A/N: I wished I owned Harry Potter. Alas, I do not. Ms. Rowling, I'd be happy to take it off your hands
A/N: I wanted to let this story be something that I heard called "A Standalone that is not a standalone." Please read the author's note at the end to understand why, and why this MAT not be a true epilogue for those of you who do not want it to be.
Chapter 69/Epilogue: The Will
July 1st, 1995
Some of the people entering the room surprised the Longbottom scion. Seeing Hermione enter the room, still withdrawn was no surprise. The next few to enter were also expected. His girlfriend has an arm around Susan, and Daphne seemed to be drawing comfort from her year mates and housemates. Lavender and Dean also represented the 4th year Gryffindors. The 6th years were next. Cedric and the twins entered, followed by the rest of the Gryffindor quidditch team. There wasn't even a hint of a smile on any of their faces.
Teachers were the second to last group. The transfiguration professor, the charms master, the ex-defense teacher of Remus Lupin, and to Neville's great surprise, the potions master. The goblin guards in the front of the room didn't say a thing, so Neville could only assume Harry's will had indicated something would be given to one of Harry's greatest foes. The headmaster was last, not an ounce of his customary twinkle in his eyes. Neville heard Dean snort next to him. He knew Dean wasn't the headmaster's fan, and suspected that Harry's demise had only driven Dean's hatred deeper. At the moment, Neville could only agree.
Harry's demise was confirmed now. Neville knew not one bit about the "mastery test," as Harry's master had called it. But the goblins had mysterious magic of their own. If Harry's will was being read, their magic meant they knew he was dead. The fact that Harry's master did not enter the room all but confirmed it. The man had seemed to be almost mad at his apprentices' death, and certainly would not have attended his will reading.
When the Delacour family entered without Fleur, Neville felt sorrow hit him again. They certainly didn't deserve to lose their daughter. Harry shoving Fleur away had not surprised him. If he had shoved her with slightly more force, she was sure to be in the room. But clearly the French girl did not want to live in a world without Harry, no matter the cost. He had heard Alicia say that Fleur must have truly loved Harry in the aftermath of everything. She didn't even have the faintest idea.
Next to enter was the Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for the year. With him was his father and a beautiful woman that must have been his mother. The two adults were obviously upset. Akira was even worse, looking haggard and a little withdrawn. Neville knew he had been grievously wounded in the aftermath of the Bellatrix fight, but even though he was healthy now, he looked worse now than he had been before.
Sirius Black and Amelia Bones, or was it Black now entered the room, and Fudge, who had been in the room before Neville, stiffened. He looked like he about to say something, but Amelia subtly fingered her wand, stepping in between the two. Without anyone to back him up but a thoroughly underwhelming woman in an ugly pink blouse, Fudge sat back in his seat. He might have been an idiot, especially when it came to Harry, but apparently he wasn't beyond reason. Neville had no doubt that a word against Sirius would have led to Amelia decorating the wall with his brains, and Sirius would have happily held her robes back.
The final group was the biggest surprise, but perhaps it should not have been. Lucuis Malfoy walked in with a sneer on his face, Narcissa trailing behind him, and Draco the last with an ever-bigger sneer. Neville couldn't even begin to understand how or why they had been included until Bellatrix walked in. A surge of hatred coursed through Neville's veins. Harry had promised him, looked him in eye and said she was dead.
"Neville." He felt McGonagall's arm on his, stopping him from drawing his wand. He saw a man he did not recognize and a girl with wilted pink hair, as well as the senior auror Shacklebolt, or Shack. "That is not Bellatrix. It's her sister Andromeda Tonks. She was a Black once." Neville nodded in relief. For a moment, he even felt ashamed of himself for not believing Harry. Of course he had come through.
"Very well," Kurlok, the Potter account manager said. "As of yesterday, the Potter Vaults began inactive, indicating the current holder of vaults was dead. Within my remit as the account manager, I have the task of handling his will."
"Hem Hem." The woman in pink next to Fudge was speaking. "As Undersecretary to the Minister, I am afraid I must step in. Harry Potter was a Lord of the Wizengamot-"
"You will shut up right now!" Kurlok snarled. "In fact, you and your boss are not included in the will. While I cannot remove you, named member in the will and the Chief Warlock could certainly expel you if he so chose to."
"I am sure that Dolores and Cornelius will be able to remain silent for the rest of the will reading. With your permission."
"This once," Kurlok snarled and Dumbledore snapped his wand into his hand, and Neville drew in a shuddering breath, as did all of the other adults. His grandmother even drew back. Drawing your wand in Gringotts was a dangerous proposition, even for Dumbledore. A single spell would seem the weight of the goblin nation come down if the spells he cast were not to the satisfaction of Kurlok. After a quick wave, his wand vanished from his hand. Neville heard a muted cry from the two ministry officials and smiled.
"Please proceed," Dumbledore said, a tiny twinkle in his eyes.
"Very well. This is the last will and testament of Lord Peverell, Heir presumptive to Nambung Sa-Bum, Heir presumptive to James Potter." Apparently Harry had not taken the title of Lord Potter. He hadn't when they had been at the bank, though Neville would have expected his mind to change in the following months. But he had not changed his mind after all. Lord Peverell had not been his choice, but Lord Potter had, and Harry had turned it down.
"The first request he made was that the will of his parents be unsealed and read," the goblin account manager declared. His parent's will was simple. Some gold was left to Remus, Sirius, and Peter Pettigrew. Harry was to be taken in by the Longbottom's, and after that Sirius. If neither the Longbottoms or Sirius was able to take in Harry, they trusted Albus to place Harry with an appropriate wizarding family. There were a few grumbles around the room at that, and Neville saw Sirius whispering furiously to Amelia and his cousin Andromeda, who sat next to him.
"Now, as to the reason you are all here." The goblin removed a sphere from within his desk. Augusta held back a gasp.
"What is it grandmother?" Neville asked.
"An occo-sphere. Very rare Goblin magic, only reserved for the truly wealthy customers."
"Harry has the Peverell vault and the potter vault from England. Both of those were massive. The account his family established when they moved here was sizable as well." Neville smiled at the memory of his friend, who cared not for the massive wealth that would have been his. "I mean, the Potter vault was number 9. I think I might have seen a dragon down their protecting the vault, and the Peverell vault was not even numbered."
"He will be missed," his grandmother declared, and Neville nodded. "He could have led us to a golden age." Neville didn't comment on that. Of the people who had known Harry had asked him to lead in his absence, only Hermione remained, and she seemed worse now then she had been at the funeral. He doubted his grandmother would believe that he could fill Harry's shoes. If Neville was being honest with himself, he doubted he could fill Harry's shoes himself.
"Hey guys and gals." Harry's image was projected above the sphere. "I guess I died, huh? That sucks. I made this in June-" Harry's image seemed to turn. "Oh, right. Sorry Kurlok. I, Harry Potter, a resident of the Britain, declare that this is my will. I revoke all wills and codicils that I have previously made. I mean I didn't make a will before did I?" Whatever Kurlok said to Harry made his face turn severe. "Oh, really? Well sucks for him then. But if I'm dead, no point in stirring the hornet's nest."
"So now that we are past the stuffy part, I want to take some guesses, if that's ok with you all. Oh wait, you can't stop me!" A few laughs were heard at that. "I probably didn't die during the final task. I died after it, didn't I? What's more there was sabotage, and somehow I ended facing Voldemort again." A few people were shocked at that, and Neville saw none were more shocked then the Malfoy family and the Headmaster.
"I'm sure you are all asking yourself if I knew that was going to happen, why did I let it happen? Well, the short answer is that there was a prophecy that said I had to deal with Voldemort myself. Now, I personally don't believe in prophecy's much, but Tom did. Oh, for reference, Tom Marvolo Riddle is Voldemort. Let's get that one out of the way." Neville heard a clatter and realized Dumbledore's chair had almost tipped over.
"The long answer isn't that long, I guess. I don't begrudge Voldemort killing my father. He died like a warrior, wand in hand. They were at war, and sometimes in war people die. Am I happy he died? Obviously not. I'm not happy he killed Edgar Bones, I'm not happy that he instigated the deaths of so many others. But he did beat them fair and square."
"But my mother was a non-combatant. She just wanted Voldemort to let me live. He offered to let her step aside. Which is weird in a whole different way. If I wasn't dead, I certainly try to unravel that mystery. Maybe pin Snape or Lucuis down and shove some veritaserum down their throat and make them answer. Regardless, my mother did not threaten Tom. And he killed her in cold blood."
"It's probably petty to make it my fight, and without a doubt dangerous. I guess that's why I'm speaking to you now. But I am also 100% sure that if I got to face him, I finished the damn bastard off. Albus, I'm sure you are fretting about how Tom might stay alive. You don't have to worry. Check your pet death eaters arm. The mark is gone. When I kill Tom, I'll sever his connection to magic. When you find his other little trinkets, the darkness should be cleansed."
"Of course, it is possible I died falling down the stairs, from a vicious food fight, or in a million other ways. Maybe I choked to death on a chicken bone. No way to know. And of course, if I did die in an odd and unexpected way, you can disregard everything I said before, because it's all nonsense to everyone but Albus."
"I guess I'll deal with you first, Albus." Neville knew that this was pre-recorded, but somehow the image of Harry turned to the chair Albus was sitting in, off to the left. "I told Kurlok you could silence any ministry officials that were being a pain. I hope by now you have done that." Harry stared at Albus for a moment, and then plopped into a seat. "I'm not really sure what to do with you."
"You kept the prophecy from me, which I'm sure you convinced yourself was for the greater good, and I guess it was, at least partially. You were also instrumental in the defeat of two dark lords. Even I wouldn't argue against that. And I'd like to think that after our little duel, we came to an uneasy truce." That got a reaction from everyone in the room.
"Oh, I guess people didn't know?" Harry seemed to be listening to something from someone beyond the sphere. "Kurlok seems surprised." He had spoken to him before, but apparently the account manager had stayed in the room the entire time Harry had recorded his will. "I guess it wasn't public knowledge. The duel I had with Snape before the final task, I guess that was the third task? That was just a show. The other three duels were real enough, but I dueled Dumbledore the night before."
"Albus, I'll give you this. I was confident I could beat every wizard in Britain, but you sure kicked my ass. And you were holding back too. If I died killing Voldemort, I'm sure you now know that I was holding back as well. But I'm at my best when I'm fighting to kill, so I don't know that we ever could have truly gone at it. Even when I was angriest at you, I wouldn't have wanted to kill you."
"Perhaps you will rationalize putting me with the Dursleys, even against my parents will. Don't bother denying you say the will, you were the person who sealed it. I expect that if forced to defend it, you would say Neville's parents were unavailable, and that if Sirius truly did betray my parents, then anyone could be a secret spy for Voldemort. That is a valid argument, and if you truly believe that, I won't haunt you for an eternity."
"However, if the other argument is, as you have said, that you wanted me to grow up with a normal childhood, we will be having words when you crossover. Mainly, you are a stupid idiot and I will cut off your beard and choke you to death with it." Image Harry sighed. "For all your conniving, you did have the best intentions, even if your actions make less sense the older I go."
"One last note for you, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. You are only human, so you make mistakes. Everyone does. I've made so many I'd take up a week listing them all, and ideally you'll all have time for a late lunch. I think I understand now that you had to make hard choices, and sometimes you get it wrong. Please keep in mind that when you make mistakes and things go wrong, due to your power. You may make fewer mistakes then most, but your mistakes are much more severe."
"I will not begrudge you mistakes, as I said, but you have good people around you. My grandmother, Filius, and Remus would all be more sounding boards. Amelia would be perhaps the best as she has not connection to the school, but I suspect Fudge will not let her back into Britain now that she is Amelia Black. Use them and their advice, and your mistakes will be less and the effects will be mitigated. In the end, I guess you are wondering one thing. For the mistakes you made regarding me, I forgive you. Live a good life Albus." Everyone in the room turned to see the old wizard sag into his chair in relief, a tear rolling down his cheek.
"Bleh. Done with that. Now, I could give speeches to everyone and then dole out my ill-gotten gains at the end, but that seems complicated. Kurlok said I can do them at the same time, but there are an awful lot of you, so I wrote a list." Image Harry held up a piece of paper. "So I'll go person by person. I suspect some of them aren't here, so if they get money, it can be transferred directly. If it is a special item and they are not here, they need to pick it up personally. Those are the ground rules."
"Now, I'll do friends first. Starting with Hufflepuff. Susan, as it turns out, I actually have another Bones Family book in my vault, can you believe it? That will be going to your aunt, but I am leaving with you a special chess set. It may take time to learn how to use it, but a witch of your caliber will figure it out soon enough, and the results will please you I think. Also, take 1000 galleons. I don't have much use for it."
"Hannah, I don't know you as well as I probably should, since you are dating my best mate. So unfortunately I don't have a particularly special gift for you. I believe your best subject is transfiguration so I have added a book from the Potter Library about battle transfiguration that you should find helpful. I feel bad that I couldn't give you something special, so you get 1500 galleons."
"Daphne, I have a present and some advice. I probably should have included your parents, but you can tell them. By now, your sister has certainly left for America with Rebecca. Your sister is an astonishing talent, and I suspect will be gone at least until Christmas, though it could be as long as two years. I expect that if she stays for the full two years of apprenticeship, when she returns to England, she will be without a doubt the most powerful witch in Britain. With two years of specialized training, she would rip the current version of me apart and use Dumbledore as a toothpick. Keep her grounded when she returns.
As your gift, I have left you another special book. The Potter family that settled in Britain kept a very special book that tracked every magical birth and relation from so called pureblood families. More important, they kept track of the bloodlines of squibs in case they resurfaced. I figured you'd really enjoy the read, and a few interesting secrets. You also get the obligatory 1000 galleons. I know you are probably the first to shake your head at this, but I have a lot to give away."
"Cedric, what I have for you is a little unique. I know you grew quite close to my brother this year and found a passion for Defense, and are likely unsure what to do after graduation. I know that you have to be 21 to take your father's seat, but he is in good health and may not want to give the seat up for some time. Maybe he'll give it up when you are 21, I haven't the faintest. But for the three years you have after graduation, I have managed to secure assistant teaching positions in Japan, Russia, and the United States, all in defense, in that order. You can take any or none of them. You will have to learn the language, but if you really want to master defense, go for it. I also give you 2000 galleons, which should cover some of your living costs. Go live it up."
"That rounds out the Hufflepuffs. Let's really quickly address the two students who didn't need to be here. To Miss Luna Lovegood, it turns out that some of my Peverell ancestors were quite the magic zoologists. I leave you two books on quite some interesting creatures, provided you share them with Victor. I will make an exemption for these special items and allow Victor to pick them up." The goblin hit the sphere, freezing Harry, and looked at the seeker. The Bulgarian nodded, and image Harry began speaking again. "I also leave you 1000 galleons. Go on some fun adventures for me. Victor, I've left you some interesting books as well. Apparently, one of my ancestors had the same passion as you. If you want to go on those adventures and try and converse with some of the creatures you meet, hopefully these notebooks help and 1000 galleons pay for your portkeys and tent."
"I also asked that an invite not be sent to a young miss Natalie McDonald. I know she is back at her orphanage, and they don't much like magic. An owl would be out of place. Dumbledore, I am leaving her 5000 galleons. She should have the best robes, books, and supplies every year. Also, she grew up in an orphanage, and is certainly talented. I'd appreciate it if you keep an eye on her."
"Now, onto the members of my house who are attending. As might have been clear from the cooking bonanza from Dean and myself, I don't need to leave anything to Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Snape and Flitwick, you might consider why that is. I mean the only Slytherin I gave a present to used a life-debt to transfer out of your house, Severus. If that isn't a sign you are doing something wrong, nothing is. Though knowing the greasy git you are, you probably see this all as a positive." The twins were howling in laughter at Harry's evisceration of Snape.
"Lavender, I have a special present for you. Some people may mock you for your interest in fashion. Those people can go shove it. You have a real passion, but I have no intention of letting your passion be constrained by the wizarding world. On July 8th, a car will show up at your house, and will drive you to a special store called Harrods. There you will get 7500 pounds, which is around 1500 galleons. Buy yourself as much as you can, and please change wizarding fashion forever."
"Dean, you have some of the most bizarre and crazy magic I have ever seen. As a result, I have given you a book from the Potter Vault on other crazy and esoteric magic. If anyone deserves to give it a try, you certainly do. You also get the obligatory 1000 galleons. Use it on hospital fees when you eventually blow yourself up trying some of the insanity in the book." Neville's housemate could only grin at that.
"Neville. You have no idea what your friendship meant to me. If life had only been a little different, we would have been raised as brothers. I know you have no need of galleons, and the Longbottom Vault is probably as filled with books as mine. I will give you a book from the Peverell vault on herbology from the 1300s which I hope you enjoy. But more importantly, my death means the permanent end of the Potter Line. With my death, I extend the Potter-Longbottom alliance into perpetuity. The Potter and Longbottom family will stand with each other until the end of time."
"The other item of note is that I have discussed it with Akira, and he has agreed that if you are willing to commit to the entire summer, the Hayashi family will accept you as alive in student. Be aware that it means that the moment this is over, you will pack your things and arrive by late this afternoon, and will not leave until September 1st. If I was you, I probably would not accept, but knowing you, I suspect you will accept. You will certainly return for 5th year stronger than I was in 4th year, at least before Christmas. You can find your own dragon to dodge."
"Hermione. I know that my death may hit you hardest of all. I've never been able to command you to do a single thing, but I now command you to not fall apart. You have other friends now, good friends. If you fall to pieces, I will be quite cross at you." A tiny smile poked out from under Hermione's curls, the first since the cemetery. "You, of course, get the obligatory galleons, and 2000 should do."
"You also get a very special book. I cannot will you entire Potter or Peverell library, as there are quite a few books you cannot and should not read, but if I was listing every book I am giving you, not only would you certainly miss lunch, but you would need to buy 100 new trunks. Instead, I am giving you an everybook from the Potter vault and another from the Peverell vault. The front has a table of contents, and all you need to do is state the name of the book while holding your wand and the book will transform. I've keyed both of them to your magical signature. Keep them safe, and please never lose your love of learning."
"Fred and George. You crazy rapscallions, the hours of fun you gave me are priceless. I suspect Charlie will not have received his invitation yet, as he is in Romania. I have a book from the Potter vault on caring for dragons, and another on extremely dangerous creatures, since he seems to have a penchant for them. Make sure they get to him."
"As for you two, I am returning a certain map. Make sure you are always up to no good. I'm sure two older gentlemen are in this room who happen to understand what I am saying. I am giving you a notebook that they helped write, and hope they will deign to meet with you. You also get 2000 galleons. Open that ridiculous joke shop and make sure to spread the laughter around."
"Hold on," Sirius demanded, and Kurlok stopped Harry. Everyone looked in surprise at the goblin.
"Lord Peverell indicated that Mr. Black or a Mr. Lupin might ask for a pause here. He said to wait until they ask to resume to continue."
"Should have stuck with divination after all," Neville muttered, causing laughter from his yearmates and housemates alike.
"Moony, do you think they found the map?" Sirius asked.
"Did I not tell you, Padfoot?" Remus responded. "Harry had it last year. I guess Fred and George were the ones who found it."
"Moony? Padfoot?" The twins asked, incredulous. "You two are Moony and Padfoot?"
"Indeed," Sirius confirmed. "We will certainly be speaking after all of this." The twins looked like the chance to talk to two of their idols was far more important and more valuable than the money. "Ok, Kurlok, please resume."
"The lovely flying foxes of Gryffindor," Harry said. "I am truly sorry you'll have to find a new seeker next year. But hopefully I can make sure they don't need to be good. At Quality Quiddich Supplies, you will find a firebolt with each of your names on it. I hope you make good of use of them. Just make doubly sure that McGonagall gets to keep the cup a year longer." The girls looked overwhelmed by their presents. Any quidditch player knew the brooms were worth quite a bit more than 1000 galleons, though the look on the flying foxes faces clearly showed they burn the brooms to get one more game with Harry.
"Well that wraps up the student portion. Let's move on to professors, staring with Snape. You are an ugly soul, and a bitter man. However, I will give you a chance to prove me wrong. The Dark Lord is dead, so you have no reason to return to Hogwarts if another opportunity opened up. In June of 1996, a potions company I own a share in will begin plans to mass produce and improve Wolfsbane potion. There will be a spot on the team for you, if you want it. I wish I could stick around to see whether your hatred of werewolves outweighs your hatred of teaching."
"Filius, you doubtless don't need this, but apparently my grandfather Charlus was quite the dueler. I believe you even met him on the circuit. He left a book on the art of dueling, with a few useful spells, all of which are not Potter family magic. I leave you this book, in the hope that you start a proper dueling club at Hogwarts. Everyone, please stare at Dumbledore." The people in the room complied and stared at the Headmaster, who showed no reaction. "Ah well, I tried."
"Now, we have both professors and family. Minnie, finding you this year was the world's best surprise. Being your grandson and getting to spend so much time with you meant more to me than you can ever know. I leave you a case of Macallan "M", to enjoy and spread around. Get those other professors properly sloshed. I also believe that as a lord who drew the sword of Gryffindor, I temporarily own it. Guess what? It's yours now." Apparently, that drew a comment from Kurlok back when Harry recorded it. "Well then you never should have given it away then, should you?" Image Harry stilled looked off to the side. "Give me a minute."
"I'll skip forward," Kurlok snarled, and tapped the orb twice. Harry reappeared.
"Ok, so here's the deal. Minnie, you get the sword. However, Kurlok is now empowered to act as an emissary of the goblin nation and bargain for its return, since it is technically a goblin blade, and apparently, in the deal Godric made with the nation, he was supposed to return it upon his death. He showed me the paperwork, and it checks out, so if he bargains in good faith, I suggest giving it back. Also, make super sure not to test the edge. It's got basilisk venom on it, so one prick and bye-bye."
"Now Akira. My brother, I am so sorry we did not have more time together. You want to know the crazy thing? I was prepared to buy out your Mahoutokoro contract and have you join the Wolves as one of my officers if I got the role. It would have been a blast. But I guess my race is run. So I can't exactly do that. But I hope I can give you something even more valuable."
"Your father is a hard negotiator, but I was able to convince him, after some substantial concessions on my side, to, if you so choose, end your engagement to Ms. Ito. I know your snap judgement is to end it right now, but I'd prefer for you to sit down and think about it. If you do decide to end it, I happen to remember meeting a certain young lady named Karmen this summer. Perhaps you should call her up."
"Takashi, you honor this promise and we'll call it even." Akira looked at his father in shock, and saw his father nod, and his mother smile. "Ms. Hayashi, thank you so much for lending me your home for the summer. Do me a favor, and be the ear Akira talks to about this. Make sure he really considers all the ramifications. And if he does decide on someone else, do me a favor, and make his grumpy old man says yes." The middle-aged woman smiled and nodded at the image.
"Now, speaking of family, Mr. Sirius Black. I have a special message for you. You are the king of bad choices. Instead of looking after me, you went to chase down Pettigrew." At this, Harry's image turned to face the still silenced ministry employees. "Oh, too bad that you can't call the aurors to arrest an innocent man." Harry's eyes took on a contemplative look.
"Actually, while I'm at it, I think Shackelball, or was it Shacklebolt is here. You get 25000 galleons, earmarked for the aurors department. Buy them some real armor."
'But back to Sirius. Then you break out of Azkaban and instead of trying to get yourself cleared, you try and hunt down a rat. Even after all that despite Remus and I urging you to not be stupid, you go and see Amelia and get yourself arrested." Harry shook his head. "Please make smarter decisions in the future!"
"Though, I guess you did make one very smart decision. When you came into Gringotts last year to get me money for my firebolt, you had me designated as your heir. Want to know the crazy part? Your grandfather never actually disinherited you! So for a small window in time, I am the executor of the House of Black. That's why the Malfoys and Tonks are here. That's crazy." The Minister and his toady were nearly frothing at the mouth now. The Black seat had been held by Lucuis for his wife since Sirius's incarceration, but now it was Harry's.
"Unfortunately, there are certain things I cannot do, like kick Narcissa out of the family. But I can do quite a few things. Mrs. Tonks, I am sorry we never had the chance to meet. I literally learned about the connection to the Blacks when I came in to record this. Now, I know you probably want nothing to do with your family, rightly so. But it would make my life so much easier if you agree to allow me to be readmitted to the house of black." Sirius looked at his cousin and saw happy tears streaming down her face as she nodded.
"Now, I'm banking on the fact you nodded. I can't give you the seat, but I can put the entire black trust and wealth in your hands as the new executor. You will keep it safe, along with the Black Properties, for 21 years. I put some of my left over stuff in there too. Do whatever you want in that time, but leave a little for Amelia and Sirius's upcoming son." Harry grinned a little. "Oops. Guess I ruined the surprise." The group around Sirius and Amelia broke into happy laughter and Sirius wrapped his arm around his wife.
"Now, what I can do with the seat is kick Lucius's slimy ass out. Turns out Narcissa is now a member of the Wizengamot, and guess what Draco? You don't get the seat when you are 21, since by then Sirius's son will be born, and Andi can designate the new Black heir as the soon to be born child. That's when this really gets fun. At 21, Sirius's son gets the seat, and he can offer a Lord's protection to a member of his own house, that's you Sirius. You can then come back and get your trial, and there isn't a damn thing the ministry can do about it." Sirius glanced over and saw Fudge had fainted.
"It sure is fun using their own stupid system against them. By the way, Lucius and Minister Fudge, I suspect you will try and quash all of this because I didn't file a will at the ministry. Not letting you muck about with my stuff. So if Lucius tries to sit in that seat, or you try and make the case that I wagered the Peverell seat with him so he can take that seat, you really won't like the consequences. The Blacks and the Peverell's have some pretty dark family magic, though it certainly would be interesting to see how many lethal curses you get hit with if you sit in that chair. And the really crazy thing is, if Sirius has a second son, that son can petition to get control of the Peverell seat. So you two," Harry somehow again knew where people would be sitting, and stared at Amelia and Sirius "better get to work." Harry's image then seemed to fall off his chair in laughter, and identical laughter filled the room.
"Amelia, please try to make Sirius into a semi-responsible adult. And don't let him hang Harry on any of your kids. I suspect after all of this, there will be far too many Harries."
"Now to my beautiful flower, I have some things I would like to say to you, but I'd like them to be private. You may have your family with you of course…" Kurlok paused the image looked at the Delacours.
"Harry meant it for Fleur. We do not need to see it," Laurent Delacour said, tears in his eyes. Dumbledore had asked Laurent to keep the fate of his daughter a secret for Harry, and Apolline had almost torn the headmaster to shreds. Only an assurance from Takashi that it truly was for the best and might potentially increase the chance of Harry and Fleur returning one day kept Dumbledore unharmed.
Kurlok nodded and placed a second sphere back in his desk
"Now, I think that just about covers everyone. Dumbledore, if you don't remove the silencing spell and they have to walk out of the bank totally mute, I wouldn't hate you for it. This is the last will and testament of Harry Potter."
"To everyone, I want you all to know that I'm ok with this. Sure, some more years on this earth might have been fun, but turns out it wasn't meant to be. Life is only worth anything because it is short. It is designed to be used, consumed, and spent. We are supposed to fill it with every mistake and miracle we can manage, and I feel like I've got quite a few of both in my ledger now. But eventually we all let go. I love you all. Goodbye." The image of Harry vanished.
"This concluded the last will and testament of Harry Potter. Please return tomorrow, and the tellers will be able to hand over any specialty items." Goblin guards stepped forward, and soon enough they were outside the bank. They broke off into small groups, and Neville was left standing alone. He took a deep breath, and Harry's words from the graveyard came back to him. Sure, they might not be literal, and it certainly wasn't exactly what Harry meant, but still.
"Gran?" Augusta Longbottom turned and saw Neville standing there with a look on his face. It was a look she had not seen in a long time. The last time that look of complete resolve and self-belief had been on a Longbottom face had been when her son had told her he was joining the auror corps instead of becoming Lord Longbottom. "I'm going to do it."
"Do what, dear?" She wanted to make him say it.
"Go live with the Hayashi's for the summer." Neville prepared himself for the beratement of a lifetime. To his surprise, his grandmother just gave a wistful smile.
"You know Neville, for a long time I assumed you took after your mother. But hearing from your teachers this year? Standing up to me about the Abbott girl, and that eulogy? Now this ridiculous idea about leaving for the entire summer?" Augusta drew herself up. "That was all Frank." She leaned over and hugged him. "And I couldn't be prouder." His grandmother drew back and gave him a smile. "Get to the platform at least two hours early. We'll get some tea before your 5th year. Make sure to study hard." With a wave, his grandmother turned away, seeking out another grandmother.
"Did I do the right thing there Minerva?" Augusta asked the transfiguration mistress.
"I suspect so," McGonagall replied. "Your grandson could be an extraordinary wizard. And the men he is going with will certainly help him on his way."
"I figured. Now, lets go enjoy some of that Macallan "M" your grandson left you."
"You are going to take the offer, I assume?" Hannah said as Neville approached.
"I have to," Neville said. He leaned in and hugged Hannah, who threw her arms around her boyfriend and squeezed hard.
"Owl as often as you can." She leaned in and gave him an intense but brief kiss, and then turned and strode away.
"Close your mouth before the bugs get in," Susan chirped and Neville realized his mouth was indeed open quite wide as he stared at the retreating figure of his girlfriend.
"Haha."
"I thought so." Susan's eyes betrayed the humor of her statement. "But seriously Neville, make sure you do owl as often as you can. More than one of my housemates were sniffing around this year. And you are nice guy and all, so guys might not be afraid to try and steal your girlfriend."
"Why didn't they this year?" Neville asked, a little confused.
"What, and piss off Harry Potter's best mate?" Susan said with a laugh. Then her face turned serious. "Harry has always been a larger than life figure, but he got absolutely massive this year. He gone now, and there will be a hole to fill. I don't know what he said to you the day he died, but I suspect he asked you to try and fill part of the hole."
"He did," Neville confirmed.
"Well, unfortunately, I'll be in France most of the summer with my aunt and uncle," Susan said. "But I suspect the ministry will make moves this summer, as will the Wizengamot."
"Dumbledore won't be able to stop them? He is chief warlock."
"Yes he is, but he is also the man who brought back the tournament that killed Harry Potter, and people will hold him responsible. Make sure to train hard Neville." She hugged him fondly, and he returned the hug.
"See you on the 1st Sue." Susan waved goodbye and headed back towards the bank to rejoin her family, now with two additional new members from the last time her aunt had picked her up.
"Neville?" Neville turned to see Akira with an eyebrow raised. Neville just nodded. "Good stuff. Let's go then." Neville felt Akira place a hand on his shoulder, and with a quiet crack the boy and teacher vanished.
-O-O-O-O-O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O—O-O-O-
?
Harry finally sat, his breath coming heavy and his vision a little blurry. He was no stranger to magical exhaustion. But this felt different. He had never exhausted himself with his borrowed lightning powered. What's worse, his power wasn't flowing back into him as it normally did. All of this led to Harry falling over wearily.
He flicked his eyes up and saw that the portal was finally closed. When he had come out of the other side, he had expected a quick burst of power would do for the hole in the universe. He was very, very wrong. It had been a few minutes of hard work, building power, and even a runic scheme to temporarily boost his power and augment the potion in his system that was slowly fading away.
Harry felt a cool hand on the nape of his neck and flinched away. He knew his reaction would hurt Fleur, but succumbing to her gentle touch would make it impossible for him to remain made at her. And make no mistake, he was beyond mad at her.
"Are you ok?" Fleur asked him, and Harry could feel the concern in her voice. Harry just held a hand to stall her. His breath was slowly getting under control. His magic still felt off, but physically, he was a little better. Enough that he could stand, turn, and glare at the French witch.
"Yeah, I'm ok, except for the fact that you FOLLOWED ME!" Harry growled. "Fleur, what were you thinking?" Harry saw his girlfriend take a step back in surprise. Clearly she did not expect him to be mad. "Did you get hit by a spell that caused your brain to fall out of your head during the final task? Did you think I pushed you back as a joke?"
"I assumed that you realized that unless you killed me I would follow you," Fleur said simply.
"You realize we are no longer in the same universe? Your family doesn't exist here. Any friends, teachers, acquaintances, even our schools won't exist here?"
"But you are here," Fleur said simply. "So I am too. Why are you being childish about this?"
"Childish?" Harry's voice rose in volume. "I was prepared to sacrifice my life, and I'm childish?"
"To expect me not to come with you?" Fleur just scoffed. "Yes, you were being a child."
"Fleur I swear if this is-"
"Honestly Harry?" The tone of her voice gave him pause. "This is not just about you, not entirely." Now he was confused. "Can we just talk for a moment? Without you losing your patience? Please just listen"
"Ok."
"Harry, you must admit that despite being entered in a tournament that should have been impossible and being taken under the wing of one of the most powerful wizards in the world, your year was not exactly abnormal. Contrasted with a dark lord at age 11, a 20 meter basilisk, dementors and escaped convicts, are you truly so surprised that your challenges this year scaled up along with your ability?"
"I guess," Harry said reluctantly. He felt a little like a wild animal being herded into a trap. He didn't know where Fleur was going with this, but he did not intend to let her win this argument. He stubbornly pushed back the thought that she was stuck here, and it was not as if winning the argument would suddenly give him the chance to send her back.
"And you understand I am attracted to the power of the man who can do all of this, as well as your other wonderful qualities."
"Of course."
"So, do you think that someone who is in love with you and knows that you have these adventures along with growing strength every year expects you to go through life normally?"
"You know that my life will always be complicated," Harry started, and Fleur held up her hand.
"You said you would listen. Please do." Harry forced his mouth shut. "You are quite fond of me as well, yes? In part because I am a strong witch, as well as my other wonderful qualities?"
"Yes," Harry said, and then cursed silently. He saw the trap now.
"And in your mind, does that witch sit back silently as you go on your adventures? Or does she go on her own dangerous and wild adventures? Would you even be attracted to a witch who sits back silently?"
"Aha!" Harry thought he caught Fleur. "You said go on your own adventure."
"Yes?" Fleur said, a smile in her eyes.
"But this is my adventure that you are following along on?"
"Is it? Just because this is some sort of mastery test for you, that does not mean it is not an adventure for me. I am sure that I will have to do more than sit back and watch you if we ever want to return."
"You heard my master. No one has ever gone along on a mastery test before."
"Just like no 12 year old wizards had killed a basilisk with a sword before," Fleur pointed out. "Harry, accept that your adventures are crazy. Accept that I love you. So please accept that this mastery test, much like your other adventures, will be crazy. What is crazier than you having assistance in this task."
There was nothing he could say to that. Sure, a ton of arguments flew through his head. Some very logical and practical, others driven by emotion. But all of that died away as his green orbs met her blue eyes. There was determination and a steely resolve behind her eyes. It all paled compared to the love that Harry saw in that deep blue.
"So, I will allow you to come along on my adventure. You may even be allowed to call it your mastery test. But I hear some sounds off in the distance that way. If you have caught your breath, can we please go now? This new world awaits us." Fleur tossed him a glance over his shoulder and Harry felt his breath catch as the sun, rising over the horizon. "Coming?"
"Yes, dear," Harry replied. "I'm right behind you." Instantly he felt his chest loosen, and his shoulders straightened. In that moment, he knew he wanted. Finally, Harry had done something totally anathema to the first 15 years of his live. He looked at the girl surrendered. Completely and totally.
A gentle breeze floated through the grassy meadow they now stood in. It caught her hair, softly lifting it over her right shoulder. The smile on her face was so familiar to him. He had seen in on rainy days and sunny days, happy days and sad days, with beautiful ballgowns and simple jeans. Now that smile had followed him to another world.
In that moment he knew. He knew he wanted to see that smile again and again. He wanted to wake up with that smile every day and go to bed with that smile whenever he could. He wanted, no, he needed to make that smile a permanent fixture in his life. And he wanted her on those crazy adventures of his.
With his soul, mind and body lighter than it had ever been before, Harry quickened his steps to catch up to remarkable, amazing, vexing, and wonderful Fleur Delacour. The woman who had, against the odds, became the center of his world regardless off the universe they resided in, and without a doubt, the love of his life.
"Fleur!" Harry called. She turned and looked at him with a curious expression. "You know, don't you?"
"Of course I do," Fleur said with a self-assured smile. "But I'd like to hear you say it, nonetheless."
"As you wish," Harry said, closing the distance between them in an instant and taking her in his arms. "Fleur Delacour, I love you." Eager arms reached up around his neck, pulling his head down and locking his lips in place.
"About time." Fleur pulled back with that perfect smile on his face. "Now shall we away, my love."
FIN…Or is It?
Thank you all so much for sticking with me through 69 chapters! I had a ton of fun writing this, and it certainly did not end up how I first envisioned it. Thank you for following, favoriting, and commenting, and I hope you enjoyed the ending.
Now, why I would say Or is it? That is because I feel like there is room for this story to grow, questions to answer, and possible spin-offs/sequels to this story. But at the moment, I'm a little burned out and I'd rather take time to work on some separate projects for a little while before returning. There is no guarantee that I will continue, so I tried to end on something that has a little closure.
However, I'm curious to see where people think my starting point should be when I return, so I will be posting a poll on my profile. The three choices are as follows
Pick up the story at the beginning of the next year at Hogwarts
Pick up the story with Harry and Fleur undergoing the mastery test
Pick up the story with Harry and Fleur back in the wizarding world (I will skip the mastery test)
I look forward to hearing from all of you. If it seems like there is enough demand, I will eventually come back to this. Leave an alert on the story, as I will post an update chapter with the final poll results and my decision, and then one more update if/when the sequel comes up.