The shop was obviously rger on the inside, filled with shades of pink. The curtains, walls, and even many of the robes on dispy were all in that color. There weren't many people inside—just a couple of witches, and no wizards in sight.

  They spent a while browsing, with Isabel trying on robes and dresses, while Maverick offered feedba eae. To be ho, she looked beautiful ihing she tried on.

  Not long after, Magall and Skyler ehe shop after their visit to the bank. Isabel immediately tihe versation with Magall, while Skyler had her school uniform and robes measured.

  During their talk, Maverick quietly used a bit of illusion magic to secretly buy the dress he liked the most for Isabel, packed it away and stored it in his ring.

  After the robe shop, they moved on to Ollivanders Wand Shop and then the bookstore.

  Isabel asked as many questions as she could think of, and Magall answered happily. It seemed like she would never grow tired of talking about Hogwarts.

  Magall didn't fet about her student, making sure to include Skyler in the versation. Skyler was lucky, as Magall was giving her a firsthand, exclusive look into Hogwarts, more insight than most gle-born newers would receive.

  Maverick tagged along, occasionally asking a question of his own, learning a bit more about the famous school.

  Besides that, he had been quietly buying items Isabel seemed to like whenever she showed i as they walked, occasionally stopping by the stalls.

  His teacher's illusion spell had bee his most versatile tool—not only for surprise attacks but even more so for managing things covertly.

  The spell articurly effective because, without the victim realizing they were us influehere was no reliable way to break free. Since his as didn't directly affeyone else, even Magall, the Great Magus herself, had no idea she'd been ensnared by it.

  Their st stop was the pet store, where Maverick also wao buy a messenger bird for himself.

  The shop, named Magical Menagerie, was located on the north side of Diagon Alley. The momeepped ihe smell hit him. The pce was cramped and noisy, with every inch of wall covered by cages. The st of animals seemed to permeate the air, making it impossible to ignore.

  All sorts of magical creatures were on dispy—Streelers, Fire Crabs, sleek bck rats known for their intelligence, owls, ravens, cats of every color, Puffskeins, transf rabbits, and many more.

  Magall took Skyler to pick out a pet, leaving Maverid Isabel to explore the shop on their own.

  "Do you want to get a pet?" Isabel asked, notig the look of i on Maverick's face.

  Maveriodded. "Yes, a messenger owl. I want to stay in touch with you while I'm traveling the world."

  Isabel blushed slightly, a shy smile spreading across her lips.

  What Maverick missed most from his previous life was the ease of unication using smartphones. He already had pns to ge that—not just in the non-magical world but in the magical one as well.

  However, those pns were for the future, after he had firmly established himself in both worlds. He had no iion of limiting his influeo the magical unity alone.

  Maverio work both sides, using his knowledge of the future t innovations to people long before the inal iors. He didn't feel guilty about disrupting the profits of big corporations—it wasn't stealing frur people, just getting ahead of the rid powerful.

  The world he was in had more than one doomsday-level event ahead, as far as he could recall. Voldemort would end up looking like a beginner boss, a small-time threat, pared to the real nightmares to e.

  "Look..." Isabel called, walking quickly toward a cage that held a beautiful bck owl.

  Maverick followed, and ihe bird was stunning. She ure bck, with a few brownish-yellow feathers at the tips of her tail and wings, and eyes as red as blood.

  "Ah... one of the new arrivals, just in today. Very intelligent, I must say. I don't think she'll be here by the end of tomorrow," an old man's voice came from the side.

  They turo see a man who clearly looked like he needed a shower walking toward them.

  "Is it a Barred Owl?" Maverick asked, turning back to observe the bird again, this time using his Magical-Seo get a clearer read on its magic.

  Yes, all magical animals had a touagic, which made them not only strohan regur animals but also more intelligent. Even the simplest magical creatures, like a frog, were as smart as the most intelligent trained dogs.

  "ly," the man replied, stopping a little way off but still close to them. "She's a hybrid, you see—part eastern crimson oart barred owl. Both are very intelligent magical species," he added with a nod.

  Mavericed at Isabel, silently seeking her opinion. He really liked the bird, and from his quick probe, he could se had a signifitly rger magical reserve than any other animal iore.

  "She's really pretty..." Isabel said, gng at him before leaning closer to the bird.

  The owl didn't flinch or shy away but bobbed its head up and down, ing closer to Isabel as if agreeing with her ent.

  "Hehe, and very smart too," Isabel chuckled at its rea.

  Maverick smiled. He could tell the bird uood Isabel's words clearly. All magical animals, especially owls, had the ability to uand wizards and witches to some extent, and with a bit of training, this ability could be further enhanced.

  Maverick turned back to the man. "Are you the shopkeeper here, sir?"

  The man smiled. "I'm the owner, young man." He paused aured to the owl hybrid. "I see you both have taken a liking to her..."

  Maveriodded. "Yes, I'd like to purchase her."

  "Excellent," the man said, g his hands. "e, let's finalize the payment, and I'll trahe magical bond with the owl."

  Maverick smiled, then g Isabel and gave her a thumbs-up. To be ho, he was more excited than his expressio on about getting his first magical pet.

  Isabel smiled back. "gratutions..." she added.

  They quickly pleted the purchase, and the owransferred the magical bond of the owl to Maverick. As soon as the e was established, Maverick could feel it—a bond with the owl, and the bird g him, aowledging the link.

  Maverick then bought a new cage, slightly bigger than the current one, and asked the owl to move in. The bird plied, as the very intelligent creature it was.

  Holding the cage, Mavericed at Isabel. "Let's give her a name..."

  Isabel quickly shook her head. "It's your first magical pet. You should name her..."

  Maverick thought for a moment and didn't argue. Then, he came up with the perfeame. With feathers as bck as night, perfect for camoufge in the darkness, he smiled. "Let's call you Shisui..."

  Isabel gave him a puzzled gnce.

  Maverick chuckled. "Don't mind the details, but it's a niame, right...?"

  Isabel sighed helplessly. It was a strange o her, but she nodded. "Yes, it sounds... nice."

  Maverick grinned widely, showing all his teeth, and Isabel couldn't help but smile back. She could see how truly happy Maverick was.

  Not long after, Magall returned with Skyler, who had an owl of her own—the one she had chosen as her pet.

  They talked a little longer, exging stories—Maverid Isabel sharing their own, while Magall told tales of Hogwarts—as they tinued walking through Diagon Alley. Eventually, Magall decided it was time to head back, as the sun was beginning to set and she wao take Skyler back tgle family.

  Magall let out a sigh. "Truly, I would have loved for you both to have chosen Hogwarts. You're both very smart and disciplined—much more so than many of the troublemakers i had to deal with." She g Skyler. "Hopefully, you won't be one of them..."

  The little girl, Skyler, shook her head frantically. "I'll behave, Professonagall."

  Maverid Isabel chuckled. "Well, it was nice meeting you," Maverick said, then paused.

  He thought about mentioning his i in joining Hogwarts after two years. Since he had met Magall by ce today, he wa it up with her, but he hesitated, w if it was too soon.

  And seeing that Maverick wao say something more, Magall waited, no interruption. She had grown quite fond of both Maverid Isabel during their brief meeting and the versations they had shared.

  Maverick finally decided to go for it. He had always liked Magall's character from the books, and this first meeting had left a good impression on him. "I... I want to apply for a teag position at Hogwarts, after I gain more experience—maybe in two years," he said.

  Magall raised an eyebrow, silently asking him to eborate.

  "Well, my pn is to travel around the world , expl the magic of different wizarding cultures. I'm also very ied in Muggle sce, so I have this idea for a book—something t little witches and wizards closer to the normal world by expining the wonders of Muggle sce."

  "That sounds... wonderful," Magall replied. "I would love to read it. Be sure to send me a copy when you're done, young man."

  Maverick smiled. "Of course, Professor. I have this... goal, but maybe you'll say it's not possible."

  "Please, tell me," Magall said, her tone encing. "I would love to offer my input. It's wonderful to have an ambition, as long as it's for the be of everyone."

  "Well, my goal is to educate wizarding Britain, which is why I want to bee a teacher." Mavericed at Skyler before whispering with magic, so only Magall and Isabel could hear, "I want to challeheir prejudices... to end the discrimination and racism that noble British wizards have against Muggle-borns." He paused and then spoke normally.

  "I pn to join Hogwarts as a teacher after two years—maybe as a Muggle Studies teacher, or even a new subject like 'Sd Magid their simirities..." Maverick observed Magall's expression carefully as he spoke.

  She showed a hint of shock befaining her posure, but Maverick could see the careful trol in her expression.

  "That's..." Magall paused, thinking carefully. "That's a very... noble ambition. Your approach sounds good so far. Believe me, there have been attempts by a few already, but they were either too radical or not enough." She sighed. "I wish you good luck, young man. Truly. And please don't fet to send me a copy of your book. I'm now very ied. I would love to work with you as a colleague at Hogwarts."

  Maverick smiled. A small part of his future pns had bee in motion now that he had shared some with Magall. It would be easier to secure a teag position at Hogwarts.

  "Thank you, Professor. That means a lot," Maverick said sincerely.

  Magall then took a note from her ring and ha to Maverick. "My address. You write to me with any questions, and I'll respond."

  Maverick took it gratefully.

  Magall then g Isabel. "It was lovely talking to you, dear. I wish you good lu your years. And don't focus too mu romance just yet." She gave them a mre.

  Isabel blushed and nodded, and Maverick felt a bit embarrassed as well. Magall truly lived up to her reputation.

  They said their goodbyes, and Magall took Skyler back, givihe first unfortable experience of Apparition.

  Maverid Isabel began walking slowly toward the entrahey had arrived from, enjoying the crimson su sky and the peacefulness of the moment. The bustling streets of Diagon Alley had calmed down signifitly, though many witches and wizards still walked about—just not as many as when they first arrived.

  "I had a great time. Thank you..." Isabel spoke quietly as they walked, their hands iwined.

  Maverick smiled. "Me too..."

  A moment of silence passed, then Isabel spoke again. "Remember to write to me. It's okay if it's not too frequent, but at least whenever you visit a new try..." She gave him a gnce.

  Mavericed bad gestured to Shisui in the cage. "I promise. Shisui here will be very busy over the wo years..."

  Isabel looked at the new feathery panion. "When you put it like that, I feel a little guilty..."

  Maverick chuckled. "She's strong. I feel it from her magic."

  Isabel nodded.

  "Our moms should be back by now. Dad and the teacher will probably be te tonight," Maverick said.

  Isabel hummed. "What'll we do tonight?"

  "Wanna grab di a fancy Muggle restaurant? Just the two of us..." Maverick suggested.

  Isabel g him, then ahead. "Our moms might want to e..."

  "You want them to?" Maverick asked.

  "No... it'll just be us," Isabel said. "Maybe tomorrow we all go together."

  Maverick chuckled lightly and smiled. "Yeah..."

  They soon reached the entrao the Leaky Cauldron. Stopping for a moment, Mavericed at Isabel, who was now hugging his arm with both hands, her head lightly resting on his shoulder.

  "Let's go home..." he said softly.

  —————————

  Author's Note:

  Just a quick update — up to Chapter 70 is already avaible on P AT r30n!

  PAT r30n [.] / RyanFic