March arrived with the first hints of spring and a flurry of international correspondence that threatened to overwhelm Eliot and Susan's daily routine. Their breakthrough in castle communication had captured the imagination of magical researchers worldwide, and requests for collaboration were arriving faster than they could process them.
"Beauxbatons Academy has formally requested a consultation on communicating with their palace," Susan announced, reading from an ornate letter written on pale blue parchment. "They believe their building may have developed consciousness similar to Hogwarts."
"And Durmstrang wants to explore communication with their ship," Eliot added, examining his own correspondence. "Apparently, their floating castle has been exhibiting unusual behavior that might indicate awareness."
"Even Mahoutokoro in Japan has written," Susan continued, her voice filled with wonder. "They want to know if our techniques could work with their ancient mountain palace."
The scope of international interest was both thrilling and daunting. Each magical institution represented centuries of history and unique architectural consciousness that might be waiting to communicate.
---
Professor Dumbledore called them to his office for a special consultation about the international requests. The headmaster's office felt different now that they knew Hogwarts was actively listening to every conversation within its walls.
"The magical world is watching your work with great interest," Dumbledore said, his blue eyes twinkling with their familiar warmth. "But I want to ensure you understand the magnitude of what you're being asked to undertake."
"We're beginning to realize it, sir," Eliot replied. "Each building would be unique, with its own personality and communication style."
"Precisely. And each would also have its own secrets, its own protective instincts, and its own relationship with the humans who inhabit it. You would essentially be serving as diplomatic ambassadors to architectural consciousness."
Susan leaned forward in her chair. "What would you recommend, Professor?"
"Caution, preparation, and respect," Dumbledore replied immediately. "These buildings have been conscious for centuries without being able to communicate. They may have developed strong opinions about their treatment and their inhabitants."
"You think some of them might be... angry?" Eliot asked.
"Or lonely, or protective, or simply overwhelmed by the sudden ability to communicate. You must be prepared for any emotional response."
---
Their first international consultation came sooner than expected. Madame Maxime, the headmistress of Beauxbatons Academy, arrived at Hogwarts in early March with a small delegation of French magical architects.
"Ze palace, she 'as been... restless," Madame Maxime explained in her distinctive accent as they gathered in the Great Hall. "Ze staircases, zey change when zey should not. Ze rooms, zey rearrange zemselves. Ze students, zey report strange dreams of ze building speaking to zem."
"That sounds very similar to what we experienced before establishing communication with Hogwarts," Susan observed. "The building may be trying to communicate but lacking the proper interface."
"Could you... 'ow you say... introduce us to our palace?" Madame Maxime asked hopefully.
Eliot and Susan exchanged glances. They had been developing portable versions of their communication interface, but this would be their first attempt to establish contact with a foreign magical building.
"We can try," Eliot said carefully. "But we'll need to approach this very slowly and respectfully. Each building is unique."
---
The expedition to Beauxbatons was arranged for the Easter holidays, giving them time to prepare specialized equipment and protocols for international architectural communication. Hogwarts itself proved to be an invaluable advisor in their preparations.
"What should we expect when meeting another conscious building?" Susan asked the castle through their interface.
"Each of us develops differently," Hogwarts replied in its elegant script. "Beauxbatons has always been more... artistic in temperament. Expect beauty, emotion, and perhaps some dramatic flair. The palace has been isolated longer than I was—it may be overwhelmed by sudden communication."
"Any advice for making a good first impression?" Eliot asked.
"Approach with genuine respect and curiosity. Compliment the palace's beauty—it has always been proud of its aesthetic achievements. And be patient. First contact can be... intense."
Armed with Hogwarts' advice and their carefully prepared equipment, they set off for France with Madame Maxime and her delegation.
---
Beauxbatons Academy was even more magnificent than they had imagined. The palace rose from manicured gardens like something from a fairy tale, its walls gleaming with an inner light that spoke of centuries of accumulated magic.
"She is beautiful, non?" Madame Maxime said proudly as they approached the main entrance. "But lately, she 'as been... 'ow you say... moody."
As if responding to the comment, the palace's front doors swung open with unnecessary force, and several windows flickered their shutters in what seemed like irritation.
"I think the palace heard that," Susan whispered to Eliot.
"And I think it has opinions about being called moody," he whispered back.
They set up their communication equipment in the palace's grand entrance hall, a soaring space decorated with crystal chandeliers and elaborate frescoes. The magical atmosphere was different from Hogwarts—more refined, more artistic, but also more volatile.
---
Their first attempt at communication was met with an overwhelming response. The moment they activated their interface, the palace's consciousness flooded their system with a torrent of emotions, images, and half-formed thoughts.
"Too much," Susan gasped, quickly adjusting their reception filters. "The palace has been storing up centuries of things it wanted to say."
"It's like opening a dam," Eliot agreed, working frantically to modulate their communication protocols. "We need to slow this down."
Gradually, they managed to establish a more manageable communication flow. The palace's first coherent message appeared on their screen in flowing, artistic script: "Finally! Someone who can hear me! I have been so lonely, so frustrated, so desperate to share my thoughts!"
"Bonjour, beautiful palace," Susan typed carefully. "We are honored to meet you. Please, tell us about yourself, but slowly so we can understand."
"You think I am beautiful?" the palace responded, its text practically glowing with pleasure. "No one has complimented me directly in centuries! The students appreciate my appearance, but they cannot tell me so!"
---
The conversation that followed was unlike anything they had experienced with Hogwarts. Where the English castle was wise and measured, the French palace was emotional and expressive. It had strong opinions about art, architecture, and the proper way to educate young witches and wizards.
"The students, they do not appreciate beauty enough!" the palace complained. "They rush through my corridors without noticing my frescoes! They eat their meals without admiring my dining hall's proportions! How can they learn to create beauty if they do not first learn to see it?"
"Perhaps we could help you communicate these concerns to the faculty," Eliot suggested diplomatically.
"Oh, would you? I have so many ideas for improving the aesthetic education of the students! The lighting in the art studios could be optimized! The acoustics in the music rooms could be perfected! The gardens could be integrated more fully with the curriculum!"
Madame Maxime watched in amazement as her palace poured out centuries of accumulated observations and suggestions. "Mon Dieu," she whispered. "Ze palace, she 'as been thinking about education all zis time?"
---
The Beauxbatons consultation lasted three days, during which they established a permanent communication interface and helped the palace develop more measured communication habits. The French building's personality was so different from Hogwarts that they had to completely redesign their interaction protocols.
"Each building truly is unique," Susan observed as they prepared to return to Hogwarts. "Beauxbatons is like an artist who's been forced to remain silent about their work for centuries."
"And now it can finally share its vision for aesthetic education," Eliot added. "The students here are going to benefit enormously from the palace's direct input on their artistic development."
"You 'ave given us a great gift," Madame Maxime said as they prepared to depart. "Ze palace, she is already suggesting improvements to our curriculum. We will be forever grateful."
The palace itself bid them farewell with a spectacular display of synchronized window-flashing and door-opening that was both beautiful and slightly overwhelming.
"Come back soon!" appeared on their communication screen. "I want to hear about other buildings you meet! And I have so many more ideas to share!"
---
Their return to Hogwarts was met with eager curiosity from their own castle. The moment they reconnected to their familiar interface, Hogwarts greeted them with obvious interest.
"How was your meeting with Beauxbatons?" the castle asked immediately.
"Enlightening," Susan replied. "The palace is very different from you—more emotional, more focused on aesthetics and artistic expression."
"That matches my memories of our few interactions over the centuries," Hogwarts responded. "Beauxbatons has always been the artist among magical buildings. I am more of a scholar and teacher."
"The palace wants to communicate with other buildings," Eliot reported. "It's very excited about the possibility of sharing ideas about architecture and education."
"As am I," Hogwarts replied. "We buildings have much to learn from each other. Perhaps you could facilitate introductions?"
The idea of creating a network for architectural consciousness was both exciting and daunting. They would essentially be establishing diplomatic relations between ancient magical entities.
---
Word of their successful consultation at Beauxbatons spread quickly through the international magical community. By the end of March, they had received formal requests from a dozen magical institutions across four continents.
"Durmstrang wants us to visit next month," Susan reported, reading through their latest correspondence. "Their ship-castle has been exhibiting what they describe as 'navigational independence'—apparently it's been changing course without human input."
"And the Salem Witches' Institute in America has reported that their building has been rearranging its internal layout," Eliot added. "They think it might be trying to optimize the learning environment."
"We're going to need help," Susan realized. "We can't personally visit every magical building in the world."
"Maybe we don't need to," Eliot suggested. "What if we could create standardized communication interfaces that other researchers could deploy? We could train teams of architectural communicators."
"A new profession," Susan mused. "Magical building diplomats."
---
Professor Flitwick was fascinated by their reports from Beauxbatons and their ideas for expanding their work.
"You're essentially proposing to give voice to every major magical building in the world," he observed. "The implications for magical education, historical research, and architectural preservation are enormous."
"But so are the challenges," Susan pointed out. "Each building will have its own personality, its own needs, and its own relationship with its inhabitants."
"Some may be friendly and cooperative like Hogwarts and Beauxbatons," Eliot added. "But others might be more difficult to work with."
"Which is why proper training and protocols will be essential," Flitwick agreed. "You're not just creating technology—you're establishing the foundation for an entirely new field of magical research."
As March drew to a close, they began developing comprehensive training materials for architectural communication, knowing that their work would soon expand far beyond what they could personally manage.
The magical world was ready to listen to its buildings, and Eliot and Susan were preparing to teach it how to hear what they had to say.
Their horizons had expanded from a simple school project to a global revolution in magical consciousness, and they were just getting started.