Hogwarts: The Blood Mage

"*sigh*... that's another year at Hogwarts done." Aidan Thorne said as he got off the Hogwarts Express on Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross Station. "Hello again, regular life." 

Aidan took out his phone —yes, a working smartphone— while waiting for his parents to arrive. It was the year 2020 and many things had changed since the Second Wizarding War. The Ministry of Magic, desperate to recover even a pinch of support, began to haphazardly catch up in laws with the Muggle world.

The sudden change in policies led to an influx of innovation and creativity from muggle-born and half-blood witches and wizard, which were quick to introduce the English Wizarding World to modern technology. All they required was permission, a couple charms, some runes, and every piece of technology that Muggles created was functional and untraceable. 

"Aidan, sweety, over here!" A woman in her late thirties called Aidan while waving at him. Beside her stood a man who seemed a bit older, with a rugged appearance and tired eyes, smiling at Aidan. They were Jack and Ivy Thorne, Aidan's adoptive parents. 

"Going, mum!" Aidan said while slipping his phone back in his pocket. He had been adopted by the couple when he was four, so Aidan knew of the fact and saw no issues in it. Being adopted did not diminish at all the love he felt for his parents —blood-related or not, they had provided him with everything he would ever need and much more. 

As soon as he reached his parents, he was crushed into a hug by his mother. Smiling wryly at his dad, Aidan patted her back. His father was a wizard who worked as an Unspeakable in the Department of Mysteries of the Ministry, which implied that Aidan knew nothing about his job. Ivy on the other hand was a Muggle, and she worked as an elementary teacher —something about nurturing young minds was extremely rewarding, she always said.

As for the touching reunion, Aidan had just finished his sixth year at Hogwarts, which meant he was now going back home with his parents. At Hogwarts, Aidan was called the 'Low-key Prince of the Crows', a title he earned due to a combination of his calm nature, being the top student of his year six years in a row, and dashing handsomeness. At least that was how his friends at school had explained it to him when he had asked them where the nickname came from. 

"How was Hogwarts this year, son?" His father Jack asked him while his mother tried to crush his ribcage. The woman, as small as she was, had a surprising strength when it came to hugging her son. 

"Same old, dad." Aidan began talking, his mother finally letting him go so she could look at him while he retold his year. "Professor Hagrid tried to kill us a couple times with his magical creatures, Professor Longbottom wouldn't stop talking about his fascination for exotic plants..." 

While Aidan continued telling them of his year at Hogwarts, the Thorne family walked out towards the street and got in on Jack's car, a 2017 Ford Fiesta which had been with his family for three years now and, Aidan had to admit, he quite loved the car. In just a few days, when he turned seventeen, he would be allowed to drive the car legally. 

"... and then Jacob threw the piece of chalk to Gordon, but he missed and hit the blackboard, going through Professor Binns in the process..." 

*

After what felt like the longest half-hour ever travelling to their house, Aidan could finally say he was home. He loved Hogwarts, do not get him wrong, but there was something about being in his own room that he simply could not explain. There was a sense of familiarity and... privacy, the latter being something Hogwarts clearly lacked, with its shared living spaces and all.

"Aidan, food will be ready in a bit, make sure to get your things sorted and take a shower before coming down!" His mother shouted from downstairs. 

"Welp, can't have mum angry on my first day back." Aidan mused while grabbing his wand, which he had left at his desk. With a flick of his wand, his clothes started sorting themselves out, his books got arranged in his ever-growing personal library, and his suitcase —which was enchanted to be bigger on the inside by Aidan himself— flew to the top shelf of his wardrobe. Once he double-checked everything was ready, Aidan grabbed a towel, a set of sporty clothes, and headed to the bathroom. 

Looking at himself in the mirror, Aidan thought about his nickname. He knew he was good-looking, with a sharp jawline, high cheekbones and a Greek nose. He took care of himself, making sure his black, straight hair remained schooled, while also exercising regularly so he would keep a good level of athleticism.

Realising what he was saying, Aidan chuckled lowly and spoke in a self-deprecating tone. "I'm getting too egotistical if I'm admiring myself in the mirror." 

After taking his shower and getting dressed, Aidan left his towel to dry on the clothesline in the backyard and headed straight to the kitchen, where his mother had already set the table and was serving food on a plate. 

"We're having cottage pie, your favourite Aidan." His mother said lovingly, showing just how much she loved and pampered Aidan in the months she saw him after his vacation started. 

"You pamper him too much Ivy." Jack said while entering the house and washing his hands thoroughly. "Between you and all that 'Low-key Prince' stuff, he's going to get a big head." 

"Oh cut it you..." She started talking in mock-reproach. "My boy is too smart to get a big-head, unlike a certain Unspeakable I know of." 

"Sure, sure..." Jack said dismissively. "Say that again when you can't stand him." 

Everyone laughed while telling jokes and recounting stories over dinner.

*

The following week arrived quite quickly. Aidan had spent some time starting his assignments, talking to his parents, and catching up on the games he couldn't play while at Hogwarts. While the English Wizarding World had taken many big steps forwards in the past two decades, Hogwarts only allowed phones in its grounds. Quoting Headmistress McGonagall, "allow them too much technology and hormonal teenagers would never focus on their studies". 

With the week came something Aidan had been expecting for many reasons: his birthday. As he would turn seventeen, he would be considered an adult in the Wizarding World and, by consequence, no longer have a trace. That meant he would finally be able to properly practice magic outside of Hogwarts. And, as a bonus, he would be able to legally drive a car. His excitement was almost impossible to hide. 

Just like that, it was already July 28th. Aidan woke up feeling weightless, going through his morning routine in record time before getting dressed in his favourite cargo joggers, black boots, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket. Then he headed downstairs, where he was greeted by a huge cake.

"Happy Birthday, Aidan!!" Ivy and Jack both exclaimed with love. "I hope you like it, I made sure to not make it too sweet."

"I'm sure I'll love it mum." Aidan answered her before addressing both his parents. "Thank you."

"We know you've got plans to meet some of your friends today, and we don't want to take too much time from you..." Ivy said, her voice carrying some untold worry that had not been there just a moment before. "Well, we..." 

"We've got something to give you before your presents." Jack continued, much more certain than Ivy but also worried. "When we adopted you, the orphanage gave us a letter they found with you." 

"The outside read that it should be given to you when you turned seventeen..." Ivy continued talking, some semblance of confidence returning to her. "We didn't open it, since you may have wanted to read it on your own..." 

Aidan smiled before pulling his adoptive parents into a tight hug. He was curious about the letter, certainly. But reassuring his parents came first. 

"I've got no reason to not want you guys to know what the letter says. How about I open it after you show me your gifts and then I'll read it with you guys?" Aidan offered.

"That sounds lovely, sweety." Ivy answered, much more calm after realising there really was nothing to worry about. 

*

In the end, Aidan got so engrossed on the gifts his parents had gotten him that he couldn't read the letter before heading out with his friends. They had decided to go watch a movie and eat something before heading back to Aidan's house to finish the celebration with a big party. 

Only after everyone had left, around midnight, was Aidan able to focus on the letter. With Ivy and Jack sitting by him in the table, Aidan opened the envelope.

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What do you guys think? This is the start of Volume 1 - Magical Reawakening.

I hope you really enjoy reading this story that I've been crafting for the past two months and I can't wait to receive your comments with theories, criticism, even a tftc! Every little form of interaction is deeply appreciated —yes, even Power Stones! 

I will apologise for any grammar or spelling mistakes you find. I try to proofread the chapters at least once each, but I am human and still miss some things. There shouldn't be many anyway.