A/N: There's slash here, don't read further if you don't like it. Hope you
all like the new chapter! Reviews answered at the end. . . .
I hope you all don't mind how long this took. I know you all are expecting this to have Ron & Hermione's reactions to everything, but that had to be delayed a chapter. I had to write this though, so you all would have insight as to what happened to Dudley, and of course Sirius. Hope it's worth the wait.
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Harsh Realities
Money Matters
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The day of Sirius's trial, Headmaster Dumbledore requested Harry and Hailey come to his office for a small chat. Harry and Hailey left with Severus, and made their way to the office. Once there, Harry gave the password to the Gargoyle, "Swedish Fish."
Harry still wasn't quite sure how the Headmaster knew about all the different kinds of Muggle candy, but rolled his eyes slightly as they made their way up the staircase to the office. Hailey knocked on the door, and almost immediately the Headmaster's voice called out, "Come in Severus, Harry and Hailey!"
Hailey frowned and muttered, "How does he know it's us?"
Severus and Harry simply rolled their eyes and walked in to see Albus smiling at them, gesturing for them to take a seat. They did so, and Hailey followed their example. Albus started by saying, "Now, I thought I should start by letting you know that Dudley has been safely retrieved, and sent along to his Aunt, Marge Dursley, as she was listed as his guardian should anything happen to Petunia and Vernon."
At that, Harry and Hailey both smiled sadly, but nodded in understanding. Then Albus said, "However, your parents wills said that should they die, and all other possible guardians - Sirius, Remus and the Dursleys - be unable to take you in, or die before you're both of legal age - seventeen in the Wizarding World - that your care be left to me or if I judge it to be suitable, that you receive your inheritances no more than one year early at the age of sixteen."
Hailey nodded, a confused frown on her face, while Harry's eyebrows rose at the wording the Headmaster had used. Albus smiled kindly at them and said, "Which brings me to why I've asked you to come to my office today. Before I hand over your Gringotts keys, as I want this to be done with before the Ministry can interfere, you both need to sit with me and go over your inheritances."
Severus politely asked, "Should I be present for this, Albus?"
Albus smiled and answered, "That would be up to Harry, however as you are marrying him soon you'll likely know all the details soon anyhow. I simply assumed it would be easier on both of you to get this out in the open with both of you at the same time. Then when things get closer, you can discuss whatever financial issues your estate has, or what combining them might do to both estates."
Harry nodded in understanding and said, "Severus he has a point, you might as well stay."
Severus frowned, but nodded and sat back in his chair. Albus smiled and clapped his hands, causing three folders to appear in Severus, Harry and Hailey's hands. Startled, Hailey dropped hers and had to bend over and pick it up. Harry and Severus just rolled their eyes and opened the folders and started to read the information with in the folder, closely followed by Hailey in their actions.
The papers held surprises for both Harry and Hailey as well as Severus - who knew that the Potter family was wealthy, but obviously had no idea just HOW wealthy they were. Albus spoke out loud, "You'll find, I'm sure, that the actual home Godric's Hollow - James' ancestral home - is in Harry's name. James felt Harry should own the house he was born and with them in. Hailey however, has received Griffin Manor, left to Lily by her Great- Grandfather, the last Wizard on his side of the family, he married a Muggle, and there were no more magical children until Lily was born."
Albus took a small break and then said, "You'll also find that the financial inheritance was split equally - and that both of you currently only have access to your personal accounts. The rest is in a trust fund for each of you, which you will gain full access to upon your graduation from Hogwarts. Now, do any of you have any questions?"
Harry and Hailey's eyes were bulging out of their faces, they seemed unable to ask questions. Severus however was frowning and asked, "Albus, Lily once mentioned something about a villa in Italy? I'm sure they would still have it - why isn't it listed under the properties?"
Albus' eyes twinkled as he answered, "She signed it over to Linda and Garrett as a 'thank you' for taking on Hailey. The other properties were divided between Harry and Hailey as you can see, leaving both with quite the inheritance. Aside from that, Harry's folder has an additional set of papers from Gringotts, as several people changed their wills after you-know- who's downfall, naming Harry their sole Heir."
Harry blinked at that and asked, "Why would they do that? Doesn't their family object?"
Albus nodded and said, "Quite a few have tried to contest those wills in court, only to find the court unwilling to take away anything that had been named yours. Whenever you inherited property, or vaults at Gringotts, the Ministry personally checked things over for curses and Dark Artifacts. I usually accompanied them and always personally checked any form of a library - books whether filled with Dark Magic or not are still just that, books, and the choice on those being disposed of is left to you, not the Ministry. There was one couple, who left you a vault with several cursed items in it. The ministry confiscated them, obviously, and at that time I had the money they left you donated to pay for their disposal."
Harry nodded and then Hailey asked, "Are you sure these are correct? This seems a little much for a rather young couple."
Albus nodded and said, "Most of that is from James' parents. Mind you a good amount came from Lily's side as well. Andrew and Rose Evans only had Lily and Petunia, and Andrew was rather good with business. Petunia got the house that she and Vernon live in now, and her half of the money, while Lily got their belongings, and her half of the money. Rose and Petunia had a terrible fight from what I understand, shortly after Petunia married Vernon. Rose didn't want Petunia to have any of the things she'd worked so hard to keep up, but Andrew insisted they leave her with something, so she got the house. I do remember when they died, Petunia had a fit that drove Lily to near insanity - they were both pregnant at the time, and as I understood it, James and Vernon had to exchange a few words to get things sorted out."
Harry frowned and asked, "How did you know all of this? I mean - I thought Mum and Dad hid all of this from you."
Albus nodded and said, "Yes, but Lily and James had the copies of their will placed in a vault, time-spelling the actual copy to appear as I received the letter from them. I had gone only last week to check the will once over again, to see if I'd misread the bit about you being their sole Heir. I had a hard time believing that they would accept that you would get along with your sister after Lily's problems with Petunia. That was when I found the actual will."
Harry nodded, once again looking over the will, he had trouble believing that two people who he was basically forced upon, a result of his Mother being raped, would want to give him what they had. Even if they had loved him - surely they would want the daughter they actually wanted, and made together out of love, to have all of this, and not the living breathing reminder of the horrible act Voldemort committed against his Mother.
Harry shook his head to clear those thoughts from his head - he'd seen them in the pensieve, both Lily and James interacting with him. He knew from watching those memories that regardless of the circumstances, both loved him as their son and would want him to be happy, healthy and well provided for. And judging by what little he knew about the costs of life, he would never have to work a day in his life.
Of course he would work regardless, what else would he do to pass time? He was hardly going to follow Severus around in his classroom, or even stay at home like Aunt Petunia to raise children. Yes he wanted children, but stay at home all day with them? He somehow doubted he would stay sane if he attempted to do that. And the public would hardly allow him to stay idle; after all he is their 'hero'.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Hailey asked, "Does anyone else know exactly what we've inherited?"
Albus shook his head and replied, "No, just the four of us. It truly is no one else's business. Unless of course, you and George Weasley are more serious than I had previously thought?"
Hailey blushed and replied, "We're only dating. As of yet anyway."
Albus nodded and said, "Of course not yet. Now, those are your copies of the will. If you would like I can place them inside a Gringotts vault for you. Here are your keys to the vaults, guard them carefully mind you. Now, Sirius and Remus should be back sometime soon I assume. I will let them tell you what happened, as I left early and did not hear all of the details. They were however, just wrapping things up as I left. We should head down to lunch then, shall we?"
The group wordlessly made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, each of the copies of the will in Albus' office, soon to be placed in Harry and Hailey's vaults in Gringotts. Half way to the Great Hall, they ran into Remus and Sirius, who were both smiling and in human form. Harry and Hailey smiled at their godfather and Remus, glad to see them both.
Sirius grinned as he announced, "They cleared me of all charges! Pettigrew is getting a Dementor's Kiss as we speak, and the Minister is personally over-seeing things at Gringotts while the Ministry compensates for all of my lost wages, years of being wrongfully imprisoned, and mental anguish. Isn't that great?"
Harry and Hailey were both smiling as they offered their congratulations. Severus offered a stiff congratulations, while Albus smiled widely as he maneuvered the group towards the Great Hall for lunch. Once inside lunch became a party, in celebration of a wrongly accused man finally being set free, and allowed to carry on with his life, with his family, the way he should have years ago.
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Review Responses:
Severus' Potions Mistress: I have to say that I didn't think about it logically when writing the torture scene with Lucius and Draco. I didn't want to have to think in detail about it, but only to portray that it was absolutely disgusting. Sorry for the confusion. :) I hope however, that it was enough to show how absolutely horrid Lucius Malfoy is. Draco, in the scene, was detaching himself from the situation and following orders. I tried to portray that he was having issues with what they were doing, without giving away that he's actually starting to think about what it is that he's doing. Hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
Carya, VB, Lady Maria & Jackie ~ Sorry the update took so long. The next will be up within the next few days I hope. I was stuck on this chapter, but the next one is coming along nicely already. :)
RavenChickMoon, Sevy, Lyla Snape, wintermoon2 & Shadow Tiger: Thanks for the support. :)
sev1970: I'm glad you liked it! Also, about Draco - I have things planned for that one and I hope you keep reading to find out what they are! :)
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I hope you all don't mind how long this took. I know you all are expecting this to have Ron & Hermione's reactions to everything, but that had to be delayed a chapter. I had to write this though, so you all would have insight as to what happened to Dudley, and of course Sirius. Hope it's worth the wait.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Harsh Realities
Money Matters
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The day of Sirius's trial, Headmaster Dumbledore requested Harry and Hailey come to his office for a small chat. Harry and Hailey left with Severus, and made their way to the office. Once there, Harry gave the password to the Gargoyle, "Swedish Fish."
Harry still wasn't quite sure how the Headmaster knew about all the different kinds of Muggle candy, but rolled his eyes slightly as they made their way up the staircase to the office. Hailey knocked on the door, and almost immediately the Headmaster's voice called out, "Come in Severus, Harry and Hailey!"
Hailey frowned and muttered, "How does he know it's us?"
Severus and Harry simply rolled their eyes and walked in to see Albus smiling at them, gesturing for them to take a seat. They did so, and Hailey followed their example. Albus started by saying, "Now, I thought I should start by letting you know that Dudley has been safely retrieved, and sent along to his Aunt, Marge Dursley, as she was listed as his guardian should anything happen to Petunia and Vernon."
At that, Harry and Hailey both smiled sadly, but nodded in understanding. Then Albus said, "However, your parents wills said that should they die, and all other possible guardians - Sirius, Remus and the Dursleys - be unable to take you in, or die before you're both of legal age - seventeen in the Wizarding World - that your care be left to me or if I judge it to be suitable, that you receive your inheritances no more than one year early at the age of sixteen."
Hailey nodded, a confused frown on her face, while Harry's eyebrows rose at the wording the Headmaster had used. Albus smiled kindly at them and said, "Which brings me to why I've asked you to come to my office today. Before I hand over your Gringotts keys, as I want this to be done with before the Ministry can interfere, you both need to sit with me and go over your inheritances."
Severus politely asked, "Should I be present for this, Albus?"
Albus smiled and answered, "That would be up to Harry, however as you are marrying him soon you'll likely know all the details soon anyhow. I simply assumed it would be easier on both of you to get this out in the open with both of you at the same time. Then when things get closer, you can discuss whatever financial issues your estate has, or what combining them might do to both estates."
Harry nodded in understanding and said, "Severus he has a point, you might as well stay."
Severus frowned, but nodded and sat back in his chair. Albus smiled and clapped his hands, causing three folders to appear in Severus, Harry and Hailey's hands. Startled, Hailey dropped hers and had to bend over and pick it up. Harry and Severus just rolled their eyes and opened the folders and started to read the information with in the folder, closely followed by Hailey in their actions.
The papers held surprises for both Harry and Hailey as well as Severus - who knew that the Potter family was wealthy, but obviously had no idea just HOW wealthy they were. Albus spoke out loud, "You'll find, I'm sure, that the actual home Godric's Hollow - James' ancestral home - is in Harry's name. James felt Harry should own the house he was born and with them in. Hailey however, has received Griffin Manor, left to Lily by her Great- Grandfather, the last Wizard on his side of the family, he married a Muggle, and there were no more magical children until Lily was born."
Albus took a small break and then said, "You'll also find that the financial inheritance was split equally - and that both of you currently only have access to your personal accounts. The rest is in a trust fund for each of you, which you will gain full access to upon your graduation from Hogwarts. Now, do any of you have any questions?"
Harry and Hailey's eyes were bulging out of their faces, they seemed unable to ask questions. Severus however was frowning and asked, "Albus, Lily once mentioned something about a villa in Italy? I'm sure they would still have it - why isn't it listed under the properties?"
Albus' eyes twinkled as he answered, "She signed it over to Linda and Garrett as a 'thank you' for taking on Hailey. The other properties were divided between Harry and Hailey as you can see, leaving both with quite the inheritance. Aside from that, Harry's folder has an additional set of papers from Gringotts, as several people changed their wills after you-know- who's downfall, naming Harry their sole Heir."
Harry blinked at that and asked, "Why would they do that? Doesn't their family object?"
Albus nodded and said, "Quite a few have tried to contest those wills in court, only to find the court unwilling to take away anything that had been named yours. Whenever you inherited property, or vaults at Gringotts, the Ministry personally checked things over for curses and Dark Artifacts. I usually accompanied them and always personally checked any form of a library - books whether filled with Dark Magic or not are still just that, books, and the choice on those being disposed of is left to you, not the Ministry. There was one couple, who left you a vault with several cursed items in it. The ministry confiscated them, obviously, and at that time I had the money they left you donated to pay for their disposal."
Harry nodded and then Hailey asked, "Are you sure these are correct? This seems a little much for a rather young couple."
Albus nodded and said, "Most of that is from James' parents. Mind you a good amount came from Lily's side as well. Andrew and Rose Evans only had Lily and Petunia, and Andrew was rather good with business. Petunia got the house that she and Vernon live in now, and her half of the money, while Lily got their belongings, and her half of the money. Rose and Petunia had a terrible fight from what I understand, shortly after Petunia married Vernon. Rose didn't want Petunia to have any of the things she'd worked so hard to keep up, but Andrew insisted they leave her with something, so she got the house. I do remember when they died, Petunia had a fit that drove Lily to near insanity - they were both pregnant at the time, and as I understood it, James and Vernon had to exchange a few words to get things sorted out."
Harry frowned and asked, "How did you know all of this? I mean - I thought Mum and Dad hid all of this from you."
Albus nodded and said, "Yes, but Lily and James had the copies of their will placed in a vault, time-spelling the actual copy to appear as I received the letter from them. I had gone only last week to check the will once over again, to see if I'd misread the bit about you being their sole Heir. I had a hard time believing that they would accept that you would get along with your sister after Lily's problems with Petunia. That was when I found the actual will."
Harry nodded, once again looking over the will, he had trouble believing that two people who he was basically forced upon, a result of his Mother being raped, would want to give him what they had. Even if they had loved him - surely they would want the daughter they actually wanted, and made together out of love, to have all of this, and not the living breathing reminder of the horrible act Voldemort committed against his Mother.
Harry shook his head to clear those thoughts from his head - he'd seen them in the pensieve, both Lily and James interacting with him. He knew from watching those memories that regardless of the circumstances, both loved him as their son and would want him to be happy, healthy and well provided for. And judging by what little he knew about the costs of life, he would never have to work a day in his life.
Of course he would work regardless, what else would he do to pass time? He was hardly going to follow Severus around in his classroom, or even stay at home like Aunt Petunia to raise children. Yes he wanted children, but stay at home all day with them? He somehow doubted he would stay sane if he attempted to do that. And the public would hardly allow him to stay idle; after all he is their 'hero'.
He was brought out of his thoughts when Hailey asked, "Does anyone else know exactly what we've inherited?"
Albus shook his head and replied, "No, just the four of us. It truly is no one else's business. Unless of course, you and George Weasley are more serious than I had previously thought?"
Hailey blushed and replied, "We're only dating. As of yet anyway."
Albus nodded and said, "Of course not yet. Now, those are your copies of the will. If you would like I can place them inside a Gringotts vault for you. Here are your keys to the vaults, guard them carefully mind you. Now, Sirius and Remus should be back sometime soon I assume. I will let them tell you what happened, as I left early and did not hear all of the details. They were however, just wrapping things up as I left. We should head down to lunch then, shall we?"
The group wordlessly made their way to the Great Hall for lunch, each of the copies of the will in Albus' office, soon to be placed in Harry and Hailey's vaults in Gringotts. Half way to the Great Hall, they ran into Remus and Sirius, who were both smiling and in human form. Harry and Hailey smiled at their godfather and Remus, glad to see them both.
Sirius grinned as he announced, "They cleared me of all charges! Pettigrew is getting a Dementor's Kiss as we speak, and the Minister is personally over-seeing things at Gringotts while the Ministry compensates for all of my lost wages, years of being wrongfully imprisoned, and mental anguish. Isn't that great?"
Harry and Hailey were both smiling as they offered their congratulations. Severus offered a stiff congratulations, while Albus smiled widely as he maneuvered the group towards the Great Hall for lunch. Once inside lunch became a party, in celebration of a wrongly accused man finally being set free, and allowed to carry on with his life, with his family, the way he should have years ago.
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Review Responses:
Severus' Potions Mistress: I have to say that I didn't think about it logically when writing the torture scene with Lucius and Draco. I didn't want to have to think in detail about it, but only to portray that it was absolutely disgusting. Sorry for the confusion. :) I hope however, that it was enough to show how absolutely horrid Lucius Malfoy is. Draco, in the scene, was detaching himself from the situation and following orders. I tried to portray that he was having issues with what they were doing, without giving away that he's actually starting to think about what it is that he's doing. Hope you enjoy this chapter. :)
Carya, VB, Lady Maria & Jackie ~ Sorry the update took so long. The next will be up within the next few days I hope. I was stuck on this chapter, but the next one is coming along nicely already. :)
RavenChickMoon, Sevy, Lyla Snape, wintermoon2 & Shadow Tiger: Thanks for the support. :)
sev1970: I'm glad you liked it! Also, about Draco - I have things planned for that one and I hope you keep reading to find out what they are! :)
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