Disclaimer; For a full disclaimer, see chapter 1.

Chapter 12. For the Record

Molly waited for Arthur to return. When he did he looked shaken, and then composed himself. "Alright, everyone, just a bit of Ministry business to attend to. Molly, the cars will be waiting when you want to go home. I will be home later tonight." He leaned over and kissed her cheek as he whispered "I'll fill you in later." She smiled weakly at him for the children's sake. He walked over and said something to Sirius, then walked out the door. Molly faintly heard three "pops" so she knew that he had gone with someone.

            Sirius looked at everyone smiling. "Well, now that we've had our fill, why don't we join the youngsters out back? Molly, I have an idea for the wedding that I would like to share." He motioned for everyone to follow as he led them out the back door and into the gardens. As people wandered around, looking at the different plants, Sirius pulled Molly aside and gave her the message Arthur gave him. He watched as she stiffened a bit, but he could see that she was okay.

            "Mrs. Granger, Molly, would you two follow me?" said Sirius. He looked for Ron and Hermione. When he spotted them, he called them over. "I have something to show you."

            He led them through the garden to another building. Pulling a key out of his pocket, he winked at Ron while he opened the door. He motioned with his wand and the lights came on as he ushered them inside. "If you like, you can get married here. This chapel is over one hundred years old and seats about one hundred and fifty people."

            Everyone was speechless. The beauty of the little chapel and its surroundings seemed perfect. Hermione looked at Sirius with tears in her eyes. "I think that this will be perfect." Ron agreed as they both gave Sirius a hug.

            "I believe this calls for a drink to celebrate," smiled Sirius.

***

            Harry woke up the next morning when Mrs. Weasley opened up the door and yelled at him and Ron. "It's after eight already you two!" Harry and Ron just looked at each other. Harry felt like his head was splitting; Ron wasn't much better. They had just laid their heads back on their pillows when a bright blinding light filled the room.

            "Time to get up, sleepy heads!" yelled Ginny. She ducked as Ron threw his pillow at her. "Don't be so grumpy, Ron. No one forced you to drink!"

            "I don't remember drinking that much butterbeer," sighed Harry.

            Hermione came into the room. "It wasn't the butterbeer…it was when Sirius slipped you the Ogden's Old Firewhiskey that got you in this condition."

            "What condition?" asked Ron.

            Hermione looked at Ginny and rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Ron. Don't you know what a hangover is? Here you two, drink up. This potion will make you right soon enough." She handed them each a cup full of greenish liquid.

            "Ugh, what is this stuff?" asked Ron after a drink.

            "It's a healing potion," replied Ginny. "Hermione and I thought you guys might be feeling this way."

            "Ron, we need to remember to watch what we drink," laughed Harry. "Thanks, it is already feeling better!" Harry got up out of bed and herded the girls out of the room. "Go on, we have to get dressed!" After the girls left, Harry and Ron dressed quickly and headed down to the kitchen after Harry finally found his socks.

            Fred and George were sitting at the table talking to Ginny. They were giving her pointers on how to apparate. Harry and Ron took their plates and ate some toast and a couple slices of bacon. Harry was on his third slice of bacon when Mr. Weasley walked in looking exhausted.

            "Any of that bacon left? Ginny, would you please get me some toast?" asked Mr. Weasley. "Molly, is there any tea? What a night!"

            "What happened, Mr. Weasley?" asked Harry.

            "Well I really shouldn't tell you, but seeing as how it will be in the Prophet later today…there was an attack on a muggle boy yesterday Harry. And the Dark Mark was seen again as well."

            Everyone looked scared. Harry spoke up. "It can't be Voldemort! I know he is gone."

            Mr. Weasley nodded. "I know it's not him either. Someone definitely wants him remembered though. I definitely wish I could skive off today…and before you ask, boys (looking at Fred and George), no, I do not want a snackbox!" Mr. Weasley finished his breakfast. "So, Ginny, are you about ready? Let's get your things together and we'll be off." He kissed his wife and Hermione apparated while he and Ginny used Floo Powder. Everyone wished her good luck.

Harry and Ron apparated to London to see the solicitor after they left.

***

            The fire in the fireplace burned brightly. The young man, his face covered in a white mask and wearing black robes stood silently as his Master reviewed the report. "So, the Ministry investigated and found our little present. Good…Good! Now is the time to step up the attacks. Tell the faithful we meet here tonight at midnight. Now, go!" The smiling young man left the room to do his master's bidding as the flies buzzed over the body of the person that brought the report.

***

            Ginny was nervous as she entered the testing centre. She gave her name to the young witch at the door and got her name tag. As she looked around the room, she saw Luna and Colin, as well as many of her other friends. No one was talking…they all seemed nervous. She was about to walk over to them when she heard a door open and several older witches and wizards entered the room.

            "Please be seated," said one wizard, whose long beard looked badly in need of trimming.  "My name is Reginald Vanderwylde. I am the director of testing and these ladies and gentlemen will be your testers. Now please understand that you must successfully complete all the tests to get your license. You will be tested 8 at a time, 1 per tester. It's normal to be nervous. Just remember, the key to apparating is to have a clear mind and a sharp mental picture of where you want to go. Now, we will be passing among you shortly with a hat. You will reach in that hat and pull out a piece of paper. On that piece of paper will be written a number, which will be the order that you will be called for testing. Please be patient and we will get to you as soon as possible. Ms. Lintel, would you please pass out the numbers?" Ginny watched as one of the witches stepped forward with a hat that looked liked the Sorting Hat from Hogwarts. As she walked up and down the rows, each person withdrew a slip of paper. Finally it was Ginny's turn. She reached in and pulled a paper out. The witch smiled at her and moved on. Ginny opened the paper nervously and read the number, smiling. She would get it over with early. Written on the paper was the number three.

"Will the people with numbers one through eight please follow me?" said Ms. Lintel. Ginny nervously got up and went through the door.

***

            Harry, Ron and Sirius met in front of Number 12 Grimmauld Place. Sirius led them over two blocks to a street filled with shops and offices. As they walked down the street, Harry noticed that this was a wizarding street, similar to Diagon Alley.

            "Sirius, where are we?" asked Harry.

            "This is Panus Street. This is hidden from muggles, similar to Diagon Alley. Now that you know it's there, you can find it." smiled Sirius. He led them to a small door in between two shops and knocked. The door swung inward to reveal a set of steps leading up. Sirius walked in, motioning for Harry and Ron to follow. As they climbed the steps, the door shut and one at the top swung open to reveal a tidy office with a lady seated at a desk. She looked up and smiled.

            "Sirius! I thought I would never see you again," she smiled up at him.

            "Now, Lauren. Why wouldn't I want to see you?" he smiled. "I just had some business to attend to. I think you may have heard of my Godson, Harry Potter."

            "It's wonderful to meet you Harry! Sirius told me so much about you," she replied.

            Harry looked confused. He wasn't used to lukewarm replies. Sirius looked at him and laughed. "Lauren is a muggle, Harry. She only started working for Wen-Lee about six months ago," he said.

            "I'm sorry, Harry," said Lauren. "I haven't met all the clients yet. And Mr. Chang doesn't exactly talk much about them."

            Harry looked up. "Mr.CHANG?"

            "Yes, Harry. Wen-Lee Chang has been the solicitor for your family since your grandfather hired him over forty years ago," Sirius replied.

            Harry grew a little nervous and looked at Ron, who shrugged. "Don't worry mate. I'm sure Chang is a very common name in China."

            Just then the intercom buzzed. "He can see you now," said Lauren.

***

            Hermione waited for Ginny in the hall outside the testing centre. Mr. Weasley had gone to his office and had given her a pass to get there when she and Ginny were done. She sat down in one of the chairs with a sigh. As she sat there she looked up and down the hallway. She saw a doorway that had a lot of people coming in and going out. She had been watching for awhile when she saw a very familiar witch dressed in green go in. Hermione walked over to the door and read the sign. It read "Licensing Centre for Animagi, Marriage, Portkeys, Magical Creatures and Others as required by Law".

            Just then the door opened and the familiar witch stepped out. "Hello, Professor McGonagall," said Hermione.

***

            Ginny had successfully apparated across the room and into the corridor beyond the testing room. They had just gone to get Hermione as the instructor explained the next part of the test. "Okay, Ginny, you are doing wonderfully! Now, the third part of the test is to see how well you are at distances. I understand that you live close to Ottery St. Catchpole, correct?" Ginny nodded. "Good, that will do nicely. Now what I will do is give your guest a mirror and have them apparate to your home. They will show us the room, and then you will apparate there while we watch through the mirror. After a minute, you should both apparate back here. Understand?"

            Ginny nodded as Hermione walked in with a mischievous smile on her face. Ms. Lintel explained the procedure to Hermione who took the mirror and popped out. Ginny watched the mirror that Ms. Lintel was holding as suddenly she could see her living room in it, then a smiling Hermione. Ginny looked up at Ms. Lintel and apparated. Suddenly, she was standing next to Hermione.

            "Well done, Gin!" said Hermione.

            "Thanks. Now, we have a minute before I am supposed to go back. Why are you smiling like that?" asked Ginny.

            "I'll tell you later," she replied. "Ready?" suddenly, they were standing back in the testing room facing Ms. Lintel.

            "Excellent, Ginny!" smiled Ms. Lintel. "Top marks! And thank you Ms. Granger, for assisting. Now remember, Ginny. You can only apparate if you know where you are going, unless you are apparating TO someone. Certain places, such as Hogwarts have anti-apparition shields in place. Now, please take the mirror from Ms. Granger and picture a place that you want to apparate to. Got it?" Ginny smiled and nodded. "Okay, now concentrate and go there. The mirror will let us know your success.

            Ginny smiled at Hermione and apparated. The mirror in the testing room came into focus, showing Madame Maulkin's at Diagon Alley. Ginny was standing in front of a window filled with bridal gowns. Then the mirror went blank and Ginny popped in.

            "Fantastic! Ms. Weasley, take this paper down the hall to the Licensing Room and they will take care of you. Congratulations!"

Ginny and Hermione thanked Ms. Lintel and walked out into the hall. "Ginny, you will never guess what Professor McGonagall was doing!" said Hermione.

***

            Harry nervously followed Sirius in while Ron waited in the outer office. An elderly Chinese wizard sat behind the desk and smiled as Harry made eye contact. Lauren shut the door and went back to her desk.

            "Please, have a seat, Mr. Black. And Mr. Potter it is very nice to see you again." said the man.

            "Again?" said Harry.

            "Yes. I was at the Tri-Wizard Tournament watching you. Very good job you did, flying to capture the Egg," he added. "But I met you long before that. I was at your Christening, and your parents brought you here several times to discuss legal matters."

            Sirius smiled sadly. "One of those matters brings us here today, Wen-Lee. But first, Harry seems to have noticed that you share the same last name as someone he knew from school."

            Wen-Lee nodded. "You know my granddaughter Cho. I believe she is about your age."

            Harry's heart sank. Cho and he weren't exactly friends. He had dated her for a short while during his fifth year, but it hadn't worked out. He looked up at Mr. Chang and smiled nervously. "Yes, sir. She was a year ahead of me."

            Wen-Lee noticed his discomfort. "Perhaps we should get to the matter at hand." Harry nodded. "Mr. Potter, your grandfather paid for myself and my entire family to come here from China. Since then, I have been the solicitor for the Potter family. I will remain the solicitor until I am dismissed or I die. Those are the terms of the contract that I signed with your family.

            "Your father and mother, knowing that they were being targeted, set up a will with me to be executed upon their deaths. This will stipulated that there would be a trust fund set up for your education and, upon graduation from Hogwarts, the balance of the estate would be yours. The will itself, however was done in a muggle format by video tape. I am going to give you a copy of the tape to take with you. Please review it and I will come to see you tomorrow at the Weasley home. I believe it will explain much to you." He handed Harry a tape. "Here is a list of people required to be present at the viewing. The tape has been magically sealed so that it can only be opened with all of them present." He turned and handed the list to Sirius. "Mr. Black, you are the executor of the will and should owl the people on this list this evening. I will be there at noon tomorrow with those muggles that cannot get there by magic. Good day, Mr. Potter." He got up and led them out of the door. Harry, Ron and Sirius left the office and headed out into the warm morning.

            "Well, I head best head home to get owls out. Should we meet at the Burrow for dinner?" asked Sirius.

            "Will you take the tape? Ron and I are going to meet the girls," said Harry.

            "Okay. See you later," said Sirius, disappearing with a loud pop.