"Why didn't you stop her?" Sirius asked, hollow eyed.
"I couldn't! I – I just saw her curse you –"
"Why didn't you grab me? Or even come after me?"
"Remus had me – I couldn't follow –"
"Why didn't you curse her?"
"I didn't have enough hate, she said…"
"Why not? Didn't I mean anything to you? She's my murderer!"
"I don't know! I don't know!"
"I was your godfather…"
"SIRIUS!" Harry reached out desperately for Sirius, but his godfather just shook his head sadly and turned away, fading into nothingness.
Harry jerked awake. The window was just beginning to go grey with morning light, and Ron, fortunately, was still snoring away in the other bed.
Harry lay there, stubbornly ignoring the burn in his eyes and the wetness on his cheeks. He knew better than this, didn't he? He couldn't have done anything to save Sirius. Everyone told him so. He hadn't had the power…
Story of his life right now, really.
A small noise brought him out of his self recrimination, and he watched as the door eased open and Draco's pale head slipped through. Harry slitted his eyes almost closed and watched as Draco cased the room and then slunk in, heading directly for Harry's bed.
As Draco's lips descended on his, Harry argued briefly with himself. He had determined to back off, that was true, but Draco's kisses were so nice…and he was so depressed this morning…surely it wouldn't hurt anything to keep up the morning tradition…
As Draco started to draw away Harry let his eyes flutter open, and curved a hand around the back of Draco's head to hold him there as Harry kissed him back.
"Mmmm," hummed Draco into Harry's mouth, and the kiss swiftly intensified, until Harry found himself pulling insistently at the other boy, trying to pull him into the bed with him. No, his mind said faintly, drowned out by his much louder hormones chorusing Oh, yes!
Draco started to climb on when Ron said, "For Merlin's sake, you two! I'm still here, you know!"
Draco pulled away and returned his one foot to the floor as Harry felt his cheeks burn. "But you were asleep," he said. "So you didn't count."
"Well, I'm awake now," said Ron crossly. "Stop it, before my eyes burn out entirely."
"You could always shut them," Draco suggested, but Harry's mind was now back in control of his hormones, and he pushed Draco away and clambered out of bed.
"No," he said. "I need a shower anyway. Sorry, Ron."
Draco sneered at Ron and stomped out the door.
"Just out of curiosity," said Ron pensively, "why didn't you move into Malfoy's new room with him?"
"I just didn't think it would be a good idea," said Harry. "He has only been on our side for a week and a half, after all." He mustered a grin at Ron. "Tired of me?" he asked, then cursed himself when it came out a little too much as though he meant the question.
"'Course not, mate!" said Ron, looking genuinely surprised. "I just – sort of thought you were getting to want to be with him, that's all."
Harry shrugged. "Not to the point of moving in with him." He collected his toiletries and headed out to the shower. And if he had himself a very satisfying wank reliving that wake-up kiss, he told himself it didn't affect his resolution at all.
After his shower, he dressed carefully in Draco's re-tailored clothes and spent rather awhile trying to get his hair to look at least as tidy as Draco had made it look last night. He didn't succeed, but then he happily remembered he'd be wearing a Glamour charm, so maybe it wouldn't matter much anyway. Much cheered by this, he went downstairs to breakfast, finding that the girls were there ahead of him, as well as the teachers. Ron came in just after he did.
"Morning, everyone," he said, and immediately dug into his breakfast.
"So, Harry, have you thought about what you want for your birthday?" Hermione asked. He turned a startled gaze on her. "I'm excited; it's the first time we've been able to be together for your birthday!"
He swallowed a mouthful of bacon sandwich. "Uh, yeah," he said. "I mean, no, I haven't thought about it." He smiled at her. "It just won't be my birthday if you don't give me a book," he teased, and Hermione blushed.
"How about a lovely new copy of Hogwarts: A History?" she retorted.
"I was thinking an earring or something," said Ginny in a bland tone, with a quick sideways glance at her mother.
Harry grinned enthusiastically. "What a great idea! I've always liked Bill's earring. Maybe I'll grow my hair, too…might keep it under control…"
As Mrs Weasley stopped sputtering and got a good breath to protest, Draco walked into the room. "Nothing will get your hair under control, Harry," he said, with a quick glare at the impassive Professor Snape as he said the name. "I myself have verified this."
"Well, it stands to reason if it was longer, it'd be heavier," said Ron, when he had swallowed. Harry gave him a speculative glance. "That would have to make it lie flat, wouldn't it?"
"With anyone else," said Draco, seating himself and collecting some eggs. "With Harry's hair, I can make no promises."
"It is unwise to have long hair when one duels frequently," said Snape flatly. "And Hogwarts does not allow boys to wear visible earrings, even if they were practical for a dueller, either."
A damp silence descended on the table.
"Well, we'll be leaving right after breakfast," said Mrs Weasley. "Harry, Remus will be with you for the trip, even though you'll both be Glamoured. Albus says you have an appointment at Gringotts at ten; you'll go shopping afterward and get you some proper clothes."
"We'll be getting him proper clothes," said Ginny and Hermione in very firm voices.
"Subject, of course, to my approval," said Draco, as though this should be obvious.
Harry scowled. "I don't get a say in my own clothes?"
"Of course not," said Draco. "I mean, really, Harry, look how you've done on your own so far."
"My clothes are all hand-me-downs!" It was the first time he hadn't cringed with embarrassment at saying that out loud; he was too aggravated.
"Not that Gryffindor T shirt. Or those questionable brown trousers you wore last Monday," said Draco. "No, Harry. Leave it to me."
"He'll end up looking like a ponce!" Ron spluttered.
"Ron!" said his mother, as Draco turned up his nose.
"No, he won't," said Ginny. "I think we can work together to find something you're happy with, Harry. Trust us?" She batted her eyelashes at him.
He laughed. "I guess so," he said.
"Brilliant!" said Ginny. "So after your appointment, we'll get you some clothes and whatever else you need."
"And tomorrow it's back to work," said Professor Snape.
"Tomorrow is Harry's birthday," said Remus firmly. "The day after tomorrow, it's back to work."
"I can assure you the Dark Lord cares nothing for birthdays," sneered Snape. "Potter needs all the practise he can get, especially if he is to – realise his full potential – in time to do any good."
"The Dark Lord is a miserable joyless terrorising git," said Ron, once again after he had swallowed his mouthful of food. Everyone looked at him in surprise. "We care about Harry and he is going to get his birthday."
"Exactly right, Ron," said Mr Weasley, beaming. He had been so quiet up to then that everyone jumped. "Well said." Ron flushed with pride.
Harry smiled at them all. "Thanks, guys." He turned to Snape. "I think the break will do me good," he said earnestly. Snape sneered at him but did not reply, and Harry shrugged, once again applying himself to his bacon sandwich.
After breakfast Mr Weasley went off to work and Snape disappeared into his lab. Shortly thereafter Professor Dumbledore arrived with Tonks, who was tall and brunette today. They proceeded to get everyone ready to go.
The Glamour Charms were fun, mostly because Tonks actually let them have a say in how they looked. She obligingly gave Hermione sleek straight blonde hair and Ginny short chestnut curls. She let Draco look as chic and groomed as he always did, even with his new dark colouring.
She gave Harry red hair and hazel eyes. Of course, the biggest difference was made when she dabbed a clear potion on his scar and it faded from view.
"That should last all day," she said. "If you feel your forehead tingling, let me know right away and I'll reapply it, okay?"
"Okay. Am I done?"
"What else can I do?"
"Can you give me great muscles?" he asked, grinning.
She grinned back. "You're a Quidditch player; you already have great muscles. You just need to dress to show them off. Now come on before I give you a harelip."
"Nice, Harry," said Ginny, looking him up and down.
"Thanks. Are we ready?" Harry asked.
"Just let me finish with Remus," Tonks called from the other side of the room, where she had retreated to disguise the last Marauder.
Moments later Remus strolled up to them, sporting long wheat-coloured hair and an eye patch with a twisted scar coming out the bottom of it. He was standing straighter, which made him look much taller, and moving with an aggressive stride that he never used normally. "Ready?" he asked, smiling. The smile now had a rakish tilt that reminded Harry suddenly of Sirius in Snape's Penseive.
"Ready," he said, swallowing, and they all headed for the fireplace, the plan being to Floo to the Leaky Cauldron and go into the Alley from there.
"Harry and I and Remus will go first," said Professor Dumbledore, who had been off to one side with Draco, conversing quietly, "so that we can go straight on to Gringott's. The rest of you, stay with Tonks. We will meet you at the ice cream parlour after Harry's appointment."
Everyone agreed, and Hermione squeezed Harry's hand. At last he was in the Leaky Cauldron, brushing soot off himself and watching as Draco Flooed through and landed perfectly. A second later Tonks Flooed in and tripped over Draco, knocking him to the floor, so Harry got to leave the pub laughing.
When they got to Gringotts, Harry and his two escorts were taken to a plush office on an upper floor, where a very old goblin presided over a massive desk. There was a wizard there as well, who stepped forward when Harry entered the office and held out his hand.
"You must be Harry Potter," he said – the Glamours had been taken down as soon as they walked through the office door. "It's an honour to meet you. My name's Samuel Mace, partner in Hyde, Mace, and Tolliver. We're the solicitors to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black." His lips twisted humorously on the last words.
"Nice to meet you," said Harry. His stomach was churning with nervousness and sorrow.
Mr Mace shook Remus's and Professor Dumbledore's hands as well. The goblin then cleared its throat and said, "I am Rasnar, head of Inheritances. Please, be seated, and we will hear the will of Sirius Black."
Harry's knees felt weak; he was glad to sink into a chair.
Mr Mace produced a sheaf of parchments and cleared his throat. "Ahem. This will was made in September, 1980, and is valid as it was made before Sirius Black's imprisonment in Azkaban Prison. As the Spells of Inheritance have confirmed his death, we are gathered here to hear the wishes of Sirius Black, head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Toujours Pur.
"I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind, body, and power, do hereby state my wishes as to the disposal of my possessions after my death.
"To my friend Remus Lupin, I leave the maximum amount permitted for werewolves at the time of the will – that's one hundred thousand Galleons," Mace added. Remus blinked. "I leave also the house known as the Tower in Wales, and all its contents. Enjoy the books, Moony."
Remus dropped his head into his hands, and his shoulders shook. Professor Dumbledore patted his shoulder and offered him an enormous blue handkerchief, with which he wiped at his eyes before sitting up straight and smiling shakily.
"All right?" asked Mace. Remus nodded, and the solicitor continued.
"To my friend Peter Pettigrew –"
"What!" Harry exclaimed, and Mace looked at him over the tops of the parchments.
"May I continue, Mr Potter?"
"Yes, sorry," Harry muttered, sinking down in his chair, gut churning even more with the addition of outrage to the list of emotions.
"– Peter Pettigrew, I leave the mahogany wardrobe in the blue guest room and all its contents. Get into those leather pants, Wormtail; it'll do wonders for your social life."
Harry's mind's eye burned at the image, even as he tried not to emit his horrified laughter, and he saw Remus wince.
"I leave also the sum of fifty thousand Galleons. Don't spend 'em all in one place.
"To my friends James and Lily Potter, I leave the house known as The Lakeside Cottage, and the sum of one hundred thousand Galleons. To James I leave my copy of The Marauder's Handbook, to be passed on to Little Prongs when the time is right. To Lily I leave the Black Emeralds – they'll definitely look better on you than on Cissy.
"To Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry I leave the sum of one million Galleons. I advise the purchase of new brooms and the funding of whatever organisations Albus Dumbledore deems necessary."
Professor Dumbledore bowed his head.
"Finally I leave all other possessions, monies, properties, and assets of all kinds, including Headship of the House of Black, less the House bequests belonging to Narcissa Black Malfoy and Bellatrix Black Lestrange, to Harry James Potter, my godson. If he is underage at the time of inheritance, James and Lily shall be trustees; if, Merlin forbid, anything has happened to them, Remus Lupin shall be trustee until Harry is of age. If anything has happened to Remus, Albus Dumbledore shall be trustee.
"It is my wish that upon his sixteenth birthday, vault #75 and all the interest on its contents become available for Harry's use."
There was a short silence. Harry had no idea what to say; he felt that he had overloaded emotionally, and was now feeling rather numb.
"Here is a full account of the estate of which you are trustee, Mr. Lupin," said Mr Mace, handing Remus some of his parchments. "The bequests originally intended for James and Lily Potter have reverted to Harry James Potter; that's noted on page six." Remus took them and flipped through them; his eyes widened slightly. Harry peered at them and saw many lists and a lot of numbers containing a lot of zeros.
"The bottom line is, the value of the estate currently stands at two hundred ninety-five million Galleons, ninety-eight Sickles, six Knuts," said Mr Mace. Harry's breath stopped. His brain just could not process that.
"It is my understanding that your birthday is tomorrow, Mr Potter," said Mr Mace, just as if he had not just removed reality from Harry's world. Harry nodded dumbly. Headship of the House of Black! What did that even mean? Another task he'd no idea how to do…
"We will provide you with a key to vault #75 before you leave, then," said Rasnar, "and you may explore the contents. They consist of cash, some stocks, and some artefacts."
Harry nodded again, the power of speech still eluding him. In the background he was aware of Professor Dumbledore and Remus receiving vault keys and more parchments. Finally Mr Mace handed Harry some parchments to sign and a vault key, which he shoved in his pocket.
"This concludes the last will and testament of Sirius Black," said Mr Mace formally. Then his voice relaxed. "Harry, let me know what I can do for you, all right? I'm the day-to-day solicitor for the House of Black."
"A – all right," said Harry, clearing his throat. "Thank you."
Mr Mace shook his hand again, and shortly Harry found himself riding in one of the goblin carts to a vault far, far down in the very lowest levels of the bank.
"Vault #75," said the goblin who had steered the cart, and Remus gave Harry a little encouraging shove (Dumbledore had remained in the lobby of the bank). Harry approached the door, which had the Black coat of arms on it, and the goblin showed him how to use his key. The door swung open.
When Harry had first seen his own vault, it had been more money than he had ever seen in his life. This vault seemed to be about twice the size, and at least three times the money. There were also books, a broomstick, robes, and a large empty birdcage, that he could see from the doorway. There was a shelf containing a chest with file labels on the drawers to one side.
Harry took a few tentative steps into the vault, and felt Remus come up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, my God, Remus," he said faintly.
The hand tightened. "This is Padfoot's school vault," Remus said after clearing his throat. "Look, there's his Beater's bat and his Quidditch robes – must be from fourth year."
All of a sudden there was a huge lump in Harry's throat, and his eyes filled. "I – I can't do this now," he choked, turning blindly to Remus. Remus's arms came around him at once, and Remus patted his back and remained silent until Harry wrestled himself back under control.
"It's all right," he said then, releasing Harry. "We can go. Do you need to stop by your original vault?"
Harry nodded, and they got back into the cart and rode to Harry's vault, where he mechanically scooped Galleons into a pouch, though he no longer remotely felt like shopping. Then they went back up to the lobby, collected Professor Dumbledore, and made their way to Florean Fortescue's to meet Harry's friends.
He wondered what to say to them.