The sun had passed its peak, bathing Hogwarts' corridors in bright afternoon light as students chatted and made their way to their classes. The topic of everyone's gossip was the new elective course professor, with whispers of his unconventional teaching style and how fascinating the first lesson had been for those who attended spreading quickly through the castle.

  Daphne Greengrass and Tracey Davis strolled side by side at an unhurried pace, heading toward their next scheduled lesson. One spoke softly while the other's voice brimmed with excitement, their conversation centered on the most recent gossip spreading through the castle.

  "Seriously, these rumors are getting more and more ridiculous every time I hear them," Tracey said, throwing a sideways glance at her companion.

  Daphne shrugged casually. "It was bound to happen. People love exaggerating."

  "But..." Tracey paced a little faster, then turned her sparkling eyes to meet her friend's. "That magic was really incredible... Do you think he'll teach us something like that?"

  Daphne rolled her eyes. "Do you seriously think that's some basic first-year spell? Besides, he's not the Charms professor."

  Tracey grinned mischievously. "Still... you know... what if we just ask him to teach us?" Her voice took on a playful, persuasive tone.

  Daphne sighed, shaking her head. "I don't think you've listened to a word I've said."

  The two Slytherin witches soon reached their destination, and the moment they opened the door to the classroom, a wave of bustling noise hit their ears, making it feel as though they had stepped into Diagon Alley on a busy afternoon.

  They paused in their tracks, momentarily taken aback by the sheer energy of the room. The classroom was large, dimly lit, but not so much that it was difficult to see across it.

  Rows upon rows of desks and chairs were arranged in a half-moon shape, each row slightly inclined from the one before it. It resembled a set of stairs leading down, with the teacher's space at the center—just a large desk and a chair behind it, facing an open area in front that was somewhat larger than the rest.

  The layout was familiar to the two girls, who recognized it as similar to the Muggle Science classroom, though this one was noticeably bigger.

  And rightfully so, because students from all four houses filled nearly every seat, their voices overlapping in an excited hum that made the classroom feel more like a celebration than a lesson.

  "Blimey," Tracey muttered, her eyes widening slightly. "Aren't there a bit too many?"

  "It's not surprising. Professor Caesar's alchemy lessons combine all four houses."

  They made their way through the crowded room and slipped into a pair of empty seats, catching fragments of animated conversations around them as they settled in.

  Needless to say, the professor's name was on every witch or wizard's lips, talking about his earlier class as if they had been right there with him.

  The two girls tried their best to ignore the gossip-filled chatter and glanced around the class, attempting to spot the subject of everyone's conversation, but to their disappointment, he was nowhere to be seen.

  "The professor's not here yet, I guess..."

  "We still have a few minutes," Daphne responded to her friend, keeping her calm as she settled into her seat.

  "Hey, Greengrass!"

  But then, she heard a familiar voice—annoyingly familiar—call out her name from the right. Turning her head, she saw the pompous blond looking in her direction.

  "I heard you two were the only Slytherins who went to Professor Caesar's class. Is what they're saying true?"

  Daphne raised an eyebrow, but then a memory surfaced, and she couldn't help it as a rare smile tugged at her lips. "Professor now? Wasn't he supposed to be a squib? Or have you forgotten calling him that to his face?"

  She saw her idiot housemate visibly stiffen, sitting there at a loss for words.

  As for Malfoy, it could be said that he hadn't had the best start since stepping onto the train for school. First, it was the famous "Boy Who Lived" giving him no face in front of his entire year, but the worst of it all was that he had let his arrogance get the better of him and insulted someone he most definitely should not have.

  He had been trying to forget about it, but the embarrassing memory he had worked so hard to bury since yesterday resurfaced once again, and he couldn't help but feel a cold sweat break out on his forehead.

  He remembered all too clearly how his father had warned him to tread carefully around certain individuals. Maverick Caesar, the new professor and a master alchemist, was one of those people. His father had emphasized repeatedly that his soon to be professor of Alchemy was the kind of wizard even the Malfoy family couldn't afford to offend.

  But, of course, he hadn't known that when he had first met the professor. His sharp tongue had gotten the better of him, and in his usual arrogance, he had called the man a squib before even knowing who he was. Now, every time he remembered it, a wave of mortification washed over him.

  "I didn't... mean it like that," Draco muttered, looking anywhere but at Daphne.

  Daphne's smile widened, though her voice remained smooth. "Of course you didn't. But you did."

  She saw the Slytherin blond gulp, hesitating to speak. Whether out of fear or something else, he finally looked at her with a pleading expression. "Can you... can you help me apologize to him? You know I wouldn't have said it if I'd known earlier."

  Even for someone as introverted as Daphne, she couldn't help but find the blond boy's current embarrassing behavior amusing, a stark contrast to his usual arrogant self.

  Then, a loud burst of laughter erupted beside her, and she didn't need to look to know its was her friend Tracey, nor why she had finally lost her battle to keep it in.

  "Honestly..." Tracey said, rubbing the corner of her eye as if wiping away an imaginary tear of laughter. "For a second there, I thought someone was impersonating Draco Malfoy. Then..." she barely held back another fit of laughter. "Then I remembered you sticking your stinky foot in your idiot mouth yesterday."

  Unbeknownst to them, and to any student present in the class, Maverick was already there, listening to their chatter the whole time while casually leaning against his desk. He shook his head with a smile, then turned his attention away from the group of Slytherins and glanced at his wrist to check the time.

  It was almost time. He glanced over the sea of students once more, counting at least a hundred or more in the room—far more than what had been depicted in the books. Perhaps this was the correct number, he thought, recalling an interview with J.K. Rowling where she mentioned that Hogwarts had about a thousand students at any given time.

  He dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. There was no point in dwelling on such details. This was his world now, not the one from a storybook.

  With a final glance around the room, he snapped his fingers. The sharp sound rang out like a thunderclap, echoing through the classroom and instantly silencing the chatter.

  Just as he was about to cancel the Disillusionment on himself, the classroom door swung open with a loud thud, startling everyone.

  At first, Maverick thought another group of teachers had come to observe his class again. But then he saw two young wizards hurrying in, looking like they'd just run a marathon.

  The students, who had just been silenced by Maverick's sharp snap also turned their heads toward the newcomers.

  "Whoa... this is way bigger than Professor McGonagall's classroom," one of the boys exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the room. He seemed completely oblivious to the heavy silence and all the eyes now on him.

  "I don't see the professor. Let's just find a seat," his companion said quickly, ignoring the comment and urging him along.

  "Right... uh..." The first boy glanced around, and only then did he notice the entire room staring at them. "Harry, why's everyone staring at us..."

  "Well that's because," Harry muttered. "We're bloody late. Now hurry up and move."

  The two—Harry Potter and Ron Weasley—started walking down the rows of desks, glancing left and right as they searched for empty seats.

  "Merlin's beard," Ron grumbled after a moment. "Why do the only seats left have to be in the front row?"

  "Doesn't matter. Just go."

  The pair quickly made their way to the front, ignoring the whispers that followed them, and slid into the only two vacant seats. They both let out a sigh, as if they'd just narrowly escaped something worse.

  "Late again. Honestly, Ronald, Harry," a familiar voice called in a clipped tone. "You're going to cost us points. Again."

  They turned to their right and saw their bushy haired housemate sitting in the same row, separated from them by another girl.

  "We got lost! Again!" Ron defended, throwing up his hands. "This school's too bloody big, you know. You can't blame us for that!"

  "At least this time, I don't see any cats," Harry added with a sly grin, earning a muffled laugh from Ron.

  Hermione huffed and crossed her arms.

  Maverick watched the so-called Golden Trio—Hermione Granger and her two dumb friends—with faint amusement. He wondered if he should pull a stunt similar to McGonagall's dramatic entrances just to see their reaction. But before he could entertain the thought further, another equally idiotic voice cut through the classroom.

  "Potter. I told you it wouldn't do you any good hanging around with that Weasley fool."

  Draco Malfoy's drawling tone carried from somewhere behind them, dripping with his usual arrogance.

  Ron didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Somehow, Malfoy's voice had the kind of quality that etched itself permanently into his memory after that single unpleasant encounter.

  "Shut your mouth, Malfoy!" Ron snapped, spinning in his seat to glare at him. "At least I didn't call the professor a squib. The whole bloody school knows about it now."

  The room erupted into a chorus of chuckles, with several students casting Malfoy pitying glances while others smirked at his expense. Draco, for once, had no retort, and his face flushed a bright shade of pink as the sting of humiliation settled in.

  Ron, encouraged by the laughter and feeling like the hero of the moment, stood up on his chair. He stretched out his arm dramatically, pointing a finger at Malfoy as if delivering a theatrical proclamation.

  "That's right! You called Professor Caesar a squib!" he declared, his voice ringing out over the murmurs. "And you know what? I heard it from one of your slimy snake friends! So you better behave, Malfoy, or I'll remind the professor about it every ten minutes of the class!"

  Ron puffed out his chest, clearly expecting another wave of laughter to follow his bold display. However, the reaction he expected never came. The seconds ticked by, and instead of laughter, the classroom grew unsettlingly quiet.

  Frowning, Ron opened his eyes and glanced around. That's when he noticed the other students weren't looking at him anymore. Their eyes were fixed somewhere behind him, their expressions ranging from sheepish to downright panicked.

  "Mr. Weasley," came a calm yet sharp voice that sent shivers down Ron's spine.

  —————————

  "Mr. Weasley..."

  The calm, sharp voice sliced through the silence, causing Ron to flinch and sending a shiver down his spine.

  He didn't need to turn around to know who had spoken. He had walked right into another one of the professor's traps.

  Hundreds of eyes were on him—some curious, others amused—but most flicked between him and the figure behind him, filled with pity. The weight of their stares made his stomach drop, and heat rushed to his face in embarrassment.

  He swallowed hard and turned slowly, finding the person everyone at Hogwarts had been talking about standing casually in front of his desk, watching him with amusement.

  Gulp.

  "Prof... Professor, I..."

  "Would you mind sitting down first, Mr. Weasley?"

  Contrary to what he was expecting, the professor's tone wasn't sharp or reprimanding. Instead, it was calm, almost kind, as though they were speaking to him gently.

  So he hurriedly stepped off the chair and sat down properly, but his eyes were fixed on the desk, too embarrassed to look up. He cast a quick sideways glance at his friend and noticed Harry also had his head down.

  Was Harry trying to spare him the embarrassment of suffering alone? He thought. His chest swelled with emotion, and his eyes stung with the urge to cry, touched by how much his friend—no, his best friend—seemed to care for him.

  Unbeknownst to Ron, Harry's reluctance to look up had nothing to do with standing by him. He was just terrified that the professor might have overheard his earlier comment about the cat.

  It was when Ron stood on the chair to argue with Malfoy that Maverick canceled his Disillusionment Charm. He was honestly speechless at the little redhead's foolish behavior and couldn't help but wonder how this idiot managed to conquer the smartest witch of their generation.

  Nonetheless, he had no intention of punishing them over some silly argument. If anything, he preferred to see his students get along. Detention, in his eyes, was nothing more than overtime babysitting—a waste of time he could spend far more productively.

  Walking to the center of the classroom, he glanced over the rows of curious faces, pausing briefly on each one and observing the students while offering the best professor smile he could muster as possible. He didn't want to play Snape or McGonagall and would rather be someone more approachable in the eyes of his students.

  He saw the sea of faces, some exchanging glances, some looking expectantly at him, while others leaned forward slightly, all waiting for him to speak.

  "Good afternoon..."

  A soft hum of his greeting was returned, but only a few seemed to speak.

  "Well, it seems only a few of you think this beautifully bright afternoon is good, isn't it?"

  "Good afternoon, professor!"

  This time, the whole class spoke in unison, and Maverick nodded to everyone, his expression showing approval.

  "Welcome to the class of alchemy. Before we get started, I'll give a short introduction of myself..."

  He then repeated what he had said in the last class, telling the students a bit about himself, his education, and his background.

  The students all listened attentively, with only a few noble heirs whispering among themselves at the mention of his Muggle education and his teacher.

  He didn't mind, though. Scrutiny was inevitable—after all, they had grown up knowing almost nothing significant about the world outside their own.

  "Well, with that out of the way, let's begin." Then, wasting no time, he posed his first question, making sure to maintain a kind smile as he glanced across the rows of students.

  "Can anyone tell me what alchemy is?"

  Swish!

  A few hands shot up, and he pointed to a young wizard with the Ravenclaw badge pinned to his uniform, gesturing for him to speak. "Please state your name first..."

  The boy stood up trying his best to look as confident as possible. "I'm Terry, Professor. Terry Boot... and... Alchemy is… crafting magical items..."

  Mavrick's smiled warmly at the boy and he gestured for him to sit. "An excellent answer, Mr. Boot. Five points to Ravenclaw."

  "Mr. Boots' answer, though a bit reductive, is a correct description. Alchemy... is the magical art of transformation and creation. It involves the careful crafting of magical objects, using runes to channel and direct magical energy, and applying charms to imbue those objects with specific properties. It's a comprehensive approach to magic that demands both precision and creativity."

  He turned his attention to another raised hand at the very front, looking eagerly at him. "Yes, Ms. Granger?"

  "Professor," Hermione inquired, "is it the same runes that are taught in the elective course Ancient Runes?"

  Maverick nodded. "Very observant... To answer your question, Ms. Granger, ancient runes are indeed used in the creation of alchemical items. In fact, most multipurpose magical items are created using ancient runes. However, for this class, until the elective course begins, we will only be using basic runes."

  He explained further.

  "The main difference between Ancient Runes and basic runes is that Ancient Runes let you inscribe much more complex instructions and handle greater magical power. Basic runes, on the other hand, are simpler—think of them as the basics, without the same depth or flexibility. For example, if basic runes are like simple numbers from zero to nine, Ancient Runes are more like a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols, making it possible to create more advanced magic."

  He paused, looking around the room before turning back to Hermione. "Does that make sense?"

  "Yes, Professor," Hermione replied looking satisfied as she sat back down.

  Mavrick continued. "To make a product that can be considered an alchemical creation, it must have two properties... runes and charms."

  "The crafting can be either natural or man-made, but you will rarely see naturally formed objects turned into alchemy without any alteration to their structure. In fact, it's nearly impossible because the process of carving runes changes the very structure of the object."

  "In this class, we'll mostly focus on the basic set of runes. Now, I know that might sound boring, but it won't just be about memorizing symbols and their meanings. We'll also be creating alchemical equipment as we go," he added, watching as the students all perked up, exchanging excited whispers at the mention of creating their own alchemy.

  "As for charms, I believe that part will be handled perfectly well by Professor Flitwick. In fact, in my class, I'll be referring to his lessons to see which charms you've learned and plan the practical lessons accordingly."

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  He smiled. "And finally, we will dedicate one day of every month to learning the art of crafting. And it'll be more fun than it sounds."

  "Alright." He clapped his hands together. "Today is the first day, so I want to make it memorable for you. First, please take out your basic runes textbooks and turn to page 78."

  The room came alive with the rustling of pages and the soft thuds of books being placed on desks. Mavrick waited while scanning the room until every student had their book open. "What you'll see there is the basic rune for light and illumination. Today, we're going to use this rune to create a basic alchemical light source."

  He noticed the students' eyes light up at the prospect of diving straight into creation, and a smile tugged at his lips. "Observe carefully," he said, extending his hand. With a deliberate motion, he cast the Flagrate spell, moving his finger through the air to draw a symbol—a simple, angular shape resembling a flame with a single line rising upward.

  The students gasped, their eyes sparkling with wonder as they watched Maverick effortlessly use magic.

  "This is Luxis," Maverick pointed at the glowing symbol.

  "It's a basic rune that represents light and illumination. When inscribed correctly and infused with Magical-Energy, it can produce a steady, glowing light. Unlike Ancient Runes, which can sometimes create complex, self-sustaining enchantments, Luxis requires a direct input of magic to function. Think of it as a match—you need to strike it to produce light, but it won't burn on its own."

  As he spoke, he walked over to his desk, where stacks of smooth, flat stone cards were neatly arranged. Each card had one side made of stone and the other covered with a crystal-like surface.

  With a wave of his hand, the cards floated into the air one by one, hovering briefly before gently descending onto each student's desk.

  "What kind of spell was that?" one student whispered to another.

  "Maybe a very advanced variant of the Levitation Charm," came the reply.

  Mavrick sighed inwardly, realizing once again how much he took his own magical abilities for granted. To these children, even the simplest acts of magic for him were extraordinary.

  The room became a buzz of whispers and murmurs, but he needed to continue with the lesson.

  "Alright," he amplified his voice slightly to cut through the chatter. "You can discuss everything else later, but for now, I need your attention."

  He walked to the center of the room, holding a similar stone card in his hand. "In your list of required materials, there should be carving instruments. I hope everyone has them with you." He glanced around and nodded to see that no one seemed to have forgotten.

  "On your desks are special stone cards made from materials used in carving practice. They are also half-complete alchemical products, which I hope to see finished by each and every one of you before the end of the lesson."

  The students picked up the cards, turning them over in their hands and examining both sides carefully.

  "You'll notice a faint mark outlining the symbol you see above me on the silver side," Maverick continued. "I want you to use the Glyphblade to carefully carve over it."

  "Now, the Glyphblade itself is an alchemical tool, much like a wand. Instead of casting spells, its purpose is to channel your magic into the carving you make. Otherwise, it would just be a simple mark on the stone."

  He paused, looking seriously over the class. "Please be careful with the blade. Don't rush. You have fifteen minutes, and it's just one symbol that is already outlined for you."

  Seeing the students nod in acknowledgment of his warning, he relaxed his expression, and his lips curved into a smile. "I'll walk around to each of you in the meantime to check your work... you may now begin."

  Following his instructions, the students buzzed with excitement, chatting eagerly to one another about the work they were about to do.

  Maverick saw the little redhead's face light up with a peculiar gleam as he spoke to Harry. "Harry... this is so cool. I bet Fred and George are gonna be super jealous that we actually became alchemists today."

  "You're not gonna become an alchemist in one day, Ronald. We're merely just carving over an outlined symbol. Do you even know the ranks of alchemists...?"

  Sure enough, it was his future wife who put him in his place even before Harry had even thought of a response.

  Ron glanced at Hermione irritably, then at Harry, before whispering to him, "Mental, that one. How does she even have time to listen to other people when she's so focused on what she's doing?"

  Harry sighed, honestly speechless, not knowing what to say. He didn't want to take Hermione's side over his friend, but he also knew Ron's earlier comment sounded stupid.

  "Just focus on the work, Ron... before the professor comes and checks," Harry said in the end, carefully holding the Glyphblade as instructed in his textbook.

  —————————

  The alchemy classroom buzzed with the quiet murmur of students and the steady sound of activity. Most of the class was hunched over their desks, faces set in deep concentration, while others whispered to their neighbors, discussing the work they were about to start.

  In their hands, each one held a peculiar object—something between a spatula and a quill, no longer than a hand, sleek and black in color, with one end pointed to a sharp tip, etched with intricate patterns that seemed to shine faintly.

  They handled it carefully, eyes focused on the rectangular card in front of them, occasionally glancing at the textbook beside it, as if checking the instructions.

  Meanwhile, Maverick moved steadily between the rows of desks, scanning the students' work as he went. His footsteps came to a stop beside a Gryffindor student, noticing the young wizard looking far too nervous for the task he assigned.

  He saw the boy's eyes flicker nervously between the card on his desk and the glyphblade in his shaking hands, struggling to keep the sharp tip steady.

  "Good afternoon..." Maverick spoke as softly as possible, careful not to startle the already nervous boy.

  Despite this, the little wizard wearing the Gryffindor badge on his uniform flinched in surprise and sat up straight, like a soldier caught off guard. Fortunately, he managed to keep a grip on the sharp blade in his hand without sending it flying across the room.

  Maverick frowned inwardly. This was an unusually strong reaction, as if the boy had been on edge for much longer than just the work assigned to him.

  "Are you alright?" he asked, keeping his tone as gentle as possible.

  "Y-yes, Professor," the boy stammered, stumbling over the words.

  "What's your name?" he asked, making a mental guess about the boy's identity.

  "Neville, Professor. Neville Longbottom."

  Sure enough, this is the hidden child of prophecy, Maverick thought, recalling the early descriptions of his character in the books. It seemed to fit well with his current behavior.

  "You can relax, Mr. Longbottom... doyou have any doubts or difficulties with the carving?"

  Neville hesitantly glanced up at his professor before quickly lowering his head. "Y-yes, professor... I mean, I don't have any difficulties."

  Maverick didn't press further. "Then can you resume the work? I hope you don't mind if I take a look."

  At his words, the Longbottom heir's hands trembled slightly before he forcibly steadied them, gulping nervously and giving a hesitant nod.

  Watching the boy once again attempt to carve the symbol's delicate lines, Maverick decided to offer some assistance.

  The few students who had been quietly observing the exchange saw Maverick raise his hand and open his palm. Over his palm, a ball of white mist began to form and swirl, gradually morphing until it took the shape of a beautiful raven.

  Gasp!

  A collective audible intake of breath rippled through the room as the students stared in astonishment. Whispers broke out among them as they pointed toward Maverick, making others turn their attention as well. Soon, the classroom buzzed with the hum of chatter, all eyes casting toward him.

  Maverick sighed inwardly, thinking he might be getting too used to performing advanced magic casually and probably should watch out for any audience while doing so.

  Shaking his head while ignoring the students' murmurs, he let the raven flap its wings and slowly land on Neville's shoulder.

  The boy was already wide-eyed, staring at him, but as soon as the Patronus landed on his shoulder, his expression softened, and a faint smile formed.

  "How do you feel, Mr. Longbottom?"

  "I... I feel... happy, Professor..."

  "Good," Maverick nodded. "What about your nervousness? Is it better now?"

  Neville paused for a moment, his eyes lighting up with realization. "It's... gone, Professor. I've never felt this relaxed before," he said, turning his head to gaze at the shimmering raven perched on his shoulder.

  Maverick smiled. "Then, could you please get back to work? I'll stay and watch."

  The little Longbottom nodded and, reluctantly, moved his hand away from the raven and grasped the Glyphblade. With a deep breath, he pressed the sharp tip against the stone card and began to carefully trace the faintly outlined symbol.

  "You're pressing a bit too hard there," Maverick said, kneeling beside him. "Remember, the Glyphblade channels your magic, not your strength. A lighter touch with precision is what you should aim for, not force."

  Neville nodded, taking the advice to heart, and adjusted his grip, his brow furrowing in concentration.

  Giving a nod of approval to the young man, Maverick stood up and glanced around. He saw that the rest of the class had now stopped working and were staring at him, whispering among themselves.

  "You can all talk, but please do so while working," he said, raising his voice just enough to be heard by everyone. "If there are any difficulties, raise your hand, and I'll come to help."

  Woosh!

  Woosh!

  Woosh!

  The hands went up like a wave, and Maverick wasn't sure if it was because they were all struggling with the task or if something else was going on.

  He pointed to a familiar Slytherin girl. "Ms. Davis..."

  "Professor! This is discrimination! Why does the Gryffindor—"

  Before she could finish, her friend quickly covered her mouth, but Maverick realized what was going on with the entire class.

  He glanced around the classroom, then let out a sigh. I might end up regretting this, he thought, before raising both hands in a dramatic motion. As the students gasped, two spheres of white mist began to form over his palms, swirling before growing in size.

  They grew steadily, from the size of tennis balls to basketballs, and then even larger.

  Wooosh!

  With a soft burst, the two mist spheres exploded outward, and the scattered smoke began gathering into different pots around the room. There were about a hundred, and as the smoke swirled, it took the shape of ravens, flapping their wings as they flew to each student, landing gracefully on their shoulders.

  The murmurs in the room grew louder, and some, like the loud redhead in the front, even started laughing loudly like a baboon.

  Maverick amplified his voice and spoke in a serious tone. "Don't expect this in every class. It's your first day, so think of it as a little something from your professor. Now, focus back on your work. You have only 10 minutes left of the 15 I gave you to finish the task."

  "Daph... look... it's so beautiful... I feel so happy... ahaha!"

  Even Daphne, who was usually aloof, couldn't help but smile at the sight of her friend, laughing stupidly while playing with her feathery companion.

  She glanced at her own raven, twinkling her fingers through its form. "I've seen my father perform a corporeal Patronus," she said thoughtfully. "He would take time to gather his emotions first before casting it. But this... I don't think there are any records of anyone performing the spell this effortlessly. No wand, no chant... it was like breathing for him..."

  "I know, right?" Tracy giggled. "Hey, let's ask the professor to teach us the spell."

  Daphne chuckled. The Patronus charm was clearly having the desired effect on her, but she wasn't about to fall into the same level of crayzy as her friend.

  "No... maybe some other time," she replied with a smirk. "The professor will still be teaching us for another seven years. We've got time. For now, let's focus on the work. I'm already halfway done."

  "Ah, this is boring," Tracy pouted but complied, getting back to work.

  Meanwhile, in the front row, Hermione Granger was giggling as she played with her own white bird of mist, just like most of the other students. "What an incredible spell. It's making me feel so happy and so confident." She glanced to her right and called to her recently made friend, "Susan, do you know what spell this is?"

  The girl wearing the Hufflepuff badge on her uniform nodded happily. "It's the Patronus charm. A very advanced spell. Aunt Amelia once showed it to me."

  A little further away, the two Gryffindor troublemakers were struggling to stop laughing. One had started, and the other, unable to control himself at the sight, joined in, both of them laughing like two little crackheads.

  As all this happened, Maverick stood at the back, watching his class caught up in the chaos he had caused. A regretful look crossed his face. This was not my brightest idea, he thought with a sigh.

  Fortunately, as the most sensible among the young witches and wizards began working on their cards, the rest eventually followed suit. Soon, and ten minutes later than the time he had originally set, the children managed to finish carving the runic symbols onto their stone cards.

  He walked back to the front of the class and glanced across the rows of students who were all showing bright smiles.

  "I take it everyone is done?"

  The entire class erupted in a loud "Yes, Professor," with some even shouting it.

  He glanced to the side, where the redhead was grinning like a fool. The urge to drag him to detention flared up for a moment, but he quickly buried the thought, convincing himself, It's not worth it.

  The Patronus scattered around the room remained beside each student, as he hadn't canceled the magic yet, unsure of the consequences.

  However, he made a mental note to never repeat such an act in future lessons.

  "Now, if you could all please be silent," he said, trying to steer the class back on track. "We just had a fun practical moment, but it's time for the theory part."

  Looking around, he saw the students obliging to his request, quiet, but still smiling brimmingly at him. He sighed inwardly and moved on to the next part of the lesson.

  "As I mentioned at the start of this lesson, alchemy involves crafting, runes, and charms," he paced slowly in front of the class.

  "The crafting was already done to the cards before they were handed to you, and what you did was... add the final rune to the runic circuit."

  "You'll learn more about runic circuits in your second year, but for now, all you need to know is that as long as the rune you carved was properly imbued, the runes on your stone card should now be complete."

  Finally, after pacing back to the center once again, he said, "Now, we move on to the final part—the charm."

  —————————

  Alchemy classroom.

  Standing amidst the sea of quiet yet overly enthusiastic students, Maverick smiled faintly and began explaining the third step in basic alchemy. "We now move on to the final part of today's lesson, enchanting."

  The students exchanged glances nodding excitedly to one another. It was common knowledge that alchemy required years of practice and dedication to produce even the simplest functional item. Yet here they were, about to complete their own projects. Even if it was just a basic item, the thought filled them with pride and excitement.

  "This step," Maverick said as he started pacing slowly, "is what brings your creation to life. The rune you've carved and imbued forms the foundation of its structure. But a structure without purpose is lifeless, isn't it?"

  Even though the joyous emotions from his Patronus still resonated with them, it didn't affect their ability to give their full attention to his explanation.

  "Professor," called Hermione Granger from the front row, her hand shooting up. "Could you explain what you mean by the structure?"

  Maverick smiled and walked over to her desk. He picked up the stone card she had been working on, the Luxis rune carved neatly into its surface. "The structure," he said, holding the card up for the class to see, "is represented by this card."

  He returned to the center of the room with Hermione's work in hand.

  Slowly, he levitated the card, raising it halfway to the ceiling. With a sharp snap of his fingers, he cast an enlarging spell.

  The card grew steadily, reaching nearly two meters in height, hovering in the center of the classroom, large enough for everyone to clearly see the intricate details. He made it rotate slowly, halting when the carved rune faced the students.

  "Ms. Granger," he glanced at Hermione who was now blushing slightly but still focused intently on his demonstration, "has done excellent work carving the Luxis rune precisely along the outline."

  He gestured to the rune on the enlarged card. "The purpose of this alchemical creation is simple... to make a glowing magical item. This card has already been crafted into its shape before it was given to you. So, the first step was completed for you."

  "Keep in mind, the structure doesn't have to be a card. It could be a ball, a cube, or even an irregular shape. What matters is how you want your creation to look and whether it's possible to carve runes on that particular shape."

  The students listened carefully, absorbing the information.

  "The second step," Maverick continued, "is adding runic instructions. In a simpler term, carving the rune. That step is also complete now, as you've all carved the Luxis rune onto your cards." He gestured to the enlarged card hovering above him.

  "There are other runes hidden on your cards, but for now, don't worry about them. Think of the runes as pieces of a puzzle. The one you carved was the final piece that made it complete."

  He paused again while scanning the room to see if anyone was having difficulty understanding. When he saw none, he nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Let's move on."

  "The third step is adding a magical spell to provide energy to the structure. The charm activates the runes, allowing them to function as intended."

  "However, it's not as simple as waving your wand and casting any spell. The charm must match the runic instructions. In other words, you can't use a levitation charm on an item designed to glow. The runes are specific... they have meaning and react to specific types of magic."

  He paused, looking thoughtfully at the students to make sure they understood the meaning, then decided to emphasize the point once more, as it was the most crucial element of any enchantment.

  "Remember children... runes are precise magical instructions. Each one has a purpose, and they respond to specific spells. The process of charming the runes requires focus and precision. You can't just wave your wand, cast some random spell, and expect it to work."

  He paused again, scanning the room for any signs of confusion while tapping his wand lightly against his palm. The students seemed fully engrossed in the lesson, and there was no hint of confusion in their expressions. Even little Weasley was bobbing his head like a chicken, his face showing he understood. Although, that remained to be seen.

  "The process of charming runes isn't as straightforward as casting a spell. To enchant this stone card," he gestured to the enlarged hovering card above him, "you'll need to focus on what the rune is meant to do. It's like having a conversation with your magic. The rune asks for guidance, and your charm provides the answer."

  "If your focus wavers or your intent isn't clear, the enchantment might fail... no, it will fail."

  The students watched intently as the card slowly descended, landing gently in front of the class. The elevated seating gave everyone a clear view of Maverick's demonstration.

  "I'll use the Lumos Charm," he said, raising his wand. "But unlike casting it in the air, enchanting requires direct contact with the crafted item."

  He held up the wand for emphasis. "Before I begin, I focus on the rune in my mind. I think about its meaning, its purpose, and what I want it to achieve. The Luxis rune represents illumination, so I concentrate on that idea. Then, I channel my intent into the spell."

  He flicked his wand gently over the stone card, clearly enunciating, "Lumos!" as he tapped the rune.

  Instead of the typical white light glowing from his wand, the students gasped as a soft, radiant glow spread across the card's surface. The light traced the lines of the Luxis rune, filling them in slowly until the entire shape gleamed brightly. Moments later, the glow faded from the rune itself, and the crystal embedded on the other side of the card began to emit a steady, brilliant light.

  "And there you have it," he said, hovering the glowing card back into the air and turning it for the students to see. "The charm has activated the rune, and the card is now a functioning magical item. The runes instructed it to glow, and the charm made that possible."

  He smiled at the wide-eyed students. "As you can see, the card is glowing much like a Lumos spell. Moreover, it will continue to do so for as long as the runes can draw ambient magic from the environment and stay powered. Even if you aren't holding it, as long as the item is in a magical area, it will continue to shine."

  "But if you're in contact with it, the runes will prioritize drawing magic from you... but don't worry—it's negligible. Runes, especially in simple creations like this, are incredibly efficient. You could hold it all day and not feel a thing."

  "That's because this, now-completed alchemical creation is the simplest of simple alchemy, with the most basic instructions."

  "And these instructions can be transformed into anything because runes are just like a language. You can ask to do very complicated things by modifying the instructions."

  "For example... to stop glowing at certain times, glow in different colors, or blink at different intervals. You can do anything once you begin to understand the beautiful language of alchemists."

  He smiled brightly at the eager rows of children. "Imagination will be the only thing that can hinder a dedicated alchemist. And I have confidence in all of you to reach apprentice level before your OWLs."

  The students murmured excitedly, their fascination clear as they exchanged eager glances, barely able to contain themselves, itching to try it on their own.

  "Now," Maverick said with a quiet chuckle, looking at their expressions as he brought the card down, "it's your turn. Take your wands, focus on your rune, and picture its purpose. Speak the incantation clearly, and let your magic flow into the stone. If you're not familiar with the Lumos spell, raise your hand, and I'll assist you."

  A ripple of movement followed as students reached for their wands, their faces a blend of excitement and nervousness. The room buzzed with whispered incantations and concentrated energy as they began their attempts.

  The Lumos spell was one of the simplest spells, so basic that even Muggle-born students could often learn it just by reading the instructions in their textbooks. With nearly a month between purchasing their supplies and arriving at Hogwarts, most Muggle-born students had already mastered the spell before even stepping foot in the castle.

  As for the young witches and wizards from magical families, knowing how to cast Lumos was practically a given—it was a spell they learned early, often taught by parents or older siblings.

  Therefore, only a handful of students raised their hands, struggling with the charm itself. Even for them, it was quickly grasped once Maverick provided one-on-one instructions.

  Time passed slowly as the classroom filled with focused murmurs and occasional flickers of light. To Maverick's surprise, the first to succeed wasn't Miss Know-it-all, or a Ravenclaw, but Neville Longbottom. The shy Gryffindor's card began to glow softly, filling him with visible confidence.

  "Well done, Mr. Longbottom!" Maverick approached his desk, clapping his hands and offering an approving smile to the boy. "Ten points to Gryffindor."

  "Thank you, Professor," Neville replied, brimming with pride.

  This wasn't due to the effect of the Patronus on his mind—no, this was Neville's own talent. The Patronus had simply allowed him to relax by keeping his mind from dwelling on depressing thoughts, and with that, Neville was able to succeed.

  The other students turned toward Neville, some surprised, others envious, but above all else, they felt inspired.

  Not long after, Hermione Granger's card began to glow brightly. Maverick had reset her card after the demonstration, removing his earlier enchantment, so this success was entirely her own.

  "Excellent work, Miss Granger," Maverick nodded approvingly, approaching her desk. "Very impressive of you to achieve a near perfect harmony between the rune's purpose and your intent with the Lumos spell."

  Hermione beamed at the praise. Though she didn't quite grasp the technical terms, she knew it meant something good.

  "Let's see..." Maverick hummed, chuckling at the expectant girl. "Another ten points for the Lions."

  Meanwhile, Ron Weasley, sitting not far from Hermione, muttered his spell with such intensity that his card sputtered like a bulb short-circuiting.

  "Easy, Mr. Weasley," Maverick advised as he passed by. "Relax your grip and focus on the rune's meaning." He had to give it to the kid—Ron was clearly trying his best, from what Maverick could see.

  The Potter orphan, on the other hand, was the fifth fastest of nearly a hundred students to manage the enchantment. It was clear the boy was exceptionally talented, and the only thing that had held him back until now was his unfortunate upbringing, lack of magical knowledge, or magic itself.

  As the minutes went by, more students succeeded. Tracy Davis let out a delighted squeal when her card lit up, while Daphne Greengrass nodded in satisfaction, trying her best to maintain a calm expression but failing miserably as a smug smirk tugged at her lips.

  Maverick moved among the rows, offering guidance where needed. "Steady now… Remember your intent… That's it, just like that."

  Eventually, every student managed to produce at least a faint glow on their card. Maverick returned to the front of the room, clapping his hands lightly to draw their attention.

  "Well done," he said warmly. "You've all taken your first step toward becoming alchemists. It's not an easy path, but you've done remarkably well for your first attempt."

  He let his eyes sweep across the classroom, taking in the proud smiles and the way many students still stared at their glowing cards with a mix of wonder and pride.

  "Remember, enchanting isn't about rushing or forcing the process. It's about creating a connection—between you, your magic, and the object you're working with. The better that connection, the better your results will be."

  While the students excitedly chatted and exchanged proud glances, Maverick glanced at the watch on his wrist and saw that the class was nearly over.

  He allowed himself a smile as well, then gave the students a moment to enjoy their sense of accomplishment.

  When it was almost time to mark the end of the class, he cleared his throat and gave one last look at the students.

  "Alright, everyone, that's all for today. Well done. Remember, this is just the beginning. If you have any doubtsabout runes, you can alwaysfind me in my office..."

  As the students gathered their things and filed out of the classroom, many of them stopped to thank him, their voices filled with genuine appreciation.

  They didn't even realize that he had already canceled the Patronus charm that had spread across the class. Their genuine feelings of accomplishment and joy were enough to sustain the positive emotions, making them oblivious to its disappearance.

  "Thank you, Professor!" Tracy Davis and Daphne Greengrass said, one smiling politely while the other grinned widely as they walked up to the front before heading out.

  Neville approached as well, giving him a grateful look. "Thank you again, Professor," he said with a voice filled with appreciation.

  Maverick nodded to all the students, offering a smile of his own and a few kind words to those who personally came up to his desk before they made their way out.

  The last few students trickled out, leaving Maverick standing leaning at his desk, satisfied with the day's progress.