Disclaimer: I do not now nor have I ever owned Harry Potter. He, his friends and their world belong to JK Rowling. I've merely appropriated them for my own purposes. *Cue evil laughter*
Authors Note: Hunh, sorry this one took so long. Well I lied about approximate dates, you still get a couple more dates in this on, but don't expect them to go all through the chapter. The Will happens in this one, I am not a Will-Writing legal person so don't expect it to sound proper. In regards to the Will in this story the Potters were a very rich titled Pureblood family, so holdings and shares and money. Also Godrics Hollow was in Wales so that's where most Potter holdings are; and, just because, Lily's father (in this story) was Scottish so they have holdings there too.
Chapter Seven
St Mungo's Hospital
August 12th 1995
It wasn't long after Amelia left that both Remus and Bella returned, the first laden with bags while the second appeared drained. As Remus set the bags down on the end of Sirius' bed, Bella sighed "I visited Alice and Frank again."
"Ah," The reason for her drained appearance became obvious, "how are they?"
"Unresponsive for the most part." She sighed, "It's so hard to see them like that, I tell them all about what's happening but it isn't like it's anything interesting after all I'm in hospital, the only news we get is the Prophet and that's not all that helpful."
Sirius smiled over at her "I'm sure that they appreciate any information, and now," he gestured at the bags, "we have books! So you can read to them, and don't forget Andy's bringing Nymphie to visit us once her shift finishes."
Remus looked up from where he was rearranging the contents of one of the bags, "Which should be soon, I saw Pole as I came in and he said that they were on the same shift cycle and he was just finishing his paperwork before he headed home."
Both Blacks grinned but before they could comment a slight groan was heard from the farthest bed, all eyes darted over and saw a mop of dark red stir and sleepy green eyes peer around, "Padfoo?"
Sirius smiled "Right here, Harry-Pup. Didya have a good nap?"
Hair fell into his eyes as he nodded, and he blinked confused by both the length and colour, before he could comment or worry Sirius said "I've got your lunch here along with some potions, so you just sit there and eat that and then we can have a look at what Uncle Moony got us from the shop."
A small smile appeared on his face and for a moment all three adults saw Lily smiling at them from her sons face, then it was gone and Harry was once more a small boy too serious for his age.
As Sirius set the tray in front of him the door to the room slid open and Andy entered followed by a pink haired girl in jeans.
"Hello again."
"Romy!" Bella grinned, "And who's this?"
Andromeda sighed, "This is my daughter Nympha-"
"Mum! I told you! I just wanna be called Tonks!"
Before Andy could reply Sirius had exclaimed, "Little Nymphie! It's been a while."
A thunderous look appeared on the preteens face, "It's Tonks! Get it right." The expression eased and she smiled brightly, "It has been a while though Cousin Siri. How're you?"
"Ah Nymphie, as sweet as ever, I'm good. Getting better everyday."
Before the two could descend into a childish exchange over names Andy cleared her throat, "Bella this is Dora, Dora your Aunt Bella."
The girl, now dubbed Dora, smiled over at her Aunt, "It's nice to meet you Aunt Bella, I've heard a lot about you growing up. From Mum and that mutt over there."
"Oi."
Bella smirked "Good things I hope."
"Oh some of them. Is it true you once charmed Siri's broom so that he sang that you were the Queen of Hogwarts and he was a scoundrel?"
Bella laughed as did Remus and Andy, "I remember that! It took us an hour to get him down!" Remus exclaimed.
Harry watched avidly as the four chattered about various pranks while Sirius pouted in the background, as the group got more excited the laughter rang through the room and various amusing stories were acted out with humour and over the top gestures. Finally the stories hit a crescendo and Harry let out a small giggle that instantly drew all eyes, without his knowledge his hair, which had brightened and changed to a light blue as he had watched now darkened back to the red it was previously.
Dora, upon spotting this, exclaimed "Harry!" and, before he realised what was happening, swept him into a hug, he froze instantly but as she continued holding him tightly in a fond embrace he slowly, slowly, relaxed, drawing back she grinned watching as his hair once more lightened to blue, with amusement her own hair mimicked his. "It's been so long! You were only a little baby last time I saw you. We used to play a game where I'd change my hair colour then you'd try and copy it, oh all we need is Nev, gosh you two used to get into so much trouble and you were only babies! Though I think half the time it was Jimmy and Siri's fault."
As Dora rambled on Sirius watched as Harry's face ran through a gamut of emotions from confusion to shock, to a deep thoughtfulness, to slowly dawning astonishment and wide-eyed wonder, settling carefully on a wary kind of happiness, he watched in amazement as Harry looked at his pink-haired cousin with the same hint of memory that he wore around himself and Remus. It appeared as though Harry had a very very exceptional memory when it came to people and perhaps more.
He smiled lightly before commenting "You might want to give the Puppy time to breath Nymphie, and maybe to take his potions and eat something."
Dora smiled and sat on the end of Harry's bed now watching him swallow his potions and begin picking through his food.
The adults chattered on in the background catching up on events that had passed in the years since last they'd seen each other, Bella would occasionally direct a question in her direction but seeing that she was intent on watching over her little cousin left her be for the most part.
Once Harry was finished his lunch he looked once more at the now remembered figure, "Niph."
Dora's smile stretched widely, "That's right, that's what you and Nev used to call me, neither of you were that good with your d's or your r's so you called me Niph."
In the background Andy chimed to Bella "They're the only ones that could get away with that too let me tell you. The rows she and Siri'd get into."
"D'you remember me?"
Harry looked down frowning, then his face lit up and his hair flashed to a bright purple though he didn't appear to realise it had done so; Dora grinned her own hair copying the shade "That was the colour it always went when you saw me!"
At his, somewhat subconscious, recollection of Dora many of the trust barriers that existed in his mind, even around Bella who had been nothing but kind in the time they'd known each other, relaxed and his interactions became slightly more candid. Though he was still rather more solemn than someone of his age should be.
Sirius watched from the corner of his eye, as Nymphie gently coaxed Harry out of his shell through stories about Hogwarts and about visiting and playing with him when he'd been a baby.
By the time Andy said that they had to head home Harry was calmer than he'd been since Sirius had rescued him, before they vanished off home he told Nymphie that since it was school holidays they wouldn't mind visitors as long as it didn't interrupt her time with her friends, or homework Andy added with a grin.
St Mungo's Hospital
Sirius and Remus both stared down at the folder sitting innocently on the bed table. Andy and Dora had left several hours earlier, Bella was once more asleep due to her potions regime, as was Harry. Now it was just the two of them and the ordinary looking folder before them. Remus sighed "Just open it Padfoot, the sooner we know the sooner we can deal with it and the better we'll feel."
Sirius nodded flipping open the folder, "Okay here we go: 'I, James Charlus Potter, being of sound mind and blah blah blah legal things, list of charities and donations to each, bequeths to various institutes and Ministry Departments, ah here we go, to Remus Lupin I leave twenty thousand galleons and the Cabin in Tywi Forest," Remus looked at Sirius in shock hand covering his mouth and eyes blurring with tears, "That- He-"
Before he could finish Sirius continued, "To Neville Longbottom, to remain in care of Alice and Frank Longbottom until he reaches his majority, I leave one half of Potter Farm in Little Haven. To Augusta Longbottom I leave my eternal thanks and my great-grandmother's wedding pearls asking only that she lend them to my son should he marry. To Andromeda, Edward and Nymphadora Tonks I leave one half of my mother's dowry, ten thousand galleons, to aid you in any way, along with my heartfelt thanks. To Severus Snape I leave an apology that has been owed for many years. In regards to others please refer to the joint Will. All that remains is to go to my wife, in the event of her death the joint will is default.'"
He flipped the page and took a drink of water, "Wish I had something stronger. All right Lily's turn 'I, Lily Deirdre Potter née Evans, being of sound mind and body blah blah blah legal jargon' why do they always put in so much legal jargon? Well at least Lily didn't have donations and such, here we are 'To Bellatrix Lestrange, if she is ever in a position to take it, I leave my parents home in Crieff. To Alice Longbottom, I leave my Blooming Moonshade. To Professor Filius Flitwick I leave my Charms notebooks in the hopes that one day they will aid someone. To my dear friend Severus Snape, I leave majority shares to the Potions company SilverTrout. To my sister Petunia and her family I leave my Fathers pocketwatch since it is the only thing that she would ever accept. All that remains goes to my husband, in the event of his death the joint Will is default.'
"Well last one now, lets get this over with. 'I, James Charlus Potter, and I, Lily Deirdre Potter née Evans, being of sound mind and body do blah blah legal jargon' oh look Moony," He smiled wanly at Remus as he flipped another page, "more legal jargon, oh there it is the interesting stuff 'in the event that this will is being used the first thing that must be addressed is that our home was under a Fidelius charm, though most believe our Secret Keeper to be Sirius Black it is in fact Peter Pettigrew. Pettigrew is a rat animagus and should be captured immediately should we be betrayed.
"If we are both gone then custody of our son passes firstly to Sirius Black, secondly to Alice and Frank Longbottom, thirdly to Andromeda and Edward Tonks, or fourthly to Augusta Longbottom, if none of these people are available Harry is to be placed with a magical foster family, under no circumstances is he to go to Petunia Dursley.
"To Sirius Black, we leave our most precious and treasured of possessions our son, we know that you will love and care for him as though he were your own, and if we cannot be there for him then it eases our hearts to know that you and, most likely, Remus will be, we also leave the Potter shares of Dervish and Gapes and the Lake House at Loch Earn.
"Finally to our son, Harry, we leave all other Potter holdings, shares, finances and heirlooms, one half of Potter Farm at Little Haven to be shared with Neville Longbottom, and a message 'Harry we love you. So so much.''"
Both men were solemn and silent thinking over everything, "Right as executor of the estate we'd best get this sorted now. All of the personal bequests will be dealt with privately, however, the charitable donations and the bequests to departments along with all but the personal bequests from the joint Will can be published so that people will calm down and stop ranting at the goblins. What do you think?"
Remus nodded, "I know we're not staying here in Britain but what are we going to do about the houses?"
Sirius grinned, "I have plans my friend, and nothing says we can't have a vacation once in a while. What do you think about Prongs' apology to Snape?"
Remus sighed, "I think that he grew up, that we all did. I think that Severus tried to protect Lily as much as he could but that the pressure was too much. I know that if it had only been a little later Lily would have reconciled with him before they died she'd been making plans to."
Sirius nodded, "We were berks back then but we always had the girls and Frank to rein us in." He sighed looking away from Remus, "I know that if anyone owes the man an apology it's me and not James."
Remus placed his hand on Sirius' shoulder "Padfoot, we grew up. The things we did as children have been done and we can't change them, so don't go dwelling. Yes learn from your mistake so that you don't repeat it, be sad that you did it but don't dwell on it, move forward look ahead we have so much to do and look forward to."
"When'd you get so smart?"
"I've always been the smart one remember?"
As the two old friends began taking their first steps toward healing three boys who were the future slept on, comfortable in their beds none knowing what was to come.
St Mungo's Hospital
Days passed steadily after that, accented by visits from Nymphadora and, surprisingly to Remus and Bella, Amelia Bones. Nearing the end of the first week Bella disappeared from the hospital, she never said what had passed while she was away but she returned smiling and said that Neville would be accompanying them on their move.
Toward the middle of the second week Xeno appeared once more, this time accompanied by a statuesque blond woman with sharp grayish blue eyes, and a tiny white haired child who seemed to drift along. These he explained were his wife Selene and his daughter Luna. As Bella and Selene settled into small talk and the remaining Marauders chatted with Xeno, Luna floated over to where Harry was, once more, watching the conversations; over the past days he had become more relaxed in the presence of the three adults and had been read stories and played games with them all. "Hi." A soft dreamy voice said as the fairy-like child clammered onto the bed beside him. "I's Lu Luffgoo. I's free."
A bright smile lit her face as she looked at him in expectation, he stared for a moment before realising that she wanted to know his name "I'm Hawwy, I'm four."
The smile on her face grew impossibly bigger "I be four soon, my mummy tole me."
The blonde chattered on about cake and presents occasionally giving him an expressive look that demanded he reply to comments she had made.
Looking over at the two Remus smiled and nudged Sirius who made a pleased expression "I think they'll be good for each other."
Xeno nodded, "We travel quite a lot so she doesn't get to interact with many children, we were quite worried that she wouldn't know how to, I think your Harry will help her in that department."
Sirius nodded in reply watching Harry's hair, which he was coming to use as a barometer of sorts, as he watched to dark red which was his default lightened to burnished yellow, a colour he hadn't seen since Harry was a baby. Luna's eyes grew wide at the change and she bounced up and clapped asking if he could do it again. Dora and Sirius had both explained about his hair and how he could change it so he knew what she meant, a look of concentration filled his face and the strands slowly shifted to blue before reverting once more to the yellow, "I c'n't do mush, 'M too young, Niph ses it be easir when 'm oller."
The two once more settled into talking until Selene looked at the watch at her wrist, looking apologetically back at Bella whom she'd formed a fast friendship, she said "Xeno, Luna I'm afraid we need to leave. However," she looked at them both, and held in her laugh, as they simultaneously opened their mouths to protest, "I'm sure we can come back some other day."
White-blonde hair flew as Luna hopped up on the bed "Mummy we cans come for my birfday? Pleeeeease?"
Selene's lips quirked "Well if it's alright with Mr. and Miss Black and Mr. Lupin then I suppose we might."
Big blue eyes gazed wetly at Sirius who smiled weakly and wondered if this was some strange previously undocumented form of Imperius "I'm sure it'll be fine, and I think the Puppy likes having some company."
"Yay!" Turning she hugged Harry who blinked in confusion as she darted away to hold her fathers hand and exclaim about her new friend.
Thank you's were exchanged on both sides as Xeno and Selene both promised to return and the Blacks and Remus shared their gratitude of having visitors. Then the Lovegoods departed and Sirius grinned over at his godson "Well Puppy did you have fun?"
The still yellow head bobbed in agreement, "Padfoo, we has to get Lu a pwessen."
"Thats right Puppy we do. How about you tell Uncle Moony what you think we should get her and he'll go get it?"
Remus smiled lightly in the background, knowing that it was grating on Sirius' nerves to have to send him to get anything, "That's right Harry. And I'll get some wrapping paper and you and Padfoot can wrap it up for her."
A look of intense concentration took over Harry's face as he thought about what to get Luna, his only experience with presents was when he was a very small baby, and Dudley. "She likes to dwaw, an' nanimals."
Remus nodded "I can work with that, I'll see you all in a bit."
St Mungo's Hospital
Over the next few days Harry was happier and more chatty, something that both Dora and Amelia picked up on. Dora commented on it as the two sat colouring one morning and received a shy smile in return. Amelia mentioned it to Sirius one evening as the two observed Bella reading a story to the sleepy Harry, and was granted a nod and the statement "He's coming to accept that he never has to go back, that he can have a childhood and a happy life."
Halfway through the week Augusta visited again, however, this time she was accompanied by a small brown haired boy in what looked to be his 'good' clothes. Upon seeing them Bella's face lit up and she hopped quickly from her bed to greet them, "Aunt Gus! Neville!"
Sirius grinned at them "Aunt Gus, you finally visit when I'm awake! And is that little Neville? Last time I saw him he was a a tiny tot who was constantly stealing his Mums wand and turning Prongs' hair green."
The boy went red as Augusta laughed heartily and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Yes this is Neville. Neville this is Sirius Black, your Aunts cousin, their friend Remus Lupin," Remus smiled widely from the half finished chess game he and Sirius had been engaged in, "And Sirius' godson Harry Potter."
Harry looked at Neville with a slight frown, and for the first time he spoke without prompting on anyone elses part "Niph talls 'bout you."
Neville cocked his head "I 'member Niph, she usta play games."
Harry nodded.
As the adults watched the two boys began talking, as time passed the four adults sat together reminiscing and chatting as the boys drew pictures and talked about games they liked.
Before the Longbottoms left Harry turned to Sirius and asked "Padfoo, Nef come to Lu birfday?"
Sirius smiled "I think that'd be fine, I'll write a letter to Xeno and ask."
The two boys both smiled and waved as Augusta took Neville's hand and led him out.
Time passed quickly after that filled with many visits from Dora, Amelia Bones, the Longbottoms and on occasion the Lovegoods. Finally September the 1st came and with it many different events occurred.
Twelve year old Nymphadora Tonks went off to Hogwarts for her second year, leaving behind her many promises to write to her little cousins and the big ones too.
Molly Weasley bundled up all seven of her children and hurried them off to Platform 9 and three quarters to see off her two oldest Bill, who was in his third year, and Charlie who was going into his second.
Arthur Weasley watched his family leave and turned to do the same after looking down in trepidation at the stunned rat who appeared to be sleeping in the Unbreakable cage that he carried.
Albus Dumbledore returned from a month long conference with the ICW and set about preparing the school for the new school year, completely unaware that his plans had been crushed and many peoples blind faith in him had been destroyed.
Letters informing people about the personal bequests from the Potter family were sent out, and the Daily Prophet printed the public parts of the Will, including a denouement of Peter Pettigrew, various charitable donations and the fact that Harry Potter was never suppose to be put in the care of Petunia Dursley.
Severus Snape was surprised to find an envelope waiting for him when he awoke, upon opening it and reading the contents he was so shocked he found himself going from a standing position to a sitting one.
Within the envelope had been three letters, the first had startled him and at the same time filled him with a warm sensation, it had been from Lily, written before her death, it told him how she regretted the loss of their friendship, of how she intended to regain it but if he was reading the letter hadn't been able to, of how Dumbledore had told them about both the prophecy and who had heard it, of how she forgave him and understood how hard to was to withstand peer pressure. It finished by telling him that she was leaving him two things, controlling interest in a Potions Company and her forgiveness.
The second letter had been even more of a shock, it was from James Potter and apologised for the various acts taken against him during their time at Hogwarts. This letter had caused his eyes to widen, never in all their years at Hogwarts had he imagined that James Potter, that arrogant git, would ever grow up enough to take the blame for his actions.
Finally he opened the last letter and found his legs numb with shock. It was from Sirius Black and Remus Lupin, both were also apologizing for their behaviour and saying that Lily had hit them all when she'd found out how far they'd almost taken it. The letter also acknowledged that Severus had been Lily's childhood friend and almost brother and because of that he had the right to be informed about what was happening in regards to Lily's son. They were leaving the country, they explained, as soon as they got everything sorted, they were packing up and going on vacation then finding a house in a country with no ties to Britain and leaving.
They said that if he was interested they would send letters and pictures of Harry, or if he didn't they would leave him be it was up to him.
Looking down at the letters in his hand he realised that they had all grown up, and he had too, so putting pen to paper he began writing his own apology, for theirs had been a feud, and it had required action of both parts. The Marauders, he acknowledged, hadn't been the only ones that needed to account for their actions.
Neville Longbottom awoke early and dressed quickly. Though they had visited many times over the last few weeks it always excited him. He enjoyed talking with Aunt Bella; watching Uncle Padfoot teasing Uncle Moony as Gran laughed in the background; playing games with Harry; and being told stories by Nymph. This day was special though, Harry had told him about the girl named Lu who visited with her parents and whose birthday they were going to be celebrating, Neville and his Gran had gotten her a present and now they were heading to St Mungo's for his first time as a Birthday guest.
St Mungo's Hospital
September 1st
As Neville Longbottom was waking his Gran and the Weasleys were checking for forgotten items; as Severus Snape was discovering something he'd thought long lost and Albus Dumbledore was returning to Hogwarts. The residents of the Black's room at St Mungo's Hospital were eating their breakfast.
Sirius Black grinned at his godson, who, if not for the rapidly changing hair, appeared as calm as though it were just another day. "Looking forward to today, Puppy?"
In answer to this question the boys now yellow head bobbed. The grin on Sirius' face softened to a smile, the yellow that had once been a response to Lily's laugh and James' tricks had now come to mean Luna, a sweet little girl who, in the time they'd known each other, had managed to get Harry to release the unrestrained giggle commonly found in children of his age, that giggle had eased worries that Sirius had harboured. Despite being reassured by Healers, including his cousin, that children were resilient, Sirius had worried as weeks passed and Harry had continued to sneak into his bed in the dark of night, had spoken rarely and smiled less. However, these worries had eased when Harry had smiled at Nymphie, had spoken to Neville without prompting and finally, had giggled at a comment that Luna had made. It may take time but his godson would heal and one day he would stop letting what the Dursley's had done control him, and until that day came Sirius and the others would be there to remind him that he was Harry Potter and there was nothing wrong with him.
An hour later Luna skipped into the room wearing a frilly yellow dress and a paper crown with flower petals dancing across it's surface,
"Hawe, do you li' my hat?"
Harry smiled and nodded.
"Daddy, get Hawe's hat too!" Luna exclaimed as her parents entered the room, hand in hand.
Xeno grinned and pulled out a paper crown dogs running and sleeping all over it, "We thought you'd like this one Harry, and we have another for your friend Neville."
Not long after Augusta Longbottom and Neville entered the room to find Harry and Luna wearing paper crowns as Selene took photo's and chatted with Bella, and the men boasted proudly, "Ah and here's Aunt Gus and Nev now. How goes the day?" Sirius queried.
Augusta let out a gust of air "It started earlier than I'd have liked but we're here now."
As the Blacks and Remus laughed then introduced the Lovegoods, Harry and Luna each grabbed one of Nevilles hands and took him over to where Harry's bed was covered in paper and crayons, "Lu's Dad gots you a hat too." Harry said as Luna plopped a paper crown on Neville's head, as they watched water fell on a seed that grew to a tree that deposited a seed that water fell on. The three grinned at each other any shyness gone.
As three children laughed and played, a rat-who-was-a-man a woke to find himself secured to a chair and unable to lie. A stern-eyed red-haired woman looked down at him and began to question.
As a little girl was given two birthday presents from her new friends, a rat-who-was-a-man admitted to betraying and causing the deaths of two of his friends.
As coloured paper went flying though the air and excited squeals erupted, a rat-who-was-a-man incriminated and caused the re-arrest of several free criminals.
As brightly colour candles were blown out and a wish made before radish-shaped cake was eaten, a rat-who-was-a-man was sentenced to the worst punishment imaginable.
As sleepy children curled up together under the watchful eyes for their caregivers, a rat-who-was-a-man stared into the soulless hood and relived the worse moments of his life before the light faded from his eyes.
As now sleeping children were carried back to their homes and tucked into their beds, a man who's eyes gleamed with ice was placed into Auror holding cells, assured through his wealth that they would not hold him long. As that man plotted his wife stared down at her sleeping child and thought of her lost love, and made a plan.
21/10/13
Re-Edited: 06/03/14
