The soft crackle of firewood echoed through the room, its golden fmes casting a warm glow on the dark stone walls of the firepce.

  It tinued, steady and unging, until suddenly, the fmes fred into a vibrant green. They roared to life, rising high as a young man stepped out smoothly, the green fmes swirling briefly around him before settling bato their calm state.

  The day after iing his new characteristic, Maverick made his first stop at Hogwarts. Like every other professor, he had his own exclusive office, plete with a private Floo point for easy access whenever he needed.

  His office was a unique blend of old and new, with aged bookshelves and sleek, modern furniture seamlessly ing together in perfect harmony.

  It was brightly lit, uhe typical rooms of warts professors, with ceiling-mounted ented lights—products of his own brand—filling the space with a warm glow that made the room feel more inviting and weling.

  Walking to the ter, Maverick paused for a moment, taking in the ges that had been made—just as he had requested. Thankfully, Magall had no objes to him personalizing as long as it stayed within the fines of this room.

  A smile tugged at his lips. It felt far more fortable now, a refreshing ge from the medieval vibe it had before.

  He g the digital-looking ounted on the wall, nodded in aowledgment, and made his way to the door.

  This visit was simply to submit the lesson pns to Magall a an update oain matters they had discussed during their first appoi.

  Stepping out, he found the hallways empty, with not a soul in sight. No surprise, sidering it was the school holidays. His footsteps echoed off the stone walls as he walked steadily toward the only pce where his passive Magical-Seected any presence.

  A couple of mier, he arrived at his destination: the Grand Hall. As he approached, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the iic space where even the ceiling was said to be "bewitched." It was the heart of the castle, the pce where students and staff gathered daily for meals.

  But today, the four long tables reserved for students were empty, and only the staff table was set with food. Two of his colleagues were seated, enjoying their breakfast. As he approached the raised ptform where the staff table sat, he was met with the familiar faces of the two professors, Magall and Flitwick.

  "Professor Caesar, we didn't expect you to return so... soon?"

  Maverick heard Magall's sharp yet kind tone as he climbed the few steps to the stage, and saw the witch looking at him questioningly.

  "Good m, Professor Caesar! Minerva's right, you know... we still have a whole month before the school starts..." Flitwick chimed in as well, following Magall's ent.

  A faint smile tugged at his lips as he listeo the two professors. They seemed surprised by his return so soon after his e, sidering there was still a month left before the school term began. However, discussing his personal life wasn't why he was here today.

  He approached the long table with steady steps, a polite nod as he greeted them. "Good m to you too, Professors," he said, theled into a seat beside Flitwick before addressing their ents.

  "Isabel's busy with her own things, and I have a lot on my pte as well. Besides, we're young and not in any rush," he said, keeping the expnation short.

  The two professors were adults, sharp enough to uand what he meant. It seemed he was right, as he noticed them exge gnces and nod.

  Just then, a delicious-looking English breakfast materialized in front of him oable, and he picked up the fork and spoon.

  But before taking a bite, he first gnced sideways at the Deputy Headmistress.

  "Professor," he asked looking curiously, "what about the matter with the other schools? Have you and the Headmaster visited a?"

  Magall arched a brow and smiled amusedly. "So that's why you're here. To see if we've been procrastinating again?"

  Maverick smiled sheepishly and shrugged, digging into his food. He heard the half-man beside him let out a low chuckle as well.

  The senior witch gave a thoughtful nod before clearing his doubts. "Well, to answer your question... it's going rather well."

  She spoke while gracefully cutting into the food oe. "Albus and I have already received firmatiermany and France. Severus is on his way to Durmstrang, and..." She g Flitwick before adding, "Filius will travel to Koldovstoretz this week."

  "Its a rather isoted ppared to ical schools..." Flitwick added, shrugging at the mention of his task.

  Magall raised an eyebrow at him. "Don't you have a good retionship with Headmaster Volkov?"

  "Oh, I do," Flitwick replied, popping a small piece of sausage into his mouth. "But this is official business. A whole other matter entirely." He turo Maverick with a knowing look. "You've really thrown us all a lot of trouble this summer, young man."

  Maverick chuckled as he sliced into his breakfast. "It's just the beginning. This year will be hectic, sure, but by year, the schools will be the ones eager to join. You'll see."

  Magall eyed him thoughtfully, her lips curving into a small smile. "I certainly hope so, Professor Caesar."

  Flitwick chuckled. "Well, I 't imagine Severus signing up for this every holiday. I already hear him grumbling."

  The three of them shared a soft ugh, the sound eg lightly in the nearly empty hall. As their chug faded, Magall turned baaverick. "How are you ing along with your lesson pns?"

  At her question, Maverick set down his fork and spoon, therieved a small stack of papers from his ste ring, floating them over to her.

  "Roughly finished," he said pig up the cutlerys once more. "I've ahe materials after refereng lesson pns from other schools' alchemy teachers."

  Magall took the papers, gave them a brief look, and then stored them in her . She g him with an approving smile. "I thought it might take you longer, sidering this responsibility was rather suddenly pced on your shoulders."

  Maverick returned her smile. "The resources were there. I just had tahem."

  The senior witch's face softened with satisfa, and after a moment, she g them both with a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "I must admit, I am very much looking forward to the start of the school year."

  "Quite right," Flitwiodded, briefly gng to both his sides "It's going to be very iing," he added, carrying the same enthusiasm as Magall's.

  They chatted more on various topics, the versation flowing easily as they took their time enjoying breakfast. It was rare for the hall to be this empty of students and teachers, and fonagall and Flitwick, it was a rare moment to rex and savor the peace.

  After breakfast, Flitwick made his way to the Russian school of magic, while Maverick followed Magall to her office to review the lesson pns he had prepared.

  ...

  Time moved slowly, and the days of August passed one by one, leading up to the first of September, 1991.

  The bustle of King's Cross Statioed him as he stepped into the thrummi of London. Looking around, he saw families saying quick goodbyes, travelers pulling heavy bags, and a few people rushing past. There was a mix of excitement and nervousness on their faces, which made the station feel alive.

  But he wasn't here for these busy ptforms meant for non-magical travelers. His destination was hidden, tucked between Ptforms 9 and 10, out of sight to anyone who didn't know where to look.

  Today, he wore a simple yet modern and a very Muggle outfit. A crisp, pin white long-sleeved shirt loosely tucked into brown trousers rolled above the ankle, with gray and white sneakers pleting the look and adding a fident touch.

  Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself, both in mind and body. This was the day, the beginning of it all, and it was important to pause for a moment and take it all in.

  A while ter, he stood just outside the barrier between Ptforms 9 and 10. His eyes moved from side to side, his sharp Magical-Sense sing for the hidden magic. It didn't take long before he detected the runic work—a beautiful piece of art. Not the wall itself, but the intricate runic ward embedded within it.

  A knowing smile tugged at his lips as he looked ahead at the magical wall that cealed Ptform 9?. He kly where to step.

  He walked forward, taking steady steps as he approached the barrier. With a smooth motion, he passed seamlessly through the wall. The world blurred for a moment, the sounds and sights swirling around him, before it all reassembled.

  When his vision cleared, he found himself standing on a different ptform, one hidden indeed from the ordinary world. It was quiet here, away from the rush of the Muggle side. He was early, though, and he k would soon bee just as busy, if not more so, as students and their families began to arrive.

  He took a moment to observe the Hogwarts Express. It didn't look much different from the one shown in the movies, but still, it appeared quite majestic, gleaming uhe m sun.

  With calm and deliberate steps, he walked along the ptform, the few families who were also here early. He spotted a group of young students, likely first-years, clutg their trunks nervously while their parents stood beside them, probably st-minute adviot to cause trouble. Nearby, a mother and father embraced their daughter with pride before the bittersweet parting.

  He walked past them, the steady rhythm of the train's whistle in the background, and a few steps ter, he reached the train. Without hesitatioepped inside and was greeted by the soft hum of voices and the faint st of aged wood, mixed with the subtle aroma of old leather.

  Passing by a couple of s, Maverioticed a few students, likely seniors, already onboard and unpag. He overheard ss of versations about who would win the Quidditch Cup this year and the new alchemy course being offered.

  But Maverick wasn't ied in engaging with anyht now. He was here simply to experiehe experience. After all, as a teacher, it was important to take the train to school at least oo truly uand what the students went through.

  He picked ay toward the back of the train, and the door slid open with a soft click. As he stepped inside, he gnced arouly polished seats with velvet cushions, and curtains swayily with the motion of the train. It eaceful, for now at least.

  Settling into the seat by the window, he leaned bafortably, allowing the momentary sileo soothe him as he observed everything through the gss.

  —————————

  Author's Note:

  Just a quick update — up to Chapter 101 is already avaible on P AT r30n!

  PAT r30n [.] / RyanFic