Ding, ding, ding.

  Magall tapped her cup sharply, the sound ringing through the hall and instantly sileng the students' excited chatter, causing the four long tables filled with hundreds of students to turn toward the staff table in unison.

  Now seated to Dumbledore's left, the Deputy Headmistress stood up, her calm and fident presenstantly drawing the room's attention.

  "Before we start with the feast, the school's Headmaster would like to say a few words," she said, smiling kindly at the students before sitting down.

  Just as she sat, Dumbledore stood up from his majestic chair. His eyes moved from left tht, passing over every table.

  "I have a few start-of-term notices that I wish to announce... First-years, please hat the Forbidden Forest is strictly off-limits to all students... and a few of our older students ought to remember that, as well."

  Maverick observed the students as the hall listened ily to the Headmaster's words. He couldn't help but wonder how many of them actually took his warnings to heart.

  "No magic is to be used between csses and in the corridors," Dumbledore tinued. "Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch," he gestured to the elderly man sitting at the far left of the staff table, "has asked me to remind you that the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side is out of bounds to anyone who does not wish to die a most painful death!"

  The silehe hall grew eerie, as a few hushed whispers echoed the space.

  Dumbledore paused agaiher for dramatic effect or perhaps to observe the students' reaaverick wasn't sure. His mind drifted baemory from his previous life upon hearing the st warning given to the students.

  He vaguely remembered from the Harry Potter movies that the old wizard had asked some of the teachers to help set up security measures in the forbidden third-floor corridor. Even Quirrell himself had assisted with the traps.

  However, it seemed that nothing of that sort had happened here—not that he knew of, anyway. He hadn't been called upon for such a task, nor had it beeioned by any other teacher to him.

  It made him wonder—was it that Dumbledore didn't trust him, or had the Headmaster simply chosen not to include him in his little game with Quirrell? Either way, Maverick wanted nothing to do with it and was gd he had not been involved.

  Dismissing his thoughts, he refocused on the present as the initial warnings and advice came to an end, and the new annous started. Dumbledore had just finished introdug Quirrell as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the students' enthusiasm arked once again.

  The hall erupted into appuse, some students standing and others even whistling. The noise tinued for a while, gradually fading into silenly when Dumbledore raised his hands in a gesture, gathering everyone's attention.

  "As you may have heard," his voice resohrough the vast hall, "Hogwarts has reintroduced the a aeemed subject of Alchemy into its curriculum." He let the words hang in the air for a moment.

  The mention of Alchemy sparked a ripple of murmurs across the tables, with students exging whispers filled with curiosity.

  "And with that," Dumbledore tinued, "we are hoo wele one of the you and most aplished alchemists of our time. A master in his craft and an innovator who has chosen to share his wisdom with us."

  He turned, aured toward Maverick.

  "Professor Maverick Caesar... please join me in weling him to Hogwarts."

  The hall erupted in thunderous appuse, the sound rolling through the room like a tidal wave. Maverick felt the weight of hundreds of eyes on him as he stood from his seat, a polite smile to the Headmaster before ining his head in a courteous nod to both the students and staff.

  The appuse lingered, louder and lohan the previous annou, befradually subsiding into a respectful silence more.

  "I trust that Professor Caesar's time here will inspire greatness in all of you... But that is not all." Dumbledore paused, sweeping his eyes across the four long tables. "Some of you may have noticed that this year we've introduced a ive course. For those sixth-years who chose to take the subject, the new course, Muggle Sce, I am pleased to annouhat Professor Caesar will be the one leading it as well..."

  Another round of appuse echoed through the hall, and after a moment, it came to a sharp halt as the Headmaster raised his hand.

  "Now, for the st, and perhaps the most exg annou for you children before we begin the feast," Dumbledore said, turning to Maverick. "I would like to call on Professor Caesar, the man behind the ideas you're about to hear, to expio you all." He gestured for Maverick to stand before taking his seat, while the appuse rose, now mixed with whispers of curious excitement.

  Maverick stood to his feet, nodded politely to the Headmaster, and focused his attention on the hall of students. The appuse slowly faded into a hush silence as every witd wizard, student and professor alike, turheir attention to him.

  "First of all, I would like to add a little something to the Headmaster's st annou..." Maverick's steady, calm voice echoed, amplified throughout the hall.

  "For the Muggle Sce elective, students from any year... whether you're a first-year or a seventh-year... are wele to sit in my css, as long as it doesn't flict with your other lessons." He g Dumbledore, who nodded in affirmation, then turned back to the students.

  "Now, with that out of the way, let me share some details about the exg event nned for this year."

  The students all perked up their full attention on him, causing the hall to fall pletely silent.

  "This year, there will be a Quidditch tour held at the school, separate from the traditional four-house tour. This additional tour will feature a single all-star team, made up of students from all houses, who will pete in an inter-school tour against other schools."

  "The tour will begin at the end of November, with the participating schools being Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Durmstrang Institute, Koldovstoretz, and, of course, Hogwarts."

  Maverick did not let the appuse begin and tinued his speech without pause, keeping the excitement already bubbling iudents' eyes from fully erupting.

  "The team sele will start one month from now, with the list to be finalized before Halloween."

  "The tour will be hosted by Hogwarts this year... however, starti year, it will be held at different schools, selected through a fair and random draw."

  "Now, I'm sure you have many questions about this sudden annou, so I ihe prefects from each house, along with the Quidditch team captains, to e to my office this Saturday after dinner. I will crify any doubts and provide a more thh expnation of everything, and after that, you share the details with everyone."

  "Now, I don't want to keep you all starving, so that will be all for now on this matter." He gestured to Dumbledore to take over and annouhe start of the feast before sitting down.

  But before Dumbledore could even stand, the hall erupted into a tsunami of appuse, mixed with loud chatter from all four tables.

  Dumbledore, who had been about to stand, paused mid-motion and sat back down, allowing the hall to settle. He cast a helpless g Maverid sighed. After a moment, when the appuse finally quieted, he rose to his feet, amplified his voice, and cleared his throat, finally bringing the hall's attention to him.

  "Thank you, Professor Caesar," Dumbledore o Maverick, a gesture on behalf of the school. Then, with a warm smile, he spread his hands toward the students and added, "Now, let the feast begin!"

  The moment those words echoed through the hall, the empty golden ptes and cups magically filled, and the room erupted into lively chatter. Most students eagerly discussed the newly announced Quidditch tour, while only a handful mentiohe two new courses. At the same time, they eagerly dug into the spread of mouthwatering food and drinks that seemed to materialize out of thin air.

  At the staff table, Dumbledore turo Maverick seated beside him, and gave him a grateful gnce as soon as he sat down. "Thank you, Professor, for keeping it brief..."

  Maveriodded, returning the smile.

  Just then, the staff table's empty ptes began to fill up as well with delicious food and drinks, causing everyone's faces thten with smiles.

  With Dumbledore taking the lead, everyone eagerly dug in, enjoying their meals while engaging in versations with one another.

  "So, how fident are you that this event will be a success, Professor Caesar?" Professor Aurora Sinistra, seated o Magall, asked curiously, leaning forward and casting a sideways g Maverick.

  Maverick turned his gaze to the Astronomy professor. "Very fident. My pany will be releasing a new product at the end of this month called Magic Vision. It's inspired by Muggle television, but far superior. The picture quality is many times clearer, and it will be used to broadcast the tour worldwide, giving the participating schools unparalleled exposure in the magical unity."

  "This will not only heighten the excitement surrounding the event but also bolster their reputation by highlighting their athleticism, skill, and dedication to magical sports, earning them greater reition within the wizarding unity."

  "Also, uniting students from different houses and schools will cultivate stronger camaraderie. It will bring them together in pursuit of a shared goal, f a sense of pride and belonging to their respective schools."

  He paused briefly and seeing the witodd in agreement he added while turning his focus back to his pte in front of him. "There is also the bennifits of Cultural Exge. Hosting teams from different tries and backgrounds would allow students to learn about each other's magical traditions, cultures, and pying styles. This could lead to cross-school colborations and the sharing of knowledge in other areas as well."

  "And like i said, this event will be broadcasted to a lot of eyes. Outstanding pyers could gain reition from professional Quidditch teams or sponsors, potentially earning schorships or professional tracts. This would raise the profile of each school's athleti."

  "And finally, the tour would serve as a way tthen ties between rival schools, creating a friendly atmosphere for petition. It may also provide a ptform for resolving old rivalries or misuandings in a healthy, petitive enviro."

  All the professors, except for Dumbledore and Magall, wideheir eyes in genuine surprise. Everything Maverick had mentioned—and more—had already beeailed in the proposal he had submitted to the Headmaster ay Headmistress.

  It was this thh presentation, full of facts and data, that had vinced Dumbledore and Magall to support the idea. Without it, they wouldn't have spent the entire holiday visiting other schools, tirelessly w to persuade them to participate in the event.

  "That... is very eye-opening, Professor. Truly, what you've introduced will no doubt go down in the history of this school... no, in all of wizarding Europe," Professor Sinistra remarked, finally vinced after hearing all the facts.

  "But... you're also using the school and the touro promote your business, aren't you, Professor Caesar?"

  Maverick caught the emotionless voiing from the far left side of him. He looked over to see Snape, who was cutting into the food on his pte, arg a brow at him gng in his dire.

  Maverick wasn't particurly close to the potions professor having ied with him only a few times since joining Hogwarts. His bluntness didn't bother him, especially since Dumbledore and Magall had already approved the arra—albeit with certain agreements in pce.

  "It's a fair deal," Dumbledore interjected before Maverick could respond. "Professor Caesar is sp the tour in its ey, c all expenses."

  This made all eyes turn to him once more, prompting him to have to say something iurn.

  Maverick sighed, taking a brief moment while his gaze swept across the table and then began to speak. "I am a businessman, dies alemen. Of course I'm going to use this opportunity to showcase my products. But as the Headmaster pointed out, this will not be a loss for the school... My pany will bear all costs... franizing the event, to food, to even providing the brooms and jerseys for the students of Hogwarts."

  He paused for a moment, making sure they uood well enough not to raise the question again, then tinued with a smirk. "Besides, I guarantee you that in two or three years, panies will be practically crawling over each other to get a piece of the a, lining up to beg the Headmaster for sponsorships."

  With a chuckle, Mavericed back at Snape, log eyes with the man to see if he dared to use his favorite skill on him to check if everything he'd said was true. Snape didn't, or rather, he just didn't have the balls to try it on an adult, preferring to stick to intimidating children instead.

  Maverick didn't have any personal grudges against the greasy bat. In fact, he eve a bit of sympathy for the man, especially sidering how his story ended in the inal story. However, that didn't mean he agrees of Snape's immature behavior, like bming a son for his father's mistakes or being a plete dick to every student who wasn't in Slytherin.

  He was here to ge this outdated, det ways of the school, and to do that, this man-child behavior of Snape was the first thing that o go.

  Brushing the thoughts aside for now, Maverick shrugged and turned back to his pte, casually adding, "Of course, that won't be happening. See, the Headmaster's already signed a long-term tract with Caesar's Magitech. We're the exclusive sponsor for the tour. So, no other pany's getting in on this."

  A moment of silence passed at the professors' table as they all g him once again, as if seeing him for the first time.

  Cough.

  The Headmaster cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silehen it was Flitwick who burst in to ughter getting the attention of even some of the students.

  Maverick raised an eyebrow at the man, listening as he spoke. It was obvious he was trying to ge the topic.

  "By the way, how did you mao replicate Muggle teology like that?"

  Maverick smiled, then g the Charms professor. "I'd be happy to share the principles if you're willing to take a magical oath not to disclose what you learn."

  Cough!

  Cough! Cough!

  Flitwick paused mid-bite, nearly spitting out his food as his eyes widened. He hadn't expected that a seemingly casual question would lead to a request for a magical oath. Magical oaths were no trivial matter, and they were treated with the utmost seriousness in both dark and light circles.

  Quickly swallowing a sip from his drink, he asked, "Is it truly that serious?" drawing the attention of the other professors.

  Maverick met their curious gazes, remaining calm as he expined, "Absolutely. I believe this is the first time in history that an iion like this will be introduced to the magical unity. Its potential goes far beyond broadcasting live events. It could be used in schools, hospitals, and even news anizations. However, the full details will be unveiled at the u... and as the owner of the pany, I am formally inviting you all to attend the und see it for yourselves."

  "That sounds wonderful," Magall said, gng at him with an amused smile. She had noticed the brief tense exge but didn't seem bothered by it. To her, it was nothing more than a harmless squabble, and she trusted her colleagues to be mature enough not to behave like children.

  Moreover, she was genuinely curious after Maverick's quick expnation of the Magic Vision, which he said would be like Muggle television. "When will it take pce?" She asked.

  "Oh of this month, in America, where Caesar Magitech's main office is located. The event will occur in the evening..."

  "Well, we 't all go, now, we?" Dumbledore added, cutting off any immediate agreement from the table. His sharp senses had already caught the sight of mouths half open in eager response. "Some of us must stay and look after the children," he tinued with a knowing smile.

  A chuckle escaped Maverick as he observed the surprised faces of the professors, and soon, the rest of the table joined in, the atmosphere lightening aurning to harmony.

  The feast tihe hall alive with the hum of student chatter, while the professors at the staff table carried on with their own animated discussions, marking the beginning of this new academic year as oo remember for them all.

  —————————

  Author's Note:

  Just a quick update — up to Chapter 106 is already avaible on P AT r30n!

  PAT r30n [.] / RyanFic