Harry Potter : Bloodraven

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

It continued, steady and unchanging, until suddenly, the flames flared into a vibrant green. They roared to life, rising high as a young man stepped out smoothly, the green flames swirling briefly around him before settling back into their calm state.

The day after integrating his new characteristic, Maverick made his first stop at Hogwarts. Like every other professor, he had his own exclusive office, complete 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 coming together in perfect harmony.

It was brightly lit, unlike the typical rooms of other Hogwarts professors, with ceiling-mounted enchanted lights—products of his own brand—filling the space with a warm glow that made the room feel more inviting and welcoming.

Walking to the center, Maverick paused for a moment, taking in the changes that had been made—just as he had requested. Thankfully, McGonagall had no objections to him personalizing as long as it stayed within the confines of this room.

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

He glanced at the digital-looking clock mounted on the wall, nodded in acknowledgment, and made his way to the door.

This visit was simply to submit the lesson plans to McGonagall and get an update on certain matters they had discussed during their first appointment.

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

A couple of minutes later, he arrived at his destination: the Grand Hall. As he approached, the heavy oak doors swung open, revealing the iconic space where even the ceiling was said to be "bewitched." It was the heart of the castle, the place 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 platform where the staff table sat, he was met with the familiar faces of the two professors, McGonagall and Flitwick.

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

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

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

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he listened to the two professors. They seemed surprised by his return so soon after his engagement, considering 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, offering a polite nod as he greeted them. "Good morning to you too, Professors," he said, then settled into a seat beside Flitwick before addressing their comments.

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

The two professors were adults, sharp enough to understand what he meant. It seemed he was right, as he noticed them exchange glances and nod.

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

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

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

McGonagall 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 on her plate. "Albus and I have already received confirmation from Germany and France. Severus is on his way to Durmstrang, and..." She glanced at Flitwick before adding, "Filius will travel to Koldovstoretz this week."

"Its a rather isolated place compared to other magical schools..." Flitwick added, shrugging at the mention of his task.

McGonagall raised an eyebrow at him. "Don't you have a good relationship 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 turned to 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 next year, the schools will be the ones eager to join. You'll see."

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

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

The three of them shared a soft laugh, the sound echoing lightly in the nearly empty hall. As their chuckling faded, McGonagall turned back to Maverick. "How are you coming along with your lesson plans?"

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

"Roughly finished," he said picking up the cutlerys once more. "I've organized the materials after referencing lesson plans from other schools' alchemy teachers."

McGonagall took the papers, gave them a brief look, and then stored them in her own ring. She glanced at him with an approving smile. "I thought it might take you longer, considering this responsibility was rather suddenly placed on your shoulders."

Maverick returned her smile. "The resources were there. I just had to organize them."

The senior witch's face softened with satisfaction, and after a moment, she glanced at 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," Flitwick nodded, briefly glancing to both his sides "It's going to be very interesting," he added, carrying the same enthusiasm as McGonagall's.

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

After breakfast, Flitwick made his way to the Russian school of magic, while Maverick followed McGonagall to her office to review the lesson plans 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 Station greeted him as he stepped into the thrumming heart 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 platforms meant for non-magical travelers. His destination was hidden, tucked between Platforms 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, plain white long-sleeved shirt loosely tucked into brown trousers rolled above the ankle, with gray and white sneakers completing the look and adding a confident 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 later, he stood just outside the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. His eyes moved from side to side, his sharp Magical-Sense scanning 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 concealed Platform 9¾. He knew exactly 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 platform, 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 knew it would soon become 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 under the morning sun.

With calm and deliberate steps, he walked along the platform, observing the few families who were also here early. He spotted a group of young students, likely first-years, clutching their trunks nervously while their parents stood beside them, probably offering last-minute advice not 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 later, he reached the train. Without hesitation, he stepped inside and was greeted by the soft hum of voices and the faint scent of aged wood, mixed with the subtle aroma of old leather.

Passing by a couple of cabins, Maverick noticed a few students, likely seniors, already onboard and unpacking. He overheard snippets of conversations about who would win the Quidditch Cup this year and the new alchemy course being offered.

But Maverick wasn't interested in engaging with anyone right now. He was here simply to experience the experience. After all, as a teacher, it was important to take the train to school at least once—to truly understand what the students went through.

He picked an empty cabin toward the back of the train, and the door slid open with a soft click. As he stepped inside, he glanced around—neatly polished seats with velvet cushions, and curtains swaying gently with the motion of the train. It was peaceful, for now at least.

Settling into the seat by the window, he leaned back comfortably, allowing the momentary silence to soothe him as he observed everything through the glass.

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Author's Note:

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

PAT r30n [.] com / RyanFic