Maverick walked dowairs, getting himself ready for the versation ahead. He khat Isabel's mother had likely noticed something about their retionship, but her father—who was also Maverick's teacher—either hadn't noticed or didn't mind.

  He felt fairly fident that his teacher wouldn't mind if his retionship with Isabel went beyond just friendship.

  A few days ago, during their awkward lunch, Isabel mentiohat most men who showed i in her had ohing in mind—they wao get on her father's good side. Getting close to her was just a way to get close to him.

  She mentiohat her parents were furious about it and warned her to be careful, even hiring No-Maj psychology experts to coach her, helping her see through people's motives.

  Maverick wasn't very surprised. Her parents weren't prejudiced against non-magical people—her mother was one, after all.

  Her parents didn't miarting a retionship once she turned 15. This wasn't the normal world. Wizards and witches grew up and matured faster than regur people, and many old wizarding families enced youionships.

  The Garling family was no different. Although Edward had a more modern outlook, he was still a wizard. As a speaker at the ICW, his status was equal to, if not higher than, any a family patriarch's.

  Edward and Silvia kheir daughter would eventually be approached by the opposite sex, but as her parents, they would obviously protect her from people with ulterior motives.

  Then there was Maverick. His family and Isabel's family had known each other well for years. And since Maverick had shown magical talent, that bond had grown even closer.

  Maverick felt fairly fident that his teacher would see him as a good match for his daughter. Edward obviously trusted him, or he wouldn't have taken him on as an apprentice. He wasn't ed about Silvia—her approval was clear from her face.

  Still, these were just guesses. Maverick was about to find out if they were true.

  When Maverick walked bato the dining room, he saw both his teacher and Silvia watg him. Silvia looked curious, while Edward had one eyebrow raised, as if saying, expin yourself.

  Maverick cleared his throat and sat down. "She'll be fine. Just a bit upset... but she's alright now."

  Silvia's brow rexed. "Well, I'm gd you two talked it over."

  But Edward cut in, his tone sharp. "And why, pray tell, was she upset?"

  Maverick stiffened nervously. Edward clearly wanted an expnation, and he didn't have one ready. Thankfully, Silvia stepped in. "Oh, hush. They're young. Let them haheir own business."

  Edward g his wife, then turned baaverick, who looked uneasy. Edaused, studying him closely, and Maverick felt like his teacher could see straight through his soul.

  After a moment, Edward sighed. "You're a good kid, little Rick." His words left Maverick feeling both relieved and a bit fused.

  Just then, footsteps sounded behind Maverick as Isabel walked in, now ged from her school uniform into something more casual.

  She came over and sat o him without saying a word. Mavericed sideways, meeting her eyes, and gave her a nod and a smile, which she returned.

  To Isabel's parents, their behavior seemed a bit unnatural, but they didn't press. Silvia had shared her thoughts with her husband, and now they both had a general idea of why.

  Sensing the tension, Maverick cleared his throat to break the silence. "Uh… so, I was thinking… when I go back to the UK tomorrow, why don't you guys e along too? Spend the weekend."

  "Thats a wonderful idea..." Silvia said, then send a go her husband, to which he nodded.

  "Ah… that reminds me," Edward said, turning to Maverick. "We should get yistered with the British Ministry of Magic soon. Your father called about it a month ago."

  Maverick looked at him, puzzled. "Dad did? Why?"

  "He wao know when you'd be doh your training. Once you're finished, he wants yistered in Britain, not with MACUSA. Apparently, the Queen advised him."

  Maverick looked even more fused. "How did she know?"

  "Well, he is the current Prime Minister. Having a secret wizard son isn't ideal for a No-Maj leader on paper. We discussed the matter," Edward said, meeting Maverick's eyes.

  "Sorry we didn't tell you earlier," he tinued. "Your father asked me not to worry you with it and said he would ha… We gave the Queen the same story about you that we give anyone else."

  Maverick gave his teacher a thoughtful look. "How did she take it..."

  "Well, since I'm a speaker at the ICW, keeping your wizarding identity private couldn't be questioned—even by the Queen."

  Maverick, along with Isabel and Silvia, listened closely to Edward's expnation.

  "Will there be any issues with magical or non-magical ws?" Silvia asked.

  "No. The w allows a families and ICW speakers to take in magicals born from No-Maj families, openly or privately. So we haven't broken any ws," Edward said.

  "Hmm... I think I get it. Politics... Is my dad going to be in trouble… I mean, could he lose his position because I'm a wizard?" Maverick asked.

  Edward touched his , thinking. "Not likely. Your father mentiohat the Queen wants to meet you. I think she'd rather you be on their side than on the British Ministry of Magic's—probably because you're my apprentice."

  "Their side?" Maverick asked, trying to uand. "Wizards are wizards, even if they work for No-Maj govers, right?"

  Edward chuckled. "Hah… since World War II and the talks that followed, there's been this quiet tug-of-war fical talent," he said, gng at his family and Maverick.

  "This isly cssified—it's more of an ope. Young witches and wizards are highly coveted by No-Maj govers, and they're offered a lot. So, mraduates are choosing to work for No-Maj gover agencies in their tries.

  But No-Maj authorities only approaaj-born wizards, and only if they agree. So it's limited… and, well, our numbers aren't very high to begin with.

  The Wizarding authorities want to keep magicals close. Most magical societies have dropped, even bahe old ideas about blood status because of this—though only in some tries," he said, looking at Maverick.

  "Unfortunately, the British and their 'pure-blood' nonsense are still around. Bunch of backward fools…"

  Maverick cleared his throat, smiling sheepishly. He was aware of it, but what could he do? He didn't get to choose which try he was born into.

  "Hey, don't pare Maverick to those bigots," Silvia cut in, gng at her husband.

  "I'm not saying he's one of those idiots. You think I'd take him as an apprentice if he thought that way?" Edward said, gng at his wife, then at Maverick.

  Maverick smiled, scratg his head as he tio listen.

  "I'm just saying… if the British Ministry of Magic doesn't wake up soon, they're going to be left behind by the rest of the world."

  "Ricky move to America…" Isabel, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up, making all three turn to her. She blushed and lowered her head.

  Silvia smiled, amused at her daughter's ent.

  "Hehe, yeah… if things get bad, I'll just ask Mom and Dad to move to the States," Maverick joked, hoping to ease Isabel's embarrassment.

  Maverick could see a hopeful gleam in her eyes, even as she kept her head down.

  Edward chuckled but didn't ent.

  "Well, then, we'll make the trip," Edward said, making Silvia sit up with a smile. He looked at her, "Give Ariel a call. Tell her we'll be visiting by Floo tomorrow at… let's say nine in the m, London time."

  Then he g Maverick. "When you visit the No-Maj monarch, I'd like to go with you."

  Maveriodded quickly. "Yeah, I'd like that… but will she be okay with it? I mean, Teacher, you're not just anybody…"

  "Don't worry. No non-magical monarch or president would turn down a meeting with a speaker. She'll be more than happy to see me," Edward said, grinning.

  "Alright then, it's settled. I'll go call London," Silvia said, then g her daughter. "Sweetheart, could you clear the table after you three are finished?"

  Isabel nodded, still looking down. "Got it, Mom." She was still flustered, but now, it was the thought of going to Maverick's home aing his parents.

  It wasn't like she and Maverick were in an official retionship yet, and it wasn't the first time she would be meeting them. But after they'd fessed to each other and agreed owo-year itment, she still couldn't aaturally when it involved Maverick.