I appeared in my room through Sol's now blue flash and quickly changed my clothes into something without any blood stains or burn marks. What I wasn't expecting was when I wanted to get rid of the ruined robes I had worn for the ritual, I emitted blue fire which burnt all my clothes to a crisp.
'Bloody hell! I'm going to need to learn what the hell that was or I'm going to end up strutting around naked!' I thought in my surprise.
Well, it at least saved me some time be removing the need to get undressed. So I snapped out of it and put on a new pair of underwear, plain black t-shirt and a pair of comfortable jeans, then bolted downstairs.
There was only a small problem with that, I didn't take any time to get used to my new strength, so I may have ripped the door off of its hinges.
I just looked at the door in me hand a bit lost, but deciding to gently lean it against the wall, I'd fix it later. Then learning from that little mishap, I carefully made my way down the stairs.
When I came down, an atmosphere of sadness and gloominess was evident. No one was smiling, I could see redness in my families eyes, and they were all listless.
"Why is it so gloomy in here? Shouldn't we be celebrating?"I asked awkwardly, making everyone's heads spin to look at where they heard the voice from.
"Brother!!!" Susan yelled out as she bolted into my chest, tears flowing down her face as she cried.
"Whoa. There, there Suz, it's ok. I told you that your brother is never going anywhere. And intend to keep that promise." I say as I pat the growing girl clinging to me.
"Welcome back Aedan." Said Amelia as she approached him while wiping her moist eyes.
"I'm back safe and sound like I promised mom." I said with a gentle smile on my face, as I calmed Susan with some head pats.
"It is good to see you safe and sound dear. But it looks like you've had a few changes. You'll have to explain everything properly later." The woman i consider my mother said with a calm expression.
"I will." I nod back in answer.
"It's true! Your eyes are blue now! And your hairs different!" Exclaimed Susan as she just now got a good look at me.
"Alright, I'll tell you both while we eat. It is my birthday and I've had a long night so I'm starving." I said with a happy smile on my face.
"Yes yes, can't have the birthday boy go hungry now. Tilly prepare a brunch for everyone. Aedan's back." Amelia ordered as everyone headed towards the dinning room.
"Ooooh! The young master is back! Tilly will make sure to make all his favorites for such a special day~" excitedly said the little house-elf.
So with the atmosphere in the house being relieved of its gloominess, a small celebration occurred as I explain what I did during the night.
"You're better now right bro?" Asked a hopeful Susan.
"Yes, I'm all better. Probably the best I've ever been in all honesty.
"Care to explain Aedan." Asked aunty with some curiosity.
"I've gone through my third maturation, so with a little bit of time I'll be as strong, if not stronger, than the Headmaster." I said with a proud smile on my face.
"But he's the strongest in the world!" Shouted Susan in shock.
"Yes, and your big brother is going to be better than him very soon." I reply with a cocky grin.
"Is that why you changed physically?" Asked Amelia with some suspicions.
"Yeah, it has to do with the fire I used and my bond with Sol." I nod and explain as the bird herself flames in majestically.
"Whoa, she's even prettier now. She's blue! And bigger!" Said Susan as she rushed over to her favorite cuddle buddy and starts petting her.
Something I know Sol secretly really likes. They're both such good girls.
"Blue flames?" Asked mother to herself.
"Yeah, and it looks like she isn't the only one. My damaged clothes got burnt by my own flames when I wanted to get rid of them. I think it's because of the insane amount and strength of the fire we got, letting us bond even deeper and strengthening Sol beyond her species limit. She even absorbed some abilities of the Whampus Cat, pushing her far above any other Phoenix." I explained with a smile as I looked at Susan playing with the big bird.
"Do you still have them yourself?" Amelia asked in curiosity.
"Yep. I have made it better. My eyes are a lot more subtle now, but they've also increased in power. I am without a doubt, the best Legilimens in existence. My body got stronger, faster, tougher, more flexible, and my spell resistance went up another level. I can also feel myself think quicker, my reflexes are insane now, my other senses were heightened, and my memorization speed and capacity have also gotten a boost. Add to my new core and fire, I'm pretty sure I am the most effective wizard in the last millennium." I say proudly to my mother.
"You will promise me to never tell others this Aedan. I could not stand to have others fear you for what you are. It would be even worse if others try to emulate what you've been through. There is a very good reason ritual magic was outlawed." Seriously said Amelia as she worried about me.
"I know. The only people who know about me are those I trust to keep the secret. My friends and Tory know, you two know, and Dumbledore and Moody know. That's it. And I trust everyone or know their characters enough to know they will never leak it." I reassure the woman.
I mean, even when Crouch will replace the man, I am sure he will conceal that information from the man. He knows how dangerous it is, Dumbledore probably warned him already, and if they ask for information about me he can just say what he knows from my current activities. So although it is a risk, I believe in the man's spirit and abilities.
The meal ended on a good note, even if Amelia was still feeling upset at me for hiding things from her for so long. Luckily I came back fixed and stronger than ever, because I can't imagine what would happen if I had hurt myself.
We relaxed as a family for a while before my aunt informed me that we were going to head to Gringotts after a light lunch. She had decided to hand the Lordship of the house down as planned and that I should at least look presentable for the occasion.
So before we left I decided to do just that. I tied up my hair in a tight ponytail, letting the long river of shimmering silver flow down my back, while leaving some to frame my face and compliment my eyes. I then went and got a more casual muggle business suit this time, with a black jacket and white dress shirt. But unlike the suits of the 90's I had this suit properly fitted to show my physique. It was shaped to my impressively muscled body, emphasizing my wide shoulders, strong back, developed arms and my sculpted front, whilst the pants were comfortably loose but not baggy/boxy like todays fashion. When I ordered the suits the designer looked at me weirdly because of how different from the trends it was, but once he saw in it he almost drooled. He's apparently been using the idea to help his career and has offered me a percentage of his profits. But anyway, if I didn't look presentable now, then Wizards would just have to eat their hearts out at what they would need to do to be considered as such.
As I went downstairs calmly and with confidence, Amelia gave me a quick glance to check on me but quickly did a double take in shock. Susan also got a good look and stared with an open jaw, until she ran up to me with starry eyes.
"Brother you're so good looking! You're ruining other men for me!" She jokingly complained.
"Mom did say to look presentable didn't she?" I said with a chuckle as I ruffled her hair.
"Where did you get such an outfit Aedan?" Asked the still dazed Amelia.
"I went to a muggle tailor shop going by the name of Kingsman, and told them what I wanted. Everything else was just so loose and baggy, but I thought a sleek and tailored suit would look great on me. So here's the result." I say with a light spin to show off a bit.
"I can't argue with the results now can I?" Simply said Amelia with a smile and a shake of her head.
"Be careful not to let Tory get jealous." Lightly teased Susan.
"I make sure she knows she's the only one, don't you worry about that." I say to the little teaser.
"Let us depart then. We will be back in about an hour. You know how to apparate properly yes? I saw you were properly certified." She said to the both of us.
And yup, my friends and I got our certification for that during the year. It was so easy for us due to our magic control, strength and will that we just did it. So with my birthday today, I can now legally apparate as a means of travel. And apparently, being bonded to a Phoenix really helps when it comes to things related to fire and space, boosting my affinity with both tremendously, probably even more so now.
So with two cracks, mother and I disappeared from our home and reappeared in the area designated for such a means to travel to Diagon Alley.
We walked together through the alley, catching a lot of attention. Her for being Amelia Bones, Head of the DMLE and one of the famous witches in Britain. Whilst I am the mysterious Aedan Bones. The reclusive heir to the family, business man extraordinaire, inventor, philanthropist, rights activist, record breaker, declared the most handsome wizard by a bunch of magazines and a powerful wizard in my own right.
'I feel like I'm Lockhart when I think about all my titles. Except I actually earned all of them.' I thought as I walked through the alley.
Most people were just unconsciously making a path for us, as they felt my presence and yielded instinctively. They knew the young man in front of them was a born ruler and they acknowledged it by stepping aside for him.
We reached the goblin bank without any issues and entered the familiar halls. Everything was the same as usual except for a few members of Fortress added to the security of the place and some new goblins working in the open. We stride confidently as we approached the head teller Ragnok.
"Amelia Bones here to pass the Lordship of Noble House Bones down to Aedan Micheal Bones." She declared as she stood in front of the goblin.
"Aah. Madame Bones, an honor it is for you to visit our bank. We have received your notice and the full paperwork has been filled already." Ragnok said as his eyes shifted to me.
"Greetings to you Bones-Crusher. May your fists sunder your enemies and the river of gold flow in your favor." He traditionally greeted me with respect.
"Greeting to you as well Ragnok. Let your armor defend each blow and gold protect your kin evermore." I responded calmly.
"Thank you. For your request Madam Bones, it can be easily done due to the proper handling of the succession, clear and legitimate heir, as well as your willingness to step down. But I have a few items requested by Heir Bones-Crusher which our king commanded be given this day. And so I must ask you to come to my office." He explained quickly and with some excitement in his voice.
"Aedan? What is he talking about?" Asked Amelia with narrowed eyes.
"I ordered two things to be made for me and it looks like they're done. A wonderful addition to celebrate my 17th and Lordship no?" I answered simply.
"You asked for something ridiculous again didn't you?" She asked with a sigh.
"One is unique, but both are pretty reasonable." I answered simply.
With another sigh and a shake of her head, we both follow Ragnok to his office. We simply sit on the chairs in front of the desk as he bring out two beautifully crafted wooden chests.
"I will get to these I a bit, but let us first transfer the Lordship. Do you, Amelia Bones, with sound mind, of your own will, and true desire, wish to pass the title of Lord onto Aedan Micheal Bones?" He started with as mother raises her own wand.
"I do." She declared as her wand lit up.
"And do you, Aedan Micheal Bones, with sound mind, readied heart, and true desire, wish to accept the burden and responsibilities becoming of the title of Lord?" He asked me as I raise my own wand.
"I do." I declare as my wand lights up as well.
"With both parties swearing and my witnessing of the acknowledgment, hand down the ring crowning one as Lord." Ragnok said with authority.
Amelia slides off the ring from her finger, looks at it with some sadness and nostalgia, then passes it on to me.
Ragnok takes out the same box my heir ring came from and opened.
"Place the Lord's ring above your own. If it accepts you, the heir ring shall be replaced and appear here. If not, the lord ring shall do so instead." He instructed calmly.
I place the lord ring above my own as instructed, and only a moment later a white light glows from the two rings as one disappears from my finger.
The light disappeared.
On my ring finger was now a more intricate golden ring, with the family crest and motto of 'break, but never bow'. My former ring now in the box once again.
"Congratulations Lord Bones. You are now the Head of Noble House Bones, with all the rights, duties and privileges it entails. But from what we know, nothing much will change except you officially being lord." Said Ragnok with a sharp-toothed grin.
"Thank you Ragnok. And thank you for the trust you have placed in me. I will continue to uphold it." I said to the goblin, then my mother.
"I know you'll do brilliantly Aedan." She said with a warm smile, looking like a horrible burden was finally lifted from her shoulders.
"And now, the orders." Announced the goblin as he opened the two boxes.
"On the left we have the bracers personally crafted by our king. As requested they are capable of shifting from the bracer form to a fitted bracelet around your wrists. They are capable of deflecting almost any spells and blocking many. Made of the purest goblin silver, the symbol of your house protected by a Phoenix was engraved onto both bracers. A slot your friend can fill once you have decided on your own final touches, only requiring the fitting of a prepared jewel.
On the right is the Basilisk and Dragon hide coat. Made according to your design and by our finest leather workers. The coat is made to be unassuming, but provides an impressive resistance to spells and physical attacks. Once again, the enchanting has been left to your own devices due to you prowess in the field.
Both items are self-repairable, cleaning and adjusting. The gauntlets will be bonded to you, but the coat could not support such a function so be cautious." Ragnok said as he finished his explanation of both orders.
Amelia is just stunned at what she just heard.
"Aedan, are you preparing for a battle I don't know about" she asked with narrowing eyes.
"Not at all. I just believe that I am a very appealing target and want to be prepared in any way I can be." I hurriedly answered.
"Haha! Bones-Crusher is still scared of his aunt. The king always gets a laugh at that one." Said Ragnok as he burst out laughing.
"Yes I know. I've resigned to my fate at that one. But thank you for all these. I'll send a proper token in response and I'm sure he will be incredibly pleased with it." I answered with a wry smile.
I then approach and pick up the gauntlets, putting them on one at a time. They then activated, perfectly fitting to my hand and forearm, letting my knife and wand sheaths meld with them perfectly. The design was beautiful, the bracers comfortable and I had no doubts about their strength. It would probably be heavy for a normal person, but to me it was barely noticeable. With but a thought the bracers quickly collapsed and transformed into two matching skin tights, but still flexible and comfortable, metal bands around my wrists. Both still weighted the same, but they were easy to conceal in this form.
I then picked up the sleek black leather car coat as they would be known. The black leather adjusted to my body, fitting itself properly. The coat itself ended halfway to my knee, was nicely made and felt like it was almost a part of me. Combined with my complimenting suit, contrasting hair and new accessories, I looked like a boss.
Thanking Ragnok for everything, Mother and I took our leave, but I stopped at the exit.
"I can sense a lot of people outside." I say to Amelia calmly.
"They wish to see the my grown boy, not surprising considering your current achievements. I am sure they'll learn about me passing down the ring within the week." Mom replied with a little bit of pride in her voice.
"Was just warning you. Shall we?" I ask as I offer an arm to act like a proper escort.
"We shall... Lord Bones." Teased mother a bit, with some playfulness in her eyes.