Life ficals in Europe a thousand years ago was very different. Knowledge was trolled by the wealthy and powerful, while the majority of people turion to expin the mysteries of the world.

  Faith guided their decisions, fort but also creating deep divisions. These divisions ofteo flicts, and at times, full-scale wars, as differing ideologies cshed violently.

  Back then, most of humanity shared a single belief. Magic, or any form of supernatural power, was not meant for mortals. Anyone discovered with such abilities was quickly beled a servant of the devil or a demon. They were not just captured or imprisoned. Instead, they were senteo the cruelest fate of all, burned alive.

  Ficals, it was a dangerous time. There were no ws to protect them, and each witch or wizard had to hide their gifts from a world that saw them as a threat.

  Then, four remarkable individuals decided to ge everything. Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravencw, and Sazar Slytherin. They refused to be treated as outsiders. Instead, they chose to stand together, separating themselves from the non-magical world that saw them as nothing more than evil, alien beings.

  They gathered witches and wizards from all over, them a safe pce to live without fear. Together, they built a rge castle, hiding it behind strong entments to protect it from non-magical people and the dangers of the world.

  This castle, located somewhere in the Scottish Highnds, eventually became known as Hogwarts. Not only was it a refuge where magical people could live without fear, but also a school where knowledge could be passed down feions.

  Over the turies, the castle faced many challenges but overcame them all. Today, it stands as one of the most prestigious magical schools in the world, a true testament to the vision aermination of its founders.

  ...

  It was aypical day.

  The sun began to rise, painting the sky with a soft e glow. The castle stood tall and silent, its towers cutting through the lightening sky, their sharp edges softened by the m haze. The first rays of sunlight slipped through the windows, casting long shadows across the a stone walls.

  High in one of Hogwarts' tall towers, the deputy headmistress's office eaceful in this quiet moment. A middle-aged woman in traditional witch's robes sat at the desk, an open book in front of her. Her face showed deep tration, as though she were studying something important.

  The soft rustle of turning pages was the only sound, while the m light poured through the rge window behind her, casting a gentle glow on the polished wood of her desk.

  The office acious, with stone walls decorated by a few carefully chosen items. Framed awards and trophies were ly arraop a shelf filled with old-looking books along the right wall.

  A firepce stood in the middle of the left wall, and oher side of it, shelves held a colle of antique magical items. Among them was a delicate, well-worn broomstick, carefully pced apart from the others, as if it were the most prized possession.

  Behind her desk, above the rge windoortrait of a stern-looking witch hung, her gaze shifting slightly as though silently watg over the room. Through the window, the other castle towers and the grounds stretched out, a clear, wide view.

  It was a quiet, anized space that perfectly reflected its oct, Minerva Magall, the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

  Turning the st page of the book, Magall let out a soft sigh, her expression thoughtful and pleased, before snapping it shut. Her gaze lingered on the cover, The Magic of Sce, and a small nod followed, as if firming a decision.

  Her eyes moved to the firepce, then to the only door of her office, before resting on the clock above it. She leaned ba her chair, settling more fortably, and picked up another book from her desk to tinue reading.

  Time passed slowly until she closed the book as well and sat up straighter, as if she was waiting for something to happen.

  Her eyes kept fixed on the firepce, and just then, green fmes fred up, revealing a young man dressed in a sleek mix of wizarding and modern clothing.

  Her expression softened into a weling smile as she addressed the new arrival. "Mr. Caesar, right on time. Wele to Hogwarts." She stood, walked around her desk, aended her hand with a warm, firm gesture.

  "Thank you for the invitation, Professor." He shook her hand, a simir expression. "I've always wao see this legendary sanctuary built by the four Warlocks."

  Magall gave a small smile. "A sanctuary indeed," she said, her tohoughtful. After a brief pause, she added, "Please, make yourself fortable," gesturing to a chair.

  Maveriodded, taking the seat as Magall moved to her own chair across from him.

  "Tea? Or perhaps breakfast while we talk?" she offered with a polite smile. "The house-elves here are exceptional cooks."

  Maverick shook his head respectfully. "Just tea, Professor. I've already had breakfast, but thank you."

  She nodded and called out an Elvish name, prompting a small creature to appear with a quiet pop. Moments ter, their drinks were brought, and the house-elf disappeared, leaving them alone for their meeting.

  "In just two years, you've aplished so much, young man," the older witch began, a warm pliment.

  She raised her hand, showing the elegant wristwat her wrist to Maverick. "I bought this from your shop, Caesar's Magitech, when I visited the States st month."

  A small smile appeared on her lips as she met his gaze. "The ideas behind your products are remarkable. Funally, there are simir iions already, but the design and the way you've made them more ve... holy, it's already transf the magical world."

  Maverick let out a modest chuckle. "Thank you, Professor. But I 't take all the credit. It's the work of many talented witches and wizards in my pany."

  Magall's smile grew warmer. "Humble, too. Not many alchemists have that quality..."

  It was true—alchemists, especially the old masters, were often known for their pride and arrogance.

  "Please, I hope that humility of yours stays with you, young man," she added, her tone firm but kind, before shifting subtly once more. "Well, I've had the pleasure of reading your book," she tinued.

  Maveriodded, the versation now turning to the matter at hand, and he was holy looking forward to her feedback.

  "It's quite... thh, I must say." She gnced between the book on her desk and him.

  "Are you suggesting it's too advanced, Professor?"

  "Perhaps," she said, leaning slightly ba her chair. "I shared it with Albus. I hope you don't mind."

  "Not at all," Maverick said, waving his hand. "Was this Speaker Dumbledore's impression, Professor?"

  "Ours, actually," she replied after a brief pause. "For first-years, especially the children of pureblood families, it might be a bit overwhelming. But as aive for sixth ah years, it would be just right."

  Maverick hummed, sidering her ued words. He had written the book based on magical schools around the world that taught sce, with some added knowledge of his own. To him, it seemed quite basic, but apparently, it wasn't basiough.

  He sighed, a hint of deje in his voice. "I uand, Professor."

  Magall smiled at his expression, realizing he hadn't quite grasped the point. However, that was a versation she preferred to have with someone else present.

  "This is what Albus and I believe," Magall tinued. "Speaking of which, he would like to meet with you about this matter, Mr. Caesar." She paused for a moment before adding, "That is, if you're still ied in teag here..."

  Maverick's eyes lit up as he met her gaze and nodded without hesitation. "Of course. My words from two years ago haven't ged."

  Magall nodded appreciatively at his resporuthfully, she would have sidered Maverick for the position even if the book hadn't impressed her. His other skills, bined with the character she had grown quite fond of by now, made him an excellent fit for a professor in her eyes.

  She then heard him add, "I adjust my schedule whenever Speaker Dumbledore is ready to meet."

  "That won't be necessary," she smiled. "In fact, Albus is expeg you now."

  "Right now?" Maverick asked, slightly surprised. This was Albus Dumbledore, after all. In his previous life, he had read enough fanfi to feel a tinge of doubt about what to expect from the legendary wizard.

  The thought crossed his mind briefly, but he quickly pushed it aside. It didn't matter—he was fident in his abilities now. Besides, it was best to assume Dumbledore would be closer to J.K. Rowling's version rather than jumping to clusions.

  "Yes. If you don't mind, we head straight to his office," Magall suggested, her expression staying the same.

  Maveriodded without hesitation, his mind made up. "Of course, Professor."

  Magall smiled and rose from her seat at his words. "e, let's walk. You'll have a ce to see a bit of Hogwarts along the way." She stopped briefly before reag the door as Maverick stood up as well.

  "The students are in their final exams right now," she added, her tone carrying a hint of weariness."Please don't mind any odd behavior you might see."

  Maverick chuckled, finding her words a little amusing. "I've been through exam stress myself, Professor. I studied at Muggle uies too. I'm sure it won't be that bad."

  Magall's expression shifted to one of appreciation as she listeo his respohen softened. "True, I had fotten you were homeschooled by that lion while attending Muggle schools." She paused, then added, "You must be the first magical to do so..." A hint of admiration appeared in her gaze before she opehe door aured for him to follow. "e along..."

  A smile tugged at his lips as he fell into step beside her, walking side by side.

  She cast him a sideways gnce as they walked. "I must admit, when I saw the headlines on New Year's Day, it gave me quite a shock."

  "Which part shocked you the most?" he asked pyfully, giving a shy chuckle while his gaze swept across the grand surroundings of the castle.

  "All of it," she replied, amused, notig how absorbed he was in his surroundings. "Muggle schools, Garling's apprentice, master alchemist... you . You were the talk of the wizarding world for weeks."

  Maverick chuckled again. "Fortunately, the fuss has settled down now."

  The older witch smiled at his nonce. Along the way, they didn't enter any other professors, as it was still quite early. Only a few students shuffled by, none paying much attention to them, likely still half-asleep.

  They walked at a steady pace, with Magall answering most of Maverick's questions as they passed through the castle, while he marveled at the surroundings.

  After a few minutes and a long climb up a set of stairs, they finally reached the top of the tower where the headmaster's office was located.

  "Honey drops!" Magall said, speaking to the gargoyle statue beside the door befng at Maverick. "Albus has a thing for sweets, you see."

  Maverick smiled and shrugged. "Everyone has their quirks, Professor."

  The door opened with a soft creak, revealing the cozy yet eclectiterior of Dumbledore's office. Maverick followed Magall inside, his eyes immediately drawn to the sheer amount of detail packed into the room.

  The circur space was bathed in warm, golden light streaming through tall, arched windows. The walls were lined with shelves crammed with books, peculiar instruments, and trihat seemed to hum faintly with magic. A rge, ornate desk sat at the ter, its surface cluttered with part, quills, and a colle of silver gadgets that whirred and clicked softly.

  Portraits of past headmasters lihe walls, their eyes following the two, some whispering to each other in hushed tones.

  What caught Maverick's attention most, however, was the overwhelming sense of history that filled the room. It felt alive, as if the very walls were steeped iuries of wisdom as.

  His gaze stopped at a magnifit bird perched on a stahe desk, its fiery plumage glowing faintly in the dim light. It radiated power, a feedback his passive Magical-Sense easily picked up. He had no doubt this phoenix was nothing like the turkey portrayed in the movies.

  —————

  Author's note:

  Just a quick update — up to Chapter 95 is already avaible on P AT r30n!

  PAT r30n [.] / RyanFic

  Thank you again!