Harry Potter : Bloodraven

Edward took the box containing the memory vials, opened it briefly, then closed it and stored it away in his own ring.

He nodded reassuringly, meeting Maverick's gaze, and asked, "What's your plan?"

"My... plan?" Maverick asked, a little confused. Just as he spoke, Aisha cut in, exclaiming,

"Aren't you a speaker...? You've seen the terrible things... arrest him—"

Before she could say anything else, Maverick silenced her with a quick wandless spell. He didn't blame her for being rude in front of his teacher; he understood she wasn't in her right mind. No one would be, after seeing all of that.

He glanced at Edward apologetically, then asked, "Don't mind my friend, teacher..."

Edward raised his hand to dismiss the interruption. He didn't even look at Aisha, but kept his gaze on Maverick, waiting for him to answer.

Maverick paused for a moment, thinking. He realized that his teacher was asking him to come up with a plan to take the enemy down, and that Edward would assist according to the arrangements he made.

Moreover, he realized this would be the perfect opportunity for his alternative self to make an entrance and establish his presence in the world.

After taking some time to consider, he spoke. "We'll go and inspect his main base in Turkey. If there are any children there, our first priority will be to rescue them." He paused, then, seeing that his teacher didn't object, continued.

"We can gather more evidence there. The advantage is ours because he doesn't know we're onto him. If he's there, we take him down quickly and conduct a search and rescue. If not, focus on finding any surviving children, collect all the evidence, and..." He paused, his voice turning colder. "Eliminate anyone who stands in the way or was involved in the deeds."

Edward still didn't respond, his expression unreadable. Ali and Aisha, now a little calmer, listened in silence.

Maverick continued, glancing at Edward. "Teacher, if you can spread some of the memories to the newspapers, and, with your authority, launch an investigation simultaneously, it should be enough to make him go into hiding... If it's you, he wouldn't meddle in the case right?"

Edward huffed. "I dare him..."

Maverick's tone grew confident at that. "Then he'll go into hiding. I'll set the ambush... take him down myself."

Edward stood with his arms crossed, never breaking eye contact as his student made his plan clear. After a brief silence, he spoke, his tone a little uncertain. "That old fool is at the peak of Marquis... centuries of experience..." He narrowed his eyes and asked, "You think you can take him?"

Maverick subtly pulsed his suppressed magic at his teacher, causing his pupil to flinch momentarily. "How... when?" he asked, surprise evident on his face.

"Few months back..." Maverick replied, giving a confident look before adding, "I can take him!"

Edward let out a sigh. He didn't have the words to comment on his pupil's growth rate, so he simply accepted it. This wasn't the first time Maverick had left him speechless.

After a moment of thought, Edward nodded. "I'll place a tracking spell on him, leak some of the memories to the press, and, as you suggested, launch an investigation simultaneously." He fixed Maverick with a steady gaze. "You'll ambush him once he's clear of civilian areas..." He paused, considering the details. "And make sure to take space-blocking tools when you set the trap."

Maverick looked at him appreciatively. "Thank you, teacher."

He fixed Maverick with a steady gaze, his tone heavy. "Around this time, he'll be at the ICW HQ. I'll hold him off, keep him busy... and you handle the raid... collect everything you can..."

Maverick nodded, his resolve clear.

Edward left without another word. Neither of them lingered, knowing that every moment of delay increased the suffering of any children, if there were even any left alive.

As soon as Edward left, Aisha spoke, her tone apologetic. "Boss... I—"

Maverick cut her off. "Don't mention it. I don't blame you," he reassured her, then glanced at both of them. "Are you ready?"

Both of them nodded, their expressions determined as they answered, "Yes."

...

Half an hour and a few Apparitions later, the three of them arrived in Eastern Turkey. The first thing that struck them was the icy wind, sharp and relentless, as though it aimed to carve through flesh and bone. For ordinary humans, it would have been unbearable.

They stood silently, heavy camouflage spells cloaking their forms, as they took in the desolate ruins of Ani. The jagged outlines of broken churches and crumbled towers loomed against the darkening sky. Shadows danced unnervingly across the landscape, giving the abandoned city an eerie, malevolent presence that felt almost alive.

"This is the place?" Aisha asked, her voice barely audible.

Maverick nodded, extending his Magical-Sense while scanning the eerie surroundings with his eyes. "The old witch's memories were clear..."

His gaze sharpened as he focused on a distant structure. "Don't panic," he murmured, glancing at the two beside him. "This is just my magic."

As he spoke, a circular magical construct materialized beneath their feet, lifting them gently off the ground.

Ali and Aisha wobbled briefly but quickly steadied themselves as Maverick guided them forward.

"It feels like... the place itself is watching us," Aisha murmured uneasily, her wand already drawn and gripped tightly.

Maverick shot her a sidelong glance. "That's not just your imagination. Stay sharp, both of you," he said in a low voice, leading them deeper into the ruins.

The only sounds accompanying their advance were the mournful howls of the wind and the occasional screech of a distant bird. Maverick relied on his Magical-Sense to guide them, tracing faint trails of lingering magic clinging to the ancient stones.

Minutes later, they came to an abrupt stop as Maverick's heightened senses detected a ward ahead. Its faint outline shimmered in his vision, just barely perceptible to the untrained eye. He maneuvered the magical construct closer, reaching out to study the barrier's intricate patterns.

"Old... but still operational," he muttered, his voice thoughtful. "Basic defensive wards, with a few nasty surprises built in. Smart, but not smart enough."

Confident in his alchemical expertise, Maverick crouched to work. From his storage ring, he retrieved a set of alchemical vials and a rune-etched rod. With deliberate precision, he traced an opening in the barrier. A section of the ward flickered briefly before dimming, leaving a silent gap just wide enough for them to slip through.

"Let's move," he said, urging the construct forward as they passed through the breach undetected.

As they moved carefully through the ruins, Ali whispered, "This place feels wrong," his voice tense with unease.

"It's supposed to," Maverick replied without turning. "The wards are designed to rattle intruders. Don't let it mess with your head."

They soon arrived in front of what appeared to be little more than dismantled ruins. However, it was anything but that. To anyone without advanced proficiency in Magical-Sense, the true structure would remain hidden—a castle-like fortress concealed behind layers of heavy wards.

The wards were intricate, designed both for offense and confusion. Maverick studied them with a critical eye. He wasn't certain he could dismantle them without triggering an alarm, but he was confident he could create a path inside.

After half an hour of meticulous effort, the wards flickered briefly before collapsing. The moment they fell, figures emerged from the shadows—six robed men, wands drawn, moving in coordinated formation.

Maverick's Magical-Sense remained extended, scanning the area. There were no threats above Magus level. His expression didn't waver as one of the grunts stepped forward, a sneer curling on his face.

"Well, well, look who we have—"

Before he could finish, Maverick interrupted him with a cold, calm tone. "Handle them," he said, addressing Ali and Aisha, before stepping back. His expression remained focused as he concentrated on extending his Magical-Sense further into the castle, searching for any signs of children.

Ali moved first, his wand slashing through the air as he cast a wide Expulso, forcing two grunts to dive for cover. He followed up with a rapid Stupefy, dropping one instantly.

Aisha's style was more precise. She sidestepped a barrage of Reducto curses with practiced ease, her wand movements fluid as she retaliated with a well-aimed Petrificus Totalus, freezing one of the attackers mid-motion.

One of the remaining grunts aimed at Ali with a dangerous green flare—Avada Kedavra. Maverick intervened with a casual flick of his finger, an instant transfigured sheild of metal appeared between Ali and the spell. It shattered the curse mid-flight.

"Focus," Maverick advised, his tone steady, before sending a Confringo that scattered the remaining grunts, giving Ali and Aisha the space to finish them off.

Their fight wasn't quiet, drawing more enemies as they advanced. By the time they reached the castle courtyard, eight wizards blocked their path.

Aisha raised a shimmering shield, deflecting a curse, and retaliated with a Confringo, forcing a wizard back with a cry of pain.

Ali charged forward, binding one opponent with Incarcerous before blasting another with Expulso.

Maverick stayed back, casting precise spells to protect them. When a wizard targeted Aisha from behind, Maverick's Impedimenta stopped the attack, giving her the chance to finish the enemy with Bombarda.

Suddenly, Maverick spoke, his tone decisive. "Three children inside," he announced. "Hidden chamber deeper in the castle. Small, confined space. They're alive."

Ali and Aisha nodded, pushing harder to clear the path. Resistance increased as they moved, but Maverick decided it was time to step in. With a sharp wave of his hand, he unleashed a powerful surge of magic, a collective Incarcerous that slammed the entire group against the walls. Chains wrapped tightly around their bodies, rendering them immobile.

Ali and Aisha paused for a moment, glancing back in awe. The effortless way Maverick subdued the group left them both lost for words.

"Let's go," Maverick said, ignoring their stares. He was calm, focused on the kids as he led the way.

They encountered more wizards as they advanced, but Ali and Aisha worked quickly, clearing the way with precise teamwork.

Finally, they reached the chamber Maverick had sensed earlier. He stepped forward, raising a hand as his magic pulsed outward. With an effortless gesture, akin to telekinesis, the metal door screeched before being ripped clean off its hinges.

Inside the small, dark space were two boys and a girl, barely ten years old. Though not malnourished and seemingly well-fed, their wide, frightened eyes told a story of terror. Maverick stepped aside, letting Ali and Aisha move forward to check on them.

He kept his Magical-Sense extended, scanning for any threats while also searching for signs of more children.

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Author's Note:

Just a quick update — up to Chapter 81 is already available on P AT r30n!

PAT r30n [.] com / RyanFic