POV : Professor Fawley
Professor Fawley stood in the dimly lit staffroom of Hogwarts, his fingers drumming softly on the edge of his desk. The air in the room was thick with the musty scent of old books and aged parchment. His eyes flickered toward the grand clock on the wall, noting the time.
The students would be arriving soon, and he needed to prepare. Today would mark the beginning of his work at Hogwarts. His position was secure, but the real work would begin now—shaping minds, challenging beliefs, and subtly shifting the course of the future.
He had already ensured that the barrier Dobby had placed to keep Holly Potter and Ronda Weasley away from the school was gone.
The little elf had done his job well, but such a barrier from a creature with far less skill than him (an extremely strong wizard, a level-nine wizard no less) wasn't anything to him.
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he recalled the interference in the book. He had no interest in discussing matters of loyalty, nor would he let anyone see the true extent of his manipulations. Still, he didn't think this adventure of Holly and Ronda was necessary.
A soft knock on the door broke him from his reverie, and Professor Fawley's sharp gaze snapped to the entrance. He straightened, his expression composed, as Professor McGonagall stepped inside.
"Alaric," she greeted with a brisk nod. "I trust everything is in order for your first class?"
"Indeed, Minerva," he replied, his voice smooth and polite. "All is ready. The students should be arriving shortly." He paused, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. "Though I must admit, I find myself curious. How do you think this year will unfold? We've had our fair share of… unexpected developments in recent times."
McGonagall hesitated, then took a seat across from him. Her sharp eyes studied him, but she gave no sign that she knew anything beyond the surface. "I imagine there will be challenges," she said carefully. "The new staff, the students, the changing climate at the Ministry… it's not an easy time for anyone."
Professor Fawley nodded, his gaze flickering briefly to the window. "Yes, the Ministry is certainly struggling. And yet, we stand at a precipice, don't we? A world poised to change, one way or another." His lips quirked into something of a smile. "We shall see which direction it chooses."
McGonagall didn't respond immediately. She seemed to be weighing his words, but after a moment, she spoke again, her tone more formal now. "Your curriculum this year… I've read some interesting things in it. You're teaching a different approach to magical history, one that challenges established norms." She looked at him, a mix of curiosity and caution in her gaze. "Are you certain that this is the right time to push such… controversial ideas?"
The new teacher's eyes glinted with a cold, calculating fire. "Controversy has always been the gateway to progress, Minerva. You of all people should know that."
The silence stretched between them for a moment before McGonagall spoke again, more softly now. "I trust you'll be careful. We can't afford to alienate the students more than necessary, especially in these times."
A chuckle escaped him, low and measured. "Rest assured, I am nothing if not patient. These things take time. But change, as you know, is inevitable."
As McGonagall nodded and prepared to take her leave, Fawley's mind wandered back—far back—to the time when he had first set his plans in motion. His gaze turned inward, and the room around him seemed to fade as the memory washed over him.
Flashback: The Deal
As night fell, a young man walked along a large alley, the cobblestones clicking beneath his boots. The faint flicker of candlelight from nearby windows cast long shadows on the ground, leading him toward the end of the alley where a grand mansion loomed in the distance. The mansion was opulent, a testament to the wealth and power that lay within.
At the gates, a stern-looking woman stood, her sharp features illuminated by the glow of the lamps. She was waiting for him.
The young man stopped a few meters from her, his posture steady but respectful. "I hope you are well, Lady Malfoy," he said, his voice smooth with calculated politeness. "I think we have something to discuss."
Lady Malfoy gave him a curt nod and beckoned him inside. Without a word, they entered the mansion, crossing through a sumptuous corridor lined with dark wood and silver-framed portraits. The walls whispered of old bloodlines, of long-forgotten family legacies.
Once they reached a large, elegantly furnished living room, Lady Malfoy gestured for him to sit. The young man lowered himself onto the plush armchair, his gaze fixed firmly on the ornate carpet beneath him. After a long moment, he spoke.
"As you probably know, my nephew is a seer. He's been having visions… troubling ones. And I know that you are planning something—something that will disrupt Dumbledore's carefully laid plans."
Lady Malfoy's eyes sharpened, but she said nothing. Instead, she gestured for him to continue.
The young man leaned forward slightly. "I think we can cooperate. An idea recently came to me—a way to defend our noble cause, to restore the lost values of our world."
Lady Malfoy raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."
He sat back, his hands steepled before him. "The magical world is changing, and not for the better. Its history is being lost—trivialized. The Muggleborns and the half-bloods—they're erasing the very essence of our traditions. The schools no longer teach true history, only what suits the political needs of the day. But I have a solution."
Lady Malfoy regarded him with an air of quiet interest. "Go on."
"You see, Professor Binns at Hogwarts—he's a relic. A ghost, even. His teaching does more harm than good. History should be taught with respect, with context. Not as a sterile recounting of events. I suggest we replace him."
A silence fell between them, Lady Malfoy's gaze unreadable. She had clearly been considering this idea long before he had spoken it aloud.
"And how do you intend to do this?" she asked, her voice cool.
The young man's smile was thin, but it held a hint of satisfaction. "I've created an artifact—one that can rid the school of Binns without the need for complex rituals or costly spells. All it takes is a simple placement, and the ghost will be gone." He paused. "And then, I will take his position as History of Magic professor."
Lady Malfoy looked intrigued, but still cautious. "And what's in this for me?"
The young man didn't hesitate. "Your daughter is a student at Hogwarts. She could slip the artifact into the history room just before Binns' next class. No one would ever suspect a thing. It's subtle, it's discreet. And I will take up the position, giving us the opportunity to mold the minds of the next generation. It will aid you in the long term, needing little risk from your part, or more like your daughter Stella's part. Besides, we will have mutually compromising information."
Lady Malfoy studied him for a long moment before responding. "What do you hope to gain from this?"
"Power, influence, and the chance to change the course of wizarding history. You will have my support, access to the Hogwarts library, and the ability to push our agenda forward in the long term. In case your own plans fail."
There was a long pause, and then Lady Malfoy leaned forward, sliding a contract across the table. "Very well," she said. "Let's do it like this."
The deal was struck. The professor had secured his position, his path forward, and the first step in a long, dangerous game had been taken.
End of Flashback
Back in the present, Professor Fawley's gaze sharpened as he returned to the present moment. He could still feel the satisfaction of that deal, the way it had set everything in motion. The artifact had done its job. Binns was gone. And now, he stood at the threshold of his greatest opportunity yet.
McGonagall was standing, her face set in its usual neutral expression. "I'll leave you to it, Professor. I trust the first class will go well."
"Of course," Professor Fawley replied smoothly. "Thank you, Minerva."
As she exited, he turned toward the door, a faint smile playing on his lips. He would use History to change history.