The Slytherins had been livid when Gin laid out the case Hermione'd presented her with. "You said Granger brought this to you, Gin?" Pansy asked as the redhead nodded.
"Yes. She's livid, and the twins helped her lay it out. I didn't ask if she's gone to Harry yet, but if this is all true, it might be better to get Harry out of Hogwarts first."
Neville shook his head. "I wondered why he didn't seem to know anything about House Potter," the other Gryffindor said quietly. "I've been raised with it my entire life, knowing what was expected of me as Scion Longbottom, not that it did me any good as far as confidence goes..."
Pansy tilted her head and then looked at Blaise and Draco. "You think it's possible the Goat-Lover had a backup plan?"
Draco thought about it for a moment. "It makes sense. After all, Snake-Face was always going to come back, and even Potter can't have that much luck. I think we need to take you to Gringotts as well, Longbottom."
"Don't we need permission to go off school grounds?" Ginny asked.
"I'm a Head of House, Gin, so I'm emancipated. Potter should be as well, and if I know Lord Black, which I do through reputation, I'm betting he's taken care of Potter too. That's why he left everything to him, because it emancipates him and gets 'round the other bits. I'm betting the will also makes some provision for my mother, since she only married Lucius because she couldn't get away like Aunt Andi did. If we list this all as Family Business, you should all be alright."
"But House Weasley won't..."
"And as of now, you're under the protection of House Malfoy, House Zabini, House Parkinson, and probably Potter and Black as well, considering you owe the Golden Boy a life-debt."
Ginny looked up at Blaise and nodded, but it was Neville's words that surprised her.
"Don't forget House Longbottom, Gin. You and Luna are both covered under that."
"So how do we get there?"
"Normally, I'd say we use Snape's office Floo to the Leaky Cauldron and go, but if Granger's right about him, well, we need to talk to someone else. Think McGonagall might go for it?"
"Depends on if we can convince her," Ginny said. "She likes me, so I'll go talk to her. If we can put it together, I can have her bring Harry and Hermione to meet us after lunch tomorrow."
It was only Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Neville's presence that kept Harry calm when shown into McGonagall's office where the Slytherins waited. "What's going on?"
"Mr. Potter, these students have brought some questions to my attention, on your behalf. Miss Granger requested the help of Lord Malfoy, Lord Zabini, Lady Parkinson and Lady Boyd through Miss Weasley, Scion Longbottom and Miss Lovegood," was the answer as his head of house handed him a parchment of questions. Emerald green eyes narrowed as he read them, things he'd never thought before coming to the surface, along with a dull ache in his scar.
"Look, Potter, I know we've no love lost and all that rot, but we're willing to let bygones be bygones and start a new leaf, if you are."
Draco's words had him turning to look at the blond Slytherin. He studied him for a minute and then nodded, holding out his hand as Draco took it and they shook hands, declaring a truce.
"We thought the goblins might have answers to some of those questions, and that you might appreciate some company who can help you sort it out. I've also been asked, on behalf of my mother, Narcissa Black, to let you know that neither she nor myself begrudge you being left the Black Fortune or Lordship, and that we hope we can become allies."
Hermione shook her head as Harry's confusion only appeared to deepen. "Come on, Harry, let's go see if Gringotts can straighten out some of your confusion. I know that the headmaster," she had to pause as not only Ginny, but Neville, Luna, Blaise and Pansy all coughed something that sounded suspiciously like "Goat-Lover", "hasn't told you nearly enough."
Minerva McGonagall gestured toward her fireplace and the pot of Floo Powder atop it, letting each student travel directly to the Wizarding bank, which she had arranged immediately after being shown the still-growing list of questions. It was a pleasure to see students who had been taught to hate each other learning to get along, despite the machinations of "The Greater Good."
Once they had all arrived at Gringotts, it was easy enough to arrange a meeting with the account managers of the Black and Potter vaults. When they tried to exclude the others, Harry shook his head. "No, please. Without all of them, I wouldn't have even known to meet with you at all," he said.
Griphook looked confused. "Have you not been receiving our letters, Lord Potter? We have sent them faithfully since your parents' passing."
"I'm sorry, no. I had heard nothing of Gringotts until Hagrid brought me when I was eleven, and even then, I assumed I had only what was in my vault."
"That's your trust vault. It's meant to pay for your school supplies, along with your care and other necessities. It is not nearly the extent of your holdings," Griphook said. Anger was clear in his voice. "We shall investigate this most ardently, Lord Potter. But first, we must show you the will of Sirius Orion Black, and then we will hopefully be able to do a few other things. Lord Black wrote his will here, where the Ministry could not find him, and so we are well aware of the contents. We simply need you to prick your finger and then press here."
Harry did as requested and the paper rose up, much like the official letters he had received from the Ministry, and began to recite it's contents.
iI, Lord Sirius Orion Black, being of sound mind and body, or at least as sound as one can be after spending years in Azkaban for a crime I did not commit, do hereby swear that this is my last will and testament.
First, I must apologize, to my dearest friends now gone from this world, James and Lily. I know that I have failed you, and I can only hope that in more recent years, I have made you proud.
Next, to my cousin, Andromeda Black Tonks, her husband Theodore, and their daughter, Nymphadora, I re-instate you into the Black family. Be there for Harry, he's going to need you.
Next, to my cousin Narcissa Black Malfoy, I offer you a choice. You may remain in the family so long as you are willing to abjure that murdering bastard your parents forced on you. If you so choose, you may once again be Narcissa Black and I hope you will guide the new Head of the House as you would've guided me. I'm sorry it took so long to keep my promise.
To Draco Lucius Malfoy, I sincerely hope that you are a better man than your father, but as I cannot be certain, I cannot leave you this estate or this lordship. Instead, if you choose to go with your mother and you renounce your father, I promise that my heir will treat you fairly.
To Lucius Malfoy, I regret the day you ever married into this family, you ridiculous ponce. You are hereby removed from any and all access to Black Family funds, magic or properties. Should your wife and son not renounce you, they will suffer the same fate.
To Bellatrix Lestrange, I leave nothing but the knowledge that you are hereby cast out of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, your marriage is declared voided and annulled. You shall have no further access to the Black Family properties, magic or funds, your dowry is recalled. The same provisions go for your husband.
To my best friend, Remus Lupin - Moony, get your head out of your arse. Take care of my cousin, and take care of Harry. Both need you more than you know. There is a property in the woods, overlooking the ocean, that is yours. It's just a cottage, but I always thought you'd like it there.
And to my Godson, Harry James Potter. Pup, I know I've failed you, but never doubt that I love you like my own son. And because of that, everything else is yours. I leave you the title of Lord Black, the properties, the funds and everything else. But most importantly, I give you this:
I, Sirius Orion Black, the true magical guardian of Harry James Potter, do hereby declare him to be of age. His inheritance now comes due, including the bequests in the illegally-sealed will of James and Lily Potter.
You've faced more challenges than most full-grown Wizards I know, so it's only fair that you be treated as one instead of as a child. I'm so proud of you, and I know that you will go on to be the best of all of us Marauders./I
Quiet sniffles could be heard from the girls who'd come with them as Harry rubbed at his eyes. He glanced over at Draco, who just shrugged.
"I completely agree with his choice, Potter. Besides, being Lord Malfoy is bad enough," the blonde said with a smirk. Griphook placed a wooden box in front of Harry, who opened it to see the Black family ring. With a sigh, he slid it onto his right ring finger, gasping as it warmed and then sized to fit. Draco's Head of House ring warmed at the same time and he laughed. "Oh great, really, you had to make me Scion?"
"Scion?" Harry asked.
"It means Draco's your heir until you have a son," Neville said with a shrug. "At least for House Black."
Griphook moved Sirius' will to the side and looked at Harry. "Do you have any issues with the contents of the previous Lord's will, Lord Black?"
"No, it's fine. Sirius did the right thing, I think," Harry said. It was clear to all of those watching that he was terribly confused. And it only got worse when another paper was held out, ready for him to prick his finger again.
