It's been almost a month since I managed to recruit the twelve under me. There has been tremendous progress in all of the active projects, with the FIRM center and the paper, officially straightforwardly called the Herald, up and tuning, being distributed in the center. The farm is slowly coming together since new employees need proper training to handle the plants and every single one had to sign strict confidentiality agreements due the new methods used there. The potions shop should be up and running by the time my new school year begins, it's taking longer because Mathews semi automation of the brewing process needs to be adjusted to my potions and the everything needs to be setup in a separate building. The protection agency under Oliver now simply called Fortress Protections, has around 20 recruits so far and are now perfectly hidden from the world. Three of my safe houses have been completed, the house-elves we obtained to take care of 'Micheal Folsters' home have arrived and have been bound to me, so they know who I really am.
The only problem regarding all of this is that communication has been troublesome. I can't receive the mail at my house, Tilly would notice immediately and then aunt Amelia would know, leading to her asking about all this and figuring some stuff out. So I began to try and work around the problem. I studied two way mirrors to see if I could expand them, although theoretically I think it could be done, I had no way to connect multiple mirrors into a network that could be used reliably right now. I looked into the Floo network to understand how you can stick your head into a fireplace and just talk to someone, really weird choice, but based on how pretty much everyone needed a fireplace to live when the network was invented made it the ideal choice back then. I did get a good amount of inspiration from that.
This turned into my own summer project. I studied various means of communications from around the world. I researched methods abandoned by time. I tried to develop a new tool with multiple connectivity to others. I couldn't make it work for the life of me. Every failure gave me some insight, but couldn't think of a way to send messages from one place to another discreetly. And so, during my frustration I decided to take a break on testing theories and decided to read up on means of magical travel to see if any inspiration would strike.
While I was reading up on the subject Tilly came into the library. I sensed her but I was immersed into my reading.
"Young master Aedan, the mistress wishes to see you in her office." She said in her usual squeaky voice.
"Aunty? Do you know why?" I asked curiously as I look up from my book.
'She usually never calls me or Susan to her office. If something needs to be said it's usually at the dinner table.' I thought, getting curious at the situation.
Since I wouldn't be able to figure it out, I simply got up and headed to the office. A few seconds later I stood in front the door and knocked.
"Come in." I heard my aunts voice say.
'She sounds tired. Hope she's ok.' I thought with some worry as I entered.
"Hello Aedan. I'm sorry for calling you here, I know I don't usually do this but I've realized we've been putting off an issue for long enough." She said seriously.
"We have?" I asked with my head tilting to the side a bit, thinking about what it could be.
"Yes, it's about time you officially take your position as Heir of the family. Since I am currently the head of the house, I have been managing everything at the same time as my duties in the ministry and it is honestly catching up to me. Hence I will start slowly preparing you for your role as family head and handing more and more of the duties which come with it." Declared my aunt.
"I understand. I'll do my best to uphold the house and surpass your expectations of me Aunty. You won't have to worry about the house, I'll make it better what it once was." I answered with determination. She has had to take on the burden of me and Susan, her job and the sudden headship, it's time I help her out and reduce her burden.
"I know you will Aedan. You are fiercely intelligent, hard working and determined. I know you will make me and your parents proud in whatever you do." She said with the gentle smile which rarely appears on her face.
It always warms my heart seeing that smile. Makes me want to make sure she can do it more and more.
"And so, tomorrow we shall head to Gringott's to make everything official." She declared.
"Yes Aunt Amelia, I'll be ready." I answered with a little salute as a joke.
I get a small smile in response and head out of the room to continue my research. It's not like this is a surprise, I've been prepared to become heir since I was 7. At that age I could have already started helping aunty out, but I think she wanted me to have more time to pursue my interests and studies. The only reason this is really happening is because the minister is putting constant pressure on her and that her department is always under fire for one reason or another, coupled with her taking care of me and Susan, it's only burning her out. So the solution is allowing me to share at least some of her workload.
The next day I got up and dressed myself properly and went down to have breakfast. After our nice family meal, we dropped Susan off to the Abbott house and headed for the bank. As we walked through it's halls goblins kept giving me polite nods and greetings, which confused aunty to no end.
"Dear, why are they being so polite towards you?" She asked in a low voice.
"Tilly didn't tell you?" I answered a bit surprised. But then I thought that maybe aunty just never asked since I do spend a good amount of days outside the house and I've never caused any problems, always getting back on time, no injuries, no reports of bad behavior, so Aunty probably just trusts me when I go out and doesn't ask.
"Tell me what?" She asked curiously.
"Well, a few weeks ago I was invited to their city to spar with some of their warriors and I accepted. There was a little tournament for hand-to-hand combat, I got first place and met their royal family during the celebration. It was really fun, they gave me this ring for my victory and to signify friendship." I explained with some excitement over the memory. This new ring actually replaced my silver and ruby ring. It is still the same material, but this one has been permanently bound to me, never is it going to leave my side. It has also been personally crafted by the king and has been engraved with a phoenix, whampus cat and the symbol of the goblins royal family, showing my status as a friend of the nation.
It was really fun. There were skilled warriors, but goblins are more adept at weapons combat, the opposite of me and adding the fact that my body is way too strong for a human, I was able to win over those with more experience than me. The tournament did show me where I would need to improve and helped gain experience, so it was a great choice to join in.
"You what!?" Exclaimed aunty in shock, but soon calmed down seeing my smile and letting out a sigh while rubbing her forehead.
"Next time you have to get my permission for this Aedan. It trust you can take care of yourself better than most adults, but I am still your guardian and must know when you do things like this. Am I understood." She asked seriously.
"I'm sorry aunt Amelia, I didn't think it would be a big deal. I understand." I said lowering my head a bit.
"Alright then. As long as you understand." She said with a nod.
And so we kept walking until we reached Ragnok, in his usual spot as the head teller.
"Greetings Warrior Bones-crusher, may your ennemies know your names meaning and their wealth falls to you." He greeted using the title they came up for me. I won't say it's inaccurate because during the tournament one of the goblins noticed I was holding back my strength in order to have greater control and skill, which he then became insulted and forced me to use my all. When he took my full power punch and tried to block it head on I
broke both his arms and sent him flying from the ring. It's not my fault! He asked for it and they're a lot smaller than humans, which means lighter, so without their armor they end up not being able to take as much. If that wasn't enough, the rest suddenly decided to throw themselves at me to prove they had the strongest bodies, so I ended up breaking the bones of all of my opponents. (Kinda why I didn't mention it before, it felt bad hearing all those snaps. Reminds of of when i got hit by that truck.)
"Hello Ragnok, may your foes fear your presence and their coins join yours." I responded. Still making a bit of a game in trying to be creative with those responses.
"Bones-crusher?" Then asked Amelia from the side with a raised eyebrow. "It looks like you have some explaining to do at home young man."
I gulp at that tone. 'I am so gonna get an ear full.' I thought.
"Haha! The great Bones-crusher fears his aunt. The king will love to hear that one." He announced with a laugh.
"Oh come on Ragnok, don't do that. You'll ruin my reputation." I pleaded with the goblin.
"Oh, this will be grand." He said with his largest smile.
"Nooooo!" I wailed in despair as I crouched down and traced some circles on the floor.
"Alright, that's enough with your little skit Aedan." Ordered aunt Amelia. "We would like to formerly make him Heir of house Bones." She then informed.
I get back up with a little grumbling, Ragnok leads us to his office and calls for a goblin to bring the family ring.
He brought and opened a box with one empty spot and one ring made of silver, with the family emblem of a shield with a wand on it, and the motto of 'break, but never bow' written under it. Aunt Amelia has a similar ring but is golden.
"Wear the ring, it will test you to see if you are worthy." Informed Ragnok.
I take the ring and put it on my right ring finger. I felt a prick as it tested my blood, then a red glow came from the ring and it then resized itself to fit my finger.
"Congratulations Heir Bones. The ring will serve to warn you of Legilimency intrusion, poisons and some dangers. You will now be able to fully inherit the Bones family when the head decides it or becomes unable to fulfill the duties required by the role." Said Ragnok.
"Thank you for informing me." I then answered.
I am know officially the heir of the noble house of Bones.