"Might I have a word, Professor... in my office."
The sun hung low behind a blanket of thick grey clouds, casting the castle grounds in a soft, dull light. Shadows stretched long over the stone walls, and the air carried the crisp dampness of a late afternoon threatening rain.
Maverick had just appeared above Hogwarts and was descending toward the tower that housed his office when he suddenly paused mid-flight, catching a faint sound in his ear.
A glowing construct shimmered into view before him, wings outstretched majestically. As far as he knew, there was only one person in the world whose Patronus took the form of a phoenix.
And from the sound of it, it seemed a bit urgent, so he got curious as well and changed course toward the spiraling tower of the Headmaster's office.
He hadn't been back since the closing feast of the previous term, nor had he contacted Dumbledore or McGonagall. Normally, the staff returned a day or two before the students to go over lesson plans and discuss the general direction for the year ahead. It wasn't mandatory, but more of an unspoken rule—something all staff knew, or at least should know.
Surely I'm not about to get a proper lecture? Maverick mused, half amused. Wouldn't that be something—his first telling-off as an employee... in either of his lives.
A quiet chuckle escaped him. When he arrived outside the window, he saw the old man already inside, making a few odd gestures with his wand. Then, as if the wall itself had come alive, it split cleanly down the middle and parted with silent grace, creating a space just wide enough to let him through.
It didn't seem like Transfiguration, but rather a built-in feature of the castle—woven into the wards for convenience, and likely something only the Headmaster could command.
His boots touched down gently on the stone floor as he stepped through, and he saw it wasn't just Dumbledore inside—McGonagall, Flitwick, and Snape were present as well.
"I feel like a bad employee now," Maverick joked with a faint smile, making his way around the desk before settling into the seat beside McGonagall.
"How was your summer, Professor?"
"It was good, Professor Caesar," McGonagall said with a small smile. "And yours? I take it things went well on your end?"
"Fantastic," Maverick replied, settling comfortably into his chair as he glanced around the room.
"That's good to hear, Professor Caesar," Dumbledore chimed in, his eyes twinkling in that familiar way. "We were just going over a few last-minute details for the year—before the students arrive."
Glancing across the four of them, he went on,
"Earlier this morning, a delegation from the Ministry of Magic paid us a visit to discuss school security. As you are no doubt aware, a dangerous criminal is still at large... and the Minister fears he may attempt to breach the grounds in pursuit of the students."
Without pause, he continued, "As such, Dementors will be stationed around the outer perimeter of the castle... namely at the gates and along the boundaries where the wards taper off."
"I ask for your cooperation in this matter," he said, letting his gaze rest briefly on each of them in turn. "More importantly, caution the students not to provoke the creatures under any circumstances."
"While the Minister assures me they are fully under control and pose no threat to the children…" Dumbledore paused, his expression growing more serious, "…I would still prefer our students be properly warned to keep well away from them. In other words... No testing limits, no attempts to interact—" his eyes twinkled faintly as they settled on McGonagall, "especially from those with a reputation for curiosity and courage."
Maverick held back a chuckle. That last bit was definitely aimed at McGonagall, as her house did have the biggest troublemakers, after all.
The meeting continued, mostly to brief the professors about the Dementors and to share a few details Dumbledore couldn't openly mention during the upcoming opening feast. That, and the matter of the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, were the main points of discussion.
The fact that the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor was a werewolf couldn't be kept from everyone—certainly not from those present in the room. So Dumbledore took the time to explain everything in advance: why he had chosen the man for the position, the precautions he'd taken, and the safety measures that would be in place should anything go wrong.
Basically, it came down to the simple fact that capable candidates were hard to come by, and although Lupin had his condition, he was at least competent where it counted.
A few remarks were made—mostly by Snape, and judging from his expression, he wasn't pleased in the slightest. Still, he acquiesced in the end, albeit reluctantly.
Flitwick seemed more neutral, if a little curious, and McGonagall said nothing at all—likely because she already knew everything, or perhaps she was the one who had chosen to hire Lupin in the first place.
Maverick kept his thoughts to himself on both matters, simply nodding along and following the discussion in silence. Within the hour, the meeting wrapped up, and the professors returned to their offices to prepare for the evening feast.
"Professor Caesar, thank you for agreeing to join us so promptly after your arrival," Dumbledore said once the others had left. "I hear you took the boy… traveling?"
"I did. Him and Granger, actually. Just a bit of cross-exposure practice," Maverick replied. He could tell the old man had more on his mind, so he remained behind, and sure enough, the old man wanted to ask about Potter.
"That's good. I would very much like to see the boy's progress."
"Not much yet. But he should be ahead of the others in his year. The kid's a natural when it comes to dueling, Headmaster. He and Granger. Granger's even better, to be honest."
Dumbledore smiled gently. "Then would you consider making it official? Taking them as your disciples?"
Maverick raised a brow, then shook his head. "Not yet. Maybe after they graduate."
"I see," Dumbledore said simply, letting the matter drop. After a pause, he changed topic again. "What are your thoughts on Sirius Black?"
"Sirius black?" Maverick wasn't expecting to be asked so directly. He paused, weighing whether to share his plan—and the fact that he had already found the fugitive.
Best to keep things to myself for now, he thought, and maybe tell the old man later, perhaps before handing Pettigrew over to the Ministry.
After carefully choosing his words, he said, "I've read a bit about the case. Honestly, quite a few things don't sit right with me." He glanced at the Headmaster and, with a thoughtful expression, spoke his mind.
"Everything about his life before that day paints the picture of a very different man than the monster they claim he became. I don't believe he was the perfect spy. And then there's the trial... or rather, the complete lack of one."
"It seems you've read more than just a bit, Professor," Dumbledore remarked with a twinkle.
Maverick waved it off. "Spare me. I only paid attention because Potter was involved."
Dumbledore chuckled, and he didn't seem the least bit worried about the so-called "dangerous" criminal, whom he had emphasized moments ago in the meeting.
Maverick was sure the old man knew about the inconsistencies too—but why he hadn't pressed the Ministry or investigated further was unclear. Maybe he had, and Maverick just didn't know.
"Very well, Professor. I shall see you at the feast," Dumbledore said, signaling the end of the matter.
With that, Maverick gave a nod and took his leave. In just a few hours, the quiet halls of the castle would fill with noise and laughter—marking the start of a brand new school year.
---
Two hours later.
The Great Hall was now fully prepared to welcome the new school year, with floating candles casting a warm glow from above and the banners of the four houses hanging proudly overhead, gently swaying in a breeze that wasn't really there.
Some of the professors—Flitwick, Sprout, Sinistra, Trelawney, and Pomfrey—were already seated at the high table, dressed in formal robes for the occasion. The Headmaster and the others were still making last-minute preparations or on their way, while Professor McGonagall was likely out to meet the students arriving from Hogsmeade Station.
Meanwhile, today Maverick wore a sleek black robe trimmed with faint crimson lines, layered over a crisp white shirt neatly tucked into black trousers and polished boots.
After sorting out a few things in his office and freshening up the old-fashioned way, he made his way toward the Great Hall as well. And just as he reached the entrance, he spotted Hagrid approaching from the opposite direction.
He raised an eyebrow. The man's familiar umbrella was present as always, but it wasn't what drew his attention. The half-giant was dressed far more formally than usual, and his wild beard had actually been combed. Something was definitely going on.
"How do I look, Professor?" Hagrid asked proudly, puffing out his chest with a grin.
"Uh... very... gentlemanly," Maverick told him half honestly. He did look the part—at least compared to how he usually carried himself.
And in the next moment, he saw the large man's eyes welling up with tears.
Did I say something wrong? Maverick wondered, a twitch forming at the corner of his eye.
Should I have said handsome?
"Mr... Hagrid—"
The gatekeeper quickly switched the umbrella in his hand to the other side and pulled out a worn handkerchief from his coat pocket, dabbing at his eyes.
"It's wonderful... I've been waiting for this day for so long." His voice cracked a little. The more he spoke, the more Maverick found himself confused—until a memory clicked into place.
Right. Wasn't Hagrid supposed to be appointed as the Care of Magical Creatures professor this year? But that only happened after certain events... and those events hadn't happened. So how?
"I'm sorry, Hagrid," Maverick said, stepping closer. "I wasn't around the school this summer, so I've no idea what you're talking about. Mind filling me in?"
"Oh... right!" Hagrid's expression brightened into his usual innocent grin. "Well, Headmaster Dumbledore… don't know how he did it, but he somehow found new evidence, somethin' solid. Brought forward the real culprit or somethin' from that Chamber of Secrets business fifty years ago. Even got Myrtle's testimony… yer know… the ghost girl?"
Maverick nodded slowly, listening.
"Anyway, with all that, the Ministry lifted my ban... the one they slapped on me for bein' the 'alleged killer of Myrtle'. So now I'm cleared! Free to use my wand proper." Hagrid beamed with pride.
Maverick glanced at the large pink umbrella in Hagrid's hand. "Isn't your wand always hidden in there?"
"Shhh, shhh!" Hagrid hissed, holding up a hand quickly and glancing around. Then he grinned again. "Yer right, Professor. But now I don't have to hide it anymore, see? It's just... part of my style now." He raised his bushy eyebrows up and down in exaggerated fashion, clearly pleased with himself.
"Right," Maverick said slowly, dragging out the word as he eyed the big man. It seemed Dumbledore had pulled a few strings, and somehow, things had conveniently fallen into place. Maverick had no idea what sort of evidence the old man had even managed to dig up—other than Myrtle's testimony, maybe.
Not that he cared all that much. Honestly, he didn't even want to know. He glanced back at Hagrid, who was still grinning stupidly at him with that same goofy smile, and said, "Well, I'm happy for you, Mr. Hagrid. And I take it you've been given a new position?"
"That's right!" Hagrid puffed out his chest even more. "Yer lookin' at the new Care of Magical Creatures professor! Professor Kettleburn's retired... bless him... and the Headmaster asked me to step in. We're real colleagues now, eh?"
Maverick returned a grin of his own, genuinely pleased for the man. "Congratulations. I look forward to working with you, Mr. Hagrid... uh no, it should be Professor Hagrid now, right? I've no doubt you'll make an excellent teacher."
Hagrid looked absolutely over the moon. His cheeks flushed a deep shade of red that, to Maverick, looked… frankly weird af on a man that size.
With a cheery wave, Hagrid said, "Right then! I'll be off to pick up the little ones. See you in a bit, Professor!"
Maverick nodded, smiling as he stepped aside to let the half-giant pass. Hagrid then lumbered off, practically bouncing like an oversized kid on Christmas morning.
Shaking his head amusedly, Maverick then strolled off toward the professors' table.
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