Author's Note:
Hey guys, I'm back!
Thanks so much for waiting patiently—side quest complete and we're back in action. Hope you enjoy the chapter!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, as always, for the support. I truly, truly appreciate each and every one of you.
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The Greengrass Manor.
It had a simple yet impressive grandeur befitting a noble wizarding family. Though it was not as large as the Malfoy estate or as imposing as Hogwarts, it had a dignified and well-maintained appearance, reflecting the family's history, tradition, stability, and quiet strength.
The main building was a large structure made of dark stone, strengthened by ancient magic that lingered in the air. Tall, arched windows lined the walls, their frames partly covered by ivy that had grown over decades. A large iron gate stood at the entrance, displaying the Greengrass family crest, and beyond it was a well-kept stone path that curved gently toward the manor's large front doors.
The place had a quiet, yet uniquely dignified feel to it, showing wealth and influence without the need for excessive display.
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Maverick arrived outside the gates with a sharp pop of Apparition. Tonight, he wore a long, dark coat over a crisp button-up shirt and slacks, presenting a polished and professional look. His outfit leaned toward Muggle formal wear but was neutral enough to fit seamlessly into a wizarding setting.
Waiting for him at the entrance was the Greengrass family. Lord Greengrass stood at the front looking upright, dressed in finely tailored wizarding robes befitting his status. Beside him was Lady Greengrass who carried herself with grace and dignity. Her blonde hair was neatly arranged, and she maintained a calm and welcoming expression.
Daphne Greengrass, their eldest daughter, stood slightly behind them with her usual calm and collected manner. Next to her was Astoria Greengrass, the youngest member of the family, a delicate-looking girl with pale skin and soft brown hair.
Lord Greengrass stepped forward first and greeted him with a respectful nod. "Master Caesar."
Maverick returned the greeting with the courtesy appropriate for a noble lord.
Lady Greengrass then followed, offering a warm but reserved smile. "Welcome to our home, Master Caesar."
Daphne gave a polite nod. "Professor."
Astoria hesitated for a brief moment before offering a small smile and a polite, "Welcome," of her own.
Lord Greengrass gestured toward the manor. "Please, come inside. We have prepared a feast in your honor."
Maverick gave the family a nod of appreciation and stepped forward as the iron gates swung open, granting him entry.
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The dining hall of Greengrass Manor was just as elegant as the rest of the estate. A long, polished table sat at the center, carefully set for the meal. A large chandelier overhead cast a warm glow, and the air carried a faint hum of protective magic woven into the walls.
As the meal began, everyone took their seats. The quiet clinking of silverware and light conversation soon filled the room creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The three adults kept the conversation light, mindful of the two children at the table. Most of the talk revolved around school and how much more eventful this year had been compared to previous ones. Lord and Lady Greengrass also inquired about Daphne's studies, to which she responded only when directly addressed, looking clearly embarrassed by the attention.
Astoria, who had been mostly quiet at first, eventually joined in. Seeing how at ease her parents spoke with Maverick, she took it as a sign that she could do the same. Before long, she was adding her own to the conversations, making the gathering feel more relaxed.
Once dinner ended, Lord Greengrass set down his napkin and exchanged a glance with his wife. After a brief moment of silent understanding, he turned to Maverick and gave a small gesture.
Maverick nodded and stood up, following his host out of the dining hall. They walked through the halls of the manor, where the polished floors reflected the soft glow of enchanted lanterns.
The Greengrass patriarch shared some of his family's history as they walked through the manor corridors. He spoke about their traditions and the role their house had played in the wizarding world. His voice carried a quiet sense of pride, and he moved with the ease of someone deeply rooted in his family's legacy.
Eventually, they reached a heavy wooden door. Lord Greengrass pushed it open, revealing the space as his private office, and politely invited Maverick to follow him inside.
The room carried the quiet authority expected of a private chamber belonging to the lord of a noble house. Dark wood paneling covered the walls, and tall bookshelves filled with well-used tomes stood in neat rows. A grand desk sat at the far end, its surface organized but showing signs of regular use. To one side, a fireplace crackled, casting flickering light across the room.
Lord Greengrass gestured toward a pair of chairs facing each other. Once they were both seated, he clasped his hands together and leaned slightly forward. His voice was calm but curious as he spoke. "Now then, Master Caesar, what was it you wished to discuss?"
Maverick did not respond immediately and instead adjusted his position in the chair, making himself more comfortable. He met the older wizard's gaze, holding it without hesitation.
The room grew quiet as Lord Greengrass waited for Maverick to speak, but in that moment, an indescribable change in the atmosphere settled over him—something he could not quite name or put into words.
It was as if something about the young man across from him had suddenly changed, as though a mask had been lifted and he was only now seeing him—or meeting someone else entirely.
"There is an opportunity... one that could benefit both the Greengrass family and my own..." he heard the young alchemist say, and sure enough, even his voice felt different now. It was more even—or perhaps, indifferent was the better word.
Somewhat unsettled by this sudden feeling, he needed a moment to register what had been said to him and to gather his thoughts.
Cough!
He coughed into his fist, using the motion to steady himself, and did his best on maintaining the composure expected of his lordly self.
"Go on," he said. "If this opportunity benefits my family, I am willing to listen... so long as it does not involve unnecessary conflict with other parties."
Maverick noticed the change in Lord Greengrass's demeanor, which was expected now that he had taken a serious tone. It was not due to any magic being released, but simply the natural presence of an Arch-Magus that he no longer held back. That alone was enough to make the older man, two ranks lower, instinctively feel a sense of intimidation.
He studied him for a moment, considering how best to continue before speaking again. "Before we get into that, I would like to ask something first." Leaning forward slightly, he met the older man's eyes. "Can you tell me exactly what the Greengrass family represents as a noble house? And as a seat on the Wizengamot, what role does your house play in the politics of English magical society?"
Lord Greengrass frowned at the unexpected topic. "I thought you were here to talk about a business partnership, not politics."
Maverick noticed his confusion but did not address it. Instead, he went on with what was on his mind. "I have done a bit of reading on your family's history."
The older man's expression changed subtly at the mention of looking into his house's history, though he quickly masked it.
Maverick, however, remained indifferent and pressed on.
"In both cases of the last two Dark Lords who have risen, your family has maintained a neutral stance. You did not openly support them, nor did you fight against them. And it was not just the Greengrass family. Several noble houses followed your lead, acting in the same way."
He held Lord Greengrass's gaze and then asked, "What was the point of it, if you don't mind me asking? Was it simply for safety? Did you believe that by staying out of the conflict, you would be left alone?"
Lord Greengrass's expression stiffened at the sudden barrage of personal questions. These were not the kind of questions one asked so directly, let alone from someone they had barely spoken to before. No matter what status this young man held, the way he pried so bluntly into matters of his family left him unsettled.
His fingers tightened slightly around the armrest of his chair, but he kept his voice controlled. "If that is what you came to discuss, then I see no reason to continue this conversation. I have no interest in debating politics with a—" He paused at the last moment, managing to rein in his emotions.
Exhaling slowly through his nose, he gave Maverick a hard look. "Clearly, I was mistaken about you. A professor of Hogwarts, a master alchemist, a student of a Speaker—I expected a certain level of maturity. But now, here you are, speaking as if you have the right to accuse my noble house of being mere spectators to history. Rude, to say the least. And beyond that, we barely know each other. Common sense would dictate that we build some rapport before diving into such personal matters."
His voice hardened slightly, irritation slipping through his restraint. "And yet, instead of so much as a proper lead-in, you have suddenly demanded answers to questions that no man of status would ask so casually. Tell me, Master Caesar—what exactly do you think gives you the right?"
Maverick did not react to the man's outburst, and truth be told, this was the response he had expected. After all, the man was not wrong in his reasoning.
But he had chosen to be blunt for a reason.
He met Lord Greengrass's gaze and smiled. "You are right. I have no right to ask." He leaned back, keeping his expression neutral. "But I still need to know. I cannot continue with what I came here to discuss unless I understand this first."
Lord Greengrass remained silent, but his displeasure was visible to see.
Maverick tilted his head. "At least tell me this. Is my reasoning incorrect?"
The old patriarch did not respond and instead pushed himself up from his seat. It seemed he had enough of this unreasonable meeting. But before he could rise completely, Maverick lifted a single finger from the hand resting on his chair.
A heavy pressure fell over Lord Greengrass the moment he moved. It was not something he could see or touch, yet it wrapped around him like an invisible shroud. His body stiffened, and for a brief moment, it felt as though an immense weight had settled onto his shoulders.
His pupils shrank.
It had been years—decades, perhaps—since he had last felt something like this. He had almost forgotten, but now it resurfaced with startling clarity. The sheer, undeniable presence of someone far beyond himself. A presence that reduced the title of Lord Greengrass to nothing. Power. Absolute power.
As the memories surfaced, he sank back into his seat before he even realized it. Maverick had not exerted much pressure on him and had already withdrawn his magic after that brief moment. Gradually, the older man managed to pull himself together enough before lifting his head to look at the young man across from him. But this time, his expression was hard to read.
"I am being very polite here, Lord Greengrass, so I would appreciate it if you listened."
To Lord Greengrass, Maverick's voice now carried the same indifference he had heard years ago, a tone that left no room for argument.
"I apologize if my words earlier offended you, but I still want an answer. Without it, we can't move forward with the opportunity I came here to offer. And I'm not joking when I say it will be an opportunity... one you won't want to ignore."
Lord Greengrass met Maverick's gaze without answering right away. The weight pressing down on him had faded, but the feeling it left behind was still fresh in his mind.
"Who are you?" he asked at last while his fingers curled against the armrest of his chair. He was not sure how to put it into words, but that was the most pressing question on his mind now.
Maverick let out a quiet sigh and leaned back in his chair. "I am Maverick Caesar, a master alchemist."
Lord Greengrass stayed silent and watched, and his eyes made it clear that he expected more than that answer.
So Maverick added, "Apart from that, you should also know that I am a successful businessman..."
At that, Lord Greengrass gave a small nod.
"And besides that," Maverick continued, "I also happened to be..." He paused, meeting Lord Greengrass's eyes. "An Archmage."
Lord Greengrass did not react with shock. Instead, his eyes showed understanding, as if he had already reached the same conclusion on his own. After all, the oppressive presence of an Archmage was not something that could be faked, at least in his opinion.
But one thing still puzzled him—Maverick's age. He was too young. Furrowing his brows, he asked, "Are you really as young as I know you to be?"
Maverick nodded. Meanwhile, Lord Greengrass studied him carefully, searching for any sign of lies. When he found none, he let out a slow exhale. "I certainly was not expecting this," he said, finally accepting everything.
Maverick smiled faintly.
"Dumbledore, Maxime, and my teacher, Garling, are all aware of my recent breakthrough to Archmage," he continued. "So now, Lord Greengrass, you should understand that I did not come here to waste your time or my own."
Lord Greengrass nodded. There was no point in arguing now—or could he even? And now that he thinks about it, he realized he had been given a great deal of face. The Archmages he knew did not negotiate when they wanted something unless another of equal rank was involved. They simply took what they wanted.
So tonight could have gone a lot worse for him and his family. His throat felt dry when he finally found his voice. "I see," he said, doing his best to push aside the unpleasant thought.
On the bright side, this young man—a master alchemist and an Archmage—wanted to make a deal with him. Even if it meant confessing some unpleasant truths, the benefits would outweigh any embarrassment.
He raised his head and looked at the smiling young man, who seemed as if he knew exactly what had been running through his mind. "May I ask about the deal you mentioned earlier? Is it still on the table?"
Maverick nodded. "Like I said, it's an opportunity that would benefit us both. But first, you need to answer my earlier questions."
Lord Greengrass looked as though he had made up his mind. He exhaled slowly and began to explain.
"You were right," he admitted, looking Maverick in the eye. "My father believed, and I followed his example, that neutrality was the safest course. As long as we did not pick a side, we would be left alone. It worked during Grindelwald's rise and fall, and again when Voldemort came to power." He sighed, his fingers tapping against the armrest. "And it has worked for us—until now."
Maverick said nothing, waiting.
"As for politics and the Wizengamot," Lord Greengrass continued, "it is quite simple. Our faction is the balance between two extremes—the corrupt old families who prioritize their own wealth and power above all else, and Dumbledore's faction, which, while righteous, is too idealistic and often disruptive." He shook his head. "The Ministry cannot function when either of them holds too much sway. The old families push for laws that serve their own interests, while Dumbledore's supporters oppose them at every turn, even when the policies themselves are reasonable."
He leaned forward slightly. "Take the Magical Commerce Regulation Act of 1975. It was meant to stop monopolies from forming in certain industries. On paper, it sounded good, but the noble families twisted it to restrict newer businesses from competing with their own. Dumbledore's faction, rather than amending it to actually prevent monopolies, fought to repeal it entirely—something the old families also wanted, because then they could operate unchecked. My faction was the only one that sought to fix it so that small businesses had protections without limiting the economy. But we were outvoted in the end, and the law was repealed. What happened after? A handful of powerful families tightened their grip on entire markets, and no one could do a thing about it."
Lord Greengrass shook his head. "This is why neutrality is important... We keep the peace between them. Without us, the Ministry would be a battlefield."
"Why not fight for more power? Or get someone from your faction into the Minister's position?" Maverick asked.
Lord Greengrass exhaled, shaking his head. "It's not that simple," he said. "If politics were only about negotiation and alliances, perhaps we could. But in the end, it always comes down to who has the ultimate fist."
He gestured vaguely. "If Dumbledore were not an Archmage, and if the noble faction didn't have Great Magi among their ranks, then it might work. But that is not the reality we live in. Power in the wizarding world is not just about votes or public support—it is about who can enforce their will when words fail."
His fingers tapped the armrest as he continued. "Even if my faction wanted to fight for more power, we simply lack the magical strength to back it up. To make a real bid for control, we would need figures as powerful as Dumbledore or the Great Magi supporting the noble faction. Without that, no matter how many alliances we form or how well we maneuver politically, we will always be vulnerable. The moment we make a move for greater power, we invite direct opposition. And when that happens, what do we have to protect ourselves?"
His gaze turned sharp. "We would need our own Archmage, or at the very least, several Great Magi willing to stand with us. Without that, we are just pieces on the board, not players in the game."
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Author's Note:
Just a quick update — up to Chapter 153 is already available on P AT r30n!
PAT r30n [.] com / RyanFic