Chapter 55
Harry and Hermione both step up for their god son, Teddy Lupin and decide with Sue and George to co-parent with Andi to take the load off the grieving widow and mother. The boy is also welcomed into the Malfoy family, once Cissa hears about him. She shows up to her big sister's home with a truckload of baby supplies and outright offers to babysit anytime she is needed.
Sirius walks in on the sisters and sits down. "I don't want any of my family on the outside looking in. That boy is my nephew. I couldn't help Harry until it was too late, the same with Susan and Neville. Please let me do it for Teddy." He man starts to sob in his cousin's arms. When he is calmed down, he hands Andi a Gringotts letter stating that Edward Lupin has a trust account that will automatically fill to the total of 20,000 galleons quarterly, if used and compound interest of 10% annually. The other letter is a receipt for the payment of Edward Lupin's entire Hogwarts education.
"It is least I can do, Andi. If he needs anything, floo me, owl me, patronus me, I don't care the time of day. His uncle is going to be there. I can't bring back his parents, but I can be there for him."
Sirius was found dead the next day. A brain bleed took him in his sleep. In his will, he split what was left of his fortune, after familial inheritances, six ways.
"To my kids,
I planned to be here longer. I planned to see each of your grandchildren and spoil them rotten. Out of my large friend group, I'm the last one left. That is unbelievable. You don't understand, I should have been the one to go. You should have had your parents, instead of a used up, no good uncle who left you all this money. I truly wish I could bring them back. I would do it in a second, even if it meant my death to do so.
Susan, Edgar and Mary were good people, they believed in the law and would be so proud to have seen you happy with Harry.
Neville, they may still be alive, but are still unreachable. I wish you could have known them as I did. Frank was quiet but steady, very like you. Alice, dear Alice was a ball of fun that couldn't be silenced. Know that they loved you dearly and would have been the first to stand up to your grandmother about what you want to do in life being your choice.
Hermione and George, I want to see more Marauders when I look down. They need to have someone to come to for ideas and stories about us. I always saw you two and Fred as my legacy as these others are my friends'.
Teddy, you are too young to understand at this moment but in the future, please know that I did my best to be there. At least, I can say I was able to step in and help in a more timely fashion with you. Remus was family in a whole other way than the Blacks that I was born into. Your mother saw the good man under the wolf and never let him doubt himself. Remember, your parents are very proud of you and so is your uncle. We love you more than words can say.
Harry- What can I say, but I am sorry. So very sorry. You were on my mind every minute of every day in that hellhole. It killed me daily to know that I could have done more and I didn't. I failed James and Lily. I failed Remus. I failed Frank and Alice and Edgar and Mary. But most of all I failed you. I tried everyday after you and Hermione saved me to let you know how much I loved you, my son and heir. You are a savior, not because of some orb in the bowels of a musty building, but because you care for your friends and family. You saved Hermione's life, Ginny's life, Mine and Remus' lives, and lastly the whole damned world. I know James and Lily are looking down on you and are so damned proud that you lived that night. Thank you for allowing me to finally be the father I promised I would be to my brother and sister.
So my children, you are to split the money. Harry gets the ring and other hoopla, but I need to provide for you all, because I couldn't stop your lives from being ruined before you even had a chance.
Love you always,
Sirius Orion Black, Head of the House of Black.
Padfoot, Last living original Marauder.
