The next day, Harry woke early to the sound of laborers already hard at work. The distant clang of pickaxes striking stone reverberated through Hollowpoint, a constant reminder of the unrelenting toil that took place within its mines. He dressed quickly, pocketing his scrollbook and quill before stepping out into the dry, rugged landscape of the camp.
Zacharias was already busy overseeing a team of guards near the entrance to one of the larger quarries when Harry approached. The blonde former Hufflepuff looked up and waved, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Morning, Potter. Ready to get your hands dirty?" Zacharias asked.
Harry nodded, his gaze sweeping over the quarry where dozens of laborers were working in the heat. The sound of the rocks being chipped away was almost deafening up close, and dust filled the air in thick, swirling clouds. "I've got a full day ahead," Harry replied. "I want to see everything."
"Good. I'll have one of the overseers give you a rundown, and feel free to talk to the laborers. See what's working, what's not." Zacharias motioned toward a group of guards stationed along the edge of the quarry. "Just don't get too attached to any of them. We've had a few trying to get clever with escape plans."
Harry gave a short nod, already mentally assessing the worksite as he descended into the quarry. Hollowpoint was a stark contrast to the other camps he'd seen—raw, brutal, but undeniably effective. As he walked among the laborers, Harry took note of the conditions: the dark, winding tunnels of the mines, the endless piles of rubble, the faint tang of stone dust in the air that hung heavy in his throat.
He stopped by a group of laborers who were loading carts with large chunks of rock, their faces smeared with grime. "You there," Harry called, approaching one of them. The man looked up, wiping sweat from his brow, warily eyeing Harry. "How's the equipment holding up? Any recent breakages?"
The laborer hesitated before responding. "Some of the tools... they crack after a few hours, sir. Can't keep up with the pressure. Pickaxes mostly."
Harry frowned slightly, making a note in his scrollbook. "And the dust?" he asked, gesturing to the thick cloud swirling around them.
"We breathe it in all day, sir," another laborer added. "Can feel it in our lungs, makes it hard to catch your breath sometimes."
Harry nodded, taking in their responses. He moved on, stopping to observe the operations in different sections of the camp. Everywhere he went, he asked similar questions, his quill scratching across the parchment with swift precision. Guards and overseers gave their own reports—mostly about the equipment failures and the difficulty in navigating the deeper sections of the mine.
After spending the majority of the day talking and surveying, Harry had formed a solid understanding of the camp's weaknesses. As dusk settled over Hollowpoint, Harry retired to his quarters, sitting by the flickering light of a single candle. He unrolled his scrollbook and began designing the safety measures Hollowpoint desperately needed.
Later that night, Harry crafted the final touches of his designs for Hollowpoint's safety features.
The Tremor Ward
Protection Against Cave-ins and EarthquakesDescription: Activated through enchanted runes embedded in the mine's walls, the Tremor Ward senses any instability in the ground or structural weaknesses, strengthening the surrounding earth to prevent sudden collapses. In the case of an earthquake, the ward holds the structure in place long enough for workers to evacuate.Purpose: Stabilizes the mines, ensuring no catastrophic collapses during labor.
The Sootveil Shield
Protection From Dust Inhalation and Airborne HazardsDescription: The Sootveil Shield hovers over the mining zones, filtering harmful dust and gases from the air, allowing laborers to work without risking long-term damage to their lungs.Purpose: Keeps the air clean, preventing respiratory issues that could hinder productivity.
The Quarry Beacon
Protection for Visibility and NavigationDescription: A network of floating, enchanted orbs that illuminate dark tunnels and quarries. They hover in place, brightening safe paths and warning of unstable areas. When work shifts end, the beacons dim, guiding workers back to the surface.Purpose: Provides safe navigation through the vast, twisting tunnels, preventing accidents caused by poor visibility.
The Loadstone Charm
Protection Against Equipment FailureDescription: This enchantment is placed on mining tools to ensure they withstand the extreme stress of continuous use. If a tool is near breaking, it sends a warning pulse to the user, signaling them to switch it out.Purpose: Prevents sudden equipment breakage that could lead to injuries, keeping the work efficient and safe.
The Collapse Shroud
Protection For Rapid Emergency EvacuationDescription: In the event of a mine collapse, this system activates enchanted shrouds that surround workers, phasing them through walls and into safe zones. The shrouds only activate in life-threatening situations.Purpose: Ensures that even in the worst disasters, workers and overseers have a last-resort escape, saving valuable labor force.
As Harry looked over the final sketches, he felt confident that these features would enhance both the efficiency and the safety of Hollowpoint.
Yet, he hadn't told Zacharias about any of it yet. Harry smiled to himself. That would come later. For now, he had his designs. He closed the scrollbook and tucked it away, content that tomorrow would bring new opportunities to solidify his plans.
