Aiden looked at the parchment with some small amount of awe and delight. For the first time in their memory, they finally had a name to go with the other side of their parentage.
Merlin was a good mother, one who knew and acknowledged her own faults. A few scant hours in her presence had given them a fairly good idea of her parenting skills, and while she would have tried her best, she wouldn't have been able to give an impressionable young child the affection they needed. Scáthach was strict, but she had given them affection and permitted them to call her 'Auntie', despite the fact they had no relation.
She had warmed up rather well to the idea of being a 'favored aunt' on top of being a beloved Master.
The fact Aiden could change their form on a whim to match her own had nothing to do with it, though everyone knew otherwise.
There, in blood-based ink, was the name "Romani Archaman". Merlin was rather vague on the details of their father, but she did remember they had been attempting to stop something that would greatly damage Humanity's chances at survival, but had failed in the end. His father was the one to suggest 'hedging their bets' in a way that might allow them greater ability to act.
Merlin only recalled waking up with a newly born babe in her arms, the knowledge they had failed to nip a potential disaster in the bud, and that history was slowly being rewritten as whatever started the disaster created a cascade of anomalies.
After they left the bank, they headed straight to the wand shop. Aiden left that place with distaste, not because their new focus had been the 'brother' of the wand that had killed their adopted parents, but because it felt too restricted.
They could sense subtle spells hidden in the wand the moment he left the shop, and a quiet test revealed the wand could only focus so much before it would break. There was a minor bond between them and the focus, but they much preferred the practice staff Master Scáthach had given them once they were old enough to begin magical training over this...stick.
Aiden knew that once they were ready to complete their official training, that their mother would present them with a proper staff that was bonded to them and them alone. Their magical potential was too strong to rely on a purely modern focus, as they had to compensate for stagnating cores.
They were almost of age to receive the magical crest Merlin had spent the past ten years creating. While she had no need to pass on her own crest to them just yet, she had used the time her child spent training to good use.
Their final stop was to the shop containing owls. Aiden felt a slight pull, one that they normally associated with Fou. Said Beast was currently resting on their shoulder, and mostly ignoring the attention of the wizards.
As for the mundanes, they likely assumed the creature was some specialized breed of dog. The way Fou acted helped in this matter, though some gave Aiden looks of consternation for not having the creature on a leash.
They walked into the shop, and almost immediately a rather stunning bird flew towards them.
Aiden felt the familiar bond snap into place the second it landed primly on their wrist. They didn't hesitate and paid for the beautiful avian immediately.
"What do you have there, apprentice?"
"I believe this one might be my familiar."
Familiars might be longer lived than most, but considering most Magus wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice such creatures in their rituals, such bonds were considered fleeting. Wizards had familiars as well, but most were too weak to sustain more than one in their lifetime.
Aiden was bonded to Fou with the Beast's permission, but they had not expected to find another in the wizard's shop.
Aiden regarded the creature with interest. She held an uncommon amount of intelligence for one wizard bred, and the way she held herself reminded them strongly of their master. Add in the fact this was a snow owl, and they knew immediately what to Name the avian.
"Anastasia. Your name is Anastasia."
Aiden knew of the Throne of Heroes, and Scáthach had made very sure they knew their legends completely. As such it was easy for them to chose a perfect name for such a regal creature.
"Fou!"
Fou inspected the newly named Anastasia, who hooted primly from Aiden's other shoulder. The Beast seemed to accept her presence after a few moments. Anastasia began to preen Aiden's unruly hair with almost motherly affection.
At least the two got along.
Aiden looked at the sloppy enchantments on the train with some distaste. They had arrived early so that Sirius could properly wish him off, since he still couldn't be seen. Scáthach had been rather dismissive of the entire thing, but acknowledged that it was better to get this over with and have a valid excuse for withdrawing her apprentice rather than deal with the headache of the wizards trying to mob them every time they went to retrieve Aiden's money later.
They would not taint their opinion of wizards just yet. While they were set in their 'modern' ways, that was no excuse to look down upon them. Scáthach had been rather proud of their reasoning and agreed it was better to form a solid opinion based on actual experiences rather than hearsay.
Case in point, how naturally 'dark' magic was 'evil' and 'light' magic was somehow 'good'. Or how Slytherins were naturally 'dark wizards' and Gryffindors were 'good wizards'.
It was ridiculous to set a precedent based on where one was placed at eleven.
Sirius was absolutely certain that Aiden would be placed in Ravenclaw, as they were too studious to be anywhere else. It was another ridiculous assumption.
Aiden sat down in an empty compartment and began to read. Fou decided to take a nap on their lap while Anastasia rested on her temporary perch. Aiden considered it the height of rudeness to keep a 'queen' caged like a common animal.
Several children came and went, until finally two settled into the compartment.
It wasn't until the train began to move that Aiden looked up from their book.
One was a bushy haired young woman, already wearing her Hogwarts robes. A 'muggleborn' as Sirius would put it. The other was a nervous young boy who smelled faintly of dirt and growing things. A natural Green wizard, the kind Druids would have fought over as the leader of their coven in the old days.
His mother had installed a two-way mirror in her home, and while she could not interact with the 'real' world for very long she could at least enthrall him with stories of the days when magic was practiced freely instead of in secret.
Even Sirius listened in on those stories, fascinated.
"What sort of book is that?" asked the girl.
"It's something my Master recommended. She said if I was to be stuck in an over-extended classroom setting, that I should at least have some tomes that are of actual use rather than be forced to learn at a snail's pace."
"That sounds rather rude," noted the girl.
"To an outsider observer, it might be," conceded Aiden. "But remember the pace at which we learn will be reliant on how quickly the class itself learns the subject matter. The problem is that most 'pure bloods' as they call themselves have a rather silly habit of only marrying local stock and in the past few generations the selection available has dropped to dangerous standards. And inbreeding has a rather notorious reputation for lowering intelligence."
"What do you mean?" asked the boy timidly. He was likely a pure blood.
"While marrying cousins is an accepted practice for aristocracy, of which the majority of the pure bloods belong to, the fact remains that most pure bloods of recent generations have been marrying locally rather than search abroad for acceptable bloodlines to add to their own. Most of the local families in the UK are already related to one another," said Aiden.
"So you're saying that the available selection of 'acceptable' matches has a higher risk of already being related to them, thus increasing the chances of mixing the lines too closely," noted the girl.
Aiden nodded.
The girl seemed to remember something.
"Where are my manners. My name is Hermione Granger."
"N-Neville Longbottom," said the boy. "And this is Trevor."
Aiden looked at the toad. It didn't seem happy in the least.
"Oh dear...your familiar doesn't seem pleased to be held in the least," commented Aiden. "Did you consider visiting that little menagerie for a proper container? Reptiles in general do not particularly care for colder climates such as the Scottish Highlands."
"He was a gift," said Neville. Aiden could sense a story there, likely one that would make them very displeased indeed.
"If she is willing, I'm sure Anastasia would permit you to send a letter to the shop and ask for appropriate containers."
The owl hooted imperially, as if amused they needed to speculate such things.
"Anastasia, as in the Russian Princess?" asked Hermione.
"I thought it fitting to give such a regal owl a properly royal name," said Aiden. "Speaking of names, I never gave my own yet have I? You may call me Aiden Potter."
Seeing the look on Hermione's face, Aiden was swift to cut her off.
"I was apprenticed shortly after the death of my parents, and I have limited recollection of that night. As it stands I sincerely doubt that it was anything I did that took out that fool of a wizard. Odds are Lily Potter found something in the Potter family library as is her right as Lady Potter that allowed her to create a ritual or ward that caused the spell to reflect back upon him once given suitable energy to do so...such as her willing sacrifice."
"Apprentice?" said Hermione.
"My Master was rather displeased that I had to attend Hogwarts. She does not consider it a proper education, and considering the test scores I've seen from some of their 'best' graduates, I'm inclined to agree. However seeing as how it was the wish of my parents, I accepted the invitation."
Hermione did her best to change the subject.
"What sort of animal is that on your lap? I thought only owls, cats or toads were allowed."
"Fou is Fou," said Aiden, stroking the Beast's fur with their hand. "As for the animals on the list, there are certain exceptions provided that a familiar bond is properly registered. Besides, most mundanes mistake Fou for some specialized breed of dog with an unusual bark."
"Fou!"
"I thought familiar bonds were a myth?" said Hermione, fascinated.
"Not so much myth as exceedingly rare these days," corrected Aiden patiently. "Fou belonged to my mother originally, but was kind enough to deign me worthy to act as his partner. Anastasia was rather clear that she would accept no other master."
Neville looked at Trevor thoughtfully. Aiden could practically read his thoughts.
"I'm afraid Trevor is unlikely to develop a bond with you. It's nothing personal, but he is a creature of the wetlands and swamps, whereas you seem to favor forests and growing things. There's no shame in being a natural Green Mage," said Aiden.
"Green mage?" repeated Hermione.
"Green mages are stalwart, steadfast. They do best around growing things and the Green Lady herself favors them. A properly trained one can even invoke the Lady in the defense of others, particularly children," said Aiden.
"...Do you know of any books that would go into greater detail?" asked Neville quietly.
Aiden suspected it had something to do with why Neville spoke of his 'gift' with slight distaste.
"Personally? No. However Master would likely know of a few spells or cantrips. Most of them will not require a wand so they may prove difficult."
"What sort of person is your Master?"
"Master is rather strict during training, however she does permit me to act as a child. She understood why mother asked her to train me should anything happen. She is considered royalty to many, but doesn't particularly like the magical enclaves because she finds them rather lazy and self-serving. My uncle had to word his case rather carefully before she even deigned to allow me anywhere near Hogwarts, and that was only because of my inheritance," admitted Aiden. They looked at Neville. "I am aware that my parents named your mother as my godmother. I must express my condolences as to their condition."
Neville flinched slightly, but was exceedingly polite in his reply.
"Thank you, heir Potter."
"If you want, I can help you with your attempts to learn the proper ways of a Green Mage in between classes. If things had been different we would have been raised together as siblings and I must confess I have always wanted a sibling to dote upon."
Neville perked up at that.
"I would like that."
Just then the door opened.
Aiden took one look at the boy and sighed.
"Really cousin, must you act so uncouth? You should have at least knocked," said Aiden. "As heir to the Malfoy family your mother should have at least brought you up on proper etiquette in regards to your first proper meeting with the heir of her former house."
The boy looked rather startled.
"Apologies cousin, I was unaware it was you. Your last proper appearance in the magical world had you with black hair, not pale white and your attire is decidedly muggle."
Aiden smiled at him.
"Your faux pas is forgiven then. It's hardly your fault that cousin Narcissa was unaware I had the great shapeshifting gift of our shared bloodline. Besides, I find this attire far more comfortable than those boring robes."
The blond seemed to look at Aiden speculatively, before settling on a neutral expression.
"Heir Potter, allow me to formally introduce myself. I am heir Draco Abraxus Malfoy, and these are my companions, Heirs Crabbe and Goyle."
Aiden stood up to give a proper bow.
"Heir Malfoy, I am Heir Aiden Florian Potter-Black, and these are my companions, new-blood Hermione Granger and Heir Longbottom, my godbrother."
Old customs appeased, Draco and Aiden made polite small talk for a brief moment before the blond left.
"That was...different," said Hermione.
"You'll find most pure bloods highly respect the older Victorian values in regards to propriety. Considering most of the pure bloods and a good portion of the half bloods attending are heirs to their house, it's generally polite to assume they have been brought up learning proper etiquette. I'm sure I can obtain a book on the subject if you wish to read up upon it, but please do remember that this particular society has been cut off since before the Industrial Revolution. Most of those raised here will be quite offended if you act as those this is still mundane London," advised Aiden. "I know for a fact there are no cell towers, light bulbs or most modern conveniences that rely on electricity in the school itself. It's fortunate they had modern plumbing after all."
Hermione frowned upon that, but Aiden was at least offering her new knowledge she wouldn't have thought to ask for.
Before she could ask what Aiden meant by a shapeshifting gift, Neville realized a certain toad was missing.