Harry Potter: The Power He Knows Not Is…
By: Tezza1502
Disclaimer: I could try to be funny and zany and off the wall and add llama's and an orchestra pit to this disclaimer (a la Bobmin), but I'm just not that good. So I'll simply say that I do not own Harry Potter.
Notes: ...drawing a blank.
CHAPTER FIVE:- (Where there's a Will...)
As everyone filed in, they noticed place cards on the seats, indicating who should sit where. It eventually turned out that the Blacks and their affiliates, along with Narcissa Malfoy, all ended up on the left side of the room. The Order members and the Weasleys were seated on the right. Harry and Draco ended up in the middle at the front, away from both sides but still two metres apart.
Draco glared daggers at Harry, while Harry settled for a dismissive snort before shifting his attention to the apparently blank sheet of paper that had been sitting on the chair when he arrived.
"No matter what that mongrel blood traitor tries to do to protect you here today in his will, the Dark Lord will find you and kill you, scarhead. Just you wait and see." Draco whispered in what he thought was a menacing voice.
"Considering that your pathetic half-blood master is nothing more than an evil fart blowing in the wind right now, you'll forgive me for not squealing in terror like a scared white ferret, Malfoy." Harry shot back absently as he finished reading the note and put it in his pocket.
Draco tried to come up with a cutting retort to the multitude of insults Harry had lobbed at him, but couldn't decide which one to answer first. In the end, he had to settle for just another murderous glare.
Once the last person was seated, the doors slid shut with a bang and a clunk, causing several people to jump in their seats. The lights then dimmed, and the goblin in charge of executing the will stepped on to the raised platform and proceeded to the dais at the centre. Placing the bulging leather folder he carried onto the lectern, he spent a minute organising himself before he spoke.
"Wizards. Witches. My name is DragonsBane. You are gathered here today for the reading of the Final Will and Testament of one Sirius Orion Black. To any of you who would try to object to the contents of this will on account of the deceased apparently being a convicted murderer who escaped from Azkaban, and thus be ineligible to disburse the Black Family wealth, property and heirlooms however he sees fit, let me first state this; Gringotts has never received from the Wizengamot or the Department of Magical Law Enforcement any official notification that Mr. Black was ever charged with a crime. Furthermore, we could find no record of a trial, nor court records that proved his guilt and subsequent sentencing to Azkaban."
The goblin let the assembled witches and wizards shout loudly amongst themselves for a time.
Harry just stared ahead blankly, before standing up and rounding on Dumbledore. "You stupid, senile, old fart! You mean to tell me that the goblins had all the proof we needed to clear my Godfather's name, and you didn't ever think to ask them?"
"Quiet! I will have quiet in this room!" The goblin roared at the assembled wizards and witches in general, and Harry in particular. When he had seated himself again, the goblin continued, "Any more outbursts like that, Mister Potter, and I will have you removed from this room, thus causing you to forfeit anything you may receive here today." The goblin glared at him over the lectern.
"I'd complain loudly about that, scarhead." Draco leant over and faux-whispered.
"That includes you too, young Mister Malfoy." The goblin switched his glare to the blonde.
After Draco managed to bite back a sneer and sit properly in his own seat, DragonsBane continued, "And so, with the above verified by the most stringent means available to both wizard- and goblin kind, Mister Black's Will is completely legal. Thus, we are magically bound to uphold it."
A lot of grumbling came from the Black side of the room. A great many of them had been hoping to be able to break the Will of the last member of the direct line of the Blacks on just such a legal technicality as him being a convicted murderer, and so let them plunder the Black Family Vaults of everything of value. Now, they were just bystanders waiting to see who got what. And to see if those that did get something could be...convinced...to give it up, one way or another.
"Also, seeing as how Sirius Black was never officially removed from the line of inheritance, he remained the sole surviving legitimate heir to the Black fortune up until his untimely death."
Even more grumbles from the left side of the room.
"And now we come to the Will itself." DragonsBane unfolded a thick yellow parchment which fairly reeked of magic, such were the enchantments on it to make sure Sirius' will was done.
"THE FINAL WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SIRIUS ORION BLACK:-
I, Sirius Orion Black, of a reasonably sound mind and a superbly gorgeous body,"
Harry chuckled at that despite himself. He wasn't the only one.
"do so offer these last tokens of my friendship and appreciation. To Andromeda Tonks, I offer you the chance to once again become a Black, if you still want to Cuz. I remember you always being a bit sad about being cast out, despite how dark our family has always been. I'd hold off on making an official decision for a couple of weeks though, just so you can talk with Ted and Nymphadora, and think it through. Oh, and have an even hundred thousand Galleons for you and your husband while your at it, no matter what you decide."
Andromeda, who'd been in tears so far, nearly fainted at that last.
"Remus, my old friend, you get the keys to the Dog House, my old flat in SoHo. It's still there, somewhere, under a Fidelius Charm (Brilliant idea that. It hides the flat, and you never have to pay the rent!), but DragonsBane knows where it is. And you get a hundred thousand Galleons to renovate it. Renovate your wardrobe while your at it, hey!"
Remus tried to smile and growl at the same time.
"Nymphadora! Nymphadora! How I adore thee, Nymphadora!" The woman in question shook her head at her favourite cousin's childishness. And she almost laughed at how it sounded, being read aloud by a stern goblin. "I also give you the opportunity to become a Black once again. Talk to your Mum about it. And don't think I haven't noticed where your eyes have been wandering during those meetings. I heartily approve! So here's thirty thousand Galleons to buy yourself a new wardrobe to catch the old fart's eye with. You'll need it, Moony can be a bit stubborn sometimes."
Nymphadora went bright red at that, while Remus started choking in shock. They looked at each other briefly, then looked away.
"Albus, I leave you one hundred thousand Galleons, to be paid when the Potter Will is finally unsealed and read to my godson, Harry James Potter. You have one month from the reading of this will to do so and claim this. Otherwise, that money will revert to Harry. In the mean time, here's thirty silver Sickles. Its all you deserve, in my opinion."
Albus gulped as the entire room turned to look at him. In the wizarding world, a Will is almost sacred. You may fight over it, even attempt to break it. But you never hide it. To do so can bring charges of attempted Line Theft against you, a very serious charge in a society where magic can trace bloodlines back centuries, and blood status is all-important to the ruling class. And as an Ancient and Noble House, the Potters were a part of that ruling class. This was going to take some very careful finagling to get that will read without drawing any charges against himself. Damn that Sirius!
Harry bit the inside of his cheek as he forced himself to stare straight ahead. He didn't trust himself to not fly off at the handle right now.
"To Arthur and Molly Weasley, I thank you for taking Harry into your home, as well as your hearts, and giving him the love he has been denied for so long." The Weasley parents started squirming in their seats. "And I know you will continue to guide him without smothering him, and letting him make his own decisions. It's something he hasn't had much of in his life so far." Now they were looking down at their feet, completely mortified after what had happened just before the reading had started. "And Molly, while we've had our disagreements about raising Harry, don't let that colour your treatment of him. He is his own man."
George leant over to his twin. "Wow, talk about rubbing salt in an open wound! It's almost as if Padfoot had been outside, writing his will down as it happened."
"Yeah. It'd be funny if it wasn't so sad and pathetic." Fred whispered back.
"So instead of giving you any money up front, which I know you'd hate, I am instead going to pay off all the outstanding debts the Weasley family owe. Including the loans you two took out to pay for your children's education. Ron and Ginny are paid up until they finish at Hogwarts, too. So take this fresh start and run with it, okay?"
Molly fainted. Arthur nearly followed suit, but needed to keep his wife upright.
"Fred and George Weasley." The twins sat up in their seats. "No money for you two lunatics. You'll soon be making enough with Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes without any help from me." They grinned and puffed out their chests proudly. "So I'm going to leave you two something infinitely more useful: The Marauder's Notebook. It details everything we tried during our time at Hogwarts, including the pranks we couldn't get to work for one reason or another. You might find something you can use in there. Have fun!"
One of the legendary Marauder's giving them a book chock full of all their past pranks. Fred and George had mentioned their plans to Sirius a few times during their various stays at Grimmauld Place in the past. It seems that he had more than a little faith in them. The twins looked like they were in the middle of a religious experience. Harry half expected them both to start writhing on the floor and speaking in tongues.
"All I ask is that you let Harry look at it when he wants to. Both his father and later, his mother made notes in it. I'm sure he'd appreciate holding something of theirs in his hands occasionally."
Harry looked back at them with a hopeful expression. He got nods and thumbs up from both of them.
"Ronald Billius Weasley." The youngest male Weasley perked up. "I'm hoping by the time this is read that you will have gotten over your childish jealousy at Harry's perceived fame. I also hope you've learnt that friendship is more important than that jealousy, or orders from interfering old men." Ron coughed, embarrassed. "So I am leaving you twenty-five thousand Galleons." His eyes started glittering. "However, you will only be able to access it after you reach twenty-five years of age." Now his face started to cloud over at the unfairness of it all. "I want it to be used to help you buy a family home, or somesuch. By that age, I'm guessing you will be married, or at least engaged. So its to give you a jumpstart in that respect." Ron started to get up to yell about how unfair it all was, but was restrained by his father. Firmly.
"Hermione Jane Granger." She jumped a little at her name being called. She had been focusing on Harry. "I give you the same as Ron. Twenty-five thousand Galleons, to be held in trust until your twenty-fifth birthday. Whether the same reasons will apply is up to you." She blushed at the implication. "Also, I leave you a trunk filled with books from the Black family library." Her blush deepened, while Arthur now had his hands full restraining his youngest son and his wife. "I know you will use them well, but be warned! Not all knowledge is benign, and some of those books are more than a little dark. And before Molly starts up, Hermione is best friends with my godson Harry, which means she will come up against the foulest of magics sooner or later. They will both need to be able to defend themselves." Hermione nodded at the seriousness of both what the man was trying to get across, as well as the responsibility he was placing on her to help Harry against Voldemort.
"And now to the two big ones." Harry and Draco both straightened up in their chairs.
"To Harry James Potter, I leave ownership of the house and property I resided in until my death, and all contents within. As it is under the Fidelius Charm, I can not name it here. Rest assured, both my godson and DragonsBane are both aware of the address, and the paperwork can be done privately. Title will pass to Harry, no matter what. I have also declared him to be the Regent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black in the event of my untimely death. The choice to accept this will be his, though. Harry, as much as I would like to make you my Heir, and thus the next Lord of the House of Black, I can't. The family traditions on this are both immutable and deadly. Toujours Pur in all things, sadly. In fact, the Black Lordship ring has a curse on it that will kill any who are not of sufficiently pure blood."
Narcissa Malfoy paled considerably upon hearing that, and began sneaking worried looks at her smirking son.
"However, in the past my ancestors have occasionally needed a way around their own arrogance. As such, the position of Regent was encouraged to continue into these modern times. Basically, it will mean that you will be the guardian of the current wealth of the House of Black. Until Draco Malfoy is ready to ascend to his Lordship and the Wizengamot seat that goes with it upon reaching his twenty-fifth birthday, (and it will be his if he wants it, seeing as he is the closest eligible relation to the main Black line through his mother) you will be charged with keeping the remaining Black properties and wealth to its current level for him. You will not be able to spend it, nor transfer it into any of your own accounts. Seeing as there is, or will be after the next part of my will is read, a living and official heir, you will have to tend to his inheritance as it is now."
Draco's expression had gradually changed from shock at hearing Harry's new position to an angry pout. He, however, possessed enough basic restraint to hold off from an objection until he was officially named heir. Then he would see about changing this travesty!
"Also, have no fears about the little ponce turning around and removing you. Until he reaches his twenty-fifth birthday, he will have zero authority to alter your position."
Now, Draco was almost apoplectic with rage. That miserable little scarhead was about to hold a true position of authority over him!
"You can enter the Black vaults to check on things. You can not remove anything. He can enter any Black property, and invite others. You can also enter any Black property, invite others, as well as magically override the wards and eject any visitors you believe are not up to what you feel are the proper standards of an Ancient and Noble house. Your new status will also give you a greater range of freedom and movement within the wizarding world so that you can better fulfil your responsibilities. This includes being able to leave Hogwarts at will if you need to. Plus, you now control the Black seat via proxy on the Wizengamot. The Goblins will supply you with all the relevant materials to inform you of your rights and responsibilities as Regent when you sign the paperwork."
Oddly, Dumbledore's expression was now beginning to mirror Draco's.
"Harry, while this position decreases your personal safety factor slightly from what it was before," Several smirks and snorts were heard from those in the know, "have no fear of Draco trying something against you. And while I personally don't believe that you'd ever seriously entertain the thought, nor should you try something against him. If you both accept the particulars of my Will, you will be entering into a binding magical contract. You cannot harm each other directly. And if something does happen to either of you, the other must undergo Veritaserum questioning in front of the Wizengamot to ascertain whether they had any direct or indirect part in the attack on the other. The penalties will be...severe...if either of you are found guilty."
Harry grinned. While he had planned to ignore the existence of Draco as much as possible this year, he could work with this.
"Well, that's it pup. I'm sorry its come to this, 'cause it means that I've once again failed you in my duty as your Godfather, and left you alone. I can only hope that I was either doing something heroic to save your butt when I bought the big one, or I died in bed with busty triplets of orgasmic heart failure at one hundred and forty and forgot to change my will."
Harry chuckled as he whispered words of forgiveness for Padfoot's spirit.
"At least I'm with Prongs and Lily now. We'll be watching over you with love, pup. See ya!"
Harry glanced over at Draco for the first time since his part of the will had started and nearly burst out laughing. The other teenager's face was so red, it looked like he was going to explode. Even Voldemort had never looked at him with such complete and utter loathing in his eyes. He couldn't resist.
"You should calm down, Draco. Really! I'd hate to see you hurt yourself before you even come under my care." He asked in a concerned tone, reaching out to pat the boy on the shoulder.
Draco nearly drew his wand at that. "Kill...You..." He snarled through clenched teeth.
"Now now, we'll be entering into a magically binding contract shortly that's specifically designed to stop that sort of thing. Wouldn't want anything nasty to happen to you right from the get-go, would we?" Harry said cheerfully.
Spittle was foaming from the corners of his mouth. "Dieeeeeeeee..." He hissed.
"Ahem." DragonsBane cleared his throat. "As entertaining as this is, may I continue?"
"Sure!" Harry said brightly. Draco just nodded and clenched his knees so tightly, Harry thought they were going to crumble into powder under the pressure.
"To my esteemed cousin, Draco Scorpius Malfoy, I name you the Heir to the title of Lord Black, of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Should you wish to accept this title, you will officially no longer be known as a Malfoy, or considered a member of that family, and thus will forfeit all rights, contracts, responsibilities and privileges associated with your former family. You will be instead known as Draco Scorpius Black. Upon your twenty-fifth birthday, you will fully inherit the rights and responsibilities that come with being a Lord of the House of Black. Until that time, I will be entrusting your life and education to the afore mentioned Regent, Harry James Potter."
Harry swore later that he could see the faintest stirrings of raw magic sparking out of Draco's body.
"Although, if Harry doesn't accept the position, it will automatically go to one Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. It'll give the old fool a chance to screw over some other poor young kid, and maybe leave Harry alone."
Albus perked up, while Harry nearly fell off his chair at the sheer cheek of his Godfather. And Draco, upon hearing that, broke into a cold sweat over the possibility of having the leader of the light looking over his shoulder twenty-four/seven. The Dark Lord would use his peeled skin as toilet paper, not to mention what his father would do to him when he got out of Azkaban. "Don't you dare leave me to the mercy of that deranged, muggle-loving nutter!" He hissed quickly to Harry.
"You sure?" Harry replied, fighting to keep a straight face. "I mean, I'm just l'il Potty the scarhead. Wouldn't you rather have a pure-blood of the Headmaster's advanced years and experience watching every move you make, providing his own special brand of guidance through your formative years, pouting at you to just 'do the right thing' and 'it's all for the greater good', and force-feeding you lemon drops?"
Seeing Harry apparently having second thoughts about taking up the Regency position, Draco mentally went through what he could offer to convince him. Sexual favours were not out of the question at the moment. "NO!"
Harry let the other teen squirm for a minute, before coming to a decision. "Fine." He sighed. "I'll do it. And you'll owe me, BIG time!"
"Anything. I swear it." Draco exhaled with relief, not really making note of what words were coming out of his mouth in his panic.
"May I continue?" DragonsBane asked.
"Sure." Harry answered, giving him a small 'go-ahead' wave.
The Goblin grunted with some slight amusement before continuing, "As previously stated, you will have access to all Black property still within the family, as well as the heirloom vaults. The other aforementioned stipulations will also apply. Harry will be given a Black Family guide as to what he can, cannot, and will be required to do when he agrees to be Regent. As for pocket money, you will have to talk to the Regent about that, as it will be he who will set the amount you can access monthly."
Draco paled again, fighting the urge to vomit.
"Draco, putting aside everything else in your life for a moment, I believe that this decision I am placing before you right now is going to be the most important one you ever make. Seriously!" The entire right side of the room groaned. Even Narcissa made a noise in the back of her throat. They had been waiting for the man to work that horrible pun on his name in somewhere. "If you do this, then yes, you will be under the control of my Godson until you reach twenty-five years of age. Or Dumbledore. Oddly enough, two people who have survived several direct confrontations with your father's master, Voldemort." The Goblin frowned as several gasps and muffled screams went around the room. 'Pathetic humans. Afraid of a mere name.' He thought to himself. Though he was curious to note that Harry Potter, and more than a few of the young man's friends, gave no reaction other than to snort at the adults antics. "However, that situation will not last forever. And when you reach your twenty-fifth birthday, you will be the head of a Noble and Most Ancient House."
Draco perked up at that, despite his uneasiness at how the day was going.
"Or, you remain a Malfoy, eventually bind yourself to Voldemort in slavery, and most likely die fighting for a man that doesn't give two shits about your continued existence at all. Bearing in mind that if you do manage to survive, your old man will most likely slither out of trouble as well. And since he's slightly more cunning than you, it'll be decades until he drops dead. You'll be tied to his whims for a good portion of your life, always under his control if you want to inherit."
Conflicting emotions were running rampant over Draco's face now. Including some thoughtful ones.
"Going either way will mean a degree of personal danger for yourself, no matter what you decide. And you will have to decide before you leave Gringotts. Harry, too. But, that is part and parcel with stepping up and playing with the big boys."
Harry was surprised to see that Draco appeared to be giving an enormous amount of consideration to Sirius' words. 'Hnh, maybe there's an ounce of common sense behind that sneer after all.'
"Well, that's it! All done. Nothing left to give, except for a warning; Watch out for my distant relatives. Right now, I imagine that the left side of the room is lousy with Blacks wearing annoyed expressions." A quick look by the right side of the room proved exactly that. "Keep an eye on them. They will not be above trying to intimidate anyone who received something from me today into handing some or all of it over to themselves. Don't be afraid to step on them with extreme prejudice. Most of them are only one step up from Death Eaters, if they aren't already branded."
"This is Sirius, signing off. See you on the other side, many years from now!"
Notes: Yeah, I'm gonna go with the Potters being an Ancient and Noble House. Done to death, I know. But, I figure that if the Potter's hadn't had equal or higher status to the Black's within the British Wizarding Community when Sirius went to live with James after being kicked out of his home, a dark family like the Blacks would have extinguished the Potter line for daring to take him in. So yeah, old pure-blood family of equal or greater status.
Also, I recently came across a fic called 'Heaven Sent', by broomstick flyer, that mentioned the title of Regent. It was used in a slightly different context than in my fic. It's also a complete coincidence. I was seven chapters into this story before I came across it. So no stealing or disrespect meant by my usage of the term. It's just one of those things.
Oh, and Harry's gonna tear some strips of Dumbledore next chapter, too.