Chapter 3: Fire and Thunder
It had been a year since Sirius Black arrived at Devil May Cry, and life had settled into an unusual but comfortable rhythm. Hadrian, now seven years old, was no longer the small, quiet boy he had been when Sirius first showed up. His training with Dante had already begun in earnest, and the boy had taken to it like a natural. His mornings were filled with combat practice, learning how to wield blades and guns, and afternoons were spent honing his magical skills with Sirius. Trish and Lady kept him sharp with strategy and precision, while Morrison filled the gaps with knowledge of the world beyond demons.
Hadrian's role in the crew was growing. He wasn't just the kid they were protecting anymore—he was becoming a vital part of their world, even if Dante sometimes liked to act as though they were still babysitting.
On this particular morning, Hadrian was having one of the best dreams he'd had in weeks. He was riding a massive dragon through the skies, the wind whipping through his hair, the world far below him. The dragon roared, and he laughed, gripping the reins tighter as they soared higher and higher. It was freedom, pure and simple.
But then, something changed. He suddenly felt like something—or someone—was watching him. The pleasant dream started to feel… odd. Hadrian's brow furrowed, even as he tried to hold onto the dream.
He stirred, his eyes fluttering open as the sensation of being watched grew stronger. And there, perched on the edge of his bed, was what looked like an oversized chicken on fire.
Hadrian blinked slowly, still groggy with sleep, and stared at the flaming bird. It didn't move, didn't squawk—just stared right back at him.
"Hey, you," the bird said in a gravelly voice, breaking the silence. "You're finally awake."
Hadrian blinked again, completely dumbfounded. His brain, still addled from sleep, couldn't quite register if what he was seeing was real or not. He yawned, rubbed his eyes, and shrugged.
"Sure… that's not real," Hadrian muttered to himself, deciding it must be a dream. "Just a dream. Go back to sleep."
He turned over in bed and pulled the blanket up to his chin, closing his eyes and willing himself to fall back asleep.
A few seconds passed, and then—whoosh!
The familiar warmth of his blanket turned into blistering heat. Hadrian shot up in bed, wide-eyed, as his blanket burst into flames. He let out a loud yell and jumped out of bed, staring in horror at the flaming mass of fabric.
"What the—?! That chicken set my blanket on fire!" Hadrian screamed, bolting for the door.
Hadrian's frantic footsteps echoed down the stairs as he raced into the Devil May Cry lobby, yelling at the top of his lungs.
"There's a chicken upstairs trying to kill me!" he shouted, breathless as he skidded to a stop in front of the others.
Dante, sitting lazily on the couch with his feet propped up on the table, raised an eyebrow. "A chicken? Really, kid?"
Lady and Trish exchanged amused glances, while Sirius leaned against the wall with a knowing smile. "Maybe you just had a bad dream, Hadrian."
But before anyone could make another comment, a bright flame flash erupted in the center of the room, startling everyone into action. Dante was on his feet in an instant, his Rebellion sword already drawn, while Lady and Trish had their guns aimed at the spot where the fireball appeared.
And there, standing proudly in the middle of the lobby, was the firebird from Hadrian's room—its flames crackling lightly, its feathers shimmering with an otherworldly glow.
"That's no chicken," Sirius said slowly, lowering his wand. His eyes widened in recognition. "That's a phoenix!"
The bird, however, didn't seem too pleased with the comparison.
"Correction," the bird said in a deep, slightly annoyed voice, "I'm not just a phoenix. I'm a hybrid between a phoenix and a thunderbird, thank you very much. Get it right, wizard."
The room fell silent for a moment as everyone stared at the bird. Dante let out a low whistle, his usual smirk returning.
"A talking bird, huh?" Dante said, sheathing Rebellion casually. "Didn't know we were in for a new houseguest today."
Hadrian, still recovering from the shock of the flaming blanket, pointed a finger at the bird. "You! You set my bed on fire!"
The bird gave what could only be described as a shrug, its wings fluffing slightly. "You were ignoring me. Had to get your attention somehow, didn't I?"
"By trying to roast me alive?!" Hadrian shot back.
The bird cawed, which sounded suspiciously like a chuckle. "Could've been worse, kid. At least you didn't end up crispy."
As the tension in the room settled, the bird flapped its wings once and turned its attention fully to Hadrian.
"Listen, kid," the bird said, "I didn't show up here just to burn your sheets. I'm here to offer you something."
Hadrian blinked. "Offer me what?"
"A contract," the bird replied, cocking its head. "You've got power, kid—more than most. And I'm looking for someone strong enough to handle me. So how about it? You want me to be your familiar?"
Hadrian stared at the bird, still trying to wrap his head around the entire situation. "Wait, you want to… team up? Like, you'd stick around?"
The bird nodded. "Yep. You'll get to call me whenever you need me, and I'll get to roast some demons. It's a win-win."
Dante, leaning casually against the wall now, grinned. "Sounds like a hell of a deal, kid. What do you think?"
Hadrian scratched his head, glancing between the bird and his uncle. "I mean… sure. I guess. But what should I call you?"
The bird ruffled its feathers, clearly pleased with itself. "That's up to you, kid. I've gone by a lot of names, but nothing beats a good, strong one."
Hadrian thought for a moment, then a small smile tugged at his lips. "How about… Hedwig?"
The bird blinked, considering the name. "Hedwig, huh? Kinda old-fashioned, but I like it. Sure, I'll take it."
Sirius, who had been quietly watching the entire exchange, stepped forward with a curious look. "A phoenix-thunderbird hybrid… that's a rare creature. I mean both creatures are really rare, but a combination of both? Wow... How did you even come to find Hadrian?"
Hedwig cawed, her voice brimming with amusement. "Let's just say I go where I'm needed. And this kid? He's gonna need me."
With the contract agreed upon, Hedwig gave a playful wink and flared her wings. "Now, let me show you something cool."
Before Hadrian could ask what she meant, Hedwig burst into a swirl of flames and disappeared—only to reappear seconds later in the form of a tattoo on his right arm. Hadrian gasped, staring at the intricate design now etched into his skin—a series of flames and lightning that stretched from his wrist to his shoulder.
"What the—?!" Hadrian exclaimed.
Hedwig's voice echoed in his mind. "Relax, kid. It's just a trick. I can pop out whenever you need me, or just hang around like this. Makes it easier for both of us."
Dante let out a low laugh, shaking his head. "I've gotta say, kid. You're attracting some pretty wild company these days."
Hadrian looked down at his arm, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, I guess I am."
Chapter 4: The Inheritance of the Peverell Legacy
Chapter Three: The Inheritance of the Peverell Legacy
The streets of Diagon Alley were bustling as always, filled with witches and wizards going about their daily business. But Hadrian, Sirius, and Hedwig were headed to a place much deeper, much older than the surface level of the wizarding world. Gringotts Wizarding Bank loomed ahead of them, its towering white walls shining ominously in the daylight.
Hadrian, now seven years old, walked with a sense of quiet determination, though his mismatched eyes—one electric blue, the other emerald green—still darted nervously. This wasn't a simple trip to the bank. This was about discovering his true heritage, a part of himself he had only recently begun to explore.
At his side, Sirius Black walked with an easy, relaxed gait, though his eyes betrayed a bit of anticipation. Hedwig, Hadrian's oversized phoenix-thunderbird familiar, flapped above them with a look of casual disinterest. That, however, was a lie. Hedwig was never disinterested, only waiting for the perfect moment to stir some chaos.
"So, remind me again why we're trusting the goblins with this?" Hedwig squawked from above, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I mean, it's not like they've been holding out on you for seven years or anything. Just saying."
Sirius smirked at the bird, shaking his head. "Always a ray of sunshine, aren't you, Hedwig?"
The bird tilted her head. "Oh, come on, you like it. Who else here has the guts to speak the truth? I mean, you're basically bringing the kid to the place where they hide all the dirty secrets."
Hadrian sighed. "She's not wrong, Sirius. What if there's more they haven't told us?"
Sirius placed a reassuring hand on his godson's shoulder. "If there is, we'll deal with it. Besides, I'm here, and so is this… fiery menace," he nodded at Hedwig. "We'll make sure you're safe, whatever happens."
Inside Gringotts
They entered the towering doors of Gringotts, greeted immediately by the cold, calculating gazes of the goblins behind the counters. It always amazed Hadrian how efficient they seemed, even as they processed complex financial matters for wizards who had no idea what was really going on behind the scenes.
One goblin, taller and slightly older-looking than the others, came forward and bowed curtly. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Black," the goblin said, his tone formal but with an air of superiority. "I understand you've come for an inheritance test. Please, follow me."
Hedwig, not one to be ignored, flapped down and landed on Hadrian's shoulder, her feathers sending faint sparks of lightning into the air. "No one ever acknowledges me. It's like they're afraid of a flaming bird or something. Rude, really."
Sirius stifled a laugh. "Maybe they just don't know what to do with a fire hazard like you, Hedwig."
The goblin guide glanced at Hedwig with mild disdain but didn't comment, leading the trio down a long, narrow corridor toward a chamber deeper in the bank.
The Inheritance Chamber
The room they entered was cold and sterile, with a single stone pedestal in the center, where a ceremonial dagger rested. The air hummed with ancient magic, and the walls were adorned with runes that glowed faintly, giving the room an ethereal quality.
The goblin motioned to the dagger. "If you would, Mr. Potter—though I suspect we may be learning something else today."
Hadrian stepped forward, feeling the weight of what was about to happen. He took the dagger, pricked his finger, and let a single drop of blood fall onto the pedestal. Immediately, the runes on the walls flared brighter, and a scroll of parchment appeared out of thin air, floating before them.
The goblin took the scroll and unrolled it with a precise flick of his wrist. His sharp eyes scanned the contents, and his thin lips curled into a knowing smile.
"Just as I suspected," the goblin said. "You are not merely Hadrian Potter. By blood, you are the heir to the ancient and noble house of Peverell. Your true name is Hadrian Peverell, the last living descendant of Ignotus, Cadmus, and Antioch Peverell."
Hadrian blinked, the weight of the revelation sinking in. "Peverell? But that's—"
"The family tied to the Deathly Hallows," Sirius finished for him, his face a mixture of shock and awe. "Merlin's beard, Hadrian. You're not just a Potter. You're a Peverell. That's… ancient."
Hedwig, perched on Hadrian's shoulder, puffed up her chest. "See, I knew you were special. Well, more special than usual. Now you're officially old blood—ancient blood. Don't let it get to your head, though."
The goblin continued, his voice carrying more gravity now. "But there's more. Through the unification of the Peverell bloodlines—Potter, Black, and Slytherin—all these families will now be absorbed into the Peverell family. As Lord Peverell, you are entitled to all their properties, vaults, and titles. The Black, Slytherin, and Potter lines will merge under your command."
Sirius let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. "Well, that's one hell of an inheritance, kid. I guess this means the Black family is officially absorbed into the Peverells." He grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor. "And best of all, I don't have to take the Black Lordship. I've been dreading that for years."
Hadrian, still processing everything, frowned. "So… everything that belonged to the Black family is now mine? Even the title?"
The goblin nodded. "Indeed, Lord Peverell. The Black family's properties and titles are now part of the Peverell estate. You are the sole heir. And I daresay certain individuals will not be pleased to hear it."
Sirius let out a satisfied sigh, leaning back slightly as he grinned. The best part is that Lucius Malfoy's going to throw a fit when he realizes all his scheming for Draco to inherit the Black fortune just went up in smoke."
Hadrian couldn't suppress his own smile. "I'd love to see the look on his face."
Hedwig fluffed up her feathers and snarked, "Oh, trust me, it'll be priceless. But let's focus on not getting crushed under the weight of all this responsibility first, hmm?"
Journey to the Vault
With the revelation of his true name and the unification of the bloodlines, Hadrian was led further into the depths of Gringotts, toward the vault that had remained sealed for centuries.
The ride in the goblin-operated cart was bumpy and filled with more of Hedwig's colorful commentary, as she complained about the lack of proper seating and how it felt like they were riding a "death trap." Sirius could only laugh while Hadrian clung to the side of the cart, his excitement and nerves mixing together.
Finally, they arrived at the door of the Peverell family vault—a massive, ancient thing, etched with runes and lined with gold. The goblin gestured for Hadrian to step forward.
"Only your blood will open this vault, Lord Peverell. It has awaited your return for centuries."
Hadrian placed his hand on the door, and the moment his skin made contact, the runes on the door flared to life. The ground shook slightly as the vault creaked open, revealing a room filled with ancient treasures, gold, jewels, and artifacts of immense magical power.
But what caught Hadrian's eye wasn't the gold. Two objects lay prominently on a raised platform in the center of the vault: a ring and a grimoire.
The Peverell Lord's Ring and Grimoire
Hadrian approached the platform with a sense of reverence. The ring was dark and etched with ancient runes, and at its center was a gemstone that pulsed faintly with an eerie blue light. It felt as though the ring was alive, its magic ancient and powerful, waiting for its true heir to claim it.
But beside the ring was something equally significant—The Peverell Grimoire. A large, leather-bound tome with intricate designs etched into its cover, the grimoire seemed to hum with magic, as if it contained centuries of knowledge and power within its pages. Hadrian could almost feel the weight of the Peverell family's legacy pressing down on him.
"What's this?" Hadrian whispered, running a hand over the surface of the book.
"That is the Peverell Grimoire, Lord Peverell," the goblin continued, bowing slightly. "It contains the entire recorded history, spells, secrets, and magical knowledge of the Peverell family, passed down through the generations. Every Lord Peverell has contributed to its pages, including your ancestors, Ignotus, Cadmus, and Antioch Peverell. With it, you will have access to everything your family has ever known or created, including magic lost to time."
Hadrian's fingers hesitated over the cover of the book, the weight of his lineage feeling heavier than ever. He had been raised by Dante and trained by Sirius, but this was something entirely different. This was a legacy of ancient magic, of power, and knowledge that had been locked away for centuries.
Sirius stepped up beside him, glancing at the grimoire with wide eyes. "That… that's incredible. I've never seen anything like it. This is your birthright, Hadrian. You're not just a wizard, you're the last of an ancient bloodline. The Peverells weren't just any old family—they shaped the course of history."
Hadrian took a deep breath and nodded, finally lifting the Peverell Lord's Ring from its pedestal. As he slid it onto his finger, a surge of magic rippled through him, stronger than anything he had felt before. The ring seemed to pulse in time with his heartbeat, binding him to the vault, the grimoire, and his family's legacy.
Hedwig, who had been silent for once, finally spoke up from her perch on his shoulder. "Well, well, well… Lord Peverell, huh? Looks like you're the big boss now, kid. Don't let it go to your head though, or I'll be here to roast you back to reality."
Hadrian couldn't help but chuckle, the tension in the air breaking for a moment. "Thanks, Hedwig. I can always count on you to keep me grounded."
The goblin, who had been watching the proceedings with a mix of formality and curiosity, nodded approvingly. "With the Lord's Ring, you are now officially recognized as Lord Hadrian Peverell. The vaults of the Potter, Black, and Slytherin families are now yours to command, as are all the wealth, property, and magical artifacts tied to those houses."
The Journey Back
The ride back to the surface of Gringotts was quieter, but there was a new sense of purpose in Hadrian's posture. He clutched the Peverell Grimoire in one hand, the ring on his finger glowing faintly, as they passed through the ancient stone corridors of the goblin bank. Hedwig had returned to her usual perch on his shoulder, though her fiery aura had dimmed slightly as if even she knew this was a moment of importance.
As they reached the lobby of Gringotts and stepped outside, Sirius clapped Hadrian on the back. "Well, Lord Peverell, what's the plan now? World domination?"
Hadrian shook his head with a small smile. "Not quite. There's a lot to figure out first. But I guess the first step is understanding exactly what I've inherited." He patted the grimoire under his arm, already feeling the weight of the knowledge within. "There's a lot I need to learn."
Sirius nodded in agreement. "That book will be your guide. Every secret, every spell, every bit of history your family has ever recorded is in there. It's going to be a lot, but we'll figure it out together."
"Oh, joy," Hedwig chirped sarcastically. "More homework. I can already tell this is going to be a riot."
Hadrian grinned despite the enormity of it all. He knew the road ahead was going to be tough, and there were still countless mysteries and dangers to uncover. But with Sirius, Hedwig, and the Devil May Cry crew by his side, he felt ready for whatever came next.
"Let's get home," Hadrian said, glancing at the bustling street of Diagon Alley, now filled with people who had no idea the power and history that had just been unlocked.
And with that, they left Gringotts, Hadrian's destiny as Lord Peverell set in motion.
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