For the next few hours, until his next class, Maverick remained in his office, testing his new ability in every way he could think of.
The first thing he noticed was that, unlike Invisibility spells or his bracelet's invisibility function, the Extraordinary Characteristic True Concealment caused no magical fluctuations during its activation.
No wand, no incantation, no shimmer of light. It simply was. And the best part? It demanded nothing—no drain on his stamina, no pull on his magic. It felt as effortless as breathing.
And if that wasn't enough…
His gaze settled on a chair across the room.
And then, with just a thought, the chair simply... vanished. One moment it was there, the next it was gone.
His eyes lit up.
So not only could he activate the ability on himself, but could also extend it to others, or even objects. The range was limited, of course, but even with that restriction, the possibilities were endless.
Because this wasn't ordinary invisibility—it left no trace. No flicker, no distortion—nothing. No magical fluctuations, no energy signature. Only someone with profound mastery of Magical-Sense has even a chance of detecting it.
According to the system, only a mage whose rank was equal to or higher than his could possibly sense anything, and even then, only if they were searching carefully. And the best part? This effect would only grow stronger as his rank increased.
A slow smirk curled his lips.
This ability alone had just made him more dangerous than any spell or charm in his arsenal. The next step was to test the Extraordinary Characteristic's effectiveness against other mages. His first targets were the Great Mages and Dumbledore at Hogwarts.
He glanced at his watch.
But first, he had a class to teach.
With that thought, he rose from his seat and made his way out of his office, heading toward the classroom.
---
For three weeks, Maverick put his new ability to the test, using Flitwick, McGonagall, and Dumbledore as unwitting subjects.
He quickly realized that the system's note about mages of the same rank detecting him had been a serious understatement. McGonagall and Flitwick hadn't noticed a thing, and he doubted they would, even if they knew someone invisible was in the room with them.
As for Dumbledore, it was much the same—the old wizard showed no signs of detecting him. Of course, if Dumbledore actively flared his immense Magical-Sense, things might be different, but Maverick had no intention of testing that theory against the nosiest wizard in the world.
To push the limits further, he needed someone he trusted—someone equally powerful. And there was no better choice than his teacher, Edward.
So, one weekend, he took a trip to America and explained the situation. Of course, he had to come up with a plausible reason for such a strange request, but fortunately, Edward didn't question it. He simply agreed to help.
According to Edward, detecting Maverick required intense concentration—far beyond the norm. Even then, he only barely sensed his presence, and that was only because he knew for certain that someone was there and exactly where. Without that knowledge, he admitted that even an active search would have made detection nearly impossible.
Maverick was more than pleased with the results. He thanked his teacher for his cooperation and returned to Hogwarts, both satisfied and more confident than ever in his newfound ability.
---
As March came to an end, winter's lingering chill faded, giving way to the crisp, fresh air of early spring.
Then came the first Friday of April.
The sky was dark and dotted with stars, the half-moon casting its golden light over Hogwarts Castle. Just past midnight, Maverick sat in his office grading some assignments of his sixth-year Muggle Science students, when suddenly, his Magical-Sense picked up three small figures hurrying toward his door.
Knock, knock.
With a flick of his finger, the door swung open, revealing three flustered faces. Harry stood at the front, fidgeting anxiously, while Ron and Hermione stood just behind him, wearing similarly troubled expressions.
"Well… it's open, so come in, you three…"
Maverick set his pen down and leaned back in his chair, watching as the three Gryffindors hesitated before stepping forward. He arched an eyebrow, amused.
They hesitated for a moment longer before finally stepping inside.
He already had a pretty good idea of why they were here. Though he had spent much of his free time testing his new Extraordinary Characteristic, that didn't mean he had stopped paying attention to the trios movements—or to the parasite Voldemort attached to Quirrell's head.
Just like in the original timeline, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had discovered—coincidentally, of course—that Hagrid had somehow come into possession of a dragon egg. And, as expected, their little arch-nemesis, Draco Malfoy, had caught wind of it too.
But this time, instead of keeping it to themselves and scrambling for a solution on their own, the trio had apparently decided that he was the right person to help them—and therefore, to help their half-giant friend deal with the consequences of illegally raising a dangerous magical beast. At least, that was his guess.
And his guess was right. To them—even to little Weasley—Maverick was the one teacher who never came down too hard on them. In class, whenever they messed up—by they, meaning Ron—Maverick would simply offer a bit of advice and move on. No scoldings, no detentions, just a calm correction.
So, in their still-developing minds, they had labeled him as the person to turn to. Someone magnanimous, someone who, no matter how big their mistake, would help them find a solution rather than punish them.
Hermione was the first to speak. She did her best to appear calm, carefully phrasing her words as if it were just a casual question.
"Professor," she began, her voice as steady as she could manage, "what would happen if… hypothetically speaking, of course—someone were caught raising a dragon?"
Maverick hummed, pretending to consider the question. "Very severe consequences," he said lightly. "Anyone caught illegally keeping a dragon would be charged under wizarding law. And it wouldn't be a simple punishment…" He shrugged before casually adding, "Azkaban."
Ron let out a strangled noise. Harry stiffened. Hermione paled.
Maverick thought to have a bit of fun.
"And," he added, glancing at them with a knowing smirk, "any accomplices involved in the act could face the same punishment."
Perhaps he had gone a bit too far. Hermione looked visibly pale at the mention of being expelled. Yes, that was what he picked up from her surface thoughts—it wasn't the fear of Azkaban that unsettled her, but the idea of being expelled from school.
Before he could soften his earlier words, the little witch, unable to hold it in any longer, blurted everything out in one breath.
"Hagrid got a dragon egg from a strange wizard, and it hatched tonight, and we were there when it happened, and Malfoy saw, and now he's threatening to tell his father, who's on the school board, and if that happens, Hagrid could be thrown out of Hogwarts, and—"
"Professor, please help us get rid of the dragon," Ron cut in hurriedly. "My brother Charlie works on a dragon reserve... he could take it. But it'll take time to arrange, and if the Ministry finds out before then—" He swallowed hard, glancing at Maverick nervously. "—like you said, they might come for us, too."
Harry Potter looked calmer than the other two, but still, was equally concerned. "Professor, is there anything you can do to help?"
Maverick steepled his fingers, considering them with mild amusement.
"So, let me get this straight," Maverick said, leaning back in his chair. "You three... no, wait, it should be four, including Mr. Malfoy... You somehow stumbled upon Mr. Hagrid hatching a dragon. In the middle of the night. Past curfew. Did I get that right?"
Their mouths hung open, but no words came out.
Maverick chuckled inwardly. "And now you want me to help you…" He turned to Ron and raised an eyebrow, making the boy flinch. "Smuggle it out before the Ministry gets here?
The trio stared at him, lost for words. Harry swallowed. Ron looked anywhere but at him. Hermione opened her mouth—
And just then, Maverick's Magical-Sense caught another presence, no, two, walking toward his office.
"Professor—" Hermione tried to say something, but Maverick held up a hand and glanced at the door.
Knock, knock.
The three Gryffindors jumped to their feet, eyes wide, their heads snapping toward the door.
"Please, sit down," Maverick said, waving a hand dismissively. "It's only the Deputy Headmistress."
"Wait, Professor—!" they blurted out in unison, but Maverick didn't seem concerned.
The door opened, and in walked Professor McGonagall... not in her usual robes, holding a flashlight. One of his inventions, no doubt.
And trailing behind her, with a smug grin that practically screamed I win, was Draco Malfoy.
McGonagall's sharp gaze swept over the three Gryffindors before settling on Maverick. She arched an eyebrow, clearly expecting an explanation.
Maverick smirked. "Three of your little lions have been rather… adventurous tonight. And they just came to me for a bit of help solving a problem..."
Maverick didn't say it outright, but he knew McGonagall had already pieced things together, given the pompous blond standing behind her was looking far too pleased with himself.
McGonagall's lips pressed into a thin line as she turned to the trio, her sharp gaze flicking between them. "What in Merlin's name are you three doing sneaking around the castle past curfew?"
Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged nervous glances, but none of them dared to speak. And Malfoy standing behind McGonagall looked ready to burst with self-satisfaction.
"Well?" McGonagall prompted sharply a second time.
Hermione opened her mouth, likely ready to spin some excuse, but Malfoy cut in with a dramatic sigh. "Professor, I caught them sneaking around the castle. You wouldn't believe what I overheard… something about a dragon." His smirk deepened as he crossed his arms. "Imagine my surprise."
Ron, looking pale, blurted, "It's not what it sounds like!"
"Oh?" McGonagall arched a brow. "Then do explain, Mr. Weasley."
Ron clamped his mouth shut.
Harry took a deep breath. "Professor, it's Hagrid. He—he got a dragon egg, but he didn't realize how much trouble it would cause. We were just trying to help."
McGonagall exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Hagrid…" she muttered under her breath.
Malfoy, sensing victory, pressed on. "I told you, Professor. They were breaking rules, and Hagrid's breaking the law. My father will—"
"That is quite enough, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall cut in sharply. "I will handle this."
Maverick watched the scene unfold with mild amusement. He already knew McGonagall wouldn't let Hagrid be punished too harshly, but she would certainly have words with him.
McGonagall sighed. "All four of you will follow me. And not a word from any of you."
She shot a sharp look at Malfoy, who promptly shut his mouth—though the smugness on his face remained.
Turning back to Maverick, she exhaled, rubbing her temple. "Apologies for disturbing you, Professor Caesar."
Maverick waved a hand dismissively. "Not at all… though don't be too hard on the four of them." He smiled, glancing at the students.
"Wait… Professor, what do you mean by four—" Malfoy turned sharply, as if he had misheard.
Unfortunately for him, he received no explanation—only Maverick's amused smile.
"Out… all of you," McGonagall ordered, her tone brooking no argument as she ushered the three Gryffindors and one Slytherin out of his office.
As the door shut behind them, Maverick chuckled to himself and leaned back in his chair. "This is going to be interesting…"
He turned back to his work but knew he wouldn't be sitting there for long. He was thinking about whether things would continue following the events of the original story.
And then about Voldemort.
Maverick wanted to see if the wraith had heeded his—well, Bloodraven's—warning about not attacking any more unicorns.
So far, the half-dead parasite had been eerily quiet.
Especially during the week of the inter-school Quidditch tournament, Quirrell never even showed up to watch the matches, choosing instead to hide away. Maverick had kept a close eye on him and could tell that Voldemort was holding back—likely still wary after their last encounter.
But because of that restraint, the timid professor's condition had worsened, looked even paler now, almost sickly.
Maverick had a feeling it wouldn't be long before the man made his move.
A smirk tugged at his lips. He wasn't overly worried—his strange abilities and sheer strength were his capital. But this time, he would make sure no student got hurt.
And with the finals less than a month away, he was determined to rid Hogwarts of Voldemort's parasite completely.
—————————
Author's Note:
If you're enjoying the story and wish to support me, you can visit my P@tr3on, where you can read 30+ extra chapters ahead!
Thank you so much for your support. It means the world! 💙😊
PAT r30n [.] com / RyanFic