Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter and Co. nor am I making any financial gain writing this.

He Lived

Ch. 3

Remus and Sirius strode into Gringotts, the latter smirking as mothers hid their children from the 'murderer.' Remus just shook his head. They got to a teller and the goblin sneered at them.

"I'd like to see the Black account manager, please." Sirius said. "I lost custody of my House Ring a few days ago."

The goblin sneered once again and snapped it's fingers. A plain wooden box showed and a dagger. Sirius picked up the dagger and cut a slit in his palm. Once the bright red blood was present, he placed his hand on the box and it changed to an ornately carved dark maple box with a raised snake poised to strike.

Sirius laughed. "I've always found our box hilarious." Remus just watched. The Lupin family was relatively new and had not gained House status yet. The goblin opened the box and there sat a silver ring with the same adornment. Remus blanched.

"Don't worry; it's white gold." Sirius said cheerfully putting it on. "Enough proof that I'm not a murdering lunatic bent to spend all the Black fortune on a wild shopping spree...wait, never mind." The goblin rolled his eyes and lead them to the Black account manager, Griphook, who incidentally happened to also be the Potter account manager.

"Lord Black." Sirius nodded. "And Mr. Lupin. What can I do for you today?"

"We would like to see the Potter's will."

The goblin snapped his fingers and the will appeared on his desk. Skimming through it, he read, "To you Mr. Lupin, the Lord and Lady Potter left you 100, 00 galleons already added to your personal vault."

"To Lord Black, all Potter vaults and properties are given to you. Also custody of the Potter heir, Harold James Potter, bearing he's still alive. At his sixteenth birthday, you must hand over the Potter name and monies to the heir."

Sirius smirked, he wouldn't even touch the Potter money, given the Blacks had more than the Potters anyway.

"Is there anything else about Harry on the will?" Remus asked.

"In the event Lord Black is not able," the goblin read, "custody of Harry will go, in turn, to Alice Longbottom, the godmother, Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, and Minerva Mcgonagall. In no event shall Harry be given to Petunia and Vernon Dursley."

"WHAT?!" the goblin was surprised by the malice in Lord Black's voice. "Albus Dumbledore illegally placed Harry into the Dursley's custody."

The goblin's face went tight. Obeying the will of the dead was highly valued in the Goblin Society.

"I'd like to adopt him, like I was supposed to before." Sirius said.

The goblin smirked. "Of course Lord Black. That's good."

"And I'll throw in 2,000 galleons for keeping this out of the press."

"Even better."