Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Harry Potter. Doesn't that suck? Guess I'll just have to come up with my own genius, millions-making story idea, but in the meantime, I'll just stick to writing fanfiction.
LAST TIME:
'He had some planning to do, so he sat behind the desk in the study of his newly refreshed home and began his arduous work.'
Chapter 7
One of the first things Sirius did, after a very thorough and mentally exhausting trip to a private healer, was head over to his flat in London for the first time in over a decade. Ironically, it wasn't too far from Grimmauld Place.
"You know," Remus remarked as he chucked another moldy item from the fridge into the bin, not that Sirius had had much food to begin with, "where are you planning to live with Harry? Not that this place isn't fine, but something a bit homier might be nice."
Sirius had bought his bachelor pad with some of the gold his Uncle Alphard had given him, so it wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't a home for a thirteen-year-old boy. Maybe if he took the posters of mostly naked women of the walls? That could work. But then there was the issue of having only one bedroom…
But what if Harry didn't even want to live with him? What if he was happy where he was now? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"But where else is there Moony? I don't even know what else I have. Andy's coming with me to Gringotts sometime soon, and she's not letting me go anywhere near the Ministry until her lawyer's filed the papers and set the lawsuit in motion. I think he's trying to get Crouch's head on a platter."
"Crouch's head should be on a platter. And there's always your parents' house."
"You're kidding, right? That place is an infested shit hole. And besides, I said when I was sixteen that I was never going back there. I meant it."
"Technically, it's probably yours though. And then it would pass onto Andy, then Narcissa, and then Draco. And I doubt that you want Andy to have to deal with it. Or for Lucius to get his hands on it. Especially the books."
"Oh, right. The library."
"I know, a room full of books. The thought must be incredibly traumatizing for you."
"I guess we'll have to sort out the more dangerous ones if Harry's going to be living there. And it'll take a lot of work. Merlin knows what kind of shape that place is in. Hopefully Kreacher died."
"Seriously, Sirius?"
"Seriously."
"What did I say that made you change your mind?"
"Oh, I thought you were talking about Kreacher being dead. Nasty little shit. But it's technically my family home. So I should take it. Make better memories there. Merlin knows the one's I have aren't that great. But all I keep thinking is that what if Harry's happy with the family he's living with? What if he doesn't want me? And besides, he's at Hogwarts, so he'd only be living with me a few months of the year.
"Well, a few months are better than nothing."
###
Sirius' appointment with Andy's, and his, lawyer ended up being two days later. Abbott, Mathers & Abernathy, was located fairly close to Diagon Alley. After their initial meeting, the small group, consisting of Andromeda, Sirius, Richard Abbott, and Remus, headed over to Gringotts.
They entered through the tall, goblin guarded doors, and Andromeda approached the counter. "Andromeda Vega Tonks, daughter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. I am due to have wills re-read this afternoon, arranged on the behalf of the ascending head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Sirius Orion Black."
The goblin gestured for them to follow.
"I haven't heard the name 'Black' that many times in a long time," Sirius whispered to Andy as the continued down the marble-clad corridor.
"Well, it's your name, so get used to throwing it around."
They were led to a room and were alone for less than a minute, before another goblin joined them.
"Lord Sirius, Lady Andromeda, welcome. We have granted you the re-reading of the wills of Dowager Lady Walburga Black, Lily Potter, and James Potter. First, I must verify your identities."
Drops of blood from their fingers into a bowl magically confirmed that they were who they said they were.
"First, the will of Dowager Lady Walburga Black. Let it be noted that the will was read two weeks from the date of death, as required by the Ministry of Magic."
I, Walburga Black, lady, widow, and daughter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black do solemnly swear that I am of sound mind, magic, and soul, and that this is my last will and testament.
Sirius snorted at the possibility of his mad mother being sound of mind, which earned him a look from their goblin host.
First, as I cannot prevent it, I will state that as the eldest surviving son of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Sirius Orion Black is to be the head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. He shall receive the title of Lord Black, along with any and all associated wealth and properties.
To Narcissa Capella Malfoy, formerly Black, daughter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, I leave 25,000 Galleons. To Draco Malfoy, son of Narcissa Malfoy, I leave 5,000 Galleons. To Andromeda Vega Tonks, formerly Black, the most shameful and dishonorable daughter ever to be known of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, I leave one Knut.
This ends my last will and testament, so mote it be.
"Let it be noted that all of the bequests have been honored," the goblin stated. "Now, the will of James Potter, followed by the will of Lily Potter. Let it be noted that these wills were also read two weeks from the date of death, as required by the Ministry of Magic."
I, James Potter, sole heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, do solemnly swear that I am of sound mind, magic, and soul, and that this is my last will and testament.
First , to Sirius Orion Black, heir apparent of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, I leave you 20,000 Galleons, not that you need it. Second, to Remus John Lupin, I leave you 50,000 Galleons to see to your needs. Your "furry little problem" shouldn't be a problem. I don't think it is. Stay furry, my friend. Third, to Peter Pettigrew, I leave 15,000 Galleons.
I leave all wealth and possessions not already bequeathed to my wife, Lily Potter. Should she die before me, I ask that the care of my son, Harry James Potter, be entrusted to either
Lady Alice Longbottom or Sirius Orion Black until he is of age. My son is the sole heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter, and shall also inherit any and all property, possessions, and wealth belonging to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter.
This ends my last will and testament, so mote it be. Mischief managed.
"Let it be noted that all bequests have been honored, with the exceptions of Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. The bequest to Peter Pettigrew from James Potter shall not be recognized due to the presumed and then actual death of Peter Pettigrew. The bequest to Sirius Orion Black shall be recognized today."
Lily's will was next.
I, Lily Potter, formerly Evans, do solemnly swear that I am of sound mind, magic, and soul, and that this is my last will and testament.
First , to my friend, Remus John Lupin, I leave you all of my books, magical and Muggle for your enjoyment. Second, to Severus Snape, I leave you my forgiveness and an apology.
I leave all wealth possessions not already bequeathed to my husband, James Potter. Should he die before me, I ask that the care of my son, Harry James Potter, be entrusted to either Sirius Orion Black or Lady Alice Longbottom until he is of age. If neither of them is able, I ask that Harry be raised by a loving family that at least has knowledge of magic. Any arrangements regarding the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter shall be executed according to the last will and testament of my husband, James Potter.
This ends my last will and testament, so mote it be.
Once Sirius had calmed down enough to speak, they sorted out the matter of Sirius officially accepting the title Lord Black, along with the accompanying gold signet ring, which featured a skull, a sword, and a raven.
And then they went to see about Harry.
###
Although it was nearing the end of the day, their first priority was figuring out who was taking care of Harry when he wasn't at Hogwarts.
They made it to the Ministry of Magic just in time, before everything shut down for the day. They flooed to the atrium, and after they went through security, they went to the Department of Records.
"Remember, avoid speaking to anyone you know, especially anyone from the D.M.L.E.," Richard reminded his client. "I'm officially filing the complaint on Monday, but of course, everyone knows that it's coming."
After taking the elevator to the correct floor, they went to the right department and requested the file on Harry James Potter. They opened it and it read:
Harry James Potter
Born: St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries
Birthdate: July 31, 1980
Mother: Lily Potter
Father: James Potter
Most Recent Known Residence: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft &Wizardry, Scotland
And that was it. There was surprisingly little, considering the fact that he was the heir to one of England's most influential magical families. Then again, James hadn't flaunted his status.
"But we know he's at Hogwarts," Sirius groused.
Richard thanked the clerk and guided them back to the atrium and then back to his office. Once they were seated and had plenty of tea, he said, "All that means is that Harry isn't living in a magical neighborhood. For example, many Muggleborns have their most recent known residence listed as Hogwarts, as they live with their Muggle parents while they're not at school."
"Lily had a sister; I think her name was Petunia or something like that. Is it possible that Harry's living with her?" Remus deduced.
"That's most likely the case. Technically, it was perfectly legal for someone to give Harry to Petunia, so long as Sirius received custody after the will was read. The late Lady Alice wasn't an option for obvious, tragic reasons. Of course, it's not like the Ministry would follow up on these things, and it's not like the goblins are going to go pay someone a house visit."
After some legal paperwork and Sirius officially signing the documents to retain Richard's services for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, he, Remus, and Andromeda returned to the Tonks' home for dinner.
###
Ted Tonks certainly hadn't changed since the few times that Sirius had briefly met him. Loud and jovial, he greeted Sirius with a handshake and a clap on the back. When Sirius turned to meet Nymphadora, his jaw almost dropped at the hot pink hair.
"You're a Metamorphmagus!" he exclaimed. It was a surprise, considering that most people with the gift showed signs of it as a baby, while he had last seen Tonks when she was five, there was not even a hint that she was one.
"She was a late bloomer," Andy clarified. "Let's eat. And no, Nymphadora, please don't change your nose at the table."
"Mum, please just call me Dora."
They sat down to eat the dinner of soup, roast chicken, and sautéed vegetables, and then Nym…err…Dora, cut in and said, "There's a rumor going around the Ministry that you're going to sue the entire D.M.L.E."
"Well, wouldn't that be something," Ted joked.
Andy glared at him and then looked at Sirius. Sirius sighed, but realized that it was time to finally put his Lord Black pants on. Not that he wasn't not wearing pants, or anything. "Nymphadora, as a daughter of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, anything you hear is privileged and private. Do you understand?"
"Yes," she answered, her tone much meeker than when she made her bold statement before. "Got it."
"Good. Anyway, my lawyer does plan to enact a certain level of legal action against certain employees, former and current, of the Ministry of Magic. Other than that, I can't say anything else."
###
It didn't matter, because the news came out the next day, when Richard Abbott officially filed all of the paperwork.
MINISTRY BLASTED IN BLACK'S CASE
by Arnold Haggerty
Past and current members of the Ministry of Magic are shaking in their boots. Why? Because the newly ascended Lord Black is on the warpath and out for blood. That's right. Sirius Orion Black, former thought-to-be betrayer and Azkaban inmate is now Lord Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Having retained the services of the well-known Abbott, Mathers & Abernathy, who are known for their high profile clients and even higher hourly-rate. Continued on page 4.
Page 4.
The defendants, as listed according to the complaint filed against the Ministry of Magic by Richard Abbott of Abbott, Mathers & Abernathy:
- Crouch, Sr., Bartemius (Head - Department of International Magical Cooperation; former Head - Department of Magical Law Enforcement
- Fudge, Cornelius (Minister of Magic; former Junior Minister - Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes)
- Scrimgeour, Rufus (Head Auror - Department of Aurors & Hit Wizards)
All have been contacted by the Ministry of Magic. As the complaint was filed on the behalf of a lord of a Noble and Most Ancient House, a hearing in front of the Wizengamot will be held at a later date.
"Wow," Ron said through a mouthful of sausages. "That's a pretty big deal."
"It's a huge deal," Hermione corrected him while simultaneously turning away so she didn't have to see his macerated breakfast. "A complaint against the Minister of Magic? This hearing could completely change the Ministry."
NEXT TIME:
'While the political and not-so-political planning was underway, much more important things were happening at Hogwarts. Quidditch tryouts.'