Harry Potter : Bloodraven

Author's Note:

Cringy romance ahead. I swear I did my best to keep it from making you all throw up. Please leave some constructive feedback... it'll help me spot my mistakes and improve. Thanks!

....

The last couple of weeks had felt almost like a dream for Maverick. Any devoted fan of the Harry Potter story would have felt the same. After all, it was his first time stepping into the legendary castle of Hogwarts and meeting the equally iconic Albus Dumbledore, names he had heard so much about in both his lives.

At first, he didn't expect much to come from the visit and assumed it would just be a simple meeting with McGonagall to talk about his book and maybe bring up the idea of becoming a professor.

But who would have thought? Not only was his book acknowledged by both the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress, but he also received confirmation of his appointment as a professor. On top of that, he managed to present his plans for the school much sooner than he had expected.

After that first meeting, he returned to Hogwarts a few days later for a proper tour of the castle. McGonagall proved to be an excellent guide, taking him through the grand halls, the massive library, and the classrooms. She even showed him secret passageways and some of the school's hidden areas.

Finally, he was formally introduced to the staff and professors. Their personalities mostly matched what he had expected, even if they didn't look like the actors he remembered from his past life.

She gave him an overview of everything, and by the end, he had a clearer understanding of the grand castle and the responsibilities he was about to take on.

There were still two months before the academic year began, giving him plenty of time to prepare. It was the last Friday of June. Today, he temporarily put aside his preparations for Hogwarts and his business affairs, as he had a very important appointment, a meeting scheduled two years ago with someone very important.

....

The sun had been up for a while, and Maverick lay awake, his mind drifting through thoughts of the past weeks and the day ahead. Finally, he got out of bed, quickly went through his usual morning routine, and dressed in a simple outfit—a plain white long-sleeve shirt and brown pants. Standing in front of the mirror, he took a moment to look at himself.

Over the past two years, he had grown a few centimeters taller, now standing at about 1.83 meters. He gave a satisfied nod at his reflection. He wasn't model-level handsome, but he didn't look bad either. If he had to describe himself, he'd say he resembled a younger version of Christian Bale, though his hair was a darker mix of black and chestnut compared to the actor's.

This place was located in the heart of Diagon Alley, where he had made significant upgrades, giving it a unique look that stood out from the typical style of the area. His "apartment" occupied the topmost floor, while the lower floor and ground level served as his shop and office, displaying and selling the products of his business.

He glanced at his watch and saw that it was time. Casting a variant of the Notice-Me-Not Charm and a Disillusionment Spell on himself, he performed Apparition and vanished from the spot.

....

Garling Residence, Manhattan, New York.

It had been two years since Maverick last visited this familiar place, but the memories remained vivid in his mind. Even though he had only spent half a year here, it had been one of the most defining periods of his life—of growth, learning, and some very unexpected connections.

As he stepped through the main gate, he couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight, the lush green stretching out in all directions, with the home standing proudly at the center.

Silvia was the first to greet him, just as he remembered—warm and full of life. Her husband Edward stood nearby, offering a smile and a nod. He and Maverick had met frequently over the past couple of months for business matters, so their greeting was quick and casual.

After a brief but heartfelt exchange, they moved inside and settled into the cozy living room. Silvia quickly offered to prepare something to eat, but Maverick insisted on waiting, as today was the day the exam results would be announced, and Isabella would be returning home with her transcripts to show her parents.

This visit was meant to be a surprise for Isabella, as only her mother and father knew about Maverick's arrival. Though they hadn't seen each other in person for the last two years, they had often exchanged letters through Shisui, and their relationship had only grown stronger over time.

They sat and chatted in the living room, and eventually, Maverick revealed the real reason for his visit. Two years ago, along with his family and the Garling family, they had all agreed that Maverick and Isabella would get engaged as soon as Isabella finished school.

For a normal Muggle family, this might sound too early, but for magical families, especially highly influential ones, their sons or daughters start courting a partner chosen by their parents from a very early age.

This is because they prioritize forming strong, stable alliances that can benefit both families. In their world, magical abilities, political influence, and social status often hold significant weight, and securing a compatible and powerful partner is crucial for maintaining or enhancing these aspects.

Early courtships allow time to carefully assess compatibility, foster trust, and ensure that the union will strengthen the family's position in the magical community. Additionally, such arrangements help avoid the complications that can arise from late or hasty marriages, giving both families a chance to build a lasting bond before formalizing the relationship.

Today, Maverick had come to once again ask for Isabella's parents' blessing, and to finally propose to her, making their relationship official. He didn't want to delay the engagement any longer, even though he knew Isabella wouldn't mind waiting. But once their relationship became official, she would at least be approached by fewer people trying to get on her father's good side through her.

Furthermore, Maverick was already like a son to them, and they were like his second parents, so it came as no surprise when they immediately agreed and welcomed him with open arms, ready to officially make him a part of the family.

However, it all depended on Isabella's answer. He knew she would agree, but he was still nervous to the core now that the time had finally come.

Time passed slowly, and more than an hour went by as they engaged in light conversation. Maverick shared a quick recap of his travels around the world with the couple, as well as updating them on his current affairs, particularly the progress of his business and his recent acceptance as a professor at Hogwarts. Needless to say, they were happy for him on everything, even proud, like a mother and father would be of their child.

Just as the clock struck noon, Maverick and Edward both sensed a magical fluctuation coming from the fireplace. Maverick immediately gave a quick nod to the couple, vanishing from sight as if it were planned.

Not a moment later, the fireplace in the living room flared with green flames, and Isabella stepped into the house.

Hidden under the invisibility spell, Maverick watched his childhood sweetheart, Isabella Garling, with quiet admiration. She had changed so much since the last time he saw her, maturing into a confident and breathtakingly beautiful young woman.

Now seventeen, her golden hair was more radiant than ever, resembling her father's, and her graceful demeanor only enhanced her charm. Clad in the elegant Ilvermorny school uniform, her bright eyes sparkled with confidence, and her poised posture exuded an air of quiet strength.

The sight made Maverick's heart skip several beats in a row, almost causing him to lose focus and disrupt the spell he had cast on himself.

Isabella raised a brow as she stepped into the living room, noticing her parents sitting together with peculiar expressions on their faces. Her instincts told her something was off, but a quick glance at her father immediately dismissed the thought. What could possibly go wrong with him around? she mused silently.

"I got it," she said, waving the envelope in her hand and flashing a small smile at her parents. However, it was clear to them that her excitement wasn't as exuberant as it had been when she had received her OWL results.

Her parents exchanged a subtle look and easily guessed the reason behind it, but they held back from commenting—after all, the "culprit" was present, hidden from sight, and it wouldn't be long before things took a turn for the better.

Isabella walked over to the sofa, sat down across from her parents, and placed the envelope on the table before leaning back. "Shall we open it now?" she asked, looking at them.

Edward raised a brow at her, noting her emphasis on the word "now," and understood what she was trying to say. However, he kept his expression neutral and pretended to be unaware, following the plan Maverick had set.

"Go ahead. I'm confident you aced it all," he said, grinning as he looked at his daughter.

"Yes, honey, open it!" Silvia chimed in enthusiastically, her tone laced with excitement as she played her part perfectly.

Despite her parents' encouragement, Isabella's face briefly betrayed a flicker of disappointment, though she quickly masked it and began to open the envelope. At this point, she realized that the person she wanted to see—the one who had promised to be here on her graduation day—would not be here with her today.

Trying her best to push the thought aside, her fingers moved with ease, and soon, she pulled out the parchment inside. After scanning its contents, a faint smile appeared on her face, and without a word, she held it out for her parents to read.

Silvia, unable to contain her curiosity, snatched it mid-air and quickly read through it. Her face lit up with joy and pride as she turned to pass it to Edward.

Edward took the parchment, glanced at the grades, and nodded with a satisfied expression. He met his daughter's eyes, a beaming smile spreading across his face as he rose from his seat and opened his arms wide.

"Come here, kiddo, I'm proud of you..." he said warmly.

Isabella smiled back, her earlier disappointment faded a little, and rushed into her father's embrace. Silvia joined them immediately, and the three shared a warm, heartfelt family hug.

Suddenly, the serene atmosphere got interrupted by the soft, distinct chorus of piano notes playing in the distance.

( 🎶Ed Sheeran - Perfect🎶 )

Isabella focused, her head tilting slightly as she strained to hear. "Do you hear that?" she asked, her voice uncertain as her eyes darted between her parents.

Silvia exchanged a quick glance with Edward before replying, "It sounds like it's coming from outside. Why don't you go take a look, sweetheart?"

Isabella shot her mother a suspicious look, narrowing her eyes as she sensed something was off. Her mother would never send her to check on something uncertain, especially while her father was present.

She quickly turned to the man, but his expression was blank—too blank—and as his daughter, she was now certain that something was really off about all this.

However, since both her guardians showed no objection, and her curiosity got the better of her, she decided there was no harm in checking and went ahead.

As she neared the door, the melody grew louder, its notes carrying a soothing, almost magnetic charm. Without even realizing it, she found herself drawn into the rhythm, enjoying it more with every step.

Once outside, the lush greenery of the garden greeted her, but her focus was entirely on the music that seemed to wrap around her like a gentle embrace. She quickened her pace, her curiosity driving her toward the source of the enchanting sound.

In the shade of a large tree, she spotted a figure seated at a piano, his back turned to her. Her steps slowed, her eyes widening as her heart skipped a beat. The figure's back was familiar—so very familiar—yet there was something subtly different about it.

As she stood rooted in place, the singer's voice filled her ears, blending perfectly with the soft, rhythmic notes of the piano.

"Cause we were just kids when we fell in love, not knowin' what it was...

I will not give you up this time...

Oh, darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own...

And in your eyes, you're holding mine..."

Isabella's breath caught in her throat. Her feet, seemingly of their own accord, began moving toward the figure. The lyrics washed over her like a gentle tide, each word carrying an unspoken confession, a tender appreciation that made her heart swell.

Her steps slowed as she neared, not wanting to interrupt the melody. She didn't want the singing to stop—it was too beautiful, too perfect. The words spoke to her in a way that felt deeply personal, as though they were meant just for her.

"...I have faith in what I see, now I know I have met

An angel in person, and she looks perfect..."

She began to hum softly along with the melody, her head swaying gently to the rhythm. By the time she reached the figure, she was completely lost in the moment, her heart pounding with a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe. She didn't dare interrupt, savoring every second until the music gradually faded into a gentle stop.

She watched him turn around slowly, and her heart skipped a beat as the familiar face smiled at her.

"Hi..."

He greeted her as he stood up, now towering a head taller than her, his eyes locking onto hers.

For a moment, she was at a loss for words, but then her instincts took over. She reached out and pulled him into a long-awaited embrace.

This time, Maverick didn't just pat her back lightly as he had in her room a year and a half ago. He hugged her just as tightly, a clear sign to Isabella that the person she had unconditionally fallen for felt the same way about her.

However...

After a while, as they separated—

*Bam!* Isabella punched him firmly in the stomach.

There was no warning from his Magical-Sense, as if it had vanished, nor did his fighting instincts kick in. His eyes widened, his body instinctively bent forward, and he let out a cough.

"That's for not coming to see me for two years..."

*Cough!* Maverick winced, closing one eye and offering a wry smile as he straightened up. "Okay... I deserved that..."

Isabella didn't say anything more. She just looked him up and down, her expression softening quickly before she pulled him into another hug.

Maverick sighed with a smile, hugging her back and whispering in her ear, "I missed you..."

Isabella's face flushed, and she whispered back, "I missed you too."

When they separated again, Maverick reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Isabella's eyes widened immediately—it was obvious what was inside.

"Isabella," he said, locking eyes with her, his voice sincere and steady. "From the time we were children, every moment spent with you is something I'll cherish forever. The times we played together, the times we studied and learned, and even the letters we exchanged when we were apart. Through it all, there was one constant... my feelings for you."

Her eyes stayed fixed on his, hanging onto every word.

"I've thought about this moment every day for two years," he continued. "You're my inspiration, my partner. Isabella Garling, will you marry me and build a future together?"

Tears welled up in Isabella's eyes, and a radiant smile spread across her face. She nodded, her voice trembling as she whispered, "Yes, a thousand times yes!"

Maverick gently took her hand, his touch warm and steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside him. He slid the ring onto her finger, where it fit perfectly, as if it had always belonged there.

As soon as the ring was in place, Isabella threw her arms around him again, her tears spilling onto his shoulder as she laughed softly.

They pulled back just enough to look at each other, their faces inches apart. In that moment, it felt as if the entire world had narrowed down to just the two of them.

"I love you," Maverick said, his words carrying the weight of all the years they had shared and the promise of the future they were about to create.

"I love you too," Isabella replied, her voice steady now, filled with certainty.

From a distance, Edward and Silvia watched silently, their smiles wide and proud as they held each other's hands, knowing their daughter's happiness was in good hands.

—————

Author's Note:

After the next chapter, we finally dive into the plot. Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sticking with me so far.

Your feedback means a lot... it helps me spot mistakes, improve my writing, and make the story better for you. So, please don't hold back! Let me know what you think.