After another hour's drive, Maverid Isabel returned from their visit to Diagon Alley.

  They saw the car their mothers had taken, but just as Maverick had guessed, their fathers were still out doing their own thing.

  When they ehey found both mothers busy i, likely preparing dinner for the evening. Thankfully, they didn't ask many questions and simply told them to rex and wait. It was a clear sign of their trust in their children.

  It wasn't until eight in the evening that Edward and Michael returned home. The two families sat down to enjoy diogether, sharing stories about their day. As it turned out, Michael and Edward had won a signifit amount of money betting on the Maer football game.

  Since Edward's family was leaving the evening, they made pns for the following day at the diable, making sure everyone had a say and that the activities would be enjoyable for all. By ten o'clock, everyone had headed to bed for the night.

  The day began with all six gathered around the breakfast table. Midway through the meal, a wizard arrived with a package addressed to Maverick. True to his word, Minister of Magic Fudge had fulfilled his promise, pleting Maverick's paperwork without Maverick having to set foot in the Ministry.

  The British wizarding identity card resembled a Muggle ID, a system the wizarding world had adopted from Muggles since World War II to more effectively track their poputions.

  Edward used several spells ahods to s the card for any hidden trag or spying charms, and only after that did he hand it over to Maverick.

  The card was strongly ented to protect it from actal damage, whether from natural ical elements. It could withstand pressure, fire, or cold, as long as they werereme.

  More importantly, the entments were there to prevent replication and identity fraud, as the card tained personal details like name, age, try, and more.

  The card also included his ultra-fast broomstick lise. During lunch with the Queen, Edward spoke highly of Maverick's skills. He didn't share every detail but gave just enough for Fudge to uand that Maverick was very talented and reassured him that Maverick would have no issues trolling such a powerful broomstick.

  Trusting Edward's word, along with the fact that Edward had the authority to grant the permit for the lise, Fudge agreed without hesitation to add the detail to Maverick's card.

  With the card, Maveriow had access to numerous veniences of the wizarding world, including the national and iional public Floo works, business registration, buying or selling properties in magical areas, obtaining lises for various practices, and more.

  ....

  After breakfast, they began the first activity pnned for the day: giving Michael and Ariel some hands-on experieh magic.

  And what better way to start than taking to the skies? Using Muggle-repellent spells, Edward, Maverick, and Isabel took Michael, Ariel, and Silvia flying on their broomsticks all around London.

  Needless to say, the three non-magicals had the time of their lives, especially Maverick's mother, who was pletely o magic.

  Their fun sted until te afternoon, after which they returo rest for a bit before heading out again—this time for some shopping, followed by a family di a five-star restaurant.

  The two families' dinner was only slightly awkward for Maverid Isabel when their parents brought up their retionship. It wasn't a long discussion, just some general advice—remihat they were still young and should focus on their education and careers more.

  The adults all agreed that Maverid Isabel would get engaged in two years when they were freer from other itments. Although embarrassed, both Maverid Isabel happily agreed.

  They returned home around ten in the evening, as Edward's family po Floo back at midnight. After arriving, Maverid Isabel took some time for themselves, heading straight to the skies together.

  During their private moment, Maverick handed Isabel the gifts he had secretly purchased the day before, askio open them only after she returo the States. With promises to stay in toud a few heartfelt hugs and kisses, they relutly made their way back.

  Before taking the Floo, Edulled Maverick aside for a private moment, reminding him to always remain vigint during his travels and stressing that the world is often more dangerous than it appears.

  He alsed Maverick to never hesitate in using the reverse Portkey to summon him if he ever faced a life-threatening emergency beyond his ability to handle.

  With a burst of green fmes, Edward, Silvia, and Isabel disappeared into the Floo, returning to America. For a moment, Maverid his family stood in silence, feeling a sense of loss. The past two days had been filled with joy, and the bond of friendship between their families had growronger over the years.

  "Well... don't look so down. We always visit them again iure," Michael said, pulling his wife and son closer with an arm around each of them. He turo Maverick with a small grin. "And you, kid, get some sleep. We've got to visit the queen again tomorrow."

  He carefully avoided mentioning the Zero Squad, knowing the name alone hi bat-reted work. The st thing he wanted was to make his wife worry.

  Maveriodded, remihat he still had his orientation with the Zero Squad before beginning his journey. Surprisingly, he was looking forward to it. Beyond learning the group's rules and obligations aing the other members, the training aspect especially intrigued him.

  The queen had assured him it would be brief—just two weeks to familiarize himself with the team, undergo some basic training, and then he'd be free to start his travels.

  What excited him most was the ce to train in Muggle bat methods, especially learning to handle firearms. The idea of blending magical and non-magical skills intrigued him. Yes, Maverick was looking forward to it.

  ....

  Earlier the same day, inside Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore sat behind his rge oak desk, quietly going through some papers. The firelight in the room cast a soft glow, creating a calm atmosphere as he read with calm tration.

  His robe, a rich midnight blue adorned with intricate silver embroidery, flowed gracefully around him, exuding both elegand authority. Beh the robe, he wore a gray sleeveless vest over a white shirt, adding a simple touch of style.

  His dark hair, ly bed and streaked with silver, remained full and well-kept, while his beard, more bck than expected from someone over a tury old, added a dignified weight to his appearance.

  The first thing anyone would notice was his left arm, pletely ed in white gauze. From the wrist up, it was hiddeh the sleeve of his robe, but still noticeable. A careful observer might spot the slight twitg of his fingers, a sign of disfort—perhaps even pain. However, it did nothing to affect the famed wizard's expression, which remaieady, nor did it diminish his domineering presence.

  Every movement, every gnce, was deliberate, refleg the power and wisdom he held as Headmaster. He exuded a andi serene aura, striking a perfect bance of authority and warmth, which had e to define him as the leader of the wizarding world.

  Nearby, perched on its stand, Fawkes, his loyal phoenix, observed silently. Its glowing plumage cast a soft light across the room, a gentle reminder of the magic that filled Hogwarts.

  He paused, lifting his head, and a smile spread across his face. Moments ter, the door to the Headmaster's office opened, and in walked his trusted panion—once a student, now his assistant, or perhaps even his sed-in-and.

  "I trust everythi well, Minerva," he said, leaning ba his chair. "Tea?" he added, while gesturing for her to sit.

  "No, thank you," Magall said as she took a seat. "The introdu for all Muggle-born first years has cluded." She paused, her tone softening. "You must end Hagrid, Albus... he mahe orientation far quicker than any of us."

  Dumbledore chuckled warmly. "I shall... Perhaps I'll sider upgrading his little cottage. Hagrid would never accept extra pay for it—he's far too modest."

  Magall hummed softly, her thoughts then drifting to the day before. She had met two remarkable people—Maverid Isabel—and thought warmly of their versations. For a moment, she sidered mentioning it but hesitated.

  Dumbledore, as sharp as ever, noticed the ge right away. "Go on, Minerva," he said kindly. "Is there something on your mind?"

  She g him, weighing her decision, befiving a slight nod. Maverick had expressed i in joining Hogwarts, so she decided there was no harm in telling the headmaster.

  "I met a rather intriguing young couple yesterday—an Ameri witd a local wizard," she began, pausing briefly.

  Dumbledore made no move to interrupt, instead gesturing for her to tinue.

  "The young witch is of age to start her sixth year, while the wizard... well, he retly pleted his s. Both of them are exceptionally talented," she tinued, sharing more about their exam results and some of the versations they'd had.

  Dumbledore listened with i, making no interruptions until Magall paused briefly.

  "For you to speak so highly of them, Minerva, they must be quite extraordinary," Dumbledore remarked.

  Magall nodded firmly. "They are. Particurly the boy... his mastery of magical energy manipution is so advahat, at first, I mistook him for a Muggle."

  Dumbledore's usual calm demeanor shifted slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "Muggle? What led you to think that?"

  "At first, I thought he was. I couldn't sense even the fairaagi him. It was only when I asked him that he pulsed his energy," she expined, her excitement growing. She g Dumbledore. "Albus... it was extraordinary. He trolled it with such ease, as naturally as breathing. The precision, the sheer effortlessness—I've never seen anything like it." Her voice grew more animated. "Even I doubt I could suppress my magic to that degree, let aloh such finesse as to fool me entirely."

  Magall stopped, realizing she had gotten carried away, and g Dumbledore to gauge his rea.

  The headmaster appeared deep in thought. After a moment, he asked, "Are you sure he isn't a Great Magus?"

  "Absolutely certain. I fully sensed his magic when he released it briefly, even though the boy carefully trolled it for a moment. And I've never heard of a Great Magus, alive or dead, at such a young age."

  After a brief silence, Dumbledore spoke thoughtfully, "But it's quite unheard of—a magus with such precise magical energy manipution." He paused, then added, "What about the girl? Was she as remarkable as him?"

  "She's only sixteen," Magall replied, "but I could se. She's on the verge of advang to magus level."

  "A genius, then. Only a handful of people I know have achieved such a feat at her age," Dumbledore said with a wistful sigh. "How marvelous... two exceptional young magicals from different nations finding affe for one another." His gaze grew distant as he reminisced about a certain individual.

  "Albus," Magall interjected, bringing him back to the present, "that's not all."

  "Really?" he asked, his curiosity growing. "Please, Minerva, do tell."

  "The boy mentiohat he would like to bee a teacher here at Hogwarts," she revealed.

  Dumbledore raised a brow.

  "Not immediately," Magall crified. "He pns to travel the world first—to learn, gather experiend then, in a few years, apply for a teag position."

  Dumbledore stroked his . "A teag position in what field?"

  "Muggle sce," Magall said, her toinged with amusement.

  Dumbledore tilted his head. "Don't we already have a Muggle Studies professor?"

  Magall gave him a pointed look. "You and I both know the current curriculum is hopelessly outdated." She paused. "And that's Muggle Studies. Not Muggle sce.""A new course? That would be difficult..." Dumbledore said after a moment of thought.

  "He mentioned he's w on a book. To introduce, and I quote, 'the magic of sce.'"

  Dumbledore chuckled softly. "And what exactly is this magic?"

  "From what he expined, his book will introduce real sce—its wonders and its es to magic. He promised to send me a copy o's finished."

  "Well, I'd very much like to read it myself," Dumbledore said with geerest. "Sce has always fasated me, especially in the past few decades." He paused, briefly recalling some unpleasant memories, but quickly shook them off and tinued.

  "A talented genius with a rational approach to this subject... I wele it. I'll even propose to the school board and the Ministry to adjust the curriculum." He paused, smiling at Magall, who now looked a little surprised. "Do share the book with me, Minerva. If he's serious about teag here, I'll o assess his qualifiyself."

  Magall's surprise came from realizing that Dumbledore had likely guessed the true purpose behind Maverick's book. Since Dumbledore had already partially figured it out, she decided not to mention Maverick's ents about challenging the outdated pure-blood ideologies.

  "Do you know their ins? Whether they're reted to any a families?" Dumbledore asked after a moment of silence.

  Magall shot him a sharp look. "No, Albus. I do not..."

  Their eyes met, holding each aze for a brief moment.

  Dumbledore sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. "Minerva..."

  But Magall cut him off, knowing him all too well. "It's best the boy takes the initiative himself. There's no need for either of us to intervene," she said pinly, her tone makiance clear.

  For all the good in him, the man had one big fw: he was too nosy. It was the root of most of his troubles.

  Dumbledore sighed after a moment, a faint smile spreading across his lips. "I uand, Minerva. Old habits."

  She kept her eyes on him, watg the Arch-Magus like she was judging one of her students. She wao make sure the headmaster uood her meaning clearly.

  Seeing he wasn't pressing further, Magall gave a final nod and ged the subject. "How was your trip to Nepal?"

  Dumbledore leaned ba his chair, pausing to think for a moment. "Not very successful..." he replied, his tone low and mixed with regret aance.

  Magall's expression fell, her evident as her gaze shifted from Dumbledore to his covered left arm. "Not even the Supreme Sorcerer could cure Riddle's curse..."

  Dumbledore sighed. "Well, she did offer a solution... it just wasn't to my liking."

  "Your liking?" Magall straightened, frustration rising in her voice. "Albus, you're dying. Merlin knows how much time you have left... and you're still holding onto your principles."

  Dumbledore sat quietly, not minding Magall's raised voice. He knew she was only worried about him.

  His thoughts drifted to the serious problem he now faced and how he had e to this point.

  It all began with a prophecy, but after the events that followed, Dumbledore wasn't fond of the oute it foretold.

  The most ret Dark Lord, Voldemort, had somehow made himself partially immortal by splitting his soul. Dumbledore first realized this nine years ago when he saw the infant responsible for the Dark Lord's downfall.

  The infant, saved by his guardian's sacrifid powerful a magic, was meant to live a very short life.

  That night, when Voldemort fell, powerful magi both sides was involved. Needless to say, Voldemort's magic ure evil.

  As a result, the infant was left with a terrible sequence.

  Sihen, Dumbledore had focused all his efforts on studying the evil magic leeg the infant, hoping to find a cure. He had wished for the best, but his relentless curiosity ao uand led him to his current predit.

  His research led him to a situation simir to that of the infant, trag back to Voldemort's ins—the Dark Lord's family ring. But it wasn't just any heirloom. No, it held a deeper significe, ohat drew Dumbledore in. Throughout his life, he had lost so much, and the ring's allure was irresistible. Despite his wisdom, he made a na?ve mistake and fell right into a trap.

  The ring was cursed. The moment he saw it, his desire took over, and he was struck by a curse that the Dark Lord had pced on it.

  Now, the Arch-Magus, whose lifespan should have sted for turies, was quickly dying, his life force being drained by the curse, with no cure yet to be found.

  Magall watched her longtime friend lost in thought, a regretful expression on his face. More than anything, she wished for Dumbledore to be cured. He was the one who had mentored her and tributed the most to the life she lived now.

  After a few minutes, Dumbledore shook off his thoughts and regained his posure. "Apologies, Minerva... I just remembered some old memories..."

  Magall didn't ask what they were but returo her previous question. " you at least tell me why you rejected the Sorcerer Supreme's solution?"

  Dumbledore thought for a moment before deg to share. "Sacrifices. Ohat could equal an Arch-Magus or many others bined... and..." He paused, hesitated, then spoke. "The solution came from the darkest of scriptures. Have you heard of the Darkhold?"

  Magall frowhinking hard, but nothing came to mind.

  "A very evil and a book of powerful spells," Dumbledore tinued. "It's believed to be from a powerful demon, Chthon. And you must know how much demonology was sidered taboo for us witches and wizards, even by Merlin himself."

  Magall sighed. "I see..." She raised her head and g Dumbledore before asking again, "Is there really no other way?"

  Dumbledore met her gaze. "There is another. Ohat I think could cure it..."

  Magall's eyes lit up. "Really, Albus?"

  Dumbledore raised his hand, gesturing for her to calm down. "It's possible, but I'm not very sure. And it's not easy." He paused. "I'd have to surpass my current rank and reach Warlock."

  Magall's eyes widened. "But that's..."

  "Not impossible, but difficult. I may have... " He paused, thinking. "Seven, maybe six years... Within that time, I'd have to break through."

  "How far are you? I mean, what's your current progress?" Magall asked.

  Dumbledore raised his hand, bringing his index finger and thumb so close that they almost touched. "This close. The peak of Arch-Magus. In the East, they call this a bottleneck—a short but nearly impossible hurdle. Unless I find a way to break through it, or find someone who has reached the Warlock rank fuidance..."

  Magall opened her mouth to speak but couldn't find the words. A Warlock was simply a legend in this day and age. The st recorded ones from Europe were the four founders of the very school she now managed.

  She sighed after a moment. "If only the founders had left some knowledge of their experiences..."

  Dumbledave a warm smile. "Well, who knows? Nobody knows what happeo them. They just... simply disappeared into history."

  Magall gave Dumbledore a questioning look. "What are you suggesting, Albus?"

  Dumbledore chuckled, sitting up straighter. He decided to end the discussion. "Let's not talk about my miserable situation. Tell me, have we received any applications for the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the ing year?"

  Magall gave him a gre. She wao ask more but decided to respect her mentor's wishes a go.

  "Yes... a French wizard..."

  The two, headmaster and vice-headmaster, then moved on to discuss satters.

  Meanwhile, somewhere in London, Maverick, our protagonist, had no idea that he had e uhe radar of the most famous and powerful wizard alive. And even if he had known, he wouldn't have paid much attention to it.

  His versations with Magall were carefully worded, knowing full well that they would reach Dumbledore sooner or ter. A ce, perhaps, but one he had taken full advantage of, for his future goal of joining Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

  —————————

  Author's Note:

  Just a quick update — up to Chapter 71 is already avaible on P AT r30n!

  PAT r30n [.] / RyanFic