Chapter Two - Wills and Legacies
The Weasleys all helped get Harry's stuff moved into the house. But the best part was when Harry got upstairs to Ron's room.
Ron was there talking to Hermione and Ginny, all three of whom jumped up happily at the sight of him. After saying their hello's they all sat sown together and Ron proceeded to tell Harry what had been going on in the wizarding world.
"I don't know if you heard, but the Death Eaters are moving more openly now, several people were killed in the past few weeks. The odd thing though has been what's happening in America." Harry looked at him quizzically. Ron proceeded "It seems that Voldemort attacked one of the all-wizard towns in America, I think it was in Pennsylvania but I'm not sure, anyway these Paladins showed up and beat the living hell out of the Death Eaters. They called themselves the O—." At that he was interrupted by Harry.
"Order of the Gryphon? I already know, two of them came to the Dursley's and met up with us."
"Really!? They are very powerful, but I don't think there are that many of them. I remember Mum saying that they're an American counterpart to the Order of the Phoenix. The main difference there is that, in America, witches and wizards are a minority."
"What? What do you mean, 'a minority'?" Harry asked; his confusion evident in his voice.
At that Hermione chimed in. "America was settled by European muggles and magical people at roughly the same time. However, as it stands now, the magical community in the US and Canada is very mixed-blood. They don't have the same ideas about pureblood that we have here, they have different ways of separating themselves." At that she rolled her eyes, obviously she thought those ideas were quite stupid. "Wizards are a minority there but there isn't a established majority, there are many minorities. The most prevalent ability in America is a more ancient form of magic. They call themselves Mages and use a more elemental based magic. Their spells usually embody elements like fire or water so on and so forth."
"Mages? Elemental magic? What are you talking about Hermione?" Harry was getting very confused. In the past two hours he had found out his Uncle was the grandson of a Squib, had been rescued from the Dursleys, been in a battle and dragged halfway across the country, he was feeling like a sponge that was finally reaching its filling point.
"Harry, you know there are other ways of wielding magic than how wizards and witches do. Anyway, the other important types of magic users in America are; Paladins, they use Magic similar to ours, but they don't cast spells, they channel their energy through their weapons; Shamans, who use the powers of nature, but in a different way than Mages, I think that Shamans ask the nature for favors or something; Sorcerers who are much like Wizards, but their power runs too raw for a wand, their spells are incredibly potent. Then there are the voodoo priests, demon summoners, Dark Paladins and many others. And then there are those who are something of a mix. Amrathon is one of those, I think he is the most powerful person of his generation in America. It's quite amazing, you know, Dumbledore's nephew emigrated to the US and he met Amrathon's mother and a few years later Amrathon was born."
"Hermione, you think he's the most powerful what of his generation." Ron asked, clearly as confused as Harry was.
"The most powerful Paladin and the interesting thing is that he is only fifty years old and he is almost as powerful as Dumbledore. I think he is here to find the person with the most potential for Elemental and the Wizarding ones." Hermione finished, clearly exhausted by the recitation, yet she continued anyway. "A sorcerer named Thomas was his protégé, but Thomas's powers have, well, not peaked, but grown to different focuses."
"What do you mean, 'different focuses'?" Harry was very confused.
Hermione looked at him and said "It means that His powers are molded as he needs them, if he needs to ignore the laws of physics he just does, he explained it to us the other night; he said it was like that movie they made in America, and I think it was called the Matrix. But the point is, as long as he can maintain focus, his powers are whatever he wants them to be. Ranging from invisibility, flight, reality warping, telekinesis, and (she rolled her eyes and mumbled 'Ron found this fascinating when he demonstrated it') he can create powers that he just thinks of, like those claws-"
"HE copied Wolverines claws mate, it was incredible." Ron was so overly enthusiastic he forgot that it was a bad idea to interrupt Hermione when she was on a roll.
Hermione threw a dirty look at Ron and continued. "There is one more with them, a Archaeologist, he is looking for a sword, one used ages ago. Anduril, it was used in the War of the Ring."
"What? You mean the Lord of the Rings!? Hermoine, that was just a story, it wasn't real!" A pause settled over the room as Harry looked from Hermione to Ron to Ginny "Right?"
Hermione looked at Harry and started "Do you pay any attention in history? Harry it was real. You can read about it almost anywhere, there a dozen books on the subject in the school library alone, and they haven't restocked in over a year. It occurred in the prior era to classic Greece. The sad thing is that almost everything of Middle-Earth, which wasn't actually known by that name at the time, was sunk. Only three things remain; Minas Tirith, Barad-dur and the Shire. We know they still exist, but we can't exactly pinpoint where. This man has been looking for the Sword Re-forged for decades. And no, before you ask, none of the fellowship is still alive and neither are their descendents. Legolas was the last to go and he faded into the woods over eight hundred years ago. It makes for very interesting reading and the Muggle who wrote about it was given the story and records by his cousin, who was a wizard."
"Why are they here?" asked Ginny, finally coming into the conversation.
"They are an advance scout force, sent by the FDM." Said a newcomer to the conversation. All four of the students looked back and saw Remus Lupin standing in the doorway, flanked by Mad-Eye Moody.
"Professor Lupin! Professor Moody!"
Lupin smiled. "Hi Harry," he said
"What do you mean FDM?" Ginny asked.
"Federal Department of Magic. America has many more magical folk than we do, thus their Department of Magic can spare some people to come over here. Voldemort attempted an attack on Eagle Peak last week, but he was repulsed by the Order of the Gryphon and the magical Special Forces. Some of them have traveled here to fight Voldemort 'on his home turf', as they say it." He focused on them sternly. "Don't bother them; they are more powerful than they look."
He sat down and stretched out on the extra bed massaged his forehead. As he did, Harry noticed a watch-like wristband. Just then a breeze moved the curtains and Harry noticed the full moon.
"Professor, what is that, and why are you here during the full moon!?" Harry asked, not even trying to hide his fear and confusion.
"Calm yourself Harry; I will not change into the wolf now unless this wristband is both removed and then destroyed. It was a gift from a member of the American team, the Sorcerer Thomas. It controls the wolf and keeps me from changing into it, but it is very tiring, I can use it all of the time, but the Wolfsbane potion is a safer guarentee."
Harry just looked at him, completely surprised and at the same time, thrilled for him.
"So you can come back to teach us now?" Ron asked him, hope in his voice.
"Yes, But instead of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, I am teaching History of Magic this year Alastor is teaching Defense against the Dark Arts. There are also several new classes you four might be interested in. For instance there's Elementism, and Magical Combat class, which is an extension of Alastor's class. There's also Paladining and Advanced Muggle Studies."
"Advanced Muggle Studies? What do you mean Professor?" Ron asked, he seemed really interested, which was a first for Ron, at least with schoolwork.
Lupin answered "Well, it's about how muggles get around using magic, they are actually bringing in a muggle to teach it. I think his name is Thomas or something. His son is a wizard, and he was forcibly retired from police work when they cut the London PD budget. Dumbledore wrote to him asking if he wanted the teaching job and he accepted straight away." He seemed to be very interested himself.
Harry was a little curious about the professor though. "Thomas," he said. "as in Dean Thomas? He's one of us, a Gryffindor. Is it his dad who's going to be teaching, his parents are muggles, right?"
It was Moody who spoke now and both answered Harry's question and gave him others. "Yea, it is his father, I've known the guy for fifteen years, and he was the quiet and secret liaison between the Magical law enforcement and the muggle PD. Good man that one, listen to him and you lot will learn quite a bit. Harry, we came up here to ask you to come downstairs, there is something you need to read." At that Mad-Eye turned and walked downstairs. Harry looked at Lupin and the others and they all got up and followed suit.
Arriving downstairs he was surprised to see Professor McGonagall in the corner talking to Mrs. Weasley in hushed voices. "I don't think he should know" whispered Mrs. Weasley.
"If I were in your position I would agree with you, but he is almost of age and has seen more than his fair share of trials, so I think it is right for us to hono-" At that Professor McGonagall saw Harry and stopped talking, she nodded at Harry and pointed to the table, upon which sat several rolls of parchment.
Harry was a little surprised at these papers, and more than a little curious at what they were. He walked over to the table and sat down; Remus followed him and sat on the opposite side of the table looking intently at Harry. Harry picked up the first piece of parchment and unrolled it. The parchment had very precise handwriting on it. When opened it started to speak in Sirius's voice.
The Last Will and Testament of Sirius Black
The Last of the Black Family
I, Sirius Black, being of sound mind and body do hereby make this document a record of my final wishes. They will be short in number and I hope everyone will honor them.
1. Should my Death come before such time as Harry Potter, My Godson, is of Legal Age, let it be that he becomes legally considered an Adult and given the rights and privileges thereof.
2. Although he is now an Adult, I make it my wish that until he is Eighteen years of age, Harry accepts the advisement of Remus Lupin and Arthur Weasley. He is entitled to do what he pleases, but they are to assist Harry in the times to come.
3. The contents of my Gringotts account are to be split between the Weasley Family and Remus Lupin. Arthur, Molly, I know it has been difficult sometimes for you, please take this, as neither Harry nor I need it. Moony, If nothing else, this should keep you till they draft some legislation to let you get back on your feet, as I can, I am here for you
4. It is my wish that this house, 12 Grimmauld Place, while belonging to Harry Potter, still be used as the Headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix.
5. My Motorcycle, confiscated my the Ministry of Magic, is to be returned to Harry Potter, to do with as he pleases.
6. Residence at 12 Grimmauld Place is to be given to Remus Lupin, Harry Potter and any member of the Weasley family, as long as they should wish it. The house will conform and grow extra rooms as needed.
7. I leave my prank and joke recipes and plans to Fred & George Weasley, Use them wisely boys!
8. I leave my Broom Collection and Quiddich Equipment to both Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. Ron is given possession of my brooms and they both share ownership of my old membership at "The Quiddich Pitch" in Hogsmeade.
9. The Entire contents of my library at 12 Grimmauld Place is to be left to Harry Potter, on the Condition that he allows Hermione Granger Unlimited use thereof.
10. Buckbeak is to be set free in Northern Ireland
11. All unspecified properties are to be given to Harry Potter.
Let That Be my Final Will and Testament.
Sirius Black
Witnesses
Alastor Moody
Minerva McGonegall
Albus Dumbledore
Mundungus Fletcher
At that, the scroll rolled itself back up and laid on the table, its task completed. Harry looked at the other papers on the table. One was the completed paperwork for Harry to become a legal adult, another was the Gringotts Bank change forms and the last was a pile of Proof of Ownership Paperwork.
Harry was stunned by what Sirius had said in his will. He looked around the house, knowing now that it was his house to do what he wanted. He turned to Remus.
"Professor Lupin, does this mean I am allowed to perform magic outside of school?" Remus nodded along with Mr. Weasley, who was leaning on the counter in the corner. Harry nodded and turned to walk up the stairs to come face-to-face with Sirius's mother's picture. He pulled back the curtains to look at her and, as usual, she started screaming
"FILTHY MUDBLODDS, TRAITORS EVIL BEASTS AND WORSE. YOU, YOU EVIL LITTLE BOY, HOW COULD YOU INHERIT THIS THE MOST NOBLE AND AINCENT HOUSE OF BLACK!" She screamed at him. Harry looked her picture straight in the eyes and said.
"YOU MADE SIRIUS'S LIFE A LIVING HELL HERE, AND I INTEND TO TAKE SOME OF MY PAIN OUT ON YOU, YOU ARROGANT BITCH! REDUCIO!" Harry shouted this at the top of his lungs, there wasn't a person in the house who didn't hear him and he didn't care. Mrs. Weasley and Professor McGonagall's hands flew to their mouths, clearly surprised at the fury Harry was displaying, not to mention how he was displaying it. But it was all ended with his spell. Normally the portrait would have been protected from this sort of attack, but the amount of power and anger Harry put into the spell could have blown a hole about six feet around in a steel wall. The portrait simply disintegrated, Mrs. Black's last expression was one of surprise and fear, which Harry felt was appropriate. He turned around with a sigh of relief and looked at everyone. He just shrugged.
"What did you expect me to do, just say hello and ask her what she felt like?"
A new voice answered "I certainly didn't, but then again, nobody knew I was here" at that an invisibility charm came off of a young man who couldn't be more than nineteen, even with the goatee. As he stood there leaning up against the wall Harry got a good look at him. His Cloak covered traveling clothes and it almost hid the sword and scabbard on his belt. "You must be Harry; my name is Thomas Exter, from Eagle Peak Pennsylvania. Nice to meet you."