A Sirius of Meetings

by tansy1354

Letters have been sent and on the 1st of July 1996 there will be a stream of people attending meetings at Graves, Grimmer and Associates, Solicitors in London. Find out what Sirius Orion Black has done now and to whom.

1. Chapter 1 The 5pm Meeting

A Sirius of Meetings by Tansy1354

Disclaimer: The only thing that does not belong to J.K. Rowling is the law firm of Graves and Grimmer and its staff. The logo described within is also my idea so if you wish to use it, please contact me. The street names are correct but the address and phone numbers are fictitious. Any resemblance to an existing business is purely unintentional.

Summary: Letters have been sent and on the 1st of July 1996 there will be a stream of people attending meetings at Graves, Grimmer and Associates, Solicitors in London. Find out what Sirius Orion Black has done now and to whom.

Chapter 1 - The 5pm Meeting

1st July, 1996

Petunia Dursley had read and reread the letter since it had arrived just a few days before her freak of a nephew was due home from that freaky institution that he attended during the school year.

The Letter

Dear Mrs. Petunia Violet Dursley (nee Evans)

This is to inform you that you and your nephew Harry James Potter are requested to attend a meeting at the Legal Offices of Graves and Grimmer at the address given below on the 1st of July 1996 at 5 pm.

Your Husband Vernon Vaughan Dursley and son Dudley Byron Dursley are also expected to attend.

If you are unable to attend, please notify us in writing as soon as possible so alternative arrangements can be made.

As this is in regard to a highly confidential matter, your discretion would be most appreciated.

Please bring this letter and another form of identification with you as this will expedite matters. Also note you are requested to be now more than ten minutes early for your meeting so as to protect the privacy of our clients.

We look forward to seeing you on the above date.

Regards Amberlin Grimmer (Senior Partner)

Graves, Grimmer and Associates

13 Phoenix Road

London, NW1 1HB

What on earth would a solicitor want with her nice normal family and why was the boy included? Surely if he had done something wrong it would be taken care of by those freaky friends of his.

Vernon was wholly against attending until he did some checking and found that indeed the Solicitors were a highly respectable and legitimate firm in London. Still he decided that it would be better to be prepared in case, so he made sure they had their passports in order and insisted that Petunia, Dudley and he had some clothes and other important things packed up and ready to leave in a hurry if necessary.

Of course if anyone asked it would be explained that it had been a sudden necessity to visit his sister who had taken a fall because of one of her dogs.

It was decided that to save time only Petunia would go to collect the boy and bring him to the car where Vernon and Dudley would be waiting to load his trunk and head straight off to the solicitors.

So it was that it was only Petunia that met the delegation of Harry's unnatural friends, and assured them that she knew perfectly well how to take care of her own nephew. Angry at their gall she bustled the boy out of the station as quickly as a normal human could go.

Once in the car and on their way she shoved the letter at Harry and shouted at him before he even had a chance to read it, "Well Boy, what do you know of this, have you done something illegal? Are we going to be finally rid of you at last?" She almost smiled at that happy thought.

Fifteen year old Harry James Potter took the letter and read it, then looked over at his aunt and uncle trying to look confused while not smirking at Vernon and Dudley's middle names, "I have no idea what this is about Aunt Petunia, assuming you are actually allowing me to attend, I guess we'll find out when we get there."

With that Harry handed the letter back and ignoring the punches in the side that Dudley was currently giving him, he put his forehead against the window and gazed out as London passed by and wished he was on the other side of the window just passing by with it.

It didn't take Dudley long to give up on using Harry as a punching bag for boxing practice and the rest of the ride was tense but silent, until they were parking the car near the solicitors office.

"Remember boy, no funny business and if they ask you have been at Stonewall High and we treat you fine, understood?" Uncle Vernon glared at Harry who quickly replied "Yes, Uncle Vernon."

The office was located in an old historic building in the shape of a church which included a small garden around it and indeed the plaque outside noted that the firm had been established since 1796. The doors were massive and made of oak panels with iron knockers in the shape of a lion head.

A little further in was a second set of doors this time made of the most intricate stained glass in keeping with the church theme and once inside these there was a receptionist desk on each side of the doors which were manned by two immaculately dressed young women.

The one on the left looked up at the clock at the end of the large room before turning back to those who had just entered.

"You would be Mrs. Grimmer's five o'clock appointment, The Dursley family and Harry Potter. I am Joanne her secretary if you would like to take a pew" she said indicating to a couple of high backed ornate pews with red tapestry padding, "I will let her know that you are here."

With that she proceeded to another ornate stained glass door set halfway along a walkway to the left side of the massive room and knocked.

A tall woman exited the office and headed towards them. Immediately you noticed her dark hair was set in a perfect bun and she was dressed in a dark blue pant's suit with a scarf around her neck. The scarf was pale blue with the letters g&g scattered over it in silver

She held out her hand to Petunia Dursley as soon as she reached her, "Mrs. Dursley, a pleasure. My name is Amberlin Grimmer and I am sorry to ask but do you have your letter and some other form of verification with you just to make sure I have the right person?"

Looking a little affronted Petunia pulled out the letter and her passport, handing them to the solicitor who looked at them and nodded before handing them back.

"Now if you would all follow me to my office, Joanne will be along shortly with some tea and biscuits. Hopefully we will be able to conclude our business and have you all on your way again in no time."

Once inside the tastefully furnished office which was in keeping with the outside area, she indicated a highly polished mahogany round table with matching chairs and they all sat down. Petunia made sure that her nephew was sitting next to her so he didn't get any ideas.

Once everyone was settled Amberlin pulled a file off her desk and sat at the last vacant chair which unfortunately was between Dudley and Vernon Dursley.

A few minutes later Joanne arrived with the tea and biscuits, and after making sure that everyone was comfortable, Amberlin proceeded by opening up the file.

"Right, let us proceed then. This matter relates to the last will and testament of Sirius Orion Black who as you may know was Harry's godfather and was killed a week ago. I don't propose to go into the whole will only the first part which is why you're here.

First Harry, you should know that this law firm has been responsible for overseeing all legal matters on behalf of both the Potter family and the Black family for a number of generations." She winked at Harry as she saw the unformed question and then the sly smile that replaced it.

Now I have here his instructions which Mr. Black asked me to read out to you all,

Hello Dursleys and Harry,

First as Harry is fifteen, I am dead and he is the last of the Potter Line he is by law allowed to be emancipated given both our permissions. All that is needed is for you to sign the papers and you won't have to worry about him anymore.

Now for my surprise, I would like to show my appreciation for the wonderful care you have given my godson over all these years.

So Vernon, I have recently purchased the company known as Grunnings Drills, in fact you probably already know it was bought by a Mr. Paddy Blake, guess what, I am Paddy Blake and as I am now dead it now belongs to Harry as my heir. Once I die however a letter would have been sent to Grunnings Board of Directors with my instructions on what is to become of the company.

I have suggested that they should expand the company overseas and open an office in the United States, in Orlando, Florida to be exact. Due to your unfailing loyalty to the company and obvious people skills I of course suggested that you should be the one to head this office and that your salary shall be boosted every time you increase sales.

An announcement will be made officially in the next few days but since the new office will require setting up you will be leaving immediately after this meeting. Mrs. Grimmer will provide you with all the necessary documents and make sure you are on the next flight out. I should note that this is a five year placement as it will take time to establish everything.

Now as to you Petunia, of course I cannot imagine that you will not wish to accompany your husband and I can assure you that the house that has been purchased for you to live in, should meet with your amazingly high standards, if what Harry has told me is true. Don't worry it has a fine garden for you to potter around in as well. Arrangements will be made for your things to be packed up and shipped to your new address and your current house will be sold with the sale price forwarded to your account in America.

As to you Dudley, I believe that this new start is just what you need to truly find out about yourself. But given the fact that your parents will need your help setting up at the beginning and would miss you terribly anyway, copies of your school records have been passed along to a suitable local school. I believe that the school year starts the same time as the British system. A trust account has been set up for your schooling but it is only accessible as long as your grades are good. Should you fail any course it will reduce the amount of money you receive. Of course you will have complete control of what is left of your trust account once you turn eighteen. Should you wish to remain at Smeltings the same thing will apply but I guess your Aunt Marge would take over your guardianship.

So there you go, just sign the forms and go, just one more thing everything will be provided for you as long as you remain in America for the five years of the contract. And of course, Harry won't need to go with you once he is emancipated.

I believe that settles any debt that is owed to you for taking Harry in.

Sirius Orion Black

The silence that filled the end of the reading was replaced soon afterwards with the sound of rustling papers and a gentle clearing of the throat.

"I am sorry that I cannot give you more time to digest this but your flight leaves in two hours and the car will be here shortly to make sure you get to the airport in plenty of time.

Mrs. Dursley, if you could just sign the emancipation papers as Harry's next of kin. Next, if both you and your husband could sign the papers to allow your home and car to be sold for you and the money to be transferred. Then finally if Mr. Dursley could sign the contract so he can take up his new position. Then if you could just hand over your car keys, you can be on your way." Mrs. Grimmer's businesslike tone filled the still silent office.

Looking around the table she had to smile as it looked like all of those present there had been hit with stunners and the expressions on their faces told an interesting tale. Petunia Dursley was staring at Harry with a look somewhere between vindicated and regretful. Vernon Dursley had an outraged look on his face that made it look something like a gargoyles. Dudley Dursley had a look somewhere between rebellion and constipation. Harry on the other hand had a completely blank look on his face.

Suddenly there was a wave of noise in which she was able to make out, "What the bloody Hell, How dare he?" (This from Vernon) "Finally some recognition" (this from Petunia) "But Mummy, I don't want to go to America" (this from Dudley).

But that was cut off by a loud laugh coming from Harry who continued to laugh uncontrollably. Amberlin had a feeling that this wasn't good, so quickly got up and pulled Harry through the door to the washroom which was situated behind her desk. Leaving him there for a few minutes, she walked back into her office and stood before the Dursleys with a steely eye letting it finally come to rest on Petunia.

"I must ask you to sign the papers as soon as possible as I have another meeting scheduled in twenty minutes and for our visitors and clients privacy we prefer them not to cross paths in the waiting room. Besides I am sure you are anxious to be on your way. I will say goodbye to Harry for you if you like."

Petunia silently nodded to the door of the washroom then picked up the pen and paper lying on the table and signed the various forms where indicated before handing the pen to Vernon.

"Vernon just sign the forms and don't waste any more of Mrs. Grimmer's valuable time." With that she nodded at Amberlin and pushed a still whining Dudley towards the door to the hall. Vernon quickly signed as well and stomped out of the office after his wife and son.

"Joanne will give you all the travel documents and will drive you to the airport. Copies of the forms you just signed will be forwarded on. I wish you good luck and goodbye Mr. and Mrs. Dursley."

She quickly crossed back to the washroom and as suspected Harry was no longer on the floor laughing instead he lay there in a fetal position sobbing. She quickly sat down beside him and pulled him into her lap, embracing him as if he were one of her own now grown up children.

Finally the sobbing ceased and the sound of even breathing told her that he had cried himself to sleep. Amberlin looked at her watch and realised that there was only fifteen minutes till her next meeting. Gently easing the boy off her lap she stood up and flicked a small switch next to a box by the door.

"Father, it's Amberlin, would you mind coming to my office I could do with some help." Stepping back through the door she went to collect the signed papers while awaiting his arrival.

The papers had just been placed into the file and the file placed on her desk when Alexander Graves walked briskly through the slightly open door. He was also tall, dark haired and distinguished looking, still handsome despite his age. He had a no nonsense air about him although that was currently warring with a loving look of concern for his daughter.

"What's happened, Lin? You don't look hurt and you haven't needed my help on any legal matters for a very long time, so what do you need my help with? Surprise replacing the concern as his daughter led him to the washroom of all places and opened the door.

"Oh, I see." was all the comment he gave as he reached down and easily picked up the sleeping youth.

"Yes, I'm afraid Harry sort of broke down at the reading with his relatives. I suspect that was the first time he had grieved properly for his godfather. Could you take him to your office and let him sleep for a little while as he isn't needed at my next meeting and you will need to officially read the will to him later, I will bring Mrs. Tonks along at the end of our meeting."

"Yes that is probably best since he should have someone else who is familiar with pure blood etiquette and the history of the Black family. He will also need appropriate robes and accoutrements for the final meeting. Good luck with the next one, I'll see you at home later. Perhaps it would be prudent to offer Harry a room for the night. I'll send word to have a room made up for him." With that he bent over and kissed his daughter's cheek before gently picking up the small youth and returning to the room next to his own office on the other side of the hall.