London, United Kingdom.

  "Hon, what time did you say they were arriving?"

  "Around noon, Michael. It should be m over there now. They'll be here any time."

  Ihe Caesar family house in London, Maverick's parents were making final preparations, ready to wele guests into their home.

  "So, he's finished with his studies there?" Ariel asked, carefully adjusting a vase oable.

  "Hmm... that's what Ed told me," Michael replied, casting a quice at the clock. "But he won't stay long. I don't think... Something about visiting ical tries."

  Just then, their firepce fred to life with green fmes, causing Michael and Ariel to turn their heads quickly.

  A moment ter, Edward stepped out first, wearing his usual bright expression. "Mike, Arie..." he greeted.

  Following him, three more figures emerged—first Maverick, then Isabel and her mother.

  They were all dressed casually, but appropriately for London's weather. Maverick wore a cssic bck woolen long coat over a sleek bck shirt and pants, a sharp yet casual look that suited him perfectly.

  Michael and Ariel greeted Edward first, then turo the three behind him.

  "Son... wele home," Ariel said, stepping forward to hug Maverick, while Michael gave him a nod. "Wele back, son."

  Ariel then turo Silvia, her arms outstretched. "Silvy..." she called, and the two women embraced.

  "It's been a while... yeah," Silvia replied, smiling warmly.

  They then looked at the st person. Isabel stood a little apart, looking nervous with her head down.

  "Honey, are you okay?" Ariel asked, walking over aly pg a hand on Isabel's shoulder.

  Isabel quickly tried to shake off her awkwardness. "I... I'm fine. Good. Aunt... thank you..." she stuttered, her words ing out anxiously.

  Ariel gave Isabel a ed look, then turo Silvia, silently asking if everything was okay.

  Silvia smiled reassuringly. "She's fine. Probably just a little shy after so long," she said with a pyful wink at her daughter.

  Isabel flushed slightly but quickly gathered herself. "I'm okay, Auntie. Just excited to be ba the UK after such a long time."

  Ariel raised an eyebrow, clearly unvinced. She shot Isabel a skeptical g chose not to press the issue, since Silvia didn't seem worried.

  "Let's go," Ariel said, addressing the room. "I know it's early in New York, so I've bined breakfast and lunch together." She gestured for everyoo follow her toward the dining room.

  It was just past noon, and both families sat around the dining table, enjoying Ariel's delicious spread.

  At first, the versation was light, filled with small talk. But soon, it shifted to Maverid his studies. Maverick shared stories about his time in America, his teachers, and his exam results, which brought pleased smiles to his parents' faces.

  The versatiouro Maverick's pns for the wo years. This was the first time he was sharing them directly with his parents.

  At first, they hesitated and advised against it, expressing s that he was still too young and that the journey might be dangerous. But when Edward spoke up, voug for Maverid assuring them he was more than ready, his mother and father eventually agreed—though relutly.

  Finally, the versation shifted to meeting the Queen. Edward mentioo Michael that he'd like to join, to help cover any gaps in the versation that might arise.

  Michael agreed and arrahe meeting. To their surprise, the Queen requested to meet them immediately if it was ve. Michael shared this with Edward and Maverick, and they both agreed. So, after lunch, the three of them discreetly left for Bugham Pace.

  They hadn't e by motorcade but in Michael's private car, and with a subtle Muggle-repelling charm, they reached their destination without any interruptions in just under an hour.

  This was meant to be a very private meeting, so the Queen hadn't arranged any eborate reception. To greet Maverick's party, there was only one person waiting—and to Maverick's surprise, he was a wizard. Not just any wizard, but a Great Magus. Michael quietly expio his son that the Queen had two Great-Magus under her direand, aside from the witches and wizards w in their gover's special department ficals.

  The car came to a stop, and with the repellent spell still active, only the wizard waiting for them took notice of their arrival.

  Maverick studied the man with i. He looked very old—gray hair, deeply lined face, and an aura of experiehat suggested he might be turies old. As a Great Magus, he could easily have lived for over 300 years. Maverick, however, kept his questions to himself.

  "Greetings, Speaker Garling," the wizard addressed Edward first, showing the respect due to someone of Edward's rank in the magical world.

  Edward nodded, extending his hand. "Jacob Rivers. I've heard of you—a No-Maj born, hero from World War II. You disappeared after the duel with the Rosier witch." Edward's brow lifted, intrigued.

  Jacob offered a small, modest smile. "You ftter me, Mr. Speaker. I didn't fight her alone. And now, I'm proud to serve Her Majesty—proteg her has bey mission."

  Edward nodded, reizing that Jacob preferred not to discuss it further.

  Jacob then turo Michael. "Prime Minister," he greeted with a respectful bow.

  "Jacob, good to see you," Michael replied, his tone friendly and familiar.

  "And you must be Maverick," Jacob finally turo him, extending his hand. Maverick returhe greeting with a respectful smile and a nod.

  Jacob led Maverick, Michael, and Edward through several doors until they finally arrived in a room with a square table, a chair at each side, and a fruit basket resting in the ter.

  At one chair sat a woman, fag the door through which they entered. Maverick reized her immediately as the Queen, and Michael greeted her as soon as he id eyes on her.

  "Your Majesty," he said, presenting the proper etiquette.

  "e, gentlemen, please sit," she responded with a nod to Michael.Edward walked over first and sat down at the table, directly across from her, while Maverid Michael took the remaining sides.

  The queen gave the Arch-Magus a nod. "Speaker Garling," she addressed him.

  "Your Majesty," he replied, returning the gesture. "I've heard you're ied in my pupil."

  "Yes…" she replied in her refined, royal at, gng from Michael to Maverick. "You've grown up, young man."

  Maveriodded politely. "Your Majesty, it's good to see you again."

  This wasn't the first time he had been to Bugham Pace. When he was younger, he had visited with his father and evehe queen herself.

  The queen turned her gaze back to Edward. "Tell me, Speaker Garling. You took one of my subjects as your disciple when he was only six, yet you hought to inform me?"

  Edward didn't flinch. In fact, Maverick was even more impressed by the queen. She spoke so calmly, as if she were equals with a man who could level London without much effort. Maverick's respect for her grew as he saw her in a new light.

  "Respectfully, Your Majesty, I'm not required to inform you," Edward replied calmly. "He is a wizard. I used my authority as Speaker to take him in as my apprentid to ceal his identity while I trained him."

  It was the first time Maverick had seen his teacher speak like this.

  "Yes… those bsted ws made by fools after the war," Queen Elizabeth retorted.

  Edward raised an eyebrow. "They were necessary. Many good people died for them—yours and mine alike."

  "Oh, don't misuand," the queen replied, with a hint of dession. "I respect the agreements. I just find some points unfair—like how you, or some a house, simply snatch away any magical child born to us ordinary humans. Especially those from fn nds."

  "Ahem."

  Michael cleared his throat, feeling the tension building in the room. The monard the Arch-Magus gave him a brief sideways gnce before tinuing.

  "Tell me, Mr. Speaker," the queen said, "do you pn for him to join MACUSA? If so, I must protest. His father is the head of my gover, and I 't have him w for a fn try."

  Edward met her gaze and finally uood why she had insisted oing Maverick.

  "No. I never had sutentions, and I never will." He cast a quice at Maverick before turning back to her. "He is my student, and that is all. You should know he pleted his No-Maj schooling here in the UK. I took him as my apprentily because of his talent and because his father was one of my closest friends."

  He paused before tinuing, "In fact, one reason for my visit this time is tister him uhe British Ministry of Magic, as a British wizard."

  The queen looked at Maverick for a few quiet moments before speaking.

  "You're an unusual one, aren't you, young man? Finished school, then uy, all while learning magic. I hear you did quite well on yical exams, too," she said, as if inviting Maverick to expin.

  Maverick gave a sheepish smile, scratg his head. "Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty. It's all thanks to my teacher," he said, nodding to Edward before tinuing. "He'd visit hurly to mentor me in magic, even with his own responsibilities. And, well, normal school wasn't too challenging for me. I don't mean t, but I'd say I'm pretty smart," he added with a grin.

  The queen gave him a look, then chuckled. "Yes, I saw your uy grades. Impressive, learning from both worlds."

  She turo Michael with a smirk. "How oh did that girl Ariel produce such a prodigy?"

  Michael coughed. "Your Majesty, he's my son too..."

  The queen chuckled, then turned back to Edward. "Well, I must thank you. Maverick may be a magical, but he's of the nd I rule. You've taken wonderful care of him."

  Edward nodded, pying along. "May I ask what you io request of my pupil? Surely you didn't summon him just to gratute him..."

  At st, the versation turo the real reason for the meeting.

  The queen gave Edward a long, steady look, which he returned.

  "I'd normally say it's none of your business, but si's you, I don't mind sharing my proposal with young Maverick while you're here," she said, before looking directly at Maverick.

  "I'd like you to work for me—for my gover," she stated bluntly.

  Maverick eechless. He'd expected something like this but hadn't imagi would be so direct.

  Edward remained silent, clearly leaving the decision to his student.

  Mavericed at his teacher, and seeing he wasn't going to interveook a deep breath.

  "Ahem."

  "Yhn—Your Majesty," he began, stumbling slightly. "I'm still young, and I just finished school. I was hoping to travel for a couple of years first. After that… I'd like to work as a teacher at Hogwarts, so… I…" He trailed off, struggling to find a polite way to say no.

  The quee her gaze fixed on Maverick—a bit of a power move, perhaps. Though he fidgeted slightly under her stare, he stood by his decision. His future wouldn't be as someone who just followed orders. No, he inteo be the one giving them.

  Maverick hesitated at first, but in the end, his expression was firm. The queen saw that her pn hadn't worked and sighed.

  Across from them, Edward held back a smirk, giving his student a silent thumbs-up. Oside, though, he kept his fak.

  The queen decided to go with her backup pn. With Edward here, she couldn't simply make demands. Besides, by w, the witch or wizard had the final say on joining non-magical gover.

  The queen was determio get Maveri her side. Ever since learning that the head of her gover had a magical son who preo a Speaker, she had made up her mind to recruit him, no matter what.

  First, Speakers didn't usually take on students; they had far more important duties. Sed, if they did take o had to be someoruly exceptional. And finally, having an apprentice of an Arch-Magus meant an i link to the Arch-Magus himself.

  She flexed the ditions and id the details out for Maverick again.

  "Whether you travel to the moon or teach at some school, that doesn't matter to me. I only need you to represent me," she expined. "I don't need you guarding me oing on missions every day."

  "I'd only call on you as a st resort," she added. "If my family faced araordinary danger, or if the try were to go to war."

  Maverick listened carefully, as did his father and teacher. The two adults, however, stayed silent and allowed him to make the decision on his own.

  To be ho, he was tempted. He'd have the ce to work alongside his father, and she had promised him a lot of freedom. But in the end, he chose to dee.

  The idea of going to war for the try wasn't appealing to him.

  It wasn't that he didn't love his try; he did. But he was a wizard and, in time, would bee a powerhouse. His system alone gave him fidence.

  He simply didn't want to be forced to kill for political disputes led by people behind desks. After all, he was from 2024, and he khat most future wars were little more than politically driven flicts.

  "I—I apologize, Your Majesty. I'll have to dee your offer. I don't want to fight other tries over politics," Maverick said, making his decision clear.

  Rather than looking disappoihe queen seemed puzzled. She stared at Maverick for a moment, then turned her gaze to Edward.

  Edward looked at his apprentice as if he were a fool, and Michael, wearing a simir expression, did the same.

  Maverick quickly sehat something was off, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it—and didn't realize it was because of what he'd just said.

  "Mr. Speaker," the queen called, her voice a bit heavier. "I must question the education you've provided to young Maverick here."

  "Don't look at me—that's all him," Edward replied quickly, hands raised in defense.

  Maverick looked from the queen to his teacher, then to his father, and back to the queen.

  After giving Edward a hard look, the queen turned baaverick.

  "What makes you think I'd ask you to fight other tries, young man?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

  Maverick's face grew puzzled. "But… you said I'd have to fight wars…"

  "Yes, but not with other tries, you donut. Do you think wars only happeween nations?" the queen shot back.

  Maverick's mouth opened, but he couldn't find the words. He now realized how foolish his response had sounded. His face flushed with embarrassment—not for himself, but for his teacher, whom he had uionally made look bad in front of the queen.

  Politid knowledge of global anizations were all part of what Edward had taught him, and he'd momentarily fotten, pletely misuanding the queen's words.

  He first shot an apologetic look at his teacher, then turo the queen.

  "Apologies, my queen. I misuood."

  The queen lifted the er of her lips in a small, knowing smile. "Let me expin further. You'd only be asked to fight freat Britain against terrorist anizations... wars against them, if any arise. More importantly, only if those anizations involve supernatural elements like witches or wizards," she crified. Before Maverick could respond, she tinued, "Allow me to sweeten the deal. You'd bee part of my Double Zero squad. We have nine spots, and fortunately, there are three vat at the moment."

  She paused, watg Maverick. "You'll find the bes quite ve, especially since you have this grand pn to travel the world."

  As soon as she mentiohe Zero Squad, Maverick's father straightened up. He couldn't help but blurt out as soon as she finished, "Your Majesty, isn't that a little—"

  "Nonsense, Prime Minister," the queen interrupted sternly. "This is my decision, and as the supreme authority of this try, I add or remove my subjects from gover posts as I deem fit."

  Maverick's mouth hung open, not because of what the others might think, but because he had a vague idea of what this Double Zero squad entailed.

  When the queeio, his mind immediately fshed to memories from his previous life—a certain aovie franchise, incredibly popur worldwide. The infamous introdu echoed in his thoughts: Bond. James Bond.

  Caeser. Maverick Caes—

  Cough Cough Cough.

  The attention in the room shifted to Maverick as he suddenly started coughing, his face flushed with embarrassment.

  Maverick quickly swore that his thoughts were pletely uional.

  He tried to shake off the awkwardness, meeting the queen's gaze. "That… Your Majesty, may I ask what the bes are that you just mentioned?"

  ——————————

  Author's Note:

  Just a quick update — up to Chapter 66 is already avaible on P AT r30n!

  PAT r30n [.] / RyanFic