storage if they exist there."
Chris's mind raced with possibilities. This room alone made him more advantaged than he'd dared hope. Combined with his other resources, the wealth of Vault One, the power of the Ward Stone, his status as Merlin's heir, he was positioned to reshape his future in ways that would have been impossible otherwise.
"One last question," he said, tearing his gaze away from the endless shelves. "Is the collection still growing? Are new books and magical discoveries being added?"
Jilly hesitated. "The standing acquisition orders have continued, but with limitations during the family's absence. With your return, we can resume full collection activities."
Chris nodded decisively. "Please do. I want everything, new magical research, scholarly journals, book publications from around the world. If it contains knowledge that might be useful, I want it here."
"It shall be done, Master," Jilly promised with a formal bow.
Bouncy clapped his hands in delight. "Master is going to be the smartest-wisest-cleverest wizard ever! Just like Merlin!"
Chris smiled, already planning how to use this incredible resource in the months before Hogwarts began. With the Ambrosia Room of Requirement at his disposal, he would be ready for anything, Voldemort, Dumbledore, and whoever else might stand in his way.