ARES' AMBITION
CHAPTER 15: ARES' AMBITION
Today was one of those rare moments when I needed to speak with Aunt Amelia privately. I stood in front of her home office door, my knuckles brushing against the polished wood as I gathered my thoughts. This was a place Susan and I weren’t usually allowed to enter when she wasn’t there—her sanctuary, filled with memories and the weight of her responsibilities.
Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door and waited patiently for a response.
“Come in,” came Aunt Amelia’s voice from the other side, steady and composed as always.
I opened the door and stepped into the room. The office was as I remembered—immaculate and organized, with a large, sturdy desk dominating the center. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with volumes on law, magical theory, and cases she had worked on over the years. Behind her chair, the wall was adorned with moving photographs, each one a snapshot of a moment she was proud of: her graduation from Hogwarts, her first position in the Ministry, notable captures and successfully sentenced criminals, and the day she became the head of her department. Each photo moved with life, capturing the determination and resolve that had driven her career.
Aunt Amelia looked up from the parchment she was reading, her gaze softening when she saw me. “What is it, Ares?” she asked, setting aside her work to give me her full attention.
I stepped forward, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination. This office, with its reminders of her achievements and the life she had built, always made me feel small, but today I had something important to discuss.
“I wanted to talk to you about something,” I began, my voice steady despite the slight flutter in my chest. “It’s about the glasses… and about the future.”
Aunt Amelia, who had been deeply engrossed in her work, looked up, her expression softening when she saw me standing there. She removed her reading glasses and gave me her full attention, her tired eyes filled with concern.
“Ares? What’s wrong? How come you’re here? Isn’t this the time you usually read stories to help Susan sleep?” she asked, her voice carrying the weight of a long day.
“There’s nothing wrong, Aunty,” I reassured her, stepping closer. “I just wanted to ask if it was possible to have some tutors come in and teach me subjects that don’t require a wand.”
“What?” she said, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“I want to study things like Potions, Herbology, History, Astronomy, Arithmancy, and Ancient Runes!” I explained, my excitement bubbling over. “And I also want to read about the charms, jinxes, and curses I’m going to learn at Hogwarts, so I can at least know the words and motions. I also want to understand how Transfiguration works!”
Aunt Amelia blinked, processing my request. “Wait a second, Ares. You want to learn all those subjects now?” she asked, seeking confirmation.
I nodded eagerly. “Yes, but if I can’t get tutors, can I at least have the books? I’ve finished all the ones downstairs,” I added, offering an alternative in case my original request was too much.
“You finished all the books downstairs?!” she exclaimed, her voice rising in disbelief as she abruptly stood up from her chair.
“I’ve been reading them for a while,” I replied, feeling a sense of pride. “I even made some corrections in a few of them based on the collective opinions of other authors and my own research.”
“You did what?!” Aunt Amelia almost screamed, her eyes wide with shock. Without another word, she grabbed my hand and led me downstairs, moving quickly as if she needed to see the evidence for herself.
“Which books did you make your corrections in?” she asked, her voice sharp and her eyes narrowed as she stared at the bookshelves.
I pointed to several volumes stacked neatly on the shelves. “Well, I started with the Seven-volume work on Harry Potter’s life and the Second Wizarding War, but most of it was completely ludicrous. Do people actually believe this nonsense?” I questioned, incredulous at some of the claims made in the books.
Aunt Amelia’s expression tightened, but she didn’t interrupt.
“Then there was A Study of Recent Developments in Wizardry,” I continued, “which didn’t properly reference similar spells and developments from earlier wizards or modern Muggle breakthroughs. Most of the Muggle Studies books are out of date by almost a century. The Dark Arts: A Legal Companion had many loopholes, so I listed a few possible solutions. Laws of Conduct When Dealing With Muggles was similarly ridiculous. And I found that both Legislative Guide to the Proper Use of Magic and Magical Misdemeanors in Modern Law show a high level of discriminatory restriction on Muggle-borns or wizards with beast blood, which could lead to violent reactions if this trend in laws continues.”
I finished my explanation, watching Aunt Amelia’s reaction closely. Her face was a mixture of shock, concern, and something else I couldn’t quite place.
After a moment of silence, she let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples as if trying to ward off an impending headache. “Ares, do you realize what you’ve done? You’ve not only critiqued but corrected some of the most established works in the wizarding world… and you’re seven.”
“I just wanted to make sure they were accurate,” I said quietly, my earlier excitement dimming a bit under her scrutiny.
Aunt Amelia looked at me, her expression softening as she placed a hand on my shoulder. “I’m not angry, Ares. Just… surprised. You’re incredibly gifted, but you need to understand that the wizarding world doesn’t always take kindly to being challenged, especially by someone so young.”
“I understand, Aunty,” I replied, meeting her gaze. “But I want to learn as much as I can. I don’t want to wait until I’m older if I can start now.”
She studied me for a moment, her eyes searching mine. Finally, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll see about getting you those tutors—and the books you asked for. But you need to promise me that you’ll take it slow and not overwhelm yourself. You’re still a child, Ares, and I don’t want you to lose that.”
A smile spread across my face as I nodded eagerly. “I promise, Aunty. Thank you!”
She returned my smile, though there was a hint of concern still lingering in her eyes. “You’re welcome. But remember, knowledge is power, and with that power comes responsibility. Be careful with what you learn, Ares.”
“I will,” I assured her, feeling a renewed sense of determination. I knew the path I was choosing wasn’t an easy one, but with Aunt Amelia’s support, I felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Aunt Amelia quickly skimmed through the books, her eyes narrowing at first, but as she read my notes, her expression shifted from irritation to understanding.
“Ares, this is what you’ve been doing with these books all this time?” she asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
“Yeah,” I replied, a little unsure of her reaction. “I would’ve tried forming opinions and new ideas on other things, but your books are centered more on laws and history.”
She remained silent for a while, her gaze fixed on me as if she was weighing her options.
“Alright. I’ll get you some tutors,” she finally declared.
“Yes!” I exclaimed, punching the air in triumph.
“But,” she added, her tone immediately halting my celebration, “we will start with the basic subjects of Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, and History. You will also be getting proper etiquette lessons and penmanship classes to deal with the horrendous scribbling you call writing. And you must continue spending time with Susan, as you have been, without neglecting her. If you can’t handle this, your lessons will stop until you get to Hogwarts. If you succeed, we’ll see about adding the other subjects you requested.”
I nodded, my determination unwavering. “Alright, Aunt Amelia, I agree to your conditions.”
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And just like that, my journey into the deeper realms of magical knowledge began, marking the start of what would be some very fruitful pre-Hogwarts years.
With Aunt Amelia’s conditions set, I eagerly began my new routine. My days were now a blend of intense study sessions, hands-on practice, and moments of relaxation with Susan.
The tutors Aunt Amelia arranged were some of the best in their fields. My Potions tutor, a stern but fair woman named Madam Larkspur, was the first to arrive. She wasted no time in setting up a makeshift potions lab in one of the unused rooms in the house. The first lesson was an introduction to the basics—understanding ingredients, their properties, and the importance of precision in brewing.
“Potions is an exact science,” Madam Larkspur explained, her voice as sharp as the knife she used to chop up a bezoar. “One mistake, one drop too many or too few, can mean the difference between a healing draught and a deadly poison.”
I listened intently, my quill moving swiftly across the parchment as I took notes. The smell of herbs, bubbling liquids, and freshly chopped ingredients filled the room, creating an atmosphere of focused learning. Each session was a challenge, but I found myself enthralled by the intricacies of potion-making.
Next came Professor Thorncroft, a rather eccentric wizard who taught Herbology. He had a habit of talking to the plants as if they were old friends, and he insisted that I do the same.
“Plants respond to kindness, Ares,” he said with a twinkle in his eye as he handed me a pair of dragon-hide gloves. “If you treat them well, they’ll yield better results. Now, let’s start with the basics—Mandrakes, and how to safely repot them.”
We spent hours in the garden, tending to magical plants, learning about their uses, and the dangers they posed. Professor Thorncroft’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I quickly developed a deep appreciation for the flora of the wizarding world.
Astronomy lessons with Professor Starling were a stark contrast to the earthy tones of Herbology. Held at night, these sessions involved stargazing from the rooftop of the Bones’ mansion. Professor Starling, a tall, elegant witch with a soft voice, taught me how to map the constellations, track planetary movements, and understand their influence on magic.
“The stars have guided wizards for centuries,” she would say as we peered through the telescope. “Understanding the cosmos is key to understanding the magic that flows through us.”
History lessons were more grounded. Professor Binns, a ghost who had once taught at Hogwarts, would drift into the room, his spectral form barely making a sound. He had a habit of droning on in a monotonous voice, but the knowledge he imparted was invaluable. I learned about the wars, the treaties, the rise and fall of magical governments, and the impact of Muggle history on the wizarding world.
In between these lessons, I attended etiquette classes. These were probably the most challenging for me, as they required a level of patience and precision that was entirely different from brewing potions or repotting plants. Madam Wimple, my etiquette tutor, was a strict woman who believed that manners were the foundation of wizarding society.
“You are a Bones, Ares,” she would say, tapping her wand on the table for emphasis. “You must represent your family with dignity and grace, especially in public. Now, let’s go over how to properly address a letter to the Minister of Magic…”
The penmanship lessons, though tedious, were equally important. Madam Wimple was relentless in her pursuit of perfection, and by the end of each session, my hands were sore from writing and rewriting the same lines until they were flawless.
But the most important part of my day was the time I spent with Susan. We would often read together, play games, or simply talk about anything and everything. Our bond grew stronger with each passing day, and I could see the pride in Aunt Amelia’s eyes whenever she saw us together.
As the weeks turned into months, I found myself settling into this new routine. My knowledge grew, my skills sharpened, and my confidence blossomed. There were times when it was overwhelming, when the weight of my studies and responsibilities felt like too much. But I knew I had to keep pushing forward. I wasn’t just learning for the sake of knowledge—I was preparing for the future, for whatever challenges awaited me.
And so, with each lesson, each new piece of information, I felt myself getting closer to my goal. I was no longer the scared, helpless boy who had been rescued from darkness. I was Ares Bones, a wizard-in-training with a purpose, and I would be ready for whatever the world had in store for me.